Akufo-Addo receives credentials from Japanese and Nigerien Ambassadors

adminbackup
-
0

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Thursday, 18th January, 2017, received letters of credence from two envoys accredited to Ghana, from the Republics of Niger and Japan.

Presenting his credentials, the Ambassador-designate from Japan, Tsutomu Himenu, touted the existing, cordial relationship between Ghana and Japan, and praised the country’s role and status as a beacon peace, democracy and stability in the region.

Mr. Himenu, amongst others, referred to President Akufo-Addo’s speech at the recent United Nations General Assembly on UN reforms, and pledged Japan’s support for the cause, stressing that “it is time Africa holds her rightful place on the world stage.”

He also appealed for increased collaboration between the two countries, and reiterated Japan’s economic support for President Akufo-Addo’s vision of a “Ghana Beyond Aid”.

On his part, President Akufo-Addo expressed the gratitude of the Ghanaian people to Japan for the support given to Ghana over the years, through agencies like TICAD and JICA, and hoped that the new ambassador will follow in the footsteps of his predecessor.

Conveying regards from the President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou, the Ambassador-designate, Alhousseni Ousmane, said Niger intends to foster closer collaboration and ties with Ghana, which will guarantee the progress and prosperity of the peoples.

Exxon Mobil signs deal for deepwater oil exploration off Ghana

adminbackup
-
0

 


Exxon Mobil Corp signed a deal with Ghana on Thursday to explore for oil in the Deepwater Cape Three Point offshore (DWCTP) oilfield.

The signing followed direct negotiations between Ghana and Exxon Mobil without an open competitive tender due to the nature of the field, where the depth ranges from 2,000 to 4,000 meters, Ghanaian officials said.

Ghana, which exports cocoa and gold, began commercial production of oil from its flagship Jubilee reserves in late 2010. Other firms drilling in the West African country include UK’s Tullow oil and Kosmos Energy.

The Exxon Mobil deal is the first to be signed after the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea last September drew an ocean boundary favoring Ghana in a dispute with its neighbor Ivory Coast.

Exxon Mobil, lead operator, holds an 80-percent interest in the DWCTP, while state-run Ghana National Petroleum Corporation holds 15 percent. Exxon is yet to select a local partner to own the remaining 5 percent as Ghana’s laws required, Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko told Reuters.

The agreement is subject to approval by parliament and Exxon is expected to start exploration this year, Agyarko said.

Reuters

10 signs your relationship is loveless

adminbackup
-
0

 

Out of all the emotions we experience, love is arguably the most complex. Feelings can range from pure ecstasy to maddening torture; one moment we feel hugely content, and the next we feel desperately unsure of everything.

For sure, love is exciting. But it’s also frustrating, and can cause as much pain and anguish, as it does fulfilment and happiness. And if your relationship has gone from a goblet overflowing with love and joy to an empty cup, you will probably know about it.

However, because a relationship is so important to all of us, you need to be sure about this. You need to be sure that what you’re going through right now is not just a temporarily interlude, but is actually a permanent fracture that might be impossible to heal. If you know something has changed for the worse, but are uncertain of what is happening between you and your partner, here are 10 signs your relationship is loveless.

The “I Love You’s” Have Changed

It might sound silly to get wound up about the way he or even you says “I love you”, but this isn’t as trivial as it might first appear. When we first fall in love with someone, there is real meaning behind our “I love you’s”. They are spoken with a passion and a honesty, and we know they and ourselves are truly in love with one another. But when a relationship starts to disintegrate, the “I love you’s” change. The tone we use for them alters, and we begin to use them less spontaneously and more predictably. Perhaps you’ll say yours every morning after you wake up, and again before bed. It’s become a habit, and you say “I love you” simply because you’re used to it. But there’s no feel anymore, no sincerity. It’s become routine.

You’ve Started To Imagine A Life Without Him

When you’re in love with your partner, you try very hard not to imagine life without him. Why? Because it would be a very bleak existence. Just the thought of him not being with you is upsetting. However, when the love is fading, we start to fantasise about what life would be like without him – and it actually seems pretty awesome. We’ve got our freedom back, there are no more petty arguments, and we’ve got more money again. If you’ve started to imagine a life without your partner, you may need to question why.

You Don’t Want To Discuss The Future

When couples are madly in love with each other, talking about the future is one of their favourite things to do. “Let’s get a big house together!” “Why don’t we take a 4 week vacation next year?” Such talk is thrilling. However, when love has removed her roses from a relationship, it seems that no one wants to talk about the future anymore. There is no more talk of getting a new house, no more vacation plans, and no more dreams. And there is definitely no discussions about kids.

Your Life Directions Are Now Different

When you guys first got together, it was partly because you agreed on the direction in life you both wanted to head. You had the same dreams and ambitions. Now, though, it seems that you are both increasingly heading down different paths. You might feel as though you’re still heading to a blissful sunset, while he’s trudging forlornly down a path crowded with thickets. In other words, while you still harbour the same dreams and ambitions, he seems to have lost his zest and is prepared to laze around until something falls in his lap. Or is it the other way around?

You Just Don’t Feel Loved

Are there many bigger signs than this that a relationship is without love? Probably not. If you no longer feel loved, it’s a warning sign that things have changed for the worse.

The Cuddles Are Fewer

Cuddling is a sign of affection and love. You cuddle your partner because you love him, appreciate him, and want to be feel his love and protection. Although loveless couples might still cuddle, they don’t do it as often. Instead of wanting to cuddle your partner each time you see him in the morning because he is just so darn cute, you’ve got other things to be getting on with. Instead of cuddling him bed at night, you just want some space so that you can get a good night’s sleep.

Those Deep, Meaningful Conversations Have Gone Away

Couples who stay together for years don’t stay together on the strength of their “how was your day?” conversations? Sure, they make small talk just like the rest of us. But they also know the value of proper conversation, and they make sure to engage in meaningful conversations. Although guys hate it when you make them pause their zombie video games to have a chat about something that’s on your mind, anyone who loves you will lend you their ear. They’ll be ready to chat meaningfully to you. If, however, all your topics are pretty much vapid and hollow these days, it could be a sign that the flame of love has been extinguished.

You Both Play The Blame Game

If you’re pinning the blame for everything that’s wrong in this relationship while he’s pinning it all on you, it’s a really bad sign. Instead of talking things through and making compromises, you’re instead prepared to just point fingers because you’ve lost the heart to have proper, open conversations.

There Is A Lot Of Nagging And Nitpicking

Sustained nitpicking can really eat away at a relationship. It’s the same when a woodpecker chisels away at timbre. It doesn’t slam away with a hammer so that the timbre falls apart with one one blow; instead it picks and picks until eventually the timbre has been worn away. There is a reason we nitpick, and it’s because our partner is getting on our nerves. All of a sudden, every little thing they do is no longer magic. Instead, it really annoy us. If you’re nitpicking a lot right now and finding fault with everything your partner does, it’s important that you find out why.

The Effort Has Gone

Lastly, perhaps the biggest sign that your relationship is loveless is a lack of effort on either side. No longer are you prepared to put in the emotional work. Instead, you both seem content to let the relationship reach its end without even attempting to work things out. It’s been on a steady decline for months and no one has tried to stop it.

Stay happy!


Beauty and tips

President’s dicey responses to some questions shocking – Kwesi Pratt

Daniel Opare
-
0

 

Outspoken Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has said  although  President  Akufo-Addo intelligently responded  to some of the  questions posed to him at Wednesday  media encounter, his lack of knowledge  on  other questions was shocking.

Speaking at a media encounter at the Flagstaff House in Accra, President Akufo Addo revealed that the white paper produced from the evidence gathered by the Dzamefe Commission to serve as a roadmap for the administration of football in the country was not his radar.

The 2014 White Paper was generated following a commission of enquiry which was set up by former President John Mahama to investigate Ghana’s disastrous Brazil 2014 World Cup Campaign.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also stated that he is not privy to the job statistics his government created onto the job market following his one year in office.

Speaking to Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka AM Drive Thursday,   Mr Pratt said the President's response to  the 2014 World Cup question was not the best. He, however, commended the president  for showing a mark of honesty.

“If a President, after one year, lacks knowledge on such important issues then it is a cause to worry. We can commend his honesty and at the same time raise issues about his lack of Knowledge,” he added.

Ghana | Atinkaoline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa

Bagbin dragged to NDC Council of Elders over “inappropriate actions”

adminbackup
-
0

 

 

Two members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have dragged Alban Bagbin, to the party’s Council of Elders for allegedly misconducting himself as a party member.

Bagbin, who is one of the longest serving MPs and has expressed interest in the flagbearership race of the NDC, has accused former President Mahama of being solely responsible for  the party’s humiliating  defeat in the last  election.

However, the two petitioners argue that Mr. Bagbin’s recent statements amount to disrespecting the party structures contrary to orders and directives of the Council of Elders.

Below is the full statement:

Below is the press statement by the group

My brother, Andrews Amadi Krow, and I on Wednesday January 17, 2017, wrote to the Council of Elders of our Party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to complain about the inappropriate actions of the MP for Nadowli-Kaleo, Hon. Alban Bagbin, which actions are at variance with the August 22, 2017, Press Release of the Council of Elders of the NDC.

The Council of Elders’ statement called on all members of the NDC “to respect the party structures and procedures in resolving internal grievances and conflicts”. The Council also asked all members to stop the practice of “ventilating their grievances in public through the electronic, print and social media” bringing “the good name of the Party into disrepute”.

Obviously, Mr. Bagbin has violated all of these positions and it is our hope that the Council will consider our complaint and take the necessary steps. This will prevent others from taking a cue and returning to the media and public space to defend and explain themselves.

The NDC must remain united for 2020. The NDC must follow disciplinary rules laid down by the Party. Our seniors must be seen to be leading the way.

Dzifa Gunu
Accra.

 

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

One District One Factory has the potential to turn Ghana’s fortunes around -Jospong CEO

adminbackup
-
0

 

 

EXECUTIVE Chairman of Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, has said that the One District One Factory initiative of the current administration has the potential of turning Ghana’s fortunes around by creating wealth and sustainable jobs.

He called for more support from Government for indigenous private businesses to collaborate with local authorities for the selection and efficient execution of the initiative to the benefit of the communities and growth of the private sector.

Dr. Siaw Agyepong made this observation on the second day of the 69th annual New Year School and Conference at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana, Legon on Tuesday. 

This year’s New Year School’s theme is: “Job Creation for Accelerated National Development: The Role of the Private Sector,” and it was organised by the School of Continuing and Distance Education of the University of Ghana, Legon.  

He said efforts aimed at creating jobs should not be focused on the formal sector only, “the informal sector has the potential to generate a good number of jobs. The essential need is to exert some of direction and control in this sector”, he added.

Dr. Agyepong bemoaned the politicization of businesses, which usually occur after a change of government, and said the practice of especially colouring private business political was unhealthy.

To this end, he stressed the need for successive governments to ensure continuity of businesses to promote growth of local entrepreneurs.

Using the Zoomlion example, Dr. Siaw Agyepong enumerated its various achievement since its establishment in 2006 to manage waste in the country and create jobs for thousands of Ghanaians, and called for the protection of local industries.

Speaking on the topic: “The Private Sector Participation in Local Governance for Job Creation,” the Zoomlion boss called for more collaboration to enable local private companies to undertake government projects.

He commended successive governments for their efforts at reducing unemployment but urged that more efforts must be put into the talk to make it a reality.

He said Jospong Group of Companies has collaborated with the public sector in areas including waste management, sanitation, environmental hygiene, agro-based industrialisation among others to create jobs.

Against this backdrop, Dr. Siaw Agyapong affirmed his Group’s commitment to continue to collaborate with local government authorities to create jobs for the teeming youth in the country. In the estimation of the Zoomlion boss, there was equally the need for government to promote sustainable partnership arrangements to engage and empower the private sector

“Leveraging our investments in the local government sector to sustain continuous and inclusive development at the grassroots level is key”, He noted.

These partnership models that would be created, he suggested, should subsist “our political and governance cycles and Ghanaian entrepreneurs on their part should exhibit high level of professionalism so that they are not unduly branded.

“Emphasis on local content is key, empowering indigenous Ghanaian companies is key, local collaboration to undertake government projects should be encouraged and stimulus packages to local private sector should be implemented.

…I believe we are on the right track and as a Group of Company; we would do our best to support government to create sustainable jobs. Indeed, we have the skills set to continue in that path.

“All that we in the Private Sector have to do is to continually re-examine our business creating models for the mutual benefit of both the public and the private sectors.

“When this is done we will be placed on the right track of creating jobs and entrepreneurial skills to help harness the powerful potential of creativity in our teeming youth,” Dr. Agyepong pointed out.

The Session was chaired by Dr Nana Ato Arthur, Head of the Local Government Service.

 

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

 

 

People who urinate in public should be fined or jailed – Zanetor Rawlings 

adminbackup
-
0

 

Member of Parliament for Klottey Korley in the Greater Accra Region, Zanetor Rawlings, has advocated for the prosecution of people who shamelessly urinate in public.

“It seems to have become the norm for motorists and pedestrians to just stop wherever they feel like it, in order to pee. It doesn’t matter whether they are in a residential estate, on the highway or in front of a school, government ministry or an embassy,” she posted on her Facebook page Thursday.

According to her, in other countries, the fine for such behaviour is a spot fine of the GHS 5,000 ($1,000) or up to 6 months in jail adding, “we must not address open defecation without tackling this problem of public urination!

Below is the full statement:

You know there is a major problem in society when people shamelessly urinate in full view of the public. It seems to have become the norm for motorists and pedestrians to just stop wherever they feel like it, in order to pee. It doesn’t matter whether they are in a residential estate, on the highway or in front of a school, government ministry or an embassy. The trend in public urination has no respect for who, what, when, where! What on Earth has happened to us? Have so many people suddenly developed urinary incontinence? Once upon a time, not too long ago, people felt embarrassed to behave like this. In some countries the fine for such behaviour is a spot fine of the GHS 5,000 ($1,000) or up to 6 months in jail. We must not address open defecation without tackling this problem of public urination! Just like problem of garbage disposal, the triad of ATTITUDES, FACILITIES and ENFORCEMENT must be operationalised. 2018, six decades post-independence and we are still dealing with this?!

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com 
 

Mahama era is over; NDC needs new flagbearer for 2020 victory – Sylvester Mensah

adminbackup
-
0

 


National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer hopeful, Sylvester Mensah, has given a thumb down for a possible return of former President John Mahama as the party’s candidate in the 2020 polls.

Mr Mensah says although his former boss was a good President when he took over the reins of government from 2010 – after the demise of John Evans Atta Mills – to 2016, the outcome of the last election sends a strong message about his favourability as a leader.

Former President Mahama polled a paltry a little above 44% of total votes cast in the last election, the lowest for an incumbent President, and losing the Presidency to the New Patriotic Party's Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

“At the time [Mahama] burst onto the political scene he was the best for our party and for this country and he played his role. But we have gotten to a completely new era that requires a completely new set of [leaders],” he said on current affairs programme, The Hard Truth, on Joy News Wednesday evening.

The comments by the former Chief Executive of the National Insurance Health Authority (NHIA) and former MP for La-Dadekotopon add to the growing disapproval of key party members for a Mahama-2020 bid.

Legislator for Nadowli Kaleo, Alban Bagbin, also recently cast doubts over John Mahama’s chances of winning the NDC primaries to lead the party in the 2020 general elections.

In an exclusive interview with Joy News’ Gifty Andoh Appiah, Mr Bagbin said the chances of the former President – who is yet to declare his intention to run –  are slim


“We are now going to go out there with our messages and we will give the good people of our party as to which personality and which message they prefer and I believe that by the end of the day, I don’t see His Excellency the former President [Mahama] winning. I don’t see it,” he had said.

Speaking on The Hard Truth, Sylvester Mensah also told the host of the nightly show, Nana Akosua Konadu, that the results of the 2016 elections show that there was a high level of disaffection and withdrawal from political participation within the rank and file of the party in the run-up to the polls.

“You could also tell that there was anger, there was frustration, there was disaffection and I guess that these are very loud statements emanating from the numbers. It tells clearly that we have gotten to a crucial junction in the life of our party that we need to re-strategise. We need to put in place a new set of vision that can accommodate the emerging trends and expectations of our party,” he said.

He was emphatic that he represents this “new set of vision” and charged the party’s delegate to confirm him as the flagbearer during primaries later this year.

“The delegate of our party has a responsibility to determine what is useful for our party. I have always trusted their views, I have always respected their views and I think they have never been wrong and they won’t be wrong this time and I guess that God willing, I will be rhyming with their choice and I will emerge as the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress,” he said.

Myjoyonline.com

Photos: Ghana opens new embassy in Kuwait 

adminbackup
-
0

 

Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has stated that the opening of the New Ghana embassy in the State of Kuwait is timely and opportune for the mutual benefit of Republic of Ghana and the State of Kuwait.

Addressing a ceremony in the Kuwaiti capital, Kuwait City, on the 16th of January 2018, to officially open the new Ghana embassy, the Foreign Minister said the opening of the embassy marks an important milestone in the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Ghana and the State of Kuwait which dates back to the period when the Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was concurrently accredited to the State of Kuwait.

"Due to the increasing political and economic relations between Ghana and Kuwait, Kuwait opened its Embassy in Accra in 2015. It is for the same reason that Ghana decided last year to establish a Resident Diplomatic Mission in Kuwait at Ambassadorial level in order to accelerate the diplomatic, economic, investment and trade relation between our two countries" the Minister said.

Economic Potential of Ghana, Kuwait Relations

In her speech, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey observed that the State of Kuwait has made giant strides in economic development and taken concrete steps to strengthen its ties with the rest of the world, particularly African countries. She added that Kuwait having been designated as a strategic partner for Africa’s development by the African Union, offers Ghana a great opportunity that ought to be exploited.

"It is worth noting that in 2013, Kuwait hosted the 3rd Africa-Arab Summit in Kuwait City in which Ghana among other African countries, participated. The Summit produced the Kuwait Declaration which paved the way forward towards fruitful cooperation between the Arab countries including Kuwait and Africa.
No doubt that today through the instrumentality and the desire of the Government and people of Kuwait to open up to Africa, many African countries have deemed it expedient to open Resident Diplomatic Missions in Kuwait in order to explore the vast potential and opportunities that exist between our various countries and Kuwait. This move will advance mutually beneficial cooperation in various spheres of endeavour between African countries particularly Ghana and Kuwait" Madam Botchwey underscored .

The Embassy

The Foreign Minister Emphasized that there is a growing population of Ghanaian citizens and Ghanaian students in various parts of Kuwait with the attendant consular and welfare challenges faced by these Ghanaian compatriots. She added that It is her hope that the opening of the Embassy of Ghana in Kuwait would help Ghanaians domicile in Kuwait to be law abiding and worthy Ambassadors of Ghana in order not to mar the friendly relations and cooperation that exist between Ghana and Kuwait.

The Ambassador and Staff of the Embassy

The Foreign Minister expressed confidence in Ghana's Ambassador-Designate to Kuwait and the Staff of the Embassy to deliver efficient and competent services to enhance Ghana-Kuwait relations and cooperation for our mutual benefit and to justify the resources invested in the opening the new Embassy.
"It is my fervent hope that the opening of the new Embassy will not only foster closer cooperation and collaboration between Ghana and Kuwait both at the bilateral and multilateral level but will also bring the African Embassies and Ambassadors in Kuwait closer to brainstorm and share experiences and best practices" the Minister said.

Source: Wilberforce Asare 
 

Bestselling Donald Trump exposé Fire and Fury to become TV series

adminbackup
-
0

 

Michael Wolff’s peek inside the White House will head to the small screen in a seven-figure deal, with the author onboard as executive producer

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Wolff will remain with the project as executive producer alongside the ex-BBC chief Michael Jackson, who now runs Two Cities Television. The company’s first show is Patrick Melrose, a forthcoming drama starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

A network is yet to be attached to the project and it will be shopped around as a series imminently.

The book tells the inside story of the first chaotic year of Trump’s White House after Wolff was granted unprecedented access behind the scenes. It has become the year’s first publishing sensation, selling more than 1m copies and angering the president himself.

“Michael Wolff is a total loser who made up stories in order to sell this really boring and untruthful book,” Trump tweeted.

Wolff responded: “Not only is he helping me sell books, but he’s helping me prove the point of the book.”

The most controversial revelations in the book are attributed to Trump’s former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, who is alleged to have made derogatory comments about the Trump family as well as suggesting “treasonous” behavior.

The announcement comes months after HBO decided to cancel a project based around the 2016 election once sexual harassment allegations against writer Mark Halperin came to light. Next month also sees the premiere of Our Cartoon President, an animated series about Trump from Stephen Colbert, while an election-based series from the Zero Dark Thirty writer Mark Boal is still in the works.

The Guardian 

1...1,9471,9481,949...1,963Page 1,948 of 1,963