Author: Krobea

Former President John Dramani Mahama has expressed shock over a claim by the Akufo-Addo government that the 2017 allocation of $1 million per constituency per year expired with the budget of December 2017. Responding to a question posed on the floor of Parliament by the Member of Parliament for Mion Constituency, Mohammed Abdul-Aziz, when government would release a total of $275 million for the programme, the Minister for Special Initiatives, Mavis Hawa Koomson, said the money technically expired with the budget in 2017 as the structure needed to implement the programme was not available. But Mr Mahama is wondering how…

Ghana have dropped in Group F in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying after Ethiopia and Kenya played drew goalless in Addis Ababa on Wednesday. The Black Stars were scheduled to play their third qualifier with Sierra Leone on Thursday, October 11 but the games was cancelled by the Confederation of African Football (Caf). The East African neighbours took advantage of happenings in West Africa to climb to the top of the group. The 0-0 draw sees Kenya’s Harambee Stars move atop the group with a superior goal aggregate over Ethiopia’s Walias as both teams are on 4 points.…

Five members of the Jehovah’s Witness religious group have been detained in Russia on weapons and extremism charges, investigators say. The Christian denomination has faced scrutiny in Russia in recent years and was forcibly disbanded in 2017. Human rights groups have accused the government of a “sweeping” campaign of persecution against members. Last year they were added to a list of extremist organisations, effectively criminalising their religious activity. The justice ministry argued the group distributed pamphlets which incited hatred of other groups, and the country’s Supreme Court then upheld the ban against it. A local investigations office said on Wednesday…

Award-winning hiplife artiste Sarkodie has released a song widely believed to be targeted at dancehall artiste Shatta Wale. Though Shatta’s name was not mentioned anywhere in the song, which is titled My Advice (Freestyle), the lyrics point directly at the Dancehall King hitmaker. The song, directed by Derek Yeboah, has been the talk on social media with many hailing Sarkodie’s deftness at the game. “Honestly, your whole bank account no fit buy you one tear-rubber Vogue but you’re claiming supremacy,” Sarkodie stated in the song. “F**k out of here, you be fool but. . . .” Watch video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDxGBCQF_iY Followers…

Geraint Thomas is appealing for thieves to return his Tour de France trophy after it was stolen from a cycle show. Police are investigating the theft of the Coupe Omnisports – presented each year to the winner of cycling’s most famous race. It was taken after Thomas’s Team Sky loaned the trophy to sponsors Pinarello to display at The Cycle Show in Birmingham. Mr Thomas said: “The trophy means a lot to me and to the team.” The black and gold handmade trophy was presented to the Welshman this summer when he became only the third Briton to win the…

A minister for suicide prevention has been appointed in England by the prime minister as the government hosts the first ever global mental health summit. Theresa May said the appointment of Health Minister Jackie Doyle-Price to the new role will help tackle the stigma surrounding suicide. While suicide rates are falling, 4,500 people take their own lives every year. The appointment comes as ministers and officials from more than 50 countries assemble in London for the summit. Wednesday’s meeting – hosted by Health Secretary Matt Hancock and attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – coincides with World Mental…

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations doubleheader qualifiers between Ghana and Sierra Leone have been cancelled. The decision was taken by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) after the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) failed to meet a FIFA deadline to reinstate old executives. The Association was banned by the world sport-governing body over government interference after the old executives were removed en masse. The government and the football officials were, however, given up to Tuesday, October 9 to reinstate the Isha Johansen-led administration. But the feuding parties failed to meet the deadline, thereby upholding FIFA’s decision to ban the…

Senegal has been named as the first African country to host the Youth Olympic Games. The West African nation was on Monday named by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the host country for the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2022. The Games will be the seventh overall. According to reports, Senegal was nominated based on three sites: the capital, Dakar; the new city of Diamniadio; and the seaside resort of Saly. The bid was tied to the country’s general development strategy, notably the national government’s ‘Emerging Senegal’ plan, which envisions major economic and infrastructure improvements. There were hints…

Government is monitoring the ongoing enrollment process to decide on taking some senior high schools off the double-track system, a statement has indicated. Currently, 400 schools have been earmarked for the double-track system, which has seen some newly admitted students begin schooling ahead of others. The system is an offshoot of the Free Senior High School policy introduced in September, 2017. The system was in response to anticipated congestion in certain schools. There have, however, been growing reports that the system has been scrapped. But in a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Education says the reports are “untrue”. It…

Former President John Dramani Mahama paid a visit to Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kinsford Bagbin on Sunday at the start of his Upper West Region campaign tour. Alban Bagbin, who is the Member of Parliament for Nadowli-Kaleo Constituency, was mourning the demise of a brother. Mr Mahama visited Mr Bagbin and his family at Sombo near Wa to commiserate with them. The two have declared their intention to contest the December 7 presidential primary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The former president has already visited the Central and Northern regions as he travels across the nation…