TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • Im ready to coach any club in Ghana Ibrahim Tanko

    Former Ghana U-23 male team coach, Ibrahim Tanko has reiterated his desire to coach any club in the country.

    The former Borussia Dortmund forward who currently heads the Black Stars B in an interview with Kumasi-based Otec FM affirmed that he is ready and willing to lead any club in the local scene.

    “Why Not? I’m always available for any club that comes in with a good offer. It could be any time soon, either today or tomorrow.”

    “My job is coaching so as long as am here, I’m ready and willing for any club who can meet my demand,” he added.

    Tanko last coached at club level in the 2011/2012 season where he served as an assistant manager for Bundesliga side FC Köln.

    He has also had a stint with the Cameroon national team.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Ghana international goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi suffers racist abuse in Swiss League

    Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi was a victim of racial abuse when FC St. Gallen faced FC Lugano on Saturday.

    Ati-Zigi was hooted at and suffered racist chants from the Lugano fans in the Swiss League fixture at the Cornaredo stadium.

    St. Gallen lost the match with a 1-0 scoreline.

    Lugano reported the unwarranted incident on their Twitter page and have assured the perpetrators would be identified and brought to book.

    They wrote on Twitter:

    “Some spectators would have inadequately addressed the guest goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi,”

    “The company “will do everything possible to identify those responsible”.”

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Solomon Asante celebrates Western Conference victory with Didier Drogba

    Phoenix Rising captain, Solomon Asante celebrated reaching the USL championship final on Saturday night with former teammate Didier Drogba.

    Solomon Asante led Phoenix to overcome El Paso Locomotive FC in the final of the Western Conference on penalties.

    The game finished 1-1 in regulation time with Phoenix winning the shootout 4-2.

    After lifting the trophy, Asante made a video call to Drogba to celebrate the achievement.

    Drogba, who retired from football in 2018, was rooting for Phoenix and was super excited when they won.

    He was all smiles when Asante called him to celebrate the victory together.

    The Chelsea legend spent the final season of his illustrious career at the USL club.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Asawase NDC supporters storm police station, chant for release of 10 colleagues

    Some members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Asawase constituency of the Ashanti region have besieged the regional police headquarters over the arrest of 10 of their members.

    Clad in party t-shirts, the NDC members are demanding the immediate release of their colleagues.

    The NDC activists were arrested by the anti-robbery squad of the Ghana police service in front of the office of the Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Muntaka Mubarak, at Aboabo Police Office, after returning from campaign activities on Saturday, 25 October 2020.

    The reason for their arrest is unknown but the Member of Parliament for the area said they were picked up for allegedly being robbery suspects.

    Mr Mubarak said some regional executives of the party, including the regional organiser, Esham Alhassan; the regional Chairman, Augustus Andrews Nana Kwasi; and the regional Secretary, Kwame Zu, have gone to the police headquarters over the matter.

    Addressing the media, Mr Mubarak said the arrested activists are not criminals.

    He said he has met with the regional police commander and has promised to grant them bail after their statements have been taken.

    The opposition MP bemoaned what, in his view, is the continuous intimidation of NDC supporters by the police as election approaches.

    According to him, several members of the party in the constituency have been arrested on several occasions and granted bail without any tangible reason.

    Source: Class FM

  • Police officer killed at check point in Central Region

    An on-duty Police officer in the Central Region has died after he was ran over by a truck.

    The 39-year-old Sergeant Salifu Hifzullah stationed at Apam District Police Command was crushed to death at Gomoa Manso Check Point on the Winneba-Cape Coast Highway.

    According the Central Regional Police, the suspect, driver Francis Akese, 50 was in charge of a Samsung Yamouzine Truck, with the registration number CR 319-11 from Mankessim towards Apam with two persons on board.

    Upon reaching a section of the road near Greenfield Police Snap Check Point, the driver refused to stop when signaled and knocked down the officer.

    The Police officer was seriously injured and was rushed to Apam Catholic Hospital but died while receiving treatment.

    Central Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Oppong told the media that, the driver has been detained to assist investigation.

    She said the body of the officer has been moved from Gomoa Apam Catholic Hospital to the Police Hospital morgue.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Ex-Asante Kotoko striker Stephen Owusu dies, aged 37

    Former Asante Kotoko striker Stephen Owusu is confirmed dead at age 37.

    The news of his demise was announced by her sister Abigail Comfort Owusu on Saturday, October 24, 2020 via Facebook.

    She posted a collage of the former Tusker FC player with the inscription: “Fare thee my brother.”

    According to reports, Owusu has been bedridden for some time now after contracting an illness in Kenya.

    He was also a former player for Heart of Lions and Accra Celtics.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Parts of Accra, coastal areas to experience rainstorms Sunday – Meteo Service warns

    Parts of Accra and other coastal areas are expected to experience a rainstorm today Sunday, October 25, 2020.

    According to a notice served by the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet), the rainstorm is likely to be accompanied by strong and vast winds.

    A statement issued by the agency read in part, “The rainstorm over the coastal sector of Benin on October 25, 2020, at 0715UTC is expected to propagate westwards with the bulk of it in the sea, affecting mostly places along the coast.”

    Some areas of the country likely to experience the storm include, “Agbozume, Akatsi, Anloga, Ada Foah between 0930UTC and 1230UTC, Prampram, Tema, Accra, Afienya between 1030UTC and 1400UTC”.

    Meanwhile, some parts of the capital Accra have already started to experience some rain showers.

    The last major outpour occurred on October 10, 2020, which resulted in gushy waters raging through lives and property across the country.

    See the statement below:



    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Address internet disparities to boost business growth – Employers tell government

    The Ghana Employers Association (GEA) has called on government to address the high cost of internet charges to boost the growth of local businesses and promote economic development.

    Mr Daniel Acheampong, President of the GEA, said the high cost of internet, coupled with low access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools, were great discouragement to businesses who would want to leverage on technology to drive productivity amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

    He said even though the country’s economy had made significant progress in spite of the pandemic, the high cost of internet remained a challenge to businesses and the country at large to ensure a full recovery from the economic shocks.

    Mr Acheampong said this at the Association’s 60th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Accra on the theme: “Revitalising Ghana’s Economy Post COVID-19 Pandemic.

    “He said 58 percent of respondents, in a recent research conducted by the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), indicated that the price of internet in Ghana was among the highest on the African Continent.

    “This represents a significant barrier for Ghana to leverage on internet and ICT to recover from the disruptions of the pandemic,” he said.

    Mr Acheampong said government must, therefore, prioritise the development of the country’s ICT infrastructure to provide access to competitively-priced, high-speed internet to businesses, workers and the citizenry, irrespective of their location to boost productivity.

    He, however, hailed government for implementing a number of economic and social policies, which, he said, had put the country on a strong footing towards macroeconomic management, economic growth and employment creation, prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19.

    He said the implementation of those policies would put the economy on the path of sustained growth and driven the her towards the realisation of the “Ghana Beyond Aid,” agenda.

    Ghana’s economy growth rate over the last two decades averages between five and six percent.

    In 2019, the country attained an improved growth rate of 6.8 percent, one of the highest rates for any Sub-Saharan African country at the time.

    The 2020 Budget Statement revealed that the growth of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product may decline from 6.8 percent to 2.6 percent by end of year 2020.

    Mr Acheampong, while pledging the Association’s continued support to ensuring total recovery from the pandemic, urged government to ensure the effective implementation of the comprehensive economic recovery plan it had outlined by involving all key stakeholders.

    Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister of Finance, said the country was on the road to recovery from the economic shocks due to the pandemic as the numerous interventions by government had begun to yield positive results.

    He said data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) on the second-quarter of 2020 indicated that the impact of the covid-19 on growth had been less severe than anticipated.

    The GSS data showed that real GDP was 3.2 percent in the second-quarter of 2020 as compared to a growth of 5.7 percent for the corresponding period in 2019.

    Mr Ofori-Atta urged the private sector to take advantage of the numerous initiatives government was implementing to boost productivity.

    Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR), said government had acknowledged the concerns of workers and employers and would address them with the measures being put in place.

    He commended the GEA for the immense support towards government’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghana’s cocoa management goes digital

    Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia on Friday launched the Cocoa Management System (CMS) to create a comprehensive digital database for cocoa farmers for effective and efficient management of the cocoa industry.

    The CMS is an online portal that will capture the demographics of cocoa farmers, farm sizes, input supplies, payment transactions and facilitate the roll out of the Cocoa Farmers’ Pension Scheme.

    Vice President Bawumia, speaking at the launch in Accra, said the System would be a game-changer for the cocoa industry, enhance transparency and help bring total transformation in the sector.

    He entreated the Management of COCOBOD to build in-house capacity to manage the System to ensure its sustainability.

    He called for collaboration between all stakeholders in the cocoa industry for effective implementation of the programme.

    Dr Bawumia urged the media to undertake sensitisation drive to educate cocoa farmers and all players in the cocoa value chain for successful implementation.

    He lauded the Management of COCOBOD for implementing various innovative initiatives over the past three and half years, saying that, the CMS was in tandem with the Government’s digitisation agenda to formalise the economy.

    He said digitisation was revolutionalising the global economy, therefore it was imperative to leverage on information technology to enhance productivity and promote accountability and transparency.

    The Vice President outlined various interventions rolled out by the Akufo-Addo-led government to improve the income and livelihoods of cocoa farmers in the country.

    They include; hand pollination, pruning, and irrigation of cocoa farmers, supply of subsidised fertilizers and farm inputs, as well as the introduction of living income differential and increase in cocoa prices recently.

    Dr Bawumia also mentioned digital infrastructure initiatives rolled out to generally formalise the Ghanaian economy including the digital property addressing system, national identification system and mobile money interoperability payment system.

    Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COCOBOD,said the Management of COCOBOD over the past three and half years were implementing initiatives to address the myriad of challenges be-devilling the cocoa industry.

    He mentioned some of the initiatives as early spraying, hand pollination, supply of slashes, pruning and irrigation of some cocoa farms to ensure all-year round water.

    He was of the conviction that, the CMS if fully implemented, would create a central database for cocoa farmers, create inter and intra connectivity generation of cocoa industry players and transform the industry for the better.

    Mr George Oduro, a Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, said the government had adopted mechanisation programmes to accelerate economic growth and make cocoa farming attractive to the Ghanaian youth.

    He said government had supplied 100,000 motorized slashes to cocoa farmers, embarked on irrigation in some cocoa farmers and continued the fertilizer subsidisation programme to improve cocoa production.

    The Deputy Minister was of the belief that the CMS would help eliminate fraud, theft and myriad of challenges facing the cocoa industry.

    Alhaji Alhassan Bukari, President of Cocoa, Coffee and Cashew Farmers Association, on behalf of the association, thanked the Government for introducing major innovative initiatives to better the lots of cocoa farmers, which had also reduced the drudgery of farming and made it attractive for the Ghanaian youth.

    Source: GNA

  • John Mahama mourns with Rawlings at Dzelukope

    Former President and flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama was among the dignitaries that thronged Dzelukope, on Saturday, October 25, 2020 for the funeral of Madam Victoria Agbotui, mother of Jerry John Rawlings.

    Mr. Mahama’s presence in the Volta region for the occasion explains why he was ‘missing’ at the burial service and funeral rites held at the forecourt of the State House, Accra, same day.

    The body of Victoria Agbotui was taken to Dzelukope, in Keta, Volta region, for the final funeral service after the non-denominational pre-burial service held in Accra.

    Clad in an all-white apparel, the NDC flagbearer, in the company of other party officials paid their last respect to Former President Rawlings’ mother amid drumming and dancing.

    Mahama was seen exchanging pleasantries with his predecessor, Jerry John Rawlings and his wife, Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.

    He also received a rousing welcome from some members and sympathisers of the party who had gathered to mourn with the bereaved families.

    Victoria Agbotui who was born on September 9, 1919, died on September 24, 2020, a few days after celebrating her 101st.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Ghana records two more deaths, KIA positive cases reach 100

    Ghana has recorded two more COVID-19 deaths, which has taken the death toll to 316, according to the latest figures released by the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

    Forty-one new cases have been recorded taking the cumulative figure to 47,690.

    The active cases have increased to 487 with 46,887 patients recovered/discharged.

    Meanwhile, the number of positive cases from international travellers at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) has reached 100.

    Out of this figure, 53 have recovered and or been discharged.

    Regional breakdown below:

    Greater Accra Region – 24,826

    Ashanti Region – 11,002

    Western Region – 2,974

    Eastern Region – 2,421

    Central Region – 1,931

    Bono East Region – 784

    Volta Region – 681

    Western North Region – 646

    Northern Region – 547

    Ahafo Region – 528

    Bono Region – 514

    Upper East Region – 323

    Oti Region – 242

    Upper West Region – 90

    Savannah Region – 62

    North East Region – 19

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Prof. Opoku-Agyemang reiterates need for women to be empowered

    The vice presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has reiterated the need for women to be empowered to unearth any hidden potential so as to bring out their best.

    She said if women are given the necessary support and encouragement, they can transform the nation as they are at the forefront of development and contribute significantly to the growth of the country.

    Prof Opoku-Agyemang made this remark at a programme dubbed, “Women in conversation with Naana Jane.”

    The programme brought together a cross-section of Ghanaian women from different background to dialogue with Prof. Opoku Agyemang to find out the challenges they face in their various fields of work.

    Prof. Opoku Agyemang noted that it is as a result of the respect the NDC and John Mahama have for women that is why she has been chosen as running mate.

    She was grateful for the gesture and promised that she will do everything in her power to ensure that women voices are heard and also included in the decision-making process when she becomes Vice President.

    She said she will ensure that the 30% quota for women proposed by the NDC will come to fruition.

    Prof. Opoku-Agyemang was worried that women are not so visible at the top when it comes to governance.

    She said, sometimes, for women to accept top positions is even a problem. This, she said, is as a result of the way society sees and treats women in politics.

    The NDC running mate said the trend must stop to encourage women to take up leadership positions.

    Prof Opoku Agyemang was also concerned about the way politics has become dirty in the country. Adding that there is the need to turn around the face of politics from filthy language and insults.

    The programme brought together women leaders in trade, healthcare, farming, business, gender and traditional and religious leadership to promote female representation. During the discussion, the women suggested to Prof how they would want her to tackle problems affecting them when given the nod.

    They also promised to support and campaign for her to ensure that she becomes the next Vice President.

    Source: gbcghanaonline.com

  • 50-year-old dumpsite evacuated in Cape Coast

    Residents of Kwesiprah near the University of Cape Coast in the Cape Coast North Municipality in the Central Region were in a joyous mood when the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR) evacuated their 50-year-old dumpsite.

    The exercise was part of the ongoing nationwide evacuation exercise by MSWR to rid the country of aged dumpsites.

    The ongoing exercise is in line with President Nana Akufo-Addo’s vision of the Clean Ghana Agenda aimed at making the country the cleanest in Africa.

    According to residents, the area gets flooded whenever it rains and also causes a strange stench during the rainy season.

    The dumpsites evacuated in the Central Region include Kwseiprah, Amamoma, Akotokyir and many other places in the Cape Coast municipality.

    Speaking to Journalists during the evacuation, the Assemblyman for the Old Site Apewosika Electoral Area, Mr Francis Mensah Egyiri, said residents always complain of frequent disease outbreak such as malaria and cholera.

    Mr Egyiri said whenever it rains, the refuse flows into the gutter causing floods in the area so the evacuation will ease their plight.

    “We are happy to see the evacuation of the dumpsites because it will stop the floods and outbreak of cholera,” he stated.

    The Assemblyman appeals to the Cape Coast North assembly and Zoomlion Ghana Limited to provide enough refuse containers and embark on a frequent collection of the refuse.

    “What we are going to do is to intensify the education on how to package the refuse well before disposing of them,” he stated.

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com

  • Kwesi Pratt decries biased appointment of security heads by government

    Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt has asked for new laws to be enacted to ensure impartiality in the appointment of Heads and officers of the Police Service.

    Kwesi Pratt has consistently bemoaned the political interference in the security services.

    His concern has to do with the fact that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other members of the management of the Police force are appointed by the government, the hierarchy keeps reshuffling personnel every time there is a change of government.

    Kwesi Pratt is of a strong view that the government appointment in the Police Service breeds security biases and therefore called for the laws governing the security sector to be reviewed.

    ”As we move forward, there is the need to reconsider the laws and enact laws to ensure the appointment of Heads of the security services won’t create the impression of bias. As we go forward, we must adopt measures that won’t create the impression of bias in the recruitment of personnel into the security services and so on”, he insisted.

    He spoke to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo”.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Election 2020: Resorting to ‘self-defence’ at polling stations ill-advised – Ursula Owusu

    Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has advised Ghanaian electorates not to consider self-defence in the event of a physical confrontation during the December 7 polls their first resort.

    Seasoned journalist, Kwesi Pratt has been advocating that the electorates should defend themselves against assailants who attempt to disrupt the elections.

    “The court is not the only option; there are other alternatives…The law mandates me to apprehend and use reasonable force on you”, he said.

    He urged the electorates to fight off such persons stressing ”the law grants everybody the right to self-defence if someone threatens you with a knife”.

    But Hon. Owusu-Ekuful has vehemently dissented to Mr. Pratt’s self-defence assertions.

    Contributing to the Friday edition of Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo”, the Communications Minister urged Ghanaians to always report cases of violence to the security personnel who will be stationed at the polling stations.

    She stated that the security services should be the first port of call in any riotous incident.

    ”Our laws permit self-defence but we don’t want law of the jungle, survival of the fittest…There are security personnel at every polling station because if we all say we choose to defend ourselves, nobody can vote. It will turn into chaos…I plead with all of us to adhere to the measures in place because it will help us. It’s our thumb that must speak, not who has the strongest muscle”, she emphasized.

    She noted that the security services are at the polling stations to maintain law and order.

    Source: Peace FM

  • TV3 adjudged Best English TV Station at 25th GJA Awards

    TV3, a subsidiary of the Media General Group, has been adjudged the Best Television Station of the Year in English for 2019.

    Six of its journalists also received awards at the just-ended 25th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards held on Saturday, October 24.

    They are Alfred Ocansey, Komla Adom, Wendy Laryea, Portia Gabor, Josephine Antwi Agyei and Joseph Armstrong.

    The awards took place at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel.

    Samson Lardi Anyenini was awarded with the overall, Journalist of the Year 2019.

    Source: 3 News

  • Six TV3 staff pick awards at 25th GJA Awards

    Six journalists with Media General, managers of TV3, received awards during the 25th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) awards on Saturday, October 24.

    The six are Alfred Ocansey, Komla Adom, Wendy Laryea, Portia Gabor, Josephine Antwi Agyei and Joseph Armstrong.

    TV3 also won the Best Television Station of the Year in English.

    The awards took place at the Kempiski Gold Coast Hotel on Saturday, October 24.

    Samson Lardi Anyenini was awarded with the overall, Best Journalist of the Year 2019.

    Source: 3 News

  • NPP’s number one position is a step forward – Bawumia

    Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has urged Ghanaians to rally behind President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on December 7, to continue his economic transformation and all-inclusive development agenda.

    Speaking at the fundraising launch of the 2020 NPP campaign in Accra, Vice President Bawumia said December 7 polls were the most crucial elections of the current generation “because the country is on the cusp of a major transformation under President Akufo-Addo”.

    Dr Bawumia said: “What is at stake for the country in the December 7 election is a choice between the nation’s progress, represented by the NPP under Nana Akufo-Addo and retrogression, represented by the opposition NDC under John Mahama.

    Using the two parties’ positions on the ballot paper to make a case, the Vice President noted that voting for number one, which is President Akufo-Addo is one step forward, and voting for number two, which is former President Mahama, means taking the nation two steps backwards.

    “The people of Ghana know what the NDC is made up. We don’t want to repeat that dance, one step forward and two steps backwards,” Dr Bawumia said.

    “Interestingly and by the grace of God, when the balloting was done, NPP is number one; NDC is number two. If you choose NPP, you’re going to take a step forward. If you choose NDC, you are going to take two steps backwards.

    “That is what it is. One step forward, or do you want two steps backwards? That is the choice that Ghanaians face and we have to make sure, we the NPP and the people of Ghana protect the gains that the leadership of President Akufo-Addo has brought to Ghanaians.

    “We cannot risk our free SHS, we cannot risk all the jobs we are creating, we cannot risk One- District, One- Factory, One-Village, One-Dam, NABCO and all the policies that we are making,” he stated.

    The Vice President explained that the future of the country was promising under the leadership of Nana Akufo-Addo.

    “Nana Akufo-Addo has said that if by the grace of God we come into the office, he wants to extend help to students who have qualified to go to university with tertiary loans so that they can go to the university.”

    “And we are not going to build mortuaries for our Zongo communities. We are going to build schools for our Zongo communities.”

    “So there is a lot at stake for this election. It is the most important election, in my opinion, in our generation. Because I believe that we are on the cusp of a major transformation in this country and that is why we need to do what we can to raise the resources to support the NPP’s campaign.”

    The fundraising campaign is aimed at getting members and sympathisers of the NPP, to contribute financially towards the 2020 election campaign.

    Source: GNA

  • Cause of Akyem-Batabi church building collapse revealed

    Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh, has addressed a press conference to explain what caused the building collapse disaster at Akyem-Batabi in the Eastern Region.

    According to a Daily Graphic report, the NADMO boss disclosed that preliminary investigations into the cause of the collapse of the Church of Prosperity building point to the use of substandard materials to construct the three-storey building.

    Among the substandard materials used for the construction include iron rods, sand and chippings.

    “He announced that the death toll at the site of the disaster had risen to 22, comprising 12 females — including a two-year-old girl — and 10 males. Eight of the 30 people retrieved from the rubble by the search and rescue team are alive.

    “Six of the survivors had been treated and discharged from the Oda Government Hospital, one was still on admission at the same facility, while the other victim had been transferred to the St Joseph Hospital in Koforidua for intensive care,” according to the report by state-owned Daily Graphic.

    Meanwhile, the local assembly has been tasked to find the perpetrators of the disaster and recommend punitive actions, according to the same Daily Graphic report.

    “The government cannot continue to waste the scarce national resources on disasters through the negligence of irresponsible people,” the NADMO boss is reported to have said.

    The local assembly has also been tasked to pay the medical expenses of a victim of the disaster who is on admission at the St Joseph Hospital, the report said.

    The unidentified victim of the disaster is expected to pay an initial GH¢3,500 before the treatment of his fractured legs will begin.

    The uncompleted church building said to be owned by Prophet Isaac Ofori, aka Akoa Isaac, caved in on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

    The building had been undergoing construction for at least ten years.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Fake National Security operative arrested with guns, 47 BB cartridges at Kibi

    The Kibi Police has arrested a 36-year-old man parading as a National Security operative for attempting to illegally mine gold on the concession of a mining company.

    The accused “National Security operative” Ibrahim Amaniampong armed with pump action gun, 47 ammunition and a handcuff stormed the concession of MOS mining company at Habitat area in Kibi in the Eastern Region with his accomplice Foster Twum, a taxi driver on October 7, 2020 at about 6:50pm.

    Owner of the mining company reported the incident to Police upon which the accused persons were arrested while blasting rocks and mining .

    Police retrieved the pump action gun, 47 live BB Cartridges, Spanner and a pair of handcuff.

    The taxi cab with registration number GS 4047-11 used by the accused persons has also been impounded.

    They were remanded on October 8, 2020, however, granted bail of GHc20,000 with two sureties each on their fourth appearance at the Koforidua District Court “B” presided by His Worship Eric Daning.

    The accused will reappear in Court on November 17,2020.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Full list of award winners at 25th GJA awards

    The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) on Saturday, October 24 held its 25th awards ceremony at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, to acknowledge distinguished journalists and media institutions.

    The event was on the theme: “COVID-19 and credible presidential and parliamentary elections: The media factor.”

    Below is a full list of award winners

    Journalist of the Year – Samson Lardi Anyenini (Joy News)

    Best News Reporting (Print) – Seth Bokpe (The Ghana Report)

    Best News Reporting (Electronic) – Akua Oforiwaa Darko (GTV)

    Best News Reporting – Features Category (Print) Rebecca Quaye (Daily Graphic)

    Best News Reporting – Features Category (Electronic) — Peggy Armah Donkor (GTV)

    Photojournalist of the Year – David Andoh (Myjoyonline.com)

    Arts and Entertainment Reporting Gabriel Ahiagbor (Daily Graphic)

    Best in Domestic Tourism Reporting Emmanual Adu Gyamrah (Daily Graphic)

    Best in SMEs Reporting Kwame Anum (Adom TV)

    Best Environment Reporting (Print) Mohammed Fugu (Daily Graphic)

    Best Health Reporting Afia Amakwah Tamakloe (Adom TV)

    Best Health Reporting (Print) Prosper Koworsor (GNA)

    Best Sports Reporter (Print) John Vigah (Ghanaian Times)

    Best Sports Reporting (Electronic) Kojo Mensah Aborampah (Adom FM)

    Best Reporting in Education Alfred Akrofi Ocansey (TV3)

    Small Scale Mining Reporting Timothy Ngnenbe (Daily Graphic)

    Development Journalism for furthering SDGs Beatrice Senadju (GTV)

    Best Reporting in Child Protection and Participation (Print) Raissa Sambo (Ghanaian Times)

    Best Child Protection and Participation (Electronic) Komla Adom (TV3)

    Human Rights Reporting, Women and Children Albert Sore (Joy News)

    Best Reporting in Sanitation and Hygiene (Print) Caeser Abangali (GNA)

    Best Reporting in Sanitation and Hygiene (Electronic) Emefa Nancy Dzradosi (Joy News)

    Best Disability Reporting (Akan) Samuel Alfred Amoh (Adom TV)

    Best Disability Reporting (English) Wendy Laryea (TV3)

    Best Online Reporting Edwin Appiah (The Ghana Report)

    Best Reporting in Science (Print) Albert Oppong Ansah (GNA)

    Best Reporting in Science (Electronic) Portia Gabor (TV3)

    Best Oil and Gas Reporting Moses Dotse Aklorbortu (Daily Graphic)

    Best Maritime Reporting Josephine Antwi Adjei (TV3)

    Best Rural Reporting Nabil Ahmed Rufai (GHOne)

    Best in Agricultural Reporting Prince Appiah (Joy News)

    Best Telecommunication Reporting Linda Tenyah-Ayettey (Daily Guide)

    Best Reporting in Transport and Road Safety Kojo Mensah Aborampah (Adom TV)

    Democracy and Peacebuilding Samson Lardi Anyenini (Joy News)

    Recipients of the Special Awards for Covid-19 coverage

    Irene Emefa Apawu (Joy News)

    Akua Boakye Yiadom (Adom TV)

    Afia Sarpong Kumankuma (UTV)

    Dickson Tweneboah Kodua (UTV)

    Albert Futukpor (GNA)

    Eric Amoh (GNA)

    Regina Asamoah (Atinka TV)

    Portia Gabor (TV3)

    Betty Arthur

    Joseph Armstrong (TV3)

    Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng (GTV)

    Ridwan Karim Osman (GHOne)

    Best in Corporate Social Responsibility The Ghana Report

    Award for Best Regional FM Stations

    Regional Best FM Stations – Obonu FM (Greater Accra)

    Regional Best FM Station – Classic FM (Bono East Region)

    Regional Best FM Station – Space FM (Bono Region)

    Regional Best FM Station – Lorlornyo FM (Volta Region)

    Regional Best FM Station – Angel FM (Ashanti Region)

    Regional Best FM Station -Akyem Mansa (Eastern Region)

    Regional Best FM Station – Twin City (Western Region)

    Regional Best FM Station – ATL FM (Central Region)

    Best FM Station – Diamond FM (Northern Regions)

    Regional Best FM Station – Success FM (Ahafo Region)

    Regional Best FM Station – Nkegli FM (Savannah Region)

    Regional Best FM Station – Eagle FM (Northern East Region)

    Regional Best FM Station – Radio Progress (Upper West Region)

    Photojournalists and cameramen recognized

    Emmanuel Quaye Daily Graphic

    Daniel Nii Duodo Amu Ghanaian Times

    Patience Adjei Lartey Information Services Department

    Joojo Agyare – UTV

    Pelvis Atsu GTV

    Robert Tetteh Atinka TV

    Political Programme of the Year ‘Ekosii S3n’ (Asempa FM)

    Best English Morning Show (Radio) Citi Breakfast Show

    Best Morning Show in Akan (Radio) Kokrokoo (Peace FM)

    Best TV Morning Show of the Year (English) Good Morning Ghana (Metro TV)

    Best TV Morning Show of the Year (Akan) Adekye Nsroma (UTV)

    Best Radio Station of the Year (English) Citi FM

    Radio Station of the Year (Akan) Peace FM

    Best Television Station of the Year (English) TV3

    Best TV Station of the Year (Akan) UTV

    Newspaper of the Year Daily Graphic

    Nuclear Star Award Osei Owusu Amankwah (B&FT)

    Female Journalist of the Year Regina Asamoah (Atinka TV)

    Best TV Programme (Akan) ‘Di Asa’ (Atinka TV)

    Special Awards from Plan Ghana

    Wendy Laryea

    Regina Asamoah

    Other special award

    Most promising Komla Dumor Journalist of the Year – Raissa Sambo (Ghanaian Times)

    Dr J.T. Anim Award for Ethical Journalism – Beatrice Asamani

    Award in recognition of Meritorious Service to the GJA – Roland Affail Monney

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • How a woman was rescued from the collapsed church building at Akyem-Batabi

    The four-day rescue operation in the church building that collapsed at Akyem-Batabi in the Eastern Region has ended.

    Thirty victims had been retrieved as of Friday, October 23, when the operation was brought to a close; 22 of them had died, while eight survived.

    The deceased are made up of 12 women, nine men and a girl child.

    Among those who were rescued by the team from the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Ghana National Fire Service and other securities agencies was an old woman who was part of the worshippers. She had gone to church to pray for their pastor who was indisposed and was trapped under the rubble.

    In a viral video sighted by GhanaWeb, the woman was saved on Wednesday, October 21 by the rescue team first clearing the debris from the floor. Then a NADMO official who wore a red shirt and a pair of trousers was seen entering the hole that was created within the debris by lying in a supine position and pulling out the woman who was trapped under the rubble.

    Officials from the Ghana Ambulance Service then quickly brought a stretcher and placed her on it. Next, she was placed on oxygen before she was carried into the ambulance and then to a hospital.

    On the last day of the rescue operation, The Ghana Air Force provided sniffer dogs during the early hours of Friday to check for possible bodies covered under the debris.

    The team searched thoroughly for the last victim-a woman-who was reported missing but who unfortunately has not been found under the rubble as of the time of filing this story.

    Hence the church leaders have been asked to notify NADMO, whenever they smell a stench from the disaster scene.

    Eric Nana Agyeman Prempeh, Director-General of NADMO, when decommissioning the rescue team commended the rescue team made up of 210 personnel from various security agencies, and the operators of the four excavators, seven haulage tipper trucks and two payloaders, for working tirelessly.

    He charged organizations responsible for regulating the construction of buildings to intensify their monitoring regimes to enable them proactively avert the recurrence of such incidents.

    Background

    The collapse of the uncompleted three-storey church building occurred Tuesday at about 2:30 pm.

    Prophet Akoa Isaac who is the keener of the church has told the police in his caution statement after his arrest that he was sick and lying in his residence on the same compound of the Church when he heard the sound of the collapsing church building.

    He added that he was told that about 56 worshippers were in and around the building fasting and praying when the incident happened.

    When the police proceeded to the scene, 35 of the worshippers were seen traumatized, while a 60-year-old woman identified as Afia Tamakloe, was lying dead. The rest were trapped under the rubble.

    A joint rescue team made up of officials of the National Disaster Management Organization, NADMO, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Ambulance Service, the BNI, National Security, and the Ghana Armed Forces, rescued 13 victims a few hours after the incident.

    Out of the 13, six-all-female-were dead; and one was in a critical condition.

    The remaining six victims who were not in very serious danger namely Adu Godfred, 21; Erasmus Larner, 25; Elizabeth Toot,18; Bridget Birorey, 59; Jonas Larner, 45; and Charity Addison, 38, have been treated and discharged from the Oda Government Hospital.

    One of the survivors gave this account: “We were resting in the church building after fasting and prayers so whilst resting, we heard portions of the building coming down. We were over 60 in the building [and] we started running away. Some of the people managed to escape but others were trapped.

    Some residents say construction of the church building started in 1996 hence they suspect that its structural integrity continued to weaken through years of inactivity.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Akyem Batabi building collapse: Baby girl reportedly among 22 fatalities

    It has emerged that the body of a baby girl is allegedly among the 22 fatalities that have so been recorded in the building collapse disaster at Akyem Batabi in the Eastern Region.

    Reports indicate that the baby was pulled from the rubble of the collapsed building on Friday, October 23, 2020.

    Citi News reports that the Director for Inspectorate Division at the National Disaster Management Organisation, Richard Amo-Yartey, disclosed on Friday that the baby is estimated to be about two years old.

    “At about 1:30 am we ended the search and rescue… We have stopped the use of machines and have introduced sniffer dogs and have sniffed around to see if there are traces of anybody,” Citi News quotes Mr Amo-Yartey.

    The uncompleted three-storey church building caved in on Tuesday at about 2:30 pm, according to reports.

    According to Starr FM, Head pastor of the church and owner of the building, Prophet Akoa Isaac, has told police that he was sick and lying in his residence on the same compound of the Church when he heard the collapsing of the church.

    The rescue team on the ground include officials of the NADMO, Ghana National Fire Service, Police, Ambulance Service, BNI, National Security and the military.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • KAIPTC lauds ECOWAS for continuous support

    Major General Francis Ofori, the Commandant of the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), has lauded the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the continuous support for the Centre.

    He said the KAIPTC, one of the three training centres of excellence, designated by ECOWAS in the sub-region, would continue to deliver on its mandate.

    “We look forward to continue strengthening this fruitful partnership between KAIPTC and ECOWAS,” Major General Ofori remarked at the opening of the Integrated Middle Management Course (IMMC) at the KAIPTC in Accra.

    The course, which is the second in series, is being organised by the KAIPTC with funding support from the Commission and the European Union.

    It seeks to fill gaps identified by ECOWAS, with the objective to support the operationalisation of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF).

    The Course aims at enhancing the capacity and effectiveness of participants to perform tasks at the middle management level of any ECOWAS mandated Peace Support Operation.

    The 17 participants attending the two-week course were drawn from eight African countries, namely Ghana, Serra Leone, Senegal, Togo, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Nigeria and Zambia.

    Major General Ofori urged the participants to engage with each other and actively participate in the discussions so that they could derive the maximum benefit from the course.

    He also urged them to make the best use of their two-week stay at the Centre to enable them all to achieve the objectives of this course.

    “You are all aware that the Coronavirus is still with us, and the only way to prevent getting infected is to stick religiously to the safety protocols; so during your two-week training, please wear your masks, wash your hands or sanitize them frequently, and maintain a 2-metre distance between yourself and others.”

    Mr Baba Gana Wakil, Special Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, said, the IMMC in Peace Support Operations under the sponsorship of the EU was the second in the series.

    Participants are at the end of the course, are expected to perform the role of middle managers to support and achieve a common standard for integrated procedures in Peace Support Operations.

    Mr Wakil said the ECOWAS Standby Force was a multidimensional and integrated force comprising elements from the military, police and civilian components of the ECOWAS Member States.

    This, he said was what accounted for the mixture of military, police and civilian participants to go through the Course.

    He said ECOWAS had enormous experience in planning, deploying and managing Peace Support Operations within the Region as exemplified by the recent deployments of ECOWAS Peace Missions in Guinea Bissau and The Gambia.

    He said the need to train a bulk of personnel to adequately manage PSOS could not, therefore, be overemphasized, adding, this training also provides an opportunity for the sharing of ideas between the participants and the facilitators.

    He urged the participants to find one or two new lessons that would enhance their experience in management, as they were already experienced in their own right.

    He encouraged them to also make good use of the resources that had been placed at their disposal by KAIPTC.

    Source: GNA

  • Tema East MP rescues 18-year-old bone cancer patient with GH¢50,000

    Member of Parliament of Tema East constituency, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover has volunteered to support an 18-year-old boy with bone cancer with an amount of GH¢50,000 for surgery.

    On his Facebook post, the MP said he was on his way to Parliament when it was announced on an Accra-based radio station that the young man, known as Winfred Narh who also happens to be his constituent needed an amount of GH¢50, 000 as medical bills for surgery.

    He, therefore, called the radio station to pledge his commitment to take the of the full cost of the surgery.

    “My attention was drawn to a story of a young man of about 18 years who needed GH¢50, 000 (500 million old cedis) for surgery on Adom FM on my way to Parliament earlier today. Winfred Narh has bone cancer.

    “This young man also happens to be constituent who lives with his father at Bankuman.

    “I quickly called into the radio program to pledge my commitment to take care of the full cost of the surgery,” he narrated

    The treatment is expected to commence today at the Tema General Hospital.

    Below is his post:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Dec polls: Opoku-Agyemang dialogues with women today

    Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang, vice presidential candidate of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will today, 23 October 2020 hosts a cross-section of Ghanaian women in dialogue.

    Women leaders in commerce, health care, trading, farming, traditional leadership, business and gender activism among others will discuss an agenda to promote more female representation in all spheres of national experience for 2021 and beyond.

    In recognizing the opportunity presented to her as the first female vice-presidential candidate of a major political party, the primary objective for the event, according to a statement from her office “is to share perspectives among other women leaders about common concerns.”

    It is also expected to generate concrete actions and a framework for using female-specific platforms to promote greater participation and representation in the country.

    Talking ahead of the event, Prof Opoku-Agyemang noted that: “I would like to share my own vision as a woman, with an opportunity to influence a new approach to address a broad range of national issues.

    “I also hope to identify more ways to arrive at result-driven partnerships with our male counterparts on the many challenges we face regardless of gender.”

    Source: Class FM

  • Dec polls: Maintain law and order with civility Ibn Chambas to Police

    A delegation from the United Nations, led by Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel on Thursday, October 22, 2020, called on the Inspector-General of Police and members of the Police Management Board to deliberate on Police preparedness towards the upcoming elections.

    Dr Ibn Chambas commended the IGP on his hard work and recent tour to various regions to ascertain operational readiness of the Police ahead of the elections.

    He also urged Police to maintain law and order with civility to promote peace during the election, adding that security for elections is key.

    The Inspector-General of Police, James Oppong-Boanuh assured the delegation of maximum security before, during and after the general elections.

    Source: Class FM

  • Election 2020 is about Ghanas future and the unborn generations Sammi Awuku

    National Organizer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Sammi Awuku says election 2020 is about the future of Ghana, its children and the generations unborn.

    According to him, the decision taken on December 7 will determine whether the country is headed forward or backwards.

    Sammi Awuku who has been in the Northern region for some time now made this known when was campaigning for NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Gushegu, Lawyer Hassan Tampuli.

    He reminded residents of Gushegu how honest the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration has kept its promises with the People of Ghana and Gushegu.

    “Gushegu has had their fair share of National Development, under the 1 Village 1 Dam, A Shea processing Company under the 1 District 1 Factory, a new health centre and also with many of the children benefiting from the Free SHS”, he enumerated.

    Reminding them of the need to vote Lawyer Hassan Tampuli as their Member of Parliament, Mr Awuku said Hassan Tampuli has been a development-oriented person and there is, therefore, the need to throw their weight behind him so that more can be done for the people.

    Source: My News GH

  • Election 2020: EC to start printing ballot papers on October 26

    The Election Commission is set to commence the printing of electoral materials for the December presidential and parliamentary polls from Monday, October 26, 2020.

    According to a citinews report, seven printing houses have been selected to commence the printing of notices of polls and ballot papers.

    The commission is said to have written to the parties contesting to appoint a representative each to observe the printing of materials at the printing houses.

    Parties are expected to give out details of their representatives to Electoral Commission by Monday for accreditation.

    The Electoral Commission of Ghana announced that 12 presidential candidates out of 17 who filed their nominations for the upcoming 2020 elections have been cleared to contest.

    The Commission has also disqualified five presidential candidates out of the 17 who initially submitted their nomination forms.

    Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa explained that the five disqualified candidates had amongst other things, presented forged signatures to the Commission and also had IT issues with their forms.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • West Africa: 570 terrorist attacks claim over 2k lives in 2020, Ghana calls for more action

    The government of Ghana has expressed concerns over the expanding activities of extremist attacks to the coast of the West African sub-region, a situation which poses a threat to the rapid economic growth to the various economies which find themselves in the catchment area.

    Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey while delivering her address on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who doubles as Chairperson of ECOWAS at the 2nd Coordinating Council meeting of the AU and the economic community noted that on “the second exogenous shock of terrorism and violent extremism, it is worth noting that it remains a serious challenge for ECOWAS. Between the 1st of January to 16th October 2020, 570 terrorist incidents leading to 2,201 deaths took place in the region, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria”.

    She added that “the terrorist threat also continues to expand towards the coastal states of West Africa, as evidenced by the terrorist attack of 11th of June 2020 perpetrated in the northeast of Côte d’Ivoire.”

    The Minister further explained that although ECOWAS heads of states and governments approved a $1billion priority action plan to end terrorism in the region, to date, $100 million have been mobilised since 2019.

    Notwithstanding the exogenous shocks, ECOWAS in the view of the foreign minister has pursued its programmes and projects to support the transformation of the national economies and foster the creation of a zone of economic freedom, competitiveness and shared prosperity.

    She also reassured the gathering that the ECOWAS Integration and Development Agenda is anchored on Ecuador’s Vision 2020, which is fully in line with the African Union agenda.

    Source: Class FM

  • Church building collapse: Death toll now 21

    The death toll from the Church building collapse in Akyem Batabi in the Eastern Region has risen to 21, out of 29 victims retrieved.

    The deceased persons are made up of 12 females and 9 males. There are eight survivors so far.

    More victims are expected to be extricated as rescue workers worked throughout last night to enter day four of the rescue Operation.

    Almost all the victims found by the rescue team after 24 hours of the incident are dead, an indication that many victims trapped under the rubbles are giving up the ghost as their rescue delays.

    The stench emitting from decomposing bodies still trapped under the rubble is becoming unbearable.

    The rescue team are in a dilemma on the exact number of victims trapped as some survivors have given conflicting figures.

    Meanwhile, the Founder of Church Of Prosperity, Prophet Isaac Ofori popularly known as Akoa Isaac is assisting the Akyem Oda Divisional Police Command to investigate the incident.

    Background

    The collapse of the uncompleted three-storey church building occurred Tuesday at about 2:30 pm.

    Prophet Akoa Isaac has told Police in his statement after his arrest that he was sick and lying in his residence on the same compound of the Church when he heard the collapsing of the church.

    He said he was told that about 56 worshippers were in and around the building fasting and praying when the incident happened.

    When Police proceeded to the scene, 35 of the worshippers were seen traumatized at the scene while a 60-year-old woman identified as Afia Tamakloe, lying dead. The rest were trapped under the rubble.

    A joint rescue team made up of officials of the National Disaster Management Organization, NADMO, Ghana National Fire Service, Police, Ambulance Service, BNI, National Security, Military with support from the Eastern Regional Minister Eric Kwakye Darfuor who is at the scene retrieved 13 victims few hours after the incident out of which 6 -all females were dead, one (1) in critical condition while 6 victims namely Adu Godfred,21, Erasmus Larner,25, Elizabeth Toot,18, Bridget Birorey,59, Jonas Larner,45, and Charity Addison,38 have been treated and discharged by the Oda Government Hospital.

    According to one of the survivors “We were resting in the church building after fasting and prayers so whilst resting, we heard portions of the building coming down. We were over 60 in the building so we started running away some of the people managed to escape but others were trapped.”

    The Asene Akroso NADMO Director Gyan Willington told Starr News it has been very tedious removing the rubbles but added the rescue team is making headway as additional excavators have been provided.

    Some residents say the construction of the Church building started decades ago hence its structural integrity continued to weaken.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Disqualified presidential aspirant seeks injunction on Dec 7 elections

    One of the five disqualified presidential aspirants has filed an application for an interim injunction to restrain the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) from going ahead with the conduct of the December 7 elections.

    The flagbearer of the United Front Party (UFP), Nana Agyenim Boateng, popularly known as Gyataba, filed the suit at a High Court in Accra on Thursday, October 22.

    According to the writ, Gyataba described the decision by the Commission to disqualify him on Monday, October 19 as “irrational” and “illogical”.

    He further stated that the decision violates the constitutional instrument (CI) 127 and Article 23 of the 1992 Constitution. He explained that the EC has even gone ahead to conduct balloting for positions for 12 other presidential aspirants without the involvement of the UFP flagbearer “and has stated its intention to print ballot papers without the name and participation of applicants”.

    Nana Agyenim Boateng wants the Court to grant his application as failure will, among other things, deny Ghanaians “the opportunity of electing their preferred candidate as president of Ghana”.

    The Court has, consequently, scheduled Monday, November 2 to hear the case.

    Together with Kwesi Addai Odike, Kofi Koranteng, Marricke Kofi Gane and Kwesi Busumbru, Gyataba was disqualified from contesting the elections on grounds of infractions, which have been reported to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service.

    Twelve aspirants including Madam Akua Donkor and Christian Kwabena Andrews were cleared to contest the elections.

    Source: 3 News

  • Show me any project in Ahanta not done by NDC Lower Dixcove Omanhen dares

    The Paramount Chief of Lower Dixcove in Ahanta West in the Western Region, Nana Akwesi Agyemang IX, has applauded the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for engineering what he describes as almost all the towering development projects on Ahanta land.

    According to the Omanhen, all the major development projects including schools, electrification projects and road rehabilitation on Ahanta land were masterminded by the NDC and dared to be shown any other major project done by someone else.

    “If you look at anything good that is here in Ahanta West, it all happened during the tenure of the NDC administration. The Baidoo Bonsoe Senior High Technical School, it was done by the NDC, the Agona Nkwanta Market it was the NDC, the Sankor Senior High School, the Abura Vocational Technical, the commencement of the Princess town road. Even my own hometown Nfuma, the water project was done by the NDC. It was during the period of Hon. Arthur that Agona Nkwanta had light. So, they should show me something in Ahanta West that someone else has also added.”

    Speaking during a durbar on a visit by former President John Mahama as part of his five-day tour of the Western Region, the charged Omanhen reminded the people of Ahanta West that it is an election year and asked them to “do an introspection, look around and do an inventory of all the development projects in Ahanta West and see if they were all not done by the NDC”.

    Nana Akwesi Agyemang, however, appealed to the former President Mahama to construct a modern market and also continue with other projects that his administration started but could not complete when “he wins the 2020 Presidential Election”.

    “You started the Sankor Senior High School but could not complete before you left office. We will plead that you complete it when you come back. You also started the Princess Town road but currently, construction works have stalled, please pay attention to it when you come. The Cape Three Point and New Amanful roads all need your attention when you come. Again, I think Ahanta West deserves a housing project because Takoradi is choked.”

    The Omanhen advertised the NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Ahanta West, Dr. Emmanuel Okumi Andoh, and pleaded that he is made a minister in the next Mahama administration.

    According to him, he will personally be in Accra to ensure that his name is added to the ministerial list of the Mahama administration on December 8.

    “…if this man does not deserve a ministerial appointment then what. He has been an astute teacher for years. He even became the Vice Chancellor of the Takoradi Technical University. Very qualified. …I will be in your office on December 8 to see to it that on your ministerial list will be the name of Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Okumi Andoh”.

    Source: 3 News

  • Minority demands breakdown of Coronavirus expenditure

    The Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has demanded a breakdown of the coronavirus expenditure.

    He said in the spirit of transparency and accountability, the government through the Finance Minister will have to render an account on how the Covid-19 funds have been utilized.

    Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, October 22, the Tamale South lawmaker noted that Parliament approved millions of cedis to the government to use in fighting the pandemic.

    Also, the central bank, Bank of Ghana, gave the government GH¢10 billion to enable the country deal with the ravages of the coronavirus.

    Mr Iddrisu said although the virus has not been eradicated completely, the time has come for the government to render an account to the Ghanaian people.

    “You recall that we in the Minority played our part and the very threats of Covid-19. We supported the state to pass the necessary legislation and to support the release of justifiable finances and funding to contain and combat Covid. What happened with the outcome?“ he asked.

    He further questioned the decision that went into the selection of Frontiers Company as the company for testing passengers who arrive at the Kotoka International Airport.

    He alleged that the company had no experience in conducting tests for patients as it was formed and registered a few days after the contract was awarded.

    “Our main issue is the testing of the passengers at the airport. You recall that the Minority raised issues against the award of the contract to Frontiers.

    “The company was registered on 21st July 2020 just two days to the commencement of its operations.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Vote based on Nana Addos record First Lady

    The First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Naa Okiakor Akufo-Addo, has asked the public to vote for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo based on its development record. Mrs Akufo-Addo made the call when she paid an official visit to the Ablekuma South Constituency as part of her campaign tour of the Greater Accra Region.

    According to her, the good record that has been set by the NPP, should be the reason the NPP government is retained for another four years.

    She noted that the flagship Free SHS, One District, One Factory, Planting for Food and Jobs and NABCO policies of the ruling government is impacting positively on the lives of Ghanaians.

    “Right now, Free SHS has helped Ghanaians and a lot of people are benefiting, the government has also established more than factories all over Ghana which are creating jobs for citizens,” she added. “NABCO has also come to address the issue of youth unemployment.”

    Addressing the gathering, she said President Akufo-Addo has started a process of moving the country to another level of development which must be supported by all.

    “You have all seen how through the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, the country is changing and we need to support him and the NPP government so the change can be permanent,” she urged.

    With less than two months to the general elections, Mrs Akufo-Addo urged all to go out peacefully and vote on December 7 for the NPP and the Ablekuma South NPP parliamentary candidate, Bernard Brown.

    She said, “We are a peaceful country and we have shown this by holding free, fair and peaceful elections over the years.”

    The First Lady also pledged to liaise with the appropriate authorities to address the concerns raised by fishermen and market women in the constituency.

    “As soon as I get home, I will talk to the President about the outboard motor and personally see to it that the Tuesday Market is completed on time for you to continue trading,” she assured.

    Ablekuma South NPP parliamentary candidate, Bernard Brown, in a brief remark, said the NPP is the best option for the continued development of Ghana and called on the constituents to retain the NPP for another four years, to secure the future of the country.

    Source: Happy 98.9FM

  • Akufo-Addo promises a bridge over Oti River

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has promised to construct a bridge over the Oti River to enhance economic activities of the region.

    Addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Kete-Krachi in the Krachi West Constituency of the Oti Region, the President said the bridge was currently at the design stage to determine where it would be located, adding: “No matter what happens, the construction of the bridge will happen.”

    He said the Finance, and Roads and Highways ministries had reached the final stages of negotiations with Messrs FDN/INTORL, a Dutch Company, for funding and commercial agreements to build a 1.6km composite bridge over the Oti River at Dambai and Dodiokope.

    “Feasibility studies have been completed for works to commence upon receipt of the requisite approvals from Cabinet and Parliament,” he said.

    “Upon completion, this bridge will relieve communities in these areas of the long waiting periods and excruciating slow movement of people, goods and services by ferry across the Oti River.”

    The President inspected a 15-kilometre rehabilitation of the Kete-Krachi Town roads at the cost of GH¢58 million, which is expected to be completed in 12 calendar months.

    It was awarded to the First Sky Company Limited by the Regional Department of Urban Roads with scope of work covering drainage construction, earthworks, pavement works and asphalt overlay.

    President Akufo-Addo said the people of the area would also benefit from a potable water plant, as would be done for other parts of the country, from the Aqua Africa Project.

    He said the government had not relented on its promises to upgrade the Kete-Krachi Town roads, the Midwifery and Nurses Training School, the Military Barracks, and senior high schools to Get-Fund projects.

    “I have the Kete-Krachi and the entire Oti Region at heart. I am the one who created the region and anything that would bring development to the area is what the Akufo-Addo Government will pursue.”

    The President urged the electorate to vote massively for him and all parliamentary candidates in the region for more development projects.

    He expressed gratitude to the Krachiwura and the people for acknowledging the good works the New Patriotic Party had done for them.

    Mr Kwasi Amoako Atta, the Minister of Roads and Highways, said the construction of the bridge would cost an estimated 125 million Euros.

    Nana Mprah Besemuna III, President of Oti Regional House of Chiefs, commended President Akufo-Addo for the developmental projects for the region.

    “For all these things that you have done for us, we say one good turn deserves another. We the people of Krachi and Oti will push you up for the good things you have done,” he said.

    He commended the President and the entire Government for the sterling leadership and efforts in handling the covid-19 pandemic, making the country to achieve a near defeat of the virus.

    Nana Besemuna appealed to the President to replace the pontoon linking Kete-Krachi to Kwadjwo-Krom in the Sene District, solve the erratic electricity supply and open a technical university in the area.

    Source: GNA

  • President Akufo-Addo commissions Krachi-Banda road

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned the Krachi-Banda and Nandi Junction-Dodiokope roads at Borae Junction in the Krachi Nchumuru Constituency of the Oti region.

    The roads would enhance economic activities in the communities along the corridor in the two districts.

    It will also serve as a major route for transportation of yams from Oti and the Northern Regions of the country to the south.

    President Akufo-Addo during the commissioning said, “I am happy to be standing at Borae Junction, crossroad of three important roads, of which I am about to commission two and inspect work on the third.”

    He said the project was undertaken in three separate phases by Messrs First Sky Limited at a total cost of GHC 156 million. It was funded by Cocobod and implemented and supervised by the Ghana Highway Authority.

    President Akufo-Addo said the project was originally programmed for completion in 24 months at a combined contract sum of GHC 176.5 million cedis.

    “To ensure value for money the Ministry of Roads and Highways acting through the Ghana Highway Authority, re-engineered the project, the result is the quality roads that we are witnessing here today and the over GHC20 million savings made on this contract,” the President added.

    He said the Kete Krachi-Dodiokope Road traversed Krachi West and Krachi Nchumuru Districts in Oti Region and served communities like Kwaaku, Ntewusu Bomoden, Duakese, Gyato Chayo, Motoka 1 and 2, among others.

    The President, who touched on other ongoing and planned road projects within the two districts and their surrounding areas, said the 37-kilometre Borae Junction-Kpandai-Nakpanyilli road being done by the same contractor at the cost of GHC 166 million was near completion.

    “The contractor has primed and sealed the entire 37 kilometres to Buya, the boundary of Oti and Savannah regions. lt remains the final seal, road line markings and signs to complete the project. Progress of work so far is about 92 per cent.”

    Daasebre Atamafowiesi Bonja II, Chief of the Chonke Traditional Area, entreated the President not to be discouraged by naysayers but to remain focused.
    “Together with the support of the people, we shall together deliver victory for you,” he said.

    He said the implementation of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) history-making free education had improved the lives of citizens, adding that “Ghanaians deserve better and we are indeed getting better.”

    The traditional leader appealed for the establishment of a Senior High School in Borae No.2, and the rehabilitation of the road linking Chinderi to Zongo-Macheri through Banda.

    Source: GNA

  • President urges African leaders to ratify investment bank legal instrument

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged African Union Member States, who have not signed and ratified the legal instrument for the African Investment Bank and Monetary Fund, to expedite the process of accession.

    He encouraged them to ensure that efforts were coordinated leading to the operationalisation of the African Monetary Institute, the establishment of the Pan African Stock Exchange, and the setting up of African Payment and Settlement System in 2020.

    He said it was time to develop financial integration and autonomy for the Continent. President Akufo-Addo made the appeal in a speech read on his behalf by Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, at the Second Mid-Year Coordination Meeting between the AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Mechanisms and Member States.

    The Mid-Year Coordination Meeting is the principal forum for the AU, RECs and regional mechanisms to harmonise their work and coordinate implementation of the continental integration agenda. The virtual meeting takes place amid the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the socio-economic situation of the Continent, which requires high-level coordination and streamlining of efforts.

    The meeting discussed the draft proposals on the Effective Division of Labour between the AU, RECs, regional mechanisms and member states. President Akufo-Addo, also the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said Article 19 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union provided for the establishment of its financial institutions, a flagship project of Agenda 2063.

    These include the establishment of an African Central Bank, the African Monetary Fund, the African Investment Bank and the Pan-African Stock Exchange. He said the African Investment Bank and Pan African Stock Exchange were expected to be created in 2016, the African Monetary Fund in 2018, and the African Central Bank in 2028/34, as stated in the first 10-Year Plan of Agenda 2063.

    “Since the adoption of the protocols for the establishment of the African Investment Bank and African Monetary Fund in 2009 and 2014, respectively, the signatures and ratifications registered have not reached the requisite number to enter into force,” he said.

    “In addition, there have been inadequate resources allocated to the AU Commission (Department of Economic Affairs) for advocacy and to support the implementation of the strategy for the establishment of the African Central Bank and Pan African Stock Exchange.”

    President Akufo-Addo, also the Champion of the AU Financial Institutions, said the African Monetary Institute (AMI), a precursor to the African Central Bank and the Pan African Stock Exchange, was supposed to be set-up and made operational by 2020 but failed due to funding challenges.

    He said the Central Bank of Nigeria had already made available office space for the AMI and the Association of African Central Banks (AACB) was keen to second experts to support the work of the Institute. He said the implementation of the AU Financial Institutions would be crucial in the recovery phase and in building more resilient and endogenous economies for an emerging Africa as well as in the fulfilment of the goals set out in Agenda 2063.

    He said they would facilitate the creation of an enabling environment for a modern and strong financial system to mobilise domestic and external resources to enable the diversification of intra-African export products, thereby fostering regional and global competitiveness.

    Africa had more than 40 currencies, which were characterized by frequent volatility, illiquidity and rarely traded status on the global financial market, which made trading among the countries difficult, he said.

    “This constitutes one of the biggest barriers to the effective implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the development of the Continent,” President Akufo-Addo said.

    Source: GNA

  • Samira Bawumia appeals for votes in Builsa North Constituency

    Wife of Vice President Mohamadu Bawumia, Samira Bawumia has called on the people of the Builsa Constituency to vote massively for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Mr James Maurice Abakisi, the Parliamentary Candidate for the Patriotic Party (NPP) in the constituency.

    She entreated the people of the area to remember the policies initiated by the NPP government over the years and vote in favour of the Party in the December 7, 2020, Parliamentary and Presidential elections to enable them to retain power.

    “When you go to cast your ballot on December 7, think about yourself, your neighbour, your children, the future, Builsa North, and the development of the Upper East Region.”Mrs Bawumia made the call at a durbar of Chiefs and people of Sandema, the District capital to commence her four-day tour of the Region to canvass for votes for the NPP.

    She told the gathering to compare developments in the region under the NDC and the NPP, and vote accordingly.

    “On December 7, we are voting for free education, free textbooks, free uniform and free examination fee. The child will bath, go and sit in the classroom and write exams. We mean free education for the children of Ghana. When that child finishes SHS, by the grace of God, the university will also be free.”

    Mrs Bawumia said the NDC was given eight years to develop the country but failed to deliver.

    “Today God has blessed this country with President Akufo-Addo and we will give him four more, to do more,” she added.

    Source: GNA

  • DNA confirmed skeletal remains Takoradi kidnapped girls Forensics

    Lead Medical Doctor of the forensic team that conducted DNA analysis on the skeletal remains of the four Takoradi Girls Superintendent Dr. Kofi Agyapong Afrifa has defended the conclusion of their report that there is a genetic relationship between the remains and parents of the victims.

    “Our DNA analysis concluded that the skeletal remains found are that of the four missing Takoradi Girls,” he insisted.

    He told the Justice Richard Adjei Frimpong court in Sekondi that the team used the Standard Tandem Repeat [STR] Method, which conforms to all standard DNA analysis protocols there are, to arrive at the conclusion that indeed the skeletal remains are that of the four Takoradi Girls.

    Supt. Dr. Agyepong Afrifa gave the defense after both counsels for the two Nigerians accused of murdering the missing four Takoradi Girls had cast doubt on the DNA conclusion on the four missing Takoradi Girls in a cross-examination that lasted close to two hours on Thursday, October 22, when the case was called.

    Giving his evidence-in-chief, Supt. Dr. Agyapong Afrifa told the court that the team subjected all samples taken from both the skeletal remains and that of the parents of the four victims to rigorous analysis and have no shred of doubt about the conclusions of their report.

    “…we took DNA samples from four skulls from the Ghana Police Hospital Morgue. We then proceeded to take buccal swaps from the alleged parents and siblings of the four victims. After our analysis, we found out that for the Koranchie family Alexander Kofi Koranchie who is the alleged father of missing Priscilla Mantebea Koranchie shares common allele with Skull 4 at all loci tested. The probability of stated relationship which is the Combined Paternity Index (CPI) is 25767.9834. Paternity probability is 99.99 percent. And for the Abekah family, we found out that Cecilia Owusu who is the alleged mother of missing Ruth Abekah shares common allele with Skull 3 at all loci tested. The probability of stated relationship which is the Combined Maternity Index (CMI) is 202552413.7053 and probability of maternity is 99.99 percent.

    He continued: “For the Quayson family, we found out that Comfort Arhin who is the alleged mother of missing Ruthlove Quayson shares common allele with Skull 1 at all loci tested. That the probability of stated relationship which is the Combined Maternity Index (CMI) is 53160961.519 and probability of maternity is 99.99 percent. And for the Bentum family, we found out that Francis Bentum Ackon who is the father of missing Priscilla Blessing Bentum and Gladys Bentum mother of the missing Priscilla Blessing Bentum share common allele with Skull 2 at all loci tested. That the probability of stated relationship which is Combined Paternity Index (CPI) is 1293669.4766 and Combined Maternity (CMI) is 11703487616.3591. Probability of paternity and maternity is 99.99 percent.

    He concluded: “Skull 1 cannot be excluded as the biological daughter of Madam Comfort Arhin. Skull 2 cannot be excluded as the biological daughter of Mr. Francis Bentum Ackon and Madam Gladys Bentum. Skull 3 cannot be excluded as the biological daughter of Madam Cecilia Owusu and Skull 4 cannot be excluded as the biological daughter of Mr. Alexander Kojo Koranchie”.

    When asked by a Counsel for the defence team, Mark Bosiah, whether the team could have used another method for the DNA analysis, Supt. Dr. Agyepong Afrifa answered in the affirmative and explained that another method the team could have used is the Next Generation Sequencing.

    However, he indicated that the Next Generation Sequencing is still at the developing stage and insisted that the standard procedure STR is what the team used.

    “Even if that methodology, Next Generation Sequencing is used, the results will still be the same,” he asserted.

    Counsel for Samuel Wills George Essiful-Ansah expressed disappointment that the DNA conclusion failed to capture whether the skeletal remains were as old as the time that they were reported to have died.

    “I even gave the clue that given the date that they were supposed to have got missing…they must be able to tell that these bones, how old are they. That would have been very material.” he said.

    Source: 3 News

  • Election 2020: NMC, Peace Council, MFWA deliberate on curbing hate speech, abusive language

    The National Media Commission (NMC), Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the Ghana Peace Council have held deliberations over minimizing hate speech and violence before, during and after the 2020 general elections.

    According to a member of the Commission, Addoquaye Moffat all entities have met to fine-tune a document intended to guide citizens and the media in maintaining peace and tranquillity in the upcoming general elections.

    “The highlights of the documents were centered on hate speech, abusive language, and election-related violence which averts to peace especially in an election year. We encourage the media in Ghana to maintain a middle line to ensure that through them a balance will be maintained to avert any unnecessary conflicts ahead, during and after the upcoming elections.”

    Addoquaye Moffat said this at a National Forum on Media and Peaceful Elections in Ghana on Thursday, October 22, 2020. The event which was held in Accra was organised by the Media Foundation For West Africa (MFWA).

    Meanwhile, the Media Foundation for West Africa at the Forum provided an Elections Communication Guide to be used by the media ahead of the elections to assist their operations.

    Executive Director of Media Foundation for West Africa, Suleimana Braimah urged the media to be circumspect in their reportage and called on all media houses to desist from allowing hateful and inciteful messaging on their platforms as Ghana soon heads to the polls.

    Some guests that graced the forum were, Addoquaye Moffat of the National Media Commission, Director of Public Affairs for the Ghana Police Service, Supt. Sheila Kessie Abayie-Buckman, Micheal Boadu of the Electoral Commission, Chairperson of the NCCE, Ms. Josephine Nkrumah, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante, Chairperson of the National Peace Council, Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, H.E Ron Strikker.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Passage of controversial Public Universities Bill put on hold

    The controversial Public Universities Bill, which is under consideration in Parliament, has been put on hold.

    According to a Citi News report, Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, Peter Nortsu Kotoe, made the revelation during an interview.

    “The Akatsi North MP said the Bill is not part of the Bills being considered before Parliament goes on recess in the coming weeks. According to him, the Education Committee of Parliament had recommended that there was a need for further deliberations to be held before the Bill is considered,” the Citi News report explained.

    Individuals and groups had been calling on the government to withdraw the Public Universities Bill 2020 because it will stifle academic freedom.

    Some critics have even called the bill unconstitutional.

    The decision to put the bill on hold a month after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said the bill cannot be disputed.

    The President told Accra-based Oman FM that the Bill will simplify the management of public universities in the country.

    “One of the things with our educational system which has caused a lot of talks recently is the Public Universities Bill we introduced. We are trying to rationalize how the public universities will operate. The basic thrust of the Bill and the rationale for it is incontestable. We have public universities in Ghana, each one of them having almost different charters and running differently. We will now rationalise it and have a more simplified management administration of the schools,” he said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Death toll in church building collapse in Eastern Region now 18

    The death toll in the tragic collapse of a church building in the Eastern Region has reached 18.

    According to state-owned Daily Graphic, as of noon on Thursday, October 22, 2020, half of the debris from the collapse of the Church of Prosperity building at Akyem Batabi in the Asene-Manso District, has been cleared.

    The previous death toll from the disaster had been 16.

    The three-storey uncompleted building that housed the Church of Prosperity collapsed on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, at about 2:30 pm.

    According to reports, owner of the building, Prophet Akoa Isaac, has told Police in his statement that he was sick and lying in his residence on the same compound of the Church when he heard the collapsing of the church.

    About 56 worshippers were in and around the building fasting and praying when the incident happened, according to a statement attributed to Prophet Isaac by Starr News.

    Meanwhile, residents blame the weak structural integrity of the decades-old building for the disaster.

    They say construction of the church building had been ongoing for many decades and this may have caused some pillars of the structure to become weak over time.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • EC opens nomination for Yapei/ Kusawgu seat

    The Electoral Commission has announced it will receive a nomination for persons who wish to contest for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate of the Yapei/ Kusawgu Constituency from Tuesday, 27th October and Wednesday 28th October 2020.

    Electoral Commission is extending the nomination period for the Yapei/ Kusawgu Constituency of the Savannah Region to allow for the replacement of the NPP Parliamentary Candidate, Abu Kamara, who died in a fatal car accident.

    The parliamentary nominee for Yapei-Kusawgu constituency’s car crashed into an articulated truck with two others.

    The EC urged any person interested in contesting to fill nomination forms through the Retuning officer of the Yapei/ Kusawgu Constituency, at the Yapei/ Kusawgu District Office of the Electoral Commission between the hours 7:00am and 5:00pm for the two days.

    “Following Regulations 13, Subregulation (4) of, the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I.127), “Where at the close of nominations, but before the election, one of the candidates dies, a further period of ten (10) days shall be allowed for nominations.” In this regard, the Electoral Commission is extending the nomination period for the Yapei/ Kusawgu Constituency of the Savannah Region to allow for the replacement of the Candidate,” part of the EC statement reads.

    Below is the statement

    RECEIPT OF NOMINATION YAPEI/ KUSAWGU CONSTITUENCY

    The Electoral Commission will receive nominations for the Yapei/Kusawgu Constituency on Tuesday, 27th October and Wednesday 28th October, 2020.

    This has become necessary as a result of the demise of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate of the Yapei/ Kusawgu Constituency.

    In accordance with Regulations 13, Subregulation (4) of, the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I.127), “Where at the close of nominations, but before the election, one of the candidates dies, a further period of ten (10) days shall be allowed for nominations.” In this regard, the Electoral Commission is extending the nomination period for the Yapei/ Kusawgu Constituency of the Savannah Region to allow for the replacement of the Candidate.

    Any person who intends to contest for the Parliamentary Election should send his or her filled Nomination Forms to the Returning Officer of the Yapei/ Kusawgu Constituency, at the Yapei/ Kusawgu District Office of the Electoral Commission on the dates stated above. The Returning Officer shall receive all Nominations between the hours of 7.00am and 5.00pm for the two days.

    ELECTORAL COMMISSION

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • John Boye returns to training after injury scare

    Black Stars defender, John Boye, returned to training on Wednesday, October, 21 ahead of Metz’s clash with St Etienne in French Ligue 1 this weekend.

    The centre-back suffered an injury scare when he limped off the field when Metz drew 1-1 against Angers last weekend.

    However, he returned to training looking sharp and ready to feature for Metz on Sunday.

    His presence is good news for the side as he is undoubtedly one of their key players.

    Boye’s performance has been very impressive as the club has conceded 7 goals in the league after 7 games.

    He has played in all 7 games.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Mohammed Kudus to miss Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifications next month

    Ghana international, Mohammed Kudus will miss next month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifications following a long-term injury.

    The Ajax Amsterdam midfielder suffered a knee injury on Wednesday in their UEFA Champions League fixture against Liverpool FC.

    Kudus sustained the knee injury after a collision with Liverpool midfielder Fabinho before he was substituted.

    The Dutch giants have announced that he has suffered a meniscus injury that will keep him on the sidelines for several months.

    This means the 20-year-old sensation can’t be selected for November’s doubleheader against Sudan in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • We wish you the best of luck in South Africa – Medeama SC to striker Prince Opoku Agyemang

    Medeama has wished striker Prince Opoku Agyemang the best in South Africa following his transfer to Cape Town City.

    The transfer was announced on Thursday, October, 22 with Agyemang signing a one-year contract.

    The 28-year-old has an option to extend the contract to June 2024.

    Medeama wrote on Twitter: “All the best in South Africa. Prince of Goals”

    He joined the Yellow and Mauves at the beginning of last season following a stellar campaign in the Ghana second-tier with New Edubiase United FC.

    He scored 11 goals and provided three assists in 14 games for Medeama.

    Agyemang was part of the Black Stars B team that finished second at the 2019 WAFU Cup of Nations in Senegal.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Ghana and Ajax sensation Mohammed Kudus ruled out of action until next year

    Ghana and Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus has been ruled out of action until next year, the Dutch giants have announced.

    The 20-year-old picked up an injury in his debut Champions League game against Liverpool at the Johann Cruyff Arena on Wednesday night.

    Kudus sustained the knee injury after a collision with Liverpool midfielder Fabinho before he was substituted.

    The club has announced he has suffered a meniscus injury that will keep him sidelined for several months.

    GHANAsoccernet.com has gathered that there is an injury to his meniscus in his right knee that requires surgery.

    It is expected that he will no longer be available for play before the winter break.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • #EndSARS: Listen to voices of the youth Johnson Sirleaf

    Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called on African leaders to listen to and engage the youth and not try to silence them.

    Her call comes on the back of the ongoing protests and violence in Nigeria for better governance and an end to police brutality.

    Commenting on the development, Johnson Sirleaf called for a de-escalation of the festering violence in Nigeria.

    She tweeted: “The right to peacefully protest must be protected. I join the calls for an immediate de-escalation of violence against the #EndSARS protestors. It is critical that we listen to, and engage with, the voices of the youth—not try to silence them.”

    Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on the youth and civil society organisations of Nigeria to pursue dialogue to ensure an early and cordial resolution to the ongoing social unrest in order to safeguard its image as a peaceful state.

    A statement issued on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, signed by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Jean Claude-Kassi Brou, said it has noted with “concern” that “demonstrations by Nigerian youth calling for police reform, particularly the abolition of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police, accused of misconduct by those demonstrating, have turned violent.”

    The Commission expressed its “condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives during the protests” and wished the “injured a speedy recovery.”

    It continued that while it “recognises the right of citizens to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and protests, it is also of the view that those rights should be exercised in a non-violent manner.”
    The Commission also called “on all protesters to remain peaceful in the conduct of their demonstrations” and urged the Nigerian security operatives to exercise restraint in the handling of the protests and act professionally.

    “ECOWAS Commission further notes that, in an effort to address the demands of the protesting youth, the Federal Government of Nigeria took important decisions regarding disbandment of SARS, comprehensive police reforms and investigation of cases of police brutality. It encourages the Nigerian Authorities to conduct the investigation rapidly”.

    It also appealed to the “Federal Government of Nigeria, the Nigerian youth and the civil society to urgently pursue dialogue for an early and amicable resolution of this social unrest and maintain the Nigerian image as a bastion of law and order.”

    A number of protesters were reportedly shot dead or wounded on Tuesday night when armed uniformed officers opened fire on them at the commercial hub of Lagos.

    The military has denied involvement.

    Source: Class FM

  • Sudan protests against dire living conditions turn deadly

    Protests in Sudan have turned deadly after one person was reportedly killed and a dozen others were wounded, according to a group of doctors linked to the movement that led to the downfall of President Omar al-Bashir.

    The demonstrations on Wednesday in the cities of Khartoum and Omdurman are over the country’s worsening economic situation. Protesters are also demanding justice for the hundreds killed during the 2019 uprising, which led to Bashir being toppled.

    ‘We demanded freedom, peace and justice’

    Eyewitnesses said police fired teargas to disperse the small gatherings of about 100 protesters.

    “There has not yet been any sentencing for the martyrs,” said one protester.

    “We demanded freedom, peace and justice and neither achieve peace, neither freedom nor justice.”

    Sudan has embarked on a rocky three-year transition since then under a joint civilian-military administration but has struggled with severe economic woes and skyrocketing consumer prices.

    High inflation and a shortage of hard currency mean people are finding it difficult to even buy the basics. Long queues outside grocery stores have also become the norm as have power cuts that can last up to six hours.

    Authorities have vowed to rebuild the economy and to bring to justice those responsible for killing protesters.

    More than 250 people were killed during the anti-Bashir protests and the ensuing unrest, according to doctors linked to the protest movement.

    The transitional authorities have been pushing to end the country’s isolation and to rebuild its economy.

    On Monday, President Donald Trump declared his readiness to remove post-Bashir Sudan from a US blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism, a move Khartoum hailed as a vital step towards securing debt relief and spurring economic recovery.

    Source: africanews.com