Search Results

Rapper Medikal has expressed disappointment in female artiste, Eno for being ungrateful to him after years of friendship. According to him, the recent jabs from Eno on him is one he least expected. In a tweet, the AMG Artiste said "I gave you a free verse and a video shoot for free. You could have linked up for another verse but you didn’t” Born Samuel Frimpong, the 'Omo ada' hit maker seems to be ignoring Eno whiles followers on social media are asking him to respond. Eno on the other hand has been so tactical in her lines hoping Medikal will reply. Thinknewsonline.com is following and will update readers on new developments. Below are screenshots of tweets: Story by: Magdalene Maame Abena Serwaa Asante

President Akufo Addo has called on the public to rubbish the cheap political talks from the Presidential Candidate of the largest opposition political party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama as the country fights the deadly coronavirus. According to him, he knows some political actors are trying to deceive Ghanaians that the country’s current numbers represent a failure on the part of Government. In his ninth address to the nation on measures taken against spread of coronavirus, President Akufo-Addo said “Do not begrudge them. They need to make such comments for their political survival” He added that the country can defeat the coronavirus if the citizenry continues to look out for one another and remain each other’s keeper. President Akufo-Addo also stressed that as the country is fighting a common enemy, it is imperative that its citizens do not allow religious, ethnic or political differences to get in the way of certain victory. “So, we cannot allow a few persons, who wish to use these differences to scuttle our collective fight, to succeed” he noted. President Akufo-Addo further explained that on the contrary, the country must be emboldened in the knowledge that 4,700 persons infected, so far with the virus, have been identified and taken out of the population, isolated and are being treated. He also emphasised that the strategy of aggressively testing and treating is the country’s surest way of rooting out the virus. “On our part, in addition to the incentive package instituted for all healthcare workers, Government has so far distributed the following to healthcare facilities across the country; 4,240,719 glooves, 2,576,333 nose masks, 60,823 goggles, 60,132 litres of sanitizers, 50,770 head covers, 41,992 gowns, 41,000 medical scrub and 30,783 N-95 face masks” he revealed. He further retreated that 5,000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided to the media. He assured that ten thousand domestically-produced face masks and more money will be delivered to the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to enhance its capacity to undertake the Important work it is already doing. Background President Akufo-Addo has come under criticisms for the past one month from the largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) on his attempt to lead the country in the fight against coronavirus. The NDC led by his flagbearer on numerous occasions questioned President Akufo-Addo methods at handling the crisis saying if care is not taken, the sitting head of state will lead the country in a ditch. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

President Akufo-Addo, a month ago gave a directive banning the citizenry from gathering together to fellowship as part of measures at reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic in the country. Although the directive has received mixed reactions as some sections of the public, many are wondering when the ban will be lifted. Nonetheless, two great men of God in the country, Dr. Mensa Otabil and Rev’d Sam Korankye Ankrah have different views on the ban on social gathering directive which has seen churches, mosques and traditional places of worship closed down. The Apostle General of Royal House Chapel International, Rev’d Sam Korankye Ankrah is reported to have said the churches are ready to contain the deadly Covid-19 pandemic therefore calling on President Akufo-Addo lift the ban on public gathering in the country. According to him, the churches are set to follow instructions given adding that members who will visit the place of worship will be made to social distant themselves from others. Meanwhile, General Overseer of International Central Gospel Church, Dr. Mensa Otabil thinks is not the time for churches to consider gathering together in assemblies because the crisis before the country is not going down and it’s important that the churches plays its role in protecting society. "We must not gather under Marshall law but safely gather and safely worship and have fellowship together as a church and I trust that day will come very quickly but if it tarries, we will wait for that day so that we can gather together as God’s people, not in an atmosphere of uncertainty but in an atmosphere of certainty of faith and trust in the Lord”, he noted. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Apostle General of Royal House Chapel International, Sam Korankye Ankrah says churches are ready to contain the deadly Covid-19 pandemic should President Akufo-Addo lift the ban on public gathering in the country. According to him, most churches are set to follow instructions given adding that members who will visit the place of worship will be made to social distant themselves from others. Speaking on an Accra-based television station, the Apostle General said “We are ready to contain the disease should the ban be lifted. We are ready to control the numbers, follow the etiquette and the protocols, do multiple services with smaller numbers. He added unlike the poor management of goods and services in the markets in the covid era, the church will be responsible and manage it better than expected. The man of God further explained that people coming to fellowship together has a unique twist to the church services adding that many have declined worshipping since the introduction of online church broadcast. “Actual gatherings enable Christians to worship God and carry out their rituals such as receiving the Eucharist in togetherness. These are things that we are saying we need and a continuous ban on social gatherings will continue to negatively impede upon these spiritual aspirations that we look forward to always,” he emphasized In other developments, General Overseer for International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) says the closure of churches by the President is a good move. He said “Pastors have a role to play in protecting society by urging adherence to current protocols even though they are uncomfortable. Considering the grow in Covid-19 cases in the country, this is not the time for churches to consider gathering together in assemblies” Story by Mandy Woods

Rapper, Eno Barony has dared AMG Musician, Medikal to face her 'man-to-woman' if he is ready for a beef and stop being a ghost writer. According to her, it is annoying to see people hiring others to do their dirty jobs whiles they sit back, relax and watch unconcerned. Speaking on an Accra-based television station, she said “Stop being a ghost writer and I am daring Medikal to face me if he is not a ‘man-woman’. I am calling for that Sowutuom ghost writer. If it’s worth it, I will battle MDK and I’m bigger than Sista Afia. She also added that her diss song really didn’t affect her personality but worth it to save a brand. Born Ruth Eno Adjoa Amankwah Nyame Adom, the rapper clarified that “Body Shaming” line was not referring to any female Artiste rather followers speculated and assumed she was dissing Sista Afia. “I started rapping before Strongman. Strongman is not my writer” she hinted. Eno revealed she learnt from Sarkodie and wouldn’t be news if she’s compared to Sarkodie because she knows her worth. She also jabbed Sista Afia saying her ‘WMT / UGN diss song can’t come from her. Eno also added that the rap in the track was too wack for her to believe. Rapper Eno clarified that she is not having any personal issues with Sista Afia and they are still colleagues in the industry. “I won’t sit down for people to dent my brand. ‘Argument Done’ is a track to prove to the world she’s a Rap Goddess hence no man or woman can battle her” she explained. Story by: Mandy Woods

As part of measures at fighting the coronavirus pandemic in the country, President Akufo-Addo has extended the ban on social gathering to the end of May. According to him, the move forms parts of measures at reducing the spread of the deadly coronavirus among citizens in the country. Addressing the nation on measures taken against the spread of coronavirus, President Akufo-Addo said “During this period, there will continue to be a ban on public gatherings such as the holding of conferences, workshops, parties, nightclubs, drinking spots, beaches, festivals, political rallies, religious activities and all sporting events” He added that all educational facilities, private and public, continue to remain closed. President Akufo-Addo stressed that there is still ban on funerals, other than private burials conducted with not more than 25 persons. He explained that it is noteworthy that the police are arresting and prosecuting persons, irrespective of their status in the society. “Anyone who flouts these regulations, will be dealt with. We cannot allow a few persons for their narrow, selfish interests, to jeopardise the health, well-being and safety of the larger population” he said. He warned that anyone who falls foul of the law will face its full rigours. Updating Ghanaians on the current case count of coronavirus, President Akufo-Addo said the country has now recorded 4700 cases with 22 deaths, 5 critically ill and 494 recoveries. He mentioned that Ghana has conducted 160,501 tests on the deadly coronavirus in the country. He added that about 5000 pieces of Personnel Protective Equipment will be provided to the media. “The coming on stream from the Noguchi and Komfo Anokye has stated that we have cleared our backlogs” he confirmed Story by Joshua Kwabena Smith

General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) is calling on churches to come together to protect its members in this time of coronavirus pandemic. According to him, the coronavirus pandemic which has taken over the world is not going down any time soon adding spiritual leaders should come together to protect the society. In a virtual service on Sunday, Dr. Otabil said: “Well, as you know, our world is going through some interesting days; the last few months from January, especially for us in Ghana, from March, have been extraordinary months as we have sought to mitigate the effect of this rampaging virus that is attacking men and women indiscriminately and just when we thought in Ghana that we were having control over the situation" He added the country is beginning to realise the virus has a mind of its own and does not seem to correspond to some of the efforts Ghanaians are making. He emphasised that every since the virus gained grounds in the country, things are getting a little uncomfortable for the citizenry. He added “It also means this is not the time for churches to consider gathering together in assemblies because the crisis before us is not going down and it’s important that as churches, we play our role in protecting society, which is made up of our members and ourselves as pastors, as part of society, and we trust that we will endure the arrangement as it is now" He stressed that although the virus may seem uncomfortable, it may not be suitable to Ghanaians. Dr. Otabil further explained that although the freedom of the citizenry is the price to pay for making the world a better place, he is calling on the public to be patient and wait till all can safely gather. "We must not gather under Marshall law but safely gather and safely worship and have fellowship together as a church and I trust that day will come very quickly but if it tarries, we will wait for that day so that we can gather together as God’s people, not in an atmosphere of uncertainty but in an atmosphere of certainty of faith and trust in the Lord”, he noted. Dr. Otabil’s reaction comes after some spiritual leaders suggested measures to be put in place in churches to reduce the spread of the virus. President Nana Akufo-Addo, a month and half ago placed a ban on social gatherings which saw church services and other activities fall in the directives as the county fight against coronavirus. Thinknewsonline.com can confirm that 22 people have lost their lives killed 22 whiles 4,263 cases have been confirmed cases. Thinknewsonline.com is learning that the Christian leaders leading the fight against Covid-19 include Most Rev Dr Paul Boafo (Chairman, Christian Council of Ghana), Rev Prof Yaw Frimpong Manso (President, Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council), Most Rev Phillip Naameh (President, Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference) and Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams (President, National Association of Charismatic and Christian Churches). Some of the directives given include; handwashing and sanitisation before entering the church, social-distancing in seating arrangements, special sitting arrangement for the aged, no handshakes and the compulsory wearing of facemasks. Below is the full statement from the church leaders: PREPARATION TOWARDS REOPENING OF CHURCHES IN GHANA: GUIDELINES TO MITIGATE POTENTIAL SPREAD OF COVID-19 Submitted by: Heads of the Christian Ecumenical Bodies in Ghana BACKGROUND As the COVID-19 pandemic exacts global toll on lives and livelihoods, Ghana’s case count keeps increasing steadily since the first index case was reported on March 12, 2020, and the government’s response towards slowing and stopping the transmission, government issued several preventive protocols (social distancing, hand and respiratory hygiene practices), partial lockdown in epicentres, and imposed several restrictions on public gatherings including temporary suspension of communal Church activities. Impliedly, the suspension of religious gathering constitutes a form of lockdown, owing to the Church’s inability to congregate for communal worship. And following the President’s meeting with heads of churches and ecumenical councils on April 2020 at the Jubilee House where His Excellency the President charged the Christian leaders to develop modalities and guidelines to mitigate the spread of the virus should the ban on public gathering be lifted, the Christian leaders developed these intervention strategies. In assessing the Church’s readiness and capacity to comply with COVID-19 pandemic safety protocols, it is important to note that addressing COVID-19 “requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response.” The Church being a major stakeholder is indispensable in the State’s overall COVID-19 containment and mitigation strategies. Given that 71% of Ghanaians identify as Christians, the Church, with its wide social network, access to communities, captive audience, unquestioned authority, and influential actors of public support for government measures is best placed to help in numerous ways with educating, counselling and sustaining the populace. 1. GUIDELINES TO MITIGATE POTENTIAL SPREAD OF COVID-19 As the Church prepares to come back for communal worship, the tables below show the potential risk areas and what to do to mitigate potential spread. RISK AREAS SPECIFIC AREAS Entrance points to churches 1. Doors 2. Door handles 3. Rails 4. Pillars Utility areas in the church 1. WC handles 2. Washroom door handles Seating arrangements in the church 1. Close seating arrangement in the church that breaches social distancing regulations 2. Group sitting e.g. the choir Nature of church building 1. Poorly-ventilated churches – having few and small windows 2. Entirely glass windows that impede free flow of air Nature of service 1. Handshakes during welcome sessions 2. Singing groups congregating at one side and singing 3. Group meetings – Sunday schools where teachers speak to small groups. Those in the front roll are at risk 4. Communion services where cups are handed to individuals 5. Communion service where many people drink from one cup 6. Communion services where packaged loaves are handed to individuals Devices and items 1. Microphones used commonly by more than one person, faucets, telephones 2. Money handled by more than one person through giving offering and tithes Vestries & Pastors’ offices 1. Door and seat handles 2. Rails 3. Poorly ventilated rooms 4. Common surfaces including Pastors’ tables SPECIFIC RISK AREAS INTERVENTIONS TO PUT IN PLACE Church Entrances and Lobbies 1. Hand washing: Make available hand-washing materials for all to wash hands before entering the church or touching rails, door handles and pillars. A running tap or Veronica bucket should be put at all entrances for every church member to wash hands before entering the church. Hands-free soap dispenser must be fitted to avoid cross-contamination. 2. Sanitisation: Make hand-sanitiser (preferably a dispenser) available at near church entrances, outside washrooms, pastors’ offices, vestries and lobbies for members to sanitize their hands. 3. Enforce hand washing and sanitization: have one person (usher) dedicated to the entrance to enforce the above, making sure that every church member at least, washes the hands for 20 seconds under running water and also sanitizes the hands after washing. Enforcement is more important than instituting the measures in order to achieve sustained compliance. In addition, churches should put up signs reminding people to wash hands, cough/sneeze into their elbows and remind people from the pulpit/stag. Utility areas 1. Clean utility areas, surfaces and items touched by different people routinely. Preferably clean surfaces every 1-2 hours depending on utilization. Door handles, WC handles, faucets, microphones. Seat arms/handles should be disinfected before and after service for the next session.? Sitting in churches 1. Observe social-distancing through seating arrangements: seating should be rearranged to allow social distancing rules. Contiguous seats should be 2 arms-length reach (2m). So should be the distance before and after one seat to ensure that cough, sneeze and talking from one church member does not predispose the neighbours to the virus particularly from asymptomatic carriers. 2. Provide separate seating areas for the aged and families. 3. Organise churches services in sessions: because of the need for social distancing as described above, there will invariably be the need to organize churches in more than one session with at least one hour in between services. Wear facemasks All citizens/church members including pastors, are to wear facemasks to enter churches. It is particularly important for those who will engage by talking e.g. pastors, Sunday school teachers etc. The mask will prevent droplet infections from getting to the others. For all others, it will also prevent them getting droplets from others in the church. Masks are to be kept on until one comes back home. This will reduce the risk of spread from asymptomatic carriers of the virus. Nature of building 1. All windows should be opened fully during church services to allow good ventilation. There should be no use of air conditioners. This will diffuse and reduce the concentration of the virus (should there be anyone infected) in the room. Nature of service 1. All handshakes are to be avoided in churches during this period of COVID-19. This leads to cross-contamination and spread of the virus. 2. All who speak in churches must wear N95 facemask during service. This will reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others. 3. Singers/Choristers: observe social-distancing and also avoid second row of singers. As much as possible prerecorded music may be used. 4. Communion Service: Offer individual cups for communion. Reduce hand-to-hand transmission by providing individual bread and cup servings. Hand hygiene and food safety precautions must strictly be observed by those who prepare these communions. 5. Giving/collection of offering and tithes: It is advisable not to pass offering bowls and baskets around. Items that are frequently handled can be sources of contaminants for the COVID-19 virus. The virus can be retained on the offering/tithe bowl for hours and can be passed on to others. The best option will be for a stationary bowl with a wide opening to be put in front or entry point where people do not need to handle the bowl before putting in their offering and tithes. Where practicable, churches should advice their members to use mobile money for offerings and tithes as this means of giving reduces the risk of transmission Education on COVID-19 1. Communicate with and educate church members, and persons in the communities that the church is located 2. Select members in the church should be trained and be made responsible for COVID-19 education and coordination of resources to help the church. 3. The church should mobilize resources to help individuals in need including church health facilities Presented by: Most Rev Dr Paul Boafo (Chairman, Christian Council of Ghana) Rev Prof Yaw Frimpong Manso (President, Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council) Most Rev Phillip Naameh (President, Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference) Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams (President, National Association of Charismatic and Christian Churches) Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Richard Brown, popularly known as Osebor, who has fathered Nana Aba’s only son, has a message for the people who always tag him as “Nana Aba’s baby daddy”. The fashionista who owns a popular boutique in Accra, showed up in 2017 as the man who fathered the 19-year-old son of the award-winning broadcaster, since then he keeps showing up in the news, fetching him a socialite status. However, Osebor, appears not to be enjoying his growing fame when he gets tagged as Nana Aba’s baby daddy. Speaking on how fans ride on Nana Aba’s reputation to troll his fashion sense, he said: “in everything then tag her to me, Nana Aba Anamoah's baby father, don't I have a name?” When asked if the tag bothers him, he said "of course it worries me" and whilst descending on his trolls in a video seen by pulse.com.gh, he emphasized that “ the time I was Don Papa Richie, Nana Aba Anamoah is nobody". Source: pulse.com.gh

Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central Constituency, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong on Happy FM last week alleged that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has rigged the old voters’ register to favor them hence, the need for a new one. According to Mr. Agyapong, “The NDC and vendor, Superlock Technologies Limited (STL) have put in place a system where the party effortlessly polls 1.5million votes even prior to the elections.” He went on to attribute the opposition NDC’s fight against the new voters’ register as an acknowledgment of the loss they will make if a new voters’ register is compiled. Speaking on Epa Hoa Daben show with Samuel Eshun, the national NDC Chairman Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo said the MP’s analysis doesn’t make sense hence Ghanaians should disregard it. “All Kennedy is saying doesn’t make sense, I don’t know the basis of his argument, and they use the same register to win elections. I don’t know the kind of mathematics he is doing.” He added that “the question is they should tell us why the register they use to win 2016 elections they want the same register to be changed. They should come out and answer Ghanaians” The EC was set to compile a new voters register prior to the Government of Ghana’s decision to close all of the country’s borders and impose restrictions on public gatherings and movement in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. Two weeks after President Akufo-Addo imposed a ban on all public gatherings and announced other “social distancing” directives in an effort to contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus, the EC announced that it was postponing the registration exercise indefinitely. Source: happyghana.com

Former Hearts of Oak Board Secretary, Ernest Thompson has lamented the club's financial woes and says 'he feels like crying' anytime he sees the team's rickety bus. The legal luminary is calling for the floatation of shares to ease the burden on Board chairman and majority shareholder Togbe Afede XIV. ''Everybody is waiting for Togbe to buy a bus for the team, if the club as a serious entity float shares, will get money and buy bus,'' Thompson said on Kumasi-based Nhyira FM. ''Even Pobiman project, we need money to have it done and where is the money? ''Hearts of Oak has a weak financial base and that is what stops the team from going for good players, which is bad. "Anytime, I see Hearts of Oak bus I feel like crying because I was involved in purchasing that bus. Why should the club be using such a bus at this time" ''Hearts shouldn't have been using this bus by now and training on poor pitches.'' Source: Ghana SoccerNet

Two female rappers in the Ghanaian Music Industry have gotten the internet buzzing for days after each Artiste dropped diss songs to each other, thinknewsonline.com can confirm. Rapper, Eno Barony has finally replied Sista Afia with heavy punchlines in a diss track. In video making viral on the internet, the ‘Queen of Bars’ in one of her lines in the song said “Me mb) wo romance, me b3twa wo doggy straight” Although it is unknown what sparked the misunderstanding between the two female Artistes, they seem not end the ‘beef’. Born Ruth Eno Adjoa Amankwah Nyame Adom, the Artiste and song writer in her diss song to Sista Afia also attacked AMG Rapper, Samuel Frimpong known as Medikal. She said “Ma fa me number ama wo ah, may3 baatan hunu. Hw3 mede as3m nam, m3n kasa y3 nso wo y3m ashi wo bram. 3ndi3 so wotuom erh, na wo Sotowuom good striker no na me hia no ne akyeayam nti mo enti mo ma no filla no” Whiles some followers are calling for an end to the diss battle, others are gingering them to continue going hard on each other. A section of social media user are calling on Rapper, Medikal to react to Eno Barony since she has disrespected him in her diss song. In other developments, Sista Afia has again come at Eno Barony for the second time. In her punchline, she said “I am a goal-getter, singer me punche tis3 Mayweather, punch on point, adey do better ky3n saaa rapper na washish3 s3 beef-burger. Court rise, obi ntser3 Yokozuna s3 ogye gyimi nas3 body na y3d3 rapi ah, nka ode bem” Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Flagbearer of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom has condemned politicians in the country for doing politics in the midst of the global pandemic. According to the flagbearer who is stacked in the United States following the closure of Ghana's borders everyone should put politics aside to embrace the overall good of the nation. "For our survival as a nation, it is imperative to put aside the political considerations of just three months ago so that we fashion a new economic and social order. We have no choice." he said. He further cautioned Ghanaians about the necessity of togetherness in the country as it battles against the Coronavirus saying "The downfall of anyone should become a cause for worry for all. That is the essence of inclusiveness." He also lamented about his inability to join his alma matter to commensurate their 90 years Anniversary but expressed hope to be back as soon as the doors are opened. "COVID-19 prevented me from traveling to Ghana to observe the 90th Anniversary of St. Augustine's College, Cape Coast. I take from our motto "Omnia Vincit Labor" the need to persevere in order to triumph over this pandemic. "So I remain in the USA perhaps until July or whenever it will be safe to travel more than ten hours with hundreds of other people I don't know to see the shores of Ghana again. " The former Energy Minister during the erstwhile J. A Kuffour administration commended businesses in the country for their innovations during these hard times. "Ghanaians have a new reality, something not really new, self reliance. I am tempted to write that the indigenous people, companies, entrepreneurs are ready to move. What we have within our boundaries is all we have. "We should encourage the best in everyone and the necessity of our present reality will bring about many inventions." he noted. The comments of the flagbearer of PPP come off following Dr. Mahamud Bawumia's reply to Ex-President John Dramani Mahama about the management of the global pandemic. However, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom has advised the two major political parties to stay away from such political discourse as that would undermine the efforts of the nation to build a resilient antidote against a virus that has killed 18 people in the country. "A Better Ghana", "Ghana Beyond Aid", "Prosperity in Peace". Does it matter which political party mouthed them first? NDC, NPP, PPP? Not when our very existence as a nation is at stake. In reality, asking who is better (worse) than someone else should be condemned. We must use the best of everyone because every citizen has some problem of some sort somewhere" Source: Modern Ghana