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M.anifest has dismissed speculations that he is taking a swipe at other rappers in his new single ‘No Long Talk’ especially Sarkodie. According to him, the song is a special dedication to his fans who have been loyal to him since day one. He explained that he has taken on numerous genres in the past years and feels like it is time to give his core fans a work that encompasses what first drew them to him. These things, M.anifest said, are his rap and proving his lyrical supremacy. “A lot of times, a lot of the songs are very musical. The Gamble (his 2019 EP) is a concept they enjoy that but they want to get back to the essence,” he told Mamavi Owusu-Aboagye, host of the show. No Long Talk was released on Saturday, May 2, to fans’ applause. Many like always were impressed with the way he put his thought across with his lyrics. See some reactions below: Source: Myjoyonline.com

Deputy Minister of Information, Pious Enam Hadzide hit back at the largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), saying the misinformation, deliberate distortions and warped analysis put out by its flagbearer, John Mahama has been bemoaned and roundly condemned by many well-meaning Ghanaians. According to him, since the NDC has no vital information on the Covid-19 cases, it was merely invited to offer cover to their Flagbearer who has been badly bruised by the politicization of the COVID-19 Pandemic started by him. Addressing Journalists in Accra, the Deputy Minister said “Just days ago, the Presidential Candidate of the NDC, Mr. John Mahama in one of his COVID-19 political broadcasts on Facebook, embarrassed himself by ignorantly questioning why the government had accessed an IMF facility, claiming that no other African country had done so – an outright fabrication from a man who occupied the high office of President a few years ago” He added that twenty (20) other African countries, including all the ones Mahama specifically listed, have accessed the IMF facility of $18 billion for African countries to help cushion them through the crisis. He however noted although the facility is interest-free and without the suffocating conditionalities the IMF imposed on Ghana when forced by a toxic mixture of incompetence and insensitivity, Mr. Mahama and the NDC went for a bail out and policy credibility. “Whiles it may ordinarily be a good thing for the NDC minority to have found their bearing and a voice several weeks after Ghana started confronting and containing the COVID-19 pandemic, it is pathetic that even upon hindsight the minority is still unable to offer any pragmatic alternatives but merely rehash those same lame queries that Mr. Mahama has asked during his political broadcasts on facebook” he said. Mr. Hadzide hinted that several weeks into COVID-19 and after several media engagements; both at the Presidential and other levels, it is disappointing that such deep levels of unawareness is being exhibited by the minority. He explained that it is disappointing for the minority to say it is unaware of the public education is ongoing across the various Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts Assemblies (MMDAs). GHANAIANS STUCK ABROAD Touching on Ghanaians in Abroad, the Deputy Minister of Information said” It is shocking, even embarrassing, that the NDC is still latching onto their very bogus proposal that the government should have repatriated Ghanaian students from Wuhan! The students themselves have spoken to several media outlets and shown gratitude for the much wiser decision of the Akufo-Addo government” He noted that schools have in fact reopened in Wuhan and not a single Ghanaian student in China was infected by Covid19. He stressed instead of conceding that the government exercised far superior judgement - as we always have – the NDC keeps repeating the bankrupt and expired proposal. He said “Under the able leadership of President Akufo-Addo, monthly stipends for Ghanaian students studying abroad on Government Scholarship have been paid upfront and in advance. Yes, the second quarter i.e. April, May and June have already been paid. This administration inherited an accumulated arrears of one year from the NDC and Mr. Mahama” Hon. Hadzide also stated that whiles Governments has declined the invitation of the NDC to engage in a blind and partisan banter on COVID-19, it is also imperative that for their education, it restate some of the facts around Ghana’s very effective and successful COVID-19 Response Plan. The Deputy Minister of Information also emphasized that very early into the global outbreak, President Akufo-Addo constituted a COVID-19 Task Force made up of technical persons, including Epidemiologists, Virologists, Medical Doctors, Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service Officials and Security Heads among others. “The COVID-19 task force is coordinated by a former Deputy Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Asamoah Baah. It is this task force of persons of reputable background knowledge, and expertise that advice H. E. the President on the policy options in fighting COVID-19 and not politicians masquerading as medical doctors in partisan COVID-19 teams” he noted. He justified that claims from the NDC saying ‘Science has been relegated to the background’ and that the President seems more interested in his re-election than in the safety and life of Ghanaians is false and without basis. He said “The NDC cannot be allowed to approbate and reprobate on this matter. In one breath they claim, the scientist at Noguchi and all other testing facilities deserves this nation’s thanks for the commitment they have shown in this national effort so far and in another breath indict them by claiming that they misuse scientific terminologies without empirical basis” He stressed that President Akufo-Addo has led from the front and continues to address the nation honestly and regularly. “President Akufo-Addo addressed the Nation and announced Ghana’s preparedness way before Ghana recorded its initial cases. The President announced an initial investment of GH¢35 million into our preparedness. This has now being ramped up to some $100 million for Ghana’s response” he explained Hon. Hadzidze debunk claims by the NDC that the Government made no provisions for the eventuality of an outbreak in Ghana is not just unfortunate but also unfounded. He said “It is regrettable the minority in Ghana’s Parliament has lowered the bar on public discourse by making serious and yet unsubstantiated allegations. They claim that blatant falsehoods have been told to garnish the administration’s image without providing an iota of evidence. In asking the question couldn’t Ghana have close its borders earlier, the NDC Minority suggest that by January 20, 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 a global health emergency” “What they deliberately did not add was that the WHO recommended that there was no reason for measure that unnecessarily interfere with international travel and trade at the time. For the records, the WHO declared COVID-19 global pandemic on 11th March, 2020. Subsequently and when there was reasonably sufficient basis, Ghana’s borders were close on March 22, 2020” he added. Hon. Hadzide outlined that to limit and stop importation of cases, a number of steps were introduced including, enhanced screening and surveillance at our points of entry to ensure that persons with manifested symptoms were identified and isolated. He added that this was escalated to the issuance of a travel advisory to ban non Ghanaians and persons without Ghanaian residence permit from coming into Ghana from countries with significant recorded cases. “Data from port authorities indicated that there was a drastic decline in arrival numbers. This was followed by mandatory quarantine of persons who were not affected by the ban. Ghana also closed its air, land and sea borders subsequently” he hinted. Story: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ghanaian Doctors & Dentists Association-UK (GDDA-UK) has donated personal protective equipment (PPEs) to some selected hospitals both on Accra and the Northern Region as part of efforts to support COVID-19 Outbreak Response in Ghana. According to them, the move forms part of their support to fellow Doctors in the country assigned to treat and cure patients suffering from the novel corornavirus pandemic. Presenting the items, President of GDDA-UK, Dr. Wiliam Kedjanyi said “These items here is our support to our brothers and sisters at the war front battling with the virus as frontline health workers. We believe these will help in diverse ways to make their operation run very smooth” He added he is confident, the items when delivered will boost the confidents of his colleagues to work extra hard for the betterment of the nation. Receiving the items, Medical Director of Lekma Hospital thanked GDDA-UK for their kind gesture. The items for both hospitals were received by the Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku Constituency, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye. The PPEs worth GHc52,500 were distributed to Lekma Hospital in the Greater Accra Region and Yendi Municipal Hospital in the Northern Region Some sanitizers were also presented to Ledzokuku Constituency. Story by: Mandy Woods

"Sometimes, the little rock is within our shoes, and we blame the track for slowing down. Remove the stone and run again, carefully and being aware about the reason for losing the race" (Shahenshah Hafeez Khan) Just when we were about to go to bed on Wednesday, social media was awashed with a circular signed by the NDC National Chairman, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo, invoking some aspects of the NDC constitution as solid grounds for suspending the veteran politician and Social Commentator: Bernard Allotey Jacobs, immediate past NDC Regional Chairman of the Central region of Ghana. Educated Fisherman, as his close allies affectionately calls him is believed to be from the CPP stock as evidenced in most NDC veteran politicians. He was part of the alliance between some elements of CPP and that of Jerry John Rawlings in 1992. After winning the elections of 1992, Allottey stayed put in NDC and never joined the changed new alliance between the same CPP stock and that of the New Patriotic Party in 1996. He was a close personal person of the late Professor J. E. A Mills. Bernard Allottey Jacobs was very instrumental in getting the NDC to win a majority of seats in Central Region in 2008. Before then, he had been suspended by the NDC in Central Region for some frivolous reasons. After toiling and going round begging for resources to help the NDC move from 2 seats ( Ekumfi & Twifo Attimorkwa) in 2004 to win a whooping majority in 2008, Uncle Allottey rose from being a reporter and newspaper man of the Democrat Newspaper to a major stakeholder in the Geopolitical space of Central Region. For the records, he had and still maintains close friends with people from within the NPP and other political parties. I got to know him in 2006 at Uncle Biney's Newspaper stand in Cape Coast. From within the NDC, perhaps, no one knows the geopolitical space of central region in NDC than Uncle Allottey. He showed great humility even after he grew very powerful during the reign of Prof. Mills. Allottey Becomes NDC Central Regional Chairman Right after the 2012 elections, his popularity within the ranks and file of NDC had soared beyond the roofs and in 2013 won a landslide victory over incumbent Adu Yeboah. He was the man to see if any "mpuntu" would get to your constituency. He made resources and put it at the disposal of a majority of people in central region irrespective of their party colours. He is on record to have been paying school fees, helping to bring some infrastructure especially school buildings to most part of central region. Whenever you met him at a chopbar, you are sure Allottey would pay your bills even if you are in NPP. He took on board a lot of younger people and threw them into his party. I used to tease him out on his take on some candidates within the region and he never got it wrong in the selection of NDC Candidates for Parliamentary seats. Somewhere in 2008, I attended an NDC delegate congress at Batanyaa and saw a major potential of David Abaka Yawson Snr. He told me one Dadzie was going to win because he knew even though Abaka Yawson was popular amongst the delegates, that my Party, the NPP can easily beat him and retain the seat come 2008 so he was around to make sure Dadzie wins! Dadzie actually won and went ahead to give us the biggest margin in both 2008 & 2012. A change of Dadzie's candidature and the NPP regained the Abura Asebu Kwamankese Constituency Seat in 2016. He might have limited formal education but trust me, Allottey knows native politics. NDC LOST WHOOPINGLY UNDER HIS CHAIRMANSHIP IN 2016 Prior to 2016, we put our acts together as a Party, put in the necessary structures to neutralized Uncle Allottey. I would not put any of such measures here in the public domain but would give out just two! Before 2012, Allottey had a field day at Peace FM as the sole fante representative and he was hitting on point till we came together to present theme current Regional Minister, Hon. Kwamena Duncan to neutralize him on peace FM. Second, perhaps, the best gift the NDC gave the NPP in Central region was making Ato Forson, MP of (Ajumako Enyan Essiam) the Campaign Coordinator of Central Region! The day the announcement came out, I told some friends we shall win all the 23 seats in Central region. To me, it was crazy for the NDC to have a sitting MP who was contesting for a seat as campaign Coordinator as against a regional chairman elected by his people to coordinate party activities including campaigns within the region. That was a big tactical miscalculations that the NDC paid dearly in December 2016. See, in politics, the regional chairman is the link between the constituency and the national campaign. Making Ato Forson, (a sitting member of parliament,) who works under the supervision of the Regional Chairman, the Coordinator meant; 1. John Mahama never saw Allottey as any serious person relevant in helping him win central region. 2. Allottey would now have to report to Ato Forson for onward transmission to NDC Accra. These two points presented psychological challenges. Some of us studied it and punched holes in it fanning it till the cracks widened. With a dent ego, I never saw Uncle Allottey play any significant role. Mahama was just concerting across the region through helicopters giving us a field day on the ground. In fact on one occasion he jetted into Denkyira West as the NPP Presidential Candidate was on foot to Denkyira East. By the time Mahama got to Diaso, most of the electorate were at Ofin-Dunkwa dancing to "Nana nana oy3 winner ooo" in front of the palace in a mammoth rally. As soon as the helicopter passed over, come and see hooting! So dear reader, where would you think the campaign Coordinator would be a few days to elections day? a. Follow the NDC Flagbearer to far away Diaso? b. Stay in his Ajumako Constituency to fight a stronger NPP Candidate in the person of Ransford Kwesi Nyarko? Your guess is as good as mine. As someone who is very much interested in political research, I followed the NDC Flagbearer, then President Mahama to almost everywhere he visited in central region. They spent most part of their time insulting Akufo Addo and the NPP. For two hours at Yamoranza market, it was to explain how osono y3 aboa ( the elephant is an animal ) by Mr. Beautiful and some comedians. They took the shine out of my Uncle Allottey. How can someone like Mr. Beautiful be given a platform whilst the versatile and grassroot man, Allottey stays at the sides watching? Victory has a hundred fathers and defeat is an orphan ( popularized by John F. Kennedy but coined by Ciano 1903-44). In the end, the NDC lost by 10th December, 2016. Allottey was singled out for blame. Like a lamb, he was offered sheepishly to the alter to be slaughtered. The people who took the decision to make Ato Forson, the campaign Coordinator over Allottey never got blamed! The people who took the decision to put Mr. Beautiful on the platform over Allottey, never got blamed! The people who took the decision to fly Mahama above the votes in the skies never got blamed! The PC who went to bed and had no strategy to counter the superior strategy of the NPP in the various constituencies never got blamed! Poor old Uncle Allottey was singled out for the failure of NDC in central region and got slaughtered. Today, is seemed no more relevant to the NDC to the point a wrong article within the NDC constitution on reforms is alleged to be quoted as basis for suspending the once powerful Allottey Jacobs. Lessons for up and coming politicians As young persons, we should learn from the examples of Allottey. I would not say this is an NDC matter. It shows how our society treat once useful people when you are no longer useful to their course. All young persons whether NDC or NPP must learn from this. That many people would come out to claim how they played centre roles to bring success but no one would come out to say the role they played in losing any elections in this country. When you go to bed tonight, ponder over Allottey Jacobs issue and ask yourself whether this can't happen to you. Good evening. Credit: By Kofi Karikari-Bondzie (Asebu).

Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Gomoa West Constituency, Madam Ama Benyiwa-Doe says she is happy with the decision by the largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) for suspending its former Central Regional Chairman, Bernard Allotey Jacobs. According to her, the decision was a step in the right direction since the former Central Regional Chairman was not helping the party. Speaking on an Accra-based radio station, the Former MP said “To me, if the person in the party is not helping, you side-line him/her. I was not happy when he was chosen as the party chairman. NDC took the right decision. He was not helping us” She also added that Mr. Allotey Jacobs when giving the platform, does not speak in the interest of the party but rather gives opponents points to lambast the NDC. She further revealed although Mr. Jacobs’ stay was long overdue, the party had platforms where members who had contrary ideas to issues, share thoughts but the former Central Regional Chairman did not do so. She said “To me, I said to myself that fair weather friend is not a friend. Ask him how many travels he has made before landing in NDC. When NDC boycotted programmes years ago, we won, this is not new” She also lauded the party on its decision to also boycott Peace Fm’s political morning show, ‘Kokrooko’ saying it is also a very good move. She further quizzed Despite media why if prefers having him on their platform when he does not speak in the interest of the party. “You know that every party have their constitution, if they do not abide by theirs, that’s their problem but with us, we do with ours and do not have a problem. When he gets to the disciplinary committee, they will get there” she said. She noted that Mr. Allotey Jacobs does not necessarily have to be a member of the party before he thinks about the country. NDC RUNNING MATE “What is their problem about the NDC running mate? They should think about how to fix the Economy. They should ask ‘Addo guy guy’ on how best he has dealt with the economy” she fumed CLOSURE OF GHANA’S BORDERS Speaking on the closure of the Ghana’s borders, Madam Benyiwa-Doe noted that she is disappointed in President Akufo-Addo for not locking the country’s borders when the opposition suggested. She said “NDC people told him to lock our borders, he didn’t listen. Now that the virus is here, her closed it. He did not manage this issue well. I can say he even brought it into the country” Madam Benyiwa-Doe accused President Akufo-Addo for being the cause of the vast spread of the deadly novel coronavirus in the country. “I won’t be surprised if ‘Addo guy guy’ brought the virus here since he was seen galivanting in a country which was termed as a hotspot fir the spread of Covid-19” she emphasised. DONATION OF PPEs AND ITEMS TO FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS. The Former MP praised Ex-President Mahama for generously donating Personal Protective Equipments to some health facilities in the country amidst the vast spread of the coronavirus pandemic. She said “Didn’t you see John Mahama, honestly contribute his quota in terms of PPEs to health centres? He served his nation very well and he will come do same again very soon” Madam Ama Benyiwa-Doe sympathised with Owners of Private Schools in the country adding that the directive to close down schools has gone a long way to affect the Operators. She assured that when Candidate John Mahama wins the upcoming election, he will in his capacity support the smooth running of their Institutions. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Nigerian gospel singer, Osinachi Okoro-Joseph, popularly known as Sinach has announced that she has been topping the Billboard chart in the USA for the past seven weeks. The mother of one shared the news with her fans on Instagram with a screenshot of the chart page which showed her name as number one on the on billboard USA for a Christian songwriter. She wrote “So apparently We have been No 1 on billboard USA for Christian song writer for 7 weeks!! Look at God!! First Black person First from Africa … So grateful to God!! Thank you @billboard #loveworld @joe_egbu @integritymusic # speedoftheHiolyGhost # sponsoredbygrace # sinach #waymaker” See screenshot of the chart below: Source: The Nation

Ghanaian Afro-pop singer and songwriter, Sista Afia has descended heavily fellow Artiste, Eno Barony, Freda Rhymes and social media influencer, Akuapim Poloo in her new single dubbed ‘She got nerves’. The “Jeje” hitmaker introduced her diss song with Member of Parliament for Assin-Central, Ken-Agyapong’s voice ‘She Got Nerves’ which depicted how serious she was dealing with the two ladies. She practically gave them what she thinks they deserve. She stated in her track as their ‘Last Warning’ adding she is ‘goal oriented’ woman and not lazy as them. Although, she didn’t mention any names in her diss track, many followers have zeroed in on who it fits. “Despite being an Afro-Pop singer, I can really Rap better than Eno Barony because my punchlines are as good as May Weather whiles Eno Barony raps are long pack that looks like Beef-Burger but no sauce” she noted. “She has been in the game for the past 15yrs yet hasn’t really been recognized. It is better to join ‘Di Asa’ because that’s where you deserve” she added The angry rapper also descended on Freda Rhymz describing her as a ‘Debtor’. She said “You are just as tiny as a Vodafone Sim hence you can’t be seen” Story by: Mandy Woods

Telecommunication Giant, MTN Ghana, says it is closing its zodiac office located at Dansoman since Management is undertaking some risk assessment which will ensure effective social distancing. On Monday, Ghana’s Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful led a team to close down the office after it observed some customers are not adhering to the directive. She said "This is the scene at the MTN office at Dansoman Zodiac right now. Absolutely no respect for social distancing. They have been shut down and will not be allowed to operate until they have better arrangements in place. A reputable corporate organization like this should not be flouting the law and creating conditions for the virus to spread” Madam Ursula Owusu-Ekuful stressed that she gave the instruction for its closure adding a brand like MTN should know better. Corporate Services Executive of MTN, Samuel Koranteng said "We are currently doing some internal risk assessment to put in place measures in terms of the seating. We are looking at probably enhancing the security levels outside our shops. At the Dansoman office, it was just one security officer trying to help with ensuring the social distancing measures” He added the office will ensure it changes the infrastructure outside the shop adding it will help customers go by the directives. As it stands now, the total number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 stands at 2,719, with 294 recoveries and 18 deaths. Story by: Magdalene Maame Serwaa Asante

Ghanaian Musician, Captain Planet 4x4 has sent a strong warning to followers on social media to coming into his Dm to beg for money. According to him, he will only give money to genuine followers since he is not Father Christmas for fake people. In a tweet, he said “I only give money to my faithful followers. I am not a bank to be dashing and throwing out money to disloyal fans” Born Sylvanus Dodji Jeoffrey, the musician says although other colleagues are giving out cash to some fans for survival in this Covid-19 season, he is not in a rush to do same. Story by: Mandy Woods

Observing President Akufo-Addo’s approach to fighting the Coronavirus in Ghana, one key reflection made is his consolidated tactics and coordination with key stakeholders in his decisions making. This process has increased problem-solving options and legitimized public verdicts. It is evident that in his government’s strategies in dealing with the pandemic, he has consistently engaged the leadership of relevant authorities in various endeavors in Ghana. So far, the Christian and Muslim communities, National house of Chiefs, the medical associations, political parties, media association, student’s union, Trade Union among others together with the COVID-19 response team have played an important role in addressing the Coronavirus outbreak in the country. The outcome of the government’s joint actions has been a bit slow in getting the results especially when the cases keep ballooning to an unexpected number. However, you may appreciate the synchronized efforts by Ghana when you juxtapose with the United States where there has been weak coordination between State and Federal organizations. The U.S. response to the pandemic has been disappointing, even drawing sharp criticism from the Noble-Prize winning economist, Joseph Stiglitz, who compared their response to that of a third world country. I believe the engagements and consultations with these authorities indicate how necessary it is to have an all-inclusive method of building consensus in tackling national problems. Irrespective of this, there is a hue and cry about how some of the key government institutions mostly formulate policies on the blind side of their major stakeholders who in the end become the main implementers of the programs and projects developed out those policies. Unfortunately, some of our great interventions become a fiasco is a result of the lack of recognition of authorities from the onset of the development of those ideas around the table. Additionally, individuals and organizations always want to be known and be regarded as part of a solution especially when an issue that matters to them emerges. This is because they either become beneficiaries or victims of that intervention. Excluding them from the process creates room for sabotage of the government’s efforts, either intentionally or unintentionally. Nevertheless, the President has reinforced the need to build networks and coalitions in implementing policies by seeking allies, raising funds, allocating resources, and developing complementary strategies with organizations and bodies that hold similar policy core beliefs. Many will agree that Public Policymaking and implementations have moved from exclusion to participation where the victims help shape the solution. The government has demonstrated an all-embracing approach to keeping the virus at bay and the expectation is that the curve will flatten to bring relief to the people of Ghana. Across-the-board practice to policy response is crucial in strengthening the optimism among the actors making it easier in tackling more difficult problems. I must be quick to say that, all hands can be put on deck in the rolling out of a plan but the implementation does not automatically translate to performance. Looking ahead, a redefined window of policy formulation and implementation has been opened by the President, which has intensified the essence of collaboration in crisis management. It appears a number of our public policies are normally formulated using the “force field” style where policies are thrown at people without proper engagement with key stakeholders. The back and forth between the policy actors mostly affect results. A more actor-centered approach must be adopted that reflect stakeholders demand and concerns in the policy to allow its implementation to be effective. The herculean efforts of introducing policies must be a thing of the past! Additionally, decision-makers need to know how to negotiate the dilemma faced with different policy interactions or as new policies conflicts with their professional, organizational, religious, cultural, or community-based values. Moreover, policymakers must manage the interface between different conceptions of ‘what works’- to derive policies based on different evidential bases. The fight against the virus has also highlighted the urgent need to strengthen data and statistical capacity in all sectors upon which political decisions must be premised on rather than “feelings” as normally witnessed in the political environment in Ghana. Besides, policymakers must understand that, as they are always quick to announce the success of a policy, it is equally important to admit and discuss policy failures when they occur, detailing what contributed to it and the role stakeholders could play to make the policy succeed. Considering the harmonized efforts by the government in containing the virus, citizens have also been constantly updated about the happenings of the pandemic in the country. This strategy, I believe will mobilize citizen’s support in identifying their roles in the effective implementation of policy decisions and this is worth learning by the leadership of various sectors of the economy. Citizens must not relent but actively probe and demand accountability from public officials as far as policy delivery is concerned as done through the media in the fight of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is safe to conclude that coordinated governance is imperative in public service delivery. Those entrusted with decision-making must do so with the involvement of the people to have a holistic trajectory that solidifies the relationship with citizens in achieving policy objectives. Email: jeffrey.duah@yahoo.co.uk Source: Jeffrey Agyemang Duah

irst National Bank Ghana, is pleased to announce that it has acquired hundred percent of GHL Bank. It says effective Wednesday 6th May, 2020, GHL Bank will become a subsidiary of First National Bank Ghana. First National Bank Ghana Limited is a 100% subsidiary of the FirstRand Group, the largest financial institution group, as measured by market capitalization, in Africa. GHL Bank Plc is Ghana’s leading provider of mortgage financing. The transaction has been approved by the boards of the two banks and has received the required regulatory approvals from the Bank of Ghana and the South African Reserve Bank. Chief Executive Officer of First National Bank Ghana, Richard Hudson said "Plans are well under way to merge the operations of the two banks. We further believe that this merger will demonstrate and further cement our commitment to the Ghanaian market. We recognize that the economy is under a lot of pressure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but we remain excited about the future of banking in Ghana.” The First National Bank Ghana says customers of both banks are being advised to continue doing business with their current bankers (i.e. either First National Bank or GHL Bank). The bank says new developments will be communicated in due course. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Highlife Singer, Dada KD revealed that if care is not taken, his frustration and current situation will lead him to his early grave. The Sensational Singer who has lots of songs to his credit took to his facebook page to pour out his sadness adding that his challenges can’t be handled by anyone except his unforeseen Creator. In a facebook post sighted by thinknewsonline.com, Dada KD said “My situation and frastuation combined can't be handled by anyone except Death and my unforseen Creator even though it has never crossed my mind to commit the novel suicidal of any kind but l know l can't help myself neither can anyone be of help to settle the dust thrown at me for the past 11years consistently” He also added that but he only opts to live his life as a singer/joker yet his current problems could not help. This post from the “Somu-Gye” hit maker has not only left his followers and Ghanaians worried, many are wondering what could be the problem. All efforts by thinknewsonline.com to speak to the Musician has proved futile as he is not answering his phones. Story by: Mandy Woods