The Ministry of Health has revealed that Ghana is seeking to achieve 100% health insurance coverage at the primary health care level by 2030. The Ministry hinted that this can be achieved through the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) roadmap. Reading a speech on behalf of the Minister of Health at the International Universal Health Coverage day commemoration held in Accra today, Deputy Minister for Health, Tina Naa Ayele Mensah said "According to the 2021 Holistic Assessment Report of the MOH, the proportion of the population with active NHIS membership stood at 16.8 million (57.3%)" "In the spiit of leaving no one behind, we are determined not to only increase NHIS coverage for residents in Ghana, but to also extend it to cover non-resident visitorsa who travel to our county fior business, tourism, pleasure and other interests" She added that government ha taken a bold step to actualise this by developing a draft National Non-Resident Visitors Health Insurance Policy to provide the framework for delivering a National Non-Resident Visitors Health Insurance Scheme for non-residents. "Ladies and gentleman, in addition to our continued commitment to increase investment in the National Health insurance Scheme, we have in close collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority, our other Agencies ab parters developed a comprehensive Essential Health Service Package (EHSP) in line with the life-coirse approach" "We are also re-organizing service delivery at the primary healthcare level through the implementation of the 'Network of Practice Model' Delivering a speech on behalf of WHO Country Representative to Ghana, Prof. Francis Kasolo, Program Officer for Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, Dr. Felicia Owusu-Antwi said "In general, the report indicates that the expasion of health service coverage has largely stalled since in te recent years, and financial protection for those who fo receive health services has worsened" "Based on the most up-to-date data, this report shows that as of 2021, about half the world’s population- 4.5 billion people - were not covered by essential health services and in 2019 about two billion people experienced financial hardship due-to-out-of-pocket spending on health, including 344 million people living in extreme poverty" She added that the primary health care approach remains the premier approach o addressing health and wellbeing challenges. Dr. Felicia Owusu-Antwi hinted that the health sector needs to establish a clear list of interventions that the citizens of the country will and should be able to access without facing financial challenges. On his part, National Chairman, Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health, Bright Amissah-Nyarko said "Hon. Minister, progress in achieving UHC ensuing that everyone, everywhere can access the full range of health services they need without financial hardship is very challenging" "According to the Tracking Universal Health Coverage: 2023 Global Monitoring Report, more than half o the world's population of 4.5 billion people are unable to access affordable and quality care when they need it" "2 billion people face financial hardship, including impoverishing health spending for 1.3 billion people due to out-of-pocket spending on health" He advised government to start making a bette long-term plans on how its aid spending in the health sector can create better outcomes for maternal and new-born child health, disease control and elimination an largely reduce preventable morbidities and mortalities. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

News coming in indicates that Ghanaian rapper, Ayigbe Edem has been granted a GH¢50,000 bail by the Kaneshie District Court for knocking down a lady, killing her in the process. According to reports, the rapper was allegedly driving an unregistered Honda Touring car at around 2 am when the accident happened on the George Walker Bush Highway. Meanwhile, details of the said lady have not been identified yet by the authorities after the accident. Per court documents, the deceased woman, who has not yet been identified by authorities, unfortunately met her untimely death. Ayigbe Edem, appearing before the court, was charged with two counts of careless and inconsiderate driving and negligence thereby causing harm. Judge Nana Abena Asor Owusu Amenyo presided over proceedings for the case in court. Edem's plea was not considered and was thereby granted bail amounting to GH¢50,000, with two sureties, and is required to reappear in court on February 15, 2024. Meanwhile, the accident occurred when the rapper was returning from being a guest and performer on the Saturday, December 9, 2023, episode of UTV's United Showbiz with MzGee. Credit: Yen news

A renowned economist Mr Kwame Pianim has observed that Ghana is a peaceful country compared to others. He indicated that the peaceful nature of Ghana makes the country an envy of many others. He said these while speaking during the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA) annual leadership lecturer 2023 in Accra on Monday, December 11. The event is on the theme; ‘Re-imagining Ghana's Development Trajectory for a Peaceful Prosperous Nation By 2057.' Mr Pianim said “Ghana is already peaceful, we are the envy of many people, and we are relatively peaceful. “A Chinese friend moved to Nigeria recently and came back and said Mr Pianim, in Nigeria I cannot get out, two of my colleagues and their families are looking for money to ransom them, they were kidnapped but I am in Ghana and I can walk to anywhere.” He added “Ghana has been spared a lot of natural disasters, ebola came but we didn't have it, where we are located there are no hurricanes. Credit: 3news

The spokesperson of The New Force Movement has been granted bail to the tune of GH¢20,000 and is required to report to the police three times a week. The Belgian national, Ms. Shalimar Abbiusi was detained by the National Investigation Bureau when she was invited as part of the Bureau’s steps to identify the persons behind the movement’s formation. According to the movement, Ms Abbiusi was summoned for a discussion on Monday, December 4, 2023, and has not been released since. Ms. Abbusi was arraigned at the Kaneshie district court to face charges of allegedly obtaining a student permit in Ghana through false declarations on Monday where she was granted bail. Dozens of supporters of the movement gathered outside the Court to show support for their spokesperson, Shalimar Abbusi. The supporters donning the movement’s colours held placards and chanted slogans in support of Ms Abbusi. She was remanded into lawful custody on Friday, December 8 by the same court. She was first arraigned by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS). The court gave the prosecution a few days to conclude investigations and remanded the accused person into lawful custody to reappear on Monday, December 11, 2023. Mr Jamal Tonzua, who represented the accused person, told the court that GIS just wanted to abuse the rights of his client and that under Ghana’s Constitution, she was entitled to a fair trial, saying the GIS should have concluded their investigations before coming to court. The defence counsel prayed for bail because his client was not a flight risk. According to counsel, the accused person’s passport was with GIS and that the Service should be able to detect her movements. The counsel said the accused person had men of substance to stand as sureties. Credit: Citinewsroom

Country Representative, Solidaridad Ghana, Bossman Owusu has urged the general public to embrace home gardening as it gives each household the opportunity to feed itself and consume safe and nutritious foods. He made these remarks while speaking the launch of home garden initiative in Accra on Friday. Mr. Owusu said "For us to feed the world we should be able to feed ourselves first. Home gardening gives each household the opportunity to feed itself and consume safe and nutritious foods" He also added that the interruption in the supply chain owing to the Russian invasion of Ukraine has taught Ghanaians that it needs to take its food destinies into its own hands and grow what it eats. "Solidaridad strives to find the right balance between our supply chain work and resilient local food system. Thus, our work focuses not only on improving the livelihoods of smallholder cocoa and oil palm farmers but also helping build more resilient and food secure households and communities through the Home Gardening Initiative" He stresed that besides consuming healthy foods, home gardening provides therapeutic value and creates a learning opportunity for children to be familiar with plants and animals that are raised at home. Mr. Owusu added that it also supplements the cash needs of households as excess produce can be sold. This launch event, he explained encouraged everyone to grow their own vegetables, hence the slogan, 'Wonso Dua Bi' "Solidaridad is partnering Home Gardening Ghana, an online platform with more than 280,000 Facebook followers, to deliver direct training to prospective home gardeners so they can successfully crops and raise livestock" "Following the launch, Solidaridad will sustain the advocacy through strategic media engagement and stakeholder collaboration that allow more communities to benefit from hands-on training" He revealed that commercial vegetable growers are also targeted to receive support to produce safe and hygienic vegetables. "The launch was expected to take place in other parts of the country in the coming months" "The Home Gardening agenda is implemented as part of the Acting Now programme, a food security and resilient initiative, funded by the Government of the Netherlands" Other speakers commended the initiative and urged Solidaridad to organise such trainings in various Tertiary Institutions and various regions in the country. Some experts who partook in a panel discussion underscored the need for every household to practice home gardening. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ghanaian artist Kofi Kinaata has regretfully canceled his annual ‘Made In Taadi’ concert for the second consecutive year. Team Move Management cited the challenge of securing a suitable venue after issues with accessibility at previous locations. Despite the setback, fans can anticipate a new song from Kofi Kinaata in the coming days, and he remains scheduled to deliver electrifying performances at various events across Ghana during the Christmas season. While expressing gratitude for ongoing support, the management encouraged fans to explore other exciting events in Sekondi-Takoradi during the festive period. See the official statement below. Credit: Ameyaw Debrah

A Belgian National, Shalimar Abbiusi, has been arrested and slapped with the charge of obtaining a student permit by false declaration. Ms. Abbiusi gained public attention when she put out a video claiming to be the Spokesperson of the “New Force” movement. This declaration came in the wake of the mounting of billboards in parts of the country with a masked image and the inscription the “New Force”. The 30 year old was arrested when she was invited by the Head of National Enforcement Section at the Ghana Immigration Headquarters. The Investigators were probing her Immigration status in the country when their attention was drawn to her video. The Investigations revealed that she first came to Ghana in September, 2017, and has since been a regular visitor until 2018 when she became a resident. Sources say she claimed to have been admitted as a student of the Ghana Christian University College. Checks from the College are said to have however, revealed that she has never been a student at that institution. Investigators add that the documents she used to secure her residential status were thus, forged. Investigations have since been expanded to unravel issues surrounding the New Force Political group. Ms. Abbiusi has meanwhile, denied the charge against her and was granted bail by the Kaneshie District Court, but is yet to be released. Sources close to her say her home was also searched by investigators while she remains in the custody of the National Investigations Bureau. Meanwhile, the New Force has expressed deep concern over the arrest and detention of Ms. Shalimar Abbiusi, one of its spokespersons. A press release issued in Accra dated December 7, 2023 said Ms. Abbiusi, who is the spokesperson for the New Force's diaspora and diplomatic engagements, was called in for a discussion on Monday, 4th December 2023 and never released thereafter. “As we have now found out, for the past 4 days, Ms Abbiusi has been kept continuously in custody by the officers of the National Investigations Bureau, formerly the BNI. During these 4 days, the security officials have continuously questioned Ms Abbiusi about the New Force; wanting to know which people are behind it and if the people want to run for President." Further, over this period, she has been denied access to legal representation, subjected to an unlawful search of her premises, and held beyond the legal 48-hour limit without formal charges,” excerpts from the release read. It further noted that, “despite the objections of Ms Abbiusi's lawyers, her apartment was broken into without a warrant and the place ransacked. Yet not a single element of incriminating evidence was found against her. While the authorities claim to be investigating the origin of The New Force, it is essential to emphasize that having a political organization is not a criminal offense. As such the arbitrary detention of Ms. Abbiusi raises serious concerns about the abuse of power, persecution of perceived political opponents and several human rights violations.” According to the New Force, “Despite the fact that Ms Abbiussi's residence permit was facilitated and issued to her over three years ago by the Ghana Immigration Service, the authorities today told a District Court that they have temporarily charged her with an offence claiming that one of the documents she submitted could not be verified. But that they are demanding that she is held in custody so that investigations into the New Force will continue.” The group lamented what it called “rising attacks” against the New Force, including the taking down and targeted destruction of several billboards of the New Force. “Ms Abbiusi's arrest clearly marks an attempt by the Government to abuse our laws and its power in order to persecute political opponents. We deplore the attempts to use Ms Abbiusi's immigration status to blackmail her. We consider that no person should be discriminated against on account of their political opinions or country of origin, as guaranteed by our Constitution. These actions are morally and legally wrong and undermine faith in our democracy as well as the independence and fairness of our political institutions.” The group therefore encouraged Ghanaians to be vigilant and engaged in preserving the integrity of the country's democracy. “We ask you to demand for a different kind of politics. That is the promise of the New Force. The international community is closely monitoring these developments, emphasizing the need for a swift and just resolution.” Credit: 3news

Ghana's Parliament has finally approved the 2024 budget, despite stiff opposition from the Minority. After the headcount, the Majority caucus had 138 votes while the minority caucus had 136 votes. The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, on Wednesday, November 29, declared a voice vote on the approval of the budget in favour of the Majority after the conclusion of the debate. However, the Minority Caucus challenged the ruling and opted for a headcount, forcing the Majority group to stage a walkout. The Speaker, Alban Bagbin, subsequently announced that the headcount vote would be conducted today, December 7, on the approval of the government’s economic policy and budget statement to pave the way for the approval of budget estimates. Speaking after the headcount, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, said, “At the end of the headcount, the ‘ayes’ had 138, Nos were 136, one absent. The ayes have it. The 2024 budget has been approved. Credit: Citinewsroom

Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has commended government Public Relations Officers (PROs) for dealing with misinformation and disinformation in the media landscape. The Minister note that despite limited resources, the various PROs have worked tiredlessly in executing their mandate. Speaking at the 4th Public Relations Officer's review meeting in Accra under the theme, 'Curbing Misinformation and Disinformation - The Role of the Government PRO', he said "The crucial role of public relations officers in assessing ministries, departments, and agencies, aiding them in developing and executing communication strategies for their policies and programs" The Minister stressed that their primary responsibility is not to speak on behalf of other entities but to facilitate effective communication strategies for them. "The multifaceted mandate of the Ministry of Information, including facilitating feedback for the central government, implementing the Right to Information (RTI) Act, leading in the development of public communication policies, and representing agencies before Parliament" "Addressing the escalating challenges of misinformation and disinformation, the Minister stressed the importance of PR officers' role in discerning and countering false narratives" He cited instances where media misinterpretations can lead to unintended consequences and underlined the need for proactive measures to address such issues. "I want to say one list say congratulations to you for a good job this year. Very very difficult, you have done extremely well because we’ve had barely no resources at all but we managed to do a lot even in the midst of you know the pointed to appreciate and acknowledge the hard work" "We cannot tell them what to do. It’s actually unconstitutional so the only agency that we have which is directly under control is the information services department that’s important to go back to what the mandate of the Ministry of Information is programmes being run and how the ISD fits in" On her part, Head, Public Relations Coordinating Division, Information Services Department (ISD), Ethel Cudjoe Amissah said "At the beginning of every year, we set targets. These are our key performance indicators and we will see how each performed, know where our strengths and weaknesses lie and, if need be, do some adjustments where necessary and then as a team, we move on to face our challenges for the coming year" "This year we have had a number of programmes, including the introduction of the Need-to-know Series which is a peer education programme where PROs get to know all about flagship programmes in the other institutions. There will be a detailed presentation on these in due course" "The theme for this meeting is: “Curbing Misinformation and Disinformation-The Role of the Government PRO”. She stressed that It has become imperative that each PRO understands what is now known as information disorders and be able to identify them even in their very subtle forms. "Hon. Minister, I am a student of Conflict, Peace and Security and I have studied how over the years, misinformation and disinformation have played critical roles in genocides and civil wars in and around the world" Madam Amissah hinted that the Rwandan Genocide, when it began, was labelled by the foreign media as one of the many instances of African natives killing each other, therefore no one lifted a finger to help. "It was later the world realized that this was a carefully planned systematic purging based on years of hatred and misunderstanding fanned craftily by the media in that country" "The media, in its entirety, controls what we hear, think and understand. I agree with Dr. Miles Munroe of blessed memory, that media can either corrupt, clarify, pervert or protect the integrity of any message that it has to deliver." "And as we enter into election year, anticipation of the evils that can be potentially unleashed by unscrupulous persons using, especially deep fakes on social media, cannot be glossed over" She stresse that PROs need all the knowledge they can acquire in this area. "And we are grateful, Hon. Minister, that as soon as we brought up the subject, you knew, readily, who would be the best resource person to take us through it. Thank you very much for being a champion in this area" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson says the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) will bring untold hardship on Ghanaians should the new L.I on import and export restrictions be passed. He made these remarks while addressing Journalists in Accra on Wednesday. He said "The governing New Patriotic Party under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo will bring untold hardship on Ghanaians should the new L.I on import and export restrictions be passed in its current form" The Minority Leader also noted that the NDC was not against laws that protect Ghanaian business but laws that promote corruption. "The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is not against any Legislative Instrument (L.I) that seeks to protect Ghanaian businesses but against any L.I that seeks to promote corruption and bring hardships on Ghanaians" He said "Giving the Minister of Trade the absolute power to decide how much goods one can import will lead to absolute corruption" "The L.I. will compel importers of 22 restricted items, including poultry, rice, sugar, and diapers to seek licences from a committee to be set up by the minister" The Minority Leader stresse that the l.I when passed could be used as a tool to frustrate business concerns of people who belong to other political affiliations. "Currently Ghana does not have the capacity to produce the products the new L.I is seeking to restrict" "It is instructive to note that, currently, Ghana does not have any significant local capacity to produce some of the “strategic products” listed under the First Schedule of the proposed LI such as sugar, among others," he said, adding "Neither has the government outlined any specific interventions or incentives to promote the local production of such products." "Let me make it clear, that in principle, the NDC is not against any legal regime or policy that seeks to protect indigenous businesses by regulating imports. What we are vehemently against, is a law that confers unfettered discretionary power on a single individual, in this case a Minister of Trade, to issue import licenses and to restrict the quantity of certain imports into the country, without any checks and balances," Dr Ato Forson explained. "For him, the proposed Import Restrictions Regulations of "the failed Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government", seeks to grant unchecked discretionary power to the Minister for Trade, to solely determine whether or not, to issue an import license to a person and to restrict the quantity of certain imports into the country, as he deems fit" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Government of Ghana has emphasized that lithium will not be exported in its raw state. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor made these known while addressing Journalists in Accra on Thursday. He said "However, the volumes of the mineral we have, currently, and our quest to ensure optimal benefit from the exploitation of this mineral made that option not feasible for several reasons. Firstly, globally, only China, has an end-to-end lithium value chain, from mining to battery production" "This is why, we have instituted in this transaction the retention of a significant part of the vale chain which we work systematically to eventually construct the full value chain in country. But as we have said, we will not export lithium in its raw state" "That is why the Mining Lease includes provisions for the establishment of a refinery and the provision of the by-products to local industries" "Suffice for me to point out that, it is the first time in the history of our country that, we have successfully negotiated for ten percent (10%) royalties for any mineral, which is one of the highest for exploitation of any mineral across the globe. We have already secured a nineteen percent (19%) State participation in this mining company, with the requirement to scale it up to a minimum of thirty percent (30%) Ghanaian participation through listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange for shares to be made available to Ghanaians and Ghanaian entities" "And for the first time in the history of our country, a mining lease contains provisions for the establishment of a refinery. The issue of ratification of the mining lease, which has been raised by several people, has never been lost on us. This is expressly provided for in the Mining Lease granted to Barari DV Ltd" "Specifically, Clause 1(e) of the Lease states as follows: This Mining Lease is subject to ratification by Parliament in accordance with Article 268(1) of the Constitution and section 5(4) of Act 703. Upon execution of this Mining Lease, the Minister shall cause the Mining Lease to be laid in Parliament for ratification" "By the very terms of the Lease, therefore, ratification by Parliament is a condition precedent. As the Supreme Court explained in Republic v High Court, (General Jurisdiction 6), Accra; ex parte Attorney-General (Exton Cubic – Interested Party) (Unreported, Civil Motion No. J5/40/2018, dated 31st July, 2019), an unratified mining lease confers no enforceable rights, and Government has always been mindful of this decision" "But before such agreements can be laid before Parliament, it must go through a number of processes, including securing Cabinet’s approval. The processes are ongoing, and once completed, the Agreement would be laid before Parliament for consideration and ratification" "There have, also, been calls to grant mining leases through a tender process. As we explained in our earlier press release, international best practice requires that where a company undertakes exploration and makes commercial find for minerals, the company is entitled to a right of first refusal to the grant of a mining lease, subject to regulatory compliance" "This international best practice is given legal backing by section 39(2) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703). Needless to point out that, the use of the tender process is only feasible where there already exists geological data and the State is looking for partners to go straight into mining. Regulation 258(1) of the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176), which deals with the grant of mineral rights by tender gives three instances under which such process may be used" "They are; where the Minerals Commission determines that there exists sufficient mineral information in respect of the area concerned; where the Republic has carried out prior mineral exploration in respect of the area concerned" "Where an area becomes available through surrender, revocation or termination and two or more applications are recorded in the Priority Register within the seven days of the area becoming vacant.” "In all these circumstances, the State would have enough geological data generated through its own exploration, or where a holder of a mineral right surrenders his interest, or the right is otherwise revoked or terminated. But where this data is generated by a private company that has carried out exploration, at great cost, then that entity is by virtue of section 39(2) of Act 703 entitled to the grant of a mineral right subject to regulatory compliance, in which case the tender system cannot be legally turnable" He stresse that the historical lack of resources to undertake exploration has, thus, meant that Ghana have had to depend on private companies to undertake exploration for most of its minerals, which then entitles them to the grant of mining leases without going through any tender process. He revealed that there have, also, been calls for the establishment of a Ghana Lithium Company to undertake lithium mining and develop the value chain of the mineral from lithium mining to battery production. "It will be recalled that the Policy Statement presented to Parliament last year, considered the option of establishing such an entity, along the concept of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) and the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC)" Mr. Jinapor further noted that the Government of President Akufo Addo remains committed to the prudent, effective and efficient management of the natural resources of the country. "We remain focused on this goal, and call on you all, nationals and residents of our country, to support Government in this quest" Story: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Senior High School Placement National Resolution Centre in Accra has so far received over 6,000 complaints from parents on issues relating to the 2023 placement. Out of the lot, the centre, located at the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Hall, has so far addressed about 70 per cent of the challenges. The Deputy Coordinator of the Free SHS Secretariat, Nana Afrah Sika Mensah, who disclosed this in an interview with the Daily Graphic yesterday, urged parents and their children to be patient since their issues would be addressed. Prominent among the issues parents came up with were non-placement of their children and change of school. Appeal “Parents and their children should be patient because we are dealing with systems. They should be patient because we are here for them. Indeed, each one of them would go to school; it is just about the timing and everything,” she assured. She said there would not be serious academic work in the first and second weeks in school and so those who were yet to report would not lose much. Ms Mensah said it took 24 hours for those with issues to have them addressed, adding that two teams were handling those issues. One team, she said, was at the resolution centre, with the other at the placement centre. “While a team is here (resolution centre), we have another team at the placement centre. After picking the issues at the resolution centre, we take them to those at the placement centre to work on,” she explained. She gave a firm assurance that all issues that were brought to the centre would be worked on accordingly. Ms Mensah said the ongoing exercise was for free so nobody should pay money to anybody. “They are not supposed to pay money to anybody. So if we get hold of anybody who is taking money from anybody, the person would be held responsible. We are not supposed to pay money to anybody because it is free,” she stressed. The Deputy Coordinator said members of the public could report to the nearest police station if they came across any such issue. She said the centre was being operated for 30 days during which period people could still visit there for assistance. Process “We are in the admission process and once we have not closed that there is no way any head can deny you access to school. “Once we have not closed the system, there is no way any head can deny you access to the schools. They would open the system up for you for registration and prospectus so even next year you can start. So, no head would deny anybody from attending their school,” she said. She commended parents for their cooperation in resolving their issues, adding that they had been cooperative and paid attention to every information they were given. Parents and their children began visiting the Senior High School Placement National Resolution Centre last Monday to seek immediate help in connection with this year’s SHS placement exercise. Their concerns included self-placement, change of school, change of status from day to boarding and vice-versa, and change of programme. Officers At the crowded centre, officers from the Free Senior High School (SHS) Secretariat are deployed to attend to parents and guardians and address their issues amicably. There is also a heavy police presence to ensure peace and order. As part of their daily schedule, personnel from the Free SHS Secretariat assist parents and their children on what to do to get their issues resolved. Background Out of 598,839 results received from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), 585,797 candidates qualified to be placed the Ghana Education Service (GES) announced on November 28, this year. It said 477,772 (81.56%) were automatically placed in one of their choices. This is a significant improvement compared to last year's, with over 100,000 more students being placed. However, 108,025 (18.44%) qualified candidates could not be matched with any of their choices, the GES said. Credit: Graphic Online