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  The dry season (Harmattan) is expected to intensify over the country from Wednesday, 20 January, 2020, the Ghana Meteorological Agency has said. According to the Meteorological Agency, the harmattan will continue into the weekend. A statement issued by the agency on Tuesday, 19 January 2020 said: “Dust has been raised from the source region (around Chad) and is expected to be advected into the country to deteriorate surface visibility.” Also, “due to the influx of the dry and dusty continental winds, the Northern half is expected to be drier with relative humidity of less than 20percent and below 50percent over parts of the Southern sector.” The statement revealed that: “This intrusion of dryness increases the probability of fire outbreaks.” The Meteorological Agency has, therefore, advised the general public “to be cautious of handling naked fires” and “be careful on the roads due to poor visibility.”

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has trimmed down the number of ministries in his second administration from 36 to 29. Consequently, the number of ministers, deputy ministers and regional ministers to be appointed will not exceed 85. The list of qualified Ghanaians who will serve as ministers and deputy ministers in President Akufo-Addo’s second term will be released this week. The Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr Eugene Arhin, told Graphic Online that the list, which would be printed on green sheets in the form of a statement, would contain a mixture of both old and new ministers, but the number would certainly not go beyond 85, as against the 126 in the first term. Mr Arhin indicated that the list would exclude former Members of Parliament (MPs) who were appointed ministers or deputy ministers but who could not secure re-election in the 2020 parliamentary elections. He said those people had automatically lost the opportunity to be appointed again to

Some unidentified men numbering about 10, on Tuesday reportedly shot and killed a policeman who was on escort duties on the Adansi Fomena road in the Ashanti Region. Lance Corporal Martin Babah reportedly died on the spot. The robbers reportedly made away with an amount of GH¢500,000 which was in a bullion Van, plus one AK 47 assault rifle. A police situational report on the incident described it as "robbery and murder" and mentioned the date as of January 19, 21. It is said to have happened at about 10:30 am at Adansi Nyankomasu in the Ashanti Region. Lance Corporal Martin Babah was reportedly shot in the car. The report said, "about ten young men unmasked wielding assorted guns, including AK 47 rifles attacked and robbed a white bullion Van with registration No. GT 543-19 from Ghana Commercial Bank, Dunkwa to New Edubiase, fired indiscriminately from the rear and facing the van. The robbers attacked the Van on the section of the road between Obuasi and Adan

  President Akufo-Addo in his latest appointment at the presidency in his second term has retained Akosua Frema Osei-Opare as his Chief of Staff. The President has also maintained Nana Bediato Asante and Eugene Arhin as secretary to the president and director of communications at the presidency respectively. The replacement for Samuel Abu Jinapor and Francis Asenso-Boakye as deputy chief of staff, who are now Parliamentarians are Emmanuel Adumua-Bossman and Fawaz Aliu. In a press release signed by the acting Director of Communications at the office of the President, Eugene Arhin, the President names 13 individuals that will help him steer the affairs of the state at the presidency. The statement also names Mercy Debrah-Karikari as Secretary to the cabinet, Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Okyere as the National Security Advisor, Saratu Atta as the P.A to the president and Lord Commey as the director of operations at the presidency. The rest are Sam Ellis, Dr Isaac Owusu-Mensah, Kow

National Security Coordinator, Joshua Kyeremeh, died this morning following a short illness at the Ga East Municipal Hospital, a leading member of the National Security Secretariat disclosed to Asaaseradio.com. Joshua Kyeremeh , our checks from the hospital indicate, died of kidney complications at the hospital on Monday (18 January 2021), where he was receiving treatment for COVID-19. Kyeremeh was one of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s first appointees in 2017 during his first term. A consummate intelligence professional, he had been holding the position of National Security Coordinator since then. Kyeremeh was a product of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and a former Director of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), now known as National Intelligence Bureau (NIB). He worked at the BNI for about 22 years, where he served at command levels in the Northern, Upper East, Ashanti and Greater Accra Regions. He also served as head of the Investi

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has indicated that personnel of the Ghana Police Service, and if need be other security agencies will join in, to strictly enforce the Covid-19 health and safety protocols to stem the spread of the disease in the country. In his 22nd televised update on measures taken against the spread of the pandemic on Sunday, January 17, President Akufo-Addo said with 13 of the 16 regions recording new positive cases, with active cases in excess of 1,900, some 352 deaths so far and 33 persons whose conditions are critical, Ghana's health facilities will soon be overwhelmed if the trend continues. According to the President, detailed investigations of current cases indicate that apart from arriving passengers at our airport who tested positive, infected persons have recent histories of attending parties, weddings, end of year office programmes, family get-togethers, and funerals. At these gatherings, most of them abandoned the use of the masks, and were enga

The Government of Ghana has announced Wednesday 27 January 2021 as the new burial date for the late former president Jerry John Rawlings. The Government announced this on Tuesday January 12 while communicating the funeral arrangements to the diplomatic community. The laying in state starts from 24 to 26 January at the forecourt of the Accra International Conference Centre from 9am to 5pm daily, the notice said. The Founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) died on Thursday, 12 November 2020 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. He was 73.

Former MP for Nadowli Kaleo, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been elected Speaker of the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic. He won in a closely contested secret ballot in the Chamber of Parliament on Thursday January 7 against former Speaker, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye. Bagbin had been a Member of Parliament since January 1993 was bringing to an end his long service of 28 years, only for him to be nominated by the NDC for the Speakership position. He polled 138 votes against his predecessor’s 136 with one ballot spoilt. Mr Bagbin makes history for being the first Speaker of Parliament from an opposition party.

Member of Parliament for Tema West Kingsley Carlos Ahenkorah who snatched ballot papers during the election for Speaker in Parliament on Thursday has apologised for his action. According to the former deputy Trade Minister, his conduct was out of love for the ruling NPP. Mr Ahenkorah has come under fierce criticisms after he was captured on television snatching ballot papers during counting after MPs voted to elect a Speaker for the 8th Parliament. “It’s a very tough situation to have opposition as speaker especially when he’s the president in the absence of Nana Addo and his vice not to mention how parliament would function by passing the presidents policies and laws to pave way for development. My colleagues on the majority side couldn’t help take advantage of my sacrifices to force a rerun and we’d to settle for an opposition speaker,” he wrote in a statement. “I must say I am heartbroken and dejected. We’ve not seen the end of this yet. With this success, they would tell us what th

Facebook on Thursday banned President Donald Trump from using its social network or Instagram “indefinitely, including the last two weeks of his presidency. In a post, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote that Trump’s refusal to condemn his extremist supporters who stormed and occupied the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday showed that he “intends to use his remaining time in office to undermine the peaceful and lawful transition of power to his elected successor, Joe Biden.”         President Trump at a rally in Washington on Wednesday For weeks leading up to the count of Electoral College votes in Congress on Wednesday, some Trump supporters openly planned a violent confrontation at the Capitol. Trump had repeatedly endorsed the gathering, at which he encouraged supporters to march to the Capitol. Hours after the rioters began occupying the building, Trump issued a video message on multiple social media platforms instructing them to “go home,” but also repeating the falseho

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been sworn into office for a second four-year term as President of the Republic of Ghana. The Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin Yeboah conducted the swearing-in, taking him through the required oaths . Taking the presidential oath of office and oath of allegiance, Nana Akufo Addo said: “I will be faithful and true to the Republic of Ghana. I will at all times preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Ghana.” Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has also been sworn in as Vice President of Ghana for a second term.

The Abuakwa divisional police command in the Ashanti Region have arrested four bodyguards and a driver of Dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy, for assaulting another driver. The musician is said to have been returning from Bibiani in two black Toyota Land Cruisers with registration GT-5255-19 and GS-6255-19. In an attempt to overtake on the Bibiani-Abuakwa stretch, a 207 Benz bus crashed into one of the cars. According to an eyewitness, the bodyguards and driver of the musician allegedly pulled the 207 Benz driver out of the vehicle and started assaulting him physically. An eyewitness who tried intervening also received his share of the assault. The bodyguards are in police custody as investigations continue.

Kantanka Vehicles has aided in remodelling the car of 18-year old JHS student Kelvin Odartey. The 18-year-old JHS student who made the car last year drove it to his exam venue during his final exam, creating a viral internet sensation for himself.  Safo Kantanka Jnr, the CEO of the car-manufacturing company, shared a photo of the previous state of the car, another state under construction before posting the finally remodeled car.  He said it is called the Akofena. The fully-completed versions of the car represented at the recent end-of-year exhibition by Kantanka Automobile. Kantanka Automobile, led by the CEO of Kantanka Group of Companies, Kwadwo Safo Jnr, outdoored the new car model called Kantanka Akofena. As part of the end-of-year exhibition by the indigenous Ghanaian company, the fully-completed version of the Akofena was spotted at the event. The Akofena, as shown by the image, took the same shape and form of the car that was manufactured Hyby Kelvin Odartey, an18-year-old Juni

 The presidential candidate of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Dr. Henry Lartey, says John Dramani Mahama’s decision to challenge the outcome of the 2020 polls in court will prove futile.  Speaking to Star FM News, the flagbearer for GCPP, said the National Democratic Congress (NDC’s) flagbearer John Dramani Mahama   clearly  lost the presidential race to the incumbent, President Akufo-Addo. “You’ve lost the election, he shouldn’t go to court; it’s a waste of money,” he said.  Dr Henry Lartey who doubles as the Secretary-General for the West African Association of Political Parties also maintained the NDC flagbearer is just acting under pressure.  He said he  believed that Mahama is being pressurised by some elements in the NDC to continuously reject the outcome of the elections. President Akufo-Addo was re-elected for another four-year term in the December 7, 2020 polls. He collected over 51percent of the votes in the polls marred by post-election demonstrations by suppor

The immediate past Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Opoku Nyina, has in the presence of Prophet Owusu Bempah cautioned prophets against prophecies on elections and death. Prophet Owusu Bempah is known to be giving election prophecies for the past few years and regularly predicting possible happenings at his end of year services. Notable is death related prophecies of prominent persons.  Apostle Opoku Nyina on the occasion took the opportunity to ask prophets not to predict winners of an impending election and also  refrain from foretelling the death of people. The two prophets clashed on the platform of the NPP's thanksgiving service held on Sunday where they took turns to speak at the event.  According to him, such prophecies creates tension and retards the growth of the party. He made the remarks whilst delivering a sermon at the NPP nations Thanksgiving service on the theme, Ebenezer, thus how far the lord has helped us. “A true prophet must be neutral of knowledge a

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it will petition the Supreme Court on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, to legally challenge the 2020 Presidential results and Techiman South Parliamentary results. Wednesday, December 30 is the last day of the mandated 21 days given under the country’s electoral laws for any aggrieved party in the election to file a legal challenge. Mr Rockson Nelson Deafeamekpor, a member of the NDC’s legal team, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that “After sleepless nights, we have gone through all the pink sheets and have relevant documents to present to the Court.” Mr Deafemekpor said the Party would seek not more than three reliefs in connection with the “evidence gathered.” “We will go to court. We have made that clear and certainly, by Wednesday, all these matters would be placed before the Court,” he said. Mr Deafeamekpor said the Electoral Commission, the country’s election management body, had, on many occasions, flouted the electoral laws. That, he sa

Taraji P. Henson is opening up about a "dark moment" she endured earlier this year, which led her to contemplate whether she still wanted to live. Speaking on her Facebook Watch series, Peace of Mind with Taraji, the actress said she contemplated taking her own life while discussing mental breakdown with co-host Tracie Jade and licensed psychologist, Dr. LaShonda Green.   She detailed the "dark moment" she faced after the coronavirus pandemic left her feeling withdrawn and isolated.   "During this pandemic, it's been hard on all of us, and I had a moment. I had a dark moment," she recalled. "I was in a dark place. For a couple of days, I couldn't get out of the bed, I didn't care. That's not me. Then, I started having thoughts about ending it. It happened two nights in a row."   Prior to this, Taraji said she had purchased a gun. The actress remembered thinking to herself, "I could go in there right now and just end it all, &

FIFA has canceled men’s U-20 and U-17 World Cup tournaments in 2021 for the novel coronavirus. "As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided to cancel the 2021 editions of the men’s FIFA U-20 World Cup and FIFA U-17 World Cup, and to appoint Indonesia and Peru respectively, who were due to host the tournaments in 2021, as the hosts of the 2023 editions," the world football's governing body said in a statement. So Peru will host the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2023. In the same year, the FIFA U-20 World Cup will be held by Indonesia.

Founder and leader of Asomdwee Ntonton Nkabom Som Nyame Somafo Yaw,  has said Christmas celebration has not been approved by God hence any person that celebrates it is hell-bound.  He argued that the only festival that’s acceptable in the eyes of God is Rabbi Festival and all other festivals like Christmas will only widen people’s path to hell. "It is not only Christmas but other traditional festivals like Akwambo that the people of Gomoa celebrate. Some people also have festivals like Akwesidae but God doesn’t approve of any of these festivals. “So these festivals are celebrated every year but those who celebrate continue to be sick, and their afflictions continue to persist. This is the time that God’s festival has arrived in Ghana and when you come to be part of the Rabbi Festival you’d say that all my problems have gone,” he said.

Television personality Mona Gucci has released a damning audio which could taint the relationship between Shatta Wale and Afia Schwarzenegger. In the said audio, Afia Schwarzenegger is heard saying that Shatta Wale’s drug addiction is overboard. “I was looking at Shatta Wale’s market value but I didn’t know his addiction to cocaine is now overboard,” Afia Schwarzenegger is heard saying. Adding that “Shatta Wale introduced Efia Odo to his Sugar Mummy who owns the South African Wines Shop”. There is a brewing confusion between Mona Gucci and Afia Schwarznegger where their dreaded secrets are been released on social media.

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) is calling for the suspension of this year’s Christmas over fears there could be a spike in the spread of the coronavirus pandemic which has killed more than a million across the globe. “As it’s happening elsewhere, we are pleading with people that Christmas is just a day or few days, so why don’t we suspend it. We have a lot of Christmases ahead of us so if we sacrifice just this one to make sure and ensure we enjoy the rest of our lives in peace or healthy, I think it’s worth it,” the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and a medical practitioner at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo has said.  The medical expert asserted that it would be very helpful for Ghanaians to suspend just one Christmas celebration to save their lives than to die after merrymaking.  He also accused some churches and public facilities for not adhering to the Covid-19  protocols laid down by the President to curb the spread a

Sex offers a lot of benefits outside pleasure, and there are many reasons why having sex is good for your brain, body, and relationship. Bishop Kwabena Boakye Asiamah widely known as Ajagurajah or Chop Bar pastor has advised the youth to be sexually active before they get married. Speaking in an exclusive interview with  Fiifi Pratt  on  Kingdom Plus 101.9FM , the popular man of God said,” It is better to have sex with your partner before marriage in other to know if your partner is great in bed or not.” According to the founder of Universal Spiritual Outreach, having sexual intercourse with your partner before marriage enable partners to detect sexual problems like premature ejaculation, inability to get an erection or even an allergy to your partner’s semen. “Apart from a lady who is a virgin, there is nothing wrong with having sex with your partner before getting married, “he said. “Not everyone is great in bed, and most people don’t start out very good at all” he added. Pastor Ajag

About 34 passengers has escaped death after their VIP bus caught fire and burnt beyond recognition.  The incident occurred around 8:30 am Monday, December 21, 2020 on the Yeji  road in the Bono East Region. The vehicle with registration number GT 4159 caught fire few minutes after some passengers reported to the driver that smoke was coming from the back of the vehicle.  They said they drew the driver’s attention and asked to unpack their belongings but the bus exploded in the spur of the moment. Some of the passengers who spoke in an interview stated that all attempts to quench the fire with an extinguisher on in the bus proved futile. The Pru West Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Frederick Ndela and his team has been to the scene to examine the extent of damage. He tells the press that a call was placed to the Yeji fire service but they did not respond on time and the  damage had already been caused when the Atebubu personnel arrived at the scene. 

US  President-elect Joe Biden received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on Monday in Wilmington, Delaware, telling Americans seconds after getting the shot "there's nothing to worry about." Biden received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at ChristianaCare Hospital. The shot was administered by Tabe Masa, a nurse practitioner and head of employee health services at the hospital. Biden held up his sleeve as he received the shot in his left arm and did not visibly react as he received his jab. Seconds after he received the shot, Biden, wearing a face mask, said his fellow Americans had nothing to fear in receiving the vaccine. "I'm doing this to demonstrate that people should be prepared, when it's available, to take the vaccine," Biden said. "There's nothing to worry about. I'm looking forward to the second shot." Biden also praised President Donald Trump for his administration's efforts in helping accelerate the process of bringing

Ghana international Kevin-Prince Boateng has announced a divorce from his TV presenter wife Melissa Satta after four years of marriage. Boateng, 33, married Melissa, 34, in 2016 but rumours of their separation have been frontpage tabloid news in Italy for over a year. Both of Boateng's marriages have now ended in divorce. His first marriage to Jennifer ended in 2011 and she currently lives in Berlin with his first son Jermaine Prince Boateng. Satta who posed for Sports Illustrated, had in January 2019 hit back strongly after claims the couple were filing for divorce.  Dopo un periodo di separazione, abbiamo deciso di interrompere definitivamente la nostra relazione... https://t.co/Wswv5Z4zmu pic.twitter.com/HTm0Ho829b — Kevin-Prince Boateng (@KPBofficial) December 21, 2020  

Nominations for this year’s Ghana Movie Awards have been announced, with ‘Fix Us’ and ‘Ogbozo’ films leading the pack with eighteen nominations each. The film produced by Yvonne Nelson produced and Ama K Abebrese, and directed by Destiny Omon, have their stories up for the Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Editing and Best cinematography categories in addition to thirteen (13) other categories. Frank Gharbin’s film Heroes of Africa also came through as one of the big films of the award with 16 nominations while Habiba Sinare & Umar Klupp film titled, 18 had 13 nods. Yvonne Nelson, Yvonne Okoro, Alexandra Amon, Habiba Sinare, Jackie Appiah, Jessica William and Emelia Brobbey have also earned nominations in the awards. The rest, Andrew Adote, Umar, Umar Akwasi Boadi, Bernard Adusi Poku, Van Vicker, Adjetey Annan and Prince David Osei also had nominations in Best Actor and Supporting Actor categories. First-time actors like Irene Logan, Mona Montrage, Eric Afr