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Making all criminal offences bailable will put pressure on prosecutors – Amaliba

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May 9, 2016

Making all criminal offences bailable will put pressure on prosecutors – Amaliba

A member of the NDC legal team, Abraham Amaliba, has argued the decision by the Supreme Court to make all criminal offences bailable is likely to bring undue pressure on prosecutors and judges.

He fears the development would likely let many criminals go unprosecuted.

Although he lauded lawyer Martin Kpebu for securing that judgment, he thinks more needs to be done to ensure its enforcement.

‘‘I agree it will decongest our prisons but it will also put a huge burden on our prosecutors because it is not staffed with the requisite number of personnel needed and that for me is not the best. What this means is that the state will be under immense pressure to speed up the process for prosecution.

“With this ruling [judgement] we need to ensure that we put in place a system to employ more lawyers else a lot of people will go home unprosecuted’’.

He has further warned criminal minded persons not to rejoice as the judgement is not automatic condition to bail.

‘‘The language of the law says that a court shall refuse to grant bail so there are some offences which were non-bailable but does this mean that it is an automatic condition to be granted bail when you commit an offence? NO. And I want to tell criminal minded persons that they will still have to meet the conditions in 96(6) and 5’’.

The Supreme Court struck out Section 96 (7) of Act 30. This makes the law on non-bailable offences unconstitutional. This means a court that has jurisdiction to try cases such as murder, rape, treason, piracy and defilement has the authority to grant bail.
By Sarah Apenkroh | 3FM | 3news.com

TV3 celebrates mothers

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May 9, 2016

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A mother’s selflessness, immeasurable love and unexplained strength is worth celebrating any day.

For this reason, every year, TV3 celebrates women on mother’s day and this year was no exception. As expected, our lovely mothers showed up in their numbers. It was all fun and laughter as they danced till they could dance no more.

There was more than enough to eat and drink, as well as presents for everyone.

The fabulous songstress Kakie was there to grace the occasion

Grandma boogieing on the dance floor

A mother enjoying a makeover

By: Ayerkie Narnor

Late Edition

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May 8, 2016

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This program relaxes you as it gently drives you home.

ANIGYƐ MMRƐ

Cartoon

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May 8, 2016

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This is a beautiful combination of music, movies, fashion, celebrity gossip and trending issues.

EL is VGMA Artiste of the Year

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May 8, 2016

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Hiplife artiste EL has been crowned Artiste of the Year at the 2016 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), capping a night he scooped four other awards.

Born Elom Adabla, the sleek rapper also received the gong for the Hiplife/Hiphop Artiste of the Year at an awards night at the Accra International Conference Center (AICC).

The night also saw Bisa K Dei also taking home three awards.

After receiving the ultimate award, the rapper-cum-sound engineer urged aspiring musicians not to relent in their efforts and, more importantly, take their education seriously.

“Educate yourself and make your dream come true,” he said.

Among award winners on the night included former heavyweights Sarkodie, Stonebwoy and VVIP, who were decorated with Best Collaboration and Best Group awards.

Highlife legend Alfred Benjamin (AB) Crentsil also went home with a GH¢5,000 cash prize for the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Full List of Award Winners Below:

Best Music for Development – Gasmilla

Sound Engineer of the Year – Kaywa

Afropop Song of the Year – EL

Gospel Song of the Year – Aporsor by Nicholas Omane Acheampong

Hiplife Song of the Year – Y3 W) krom by Atom

Hip Hop Song of the Year – Hand To Mouth by Sarkodie

Reggae Song of the Year – Go Higherr by Stonebwoy

Songwriter of the Year – Susuka by Kofi Kinaata

Highlife Song of the Year – Mansa by Bisa K Dei

Gospel Artiste of the Year – SP Kofi Sarpong

Highlife Artiste of the Year – Bisa K Dei

Hiplife/Hiphop Artiste of the Year – EL

Reggae Artiste of the Year – Stonebwoy

Best Female Vocalist – MzVee

Best Male Vocalist – Pat Thomas

Best Rapper – Sarkodie

Best Collaboration – VVIP

Best Group – VVIP

Best Producer – Mi Naa Bo Po by EL

Best Video – Shelele by EL

African Artiste of the Year – Wizkid

Record of the Year – Bra by Sarkodie ft. Pat Thomas

Best New Artiste – Kofi Kinaata

Ghana’s growth record hailed amidst concerns over widening inequality

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May 8, 2016

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Ghana’s growth record hailed amidst concerns over widening inequality

Ghana has seen consistent positive economic growth and substantial social transformation over 30 years, says Professor Andy Mckay, Economics Department of University of Sussex, UK, but raised concerns over growing inequality.

He said poverty reduction in the country has been driven by high Gross Domestic Product growth rate buoyed by improved government development expenditure, debt relief and increased foreign investment outlays.

Ghana showed impressive economic growth over the years and was the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to meet the millennium development goal one target of halving extreme poverty, Professor Mckay said at a lecture organised by UNICEF on the topic: “poverty and inequality in Ghana over 20 years”.

“It was the first country in Sub Saharan Africa to produce poverty profile based on living conditions, one of the first countries in Africa to conduct demographic and health survey in 1988 and the second country to conduct modern household living conditions survey,” he said.

“Impressive overall progress in nearly all non-monetary measures of deprivation, big improvements in education, in part due to policy initiatives, health outcomes much better – access to services, nutrition and immunization.”

However, he said, disparities still existed and concerns raised about quality of services with poverty also being quite endemic in northern Ghana while income differentials continue to swell between urban and rural communities as well as the rich the poor.

Professor Mckay said child poverty was higher than the overall poverty and was also greater among farming household than any other group, he said, adding “rising inequality is a major concern.”

“We estimate that in Ghana a child is almost 40 percent more likely to live in poverty than an adult,” he said.

“This inequality has risen substantially from the 1990s when children were only 15 percent more likely to be poor than adults.”

He wondered whether it is “always the question of extent to which growth translates into better living conditions for ordinary people…so they feel growth in their pockets.”

The professor noted that if inequality increased alongside economic growth there would be less poverty reduction.

Ghana has experienced steadily increasing growth of over seven percent per year since 2005 and its per capita growth has remained relatively high following the attainment of middle income country status in 2010 and discovery of offshore oil reserves.

Despite the growth recorded, inequality has been increasing in the country and poverty remains prevalent in many areas.

Source: GNA

Albert Adomah’s Middlesbrough promoted to Premier League

Sports

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May 8, 2016

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Albert Adomah’s Middlesbrough promoted to Premier League

Middlesbrough ended their seven-year Premier League absence by drawing a tense and nervy Championship promotion decider against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Riverside.

Both sides began the game knowing that victory would see them join champions Burnley in the top flight next season, though a draw was enough for Boro to pip the Seagulls to second place on goal difference.

Cristhian Stuani’s goal, from Gaston Ramirez’s superb free-kick and David Nugent’s touch across, put the hosts on their way in the first half.

Another free-kick led to Dale Stephens’ equaliser, heading across goal at the back post after Brighton had begun the second period in full flow.

But Stephens was then dismissed for a foul on Ramirez – and Boro made the man advantage count to retain the scoreline for the rest of the game, including eight minutes of added time.

There was no end-of-season sunshine for the packed crowd at the Riverside, as a chilly, murky day greeted the two teams at kick-off – thank goodness then for the red-hot atmosphere in the ground.

Boro struck through Stuani and then soaked up Brighton’s attempts and threatened on the break, with Uruguay international Ramirez hugely influential before he was withdrawn on a stretcher with a serious-looking leg injury.

Stuani, a compatriot of the Southampton loanee, could have had a hat-trick but saw a half-volley deflected over the top and then wasted a fine chance.

The Seagulls showed glimpses of their threat in the opening 45 minutes but playmaker Beram Kayal was kept quiet and their forward line was well marshalled, in particular by Daniel Ayala.

The visitors emerged with more potency after the break and Stephens’ header gave them hope, before the midfielder was then sent off for a fierce tackle on Ramirez just four minutes later.

Boro lacked composure without their playmaker and Brighton, desperate for a goal, created spells of pressure but again Ayala, Ben Gibson and George Friend made big interventions.

Albert Adomah struck his point-blank shot at David Stockdale as Boro sought the goal to make sure, but it did not matter in the end as the whistle blew to spark scenes of celebration and relief at the end of a sapping, absorbing game.

BBC

Over 1000 people displaced, houses destroyed in rainstorm

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May 8, 2016

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Over 1000 people displaced, houses destroyed in rainstorm

About 100 houses were destroyed in a rain storm in three communities on Saturday, May 7 in Savelugu Municipality in Northern Region.

About 1000 people were rendered homeless and now staying with relatives and friends. Seven people sustained various degrees of injuries including two people who had fractures on their legs and one had a fracture on the arms.

The injured were sent to hospital for medical treatment. The communities are Kanshegu, Nyoglo and Balshie. Affected buildings include the palace at Kanshegu chief, two school buildings, houses and private buildings.

Speaking to NADMO officer at the scene, the principal disaster control officer of the Municipality, Haruna Musah said they could not immediately assist the victims with any material saying that “we are handicapped and have virtually nothing in stock.

He said he would contact the Regional officer “to come to their assistance but we cannot do anything.

The headmaster of Kanshegu Arabic and English school, Sanyare Paul said the disaster will affect academic performances of the school pointing out that schools will resume for the third term next Tuesday.

He appealed to the Assembly, NGOs, NADMO to come to their assistance “as a matter of urgency to roof the school”. He said the school will have to observe lessons under trees and caution teachers of the school not to take advantage of the problem to either stay at their homes or report late to school.

The rain storm started on Friday night and caused the havoc. One of the victims who had fracture on his thigh Abdulai Iddrisu told TV3 at Balshe that he used his ” strength to prevent the collapse of my room in order to save my children but unfortunately the building collapsed on one of them and he also had a fracture on the leg”.

Mr. Iddrisu said the rest of the families were safe “except that we lost our personal property and part of the house.”

AME Zion Primary at Nyoglo also had its building riff off. The Head teacher of the school, Alidu seidu lamented the school has no trees for pupils and teachers to use when school resumes next Tuesday and said he would consult the PTA for the necessary steps to be taken in the interim

Some of the victims were salvaging their property at the time TV3 got there.

By Zackaria Abdul Kadiri|3news.com|Ghana

Celebrate ‘Mother’s Day’ everyday – First Lady urges

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May 8, 2016

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Celebrate ‘Mother’s Day’ everyday – First Lady urges

First Lady Lordina Mahama has charged all and sundry to celebrate Mother’s Day everyday considering the enormous role mothers play in our lives and in the country.

According to Mrs. Lordina Mahama, “I have travelled the length and breadth of this country and I have come to appreciate the critical role our Mothers play, just to ensure our wellbeing. The best we can do for them, as children and society, is to celebrate this day everyday.”

She further reiterated the need to end child marriages which has been an albatross around the necks of many an African country.

In her Mother’s Day message, the First Lady used the opportunity to advice mothers “to collectively prioritise immunisation as a key intervention to reduce child mortality.”

Below is the full statement from the First Ladyof Ghana, Lordina Mahama on Mother’s Day.

STATEMENT FROM THE FIRST LADY OF GHANA ON MOTHER’S DAY 2016

There are many special days on the calendar to commemorate unique occasions, but one that is universally acclaimed as truly worthy of celebration is MOTHER’S DAY!

Everyday, mothers play the pivotal role of raising and moulding their children. Mothers also unite families and communities to help build a bright and better future for their children.

I wish on this occasion to salute all mothers for the unconditional love, unlimited patience, forgiveness and selflessness they continue to show to their children and families.

Through the work of the Lordina Foundation, I have travelled the length and breadth of this country and I have come to appreciate the critical role our Mothers play, just to ensure our wellbeing. The best we can do for them, as children and society, is to celebrate this day everyday.

Indeed, Mothers are God’s gift to mankind and today, much of Ghana’s progress is, in no small way, due to the contribution of Mothers to the family, to the community and to the nation.

I ask God to bless all Mothers this day and always.

As we organise events and ceremonies to celebrate them, let us also remember their role in saving dysfunctional families, broken homes and bitter marriages. Thanking them is inadequate for the sacrifices they make every day.

On this occasion of Mothers Day 2016, I wish to encourage Mothers, especially in Ghana and Africa, to participate in the Annual Vaccination Week by ensuring that infants and children receive the requisite free vaccination. We need to collectively prioritise immunisation as a key intervention to reduce child mortality.

As President of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV & AIDS (OAFLA), and together with my colleague First Ladies, we have joined hands to strive to achieve our common vision of “making Africa a continent free from HIV and AIDS, Maternal and Child Mortality, and a place where women and girls are empowered to enjoy equal rights and opportunities.”

We are working to guarantee access and investments in life-saving vaccines for Africa’s mothers, new-borns, children and adolescents.

During the recent 7th Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights in Accra, my husband, President John Dramani Mahama launched the ‘Ending Child Marriage’ Campaign.

As a mother, the practice of child marriage breaks my heart and so must it be to all Mothers. It also negatively affects the future of thousands of young girls across Ghana and beyond.

I urge all Mothers to support the ‘End Child Marriage’ Campaign and join forces with Governments to end child marriage. Keep your children in school and allow them to climb the educational ladder rather than marrying them off.

Finally, I wish to entreat our Working Mothers not to abandon the long cherished traditional role of providing services and care for the family at all times despite the challenges that confront the working woman.

Let’s #Endchildmarriage

H.E. Dr. Nana Lordina Dramani Mahama, First Lady of the Republic of Ghana &

President of the Lordina Foundation

May 07, 2016

By Martin Asiedu-Dartey|3news.com|Ghana
Twitter: @Newsymartin

Gov’t to cut jobs in 2017 as part of IMF conditionalities – Bawumia

Politics

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May 8, 2016

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Gov’t to cut jobs in 2017 as part of IMF conditionalities – Bawumia

Government has submitted a document to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on plans to lay off some public sector workers from 2017, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has disclosed.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia said the document was submitted last December.

“To worsen matters, government has placed a ban on public sector employment and it appears things will worsen come next year when the government rolls out its agreement with the IMF to lay off workers,” Dr Bawumia said at a lecture at Accra Polytechnic last Thursday, May 5.

“The government in typical fashion has denied this but it is true. Just in December 2015 the government presented a plan to the IMF for the rationalization of civil servants beginning in 2017.”

Suggesting that his claims may be denied, Dr Bawumia challenged government to make the document public.

“I am asking the government in the interest of transparency to make this document public. The IMF is not more important than Ghanaians in the discourse on this matter. If the government has nothing to hide, it should make the document public.”

Dr Bawumia also challenged the country’s debt figures as put out by President John Dramani Mahama in a recent interview.

According to the former Deputy Central Bank Governor, Ghana’s debt stock has exceeded GH¢100 million.

“You have the President quoting different debt figures from his Ministers of Finance and all of them are wrong! The incompetence of this government is just mindboggling! Ghana’s debt stock at the end of March 2016 is now projected to be around GH¢111 billion! Quite frankly the quantum of borrowing that has been undertaken by this government in the last seven years is nothing short of reckless and has a direct bearing on the high unemployment in the country.”

He explained that government has been engaged in propaganda with the figures.

“What amazes us is how members of the government who were in possession of the data could come out to mislead the people of Ghana. How could someone like me who did not have all the data do a better projection than members of the government who had the actual data? I keep saying you cannot do propaganda with the economy but sadly this government is yet to learn.”

By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana

EC’s Voter Registration exercise ends today

Politics

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May 8, 2016

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EC’s Voter Registration exercise ends today

Sunday May 8 is the last day of the Electoral Commissions’ Voter registration exercise which is aimed at registering first time voters across the country.

The exercise which began on Thursday April 28 had some challenges throughout the period, ranging from lack of inadequate registration centers and poor public education of how the exercise is to be conducted.

Some registration centers also recorded acts of violence which left some people severely injured. These were as a result of party officials who challenged the age, nationality or eligibility of persons who had turned up to register.

The voters’ registration exercise was for persons who have now turned 18 years and willing to vote in the upcoming elections later in November 2016.

Persons who were 18 years and above but could not register prior to the 2012 elections were also encouraged register.

The beginning of the exercise recorded very low turnout at most polling centers and picked up later as the exercise went on.

One major challenge however was at the various university campuses where the turnout overwhelmed the registration officials who came to register the illegible students.

The student leaders asked the commission to either bring in more officials to help capture more students before the deadline or extend the closing date.

Officials of the commission acknowledged the shortfall and indicated that immediate action would be taken with regard to the concern but could not give specific timelines and what would be done to register as many students as possible.

Some politicians have described the situation on the campuses as an act that could “disenfranchise” many ahead of the polls.

By Martin Asiedu-Dartey|3news.com|Ghana
Twitter: @NewsyMartin

Teacher trainee allowances ‘swapped’ for good reasons – Mahama

Education

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May 8, 2016

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Teacher trainee allowances ‘swapped’ for good reasons – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has clarified that allowances for training teachers were not scrapped as being put out in the public sphere but were rather swapped for a better scheme.

He said they were swapped for very good reasons.

Speaking at University of Education, Winneba (UEW) on the last leg of his ‘Accounting to the People Tour’ of the Central Region on Friday, May 6, the president said: “Government swapped the allowances that used to be paid to teacher trainees to give way to more eligible students who didn’t have admissions to the teacher training colleges”.

The scheme was resisted by teacher trainees after government announced its decision.

President Mahama says over 7,000 apply for student loans currently.

He said the policy was part of government plans to expand education in the country in order for more children to get to schools.

He assured authorities at UEW of equal share of the national educational infrastructure.

In a speech read on his behalf, Vice Chancellor of UEW Professor Mawutor Avoke lamented the inadequate hostel facilities for students on campus.

He said though about 53,000 students have been enrolled across the country only 17 per cent have accommodation on campus.

President Mahama therefore pledged government support to increase accommodation for students.

Source: 3news.com|Ghana

Easy Stream

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Louisa Twum-Baah

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May 7, 2016

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Join me on the best entertainment shows ever.

ONUA SPORTS

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May 7, 2016

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Join the pair, winter and papin as they walk you through the world of sports.

Sadiq Khan sworn in as new London mayor

World

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May 7, 2016

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Newly-elected London mayor Sadiq Khan has been formally signed in to the role at a Southwark Cathedral ceremony.

Mr Khan said: “I’m determined to lead the most transparent, engaged and accessible administration… and to represent every single community, and every single part of our city, as mayor for all Londoners.”

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband and Baroness Doreen Lawrence were present.

Mr Khan received a standing ovation as he walked in to the hall.

Dean of Southwark Andrew Nunn told the congregation the new mayor’s victory brought a “carnival atmosphere” to the sacred building.
Mr Khan has said he will stand down as Labour MP for Tooting.

Earlier, Labour MP for Tottenham, David Lammy, said the first Muslim mayor of any capital city in the EU could pave the way for a “prime minister of colour”.
Having won 1,310,143 votes, Mr Khan received the largest personal mandate of any politician in UK history.

The son of a London bus driver who grew up in the capital, he is the third person to become the mayor of London after fellow Labour politician Ken Livingstone and Conservative Boris Johnson.

At the ceremony, Mr Khan said he was “truly humbled”
Signing in as the mayor of London, he was greeted with cheers as he said: “My name is Sadiq Khan and I’m the mayor of London.”

He evoked laughter by saying: “Some of you may not know this, but I grew up on a council estate, just a few miles from here.

“Back then, I never dreamt that I could be standing here as the mayor of London.

“I’m only here today because of the opportunities and helping hand that our city gave to me and my family.

“And my burning ambition for our city, that will guide my mayoralty, is to ensure that all Londoners get the opportunities that our city gave to me.

“I want to start my mayoralty as I intend to go on. I’m determined to lead the most transparent, engaged and accessible administration London has ever seen, and to represent every single community, and every single part of our city, as mayor for all Londoners.”

Campaigner Baroness Lawrence, mother of murdered black teenager Stephen, said: “I never imagined in my lifetime I could have a mayor of London from an ethnic minority.”

Earlier, describing the human-rights lawyer, Mr Lammy said: “If we ever get a prime minister of colour it will be because of what Sadiq Khan has achieved.”

Source: BBC