Council for Afrika hails peoples' power in Egypt

The Council for Afrika International, a think-tank based in the UK, has congratulated Egyptians for bringing to an end the 30-year rule of Hosni Mubarak through people's power.

"In particular, we make special mention of the hundreds of unarmed youth, women, children, the elderly, who combined with armed troops in unity to avail themselves of an historic opportunity for freedom in Egypt," says a statement signed by Dr Koku Adomdza, President of the council and copied to the Ghana News Agency.

"Pressuring a President out of power and leaving the entire political machinery largely intact appear to be a step in the right direction," it said.

The council wished the Egyptian people a smooth transition to nothing less than an enhanced democratic dispensation that consists of political, economics and human rights.

"At the same time, our hearts go out to the bereaved families who lost loved ones and whose lives would never be the same again as a result of the void created.

"The uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt at the beginning of the second decade of the 21st Century, justify our campaign over the past two years that the causes of instability on the African Continent is awareness through increasing suffering, abject poverty, the widening gap between rich and poor, lack of corporate governance where political office is misunderstood to mean an opportunity to get rich through corruption, increasing unemployment… mass graduate unemployment, the victims of whom are equipped and empowered by technology - social networking sites which are outside the control of repressive governments.

"The Council for Afrika International has cautioned repeatedly that Africans in Leadership still had it in their power to embrace the reality of an enhanced democracy, beyond the cyclical term-time cosmetic electoral politics and rule of law, without proportionate inclusive economic participation.

"It is critical for global stability, that political democracy transforms rapidly into economic democracy where the national commonwealth is ethically distributed so as to manifest meaningful citizenship rights - through the eradication of poverty.

"This is a mission unaccomplished of the post-colonial era and must be attained after some 50 years of political independence," the statement said.

The council said it was clear that there were common problems that beset not only African Countries, the Middle East or the Global South, but the whole world, consequent to the global economic recession.

"Given the enlightenment of global citizens through the power of technology, the spotlight is now firmly on the ruling elite to ensure that poverty, unemployment, corruption and old school parochial democracy, swiftly give way to sustainable, tangible prosperity for all citizens as a matter of principle and practice.

"This is the sure paradigm for stability. Anything less portends a recipe for self-inflicted tension, instability, protests, uprisings and a radicalising probability for the triumph of people power, as a consequence of the slowness of officialdom to respond to the new reality of the 21st Century.

"Leadership mindset change in understanding, vision, mission, purpose and responsibility of public service to the electorate has become imperative for stability in this century," the council said.



Source: GNA

Japan's economy slips to third in world

Chinese premier, Hu Jintao

Japan has slipped to the world's third largest economy, falling behind the blistering speed of China's manufacturing growth, according to Japanese figures released Monday.

Japan's cabinet office released its nominal gross domestic product figures for 2010. Japan's economy was valued at US $5.4742 trillion dollars while China was at US $5.8786 trillion.

Japan's economy did grow in 2010, but only 3.9%, according to the government. China's is expected to grow more than 10%. At the speed China is growing, Japan's government predicts China will overtake the United States as the world's largest economy in less than 20 years.

China has expanded domestic industries and infrastructure, driven by a surge in exports. Multinational corporations have expanded in China, taking advantage of low labor costs.

Japan, meanwhile, has been stuck in stagnation and deflation for two decades. Decisive economic policy has been lost in the revolving door of the country's top leader, with Japan seeing six prime ministers in just five years. Looking ahead, Japan is facing a demographic tsunami, with the world's fastest aging population and one of the globe's lowest birth rates.

On the national debt issue, Japan's parliament is struggling to cap its GDP-to-debt ratio, which is nearing 200% -- the world's highest among developed nations.

The size of an economy does not tell the entire picture: Japan's GDP per head is around $40,000 while China's is $4,500. The standards of living remain remarkably different in the two countries. But the economic size of a country gives a snapshot of not just the financial influence of a nation, but its power in the world's political sphere.



Source: CNN

Big buttocks girl dies from cosmetic surgery

A British-born wannabe hip-hop star, Claudia Aderotimi has died after an illegal cosmetic procedure to enhance her buttocks went tragically wrong.

The 20-year-old London-born who is believed to be half Ghanaian and half Nigerian, also called Claudia Adusei and Claudia James, died of heart attack after flying to Philadelphia, USA for the operation, which would give her a larger and shapelier bottom from silicone jabs to increase the size and curve of her buttocks.

A resident of Hackney, East London, Claudia suffered chest pains after the injections and died in hospital. US cops are investigating the matter.

Claudia was desperate to transform her image with cosmetic surgery so she could appear in music videos.

The 'operation' took place at a low-cost hotel in Philadelphia, where she was injected with industrial silicone (which is normally used as a sealant in buildings), rather than the medical grade silicone used in enhancement surgeries.

Doctors believe this triggered chest pains and a heart attack that led to her death because it was accidentally injected directly into a vein.

A preliminary examination found the silicone filler had leaked into her bloodstream, leading to heart failure.

Ms Adusei had travelled with three of her friends, one of whom was supposed to have a hip enhancement surgery using the same technique to make her hips look juicier.

According to British news reports, Ms Adusei had a similar procedure in the hotel last November and was returning for a "top-up" injection. The female 'surgeon' who performed the procedure disappeared after the victim began complaining of chest pains.

She was rushed to a hospital in Philadelphia, where she unfortunately died.

Friends revealed her confidence had dipped after she was dropped from a previous promo because her buttocks, were too flat.

But the $2,000 procedure, carried out in a $100-a-night Philadelphia hotel, ended in disaster when Claudia suffered agonising chest pains and died.

Talent scout, Tee Ali, who met the university student when she filmed a video, told The Sun: "She was a dancer and choreographer.

"The problem was she didn't have no butt, and she wanted a butt.

"She went to audition for one video shoot wearing fake booty pants and she got all the attention.

"But when they found out it was fake she didn't get asked back."

He described her as 'a victim' of social pressure to be perfect and thought a larger bottom would make her famous.

The Thames Valley University student developed chest pains and struggled for breath 12 hours after she had the illegal silicone injections at a budget hotel.

Police said she and her pals checked into the cheap Philadelphia hotel to have the illegal procedure.

But almost 12 hours after receiving the injections in her rear she began complaining of chest pains and was rushed to hospital, where she died at 1.32am on Tuesday.

Toomi said: "She said she was going to the US but didn't say why - we thought it was a holiday."

The hotel manager Jason Britton said staff had no idea ops (operation) were being performed there. He said: "We're co-operating with the authorities."

One of the UK's top plastic surgeons said Claudia's procedure was illegal and like "Russian roulette".


Source: Daily Guide

Eat grapes, lose weight?

Remember resveratrol, the well-known antioxidant that's found inside the skins of grapes (red grapes in particular) and various other plants? It caught researchers' attention a while ago when they discovered it was also an anti-inflammatory substance that perhaps could lower the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Well, now a new report out of the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, says that resveratrol might also help us manage our weight. The study was published in the January 7 Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Another hero: adiponectin

The Texas researchers think that resveratrol helps with weight management because it stimulates another winning substance called adiponectin, a hormone found in the cells that make and store fat. Adiponectin helps us manage our weight by fighting insulin resistance, a scary syndrome that can lead not only to extra pounds but also to diabetes.

Some good dietary sources of resveratrol

* Red/purple grapes. Resveratrol is indeed found in grape skins, but do keep a tally of how many of these little fruits you eat. A single serving, which consists of 15 medium, 10 large, or 20 small grapes, provides about 60 calories and 15 grams of carbohydrate.

* Berries. Cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries (especially the strawberry's seeds!) provide smaller amounts of resveratrol.

* Peanuts also contain resveratrol, but again they're loaded with calories, so keep portions to about 1/4 cup per day.

And proceed with caution…

Please don't start drinking a lot of red wine because it happens to be an excellent source of resveratrol. Alcohol not only packs plenty of calories but it can increase your risk for certain cancers and other health issues. Experts now agree that a woman should drink no more than 1 glass of wine per day and a man no more than 2.

If red and purple grapes can furnish a healthy dose of resveratrol, can grape juice do the same? Not really. The juice is high in calories and is missing the fiber of grapes, so whenever possible go with the fruit over the juice.

People are now peddling resveratrol supplements, too (of course)

You might see resveratrol supplements advertised on the Internet, but watch out: These pills aren't regulated by the FDA. Besides not knowing exactly what you'll be getting when you buy unregulated products over the Internet, you also have to keep in mind that researchers don't know if resveratrol, even if it's pure, is any good for us if taken in pill form.

And one last caveat

Resveratrol supplements can thin the blood, especially dangerous to those already taking a prescription blood-thinning agent. The moral: Talk with your doctor if you're thinking about taking a resveratrol supplement.

Source: Margaret Furtado, M.S., R.D./Yahoo

President Mills calls on Ethiopian President Girma in Addis Ababa

President J.E. A Mills

President John Evans Atta Mills on Monday affirmed the commitment of Ghana to strengthen her relations with sister African nations to propel the development of the Continent.

He reiterated that the things that united countries on the Continent were more than those that divided them, and stressed more co-operation among African nations to fast-track the continent's development to become a showpiece to the world.

President Mills made the call when he called on Ethiopian President Wolde Giorgis Girma, on the sidelines of the 16th ordinary session of the African Union (AU) underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

"We want to strengthen our co-operation as African brothers and sisters, so that at the end of the day, we'll be able to show to the world that our partnership has produced some good results," President Mills said.

He said Ghana cherished her relations with Ethiopia, and traced
the bonds of friendship between Accra and Addis Ababa in the African liberation struggle, remembering Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Emperor Haile Selassie and the other founding fathers of the erstwhile Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor of the present AU, for their initiatives for continental unity.

President Mills described Ethiopia as an appropriate place for the leaders to meet and discuss the values to be shared to accelerate the
Continent's progress.

He expressed appreciation to the Government and People of Ethiopia for the hospitality accorded him and the Ghanaian delegation.

President Mills also expressed gratitude for the facilities put at the disposal of the delegation.

President Girma recalled the ideals of the founding fathers of the African Union, and eulogised Kwame Nkrumah for the Pan Africanist cause which laid a strong foundation for African unity.


Source: GNA

Old technology finds role in Egyptian protests

Fax machines, ham radio and dial-up modems are helping to avoid the net block imposed on Egypt.

On 27 January, Egypt fell off the internet as virtually all international connections were cut following an order from the government.

But older technologies proved their worth as net activists and protesters used them to get round the block.

Protesters are also circulating information about how to avoid communication controls inside Egypt.

Call charge

Dial-up modems are one of the most popular routes for Egyptians to get back online. Long lists of international numbers that connect to dial-up modems are circulating in Egypt thanks to net activists We Re-Build, Telecomix and others.

Dial-up numbers featured heavily in Twitter messages tagged with hashes related to the protests such as #egypt and #jan25.

ISPs in France, the US, Sweden, Spain and many other nations have set up pools of modems that will accept international calls to get information to and from protesters. Many have waived fees to make it easier for people to connect.

Few domestic lines in Egypt can call internationally to get at the modems, however. The Manalaa blog gave advice about how to use dial-up using a mobile, bluetooth and a laptop. It noted that the cost of international calls could be "pricey" but said it was good enough for "urgent communication". The advice was posted to many blogs, copied and sent out by many others.

We Re-Build, which campaigns for unmonitored internet access around Europe, said it was also listening on some ham radio frequencies and would relay any messages it received either by voice or morse code.

Fax machines were also drafted in by online activists and others who wanted to contact people inside Egypt and pass on information about how to restore net access.

The group of internet activists known as Anonymous was also using faxes to get information to students at several schools in the country. Anonymous activists have been faxing copies of cables from Wikileaks relating to Egypt in the hope that the information they contain about the Mubarak regime will be more widely distributed. It is not clear how much impact this is having, however.
Internal aid

While most net connections with Egypt have been cut, Egyptian ISP Noor seemed to stay online largely because it connects the country's Stock Exchange and many Western companies to the outside world.

Reports from Cairo suggest that many people and businesses who are signed up to Noor have removed the passwords from their wi-fi routers so others can piggy-back on their connection.

Elsewhere, a crowd-sourced document entitled 20 Ways to Circumvent the Egyptians Governments' Internet Block has compiled the best ways for Egyptians to keep communicating.

Some Egyptians reported that they could get at websites such as Google, Twitter and Facebook by using the numeric addresses for the sites rather than the English language name.

Mobile networks were not free of official interference. On Friday Vodafone Egypt said it, and all other operators, had been ordered to shut down services in some areas.

To get around this blockade, protesters circulated alternative message centre numbers throughout the weekend. Using these has allowed some locals to continue texting and using services such as Twitter.

Many people reported that they could avoid the block on Twitter by using a third-party updating program, rather than the official website, to receive and send messages.


Source: BBC

Nacy will win producer of the year – Ohemaa Mercy

Ohemaa Mercy

Gospel musician Ohemaa Mercy has thrown her weight behind renowned sound engineer Nana Kwaku Osei (Nacy) endorsing him as the one to win the Producer of the year at this year’s Ghana Music Awards.


Speaking to Hitz Entertainment News, the gospel queen who herself won Gospel Artist of the year at last year’s edition said considering the songs produced during the calendar year of the awards, Nacy played a major role in them.


“Looking at all the songs, works and the kind of rhythms Nacy has produced so far, I think he deserves it. When you put your radio on today, I think about 80% is all about Nacy so I think Nacy deserves it.”


Ohemaa Mercy was very optimistic to the point that it will be unfair if the engineer is not awarded that title this year. “[Then]I think there is some foul play somewhere,” she said.


She however disclosed that she will be embarking on several international tours including trips to London, Canada and the United States.


She said the London tour which takes place in March 2011 will enable her touch base with the African community in London.


The next stop of the trip will take her to Canada in May 22, where she will organize a special outreach program, Break Free Praise Tour Concert, and a concert for the community there to help fight the increasing rate of blacks going to prison in that country.


It will also be used to raise awareness of imprisoned black youth and young adults and encourage black youth to be leaders for justice and development in their communities.


That concert will also feature Kweku Gyesi who will team up Canadian Gospel sensations such as Ike Wilson, Monica Boakye-Agyemang and Veronica Gyimah.


“We are going to do a program for the black community in Canada… when we went there last year; we realized that most of the youths are in jail because they have been convicted of various crimes.”


The tour will also take her to the US.






Story by Ernest Dela Aglanu/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

KNUST VC calls for academic discipline among students

Professor Otoo Ellis, Vice Chancellor, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has reminded students to be disciplined, saying without that it would be difficult to achieve academic success.

He said they should refuse to have anything doing with violent acts, drugs, alcohol and other socially reprehensible lifestyles.

Prof Ellis was speaking at the launch of the 50th anniversary and third speech and prize-giving day of the KNUST Senior High School (SHS) in Kumasi.

“KNUST SHS 50 years of discipline and steady academic progression”, is the theme for the anniversary.

The Vice Chancellor said it was refreshing that since its establishment in year 1961, the school had never experienced any acts of students’ demonstration or vandalism.

The enviable record, he advised, should be maintained.

Prof Ellis gave the assurance that despite the constraints facing the University, they would continue to provide adequate architectural and engineering support to develop the school’s infrastructure.

Mr Samuel Sarpong, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, said the Assembly had successfully completed a-six-unit classroom block for the school.

Investment in the human resource, he said, was a top priority of the Government and for that matter everything would be done to create the right conditions for effective academic work.

Mrs Joyce Owusu-Ansah, the Headmistress, said they were grateful to the Government for constructing a classroom, boys’ dormitory and bungalow for the school.


Source: GNA

AngloGoldAshanti wins "2011 Public Eye Award"

AngloGoldAshanti, second largest gold producer, has won the "2011 Public Eye Award" for being the most irresponsible company in the world. The award was conferred by Greenpeace and the Swiss-based Berne Declaration (BD), organisers of the 2011-Edition.


WACAM, a Ghanaian human rights and mining advocacy nongovernmental organisation (NGO), nominated AngloGoldAshanti. The award ceremony was held on Friday January 28, 2011 on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum - meeting of top business and political leaders in the Swiss ski resort of Davos.


A citation accompanying the award said; "our Global Award winner for 2011, AngloGold/Ashanti, the South African company's gold mining operation in Ghana contaminates soil and poisons people.


"To extract 30 kg (66 lb) of gold, 6,000 tons of rock are mined every day, then ground up and mixed with cyanide in tanks. The highly-toxic mining waste is kept in large storage ponds that contaminate rivers and wells, as well as all those who (must) drink from them.


"What was once arable land is today contaminated and can no longer be farmed. In addition, in the company's own guard houses, several "suspicious individuals" have been tortured, and dogs were set on people; these acts resulted in a number of fatalities. In a recent industry comparison, the Ghanaian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued AngloGold the worst possible rating for environmental and social standards."


Presenting the reasons for nominating AngloGoldAshanti for the award, Mr Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, Executive Director of WACAM, cited the murder of Mr Clement Kofi Baffoh, a 27 year old man from Aduaneyede, near Obuasi on June 9, 2004 on the suspicion of engaging in "galamsey" activities on the mine's concession.


WACAM recalled the shooting of Mr Awudu Mohammed on suspicion of trespassing on the concession of AngloGoldAshanti to undertake illegal mining operations by a security team made up of the security of AngloGoldAshanti and the Ghana Police on June 20, 2005 resulting in his intestines gushing out.


The NGO also narrated the shooting of four farmers including Anthony Baidoo by the Ghana Military acting on behalf of AngloGoldAshanti Iduaprim Mine at a rock waste dump at Teberebie on February 2, 2006


Mr Baidoo, who was shot in the waist, was hospitalised at the 37th Military Hospital for nine months. Currently Mr Baidoo cannot walk without clutches. He cannot undertake farming activities any longer and has not received compensation from the Company except that the Company bore the cost of his medical care.


WACAM also faulted AngloGoldAshanti Iduapriem Mine for polluting rivers that served as sources of drinking water for nearby communities with effluents from its tailings storage facilities, which made the EPA to order the closure of the facilities in February 2010.


Mr Owusu-Koranteng again cited the case of Mr James Sarpong, a prominent farmer in Teberebie, whose village was destroyed by AngloGoldAshanti Iduapriem Mine by exploiting a loophole in the Ghana Judicial System on June 26, 2009, and thus rendered him a destitute. Mr Sarpong now lived in one of the offices of WACAM and survived on a small stipend provided by the NGO.


Reacting to the award, AngloGold spokesman, Alan Fine said he did not know what criteria were behind the organisation's selection, adding that the group never contacted AngloGold for its comment.






Source: GNA

MTN donates mosquito nets to hospitals

Winners of the MTN's special malaria "What do you know" quiz competition have donated 1,200 Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets (ITNs) to six hospitals across the country.

The competition brought together a cross-section of the MTN staff to compete amongst themselves on issues of the malaria disease. At the end of the competition the three winners, namely Albert Adjekum, Alhassan Abdul-Fatawu and Andrew Nii Bonney-Quist, were presented with their packages to donate to hospitals of their choice.

The competition formed part of the numerous malaria related projects the staff of the company executed in 2010 as part of the annual Y'ello care challenge. During the exercise last year, a number of MTN operating countries in Africa including MTN Ghana undertook several malaria related initiatives towards the realization of the goal of the United Against Malaria (UAM) initiative.

MTN Ghana operating unit was eventually declared winner of the 2010 Y'ello Care challenge by the MTN group with a prize of US 100,000.00, which was to support new community development initiatives for the year 2011.

Mr. Alhassan Abdul-Fatawu, Corporate Communications Service Advisor of MTN and the second winner, on Monday donated his package of 400 ITNs to the Tamale West Hospital and the Yendi Government Hospital.

Presenting the items, Mr. Abdul-Fatawu said it was an opportunity for him to assist the community in which he grew up and to help improve their living conditions by assisting to fight against the spread of malaria.

He said, according to the United Nations, malaria had been estimated to cost Africa more than US12 billion every year in lost Gross Domestic Product (GDP) even though it could be controlled for a fraction of the amount.

He identified intensified public education and awareness as a key to the fight against the malaria menace.

Dr. Bashiru Abdul-Majeed, Medical Superintendent of the Tamale West Hospital who received the items on behalf of the hospital, commended MTN and Mr. Abdul-Fatawu for their kind gesture and promised that the nets would be used for their intended purpose.


Source: GNA

Ghana achieves EITI compliance status

Ghana has achieved compliance status with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) - the global standard for improved transparency in the oil, gas and mining sectors.

Mr Franklin Ashaidey, National Co-ordinator of the EITI who made this known said Ghana had established itself as an emerging standard for the reporting of natural resource revenues.

Ghana has also become a model of multi-stakeholder dialogue on the critical issue of public policy for EITI implementing countries, while forging a network of civil servants, corporate executives and representatives of global civil society, who share a commitment to revenue transparency to help promote economic development and poverty reduction.

Mr Ashaidey made this known at the Initiative’s 2006-2008 audit reports dissemination workshop in Kumasi on Monday.

The workshop aimed at briefing stakeholders on the audit reports as presented by the Independent Aggregator and to sensitise new officers of the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies on the activities of Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI).

Mr Ashiadey said Ghana had extended the EITI to cover its emerging oil and gas sector to ensure that the rich experience and benefits derived from its implementation in the mining sector was brought to bear on the industry.

The Initiative, he underlined, was a governance tool that sought to promote the principles of transparency and accountability in the payment and receipts of resources from the extractive sector.

It is a requirement for implementing countries to appoint Independent Aggregators to collect, review and to analyse data from the nation’s operating mines and revenues to government from mining companies to make for openness.

The Aggregator, he said also had responsibility of ascertaining whether revenue received by government agencies such as the district assemblies, had been properly accounted for and judiciously utilised by the beneficiaries.

Dr Steve Manteaw, Member, World Bank Extractive Industries Advisory Group, in a presentation said, EITI sought to provide information on all the financial transactions that go on in the extractive sector.

He said it would promote judicious use of extractive sector revenue to reduce poverty, especially in mining communities.

Mr Amponsah Tawiah of the Minerals Commission and Member of GHEITI’s National Steering Committee spoke of the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

He called on the assemblies to use money from the extractive sector to build infrastructure and provide social amenities like schools and hospitals and the creation of jobs for the people.



Source: GNA

BISHOP ABBAN DECLARES PROSPERITY FOR 2011

Bishop Dr. Abban

The Founder and General Overseer of Miracle Rock Church International in Ghana, Bishop Dr. Charles Abban declares greater works from the Lord for the year 2011.

Addressing a congregation of about 500 people at the auditorium in Accra on December 31^st 2010 crossover, he said 2011 is a season of prosperity says the Lord.

Bishop Dr. Abban, President  of the international Clergy Association worldwide explained that, if 2010 was full of twist and turns, it is a stepping stone towards greatness in the year 2011.

He quoted the Book of Psalms Chapter 30:5 which reads;”Weeping may last through the night, but joy cones with the morning”. (NLT)

The General Overseer adviced the congregation never to put their hopes or confidence in man, but remember that, it is only God who has answers to all questions or predicaments.

He added that,” Not only that, always be truthful, faithful, honest, caring and committed to the activities of God and brethren as well”.

He announced to the church members to show love to others, for it is one of the principles that will make way for God’s blessings in the year 2011 to rain upon them.

Members were enthused as they welcomed the year 2011 in a grand style.

story and picture by   ebenezer zor

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