Category: General

Accra, – Ghana’s premium high-definition satellite broadcast service provider, SES HD PLUS, marketers of the HD TV service, has organised a training programme for satellite TV dealers and technicians to promote a culture of safety in their practice.

The company also contributes toward youth empowerment and job creation across the country by training participants on the latest satellite TV installation trends, a press release issued to the Ghana News Agency, said on Sunday.

In the first quarter of 2022, HD trained 2,500 installers across 18 locations.

Since the launch of the HD brand in December 2020, HD has engaged about 6,000 installers and dealers so far in 50 towns and cities across the country, it said.

Theodore Asampong, Director at SES HD PLUS, addressing the Kumasi training session on behalf of the HD team, emphasised the adoption of a culture of safety by the installers due to the risks associated with their job.

He said: “We at HD have recognised the need to embed the culture of safety among the installer community.

“Most of these satellite dealers and installers work at height and also with electrical wiring.

“This has informed our decision to distribute dust coats to all participants of the training session. We are certain that apart from the safety that the dust coats provide, it will also give them a more professional outlook as entrepreneurial service providers.”

On the growth of the business, Mr Asampong stated: “The HD brand is fair and unconventional and we embrace these values as the basis for sustainable growth for us and our partners.

“More than 50,000 homes have embraced the FeeliFeeli experience from HD currently and we have our installers as well as dealers to thank for this.”

By equipping their trade and installer partners with the requisite skills and information, Mr Asampong expressed the hope that their team of experts would remain gainfully employed by satisfying the needs of Ghanaian homes who wanted ‘to enjoy world-class TV viewing experiences at an affordable price’.

“HD offers great convenience to its customers with the search, pause, reverse and record features as well as the ability to link the HD Decoder to a mobile phone via the My HD PLUS App,” the release said.

“Customers now also have the choice on how, when and where they can enjoy the HD Service.”

HD offers 19 HD channels, as well as more than 100 channels in SD with superior features such as a 7-day electronic programming guide, Parental Access Control and Logical Channel Numbering system, which makes it easier to locate channels.

This is because all channels have been assigned a permanent number and arranged according to genres.

HD Decoders are available at all Multi TV dealer outlets and Electroland stores across the country for purchase and can be activated on any mobile network by dialling *879# to unlock the HD viewing experience.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Babile (UW/R), – The kingmakers of Babile in the Lawra Paramountcy of the Upper West Region have enskinned a new chief for the Babile Sub-division after the demise of Naa Harku Dakuar II on 27th January 1999.

Naa Puowelle Karbo III, the Paramount Chief of the Lawra Traditional Area, performed the enskinment rites for Naa Saapiur Dakuar III and the first-ever Queen Mother of the area, Pognaa Yirkuu Dakuar I at the weekend.

The 56-year-old Naa Dakuar, is known in private life as Mr Francis Kadoe Saapiur, an educationist who worked as a subject teacher and Senior House Master at the Prang Senior High School in the Pru District, Bono East Region.

Some chiefs in and outside the Lawra Traditional Area graced the coronation, which was characterised by excitement and a colourful display of the rich culture and tradition of the Babile people.

Addressing scores of participants at the event, Naa Karbo admonished the new chief to live an exemplary life, worthy of emulation, saying: “Your conduct henceforth will be regulated”.

“You are expected to hold yourself out in dignity and not bring your name and the revered institution into disrepute,” Naa Karbo added.

He said being a member of the Traditional Council, Naa Dakuar was answerable to the Paramount Chief. The Traditional Council was made up of eight divisional and eight sub-divisional chiefs, 200 sub-chiefs as well as queen mothers.

Naa Karbo said it was the responsibility of the new chief to shoulder the challenges of the area and work towards mitigating those challenges to attract development to the area and Paramountcy in general.

He also entreated Naa Dakuar to always comply with the laws governing the country and the chieftaincy institution and to perform his duties to the best of his ability.

Mr Vitus Kadoe, the Regent of Babile, said the successful enskinment of Naa Dakuar was historical as the people had hungered for a chief for far too long.

He said the last time a similar event happened at Babile was on 23rd December 1993 when the then Paramount Chief of the Lawra Traditional area, Naa Abayifaa Karbo II, enskinned the then Chief of Babile, Naa Harku Dakuar II.

Mr Kadoe, therefore, expressed the hope that the presence of a chief would help facilitate the development of the area.

“Babile has always been known as a peaceful town and those who are here can testify that anyone who comes here to settle and do business succeeds,” he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Cape Coast, – Agencies responsible for the welfare and safety of Persons with Disability (PWDs) and Persons with Mental Health Conditions have been asked to lead the advocacy for change in the negative attitudes toward PWDs.

PsyKforum, a non-profit organisation promoting psychosocial and mental well-being to PDWs and Persons with Mental Health Conditions (PWMHCs), said those agencies must maximize efforts to secure a future where barriers of inclusion would be completely broken to ensure a stigma-free society.

It indicated that the worst fears of PWDs and PWMHCs were to live among people who discriminated against them as that lowered their self-esteem, diminished their human dignity and sense of belonging and created suicidal thoughts.

Mrs Vivian Ama Aubyn, a Board Member of PsyKforum, made the call during an engagement with stakeholders on the need to advocate for laws and bye-laws in favour of PWDs and PWMHCs.

The meeting formed part of the Social and Behavioural Change, Stigma Reduction and Disability Inclusion programme under the Ghana Somubi Dwumadzi Project.

The project is sponsored by the UKAID with Hope For Future Generation, an NGO, as its implementing partner.

Mr Christian Ackom, a Lecturer at the Department of Psychological Medicine under the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences, applauded society’s ability to limit differential treatment as a step in the right direction.

He said it was the responsibility of all and sundry to ensure that the country became a stigma-free one for the greater good of all.

“So, if a criminal is supposed to be treated humanely, then how much more people who, by no fault of theirs, have been left disabled. They equally have the right to family life and to experience all other social activities,” he said.

Touching on Mental Health Conditions, Mr Ackom said a person could develop any type of mental health condition at any point in one’s life as long as one had emotions and thoughts.

He said attempting to commit suicide was one of the commonest ways victims tended to end their predicament, adding: “This should not be criminalised because no happy person would want to taste death.”

Mr Ackon said suicide must be decriminalised while urging the police and all other law enforcers to push harder for victims to seek proper medical care and attention.

The perception that PWMHCs were violent and posed danger to society was because their actions were a response to how society treated them, he said.

Nana Kwame Edu VI, Tufuhen of Oguaa Traditional Area, said almost everyone was guilty of stigmatisation but a change of mind was necessary to commence a new chapter where PWDs would feel included in every aspect of life.

“Indeed, we all should be ashamed of ourselves and our attitudes, let’s bow our heads in shame with our hearts yearning for a change, we cannot count how many people we have murdered, imprisoned and shamed by our actions,” he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Chelsea fans could have a clear idea of who will be the next owners of the Blues this week, with American bank Raine expected to reveal their preferred bidder from among three offers.

Raine were commissioned to lead the sale process by Roman Abramovich before the Russian was hit by UK government sanctions last month over his connections to Vladimir Putin.

The European champions have since been operating under a special licence that limits their ability to sell tickets and merchandise, as well as operate in the transfer market.

Chelsea won 19 major trophies during Abramovich’s 19-year reign and could add another when they face Liverpool in next month’s FA Cup final.

However, the impact of the sanctions is beginning to show, with rows of empty seats in the home end for Arsenal’s 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

The club also cannot offer new contracts — defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are likely to leave at the end of the season on free transfers.

The hope is that new owners will be in place by the end of the campaign.

None of the three bids is expected to run into trouble passing the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test or seeking UK government approval.

Soft loans totalling £1.5 billion ($1.9 billion) from Abramovich have fuelled Chelsea’s success over the past two decades but he will not claim that money back and will not receive funds from the sale while sanctioned.

Despite those losses and the need for an expensive stadium upgrade to match their status as one of Europe’s top clubs, the sale is set to attract a world-record fee for a sports club of an estimated £2.5 billion.

Supersport.com looks at the three bids on the table.

BOEHLY, WYSS AND GOLDSTEIN

Swiss billionaire Hansjoerg Wyss first broke the news of Abramovich’s desire to sell in an interview with the newspaper Blick in his homeland.

However, it is American Todd Boehly, co-owner of Major League Baseball franchise the Los Angeles Dodgers, who is leading their bid along with British lawyer Jonathan Goldstein.

Goldstein’s loyalties as a Tottenham fan have presented a red flag for some Chelsea fans.

But Boehly has credibility with his ownership of the Dodgers, who won a first World Series for 32 years in 2020.

He has also overseen a significant stadium redevelopment at Dodger Stadium and modernisation will be needed at Stamford Bridge.

BROUGHTON’S STAR POWER

Martin Broughton brings formidable football and business experience to the table as a former chairman of Liverpool and British Airways.

However, it is a collection of sporting stars he has assembled that has caught the eye in his bid.

Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton and tennis great Serena Williams have reportedly pledged to invest millions into Broughton’s consortium.

“When I heard about the opportunity, I was like wow,” said Hamilton. “This is a great opportunity to be part of something so great.”

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe, a Chelsea fan, would also take a seat on the board if the bid were successful.

The major financial investment for the bid does cause a headache for the Premier League as it comes from Josh Harris and David Blitzer, who own a stake in Crystal Palace.

Harris and Blitzer would have to sell their shares in Palace before being cleared to be part-owners of Chelsea.

STEPHEN PAGLIUCA

Co-owner of National Basketball Association side Boston Celtics and Serie A club Atalanta, and co-chairman of Bain Capital, which has $160 billion in assets, Stephen Pagliuca was the last of the bidders to go public with his interest.

He has secured the support of the True Blues Consortium, a Chelsea supporters group that includes former captain John Terry.

There is even more sports business experience among his consortium.

Larry Tanenbaum owns stakes in Toronto’s ice hockey, basketball and football teams as well as being chairman of the NBA.

Pagliuca only bought into Atalanta in February, paying a reported $450 million for a 47 per cent stake.

Source: Modern Ghana

Tyson Fury produced a stunning one-punch stoppage in the sixth round to beat fellow Briton Dillian Whyte and defend his WBC and Ring Magazine heavyweight titles at Wembley Stadium.

In front of a post-war British record crowd of 94,000, the champion dominated what was a scrappy bout and then unleashed a vicious right uppercut.

Whyte, admirably, got to his feet within the count before staggering into the referee as the fight was halted.

Speaking to BT Sport Box Office, Tyson Fury said: “First of all, I want to say I dedicate this to my lord and saviour Jesus Christ. In his name I won this fight in my lively country. In my England. We are Spartans.

“I’m overwhelmed by the support. I cannot believe 94,000 countrymen and women came here to watch me. From the bottom of my heart thank you to everyone who bought a ticket and stayed up late to watch this fight.

“Dillian [Whyte] is a warrior and I believe he will be a world champion. One of the greatest and, unfortunately, he had to fight me tonight. You are not messing with a mediocre heavyweight, you are messing with the best man on the planet.

“This man, SugarHill [Steward], has made the man I am. He has made me the biggest boxer in the heavyweight division.

“I promised my wife that would be it after the [Deontay] Wilder fight. But I got offered a fight at Wembley and I owed it to the fans. What a way to go out.”

Source: Modern Ghana

Kumasi, – Kokrokoo Charities is making steady progress in its quest to provide 100 incubators to health facilities in Ghana, after presenting two of the equipment to the Kumasi South Hospital, becoming the 46th and 47th incubators to hospitals across the country.

Dubbed: “Project 100 incubators”, the initiative, launched in 2014 by Kwami Sefa Kayi, a broadcaster, sought to raise funds to purchase 100 incubators for various health facilities to reduce the mortality rate of pre-term babies.

With about 140,000 children born prematurely every year in Ghana, out of which more than 8,000 die before 30 days, Kokrokoo Charities is seeking to intervene by providing the incubators to address infant mortality in the country.

The foundation mobilises funds using the Kokrokoo Morning Show on Peace FM as the vehicle to achieve the ambitious target.

Until the donation of the two incubators to the Kumasi South Hospital, which also serves at the Ashanti Regional Hospital, Kokrokoo Charities had provided 45 incubators to various hospitals across the country.

The staff of the Maternity Unit were trained on the use of the equipment as part of measures to ensure its effective usage and prolong its lifespan.

Mr Sefa Kayi, who led a team of officials from the foundation for the presentation, said there was still a long way to go to hit the 100 targets and invited philanthropists and corporate bodies to support the initiative.

He said saving premature babies was a worthy cause that required the collective efforts of all well-meaning Ghanaians.

The cost involved in procuring one incubator, he disclosed, was $10,000, underlying the need to mobilise more resources to execute the project.

Following a needs assessment of the Hospital by the Kokrokoo team, it became imperative to donate the two incubators to cater for the number of cases referred to the facility, he noted.

“After the needs assessment, we are here today to present two incubators and we pray that much as we are on a campaign to support hospitals, clinics and medical facilities we will ensure that the right facilities would get them,” he said.

Dr Kwame Ofori Boadu, the Medical Director of the Hospital, said the donation was timely as it would go a long way to improve neonatal care, adding that the Maternity Unit had, sometimes, been adopting the kangaroo mother care system for the care of pre-term babies due to lack of adequate incubators.

It had been recording an averagely of 30 pre-term cases a month because it was a referral facility, he said and praised Kokrokoo Charities for the intervention.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ashaiman, – Elder Dennis Akortah of the Church of Pentecost, has urged Christians to be aware of the end time and demonstrate their readiness for the second coming of Christ through their daily activities.

“Christians must religiously pay attention to Christian values, follow the footsteps of Christ and be of immense humility,” Elder Akortah, who is the Head of the Youth Ministry at the English Assembly of the Church of Pentecost in the Ashaiman Lebanon District, said on Sunday.

He admonished Christians to be ready and prepared for the second coming of Christ Jesus and live with that expectation, adding that one’s readiness at any point in time would determine his or her place after death.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after the Sunday Service, Elder Akortah said Christians must be aware of the end time and demonstrate it in their daily activities by religiously paying attention to Christian values and following the footsteps of Christ in humility.

“Today’s world is like the era of Noah full of iniquities, heinous crimes, corruption, injustice, where the majority are indulging in activities that go contrary to righteousness,” he said.

“As were the days of Noah, so will the coming of Jesus Christ be.”

“You can be working on the farm, in the office, sleeping, writing exams or waiting for results, betting at a game centre, or thinking about giving your life to Christ, that hour is unknown so be always ready.”

He said all must profess Christ and emulate Him, noting that being born again will make a Christian inherit the Kingdom of God.

Source: Ghana News Agency