The General Secretary of the Convention People's Party (CPP), Nana Yaa Jantuah has taken a swipe at the embattled chairperson, Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankumah, saying she will use 'good weedicides' to take out all weeds worrying both the leadership and members of the party. According to Nana Yaa Jantuah, nobody can intimidate either the leaders or members of the party stressing that the CPP is not a corporate entity. In an exclusive interview with Thinknewsonline.com on Monday at the Adabraka Police Station, she said "We are telling them that they should hold fast unto the banner of CPP. The cock is going to crow and crow victory for us. Nobody can intimidate us. This party is not for one person, it is not a corporate body. It is a body that has stood for the past 70 years. Kwame Nkrumah and some comrades formed this party and no one person can take charge of this party and decide to do whatever they want. The grassroots understands that we are behind them. We will fight to liberate this party so that in 2024, we will take out all the weeds. We will use good weedicides to take out the weeds that are worrying us and at the end of the day, victory will be for us” Nana Jantuah also revealed that the grassroots of the CPP are ready for re-run since its chair did not cross the 50% or more of the votes cast at the party’s congress. She said “Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankumah, our embattled chairman who did not get even 50% or more of the valid votes cast at the congress and we are going to do a re-run” Responding to the invitation by the Adabraka Police, the General Secretary further expressed her disappointment at the party’s Chair for reporting the leaders to the state security service. “She said that we have insulted her, said things about her which are not palatable. The way we run our political parties; these things are common. If so, Nana Addo would have taken everyone to the police station. People talk about what they think is not right, people speak their minds and they speak their minds in various languages and so it is not right for anybody who is an epitome of a mother, take anybody to the police station that they have spoken negatively about her” “It is not right and unacceptable and even if she is not going to go through the process or a re-run, I think, the party of which she is already unpopular, will pass a vote of no confidence against her for bringing her leaders to the police station” The General Secretary hinted that the National Executives Council of the CPP will be officially informed about the unfortunate situation. “We are in a democratic dispensation and the issue of democracy transcends every asset of this country, the political party at home and everywhere. If anybody wants to sit on the democratic rights on any group of people, that is unacceptable” Nana Yaa Jantuah noted that the leaders of the party did not agree to the Chairmanship of Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankumah. She mentioned that covid-19 among others prevent the leaders from taking actions against Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankumah's chairmanship position. “The Council of Elders said they erred and therefore, there is a dispensation for them to clear it up. We are going to clear it up. There is no statutory of limitation in our constitution. It does not tell us, what time and when we should do the re-run. We are in line and in-tune and we are going to make sure that our constitution work” “If you are party that wants to take power in this country, then within ourselves, we have to know that our constitution must work” The General Secretary reminded that the party Chair that it is only the NEC which has the right to interdict the National Officers and not Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankumah. Nana Yaa Jantuah revealed that the party chair has redrawn GHc100,000 without the knowledge of the leaders of the party. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker says Government through policy interventions and purchase of equipment demonstrated its unalloyed to the growth of the small-scale mining sector. Speaking after an inspection of Hundred Gold kacha machine procured by Government through the Minerals Commission at Nsawam in the Eastern Region on Monday, April 25, 2022. The Deputy Minister explained that the purpose of the equipment which is to help in the process of gold is one of a plethora of measures being rolled out to improve gains in the small-scale mining sector. He opined that government through these measures is seeking to curb the illegal mining (galamsey) and replace it with a more responsible and sustainable mining scheme. He urged that the activities of government should not be misconstrued but rather a need for conscious effort at protecting the country’s natural resources for generations yet unborn. He encouraged investors and Ghanaians to venture into small-scale mining with the caveat that their activities will be in tandem with the law. He bemoaned the politicization of the fight against galamsey, making the supposition that the only way the government will succeed against the canker is a depoliticization of the drive. The Tarkwa-Nuaem MP also advocated for all-hands on deck approach, urging traditional rulers and elders to assume their role as custodians of their respective lands to help government eradicate illegal mining. He noted that for the government to see through its objective, there must be a collaboration among all relevant institutions with the chieftaincy institution not being an exception. Government, he said has empowered and resourced the Operation Halt Taskforce to undertake their anti-galamsey duties and will not ‘throw its hands in despair’ despite the challenges. He warned all persons engaged in illegal mining to quickly desist from it as the full rigours of the law will be activated on anyone found to have engaged in the act. The gold kacha is expected to be commissioned by President Akufo-Addo next month. Below are some pictures: Story by: Fafa Nyame

The government has agreed to pay the Neutrality Allowance to members of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG). But the government wants the name ‘Neutrality Allowance’ changed. Head of Local Government Services, Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, told TV3’s Daniel Opoku in an interview on Monday, April 25 that “Both parties government and CLOGSAG have shown a very good faith as far as this is concerned. The government was very transparent… “…We are pleading with you CLOGSAG, we can only implement that allowance that we say we are going to give to you, forget about the terminology that we call it. Because today, that terminology, that nomenclature doesn’t sit well with us as a government. “So let us have a team to look at how it is going to be called however, that allowance, we will give to you effective the last quarter of the year, from October. “CLOGSAG accepted the offer, that was last Friday.” Members of CLOGSAG began an indefinite strike on Thursday, April 21 over the nonpayment of the neutrality allowance. CLOGSAG said it was noted that payment of the Neutrality Allowance they demanded had not been effected as agreed in spite of official reminders and follow-ups to the Ministry of Finance. Story by: Laud Nartey

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor has assured that the President Akufo-Addo government will not needlessly compromise the intergrity of Atewa Forest but rather exploit it for the ultimate benefit of the Ghanaian people. "Government and GIADEC continue to be fully committed to the preservation of the Atewa Forest and ensure that the exploitation of the bauxite in Atewa is in the ultimate interest of the Ghanaian people and is in the public interest. They are also working to ensure that the integrity of the forest is preserved" Speaking to Aljazeera Media Network on Sunday 24th April, 2022, the Minister said Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation (GIADEC) has Atewa Forest as one of the key projects being relentlessly pursued by government together with Awaso, Nyinahin - Mpasaaso, Kyebi and Valco projects, all in efforts to build an integrated iron and Aluminium industry. Hon Jinapor added that "goverment is therefore putting in place measures to ensure that particularly, bauxite and iron ore are built with the full value chain retained here in Ghana and we have created bureaucracies here like the GIADEC and GISDEC which are going to be responsible for building the full value chain of this bauxite and iron ore" The Minister explained that the thin line between mining the bauxite and preserving the environment is striking a delicate balance to ensure that the country's industrilisation drive continues because these minerals he opined are the starting point for industrial development and prosperity of the country. "We cannot progress and unleash the prosperity our people so dearly need without industrialisation and we cannot  industrialise without building these integrated bauxite and iron industries". The Minister maintained that government is also ensuring that the bauxite in Atewa are exploited in a manner that does not unreasonably compromise the ecological integrity of the forest. Touching on the production of Gold, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources indicated that government intends to keep Ghana's position as the leading producer of Gold and the 6th on the world scale and even do more. He added that the President of the Republic has plans of changing the equation of Ghana being a major resource rich country which only produces raw material to a country that builds and retains the full value chain of it's Minerals. "Goverment is therefore making efforts to ensure that refineries in Ghana aquire the London Bullion Market Association Certification (LBMA) and become fit for purpose to participate in the global refinery industry." Story by: Nadia Aidoo

Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is expected to release guidelines for the Tax on the much-talked-about Electronic Transfers (E-Levy), today. According to GRA, the guidelines when released will give details on how the levy should be applied. It is also emerging that the guidelines will also help Financial Institutions as well as Mobile Money Operators on how to address concerns of the public about the levy. Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Rev'd Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah in an interview with an Accra-based television station said "The guidelines had delay, because engagement with stakeholders showed that there are still more areas to be covered" The E-Levy is however expected to takeoff from May 1 2022. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Winneba Municipal Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) says preliminary investigations conducted into the Accra-Cape highway accident indicate that some drivers, especially those who drive Mercedes Sprinter and 207 buses have been consuming enhancement substances to enable them drive for longer hours. The Winneba Municipal Fire Commander, DOIII Kwesi Hughes said the drivers taken in ‘wee toffee’. The Commander was giving an account of two separate accidents on the Cape Coast-Accra stretch of the highway which caused injury to 46 passengers over the weekend. Twenty passengers were sent to hospital in critical condition, while 26 other persons were injured and received treatment at the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital in these two separate accidents on the Kasoa-Cape Coast Highway. While the first accident happened at Gomoa Mpota, the second happened at Gomoa Mankessim in the Central Region. Police say all the two separate accidents, involving five vehicles, had two Sprinter Benz buses. The first which had three vehicles involved a Sprinter Benz bus, a KIA Rhino and a DAF Trailer while the second had a Sprinter Benz Bus with the registration number GN-2572-10 from Cape Coast to Accra burst its tyre and somersaulted in the process. The Fire Service Commander, DOIII Kwesi Hughes told Sunrise host Alfred Ocansey on Monday April 25 that “the drivers of this sprinter busses take in substance which is an abuse. “So their blood is hot. They take in wee toffee so the police can go underground and do investigations to check”. He explained that “when they sit behind the wheels, they are just chasing money”. “A sprinter can over take 15 cars at a go. Look, I have been using this stretch on a daily or weekly basis and what I sometimes see, it is very bad”. Story by: Kweku Antw-Otoo

The 32-year-old former Arsenal captain failed to inspire the Blaugrana as they suffered another La Liga defeat at Camp Nou. Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has once again come under heavy criticism from fans after Barcelona suffered a shock 1-0 La Liga defeat to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. It was Alvaro Garcia’s goal just seven minutes into the league clash at Camp Nou that helped the Red Sashes defeat the Catalans and hand them a second straight top-flight defeat at home having been beaten by Cadiz 1-0 last Monday. Barcelona have now lost three matches in a row on home soil – since they had lost 3-2 to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League. The result has left many Barcelona fans taking to social media to express their dissatisfaction at the performance of Aubameyang, who was signed from Arsenal in January. Aubameyang - who has managed nine La Liga goals - was substituted for Luuk de Jong in the 71st minute. Article continues below Below is how fans commented on the player on Twitter after his latest display: Ferran Torres has zero shot on target in the last 4games, Ousmane Dembele has 2 shot on target from 50 attempts, let’s leave Aubameyang, understandably he’s past his best years… Hard times for Barcelona, it won’t be like this forever — Oba of Omuo Empire (@Manapasta) April 24, 2022 I think depay should start over aubameyang The guy is just a low budget Ronaldo abeg Offers nothing in the build up and scored headings and tap-ins — I no get name (@dtrut2) April 24, 2022 Memphis is so much better then Aubameyang — NotJustin14 ⚒️ (@Justin14Not) April 24, 2022 SEND AUBAMEYANG BACK THIS NIGHT!!! — papa (@Pxsquale_) April 24, 2022 There is not a single legitimate sporting reason to start Aubameyang over Luuk de Jong — LDJXtra™️ (@LDJXtra) April 24, 2022 What has happened to Barcelona's resurgence or Aubameyang bounce? — Tomiwa Ojo (@10Qmedia) April 24, 2022 Nothing good comes free. Aubameyang is an example — O.kuti (@medicoloran) April 24, 2022 Nico was fantastic today. Xavi should consider giving Puig game time. Aubameyang is yet to impress me. Messi is the GOAT forca barca💙❤ — toxichoe (@_Dienyin) April 24, 2022 Start depay, dembele and Adama. This aubameyang is getting too comfortable and ferran is just absent on the pitch. The midfield misses pedri's influence, we need to work on that. — Mitchell🇳🇬🇦🇷 (@mxnwafor) April 24, 2022 I guess arteta was right about aubameyang after all — Tobiah junior (@TobiahJunior) April 24, 2022 Aubameyang shouldn’t be playing for a division one team — TunegeeSings🎶 (@tunegeeofficial) April 24, 2022 Did Aubameyang play today? Asking for a friend — KING👑 (@_IKENNA_) April 24, 2022 I see Mr Aubameyang and his Barca team did really well again tonight 👀 — Aaron B (@southerngooner) April 24, 2022 I see Aubameyang was taken off with 20 minutes to go with his team trailing at home to Rayo Vallecano… — Mullingar Gunner (@MullingarGunner) April 25, 2022 What's the latest with Aubameyang? @piersmorgan 🤔 — Olatunde Thunderman (@demmylade_tee) April 25, 2022 Aubameyang lack of a first touch is one of the reason we struggle to create through the middle. Memphis has a nice first touch but lacks Auba movement. We should be all out for Harry Kane. — ¿¿ (@NoBoozeHere) April 24, 2022 Another set of supporters have questioned Aubameyang’s first touch when receiving the ball insisting he “can’t always get it right.” We need to talk about Aubameyang 1st touch man he can't get it right and it always start a counter attack for the opponents happened many many times — Ab (@Ab_blaugranista) April 24, 2022 Forget aubameyang if the ball isn't in the box — Quam Blazey (@Blazey_Oye) April 24, 2022 Memphis played a good game. I liked the fight he showed and willingness to get involved. Something Aubameyang fails to do. Auba is afraid to go into 50-50 or contest aerially. Can't hold up play and ends up misplacing passes -- which is why we're struggling to build up fast. — Omérta (@tochukwu_tiz) April 24, 2022 Barcelona needs a better no 9 like Darwin Nunez , who is skillful , aubameyang cannot hold ball nor dribble,Torres needs to sit out for depay at that no 11,xavi is not the man.all Barcelona players are just average players. Barca need world class players — Abada (@ceebyk) April 24, 2022 Aubameyang first touch and touches are just too bad, damn! — Mayowa (@Mayowa005) April 24, 2022 aubameyang dey control ball like the ball hot. — CUCC!T!N!🦇 (@_cuccitini) April 24, 2022 Aubameyang needs 12hrs/day training on how to keep the ball in his legs... how’s Xavi not seeing this 🤦🏾‍♂️ — Ayodejiii (@teeminent9) April 24, 2022 I hate it when Barcelona make horrible mistakes. Why Dembele and Aubameyang always. — philip (@Philip460) April 24, 2022 Me watching Aubameyang's hold up play: pic.twitter.com/f51fjHzBde — Hamza C 🤨 (@TMC_V2) April 24, 2022 Fati’s knees after 5 mins of watching Aubameyang chase his own touch next week pic.twitter.com/F0zwYdLGO6 — F4ST #FerranOut (@F4STFATI) April 24, 2022 Meanwhile, another supporter has compared the Gabon star to Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford while another said he was not a team player. Aubameyang without tapins is just another Rashford — Tαԃҽ Lҽƙαɳ (@Lek0n) April 24, 2022 I think our main issue is that our forwards are one dimensional. Dembélé can't finish, Aubameyang absolutely has 0 link play, Ferran Torres is just being more invisible games all of a sudden. I'm not saying any are bad but we need COMPLETE forwards who can do multiple things. — Ibra⁷ #PedriSZN (@IbraDZN) April 24, 2022 One thing I love about football is luck can only win few matches for you when you fail to do the right thing you will end up losing important matches. For me Aubameyang and Dembele should always be 75minutes substitute, Aubameyang is not a team player like Suarez, Eto, — philip (@Philip460) April 24, 2022 Elsewhere, another fan has opined that Aubameyang’s style of play can only fit in Italy's Serie A and not in Spain while another has blamed the player's struggles on Xavi's tactics. Don't let me even start with Aubameyang. Proper false image. Serie A is his fit. — ZIC🇳🇬🥤 (@Culernary) April 24, 2022 Xavi's lack of tactis has left De Jong, Aubameyang, Dest and Dembele frustrated tonight. I saw Gavi nearly in tears too. All these players have been playing well innthe past years and other leagues. At Barca, they play bad due to management. — TheLockerRoom (@TheLockRoomkey) April 24, 2022 Story by: Dennis Mabuka

The Management of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has assured to assist to the Ashanti Regional Police Command and the family of the murdered 21-year-old Level 200 Biological Scientist Student of the University, Kwaku Adugyamfi. Management says even though the student did not die on campus, it is ready to assist in any investigations to bring the perpetrators to book. Police in the Ashanti Region confirmed the murder of the 21-year-old Level 200. The body of the deceased was discovered at Sewuah New Site around 5:20pm Friday evening and according to the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Godwin Ahianyo, “twenty-five-year-old Emmanuel Boateng, a tailor apprentice has been arrested and assisting police investigation”. Reacting to the issue on 3FM’s Sunrise hosted by Alfred Ocansey on Monday, the University Relations Officer (URO) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr. Daniel Norris Bekoe said “I can confirm that the student is a second year Biological Scientist student”. “Management is saddened by this. We have spoken to the mother and whatever assistance they need, we will provide to the police and the family to be able to bring the perpetrators to book”. Dr. Bekoe said “the police gave us the information but we don’t have the details now so we cannot tell whether it’s the GHS100 or the iPhone 11 pro that caused the death”. “We know an iPhoen 11 pro which was being used by the deceased was retrieved from the suspect but let us put on record that this did not occur in the school. It occurred in the home where the student’s parents reside. He went home and then this sudden event occurred”. Story by: Kweku Antwi-Oto

Police in the Ashanti Region have confirmed the murder of a 21-year-old Level 200 student of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The body of the deceased was discovered at Sewuah New Site around 5:20pm Friday evening. “Twenty-five-year-old Emmanuel Boateng, a tailor apprentice has been arrested and assisting police investigation,” ASP Godwin Ahianyo, the Ashanti Regional Police PRO told William Evans-Nkum. It was a gloomy atmosphere at the deceased’s family house on Sunday afternoon. “My son was killed because of his phone,” a sobing father Yaw Adugyamfi told Media General‘s William Evans-Nkum. The deceased’s name has been given as Kwaku Adugyamfi and he was reading Biological Science at the university. Source: 3news.com

When we fall in love, we often believe that the relationship will last forever. We always hope that this one is the one, that it will be different this time, that there's no way anything can ever happen to break you up. Except, sometimes those things can happen and you do break up. If we only look at the divorce rate, research shows it is around 50% (although measuring divorce rates is more complex than comparing marriages to divorces in a single year). Because they are not as closely monitored, it is also much more difficult to obtain rates on casual and common law partnerships that break up. Relationships end for a wide variety of reasons. Conflict is one common reason, but sometimes it involves other reasons that mean ending a relationship with someone you still care about. When this happens, you have to learn how to break up with someone you love. Why and How Do Breakups Happen? Most of us enter relationships with the hope that we will never have to end them. Marriage, especially, is built on the premise that it will remain "until death do us part." Common causes for breakups include personality differences, lack of time spent together, infidelity, lack of positive interactions between the couple, low sexual satisfaction, and low overall relationship satisfaction. Ending a relationship is one of the most difficult things we have to do. No matter where you are in the breakup process, knowing how to break up well (including how to break up with someone you love) can help make this transition smoother and less harmful for both partners. How to Break up the Right Way We say "right" way, but in reality, there is no right or "best" way to break up. Every relationship is different, and every person in a relationship is different. It is up to you to consider the personality, needs, and feelings of your partner as you read through this article and figure out how to end things. Recognize That It's Never Easy Understand that there is no pain-free way to break up. We all wish that we could end relationships without any hurt or pain. But no matter how broken the relationship is, officially ending it will cause pain on both sides. Once you acknowledge that there will be pain, you can be prepared for the aftermath. Do It Face-to-Face If you've ever been dumped by text or email (or if you've been ghosted altogether), you know how it feels to be given so little consideration that the other person didn't even bother to tell you in person. Why do the same to another person? Your partner deserves the dignity of a face-to-face conversation. An intimate setting is arguably better, but if you are worried about your partner having a violent reaction, a public place is safer. Be Honest But Don't Give Too Much Detail In general, people want to know why they're being dumped. While "you're terrible in bed" or "you lack ambition" might seem like an honest answer, it doesn't really preserve your partner's self-esteem or dignity. Using a reflexive sentence like "I don't feel we're compatible sexually" or "I don't think our long-term goals align anymore" are nicer ways to express your feelings. Don't do a play-by-play of the things the other person did wrong or use clichés like "it's not you, it's me." Do Not Give in to Arguments or Protests If the breakup is a surprise for the other person, they might try to argue, protest, or give reasons why you should remain together and try again one more time. If you are at the point of breaking up, nothing can restore or revive the relationship now. Giving in will only delay the inevitable. Make a Clean Break Do not suggest you stay friends. Avoid saying "let's stay in touch." To move on from romantic relationships, you need to avoid further emotional entanglements with the ex-partner. You may be friends again down the road, but this is not the right time to consider this possibility. Show Sympathy Express your sadness at the breakup and share some good things about your time together. Being dumped feels really bad. You can soften the blow a little by talking about some of the good times you shared together. Say something like, "You taught me so much about cooking and I am a better cook now, thanks to you," or something similar. You want to make the other person feel like they had a positive impact on your life despite the relationship ending. You may also want to say something like, "I had hoped for us to grow old together, and I am sad that it will not happen." It shows that you share some of your partner's hurt feelings about broken hopes. Avoid Blaming or Shaming Avoid turning the other person into "the bad guy." Nobody's perfect. You have faults too, and turning your ex-partner into an evil figure is not helpful (aside from obvious instances of violence, but that's not the kind of relationship we're talking about here). They may have done some bad things, like cheating, but they are human too. It's better to resolve your feelings around what they did (if they did anything wrong) rather than who they are. Give Yourself Time to Grieve Even if you are the one ending the relationship, there will be a period of heartbreak, sadness, and pain. This is one of the most difficult parts of figuring out how to break up with someone you love. You still care about them, but you need to remind yourself of the reasons why the relationship isn't working. Realize that you will also need to adjust to your new situation. Surround yourself with people you love, do things that make you happy, and remember that crying and feeling sad is perfectly okay. A Word From Verywell In any breakup situation, the most important thing to remember is to be kind and compassionate. It's easy to forget how the other person might feel when we are so caught up in our own emotions, but it is essential to avoid centering the entire conversation on yourself. If you reach out with kindness and compassion, things will be much easier for everyone. Credit: Anabelle Bernard Fournier

Runaway Ghana Premier League leaders, Asante Kotoko, were humbled 3-1 by Legon Cities in front of their home fans at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi yesterday for their second home defeat of the season after losing to city rivals, King Faisal in the first round of the season. Sunday’s result was the second straight defeat suffered by the Porcupine Warriors who appeared comatosed by a 1-2 hammering they suffered at the hands of Real Tamale United at the Aliu Mahama Stadium in Tamale the previous week. Coach Prosper Narteh Ogum’s side maintain an eight-point advantage over second-placed Bechem United who could narrow the lead with a home win over Karela United this afternoon. Led by former Kotoko coach Maxwell Konadu, the visitors stunned pre-match favourites with a two 2-0 lead before the half-hour mark, with Michael Otou putting his side ahead before forward Hans Kwofie netted twice to deliver a famous win for Legon Cities. Kotoko's substitute, Salifu Mudasiru scored from a goalmouth melee to reduce the deficit to 2-1 in the 43rd minute and give Kotoko hopes of recovery in the second half. However, before the home side could settle down in the second half, Kwofie made them to pay the penalty when he scored his second goal to put the game almost beyond recovery. Coach Ogum made two changes to the squad that lost to RTU and handed starting roles to Dickson Afoakwa and Andrew Appau in a bid to get back to winning ways. However, the visitors shot ahead in the 17th minute from a spot kick after a shot by dreadlocks star Michael Ampadu nearly caught goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad wrong-footed. Legon Cities Captain Jonathan Attuquaye, was brought down by defender Christopher Nettey in the 12th minute while in a good position to score after racing with the ball outside the penalty box. The penalty was contested for five minutes by the angry Kotoko players but Referee Selorm Yao Bless stood his ground to allow for Otou to score. Kotoko, backed by the ever present, drum-beating and foot-stomping students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) responded to the challenge almost immediately but it yielded little results. Rather, it was ace striker Kwofie who should have added another goal for Cities but he was indecisive in front of goal. But barely a minute after that failed attempt, he atoned for his earlier missed opportunity to connect a fast counterattack to make it 2-0 in the 28th minute. With just two minutes to end the first half, substitute Salifu Mudasiru, who came on for Dickson Afoakwa minutes earlier reduced the tally for Kotoko in a goal mouth scramble. The joy of the home fans was short-lived as Kwofie dived to head home his personal second and the third for City. Nothing appeared to be working for Coach Nartey, especially in the second half, as City's Coach Maxwell Konadu strategy completely eclipsed lead strikers Frank Etouga and George Mfegue. Brazilian international, Fabio Gama, who so much was expected from, lost his rhythm and ran out of steam before he was substituted in the later stages of the match. Below are some pictures: Story by: Daniel Kenu

Charred bodies were left scattered among burnt palms, cars and vans on Sunday after a weekend explosion which killed more than 100 people at an illegal oil refining depot on the border of Nigeria's Rivers and Imo states. Flip flops, bags and clothing belonging to those who died littered the ground, which was blackened by oil and soot while still emitting smoke in some places despite overnight rain. "There are so many people that died here. I'm pleading to the government to look into this," Uche Woke, a commercial bike rider, told Reuters at the scene of the blast on Saturday night. The Nigerian Red Cross Society was on the scene on Sunday to assess the blast, which destroyed a section of the Abaezi forest, which straddles the border of the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo state with Rivers state. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said in a statement that he would intensify the clampdown on illegal refineries after what he described as a "catastrophe" and "national disaster". Unemployment and poverty in the oil producing Niger Delta have made illegal refining attractive, but with often deadly consequences. Crude oil is tapped from a web of pipelines owned by major oil companies and refined in makeshift tanks. The process has led to fatal accidents and polluted a region already blighted by oil spills in farmland, creeks and lagoons. A man stands at the scene of explosion in which over 100 people lost their lives, at an illegal crude oil bunkering site at Abaezi forest, in Ohaji-Egbema. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre said several vehicles that were in a queue to buy illegal fuel were burnt. "The fire outbreak occurred at an illegal bunkering site and it affected over 100 people," Goodluck Opiah, the state commissioner for petroleum resources, said of the accident. The border location is a reaction to a recent crackdown in Rivers on illegal refining in an effort to reduce worsening air pollution. "In the last month or two, there were several raids and some security agents involved were tackled," Ledum Mitee, former president of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), said. At least 25 people, including some children, were killed in an explosion and fire at another illegal refinery in Rivers state in October. In February, local authorities said they had started a crackdown on the refining of stolen crude, but with little apparent success. Government officials estimate that Nigeria, Africa's biggest oil producer and exporter, loses an average of 200,000 barrels of oil per day, more than 10% of production, to illegal tapping or vandalising of pipelines. That has forced oil firms to regularly declare force majeure on oil and gas exports. Credit: Reuters