Monthly Archives: February 2024

News

‘Zacchaeus’ Bawumia is behind Emission Tax; vote against him – Chris Doughan

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A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team, Chris Doughan has called on Ghanaians to reject the flag bearer of the NPP, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, during the December elections for his dishonesty.

The Vice President, he said, is the head of the Government’s Economic Management Team (EMT) and thus takes critical decisions that affect the economy of the country.

Doughan who was reacting to the implementation of the new vehicle tax aimed at reducing carbon emission in the country, argued that by virtue of Bawumia’s position in government, he cannot absolve himself from blame as far as the tax is concerned.

He told Inside Politics host Mugabe Maase on TV XYZ that Bawumia is a “shameless liar” who is trying to sell a new message  to electorates to hoodwink them to vote for him during the polls.

Urging Ghanaians to kick against Bawumia at the polls, Chris Doughan said the Vice President takes taxes more than the Biblical character, Zacchaeus, who was noted for collecting taxes incessantly.

“Bawumia takes taxes more than Zacchaeus and keeps lying to Ghanaians about the projects of the NPP. He said he has his own vision to govern. He is a shameless liar who must be rejected. He is the reason the economy has failed and as a result, Ghanaians are going through hardship,” Doughan declared.

He said Bawumia knows about the Emission Tax that has infuriated commercial drivers and vehicle owners in the country at a time unemployment has heightened.

To him, Bawumia’s government will impose more taxes on Ghanaians hence he must not be allowed any near the preidency.

Emissions Levy Act

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) announced on February 1, 2024, the commencement of the implementation of the Emissions Levy Act, 2023 (Act 1112).

GRA says the Act will impose a levy on carbon dioxide equivalent emissions on internal combustion engine vehicles, stressing that the move aligns with the government’s commitment to addressing greenhouse gas emissions.

GPRTU

The Ghana Private Roads and Transport Union (GPRTU) has expressed disappointment at the implemention of the Emissions Levy and announced that it will increase transport fares.

Reacting to the news of the implementation on the midday news on TV XYZ, the Public Relations Officer for the GPRTU, Mr Abass Imoro,  told Piesie Okrah a discussion had been held with the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta who assured them of a feedback before government made any move.

“We had talks with the Finance Minister about the impact of the tax on our businesses and he assured us that we would here from him only to hear that the tax has been implemented. This tax is being charged twice because when you buy fuel, you are charged for emission on every litre fuel,” Imoro said in Akan.

Asked what their next move will be, he stated that “we will come out next about our next move but definitely it is our passengers who will bear the impact of the new tax.”

Imoro bemoaned the prices of vehicle parts and lubricants and wondered why the government has decided to ignore their concerns and introduce new taxes whereas the existing ones are having a toll on their daily sales.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), Benjamin Boakye believes that the new vehicle tax will not reduce carbon emissions.

According to him, the implementation of the  Act 1112 will not only fail to reduce carbon emission but will also encourage people to avoid paying the tax.

 

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

News, Topstory

No government can collapse Okada business – Mahama

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The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC)Mr John Mahama, for the 2024 general elections, says the motorcycle transportation industry (Okada) has established itself and is unassailable by any government.

Addressing a huge gathering at the Agormanya Saint Martin’s Parish Hall as part of his Building Ghana tour in the Eastern Region, he said the Okada business has come to stay and cannot be collapsed.

The former president also highlighted the failure of the current government to address the economic challenges and provide employment opportunities for the youth, stating that no government can eliminate the Okada business in the country.

He stated that his stance on Okada riders remains unchanged and that if given another term, he would implement a comprehensive system that includes registering, licencing, and regulating the riders.

This approach aims to provide them with clear guidelines for conducting their business smoothly, and without any obstacles.

Mr Mahama also emphasised the significant impact his upcoming administration will have on local farmers in the Krobo enclaves.

He said a farmer’s cooperative would be established to tackle the difficulties faced by farmers when buying agricultural supplies like fertiliser and seeds.

“To support farmers, each district will be equipped with a farmer service centre,” he added.

Adding, “These centres will offer a range of essential equipment such as planters, ploughs, tractors, harrows, and more, ensuring that farmers receive the necessary support.”

He expressed optimism that these measures would help revamp the lost agricultural sector of the country and would go a long way towards helping address the current economic woes.

The flagbearer of the NDC is embarking on a two-day building Ghana campaign tour of the Eastern Region from January 30th to 31st.

His itinerary started with a rendezvous at the Peduase Resort in the Akuapem South Constituency, where the former president, who is staging a comeback for Ghana’s highest office, engaged with the Regional Executive Committee and other important stakeholders.

He also visited Anum Palace and paid a courtesy call to Koforidua Zongo Chiefs, as well as attended a durbar with transport unions and traders in Agormenya.

In addition, he addressed a town hall meeting in the New Juaben South Constituency and visited the Asokore SDA Training College in the New Juaben North Constituency, during which both professionals and students presented their concerns about the economy.

The NDC flagbearer attended several events on Wednesday, beginning with a breakfast meeting with the clergy at the Koforidua Eastern Premier Hotel and concluding with paying respects to the Kukurantumi Chief.

Mr Mahama also connected with local farmers at Ahumanhumasu Pentecost Church and had an engagement with the people at Nsutam Community Centre.

He will end his tour with a rally and roundtable discussion with party executives, demonstrating a strong dedication to grassroots perspectives and party unity.

 

Source: Myjoyonline.com

Foreign

Several Dead After Small Plane Crashes Into Florida Trailer Park .

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Several people are dead after a plane crashed into a mobile home park in Clearwater, Florida, on Thursday evening, according to the Clearwater Fire and Rescue Department.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed to FOX 13 Tampa Bay that a Beechcraft Bonanza V35 crashed into the Bayside Waters mobile home park, formerly known as Japanese Gardens, on U.S. 19 south of the Clearwater Mall. The call came in at 7:08 p.m., officials said.

During a news conference Thursday evening, Clearwater Fire Chief Scott Ehlers said the plane hit one mobile home, which caused the fire to spread to three other homes. He said three structures “definitely” have fire damage while one has possible fire damage.

Ehlers said the aircraft was found within one of the structures, and he can confirm that there are “several fatalities” from the aircraft and within the mobile home it crashed into.

FAA officials confirmed to the outlet that the pilot had reported an engine failure.

“We’re on scene of a small plane crash at a mobile home park south of Clearwater Mall. Multiple mobile homes have caught fire. Firefighters from multiple jurisdictions are on scene,” fire officials wrote on X.

ideo from the scene shows a massive fireball erupting from the park.

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire, Ehlers said. 

Ehlers said it is unclear how many people have been injured on the ground or how many people were on board the plane.

 

Source : Foxnews

Africa

Tinubu decries stereotyping of Nigerians as cybercriminals.

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Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, is challenging the pervasive “blanket stereotyping” of Nigerians as cybercriminals, asserting that such generalizations distort the true image of the West African nation.

Tinubu emphasized that such a narrative unfairly stains the reputation of the majority of law-abiding citizens.

Addressing the issue during a private tour in France, President Tinubu conveyed his concerns about the longstanding mislabeling of Nigerians, stating that such misrepresentation fails to capture the diverse and resilient nature of the nation.

Tinubu went on to stress that everyday Nigerians are hardworking, honest citizens who make significant contributions to various global fields, including artificial intelligence and medicine. He urged against overlooking the positive contributions of the majority due to the actions of a few.

In 2020, the FBI ranked Nigeria 16th among countries most affected by cybercrime. The Nigerian Communications Commission reported that cybercrime costs the country $500 million (£395 million) annually.

President Tinubu’s remarks aim to challenge stereotypes and promote a more nuanced understanding of Nigeria and its people, urging the international community to recognize the nation’s diverse talents and contributions beyond the negative portrayal associated with cybercrime statistics.

 

Source : Africanews

Africa

Former Zambian president Calls for early election.

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Zambia’s ex-President, Edgar Lungu, has urged citizens to demand an early election, alleging that his successor, Hakainde Hichilema (HH), has mismanaged the nation’s economy.

Lungu also criticized Hichilema for his handling of the cholera outbreak, which has claimed nearly 600 lives since October.

Addressing the public on Wednesday, Lungu emphasized the need for Zambians to exert pressure on President Hichilema, stating that an early election is “imperative.” He urged citizens to vocalize their demand for Hichilema’s resignation and the initiation of early elections.

Responding swiftly to Lungu’s statements, government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa dismissed the allegations, urging Zambians to afford the president sufficient time to fulfill his campaign promises. Mweetwa also accused the former president of damaging the country’s economy during his six-year tenure.

Lungu, who announced his political comeback in October, faced the consequence of the government withdrawing his retirement benefits.

Having retired from politics in 2021 following a significant defeat in the presidential election, Lungu’s return sets the stage for a potentially contentious 2026 presidential race.

As tensions escalate between the former and current leaders, Zambians find themselves at the crossroads of political decisions that will shape the nation’s future.

 

Source : Africanews

Africa

Burkina Faso defends ECOWAS exit.

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Since Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced they would quit ECOWAS, the move has prompted various reactions.

It didn’t come as complete surprise though, especially after the Niger coup last July.

The Burkinabe PM justified the decision in Ouagadougou on Thursday (Feb.01st).

Authorities believe ECOWAS doens’t meet the aspirations of the Sahelian peoples anymore rendering the AES alliance necessary.

Premier ministre Apollinaire Joachim Kyélem de Tambèla condems ECOWAS sanctions against his country, Mali and Niger and also accused the bloc of failure to assist its member states.

“Instead of an ECOWAS of the people, the organization has become a technocratic tool which that ultimately deviated from the legitimate aspirations of the west African peoples.”

“For proof, we have noted ECOWAS’s indiference when our vallient peoples were massacred, or as our fellow citizens endure humanaitrian crise , or in the face of the numerous destabilization attemps our states have encountered,” he said.

Burkina Faso says it has notified the 15-nation bloc of its decision.

AES countries have called on their populations to mobilize in support of the move in coming days.

 

Source :Africanews

Sports

Guinea and DR Congo battle for semi-final spot .

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Guinea and DR Congo will clash on Friday with a coveted TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations semi-final place on the line when they meet at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpé.

It will be the fourth TotalEnergies CAF AFCON encounter between the nations, with DR Congo yet to beat Guinea in three previous group stage meetings, including a 2-1 loss in their last meeting in 2004.

DR Congo have reached the quarter-finals without winning a single game in normal time.

But defender Gédéon Kalulu believes psychological victories can help them progress.

“Certainly we can note two victories on the psychological front. The first is having beaten a top 5 side on penalties, and the second is not conceding many goals,” said Kalulu.

Guinea are expected to be boosted by the return of key players Naby Keita and Serhou Guirassy from injury.

“Naby and Serhou are getting better and better. They are two very important assets for our team. Their entries in previous matches were crucial for us,” noted Guinea midfielder Amadou Diawara.

With a first AFCON semi-final since 2015 on the line, Guinea striker Sory Kaba stressed the need for efficiency.

“Against a compact Congolese team, we will have to be rigorous and efficient. The team that makes the least mistakes will go through,” Kaba stated.

After scrappy Round of 16 wins, both sides know a clinical performance will be required to keep their AFCON dreams alive and reach the final four.

Sports

Nigeria face tough Angola test in TotalEnergies CAF AFCON quarter-final clash.

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Nigeria will take on an unpredictable Angola side in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Friday as they bid to reach the last four for the first time since 2019.

The clash at the Felix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan is the opening fixture of the AFCON last eight.

the Super Eagles dispatched arch rivals Cameroon 2-0 at the same venue in the round of 16 to reach the quarter-finals.

As three-time AFCON winners, Nigeria are expected to have too much quality and experience for their opponents on paper.

Victor Osimhen, recently crowned African Player of the Year, leads a Super Eagles attack along with the in-form Ademola Lookman. They also boast the meanest defence, having conceded just once.

However, Angola will be full of confidence after surprisingly topping Group D unbeaten. This is their first quarter-final since hosting the 2010 tournament.

Led by star striker Gelson Dala, who netted twice against Namibia, Angola have one of the most potent attacks at AFCON 2023 with nine goals in four games.

Dala has warned Nigeria: “We will fight and make life hard for them. With our fans, we believe we can win.”

Angola coach Pedro Gonçalves added: “We respect Nigeria but fear nobody. The pressure is on them as favourites.”

Nigeria boss Jose Peseiro expects a tough test: “Angola are unpredictable with some very dangerous players. We cannot underestimate them.”

This AFCON has been full of surprises, and another could be in store on Friday if revitalised Angola can defy the odds and giants Nigeria.

The kick-off for Nigeria vs. Angola is scheduled for 17:00 GMT.

 

 

Sports

West Ham draw with Bournemouth to go six matches unbeaten.

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James Ward-Prowse scored a penalty for the second match in a row, cancelling out Dominic Solanke’s 13th Premier League goal of the season, as West Ham United drew 1-1 with AFC Bournemouth to go six matches unbeaten.

Solanke struck after just two minutes and 22 seconds to move one goal behind the joint-leaders Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah in the race for the Castrol Golden Boot.

But Ward-Prowse levelled with a 61st-minute penalty that was won by Mohammed Kudus on his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Kalvin Phillips’ debut for West Ham started in the worst way possible as Ryan Christie forced a mistake from the midfielder inside his own box with only his second touch for his new club, allowing Solanke to finish past Alphonse Areola with ease.

It was the earliest Premier League goal West Ham have conceded at home since September 2010, when Michael Essien gave Chelsea the lead after 97 seconds at West Ham’s former stadium Upton Park.

Illya Zabarnyi came close to doubling Bournemouth’s lead 15 minutes later when he got on the end of Alex Scott’s cross, but his header was straight at Areola.

The visitors then had another great chance to score a second, this time through Antoine Semenyo, whose strike from close range was well saved.

Those missed opportunities proved costly. Jarrod Bowen missed an opportunity at the other end moments later as he headed straight at Neto from Ward-Prowse’s cross, and West Ham won a penalty just after the hour-mark when Lloyd Kelly brought down Kudus.

The spot-kick was awarded following a VAR review, and Ward-Prowse sent his spot-kick down the middle of the goal.

That sparked Bournemouth back into life as Christie shot narrowly wide of a post.

But the chances then dried up as West Ham and Bournemouth shared the points again, having done so on the opening weekend of the season.

West Ham remain sixth, now with 36 points, seven points behind Aston Villa, while Bournemouth stay 12th on 26 points.

 

Source : premierleague.com

 

Foreign

Ex-CIA software engineer who leaked to WikiLeaks sentenced 40 years in prison.

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A former CIA officer has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for leaking a trove of classified hacking tools to whistle-blowing platform Wikileaks.

Joshua Schulte was also found guilty of possessing child abuse images.

Prosecutors have accused him of leaking the CIA’s “Vault 7” tools, which allow intelligence officers to hack smartphones and use them as listening devices.

They said the leak is one of the most “brazen” in US history.

Schulte, 35, shared some 8,761 documents to Wikileaks in 2017, amounting to the largest data breach in the history of the CIA, the US justice department said.

He denied the allegations, but was convicted on the various counts at three separate federal trials in New York in 2020, 2022, and 2023.

On Thursday, he was sentenced for charges of espionage, computer hacking, contempt of court, making false statements to the FBI and possession of child abuse images.

“Joshua Schulte betrayed his country by committing some of the most brazen, heinous crimes of espionage in American history,” said US Attorney Damian Williams.

According to evidence shared at the trial, Schulte was employed as a software developer in the Center for Cyber Intelligence, which conducts cyber espionage against terrorist organisations and foreign governments.

Prosecutors said that in 2016 that he transmitted the stolen information to Wikileaks and then lied to FBI agents about his role in the leak.

They said that he was seemingly motivated by anger over a workplace dispute.

Schulte had been struggling to meet deadlines and Assistant US Attorney Michael Lockard said one of his projects was so far behind schedule that he had earned the nickname “Drifting Deadline”.

The prosecutors said he wanted to punish those he perceived to have wronged him and said in “carrying out that revenge, he caused enormous damage to this country’s national security”.

Wikileaks began publishing classified data from the files in 2017.

The leak, prosecutors said, “immediately and profoundly damaged the CIA’s ability to collect foreign intelligence against America’s adversaries; placed CIA personnel, programs, and assets directly at risk; and cost the CIA hundreds of millions of dollars.”

The FBI interviewed Schulte several times after WikiLeaks published the data, where he denied responsibility.

A search of his apartment, prosecutors said, later revealed “tens of thousands of images of child sexual abuse materials”.

They added that after his arrest, Schulte attempted to transmit more information. He smuggled a phone into jail where he attempted to send a reporter information about CIA cyber groups and drafted tweets that included information about CIA cyber tools under the name Jason Bourne, a fictional intelligence operative.

He has been held behind bars since 2018.

 

Source : BBC

Foreign

Biden government approves strikes against Iranian targets in Iraq and Syria

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The US has approved plans for a series of strikes on Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq, officials have told the BBC’s US partner CBS News.

The strikes will take place over a number of days, officials said, and weather conditions will likely dictate when they are launched.

It comes after a drone attack killed three US soldiers in Jordan, close to the Syrian border, on Sunday.

The US blamed an Iranian-backed militia group for that attack.

That group, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, is believed to contain multiple militias that have been armed, funded and trained by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards force. It has said it was responsible for Sunday’s strike.

Iran, meanwhile, has denied any role in the attack which injured 41 other US troops at the military base, known as Tower 22.

US officials have said that US intelligence believes that the drone used to attack the facility was manufactured by Iran – and is similar to the drones Iran has been sending to Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

At a news conference on Thursday, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin defended the delayed military response, saying: “We will respond where we choose, when we choose and how we choose.”

“I think everyone recognises the challenge associated with making sure that we hold the right people accountable,” he said, adding that there is no “set formula for doing this”.

“There are ways to manage this so it doesn’t spiral out of control. And that’s been our focus throughout,” Mr Austin continued.

The officials who spoke to CBS News did not give an exact timeline on the potential strikes. They said the US military could launch them in bad weather, but preferred to have better visibility to reduce the risk of inadvertently hitting civilians.

President Joe Biden has been under mounting pressure from Republican lawmakers, including some of Washington’s most hawkish voices on Iran, to strike targets on Iranian soil.

But while the US has repeatedly pledged to respond to the drone attack, Mr Biden and other defence officials have said Washington is not seeking a wider war with Iran or an escalation of tensions in the region.

“That’s not what I’m looking for,” Mr Biden told reporters at the White House earlier this week.

The reportedly approved plans appear to keep the targeting to Iranian targets Syria and Iraq, rather than inside Iran.

Several Iran-backed groups have increased attacks on US and Israeli-linked entities since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war on 7 October.

The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, for example, have attacked ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, prompting strikes from the US and its allies.

A US defence official told CBS that a drone was shot down overnight in the Gulf of Aden, while an unmanned sea drone was struck and destroyed in the Red Sea.

Citing unnamed sources, Reuters on Thursday reported that Iran had withdrawn senior officials from Syria following a series of Israeli airstrikes in a bid to avoid being directly drawn into a wider conflict in the region.

US officials told CNN this week that there were signs that the Iranian government was becoming increasingly concerned about the actions of its proxy groups in the region, who have launched over 160 attacks on US forces since October.

The bodies of the three US soldiers killed in the attack in Jordan are expected to be repatriated to a Delaware Air Force base on Friday. The White House has announced that President Biden will attend.

The three soldiers have been named as William Jerome Rivers, 46, Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, and Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23. All three were part of an army reserve unit based in Fort Moore, Georgia.

 

Source : BBC

 

Sports

Kobbie Mainoo netted a stoppage-time winner as Manchester United beat Wolves 4-3 in a remarkable match at Molineux.

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Kobbie Mainoo scored a 97th-minute winner as Manchester United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-3 at Molineux in a Premier League classic.

Mainoo curled his first Premier League goal past Jose Sa, just seconds after Pedro Neto appeared to have snatched a point for Wolves.

Marcus Rashford had opened the scoring five minutes into his United return, having been absent from the FA Cup fourth round with illness amid reports he had missed training following a night out in Belfast, before Rasmus Hojlund doubled the lead.

Pablo Sarabia pulled one back from the penalty spot, before Scott McTominay seemingly made it safe for the visitors by heading in a corner with 15 minutes left shortly after coming on as a second-half substitute.

But that was only the start of the late chaos.

Wolves captain Kilman ensured a grandstand finish by scoring from close range following a corner.

Then, in the sixth of nine added minutes, Neto struck home past the wrong-footed Andre Onana as United were caught on the break.

Wolves celebrated wildly – but it proved premature as Mainoo had the final word in a remarkable game.

Erik ten Hag’s side move back into the top seven after ending a run of four away league matches without winning and are now eight points off the Champions League places, while Wolves stay 11th.

At the beginning of the evening all eyes were on Rashford, who started for United despite being the subject of what the club called an “internal disciplinary matter”.

The forward missed Sunday’s win at Newport County after it was reported last week that he had been seen in nightspots in Northern Ireland on Wednesday and Thursday before arriving to training unwell on Friday.

Ten Hag says he considers the “case closed” as Rashford has “taken responsibility” – and the England international certainly did inside the opening five minutes.

A low cross from the right was flicked back by Hojlund to the edge of the area, and Rashford produced a slick and controlled finish to curl the ball past Sa, before celebrating in front of away fans and being mobbed by team-mates.

Rashford’s connection with Luke Shaw looked refreshed too, with the England duo combining in the Wolves area before the left-back set up Hojlund for the second. The striker slid in to finish from close range from Shaw’s low cross as the Wolves defence failed to clear.

It has been a chastening week for Rashford and United, with Ten Hag forced to field plenty of questions about the forward’s future at Old Trafford.

While Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho were forced to leave United after fallouts with the Dutch manager, Rashford has been reintegrated – and showed why he has the trust of Ten Hag.

After scoring early doors, Rashford tracked back nearly 50 yards to hassle Matheus Cunha into shooting straight at Onana – himself returning to the XI, following Cameroon’s early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Indeed, the entire United team was seemingly renewed as they swarmed Wolves in the first 45 minutes. Hojlund was unlucky not to make it three when he charged down a Sa clearance, and both he and Casemiro had goals ruled out by the offside flag.

But United’s issues with inconsistency were laid bare after the break as Wolves were allowed to get back in the game – and ultimately they were left to rely on another academy product in Mainoo to bail them out.

Source : BBC