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Chinese family say they were scammed over $6.5mn Stanford payment

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The mother of a Chinese student admitted Friday she paid $6.5 million to the man at the heart of a US college admission scandal but said she was duped into believing the sum was a charitable donation.

American academia has been rocked by a colossal bribery scandal run by William “Rick” Singer who has pleaded guilty to working with corrupt coaches, university administrators and exam monitors to get the children of wealthy families into prestigious colleges.

The $25 million scam, which was revealed by US prosecutors earlier this year, has seen some 50 people charged including Hollywood actors and industry CEOs.

Most of the cases that have come to light through indictments or guilty pleas have involved parents paying anywhere between $15,000 and $600,000 to ensure their children got into college.

But earlier this week US media reported that Singer received a huge payment of $6.5 million from a wealthy Chinese family whose daughter Yusi Zhao got into Stanford in 2017.

On Friday, Hong Kong-based lawyers for Zhao’s mother released a statement on her behalf in which she said the payment was made but that Singer had led her to believe it was a legitimate donation that would go towards Stanford’s staff salaries and scholarship programme.

“The donation is in the same nature as those that many affluent parents have been doing openly to prestigious universities,” the statement read, adding they had made it a month after their daughter was accepted into Stanford.

“Since the matters concerning Mr. Singer and his foundation have been widely reported, Mrs. Zhao has come to realize she has been misled, her generosity has been taken advantage of, and her daughter has fallen victim to the scam,” it added.

Law firm Mayer Brown declined to give the mother’s full name or say whether Yusi Zhao is still at the prestigious Ivy League college.

The New York Times said her father is a wealthy businessman who made his fortune in traditional Chinese medicine and health supplements.

A reporter from the paper who visited the family’s home in an ultra-wealthy district on the outskirts of Beijing this week said a Ferrari, a Tesla, a Bentley, and a Land Rover could be seen parked outside a California-style mansion.

Prosecutors in the US have not filed any charges against the Zhao family.

American colleges are highly sought after among Chinese families and a booming industry has flourished offering consultation and test preparation advice. Chinese students have also become a hugely lucrative demographic for those colleges.

US media have reported only one other family paid Singer a seven-figure sum — a Chinese family who allegedly paid $1.2 million to get their daughter into Yale.

 

Source: AFP

War of words …as two fishermen groups disagree over closed season timeline

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Drama yesterday unfolded at a news conference organized by the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNFC) in Accra, to kick against the timeline announced by the government for this year’s closed season.

In what could be described as internal wrangling, a section of the council openly opposed the group’s stance and intermittently interrupted proceedings after delaying the start of the conference for close to 30 minutes.

The dissenting section, based at areas including Jamestown, La and Osu, in Accra,  who wore white bands,  endorsed the May timeline, stating that it was most favourable than the July one proposed by the group.

However, the heated arguments and chanting, which compelled some journalists to threaten to boycott the conference, did not stop the organizers from sending their message across.

Government, last month, announced May 15 to June 15, 2019, as dates for the closed season to enable the country’s territorial waters to replenish its depleting fish stock.

The depleting stocks, estimated to cost the country losses of several millions annually, is as a result of Illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing practices.

The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, announcing the timeline said it was agreed upon after extensive consultation and stakeholder engagements.

The ban on fishing was postponed from 2018 to 2019 following concerns expressed by players in the industry including insufficient consultation and unfavorable timeline.

Explaining the council’s opposition to this year’s timeline, Nii Abeo Kyerekuandah IV, the executive secretary clarified that the council was not against the closed season but the declared timeline.

He said the council did not understand why the ministry chose a different timeline aside July 1 to July 31, 2019 provided by a scientific and technical working group, made up of eminent fish scientists.

He stated that the 13-member group, chaired by  Prof. Dr. Kobina Yankson of the University of Cape Coast, had representation from  National Fisheries Association of Ghana, Ghana National Canoe  Fishermen Council, Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association and Ghana Inshore Fishers Association.

Others, Nii Kyerekuandah IV, said, were from Fisheries Commission, University of Ghana, National Fish Processors and Traders Association, Hen Mpoano and Friends of the Nation, two non-governmental organizations.

He said the stakeholders determined the timeline based on “Best Scientific Information/Evidence available” in line with Fisheries Act 2002(Act 625) and the Code of Ethics for Responsible Fisheries.

He said the scientific evidence which led to the determination of the timeline was meticulously discussed at a forum before the date was “unanimously accepted for adoption.”

Nii Kyerekuandah IV pointed out that according to the working group, the July timeline would result in an impact of 20 percent or more as compared to the May timeline of which the impact is pegged at five percent or less.

Casting doubt that the Fisheries Ministry held any stakeholders meeting on the May timeline, he challenged the ministry to provide evidence including records of meeting proceedings, names and credentials of stakeholders and inputs at the said stakeholders meeting the ministry had.

While at it, he asked the ministry to concentrate on resolving more pressing fisheries issues, including the use of an increasing number of trawlers and activities of transshipment of fish on high seas, locally known as Saiko.

He said it was estimated that almost 100,000 metric tonnes of fish were landed illegally through Saiko in 2017 alone, accruing a loss of about $ 50million revenue to the state.

Efforts to seek an explanation from the sector ministry were unsuccessful as the paper was informed that the Minister, the Chief Director and the head of the Fisheries Commission who could speak on the issue were out of the country.

BY JONATHAN DONKOR

Sixers dominate Raptors to take 2-1 series lead

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Joel Embiid finished with 33 points as the Philadelphia 76ers routed the Toronto Raptors 116-95 on Thursday to seize a 2-1 lead in their NBA second-round playoff series.

Embiid also had 10 rebounds and five blocked shots for his 12th double-double in 15 career playoff games.

“I was trying not to force anything and if I didn’t have it I just moved it to my teammates,” he said. “We wanted to put our foot down in the fourth and we did that by making stops.”

Jimmy Butler added 22 points, nine assists, and nine rebounds while JJ Redick delivered 15 points for the Sixers, who have won two straight including a gritty 94-89 victory in game two three nights ago.

Game four will be played in Philadelphia on Sunday.

Kawhi Leonard paced the Raptors’ attack with 33 points while Pascal Siakam added 20.

Leonard has scored at least 30 points in five of Toronto’s eight playoff games this season, including all three games against Philadelphia.

Embiid was at his theatrical best, jiggling his shoulders and rocking a mock baby after scoring baskets.

“I need it. When I have fun, my game just changes,” he said. “I have always been told that if I don’t smile during the game that I’m either having a bad game or I’m not into it.

“I know that to get my game going, I have to have fun on the court.”

Philadelphia led 64-53 at halftime thanks in large part to Embiid’s 18 points. The Sixers also shot eight of 14 from three-point range in the opening half.

Leonard powered the Raptors with 17 points in the first half and continued his fine play in the third quarter with another 14 points to keep Toronto within eight (89-81) heading into the fourth.

“We’ve got to help him,” Kyle Lowry said. “Myself especially, I’ve got to help him score more. I’ve got to help him on the floor. We’ve all got to help him. He’s playing unbelievable right now.

“We’re not giving him any help.”

Embiid drained his third three-pointer and the 76ers charged to a 94-82 lead early in the fourth.

Butler upped his scoring prowess with a couple of baskets and the lead was stretched to 100-82 with nine minutes left in the fourth.

Butler then slammed home a dunk, got fouled and put the Sixers ahead 108-84 with 5:51 left.

The Raptors missed 11 of their first 12 shots in the fourth. Toronto was hurt by poor shooting and rebounding.

“I think we got outplayed in just about every area we could get outplayed. In overall physicality, energy, cutting, rebounding, passing, all that kind of stuff,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said.

“We got thoroughly outplayed and it’s been a while… since you’ve seen this team play this way.”

Source : AFP

From Zhang to Kuang: golf’s remarkable journey in China

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When Zhang Lianwei became the first Chinese player to win a European Tour event in 2003, 14-year-old Kuang Yang hadn’t even been born.

The pair, part of a record 45 home-grown players in this week’s 25th Volvo China Open, illustrates just how far golf has come in the world’s most populous nation.

Veteran Zhang, who turned 54 on Thursday, only started playing when he was 20 because golf, then deemed a bourgeois pursuit, was banned in China under Mao Zedong.

Zhang, the only man to have played in all 25 editions of the China Open, winning it in 2003, is now the daddy of Chinese pro golf, the precursor of a wave of young Chinese players hoping to make it big.

Precocious amateur Kuang, 40 years his junior, is just one of a horde of teenagers tearing up Chinese fairways — and he made an impressive debut with a first-round one-under par 71 on Thursday.

“It’s a different era and a different environment for these kids coming through now,” a smiling Zhang told AFP after receiving a huge birthday cake from organizers at the end of his opening round.

“I’m not jealous of the opportunities they have now,” added Zhang, who was unable to turn professional until 1995, when he was 30 years old.

“They have a better chance to learn the game, but they have much tougher competition than I did. When I began there was no professional golf in China.”

While golf was banned during Zhang’s formative years, Kuang has been swinging a club since he was two years old.

“I started playing golf at the age of 20,” said Zhang, who began in the mid-1980s at Zhuhai Golf Club, across the Pearl River delta from Shenzhen, when Mao’s ban on golf was lifted.

“But I had to wait a very long time to turn professional. It took 10 years because of procedures with the China Golf Association and the government.”

– ‘Very impressive’ –

Chinese golf is now undoubtedly on the rise: Feng Shanshan has won a women’s major, an Olympic bronze and been world number one. This week’s China Open is the first full-field European Tour event where more than a quarter of the players are Chinese.

“I’ve been coming out here since about 1998 it has changed hugely in that time,” said Ben Cowen, the European Tour’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer International.

“The number of players we see coming through the ranks on the European Tour has been very impressive and now we see them playing PGA Tour and a lot on the Asian Tour.”

Pint-sized Kuang, who looks every bit as young as his 14 years, isn’t even the youngest player at the China Open, which is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

That distinction belongs to 13-year-old amateur Ma Bingwen from Beijing.

However, many Chinese teenagers have shone all too briefly, none more so than Guan Tianlang who at 14 became the youngest player to make the cut at the US Masters in 2013, but has since dropped out of the limelight.

“I think for Chinese golf, this tournament has been huge for us, especially as you can see other Chinese players are doing well on the bigger tours now,” says Li Haotong, who won the Volvo China Open in 2016

Current world number 39 Li Haotong, who has won twice on the European Tour and played the first two rounds of last month’s Masters with Tiger Woods, is an exception and, now aged 23, he is tipped by many to become China’s first men’s major winner.

– School first, golf second –

“I think for Chinese golf, this tournament has been huge for us, especially as you can see other Chinese players are doing well on the bigger tours now,” Li said. “So I think our game is going to grow and grow.

“I think Kuang needs to grab the chance to get the experience as the more you learn now, the quicker you will grow.”

Kuang’s biggest obstacle is not the burden of expectation, but his schoolwork.

“I didn’t have a lot of time to practise this week as I have just finished my mid-term exams,” said Kuang, who is naturally left-handed but plays right-handed. “School is still my main focus.”

The landscape was very different in 1995 when Swedish car giants Volvo ventured behind the bamboo curtain and helped create the first China Open, just 11 years after the country’s first golf course opened.

The same year also saw China’s first international tournament — the World Cup of Golf at Mission Hills, Shenzhen — won by the American pair Fred Couples and Davis Love III.

Zhang had just turned pro and he made history in January 2003 when he became the first Chinese golfer to win a European Tour event, at the Caltex Masters in Singapore, edging out the great South African Ernie Els.

He then won the China Open title and a year later was the first Chinese to play at the US Masters.

“I’m very happy to have taken part in all 25 Volvo China Opens,” said Zhang. “But the happiest thing for me is to see the good Chinese players coming through.”

 

Source : AFP

GRA launches prosecution policy document

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Henceforth, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) will prosecute anyone who defaults in the payment of taxes in the country. 

This follows the launch of the prosecution policy document of the authority, here on Tuesday. 

With the launch of the prosecution policy document, the Commissioner General of the Authority, Emmanuel Kofi Nti, said: “GRA is giving all income-earning persons, potential and existing recalcitrant taxpayers the opportunity to amend their ways and become compliant.” 

He said it was for this reason that “we have intensified our public education sensitization programmes to deepen awareness of various topical tax issues on the need to be tax complaint to avoid any infractions of the laws which may lead to GRA initiating prosecutions.”

Mr. Nti encouraged the general public, especially income earning persons to be well acquainted with their obligations under the tax laws and the prosecution policy document to be well guided to prevent any infractions. 

But, the Supervisory High Court Judge of the Ashanti Region, Justice Kossi Efo Kaglo, urged the Authority to go a step further to give further education to the prosecutors to avoid connivance with offenders. 

“From practice, sometimes those prosecuting are those who encourage the defense of prosecution, they connive or join forces with those they are prosecuting in order to open up avenues by which the offender can easily have his/her way out,” he said.

According to Justice Kaglo, this took place especially when the prosecutors came into contact with prosecuting corporate offenders than of individuals, stressing that the corporate offenders easily lured the prosecutors into their back  adding “the prosecutors, instead of coming to court to lay bare the elements of offense committed, sometimes come to court behaving as if they do not know what they have come to do at the court.”

The Supervisory High Court Judge said judges were ready to support the prosecution policy document to ensure Ghana beyond Aid became a reality “but GRA still have a stake in educating the prosecutors to know the sections or articles of the law under which they bring someone as an accused person to make it easy for the judge to give a verdict in favor of the prosecution.”

The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, in a speech read on his behalf, was full of praise for GRA in joining the league of tax administrators that were open and transparent about prosecution policies as far as tax issues were concerned. 

Mr. Simon Osei Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, said the policy of Ghana Beyond Aid could not be realized if GRA could not widen its tax net and ensure effective revenue collection and other forms of revenues.

He was of the view that increasing revenue generation was an essential ingredient and of paramount significance in the realization of Ghana beyond aid.

Madam Adelaide Ahwering, a board member of GRA, who chaired the function said, “the public should know that the time when people earning income and supposed to pay tax when existing potential taxpayers could blatantly refuse to pay tax and go free will now be a thing of the past, GRA has declared a zero tolerance toward non-compliance tax evasion, tax, and customs fraud on the part of perpetrators of such crimes.”

FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI

Ghana Gas to expand operations at Atuabo

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Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) has revealed its readiness to expand operations at the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant (GPP) and produce about 150 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd) to about 220 mmscfd by 2024.

“As a company we are internally discussing all scenarios and when we are ready, we will announce details to the people of Ghana,”  the General Manager in charge  of Operations at the GPP, Mr Robert Lartery, disclosed this during a visit by the  Parliamentary Select  Committee  on Mines and Energy to Atuabo, on Monday.

Already, he added that Ghana Gas, as part of the expansion programmes, had extended pipelines to the Prestea enclave which would also reach Kumasi to feed into Ghana’s industrialization plans, satisfy the domestic gas market and also boost power generation in the country.

“Currently in the Prestea enclave Ghana Gas is undertaking a massive infrastructure expansion and by June this year, another private company can be ready for off-takes of a reliable supply of gas, as we look forward to the expansion of the gas processing plant.” Mr. Lartey stressed.

Future expansion programmes, he indicated, would also explore the Takoradi–Tema route.

The GPP plant, he explained, receive 150 mmscfpd of raw gas from offshore oil fields for production processes, assuring that “safety and security  are  paramount in our operations.”

Communities in Ghana Gas operational areas were regularly given training and education on how to secure and maintain the integrity of the GPP operations, he said.

Again, Mr. Lartey mentioned that Ghanaian engineers had effectively taken over operations from expatriates and were poised to deliver quality work to industry.

He told the Parliamentarians that the Ghana Gas began operations in November 2014 with commercial operations coming on stream on April 1, 2015, and since then the company had laid a good foundation for industry and gas business with the desire to supply affordable and reliable products all times.

The GM  at the  GPP  announced that Wang Kang and Tywford, a ceramic company in the Free  Zone Enclave at Eshiem in the Sekondi -Takoradi Metropolis and other companies were taking delivery of lean gas for their operations from the Aboadze enclave.

Mr. Lartey expressed his appreciation to the parliamentary select committee and the support they showed during the visit.

The Vice Chairman of the Select Committee on Mines and Energy, Mr. George Mireku-Duker, said Parliament had an oversight responsibility in operations of institutions including visits to those in the energy sector to ensure smooth operations and transparency.

He said the committee was also keen to monitor the reverse flow processes at the Aboadze Metering and Regulation Station, adding “we will support Ghana Gas in its operations because gas is important for the economy.”

The Ranking Member, Adam Mutawakilu, was excited about the records and performance of Ghana Gas, the infrastructure,  safety, and environmental records and also the ingenuity and experience of the Ghanaian engineers’ staff, stating that  Parliament would support the company in its quest to expand its operations.

END

PIC General Manager of Ghana Gas Robert Lartey in safety gear) briefing the parliamentary select committee on Mines and Energy at Gas Processing Plant (GPP).On his right are the Senior Manager Government Relations, Miss Augustina Osei, Vice Chairman of the committee, George Mireku-Duker, John Jinapor Freda Prempeh, (standing) Ranking Member, Adam Mutawakilu,  Emmanuel  Armah Kofi Buah On his left is Ernest Owusu-Bempah Head of Communications, Ghana Gas Company

FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, ATUABO

President Akufo-Addo Cuts Sod For Phase II Of Kumasi Central Market Redevelopment Project

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The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has cut the sod for the commencement of phase two of the redevelopment project of the Kumasi Central Market and the provision of associated infrastructure.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, 2nd May, 2019, at Kejetia, President Akufo-Addo indicated that the start of the 2nd phase of the redevelopment project, in addition to numerous projects ongoing in Asantemen, and, indeed, across the country demonstrates government’s unwavering commitment to deliver significant infrastructure projects that will create jobs and enhance economic development.

“The redevelopment of the Kumasi Central Market is a two hundred and forty-eight-million-euro (€248 million) project, and it is being financed by Deutsche Bank of Germany, with export credit guarantee from the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF). The construction will be undertaken by Messrs Contracta Construction Ltd, UK, and will be finished within 48 months,” the President said.

Upon completion, the redeveloped market will have six thousand, five hundred (6,500) leasable commercial spaces; five thousand, four hundred (5,400) closed stores; eight hundred (800) kiosks; fifty (50) restaurants; two hundred and ten (210) fishmonger and butcher stores; forty (40) livestock stores; and one thousand, eight hundred square metres (1,800m2) of community facilities.

Additionally, the project will also provide other essential facilities such as a waste treatment plant, a police station, a fire station, post offices, and an amphi-theatre.

President Akufo-Addo was confident that the redevelopment of the Kumasi Central Market, and the delivery of associated infrastructure, will help address and mitigate the underlying causes of fire outbreaks in this market; create some nine hundred (900) direct jobs and two thousand, five hundred (2,500) indirect jobs; improve the safety and security of traders and consumers; and provide better conditions for mobility in the area, allowing traders to receive their merchandise, and customers to access the market, in a safer and more organized manner.

“I appeal to all of you, city authorities, traders, customers, and residents, to support and co-operate with the contractor, Messrs Contracta Construction Ltd, so as to complete this project on time. I know I can count on all of you in this regard,” the President added.

Infrastructural projects for Kumasi

President Akufo-Addo recalled that, in the run-up to the December 2016 election, as expressly stated in the Manifesto of the New Patriotic Party, the party pledged to “embark on a sustainable and integrated infrastructural development programme across the country”.

Towards the realisation of this pledge with respect to Asanteman, in August 2018, the President cut the sod for the commencement of the Kumasi Roads Facelift Project, which, amongst others, includes the Kumasi Drainage and Roads Extension Project; the remodeling of the four roundabouts between Ejisu and KNUST to help improve safety and reduce the heavy congestion being experienced on the N6 highway; and an asphaltic overlay on 135 kilometres of roads within the Kumasi Metropolis to deal with the issue of potholes, and, thereby, give the roads in the Metropolis a new lease of life.

“In addition to these, a few weeks ago, in Tamale, I cut the sod for the commencement of phase 1 projects of the $2 billion Government of Ghana/Sinohydro Master Project Support Agreement (MPSA). Lot 2 of this project will see to the construction of 100 kilometres of Kumasi and Mampong Inner City Roads. In Kumasi, the affected road networks are in Manhyia, Suame, Tafo Pankrono, Asokwa, Kwadaso, Oforikrom, Subin, Nhyiaeso and Bantama,” he said.

The President continued, “A fortnight ago, Parliament approved a one hundred and fifty-five million-euro (€155 million) facility for the completion and equipping of the maternity and children’s block of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, a project which has stood uncompleted for well over forty (40) years.”

In concluding, President Akufo-Addo assured the Asantehene that his government is committed to putting this country onto the path of broad progress and prosperity, by enhancing the living standards of all Ghanaians.

“This project, and others currently ongoing, demonstrate our commitment towards this, and I will appeal to you to take a keen interest in seeing to the completion of phase II of this important project, which I have no doubt you will,” he added.

Karela United ready to negotiate with Hearts over Dominic Eshun deal- Alagidede

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Business Development and Communication Director of Karela United Eric Alagidede has told GHANAsoccernet that his side is ready to negotiate with Hearts over Dominic Eshun should the Accra giants approach the club for the services of the player.

Dominic Eshun who was illegally signed by Hearts in late November 2018 has been ordered by the Player Status Committee of the Ghana Football Association to return to the Ayinese club as he still has a running contract with the club.

Eshun has been home for the past four months without football over his transfer issue which became a tussle between Karela United and Hearts of Oak.

GHANAsoccernet checks indicate that Eshun has a running contract which ends on 30 November 2019 with Karela.

“We are ready to negotiate with Hearts of Oak for the player. We have asked them to come, so we talk about the price of the player. Dominic Eshun wants to play for Hearts and we are ready to let him go, he told GHANAsoccernet.

“It has been our message since day one, the player wants to go so we asked them to come and sit and negotiate with us. It will be good for them to come so we negotiate with the player if not we can have the grounds to fight them for inducement of a player who is under contract when they wait for his contract to run down”, he added.

After missing his contract with Karela United for the past four months, Dominic Eshun’s contract is likely to be extended beyond 30 November as he will be made to serve the four months that he has been home.

By Herbert Boakye Yiadom

Newspaper Headlines Friday 3rd May 2019

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Newspaper Headlines Thursday 2nd May 2019

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