France closes 81 schools after cases reported

Daniel Opare
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A total of 81 schools have closed in France after students tested positive for the virus, up from 28 schools early last week.

Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said a further 2,100 individual classes have also been called off.

Classes are shut down “as soon as there are three cases,” he told LCI television.

“We have around 1,200 new covid cases among students compared with last week,” he added.

There has been an increase in coronavirus cases in France since August.

The University of Rennes suspended classes this week for second and third year medical students after 83 tested positive.

On Saturday, more than 10,000 cases were confirmed in the country. Restrictions have already been tightened in Bordeaux and Marseille after a surge in cases.Article share tools.

BBC

Be vigilant against vain promises – Prof Naana tells voters

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Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged the electorate to be vigilant against vain campaign promises by politicians.

“Do not let anyone deceive you with sweet promises,” she said.

Addressing hundreds of residents of the mining town of Prestea in the Western Region on Tuesday, the Running Mate asked the electorate to check the track record of the parties on fulfilled promised.

According to her, the NDC would continue to be sincere with Ghanaians, adding that the party’s manifesto represents what the people want.

“We are not like others who fail in delivering on their sweet promises. You know that when we promise, we deliver,” she said, amidst loud cheers from the crowd.

Calling for the mandate of the people to enable the NDC to return to power to rejuvenate national development, the Running Mate noted that the NDC remains the most credible party to lead the country into sustainable progress.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang earlier called on the chief of Prestea Hemang, Nana Nteboa Pra IV, where she explained the various sections of the party’s manifesto relating to socio-economic activities in the area, including small scale mining.

In the quest to equip the youth with the requisite technical skills in mining, she said the NDC government would prioritise technical education in mining areas to support the youth.

In addition, she said the NDC government would facilitate the establishment of gold refineries in mining areas to ensure that small scale miners benefit more from their mining activities.

“You have been cheated for long because you don’t have refineries here to trade your minerals in a more profitable manner,” she said.

Bridgitte Dzogbekuku's nomination will inspire women- WiLDAF

Daniel Opare
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WiLDAF Ghana has congratulated Ms Brigitte Dzogbenuku, for being nominated as the Presidential candidate for the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) for the upcoming election.

“Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF) Ghana, congratulates Brigitte Dzogbenuku on her selection as the flag bearer and presudential candidate for the Progressive People’s Party to contest in the 2020 general elections,” WiLDAF stated.

It noted that Brigitte Dzogbenuku’s nomination will inspire both women and girls in the country.

“Being the first woman to have been selected as the presidential candidate of the Progressive People’s Party, we see this as another great milestone which will inspire both women and girls, as well as men and boys to aspire to uphold lnclusivity in decision making processes across all spheres of Me,” WiLDAF added.

WiLDAF Ghana would also congratulated Mrs Margaret Obiran Sarfo, on her endorsement as the running mate of the presidential candidate for the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG).

“Congratulations, Brigitte Dzogbenuku and Margaret Obiran Sarfo. We wish you the very best in your campaign,” WiLDAF added.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori

100k filing fee does not encourage multi-party democracy – NDC

Daniel Opare
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The opposition National Democratic Congress Deputy National Communications Officer, Godwin Ako Gunn says the Electoral Commission’s (EC) GH¢100,000 and GH¢10,000 filing fees for Presidential and parliamentary candidates respectively do not encourage multi party democracy.

The statement by Godwin Ako Gunn comes after the Electoral Commission announced filing fees for both presidential and parliamentary candidates  ahead of the December 7 elections.

Addressing the press in Accra , EC boss, Jean Mensah  said presidential candidates will  pay GH¢100,000 as filing fees while parliamentary candidates  pay  GH¢10,000.

After the EC’s announcement, the opposition as well as smaller parties has criticized the decision of the commission to peg the filing fees for the 2020 general elections at GH¢100,000 and GH¢10,000 as filing fees for Presidential and parliamentary candidates respectively.

The opposition National Democratic Congress Deputy National Communications Officer, Godwin Ako Gunn, who said this in an interview with host of Atinka FM’s AM Drive Ekourba Gyasi, explained that although the NDC is capable of filing for their candidate, the fees will deter smaller parties from contesting.

According to Ako Gunn,   there should be a reason for the payment of   GH¢100,000 and GH¢10,000 as filing fees for Presidential and parliamentary candidates.

“ For us at NDC, it’s not about being able to pay the filing fees because people are willing to support the party. But this is a situation where we are all encouraging multi-party democracy. How can these small parties come up with this huge amount? he added.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa

Political parties to file nomination forms on appointments-EC

Daniel Opare
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The EC has stated that it will provide appointments to each political party during the filing of the nomination forms in order to pay attention to them respectively.

“The commission will provide appointments to each political party in order to pay attention to them respectively,” the EC said.

This was made known by the EC Chairperson, Mr Jean Mensa at the ‘Let the Citizens Know’ series held in Accra on Monday, September 14, 2020.

The filling period, the EC said has also been increased from two days to five days so that parties can make corrections on their forms to prevent the issue of disqualifying a number of parties due to inability to fill forms correctly.

“The filling period has been increased from two days to five days so that parties can make corrections on their forms to prevent the issue of disqualifying a number of parties due to inability to fill forms correctly,” the EC added.

Meanwhile, the nomination, which opened from Monday, September 14th 2020 has been made available on the EC’s online platforms for all registered political parties to access it.

The EC also made it known that it will receive forms from 5th to 9th October 2020 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 to 5p.m. every day.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori

I am ready to pay 100k filing fee – Akua Donkor

Daniel Opare
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Founder and flagbearer for the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) , Akua Donkor, says her party is capable and ready to pay EC’s GHS100,000 filing fees.

The Electoral Commission on has announced filing fees for both presidential and parliamentary candidates  ahead of the December 7 elections.

Addressing the press in Accra , EC boss, Jean Mensah  said presidential candidates will  pay GH¢100,000 as filing fees while parliamentary candidates  pay  GH¢10,000.

After the EC’s announcement, the opposition as well as smaller parties has criticized the decision of the commission to peg the filing fees for the 2020 general elections at GH¢100,000 and GH¢10,000 as filing fees for Presidential and parliamentary candidates respectively.

Speaking on Atinka FM’s AM Drive with host Ekourba Gyasi, Founder and flagbearer for the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) , Akua Donkor, says the GFP is financially stable to pay the said amount.

Asked how she will be able to raise the amount, Founder and flagbearer for the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) , Akua Donkor said she will pay the said amount and contest the elections than be shown the exit.

The presidential candidate for the Ghana Union Movement (GUM), Rev. Christian Kwabena Andrews, popularly known as Osofo Kyiri Abosom, who also spoke to Ekourba Gyasi, expressed disappointment with the exclusion of political parties in the decision to peg the filing fees at GH¢100,000 and GH¢10,000 for Presidential and parliamentary candidates respectively.

He, however, added that the GUM is capable of paying the said amount.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa

First Lady appointed TVET Ambassador

Daniel Opare
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The First Lady of Ghana, Mrs Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo has said, Ghana must take conscious steps to make the nation a centre of excellence in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in West Africa and a competitive global player within the TVET ecosystem to make Technical and Vocational Education and training, the preferred choice for the youth in Ghana.

Mrs. Akufo-Addo made the comments when she was appointed Principal TVET Ambassador and met with other Ambassadors for the MyTVET campaign, launched by the Ministry of Education and the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET), to promote wide-spread preference for TVET among the youth.

The objective of the campaign is to change negative perceptions about TVET and to increase enrolment in Technical and Vocational Institutions in Ghana, inspire world-class excellence in skills development and to introduce the youth to a variety of skilled careers.

The campaign will target the youth, specifically, those in Junior High Schools and the basic level as well as parents, guardians and other stakeholders who shape the decisions of the youth.

In accepting the Ambassadorship, the First Lady said the MyTVET campaign has come at the right time, when government is embarking on a drive to industrialize Ghana through the one-district-one-factory initiative, adding “there are immense benefits the country can gain from promoting TVET and as such we must all be committed towards improving TVET in Ghana”.

The First Lady will be supported by other Ambassadors including, media personality, broadcast journalist and public speaker, Kwame Sefa Kayi, Ghanaian musician, songwriter, creative director and entrepreneur Kwame Nsiah-Apau popularly known as Okyeame Kwame , Belinda Addardey popularly known as Bella Mundi, a Ghanaian media personality, women’s advocate and voice artist, Martha Ankoma Ghanaian film actress, entrepreneur and brand Ambassador, Founder and CEO of Makeup Ghana Rebecca Donkor, and Daniel McKorley a Ghanaian business magnate and founder and chief executive officer of McDan Group of Companies.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com

EC limits number of persons to present nomination forms to five

Daniel Opare
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The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has reduced the number of persons that can submit the presidential and parliamentary nomination forms for the upcoming election to five persons for each political party.

That, according to the EC is to reduce the number of persons who submit forms at the EC to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

According to the EC, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has put measures in place to reduce human contacts in order to prevent the spread of the disease.

The nomination, which opened from Monday, September 14th 2020, the EC stated that has been made available on the EC’s online platforms for all registered political parties to access it.

The EC noted that each political party will be given passwords to access the forms online respectively.

For independent candidates, the EC said it will give them unique passwords to also access the forms online.

The EC has therefore urged secretaries of all registered political parties to contact the EC for their respective passwords.

The EC also made it known that it will receive forms from 5th to 9th October 2020 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 to 5p.m. every day.

The EC also stated that only five persons will be allowed to present nomination forms at the EC headquarters unlike before where a lot of supporters were allowed to follow their presidential candidates to the EC office.

Appointments

The EC stated that it will provide appointments to each political party during the filing of the nomination forms in order to pay attention to them respectively.

The filling period, the EC said has also been increased from two days to five days so that parties can make corrections on their forms to prevent the issue of disqualifying a number of parties due to inability to fill forms correctly.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori

Parties criticizing EC's 100k filing fee can opt out -Obiri Boahen

Daniel Opare
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Nana Obiri Boahene, Deputy General Secretary for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has asked parties criticizing the Electoral Commission’s (EC) GH¢100,000 and GH¢10,000 filing fees for Presidential and parliamentary candidates respectively to opt out.

The Electoral Commission on has announced filing fees for both presidential and parliamentary candidates  ahead of the December 7 elections.

Addressing the press in Accra , EC boss, Jean Mensah  said presidential candidates will  pay GH¢100,000 as filing fees while parliamentary candidates  pay  GH¢10,000.

After the EC’s announcement, the main opposition party , NDC as well as smaller parties have criticized the decision of the commission to peg the filing fees for the 2020 general elections at GH¢100,000 and GH¢10,000 for Presidential and parliamentary candidates respectively.

Reacting to the EC’s announcement with host of Atinka FM’s AM Drive Ekourba Gyasi, Nana Obiri Boahene, explained that election is a serious business and that those criticizing the filing fees are not ready for the elections.

“ The election is a serious business, if you are ready for marriage, you get all the things that you need for the marriage before embarking on the marriage itself. I don’t think anyone goes into marriage unprepared. It is just like the elections, if you are not ready, you just wait for whoever is ready to go,” he added.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa

Nigerian porn star arrested 'for filming' at sacred Osun Osogbo ground

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A filmmaker has been arrested for allegedly recording a pornographic movie at the Osun Osogbo sacred grove in western Nigeria, police say.

The sacred forest, home to Osun, the Yoruba goddess of fertility, is a UN-designated World Heritage Site.

Police said the man, Tobiloba Jolaosho, popularly known as King Tblak HOC, was arrested for allegedly recording a “sex movie” in the forest.
Neither he nor his lawyer have commented.

Osun Osogbo is on the outskirts of the city of Osogbo, the Osun state capital.

Nigeria’s fertility goddess festival

Mr Jolaosho is a popular porn movie producer with a huge following, and snippets of the video, which allegedly showed him dressed in the white robe of adherents of the Osun deity, were posted on his website and social media accounts.

‘Breached public peace’

It is not clear when the recording was done or how he entered the forest, which can be easily accessed from many routes.
Police spokesman Opalola Yemisi told BBC Yoruba that the movie producer will appear in court following an investigation as his conduct “could have breached public peace”.

A follower of the deity, Yemi Elebuibon, said Mr Jolaosho had desecrated the grove, which was a sacred land where worshippers from Nigeria and elsewhere offer prayers and sacrifices to the Osun goddess.

“The traditional worshippers in charge of the grove will decide on what punishment to mete out to him, after the police concludes its investigation,” Mr Elebuibon told the BBC’s Busayo James-Olufade.

Declared it a World Heritage Site in 2003, the UN’s cultural organisation, Unesco, described the Osun Osogbo sacred grove, as “one of the last remnants of primary high forest in southern Nigeria” and “as the abode of the goddess of fertility Osun, one of the pantheon of Yoruba gods”.

The Osun goddess, according to Yoruba mythology, was one of the many wives of Sango, a powerful deity in Yoruba folklore.
Famous all over the world

Every year, thousands of people attend the Osun Osogbo festival, a traditional celebration that is thought to be 600 years old.

The two-week festival is considered to be the biggest annual traditional religious event of the Yoruba people and attracts thousands of worshippers and spectators from both Nigeria and the rest of the world.

Devotees believe that the sacred grove forest is one of the last remaining places that the spirits, or “Orishas” reveal themselves to bless them.

The festival is marked with daily performances of people dancing, singing, playing the drums and showing off elaborate costumes to appease the goddess Osun.
Source: BBC

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