Swedish Couple To Adopt Conjoined Twins

The conjoined twins

The Social Welfare Department has finally settled on a Swedish couple to adopt the conjoined twins born at the Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital a fortnight ago.

This follows a formal agreement signed by the family of the conjoined twins on Wednesday to leave the children in the sole custody of government. 

The mother of the babies, 16, and her family rejected them upon upon birht. The babies who share the same. heart have two stomachs, two hands and legs.

Joy News’ Richard Kojo Nyarko, reporting from the Central region indicated that the Swedish couple will be in Ghana soon to conclude the adoption processes and take full responsibility for the babies.

According to the Central regional head of the Social Welfare, Kate Abban, the family of the twins has surrendered every right they have to the children to government. 

“…Fortunately, we’ve got somebody from Sweden who has shown interest in the children, she will come to Ghana for the necessary documents to be done and then she will send the children outside [Ghana],” Kate added.

The Social Welfare boss stressed that the children now have “nothing to do with [their family] again because they [the family] feel [the kids] will be a burden on them… so government has taken their burden…”

Chinua Achebe To Be Buried Today

Prof Chinua Achebe

Renowned Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, who died in March, is due to be buried in his home town in Anambra state.

Mr Achebe’s body arrived back in Nigeria on Wednesday from the US. The author died in Boston at the age of 82 following a brief illness.

Relatives and officials were at Enugu airport in southern Nigeria as the coffin was lowered from the plane.

Mr Achebe is widely regarded as the founding father of African literature in English.

His 1958 debut novel, Things Fall Apart, which dealt with the impact of colonialism in Africa, has sold more than 10 million copies.

The writer and academic went on to write more than 20 works – some fiercely critical of politicians and what he described as a failure of leadership in Nigeria.

He had been living in the US since 1990 after a car crash left him partially paralysed and in a wheelchair, returning to Nigeria infrequently.

Cultural groups performed outside Enugu airport as the plane carrying Mr Achebe’s body arrived.

The BBC’s Will Ross in Enugu says that although people are mourning, the life of the influential Nigerian writer is also being celebrated.

Mr Achebe’s body is due to be buried near his family’s home in Ogidi, a small town in the hills of Anambra state, later on Thursday.

BBC

One Person Killed In Dodowa Over Land

One person has been shot dead during a shootout involving land surveyors and some unidentified persons in Dodowa.

The clashes erupted as a result of a land dispute land.

In an interview with Citi News one of the injured persons, Kennedy Ashon receiving treatment at the Tema General Hospital explained that they were four surveyors working on the land when they got attacked by unidentified men.

According to him, after surveying the land, they went ahead to set their track pot “when all of a sudden we heard a shot and then we all scattered.”

Three persons were seriously injured in the attack.

Meanwhile, the police have indicated that they are investigating the matter.

According to the Divisional Police Commander for Ashaiman, Chief Superintendant David Eklu they have not made “any arrest but the perpetrators will be brought to book” when they are arrested.

He indicated that they have been “able to maintain police presence there since last night” and they will continue with investigations.

Citifmonline

Surgeons in Poland perform first life-saving face transplant on man, 33, who lost his in an accident with stone-cutting machinery

Life-saving: Doctors performed the surgery on May 15 in a 27-hour operation

Doctors in Poland say they have performed a total face transplant on a 33-year-old man whose face was torn off in an accident with stone-cutting machinery.

Surgeons at the Oncology Center in Gliwice said the 27-hour operation was performed on May 15, just weeks after the accident.

The head of the team of doctors, Adam Maciejewski, said it was the world’s first life-saving face transplant carried out so soon after the damage.

The accident took place on April 23.

Previous transplants have taken months or years to prepare.

A computer-generated image, provided by the hospital, shows the extraordinary damage the man suffered as a result of the industrial accident.

It required surgery to reconstruct his face, jaws, palate and the bottom of his eye sockets.

But incredibly, the emergency procedure appears to have been a success.

A picture of the patient taken yesterday, six days after the surgery, showed him making a thumbs-up gesture from his hospital bed.

Oscar (centre) with his sister and Dr Joan Barrett at a press conference. He can now eat a soft food diet and is learning to speak again

A Spanish farmer had the world’s first full-face transplant in March 2010.

Oscar, whose surname was not revealed to protect his privacy, had blown most of his face off with a gun in the hunting accident. He was left unable to breathe, swallow or talk properly.
Nine earlier surgical attempts to rebuild his face had failed.

He made medical history when he became the first person in the world to undergo a full facial transplant.

The 24-hour operation involved 30 surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and other medical experts at the Vall d’Hebron hospital in Barcelona.
The complicated procedure included plastic surgery and microsurgery to repair blood vessels.

Oscar required speech therapy, physiotherapy and facial therapy to help him recover full movement in his facial muscles.
There have been 11 partial face transplants carried out since Isabelle Dinoire had her face repaired by French surgeons in 2005. Five have been performed in France, two in Spain and two in the U.S, one in Egypt and one in China.

There have also been two full face transplants, Oscar and a man known as Jerome in France. None have been performed in the UK.
Dailymail

Two men ‘shot by armed police after hacking soldier in Help for Heroes T-shirt to death with machetes in busy London street’

Scene: One man died at the scene here in John Wilson Street, south London this afternoon while two were seriously injured

Two people were today believed to have been shot by armed police after hacking a man to death with a machete in front of dozens of eyewitnesses.

Police were called this afternoon to reports of an assault in Woolwich, south London where witnesses claimed a man wearing a Help For Heroes t-shirt was attacked with knives.

The pair were then confronted by armed police and apparently shot by a female officer as they brandished weapons including a revolver.

This afternoon the area’s MP, Nick Raynsford, told BBC Radio 5 Live he believed the victim of the attack was a serving soldier.

The man is believed to have been hacked to death after a car crash. The scene of the attack is just 200 yards from Woolwich Barracks.
Mr Raynsford told the BBC: Mr Raynsford said: ‘The circumstances causing the incident are not yet clear. It’s been suggested it was the product of a road traffic accident, but that’s pure speculation.

‘We think a serving soldier was the victim. We don’t know the circumstances surrounding the incident.
‘We do know a number of weapons have been seized. They include a gun, various knives, and a machete, apparently.

‘The police clearly had to take action in order to try and arrest these individuals.’

The Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is called in whenever firearms officers shoot people, said it is investigating.

The Ministry of Defence said it was urgently looking at the reports that the incident involved a soldier but had no further comment.

Footage from a television news helicopter showed a large collection of weapons lying in the street in Woolwich following the incident.

A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said one man had died at the scene.

He said: ‘Our staff treated two others. Both men were taken to hospital, one of them is in a serious condition, the other is not.’

One witness, identified as James, said he and his partner saw two black men attack the young victim with knives, including a meat cleaver.

‘They were hacking at this poor guy, literally,’ he told LBC. ‘They were hacking at him, chopping him, cutting him.’

Fighting back tears, James said the men treated their victim as a ‘piece of meat’ after he was dead.
‘These two guys were crazed,’ he told the radio station. ‘They were just animals. They dragged him from the pavement and dumped his body in the middle of the road and left his body there.’

The incident occurred near the Royal Artillery Barracks, adjacent to Woolwich Common, the historical home of the Royal Artillery.

The barracks, also known as the Woolwich station, now houses a number of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and independent companies of the Grenadier and Coldstream Guards.

Woolwich Common remains a designated military training area. The shooting events at the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics were held at a temporary venue at the Barracks.

Luke Huseyin, 32, who lives in a block of flats on John Wilson Street, Woolwich, close to where the incident happened said he watched two men murder a man before being shot.
He said: ‘I was at home and heard a big bang. I looked out of the window and saw a car had crashed.

‘It was a blue Vauxhall. Then two black guys got out of the car dragging a white guy across the road towards the wall. One of the guys had a knife that looked about a foot long and a machete and the other bloke had a gun.

‘They started slashing him up with the knife and hitting him in the stomach with the machete. I don’t think it took long before he was dead. There were people passing by who were screaming and running away. I’ve never seen anything like it.
‘I’m still really shaken up. When he was dead, they dragged him out into the road and left him there.

‘It was strange, they didn’t run off, they just stood there as if they were waiting for the police.

‘It must’ve taken about 20 minutes for the police to arrive, I think it must’ve been because they were waiting for armed police.

‘The police officers got out of the car and the two black men ran towards them with the gun.

‘The police shot them. They fell to the ground. Then a helicopter landed. Think it must’ve been an air ambulance.

‘The paramedics got out and I think they were working on the two men to try and keep them alive.

Dailymail

GCB tower

Information reaching Daily Guide indicates that the Ghana Commercial Bank Tower at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra is on fire.

The course of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

More details soon…

Charles Darku (2nd Right) explaining a point to President John Mahama (with hand stretched). Looking on are other dignitaries at the inauguration.

President John Dramani Mahama has launched the newly-constructed system control centre of Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCO), which is said to be the first of its kind in the sub-region worth $16.8 million.

According to him, the launch of the energy facility at the Tema Free Zone is a clear indication of the commitment of his administration to achieve stability in power generation and distribution challenges, as well as attain government’s 2015 target of 5000 megawatts of total generated capacity.

Addressing a gathering at the launch, President Mahama noted that establishment of the facility formed part of measures by government to ensure adequate supply of electricity to promote industrial activities with a view to achieving government’s targets.

The President told the gathering that his administration has over the last few weeks commissioned projects to make the country a giant player and exporter when it comes to energy.

He said the inaugurated system control centre, a World Bank funded project, would replace an outdated centre and ensure effective monitoring and supervisory control of Ghana Power Network and power exchanges between member countries of West African Power Pool (WAPP).

The replacement, he said, is expected to upgrade all Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) in 48 substations across the country and beyond.

It also saw the installation of new Fiber Terminal Equipment to form the GRIDCo communication backbone ring, provision of spurs and the increase and upgrade of Power Line Communication network band.

President Mahama called for the delivery of efficient customer services, which will meet the expectation of consumers and appealed to the Volta River Authority (VRA), Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), GRIDCo and all the energy generation authorities to intensify efforts to export energy.

Prior to the president’s address, GRIDCo Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Charles Darku expressed joy at the inauguration of the system control room and mentioned that the project would offer his outfit total remote coverage and control of the entire National Interconnected Transmission System (NITS) comprising some 66 sub-stations and switchyards, as well as about 5,000 circuit kilometers of transmission lines across the country.

Mr. Darku pointed out that system control centre comes with several enhanced features and functionalities such as an online energy tele-metering system which enables GRIDCo to have access to energy consumption data.

According to him, some operators have been trained to man the centre so as to quickly tackle major faults and take preventive actions.

He told the guests that his outfit would soon complete the construction of a new 150 kilometer 330kV transmission line from Tema to Togo and Benin to link up with an existing 330kV line from there to Ikeja West in Nigeria.

He also announced that construction would start later this year on the Bolgatanga-Ouagadougou 225kV transmission line.

Emmanuel Armah Buah, Minister for Energy and Petroleum, for his part, stressed that the inauguration of the project was an indication of the commitment of government and his ministry to boost the energy sector of the country.

From Razak Mardorgyz Abubakar, Tema

Nana Oye Lithur (first right), Irene Zakpa (third right) and the resource persons at the event

Some years past, the family was an important institution which held the pillars of society together.

Children learnt the values, norms and principles through family members to help shape their behaviour for the good of the society.

However, in recent times, the family has been disintegrating into smaller units with less values and principles leading to social disorder in the country.

It is with this background that the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur, has called on churches to make a conscious effort to teach young parents how to bring up their children.

“We have to periodically gather young parents and teach them on parenting skills; teach them how to communicate with their children, and the language to use for the children to learn and appreciate the values that make us Ghanaians,” she said.

She made this statement when she addressed a gathering at the International Family Day Celebration in Accra.

The celebration organized by Emerald Productions on the theme, “Advancing Social Integration and Inter-generational relationship,” coincided with the UN International Family Day Celebration.

Mrs Lithur said because of the current socio-economic situation the country is experiencing, young parents were losing their parenting skills.

“Young fathers and mothers have to go out and look for money so they do not make a conscious effort to train up their children in the way they should go,” she said.

The sector minister observed that children who were often left to access the internet with no restrictions made them vulnerable to people who might be dangerous to them.

“They can even be chatting with pedophiles and you will not be aware because we do not have time for them,” she said.

She therefore lauded the organizers for the initiative to focus on the family and its influence on society.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Emerald Productions, Irene Zakpa, said the event was to create the forum for family matters to be discussed in order to set the agenda for the family.

She said if parents would commit to the family first and train their children properly, bad behaviours in the society would be reduced.

“We think that the family is the important basis of society and so if families are strong, we will have a stronger society,” she said.

She however called for financial support from other well meaning Ghanaians and organizations to extend the programme to other parts of the country.

Resource persons in family matters were present to interact with participants on family issues.

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

Daasebre Oti Boateng

Omannhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area in the Eastern region, Daasebre Prof (Emeritus) Oti Boateng has petitioned the Chief Justice to transfer the contempt case involving him and Mponuahene of the traditional area, Okogyeman Ankomah Basapon from the Koforidua High Court presided over by Justice Henry Kwofie because he believes he would not have a fair trial at that court.

Daasebre Oti Boateng is standing trial after refusing to comply with the court’s order to forward completed chieftaincy declaration forms to the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs for onward transmission to the National House of Chiefs so that the Mponuahene could be gazzeted as chief of Suhyen after the Supreme Court had ruled that he was the rightful occupant of the Suhyen stool.

The contempt case instituted against him has been running since January, this year and for four times that the case has been called, Daasebre Oti Boateng has not made a single appearance but rather represented by his counsel and one of his sub-chiefs.

At the last adjourned date on May 7, this year, Daasebre Oti Boateng’s continuous refusal to appear before the court for the case to commence infuriated the presiding judge who said his patience had run out after showing so much respect to him as the Omanhene of the traditional area and that the only option left was to issue a bench warrant for his arrest if he refuses to appear on the next adjourned date.

When the case was called on Tuesday, the presiding judge cited the petition by Daasebre Oti Boateng, saying he would have to adjourn the case sine dine until a response is heard from the Chief Justice.

When the judge enquired about the whereabouts of Daasebre Oti Boateng, his counsel, Sarfo Buabeng told the court that Daasebre could not attend court because he was scheduled to appear before the Appeal Court at the same time since his challenge of the court’s ruling on the mandamus was being heard yesterday.

The judge also enquired from Daasebre’s counsel whether he was aware that his client had petitioned the Chief Justice over his trial at the court to which the counsel said he was only told about it a day before yesterday when he met his client.

“It is very surprising that your client petitions the Chief Justice about three weeks ago and you only get to know about it just a day before yesterday,” the judge said.

The judge said he would not make any further comment on the issue.

In Daasebre’s petition, copy of which is available to the DAILY GUIDE, he pleaded with the Chief Justice to transfer the case because of the high-profile nature of the case and the fact that it had generated so much tension in Koforidua, the traditional capital of New Juaben and the seat of the Omanhene, and so it was most likely that mayhem could ensue with its serious repercussions on the peace in the area if the case is allowed to be tried in Koforidua.

Daasebre Oti Boateng said he decided to petition the Chief Justice not only to ensure a fair trial but also to avoid any mayhem and breach of public order which a trial in Koforidua may engender.

He took exception to what he described as an embarrassment the judge has been causing him since he suspected that “arrangements” had been made with the judge to embarrass him publicly.

Daasebre Oti Boateng argued that he had already filed a motion to stay the enforcement of the ruling of the court for which he is being alleged to have disobeyed, culminating in the contempt action by Okogyeman Ankomah Basapon.

However in a response to Daasebre Oti Boateng’s petition filed by Beyuo & Co Chambers on the behalf of Okogyeman Basapon, counsel Naa Nortey asked the Chief Justice to ignore Daasebre’s petition because his reasons for the transfer of the case are untenable.

“Your Ladyship this baseless allegation is intended not only to malign the judge and our client but also has the tendency to undermine the administration of justice,” Naa Odofoley Nortey said.

According to Okogyeman Basapon’s counsel, it is not true that the respondent filed an application to stay the enforcement of the order of mandamus.

“That claim is false. Our client vehemently denies any knowledge of any arrangements to embarrass the respondent,” she said, stressing that it was also not true that the case has generated tension in Koforidua since it has been pending since 2011 and there has been no disturbance arising out of the suit.

“The request by the respondent that the application for contempt should not be determined in Koforidua is without foundation and should not be countenanced,” Okogyeman Basapon’s counsel noted, stressing that if the respondent’s request based on the unsubstantiated allegation is granted, it will be inimical to the due administration of justice.

 By Thomas Fosu Jnr

Ghana Police

The police arrested 30 suspected criminals at Bantama in Kumasi on Tuesday during a swoop.

The suspects, including a female, were arrested by the police at some ‘ghettos’ at Bantama at about 4pm.

ASP Mohammed Yussif Tanko, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, said the police acted upon intelligence.

He said the exercise would be sustained to reduce crime in the area.

Criminal activities have been rampant in the city lately.

Four people, two at Ash Town and one each at Dichemso and Bantama lost their lives after they were shot by some unknown gangsters in the last few days.

These developments have caused fear and panic among residents of Kumasi and the Ashanti region in general as people feel insecure.

ASP Tanko said the unannounced swoop formed part of measures adopted by the police to help curb the upsurge in crime in the city.

Speaking to DAILY GUIDE, ASP Tanko said there would be an identification parade to boost investigations.

He noted that items such as knives and dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were found on the 30 suspects.

The police, he disclosed, have decided to take the battle to the criminals at the various ghettos in the city.

This new strategy, he said, would be implemented continuously to reduce crime to the barest minimum.

ASP Tanko, who did not mince words, stated emphatically that the police would smoke out criminals in the city from their ‘holes.’

The ploy is to make it impossible for criminals to assemble at a particular place and strike innocent people, he said.

 FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi

The conjoined twins

The Social Welfare Department has finally settled on a Swedish couple to adopt the conjoined twins born at the Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital a fortnight ago.

This follows a formal agreement signed by the family of the conjoined twins on Wednesday to leave the children in the sole custody of government. 

The mother of the babies, 16, and her family rejected them upon upon birht. The babies who share the same. heart have two stomachs, two hands and legs.

Joy News’ Richard Kojo Nyarko, reporting from the Central region indicated that the Swedish couple will be in Ghana soon to conclude the adoption processes and take full responsibility for the babies.

According to the Central regional head of the Social Welfare, Kate Abban, the family of the twins has surrendered every right they have to the children to government. 

“…Fortunately, we’ve got somebody from Sweden who has shown interest in the children, she will come to Ghana for the necessary documents to be done and then she will send the children outside [Ghana],” Kate added.

The Social Welfare boss stressed that the children now have “nothing to do with [their family] again because they [the family] feel [the kids] will be a burden on them… so government has taken their burden…”

The American visitors posed with the hospital staff

A-30 member United States of America visiting team has held bilateral talks with the management of the Brong Ahafo Regional Hospital, Sunyani as part of efforts to link the facility to sister international institutions.

The team, led by a US-based Ghanaian, Nana Odeneho Osei Kwabena, a former president of Bono-Ahafo Association of Columbus, Ohio, also sought to facilitate collaboration between the hospital and other US health institutions.

Nana Odeneho Osei Kwabena explained to DAILY GUIDE that the team intended to introduce sister hospital relationship between the Sunyani Regional Hospital and the Ohio State University Medical Centre.

He explained that the team was at the facility to interact with the hospital officials to know the areas they could assist.

A member of the delegation, Professor Jamie A. Greene, principal of Ohio State University, said they were in Ghana to explore on relationship; about how their communities in the US could work with the Sunyani Regional Hospital to improve healthcare at the facility.

Prof Greene mentioned that the team is interested in facilitating the transfer of medical equipment no longer in use to the Regional Hospital.

The Head of Administration of the Brong Ahafo Regional Hospital, Abraham Asare Bediako, during a meeting with the team and the hospital core management members, commended the team for choosing the hospital to link it up with sister institutions in the US.

He expressed the hope that the discussion with the American delegation would bear fruits to improve healthcare delivery at the hospital.

Mr. Asare Bediako said most of the equipment in the hospital needed to be replaced, expressing the hope that the collaboration with the US team would help to address that challenge.

He further mentioned that the hospital needed funds to run the facility since the internally generated funds (IGF) were not enough to manage the facility, making it difficult to attract technical staff and specialists.

 FROM Fred Tettey Alarti-Amoako, Sunyani

Dr Kofi Wampah

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) says it is examining the merger between FirstRand Bank of South Africa and Merchant Bank Ghana to ensure that all stakeholders, including government, which holds trust for the public, are satisfied with the contract before it endorses it.

Dr. Henry Kofi Wampah, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, who was addressing the media yesterday in Accra to climax the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), which started on May 20, 2013, stated that the Central Bank was not against the merger.

“We have said that the Bank of Ghana, in principle, is not opposed to the deal. We have to ensure that all stakeholders including government, which in effect holds trust for the public, are satisfied with the deal.”

Dr. Wampah said issues raised regarding the treatment of the non-performing assets or loans of Merchant Bank have been sent to the parties involved, adding that they are working on a solution to satisfy all stakeholders so those debts will be collected.

“If that is done and we get the green light that the issues have been resolved and that all the parties are okay with the resolution, then we will go ahead and grant them the licence or the permit for them to do the acquisition,” he said.

Dr. Wampah further stated that the Central Bank was also looking at some of the documents regarding the deal but noted that essentially the deal was an issue between the stakeholders and not his outfit.

He said the Central Bank will ensure that all parties are at least satisfied or treated fairly in the deal.

Furthermore, he indicated that his outfit will continue to support Merchant Bank, stressing that the delay will not have any impact on its operations.

“I want to make it clear that the Central Bank will continue to support them to liquidity wise so there should be no worry about that,” he emphasised.

Merchant Bank Ghana lost about GH¢71.8 million in monies loaned to a gang of three companies – Engineers and Planners, which owes GH¢39.5 million, Myroc Food Processing Limited, Tema, which took GH¢17.1 million and Western Steel & Forgings, Tema, which is indebted to the tune of GH¢15.2 million.

The three companies have unfortunately defaulted in the payment of their loans, overexposing Merchant Bank.

The highest amount Merchant Bank was permitted to lend to any particular company or group should have been GH¢15,750,689.00, representing 25 percent of its net worth.

According to sources, Merchant Bank’s inability and reluctance to take drastic measures initially to recoup the monies from Engineers & Planners, a company owned by a brother of the President, has been its bane to date.

It is hoped that the merger, if approved, will help address the problems.

 By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

A new e-store, Ahonya.com will soon be introduced to Ghanaians to offer online shopping services to them.

Online shopping has been a major issue for internet users in Ghana due to a number of reported cases of fraud and the lack of a convenient way to pay.

But with the availability of mobile money and various online payment services, the stage is now set for Ghana’s e-commerce sector to boom.

Ahonya.com offers a wide range of brand new electronics to the Ghanaian market. It has partnered with suppliers all over the world to provide genuine products at reasonable prices.

“We understand that online shopping is new in Ghana and we provide a simple to use interface. We also have a mobile site for the large number of mobile users in Ghana. Everything that can be done on the main website can also be done on the mobile site,” Gerard Yitamkey, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ahonya.com commented, adding that “we are thrilled to offer a unique online shopping experience for the people of Ghana.”

According to him, Ahonya has optimized every step of the process to ensure that it provides an intuitive and fulfilling experience.

“With so many satisfied customers in our tests, we are confident of providing an important service that saves time and reduces costs. We have over 300 different products listed on the site and we are going to have more than 1000 by the end of the month.”

Mr. Yitamkey additionally noted that Ahonya.com offers home and office delivery services through courier services to all parts of Ghana. And it takes two days for most items to be delivered anywhere in Ghana.

Products from suppliers outside Ghana, mainly in the USA, the UK and China take 7 to 10 days.

“We are happy to say despite shipping charges and taxes, our prices are lower than most shops in Ghana, and the most important thing is, we sell only genuine items. All products come with a one year limited warranty and products can be returned in seven days after delivery if there are defects. Also, payment can be made with MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Money and Mpower Payments.

Customers can also pay by depositing cash in Ahonya Limited’s bank account and could get up to 80 percent discounts on shipping through their shop abroad programme.

A business desk report

Dr Kofi Wampah

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has increased the rate at which the Central Bank lends to commercial banks from 15 per cent to 16 per cent.

Several industry players projected that the policy rate would be maintained as inflation had been stable for some time now.

The MPC met the media in Accra yesterday to brief them on its review of Ghana’s economic developments for the first quarter of this year.

The committee, chaired by the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Henry Kofi Wampah, noted that the prime rate was increased because the risks to the inflation outlook were elevated, adding that those outweighed the risks to growth.

Dr. Wampah said on assessment of risks to inflation and growth, the committee took note of the impact of the combined effects of the upward adjustment in petroleum prices and the high twin deficits of 2012, which resulted in aggregate demand pressures.

He also observed that the committee noted risks emanating from lower commodity prices, energy sector challenges, weakened business and consumer confidence, and tightened credit stance on the growth outlook.

The major upside risks to the inflation outlook, he revealed, were heightened inflation and exchange rate expectations and the lingering fiscal pressures.

Others included the challenges in the energy sector, the effect of weakened commodity prices on the external sector and the likelihood of full cost recovery of the energy sector.

Dr. Wampah further said the fiscal outturn for the first quarter also pointed to significant revenue shortfalls although expenditures remained broadly within targets.

On the external front, he said the trade deficit has widened further on the back of a significant deterioration in terms of trade.

“This was on account of low international commodity price which have fed through to lower exports receipts despite imports remaining broadly flat,” he said.

He said that the combination of these factors resulted in heightened exchange rate pressures in the foreign exchange market although at a measured pace relative to 2012.

“Inflation has also gone up for the third consecutive month raising the central path of the forecast by a percentage point,” the Governor stated, adding that in addition to the increase in policy rate the bank has also introduced changes to its monetary operations.

Additionally, he said the rate at which banks borrow from the Central Bank (also known as reserve repo rate) will now be 200 basis points above the policy rate while the repo rate will be 100 basis points below the policy rate.

Furthermore, he said BoG is changing its mode of presence in the interbank market by introducing an ‘informal standing facility’ to operationalize its policy decisions and enhance its transmission mechanism.

Dr. Wampah further observed that the base rate formula will be implemented by all banks with effect from 2^nd July, 2013 to ensure transparency in the pricing credit in the banking system.

He said government initiated a programme to restructure its debt by substituting the high cost short-term debt with longer-term instruments.

“This is expected to reduce the high interest rates payments. It is important to note that government has put in place measures to address the revenue shortfalls and rationalize expenditures including a freeze on new products to help with the fiscal consolidation efforts,” he said.

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

Samuel Sallas-Mensah (Middle) with other executives at the Conference

Samuel Sallas-Mensah, Chief Executive of Public Procurement Authority, has emphasized the need to invest in qualified procurement professionals to eliminate corruption in Africa.

He said countries that are practicing effective procurement systems are on course to eliminate corruption.

He disclosed this at the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supplying (CIPS)’s Pan-African Conference in Accra themed, “the Strategic Role of Professional Procurement in the Development of Africa”.

He  said “the need for procurement professional has become even more imperative for developing economies in Africa where the effects of current global economic situations is evident in the high level of unemployment and increased perceptions of corruption.”

He added that if activities of public procurement are effectively managed by qualified procurement professionals, there would be growth in the economy.

He however noted that Ghana, which is among few countries to begin procurement reforms in Africa, had developed various training modules for procurement practitioner as a career development programme as well as the introduction of curriculum and modules.

He therefore urged procurement professionals to conduct their functions in consonance with the principles of professionalism, accountability and transparency.

“Studies have shown that the successful implementation of strategic procurement in organizations can improve on their annual turn over by 20 percent.

However, recent assertions have indicated that whereas most factories in Africa may be as productive as those in China and India, the prices or products are normally not competitive due to poor management of their value chains and the lack of requisite infrastructure,” Mr Sallas-Mensah said.

He said that qualified personnel can effectively use the state’s resources and adopt new ways that hold the potential to the economies.

Paula Gildert, President of CIPS, speaking at the conference, encouraged procurement professionals to be innovative and transform their businesses with new innovations.

 BY Lady Agyapong

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John Agyekum Kufuor

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor arrived home Tuesday after speaking engagements in Cape Town, South African and Zurich, Switzerland respectively during which he trumped up growing opportunities for investment in Africa that has seen it been courted by all major powers in the world, Frank Agyekum, a Special Aide and Spokesperson has said.

Former President Kufuor told his audience at the forum that “change is happening very fast in Africa.  Africa will turn into a hotbed of global economic activity in two decades from now. I foresee a fast awakening for Africa in the coming decade, with its economies opening up.

“Its people are beginning to demand openness and accountability from their governments. They want to generate wealth and create jobs, particularly for their youth. It’s a very young continent in terms of population and the youth are getting better education.

“Africa wants to engage in partnerships with the people coming in and investing. This is a win-win situation for Africa and for the foreign investors.

“Africa will get rid of its image as a sleepy and distant backwater and turn into a destination for international investments.

“I don’t think Africa will allow the Chinese, the Europeans or the Americans, to come and reduce Africa into new colonial states. It won’t happen,” Former President Kufuor said separately at the two events.

In Cape Town, he spoke on: “The African Opportunity” at a conference organized by Barclays Bank and the ABSA group on the eve of the recent World Economic Forum, which was held there.

The conference, under the general theme: “Beyond Borders” was aimed at gaining insight into stating Africa’s claim in the global economic debate.

In Zurich, President Kufuor shared a podium with former South African President Thabo Mbeki at the 11^th Credit Suisse Salon.

Their topic was: “Tapping the African Potential.”

Former President Kufuor was away for about 10 days.

Lawyer Phillip Addison

Lead counsel for the petitioners, Philip Addison has ended the re-examination of the star witness in the election petition case, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

During the re-examination, Mr Addison was interrupted by a series of objections from lawyers of the respondents.

Prior to the court’s decision to go on a short recess, Philip Addison in his re-examination, called on the witness to identify 11 out of 20 polling stations bothering on duplicated serial numbers which was in his ‘further and better particulars’ he made reference to during the cross-examination.

Lawyer for the third respondents, Tsatsu Tsikata, however objected saying the witness identified the specific polling stations.

President of the panel of judges, William Atuguba also indicated he had a record of the 11 identified polling stations. Addison then refrained from continuing with his question

Mr Tsikata also objected when Philip Addison tried to lead Dr Bawumia to make changes in the categorization of some of the polling stations as a result of quality control and further scrutiny .

Mr Tsikata opposed that the pleading of petitioners has not been amended, adding that their testimony in respect of quality control was specific and that it is not open in re-examination to seek questions set out already. He therefore argued that changes may require him to do another cross-examination.

Mr Addison eventually managed to submit the ‘further and better particulars’ of Dr Bawumia, which preceded the re-examination.

Mr Addison therefore told the court that subject to the deferred ruling, he was done with his re-examination.

Citifmonline

Marietta Brew Appiah-Opong, Attorney General and Alfred Agbesi Woyome

A Chief State Attorney, Mathew Amponsah in the criminal case of Alfred Agbesi Woyome, the alleged National Democratic Congress (NDC) financier, on Monday informed an Accra Fast Track Court Financial Division that their next witness for the trial has travelled.

Mr. Amponsah subsequently asked the court, presided over by Justice John Ajet-Nasam, to adjourn that matter beyond May 29, during which time the witness may have arrived and they would have had conference with the person.

The state attorney informed the court that they have two more witnesses to mount the witness box before they end their case.

The prosecution was expected to continue with the trial but due to the situation, the matter was adjourned to June 3.

Mr. Woyome is standing trial for allegedly receiving a fraudulent GH¢51.28 million judgement debt.

So far the prosecution has called seven witnesses including the former Managing Director of Waterville.

At the last adjourned date, Maria Andrea Orlandi, the former MD, concluded his testimony after he was cross-examined by Osafo Buabeng, counsel for Woyome.

Andrea Orlandi answered questions concerning funding for the construction of stadia for CAN 2008 and the role Mr. Woyome played.

He stated that in November 2009, Waterville’s lawyer Kwame Tetteh wrote a letter to the then Attorney-General Betty Mould-Iddrisu to clarify the position of Waterville in respect of work done in that project.

According to the witness, the letter was in response to a letter dated August 2009 in which the AG asked both Woyome and Waterville to present claims for financial engineering and work done respectively.

Mr. Orlandi added that after the letter, the AG held a meeting in February, 2010 where both Waterville and Woyome presented their claims.

At the end of the meeting, the AG said she had understood the difference of the two claims.

Mr. Orlandi confirmed that he received three letters of support from Bank Austria in respect of the funding for the construction of hospitals, stadia for CAN 2008 and Cobalt 60 plant project.

Mr. Orlandi, who disclosed that the letters were given to him by Woyome, agreed with Mr. Osarfo-Buabeng that he travelled to Austria on two occasions with Woyome.

At Bank Austria, he said he and Woyome had discussion with one Mrs. Rand concerning certain issues about their project.

At that time he stated that he was not aware that funding for the building of the stadia had been secured, and that Woyome told him money had been secured and backed it with documents.

When asked by the counsel whether Mr. Woyome was working with Bank Austria before Vamed assigned rights to Waterville to construct the stadia, Mr. Orlandi replied that he was briefed on that.

 By Mary Anane

Tsatsu Tsikata

A grouping based in Sunyani, the Brong Ahafo regional capital, which claims to be part of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has vowed to hit the streets to demonstrate against Tsatsu Tsikata, counsel for the NDC.

According to the agitated members of the group, Tsatsu Tsikata was performing abysmally for the ruling political party at the Supreme Court in a case in which Nana Akufo-Addo, the 2012 presidential candidate and some New Patriotic Party (NPP) gurus, are challenging the presidential results.

They want the hierarchy of the party to immediately change Tsatsu, if the law permits, for a competent lawyer to defend the NDC in court to help boost the party’s chance of winning the case.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NDC Branch Zongo Caucus, Sunyani, Saed Idin told Nhyira FM that Tsatsu repeated several questions during the cross-examination of Dr. Bawumia.

He said Tsatsu’s awful performance paved the way for NPP members in the area to make mockery of supporters of the ruling party.

Idin was also not happy with alleged comments by Tsatsu in court that over-voting occurred at some polling stations in the Ashanti region, a stronghold of the opposition party of NPP.

Idin said President John Dramani Mahama won the 2012 polls legitimately so Tsatsu should not try to create the impression that some irregularities occurred during the polls.

He charged the leadership of the NDC to appeal to Tsatsu to dispute assertions by the NPP that massive irregularities characterized the polls.

Idin said that Tsatsu’s comments could lead to the Supreme Court to declare NPP as winners in the case, saying “he was making the petitioners’ case of over-voting convincing in court.”

Meanwhile, the National Organizer of the NDC, Yaw Boateng Gyan, flatly disowned Idin and his group, stating that “we don’t have their group’s name in our records.”

He described Idin and his group as NPP members who were bent on creating confusion in the ruling party, stating that “their ploy will fail.”

Mr. Boateng-Gyan tasked the public not to take him and his group seriously, admonishing the media to be circumspect about such personalities.

He stated that Tsatsu was doing a marvelous job which would eventually help the respondents to win the case, rubbishing claims that Tsatsu was in court to repeat questions.

Nana Ato Dadzie, a member of the legal team of the respondents in the case, raised doubts as to whether the group would demonstrate against Tsatsu, adding that even if they hit the streets, they would be doing so in preparation for the respondents’ victory at the Supreme Court.

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi.

Alfred Agbesi Woyome

TWO construction companies involved in the rehabilitation of the Accra and Kumasi stadia for the CAN 2008 tournament have denied knowing Alfred Agbesi Woyome as an official of Waterville Holdings Limited.

The Managing Directors of Consar Limited and Michelletti Company Limited who appeared before the Commission of Enquiry investigating the payment of Judgment Debts yesterday stated categorically that they never had any official dealings with the businessman when it came to issues regarding Waterville.

Mr. Woyome, the self-styled National Democratic Congress (NDC) financier was paid a whopping GH¢51.2million as judgment debt after he alleged that government had abrogated a contract with Waterville, a company he claimed to represent.

He is currently facing two counts of defrauding by false pretences and causing financial loss to the state.

Consar Limited’s Confession

Stefano Ramella Pezza, the Managing Director of Consar, who was the first to appear before the Commission, stated that he only dealt with Andrea Orlandi, MD for Waterville, and Ernesto Taricone, who were representatives of Waterville at that time, stressing that he only met Mr. Woyome causally.

“I met Mr. Woyome casually once or twice but we (Consar) had nothing to do with him because we had no dealings with him,” he emphasized.

Mr. Pezza, who was led in evidence by Dometi Kofi Sorkpor, counsel for the commission, which is presided over by Justice Yaw Apau, explained that his company got to know Waterville because Waterville was supposed to have financed the rehabilitation of the Kumasi Stadium; but because it could not meet its obligations, government had to contract Consar to finish the project.

He indicated that “Waterville could not provide the funds for the project so government had to step in and take over the whole arrangement because the games were approaching and there was pressure to complete the project.

“Government decided to finance it on its own, and we were asked to compensate Waterville to the tune of $2.7 million for whatever it had started to do, so we can take over. We were therefore dealing with the agreement made by government and Waterville, which was to rehabilitate the Kumasi Stadium.”

Mr. Pezza again added that Waterville did not supply them with equipment for the project: “I do confirm that we were not supplied with any equipment from Waterville because we had our own equipment which we used in the construction.”

He promised to furnish the commission with a full documentary report on the issue.

Michelletti’s Accounts

Next to appear before the commission was Jimmy Caspagna, the Managing Director of Michelletti Company Limited, who also told the commission that in respect of Waterville, his company dealt with Mr. Orlandi and it never came to his notice that Mr Woyome had anything to do with Waterville.

“I met Woyome on a few occasions but I never met him in any official or technical capacity while dealing with Waterville.”

Mr. Caspagna, who was the Technical Director during the rehabilitation project of the Accra and the El-Wak stadia, explained that the relationship between Michelletti and Waterville came about because his company was nominated as subcontractors to Waterville in the original contract between Waterville and the government of Ghana.

He stated that “when Waterville’s contract was terminated, a new contract between government and Michelletti was enforced so we took over the project from day one till it was commissioned.”

He stated that Michelletti used its own equipment, adding that his company made certified payments of $950,000 to Waterville as cost for starting the project.

In an interview with DAILY GUIDE, Mr. Sorkpor noted that the Commission, with regard to this case, wanted to establish whether Mr Woyome had anything to do with Waterville Holdings Limited.

“Woyome had mentioned certain things in respect to Waterville, and all that we wanted to know was whether Woyome had anything to do with Waterville, and they (MDs) made it very clear to us that there was no connection. So when we come to the main Woyome matter, we will deal with such issues,” he emphasized.

Also appearing before the Commission were Bruce Banoeng-Yakubo, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in relation to a case involving his Ministry; Nana Owusu Akyaw Prempeh II, Worakesehene; the Attorney General; representatives of Lands Valuation Board and the State Housing Company (SHC) Limited.

In the said case, Nana Prempeh was awarded a judgment debt of GH¢27 million, which matter was adjudicated upon by the Kumasi High Court on August 26, 2008.

Nana Prempeh told the Commission on Monday May 20, 2013, that in 1943 his stool gave a land for free to the then government for the construction of a hospital in the Ashanti Region.

However, the hospital was relocated to a different site, and the project was abandoned.

But the state did not return the land to its owners, which they later found out had been handed over to the SHC and part to the Ghana Police Service for the construction of a barracks for its personnel.

Nana Prempeh narrated that they then protested till the Minister for Lands and Forestry in the President Kufuor era directed the Land Valuation Board (LVB) to pay the necessary compensation; but the board was delaying, so they decided to proceed to court to seek redress.

“Fortunately, we won the case against the state and I was invited for settlement by the Attorney General’s Department with the earlier stated amount,” Nana Prempeh emphasized.

But the Chief Director of the Ministry said they were not aware of the payment of the said amount even though they heard a judgment debt was paid to the chief.

“Even though the Ministry was aware the case went to court, and a judgment debt awarded, as far as our records were concerned, we did not know the exact amount.”

Sitting continues today.

 By Esther Awuah

Kwadwo Asamoah

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) will, in collaboration with communication giants MTN-Ghana, organize the 38th edition of the SWAG Awards on Saturday June 29 at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra.

The event is expected to confer honours on 20 sports men and women drawn from 15 sporting disciplines and five institutions for their contribution to the development of sports in the country.

Winners will receive trophies, medals, certificates, products from corporate sponsors among other attractive prizes on the night as prizes for their efforts.

A statement from the secretariat of the Association said this year’s event will as usual attract a number of international sports personalities and other high profile individuals in the country.

It added that the public will also have the opportunity to participate in the selection of winners for the Sports Personality of the Year and Footballer of the Year awards, through text messages and online voting.

The event will see Kwadwo Asamoah, Emmanuel Clottey and Dede Ayew vying for the Footballer of the Year award, with Patricia Okyere going for the Female Footballer of the Year, whilst Massud Didi Dramani will be decorated with the Coach of the Year award.

Moses Odjeir of premier league side Tema Youth will go home with the Promising Star of the Year award, as John Ampomah and Janet Amponsah will go home with male and female athletes of the year awards respectively, with Derek Abrefa and Cynthia Kwabi as Male and Female Table Tennis Players of the year.

In other categories, the Golfer of the Year awards will go to Emos Korblah (Male) and Beatrice Vetch-Bempong (Female), with Elikem Akaba (Male) and Juanita Korwu (Female) as Hockey Players of the Year, whilst Janet Ampomah will be awarded as the Weightlifter of the year, with swimming prodigy Abeiku Johnson as the Discovery of the Year.

Berekum Chelsea, 2012 Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) campaigners, will be the Club of the Year, with the Black Maidens as the National Team of the Year.

Owner and bankroller of Berekum Chelsea, Ghana’s Para-cyclist Alem Mumuni, Tesano Dolphins and late President John E. Mills, late vice president Alhaji Aliu Mahama will be part of the award winners in the Special Meritorious awards category.

Welbeck Yaw Abra-Appiah

Premier League Board (PLB) chief Welbeck Yaw Abra-Appiah has apologized for the temporary break of the Glo Premier League.

The three-nation AU sanctioned tourney scheduled for Liberia from May 24 to 26 forced the PLB to push the Week 27 games forward.

However, the Liberian FA wrote to their Ghanaian counterparts at the eleventh hour to cancel the competition involving Liberia, Guinea and Ghana.

Consequently, the PLB has directed that the Week 27 games be played next Wednesday May 29 at all centres.

“We are very sorry, this is not our doing. The tourney is an AU sanctioned tournament which informed our calendar for the year. Nobody should subject the board to insults, it was not our fault,” the PLB boss said on Happy FM.

The local components of the Black Stars were due to fly out of the country last Tuesday for the competition but their host cancelled the tournament due to reasons beyond their control.

It has however emerged that the competition has been rescheduled to June 28 to 30 at the same venue.

By Kofi Owusu Aduonum

Adam Larsey Kwarasey

Ghana goalkeeper Adam Larsen Kwarasey has been ruled out of next month’s double-header 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, according to reports.

The Ghana News Agency (GNA) reported that the Stromsgodset goalkeeper is set to undergo surgery on a recurring injury next week.

Hence, the 25-year-old will miss the trips to Sudan and Lesotho where Ghana need wins to keep snapping at the heels of Group D leaders Zambia.

But Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah, who is yet to release his squad for the assignments, has not commented on Kwarasey’s unavailability.

The Norway-born gloves man lost his position as Ghana’s first choice in the build-up to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

His application for a nationality switch was ratified by FIFA in 2011 and made his debut in a 2012 Nations Cup qualifier against Swaziland at home on 2 September.

Kwarasey has since gone on to make 18 appearances for the Black Stars.

Asamoah Gyan

As the semi-final stage of the nation’s favourite TV game show, the Guinness Football Challenge draws near, celebrity fans including the Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan and president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Kwesi Nyantakyi, are sending their messages of support to the Ghanaian contestants as the latter ‘play for their country’ in this year’s Pan-African edition.

This season’s football loving pairs have gone head-to-head with their fellow countrymen to show they are the best from Ghana, and now will be flying the flag of their country as they battle it out against competitors from Cameroun, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in the Pan African competition.

Asamoah Gyan, Black Stars captain, gave the teams his support saying, “It’s great to see Ghanaians showing their love for the national game.  The nation, and of course, Guinness, all got behind us and showed their support earlier in the year at AFCON, and now it’s our turn to cheer the Guinness Football Challenge contestants on – we wish them the best of luck in the competition, do it for Ghana!”

Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi sent the following message: “The Guinness Football Challenge really demonstrates the Ghanaian spirit of doing what it takes to realise your dreams.  The teams have shown that they are the best talent in Ghana when it comes to football game shows and I am confident that they are certainly going to do our country proud. I encourage them to go on and show the rest of Africa how much Ghana loves football!”

And of course, Guinness Football Challenge presenters, Nathaniel Attoh and Naa Adjeley Doku, will be backing them all the way.

Nathaniel Attoh says: “Go guys and let the pride, red, gold and green flag bring out the greatness in you in these final stages. Ghana is a great football nation and I know you will demonstrate that. You can make it!”

Co-host Naa also sent the teams her best wishes: “Season 3 of the Guinness Football Challenge is thrilling and exciting. Congratulations to all the guys who won the preliminary rounds and all the best in the Pan African round. It won’t be easy but I know they can make it big. Ghana all the way.”

You can show them that you are backing them all the way by sending your message of support to the teams at www.facebook.com/Guinness.Gh or on Guinness’s mobile social community for football lovers, Guinness VIP. Sign up for free at m.guinnessvip.com.

The Guinness Football Challenge will be shown on Viasat 1 at 9pm every Thursday; Metro TV and TV Africa at 6pm on Saturdays and Multi TV at 7 pm on Sundays.

Issah Yakubu

KUMASI ASANTE Kotoko midfielder Issah Yakubu is in Belgium for a 13-day trials.

The Porcupine Warriors’ midfielder reportedly left the shores of the country recently for Belgium.

Sources that divulged the information to the paper could not state the club which invited him for the trials, but stated that Yakubu would be given a fresh deal if he impresses.

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi

Life-saving: Doctors performed the surgery on May 15 in a 27-hour operation

Doctors in Poland say they have performed a total face transplant on a 33-year-old man whose face was torn off in an accident with stone-cutting machinery.

Surgeons at the Oncology Center in Gliwice said the 27-hour operation was performed on May 15, just weeks after the accident.

The head of the team of doctors, Adam Maciejewski, said it was the world’s first life-saving face transplant carried out so soon after the damage.

The accident took place on April 23.

Previous transplants have taken months or years to prepare.

A computer-generated image, provided by the hospital, shows the extraordinary damage the man suffered as a result of the industrial accident.

It required surgery to reconstruct his face, jaws, palate and the bottom of his eye sockets.

But incredibly, the emergency procedure appears to have been a success.

A picture of the patient taken yesterday, six days after the surgery, showed him making a thumbs-up gesture from his hospital bed.

Oscar (centre) with his sister and Dr Joan Barrett at a press conference. He can now eat a soft food diet and is learning to speak again

A Spanish farmer had the world’s first full-face transplant in March 2010.

Oscar, whose surname was not revealed to protect his privacy, had blown most of his face off with a gun in the hunting accident. He was left unable to breathe, swallow or talk properly.
Nine earlier surgical attempts to rebuild his face had failed.

He made medical history when he became the first person in the world to undergo a full facial transplant.

The 24-hour operation involved 30 surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and other medical experts at the Vall d’Hebron hospital in Barcelona.
The complicated procedure included plastic surgery and microsurgery to repair blood vessels.

Oscar required speech therapy, physiotherapy and facial therapy to help him recover full movement in his facial muscles.
There have been 11 partial face transplants carried out since Isabelle Dinoire had her face repaired by French surgeons in 2005. Five have been performed in France, two in Spain and two in the U.S, one in Egypt and one in China.

There have also been two full face transplants, Oscar and a man known as Jerome in France. None have been performed in the UK.
Dailymail

Scene: One man died at the scene here in John Wilson Street, south London this afternoon while two were seriously injured

Two people were today believed to have been shot by armed police after hacking a man to death with a machete in front of dozens of eyewitnesses.

Police were called this afternoon to reports of an assault in Woolwich, south London where witnesses claimed a man wearing a Help For Heroes t-shirt was attacked with knives.

The pair were then confronted by armed police and apparently shot by a female officer as they brandished weapons including a revolver.

This afternoon the area’s MP, Nick Raynsford, told BBC Radio 5 Live he believed the victim of the attack was a serving soldier.

The man is believed to have been hacked to death after a car crash. The scene of the attack is just 200 yards from Woolwich Barracks.
Mr Raynsford told the BBC: Mr Raynsford said: ‘The circumstances causing the incident are not yet clear. It’s been suggested it was the product of a road traffic accident, but that’s pure speculation.

‘We think a serving soldier was the victim. We don’t know the circumstances surrounding the incident.
‘We do know a number of weapons have been seized. They include a gun, various knives, and a machete, apparently.

‘The police clearly had to take action in order to try and arrest these individuals.’

The Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is called in whenever firearms officers shoot people, said it is investigating.

The Ministry of Defence said it was urgently looking at the reports that the incident involved a soldier but had no further comment.

Footage from a television news helicopter showed a large collection of weapons lying in the street in Woolwich following the incident.

A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said one man had died at the scene.

He said: ‘Our staff treated two others. Both men were taken to hospital, one of them is in a serious condition, the other is not.’

One witness, identified as James, said he and his partner saw two black men attack the young victim with knives, including a meat cleaver.

‘They were hacking at this poor guy, literally,’ he told LBC. ‘They were hacking at him, chopping him, cutting him.’

Fighting back tears, James said the men treated their victim as a ‘piece of meat’ after he was dead.
‘These two guys were crazed,’ he told the radio station. ‘They were just animals. They dragged him from the pavement and dumped his body in the middle of the road and left his body there.’

The incident occurred near the Royal Artillery Barracks, adjacent to Woolwich Common, the historical home of the Royal Artillery.

The barracks, also known as the Woolwich station, now houses a number of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and independent companies of the Grenadier and Coldstream Guards.

Woolwich Common remains a designated military training area. The shooting events at the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics were held at a temporary venue at the Barracks.

Luke Huseyin, 32, who lives in a block of flats on John Wilson Street, Woolwich, close to where the incident happened said he watched two men murder a man before being shot.
He said: ‘I was at home and heard a big bang. I looked out of the window and saw a car had crashed.

‘It was a blue Vauxhall. Then two black guys got out of the car dragging a white guy across the road towards the wall. One of the guys had a knife that looked about a foot long and a machete and the other bloke had a gun.

‘They started slashing him up with the knife and hitting him in the stomach with the machete. I don’t think it took long before he was dead. There were people passing by who were screaming and running away. I’ve never seen anything like it.
‘I’m still really shaken up. When he was dead, they dragged him out into the road and left him there.

‘It was strange, they didn’t run off, they just stood there as if they were waiting for the police.

‘It must’ve taken about 20 minutes for the police to arrive, I think it must’ve been because they were waiting for armed police.

‘The police officers got out of the car and the two black men ran towards them with the gun.

‘The police shot them. They fell to the ground. Then a helicopter landed. Think it must’ve been an air ambulance.

‘The paramedics got out and I think they were working on the two men to try and keep them alive.

Dailymail

Newly-weds: The couple are pictured cutting their wedding cake at the venue

A heavily pregnant bride vowed to stand by her new husband today – even though he was jailed for trashing and looting their wedding venue.

Bridie Sparks, 24, had just wed Christopher Richards, 25, when he and three friends went back to the club where they held the reception to plunder it of thousands of pounds worth of alcohol and computers.

The group also caused more than £20,000 of damage to property in the building by smashing doors and ripping cabinets off walls.

The raid occurred after kind-hearted accountant Catherine Murphy, who runs the Bacup Hub club in Bacup, Lancashire, laid on a half price champagne buffet for the couple and their 90 guests because they complained of being broke and she felt sorry for them.

Richards an unemployed former labourer later handed himself into police after CCTV captured him inside the building and the pictures were published in a local newspaper.

Miss Murphy, 34, who had bought the venue for £175,000 and who at the time was also pregnant was said to so ‘emotionally tortured’ by Richard’s betrayal she tried to kill herself.

At Burnley Crown Court, Richards of Bacup, admitted burglary and was jailed for six months after what a judge described as ‘a dreadful offence.’

But today Miss Sparks, who already has two children with Richards and will now give birth to their third whilst he is in jail, said she would stick with her husband.

She said : ‘I’m standing by my man because I love him and nobody is perfect. I know my husband isn’t an angel and it hurts that he went back to the same place we got married.

‘But Christopher has admitted he’s done something wrong and is serving his time, he’s truly sorry. He has been crying on the phone from jail.

‘I’m now 35 weeks pregnant and I won’t even have my husband by my side for the pregnancy. It’s affected me badly, with lots of people staring at me in the street, thinking I had something to do with it.

‘It has been very distressing for me, even though I had nothing at all to do with it.’

She added: ‘My wedding memories are tarnished now because of what he did. I can’t even look at our wedding photos now. I was going to watch our wedding DVD the other night, but I stopped myself as it just reminds me of the bad situation we’re in now.

‘When I saw the CCTV stills of my husband I just felt sick, he looked like a criminal. I was disgusted as any wife would be. On the night of the incident he came back drunk and I knew instantly he had done something wrong.

‘I told him he was going to ruin the future for us and he crumbled because he knew I was right – all because of one drunken night. It was an act of stupidity; I wish he had thought of me and the kids.’

The court heard how Richards and his bride had held their reception at the venue in July last year – just six months before last January’s raid.

Miss Murphy only charged the couple £1,060 for the whole day – including venue, champagne, chocolate fountain and bouncy castle – paying the rest of the £2,400 total herself.

But Richards, his usher George Taylor, 24, and two other intruders returned to the club repeatedly throughout the night of January 2 and 3 between about 10pm and about 7am smashing doors and ripping cabinets off walls.

Richards and his usher helped snatch 62 bottles of spirits worth £1,130 from the bar and grabbed 159 bottles of spirits and cans of soft drinks worth £2,672 from the storeroom during their callous dead of night raid.

More than 80 bottles of wine valued at £1,714 and 2,602 bottles or cans of beer and alcopops worth £2,089 were also lifted from the main bar fridge.

Items including computers and laptops and DVDs and valued at £14,970 went missing and it cost £24,214 to replace damaged property such as CCTVs, mirrors, tiles, cupboards and glasses. The total cost of the raid in theft and damage was £46,790.

Dailymail

Megan Futrell, pictured, and her five-month-old baby were among those killed at a 7-Eleven store in Moore, Oklahoma, which was destroyed in Monday’s tornado

Relatives of a young mother killed along with her five-month-old child in the 7-Eleven razed by the Oklahoma tornado have told of her desperate final moments.

MailOnline has learned that mother-of-two Megan Futrell was desperately trying to reach her older child when the storm overtook her and she was forced to seek shelter in a futile bid to save herself and her baby.

She hid with her baby in the freezer at the convenience store. And it was there, huddled together, that their bodies were found.

According to tributes online the young mother-of-two had spoken to her husband on the phone moments before the tornado hit.

A cousin said she was a ’beautiful woman, teacher, mother, wife’.

Speaking to MailOnline, Pastor DA Bennett, of St Andrews who has been contacted by the family and asked to make funeral arrangements said: ‘This woman had two children, a six-year-old and a five month child.

‘She was a school teacher and had to be home with her baby. She went to get her baby and found that she couldn’t outrun the storm.’

He added: ‘I hope that when people think of her they don’t think that she was reckless or some kind of thrill seeker.

‘She was a mother who loved her baby and wanted to do what she could to protect that child.’

The victim was born in Oklahoma City, confirmed in St Andrews Church and married there too.

Her husband Cody is a shop foreman at UEM, Oklahoma City.

As a member of his parish, Pastor Bennette said, ‘I will do what I can now for her and her child and her family.’

The tragedy is the latest to emerge in the wake of the storm that tore through this swathe of the mid-West and claimed the life of 24, nine of them children.

A further 237 were injured and hope of finding victims alive was beginning to wane.

Officials started to search flattened homes and piles of rubble with cadaver dogs.

No survivors were found on Tuesday and officials said they hope to complete three searches of every site of devastation before nightfall.

The weather service confirmed that the powerful storm was for times an EF5 – the maximum on the scale.

Seven children were found drowned at Plaza Towers Elementary School, which was a direct hit during the 45 minutes of terror.

Nine-year-old Janae Hornsby, whose father said ‘always has a smile on her face’, is one of the victims while family members have shared pictures of other missing children, including Sydney Angle, feared dead.

Frightened third graders were being pulled from the wreckage alive on Monday afternoon as rescue workers passed the children down a human chain before taking them to a triage center set up in the school’s parking lot.

Staff said there had been at least 75 people in the school of around 500 students when the tornado hit. The 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students were taken from the school to a church before the twister barreled through.

Students who were inside the building described clinging to the walls of the hallway where many of them huddled during the storm as the twister battered the school. Others cowered in closets or bathrooms to protect themselves

Briarwood was the other elementary school flattened in the tornado but all the students miraculously escaped alive.

Tales of heroic teachers throwing themselves over children to save them were reported in both.

At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, an official confirmed that the two schools did not have safe rooms, as they had not applied for them.

He added that the jurisdiction decides where to allocate funds for safe rooms based on past events.

President Barack Obama declared a major disaster area in Oklahoma, ordering federal aid to supplement state and local efforts in Moore. Speaking from the White House on Tuesday morning, he said that FEMA staff were on the ground to provide support to residents.

He offered his condolences to the community following ‘one of the most destructive storms in history’ and promised whatever resources they may require in the coming days and weeks.

House Speaker John Boehner said on Tuesday that at the request of Rep. Tom Cole, from Moore, he has ordered flags on Capitol Hill to be lowered to half-staff.

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin expressed her grief on behalf of her state for the parents of the missing children.

‘Our hearts are broken for the parents that are wondering about the state of their children that had been in the schools that have been hit today,’ Fallin said. ‘I know that there are families wondering where their loved ones are.’

At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, officials said they are aiming to complete three searches of all homes by dark.

Rescue teams, including 80 members of the National Guard and search dogs, had reported hearing cries for help from beneath the rubble of the flattened school but the screams reportedly stopped at around 6:30 p.m. local time.

One teacher told Good Morning America that her students had to stay with her for hours until their parents could reach them. Because of the damage to the roads, ‘parents walked for miles just to get to their children,’ she said. ‘They were out of breath and crying but just so happy to see them.’

Many parents have been forced to endure an agonizing wait at St. Andrews United Methodist Church, where they wait for news of their loved ones.

Frantic parents rushed to Plaza Towers Elementary moments after it was pummeled but were kept back so search teams could hear any survivors calling for help through the rubble.

The seven children confirmed dead are believed to have been trapped underneath rubble when they were overcome by water from burst pipes.

The families were later taken to a nearby church where they continued the harrowing wait for news.

On Tuesday morning the death toll was revised down to 24 – from the prior figure of 51, which may have included some double-reported casualties.

Crews used jackhammers and sledgehammers to tear away concrete, and chunks were being thrown to the side as the workers dug.

National Guard choppers were being used across Moore overnight to detect body heat of survivors trapped under collapsed buildings and other rubble so they could direct rescuers.

Dailymail

A Dutch TV host stunned viewers by sucking milk from a mother’s breasts on his primetime Saturday night show.

Comedian Paul De Leeuw pounced on the topless mum during the latest episode of his chat show Langs De Leeuw, which was dedicated to breastfeeding.

Du Leeuw’s guests were a group of women who donate spare milk to mums who struggle to produce it.

One volunteer called Wendy invited the star to taste the contents of a bottle she had expressed during the show.

When the openly gay presenter joked he’d prefer to drink it from the source – she unhooked her boobs from a breast-pump and told him: “Well, if you don’t bite you may try it.”

The studio audience then watched dumbfounded as Du Leeuw took her up on the offer and sucked milk from both her breasts.

After swallowing down his sample, he joked: “I find the second one better tasting, but I can taste that you’ve eaten asparagus yesterday.”

The stunt has provoked outrage in the Netherlands from critics who branded it disgusting.

Viewers have also taken to Twitter to attack De Leeuw and the group for allowing the stunt to be aired.

But Wendy has defended her actions on the social media site, insisting they were “for a good cause”.

Thesun

EL

E.L, the versatile singer, songwriter, and producer, will on Saturday June 1, stage a live musical concert at the Alliance Française in Accra.

E.L, who has promised to perform his favourite hit songs to satisfy patrons who will attend the show, is expected to surprise the audience with a blend of different varieties of music inspired from various sources.

The event, which is expected to attract a large number of music fans, as well as stakeholders in the music industry, will kick off at 8:00pm.

This would be his first public performance after his ‘Something Else’ won the overall best ‘Album of the Year’ over the weekend at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs).

His stagecraft and creative performance on stage during the Vodafone Ghana music Awards held last Saturday earned him the credential as one of the most thrilling hip-life artistes in the country.

E.L is noted for his unparalleled and irresistible stage presence that gets his audience asking for more anytime he performs.

E.L says he is ready to unleash an extraordinary performance on the night; one that his fans have never witnessed before.

E.L. is an enterprising young music icon who has appeared on many musical concerts held in the country and performed with music stars like Sarkodie, J. Martins, 9ice, Fabulous and Rick Ross.

A natural performer with good stagecraft, any time he grabs the microphone on stage, music fans see him as a real music icon whose presence will boost the image of Ghanaian music on the international scene.

Unarguably, one of the biggest producers cum rappers, he has lent his blend of hip-hop/afro beat sounds and voice to major hits for the likes of  Sarkodie’s ‘You Go Kill Me’, ‘Dangerous’, D-Black’s ‘Get on the Dance Floor’, Reggie Rockstone’s ‘Rockstone’s Office’, Asem’s ‘Check Your Weight’ and many more.

This event is powered by The 12 with support from BBNZ, Heel the World, Bob Pixel Photography, George Britton and Edge 53, BuzzGH, HypeNation, Lynx TV and YFM.

By George Clifford Owusu

Don Jazzy

Some selected award winning musicians from Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa have been invited to perform at the launch of Big Brother Africa show on Sunday May 26.

The big night will also see 28 new housemates being revealed to audiences in over 50 African countries for season 8 of Big Brother Africa, The Chase.

Multi award-winning record producer, singer, songwriter and musician Don Jazzy, D’ Prince and Wande Coal will be on stage for their collaborative performance.

Audiences can look forward to sassy and upbeat tunes from Kenya’s very own award winner STL, who promises to deliver an unforgettable and lasting performance with her distinct pop, soul and rap sound.

One of South Africa’s leading Afro Pop music groups, Mafikizolo will also serenade audiences with their soulful and rhythmic tunes on the big launch night.

The continent can expect a sensational performance that will ignite the Big Brother live show stage.

The line-up will also include a slot for some comic relief from Kenyan stand-up comedian Daniel Ndambuki, popularly known as Churchill.

The highly talented entertainer has also become a household name with his TV show called ‘Churchill Live’.

The Award Winning Leading Change through the Art of Narrative Management Programme is expected to rock the La Palm Hotel, Accra on June 10, 2013, and Golden Tulip Hotel, Kumasi on June 12, 2013, respectively.

The main objective of the Art of Narrative Management Programme is to use story telling as an enabler to the transformation of organisations and enhance performance and productivity.

The Art of Narrative Management Programme is a joint collaboration between Quality Life Company of South Africa, MacTay Consulting of Nigeria and Learning Organisation.

A statement jointly signed by Dunne Edelstein CEO of Quality Life Company of South Africa, Tayo Rotimi CEO of MacTay Consulting of Nigeria and Isaac Sackey CEO of Learning Organisation, stated that the programme will equip participants with powerful intervention and individual processing tools that will positively transform their organisations.

The training programme will be facilitated by the renowned story teller, writer and professor of English Literature Professor Dorian Haarhoff. He has a range of publications to his name and brings with him a deep belief in a passion for and a keen understanding of the power of stories in professional and personal life. Through his skills, experience and insights, Dorian uses story telling as a catalyst for the transformation of organisations and enhancement of performance and productivity.

The Art of Narrative Management Training is designed for Chief Executives, Chief Directors, Directors, Managing Directors, General Managers, Functional Heads, Managers, Decision-Makers and Strategic Planners.

VIP

Award winning music group VIP has released its much anticipated video for its ‘Follow Me’ hit song from the group’s ‘7/11’ album.

The video was released three days ago ahead of Vodafone Ghana Music Award (VGMA), the major event on the music calendar.

The ‘Follow Me’ song was produced by EL while the video was shot and edited by Phamous People. Its first day release on Wednesday on youtube had over 1000 views and keeps rising by the day.

The group was nominated for Artiste of the Year, Hip Life Song of the Year, Best Group of the Year, Hip life /Hip Hop Artiste of the Year and Best Music Video of the Year categories.

Over the past 10 years, VIP has sold over five million records, making the group one of the best selling recording artistes in Africa.

The group is made up of Zeal (Abdul Hamid Ibrahim), Promzy (Emmanuel Promzy Ababio) and Prodigal (Joseph Nana Ofori). They are described as charismatic trio who have revolutionized the African music industry by creating award-winning compositions that blend High Life, Hip Hop and traditional African music.

VIP’s dedication to artistic innovation has resulted in record-breaking recognition with a list of esteemed accolades including countless international awards, multiple city tours and performances.

By Francis Addo

Kwaisey Pee and friends

All is set for high-life singer Kwaisey Pee and his musician friends to rock the capital with melodious authentic high-life tunes in an event dubbed:

“Celebrating AU Day with Kwaisey Pee and Friends”, come May 25, 2013 to celebrate the African Unity day which also happens to be a holiday across the continent.

Musicians billed to perform on the night alongside Kwaisey Pee include Burger high-life legend George Darko, ever green Pat Thomas, sexy don dada Samini, smooth singer Irene Logon, Kofi Bee, Nana Kontihene and Kesse and all the artistes will perform with a live band.

There will also be a side attraction in form of a fashion show by B’venag Clothing to entertainment crowd and give the event a runway touch.

The night of great African tunes made in Ghana is scheduled for Saturday May 25, 2013 at the plush Golden Tulip Hotel in Accra.
Tickets for the event which are already out is selling at GH¢50 for regular and GH¢80 for VIP. Tickets are available presently at Koala, Osu, Silverbird Cinema, Baatsona Total and Airport Shell.

Dress code is a touch of African. Come let’s dance to Ghanaian authentic high-life music, whiles we join hands to celebrate Africa through quality entertainment.

The event is sponsored by Vitamilk, Media pharmacy, Mr Delivery Man, B’venag Clothing and Accessories and Golden Tulip Hotel, Accra and powered by Planet One Multimedia.

L/Cpl Obeng `Darko Stylish , Lance Corporal Dasmani Faisal, Isaac Larbi and Christopher Quainoo in police custody.

Sgt Frederick Afari of the Recce Regiment and his colleagues of the Engineer Regiment L/Cpls Obeng Darko and Dasmani Faisal are some of the bad nuts in the Ghana Armed Forces.

They should be de-enlisted because they do not meet the disciplinary standards of a soldier. Why a senior non-commissioned officer would slap a police woman two times and threaten a third is something beyond our ken.

The negative headlines the slapping sergeant and soldier armed robbers attracted in the media are certainly not in the interest of the military. All of them regardless of their offences have dragged the enviable image of the Armed Forces into disrepute.

The consolation however is that they constitute only a small segment of the military institution. This is the reason why such elements should therefore be cashiered after the necessary probes have been conducted.

While the senior non-commissioned officer from Recce misbehaved in the street in uniform, the others have been robbing people of their monies; conducts incompatible with their status as soldiers of the Ghana Armed Forces.

Being a human institution and a microcosm of society, such isolated instances are bound to be recorded occasionally, which we do acknowledge.

However, what matters is how these anomalies are tackled. Let us know the actions taken against such miscreants, otherwise, it would be taken that they are being shielded.

Military training by its nature is intended to instil discipline in the soldier. The drill square, weapon training shed, the bush exercises which the recruit or cadet goes through, are all geared towards ensuring discipline. When however a soldier is arrested for conducting himself in a manner inconsistent with military tradition, the appropriate action must be taken against him and where necessary, the public notified through the media.

A few weeks ago, the military high command had cause to deal with the issue of two photographers suffering the high-handedness of some military policemen during the last independence anniversary parade in Accra.

This anomaly, happening again in another form, calls for a similar attention and another look at the background check preceding the enlistment of soldiers. This is not the first time that soldiers have assaulted police personnel. It happened a few years ago in Tamale and the then CDS had to intervene. We would have thought that such an anomaly would never be repeated but here we are again.

We have seen the correspondence of regret from the Armed Forces about the misconduct and wish to state that it is in order the Sergeant be released to face the full rigours of the civil law which supersedes military law.

As for the soldier armed robbers theirs is a fait accompli. Let them be processed for court immediately as they say adieu to the military.

TB Joshua

Religion was rightly described by Karl Marx as the opium of the people; an observation which continues to find credence in various historical developments in the local context.

Many so-called men of God in the various faiths have exploited the foregone to their economic advantage; they don the most expensive fabric and jewelry even as their congregations live in abject penury promising to have the key to paradise and ascribing all earthly challenges to demons whose antidote they possess.

The sense of fear and seeming invincibility that they exude prepares the grounds for further exploitation of their flock.

The self-exalted, often flamboyant and loud personalities who straddle their congregation as super humans, are held in extraordinary awe.

With no form of regulation of their spiritual occupations by the state, they have a free range to operate in the face of a willing mass of gullible people requiring immediate deliverance from their multitude of earthly predicaments.

That is the true picture of the spiritual state of the country today, one waiting for the least spark to combust.

Nigeria has recorded many of such situations as in the Maitatsine Sect which fought a bloody war with Nigerian soldiers before finally being dislodged and the enslaved people eventually exorcised. Enter the Boko Haram and the Nigerian national security is shaken to its marrow.

Ghana had its share of the fallouts of a mismanaged faith when thousands of her citizens wholly obsessed by news about a certain bottled spiritual elixir intended for gratis distribution thronged a space relatively smaller than their numbers.

The stampede and resultant repercussions which followed are now household knowledge in the country and beyond.

The country has become a receptacle for various messiahs, local and foreign, whose extremist views and dispositions have the potency to breach national security.

The state and security agencies have mostly closed their eyes on the operations of these faith professionals; a phenomenon appearing in all the faiths-Christianity, Islam and even traditional religion.

A close monitoring of the practices of such messiahs who are soon elevated to the levels of supernatural beings and therefore infallible, should not be ignored by the various agencies of national security and the citizens too.

We have observed over the years how unfortunately an aspect of the political leadership has fallen in love with some of these faith practitioners, thereby opening the floodgates for citizens to follow suit.

Poverty provides fertile grounds for the festering of commercial theology. Little wonder thousands trekked to the synagogue of all-nations to be delivered through the anointing water which never came anyway.

We are not by this commentary questioning the importance of spiritualism and the hereafter. Ours is bringing to the fore the unbridled exploitation of gullible Ghanaians and the dangerous repercussions these hold for the nation’s security.

Need we not change our perceptions of these latter day messiahs and their elixirs regardless their faiths?

Chinese galamsey

The ‘galamsey’ menace has moved another notch as government unfurls a fresh initiative to arrest it.

Prospecting for gold is not a new phenomenon in a country literally riddled with the precious mineral. From Elmina, the Portuguese expression for the pot of gold, a reference to the abundance of the mineral in our part of the world when they landed on the coast, to Nangodi in the Northern part of Ghana, there is no shortage of it.

We were not christened Gold Coast for nothing. On school compounds, behind houses and other unexpected places people have found gold.

It is impossible to ask such lucky fellows who find this great mineral behind their houses not to mine it and make some bucks from their efforts. It is a human instinct we cannot stop no matter how many taskforces government raises in that direction.

For an industry which offers a lucrative occupation to over 700,000 citizens directly and indirectly in a country suffering the debilitating effects of a defiant unemployment challenge, a more holistic approach would be a better option than being presented by government.

It is worth observing how many have joined the fray of this unregulated mining.

From young men and ladies with no source of livelihood who find one in ‘galamsey’ to chiefs and police officers who have discovered the wealth that comes with the occupation, there appears to be no stopping the new craze.

In spite of the economic gains which come with the unregulated or illegal mining, the other side of the coin is unpleasant.

The environmental challenges and the loss of farmlands through chemical and physical degradation of the soil are some of the issues to contend with, as the illegal mining yet lucrative occupation continues.

Chinese nationals have entered the business with sophisticated machinery edging out locals in some of the mining areas leading to security challenges and even fatalities at times.

What should we do under the circumstances? Deprive the youth of their source of livelihood and risk social challenges like armed robbery and others by clamping down on it?

Successive governments and mining companies have laid out an assortment of prescriptions over time but none has addressed the challenges.
The latest response to the ‘galamsey’ menace, which is the empanelling of a taskforce to address it, cannot be one of the result-yielding options; it is as best a joke.

A holistic approach is better than what doubtlessly is an ad hoc or kneejerk response, one that can set the ‘galamsey’ operatives and law enforcement agents on a bloody and protracted collision path, whose end is undeterminable.

Ghana’s renowned ICT wizkid Herman Chinery-Hesse, on his cell phone

THE DEPUTY Director of Engineering of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Henry Kanor has cautioned cell phone subscribers against long use of mobile telephones on the ear.

According to him, the long usage has negative health implications on the individual, rekindling the widespread controversy about mobile phones usage and its health implications.

According to Mr. Kanor, cellular phones emit radiofrequency energy known as radio waves, a form of non-ionizing radiation that could cause health problems for the user.

Speaking at a sensitization forum in Obuasi on electromagnetic fields exposure and health implication, the Deputy Director said, as the number of calls per day, length of each call, and the amount of time people used cell phones have increased, it was important for users to use hands-free.

For him, it would be better for people to resort text-messaging for long communication to save them from any possible health implication.

The forum was a joint public education campaign of the Ministry of Communication and the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC).

Desmond Boakye, director at the Ministry of Communications, said the 21^st century had witnessed an explosion of technological applications that rely on electricity and thus produce electromagnetic fields: “We cannot avoid this because technology makes our lives healthier, wealthier and safer. It is a major contributor to the economic and social progress that enhances our quality of life as Ghanaians,” he noted.

“As of March this year, 2013, there were 26, 464, 964 telephone subscribers or mobile phones users in Ghana – each one with its own electromagnetic fields,” he disclosed.

Sherry Ayittey

Acting United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Ghana representative, Sarah Hague, has called on African leaders to ensure universal birth registration of children in Africa, including Ghana.

Hague, in a statement to mark the 50^th anniversary of the African Union said, “The 50^th ‘birthday’ of the African Union is a chance to make a lasting commitment to the continent’s children by giving every child a name and legal status.”

The child population of Africa is expected to rise to 130 million by 2025; demographic studies show, with almost one in every three children globally, expected to live in Africa by mid-century.

She said children could be denied access to basic services like schooling as a result of an absence of legal identities.

“Without details of their age, they cannot be easily protected against child labour, human trafficking, early marriage, commercial sex exploitation and other forms of exploitation,” she said.

Hague thus noted that the first step to ensuring that every child, everywhere, was protected and had access to their rights was to be counted and given a legal identity.

According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2011only 62 percent of children under five in Ghana have their birth registered, indicating that nearly 40 percent of Ghanaian children are not counted as citizens.

The UNICEF Ghana representative noted that in Ghana rural children were much less likely to be registered and this put them at risk of being cut off from social services and legal protection crucial to their survival and future.

“Ghana’s most important resource is its children and its future will be built by its children, so their rights need to be protected,” the acting UNICEF Ghana representative said.

She said UNICEF Ghana is working with the government to register 90% of children under five by 2016 in furtherance of its efforts to register more than 4,000 children’s births in hard to reach areas of the Upper East and Eastern regions last year.

“We welcome the anniversary’s focus on Africa’s collective future,” said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Martin Mogwanja. “By starting with strong civil registration systems, not only will the continent be closer to meeting its commitments to children but these investments will help inform planning needs for the next generation as well as meeting broader development goals.”

The ward and theatre block

A NEW maternity and theatre block for the Fomena Health Centre to promote health delivery has been inaugurated at the community in the Adansi North District of the Ashanti Region.

The MTN Ghana Foundation constructed the single-storey block, which has 20 beds and a theatre at a cost of GH¢250,000.

Until this new health infrastructure, the Fomena Health Centre did not have wards for admission, which made it impossible for the centre to perform to its maximum capabilities.

The centre would provide students of the Community Nursing Training School the opportunity to have clinical experience at the health centre.

In his inaugural address, James Bukari Basintale, MTN general manager for the Northern Business District, said the construction of the block was part of the company’s commitment of helping to improve healthcare delivery in the country.

Mr. Basintale said since Ashanti Region was statistically leading in maternal deaths with the ratio standing at 315 per 100,000 live births, it called for joint efforts by all stakeholders in improving the situation.

“The provision of this infrastructure is therefore expected to help reduce maternal mortality, increase access to primary healthcare and also help Ghana attain the millennium development goals,” he pointed out.

According to him, MTN was extremely proud of the investment as the theatre and wards would serve thousands of people living in and around the Adansi North District.

Mr. Basintale stated that MTN Ghana Foundation had invested over GH¢11, 000,000 on various community development projects in the areas of health and education.

The District Chief Executive (DCE), Alhaji Abdul-Lateef Majdoub, conceded that the challenges in the sector were quite enormous for government alone to cope with. He therefore called on corporate organizations to emulate the kind gesture of MTN.

He said the search for an approved health facility befitting the status of Fomena had been a priority to him since assumption of office as the DCE.

 From Ernest Kofi Adu, Fomena

A Pregnant Woman

Some pregnant women in the Brong Ahafo Region have expressed worry over the high demand of items that are taken from them before delivery at the various hospitals and clinics in the region.

According to them, since the government stopped taking money for delivery the midwives in the hospitals have taken advantage to demand things that are not needed for delivery.

“We are sometimes forced to buy things like tom brown, Lucozade, one pack of toilet roll and other things that are not used at the hospitals. This has forced many of us to deliver at home,” one woman mentioned.

She alleged that if a pregnant woman is not able to buy all the things demanded by the midwife before delivery the pregnant woman is sometimes maltreated at the hospital.

This was revealed on Ark FM in Sunyani, where pregnant women called in on the morning show to share their experience on how they were maltreated when they were unable to provide the things demanded by the midwives.

They therefore called on the hospital authorities in the Brong Ahafo Region, especially those at the regional hospital, to check the demanding habit being exhibited by the midwives.

Meanwhile, a National Democratic Congress (NDC) activist in Sunyani, Raphael Cubagee, has confirmed the worry of the pregnant women after he said his wife went through the same ordeal when she went to the hospital about two years ago to deliver.

“I had to pack a full suitcase of items that were demanded by the midwife, but she was also forced to buy tom brown at the hospital which she never used,” he alleged.

The Senior Nursing Officer at the Brong Ahafo Regional Hospital, Rita Adwoa Ansong, has refuted some of the allegations by the pregnant women and called on the pregnant women to report any nurse who forced them into buying items like Lucozade and tom brown at the hospital.

She also mentioned that some of the things demanded by the various midwives are highly needed for the safety of the pregnant women, her baby and the nurse that would deliver the baby.

 From Vivianna Mensah, Sunyani

James Ohemeng Kyei, Sherry Ayittey, Dr. Tia Sugri, deputy minister of health and Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) in furtherance of its efforts to ensure healthy living and expansion of the pharmaceutical industry has inaugurated two committees to oversee the establishment of a bioequivalence centre and investigate into the eating habits of Ghanaians.

The 10-member committee of experts for the establishment of bioequivalence centre has been tasked, among other things, to develop protocol to attract funding for the project and determine the necessary organization and management systems that would ensure compliance with the general regulatory requirement in the World Health Organization (WHO) bioequivalence guidelines.

The committee is also expected to design a financial model for the project and possible sources of funding, propose a location, modalities for land acquisition as well as the structure of the project and determine the comprehensive needs of the centre.

The task of the six-member diet and healthy living committee is to research into the health risks of salt and sugar intake, recommend appropriate edible fats in Ghana and the levels and types of salts and sugars for consumption and provide guidelines for implementation of the recommendation within the context of historical, cultural and traditional practice.

Inaugurating the two groups in Accra, Minister of Health Sherry Ayittey, said the inauguration ushered in a new era for the pharmaceutical industry, not only in Ghana, but for the sub-region.

She said the centre would ensure that medicinal products supplied for procurement by international agencies met WHO’s norms and standard with respect to quality, safety and efficacy.

“Medicines for the treatment of priority diseases produced locally can now compete internationally and this will create more confidence in the population for medicines produced locally and eventually reduce the cost of locally produced medicines.”

She said the lack of standard bioequivalence centre in Ghana has deprived local manufacturers the opportunity to be included in accessing global funds because they are not WHO prequalified.

“The millions of dollars released under the Global Fund to procure anti-malarial, anti-retroviral and anti-tuberculosis medicines are used to procure such medicines from other countries, notably the Far East and Europe and this go to support their economies whereas we continue to wallow in poverty.

“There is therefore the urgent need to support local pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in the sub-region and their products to be internationally accredited and prequalified by strengthening the quality systems through the set-up of a bioequivalence testing centre,” she said.

Mr. James Ohemeng Kyei, president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana and chairman of the committee on experts for the establishment of bioequivalence, expressed the appreciation of the committee for being chosen to serve on the committee.

Pharmacist Kyei said only 20 percent of the market share of essential medicines consumed in the health sector is manufactured locally and only three percent of qualified pharmacists are in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.

He therefore called on the ministry to give the needed support to the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana.

Professor Akosa, chairman of the committee on diet and healthy living, also promised the minister to deliver on its task and ensure that every Ghanaian eats well and increases their life expectancy.

The committee of experts for the establishment of bioequivalence centre membership includes Mr. James Ohemeng Kyei, president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, Mrs. Martha Gyansa-Lutterodt, chief pharmacist and director of Pharmaceutical Services, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, John Kwakye, of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Mrs. Edith Andrews-Anna representing the World Health Organization (WHO).

Other members are Mr. Ben Botwe, pharmaceutical consultant, Dr. Stephen Opuni from the Food and Drugs Authority, Mrs. Emma Ofori Agyemang, deputy director, Ministry of Health,  Mr. Kwasi Poku Boateng an industrial pharmacist and Mrs. Grace Issahque from the Attorney General’s Department.

The committee on diet and healthy living include Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, Professor Reginald Ocansey, Dr. Kaku Kyiamah, Mr. Kofi Adusei, Mrs. Wilhemina Okwabi and Ms. Juliet Asare-Adjei.

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

Sydney Casely-Hayford

It is 4am.  The lights just went out at McCarthy Hill and I am stumped.

I deliberately caught an early night, try to catch up on sleep and start an early day, Sunday.

We had a little storm, a mild rainfall and “dum,” shades of the bad old days when you knew for certain that rain come light go.

I just returned from a trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi and I forgot within a week that power is not stable, water does not flow and the Glo internet service is unpredictable.  My Glo service is out this morning, I have been trying to get a solution since 8am, and I have a lot of work to do.  It is 11am and vive la difference.  You cannot compare Accra to Dubai, there is no anchor dot to even start the debate.  Accra scores no points over the city built in a desert and flourishing to no end.

I doubt if there is any Minister or MP in this country, who has neither lived, studied nor visited Dubai yet.  What do they see when they get there?  Doesn’t any of it rub off on them?  Make them think they would like to live in a city where the roads are seven lanes wide, buses pick up on time from air-conditioned stations, the metro rail service is unmanned and runs on time?

What about taxis that are all Toyota Camrys and you can hire a Lexus taxi at a cost no different from the regular metered taxis in the city?  What about 24-hour shopping malls, where everything under the sun is available?  And that is just a sample of the stuff I appreciated on my first trip.  What do they bring back from these visits?  This was my first time to Dubai, it is more classy than the USA, UK and South Africa where I have spent a fair bit of time.  The architecture, boy!  So here I stop, because it is so easy to get carried away.  The concern is what do we bring back from travel and escapades like this?  This morning, I am asking, “What are we doing?”

The answer might lie in Gloria Akuffo’s filing cabinets and her hard drives.  Yet again some to be caught thieves, raided Gloria’s offices and this time, dismantled and took away the hard drives in her computers.  Purpose?

She is touted as the lead counsel for the Petitioners in the ongoing case at the Supreme Court and she might have been foolish enough after the first break-in to leave sensitive information on the drives.

Something that might incriminate her and the team, some evidence that could be sneaked in at this late stage, could turn the tables on the NPP challenge and nullify or terminate the case.  On the other hand, it could be a simple thief needing a twenty-one gigabyte hard drive and there are none in town, except someone mentioned that Gloria had some computers with the exact specification needed.

Makes you wonder, on hindsight, whether when both rear tires burst on Bawumia’s Toyota Landcruiser, it was a factory default by the manufacturers or something more sinister to stop the now star witness from testifying in court. Just saying.

This is so P(NDC) days, but now with a less cowering Ghanaian citizen and a few milestones of democracy between our prayer beads and rosaries, we fight back through law courts, which character is tested to the limit.

After a couple weeks of battering his witness on the stand, my feelers in town say Tsatsu has thrown out what little credibility he brought to the courtroom.  His cross has gone on too long, too very boring, repetitive and in some measure very rude.  Most people I spoke with say he has tried deliberately to hold back the end result.  I read a piece on the web, were someone did ask the question, if Tsatsu really believed the NDC won fairly, why not move faster and get the final decision out to the public?  A rhetorical question because Tsatsu will certainly not reply.

We are coming to the end of this case; I sense it.  The Justices must be tired, it is hot under the gowns and the seats are not the most comfortable in town.  They certainly do not recline and you cannot catch a snooze like Asiedu Nketia does from time to time after lunch recess.

Tsatsu’s tedium has run them ragged and from Monday we will pace this better.  Not sure what will happen next, but if the NDC calls witnesses to the stand, I suggest to the NPP side “no questions for this witness your Honors.”

Oh, but we must cross-examine Afari Gyan to establish his state of mind and of course we must get our “Opia relief” with Asiedu Nketia.  Why not?  There has to be some hilarity to all this.

What happens after KPMG confirms the numbers at the end of two weeks? Which is a ridiculous timeframe for the assignment by the way.

It cannot take that long to verify numbers.  There is no audit opinion required to do this count, it has already been grouped and analysed and their job is to confirm that analysis.  For the same reason I said a few weeks ago that this should be a freebie by KPMG, I say they can give this result in two days.  It is a no-brainer verification assignment and speed is of essence.  It will be better that they throw staff at it, pull an all-nighter and get it done, if it needs that.  But it doesn’t.  Counting 11,842 twice is nothing.  First you do a raw count, should take maximum two hours with 12 people, including recording and creating a check sheet.  Then you do another two hour count of the exhibit groups with the same twelve persons; it is the same sheets.

Allow some time to go over because it is such a sensitive issue; so take a day to write a properly worded report and we are done.

Now if KPMG says the numbers are true.  What now EC and NDC?  We finally have a numeric confirmation but we will need a quantification of the drift of votes between the candidates.  This should be done to make the Court’s decision balanced and cogent.

Alternatively, let’s say the numbers are short.  Let’s say the Court Registry is faulted because they did not deliver the right quantity to the NDC side.  Should they have waited all this time before making this an issue?  Ah!  I have some illogical problems with this.  The first thing we should have done was to agree the number of votes in play, from day one.  The last thing we need is for the Respondent’s camps to say they now need more time to go through any extra sheets they were not given.  But even if this is so, how does the end game change?

If KPMG verify only 8,600 sheets, the case will have to be decided on that number.  The key thing is the final quantification.

If you go to court to say someone has stolen 11,842 cedis from your account and later the bank confirms that only 8,600 was stolen, you have to modify your loss claim to 8,600 and that is all you get.

Does it become a new case?  I think we are in interesting waters here.  More fat to the Justice’s seats.  There is an unprecedented decision in the offing.

Otumfuo did a little tactical maneuver.  Seeing as he, just as I see that the end is nigh, he scuttled over to JDM and Nana Addo to confirm that they will stick to their agreed decisions that will couple them to a violent-free historic acceptance of the outcome.

Why he had to talk to the “chaos manufacturer” JJ Rawlings, I have no idea.  There is no coup offering here for Jerry John, Ghana wants to do this respectably.  Both candidates are reminded.  But read Otumfuo’s next interlay on Chieftancy.  I think he has a little history-knowledge gap.

President Mahama realized how important this case is to our democracy.  In his State of the Nation Address in January he refused to acknowledge that before his Presidency was a looming legal challenge.

This week, he applauds the legal toll road and now understands the state in which we found ourselves at the beginning of the year.

I waxed royally with Gertrude and Gertrude on Emirates flight back to Ghana.  Both very pleasant ladies and I doff my hat off to the pair, we bonded immediately, they on Facebook, me, pleasant smiles that made me feel that coming back to Ghana was an experience after all.  Right side Gertie even gave me good advice on my duty free purchase with no hesitation.  Thanks peeps, you made my trip.

And it got me thinking.  Emirates is what Ghana Airways could have been if we had a mind to handle it as a private craft and manage it as a business instead of a toy for ministers and MPs.  The rice and agushie stew lunch offering was superb, washed with fruit, cool water, juice of choice and apple crumble for desert.  And that was in the economy seat.  Can we do Ghana Airways again?  This time differently?  Maybe we learn from mistakes past?

My favorite group swept the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards show.  Big Up R2Bees.  Shoot me a new one.

Ghana, Aha a ye de papa.  Alius valde week advenio. Another great week to come!

Set aside, for the moment, the ongoing Supreme Court case, and focus instead on a very serious issue which could affect the nation in the foreseeable future.  In fact, put aside, for the moment, the insecurity at Kumasi and travel along with me as I deal with this topic.  We all seem to have closed our eyes at the menace while Rome continues to burn.  It did not start today and may not end tomorrow.  What is disturbing is that the whole issue is growing day by day.  You may not observe the menace if you are living in opulent areas where children get the best of education and have easy access to their laptops. If you happen to visit my holy village you will see what I am going to write about and indeed, you will move in sympathy with parents who are overwhelmed by what is happening.  I am talking of teenage pregnancy which is in the ascendancy.

Today in Ghana, it is no more a surprise when you see a 13-year-old girl carrying pregnancy or having a little baby strapped on her narrow back.  Our little girls have all too soon acquired very strong sexual desire and are out there “opening up” for whosoever cares to “enter the Black hole of Calcutta”.  Today in God’s own country, there is in the empire, lust and nudity which have threatened to become a fashion.  We have come face to face with the danger of veritable alienation among the young girls who are supposed to be in schools rather than carrying babies on their narrow backs.  For now you may think the situation, as far as teenage pregnancy is concerned, is not a problem.  Pray to God so that you may live for 20 years and you will realize the danger.

In 20 years’ time these innocent children who are born today by teenagers will be old enough to handle guns.  Majority of them would not be able to acquire education and as such they will surely become a burden and a liability to society.  These are the children who will eventually take over from where Ataa Ayi left off.  When this comes to pass, you who used all your resources to educate your child will be in danger. And of course, your children too will be in danger.  That is why we need to boldly tackle the issue holistically.  We need to find the causes and nip the menace in the bud rather than waiting to treat the symptoms as we are doing.

One major reason why teenage pregnancy is in the increase is poverty.  That is why you hardly see pregnant little girls in places where the rich dwell. Many parents these days find it difficult to make ends meet or provide three square meals a day for their wards not to talk of paying school fees.  Such children are left to fend for themselves.  Sometimes these unfortunate children offer sex for food and other goodies.  In some cases they roam the streets in search of men who will sleep with them and give them money to buy clothes since their parents cannot afford to buy them such clothes.  In their attempt to entice men who seek canal communion  and end up impregnating them, these little girls fail to seek sartorial propriety, decency, protocol and decorum in their dressing.  In fact, their dress comportment has nothing good to write home about.  They dress to attract men instead of pleasing God.  Parents watch helplessly when their children put on these unacceptable dresses which expose their nudity simply because they were not the ones who bought the dresses for them.  The sad aspect of this issue is that some parents dress like the girls do and so they don’t have the moral right to sanction these children.

Another reason is the hard drug craze which has threatened to attract God’s fury on society as a whole.  Spare some time and visit one of these ghettoes and “basis” where these drugs are sold and see for yourself.  These girls and boys who should have been in schools spend the whole day smoking marijuana and sniffing cocaine.  Because the devil finds work for the idle hand, these children enter town with the sole aim of stealing in order to make money to buy drugs.  When they fail in their bid to get something to steal, they turn to sell their clothes in order to get money to buy marijuana, cocaine, heroin and akpatashie to top it up.  When they mix up these drugs, they become daring and start going on robbery spree.  We used to see only grown up men and women who are addicted to one hard drug or the other, but these days, things have changed.  You see a teenager addicted to a drug so much so that she or he cannot eat without taking cocaine, marijuana etc.  When a girl becomes “high” she exposes herself to the danger of being raped and also flouts the rules of continence.

Peer influence is yet another reason why our little girls go out there ‘opening up’ and end up carrying unwanted pregnancies.  That is why parents should watch and study female friends of their daughters.  Some parents do not have time for their daughters simply because they are too busy in their quest for money.  Such girls who lack parental guidance easily go wayward.  If your daughter befriends girls of that nature, they teach her bad things.  If such wayward a girl gets a boyfriend, she introduces the friend of the boyfriend to your innocent girl.

We shy away from sex education and use custom and tradition as a barrier.  In fact, we see sex education as a taboo even in this 21^st century. Instead of mothers discussing sex issues with their daughters, they pretend the child will automatically come to know everything about sex when she grows.  That, to me, is a very big mistake.  Parents and teachers should be at the forefront as far as sex education is concerned.  When the girl comes to realize the gravity and implication in sex, she will not venture into that arena.  Pornography, for example, is another way of introducing girls to sex.  Parents must educate their children about the danger in watching pornographic films.  In this age of internet connectivity, there is the need for parents to educate their girls to avoid browsing pornographic materials on the internet.  And of cause, internet café attendants can also do the nation a favour if they don’t allow girls to browse pornographic materials at their cafes.

It is an undeniable fact that many a time broken homes breed wayward girls.  Because the man and the woman no longer stay together, the responsibility of taking care of the girl child becomes a problem.  The situation becomes worse when the girl child finds herself in the custody of the mother.   Women are naturally very busy.  You either see them at the saloon or the market.  When they are not in these places, expect to see them gossiping or at the party.  In such circumstances, the girl child seizes the opportunity to do the unthinkable.

Free SHS And Teenage Pregnancy

My personal research indicated that majority of these teenagers who get impregnated could not go beyond the Junior High School.  Because they pass out of the JHS at a tender age, they are unemployable.  The best job that they could do is to sell ice water and doughnuts.  Such girls are always prone to the danger of being lured into having sex with adults or their fellow male JHS counterparts.  That is why the idea of a free SHS was laudable.  It is very sad to mention here that those who voted against the free SHS are most affected because majority of them are poor and cannot afford to take their children to SHS, thereby exposing them to early pregnancy since the devil finds job for the idle hands.  Come to my holy village and see pregnant teenagers sleeping in a single room with their parents.  As to how the man will get a chance to go near the wife at night, your guess is as good as mine.  In some instances men who impregnate these girls fail to take responsibility.  Parents are then forced to add extra responsibility by caring for the pregnant daughter and her siblings.  If it happens that the wife is also pregnant, then “wahala don come be that”. The situation is very worrisome, heartbreaking, heartrending and heart-raking.  Let us spare some time to pray on this canker!!!

By Eric Bawah

Baaba Eshun-Wilson

Aside the illegality associated with galamsey, it is also extremely dangerous as many young men unfortunately lose their lives in the course of these mining activities.

The main scare regarding this illegal practice is the extreme harm it causes to the environment since no proper measures are taken to ensure that the environment is protected. For instance, the alluvial gold is washed with mercury in rivers that the local folk use for their livelihood/domestic purposes, thereby poisoning these water bodies, the aquatic organisms dwelling in them and lastly the people…

The question that continues to linger in the minds of many Ghanaians is; with the knowledge of all these dangers associated with galamsey, why is it still such the most sought-after “profession” in the Northern and middle belts of Ghana? Why do the youth, especially, still continue to venture into a business that is not safe and could possibly claim their lives? Where lies the sense in that?

Well, for starters, the rate of unemployment among the youth is a very big deal. The unemployed youth in Ghana have come to a point where they do not mind how they make a living and hence, most often choose the easiest way. Majority of those who engage in ‘galamsey’ are young uneducated men simply sourcing for ways to make a living. Coupled with the fact that ‘galamseyers pay neither tax to the Government nor royalties to chiefs of the lands on which they mine on makes it one of the easiest “occupations” to engage in.

Some Galamsey operating busy at work

The bottom line is that galamsey will not and cannot be halted anytime soon. Regardless of the number of deaths encountered or the bills/amendments passed in Parliament, there’s no means to stopping this age-old practice here. Currently, there are well over 600,000 illegal miners in Ghana (minus the foreigners who also take part in this) with the majority being able-bodied young men. Over the years, governments have failed to find an immediate, efficient and effective solution to the unemployment crisis resulting in the youth looking for ways and means to make a living through all sorts of dubious means.

The point is, rather than continue to embark on fruitless actions to halt ‘galamsey,’ which is highly impossible, a solution should be sought to ensure that the environment stays safe and protected.

Many people would disagree with this suggestion since Ghana preaches anti-corruption, fairness and justice. But then again, in a country that has failed to provide her young men and women with legitimate employment opportunities, what’s there to do? Sit around and wait for another election period and listen to promises by presidential candidates that are never fulfilled? Certainly not! Drastic times call for drastic measures; and as dangerous and damaging galamsey is to the country’s environment, not to mention her reputation as well, the youth in this country have to eat. It is rather unfortunate that they have to resort to taking on such a dangerous “profession”, for mining itself is dangerous and deadly. Legally recognized mining companies that take all the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their workers still encounter numerous and unfortunate deaths; how much more galamsey operators?

Galamsey will not end today, tomorrow or even in 20 years’ time and there is a large portion of the population that continues to add to those willing to engage in this practice.

Focus needs shift from the fact that more and more people are engaging in this practice, to what can be done to ensure that the environment is not harmed. For instance, what can be done to prevent the vegetative cover of most farm lands from being degraded? The main reason for the rapid deterioration of the land occurs mainly as a result of inappropriate working practices, can this be further examined so that methods can be changed and replaced with less harmful methods that would not leave the lands in such deplorable states for decades? Can the dug-out pits be covered properly to prevent unknowing humans and livestock from falling in and losing their lives?

-      baaba.lou@gmail.com

 Baaba Eshun-Wilson

Bishop Dag Heward-Mills

It is clear that our nation needs leaders who can know some of the things they must avoid by becoming students of history.

Europe Decided Not To Follow The Example Of Spain

Spain, at the time, came to be seen as an example of the type of economic policy a nation should avoid at all costs.

Spain protected her agricultural production, like oil and wine, against foreign competition. But by the end of the sixteenth century, Spain was severely deindustrialized.

It became clear that the riches from the colonies had, in fact, impoverished rather than enriched Spain’s own capacity to produce goods and services.

In contrast, England’s Henry VII who came to power in 1485, actively protected and encouraged England’s industry.

European Countries Protected Their Creativity From

Free Trade With The Outside World

For several hundred years, Europe’s trade policy was based on the principle of maximising the creative industrial sectors of their own country and protecting these creative activities from external competition.

For example, England’s economic policy was based on a simple rule: import of raw materials and export of industrial products.

In Europe, they also discovered that countries that were already wealthy could afford a very different policy from countries that were still poor. In fact, once a country had been solidly industrialized the very same factors that required initial protection now required bigger and more international markets in order to develop and prosper.

European creative industries discovered that once they were successful, the protection that was initially required became counterproductive.

They believed that tariffs were as useful for introducing manufacturing in a country as they are damaging once these are established. This is why free trade (exposing your fledgling creative activities to external competition) must be timed properly.

Mongolia Reduced Its Nation To Primitivization By Wiping Out

‘Creative Increasing Returns Activities’

Primitivization is the return to backwardness, poverty and the dark ages by wiping out creative industries and creative manufacturing activities. Under a policy of primitivization, the majority of the people are forced back into noncreative diminishing returns activities. As manufacturing industries die out, many of the poverty-causing non-creative activities take over and dominate the nation.

Before 1991, Mongolia had slowly but successfully built a diversified industrial sector. The share of agriculture in the national product had declined steadily from 60 per cent in 1940 to about 16 per cent in the mid-1980s. However, their policies proved exceedingly successful in de-industrializing Mongolia.

Half a century of creative industry-building in Mongolia was virtually

annihilated over a period of only four years, from 1991 to 1995. In most

industrial sectors, production was down by more than 90 per cent because the country had opened up to the rest of the world in 1991.

By March 2000, the country’s previously considerable industrial sector had been virtually eradicated.

Statistics showed that, one by one, all of the country’s various industries had disappeared, beginning with the most advanced. Statistics showed that the production of bread was down by 71 per cent and the production of books and newspapers by 79 per cent. Mongolians, in other words, probably ate and read less than before.

In only a few years, real wages had been almost halved and unemployment was rampant.

The only sectors that, according to the national industrial statistics,

were expanding, were the production of alcohol which showed minimal growth and the collection and preparation of ‘combed down’ from birds (to the extent this can be defined as an industry).

Closing down the country’s steel mills and newspapers and sending its

population out to collect bird down cannot be considered anything but aprimitivisation of the economy.

The combination of deindustrialization and deconstruction of the state had created large-scale unemployment in Mongolia. Many people had been forced to return to their ancestral way of living: nomadic pastoralism and herding.

In 1990, before the fall of the Berlin Wall, Mongolians shared their lands with21 million herding animals – sheep, cows, goats and camels.

As a consequence of this, the number of grazing animals had risen from 21million to 33 million in 10 years.

Mongolia opened its economy entirely almost overnight and faithfully followed the advice given by the Washington institutions, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to let the market take control. Mongolia was supposed to find its place in the global economy by specializing where its comparative advantage lay.

The result was that the Mongolian economy was driven back from the age of industry to that of pastoralism. The nomadic economy, however, was unable to sustain the population and the industrial system, and the result was an economic catastrophe.

New Zealand Became Rich By Refusing Anything That Would Prevent Their

Country From Developing In Creativity And Industrialization

A book called “A New Zealand Colonist” reveals the mindset of settlers in New Zealand in 1897:

1. The New Zealand settler refuses to accept cheap imports, because

accepting them would prevent his country from becoming industrialized.

2. The New Zealand settler discards all theories of free trade with the

outer world and levies high import duties on every product, which his

colony is capable of supplying. The New Zealanders believe that only in

this way can their new land be made a prosperous field.

3. The New Zealander believes that prosperity would not be attainable

while subject to unrestricted competition from outsiders. They refused

to have the surplus stocks which others dumped on their markets.

4. The New Zealander colonist desires that children growing up around him

should have opportunities of acquiring mechanical skill, and so be saved

from becoming mere hewers of wood and drawers of water for richer

nations. He regards mechanical skill and the great products of that skill

as the buttress of a people’s strength and safety.

5. The New Zealand colonist does not regard immediate results. His eye is

on the future and on the children growing up around him.

Is it not ironical that today we find rich countries dumping their surplus

products in the poor countries, which see this as a bonus? In the hierarchy of nations a country that did not protect its industry would have all its creativity doomed to the biblical curse of being branded as ‘hewers of wood and drawers of water’ (Joshua 9:23). The Bible thus recognizes a hierarchy of skills where hewers of wood and drawers of water are located at the bottom. Finally, it is clear that our nation will be blessed with leaders who can know

what they must avoid by studying history.

By Dag Heward-Mills

In Ghana today much of our political discourse has been reduced to a shouting match and who can make the most ridiculous pronouncements to an ever ready media overly absorbed by sensationalism. Amidst all the noise, however, certain truths or better still facts cannot be ignored.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) tables, as part of its contention, the notion that Ghana’s Electoral Commission has bloated the voter register to give itself the room to throw in illegal votes in favor of its preferred candidates.

It remains to be seen how the Supreme Court will rule on the petition. But a quick look at some of our neighbors who recently concluded elections offer some insights that can hardly be ignored.

First Stop – Kenya

After suffering a grueling civil conflict in the aftermath of her 2007 presidential election, the East African nation regrouped to pay attention to the basics in electioneering. Some would say their recent court petition challenging the 2013 election suggests that they may not have left some loopholes unclosed. But one thing they may have gotten right was the voters’ register – or did they?

For a country of 41.6 million people, the number of registered voters heading into the 2013 election was 14.4 million, representing 34.1%.

Ghana with just over half of the Kenyan population (25 million) has almost the same number of registered voters at 14.1 million, representing 56.2%. With such a wide disparity, the obvious thing to do was to determine if ours is too high or the Kenyans’ number is too low. So we looked elsewhere.

Senegal with a population of 12.8 million registered 5.3 million voters or 41.5%. Nigeria came next with 162.5 million in population, 67.8 million registered voters or 41.7%.

Finally Tanzania with 46.2 million registered 19.7 million voters, representing 42.5%. So if four of our neighbors are averaging 39.95 as the percentage of their population that is registered to vote, what explains the more than 16 point differential between Kenya and Ghana?

There are four possible explanations. One, Ghana’s Electoral Commission is more efficient than its peers and is thus better at the registration exercise. Two, Ghanaians are more politically astute and are more interested in exercising their civic responsibilities so they register to vote more than their peers in the four other countries. Three, Ghana’s population is older so the voting age population is larger. And four, the voter register was indeed overly bloated. Much as our research team tried, it could not come up with evidence to support the first three possible explanations. That leaves explanation number four.

It is not clear if the NPP was aware of this voter register disparity between Ghana and other African countries prior to filing its petition and calling for the annulment of about 4 million illegal votes. But we hypothetically subtracted the 4 million votes from the current 14.1 million registered voters and arrived at 10,031,763. This number represents 40.2% of the population at large – squarely on the average of the four countries mentioned.

Will this study put an end to the shouting and the hurling of insults? May be not.

But it is our fervent hope that at least some would look at these numbers, verify them and may be arrive at a renewed impression about the current Supreme Court petition.

After all, are we all not looking for the truth? Based on the findings of our research team, NPP-USA is of the opinion that Ghana’s voter’s register appears bloated, this enables the electoral commission to rig elections in favor of its preferred candidate, if it so desires.

The article is by NPP-USA, Public Relations Committee

Improved: Scotland-based Touch Bionics says the latest i-limb boasts unparalleled dexterity and superior control and ease of use

A teenage boy who lost an arm and a leg as a baby has become the first person in the UK to be fitted with a prosthetic hand that is so advanced it can be controlled via a smartphone app.

Patrick Kane, 16, is now sporting the i-limb ultra revolution, which can be remotely-controlled and comes complete with an iOS app allowing the wearer to control its grip.

Patrick can also take advantage of five individually powered digits – including a rotating thumb – on the prosthetic, which is Scottish firm Touch Bionics’ most advanced yet.
The teenager, from London, lost all of the fingers on his left hand after contracting meningococcal septicaemia – the virulent form of meningitis – when he was just nine-months-old.
Doctors were also forced to amputate Patrick’s right leg below the knee, and part of each finger from his right hand.

The student – who was fitted with his first prosthetic through the NHS shortly after his first birthday – previously wore an i-limb ultra, but has now become the first person in the UK to be fitted with the new, more advanced version from the brains at Touch Bionics.

Featuring a rotating wrist and an aluminium chassis, the firm claims their creation is the most dextrous prosthetic limb ever made.

It’s unique app capability means the wearer can choose from a range of 24 different grips at the touch of a button. The app can also offers training on how to best use the device and can diagnose problems with it.

Previously Patrick could use only four pre-set grips on the go, and would have to return to his computer to alter the settings.

The i-limb is so sensitive it can be used to grip a single sheet of paper, play Connect Four or tie shoelaces – but it is also powerful enough to withstand the strain of 90kg weights in the gym.

The covering can be made to match the wearer’s natural skin tone, but Patrick chose a jet black version of the i-limb, which costs from £25,000 to upwards of £80,000, depending on how far up the arm it needs to extend.

‘I have only had it for 24 hours and it’s not so much that it allows me to do new things but it will allow me to do things more smoothly and naturally,’ Patrick said.

‘The movement runs much more smoothly. I have been practising playing Connect 4 with it.

‘There are custom grips I can choose so if I have a certain tennis racquet or cricket bat I could choose a grip for it to fit it perfectly and it will remember that.

‘I also use it in the gym, on the rowing machine and using weights and pulleys,’ he said.

The advanced prosthetic uses muscle signals to shift into a series of pre-set patterns.

It achieves this by using electrodes in the wrist to pick up electrical impulses created by contracting muscles, which are interpreted by a computer in the back of the hand.

Each of the fingers bends at the joints and can be adapted to fit around any shape of object the owner wants to hold.

These pictures show Patrick using his new bionic hand to grasp a range of items from a smartphone and a water glass to a rubber ball and a single coin.

The bionic hand can also be used for various tasks from typing to tying shoe laces.

It comes in black or neutral, can automatically return to a natural position after a period of inactivity and is powered by a battery.

The device is so technical that users have to undergo rigorous training in order to get the most out of it.

 Dailymail

A phone too far? The Samsung Galaxy Note smartphone was the first ‘phablet’ but now an even bigger version has been launched

It is the biggest smartphone on sale, with a giant 6.3inch screen.

Samsung’s new Mega Galaxy handset look more like a tablet than a phone – and has already been slammed as ‘just too big’.

Samsung hopes the big design will appeal to commuters and others who regularly watch films on their gadgets.

Tecno N7

TECNO GHANA, a leading dual SIM mobile phone brand, has launched its new 3.75G Android smartphone – TECNO N7– onto the Ghanaian market at a short but colourful ceremony in Accra.

Designed for users with high demand for smartphones, the TECNO N7 will be available at all TECNO outlets in Ghana, the company noted.

Building on the success of the popular TECNO N3, the TECNO N7, a dual SIM smartphone, features the combination of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with a 1GHz dual core CPU and runs on a 5-inch touch screen.

“With the TECNO N7, we want to offer young Ghanaians a more superior smartphone with high-end performance and a better user experience,” Mounir Boukali, PRO of TECNO Mobile, commented.

With a 1GHz dual core processor, the device offers users a fast data processing speed and the ability to use multiple applications at the same time, along with a smooth web browsing experience.

TECNO N7 users can download over 800,000 innovative and interesting apps.

The TECNO N7 presents users with an amazingly smooth operation experience while viewing messages, multimedia, web content or games, among others.

The device comes with a variety of applications that allow the consumer to connect to their social networks with ease.

And one such application worthy of note is Flash Share, a unique transfer software that allows one to share files of any format and size at an amazingly fast speed and does not require internet connectivity, WIFI or SIM card.

Other notable features of this Android-driven smartphone include a 5 mega pixel rear camera with flash, a 0.3 mega pixel front camera and a powerful 2,300mAh battery, which allows the users to enjoy five hours of talktime. Also, the device combines a 4GB ROM and 512GB RAM with expandable memory of up to 32GB.

TECNO also offers an 8GB memory card.

“We always endeavour to provide suitable products to the consumer based on market demand. There is no doubt that people’s demand from smartphones is met in the N7. We will have more smartphones coming onto the market soon, which will meet the needs of diverse groups of people,” Boukali confirmed.

By Samuel Boadi