National Security probes presidential press corps accident

The late Samuel Nuamah

The National Security has begun investigations into circumstances leading to the death of one of the presidential press corps members in a motor crash near the Shai Hills in the Greater Accra region last week.

Ghanaian Times journalist Samuel Nuamah died on the spot when the commercial vehicle in which the press corps was using flipped several times during a tyre burst incident.

Several of the journalists including state broadcaster Ghana Broadcasting Corporation’s Napoleon Ato Kittoe, Pascaline Adadevoh and Peace FM’s William Gentu sustained serious injuries, but are recuperating at the 37 Military Hospital.

The national security wants to establish whether the incident was due to a mechanical fault or otherwise, sources within the security setup have hinted Starrfmonline.com.

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Media Foundation for West Africa have welcome the probe into the incident.

Meanwhile, survivors of the presidential press corps who were involved in the accident have been recounting rare stories of endurance after last Thursday's incident.

GBC's Cameraman Mark Sasu has been credited for not only bringing the pictures to viewers, but also for his rescue abilities.

GBC’s Kittoe told Radio Ghana he believes the best point of the survival story is hearing that
UTV/Peace FM's William Gyentu is alive.

Source: starrfmonline.com

25 Most Useful Websites And Apps For College Students That Will Make You Smarter And More Productive

Many people say that today’s college students have it easy. All information they need is at their fingertips, so they can easily complete all academic projects after browsing the Internet for a few hours. However, that’s not what happens in reality.

The curriculums have become more rigorous than ever, so college students have to think of different ways of increasing their productivity and motivation.

Luckily, there are many apps and websites that will improve their skills of time management, planning, brainstorming, writing, socializing, and many other aspects of student life. In this article you will find a list of 25 websites, apps and tools that will immediately turn you into a smarter student.

1. StudentRate

Among all the new responsibilities as a college student, budgeting may be the toughest one. StudentRate.com is a website where you can find great discounts and steal deals that range from textbooks, to travel, to technology.

2. NinjaEssays

With the help of this website, you can always get your papers and assignments ready for submission. The company will assign your projects to real experts, so you can be sure that the results will be excellent.

3. Koofers

Koofers enables you to access flashcards and prepare for exams more easily. In addition, students use Koofers to get information about job and internship openings and to get hired in adequate positions.

4. Alarmy (Sleep If U Can)

Missing important classes is out of the question if you want to be a successful college student. Let’s see if you can sleep through this alarm! It’s annoying, but will get you out of bed for sure.

5. OpenStudy

When you need to study hard for exams, you can access OpenStudy and become part of study groups for history, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and other courses you take.

6. Sworkit

When you forget about the importance of exercising, this app will remind you that there is always time for investing in your health and fitness.

7. Help.PlagTracker

When you write a paper, you have to make sure it’s perfect in all aspects before turning it in. At this website, you can easily hire a professional editor to smooth out the content and start getting better grades on your academic assignments.

8. Audible

When you’re too tired to read the book for your literature class, listening to an audiobook will help a lot. Now you can spend your time productively when waiting in line or taking long walks.

9. Half

You can save a small fortune by buying and selling your textbooks online. There are other websites with a similar purpose, but Half is the easiest one to use.

10. Mint

Gaining budgeting wisdom takes time and effort, but everything will go much more smoothly with the help of Mint – a free app that will categorize and organize the expenses for you.

11. InstaGrok

At this website, you can research the topic of your interest and get a customizable concept map that will help you make the studying materials cooler. You will easily remember important information thanks to the interactive visual interface.

12. Studious

Sometimes you forget to turn your phone off during classes, and that’s exactly when your parents decide to call you. This Android app will help you avoid interrupting the class and getting on the professor’s nerves.

13. StudyBlue

No matter how much you dislike taking notes and making flashcards, those learning strategies are important if you want to make your studying easier. StudyBlue enables you to make fun flashcards and take notes anywhere, anytime.

14. SelfControl

It is very important to stay away from distractions during studying time. This free Mac app will help you avoid Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other distracting websites.

15. Rate My Professor

When you are about to create your class schedule, you can check the reputation of different professors at this website.

16. iStudiez Pro

This awesome planner will help you organize your life throughout college. You can use it on your iPhone, Mac or iPad to enter a smart summary of all planned events for the day.

17. TED

The speeches featured at this website are not only motivational, but informative as well. TED is a reliable resource you can use to get ideas and resources for your projects.

18. Dragon Dictation

Instead of typing like a maniac, you can become more productive by dictating. Dragon Dictation will instantly transform your words into text.

19. SugarSync

Your files and folders hold important information that needs to be protected from loss. SugarSync will make you feel safe, but will also make your work easier because it will sync the files on multiple devices.

20. Quizlet

Quizlet enables you to study vocabulary, languages, and many other things for free. It supports effective study tools that will help you see learning as a fun activity.

21. Dictionary.com Mobile

When you don’t understand what your eloquent professor is saying, you can access this smartphone app and translate his expressions into simple words.

22. Wolfram Alpha

Wikipedia is really overestimated, and your professors don’t appreciate it. Thanks to this app, you can access expert knowledge and trustworthy information whenever you need it and wherever you are.

23. Notella

When your professors drop important information unexpectedly, this app will prevent you from missing it. This is a super fast note-taker that will save you when you least expect it.

24. RealCalc

With the help of this scientific calculator, you may actually start enjoying calculating. You don’t have to invest in an expensive calculator to use in class when you have this brilliant software at your disposal.

25. BenchPrep

This extensive library of interactive test prep courses will help locate all exam study material you need. BenchPrep also provides an impressive base of flashcards, practice questions and study lessons.

Featured photo credit: World Bank Photo Collection via flickr.com

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Source;lifehack.org  

Swansea manager rubbishes Ayew money-chasing reports

Manager Garry Monk has rubbished reports that his superstar Andre Ayew chased the money when he signed for the Swansea City insisting the Ghanaian midfielder turned down bigger offers to join the English Premier League club revealing that his only ambitions are football ones.

Ayew has made a dream start to life in the Premier League with two goals in his first two appearances after joining the club from French giants Marseille on a free transfer.

The performances of the deputy Ghana captain after just two matches has underlined the size of the coup landed by Swansea in seeing off a string of European giants to capture the Ghana World Cup star.

Ayew’s father, the African and Maseille great Abedi Pele, who doubles as one of his son’s representatives, has recently claimed he turned down interest from Roma and Atletico Madrid to head to South Wales to join Monk’s ranks.

His quickfire start to British football has led to criticism of clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, West Ham and Newcastle who were beaten to the punch by Swansea.

Jack Sullivan – son of West Ham owner David Sullivan – used Twitter to claim the Hammers’ offer of £90,0000-a-week wages were trumped by a supposed £120,000 on offer at the Liberty.

And the Swans boss says the unlikely link-up works because the high-profile signing was NOT lured to the Liberty Stadium by money.

“It was refreshing because there were a lot of big teams around Europe who were offering him a lot more than we were – but it was never about money for him,” said Monk of the 25-year-old.

“He liked our approach – how we were doing things and moving forward. He felt this was the right club at this stage of his career.”

“It was refreshing when I spoke to him to hear his views on the game because he was very much football-orientated – he’s not into the glitz and the glamour and the money side of it.

“You don’t get a lot of that now when you pick up a paper. It’s normally all about the money.

“The Premier League was obviously a big attraction and, when I spoke to him, he liked the way I was approaching things and he wanted to be part of things.

“It was refreshing because there were a lot of big teams around Europe who were offering him a lot more than we were – but it was never about money for him.

“He liked our approach – how we were doing things and moving forward. He felt this was the right club at this stage of his career.”

While Swansea are thought to have made Ayew one of their highest earners, paying a substantial signing-on fee across the life of the four-year deal he signed in July, it is nowhere near those kind of figures which fly in the face of the way the Swans board operate.

Source: Ghanasoccer.com

Afoko denied bail as families clash in court

The families of the late NPP Upper East regional chairman Adams Mahama and his suspected murderer Gregory Afoko clashed in court this morning ahead of a ruling on application for bail.

The two families had the standoff during a bail application hearing of the suspect Tuesday morning.

A daughter of the suspect, reports indicates collapsed in the violent exchanges.

It took the intervention of security officials and other staff of the judicial service to calm tempers between the two families.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights court hearing the matter has denied bail to the accused.

The court presided over by Justice Ken Okaibi in a ruling said it is in the interest of the general public that the suspect is kept behind bars until the final determination of the matter.

Gregory Afoko is standing trial for the acid attack that led to the death of Adams Mahama in May this year.

Source: adomonline

Voters register is ‘incurably flawed’ - Dr. Bawumia

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

New Patriotic Party's (NPP) 2016 running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has described the current voters register as incurably flawed and unfit to be used for the 2016 elections.

Dr. Bawumia, addressing the press at the Alisa Hotel in Accra said that the NPP being convinced of the flaws in the voters roll is requesting for a new one.

“The voters register is incurably flawed and can’t be relied on for 2016 elections…that is why we submitted our petition to the EC this morning…,” he said.

The NPP is currently holding a press conference to present their case for a new voters roll ahead of the 2016 elections.

The former deputy governor of the Bank of Ghana is presenting the party’s argument.

The event #NewVotersRegisterNow is attended by several NPP bigwigs including flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Party scribe, Kwabena Agyepong and Party chairman, Paul Afoko.

Dr. Bawumia is doing a powerpoint presentation to state the party's case.

He refers to the use of National Health Insurance cards to register during the opening of the voter register to buttress the point for the compilation of a new one.

Source: adomonline.com






s
register to buttress the point for the compilation of a new one.

Gov’t to GMA: Call off strike and return to negotiation table

Government has made a passionate appeal to striking doctors to as a matter of urgency rescind their decision and go back to work.

Health Minister, Alex Segbefia, who made the appeal at a press conference on Tuesday, said government is willing to further engage the striking doctors, only if they call off their three-week-old strike.

“I urge all striking doctors to immediately come to the negotiation table and call off their strike because the strike action is really affecting lives and health care delivery,” he said.

Scores of people are reported to have died as a result of the doctors’ strike; negotiations between government and the doctors have broken down.

The doctors are demanding a conditions of service document which they say does not exist.

The President’s earlier comments, according to some of the doctors, smacks of disrespect to their profession.

But Mr. Segbefia noted that if negotiations over their conditions of service is to continue, they will be able to make headway, therefore, pleading with the striking doctors to return to work.

Source: adomonline.com

Bawumia's wife tackles ‘Living Goat’ Mahama

Samira Bawumia, wife of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, New Patriotic Party (NPP) vice presidential candidate, has said that President John Mahama’s switch from a ‘dead goat’ to a ‘living one’ was a convenient way of shirking his responsibilities as head of state.

She stated that President Mahama was not sympathetic to the plight of the citizenry. It would be recalled that the president, addressing Ghanaians living in Botswana in March this year, said he had become impervious to threats of strikes and demonstrations back home as he had adopted what he termed “dead-goat syndrome” to tell agitating labour groups and the opposition that a dead goat’s skin does not fear the knife.

However, during an interview on state-run Uniiq FM in Accra in commemoration of World Youth Day last week, President Mahama backtracked and said he had now changed from “dead goat” to “living goat” as strike actions by agitating public sector workers overwhelmed him.

But Mrs. Bawumia indicated that the president used such political tactics to cover his inefficiencies.

Speaking at the launch of the Patriotic Youth Movement (PYM) in Accra over the weekend, Mrs. Bawumia was emphatic that the 2016 polls would offer the opportune time to “change government and save Ghana.”

She said the journey towards salvaging Ghana from the hands of the Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration was not only the responsibility of the leadership of the NPP, adding that the youth of the party have a key role to play in achieving the task of winning the 2016 polls.

Abdul Sallam Mustapha, a Deputy National Youth Organizer of the NPP, stated that he was touched by the desire of the youth to see the return of the party to power.

Mr. Mustapha urged members of the PYM to go and work in their assigned regions.

Source: Daily Guide

177 Cuban doctors to rescue health sector

The Health Ministry is counting on over one hundred and seventy Cuban doctors to take care of patients in need of medical attention at the major public hospitals across the country.

This forms part of government’s emergency plan as the Ghana Medical Association has withdrawn their services for the past three weeks demanding their conditions of service.

Addressing a news conference on Tuesday, Health Minister Alex Segbefia said the Cuban doctors will take care of the pressure at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.

He said there are already sixteen Cuban doctors in the rural areas, but will be transferred to Accra and Kumasi where the impact of the strike is gravely felt.

The Health Minister also revealed that retired doctors will also start work next week to also help other medical officers in the hospitals take care of emergencies and outpatients.

Alex Segbefia added that the retired doctors who will be engaged on contractual basis would help with supervision and training of physician assistant and house doctors.

“The retired doctors are more than willing to take up the task to save the health sector,” he stressed

Source: adomonline.com

Bawumia uncovers 76,000 Togolese in Ghana's voter roll

Voter rolls of Ghana and Togo in enhanced photo

New Patriotic Party's (NPP) 2016 Vice Presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has revealed that a team commissioned by the party to go into Ghana’s voter register has identified 76,286 persons with the same data in both Ghana and Togo’s voter register.

Dr. Bawumia, speaking at a widely publicized press conference in Accra on Tuesday, said the party’s team identified this suspected anomaly after comparing Ghana’s register with that of Togo.

These persons, he said, were mostly found in the Volta region with Ketu South cited as one of the constituencies where the anomalies are abound.

What made the team suspicious, he said, was the fact that pictures that accompanied the names in Ghana’s album were never taken from a ‘live environment’ but instead were scanned photographs thus suggesting the holders of the card were never present at the registration centres to register.

“What is damming is that many of the pictures were not taken from a live environment but rather scanned… we have examples from Ketu South where entire pictures were scanned and you will see staple marks depicting they were attached to documents…,” he said.

Dr. Bawumia’s presentation follows several calls from the rank and file of the opposition party for the EC to compile a new voters register ahead of the 2016 elections.

Their claim, Dr. Bawumia said, was earlier based on the conviction that the register is ‘incurably flawed’ intimating that it does not qualify to be used for next year’s crucial elections.

At the conference attended by various party bigwigs including party flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, party chairman, Paul Afoko, General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong, former trades Minister, Alan Kyeremanteng and a host of others, Dr. Bawumia said he could not comprehend how persons with same data could get into both Ghana and Togo's voters registers.

“The question, therefore, is how these scanned pictures got into the EC register…it is not a document we can rely on for free, fair, transparent elections…,” he said.

The identification of such persons, he said, only forms ten percent of the party’s inquiry into Ghana’s voters register, promising that the NPP is scheduled to present more shocking revelations from the voters register.

Ghana’s voters register, he said, would also be compared to that of Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.

To help tackle this problem and make the next election more credible, Dr. Bawumia suggested that the Electoral Commission of Ghana compiles a new voters register by June 2016, saying the Commission should give Ghanaians a new Permanent Voters Card (PVC) as was done in Nigeria.

He further suggested that the EC grants a period of two weeks for the registration to be carried out simultaneously across the country.

The new compiled voters register, he said, should be edited by internationally reputed audit firms and all political parties given copies.

Source: adomonline.com

Blockheaded NPP is simply being mischievous - Gen Mosquito

The Chief Scribe of the ruling National Democratic Congress [NDC], Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah says the opposition NPP’s calculations which informed its opinion that the register is flawed were based on faulty presumptions.

According to him, one can deduce either pure mischief from the NPP’s calculation or simply a display of low intelligence [blockheadedness] with the intention to deceive Ghanaians.

The New Patriotic Party [NPP] has argued that with a voter population of about 14 million, Ghana has a questionable and statistically indefensible rate of 56 percent of its population being above 18 years.

But Asiedu Nketiah on Okay FM is convinced that this calculation is itself statistically challenged because the 2010 population census based on which the NPP made its calculation is inaccurate.

He enumerated that in order for the NPP’s calculations to be acceptable, they have to base their computation on the 2012 population; adding it is wrong to compare the number of people in 2010 to that of the 2012 voters register.

He further explained that “if per the 2010 census population is pegged at 25 million and for that reason 12.5 million people were eligible to vote then, it does not mean in 2012 eligible Ghanaian voters should not reach 14 million. Are they saying no Ghanaian reached the voting age between 2010 and 2012 for the country to have nearly 14 million eligible voters?”

He, therefore, surmised that it is "either the NPP is acting so dead-set in their ways to do such calculations, or it is a deliberate attempt to deceive Ghanaians by playing mischief.”
Source:ghanaweb.com

Bimbilla update: Butchers resume work

Heavy security in Bimbilla, last week. Photo: Geoffrey Buta

The butchers at Bimbilla have resumed the sale of meat after a meeting with the District Security Council, days after a misunderstanding between them the Regent sparked troubles in the area and left about 19 people dead.

An order to stop some of the butchers from using the abattoir for failing to present a portion of their meat to the regent of Bimbilla led to the shooting incidents.

The abattoir had been closed since the incident until the eve of the Eid-ul-Fitr festivities.

A journalist with Gmantambo radio in Bimbilla, Mohammed Ameenu Alabira told Citi News that the butchers have all resumed their duties amid heavy security presence.

He added that school children are yet to return to school after the incident even though schools haven’t officially been closed.

“The schools are still closed. I spoke with some headmasters and they said they will go to school to see if the children will come. But some parents are saying the place is still not safe so they will not allow their children to go to school.”

Mohammed Ameenu Alabira also said the district education directorate had told him that they “cannot also guarantee the safety of the children so they are still monitoring events and will meet later to take a decision on the matter.”

Source:citifmonline.com

Ghanaian pupil tops basic school exams in Italy

An official of the Santa Lucia education directorate (second left) presenting a certificate to pupil

A 13-year-old Ghanaian pupil is making waves in Santa Lucia, a district in the Italian city of Verona, after emerging the best student in the district basic school examination.

Master Emmanuel Sarpong Agyeman emerged tops in the Esame Di Stato examination, the equivalent of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in Ghana.

According to reports, what was surprising to many was that Emmanuel did not start nursery school in Verona. He arrived in Verona in

June 2011 and started primary or elementary school at the final stage in Class Five.

The primary system in Italy is not six years as it is in Ghana.

At the end of the third year, the final examination is based on Mathematics, Science, English and Italian.

After that, the international students are asked to write essays on their home countries while their Italian counterparts write on topics including water and the earth.

The students then present their essays to a panel.

Apart from Italian students, this year’s examination involved students from such countries as Ghana, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Romania, India and Senegal.

Emmanuel, the son of a former Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) administrative officer, Mrs Mabel Offin-Agyeman, presented a 24-page paper on Ghana to the panel.

He has been in Italy for four years but emerged the overall best student and was the only Black student among the 35 best students selected from all the 35 provinces of Verona.

Emmanuel told the Daily Graphic in a telephone interview that although he loved to study, he had not expected the award.

“I feel happy. But for me the award isn't the only result of my hard work. I never thought of getting awards because the important thing is to study.

“I have always liked studying and always tried to get excellent results. I have done this because I wanted to,” he added.

He said the award would inspire him to work harder to achieve higher laurels.

An elated Mrs Offin-Agyeman said it was a humbling honour.

“I’m humbled. I have been studying the language too. It is not easy to learn and understand it, but for my son to have, within four years, learnt it, understood it and passed his examination with distinction, the hand of God is in it.

“It is humbling what God can do. I am very happy. He had distinction in all the subjects,” she said.

Source: Graphic.com.gh

GACL apologizes for interruption in water supply at the airport

Ghana Airport Company limited

The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has apologized to the travelling public and other stakeholders for the interruption in water supply at the airport on Sunday, July 19, 2015.

In a statement issued in Accra, Management said the interruption was due to a major damage to one of the main pipelines supplying water to the terminal building which has since been fixed and water supply restored.

The statement assured the general public and other stakeholders that measures have been put in place to forestall any future occurrence as part of the ongoing infrastructural improvements at the airport.

Source: Ghana Airports Company Limited

Doctors issue another notice of mass resignation

Doctors at work

The Ghana Medical Association has served strong notice that its members may be compelled to resign en masse in the coming days if negotiations with the government continue to move at a slow pace.

According to them, they are unhappy with the current state of negotiations with the government over the drafting of their conditions of service.

The GMA had earlier this month deferred its intended mass resignation to give the government more time to finalize the preparation of a document containing their conditions of service.

Speaking to Citi News, the Deputy General Secretary of the GMA, Dr. Justice Yankson called on the government to speed up the process of producing the document or face the consequences.

“In terms of negotiations, some activities have taken place but unfortunately by way of progress very little or none. We are not happy with what is happening at the negotiation table, but we are still giving the benefit of the doubt.”

He noted that “our deadline is fast approaching. Between now and then a lot can change. So we are still optimistic that something could be arrived at by way of some negotiated condition of service before that day. Beyond that, I cannot preempt whatever activities except to say that the general assembly spoke and put a road map and we as council or executive committee are mandated to follow that.”

“The stakeholders are aware of everything that transpired from last year till now so we had made our case known to the government negotiation team and we are waiting for their responses,” Dr. Yankson added.

Source:citionline.com

Engage parties in development planning — Kufuor

Former President Agyekum Kufuor

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has called for the involvement of all political parties in the planning of the country’s development.

Consequently, he has urged the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), to engage political parties and their flagbearers in the formulation of its long-term National Development Policy Framework towards socio-economic development, and the promotion of “an all-inclusive commitment by the parties”.

Former President Kufuor made the call on Tuesday in Accra, when Dr Nii Moi Thompson, the Director-General of the NDPC, paid a courtesy call on him, to invite the former leader to the launch of the Commission’s forum on the new policy framework, on Tuesday, August 4, in Accra.

He stated: “I don’t think you can tie the hands of any incoming leader in a multi-party system of government. But it is necessary to use all the parties in national development planning. They are the active ingredients because when you talk of a sitting president, you also talk of the people who are challenging him,” former President Kufuor stated.

Former President Kufuor asked the NDC to seek the views of flagbearers, who might have varied manifestoes, ideologies and philosophies.
He asked the Commission to consider, the digital age, spatial development, and the inter-connectivity of the world,the ECOWAS Common Custom Union and the Trans-Regional Highway and Railways in its planning.

Former President Kufuor also tasked the Commission to tackle urbanisation to prevent slums like Sodom and Gomorrah in Accra, adding that national planning should involve the public, and the private sector, which was the engine of growth of the economy.

Dr Thompson said the policy framework that would take effect from 2018 to 2057, was expected to bind governments, without necessarily tying their hands, but rather serve as a guide to successive governments.

Dr Esther Ofei-Aboagye, Vice Chairperson of the NDPC, gave the assurance that the Commission would consider the engagement of flagbearers and political parties in the formulation of the policy.

She said, the Commission would also seek the views of senior high school students about the country and what they envisaged for themselves in the future.

Source: GNA

Hammer’s belief in me encouraged me a lot – Blitz The Ambassador

Blitz The Ambassador

Music producer, Hammer is legendary for producing amazing instrumentals for musicians and also discovering the likes of Sarkodie, Obrafour, Tinny, Kwaw Kese , Edem and many others.

What is not known to quite a lot of people is that, rapper Blitz The Ambassador is a product of the music producer’s handiwork. Formerly known as Bazaa , the rapper featured on Deeba and Obrafour’s who born you by mistake and Ogya, all produced by Hammer before his move to the United States of America.

In an interview with Ms Naa on Live FM, the Juju musician spoke fondly of what Hammer’s belief in his talent has had on his career.

“shoutout to Hammer for giving me all the shots in the world. I will tell you about Hammer, what Hammer did for me was let me see first what is possible when you believe, you know what I’m saying. Hammer was the first believer, all of this out of nothing.”

He adds: “I went to some people’s studios and they straight up look at me like ‘you are not going to make it, why are you going ‘ and Hammer was the only one like ‘you are going to , spread your wings’ and that’s why forever I will always give Hammer props. I will always show him love because he always shows love. He gave a lot of people… look at the long list and a lot of these was out of belief. He saw something in us, that was the fire I went with – like Hammer believed and all these people didn’t so I have to prove that this is possible. Props to Hammer.”

Born and Raised in Accra, the Brooklyn-based rapper’s music is one of a kind. The artiste and his 8-piece band create a unique blend of Hip-Hop and Afrobeat.

Source:livefmghana.com

Tigo Ghana denies Sarkodie's $250,000 Ambassadorial deal

Sarkodie

Telecommunications giant, Tigo Ghana, have denied trending reports that award winning Ghanaian artiste, Sarkodie, has rejected a $250,000 ambassadorial deal offered him by the company.

Sources at Tigo said there was no such deal in the offing to start with.

Tigo Ghana, operators of Tigo Music and Deezer have adjusted their focus on music development in Ghana.

The company, through its Tigo-premiere initiative has supported six Ghanaian artistes and created platforms for many more but have stated that, signing up artistes on ambassadorial deals are not part of the company's immediate strategy.

Sarkodie is currently in the United States of America preparing for his Apollo Theater concert dubbed, "History in the Making".

The concert will feature the likes of EL, Obrafuor, Efya, Bisa Kdei, Nigeria's Banky W, IcePrince and many more.

Source:tigomusic.com.gh

Ayew braced for Swans utility role

Andre Ayew

Midfielder Andre Ayew says he wants to be useful in any role he will be asked to play at new club Swansea City.

The free agent recruit from French giants Marseille has been speaking about how he is settling in well at the club and their preparations towards the start of the English Premier League next month.

"Everything has gone on well with me so far. The guys have helped me get into the group and I thank them all for the warm welcome. People like Bafe (Gomis), the captain (Ashley Williams, Nathan (Dyer) and Jonjo (Shelvey) have been very nice to me. I thank them for their support and I hope things will remain as positive as they are.

"I have also appreciated pre-season training because it is an important way of getting to know the players here. I knew a lot of them from watching the team in the past but now, I must get to know them personally and how the team plays,” Ayew said to Swansea’s website from their Germany camping base.

About his favourite role, the Ghana international thinks manager Garry Monk is best to decide but stated that he is willing to make his skills available for the good of the team in whatever position he will be fixed.

"Concerning where I will be used, I believe that is for the manager to answer. I am someone who loves to play football and I like to enjoy the game. I always want to be on the field and play as much as possible.

"What is important for me is to be on the field and help the team. So, wherever the coach will need me, I will be willing to help us get results,” the 25-year-old added.

Swansea are guests to champions, Chelsea, on the opening day of the 2015/16 English Premier League on August 8.

Source:supersport.com

2018 World Cup: Ghana named among top seeds

Black Stars of Ghana

African seeding ahead of draws for 2018 World Cup first and second qualifying rounds on July 25 at Saint Petersburg in Russia are as follows:

First round

(two legs between Oct 5 and 13 2015)

Seeded: Niger, Ethiopia, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Kenya, Botswana, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burundi, Lesotho, Guinea-Bissau, Swaziland.

Unseeded: Tanzania, Gambia, Liberia, Central African Republic, Chad, Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, Sao Tome e Principe, South Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti.

Disqualified: Zimbabwe (failing to pay a former coach.

Note: 13 overall winners advance to second round.

Second round

(Two legs between Nov 9 and 17 2015)

Seeded: Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Tunisia, Senegal, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Cape Verde, Egypt, Nigeria, Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, South Africa, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Rwanda.

Unseeded: Togo, Morocco, Sudan, Angola, Mozambique, Benin, Libya and 13 first-round winners.

Note: 20 second-round winners will be split into five four-team groups in a separate draw with the winners qualifying for 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Source:GHANAsoccernet.com

National Council of PTAs disappointed with Vice-President’s wife

Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur

The National Council of Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) has expressed “great shock and dismay” with the Second Lady’s reported rebuke of a headmistress who requested basic inputs like chalk and log books.

While presenting five computers to Kukurantumi Presby Primary School, Mrs Matilda Amissah-Arthur, wife of the Vice President, blatantly denied an appeal from the headmistress of the school to provide the said items.

“How much is a box of chalk? I won’t give you chalk today, I won’t give you chalk tomorrow”, the second lady was quoted as saying.

She was also reported to have lamented the over-reliance of parents on government’s free school uniforms, saying that government had “spoilt” parents by providing school uniforms which had now made some reluctant to provide for their children.

The National Council of PTAs, in a statement signed by National President Mr Alexander Danso said they believe Mrs Amissah-Arthur “did not speak well” and must apologise to the headmistress, parents and Ghanaians in general.

They said the provision of basic teaching and learning inputs is widely believed to be the responsibility of government and Ghanaian parents had also not requested government to provide school uniforms.

“It is the government’s own decision to do so and if it is becoming a burden, and cannot continue further this project, then she should back out rather than allowing… officials to insult the dignity of Ghanaian parents,” the statement said.

The council said since PTAs support government in the education sector and so was needless on the part of Mrs Amissah-Arthur to tell Ghanaian parents to help.

Source:GNA

Parliament of Ghana sued

Parliament of Ghana

Parliament was yesterday served with a writ seeking to place an injunction on its attempt to recruit a new Director of Development.

The writ was filed by 1st Law Chambers on behalf of Kofi Safo-Duodu, who has held the position for many years until he was purportedly demoted by former Speaker of Parliament Ebenezer Begyina Sakyi Hughes.

The office of the Clerk to Parliament was served with the writ yesterday afternoon, setting the stage for a legal showdown.

The Parliamentary Service Board is recruiting a new Director of Development, having placed advertisement in the newspapers.

This decision to sidestep Mr Safo-Duodu is brewing tension in Parliament because the plaintiff has been the substantive Director of Development for many years.

Critics say the attempt to displace him is a wrong move because his demotion by the current Board is bizarre.

Parliament this week placed an advertisement in some newspapers seeking to invite applications from suitably qualified persons to apply for the post of Director of Development.

Among the qualifications required for the post is a postgraduate degree in architectural design, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or any related discipline with a minimum of 10 years working experience.

Among the qualifications also is the requirement that applicants must be members of an accredited professional institution and must have excellent managerial skills and be computer literate.

According to some aggrieved directors and management members, if this is allowed to go on, it would amount to lowering of standards because their colleague, Mr Duodu, has a better and higher qualification than what is being asked for by the Board.

They told the media that what is happening is a clear case of witch-hunting, details of which they are privy to, and urged the Board to reconsider its decision in respect of the Director of Development.

They alleged that some persons in higher positions in the service are pushing the agenda because Mr Duodu has refused to succumb to their pressures to do things in their favour.

They said they are aware of the numerous traps set for their colleague, which have all backfired and that those detractors, seeing that Mr Duodu is still on top of his job, have resorted to the use of the Board to get him out of his post for what they term as unjustifiable reasons.

They stated that if this illegality is allowed to succeed, then no staff of the service is safe because that would pave the way for persons who cannot stand others to perpetrate falsehood and get them booted out of their posts through the Board.

According to the angry directors and management staff, Mr Duodu has suffered victimisation for far too long for reasons they cannot understand and wish he could be left alone to do his work.

The angry parliamentary service staff also disclosed that their colleague, Mr Robertson, acting Director of Audit, is also facing a similar humiliation as the position of the Director of Audit, for which he has acted for over eight years, has now been advertised.

They are of the view that their colleague, who has held the fort all these years without creating problems for the service, should have been confirmed as the substantive Director of Audit after being taken through the process, and not be treated the way the Board is seeking to do by advertising that the position is vacant.

The angry directors and management staff of the Parliamentary Service therefore cautioned the Board to be circumspect in taking such decisions, because they have the tendency of lowering morale of other staff members, indicating that “what is going on clearly shows what could possibly befall any of us one day,” which they said could go a long way to affect their work output, because a nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for.

Source:Daily Guide

Subah uncovers $65m revenue in fight against simbox

Subah Officials address the media

Subah Infosolutions Ghana Limited, working with the National Communications Authority (NCA), the telecommunications operators and the security agencies has busted the latest SIM Box fraudsters involving two suspects at a special operation at community 12 in Tema.

This brings to thirteen, the number of arrest made in the last seven months involving 17 people. Equipment confiscated by the police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) included;

One 16 Modem GOIP SIM Box System

One 8 Modem GOIP SIM Box System

One Generator

Two Printers

Two Internet Modems

One Inverter

2 Heavy duty batteries

Estimated 700 Airtel and MTN SIM Cards

Estimated 100 Airtel and MTN Top-Up Cards

The exercise is part of the special ‘SIM Fraud Triangulation’ project instituted in December 2014 to locate and confiscate SIM Boxes across the country.

The project task force involves personnel of the NCA, the CID and Subah Infosolutions physically driving around with sophisticated electronic gadgets to locate SIM boxes.

SIM Boxes are illegal terminals for routing international calls to evade government taxes. Official figures from the NCA estimate that the country losses in excess of $40 million of taxes annually due to the activities of SIM Box fraudsters.

Addressing a press conference in Accra today, the Director General of the Police CID (Subah to confirm and provide name) said the department have and will continue to commit human and material resources to fight the practice, which he said had become a very lucrative for perpetrators.

He commended Subah Infosolutions, the telecommunication operators and the NCA for their support and promised the department’s determination to relentlessly deal with such societal miscreants who plunder the resources of the state for their parochial gain.

The Managing Director of Infosolutions Ghana Limited, Mr. Birenda Sasmal reiterated the company’s resolve to work with the state agencies and the telecommunication operators to ensure that individual did not benefit unduly at the expense of the country.

“The consistency with which we have performed our duties could not have been possible without the support we have received from these collaborators and we assure you that together, we will succeed and ensure that SIM boxing become history,” he said.

Source: New Crusading Guide

Price war over petrol; Distributors, marketers disagree

Fuel Pump

There is disagreement over the pricing of petroleum products for consumers between wholesalers and retailers of the products.

While the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOB) has given an indicative price reduction of 26.26 percent on premium, gas oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene, the oil marketing companies have reduced the prices by between 11 and 15 percent.

The CBOD yesterday released an outlook of indicative prices for petroleum products for the next one week to the media, using world market prices for finished products, but the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs) says such projection is not achievable.

Some consumers and analysts are of the view that the prices should have dropped further following the rapid appreciation of the cedi and the downward surge in crude oil prices on the world market.

But the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the AOMCs, Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Duah, told the Daily Graphic that the CBOD indicative figures were impossible for implementation by his association.

“Petroleum products are laden with so many taxes that it is virtually impossible to sell them at 100 per cent less even if world market prices dropped by 100 percent,” he noted.

According to him, returns for his members were far less than the taxes they paid on products.

Mr Agyemang-Duah disclosed that although the CBOD was the mouthpiece of bulk oil distributors (BDCs), importers of finished products, the BDCs themselves quoted varied prices to OMCs, stressing, “The CBOD is quoting a different figure from its members.”

“A lot of factors go into the pricing of petroleum products and for that reason it is not possible for prices to drop further in this pricing window.

“We pay 17 percent tax on our products, aside from the other operational costs we are faced with on a daily basis,” he explained.

He said the CBOD was working within its remit and acting based on world projections, but noted that BDCs themselves were selling at varied rates, aside from the taxes and other costs the OMCs were grappling with.

Giving due credit to the CBOD for its projections, Mr Agyemang-Duah said his members were using the formula provided by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).

“We are working within the formula. We are committed to the deregulation of the petroleum downstream industry,” he said.

Touching on the competition which had arisen among OMCs as a result of the full deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector, he noted that “if all prices remain the same at all pumps, that means there is collusion”.

“There is no collusion. We are not a cartel because we are showing and will continue to show good faith in the price liberalisation of the petroleum downstream sector,” he said.

The CBOD market update is a public interest service rendered by the CBOD to keep the public and consumers abreast of trends and key events within the petroleum downstream industry.

Under the new regime, the window review of products will be published on a weekly basis.

The first projection takes effect from July 16 to 23, 2015.

A document released by the CBOD said, “The June 27 to July 11, 2015 pricing window (used to set prices for sales between the 16th and 31st July) saw a 5.11%, 10.86% and 5.84% drop in the world market price of gasoil, LPG and kerosene, respectively. Gasoline inched up by 2.54%.”

CBOD petroleum price indicators

Meanwhile, the CBOD has launched its petroleum price indicators (PPIs) to give the public access to information on petroleum pricing and trends.

According to its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Senyo Hosi, the move was aimed at promoting transparency in the petroleum downstream sector.

It also sought to protect the interest of consumers and stakeholders by providing them with information in order to assist them to make informed purchase decisions.

The launch followed the price liberalisation of the petroleum downstream sector, which allows BDCs, importers of refined petroleum products and OMCs the free hand to price their products.

The price liberalisation policy, which is being championed by the government, will also result in the cessation of subsidies on fuel prices.

The CBOD PPIs include the Ex-Refinery Price Indicator (XPi), Oil Traders Index (OTi) and Fuel Forex Rate (FuFeX30).

The XPi is an estimate of ex-refinery prices at which the BDCs may sell their petroleum products to OMCs. It is based on the maximum allowable US dollar indexed price the BDCs would have sold petroleum products under the immediate past regulated regime and converted in Ghana cedis at a referenced foreign exchange rate known as the FuFeX30.

It is not a definition of what the BDCs must sell at. In the estimation of the CBOD, BDCs are likely to sell at prices lower than the ex-refinery price due to competition.

The OTi is an indication of the difference between the average actual traded ex-refinery prices by the BDCs and the ex-refinery price represented in percentage terms, while the FuFeX30 is a 30-day forward forex rate computed using the covered interest parity model adjusted by the Ghana Sovereign Bond Spread.

Source:graphic.com.gh

Lawyers of Yvonne Nelson threaten to sue over Gh¢5000 ‘bribe’

Yvonne Nelson

 

Lawyers for Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson and organizers of the #Dumsormuststop vigil, is threatening to sue persons who continue to speculate they were offered a ‘bribe’ of GHC5000 by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to organize the protest.

In a statement signed by Lawyer Kofi Bentil, the Lawyers state that their decision to sue such speculators stems from the fact that they were never given monies by the NPP to orgnaise the all-popular vigil.

“We are minded to protect our client. We will not hesitate to sue any individual or representative of an organisation that persists in peddling this falsehood…,” the statement read in part.

An NPP activist, Baah Acheamfour has alleged that officers of his party gave Yvonne Nelson and other celebrities the said amount to organize the protest against the persistent irregular power supply in the country.

Yvonne Nelson has since debunked the claims.

Read below the full statement from the Lawyers:

July 17th, 2015. 10.00 am

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

FROM THE LAWYERS OF YVONNE NELSON AND ORGANIZERS OF ?#?DUMSORMUSTSTOP VIGIL

To Whom It May Concern:

YVONNE NELSON AND ORGANISERS OF #DUMSORMUSTSTOP VIGIL DID NOT RECEIVE ANY MONEY FROM NPP

We the lawyers for Yvonne Nelson, and organizers of #DUMSORMUSTSTOP VIGIL state categorically that neither Yvonne Nelson nor organisers of #DUMSORMUSTSTOP VIGIL were offered nor did they receive any money from the New Patriotic Party to organize the #DUMSORMUSTSTOP VIGIL.

It seems there's an internal issue within NPP and our clients have been mentioned in error.

Unfortunately, some media organizations are relaying these statements thereby giving the public a completely incorrect impression.

We are minded to protect our client. We will not hesitate to sue any individual or representative of an organisation that persists in peddling this falsehood.

Thank you

Signed. Lawyer Kofi Bentil

Source:adomonline

CCG congratulates Muslims on successful Ramadan

Muslims Praying

The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) congratulates her fellow Muslim brothers and sisters for successfully observing this year’s Ramadan.

Ramadan is always a time where Muslims attain nearness and closeness to God so that He becomes a reality in their lives as they bear the rigours of fasting for the sake of following a Divine commandment.

We are of the strong conviction that, the many sacred practices such as fasting, praying and almsgiving exhibited in the month of Ramadan areyielding the desired spiritual and physical results in their personallives ,and that of our beloved nation.

The Council commends the leadership of the various Muslim communities in Ghana for their relentless ommitment and contributions towards religious harmony, peace and nation building.

As a Council, we will continue to work closely with our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters to promote interfaith harmony, peace and development. We will also continue to pray and work against any potential acts of violence and terrorism under the guise of religion because our respective religious traditions abhor such acts.

In pursuance of this, the Council is planning an Interfaith Harmony Week in September, 2015, to strengthen interfaith relations, dialogue on issues of mutual interest and also deepen our collective efforts towards nation building.

We ask the good Lord who has successfully seen you through this year’s Ramadan to continue to bless, protect, guide and grant you renewed spiritual energy in Jesus’ name.

The Council wishes every Muslim a Joyous Eid-ul-Fitr!

S.G.D

Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni

Frimpong

General Secretary

Source:Christian Council of Ghana