Farewell to the Ticker

Farewell to the Ticker

The Political Ticker blog died of old age on Oct. 13, 2014, after eight years of faithful service to CNN's readers.

The Ticker began quietly in October 2006, fueled by a realization that a blog could capture and influence the political conversation. It hit 1 million page views during CNN’s 2006 election coverage a month later, and in its heyday became one of the most trafficked forums in political media.

FULL POST read more>> Farewell to the Ticker

Farewell to the Ticker

Farewell to the Ticker

The Political Ticker blog died of old age on Oct. 13, 2014, after eight years of faithful service to CNN's readers.

The Ticker began quietly in October 2006, fueled by a realization that a blog could capture and influence the political conversation. It hit 1 million page views during CNN’s 2006 election coverage a month later, and in its heyday became one of the most trafficked forums in political media.

FULL POST read more>> Farewell to the Ticker

Farewell to the Ticker

Farewell to the Ticker

The Political Ticker blog died of old age on Oct. 13, 2014, after eight years of faithful service to CNN's readers.

The Ticker began quietly in October 2006, fueled by a realization that a blog could capture and influence the political conversation. It hit 1 million page views during CNN’s 2006 election coverage a month later, and in its heyday became one of the most trafficked forums in political media.

FULL POST read more>> Farewell to the Ticker

Farewell to the Ticker

Farewell to the Ticker

The Political Ticker blog died of old age on Oct. 13, 2014, after eight years of faithful service to CNN's readers.

The Ticker began quietly in October 2006, fueled by a realization that a blog could capture and influence the political conversation. It hit 1 million page views during CNN’s 2006 election coverage a month later, and in its heyday became one of the most trafficked forums in political media.

FULL POST read more>> Farewell to the Ticker

Farewell to the Ticker

Farewell to the Ticker

The Political Ticker blog died of old age on Oct. 13, 2014, after eight years of faithful service to CNN's readers.

The Ticker began quietly in October 2006, fueled by a realization that a blog could capture and influence the political conversation. It hit 1 million page views during CNN’s 2006 election coverage a month later, and in its heyday became one of the most trafficked forums in political media.

FULL POST read more>> Farewell to the Ticker

Mahama’s achievements: NPP jittering – NDC Communicator

The Director of Communications for the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Eastern Region, Baba Jamal, has said members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are feeling nervous and uneasy in the face of the unprecedented achievements of President John Dramani Mahama.

According to him, the NPP has no message for Ghanaians going into the November 7 polls given the massive infrastructural development seen in the country under president Mahama’s reign, therefore, they are resorting to lies and verbal attacks on Mr. Mahama.

“They are jittering because of the achievements by the president,” he said.

His outburst follows how the Eastern Regional branch of the NPP chose to describe President Mahama’s Accounting to the People’s Tour. 

They described it as a desperate pre-campaign launch, abuse of office and misuse of state resources.

The elephant party also thinks Mr. Mahama’s tour does not give a proper account of his stewardship to the people of the region.

But reacting to these comments in an interview with Maame Yaa Coffie on TOP 103.1 FM’s mid-day news on Monday, Baba Jamal, said the NPP is simply worried about the achievements of the President.

He said during the 8 years of the NPP government, not a single senior high school was built in the Eastern Region but under President Mahama twelve of them together with universities have been built in the region and in some of the other regions.

He further told Maama Yaa that the NPP has gained notoriety for attacking the president whenever their “mischievous propaganda” fall flat.

That notwithstanding, he said President Mahama is poised to continue with the good work he is doing for Ghanaians.read more >> Mahama’s achievements: NPP jittering – NDC Communicator

Rawlings, others donate to save 16-year-old boy battling acid burns

Former President, Jerry John Rawlings has donated ₵5,000 to the 16-year-old boy who was bathed in acid by a tenant of his dad's.

The money is to help cushion the cost of medical bills accrued at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra for his treatment.

Andy Dodoo sustained severe acid burns after a tenant Suleyman Yuguda poured the corrosive substance on him following a misunderstanding with his father.

- See more >> Rawlings, others donate to save 16-year-old boy battling acid burns - See more at: http://myjoyonline.com/news/2016/April-25th/rawlings-others-donate-to-save-16-year-old-boy-battling-acid-burns.php#sthash.ZpZlwDFV.dpuf

Kumawood movies are tomato videos - Dontoh

Veteran actor David Dontoh has described Kumawood movies as “tomato videos”.

While clarifying comments attributed to him in the media that he had said Kumawood movies were disgracing Ghana, Mr Dontoh told DJ Premier, host of Entertainment Capital on Saturday April 23, that: “I did not say Kumawood movies were disgracing Ghana. I actually used an expression that they were tomato videos, meaning [they have] a very short lifespan and I have been proved right”.

“Agya Koo has acted in so many movies; which one do you remember? You will only maybe remember the title and that is all. But there are movies we did in the past, over 30 years, you can still tell the story – Deadly Voyage, Kukurantumi Road to Accra, Heritage Africa, you name them, there are so many of such movies.”

Mr Dontoh said in addition to entertainment, movies capture the culture of the people, hence must be produced well.

“Apart from watching movies to entertain you, it is also a document of history and it captures the culture of the people at a point in time. So, film is even a good material for research. When you watch Kukurantumi [Road to Accra] and see how Accra Central looked like at that period, you will be surprised that that same Accra is how it looks like today.

“Film is a very important material. It advertises the country and everything produced. In England, the British government can support a James Bond movie with millions of dollars and use the film to sell new products they have created. After the movie, if you see the product on the market, you will buy and they use the film to promote the product…”

He bemoaned the copycat attitude of Ghanaian filmmakers, saying: “We here copy too much and some actors even speak like Nigerians.” SEE MORE >>  http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Kumawood-movies-are-tomato-videos-Dontoh-433370

African music legend Papa Wemba dies during concert

An African rumba singer collapsed on stage mid-way through a song and later died.

Congolese star Papa Wemba was performing in Abidjan in the Ivory Coast when he dramatically fell to the floor.

Footage from the show revealed his backing singers rushing over to help the stricken star.

Local media later reported he had suffered a seizure and died aged 66.

Real name Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba, he was one of Africa's most popular musicians.

He was playing at the Festival des musiques urbaines d’Anoumabo (FEMUA) when he collapsed.

Organisers from FEMUA later confirmed Papa Wemba had died during a press conference.

His press spokesman Henry Christmas Mbuta Vokia, told local station Radio Okapi: "Around 5:10, time of Abidjan, Papa Wemba was announced on stage.

"He sang the first and the second song. While singing the third song, he collapsed.

"I was following the concert live on television. I saw the dancers surround Papa Wemba. I thought it was a scene for the concert.

"But then I see people from the Ivorian Red Cross pop up on stage.

"Suddenly we cut the signal of the Ivorian television. I tried to talk to call the manager of Papa Wemba abroad, Cornelie.

"He told me that Papa Wemba fell during a concert.

"I remember ten minutes later, I was told that he is in intensive care. I call thirty minutes after, Cornelie told me that Papa Wemba passed away."

In 2004, he was convicted in France of a role in an illegal immigration racket and spent three months in prison.

But he remained one of Africa's most popular musicians.

Soukous, also known as rumba rock, became the most popular sound across Africa.

Together with his bands Zaiko Langa Langa, Isifi and Viva La Musica, he racked up hit after hit including L'Esclave and Le Voyageur.

In addition to the prison time he spent in Europe, he was once jailed in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), for allegedly having an affair with a general's daughter.

His conviction in France related to a racket whereby illegal immigrants were taken to Europe posing as members of his band.

- See more at: http://www.myjoyonline.com/entertainment/2016/April-24th/african-music-legend-papa-wemba-dies-during-concert.php 





















African music legend Papa Wemba dies during concert

Media Foundation condemns attack on Danish journalists in Ghana

he Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has condemned attacks on three Danish journalists who were carrying out a report on mining in Ghana.

According to MFWA, the journalists from Impact TV, a Denmark-based television station were harassed by security operatives who forcefully seized their filming equipment after they had taken footages at Saaman, a mining community in the Eastern region.

“The three journalists, Jorgen Ebbe Christensen, Troels Kingo, and Sandra Haugaard were in the country to record a documentary on mining and environment in Ghana. The team had complied with a recently introduced obnoxious media censoring directive by the Information Services Department (ISD) that require journalists working for foreign media to seek authorisation before conducting any filming activity in the country,” a statement from the MWFA said.

The foundation said the ISD's authorisation to the Danish journalists had listed the filming of Saaman as part of what has been approved for their coverage.

“According to MFWA's sources, after the team finished filming and were returning, they were accosted by military personnel who had been stationed to offer security at Kibi Goldfields Limited, a local mining firm in Saaman in the Eastern region of Ghana. The security forces together with officials of the mining firm forcefully seized the equipment, questioning why they had conducted filming within their mining concession,” the statement added.

The statement said the incident was subsequently reported to the Police in Koforidua, the Regional capital.

According to sources, the mining company is insisting on accessing the content of the video recording equipment before deciding whether to release it or not.

Infringement on rights of journalists 

The MFWA says “it finds this development extremely worrying as it infringes on the rights of the journalists and limits the boundaries of media freedom in the country. The MFWA is equally worried about the implementation of the absurd policy by the ISD which seeks to impose direct censorship on journalists working for foreign media.”

MFWA said a recent authorization issued to foreign journalists by the ISD in line with the policy, lists specific areas and fields that the journalists are allowed to cover and directs the crew to operate “strictly within the mandate given them.”

The said authorization also required that after the filming, the journalists should “ensure that copies of the video clips are made available to the Information Services Department for Conformity Reality Check before the videos are aired publicly.”

This, the ISD said, was a directive by the National Security Council Secretariat.

Directive imposes censorship 

MFWA argues that the directive clearly imposes direct censorship on the media and clearly contravenes provisions in Article 162(2) of Ghana's 1992 constitution, which states that: “Subject to this constitution and any other law not inconsistent with this constitution, there shall be no censorship in Ghana.”

The ISD's policy, the MFWA statement claims, is also at variance with Clause 4 of the same Article of the Constitution, which provides that: “Editors and publishers of newspapers and other institutions of the mass media shall not be subject to control or interference by Government, nor shall they be penalized or harassed for their editorial opinions and views, or the content of their publications.”

The MFWA, while condemning the attack on the Danish journalists, also calls on the ISD to withdraw the censorship policy. READ MORE >> ”Media Foundation condemns attack on Danish journalists in Ghana

Legislator advocates law to guide election year spending by incumbent parties

New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentarian for Atiwa East, Abena Osei-Asare, is advocating for laws to guide spending by incumbent political parties in election year.

She says without such a law, abuse of incumbency, which has been identified as both a cause and an offshoot of political polarisation in the country, would flourish.

Founder of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), Papa Kwesi Nduom, first made the call for such a law at a forum in Accra, insisting the current Republic is replete with instanes of incumbency abuse in an election year.

The charge of of incumbency abuse has already been levelled against the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) over President John Mahama’s ongoing “Accouting to the People Tour”.

The NDC has justified the tour, insisting the tour of all ten regions in the country by the president is aimed at getting people to appreciate the development projects the government has brought about during his four-year rule.

Critics, particularly from the opposition NPP, say the Accounting to the People Tour is a campaign tour for re-election funded by state resources ahead of elections in November this year.

However, on Newsfile current affairs programme, Abena Osei-Asare says the time has come for a law to end the accusations and counter-accusations by the two main political parties on the issue.

“I think it is high time we come up with legislation, a law to help us in this regard. Because it looks like in 2008 it happened, according to the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), and then in 2010 the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) has stated [that it happened].

“I think we should come up with legislations that would guide some of these conducts so that at every election year we don’t have these problems,” she stressed.

She however wants the current government to lead such a campaign to streamline and check excess spending by incumbent political parties.

“In order jurisdictions if [an incumbent party] incurs cost to a certain level using state officials, [they] pay a certain amount,” she said. READ MORE>> Legislator advocates law to guide election year spending by incumbent parties

Newly built Cape-Coast Stadium to be commissioned on May 3

The Newly built Cape Coast Stadium will officially be commissioned on Tuesday May 3, Sports Minister Nii Lantey Vanderpujye has confirmed.

The edifice which was built by a Chinese construction firm  IPPR International  is yet to taste sporting activities since its completion months ago. READ MORE >> Newly built Cape-Coast Stadium to be commissioned on May 3

GPL Preview: AshGold v Hearts to thrill; All Stars to consolidate; Hasmal check leaky defence

Hearts and Ashantigold will undoubtedly provide the match of the round. Both coaches are under pressure to perform after incurring the wrath of fans and for Kenichi his management. Ashantigold are buoyed following their Adansi derby win over Edubiase while Hearts need to find a morale boosting win ahead of their Super 2 clash against Kotoko.

- See more at: GPL Preview: AshGold v Hearts to thrill; All Stars to consolidate; Hasmal check leaky defence - See more at: http://www.myjoyonline.com/sports/2016/April-23rd/gpl-preview-ashantigold-hearts-to-thrill-obuasi-fans-all-stars-to-maintain-good-home-form-hasmal-aim-to-address-leaky.php#sthash.SVly7Tbf.dpuf

Adidas ready to sponsor Black Stars

Global Sportswear brand, Adidas, has expressed its readiness to sponsor Ghana’s Senior football team, the Black Stars.

The Black Stars are currently under contract with rival brand Puma, but Adidas openly declared the interest in affiliating their brand to the four-time African Cup of Nations winners. READ MORE >> Adidas ready to sponsor Black Stars

Investors Freeze Investments To Ghana Over EPA Delay

Some foreign investors have revealed to Citi Business News, they have been forced to freeze capital investment into Ghana, following government’s delay in signing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU). 

Majority of exporters in Ghana have warned they will be forced to halt operations in the country if Ghana’s fails to sign onto the EPA. READ MORE >> Investors Freeze Investments To Ghana Over EPA Delay

Private sector decries high cost of credit in Ghana

President of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Seth Adjei Baah

Players within the private sector have bemoaned the high cost of doing business in Ghana due to the difficulty in accessing funds. According to them, local businesses continue to post losses due to high interest rate which is now hovering around 35% to 40%. 

Speaking in an interview with Citi Business News at the sidelines of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) grande ball, the immediate past President of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Seth Adjei Baah said lack of access to cheaper credit is stifling the development of the private sector in Ghana. READ MORE>> Private sector decries high cost of credit in Ghana

Supreme Court orders two banks to clear Woyome’s accounts

The Supreme Court has ordered two banks in Accra, to use all the money in Mr. Alfred Agbesi Woyome’s account to defray the GHC51.2million judgement debt he owes the state.

Mr. Justice Annin Yeboah gave the order when three financial institutions appeared before him on Thursday, to give the statement of account of the judgement debtor (Woyome) following a garnishee order he granted the Attorney General’s Department about 10 days ago.

- See more at: Supreme Court orders two banks to clear Woyome’s accounts 

Baako apologises for comment on 'partisan' chiefs

Editor-in-chief of the New Crusading Guide Newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, has apologized for his choice of words in describing the actions of some chief who are endorsing President John Mahama as unwise. 

Mr. Baako however, justified his suggestion that chiefs who endorse president's seeking re-election are unwise.

- See more at: Baako apologises for comment on 'partisan' chiefs

I Am Not Printing Voters’ ID Cards - Asiedu Nketiah

The General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has dispelled allegations that he is fraudulently printing thousands of new voters’ ID cards.

The wild allegation was made on Ultimate FM Fact File against the General Secretary of NDC by a leading member of the pro-opposition group, Let My Vote Count Alliance (LMVCA), Ibrahim Adjei, challenging the former to file a suit if he thinks his image is tarnished. READ MORE>> I Am Not Printing Voters’ ID Cards - Asiedu Nketiah

Walk That Walk: Five Most Popular Leg/Foot Curvatures

A walk can say alot about a person. It can characterize you as confident or goofy. More specifically, the curvature of the legs can be either sexy or off-putting. Just sitting around I thought, "What are the most attractive physical curvatures or deformities of the leg that people gravitate toward or find cute?" It's evident that sometimes a person's deform can make them more attractive, because it makes them unique in a sense. So here are the Walk That Walk: Five Most Popular Leg/Foot Curvatures That I Know Of, in a list ranging from least to most attractive(pure opinion):

Straight Legged or Neutral Stance
Most people would just opt out of any deformities or abnormalities and just go for the regular or more common neutral stance in a mate. Especially women, women like neutral-stanced men. As a man with straight legs(feet pointed straight ahead), I know it makes me look better in suits. It is a more uniform look in all. Nature is about symmetry and well you can't argue with nature. SEE MORE>>Walk That Walk: Five Most Popular Leg/Foot Curvatures