MUSIGA To Lose Ownership Of Ghana Music Week?

President of MUSIGA Bice Osei Kuffour Call it an issue of oversight or perhaps misplacement of priority and you could not be far from right. But whatever your pick, it is worth stating that Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), the umbrella body for musicians in Ghana, has to prove its control over the first ever week long musical festival held a couple of weeks ago, or lose its ownership to another party. It was revealed on Peace FM’s “Entertainment Review” Saturday April 20 edition that in spite of the fact that MUSIGA introduced, publicised and organised the maiden edition of Ghana Music Week (GMW), which was put together by three parties; Musicbiz Limited, Yendis Media Consultancy Limited and MUSIGA, the name of the event has not been registered. Host of the show, Kwasi Aboagye, claimed he had in his possession a certificate from the Registrar Generals Department with the name Ghana Music Week registered as a company and a music festival with two directors. Kwasi revealed further that the two directors are not executives of MUSIGA and they are not part of the other two parties adding however that they are both known people in the music industry in Ghana. From his disclosure, it appears the registration was done after the GMW which started from March 4 and ended on March 10 2013. Even though he refused to mention the names of the two directors, he promised to reveal it on the Saturday April 27 2013 edition of the program and invite the two directors in the studio to confirm their ownership of the well-publicised Ghana Music Week which brought together over 50 musicians from Ghana and other countries and honoured individuals who have contributed to the development of Ghanaian music. Peacefmonline.com has confirmed from the Registrar Department that indeed Ghana Music Week does exist in their registration books thus no other party can register a company in that name. We can also confirm that recent attempts to do so were fiercely resisted, though it is unclear whether the resistance was from the three parties group or from two new directors group. Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer for MUSIGA, Okyeame Kwame speaking on the show said he has no idea whether the name of the music festival has been registered or not. MUSIGA’s current dilemma has got the industry talking with some arguing that if the musicians group truly did not register the name first then it may possibly lose the entire ownership of the event because they can’t show any official documentary evidence, while some believe as far as MUSIGA is the known organiser or the main body behind the maiden edition, they can claim ownership with video footages, posters, Billboards, radio jingles, TV commercials, media reports among other things. Some legal practitioners who spoke to Peacefmonline.com have all argued this is a very tricky case and it can go either way depending on how both present their case. They also did not rule out the possibility of this matter ending in court if the parties involved refuse to come to a compromise. If this goes to court, it would be a great case study and definitely be written in the country’s history books, but for now the big question is, “WHO OWNS Ghana Music Week?

Sellas names 15 foreign-based players in 41-man list.

Ghana’s preparations for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup begins next week as coach of the national team invites forty-one players for camping.

The list of players called up includes both local and foreign-based as Sellas Tetteh will begin preparations in Accra on Monday, April 29.

Fifteen players plying their trade outside the shores of Ghana have been called with the bulk all drawn from the domestic leagues.

The camping is part of the Black Satellites’ preparations towards the impending U-20 in Turkey.

Ghana will face France, USA and Spain in Group A at the finals which will be played June 21-July 13 in seven Turkish cities.

Selected players

Goalkeepers:
Felix Annan (Kotoko) Eric Ofori Antwi (Amidaus) Michael Sai (Chelsea) Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars)

Defenders:
Kofi Koomson (Amidaus) Richard Nketia (Medeama) Jeremiah Arkorful and Joseph Attamah (Tema Youth) Ebenezer Ofori (New Edubiase) Lawrence Lartey (AshantiGold) Princebell Addico (Bechem)

Midfielders:
Derrick Mensah and Moses Odjer ( Tema Youth) Seidu Salifu and Emmanuel Gyamfi (Wa All Stars) Ollenu Ashittey (Hearts of Oak) Michael Anaba and Prince Baffoe (Kotoko) Clifford Aboagye (Inter Allies) Jacob Apau and Joseph Gordon (Medeama)

Strikers:
Francis Narh (Tema Youth) Kennedy Ashia, Selorm Geraldo, Ebenezer Assifuah and Kwame Boahene (Liberty)

Foreign-based players:

Isaac Nana Asare and Anthony Manison (Rayo Vallecano, Spain) Zak Ansah (Arsenals, England) Moro Ibrahim (Aik, Sweden) Alfred Duncan (Inter Milan, Italy) John Antwi (Ismaila, Egypt) Frank Acheampong (Anderlect R.C, Belgium) Daniel Amartey (Djurgården, Sweden) Arago Jamal (Atromitos, Greece) Richmond Boakye Yiadom (Sassuolo, Italy) Lord Ofosuhene (Rio Ave, Portugal) Baba Rahman (Greuther Fürth, Germany) Carlos Ohene (Ael, Cyprus) Paul Quaye (Espanyol, Spain) Ebo Andoh (Ael, Cyprus)
Source:GFA

Bui dam is 92% complete – chief executive.

The Chief Executive of the Bui Power Authority Jabesh Amissah-Arthur have said the Bui dam is ninety two percent complete.

The Chief Executive said this when he took Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur around the project to inspect the extent of completion.

The Vice President intimated that government will continue to fulfill all its obligations towards the completion of the Bui hydro-electric project.

He emphasised that meeting the energy needs of the country is very critical for the development of the national economy and the government will therefore continue to discharge that duty.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur expressed delight at the progress of work so far and commended the workers for their effort.

The Bui dam when completed will augment the supply of electric power to the national electricity grid.

Santana returns to 'I do'?

14-04-2013.

Married: Santana and GenevieveTwo years after popular radio presenter, Abeiku Santana and his wife, Maggie divorced, the host of ‘Ekwanso Dwodwoo’ on Okay FM  has found another wife in the person of Genevieve, a long-lost lady friend he knew 13 years ago.

Last February, the two went through a traditional marriage ceremony and are looking forward to top it with a wedding soon.
 “Gene is a gift from God and we being together again is by the divine grace of God”, Santana told Showbiz last Monday.”
“I have known Gene in Kumasi since 2001 before coming to Accra where I met and married Maggie, my ex. As God’s ways are not our ways and luck being on my side, Gene was still single so I took that bold step, proposed and she accepted.”
He described her lost-and-found love as an ideal African woman who is “not artificial, someone who projects African beauty and portrays African values,  a lady who knows how to appreciate her man in every way“, he said.
The new wife, Genevieve, who was not present at the time Showbiz spoke with Santana, called on phone later to say how happy she was in her new relationship.
Speaking with a lot of glee in her voice, Gene kept thanking God for everything and said,  “Abeiku is the love of my life, I lost him once and as I have him again, I will not let him go. He is the best thing that has happened to me, he is my soul mate, play mate, a lover and a friend.”
When asked whether she was not bothered about Santana’s huge popularity among lady admirers, she said “I believe Abeiku knows what is good and what is bad. Just as he is free to make choices,  he should also be ready to take responsibilities of his actions but then he will always come home to me.”.
Being one of media personalities who has expressed his strong support for President Mahama, Santana threw in a word of endorsement for the president.
“Mahama cannot be blamed for the energy and water crises that the country faces today. Ghanaians should stop being hypocrites and pay attention to the swift and quick intervention he is giving to the crises .
The “worwor” man said that his success in the media is based on one principle which is “life is a competition, stand tall to be seen or lie low to be buried”.
Even though Adom FM shaped him to an extent, Santana said he was having a good time at Okay FM where the experience is nicer but more challenging.
Final words to his fans? “Let us love, smile and eat healthy if we want to live long.”
Credit:Graphic Showbiz

Kumasi Wesley Girls High School Students Punished   14-Apr-2013

Twelve students of the Kumasi Wesley Girls High School have been deboardinised, following their alleged involvement in acts of lesbianism. The decision was taken by the authorities after they conducted investigation into the activities of the students which confirmed the practice. The activities of the students were said to have come to the notice of the school’s authorities in November, 2012. However, what finally exposed them was when they attempted to lure a fresh student into their fold. Some of the students were found to have written love letters to attract their fellows to practice lesbianism. The authorities declined to disclose the identities of the students but said their behaviour was against the rules and ethics of the school. According to the officials of the Ghana Education Service (GES), the students confessed to have engaged in acts of lesbianism when they were exposed by other students. The Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Mr Kofi Safo Kantanka, in an interview with the Daily Graphic yesterday said the action against the students was in line with the code of conduct governing senior high schools. He underscored the need for students to conform to the norms of boarding house, failure which would result in the necessary punishment. Mr Kantanka said the disciplinary action against the students would serve as a deterrent to other students in the country, adding that reported acts of lesbianism in second cycle institutions must be strongly condemned. Cases of lesbianism and homosexuality in second cycle institutions in the country are gaining currency, a development which has caused concern about the clergy in particular and the citizenry at large. According to Mr Kantanka, allowing such students to continue to stay in the boarding houses in spite of their conduct would in the final analysis influence other innocent students. He explained that withdrawing the students would break their front and also immobilise them from continuing to engage in such acts. He said the school, being a Methodist oriented school, had put together a team of counselors to help the students. Mr Kantanka pleaded with parents to partner school authorities to instil discipline in the students rather than leave that responsibility in the hands of teachers alone. He urged the students in other institutions to concentrate on their studies and not to allow themselves to be deceived into engaging in acts that had the tendency to ruin their education.

OLA Girls Claim Of Removal Of Panties, Sanitary Pads In Exam Searches Is False - WAEC    14-Apr-2013

The West African Examination Council has said it is not true female students from the OLA Girls Senior High School in the Bono Ahafo Region were subjected to all kinds of humiliation by their exams officials. The West African Examination Council has downplayed claims by female students from the OLA Girls Senior High School in the Bono Ahafo Region that they are subjected to all kinds of humiliation by their exams officials. They claim they are asked to strip in the full glare of male invigilators. Others are reportedly also being asked to remove their panties and sanitary pads in the searching process. But WAEC says the reports are exaggerated. Agnes Tei-Cudjoe who is head of public affairs at WAEC told XYZ News, “I heard of the report and think the students are just exaggerating. I don’t think that any female teacher will go out to fondle the breast of students”. But child protection activist, Shadrach Frimpong disagrees. He tells XYZ News, the reports shouldn’t be taken lightly. Mr. Frimpong wants an investigation to be launched into the reports.       Source: radioxyzonline

Efya Turns 27 Years Today   14-Apr-2013

Efya Ghanaian female vocalist Efya Awindor is one of the luckiest celebrities today, as she celebrates her 27th birthday. Efya Awindor’s over 4,701 fans on social platforms Facebook and Twitter started pouring their warm birthday greetings online a few days before her actual birthday. Queen mother Nana Adwoa Awindor dedicated her Facebook page to her princess musician wishing her the best in all her endeavors. Although she had been singing since she was 9 years old, Efya didn’t quite decide to do it professionally until she auditioned and gained national recognition in 2008 as the first runner up of Charter House’s Stars Of The Future. Since her entrance into professional music, Efya as she is known in show business, has been rising up the ladder of success. Recently, her ‘Best In Me’ track joined the group of songs to be featured in award winning African movies. Fans of Efya went wow when they heard the song in some of the scenes of the Nigerian movie ‘Flower Girl’. She is presently putting finishing touches to her highly anticipated debut studio album, Love Genesis, slated for a first quarter release in 2013. Sources close to the Awindors say the family is cooking up an eventful birthday package for their daughter. We wish Efya God’s blessing in her life as she celebrates her birthday.

FIFA appoints goal-line technology provider for Brazil 2013. The use of goal-line technology (GLT) at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 moved a step closer today, with FIFA confirming the appointment of GoalControl GmbH as the official GLT provider for the tournament. The announcement follows a comprehensive tender process that began in February and involved bid presentations at the Home of FIFA in Zurich as well as site inspections in Brazil. As part of the tender, GoalControl GmbH is also set to be GLT provider for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ provided that the performance of the system during this year’s Festival of Champions meets all necessary FIFA requirements. The Germany-based company, which uses 14 high-speed cameras around the pitch as part of its GoalControl-4D system, was selected ahead of the three other FIFA-licensed GLT providers who participated in the tender. While all four companies had previously met the stringent technical requirements of the FIFA Quality Programme, the final decision was based on criteria relating more specifically to the tournaments in Brazil, including the company’s ability to adapt to local conditions and the compatibility of each GLT system in relation to FIFA match operations. The respective bids were also judged on cost and project management factors such as staffing and time schedules for installation. Following a thorough analysis of the final proposals, FIFA appointed GoalControl GmbH as GLT provider on Tuesday, 2 April, and notified all participating companies of the decision. The use of GoalControl-4D in Brazil is subject to a final installation test at each stadium where the system will be installed, which is a standard procedure as part of the official certification process defined in the GLT Testing Manual. These tests will be conducted by an independent test institute. Prior to the start of every match, the match officials will also carry out their own tests, in-line with the operational procedures first implemented at the FIFA Club World Cup 2012 in Japan. FIFA will now liaise with GoalControl GmbH to define the timeline for installation leading up to the FIFA Confederations Cup. The tournament will mark the second time GLT has been used at a FIFA competition, after the successful implementation of the technology at last December’s FIFA Club World Cup. This followed the historic decision by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to approve the principle of using GLT during a special meeting on 5 July 2012. A media event is scheduled to take place in Brazil prior to the event with a demonstration of the GoalControl-4D system. Further details will be communicated to journalists in due course.

Adiyia Shouldn’t Have Moved To AC Milan – Sellas Tetteh. Black Satellites coach Sellas Tetteh has exclusively revealed to Joy Sports that Dominic Adiyiah’s decision to join AC Milan was not in the right direction considering his age the time he moved to the Italian giants. The former Heart of Lions striker who now plays in Ukraine for Arsenal Kyiv joined AC Milan after his impressive performance at the 2009 FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Egypt. Then player of Norwegian side Fredrikstad, Adiyiah won the Best Player and Top scorer awards of that tournament as the Black Satellites became the first African side to win the World Youth Cup. Adiyiah joined AC Milan after the world cup but he never played in his two-year stay with the club. According to Tetteh, who led the team to win the 2009 African and World Youth Cups, the choice of Adiyia signing for Milan as a teenager was perhaps the wrong decision to make at the time. “Sometimes decision making is very important, maybe the choice of decision didn’t help him,” he told Joy Sports. “It was great news making that move to AC Milan but may be the choice wasn’t the right one, he could have started from a small club to project up but that was an opportunity which no one would have turned down. “It happens once a while, at times you will see players who make it in the youth stage and when they reach the top they disappear.” Source: The New Statesman

Hearts Fans Jubilate Kotoko's CAF CL Exit. The Accra Sports Stadium erupted in wild jubilation with news of Asante Kotoko’s elimination from the CAF Champions League. Fans of the Phobians were watching their side in MTN FA Cup action against second tier club Starke FC when news of Kotoko’s 1-1 draw with JSM Bejaia filtered through on Sunday. The Ghanaian champions crashed out of the competition on the away-goal-rule after securing a goalless draw in the first leg encounter in Algeria. A stunning free kick by midfielder Michael Akuffo edged the Porcupine Warriors in the lead on the stroke of halftime at the Baba Yara Stadium. Kotoko however relaxed in their pressing for more goals as they took a defensive posture to protect their slim lead in the second half. The Algerians who has upped their game struck the equalizer in the 74th minute. The visitors held on for their lives thereafter to secure progress on the away goals rule – much to the disappointment of the expectant Kotoko fans on Sunday. Meanwhile, the news was greeted with great cheers in Accra as in-form rivals Hearts of Oak were doing the business in the FA Cup. Their joy was sweetened with the Phobians beating the second tier club 2-0 courtesy goals from strikers; Gilbert Fiamenyo and Mahatma Otoo. Hearts have been priding themselves as Ghana’s king of African club competition following their Champions League and Super Cup feat in 2000. Despite Kotoko winning two African Cups, the Hearts fans claim it was in the old inter-club format and that the Fabulous lads lack the pedigree and character to win the competition in its current format. Kotoko have now failed to emulate the great strides made by Berekum Chelsea in last season’s edition with their elimination at just the 1/16th stage of the competition. Source: ghanasoccernet.com

I'm always reminding Sir Alex Ferguson he was wrong to sell me, says Barcelona defender Pique. The Spain international believes his former Scottish manager made a mistake in allowing him to leave Old Trafford, but is grateful for the three years he spent in England Bet: Returns: Barcelona £14.00 Draw £52.50 Paris St. Germain (PSG) £85.00 Bet365 Barcelona defender Gerard Pique believes Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was wrong to sell him, but is incredibly proud to have played under the Scottish manager. The Spanish centre-back made his way through the Blaugrana's famed academy as a youth player but signed his first professional contract with the Red Devils in 2004, only to return to his childhood club four years later. And now the 26-year-old, who has gone on to win a score of honours with the Catalan giants, has revealed that he enjoys letting his former boss know how wrong he was to sell him, but believes his time in England made him a better player. "I am proud to have been part of a Sir Alex Ferguson team. Even though every time I meet him I tell him that he got it wrong with me!" the defender told The Telegraph. "The kid who went to Manchester was a boy of 17 who found himself in a changing room full of stars and had a wonderful time [remains]. I remember when I was called to train with the first team, it was wonderful. "That prepared me for what was coming, for the return to Barcelona. Without that pressure, I would have been a bit green when I came here. "I am very proud of my three years there, of having decided to go to Manchester first – at 17 it was the perfect time for me to leave home because it helped make me as a person."

Ghana Music Awards Needs Prayers. Sensational gospel diva, Herty Borngreat aka Herty Rapper has called on her colleague musicians to support the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) and as well pleaded with all gospel ministers to pray for the success of the event. “As Christians, we should not forget that the things we say with our mouths must be positive. So instead of condemning and speaking about only the shortfalls of the VGMA, we should rather be saying, confessing and professing positive things about the event. “As ministers of the gospel of Christ it is expected of us to say special prayers for the success of the music awards. We should not get carried away by the negative media basing and all that because at the end of the day that is one of the leading awards events for musicians we have and we must all protect it, support it, pray for it and make sure it is successful and even grows bigger and better,” Herty Rapper told NEWS-ONE. When Herty was asked if she disagreed with the substance of the criticisms raised against the VGMA, she said though some of the issues were worth looking into, others were overly exaggerated. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying there are absolutely no issues. What I am saying is that we all must be seen helping to address the challenges rather than just standing as fierce critics whose only task is to find faults. “I’m an optimist and I know, no matter how huge the challenge may be, it can be solved when we all throw in our support, efforts and above all prayers. And especially as gospel musicians, we should be seen thinking positively, giving hope to the organizers and using our faith in prayers to help make the event a success,” she explained. Herty Borngreat was able to bag three nominations for the 2013 VGMAs. Her song, ‘Ka No Saa’ in which she featured Trigmatic is competing for Best Collaboration of the Year and the same song is also competing for Best Gospel Song of the Year. She has also been nominated for Gospel Artiste of the Year. Herty, a gospel singer, is seen as the most visible link between the secular singers and the Christian singers. She has two mega hit gospel tracks, one with Sarkodie and the other with Trigmatic. Her ‘Bebrebe’ duet with Sarkodie was produced by Kaywa and it talks about how Sarkodie’s mother was suffering from ill health and her situation deteriorated to the extent that she almost lost hope until she miraculously got healed. Sarkodie also sang about how God had raised him from obscurity to prominence and blessed his music career so much that he has grabbed some of the industry’s biggest awards. Herty also sings about the blessing of God in her life and the number of children God has blessed her family with. Indeed, Herty has five strong children all below age 12. “I believe any gospel musician who cannot mingle freely and work with musicians who do not belong to the gospel fraternity has a problem. If we cannot take our message of Christ to our fellow musicians with whom we belong to the same profession, then we have no business attempting to reach others. I’m proud of the collaboration with Trigmatic because at the end of the day, he has helped my ministry. He has done God’s work and this is just the beginning of such collaborations,” Herty explained the rational of her collaboration. Source: News One

The FIFA 2014 World Cup Match Schedule. The FIFA Executive Committee convened at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, and approved the kick-off times for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. The Opening Match will take place on 12 June in Sao Paulo, with a kick-off time of 17.00. Group-stage games will be played at 13.00, 15.00, 16.00, 17.00, 18:00, 19.00 and 21:00 local time, with knockout stage matches at 13.00 and 17.00 local time. The semi-finals will be played at 17.00 local time and the Final, on 13 July 2014 at the iconic Maracana stadium, at 16.00 local time. All kick-offs are local time, with Cuiaba and Manaus being CET-6, all other venues CET -5.

Salvador opens Brazil 2014's third new stadium. Brazilian football unveiled its latest brand new stadium on Friday. Following on from the Mineirao in Belo Horizonte and the Castelao in Fortaleza, the Arena Fonte Nova, located in Salvador in the northeastern state of Bahia, is the third stadium to be completed for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. Bahia’s most famous football arena and one of the most distinguished landmarks in the Brazilian game, the Fonte Nova has been given a complete facelift thanks to a 32-month construction project, which has turned it into a modern facility with a capacity of 48,744. The new stadium is one of six that will be used at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 this June, when it will stage three matches: the group games between Brazil and Italy on the 16th and Nigeria and Spain on the 20th, and the match for third place on the 30th. It will also provide the venue for six matches at next year’s world finals. Friday’s opening ceremony was attended by the President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff, the Governor of Bahia Jacques Wagner, the Brazilian Minister of Sport Aldo Rebelo and the Mayor of Salvador Antonio Carlos Magalhaes Neto, who were accompanied by several dignitaries and a sizeable number of representatives of the 10,000 workers who helped build the stadium. “There is one word that sums my feelings about this unique building, one that reveals the spirit and creativity of the people of Bahia and Brazil. That word is ‘pride’,” said President Rousseff in her speech at the ceremony. “It is a stadium that will delight anyone who visits it,” she continued. “It is a work of faith and respect for the people of Salvador and the entire population of Brazil. It is a source of pride to be hosting the Confederations Cup and the World Cup, and I am sure that at both tournaments we will stage quite a show here at this stadium.” There is one word that sums my feelings about this unique building, one that reveals the spirit and creativity of the people of Bahia and Brazil. That word is ‘pride’. Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter sent a video message congratulating the people of Bahia on the opening of the new stadium. “We are immensely satisfied with the huge interest the FIFA Confederations Cup is generating among the people of Bahia and Brazil,” commented Blatter. “Exactly one year ago, Governor Jacques Wagner came to Zurich and gave his word that the stadium would be handed over with enough time to allow the facilities to be tested for the FIFA Confederations Cup. “I am very happy to see that we were absolutely right to put all our trust in the Bahian people. Unfortunately I cannot be with you in person this time due to other commitments, but I am very keen to visit the Arena Fonte Nova during the FIFA Confederations Cup in June.” Rebelo also spoke at the ceremony and pointed out that the Arena Fonte Nova eloquently expresses the diversity of the Brazilian people and the joie de vivre of Bahia’s inhabitants. He said: “Salvador has a stadium that reflects its way of being, its personality, history and diversity. I have followed the hard work to rebuild the Fonte Nova from the very beginning, and that work has merely reflected the dignity of the people of Bahia and their passion for football.” The new stadium will host its first game at 4pm local time this Sunday, when Bahia and Vitoria, two of Brazil’s oldest teams, meet in the latest staging of the ever-exciting Ba-Vi derby. The two local rivals will square off again on 28 April in a test event for the FIFA Confederations Cup. A very special curtain-raiser “The Arena is already in the hearts of the state’s inhabitants. It will be the stage where the passions of all the people of Bahia and Salvador will be played out,” said Governor Wagner, before highlighting the importance of sustainability at the Arena Fonte Nova, which has been built using materials recycled from the demolition of the old Estadio Fonte Nova. Summing up the feeling of pride among local people, the mayor of Salvador said: “Everything has been done to ensure that Brazil’s first capital city has the most beautiful and complete stadium in the country.” “The Fonte Nova has great historical importance,” added Ricardo Trade, the CEO of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Organising Committee (LOC). “It has staged some of Brazilian football’s defining moments and now that it has been fully refurbished, I am certain it will continue to be a place where fans can express all their emotions. Bahians can now watch football at a modern and comfortable stadium and can show their great passion for the game. This is a stadium that matches that passion.”

Africa's 1st Traditional Gay Wedding:... Says They Can’t Wait To Be Parents. A pair of South African men have tied the knot in what is believed to be the country’s first traditional gay wedding. Tshepo Cameron Modisane and Thoba Calvin Sithol wore traditional tribal costumes for the ceremony, in the town of KwaDukuza in KwaZulu-Natal, The newly-married couple, who are both 27 and have been together for three years, made their vows in front of 200 guests. The ceremony united traditions from both Mr Modisane’s Tswana and Mr Sithole’s Zulu ancestry, including traditional dancing and the ritual sacrifice of a cow to honour the two men’s ancestors, as well as an an exchange of gifts between the two grooms’ families. Tshepo Modisane, now Sithol, said: ‘I love Thoba so much, I’m very excited we’re both Mr Sithol. ‘There is an idea that being gay is against being African, but being gay is as African as being black, so it’s part of our culture and we are rooted in our culture.’ The two also plan to have children through a surrogate. In February Tshepo told Mamba Online: ‘We are so blessed to have supportive families who care about us. Even though we are gay they still love us. ‘Family is important to us and that is the number one reason why we want to have children. ‘We also want our children to grow up in an environment where they are loved greatly by both parents who appreciate them.’ Love: In this still from South African broadcaster ENCA, the couple enjoy their first married kiss Thoba’s mother Lindiwe Dladla is delighted her son has married. She said: ‘I am so happy and I have no worries and I’m so grateful for the gifts from the Modisanes. ‘I wish them well for the future and where they will be living together.’ The Sithols plan to have a smaller ceremony in Johannesburg later this year. Same-sex marriages have been legal in South Africa since 2006. It is the fifth country, the first in Africa, and the second outside Europe, to legalise it.

195 Students Burn Headmaster's Car For Failing To Register Them For WASSCE. Students of the Kolege Senior High School at Darkuman in Accra have burnt down the car of their headmaster after they were prevented from participating in the ongoing West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) on Tuesday. Narrating the incident to Kwami Sefa-Kayi on Wednesday’s edition of ‘Kokrokoo’Ewura Abena said 195 students were made to pay an amount of GH¢1100.00 as registration fee for the examinations. However when they went to take part in the oral English, the first subject of the WASSCE, they were denied. The students then realized that the headmaster failed to register them even though all of them have paid. They decided to confront the headmaster whose name was given as Albert Cornelius but apparently he had bolted. The irate students therefore decided to resort to demonstration and burning of the headmaster’s car as well as some school properties. The police and the National Fire Service, however, were on the scene to maintain calmness.

Ghana Under-17 coach Fabin unveils final squad. The coach has announced his final 21-man players for the 2013 African U17 Championship in Morocco, which takes place from April 13 Ghana Under-17 coach Paa Kwesi Fabin has released his final 21-man squad for the 2013 African U17 Championship in Morocco. The list was finalised after three warm-up games where the Black Starlets won two and lost one. Their last game was against Novara’s B side in which they won 6-2 in Italy on Tuesday The team will be moving to their base in Marrakesh on Wednesday from Italy for the tournament which kicks of this weekend. The Black Starlets, two-time World and African champions have drawn Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Congo in Group B for the continental championship. The semi finalists will represent Africa at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates next October. Full squad: Goalkeepers: Ali Mohammed, Lawrence Ati and Emmanuel Anning Defenders: Isaac Twum, Patrick Kojo Asmah, William Dankyi, Nicholas Opoku, Yakubu Mohammed, Hamza Hamidu and Kingsley Fobih Midfielders: Gideon Waja, Appiah MacCarthy, Caleb Gomina, Paul Asare De-Vries, Yaw Yeboah, David Atanga, Thomas Agyapong, Zakaria Mumuni and Emmanuel Oti Essigba Strikers: Emmanuel Boateng and Benjamin Tetteh

I Will Not Defend Armed Robbers Again – Lawyer Declares There was drama at an Accra Circuit Court when a lawyer declared in open court that he was not going to defend armed robbers again following attack on his family by robbers. Mr George Asumani, an Accra legal practitioner, said this during the hearing of an armed case where an investigator was about to testify. Mr Asumani told the court presided over Mr Francis Obiri that he was withdrawing his services for armed robbery cases because armed robbers had attacked his mother and sister in their respective homes. Mr Asumani, who was emotional about the issue, said his relations were attacked by robbers who were armed with machetes and other dangerous implements.“I have vowed from today not to handle any robbery case again no matter the financial reward attached to the matter”, he said. Mr Francis Obiri, the Presiding judge, said for some time Mr Asumani has been contemplating on the issue whether to defend armed robbers because of what had happened to his neighbours some time back. He said it was not surprising that Mr Asumani had finally declared not to accept and defend any armed robbery case because of what had happened to his own family. Mr George Asumani is one of the few human right lawyers who had taken upon themselves to defend the rights of every Ghanaian citizen no matter their crime because every person is innocent until proven guilty. Source: GNA

Mark Zuckerberg Reveals ‘Facebook Home’ for Android. The “Facebook Phone” is finally here, but it’s not what you think. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg today unveiled a new way to integrate its network on Android devices. Called Facebook Home, it represents a rethinking of how Facebook exists on Android phones, Zuckerberg said, putting people first instead of apps. “You’re going to be able to turn your Android phone into a great social device,” Zuckerberg said “You’re going to be able to turn your Android phone into a great social device,” Zuckerberg said at the unveiling. “Our phones today are designed around apps, not people. We want to flip that around.” Similar to how the HTC One has a live Flipboard-like interface for its home screen, Facebook Home will put updates from the social network right on the home screen via a feature called Cover Feed. Content from Facebook takes up the entire screen, with no navigation or “chrome” whatsoever, and users can navigate through updates simply by swiping. Apps are still there, accessed through a launcher that appears via swiping up. Another novel feature is chat heads, a way to manage conversations with friends. People you’re interacting with via Facebook Messenger appear as pop-up heads on the margin as opposed to intrusive notifications. You also don’t have to leave the app you’re in to respond. Chat heads work with Facebook Messenger and SMS, but not third-party messaging apps. Android users who have the most recent Facebook app will see a prominent link asking users if they want to download Facebook Home. It downloads as a separate app. It’ll be available April 12.

Ama K. Abebrese In New Kwaw Ansah Movie. Award-winning Ghanaian actress, Ama K Abebrese must be doing something right, as she keeps landing roles with all the top film makers in Ghana. After two critically acclaimed and award-winning performances in Leila Djansi’s ‘Sinking Sands’ and ‘Ties That Bind’, Ama recently had her dream of working with the legendary Ghanaian film maker, Kwaw Ansah come into reality. Ama K recently shared photos from the set of ‘Praising The Lord, Plus One’ on instagram and wrote: “Those very few moments one gets to work with a legend.

Flower Girl Premieres Today. Michel Bimbo’s Flower Girl movie, which stars Chris Attoh, will premiere at the Silverbird Cinemas today. Flower Girl also stars Damilola Adegbite, Chuks Chukwujekwu, Bikiya Graham-Douglas, Teni Aofiyebi, Eku Edewor, and Tosan Edremoda-Ugbeye. It is a romantic comedy that involves the life of Kemi, a shy florist, who is desperate to tie the knot with her long-time boyfriend Umar. Contrary to her expectations, Umar suddenly breaks up with her, leaving her devastated. In a desperate bid to get him back, Kemi teams up with a most unlikely ally, Tunde Kulani, a famous playboy Nollywood star. The movie touches on the issue of young women who are in a hurry to get married and the obsession with an all good-looking spotless wedding and not the crucial long-term commitment required to make a marriage last. Flower Girl is co- produced by Michelle Dede, and written by Jigi Bello.

CEO Of Aphro, Confidence Boobs In Danger...Nears Expiry Date. Confidence Haugen, Chief Executive of Aphrodisiac Night Club, has artificial breasts that are fast nearing its expiry date. It is no secret that Confidence has the type of breast that cannot be avoided by the eyes of any right thinking male adult but when “News- One” cameras spotted her in town a few days ago, her breast were not as firm and rounded as they used to be. In fact, the breast even had traces of stretch marks and they looked so different that they even attracted a few whispers of gossip. Confidence turns 38 this year and she paid some good money to be fitted with artificial breasts made of silicon some eight years ago when she was 30. During the operation, she was cautioned to replace them every 10 years else they would go bad. Sources close to her said she suffered some complications after the implant and she had to travel outside to see specialist surgeons. In the next 24 months, confidence may have to replace her artificial breast as they would have reached the expiry period. Breasts implants go a long way of enhancing a woman’s self esteem and can change sagging breasts into well-rounded and firms ones, with erect nipples but they come with all sorts of complications if not properly fixed by a specialist, or replaced periodically. At age 38, Confidence still does not look her age, though she has an eight-year old son, she still has a high taste for contemporary fashion and still glides red-carpet events dressed to kill. with Zeus in the Big Brother House... Men generally have a passion for three things, money, good breast of a beautiful lady and a perfect-shaped pair of female buttocks. It was therefore not surprising that when Confidence represented Ghana at the Big Brother Africa reality show, a video recording that showed her naked boobs sparked a huge controversy in Accra. Her breast sparked controversy when during her stay in the house, she was captured by the cameras showing her naked boobs and having them fondled by a male housemate, 24-year-old Zues from Botswana. Zeus was wearing a pair of boxer shorts and was seated at the edge of the bathtub with his feet in the water. He had his legs parted in a way that his opened thighs served as a perfect seat of comfort for Confidence. Zeus had placed his palms on Confidence’s boobs firmly grabbing her nipples, as she placed her hands on his palms and pushed them further on her breast. The pair of breast looked ‘heavy’ and younger than what the natural breast of a mother of one should look like. They were rounded and firm enough to make a gay turn heterosexual. Interestingly, confidence did not stop to tell the young chap that “monkey’s play by sizes’ but rather used her palms to press his hands further on her breast as if they said, “Hold my boobs dear”.

Actor John Dumelo's Secret Wife Revealed + Marriage Certificate. It appears handsome Ghanaian actor John Dumelo has been keeping a very vital information about himself from the media and his fans all this while. According to Ameyawdeprah.com, the witty actor has been married for some time now and obviously nobody knows about it, perhaps to keep the ladies around him as always. The reports indicates the “Baby Thief” actor is legally married in far away in America but his marital status has always been single during interviews and everywhere he goes. The Marriage Certificate...... What makes this shocking revelation even more serious is a copy of the marriage certificate from a Circuit Court in Arlington, Virgin Island indicating that John is married to Harrinia A Dembele. Harrinia, who is currently living in the US is said to be a model/ actress also a Nurse in the US. No wonder John Dumelo travels to the US very frequently all in the name of acting. Meanwhile,thenewsghana.blogspot.com investigation indicates that the actor is presently in the States on set with Haitian Hollywood actor, Jimmy Jean-Louis and surely spending some quality time with his supposed wife.

Yvonne Nelson Is Spoiling My Market - John Dumelo. Top Ghana actor, John Dumelo has cleared the air on his relationship with Yvonne Nelson, the leggy queen of beauty and one of the top actresses in Ghana. Dumelo who has paired in countless of movies with the sexy actress has come out to say that he doesn’t feel anything for Yvonne and never will he feel anything for her. “I’ve never felt for her and never will. So ladies out there I’m sorry she is really spoiling my market. But thanks to all of you for saying we look good together. But it’s simply not possible to like Yvonne because she only makes me puke,” he said. Yvonne in her own response said “the whole world thinks that there is something between the two of us … let me get straight to the point.. I don’t like John; I don’t feel nothing for him…” We agree they aren’t in love. Our question however is since they have a good chemistry together, even by evidence of how they jovially address the question we posed, by the evidence of how they play around together which by itself may scare a man who is interested in Yvonne or a lady who might feel insecure around John because of Yvonne, isn’t it something they can consider since they are both single? Sometimes the loved one is right next to you and you never realize until it’s too late. We think it will be a good idea. So ladies out there I’m sorry Yvonne Nelson is really spoiling my market--John Dumelo + I don’t like John; I don’t feel nothing for him…”---Yvonne Nelson

Michael Moncar To Be Buried On Saturday, April 6. Ghanaian actor Michael Moncar, who passed away on March 8, will be buried on Saturday, family sources have told enewsgh.com. Moncar’s body will be laid in state at his Dansoman residence on Saturday morning, followed by a pre-burial service at 9:30am. His mortal remains will then be interred at the Osu Cemetery hours later. The final funeral rites will be held at the Dansoman Toney Park, where the Mr. Foods Restaurant he used to hang out at, is also situated. Friends and well wishers are invited. Until his demise last month, Moncar played a leading role in the local television series ‘Efiewura.’ Source: Enewsgh.com

Pentecost University College: Our Students Do Not Study Under Tress The Pentecost University College (PUC) has denied media reports that its students have been compelled to study under trees and in tents due to the inadequate facilities at the school’s Sowutuom campus. The Public Relations Affairs Officer, Emmanuel Kyei, speaking in an interview with Peacefmonline.com today(Thursday), vehemently debunked the reports, describing it as total “falsehood” put out by the Herald newspaper. Explaining issues to Peacefmonline.com, he stated that the students have been furnished with an ultra-modern lecture hall in the shape of a dome as an extension of the facilities in the school. A publication by the Herald newspaper on Thursday, April 04, 2013, revealed that "There is scarcity of infrastructure on the campus, hence the provision of some make-shift acoustic tents similar to the “The Dome “conference room where social events are organized at the Accra International Conference Centre. The lack of lecture facilities on campus is so prevalent that students have to fight over the few tents that have been provided by the school authorities." The paper further disclosed that due to the inadequate facilities on the University campus amidst the poor treatment meted out to the students, some students have been enraged by the situation. According to the report, despite the uncouth condition that the students have been subjected to, the University has sought to enrol several foreign students from neighbouring countries, specifically Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The University was also reported to have been saddled with accommodation challenges and in an attempt to rectify the scarcity of the lecture halls on campus, erected two acoustic tents to serve as makeshift lecture halls. However, the school authority has discounted the claims stressing that the students do not have lectures under trees, neither are there any makeshift tents for holding lectures in the school. “We don’t have lectures under trees, there’s nothing like that here. The tent she is saying; they are like the dome structure which has air-conditioners in it…it’s not true. The tent she is talking about, they are conference tents, it’s not like a canopy; fully air-conditioned tents…And that is where we have our lectures. We have designed it into a lecture theatre.” “They are lecture halls with lecture seats and tables. It’s not like they are on trees and we are lecturing them. It’s absolute falsehood,” Mr. Kyei stated categorically. According to him, the claims are misleading explaining that what the University has sought to do is to expand its facilities to accommodate the students and also provide a conducive atmosphere for studies. credit:peacefmonline.com

Government pays Black Satellites Players $10,500 each. The News Ghana can confirm that Government has paid an amount of $10,500 to each player of the Black Satellites of Ghana after they won silver at the just ended African Youth Championship in Algeria. Each player was promised an amount of $7,500 dollars after qualifying to the world Cup in Turkey and $3,000 for winning the Semi Finals game against Mali on penalties. The payment thus represents the full payment of the bonuses due the Satellites. All the 21 players who took part in the just ended African Youth Championship each received the money yesterday when a delegation from the ministry visited the team at the M Plaza Hotel. Team captain Lawrence Lartey confirmed the payments in an interview with thenewsghana.blogspot.com, noting that money was not the focus of the team, but rather a will to do something for Ghana. “We are happy they have given us the money. It was not about the money though. We want to do something for Ghana, and that is why we played very well, but this money has come at the right time after the minister promised us when we arrived on Wednesday at the Kotoka International airport.”

Head Teachers Sack 1,435 SHS Students A total of 1,435 Senior High Secondary School students have been sacked from four Senior High Schools across the country by school authorities who are paid by taxpayers to help mould the characters of the young ones to become better citizens in the future. According to the school authorities, the students have variously misconducted themselves therefore, have been driven out from their campuses with some expected to return and write their final exams, which is few days away. In the Northern Region, nine hundred and seventy-nine (979) final year students of the Northern School of Business Senior High School (NOBISCO) in Tamale, were suspended for misconduct. School authorities said some female students scaled the walls and sneaked into town at night with their boyfriends. Others were also accused of littering the dining hall with food served them. Headmaster of the school, Shaibu Wilberforce Adams, however, declined to make further comments when contacted. But some of the students who spoke to Joy News they say have been wrongly punished along with the few truant ones. They are therefore pleading with authorities to revoke their suspension since final exams begin next week. The students are pleading with authorities to intervene. Meanwhile, Joy News reported that some of the students who come from remote towns were stranded as they were unable to get vehicles to transport them to their various destinations. Some even slept on the streets, Hashmeen reported. NOBISCO is the second SHS to have suspended final year students for misconduct 24 hours after Kumasi Girls SHS in the Ashanti Region, suspended over 400 students after they were found guilty of similar offences. Kumasi Girls Senior High School (KUGISS) authorities took the action after checks revealed that the students sneaked out of campus during the Easter festivities. Banned items such as mobile phones, assorted dresses and cooked food were also seized from the students, mostly boarders. They will now have to write the final year exams from their homes. The disciplinary action leaves just about half of the 1,130 final year students on campus. On March 26, a meeting between school authorities, final year students and their parents on one hand discussed students’ attitude towards learning. It was agreed by both parties that final year students would stay on campus whilst those in first and second years go on vacation. It was heart breaking for school authorities to realise most of them sneaked out of campus on Thursday evening, after first and second year students had gone on vacation. Several roll calls on Thursday and Friday revealed dozens of the students scaled the school’s fence wall in midnight at a time their teachers had gone to sleep. Frustrated headmistress, Mary Krah-Ampofo says the move is to instill high level of discipline among students. “One of my teachers came and reported that, as early as 2 am, he met about 10 of the students walking to Abrepo Junction to pick a car in front of Islamic SHS. So I became very much alarmed and organized another roll call to realise that some of them scaled the wall,” the worried headmistress explained. Alcoholic beverage, pizza, mobile phones and dresses were seized from the students. “One of them came. We apprehended her in a taxi; she was wearing stretch under her dress, folded up to her knee, holding a box of pizza, some two tots in her dress. So you ask yourself where did she go?” Ms Kraah-Ampofo quizzed. Last year, school authorities launched investigations into a student club whose members spent lots of money to organize parties outside campus during Easter. The outcome prompted the regional education directorate to institute several disciplinary measures in affected schools. School authorities suspect students affected by the current suspension are members of that gang. Ms. Kraah-Ampofo warned more students risked facing disciplinary action if they are caught as security is tightened in the school. In the Volta Region, a total of 85 final year students of the Keta Business College (KETABUSCO) and Abor Senior High School (ABOSCO) have been withdrawn from the boarding house with immediate effect. They were found engaging in various acts of vandalism that threatened the safety of their colleagues on campus on separate occasions. At KETABUSCO, 47 students comprising 17 boys and 30 girls were alleged to have held Form one and two students to ransom, resulting in the collapse of a female asthmatic patient. The headmaster of the school, Mr. Emmanuel Damalie is reported by the Daily Graphic that there was complete anarchy on campus on Sunday, March 24 when Form Three and Four students decided to chase the Form one and two students around the campus. He said the unfortunate incident started in the morning until lunch time when some of the students were chased out of the school gate, exposing them to the dangers of passing vehicles. Mr. Damalie said one of the final year students was seen assaulting a form one student with a cane and a belt until the victim started crying. He said a female asthmatic patient was chased and in desperation ran towards the boys’ dormitory but the boys chased her back. He said the female student collapsed after two girls at the dormitory prevented her from entering her room. According to Mr. Damalie, another girl who had been recently operated upon for breast cancer was severely beaten while in another incident, the contents of a dustbin at the girls’ dormitory were poured on the incoming girls’ prefect. Mr. Damalie said it was inhuman and unreasonable for students to put up such barbaric behaviour against their mates. At the Abor Senior High School, the headmaster, Mr. Martin Fiamordzi said 52 students were involved in indiscipline behaviour in connection with the funeral of a student who had died from a motor bike accident on December 24 last year. He said 14 of the students had already served an internal suspension. He said 38 others-four girls and 34-boys were indefinitely suspended and would come from their homes to write their final examination. According to the headmaster, the students were found to have indulged in drunkenness, booing and jeering, shouting, assault, threat and fierce riding of motor bikes during the funeral in a video footage. He said the students also hijacked the corpse in a coffin and arranged a special funeral session in one of the classrooms. Source: The Herald

Black Stars to play Kenya on June 1. The Black Stars will play Kenya in an international friendly on June 1, Ghana Sports can reveal. The Ghanaians had proposals from Mexico and Japan for a similar engagement on June 4 but sources say the Ghana FA has turned down the request. The Black Stars will pitch camp in Kenya ahead of the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Sudan and has therefore agreed to play the Harambee Stars on June 1. The team will then leave for Omdurman where they will square off against Sudan in a crucial qualifier on June 8 before flying to Maseru for the penultimate game against Lesotho. The Black Stars beat the Nile Crocodile 4-0 in their last qualifying match at the Baba Yara stadium in Kumasi.

3 simple exercises for a flat tummy

By: Eddy Published on: April, 2013 Want that enviable sexy abs? Practicing these moves regularly will help you Relax, it’s easy. Don’t end getting injured or exhausted? Don’t overdo things on the workout front. Instead, aim for a brisk 20-minute walk every day to burn fat, plus do the following exercises to help tone your abdominal muscles. Bicycle crunch: Lie down with your back pressed onto the floor. Bring your hands behind your head. Starting with your legs bent at a 45-degree angle, bring the right knee into the chest while straightening out your left leg. At the same time, rotate your top half so your left elbow goes to your right knee, then switch to the other side. Repeat for one minute, three times a day. The plank: Lie face down then lift yourself up on to your toes and forearms, with your elbows bent at 90 degrees. Keeping your core muscles - your stomach and bottom tight and your legs straight, hold for 10 seconds. Repeat three times a day, gradually building to 40 seconds each. The boat: Sit on the floor, with your knees bent and feet flat and tilt back, extending your legs so your body forms a right angle. Pull your abs in to balance. Extend your arms at shoulder height past your knees. Hold for five slow breaths and return to your starting position. Repeat five times a day.

Essien expects Chelsea return Michael Essien expects to be back at Chslea next season, with his loan deal at Real Madrid set to expire in the summer. The combative midfielder, who can also operate at full-back, was deemed surplus to requirements by the Blues in August after struggling with injury. He was allowed to head for Spain on a season-long agreement, with Real boss Jose Mourinho delighted to snap up a man he made an integral part of his plans during his time at Stamford Bridge. Essien has gone on to make close to 30 appearances for Real in all competitions this term, with his versatility and experience proving to be a useful asset. It is, however, unlikely that his move will be made permanent and he is readying himself for a return to England - possibly to work under Mourinho again, as speculation continues to link him with a second spell at Chelsea. "I have a contract at Chelsea and at present I am only on loan here, so nothing has changed," Essien told The Sport Review. The 30-year-old Ghana international claims he has been keeping a close eye on events at his parent club this season and believes they are capable of ending a frustrating campaign on a high. He added: "They can still win trophies in the cups this season, so people shouldn't write them off yet. "I have followed Chelsea all season and although it hasn't been as planned at the start of the season, I think it's down to the fact that it is a transitional season."

Age falsification: It’s Absolute Rubbish – Tarribo West The former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West has described the allegation about his age by a former President of Partizan Belgrade, Zarko Zercevic as rubbish. Former DerbyCounty, Plymouth and Inter Milan defender Taribo West was accused of lying about his age. The former Nigeria centre half, now retired, joined Serbian team Partizan Belgrade in 2002 after leaving DerbyCounty and told club bosses he was 28. But now the ex-president of Partizan, Zarko Zecevic, accused him of lying, saying the defender was actually 40 according to London’s Mail Online ‘He joined us saying he was 28. We only later found out he was 40, but he was still playing well so I don’t regret having him on the team,’ Zecevic said. But according to the Croatian media, the former defender known for his colourful hairstyles also lied when trying to join Croatia’s Rijeka club. At the age of 44, they said West told club doctors he was only 32. It was only after an examination that the doctors raised suspicions with the club because West’s knees suggested he was older. He wasn’t signed to the team but later joined Plymouth and then Iranian side Paykan FC, where he ended his career at the age of 46 in 2008. Today, his Wikipedia entry says he is 39. It’s absolute nonsense — Taribo The former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West has described the allegation about his age by a former President of Patizan Belgrade, Zarko Zercevic as rubbish. In his reaction, the former Nigerian international said about the publication on mail, “That’s nonsense. It’s not relevant. It’s absolute rubbish.” The Atlanta ’96 hero said he could not comprehend what the Serbian was talking about as “it does not make any sense.” Source: goal.com

Facebook Explains Why A ‘Dislike’ Button Isn’t Happening. Facebook ‘Dislike’ Button Not A Good Idea, Says Product Engineer Bob Baldwin In Reddit AMA It looks as if Facebook is trying to stay positive these days. The social network won’t be adding a “dislike” button to the news feed anytime soon, at least according to product engineer Bob Baldwin. Baldwin, who has worked on many of Facebook’s most popular features, spoke candidly when asked about the possibility of a “dislike” button in a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” discussion on Tuesday. Actions on Facebook tend to focus on positive social interactions. Like is the lightest-weight way to express positive sentiment. I don’t think adding a light-weight way to express negative sentiment would be that valuable. I know there are times when it’d make sense, like when a friend is having a rough day, or got into a car accident like my sister yesterday (she’s okay!). For these times, a nice comment from a friend goes a long way. This latest bit of news is a further blow to users who have been wanting a “dislike” feature for years. Right before Facebook’s new timeline rolled out in 2011, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said users would be given freedom to combine any verb with any noun to allow for more freedom of expression. But the Facebook developer’s page, which lets users make new apps for the social network, was found to block the word “dislike” from being used as an action on Facebook. And although there’s a free Firefox add-on that adds a “dislike” button to the news feed, nothing happens when users click it (as reviewers will tell you). It seems as if us Facebook haters have only one option at our disposal: using theHater App, which allows users to dislike friends’ Facebook posts – but, sadly, only on the Hater App, not on Facebook.

More gas discovered in Western Region Armah-Kofi Buah, Energy and Petroleum MinisterArmah-Kofi Buah, Energy and Petroleum MinisterTwo European companies have discovered 1.8 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Western Region. The new gas is expected to support the country’s thermal energy generation and feed the over one billion dollar fertiliser plant currently being built at Nyankrom in the Shama District of the Western Region. The companies, ENI of Italy and Vitol, a Dutch commodities trading company, have already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with representatives of the government and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation on the operation and management of the new gas field. Under the MoU, ENI will serve as the operator in the development and commercialisation of natural gas reserves discovered offshore at Cape Three Points block. The Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic said the companies also discovered a minor indication of oil at the Sankofa Oilfield, situated within the Cape Three Points block. He said the country was on the verge of emerging as a regional energy powerhouse. Mr Buah explained that the two discoveries were different from the gas obtained from the other oilfields. “The discoveries and the volumes give us the hope of more generation capacities now and in the future,” he said. He added that the investment in the processing facility at Atuabo in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region by the government was very strategic, since it would receive the gas from all other fields, apart from the jubilee field, for processing.

Bui Power Authority begins test runs The Bui Power Authority has begun test runs on its first generation unit in readiness to join the national grid by the end of April, 2013. The first generation unit is expected to add 133.3megawatts of power to the national grid to mitigate the current electricity load shedding. An official of the Bui Power Authority (BPA) told the Daily Graphic that the test run to assess the machines running the turbine and the other electrical parts of the system began last Monday April 1, 2013. A story carried in the March 14, 2013 issues of the Daily Graphic, quoted the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BPA, Mr Jabesh Amissah-Arthur, as having given the assurance that the Bui Dam would produce its first power by the end of April. That was when President John Dramani Mahama visited the dam site to apprise himself of the work done so far. Construction of the switch yard, control building and three out of the four transmission lines that would help in the evacuation of power from the Bui Generating Station into the national grid are about 98 per cent complete. The dam is expected to produce 400 megawatts of power and the full complement would be ready by October this year. The construction of the Bui Dam started in 2007.