A police officer has reportedly been beaten to death in DR Congo in clashes between Muslim groups. Some 30 people have been to death as a result of the clashes. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/eradicating-poverty-coastal-development-authority-unveils-kayayei-empowerment-policy-pictures They were sentenced on Saturday after clashes between two rival Muslim factions this week killed one police officer and injured dozens of members of law enforcement. The fighting in Kinshasa, DR Congo’s capital occurred on Thursday during the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/bui-power-ceo-is-wrong-the-energy-minister-has-not-been-misled-by-gridco Below is an embed tweet: Credit: Reuters

Miss Mexico Andrea Meza was crowned Miss Universe on Sunday, 16th May 2021 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The Miss Universe was hosted by Mario Lopez and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, who won the crown in 2012 and featured a special performance by Luis Fonsi. Andrea Meza, 26, finished first ahead of the Brazilian and Peruvian finalists in a flashy televised event. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/covid-19-coda-donates-ppes-to-ga-traditional-council-ahead-of-homowo-celebrations Dressed in a sparkling red evening gown, Meza tearfully walked the catwalk as Miss Universe for the first time, before rushing back for a group hug with the other competitors. Andrea Meza beat more than 70 contestants from around the globe in the 69th installment of Miss Universe. During the final statement round, Miss Mexico was asked to address the topic of changing beauty standards. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-donates-5000-facemasks-150-hand-sanitizers-to-gaam-pictures “We live in a society that more and more is advanced and as we have advanced as a society, we have advanced with stereotypes,” she shared via a translator. “Nowadays, beauty is not only the way we look. For me, beauty radiates not only in our spirits but in our hearts and the way we conduct ourselves. Never permit someone to tell you that you are not valuable,” the Mexican beauty queen said. And just minutes before, Miss Mexico also faced the final question round where she was asked to share how she would have handled the COVID-19 pandemic. “I believe there is not a perfect way to handle this hard situation such as COVID-19,” she explained. “However, I believe that what I would have done was create the lockdown even before everything was that big because we lost so many lives and we cannot afford that. We have to take care of our people. That’s why I would have taken care of them since the beginning.” READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws Below is an embed post: Credit: Fiifi Yorke

Kojo Vincent Oppong Nkrumah is a Ghanaian politician and lawyer who was born on 5 April 1982. Mr. Nkrumah was born in Koforidua, in the Eastern Region of Ghana. His parents are Kwame Oppong Nkrumah and Felicia Oppong Nkrumah. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/covid-19-coda-donates-ppes-to-ga-traditional-council-ahead-of-homowo-celebrations His mother was a teacher and his father was initially a teacher before becoming a banker. He hails from Akim Anyinase. He had his basic school education at St. Bernadette Soubirous School in Dansoman, continued to Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary in Koforidua for his senior high education, and later studied at the University of Cape Coast, where he received a bachelor's degree in Commerce. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-donates-5000-facemasks-150-hand-sanitizers-to-gaam-pictures In 2012, he graduated with an MBA in Marketing from the University of Ghana, Legon. In 201,4 he was awarded a bachelor's degree in law (LLB) at the GIMPA Faculty of Law after two years of studies. In 2016 he was called to the Bar as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ghana. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws Kojo Oppong Nkrumah started his career as a Treasury Analyst at British American Tobacco in 2006. He then diverted into the media space and landed at Joy FM, an Accra-based radio hosting the Super Morning Show after the departure of the late Komla Dumor. In 2014, Nkrumah bowed out of broadcasting to establish an investment firm, West Brownstone Capital. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-outdoors-credit-union-to-support-informal-sector-pictures By 2016, he had become a lawyer practising at Kulendi, Attafuah and Amponsah at law. He was selected as a Young Global Leader for 2020 by the World Economic Forum.[10] In 2015 he contested and won the NPP parliamentary primaries for the Ofoase-Ayirebi constituency in the Eastern Region of Ghana. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/eradicating-poverty-coastal-development-authority-unveils-kayayei-empowerment-policy-pictures He won this parliamentary seat during the 2016 Ghanaian general elections. He was the Minister for Information in Ghana and is the Cabinet spokesperson on the Economy. He additionally served as a member of the Finance and Constitutional committees of the 7th Parliament of Ghana. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/bui-power-ceo-is-wrong-the-energy-minister-has-not-been-misled-by-gridco He is currently the President's Representative at the Ministry of Information. Kojo Nkrumah was announced as the designate for information by President Nana Akufo-Addo after he won the 2020 elections. He was part of a list of minister-designates, including Mavis Hawa Koomson and Minister-designate for Food Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto who rejected by the minority side at the appointments committee for various reasons. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/we-need-to-generate-more-energy-napo-urges-pictures He was however approved by a majority consensus on the floor of the House after extensive debate on recommendations made by the Appointments Committee. Kojo is a Christian and married to Akua and has three children: Kwaku, Afua, and Kofi. Kojo through his hard work has won the hearts of many in the country and world at large READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/i-ve-never-cheated-on-my-wife-before-and-will-never-do-that-kumawood-actor-nana-yeboah-video Below are some pictures: Story by: News Desk Report

President Akufo-Addo has hinted that his government has met with cinema owners and operators on sets of protocols and guidelines to be followed before its re-opening. Speaking in his Update No. 25 on measures being taken against coronavirus in Ghana, he said "In a move towards the reopening of cinemas and theatres, Government has engaged cinema owners and operators on a set of protocols and guidelines that need to be put in place and implemented by all operators before eventual re-opening" READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-outdoors-credit-union-to-support-informal-sector-pictures President Akufo-Addo further noted that in the coming weeks, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) will be announcing these protocols and mandatory modalities. He further hinted that the GHS and GTA will work with the operators on a set of directives that will ensure the health and safety of all patrons and staff in all facilities involved, READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/eradicating-poverty-coastal-development-authority-unveils-kayayei-empowerment-policy-pictures It will be recalled that President Akufo-Addo ordered the closure of cinemas and theatres in in the country. He gave that instruction on March 25, 2020. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/bobrisky-explains-his-reason-for-not-fasting-this-ramadan Below is a pic:

The Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh says his Ministry is committed to ensuring long-term financial sustainability in Ghana’s power sector. He disclosed this when he took his turn to address a press briefing on the energy sector under the topic; ‘Delivery Reliable and Affordable Power’, as part of a series of presentations by government Ministers organized by the Ministry of Information on Sunday. The Minister made reference to the Project Light, which is aimed at renegotiating Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) entered into under the previous government during the power crisis of the time, to ensure that Ghana obtains value for money on all agreements as well as the renegotiation of Gas prices from the Sankofa Fields. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/covid-19-coda-donates-ppes-to-ga-traditional-council-ahead-of-homowo-celebrations The also revealed that with respect to the over 46 PPAs signed by the previous government with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), the government managed to get some of the deferred. He said the savings that have been made on the deferment of agreements of Early Power, Jacobsen Power Ltd, and Rotan are significant and sets the tone for a more sustainable energy sector financial management framework. “We have made savings on deferment of 3 PPAs amounting to $1.426bn since 2019” he added, amounting to $475.50m per deferred PPA. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-donates-5000-facemasks-150-hand-sanitizers-to-gaam-pictures The total saving was sufficient to build 62 stadia the size of Tamale Stadium, he stated. He added that this is in addition to other savings in the sector amounting to a total of $1.335bn. This brings the total savings to $2.761bn in the energy sector. The Minister disclosed that since 2017, the Akufo-Addo government has always made funds available to generation companies to procure fuel to power the thermal plants, which he says restored power generation to meet demand. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws He added that the Energy Sector Levy Act (ESLA), Cash waterfall Mechanism, Gas Clearing House, and the Delta Fund, among other interventions, have improved Ghana’s Energy sector financing. According to the sector Minister, the Government has approved the Energy Sector Recovery Programme (ESRP), which is being implemented to bring about the long-term financial sustainability of the sector. “We are fully committed to releasing funds as has been done since 2017 to improve the liquidity of the value chain” he noted. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-outdoors-credit-union-to-support-informal-sector-pictures He continued “These measures are part of the Akufo Addo led government’s broader strategy to ensure long term financial sustainability in Ghana’s power sector” Below is a picture and video: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Renowned Ghanaian twin photographers and bloggers, Twinsdntbeg, have revealed what led to them being sacked as Presidential photographers at the Jubilee House, the seat of Government in Accra. Twinsdntbeg made up of twin brothers, Samuel and Emmanuel Appiah Gyan became the official photographers for Nana Akufo-Addo after the 2016 election. Prior to the election, they traveled with members of the NPP including Samira Bawumia to capture the electioneering moment whilst the party sought power. In an interview with Giovani Caleb on 3FM Drive monitored by African Entertainment, the twin said they got fired as presidential photographers in 2017 after a leaked photo from their camp caused Mr. Akufo-Addo public ridicule. “An offending leak photo of President Nana Akufo-Addo in scrubs on a visit to see the accident victims at Ridge Hospital surfaced on the internet, which caused public ridicule. And that was how we were thrown out from the flagstaff house”, they said. Credit: African Entertainment

As the seething conversation around how a journalist with Accra-based, Citi FM/Citi TV, Caleb Kudah was assaulted by national security operatives during an interrogation continues, a private legal practitioner, has opened up about how a client of his was subjected to a similar ordeal. The account of the lawyer, Yaw Twumasi Ankrah, sought to throw more light on the constant report of physical abuse meted out to citizens by some security personnel, following an attempt by some Ghanaians to downplay or deny Caleb Kudah’s harrowing experience. In a post on Facebook titled ‘Blue Gate Encounter’, he narrated how state security agencies such as the National Investigation Bureau (NIB), Police, Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), and the National Security itself, have coerced individuals into their custody to confess to crimes they have not committed and assaulted them in the process. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/we-need-to-generate-more-energy-napo-urges-pictures “If the lawyers decide to give an account of their experiences with the security agencies in this country eeerh, you will have very little or no reason at all to doubt anyone who tells you, they have been assaulted by the BNI (now NIB), police, National Security, EOCO among others, or they confessed to avoid further assaults.” Caleb Kudah was at the Blue Gate at the National Security Ministry filming some grounded MASLOC vehicles parked at the premises only to be arrested and brutalized by some national security operatives who did not charge him for any offense stated in Ghana’s statutes. In a similar encounter at the same site, however, the lawyer revealed that his client once called to inform him that he had been invited to Blue Gate on a Friday to assist with an ongoing investigation. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/bui-power-ceo-is-wrong-the-energy-minister-has-not-been-misled-by-gridco He however counseled the client to liaise with the officer in charge and reschedule to Monday since he wants to come with a lawyer. Although the officer initially agreed to reschedule, he shortly called back and insisted that the client comes on Friday. In what the lawyer said was to avoid the usual drama, he asked the client to take the lead so that he joins him after a court appointment he had. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/eradicating-poverty-coastal-development-authority-unveils-kayayei-empowerment-policy-pictures “I strongly counseled him that no matter what they do, he should not put anything on paper until I am present nor should he write anything beyond I am innocent on paper, should he be compelled to (they have a way of compelling you)”, he posted. The lawyer says when he closed from the court, he quickly rushed to the Blue Gate, and after going through the protocols, he was told his client was being interrogated, and that he cannot be there but would be called later on. “After waiting for over two hours amidst agitations and demands to see the “superior” to report the obvious breach of the right to counsel, the receptionist insisted that she was working on instructions whenever the lawyer raised concerns about the illegality about how the client was being handled.” READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-outdoors-credit-union-to-support-informal-sector-pictures The lawyer says at the point when he finally saw his client, one of the officers boldly told him to advise his client “to confess else he will spend the weekend in their cells”. This, the lawyer said, “is a form of threat that has worked magic on so many people who are now in jail for things they have not done.” Being shell-shocked, the lawyer asked the officer if he wanted the client to “confess to what he did not do, so you can sign it off, or you will want to know the truth.” READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws “He said there is no truth, and that if I “misbehave” they can worry me. Can you imagine that?” the lawyer said in his Facebook post. According to the lawyer, he insisted the client had nothing to say beyond the fact that he was innocent. As a result of the lawyer’s response, the client is said to have been detained at the blue gate for three days. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-donates-5000-facemasks-150-hand-sanitizers-to-gaam-pictures Interestingly, after the conclusion of the investigations, it emerged that the officers could not find any evidence to support the allegations against the lawyer’s client. The lawyer argued that the operatives only wanted the client to confess to a non-existent act, so it could be relied upon in court to secure a conviction. “If you are a “nobody” you are finished. There several similar encounters with the BNI and Police, but that is for another day”, the lawyer’s post concluded. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/covid-19-coda-donates-ppes-to-ga-traditional-council-ahead-of-homowo-celebrations Credit: Citinewsroom

A number of United Kingdom (UK), American and European diplomats and donors have expressed their displeasures about how the World Health Organization (WHO) handled sex abuse allegations involving its own staff. The Associated Press reported a few days ago that during the Ebola in DR Congo, some WHO staff engaged in sex for jobs. The Associated Press alleged that WHO senior managers in DRC demanded sex from their junior subordinates for promotions and job security. According to the Associated Press report sighted by African Entertainment, another incident is a contract signed between a senior manager and a young woman he allegedly impregnated in Congo to cover her pregnancy costs and buy her a plot of land. The agreement was made “to protect the integrity and reputation of the organization.” The report contains multiple sex allegations involving at least two of WHO’s medical doctors during the Ebola epidemic in 2018. A notarized contract believed to have been obtained by the AP showed that two WHO staffers signed off on an agreement between WHO’s Dr. Jean-Paul Ngandu and a young woman he allegedly impregnated in Congo. In it, Ngandu promised to pay the young woman money, cover her pregnancy costs and buy her a plot of land. But Simon Manley, the UK’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, has condemned the acts, saying: “The UK has a zero tolerance approach when it comes to sexual exploitation and harassment — and that extends to all international organizations that we fund. “We are speaking with WHO and other major donors as a matter of urgency to establish the facts.” Credit: African Entertainment

Ghanaian singer cum radio presenter, Belinda Nana Ekua Amoah, popularly known as Mzbel has shared semi-nude photos of herself Facebook. In a Facebook post sighted by African Entertainment, Mzbel wrote, “Am I too old for “Dipo”? I’m the last born of seven girls and the only one among my sisters who were denied “Dipo” cos my mama found Christ  #Kloyo #GaAdangbe #Somanya #Plau #Tradition #Ghana”. As African Entertainment earlier reported, Mzbel in a recent interview with Amansan Krakye on Accra-based radio station Kastle FM said there was nothing wrong with sharing nude pictures and videos on social media. She said “as for me honestly I have nothing against someone taking a nude picture and putting it on social media. It depends on how the person takes the picture for us to conclude that it’s naked But if certain parts of the body are covered I don’t think that the person is naked”. See pictures below: Credit: African Entertainment

African Magic Viewer’s Choice Award (AMC) winning actress, Gloria Adjoa Sarfo has broken silence over her rumored relationship with media personality Mikki Osei Berko popularly known as Dada Boat. According to Gloria in an interview with Fiifi Pratt on Accra-based Kingdom FM monitored by African Entertainment, the pre-wedding pictures that surfaced on social media were for a movie. “The picture a shared some month ago with Dada Boat was taken from the movie set and was about to be premiered, but was not my pre-wedding photos as rumored”. She added “besides Dada Boat has been my brother in the movie industry for a very long time which makes it impossible to even date him”. It would be recalled that Gloria Sarfo announced on her Instagram page of settling down with Dada Boat of Taxi Driver fame. Credit: African Entertainment

Loudmouth media personality, Afia Schwarzenegger has been picked up by the Police CID. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/bui-power-ceo-is-wrong-the-energy-minister-has-not-been-misled-by-gridco The reason for her arrest today was not made known but information available to this portal suggests it may be linked to Adu Safowa’s arrest. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/eradicating-poverty-coastal-development-authority-unveils-kayayei-empowerment-policy-pictures More soon... READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-outdoors-credit-union-to-support-informal-sector-pictures Below is a screenshot: Credt//; Modern Ghana

Director of Communications of the United Kingdom chapter of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP-UK), Mr. Nana Kwaku Ansah has taken a swipe at the two Citi TV/FM journalists who were recently arrested by operatives from the National Security Ministry. He describes them as "criminals" who allegedly used 'pretense' to gain access to film at the National Security Ministry, a security zone to film. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/covid-19-coda-donates-ppes-to-ga-traditional-council-ahead-of-homowo-celebrations Mr. Ansah, who himself is media personnel and General Manager of Naspa FM in the UK made the 'distasteful comment against the journalists, Caleb Kudah and Zoe Abu-Baidoo in a Facebook post. He accused Caleb of trying to court public sympathy for himself by "playing the tribal card" when he [Caleb] revealed on 'The Point of View' program on Citi TV that he had to denounce his Ewe ethnicity to escape more beatings. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-donates-5000-facemasks-150-hand-sanitizers-to-gaam-pictures "These two journalists are just criminals and want to play tribal for public sympathy.....," the former Sports Broadcaster with Nkawkwa-based Obuoba FM wrote on Facebook. On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, Caleb Kudah was arrested and allegedly assaulted by national security operatives. This was after he was caught filming within the premises of the National Security Secretariat. Within an hour of Kudah's arrest, about seven armed National Security operatives stormed the premises of Citi FM/TV in three pickup vehicles to arrest Kudah's colleague journalist, Ms. Zoe Abu-Baidoo for receiving files from Mr. Kudah. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/facemask-coda-boss-urges-police-to-enforce-laws The two journalists were released on the same day after their arrest. Meanwhile, the National Security Ministry says it has taken the assault claims made by Mr. Kudah seriously and would launch an investigation into the claims. READ ALSO: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/local-news-coda-outdoors-credit-union-to-support-informal-sector-pictures Source: GhanaVanguard.com