Donald Trump donated his 2019 fourth-quarter salary to the Department of Health and Human Services as the U.S. faces the escalating coronavirus outbreak. White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham posted an image of the $100,000 check from Trump to HHS Secretary Alex Azar – who then brandished it at a briefing on the crisis. ‘I’m also very pleased to announce that the president of the United States has donated his quarterly check to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health at HHS to fund the coronavirus preparedness and response activity. so it’s very nice to see that check,’ Azar told a briefing at the White House from which TV cameras and audio broadcasts had been banned. The quarterly salary donation has been a feature of Trump’s presidency, often accompanied by claims that the media ignore it. ‘President @realDonaldTrump made a commitment to donate his salary while in office. Honoring that promise and to further protect the American people, he is donating his 2019 Q4 salary to @HHSGov to support the efforts being undertaken to confront, contain, and combat #Coronavirus,’ Grisham tweeted Tuesday. The money to help with the coronavirus spreading comes as nine people died in the U.S. after contracting the virus this week – all in Washington state. Donald Trump donated his presidential paycheck of the fourth quarter of 2019 to the Department of Health and Human Services to fight the coronavirus outbreak White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham posted an image of Trump’s check made out to HHS Secretary Alex Azar saying it was to help ‘confront, contain and combat’ coronavirus Before Saturday, there have been no deaths in the U.S. related to the virus. There are now more than 100 confirmed cases of coronavirus in America and thousands worldwide spread across all continents, except Antarctica. Trump traveled Tuesday afternoon to the National institute of Health as he continues to mobilize a reaction to the outbreak. He returned to the White House a few hours later with Azar and the country’s top immunologist Anthony Fauci, who heads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at NIH. The trio spoke to the press before entering the White House. Trump also plans to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia this week. Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
Asamoah Gyan remains to be the Basic Captain of Black Stars – CK Akonnor
Charles Akonnor, new Head Coach of Black Stars, has mentioned the staff’s all-time main striker, Asamoah Gyan will preserve his position because the Basic Captain of the staff. Coach Akonnor mentioned this throughout his first interplay with native media in Accra the place he additionally named his first name up since taking cost of the staff. Gyan missed out on the gaffer’s 23 man squad to face Sudan in a double-header African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on March 27. Nonetheless, Akonnor advised the press Gyan nonetheless remained an essential determine within the staff. “Asamoah Gyan remains to be the Basic Captain of the aspect and Andrew Ayew stays the captain of the aspect, I personally met and spoke to him (Gyan) about his plans for the Black Stars, however he gladly advised me that he’s not prepared and match now for the Black Stars and I respect his determination,” Akonnor mentioned. “Gyan is all the time welcomed as soon as he’s match. He is without doubt one of the most skilled gamers the staff can boast of.” Gyan, 34, has been sidelined by damage and treating it within the nation now. He has had a powerful begin at his new membership NorthEast United within the Indian League scoring 4 instances in eight video games. Gyan was named Basic Captain of the staff by former coach Akwasi Appiah, following a choice to strip Gyan off his captaincy position for Andre Dede Ayew within the run-up to the 2019 AFCON in Egypt. Supply: https://www.ghanaweb.com/
Health Minister snubs Haruna Iddrisu over the worry of getting coronavirus
Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang-Manu has refused to shake hands with minority leader Haruna Iddrisu in parliament over fears of contracting the deadly novel coronavirus which has killed more than 3,000 people globally. The minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Dormaa Central had gone to parliament Wednesday morning to brief his colleagues on measures taken by Ghana to prevent and manage the virus in the event a positive case is recorded in the country. Although Ghana has not recorded any coronavirus case, the minister justified his refusal to shake hands with the Tamale South MP, stating the culture of handshaking in the country must be avoided as part of measures to prevent the spread of the virus which broke out in China in January this year. Forty suspected cases have been recorded in Ghana since the outbreak but all proven negative after laboratory tests. Despite this, Mr Agyemang-Manu said told parliament: “Our traditional handshaking culture must now be avoided as much as possible.” Accordingly, he added, “I refused to shake hands with my very good friend Haruna, the minority leader, this morning in the chamber”. The minister underscored the need for frequent handwashing and rubbing of alcohol spirits as part of measures to prevent one from contracting the disease which has been declared a health emergency by the World Health Organisation. Mr Agyemang-Manu advised the public to keep a distance of at least 1 metre from a person showing signs of fever, coughing and or having difficulty in breathing. “When [you have] contact with a sick person or potentially infested surfaces or objects, it is advised that you refrain from touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands,” the minister advised. He encouraged the general public to seek treatment immediately at the nearest health facility if the infection is suspected and symptoms occur. The minister said information on prevention have been developed and disseminated through the media, noting there are ongoing radio and television discussion on Ghana’s preparedness towards a possible coronavirus case. “We strongly advise nonessential travel to and from affected areas should be discouraged as much as possible,” he appealed. Meanwhile, Mr Agyemang-Manu has announced Ghana is working to secure a remotely located facility to be used as quarantine centre for novel coronavirus (covid-19) cases. “Another remotely located 100-bed capacity facility is being secured for the purpose of quarantine for eligible persons,” he said and assured the facility will be ready for use in two weeks from now. “As yet, we’ve not found any Ghanaian that has contracted this disease either in country or even outside the country,” Mr Agyeman-Manu said and assured that the government and its development partners were working hard to prevent Ghana from recording a coronavirus case. He stated that a holding room has been identified at the country’s main entry point, the Kotoka International Airport, to use for suspected cases. The Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge) and the Tema General Hospital have already been designated as treatment and isolation centres, but the Minister said all the five teaching and 10 regional hospitals in the country have the potential to manage covid-19 cases. These facilities, he noted, have been engaged by the Health Ministry “to test how ready they are for any eventuality”. Also, case management teams have been trained. A total of 5,000 PPEs have been procured and distributed to all regions and major health facilities and points of entry in the country as well as some selected health facilities. More are being procured by the government to help protect our frontline workers. More reagents and primer are also being procured for the two health research centres at the forefront of testing for coronavirus cases in the country. Source: https://www.ghanaweb.com/
Electoral Fee didn’t lie about out of date BV registration kits – Atik Mohammed
The Mass Motion Committee, a coalition of political events has shot down claims that the Electoral Fee was not upfront with Ghanaians, has not informed the reality in regards to the present Biometric Verification Registration (BVR) kits. It mentioned every little thing the EC mentioned, its assertion that the BVRs had grow to be out of date was nothing, however the absolute fact. Addressing a information convention in Accra on Wednesday, Atik Mohammed, the Govt Secretary of the Coalition, cited a letter signed by Marcel Boogaard, the Chief Govt of Officer HSB Identification, the corporate that equipped the BVR’s dated Might 2018, which mentioned the kits and the laptops had attain end-of-life. They have been responding to allegations by the Interparty Resistance Towards New Register (IRANR) that the BVR was in good situation and could possibly be used. Mr. Mohammed, the Secretary of Mass Motion Committee mentioned different allegations leveled by IRANR that the Electoral Fee’s procurement processes have been authorized as a result of the fee was following due course of and making certain worth for cash. He mentioned the EC with the choice to obtain new BVR was making financial savings to the tune of $ 18,354,500 for the nation. Mr. Mohammed mentioned democracy was higher served if the state establishments such because the Electoral Fee have been allowed to discharge its constitutionally mandated duties and urged the Interparty Resistance Towards New Register and the general public to help the EC to succeed. He declared the group’s help to the actions of the EC including that the group would start an academic marketing campaign to clarify the necessity to compile new register to the general public. Mr. Mohammed famous that suggestions from worldwide and nationwide technical consultants indicated that evaluating the price of upgrading and refurbishing of the present system and procuring a brand new system, it was prudent to amass a brand new system to satisfy the present demand. He mentioned the primary purpose for a brand new system was to have a reputable voters’ register that may confer legitimacy on the electoral course of, improve effectivity, stop electoral fraud and keep away from doubts in regards to the election’s inclusiveness and final result. “A large quantity of the kits had many faulty component parts that were difficult to replace (keyboard, mouse, screen, camera). The inkjet printers were failing at a frequent rate,” he mentioned. “The battery packs had worn-out and therefore the decreased battery autonomy could not guarantee continuous use of the BVR”. Mr. Mohammed mentioned the picture high quality obtained from the fingerprint scanner was more and more deteriorating, resulting in repeated picture acquisition and prolonging the registration course of. Relating to the necessity for brand new Biometric Verification Gadgets (BVD), he mentioned the Fee recorded a excessive failure price of the BVDs and had spent a lot cash in refurbishing them to be used for the assorted elections. “During the recent District Level Elections, the commission spent GH¢2 million to contract technicians to fix it over the period of six months,” he mentioned. “The sensors of many of the devices are worn out, which means poor image acquisition leading to repeated attempts on verification”. Mr. Mohammed suggested the Interparty Resistance towards New voter register to make use of the regulation court docket to handle their considerations and never by protested and occupying their workplace. He famous that the group may proceed to court docket and compel the EC to desist from compiling a brand new register as an alternative of participating in stress protest and assaults on the fee. Supply: https://www.ghanaweb.com/
