TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ghana

  • BREAKING: Ghana warns citizens against travelling to Abuja

    BREAKING: Ghana warns citizens against travelling to Abuja

    Ghana has warned its citizens against travelling to Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT) of Nigeria, citing unpredictable security situations in the FCT.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this is contained in a statement released on Wednesday by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

    Citing security concerns, Ghana advised its citizens to take precautionary measures if they must travel to the FCT out of necessity.

    The statement reads: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to inform the travelling public about security developments in Abuja, Nigeria, and the subsequent directive by local authorities to hotels operating in residential buildings to shut down.

    “Accordingly, the public is advised to avoid non-essential travel to Abuja, due to the unpredictable security situation in the city, and the high danger of terrorism, criminality, inter-communal conflict, armed attacks, and kidnappings.

    “Whilst advising travellers who must travel out of necessity to Abuja to take precautionary measures, the Ministry will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to the public when the situation improves”.

    https://twitter.com/moigovgh/status/1592926021535559680

  • Ghana’s Minister of State for Finance fired over impropriety

    Ghana’s Minister of State for Finance fired over impropriety

    Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo on Monday sacked Charles Adu Boahen, the Minister of State for Finance after allegations of impropriety were circulated by a well-known Ghanaian investigative journalist.

    A statement from the presidency states that the president fired Adu Boahen after being made aware of allegations levelled against him in an expose, adding that Akufo-Addo had also referred the matter to the Special Prosecutor for further investigations.

    Adu Boahen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is also facing calls for dismissal from members of parliament who accused him of corruption and economic mismanagement as the country faces its worst economic crisis in a generation.

    The allegations against Adu Boahen did not appear to be related to those previously raised against Ofori-Atta.

    Adu Boahen could be seen in a video posted online by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, who also circulated a lengthy email containing detailed allegations. Reuters has not verified the authenticity of the video or the content of the email.

    Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia said in a statement the video showed Adu Boahen “apparently using my name, inter alia, to peddle influence and collect money from supposed investors”.

    “I would like to state that if what the minister (Adu Boahen) is alleged to have said is accurately captured in the video, then his position as a minister of state is untenable. He should be dismissed summarily and investigated,” Bawumia said.

  • Nigerian actors make you feel comfortable – Ghanaian actor, Falonzy

    Nigerian actors make you feel comfortable – Ghanaian actor, Falonzy

    Ghanaian actor, Falonzy RichFresh has made a claim that Nigerian actors are better to work with and make others comfortable than Ghanaian actors.

    Speaking in an interview with Kofy Jesse, the Ghanaian movie star recalled spending 6 months in Nigeria and working with Nollywood actors like Zubby Micheal, Adinma Somadina, Official FlashBoy, Sam Nnabuike, Sedater Saviour Jimmy, Esther James.

    He further claimed that Ghanaian actors are very unfriendly and pompous when they get to set, compared to Nigerians.

    Falonzy added; “It’s hard for you to have conversations with fellow Ghanaian actors but Nigerian actors will rather raise a conversation to have you talking and make you feel comfortable.”

  • Juliet Ibrahim laments high cost of living in Ghana, says she spends N72,000 to fuel her car weekly

    Juliet Ibrahim laments high cost of living in Ghana, says she spends N72,000 to fuel her car weekly

    Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim, has lamented the high inflation rate and cost of living in Ghana, saying she has been spending so much to fuel her car on a weekly basis.

    The beautiful actress made this known via a post on her verified Twitter page where she described Ghana as the most expensivewest Africa  country to live in at the moment.

    Her post reads “Ghana most expensive West African country right now.”

    She stated that the amount she spent weekly on fuel was more expensive than what will be spent in the United States or Nigeria.

    She tweeted, “Ghana is officially the most expensive West African country right now! No joke! Someone driving a car of 3.0 / 3.5 fills their fuel tank to use within 5-7 days with fuel worth 1300/1400 cedis.

    “Currently, $100 = 1,400 cedis. Even in the USA, to fuel the same type of car can and will NEVER cost that much! Yet we are all going through the same economic crisis.

    “$100 = 1400 cedis; 1400 cedis = 72,000 Naira. Is there any Nigerian on my timeline that spends 72,000 Naira to fuel his car and use it for a period of five to seven days?

    Juliet Ibrahim is a Ghanaian actress, film producer and singer of Lebanese, Ghanaian and Liberian descent. She won the Best Actress in a Leading Role award at the 2010 Ghana Movie Awards for her role in 4 Play.

    She has been referred to as the “Most Beautiful West African Woman” according to A-listers Magazine

  • Ghana’s inflation rate hits highest figure in years – GSS

    Ghana’s inflation rate hits highest figure in years – GSS

    According to the figures revealed by the Ghana Statistical service (GSS), the inflation rate  jumped to an all time high of 40.4% for the month of October 2022.

    The high inflation rate is responsible for the rise in the cost of goods and services in the west African country.

    The inflation rate in Ghana for the month of September was 37.2% suggesting the country’s economy battered by currency depreciation and fiscal challenges is not going away any time soon.

    On a month-on-month basis inflation rate was 2.7% for the month under review compared to 2% in September 2022.

    By implication, the figure will impact the pressure on the country’s central bank to continue increasing borrowing costs, already at a five-year high.

    A cursory review of the data also reveals Ghanaians are experiencing higher inflation rates for housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels.

    The inflation rate for these items rose as much as 69.6% year on year indicative of the challenges faced by ordinary Ghanaians.

    Furnishing and household equipment and transport also rose 55.7% and 46.3% respectively year on year.

    However, Ghanaians pay less for Education with inflation. rising by just 9.5%

    The figure exceeded the median expectation of 39.5%.

    Meanwhile, Ghana’s neighbour in the West African region, Nigeria’s inflation figure for October is expected to be released next week.

     

  • Terrorism is top priority as Ghana assumes Presidency of UN Security

    Terrorism is top priority as Ghana assumes Presidency of UN Security

    Ghana on Tuesday assumed the Presidency of the United Nations (UN) Security Council for November as debates on violent extremism and terrorism in Africa top its agenda.

    Amb. Harold Agyeman, Permanent Representative of Ghana to the United Nations in New York, said this while briefing correspondents at the UN headquarters on the programme of work and Ghana’s priorities during the month.

    The Security Council, which is composed of 15 Member States, is the organ of the UN authorised by the Charter with primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

    Ghana shall preside over the meetings of the Council (adoptions, debates, and consultations) and, under its authority, shall represent the Security Council in its capacity as an organ of the United Nations within this month.

    Agyeman said the two major challenges in Africa are violent extremism and terrorism, noting that most of the programmes will focus on the debates on addressing the challenges.

    He said the debates would focus on addressing those challenges in line with its priority for leadership of the Security Council, which is enhancing global peace and security for sustainable and inclusive development.

    “We will organise two debates on peace and security in Africa. First, we will have a debate on Thursday on“ Peace building and Sustaining Peace: Integrating effective resilience for sustainable peace.’’

    “On Nov. 10, we will have another debate on ‘Threats to International Peace and Security: Counter-terrorism in Africa: An imperative for Peace and Development’,’’ he said.

    The envoy said the event would be convened under the agenda on Sustainable Peace and it would be chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana, Madam Shirley Botchwey.

    “The second event will also take place under the agenda on International Peace and Security, and it will be chaired by the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Akufo-Addo.

    “This debate would seek to focus attention on how counterterrorism measures in Africa can best be supported by the work of the Security Council and how the council itself can support such a force,’’ he said.

    He said the permanent representatives of the council would also be having a breakfast meeting with some elders to discuss how best the council would be supported to address his mandate.

    On the programme of event for the month, the Security Council is expected to receive briefing and consultations on Peace and Security in Africa (Piracy Gulf of Guinea), and Peace and Security in Africa (G5 Sahel), among others.

    The General Assembly of the UN, in June 2021, elected Ghana to serve a two-year term on the Security Council from January 2022 to December 2023.

    The agenda of Ghana is to enhance global peace and security for sustainable and inclusive development, particularly in Africa.

    It was the fourth time Ghana was elected to serve on the Security Council and seventh time it will serve as President of the Security Council.

  • 16 Nigerians deported from Ghana for fraud related activities

    16 Nigerians deported from Ghana for fraud related activities

    The  Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed that about 16 Nigerians have been deported from Ghana for allegedly committing cyber crimes.

    The Lagos Controller of the Command, Dr. Chukwu Emeka made this disclosure during a news conference in Seme, Lagos state.

    Emeka said that the young Nigerians claimed they were deceived into entering Ghana or intentionally went out of the country in search of greener pastures.

    He added “Ghana’s Financial and Intelligence Agency accused them of cybercrime but from our preliminary investigation, we discovered that some of them were lured into these criminal activities due to the get-rich syndrome our youths are developing.

    “Some of them are victims in the sense that they were deceived that they could make money if they left Nigeria. Unfortunately, they didn’t get the actual thing they bargained for in Ghana.

    “Further investigation also showed that most of them left the country through illegal routes or through the sea to other West African countries.

    “We also discovered that most of them travelled without genuine travel documents. So when they got to Ghana, they became prey to the authorities.

    “The Comptroller General of NIS, Mr Idris Jere, has always advised Nigerians to get genuine travellers’ documents before leaving the country.

    “Yes, we are part of the ECOWAS treaty of free movement and goods within the sub-region. The condition is that you must enter those countries through a legitimate route and with the right travel documents.

    “It is also important to have definite means of livelihood. If not, by the time you get there, they will see you as a public charge and they will return you to your country,” he said.

    He said that it was painful to see young Nigerians getting involved in some unholy activities when they were supposed to be building their talents for their future.

    Emeka urged Nigerians to always travel with valid documents, adding that they should live and do their businesses according to the law of the land they had travelled to.

    He said that the Government of Ghana had contacted the Seme Command of NIS that they would be repatriating more Nigerians soon.

    The comptroller promised to return those already repatriated to their families after NIS must have concluded its investigation.

    One of the deportees, Richard Paska, a 24-year-old graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, said that he was lured to Ghana with promise of a good job.

    “My father had to look for money to let me go in February 2021 so that I could start a job. The job was a networking business, but when I arrived in Ghana, the story changed.

    “I was managing myself with some Nigerians when some of the personnel of the Ghana Immigration Service arrested us and brought us back to Nigeria.

    “I had intended to come back but I did not have the transport fare. I really regret going to Ghana,” he said.

    The  16 Nigerian deportees are men whose age ranged from 19 and 24 years.

  • Nigeria vs Ghana: It wasn’t easy beating Eagles – Coach

    Nigeria vs Ghana: It wasn’t easy beating Eagles – Coach

    Bismark Kobby-Mensah, the Assistant Coach of Ghana’s Black Galaxies, on Saturday said his team did not have it easy beating Nigeria to qualify for the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles team B failed to qualify for the 2022 CHAN after losing 4-5 to Ghana via a penalty kicks shootout. The CHAN qualifying final round second leg match played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja saw Nigeria scoring two goals to level 2-2 on goals aggregate.

    Ghana won the first leg in Cape Coast 2-0 on Sunday, and opted for a contain-and-counter strategy in Abuja. However, two well-taken second half goals by Muhammed Zulkifilu and Chijioke Akuneto drew the fixture level and meant the lottery of penalty kicks would decide the winners.

    Substitute Maurice Chukwu saw his penalty kick (Nigera’s third) hit the crossbar in the shootout to hand Ghana the ticket to January’s 7th CHAN finals in Algeria.

    Kobby-Mensah who spoke to newsmen during a post-match conference expressed joy at his team’s victory, admitting however that it was a very difficult match against Nigeria.

    “It’s a great feeling because for some years now we have not been able to qualify. Coming here and playing against Nigeria, even though we took a good lead from the first leg, which was not a commanding one, wasn’t easy. This is because we know Nigeria are a very good side.

    “So, coming here we knew it was always going to be difficult and it was indeed a pulsating encounter. However, I think that we gave some easy goals away. But at the end of the day, we just wanted to qualify and we have done just that and we are all happy,” he said.

    The coach recalled that the team’s head coach Annor Walker had predicted prior to the second leg encounter that it was going to be difficult for Nigeria to turn things around. He noted that their strategy was to defend very deep and catch the Super Eagles on the counter.

    “Yes, we defended well and struggled at the latter stages of the game. But, at the end of the day, we wanted to qualify and we have done that. Football is like that sometimes, but what is important is the end result. The end result in this case is that Ghana have taken their place in Algeria,” Kobby-Mensah said.

    Also, Gladson Awako, the Ghanaian team’s captain, noted that it was not easy right from the onset and throughout the preparation period, adding that his team really deserved to qualify.

    “I believe we really worked hard for this and deserve to be in the 2022 CHAN tournament. It’s been eight years now that we have not been able to qualify for this particular tournament. But we spoke to ourselves as a group and promised to work on our mentality and go ahead to change the narrative.

    “We worked so hard and I think we have achieved what we planned. I am very happy to be leading this victorious team. It’s not about me alone, but it is a teamwork. We did this together with the technical crew, the management, as well as our football federation,” he said.

  • Nigeria vs Ghana: Eagles coach, Salisu Yusuf shuns post-match conference

    Nigeria vs Ghana: Eagles coach, Salisu Yusuf shuns post-match conference

    Super Eagles B team Coach Salisu Yusuf on Saturday failed to show up for the usual post-match news conference at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

    This followed the Eagles’ loss to Ghana’s Black Galaxies in an African Nations Championship (CHAN) second leg qualifier in Abuja.

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles B team were on Saturday knocked out of the 2022 CHAN qualifying race after losing 4-5 to Ghana via penalty shootout.

    The CHAN qualifier second leg match, played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja, saw the hard-fighting Eagles score two unreplied goals to level goal aggregate at 2-2.

    Ghana had won the first leg in Cape Coast 2-0 on Sunday, and opted for a contain-and-counter strategy in Abuja.

    However, two well-taken second half goals by Muhammed Zulkifilu and Chijioke Akuneto drew the fixture level and meant the lottery of penalties would decide the winner.

    Unfortunately, substitute Morice Chukwu saw his penalty kick (Nigera’s third) hit the crossbar in the shootout to hand Ghana the ticket to next year’s 7th CHAN finals.

    Immediately after match, the newsmen present headed for the Media Centre for the post-match conference and spoke to the Ghanaian coach and the team’s captain who were the first to show up.

    Afterwards, it was the turn of Coach Yusuf and his team captain but unfortunately, they refused to show up
    as stakeholders waited endlessly at the center to no avail.

    It was later announced that coach Yusuf had stormed out of the stadium in anger immediately after the match.

  • Akufo-Addo did not ask Tinubu to step aside – Ghana High Commission

    Akufo-Addo did not ask Tinubu to step aside – Ghana High Commission

    The Ghanaian High Commission in Nigeria has said that President Nana Akufo-Addo did not write the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential flag-bearer, Bola Tinubu to step aside for the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Flag-bearer, Peter Obi.

    The Ghanaian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Rashid Bawa, made this known in a statement on Sunday, in Abuja.

    Bawa refuted the publications circulating in the media alleging that Akufo-Addo had written Tinubu to give Obi a chance to seek treatment for his health.

    He stated that Ghana and Nigeria have had decades of cordial relations in line with the tenets of democratic governance, rule of law, respect for and adherence to the principle of non-interference in the internal political mechanisms of other countries.

    “To that end, the President of the Republic of Ghana will not interfere in Nigeria’s internal affairs and politics, as captured in the series of tweets of Tuesday, 9 August 2022, from His Excellency’s Twitter handle (@NAkufoAddo).

    “It is hoped that this added perspective would serve to dispel misconceptions created by the online publication,” he stated.