The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in a New Year message has listed a 41 achievements chalked by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government in the last two years. Posting a New Year message on Facebook on Monday December 31, the Vice President listed the 41 promises delivered and stated, “We look forward to a blossoming 2019.” In April 2017, Dr Bawumia in a similar fashion listed 103 achievements he said were attained within the first 100 days in office of the Akufo-Addo led government. The achievements, which he said were in relation to promises made included the digital address system, stabilisation of the cedi, national ID card system, restoration of nursing trainee allowances, free Senior High School (SHS) programme and mobile money interoperability among others. See the post of the Vice President’s message below Source: https://www.graphic.com.gh
Alleged killer of Assemblies of God pastor nearly ‘lynch’ by Residents
One of the men who apprehended the suspect said he hit him in the head with a bottle when he saw he was armed with a knife. Initial reports had suggested that the alleged attacker, who has been identified as a nephew of the pastor, was arrested by passersby and some church members and handed over to the police. The alleged killer of the Senior Pastor of the Central Assemblies of God Church at Tema, was almost lynched after he was apprehended by some men in the community on Sunday morning. Videos from the scene of the arrest showed the suspect bleeding seriously from his head as a policeman tried to calm the angry men around, some of whom were striking the suspect with their hands and sticks. The shocking incident at Tema Community 4 saw Rev. Dr. David Nabegmado attacked and stabbed, while he was preparing to leave his inner office to the main church auditorium. Another raging man also shouted to the police saying “I swear, make sure you don’t release this guy… Police, if you release this guy, what will happen over here…” One of the angry men can be heard saying “we have to kill him too. He used a knife to stab him [the pastor.]” We have to also kill him. He has killed a pastor. Source: https://www.ghanaweb.com
Pastor steps down after confessing sleeping with his married daughter
He then took this incriminating evidence to his mother-in-law, Judith. Judith is reported to have confronted the pastor and he allegedly confessed to having had an incestuous relationship with his daughter. Judith is now reported to be divorcing her pastor husband for having sex with his child. In a statement, one of the leaders of the church, Francis Aturia said that Masocha was stepping down due to a “serious moral fall”. “Sadly, as a result, we would like to inform you all that Dr.Walter Masocha has with immediate effect taken leave of absence in order to deal with a serious moral fall which he has informed his family, the Board of Trustees and the Commissioners. “He is broken hearted and distraught at the result of the misdemeanours and feels that he is not fit to continue as Spiritual Leader of Agape. “This has come as a significant shock and blow to Dr Judith and the family, and no doubt to many Agape children and other people worldwide. A full investigation will be conducted in due time, and the appropriate disciplinary action shall be taken. “Many on hearing this will be deeply shocked and disturbed by such a disappointing revelation. We implore you to remember most especially, his gracious wife, Dr Judith and consider a Christ-like response to all who are involved at every level of the church family. “We would like to kindly ask you to remember him and his family in your prayers. In view of the fact that he is on leave from his official role, we would like to ask you all at this time to avoid contacting him. We also urge you to avoid contacting Dr Judith and the family in respect of their privacy at this difficult time. At this time, we encourage prayer fuelled with loving action to support one another and keep our focus on our Lord Jesus Christ who by His Holy Spirit is the only one that will enable the current tragedy to be worked out ultimately for His own glory somehow, sometime, the statement indicated. Source: https://yen.com.gh
45 migrants rescued Tunisia coastguard
Tunisia has become a major crossing point for migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, hoping to reach European shores. In late July, Tunisia said it would take in 40 migrants rescued by a commercial vessel, but wary of setting a precedent, said it was only for humanitarian reasons. The migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, were found “in good health” after their boat broke down near the archipelago off the southern coastal city of Sfax, National Guard spokesman Housse meddine Jebabli told AFP. In the first half of 2018, nearly 2,660 people were arrested in Tunisia during attempts to make the crossing, according to authorities, compared with just 564 over the same period the previous year. The Tunisian coastguard on Sunday rescued 45 migrants near the Kerkennah Islands off the country’s eastern coast, the National Guard said. Two Algerians and two pregnant women were among the passengers on the vessel, which had launched from Libya and was headed for Europe, he added. A growing number of Tunisians are embarking on risky journeys across the Mediterranean Sea to seek work and a better life in Europe. Several deadly shipwrecks have taken place in recent months, including one on June 3 that killed 87 people. The group was handed over to the Tunisian Red Crescent. Source: https://www.modernghana.com
Kwadwo Asamoah hails Inter Milan’s winning end to 2018
On their visit to Stadio Carlo Castellani, the Nerazzurri proved too strong for Azzurri as Keita Balde Diao’s 72nd-minute strike sealed a 1-0 win. Asamoah lasted for the entire duration of the game, taking this season’s Serie A tally to 16 outings involving 15 starts. Inter Milan ace Kwadwo Asamoah is delighted by their triumphant finish to 2018 following Saturday’s victory over Empoli in Serie A. The result has left Inter third on the table while Empoli sits one place above the relegation zone on 17th position. We want to achieve important objectives next year. He joined the Nerazzurri in the summer from Juventus on a three-year deal. I think the win at home against Tottenham – [Matias] Vecino ‘s goal was a very emotional moment. “This is a very important win, winning games like this is always important for your league season,” Asamoah said, as reported by his club’s official website. “It’s a good thing to end the year with a win. “It’s difficult to make promises in football, but we’ll give everything in terms of commitment. Source: https://www.ghanaweb.com
Nigerian: This hungry and jobless ended up in prison after trying to end his own life
“Attempted suicide in itself is a risk factor for contemplating suicide. In 2015, Lagos State amended its law to recommend hospital treatment for those who have attempted suicide. Last year Ifeanyi Ugokwe was arrested and locked up for weeks. His crime: he tried to take his own life. After weeks of being hungry and jobless, the 25-year-old says he reached breaking point after a security guard pushed him to the ground while he was searching for work at a building site. “I was tired of walking around that day. And I was determined to work there… so I tried to force my way in, then he pushed me, and I fell down flat on the floor,” Ugokwe told CNN. “I started begging him because I was tired, I really needed that job because I needed to eat.” Humiliated, Ugokwe went to a nearby lagoon and jumped in. After being rescued by passing fishermen, Ugokwe says he was handed over to police officers who arrested him and put him in jail. The World Health Organization estimates that there are 9.5 suicides per every 100,000 people in the country. It is the predictor of the fact that somebody will commit suicide. There are frequent reports in local media of survivors being arrested and tried for attempting suicide. Attempting suicide is a criminal offense in Nigeria, under Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act, and carries a penalty of up to one year in prison. A holdover from when Nigeria was a British colony, the law was abolished in Britain under the Suicide Act of 1961, which happened after Nigeria gained its independence in 1960. The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem told CNN that although attempted suicide is criminalized in the country, the state does not recommend that anyone should be locked up. Ugokwe says he’s speaking out about his attempt to take his own life despite stigma around the subject in Nigeria because he doesn’t want people to suffer as he did. When he woke up on the fisherman’s boat, Ugokwe says he was angry that his attempt had failed. “I believe it doesn’t reflect who we are as Nigerians… it is inhumane and I know that we can do better than that. I think it is probably the worst possible thing that you could do to somebody who finds themselves in that sort of situation,” he said. “People who are thrown into a cell right after… wonder why the suicide wasn’t successful. It makes people that I have spoken to feel helpless and feel like there really isn’t a reason to go on.” Ugokwe says he contemplated suicide again while in jail because of the conditions he was held in. “The worst part of it was not just that they put me in prison, it was that they locked me in a cell with crazy people. I was with mentally disturbed people. Most of the people there were talking to themselves and jumping around.” In jail, Ugokwe says he and other inmates were forced to take pills. “At first, when they brought the pills to me, I refused… there was nothing wrong with me, but then I was beaten and forced to take the pills. “Those pills had terrible effects on me… all I want to do is sleep and eat.” Suicide rates are usually underreported in Nigeria because of the stigma associated with it. A spokesman for the Lagos division of the Nigerian Prisons Service, which operates prisons in the country, denied Ugokwe’s allegations. Source: https://www.ghanaweb.com
NGO ships stranded on Mediterranean with 47 rescued migrants
The Sea-Watch 3, run by NGO Sea-Watch, has been stranded on the Mediterranean for over a week with more than 30 migrants on board. Hostility towards the NGOs has led to repeated cases of migrants languishing at sea for days on end with nowhere to go. There is disagreement in the European Union over who should assume responsibility for migrants rescued at sea, and Malta and Italy have closed their ports to NGO rescue vessels. Another two migrant rescue ships run by German non-governmental organizations were stranded in the Mediterranean this weekend with no country willing to take them in, leading to demands for action. The Sea-Watch 3 was impounded by Malta for a spell earlier this year as part of the clampdown. A spokesman for the group, Ruben Neugebauer, said that the Sea-Watch 3 was flying under a Dutch flag and was currently just south of Malta. Another ship from the NGO Sea-Eye picked up a further 17 people who had been stranded on a fishing boat on Saturday. He also said that the situation on board was stable, but that changing weather conditions next week meant the ship needed to find a port soon. Both ships are searching for a safe port. Sea-Watch posted on Twitter that it was time for “the German government to take responsibility.” Source: https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com
Auditor General: Age Cheats to be hunted from January 2019
According to the Auditor General, Mr Daniel Yao Domelevo, his office has already obtained the database on some suspects and they will be going after them in 2019. Let me say something which I think is very disturbing, its when people have gotten fake certificates to be in professional positions like in hospitals.” Anybody who joined the payroll wrongly, we think its a problem. The Auditor General said the names of such culprits would not just be taken out, “its not just deletion, it is coming with a certificate of disallowance and then surcharge and I want to plead with Ghanaians, if that happens, don’t come to my office because the constitution does not give me authority to revoke my certificates under Clause 15 of Article 187, it says its only a High Court which can put the certificate away.” The exercise, according to Mr Domelevo would also ensure that workers in the employment of the state, particularly in subvented institutions entered with the correct qualifications and certificates and were doing the right jobs according to their qualifications. “So we have collected all these database which tells us, so we already have the suspects, we know some people we already suspect them because the database we have tell us that they have lied severally,” he added. “Early next year, we are going to start with the subvented agencies such as Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, the universities, all the subvented institutions, the Police, the Army, we are going to all of them to be sure that if you were recruited as a policeman, did you bring the right certificates and that is what you are doing,” Mr Domelevo said in an interview with Radio Ghana. Like I was talking about age, people don’t know, its very unfortunate that Ghanaians lie about their age.” Beginning January 2019, the Auditor General’s office will embark on an exercise to go after workers, who have deliberately tampered with their dates of birth, to enable them to continue to stay in employment in state institutions, even though they have technically reached the retirement age. “So once I surcharge you, you must go to the High Court and face my lawyers, you win your case before you come back,” he added. Source: http://peacefmonline.com
Two killed in a Car Crash at KNUST Junction – Kumasi
The articulated truck which was loaded with goods including tomato paste, had developed a fault and had been parked on the Kumasi-Ejisu Highway. The Opel Astra with registration number GT 5216 T, rammed into the parked truck about 2:00 am. One of the two occupants of the Opel was pronounced dead at the nearby KNUST Hospital and the other occupant was pronounced dead at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) where he was referred. The articulated truck driver’s assistant, who identified himself only as Kofi explained that they parked on Friday evening after the vehicle developed a fault on the highway. Two persons have been confirmed dead after their car run into a parked articulated truck at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) junction, in Kumasi in the early hours of Saturday. When he moved to the scene, he saw the mangled Opel Astra which had crashed into the back of the truck. The police in Kumasi has since commenced investigations into the episode. He told Joy News’ Prince Appiah that they contracted a mechanic to fix the fault but he was unable to do so and advised that they continue repairs at break of day. He explained that he was taking some rest after directing traffic for a while when he was asked to come to the scene because an accident had occurred. Source: https://www.modernghana.com
Killer speaks – “I’m happy I killed my Pastor uncle”
Rev Dr Nabegmado was stabbed early this morning during Church Service by his nephew. The killer of the pastor of Assemblies of God Church at Tema Community 4, Rev Dr David Nabegmado has said he stabbed his uncle to death because his Uncle was “killing the family”, and he has no regrets, MyNewsGh.com has learnt. The young suspect is seen telling his captors he is happy his uncle his dead. A video of the young suspect in the custody of the police has since found its way on the internet. Rev. Dr. Nabegmado was attacked by his Nephew while he was preparing to leave his inner office to the main church auditorium to preach. MyNewsGh.com learnt he died due to excessive bleeding by the time they reached the Community 4 hospital, where Doctors confirmed he died before they got there. Wearing a bloodied shirt, he told them “He (murdered pastor) has been killing the family. Go to the house and see”, he told them. He was confirmed dead. Source: https://www.ghanaweb.com