Some parts of the Greater Accra Region experienced earth tremors on Saturday dawn and afternoon.

Residents of Weija-Broadcasting, Sampa Valley, SCC, West Hills Mall area, Gbawe, Anyaa, amongst others, reported experiencing the first tremor while they slept at dawn.

Two other tremors followed in the afternoon.

Steve, a resident at Weija-Broadcasting told ClassFMonline.com that he first thought it was the movement of heavy trucks on the road right in front of his house that caused the floor to shake.

The tremors caused panic among some residents of the affected areas, with some fearing the trembling could be followed by an earthquake.

Source: classfmonline

Economist and international evangelist, Rev Canon Dr Lawrence Tetteh who said he took the opportunity to preach to sensational songstress Ebony Reigns about Jesus Christ when he met her four days before her death has written a tribute about the songstress, who would be laid to rest on Saturday March 24, 2018.

The dancehall artiste passed away after an accident at Mankranso in the Ahafo Ano South district of Ashanti late in February, which claimed two other lives.

Below is Rev Canon Dr Tetteh’s tribute

Time is too slow for those who wait
Too swift for those who fear
Too long for those who grieve
Too short for those who rejoice
But for those who love, time is ETERNITY.
Henry Van Dyke

Ezekiel 27:15 describes “Ebony wood” as one of the most valuable commodities imported by the men of Tyre. It is a hard durable and fine polished wood which may appear glossy some of the time. Ordinarily this wood appears red or green, however, there is a black part known as Diospyros Ebenum in the centre of the wood. This description and analogy best describes the young woman who lies before us today. She was indeed a woman of many talents, a treasure hidden which had been barely discovered; a vivacious and attractive personality. In her relatively short time on earth, she exhibited real talent characteristic of the wood Ebony! Ebony Reigns…..she reigned indeed.

I have written many tributes, I have attended and preached at many funerals and I have certainly shed many tears but the death of such a young, vibrant, promising and gifted person with a beautiful heart such as Ebony Reigns aka Priscilla Opoku-Kwarteng can be very devastating and heart wrenching – this is a concise description of my feelings and reaction when I was hit with the news of her death just 72 hours after we met. I wish she had stayed a little longer to be a blessing to her generation and beyond, but as believers we are consoled by the word of God to count it all joy when we face difficult times (James 1: 2). My heart was filled with sorrow on that fateful day – she was only 21.

Apparently, Ebony had been an ardent follower of my television programmes since she was five years old. I am told she always yearned for that “divine moment” when she would meet this renowned man of God who she had admired over the years. She recalled with admiration how Sonnie Badu, the award winning Gospel artiste, refered to me as his mentor and spiritual father and wished she would be able to have a similar relationship with me someday.

She could not wait to recount those programmes which she really cherished- one where I preached in an army uniform and the other messages like the Dangers of Offence and This Nonsense Must Stop! A couple of weeks before this encounter she had seen me on television in the company of the Hungarian Ambassador to Ghana at an event held during the opening of the Embassy in Accra.

As is characteristic of this bold, indomitable young lady, she appeared a few days later on the doorsteps of the Hungarian Embassy to apply for a visa to Europe, whereupon she expressed the deep wish to meet up with me. Presto! Her request was granted, and I arrived there to meet her within minutes since I was already scheduled for a meeting with Ambassador Szabo Andras, my good friend. In all sincerity I had never listened to her music or followed her rather enviable and impressive artistic career. What she achieved in two years was simply amazing. I would have wished that with such great talent, she would have sung some very spirit-filled and life transforming gospel music with the same enthusiasm and passion with which she sang her songs.

When she saw me, she was overwhelmed, appreciative and humbled. We spoke at length and our conversation spanned across her style of dressing which I counselled her about, as well as her music , at which point I took the opportunity to advise her to sing edifying lyrics. I quickly seized the opportunity to lead her to the Lord and she said the sinner’s prayer amidst tear-filled eyes. She was a “mixed bag of emotions” that day! She was very receptive to the salvation message of the Gospel and as she said the prayer, she showed a great sense of respect and reverence as if she knew she had a limited time left to live on this earth. What a lesson to us all!

I told her a very simple story which was apt for the occasion and she listened with rapt attention- The story is told of a young boy waiting for a bus at a side-walk which was not a designated bus stop. A man standing by advised him to move to the bus stop in order not to miss the bus. He listened politely but remained steadfast and stood at the same spot. Low and behold the bus, en-route, to the bus stop, pulled up where the boy stood and he confidently hopped on the bus. The man was stunned, and the boy turned to him and said, “I knew the bus will stop for me because the driver is my father”.

The importance of this story was to bring Ebony and all of us here today to the realisation that it is so important to “Connect to the Connector”, who is God our Father. There is no power greater than the power of God and He is our refuge and strength. You only qualify to be picked by Him if He is your father. CHRIST IS THE ANSWER TO OUR MANY NEEDS AND CHALLENGES IN THIS WORLD

Ebony confessed that this story made so much sense to her and she was ready to chart the path of her heavenly Father. I prayed with her and she promised faithfully to accompany me and my wife Barbara to church on her return from a trip. Her final question was whether she could call me Daddy, Pastor or Doctor. I responded by saying, “What will you like to call me?” She replied, “I prefer Daddy!” I took pictures with her which she later posted on her Instagram. Barely seventy –two hours later Ebony was gone under the most tragic circumstances; a fatal accident snuffed out the life of Ebony, her beloved friend Frankie and the military officer L/Cpl Francis Vondee Atsu. I was shocked and deeply distressed but I consoled myself knowing that God indeed has the final say in the life of this young lady.

Our time on this earth does not fall in line with our clock but the clock of the one who created us. Death is no respecter of persons- It will come when God wills. The rich and poor, old and young, black and white, educated and illiterate, as well as celebrities will all render an account to our Maker someday.

Do not wait for tomorrow because tomorrow may not be yours. Simply “Connect to the Connector”… He and only He can break protocol for you and guarantee you eternal life.

Finally, Ebony! I am thankful to God for the privilege to have led you to the Lord before your untimely demise.

Till we meet again, Rest in Perfect Peace my daughter….

Rev. Canon Dr. Lawrence Tetteh

Source: adomonline

Dr Lawrence Tetteh, founder of UK-based World Miracle Outreach has said that he paid for the casket of the late musician, Ebony.

Apart from the casket, the renowned preacher, who met the singer days before she passed, also revealed that he took care of the mortuary bills.

Delivering a sermon at the funeral of the late musician at the forecourt of the State House on Saturday, the preacher said he did all that because of the love he had for the singer.

According to Dr Tetteh, it was not his plan to make public how much he had spent on the funeral of Ebony. “I have been hearing some people being acknowledged for their contributions to the funeral, but I paid for the [casket] and mortuary fees…”

He said he paid for the casket and mortuary expenses “not because I didn’t know what to do with money” but just to show “we love you [Ebony].”

The preacher noted that it was very sad and disappointing that someone’s daughter had passed and some entertainment personalities were using it to make themselves popular.

The preacher and the late musician met at the Hungarian Embassy in Accra two days before she died.

Touching of that encounter, Dr Lawrence Tetteh said he advised Ebony about her dressing and lyrics.

“Ebony was receptive,” he said.

Ebony, born Priscilla Opoku-Kwarteng, was killed in a gory accident on the Sunyani-Kumasi highway. She was returning to Accra after visiting her mother on February 8.

Her childhood friend and assistant, Franky Kuri, and their bodyguard also died in the crash.

She will be laid to rest at the Osu Cemetary.

Source: myjoyonline

Michael Kunke, Channel Manager of Amansan Television (ATV), led a team to launch a sanitation campaign against filth to educate Ghanaians on the critical need to change the negative attitudes towards the environment and waste management in Accra on March 22.

The campaign which is themed ‘Stop the Filth Now” is also aimed at pressuring government to enforce all sanitation by-laws and apply appropriate sanctions to falters.

According to Michael Kunke, the aim of the campaign is to impact positively on the rather negative attitudes of Ghanaians towards sanitation management and the environment.

“It should be possible for the country to promote the use of recyclable paper bags, as it has been done in many countries in the world” adding that,” it is regrettable that Ghana is drowning in garbage “

Mr. Kunke expressed worry over how citizens are quick to point accusing fingers at those in authority, saying to have a filth free Ghana demands a collective efforts by all.

‘We as citizens are quick to point fingers at government and blame them for failing to provide this or that. But the question is; have we as citizens looked at our attitude towards the generation of filth? he quizzed adding that “Ghanaians litter everywhere, and this has to stop”.

He called on all Ghanaians to come together and support the campaign.

Source: Ghanaweb

A former Presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Hassan Ayariga, says he offered to pay the $20 million being invested by the United State into the Ghana Armed Forces this year as part of an agreement that will allow their troops to be stationed in Ghana.

According to Mr. Ayariga, the Memorandum of Understanding for defence cooperation, which was approved by Parliament on Friday, amounted to the sale of the country’s sovereignty.

Speaking to Accra-based Asempa FM, Mr Ayariga said he had written a cheque for $20 million dollars, which he had taken with him to Parliament yesterday in order to prevent the deal from being approved.

“I went there to give them the cheque if they are ready. They should take the $20 million they want and leave Ghana for us. We want to buy off our sovereignty and we think that if it is the money that the military wants to take, they should come for this, we’ll give it to them for free. After all, everybody is supposed to be a stakeholder and help build Ghana,” he said.

“Nkrumah bought the sovereignty of Ghana with his life, others died to protect Ghana, military men went to war to get out freedom and a whole lot of people sacrificed their lives to make us have comfortable lives today. So we will not allow the Danquah-Busia tradition to sell our sovereignty for a mere $20 million. We will not do that. If that is what their interests are, we will allow them to have the $20 million and leave us to live in peace.”

‘Protests today, expect more Wednesday’

On Friday a number of protesters who tried to gain access to Parliament to protest the anticipated approval of the deal were prevented from entering the House.

The main entrance of the House was shut with strict access checks being conducted for members of the public and workers seeking to enter.

The protesters however chanted slogans and songs outside the House.

The leader of the protesters suspended CPP youth leader Ernesto Yeboah, who was dissatisfied with Parliament’s decision, said they posed no threat to the security of the House.

“Are we holding guns? So on what basis are we disallowed from entering Parliament to have a sight of the proceedings in Parliament? They have absolutely no basis to restrain us from entering to have a sight of the proceedings. We are going to enter, we are going to sit down, we are going to observe the rules of Parliament.

And according to Mr. Ayariga, another protest had been scheduled for Wednesday if Parliament fails to throw out the deal.

He suggested that the US might have ulterior motives for setting camp in Ghana, stating that they might have designs on the country’s oil reserves.

“They are going to have free access to our water bodies, our oil is there. What do we think they are going to do? Take our crude out of this country. Let us not make this a political thing. What we are doing today is not about politics. What we are doing is to defend our nation that is why our Constitution made it clear that Parliament cannot pass something if the Ghanaian people don’t want it. If the Ghanaian people oppose it, Parliament has to go back, reconvene and take another decision. On Wednesday, there’s going to be a serious demonstration, the one we have done today at the Parliament House is small,” he added.

Background

The Minister of DefenCe, Dominic Nitiwul, on Tuesday laid before Parliament the document seeking to ratify an agreement for space around the Kotoka International Airport, which will serve as a camp for some US military forces in Ghana.

The approved agreement will among other things, exempt the US government from paying taxes on equipment that is brought to Ghana.

They will also be given the chance to set up their own telecommunication system, although they will be allowed to use Ghana’s radio spectrum free of charge.

Although many Ghanaians have expressed resentment over the clauses of the agreement, government has defended it and said the agreement is in the best interest of Ghana.

But the Minority had earlier called on government to withdraw the agreement in its current form, saying it is not in the best interest of Ghana.

The deal was eventually passed late on Friday, by only Majority Members of Parliament because the Minority had staged a walkout during the debate on the Floor of the House.

Source: Citifmonline

New figures released by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) after its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting showed that Ghana’s public debt reached 142.5 billion cedis as at December 2017, representing 70 per cent of GDP.

This means that the debt stock has hit the dreaded 70 per cent of GDP, a point the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has constantly cautioned against.

Comparing the 2017 figure to the same period in 2016, the total debt stock was at 122.6 billion cedis but was 73.3 per cent of the GDP.

The figures show that in the last quarter of 2017, the debt stock increased from 138.9 billion cedis in September to 142.5 billion in December.

The domestic component of debt as at December 2017 stood at 66.7 billion cedis, while the foreign debt stock was at 17.2 billion cedis.

In the first two months of the year, export earnings by February 2018, reached 2.8 billion dollars.

Gold raked in a little over 1 billion dollars, while cocoa fetched cocoa 650 million dollars. Earnings from oil export also reached 664 million dollars.

On the import side, Ghana spent 2.2 billion on imports.

In the banking sector, Total Advances of banks saw a drop this year from 38.5 billion cedis in January to 35.8 billion cedis in February. Also, Banks Total Asset stood at 95.1 billion cedis, same as January this year.

Story: Business DESK

Recruits of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have been instructed not to show cowardice in the face of the enemy as it is a Court Martial offence with severe consequences and that the absence of a soldier’s weapon is not an excuse to surrender to defeat , since one is not a soldier because he/she has a weapon.

The Chief Coordinator, Army Training Command (ATRAC), Colonel (Col) Maxwell Mantey made this point among others when, as the Guest-of-Honour, he addressed three hundred and forty-seven recruits (including thirty-six females) at the Basic Infantry Training Course (BITC) Inter Company Novices Boxing Competition, held on Monday, 19th to Friday, 23rd March, 2018, at the Awortwi Square of the Army Recruits Training School (ARTS), Shal-Hills.

Col Mantey reminded the recruits of the mandate of ARTS is to produce well-trained , highly motivated, disciplined, courageous, physically fit and knowledgeable soldiers with a high sense of urgency, teamwork and esprit de corps, for GAF.

The Col passionately instructed the recruits with these words, “at the range, you fired at targets without them returning fire, but in battle, the enemy will fire back, possibly with superior fire”.

“Those who idled in the ring, during the boxing bouts, had punches landing in your faces. Similarly, if you go to battle and idle about in enemy’s sight, your body would be riddled with bullets and when you are supposed to run, but you stop for tiredness, you will be either killed or captured”, as he added that the contest was to show them some realism.

On the inclusion and maintenance of boxing on the training regime, the Chief Coordinator referred to an ESPN survey which sized up boxing, out of 60 sports as the most difficult sport – requiring the following; athletic skills, strength, speed, agility, endurance, nerves and hand-to-eye coordination.

The recruits, the second intake of 2017, who have been under transformation since December, 2017,  are being taken through map reading, field craft, minor tactics, drills, physical training, First Aid and more to meet the ARTS objectives set by the military high command, through the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), via ATRAC.

Col Mantey concluded with a warning for all recruits to be wary of ‘minor offences’, since they were being recorded against offenders and, that accumulated minor offences will lead to dismissal from the school, for ” we will not allow you to undermine the long cherished discipline and values of the professional Ghana Army “, he stated.

The boxing competition which started on Monday, 19th to Friday 22nd March, with 76 bouts, traditionally has the recruits segmented into three Companies; Alpha – 116 recruits, Bravo – 116 and Charley – 115 and every recruit went through 3-rounds of 3 minutes per round boxing, where knockdowns do not mean technical knockouts – anyone knocked down is pulled up to their feet and commanded to fight on, the only saviour being the end of the 3 minutes.

Col Mantey and the Commanding Officer (CO) of ARTS, Lt Col ELS Gyedu, supported by his able 2-I-C, Major Tenzy, presented awards to their respective winners, being Gallant Loser – Emmanuel Essel (Alpha), Best Female Boxer – Regina Aporri (Charley) and Overall Best Boxer – Gideon Frimpong (Charley).

The 2nd Runner-Up position was won by Alpha Company, whiles the 1st Runner-Up went to Charley, with the OverAll Winner awarded to Bravo Company, who earlier on, had also won the Cross-country event.

By Kofi Ampeah-Woode, Shai-Hills

The University of Ghana, Legon will be unable to pay its workers their March 2018 salaries on time due to the government’s failure to release subventions.

No timeline has been given for when payment will eventually be made.

A memo, sighted by Citi News, from the University Registry also revealed that the University has been borrowing money for the past two months to pay salaries.

The memo, which was signed by the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Legon, Mercy Haizel-Ashia said the “processing and release of the compensation subvention for January and February has been delayed.”

“Therefore, payment for March 2018 salaries cannot be made as scheduled. It is not possible to borrow for a third month to pay salaries,” the memo added.

Assurances have been given that “efforts are being made by management to ensure that the delay does not prolong.”

Payment of salaries at the university is normally effected by the 25th day of the month.

The staff of the University would have been expecting their salaries this past Friday, March 23.

Carbon copy of 2014

The university was faced with a similar situation in February 2014 when salaries delayed.

The delayed payment of the salaries at the time was also due to cen­tral government’s failure to release subventions.

The memo from that time, also signed by Mercy Haizel-Ashia read: “The University Community is informed that the University is unable to pay salaries for February 2014 due to the delay in the release of Government Subvention.” Payment of salaries will be made as soon as the sub­vention is received.”

At that time, salaries delayed for about 10 working days before payment was eventually made.

Source: Citifmonline

President Akufo-Addo, Nigerian Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife Dolapo; the Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr Bill Gates, on Friday [March 23, 2018] attended the wedding reception of Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s daughter, Hajiya Fatima, and her groom, Jamilu Abubakar in Lagos.

Prominent persons at the occasion included wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari; Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara; the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi; and others.

Fatima, is the daughter of billionaire businessman and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, while Jamil is the pilot son of former IGP, MD Abubakar.

The last phase of Fatima Dangote’s wedding to Jamil Abubakar held on Friday night at Eko Hotel and Suites.

The couple had a 6 part event which was held in Abuja, Kano and Lagos.

Story: Entertainment Desk

IT is interesting to see how an issue of national interest such as the defence cooperation agreement between Ghana and the United States of America (USA) has assumed a partisan dimension between the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

AND as usual these two political parties are at their wits end, staking their claims and justifying their positions.

WHILE the Akufo-Addo-led NPP government has categorically made it clear that under the circumstances there was nothing it could have done than to renegotiate with the US and approve the agreement, the NDC Minority in Parliament, comprising mainly NDC members, insists the deal undermines our sovereignty and therefore should be withdrawn from Parliament.  In any case the deal has been okayed by Parliament with the minority not participating.

INDEED the NDC on Thursday, March 22, 2018 organised a press conference on the matter, which was addressed by its General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia.

AT the said press briefing the party called on the Akufo-Addo administration to withdraw the defence cooperation agreement between Ghana and the USA.

ACCORDING to the NDC, government should reflect critically on the agreement, while engaging the broad masses of Ghanaians on the long-term security implications of the agreement.

FORMER President Jerry John Rawlings and a former Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Brigadier General (rtd) Joseph Nunno-Mensah, have waded into the matter.  They have both kicked against government’s intention to provide space in Ghana for the operations of American military personnel.

WE at Today must admit are not surprised at all at the entrenched partisan positions taken by the NPP government and the NDC, which is in opposition currently.  After all these political parties have demonstrated to us how they behave when they are in opposition.

THE question which therefore arises is: are they [the NPP government and the opposition NDC] really looking at the subject matter in the interest of the masses of this country or as usual through their political lenses just to score political points?

NOW to the subject of this defence cooperation: Today has few observations that we must point out for government’s consideration, if indeed its claim that the country cannot do anything than to sign the deal is anything to go by.

OUR concerns have to do with one, why we would not have access to whatever military accoutrements the US will transport into this country.  In effect what that means is that when the USA is even bringing into this country nuclear/atomic bombs we would not see.

THAT, in the estimation of Today, is not the best thing to do in the interest of our national security.

THE other issues in the deal that we see as worrying are the complete waiver of taxes on military arsenals the US will bring into the country and allowing United States Armed Forces (USAF) personnel unfettered access to use Ghana’s radio spectrum at no cost to them and more importantly without oversight of the regulatory bodies in the country.  This is indeed a serious matter.

THERE is also the argument that by approving the deal, Ghana will become easy targets of the various terrorist groups who are enemies of the USA.  We must state here that this is possible and no one should underestimate those terrorist groups out there.

IT is in the light of the above that Today is calling on the government especially to take a second and close examination of the deal, and get a deal that will inure to the benefit of this country.

The company that became Cambridge Analytica boasted about interfering in foreign elections, according to documents seen by the BBC.

Cambridge Analytica is embroiled in a storm over claims it exploited the data of millions of Facebook users.

The BBC has seen a brochure published by parent company SCL Elections, it is believed prior to 2014.

It claims, for instance, that it organised rallies in Nigeria to weaken support for the opposition in 2007.

The UK Foreign Office says it was unaware of this alleged activity before SCL was awarded British government contracts in 2008.

Cambridge Analytica says it is looking into the allegations about SCL.

Speaking on the Sunday Politics show, Conservative former International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said the claims about SCL were “absolutely appalling” and “run totally counter to the policy of the British government in promoting free and fair elections in the developing world”.

He added that it is “perfectly clear that the British government should have nothing to do with it”.

In the document, SCL Elections claimed potential clients could contact the company through “any British High Commission or Embassy”.

It also claims SCL received “List X” accreditation from the UK’s Ministry of Defence which provided “Government endorsed clearance to handle information protectively marked as ‘confidential’ and above”.

The brochure outlines how SCL Elections had apparently organised “anti-election rallies” to dissuade opposition supporters from voting in the Nigerian presidential election in 2007. The election was described by EU monitors as one of the least credible they had observed.

The document claims SCL Elections deliberately exploited ethnic tensions in Latvia in the 2006 national elections in order to help their client.

SCL also claims that ahead of the elections in Trinidad and Tobago in 2010, it orchestrated an “ambitious campaign of political graffiti” that “ostensibly came from the youth” so the client party could “claim credit for listening to a ‘united youth'”.

Most of the examples detailed in the brochure took place before the British government entered into at least six contracts with SCL.

The former Labour Foreign Office Minister and Cabinet minister Lord Hain has tabled a written question in the House of Lords on Monday for urgent clarification on the matter of Embassy endorsement. He said the SCL case was “lifting the lid on a potential horror story” of other companies using data to manipulate voters.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed SLC were given a provisional List X accreditation but had not had it since 2013.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “It is not now nor ever has been the case that enquiries for SCL ‘can be directed through any British High Commission or Embassy’.”

“Our understanding is that, at the time of the signing of the contract for project work in 2008/9, the FCO was not aware of SCL’s reported activity during the 2006 Latvian election or 2007 Nigerian election.”

In a statement, the acting CEO of Cambridge Analytica, Dr Alexander Tayler, said “Cambridge Analytica was formed in 2013, out of a much older company called SCL Elections.

“We take the disturbing recent allegations of unethical practices in our non-US political business very seriously. The board has launched a full and independent investigation into SCL Elections’ past practices, and its findings will be made available in due course.”

Source: BBC

The 13th edition of the Total CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has been launched at a colourful ceremony at the Swiss Spirit Hotel in Accra.
The biennial international football championship, organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to be hosted by Ghana in November this year, will see seven (7) other African countries join host Ghana to compete for the most prestigious trophy in African women’s football.
The event was attended by members of the local organising committee, minister for youth and sports and other government officials, CAF officials, former footballers, with CAF women’s football ambassador and wife of Liberian President, Clar Weah, also present.

Other dignitaries that graced the event were the Chief of Staff of the Republic of Ghana, Hon Akosua Frema Opare, who was the Special Guest of Honour, Attorney General, Madam Gloria Akufo and Minster for Communication, Mrs. Ursula Owusu- Ekuful.

In her welcome address, Chairperson of the LOC, Hon. Freda Prempeh, assured that the 2018 tournament would be the best the continent has ever witnessed.

“I want to assure the whole of Africa that Ghana will deliver one of the best tournaments ever witnessed. We did it in 2008 when we hosted the men’s AFCON and we will go a step further with the women’s AFCON,” she assured.

Players of Ghana’s female national team, the Black Queens, receive congratulatory handshakes for winning the WAFU Zone B tournament in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year.

Sports and Youth Minister, Hon Isaac Asiamah, also announced that an amount of $8 million has been released to the LOC for the organisation of the tournament.
He also pledged government’s support to the Black Queens and urged the general public to rally behind them to win the competition on home soil.
The tournament will be hosted in Accra and Cape Coast stadia.
The Achimota School Park and the El-Wak Stadium have been earmarked as training venues for teams in Accra while the Nduom Sports Stadium and the Robert Mensah Stadium will serve as training venues for teams based in Cape Coast.

Today Sports
…with Gottlieb Baako

Former Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Stephen Opuni, and the Chief Executive of Agricult Limited, Seidu Agongo, will appear before the Accra High Court Monday, to answer to 27 counts of various charges.

Dr Stephen Opuni is said to be the main brain behind the award of contracts totalling about $512 million during the transition period.

Dr Opuni, appointed on November 30, 2013, to head COCOCBOD, is alleged to have mismanaged the cocoa sector during his four-year tenure.

He was one of the first government appointees to be sacked by the Akufo-Addo administration and once headed the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).

He was relieved of his post at the FDA on January 12, 2017, barely a week after the Akufo-Addo regime took office.

It is alleged that Dr Opuni awarded contracts to Mr Agongo’s company to import fertiliser although he knew Agricult Limited was in no position to execute the contract.

Background

In February 2017, the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) froze the assets of Dr Opuni as part of investigations into his tenure as CEO of COCOBOD.

His passport was seized and was subsequently invited by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) where he reportedly endured some six-long hours of questioning on a wide range of issues, including alleged massive corruption in the cocoa sector.

In March 2017, the government cancelled a contract worth GH¢255 million awarded by the John Mahama administration for the supply of farm inputs to cocoa farmers upon the advice of the newly inaugurated Board of Ghana Cocoa Board chaired by Hackman Owusu Agyemang.

The contract was for the supply of pesticides, weedicides, fungicides, insecticides and fertilizers to COCOBOD for onward distribution to cocoa farmers throughout the country.

However, it was later detected that six companies involved in the supply of the chemicals all belong to one person, necessitating the abrogation, Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang revealed.

Source: myjoyonline

The National Organiser of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kofi Adams, has berated government over delays in the payment of salaries of public Sector Workers.

Adams says it is surprising to note that a party which so much touted its competence and proclaimed that there is enough money in the country, is now struggling to pay workers.

Management of the University of Ghana is struggling to raise monies to pay workers for March after borrowing to pay salaries in January and February

A memo dated March 21, 2018, and signed by the Registrar, Mercy Haizel-Ashia said :” It’s not possible to borrow for a third month to pay salaries”. Nonetheless, management said it is working tirelessly to ensure the delay does not prolong .

However, Mr. Adams told an NDC gathering in Koforidua that in the eight (8) years of the NDC administration never did the salaries of universities workers delay.

“In the entire 8 years that we were in government from 7th January 2009 to 6th January 2017, there was not a period that a University reported that it could not pay its workers. In less than 2 years of a government that described itself as so competent with so many appointees managing the education sector, which we don’t know who is really in charge; whether it is Napo or Prof. Yankah or the numerous deputies, we don’t know who is actually in Charge. But with all these huge numbers we are having reports that workers in our tertiary institutions are not getting their salaries or cheques bouncing,” he told the Tertiary Education Institution Network (TEIN) of the Koforidua Technical University in the Eastern Region.

Mr. Adams added that many workers in various state institutions are experiencing delays in their salary payment, a situation he blamed on poor management of the economy by the government .

He said the NPP government lied to Ghanaians that there is money in the country hence no need for government to borrow but now borrowing in high rate contrary to what it told Ghanaians when in opposition.

“Unfortunately we were told all kinds of stories but today were are seeing the real truth. So much borrowing has happened, but we were told by Dr. Bawumia that as for the money ‘the money is here’. And his basis was that he has worked as a Deputy Governor of Bank of Ghana before and truly so Ghanaians we believe him, that should be true so why should we go and even attempt to borrow.

“The Minister for Finance few days ago was in Parliament, he was asking to be given the chance to go and borrow 1.5 billion Euro-bond, he was asking for another €13 million, he was asking for another GHC500 million, he was asking for another 80 something million dollars, he was asking for more and more and more money to borrow that did not reflect even in his budget that was approved by the House.”

Source: Starrfmonline

Accra Hearts of Oak’s quest for a dream start to Premier League life at the Cape Coast Stadium ended in massive disappointment, following a 3-1 defeat to Obuasi Ashantigold in week two of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

The Phobians, who drew their first match of the season 1-1 at newly promoted Eleven Wonders, were hoping for a winning start at their newly adopted home, but it didn’t take much time into the game for the Miners to unsettle their hosts.

Ashantigold stunned the Phobians with an early lead when James Akaminko opened the scoring in the 10th minute.

Ashantigold held on to their lead till the end of the first half, and Amos Addai doubled the lead for the Miners midway in the second half in the 65th minute.

Hearts of Oak were given a glimmer of hope when Joseph Esso scored in the 76th minute to reduce the deficit to 2:1.

However, any hope of a comeback by the Phobians was dampened by Shafiu Mumuni when he restored Ashantigold’s two-goal advantage to make the score 3:1 in the 89th minute.

The win lifts CK Akunnor’s side to the top of the Ghana Premier League table ahead of the remaining week two matches on Sunday.

Ashantigold boasts an impressive one hundred percent record in the league after defeating Wa All Stars 1:0 in their first match at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi.

In the other Saturday match played at Wa Stadium, All Stars were held 0:0 by Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs.

The former champions, All Stars are without a win so far this season, while Ebusua Dwarfs would be happy with a point in their second match away following their match day win over Berekum Chelsea.

The Premier League continues on Sunday with Asante Kotoko welcoming Inter Allies at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, while Bechem United host Medeama at Bechem.

Defending champions Aduana Stars will play their first match of the season in Elmina against Elmina Sharks and Liberty Professionals will host WAFA in Dansoman.

The remaining matches are: Karela FC vrs Eleven Wonders and Berekum Chelsea versus Dreams FC.

Source: GFA

Ghanaian women especially young ladies should desist from smoking shisha due to its tendency to cause breast cancer, Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addae, President of Breast Care International has said.

Dr Addae expressed worry that smoking shisha and excessive alcohol in-take have become rising causes of breast cancer among young ladies.

Dr Addae made this revelation at Effiduase in the New Juaben North Municipality on Saturday, 24 March 2018, when the Eastern Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) organised a health and breast screening exercise for scores of journalists and the general public.

Smoking shisha is a way of inhaling smoke through a single or multi-stemmed instrument for vapourizing and smoking flavored tobacco or sometimes cannabis. The vapour from the tobacco is passed through a water basin – often glass – before inhalation.

Health risks of smoking shisha also include exposure to toxic chemicals that are not filtered out by the water and risk of infectious disease when the shisha pipes are shared.

Smoking of shisha has become popular among Ghanaian youth. It has been on the rise in recent years with many pubs and drinking spots providing it for patrons at a fee.

Dr Addae also added in her interaction with pressmen at the event that the sucking of women’s breasts by men is not the panacea to preventing or causing breast cancer.

According to her, no research has yet proven that breast cancer can be caused or prevented by regular sucking of the breast.

Source: Classfmonline

The annual Kwahu Easter festivities where revellers gather at the mountains (Kwahu) to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is said to be fuelling promiscuity among teenagers in the area and as a result, traditional authorities have instituted measures to curb the worrying development.

Nana Oteng Korankye, Chief of Akuapem Berekusu has, therefore, urged the Police to arrest any individual who dresses indecently in the upcoming Kwahu Easter Celebration warning that they (Chiefs) cannot sit aloof while their wards are destroyed by this rather sad development.

The directive he explained, must be enforced to the latter indicating that it is a bylaw that has been passed with prior consultation with the various stakeholders as part of measures to do away with this negative practice that has caught up well with some teenagers in the area in view of what has been imported to the place over the years.

According to him, young girls consistently dressing shabbily at the Easter celebrations in Kwahu is gradually increasing teenage pregnancy amongst the youth of Kwahu and its environs and the earlier it is nibbed in the bud, the better for the future of the youth.

The traditional ruler stated that customs and traditions frown to indecent dressing hence cannot be entertained further.

He has equally charged sub-chiefs of Kwahu to rise to the occasion and put a stop to what he described as unacceptable dressing which according to him, is increasing rape cases during and after Kwahu Easter and also increasing teenage pregnancy cases in the Eastern Region.

“I am calling on the Ghana Police Service to quickly arrest individuals who show up at Kwahu dressed indecently to help save the teeming youth from engaging in sexual activities”, he directed in an exclusive interview with MyNewsGh.com.

He further used the opportunity to call on the government to construct the Brekusu road which has been left in a deplorable state for some time now and causing a lot of road accidents.

Source: mynewsgh.com

The Ghana National Union of Technical Students (GNUTS), is threatening to boycott lectures and embark on nationwide demonstrations by Tuesday [March 27, 2018], if the government does not respond favorably to the concerns lecturers have raised about the Technical Universities (Amendment) Bill 2017.

The Bill, which is currently before Parliament, according to the students, seeks to cede the management of the Technical Universities to the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE).

The lecturers contend that the bill in its current form undermines the autonomy of technical Universities, a position that the students support.

The students had previously indicated their dissatisfaction with the Bill at a press conference, during which they described the move as an “oppressive and dictatorial management of tertiary institutions.”

The President of the Union, Kamal-Deen Mohammed, in Citi News interview said, “The battle just started because we will never sit down for this to happen. So we are waiting till Tuesday, if they fail to respond, there will be boycotting of lectures and nationwide demonstrations.”

At a previous press conference, Kamal-Deen Mohammed stated that, “Since the conversion of the polytechnics to technical universities in September 2016, these institutions are still running the same programs as they were when they were polytechnics, and have not been given clearance by the National Council for Technical Education (NCTE) to begin offering a straightaway 4-year degree program. This has largely affected the technical universities and is contributing to low patronage by applicants…In spite of the crippling but avoidable challenge affecting technical universities, government intends to worsen the case of these institutions with unnecessary sections in the technical universities (amendment) bill 2017.”

Technical University students on nationwide boycott

In 2017, the Ghana National Union of Technical Students (GNUTS), declared a nationwide boycott of lectures in all technical universities and polytechnics to protest government’s failure to constitute governing councils for the various Technical Universities.

The absence of governing councils had left graduates of 2015/2016 academic year without certificates to apply for jobs or further their education.

Source: Citifmonline

Though her burial was short of being a state burial, it encompassed all the ingredients to call it a befitting burial by all standards.

The turnout at the funeral grounds of the late Reggae and Dancehall Artiste, Ebony Reigns, which was held at the forecourt of the State House, Accra, was so massive that it set mourners wondering what would have become of the late budding showbiz diva within the next 5-10 years of her music career, if death had not laid its icy hands on her.

In attendance were ministers of state, Members of Parliament (MPs), celebrities from the music and the movie industries, rich businessmen and women, among other high profile personalities.

And that massive gathering was enough indication that Ebony Reigns, who was known in private as Priscilla Opoku Kwarteng, even in death, continues to reign in the hearts of many Ghanaians.

Indeed, many of the mourners who had travelled from far and near to bid farewell to Ebony had this engraved on their lips: “Ebony still reigns even in death.”

As at 5:00 a.m., fans of the late budding diva had started converging on the forecourt of State House for the funeral and burial of late Ebony Reigns.

Delivering the funeral sermon, International Evangelist and Economist, Rev Dr Lawrence Tetteh, admonished Ghanaians to stop being too critical of each other since it can retard the growth of the country.

He, therefore, advised that people develop love for one another and unite for the common good.

Ebony was widely criticised while alive for her fashion sense as her critics said she resorted to a lot of nudity to promote her craft. However, good stories about her continue to flood social media following her death, exposing the hypocrisy of some of her critics.

Dr Tetteh said: “We are developing an attitude in Ghana that will not help us develop as a nation. We’re becoming too judgmental and we are capitalising on people’s pain to either score spiritual points, political points or seniority points and that is wrong, it is not right.

“We are becoming so judgmental that today in Ghana there are people including pastors who didn’t think Lawrence Tetteh should come and identify with this, but who should do it? Many years ago, Jesus asked the Pharisees and the people attacking him that he who is without sin should first throw the stone,” he said.
Continuing, the man of God noted that in Ghana today “lawyers are destroying lawyers, pastors are destroying pastors, politicians are destroying politicians, as a matter of fact, everybody is destroying somebody and it is not good. So stop it, it’s not right, it’s not fair, it’s not acceptable. As we sit here today, brothers are not talking to brothers; friends are not talking to friends, even some of the musicians they become so competitive they are destroying themselves.”

He also used the opportunity to advise people in the showbiz industry to give their lives to Jesus Christ, stating that the people that hail them were the same people who will bring them down. But if they abide in God, they will be saved even in bad times.

Manager of Ebony, Ricky Nana Agyeman, aka Bullet, in a tribute said contrary to popular belief that Ebony was a bad influence, he averred that Ebony was a committed Christian who occasionally had prayer sessions with prophets and Christian leaders.

“Contrary to unfounded perception that Ebony was uncultured and from a non-religious background, Ebony was the exact opposite. He was a Christian and indeed worshiped anytime she had the opportunity at the Golden Centre Church in Madina. She was prayerful and had prayer sessions with a number of pastors, prophets and Christian leaders. She was kind, respectful and a philanthropist. She occasionally went to orphanages to donate,” he said.

For his part, President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bice Osei Kuffour, known widely as Obuor, said the late Ebony lived a fulfilling life, brightening her corner.

Among the personalities who attended included the Chief of Staff, Frema Osei Opare, the National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party, Sammy Awuku, Kofi Adjorlolo, Maame Dokono, Akosua Agyapong, Rex Omar, Stonebwoy and Gyadu-Blay Ambulley.

Others were the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Catherine Afeku, former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, Nicholas Omane Acheampong, Amakye Dede and Akosua Agyepong.

The funeral started with a traditional music and dance performance from the ‘Amamre Ensemble.’ They performed Akan traditional music and dances, ranging from ‘kete’, ‘adowa’ to ‘fontomfrom’.

Students of Ebony’s alma mater, Mamfe Methodist High School, also did a rendition of her popular songs with the brass-band. The family, clergy, management and musicians union took turns to pay tributes to the dancehall diva.

Ebony died on February 8, 2018 in an accident while returning from Sunyani.

She was known for hit songs including ‘Kupe,’ ‘Poison,’ ‘Date Ur Fada,’ ‘Hustle,’ ‘Maame Hwe’ and ‘Aseda.’

Story: Kofi OWUSU-TAWIAH

Photos: Edward Blagogee

One of the foremost retail banks in Ghana, Access Bank Ghana, has entered into another strategic partnership with its long-standing financial partner, FMO, the Dutch Development Bank, for a US$25 million facility to boost its lending capacity.

The facility, which is a conventional senior unsecured loan of 7 years, was closed on the sidelines of the Power for Partnership programme held in Amsterdam on March 12, 2018.

An amount of US$3.5 million out of the facility has been dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs in Ghana under Access Bank’s flagship and award winning women empowerment initiative – “W”, which was launched in March 2015.

Commenting on the transaction, Linda Broekhuizen, CIO of FMO added, “we are very pleased to strengthen our partnership with Access Bank even further and committing capital specifically towards strengthening the bank’s SME and women banking strategy.”

Signing the transaction on behalf of the Bank, the Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana Plc, Mr. Dolapo Ogundimu, indicated that Access Bank’s role as a catalyst for socio-economic development will receive further boost through this landmark facility as the Bank continuously seeks to provide critical financial interventions to develop commerce and industry in Ghana.

He added that, “The execution of this facility is timely: it will complement the recovery of economic activities in Ghana and also further encourage entrepreneurship, particularly as the funds will be applied to SMEs with a dedicated focus to women businesses which has seen tremendous growth in the last few years.”

Access Bank Ghana begun its relationship with FMO since inception in 2009.  Recently in 2014, the FMO and PROPARCO offered Access Bank a USD 40 million syndicated credit facility to support its lending activities to the private sector in the Ghanaian economy.

Currently, Access Bank is ranked as 12^th largest Bank in Ghana by assets and is operating one of the largest branch networks in the country. In 2016, the Bank initiated a recapitalization exercise through an Initial Public Offer (IPO) which led to its listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange and is set to complete a rights issue exercise before June 2018, to meet the new capital requirement set by the Bank of Ghana.

Story: Business Desk