Author: aejay_wp

  • “Malam John” – The moment Dr Bawumia teased Mahama for ‘converting’ to a Muslim

    “Malam John” – The moment Dr Bawumia teased Mahama for ‘converting’ to a Muslim

    The Article was first published in November 2021

    What appears to be a lovely joke between two brothers has turned into an unhealthy exchange between supporters as NDC Supporters bare their teeth at Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia following a joke he made about Former President Mahama.

    At the National Chief Imam’s Maulid yesterday, Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia jokingly referred to his senior brother, former president John Dramani Mahama as Mallam John.

    This was after the former President in his speech had demonstrated fair knowledge of some Islamic Hadiths.

    Dr. Bawumia, while taking his turn at the podium, jokingly said in Hausa that Mr. Mahama should convert to Islam since he has demonstrated such knowledge about the Hadiths.

    The Vice President then referred to Mr. Mahama as Mallam John amid laughter, which eventually infected a cross-section of the persons present including the Chief Imam himself, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu.

    Though this was clearly a joke between two brothers, some NDC Supporters have expressed disgust at the Vice President for his actions.

    According to them, Dr. Bawumia crossed the line by disrespecting the former president in the presence of the Chief Imam.

  • “Dr Thomas Bawumia” – Sam George mocks Bawumia after ‘religious prostitute’ comment

    “Dr Thomas Bawumia” – Sam George mocks Bawumia after ‘religious prostitute’ comment

    Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram Samuel Nartey George appears to be adding more salt to injury shortly after his infamous ‘religious prostitute’ comment drew a lot of backlash from the general public particularly members of the New Patriotic party(NPP).

    Mr George in a latest post on his handle on micro-blogging X sort to mock the Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia even more by giving him “Christian” name in addition to his “Muslim” name

    In his post, he referred to the popularly Vice President as Dr Thomas Bawumia

    Additionally, the unshaken MP sort to justify his “religious prostitute” comment against the Vice President comparing him to the National Chief Imam.

    According to him, the strenuous attempt to drag the revered Chief Imam into the issue of religious prostitution issue is distasteful.

    “The Chief Imam is not a Politician. He is a spiritual leader of our Nation. He is a stellar example of religious tolerance and embodies this in his several actions when tensions have arisen in the past. In his fellowship with Christians, he has never compromised his faith and belief.”

    “I believe that those who seek equity must come with clean hands. Today, pointing out the double standards of Dr Bawumia is seen as wrong but his attempt to ridicule President John Mahama who had honoured the invitation of the Chief Imam was seen as okay. We would not tolerate those attacks any longer without an equal measure of response.” he added

  • CCTV captures woman stealing 2-year-old in Mokala market

    CCTV captures woman stealing 2-year-old in Mokala market

    A CCTV footage has revealed how a 2-year girl was abducted at China House in Makola, Accra.

    The girl, Juweida Osman, was reportedly kidnapped in broad daylight on Tuesday morning. She disappeared while her mother was busy loading fresh goods into her shop. The incident has prompted a police investigation, and authorities are seeking information from the public regarding the child’s whereabouts.

    The incident occurred around 11:00 am when Juweida Osman’s mother, Fuseina Osman, was occupied with loading fresh goods into her shop. In the midst of her work, she realized that her 2-year-old daughter was missing.

    CCTV footage revealed that an unidentified woman had carried the child away in her arms during the time of the abduction.

    Upon discovering the disappearance of Juweida, the case was promptly reported to the police, who have launched an investigation into the matter. The authorities are working to unravel the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and identify the person responsible.

    A trader close to the distressed mother, Fuseina Osman, spoke with GhanaWeb, confirming that the case has been reported to the police, and they are eagerly awaiting the results of the ongoing investigations.

    In an appeal to the public, anyone with information about the whereabouts of Juweida Osman is urged to contact the following numbers: 0591752670 or 0247044386. The collaboration of the community is crucial in ensuring the swift and safe return of the missing child.

    As the investigation progresses, the community and concerned individuals are urged to remain vigilant and report any relevant information that may assist in locating Juweida Osman.

  • We made a mistake passing companies Act 2019 – MPs

    We made a mistake passing companies Act 2019 – MPs

    Members of Parliament (MPs) have openly admitted to an oversight in the passage of the Companies Act 2019, specifically regarding a provision that disqualifies individuals facing charges from serving as company directors. The Supreme Court has deemed this provision inconsistent with the 1992 Constitution, prompting MPs to acknowledge the error and request amendments.

    A report by citinewsroom.com reveals that MPs have recognized a mistake in the Companies Act 2019, specifically in a provision related to the eligibility of individuals facing charges to serve as company directors. This revelation follows a Supreme Court order, which declared the provision inconsistent with the 1992 Constitution. Lawyer Derick Adu-Gyamfi brought the case to court, arguing that certain subsections of the Act were unconstitutional and violated principles such as fair hearing.

    Call for Amendment

    Haruna Iddrisu, the MP for Tamale South, openly admitted the legislative error and called upon the Attorney General to swiftly present amendments to Parliament for review and approval. He stated, “In the company’s code we passed, we said that if a person is charged with an offence, that person does not qualify to be a director. We erred, and we should eat our humble pie.”

    Sarah Adwoa Safo, MP for Dome-Kwabenya, supported Iddrisu’s call for amendment and acknowledged the role of the Supreme Court in highlighting the issue. She emphasized the need for the Attorney General to bring a proposed bill to amend the relevant portion of the Companies Act.

    “I don’t want to over-buttress the point that indeed the Supreme Court has done a great job, and the Attorney General, I am sure, has heard the ruling of the Supreme Court and will do the needful and bring a proposed bill only to amend that portion of the company’s code,” Safo added.

    This admission of the legislative oversight and the subsequent call for amendments demonstrate a commitment among MPs to address constitutional inconsistencies and ensure that the Companies Act aligns with the principles outlined in the 1992 Constitution.

  • “Agenda forget Rawlings” – Koku Anyidoho ridicules Mahama, Asiedu Nketiah on Rawlings 3rd year passing-on

    Samuel Koku Anyidoho, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Atta Mills Institute (AMI), has openly ridiculed former President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, over the NDC’s plans to observe the third anniversary of the passing of former President Jerry John Rawlings. Anyidoho’s remarks come just two days before the scheduled commemoration of Rawlings’ death.

    The NDC leadership, led by John Mahama and Asiedu Nketiah, has organized activities to remember the former President and Founder of the NDC, who passed away three years ago. As part of the commemoration, the NDC planned to unveil a tomb and lay wreaths at the Military Cemetery at Burma Camp, where Rawlings was laid to rest.

    However, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) responded to the NDC’s request, stating that they cannot grant permission without official authorization from the late President Rawlings’ family, particularly his wife, Madam Konadu Agyemang Rawlings.

    Reacting to this development, Koku Anyidoho ridiculed John Mahama and Asiedu Nketiah, questioning their sincerity in honoring Rawlings. Anyidoho claimed that the duo did not show respect to Rawlings when he was alive and expressed surprise at their sudden eagerness to eulogize him in death.

    The former Deputy General Secretary of the NDC emphasized the need for respect and official clearance from Rawlings’ family before proceeding with the planned commemoration activities. Anyidoho’s comments add a layer of controversy to the already sensitive situation surrounding the observance of Rawlings’ third death anniversary.

    The public’s response to Koku Anyidoho’s remarks and the unfolding events leading up to the anniversary will likely shape the narrative surrounding the relationship between key NDC figures and the legacy of the late President Jerry John Rawlings.

  • “Find a good lawyer to teach you the legal trade” – Supreme Court tells Ken Kuranchie

    “Find a good lawyer to teach you the legal trade” – Supreme Court tells Ken Kuranchie

    The Supreme Court of Ghana has ruled against the case brought by Kenneth Kwabena Agyei Kuranchie, the editor of the Daily Searchlight newspaper, challenging the eligibility of former President John Dramani Mahama to run for president. The court’s decision, delivered on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, allows Mahama to participate in the upcoming 2024 General Elections.

    Background

    In June 2023, Kuranchie filed a suit questioning the eligibility of John Mahama to seek the presidency again, based on his interpretation of Article 66 (1) of the 1992 Constitution. The editor sought a declaration from the court on the proper interpretation of the presidential term, arguing that a former president should not be qualified to run for election again.

    In his writ, Kuranchie urged the court to clarify the constitutional provisions, specifically Article 62 of the 1992 Constitution, to prevent Mahama from pursuing his presidential ambitions.

    Legal Arguments

    John Mahama responded to the lawsuit by filing a motion to dismiss Kuranchie’s writ on September 25, 2023, citing technicalities. The former president argued that the case lacked merit and should be dismissed.

    Supreme Court’s Decision

    In the ruling delivered on November 14, 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed Kuranchie’s case, stating that he needs to refine his legal skills by learning “his legal trade under his feet.” The court’s decision allows John Dramani Mahama to be eligible for the 2024 General Elections.

    The outcome of this case holds significance as it clarifies the legal standing of a former president’s eligibility to run for the presidency again, providing a precedent for future interpretations of constitutional provisions related to presidential terms in Ghana.

  • One dead after building collapse in South Africa

    One person has died and several have been injured after part of building collapsed onto a pavement in Durban, South Africa.

    Local media report that several people are still trapped inside.

    The KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Services spokesperson Robert McKenzie told SABC that paramedics were on the scene, and traffic had already started building up because it is near an intersection.

    A journalist tweeted footage from the site:

    Source: bbc.com

  • Main defendant acquitted in Mozambique fraud case

    A federal jury in New York has acquitted the main defendant in a fraud case which plunged Mozambique into a serious financial crisis in 2016.

    Prosecutors had argued that the Lebanese businessman, Jean Boustani, had paid hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes to Mozambican politicians and officials, and bankers at Credit Suisse, to secure a $2bn (£1.5bn) loan for the Mozambican government.

    Read; Portugal announces new reconstruction fund for Mozambique

    Mozambique did not initially disclose the loan and defaulted once it became public knowledge. International donors then cut off funds.

    US prosecutors got involved after part of the loan was sold to American investors, who eventually lost their money. Three Credit Suisse bankers previously pleaded guilty in the case.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Trump restores tariffs on steel from Brazil and Argentina

    US President Donald Trump has said he will restore tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Brazil and Argentina.

    He suggested the countries’ weak currencies and cheap exports were harming US farmers.

    “Brazil and Argentina have been presiding over a massive devaluation of their currencies,” Mr Trump said.
    Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro said he would seek talks with Mr Trump.
    Argentine production minister Dante Sica said he too would request a conversation with his US counterparts.

    Read: Trump declines to attend impeachment hearing

    For Mr Trump, farmers in rural states are an important block of voters, and they have had a difficult time in the past year

    Across the country, farm bankruptcies have surged 24% since September 2018, a few months after US trade disputes with China and other countries led to higher tariffs on key farm goods including soyabeans, cotton and dairy, according to analysis by the American Farm Bureau Federation

    Source: bbc.com

     

  • One student collapsed as UEW students embark on demo

    University of Education, Winneba in the past two days has seen two senior lecturers been sacked by the Vice Chancellor Rev. Fr. Professor Anthony Afful-Broni. As a result of this, students from the 3 campuses in Winneba have embarked on demonstration on tuesday 12th March at the North Campus (Faculty) in view of reinstating the said sacked Senior Lecturers in the university.

    Kampustoday.com can report that one student (Female) has collapsed in the course of the demo as they fight for their right. The student who was rushed to the hospital is currently under medical care.

    Stay connected to kampustoday as we bring you the latest to this case as they unfold.

  • 20-year-old Student given two-year sentence for raping teacher

    A student who raped a teacher at a senior high school in Småland in southern Sweden has been sentenced to two years in prison.

    The Eksjö District Court found the 20-year-old guilty of rape, sexual abuse and unlawful threats, according to court documents seen by The Local.

    The assault occurred in September at a high school in Nässjö, Småland. The court heard that the man, a 19-year-old student at the time, locked the door to a classroom, held the teacher and forcibly pushed her further into the room where he carried out sexual acts equivalent to rape.

     The teacher attempted to resist the attack and made it clear she was not interested in having sexual contact with him.
     The man, who is a stateless person, was found guilty on nine separate counts, including rape, sexual abuse for physical approaches he made on the victim a few days prior to the actual attack and unlawful threats against the victim made over Snapchat.

    In addition to the two-year prison sentence, he was ordered to pay 110,000 kronor in restitution to his victim.

    SOURCE: Kampustoday.com

  • KNUST: Eunice Kloe is the Top Female Entrepreneur of the year by Total

    Eunice Mawuena Kloe, A level 300 BSc.  Aquaculture and water resource management Student of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST is the Top Female Entrepreneur of the year by Total.

    Eunice Mawuena  Kloe of Bidigreen will represent Ghana in Paris, France and meet other entrepreneurs.

    The Awards was held on  March 1, 2019 at the Marriott hotel in Accra.

    She won a cash prize of Ghc 90,000, Publicity, One Year coaching, a plaque and a certificate.

    “ I was overwhelmed with joy. There were no words to express my feeling on that stage”  Said Eunice Mawuena Kloe in a discussion with Christopher of hypercitigh.com 

  • AFCON 2019: Get to know the 5 debutants in the Ghana squad

    Black Stars Head Coach Kwesi Appiah named his 29-man provisional squad on Wednesday ahead of the AFCON in Egypt.

    The list sees debut call-ups for five players, with two of them plying their trade at home in Ghana.

    The squad is expected to begin camping on June 1 at their base in Dubai, where Head Coach Kwesi Appiah will cut down the squad to 23 ahead of the tournament.

    Ghana has been drawn in Group F alongside Cameroon, Benin, and Guinea Bissau, as the country seek to end her 37 years wait for the title.

  • GFA Normalisation Cttee, FIFA to seal new statutes June 4

    The Normalisation Committee (NC) of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is racing against time to beat a FIFA deadline for the submission of the new statutes before the 69th FIFA Congress in Paris on June 5.

    The FA’s caretaker body is scheduled to meet FIFA on the sidelines of the FIFA Congress on June 4 to finalise discussions on the new GFA statutes for approval by the GFA Congress later in the year.

    According to a source who disclosed this to Graphic Sports Online, the NC is almost through with the final draft which will be the subject for discussion at the Paris meeting.

    The source said FIFA virtually endorsed the first draft which was submitted by the NC, save a little query which needed to be fine-tuned to make it a working document, subject to the approval of FIFA and the GFA Congress.

  • Warriors into fifth straight NBA Finals

    The Golden State Warriors are through to their fifth straight NBA Finals after a 119-117 overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

    Stephen Curry and Draymond Green combined to claim the game-clinching score in Portland.

    The pair produced triple-double performances as the defending champions ensured they swept the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals series 4-0.

    They will face either the Milwaukee Bucks or Toronto Raptors in the Finals.

    Golden State join the Boston Celtics – who made 10 straight NBA Finals between 1957-66, winning nine of them – as the only team ever to reach at least five consecutive NBA Finals after winning their 11th consecutive play-off series.

    “I hope it doesn’t go unnoticed,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “Five straight Finals hasn’t been done since the ’60s, hasn’t been done for a reason. It’s very, very difficult.”

    Curry finished with 37 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, while Green chipped in with 18 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists as the Warriors eased past Portland.

    Their triple-doubles (double-digit total in three of the following categories: points, total rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks) were the first posted by team-mates in an NBA play-off game as the Warriors again fought back from a half-time deficit, as they did in games two and three.

    Portland led 69-65 at half-time and 95-78 late in the third quarter. The Warriors’ victory means it is the first time a team has erased 15-point deficits in three consecutive play-off wins.

    Meyers Leonard scored a career-high 30 points for Portland, although Curry’s lay-up drew the Warriors level at 104-104 with four minutes 34 seconds remaining.

    The game was tied at 111-111 at the end of regulation time, before Curry spotted Green open for a three-pointer to give the Warriors a 119-115 lead with just 39.6 seconds remaining in overtime.

    Damian Lillard, who had 28 points, got Portland within two with 32.8 seconds left but then had a shot blocked before misfiring a desperate three-point attempt at the death.

  • Kokomba, Chokosi conflict; 16 persons arrested

    Sixteen persons have been arrested in connection with the renewed Komkomba, Chokosi conflict in the Chereponi Dirstrict of the North East Region.

    One of the suspects who fired at security personnel was shot in the thigh and is receiving treatment at the Chereponi hospital under security guard.

    A number of weapons have also been seized from the feuding factions.

    According to the Public Relations Officer of the Northern Regional Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Mr Mohammed Yusif Tanko the police and military team patrolling the communities have brought the situation under control.

    Several communities in the conflict area have been torched while many people including government workers are said to be fleeing from the area.

    So far, one death has been recorded with three injuries.

    The latest clashes between the two ethnic groups started last Saturday.

    Meanwhile the Northern Regional Peace Council (NPC) has called for a truce between the Konkombas and the Chokosis in the Chereponi District in the North East Region.

  • AirAsia apologises for ‘Get off in Thailand’ advert

    AirAsia has apologised after its advertising campaign was labelled “harmful” in Australia.

    The advert containing the phrase “Get off in Thailand” was posted around the city of Brisbane to promote the airline’s direct route to Bangkok.

    Collective Shout, a grassroots campaign movement against the objectification of women claimed that the advert was promoting sex tourism in Thailand.

    Thailand has over 123,530 sex workers, according to a 2014 UNAids report.

    Melinda Liszewski, a campaigner at Collective Shout spotted the adverts on a Brisbane bus and posted the image to social media.

    She accused the airline of “promoting sex tourism.”

    A spokeswoman for Air Asia told the BBC: “AirAsia takes community feedback extremely seriously and the airline sincerely apologises for any inconvenience caused from recent concerns raised.

    “AirAsia can confirm the advertising campaign has ended and we instructed our media partners to have the advertising removed as soon as possible today from all locations.”

    One of the adverts was spotted at Brisbane Airport. It has confirmed on social media that its removal “is a priority.”

    Brisbane City councillor Kara Cook branded the campaign an “absolute disgrace” and said “it should never have appeared on our city’s streets.”

    She wrote on Twitter: “Council should be responsible & accountable for the ads on their buses.

    “I wrote to the LNP this morning demanding these buses be taken out of circulation. This shouldn’t have happened.”

    In response to the criticism, Brisbane City Council said that the Advertising Standards Board regulates advertising acceptability. It directed complaints to the board.

    Source: bbc.com

  • BA flight lands in Edinburgh instead of Dusseldorf by mistake

    A British Airways flight destined for Dusseldorf in Germany has landed in Edinburgh by mistake, after the flight paperwork was submitted incorrectly.

    The passengers only realised the error when the plane landed and the “welcome to Edinburgh” announcement was made.

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

    The plane, which started at London’s City Airport, was then redirected and landed in Dusseldorf. WDL Aviation ran the BA flight through a leasing deal.

    BA said it was working with WDL to find out why it filed the wrong flight plan.

    Read: Ozwald Boateng to design new British Airways uniforms

    “We have apologised to customers for this interruption to their journey and will be contacting them all individually,” BA said in a statement.

    BA declined to say how many passengers were affected by the mistake.

    BA say the pilot wasn’t lost at any point, but because the paperwork said Edinburgh, the flight simply took that route.

    German firm WDL said it was “working closely with the authorities to investigate how the obviously unfortunate mix-up of flight schedules could occur”.

    “At no time has the safety of passengers been compromised. We flew the passengers on the flight with number BA3271 to Düsseldorf after the involuntary stopover in Edinburgh,” it said.

    ‘The toilets were blocked’

    Sophie Cooke, a 24-year-old management consultant, travels from London To Dusseldorf each week for work.

    She said when the pilot first made the announcement that the plane was about to land in Edinburgh everyone assumed it was a joke. She asked the cabin crew if they were serious.

    The pilot then asked passengers to raise their hands if they wanted to go to Dusseldorf.

    Everyone raised their hands.

    “The pilot said he had no idea how it had happened. He said it had never happened before and that the crew was trying to work out what we could do.”

    Sophie said the plane sat on the tarmac at Edinburgh for two-and-a-half hours, before flying onto Dusseldorf.

    “It became very frustrating. The toilets were blocked and they ran out of snacks. It was also really stuffy,” she said.

    Passengers complained about the error on Twitter, with one person called Son Tran saying it felt “like an honest mistake”.

    BA responded saying it did not “currently have any information” as to why the flight had gone to the wrong place.

    The airline said its customer service team in Dusseldorf had met all the passengers on arrival and would follow up with them “in due course”.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Kwadwo Asamoah out of Ghana friendly against Mauritania

    Ghana will be without Inter Milan utility man Kwadwo Asamoah for Tuesday’s international friendly against Mauritania in Accra.

    The 30-year-old was a conspicuous absentee from Sunday’s recovery training session following a 1-0 home win over Kenya on the final matchday of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying on Saturday. 

    Read: Kwasi Appiah reveals why he benched Kwadwo Asamoah in Kenya clash

    Latest reports say the Accra-born has flown out to Spain for a routine medical check on his problematic knee, which kept him out of action for a couple of years, and out of the Black Stars from 2014 to 2018.

    He ended his self-imposed sabbatical from the national team last September after a run of games for new club Inter, having put his injury woes behind him in a peripheral role with Juventus in the 2017-18 season. 

    Read: Kwadwo Asamoah among 11 Inter Milan players called up by national teams

    Asamoah’s latest withdrawal has raised another round of questions about his commitment to the national course following his controversial pull-out from November’s encounter with Ethiopia in the Afcon qualifying. 

    While he withdrew due to injury, reports on Inter’s online media outlets showed the player fully involved in training activities with the club during the international break, prompting backlash back home in Ghana. 

    On Saturday, questions were again raised when the 30-year-old, arguably the biggest player in the current squad, was left on the bench for the entire duration of the clash with Kenya. 

    He is, nonetheless, expected to play a major role as Ghana seek to end a 37-year Africa Cup of Nations trophy drought in Egypt in June/July.

    Tuesday’s friendly will mark the commencement of preparations for the continental showpiece.

    Source: Goal.com

  • I’m not cheap; even my wig costs GHC 1800 – Rapper Eno brags

    Female rapper Eno Barony has boldly proclaimed that she is not one of those cheap girls who walk around wearing low-priced apparels and wigs.

    The musician who recently released “Heavy Load” in a long chat with Zionfelix on his “Uncut” program admitted that she is an expensive girl who mostly spends a lot of cash on her body and brand. Speaking about some expensive things she puts on, Eno mentioned that the wig she was wearing was one of the high-priced assets she had on her body at the time of the interview.

    Read: Strongman is the best rapper in Ghana now Eno Barony

    When Zionfelix quizzed her about the amount she purchased the wig for, she mentioned GH1800. Before mentioning the price of the wig, Eno said it did not cost that much which clearly tells the GH1800 she spent on the wig is a chicken change for her.

    Even though the musician real name Ruth Eno Adjoa Amankwah Nyame Adom revealed that she is not a cheap lady, she also stated that not everything she wears every day is expensive.

    Read: Ghana music industry not fair to female rappers Eno Barony

    She further explained that some of the clothes she puts on once in a while are affordable.

    Watch Eno speaking to Zionfelix on his Uncut program below:

  • Kofi Amoah celebrates Black Stars victory with hundreds of university supporters

    Ghana’s interim football Chief Dr Kofi Amoah, broke protocol on Saturday night following the Black Stars qualification to the African Cup of Nations ‘Egypt 2019’.

    The multimillionaire investor along with Ghana’s Ambassador to Egypt Dr F. Hammond joined hundreds of chanting University students to celebrate the team’s qualification at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    Read: Five oldest debutants for Black Stars

    The Black Stars defeated Kenya 1-0 thanks to 70th minute goal by debutant Caleb Ekuban.

    Well over an hour after the final whistle, there were colourful scenes as students from the county’s biggest University chanted and danced in celebration of the team’s victory.

    Read: Mauritania arrive in Ghana for Black Stars friendly on Tuesday

    “This is what the beautiful game of football is really. Passion, ecstasy and unity. I want to thank these wonderful supporters who were at the stadium long before kick off and are still here long after the final whistle. They deserve to enjoy this moment like every other Ghanaian”.

    The words of Dr Kofi Amoah were echoed by Ghana’s Ambassador to Egypt Dr F Hammond who added that the Afcon in Egypt would light up with such passionate show of support.

    He concluded by asking, ” Wouldn’t it be just great to see these students in Egypt at the Afcon this June”

    Source: myoxygenworld.com

  • GRA Best Worker and Stakeholders Awards: Full list of winners

    The Ghana Revenue Authority has held an award ceremony to recognize and appreciate the efforts of its staff and stakeholders who have contributed immensely towards the cause of the authority.

    In his address, Commissioner-General Emmanuel Kofi Nti said the GRA has made it a point to honor “staff who put up more than an ordinary performance and taxpayers who are compliant in the filing of returns and payment of taxes on due dates. 

    Read: Oil, LPG marketers engage Ghana Revenue Authority

    “By so doing GRA is recognizing excellence in revenue administration. This ceremony is therefore a platform for GRA to say thank you to all our taxpayers particularly the very compliant ones and our hard working staff.”

    Mr. Kofi Nti used the opportunity to appeal to all income earners to continue to support GRA in the revenue mobilization business.

    Read: Ghana Revenue Authority gets 10,000 NABCO personnel for tax collection

    The Guess of Honour for the occasion was Hon. Kwaku Kwarteng, Deputy Minister of Finance while MAJ RTD Daniel Ablorh Quarcoo was the chairman.

    Below is the full list of winners

    Source: www.Ghanaweb.com

  • CCTV captures woman stealing baby at Takoradi

    The woman who allegedly stole a one year old baby boy in Takoradi, has been captured on a CCTV.

    The camera, which was planted at the Ghana Home Loans company captured vividly, the woman when she was stealing the baby.

    Read: Baby kidnapped in Takoradi

    It was reported earlier, that a one year old boy had been stolen in Taadi.

    He was stolen around the post office Market in Takoradi.

    Read: One-year-old stolen at Takoradi market, police on manhunt

    According to reports, the boy was stolen from his mother by a fair, slim and short lady on Friday, March 22, 2019.

    The report also indicated that Harriet, a trader and mother of the boy was attending to customers while he was stolen.

    Takoradi, and its surrounding areas has been in the news for a lot of kidnap cases, therefore causing fear and panic in families who live in those areas.

    Meanwhile, the family of the boy has appealed to Ghanaians to help share the information, which circulated in social media, to enable them find the boy.

    Source: atinkaonline.com

  • Road accidents will go up Expert predicts

    The Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Dr Godfred Akyea-Darkwah, says he sees no end in sight to road accidents in the country.

    “It is going up and it will still go up unless the right strategies are adopted.”

    Read: Accidents on roads up-north have spiritual undertones Traditionalist

    He says if governments past and present do not commit to implementing to the letter the Legislative Instrument 2180, the country will continue to mourn deaths on its roads.

    Speaking on Midday Live on TV3 on Monday, March 25, Dr Akyea-Darkwah noted that there are three fundamental causes of road accidents: roads, vehicles and human errors.

    “[Human error] is the key factor which contributes about 90 per cent [of the accidents].”

    Read: Accidents: 46,284 killed between 1991 and 2018

    He urged government to invest in the education and sensitisation of drivers in order to staunch the trend.

    “Driver attitude and behavior has it all [to do]. That is causing all the problem,” he insisted.

    “But if we talk about attitude and behaviour and for that matter attributing it to the human behaviour, the [tool] that can address the ill attitudes and bad behaviour is through qualitative, pragmatic and progressive education and training.”

    Read: Frequent accidents which claim lives, limbs must halt – Worried Prez Akufo-Addo declares

    He cited how an organization once expressed desire to educate drivers “but we did not get them”, insinuating some of the drivers are not interested in training.

    The discourse on road accidents was reignited last Friday, when about 60 persons lost their lives in two separate road accidents.

    The National Road Safety Commission, NRSC, has indicated its desire to introduce speed limiters on commercial vehicles.

    Dr Akyea-Darkwah said that will help to an extent but will not solve the issue.

    He cited how a Yutong bus tried to overtake a minibus on a rainy day in the case of the Central Region accident, which claimed at least eight lives.

    For him, an educated driver would have been a bit cautious in doing that.

    He stopped short of blaming the NRSC and even the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) on the drivers churned out on the roads.

    Dr Akyea-Darkwah said Sections 33, 43 and 125 are not adhered and that is as a result of the lack of support the likes of NRSC and DVLA get.

    Source: 3news.com

  • Kotoko begins training ahead of Normalization Committee competition

    The players of Kumasi Asante Kotoko will start training on Monday March, 25, 2019 ahead of the Normalisation Committee Special Competition.

    Read: Kotoko coach C.K Akonnor present report to management, wants assistant changed

    The Porcupine Warriors had been on break since their elimination from the CAF Confederations Cup over a week ago but they will have to regroup again and start preparations ahead of the impending tournament.

    The players will report at the Adako Jachie Training Pitch at exactly 3:00 pm and they will have physical sessions under coach Akonnor.

    Read: Steve Pollack implores Kotoko management to keep CK Akunnor

    The Normalisation Committee Special Tournament which is specially designed for the premier amd second-tier clubs will start this weekend.

    Source: footballmadeinghana.com

  • Stanbic holds first Financial Fitness Masterclass at Kasapreko

    Stanbic Bank Ghana Limited has held its maiden Financial Fitness Master Class in Ghana with employees of Kasapreko Company Limited on the Spintex Road in Accra.

    The financial fitness master class is an initiative of Standard Bank aimed at equipping individuals with the requisite knowledge and skills to think holistically about their finances. 

    Read: Stanbic Bank adopts Hakeem, 2 others and invests GHC 50,000 in streetism

    Opening the session, Alhassan Andani, Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank said the purpose of the session was to help individuals create a financial structure that lives after them.

    “As banks, we always look out for the interest of our clients, as they are our most important client. Our interest here today is to help you create a perpetual self; that is, creating a financial structure that lives long after your active years and after you are gone”, Mr. Andani said. 

    Facilitators for the Master Class included Ed Jordan, the Global Head of Wealth Experience at Standard Bank Wealth and Ben Mensah, Head of Wealth, West Africa (Excluding Nigeria), Standard Bank Group. The facilitators took the participants through a number of exercises to help them assess their revenue streams and expenditure behaviours.

    Read: Stanbic Bank is ‘PR Organization of the Year’ fourth time in a row

    Speaking on the objective and purpose of the first financial fitness master class, Ed Jordan explained that “from the Standard Bank Group perspective, we believe that wealth is for everyone and our client value proposition is underpinned by following a purposeful, client-centric and relationship-based approach we do. We serve clients by listening to them and providing tailored financial solutions to meet their unique identified goals and needs. This is the reason why we are having this master class today”.

    Participants were taken through the rudiments of wealth creation and how to effectively balance between creating wealth and spending money. They were also given insights into saving for a secure future an living a life you can afford.

    According to Ben Mensah, the wealth philosophy of the Standard Bank Group is based on a client-centric approach, hence the creation of the master class. “Our wealth philosophy is relationship-based, client-centric model, which follows a personalized approach to financial solutions and results in a sustainable manner. That is why we have come here today to talk to you and to assess your financial behaviours for us to determine a tailored solution for you”, Mr. Mensah said.

    The Standard Bank Group is an international organization with presence across the African continent and is well placed to provided unique and tailored universal financial services to clients doing business across the continent.

    Source: Stanbic Bank Ghana

  • Chinese logging in African forests ‘brazen and criminal’

    A US environmental campaign group has accused Chinese logging companies of devastating key forests in the Congo Basin, and so damaging the climate, protected tree species and the habitat of endangered animals.

    The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) says its report is the result of four years of research, much of it undercover.

    It accused the Chinese companies of paying huge bribes to win logging rights in Congo-Brazzaville and Gabon, of evading taxes and of violating export quotas.

    One of the main companies concerned, SICOFOR, has denied the allegations.

    The EIA says the Congo Basin forests are critical to the planet because they are thought to generate more than three-quarters of the region’s rainfall – and about 75 million people live in or depend on the forests.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Ras Mubarak jabs Akufo-Addo; says his response to gory accidents shambolic

    Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, Hon. Ras Mubarak has jabbed President Akufo-Addo for his response to the deadly accidents that took place in the country.

    According to the legislator, government’s response to the tragic accidents which happened on Friday, March 22, 2019 is an understatement. 

    Read: Akufo-Addo mourns Kintampo accident victims

    In a Facebook post, Ras Mubarak slammed the president and ministers of state for not taking some necessary steps following reports on the accident which claimed over 70 lives. 

    “The government’s response is nothing but shambolic. More than 70 of our compatriots have died in very tragic road accidents in just one day,” he wrote. 

    “No package of support for the victims, no declaration of a day of mourning, and unlike other disasters in the past, no visit to either the hospital or the mass burial today by any minister of state,” he added. 

    Read: Kintampo fatal crash: 52 responding to treatment

    Ras Mubarak lamented and expressed his disappointment at the posture of the presidency and top government officials concerning the accident. 

    He noted that the president’s ‘unconcerned’ attitude towards the accident victims does not show good leadership. 

    “In times of such tragic disasters, we expect leadership. What the President has demonstrated is not leadership, just vacuum,” he noted.

    Ras Mubarak in his conclusion applauded the MP for Garu, Albert Alalzuuga for demonstrating commitment and leadership. 

    He further revealed that most of the Kintampo accident victims were natives of his constituency. 

    Ras Mubarak’s jab directed at President Akufo-Addo and his ministers followed two gory accidents that occurred at Kintampo and Ekumfi Dunkwa. 

    On Friday, March 22 2019, over 60 passengers passed on in an accident involving two buses on the Techiman-Kintampo road. 

    On the same day, 10 persons passed on, with several others injured in an accident that occurred at Ekumfi Dunkwa on the Winneba-Cape Coast Highway. 

    On March 23, 2019, over 35 of the victims who got burnt were buried in a mass grave near the accident scene at Kintampo.

    Source: yen.com.gh

  • UN attacks ‘humiliating’ Caster Semenya ruling

    Plans to classify female athletes by their testosterone levels “contravene international human rights” says the United Nations Human Rights Council.

    Olympic 800m champion Semenya, 28, is challenging the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) over its bid to restrict levels of testosterone in female runners.

    The UN called the plans “unnecessary, humiliating and harmful”.

    The IAAF said the motion given to the UN contained “inaccurate statements”.

    Under the IAAF rules, female athletes with naturally high testosterone levels would have to race against men or change events unless they took medication to reduce those levels.

    The regulations will apply to women in track events from 400m up to one mile ,and require that athletes have to keep their testosterone levels below a prescribed amount “for at least six months prior to competing”.

    Source: bbc.com

  • How Pope Francis could shape the future of robotics

    It might not be the first place you imagine when you think about robots.

    But in the Renaissance splendour of the Vatican, thousands of miles from Silicon Valley, scientists, ethicists and theologians gather to discuss the future of robotics.

    The ideas go to the heart of what it means to be human and could define future generations on the planet.

    The workshop, Roboethics: Humans, Machines and Health was hosted by The Pontifical Academy for Life.

    Epochal changes

    The Academy was created 25 years ago by Pope John Paul II in response to rapid changes in biomedicine.

    It studies issues including advances in human genome editing techniques.

    These techniques were controversially claimed to have been used by Chinese scientist He Jiankui, to alter the genes of twin girls so they could not get HIV.

    Professor Ishiguro with his robot in Japan

    For the opening of the meeting, Pope Francis presented a letter to the Human Community, where he outlines the paradox of “progress” and cautions against developing technologies without first thinking of the possible costs to society.

    In the letter, the Pope emphasises the need to study new technologies: communication technologies, nanotechnologies, biotechnologies and robotics.

    “There is a pressing need, then, to understand these epochal changes and new frontiers in order to determine how to place them at the service of the human person, while respecting and promoting the intrinsic dignity of all,” Pope Francis writes.

    Human robots

    In stark contrast to this message came a hypothesis from Japanese Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro, who says we will no longer be recognized as flesh and blood humans, in 10,000 years time.

    Famous for creating extremely human-like robots at his lab in Osaka University, including one of himself, Prof Ishiguro spoke about the need to evolve our bodies away from their current materials to something more enduring.

    “Our ultimate aim of human evolution is immortality by replacing the flesh and bones with inorganic material,” he said.

    “The question is what happens if something happens in the planet, or something happens on the Sun, so we cannot live in the planet, we need to live in space.”

    “In this case, which is better? Organic materials or inorganic materials?”

    Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro addresses the Vatican's conference on Roboethics

    For Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, there is a clear answer.

    “This dream is a terrible dream,” adding that it was “impossible” to divide the body and soul.

    “The flesh is the body with the soul and the soul is a spirit with flesh,” he asserted.

    “The body is very important for human beings, through the body we love, through the body we embrace and communicate with one another,” he said.

    “We are aware on one side this is unbelievable progress, but on the other side, we felt that are risks that this development can give the world.

    “The risk is we forget we are creatures, not creators.”

    Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia

    Robot rights

    Creating robots that can do tasks humans can do, even intimate tasks like caring for elderly people or having a relationship, is a fundamental aspect of Prof Ishiguro’s work.

    “We have a serious problem, the Japanese population is going down to half the number of the current population within 50 years.”

    Instead of relying on human immigrants or a baby boom to solve the decline, Prof Ishiguro points to the possibility of utilising robots instead.

    “We don’t have enough annual immigrations, Japan is an isolated country, it’s an island, our culture is quite different from other countries,”

    “It is not so easy for the foreigners to survive in Japan in some sense,’ Prof Ishiguro said.

    “That is the main reason why we are so crazy for creating robots.”

    The European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) released a report last year emphasising the “urgent and complex moral questions” raised by advances in AI and robotics.

    It emphasized a need to for a collective and collaborative way of working to establish a set of values around which to organise society and the role these new technologies play.

    The Pontifical Academy meeting

    “It was on the request of the European Commission to have ethical thoughts about the future of our societies and the future of work in times of robotics and artificial intelligence,” said Professor Christiane Woopen, chair of the EGE and Professor of ethics and theory of medicine at Cologne University, who was at the Vatican.

    The focus of the group’s work is on how human rights relate to robots, rather than the idea of giving rights to new forms of autonomous technology.

    “We are not of the opinion that AI or robots should have rights on their own,” Prof Woopen said.

    “Rights pertain to people and refer to fundamental rights, like human dignity, the right to autonomy.”

    “Those rights refer to people, to human beings, and they refer to the EU Charter on fundamental rights,” she explained.

    But Prof Ishiguro thinks the closer we get to having robots in our house and in our friendship circles, the more rights we will naturally want to give them.

    “Once a robot is going to be a partner, or a companion for us, a friend for us, we will want to protect the robot of course,” he said.

    “As we give a kind of right to the animals, I think we will give a kind of right to the robots as well.”

    Pope Francis listens to Archbishop Paglia

    For Prof Woopen, blurring the lines between humans and robots and entering into relationships with them raises complex ethical issues.

    “If you imagine that someday there will be a robot that completely behaves like a human being, moves like a human being, has facial expressions like a human being, how will you then decide whether this entity has a soul or not?”

    “We use them for our purposes, because we are the beings who can set their goals, who can choose the means, who can do good and evil, but we are free human beings,” she says.

    “And I think that we shouldn’t grant technical artefacts the freedom we have.”

    Ethics partnership

    The Vatican recently partnered with Microsoft to offer an international prize on ethics and artificial intelligence, after a private meeting between Pope Francis and Microsoft President Brad Smith.

    The prize is for the best doctoral dissertation of 2019 on the subject of “artificial intelligence in the service of human life”.

    Next year, the agenda for the Academy’s meeting focuses on artificial intelligence.

    “We have underlined the importance of technical research, this is a really good gift that God gave to us,” Archbishop Paglia says.

    “But when we become similar to computers, we immediately see conflicts, dangers, inequalities and sometimes a terrible slavery with the other.” he says.

    Prof Woopen emphasised the need for governments to address these emerging ethical issues.

    ‘We have to be faster in Europe,” she said.

    “But I think governments have already learned that these are crucial aspects to regulate and deal with because this will just shape our societies without taking account of what governments say, if they don’t.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Italy lose Leeds United star Caleb Ekuban to Ghana

    Italy Football Federation has failed to grab on young talent Caleb Ekuban who was born in Italy by Ghanaian parents.

    The 24-year-old accepted the nod to play for the Ghana Black Stars despite interest from the Italian Federation.

    Caleb, 24, following his debut for the Black Stars against Kenya in the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, were he even recorded his name on the score sheet is no more eligible to switch nationality.Though, Italy needs him for a build up ahead of World cup 2022.

    The Italian-born striker in his last season had a poor campaign, netting just twice in 21 games following a surprise move from Chievo, and got loaned to Trabzonspor instead.

    Ekuban has impressed in Turkey, bagging seven goals and three assists in 28 appearances for Trabzonspor to earn an international call-up.

    Ekuban made his first ever senior international debut this month with a superb stainer for the Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Tanzania president rewards players and coaches with piece of land for AFCON qualification

    President of Tanzania HE John Pombe Magufuli has gifted each national team player and the technical staff a piece of land in the capital city of Dodoma.

    He met the entire team at the State House in Dar es Salaam on Monday morning.

    Read: “Players to audition for AFCON places against Mauritania”- Kwesi Appiah

    This is one of the rewards to the team following their qualification to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Uganda 3-0 the final qualifying game on Sunday.

    Goals from Saimon Happygod Msuva, Erasto Nyoni and Aggrey Morris ensured the Taifa Stars book a place for the tournament in Egypt later this year.

    Read: West Africa gets largest representation at AFCON 2019

    The President through the Prime Minister on Saturday promised each player an amount of US$ 5,000 if they make it to Africa’s flagship tournament for the first time in 39 years.

    Their last appearance in the Cup of Nations was in 1980 where they exited the tournament after the first round.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Mauritania arrive in Ghana for Black Stars friendly on Tuesday

    Mauritania have arrived in Ghana ahead of their friendly with the Black Stars on Tuesday at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    The contingent arrived at the Kotoka International Airport on Sunday morning ahead of the clash on Tuesday.

    The Black Stars will take on the Lions of Chinguetti in an international friendly on March 26 in Accra as part of preparations for 2018 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Read: Ghana ponder Turkey, UAE training camp ahead of AFCON

    The African football powerhouse will play as host to the Lions of Chinguetti three days after pipping Kenya in the final qualifier at the same venue.

    Both Ghana and Mauritania have already qualified for the Nations Cup which will be staged in Egypt in June this year.

    Mauritania suffered a lone goal defeat in the hands of Burkina Faso in their final 2019 Nations Cup qualifier on 22 March ahead of their debut appearance at the tournament.

     

    Source: Footballmadeinghana 

  • Distribution of solar lanterns to deprived households begin

    The government has begun the distribution of solar-powered lanterns to households, especially residents of communities not connected to the national grid.

    So far, the Ministry of Energy has distributed 120,000 units of lanterns that also have charging systems for mobile phones.

    The Deputy Director of Alternative Energy at the Ministry of Energy, Dr Robert Sogbadji, said the government intended to distribute the lanterns to two million Ghanaians by the end of 2020.

    He said the initiative was part of a wider strategy to help replace the traditional kerosene-powered lanterns that were mostly used in rural communities.

    Dr. Sogbadji was speaking at a business seminar on solar energy in Ghana in Accra.

    Among the participants were students from the Tuck School of Business, a graduate school of the Dartmouth College in New Hampshire in the United States of America.

    It was organised by Yingli Namene West Africa, a solar-focused energy company.

    Dr. Sogbadji said under the programme, District Chief Executives (DCEs) and Members of Parliament (MPs) could apply to the Ministry of Energy for the supply of the lanterns if there was the need.

    He explained that a review of the applications would be carried out and payments made at subsidised prices for the required number of lanterns for onward distribution to beneficiaries.

    “When the lanterns are distributed through a DCE or an MP, they make sure that records of beneficiaries are sent to the Ministry of Energy for monitoring and evaluation purposes because the lanterns are not to be resold,” Dr. Sogbadji emphasised.

    According to him, “the idea is to reduce fossil fuel because the government used to subsidise kerosene due to the dependence on it by people in rural areas and it was costing the government lots of money. Therefore, the government decided to use cleaner energy to power lanterns in such communities.”

    The Managing Director of Yingli Namene West Africa, Mr Firmin Nkamleu Ngassam, observed that Ghana had a good regulatory policy framework to attract investments into the renewable energy sector.

    He said those policies made it easy for his company to invest in power generation to support the businesses of the private sector.

    Source: goldstreetbusiness.com

  • Ghana ponder Turkey, UAE training camp ahead of AFCON

    Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah and his technical team are pondering over a camp base where the Black Stars will have their pre-AFCON camping to fine tune the squad.

    Turkey and UAE have been mentioned, with the latter most preferred due to its similar climate with Egypt.

    The four-time champions are seeking to end their 37-year wait for continental success, having won their last title in 1982.

    Read: Normalization Committee grateful to Ghanaians for supporting Black Stars/Meteors

    Kwesi Appiah’s side have come close to ending their drought at the last six tournaments, having reached the semi-finals, and even going as far as the final in 2010 and 2015.

    The 2019 AFCON will start from Friday, June 21 and conclude on July 19.

     

    Source:  Ghanaguardian.com

  • Baby kidnapped in Takoradi

    The Takoradi Police have launched a manhunt for a middle-aged woman who allegedly stole a one year-old boy from her mother at the Takoradi Market Circle last Friday evening.

    The incident happened at about 4:30pm in front of the Market Circle Post Office in Takoradi.

    Read: One-year-old stolen at Takoradi market, police on manhunt

    The mother, Nana Akosua Bowaa, a resident of Amanful in Takoradi and petty trader at the Market Circle, has been devastated by the development.

    The suspect was said to have approached Akosua Bowaa, whose two children were crying at the time.

    Read: Woman cunningly steals 1-year-old baby from mother in Takoradi

    The suspect, who initially posed as a customer, reportedly asked the mother to allow her handle the two kids to enable her to serve the customers better.

    The suspect later posed as a trader in the market.

    After realising that the children had Ewe names, the culprit told their mother that she was also an Ewe.

    Police sources say when the suspect realised that the mother was busily selling, she moved the kids to a nearby pastries seller under the guise of buying some for the kids.

    The older boy started crying, so the suspect gave him back to the mother and told the women that she would bring the other kid who was with the vendor.

    The suspect picked the one-year-old boy, who was calm at the time and bolted.

    The mother, who sensed danger, later raised an alarm but all efforts to trace the boy proved futile.

    Fortunately, a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera of some banks in the area captured the unidentified woman who was cuddling the baby as she moved away from the market.

    The incident has since been reported to the Market Circle Police who have launched an investigation.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Collapsed building crashes 2-year-old to death

    A 2-year-old boy has been confirmed dead after a building collapsed on him at Atwima Agogo in the Atwima Nwabiagya municipality of the Ashanti Region.

    Nana Kojo was playing with other children behind the cracked building on Saturday, 23 March 2019, when the structure caved in on him.

    Read: Nigeria school collapse: Lagos building disaster leaves 10 dead

    The other children were able to run for their lives, escaping unhurt.

    The remains of the little boy were removed from the rubble by personnel of the Ghana Police Service and Ghana National Fire Service with the help of the locals, Mr Kwaku Boateng, an Assemblyman for Atwima Agogo told Kumasi FM’s Elisha Adarkwah.

    Read: Building collapses, crushes one to death

    The body has been deposited at Afari Hospital morgue awaiting an autopsy.

    The Assemblyman said the community has so many buildings which have developed cracks, adding that he has planned to demolish the weak structures next week.

    He said one of such buildings, which was very close to the scene, was immediately demolished after the incident.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • MoFA partners JICA to boost local rice production

    The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), is partnering the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to help rice farmers to scale up the production of quality and tasty local rice in the country.

    This is under the “Sustainable Development of Rain-fed Lowland Rice Production phase II” project, being implemented by the two partners, in the Ashanti and the northern Regions of Ghana.

    The project, which started in 2016, is expected to end in 2021.

    Ms. Yaa Pokua, Project Schedule Officer, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Kumasi that, many more farmers in the 20 participating districts in Ashanti Region, were enrolled onto the project to help boost rice production in the Region.

    She said through appropriate field demonstrations and the application of modern technologies in paddy fields, each of the farmers was now producing 2.9 tons per hectare on the average, as against less than two tons before the implementation of the project.

    Ms. Pokua said rice had become one of the most important food staples in many homes in Ghana, and its consumption per-capita had more than doubled over the last decade as a result of population growth, urbanisation and change in consumer habits.

    Ghana, she said, depended largely on imported rice to make up the deficit in domestic rice production and supply.

    That was why the Ministry with the support of JICA decided to support local rice farmers to increase production to help close the import gap and ensure food security.

    Ms. Pokua said there was ready market for the local rice, hence the need to encourage farmers to invest, and produce more to meet the local demand, while helping to create employment, especially for the youth.

    She said only five districts were targeted in the Ashanti Region in the first phase of the project, which started in 2009 and ended in 2016.

    However, the success stories and the keen interest shown by the farmers encouraged the partners to increase the districts to 20 in the second phase to rope in more farmers.

    Ms. Kyoko Akasaka, an Extension Officer from JICA, said the Japanese government was providing technical assistance to the farmers to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

    Source: goldstreetbusiness.com

  • Police get 3 helicopters

    For the first time in the history of law enforcement in the country, the Ghana Police Service (GPS) will soon possess three helicopters, as government has commenced procurement processes for the choppers.

    During the 2018 West African Security Services Association (WASSA) celebration of the GPS, President Akufo-Addo said the choppers would improve the operational capability of the service.

    Read: Government procures 3 helicopters for Ghana Police Service

    He asserted that some police officers would be trained as pilots for the helicopters.

    WASSA celebration is a get-together organised for the security services to dine, make merry and take stock of their activities in the past.

    Retooling The Police

    President Akufo-Addo, who was the guest of honour, told the police officers that the government would work with the police to guarantee the security of citizens in accordance with the rule of law.

    Read: Up your game; make Akufo-Addo proud Ambrose Dery to police

    “That is why my government will continue to work to modernise and retool the police adequately in order to assist them to maintain law and order and protect lives and property,” he stressed.

    He pledged that his government was determined to support the police administration to serve the people of Ghana better.

    The President revealed that currently a National Detective Training Academy was being built at Kenyasi Number One in the Ahafo Region, which when completed, would be at par with the training academy of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the USA.

    “The construction of 320 housing units for officers of the national training academy is ongoing, and again government has so far supplied 320 vehicles to the police service and 273 will soon be delivered,” he disclosed.

    Promotion And Recruitment

    The President recalled what his government had done in terms of promotions in the GPS since assuming office in 2017, pointing out that over 1,502 senior police officers and 18,853 junior officers had been elevated.

    “Four thousand police officers have been recruited into the service with 2,000 already under training.

    “Today, under this administration, the era when the officers stay without being promoted for more than the mandated four years is over,” he added.

    The issue of law and order is particularly needed this time as lawlessness, kidnapping, murder, assault by and against police officers and vigilantism are threatening the rule of law, according to him.

    Injustices And Vigilantism

    The President announced that the police administration had designed a security leadership development programme under which workshops would be held for selected officers from the police and other security services under the Interior Ministry.

    Commendation

    The President commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for acting swiftly when some police officers assaulted Ghanaian Times reporters and the recent assault of a police officer by a driver and his conductor.

    “Crime is a crime; it has no political colour and the police must act against any person or group engaged in unlawful acts,” he added.

  • Wa All Stars also pulls out of GFA-NC Special Competition

    Ghana Premier League side Wa All Stars have pulled out of the Special Competition set to kick starts next weekend, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively report.

    The 2016 Premier League champions joins Medeama, who are unwilling to participate in the three-month competition.

    The Wa-based side are yet to assemble their players since the Anas exposé which led to the global ban of former Ghana FA boss and owner Kwesi Nyantakyi.

    Read: Normalization Committee constitute four new committee ahead of Special Competition

    Top officials of the club have told Ghana’s leading football website, GHANAsoccernet.com that an official communication will be sent to the FA on Monday.

    They have thus pulled the plugs on their involvement in a competition which has bee dogged with so several controversies.

     

    Source: Ghanasoccernet 

  • West Africa gets largest representation at AFCON 2019

    West Africa will be hugely represented at the Nations Cup in Egypt this June after nine countries from the sub-region qualified for the competition.

    Former champions Ghana, Nigeria and Ivory Coast are joined by Guinea Bissau, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Benin and Guinea.

    Defending champions Cameroon will represent Central Africa with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    Read: Benin qualify for 2019 AFCON as Adebayor’s Togo go out

    South Africa have the second largest representation with five teams from the South.

    Angola, Madagascar, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe have all qualified for the competition in Egypt.

    East Africa will be represented by Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and Uganda.

    Read: Winners and losers of 2019 AFCON qualifiers

    Host Egypt lead the North African contingent and are joined by Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

    Twenty four teams will participate in the competition this year for the first time since the tournament was expanded.

     

    Source: Ghanasoccernet 

  • Benin qualify for 2019 AFCON as Adebayor’s Togo go out

    Huddersfield striker Steve Mounie scored the goal to send Benin to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after a 2-1 victory over Emmanuel Adebayor’s Togo in Cotonou.

    In the final round of qualifiers, Benin secured the points they needed to finish as runners-up to Algeria in Group D and secure their place at Egypt 2019.

    Benin opened the scoring against Togo in the 12th minute when David Djigla put the hosts in front.

    Read: Twenty-four teams qualify for AFCON 2019

    Veteran Togo striker Adebayor, 35, gave Togo hope with an equaliser in the 72nd minute as his side searched for the victory they needed.

    It made for a frenetic finish to the contest and the host nation made it a disappointing end to Adebayor and Togo’s campaign as Mounie struck seven minutes from time to give Benin the win.

    Benin will play at the Nations Cup finals for the first time since 2010.

    Read: Winners and losers of 2019 AFCON qualifiers

    The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will, for the first time, take place in June and July and will feature 24 teams rather than 16.

    Also on Sunday, Zimbabwe and DR Congo qualified for the finals, as did Tanzania who beat rivals Uganda 3-0.

    In Bangui, it finished 0-0 between Central African Republic and Guinea in Group H, a fixture featuring two teams who have already been eliminated.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal steps down amid crisis

    The founder of cash-strapped Indian airline Jet Airways has stepped down as chairman of the company.

    Naresh Goyal’s resignation will likely pave the way for potential investors to save India’s oldest private carrier.

    They were held back by Mr Goyal’s reluctance to give up control of the company, reports say.

    Jet’s debt exceeds $1bn (£750m) and the airline has grounded some flights as it is struggling to pay employees, suppliers and leasing companies.

    Within minutes of Monday’s announcement, the company’s stock jumped 12%.

    In a stock market filing which also announced the resignation, the company said that banks would lend around $210m to keep it afloat until it starts to sell shares to new investors.

    In recent weeks, it had grounded more than two-thirds of the 119 aircraft in its fleet. Thousands of flights were cancelled, affecting passengers flying on both international and domestic routes.

    A pilots’ organisation had also warned that its members would stop flying for the carrier if their salaries were not paid by the end of March.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Majestic Wine to close stores amid rebrand

    Majestic Wine has announced plans to revamp its business by closing some of its 200 stores and concentrating on its online Naked Wines division.

    The change will also see the company being renamed Naked Wines.

    More details of the store closures – and any job losses will be given in June along with its full-year results.

    Naked Wines was founded by entrepreneur Rowan Gormley in 2008. It was bought by Majestic in 2015 for £70m and Mr Gormley was given the top job.

    Naked is a subscription business that signs up customers for regular payments, and the plan is to expand the operation by releasing capital from Majestic.

    In its statement, Majestic said almost 45% of its business came from online with a further 20% from international sales.

    Mr Gormley said: “It is clear that Naked Wines has the potential for strong sustainable growth, and we will deliver the best results for our shareholders, customers, people and suppliers by focusing all our energies on delivering that potential.

    “We also believe that a transformed Majestic business does have the potential to be a long-term winner, but that we risk not maximising the potential of Naked if we try to do both.

    “Where we have no choice but to close stores we will aim to minimise job losses by migration into Naked.”

    The company added it was on target to hit sales of £500m this year, and profits were also on track.

    It said Naked continued to perform well and regular customer payments were expected to increase by 10-15% this financial year.

    The new plan includes raising the amount it spends on attracting new customers to Naked from £20m currently to £26m by next year.

    As a result of its planned increase in investment, Majestic said it would review its dividend in June this year.

    Shares in Majestic fell 8% at the start of trading.

    Analysts at Liberum called the move “a drastic and unexpected change in strategy”.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Rock enigma Scott Walker dies aged 76

    Scott Walker, one of the most enigmatic and influential figures in rock history, has died at the age of 76.

    The star, whose songs included The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore and Joanna, influenced everyone from David Bowie to Jarvis Cocker.

    He found fame as a teen idol in The Walker Brothers, but his dark baritone hinted at something deeper.

    That was borne out in his experimental, psychedelic solo albums, which explored the complexities of love and death.

    Walker’s death was confirmed by his current record label, 4AD, who called him “one of the most revered innovators at the sharp end of creative music”.

    A reclusive, contradictory figure, Walker was never at ease with pop stardom. His orchestral pop was frequently scattered with characters from society’s margins – prostitutes, transvestites, suicidal brooders and even Joseph Stalin.

    After 1984’s Climate of Hunter, he walked away from music for almost a decade. When he returned in the mid-1990s, it was with Tilt, a collection of fraught, uncompromising tone poems.

    “Imagine Andy Williams reinventing himself as Stockhausen,” wrote The Guardian’s Simon Hattenstone in a profile of the singer.

    Walker went on to collaborate with Pulp, producing the 2001 album We Love Life. He recently completed the score to Natalie Portman film Vox Lux.

    In 2017, the BBC paid tribute to the star with a Proms concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

    Radiohead’s Thom Yorke said he was “so very sad” to hear of Walker’s passing, saying he had been “a huge influence” on both the band and himself.

    The singer-songwriter said he had met Walker once at the Meltdown arts festival in London and found him to be “such a gentle outsider”.

    Actor and writer Mark Gatiss responded to Yorke’s post with a plaintive “No!!” and a pensive face emoji.

    The singer is survived by his daughter, Lee, his granddaughter Emmi-Lee, and his partner Beverly.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Seven injured as Gaza rocket hits home in central Israel

    Seven people have been injured after a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit a house in central Israel, police say.

    The rocket came down at 05:20 local time (03:20 GMT) on Monday in an area north of the city of Tel Aviv.

    This is the furthest a Palestinian rocket has reached in Israel since the 2014 conflict with militants in Gaza.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is cutting short a trip to the US over the incident, has vowed to respond with force.

    So far no-one has said they carried out the attack.

    A week and a half ago, two rockets were fired towards Tel Aviv and nobody was hurt. The Israeli military responded with dozens of air strikes across Gaza, which injured four people.

    The Hamas militant group, which controls Gaza, and Israeli military officials later said those rockets had been launched “by mistake”.

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the rocket hit a house in the community of Mishmeret, about 20km (12 miles) north-east of Tel Aviv, causing it to catch fire and injuring several members of one family.

    The Haaretz newspaper cited medical officials as saying that among the wounded were three children – a 12-year-old girl, three-year-old boy and six-month-old baby.

    Video shared by the IDF on Twitter showed the badly damaged house.


    The rocket also triggered air sirens across the Sharon and Emek Hefer regions.

    “This was a criminal attack on Israel and we will respond forcefully,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said after announcing he would return early from Washington once he had met US President Donald Trump.

    The BBC’s Yolande Knell in Jerusalem says the latest rocket fire has dramatically raised tensions in the region, just two weeks before Israel holds a general election.

    Mr Netanyahu is currently locked in a tight battle with his main rival, former IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz.

    The Prime Minister’s campaign for a fifth term has been overshadowed by possible indictment in three corruption cases.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Akufo-Addo tasks Tourism Minister to build on pan-African legacy

    President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has tasked the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) to build on what he described as the pan-African legacy of Ghana’s early leaders.

    He made the call in a statement at the 15th edition of the Ghana Tourism Awards on Friday, March 22, 2019.

    Read: Government to pump $40 million into tourism – Akufo-Addo

    According to the president, “the pan-African legacy of our early leaders has never been in doubt and I have tasked the ministry and the Tourism Authority to build on this legacy and make Ghana a true heritage pilgrimage destination for our brothers and sisters from the diaspora.”

    He described the tourism sector as one of the most important sectors of the Ghanaian economy and spoke about the interventions his administration has put in place to further develop the sector. He said, “Under my watch, the tourism sector is receiving the needed push with the elevation of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to cabinet status.

    Read: Make Ghana a true heritage pilgrimage destination Akufo-Addo

    The Tourism Authority has reported gains and growth across several indices visitor arrivals, per capita spend of visitors, number of establishments, number of tourist’s facilities etc since we assumed the reins of government.” The president explained that “I am also aware of several tourist sites improvement programs such as the Axim Fort St.

    Antonio project, Assin Manso Slave River project, Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm, Bunso Aboretrem, Kintampo waterfalls and the Elmina Heritage Bay project.”

    He added that “this with the ongoing destination single window automation programme and the marketing programmes ‘Visit Ghana, See Ghana, Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana and Feel Ghana’ are all part of integral plans to transform the sector.

    ” According to him, “The ongoing $40 million World Bank Tourism development programme is also an added bonus to this drive to make our tourism sector grow.” Mr.

    Akufo-Addo stressed that “tourism is a multi-sector industry and the various other sectors roads, skills development, sanitation, aviation and the visa regime are all being tackled in a multi-sectoral way for the needed impact.”

    He indicated that “the theme chosen for today’s event, ‘celebrating our heritage’ resonates with the ‘Year of Return’ project which I proudly launched in front of the Congressional Black Caucus of the United States Congress, in September 2018.”

    He added that “as we celebrate the award winners, it must be a clarion call for all of us within the sector and its value chain to be ready for the take-off.

    Source: www.myjoyonline.com

  • Twenty-four teams qualify for AFCON 2019

    The line-up for the 2019 African Cup of Nations slated for Egypt between June 21-July 19 has been completed.

    Four teams qualified in total from North Africa. They are Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt.

    Burundi, Madagascar and Mauritania all qualified for the first time in their history.

    Read: 2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Burundi seal historic qualification

    Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya also qualified from East Africa. South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Zimbabwe and Madagascar complete the Southern section.

    Cameroon, who are the holders, and DR Congo booked their places over the weekend. West Africa has the most amount of teams.

    Read: Ghana U-23 team escapes plane crash on their way to Gabon for AFCON second leg

    Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Mali, Nigeria, Benin, Ghana and Ivory Coast will all be in Egypt in June and July.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Zidane is the right man for the Real Madrid job – Mourinho

    The Portuguese was linked with a return to the Bernabeu, but has now insisted that the Frenchman deserved the managerial position.

    Jose Mourinho has said that he believes Zinedine Zidane is the right man for the Real Madrid managerial position. 

    Zidane was re-appointed as Madrid’s head coach earlier this month, just 10 months after he had resigned from the same position. 

    The Frenchman replaced Santiago Solari, who himself had replaced Julen Lopetegui earlier in the 2018-19 campaign. 

    After Solari’s dismissal, many tipped Mourinho to return to the Santiago Bernabeu after he had been sacked as Manchester United boss in December. 

    Mourinho was Madrid’s manager from 2010 to 2013, but the Blancos instead opted to bring back three-time Champions League winner Zidane. 

    And Mourinho himself has now said that the Blancos made the right call, adding that the Frenchman is just getting started in his managerial career despite what he has already achieved. 

    “I do not think we can talk about a career for him yet,” Mourinho said of Zidane on Canal Plus. 

    “But in a very short time, he did what no one had done before, that is winning three consecutive Champions Leagues”.

    “Now he is starting a new step in his career. He has to build a team, he has to make choices, buy players, sell them. He has to train them, give them his philosophy of play.

    “I think he’s probably the best person for this club.”

    Mourinho has not been shy about his desire to return to club management, and said this week he has already turned down a number of job offers. 

    The Portuguese said that he’s growing more eager to return every day. 

    “Day after day, I miss training. I’m not going to hide it,” Mourinho said. 

    “There’s something going on in my head, winning a fifth league and a new Champions League with a third club.”

    Source: Goal.com