The Takoradi woman at the centre of the controversial pregnancy and kidnapping case Josephine Panyin Mensah Simons has made more confessions to the team of medical and investigation officers at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital saying she hatched the plot with her mother. Apart from confessing that she was not pregnant, the victim has further revealed that she wanted her husband to treat her good, the reason she faked the pregnancy and her kidnapping. Josephine Panyin Mensah is on record to have told the investigating team she got pregnant for four months but lost the pregnancy in the process. In casual conversation with the investigating team she said she could not find it easy to inform the husband (Michael) that the pregnancy had been lost. It was at this point she allegedly bought a silicone belly to demonstrate that the lost pregnancy was intact. However the mother was aware of the plan every step of the way. She told the team that all this while she had given her husband, the people around her and her neighbors the false impression that she was pregnant. Josephine went on to further confess that she was afraid to lose her marriage because her husband gave her extra treatment and attention during the four months of her real pregnancy. When asked by the investigating team whether she never had sex during and after wearing the silicone belly, her response was that she covered her fake pregnancy with a cloth during the said period. It was after nine months of her fake pregnancy when pressure started mounting on her about when she would deliver that she faked the kidnapping. She is allegedly reported to have gone into hiding at Agona Nkwanta but did not know her fake kidnapping could receive such attention from the country. The Takoradi divisional Police command has arrested and detained her for the conduct. She was discharged from the Effia-Nkwanta hospital Friday afternoon after she confessed to a team of medical and investigating officers that she lied about her kidnapping and pregnancy. She is currently being interrogated by Police with her husband. Credit: Modern Ghana

A former member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Stephen Atubiga claims the Takoradi woman who allegedly faked her pregnancy and kidnapping “is an NDC member.” Atubiga who constantly throw jabs at the NDC after his dismissal said “If her NDC party can fake victory to court without the pink – sheets, and could not even tell the justices of their victory figures when asked, why can’t she also fake her pregnancy”. The 'axe grinder' as some party NDC members have described him, in his Facebook post noted that, "The fake pregnant woman is an NDC member. If her NDC party can fake victory to court without the pink sheets, and could not even tell the justices of their victory figures when asked. why can’t she also fake her pregnancy?" Josephine Panyin Mensah Simons, the woman at the centre of the kidnapping conspiracy in Takoradi in the Western Region reportedly confessed to a team of medical and investigation officers that she was not pregnant. Since last Tuesday the spotlight in the news has been on the family of the 28-year-woman after she was found by a carpenter in a bush after disappearing for several days. Shockingly, the woman who is confirmed by her family to have disappeared with a nine-month-old pregnancy returned with no baby bump and without a baby as well. Subsequently, the Ghana Police Service after its preliminary investigations announced to the general public that medical experts had confirmed the woman was not pregnant as claimed. Later in the midst of insult and backlash from the family and neighbours of the woman, the Police transferred her to the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital for another check for confirmation on her pregnancy. Yesterday, information gathered from the police revealed Josephine Panyin Mensah finally confessed that she was never pregnant. Read Atubiga's full post below: The fake pregnant woman is an NDC member. If her NDC party can fake victory to court without the pink – sheets, and could not even tell the justices of their victory figures when asked. why can’t she also fake her pregnancy? Pregnancy in marriage is an accomplishment /victory, while accomplishment in the election is also a victory. We should not be surprised if she blames EC for taking her pregnancy just like her NDC party did in 2020. Challenge, Ghana sweet ooóooo. Love you all. Credit: Modern Ghana

The old Kasapa FM building located at Adabraka in Accra is currently on fire. The personnel of the National Fire Service are working to bring the situation under control. According to an eyewitness who stays nearby, the fire started around 5:45pm on the third floor of the building and has since spread to other parts of the building. “We saw it around 5:45. The fire started coming from the up so we decided to call the first service. They came in time and did a very good job. I called the ECG and as you can see they are working. They have really done well,” Nabil Musah who spoke to Citi News this evening disclosed. Further checks by Modernghana News has revealed that two fire tenders of the National Fire Service are currently on the scene as officers continue to work in their efforts to douse the fire. Meanwhile, personnel of the Electricity Company of Ghana are also on scene and have cut out power to the building. Story by: Eric Kwafo

Josephine Panyin Mensah Simons, the woman at the centre of the kidnapping conspiracy in Takoradi in the Western Region has reportedly confessed to a team of medical and investigation officers that she was not pregnant. Since last Tuesday the spotlight in the news has been on the family of the 28-year-woman after she was found by a carpenter in a bush after disappearing for several days. Shockingly, the woman who is confirmed by her family to have disappeared with a nine month old pregnancy returned with no baby bump and without a baby as well. Subsequently, the Ghana Police Service after its preliminary investigations announced to the general public that medical experts had confirmed the woman was not pregnant as claimed. Later in the midst of insult and backlash from the family and neighbours of the woman, the Police transferred her to the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital for another check for confirmation on her pregnancy. Today, information gathered from Empire FM has revealed Josephine Panyin Mensah has finally confessed that she was never pregnant. According to the information, the woman who has been crying uncontrollably since the confession has been asking for forgiveness. It has also been revealed that the husband upon hearing the news has been thrown into shock and yet to come to the understanding of what he has learnt. With the Ghana Police Service yet to receive the report of the medical checks from experts at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, investigations are continuing with Josephine Panyin Mensah Simons still being treated as a suspect in the conspiracy case. Story by: Eric Kwafo

The Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Adutwum has hinted that the various Tertiary Institutions in the country can churn out more talents if they consider switching from Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech) to Bachelor of Science in Engineering as part of their programmes. According to Dr. Adutwum, the introduction helps takes away the stereotype and makes them competitive. Speaking at the inauguration of governing councils and board in Accra, he said “I want to see students coming to you as their first point of call, doing Engineering in Ghana and not a situation where they are not coming to you because they got stuck at Tech in Natural Resources, they applied to you and they didn’t give them Engineering” He added that despite majoring in Land Economics, he sees something unique about Engineering which many Technical Universities must take into consideration. “We have about 6,500 Engineers coming out every year, our population is 30 million, we look at countries like Vietnam, 90 million population and they produce 100,000 Engineers every year, that is why every company wants to go to Vietnam” He hinted that for Ghana to be competitive, it needs to produce 33,000 Engineers who have acquired the skills and are ready for the market. KUMASI TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY Dr. Adutwum reminded the governing council of the Kumasi Technical University that his outfit is in support of their efforts and will continue to throw its weight behind them. “Kumasi Technical University is uniquely positioned to bring about the transformation that we all seek in the country,” he said. He told the governing council that he was aware of the new campus adding the Ministry of Education will be them to see how best they can move the project forward. KOFORIDUA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY “See yourselves as truly a rep of the University and begin to work together so that you can bring out transformation at your institution” He charged the governing council to support its Vice-Chancellor, Chair, Institution and begin to understand that Technical Universities were established for a purpose. “If we still have majority Accounting students, then you begin to take a look at it. I want you to be much interested in instructions, teaching, and learning just as you are for promotions” “I want you to know that we are going to support you and are going to ensure that Technical Universities live true to their name. We understand that there have been some restraints in course approval, GTEC is going to support fully. BOLGATANGA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY The Minister of Education charged the governing council to see the need of making Engineering one of the most loved and accepted courses in the University. He tasked Institutions not to look down on students who obtain ‘D7’ adding that giving them the opportunity will unravel their true hidden self. He stressed that President Akufo-Addo is keen on the total transformation of Ghana’s education space. “Do away with tribal quarrels and work together as a team. You no longer represent CHASS of which you challenge the Vice-Chancellor, rather, you have to side with him, for the progress of Education in Bolga. GHANA LIBRARY AUTHORITY He reminded the governing board that the future of the country lies in the hands of the Ghana Library Authority. He tasked the GLA to ensure that there is enough books for students to read and also help in their research. Dr. Adutwum justified that a Tertiary Institution without a library is one not worth recognizing. TAMALE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY Dr. Adutwum reminded the council to have an admission office that will allow Junior High and Primary students to tour and have a feel of what University is all about. “Do a summer program and invite the neighboring school and they will come to you. I am ready to work with you and help remove every obstacle. Going forward, you will be allowed to do BSc Engineering and no longer B-Tech” Introducing this will help Tamale Technical University have a unique point that will make it stand out among its peeps. Our gross ratio is 18.8% which is the best in Sub-Saharan but not impressive on the world stage. He charged them to focus on creating a high legacy in the Institution. The various Chairperson thanked the Minister and President Akufo-Addo for the opportunity. They promised not to let the Government down. The Chairperson stressed that they will do away with tribalism and quarrels among one another. are in charge of the contents adding that it has to be mindful of how it will be delivered. Below are some videos: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

PARACETAMOL is a popular drug most have taken at some point in their lives. As with most things, taking too much of the drug could cause serious health outcomes including damage to the liver. The usual dose of paracetamol is one or two 500mg tablets at a time. Most people can take paracetamol safely, including pregnant and breastfeeding women. Health experts have known for decades that paracetamol in large amounts, however, is toxic to the liver. What are the warning signs your liver may be affected by too many paracetamols? Studies have shown that in certain settings paracetamol can damage the liver by harming vital structural connections between adjacent cells in the organ. While acute liver injury can occur when used at or below the recommended daily maximum dose of 4000mg, paracetamol toxicity is often the result of ingestion of paracetamol over this maximum dose. An overdose of certain paracetamols is known to destroy half of a person’s liver cells in less than a week. In a study published in Oxford Academic, paracetamol toxicity relative to liver failure was investigated. The study noted: “Hospital admissions due to poisoning have steadily increased from the 1950s. “In Oxford, UK, the proportion of overdoses with paracetamol increased from 14.3 percent in 1976 to 42 percent in 1990, and in 1993, 47.8 percent of all overdoses involved paracetamol or paracetamol‐containing drugs. “Patients admitted to a specialist liver failure unit in the UK between 1987 and 1993 with a diagnosis of acute liver failure due to paracetamol poisoning. “In a prospective trial of 80 patients admitted between 1992 and 1993, 25 had acute liver dysfunction following consumption of more than 25 tablets.” Source: Jessica Knibbs||Express.co.uk

Cristiano Ronaldo has sensationally been tipped to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the odds on him to be axed as Manchester United manager have been slashed. Solskjaer will be under increasing pressure to deliver a trophy for the Red Devils this season as he approaches three years in charge. Ronaldo’s ‘coaching’ of his teammates divided opinionOne chance has already gone as United lost to West Ham in the third round of the Carabao Cup. The Norwegian has been backed in the transfer market with the signings of Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane this summer. Now Ladbrokes have slashed the odds on Solskjaer to be sacked by Christmas to just 5/2. Former Tottenham and Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood believes Ronaldo might be the ready made replacement for Solskajer. The Portugal superstar was already seen giving out instructions on the sideline in last week’s Champions League tie, a move that divided opinion. Solskjaer is under pressure to win something at Man United this season Sherwood said: “I think it’s OK that Ronaldo’s on the touchline and Ole’s going to have to accept it. If he brings him to his football club you’ve got to know what you’re bringing in. It’s a completely different Ronaldo to the one who was at Old Trafford the first time around. “He knows how he’s needed and if he feels like he needs to stand next to the manager and give instructions then you’ve got to let him do that. I’m not sure he’d be doing that with Jose Mourinho mind you, it would be very different with him still in charge, but you’d also have to ask Ronaldo why he feels it’s necessary to stand up and give some instruction in the first place. “We’ve seen him do it on the international stage, most recently at the Euros, barking out orders. That boy will be a manager 100 percent. I would have a bet on him being Manchester United manager in 18 months. Whenever Ronaldo finishes playing I think he will become a manager, it will be an automatic choice. Ronaldo maybe 36, but he has hit the ground running on his Old Trafford return“If they win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, any of those trophies, then Solskjaer keeps his job, but if they don’t win anything I think they’ve got a manager there in the making. He could bring an experienced coach in there with him – someone like Carlos Queiroz – as he’ll know plenty of them, and I can see him being a manager at Man United in the future. “He’s almost coaching now; you saw it at the weekend during the warm-up whispering in Varane’s and Maguire’s ears, but I don’t think it’s that he needs the captain’s armband to be a leader, he leads by example anyway. He did when he was at United the first time it’s just now he’s being more vocal with it.” Ladbrokes have also made Ronaldo 50/1 to be the next Man United manager. Credit: Talk Sport

The Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has charged the newly sworn-in governing council of the Accra Technical Universities and five (5) other boards not to bound themselves by some rules that will not help in the transformation of the country's education. According to Dr. Adutwum, the governing council should turn its attention to innovation adding that it will help churn out graduates who are ready for the market. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of governing board/council of the Accra Technical Universities and five (5) other Institutions in Accra, he said “I want you to look at Innovation straight on and that is why I am of the opinion that instead of requiring a thesis, can you ask them to create something so that at the end of their final year, they can invent something” He stressed that since the students will be graduating from Technical Universities, having an invention will be more valuable than the thesis they produce on paper. “Imagine if the person who invented ‘WhatsApp’ was a Ghanaian, he will be paid about half of the taxes that this country is getting. I am just saying don’t be bound by rules that will no longer lead to the development of our country” He assured the governing council/board that his outfit is prepared to help assist Institutions to navigate the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) adding that it will rather be their facilitator which in the end help contribute to the churning out of Engineers from the various Universities. GHANA COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY The Minister of Education told the governing council that its response is enormous on how it creates programmes that will help build the human capacity the country needs. “How do you create programmes that will train people not just for Ghana but for the world. How do you ensure that you have the capacity to administer cutting-edge programmes as your mission and vision talks about” He reminded the governing council that the future of the country lies in the hands of GCTU rather than any other University adding that it can capitalize on the technological course to transform the nation and its people. “Your field presents a unique opportunity in the area of innovation. I want you as a council to begin to look at the fact that you measure your success by the number of new inventions created by your students and not just by the number of students graduating from your Institution. How many patents are going to come to your university, how many businesses are going to be created by your students?” STUDENTS LOAN TRUST FUND “It is important for us to know that this is a critical board for tertiary education transformation in this country. You have so much on your plate, not only should you come up with a strategy to get all the funds you need to lend out to students” he said. Dr. Adutwum reminded the board that it is also their mandate to find ways of getting the funds back after it has lent it to the student(s). “Now that we have been through the process through the cabinet to eliminate guarantor requirements, it even calls on us to be more creative and innovative so that we do not lose our principle. NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT (NaCCA) Dr. Adutwum reminded the council that they are in charge of the contents adding that it has to be mindful of how it will be delivered. “You developed the common core curriculum which cabinet approved, the trimming down to three (3) years instead of four (4). There are many reforms that were taken during the first term of the President and it's going to continue because new ideas are coming out” He stressed that President Akufo-Addo is keen on the total transformation of Ghana’s education space. The Minister charged NaCCA to be up-and-coming in terms of the curriculum which will be serving critical areas on the reforms the country is embarking on. NATIONAL SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE AUTHORITY (NASIA) “You have a herculean task ahead of you. Of course, schools in this country are comparatively doing well, but the President’s vision is that we will create a 21st Century school system. The system where we will be competitive with the rest of the world and not being just the best in Africa” he noted. He hinted that 48 schools at the Secondary level have a 1% pass rate. He told the board that their work doe not begin and end with them rather be looking at Academic accomplishments from the Ghana Education Service (GES). “Looking at that data, we need to tell ourselves that we have to inspect the school immediately and maybe inspect three times a year because we have a dire situation. We have a school that has had a 0% rate in the last 3 years. It’s a school that you should be inspecting immediately” he said. GHANA TERTIARY EDUCATION COMMISSION It is an honour to swear you in this morning and to give you the opportunity to assume office and begin your work. The President of the Republic in public made his intentions about Tertiary Education very clear to all of us. In the last state of the nation, he affirmed what was in the Education, Strategic Plan that our gross Tertiary enrolment ratio by 2030 should be 40%. Those of you who were on this council during the previous term should know that you only moved 2% from 16 to 18% on the gross Tertiary Enrollment ratio and that is not acceptable. It is not going to put us at 40%. He reminded the board to expect a plan from Management that will lead the country to the intended destination announced by the President. “Countries that have transformed their fortunes have done so because they have improved Tertiary Education and they have in fact their gross Tertiary enrolment ratio is trending upwards from 40% On their part, the chairpersons of the various boardS and councils thanked President Akufo-Addo and the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Adutwum for granting them the opportunity to serve. They further described that the new appointment as indeed a mixed feeling of great joy, sense and responsibility. “We have however pledged to do our best,” they said. They assured that they will endeavour and work very hard to make ATU contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the nation. Watch the videos below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Greater Accra Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Lucille Hewlett Annan has cautioned some youths to beware of deviants in the society. According to her, such deviants have nothing better to offer adding that ganging up with them will land them in trouble. Addressing some youths at the Abola Mantse Palace in Accra, she said "Beware and becareful of these deviants in the society. They have nothing better to offer" She also described as disappointing the spate at which most youths have developed the passion for quick money. She appealed to parents to keep an Eagle eye on their children adding that the cycle of friends can influence their lifestyles. She charged authorities to deal drastically with persons who flout community laws adding that it will serve as a deterrent for others. The Greater Accra Regional Director advised youths to be security-conscious and report suspicious people in the community to the police. She appealed with the youth not to succumb to monetary offers from well-to-do people and commit a crime for them. “We are educating the youth who are ambassadors to spread the message they have heard to educate members of their youth groups and we have also asked them to invite us during their meeting times so we could meet the whole group and share the message,” Touching on Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR), she explained that the ADR helps for certain cases which do not need to be heard in the courts end up being settled at home. "With the Alternative Dispute Resolution, we can settle our difference by sitting, listen to each other, and make peace or we can as well get mediators who will help in resolving the issue" Mrs. Annan revealed that the introduction of ADR has helped to reduce the cost people usually pay when going to court. "ADR has its limit. Cases such as; rape, murder, and theft among others cannot be settled with the ADR. Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The case surrounding  the alleged kidnapping of Josephine Payin Mensah keeps getting more confusing as a lot of conspiracy theories  are popping up. In a latest information available to ghbase.com, the Aide to Western Region Minister Justice Acquah has revealed that Kwabena Otchere Darko Mensah, in his bid to get to the bottom of the unfolding case of ‘Kidnapped but found pregnant’ 28-year-old resident of Takoradi Josephine Panyin Mensah, paid GH¢3,000 to the alleged kidnappers. In an interview on Takoradi-based Skyypowerfm, Mr. Acquah explained that despite the fact that  the kidnappers demanded for GH¢500 and later increased it to GH¢1,000, the regional minister out of the goodness of his heart decided to pay 3000 cedis. He furthered that the money was handed to the police to be used to lure the kidnappers out of their hiding spot. “While she was kidnapped, the police tapped the phone. She will switch the phone on and speak to the mother and switch it off back.” Justice Acquah also added that Josephine  gave two contradictory statements to the police after she was handed over to them. “She had earlier said that there was a midwife with the kidnappers who helped her deliver smoothly. Another statement she made was that the kidnappers struggled with her and in the process, she lost the baby.” The Western Region Minister has come under a barrage of criticism after he had said in an interview that Josephine was not pregnant. The likes of Afia Schwarzenegger has called for his immediate termination for how he handled the matter. ” The regional minister is the head of REGSEC. His prime concern is to protect the Western Region and I can say without any shred of doubt that, that is what the regional minister will seek to do at all times”. Meanwhile, residents of Columbia, a suburb of Takoradi, are still insisting that Josephine was pregnant. Though they are not able to prove that medically, they explain that their conclusion is based on the physical observation they made on Josephine. “Josephine is always spitting; she struggles a lot while walking. She will walk a few meters and will lean on a wall to rest. So, we are bemused that the police are also saying that Josephine was not pregnant,” a concerned resident said. We will give you more updates about the issue soon. Credit: GHBase.com

Western Region Minister Kwabena Otchere Darko Mensah has reportedly disputed the nine-month pregnancy of 28-year-old Josephine Panyin Mensah. Madam Mensah was found in Axim on Tuesday, September 21 after five days of search. She did not return home after her Thursday dawn routine walk. A frantic search was mounted by the Western Regional Police Command of the Ghana Police Service after her husband, Michael Simmons, lodged a formal complaint. A call to her mother by some unknown persons for a ransom a few days later fuelled rumours of another case of kidnapping in the Western Region capital. But she was found in the garden of the Jehovah Witness church at Tolanu, a suburb of Axim. She was said to be without the baby and unable to communicate, prompting her rescuers to send her to the Axim Government Hospital for care. This Mr Darko Mensah confirmed on Kumasi-based Kessben FM on Wednesday, September 22, further claiming that a brief from National Security said Madam Josephine Panyin Mensah was without a baby in her womb at the time she went missing. However, speaking on Takoradi-based Connect FM Wednesday morning, husband Michael Simmons said records are at the Takoradi Hospital to show that his wife has been pregnant for nine months. He was moved to tears by the words of the regional Minister, claiming the National Security should have made its cross-checks before coming out with that piece of information. Story by: Emmanuel Kwame Amoh

NPP’s National Treasurer, Kwabena Abankwah Yeboah has appealed to party faithful who are dissatisfied with President Akufo-Addo’s nominees for the role of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to desist from causing mayhem in the country. The incoming National Chairman tasked the rank and file to remain calm and respect President’s nominees MMDCEs position saying; "This is the time President Akufo-Addo needs our support and not to fight over MMDCEs post" Last Sunday, the government released the list of MMDCE nominees. But since then, parts of the country have recorded pockets of violent protests over the list. There were also threats from some NPP members, who said they would boycott party activities due to the failure of the president to nominate their preferred candidates. But speaking on Okay FM’s, Mr. Abankwah Yeboah pleaded with the agitated members to exercise patience measured in expressing disappointment and not engage in acts that could destabilize peace in the country. The president went through a process before nominating all the candidates. I appealed to party faithful to support the president's decision for the position of MMDCEs. He also urged them to channel all their grievances to the regional offices for amicable solution. Watch the video below: Credit: Peacefmonline.com