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As part of measures of Ghana’s fight against the deadly novel coronavirus, Oil Marketing Company (MOC), Goil Company Limited has donated items worth GHc50,000 to the Police Hospital in Accra. According to the company, the move forms part of its social and cooperate responsibilities adding the personal protective equipment provided will support frontline workers in their fight against the virus. According to the Group Chief Executive and Director of Goil, Kwame Osei Prempeh, he said “Goil Company has donated similar items to some institutions like the Achimota Police Station, 37 Military Hospital, National COVID-19 Trust Fund and GPRTU. Goil will continue to partner and collaborate with the Ghana Police service in the supply of uninterrupted supply of fuel to police and other security vehicles" He assured the company will continue to serve Ghanaians and continue to be Ghana's number one oil firm in the country. Deputy Commissioner of Police and Medical Director at the Police Hospital, Marian Korbuo, showed her gratitude to Goil for their generous gesture. “These items have arrived at the right time, because it's going to help especially the front line worker to work effectively and attend to infected persons without fear” she said. Story by: Magdalene Maame Serwaa Asante

As part of measures at banning the attitude of defamations and character assassinations of individuals on various social media platforms, ‘We The People Matter Movement’, a policy think tank group is calling for the adjustment of Ghana’s constitution to deal with offenders. According to the group, since social media is a part of the human life, it is important for its users to be mindful of the content they share online. In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Sa-ad Iddrisu and sighted by thinknewsonline.com, he said “Defamations and character assassinations have become the new norm on social media. Even in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic, defamations and character assassinations on social media are still trending daily. Personalities in government, politics, media, judiciary, academia, creative arts and all sectors, have been defamed or endured character assassination on social media, but a law against this in Ghana is non-existent” He reminded the social media abuses of how useful social media is stressing that these are places we tend to read news, socialize, and make connections with new people. Dr. Iddrisu reiterated that social media is also an avenue which has led to business/contract deals, marriages, and all other various positive outcomes. Below is a copy of the press release: Social media and defamations: How effective is our justice system? Social media is now part of our daily lives. There is not a day any of us abstains from our social media account(s): WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. These are places we tend to read news, socialize, and make connections with new people. In fact, social media has led to business/contract deals, marriages, and all other various positive outcomes. However, had it always been good, there would be no need for this article. Defamations and character assassinations have become the new norm on social media. Even in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic, defamations and character assassinations on social media are still trending daily. Personalities in government, politics, media, judiciary, academia, creative arts and all sectors, have been defamed or endured character assassination on social media, but a law against this in Ghana is nonexistent. Before I get into the law aspects, let me tell you a brief story. I remember around January this year when my friend sent me screenshot messages on WhatsApp detailing how friends' of his ex-partner wrote defamatory remarks about him on their Facebook page. His first emotional instinct was to get involved in the drama with a reply. However, I advised him to think rationally and consider the benefits of his reply to such lies and defamation. Mind you, this was a relationship that he ended in 2018, but the ex’s and her group of friends dragged him with defamations in 2019 and 2020 with Facebook and WhatsApp posts. In fact, the 2019 incidences ended up at the Dakpema Chief Palace in Tamale after he got fed up and threatened to expose them. An amicable solution was found by the Chief and the elders and the matter was laid to rest. However, as predictable as the ladies were, 2020 gave them another opportunity to continue their annual rituals and unleash their bitterness again at the said friend. As I sat quietly thinking about my friend’s situation, I contemplated how I could be of help. I called a Lawyer and Judge in Accra to see if they could help my friend take legal action on the said lady who wrote the Facebook post. Upon examining our case, their feedback suggested law on social media in Ghana is nonexistent. If you brought such person(s) to court, there was high possibility they would deny such Facebook accounts ever been theirs. The case further becomes difficult when proving such accounts truly belonged to them in court. This is more so as people tend to create a bunch of fake accounts with pictures of innocent people. This makes your court case a “foolish case”. In some instances, if the person(s) truthfully admit in court that they own such social media account, then it becomes another case of constant adjournment in court until you reach a point that you are frustrated in wasting your time in court - another “foolish case” in the end. The lawyer mentioned a lot of defamatory cases of this nature that ended in the courts and metamorphosed into “foolish cases.” The only time defamatory lawsuits were won in our courts was when those statements were made by a media station (either print or electronic) against an individual or if there was a video or audio recording of such defamatory remarks. Even with this, it could take years or decade(s) before such cases were heard in court, thus wasting the individual’s time and money pursuing such a case in court. In other words, justice delayed is justice denied. As we listened to this legal advice, I realized that we are living in an animal kingdom with the inception of social media if citizens cannot seek legal redress in court for cases of social media defamations and get fast track judgment. Our lawmakers should take a review of our justice system and incorporate social media laws. A changing society demands changing laws. Laws that scare people from hiding behind their phones to type gibberish regarding other's personalities on social media - knowing very well that their remarks are defamatory in nature. I am calling on the Attorney General, Justice Minister, Ghana Bar Association, and all legal experts in the country to review our laws and court system to meet current societal transformations. Until that is done, you the one reading this, know that you are a potential victim of someone’s fingers behind his/her phone waiting to press send. Today it’s my friend, tomorrow it can be you. Exhibit rational thinking rather than emotional thinking if you become a victim to this unfortunate trend of social media defamation. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) says it has not registered any Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) Kits (serology antibody assays) for screening and diagnosing COVID-19 in Ghana. According to FDA, these test could play an important role in the management of the pandemic and complement the current recommended as well as approved nucleic acid PCR tests being used for diagnosis of the disease. In a press release signed by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Delese Darko, it said "While serology testing has the potential to provide valuable information to individuals and to public health authorities, there are significant areas of uncertainty that will need to be addressed as COVID-19 disease continue to evolve. The first and most urgent is marketed globally that are not providing accurate information and that are not comparable to each other" She added ensuring that tests are comparable and accurate requires a validation process overseen by the FDA. She further added the FDA advises the public that the use of such unregistered Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) Kits could lead to inaccurate results which may have adverse health repercussions. Below is a copy of the release:

Ghanaian/Nigerian Actress, Yvonne Okoro is asking the public to be careful of fraudsters using her picture and name for fraudulent activities on Facebook. According to her, these fraudsters are using the account for lots of dubious means adding the public should be on the alert in dealing with thieves. She said "One of such fake pages, she indicated, is the Facebook page with 200k likes which bears her name and her profile photo. The account has currently been posting news stories about Ghanaian celebrities and adverts" The Celebrated Actress revealed one of those facebook page has eight different individuals handling it adding six are Ghanaians whiles two from the United Kindgom. She said “I get calls from people about stuff on those accounts but it's not from me. I don't know anything about those pages. Those doing that should stop it,” Thinknewsonline.com is learning that aside Yvonne Okoro, there are other Ghanaian Celebrities facing same problems on various social media platforms. She explained that the fraudsters use the exact details of the celebrities thereby confusing their followers to believe it is them. "I have only two accounts; a personal page and fan page. My personal page has a video of myself and comedian Kalybos as its profile whiles the fan page has 164k likes" she said Source: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ghana's Afro-Pop singer Becca, has released her latest hit single titled, 'Overcome' in recognition of the efforts of all frontline workers in the Coronavirus (Covid-19) fight. Becca put together this inspirational song during this pandemic to send a message of hope and love across, as well as to call on Ghanaians to remain strong as we look forward to a brighter future. The song, produced by Dunnie, is also to sensitize people about how to stay safe during the Covid-19 pandemic, which has claimed thousands of lives across the world. It encourages affected patients to keep fighting for survival and care for themselves; believing Covid-19 infection is not a death sentence. According to the singer, “All is not lost during these trying times and this piece is one to uplift and motivate. Surely we will overcome.” She added that 'Overcome' was not only for frontline workers fighting the virus, but also a message of hope, love, resilience and gratitude for the citizenry. The song is expected to be used as a signature tune and theme song for Covid-19 programmes on all major television and radio stations across the country, particularly those that do daily updates and discussions on Covid-19. Becca revealed that revenue generated from the song would be donated to Ghana's Covid-19 Trust Fund to support the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The song is currently available in full audio and video on all mobile networks for download via short code *899*99#. It can also be used as CRBT or a ring tone. It is also available on all of Becca's social media handles. Becca, who has a number of hit songs to her credit, released her first studio album, 'Sugar', in 2007 and it earned her five nominations at the 2008 Ghana Music Awards. The album’s lead song, 'You Lied to Me', won Record of the Year at the aforementioned awards show. Becca has won a number of awards which include Kora Award, National Youth Achievers Award, Ghana Music Awards and 4Syte TV Music Video Awards. In 2013, she headlined the annual Girl Talk concert, which started in 2011. Becca has performed at a number of musical events which include MTN’s Heroes of Change television, Ghana music Awards and Ghana Meets Naija UK. Source: Daily Guide

The Ghanaian movie industry has been thrown into a state of shock and sorrow following the sudden demise of award-winning actor Bishop Bernard Nyarko. Bishop Bernard Nyarko died at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital ( Ridge Hospital) on Saturday May 2,2020 where he had been admitted for a while for allegedly battling colon cancer. The late Kumawood actor, a month ago was reported to have said he has quit acting and nothing will make him rescind the decision when he was struck with the illness. Bishop Nyarko, in a viral video sighted by RazzNews.com, was heard telling his congregation that he has decided to follow the steps of actor Majid Michelle, emphasising that the movie industry is full of evil. His comment did not go down well with most of his colleague actors. Popular actress and host of United Showbiz on UTV; Nana Ama Mcbrown who was also not enthused with the late actor’s proclamation vented her spleen on her show. Per Nana Ama Mcbrown’s explanation, the late Bishop was just envious of how Majid Michelle was traveling around the world as a pastor hence the decision to also quit acting. According to RazzNews.com’s source,Nana Ama Mcbrown who was extremely peeved, after the show allegedly vowed never to set her eyes on the late legendary actor again. It has emerged that Bishop Nyarko, before his demise prevented his colleagues from visiting him at the hospital where he was on admission. To augment that report, Nana Ama McBrown reacting to the demise of the late actor accentuated that, they had made several efforts to visit him at the hospital but all proved unproductive. She indicated that Bishop Bernard Nyarko kept making up excuses on why they should hold on and at the appropriate time, they will be given an opportunity to visit him. The hostess of United Showbiz said they were waiting for a response so they could pay their colleague a visit only to hear of his demise. RazzNews.com is reliably informed that Nana Ama Mcbrown’s swipe against the late actor was one of the utmost motives he never desired to meet them. The late versatile actor really felt break faith with the action of his colleague. Well, the late Bishop Bernard Nyarko, who was born and raised in Kumasi, before his demise had starred in over hundred movies. Ghanaians will remember him for his comic acting and his cogency in acting. His exceptional abilities in motion pictures made him an easily recognised name in the Ghanaian movie industry. The family is yet to come out with his burial and funeral arrangements. Source:RazzNews.com

Ghanaian Celebrity, Afia Schwarzenegger has jabbed Kumawood Actors to stop shedding fake tears on the death of Bishop Bernard Nyarko and attend to Ace Actor, Emmanuel Armah. According to her, it is so annoying seeing some Kumawood Actor and Actress sit behave camera wailing whiles another Actor is bedridden with stroke. In a video, Afia Schwarzenegger said "Greetings to concern celebrity cries association, if you are done mourning bishop, go to the aid of Emmanuel Armah, he is in a wheel chair and needs help" She added that it will be prudent if Ghanaian Actors visit and support the Ace Actor before he passes on. Born Valentina Nana Agyeiwaa, the controversial media personality lambasted the Actors adding their colleague is very ill. She said "I have only seen Actress Kassum Sinare in a picture with the Ace Actor on her last visit. Thinknewsonline.com will be following this development and will update readers on any new information. Watch the video below: Story by: Jullien Parry

Husband of celebrated Nollywood Actress Mercy Johnson, Prince Okojie, has announced the birth of his fourth child. In an Instagram post, Prince Okojie said "The Wait is finally over" He added that every good and perfect gift comes from God. Husband of the Actress asked his followers to share in their joy as they announce the arrival of their daughter, Divine-Mercy Ehinomen Okojie. Last week, rumours had it that the beautiful actress had put to bed but her husband, Prince Okojie debunks the claims saying she has not. Thinknewsonline.com congratulates Prince Okojie and Actress Mercy Johnson. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah has confirmed that his region has recorded four new cases of the novel coronavirus pandemic. According to him, although the new cases were imported, this calls for concern among residents in the Constituency. Addressing Journalists, he said "“We have a case at Agona Nkwanta [in Ahanta West Municipal Assembly], one in Effia Kwesimentstim Municipal, one in Mpohor District and one at Ellembelle District. And like I keep saying, the virus is with us, so we must find innovative ways to manage it. One of the luckiest things I’ve realized is that most of our cases are imported, and so it is our responsibility to make sure it does not spread into the communities.” He added the four new cases has increased the counts to 13. Hon. Mensah tasked residents in the region to adhere to the directives from President Akufo-Addo and the guidelines from the Ghana Health Service to ensure the spread reduces in the region. He hinted that the Region is boosting its testing capacities to help deal with cases. “For us, we are trying our best to be ahead of the virus meaning that we have to test more so that we can quickly isolate any case and treat. The medical team are ready to help us in that direction. What is left now is for all of us to be careful about what we do. So, we will continue to stress that we all adhere strictly to the safety protocols” he outlined. In other developments, a Bio-Safety Level 3 Laboratory located in the Western Region Veterinary Services Department says all is set to begin testing of samples of Covid-19 starting May 4. Thinknewonline.com is learning that about 300 samples will be used as a starter before the numbers are increased. Background As it stands, Ghana's case counted stands at 2,719 recorded with 294 recoveries and 18 deaths. Greater Accra Region has the highest number of cases, 1,852; Ashanti Region has 117, Eastern Region stands at 87, Central Region, 21, Oti Region still stands at 19, Upper East Region, 19, Volta Region has 16, 13 for Northern Region, 10 for Upper West Region, 9 for Western Region, Western North Region has 4 and North East Region has 2 cases to its credit. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Two traditional priests are in the custody of the police for allegedly killing a biochemist consultant and siphoning what is suspected to be his blood into a gallon. The deceased Edward Quartey-Papafio, 64, had left his house on January 15, 2020, at about 3:30 am after receiving a phone call. According to the Director-General of the CID, COP Isaac Yeboah, after police investigations, it was discovered that the deceased was last spotted in Adeisu, near Nsawam in the Eastern region. The police intensified investigation, and on April 21, 2020, they arrested suspects Christian Gameli Lawerh alias Power, 36, and Famous Adorkunu alias Scorpion, 37. Both fetish priests hail from the Volta region but reside at Maame Dede near Adeisu. After a search was conducted at their residences, police retrieved two pump action guns, a single barrel gun, together with eleven packets of cartridges from Lawerh’s room. On April 29, both suspects admitted having interacted with the missing person for some time, but he was later shot and killed on January 15, 2020, at their shrine. The suspects reiterated that the deceased was buried at a particular spot within the shrine and led police to the scene. The area was secured for an exhumation order to be granted by the court. On April 30, the police including pathologists and other forensic experts went to Maame Dede and executed the exhumation. The pathologists retrieved the decomposed body from a grave. A second decomposed body whose name the suspect Gameli gave as Kwesi Zomelo also from Kasoa was retrieved from a separate grave. The team later exhumed human parts, hair attachments, bead (belonging to a woman, police suspect), and bones from a third grave within the same perimeter. A decomposed human flesh with bones wrapped in a cloth buried among the bodies was also retrieved from another grave. The team in addition retrieved human skulls together with bones, suspected to be human, hidden under two ‘idols’ in the house. Investigations have so far established that on December 2019, the two conspired to murder Edward Quartey-Papafio, according to police. They are alleged to have lured the deceased to their shrine and succeeded in collecting cash amounting to 10,000 Ghana cedis from him with a promise to fortify the deceased spiritually to enable his company to flourish. On January 15, they invited Quartey-Papafio to the shrine for what they claimed to be the final purification rites but in the process they shot, killed and buried his body. Police say after committing the crime, Lawerh took possession of the deceased’s Itel and Nokia mobile phones and handed them to his third wife, together with a bunch of keys. Police say the second suspect Adorkunu, has confessed that he shot and killed Mr. Quartey-Papafio. He also confessed to killing Zomelo and one of his masons after the deceased demanded money owed him. According to COP Isaac Ken Yeboah, the remains exhumed from the shrine have been deposited at the Police Hospital Mortuary awaiting DNA testing and identification. The suspects have been remanded and are awaiting trial. Source: Myjoyonline.com

I have always understood that Jamaicans are descendants of enslaved Africans from West Africa & Ghana, and Ashanti in particular, but I never realized just how similar our roots run hundreds of years after slavery. As Brazilians in Salvador de Bahia keep the Yoruba roots of tradition & language alive in modern day Brazil, Jamaican Maroons keep the Ashanti (Akan) traditions & language alive in modern day Jamaica. When Jamaica’s native son Marcus Garvey shouted for Global Africans to return to Africa, many chanted Haile Selassie I &found home & Rastafari roots in Ethiopia while many others celebrated Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah & found freedom in Ghana. Today’s Ghana boast a significant Jamaican community brought & empowered by Rita Marley & the memory & foundation of Bob Marley & Marcus Garvey. Jamaicans & native Ghanaian Rastas have created their own governing & financial empowerment council that boasts a credit union called the black star line catering to the financial empowerment needs of Rastafarians in Ghana. When you walk around Ghana you see Jamaica, from reggae music, to dreadlocks & the culture of Rastafari. I had heard about the Kromanti/Kramanti language in Jamaica which was supposed to sound similar to the Akan languages of Ghana, but I became a true believer when I heard it spoken & found many similar words in Ghanaian Akan languages. Jamaicans like Brazilians have never denied their African roots, but have rather embraced it & used it as a sense of power in knowing who they are & where they came from beyond Jamaica’s sugar cane plantations. With more & more talk amongst African nations about offering our Diasporan brothers & sisters free visas & dual citizenships to come back home to their ancestral roots, perhaps we will all get to learn more about our distant relatives. Many Africans & Diasporans did not know of Haiti‘s history of successful slave rebellion which led them to independence in 1804 even before slavery was abolished in 1807 until the earthquake that brought Haiti new found global press & historical interest, just as many do not know that Jamaican Maroons had their own successful slave rebellion to freedom 50 years before slavery was abolished & long before Toussaint L’Ouverture brought Saint-Domingue out of the shackles of the French & renamed the new land of freed slaves, Haiti. The Maroons of Jamaica have been able to keep their identity & autonomy not only from their former slave masters, but also within Jamaica even til today. The Maroons’ largest town Accompong even has a similar name to Ghana’s Akropong-which is home to one of Ghana’s oldest tribes, the Akuapims & both are ironically located in the hills/mountains of their individual nations. We can not wait nor allow others to tell us our history & to give it to us in small increments as they see fit when knowledge is power & information is available if we truly seek to be empowered by knowledge . “I raved about how much African aesthetic is infused into Jamaican life. You’d think I was visiting the island for the first time, even though I was born here and have barely set foot anywhere else since that sun-hot Wenesday in 1972…The thing is this; African retentions in our culture sometimes get compartmentalized and thought of in ways that seem distant. Yes, over 90% of Jamaicans are black and are direct desendants of the people who came from West Africa, so when we look at each other we see our ancestry…” I remember the first time I went to Jamaica right out of college & met up with two Rasta men who befriended me & took care of me & my friend as community elders do in Ghana. The moment they heard I was from Ghana , I automatically became family & was blessed with eating the best jerk chicken I have ever tasted in my entire life even until today. I have eaten a lot of jerk chicken in Jamaica & other places in the world, but this was hands down the best because from the smell, to the serving of it, to the taste, you could see & feel that it came from the love of family in the way that a home cooked meal outshines even the best highly trained chef. I did not understand back then why these two grown men were so fascinated with asking me every question possible about Ghana & why their desire to go there was so strong until many years later when I witnessed the Jamaican community & influence in Ghana &saw the love that Ghanaians, particularly the youth gave to Jamaican artists who visited & Jamaican citizens who returned back to Ghana to stay because these Ghanaian youth were just as enamored by them & wanted to know everything possible about them & our mutual ancestral global connection. It was truly as Nas & Damian “Junior Gong” Marley put it, distant relatives reuniting on two sides of the Atlantic & getting to know one another again. From Marley, to Tosh, to Sizzla, to Junior Reid, to Buju, to the new generation Marley, Africa & Ghana in particular has always been in the forefront of their life never to take a backseat in heritage or unity! Akwaaba as we continue to keep it strictly Roots! Credit: Amma Sarfo

Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo has cut sod for the construction of a One Million and Five Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc1,500,000.00) National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) District Office in the Constituency. According to her, the new edifice when completed will not only benefit the constituents but the staffs as they will move from the old small office store which made their operations difficult and delivery of services restricted. Addressing Journalists at the sod-cutting ceremony, the MP said "Currently, the existing National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Office is a sub-office which is a small office store at Dome. This makes operations difficult and the delivery of its services restricted. This constituency is a fast growing metropolitan one with a large population size. Therefore, there is the need to construct a District National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Office in the constituency to mitigate against the current situation at hand" She added she is confident the construction when completed, will enhance the effective delivery of the health insurance to the masses in a more spacious and properly structured office. The MP further explained the ceremony is to reinforce the broader objective of Government's effort to provide infrastructure for the delivery of effective healthcare nationwide. "Ladies and Gentlemen, as a Member of Parliament who has her constituents health needs at heart, I have registered and renewed NHIA cards for over Seven Hundred Constituents. I have also provided Free Health Screening for Constituents on several occasions. When it comes to construction of Health Centres, I have constructed the Haatso Maternity Clinic" she stressed. On her achievements, Hon. Adwoa Safo explained she has commissioned the Ga East Municipal Hospital, cut sod to commence the construction of Clinical Service and Out Patients Department (OPD) Block at the Abokobi Health Centre. She said "It is my belief that with the construction of this NHIA building, the health needs of constituents will be best served. The contractor of this project is, Messrs Elpizo Enterprise Limited. This project is expected to be completed within Six (6) calendar months" The MP urged the contractor to show immense commitment and hard work for the speedy completion of this project without compromising on quality of the work. Hon. Adwoa Safo says the edifice when completed will have a reception area, general offices, documents control room, MIS office, accounts office, manager’s office, conference room and other amenities including vehicle parking area for patrons. Contractor, Messrs Elpizo Enterprise Limited assured the MP, the project will be completed on time. In other developments, the Member of Parliament also pleaded with Philanthropists, Constituents and Individuals to contribute their quota in the construction of a Fire Service Station in the Constituency She said "This is a collective efforts. I am urging Philanthropists, Constituents and Individuals to contribute their quota so we can build our own Fire Service Station. We cant be depending of Madina and the likes always" Director-In-Charge of Logistics at the Ghana Fire Service, DCFO Nana Brenya commended the MP for the good works adding the construction of a Fire Station will help solve issues of fire outbreaks in the Constituency. He said "Fire is a destroyer although we always say it is a good servant. So the presence of the Fire Station around this area is going to ensure that fires are prevented and even if they come, they are kept at a very minimal level" The construction of the National Health Insurance Authourity (NHIA) District Office in the Dome Kwabenya Constituency will be completed after 6 months. Some shop owners who spoke to thinknewsonline.com said "We have been notified of the construction of an NHIA District Office and Fire Station here. It is good but to ask us to relocate our shop immediately will be a big blow to us. The Municipal Assembly should be a bit patient with us" The MP later presented bags of rice, a galloon of sanitizer, 1 Veronica bucket with its stand, biscuits, washing soaps among other to the mechanics who share a wall with the yet to be constructed NHIA District Office and Fire Station. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith