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Jerry Rawlings roots for Hudu Yahaya as NDC chair, Kwesi Botchwey as flagbearer

An unimpeachable information picked up by atinkaonline.com  from the corridors of the NDC Council of Elders indicates that there is a covert plan within the Council to scuttle the 2020 comeback of former President Mahama by scheming for Alhaji Hudu Yahya and Professor Kwesi Botchwey to be elected as the National Chairman and flagbearer respectively.

A deep throat source  among the Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama  chaired ,NDC Council of Elders has hinted   atinkaonline  that the  choice of Hudu Yahaya  as  the National Chair by the  Council is to satisfy the whims of the party’s Founder, Jerry Rawlings, who has given  the party  some conditions to be met before he joins the  party   campaign  for  2020.

 According to our source, Jerry Rawlings’ has accepted to play  an integral part  of the NDC  campaign  and is prepared to do everything within  his means  to bring  the NDC to power in 2020 but not with  John Mahama  as the Flagbearer  hence his choice of Hudu Yahaya as a chairman  to make the candidature of John Mahama unattractive   to delegates  since by convention,  the   National  Chairman of the party and flagbearer at any point in time cannot be of the same extraction.

Alhaji Hudu Yahaya, a former General Secretary of the  NDC, during the Jerry Rawlings era, is making a second attempt at the NDC chairmanship after withdrawing his candidature minutes before 2014 congress. He was contesting Dr. Kwabena Adjei, then incumbent chairman, former Minister of Trade and Industry, Dan Abodakpi and current chairman Kofi Portuphy. Alhaji Hudu Yahaya later confirmed rumours that he was impressed upon by high echelons of the party to abandon his bid minutes before voting began at the National Executives’ election in Kumasi.

 He explained in a statement that the then Council of Elders of the Party had advised him to step down on ethnic grounds.

“One of the reasons as many of you might have heard was the fact that if I am elected national chairman of the NDC, together with the president and flagbearer (John Mahama) would be the two topmost leaders of the party from the same region, something those in opposition to my candidacy saw as being interpreted as a hijack of the party by Northerners, ”the statement noted.

It added: "Upon a deep consideration and deference to the charter and council of elders of our party, in spite of the efforts and resources invested in my campaign we took the very difficult decision to step down in the interest of my party after several consultations with my team".

This singular decision by Alhaji Hudu Yahaya is what according to our deep throat source has made him (Hudu Yahaya) become a toast of the NDC Council of elders coupled with the fact that he enjoys the founder’s support.

On the  choice  of flagbearer,  we are  reliably informed former President Rawlings, who earlier was  reportedly keeping his cards close to his chest has finally laid his card on the table with his choice as Professor Kwesi Botchwey, Ghana’s longest-serving Finance Minister, a  choice many  party elders and cadres, according to  our source, are in total support  because they believe he stands a better chance than Mr. Mahama since they say there is no corruption tag on him.

Our deep throat source confirms that a prelude to the choice of , Kwesi Botchwey as the Founder’s favorite   was when he shared a  platform with him at the June 4th Revolutionary Lecture Series on Thursday, May 31, 2018.

Prof Kwesi Botchwey indeed recently gave a hint of his ambition when  he denied reports that he had picked forms to contest the National Chairmanship position of the NDC. Whilst denying ever instructing anyone of picking a chairmanship form, Prof Botchwey gave a hint of his intention to contest a leadership position which would possibly return the NDC to power in 2020.

 Analysts   say having shown his disinterest in contesting the chairmanship slot, the only leadership position available that would bring the NDC back into power is the flagbeareship position.

According to our source, the NDC Council of Elders, particularly are rooting for Prof. Botchwey because they suspect that another powerful faction in the party (Ahwoi brothers) is allegedly backing former President Mahama in the contest to pave  way for them to get one of their brothers, Kwesi Ahwoi, a former Agric minister and High Commissioner to South Africa, to partner him for 2020.  

Political watchers say the recent appearance of the ‘Ahwoi brothers’ at the Campaign office of former President Mahama, after submitting his letter of intent to the NDC’s Head Quarters ,  lends credence to rumours that he indeed  has their backing .  

Prof. Botchwey’s campaigners within the NDC Council of elders believe that presenting Mahama again for the 2020 elections will provide a great weapon for the NPP and that all the other aspirants are connected with Mahama in one way or the other, since they were in his government.

It  is also believed that   the postponement  of the party’s  National  Executive  elections upon the advice of the National Council , is part  of the  grand scheme  to advance the interest  of the Party’s founder as  a meeting was held on the behest of   Jerry Rawlings recently where Dr. obed  Yao Asamoah  was  made  the  Operations Director with  Captain Kojo Tsikata(Rtd) as the Director of Finance  to execute the  Hudu Yahaya ,Kwesi Botchwey   agenda  for 2020.

The party has postponed the date of its national executive elections to November 3, 2018. The Congress which will be in held in the Greater Accra Region was originally scheduled for October 20.   General Secretary of the NDC, says the decision to postpone the congress is as a result of the challenges organizers have had with their venue of interest. “The committee reported to us and we needed to take this decision in consultation with the Council of Elders. It has been accepted that the national congress be held in Accra at the International Trade Fair Centre.” .He explained at  a press conference.

However, our deep throat says the reasons for the postponement is far from that as the new date was proposed by the Council of Elders to covertly steal time for the Founder’s favourite Candidates' (Hudu Yahaya and Professor Kwesi Botchwey) campaign to gather steam.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com 

My greatest weakness is women -Prophet Nigel Gaise

Leader and founder of True Fire Prophetic Ministries, Prophet Nigel Gaisie has disclosed his weakness in a recent interview.

Speaking during an interview on Zylofon FM’s Taxi Driver show with the host Blakk Rasta, the Prophet confessed that his weakness is women.

According to the man of God, women have been making advances at him but he tries as much as possible to turn them down.

“My greatest weakness is women, they make advances at me all the time but, I try to remain focused,” he said.

He confessed that as a man he has fallen for these temptations on many occasions even though he is a married man.

“I am hooked with a child but I have fallen for these temptations several times,” he disclosed to Blakk Rasta during the interview.

He added that each time he is tempted, he prefers to choose the reputation of his future and his mission as a Prophet even though it’s hard to but the anointing of God strengthens him.

Modernghana

V.C.R.A.C. Crabbe dies at age 95

A former Supreme Court Judge of Ghana, Justice V.C.R.A.C. Crabbe is reported dead at age 95.

He is said to have died Friday morning at a hospital in Accra after a short illness, a close source confirmed to the media.

Justice Crabbe was born on October 29, 1923 at Ussher town in Accra and had his early education at the Government Junior and Senior Boys Schools in Accra.

He attended Accra Academy for his Cambridge Junior and Senior School certificates and went to London to study Economics at the City of London College Moorgate from 1950 to 1952.

Graphic.com

Akufo-Addo honoured in Rwanda for free SHS

 

The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, has been honored in Rwanda for implementing the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagship Free Senior High Policy.

Akufo Addo has in in Rwanda to participate in the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), being held on the theme “Lead, Measure, Grow: Enabling new pathways to turn smallholders into sustainable agribusinesses.” 

Speaking prior to presenting the award, Mr. Fred Swaniker, founder of the African Leadership University, explained that President Akufo-Addo embodies the meaning of the quote “education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.”

According to him, Ghana, Africa, and, indeed, the world is already witnessing the impact of of the Free Senior High School Policy on the lives of hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians, which, for him, “is the reason number one that we thought he deserves this citation.”

In the first year of the implementation of the Free SHS policy, 90,000 more students entered senior high school in 2017 than they did in 2016. Again, in 2018, the second year of the policy, 180,000 more students have been admitted into senior high schools across the country.

The second reason for the award, the ALU Founder said, is the President’s belief in the ability of the youth.

“From the beginning, as he assumed office, he made it very clear that his number priority was to ensure that the youth of Ghana got the opportunity, and were able to get jobs, and he's implemented the policy of “One District, One Factory”, which is really about promoting the youth entrepreneurship, and making sure that the rural youth got an opportunity for employment,” he added.

Thirdly, President Akufo-Addo’s persistence and perseverance in not giving up on his vision of serving Ghana, according to Fred Swaniker, is one which has to be emulated by this generation of African youth.

“Nelson Mandela was in jail for 27 years, and I believe that one of the traits of great leaders is their persistence, they don't give up until they achieve their vision. And our President ran for office twice, before he eventually won. And, that, I believe, is the mark of a great leader,” he said.

The final reason for the award being given to President Akufo-Addo, Fred Swaniker said, was his belief in African self-reliance.

“I remember watching him proudly in this video that was going around. It went viral, and many of you might have seen this video, and if you haven't, then you should watch it. This was when the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, visited and he stood there, as our President told him about Ghana without aid and described his vision for African self-reliance and for Ghana’s self reliance, where we will no longer depend on colonial powers like France,” he said.

The ALU Founder continued, “I have never felt more proud to be a Ghanaian than when I watched that video. So, Mr. President, thank you so much for really inspiring all of us to think about how, as Africans, we can only drive our destiny and no longer rely on the rest of the world.”

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com 

Wanyama out as Kenya name final squad for Ghana clash

Kenya coach Sebastien Migne, has named his final 24-man squad for Saturday’s Group F Day Two qualifier against Ghana in Nairobi.

The biggest absentee is captain and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama who will be unavailable for the tie having just returned to training after a month-long lay off.

“He (Wanyama) has some difficulty with his knee and we cannot take riskbecause of his future career. It’s a huge problem because he is the captain and one of the best players in the team. He plays for Tottenham and that shows how much he is important. But what can I do? I cannot cry. I have to find a solution; I have to find another option,” Migne said on Wednesday.

The tactician will also be without another midfielder, MacDonald Mariga, who is Wanyama’s elder brother.

Despite the absence of the two midfield kingpins, Migne is confident that his side can get something over Ghana and put back Kenya’s hope of qualifying for the final tournament for the first time since 2004 on track.

Kenya started the campaign with a 2-1 loss away to Sierra Leone and the Ghana tie will be crucial as far as the campaign is concerned.

“Ghana is a big team, I can say one of the top five teams in Africa and for sure it will be a tough game. I cannot say that Kenya is better than Ghana. What I can say is we will give our best to get a result.

“I have watched their last two games where they won away to Japan and drew 2-2 with Iceland and I have some idea of what to expect from them. My team is ready and everyone is focused on the game,” the Frenchman noted.

This will be the Migne’s first official assignment in a CAF recognized fixture since he was appointed to lead the East African side. He has had two friendly matches with the team in Nairobi before playing in the Heroes InterContinental Cup in India, though this was mostly with local based players.

He had a glimpse of his entire squad on Tuesday when most of the foreign based stars arrived, and he says he is pleased with their quality.

“I am not under pressure, I am not nervous. Of course there is a little pressure to win, but that’s what my job is all about and I am used to it,” the tactician added.

Meanwhile, assistant captain David Owino who will take over the leadership role in Wanyama’s absence has issued a rallying call to his teammates to give a push against Ghana and pick three points to maintain their AFCON dream.

“We know Ghana is a big team, but in football, nothing is impossible. It is all about the mentality. If we go in with the right mentality, I know we can win. We have to believe in ourselves, work hard on the pitch and look for the maximum points,” Owino observed.

Kenya are third in the group with Ghana sitting top after whipping Ethiopia 5-0 in their opening match of the campaign. They are expected in Nairobi on Friday morning from Ethiopia where they have pitched camp for this game.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi, Farouk Shikalo, Ian Otieno

Defenders: Philemon Otieno, Jockins Atudo, Dennis Odhiambo, Joash Onyango, Benard Ochieng, Abud Omar, David Ochieng, Eric Ouma, Joseph Okumu, Musa Mohammed, David Owino

Midfielders: Francis Kahata, Abdallah Hassan, Anthony Akumu, Eric Johanna, Ismail Gonzalez, Johanna Omollo

Forwards: Piston Mutamba, Jesse Were, Michael Olunga, Ovella Ochieng

cafonline.com

“We are creating a strong set of Indigenous banks” – Akufo-Addo

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says the ongoing rationalization of the banking sector, by the Bank of Ghana, is to enable the country emerge with the strongest set of indigenous banks which can help grow Ghana’s economy.

According to President Akufo-Addo, this process is being undertaken “so that, at the end of the process, even if they are few, and they are strong, we know that they can compete successfully with the foreign owned banks. It is very important for me.”

The President debunked the assertions by some that ongoing rationalization is meant to eliminate the indigenous banking sector from the country’s banking system, stressing that “that’s very dangerous, it won’t make sense to do that at all.”

President Akufo-Addo made this known on Thursday, 6th September, 2018, when he interacted with members of the Ghanaian community resident in Kigali, Rwanda, as part of his visit to that country.

With the Central Bank having supported seven indigenous banks to the tune of GH¢8 billion, he described it as “a short, medium or long-term solution that we cannot support”, especially as these banks had proven themselves to be inefficient and poorly managed.

Thus, the establishment of a new state-owned bank, i.e. the Consolidated Bank of Ghana, the President said, is going to be a much stronger indigenous bank, alongside GCB Bank, and, therefore, provide leadership in the indigenous banking sector that is required.

“We cannot have, and that is the clear intention of government, a situation where the dominant banks in our country are foreign banks. It is very dangerous to our future if we allow that to happen,” he said, adding that “we are trying to make sure that the banking sector of our country has strong indigenous banks which can compete with these foreign owned banks.”

President Akufo-Addo recounted the process that took place in Nigeria, where, as a result of rationalization of the banking system, the country, which, hitherto, had 84 indigenous banks, ended up with about 13 or 14 banks.

These banks, according to the President, are “now some of biggest banks not just in Nigeria but in Africa. They are all over the place, Zenith, Access, UBA and the rest. And it the process of consolidation and rationalization that took place in Nigeria under Central Bank Governor Sanusi that has brought the situation we have in Nigeria.”

Just like the decision he took on the issue of illegal mining, knowing very well he was stepping on the toes of persons with vested interests or established ways of doing things, he noted that the oath of office he took was effectively to defend the interests of the people of Ghana.

“My assessment is what should guide what I do. It shouldn’t be about if I don’t do this, if I do this I will lose a vote here, or a vote there. Well I am a politician, I want the vote, no two ways about that, but I think that I am required, first of all, to do what I consider right for our people, than worry myself about the impact of it on my own political support.

It is the same reasoning that inspired me over the galamsey phenomenon,” President Akufo-Addo added. 

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com 

Instagram adds 6 new meme-worthy Superzoom effects

Instagram Stories are about to get more dramatic. The app is adding six new "Superzoom" effects to its in-app Stories camera.

In case you need a refresher, Superzoom is the camera feature, which lives alongside Boomerang and other effects, that creates three-second zoomed-in videos, often with sound effects and animations. The meme-worthy feature has been in the app since October last year, and soon inspired a crop of ridiculously adorable dog memes. 

But now the popular feature is getting an upgrade, with six new variations. Among the new effects: a heart-filled fog with cheesy music, paparazzi-like camera flashes, flames, and a big red x. There's also a particularly emo-looking animation called "bummer," which features black leaves falling against a melancholy soundtrack (in case you want to be woken up when September ends).

You can see all the new effects, along with the four previous Superzooms, in the clip below, posted to Twitter by Matt Navarra.

It appears the update isn't live for everyone just yet, which is typical for new Instagram features. But an Instagram spokesperson said the new effects should roll out to everyone at some point in the future.

Bring on the dog memes.

mashable

Kasena/Nankana West DCE appeal to traditional leaders for support

The District Chief Executive of the Kasena/Nankana West Assembly, Gerard Ataogye, has made a passionate appeal to traditional leaders in the area to offer their support to his office.

He said their support would enable him work effectively to achieve the needed transformation in the area through the implementation of the various policies government has instituted.

Addressing the Paramount Chiefs and people of Paga and Mirigu traditional areas at mini durbars as part of his two-day familiarization tour of the district on Wednesday, Mr. Ataogye stressed that the role of traditional authorities in the development of the area could not be overlooked.

He acknowledged the importance of their contributions and added that, collaborating with the overlords is key and bedrock in the development process of the area.

Mr. Ataogye assured the chiefs of the assembly's commitment to working closely with all traditional rulers in the district.

“I will need your support. I will need your support for us to be able to implement all the programs that we have that are going to transform the lives of our people and the district.I am therefore appealing to you our fathers, our chiefs to throw your support on me and the assembly so that together, we can achieve maximum development in this our dear district".

"Our close collaboration with you will bring tremendous development to this district and I am assuring you of the assembly's readiness to work closely with you". The new DCE said emphatically.

The DCE stated that the assembly will work assiduously to provide communities with basic infrastructure such as extension of electric power to the areas, provision of portable drinking water, schools and health centres to promote better living.

"I will use my good office to champions calls for more schools to be built and renovated, provide good drinking water and electricity to rural areas, construction of good roads and bridges and Health centres".

Do more for our communities– Chiefs appeal.

The Paramount Chief of the Paga Traditional Area, Pe Charlse Awiah Awumpaga ll, welcomed the DCE and his entourage with commendations to government for their life changing policies.

Pe Awiah Awumpaga said he was grateful to government for the swift steps taken to appoint someone to " become father of the district ".

In his short address, the chief advised the DCE and workers of the assembly to eschew acts that will undermine the development of the district.

He said " I will advise the DCE, his administrators and managers to do away with things that will slow the progress of this district. A government can be good and hardworking but without the help of good administrators and managers, nothing can be achieved. Another thing too is that the DCE should be wary of people who come to tell him information that is not true. People will try to collapse the relationship between us but the DCE should know how to deal with that". Pe Awiah Awumpaga added.

The chief appealed for an improvement in infrastructure in the area. His appeal included the improvement of roads infrastructure in the area and provision of quality healthcare delivery in the district.

Naba Anthony Abisa Anonsona Atasige ll, Chief of Mirigu in his speech lauded government for some of its policies and appealed to government, through the assembly for the construction of a police station in the area.

He said security is paramount in the development of Mirigu and the construction of a befitting police station to replace the "one room " facility in the area will be greatly welcomed.

"We will also welcome assistance to build boarding facilities for the Mirigu Senior School which is our only community senior high school. For now the community has helped in providing shelter for students who come from far. He appealed.

Inspection of work at paga SHS.

The District Chief Executive climaxed his tour with an inspection of work at the Paga and Mirigu Senior High Schools. There, he called on contractors to expedite work on the completion of some vital structures such as classrooms and baths before schools reopen.

He noted that the early completion of these structures will help augment the already "overburdened" facilities in the school especially as it welcomes first years this September.

He used the opportunity to assure the headmaster of the school, Vitus Angkyier, of the assembly's support, saying "the assembly knows about the challenges in the school and we will do the best we can to support you".

Brief Background

Gerard Ataogye succeeded late Clement Dandori as DCE of the Kasena/Nankana West District Assembly after the latter passed away after a short battle with illness.

Mr. Ataogye was nominated by President Akufo Addo and earned massive endorsement from the assembly members.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Senyalah Castro Cazo | [email protected]

Guilin Pharmaceutical Ghana introduces new emergency contraceptive pill

Guilin Pharmaceutical Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of Chinese multinational company, Guilin Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Company Limited (GPSC), has introduced a new contraceptive pill onto the Ghanaian market.

AMOR, an emergency contraceptive pill for women, was launched at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Kumasi on Thursday. The new product is used “within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse or with failure of contraceptive measures” to reduce the chances of unplanned pregnancies.

  

The Marketing Manager for Guilin Pharmaceutical Ghana Limited, Cyrus Baidoo, reiterated to journalists gathered at the event that, Guilin Ghana is committed to providing products of excellent quality to the Ghanaian market. "Till date, we are the company with the only brand of Artesunate [an injection for severe malaria] certified by the WHO. The quality you get from our products is very much assured. For an emergency contraceptive pill, assurance of quality and efficacy is what a woman needs the most. That is what Guilin Pharma gives," he added.

He further explained that, unlike other ECPs on the market, AMOR comes in a capsule. "That makes it the first on the Ghanaian market. It is easier to swallow, dissolves faster in the intestines and allows the person taking the drug the comfort of knowing the product will work on time," he said.

According to Mr. Baidoo, Guilin Pharmaceutical Ghana Limited, which also produces several quality anti-malaria drugs including Artesun and D- Artepp, will continue to introduce quality medicines on the market to meet the healthcare needs of Ghanaians.

He further gave the assurance that Guilin Pharmaceutical will not renege on its corporate social responsibility, adding that the company will continue to donate medical supplies to needy individuals and institutions.

The company recently donated Artesun, D- Artepp, and other medical supplies to the Accra Psychiatric Hospital as part of its corporate social responsibility during the World Malaria Day.

 

 

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

Brazil poll front-runner stabbed at rally

The front-runner in Brazil's presidential election, Jair Bolsonaro, has been stabbed at a campaign rally.

The far-right politician was attacked amid a crowd in the south-east state of Minas Gerais. A suspect was arrested.

Mr Bolsonaro had surgery for injuries to his intestines and is expected to recover, hospital officials said.

The controversial politician, who has outraged many in Brazil with racist and homophobic comments, has performed strongly in recent opinion polls.

The polls suggest he will get the most votes in next month's presidential elections if former President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva remains blocked from standing.

Left-wing Lula had been the long-standing favourite but he is currently in prison, appealing against a ban on his candidacy that was imposed after his conviction for corruption.

Some of Mr Bolsonaro's past comments have caused uproar, including equating homosexuality with paedophilia, and saying a congresswoman was too ugly to be raped.

This is another twist – a dramatic one – in what has already been a turbulent campaign.

Jair Bolsonaro is the front-runner and he is in a hospital bed, while the only person thought to be able to beat him is Lula – and he is in a prison cell. It is a surreal situation.

One of Jair Bolsonaro's key campaign messages is that he will try to turn around the growth in violent crime. The fact that he is now a victim himself plays into the hands of his supporters, who see this as a very important problem for Brazil to tackle. Everyone – including his detractors – has rallied around him to condemn the attack.

As it has happened so close to the October election, he won't be on the campaign trail for the next week or so. Nevertheless, his supporters will be strengthened, seeing that his concerns are their concerns.

This is a crucial time for Brazil, as the country heads towards the most uncertain elections in decades.

Footage of the incident in the city of Juiz de Fora shows Mr Bolsonaro making a thumbs-up gesture and being held aloft by supporters when he is stabbed with what appears to be a knife.

He then doubles over with pain and his supporters quickly lower him to the ground and bundle him into a car.

After the attack, his son Flavio initially tweeted that the wound was "only superficial", but he gave a more sombre assessment two hours later.

"Unfortunately it was more serious than we had expected," he wrote. "He lost a lot of blood, arrived at the hospital with a [blood] pressure of 10/3, almost dead. His condition now seems stabilised. Pray, please!"

Hospital officials later said Mr Bolsonaro had suffered a "deep" and life-threatening stab wound in his intestines and was in a "serious but stable" condition.

He was recuperating well in intensive care after two hours of surgery, they added, but would spend at least a week to 10 days in hospital.

He has since been filmed in his hospital bed, making a hoarse statement. He described how what he thought was "just a blow" turned into an unbearable pain. He had "never hurt anyone", he said.

Police said a suspect has been arrested and named him as Adelio Obispo de Oliveira, 40. Officials quoted by Reuters news agency said he appeared to be mentally disturbed.

He was manhandled and beaten by angry supporters of Mr Bolsonaro before being taken into custody.

Mr Bolsonaro's electoral rivals have all condemned the stabbing. Fernando Haddad, who is expected to replace Lula on the Workers Party ticket, said the attack was "absurd and regrettable".

Speaking in the capital Brasilia, President Michel Temer said such an attack was "intolerable" in a democratic state and that he hoped Mr Bolsonaro recovered soon.

"Tolerance is a part of democracy. It is a part of the rule of law," he said.

The president's predecessor, Dilma Rousseff, warned that the attack must not go unpunished "because it must serve as an example so that it doesn't happen to any other candidate".

BBC