Novak Djokovic has said he would rather miss out on future tennis trophies than be forced to get a Covid vaccine. Speaking exclusively to the BBC, he said he should not be associated with the anti-vax movement, but supported an individual’s right to choose. Djokovic was asked if he would sacrifice taking part in competitions such as Wimbledon and the French Open over his stance on the vaccine. “Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay,” he said. The 20-times Grand Slam winner was deported from Australia last month after the government canceled his visa in a row over his vaccine status. Djokovic, who is the world’s number one men’s tennis player, said he had obtained a medical exemption to enter the country to play in the Australian Open as he had recently recovered from Covid-19. However, the country’s immigration minister, Alex Hawke, personally cancelled the 34-year-old’s visa, on the grounds that his presence could incite “civil unrest” and encourage anti-vaccine sentiment. “I was never against vaccination,” he told the BBC, confirming that he’d had vaccines as a child, “but I’ve always supported the freedom to choose what you put in your body.” In a wide-ranging interview, his first since he was detained in Melbourne in January, Djokovic addressed speculation about the timing of his positive Covid case in December and discussed his own attitude towards the vaccine. Djokovic said he hoped vaccination requirements in certain tournaments would change, adding that he was hoping that he “can play for many more years”. But he also confirmed he was willing to forego the chance to become statistically the greatest male tennis player of all time because he felt so strongly. Djokovic’s rival, Rafael Nadal, has won 21 Grand Slam singles titles – the most of any male competitor. Story by: Daniel Koranteng

The Bono Regional Chairman of the NPP, Abronye DC has alleged that former President John Dramani Mahama has met the Al Qaeda militants to plot a coup in Ghana. According to the NPP stalwart, John Mahama is in ties with the group to help him undertake a coup to become president again. Abronye DC made the allegation on Hot 93.9FM’s political -talk show "Dwene Ho Bio” hosted by Agya Wusu while responding to issues on the arrest of the #FixTheCountry convenor Oliver Barker on his attempt to make a coup if E-levy is passed. According to him, the embattled Oliver Barker was a former presidential staffer under the erstwhile Mahama administration. Abronye Kwame DC questions why former President Mahama will tweet under Oliver Barker's post if he has no idea of what he is planning for. He finally called on Ghanaians to accept the E-levy for more developmental projects. Source: hotfmghana.com

Manchester United interim boss, Ralf Rangnick has thrown his weight behind Harry Maguire, and insists he will not drop the £80million man to the bench after a poor run of form. The 28-year-old former Leicester City defender has come under severe criticism, with a section of Manchester United fans calling for the head of the skipper. Five months after joining Manchester United, Harry Maguire was handed the captain’s armband under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but recent performances against Burnley and Southampton have convinced some fans that he is better served without it. However, the new Manchester United boss says he sees no need to drop him from the starting XI or strip him of the captaincy ahead of the clash against Brighton and Hove Albion. ‘I think when he came back after his injury, he did extremely well. He had a very good performance, a very good game against West Ham,’ Rangnick said. ‘In the past two games, yeah he had some weaker moments, against Southampton and when we conceded the goal at Burnley, but he’s our captain and I don’t see any reason to change that.’ Maguire was utilised in a back three and back four under Solskjaer, and Rangnick claims the defender – who has made 132 appearances for the Red Devils -still needs time to get used to playing in a flat back four. ‘He’s a player who has to develop, get better, like all the other players,’ he added. ‘The way that we are playing now is new also to him because in the English national team he was used to playing in a back three and here at Manchester United, in most cases a back four, but still not being as proactive, not with that kind of rest defence always being on the front foot when we are trying to defend. ‘This is something also new to him, and it will also take some time for him to get used to that, to get adjusted to that.’ Manchester United are bidding to end the season in the top four, with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves on their tail. Credit: Citi Sports

Information reaching Thinknewsonline.com indicates that the Ghana Police Service has invited political commentator, Kwame Baffoe also known as Abronye for investigations over his allegation that former President John Mahama is plotting a coup. In a statement signed by the Director-General, Public Affairs, DCOP Kwesi Ofori, Mr. Baffoe is expected to be at the Police Regional Headquarters by 4pm today. The Ghana Police added that it will update the public on new developments. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

After a break filled with African football, FIFA Club World Cup, and a bit of various club football, the UEFA Champions League makes a return to decide worthy winners of the coveted trophy. Real Madrid, who have not tasted success since 2018, prepares for an intense battle with a Messi-led PSG as they aim to write another chapter in their impressive history books. Pep Guardiola and Manchester City still have last season’s loss in mind and will hope to start on a high as they battle Portuguese giants Sporting CP. There are other key battles to whet the appetite of fans around the globe. Here are Betway’s four games to look out for. PSG v Real Madrid Two teams who have a host of stars to choose from will clash once again to decide worth participants in the quarter-final stage. This year’s story is different as PSG has Messi, a long-time nemesis of the Spanish giants, who do not have Cristiano Ronaldo to call upon. However, there is the sense that Los Blancos function now likes a well-oiled machine led by in form Vinicius and the clinical Karim Benzema. In their last five Champions League meetings, Real Madrid has been victorious on three occasions, with PSG winning once. According to Betway, PSG has 2.00 odds of winning, whilst that of Real Madrid stands at 3.60. Sporting CP v Manchester City Manchester City came close last year to winning the trophy but ultimately fell short to Chelsea. As the round of 16 commences, Pep Guardiola’s side will aim to make a statement as they take on Sporting CP in Portugal. The two teams have never met in this competition but did briefly battle twice in the UEFA Europa League, with both teams winning one game each. In contrast to the meeting in 2005, Manchester City is a much stronger side and will be favored to win the tie. According to Betway, Manchester City has 1.36 odds of winning, whilst that of Sporting CP stands at 8.20. Inter v Liverpool On Wednesday, Inter Milan will welcome 2019 winners Liverpool to their home grounds in the hopes of upsetting a side deep in quality all over the pitch. Liverpool comes into the game in supreme form, winning all of their last six games, whilst Inter has recorded three victories in the same number of games. On a head-to-head basis, Liverpool has been the better side, winning all two matches, scoring three on aggregate, and keeping clean sheets in both games. Liverpool’s odds of winning are priced at 2.10 according to Betway whilst that of Inter stands at 3.40. Red Bull Salzburg v Bayern Munich Also on Wednesday, Red Bull Salzburg faces an uphill task of beating 2020 Champions Bayern Munich, despite playing the game at home. They will however draw hope from the fact that the Bavarians suffered a shocking 4-2 defeat to VFL Bochum during the weekend. The Austrian giants go into the game with five wins from their last six matches, whilst Bayern has recorded four victories from six. Bayern are huge favourites to win the game according to Betway with their odds priced at 1.37 whilst that of Red Bull Salzburg stands at 7.40. Credit: Citinewsroom

The Member of Parliament (MP) for New Juaben South, Mr. Michael Okyere Baafi has cautioned that failure on the part of Ghanaians to accept the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) will lead to the cancellation of the free Senior High School (SHS) policy. The government since November last year has been pushing to have the controversial E-Levy approved by the Parliament. As a result of strong opposition from the Minority in the house, the E-Levy is struggling to get approval. Engaging his constituents on why they need to accept the E-Levy, Mr. Michael Okyere Baafi argued that it is key for the continuous implementation of the free SHS policy. “If we don’t pay the E-levy and we go to the World Bank or the IMF for loans, they will ask Akufo-Addo to cancel the free SHS which will affect your children so you must all accept the E-levy and pay it so it helps all of us,” the New Juaben South MP shared. Government plans to charge a 1.75% tax on all daily financial transactions that exceed GHS100 once the new levy is approved. Due to the rejection from the Minority in Parliament, reports suggest that government has reduced the charge to 1.50% but the NDC MPs says never, it must be dropped. Story by: Eric Nana Yaw Kwafo

The Executive Director of the National Media Commission, Dr. George Sarpong fears that more journalists would be arrested by the police in the future. He said the trend will continue if stakeholders in media do not come together to develop a framework that will guide their work. According to him, there are concerns that the current situation of the arrest of journalists by police may worsen to the extent that the public will get involved to exact justice on journalists. “We have been anticipating what is happening now for the past two years, and it is going to get worse. What is going to happen that we have to prevent is when ordinary people get involved. I am worried about our lack of appreciation of the context and the idea such that everybody takes a strand of the issue instead of looking at the major factor,” he noted. Dr. Sarpong indicated the need for a comprehensive framework for the media that will guide its operations and save journalists from personal attacks for the content of their programming or comments in their programs. He made the comment in reaction to fears that the dark days of criminal libel law is returning to Ghana following the arrest of some journalists and social activists and charges of publication of false news slapped on them. Accra FM’s Bobie Ansah, Power FM’s Oheneba Boamah Bennie, and the Executive Director of the Alliance For Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), Mensah Thompson have all been slapped with the charge of the publication of false news and offensive conduct. Dr. Sarpong said the developments are “a clear indication of the lack of a comprehensive framework for media.” “Because we do not have a unified framework for addressing these issues, any time anyone come under media stress the first thing they say is that, within my power, what can I do [to the media]? It is likely to continue to happen unless the bigger issue is addressed,” he added. Credit: Citinewsroom

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) says it will be undertaking a planned maintenance work in some parts of Accra and Tema on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. According to the ECG, the planned maintenance work is to improve their service delivery. The ECG also added that the exercise will start at 9 am and end at 4 pm. Areas to be affected in Accra include Adenta, New Legon, Abofu Town, Achimota, Darkuman Quarters, Obeyeyie, Odoerkor, Alabama, Taifa, and surrounding areas. Whiles areas to be affected in Tema are; Zenu, Atadeka, Everton Park, Motorway Axle Weighing Bridge, Abattoir, Nutri Foods, and its environments. The Electricity Company Of Ghana says it regrets any inconvenience the exercise will arise out of the exercise. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as Napo, has vehemently debunked media reports that he will leave Parliament after his current tenure expires in 2024. The popular lawmaker, who doubles as the Minister of Energy, instantly became a household name in Ghanaian politics after he made his maiden appearance in parliament on January 7, 2009, following his positive works. However, Kwabena Nsenkyire, the Ashanti Regional First Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), caused a stir a few days ago, saying that Napo would not seek re-election during the 2024 parliamentary elections. This comment, which has since gone viral on several social media platforms, has sparked hot debate among a section of the citizenry, who are surprised considering the fact that Napo is still young and strong to remain in Parliament. Napo’s comments But in a sharp rebuttal, the Manhyia South lawmaker has stated emphatically that he has never met nor discussed his political future with Kwabena Nsenkyire, therefore his recent comments should be treated with contempt. In a phone interview with 3news.com, Napo said he was utterly shocked by Nsenkyire’s comments, stressing that he has never made such a statement to Nsenkyire. “I have never met nor discussed my political future, especially my parliamentary aspirations with Nsenkyire or anybody, so his comments should be treated with the greatest contempt that it deserves,” he declared. Napo’s MP Journey Napo, who is a Medical Doctor by profession, it would be recalled, appeared in Parliament for the first time on January 7, 2009, after winning the then Manhyia Constituency elections with a landslide victory. Since then, he has been able to win three additional parliamentary elections to represent the people of Manhyia South Constituency in the august House, where he has risen to become one of the influential members. Aside from his extraordinary and unique contributions on the floor of Parliament, Napo’s tenure has also led to massive transformation in infrastructure, roads, education, health, and human resource, among others, in his constituency. Story by: Benjamin Aidoo

The Director-General of Public Affairs at the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Kwesi Ofori, has debunked claims that the police are targeting journalists for arrest in a wave of actions to intimidate them. According to him, the police’s actions are purely based on their compliance with the law. Speaking on The Point of View on Citi TV on Monday, DCOP Kwesi Ofori said the police have remained fair, firm, and professional in its handling of cases of arrests not limited to journalists. “All that we are saying is that the journalists must be responsible and make sure that things put out are information that is true and accurate. When things are done haphazardly, it creates a problem for everyone,” he said. Within three weeks, four journalists and activists have been arrested by the police often for allegations they made on radio or on social media which according to the police are investigated by them and found to be false. The arrested persons include; Accra FM’s Bobie Ansah, Power FM’s Oheneba Boamah Bennie, and the Executive Director of the Alliance For Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), Mensah Thompson who were all slapped with the charge of the publication of false news and offensive conduct. The development has reignited conversations on whether Ghana has returned to the dark days of criminal libel where many journalists were incarcerated over publications they made. But according to DCOP Ofori, the police operate fairly and are not targeting journalists for arrest as being claimed. “I think the police are being fair to all manner of persons in this country. When a case is lodged and it can be referred to in our criminal code, the law is there and they have not been repealed, it is not about people in authority, anybody can report that case,” he said. The police officer said to the extent that Section 207 and Section 208 of the Criminal offenses code are active and not repealed, the police have a duty to enforce it and hold those who fall foul. He said the police believes that the court is the final and a credible arbiter and so persons who are aggrieved or believe the police does not have the power to effect an arrest in some of the circumstances can sue it. Credit: Citinewsroom

The Kessben Outreach Foundation, a subsidiary of the Kessben Group of Companies has donated an amount of GHc50,000 to the Appiatse Support Fund. According to the Outreach Foundation, the donation forms part of its contribution towards the rebuilding of the Appiatse community. Speaking during the presentation, the General Manager of Kessben Media, Andrew Danso Aninkorah said "Media is not all about critising but rather development. Te company finds it compelling to donate to the fund as a means of assisting government to cater for the peculiar needs of the community" Mr. Aninkorah also mentioned that his outfit is in talks with some institutions to raise about 10,000 bags of cement which he believes will help in the rebuilding. "We believe it’s an opportunity for us to show that media is not just criticizing but also leading the way and bringing people together. It’s our way of showing how media can be used for development. Nobody wished Appiatse happened but we also want to use the opportunity to learn so that we prevent it from happening,” he said. Receiving the donation, Chairperson of the Appiatse Support Fund, Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, the chairperson of the Appiatse Support Fund thanked the Kessben Outreach Foundation for its kind gesture. She told Journalists that she will ensure there is transparency and accountability. Re. Dr. Aryee stressed that the monies received will be used for its intended purpose. She tasked members of his committee to work in ways that will inspire confidence in them and not create perceptions of diversion of donations. “The reconstruction committee through the support fund will ensure that be it bags of cement or iron rods, they will be sent through the Support Fund for onward disbursement to the Reconstruction Committee. We don’t want to disperse what we are doing. We don’t want to disturb people and make people accuse them. We will receive the donations and direct where it should be sent. There is so much mistrust, cynicism and misrepresentation but if we can use what happened in Appiatse to redirect the hearts and support of Ghanaians to support one another, it will bring a lot of satisfaction”, she said. In other developments, the Appiatse Reconstruction Committee briefed the media on some plans put together in the rebuilding of the community. The team told Journalists that no one will be asked to relocate from the country. They also assured that Appiatse will have a new face lift after the whole project is completed. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ghanaian Entertainment Critic, Arnold Asamoah Baidoo has taken a swipe at the Shatta Movement (SM) Boss, Shattawale saying his attack on Actress Jackie Appiah was needless, classless and very unneceasary. According to him, the behaviour of the SM Boss made tye public fell both were at loggerheads. Speaking on an Accra based television, he said "During the Covid-19 era, Government came up awith plans to engage the celebrities, however, Shattawale lauded the idea and even called for motivation" He also said "Jackie Appiah in an interview responded to the issue saying celebrities have responsibility to preach the issue of the covid for free. The Entertainment Critic further revealed that he was expecting Shattawale to respect the views of Jackie Appiah and not to verbally attack the actress. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith