Veteran Actor, Ekow Blankson has died. The actor who was also into other private businesses played different roles in many movies and television advertisements. Borga, Frozen Emotion, Savannah, In April, Checkmate, Illusions, A Woman Scorned, Pool Party, and Famous were some of the movies he starred in. He holds a Masters’s Degree in Fine Arts and a Diploma in Theatre Arts (Drama) from the University of Ghana, Legon. Late Blankson also graduated from the Heineken Global Commerce University, Amsterdam, with a marketing certificate. Career Ekow Blankson has worked with media companies including TV Africa, Media General Limited and The Multimedia Group. At the Multimedia Group, he was the Managing Director of Brands and Corporate Communications and General Manager (Luv FM and Nhyira FM) respectively. He also featured and directed some Ghanaian movies until his demise, he worked as the Commercial Manager at GhanaWeb. Best Moment on screen In an interview with YFM’s Rev. Erskine in July 2021, Mr Blankson singled out his time on the set of ‘Checkmate’ as his best moment on the screen. He said the director of the movie, Shirley Frimpong-Manso, contributed to the great moment he had on location and set. He explained that “At that time I was used to doing things my way.“I was used to suggesting moves, suggesting delivery, changing dialogue when I thought it was right but when I got onto that set, I really got challenged.“ Here, you could find that the director knew what she was about and I realised that those were better than I suggested” Ekow noted that indeed the work put into the movie paid off as people commended him for his role in that movie. Credit: Myjoyonline.com

Hundreds of residents at Akwadum Zongo in the New Juaben North Municipality of the Eastern Region have fled their homes after several hours of downpour submerged their homes. The rains which started yesterday became worse after the Densu river which flows through the community went over its banks at around 10am on Sunday. Thousands of properties have been lost in the process. Residents say the situation may get worse if the rains do not stop. Personnel from the Eastern Regional Headquarters of the National Fire Service and the Ghana Police Service responding to distress calls from residents were left helpless when they arrived at the scene as they could not get access to the community due to the floods. Travellers and commuters around the Koforidua Suhum stretch have since been left stranded. In an interview with Citi News, some home and business owners who have abandoned their homes and shops appealed to government to “assist them in these trying times.” Credit: Citinewsroom

A young gardener has impregnated three biological sisters in Kenya. According to the reports shared by influencer Tayor, the young ladies who had strict parents always kept them indoors without giving them the chance to mingle with their colleagues or neighbors. The three sisters however became close to the gardener of the house and started getting close to him and eventually slept with the gardener without the knowledge of their strict parents until they got pregant. The sharer of the story wrote, “The Christian Parents were shocked that their daughters were pregnant despite being strict on them. But when they inquired who was responsible, their honest response caused the mother to faint.” "It was further revealed the garden boy started sleeping with the second born and after they were caught by the firstborn, she demanded that she be helped in order for her not to report to the girls’ tough and strict parents but in the process, the last born also saw what was happening and demanded to also sleep with the garden boy if she has to keep secret" "In the end, all three sisters got pregnant by the same man. The sisters have since given birth and their parents have accepted the fate after intense counseling and blamed themselves for being too strict towards their daughters. This is how life treats people sometimes who are tough and strict towards girl children because na them dey bad pass.” Credit: GHBase

The Minister for Lands and Forestry, John Jinapor, has directed the Forestry Commission to stop Akonta Mine from mining in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Amenfi West Municipality in the Western Region. It may be recalled that personnel from the Commission were chased out of the forest reserve when they went to stop workers of the Mine from mining. A statement from the ministry said, even though Akonta has a mining lease to undertake mining operations in some parts of Samreboi, the company has no mineral right to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri forest reserve. The Hon. Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has, therefore, directed the Forestry Commission to, forthwith, ensure that the company does not carry out any operation in the Forest and to take the necessary action against any person found culpable in this matter. Credit: Peacefmonline.com

Heavy rains over the weekend have made a section of the Koforidua-Suhum road unmotorable. According to the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), all motorists travelling from the Eastern Region capital town of Koforidua to Suhum are advised to take a turn at the traffic light at the SSNIT Estate-Nyamekrom-Supriso road. They are to then go through Obourtumpan to Nkatenkwan and then link back to the road at the outskirts of Akwadum. The bridge at Akwadum is what has caused the diversion. “Motorists from Suhum to Koforidua are to observe this and turn at the outskirts of Akwadum and follow the same route to Koforidua,” a public announcement by GHA on Sunday, October 2 said. “The inconvenience is deeply regretted.” Source: 3news.com

The Kasoa Ofaakor Circuit Court presided over by His Worship Ebenezer Osei Darko has sentenced two Nigerian nationals to a total of 40 years in prison for robbing a Mobile money vendor in broad daylight light at Kasoa New Market Junction in the Central Region. On Tuesday, May 17, it was reported that two armed robbers have been arrested by the Kasoa Divisional Police Command after a Mobile Money vendor was robbed an amount of GH¢11,800. The two robbers, Bright Okwara and Ferdinand Obi, committed that crime after the victim had withdrawn the money from a bank at Kasoa. Detective Sargent Addai Boamah told the Court that these two Nigerian nationals were on motorbike, monitoring the activities of the victim after he withdrew the money from the bank. Detective Boamah added that the suspects followed the victim from Kasoa New Market to Market Junction, where they robbed him. He said though the suspects succeeded in robbing the victim, he chased them with his motorbike and crashed them, leading to their arrest. His Worship Ebenezer Osei Darko sentenced Bright Okwara 20 years and Ferdinand Obi also 20 years with hard labour. The judge also commended Detective Sergeant Addai Boamah despite challenges from the suspects’ lawyers.After the court proceeded, the victim, Hassan Nuru Yaro, expressed joy for getting justice. He also commended Detective Sergeant Addai Boamah and the judge, Ebenezer Osei Darko, for working hard to keep the suspects till the judgement day. Source: 3news.com

The phenomenal Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both scored hat-tricks as Manchester City thrashed rivals Manchester United 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium. Haaland's treble, remarkably his third in successive home Premier League games, took his tally since joining the champions in the summer to 17 in just 11 appearances in all competitions. Foden also had a huge hand in a rampant City display which evoked memories of their famous 6-1 derby demolition of United at Old Trafford in 2011. Foden began the rout after just eight minutes and United were a distinct second best thereafter, although Antony pulled one back and Anthony Martial also claimed two consolation efforts. The result, which took City back within a point of the top of the table, both underlined the champions' brilliance and emphasised the size of the task still facing Erik ten Hag at United Credit: The Guardian

A Medical Practitioner at the Ga East Hospital, Dr. Benedict Afari, has warned men who have sex beyond 7 minutes to desist from it. According to the gynaecologist, people who engage in sex for 30 minutes to an hour do not benefit from it and instead endanger their lives. In an interview with Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, he stated that it would be prudent to engage in more foreplay rather than having sex for more than seven minutes. "There is no benefit to engaging in sex for long periods of time. According to studies, sex is best enjoyed between five and seven minutes" "The piercing aspect of sex should last 7 minutes. However, the foreplay can last. Such acts would have serious consequences for those who have the sex,” he emphasised. He stated that there are several benefits derived from sex, including enhancing the bond between partners and promoting the psychological and physical well-being of those who engage in it. He said it is also a form of exercise that could help people burn calories. Source: rainbowradioonline.com

Sympathizers who stormed the Forecourt of the State House in Accra on Saturday to mourn and bid Late Ghanaian Actor, Prince Yawson known by many as Waakye a farewell were driven away after a heavy downpour. The Sympathisers who feared to be beaten by the rain abandoned the casket carrying the remains when the rains set in. In a video sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, the brown casket carrying the remains of the Actor was captured under a canopy likewise a banner displaying his picture In the same video, the hearse hired to convey the body was also captured parked with its driver nowhere to be found. The unfortunate incident left many expressing mixed reactions. Late Actor Waakye was known for his roles in many Ghanaian movies. The Late Actor along the line switched from acting to becoming a preacher of the Gospel. Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has switched gears, as it began an evening Value Added Tax (VAT) Invigilation Exercise in some parts of Accra. According to GRA, the move was aimed at checking and arresting persons who fail to issue VAT invoices to their clients after rendering various services. Addressing Journalists after the exercise, Area Manager of Enforcement and Debt Management, Accra Central Area Office, Joseph Annan said "So far we have done some work in the day with the media, so we decided to do something in the night. We have our men all over working. We have a tall list of places we have visited who are not doing the right thing and we have just started the night, we will be doing more nights against the days so that at least no body will be spared" "We visited 'The Alley' Bar and 'Poki House. We decided to do some more work on the parentive assessment in the day so that we will have some time for the nights" Touching on the violations identified after the tour, Mr. Annan said "Once you are registered to charge VAT, Section 41 of the VAT Tax mandates you to issue the VAT invoice or an appropriate invoice sanctioned by the Commissioner-General. So once you have not done that, you have committed an offence" "So when we come, we look at your records of account, if you are using the machine, then we will try and retrieve something so that we can assess you parentively and what it means is that you have to pay immediately but obviously, there will be a full audit when investigations are done and the CID who is with us, will investigate the case" He stressed that once investigations are done, the case will be handed over to GRA's legal unit who will prosecute the cases in court. Responding to why some arrests were not made after Friday's night operation, Mr. Annan noted that his men applied 'human face' hence no arrest. He said "That is true. We arrest and should arrest at all times but as human as we are, it is night and we feel we must apply some 'human face' to what we do, after all they are not criminals. So we have invited them to the Police Station and on Monday, we will take their statements and then investigations will commence" The Area Manager of Enforcement and Debt Management noted that failure on the part of the pub owners will warrant fiscal arrest. "Then there will be fiscal arrest because we already have their details. As you can see we took inventory which we are taking to the office. They were signed with their names and telephone numbers on that sheet so we have a way of reaching them" The Ghana Revenue Authority says it will not relent on the operation rather it will ensure that the citizenry abide by rules and regulations. Friday's operation saw the GRA storm 'The Alley' Bar, Labone and Poki House, Airport Residential Area, both in Accra. Below are some pictures and videos: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has elected Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin and Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas for the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General of the ITU respectively. The elections form part of the objectives for the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 (PP-22) which is being held in Bucharest in Romania from 25th September to 14th October 2022. In a congratulatory message to the newly elected to the high-level positions of the ITU body, the Minister for Communication and Digitalisation (MoCD), Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful assured the incoming Secretary-General of Ghana’s utmost collaboration and support at all times. Commenting on their individual profiles, she said that, Ms. Bogdan-Martin has over the years, championed gender digital inclusion and youth empowerment, and that it was a fitting tribute to her tireless efforts that she becomes the first woman to lead the 157-year-old organization. She added that she was yet another the first female elected for the position of Director of the ITU in 2018, noting therefore that she was confident that Ms. Bogdan-Martin would bring her experience to bear. Also expressing the best wishes to Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas, the Deputy Secretary-General-Elect of the ITU, the Hon. Minister said she believes that he would work hard to assist the General Secretary to ensure the ITU achieves inclusive global connectivity and digital transformation for the benefit of all member-states. Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful also assured him of getting the full support of Ghana to enable him to discharge his duties. "Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General-Elect is the youngest to take this position. Indeed, the ITU resolutions on gender and youth inclusion come to bear that we have already had a team of elected Secretary General and Deputy as a lady and a youth. This has so far been a truly historic ITU Plenipot, the most gender-responsive and youth inclusive ever. To our friends Gisa Fuatai Purcell and Dr. Chaesub Lee, we look forward to your continued support to the ITU" the Minister stated. She said that Ghana and all Member States were grateful for the leadership of the out-going Secretary-General of the ITU, Mr. Houlin Zhou, and his Deputy, Mr. Malcolm Johnsonl for the years of service to the ITU, adding that ….*"we wish you a well-earned retirement” The Hon. Minister used the opportunity to encourage the other competitors who stood for the positions and lost. she said. “Well fought and better luck next time. and we hope to count on your rich experience for the benefit of all ITU Member States” This year’s ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 (PP-22) was the first gender-responsive Plenipotentiary. The ITU aims to reach the target of at least 35% of women participants, up from to 22% of women participants at PP-2014, and 29% at PP-2018. Below is a picture: Story by: Thinknewsonline.com

The Eastern Regional Police Command has taken over the investigations into the shooting incident at Asamang Tamfoe in the Atewa East District on Thursday. The incident is in relation to illegal mining activities in the area. Meanwhile, 16 of the total of 24 suspects arrested are in police custody in Koforidua. The eight were released after a screening exercise by the police when it was detected that they were farmers who were arrested as part of the swoop. They were taken to the Koforidua High Court Friday morning but the court was not in session. Efforts are underway to grant them police enquiry bail. A team from the Eastern Regional Police Command, led by the Regional Commander, DCOP Anderson Fosu Ackaah Friday morning visited the Asamang Tamfoe community to engage the people. What happened? There was some disagreement with community members of Asamang Tamfoe when an anti illegal mining taskforce and the police from Kyebi went to the area to arrest suspects and seize illegal mining equipment. The police and the task force had gone into a bush in the area to stop a suspected illegal mining activity. However, the community members insisted, their operations were approved as it was part of an approved community mining activity.The police and task force seized some mining equipment including excavators. On their way out in a convoy transporting the arrested suspects and the equipment to Kyebi where the District Police Command headquarters is located, the community members blocked the road.This led to the firing of shots. Below is a video from the incident scene: Credit: Graphicnonline.com