News reaching Thinknewsonline.com indicates that Founder of King Jesus Ministry International, Evangelist Emmanuel Kwaku Apraku popularly known as 'Apraku My Daughter' has kicked the bucket. According to sources, the man of God died at his residence. Although the cause of his demise is unknown, it is emerging that the popular preacher took to drinking for unknown reasons. Some social media users took their various platforms trolling and making fun of the Evangelist, calling him a drunkard. In one of the video that went viral, the Evangelist was captured speaking to a friend via 'WhatsApp video call'. The viral video caught the attention of renowned singer, Sonnie Badu who promised to support the Evangelist financially. It is emerging that the police are yet to convey the corpse to the morgue for autopsy. Thinknewsonline.com will be following and will update its reader on any latest development. Story by: Magdalene Maame Abena Serwaa Asante

Telecommunication Giant, Vodafone Ghana says as part of measures of reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus among Ghanaians, it has introduced new digital channels which will help its users patronise its products at their homes and offices without stepping out. According to the company, it is worried about the increasing number of cases recorded adding the new idea will not only make customers enjoy the packages but also the enhanced internet speed. Director of Commercial and Digital Transformation, Angela Mensah-Poku said "Ahead of the outbreak, we began a journey to deliver our customers’ needs digitally, in line with our passion for creativity and innovation. This birthed various channels that are empowering our customers to, amongst other things; manage their account, purchase bundles, pay bills, request broadband service and initiate sim swap process" She added although it has placed measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of persons who visits its shops, customers are also reminded to access the digital channels. She explained that the digital channels simply interactions with customers and offer them convenience as well as flexibility. She said "One of our digital platforms include MyVodafoneApp, a unique self-care mobile application, which allows customers to patronize voice and data bundles, send money, top up their account, view the last few transactions and raise any customers concerns and many more. Madam Mensah-Poku added that the app combines customer touchpoints and enquiries in one place. "Customers can download the app for free from the Google Play Store and App Store. The Telco also introduced TOBi, an industry’s first virtual assistant that performs customer care functions and provides 24-hour assistance to customers on products, services and enquiries" Thinknewsonline.com is learning that the machine learning chatbot addresses basic enquiries via messenger chat on social media and MyVodafoneApp. The telecommunication company says customers can use Vodafone can to buy credits and bundles ,pay utility bills and all others. "Customers can further reach to Vodafone Ghana via its social media handles @vodafoneghana on Instagram, @AskVodafonegh on twitter and facebook.com, www.vodafone.com.gh and via WhatsApp on 0501 000 300. The Telco’s Business and fixed broadband customers can conveniently manage and pay their bills through their online platforms https://myvodafone.vodafone.com.gh/pay. Enterprise customers can also call the toll-free number 0800 10 000 from any Vodafone number or 0302 334 040 from any number" she noted. Story by: Magdalene Maame Abena Serwaa Asante

First and foremost, Social media has really changed the modest way we used to handle relationships and not always for the better. Bragging about your relationship on social media, we get the impulse. There’s nothing better than being in love and you really have chills about your partner, you certainly want to share those feelings with friends and the world . There are things you share with your partner that the world must not have a clue about . Do not post what happens between the sheet. Also keeping personal details about your partner to oneself is a key to a great , long lasting relationship ever. Why? You might think it’s 'cute'! Save that mushy stuff for each other . You love your romantic interest but the world doesn’t necessarily want to know your secret pet names “Cupcake” “Bunny” Nevertheless, it’s never a good advice to keep inappropriate pictures or videos of your partner on the internet. People are weird about what they consider 'unflattering' when it comes to images of themselves. Moreover, there’s one thing that really makes one loose a great respect before his or her peers and it’s really a disgusting attitude that needs not to be encouraged i.e “Stop trying to win points in your lovers spat” When you make your fight public, you’re undermining your ability to make up forcibly. This is because relatives and friends will unquestionably take your side. Such stuffs should be privatized, because once you work your differences out, your partner or yourself will be a laughingstock but if you keep it on a matured scale, you will be cock-a-hoop you didn’t publicize with your beef . In addition, naturally , no one wants to see your tongue wrestling selfies. Believe me on this, trust nobody, I mean “Nobody”. There are (2) two reasons of keeping your smooches off the media because your practically have nothing to prove. In our era, it’s becoming a tradition of partners flaunting pictures of pricey presents . Showing those expensive gifts given to you by your lover off on the media is a good bad mistake ever. Class bitterness is a real and stiff force on our culture. Although if you do not make your peers Hayes you, you might simply be making them feel horrible that they can’t present such fancy gifts and presents . Last but not the least , do not just post looking for validation as to if you are going to be great couples or if you look better together. The question is , are you happy in your relationship? If so, why then do you need approval of your friends before it’s fully confirmed that your man or man is rightfully yours? When one constantly post positive pictures or videos or update their status with a positive vibe, it can affects your relationship in a negative way because you only post them for people to approve. Finally, the inside scoop on the breakdown of one’s relationship doesn’t need to go public. This is because breaking up can make one loose focus, sense of reasoning and indeed it’s one of the darkest moment in life. If one can keep at least a thin strand of ego tethered to reality best to combat the impulse to vent in social media. Source: Mandy Woods

The Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah has justified actions by his office for organising the card registration exercise in the Eastern Region regardless the covid-19 outbreak in Ghana. According to Prof. Attafuah, the exercise was carried out as his outfit followed and observed the social distancing directive of the novel virus given by the President Akufo-Addo. Speaking in an interview with an Accra-based radio station, Professor Attafuah said “The NIA did the right thing and I insist. I absolutely stand by that. All we did was to comply with the directives of the President.” He added although President Akufo-Addo’s restriction deprived some organisations to work, his outfit could not comply since it had to ensure the exercise was executed. “The President also said that, businesses and other workplaces may continue to operate subject to the observance of social distancing and personal hygiene protocols and that’s exactly what the NIA did.” he explained Source: Magdalene Maame Abena Serwaa Asante

Most at times, it becomes so dicey as to say ‘Yes Or NO’ when one is asked to tell his or her opinion. Indeed, in some way it is neither good or bad to disclose your relationship status on the social media. If I’m asked as an individual to share my thoughts and opinion on this issue I will go for No! Let’s make a few things clear; 1. I don’t have an imaginary partner. 2. No, I am not bidding an abusive or unhappy relationship. 3. Yes, I am really in a relationship. 4. I am not ashamed of my relationship nor of the person with whom I share my life with. I may be wrong for someone but in my deepest experience as a person, I’ve come to know most relationship that last need privacy. My partner is not into social media. One would say he or she is an archaic or old fashioned! Yes, that’s reality and he or she is in planet reality! I do not want to feed others curiosity. I’ve seen it and you certainly have too; people’s curiosity can sometimes, perhaps often come from a bad feeling. Certain people are just patiently waiting for your doom, downfall or breakup. When everything seems positive in your relationship, they really don’t bother commenting on any pics or videos of you and your partner and they suffer in silence, but immediately they see or sense a problem, they are the first to comment or sympathize and show their disguised goodwill. Be careful! I have nothing to prove that I am happy and in a healthy relationship, nor do I have to prove to the single people that life in a relationship is better and that makes them complete. I don’t have to convince myself that my partner is my partner. That he or she’s supports me in my projects. I refuse to enter into a virtual competition of who makes the best Couple on the Media via IG, FB, Snap etc. I refuse to be the external validation. “Ain’t we cute couples”? “Are we compatible”? I want to avoid having to justify myself by sharing a piece of myself on social media. This is because we invite others to be part of our lives. I don’t want my relationship to be owned by anyone Except Us. In a nutshell, posting your relationship on the media create way for competition, envy, jealousy among friends and people from afar. Not all those who congratulate us really wish us well.! It’s really natural for someone to hate you. Because you posed to be perfect out there hence u ought to be hated for. Most people also pretend to have a perfect life out there hence if u follow their steps it’s definitely going to ruin a well-designed relationship into shambles. Keep your relationship to yourself. Avoid toxic friends around you and stop showing off partners to friends, not everyone is evil but most are Evil! Source: Mandy Woods

Economist, Prof. Peter Quartey says he supports the decision by country’s central bank to release GHc10 Billion to government as part of measures at bridging the budget deficit caused by the novel Corona virus pandemic. According to him, the move when executed will help government cushion the economy from the contrary effect of the virus. It however emerged that Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison was reported to have disclosed that the central bank was making 5.5 billion cedis of the total financial support. He added that he believes government will use the money released to purchase covid-19 relief bonds to ease liquidity needed for various forms of expenditure. "So far in the past couple of years, the central bank has provided zero financing to the government, but we are not in normal times, and I believe it is just proper for the central bank to steps in if it has surplus funds to help the government,” he noted. Reacting to comments from the Governor of Bank of Ghana, Prof. Quartey explained it was necessary as most economies, through their finance ministers are re-prioritizing their expenditure to determine the shortfalls in revenue; both projected and actual. He said “The support from the Bank of Ghana as set aside a memoranda of Understanding(MoU) it signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) not to fund government's budget deficit. Advocates of this have argued that the move presented fertile grounds for successive governments to overrun their budgets with impunity” Professor Quartey challenged the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta to divert majority of the money to be released to the Health and Agricultural Sectors of the economy. "Large scale commercial agriculture I believe could be one area that the government can pick about ten farmers to support and then within the health and pharmaceutical sectors. These for me are two critical areas that the Finance Ministry can look into.” He explained He appealed to Members of Parliament (MP) to evaluate parts of the Public Financial Management Act to cater for the misrepresentation to certain limits such as the budget deficit which is sits at 5% of GDP for any given year. “Parliament would have to look at the limit and set new ones which will be acceptable. Yes, we all agree we are not in normal times, but then it doesn’t mean we just need to spend. That has to be done within acceptable limits,” Prof. Quartey added. Thinknewsonline.com is learning the GHc4.5 Billion which is to be released by the Bank of Ghana will be released in the course of time as the controller monitors progress in the country’s economy. Story by: Magdalene Maame Abena Serwaa Asante

- Yobe state has lost its chief judge, Garba Nabaruma - Nabaruma reportedly died on Tuesday morning, May 19, after a protracted illness - The deceased was reported to be the longest-serving chief judge since the creation of Yobe state having been sworn into office in 2011 Yobe state chief judge Nabaruma is dead The chief judge in Yobe state, Garba Nabaruma, is dead. Nabaruma died on Tuesday morning, May 19, after a protracted illness. Nigerian Tribune reports that the deceased had been sick for some time before being rushed to the National Hospital, Abuja for advanced treatment. He, however, died on Tuesday at the National Hospital, Abuja after a lost battle with the undisclosed illness. Nabaruma was reported to be the longest-serving chief judge since the creation of Yobe state having been sworn into office in 2011. He was said to be a stabilising factor in the judiciary throughout his nine years of professional practice working with two governors before his death. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Yobe state government confirmed four hundred and seventy-one (471) mystery deaths in the state as of Monday, May 11. It was reported that in the last five weeks over 400 hundred people have been buried across five local governments. Many residents have expressed concern as to what is causing this high number of deaths. Gravediggers across the major towns on Wednesday morning, May 13, said the figures were above 600 for Damaturu, Potiskum, Nguru, and Gashua. They went on to note that its activities have been largely limited to the state capital, Damaturu by the state task force on COVID-19. Dr. Muhammad Lawan Gana, the state commissioner for health and vice-chairman state COVID-19 response team speaking at a press briefing said 57% out of the general death recorded across the state had an underlying chronic illness. According to Gana, more than 57% are were aged between 50 years and above, while 58.5% were male. He added that the trend showed an increase in mortality. The commissioner said"96% had no travel history outside the state. Approximately 90% of the cases did not have symptoms consistent with the case of COVID-19." Source: Legit

Some scores of Teacher Unions in the country are threatening not to go to school even if President Akufo-Addo decides to lift the ban on social gathering in the country. According to the Unions, since the spread of the covid-19 is exponential, they will not risk going to school to get infected. In a letter addressed to the Director-General of Ghana Education Service, Prof Kwasi Opoku Amankwah, the union said “They will not ascribe to the re-opening of the schools, should the President of the Republic decide not to extend the 31st May 2020 deadline of the ban on public gatherings and order the re-opening of the schools” The unions include, Teachers and Education Workers Union, the Ghana National Association of Teachers, National Association of Graduates Teachers and the coalition of concerned Teachers Ghana. The communique also said “The spread [of the virus in Ghana is still very exponential, and given the fact that our] schools could still be incubation centres of the pandemic, and given the unlimited social interactions and movements which take place there” They raised concerns on the measure put in place to thwart the spread of the disease in the Ghana Educational communities(schools). It added that "The class sizes and dormitory population are still large, thus not making the observation of social distancing possible” The communique however disclosed that considering the age and exuberance of the students, one cannot be sure if they will adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocol outlined. hence the fear that the disease may spread in the schools. They also hinted that the non-availability of potable water, face/nose masks, alcohol-based sanitizers and soaps to help teachers and students adhere to prescribed protocols are few of the challenges facing the unions. Story by: Magdalene Maame Abena Serwaa Asante

Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu says he is unhappy at the Auditor – General for rejecting the Chief of Staff's request to conduct an audit verification which seeks to pave way for payment of salary arrears to over 200 former and current Members of Parliament (MPs). According to him, the request from the former MPs has been described as unacceptable, amounting to a conflict of interest. The Majority Leader said "Mr. Mensah-Bonsu, however, clarified that contrary to the Auditor - General's assertion, about four Members of Parliament from the Majority would have benefitted from the payments” He maintained the Auditor-General should have considered “whether payments made to some Members of Parliament were enough”, instead of raising issues with conflict of interest. Thinknewsonline.com is learning some former MPs, whom left Parliament over 10 years ago, were requesting the payment of arrears of salaries and emoluments amounting to over GH¢29.7 million. However, the Auditor-General said “It will not be right to pay any further monies to them, due to the investigation of some of the MPs on the list for receiving double salaries” “It is also a public knowledge that some MPs were or are undergoing police investigations for receiving double salaries which implies overpayment but several of the names are included in the list for additional payment submitted by FFMPs per Office of the President letter dated 22nd April 2020,” he said. “It is my considered opinion that the Former MPs are not entitled to what they are asking for, but it also came to me as a big surprise that our honourable former MPs are making such a request at time of a pandemic which has taken the entire world by surprise." he stressed. Story by: Magdalene Maame Abena Serwaa Asante

President Yoweri Museveni has announced his government will provide free facemasks to its citizens as from the age of six years and above. Addressing the nation on Monday, May 19, the 75-year-old head of state said all citizens will be required to wear the masks whenever in public as the country prepares to resume public transport as from June. Museveni said the masks will not be provided for children of less than six years for they do not know how to wear them. “This mask must be worn all the time when you are in public, whether you are sneezing, talking or coughing. Since many people raised the issue that they cannot afford these masks, the gov’t has decided to provide these masks to all Ugandans 6 years and above,” said Museveni. The head of state said once issues of the masks is addressed, shops selling general merchandise will be free to open but only if they are not in shopping arcades and food markets. Museveni said the masks will be ready in two weeks time and only then can the public transport be allowed to operate as from June 2. However, boda boda and tuk tuks will not be allowed to carry passengers and public transport will not be allowed in border districts of Uganda for another 21 days. Bars, salons, gyms and swimming pools will remain closed for the next 21 days. "For the bars and salons, since they cannot observe the rules of social distancing, they will not be allowed to open for another 21 days, this includes, gyms and swimming pools," Museveni said. Private cars will not be allowed to carry more than three passengers including the driver. Source: Erick Kombo Ndubi

- Riek Machar has been part of a high-level taskforce on COVID-19 and the team was tested on May 13 - The vice president, his wife Angelina Teny and some of his staff tested positive for teh virus - Although they are still in good health, they have been taken into quarantine for next 14 days South Sudan's Vice President, Riek Machar and his wife Angelina Teny have tested positive for the dreaded coronavirus disease. In a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Gatdet Dak, on Monday, May 19, a number of his staff also tested positive and have since been taken into mandatory quarantine. Machar was a member of a high level taskforce on COVID-19 and was found positive after the team was tested on May 13. "This came as a result of the testing done by members of the High-Level Taskforce on Wednesday. A number of other previous members of the taskforce also tested positive," read the statement. Gatek said Machar had taken an earlier test on April 27 but the results came out negative. Machar said he will self-quarantine in his residence for the next 14 days with the other staff who also tested positive. "He is healthy and also confirmed by the doctor," said Gatek. The youngest nation in Africa has over 290 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with four deaths and four recoveries. Last week authorities reported two COVID-19 cases in a camp outside the capital Juba, raising concerns among humanitarians that the infection could devastate the crowded settlement. Source: REUTERS

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd.), on Monday told state governors not to take the raging COVID-19 pandemic as a joke. He asked them to step up enlightenment of their people on the seriousness of the infection by ensuring they stayed safe. Buhari also called on the governors to work closely with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to streamline the measures targeted at containing the spread. The President made the call during a virtual meeting he held with the governors. While he participated in the meeting via a video conference from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, led his colleagues to join from other locations. The President stated that having received a briefing from the PTF’s Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, he had directed that both sides worked closely. “I have directed that they work very closely with the governors”, he said, adding, “We have to be very careful. We need to continue to educate and persuade the people to accept the reality of the situation, and do all that is necessary to stay safe.” Buhari told the governors that the pandemic was “beyond technology, power, and resources.” The President noted that big countries with huge resources were overwhelmed by the pandemic, an indication that small countries like Nigeria must take precautionary measures more seriously. “The meeting also discussed economic and security issues, among others, with the governors commending the President on the ‘leadership and direction’ he has given the country in combating COVID-19”, Buhari’s spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, stated. Recall that some state governors had lifted the lockdown in their domains, allowing for religious activities to take place in mosques and churches. They had also called back civil servants to work and are said to be preparing to reopen schools. The PUNCH observes that these steps taken by some of the states go contrary to the guidelines of the PTF on the current relaxed lockdown of Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory and Ogun State. Buhari had approved the relaxed lockdown to take effect from May 4, allowing for limited resumption of intra-state activities across the Federation. The use of face masks was made compulsory, among others. However, he placed a ban on inter-state movements and imposed a curfew from 8pm to 6am nationwide. But, the regulations have been largely observed more in breach by the states. The PTF, during a meeting with Buhari on Sunday, lodged the complaints to the President. Source: The Punch