A 30-year-old man who was nearly set ablaze by a mob at Kasoa over an alleged theft has recounted the horrific moments he endured. According to him, he came so closer to death as his attackers splashed petrol on him ready to set him ablaze but was only saved by the arrival of the police at the scene. Onua News’ Nana Yaw Asare in an interview with the the victim, Michael Amannor, a resident of Amuzukorpe, a suburb of Kasoa says he is considering suicide which is the only option left for him after his attack. Mr. Amannor, who was not at home at the time the mob arrived says he made an official report at the Kasoa Divisional Police Command but was only assured that nothing would happen to him. He had only return to the house later only to be ambushed by the mob. He was clubbed, whipped and stripped naked. Even though he pleaded for mercy, his assailants would not heed. Michael had petrol splashed on his naked body and just as he was about being lighted up, a team of police officers arrived at the scene owing to a distress call placed by another resident of the area. Even though the intervention of the police saved Michael, he appears to be extremely terrified and as he recounts the horrific incident, he mentioned suicide as one of the options running through his mind. According to him, he has no knowledge of what he’s being accused of and cannot understand why he could be humiliated and brutally abused by his own neighbours based on speculations despite him having no record of thievery. He is even more disturbed that the police failed to handle the situation in a manner that would have prevented his ordeal even though he had officially notified them. There’s been no police action following the incident and as he groan in pain, Michael is yearning to see his perpetrators brought to face justice. “They flogged me with wood and copper wire. They said I have stolen a TV and other items in a robbery incident. Yet I have no idea of it. They poured petrol on me and in my eyes,” he narrated. He also appealed to the IGP seeking for justice saying the police should bring the perpetrators to book for him to redeem his image. “I believe many innocent people have gone through my ordeal and some are even in prison. The authorities should ensure that the laws work. I’m pleading with the IGP to intervene to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.” Below are some pictures: Source: Onuaonline.com

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has said that the newly-launched National Electronic Pharmacy Platform (NEPP) will enable over 30 million Ghanaians to have access to prescribed medicines in a more convenient, cost-effective and quality assured manner. He explained that most often, people are faced with the difficulty of driving quite a distance just to find cost-efficient and reliable pharmacies to purchase medications. With the emergence of the ePharmacy, this trouble is going to be done away with, he said. Dr Bawumia said these when he launched the National Electronic Pharmacy Platform (NEPP) in Accra on Monday July 18. “I recall with fondness that in 2019, in line with the government’s digitalization drive, I challenged the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana to take steps in ensuring that Pharmacy services are digitized to ensure prudent regulation of the services provided in the dispensing of medications and other services,” Dr. Bawumia said. “Today’s event is historic for the reason that, for the first time in our nation, we are going to deploy a National Electronic Pharmacy Platform which will enable over 30 million Ghanaians to have access to prescribed medicines in a more convenient, cost-effective and quality assured manner, scaling over counterfeit and inferior medicines,” he added. The operationalization of the ePharmacy platform is such that every drug request entered into the system, is controlled by a team of professionals and registered pharmacists, who, based on the legality and availability of the drug, dispense the medication to the patient in a trust-worthy manner. This, Dr. Bawumia noted, will not only make drugs easily accessible and promote competitive pricing, it will also help reduce the sale of illegal drugs. “Most often, people are faced with the difficulty of driving quite a distance just to find cost-efficient and reliable pharmacies to purchase medications. The situation most times has led to Pharmacy operators preying on the vulnerability of patients to inflate prices or offer fake substitutes for the medication sought,” the Vice President noted. “Buying online is easy and convenient. But if you consider buying medicines online, you need to be cautious. Unfortunately, many online shops and Internet platforms sell medicines illegally. If you buy illegal medicines physically or online, at best you risk spending money on something that might have no effect, at worst the medicine has serious side effects or puts your life at risk and may result in even death.” “The introduction of the National ePharmacy Platform for short NEPP is meant to safely and securely make available medicines, reduce the burden of cost and save time.” “I am particularly impressed that for medication safety, this has been connected to the Food and Drugs Authority database making it easy to authenticate those medicines being sold online are approved for sale in Ghana.” “The easy access of narcotic and dangerous medicines will be greatly reduced through the effective control of these types of medicines through NEPP. “This, I believe will among other things address four key concerns in the provision of pharmacy services; reduction in the sale of unlicensed medicines, ensuring confidentiality of health information, privacy of patients’ medical records, and minimizing counterfeit and sub-standard medication in the country.” Dr Bawumia further challenged the Pharmacy Council to go digital in 2019 and also support the implementation of the NEPP through his office. Credit: 3news.com

The Member of Parliament for Suame, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has assured his constituents that work will soon resume on the Suame-Maakro road. Speaking to Citi News, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said a bitumen shortage contributed to delays in road works. “They should exercise a little patience and pretty soon, in the next three days, we will start,” the MP said. “Even though the road has developed potholes, we have plans to immediately refurbish the place… The situation was worsened by the shortage of bitumen in the system,” he explained. Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also assured that it was always the intention of the state to work on the road. “Before it got scraped, it was dusty. Nobody would go and scrape off the surface of it when the person has no plan to refurbish the road.” The state of the road prompted a hostile reception to Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu on Monday. It took police to calm tension and shield the MP from angry residents after he attempted to address them. Some angry residents threw various items in his direction and hooted at him. The residents last week organised a demonstration and called on authorities to ensure work resumes on the stretch. Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, however, said he understood the anger of his constituents. “If they are really angry that it has been a while since the scraping of the surface and the dust is killing them, certainly when they see any government official, they will vent their spleen on the person. So I am not worried. Credit: Citinewsroom

Kumasi Asante Kotoko has reached an agreement to sign former Udinese footballer, Agyemang Badu, Kessben Sports has gathered. Badu with his wealth of experience is expected to reignite the young Asante Kotoko squad as they feature in the 2022-23 CAF champions league. The under 20 Worldcup winner had always made in his intentions clear to return to Asante Kotoko, claiming he has unfinished business with the Ghanaian giants. During his stint with Asante Kotoko when he joined the club on loan in 2008, Badu missed a lot of games for Kotoko because he was strongly involved with the national U20 team that won the 2009 FIFA World Cup in Egypt. According to sources from the club, the deal is subjected to the approval of the technical team who is likely to affirm the second coming of the Worldcup winner to the club. Credit: Kessben Sports

Aside from the public bashing AJ Poundz suffered after supposedly slandering her ex-friend, Akua Amoakowaa, AJ Poundz may face legal consequences too. Sally Akua Amoakowaa Mensah has sought legal action to stop AJ Poundz from talking about her. According to Sally’s lawyers, the comments by AJ Poundz, born Matilda Adwoa Densu, are false and defamatory and have harmed their client. Therefore she must apologize and retract within 7 days or be prepared to face them in court. The letter from Blagogee, Blacksword & Co Legal Practitioners reads as follows; “1. We act as Solicitors for and on behalf of Salomey Akua Amoakowaa (Our “Client”) of Accra, on whose instruction we write to you. 2. It has come to our Client’s attention that you, Matilda Adwoa Densu, have granted an interview to one Delores Frimpong Manso(Delay’s Show) aired on or about the 10th day of July 2022, for which you peddled outright falsehood deliberately calculated to tarnish Our Client’s good name, brand and hard-earned reputation. 3. In the said interview, you made baseless allegations of infidelity against Our Client including a claim that Our Client has admitted to the said allegations of infidelity. 4. Your comments referred to supra did not only cause our Client emotional pain, psychological pain and reputational damage but also portrayed her in a bad light in the eyes of the public. This reasonably has affected her and her brand and will result in the loss of reasonably expected business opportunities. 5. We have the instruction of our Client to write to you to CEASE AND DESIST from any further mention and/or discussion of matters involving or relating to Our Client on any platform whatsoever. 6. We are, also, by this letter giving you seven (7) days to ensure that the platform(s) you used in publishing the said defamatory comments pull down and delete all such videos/audios containing those comments. 7. Further, you are to render an unqualified apology to Our Client on all the platforms you used to publish and give fuel to the said defamatory comments. 8. Please, be advised that, unless you comply with the demands of this notice in full, and within 7 calendar days, we have Our Client’s firm instruction to commence all necessary legal proceedings against you. 9. For the avoidance of doubt, you will be responsible, inter alia, for the cost, Our Client incurs in seeking legal redress together with compensatory damages without further recourse to you or at all. The Delay Show was thrown into mayhem when AJ Poundz disclosed that Sally Akua Amoakowaa was unfaithful to her husband, Dr Kwaku Oteng. AJ Poundz continued to say that Akua was seeing another man, which resulted in her divorce. She also maintained that she was a good friend because she turned down Dr Oteng’s advances to sleep with her. “Her husband confronted her over infidelity suspicions, and she confessed to being in a relationship with someone for a year. I wasn’t surprised about the divorce. It’s something she really wanted to do. She was married but was single. That’s why I said I never caused her divorce. Nobody can mess your marriage up. You mess it up yourself,” AJ told Delay. Below are copies of the suit: Credit: 3news.com

The Police, through an intelligence-led operation on Sunday July 17, 2022, arrested six suspects who are a part of a gang of robbers terrorizing people. According to the Police, victim, who was robbed on July 17, 2022, at Nkwaeso on Sunyani Road identified one of the suspects, Issa Mohammed, to be among the people who robbed him. The victim also identified iPhone 11 pro max among the phones retrieved from the gang. The suspects, upon further interrogations, admitted their involvement in a series of both residential and highway robberies within the region and beyond 6. “We want to reassure the public that the Police are determined to fight crime and weed out criminal elements in our society,” the Police said. Story by: Laud Nartey

The Tema-Accra passenger train service which was suspended temporarily for rehabilitation work, has resumed today, Monday 18th July 2022. This comes after the GRCL successfully addressed the technical challenges that led to the suspension. The GRCL conducted series of test run, final joint inspection also carried out on 7th July 2022 by GRCL and Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) to ascertain the suitability of the line for passenger service, a statement said on Friday July 15. The statement stressed that “GRDA, which is the industry regulator has granted the GRCL the the approval to commence the shuttle service The resumption of the train service is expected to ease traffic congestion on the Tema-Accra road. The statement stressed that “GRDA, which is the industry regulator has granted the GRCL the the approval to commence the shuttle service. Credit: 3news.com

The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, has said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) cannot break the 8-year-electoral cycle considering that the government has broken all the promises they made to Ghanaians. He indicated that the NDC stands tall in winning the 2024 elections to order to bring good policies to Ghanaians. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo told Alfred Ocansey on 3FM Sunrise Monday 18 July, 2022 that it takes more than organizing a conference to elect party executive officers to gain electoral victory as a party in government. He described the newly elected national executive officers of the NPP as an old wine in a new bottle. Therefore, no magic can save the NPP from losing the 2024 general election. “They have brought misery and hardships, economic mismanagement, and excruciating hardship onto the Ghanaian society. For that matter, I believe all that they did yesterday at the conference is just a mere exercise to satisfy the constitutional requirement of their party and has no fortunes at all as far as 2024 election is concerned” he said. Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo emphasized that what every party could leverage on when given the ability and opportunity is to govern, you rule and manage the country well to serve as a basis for the people to give you re-election. “The NPP in government has been an abysmal failure and I don’t think this ten new executives or so that have been elected will be able to change anything at all as we move into the 2024 elections” he stated The chairman of the NDC opined that the situation is getting worse and it is clear the NPP has no clue or any antidote to the hydra headed challenges the country is facing such as; the fast depreciation of the cedi, growing rate of unemployment, escalating prices of goods and services, as well as declining living standards. He accused the NPP government of living on lip service and failed promises, whereas the NDC talks less and delivers more, hence no magic can save the NPP from defeat in the 2024 elections. “This is the government that said it was changing the paradigm of development and that he is introducing Ghana beyond aide and that they were not going to rely on multilateral institutions, and that they were going to develop the country from within with local resources but you can attest with me that they have borrowed money more than any government in the history of this country with nothing to show. We have a president who has demolished existing hospital to build new one but has left the place to be a den of reptiles” he asserted Story by: Samuel Afriyie Owusu

Bananas are sweet, soft fruits popular all over the world. Their thick, fibrous peels, however, are a less popular source of nutrition, at least in Western countries. But contrary to what many people believe, banana peels are not only safe to eat, they also offer a number of health benefits. In addition to the nutritional benefits of eating banana peels, there are environmental benefits as well. Bananas are the most widely eaten fresh fruit in America. By eating the peels, you can help minimize the amount of food that goes to landfills. Both bananas and banana peels may offer different health benefits depending on their level of ripeness. Under ripe, green bananas may be more effective in treating digestive issues, while riper, blackened bananas have been shown to help white blood cells fight off disease and infection. Keep in mind that many of these studies were done on rats, not humans, and further research is needed to determine if bananas have the same effects on humans. Here are a few potential health benefits of banana peels: Depression Relief The high levels of tryptophan in bananas, combined with the B6 in banana peels, can help relieve some symptoms of depression and other mood disorders. Tryptophan turns into serotonin as it breaks down, which can improve your mood. Vitamin B6 can help improve sleep, which has a positive impact on mood over time. Digestive Health Fiber-rich banana peels can help regulate the digestive system, easing both constipation and diarrhea. This can be a particularly important benefit of banana peels for people with Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome. Better Eyesight Vitamin A can help keep your eyes strong and healthy. This vitamin is abundant in both bananas and banana peels. May Lower Cancer Risk Banana peels are packed with polyphenols, carotenoids, and other antioxidants that fight cancer-causing free radicals in your body. Eating more banana peels, especially green, unripe peels, can increase your antioxidant levels and help reduce your risk of cancer. Studies on the anti-cancer properties of banana peels were done in test tubes, not on humans. Further research is needed to understand whether banana peels can lower cancer risk in people. Nutrients per Serving The exact composition of banana peels is still being investigated, so there’s no standard nutrition profile yet. A number of factors affect the nutrients found specifically in banana peels. However, the nutrients per serving of bananas are readily available. One medium banana provides approximately: Calories: 105 Fat: 0 grams Carbohydrates: 27 grams Sugar: 14 grams Fiber: 3 grams Protein: 1 gram Bananas are also a rich source of: Potassium Vitamin A Vitamin C Calcium Iron The banana peels themselves offer additional nutrients, including: Vitamin B6 Vitamin B12 Magnesium Potassium Fiber Protein How to Prepare Banana Peel Banana peel can make for a healthy afternoon snack or a delectably healthy dessert. Get creative and you'll soon see why chefs around the world commonly leave the banana peels on. Unlike the inside of a banana, which is soft and sweet, a banana peel is harder and more bitter. The more ripe your banana, the sweeter and softer the peel will be. It's also important to wash the peel thoroughly to remove any fertilizer or chemicals the fruit may have been sprayed with. There are a number of ways banana peel can be prepared to make it even more delicious: Blended into smoothies. Fried and caramelized to use as an ice cream topping. Baked with cinnamon and sugar. Boiled and eaten with a spoon. Made into banana vinegar and added to salads. Cooked with meat on top of it. Credit: https://www.webmd.com/

Information reaching Thinknewsonline.com indicates that two (2) persons have been confirmed dead whie ninety-eight (98) others are under quarantine as Ghana records its first case of Marburg virus. According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the two deceased were farmers from Bekwai and Adensi North, both in the Ashanti Region. The GHS also mentioned that the two deceased were twenty-six (26) and fifty-one (51) years and both males. Speaking on an Accra-based television network, Director of Public Health, Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, said "So far the first batch of the contacts traced have not shown symptoms of the Marburg Virus Disease though they have attained the twenty one days incubation period" “Today is day 21 and none of the contacts has shown any traces. The 39 first batch of contacts I mean. There were two sets of contacts that were traced. That’s the Ashanti region set numbering fifty and the Savannah region group made up of forty eight people totaling ninety eight” It is emerging that although Marburg is not common in Ghana, these two cases happen to the first the country has recorded. The 98 persons are currently under quarantine of which health workers are attending to them. The GHS is appealing to the public to be on the lookout in order not to contract the Marburg virus. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Leadership of the People’s National Convention (PNC) has appealed to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to deal with Adwoa Safo’s case with a relatively human face. General Secretary for the PNC Janet Asaana Nabla whiles delivering her party’s solidarity message at the ongoing NPP National Delegates Conference appealed to the ruling party to deal with Adwoa Safo’s situation with kids’ gloves. This is because, she told the gathering at the Accra Sports Stadium, if her seat is declared vacant, it will affect the already dwindled female representation in Parliament. She, therefore, called on the NPP to reconsider their decision to deal with Adwoa Safo for absenting herself from Parliament for almost a year. The Dome-Kwabenya lawmaker Sarah Adwoa Safo’s seat is said to have been declared vacant after she failed to appear before the Privileges Committee of Parliament to explain why she has absented herself for 15 consecutive sittings without permission from the Parliamentary leadership. Meanwhile, Janet Asaana Nabla believes that Adwoa Safo’s exit from Parliament will really deepen the sex disparity in the House. She argued that out of the 275 seats in Ghana’s 8th Parliament, only 40 are females, representing 14.5 percent and rendering the current Parliament a male dominated arena. The PNC General Secretary further begged the NPP leadership to, as matter of urgency, rescind their decision to oust Adwoa Safo from Parliament because her exit will further erode the already widened sex gap in Parliament. Story by: Nana Asenso Mensah

Defeated National Organizer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, has said he cannot with Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B. He stated unequivocally that he will turn down any offer from Nana B, the elected National Organizer for the Party. “Nobody should underrate me. I can’t work under Nana B; sorry, I cannot. I am a party member [and will always be available to work for it],” he said in an interview on Accra-based Oman FM. The NPP has urged all aspirants of the just-ended national delegates’ conference to put their differences aside and unite for a victory in the 2024 elections. The party’s leadership has served notice it will be embarking on a reconciliation tour across all polling stations, constituencies and regional offices to settle internal conflicts for a united front. Majority of the aspirants, both winners and losers, have all pledged their allegiance to the NPP and have assured to work towards breaking the eight. But Mr Titus-Glover, a former Member of Parliament for Tema East, is being candid with the situation. Even though he said he can not work under Nana B, he has given the assurance that he will continue to work for the NPP as a committed party member. Credit: Myjoyonline.com