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Former Deputy Minister of Education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has thrown jabs at President Akufo-Addo saying the promises of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) are not only failed campaign projects but rhymes which does not make sense. According to him, he is disappointed in the Akufo-Addo government for scoring itself 78% when it has indeed done nothing since assumption of office in 2016. Speaking on an Accra-based on Tuesday, the Deputy Minister of Education said “We contend that 42 months in power, you just have some 5 or 6 months to go. For example you say you will build a Keta Port. Signing deal on midnights of your tenure. Keta Port, there is nothing there apart from the sign-board. When you come to the Volta Region, people are calling the Director, ‘Director of Sign-Board Port” The Former Minister of Education jabbed President Akufo-Addo saying his promises are just rhymes adding that he is not amazed the leader of the country is touted as “Clearing Agent”. He added that Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the NPP promised a manufacturing plant but it has been 42 months and Ghanaians do not even have drawings. “They have brought nothing to Parliament. We keep asking them about that manufacturing but they don’t have anything to tell us” he mentioned. Mr. Ablakwa further hit hard on Government quizzing what is stopping the Akufo-Addo government from fulfilling its Industrial parks adding that their promises are so lofty. He also revealed that it will be absurd for Government to say it is working on the Korle Lagoon hinting that it will be restored with fish storage yet nothing is being done about it “42 months in power, you could not deliver now you say you can deliver in 5 months, that’s a big joke. You cannot take the people of this country for granted like that. You must be joke. You must show the people some more respect” Mr. Ablakwah noted. The former Deputy Minister of Education lashed on Vice President Akufo-Addo adding that his intellectual dishonesty to Ghanaians are frivolous and nebulous. He noted that Dr. Bawumia listed 189 promises which he says they (NPP) are delivering and added it to the delivered therefore rating his own party, 78%. It is emerging that the running mate of the largest opposition party, NDC will be put out very soon. He said “Prof. Naana Janet is my favourite. Announcing of our running mate is very eminent. General Secretary is the Campaign Manager, Manifesto is ready and it will be launched soon.” Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Marcus Rashford has vowed to continue his fight for free school meals, stating combating child poverty is "something much bigger than football" United Kingdom prime minister Boris Johnson on Monday rejected a plea from England international Rashford for children who qualified for the food voucher scheme during the coronavirus lockdown to carry on receiving them after the academic year ends. The Manchester United forward responded by tweeting: "We aren't beaten yet, stand strong for the 200,000 children who haven't had a meal to eat today and keep retweeting #maketheUturn" In an article for The Times, Rashford called on the government to "do the right thing" and "give our vulnerable families just one less thing to worry about" Rashford wrote: "People often ask me how it felt to score the deciding penalty against PSG to knock them out of the Champions League last season, my answer is always the same: did we go on to win the tournament? "I have been overwhelmed by the support I've received over the last 24 hours, from MPs and members of the public, but the feeling I have is exactly the same as when we got knocked out of the Champions League against Barcelona in the next round: what did we achieve if we didn't get the result we needed? If we didn't lift the Champions League? "Today I focus on a trophy that stands for something much bigger than football. "A U-turn on the decision to stop the free food voucher scheme continuing over the summer holidays could help us reach the next round but we still have a very long way to go as a country to eventually lift the trophy. "In this case, the trophy is combating child poverty. "I don't claim to have the education of an MP in parliament, but I do have a social education. I am clued up on the difference a U-turn decision would make on the 1.3 million vulnerable children across the UK who are registered for free school meals because 10 years ago I was one of them" In a Twitter thread on Tuesday, he added: "When you wake up this morning and run your shower, take a second to think about the parents who have had their water turned off during lockdown. "When you turn on your kettle to make a cup of tea or coffee think of those parents who have had to default on electricity bill payments just to make ends meet having lost their jobs during the pandemic. "And when you head to the fridge to grab the milk, stop and recognise that parents of at least 200,000 children across the country this morning are waking up to empty shelving. "Recognise children around the country are this morning innocently questioning 'why?' 9 out of 30 children in any given classroom are today asking 'why?' 'Why does our future not matter?'" Labour leader Keir Starmer backed Rashford's call for the government to make a U-turn on free school meals, with the subject to be debated as part of an opposition day in parliament. Shadow education secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey told the BBC: "Any government that is willing to let the poorest children in the country go hungry needs to take a long hard look at its priorities. "Shamefully, children go hungry every year, but this summer will be especially difficult for many families as job losses and reduced incomes hit household budgets. "There will be many Conservative MPs today watching this and having read Marcus' letter who will be agonising about whether they support the government or not in this because they will want what's best for children. "So, I'm asking all politicians, whatever party they're in, this is not about party politics, this is about making sure children don't go hungry over the summer holidays" Source: Goal.com

This is the third time that Ghana has missed out on a nomination, since the introduction of the Best International Act category ten years ago. Ghana has received a nomination every year and has gone on to win that award twice by rapper Sarkodie and Stonebwoy in 2012 and 2015. ThinkNewsOnline is gathering in 2018, Kwesi Arthur was the only Ghanaian nominated for the BETs in the category of Best New International act. Stonebwoy was nominated in 2017 among the likes of Davido, Aka, Mr Eazi and Nasty C, for the best international act, which saw the “if” singer winning the award. However, Burna Boy has been nominated for an enviable BET Award of which some followers have already made a judgement that he will not win. The African Giant was nominated for the BET Best International Act award against South Africa’s Sho Madjozi and INNOSS’B of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some of the other nominees are Wizkid via Beyonce and their collabo hit, Brown Skin Girl. Nigeria’s Rema is competing for Viewers Choice Award, Best New International Act against Sha Sha of Zimbabwe. BET Award Nominees: Burna Boy, Rema and Sho MadjoziDrake carries the day with six nominations: Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Video of the Year, and two more for both Best Collaboration and Viewer’s Choice for his collab alongside Chris Brown- No Guidance and Future- Life Is Good. Megan Thee Stallion and Roddy Ricch garnered the second most votes with five nominations each. Megan Thee Stallion’s nominations include Best Female Hip Hop, Best Collaboration, Video of the Year, Album of the Year, and Viewer’s Choice Award. Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Lizzo, and DaBaby are next in line with four nominations each. The award ceremony is expected to be a virtual concert on the night of Sunday, June 28 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. ThinkNewsOnline is learning that voting is still open until June 19. Here in Africa the show will be broadcast on BET Africa at 2am, June 29 Central Africa Time. Comedian and Insecure actress Amanda Seales of Insecure will host the BET Awards this year. The ceremony will feature special performances by Alicia Keys, Chloe x Halle, DaBaby, D Smoke, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Lil Wayne, Megan Thee Stallion, Usher, and many more talented artists. BET is known for supporting black talent in the entertainment industry all the way to sports and philanthropy. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central Constituency, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong is celebrating his 60th birthday (Diamond Jubilee). Aside being an MP, the celebrated politician doubles as a businessman who has lots of businesses spread across Ghana and Abroad. Born in Assin Dompim in the Central Region of Ghana, the Industrious MP had his secondary education at Adisadel College and also holds a GCE A Level and studied in the Fordham University, New York, USA. Honourable Kennedy Agyapong is a farmer and Director of Assin Farms, Supercare Group of Companies and Hollyood Shopping Centre. The Celebrated MP is married with 22 children. ThinkNewsOnline wishes Honourable Kennedy Agyapong a Happy 60th Birthday and it is our prayer that all his heart desires are being granted by God. Story by: Mandy Woods

Former Junior Pastor of Prophet Nigel Gaisie, Kakra Essiam has revealed that all prophecies from his then Boss were all cooked up and an attempt to convince and dupe people of their hard earned monies. According to Kakra Essiam, without cooked up stories, there was no way the church was going to survive and have huge numbers. Speaking on an Accra-based television station on Monday, Kakra Essiam said" We cooked up false stories to manipulate and dupe people" He added that their attempts were also to put fear in the mind and hearts of people just for them to fall to their traps. He further explained that they came up with one of their cooked up stories on celebrated Media Personality, Nana Aba Anamoah but it failed. Kakra Essiam said "I personally gave out information of Nana Aba to Nigel Gaisie to make false prophecy on her just to get her attention but unfortunately she never gave an ear to our prophecies" Although most their fake prophecies has not seen the light of day, many are wondering how Prophet Nigel Gaisie's on late RuffTown Records signee, Ebony came to pass. Watch Video Below: Story by: Mandy Woods

Junior Pastor of Prophet Nigel Gaisie, Kakra Essiam has revealed that his former Boss used to have sexual intercourse with the girlfriend of Accra Fm's Mid-morning show host, Nana Romeo. According to him Mr. Essiam, his former Boss played swift games on the Journalist of which he introduced his girlfriend to the man of God. He said "Nigel’s own associate pastor has joined forces to bring his bad deeds to book and this has got many Ghanaians to talk about" ThinkNewsOnline is learning that due to the unfortunate incident, the friendship between the two, have crashed. Story by: Mandy Woods

Ghanaian Female Artiste and Vocalist, Jane Awindor, popularly known in showbiz as Efya has revealed that she would love to collaborate with an Indian artiste. According to her, the collaboration will help her gain International appeal, audience and also promote the Ghanaian Music Industry. In an interview with an Accra based radio station, Efya “I would also like to also make Indian music. I want to make music with Indian artistes,” she told AJ, adding that she likes Indian music” She called on few Artistes to secure collaborating more with Nigerian Musicians adding that they have a large industry and big slots on the international markets. She further mentioned names of some artiste she would want to make music with them. She mentioned Daniel Ceasar, Snow and Stieve Wonder. Story by: Magdalene Maame Abena Serwaa Asante

Celebrated Ghanaian Hiplife Artiste, Reggie Rockstone has dropped a diss song dubbed 'Millionaire In Spirit' as a reply to Self-Acclaimed Dancehall King, ShattaWale after he called him broke. On Saturday, Shatta Wale, who appeared on UTV’s ‘United Showbiz’ program, last Saturday tagged Reggie Rockstone as a broke musician when commenting on the poor systematical structure of the Ghanaian music industry. The Shatta Movement boss dared musicians in the country to fight him if what he said was not the hard truth. Following his utterances, the Grandpapa of Hiplife, Reggie Rockstone has released a freestyle to prove that he is not broke. Reggie in this freestyle titled ‘Millionaire in Spirit’ raised the bar and squashed Shatta Wale’s unsubstantiated remarks. He wondered why Shatta Wale is envying a fifty-something-year-old man. Watch the freestyle below: Story by: Jullien Parry

Residents in Toraja, Indonesia have marked this year's, Ma'nene Festival by exhuming remains of their deceased loved ones out of their graves to celebrate their lives. The dead will be taken out of their coffins, cleaned and given a new set of clothes. Relatives from far and wide come to celebrate ma’nene, feasting, swapping stories and honouring the deceased. Food, water and even cigarettes are offered to the dead, because it is believed the spirit remains near the body and craves care. They use preservatives to retain bodies. For those who've traveled wide and far which other bizzare cultures have you found out there? Story by: Joshua Kawbena Smith

Information reaching ThinkNewsOnline indicates that one of Ghana's Highlife Musicians, Nana Tuffour is dead. According to sources, the Highlife Legend passed away at his residence on Monday. It is emerging that the Highlife great was suffering from an unknown illness. His body has since been deposited at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Mortuary. ThinkNewsOnline is learning that the talented singer who was noted for his usual 9-9-2-4 terms lost his brother few months ago. Further information reveals that Nana Tuffour's late brother died as a result of the novel coronavirus. Many believe that the Late Nana Tuffour might have also contracted the virus which has led to his demise. The celebrated highlife singer/songwriter came into the limelight in an era when good lyrics superseded good looks. ThinkNewsOnline is learning that the ‘Abeiku’ hitmaker grew up in Kumasi. The Late Highlife Sensation has over 15 albums and is said to have joined a band called Wanto Wazuri as a pianist. The Late Highlife Musician in 1979 released his first album Highlife Romance followed. ThinkNewsOnline is gathering that Nana Tuffour’s songs were recorded at Bodo Staiger’s Rheinklang studio in Duesseldorf, Germany. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith/Mandy Woods

Ghanaian Afropop, Dancehall and Reggae Singer, Livingstone Etse Satekla known in showbiz as Stonebwoy has confirmed that he has no problem and is willing to partner with Ghana's Continental Club Masters, Accra Hearts of Oak in their endeavours. According to Stonebwoy, the move will help build the club to chalk more successes. Speaking in an interview with an Accra-based radio station, Stonebwoy said "I don’t have a problem [partnering Hearts]. Last week someone told me the chairman wants to meet me. I was very excited when I heard it but no one has met me yet" The Dancehall Artiste who doubles as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Burniton Music GROUP further added that it will be a privilege to offer his support when the club calls on him. Although no Management Member of Accra Hearts of Oak has not approached the Artiste, Stonebwoy says his doors are opened for the partnership. ”In the end, if they extend an invitation, I will be very grateful and in all respect I will meet him up and look at how my small input can help something,” he added. Accra Hearts of Oak is one of the biggest and successful football clubs in Africa. The club has won 20 Ghana Premier League titles, 10 Ghana FA Cups, a CAF Champions League title and a CAF Confederations Cup to their credit. ThinkNewsOnline is learning that Accra Hearts of Oak was ranked the 8th best football club in the world in 2000. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

President Akufo-Addo has sent a strong warning to the public to adhere to the protocols given as the country fights the novel coronavirus saying leaving home(s) without face mask or covering on is an offence. According to the President, since the world is not in its normal times, the wearing of nose mask is now mandatory. In his 11th address to the nation on measures put in place against the fight against covid-19, President Akufo-Addo said "The Police have been instructed to enforce this directive, which is a subject of an Executive Instrument" He stressed that the survival of the citizenry in their own hands adding that if the populace remain lax and inattentive, the country will continue to have serious challenges with the virus. President Akufo-Addo also noted that if the country remain mindful and self-disciplined, the populace will defeat the pandemic and life will return to its normalcy. "Permit me to pay brief tribute to the memory of an old and valiant colleague in the struggle of the New Patriotic Party and in the work of the Akufo-Addo government , the Mayor of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, the Chief Executive of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, Honourable K.K. Sam, Egya Sam to me and many, whose efforts in enforcing social distancing protocols at the Sekondi and Takoradi markets were, recently highly commended by me, and who sadly passed away on Friday as a result of a COVID-related death" he noted. President Akufo-Addo reminded residents of the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions, where the great majority of cases have been recorded likewise the Western and Central Regions to continue to adhere to the social distancing and enhance hygiene protocols announced. He also explained that Government through the Ghana Health Service will continue to monitor on daily basis the spread of the virus and benchmarks the outcomes. "This will define the mitigation measures that must be pursued to curb the spread of the disease and enable us to reassess the easing of restrictions" he emphasised. He further hinted that he remains concerned about the stigma associated with the disease. He added that stories of persons who have recovered from the disease and are being shunned by their own relatives and communities are a source of considerable worry to him adding that such behaviours undermines the country's efforts to fighting the novel virus. He said "There is nothing shameful about testing positive. We do not have to lose our sense of community because of this pandemic" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith