Gov’t committed to building a Society of inclusion” – Akufo-Addo

Daniel Opare
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The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has reiterated the commitment of his government to pursuing goals and policies that ensure the inclusion of all segments of Ghanaians, irrespective of where they live.

According to President Akufo-Addo, he sought the Presidency in order specifically to make the sacrifices that are required to ensure the economic and social transformation of our country and its people.

“It is in pursuit of this objective of social inclusion that I established the Ministry of Inner City and Zongo Development. Our goal is to create a society of equal opportunities for all, and we shall not relent until we achieve it,” he added.

The President made this known on Tuesday, 21st August, 2018, when he addressed Muslims at the Eid ul Adha celebrations, at the Independence Square, Accra.

A key component of the creation of a society of inclusion, President Akufo-Addo noted, is by ensuring that every Ghanaian child gets the opportunity of a lifetime to develop his or her potential.

“I know that seeking knowledge is considered a sacred duty in Islam. Our commitment to ensure that no Ghanaian child is left behind in the pursuit of knowledge should spur you, to actualise the admonishing of the Prophet Muhammad that knowledge is the lost property of a Muslim, and he or she should find it wherever he or she may,” he added.

Using the Hajj ritual as an analogy of how a society of inclusion should be built, President Akufo-Addo explained that during Hajj, all pilgrims wear the white apparel, of the same style and make.

“Therefore, when we look at a sea of pilgrims, we are unable to distinguish the rich from the poor, the high from the low, and the powerful from the weak. Everybody assumes equality before the Lord,” he said.

The President continued, “In the same way, we are determined to ensure that the laws of our country do not discriminate against people under any circumstance.”

He assured the Muslim community that he will implement recommendations made by the Committee established to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of seven citizens of the Asawase community.

“Let me use the occasion of the Eid to renew my commitment to that pledge. Whilst we await the outcome of the Committee’s work, I urge the young men and women of Asawase to continue to exercise restraint and remain law abiding,” he added.

With Ghana needing people imbued with the character of the Prophet Ibrahim, President Akufo-Addo stated that the Ghanaian people need to build a nation of sacrifice.

“The founding fathers of this nation sacrificed their all to gain for us our liberty. We have to sustain the gains that they made for this country through sacrifice. The story of Prophet Ibrahim must spur us to want to go the extra mile for our country,” he said.

The President continued, “I was born into a family, where sacrifice and service to others are considered a sacred duty. I to pledge to you that I shall continue to sacrifice my all to ensure that I leave a legacy of peace and progress for coming generations.”

He assured the Chief Imam that he will continue to admonish his appointees to cultivate the same spirit of sacrifice that spurred the country’s forebears to fight for Ghana’s liberation.

President Akufo-Addo used the occasion to introduce the new Minister for Inner City and Zongo Development, Sheikh Mustapha Abdul-Hamid.

“I am confident that the new Minister will continue with the impressive work undertaken so far by his predecessor, and ensure the fulfillment of our pledge of accelerating the pace of development, and the provision of essential social services to communities around our country in a manner that answers to the real needs of all our people,” he added.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com  

Microsoft claims win over 'Russian political hackers

Daniel Opare
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Russian attempts to launch cyber-attacks against US conservative groups have been thwarted, Microsoft says.

The software company said Russian hackers had tried to steal data from political organisations, including the International Republican Institute and the Hudson Institute think tanks.

But they had been thwarted when its security staff had won control of six net domains mimicking their websites.

Microsoft said the Fancy Bear hacking group had been behind the attacks.

"We're concerned that these and other attempts pose security threats to a broadening array of groups connected with both American political parties in the run-up to the 2018 elections," Microsoft said in its blog detailing its work.

The thwarted attack was likely the start of a "spear phishing" campaign, said Microsoft. This would involve tricking people into visiting the mimicked domains allowing the Fancy Bear group to see and steal login information that people use.

As well as the two think-tanks, the domains seized were associated with several Senate offices and services. One domain sought to mimic Microsoft's Office 365 online service.

The New York Times suggested that the two think tanks were targeted because they were former supporters of President Trump but were now foes who had called for more sanctions to be imposed on Russia.

The International Republican Institute's directors include Senator John McCain and General HR McMaster who was replaced earlier this year as the White House national security adviser.

IRI president Daniel Twining told the Times that the attacks were consistent with the "campaign of meddling" the Kremlin is known to have indulged in.

In its blog, Microsoft president Brad Smith said it had grabbed dodgy domains 12 times in two years to shut down 84 websites associated with Fancy Bear.

It said that, so far, it had no evidence that the domains had been used in any attacks. The domains could have been set up to help a future planned assault.

Microsoft added that the attack activity seen around the domains "mirrors" what it saw in 2016 in the US and during the 2017 election in France.

Microsoft's action comes soon after the US charged 12 Russian intelligence officers with hacking computer networks used by Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party.

Russia has consistently denied meddling in the elections or mounting any cyber-attacks on US institutions.

BBC

Otiko rejects ambassadorial appointment,resigns from politics

Daniel Opare
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The former Minister for Gender, Children and Social protection, Madam Otiko Afisa Djaba has reportedly rejected the ambasadorial position and has resigned from active politics.

Atinkaonline's sources at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social protection revealed that the former Minister's resignition is in connection with her new ambassadorial role.

The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, on August 9 made changes to his government.

Otiko Afisa Djaba, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection was removed from the Gender ministry to Italy, where she was to serve as Ghana’s Ambassador.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

Di Asa Season 2 final set for August 25 at National Theatre 

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Ghana’s biggest reality show Di Asa is set for the National Theatre on August 25, 2018. 

The show which won the 2017 RTP Reality Show of the year has grown phenomenally over the past year with Season 2 recording some of the biggest crowds in Reality Show History.

This year after a successful launch in Mpraeso, Kwahu on March 31st, 2018 which saw Kwahu brought to a standstill, the show traveled the length and breadth of the country from Bawku in the Upper East Region to Tarkwa in the Western Region ending up in Ashiaman in the Greater Accra Region.

43 ladies were selected and the Di Asa house was brought to life when all ladies turned up on July 11 to compete for the ultimate prize of a brand new Suzuki Super Carrier from the Suzuki Centre at the Silver Star Towers in Accra.

After several weeks of dancing highlife, mapuka, freestyle and heritage dance forms and under the eagle watch of Judges Fred Kyei Mensah (Fredyma) and 1986 World Dance Champion Adjetey Sowah, the number has been whittled to ten. On Saturday 18th August at the Sika Hall at Atinka TV, the ten received their golden tickets from General Manager of Atinka TV, Mr. JOT Agyeman.

The National Theatre will experience a great show this year as the finals will be graced by Highlife Legend Ben Brako and some of Ghana’s most talented artists including Paa Kwesi, Lil Shaker and Kojo Que, Dhat Girl, Article One and all the way from Tamale Sapashini.

Di Asa Season 2 is proudly headlined by Tobinco Pharmaceuticals limited.

Marketers and Distributors of Lufart Anti Malaria tablets and Zinvite Blood Tonic.

Tickets are GHC 50.00 Regular and GHC 100.00 VIP.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1VgFbmlLcw

 

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com 

DAC Aviation, Baby Jet Airlines, Unity Air to commence operations soon 

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Outgoing Aviation Minister, Cecelia Abena Dapaah, has announced that new airline operators such as DAC Aviation, Baby Jet Airlines, and Unity Air will soon commence domestic operations. 

Although she was not specific on when exactly these airlines will start, she was optimistic that they will start operations by close of 2018. 

Addressing the media in Accra Monday, she added that the ministry will continue with the processes of establishing home base carrier with private sector participation. This, according to her, is a key priority towards the achievement of the hub vision.

Madam Dapaah described the abolition of the 17.5 % Value Added Tax (VAT) on domestic airfares as one of her achievements at the ministry.  

Following the abolition, the ministry engaged domestic airline operators to ensure the intervention reflected in the reduction of domestic airfares. 

For instance, domestic airfares from May to November 2017, in the case of Africa World Airlines (AWA) reduced from within the range of GHC 375-500 to GHC 320-400 for Accra-Tamale and GHC 315- GHC400 to GHC 270- GHC340 for Accra –Kumasi/ Accra-Takoradi

 She explained that the reductions  made  traveling by air cheap and affordable. 


Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Adwoa Konadu Yiadom
 

'Exploding' iPad prompts Apple shop evacuation

Daniel Opare
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Three Apple employees have been treated for minor injuries after an iPad battery reportedly exploded in an Amsterdam shop.

The three staff are believed to have breathed vapours released when the battery caught fire.

The incident, on 19 August, led to the shop in Amsterdam's Leidseplein being evacuated and closed.

Firefighters were called and they dealt with the iPad and made sure the shop was properly aired.

Amsterdam's fire brigade tweeted that it had attended the incident and three people had been treated for breathing problems.

Apple said it was now "investigating" the incident. It added: "Our staff were able to evacuate customers quickly and safely and the store re-opened shortly afterwards."

A Dutch media site said staff in the store had initially dealt with the fuming iPad by putting it in a sand-filled fire bucket.

This reportedly quelled the fire but not before some of the potentially harmful irritants had been released.

Apple news site 9to5mac said it had seen more incidents of similar faults since the electronics company had started its iPhone battery replacement programme.

Apple began the replacement initiative after being criticised for slowing downolder iPhones whose batteries were ageing.

A consumer backlash against the policy led to it offering discounted and free battery swaps for some customers.

BBC

We must protect Kofi Annan’s legacy-  Kwesi Aning

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Dr. Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, Head of the Department of Research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), has entreated Ghanaians to protect the legacy of   Ghanaian diplomat and former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

Mr. Kofi Annan died in Switzerland last Saturday at age 80.

He served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1997 to December 2006. 

He is also the founder and chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation, as well as chairman of The Elders, an international organization founded by Nelson Mandela. 

Speaking to Atinka Midday News Monday, Dr. Aning explained that Kofi Annan’s integrity, honesty, hard work, discipline, and smartness must be emulated by all. 

“Kofi Annan’s integrity, honesty, hard work, discipline, and smartness is what has to be learned and as Ghanaians and Black people, we must know that if we work very well with the knowledge we have, we can go very far,’’ he emphasized.

Again, Dr. Aning said the Peace Keeping Training Centre which was named after him (Kofi Annan) has brought so many benefits to the center.  

‘’The Peace Keeping Training center which was named after Mr. Kofi Annan has been a blessing and opened doors for us. People come from near and far to teach and impart their knowledge to us. It has also generated money for the country,” he said.

Ghana  | Atinkaonline .com |Ama Gyenfa Ofosu-Darkwah

A/R: Former Regional Minister dead

Daniel Opare
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Mr. Peter Anarfi Mensah, Former Ashanti regional Minister, has been reported dead in Kumasi.

Peter Anarfi Mensah reportedly died at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Monday morning after where he was on admission after he was involved in an accident.

According to reports, former President John Jerry Rawlings visited him at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital before his demise.

Peter Anarfi Mensah served as the Ashanti regional Minister under the John Mahama government.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

Freight forwarders give one-week ultimatum to GRA to withdraw ‘Cargo Tracking Note’

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Freight forwarders have given the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) a one-week ultimatum to withdraw the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) system since it is of no relevance. 

The GRA in June this year implemented the CTN on a pilot basis, contrary to a supposed letter from the Vice President to suspend the novelty.

The ultimatum was given at a joint press conference organized by Custom Brokers Association, Freight Forwarding Associations, Association of Customs Clearing House Agents of Ghana and Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, in Tema Monday. 

According to them, the introduction of the CTN aside increasing cost, compromises the system since it is not connected with any of the Customs platforms. This, they noted, also has security implications since vital national data find its way on a private platform.

Executive Secretary for the GIFF, Eddie Akron mentioned that some “invisible” hands are behind the illicit agenda to the detriment of the national interest. 

Mr. Akron observed that a new platform, ‘Manifest’ which is already in place does what the CTN is supposed to do, saying the novelty has nothing better to offer except increasing cost of freight forwarding.

In a counter press conference, another group, Chamber of Freight and Trade believes the new system has come to solve the perceived ‘under declaration of invoices to Customs’. 

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Edward Sebbie 
 

Kenyan atheists push for national holiday and 'godless parades'

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A society of Kenyan atheists has called on the government to create a public holiday for non-believers on 17 February, called Atheist Day.

The Atheists in Kenya (AIK) said "Kenyans who do not believe in god or gods deserve a public holiday too" in a statement issued on Sunday, days after the government declared 21 August a public holiday to mark the Muslim holiday, Eid al-Adha.

The statement adds:

We will use the occasion to show our lack of faith in Gods, by holding godless parades in various counties and also to increase awareness about atheism in Kenya."

They settled on the date of 17 February because it was the day when AIK was registered as a society, a move which faced complaints from the country's clergy.

"We believe that this will promote freedom of religion as a human right in Kenya," AIK said in the statement. The society estimates that 5% of the population is atheist.

AIK's President Harrison Mumia told the BBC that the society has 500 registered members and the number would be much bigger if not for "the stigma of atheism in Kenya."

"Many Kenyans do not want their parents or family to know that they are atheists," he said.

BBC

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