Former Black Stars defender, John Paintsil has slammed the Ghana Football Association (GFA), following the demise of Hatayspor winger and former Black Stars winger, Christian Atsu. According to John Paintsil, the GFA should not pretend it loved the late Christian Atsu whiles it did not. Speaking on an Accra-based television, he said "Don't pretend you loved him because you don’t at all." He also revealed that GFA snubbed and kicked the late winger out of Black Stars. “You snubbed him and kicked him out of your Black Stars at age 31." "Atsu has been struggling to get a permanent stay in a club since the snub" "We all know the Value & Respect your club gives you when you play for your Nation" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Albert Nat Hyde, also known as Bongo Ideas, is a well-known social media troll, has used social media to report former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan to the Ghana Police Service. Bongo's social media post is based on an alleged death threat from Asamoah Gyan after Bongo said some bad things about Gyan. In the post, which has since been deleted, the former Black Stars captain, who was apparently angry about a social media post Bongo allegedly made insulting him, said he would beat up the popular troll so badly his mother wouldn't recognise him. Bongo Ideas shared a screenshot of the post and asked the Ghana Police Service to hold the footballer responsible for anything bad that happens to him out of fear for his life.Gyan has deleted the post, but now it's up to you @GhPoliceService. At the moment, it is not clear which post by Bongo Ideas caused Asamoah Gyan to act as he did. Source: Club Mate

Bryan Acheampong, the minister-designate for Food and Agriculture, who thought his “friend”, the Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson would treat him with kids gloves at Parliament’s Appointments Committee vetting expressed shock at the extent of grilling he faced from him. The Minority Leader questioned the nominee over his role in the bloody La Bawaleshie shooting incident in which he was purported to have had a hand as the Minister of State in charge of National Security at the presidency at the time. He was accused of deploying the armed National Security officers that shot into the crowd at the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election venue. He denied complicity in the incident that led to the injury and maiming of some people in 2019. However, Ato Forson went on further to question Acheampong’s trustworthiness considering the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election incident, if he would be a good Minister for Food and Agriculture. It was at this point that the minister-designate could not hold his disbelief any longer and he burst “Ato, you’re my friend; you should be testifying on my credibility” before asking “ or you don’t trust me again?" ”But the Minority Leader insisted that Acheampong answer the question, saying the vetting process was not about giving preferential treatment to a given nominee because of friendship or any other consideration aside from the national interest" Bryan Acheampong could be seen lamenting on live television about how he was disappointed to have been subjected to such critical scrutiny by none other than somebody he considered his friend. Credit: Pulse GH

Former campaign manager, Joshua Alabi, and some Regional Chairmen of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have picked presidential nomination forms on behalf of former President John Mahama. The former President on Tuesday declared his intention to run for President in the 2024 general election on the ticket of the opposition National Democratic Congress. Mr. Mahama made the formal announcement when he met with the Minority caucus at his Cantonment office on Tuesday. All NDC MPs in Parliament have unanimously endorsed John Dramani as flagbearer. Present at the meeting were former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, former NDC Campaign Manager for the 2020 general elections, Professor Joshua Alabi and former Information Minister, Kofi Totobi Quakyi. Credit: Citinewsroom

The Minority caucus in Parliament is sticking to its position not to approve any of the ministerial nominees despite participating in the vetting process. The Minority had stated on Monday that they will not approve any of the nominees selected by President Nana Akufo-Addo to fill some vacant positions in government. The decision followed a directive by the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Kwetey, for Minority members on the Appointments Committee to reject all the nominees. A section of the public had, however, hoped that the position of the Minority will be altered after participating in the two-day vetting process and particularly grilling some of the appointees for long periods. The Majority caucus in Parliament on Tuesday also appealed to the National Democratic Congress as well as the Minority caucus to rescind the decision not to approve the new ministers. Addressing the media, the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh appealed to the NDC and its members in Parliament to support the approval of the ministerial nominees. “I just want our colleagues to understand that for the sake of unity, and the desire for us to forge a working relationship, this is their major decision. In terms of the fact that they are coming into leadership, this is the first time more or less they are going to make such a significant decision”. But speaking to the media on Tuesday, Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza, said their position remains the same. The Adaklu MP added that their decision was based on principles and not personal interest. “We stated earlier initially that it has nothing to do with the personalities. We also stated that it was based on principles and that the country’s debt levels were unsustainable and government should find a way of realigning ministries" "As we speak there is no movement in terms of our decision not to support at this stage, so nothing has changed in our position about approval or disapproval of the nominees.” The nominees vetted include Bryan Acheampong, who will head the Ministry of Food and Agriculture replacing Dr Afriyie Akoto who resigned to pursue his presidential vision; Stephen Asamoah Boateng will also oversee the affairs of the Chieftaincy Ministry. The rest are OB Amoah, the MP for Akwapim South now Minister of State at the Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development Ministry and Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, MP for Karaga now Minister of State designate at the Finance Ministry. Credit: Citinewsroom

Former President John Dramani Mahama has declared his intention to contest for the presidency in the 2024 presidential election. The former President made this disclosure on Tuesday when members of the Minority Caucus in Parliament paid him a visit at his residence. The members were at Mr Mahama’s office to inform him about their decision to endorse his candidature for flagbearer-ship if he announces same. At the meeting, the former President assured the members he will run for president, adding that he will make a public announcement soon. According to JoyNews’s Parliamentary correspondent, Kwaku Asante, the MP for Wa Central Constituency, Rachid Pelpuo confirmed ex-President Mahama’s declaration of intent to contest in the 2024 presidential race. This comes after many have expressed disappointment in the current government for their mismanagement of Ghana’s economy. Mr Mahama himself on numerous occasions has advised the government on ways they could make the economy better. He has also amassed support in the six years since he left power. John Mahama stood for election in 2012 after serving as president for six months following the death of former President John Evans Atta Mills. He won the election and served as president for four years. However, he lost the seat to President Akufo-Addo of the NPP in 2016. Although some had discouraged him, John Mahama returned in 2020 as the NDC flagbearer but lost again. His supporters are hoping that the 2024 election will go in his favour. Credit: Myjoyonline.com

The Government of Ghana has donated an amount of Fifty thousand Ghana cedis (GHC50,000) to former head coach of Black Satellites, Sellas Tetteh. According to Government, the donation is to help meet the medical expenses of the coach. The government delegation led by the Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports,  Evans Opoku Bobie indicated that the delegation will continue to follow up and pay regular visits to the coach and expressed optimism that his health condition will improve soon. Speaking on behalf of the coach, Mr Michael Lassey Teivi, a brother to the coach expressed his gratitude to H.E the President for the kind gesture and promised to make good use of the amount donated. Coach Sellas Tetteh led the under 20 national team, the Black Satellites to win the world cup in Egypt in 2009. Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Another 6.4-magnitude earthquake was recorded on Monday in Turkey’s southern province of Hatay, the hardest hit by a February 6 tremor which left more than 41,000 dead in the country, the disaster response agency AFAD said. The quake hit the town of Defne at 8:04 pm (1704 GMT) and was strongly felt by AFP teams in Antakya and Adana, 200 kilometres (300 miles) to the north. An AFP journalist reported scenes of panic, adding that the new tremors raised clouds of dust in the devastated town. The walls of badly damaged buildings crumbled while several people, apparently injured, called for help. According to AFAD, more than 6,000 aftershocks have been recorded since the 7.8-magnitude quake hit Turkey and Syria. Credit: AFP

Gospel Musician, Great Ampong has declared that he has officially ended the beef between himself and Daddy Lumba. Speaking in an interview with Kumasi-based Nhyira FM Ampong said the long-standing feud that has spanned over seven years is finally over because he is aiming to be a better person. The artists have been on bad terms after Great Ampong accused Daddy Lumba of greed and pocketing some GH¢360,000 proceeds from an album launch of their collaborative work, 'Hosanna'. Although the issue has not been solved and Great Ampong has yet to received his share of the money, he said he is ready to let sleeping dogs lie. His decision is born from some advice chiefs and respected persons who have been involved in the banter have trumpeted into his head. “Cheating is painful, but enough is enough. I have been advised by some chiefs and prestigious persons to let the matter slide. Everyone has components of ‘beef’ in him but being able to let it go is what makes me a better Christian" “I have also worked for people and no one can come out and say I cheated them though I had control of their songs as a writer. So if I don’t cheat them, I don’t expect anyone to stylishly cheat me. That’s my principle of life.” Meanwhile the founder of Givers Herbal Centre made some cash donations to Ampong to cushion him as part of the peace process. This latest decision of Ampong is in line with music lovers and fans who are of the view that it is time for the longstanding beef to come to an end, to smoke a peace pipe between them. Credit: Pulse GH

The Ghana Meteorological Agency{GMet) has cautioned the general public against the recent change of weather conditions as a result of the harmattan. This came to light through a press release issued by the Agency today. GMet have however advised  the public to keep hydrated and follow fire safety precautions. Again, the public should ensure that they cover their foods/water to prevent dust from settling on them. Furthermore, wash fruits thoroughly before taking thethem ”People allergic to dust are to wear nose masks to reduce the effect on them”. Below is the full statement: PRESS RELEASE THIRD HAMARTTAN SEASON ADVISORY – 2022/2023 On 24th November, 2022, the Ghana Meteorological Agency issued the firstHarmattan Season Advisory for Ghana. The advisory, among other things, forecasted dry weather conditions, cloudless skies, hot days and the dominance of minute dustparticles suspension in the atmosphere. Visibility values were also forecasted to be between 1km and approximately 5km due to the advection of particles from the dust Region. Per this advisory issued on 24th November, 2022 and consequent update issued on 27th January, 2023, mostparts of the country are still experiencing the harmattan. Typically, the harmattan season persists until late February or early March in most parts of the country, with variations in the intensity of the dry and dusty conditionswithin the season. However, on Monday, February 13, 2023, the Agency observed high-pressure systems around the northern regions of Africa, which were projected to stir up dustover the dust source region. Consequently, on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, meteorological satellites detecteddust lifted around Chad, Sudan, and Niger. This dust was transported into thecountry by strong winds at lower levels of theatmosphere. As a result, an intensification of dry and dusty weather conditions was expected tobe experienced in Ghana during the week as issued in the GMet weekly and dailyforecasts. Furtherance to the above, this has resulted in dryness and decreased visibility, whichmay take some time to clear completely. Relative humidity, over the period, has ranged between 15% and 50% with visibility range of 200 meters to 5,000 meters. These conditions are expected to persist at varying intensities over the next few days. However, it is expected that there will be a relaxation in the intensity duringthe week and consequently. Due to these weather conditions, it is advised that the general public take thefollowing precautions; ❖ Keep hydrated. ❖ Follow fire safety precautions. ❖ Cover foods/water to prevent dust from settling on them. ❖ Wash fruits thoroughly before taking them. ❖ People allergic to dust are to wear nose masks to reduce the effect on them Credit: environmentalguide.com

Son Heung-min came off the bench to score Tottenham’s second goal in the 2-0 win over West Ham on Sunday Tottenham have called for social media companies to take action after Son Heung-min was subjected to “utterly reprehensible” racist abuse online. The abuse occurred during Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League victory over West Ham, during which substitute Son scored Spurs’ second goal. Tottenham posted on Twitter saying they had reported the abuse towards Son. “We stand with Sonny and once again call on the social media companies and authorities to take action,” they said. Tottenham added: “We have been made aware of the utterly reprehensible online racist abuse directed at Heung-Min Son during today’s match, which has been reported by the club.” Anti-racism group Kick It Out earlier this month demanded “meaningful reforms” after Brentford striker Ivan Toney was subjected to racial abuse on Instagram. Toney was targeted after his controversial equaliser against Arsenal, which should have been ruled out by VAR for offside against team-mate Christian Norgaard. The Brentford forward revealed in October last year he had been targeted on Instagram after scoring both goals in a 2-0 league victory over Brighton. Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, condemned the abuse at the time but said it could not take action because the message had not been reported within the app. Police investigated and Antonio Neill, 24, of Blyth, Northumberland, admitted a charge of sending an offensive message to Toney at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court in January. Source: bbc.com

Management of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), has taken note of a widely circulated incident in which a group of persons, including an Immigration Officer is alleged to have been terrorizing miners within the mining communities in the Ashanti Region. Management wishes to inform the general public that the said Immigration Officer whose Service Identity Card went viral on social media has been identified and is assisting in investigations. The Ghana Immigration Service wishes to disassociate itself from the misconduct of the said Officer if investigations proves that he was involved in the incident. Management wishes to assure the general public that investigations has begun and the said Officer or any other person involved in the incident will not be spared if found guilty. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith