Late Betty White was set to celebrate her 100th birthday on Jan. 17, and a tribute to her was set to play in movie theaters for one night only. However, the Hollywood icon died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 99, just weeks before the big milestone. But true to White’s showbiz roots, the special, titled “Betty White: 100 Years Young — A Birthday Celebration,” will still go on as planned despite Friday’s tragic news. The event’s producers, Steve Boettcher and Mike Trinklein, told The Post that the film will still premiere next month. “Our hearts mourn today with the passing of Betty White. During the many years we worked with her, we developed a great love and admiration for Betty as a person, and as an accomplished entertainer,” they said. “America’s grandma” will perhaps be best remembered for her scene-stealing roles in two pioneering sitcoms — as the promiscuous cooking show host Sue Ann Nivens on the “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in the 1970s and sweet-natured simpleton Rose Nylund on “The Golden Girls” in the ’80s. “We are thankful for the many decades of delight she brought to everyone. Betty always said she was the ‘luckiest broad on two feet’ to have had a career as long as she did. And honestly, we were the lucky ones to have had her for so long,” the producers continued. Why Betty White was the most beloved star of the last 50 years They added, “We will go forward with our plans to show the film on Jan. 17 in hopes our film will provide a way for all who loved her to celebrate her life — and experience what made her such a national treasure.” The movie was set to showcase the “Golden Girls” alum’s life behind the scenes, her advocacy for animals and friendships with her peers and family. Her 100th birthday bash will also be in the show, with a guest list that includes stars Ryan Reynolds, Tina Fey, Robert Redford, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Jay Leno, Carol Burnett, Craig Ferguson, Jimmy Kimmel, Valerie Bertinelli, James Corden, Wendie Malick and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Ryan Reynolds and Betty White starred in the 2009 romantic comedy film “The Propsoal.”NBC Highlight reels from her long and prominent career are to be featured in the show, along with footage from her appearances on “Saturday Night Live” and her roles on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Proposal” and “Hot in Cleveland.” Tickets are now on sale for the event. White’s career spans nearly eight decades. In 1952, she co-created and starred in a Saturday-night sitcom called “Life With Elizabeth” — becoming one of TV’s rare female producers and earning her first Emmy nomination. In the 1950s, White made history as the first woman to produce a show. She continued her pioneering role both in front and behind the camera with the short-lived NBC talk show “The Betty White Show” in 1954. White’s hit “Golden Girls” revolved around Dorothy Zbornak (Bea Arthur), Rose Nylund (White), Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan) and Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty) living together in Miami as they face life in their later years together. After decades in the spotlight, White’s more recent years were spent as America’s grandma. Fans gathered outside her home Friday afternoon to pay their respects. “We were hoping she would make it to 100,” Michael Douglas, 37, of LA, told The Post while wearing a “Golden Girls” face mask. “She was so sweet and caring. She was America’s grandmother. I saw my grandma in her. Our parents grew up watching her, and then we grew up watching her shows. I’m just very sad.” Despite the comedy icon having more than 120 screen credits to her name, there was one role that she never experienced: mother. In 2010, when White’s fans began a Facebook campaign called “Betty White to Host SNL (Please),” it got almost a half-million people to sign on. She became the oldest person to ever host the show, at 88, and won her seventh Emmy for the performance. Below are some pictures: Story by: Samantha Ibrahim

Information reaching Thinknewsonline.com indicates that Actress and Comedian, Betty White has died at age 99. According to her agent, Jeff Witjas, Late Betty White passed on at her home. It is emerging that the Late comedian died in her sleep of natural causes. The Emma Award-winning actress, who was born in 1922, would have turned 100 on January 17. Story by: News Desk Report

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu-Bio says government will undertake further investigations into circumstances that led to the clashes between the Youth of Manso-Aboaboso in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region and security personnel of kingsperp mining firm stationed in the Community. The move, follows the burning of two excavators and one Nissan pick up vehicle belonging to the company and injury of a community member which incident occurred on Saturday, January 1st 2022. Deputy Lands Minister, Hon. Owusu-Bio who led a fact finding Mission on Wednesday, 5th January, 2022 to ascertain the veracity of the incident, reaffirmed government's resolve to deploye the operation Halt II taskforce to clampdown on illegalities in forest reserves and water bodies across all mining districts. He asked the mining company to as a matter of urgency cease all forms of mining activities with immediate effect but was quick to add that the firm can engage personnel to guard their equipment. Hon. Benito also touched on the efforts by government to reclaim mine out areas saying, " mine out areas in the apaparama and the oda forest reserves will be reclaimed to restore sanity and water flow especially the oda river area where this mining activity is taking place". "We are here today to confirm the situation and identify the security risk involve and engage with you on the possible way forward" he indicated. The Deputy Lands Minister also reminded the District Security Council (DISEC) of their role as arrow heads for the enforcement of security in their jurisdiction, adding that much is expected of the Council in that regard. He also called for calm between the Community and the security personnel of the mining company and charged them to enschew acts that hinder peaceful coexistence. The District Chief Executive for Amansie South, Mr. Clement Opoku Gyamfi expressed his appreciation to members of the District Security Council (DISEC) for their swift intervention which prevented further escalation of the situation. The field investigation team also included the CEO of the Forestry Commission, Mr John Allotey and Mr. Joseph Osiakwan Ag. Technical Director of Forestry of the Ministry. Below are some pictures: Story by: News Desk Report

Ghana’s maiden National Media Capacity Enhancement Program opens in Kumasi on Monday 10th January 2022. The program designed to provide schorlaship for some 250 journalists to be trained annually is expected to contribute to deepening media professionalism nationwide. The program forms part of collaborative efforts by stakeholders in the media industry to support the sector which has been challenged in recent times. Needs assessment, curriculum and faculty were agreed upon by an independent working group of experts led by Prof. Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo, Rector of the Ghana Institute of Journalism. Faculty have been invited by the group from some of the nation’s leading communications schools and media houses. The Asantehene, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is expected to perform an opening ceremony at Manhyia Palace after which the training program will begin. The ceremony will be televised live on Ghana Television and other private media platforms across the nation as well as the Ministry of Information's social media handles. Story by: News Desk Report

The Leadership of the Colleges of Education Teachers' Association of Ghana (CETAG) says it has unanimously agreed to embark on an indefinite strike across all forty-six (46) Ghanaian Public Colleges of Education effective Thursday 6th January, 2022. According to the Leadership, the indefinite industrial action is grounded on the failure by the Akufo-Addo government to implement the 2017—2020 Conditions of Service as agreed. In a statement sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, it said "CETAG and Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on September 24, 2021, after reaching agreements on 2017-2020 Conditions of Service (COS) for members of the Association" The statement also noted that the said MOU stated the effective date of implementation as January l, 2021, while payment of associated arrears of nine (9) months was to be paid in October, November, and December 2021. CETAG revealed that the Association's National Council has resolved to follow through with its decision to withdraw teaching, one of its main duties, as stipulated in the Harmonised Conditions for Colleges of Education effective Thursday, January 6, 2022. The National Council says it is entreating all CETAG members to comply with this directive until further notice. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ivory Coast star, Oussou Konan has died aged 32. The former Al Ahly ace was allegedly poisoned while on holiday in his homeland during New Year. Striker Konan died in his hometown of Yopougon with reports suggesting the cause of death was poisoning, according to KingFut. Konan also played for Misr El-Makkasa, and El-Gaish during his career. He started out with Ivorian giants, Africa Sports, before heading to Egypt in 2010 where he signed for Misr El-Makkasa from Tunisian side Espérance Sportive de Tunis. Konan managed 11 goals in 27 which attracted the attention of Egyptian giants Al-Ahly. They forked out around £160,000 in July 2012. However, he only played six times and failed to make a huge impact due to the suspension of the Egyptian Premier League. Below are some pictures: Credit: Volta Today

Two people have been seriously injured after some persons believed to be retired military men allegedly butchered them at Manso- Aboaboso in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region. The victims according to reports were among youth in the community who were preventing the suspected military men from engaging in illegal mining in a forest reserve in the area. The military men numbering about eight according to some residents stormed the community to attack the youth in the area who marched to the alleged illegal mining site to burn all equipment. The two victims Godfred Apomasu, age 35, an information center operator and Owusu Kwadwo, age 30, a farmer who sustained machete wounds have also been arrested by the Ashanti Regional Police Command.. Speaking to this reporter, a brother of the first victim Mr Apomasu Appiah disclosed that the eight-armed men who were in military accoutrement on Saturday, January 1, 2022 arrested his brother while asleep and assaulted him in the process. "My brother was not even part of the men who stormed the site to burn down the machines, yet he was arrested and beaten to pulp by the suspected military men. "The only crime he committed was that he used his information center to announce the missing of two of the men who went to the forest on the said day to prevent the activities of illegal miners in the forest," he added. The father of Kwadwo Owusu who was also butchered by the military men, Mr Alhaji have expressed worry over how his son was brutally beaten. He has appealed to security officials in the Region to look into the matter and bring the perpetrators to book. Meanwhile, the District Chief Executive for Amansie South Hon Clement Opoku Gyamfi has called for calm in the community. He assured that security in the district will not shield any individual who will engage in any illegalities including illegal mining. Below are some pics: Story by: Jacob Agyenim Boateng

The Ghana Health Service has disclosed that about 99 percent of hospitals in the Ashanti Region risk closing down following hikes in covid-19 cases. This comes as the Omicron virus sweeps across the region, skyrocketing the daily infections which according to GHS has overwhelmed health facilities in the Region. Speaking to this reporter in an exclusive interview, the Ashanti Regional Deputy Health Director Dr. Micheal Rockson Agyei said most of the health workers in these hospitals have been hit hard impeding healthcare delivery in the Region. "We have received distress calls that most of our hospitals are in critical situations as a result of how fast the Omicron variant of covid-19 has spread throughout the region. "Some hospitals in the Region even moved to close down their facilities after staff were infected with the virus but it took the timely intervention of GHS to step in and help the facilities restructure things and continue their services," he stated. Dr Rockson Agyei attributed the ballooning cases to the blatant disregard of the covid-19 protocols during the yuletide. He disclosed that five out of every ten persons in the Region have been infected with the virus. The most difficult aspect, according to him, is that most of these persons refused to visit the hospital or self-isolate while others resort to all manner of self-medication. "We are now preparing our reports, but I suspect that the actual number of infections might be underreported as many are not reporting to health facilities after getting the infection," he stated. Story by: Jacob Agyenim Boateng

The University of Ghana chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), has announced a strike beginning from January 10th, 2022. UTAG is demanding better conditions of service and an increment in salaries of university lecturers. Speaking to Citi News, Secretary of the University of Ghana UTAG, Professor Ransford Gyampo said they will continue to press on till they are given what is due them. “Notices, as far as I am concerned, have been sent to all stakeholders about the intention to strike because agreements reached have not been respected. Timelines agreed upon have not been adhered to,” he said to Citi News. The University of Ghana branch had earlier threatened to strike from January 3, 2022. One of the chapter’s main grievances is the National Executive Committee’s (NEC) decision to accept the government’s Memorandum of Agreement proposing among others the payment of a $1,600 research allowance to members of UTAG. UG-UTAG in a statement said the NEC confirmed acceptance of the Memorandum of Agreement even though some chapters of UTAG were opposed to the agreement. It thus asked the NEC to withdraw its communiqué suggesting that an agreement was reached by UTAG members to accept the research allowance and a proposal for the government to complete a Labour Market Survey Report to determine the review of the Interim Market Premium by December 2021 for implementation in 2022. The six other branch members of UTAG, that is KNUST, UDS, UEW, SDD-UBIDS, CKT-UTAS, and UENR also supported the decision to reject the agreement. UTAG is yet to formally communicate a nationwide strike. Credit: Citinewsroom

The Presidents of Ghana and South Africa have called for increased trade between the two countries as the first year of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) comes to an end. The remarks were made by the two heads of state at the Ghana – South Africa Business Forum in Accra over the weekend. While delivering his address at the forum as part of his state visit to Ghana, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa noted that in 2020, the trade volumes between Ghana and South Africa reached a little over R14 billion or about $870 million. However, South African exports to Ghana are dominated by industrial products while Ghanaian exports to South Africa are largely minerals and unfinished products. To correct this imbalance, President Ramaphosa stated that there was a need to develop the manufacturing capacities of both economies while also calling for an increase in trade between the 2 countries. “The task before us is to actively seek out trade and investment opportunities beyond our borders – not in Europe, Asia or the Americas, but with our neighbors and on the continent. One sector with growth potential is pharmaceuticals.” “Bilateral trade between Ghana and South Africa is growing and this is pleasing, but I would like to see more heightened growth. Much as trade between us is growing I would like to see trade grow more exponentially,” he added. On his part President Akufo-Addo said, it is important for increased interaction between the business communities of both countries to unearth areas of profitable collaboration. “We obviously need to pay attention to the matter of trade balance between our two countries, but for me, the most important thing is that the trade should go on. In the end, the balances will correct themselves, I have no doubt. The important thing is that we can find out from these interactions the areas where we can profitably collaborate and partner.” Credit: Citinewsroom

The Founder and Managing Editor of TMGH Live, a Ghanaian Entertainment News Hub, Seth Dey known by many as Stash Grey has challenged fellow bloggers to strive for excellence and stop publishing false stories on their news portal(s). According to him, although bad news generates traffic and clicks, it also tarnishes the hard-earned image of the victim. In an interview with Thinknewsonline.com, Stash Grey said "When the news comes, although it is breaking, do not be in a hurry to publish first. Look at getting quality content across. Strive for excellence instead of striving for numbers" Mr. Dey made these known following Shattawale's post on Facebook saying he will ensure a blogger is placed behind bars this year in order to learn how to be professional. The celebrated young blogger also alluded to the fact that Nigerian bloggers are indeed supporting their own as compared to their Ghanaian counterparts. Mr. Dey further noted that if a blogger is used as a scapegoat, it will serve as a warning to others who are bent on spreading false news of celebrities for traffic. He said "I agree with Shattawale. The headlines some bloggers use do not correlate with their write-ups. Some bloggers ignore the process of doing their due diligence but rather prefer to put out something which is not solid" "Some bloggers must apply common sense. The image tarnishing is one too many. Stop peddling lies about Ghanaian Artists" "It is about time we need to know when to polish the kind of articles that goes out. If it is negative and it is the truth, nobody cares but if it is just a mere rumour without any iota of evidence or truth, it must not be published" Below is a picture: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

President of the Shatta Movement (SM), Charles Nii Armah Mensah known in showbiz as Shattawale has hinted that this year, he will ensure a blogger goes to prison so he or she learns how to be professional with his or her job. According to him, most Ghanaian bloggers are fond of feeding the masses with false information which he believes is unprofessional. In a Facebook post sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, the SM Boss posted "This year alone I want to make sure one blogger goes to prison and learn what is being a professional … Whilst Nigerian bloggers deh praise their own in this current situation, Ghanaian bloggers are spreading false info in the country .." He added that if the police do not clamp down on such bloggers, there won't be any discipline in the country. He added "I fought for false prophecies. And I will again fight bloggers this year. Watch me !!! Shatta wale !!! #NGP Background It will be recalled that Shattawale in an exclusive interview with Thinknewsonline.com on November 10th, 2022; revealed that it is false publications from bloggers and some media outlets that has made his brand being tagged as devilish, rude, and disrespectful. He revealed that most bloggers are giving him problems adding that it is about time, they switch from publishing false news. “It is false publication that has made Shattawale; demonic, rude and disrespectful Artiste and brand but I will say I work with a whole lot of companies and the police officers here are my dad. That is one thing we really need to touch on because most of the bloggers are giving us problems especially me. People meet me and they think, I am rude and I don’t respect. I have all these people around who love me and I think it was a very good thing that they raised” he noted. Watch the videos and picture below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith