Author: aejay_wp

  • AFCON 2019 Qualifier: Debutant Caleb Eku-BANGS Ghana to victory on birthday

    Trabzonspor forward Caleb Ekuban left a lasting mark on his 25th birthday by scoring the winner for Ghana on his debut in their 1-0 victory over Kenya in the final match of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

    The Italian-born hitman was introduced on the hour mark to replace China-based Emmanuel Boateng.

    His first contribution nearly resulted in a goal after he was fouled outside the box after a drag back.

    Read: First Ghana goal excites Caleb Ekuban

    He went anonymous for some time but after 81 minutes he popped up again and his bullet of a shot went through the hands of goalkeeper Patrick Matasi.

    The goal scored by the on-loan Tranbzonspor striker will surely leave with him for the rest of his career as it fell on his 25th birthday.

    Ekuban qualified to represent Italy but decided to play for the Black Stars in the summer of 2017.

    Read: First Ghana goal excites Caleb Ekuban

    The former Chievo Verona marksman has been in impressive form for the Turkish side since joining on loan from English Championship outfit Leeds United in the summer.

    He has provided 2 assists and scored 4 goals in 21 appearances in the league to help the Trabzon-based to 4th on the Turkish league table after 26 round of matches.

     

    Source:  GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Make Ghana a true heritage pilgrimage destination Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has charged the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts as well as the Ghana Tourism Authority to build a lasting legacy which will make Ghana a true heritage pilgrimage destination for Africans living in the diaspora.

    “The Tourism Authority has reported gains and growth across several indices with visitor arrivals, per capita spends of visitors, number of establishments, number of tourist’s facilities etc since we assumed the reins of Government,” he said.

    Read: Ghanaians drowning in corruption under Akufo-Addo MP cries

    In a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, at the 15th Edition of the Ghana Tourism Awards, the President noted that the tourism sector under his government is receiving the needed push with the ministry elevated to cabinet status.

    He, however, indicated that he has been following keenly the various activities happening under the tourism sector such as the Year of Return project with the TINA festival, the black history month celebration of the African American Association of Ghana and the Back to Africa activities.

    Read: Acknowledge your failure to Ghanaians – Minority to Akufo-Addo

    He added that the ministry is improving several tourist sites 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.

    This, he said is in line with the ongoing destination single window automation programme and the marketing programs such as visit Ghana, see Ghana, eat Ghana, wear Ghana and feel Ghana are all part of integral plans to transform the sector. 

    He reiterated that “the ongoing 40million dollar World Bank Tourism development program is also an added bonus to this drive to make our Tourism sector grow.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • GNCLBBLOA rejects CLAAG

    The Ghana National Chamber of Licensed Banker to Banker Lotto Operators and Agents(GNCLBBLOA) led by Mr. Frank Adjei would like to state emphatically that, the Chamber has absolutely nothing to do with Kwaku Duah-Tawiah and the Concerned Lotto Agents Association of Ghana (CLAAG).

    We wish to set the record straight that CLAAG led by kwaku Duah-Tawiah is Not and can never be the mouthpiece of all Private Lotto Operators and Agents across the country. The Chamber does not recognize CLAAG and Kwaku Duah-Tawiah, and we urge the general public to totally ignore his reckless utterances.

    Read: CLAAG threatens massive demonstration over alleged mismanagement at NLA

    The Ghana National Chamber of Licensed Banker to Banker Lotto Operators and Agents welcomed the One Million Ghana Cedis License Fee and as a matter of fact, we were the first group in Ghana to pay to the National Lottery Authority the said License Fee as a pre-requisite for the registration, validation and granting of license.

    We are of the view that such a laudable initiative would help to: 1. Create legitimate lottery businesses.

    Read: No mismanagement at NLA

    2. Expand the operations of Lottery industry.

    3. Ensure equity and standardization in the lottery operations.

    4. Bring sanity to the Lottery Industry.

    5. Generate substantial revenue for Government.

    6. Create a lot of employment opportunities for the youth.

    We would like to urge the NLA and Government to cause the arrest and prosecution of illegal Lotto Operators and Agents who refuse to take the advantage of the opportunity that NLA gave in order to serve as a deterrent to all illegal Lotto Operators and Agents. We are there to support any Government to succeed and we will never be an obstacle to any Government.

    CLAAG is not associated with GNCLBBLOA. We have no affiliation with Kwaku Duah-Tawiah and CLAAG. And the Chamber would like to put it on record that CLAAG and Kwaku Duah-Tawiah do not have any mandate to speak on behalf of Private Lotto Operators and Agents in Ghana.

    We are on course and patiently waiting for our license from NLA. The Chamber fully supports the License Fee of One Million Ghana Cedis for Private Lotto Operators who want to operate nationwide.

    …Signed… Mr. Frank Adjei (Leader/Executive Chairman)

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Government procures 3 helicopters for Ghana Police Service

    Following the upsurge of lawlessness and acts of violence in several parts of the country, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revealed plans by his government to secure three helicopters for the Ghana Police Service.

    According to the President, this provision is intended to facilitate the operations of the Ghana Police Service in curbing crime and the several acts of lawlessness in the country.

    Read: Japanese government donates $2.73 million to Ghana Police Service

    To complement the procurement of the three helicopters, President Akufo-Addo says his government has also made plans to train a number of selected Police officers as pilots.

    “Three helicopters are being procured to facilitate police operations with some selected police officers set to be trained as pilots,” the president announced. 

    He also touched on the several provisions his administration has made for the Ghana Police Service including the 320 vehicles which have already been provided and an addition of about 273 which is yet to be delivered.

    Read: Crime is evolving; Ghana Police must up their game Selorm Branttie

    Reacting to the issue of promotions in the Ghana Police Service, President Akufo-Addo emphasized that the issue of police officers having to wait for more than the mandated number of years before their promotions are due has been dealt with.

    “Under this administration, the era where an officer stays without being promoted for more than the mandated four years is over,” the president noted.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was speaking at the West Africa Security Service Association (WASSA) of the Ghana Police Service on Friday, March 22.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghanas drinking water mostly contaminated Water minister

    There is widespread contamination of drinking water in Ghana, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources has revealed .

    Quoting from research by Ghana Statistical Service dubbed Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (2017/2018) on drinking Water quality parameters ,the Minister- Cecilia Dapaah stated that the survey indicated widespread deterioration in drinking water quality in the country with 48% contamination at the source and 76% at the point of use.

    Read: World Water Day: Achieving SDG 6 may be difficult for Ghana CONIWAS warns

    This she said is unacceptable hence government attention has been drawn to the need to increase investment in Water and Sanitation,improve on infrastructural development and water treatment technology to enhance efficiency and quality.

    Cecilia Dapaah however expressed concern over degradation of the Water sources through Illegal mining ,deforestation ,disposal of both solid and liquid waste ,sand winning and farming along river banks which she said threaten both Water quantity and quality” carrying implications for the provision of Water supply to all”

    Read: Water treatment becoming expensive – GWCL Board Chair

    The Minister explained that ” in 2017 ,the improper use of Water especially illegal mining (galamsey ) had ensured that of 16 major river basins in the Country,65% were poor quality,with 15% of these critical”. She stated that the Ministry has recently noted with great concern illegal sand-winning within the river and streams bed of white Volta Basin close to the Ghana Water Company intakes at Dalun and Nawuni which serve Tamale and its environs

    She therefore commended Government and the media for the sustained fight against illegal mining which resulted in improvement in Water quality

    This was contained in a speech read by Donnan Tay- Director of Water at the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, on behalf of the Sector Minister during the celebration of 2019 World Water Day held at Akropong School for the Blind in the Eastern Region under the global theme “Leaving No One Behind”.

    The Minister stated despite this challenges ,Ghana has made considerable strides over the years in the provision of basic drinking water services to the population adding ,for instance that,the current Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS)2017/2018 indicates that
    8 in every 10,000 households in Ghana are using basic drinking water services however some inequalities and disparities exist which are likely to widened if collective actions not taken.

    Additionally ,20% of the population use about 1 hour to three hours more than the acceptable 30 minutes for a roundtrip including queuing to fetch water each day for households without water on premise.

    Sylvia Lopez -Ekra ,the Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana ,said the SDGS 6 enjoins countries to provide access to safe drinking water to all by 2030 however he said in Ghana ,the 2017 indicator suggest that 21% of Ghanaians still do not have access to safe water which goes up to 32% in rural communities.

    She also mentioned that there is huge disparities in the water coverage in Ghana.She cited that Greater Accra for instance has 98% water coverage however the Water Coverage in the Northern Region stands at 50 %.

    She therefore charged government to ensure equitable water delivery with much concentration to marginalized groups.

    Ama Kudom Agyeman, one of the Organizers of the event told Starr News,Students of Akropong School for Blind and students Mampong School for the deaf were targeted for the event this year to push for an agenda of inclusiveness in decision making on Water delivery services.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • NPP, NDC sabotaging Ghanas economy Joe Jackson

    Chief Operations Officer of Dalex Finance, Joe Jackson, has accused the two leading political parties in the country for deliberately working towards sabotaging the economic fortunes of Ghana.

    According to Mr. Jackson, both the National Democratic Congress and New Patriotic Party have failed in finding long term solutions to the yearly depreciation of the cedi against major international trading currency, particularly the dollar.

    Read: 2 NDC members share contradictory views on NPP vigilantism letter

    “I know that the two parties have conspired to sabotage the economy,” he said.

    He made this observation on TV3 news analysis show, the Key Points on Saturday, and accused the parties of politicizing the cedi issue to gain political points instead of coming up with long term measures to deal with it.

    Read: Ghana’s economy heading into crisis Adongo

    The Dalex Finance COO further stated that the two parties are always quick to speak through the media on issues of the depreciating cedi instead for coming together to dialogue and come up with plans with which the issue can be solved to prevent further recurrence.

    “Each time the cedi depreciates in value, it is a signal telling us that there is not enough dollars to fund what we want do, so it is either we export more or we consume less dollars each time that signal happens.

    “…both sides [NDC and NPP] are quick to use the cedi as the barometer or thermometer for political performance, the action is to jump in support of the cedi and sabotage that economic signal that goes to all investors, producers, consumers to take decisions that will fix this in the long term,” Mr. Jackson noted.

    According to him, investment decisions and issues bordering on the cedi cannot be taken within two months or short term as is done by the two parties, indicating the NPP and NDC must pay attention to cedi signals and plan along those lines.

    “So I think that by jumping and celebrating any time the cedi slides, they are actually sabotaging our long term existence, and I want all of them, whether the script was read by Dr. Bawumia a year ago or the script is being read by Honourable Forson this time or whoever it is, it is the same script, and the script tells us that we are ignoring the economic signal that the cedi value is passing, and it totally ignores how to fix this in the long term.”

    Joe Jackson was speaking on the back of a news conference organized by the minority on the economy, as well as the response from government on the issue.

    The minority at the said news conference accused government of failing to stabilize the economy, thereby scaring investors away from the country.

    Addressing the issues raised by the minority, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said they are nothing new, and that government was already working towards resolving them.

    Issue of dollarisation

    Mr. Jackson rejected the assertion by some analysts that doing business or selling goods in dollars is the cause of the depreciation of the cedi.

    “I disagree with all this talk of dollarization of the economy; that is not the problem, that is not the real problem; the problem is that…the two parties are sabotaging us, all of them.

    “As soon as the dollar takes a dip, instead of asking what this is signaling, all we do is jump in and distort the signal, sabotaging the market,” he stressed.

    He noted that the dollar is only a model, and that pricing in dollars is a way of increasing prices.

    Mr. Jackson also said the real problem is that local production is noncompetitive, arguing it is cheaper to buy foreign goods than local goods.

    Source: 3news.com

  • I did not assault C/R police commander – Kennedy Agyapong

    The Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has denied assaulting the Central Regional Police Commander, DCOP Paul Manly Awini.

    Attorney for the Assin Central legislator, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, said the police “must properly evaluate the fact made available to them.”

    Read: Resign from NPP if you feel betrayed – Kennedy Agyapong’s bluff called

    “I Just want to put on record that there was no such assault on any police officer in my presence,” he said.

    The Ghana Police Service has written to Parliament to request the release of Mr Agyapong to face assault charges against him.

    Read: Kennedy Agyapong rescinds decision to quit politics

    In a letter to the leadership of Parliament, the police indicated that Hon. Agyapong is requested to assist in investigations against him by Detective Sergeant George Ofori, the Central Region Divisional Commander.

    In the letter signed by the Director-General/Administration, Commissioner of Police (COP), Mr Ken Yeboah said: “The said incident is alleged to have occurred on 14th March, 2019, during a demonstration by students of University of Education at Winneba”.

    Read: Kennedy Agyapong allegedly assaults Central Regional Police Commander

    “In the circumstances, we respectfully crave your indulgence to release Hon. Kennedy Agyapong to report to the Central Regional Police Commander to assist with investigations into the alleged assault,” it stated.

    Detective Sergeant Ofori on March 17, 2019, reported to the Central Regional Police Command that he and other police personnel were performing their lawful duties of providing security at the forecourt of the Administration block of the University of Education, Winneba, to protect that facility against irate rampaging students.

    According to the complainant, Mr Agyapong and the NPP MP for Effutu, Mr Afenyo Markins, accompanied by some irate youth numbering about 500, stormed the forecourt apparently to see the Regional Police Commander.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Death of 11-year-old boy in Kumasi causes heartbreak on social media

    Death, we know, is inevitable as all living beings are expected to die one day. It is something we all must face no matter how well we live our lives or how wealthy we become.

    While each death brings an amount of pain to the ones the deceased left behind, some deaths are just too painful to deal with.

    Read: Fire kills boy, 13, in Kumasi

    Such is the case of Elloeny Kwadwo Anakamah, a young boy who died in Kumasi about two weeks ago.

    Elloeny died at the tender age of 11 years.

    Read: Two ladies murdered in Kumasi

    It is not known what was the cause of the little boy’s unfortunate demise but a poster announcing his funeral arrangements has been making waves on social media.

    According to the funeral poster sighted by YEN.com.gh, the one-week observance and burial of the 11-year-old were held on the same day.

    The combined ceremony which came off on Saturday, March 17, 2019, came off at Ashanti New Town, one of the most popular suburbs of Kumasi.

    Since the poster of the handsome Elloeny popped up online, many Ghanaians have been left weeping.

    The huge outcry on social media showed how Ghanaians received the news of the death of a female banker who died in Winneba on the morning of her wedding.

    The lady, Esaaba Morgue, as earlier reported by YEN.com.gh, was found dead in her bed on the very day which was supposed to be her special day.

    Source: Yen.com.gh

  • Trump hails fall of Islamic State ‘caliphate’ in Syria

    US President Donald Trump welcomed the fall of the Islamic State group’s five-year “caliphate”, but warned that the terror group remained a threat.

    Mr Trump’s remarks came after Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) raised victory flags in the Syrian town of Baghuz, IS’s last stronghold.

    Read: Syria condemns Donald Trump’s Golan remarks

    He said the US would “remain vigilant until [IS] is finally defeated”.

    Despite losing territory in Syria and Iraq, IS remains active in countries from Nigeria to the Philippines.

    Read: Trump stance on Muslims, Fox host in spotlight after mosque shootings

    At its height, the group controlled 88,000 sq km (34,000 sq miles) across Syria and Iraq.

    After five years of fierce battle, though, local forces backed by world powers left IS with all but a few hundred square metres near Syria’s border with Iraq.

    On Saturday, the long-awaited announcement came from the SDF that it had seized that last IS territory. Western leaders hailed the announcement but emphasised that IS was still a danger.

    “We will remain vigilant… until it is finally defeated wherever it operates,” Mr Trump said in a statement.

    French President Emmanuel Macron said “the threat remains and the fight against terrorist groups must continue”.

    UK Prime Minister Theresa May welcomed the “historic milestone” but said her government remained “committed to eradicating [IS’s] poisonous ideology”.

    Trump statement

    In a statement released by the White House on Saturday, Mr Trump said the US would “continue to work with our partners and allies… to fight [IS] until it is finally defeated.”

    “The United States will defend American interests whenever and wherever necessary,” the statement read.

    Mr Trump described IS’s loss of territory as “evidence of its false narrative”, adding: “They have lost all prestige and power.”

    He also appealed to “all of the young people on the internet believing in [IS] propaganda”, saying: “Think instead about having a great life.”

    How did the final battle unfold?

    The SDF alliance began its final assault on IS at the start of March, with the remaining militants holed up in the village of Baghuz in eastern Syria.

    The alliance was forced to slow its offensive after it emerged that a large number of civilians were also there, sheltering in buildings, tents and tunnels.

    Thousands of women and children, foreign nationals among them, fled the fighting and severe shortages to make their way to SDF-run camps for displaced persons.

    Many IS fighters have also abandoned Baghuz, but those who stayed put up fierce resistance, deploying suicide bombers and car bombs.

    Why are there still concerns about IS?

    IS grew out of al-Qaeda in Iraq in the aftermath of the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

    It joined the rebellion against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2011. By 2014 it had seized swathes of land in both countries and proclaimed a “caliphate”.

    IS once imposed its rule on almost eight million people, and generated billions of dollars from oil, extortion, robbery and kidnapping, using its territory as a platform to launch foreign attacks.

    The fall of Baghuz is a major moment in the campaign against IS. The Iraqi government declared victory against the militants in 2017.

    But the group is far from defeated. US officials believe IS may have 15,000 to 20,000 armed adherents active in the region, many of them in sleeper cells, and that it will return to its insurgent roots while attempting to rebuild.

    Even as its defeat in Baghuz was imminent, IS released a defiant audio recording purportedly from its spokesman Abu Hassan al-Muhajir, asserting that the caliphate was not finished.

    The location of the group’s overall leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, is not known. But he has avoided being captured or killed, despite having fewer places to hide.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Producer Price Inflation for February up two per cent

    The Producer Price Inflation (PPI) for February 2019 was 5.4 per cent, representing a 2.0 percentage increment from 3.4 percent recorded in January 2019.

    Mr David Kombat, the Acting Deputy Government Statistician, at a press briefing in Accra, attributed the rise to an increase in the price of gold and the depreciation of the cedi.

    Read: Producer Price Inflation rate for Dec. dips to 4.4%

    He said the Mining and Quarrying sub-sector recorded the highest year-on-year PPI rate of 13.4 per cent, followed by the manufacturing sub-sector with 5.0 per cent.

    The utility sub-sector recorded the lowest year-on-year producer inflation of 0.2 per cent.

    With respect to the monthly changes, Mr Kombat said the mining and quarrying sector recorded the highest inflation rate of 4.7 per cent, followed by manufacturing sub-sector with 1.9 per cent.

    Read: Increase the producer price of cocoa – Armah Kofi Buah urges government

    The utilities sub-sector recorded the lowest inflation rate of 0.1 per cent.

    The PPI measures the average change over time in the prices received by domestic producers for the production of their goods and services.

    The Index reports the producer price indices with reference to September 2006, as the base period.

    It also shows the annual and monthly producer inflation rates for the three major sub-sectors of industry Mining and quarrying, manufacturing, and utilities for the last 12 months.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Brexit march: Thousands join referendum protest

    Thousands are gathering to march through central London calling for a second EU referendum, as MPs search for a way out of the Brexit impasse.

    Demonstrators from the “Put It To The People” campaign will march from Park Lane to Parliament Square, followed by a rally in front of Parliament.

    It comes after the EU agreed to delay the UK’s departure from the EU.

    Read: $1.3 trillion and 7,000 finance jobs leaving Britain because of Brexit

    PM Theresa May has said she will ditch plans for another vote on her Brexit deal if not enough MPs support it.

    Unless that deal is passed by MPs, the UK will have to come up with an alternative plan or else face leaving without a deal on April.

    Read: Brexit: Toilet paper maker stockpiles in a case of no-deal

    Meanwhile, a record-breaking online petition on Parliament’s website calling for Brexit to be cancelled by revoking Article 50 has attracted more than 4.18 million signatures.

    Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said the petition could “give oxygen” to the campaign for another Brexit referendum.

    Speakers at the rally include Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, former Tory turned independent MP Anna Soubry and former attorney general Dominic Grieve.

    Ms Sturgeon said now was “the moment of maximum opportunity” to avoid a no-deal Brexit.

    Mr Watson is expected to promise to back Mrs May’s deal if she agrees to hold a referendum on it.

    He is expected to say: “I’ve come to the reluctant view that the only way to resolve this and have legitimacy in the eyes of the public is for the people themselves to sign it off.”

    Ms Soubry told the BBC: “It’s good to see Tom Watson coming on the march today… I honestly believe it’s the only way forward.”

    She added: “It’s intolerable the situation that we’re in and I’m afraid Theresa’s the problem.

    “I’m not saying the government should go because that’s the last thing we want, but I think she has to go and we need some temporary prime minister who can reach out, put the country first, get this back to the British people – that’s what we’re all marching for today, a people’s vote.”

    Ms Soubry also said Mrs May had made a “desperately bad mistake” blaming the delay to Brexit on MPs in her televised address on Wednesday.

    Former Tory chief whip Andrew Mitchell agreed “there was a very strong feeling she’d made an error of judgement” on this.

    But dismissing reports of growing pressure on Mrs May to quit, he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “To change prime minister would be a colossal error – it won’t change the numbers [in the vote for Mrs May’s deal]”.

    ‘Clear choices’

    If Mrs May’s deal is approved by MPs next week, the EU has agreed to extend the Brexit deadline until 22 May. If it is not – and no alternative plan is put forward – the UK is set to leave the EU on 12 April.

    In a letter to all MPs on Friday evening, Mrs May offered to talk to MPs over the coming days “as Parliament prepares to take momentous decisions”.

    Children’s minister Nadhim Zahawi told the Today programme that failing to support Mrs May’s deal would lead to a “meltdown in our politics, not just for the Conservative party but for all parties”.

    He said all the other alternatives would require MPs asking for a much longer extension, which Mrs May has said she is not prepared for.

    Indicating he would stand down if Mrs May’s deal is not voted for, Mr Zahawi said he “cannot justify” going to his constituents and saying: “We failed to deliver this and that now we are having to stay in the EU and go into European elections.”

    The march comes as the pro-Brexit March to Leave, which started in Sunderland a week ago, continues towards London.

    Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage re-joined the March to Leave in Linby, near Nottingham, on Saturday morning telling around 200 Brexit supporters that Mrs May had reduced the nation “to a state of humiliation”.

    Speaking from the top of an open-top bus, Mr Farage said those gathering for the People’s Vote march in London were not the majority, before leading the crowds through the village.

    Meanwhile, by 11:32 GMT on Saturday, the total number of signatures calling for Article 50 to be revoked stood at 4,151,815 – beating the previous record reached by another Brexit-related petition in 2016.

    Margaret Georgiadou, who set up the petition, tweeted earlier that she had “received three death threats over the phone”, she also said she had closed her Facebook account after receiving a “torrent of abuse”.

    Parliament’s petitions committee tweeted on Friday that the rate of signatures was “the highest the site has ever had to deal with”, after the website crashed.

    Source: bbc.com

  • ‘Celebrate tangible achievements not loans’ – Gabby Quaye to Ken Ofori Atta

    A Leading Member of the Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Awutu Senya West Constituency, Mr Gabby Quaye has chastised the government for wasting state resources on needless parties in celebration of loans instead of celebrating tangible achievements.

    The government has raised $3 billion from international financial institutions through a three-tranched Eurobond which attracted more bids than the country asked for.

    Read: Ministry of Finance holds Kenkey Party to celebrate Ghana’s hat-trick

    At the close of a roadshow in London, the appetite for the 2019 sovereign bond had swelled, resulting in orders totaling $21 billion about seven times more than the amount needed.

    The government delegation, led by the Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, however, accepted only $3 billion, in consonance with the amount budgeted for and approved in the 2019 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government.

    Read: Final IMF disbursement to hit government’s account on March 29

    The Ministry of Finance proceeded to organize a Kenkey party yesterday at the Inner Court of the Ministry of Finance, to celebrate what they termed “Ghana’s Hat-Trick” thus The Succesful Eurobond, Completion of IMF-ECF Programme and the Appreciation of the Cedi.

    But this did not go down well with many Ghanaians, as many have chastised the Minister for wasting money to celebrate mediocrity.

    Contributing to the discussions on his Facebook wall, Mr Gabby Quaye indicated that it was shameful for a government that claims to be building Ghana Beyond aid, to celebrate the acquisition of loans.

    He further bemoaned the fact that “some few years ago, a government was showing off infrastructure in celebration of loans but Ghanaians were made to believe it was bad to borrow. Today, Government is doing kenkey party in celebration of a loan.”

    He therefore concluded by calling on Ghanaians to change the government by voting massively against President Akufo-Addo in the 2020 General elections.

    Source: Daniel Kaku

  • Islamic State group defeated as final territory lost, US-backed forces say

    The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces say the Islamic State group has lost its last bit of territory in Syria, bringing to an end its “caliphate”.

    A spokesman for the SDF declared the “100% territorial defeat” of IS.

    Read: Iraq ferry sinking: ‘Nearly 100 dead’ in Tigris river

    The jihadist group once controlled 88,000 sq km (34,000 sq miles) of land stretching across Syria and Iraq.

    Despite the loss of territory, the group is still seen as a major security threat capable of mounting attacks in the region and worldwide.

    Read: French Islamic State accused handed over to face trial in Iraq

    The Kurdish-led SDF alliance began its final assault on IS at the start of March, with the remaining militants holed up in the village of Baghuz in eastern Syria.

    The alliance was forced to slow its offensive after it emerged that a large number of civilians were also there, sheltering in buildings, tents and tunnels.

    “Syrian Democratic Forces declare total elimination of so-called caliphate and 100% territorial defeat of Isis [the IS group],” Mr Bali, the head of the SDF media office, tweeted.

    “On this unique day, we commemorate thousands of martyrs whose efforts made the victory possible.”

    SDF fighters have raised their yellow flag in Baghuz celebrating their victory, reports from the scene say.

    But despite the fall of Baghuz, IS is by no means defeated. US officials believe IS may have 15,000 to 20,000 armed adherents active in the region, many of them in sleeper cells, and that it will return to its insurgent roots while attempting to rebuild.

    Even as its defeat in Baghuz was imminent, IS released a defiant audio recording purportedly from its spokesman Abu Hassan al-Muhajir, asserting that the caliphate was not finished.

    How the jihadist group rose and fell

    October 2006

    The jihadist group announces the creation of the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) and in April 2010, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi becomes its leader.

    January 2013

    The Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) begins seizing control of territory in Syria, including the city of Raqqa. In April that year, al-Baghdadi changes his group’s name to Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil or Isis).

    Source: bbc.com

  • Argentina lose to Venezuela despite Messi’s return

    Lionel Messi made a disappointing return to Argentina duty after being injured in a 3-1 defeat by Venezuela.

    Barcelona forward Messi missed six internationals following a self-imposed exile since losing to eventual winners France at the World Cup in Russia.

    Messi, 31, finished the match but felt pain in his groin and will sit out Tuesday’s friendly against Morocco.

    Read: Playing next to Lionel Messi is incredible – KP Boateng

    The injury, described as a flare up of an existing problem, is not thought to be serious.

    In a friendly between the two South American sides held in Madrid, Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon put Venezuela ahead after six minutes before Jhon Murillo doubled the lead just before half-time.

    Read: Mbappe more valuable than Messi and Ronaldo – Jose Mourinho

    Lautaro Martinez pulled a goal back for Argentina, but Josef Martinez added Venezuela’s third with a penalty.

    Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Chelsea’s on-loan striker Gonzalo Higuain and Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi were all left out of the squad by manager Lionel Scaloni.

    Despite five substitutions being made by Argentina, Juventus forward Paulo Dybala failed to make it off the bench although Watford’s Roberto Pereyra did play the final 12 minutes at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Christchurch attacks: Al-Noor mosque reopens to worshippers

    Worshippers have returned to the Al-Noor mosque in Christchurch for the first time since a mass shooting there in which dozens of people were killed.

    The building had closed so police could investigate the attack but on Saturday small groups were allowed to return.

    Read: Christchurch shootings: New Zealand falls silent for mosque victims

    Fifty people were killed in shootings at two mosques on 15 March.

    As the Al Noor mosque reopened, some 3,000 people walked through Christchurch on Saturday for a ‘march for love’ intended to honour victims.

    Many walked in silence and some carried placards calling for peace and opposing racism.

    Read: New Zealand falls silent for mosque victims

    “We feel like hate has brought a lot of darkness at times,” said Manaia Butler, a 16-year-old student who helped to organise the march. “Love is the strongest cure to light the city out of that darkness,” she said.

    Aden Diriye, who lost his 3-year-old son in the attack, returned to the Al-Noor mosque on Saturday. “I am very happy,” he said after praying. ” I was back as soon as we rebuilt, to pray.”

    Australian Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old self-proclaimed white supremacist, has been charged with one murder in connection with the attacks and he is expected to face further charges.

    Bullet holes gone, walls repainted

    With the crime scene investigation completed, the Al-Noor mosque, where the majority of the victims were killed, was handed back to the city’s Muslim community.

    At around midday local time (23:00 GMT Friday), small groups of worshippers were allowed back onto the grounds, while armed police patrolled the site.

    “We are allowing 15 people at a time, just to get some normality,” Saiyad Hassen, a volunteer at the mosque, told AFP news agency. He did not say when the mosque would fully reopen.

    The mosque had been repaired, with bullet holes filled in and walls freshly painted – though the lack of rugs on the floor served as a reminder of what had happened.

    Worshippers knelt to pray on a grey padded carpet underlay taped to the floor.

    “It is the place where we pray, where we meet, we’ll be back,” Ashif Shaikh, who was in the mosque at the time of the shooting, told Reuters news agency.

    Police said the nearby Linwood mosque, which was the second to be attacked, had also reopened.

    Gun law reform

    New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday announced a ban on all types of semi-automatic weapons following the Christchurch attacks.

    She said she expected new legislation to be in place by 11 April, saying: “Our history changed forever. Now, our laws will too.”

    “Six days after this attack, we are announcing a ban on all military style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles in New Zealand,” Ms Ardern said in a news conference.

    “Related parts used to convert these guns into MSSAs are also being banned, along with all high-capacity magazines.”

    An amnesty has been imposed so the owners of affected weapons can hand them in, and a buy-back scheme will follow.

    The buy-back could cost up to NZ$200m ($138m; £104m), but Ms Ardern said “that is the price that we must pay to ensure the safety of our communities”.

    Ms Ardern has also announced that a National Memorial Service for victims is being planned for next week.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Vote on Theresa May’s deal may not happen next week

    Theresa May has told MPs that a third vote on her Brexit deal may not take place next week “if it appears there is not sufficient support”.

    It comes after European Council President Donald Tusk said Brexit’s fate was “in Britain’s hands”.

    EU leaders have agreed to delay the departure date by at least two weeks.

    Read: $1.3 trillion and 7,000 finance jobs leaving Britain because of Brexit

    If MPs approve the PM’s deal next week, Brexit would be delayed from 29 March until 22 May. Otherwise the UK has until 12 April to propose a new plan.

    In a letter to all MPs on Friday evening, Mrs May said: “If it appears that there is not sufficient support to bring the deal back next week, or the House (of Commons) rejects it again, we can ask for another extension before 12 April – but that will involve holding European Parliament elections.”

    That was one of four “clear choices” she outlined, along with revoking Article 50 which she says would “betray the result of the referendum”, leaving with no deal, or getting her deal approved next week. 

    Read: Brexit: Toilet paper maker stockpiles in a case of no-deal

    The final option relies on Commons Speaker John Bercow allowing her to bring the deal back after he previously ruled that another vote couldn’t be held without “substantial” changes to the deal.

    She offered to talk to MPs over the coming days “as Parliament prepares to take momentous decisions”.

    Mrs May also referred to her televised address on Wednesday, in which she blamed the delay to Brexit on MPs.

    She acknowledged that “a number of colleagues had raised concerns” about her words and it had not been her intention to make their “difficult job… any more difficult”.

    In the letter, Mrs May confirmed that the government would change the law to alter the UK’s departure date from the EU next week.
    Analysis

    By Jonathan Blake, political correspondent

    Theresa May’s admission that there may not be a third vote on her deal after all will focus minds on what an alternative plan might be.

    To avoid asking the EU for a longer extension and holding European parliament elections, the Prime Minister will need a new course of action.

    A series of indicative votes in parliament looks the most likely way to decide that – but there is no agreement on whether the government should lead that process or relinquish control to parliament.

    And when and if a consensus in parliament emerges, there is no guarantee it will automatically become government policy.

    It has taken two years for the government to formulate, negotiate and attempt to get a Brexit deal through parliament.

    Finding an alternative which ministers, MPs and the EU are happy to embrace within the next two weeks will be a very tough task indeed.

    Speaking in Brussels on Friday, Mr Tusk said that until 12 April, “anything is possible” including a much longer delay or cancelling Brexit altogether.

    He said he was “really happy” the 27 EU leaders had reached a unanimous decision to extend the two-year Article 50 process, under which the UK was due to leave the EU on 29 March.

    “It means that until 12 April, anything is possible: a deal, a long extension if the United Kingdom decided to rethink its strategy, or revoking Article 50, which is a prerogative of the UK government.

    “The fate of Brexit is in the hands of our British friends. As the EU, we are prepared for the worst, but hope for the best. As you know, hope dies last.”

    According to the final summit conclusions, the UK is expected to “indicate a way forward” before 12 April, if MPs do not approve the withdrawal deal negotiated with the EU, which would then be considered by the European Council.

    The UK must decide by then whether it will take part in European Parliamentary elections from 23-26 May – if it does not, then a long delay would become “impossible”, Mr Tusk said. 

    Timeline

    29 March: Current Brexit date in UK law

    12 April: If MPs do not approve the withdrawal deal next week – “all options will remain open” until this date. The UK must propose a way forward before this date for consideration by EU leaders

    22 May: If MPs do approve the deal next week, Brexit will be delayed until this date

    23-26 May: European Parliamentary elections are held across member states

    Nigel Dodds, deputy leader of the DUP – whose votes Mrs May relies on to support her minority government – said the prime minister had “missed an opportunity” to propose changes to the withdrawal agreement to help get it through the Commons.

    On Friday, Mrs May’s deputy David Lidington met opposition parties to discuss how MPs could vote on alternatives to the government’s Brexit plan next week.

    These could include options such as holding another referendum, leaving with no deal or pursuing a closer economic arrangement such as the “Common Market 2.0” plan.

    Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who wants his alternative plan for a customs union and guarantees on workers’ rights to be among those voted on, said there was support for a different way forward.

    Source: bbc.com

  • The 5 deadliest habits to avoid as you get older

    A handful of activities can be truly detrimental to your health. In some cases, new studies have even found a link between those habits and an early death. Here are the most damaging habits you should try to avoid, especially as you get older.

    Bad habits are tough to break.

    Even when they’re truly detrimental to your health, certain activities can be difficult to give up. Whether it’s smoking, regularly indulging in sugary beverages, or binge drinking, there are a handful of practices that experts have linked to an early death.

    Before suggesting that these activities were harmful, researchers studied big groups of people over long periods of time.

    In one of those studies, published this week in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, scientists found troubling links between high intakes of soda and sweet teas or juices and an early death. And in a large review of two studies published in the same journal last year, researchers pinpointed five habits that appeared to be tied with a significantly shorter lifespan.

    Here’s an overall look at what scientists have concluded are the most harmful habits for your health:

    Drinking sugary beverages and eating processed foods

    Drinking soda, juice, and other heavily sweetened beverages appear to take a heavy toll on our bodies. In fact, a new 34-year study of more than 118,000 people suggested that the more sugar people drank, the more likely they were to die from problems like heart trouble. However, as with many nutrition studies, this one merely involved observing people over time. That means the research could not definitively conclude that sugary drinks are bad – it could only suggest that they might be.

    If you’re worried about your drinking and eating habits, there’s plenty you can do to counteract the problems tied with sugary drinks. Aside from simply avoiding soda and juice, a growing body of research suggests that a meal plan focusing on vegetables, protein, and healthy fats has key benefits. Those include losing weight, keeping the mind sharp, and protecting the heart and brain as you age.

    The best diets (and the ones linked with the longest life) involved high intakes of vegetables, nuts, whole grains, healthy fats like those from fish and olive oil, and low intakes of sugary beverages like soda and juice, processed sweets and breads, red and processed meats, and trans fats and salt.

    Smoking

    Smoking kills. No other habit has been so strongly tied to death.

    In addition to cancer, smoking causes heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Smokers inhale burned tobacco and tar along with toxic metals like cadmium and beryllium, and elements like nickel and chromium – all of which accumulate naturally in the leaves of the tobacco plant.

    So it’s no surprise that studies find that abstaining from cigarette smoking for life is linked with living longer. If you’ve already smoked, the research still has good news: Both quitting and cutting back have also been linked with positive outcomes related to life expectancy.

    “Smoking is a strong independent risk factor of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality,” researchers wrote in one study, “and smoking cessation has been associated with a reduction of these excess risks.”

    Sitting for long periods of time

    In general, staying sedentary for lengthy periods of time seems to be awful for your health.

    But getting up every once in a while to do regular cardio exercise is an all-natural way to lift your mood, improve your memory, and protect your brain against age-related cognitive decline. In other words, it’s the closest thing to a miracle drug that we have.

    A wealth of recent research suggests that cardio – any type of exercise that raises your heart rate and gets you moving and sweating for a sustained period of time – has a significant and beneficial effect on the brain.

    “Aerobic exercise is the key for your head, just as it is for your heart,” read a recent article in the Harvard Medical School blog Mind and Mood.

    Most research suggests that the best type of aerobic exercise for your mind is anything you can do consistently for 30 to 45 minutes at a time.

    Being over- or under-weight

    People who weigh above or below average appear to face a slightly higher risk of death from a range of causes, according to a large recent study that assessed people’s weight using a measure called BMI, or body mass index.

    Researchers like to use BMI for quick assessments of large groups of people. Generally speaking, a BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered within the “healthy range” for adults over age 20, according to the CDC.

    And people who fell within that BMI range tended to outlive their peers who fell outside of it, the study found. In other words, people who had BMIs that were either above or below the “healthy range” lived shorter lives than people with BMIs that feel within that range.

    That said, BMI is far from a perfect means of gauging your overall health.

    The 1830s-era measure does not take into account a number of key health factors, including overall body fat, gender, muscle composition, or the amount of fat you’re carrying around your middle.

    This measure, also known as abdominal fat, is emerging as a key alternative to BMI because of its strong links with heart health and diabetes.

    Drinking heavily

    It’s been tough to pin down the precise relationship between drinking and overall health. A little bit of alcohol (such as one or two drinks per day) seems to be OK. More than that, however, and the benefits appear to vanish.

    The most dangerous types of drinking are heavy drinking and binge drinking.

    Defined by the CDC as eight drinks or more per week for women and 15 drinks or more per week for men, heavy drinking has been tied to a host of negative outcomes, including an overall shorter life expectancy.

    Binge drinking, or having four drinks if you’re a woman and five drinks if you’re a man within two hours, may be equally or even more harmful, studies suggest.

    Other problems tied to heavy or binge drinking include cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease, and injury.

    Source: msn

  • Adjetey Anang finally shows son to the world

    The award-winning actor has finally shown their son to the world after seven years of childlessness.

    The actor had revealed that the most difficult part of his 12-year-old marriage was when they had to wait for many years for a child. 

    Read: Adjetey Annan reveals washing dishes in his home is a priority

    Anang having to wait for seven years for their first child brought them untold pain and struggle.

    This is mainly because society frowned upon them, while they themselves were anxious. Anang took to Instagram to post photos of his lovely son, advising people that patient is the key to success. 

    He also shared some relationship tips indicating that it is very important to maintain a family culture. Meanwhile, in an earlier report by YEN.com.gh, Pusher revealed that washing of dishes in his home was his topmost priority. 

    He explained that that was a way he could help the home grow neatly, stressing that washing of dishes and other domestic chores are not restricted to wives only. 

    Source: yen.com.gh

  • Families of kidnapped girls losing confidence in security operatives

    The families of the three kidnapped girls in Takoradi say, they are beginning to lose confidence in the state security operatives for failing to live up to expectation following the kidnap of their children.

    They claim true justice can only be secured by those considered affluent in the Ghanaian society due to the lackadaisical attitude exhibited by both judiciary and security operatives in the country regarding the three kidnapped cases.

    Read: Police schools students on kidnapping

    The families made this position known on Friday, March 22, 2019, when the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle Constituency, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah led a delegation to visit them in Takoradi.

    The lawmaker had visited the families to commiserate with them following reports of the three girls reportedly missing and suspected to have been kidnapped within the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis and Effia Kwesimintsim Municipality in the Western Region respectively.

    Read: Takoradi kidnappings: Phone app to trace taxis introduced to curb menace

    The families who appeared jilted, and disappointed in the security setup in this country, took advantage of the presence of the delegation to pour out their hearts, and once again appealed to members of the public to help trace the whereabouts of the three girls.

    They further appealed to the lawmaker to join the collective campaign been waged in drawing attention of security agencies to the matter.

    They also want Parliament to take action in pushing the executive authority to act decisively in finding a lasting solution to the problem.

    Alexander Koranchie, father of the 15 -year-old Priscilla Koranchie said he had been monitoring activities in the country, and obviously had come to the conclusion that poor people will continue to struggle in trying to look for justice.

    On her part, Comfort Arhin, mother of the 18-year-old Ruthlove Quayson, could not hold back her tears, and wondered if justice will ever be manifested in the kidnapped cases.

    Francis Bentum, father of 18-year-old Priscilla Bentum, who was the first family to receive the delegation, recounted his last words with the victim and wondered if they will ever meet again since nothing concrete had shown that the girls could be traced.

    The Three Kidnapped Girls

    The suspected kidnapped girls are, Priscilla Blessing Bentum, 21, who went missing on August 17, 2018 at Kansaworodo in the Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipality.

    Next was RuthLove Quayson, 18, who went missing on December 4, 2018 at Butumagyebu Junction, popularly called BU-Junction in the twin-city of Sekondi/Takoradi.

    The third victim was Priscilla Koranchie, 15 years, who went missing on December 21, 2018 at Nkroful.

    Police Arrest Of First Suspect

    Following reports of the first reported kidnapped case, the Western Regional Police Command arrested and placed in custody, Samuel Udoetuk-Wills, a Nigerian, suspected to have been involved in the kidnapping of the girls.

    He previously escaped from police custody under bizarre circumstances but was recaptured sleeping in an abandoned building.

    He has since made two appearances in court, but nothing concrete in terms of the whereabouts of the girls seems to have been made known despite the campaign been waged nationally for the suspected kidnappers to free the girls.

    Since the arrest of the prime suspect, the affected families say the police have made very little progress in tracing the young girls, while a police search in the vicinity of Udoetuk-Wills hideout, yielded no concrete results, except the clothes of one of the kidnapped girls.

    Calls For Parliament’s Intervention

    Responding to the appeal made by the families of the three girls, the Ranking Member on Trade and Industry, said he will personally take up the issue to petition the august house of parliament to take the matter up.

    He subsequently consoled the families whilst reassuring them that the western caucus in parliament will intensify the campaign to draw attention of investigators, the speaker of parliament Professor Mike Oquaye, and all those who matter to take keen interest in the worrying subject which has created anxiety among the affected families.

    Source: Daniel Kaku

  • Youth group claims NDC has sidelined Opare Addo

    The concerned youth group of Kwahu of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has alleged that the National Executive body of the party has sidelined the National Youth Organizer, George Opare Addo.

    In a statement issued by the group and signed by its Chairman, Mustapha Adams, copied to the media indicated that Opare Addo has been pushed to a darker corner, and has been blindfolded from seeing anything going on in their party.

    Read: Delta Force, Invisible Forces terrorists, not vigilante groups Opare Addo

    The statement revealed that “we the Concerned NDC Youth of Kwehu are with heavy hearts today upon discovering how the national executives of our party seem not to recognize Pablo as such”.

    The statement, however, said Opare Addo has been neglected because he (Opare Addo) has been tagged as ‘Anti-Mahama’.

    Read: More NDC vigilante groups may emerge, we have no choice – Opare Addo

    “We have intercepted some information indicating a purported sidelining of Comrade George Opare Addo because he is seen not to be in support of Mr. Mahama”, the statement alleged.

    The statement explained further, “the content of the intercepted information has been weighed and crossed checked. Our conclusion is that, truly, Pablo has been pushed to a darker corner, blinding him from seeing anything going on in our party”.

    The statement alleged that former President John Mahama is using the former Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser, Brogya Genfi to undermine their brother, Opare Addo who is the elected National Youth Organizer.

    “We have also heard how the flagbearer of NDC JDM wants to use people like Brogya Genfi, the former Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer, Pablo’s contender in the just ended national elections to undermine our Brother to shine in the party, but whether anyone likes it or not, he has been duly elected and must be given an audience in the party”, the statement claimed.

    The statement has vehemently warned that if George Opare Addo is not allowed to function as an elected National Youth Organizer, they will advise themselves accordingly and will not take part in 2020 general elections.

    Below is the full statement,

    ALLOW MR. GEORGE OPARE ADDO TO WORK

    Comrades, the misty atmosphere in Akuapem South and North can only be cleared when our own is allowed without hindrance, to discharge his mandate as National Youth Organizer of our Great party.

    We the Concerned NDC Youth of Kwehu are with heavy hearts today upon discovering how the national executives of our party seem not to recognize Pablo as such.

    We have intercepted some information indicating a purported sidelining of Comrade George Opare Addo because he is seen not to be in support of Mr. Mahama.

    The content of the intercepted information has been weighed and crossed checked. Our conclusion is that, truly, Pablo has been pushed to a darker corner, blinding him from seeing anything going on in our party.

    Yes, he said it in an interview with Okay FM that the people voted for him based on competence, and on substance. That was his campaign message which was bought by the electorates.

    This doesn’t mean he is in support of the NPP’s rage on Mahama as incompetent.

    He again said, “I am goal getter and work towards attaining them, and I believe that my target is to REBRAND the NDC and make it more attractive to the youth of our great nation”. This was on 29th October 2018 in response to an allegation that he won through vote buying. This has no malice nor evil intents.

    We have also heard how the flagbearer of NDC JDM wants to use people like Brogya Genfi, the former Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser, Pablo’s contender in the just ended national elections to undermine our Brother to shine in the party, but whether anyone likes it or not, he has been duly elected and must be given an audience in the party.

    We want to be emphatic and audibly clear here that Hon. George Opare Addo is our source of motivation and inspiration. He is our mentor and example. Once he is disregarded and made worthless, Once he is tamed by sidelining him, Once he is not made useful in the party, we the Concerned NDC youth for Kwahu WILL ACCORDINGLY ADVICE OURSELVES.

    We, therefore, plead with those in the circles of Mahama to note that making Pablo irrelevant means we are equally not needed in the battle in 2020.

    Therefore, I believe he would be made to function fully as a National Youth Organiser. Remember, he is the same person who diligently discharged his duties as Municipal Chief Executive here in Akuapem North under Mahama.

    If Akuapem North and South count in the NDC, then let our brother also Counts, because he is soil of the land.

    Signed!

    Mustapha Adams

    Chairman- Concern Youth of NDC in Akwapim North and South

    Source: Daniel Kaku

  • RE: Boakye Agyarko to contest Akufo-Addo ahead of 2020

    The attention of the office of Hon. Boakye Agyarko has been drawn to a false story on ghanacrusader.com with an election poster artwork which is being shared on social media.

    The story with the headline ”Boakye Agyarko To Contest Akufo Addo Ahead Of 2020? is a complete fabrication by some faceless persons for mischievous purposes.

    Read: Boakye Agyarko to contest Akufo-Addo ahead of election 2020

    According to them all persons who received this story should treat it with the contempt it deserves.

    “Let me state without equivocation or the fear of contradiction that this is the product of an overheated imagination in their continued orchestration to tarnish my image.”

    Read full disclaimer below;

    DISCLAIMER; BOAKYE AGYARKO TO CONTEST AKUFO ADDO AHEAD OF 2020

    My attention has been drawn to a fake news publication on http://www.ghanacrusader.com with an election poster artwork.

    Read: Boakye Agyarko donates brand new pickup truck to Odumase police

    Let me state without equivocation or the fear of contradiction that this is the product of an over heated imagination in their continued orchestration to tarnish my image.

    I ask the general public to treat this fake news with utter contempt.

    Boakye Agyarko

    House No. 146/4

    Asesewa Road, Adorme.

    Odumase Krobo.

    Source: Peacefmonline.com

  • Kumasi Killing: Police arrest six persons in connection with death of two ladies

    Police in the Ashanti Region has entreated the public to furnish them with information in connection to the murder of two middle-aged women at Abrepo in the Kumasi Metropolis yesterday.

    Read: Kumasi: Two women found dead at Abrepo, shocked residents cry murder

    Speaking in an interview on Starr FM monitored by Ghanacrusader.com, Superintendent Twum Barima stated that, in connection with the murder, six persons have been arrested, citing that, “though some arrest have been made, information gathered so far is not concrete enough to prosecute them”.

    Read: Two ladies murdered in Kumasi

    Bodies of two middle-aged women was dumped near a stream within the Kumasi Metropolis Thursday morning at Abrepo in the Kumasi Metropolis.

    Even though the body has since been deposited at the morgue, Superintendent Barima hinted that ” the actually cause of the killing has not been made known yet until the final autopsy is given out by the pathologists”. He added.

    Source: ghanacrusader.com

  • COTVET trains 933 craftsmen and apprentices in Northern Region

    Ghana’s Council for Technical and Vocational Education Training (COTVET) is empowering hundreds of craftsmen and apprentices in the Northern Region through the implementation of the Ghana TVET Voucher Project ( GTVP).

    So far, over 4,000 beneficiaries have been trained and the Northern Region alone has recorded 933.

    Read: NEIP CEO propose establishment of graduate entrepreneurship bursary scheme

    They received training through the informal Competence Based Training (CBT) system.

    Beauty/cosmetology, Consumer electronics, Automotive repair, building construction and Garment/tailoring/dress making are the trade areas.

    It has been extended to plumbing, furniture making and electrical installation study mounted by the Dabokpa Technical Institute in Tamale.

    Read: Ghana Youth Entrepreneurship Convention slated for March 15 and 16

    The project is funded by the German-Ghanaian Financial Cooperation through the German Development Bank (KfW).

    The bilateral project is gradually reducing Ghana’s unemployment ratio for which reason the beneficiaries are calling for its sustainability.

    The project was launched in 2017 and was originally implemented in the Northern, Volta, Ashanti and Greater Accra Regions.

    It has been upscaled to the Western, Central and Eastern Regions.

    Two million euros was allocated for the first two phases and the phase 1 ended in October 2018 whilst the phase 2 will commece in November 1, 2019.

    A team from the German Development Bank (KfW) during an assessment tour of the Dabokpa Technical Institute was impressed with the school’s output.

    The team leader, Dr. Elke Luedemann commended the the school’s management for making good use of the resources made available to achieve the project’s objective.

    As the Project Manager at the KfW Head Office, Frankfurt, responsible for Education, Health and Social Protection for West Africa, Dr. Elke maintained that the team was happy.

    She nonetheless urged the school’s management to avoid complacency and double the success story.

    She reaffirmed the German government’s financial commitment to train the Ghanaian youth to be self reliant.

    The Ghanaian team leader, Collins Armah was equally impressed with the Dabokpa Technical Institute management’s performance in line with the dictates of the GTVP implementation.

    According to him, the project among other interventions by the Ghana government will equip the youth with the technical knowledge desired for industrial growth.

    This, in Collins Armah’s estimation will pave the way for the private sector to really flourish as the engine of Ghana’s economic development.

    The COTVET’s Coordinator in-charge of Assessment and Certification, Seth Oku Asamoah debunked the widespread misconception that technical and vocational education was meant for school dropouts.

    He said the COTVET would intensify its collaboration with the media to encourage the youth to take advantage of the project and acquire manpower skills.

    He also pleaded with parents and guardians to develop interest in their wards acquisition of knowledge particularly in the informal sector.

    According to the GTVP Voucher Fund Manager, Emmanuel Bekoe, plans were afoot to implement the phase in all accredited technical and vocational training institutions across Ghana.

    He promised the Dabokpa Technical Institute Management more iPads to enhance their monitoring and supervision mechanisms.

    The Principal of Dabokpa Technical Institute, Mariam Mahama, thanked the KfW and the COTVET for introducing the project there.

    She said regular students were benefitting from the facilities meant for the GTVP.

    “We have enough resources here because of the massive support we receive from COTVET and there is growing interest for the TVET project.”

    “We will continue to deliver quality technical education in Ghana and we have applied for accreditation to formalize all the programmes we have mounted.” 

    The GTVP Program Coordinator in charge of Northern Region, Ibrahim Osman, the Regional Coordinator of the Ghana Skills Development Initiative (GSDI), Dr.Dujin Barmah and Madam Annastraub of the GIZ were part of the delegation.

    The team later met with leadership of the various trade associations in Tamale.

    The TVET Voucher Project 

    The COTVET launched the TVET Voucher Project to encourage technical and vocational education in Ghana.

    As codenamed, “Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) role model programme,” it is aimed at heightening awareness particularly among female students.

    The programme is to equip people with technical
    and professional skills needed for economic and industrial development.

    The COTVET is undergoing rapid transformation under the supervision of the Executive Director, Dr.Fred Asamoah who is succeeding in transforming the council into TVET.

    Source: Abdul Karim Naatogmah

  • Kotoko hold thanksgiving service after CAF Confed Cup campaign

    Management, technical team members and players of Asante Kotoko held a thanksgiving service at the Unity Church in Asokwa- Kumasi on Friday following their CAF Confederation Cup exit. 

    The team went to thank God after a challenging campaign in Africa, that saw them reach the group stages of the competition for the first time since 2008.

    Read: I’m not returning to Kotoko – Maxwell Konadu

    Kotoko failed to reach the quarter-finals of the competition after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Zesco United in Zambia last week.

    Despite the lack of football in Ghana, the Porcupine Warriors had a 100% winning record in Kumasi but could only manage a single win on the road, against Coton Sport of Cameroon.

    Read: Nobody will touch CK Akonnor at Kotoko – George Amoako

    Meanwhile, coach C.K Akonnor’s time at the club has been under scrutiny following their elimination from Africa.

    It is unclear if he will stay as coach of the club in the coming weeks but there are reports he will be facing the sack.

    The team led by Dr. Kwame Kyei were, however, thankful to all stakeholders before last night thanksgiving service.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Muslims in Black Stars observe Jummah ahead of Kenya clash

    The Black Stars team currently in camp for the Kenya tie comprise six Muslims namely Lumor Abgeyenu, Kassim Nuhu, the Wakaso brother Mubarak and Alhassan and the Ayew brothers Andre and younger brother Jordan.

    Read: Black Stars aim to finish Afcon qualifiers on a high

    They were joined by the assistant coach of the Black Stars Ibrahim Tanko, who is also a Muslim to offer prayers.

    “They prayed for luck ahead the match against Kenya and for the long-term target of winning the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations,” a source who accompanied the team told GHANASoccernet.com.

    Ghana will face the Harambee Stars of Kenya on Saturday in their final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • USL new boys Birmingham Legion to snap up Edward Opoku on loan

    United Soccer League Championship side Birmingham Legion FC have acquired the services of Columbus Crew winger Edward Opoku on loan.

    The 22-year-old was selected by Crew SC with the ninth pick of the Second Round in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. To date, the Ghanaian forward has made five regular-season appearances for the Crew.

    Prior to joining Columbus, Opoku attended the University of Virginia from 2015-2017, making 53 appearances (all starts) while registering 16 goals and nine assists. In three years in Charlottesville, he earned three all-conference honors, making two All-ACC Second Teams and one All-ACC Third Team.

    Opoku joins the team this week and will make the trip to Louisville next weekend to face Lou City FC on March 30.

    He becomes the fourth Ghanaian player in Legion as they have already signed Marcel Appiah, Prosper Kasim and Dreams FC left-back Razak Cromwell.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Black Stars aim to finish Afcon qualifiers on a high

    The Black Stars of Ghana are back to the Accra Sports Stadium for the first time after five years on Saturday, March 23 to play the Harambee Stars of Kenya in the last 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier for Egypt.

    With both teams having qualified already for Egypt, there is nothing more to play for, except for the pride and place for the top spot at stake.

    Read: Coach Appiah certain about players for 2019 AFCON

    The reverse fixture of the game ended 1-0 in favour of the Harambee Stars in Nairobi September, last year and the Black Stars are poised for revenge.

    The Harambee Stars would play in the AFCON for the first time since 2004 having impressed in their qualifying rounds so far.

    Read: AFCON 2019 qualifiers: Black Stars to hold final training session today

    The East Africans currently sits top of Group F, with just a point ahead of their Saturday opponents who have six points.

    Ethiopia is the remaining side in the group with Sierra Leone being disqualified from the qualifiers by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) following government interference in the running of the Sierra Leonean Football Association.

    The composition of head coach, Kwesi Appian’s call-up largely supports the idea he enters the game with.

    Read: AFCON 2019 qualifiers: Kenya to train at Accra Stadium today ahead of Ghana clash

    He has called up at least five debutants, three local players all from Kotoko who participated in the 2018/2019 CAF Confederation Cup and six returnees.

    The likes of Deputy skipper Dede Ayew, Kwadjo Asamoah, John Boye and Kwasi Appiah are among the notable names, who have been recalled back into the team.

    It is quite evident from the list that, coach Kwesi Appiah is looking ahead into the future, as he tries to shape up his squad for the competition proper in June.

    Meanwhile, head coach of Kenya Sébastien Migne also named a 24-man squad for the game against the Black Stars. His team also features two debutants, David Sessay and Christopher Mbamba, who ply their trade in England and Sweden respectively.

    Local stars Duke Abuya of Kariobangi Sharks and Faruk Shikalo of Bandari, have also been favoured for a call-up.

    Coincidentally, the Black Stars’ heaviest victory in football history was against Kenya in 1965, when the Black Stars pummelled the Harambee Stars 13-2 in an international friendly in Mombasa.

    Until last year’s defeat over the Black Stars, Kenya’s only win had come in 2003 in an international friendly played in Accra and this clearly sets the tone for a battle for pride.

    Two other games between the two sides have ended in a draw and four wins for Ghana.

    Ghana would want to be seeded for the tournament draw and coupled with revenge on the mind, the team would love to win and win convincingly especially playing in front of ever critical fans of Accra.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • German police arrest 10 people on suspicion of planning terror attacks

    Police in Germany have arrested ten people on suspicion of planning an Islamist terror attack.

    The arrests were made after some 200 police officers carried out raids in the states of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate.

    Read: Birmingham mosque attacks probed by terrorism officers

    The men had plotted to “kill as many ‘non-believers’ as possible” using a vehicle and guns, prosecutors said.

    A 21-year-old man from Offenbach, near Frankfurt, and two 31-year-old brothers from Wiesbaden are the main suspects.

    Read: Australia plans to strip citizenship of native-born ‘terrorists’

    “They had already made contact with different arms dealers, rented a large vehicle and collected financial assets to use for the purchase of guns and the execution of the planned murders,” a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office said.

    The suspects are aged between 20 and 42 and several are German nationals, the spokeswoman added.

    The men have been detained on charges of terror-financing and criminal conspiracy.

    Police seized 20,000 euros (£17,000, $22,500) in cash during the raids, as well as several knives, drugs, a number of electronic devices and documents.

    Germany has been on high alert following several jihadist attacks in recent years.

    The most deadly was in December 2016 when a man drove a lorry into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people.

    Anis Amri, the Tunisian behind the attack, was shot and killed in Italy four days later.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Ghanas banking sector safe – Michael Meyer

    Ghana’s banking sector is safe for the introduction and marketing of financial risk management software and technologies.

    Executive Vice President of Fernbach Financial Software S.A, Michael Meyer made this known in an interview with Business Guide on Friday, March 22, 2019, in Accra.

    Read: Delay in banking sector rots prosecution may affect public confidence Ken Thompson

    The interview was conducted on the sidelines of a event on current changes in finance, risk and latest technology as well as International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS 9) and the Basel III.

    The event was organized by Datacell and Fernbach and was intended to give participants, mainly drawn from the financial sector, insights on how to meet the challenges and have first hand knowledge related to a “solution out of the box” that structures, defines and manages information across organizational and technological boundaries.

    Read: Banking sector does not do enough for SMEs – Societe Generale

    According to him, from the solution provider standpoint or technology perspective, the Ghanaian banking sector was “healthy”

    He said software services providers found it more safer to operate in the Ghanaian banking industry.

    Meanwhile, he urged players in the financial sector to see regulatory requirements not as burdens but as means to improve their efficiency levels and be more competitive and safe and reliable to do business with.

    Fernbach is a German company and its objective is to provide long-term, trusting relations with its clients through its finance and risk software.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Accidents: Our roads now ‘killing fields’ Mahama

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has expressed worry over the recent spate of road accidents that have claimed the lives of 60 people in a day.

    While 57 lives perished in the Bono East Region, 9 others also lost their lives in the Central Region, with several other people sustaining various degrees of injuries.

    Read: Akufo-Addo mourns Kintampo accident victims

    Scores of passengers on two huge buses, one, a VVIP bus and the other, an old bus, perished in the ghastly head-on collision that happened on the Techiman-Kintampo road around 4 a.m. on Friday at Ampomakrom within the Pamdu Electoral Area of the Bono East Region.

    The Central Region crash involved a Metro Mass Transit bus with registration number AS 2951 10, travelling from Accra to Diaso, and a Yutong bus with registration number GN 4368 14, travelling in the opposite direction.

    Read: Confirmed: 55 killed in gory Kintampo-Techiman road crash

    Commenting on the development, Mr Mahama said on Facebook that it was “another sad day for our dear country”.

    In his opinion “our roads are becoming killing fields and road safety continues to be a major challenge”.

    Mr Mahama subsequently called on authorities to institute the necessary measures in order to curb road accidents.

    He also expressed sympathy to the bereaved families and wished the wounded persons speedy recovery.

    “My condolences and that of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) go to the families of the deceased persons. Our prayers are also with those injured and we beseech God to grant them a speedy recovery,” he said.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Bawumia consoles victims of fatal road accidents

    The Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and the Second Lady Samira Bawumia have expressed their heartfelt condolences to the families of persons who lost their lives in tragic road accidents which occurred today in Ghana.

    Read: Akufo-Addo mourns Kintampo accident victims

    The Vice President in a tweet Friday advocated that the country puts in place measures to reduce the occurrence of such accidents.

    He posted: “My wife @SBawumia and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who sustained various levels of injuries, and others that lost their lives in the tragic road accidents which have occurred today in Ghana.

    Read: Confirmed: 55 killed in gory Kintampo-Techiman road crash

    “As a country, we need to put in place appropriate measures to drastically reduce the occurrence of such mishaps. We wish the injured speedy recovery and may the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace”.

    One of the accidents occurred at the Amoma Nkwanta in the Kintampo South District of the Bono East Region which claimed about 60 lives. Reports say two buses from opposite directions crashed head-on in the early hours of Friday at about 2 am and caught fire.

    The accident involved a Yutong bus which was travelling from Takoradi to Accra and a Metro Mass Transit bus heading towards Cape coast.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Japanese Ambassador calls on Youth and Sports Minister to discuss 2020 Olympic Games

    The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Tsuyormu Himeno has called on the Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Isaac Kwame Asiamah to discuss Ghana’s preparedness to compete in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. 

    The Ambassador, Mr. Himeno stated that he was excited and looking forward to a great competition by Ghanaian athletes at the Olympic Games. 

    Read: Youth and Sports Minister meets FIFA delegation

    The Minister, Hon. Isaac Kwame Asiamah in his remarks, expressed Government’s gratitude to the Japanese Government for the tremendous support rendered to the various sporting Federations and Associations in the country.

    He added that Government is particularly pleased with the Japanese Embassy for helping secure Team Ghana’s camping base in Tokyo ahead of next year’s Games. 

    Read: Fifa bans Togo referee Kokou Hougnimon Fagla for life

    The Minister also made a plea to the Japanese Government to assist in the construction of the Olympic sports complex at Amasaman ahead of the 2023 All Africa Olympic Games to be held in Ghana.

    The project, the Minister believes, would provide space for young people to develop their talents when completed.

    The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah also expressed gratitude to the Japanese Government for the continuous support to sports especially to the Judo and baseball, noting that a facility for the latter has just been handed over by the Embassy to help in talent development.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Youth and Sports Minister meets FIFA delegation

    Minister For Youth and Sports, Hon. Isaac Kwame Asiamah on Thursday, March 21, 2019, held a meeting with a delegation from FIFA.

    Read: Kojo Yankah petitions FIFA over government interference in Black Stars management

    FIFA and the Government of Ghana have established a task force in accordance with Ghanaian domestic laws and FIFA Statutes.

    Read: FIFA extends Normalisation Committee’s mandate for another six months, names joint Task Force

    The joint task force we believe would ensure the necessary reforms that are needed to restore normalcy to football activities in the country.

    Present at the meeting were Hon. Perry Okudzeto, Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Dr. Kofi Amoah, Chairman of the Normalization Committee of the GFA, Hon. Godfred Dame, Deputy Attorney General and Mr. Dan Kweku Yeboah, Spokesperson of the Normalization Committee of the GFA.

    Source: Ghanaguardian.com

  • Water treatment becoming expensive – GWCL Board Chair

    Board Chair of the Ghana Water Company Limited(GWCL), Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has stated that treating water in Ghana has become more costly due to some on-going illicit activities happening in and around water bodies in the country.

    Addressing Members of Parliament, Afenyo-Markin disclosed that government does not subsidize the treatment of water adding that GWCL solely generates funds to enable it undertake such activity.

    Read: Ghana Water Company must cut losses – Afenyo-Markin

    Government was commended for lifting the 22-month ban on small-scale mining and rolling out robust reforms to sanitise the mining sector.

    This paved the way for eligible small-scale mining companies to return to work on Monday, December 17, 2018.

    Read: Top 10 bottled water brands in Ghana

    However, assertions from the GWCL Chairman reveals that the menace has not entirely stopped as water bodies keep being contaminated.

    He further indicated that although galamsey activities were brought to a control, reducing the cost of water treatments, he said galamsey is on the rise again.

    While pointing out the effect on lives, Afenyo-Markin said, “It is costing Ghana Water more money in treating water because of the unprecedented contamination of our water bodies. When the galamsey activities were brought to some control, the cost of treatment reduced but it is suddenly rising and it is affecting us. Not only the cost of treatment but some other dangerous chemicals that are left in our water bodies asa result of illegal mining activities can affect our health”.

    According to a report by the United Nations (UN), Access to safe, affordable and reliable drinking water and sanitation services are basic human rights yet, billions still lack these facilities. The report underscores that exclusion, discrimination, poverty and inequalities are among the main obstacles to achieving the water-related goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

    While the wealthy generally receive high levels of service at low prices, the poor often pay a much higher price for services of similar, or lesser quality. 

    As part of the efforts to support this course, the Effutu MP urged his colleagues in parliament to support the fight against galamsey by talking “about the effects of galamsey in our various communities so that water supply will be sustained to enable us achieve agenda 2030”.

    Source: Ghanaweb.com

  • GWCL still committed to 2025 target of clean water for every citizen-PRO

    Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Ghana Water Company (GWCL), Mr Stanley Martey, has underscored the need for Ghanaians to support the efforts in making sure every citizen gets access to clean water by 2025.

    Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, he admonished Ghanaians to be agents of change and help in managing our water bodies well.

    Read: Nestle supports rural Africa with clean water and sanitation

    Destroying our water bodies through pollution he warned may affect the plan by the GWCL to help every Ghanaian get access to clean water by 2025 as targeted.

    He was speaking in commemoration of the 2019 World Water Day which was held at the Akropong School for the Blind today (Friday, March 22, 2019).

    Read: Birim Central MPCU inspects clean Ghana sanitation projects
    .
    According to him, the day is held annually to create awareness for people to appreciate the need for access to clean drinking water, fresh water and how can manage it.

    He explained the  Sustainable Goal 6 has called on countries to ensure that every citizen gets access to water by 2030.

    “By definition, this means leaving no one behind, ” he said.

    Globally, billions of people are still living without safe water their households, schools, workplaces, farms and factories struggling to survive and thrive.

    Marginalized groups women, children, refugees, indigenous peoples, disabled people and many others are often overlooked, and sometimes face discrimination, as they try to access and manage the safe water they need.

    To help resolve the crisis, March 22, was set aside to tackle water crisis by addressing the reasons why so many people are being left behind.

    A 2017 joint monitoring programme report revealed in 2018 that, only 27 percent of Ghanaians have access to safe and potable water.

     

    According to the report conducted by the International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC Ghana), an independent international non-profit organisation and its partners, national access to basic sanitation stands at 14 percent.

    Meanwhile, the Ghana Water Sector Strategic Development Plan (2014) aims to make water, sanitation and hygiene services universally for all people resident in Ghana, and to manage water resources for multiple purposes by 2025.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • South Dayi MP pushes for highway rest stop, cultural village at Peki

    Plans are far advanced to turn a roadside craft centre at Peki Anyensu in the South Dayi District in the Volta Region into a highway rest stop and cultural craft village.

    That will make the village become a tourist centre and also create employment avenues for the youth in the area.

    Read: Confirmed: 55 killed in gory Kintampo-Techiman road crash

    The centre which was built in 1970 currently provides employment for over 500 youths and is increasingly becoming a major tourist hub because of its strategic location on the eastern corridor road. 

    Ivy pic

    The spokesperson for a group of artisans working there, Micheal Xefu, told Joy News that the craft village has become one major area of providing opportunities for the youth of the district.

    According to him, they produced all kinds of drums for dance forms such as Agbadza, Kpanlogo, Kinka and Atsiagbekor. Mr Xefu said the centre also rehabilitates old and multifunctional drums in order to bring them into good shape. 

    Ivy pic

    He mentioned the lack of available market for their products, lack of raw materials, no proper workshop coupled with expensive tools they have to work with as some of the challenges faced by the people. 

     

    The Member of Parliament for South Dayi District Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor told Joy News that he is in touch with the Tourism Ministry of Tourism to assist the district to realise its tourism goals.  

    “I discussed this with the immediate former tourism Minister, Mrs Catherine Afeku, who promised to help but unfortunately she left office following the recent reshuffle and so we hope the new minister does something about it,“ Dafeamekpor said.

    Ivy pic

    Mr. Dafeamekpor commended the youth for their hard work and urged them to remain steadfast. 

    “My vision is to convert the area into tourist attractions [and] stopover along the eastern corridor highway when it is eventually done. The economic multiplier effect would help transform the livelihoods of the people and the surrounding communities.” 

    Source: www.myjoyonline.com

  • Lets modernise cocoa farming and make it an attractive business venture COCOBOD Boss

    Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Joseph Boahen Aidoo has charged management of COCOBOD to adopt simple but appropriate technologies to ease the work of cocoa farmers and make cocoa farming an attractive business venture, especially for the youth.

    Mr. Aidoo said the time has come for cocoa farming to be seen as a viable business venture with established service providers along the cocoa value chain, who will provide various services right at the farm gate to the farmer, on demand. He made these statements at a retreat held for the top management of COCOBOD in the Eastern Region.

    Read: COCOBOD signs new $300m facility to boost cocoa production

    The Chief Executive reiterated the need for Management of COCOBOD to confront issues bothering on cocoa sustainability head-on. He urged management to implement strategies designed by COCOBOD to improve productivity and enhance the welfare of cocoa farmers. 

    He stressed the need for all departments, divisions and subsidiaries to work closely together to tackle challenges that come up in their day-to-day administration. He emphasized that the cocoa industry is going through some trying times due to the decline in the world market price of cocoa, and the spread of diseases and pests in most cocoa farms, among others. 

    Read: Cocobod signs $300m Trade Facility

    “This is the time to bring to bear all the skill sets and competencies, and experiences to address these challenges head-on for the cocoa industry to take its pride of place in the economic development of Ghana”, he said

    Mr. Aidoo was particularly emphatic about vertical productivity, whereby, farmers can increase yield per hectare through the adoption of Productivity Enhancement Programmes (PEP) without compromising the environment.

    Read: Cocobod Trial: State challenges Agongo’s stay of proceedings motion

    We need to be conscious of our environment so instead of venturing into virgin or new forests for farming, the same plot of land can be cultivated to increase yield through pruning, hand pollination, irrigation, extension services and disease control, among other interventions, he said.

    The retreat brought together all heads of divisions and subsidiaries of COCOBOD, namely Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, Seed Production Division, Cocoa Health and Extension Division, Quality Control Company, Cocoa Marketing Company, as well as, Deputy Chief Executives in charge of Finance & Administration, Agronomy & Quality Control and Operations.

    Source: COCOBOD

  • Confirmed: 55 killed in gory Kintampo-Techiman road crash

    The death toll in the gory accident between two buses on the Kintampo-Techiman road in the Bono East Region, is now 55, police have confirmed.

    Read: At least 60 killed in gory Kintampo-Techiman road crash

    Kintampo Divisional Police Commander, ACP Joseph Antwi Gyawu, told Joy News Bono East Region Correspondent, Anas Sabbit that 35 of the deceased could not be identified.

    Read: Accident claims 70 lives at Amoma Nkwanta near Kintampo

    He said the fatal accident happened around 2 am on Friday at a town called Ampoma in the Bono East Region.

    Preliminary investigations reveal the two buses, one with registration number GT 5694 18 and the other GT 3916 17 both had a total of 108 passengers on board.

    Kintampo bus crash 1

    One of the buses caught fire after the head-on collision, reports Anas, worsening the effects of the accident.

    According to him, 53 persons who survived the fatal crash, are receiving treatment at various health facilities.

    He gave the following breakdown of the injured and where they had been sent to; 40 were sent to the Jema Hospital; 12 persons are also receiving medical attention at the Holy Family Hospital in Techiman while one other person is receiving treatment at the Government Hospital in Wenchi.

    Source: www.myjoyonline.com

  • Official: Samuel Osei Kuffuor replaces Lawyer Duah Adonteng on Normalisation Committee

    Ex Ghana and Bayern Munich star Samuel Osei Kuffuor as has been confirmed as a new member of the Ghana Football Association Normalisation Committee by FIFA. 

    He replaces Lawyer Dua Adonteng on the committee.

    Lucy Quist, Naa Odofoley, Dr Kofi Amoah still get to keep their post on the committee.

    The NC has been given an extension of six months with their mandate expected to end on September 30, 2019.

    Read: FIFA extends Normalisation Committee’s mandate for another six months, names joint Task Force

    The Normalisation Committee was constituted in October last year to replace the Executive Committee of the GFA, following the premiering of a documentary by investigative journalist Anas Amereyaw Anas and Tigre Eye PI which exposed a lot of football officials taking gifts which is against the association’s code of conduct.

    The committee has been charged to lead reforms in Ghana football as well as the manage the day to day administration of the association.

     

    Source: Ghanasoccernet 

  • 8 confirmed dead, 70 injured in another Friday accident at Ekumfi

    Another accident at Ekumfi duakwa in the Ekumfi district of the Central region is reported to have claimed eight lives Friday.

    Over 70 others are also said to be in critical condition following the gory accident .

    Read: 57 confirmed dead in Kintampo accident

    The accident involved a Yutong Bus from Takoradi to Accra and Metro Mass Transit Bus from Accra to Diaso colliding with a Cargo truck which was attempting to overtake running into a speed ramp.

    The injured have been rushed to the Winneba trauma hospital, Apam Government Hospital and the Mankessim Catholic hospital.

    Read: Dozens killed in accident on Techiman-Kitampo road

    Speaking to Starr News, the Mankessim divisional police commander Superintendent Augustine Mensah described the accident as gory but avoidable.

    He admonished motorists to observe road safety rules in order to help reduce carnage on such roads.

    The incident comes as the nation is still brooding over the death of over 50 people in an accident at Kintampo Friday.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Ethiopian plane crash site is called Bad Luck

    The people who live near the crash site of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 have been mourning for the 157 victims of the crash.

    They were the first to arrive at the scene on the morning of 10 March and saw how the plane nose-dived to the ground.

    But there is something which went largely unnoticed – the name of the area, which appears to foreshadow the tragic incident.

    In the local Afaan Oromoo language the area is called “Tulluu Farraa” which means “bad luck”.

    “The area earned the name Tulluu Farraa because of weather conditions there” Baatirrii Lemma, a local elder told the BBC.

    Mr Baatirrii said that due to high altitude of the place it is hard to know which direction the wind is coming from.

    “People called it Tulluu Farraa which means Bad Luck, because it was too cold to live there,” he said.

    Source: BBC.com

  • Jordan Peele: Get Out and Us director reveals why he finds rabbits scary

    Jordan Peele, Oscar-winning director of horror hit Get Out, has returned with Us, another psychological thriller with parallels to real life. During a brief trip to the UK he spoke to BBC News about doppelgangers, divisions in America… and rabbits.

    It’s Friday morning in a London hotel suite, and Oscar-winning film-maker Jordan Peele is impersonating a rabbit.

    It’s not a famous rabbit – we’re not talking Bugs or Peter here. But his imitation of one of the bunnies that appear in Us, his much-touted follow-up to 2017’s Get Out, is pretty uncanny all the same.

    “I make cameos in my films as dying animals,” reveals the 41-year-old, who follows up his chilling leporine screech with the agonised low moan he gave an expiring deer in his previous directorial effort.

    Things have clearly taken a strange turn – though it’s not half as strange as the one that awaits both the protagonists of his latest offering and the audiences who see it.

    Get Out, for which Peele won an Oscar for best original screenplay, told of a young African-American who lives to regret spending a weekend with his white girlfriend’s parents.

    Us ups the ante by putting an entire African-American family in jeopardy, though the threat this time emanates from something even more inexplicably malevolent.

    The film opens with Gabe (Winston Duke), Adelaide (Lupita Nyong’o) and their two young children heading to Santa Cruz for a carefree beachside holiday.

    No sooner have they arrived than they receive an unexpected visit from a family of four who are their eerily identical doubles.

    It’s not a social call either, as their crimson-clad twins – who have hitherto eked miserable existences in the shadows – seem intent on punishing the Wilsons for their lives of ease and privilege.

    “You always have to start with something that scares you,” declares Peele, whose background in sketch comedy manifests itself in the dark humour underpinning his feature film work.

    “The idea of encountering myself with no warning always just dropped my stomach out from under me, so that was the first thing I thought of.

    “When you’re writing a horror movie, you want to take something like that that works on a primal level,” he goes on.

    “The fear of the doppelganger is really the fear of self – the fear of that which we suppress as individuals. What is the shadow version of ourselves?”

    ‘We fear the outsider’

    Given the deep-seated political divisions that exist in contemporary America, it is tempting to view Us as a statement on the nation as a whole.

    Peele admits his homeland was “at the forefront of his mind” while writing the film, though he stops short of naming its current leader as a primary inspiration.

    “As a nation we tend to fear the outsider,” he elaborates. “We point the finger at the mysterious invader, and that xenophobia has sort of been fuelled.

    “We also point the finger at people who aren’t like us, who didn’t vote like us, who live across the street from us. This movie is about the notion that maybe we are our own worst enemy.”

    Duke, best-known for his role as Wakandan warrior M’Baku in Black Panther, had little time for the horror genre before Get Out appeared.

    “The horror genre was never one I felt comfortable with because black people always died,” he laughs. “They were always the first casualties, the first sacrifices.

    “After Get Out I was like ‘wow – we can use this genre to do a lot of interrogation of culture, individuals and political movements’.”

    Shocks and thrills

    For the record, Us combines such high-minded ambitions with all the gory shocks and visceral thrills one more readily associates with the form.

    According to Duke, benign patriarch Gabe is defined by his possessions, his home and “his proximity to the American Dream”.

    “If you buy into the American Dream, you also, to some degree, have to take on accountability for the sins of how that’s attained,” he says.

    “We’ve built a country of great privilege on the back of one of the greatest murders of all time, the genocide of the Native American,” says Peele.

    Yet Us has an alternative resonance for Nyong’o, who finds it “refreshing” that it revolves around an “unremarkable” black family whose plight “has nothing to do with the colour of their skin”.

    “I don’t live my life always considering the colour of my skin, so it was nice to have a family we could project our own understanding of a family on to, no matter what colour our skin is,” says the 12 Years A Slave actress.

    ‘Cuddly but sociopathic’

    Us arrives at a busy time for Peele, who is also working on a new version of classic TV show The Twilight Zone for the CBS All Access streaming service.

    (His time in London is so fleeting he will not get to catch the stage version of The Twilight Zone now running in the West End. “It’s a bummer I’ll miss it,” he sighs.)

    Not only that, but Peele also has a voice role in the upcoming Toy Story 4 – playing, coincidentally enough, a fluffy toy rabbit.

    “I started recording Toy Story a couple of years ago so it pre-dated Us,” he clarifies. “But maybe, subliminally, I was forcing that synchronicity.”

    Yet Jordan’s relationship to rabbits is far from an affectionate one. “I’m not afraid of them but I do find them scary,” he confesses.

    “They’re very cuddly but they also have a sociopathic expression, and they kind of look past you in a creepy kind of way.

    “Not the biggest brains, rabbits.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • FIFA extends Normalisation Committee’s mandate for another six months, names joint Task Force

    FIFA has extended the mandate of the Ghana Football Association’s Normalisation Committee for another six months, the extension was confirmed at a press conference at the FA Secretariat on Friday. 

    The NC will be working with a Task Force that was created by the World Football Governing body to work hand in hand to ensure football returns to normalcy in the West African nation.

    Read: Normalisation Committee have no intention of bringing back football – Abdul Salam

    The Joint Task Force is made up of  President of the Normalization Committee Dr. Kofi Amoah, Peter Limacher from FIFA, Jean Samuel Leuba from FIFA, Godfred Dame a representative of the Government of Ghana and Solomon Mudege also from FIFA.

    Meanwhile, the Normalisation Committee also confirmed the replacement of Lawyer Dua Adonteng by former Ghana defender Samuel Osei Kuffuor.

    Read: After 6 months of a disappointing Normalization Committee, more questions than answers

    The two teams have until September 30th to complete their work.

    FIFA has clearly spell out the work of the NC and the Task Force, which remains seeing to the day to day administration of FA, making some changes to the statutes of the FA as well as designing the road-map to the next GFA election.

     

    Source: Ghanasoccernet 

  • Black Friday: Another deadly car crash on Mankesim-Accra highway

    Information reaching DGN Online indicate that another fatal car accident has occurred along the Mankesim-Accra Highway.

    Read: 190 people lost their lives in road accidents in Ghana in January 2019 alone

    The accident is said to involve a Metro Mass Transit Bus and a Yutong bus and comes at a time when about 70 people have lost their lives in an earlier crash near the Kintampo-Tamale highway.

    Read: 57 confirmed dead in Kintampo accident

    DGN Online is yet to independently verify the latest crash on the Mankesim highway but reports suggest the accident occurred today when the Metro Mass Bus from Accra to Takoradi in an attempt to overtake a vehicle ahead of it, collided head-on with the Accra bound Yutong bus and a minibus.

    Some passengers have reportedly lost their lives in the process.

    More soon….

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Hold officer accountable for Malik Sullemana’s assault – CPJ to Ghana Police Service

    Authorities in Ghana should hold to account the police officers responsible for beating journalist Malik Sullemana, ensure a thorough investigation into their actions, and protect the safety of the press during interactions with police, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

    Sullemana, a court reporter and investigative journalist with the state-owned Ghanaian Times newspaper, was beaten by police officers in Accra and then arrested following a traffic incident in the morning of March 14, the journalist told CPJ. Sullemana said he was beaten again at the police station before being permitted to leave and seek medical attention later that day.

    Read: List of some journalists who have been attacked by police, military

    Sullemana and his colleagues who were also at the scene, reporters Salifu Abdul Rahman and Raissa Sambou Ebu, told CPJ that while they do not think they were targeted for their profession during the initial traffic incident, they believe the officers treated them more harshly because they were journalists.

    The incident came nearly one year after journalist Latif Iddrisu was attacked by officers in an Accra police station in the course of reporting, as CPJ reported at the time.

    Read: 3 police officers interdicted over assault on Ghanaian Times journalists

    “There is absolutely no reason for police in Ghana to have assaulted journalist Malik Sullemana, and those involved should be held accountable,” Angela Quintal, CPJ Africa Program Coordinator, said from New York. “This attack, and at least one other like it, indicate that some police officers in Ghana not only disregard journalist safety but are actively hostile and violent to the media, which is unacceptable.”

    According to Sullemana, the altercation began when a police officer on a motorcycle collided with the Ghanaian Times-branded car that Sullemana, Rahman, Ebu, and their driver were riding in at the time. The officer fled the scene, and the Times staffers followed him and confronted him, Sullemana said.

    The Times staffers began arguing with the officer, and the argument escalated after several other officers arrived and noticed Sullemana filming them, Rahman told CPJ.

    Sullemana told CPJ that officers punched him in the face during the argument, searched him, and then arrested him. Rahman told CPJ that he witnessed officers “beat [Sullemana] up” before handcuffing him and pushing him into a police vehicle.

    Ebu told CPJ that she was also struck by police officers during the altercation. She was hit in the stomach; she told CPJ that she was recovering from a cesarean birth three months earlier, and had to be rushed to the hospital, where her condition soon stabilized.

    Sullemana told CPJ that during the ride to the station, a senior officer said that journalists, “write negative stuff about [the police].”

    When they arrived at the station, Sullemana said the same officer told him they would “teach you a lesson” and did not intervene as other officers proceeded to kick, punch, and insult him, resulting in blood clotting in his left eye, bruises on his left arm, and swelling in his left leg.

    On March 18, Sullemana gave an official statement to the police about the incident, he told CPJ.

    On March 20, three of the police officers involved in the incident were suspended pending an investigation, according to a statement from the Ghana police on social media and Ghanaian police spokesperson David Eklu, who spoke with CPJ over WhatsApp. Eklu told CPJ the suspension would last for a maximum of three months.

    According to the statement, the officers involved in the roadside incident are being investigated by regional authorities for the “alleged assault of journalists from Ghanaian Times.”

    The Police Professional and Standard Bureau has opened a separate investigation into the conduct of the officers who were on duty at the police station when Sullemana was assaulted there, according to the statement and Eklu.

    When Sullemana gave his official statement, he was informed that an investigation had been opened alleging that he assaulted a police officer, the journalist told CPJ. Eklu told CPJ on March 20 that he “cannot tell at this stage” if any of the Ghanaian Times journalists are under investigation.

    Source: Committee to Protect Journalists – Africa

  • Syria condemns Donald Trump’s Golan remarks

    Syria has condemned as “irresponsible” US President Donald Trump’s comments that it was time to recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights.

    A statement published by the Syrian state news agency said it showed the “blind bias” of the US towards Israel.

    It said Syria was determined to recover the area “through all available means”.

    Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 and annexed it in 1981 in a move not recognised internationally.

    Israel wants to contain the military presence of its arch-enemy Iran in Syria, which has grown stronger throughout eight years of conflict.

    Mr Trump’s remarks on Thursday overturned decades of US policy on the issue. In a tweet, he said the plateau was of “critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and regional stability!”

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the US president in a phone call, telling him “you’ve made history”.

    How did Syria respond?

    The statement carried by the Sana news agency said Mr Trump’s comments had shown “contempt” for international law and that they would not change “the reality that the Golan was and will remain Syrian, Arab”.

    “The Syrian nation is more determined to liberate this precious piece of Syrian national land through all available means,” the unnamed foreign ministry source added.

    Mr Trump’s remarks come as Mr Netanyahu faces a closely fought general election on 9 April, as well as a series of possible corruption charges.

    The two leaders are due to meet in Washington DC next week, when Mr Netanyahu is due to address the pro-Israel lobbying Aipac group.

    In 2017, Mr Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and ordered the relocation of the US embassy to the city from Tel Aviv.

    The decision was condemned by Palestinians, who want East Jerusalem to be the capital of a future Palestinian state, and the UN General Assembly demanded its cancellation.

    What other reaction has there been?

    Mr Netanyahu tweeted his thanks to Mr Trump, saying: “At a time when Iran seeks to use Syria as a platform to destroy Israel, President Trump boldly recognises Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights”. The US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, praised Mr Trump’s “moral, courageous and just decision”.

    The EU says it does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan, and its position on the issue “has not changed”.

    The US president has faced strong criticism from the region, as well as some of Syria’s allies:

    Russia, which has been providing military support to President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian conflict, said a change in the status of the Golan would be a direct violation of decisions taken by the UN.

    Iran, whose forces are also backing the Syrian president, called the US position “illegal and unacceptable”.

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has supported the Syrian opposition in the war, said the remarks had “brought the region to the brink of a new crisis”.

    Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the announcement was “completely beyond international law”.

    Richard Haass, a former senior US state department official who is now president of the Council on Foreign Relations think-tank, said he “strongly disagreed” with Mr Trump and that the decision would violate a UN Security Council resolution “which rules out acquiring territory by war”.

    If the announcement came as a surprise, it was a good surprise for Mr Netanyahu. And the surprise would have been in the timing, not the substance, because the idea of the US recognising Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan has been under active consideration for some time.

    Israel has gained traction in the White House and parts of Congress by arguing that Iran is using Syria as a base from which to target Israel, with the Golan Heights as the front line. But the formal US recognition doesn’t change anything on the ground: Israel was already acting with full military authority.

    Critics have concluded this was a blatant attempt to give Mr Netanyahu a boost in a hotly-contested election. If so, it’s one that violates important principles of international law, they say: Mr Trump has endorsed the seizure of territory, and will have no moral authority to criticise Russia for doing so in Ukraine’s Crimea.

    What are the Golan Heights?

    The region is located about 60km (40 miles) south-west of the Syrian capital, Damascus, and covers about 1,200 sq km (400 sq miles).

    Israel seized most of the Golan from Syria in the closing stages of the 1967 Middle East war, and thwarted a Syrian attempt to retake the region during the 1973 war.

    The two countries agreed a disengagement plan the following year that involved the creation of a 70km-long (44-mile) demilitarised zone patrolled by a United Nations observer force. But they remained technically in a state of war.

    In 1981, Israel’s parliament passed legislation applying Israeli “law, jurisdiction, and administration” to the Golan, in effect annexing the territory. But the international community did not recognise the move and maintained that the Golan was occupied Syrian territory. UN Security Council Resolution 497 declared the Israeli decision “null and void and without international legal effect”.

    Three years ago, when former President Barack Obama was in office, the US voted in favour of a Security Council statement expressing deep concern that Mr Netanyahu had declared Israel would never relinquish the Golan.

    Syria has always insisted that it will not agree a peace deal with Israel unless it withdraws from the whole of the Golan. The last US-brokered direct peace talks broke down in 2000, while Turkey mediated in indirect talks in 2008.

    There are more than 30 Israeli settlements in the Golan, which are home to an estimated 20,000 people. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this. The settlers live alongside some 20,000 Syrians, most of them Druze Arabs, who did not flee when the Golan was captured.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Rogue waves occurring less but ‘becoming more extreme’

    Rogue waves – huge swells that can appear from calm seas – are occurring less often but becoming more extreme, data from the US coast suggests.

    In the largest study of its kind, scientists analysed 20 years of observations from buoys situated along America’s western seaboard.

    They found that between 1994 and 2016, the waves decreased slightly in frequency but increased in height.

    Scientists want to better understand how and when these waves may strike.

    They pose a growing threat for the global shipping industry.

    Defined as a wave that’s more than twice as high as the background ocean, some can reach more than 30m and at their most destructive can sink a ship or sweep people out to sea.

    It’s estimated that one in 10,000 waves is a rogue wave – but while they’ve been the subject of marine folklore for centuries, they were first officially recorded in the 1990s. Since then scientists have been trying to study them.

    “People have looked at rogue waves in short-term records, but we were interested in long-term trends,” said Professor Meric Srokosz from the UK’s National Oceanography Centre, who carried out the research with the University of Southampton.

    “We’ve pulled together the largest dataset that’s ever been put together on this topic.”

    Over the period of two decades, the team found that the height of the rogue waves was increasing by 1% year on year.

    “They changed slowly over two decades… but over a long period of time it will make a difference.”

    The researchers also found that rogue waves varied over the seasons.

    Prof Srokosz said: “There are more rogue waves in the winter and they tend to be ‘more rogue’ – that is in terms of the relative height of a rogue wave to the background waves.”

    The team want to investigate what is driving these changes and to see what part climate change might be playing.

    “We have evidence the winds are increasing over the ocean from satellite data – and the waves are generated by the winds. So stronger winds will generate more waves or bigger waves,” said Prof Srokosz.

    “But it’s quite complicated because the waves are interacting with currents, which are also changing with global warming. So it’s not easy to say there’s a single factor.”

    The team said its findings, which are published in the journal Scientific Reports, could be specific to the area of ocean that was studied, and more data would be needed from around the world.

    Source: bbc.com

  • IVF ethics pioneer Mary Warnock dies

    The philosopher and IVF ethics pioneer Baroness Mary Warnock has died at the age of 94.

    She chaired a number of inquiries to inform government policy.

    They included a report which led to the creation of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) in 1991.

    Baroness Warnock also recommended that children with special educational needs should be included in classrooms with other children, rather than go to specialist schools.

    She will be best remembered for her government report into human fertilisation and embryology, which balanced the rights of the embryo with the rights of infertile couples.

    It was commissioned after public concerns following the birth of the world’s first test tube baby, Louise Brown.

    ‘Blew my mind’

    Prof Allan Pacey, of the University of Sheffield, told BBC News that Baroness Warnock’s report had inspired him to become a fertility researcher.

    “I read it as an undergraduate back in 1984 and it blew my mind,” he told BBC News.

    “It stimulated my passion for working in this area and for that I will be forever grateful to Baroness Warnock.

    “She had an amazing mind and I suspect that she has touched the lives of many people around the world because of her work.”

    Baroness Warnock gave the embryo a “special status” and permitted research on embryos less than 14 days old solely to improve fertility techniques.

    The report was groundbreaking and regarded as a clear and impartial review of the ethics of IVF. It led to the formation of the HFEA to regulate fertility treatments.

    It was a model that was used across the world, paving the way for the development of a treatment that is thought to have led to the birth of eight million IVF babies.

    in vitro fertilisation or IVF

    Prof Adam Balen, of Leeds Fertility, said the widespread use of fertility treatments was made possible by her careful and thorough assessment of the ethics of IVF.

    “Warnock was an exuberant philosopher of great intellect who led the foundation of HFEA and set the ground rules which have enabled the UK to be the foremost nation in the development of assisted conception technologies.

    “This facilitated tight yet permissive regulation – not only for the treatment of sub-fertility, but also to explore and treat other conditions such as genetically-inherited disease,” he said.

    “Though they may not know it, her contributions continue to benefit the thousands embarking upon fertility treatment each day in the UK.”

    School impact

    Baroness Warnock also produced a report in 1978 that recommended that children with special educational needs (SEN) should be included in classrooms with children without disabilities, rather than go to specialised schools.

    She later produced a report condemning the way in which recommendations were implemented, as evidence emerged that some children with SEN lost out in schools because they were not receiving the specialised support they needed.

    Sally Cheshire, chairwoman of the HFEA, said that Baroness Warnock, in both reproduction and SEN, changed the policy landscape for millions of people.

    “We at the HFEA and the millions of people around the world who have been able to create their much longed-for families through regulated fertility treatment, and do so safely, would like to pay tribute to Mary Warnock’s scholarship, public service and wisdom.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Nigeria deports four Ghanaians

    The Federal Government has announced the deportation of four Ghanaian nationals for what it attributed to their violation of some immigration rules. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS, Friday in Abuja.

    Read: Nigeria reacts to deportation of citizens from Ghana

    The statement reads: “The Nigeria Immigration Service has carried out a Deportation Order as authorised by the Honourable Minister of Interior in respect of four Ghanaian Nationals for violating various provisions of the Immigration Act and Regulations.

    “This is in line with the powers vested on the Honourable Minister of Interior in Section 45(1) and (2) of the Immigration Act 2015. “The Order which was issued in the interest of the Public affects three males and a female. They are, Florence Donkur, Simon Gyan, Yeboah Collins and Alhaji Isa.

    “They were deported to their country of origin via Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja today 22nd March 2019 by 0900 hrs.

    “The Controller General of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede, uses this medium to reaffirm the commitment of the Service to enforce relevant laws whenever the need arises while encouraging regular migrants in the country to be law abiding”.

    Source: vanguardngr.com