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Chinese telecoms giant Huawei urged Britain on Wednesday not to rush into taking any costly decision to phase out its equipment from the UK's 5G network because of US sanctions. The plea followed reports of Prime Minister Boris Johnson receiving a damning security agency reassessment about the long-term safety of Huawei. The British review was triggered by US sanctions in February that blocked Huawei's access to US chips and semi-conductors at the heart of 5G networks. Johnson's government allowed Huawei to roll out up to 35 percent of Britain's 5G network under the condition that it stays out of "core" elements dealing with personal data. But the new sanctions raised the possibility of Huawei having to switch from trusted US suppliers to alternatives whose safety could not be guaranteed by UK security agencies. Huawei vice-president Victor Zhang said the long-term impact of the US sanctions will take months to fully understand. "We urge the UK government to take more time," Zhang told a conference call. "What we are talking about is the long-term impact. It takes time. It takes months to understand." Zhang said any decision to simply cut Huawei out of the speedy new network's development could delay nationwide 5G access for up to 18 months. He estimated that a two-year delay would cost the UK economy £29 billion ($35.8 billion, 31.8 billion euros). "The decision will impact the future of Britain's digital strategy and Britain's digital economy -- it is so important," Zhang said. Johnson is coming under growing political pressure to dump Huawei and adopt a tougher line with China for its treatment of Hong Kong and repression of ethnic Uighurs in the western Xinjiang region. But Johnson also pledged last year to bring broadband access to all Britons by 2025. Huawei equipment is already ubiquitous in Britain's older-generation 3G and 4G networks. The Chinese company argues that 5G will become even more important as the world switches to home working because of the new coronavirus. British telecoms companies have warned that stripping out all existing Huawei equipment could cost them billions and take years to implement. It could also undermine Johnson's "full fibre for all" pledge. Zhang said Huawei wanted to work with British telecoms providers and come up with safe alternatives to US equipment that could allay security concerns. "We want to be clear that we will work to address any restrictions imposed on us," Zhang said. He stressed that existing networks would not be affected by sanctions because their development is planned years in advance. Huawei also has equipment stockpiles designed to cover immediate needs. And he made an indirect reference to Johnson's broadband access pledge. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Britain to take the lead in 5G," Zhang said. Source: Microsoft News

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) says it has taken note of a recent video on social media on the ongoing discussion linking the use of Johnson's baby Talcum Powder with ovarian cancers. According to the FDA, it wishes to assure the public that it has since 2018 increased its regulatory activities and put in appropriate measures to ensure public safety in the use of all cosmetic products containing talcum powder. In a statement released and signed by the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) of FDA, Delese Darko, the statement said "Talc as a product naturally found near asbestos, has the potential to become contaminated during the mining process. Over-exposure to such contaminated talc has been linked to cases of ovarian and luring cancers" The statement also added that all talc-containing powders including Johnson's Baby Powder registered for use in Ghana are rigorously evaluated to ensure that they are asbestos-free. The Food and Drugs Authority says it will continue to analyze cosmetic powders that contain talc for asbestos contamination, monitor closely, review any new safety data related to the use of talc in the products, take appropriate action and inform the public accordingly. Below is a copy of the full release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah says she is impressed with the sanitation services delivery in the cities of Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi after her Ministry witnessed significant improvements, especially during the Covid-19 period. According to her, the Ministry during the period under review visited all the MMDAs within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area and the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area and was impressed with the outcome. Speaking at a meet-the-press in Accra, she said "The objectives of the visits were to ascertain the general sanitation conditions in the various Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies and interact with a cross-section of the residents on Water Sanitation and Hygiene issues in the Metros and Municipalities likewise ascertain the state of sanitation and water infrastructure" She added that the Ministry took advantage of the visit to assess the performance of Metropolitan and Municipal Chief Executives, with the view to supporting them with the needed technical support, where necessary. She also mentioned that as the exercise saw good results, it provided the Ministry with relevant hands-on information on sanitation and water in the Metropolitan and Municipalities visited. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Ministry, in collaboration with the Security Services (i.e. the Ghana Armed Forces, the Fire Service, the Police Service and the Prisons Service), the Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA) led by Zoomlion Ghana Limited and all the Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies within the partial lockdown areas of Accra and Kumasi, took advantage of the period to undertake an eight-day massive clean-up exercise. The exercise focused on: Desilting of gutters, collection and disposal of refuse from homes, public places, markets and Lorry Parks, and Emptying of Street Litter Bins" she said. Madam Dapaah charged residents to clean their homes and immediate environs in support of the exercise. The sector Minister also hinted that bsides the strategic locations within the respective municipalities, special attention was paid to the Accra-Tema Motorway where the Ghana Armed Forces and the Prisons Service did an impressive work during the second week by cleaning the entire stretch. She said "Hon. Chairman, additionally, the Galloway Drain in Agbogbloshie, which is always filled with plastic waste and other debris is being desilted to facilitate free flow of water along the channel. Following the huge success and impact of the clean-up exercise in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) and the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area (GKMA), as part of the measures to keep the cities clean and to also help fight against the spread of the covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry facilitated a two day scaled-up clean up exercise from Wednesday 13th to Thursday 14th May 2020 in all the other 14 regions" She also mentioned that as part of renewed efforts to attain the vision of President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, of making our cities clean, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources has also launched an Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Environmental Sanitation. She explained that the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Environmental Sanitation has membership of 17 drawn from Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs) and the private sector to enhance multi-sectoral collaboration. "It is also to coordinate all efforts by stakeholder Ministries, Agencies and Departments to enhance efficiency and ensure acceleration in the delivery of a clean Ghana for all residents and visitors as envisioned" she noted.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has ordered Headmistress of KNUST Senior High School, Madam Felicia Asamoah Dankwaa to step aside as it looks into the death of the student. According to sources, the order forms part of GES' measures of investigating what led to the sudden death of the final year student. It is emerging that the release was sphere-headed Head of Public Relations, Cassandra Twum Amopofo. Background Some students of KNUST SHS have demonstrated against school authorities over what they call a total neglect of their colleague leading to his death. According to the students, they are unhappy about the school authorities not attending to their late colleague after he complained of stomach pains. In a video making waves on social media, the student was seen in pains as his colleagues were trying to figure out what was wrong with him. In the said video, some teachers were also spotted looking unconcerned at the dying student and his colleagues with an excuse of a possible covid-19 case. The news of the young boy's death got the students so upset as they began throwing stones and breaking the windscreen of the headmistress' car. The students said “We were demonstrating because yesterday one of our mates was sick and he was left to his fate to survive on his own because of the fear of coronavirus. Nobody attended to him. Other students who partook in the demonstration also said “He was ill, he wasn’t showing any signs since morning but later in the afternoon around 3 o’clock he started vomiting because he had some stomach ache,” one student recounted. The students added that they had to rush their deceased colleague to the classroom whiles the teachers did nothing to help. It is emerging that if the school’s authorities had acted fast, the life of the young student would have been saved. However, school authorities have refused to respond to the issue. Meanwhile, Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, (DCOP) Mr.David Agyemang Adjem, has said that tensions have diffused and police presence would be reduced. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah has revealed that her Ministry has launched a ‘Street Litter Bin Programme’ which she believes will help control public littering in the country. According to her, about 5,100 litter bins have been deployed in Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ashanti, Central, Greater Accra, Northern, Oti, Volta and Western Regions to help make the programme a success. Addressing the media in Accra on Wednesday, Madam Dapaah said “An additional 3,000 bins are currently being deployed out of which 600 have been donated to the Ministry of Defence for distribution to the Armed Forces. 400 of the bins have also been delivered to the Ministry of the Interior for distribution to the other Security Services” She charged the public to cooperate by depositing only litter generated while on the street, into these bins and not to fill them with household waste. She explained that the management of solid waste, especially within the Municipalities over the years has been plagued with numerous challenges. In response to the overwhelming sanitation challenges, the Ministry, under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project (GARID), has secured a parcel of land to construct an Engineered Sanitary Landfill and a Materials Recovery Facility in the Ga West Municipality. In addition, two Transfer Stations will be constructed at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and the Adentan Municipality respectively. “Two major dumpsites at Abokobi and Agbogbloshie (Old Fadama) will be capped. Expression of Interest (EOI) for Consultancy Services for Detailed Engineering Design (DED) and construction supervision for the Landfill and Capping components have been received and are being evaluated. Hon. Chairman, following Cabinet approval to decommission and re-engineer the Kpone and Oti Landfill sites, the Ministry has engaged Messrs Zoomlion Ghana Limited to undertake the decommissioning and re- engineering works at the two sites” she revealed. She hinted that the contractor has mobilised to the two sites and works are progressing steadily. Madam Dapaah also explained that the Ministry has also procured Messrs. EAP Consult Limited, a local Engineering firm as Consultants to supervise the project to ensure quality control. “The Greater Accra Sustainable Sanitation and Livelihood Improvement Project (GASSLIP) has also procured thirty (30) Communal Waste Containers (Skips) and distributed to all the MMAs within the GAMA. 24 motor powered small vehicles have been procured to further improve solid waste collection within GAMA” she said. She also explained that to ensure effective monitoring of Sanitation service delivery, the Ministry, in partnership with Jospong Group of Companies, is providing 5 pickup vehicles to the Ministry of Defence. Speaking on Liquid Waste, she mentioned that the Ministry through the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project (GAMA-SWP) has within the project period provided access to improved toilet facilities to serve over 225,960 low income people in 28,245 households in the GAMA. She said “Under the same project, 240 fit-for-purpose, gender and disability friendly school sanitation facilities have been provided to over 231,872 school pupils of low income communities in the GAMA. Construction is ongoing for a 4,000-household capacity simplified sewerage system in Ashaiman New Town and 900 household capacity simplified sewerage system to benefit households in Bankuman community of Tema Metropolitan Area” She added that in support of the Ministry of Works and Housing, the Ministry through the GAMA-SWP, expanded and lined a total of 23km length of drainage channels; 32km of unlined drainage channels have also been desilted and fifteen (15) culverts have been reconstructed to enhance free flow of storm water. Madam Dapaah hinted that the completion of these priority tertiary drainage works has helped to reduce the perennial flooding that hitherto led to loss of lives and property as well as to mitigate the high risks that results from poor environmental sanitation management. She said “Hon. Chairman, the Ministry has also commenced the construction of 5,000 household toilet facilities within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area under the GASSLIP. The construction works are at various stages of completion. It is anticipated that by end of December 2020, all the facilities would have been completed which would benefit 50,000 people” Speaking on the Urban Sanitation Pilot Project, she mentioned that a total of 21,332 household latrines have been constructed in Tamale, Ho and Ashaiman and 30 basic schools have also gained access to improved toilets. “The cumulative result of the various interventions by Government and other partners is the construction of a total of over 107,000 household toilets, which are benefiting approximately 856,000 persons across the country over the last three years as at June, 2020. Ladies and Gentlemen, access to improved sanitation in Ghana currently stands at 21%, the cumulative impact of all the afore-mentioned interventions is expected to reflect in the next Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) Report” she said. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah has revealed that the Akufo-Addo Government has activated a process to establish a National Sanitation Authority together with a National Sanitation Fund. According to her, the establishment of the Authority and the Fund will give the country’s efforts significant focus, attract the requisite human capacity and mobilize resources for improved sanitation services delivery in Ghana. Addressing the media in Accra, the Sanitation Minister said “Hon. Chairman, in a bid to ensure the constant supply of Environmental Sanitation Officers, for the first time since their establishment in 1952, the three schools of hygiene have seen a major infrastructure development” She added that in Accra and Ho, a new two-storey, nine-classroom block each, is being provided while Tamale is benefiting from rehabilitation of an existing hostel facility. Mrs. Dapaah further added that the Ministry has obtained Financial Clearance from the Ministry of Finance to engage the remaining 1,174 graduates from the three Schools of Hygiene. She hinted that the students are graduates from 2010 to 2019 and in collaboration with Office of the Head of the Local Government Service adding that they are going through the necessary recruitment processes. “Hon. Chairman, in 2017, a policy reform was initiated in the Community Water and Sanitation sub-sector to expand the mandate of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) to include the management of Piped Water Systems while devising support mechanism for the management of Point Water Systems and Sanitation” she added. The Sanitation Minister also added that the reform seeks to change the management of Piped Water Systems from Community Owned Management concept to Professionalised Management with focus on the application of technology and innovation to ensure sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness of the Water Supply infrastructure which have been provided at high cost to the State. She explained that Government has spent a total of GHC60million to rehabilitate and expand 151 Small Town Piped Water Systems across the country. She noted that some of the systems been rehabilitated are in Vakpo, Taviefe, Akatsi in the Volta region, Mim in the Bono region, Manso Nkwanta, Manso Atwedie Juaben and Seniagya in the Ashanti region. Most of these Systems were in a state of disrepair at the time of the CWSA took over. She said “Hon. Chairman, as part of measures to introduce new skills to support the introduction of Innovation and Technology in Water Systems Management, 1,087 professionals (Engineers, Water Safety Specialists, Accountants, etc.) and 409 auxiliary staff (Plumbers, Technical operators, etc.) have been employed. An additional 250 jobs are expected to be created by the close of the year. In addition, GHc3.3million out of GHc5million outstanding electricity bills incurred by the Water and Sanitation Management Teams have been paid resulting in the restoration of power to the water supply infrastructure in the communities” The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and the general awareness created by Government and other stakeholders have provided the opportunity for the intensification of this policy. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Information reaching ThinkNewsOnline indicates that Ghana's Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has been discharged from the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) with positive rapid antibody test result. According to the Press Secretary to the Minister, the discharged Minister will be further monitored while at home. In a statement released and signed by Press Secretary to the Minister, Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng, it said "The Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, announces that he has been discharged from the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in Accra with a rapid positive rapid antibody test result and will be further monitored" The statement added that the Minister is at home resting. The Minister of Education thanked all who wished him well during his time in hospital. Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

23-Year-Old, Laura has revealed that although her 52year old boyfriend, David is a punk, his impressive music skills attracted her to him. According to her, although it sounds weird, she has been dating David for the past 19 months. She said “It was love at first sight. It was David’s impressive music skills that first attracted the attention of me. I was at a record fair and came across David’s punk band” Laura added that upon their first interaction, she found him interesting adding that immediately she sent David a friend request. “David never told me his age and I also never told him my age. It didn’t cross any of our minds to ask each other. We were both enjoying our moment. Shantel moved in with David in January last year. David asked me to move in with him, he wrapped a house key going down on his knees like a proposal asking me to move in” Laura recounted. Laura further revealed that since she could no longer hide the relationship, she decided to tell her family about it. She said “My mom had few ups and downs about it and still warming up to it. David met my family. He showers me with gifts and try to reassure my family not to have any reservations. The couples have received harsh comments on social media, as some think that since David is loaded, Laura wants to capitalize and milk him dry. However, Laura has clarified that her boyfriend is not loaded adding that their relationship is a real one. She also noted that she genuinely loves David no matter who he is. David on the other hand thinks the tiny challenge his relationship will have is when he is far from his woman adding that he will feel lonely. For Laura, because of the age gap she wants to spend as much time as she possibly can with David. Although having children is not on their minds as for now, the love birds says they doubt they will be having any. Laura and David are happy together and it seems nothing is going to break their relationship. Story by: Sweetie Muriel Baisie

Staff of the Ministry of Finance have with immediate effect been ordered to work from home and also undergo mass testing for covid-19 after the office was shut down amidst fears. According to the Ministry, the move is part of measures put in place for staff to know their status and also prevent the spread of the pandemic. In communique signed by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Patrick Nomo, it said “In addition, the necessary contact-tracing will be taken by the appropriate health authorities. Staff will be duly informed about the appropriate date to return to the office to work,” The statement further added that all safety protocols at the ministry would be effectively adhered to. It is emerging that appropriate health authorities are expected conduct the necessary contact tracing and staff will duly be informed on the stipulated date to return to work. "The ministry is assembling a team of core staff to operate from specific locations as part of preparations towards the mid-year review budget" it said. ThinkNewsOnline can confirm that the Finance Ministry now takes over from COCOBOD as the new firm to shut down due to fears of possible covid-19 cases. Story by: Bervelyn Henrietta Allotey

Unconfirmed reports reaching ThinkNewsOnline indicates that four regions in the country are likely to be hit by partial lockdown following the increasing numbers of covid-19 cases recorded. According to sources, the regions likely to be affected by the lockdown include; Greater Accra Region, Ashanti Region, Western Region and Central Region. It is emerging that Greater Accra Region has recorded 12,087 cases, Ashanti Region has 4,627, Western Region still stands at 1,932 whiles Central Region follows with 1,017 cases of covid-19. ThinkNewsOnline has also gathered that there seems to be mixed reactions from sections of the public on whether there should be a partial lockdown or not. ThinkNewsOnline is monitoring and will keep its readers updated on new developments. Story by: Magdalene Maame Abena Serwaa Asante

Some students of KNUST SHS have demonstrated against school authorities over what they call a total neglect of their colleague leading to his death. According to the students, they are unhappy about the school authorities not attending to their late colleague after he complained of stomach pains. In a video making waves on social media, the student was seen in pains as his colleagues were trying to figure out what was wrong with him. In the said video, some teachers were also spotted looking unconcerned at the dying student and his colleagues with an excuse of a possible covid-19 case. The news of the young boy's death got the students so upset as they began throwing stones and breaking the windscreen of the headmistress' car. The students said “We were demonstrating because yesterday one of our mates was sick and he was left to his fate to survive on his own because of the fear of coronavirus. Nobody attended to him. Other students who partook in the demonstration also said “He was ill, he wasn’t showing any signs since morning but later in the afternoon around 3 o’clock he started vomiting because he had some stomach ache,” one student recounted. The students added that they had to rush their deceased colleague to the classroom whiles the teachers did nothing to help. It is emerging that if the school’s authorities had acted fast, the life of the young student would have been saved. However, school authorities have refused to respond to the issue. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Deputy Minister for Transport, Titus Glover says effective Saturday 11th July 2020, transport fares would see an increment irrespective of the distance covered across the country. According to him, the increment will be across board i.e Taxis, Trotro, Long Distance Vehicles and Cargo Trucks. Speaking on an Accra-based radio station, the Deputy Transport Minister said “Government took the decision in relation to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on drivers due to the social distancing protocol they observe in their vehicles and this has really affected their sales in this unusual time” He added that the idea of increment was initiated by the leadership of a group known as Concerned Drivers Union who threatened to increase the fare by 30 percent due to the increase in fuel prices. Mr. Glover stated that the various Drivers Union presented a petition to the Ministry on Monday and were promised that the issue will be looked into. He further explained that after a meeting with the Transport Ministry and other stake holders, the request for increment was granted. “We have all agreed that indeed the drivers have helped in observing the Covid-19 protocols. It is for this reason that we have agreed to increase the fares” Mr Glover said. He added that the drivers have also agreed to continue observing the COVID-19 protocols as stipulated by the President. Story by: Bervelyn Henrietta Allotey