Home Blog Page 334

Register to contribute to change in Election 2024 – CPP 

0

Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankuma, Chairperson of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), has called on the youth who have attained the voting age to participate in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise despite the operational challenges. 

“Don’t be frustrated by the impediments imposed on you by the Electoral Commission to travel to its district offices to register; don’t be deterred; face the challenges, as Election 2024 will be a vote for yourself to change the power dynamics of this country,” Nana Kumankuma stated. 

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Nana Kumankuma stressed that the lives of some Ghanaians would continue to get worse unless they change their voting pattern. 

“The youth who have attained 18 years since the last registration exercises can play a critical role in next year’s elections,” he said. 

Nana Kumankuam who had declared her intention to contest for the CPP Flagbearer for the Election 2024, called on Ghanaians to make a conscious decision to break ties with the two major political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). 

She stated that people from all walks of life in Ghana, especially those who resided in rural and remote areas, who had been motivated by their unwavering commitment to democracy, freedom, the rule of law, and unity, are gradually losing faith in the democratic system, because of the poor leadership in the past. 

“I discover dissatisfied and unhappy people all over the country; people tired of political hyperbole that is not in line with reality; people disenchanted with the situation of our country. 

“A people tired of a subpar healthcare system; a people tired of political robbery committed with impunity; a people tired of free education but no jobs; a people tired of the widening gap between the rich and the poor; and a people unaccepting of the rising inequality.” 

She remarked that “there are glowing people frankly fed up with the two major political parties who have failed us spectacularly,” and she called for realistic change in the 2024 general elections. 

The country, he said was currently in an abyss with no obvious moral compass leading it out of “the labyrinth of graft and corruption,” she said. 

There has never been a stronger confirmation of the CPP’s founding principles, she claimed, on the nation’s divided path of hopelessness and despair. 

The CPP Chairperson stated, “There has never been a time in our history when there was a greater need for a third party, an alternative to the two-party system of entrenched corruption and failed leadership.” 

She emphasised that “the need for a restoration of Ghanaians’ dignity, values, and purpose, which has shone so brilliantly as hope, illuminating the darkness of our despair, is offered by Election 2024.” 

Nana Kumankuma called on all Nkrumaists andother sympatisers of the party to unite for a new challenge to liberate Ghana once again, this time from the shackles of corruption and failed leadership. 

African Journalists charged to increase advocacy on AfCFTA 

0

Ambassador Ahmed Haggag, the Union of African Journalists (UAJ) Advisor, has urged African Journalists to increase advocacy on the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to help expedite the continent’s development. 

Addressing some African Journalists in Cairo, Egypt, he stated that the AfCFTA promises broader and deeper economic integration for Africa and that closing the knowledge gap would enable Africans to better grasp and harness its benefits for the continent’s shared prosperity. 

While the agreement is a deal breaker for the continent, Ambassador Haggag pointed out that there was a need for purposeful advocacy to make it work. 

“It is imperative to create an advocacy for the AfCFTA, and I charge you Journalists to be advocates by spreading the news around it,” he said. 

Ambassador Haggag, who is also the Secretary General of the Africa Society, encouraged African Journalists to get involved in the AfCFTA’s activities, noting that the Agreement would reduce the cost of trading within the continent. 

The journalists, from 14 African countries, are taking part in a training programme for Young African Journalists in Cairo, Egypt. 

The three-week program, which began on Saturday, September 16, with an official opening ceremony, will take participants through several pertinent topics affecting the continent. 

The topics range from political, economic and media-related issues. 

In all, 13 young Journalists from the continent, five Egyptian Journalists and Presidents of selected media union/association are in Cario for the session. 

The Journalists are from Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, Congo, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Egypt. 

Election for NPP flag bearer held; Ken Agyapong receives the most votes, followed by Bawumia.

0

Prior to the delegates meeting on November 4, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has held voting for its flagbearer contenders.

Kennedy Agyapong selected the top position at the conclusion of the voting, which took place in Accra on September 13, 2023, with Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia selecting the second position.

Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a former minister of agriculture, chose the third spot, while Francis Addai Nimo, a former member of parliament for Mampong, chose the fourth.

The national election committee of the party oversaw the voting. On November 4, the NPP is anticipated to conduct its national delegates conference to choose its flagbearer for the general elections in 2024.

The party is currently in a four-horse race, with Ken Agyapong, Dr Bawumia, and Dr Akoto being the main contenders. Alan Kyeremateng pulled out of the race after the Special Delegates Conference.

Ken Agyapong, who is a popular NPP Member of Parliament for Assin Central, has been a vocal critic of the government and has promised to bring about change if he is elected flagbearer.

Dr. Bawumia is the current vice president and is seen as the frontrunner in the race. He is seen as a safe pair of hands and is popular among the party’s intellectuals.

Dr. Akoto is a former minister of agriculture and is seen as a technocrat.

The NPP is the ruling party in Ghana and has been in power since 2017. The party is hoping to win a third term in office in the 2024 general elections.

The NPP is facing a strong challenge from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). The NDC is led by former president John Mahama and is hoping to return to power in 2024.

The 2024 general elections are expected to be a closely contested race. The NPP and the NDC are the two main contenders.

Jadon Sancho: Ten Hag’s U-turn signals Man United peace; the club’s executive director calls the player “childish” following a failed £65 million move.

0

Jadon Sancho, a winger for Manchester United, is expected to hold another round of negotiations with the team in an effort to resolve his ongoing dispute with Erik ten Hag. However, club officials are reportedly not happy with the player’s refusal to accept a transfer away from Old Trafford last week.

The winger and his boss are now at odds as a result of the argument that started when he was recently left off the team that lost 3-1 against Arsenal. Ten Hag said that Sancho had not lived up to expectations in the lead-up to the game and throughout Carrington training, which is why he had been benched.

And that claim provoked an angry response from the player, who suggested he was being scapegoated by Ten Hag and urging his followers on X to not believe everything you read. As a consequence, Ten Hag has been left far from impressed at seeing his authority questioned with some observers claiming Sancho is unlikely to play for United again as a result.

With his future clinging by a thread, Sancho and United were presented with a rapid solution to the problem last week when Al-Ettifaq made an approach to sign him. Ultimately, however, the move to Saudi Arabia broke down with Sancho and United this week holding talks to try and iron out their differences.

However, with the two men still having differences of opinion, it’s been claimed that United have cleared Sancho to leave the club in January. To that end, Tuesday’s Euro Paper Talk outlined three possible destinations for the unwanted Man Utd winger.

To try and smooth things over in the meantime, however, Sancho has now deleted his post on X criticising Ten Hag.

Jadon Sancho set for more Man Utd talks with Ten Hag

That decision has apparently proved the catalyst for Ten Hag to offer an olive branch to Sancho, with more peace talks scheduled to take place between the pair.

Writing for Caught Offside, Fabrizio Romano revealed the latest: “Jadon Sancho has deleted his social media post which came after Erik ten Hag’s comments about not training well enough to be in the squad for the Arsenal game. Still, from what I’m hearing there is still no final clarity on what will happen between Sancho and Ten Hag, there is still no guarantee that Sancho will be selected for the next game.

“I’m aware that fans are keen to find out more about this situation, but we have to wait a bit more, it’s still not guaranteed that the situation is clarified despite the statement deleted. My understanding is that more rounds of talks will take place also internally at Man United to discuss the Sancho situation further.”

Those talks will come around following an update on his move to Saudi Arabia that failed to go through last week.

And according to The Athletic, Ten Hag was in favour of the player’s sale to Al-Ettifaq.

‘After Sancho’s retort on social media, United were prepared to sanction a permanent exit away from Old Trafford, with the transfer windows still open in Saudi Arabia and Turkey’, the article began.

‘Saudi clubs were told of a £65m ($81.3m) asking price for a player who joined United in July 2021 for £73m. Approaches for him to leave the club, however, were knocked back by Sancho and his representatives. There were no talks about a permanent transfer and Sancho never gave any indication of being open to a move. United declined to comment.’

Sancho branded childish after transfer collapse

However, a further revelation around the saga that almost saw Sancho leave United last week to move to Saudi Arabia has also been unearthed by The Athletic. And they claim that a source close to Borussia Dortmund feel that while ‘Jadon was mentally tough on the pitch’ he could be ‘quite childish and unprofessional with little things’.

It all means that Sancho still has quite some way to go before he earns a fresh chance at United. And it seems that making amends with Ten Hag will only be the first step with United officials also now needing convincing that he is a player worth keeping and one who can knuckle down and let his football do the talking.

However, with the prospects of a move away from Old Trafford over – until the January window at least, which is due to open in 110 days – Sancho now has the chance to focus on making the most of what could yet be a second chance.

And with one competitor for a shirt in Antony also on a period of leave, the player will hope to get a chance to stake a claim to resurrect that career that just last week seemed lost.

Earlier this week, United were also linked with a move for free agent winger Anwar El Ghazi, who could have arrived as a would-be replacement for both Sancho and Antony in a short-term capacity.

However, Romano has become the latest source to play down the prospects of a move.

“Staying with United, Anwar El Ghazi has been linked as a possible option for the Red Devils as he’s a free agent after leaving PSV Eindhoven. Despite these rumours, from what I’m hearing El Ghazi is not a target for United, nothing is happening on that,” Romano added.

Sancho is contracted to United until summer 2026, with United holding a one-year option on that deal.

Juventus has identified an Arsenal midfielder as a possible replacement for Paul Pogba, according to Massimiliano Allegri.

0
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 28: Thomas Partey of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on May 28, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Juventus has identified an Arsenal midfielder as they look for a replacement for Paul Pogba in January.

It is no secret that Juventus will be looking for a new midfielder in January.

Pogba has been suspended indefinitely after a drug test revealed excessive amounts of testosterone in his system.

Pogba has failed to find form since rejoining Juventus last summer. Last season, the midfielder only appeared in six league matches for Juventus, and his career with the club might be ended.

The Italian side have started the new campaign well, with seven points from a possible nine, but they will have been rocked by Pogba’s suspension.

As Massimiliano Allegri won’t want to be left short of options in midfield, the club have already started to put together a shortlist of potential Pogba replacements.

As reported by Get Italian Football News, Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is on their shortlist. The Arsenal midfielder had been linked with an exit in the summer, but Mikel Arteta fought to keep him around.

Partey had offers from Saudi Arabia, but Arteta was quick to close the speculation down as he told reporters: “Thomas is a super important player for us and for me. I want him to be part of the team. That’s for sure.”

READ MORE: Arsenal summer signing left out of Champions League squad, as Arteta selects outcast despite exit wish

Partey could be tempted by Juventus

There’s no doubt that Arteta still values Partey, although the club could look to move him on next year as they continue to seek out a younger alternative.

Indeed, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been identified as a potential long-term replacement for Partey. 

Arteta’s preferred midfield trio of late has consisted of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard. Partey has still been in and around the first team but has instead been playing as an inverted right-back.

The 30-year-old has started three of Arsenal’s four Premier League matches so far, but he missed the game against Man Utd due to injury.

It’s no secret that Partey has struggled with injuries since arriving in North London and the midfielder is set to be sidelined until after the October

Considering his current deal with the Gunners expires in 2025, Arsenal could be tempted to cash in on the midfielder while Juventus are interested.

The tempo of Italian football could suit Partey and the 30-year-old would be given the chance to play in midfield again, instead of right-back.

Juventus will continue to monitor the midfielder’s injury status and they will no doubt have alternative targets in mind ahead of the January window.

Reconsider your immoral stance about the restricted voter registration drive- Law Society to EC

0

The Election Commission (EC) has been encouraged by the Law Society of Ghana to change its mind about the restricted voter registration drive taking place nationwide.

The Society’s request comes in response to the exercise’s many issues, including the EC’s use of defective and non-functional equipment.

The EC’s decision to limit the limited voter registration exercise to only district offices and the widely reported malfunctioning of registration machines, according to a statement released in Accra on Wednesday, presented serious challenges to the integrity and sanctity of the electoral process as a whole.

“We believe that a fair and inclusive electoral process is fundamental to the progress of a society and access to vote registration should be convenient and free from unnecessary and avoidable artificial hindrances.”

“Limiting voter registration to district offices can create barriers, self-inflicting bottlenecks for eligible voters, particularly those residing in remote or underserved areas making it difficult or near impossible for them to exercise their right to register and vote,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has noted that it will keenly monitor the ongoing limited voter registration exercise despite the party’s suit against the Electoral Commission.

The NDC on Tuesday, September 12, accused the Electoral Commission of making the voter registration process difficult at its strongholds.

The ongoing limited voter registration is targeted to register over 1.3 million persons who have turned 18 years old since the last registration exercise in 2020.

The 21-day exercise began on Tuesday, September 12, and is scheduled to end on October 2.

“We are ready, very ready but we care for the poor registrants who must cater for the costs and constraints of being registered to vote. We currently have our agents and officers in all 268 district offices of the Electoral Commission countrywide and we are keenly and actively monitoring the process.

“We will ensure that the manipulation of the EC and the NPP to rig the process are defeated and defeated soundly.”

Emi Martinez is “proud” of Lionel Messi for continuing to play for Argentina against Bolivia while being injured, saying “He continues to love us.”

0

Emi Martinez has praised Lionel Messi for attending Argentina’s World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia despite being injured and unable to play.

The Argentina skipper missed his nation’s match against Bolivia in La Paz after being replaced late in Thursday’s victory against Ecuador. Yet Messi elected to stay with his teammates as they endured the taxing journey to 3,600 metres above sea level for the second of their World Cup qualifying double-header, something that impressed his custodian, rather than flying off to start his recovery in Florida.

Martinez explained to reporters after his side had completed a comfortable 3-0 win: “There is hunger. It’s the same captain that could have went home but he accompanied us. That makes us proud that he continues to feel, continues to love and accompany us in that sense. I am proud to be behind these boys.”

The Aston Villa man –– usually the recipient of a hostile reception from opposing fans –– was delighted to be given a warm welcome from Bolivian supporters. “Normally, they don’t like me much outside of Argentina,” Martinez chuckled. “But today the Bolivian people surprised me that they chanted my name and I have a lot of respect for this country.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Still basking in the glow of December’s World Cup win in Qatar, the Argentina camp seems a happy place to be right now. And with the defence of their trophy getting off to a solid start, there seems to be no imminent threat to those feel-good vibes.

IN THREE PHOTOS:Emi Martinez Argentina World Cup 2022GettyLionel Messi and Emi Martinez of Argentina after the 2022 World Cup finalGettyEnzo Fernandez Julian Alvarez Argentina Bolivia Eliminatorias Sudamericanas 12092023AIZAR RALDES/AFP via Getty Images

WHAT NEXT FOR ARGENTINA? Argentina’s players will now return to their respective clubs, but they will gather again in October for qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru.

Iodized salt before selling-FDA to manufacturers 

0

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has encouraged salt manufacturers to properly iodized their produce to help improve the nutrition status and general well-being of Ghanaians. 

Mrs Faustina Atupra, the Director of Food Safety and Consumer Education, said the Universal Salt Iodization (USI) programme mandated that all salt produced, imported, distributed, and marketed in Ghana should meet the set standards of iodine content in salt, quality, iodization, and packaging for human and animal consumption. 

However, surveillance conducted by the FDA indicates that some salt on the market was not iodized. 

Mrs Atupra made this known during an open forum organised by the FDA at Sege market in the Ada West District of the Greater Accra Region. 

The open forum formed part of activities to commemorate the 2023 World Food Safety Day, which was celebrated on June 7, to ensure food safety in Ghana. 

It also sought to encourage dialogue with traders, producers, processors, and consumers, spread awareness on pertinent food safety topics and provide and exchange ideas. 

The theme for the World Food Safety Day celebration was “Food Standards Saves Lives” which reminds countries of the critical role that food safety plays in people’s daily lives. 

Mrs Atupra said food standards were the foundation upon which society thrived which encompassed a wide range of aspects from hygiene practices in food production to the rigorous testing of ingredients, from storage, and transportation conditions to the accurate labeling of products. 

“By upholding and enforcing these standards, we are not only protecting the health of our citizens but also bolstering consumer trust in the food industry,” she added. 

She said no organization could tackle the challenge of food safety in isolation and called for joint efforts of the Government, regulatory bodies, industry stakeholders, and consumers to achieve lasting change. 

Mrs Atupra again urged Ghanaians to be ambassadors of food safety to improve the quality of health in the country. 

As part of the open forum, traders were sensitized on food safety, environmental cleanliness, personal hygiene, proper waste management and segregation, not exposing produce to the sun, the effects of food adulteration, and how to handle processed foods. 

Food vendors were also educated on how to properly handle their food for sale to prevent food poisoning, the need for food vendors to undergo medical screening to acquire a permit before they sell food to the public. 

The event was climaxed with a Food Safety quiz competition among the traders.  

Niger objects to Benin’s military cooperation deal.

0

The military-led government in Niger said on Tuesday night that it has rejected a military cooperation pact signed with neighbouring Benin in 2022, accusing that nation of “thinking violence” against Niger.

The military government in Niamey stated in a news statement broadcast on national television that they had “called on multiple times for compliance with the requirements” of this deal struck with Benin on July 11, 2022, which they had chosen to “denounce.”

Benin “decided to consider violence against Niger instead of supporting it,” according to the military that took control of Niger in a coup on July 26.

“The Republic of Benin has authorized the stationing of mercenary soldiers and war materials in view of an aggression desired by France in collaboration with certain countries” of the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ) against Niger, they assured Tuesday while reiterating their “desire to avoid escalation”.

Military intervention

For several weeks, ECOWAS has been threatening military intervention in Niger to restore constitutional order and reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, held prisoner and refusing to resign.

This agreement with Benin concerned in particular the exchange of intelligence, air assistance to monitor the movements of jihadists, and joint operations between the two Beninese and Nigerien armies.

Northern Benin, bordering Niger and Burkina Faso, two countries undermined by recurring jihadist violence, has been the scene of attacks and incursions by these groups in recent months.

“Assault”

This weekend, the new authorities in Niamey also accused France of preparing “aggression” by deploying “forces” in several West African countries. Accusations denied by Paris which does not recognize the military regime.

Several military agreements with France were also denounced by the generals in power on August 3 who claim that the presence of 1,500 French soldiers on their territory is now illegal.

Rwanda signs a contract to construct a nuclear reactor

0

To lessen its reliance on fossil fuels, the Rwandan government on Tuesday inked a contract with a German-Canadian start-up to construct a “experimental” civil nuclear reactor.

According to Dual Fluid Energy, the start-up that will construct the reactor, it will be ready for testing in 2026.

Dual Fluid Energy CEO Gotz Ruprecht stated at a conference that these “reactors may be utilised to create electricity, hydrogen, and synthetic fuels at lower prices than fossil fuels.”

The use of nuclear power will provide “a stable and reliable source of electricity, reducing dependence on hydrocarbons and helping to meet the growing demand for energy”, said Infrastructure Minister Ernest Nsabimama.

Rwanda signed a deal in 2019 to build nuclear power plants in collaboration with Russia’s Federal Atomic Energy Agency Rosatom, sparking strong opposition due to concerns over security.

The leader of the main opposition party, the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, Frank Habineza, deemed the agreement with Dual Fluid Energy “dangerous”. There is “no big difference between what Dual Fluid Energy wants to do and what Russia and the Rwandan government wanted to do in 2019,” he told AFP.

“No study can convince me that there is a place in this country where a reactor or a nuclear power plant can be built without endangering the population,” he said.

“Our test reactor is a small device with low combustion and therefore contains little nuclear material. For this reason, it poses no threat to the environment,” assured the Rwanda Atomic Energy Office and Dual Fluid Energy in a joint press release.

South Africa is the only country on the continent to have a civil nuclear program, with two reactors in service for more than 30 years.