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Bailly chooses two Man United players that completely surprised him, despite both having their detractors.

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Eric Bailly has picked up Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial as the two players that “blew me away” during his time at Manchester United.

  • Defender left Old Trafford in the summer
  • Worked with many stars in England
  • Considers two forwards to be the best

WHAT HAPPENED? The Ivory Coast international defender has not completely severed ties with the Red Devils, but he was allowed to join Marseille on loan during the summer transfer window and appears to be surplus to requirements at Old Trafford. Form and fitness issues held Bailly back at times with the Red Devils, restricting him to 113 appearances across six seasons, but he enjoyed working with some superstar forwards that impressed him despite attracting criticism from afar.

WHAT THEY SAID: Asked by L’Equipe to name his top team-mates in England, Bailly said: “I knew a lot of great players in Manchester. But if I have to talk about everyone who impressed me, we’re never going to finish this interview! There was incredible talent, both old and young. Someone like Marcus Rashford really blew me away. Anthony Martial too.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Bailly has been reunited with one former Red Devils team-mate at Marseille, with Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez in the process of rebuilding his reputation on the back of disappointing stints at United and Inter. Bailly said of the South American: “Alexis is passionate, he has the grinta, the energy he gives to the people around him. This is what he is demonstrating again here at OM. He too had a difficult time in Manchester. I’m glad to find him here. On the field, when you see him, it makes you want to go all out, his way of pressing, his grit, his rage, when you’re behind it motivates you.”

IN THREE PHOTOS:

Marcus Rashford Manchester United 2022-23Getty

 

Anthony Martial Manchester United 2022-23Getty

 

Eric Bailly Manchester United 2022-23Getty Images

WHAT NEXT FOR BAILLY? The 28-year-old is under contract at Old Trafford until 2024, but the deal which took him to Marseille includes an obligation to buy and the expectation is that his time in the Premier League has come to a close.

 

Lead JUSAG in truth, honesty, and integrity -Chief Justice

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Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah has asked the leadership of Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) to lead their members in truth, honesty, and integrity.

Chief Justice Yeboah also implored the leadership to repair whatever relations that they might have strained before, during and after their elections.

“Even before you assume your duties of the association, I would implore you to repair whatever relations that you might have strained, before, during and after your elections.”

Chief Justice who was speaking at the swearing in of the newly elected executives of JUSAG at the Supreme Court tasked the Association to remain united as in unity lied strength.

The new leadership of JUSAG has Mr. Samuel Afotey Otu as the President, Mr Samuel Larteylai Lartey, Vice President, Mr Abdullai Yakubu and Joyce Hassan as General Secretary and deputy General Secretary respectively, Ms Hannah Boakye, Commissioner and Mr Owusu Kankam, Treasurer.

Chief Justice urged the executives to tap into the expertise of their opponents to propel the growth of the Association.

He also appealed to the leadership not impose themselves on the members but lead and serve them in humility.

The Chief Justice pledged management’s continuous support to the leadership of JUSAG.

Mr Alex Nartey, the Outgoing President of JUSAG, said he was elated that during his tenure, the executives were able to ensure the consolidation of all allowances of staff.

According to him, his tenure saw the training of 50 staff as lawyers following the approval of their study leave over the years.

Mr Nartey appealed to the newly sworn in executives to remain focused on the objectives of the association and continue to serve Ghanaians as they rebuilt the image of the association.

“You don’t have rule by intimidation, rule by fair play and ensure that your communication channels are open,”

Mr Samuel Afotey Otu, President of JUSAG, urged members of the association to bring on board their ideas and suggestions to help build the association into a resilient one.

He appealed to members to be guided by the Association’s code of ethics in order to deliver on their mandate without fear or favour.

Mrs Justice Irene Charity Larbi, a Court of Appeal Judge, administered on the executives three oaths.

With a direct response, Arsenal manager Arteta ends the animosity with Aubameyang.

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Mikel Arteta has delivered a blunt response to former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s criticism of his supposed flaws.

  • Striker commented on Arteta’s man-management
  • Has posted a clarification of his comments
  • Arteta remains unfazed by the incident

WHAT HAPPENED?  In a recently leaked video, Aubameyang was caught criticising the Gunners boss following his departure from the north London club to Barcelona. He made a jibe at Arteta saying that the man calling the shots in north London cannot handle “big characters”. However, he later put out a statement clarifying his comments and wished Arsenal the best for the season.

WHAT THEY SAID: When asked to respond to Aubameyang’s comments, Arteta said: “People are free to discuss what they want.”

When further quizzed about the atmosphere in his current dressing room, he showered praise on his troops. “Phenomenal, I’ve never been in a better dressing room,” he said. “More enjoyable, more hard-working, better relationship with the staff to players and it’s an absolute pleasure as a coach to be part of this group.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Aubameyang is back in the Premier League with Chelsea and will get to settle scores with Arteta when the two London clubs face each other on November 6 at Stamford Bridge. The Gabonese has been in good form recently and found the net against AC Milan to help his side take a major step towards qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

IN THREE PHOTOS:

AubameyangGettyAubameyang ArtetaGettyAubameyang Tatarusanu Chelsea Milan Champions LeagueGetty

WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL? The Gunners will take on Bodo/Glimt in a Europa League encounter on Thursday evening at the Aspmyra Stadion.

Residents of Brafoyaw benefit from health screening exercise

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More than 150 residents of Brafoyaw, a suburb of Cape Coast, have benefited from a free health screening exercise organised  by the Female Journalists For Women and Rural Development in Africa (FJWoRDA) on Wednesday.

The exercise, in collaboration with B4 Foundation, a charity organisation, saw residents having their blood pressure, Sugar level, breasts and other health conditions examined by health personnel from the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH).

Of the 44 women screened for breast lumps as part of the breast cancer awareness month, 19 had to  undergo Mammogram  examination and were referred to the CCTH for further examination.

Eleven of them, who had some abnormalities in their breasts,  were also referred to the Hospital for free scan.

Only 14 of the figure had normal breasts.

The health exercise was to create awareness on breast cancer and other non communicable diseases to get women to seek early treatment if any defect was found.

Mrs Shirley Asiedu-Addo, the Executive Director of FJWoRDA, said across the world, breast cancer continued to wreck havoc on families, hence the need for the Foundation to contribute its quota towards the wellbeing of  women, particularly  those in rural communities.

Many families faced great distress because mothers, aunts, sisters and children and even some men were affected by breast cancer with its associated burden on the society , she said.

“We are journalists, but we are not just writers and broadcasters, we are humans,  mothers, sisters wives, children, neighbours and the problems of society affect us too”.

“Making communities better places is our priority  and this will be continually executed through the mass media,  which disseminate and create awareness on pertinent issues affecting the public.”

 

Mrs Asiedu-Addo noted that breast cancer could be prevented and cured when detected early and urged women to commit to taking care of themselves first to enable them to take care of others in their families and contribute their quota to society.

She  tasked  women to go for  regular check-ups and seek prompt health care to avert complications and undesirable consequences.

On Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), she said women were great teachers and must help educate their peers, the youth and adolescents on SGBV and its effects and how  to seek redress.

She called for the support of other organisations in efforts to reach out to communities with education to improve the lives of women and children.

Court remands 30 people over police station attack

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An Accra Circuit Court has remanded 30 persons into police custody for allegedly attacking the Neoplan Police Station.

The accused persons have been charged for conspiring to cause unlawful damage and stealing of two AK47 Riffles.

Their pleas were not taken and ordered by the Court presided over by Mrs Afia Owusua Appiah to make their next appearance on October 26, 2022.

Police Chief Inspector Samuel Ahiabor told the Court that the accused persons were drivers, drivers’ mates, commercial motorbike riders, traders and others, adding that they worked at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle.

He said on October 9, 2022, at about 1930 hours, one Isobah allegedly stole a cellular phone belonging to a young man.

The prosecution said when Isobah was being chased he jumped into the Odaw River to escape and was followed by his victim to retrieve the phone.

The prosecution said a struggle ensued between Isobah and the victim, which led to both drowning in the River.

It said Isobah’s friend also got drowned when he jumped into the River to help his friend.

The Court heard that the accused persons without any provocation then marched to the Police Station and vandalised the charge office and the Station Officer’s office.

In the process, they caused damage to four television sets, three computers, sets of furniture, ceiling fans, doors, windows and other items belonging to the Neoplan Police Station of the Ghana Police Service.

Afterwards, the prosecution said they stole two AK 47 Riffles kept at the charge office and the next day, through intelligence, they were arrested and the Riffles retrieved.

The prosecution said the crime was still under investigations.

Opuni Trial: Court orders doctor to produce records of Dr Opuni

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An Accra High Court has ordered the Medical Director of Saint Lucy Eye Clinic to appear in court with records on Dr Stephen Opuni, former Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD.

Dr Opuni and two others are facing 27 charges, including defrauding by false pretences, willfully causing financial loss to the State, money laundering, and corruption by public officer in contravention of the Public Procurement Act.

,The Medical Director, Dr Kodjo Abalo, issued a medical report on behalf of Dr Opuni, which said that he had four surgeries performed on his left eye and needed a six-week excuse duty to rest and heal properly.

They have both pleaded not guilty to the charges and are on a GHS300,000.00 self-recognizance bail, each.

Mr Samuel Cudjoe, Counsel for Dr Opuni, told the court presided over by Justice Clemence Jackson Honyenuga, a Supreme Court Justice, sitting as a High Court Judge, that Dr Opuni was absent due to ill health.

He said the accused person had four different surgeries done on his left eye and a copy of the medical report had been presented to the Court.

The Counsel said as contained in the report, he was to be excused for six weeks to rest his eyes to heal properly, hence his inability to be present in court.

He told the Court that at the last adjourned date, he had the report, but he only showed it to the prosecution due to the details and confidentiality, he did not give them a copy.

“We, therefore, pray for an adjournment from September 23, 2022,” he said.

He said the basis of seeking the adjournment was because Dr Opuni was exercising his Constitutional rights under Article 19 (3).

Mr Cudjoe said the Court would not be doing anything wrong if it adjourned the matter.

Mrs Evelyn Keelson, Chief State Attorney, told the Court that Dr Opuni, who is on bail, was required to be present in court as undertaken in his bail conditions to the court.

She said, “I have seen the medical report indicating that Dr Opuni had undergone four surgeries on the left eye and in the report, the Medical Director had said he needs six-weeks to rest the eye for proper healing.”

The Chief State Attorney said the statement made by the Medical Director was not binding on the Court.

She said the Director did not indicate the basis for the six weeks in the report.

Mrs Keelson said under Section 169(2) of Act 30 of the Constitution, the Court could not adjourn the matter more than a month.

“l pray that the court invite the Medical Director Dr Kodjo Abalo of the St Lucy Eye Clinic to give further and better particulars for his request for Dr Opuni to be excused for six weeks,” she added.

She said alternatively, the Court could create virtual means to accommodate the Accused person, indicating that nobody had taken away or sought to take away Dr Opuni’s rights under Article 19(3) to be present at his trial.

Mrs Keelson said the Court could at its own discretion proceed with the matter without infringing on his rights, adding that the Court could grant Dr Opuni some days to rest but certainly not six weeks, especially when he was not on admission.

The Judge, after listening to the parties, said under the circumstances of the case, it was his view that to clear any doubt about the medical report, “l will order the Medical Director, Dr Abalo to appear in court with all records on Dr Opuni.

The Registrar of the court is to ensure that the order is served on the said Medical Director per the address stated in the report.

Case is adjourned to Monday October 17, 2022 at 10am

Ashie Moore picks forms to contest for NDC GAR Chairmanship

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Mr. Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore, former Member of Parliament (MP) for Adenta Constituency, has picked nomination forms to contest for the Greater Accra Regional Chairmanship of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“I am seeking election as a Regional Chairman to serve my party and to help recapture power in 2024,” the aspirant said, in Accra, after picking the forms.

In an interview with journalists, Nii Ashie Moore said resourcing and equipping NDC grassroots are key to victory in the 2024 elections.

He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the party grassroots in the region were given incentives, an atmosphere to thrive and attain a new level of social status if he was voted as Regional Chairman in the upcoming elections.

Nii Ashie Moore was emphatic that the grassroots were not just party-builders but also community builders, “with fantastic managerial and leadership qualities which if well harnessed with resources will be vital tools for nation-building.”

He said, behind the front of the political party was a potent force      of the grassroots base, joining hands together and abilities to empower and liberate the youth wing of the NDC party as well as the nation.

He was hopeful that he would go through the processes successfully, and the delegates would give him the nod to implement his medium to long-term vision regional chairperson.

“I’ll build a strong, disciplined and well-resourced grassroots base of the NDC’s network across the branches and constituencies.”

“As part of what throws a political party appealing to the electorates, I will as a regional Chairman organise regular and periodic training and workshops for all party executives at all echelons of the party and most importantly, the polling agents.

“These exercises will be carried out by season political experts,” he stated.

“Also, having had an understanding that elections are won on concerted efforts, my leadership will design a comprehensive programme to bring on board the seemingly neglected party food soldiers and cadres before the 2024 elections.”

He promised to base his activities as regional to reorganise, rebrand, and resource the region to capture power.

“My leadership, as the NDC Greater Accra Regional Chairman, will design a promising programme that will enable NDC members from the Region, but in the diaspora to participate vigorously in the regional party activities.

He commended party members, activists and faithful for their efforts that made the NDC recapture some NDC parliamentary seats.

He appealed to the party and its delegates to support him to win the race for regional chairperson to implement his strategy; to as he put it “to silence the ruling New Patriotic Party in the Greater Accra Region.”

He said: “I have the plans, the strategies to ensure that NDC make inroads in Greater Accra Region which will be the victory for the party to form government in 2025.

“In addition to that, I shall honour the foot soldiers and cadres of today and yesterday through symbolic activities and periodic programmes and also lobby the government to appoint young men and women from the region at all levels of the political spectrum, especially on committees, assembly and boards.”

While articulating his long-held passion to help the party’s grassroots young men and women, the former MP reassured the delegates that if given the opportunity to lead the NDC as Chairman of Greater Accra Region, he will ensure a holistic transformation of the grassroots’ welfare and advancement.

He again promised to facilitate proper access to a quality healthcare system, incorporate more women into the fold, empower them to be self-sufficient, and ensure they were well represented in the political and leadership roles.

“It is passion that is driving me, I am not going there to advance my personal interest or seek personal glorification, all I want is an opportunity to impact lives and make a positive history for the NDC grassroots, the young and old, men and women,” he added.

He pledged to conduct a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.

Nii Ashie Moore is in the contest with three other men including the incumbent regional Chairman, Joseph Kobina Ade-Coker.

The other two are Michael Kwettey Tettey, a former Constituency Chairman for Ningo-Prampram, and Thomas Mustapha Nii Ashong, the current Regional Youth Organiser.

Per the guidelines, the party will hold its constituency elections between October 22 and 23, 2022, while the regional elections would be held between November 12 and 13, 2022.

The national congress will be held on December 17, 2022.

 

Launch of Guided Trade Initiative indicates AfCFTA is operational

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Mr Wamkele Mene, Secretary General, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), says the launch of Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), which is to kick-start commercially meaningful trade under AfCFTA, is proof that the Agreement is working well.

He said AfCFTA’s practical implementation solutions and tools such as the GTI was giving meaning to the operationalisation of the Agreement and could play a crucial role in “responding to the ongoing uncertainty in the international community.”

The Secretary General, speaking at announcement and launch of the GTI in Accra, said the gains made by the initiative should be safeguarded for future seamless implementation towards increased inter-regional and intra-Africa trade.

That, Mr Mene stated, would yield economic development for the betterment of the continent at large.

The Guided Trade Initiative aims at demonstrating the efficiency of the legal framework of AfCFTA instruments and obtaining feedback on the effectiveness of the legal and institutional national systems in the participating countries.

Also, it aims at testing the readiness of the private sector to participate in trade under AfCFTA and identifying possible future interventions to increase intra-African trade and maximise benefits of AfCFTA.

The Initiative, attracted the interest and participation of seven State Parties – Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda and Tanzania- representing the five regions of Africa with a total of over 100 potential trades realised.

Among the potential trades, 14 companies with about 40 trades were from Ghana, 27 companies with over 50 trades from Kenya, seven companies with 20 trades from Egypt, Mauritius highlighting 25 potential trades, Rwanda with eight potential trades and Cameroon with four trades under the pilot phase of the initiative.

The products identified during the pilot stage include, batteries, tea, coffee, ceramic tiles, processed meat products, corn starch, sugar, pasta, glucose syrup, dried fruits, sisal fibre, electronic panels and air condition components.

The AfCFTA Secretary General described the GTI as a solution-based approach to support State Parties that were ready to trade under AfCFTA.

The objective of the GTI, Mr Mene explained, was to provide a proof of concept to allow the interested group of State Parties to start and sustain the momentum of trading under the preferences of the AfCFTA Agreement.

“We are confident that more countries will join the GTI as and when they meet the minimum threshold of 90 per cent for the start of trade under the AfCFTA,” he said, adding that currently, the number of technically verified Provisional Schedules of Tariffs Concessions (PSTC’s) stood at 30 upon the inclusion of Algeria with Tunisia preparing to join the initiative.

Mr Mene said the operationalisation of AfCFTA was a very important step forward for the continent and that the Secretariat and Afreximbank had started work on the details of the model for more trade supportive tailor-made initiatives.

Mr Alan Kyerematen, Minister, Trade and Industry, called on African countries to put up institutional and logistical frameworks to optimise benefits of implementing AfCFTA.

He said having institutional structures and a programme of action for boosting intra African trade would enable entrepreneurs to take advantage of the huge market provided by the Agreement.

Africa should support Dangote’s oil refinery project – Energy expert

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Mr Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo, the Director of Renewable Energy at the Bui Power Authority, has urged Africans to support Nigerian Businessman, Mr Aliko Dangote, in his effort to set up a crude oil refinery on the continent. 

He said: “Africa has abundant energy resources and it was time to add value as a continent to the petroleum products because we cannot continue to depend on other countries for the energy we need.” 

If Africa intended to push its industrialisation drive, the continent must begin to add value to the abundant natural resources to bring the desired transformational change to the people. 

Mr Ahiataku-Togobo made the appeal when he spoke on the topic: ”Sustainable Energy for Socio-Economic and Industrial Transformation in Africa,” at a public lecture as part of activities marking the 10th Anniversary of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani. 

He said Dangote had the financial muscle but required the support of all Africans to realise his vision. 

“Why will Africa export its crude oil to be refined outside the continent and returned to be sold here at a much higher price?” he asked. 

“Africa is the home of five top 30 oil-producing countries in the world accounting for more than 7.9 million barrels of crude oil per day in 2019, about 9.6 per cent of world output.”

He said with the total crude oil reserves in Africa in 2019 standing at 125.3 billion barrels, why should she not boast of an oil refinery, he quizzed. 

He also cautioned that external forces would make every effort to discourage the continent from setting up refineries because they knew it had the potential to weaken their economy.  

According to ECG boss, compensation will be determined case-by-case.

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The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s (PURC) order to pay customers, according to Samuel Dubik Masubir Mahama, Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), will only be carried out “case-by-case.”

He claimed that while the business has no issues with the instruction, it will only offer clients compensation if they can prove their difficulties.

Many consumers lost power for days due to recent issues with the company’s prepayment metering system.

The Ashanti Region’s issue was resolved on Wednesday, October 5; the Company afterwards declared that the issues had been resolved in all other regions.

But the PURC earlier in the week charged ECG to provide appropriate compensations for the failures recorded across the country as it breaches regulations of utility providers.

ECG is to pay a compensation of GH¢15 in credit equivalent to all affected lifeline consumers and GH¢120 and GH¢240 to residential and non-residential customers respectively.

According to the PURC, the directive is to exact responsive customer service from ECG.

But addressing journalists in Accra on Thursday, October 6, Mr Mahama insisted that the compensation cannot be for everybody.

“What we are also seeing is that just by one person saying something, there were panic buys. There were people that didn’t need to form queues but were in the queues. So, how should I compensate somebody who I shouldn’t  compensate?”

He expressed unhappiness that the PURC went ahead of his firm in giving the directive, having not listened to his side.

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