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The government of Haiti was unable to stop the horrific Kenscoff gang attack.

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More than 1,660 people were displaced when highly armed gangs invaded Kenscoff, a neighbourhood that is home to Haiti’s elite, on January 27. At least 40 individuals, including pastors, teachers, and children, were killed in the attack. The attack was started by the Viv Ansanm gang alliance, who stormed houses, opened fire randomly, and set structures on fire. Working-class individuals who farmed on the edges of the region made up a large portion of the victims.

Residents were left defenceless as the administration did little in response to earlier intelligence warnings from the Ministries of Justice and Interior. Later, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé acknowledged that although authorities knew the attack was coming, they failed to gather troops in time to stop the carnage. Public indignation over this disclosure has brought attention to the government’s failure to stop the rise in gang violence.

Initially overwhelmed, police later deployed specialized units, killing at least 20 gang members in counterattacks. However, law enforcement unions criticized the lack of equipment and resources, arguing that the attack could have been avoided with better preparation. Kenscoff’s strategic location,linking the West and Southeast departments,has made it a key target as gangs tighten their grip on Haiti, already controlling 85% of Port-au-Prince.

Prime Minister Fils-Aimé has vowed to strengthen police forces and dismantle armed groups, declaring, “The state will not back down. We will strike hard and relentlessly.” Despite these promises, many Haitians remain outraged, questioning whether the government can regain control as gang violence continues to devastate the nation.

M23 rebels proclaim a humanitarian ceasefire in Goma.

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Rebels supported by Rwanda have proclaimed a unilateral truce in the region for humanitarian reasons after seizing control of Goma, a vital city in eastern Congo.

In response to demands for a safe route for supplies and the needs of hundreds of thousands of displaced people, the M23 group issued this declaration on Monday.

Despite being in an area with abundant natural resources, Goma is still ruled by rebels.

The government of Congo has not responded immediately.

On Monday, U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric provided an update on the situation in Congo, expressing concern over rising health risks.

He noted that while some economic activities are resuming, schools and banks are still closed, and food shortages persist.

The coalition of rebel factions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has announced a humanitarian ceasefire effective Tuesday.

In their statement, the group, which includes the M23 rebels backed by Rwanda, cited “humanitarian reasons” for this decision after making territorial gains in the region.

The U.N. reported that at least 900 individuals have died and 2,880 have been injured in the recent violence surrounding Goma, the largest city in eastern DR Congo, now under rebel control.

The G7 nations and the EU have condemned the offensive as a blatant infringement on DR Congo’s sovereignty.

The coalition, known as the Congo River Alliance, has accused the Congolese military of using aircraft to bomb areas under their control, resulting in civilian casualties.

They stated they do not plan to expand their territory, despite previous claims, and will maintain their current positions.

In their statement, the alliance emphasized their commitment to safeguarding the civilian population and their own territories.

Ongoing regional conflicts have led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people over the past three years.

Since the beginning of 2025, over 400,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes, as reported by the UN’s refugee agency.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who also leads the Rwanda Defence Force, stated he was unsure if Rwandan troops were present in the DR Congo.

“There are many things I don’t know. But if you want to ask me, is there a problem in Congo that concerns Rwanda? And that Rwanda would do anything to protect itself? I’d say 100%,” he told CNN on Monday.

In the meantime, human rights organizations are urging for increased pressure on Rwanda to withdraw.

The communications minister of the DR Congo has called for the international community to impose sanctions on Rwanda.

“A strong decision (must be taken) not only to condemn, but to stop what Rwanda is doing, because it is not acceptable if you want to preserve peace in Africa and in our region,” Patrick Muyaya told Reuters. “Sanctions are the minimum,” he added.

Uganda launches a clinical study for an Ebola vaccination against the Sudan strain.

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An important milestone in emergency vaccination trials has been reached with the initiation of the first-ever vaccine study for the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus by Uganda’s Ministry of Health, in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners.

The research, which started just four days after Uganda announced the death of a nurse in Kampala, is concentrating on medical professionals and anyone who have come into contact with the Ebola strain.

Prior to travelling to Mbale in eastern Uganda, where he was subsequently taken to a public hospital, the deceased nurse had sought medical care in a hospital close to the capital.

Health officials noted that he also consulted a traditional healer.

On Monday, two additional cases were confirmed among the nurse’s relatives.

Researchers from Makerere University and the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) have worked diligently to prepare for this trial within just four days of the outbreak confirmation on January 30.

This trial is the first to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a vaccine specifically targeting Ebola caused by the Sudan virus.

The rapid progress was made possible through advanced research readiness while adhering to all national and international regulatory and ethical standards.

The candidate vaccine was provided by IAVI, with funding from WHO, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), along with support from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General, stated, “This is a significant step forward in enhancing pandemic preparedness and protecting lives during outbreaks. This achievement is a result of the commitment of Uganda’s health workers, community involvement, and the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Health, Makerere University, UVRI, and the extensive research network led by WHO. We appreciate the contributions of our partners, including IAVI for the vaccine donation, CEPI, EU HERA, and Canada’s IDRC for their financial support, and Africa CDC for their assistance. This remarkable accomplishment would not have been possible without their collaboration.”

In 2022, during a previous outbreak of Ebola from the Sudan strain in Uganda, a randomized protocol for candidate vaccines was developed.

The Ministry of Health has identified at least 234 contacts related to this outbreak.

Health authorities have access to over 2,000 doses of a candidate vaccine for the Sudan strain, although the manufacturer has not been disclosed.

This outbreak is the first since the recent decision by the Trump administration to withdraw from the U.N. health agency and the subsequent freeze on foreign aid.

Uganda has experienced several Ebola outbreaks, including a significant one in 2000 that resulted in hundreds of deaths.

Contact tracing is crucial for controlling the spread of Ebola, which presents as a viral haemorrhagic fever.

A trial vaccine called rVSV-ZEBOV was previously used to immunize 3,000 individuals at risk during an outbreak of the Zaire strain of Ebola in eastern Congo from 2018 to 2020, demonstrating effectiveness in curbing the disease’s spread.

The detection of Ebola in Uganda adds to a series of viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks in the East African region, with Tanzania declaring an outbreak of the Ebola-like Marburg disease last month and Rwanda announcing the conclusion of its own Marburg outbreak in December.

GHS advocates united front against cholera outbreak 

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Cape Coast, Feb. 4, GNA – Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has called on stakeholders to unite in efforts to combat the perennial cholera outbreak in the country. 

Speaking at a day’s stakeholders’ engagement in Cape Coast on eradicating cholera, Prof Akoriyea said cholera was primarily caused by the bacterium often transmitted through contaminated water or food.  

He said the bacteria could enter the body when someone consumed water or food that had been tainted with faeces from an infected person. 

“The disease is common in areas lacking proper sanitation and clean drinking water, where human waste can pollute water supplies and food sources demanding a collective responsibility to stop its recurrence.  

“It therefore behoves on all stakeholders to come aboard. GHS alone cannot deal with it so traditional and religious organisations, institutions and agencies and the public must all adhere to the precautionary measures to halt the disease,” Prof Akoriyea said. 

Whilst calling for regular hand washing and increased personal hygiene, he urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as diarrhoea or vomiting to seek immediate medical attention. 

Giving update of the state-of cholera outbreak in the region, Dr Agnes Anane, the Acting Regional Director of the GHS revealed that 14 people have died from the cholera resurgence since Thursday, October 31, 2024. 

Of the total deaths recorded as of Monday, February 3, eight representing 57.17 are males whilst six representing 42.85 are females. 

She said four of the deaths are children below 10 years, three are between 10-20 years and seven are above 20 years. 

“The Central Region confirmed its first case on October 31, 2024, and since then the numbers have increased. Currently, our cumulative suspected case stands in 2047 while cumulative confirmed cases stand at 189. The Cumulative number of contacts identified is 4426. 

“The total contacts who have completed five-day follow-up by GHS procedure is pegged at 4078. The cumulative confirmed cases from contact are 17, while the cumulative confirmed death toll for the region is 14,” Dr Anane said. 

According to her, excluding Upper Denkyira East and Assin South, all the other 20 districts in the region have had confirmed cases of cholera infections since the outbreak resurgence. 

However, Dr Anane said, four districts, including Awutu Senya, Assin North, Upper Denkyira West and Agona East did not have any cholera cases as of Monday, February 3, 2025. 

She outlined several measures being implemented by the GHS to remedy the situation including the activation of a Public Health Emergency Management Committee and the deployment of rapid response teams to affected areas.  

She stressed the importance of public education on hygiene practices and safe drinking water to prevent further spread of the disease. 

“As a stopgap measure health professionals will be going out to sensitise students and market women on the need to be aware of the situation and what to do when they encounter such a situation,” she said. 

In a short message, Dr Atto Quansah, the Regional Director of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, lamented how the disease outbreak had been deepened by limited water supply in parts of the region. 

He identified climate change and human activities, particularly road construction and pipe cuts as some of the reasons affecting water supply. 

Tema residents worried over increased mentally ill persons on the streets 

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Tema,  4, GNA-Some residents of the Tema Metropolis have expressed concerns about the growing number of mentally ill individuals roaming the streets day and night.  

They called on authorities to address the situation, as it posed a risk to public safety and order in the metropolis, with some of them displaying aggressive behaviour, including verbal outbursts and physical aggression. 

Although many people sympathize with the plight of the mentally ill, they believe their presence on the streets in such numbers required urgent attention. 

The residents said the situation had worsened due to inadequate mental health facilities and support systems in the harbour cum industrial city, and suggested that the government invests in community mental health programmes to prevent future cases and address the root causes of mental illness. 

In a random survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Madam Cynthia Opoku, a shop owner in Community One, said that the situation was becoming alarming, adding that some of the mentally ill individuals walked into shops uninvited, frightening customers and disrupting business.  

“It’s heartbreaking to see them in this condition, but at the same time, we need to feel safe while going about our daily activities,” she stated. 

Mr. Emmanuel Adjei, a taxi driver, said the mentally challenged individuals stand in the middle of roads or sit by busy intersections, posing a danger to both pedestrians and motorists. 

He added that the presence of mentally ill individuals on the roads made drivers uneasy at night.  

Madam Faustina Naa Bortey, a kenkey seller, said some mentally challenged persons begged for food and would not leave until they were given what they wanted, scaring some of her customers. 

Madam Getrude Etornam Lumor, Principal Nursing Officer at the Psychiatric Unit, Tema General Hospital, reacting to the issue, noted that some mentally ill individuals on the streets were suffering from Hebephrenic schizophrenia, also known as disorganised schizophrenia. 

Madam Lumor explained that the condition was characterised by disorganised thinking, speech, and behaviour, as well as inappropriate or flat emotional responses. 

She said individuals with this condition often exhibited erratic movements and unpredictable actions, leading to difficulties in performing daily activities, adding that, although aggression was not a primary symptom, it could occasionally emerge due to specific triggers.  

She mentioned that factors that may lead to aggression included delusions, frustration from disorganised thought, difficulty in communicating or being misunderstood, substance abuse, alcohol or drug use, lack of treatment, and stress, among others. 

She explained that relating to someone with hebephrenic schizophrenia required patience, empathy, and a thoughtful communication approach to reduce stress and prevent aggressive behaviour.  

The Principal Nursing Officer said key strategies to follow in relating with them were creating a calm environment, minimising loud noise and reducing bright lights, communicating clearly and gently, using simple, direct language and short sentences, and a lot more. 

Meanwhile, the GNA gathered that there was no mental health shelter in the area for such persons to be kept and catered for, as the only option was to get some minimal care from the psychiatric units in the public health facilities in the metropolis. 

Fidelity Bank Employees Support Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf   

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Accra, Feb. 4, GNA – As part of Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, Fidelity Bank Ghana extended its Employee Volunteering Programme (EVP) to the Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf at Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region.    

The Bank’s Digital Sales and Retail Banking team donated food items and educational supplies to 359 students and 30 members of staff.  

The items include bags of rice, gari, beans, sugar, packs of milk, tomato paste, canned mackerel and drinks. Stationery comprising 200 exercise books, boxes of pencils, white board markers, pens, erasers, and sharpeners, were also presented.  

Speaking about the initiative, Julian Opuni, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Ghana, highlighted the importance of bridging societal gaps and promoting inclusivity.  

“At Fidelity Bank, we believe that true progress is measured by how we uplift the most vulnerable among us. Our support for this school is about sending a powerful message that every individual, regardless of their abilities, deserves dignity, opportunity, and the chance to thrive,” he said.  

Mr Isaac Arthur, Headmaster of the School, thanked the Bank for the support, and the impact made in other sectors, adding that the supply “will ensuring learners have access to nutritious meals”.  

Fidelity Bank’s EVP serves as a platform for employees to actively contribute to meaningful social change, reinforcing the Bank’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility strategy.   

Through such initiatives, Fidelity Bank continues to champion financial and social inclusion, ensuring that vulnerable communities receive the support needed to overcome challenges and pursue their aspirations.  

Manchester United player on loan shares video clips from his Real Betis debut, when he won Player of the Match, while six other former teammates, including Bruno Fernandes, offer encouragement.

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Despite Antony’s failure at Manchester United, his teammates at Old Trafford are thrilled to watch him perform well on his Real Betis debut.

After failing to produce consistently for Premier League powerhouses, the Brazil international winger is now in Spain. He started out perfectly, and a loan stint in La Liga has been approved as United’s patience has reached a breaking point.

Antony is looking to rediscover a lost spark, and made an impressive go of that when making his bow for Betis. It was his quick feet and low shot that allowed Isco to open the scoring in a meeting with Athletic Club, as an immediate impact was made in the final third of the field. Could the Liga side unlock the Ajax Antony that was never really seen at Old Trafford?

Antony looked more like his old self when running at opponents – with it those qualities that convinced United to spend £85 million ($105m) on prising him away from Ajax – and the 24-year-old has posted a highlights reels on social media that reminds his parent club what he is capable of.

It remains to be seen whether Antony has any future in Manchester, but United team-mates of past and present – including Bruno Fernandes, Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Anthony Martial, Andre Onana and Aaron Wan-Bissaka – have all pushed the like button on his video post.

Antony’s exploits against Athletic Club earned him Player of the Match recognition, with the best possible start being made to a new challenge in Spain. Betis, who sit 10th in the Liga table, will be back in action on Saturday when taking in a trip to Celta Vigo.

Interior Minister loses mother 

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      Kumasi Feb. 4 – GNA – Hajia Saudatu Sulemana Muntaka, mother of Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, the Interior Minister, has died at the age of 83 years. 

Hajia Saudatu, died on Monday afternoon at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, after a short illness. 

His death coincided with the day her son, Alhaji Muntaka, officially assumed his role as the Minister of Interior. 

Alhaji Muntaka, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asewase, has frequently attributed his accomplishments to the profound influence of his mother, extolling her nurturing guidance and unwavering support. 

Heartfelt condolences and fervent prayers are pouring in from constituents, reflecting the deep reverence and admiration for the late Hajia Saudatu. 

The Interior Minister has arrived at his ancestral home in Kumasi to supervise the arrangements for the interment, which is slated for Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at the Tafo Muslim cemetery. 

The Islamic prayers for the death will be conducted at Aboabo Post Office at 1000 hours. 

According to the human lie detector, the “anxious” Al-Nassr star “doesn’t really believe” that he is superior to Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo warned that he is “in danger of becoming bitter & twisted.”

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A body language specialist asserts that Cristiano Ronaldo is a “very angry guy” who “doesn’t really believe” he is superior to Lionel Messi.

The Portuguese superstar, who has five Ballons d’Or to his name, has told La Sexta that he considers himself to be the greatest player of all-time. He boats the numbers – in terms of trophy and goal counts – to back up those claims, but is considered to be lying to himself when making bold public declarations.

Darren Stanton, a human lie detector and body language expert, has told OLBG after watching CR7’s latest interview: “Ronaldo is really mixed up. We see a mixture of anger — he is a very angry guy in this moment. I think he doesn’t seem to feel he is getting the respect he’s due. We see what we call a horseshoe smile, which lasts for less than a fifth of a second, which is an expression of anger. That is the reverse of a happy smile. His eyebrows are pulled together and his eyes are squinting. I don’t think he thinks he’s being held up by others to the legendary status he thinks he deserves but the irony is that he looks like a person who actually does lack confidence in himself in certain areas.”

Stanton added on Ronaldo’s claims that he tops Messi, Diego Maradona and Pele in any discussion regarding the most “complete” player to lace up a pair of boots: “His body language betrays the verbal content of what he’s saying. I don’t believe that he believes he is the greatest player. I think it’s all front. We see that increase in blink rate which is linked to anxiety, the shoulder shrug, the horseshoe smile, and he’s not actually a very good person at masking his emotions. He’s a guy that cannot help but wear his heart on his sleeve, regardless of what he’s trying to say with the words out of his mouth. It may all come down to insecurities in certain aspects of his personality and character and how he perceives how he is perceived.”

Ronaldo is considered to have been telling the truth when saying that he does not hate Inter Miami star Messi, but Stanton says that rivalry has taken its toll. He added: “Humility is something that Ronaldo would benefit from because he doesn’t actually pull off arrogance very well. Earlier in the interview, there’s even an expression from the interviewer that shows disbelief at the arrogance of Ronaldo’s claims. He can put people’s backs up despite his success.

“I don’t think he is going to be growing old very gracefully. Some players will become pundits or managers or even go into other ventures. Ronaldo is in danger of becoming bitter and twisted as he loses his relevancy on the pitch. Everybody has their day, and you have to accept that. Ronaldo is struggling to accept the fact that he is going to become less and less relevant in the game as the next generation emerge and become stars so we are likely to see more and more statements from him that he doesn’t actually believe but causes controversy to at least keep him relevant in the press.”

Stanton concluded: “Despite what Ronaldo says, it does seem that Messi is where he draws his aspirations from – that is measured against Messi, how he performs and what he does. I don’t think he dislikes or hates him but Ronaldo seems very frustrated that the game, the pundits and many of the fans don’t hold Ronaldo up as the clear number one. That frustrates him.”

Ronaldo intends to enhance his legacy for at least a couple more years, with the evergreen frontman – who will turn 40 on February 5 – ready to agree a contract extension at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr and play his way towards the 2026 World Cup.

Minister pledges sustainable management of natural resources

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 Accra, February 04, GNA-The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has pledged his full commitment towards the sustainable management of Ghana’s natural resources and to preserve the environment for the present and future generations.

He said he would collaborate with relevant agencies and Ministries to fight teething problems bedeviling the land, water bodies and the environment head -on.

 Mr Kofi Buah who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle , said this when he assumed his role as the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources at the Ministry following his swearing-in last week.

The inaugural meeting with the Ministry ‘s directors, and staff afforded Mr Kofi Buah the opportunity to familiarize himself with the team and discuss strategies for driving President Mahama’s agenda forward, particularly in the areas of mining, land administration, and effective management of the natural resources.

During the interaction, the lands minister underscored President Mahama’s commitment to reforming the sector.

“We will take decisive action to immediately address the challenges head-on,” he emphasized.

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