It is obvious the NPP are not coming to the 2024 elections with their record, but will rather be interested in the alternatives the NDC will be providing. They will be using some media personalities and Civil society organisations to try and shoot it down since their hands are not clean enough to come frontal. They should come prepared, but not like *Dan Kwaku Yeboah*, else they will be sorry !!! When the former president said he has never been paid his ex gratia, I am sure some people had wax in their ears. How could he return something he doesn't have? They pretend to be deaf and blind, when its about the NDC, but are the loudest when it is about attacking the NDC. This season will be different for some of them. We were in this country when Torgbui Afede was crucified and sent to the cleaners just because he paid his ex gratia back to chest. Today those same people are asking John Mahama to return his ex gratia. Hatred and hypocrisy, makes people easily sound stupid !!! I have never seen such spontaneous responses like I saw this week. There can not be any better warning than this. Other hypocrites must rethink before taking their next assignment. The next phase of the NDC will be like the second coming of Christ. His first coming was like a lamb to take away the sins of men, but the second coming is to judge corruption and foolishness in the hearts of some people!!! No one stands on the path of a rolling stone. Beware !!! Let me take this opportunity to salute all soldiers who quickly defended the umbrella. Let's close our ranks and we will stop the political arrows that fly by day, and the terrors by night. Let me also entreat all soldiers to be circumspect as we go through the last phase of our reorganisation. Our togetherness will enable all those who do not emerge after the 13th May primaries to throw their weight behind the party without any hesitations. Let's Keep hope alive, there are better days ahead. KUN FA YAKUN Credit: Godwin Ako Gunn, Deputy Communications Officer, National Democratic Congress (NDC) DISCLAIMER: The views, comments, opinions, contributions and statements made by the author on this platform do not represent the views or policy of Think News Online.

Ghanaian entrepreneur, industrialist, philanthropist, and real estate mogul, Nana Kwame Bediako, also known as Freedom Jacob Caesar has donated relief items to some survivors of the recent Turkey-Syria earthquake. According to Freedom, he was touched by the damages and hence the need to offer support to the survivors. "I have been watching television and the damages and whatever has happened in Turkey, just moved me to build tent-cities so I can shelter those whose have lost their homes, families and everything" "The tent-city comes with a mattress and water-beds, heater and showers in it" "I pray that others are touched so they can help the people of Turkey" It will be recalled that a 7.8-magnitude earthquake has shaken Turkey and Syria, killing at least 568 people, according to authorities The quake was centred in the town of Pazarcik in Kahramanmaras province, about 20 miles from the city of Gaziantep, at a depth of six miles and there were several powerful aftershocks. Several buildings have been destroyed as people gathered outside on snowy streets in Pazarcik, according to images on state broadcaster TRT. Rescue workers and residents using flashlights were searching through piles of tangled metal and concrete rubble in one of the stricken cities. Freedom Jacob Caesar is also the founder and CEO of the Kwarleyz Group. Pictures below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Early child marriage, also known as child marriage, is a practice that involves marrying off children before they reach the legal age of marriage. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) defines child marriage as a formal marriage or informal union before the age of 18. The practice is prevalent in many parts of the world, particularly in developing countries, and it is a violation of children's human rights. Despite the efforts made by governments and various organizations to end child marriage, it continues to be a common practice in many parts of the world. There are several reasons why people still engage in this practice, including cultural and religious beliefs, poverty, lack of education, and gender inequality. For instance, in some communities, marrying off girls at a young age is seen as a way of protecting them from premarital sex and preserving their purity. In other cases, parents may marry off their children as a means of securing financial stability or reducing the burden of caring for them. The negative effects of early child marriage are numerous and can be devastating. Young girls who are married off at an early age are often forced to drop out of school and are at risk of experiencing physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. They are also more likely to experience complications during childbirth, leading to health problems and even death. Additionally, child marriage perpetuates the cycle of poverty, as girls who are married off at a young age are less likely to complete their education and are more likely to have limited economic opportunities. To curb the practice of early child marriage, there is a need for a coordinated and sustained effort from governments, civil society organizations, and individuals. This effort should involve awareness-raising campaigns that emphasize the importance of education, gender equality, and the human rights of children. It should also involve providing economic support to families to help them meet their basic needs and incentives to keep girls in school. Parents who allow their children to go into early child marriage should be advised to prioritize their children's education and delay marriage until their children are of legal age. They should be educated on the negative effects of child marriage on their children's health, education, and future prospects. Parents should also be encouraged to seek support from their communities and the government to provide alternative economic opportunities to support their families. For children who may be at risk of being married off at a young age, they should be empowered with knowledge of their rights and encouraged to speak up when they feel their rights are being violated. They should also be provided with safe spaces where they can seek support and protection. In conclusion, early child marriage is a violation of children's rights and has numerous negative effects on their health, education, and future prospects. The practice persists due to a variety of reasons, including cultural and religious beliefs, poverty, and gender inequality. However, concerted efforts from various stakeholders can help curb the practice and protect children's rights. It is important for parents and communities to prioritize education and gender equality, and for children to be empowered with knowledge of their rights and provided with safe spaces to seek support and protection. Thank you. Credit: Edmund Jacob Hoffman, Immediate Past President, AYPA, St. Andrews Anglican Church, Abossey Okai. DISCLAIMER: The views, comments, opinions, contributions and statements made by the author on this platform do not represent the views or policy of Think News Online.

The Ghana Police Service has employed the use of helicopters to improve its operational efficiency. The new helicopters were captured displaying at the 66th Independence Day Anniversary celebration held at Adaklu in the Volta Region on Monday. Touching on the new helicopters, President Akufo-Addo said "I am sure we all saw the three (3) helicopters belonging to the Police Service joining this morning’s celebration" "It is the first time in our nation’s history that the Police Service is employing the use of helicopters to improve its operational efficiency." He explained that the acquisition of the helicopters is to honour the pledge he made at the 2019 end of year Police WASSA. "...and I assure the officers, men and women of the Service of Government’s continued support in helping them to discharge effectively their mandate" CELEBRATION IN ADAKLU "Ladies and gentlemen, in choosing to celebrate this year’s Independence Day in the Volta Region, I hope it affords all of us the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and breathtaking scenery that abounds here" He stressed that Volta Region has the highest mountain in Ghana, and other spectacular peaks from which to gaze at the surrounding splendour. "This is the Region that has marvellous waterfalls and naturally occurring landscapes and historic monuments on its coast" "It is the Region of spellbinding and beautiful music and intricate dances. "It is the Region with interesting cuisine. It is a tourism destination without compare. I urge you all to explore its unique attractions" DEVOTION TO GHANA PROJECT "In conclusion, fellow Ghanaians, I want to assure you that my devotion to the Ghana Project is unwavering" "The enemy we face is not each other." "We can only win this battle if we stick together, and pull in the same direction, regardless of our divergent viewpoints" President Akufo-Addo said he was confident that Ghana is on the right path. He sort for the support from Ghanaians so to continue the transformation of Ghana in peace. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

News coming in indicates that a huge fire has ripped through the world's largest refugee camp in the south of Bangladesh. According to sources, the huge fire has left an estimated 12,000 people homeless. Rohingya refugee Yassin Abdumonab, a freelance photographer and journalist living in the camp, took the images and shared on social media. He wrote "It's not the first time there's been a fire at the Balukhali camp" Below are some pictures: Story by: Thinknewsroom

President Akufo-Addo says Ghana has not fully realised the potential, dreams and aspirations of its forebears, who fought for the independent it is currently enjoying. He made these known while speaking at the 66th Independence Day Anniversary celebration held at Adaklu in the Volta Region. Addressing the gathering, President Akufo-Addo said "Sixty-six (66) years down the line, we have worked hard to live up to this responsibility, even though we acknowledge that we have not fully realised our potential and the dreams and aspirations of our forebears, who fought for the independent Ghana we have today" "For well over a century, our forebears fought to liberate our nation from the chains of colonialism and imperialism" "The several wars fought against the British by the Ashantis, the last of which featured the celebrated Yaa Asantewa; the successful mobilisation of public opinion by the Aborigines Rights Protection Society, whose leading spirits were Jacob Sey, Joseph Casely-Hayford, John Mensah Sarbah, Kobina Sekyi, against the sequestration of our lands by the British; the formation, in 1947, of the nation’s first political party, the United Gold Coast Convention, UGCC of blessed memory; the triggering of mass resistance by Nii Kwabena Bonney (Boycott Hene) through the boycott of goods of European traders; the riots that consumed the nation following the senseless shootings of unarmed ex-service men at the Christiansborg Crossroads on 28th February 1948 and the killings of Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey, which enraged the people and sparked riots across the country; the subsequent arrest of the UGCC leaders, who have gone down in history as the legendary “Big Six”, JB Danquah, Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey, Edward Akufo-Addo, Ebenezer Ako Adjei, William Ofori-Atta, Kwame Nkrumah, by the colonial authorities, who held them responsible for the disturbances; the establishment of the Watson Commission, which helped design the path towards independence in 1957; and the formation, in 1949, of the Convention Peoples’ Party by Kwame Nkrumah, together with K.A Gbedemah and Kojo Botsio, which, thereafter, became the principal organ for the prosecution of the nationalist agenda" He noted that Ghan's forebears were united and strengthened in realising one common purpose – the attainment of independence. President Akufo-Addo also mentioned it did not matter where they came from; it did not matter which tribe they belonged to; it did not matter which religious persuasion they subscribed to; and their standing in society certainly did not matter. He stressed that the forebearers recognised the fact that colonialism did not inure to the nation’s collective benefit, and they were determined to end it. "And, indeed, they did. On that historic night of 6th March 1957, after decades of agitation by the pioneers and members of the nationalist movement, Kwame Nkrumah, our nation’s first leader, made the momentous proclamation of Ghanaian independence at the Old Polo Grounds in Accra, which we celebrate with joy every year." "The theme for this year’s celebration, “Our Unity, Our Strength, Our Purpose”, should imbue in us the constant desire to seek for the progress, prosperity and development of Ghana, no matter the circumstances confronting us" President Akufo-Addo further explained that the 4th Republic represents the longest period of stable constitutional governance in Ghana’s history. He charged all to be united in the goal of protecting it. "For it is only its free, democratic form of governance and the intelligent management of the economy that will bring the upliftment Ghanaians want and deserve." Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

President Akufo-Addo has praised the Volta Region for producing arguably great national assets who have contributed to making Ghana a beacon of hope and democracy in Africa and world. President Akufo-Addo made these known while speaking at the 66th Independence Day Anniversary celebration at Adaklu in the Volta Region on Monday. Addressing the gathering, President Akufo-Addo said "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the part of Ghana that has produced, arguably, the nation’s two greatest composers, Ephraim Amu, composer of that great anthem, Mia denyigba lorlor la (Yen ara asase ni), who taught us to take pride in our culture, and Phillip Gbeho, composer of Ghana’s vibrant and much loved national anthem" "Daniel Chapman Nyaho, one of Ghana’s most eminent administrators who, at independence, helped ensure a seamless transition when the British left; the Reverend Ametorwobla, that powerful orator who proved you could be both a priest and a politician" "...and Esther Ocloo, née Nkulenu, trail-blazer and industrialist extraordinaire, whose entrepreneurial spirit lives on" President Akufo-Addo added that Volta Region is the part of Ghana that also gave the country, Komla Agbeli Gbedemah, Ghana’s first Minister for Finance and one of the founding fathers of the nation. "...and the charismatic Jerry John Rawlings, first president of the Fourth Republic and Ghana’s longest serving head of state" He noted that the greatest achievement of Ghana’s independence is the fact that its people have welded different ethnic entities into one nation. He stressed that although the Gold Coast was the precursor to its independent Ghana, it was a collection of disparate groups. "It was the attainment of independence that gave us our common identity as Ghanaians." "An important historical fact is that, of all the different peoples that have formed our modern nation, it was only the people of the Volta, Oti and part of the current Northern Regions who had the unique opportunity to choose to join the territory that became Ghana at independence" "I am referring, of course, to the 1956 plebiscite in which, on May 9th of that year, the people of the then British Togoland voted to join the Gold Coast on the attainment of her independence a year later" "Without that significant historical event, we would not have Ghana as we know it today" "Today, we celebrate the anniversary of the day we achieved the enviable status of becoming the first country in sub-saharan Africa to be free of colonial rule, and, with this, came the weighty obligation to serve permanently as a barometer of the continent's progress" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

President Akufo-Addo has called on Ghanaians to continue to guard and protect jealously the security and integrity the country against dangers from outside and within its borders. He made this call while addressing Ghanaians at the 66th Independence Day Anniversary celebration at Adaklu in the Volta Region. Speaking at the event, President Akufo-Addo said “We should continue to guard and protect jealously the security and integrity of our nation against dangers from outside and within our borders" "We cannot allow those who seek to divide us along the line of ethnicity or religion to succeed" "That we deepen the cohesion that exists among us and let us wear with pride the badge of being called Ghanaian.” President Akufo-Addo reiterated the need to be united as the world battles against global threats of terrorism. He noted that despite Ghana's current economic challenges, Ghanaians should be grateful for the Akufo-Addo's administration for ensuring the supply of essential goods during the difficult moments. "Ghana has experienced a steady flow of fuel for both commercial and industrial use as compared to other countries in the sub-region" "My government would do everything within its power to alleviate the suffering of the populace" "We should be united with God protecting us. For it is only in a free democratic form of governance and intelligent management of the economy that will bring the upliftment that Ghanaians what and deserve" "We should continue to strive to ensure that no Ghanaian child is denied access to quality education and the groundbreaking and transformative free SHS policy.“ "We should continue to guarantee access to affordable healthcare for all in every part of the country by continuing the National Health Insurance Scheme, expanding healthcare infrastructure and enhancing general health delivery”. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Information reaching Thinknewsonline.com indicates that fire has gutted Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation (GBC's) Volta Star Transmission Station at Ho, Volta Region. According to sources, the cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be known. Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service as well as technical men from GBC are working to quench the fire and restore transmission. The GBC Volta Transmission Station serves the radio station, Volta Star and GBC's terrestrial TV Channels. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The death toll in the gory accident that occurred in-between Kintampo and Babatokuma in the Bono East Region on Sunday night has increased to 23. While 21 of the victims died on the spot, two others died at the Kintampo Government Hospital where the injured were rushed to for medical attention. Graphic Online's Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah reports that the accident involved a Yendi-Kumasi bound Grandbird bus with registration number AS 4635-22 and a truck with registration number GW 1127-P. Kintampo A resident of Kintampo who witnessed the accident has told Graphic Online's Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah that the accident involved a Yendi-Kumasi bound Grandbird bus with registration number AS 4635 - 22 and a truck with registration number GW 1127 - P. According to the resident, the accident occurred at about 11 pm on Sunday. The articulated truck veered off its lane into the lane of the bus in an attempt to avoid crashing into another car which was parked on the road, he said. In the event, the bus crashed into the articulated truck killing the 22 people and injuring many others. Accident The accident, according the resident occurred at a section of the road between Kintampo and Babatokuma. The bodies, according to the resident have been deposited at the morgue of the Kintampo Government Hospital while the injured are also receiving treatment at the same hospital. The drivers of the two vehicles who are said to have survived the accident are currently in police custody. Compulsory rest stop Meanwhile the Bono East Regional Minister, Kwasi Adu-Gyan has visited the accident scene to assess the situation. While commenting on the incident, he expressed concern about the rampant accidents at that stretch of the Kintampo-Tamale highway. Mr Adu-Gyan said there was the need for the institution of a measure that would compel long distance drivers to undertake a compulsory rest stop at Kintampo to forestall these accidents. He added that already the Bono East Regional Coordinating Council, the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and the Ghana Shippers Council were in talks for such a measure. Mr Adu-Gyan confirmed the deaths of 23 persons so far while 25 who sustained various injuries were receiving treatment at the Kintampo Government Hospital. He explained that officials of the Ghana Road Transport Union at Kintampo had liaised with their counterparts at Yendi in the Northern Region to inform the relatives of the deceased and the injured. Credit: Graphic online

Information reaching Thinknewsonline.com indicates that a young soldier, whose name has been given as Imoro has been stabbed to death by some unknown men at Ashaiman, a community in the Greater Accra Region. According to sources, the young soldier met his untimely death while on his way home. It is emerging that Imoro (Soldier) was not feeling well and was granted pass to go home and treat himself. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The family of the Black Stars winger, Christian Atsu, has settled on Friday, March 17, 2023, as the funeral date for the late footballer. The funeral of Christian Atsu will be held on the forecourt of the State House in Accra, on Friday, March 17, 2023. Christian Atsu's funeral will be held six days before the Black Stars' 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on March 23. Today March 4, 2023, marks exactly two weeks since Christian Atsu's body was retrieved from the debris following the devastating earthquake that hit the south-eastern part of Turkey and Syria. Christian Atsu was found dead on the morning of Saturday, February 18, 2022, at the site of his collapsed apartment twelve days after a devastating earthquake hit parts of Turkey and Syria. The 31-year-old before his demise made 65 appearances for the Black Stars after making his debut in an international friendly game against Lesotho at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in 2012. Source: www.ghanaweb.com