Day: February 27, 2022

Rafael Nadal maintained his unbeaten start to 2022 by beating British number one Cameron Norrie 6-4 6-4 to win the Mexican Open.

At the end of last year, Nadal, 35, thought he might have to retire because of a foot injury, but has won all three tournaments he has played this year.

The Spaniard won a 21st major title at the Australian Open after victory in a Melbourne warm-up event.

“At the start of the year this was unimaginable,” said the Spaniard.

“A month and a half ago nobody would have believed it.”

Victory over Norrie extended Nadal’s career-best winning start to the season to a 15th victory.

The fourth seed, who beat incoming world number one Daniil Medvedev in the last four, lifted the title in Acapulco without dropping a set.

It is the 91st title of Nadal’s career and a fourth in the Mexican city, having won his first as an 18-year-old in 2005.

Nadal, who also triumphed in 2013 and 2020, is now the tournament’s youngest and oldest champion.

A finely balanced opener swung the way of Nadal when he converted the only break point of the set in the fifth game and served out without serious pressure from Norrie.

Norrie, who is ranked 12th in the world, had won his previous eight matches and claimed the title in Delray Beach last week.

The 26-year-old Briton found a way through Nadal’s serve to break back for 1-1 in the second set, only for his fellow left-hander to take control with four straight games.

A stunning pick-up volley from Nadal set up two championship points and he took the first when Norrie went long with a forehand.

“Rafa doesn’t give you any free points and if you give him one or two he takes advantage of them,” said Norrie.

“It is impressive to see how he still does it.”

Source: Modern Ghana

Cameroonian striker, Frank Etouga Mbella netted a brace for Asante Kotoko on Sunday afternoon when the team defeated Dreams FC 2-0 in the Ghana Premier League.

The team nicknamed the Porcupine Warriors today hosted the matchday 18 opponent at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Hoping to get back to winning ways after a goalless draw against rivals Hearts of Oak last weekend, the Reds today set up strong and has managed to secure a delightful result.

On the matchday, Dreams FC could have led at the break but failed to do so after failing to take advantage of some good goalscoring opportunities.

After recess, Asante Kotoko gradually grew into the game and scored twice after taking control of the tempo of the clash.

It was all thanks to in-form striker Frank Mbella Etouga who scored a brace from the penalty spot.

Courtesy of the 2-0 win against Dreams FC today, Asante Kotoko stays top of the Ghana Premier League table and is a step closer to becoming champions for this season.

Source: Modern Ghana

As Russia continues its shocking military assault on Ukraine, ActionAid is horrified by the loss of civilian lives and the threat of violence and suffering facing families across the country.

ActionAid is calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and for international human rights and humanitarian laws to be respected. Paras Mani Tamang, Deputy Humanitarian Director at ActionAid International, says:

“Civilians are already being killed in this horrifying Russian invasion of Ukraine. Lives are being torn apart with devastating consequences.

“Women and girls are most at risk during conflicts and emergencies as gender-based violence and exploitation soar, and access to vital health services is blocked. Thousands of families are already fleeing to neighbouring countries and they must be protected.

“We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and all those affected by the violence.”

ActionAid International joins ActionAid Italy and members of the Italian refugee rights network, Tavolo Asilo, in calling on European governments and the EU to ensure people forced to flee the violence in Ukraine are granted safe passage and protection in member countries.

Source: Ghana Web

Mother of multiple award-winning dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale, Madam Elsie Avemegah better known as Shatta Mama has appealed to Ghanaians to help her rent an apartment.

According to Shatta Mama, two weeks ago she was evicted from the East Legon apartment Shatta Wale claimed to have bought for her six years ago.

Speaking to this portal, the overly dejected mother of the self-acclaimed dancehall king indicated that she is currently homeless and the only option she has is to appeal to the general public to help her rent a new apartment.

” Yes, I have been evicted from the East Legon apartment Shatta Wale got for me… Almost two weeks now I have nowhere to stay…I’m currently homeless…All attempts to reach Shatta Wale to settle the debts the landlady claims I’m owing have proved unsuccessful,” Shatta Mama told Hotfmghana.com.

A teary Shatta Mama astonishingly added that “Since my son is not helping me, I will please appeal to the general public to help me rent a new apartment. They can either give me money to rent or can dash me an apartment. I only need a place to call my home. The embarrassment is too much.”

Source: Modern Ghana

Accra, Feb.27, GNA — The Bishop Dr Yaw Owusu Ansah of the Resurection Power and Living Bread Ministries International has advised Ghanaians to strive at improving their communication skills in their day-to-day interactions with people.

He said one of the surest ways to enjoy good and lasting relationships with others was by being wholesome in speech.

Bishop Owusu Ansah said most relationships and marriages had collapsed because the parties failed to work on their communication skills.

Bishop Owusu Ansah gave the advice on Sunday whilst delivering a sermon on Relationships and Family Life.

He quoted from 1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:11,‬ saying “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.”‬‬‬‬

The Bishop said maturity in speech had got nothing to do with one’s age, status in life, level of academic qualification or how long one had been a Christian.

Instead, he said it required a conscious effort and a decision to be careful with one’s choice of words and mannerisms at every point in time.

Bishop Owusu Ansah said one had to also undergo a psychological adjustment, thus, changing the mindset and adjusting to new and improved ways of behaviour.

“Life is not static but progressive, as such, we must also strive to grow and improve in every aspect of our lives. The way you talk defines you. If you want people to value you then be mindful of the words that come out of your mouth,” he advised.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger,” he quoted from Proverbs 15: 1.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Bogoso (W/R), February 27, GNA – Nine out of the thirteen persons who lost their lives in the Appiatse explosion would be laid to rest on Friday, March 11, 2022.

The mass burial would be held at the old Appiatse park for Ella Baidoo, a 15-month old baby, Akua Nyame, 80, Michael Afriyie,19, Justice Kwesi Takwa, 21, Emmanuel Quainoo, 29, Isaac Benny, 45, Emmanuel Awinguda, 24, Eric Gyimah, 24 and Isaac Anane, 35.

The bodies would be laid in state at dawn and between 0900 hours to 1000 hours, and would all be buried after a church service.

The mortal remains of, Ekow Jackson, 40, Enock Obeng, 40, Daniel Armah, 35 and Martin Quaicoe, 40 would be conveyed to their respective home towns on Friday March 4, 2022, for burial.

An amount of GH￠6,000.00 would also be presented by the Appiatse Disaster Relief Committee to each of the bereaved families to facilitate the burial.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Prestea Huni-Valley and Chairman of the committee, Dr Isaac Dasmani, disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency ( GNA).

He said the committee met with relations of the bereaved families and agreed on the conduct of the funeral, adding that, “four people requested to bury their relations in their home towns so we agreed and would provide them with the necessary logistics.”

Dr Dasmani gave the bereaved families the assurance that they would continue to work together and ensure that they give those who lost their lives a befitting burial.

On Thursday January 20, 2022, a truck belonging to Maxam Ghana Limited, which was transporting mining explosives from Tarkwa to Chirano Gold Mines Limited in the Western North Region got involved in an accident at Appiatse on the Bogoso to Bawdie Highways.

This led to an explosion, which levelled the entire community and displaced the people of the town.

Fourteen people were killed in the process while several others sustained various degree of injuries.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Liverpool won a dramatic penalty shoot-out to secure the first domestic trophy of the season after a classic Carabao Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, brought on in the closing moments of extra time as a penalty specialist, missed the decisive spot-kick after a magnificent game came down to a shoot-out between Chelsea’s keeper and his Liverpool counterpart Caoimhin Kelleher.

Kelleher made it 11 penalties from 11 for Liverpool but Kepa blazed wildly over the top as a high-class showpiece was decided by the finest of margins after 21 successful attempts.

Chelsea, who had three goals disallowed for offside, were left to rue two big misses by Mason Mount but they were also grateful for a magnificent display from keeper Edouard Mendy, who produced a string of outstanding saves.

Liverpool created a host of chances and had a Joel Matip goal ruled out for a foul and offside in an incident-packed game that went right down to the wire before Jurgen Klopp’s side prevailed.

Source: Modern Ghana

Tamale (N/R), Feb. 27, GNA – The Anglican Diocese of Tamale has launched its 25th anniversary celebration with a call on members of the congregation to renew their baptismal and ordination vows to God and strengthen their willingness to serve.

The anniversary celebration is themed: “Celebrating 25 Years And Beyond As A Diocese.”

Various activities, including clean up exercises, hospital visitation, blood donation, Bible quizzes and sporting activities, have been lined up as part of the celebration, which would be climaxed in September,

The Right Reverend Dennis Debukari Tong, the Anglican Bishop of Tamale, who preached at the anniversary launch, admonished members of the congregation to present themselves as holy sacrifice to the Lord and endeavour to serve as instructed by the Bible.

Quoting the scriptures in First Samuel chapter 7:4, he urged the congregation to lay off every distraction in their lives and present their hearts solely to the service of God.

He indicated that there was the need for more growth in both spiritual and social aspects of the Diocese and said members should consider the season as an era to do more.

Bishop Rtd Emmanuel Anyindana Arongo, the first Anglican Bishop of Tamale, said the Anglican Diocese of Tamale was declared 25 years ago with the help of the Anglican Communion of America after a separation from the Sunyani Diocese.

He noted that the Tamale Diocese began with five churches, but had grown with many branches within the 25 years of its existence.

Mr Emmanuel Tia Nabila, the Executive Director of the Anglican Diocesan Development and Relief Organisation (ADDRO), said the organisation, which served as the social and development wing of the Tamale Diocese, would intensify its operation in bringing change to the lives of the people, throughout the anniversary celebration.

He said ADDRO had contributed significantly to the reduction of malaria cases in the five regions of the North and was geared towards helping vulnerable people through early childhood development programmes.

Source: Ghana News Agency