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Tag: Ghana

  • Ghana denies President Akufo-Addo’s alleged castigation of Buhari, Nigerians

    Ghana denies President Akufo-Addo’s alleged castigation of Buhari, Nigerians

    The High Commission of Ghana in Nigeria has denied alleged castigation of Nigeria and her leadership by President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana.

    An official of the High Commission in Abuja, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the comments trending on social media were nothing but fake news.

    The official said the reports, which claimed that Ghanaian President made some provocative comments attacking the leadership and good people of Nigeria were fake.

    While describing the reports as misleading, the official said that “President Akufo-Addo holds the brotherhood of Ghana and Nigeria in the highest regard”.

    Akufo-Addo was quoted to have allegedly said: “We must learn from the mistakes of Nigeria, and never in our entire history be ever so foolish.

    “You cannot declare war on your country and still be enjoying federal allocation as a state except in complicity with the government.

    “The Nigerian government is an ethnic government, not a nationalistic government. What I cannot understand is why Nigerians themselves are not angry enough to change the situation.”

    According to the official, the statements credited to Mr. President were not true and misleading.

    “There is no occasion either in private or public where President Akufo Addo attacked the good people of Nigeria.

    “Mr. President holds the brotherhood of Ghana and Nigeria in the highest regard.

    “The said statement is the handwork of enemies of the two brotherly countries whose desire is to continue to see unnecessary tension among the good people of the two countries.

    “We shall continue to see peaceful coexistence among the good people of Ghana and Nigeria,” the official said.

    The official, who urged the public to kindly disregard the wrongful information, gave assurance that the Republic of Ghana and the Federal Republic of Nigeria would continue to work together to promote the well-being of the two counties

  • Continental hqtrs: ‘This is what you get for de-marketing your country’, FG blasts media, unpatriotic Nigerians for Twitter’s choice of Ghana

    Continental hqtrs: ‘This is what you get for de-marketing your country’, FG blasts media, unpatriotic Nigerians for Twitter’s choice of Ghana

    The Federal Government has blamed the media and some unpatriotic Nigerians for the choice of Ghana over Nigeria for the citing of Twitter continental headquarters.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in an interview on Thursday in Abuja said the development would serve as a lesson for Nigerians the country to be patriotic in managing the image of the country

    Mohammed said Nigeria with about 25 million twitter users against Ghana’s eight million users, it was a natural expectation that Nigeria would have been the choice by Twitter to locate its headquarters for the continent.

    “The reasons cited by Twitter for citing the headquarters in Accra, Ghana is that Accra is a champion of democracy and there is rule of law in the country, among other reasons

    “This is what you get when you de-market your country.

    “The media is more to blame for this which most times exaggerate the challenges in the country.

    “At no time was this worse than during the EndSARS protest when Nigerian journalists both traditional and new media were trying to outdo themselves in painting Nigeria as a hell where nobody should live.

    “When they all conspired to vilify not just the government but the people of Nigeria,’’ he said.

    The minister said he was pleased with the U.S. report which vindicated the Nigerian government that no single live was lost at the Lekki Toll Gate as opposed to what the majority of the media reported.

    “We are not saying that you should not criticise the country but be fair and patriotic.

    “When you destroy your own house, where are you going to live?

    “You can imagine the kind of job opportunities that citing that headquarters in Nigeria would have generated, the kind of visibility it would have given Nigeria but we destroyed it,’’ he said.

    Mohammed said “it is what the insiders say about their country that the outsider will use to judge and condemn the country’’.

    He said the development would serve as a lesson for people to be patriotic and manage the image of the country better.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the U.S. -based social media company, Twitter on Monday announced Accra, Ghana as its choice for the location of its headquarters for Africa.

    Twitter Chief Executive Officer Jack Dorsey had made the announcement via his twitter handle.

  • Why Twitter shunned Nigeria to locate it’s Africa HQ in Ghana

    Why Twitter shunned Nigeria to locate it’s Africa HQ in Ghana

    American microblogging and social networking service based in San Francisco, California has opened its first office in Africa, it’s headquarters on the African continent, shunning Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Twitter announced opening its first office on the African continent on Monday, after laying the foundation through partnerships with a Nigerian firm and three others in Kenya and Ghana.

    In a statement by Kayvon Beykpour, Product Lead, Twitter and Co-Founder, Periscope, a e Uche Adegbite, Director, Product Management, Global Markets, Twitter announced Ghana as it’s headquarters for Africa operations, while also giving reasons for the choice of Ghana.

    “Today, in line with our growth strategy, we’re excited to announce that we are now actively building a team in Ghana. As a champion for democracy, Ghana is a supporter of free speech, online freedom, and the Open Internet, of which Twitter is also an advocate.

    “Furthermore, Ghana’s recent appointment to host The Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area aligns with our overarching goal to establish a presence in the region that will support our efforts to improve and tailor our service across Africa.

    “Whenever we enter new markets, we work hard to ensure that we are not just investing in the talent that we hire, but also investing in local communities and the social fabric that supports them.

    “We have already laid foundations through partnerships with Amref Health Africa in Kenya, Afrochella in Ghana, Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI) in Nigeria, and The HackLab Foundation in Ghana.

    “As part of our long-term commitment to the region, we’ll continue to explore compelling ways we can use the positive power of Twitter to strengthen our communities through employee engagement, platform activation, and corporate giving.

    “We still have much to learn but we are excited to listen, learn, and engage. Public conversation is essential to solving problems, building shared ideas, and pushing us all forward together. We can’t wait for the next step on that journey,” Twitter stated.

    Meanwhile, Ghana’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo has expressed excitement over the choice of Ghana as Twitter’s HQ on the African continent.

    Quoting a tweet shared by Jack Dorsey, Twitter founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Akufo-Addo tweeted: “The choice of Ghana as HQ for Twitter’s Africa operations is EXCELLENT news.

    “Gov’t and Ghanaians welcome very much this announcement and the confidence reposed in our country.

    “As I indicated to @Jack in our virtual meeting of 7th April 2021, this is the start of a beautiful partnership between Twitter and Ghana, which is critical for the dev’t of Ghana’s hugely important tech sector.

    “These are exciting times to be in, and to do business in Ghana”.

  • Ghana hold South Africa to grab 2021 AFCON qualification ticket

    Ghana hold South Africa to grab 2021 AFCON qualification ticket

    Ghana’s Black Stars qualified for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tagged “Cameroon 2021” after holding their hosts South Africa to a 1-1 draw in Johannesburg on Thursday.

    Ghana raised their tally to 10 points, same as South Africa but led the Bafana Bafana on head-to-head rule.

    Sudan are third with nine points while Sao Tome and Principe are out of the race with no point earned.

    With Sudan hosting South Africa in the last match day, Ghana are assured of one of the top Group C spots, as they also lead Sudan on head-to-head rule.

    South Africa were the better side in the first half, with chances falling to Percy Tau and Themba Zwane, while Kwame Opoku and Emmanuel Boateng led the visitors’ attack.

    Four minutes after the restart, Ghana took the lead through Mohammed Kudus who concluded a nice collective work.

    Kudus who plays for Norwegian club FC Nordjaelland found his way through three defenders before delivering into the net.

    Just two minutes later, Percy Tau took advantage of a nice counter-attack to restore parity for the hosts.

    South Africa created more chances to find a late winner but without managing to score, as four-time African champions Ghana booked their place in Cameroon.

  • Relocate to Nigeria if we are not good enough- Shatta Wale attack Ghanaians

    Relocate to Nigeria if we are not good enough- Shatta Wale attack Ghanaians

    Relocate to Nigeria if we

    Controversial Ghanaian singer, Shatta Wale has slammed Ghanaians condemning artistes in their country.

    Some Ghanaian presenters and fans on Sunday night called out their entertainers after Burna Boy, Wizkid clinched their first Grammy awards.

    They accused their Ghanaian artistes of buying mansions, travelling to other countries rather than promoting their music in the country.

    This did not go down well with Shatta Wale who took to his Instagram page to attack the media executives in the entertainment industry in Ghana.

    He asked those ashamed of Ghana artists to relocate to Nigeria while lamenting about the support given to his colleagues in Ghana

    Shatta Wale said: “Enough is enough of Ghanaians insulting Ghana artistes if you feel we don’t sing well, go and stay in Nigeria so they can sing for you at least that will buy you a dream house

    “There is no way this our industry will help push our artistes to Grammy.

    “Some common guys are talking about artistes like they give them support, how would we use this attitude enter Grammy.

    “Grammy is my properties because this industry will not push artistes but keep criticising them

    “Fans do not listen to these presenters, don’t let them deceive you, Stonebwoy is in America hustling because the people in our industry don’t have sense.”

     

     

  • U-20 AFCON: Ghana players get US$10,000 each from government

    U-20 AFCON: Ghana players get US$10,000 each from government

    Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced that each player of the Under-20 football team, the Black Satellites, will receive a gift of US$10,000 for winning the U-20 AFCON tournament in Mauritania last Saturday.

    The President said half of the amount would be given out in cash while the other half would be invested for 10 years.

    He made the promise on Tuesday when the players visited him on their return from Mauritania on Sunday.

    Ghana won the trophy after beating Uganda 2-0 in the final of the tournament.

    President Akufo-Addo said that the technical unit would each get US$5,000.

    The President praised the team for winning the competition and said that their efforts had earned the respect and gratitude of the nation.

    The victory is Ghana’s fourth in the tournament’s history after 1993, 1999, and 2009 titles.

  • U20 AFCON: Ghana beat debutants Uganda to clinch fourth title

    U20 AFCON: Ghana beat debutants Uganda to clinch fourth title

    On the day that their country celebrated the 64th Independence Day, Ghana’s Black Satellites delivered the ultimate gift, the Total Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title after a 2-0 win over debutants Uganda in the final in Nouakchott on Saturday.

    Skipper Daniel Afriyie led from the front and had a military salute dance to celebrate on each occasion, as Ghana clinched their fourth Under-20 continental title, and a first since their last conquest in 2009.

    The media outlet of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reported on its website that the Black Satellites replicated the same score-line the two countries posted when they last met in a continental final, this being in the 1978 senior Cup of Nations.

    By design or coincidence, it was also another Afriyie, this time Opoku, who scored twice for the senior Ghanaians.

    Ghana went to the break a goal in hand, and deservedly so after coming off an early scare to score through Afriyie. Uganda were faster off the blocks and should have scored after three minutes when a long ball caught the run of Derrick Kakooza, but his lob over the keeper went over.

    Almost immediately, Uganda had another chance with Isma Muguusi’s grass cutter going wide.

    But after dodging the bullet twice, the Ghanaians woke up from their slumber.

    They had the bar denying them twice in succession off an Abdul Fatawu Issahaku corner. First, Percious Boah’s connection came off the bar and from the rebound, Nathaniel Adjei also sent a shot across the bar.

    The Ugandans were jittery in defending set pieces and Ghana constantly sought out corners but couldn’t stretch the lead further. Fatawu tried to open up the deadlock with a well taken freekick from distance, but Jack Komakech had it covered.

    The Ugandans ultimately faltered on a setpiece, Afriyie sneaking in at the near post to flick in a header off Fatawu’s corner.

    It was just the goal they needed as they played with more confidence and Uganda looked stunned and panicky and for some moments, forgot their ball playing nature.

    Ghana took the opportunity to pile up pressure and they had another go at goal in the 31st minute but Patrick Mensah’s low shot from 20 yards out was well saved by the keeper.

    The Black Satellites needed just five minutes into the second half to dent any Ugandan hopes of a comeback, Afriyie completing his brace.

    Fatawu pinched the ball off Steven Sserwadda in midfield before playing Boah out wide, the striker cutting back a cross into the box which his captain delightfully tapped into an unguarded net.

    Four minutes on the turn, Sserwadda had an opportunity to atone for his error when Mugulusi’s cross from the right found him unmarked inside the box, but he hooked his header over the bar.

    Uganda coach Morley Byekwaso went for a change in formation, Ivan Bogere and Samuel Senyonjo coming on for the off color Richard Basangwa and Ivan Asaba. With the change, Senyonjo joined Kakooza upfront for a twin-striking option.

    Bogere was lively after coming on and he should have had a goal to his name in the 70th minute when the ball graciously landed on him inside the box, but his shot on the turn was too week, keeper Danlad Ibrahim collecting with ease.

    Uganda kept the hunt for the two goals, but couldn’t crack to score with Ghana seeing out the result for a jubilant end to a happy Independence Day.

  • Ghana’s Supreme Court upholds Akufo-Addo’s election victory

    Ghana’s Supreme Court upholds Akufo-Addo’s election victory

    Ghana’s Supreme Court has unanimously upheld the victory of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the 7 December, 2020, general election.
    The seven-member panel dismissed the petition filed by the presidential candidate of the main opposition candidate, former president John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
    The court, presided over by Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, said the petition of Mr. Mahama had no merit.
    He said Mr. Mahama did not satisfy all issues outlined by the court to determine the case.
    “We therefore have no reason to order a re-run as pleaded by the petitioner (Mahama). We accordingly dismiss the petition as having no merit,” the Chief Justice said.
    The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Jean Mensa, declared President Akufo-Addo winner of the vote with 51.59 per cent of valid votes cast as against Mr. Mahama’s 47.36 per cent.
    Former President Mahama took the Electoral Commission to court, challenging the validity of the results.
    This is the second presidential election petition in Ghana.
    The first one was after the 7 December, 2012, election when Akufo-Addo, then candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), challenged the victory of Mahama who was the incumbent president.
    The court ruled in favour of Mahama.
  • Same-sex marriage will never happen in Ghana under my watch – Akufo-Addo

    Same-sex marriage will never happen in Ghana under my watch – Akufo-Addo

    The President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, has declared that same-sex marriage will never happen during his tenure.

    He said this at the installation program for an Anglican Archbishop held in Mampong on Saturday.

    ”I have said this before, and let me stress again that it will not be under the Presidency of Nana Akufo-Addo that same-sex marriage will be legalised in Ghana.

    “It will never happen. Let me repeat; it will never happen,” he said to the cheering audience.

    His declaration follows the recent closure of a recently opened LGBTQ+ office in Accra, the capital city.

  • COVID-19 vaccine: Okonjo-Iweala warns Nigerian Govt against bureaucracy

    COVID-19 vaccine: Okonjo-Iweala warns Nigerian Govt against bureaucracy

    Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has warned the Nigerian government against trade restrictions and bureaucracy for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Dr Okonjo-Iweala gave the warning on Wednesday as Ghana becomes the first African country to receive shipment of COVAX vaccines.

    “Very happy to see first delivery of #COVAX supported vaccines to Ghana. Excited to see more countries following. Nigeria’s supplies should be on its way soon. No trade restrictions or bureaucracy should get in the way,” Dr Okonjo-Iweala stated.

    Today’s #COVAX announcement kicks off a wave of deliveries to 190 economies. Over two billion doses are expected to be rolled out by the end of 2021, at least 1.3 billion of which will be going to lower-income countries at no cost to the governments.

    Ghana received the COVAX vaccines after a year of disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 80,700 Ghanaians getting infected with the virus and over 580 lost lives.

    UNICEF Representative in Ghana, Anne-Claire Dufay and Dr Francis Kasola, WHO Representative to Ghana, in a joint statement on Wednesday said that the first shipment signifies the beginning of the path to recovery for Ghanaians.

    “This is a momentous occasion, as the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines into Ghana is critical in bringing the pandemic to an end.

    “The only way out of this crisis is to ensure that vaccinations are available for all. We thank all partners that are supporting the COVAX Facility to deliver safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to all countries quickly and fairly.

    “These 600,000 COVAX vaccines are part of an initial tranche of deliveries of the AstraZeneca / Oxford vaccine licensed to the Serum Institute of India, which represent part of the first wave of COVID vaccines headed to several low and middle-income countries.

    “The shipments also represent the beginning of what should be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history.’’

    “The COVAX Facility plans to deliver close to 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines this year. This is an unprecedented global effort to make sure all citizens have access to vaccines.

    “We are pleased that Ghana has become the first country to receive the COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX Facility.

    “We congratulate the Government of Ghana especially the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service and Ministry of Information for the relentless efforts to protect the population.

    “As part of the UN Country Team in Ghana, UNICEF and WHO reiterate our commitment to support the vaccination campaign and contain the spread of the virus, in close cooperation with all partners, including Gavi and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

    “Vaccines save lives. As health workers and other front-line staff are vaccinated, we will be able to gradually see a return to normalcy, including better access to health, education and protection services.

    “In the spirit of Universal Health Coverage, let’s leave no one behind,’’ the statement said.