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Former Ghana High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Victor Smith says he was hurt by certain actions of former President Jerry John Rawlings.

The former special assistant and director of public affairs at Rawlings’ office was fired by J.J Rawlings in 2008 via text message.

He was subsequently asked to vacate his official residence with a letter to the Chief of Staff at the Castle, notifying the State, since he was on the payroll of government.

The reason for his dismissal according to sources was because he supported the candidature John Mahama as running mate to late Prof Atta Mills.

Even though the office of the former President until now has been very quiet on the dismissal, Victor Smith said he is still hurt.

On Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Friday, he said what broke the camel’s back is when Mr. Rawlings decided to support New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo ahead of the elections.

“I saw it on national television, just three weeks to elections and he [Rawlings] was cracking jokes and laughing with our opponent. “We were preparing to go to war and our commander-in-chief was seen hobnobbing with the opponent. I’m pained” he bemoaned.

Mr. Smith who was the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Abuakwa North said majority of party members were demoralised seeing their founder with the NDC.

“The man [Rawlings] we call our founder has caused some of us pain. We worked so hard, travelling at night campaign and your founder is hobnobbing with the chief opponent on national television. I cried” he stressed.

When asked by Ekosii Sen host KABA if he will ever be able to forgive Jerry Rawlings, Victor Smith retorted “I’m not sure”.

Source: adomonline.com

Coach Kwesi Appiah has announced a 30-man squad for Ghana’s upcoming 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Ethiopia.

Seven Ghana-based players have been handed call-ups into the senior national team in Kwesi Appiah’s first major call up since he returned as head coach of the Black Stars.

Wa All Stars goalie Richard Ofori, Kotoko’s Felix Annan and Aduana’s Joseph Addo have all been named in the squad as well as Hearts of Oak midfielder Winful Cobinnah and Aduana defender Daniel Darkwah.

Liberty Professionals skipper Samuel Sarfo has also been handed a call-up with Nicholas Opoku also named in the squad as coach Kwesi Appiah expects to use these matches to grant opportunities to new players to showcase their talents.

Defenders Rashid Sumaila and Jerry Akaminko have all returned to the side with Adam Kwarasey and Majeed Waris also named in the squad for next month’s games.

Also in the 30-man squad are new faces such as Lumor Agbenyenu, Isaac Sackey, Kingsley Sarfo and Thomas Agyepong.

The AFCON qualifier has been scheduled for Sunday June 11 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

The team will travel two weeks later to the United States of America where the Black Stars will face Mexico in Houston, Texas on June 28 and USA in Connecticut on July 1.

The team is expected to assemble in Accra on next Monday to begin preparations for next month’s assignments.

Below is the 30-man squad

Goalkeepers

Richard Ofori (Wa Allstars), Adam Kwarasey (Brondby, Denmark), Felix Annan (Kotoko), Joseph Addo (Aduana Stars)

Defenders

Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City, England), Lumor Agbenyenu (Munich 1860, Germany), Daniel Darkwah (Aduana Stars, Ghana), John Boye (Sivasspor, Turkey), Rashid Sumalia (Al Gharafa, Qatar), Nicholas Opoku (B.Chelsea, Ghana), Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew, USA), Jerry Akaminko ( Eskiserhispor, Turkey), Samuel Sarfo (Liberty, Ghana)

Midfielders

Mohammed Abu (Columbus Crew, USA), Afriyie Acquah (Torino, Italy), Isaac Sackey (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Ebenezer Ofori (Stuttgart, Germany), Kingsley Sarfo (Sirius, Sweden), Winful Cobbinah (Hearts of Oak), Yaw Yeboah (FC Twente, Holland), Godsway Donyoh (Nordjaelland, Denmark), Andre Ayew (West Ham, England), Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht, Belgium), Thomas Agyepong (NAC Breda, Holland)

Attackers

Asamoah Gyan (Al Alhi, UAE), Jordan Ayew (Swansea City, England), Majeed Waris (Lorient FC, France), Raphael Dwamena (FC Zurich, Switzerland).

Source: Graphic.com.gh

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has reiterated government’s commitment to tarring the Nalerigu-Bunkpurugu road in the Northern Region.

He promised the residents that by the end of the first term of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, the roads would have been tarred completely.

According to the vice president, there are already ongoing discussions regarding the Gambaga and the Nalerigu town roads.

Dr. Bawumia disclosed that the government has plans to establish a cement factory at Gbanda, a community in the East Mamprusi District of the region.

The community has limestone in large quantities which can be used to produce cement in keeping with the government’s ‘one district, one factory’ policy.

He stated that the setting up of a cement factory in the district would create job opportunities for the youth.

The vice president stated that the NPP government wants to ensure that development touches every citizen and so it would make sure that the $1 million per constituency is used for developmental projects for the benefit of everybody.

Vice President Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia made these disclosures when he paid a visit to Nayiri during his four-day ‘thank you’ tour of the Northern Region.

The Nayiri Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, overlord of Mamprugu who doubles as President of the Mamprugu Traditional Council, expressed gratitude to President Nana Akufo-Addo for identifying Dr. Bawumia as a good partner in his (president’s) quest to transform Ghana.

The overlord appealed to the government to help them to renovate the Mamprugu Traditional Council office, claiming that the structure is in a deplorable state which does not befit the status of Mamprugu kingdom.

Nayiri Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga was happy that Dr. Bawumia had promised government’s commitment to complete the roads in the region, adding that whenever it rains the roads become almost immotorable.

The traditional ruler was not happy that most communities in Mamprugu lack potable drinking water and appealed to the veep to ensure the rectification of the situation.

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says Ghanaians are looking up to the Ghana Armed Forces to be at the forefront in the fight against illegal mining, otherwise referred to as ‘galamsey’.

According to President Akufo-Addo, as his government intensifies its efforts to curb ‘galamsey’, which is polluting the country’s waters, destroying farmlands and forests, and threatening the very survival of the country, “Ghanaians would continue to rely on the efforts of our security services, with the Armed Forces in the forefront, to help deal with the problem.”

The President was confident that “as always, the Armed Forces will rise to the occasion.”

President Akufo-Addo made this known on Friday, May 26, when he delivered a speech at the Presentation of Colours to the Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment, at a ceremony at the Gondar Barracks, Burma Camp, in Accra.

Describing the current challenges confronting the officers, men and women of the Ghana Armed Forces as “numerous, complex and sometimes quite unpredictable”, the President noted that in the face of all these threats, the armed forces continue to discharge their duties equably and professionally.

“All of us owe a great debt of gratitude to you, the men and women of the Armed Forces, for being prepared to put your lives on the line to keep our nation safe, safeguard our sovereignty and protect our territorial integrity. As the saying goes, you are the salt of the earth,” he said.

In terms of military preparedness to address the new threats to the country’s security, President Akufo-Addo stated that his government will actively support contemporary training methods that will not only keep the military abreast with international military trends, but will also ensure that they remain the beacon of Armed Forces across the continent.

“We are committed to providing you with modern military equipment, which would complement the training you would receive. Government is also committed to enriching the human resource base of the Armed Forces by supporting initiatives that will provide further education for soldiers, sailors and airmen to enhance further their skills at protecting our territorial integrity,” he added.

History in the making

With Friday’s Presentation of Colours ceremony his first as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, President Akufo-Addo stated that this was also the very first time in the history of the Ghana Armed Forces that the Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment is being presented with colours.

“So you can see, it is an auspicious day for me. It means that the Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment is now joined to me in a special way, for my future recollections of this day will always feature you,” he added.

The ceremony for the Presentation of Colours, in tune with longstanding military traditions across the world, has been the sole preserve for units in the infantry. However, in line with the decision taken to present Colours to deserving combat support units of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Armoured Recce Regiment was presented with its own Colours. The only other combat support units who have ever been presented with their own colours are the 48 Engineer Regiment and the 66 Artillery Regiment.

The “Colours” of a regiment represent its honour and devotion to duty, as well as the fighting spirit of military units, and are symbols of bravery and unity.

“As we present you, the Armoured Recce Regiment, with your own Colours, I urge you to revere it and be guided always by its undying principles of perseverance, unity and bravery in the protection of lives and property, and the defence of the territorial sovereignty of our beloved Ghana,” the President stated.

President Akufo-Addo commended the Armoured Recce Regiment for their commitment to duty, and their overall contribution to the Ghana Armed Forces, since its establishment in 1963. The President cited the support given by the recce units of the Gold Coast Regiments in World War 1 and also in Burma, honours which have been inscribed on the colours, as well of honours chalked in international peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Cote d’Ivoire.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has shortlisted former New Patriotic Party (NPP) general secretary, Kwabena Agyapong, for a top appointment, YEN.com.gh understands.

The editor of the Daily Dispatch, Ben Ephson, revealed this in an interview with Accra-based Kasapa FM.

Ephson’s statement suggests that Akufo-Addo is prepared to welcome Agyapong back to the NPP and even accommodate him in his administration despite the differences the two had ahead of the December 2016 elections.

Agyapong was suspended in 2015 alongside former NPP national chairman, Paul Afoko, and former Ist vice-chairman, Sammy Crabbe, for allegedly infringing on the laws of the party.

The three were suspended following an outcry by some NPP members that they were planning to sabotage the presidential bid of Akufo-Addo.

They were accused of secretly working to undermine Akufo-Addo in the 2016 election in order to clear the way for their alleged preferred candidate, Alan Kyerematen, to represent the NPP in 2020.

Agyapong, Afoko and Crabbe strenuously denied the accusations at the time.

With the election over and the NPP comfortably in power, Akufo-Addo is said to favour burying the hatchet and welcoming them back to the party.

Ephson said in the interview that the ban on the three will be lifted soon. He said Agyapong plans to contest the general secretary position again once the ban is lifted.

He added that Agyapong would be up against John Boadu, who has acted as general secretary for two years, and Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, aka Sir John, who lost the position to Agyapong in 2014.

Not too long ago, Yvonne Okoro came out lamenting why she has been sleeping alone for the past two years. Fast forward, the SarkCess Music signee in the person of Akwaboah wants to take an advantage logically.

Music producer and singer, Glastorm Akwaboah has disclosed to KMJ on Hitz FM that the Ghanaian female celebrity he admires and crushes is Yvonne Okoro. Factually, Akwaboah is the type of guy most ladies won’t hesitate to accept his intimate proposal for the sake of his soothing voice and songs.

But from the horse own mouth, he wish he could have gotten the chance to warm the bed of the sensational actress, Yvonne Okoro. Truly, she’s one of the best actresses in Ghana who is admired by many, not only for acting abilities but also for her beauteous physique.

In the interview, Akwaboah also talked about his relationship with Sarkodie and the SarkCess Music label which handles him at present. When asked what specifically SarkCess Music does for him as a record label, he said they provide him with financial support.

“My management, Scent 1 Media, plans everything from recording to shooting of videos and when we are done, we take it to SarkCess. SakCess does the executive part of the work. They provide the money,” he said.

When asked if being on SarkCess has not shrouded him considering the fact that Sarkodie is also on the same record label, he said the two don’t do the same thing hence, sees know competition.

 

“There is no competition. I am a singer and he is a rapper so I don’t see where a competition comes in. It is rather a good collaboration because there is something unique about me as a rapper and he is also a unique rapper,” he added.

 

The celebrated song writer launched his singing prowess in 2012 when he released ‘I Do Love You.’ Before that, he had written songs for artistes like SP Kofi Sarpong and Becca and has been behind the scene producing songs for other musicians.

 

To his credit, Akwaboah once revealed that he wrote about 90% of the songs on Sarkodie’s fourth studio album titled ‘Mary’.

The excruciating experience of childbirth is one of the most indelible experiences of parents. In fact many vow not deliver again after having their first baby. The frightening mortality rate relative to childbirth is another factor which makes childbirth an unpleasant one.

Yet, popular Ghanaian gospel musician, Obaapa Christy has said she would love to give birth to ten children to appreciate the unconditional love God has for her.

Obaapa Christy formerly called Christiana Love has revealed that she hopes to give birth to ten children to acknowledge the love of God in her life. The musician, who has three children already and expecting a fourth one, told Adom news in an interview confident some of her ten children will become very prominent persons in the society.
“I am giving birth to ten Children to glorify God and to contribute to the development of my country because I may get a doctor, footballer, president or lawyers so I am on until I’ve hit ten,” she emphasised.

When asked why she still performs while pregnant, Obaapa stated that her profession is also her hobby and she is protected by God.

“Singing is my hubby and God knows I love it so he protects me and strengthens me anytime I grab the microphone, I have no complications with my condition because I am working with the Grace of God.”

We all know Kumasi-based actress, Mercy Asiedu has unbelievably huge breasts. Many people think it’s a liability and makes her unattractive. Unbeknownst to us, her breast is her biggest asset and is one of the reasons why his husband married her, according to a recent interview she had with Delay on the Delay Show.

“Why will I be bothered about the size of my breast which is a gift from God? God gave everyone what fits them person. Some have big buttocks and others have big breasts. I have big breast and I am so proud of it,” she said.

he added, “I will never want to reduce it under any circumstance. I am so proud I love to flaunt it because it is natural. It is partially a reason why I got my husband. He is crazy about it and admires it so much.”

The mother of two added that it was through acting that she met her husband and since then they have had a good time together.

The Coalition of unposted Allied Health professionals has accused the Ministry of Health of what it describes as bad faith in dealing with its members’ financial clearance for onward posting.

The group besieged the Ministry of Health on Monday morning to again demand the immediate financial clearance after the ministry failed to honour its promise to address the issue.

The group indicated that its members will not leave the Ministry’s premises until they were cleared and the brunt of their criticism was directed at a Deputy Health Minister, Tina Mensah.

The picketing nurses conveyed their distrust with Ministry by coming along with mosquito nets and a change of clothes, with the intent of sleeping at the ministry till their concerns are met.

The President of the coalition, Solomon Yeboah speaking to Citi News complained that “she [Tina Mensah] never contacted us. We rather contacted her trying to talk to her about our issue but whenever we call, the only thing she says is; give me an hour or 30 minutes.”

“Myself and with my executives, we even had to come to this place to meet her but we have not been allowed to see her. We were informed that all issues have been given to the Human Resources directorate so we shifted down to the HR’s office.”

According to Mr. Yeboah, the Human Resource department said they just started to work on their issues but the nurses pointed out the Minster had already said she had started working on their issues.

“We have revived the picketing and this time round, we are here. We are not moving to any place, we are coming to do praise and worship over here… we are coming to help them to work. For the child which will not allow its mother to sleep will also not sleep.”

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By: Anass Seidu/citifmonline.com/Ghana