Chadwick Boseman, ‘Black Panther’ star, dies at 43

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Chadwick Boseman, star of “Black Panther,” died on Friday after a four year battle with colon cancer, his rep confirmed to Variety. He was 43.

Before he was cast as the Marvel Studios superhero, Boseman’s career first exploded with his portrayals of Black American icons Jackie Robinson (in 2013’s “42”) and James Brown (in 2014’s “Get on Up”).

“It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman,” said a statement posted to his Twitter feed. “It was the honor of his life to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”
Although Boseman never spoke publicly about his diagnosis, according the statement, he worked through his treatment for much of his career, starting when he played another Black American icon, NAACP lawyer and future Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall, in 2017’s “Marshall” — a year before the premiere of “Black Panther.” Boseman most recently appeared in the Spike Lee’s Vietnam War drama “Da 5 Bloods,” and this year he’s due to appear opposite Viola Davis “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” a feature adaptation of the August Wilson play, directed by George C. Wolfe.

Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige first announced that Boseman had been cast as T’Challa, a.k.a. Black Panther, on Oct. 28, 2014, at a splashy press presentation of the studio’s upcoming slate. He won wide praise for his first appearance as the character in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War,” which only made expectations for the impending debut of “Black Panther” — the first-ever Marvel Studios movie headlined by a Black actor — that much greater.

Boseman, at least outwardly, shouldered them with ease — even after the film shattered box office records when it debuted in Feb. 2018. “Black Panther” grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide, forever exposing the pernicious untruth in Hollywood that movies with predominantly Black casts won’t gross well overseas.

Boseman is survived by his wife and family.

Source: Variety.com

Ghana l Atinkaonline.com

NDC launches manifesto September 7

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The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will launch its manifesto on September 7, 2020.

According to a statement signed by the party’s General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the decision was taken at the party’s Functional Executive Meeting held on Thursday.

Below is the full statement:

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

Police kill two carjacking suspects at Asamankese

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Two suspected carjackers have been shot and killed at Asamankese in the Eastern Region during a dawn operation on Thursday, August 27, 2020, after they the struck owner of a Nissan Murano vehicle in Accra.

The police said the suspects, now deceased, absconded with the vehicle from Accra to Asamankese but were accosted in that part of the Eastern region, leading to exchange of fire.
According to the Greater Accra Regional Police Command in a statement, the two suspects were killed after sustaining gunshot wounds.

The statement further noted that one other accomplice identified as Erasmus Somuah Sekyi was, however, was arrested in the process.

“The Command further warns criminals that the police will not relent on its efforts in combatting violent crimes in the metropolis”, the statement noted.

Source: 3news.com

CAP 30 for all Security Services – Bawumia announces

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Cabinet has approved the placement of all security agencies under one pension scheme in order to ensure uniformity of benefits.

The Vice President of the Republic, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who announced this on Friday, 28th August, 2020 said all the security agencies are now to be placed under the CAP 30 Pension Scheme.

Vice President Bawumia made the disclosure when he reviewed, on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Graduation and Commissioning Parade for one hundred and fifty officer cadets who made up Intake 27 of the Ghana Prisons Service in Accra at the Prison Officers Training School (POTS) in Accra.

The ceremony was the climax of the last of four batches of one thousand five hundred (1,500) new entrants for the Service drawn from varied professional backgrounds ranging from Accounting, Agriculture, Education, Engineering, Medicine and Social Sciences.

“I am happy to announce that Cabinet has approved the placement of all the security agencies under a single pension scheme, CAP 30.

“So personnel of the Prisons Service, Fire Service, Police and Immigration are all going to be placed under CAP 30, which the military is already under,” the Vice President announced.

“Government is also working closely with the Service to improve the health system within our prisons, especially in this era of COVID 19. It is well understood that the disease spreads quickly in enclosed places like prisons which are commonly epicentre for infectious diseases. This is of great concern to the government particularly where there is overcrowding.

“In addition to the forty (40) medical personnel seconded from the Ghana Health Service, government has provided prison establishments with PPEs, infrared thermometers, washing soap, tissue papers and Veronica buckets. I will like to commend the Prisons administration on the swift manner the Service joined forces with other agencies in the Criminal Justice System and Ghana Health Service to respond more effectively to the COVID 19 threat,” Dr Bawumia stated.

The creation of Risk Communication Teams in all prisons comprising medical, chaplaincy and communication staff to educate and address the myth and anxiety surrounding COVID 19 as well as to tackle issues of stigmatisation has so far been effective, the Vice President indicated.

Dr Bawumia charged the graduands to carry forth the ideals of the Prisons Service which have been imparted into them in the course of their training, adding, “Let discipline and professionalism guide your conduct at all times. Abide by the rules and regulations that guide your conduct as prison officers and direct your energies towards self improvement.”

Junior Under Officer Amos Benang won the Commandant’s Award, while Senior Under Officer Dr Florence Djoletoe, who was best in Academics, also emerged as the Best All-Round Officer Cadet.

West Africa leaders call for 12-month transition in Mali

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Mali’s West African neighbours have once again agreed that the country should immediately return to civilian rule.

The decision comes after last week’s military coup overthrowing President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.

In a virtual summit held on Friday, the 15-nation regional group Ecowas called for the “troops to return to their barracks” and for an election to be held in 12 months.

The West African heads of state said that the transition should be overseen by a civilian.

But the military junta – known as the National Committee for the People’s Salvation – has talked about a transition lasting up to two years.

The soldiers have released President Keïta, which was one of Ecowas’ demands when envoys met with the military rebels earlier this week.

But the regional bloc says that action alone is not enough.

It had imposed sanctions on Mali after the coup, including closing borders, suspending its membership and disrupting trade.

During Friday’s summit, the heads of state said they would gradually lift those sanctions as the country returned to civilian rule.

Source:BBC

Shinzo Abe: Japan's PM resigns for health reasons

Daniel Opare
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Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has announced his resignation for health reasons.

He said he did not want his illness to get in the way of decision making, and apologised to the Japanese people for failing to complete his term in office.

The 65-year-old has suffered for many years from ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, but he said his condition had worsened recently.

Last year, he became Japan’s longest serving prime minister. His current period in office began in 2012.

He will remain in his post until a successor is chosen.

In 2007 he resigned abruptly from an earlier term as prime minister because of his struggles with ulcerative colitis, a chronic condition that he has lived with since he was a teenager.

Mr Abe has a reputation as a staunch conservative and nationalist, and for stimulating growth with his aggressive economic policy known as “Abenomics”.

He has strengthened Japan’s defences and boosted military spending, but has been unable to revise the constitution’s pacifist Article 9, which bans a standing army for anything other than self-defence.

What did Mr Abe say?

The prime minister said his health started to decline as his ulcerative colitis made a resurgence around the middle of July.

He was now receiving a new treatment for the condition which had to be administered on a regular basis and would not give him enough time to carry out his prime ministerial functions, he added.

He said he could not make any mistakes in terms of important decision making, and therefore had decided to step down.

“I made a judgement I should not continue my job as a prime minister,” he said.

“I would like to sincerely apologise to the people of Japan for leaving my post with one year left in my term of office, and amid the coronavirus woes, while various policies are still in the process of being implemented,” he added, making a bow.

He also expressed regret at not fulfilling his core pledges – forcing North Korea to return Japanese citizens abducted decades ago; sorting out a territorial dispute with Russia; and overhauling the constitution to give more power to the military.

Abe’s emotional farewell

By Mariko Oi, BBC News, Tokyo

Announcing his resignation at a news conference, Mr Abe spoke without the use of a teleprompter, which is unusual for him. Rather than addressing prepared questions, the prime minister mostly took questions.

He seemed drained and was at times emotional as he faced the reporters. Asked about his attempts to control his public image – for instance by pre-selecting questions for news briefings – he avoided answering by saying that his administration wasn’t the first to do so.

He was also repeatedly asked who he thought should replace him, or when, to which he said it wasn’t his place to weigh in. But the Liberal Democratic Party which has almost continuously been in power since 1955 has many different factions so the race is on between them to get the top job.

Those close to Mr Abe, like Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga or Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso, are not necessarily the most popular among voters as his administration has faced criticism for its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Image copyright Reuters Image caption At the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016 Mr Abe appeared as video game character Mario

What happens now?

Mr Abe said he would “firmly execute my duty to the end” until a replacement was chosen.

His announcement will have automatically triggered a vote within his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to replace him as leader.

The party will decide next Tuesday how to hold an election, Kyodo news agency reports.

This election will be followed by a parliamentary vote to elect a new prime minister.

Potential successors have already emerged, including Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, and LDP policy chief Fumio Kishida, who is rumoured to be Mr Abe’s choice.

None are expected to deviate significantly from the government’s current policies.

The winner would hold the post until the end of Mr Abe’s term in September 2021.

BBC

Uganda lightning strike kills 10 children playing football in Arua

Daniel Opare
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Ten children have been killed by lightning in the north-western Uganda city of Arua after sheltering in a hut during a storm.

The children were playing football when heavy rain forced them to take a break in a nearby grass-thatched structure which was struck by lightning.

Nine children, aged 13 to 15, were killed on the spot while another died on the way to hospital. Three survivors are receiving treatment at the regional hospital.

Uganda’s north-western region has been experiencing severe rains coupled with thunder and lightning.

Map of Uganda showing Arua

This is the worst accident of its kind in Uganda since 2011, when 18 children were killed at a school in the mid-western region. That year, 28 people also died from lightning strikes in a single week.

BBC

DKB is angry at me because I didn’t give him Michael Blackson’s number – Efia Odo reveals

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Ghanaian actress, model and television presenter, Andrea Owusu, well known as Efia Odo has reacted to DKB’s attack on her.

Following Efia’s statement that being popular in Ghana doesn’t mean one is making money, DKB took a dig at her and asked her not to generalize it.

The comedian rebutted no company will take Efia Odo serious if she continues to show her pants and nipples.

In a sharp rebuttal, Efia Odo in a post sighted by Zionfelix.net said DKB is upset because she declined to give him the phone number of Ghanaian-American actor and comedian, Michael Blackson.

She stated that DKB has been attacking her the least chance he gets because she refused to give him the number.

Efia Odo added that DKB is acting more like a bitch.

Check her tweet below.

Source: Zionfelix

Okada : Mahama is not being fair to Ghanaians-Committed Drivers

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The Chairman for Ghana Committed Drivers Association, Charles Danso has stated that Former President, John Dramani Mahama has not been fair to Ghanaians for saying he will legalise the Okada business when he comes back into power.

According to him, In 2012, it was the same John Mahama and the late Former President, Atta Mills who made the laws governing the use of motorbikes in Ghana, saying that the laws banned motor bikes from being used for commercial purposes apart from courier services.

He said soon after the law, LI 21 80, 2012  which was signed by Collins Dauda was passed, one of the Regional Ministers’ under the NDC administration boycotted the law, saying that the Okada riders were their people and therefore they should be allowed to operate.

Speaking on Atinka 104.7 FM’s AM Drive, hosted by Ekourba Gyasi, Charles Danso noted that many people have died or injured due to “Okada related accidents.”

He explained further that before one can do the Okada business, there is an insurance the person has to register for, a license to operate amongst others, but they rejected all and the riders started operating without any of the basic requirements.

He, therefore, added that it is unfair for Mr Mahama to come back now to say he will legalise the business when many people have died or injured as a result. 

Meanwhile, he said before Ghanaians push for the legalisation of the okada business, they should look out for the consequences on our roads and the negative impacts it can have on human lives.

“John Mahama has come to promise he will legalise the okoda business when he comes back without considering the repercussions. Those pushing for it should look at the atrocities it can bring,” he said.

For his part, the General Secretary of Okada Riders Association, Majid Amadu also explained why the okada business needs to be legalised by the government.

“We are doing the okada business not because we are happy but because there is so much unemployment in the country. We are from different regions and have come to Accra to find work but because there is none, that is why we are doing it. They said it is illegal business but they have not provided the youth with jobs and so whatever happens we will do it,” he said.

He said in 2015, the NPP asked the riders to help them do their campaign, promising them that when they come to power, they will legalise it but when they came to power they did not mind the riders.

Majid Amadu  therefore said if Mahama says he will legalise the okada business, they will sit with him to go into agreement so that when he comes he will legalise it.

“If Mahama says he will legalise it we shall sit with him and do an agreement so that when he comes he will not do to us what happened before,” he said.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori

Ahwoi should withdraw “Working with Rawlings” book – NDC Volta Caucus

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The Volta Caucus, a group of members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from the Volta Region, is urging Professor Kwamena Ahwoi to withdraw his controversial book, “Working with Rawlings. “  

The book, which has caused massive confusion within the  party since its release a month ago, details how the PNDC /NDC government  run  the affairs of the nation with particular reference to former President Rawlings’ abrasive leadership style .

Former President has also hit back, saying the book is full of distortions and an attempt by the Ahwois to taint his legacy. This banter has dominated media discussions for the past three weeks, creating the impression that the party is not presenting a common front to wrestle power from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The Volta caucus is of the view that the withdrawal of the book will bring peace ahead of the upcoming election since the alleged distortions in the book, have become “the source of the raging confusion.”  

Below is the full statement issued by the Caucus:

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Isaac Nuamah Yeboah

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