Category: General

Samuel Boadu, Head Coach of Accra Hearts of Oak, says the health situation in camp has made it very difficult for him as a coach, especially at a time when they are gradually peaking.

The Accra-based giants were struck by a strange illness earlier in the week and wanted their match against Bibiani Gold Stars postponed, but the Ghana Football Association (GFA) turned it down.

Despite missing the likes of Frederick Ansah Botchway, Caleb Amankwah, Robert Addo, Richmond Ayi, Fatawu Mohammed, Abdul Aziz Nurudeen, Seidu Suraj, among others, Hearts came out victorious against Gold Stars, with Samuel Inkoom scoring the decisive goal to ensure the Phobians secured three points.

According to Coach Boadu, 19 players have been affected by illness, though he was not specific on the nature of the illness.

“Today’s game was a difficult one. We had a few problems in camp but we spoke to the guys and psyched them to come up with their best and they delivered for us to get a win.

“For now, I have not received any report from the team doctor as to the particular illness that has struck camp, but I know 19 players have been affected by the illness.

“It is very difficult and if you were in my shoes you would understand. We were in form and all of sudden this illness happened, so it was hectic for us, but we managed to put things in place to psyche the players,” he said in a post-match interview.

Despite their setback, Coach Boadu was confident that they would be able to secure all three points against Eleven Wonders in their match-day 30 encounter.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The alliance of civil society organizations in the extractives, anti-corruption and good governance has asked President Akufo-Addo to allow the controversial Agyapa mineral royalties deal to go through parliamentary scrutiny, and also open it up to allow for a broad and transparent stakeholder engagement.

The CSOs say the government agencies are being used to push the deal though, although some public workers are against it.

The Executive Secretary of Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), a member of the alliance, Ben Boakye said in a Citi News interview that the alliance will explore all options available to it in blocking the deal.

“A lot of the questions and the rot that people are pointing at are going to happen before the transaction, and there are questions around transaction advisors, the potential buyers of the assets. Those things will be mapped out before the listing happens. The alliance is considering all the options on the table and also demanding that the public shows interest in such a significant revenue stream.”

The government has recently announced its intention to reintroduce the botched Agyapa deal, although massive public outcry forced it to shelve the idea several months ago.

The civil society alliance says it is aware the government was quietly working towards the realization of the deal which it believes will not be in the interest of the public.

The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta at a recent press briefing described the deal as a “good one” that would help the country to raise resources and reduce its debt exposure.

“It is not something that the country needs to drop, that is an asset”.

Mr Ofori-Atta said there shouldn’t be challenges with whether monetising mineral royalties or listing the company was good or bad “rather, if you have a problem with the process, let’s articulate that and cure it. Let’s not drop something that will be good for us and help reduce our debt exposure.”

Source: Modern Ghana

The executive board of Ghana Music Awards-USA has announced that they are all set for this year’s Taptap to Send sponsored event.

In making the announcement to the media, they also gave the first three names of Gospel musicians who will be headlining the 2022 edition of the awards.

Dubbed “The Music Matters”, the event is scheduled to take place on August 20, 2022 at the plush Lincoln Theater in Columbus Ohio.

In a interview with Blogger Attractive Mustapha the CEO Dennis Boafo popularly known as Don D, said this year’s event promised to be far bigger and better than the previous years.

He added that after a lengthy meeting with key stakeholders and the planning team in Ohio over the weekend, he is very optimistic that the team will pull a wonder show this season.

The first batch of Godpel artists scheduled to perform at the main event include Diana Hamilton, Empress Gifty, Cee of Mentor One fame, a surprise Gospel artiste, and a host of secular artists that will be rolled out in due course.

Source: Modern Ghana

Accra, May 18, GNA – Two persons who robbed a hairstylist and her customers at a salon in New Legon and made away with a Toyota Corolla and mobile phones have been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each by an Accra Circuit Court.

Richard Klutsey, a taxi driver, and Solomon Asamoah, a trader, were found guilty on the charges of conspiracy to commit crime and four counts of robbery at the end of the trial.

The court held that Klustey, Asamoah, and others at large, indeed robbed Madam Patricia Nyankson, the owner of the Toyota Corolla, of her Gold Samsung Galaxy A9 and Toyota Corolla.

It said the accused persons also robbed three customers; Jessica Ofei of her Sumsung mobile phone, valued at GH 2,000, Syliva Kuofie of her Samsung mobile phone, valued at GHC 2,000, and Patience Akoto of her GHc1000 Motorola mobile phone.

Shakibu Dumbasea, an accomplice was, however, acquitted and discharged by the court after prosecution had closed its case.

Dumbasea was not identified by any of the victims during an identification parade by the police and there was not enough evidence against him.

The court, presided over by Mrs Rosemary Baah Tosu, in sentencing the two accused, said she took into consideration the spate of robbery and reprehensible conduct of the convicts, and that the sentence was to serve as a deterrent to like-minded persons.

Lawyers for the convicts prayed the court to consider their age, and the fact that they were first offenders, married with kids, and taking care of their aged parents.

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Yakubu Fuseini narrated that on December 21, 2019, two of the victims; Patricia and Sylvia, decided to get their hair done at a salon owned by Jessica at New Legon, Accra.

He said Klustey, Asamoah and the others at large, armed with locally manufactured pistols and cutlasses, decided to go on a robbery spree.

On seeing the white Toyota Corolla saloon car, with registration number GE 7136-19, belonging to Patricia, which she had packed at the salon, the accused persons entered the salon and ordered the occupants to surrender all their belongings.

The prosecutor said Klutsey took the keys of the car from Patricia and stepped out to start the engine while waiting for his accomplices.

The other accused persons, including Asamoah, succeeded in robbing the victims of their mobile phones, joined Klutsey in the Toyota Corolla, and he drove off.

It said sometime in January 2020, the police extended their investigations to one Roberta Tackie, Klutsey’s wife, whose residence the Gold Samsung Galaxy phone, belonging to Sylvia Kuofie, was found after a search.

When quizzed, Roberta told the police that Klutsey gave the phone to her.

Klutsey was arrested and he mentioned Asamoah, Shakibu, who were also arrested, however, some other accomplices are still at large.

Police investigations led to the retrieval of a locally manufactured pistol from Klutsey’s residence.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has asked tourism enterprises operating without a valid registration and license from the Authority to legalise their businesses by May 31.

In a release issued to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, in Accra, the Authority said it would in June 2022 commence a nationwide crackdown on unlawful tourism firms to stop them from operating.

It said the Tourism Act of 2011 (Act 817) required the Authority to register and license all tourism businesses, including Hotels, Spas, Guest Houses, Serviced Apartments, Hostels, Home Lodges, Restaurants, Fast Food Joints, Traditional Catering Establishments (Chop Bars), Drinking Bars, Travel Agencies, Movie Houses, Event Centres, Entertainment Centres, Banquet Halls, Conference Facilities, Pubs, Night Clubs, Tour Companies, and Car Rentals.

The release noted that tourism enterprises, including apartments that operate, “AirBnB” without a legal license by the Authority, breaches section 25(2) of the Tourism Act, 2011 (Act 817) hence would also have their businesses shutdown and sanctioned.

It also urged all tourism enterprises to contact any GTA Regional Office or the Head Office and pay outstanding tariffs before the beginning of the enforcement exercise.

Source: Modern Ghana

Tension is at NPP Aowin Constituency in the Western North Region over an alleged deliberate disqualification of persons aspiring for positions in the constituency elections in the area by the NPP Western North Regional Chairman, Mr William Benjamin Assuah and National Director of Research and Elections, Mr Evans Nimako.

According to report, persons including the four time women organizer, Mrs Joana Morcher; Women Organizer aspirant, Madam Constance Asare; Women Organizer aspirant Mr Benson Afful; Organizer aspirant, Clifford Kwesi; Assistant secretary aspirant and Mr Konadu Yiadom, second Vice Chairman aspirant were all illegally and unconstitutionally disqualified on the very day of their constituency delegates elections after going through all the necessary process.

A petition was sent to the National Executive Committee through their General Secretary and was later referred to the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Legal Committee for redress.

The alleged actions and inactions of the regional party chairman have compelled the Concerned NPP Youth of Aowin Constituency to officially address the press on a possible danger in the constituency if care is not taken.

Mr.Clement Apambila, a member of Concerned NPP Youth of Aowin Constituency and Enchi District Assembly “A” polling station organizer indicated that the National Council met on Friday, 13th May, 2022 and received the report from the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Legal Support Committee Chaired by Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah on the unconstitutional disqualification of aspirants in the Aowin Constituency.

He said the National Council which received the report and read it at the meeting concluded as captured in the report a re-run of the affected positions in the Constituency.

But, according to him, the Regional Chairman, Mr William Benjamin Assuah and the National Director of Research and Elections, Mr Evans Nimako want to connive and employ clandestine tactics to delay the execution of the decision taken by the National Council and eventually impose the other candidates whose elections have been nullified on them.

He made it clear that they are by this statement calling on the General Secretary of the party, Mr. John Boadu, the National Council and the President, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo to call the National Director of Research and Elections at Aowin Constituency, Hon Evans Nimako to order for him to go ahead to fully execute the order given by National Council to bring peace to Aowin.

“We are also aware that the Regional Chairman wants to use delay tactics to disenfranchise the affected positions in our Constituency and their appointees in the impending Regional Elections, so he has sent a petition to the Director of Research and Elections requesting his side to be heard in the decision taken by the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Legal Committee and approved by National Council. How on Earth should this petition be allowed to thrive and even receive attention? What is it there to be heard again, after a decision taken by National Council?” he questioned.

Hon. Evans Nimako, the Director of Research and Elections, he stressed in agreeing to meet the affected aspirants and the regional Chairman in the spirit of giving the Regional Chairman hearing on the events is alleged to be delaying the process.

“We are using this medium to humbly appeal to our General Secretary, Hon John Boadu, the National Council and our President to rescue the party in Aowin Constituency by expeditiously executing the National Council’s decision in order to avert any apathy in our Constituency,” he stated.

Good afternoon Ladies and gentlemen of the Media. We thank you very much for honouring our invitation for such an important press conference, though it was with a short notice.

Background

As you may recall, our Constituency elections was scheduled on 30th April, 2022.

Some party stalwarts and staunch members including the four time woman organizer, Mrs Joana Morcher, Woman Organizer aspirant, Mad Constance Asare, woman Organizer aspirant, Mr Benson Afful, organizer aspirant, Clifford Kwesi, assistant secretary aspirant and Mr Konadu Yiadom, second vice Chairman aspirant were all illegally and unconstitutionally disqualified on the very day of the elections after going through all the necessary processes needed for the elections.

A petition was sent to the national Executive Committee through our general Secretary and it was referred to the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Legal Committe.

Ladies and gentlemen of the Media, our National council met on Friday, 13th May, 2022 and received the report from the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Legal Support Committe Chaired by Hon.Cecilia Dapaah on the unconstitutional disqualification of aspirants in our Constituency, that’s AOWIN.

The National council which received the report and read at the meeting concluded as captured in the report a re-run of the affected positions in our Constituency.

Friends, it will interest you to know that, today we were briefed that, the Regional Chairman, Mr William Benjamin Assuah and our National Director of Research and Elections, Mr Evans Nimako want to connived and employed clandestine tactics to delay the execution of the decision taken by National Council and eventually imposing the other candidates whose elections have been nullified on us.

We are calling on the General Secretary of our party, the National Council and our President, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo who was part of the National Council meeting to call the National Director of Research and Elections, Hon Evans Nimako to order for him to go ahead to fully execute the order given by National Council to bring peace to Aowin.

We are also aware that the Regional Chairman wants to use delay tactics to disenfranchise the affected positions in our Constituency and their appointees in the impending Regional Elections, so he has sent a petition to the Director of Research and Elections requesting his side to be heard in the decision taken by the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Legal Committe and approved by National Council. How on Earth should this petition be allow to thrive and even receive attention?

What is it there to be heard again, after decision taken by National Council?

Hon Evans Nimako, the Director of Research and Elections, agreeing to meet the affected aspirants and the regional Chairman in the spirit of giving the Regional Chairman hearing on the events is believed to be delaying the process.

We are using this medium to humbly appeal to our General Secretary, Hon John Boadu, the National Council and our President to rescue the party in Aowin Constituency by expeditiously executing the National Council’s decision in order to avert any apathy in our Constituency.

Source: Modern Ghana

Paris St-Germain’s Idrissa Gueye refused to play in a match to avoid wearing a rainbow symbol in support of LGBTQ+ rights, BBC Sport understands.

The 32-year-old former Aston Villa and Everton midfielder was absent from Saturday’s 4-0 win over Montpellier.

PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino said only that Gueye missed the game for “personal reasons”.

The French Football Federation (FFF) has reportedly written to Gueye to clarify why he was absent.

BBC Sport has approached Gueye’s representatives for comment.

Crystal Palace’s Cheikhou Kouyate and Watford’s Ismaila Sarr have posted on social media in apparent support of their Senegal team-mate’s stance.

Kouyate posted a picture of himself alongside Gueye on Instagram, with a caption calling Gueye “a real man”. Watford winger Sarr posted a picture of him and Gueye accompanied by three heart emojis and the caption “100%”.

In response to Sarr’s post, Watford reiterated their commitment to equality and diversity, adding “this includes the willingness to offer further education and support to any of its employees”.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira said if his player had posted in relation to Gueye, he would speak to them. “It’s going to be an in-house conversation,” he added.

Homosexuality is illegal in Senegal and punishable by prison sentences of up to five years.

For the second successive season, clubs in France have been invited to mark 17 May’s International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia by wearing rainbow-design numbers on the back of their shirts.

In addition to missing Saturday’s win over Montpellier, Gueye, who arrived at PSG for £30m in July 2019, missed last year’s show of solidarity citing gastroenteritis, according to Le Parisien newspaper, who first reported the reason for his absence.

The AFP news agency said on Wednesday it had seen a letter from the FFF’s ethics board calling on Gueye to explain why he missed Saturday’s game.

The letter, says AFP, calls for him to “issue a public apology” or to say that the rumours he refused to play are “unfounded”.

The letter reportedly adds if he did refuse to play he would be “validating discriminatory behaviour”.

PSG said on Wednesday that they were “very proud to wear this shirt”.

“The biggest stars of world football were on the field on Saturday and expressed the club’s commitment to the fight against homophobia and all forms of discrimination,” it added.

Gueye’s stance has been supported by prominent politicians in Senegal.

The country’s president Macky Sall wrote on Twitter that Gueye’s Muslim beliefs must be respected, while sport minister Matar Ba wrote that Gueye was backed by his country’s people, alongside a picture of the midfielder on pilgrimage to Mecca.

Source: Modern Ghana

Award-winning United Kingdom-based Ghanaian afro Gospel musician, Joseph Matthew also known as JM has made a staggering revelation that even though he is a gospel musician he is not a Christian.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Andy Dosty on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz, Joseph Matthew stated that his music has been solely to glorify the name of the lord and not for the benefit of Christians or not in the name of Christianity.

Explaining his point, the ‘Nyame Ye’ hitmaker cogitated that Jesus Christ never called his followers Christians even though the name was derived from his last name ‘Christ’

According to him, Jesus only named his follower’s disciples and not Christians. He stressed that ‘Christians’ surfaced when Jesus ascended to Heaven and his disciples continued with his Ministry.

He added that other people saw the mannerism of the disciples which resembled that of their master,hence they were tagged as Christians but Jesus himself was not a Christian.

Joseph Matthew, who is currently undergoing a media tour in Ghana to promote his new hit single dubbed ‘Blessed’, emphasised that he has nothing against Christians but believes Christians only belong to a religious group named Christianity.

Watch the interview and listen to his new song ‘blessed’ below

Source: Modern Ghana