No one should ever force marriage. There is what is called "que sera sera." This simply means that whatever will be, will be. Forcing a marriage through blood covenant should be totally discouraged. In some relationships where the lovers truly love themselves, they tend to do everything to ensure that they are together forever. One of such ways they do this is through blood covenant. Blood covenant is a binding between two people who have the same interest through their own blood. Those who took blood covenant are bounded in their bloods. During blood covenant, the lovers will pierce a part of their body, usually the thumb or any of the fingers to discharge blood. The lovers will then lick or suck the blood. During this period, the lovers are also bounded in their own words. Blood covenant is a kind of oath taking that involves blood sharing. They will also make some declarations that will bind them together. Depending on what they want, these declarations will prevent any of them from betraying the other. They will so much believe in themselves that they will never go against it or face the consequences if they do. Blood covenant is not advisable whether or not you trust yourself. Lovers may indulge in blood covenant because they do not want to lose each other. For instance, a man who loves a girl may decide to indulge in a blood covenant with her so that she will remain with him until he is ready for marriage. This act is usually seen in lovers who so much love themselves. They usually do this when one of them, usually the man has a plan of traveling out. They will do this so that the man will not get another girl over there. Also, the man will agree to this so that the girl will not get someone else when he is gone. Majority of lovers who indulge in this act are oblivious of the dangers that follows it. Some don't know the consequences that follows it when one of them act contrary to their agreement. One thing you need to understand is that anything two or more people plan, agree on and believe in always work out. Blood covenant is very much effective than you can ever imagine. There are some spiritual implications of blood covenant. There are dangers of blood covenant many people don't know. Some of them are explained below. 1. Disease transmission. The person's blood you want to lick, do you know if it is contaminated? What if the person is a carrier or sufferer of some diseases? Taking the blood is enough to make you sick. 2. What if you are not meant together? What if he or she travel and take longer than expected? Can you wait forever? These are the questions you need to ask yourself before indulging in this act. In a situation whereby suitors keep coming around you as a girl, or you keep seeing girls who are good for you as a man, can you withstand the pressure? The risk here is the consequences that will befall you if you go against the agreement. Blood covenant is not as normal as it seems. It is advisable you don't indulge in such act no matter how much you love the person. Credit: Mr Counselor

The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will abide by the court injunction placed on South Tongu branch of the party from taking part in the delegates conference today, Saturday December 17, South Dayi Member of Parliament Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, has said. Mr Dafeamekpor said on the Elections Command Centre on TV3 on Saturday as part of the coverage of the NDC’s congress that the party is law abiding. He said “excluding Sogakope won’t mar the issues, we are a law abiding people, we will respect the court order.” The Sogakope High Court has injuncted the South Tongu Constituency from participating in the NDC conference slated for today, December, 17, 2022. The Party was sued by some members from five branches in the South Tongu constituency. The Court on the 8th of December granted an order restraining the supposed elected executives in the South Tongu Constituency from participating in the upcoming national delegate conference. The plaintiffs in the matter are representing the entire five branches making 45 executives of the Sogasco-KPEKPO branches which problems were resolved by the regional executive committee during the Branch reorganization. Both the NDC and the Electoral Commission have been served copies of the writ.. HIGH COURT, SOGAKOPE (1) Upon hearing Jerry Edem Amernonu, counsel for plaintiff, the court said it has ordered that “Interlocutory injunction be granted against the purportedly elected South Tongu constituency executives of the defendant’s political party restraining them and or other agents , lawful attorneys, proxies from participating in the upcoming national political election scheduled for 17/12/2022 pending the final determination of the suit. Suit to take its normal course thereafter.” Credit: Citinewsroom

Information reaching Thinknewsonline.com indicates that Kumawood Actor, Collins Oteng, popularly known as Okomfo Kolege will be laying his beloved wife, Millicent Oteng to rest today. According to sources, the funeral ceremony is been held at Tabere School Park in the Ashanti Region. It will be recalled that the Actor lost his wife, Millicent and her unborn son during childbirth. Late Millicent Oteng was 34 years. Fare thee well. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) will be going to the polls today, Saturday December 17 to elect national executives. The elections will take place at the Accra Sports Stadium. Nearly 10,000 delegates are expected to cast their ballot to elect the officers. Below the list of candidates vying for various positions: CHAIRMAN SAMUEL YAW ADUSEI JOHNSON ASEIDU NKETIA SAMUEL OFOSU AMPOFO NII ARMAH ASHIETEY VICE CHAIRMAN SHERIF ABDUL-NASIRU ABANGA YAKUBU ALHASSAN DR. SHERRY AYITTEY SETH OFORI OHENE AWUDU SOFO AZOURKA ALHAJI AMADU B. SOROGHO ALHAJI HABIBU ADRAMANI EVELYN ENYONAM MENSAH GENERAL SECRETARY ELVIS AFRIYIE ANKRAH FIFI FIAVI KWETEY DR. PETER BOAMAH OTOKUNOR DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY FRANCIS LANME GURIBE CATHERINE DEYNU BARBARA SERWAA ASAMOAH GBANDE FOYO MUSTAPHA KWAME ZU BRADI PAUL OPATA EVANS AMOO NATIONAL ORGANIZER JOSHUA HAMIDU AKAMBA HENRY OSEI AKOTO MAHDI MOHAMMED GIBRILL SIDII ABUBAKARI SOLOMON YAW NKANSAH CHIEF HAMILTON BINEY NIXON JOSEPH YAMMIN DEPUTY NATIONAL ORGANIZER KOBBY BARLON HABIB MOHAMMED TAHIRU ELIKEM ERIC KEVIN KWAME KOTOKO ALHAJI YAW KUNDOW COMMUNICATION OFFICER SAMMY GYAMFI DEPUTY COMMUNICATION OFFICER GODWIN AKO GUNN ADONGO ATULE JACOB MALIK BASINTALE KWAKU BOAHEN ANTHONY MOHAMMED NAZIRU ZONGO CAUCUS CO-ORDINATOR- ABASS ZULKARNAIN KAMBARI HON. ALHAJI BABANLAMIE ABU SADAT MAMAH MOHAMMED COLE YOUNGER ABDUL-AZIZ MOHAMMED YAKUBU MAHMUD MUDI NEC MEMBERS EPHRAIM NII TAN SACKEY PEREZ FERNANDEZ ARMAH LARYEA ISSAHAKU ISSAH ADEL REV. IRENE SENA AGBLEKE ABDULLAH FARRAKHAN ISHAQ MALIK ADAMA VICTORIA KUMA-MINTAH EMMANUEL EWOENAM YAO ADZOME-DZOKANDA CECILIA N. ASAGA EBENEZER EFFAH HACKMAN NAJAWA ALHAJI ISSAH STEPHEN LADZEDO ANITA ANNAN RANSFORD CHATMAN VANNI-AMOAH THOMAS AYISI KUMAH WONDER VICTOR KUTOR MOHAMMED MAMUDU ARABA TAGOE FAMOUS KWESI KUADUGAH Credit: Citinewsroom

The Ministry of Finance (MoF), has announced the extension of the government’s Debt Exchange Programme to December 30, 2022. The Debt Exchange Programme which was expected to expire on Monday, December 19, 2022, has been extended with a contemplated settlement date of Friday, January 6, 2023. The Ministry of Finance, in a statement, explained that, the extension date comes on the heels of the announcement of the Staff Level Agreement (SLA) between the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on December 13, 2022. Considering these developments, and taking cognizance of the festive season, we have decided to extend the Expiration Date of the voluntary offer to Friday, December 30th, 2022, with a contemplated settlement date on Friday, January 6th, 2023. This extension comes on the heels of the announcement of a Staff Level Agreement (SLA) with the IMF on 13th December 2022,” the Ministry’s statement said. According to the Ministry of Finance, the extension will provide enough time for the necessary consultations with stakeholders. The statement indicated that, “we believe this extension will provide enough time for the necessary consultations and analysis to be completed to meet the expectations of local and foreign institutional bondholders while preserving the integrity of the Debt Sustainability Analysis and the Staff Level Agreement”. The Ministry of Finance reiterated that the extension date will also afford the government the opportunity to consider suggestions made by all stakeholders, thereby adjusting certain measures. "We also fully considered feedback from the financial sector in relation to the need to secure internal and Executive Board approvals which are necessary considerations for their participation in the Exchange. This, in some instances, may require emergency board meetings etc." The extension also affords Government of Ghana the opportunity to consider suggestions made by all Stakeholders with the aim of adjusting certain measures acceptable within the constraints of the Debt Sustainability Analysis,” the statement said. Debt Exchange Programme The Government of Ghana launched the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme on December 5,2022, affects Government of Ghana bonds listed on the Ghana Fixed Income Market (GFIM). Credit: Citinewsroom

Minister-Designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Lariba Zuweira Abudu has revealed that the Akufo-Addo government will increase monies for the much-talked-about school feeding programme. The Minister-Designate made this know during an engagement with the appointment committee of Parliament. "Government will soon increase money allocation for the school feeding programme" Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The High Court Amasaman, has granted an Application for Interim Injunction against the National Democratic Congress, the NDC Congress Planning Committee Chairman, Alex Segbefia, the NDC Acting Director of Elections, Daniel Amartey, the Electoral Commission and George Opare Addo restraining them, their Agents and/or assigns from swearing-in George Opare Addo as the National Youth Organizer elect of the NDC. The Defendants have been further restrained from holding the said George Opare Addo out as the National Youth Organizer elect of the NDC. This was after the court heard an application for interim injunction brought by Brogya Genfi, a contestant in the just-ended National Youth Organizer election of the NDC, the TEIN President of UPSA, Ibrahim Rashid and Paul Amaldago, TEIN President for University of Ghana, Legon, who are challenging the legality of George Opare Addo's election on grounds that same violated two expressed orders/decisions of the High Court and the expressed directives of the National Democratic Congress. The Plaintiffs have filed a Writ of Summons, seeking the annulment of the just-ended National Youth Organizer election on the basis that 22 TEIN President delegates who by the expressed orders of the High Court were supposed to vote in the elections, were excluded and/or prevented from participating in the elections and that 17 persons who were not supposed to participate in the elections were rather allowed to vote. The Plaintiffs are of the view that given the fact that the margin between the two candidates was only 25 votes, the said illegalities and infractions constituting 39 votes, significantly impacted the outcome of the elections. Attached is the Writ of Summons filed by the Plaintiffs and the Order of Interim Injunction from the High Court, Amasaman. All eyes are on the NDC to see whether they are a law abiding political party and will respect the court order or violate same with impunity as was done at Cape Coast in the conduct of the National Youth Elections. Credit: Kofi Tv

Spain Midfielder, Sergio Busquets has announced his international retirement. Busquets, who won the 2010 World Cup and European Championship in 2012, has been a constant at the heart of Spain’s midfield since his debut in 2009. The 34-year-old Barcelona midfielder has played 143 times for Spain, including every match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar where Spain suffered a shock round of 16 exit at the hands of Morocco. “I would like to announce that after almost 15 years and 143 matches, the time has come to say goodbye to the national team,” Busquets wrote on Instagram.“It has been an honor to represent my country and take it to the top, to be a World and European champion, to be captain and to play so many games, with greater or lesser success but always giving everything and contributing my grain of sand so that everything was done the right way, and so that everyone felt how important they are, helping everyone and fighting for the same goal, with unique, unforgettable and historical experiences" "I still get goosebumps remembering it. I will miss it a lot — seeing the squad list, taking the airplane, greeting my teammates, enjoying the training sessions, the endless games, going out to play, but not before shouting together, listening to the national anthem, hugging or feeling the affection of an entire country" “Finally, I can only wish my teammates and the new coach Luis de la Fuente all the luck in the world. Now I will be one more fan, I will enjoy and unconditionally support our team.” Credit: 3news.com

Participants of the 10th National Delegates’ Congress of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have been warned not to wear T-shirts bearing images of any aspirant at the grounds. Chairman of the Congress Planning Committee Alex Segbefia says all T-shirts should be that of the NDC. He made this known on TV3‘s Midday Live on Friday, December 16. The Congress is expected to elect national executives to steer affairs for the party for the next four years. Already, the National Youth Organiser and National Women’s Organiser positions have been filled. The positions available are National Chairman, Vice Chairmen, General Secretary and Deputies, National Organiser and Deputies, Communication Officer and Deputies and National Executive Committee members. Mr Segbefia said he expects the event to be colourful, expecting delegates to come in their NDC colours. Meanwhile, security is expected to be beefed up at the Accra Sports Stadium, where the congress will take place. This comes in the wake of the violence that characterised the Youth and Women’s Conference at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) on Saturday, December 10. Sixteen have been declared wanted by the police despite some officers of the party denying them being registered members of the party. Credit: 3news.com

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has advised its prepaid customers to purchase enough electricity credits ahead of the Yuletide. According to ECG, most of its prepaid offices will not be working during the Yuletide hence the earlier caution. In a statement sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, it said "However, customers and the general public can purchase electricity credits through the ECG Mobile App (POWER APP) or a private vending point" "Prepaid customers are advised to purchase enough electricity credits to carry them through the Christmas and New Year holidays" It also added that it will not be working on December 26th and 27th. The release also mentioned that the ECG will not open any of its offices on Monday 2nd and 9th January, 2023. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker continued his end of year engagement with institutions where he has oversight responsibilities with the latest being the Mineral Development Fund (MDF). On Thursday, December 15, 2022, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mines called on the MDF with a message of commendations for good job done in the year and recommendations on aspect of their work that needs improvement. Declaring the purpose of his visit, Hon. Duker disclosed that the visit forms part of his plans of employing a hands-on and humane approach in dealing with institutions where he has oversight responsibilities. He promised of more such visits. Hon. Duker after his message of commendation urges the administrator of the fund to develop a proper working plan for the fund. He reckons creating an actionable and workable plan for the fund which will enable the staff to be abreast with their roles and ways they can help achieve the purpose for which the fund was established. The Deputy Minister noted a discord in the work being done by the fund and the public’s Knowledge of it. He proposed that to bridge the gap between the fund and the public, “the administrator and his staff must make deliberate and concerted efforts at creating a relationship with the public, particularly those in mining communities”. He said that the fund must work towards putting out their work and making their presence felt in the country. He also urged them to undertake periodic review of their work and legacy projects to assess their impact on the society. In his welcome address, the Administrator of the Mineral Development Fund, Dr Norris Hammah said the fund draws its powers and responsibilities from MDF Act 912 which was passed in 2016. He added that the core duty of the fund is to distribute fund to the administrator of stool lands, Minerals Commission, the Ghana Geological Survey Authority and the Mining Community and Development Scheme and Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. He gave a detailed breakdown of the percentages with which funds are disbursed by the MDF. He mentioned that his outfit has undertaken a number of projects over the years this includes the establishment of a community center, educational facilities, health facilities among others. He concluded his speech by stating the primary purpose of the fund which is to “provide financial benefits to direct beneficiaries which is the mining communities”. Below are some pictures: Story by: Fafa Nyame

In a now viral video which has been shared far and wide, South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit, 71, can be seen wetting himself in full view of cameras during the opening of a new road in the north African country on Tuesday. In the video, the president, who has ruled the country since its independence on July 9, 2011 can be seen peeing himself down the leg as he and other government officials were standing and singing the national anthem during the opening of a road project, in full view of journalists. The president was flanked by military officials and other dignitaries. Social media didn’t waste any time after the incident to mock the leader, with many saying that it is in fact time for the African leader to retire. Other social media users also accused the cameramen of doing a dirty job by disgracing their president, while others said the cameraman did the right thing by exposing the President as medically unfit to lead a country. According to Sahara Reporters, president Kiir is believed to be suffering from a urinary tract infection. Below is a video: Credit: IOL