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Nigeria issues fresh banknotes for use.

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Nigeria will release its new currency into circulation on Thursday, marking the first such change in 20 years.

The policy, according to the authorities, is intended to combat instability, stop counterfeiting, and force extra funds back into the banking system.

According to the national bank of Nigeria, people are hoarding more than 80% of the currency in use.

It has advised individuals to bring their damaged naira notes to commercial banks so that they can be replaced.

Nigerians must trade in their old banknotes before the deadline of January 31.

Many Nigerians say the government should have focused more on other measures to tackle soaring inflation in Africa’s largest economy instead of redesigning the banknotes.

The policy is likely to hit politicians who might be planning to use cash to bribe voters in Nigeria’s elections – a common campaign strategy in the country. The elections are due in February.

The release of the new notes comes barely three weeks before another change comes into effect – the limiting of cash withdrawals from banks to $225 a week for individuals and $1,200 for corporate bodies.

Source: BBC

Boy is struck and killed after France wins the World Cup.

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In Montpellier, a southern French city, a 14-year-old kid was run over and killed shortly after France defeated Morocco in the World Cup semi-final.

After the match, according to the authorities, he was hit by a car and later died in the hospital.

Images shared on social media showed a car covered in a French flag, and people were grabbing the flag all around it.

The motorist then accelerated into two youngsters, perhaps in a hurry.

The 14-year-old was struck and suffered a cardiac attack as the driver turned around and sped away.

Nathalie Oziol, a local MP, expressed her sympathies for the boy’s family and voiced her “immense regret that a sporting event could end in absolute disaster.”

The local prefect in the southern Hérault area said the car was later found abandoned not far from the scene of the accident, and police have begun searching for the driver.

The incident happened in Montpellier’s north-western district of La Paillade, around half an hour after the final whistle in Qatar, where France beat Morocco 2-0.

Tensions between France and Morocco supporters briefly spilled over in the centre of the city as flares were lit and police responded with tear gas. France has a large Moroccan community of some 1.5 million people.

Celebrations in cities across France were largely peaceful, although police used tear gas to halt trouble involving far-right youths in the centre of Lyon.

Ten thousand police were deployed across the country and a reported 167 arrests were reported nationally.

 

Biden declares during the US-Africa meeting that the US is “all in” for Africa’s future.

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At a summit with dozens of the leaders of state from the continent, US President Joe Biden promised billions of dollars in additional investment for the continent.

President Biden informed the 49 African leaders present at the meeting in Washington, DC, “The United States is all in on Africa’s future.”

It is the first such event that Washington has held in eight years.

The conference is perceived as the US’s effort to assert its influence in Africa once again in opposition to Chinese involvement.

Additionally, it follows Donald Trump’s four years in power, during which time he alienated many African leaders with his policy choices and nasty remarks.

Mr Biden struck a very different tone to his predecessor, speaking optimistically of improved links with Africa and telling the gathering that “when Africa succeeds, the United States succeeds. Quite frankly, the whole world succeeds as well.”

He said that the crises facing the world today need African leadership, ideas and innovations, and promised to build on the “vital” investments in Africa made by previous US administrations.

To that end, Mr Biden announced $55bn (£44bn) of US funding planned for Africa over the next three years. The sum includes $100m for clean energy projects and $350m for internet access and digital technology.

The US is also set to sign a memorandum with the African Continental Free Trade Area – one of the world’s biggest free-trade areas – which Mr Biden said would “unlock new opportunities for trade and investment” between the US and Africa.

On the sidelines of the summit on Wednesday, Mr Biden separately met the six leaders of African nations which are holding elections in 2023 to press for a free vote.

Before the end of the summit on Thursday, the US president is also expected to back the African Union’s admission as a permanent member of the Group of 20 major economies. It is also likely that he will announce a trip to the continent in the new year.

The summit is widely being seen as Mr Biden’s attempt to win back influence in Africa with personal diplomacy, as well as with funding and investment.

Many have noted that America is trying to catch up with other countries, including Russia and especially China, that have developed stronger ties in recent years with Africa.

In the World Cup matchup with Croatia, Drogba extols the virtues of the “wonderful Morocco team.”

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Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba has now challenged Morocco to take their chance against Croatia on Saturday to finish third in this World Cup.

  • Morocco have impressed many in this World Cup
  • Their exciting journey was cut short by France
  • Morocco can still finish third

WHAT HAPPENED: Morocco are in the third-place playoff after falling 2-0 to France in the semi-final match played on Wednesday.

Morocco had set history as the first African nation to make it to the last four after initial attempts by Ghana, Cameroon, and Senegal who, unfortunately, fell in the quarter-finals in 2010, 1990 and 2002 respectively.

In this edition, the Lions of Teranga made it past the group stage but fell 3-0 against England in the Round of 16. Cameroon, Tunisia and Ghana fell in the first hurdle.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Despite falling against France on Wednesday at Al Bayt Stadium, the Atlas Lions have a chance of finishing third in the competition.

They will play Croatia on Saturday at the Khalifa International Stadium. Croatia fell 3-0 against Argentina in the first semi-final played on Tuesday.

Drogba concedes the Atlas Lions were exceptional and hopes they can polish their finishing when they play the Checkered Ones.

WHAT HE SAID: “I’ve seen a great Moroccan team, who gave everything to win,” the Ivory Coast legend told BBC Radio 1.

“They weren’t really focusing on the final pass to score a goal and they got punished by a France team, who scored goals when it really mattered. Morocco still have the chance to make history and finish third in the final game.”

IN THREE PICTURES:

Croatia World Cup 2022GettyRomain Saiss Morocco 2022Getty ImagesDidier Drogba Ivorian FA presidency election 2022Getty

WHAT NEXT: After Saturday’s game against Croatia, Morocco will then turn to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

 

 

Messi does not frighten us! ‘ – France players won’t let the captain of Argentina to “enjoy” the 2022 World Cup final

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France’s core group of stars have insisted that they are up to the challenge of facing Lionel Messi in a 2022 World Cup final date with Argentina.

  • Les Blues to face Albiceleste at Qatar 2022
  • Global crown up for grabs
  • Deschamps’ men must contain all-time great

WHAT HAPPENED? Les Bleus, who are defending champions, are set to face the Albiceleste in a showpiece event on Sunday that will see a global crown put on the line. France are fully aware that seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi poses a serious threat to their ambition, but Didier Deschamps’ squad are confident that they can keep an all-time great quiet and dash his dreams of claiming an elusive prize in what will be his last outing at FIFA’s flagship event.

WHAT THEY SAID: France full-back Hernandez has told RAI Sport: “Playing two World Cup finals in a row is an incredible moment. We will work hard to win this final. Now we have to think about the final. I’m tired, but it’s nice to win a World Cup semi-final. Now let’s recover for Sunday. Messi doesn’t scare us, Argentina are an incredible team but we have a few days to work.”

Veteran frontman Olivier Giroud, who is now his country’s all-time leading goalscorer, has added to The Athletic: “Messi is an incredible player. But we’re not going to let him enjoy the best night that he can have. We want to win this game and the World Cup and we will try everything to stop him. There is not only Messi in that team. They have great players who work for the team also. That’s why they are so strong.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: France will not let Messi dominate their pre-match preparations, despite his obvious ability, with the Argentine’s former Barcelona team-mate Antoine Griezmann saying: “We’ve seen Argentina play, we know how they play, they are a difficult team to play against and they seem to be on top form. There isn’t only Messi, they have a strong side around him. It will be a tough game and they will have a lot of support in the crowd.”

Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni went on to say: “We will have to defend well and we will have to show all our qualities. Yes, there’s Lionel Messi, but there are also 10 other players next to him who also have a lot of quality, so we’ll have to be ready, well aware of the opportunity we have to make history.”

IN THREE PHOTOS:

Lionel Messi ArgentinaGetty Images

 

France(C)Getty Images

 

KYLIAN MBAPPE THEO HERNANDEZ FRANCE WORLD CUP 14122022Getty Images

WHAT NEXT? France edged out Morocco 2-0 to make their way into the final at Qatar 2022, while Argentina proved too strong for Croatia as Messi netted his fifth goal of the tournament in a 3-0 victory for the South American heavyweights.

 

According to Deschamps, France will do “all humanly possible” to prevent Messi from winning his first World Cup.

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Didier Deschamps says France will be doing “everything humanly possible” to prevent Lionel Messi from capturing a first World Cup crown.

  • Argentina icon yet to claim global crown
  • Will faces Les Bleus in final of Qatar 2022
  • Both countries seeking third star for shirt

WHAT HAPPENED? The Argentina icon has led his nation to the final of Qatar 2022, where a meeting with the defending champions will take place on Sunday. Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is desperate to add a first global title to his illustrious collection of honours, but France have no intention of rolling over for an all-time great as they seek to add a “third star” of their own to national team jerseys.

WHAT THEY SAID: Deschamps has said of Messi chasing down a prize that will allow him to emulate the achievements of legendary countryman Diego Maradona: “We will do everything humanly possible for that not to happen. At the end of the match, someone is getting a third star on their shirt.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: France have previously savoured World Cup glory in 1998 and 2018 – while Argentina won football’s ultimate prize in 1978 and 1986 – but Les Bleus have seen their plans disrupted by a sickness outbreak in their squad. Deschamps has added on having Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot back at his disposal on Sunday: “Dayot will be fit. He will be back. Since Saturday he has not been very well for about three days. He got back to training a bit last night. But he had a fever and that impacted his strength. Given the tough match we had (a semi-final against Morocco), I decided not to play him and play (Ibrahima) Konate instead, because I know that he has already shown he’s good enough to play at that level. Adrien was sick and wasn’t well enough this afternoon and stayed in the hotel. Now we have three days to rest he should be better and available for Sunday.”

IN THREE PHOTOS:

Lionel Messi Argentina World Cup 2022Getty

 

20221213 Didier DeschampsGetty Images

 

France(C)Getty Images

WHAT NEXT? France were made to work hard for their place in the World Cup final, before eventually prevailing 2-0 against Morocco, and have shown to Messi and Co that they know how to win when not playing at their best.

 

Parliament approves GHC1.2 billion for Transport Ministry, agencies

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Parliament on Wednesday approved GHC1.2 billion for the Transport Ministry and its agencies to carry out activities for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.

The amount represents a 33.06 per cent increase over the 2022 initial budgetary allocation of GHC921,483,000.00.

The 2022 fiscal year amount was subsequently revised to GHC832,028,321.00, and, as of September 2022, the Ministry had expended GHC461,824,396.84.

The Transport Ministry, in 2023, plans to undertake activities such as operationalising the “Ghana Airlines” as the home-based carrier for the country and deliver 55 intercity buses to Metro Mass Transit Limited to augment its fleet.

Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, the Minister of Transport, moving the Motion for the approval in Parliament, said the Keta Port construction was a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project that the Government was embarking upon.

He said feasibility studies had been completed, which came out that the project was viable.

The Government had made available an initial five million dollars for the administration, and by the first quarter of 2023, the construction of the Administrative Block of the Keta Port would start, he said.

As regards the Airport Passenger Service Charge (APSC), Mr Asiamah said other airports in the country, apart from Accra and Kumasi, did not generate income.

He said the revenue from the two airports were used to administer the rest of the airports in the country.

There was the need for an economic rate for the APSC, which would enable the airports to recover the investments made in them to avoid becoming a burden on the Government, Mr Asiamah said, and assured the House that the Ministry would consult the House in all its dealings.

Mr Kennedy Nyarko Osei, the Chairman of the Roads and Transport Committee, said the Committee observed that the current charges pertaining to the APSC were not competitive.

The Ministry brought to the attention of the Committee the need for the APSC to be reviewed to enable the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) to generate revenue to complement Government’s efforts in implementing the Ministry’s programmes.

The Ministry had programmed to complete the construction of the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal (BILT) in 2023, he said, but there was the need to connect it to the Tema Habour to ensure it functioned optimally.

Mr Osei said the Committee, therefore, urged the Ministry of Transport to collaborate with the Railways Development Ministry to ensure that rail lines were extended through the BILT to the Tema Port.

Mr Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Deputy Ranking Member of the Roads and Transport Committee, in seconding the Motion, said the road carnage in the country had not changed, though the situation this year appeared slightly better than last year.

Touching on Aviation, he said the Ministry informed the Committee that it had selected an entity to operate Ghana Airlines as a home-based carrier; “that is to fly the flag of Ghana”.

“Mr Speaker, some of us are quite surprised that the entity that had been selected has no record in operating an airline, it is not merely a matter of recruiting former pilots and other things, I mean aviation business is quite a risky business,” Mr Agbodza said.

“Yes, we are happy that a local group will be part of this, but if they have no record of doing this, it is difficult to understand why we are doing this.”

Parliament approves GH¢5.3 billion as 2023 budget estimates for Ministry of Roads and Highways

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Parliament Wednesday approved the sum of GH¢5,295,359,626 for the activities of the Ministry of Roads and Highways for the financial year ending December 31, 2023.

The amount would be used to execute the Ministry’s planned programmes for the fiscal year.

Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister for Finance, on Thursday, November 24, 2022 presented to Parliament the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the 2023 financial year.

This was mandated by article 179 (1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and 140 (2) of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

For the year 2022, the Ministry of Roads and Highways was allocated an initial amount of GH¢4,000,673,000.00 which was revised to GH¢3,568,318,458.00.

As of September 2022, the Ministry had expended an amount of GH¢1,931,989,582.47.

Meanwhile, an allocation of GH¢4,526,271,586.22 was made to the Road Fund for 2022.

However, as of September 30, 2022, a sum of GH¢612,111,078.21, representing 13.5 per cent of the allocation, had been released by the Ministry of Finance, and the same was expended by the Ministry of Roads and Highways.

Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah, the Minister for Roads and Highways, moved the Motion on the floor of Parliament.

He said the total allocation to the Ministry, as captured in the Budget Statement and Economic Policy for the year, was GH¢5,295,359,626.00, nonetheless, the sum of allocations to the Government, Internally Generated Fund (IGF), Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA), and Donor Partners amounted to GH¢5,295,359,627.00.

Mr Amoako-Attah told Parliament that the difference of GH¢1.00 was a result of the GIFMIS budget module (hyperion) used in capturing the budget, which rounded decimal figures to the nearest whole numbers.

Seconding the motion, Mr Kennedy Nyarko Osei, the Chairman of the Roads and Transport Committee in Parliament, said the road sector was crucial in delivering an efficient road transportation system in the country.

He said the Ministry’s mandate of providing a road transport system that was responsive to the needs of society, supporting growth, and reducing poverty while establishing and maintaining Ghana as the transportation hub of West Africa could be realised if the Ministry was adequately resourced.

Mr Osei, who is also the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, said the Ministry intended to engage Parliament to seek approval before reintroduction of the road tolls in 2023 on selected public roads with possible deployment of electronic technology.

Debating the Motion, Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza, a Deputy Ranking Member of the Roads and Transport Committee, and a National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Adaklu, urged the Finance Minister to take a critical look at the capping of road funds.

He said that would enable the Ministry to retain enough IGF to carry out some programmes and activities as the capping of Road Fund, under the earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment Act, 2017 (947), continued to affect the number of funds available for use under the Road Fund by the Ministry.

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader and MP for Tamale South, recognised that access to durable roads was a challenge to many constituencies.

As a result, he called on the Finance Minister to assure the House of taking off cappings on roads and providing adequate resources for road infrastructure development.

Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Majority Chief Whip, and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, lauded the Committee for the timely expedition of work on the report.

I don’t care about meeting expectations! Morocco’s coach Regragui argues that his effort to “destroy” statistics has angered Europeans.

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Morocco coach Walid Regragui defended his team’s playing style at the World Cup and dismissed the importance of statistics like expected goals.

  • Morocco first African team to reach semi-finals
  • Have faced criticism for playing style
  • Coach not interested in statistics

WHAT HAPPENED? The Atlas Lions have been the big surprise of the competition in Qatar, beating Belgium, Canada, Spain and Portugal to become the first African team to reach the semi-finals, where they will face France. The African side have faced criticism for their defensive style, but Regragui is making no apologies.

WHAT THEY SAID: “A lot of Europeans have criticised our style of play but that is because they don’t like to see an African team play cleverly,” he said at a press conference. “They think African teams used to be fun but get knocked out. But those days are over now. There isn’t just one way of winning.

“Look at France against England, they didn’t create 40 opportunities, they were just effective. I don’t really care about expected goals or possession. We had 0.01 percent chance of winning the World Cup at the outset, now we have 0.03 but we are going to try and destroy statistics.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Expected goals is a statistical measure of the likelihood of a goal being scored depending on where on factors such as the field the shot was taken. Each shot is given a value between zero, which would mean the effort is impossible to score from, and one which means the player would be expected to score every single time.

IN THREE PHOTOS:

Walid Regragui Morocco World Cup 2022Getty

 

Youssef En-Nesyri - morocco - world cup 2022 - Achraf Hakimi getty

 

Morocco players celebrate. Getty

WHAT NEXT FOR MOROCCO? Regragui’s team will meet reigning world champions France on Wednesday, with the winner going on to meet either Argentina or Croatia in the final on Sunday.

Lineups for Argentina vs. Croatia, including LIVE updates

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Can Argentina reach the last stage of the enduring dream with the help of Messi’s magic? Or will Croatia’s tenaciousness allow them to reach back-to-back World Cup finals?

Argentina and Croatia square off against one another in the first World Cup 2022 semi-final on Tuesday at the Lusail Stadium, knowing a spot in the championship game is on the line. Both teams overcame the drama of penalty shoot-out victory in their respective quarter-final matches.

Argentina’s latest attempt to win their first World Cup championship since the days of Diego Maradona got off to a shaky start as they were the victims of a historic defeat by tournament underdogs Saudi Arabia in their 2022 World Cup opener.

However, La Albiceleste have bounced back in style since and now find themselves on the cusp of the final after many had written them off after only matchday one.

After beating Mexico and Poland to top Group C, they eliminated Australia in the round of 16 before claiming a dramatic quarterfinal victory over the Netherlands last time out in what turned out to be a World Cup classic.

Despite having a two-goal lead against the Dutch with less than 10 minutes remaining on the clock, Lionel Scaloni’s side went into self-destruct mode before weathering the extra-time to emerge victorious in the subsequent penalty shootout 4-3 thanks to spirited goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez’s superb heroics in goal.

The 2014 World Cup finalists will now look to book their ticket to this year’s final for what would be their second shot at glory across the last three showpieces.

But the big question remains: Can Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina break Modric’s Chequered ones’ code?

Croatia, with a population of just four million people, have yet again defied all odds by taking a South American powerhouse, and tournament favourites Brazil in the quarterfinal and are now just 90 minutes away from a return trip to the final.

Croatia had gone undefeated in a group that included fellow semi-finalists Morocco, Belgium, and Canada, and had overcome Japan in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 stalemate in regular time.Zlatko Dalic’s side are a formidable opponent with a star-studded midfield trio that is safer than the bank, and the last two World Cup showings have proven that they are very capable of punishing opponent’s complacency.

So, underestimate them at your own risk, but with Messi pulling the strings and looking to emulate Diego Maradona’s legacy, Argentina go into the game as heavy favourites.

With 160 caps for his country, cultured Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric is understandably the figurehead of this Croatia side, but their incredible unbeaten streak in Qatar isn’t just the last hurrah for an ageing golden generation.

Head Coach Zlatko Dalic has also injected some freshness into his side, with highly-coveted RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, Borna Sosa, and full-back Josip Juranovic all shining brightly and playing a pivotal part in their success so far.

Argentina and Croatia last met each other in a group game of the 2018 World Cup edition, with the Europeans punishing their opponents for defensive errors en route to a comprehensive 3-0 victory. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top in this tasty battle.

Argentina vs Croatia confirmed lineups

Argentina XI (4-3-3): Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Fernández, Mac Allister; Messi, Álvarez

Croatia XI (4-3-3): Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic

Argentina vs Croatia LIVE updates

Commentary

  •  lineupLineups are announced and players are warming up.

Argentina and Croatia’s upcoming World Cup fixture

The winner of this semi-final will face the victor of France’s last-four clash against tournament darkhorses Morocco in the grand finale on Sunday at the Lusail Stadium. Victories for Croatia and France in this round will set up a repeat of the 2018 Russia World Cup final.

 

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