Dr Akwasi Osei

Mental health treatment is at the verge of collapse in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region as health facilities in the district are currently operating without medicine and other logistics needed for persons suffering from mental health illnesses.

Both new and old mental health patients as well as their caretakers are enduring the pain of living with the condition due to the ‘no drug’ situation that has hit the area in the last couple of months.

The Wa West District Mental Health Officer, Suonyir Moses Deri, disclosed this at a stakeholder meeting at Tanina in the district.

He expressed fears that if the situation is not reversed immediately, future medical interventions will not yield the desired impact as majority of the mental health patients who hitherto were put on medications are already suffering from relapse.

“It is worrying to talk about the predicaments of mental health patients in this district. There are no drugs in the various health facilities, including the district hospital. Even those who have money cannot get the drugs in the open market,” he lamented.

Mr Deri revealed that majority of the over 600 mental health cases diagnosed in the district are people suffering from epilepsy, while others are as a result of substance abuse, depression and other related causes.

He appealed to government to include mental health patients in the beneficiaries of the two percent Disability Common Fund of metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.

Amamata Seidu, a mother of a mental health patient in an interview with Citi News, expressed concern about the life of her 16-year-old son.

“My son was getting better when we put him on the medication. But as we speak, he is on the street because for almost three months now we can’t get the drugs even to buy,” she revealed.

The stakeholders’ meeting was organised by Tiborotaa Mental Health Association. It brought together chiefs and other opinion leaders, health practitioners, mental health officers, caretakers of mental health patients and the media with funding from DANIDA and USAID.

–Citi FM

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Ing. Kow Abaka Quansah presenting the keys of the ambulance to Dr Kwabena Opoku Adusei

Tema Lube Oil Limited, a lubricant firm in Tema of the Greater Accra Region, has presented a new ambulance worth over GH¢200, 000 to management of the Tema General Hospital.

The Hyundai Hi ambulance luxury is well-equipped with numerous emergency facilities like oxygen compartment, ambulance kits, blood bottle rack, chromo radiator grille, tachometer, fax machine, telephony, equipment for monitoring patients, among others.

At a ceremony to hand over the mobile health transporter, Ing. Kow Abaka Quansah, the board chairman of Tema Lube Oil, explained that the company sees their donation as a way of contributing their quota to development of the health sector.

“The company’s association with the Tema General Hospital goes as far back to the mid-90s when we made donations of various medical equipment. Our most recent donation was a life support machine (medical ventilator) for use at the intensive care unit 2015. This will be the second time of donating an ambulance to this hospital; some of you may recall that we made a similar donation in 2004,” he recounted.

Mr Abaka Quansah highlighted that the absence of an ambulance has hampered effective healthcare delivery at the premier and biggest health facility in the metropolis, which serves as the only referral facility in the area.

He stressed that with the hospital located near the country’s main highway, which is prone to vehicular accidents, the Tema General Hospital is always the first port of call for initial treatment before those that need emergency treatment are referred to either 37 Military or Korle-Bu Teaching Hospitals.

The arrival of the ambulance, he stated, that would also bring an end to the situation whereby sick persons are transported in passenger vehicles or commercial vehicles.

He appealed to the authorities of the Tema General Hospital to take good care of the ambulance and put in place an effective maintenance scheduled to ensure a long lifespan for the vehicle.

The Managing Director of Tema Lube Oil, Amos Donkoh, called on the public to patronise the company’s products.

He appealed to other corporate institutions to emulate the efforts of his company for the betterment of healthcare delivery in the country.

The Medical Director of the Tema General Hospital, Dr Kwabena Opoku Adusei, who received keys to the ambulance, thanked the management of the Tema Lube Oil for their kind gesture.

He appealed for public support to expand the maternity ward and government to complete all abandon projects at the hospital.

From Vincent Kubi, Tema

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SSUE

Afro-pop singer Susan Amoakohene, known in showbiz as SSUE, thrilled hundreds of music lovers in a live music concert dubbed ‘Pre-Tour Concert’ at the Republic Bar in Osu.

The concert saw energetic performances from SSUE, who treated music fans and other stakeholders to unforgettable live performances.

The young Afro-pop singer dazzled the cheering fans with her blend of Afro-pop, Afro-jazz and hip-hop rhythms. She had a sterling stagecraft performance, coupled with excellent dancing skills, which kept fans on their feet throughout her one-and-half hours on stage.

Many fans who were obviously enthralled by her sterling performance took ‘selfies’ with her while others requested for her contact numbers.

The show was of such compelling magnitude that made people stop by to catch a glimpse of the talented SSUE.

She was accompanied by her management team led by her personal manager and the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Scratch Studios & Publishing, Paa Kwasi Hoodbrook (Paa Kay).

The ‘Pre-Tour Concert’ forms part of live concerts to be staged in Accra and some parts of the country this year.

The night also witnessed performances from Kente, Sofie and Robin Huws.

By George Clifford Owusu

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Loueke and Rudolph

A German jazz duo comprising Celine Rudolph and Lionel Loueke, who are both guitarists and vocalists, will on Saturday, July 28 perform at the Goethe-Institut in Accra.

By a stroke of luck, the two talented artistes met a few years ago in the German capital Berlin – a move, which has resulted in a collaboration that recently resulted in the release of a joint album titled ‘Obsession’.

Indeed, ‘Obsession’ opens up musical horizons, it sounds like jazz with the elegance of a singer/songwriter alongside influences from Benin, Brazil, Germany and the United States.

Undeniably, one may think after just one listen that these songs are quite familiar. With songs written by Rudolph, Loueke or both, ‘Obsession’ is a complex and diverse album while maintaining a homogeneous and subtle character.

Indeed, it is a culmination of a musical liaison that began as spontaneously as it still seems. Loueke and Rudolph, who also play the Kalimba, sound like a band and sometimes like an orchestra.

Together, they play and sing wonderful songs in English, French and sometimes in fantasy languages. In the process, the music tends to evolve and reinvent itself.

Organised by the Goethe-Institut, the duo, who will also take part in a workshop with selected local artists, have performed in various West African countries.

They are scheduled to perform in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) and Cotonou (Benin) in August before flying back to Europe for other gigs.

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Prof Atukwei Okai

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts has extended its deepest condolences to the family of the late Prof Atukwei Okai, Secretary General of the Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA), for their loss.

It said Prof Okai died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra on Friday, July 13 after a short illness. He was 77.

In a statement issued and signed by Mrs Afeku and copied to BEATWAVES, it stated that the ministry heard about the shocking news last week and it shares the grief the family members are going through.

The ministry, on behalf of the government and people of Ghana, stated that they are behind the family of the late professor in this trying moment.

It said Prof Okai for 47 uninterrupted years succeeded in transforming poetry from a dry, uninteresting classroom subject avoided by many a student into one of the most widely embraced art forms pursued as a career by talented and ambitious youths.

“With his first collection, ‘The Oath of the Fontomfrom’ published in 1971, though arguably his best known collection, ‘Logorligi Logarithms’ in 1974 and later works such as ‘Mandela The Spear’, ‘A Slim Queen In A Palanquin’ and ‘A Pawpaw On A Mango Tree’, among others, he established himself as one of Africa’s most influential writers and artists.”

The statement said the musicality of his poetry and his style of juxtaposing his native Ga and English made poetry come alive, endearing him to both, young and old.

The statement pointed out that the ministry testifies that Ghanaian culture has been made richer because of him.

It said, “Ghana would forever remain indebted to him for being one of the nation’s cultural experts, an ambassador who represented Ghana in many parts of the world through the translation of his works into several languages, including Russian, Spanish, German, Arabic, French and Italian.”

The statement described the late professor as an unapologetically Pan-Africanist, a fearless social commentator and a national critic.

As a cultural activist, he was one of the pillars on whom the Ghana Culture Forum rested, a movement whose efforts are contributing to pushing culture from the periphery into the mainstream of national development.

It said much earlier in the 1980s, Prof Okai invested his energies into growing the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW) into a creative force.

It assured that the ministry is behind the family in thought and prayer and would be in consultation with the family and other stakeholders in the artistic and cultural fraternity to roll out plans to give this great gift to Africa a befitting celebration of life.

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Paul Pogba

Jose Mourinho has issued a challenge to Paul Pogba to recreate his World Cup form for Manchester United next season.

The midfielder was a key part of France’s success in Russia and scored in the final against Croatia as Didier Deschamps’ side lifted the trophy.

Mourinho confirmed the 25-year-old, who has often been criticised for his performances since arriving from Juventus in 2016, will miss the start of the season while he recovers from his exertions this summer.

But when he returns, the United manager says he wants to see Pogba use his “brilliant” tournament as a springboard for his form at Old Trafford.

“To win the World Cup can only be a positive thing,” Mourinho told a news conference at UCLA on Tuesday.

“So many players didn’t have the opportunity to win and help their team enough. For Paul, it is the first World Cup he goes and to be world champion can only be fantastic.

“I hope he understands why he was very good. That’s the point about his performance level and contribution to a winning team, it is to understand why he was so good especially in the second part of the competition, where he was absolutely brilliant.”

Pogba is on holiday and will not be in the United States for United’s five-game summer tour. He is also set to miss the first game of the Premier League season against Leicester at Old Trafford on Aug. 10.

Mourinho confirmed that new signing Fred will link up with the squad in the U.S. next week but fellow new boy, Diogo Dalot, won’t be available until September while he recovers from a knee injury suffered at the end of last season.

“Dalot is injured,” Mourinho added. “A small injury, a small surgery. We didn’t want to lose him because of that and he’s recovering really well and we think he can start training back in England but not ready for start of the season.”

The post Mourinho Charges Pogba …To Replicate Russia Form appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Azumah Nelson

Ghanaian boxing legend Azumah Nelson widely known as “The Champ” or “The Professor” turned 60 yesterday.

He was born on July 19, 1958 in Accra, Ghana.

‘Zoom Zoom’ also known as the ‘Professor’ is an internationally-acclaimed World boxing figure, who is regarded as Africa’s greatest boxer and the WBC greatest Super Featherweight champion of all-time.

He was honored alongside Nicaraguan Alexis Arguello as the WBC greatest super featherweight boxers of all-time in Las Vegas on December 15, 2014.

In November 2017, the legendary Ghanaian boxer received the World Boxing Council (WBC) Champion Award at the 55th WBC Convention in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The great Azumah Nelson has won several titles including the National Championship, All Africa Games and the Commonwealth Games during the early stages of his career.

He held the WBC featherweight title once and the WBC super featherweight title twice during his heydays.

After calling time on his enviable career in 1998, the iconic brand had a record of 39 wins, 6 losses and 2 draws, with 28 knockout wins. The global icon has been mentoring several youth in his native Ghana through his educational programme ‘Time with the Professor’.

The World boxing Council (WBC) is billed to honour the living Ghanaian boxing legend, Barima for his contributions to boxing on his birthday.

The former world champion will be celebrated in grand style with a boxing fiesta dubbed, “Azumah Nelson Fight Night”, where the WBC is expected to present him with an award.

His exploits in boxing earned him the accolade, Professor of boxing and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

A statement issued by the boxing icons communication team, said the event, being promoted by the Azumah Nelson Boxing Promotions, would be held at the newly inaugurated Bukom Boxing Arena on July 21, 2018, two days after his birthday.

Credit: Happy FM & APA news

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Members of the Golden Arms battle for supremacy

Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE), managers of ‘Aayalolo’, has partnered the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Africa Armwrestling Championship to provide transport services for the competition.

This partnership will see the transport company do the airport shuttling of teams arriving for the competition and also handle the day-to-day shuttling of teams from their hotel to the competition venue.

The 9^th Africa Armwrestling Championship dubbed ‘ACCRA 2018’ would be held at the DG Hathramani Hall at the Accra Sports Stadium from Thursday, July 26, 2018 to Sunday, July 29, 2018.

President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), Mr Charles Osei Asibey told www.armwrestlingghana.com that “we chose Aayalolo as our official transport service provider because it is Ghanaian, indigenous, nationalistic and offers the Ghanaian hospitality that one would expect and we want our guests to experience it”.

According to the LOC spokesperson, ACCRA 2018 would not just be a sporting competition but an event on its own.

On his part, the Communications and Public Affairs Manager of GAPTE, Mr Fred Chidi, added that Aayalolo decided to partner the Ghana Armwrestling Federation because armwrestling is an indigenous sport and as Aayalolo is also an indigenous company, there was a mutual understanding to work together.

He added that armwrestling is an interesting sport which is easy to participate in and less expensive.

About 15 African countries with over 100 athletes are expected to assemble for what could be described as the biggest armwrestling event in the country and the continent as a whole.

Participating countries are; Benin, Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Seychelles, Mauritius, Morocco, Mali, Nigeria, Togo, Madagascar, Uganda and the host country, Ghana.

The event is sponsored by K-Balm Ointment from Kofikrom Pharmacy, Go On Energy Drink from Twellium Industries Limited, Erata Hotel, Awards Center, I-Level Media and with support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).

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Emmanuel Agyemang Badu

Ghana’s Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has expressed sincere thanks to the medical team of Udinese for his successful surgery ahead of the season.

The strong midfielder has successfully undergone an arthroscopic surgery  on his left knee, conducted  by Professor Mariani in the Villa Stuart structure in Rome.

According to the player, he acted on the advice of the medical team after complaining of slight left knee pain.

He told this writer “The medical team advised that I correct the pain after complaining, it was successful and I must thank them for a good job done, I am grateful.”

And responding to his readiness for the coming season, he stated “It is every player’s dream for an injury free season, I am mentally and physically ready for the season. I promise to give it my best shot.”

Badu will be unavailable for preseason activities but will be ready for the start of the new campaign as he bids time to recover.
He returned from a season long loan from Turkish side Bursaspor and he is expected to be one of the key players for manager Julio Velázquez.

Badu, 27, joined Udinese in 2010 and spent most of his career in Italy until he joined Bursaspor last season.

While he was on holiday in Ghana, he featured prominently as an analyst on various media platforms during the Russia 2018 World Cup.

By Kofi Owusu Aduonum

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Director-General of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, ACP David Eklu

The Ghana Police Service has said that it will allow for independent investigations into the killing of seven (7) young men by some personnel of the police at Asawase in the Ashanti Region.

Many Civil Society organizations and other well-meaning Ghanaians have called for an independent probe into the incident to ensure that justice is served.

The Police announced on Tuesday that seven out of the eight suspected robbers, whose attack reportedly led to the death of a Police Officer with the SWAT Unit of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, had been gunned down after a gun battle.

But families of some of the deceased persons have disputed the claims of the police.

The families have suggested that the police wrongfully killed their “innocent” relatives who they say are not robbers as claimed by the police.

Many others have since said the Police account of how the seven persons were killed was incoherent.

Some angry youth took to the streets in the Ashanti Regional capital on Thursday to protest over the killing.

Among other things, they burnt lorry tyres and besieged the Asawase police station demanding justice.

The situation forced a joint police and military presence at the police station to avert any violent attacks.

But according to the Director General of Police Public Affairs, ACP David Eklu, the service is ready to address the impasse and amicably address the problem.

Speaking on Citi TV’s major news bulletin, Citi Newsroom, he said his outfit will support an independent inquiry into the matter.

“It is very important that we get a body outside the police service to look at all the circumstances to look at what went right, what went wrong, and we see the way forward. That is the stance of the police administration now. It is for sober reflection over the incident, a dispassionate discussion of the incident and see how this issue will be resolved,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Maame Yaa Tiwa Addo-Dankwah says her outfit has already begun investigations into the matter.

“The Regional command is working, the case is under investigation and at the appropriate time, we will come out with our findings and everybody will know,” she said.

-Citifmonline

The post We’ll Allow Independent Probe Into Killing Of 7 Zongo Youth – Police appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

President Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo has assured people of the Bongo District of the Upper East Region that he did not cut the sod on Thursday, July 19, for the reconstruction of the bridge linking Bongo to Balungu and Namoo, as well as construction of the Bongo-Balungu-Namoo Road, to deceive them.

According to him, he has no intention of deceiving the people of the area with the sod-cutting ceremony just like what the previous Mahama administration did in the past in relation to the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom Road.

He said the former president cut the sod in an election year to create the impression that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration was serious about the construction of the road.

“I have given government’s commitment to the construction of the bridge and road, and the contractor has promised to work according to schedule. I have told the contractor that next year I am going to commission the road,” the President promised.

He made this known at a durbar held by the chiefs and people of the Bongo Traditional Area to climax activities on the first day of his two-day working visit to the Upper East Region.

Touching on the ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ programme, President Akufo-Addo said “this year government has projected that about 500,000 farmers will participate in the programme across the country”.

The President added: “If we are able to complete the dams and ensure that there is water for farming, for the first time in the history of the three regions in the north of our country, you are going to see difference; it’s going to bring food and improve farmers’ income and the lives of our people.

“We have a programme for the development and transformation of Ghana. Those who want to see can see what is going on. The ones that keep their eyes shut are those who will be going blablabla…”

The President called for harmony across the country to give the government the peace to ensure the socio-economic development of the country, adding that he was hopeful Ghanaians would support the government in this direction.

“I am happy with the peace in this district that is what we want to see across Ghana- peace and harmony, so that the development of our country can be accelerated. I have said this and I will repeat it, there is no reason for us to be poor in Ghana. If we have leadership that is honest, with good policies in our time, we will see prosperity in Ghana, not tomorrow.  I need your support for us to be able to implement all the programmes that we have which are going to transform the lives of our people,” the President revealed.

The Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, Bonaba Baba Salifu Atamale Alemyarum, who doubles as the Vice President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, called for improvement in the Bongo District Hospital, as well as the completion of the project to expand the Upper East Regional Hospital to meet the health needs of the people of the Bongo District and the region in general.

He commended the President for prioritizing developmental programmes in the Bongo District, saying Nana Akufo-Addo is the first sitting President to visit the district within the first two years of his term.

The paramount chief also added his voice to calls for the Bongo District to be elevated to a municipal status to accelerate development in the area.

From Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Bongo

The post I’ll Not Deceive Ghanaians -Nana Addo appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

L/Cpl Frederick Amanor Skalla captured on the video molesting the nursing mother

A rampaging policeman yesterday ran riot, beating up a nursing mother mercilessly at the East Legon branch of the Midland Savings and Loans Limited in Accra even as she held on to her baby and screamed loudly after each jab from her uniformed aggressor.

According to report, the aggressive and wicked cop, L/Cpl Frederick Amanor Skalla, who was wielding two guns, AK 47 and pistol, with two gotta phones as if he is the Minister of National Security, has been arrested on the orders of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante-Apeatu.

The spectacle made worrying viewing in the video, which went viral within minutes after the despicable occurrence courtesy of social media.

Even scary was the fact that his AK 47, a semi-automatic weapon, which could accidently discharge a fatal round when dropped, was attached to his body by a rifle sling.

He commenced his assault with an umbrella which he used to hit the nursing mother’s head then followed it up with jabs from his clenched hands.

He tried to pull the woman out of the building; the reasons for which action is yet to be determined.

According to the report, the woman got to the bank at the time it had closed to customers but having managed to enter the banking hall she insisted on withdrawing GH¢250 otherwise she was going to have a gloom weekend.

This is not a story the Ghana Police Service would be comfortable with at a time when the murder of seven persons by the local police in Kumasi is still an issue of contention in the Ashanti Regional capital.

Instructively, the IGP Asante-Apeatu was in Kumasi addressing the aftermath of the mayhem which originated from the murder of seven persons by the policemen in the Ashanti Regional Command.

DAILY GUIDE gathered that upon viewing the video on the misconduct of the cop in uniform, the IGP quickly ordered the arrest and detention of the stoutly-built cop.

The Director General of Public Affairs, ACP David Eklu, told Joy Fm that the police administration was outraged by the “highest level of unprofessional conduct by the police.”

According to him, having watched the incident some few minutes ago, the IGP instructed that the officer in the video be identified, arrested and prosecuted.

Frederick Amanor Skalla is currently behind bars.

“This is not how police officers have been trained,” ACP Eklu said, adding that the severest punishment and criminal prosecution would be meted out to him.

Frederick Amanor Skalla, according to report, was asked by officials of Midland Savings and Loan to show the nursing mother with her baby the exit for demanding her money, but the policeman decided to do it in a brutish way.

A man who saw what was happening quickly rushed to take the baby away from the mother, as the man continued to freely assault the woman; her scream not dousing his anger with no intervention from the bank officials.

At the end of the beating, he showed no remorse, oblivious of the fact that the nasty episode had been videoed and trending across the country and beyond within minutes after the incident.

Police officers, especially, shared the video on their many WhatSapp groups, many of them expressing worry about such negative stories happening in the service within these past few days – the Kumasi being in their minds.

Later reports had it that the woman was going to cash an amount of GH¢250 when she met her fate at the hands of the merciless cop.

Management of Midland Savings and Loans Limited, in a swift reaction against the backdrop of a possible PR challenge, has condemned the action of the brutality by the cop, who is attached to the operation unit of the Accra Police Command.

“We wish to render an unqualified apology to the customer in question and the general public for the uncivilized act,” the statement said.

Social media has been awash with countless negative reaction, most of them driven by the anger over the Kumasi incident.

One of such reactions reads: “If this policeman can abuse a woman like that, trust me, he can easily supply guns to armed robbers.’

The Consumer Protection Agency (CPA), in a reaction to the brutality, condemned what it described as “the maltreating and assault of a helpless woman with her baby in the banking hall.

“The action of the policeman is crude, unprofessional and an affront to consumer rights, especially in these times when most financial institutions have embraced relationship-banking and best customer practices,” the statement signed by Benjamin Akoto, Head of Complaints of the CPA stressed.

By A.R. Gomda

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A commercial sex worker, identified as Nicky Gold, has been stabbed to death at a community called Bolakyi in Prestea in the Western Region.

According to sources, the deceased, believed to be in her early 20s, was allegedly stabbed to death at 12 midnight on Thursday by a client, who was also identified as Mintah, 27.

According to reports, the suspect, after numerous sexual bouts with the sex worker, decided to rob the young lady of her money.

This resulted in a struggle between the two and in the process Mintah allegedly stabbed Nicky Gold several times until she died.

Eyewitnesses also indicated that the body of the woman was found in a brothel at Bolakyi, where she allegedly operated with other prostitutes, lying in a pool of blood with her intestines gushed out.

They asserted that Mintah approached Nicky for sex and the two were said to have agreed on a fee for the service before heading to Bolakyi to spend the night.

Residents claimed around 12 midnight on that fateful day, they overheard some people groaning and shouting.

“When some of us got up later and went to the place where the prostitutes operate, we noticed a lady lying in a pool of blood. She had been stabbed to death, and we saw multiple wounds so we quickly called the police.”

They indicated that they later arrested Mintah and handed him over to the police.

The body of the deceased was conveyed to the Prestea Government Hospital for autopsy while the suspect is in police grips pending further investigations.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi

The post Sex Worker Stabbed To Death appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Three persons Christian Asare, 22, mechanic, Alhassan Mahmud, 33, mason and Ibrahim Moro, 22, labourer,  have been sentenced to a total of 24 months’ imprisonment with hard labour for engaging in illegal mining at Apensu, near Kenyasi in the Asutifi South District of the Brong Ahafo Region.

They pleaded guilty and were convicted on their own plea.

The prosecutor, Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Akornor, told the Sunyani District Court (A), presided over by his Honour, Frederick Tetteh that on 17^, July 2018, the security team of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited saw the three convicts mining at Apenso at about 12:30am.

The complainants from Newmont called for the assistance of police and military that arrested the three.

Seven mini fertilizer sacks containing sand believed to be gold ore, two chisels and a shovel were retrieved from them.

They were charged with engaging in small-scale mining without licence contrary to Section 82(1) and 99(2a) of the Minerals and Mining Law (Act 900, 2015).

The judge said the three were fully aware of the ban on illegal small-scale mining in the country.

“This should serve as deterrent to others who are still engaging in illegal mining activities despite the ban,” he added.

danielyaodayee@yahoo.com

From Daniel Y Dayee, Sunyani

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Two suspected car snatchers have been arrested by the Ashaiman Divisional Police at Kubekrom, Number 2 in the Kpone-Katamansu District of the Greater Accra Region.

The suspects were identified as Tawiah Tetteh, 24 and Kwadwo Yeboah, 21.

They were said to have snatched the cabs from their owners in Accra at gunpoint and sought refuge in the aforementioned.

Briefing journalists last Thursday, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Peter Gyimah, Commander of the Ashaiman Divisional Police, explained that in May 2018 the suspects snatched a taxi with registration number GE 5922-17 from one Fatau Mohammed at Lapaz, Accra.

While investigations were underway, the Ashaiman Police, upon intelligence gathered by the night patrol team, arrested the suspects at Kubekrom Number 2, a suburb of Zenu on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at about 1:30 am.

According to him, the suspects were also in possession of another KIA Picanto cab with registration number GW 7482-18 when they were arrested.

Other items such as water pumping machines and doors said to be have been stolen were also retrieved from the suspects after their arrest, the police chief added.

He urged the public to verify items before they make purchases.

From Emma Davies, Ashaiman

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President, Nana Akufo-Addo

The President, Nana Akufo-Addo, in fulfilment of Article 243(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and Section 20(1) of the Local Government Act, Act 936, has nominated three persons to fill chief executive vacancies in three district assemblies in the Upper East Region.

The President nominated Emmanuel Abugre Abole, a lecturer, for confirmation for the position of District Chief Executive (DCE) for the newly created Bolgatanga East District Assembly.

Paul Abugri Azumah has been nominated for the Tempane District Assembly, which was detached from the then Garu-Tempane District.

For the Kassena-Nankana West District Assembly, the President has nominated Gerald Atuogya to be confirmed to replace the late Clement Kuyianyim Dandori, who passed away while in office on Friday, February 9, 2018, at the age of 70.

In the past, the Kassena-Nankana West District Assembly had been noted for dragging the confirmation of DCE nominees, as well as the election of presiding members.

In the case of Tempane District Assembly, its Member of Parliament and also Deputy Attorney Minister, Joseph Dindiok Kpemka, will have to pull some strings and get the traditional authorities in the area involved as quickly as possible, to talk with the assembly members, lest they reject the nominee, Paul Abugri Azumah, in round one, like the election of a presiding member for the assembly in the past.

Emmanuel Abugre Abole has failed on two occasions to represent the people of Bolgatanga East in Parliament on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The same dynamics that caused his defeat in the parliamentary elections exist in this newly created district assembly and will require a serious deliberation by the traditional authorities there, as well as the Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Ayine Bukari, who hails from the district.

NPP’s Regional Communications Director, Randy Agana, has described all three nominees as good “materials” capable of developing their respective areas.

In his view, these three assemblies have what it takes to develop faster. And assembly members will have to work in the sole interest of their electorate, without taking entrenched positions during decision-making sessions.

FROM: Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Bolgatanga

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There’s apparently been a backlash against the notion, entertained by blacks around the world, that France’s World Cup win in Moscow on 15 July 2018, was won for her by a team called ‘Africa United’?

‘Africa United’?

Yes – because at least half of the members of the French squad was made up of players of African descent! Their names and countries of origin say it all: the star of the team was 19-year-old Kylian Mbappé, who is half-Cameroonian, half-Algerian. The others were Samuel Umtiti (ethnically originating from Cameroon); Steve Mandanda (Democratic Republic of Congo); Paul Pogba (Guinea); N’Golo Kante (Mali); Blaise Matuidi (Angola); Presnel Kimpembe and Steven Nzonzi (Congolese) and Corentin Tolisso (Togolese father).

Trevor Noah, the South African comic who has made it big in the US as host of the very amusing television programme, The Daily Show, retorted on his programme that the French ambassador in the US took him to task for suggesting on the programme that “Africa won the World Cup.” [for France].

US-based South African comedian Trevor Noah has defended himself after being criticised by a French diplomat for saying “Africa won the World Cup”. According to the BBC, The Daily Show host made the comments on his satirical show a day after France beat Croatia to win the World Cup.

The French ambassador to the US said the comedian was denying the players’ “Frenchness” by calling them ‘African’.

“This, even in jest, legitimises the ideology which claims whiteness as the only definition of being French,” Ambassador Gérard Araud said in a stern letter to Noah. “They were educated in France, they learned to play soccer in France, and they are French citizens. They are proud of their country, France.”

But The Daily Show host retorted that the players’ African identity should be celebrated. Noah said, “When I say ‘They are African’, I am not saying it as a way to exclude them from their Frenchness, but using it as a way to include them in my Africanness.” To deny that duality was something he “vehemently” disagreed with, Noah said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=PtvABpIxlFE

This is obviously a debate that will run and run. It isn’t as bizarre, however, as the claim made by some football aficionados in my village, that Ghana ‘won’ the World Cup in Brazil in 2014! (As could be expected, they had very little to say about the way our football authorities managed to keep the World Cup money voted for the players hidden somewhere, until the players revolted and the money had to be physically flown to them whilst they were already in Brazil!)

I don’t want to go into that too much, for Sulley Muntari did everything I wanted to do to the GFA officials!) What I am interested in is how our football aficionados tend to make up the rules of football to suit their convenience, as the game goes along.

One of the more famous rules they would like FIFA to adopt is that “seven corners make one goal.” Our village team has “won” many matches by forcing referees, at the risk of being beaten up if they did not comply, to enforce that rule. It goes like this: if, during a match, one of our strikers gets near the goalmouth of our opponents, he would not try to score and probably fail in the attempt, but rather kick the ball at one of our opponents’ defenders, creating a corner-kick. If he and other strikers were able to obtain seven consecutive corners against our opponents, we would argue that the seven corners counted as one goal!

If the referee disagreed, someone would give him a sharp slap. If our opponents disagreed, they too would be set upon– by both our players and the villagers who had come to watch the game –and beaten up.

This, of course, only happened when the match was being played on our home ground. If we were playing away, and our goal-scoring methodology was disputed, we would walk off the field in anger, and drive home very fast. Very fast, because our angry opponents and their supporters might chase us, and give us a walloping unless we gave them back “their money”.

As we drove home, we would give ourselves Dutch courage by singing:

“We are we! We are we! No-one can match us! We are we!”

Another song compared us to “the speedy doves of the skies”. We could turn and twist, turning cartwheels in the air. We were dove-birds. We dominated the football field. No-one could catch us.

It was with that mentality that we concluded that Ghana should have been crowned co-world-champions with Germany in 2014. Why? Like this: if the Ghana-versus-Germany match had taken place in our village, the Ghanaian players would have walked off the pitch as soon as Ghana went ahead of Germany by two goals to one. And even if we were kicked out of the competition for doing that, we would have claimed that since we were leading Germany by two goals to one before the match was stopped, we were, morally speaking, the real World Champions.

You see, we know so many ways to stop a match that we think we are going to lose. We learnt most of these ways when we were kids. Someone would whisper to the owner of the football (there was always one spoilt rich brat who owned a proper leather football, while the rest of us made do with old tennis balls or rubber balls riddled with holes that could hardly bounce) to take his ball away.

Why? Because we had “played enough” with it. If we played with it any longer, the rubber bladder inside the leather ball would be damaged. And he was short of the material used to repair punctures.

So the result would have been what prevailed at the time the match was stopped – two-one in favour of Ghana! If we had gone off, then, we would have beaten the Germans, and become, taking the high ground, the World Cup winners! And anyone who didn’t like the idea could go and take a running jump.

I mean – could anyone name any country that was able to go ahead of Germany during the competition – apart from Ghana? Did anyone else draw two-two with Germany?

By dint of sheer logic, Ghana was better than Brazil. Because Brazil lost 1-7 to Germany, while Ghana drew with German!

Cameronduodu.com

 BY CAMERON DUODU

The post How ‘Africa United’ Won The World Cup – For France appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

It has become almost impossible to end a year in Ghana without recording an incident of fire outbreak which results in the deaths of individuals and loss of property worth millions of Ghana cedis.

From Kumasi to Accra, Wa and the rest of the country, there has been a series of reports of deadly fire outbreaks.

Annually, Ghana loses substantial amount of revenues and resources which could be channelled to improving key sectors of the economy such as health and education to fighting avoidable fire cases.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is the institution mandated to officially fight fire in the country, but it seems to be overwhelmed with the number of cases it has to respond to yearly considering its reported under-resourced nature.

The Ghana Burn Association has a membership of persons who have suffered from fire outbreak in one way or the other, some of whom are apparently survivals of the June 3, 2015 twin fire/flood disaster that claimed the lives of nearly 200 individuals at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.

The June 2015 disaster left the whole country devastated and many thought the country would have learned a lesson from the incident to deal with fire issues but it seems this ‘monster’ continues to ravage homes and gas stations nationwide, leading to loss of lives and damages to properties, with government and key stakeholders appearing clueless as to how best to bring the menace under control.

Statistics

Recent reports by the GNFS show that in 2017, Ghana recorded a total of 33 fire related deaths, with about 239 individuals reportedly sustaining varying degrees of injury due to fire outbreak in the year under review.

One of the 33 individuals who lost their lives in 2017 to fire was the late cameraman of Madina-based Net2 Television, Mohammed Ashalley, who died in the process of covering the Atomic Junction gas station fire disaster in October during the year under review.

Mr Ashalley was a member of President Akufo-Addo’s media crew, and his death shocked several Ghanaians, especially his family and colleagues at Net2 TV.

According to GNFS, the deaths in 2017 represented a three percent increase as compared to the 32 people who died in 2016.

On the other hand, properties worth GH¢31.2 million (GH¢31,201,910.23) were lost to fires across the country in 2017, representing 67. 8 percent reduction from GH¢97.1 million worth of properties destroyed in 2016.

In all, there were reportedly 4, 759 cases of fire outbreaks in 2017, which was however lower than the reported 6,981 recorded in 2016, with a reduction of 31.83 percent.

However, in spite of the reduction in the number of fire outbreaks, the number of deaths in 2017 was higher than the deaths recorded in 2016, a major source of concern.

Regional Breakdown

The Greater Accra Region recorded the highest number of fire outbreaks in 2017 with a reported 1,050 cases, with the Ashanti Region occupying the second spot with 770.

Central Region registered 495 cases, Eastern 419, Western 384, Brong Ahafo 358, Northern 285, Upper East 224, Volta 127 and Upper West 126.

With respect to recorded deaths in the regions from fire, Greater Accra had six, Central and Eastern Regions recorded one death each, Western Region had three, with the three regions in the north not recording any deaths.

Causes

Divisional Officer I, Prince Billy Anaglate, is the head of Public Relations at the Ghana National Fire Service and gave some of the causes of fire outbreaks in Ghana as careless usage or handling of naked light like candle, improper handling of hydrocarbons and flammable liquids, overloading of electrical sockets and improper or careless usage of liquefied petroleum (LP) gas, among others.

Unacceptable

“The death toll from the Ghana Fire Service data is very unfortunate. Why lose even a life which could be prevented?  If we should go into the various fire outbreak incidents that led to this, you will feel sorry for yourself just because someone hasn’t played his or her role well,” Godwin Kofi Akuamoah, a fire management consultant and managing director of Right Consults & General Suppliers Limited, a company based at Teshie in Accra which deals in electronic devices and fire management systems, lamented.

“The Ghana Fire Service is still not adequately resourced and just another fire incidents will leave all of us devastated,” Mr Akuamoah stated this in an interview with DAILY GUIDE.

‘Outbreaks Manageable and Preventable’

Mr Anaglate believes the causes of fire outbreaks in Ghana, especially in recent times, are clear indications of gross disregard for basic fire safety rules.

He is of the firm conviction that many of the fire cases could have been prevented or could be prevented if the masses were adhering to fire safety or management measures.

It is believed that quite a number of the fire cases in Ghana are preventable or could be prevented with knowledge about fire management or the adherence thereof.

Far Behind

But Mr Akuamoah is of the opinion that not much is being done by government and other key stakeholders like civil society organisations and the media to sensitise Ghanaians about fire safety and prevention measures at homes and in the offices.

“I strongly believe Ghana is still far behind when it comes to fire management in our homes, offices, markets, industries, etc. What happened to the report from the recent committee that was set up when we had the atomic gas explosion? Yeah, maybe something is being done but we can’t hear anything. Are recommendations being implanted in secret?” he queried.

Mr Akuamoah continued, “Let Ghana experience another major fire incident and you will see another committee being set up to look into it again. The Ghana Fire Service is still not adequately resourced and just another fire incident will leave all of us devastated.”

Way Forward

GNFS believes fire safety is a shared responsibility which must be taken seriously by every stakeholder.

Mr Anaglate suggested that civil society, community-based organisations, opinion leaders and the general must all hold district assemblies and Ghana Water Company (GWC) responsible regarding the provision of firefighting hydrants within communities to aid firefighting operations.

Mr Akuamoah also believes that as part of measures to help address the menace, there is a critical need for “a relook” at government’s policies on fire management, adding that “government should also relook at the L.I 1724 and see what modification that needs to be made.”

He observed emphatically that “I strongly think we need to relook at our policies. Things are changing every day with new building designs and industries springing up. Do our old provisions in the LI 174 cater for the current situations we have at hand? Ghana Fire Service needs to intensify education and supervision as well.”

The fire management consultant called for a fire risk assessment to be conducted for every premises in Ghana, which “will technically and professionally outline the various fire hazards that exist for a comprehensive fire management plan to be implemented from prevention, protection, containment, signages, escape roots, firefighting system, etc.”

Mr Akuamoah called for the intensification of fire safety and management awareness campaigns and education across Ghana.

“For my company, we have made fire education one of our priorities and so from last year we introduced a stakeholder’s conference where we invited our clients and the general public to take them through various fire management systems with new technologies coming up for them to be abreast with time. This, we have planned to do every year from now and intensify it by organising fire education for specific sectors,” he added.

Commenting on whether or not GNFS as an institution is doing well in engaging the masses on fire safety and management, he said, “Ghana Fire Services, I know, has a day for that but I think the involvement of the general public is limited. A good collaboration between them and media houses such as yours will help the sensitisation go far. I believe the media has a role to play. You can cut down on politics small and give some attention to social issues such as this one.”

The late Net2 TV cameraman (right)

A Ghana National Fire Service personnel displaying to some individuals how to safely put off fire

Godwin Kofi Akuamoah

The Atomic Junction gas station explosion

A charred gas tanker from the Atomic Atomic Junction gas station explosion

BY Melvin Tarlue

The post The Rising Death Toll From Fire Outbreaks And The Need For Safety Campaigns appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Becca

Becca has released her latest music video for the song ‘Nana’, featuring Sarkodie.

The music video, which was released yesterday on Zylofon TV, is carefully packaged for both local and international music markets.

Recorded by Mix Master Garzy, the video also features personalities like entertainer and politician Fritz Baffour, singer Paulina Oduro, the legendary Ivorian singer Meiway, among others.

Her latest album which features some of the best artistes on the African continent will be ready by the end of the year.

She also thanked Ghanaians for supporting her music career.

Becca, who has a number of hit songs to her credit, released her first studio album, ‘Sugar’, in 2007 and it earned her five nominations at the 2008 Ghana Music Awards.

The album’s lead song, ‘You Lied to Me’, won the record of the year at the Ghana Music Awards.

She released her second studio album titled ‘Time 4 Me’ in 2013, which featured artistes such as 2Face, M.I, King Ayisoba, Trigmatic, Jay Storm and Akwaboah Jnr.

Becca has won a number of awards like the Kora Award, National Youth Achievers Award, Ghana Music Awards and 4Syte TV Music Video Awards.

In 2013, she headlined the annual ‘Girl Talk’ concert, which started in 2011.

The Afro-pop singer was ranked 94 on E.tv Ghana‘s 2013 list of the 100 most influential people in Ghana.

By George Clifford Owusu

The post Becca Drops New Video ‘Nana’ Ft. Sarkodie appeared first on Daily Guide Africa.

Stonebwoy
Zylofon Music label has denied media reports claiming Livingstone Etse Satekla, known also as Stonebwoy, has left the record label to sign a recording contract with Universal Music Group.

According to the Communications Director of Zylofon Music, Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo, Stonebwoy is still a signee of the Zylofon Music label despite news of him signing a deal with the Universal Music Group a few days ago.

Speaking in an interview with Hitz FM, Asamoah-Baidoo revealed that Stonebwoy’s deal with Universal Music Group is to mainly help with the marketing of his music works worldwide, as well as his brand.

“Stonebwoy is still signed onto Zylofon Music, I mean nothing has changed. We have only signed a deal with the Universal Music Group to promote and market his music and brand on the international music scene. We have given a distribution of Stonebwoy’s product to a bigger label who we think has the capacity and resources to a wider consumer base and international market,” Arnold revealed.

He further said that Stonebwoy signing on to Universal Music Group is a plus for them and the artiste himself as they look forward to a fruitful relationship amongst themselves to promote the artiste’s music to as far as possible.

Also, Stonebwoy who is currently on his ‘Epistles of Mama World Tour’ in Europe, reacted to same reports claiming he has finally parted ways with Zylofon in a tweet, saying, “I am still with Zylofon Music. We have signed a deal with Universal Music Group! Get Ready For Unlimited Speed.”

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