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‘It was consensual,’ says Spanish FA director Luis Rubiales, who refuses to quit after kissing Women’s World Cup champion Jenni Hermoso and blasts ‘fake feminism’ in odd speech.

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Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has refused to quit in the aftermath of a “consensual kiss” with Jenni Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup.

Rubiales was part of the post-match medal and trophy presentation when Spain won the World Cup with a 1-0 victory against England in Sydney.

At the event, he was seen embracing Barcelona actress Hermoso and kissing her on the lips.

Said actions have generated lively debate, with many calling for Rubiales to step down from his role.

He is adamant that no such action will be taken and has vowed to take his case to court if needs be.

Rubiales has apologised for causing any offence, but remains adamant that he did not act out of line during a passionate clinch with a player that he considers to be a close friend.

Addressing the issue of his future in a long and sometimes bizarre speech, Rubiales has said: “I have already apologised for an unfortunate gesture. I have already said about the kiss that it is mutual and consented and for which I have to apologise for the context.

“Was it serious enough for me to go? I will not resign. There must be a law for someone to leave a place. Is a consensual kiss enough to get me out of there? If someone wants to commit that atrocity, I can defend myself. I also hope that the law is complied with.”GFX RUBIALESGOAL

Rubiales added: “The kiss was consented. We had very affectionate moments. The moment Jenni appeared, she picked me up from the ground that we almost fell. And when she left me on the ground, we hugged. She took me up in her arms and we hugged. I told her that she will forget about the [missed] penalty. I told her that we had won the World Cup thanks to her.

“Whoever sees the video will understand that in front of millions of people on television, in front of all the people who were there, the desire that I could have in that kiss was the same that I could have kissing one of my daughters. That is understood by anyone and even those who are in the media. False feminism is a scourge.

“A social murder is being carried out. They are trying to kill me. As a Spaniard, I think we have to reflect on where we are going. Being a world champion is the greatest thing there is. For five years they have been going after me for everything – dozens of lawsuits, denunciations, requests for disqualification… They are always the same, we know who they are.

“They have referred to the kiss as vexation, sexual violence, without consent, assault… By God, what will women think who have really been sexually assaulted. To these people who want to murder me publicly, I am going to defend myself in court. I’m going to take action against them.”

Rather than giving any thought to walking away, Rubiales says that he intends to play a prominent role in Spain’s efforts to secure hosting rights for the 2030 Women’s World Cup.

He added: “We have a chance to bring the 2030 World Cup to Spain, with the positive dimension it would have, and that, I humbly tell you, I will also have something to do with.”

Mohamed Salah to Al-Ittihad? Jurgen Klopp replies to reports that a Liverpool player is coveted by a Saudi Pro League club.

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reiterated that no bid has been made for the Egypt international, despite reports that he is sought in Saudi Arabia.

Klopp was asked about the Salah rumours ahead of Liverpool’s next Premier League match against Newcastle. Salah has been linked with a transfer to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, who are reported to be prepared to pay the attacker a deal worth more than Cristiano Ronaldo’s current salary at Al-Nassr. Klopp, on the other hand, has stated that no offer has been made and that the Reds are keen to preserve their star.Klopp was asked about the Salah rumours ahead of Liverpool’s next Premier League match against Newcastle. Salah has been linked with a transfer to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, who are reported to be prepared to pay the attacker a deal worth more than Cristiano Ronaldo’s current salary at Al-Nassr. Klopp, on the other hand, has stated that no offer has been made and that the Reds are keen to preserve their star.

“There is nothing to talk about from our point of view. We don’t have an offer, Mo Salah is a Liverpool player. There is nothing there, if there would be, the answer would be no,” he told reporters. Klopp then insisted that the forward is “100%” committed to the Reds despite the speculation over his future.

This is not the first time this summer that Salah has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia. The Egyptian’s agent, Ramy Abbas, has also played down talk of a move. He tweeted at the start of the month: “If we considered leaving Liverpool this year, we wouldn’t have renewed the contract at the club last summer. Mohamed remains committed to Liverpool.”

IN TWO PHOTOS:Mohamed Salah Liverpool 2023-24Getty

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WHAT NEXT? Salah is due back in action for Liverpool on Sunday against Newcastle in the Premier League.

We are poised to capture North Tongu seat for the NPP- Chairman

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Mr Alfred Koni, North Tongu Constituency Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has hinted that they were advancing all necessary mechanisms to capture the seat for the party come December 2024.

He said the consistency had seen massive socio-economic transformation under the NPP administration and the constituents were happy about the development projects executed by the government.

Mr Koni, speaking in an interview with Ghana News Agency said the constituency had witnessed improved access to educational infrastructure, potable drinking water, rural electrification and health facilities.

The chairman said most remote communities in the area also now had access to proper telephone network and this was as a result of the good work of the NPP-led government.

He said the Battor market was currently under construction with walls being built around it to provide a safe environment for traders to transact their businesses with absolute peace of mind.

Mr Koni said the government also constructed a warehouse for traders at Juapong  Market which enabled them to keep their wares safely for the next day to continue with their transactions.

The chairman said the government was much concerned about the development of the country and the living standards of the people, thus the introduction of numerous social interventions in the country.

Mr Koni asked Ghanaians to retain the party in power in the upcoming 2024 general election to continue the good work for accelerated development.

NPP Presidential Primaries: 41 delegates expected to vote in Volta Region

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A total of 41 delegates have been primed to cast their ballot in the upcoming New Patriotic party (NPP) Presidential primaries slated for Saturday in the Volta region.

They are 18 Constituency Chairmen, 17 Regional Executives, two Ministers, two National Council Members and two Founding Members who would cast their ballots at the Catholic Secretariat in Ho, venue for the exercise.

The NPP’s super delegates conference was occasioned to reduce the number of aspirants vying to contest for the Flagbearer position of the party from 10 to 5, according to its party Constitution.

In all, 10 Presidential aspirants are jostling for the first five positions to proceed to the next stage towards electing a Flagbearer for the NPP for the 2024 general election.

They are Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong; Mr  Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Dr, Owusu Akoto Afriyie, Mr Joe Ghartey, Mr Francis Addai Nimoh, Mr Kwadwo Poku,  Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyapong ,Mr Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia,

Mr Pope Yao Yevoo, Volta Regional Secretary, who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency in an interview said he expected a peaceful exercise in this family exercise on Saturday between the hours of 0900 to 1300 hours.

He expected an incident-free exercise but promised trouble-rousers of equal response from the security agencies ir they attempt to bar the conduct of the exercise.

He reminded the delegates to be conscious of the 2024 elections and elect a candidate that would unite and have a strong appeal to Ghanaians going into the 2024 polls.

“Breaking the Eight will only come with a candidate that appeals to NPP, non NPP people and Ghana at large, and that exercise begins on Saturday.

Candidates should come to the venue, cast their ballot, and walk away,” he appealed.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Election Committee of the NPP party has assured all stakeholders, particularly the 10-presidential aspirants that it would implement to the letter the operational guidelines for the party’s Electoral College election for Saturday, election.

AGI launches 12th Ghana Industry and Quality Awards to enhance local businesses’ growth

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The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has launched the 12th Ghana Industry and Quality Awards to exemplify a commitment to excellence, sustainability, and the growth of local businesses.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Humprey Ayim-Darke, President of the AGI, said the awards were a testament to the industry’s dedication to innovation, drive to uplift their communities, and their unwavering belief in the potential of homegrown enterprises.

“We acknowledge that progress is a collective effort, and each facet of society plays a crucial role in creating an ecosystem where local production can thrive. It is for this reason that the AGI continues to engage the Government on policies such as the development of regulations that seek to control the importation of selected strategic products we can produce here in Ghana,” he said.

He said if the policies to reduce imports were implemented, it would help reduce the import bill and improve the balance of payments situation of our country.

“As we embark on this journey to celebrate and promote local production, let us commit to fostering an environment where entrepreneurship can flourish, and where businesses can thrive for shared prosperity.

Let this year’s awards be a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of collaboration and determination even in a period of turbulence,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to loyal sponsors, whose support had made this event possible dedication to promoting local production is commendable and serves as a shining example for others to emulate.

Dr. Nora Bannerman-Abbot, the AGI Awards Planning Committee Chairperson, said the Awards would reward and honour companies that had achieved outstanding successes in various areas of Industry and Innovation in the year under review.

The categories for this year include the Major Awards, the Sector Awards, and the Regional Awards.

There will also be a few honourary Awards to deserving firms and personalities who have distinguished themselves in the industry.

“We have made that deliberate effort to distinguish our Awards from the several awards schemes we see emerging around us, by positioning the AGI Awards as the mother of all Awards in Ghana,” she said.

She said the theme: “Promoting local manufacturing in an ever-changing business climate” is to spur us on as local producers.

“Our businesses have faced strong headwinds in the first half of this year coupled with new revenue measures against the backdrop of the IMF interventions. We believe major fiscal policy reforms and reliefs are needed to chart a competitive path for Industry to bolster expansion and inclusive growth. Indeed, local manufacturing Is the way out of our economic instability, unemployment, and export deficits,” she said.

Dr Bannerman-Abbot said the motivation for the AGI Awards was to bring up local businesses to international standards with products and services, which measure to and are competitive on the global markets.

The success of any company depends on the quality of the product or service It offers. For those of us in manufacturing, factors such as safety, efficiency, and reliability all affect the quality of a product and ultimately influence overall customer satisfaction, so these are very crucial for our Awards.

Mr Sergio Mujica, The Secretary-General of the International Organisation for Standardisation, stressed partnership with the public and private sectors in the development of standards.

Dr Bawumia has more credibility to lead NPP – Former Director of BoG

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Mr John Gyamfi, former Director of Bank of Ghana has expressed his conviction that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has greater credibility to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2024.

He said the Vice President would bring massive transformation to the country if elected as President, stressing he is the best brain for Ghana to bring digital innovations that would change the narrative of the country.

He believed that Dr Bawumia’s vision for Ghana’s future would build on the current government’s achievements and bring positive impacts to the party and the nation.

The former Director of BOG cited digitisation as an example of the Vice President’s vision, which had been thriving and making a significant impact in Ghana.

He added that in 2018 Annual Health Summit in Accra, the Vice President said Ghana would by September 2018 use drones to distribute blood and other essential medicines to remote parts of the country as part of efforts to ensure quality healthcare delivery and Ghanaians are witnessing just that.

Touting the achievement of Vice President, Mr Gyamfi told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that Bawumia introduced mobile Interoperability into our financial space, which had facilitated the transaction of Funds from a phone to a bank account and vice versa.

He added that the Ghana Port and Harbours Authority (GPHA) over the implementation of the paperless system initiated by the vice president was yielding great results. 

He said the achievements attained included substantial reduction in delays with regards to clients requesting terminal charges, adding that the electronic process had ensured that customers only paid for services provided.

The former Director of BOG, who contested as parliamentary candidate on the ticket of the NPP for Krachi East constituency in 2004 but lost to the Incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) Mr Wisdom Gidisu, urged NPP Super Delegates College to vote for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to lead the party as Flagbearer.

Republic Bank and Petra Trust Limited sign MOU to provide pension backed mortgages

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Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Petra Trust Limited Company, a corporate trustee to provide pension-backed mortgages to contributors to the Petra Opportunity Pension Scheme.

A statement from the Bank and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the MOU sets the stage for pension contributors to trigger benefits of the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766) as amended by National Pensions (Amendment) Act, 2014 (Act 883) where contributors were allowed to leverage  their Tier 3 contributions towards owning a home.

Under the MOU, the Bank was offering a hundred percent mortgage funding to members of the Petra Opportunity Pension Scheme, implying no down payment was required to access the mortgage.

The interest rate offered per the MOU was competitive with flexible payment options of either monthly, bi-weekly or weekly.

Mr. Kofi D. Fynn, the Managing Director for Petra Trust Limited Company, according to the statement said the signing of the MoU was a testament to the fact that Petra Trust was focused on developing value for its customers.

“It has become clear to us that one of the key aspects of retirement is a place for members to lay their heads.

“Though we have had conversations with several other institutions, we chose Republic Bank because it has demonstrated its commitment to housing, which is in line with our strategic vision and core values; we look forward to strengthening this relations to ensure that both of our customers receive the value that they deserve,” Mr Fynn said.

Mr. Benjamin Dzoboku, the Managing Director of Republic Bank Ghana PLC expressed gratitude to the joint team that worked to see the fruition of the collaboration.

He said, “this is a unique relationship that is very important to the Bank and the Group’.

Republic Bank was the first Bank to engage the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) to propose the Pension-Backed Mortgage product to make homeownership accessible to Ghanaians as they consider life after retirement.

“Homeownership is one of our ways of giving back to the community and to add value to the lives of our cherished customers and prospects during their retirement; we made a proposition to the Regulator, NPRA, to churn out a mortgage product that will assist employees secure homes using their Tier 3 pension contributions.  We are ready to explore more joint efforts such as this, to serve our people,” Mr. Dzoboku added.

Only 10 businesses in Volta are registered with the GIPC

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The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) has said only 10 businesses in the Volta Region are working with the institution since its establishment.

Mr. Edward Ashong-Lartey, Director of Investor Services at the Centre said despite heavy activity in the fast-rising industrial region, the handful of businesses there partnering GIPC were from the agriculture, manufacturing and trading sectors, and was the need for more enterprises to sign up and help market the region.

The Investor Services Director was speaking at the launch of the Sixth Volta Trade and Investment Fair in Ho, which has become the largest commercial event in the Region and an annual stage for promoting investment.

“Volta Region has lots of business opportunities. Agriculture alone had numerous opportunities, and all should come onboard,” Mr. Ashong-Lartey stated.

He said the GIPC had business development offices in the various regions including Volta, where it operates among others, an aftercare division to support existing businesses.

There is also a diaspora initiative to help Ghanaians living abroad establish businesses to support local economic development.

Mr Ashong-Lartey said businesses should therefore take advantage of the various programme and platforms, adding “GIPC is for Ghanaian business individuals”

He said the Region was being featured on its website and other platforms to help promote investment value and potential.

The sixth edition of the regional fair, the 2023 Volta Fair, is being organised by the AGI in collaboration with the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, and has the GIPC, the AfCFTA, and others including the Ghana Tourism Authority, and the Ghana Exim Bank as partners.

The GIPC Director of Investor Services said the private sector played a critical role in economic growth, and that the fair deserved the needed support to promote the sector and sustain its contributions to employment creation.

He said the GIPC was therefore pleased to be again associated with the fair; one it had supported from the onset.

Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister said the vision was to make Volta a production and exporting hub with the private sector at the centre, and that the fair provided “another opportunity to showcase the pride in the strong potentials in the Region.”

He entreated all to take advantage of the government’s efforts at creating an environment favourable for local economic development.

Indigenous companies from Togo, Kenya, Nigeria and India would be among 400 exhibitors participating in the Fair, with more than 4000 visitors expected during the two-week event.

It would be held at the Ho Sports Stadium from November 26 to December 10, 2023, on the theme “Leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area for Local Economic Development”.

Mr. Dela Gadzanku, Chairman of the AGI in the Eastern, Volta and Oti Regions, was happy the private sector was leading the event.

He said the fair had become “a well-established multi sectorial trade and investment platform for the Region,” and would showcase, aside investment, the economic and cultural wealth of participating communities.

The AGI regional chairman promised an “exciting lineup of side events,” including several seminars and business forums such as an AfCFTA innovation contest, regional tours, and a roundtable meeting on the automative industry.

Dr. Fareed Kwesi Arthur, National Coordinator of the Ghana National AfCFTA Coordination Office, was present at the launch, and so was Mr. Eliphas Barine, the Kenya High Commissioner to Ghana, who was the guest of honour.

Dr. Angela Lusigi, Resident representative of the UNDP, was special guest of honor who declared the launch, and said the Volta Region was best positioned to benefit from AfCFTA with its arable lands, industrial potential and youthful population.

Planting for Food and Jobs Programme up for review – Minister

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The Planting for Food and Jobs Programme (PFJ),

one of the government’s flagship programmes, is up for review to enable

the government to begin phase two to involve the

private sector.

As a result, government’s subsidies on fertilizer and other farm

inputs had been suspended until the completion of the review process,

Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister has announced.

That notwithstanding, tons of fertilizers and all other farm inputs

had been brought into the region and readily available in the open

market  this year for farmers to access.

Dr Bin Salih said the role of the government in the phase two of the

PFJ programme would be to focus more on the private sector to deliver

the farm inputs at subsidised prices.

The Regional Minister made this known at the Upper West Regional

Coordinating Council’s meeting in Wa with municipal and district chief

executives, district coordinators, presiding members, heads of

departments, institutions and agencies to discuss pertinent issues,

especially government’s interventions and their impact on the

wellbeing of the people.

He said information from the Regional Directorate of the Department of

Food and Agriculture indicated that many farmers who cultivated large

hectares of farmlands could not complete their planting due to the

erratic nature of the rainfall pattern, which succeeded in shortening

the planting window for this year.

“As a result, the land size cultivated this year had reduced. However,

from close observation of the performance of the crops, food security

would be assured”, he said.

He said for the past four years, many agriculture extension officers

had been recruited to help improve the staffing situation of the

department, and they had been deployed to the fields for every farmer

to access advisory services.

The Regional Coordinating Council per Article 255 of the 1992

Constitution of Ghana, mandates the House to meet at least twice

yearly to share ideas, advise on issues and take the right and

appropriate decisions that would benefit the people.

The various assemblies presented reports on infrastructural

development, security and government’s social

and economic interventions on the living conditions of the people in

the communities.

ECOWAS remains committed in delivering its mandates – Director 

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will continue to enforce the objective of Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money-Laundering and Terrorist Financing in West Africa in fulfilment of its mandate delivery. 

This will facilitate the thriving of peaceful co-existence to ensure prevalence of political and economic stability for residence of respective member states to go about their daily business activities in peace and progress. 

Mr Wilson Adja-Kwesi, Deputy Director at the Regional Integration Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration gave the assurance when he was giving a presentation at a day’s regional workshop on ECOWAS protocols for state and non-state actors in Techiman, Bono East Region. 

It was organised by the Ministry in collaboration with Media Response, a non-governmental organisation and the Bono East Regional Coordinating Council.  

It aimed at educating stakeholders on the new Vision 2050, “ECOWAS of the People: Peace and Prosperity for All”. 

Participants were taken through some protocols and topics such as overview of ECOWAS, mandate and functions of the Regional Integration Bureau, Protocol on Free Movement and transhuman, ECOWAS Brown Card Scheme and the Role of Citizens, Civil Society Organisations, Media, Chiefs, the public and private sectors. 

Mr Adja-Kwesi hinted the community was focused on reinforcing the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance to serve as a third-party liability insurance cover for injury, death and property damage caused by visiting motorist from member states.  

He said the leadership of ECOWAS was committed to ensuring state and non-state actors enjoyed the sub-regional protocols to promote inter-country free trade through free movement of goods and services within the member states for the citizenries’ socio-economic progress. 

Mr Adja-Kwesi explained ECOWAS had several protocols, but the most fundamental ones were the compendium of protocols on movement of persons and goods, right of residence and establishment in the sub-region to attain quality livelihoods. 

He underscored the need for stakeholders to contribute in diverse ways to make ECOWAS’ impact on the lives of the people more pragmatic within the context of objectives of its creation, and protocols.  

Mr Adja-Kwesi cited it was economically empowering the citizenry of member states through the establishment of ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Youth and Sports Development Centre, Gender Development Centre, and Water Resource Coordinating Unit. 

Earlier in an address, Mr Samuel Dodoo, the Executive Director for Media Response said ECOWAS among others aimed at developing member states through law and order. 

He said ECOWAS was working to educate the citizenry on activities geared towards promoting peace and understanding among member states and their citizenry to avoid frequent overthrow of constitutional governments in the sub-region that did not augur well for the development of affected countries. 

Mr Dodoo stated ECOWAS had come to stay and would continue to make citizens of member states understand its benefits to motivate them to participate effectively in the decision-making processes. 

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