CHRISTMAS MESSAGES

Wanting to say merry Christmas to your friends, then try these messages for them.

May the beauty of  Xmas decorate your world with its dazzling glory.

And may divine light see you through your darkness.

Merry Xmas and may God bless all your endeavors.

May the XMAS end the present year on a cheerful note.

And make way for a fresh and bright new year..............

Faith makes all things possible, hope makes all things possible, love makes all things beautiful...............

May you have all the three things and more of this festive occasion and the coming year. SAY AMEN

May the meaning of this season be deeper and its hopes brighter as XMAS comes to you this year. MERRY XMAS.

May the birth of Christ come as the birth  of joy, prosperity and every things you have ever wished for. Merry Xmas.

May good things happen to you  in this special season coming.

May the blessings of this season shower  on you and remember that God has a special place for you. Merry Xmas.

Before every person, there is an aspirations to anticipate.

Beside every person is determination to deliver.

May you deliver loads of success this festive occasion.

Wishing you merry Christmas and happy new year, long life and prosperity God blessings and protection for the upcoming year.

! Hope that I am the first person to put a Christmas tree in your home.

If blessing is a raindrop, I have sent you a shower, if hope is a minute, I have sent you an hour, if happiness is a leaf, I have given you a tree.

Have a FUN-FILLED XMAS.

NEW YEAR MESSAGES

Everyday do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.

God works with those who work with will and optimism.

May you be moved from shame to fame, sorry to glory, sad to joy, poor to prosperity: PROSPERITY, JOY, LONG LIFE, FAVOR, BLESSINGS and VICTORY shall be your companion all the days of your life.

May the beauty of 2011 decorate your world with its dazzling beauty,

And may the light of the season see you through the darkest moment.

It’s my prayer and wish that all your dreams and aspirations be fulfilled in JESUS NAME

THE WAIT IS OVER, AND THANK GOD 2011 IS HERE!!

WISHING YOU JOY, HAPPINESS, LOVE AND ABOVE ALL LONG LIFE

Little Angel Trust donate to Korle-bu Children’s block

The Management of Little Angels Trust, (LAT) a charitable organisation in partnership with Nestlé Ghana Limited, at the weekend donated food items to the Children’s Block of Korle-bu Teaching Hospital.
The items included assorted drinks, Christmas toys and six 42- inch television sets.
The organisation also organised a Christmas party for more than the 400 children at the block.
Mrs Lavinia Enim-Amui, Founder of LAT said the organisation had a deep passion for helping children who were terminally ill and help provide avenue for them to refocus their attention on the positive aspects of life.
She said the organisation had established a body called 'Angelhood' which comprised a team of dedicated, committed and passionate volunteers offering their skills, expertise and experiences for the common goal of responding to the needs of sick children to make a difference in their lives.
She said the ultimate goal of LAT was to have a home where special children with their families could find comfort, support, love and the care they needed at no cost to them.
Mrs Enim-Amui said since the six years existence of the organisation it had been able to support some day care centres and the children’s unit of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.
Mr Emman Samson, Patron of LAT said the Trust had adopted and renovated the third floor of the Children's Oncology Cancer Unit of Korle-bu, where most of the children needed extra love, care and support.
Dr Jorna Awo Renner, Paediatrician at the block thanked the organisation for the kind gesture and appealed to other corporate bodies and philanthropists to donate in support of children who are seriously sick.
Source: GNA

THE MEMORIES OF 2010

Hello wonderful people out there as we glide towards the end of the year for the Christmas celebrations, it is my fervent prayer that, God should be with you throughout the festive and even make you see the goodness of next year(2011).

For me i would always thank the Lord for his grace and mercies upon my life. 

Although the year 2010 was full of twist and turns but needless to say, i am very delighted with what the Lord has done for me.

I say this in light of the trauma i experienced at the Korlebu- Teaching Hospital, the mother of all hospitals in Ghana.

I was hospitalized from December 6- 10 of this year after a strange illness. In fact i was an inch close to natures call. Lo and behold when i started praying, singing worship songs a miracle happened.

Even to the extent that doctors likewise the officers on duty were all taken aback. One of the nurses said" Young man there is nothing wrong with you. You must be discharged immediately. You are just wasting time here".

Beloved what has the Lord done for you this year?

I challenge you to remember your memories of 2010 be it good or bad, give all veneration to God Almighty because he alone is the soul architect of your life not an ordinary man.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.

The oil cannot build Ghana, Wisdom will: Mensah Otabil

Pastor Mensah Otabil

The General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church
Pastor Mensah Otabil has said that though oil has been discovered in the country, it is insufficient to build the nation.

Therefore, he emphasised that wisdom from God is what Ghana needs to channell the oil resource for development.

Pastor Otabil was speaking at the Jubilee 1st Oil Thanksgiving Service at the Dome of the Accra International Conference Centre.

It was on the theme: Through Wisdom A House is Built, and by understanding it is established,” a scripture quoted from Proverbs 23:3-6.

Pastor Mensah Otabil noted that though the oil find is in appreciable quantity, it is quite small to create any dramatic change in Ghana’s economic development.

“Oil is good,” he said, “ but it is not the answer to all [our problems]”.

Pastor Otabil, who is also the Chancellor of the Central University College, said since the oil resource cannot by itself provide the needed capital for development, it is incumbent upon the nation’s leaders to commit it to judicious use for the benefit of all the citizenry.

He explained that the revenue can either be invested - which requires that it is put to use for long-term sustained returns - or ingested - spending the revenue anyhow.

Pastor Otabil stated that in the mist of the numerous national demands, it is necessary to prioritise, especially in the education sector due to its crucial significance to development.

“If we continue to provide mediocre education, we will continue to produce mediocre citizens,” he said.

Mr Otabil also touched on the need for all Ghanaians to have a shift in their way of thinking, moving away the archaic way of doing things.

He chided political leaders for their infantile way of tackling issues of national concern with their focus mainly on scoring political points.

“Our politicians behave as if the most important constituency in life is whether the NDC or the NPP wins a debate,” he added.

The man of God also took a swipe at the media for its shallow analysis of developmental issues, insisting that these are not good enough for sustained economic development.

Pastor Otabil reminded the nation’s leaders that good interventions are not good enough but that the choices they make on behalf of the nation is what will make a difference.

“May the God who gave us the oil give us the wisdom to use it wisely,” he concluded.

Thanksgiving service


The thanksgiving service was attended by hundreds of Ghanaians - religious leaders, Christian and youth groups, and key government officials - who, with dancing and waving of handkerchiefs, praised and thanked God for giving Ghana the oil resource.


Singers Kwaku Gyasi, Ohemaa Mercy, and the el Dunamis Minstrels were present to lead the praise.


It was organised by the Jubilee Partners – Anadarko, E.O Group Ghana Ltd, GNPC, Kosmos Energy, Sabre Oil and Gas and Tullow Oil.




Story by Dorcas Efe Mensah/myjoyonline.com/Ghana

President Mills calls for special prayers for Ivory Coast

President J.E.A. Mills 

President John Evans Atta Mills has called on Moslems and Christians in the country to pray for the people of Ivory Coast to compliment the human efforts being made to solve the crisis.

The trouble in Ivory Coast started after last month's run-off election, which the Electoral Commission said Mr Ouattara won by 54% to 46%.

Mr. Outtara's rival, Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede defeat, and the Constitutional Council of that country annulled some results from the north and declared Mr Gbagbo the winner.

In a statement signed by the Minister of Information, John Tia Akolugo, President Mills urged Moslems and Christians all over the country to carry out special prayer and intercession for the people of Ivory Coast between Friday the 17th and Sunday the 19th of December 2010 when they visit their mosques and churches .

The statement said even though the President believes in the use of diplomacy to resolve the crisis in Ghana’s Western neighbours, he trusts in the efficacy of the “role the Almighty can play when we all call on him and ask for His divine intervention”.

The statement further stated that President Mills is of the view that the impasse in Ivory Coast has implications for Ghana and that religious people must offer “special prayers to back the human efforts of our leaders in finding a solution to the political stalemate”.
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On Thursday Alassane Ouattara's backers tried to march on the headquarters of state TV, but clashed with troops loyal to his rival, Laurent Gbagbo, resulting in the death of about 20 people.

The BBC reports that supporters of one of the two rival presidents in Ivory Coast say they intend to take to the streets again.



Story by Derick Romeo Adogla/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

Ghana's Asamoah Gyan is named as 2010 BBC winner

Gyan received the award from his Sunderland manager Steve Bruce

Ghana and Sunderland star Asamoah Gyan has been crowned BBC African Footballer of the Year for 2010.

The Black Stars striker clinched the title with an overwhelming majority - receiving more than half of the vote.

He finished well ahead of fellow Ghanaian Andre 'Dede' Ayew, Ivorians Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon.

"I'm so happy, I can't believe it," he said. "I'm so thankful to all the fans who voted for me."

He added: "It was really hard to win this award, especially because of all the other players I was up against.

"So I'm so appreciative to all my fans in Africa - especially my family and fans in Ghana."

Gyan had a memorable year internationally, leading Ghana to second place at the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, scoring three of the four goals that helped Ghana reach their first final in 18 years.

At the World Cup in South Africa, the 24-year-old grabbed the world's attention as his three goals helped the Black Stars progress from the group and into the quarter-finals.

But he shot to prominence through unfortunate circumstances as his missed penalty against Uruguay with the last kick of the game denied Africa its first semi-final berth.

He then earned widespread praise and went some way to redeeming his error when recovered his composure to score in the shoot-out following a 1-1 draw.

World Cup exit

	Gyan's contrasting fortunes at World Cup

Despite the disappointment of the World Cup exit, the finals boosted his career as he left French side Rennes to become Sunderland's record signing at £13m.

"Asamoah has been a fantastic addition to the Sunderland squad," said Sunderland coach Steve Bruce, who presented Gyan with the African Footballer of the Year trophy.

"As our record signing, he had a lot of expectation placed on his shoulders but he has embraced the club wholeheartedly and has settled in very well.

"He's a strong, quick player and brings something different to the side.

"He has formed positive partnerships with other strikers and he's a real bright spark around the place too - always smiling and happy.

"He has an infectious joy for football, and we are reaping the rewards of that.

"I'm thrilled for Asamoah that he has been awarded this honour, it is thoroughly deserved."

The search for BBC African Footballer of the Year 2010 began on 15 November when fans were given a chance to choose their African football hero from a shortlist selected by experts from each of the continent's 52 countries.

Public voting closed on 10 December 2010 - with votes cast online at bbc.com/africanfootball or via text messages.


Source: BBC

Ghana becomes an oil nation

 Ghana starts production from one of the largest recent oil discoveries in West Africa, transforming it into a significant oil-producer, but raising fears over the associated risks.

While the country, seen as a model of democracy in the region, has been counting its blessings because of the riches the oil will bring, it needs only to look to nearby Nigeria to understand the potential dangers.

In Nigeria and other countries, major oil production and the money that flows with it have been accompanied by widespread corruption and the neglect of other industries.

The oil curse, as some call it, could well take hold in Ghana, reversing development and political gains highlighted when US President Barack Obama visited last year.

But other observers argue that if anybody can handle it in the region, Ghana can, precisely because of the development that has taken place. The country is already a major producer of cocoa and gold.

It has produced oil in the past, but only in very small quantities by industry standards. The recent find has set off intense interest from investors, including from China.

"Ghana has the potential to avoid it, but still has a lot to do to avoid the oil curse," said Emmanuel Kuyole, Africa regional coordinator for Revenue Watch Institute, referring to dangers posed by the sudden wealth.

There is concern however that the country has not adapted its legislation quickly enough to cope with the windfall.

Commercial production comes just three years after the discovery of the oil -- and with proposed laws to regulate the industry still under debate in parliament.

"We ought to have better prepared," said Bright Simons, researcher with the IMANI Center for Policy and Education, a Ghanaian think tank.

"The whole programme seem to have been rushed. The rush does not benefit anybody."

Critics also argue that Ghana does not yet have the infrastructure to tap the gas that comes with crude production.

That means gas flaring will inevitably take place, observers say.

The concerns persist, despite the governnent of President John Atta-Mills having declared a policy of zero tolerance on the practice, which is widely viewed as damaging to the environment.

Kofi Ada, an opposition lawmaker and former energy minister in the previous government of John Kufuor, remains apprehensive.

"We have already seen indications of the resource curse... it frightens me," he said.

The oil was discovered in 2007 by US firm Kosmos and is estimated to contain some 1.8 billion barrels, one of the largest finds in West Africa in recent years. It will be pumped from the Jubilee field in the Atlantic Ocean.

Anglo-Irish firm Tullow, the lead operator for the field, says it will produce about 55, 000 barrels a day within the first few months before more than doubling output to 120, 000 bpd.

That would be a considerable output, even if only a fraction of Nigeria's two million barrels per day.

Alex Vines, head of the Africa programme for London-based think tank Chatham House, said decision-making linked to actual oil production would have to be more technocratic than political.

"The politics should be focused on finding the best use of oil windfall revenues," he said.

Another concern involves regulation, with activists fearing the energy ministry was not up to the task and would rely on the state-owned Ghana National Petroleum Company, which itself is an interested player in the sector.

Ghana will also be keen to avoid the unrest that has plagued Nigeria's main oil-producing region, the Niger Delta, where scores of attacks and kidnappings have occurred in recent years. An illegal oil industry has also thrived there.

Traditional chiefs in Ghana are already calling for 10 percent of oil wealth, in keeping with the royalty tradition in the mining sector in Ghana.

Investment in villages close to the oil fields was crucial if Ghana was to avoid a situation like the one in the Niger Delta, warned Kuyole.

SOURCE: WWW.GHANAWEB.COM

Fifa boss Sepp Blatter sparks Qatar gay controversy

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani accepts the World Cup trophy

Fifa president Sepp Blatter says gay fans travelling to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar should "refrain from any sexual activities".

Gay rights groups have criticised the decision to award the tournament to a country where homosexuality is illegal.

But Blatter, apparently joking, said: "I would say they [gay fans] should refrain from any sexual activities."

On a more serious note, Blatter added: "I'm sure when the World Cup will be in Qatar there will be no problems."

However, former NBA star John Amaechi, who revealed that he was gay in 2007, was highly critical of Blatter's comments.

The Islamic country of Qatar was the surprise winner of the race to host the 2022 World Cup, beating Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States when the 22-man Fifa executive committee voted in their favor in Zurich on 2 December.

If sport can not serve to change society, even temporarily during the duration of an event like the World Cup that invites the world to participate, then it is little more than grown men chasing a ball Former NBA star John Amaechi

Fifa has since come in for criticism after the decision to take the World Cup to the Middle East for the first time.

Concerns were raised about hosting the tournament during the summer months in a country where temperatures can reach 40C to 50 C while current laws mean drinking alcohol in public is forbidden.

Gay groups are also worried about the acceptance of homosexual fans, with the Gay Footballers Supporter's Network  saying at the time of Fifa's decision: "We strongly condemn Fifa's decision and will be leading a LGBT [Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender] boycott of all activities associated with World Cup 2022.

"We do not feel the World Cup should be held in any country that abuses and disregards the basic human rights of LGBT people."

But Blatter does not foresee any difficulties, saying: "You see in the Middle East the opening of this culture, it's another culture because it's another religion, but in football we have no boundaries.

"We open everything to everybody and I think there shall not be any discrimination against any human beings be it on this side or that side, be it left, right or whatever.

"If they want to watch a match somewhere in Qatar 2022, I'm sure they will be admitted to such matches."

Blatter says even if there are problems, there is still plenty of time to sort out any issues.

"I think there is too much concern for a competition that will be done only in 12 years," he added.

"But this gives me the opportunity to say that in Fifa, and this is in the statutes of Fifa, whether it is in politics, whether it is in religion, we don't want racism, and we know what this means, and neither do we want discrimination.

"What we want is just to open this game to everybody and open it to all cultures and this is what we are doing in 2022."

Amaechi was the first NBA star to reveal that he was gay

But Amaechi did not see the funny side of Blatter's "refrain from any sexual activities" comments, telling his official website; "The statements and the position adopted by Sepp Blatter and Fifa regarding LGBT fans who would pay the enormous ticket and travel prices to attend the World Cup in 2022 should have been wholly unacceptable a decade ago.

"Instead, with little more than an afterthought Fifa has endorsed the marginalisation of LGBT people around the world.

"Anything less than a full reversal of his position is unacceptable and if the FA and football and sporting associations around the world fail to acknowledge this insult, they too will be complicit.

"If sport cannot serve to change society, even temporarily during the duration of an event like the World Cup that invites the world to participate, then it is little more than grown men chasing a ball and we should treat it as such."

Blatter, who was visiting South Africa - the hosts of the 2010 tournament, insisted money had no part in taking the competition to new parts of the world.

Russia won the right to host the 2018 competition.

"This is development of football and don't speak about money," said Blatter.

"This has nothing to do with money as it had nothing to [do with it] with Africa.

"It is the development of the game. We have to take to places where it can improve and have a social and cultural impact. And it's what we did here in Africa." 

SOURCE: BBC.COM

SMILE & LAUGH

This was a conversation between a policeman and a taxi driver for plying the road in the night.

Policeman: Why are you alone driving by this time of the night?

Taxi Driver: I have just begun work.

Policeman: Don’t you fear that armed robbers might attack you?

Taxi Driver: NO! I am in the car with God of Abraham, Jacob, God the father, God the Son and God the holy spirit.

Policeman: So you are six in the car!

Taxi Driver: Ah! what is your beef?

Policeman: (calls his friends); Charlie come hear this driver outooooooooooooo.

Taxi Driver: Can I go now?

Policeman: NO! I'm charging you for overloading the car.

MY YEAR OF CROWNINGS

The Book of Psalms chapter 65:11 reads: “You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways with abundance”. NLT BIBLE

Beloved, the above scripture was the sayings of King David proclaiming what God always does for his people as we glide towards the end of the year and beyond.

This year might have seemed terrible for you, but may I have you know that it is not over until it is over.

In the Book according to Habakkuk chapter 2:3 which says: “This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently for it will sure take place. It will not be delayed”. AMEN

Although we are gliding toward the end of the year, it is my fervent prayer that by the end of this year and come next year, the Lord would crown your efforts with His goodness.

And whatever God has loaded into this year, may you  receive a  sporadic delivery of a fundamental portion of grace and prosperity in all your life.

Always remember that your success in life is not in the hands of mankind rather in God. So therefore yearn for positive things and trust in the Lord.

GOD LOVES YOU!