Home Blog Page 333

Congo disputes allegations of a coup attempt.

By
Editor
-
0

President Denis Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville, who has been in that position for 39 years without interruption, has been the target of recent allegations of a coup attempt.

These claims, which first appeared on social media, seem to point to a planned military coup against the 79-year-old king. At the time of these speculations, President Nguesso was attending the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

In response to these allegations, Information Minister Thierry Moungalla took to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday to unequivocally dismiss them, stating, “The government categorically denies the spread of false information. We wish to reassure the public of the prevailing tranquility and encourage everyone to carry on with their daily activities calmly.”

The government’s official website also published a statement reaffirming its rejection of any reports concerning an attempted coup.

Recent months have seen a surge in coup d’états across the African continent, with the most recent occurrence taking place in neighboring Gabon, where military forces assumed control in August.

Denis Nguesso ascended to the presidency of this oil-rich Central African nation through a military coup in 1979. Although he experienced a temporary setback in 1992 when he lost Congo’s initial multi-party elections, he later reclaimed power in 1997 following a period of civil conflict.

South Africa: Unusual waves hit the coast of Cape Town

By
Editor
-
0

Strong tides and ferocious winds created a tremendous surge over the weekend on the popular tourist beachfront close to Cape Town; in some spots, the water overtopped the dykes and flooded streets and homes.

According to Craig Lambinon, spokesman for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), a 92-year-old woman passed away in the heavy weather that started on Saturday.

The water unexpectedly rushed in through the windows of a beachside restaurant in Kalk Bay, a fishing community tucked in an open harbour on the Atlantic, some thirty kilometres from Cape Town.

“I still get goose bumps,” admits Asemahle Daniels, a 26-year-old waitress. Cloth in hand, she takes a break after spending most of Sunday morning mopping up the floor.

On the pier, a handful of curious onlookers watch excitedly as the rollers break against a lighthouse: “You have to see this with your own eyes at least once in your life”, enthuses 44-year-old Yuri Ray.

A rising tide, with an above-average coefficient, can cause “large waves”, Lehlohonolo Thobela, a forecaster at the South African Meteorological Institute, told AFP.

In impressive images widely shared on social networks, the water surging through the streets of several towns near Cape Town washed away bins and parked cars on Saturday.

The National Meteorological Institute has issued a warning for the country’s 3,000 km of coastline until Monday. Emergency services have called for caution and several beaches in the region have been closed.

Liverpool is certain that their fresh offer would deter Real Madrid and Barcelona since their star “will” stay.

By
Editor
-
0

Despite “strong interest” from Real Madrid and Barcelona, Liverpool is apparently “confident” that Trent Alexander-Arnold “will” sign a new deal with the team.

The Reds are off to a strong start in the Premier League. They have won four of their five games and drawn the other, and after five games, they are third in the standings, level on points with the teams one position above and below them.

In contrast to previous season, they are off to a strong start this time around.

Towards the conclusion of the season, Jurgen Klopp’s team did manage to move up to fifth, but for most of the season, it appeared like things might have been far worse.

New signings have contributed to the good start for Liverpool. The likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have slotted into the midfield well.

Klopp will be happy that his summer additions have gelled so quickly with the stars already in the side.

Mohamed Salah has started the campaign in red-hot form, and Alexander-Arnold has looked much more consistent than he did for large periods of last season.

Both of those men have been subject to interest of late. Liverpool received a bid for the former that totalled way in excess of £100million, but held firm and kept him on the books.

Liverpool confident of tying Alexander-Arnold down

The Reds are currently in danger of seeing Alexander-Arnold leave the club. Indeed, 90min reports both Real Madrid and Barcelona ‘have an active interest’ in the full-back.

However, Liverpool are looking to tie him down to a new contract.

The report suggests the Reds are ‘confident’ that a proposed new deal ‘will be finalised well before Christmas’ as talks are ‘progressing well’.

It’s said Alexander-Arnold is ‘on course to see his weekly wage move to around £250,000 and in line with the best full-backs in the world’.

Real face big full-back decision

Not being able to sign Alexander-Arnold will mean Real focus on another right-back.

They have been heavily linked with Chelsea man Reece James of late, another of the best in the Premier League in his position, and now the Blues’ captain.

The latest update on that interest suggests that the Stamford Bridge outfit would only accept a ‘ridiculous’ offer if they are to see him leave.

That’ll give Real a big choice over whether to chance their arm with an offer or leave the pursuit in the knowledge that it might be too hard to land him.

Missing out on both Alexander-Arnold and James would be a big blow given how good the stars are.

European powerhouses want to replace Man Utd’s failure with an Arsenal star; a £30 million guy may push for a January departure.

By
Editor
-
0

Thomas Partey, a midfielder for Arsenal, is becoming more and more associated with Juventus as the Italian powerhouse looks to replace Paul Pogba.

After testing positive for testosterone, the former Manchester United player has been banned from football; a second sample will now be examined to provide a conclusive answer.

In October, Pogba’s fate will be decided. Cristiano Giuntoli, the sports director of Juventus, has not yet spoken publicly about his future plans.

I’ll say it again: that’s a bad scenario, Giuntoli stated.

We’ll wait for the results of the counter-analysis tests before deciding what to do with the player’s agent.

If Juventus do lose Pogba due to the scandal, they will look to bring in a replacement for him when the transfer window re-opens in January, and Partey has emerged as a potential option.

As reported by TEAMtalk, the Ghana international is ‘ready to quit’ the Gunners if he does not get regular playing time when he returns from a groin injury.

Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Fabio Vieira could all be ahead of Partey in the pecking order by then, so it seems increasingly likely that he could leave.

Juventus ramp up interest in Partey

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Partey has emerged as one of Juventus’ top targets to replace Pogba in January.

Now, there is a ‘feeling’ that Arsenal could be willing to do business when the transfer window re-opens.

Partey signed for Arsenal in 2020 after the London club matched his £45m release clause at Atletico Madrid. The 30-year-old has since made 103 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals and making four assists.

The Ghanaian started Arsenal’s first three league matches this term before he picked up his injury, so he is still very much a part of Arteta’s plans.

As mentioned, though, if he doesn’t get consistent minutes when he returns, he will push for an exit.

This is good news for Juventus, who reportedly view Partey as the ‘ideal reinforcement’ if Pogba fails to get his suspension lifted.

With that in mind, it will be interesting to see if the Italian side make a concrete bid for Partey in January. Previous reports suggest that Arsenal would demand around £30m for his services.

Fabrizio Romano was compelled to deny his involvement in the significant Barcelona transfer: “I merely performed my job.”

By
Editor
-
0

After speaking with the player this summer, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano refuted claims that he had a part in Joao Felix’s decision to join Barcelona, saying “it’s about Joao, not me.”

The transfer window is not what it previously was in the current day. Once upon a time, sides wouldn’t know if a player wanted to join them until they contacted their club or representation, but that’s not necessarily the case today.

Clubs might receive a hint that players are interested in a move through their social media activities.

A well-known example from just last season was Moises Caicedo. The Brighton midfielder essentially pleaded with the Seagulls to release him after learning that Arsenal had made an offer.

As it was, he didn’t manage to make the move, and a few months later went to Chelsea instead.

This summer, Atletico Madrid man Felix announced in an interview with Romano that he’d “love to join Barcelona” as the move was his “biggest dream”.

A little over a month later, the forward had made the loan switch to Camp Nou.

Having been asked about his involvement, Romano has since denied that he played a role in the move.

Romano denies involvement in move

“Absolutely zero role honestly and I don’t want any role into transfers,” he told the Daily Briefing.

Romano suggested he simply did his job, and it was Felix’s desire to make the move to Barcelona that made it happen, and the club would have been made aware of that desire anyway.

“I just did my job, getting an interview with Joao was a nice scoop but the deals depend on players, agents, clubs and not journalists in my opinion,” Romano added.

“If it wasn’t me, it was probably another newspaper or journalist to get that interview. If Joao got the move to Barca is because he wanted that strongly, he sent clear message and it’s about Joao, not me.”

Barcelona didn’t have to sign Felix

Romano obviously has a big audience, and that may help news spread to the right places quickly. As such, Barcelona might have been made aware that Felix wanted to join because of his interview.

However, the La Liga giants didn’t have to sign him.

They could have learned that he wanted to join and done nothing about it if they didn’t want him.

However, they clearly did want him, as they wouldn’t have signed him otherwise.

As such, whether or not Romano did play some role, it was the club and the player that made the move happen, rather than the interview itself.

Mayor Turner of Houston presents GUBA with a proclamation.

By
Editor
-
0

In collaboration with Premanni Technologies and the Texas Chamber of Commerce, the Grow, Unite, Build Africa (GUBA) Trade Exhibition successfully conducted the 2023 AfriExpo and Business Conference in Houston, Texas. The City of Houston made a large contribution to the event, demonstrating their dedication to fostering relationships between the African diaspora and the continent.

Sylvester Turner, the mayor of the City of Houston, declared during the conference that the city intended to work closely with GUBA. In the declaration, it was promised that Houston would have a special place set aside for diaspora activities, and that more money would be invested in Africa.

“We’ll do all we can to move this relationship forward and to be ahead of mere rhetoric to see to the fruition of this partnership” Mayor Turner emphasized.

The AfriExpo event, held at the ION centre on September 14, facilitated valuable connections between African and U.S. businesses. Mayor Tuner expressed the importance of investing in Africa, stating, “We need to go to Africa over and over again – we need to invest in Africa. If we don’t invest in our home, we lose our house. I’ve suggested to the Major of New York, Chicago and others to lead the way towards this initiative” he said.

“People have been talking and no action. But we want to do things differently to be ahead, and quite frankly the City of Houston would be ahead in diaspora investment matters and now is the time to start” says Mayor Turner.

The Citation of Proclamation from the City of Houston, praised GUBA’s dedication to advancement of the diaspora through various socio-economic initiatives. It says, “Whereas GUBA Enterprise supports and engages the African diaspora, and aids in attracting investments into the African continent; and we thank them for their consistent efforts and passion for this collaboration”.

Equally, a Certificate of Congressional Recognition was presented to GUBA by the 18th Congressional District of Texas, to recognize the Enterprise’s efforts towards raising trade and investment awareness between the United States and Africa.

The Certificate, signed by Sheila Jackson Lee – Member of Congress, extols GUBA’s unwavering commitment and dedication to serve individuals in the business community in Africa and the US.

Commenting on the recognitions, Founder and President of GUBA Enterprise, Lady Dentaa Amoateng said, “GUBA will continue to bring positive effects into deepening the current relationship between the Africa and the diaspora. All we do at GUBA is to see a better Africa where the diaspora continuously plays an integral role in facets of trade, socio-economic growth and several more”.

Mayor Turner’s visit to Ghana this year

During a multi-country trade mission to West Africa from July 17 -25, 2023 visiting three African countries: Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, and Ghana, Mayor Turner said Ghana is not only a key tourism destination, but also a place with a conducive climate for investment.

He was speaking in a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Tourism, led by the sector Minister, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, in Accra on July 22, this year.

About the 2023 AfriExpo and Business Summit

The 2023 AfriExpo and Business Summit, in partnership with Premanni Technologies and the Texas Chamber of Commerce, brought together key speakers and stakeholders including Ninette Danquah Ivo, Minister of Economic and Diaspora Affairs, Ghana Embassy in Washington, CEO of Accra Digital Centre, Mr Kwadwo Baah Agyemang.

Key collaborators from the State of Texas at the Summit, include the President of Texas African Chamber of Commerce; Posso Ganame, Regional Director, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Eric Miller; Brendan Kelly; US Commercial Services –Houston and Willy Verbrugghe; CEO of SCORE Houston.

About GUBA Enterprise

GUBA Enterprise is a social enterprise organisation dedicated to the advancement of diaspora Africans and Africans on the continent through various socio–economic programs and initiatives. The Enterprise has about eight different brand initiatives, key among them being the GUBA Awards.

Source: GUBA

Mahama promises that he would finish all unfinished NPP projects.

By
Editor
-
0

Should he be elected in 2024, John Dramani Mahama, a former president and the leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has committed to finish all unfinished projects, including those started by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

He said that the NDC was a patriotic, well-intentioned political party that valued continuity and was committed to protecting taxpayers’ money.

“I’m promising that we will finish any unfinished work when we arrive.

We would continue and complete projects, including those started by the present NPP administration, since they were paid for with tax dollars; if you abandon them, you’re squandering Ghanaians’ money, he stated.

The former President said this on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the NDC Greater Accra Regional Zongo Caucus Stakeholders Forum in Accra.

The forum brought together representatives of various Zongo and Muslim sects and institutions within and outside the party to share their experiences and discuss topics of mutual interest to create social connections and a sense of community.

One notable personality at the forum was the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usmanu Nuhu Sharubutu.

Mr Mahama made the promise after accusing the current administration of neglecting landmark projects that his party started, particularly in Zongo communities, before leaving office in 2016.

“When we were sharing the E-Blocks, several of them were allocated to the Zongo and Muslim communities but many of those schools have been abandoned. We have done a lot in our Zongos but we are not the type who come with a paper and read. Our people can see for themselves the work the NDC did when we were in office,” he stressed.

Mr Mahama expressed his gratitude for the immense support his party had been enjoying from the Zongo communities and Islamic fraternity over the years and pledged to never take it for granted.

In this regard, he said the party would continue to collaborate and engage them periodically in order to capture grievances and concerns and work towards addressing them.

“We appreciate that support and that’s why anytime we come to power, we try to make sure that when we are sharing the National cake and development, the Zongos get their fair share,” the 2024 NDC flag bearer added.

He used the opportunity to urge all citizens who had come of age to participate in the ongoing limited voter registration and equally exhorted the officials in charge to desist from discriminatory practices against persons they perceived not to be Ghanaians mainly based on their names.

“Everybody came from somewhere and that is why Ghana is a strong nation.

We are united in our diversity and cultures so we must know that we are all Ghanaians and have equal rights to be recognised as such,” the former President said.

Goal

The NDC Greater Accra Regional Zongo Caucus Coordinator, Ismaila Ali Horoya, said the caucus organised the forum because it recognised the immense potential within the neighbourhoods and it was a collective responsibility of all members to harness that potential and provide opportunities for the Muslim youth.

The NDC Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore, called for greater unity within the party as it prepared for the upcoming elections and called on all to rally behind the regional chapter’s “Agenda 25” and added that “Greater Accra will strive to add 500,000 votes to the total votes.

Source: Graphic.com.gh

Adwoa Safo will run for the Dome-Kwabenya seat again in the election of 2024

By
Editor
-
0

Sarah Adwoa Safo, a member of the NPP and the representative for Dome-Kwabenya, has declared her desire to run for office once more in the 2024 election.

2012-admitted Adwoa Safo, who has since publicly apologised to the President, Vice President, and NPP leadership for activities she claims have negatively impacted the party, said so during the last week.

At Parliament and the Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Protection, where she served as Minister, there was a void while she was abroad for over a year.

Speaking to journalists after touring her constituency, Sarah Adwoa Safo said she had already informed the party of her intentions to run again. “Politics is a game of numbers, if it’s the will of God and the people want me, I will run again,” Adwoa Safo said.

The New Patriotic Party expressed its approval of the public apology made by the MP.

The Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, Haruna Mohammed, stated that her apology is viewed positively and contributes to the party’s image. “She has done something positive and the party welcomes her apology,” Haruna Mohammed said.

However, some New Patriotic Party (NPP) executives in the Dome-Kwabenya constituency say they have taken the apology by Member of Parliament, Sarah Adwoa Safo, with a pinch of salt.

The NPP constituency Secretary for Dome-Kwabenya, Theophilus Larbi, described her apology as habitual, adding that her re-election as parliamentary candidate for the next general elections could adversely affect the party’s chances in the constituency.

NDC accuses EC of stifling the vote and demands that registration procedures be reviewed.

By
Editor
-
0

The Electoral Commission (EC) has come under fire from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for allegedly engaging in voter suppression by only allowing restricted voter registration at district offices.

Today, September 18, marks day six of the voter registration, and many people are complaining about numerous difficulties. Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, the NDC’s Greater Accra Regional Secretary, claims that the EC is making things worse.

Meanwhile, there is growing pressure on the Electoral Commission to reassess its procedures for the present voter registration drive.

Member of Parliament for Anyaa–Sowutuom, Dr. Adomako Kissi, said limiting the registration in only district offices is not the best.

The National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party, Salam Mustapha, says he is satisfied with the first week of the limited voter registration.

The Electoral Commission on Tuesday, September 12, began the registration aimed at capturing first-time voters yet to secure their Voter ID cards.

The registrations are ongoing in the district offices of the electoral commission across the country despite opposition from the NDC and some civil society organizations.

NDC left behind a strong economy, in response to Ofori-Atta, says Ato Forson.

By
Editor
-
0

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) initiative was abandoned by the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, according to the Minority caucus in Parliament, which has retaliated against Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

Ofori-Atta said in an essay that the National Patriotic Party (NPP) leadership in 2017 had taken over from its predecessors a “derailed IMF plan and a profoundly damaged and morally challenged financial industry.”

His piece comes after many demands by the Minority for the resignation of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) due to allegations of improper management of the Central Bank.

In addition, the Finance Minister urged support for the building of a new BoG office that would be appropriate in his essay.

Responding to Ofori-Atta, Minority Leader Ato Forson in a statement argued that the Mahama administration left behind a robust economy.

“The Minister of Finance should not say anywhere again that the NDC administration left behind a derailed IMF programme. Clearly, at the time we were leaving office, there was no monetary finance. For the first time in the history of Ghana, the government did not take money from the central bank even though the law allowed the then administration to take 5% of the previous year’s revenue from the central bank.”

“The people of Ghana would recall that because the Mahama administration left behind a robust economy, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government within the first three months of its assumption of office was able to borrow US$2.25 billion from Franklin Templeton”.

Ato Forson emphasised that the NDC government performed incredibly well compared to what Ghanaians are now witnessing under the Akufo-Addo government.

“We did better than they are doing and the NDC will always do better when the good people of Ghana give John Mahama and our party the opportunity to govern from January 2025. Finally, the Minority in Parliament wishes to remind Governor Addison and Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta that the day of reckoning is very near and they will be held accountable for their collective mess,” he said.

He added that history will remember Ofori-Atta for taking Ghana to IMF in an ambulance, insisting that the Bog Governor resign.

“History will remember this Minister of Finance and the government’s Economic Mismanagement Team headed by Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia for taking Ghana to the IMF in an ambulance”.

1...332333334...1,458Page 333 of 1,458