British Embassy Fires Ghanaian Staff Over Visa Fraud

A Ghanaian national working with the British Embassy in Accra has been sacked over visa fraud allegations.

The identity of the suspect is yet to be made public.

Supreme Court Stops District Assembly Elections

The Supreme Court has declared the ongoing district level election process unconstitutional and ordered the Electoral Commission to begin the entire process again using the appropriate legislation, Adomonline.com has learnt.

A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court had the day before ordered the Electoral Commission to suspend all media adverts, commercials and publicity events concerning the local polls until it determined on Friday, a case brought before it by a disqualified aspirant.

The ruling means the District Assembly and Unit Committee polls, slated for Tuesday March 3, have been postponed until further notice.

All Students Must Attend Morning Devotion – GES

The Ghana Education Service has served notice to all students in missionary secondary schools  to attend morning devotion sessions if it is a school rule.

“We are trying to encourage our students notwithstanding their faith to come together to worship and it brings about national unity. If a Muslim takes part in morning worship it doesn’t mean the person it being forced to convert to Christianity,” the Public Relations officer of the Ghana Education Service Charles Parker Allotey  explained.

According to the Service, failure to attend compulsory morning devotion sessions may lead to indiscipline among students.

Thierry Henry Appointed Arsenal Coach

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Thierry Henry has taken up a coaching role at Arsenal within the club's academy. Wenger revealed late last year that the club's all-time top scorer could take up a backroom role after bringing the curtain down on his stellar playing career.

The 37-year-old began work at the club recently with a view to earning his coaching badges, and Wenger is confident the World Cup-winning former striker's experience will benefit Arsenal's youngsters.

"Thierry Henry is making his first steps as a coach," Wenger confirmed to reporters.

"It's good for our youngsters to be coached by him. He's been here once or twice. All our former players are welcome to come back here and get their coaching badges. We're happy to have him."

Wenger was speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace, where he hopes to be able to call upon Jack Wilshere for the first time since November but Aaron Ramsey remains sidelined.

"He [Wilshere] is a bit ahead of schedule because he has worked hard," he said. "I cannot tell you whether Jack will start. I've not picked the team definitely. It's difficult to come back immediately."

He added: "[Hector] Bellerin will have a test today ... [Alex Oxlade-]Chamberlain is back in full training but is a bit short to be considered. Ramsey I think is 10 days away.

100 people agree to go live in Mars ...and never return to earth

100 brave souls from around the globe are now vying for a one-way ticket to Mars, knowing they will never return from the Red Planet. The Dutch-based Mars One project - which aims to send people to live on the faraway planet - has whittled down its shortlist of candidates from more than 200k to just 50 men& 50 women, a 3rd of them Americans

Among the array of science fanatics, Trekies, physics majors, engineers and doctors, there were also a few more surprising choices, including a singer who was doing a two-man show in New York at the time of his application for the program; an artist with a fascinating family connection to NASA; a mechanic from a remote part of Utah, and an aspiring novelist.

Occupy Ghana tasks AG to investigate unauthorised expenditure on luxury vehicles

Pressure group Occupy Ghana has tasked the Auditor General to investigate the unauthorised expenditure on luxury vehicles by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and surcharge those found to be culpable.

An audit report presented to Parliament revealed the Ministry spent about 1.7 million dollars on 38 luxurious vehicles as part of a Multi-Donor Budgetary Support, adding that they were unbudgeted for.

Sources at the Ministry have said the purchase of the vehicles, was approved by Parliament in 2008 as part of a 350 million dollar US Exim bank facility meant for extending electricity to 1,200 communities.

NPP leaders have questions to answer over 'Won Gbo' demo-Police

Leaders of the New Patriotic Party who supervised the massively attended but poorly organised "won gbo" demonstration have questions to answer, Police have said.

Greater Accra  Police Commander DCOP Tetteh Yehono told Myjoyonline.com they will be meeting with the leaders of the demonstration to answer why the initially agreed route was aborted.

Thousands of NPP fanatics protesting the erratic power supply, Wednesday ignored police instruction to use the TUC end of the road and rather took the demonstration to the Central Business District.

Obasanjo Quits PDP After Criticizing Jonathan

Nigeria's former President Olusegun Obasanjo has quit the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 28 March elections, tearing up his membership card in public.

Mr Obasanjo has been fiercely critical of President Goodluck Jonathan, who is seeking re-election on a PDP ticket.

Mr Jonathan is facing a strong challenge from opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari.

Passenger Dies Over 20 Pesewas Change

RAZAK ABDUL Salifu, a 35-year-old commuter, died instantly at Ashaiman, near Tema, when he fell from a vehicle he was hanging on  to demand a change of 20 pesewas.

The deceased, who resides at Newtown, a suburb of Ashaiman, was said to have had an argument with the driver, William Owusu, over the actual change due him after paying the fare, and so when he alighted he decided to hang onto the vehicle to put pressure on the mate for the 20 pesewas as he thought he had been cheated.

However, the driver spitefully sped off with the victim hanging onto the vehicle’s driving mirror. He reportedly fell off the jerky ride, thereby   knocking his head on the road.

MOTHER BURNS CHILDREN ALIVE TO GET HUSBAND'S ATTENTION

An African mother living in Belgium, allegedly burned her three young daughters to death. While the girls were BURNING to death, she called their father on teh phone, and said, ‘Listen to their screams’.

Madysson, six, Abbygail, four, and Oumy, two, died in the blaze at their home in the small town of Lennik, Belgium.

Their mother Thioro Mbow, 35, allegedly killed her children in an arson attack after locking them in a shed on Wednesday and burning them alive – while forcing their dad to listen as they died.

Afrikiko and KFC to face legal action over unpaid tourism levy

Afrikiko restaurant and KFC Food joint are likely to face legal action in a weeks time if they fail to pay their tourism levy.

Both firms have not paid their tourism levy for about two years.

This came to light after an unannounced visit by the Ghana Tourism Authority to some hospitality service providers on Monday.

The one percent levy charged by businesses in the tourism sector came into force in October 2012.

Of all the places visited, Movenpick hotel managed to fulfill its obligations, paying about one million three hundred and fifty thousand Ghana cedis over the period.

Other hotels including Best Western Premier and Airport View were asked to pay penalties for inconsistent payment.



Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM

Dumsor: Coca Cola, Cadbury, others to sack workers

Some workers of Coca Cola, Mantrac, Cadbury Ghana, Fan milk and other companies are expected to lose their jobs as the energy crisis deepens.

According to the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU), the four companies have brought notifications of their retrenchment plans as a result of the worsening power crisis, which is having a toll on Industry and businesses.

“We [ICU] have been receiving letters from most companies that they want to cut down on the number of employees that they have.

ECG Worker Receives Heavy Slaps For Distributing Bills To Customers

A meter reader for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in Nsawam-Adoagyiri in the Eastern Region was severely assaulted by a costumer for attempting to distribute ‘light bills’ to him.

The angry customer, according to Nsawam ECG Manager, Bismark Awuku, was outraged by the mere presence of the ECG official accusing him and the company of frequent power outages.

2 Fake Pastors Defraud Legon Students

Two persons who allegedly posed as evangelists are in the grip of the Legon District Police.

Isaac Adjei, 53, and 28-year-old Rhoney Sarfo, together with one of their accomplices, identified only as Roland, were said to have introduced themselves to some students of the University of Ghana as evangelists and social workers but ended up attacking and robbing students on the campus.

Roland, who is believed to be the leader of the group, and his sister, who is said to have bought the stolen items from the group, are currently on the run.

TV Presenter Fired On Her First Day 'For Not Being Attractive Enough'

A female Saudi TV presenter claims she was sacked on her first day in the job because she not deemed pretty enough.

The woman says she reported for work at the station office, but was told by her boss she could not appear on TV.

She is suing the company for discrimination and breach of contract.

The presenter, who has not been identified, claims she was offered a contract by an Arab satellite channel in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.However, she was shocked to hear that her boss allegedly did not think she was beautiful enough to appear on TV when she arrived for her first day.

Ghanaian Beheaded In Libya?

Reports reaching the studios of Sankofa Radio, indicates that a Ghanaian is alleged to be amongst 21 Egyptian Christians beheaded by ISIL affiliates in Libya.

Videos of the beheadings were released yesterday but the gruesome killings was reported to have occured in Jnauary.

Load Shedding Impacting Adversely On Mining Companies’

The Ghana Chamber of Mines has indicated that the current load-shedding exercise is impacting their operations adversely and, therefore, likely to ebb the mining sector’s contribution to the national purse, that is royalty revenue, corporate tax receipts and PAYE. 

This potential outturn is attributable to the hike in production cost elicited by the complementary self-generation of power as well as the decline in output of its member companies with its attendant negative effect on operations and their support to the economy

Institutions that supply electricity to companies that contribute significantly to economic growth have been urged to exempt such companies from the ongoing load-shedding exercise.

Rot At MASLOC: I’m Not Surprised...It’s A Government-Inspired Stealing Institution – IMANI Boss

President and Founder of IMANI Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe has descried recent GH¢1,055,582 fraud uncovered at the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) as unfortunate but malicious.

According to him, MASLOC over the years has been a “government-inspired stealing institution” so therefore he is not much surprise with its recent fraudulent act.

An acting Director of Operations of MASLOC, Ken Kwaku Boadi Asare, is alleged to have forged 102 non-existing business associations to advance GH¢1,055,582 to two financial institutions.

No Position Is Permanent For Any Gov't Appointee - Volta NDC Told

 Some members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has given President John Dramani Mahama a two-week ultimatum to reinstate the former Chief of Staff, Prosper Bani.

Prosper Bani was dismissed from duty a few days ago and replaced with Local Government Minister, Julius Debrah in a latest reshuffle at the Presidency.

According to a statement signed by the Communication Minister, Edward Omane Boamah, Bani will be appointed an Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary.

Pupil-stomping teacher fined Gh¢1,200

The Wassa Akropong Magistrate Court has fined the teacher who was caught on camera trudging on two pupils over their inability to do their assignment Gh¢1200.

Christiana Owusu was arrested Wednesday after she was seen on a leaked video stomping on the pupils who failed to do their homework or read properly.

Bobby Brown's Daughter To Die Today; Same Day As Her Mother Whitney Houston

Relatives of Bobbi Kristina Brown, who has been in a medically induced coma for more than 10 days, have reportedly agreed to let her die today - the same date as her mother.

The daughter of the late Whitney Houston, and singer Bobby Brown, was found face down in a bath tub and was later discovered with bruises over her body and face. She has been in a medically induced coma ever since and relatives are now thought to be discussing allowing her to die tomorrow, page six reported.

Cissy Houston, grandmother to Miss Brown, suggested the family turn off the machine so that the 21-year-old could be allowed to die on Wednesday, which will be the same date as her late mother.

Singer Whitney Houston died on February 11, 2012, after being found in a bath at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Not in front of the telly: Warning over 'listening' TV

Samsung is warning customers to avoid discussing personal information in front of their smart television set.

The warning applies to TV viewers who control their Samsung Smart TV using its voice activation feature.

Such TV sets 'listen' to every conversation held in front of them and may share any details they hear with Samsung or third parties, it said.

Harvard warns Profs not to sex undergrads

(Bloomberg) -- Harvard University banned professors from having “sexual or romantic relationships” with undergraduates, joining a list of campuses that have taken similar steps.

Many colleges discourage but don’t ban sex between professors and students. While a national professors’ group doesn’t favor such a prohibition, recent moves by Harvard, Yale University and the University of Connecticut suggest the tide may be turning.

“Undergraduates come to college to learn from us,” said Alison Johnson, a Harvard history professor who chaired the panel that wrote the policy. “We’re not here to have sexual or romantic relationships with them.”

Harvard’s earlier policy was narrower, specifying that relationships with “one’s students” are inappropriate -- suggesting that relationships were prohibited only when a student was in a professor’s class. Under U.S. Education Department investigation for its responses to sexual assault and harassment reports, Harvard began a universitywide review of its policies in 2013.

South Africa: Twin Sisters marry same man

26 year old twin sisters, Owami and Olwethu Mzazi from Vosloorus, South Africa recently got married to the same man, 51 year old Mzukiseni Mzazi.

When interviewed by a South African magazine, the sisters said they’d always known they’d marry same man as they have shared everything else together since they were born

“We have always done everything together. We share everything. That is how our grandmother raised us. So when we decided to marry, we said any man that wants to marry one, will marry the other” Owami told Drum magazine.

Source: Zambian Eye.

Sammy Kufuor shaved on set after Ghana loss

Ex- Black Stars deputy skipper and an AFCON pundit on Supersport Sammy Osei Kufuor had his hair shaved on set after Ghana suffered a painful loss to Ivory Coast in a grueling AFCON final.
The once dependable defender in a show of patriotism put his bet on a Ghana win, with a promise to have his hair shaved live on set if the results went the other way. It did.
Ghana lost 9-8 on penalties with Barry’s last kick of glory breaking the hearts of Ghanaians.
Sammy Osei Kuffuor did not only have his heart broken, he lost his hair in an unorthodox, yet dramatic fashion.

Crimes Being committed At Ashaiman Area Due To the Light Off Situation

Residents in Ashaiman area especially Women have been subjected to extreme levels of assault by some armed robbers in the area due to the absence of streetlights.
The robbers take advantage of the poor lighting in the area to rob residents of their phones, money and other belongings.
Women who do not have money on them are reportedly subjected to beating and "vaginal inspections" by the opportunistic robbers.
Fear of assault is compelling women in the area to rely on male escorts to make their journeys home at night.

Photos: Vigilant boy rescues drowning kid

But for the quick and timely intervention of a bystander, a four-year-old boy would have drowned at Peace Town, a developing community in the Ga South Municipality.
Obviously with no swimming experience, the young tike could not afford standing alone on the hilly bank of the Jei River while his siblings and friends swam some 30 meters away in the brackish river on February 8, 2015.

SPACO student death: Police explain use of firearms to quench student rioting

Volta Regional Police Commander has explained why his men responded to distress calls at St.Pauls High School (SPACO) to quell a riot but ended up killing a student in a stray bullet incident instead.
Admitting that “people have a right to ask questions” the Police Commander Police Peterkin Gynae told Joy News that the officers were on patrol with their weapons when they were called to immediately move to the campus – a scene of riotous action.

Selfies led to fatal Colo. plane crash

"It is likely that cellphone use during the accident flight distracted the pilot and contributed to the development of special disorientation and subsequent loss of control," the NTSB said.

Federal rules prohibit commercial pilots and aircraft crew from using cellphones or other personal electronic devices while at their duty stations, during takeoff, while landing or when below 10,000 feet.However, the rules are different for private pilots on private planes. Private pilots are barred from dangerous or careless behavior, but the rules don't specifically ban the use of phones.

Too much jogging is "unhealthy

Too much jogging may be as bad for you as not putting on your running shoes at all, a report in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology says.

Scientists studied more than 1,000 healthy joggers and non-joggers over a 12-year period.

Those who jogged at a steady pace for less than two and a half hours a week were least likely to die in this time.

Asamoah Gyan Ruled out of Equatorial Guinea Match – Report

Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan, has been reportedly been ruled out of Ghana’s semi-finals clash Thursday against the host nation, Equatorial Guinea, in the ongoing AFCON 2015 tournament.

Asamoah Gyan was injured after a crude tackle by Guinea goalkeeper, Naby Yattara, when both players contested a 50-50 ball in their quarter-final clash, which Ghana won 3-0. It’s not clear if Gyan will be available for the final if the Black Stars make it through.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has yet to comment on the development. Ghana coach, Avram Grant, has called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to ban goalkeeper Yattara – who has refused to apologise –



Source: Daily Graphic

Vice President Amissah-Arthur Visits Student Who Escaped Rape By Jumping From Two-Storey

The Vice President, Mr K. B. Amissah-Arthur, on Tuesday afternoon visited the final year student of the University of Ghana Medical School, who is on admission at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, after jumping from the second floor of her hostel to escape an attempted rape.

The student, who is currently recuperating from injuries, narrated the ordeal she went through before she jumped from the balcony of her second floor hostel to flee from the alleged rapist.

Five Teenagers In Fake Mobile Phones Deal

Five teenagers between 16 years and 19 years, are being held by the police over alleged sale of fake mobile phones at Kejetia, Kumasi.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Abdullai Iddrisu of the Special Weapon Assistance Team (SWAT) told the media at a briefing that, the Police acted on information received from the public.

They seized from Owusu Ansah, Prince Aprakwa, alias “Abe”, Kwadwo Antwi, Stephen Adarkwa and Yaw Mensah, a large quantity of counterfeit phones alongside genuine ones.

Taiwan plane careens into river after take-off, killing 23

TAIPEI, Feb 4 (Reuters) - A TransAsia Airways plane with 58 passengers and crew on board careered into a river shortly after taking off from a downtown Taipei airport on Wednesday, killing 23 people and leaving 20 missing, officials said.

Fifteen people survived the crash after the plane lurched between buildings, clipped a taxi and an overpass with its port-side wing and crashed upside down in the shallow water.

Dramatic pictures taken by a motorist and posted on Twitter showed the plane careening over the motorway soon after the turboprop ATR 72-600 aircraft took off in apparently clear weather on a domestic flight for the island of Kinmen.

We Are In A Serious Power Crisis - VRA

The Volta River Authority (VRA) has acknowledged that Ghana is facing a serious power crisis as a result of accumulated problems which have remained unresolved over the years.

“We are in a crisis. Power is a problem in this country and it’s an accumulated problem,” said the head of corporate communication at VRA Samuel Fletcher.

Ghana is currently struggling with power generation which has led to an intensified load shedding exercise.

Live Update: Ghana wins Guinea 3-0 in devastating style

The freekick on the edge of the area is perfectly passed to Rabiu in the box. It finds a player who just needs to direct his shot but it climbs over the goal post. |Referee whistles for the end of the game. Ghana make it in style
90' 2 Yattara sent off after deliberately stamping Gyan with his foot mid-air. Gyan denied the chance to score after his favourite connection finds him
90' 1 Beautiful counterattack after Ayew throws himself into the shot. It falls to Baba Rahman who darts off the bye line. He darts off menacingly and crosses the the opposite flank to find Ayew. He shoots straight into Yattara's hands.
90' Silly indirect freekick against Ghana. Brimah was delaying. Needless tatic. Not Ghana's style.
87' Kwesi Appiah remonstrates after he is tackled off the ball. Guinea appear resigned to defeat.
85' Afriyie Acquah comes off for Rabiu Mohammed. Rabiu started in Ghana's first game but Acquah has given him a challenge for the spot

Excited Woman Falls To Death After Boyfriend’s Proposal @ Edge of a Cliff

A holidaymaker died in Ibiza after falling over a cliff as she celebrated a marriage proposal from her boyfriend.
Police say she lost her balance as she jumped up and down in excitement after her partner asked for her hand in marriage.

The pair, from Bulgaria, were at a beauty spot famed for its sunset views.

Dimitrina Dimitrova, 29, suffered a heart attack brought on by injuries caused by the 65ft fall in the tiny resort of Cala Tarida on Ibiza’s west coast.

Five Ways To Make Your Boss Love You

Sometimes the minefield that is the business world can be a tough one to navigate. With impressing your boss being one of they key elements to progressing further, we took the opportunity to quiz the incredibly successful businesswoman, and Alan Sugar’s right-hand woman – Karren Brady CBE – on what she sees as the most important things to nail if you’re going to wow your boss.

ECG Tells Consumers: Don't Expect Regular Time Table For Load-Shedding Unless

Public Relations Manager for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Mr. William Boateng has stated that Ghanaians should not expect a regular time table for the load shedding in the country.

According to him, a quantum of generation is needed to draw the time table for the country but as it stands now, the deficit is so high that that there is no specific quantum to draw the time table for the entire country.

Speaking on Oman Fm’s Morning Show, Mr. Boateng revealed that every power cut in the classified areas such as hospitals, water works and security zones are not from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) as such control in these vital areas are under the supervision of GRIDCo.