MP Proposes New Approach To Celerabration Of Independence   Date: 28-Feb-2013          Like our facebook page The News

Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo, Member of Parliament for Ho Central, has proposed a new approach to the celebration of the Independence Day Anniversary which would bring advanced social, political and economic benefits to the nation. He said the intended benefits in the model included a special social and political opportunity for each region to share in the joy of the nation’s day of glory. Mr Kpodo, who made the statement on the floor of Parliament ahead of March 6, 2013 celebration, said it would expose and advertise the host city and region to the international community through the presence of foreign dignitaries and international media. He said the economic benefits could be realised in the host region arising from immediate and follow-up business and tourist activities that may be unearthed and or showcased during the entire period of celebration. The model also presents an additional opportunity for the equitable distribution of the nation’s resources across the regions and the major projects executed and commissioned would linger on in the memory of the citizens of the city and region, Mr Kpodo said. He said February 28 marked a significant milestone in the struggle for freedom from our colonialists, adding; “we recall the Christianborg crossroad shooting of 1948 during which our brave soldiers, Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey laid down their lives in pursuit of freedom and justice for the country". He said over the years the anniversary had been celebrated at the national level with a parade of school children, security service personnel and some other identifiable bodies at the Independence Square with some regions and districts replicating the event. He said something better could be done in terms of leaving economic legacies about the annual anniversary celebrations as was done during the Ghana @ 50 celebration.

Surviving conjoined twin also dies February 28, 2013, 9:34  Like our facebook page..The News           0 inShare The second of the conjoined twins separated in a marathon surgery Tuesday has died. She passed away Thursday, a day after her twin died from complications of a hole in her heart that doctors intended to operate on after the separation. The second twin had been in critical condition after her sister passed Wednesday. Joy FM's Ohemeng Tawiah reported that Dr Michael Amoah of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital wailed uncontrollably as he broke the news. He said the father of the babies is devastated but that their mother has not yet been informed. The story of the three-month-old infants gained a great deal of national attention after it was highlighted in a Hotline Documentary on Joy FM. A team of 17 doctors spent about hours performing the complex surgery on the twins, who were joined at the stomach and waist. Their operation was funded by the MTN Foundation, which donated GH¢ 20,000 as well as Joy FM and its listeners who raised GH¢ 12,970 for them.

Jail Breaker Re-Arrested With 18-Yr-Old Girlfriend   Date: 28-Feb-2013        Like our Facebook page...The News

A 20-year-old armed robber who escaped from the grips of the Tema Fishing Harbour Police, have been re-arrested. Eliasu Mohammed, according to the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Tema Regional Police Command, was re-arrested on Wednesday Morning at Okponglo, a suburb of Accra after he escaped along with two others on Saturday. Mohammed, a Malian, was re-arrested together with his 18-year-old final-year senior high school student lover who was allegedly assisting him in his hideout. He had earlier been arrested together with two of his colleagues following a misunderstanding over the sharing of the booty after they had robbed an expatriate of huge sums of money. Speaking in an interview on Wednesday on Peace FM, Corporal Joseph Barabu indicated that Eliasu had a large quantity of ammunitions with him when he was re-arrested. The two other escapees, Daniel Kumi, a 20 year old mechanic apprentice and Ebenezer Nyagbedzi, a 19 year old tailor, are still at large. Corporal Barabu narrated that after news broke that the three had escaped, the Accra police command was on the lookout and even informed the public to assist in re-arresting the culprits. “We requested for information from the public and they assisted us in re-arresting him. Crime fighting is not for one person but collective. We know the public will still help us to arrest the other escapees. We are also gathering intelligence report… Eliasu is currently in our custody at the regional headquarters…” he said.

Ghana Music Honours is not to rival Ghana Music Awards – MUSIGA Prez

February 28, 2013

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L-R: Kwabena Kwabena, Obour, Kojo Antwi and Tic Tac at the launch of the Ghana Music Honours (MUSIGA Honours) Charter House has for the past decade and half organized Ghana’s foremost music awards to honour musicians but the emergence of a new music awards by the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) is beginning to raise eyebrows. MUSIGA on Monday announced that it will organize the first edition of the Ghana Music Honours (MUSIGA Honours) with the sole aim of rewarding musicians for their exploits. The move has sent tongues wagging and pundits asking if “MUSIGA has lost confidence in the annual Ghana Music Awards organized by Charter House?” Answering that question in an interview with Myjoyonline.com, MUSIGA President Bice Osei Kuffour popularly known as Obour reiterated his association’s confidence in the Ghana Music Awards (GMAs). He explained that the introduction of the MUSIGA Honours is not aimed at undermining the GMAs but rather “the MUSIGA Honours is an honorary award that is presented to people deserving of those honorary recognition [and] they are selected by musicians.” According to Obour, unlike the GMAs which is more of public awards, there is no public voting and that industry experts – made up of singers, composers, sound engineers etc – select the winners for the Ghana Music Honours. “Ghana Music Awards, more or less is by popular votes. For instance a category like Song of the Year is 100% public votes but with the Ghana Music Honours, there is no voting category for the public to determine even 1% of it. It is strictly musicians who select the winners," he explained. The new awards scheme, he noted, takes into account the fact “There are people in this industry that deserve to be recognized [and] they might never get the chance to be recognized because of competition in the competitive awards or because their songs are not being played on radio.” The MUSIGA President stressed that, musicians are better placed to understand the music business and therefore “know which people amongst us whose songs are outstanding.” “This will be an award scheme that musicians will own and it will be a total reflection” of the will and wish of musicians and anybody who wins “really deserves it,” he added. The awards, which comes off at the National Theatre on March 9 will honour musicians and personalities in 12 categories. The honours will be part of the first Ghana Music Week celebrations which is slated for March 4 to March 10 at the same venue. The categories for the honours are: Music Industry Development Honour, Music Promoter Honour, Music Tutor Honour, Music Band Honour, President’s Choice Honour, Reggae/Dancehall Musician Honour, Highlife Musician Honour, Hiplife Musician Honour, Gospel Musician Honour, Traditional Music Honour, Music Producer/Sound Engineer Honour, and International Act Honour. A release from MUSIGA explained that the selection process for the Ghana Music Honours will be nationwide and it will involve committees in the various regions who will shortlist the various artistes and songs for the awards. There will be regional nominations by musicians after which special committees in the regions will compile the nominations and submit them to the Executive Council of MUSIGA. The council will further prune the nominations to three per category. The finale phase, the release said, will see a selection of musicians called the Musicians Council which will come from different music genres in the country. They are expected to meet on the nominations and select finalists based on consensus.

GFA Rejects Ayews Black Stars Retirement   Date: 28-Feb-2013         Like our page on Facebook..The News

The Emergency Committee of the Ghana Football Association has rejected the temporary resignation of Olympique Marseille duo Andre and Jordan Ayew from the Black Stars. According to our well-placed sources, the Emergency Committee has resolved to do everything within its power to resolve all issues relating to the Ayews’ decisions, including strained relationships between both players and the Black Stars Management Committee. Footy-ghana.com understands that the two players will soon be invited for a meeting to air their grievances so that a quick resolution is sought for the matter. Sources close to the GFA’s top hierarchy have also told footy-ghana.com that the latest retirements, coming on the heels of similar actions taken by Asamoah Gyan, Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng amongst others, sends a bad signal as regards the level of commitment of players to the Black Stars, adding that the Emergency Committee is set to put measures in place to halt the worrying trend of temporary and premature retirements from the team.

Ailing actress Ngozi Nwosu flies to UK for heart, kidney treatment   Published On: February 27, 2013  Follow us on facebook... The News         0 inShare Actress Ngozi Nwosu It’s been more than a month now since Governor Fashola of Lagos State and friends of the ailing actress Ngozi Nwosu came to her rescue. Ngozi battled to raise six million naira to undergo a much needed treatment abroad to stop a ravaging heart and kidney condition. The good news is that Ngozi Nwosu has now flown to the UK to begin her treatment in earnest. Since early last year, the 'Fuji house of commotion troublesome' wife and talented actress who played 'Peaceful Peace' has been a shadow of her old self as she continued shed pounds in her ongoing battle against the undisclosed heart and kidney related ailments. Her friends in the industry panicked and raced to raise money for her treatments, but even their efforts were not enough until Governor Fashola stepped in. The governor donated 4.5 million naira after reportedly reading of her ailment in a publication. Another 2 million was raised by her friends and corporate organisations who donated their widows mite to the distress call. Ngozi was temporarily delayed in Nigeria as her doctors there transferred her records to the hospital in UK that would be handling her case forthwith. As soon as everything was ready, Ngozi took the first available flight out of the country. Since the story of her medical condition broke, her fans have continued to pour out their hearts to her in prayers and in kind words and with the steadfast hope that she will come back to them alive and well.

Kennis Music to hold candlelight procession for Goldie Friday

February 28, 2013

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Susan Goldie Harvey Kennis Music, the record label that managed late musician Susan Goldie Harvey has announced that it will hold a candlelight procession in her honour, this Friday. The remains of the late singer was laid to rest Monday at the Vaults & Gardens private burial ground located at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Close, Off Federal Secretariat Road, Ikoyi, Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria. Goldie, who represented Nigeria at the 2012 Big Brother Africa StarGame reality show died on February 14, Valentine’s Day at the Reddington Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria shortly after arriving in Nigeria from Los Angeles, United States where she attended the 55th Grammy Awards. Fans will converge at the Parkview Easte gate in Ikoyi, Lagos Island, one of Lagos’ most affluent neighborhoods, for the March 1 procession. The label tweeted Thursday that: “Goldie's Candlelight procession Tomorrow Friday 1st March 2013 at 6pm. We will converge at Parkview Estate gate in Ikoyi.” Kennis Music had also earlier announced that it cancelled this year’s edition of the annual Kennis Music Easter Fiesta in honour of Goldie. The label said in a statement Tuesday that: “Due to the loss of our dear Oluwabimpe Goldie Harvey, The Management has decided not to celebrate this year’s event. The festival is hereby cancelled for 2013." The statement added that "However, you can join us for a Thanksgiving service/Tribute Concert to be held at a later date.”

Read The Full Text of Andre And Jordan Ayew's Letter To The Ghana FA   Date: 28-Feb-2013

Andre Ayew     The letters of Marseille striker Jordan Ayew and Midfielder Andre Ayew sent to the Ghana FA over their decision to retire from the Black Stars have been leaked to the media. Below is the full text of Andre Ayew's letter to the GFA 25TH FEBRUARY 2013 GHANA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION P.O.BOX AN 19338 ACCRA NORTH ATTN: EMMANUEL GYIMAH Dear Sir, RE: WITHDRAWAL OF SERVICES FOR THE SENIOR NATIONAL TEAM (BLACK STARS) TEMPORARILY It is with profound regret that I write to communicate to you my decision to withdraw my services for the national team temporarily. My decision to withdraw my services from the national team results from a number of issues or matters that have occurred quite recently, especially with regard to my relationship with the management team of the senior national team, the Black Stars. These matters have so affected me emotionally and psychologically such that I am unable presently to offer the best of my services to my dear nation. In the meantime I take this opportunity to congratulate my colleagues in the national team for their performance in the just ended AFCON competition. Although we did not win the cup I take the view that their performance is commendable since the team maintained the same standard of performance by way of position whereas others like the Zambian national team bowed out in the preliminary stages of the competition. I assure my colleagues in the national team and my fans that my decision is only to enable me pull myself together and motivate myself (in the circumstances in which I currently find myself) in order that I would return with a renewed fervor to assist my colleagues carry the cause of the national team to higher levels. My decision is not novel. Some of my colleagues who have previously taken such decisions have returned more strongly and with vigour to serve the nation. Finally, I hereby affirm my avowed love, devotion and commitment to my beloved country the Republic of Ghana whose national teams I have pledged to always faithfully and dutifully serve to the best of my ability. Thank you. DEDE AYEW   Jordan Ayew's Letter Read the full text of Jordan Ayew’s letter to discover the reasons he gave for quitting the Ghana national team. 24TH FEBRUARY 2013 GHANA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION P.O.BOX AN 19338 ACCRA NORTH ATTN: EMMANUEL GYIMAH Dear Sir, RE: TEMPORARY RESIGNATION FROM INTERNATIONAL SOCCER I write to formally communicate to you my decision to withdraw my services temporarily from the senior national team, the Black Stars. The reasons for my decision, although personal, I believe, would eventually inure to the benefit of the Black Stars, the reason being that in this period of my temporary absence I intend not only to work hard in my club as a young player so I can obtain the quality, experience and stature necessary for a call up to play in the national team, but also ensure that my membership of the national team when I soon come out of my temporary resignation endures in a more secure manner so as to avoid the situation where I am unsure as to when my services are required for the national team. The point I have just made is vindicated by the fact that although on every occasion that I have had the opportunity to play for my nation I have played to the best of my ability and served my nation with commitment, it appears that my efforts have not impressed the management team of the senior national team. The reason is that in the position for which my services are required for the national team, I have been ranked way behind several players as not to merit a place in the team on occasions when it mattered. My observation comes against the backdrop of the fact that I was considered not good enough to play for the national team even at a time when my club believed I was doing very well and honoured with player of the month for my club. In this regard, I have decided that I need to work harder especially in my club in the hope that I can convince the management team of the Black Stars in the very near future by the grace of the Almighty that my efforts merit a place in the national team, not just occasionally or sporadically but more permanently in so far as I still actively play football. I wish my colleagues in the team all the best and hereby affirm my commitment to my beloved country the Republic of Ghana and pledge to always faithfully and dutifully serve the nation to the best of my ability when I return. I also assure the fans of my love for them and affirm to them that I am as always committed to all matters involving the national team. Thank you JORDAN AYEW     Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

TOR Workers Speak On Irregular Supply of Crude   Date: 28-Feb-2013

Workers of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) have expressed concern over the irregular supply of crude oil to the refinery, a situation which has negatively affected the running of its equipment. They have, therefore, appealed to the government to ensure the regular supply of crude oil to avoid constant shutdowns of the refinery. Presenting the concerns of the workers, the Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of TOR, Mr Daniel Fugar, said the workers were not happy about the constant shortage of crude oil for the refinery to operate. For instance, the reactor where the actual chemical process took place could not operate very well in the face of frequent shutdowns. Mr Fugar said the refinery’s stock would last for one month but was hopeful that the government would assist to raise letters of credit for crude imports. He stated that at full capacity, the refinery would need one million barrels of crude at the cost of $120 million in one month but noted that “TOR cannot raise that money”. He said the refinery could only rely on the banks for the necessary help and appealed to the government to make the company viable this time round. On the increase of the managing director’s (MD’s) salary, Mr Fugar said once the MD’s salary was determined by the government, the workers would not know about it but confirmed that they had heard about the increase in the media. “It will be just proper for us to also demand our share,’’ he said, adding that it was too early to comment on it now. Efforts to get the MD of TOR, Mr Ato Ampiah, to speak to the issues raised by the workers were not successful. Meanwhile, speaking on Joy FM, Mr Ampiah said the refinery was expected to start refining 30,000 barrels of crude oil a day when its operations began by the middle of next month. He said measures had been instituted to ensure that the refinery remained viable after resumption of its operations. Mr Ampiah also said with full cost recovery and proper investment, the refinery would operate at full capacity.The state refinery last month secured $30 million from the government for its plant sustainability and profit enhancement programme. The TOR debt currently stands at $350 million after the government managed to clear almost a billion Ghana cedis in the past four years. It currently requires about $650 million for its day-to-day operations. A senior official at the Maintenance Section, Mr Albert Pinto, also confirmed that work was almost complete for the plant to start operations. Mr Pinto, who is also the Vice-Chairman of the Tema Council of Labour, noted that the government would need to seriously consider redeeming the refinery in its entirety because of its life span. He was of the view that one of the challenges that the workers could foresee was the breakdown of equipment and called for regular supply of crude oil to run the plant. He stated that the maintenance work was done by workers themselves without any foreign expert. Mr Pinto said the refinery had, through its internally generated funds, increased the capacity of the plant from 28,000 barrels to 45,000 barrels a day.

Minister vows to be tough on galamsey operators and collaborators

28 Feb. 2013

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galamsey pit Lands and Natural Resources Minister Alhaji Inusah Fuseini has instructed the Technical Director of Mines to produce data on all companies engaged in exploration in the country. The move aims to help identify and weed out those with expired licenses who are illegally leasing out concessions to galamsey operators. Alhaji Fuseini, who disclosed this to Joy News, described the gradual introduction of armed guards into the industry as unfortunate. Two navy personnel lost their lives three weeks ago and two other soldiers are recuperating from serious injuries sustained during an operation to flush out illegal miners. Alhaji Fuseini told Joy News’ Eric Ahianyo that security officials will be ruthless and that politicians and chiefs involved would be exposed. He said galamsey operators have supporters and collaborators and until those people are dealt with, the situation will persist.