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The 2016 Vice Presidential Candidate of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), Brigette Dzogbenuku is calling Ghana's Parliament to pass the long-awaited affirmative action bill into law. According to her, once the bill is passed into law, it will not only strengthening women but beef up the empowerment agenda set in the country. Speaking on Atinka Tv's morning show, Ghana Nie, Madam Brigette Dzogbenuku said "There are lots of bills on affirmative rights that are yet to be passed. Child trafficking, Early child marriage, spousal rights among others. Women have suffered a lot" She added that although she believes in affirmative action, most resources and avenues to do politics have been capitalised by the men adding that if women are given the opportunity, they will change the face of the game. Read also: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/i-was-once-intimidate-while-on-a-campaign-tour-former-ppp-running-mate Madam Dzogbenuku said "I feel women in politics goes a long way to only to help their fellow women but all" The 2016 Veep reminded male politicians that the country's economy is pre-dominantly run by the informal sector stressing that it is the women that forms a vast majority of the 75%. She said "Women are controlling the economy. We don't feel proud because we have enough money. We have already created a perception that politics is for the men but we have to change it" The 2016 Running Mate however cautioned that if women are not involve in the country's politics, the Ghana's economy will suffer. Read also: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/dr-paa-kwesi-nduom-is-disappointed-in-npp-brigette-dzogbenuku-discloses Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Information reaching ThinkNewsOnline indicates that a die-hard fan of Social Media Influencer, Fella Makafui has tattooed the face of the Actress on his back. Although the fan got the tattoo out of love, some social media users have expressed mixed reaction on whether it resembles Fella Makafui or not. Whiles a section of the social media users said the tattoo looks like Actress, Lydia Forson instead, others say it looks like Fella. However, a critical look at the tattoo has revealed that it rather looks like Lydia Forson. ThinkNewsOnline has gathered that the tattoo was culled from one of Fella Makafui’s wedding photos which went viral on social media in March 2020. Read also: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/watch-power-will-shift-oh-i-will-start-dealing-with-everyone-one-by-one-sam-george-warns After replicating the photo on the back, the fan also tattooed the actress name, “Mrs Precious Frimpong”, underneath the facial impression. The photo of the tattoo has since gone viral with many fans agreeing to the fact that indeed, it looked the more like Lydia Forson. One fan who found the tattoo rather hilarious saying “I swear down, it looks as if the face have wings self”. Actress, Fella Makafui has been in the news recently following reports that she is currently pregnant but keeping it away from the public. Read also: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/tribute-to-mr-kwadwo-owusu-afriyie-sir-john-by-doreen-ofori-manukure-a-former-pa-at-gnpc Story by: Bervelyn Henrietta Allotey

The 2016 Vice Presidential Candidate of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), Brigette Dzogbenuku is calling on the general public to debunk speculations that women are their own enemies. According to her, women partaking in Ghanaian politics believe in togetherness adding that it is the men who causes the distractions. Speaking on an Accra-based television on Wednesday, the 2016 Vice Presidential Candidate said "Women are not own enemies. We love each other no matter our differences and we believe in togetherness. When we say we will do something, we go all out. It is the men that causes the distractions" Read also: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/sanitation-ministry-launches-street-litter-bin-programme-deploys-5-100-litter-bins-in-7-regions She further added that since the men see everything as a competition between themselves, she rather sees them as their own enemies. The 2016 Veep who also doubles as the Founder and Executive Director of Mentoring Women Ghana (MWG) also noted that women in Ghana have been through a lot adding that although the empowerment agenda is gradually growing, they are still not there yet. She charged women to take up big positions and compete with the men stressing that they(women) are better of as heads than subordinates. Madam Brigette Dzogbenuku however used the opportunity to rubbish the perception that women occupying topmost position(s) in Organizations across the country gained that out of sex or favours. She said "It hurts when we hear that women are tagged as people who sleep with men for positions and things. We are well disciplined so it is about time that people stop saying that. If you do not hold yourself to perfection, people will never get to understand you" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Former Running Mate for the Progressive People's Party, Madam Brigette Dzogbenuku has revealed that she was once intimidated by a section of the public in some Regions while on a campaign tour in 2016. According to her, although the task was difficult, she was not belittled by the intimidating adding that her courage helped the party emerge as third after the 2016 election. Speaking on an Accra-based television on Wednesday, Madam Brigette Dzogbenuku said "I was intimidated but because some women set the pace so it was not that much. Much respect to Madam Hawa Yakubu. She has suffered a lot in the political game. Insults and Intimidations" She added that she had challenges with some cultures in some regions adding that she will call for a change if her party wins power. "I feel some cultures in the country has to be changed. It does not allow the women on many things. At one point, I who was a leader of a delegation at a certain Chief's palace had to be the last since it was not accepted for a woman to lead men" she said. She further explained that although the party was new by then, she had her constituents. Madam Dzogbenuku also mentioned that as being the daughter of a soldier, she managed to win the hearts of some soldiers in some barracks and her old school mates from Wesley Girls to support the PPP in 2016. "I studied in Wesley Girls for 7years so I pulled majority of them to support PPP in 2016. I got people also from the Aviation Social Centre among other places to rally behind us" She hinted that the PPP party has not collapsed adding that they will be contesting the 2020 general elections. ThinkNewsOnline has gathered that Madam Brigette Dzogbenuku is the 7th female to be elected as a running mate in the history of Ghanaian Politics. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Former Running Mate for the Progressive People's Party (PPP), Madam Brigette Dzogbenuku has disclosed that the party's 2016 Flagbearer, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom is disappointed in the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) over what it calls ill-treatment meted on him over his bank's crisis. According to her, the unfair treated given to Dr. Nduom was completely unnecessary adding that the leader of the PPP party has done a lot for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Speaking on an Accra-based television station on Wednesday, Madam Dzogbenuku said "It was unnecessary to do this to him. He did a lot for the NPP party and did not deserve this kind of treatment from them" Read also: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/i-was-once-intimidate-while-on-a-campaign-tour-former-ppp-running-mate She says she believes Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom will never affiliate himself with any activities of the NPP again after he is done settling his debts. ThinkNewsOnline has gathered that the 2016 running mate of the PPP party is the seventh (7th) female in the history of Ghana to be chosen as a Veep. Madam Brigette Dzogbenuku says the PPP party is poised for victory in the upcoming December elections adding that it is clear Ghanaians are unhappy about the poor performance of the Akufo-Addo led administration. "Dr. Nduom is a patient man and a believer of God. He has built a church for the Catholics in Elmina. He is currently fighting his case in court although he is stuck in the States due to ban on movements of flights across the world" Madam Brigette Dzogbenuku hinted. Read also: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/my-surname-is-john-not-rawlings-ex-prez-rawlings-reveals Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Former Running Mate for the Progressive People's Party, Madam Brigette Dzogbenuku has charged some politicians in the country to stop hiding behind the term 'dirty politics' saying some of them are naturally dirty. According to her, although politics is an exciting games, one receives his or her fair share of the games based on how he or her plays it. Speaking on an Accra-based television station, Madam Dzogbenuku said "I love politics. If there is no politics, one's business can not go well. Politics is how you play it. If you play dirty, you will be served with responses. Some people are naturally dirty so they should not hide behind politics and say they are playing a dirty game" Read also: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/let-us-be-realistic-about-school-shutdown-demands-education-minister She added that the Progressive People's Party (PPP) has not collapsed as speculated by some Ghanaians adding that they are bouncing back bigger and better. Madam Dzogbenuku also hinted that if given the opportunity to be a running mate for the second time, she will gladly accept the offer and push the PPP party to victory. "I play clean politics. No one can force me to say what is not right all in the name of the game. I believe in the truth and fairness" she added. Read also: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/covid-19-demand-for-local-poultry-rises-amidst-pandemic-president-of-greater-accra-poultry-farm Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Former Ghanaian Head of State, Flt. Lt Jeremiah John Rawlings has revealed that his surname is 'John' and not 'Rawlings' as known by many. According to him, he was named after his father, James Ramsey John, a chemist from Castle Douglas in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. In an interview with an Accra-based radio station, Ghana's Ex President said "I was born Jerry Rawlings John. I was named after my father, James Ramsey John, a chemist from Castle Douglas in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. However, when I applied to join the Armed Forces they replied to me, then they switched the position of ‘John’ and ‘Rawlings" Read also: https://www.thinknewsonline.com/post/dr-addo-kufuor-turns-80-ministry-of-interior-ghana-medical-association-celebrates-him He further explained that all his four children bear the surname, Rawlings instead of John, which happens to be their grandfather's original name. "I accepted to be enlisted despite a change in my last name. The Military sent me a letter of enlistment. I did not want a change in name together with all its legal requirements to ruin my chances of getting into the military, which had always been my dream" he recounted. In new developments, ThinkNewsOnline has gathered that Former President Rawlings has joined many Ghanaians to register for the new voters' identification card ahead of the 2020 election. His registration was done at the PWD Maintenance Unit Castle Registration Centre in the Klottey Korle Constituency on July 9. The Once Head of State was in the company of his beloved daughter and Member of Parliament for the Klottey Korle Constituency, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings. Story by: Bervelyn Henrietta Allotey

The Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ghana Health Service (GHS) in a joint statement have confirmed that 55 out of 314 staff and students at the Accra Girls Senior High School have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. According to the joint statement, although 55 have tested positive, the remaining 259 are negative. In a statement signed by the Director General, Ghana Education Service (GES), Prof. Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa and the Director General, Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the statement said "Following the first report of COVID-19 cases in Senior High School in the country on 6th July, 2020, the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service instituted a number of measures to determine the extent of the outbreak and containment measures. Accra Girls Senior High School has recorded most cases from the first report to date. As at 13th July, 2020, a total of 314 persons (student and staff) from the School have been tested. Out of these, 55 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 while 259 persons tested negative" The statement further added that although some actions have been taken so far, an identification and segregation of contact from other students has also taken place. They added that the sample collection and laboratory testing of all contacts have been identified with some labeled as suspected cases. "All confirmed cases have been transferred to designated national treatment and isolation centres for management, restriction of number of students that attend dining at a particular time, enforcement of social distancing protocols, enhanced hand hygiene practices and the proper use of the facemask. Disinfection of the entire school has been carried out" the statement added. ThinkNewsOnline has gathered that adequate PPEs have been provided to health staff stationed in the school likewise the education on COVID-19 prevention and control has been intensified within the school. The statement also mentioned that counselling and psychological support is being provided to the students adding that the schools have designated a quarantine and isolation center. The Ghana Education Service and Ghana Health Service says parents and guardians of affected student have been duly contacted adding that staff of the school have been reassured. Below is a copy of the joint statement: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Member of Ningo Prampram, Sam George has sent a strong warning to a Military Man saying he will deal with him when his party comes into power. According to him, the Military Men deployed to maintain law and other are abusing their powers on the civilians. In a viral video, Sam George said "Why do stop the girl. How dare you? You are Security man and you are doing this? Power will shift oh. I keep sending that warning. At that time, you people will say Sam George is a bad person. I will start dealing with everyone one by one" He warned the Security Man to be careful and not call for his anger. Below is the video: Story by: Nii Kwasi Parry

The Ministry of Interior and Ghana Medical Association (GMA) have celebrated the former Minister of Interior, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor for turning 80. According to the Ministry, under Dr. Addo Kufuor's reign as Minister of Defence and Acting Minister for the Interior, he set up the Special Joint Police/Military Highway Patrol Team to check armed robbery on the highways as well as check compliance to the highway codes in a bid to end fatalities on our roads. The Ministry said "At the inauguration of this Special Joint Police and Military Highway Patrol Team, he had this to say. The team would check the unnecessary loss of lives on our roads and the unwarranted attack on innocent people along the country‘s highways” The statement also added that Dr Addo Kufuor pursued his vision assiduously and to a logical end. The Ministry of Interior also revealed that the affable and hardworking Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor’s tenure as the Minister for the Interior, though brief, saw some remarkable initiatives which culminated into enthusiasm and commitment from staff and personnel within the Ministry and its Agencies. "His vision was to see to the expansion of the Police Hospital, but his brief stint as the Minister for the Interior did not see this vision materializing. As Minister for the Interior, he represented the country at several security and migration fora, both at home and abroad were he distinguished himself in particular and the sector as a whole" it said. It is emerging that Dr. Addo Kufuor led a delegation to the E.U. Africa Dialogue on Migration, Paris France in 2008, where he delivered a powerful speech on migration management adding that his warm personality, high sense of discipline and time consciousness is positive traits that Dr Addo Kufuor possessed. Dr. Addo Kufuor's impeccable sense of dressing and open door approach to work endeared him to all and sundry likewise his smile being infectious. The statement said "Those of us who worked directly with him during his tenure, speak with fondness of the good relations he had with us and were looking forward to more of such until he resigned in January 2009 as Minister for the Interior in his bid to seek a higher office. We recall his handing-over ceremony was a solemn occasion" The Ministry says on its behalf, Management, Staff and supporting staff, and Heads and Staff of all Agencies under the Ministry of the Interior, we say 'AYEKOO' as you celebrate your 80th Birthday. It further mentioned that it wishes the former Interior Minister more years and God’s blessings, good health and look forward to more good counsel. "Opanyin Dr Addo Kufuor, Afihyia Paaoo. Nyame nka wo ho’. HAPPY BIRTHDAY" The Citation of the Ghana Medical Association: On the other hand, the Ghana Medical Association in a citation said "Dr. Addo Kufuor did his post graduate training at the Middlesex Medical School Hospital, London, where he passed the MRCP (London) In 1975. He has worked in several hospitals in London and also at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana" It added that Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Physician Specialist, was educated at Cambridge University and University College Medical School Hospital; United Kingdom, where he obtained MA MB BCHIR and MRCS (England). Dr. Addo Kufuor was a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London, a Fellow of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine, and a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians. It added that for several years, Dr. Addo Kufuor was a part time lecturer at the Medical School, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, where he worked at Kufuor Clinic, Kumasi. "Aside the quality lectures he gave at KNUST, he supported Karle Bu Teaching Hospital as Member of the University of Ghana Medical School Council and Inspector of Examination: for the final year Bachelor of Medicine students. He was appointed by the Medical and Dental Council as a member of the board of examiners for foreign trained doctors applying to work in Ghana" it said. The Ghana Medical Association noted that it is commendable that most of these services were rendered free of charge, since he neither took salary nor any allowances from the University. Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor is a dedicated member of the Ghana Medical Association. His contributions to the Association and to medical practice in Ghana cannot be over-emphasised. ThinkNewsOnline has gathered that in 1992, he was elected to serve at the highest office of the Association as President, a position he held for three years. He was the 13th President of the Association. He was subsequently conferred the highest honour of the Association as Fellow of the Ghana Medical Association. The statement also mentioned that as Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, celebrates his 80th Birthday, the Ghana Medical Association wishes him good health and long life. God Bless you now and always as you continue to serve the medical fraternity and the nation at large. Below is a copy of Ministry of Interior and Ghana Medical Association's statement: The Ministry of the Interior: Hon. Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor (MP) served as the Minister for the Interior under H.E, President John Agyekum Kufuor between 12th June, 2008 and 6th January, 2009 as the substantive Minister for the Interior. Prior to that appointment, he had also acted as the Minister for the Interior from 18th April, 2002 to 22nd April, 2003 whilst he was the substantive Minister of Defence. As the Minister of Defence and Acting Minister for the Interior, he set up the Special Joint Police/Military Highway Patrol Team to check armed robbery on the highways as well as check compliance to the highway codes in a bid to end fatalities on our roads. At the inauguration of this Special Joint Police and Military Highway Patrol Team, he had this to say. “The team would check the unnecessary loss of lives on our roads and the unwarranted attack on innocent people along the country‘s highways”. Dr Addo Kufuor pursued his vision assiduously and to a logical end. The affable and hardworking Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor’s tenure as the Minister for the Interior, though brief, saw some remarkable initiatives which culminated into enthusiasm and commitment from staff and personnel within the Ministry and its Agencies. His vision was to see to the expansion of the Police Hospital, but his brief stint as the Minister for the Interior did not see this vision materializing. As Minister for the Interior, he represented the country at several security and migration fora, both at home and abroad were he distinguished himself in particular and the sector as a whole. He led a delegation to the E.U. Africa Dialogue on Migration, Paris France in 2008, where he delivered a powerful speech on migration management. His warm personality, high sense of discipline and time consciousness is positive traits that Dr Addo Kufuor possessed. His impeccable sense of dressing and open door approach to work endeared him to all and sundry. His smile was infectious. Those of us who worked directly with him during his tenure, speak with fondness of the good relations he had with us and were looking forward to more of such until he resigned in January 2009 as Minister for the Interior in his bid to seek a higher office. We recall his handing-over ceremony was a solemn occasion. On behalf of the Minister for the Interior, Management, Staff and supporting staff, and Heads and Staff of all Agencies under the Ministry of the Interior, we say AYEKOO as you celebrate your 80th Birthday. We wish you more years and God’s blessings, good health and look forward to more good counsel. 'Opanyin Dr Addo Kufuor, Afihyia Paaoo. Nyame nka wo ho’. HAPPY BIRTHDAY The Citation of the Ghana Medical Association: Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Physician Specialist, was educated at Cambridge University and University College Medical School Hospital; United Kingdom, where he obtained MA MB BCHIR and MRCS (England). He did his post graduate training at the Middlesex Medical School Hospital, London, where he passed the MRCP (London) In 1975. He has worked in several hospitals in London and also at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London, a Fellow of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine, and a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians. For several years, he was a part time lecturer at the Medical School, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, where he worked at Kufuor Clinic, Kumasi. Aside the quality lectures he gave at KNUST, he supported Karle Bu Teaching Hospital as Member of the University of Ghana Medical School Council and Inspector of Examination: for the final year Bachelor of Medicine students. He was appointed by the Medical and Dental Council as a member of the board of examiners for foreign trained doctors applying to work in Ghana. It is commendable that most of these services were rendered free of charge, since he neither took salary nor any allowances from the University. Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor is a dedicated member of the Ghana Medical Association. His contributions to the Association and to medical practice in Ghana cannot be over-emphasised. In 1992, he was elected to serve at the highest office of the Association as President, a position he held for three years. He was the 13th President of the Association. He was subsequently conferred the highest honour of the Association as Fellow of the Ghana Medical Association. In October 2003, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, then as Minister of Defence of the Republic of Ghana, commissioned the new Ghana Medical Association building at Korle Bu. Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor was a Representative for West Africa on the Confederation of African Medical Associations. He was awarded the Gold Medal for distinguished medical practice by the Ghana Medical and Dental Council. He was awarded the Order of the Volta (Companion) by the Government of Ghana in recognition of his sterling contribution to health care in the country. Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor continues to play a key role in the activities of the Association to date. He contributed immensely to the Association securing at a competitive rate some SSNIT Flats at Borteyman in Accra and Asokore Mampong in Kumasi for its members. Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, as you celebrate your 80th Birthday, the Ghana Medical Association wishes you good health and long life. God Bless you now and always as you continue to serve the medical fraternity and the nation at large. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

On July 13, 2002, I received a call from a man who introduced himself as the Human Resource Manager of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC). I had been offered a job three months after submitting my application and was to report at the office on Monday, 15th July 2002. I got to the office around 10:30am and went straight to the Managing Director’s office. After exchanging pleasantries with him, he called Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (Sir John) and introduced us to each other. He told me to follow Sir John to his office since I will be his Personal Assistant (PA). He had been employed two weeks earlier so when he requested for a PA, the mantle fell on me. That was the first time I met Sir John who would become the best and most wonderful boss I would ever work with. He was the only one who called me Dee instead of Doreen. He treated everyone with love and respect, but he shared a special bond with his subordinates and work colleagues. As the PA to the Director of Administration and Legal, I enjoyed a lot of privileges. He treated me as a daughter. Ours was not a boss-subordinate relationship but a father-daughter relationship. He did not spare the rod to spoil the child as he scolds you when you are wrong and praise you when you deserved it. Never did I use my money to buy food because he always ensured that I was very much okay. He always had a way of making one feel special. He was all over the place making everyone laugh so we always looked forward to going to work because you would not know what you would be missing. If generosity were a person, it would have been called Sir John. He was always sharing money to people to the extent of going broke. He was always borrowing money from us to give to people because as usual he had given out all the money in his wallet. It was always a joy to lend him money because you are sure of receiving three times the amount you gave him. Sir John will only look at your face and decipher that you have a problem. He will be like ‘Girl you are HIPIC, come for some money to make you happy’. He always returned from his trips with gifts in hand for everyone. His office was like a consulting room with people trooping in and out with one problem or the other. They always came out with smiling faces for their problems were solved. There are so many instances he went out of his way to help people. I remember I had to attend a funeral at Kumasi but did not want to sleep in a hotel. gave him a call and although he was in Accra at that time, he gave me directions to his house at Danyame and told his caretaker to make me feel comfortable by giving me his (Sir John) room. He had resigned from GNPC and he was practicing his profession in Kumasi, but we still kept the relationship. He gave me money anytime I saw him. This is the kind of man who is no more, who is lying very cold in the morgue and who cannot hear all the good things we are saying, writing and singing about him. How can I forget about your knowledge of the bible and how you use stories in the bible to prove a point? You were a proud Seventh Day Adventist and you told everyone who cared to know about it. You made me understood a lot of SDA songs through your singing. Sir John had his flaws because he was a human being. He always told me that he did not actually leave London because of GNPC but because of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He loved the NPP to a fault and was so passionate about it. I was not surprised when he was always defending the NPP with all his strength and finally becoming the Party’s General Secretary. He was very tolerant, and I witnessed uncountable times some NDC members came to him including Aunty Ama Benyiwa Doe. I asked him why he entertained her when she always insulted him when they clashed on radio. He told me it was clash of ideologies and that they were not enemies. I met a lot of his Lawyer friends who equally had good sense of humor like him. He did not hesitate to introduce me to anyone who visited him in the office. He would say ‘meet Dee my PA, I do everything she tells me to including seeing you so you must accord her the needed respect else she will not let you see me’. He challenged me to go back to school which I did. When he visited GNPC after being made the Chief Executive Office of Forestry Commission, I was the first person he asked of. He sent about three people to look for me. He told us to be happy because our father, the president is in charge. You looked like you were aging backwards because nothing had changed about you. I cannot stop the tears Sir John! On that particular day, 1st July 2020 I had posted on my facebook wall that July was a perfect month, so I pray that everything be made perfect in our lives. It was my birth month and was so happy about it. I did not know that, later that night the news of your demise will be all over. The news of your death left me in a confused state, and I have still not been able to overcome it. People kept calling and sending messages to me because they knew you even before you became a household name because I always talked about you. Sir John, we had a lot of unfinished business. You have left too early. You have left a lot of people shattered. You have left us in a confused state. How could you do this to us? Why do you have to leave now? We try to be strong, but it is not easy. A good man never dies. Sir John you were a good man. Your legacy still lives on. Agya, as your ‘girls’ in the office used to call you because you were a father to us, I will miss you. My memories of you keep me strong. Eeei Awurade! Ewiase ben nie? Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, damirifa due, due ne amanehunu! Sir John, nante yie Agya Pa, da yie. Till we meet again. May your generous soul rest in peace. Disclaimer ThinkNewsOnline is not responsible for the reportage or opinions of contributors published on the website.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has explained that government’s decision to allow SHS final year and Form 2 Gold Track students to remain in school is in spite of a number of reported positive covid-19 cases in some schools across the country. According to him, he disagrees with those calling for Senior High Schools to be closed down. Dr. Prempeh said "Of the 721 senior high schools in the country, with a population of about 400,000 in school and 13 reported cases across 5 schools, the calls were not tenable" He added that there have been no reported cases even in some communities where some of our schools are cited adding that one cannot therefore call for all the schools in the country to be shut down. “Those of us in leadership must listen to public concerns, and be guided by the evidence in making recommendations to the President. Even if my child were in school at present, I would not, with the evidence as it stands, recommend to the President that schools should be shut down”, he noted. Dr. Prempeh stressed that whether to close the schools or keep them open, his Ministry will take into consideration community trends as well as risks and rewards involved. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith