Day: October 28, 2021

Following Barcelona’s defeat to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday night, Ronald Koeman has been fired as the head coach of the club.

Former FC Porto and Athletico Madrid striker, Radamel Falcao scored the only goal of the game.

In a statement, the Catalan club said: “FC Barcelona has relieved Ronald Koeman of his duties as first-team coach.

“The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano.

“Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva.

“FC Barcelona wishes to thank him for his service to the club and wishes him all the best in his professional career.”

Xavi is now widely expected to replace the outgoing Koeman in the coming days, should an agreement be reached with current club Al-Sadd.

Koeman – who starred for the club as a player and helped them to European Cup glory in 1992 – was installed as manager of Barca in the summer of 2020, with his arrival coming at a time of huge upheaval for a club who had been hard hit financially by the pandemic.

He led Barca to the Copa Del Rey title, but the summer saw the shock departure of Lionel Messi and a cutting of their cloth.

The loss of arguably the greatest footballer to play the game could not be offset, with Barca struggling domestically and in Europe.

As well as being ninth in La Liga, they are third in Champions League Group E after a trio of games.

How much did it cost to part ways with him?

As per Spanish outlet El Pais, Barcelona have had to part with a hefty sum in order to remove him from the managerial role, with financial constraints perhaps the reason that he clung on to the job for so long in the first place.

The sum? Around 12 million euros, which will now have to be factored into any budget going forwards.

Reports in Spain claimed previously that Barcelona could only afford to spend around 16 million euros this January (as a first payment), and were looking to target Raheem Sterling. With 12 million now leaving the coffers, that move looks in serious doubt now.

Source: Modern Ghana

Hwidiem, (A/R),- Mr Eric Adu, the Ahafo Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has cautioned the youth against lawlessness, and asked them to hand-over suspected criminals to the police.

He said lawlessness and instant justice threatened societal peace and social cohesion, saying suspected criminals could also be handed-over to religious leaders as well.

Mr Adu gave the advice when speaking at an Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) meeting organised by the NCCE with support from the National Security at Hwidiem in the, capital of the Asutifi South District of the Ahafo Region.

It was attended by representatives of political parties, religious leaders, traditional rulers, youth and women groups and some heads of departments and agencies.

Mr Adu expressed concern about rising cases of crime, extremism and terrorism, not only in the country, but in West Africa and called on everybody to contribute and support the police in fighting crime.

“The increasing crime wave in West Africa should be the concern and responsibility of every citizen to avert such recurrences in Ghana”, he said.

On global terrorism index 2020, Mr Adu explained neighbouring Nigeria, Mali Niger and Burkina Faso ranked high among countries experiencing violence and extremism in Africa.

“Our own attitude opens us up to insecurity. We must be watchful on how we communicate on phones, use the internet, and how we withdraw monies from mobile money vendors and use of ATM cards”, he advised.

Mr Adu entreated parents to monitor the movements of their children and the friends they make in order not to expose them to dangers, and cautioned the youth against the get-rich quick syndrome driving them into occultism.

He expressed gratitude to National Security for supporting the commission and IPDC, saying the engagements had well informed the populace on emerging national issues.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Kumasi, Oct. 27, GNA – The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has warned against the encroachment on lands belonging to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), saying perpetrators will not be spared.

The king, who is the Chancellor of the University, and overlord of all the lands in Asanteman, said the negative development was inimical to the future expansion agenda of the institution.

“I condemn it in no uncertain terms and strongly send a note of caution to all those involved in it to desist from it or face my wrath,” he cautioned, while addressing the launch of the 70th anniversary celebration of the KNUST, in Kumasi.

According to him, all lands in Asanteman, including that of KNUST, were vested in the custody of the Manhyia Palace, therefore, he would not countenance any form of invasion given the critical role land resources would play in the expansion agenda of the institution.

“Let not anybody perceive any unused land of the University today as waste,” he emphasised, saying “it is not under my watch as Asantehene that any acts of encroachment will be tolerated.”

The establishment of KNUST, he observed, had brought varied benefits to the nation, citing its contribution to training the needed skilled manpower for industry as well as the corporate world.

Currently, some of the land belonging to the nation’s premier science and technology tertiary educational institution, including some areas at Boadi have been encroached upon.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu, however, lauded the founding fathers of the University for their noble vision, saying the institution had made strides.

He charged the management and staff to work together to drive the expected changes anticipated in the new age within the context of its vision and mission, thereby transforming the Ghanaian society for the better.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that we cannot continue to do things the same way,” the Chancellor reminded the University community.

Consequently, he advised the faculty members to deepen research activities to help find an antidote to development challenges in the society.

Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson, the KNUST Vice-Chancellor, said the vision of the institution was to become one of the top 10 universities in Africa.

In pursuance of its dream, the University, according to her, had developed many innovative projects, such as the establishment of an e-Learning Directorate to serve as a hub for an e-learning ecosystem.

The University, she said, had resolved to move with the new world educational order where digitisation was the cornerstone to achieving academic objectives.

Activities lined up for the year-long anniversary include an exhibition, commissioning of infrastructural projects, a homecoming event and public engagement.

Established in 1951, under the leadership of Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the University, which started as the Kumasi College of Technology, has evolved over the years to its present status.

It has a student population of more than 80,000 and since its adoption of the collegiate system has 97 departments, offering 520 academic programmes.

“KNUST: 70 Years of Global Impact – a New Age for a Renewed Focus”, is the theme for the anniversary.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Tamale,– Mr Philip A. Gmabi, Technical Advisor, Policy and Governance at Ghana Development Communities Association (GDCA), has called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to step up efforts to develop effective database for records on their internal revenue mobilization.

He said most MMDAs lacked effective database on entities and individuals who paid taxes, adding that, the situation undermined accountability at the local government level.

Mr Gmabi said this during a validation workshop in Tamale, on the Empowerment for Life Programme Phase IV, dubbed: “Equity and Sustainable Development for All”.

The programme, organized by GDCA was to strengthen the capacities of civil society actors to contribute to increased equity and sustainable development in the country.

It was also to strengthen citizens’ access to information on revenue management and promote their participation in the revenue generation and utilization processes.

Mr Gmabi advised MMDAs to ensure the availability of timely information to enhance opportunities for citizens to demand accountability.

He encouraged MMDAs to involve citizens in decision-making process to enhance the implementation of interventions that suited their needs.

“Both Central and Local Governments should consider alternative ways of funding property valuations, since funds for valuations was a big constraint”. Mr Gmabi, noted.

Mr Mohamud Haruna, Northern Regional Coordinating Council Budget Officer, advised officials in the various MMDAs to be committed and serve in the interest of the people to promote development in the districts.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Great Olympics head coach, Annor Walker says he is ready and fired up for their first league game of the season.

The Wonder Club open their 2021/22 season with an away game against Real Tamale United at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium.

Ahead of the game, the veteran gaffer says he has what it takes to beat the Ghana Premier League returnees.

He added that he is ready to take up the challenge of bringing his expertise and rich experience to bear this weekend in their fierce league opener against the newly-promoted side.

“I am very fired up for our game against RTU. All I can tell the people of Tamale is that they should watch out for Annor Walker ‘the terror’ on Sunday,” Walker told Asempa FM.

Walker has been praised for rejuvenating Olympics into a formidable side last season and turning around the fortunes of the Wonder Club.

Olympics will be hoping to improve their performance this season after finishing on the 6th position last season.

Source: Modern Ghana

Accra,- Parliament will conduct an open ballot to determine the decision of each of the 275 members of the House on the bill on the “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, 2021”.

An open ballot system is a voting method in which voters vote openly, in contrast to a secret ballot, where a voter’s choices are confidential.

Proponents of the system point to the fact that it means the ballot box cannot be tampered with in the way an anonymous election can.

On the other hand, by foregoing the secrecy of the ballot, voters may be intimidated into voting a certain way which might be different from how they would actually vote if allowed to do so anonymously.

“The decision of the House will be made public. We will want to know where each Member of Parliament stands,” Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin announced, as he welcomed members of the Legislature back from recess to begin a two-month meeting prior to Christmas.

The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, 2021 Bill, nicknamed Anti-Gay Bill, and now with the Constitutional, Parliamentary and Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament, is a Private Members’ Bill championed by eight legislators, seeking to outlaw the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) and adjacent activities, and stipulating jail terms for offenders, sympathisers and funders.

The bill, introduced to the House in July 2021, underwent its first reading on 3rd August 2021 and has since been transmitted to Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee with subsequent readings with the resumption of the House from recess.

Since its introduction to Parliament, the Anti-Gay Bill has generated a lot of interest with different dimensions as it awaited consideration by the House.

Speaker Bagbin cautioned that the House would not allow any filibustering of the Bill, but would create an enabling environment for all to put across their views.

He agreed with Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu for committee sittings on the proposed law to be held public.

Speaker Bagbin assured Ghanaians that the Parliament would pass a law that protects the Ghanaian culture and values as a people which would also ensure the identity of Ghanaians.

“I persuade that this Parliament will pass a law that is in sync with our constitutional provisions, particularly the provisions on fundamental human rights and freedoms, and the various laws that exist in this country.

“I am persuaded that we will pass a law that is rich in common sense, human decency, morality fact, logic, and the one that does not foment hatred in any shape or form, “the Speaker insisted.

On the Affirmative Action Bill, which gives legal backing to put more women in government positions, Speaker Bagbin said: “I am determined to ensure that Affirmative Action Bill is passed during the course of this meeting.

He emphasized on the need for the House with other Arms of Government, civil society and the media, and entreated members to get on board and to purge Parliament of the perception of being subservient to the Executive.

Speaker, who is also the Vice President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association International, commended Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu on his election to the association’s vice chairmanship position and announced that Ghana would host the 2023 international conference.

Speaker Bagbin urged all MPs to give maximum support to the Chair and Leadership to speed up their activities and also pleaded with the various Ministers to respond to calls from the House and respect the time table of the House while urging them to take keen interests in the preparation of their Ministries’ Budgets.

He noted that the Regions of Ghana Bill, 2021 and the Standing Orders Bill, 2021 were two important Bills to attract the attention of the House and charged the MPs to work hard to enable the House pass all outstanding bills if they regularly and punctually attended parliamentary sittings.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Hohoe (V/R),- Lifetime Wells Vision, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has organised a free eye screening and surgical operations for residents in and around the Hohoe Municipality.

The exercise was the third under an outreach programme on eye care and was in collaboration with the Friends Eye Centre from Tamale and Kumasi made up of an ophthalmologist, optometrist, ophthalmic nurses, opticians and health staffs.

Mr Kofi Lawson, Project Coordinator, Lifetime Wells Vision, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), disclosed that the exercise which was an initiative of Mr Kenneth Wood, the Founder, was intended to end preventable blindness especially in remote communities that do not have easy access to health care.

He said 14 out 18 Municipal and District Assemblies in the Volta region benefitted from their “Eye Care intervention.”

The Project Coordinator said the eye was delicate adding that the lack of eye clinics in some districts, transportation to visit eye clinics and lack of funds for consultation and surgical operations were some of the challenges they identified during the outreach programme.

He said clients with ocular trauma, eye injuries, glaucoma, corneal ulcers and allergic conjunctivitis were given medications for treatment, while others with refractive errors were given medicated eye glasses to correct their conditions.

“Though the exercise is a community-based programme, all identified cases for surgical operations were done in the nearest health centre.”

He said the Organisation believed in giving sight to people especially the vulnerable adding that “our motto is giving sight to God’s people, one person at a time.”

Mr Lawson said they were also inspired to help people who do not have access to health care and motivated to avert preventable blindness.

He said there was no resident ophthalmologist in some regions in Ghana including; Volta and Oti which led to more unresolved eye cases and urged government to assign ophthalmologists in all 16 regions to clear backlog of cases.

A GNA visit to the eye theatre of the Hohoe Municipal Hospital realized some patients were attended to.

Dr Seth Wanye, an Ophthalmologist from Friends Eye Centre, explained that the patients were undergoing cataract and other minor surgical operations.

He said cataract occurred when protein in the eye was down causing the lens of the eye to grow cloudy adding that in Ghana, strong sunlight coupled with poor access to clean water, poor sanitation and inadequate health education resulted in cataract, a common cause of blindness.

He said 85 percent of blindness in Ghana was avoidable while 52 percent out of the 85 avoidable blindness in Ghana were as a result of cataracts.

He said it was important that everyone took good care of their eyes, kept them clean and advised people who had itchy eyes to avoid rubbing them while people who experienced anything unusual must see an eye specialist or visit an eye clinic.

Dr Wanye said visiting an eye specialist or eye clinic would help the problem to be identified as early as possible.

He advised that people must not wait for their problems to get worse before going to the hospital adding that “by that time, it might be too late.”

Mrs Ama Henrietta Serchie, an Ophthalmic Nurse at the Hohoe Municipal Hospital, urged the public to have their eyes checked every six months and visit health facilities that have eye clinics.

She said people must avoid using sea water and herbal medicines as a form of treatment for the eye anytime they felt there was a problem with their eyes and let the eye clinics be their first point of call in such situations.

Madam Mercy Amanfo, a 61-year-old told GNA that she began to experience a problem with her right eye for the past five years adding that “it is like something is on my eye and I can see anything at all. For my left eye, anytime I see a person, I only see a whitish object although I know it was a person I am looking at.”

She said her expectation was that her both eyes would be treated for her to gain her sight completely.

Some of the eye conditions recorded during the screening of the beneficiaries are cataract, pterygium, ptosis and strabismus.

Out of the beneficiaries screened, 270 were booked for surgical operations and 158 turned out and had undergone the operations.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Titiaka (O/R),- Mr. Daniel Agbesi-Latsu, the Kadjebi District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has appealed to Ghanaians to create safe, non-violence, non-discriminatory and clear anti-bully environment for children to achieve their full potentials.

He said all children needed protection against abuse, neglect, violence, discrimination on the grounds of race, age, religion, disability, health status, custom, ethnic origin, rural or urban background, birth or socio-economic status.

Mr. Agbesi-Latsu said this at community engagement on child protection issues at Titiaka in the Kadjebi District of the Oti Region.

He said even though, the 1992 Constitution made adequate provisions for the protection of children’s rights such as the right to free and compulsory education, right to non-discrimination, right to adequate infrastructure, among others, they were not taken seriously and their implementations became problematic by all governments.

The District Director entreated participants to assist in addressing abuse cases against children both in school and communities.

He called on duty bearers to strengthen formal prevention and protection of children through the enforcement of laws and policies on child abuse.

Mr. Agbesi-Latsu also called on parents to invest heavily in the education of their children because it was the foundation for accomplishment.

Mr. Foster Nyaro, the Assembly member for Koto-Nkwanta Electoral Area, thanked the NCCE educative team for enlightening them.

He however, complained about lack of potable and accessible water at Dzogbe Kofe and Brafoanu, farming communities in his electoral area and called on the Kadjebi District Assembly and non-governmental organisations to help provide them with water.

Source: Ghana News Agency