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‘I am not good enough’ -Guardiola

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Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola cast doubt over his ability to turn Manchester City’s ailing fortunes around after an astonishing eighth defeat in 11 games.

The 53-year-old, who signed a contract extension last month, bemoaned another defensive capitulation after handing Manchester United an unlikely derby victory in 116 calamitous second-half seconds at the Etihad.

Guardiola accepted culpability for the dismal run of form, saying: ‘I’m the boss, I’m the manager and I’m not good enough. It’s as simple as that. I don’t have a defence. I’m the boss, I don’t find a solution, to find a way to talk to them.

‘This is a big club and when you lose eight something is wrong. You are 3-0 against Feyenoord and draw… you think it’s because of the injuries? No.

‘Football is about emotion. We’re more anxious with and without the ball. The worst thing is not to have composure and calm. What does it give you? Momentum and confidence. I said many times, relax.

‘I’m not good enough to let the players feel it. I want it desperately.’ City have won just once in their last 11 matches in all competitions – defeating Nottingham Forest – and have lost eight games in that run.

‘This year it happens many times unfortunately. We gave away many things,’ Guardiola added to Sky Sports.

‘It is what it is. What can I say? We can not blame this player or that one, it’s not that. It’s the season, a tough season.

‘We didn’t play our best. We are not our best and we struggle a bit.

‘I think in nine years it wasn’t the toughest defeat. Champions League defeats harder. But at the moment, we need results to lift our mood.

‘It’s getting worse and worse. I have to find the solution. So far I didn’t find it and this is the truth. We have to do better individually and collectively because it’s not the standards of Manchester City.’

And City’s rebuild will not be a quick fix. With every performance, every defeat, the scale of what lies in front of Guardiola becomes more obvious – and daunting.

Manchester City’s fans did their best to reassure Guardiola of their faith in him with a giant Barcelona-inspired banner draped from the stands before kick-off emblazoned with his image reading “Més que un entrenador” – “More Than A Coach”.

Credit: bbc.com

 

Payments & Recruitments Not Halted! …By Transition Team –Fatimatu Clarifies

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BERNICE BESSEY
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Fatimatu Abubakar, Minister for Information & Gov't spokesperson for the Transition Team

Fatimatu Abubakar, Spokesperson for the Government’s Transition Team, has urged the public to disregard claims suggesting that the outgoing Nana Akufo-Addo administration is engaging in illegal activities, through last-minute recruitments and payments.

In a press release dated December 14, 2024 Ms. Abubakar emphasised that all actions taken by the current administration have followed due processes and received the necessary statutory approvals.

She noted that the government retains its constitutional mandate until midnight of January 6, 2025 and is fully empowered to make critical decisions in the interest of the nation.

Addressing concerns about ongoing recruitment and payments, the statement said these processes have not been proven illegal and urged any party with specific allegations to present them to the Transition Team for review.

Ms. Abubakar clarified that there was no directive from the committee mandating that all payments and recruitment activities be referred to the Transition Team. She reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring a seamless transition to the incoming administration on January 7, 2025, stating, “We are dedicated to a smooth handover process as we prepare to pass the baton to the next government.”

Key Outcomes of the Transition Team’s 2nd Meeting

The press release also provided updates from the second meeting of the Transition Team held on December 14, 2024, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Among the decisions reached was the establishment of six additional subcommittees to facilitate the handover process.

These subcommittees and their areas of focus are;

  1. Finance and Economy
  2. Energy and Natural Resources
  3. Legal and Governance
  4. Infrastructure
  5. Interior and Public Safety
  6. Social Sector

Each subcommittee will consist of three nominees from both the outgoing and incoming governments. The Head of Civil Service, Head of Local Government Service and Cabinet Secretary will provide support when needed.

The Co-Chairs of the Transition Team directed that outgoing Sector Ministers, Heads of Agencies and Technical staff assist the sub-committees in their work, particularly when reviewing submitted handing-over notes. The initial work of these subcommittees is expected to be completed within one week.

The release noted that this development reflects the government’s commitment to an orderly and transparent transfer of power, ensuring the incoming administration is well-positioned to begin its term effectively.

4 Remanded Over Cruel Attack In Ho

By
JOHN BEDIAKO
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Frm (r), Francis Atsu Adzasu, Abraham Kwame Atidama, Patrick Agbesi Kwame and Prophet Johnson Tegoe

The District Court 1 in Ho has remanded into prison custody four accused persons for allegedly attempting to murder a 31-year old driver of the Adaklu District Assembly in the Volta Region.

They are Patrick Kwame Agbesi, 39, Mechanic, Abraham Kwame Atidama, 30, Auto electrician, Atsu Adzasu, 24, Auto mechanic and Prophet Johnson Togoe, 49, Auto mechanic/Prophet.

The suspects are to reappear in court on December 20, 2024.

Fred Odum battling for survival

The Prosecution told the court, presided over by Albert Owusu Annor Esq, that victim, Fred Odum, a driver by profession and working with the Adaklu District Assembly, and the accused persons are Auto mechanics and Auto electrician respectively.

That all suspects are residing at Mirage and Poly Down, both in the Ho Municipality.

During the month of August 2023, the Police Intelligence Department (PID) in Ho received information about the alleged murder of a young guy. The Department then launched investigation into the incident.

On November 15, 2024 the PID after months of intensive Intelligence gathering located victim Fred Odum.

The victim, when interviewed, confirmed to the police that on August 11, 2023 around 01:00hours, he was returning from Ho to Adaklu-Kojobi when his unregistered royal motorbike developed a puncture on the rear tyre.

That he pushed the motorbike to the nearest mechanic shop where all the accused persons mentioned, with the exception of the Prophet work, in order to fix the punctured tyre.

Victim also told the police that moments after he entered the mechanic shop, suspect Abraham Kwame Atidama emerged from nowhere and struck his forehead with a cutlass.

That Atidama then raised an alarm that he was a thief and people trooped to the scene. Victim was then subjected to severe beating by the suspects using sticks, cutlasses, metal rods and other implements.

The accused persons then tied victim’s hands behind him with electric wire. Both of his legs were also firmly tied using electric wire.

He was then tied to the rear of a blue/black Mazda, with registration number GT2408Q.

Patrick Agbesi Kwame drove the vehicle, dragging him on the tarred road from GETFUND Hostel SSNIT Flat Junction, a distance of about 500 meters.

The victim screamed in agony and fell unconscious. He sustained injuries on his forehead, buttocks, chest, arms, legs and the genitals. Blood oozed from the named bodily parts.

Atsu Adzasu, thinking the victim was dead, dumped him in a nearby bush.

He was later rushed to the Ho Teaching Hospital by some Good Samaritans where he was admitted for treatment for months.

Police, however, issued medical report form to the victim.

Medical evidence obtained from the Teaching Hospital, signed by Dr Mawuwenyo A. Oyortey, a Urology Consultant disclosed “laceration of 5cm×3cm on the left supra orbit with friction burns on the right side of the cheek, anterior chest wall, upper and lower limbs as well as the abdominal walls.

There was also laceration, occiput and avulsion injury on the left wrist. It also indicated avulsion injury of the scrotum with traumatised amputation”.

On November 14 and 15, 2024 the police in an intelligence led operation arrested the four suspects for their involvement in the crime.

The accused persons, in their respective caution statements to the police, reportedly admitted to the offence.

Ekumfi Chiefs Elated Over Mahama’s Victory

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Odeɛfo Akyin VIII addressing the press

The Ekumfi Traditional Council and the entire people of Ekumfi have congratulated the president elect, John Dramani Mahama, on his victory in last week’s polls.

Briefing the press at his Ekumfi Ebiram palace, on behalf of his people, the Omanhen of Ekumfi, Odeεfo Akyin VIII, indicated that the landslide victory of Mr Mahama signified his vision and virtues.

“Your respect for Nananom across the country without discrimination and your desire to distribute development evenly across the country judiciously extols your exemplary virtues and vision,” he said.

According to Odeεfo Akyin VIII, the unprecedented vote margins won by Mr Mahama and the NDC across the country, justified that Ghanaians have wanted him to chart a new path and steer the country into prosperity.

“The overwhelming endorsement by the people of Ghana justifies the unwavering trust and confidence they have reposed in you and your party as leader to “Reset” the country to the path of economic freedom to improve the living conditions of all,” he added.

Call for inclusivity

He, therefore, encouraged the President-elect to embrace teamwork, foster inclusivity and promote the spirit of collaboration to chart a new path that would improve the plights of ordinary Ghanaians. This, he said, would go a long way to reset the country with pragmatic policies that would make the lives of the people better, to justify the high level of confidence they have reposed in him.

Put Ekumfi on yourradar

According to the Ekumfi paramount chief, the people of Ekumfi were strangely neglected by the outgoing government for strange reasons and the neglect, he said, adversely affected their development.

Giving details of the supposed neglect, he said, “We, the people of Ekumfi, were told plainly that we have been neglected because we did not vote for a particular parliamentary candidate during the 2020 general elections.

“However, we firmly believe that you and your government will not just show us respect, but you will also have Ekumfiman on your radar and give us the necessary development we need”.

Odeεfo Akyin VIII indicated that as long as H.E Mahama succeeded late Professor John Evans Atta Mills, who was a native of Ekumfi, the people of Ekumfi would continue to recognise him also as their son.

He expressed optimism that the President-elect would forever put the entire Ekumfi State on his radar and assist them with the all necessary developments that they were denied by the outgoing president.

He congratulated the President-elect on his landslide victory and prayed to the Supreme Director and the spirit of the ancestors to be with him saying, “We know that you will not fail us”.

Background

It would be recalled that the outgoing President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, early this year, categorically stated that he, as the President, denied the people of Ekumfi development, because he was not happy with their means of voting.

President Nana Akufo-Addo explained that he has denied the people of Ekumfi development because they voted out former Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Kingsley Ato Cudjoe, during the 2020 general elections.

The president stated this when a family Queen mother and the head of the late Professor Atta Mills’ family paid a courtesy call on him and pleaded with him to assist the family to secure the autopsy report of the late president of Ghana.

In response, the chiefs of Ekumfi Traditional Council, led by their Omanhen, OdeɛfoAkyin VIII, described the president’s deliberate attempt to deny the people of Ekumfi development as highly unfortunate and regrettable.

Prison Officer in court overalleged recruitment scam

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Court

A 29-year-old prison officer, Aziz Nortei Tetteh, has been arraigned before the Dansoman Circuit Court in Accra on charges of defrauding by false pretence, contrary to Section 131 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

Tetteh is accused of defrauding a complainant, Owusu Keker Andrews, of GH¢20,000.00 under the pretence of securing the complainant’s wife, Dorothy Adjei, a position in the Ghana Immigration Service.

Details of the Case

According to court documents, the incident occurred in February 2024 at Sowutuom, a suburb of Accra.

The accused allegedly claimed to have connections within the Presidency, that could facilitate enlistment into the Immigration Service. Convinced by Tetteh’s assurances, Andrews handed over the money.

However, after receiving the payment, Tetteh reportedly went into hiding, vacating his residence and evading contact.

Several attempts by Andrews to reach Tetteh proved futile, leading him to file a complaint with the police on May 29, 2024.

Police efforts to locate Tetteh were initially unsuccessful. However, on December 11, 2024 he was arrested at the Regional Police Headquarters in Accra in connection with another alleged fraud case. Andrews subsequently identified him in police custody.

Admission and Investigations

During police investigations, Tetteh reportedly admitted to the offense, but claimed he handed the money to an accomplice identified as “Nana Annin.”

Tetteh, however, failed to assist police in locating the alleged accomplice.The case is still under investigation, with Tetteh formally charged and presented before the court.

Phone dealer Arraigned for Car Theft

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BERNICE BESSEY
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Court

The Circuit Court in Accra, presided over by Her Honour Susana Eduful, has granted bail to a 28-year-old phone dealer, Arafat Al-Alhassan, who is facing charges of conspiracy to commit stealing.

Al-Alhassan pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of GH¢200,000 with two sureties.

The court directed that the sureties must provide title deeds in their names, with the original copies to be deposited at the court Registry, until the case is resolved.

The case has been adjourned to January 28, 2025.

The accused and an accomplice, identified only as Kula and currently on the run, allegedly conspired to steal a Hyundai Elantra saloon car valued at GH¢150,000.

The car, belonging to one Solomon Darfour, was reportedly stolen on November 23, 2024 at Ablekuma-Amrahia in the Greater Accra Region.

Case Facts

According to the prosecution, ASP Richard Amoah, the complainant, Frank Ayim, a spare parts dealer, parked the unregistered white Hyundai Elantra on his compound at Ablekuma-Amrahia on the night of November 22, 2024.

The car was discovered missing the following morning around 5:00 a.m., prompting Ayim to file a report with the police.

On December 3, 2024 police intelligence led to the arrest of Al-Alhassan at Kasoa Kaemebre. During interrogation, Al-Alhassan reportedly admitted to the offense and disclosed that Kula was his supplier of stolen cars.

However, he failed to assist the police in apprehending Kula.

Al-Alhassan also admitted to receiving six other stolen cars from Kula, which he claimed to have sold to various buyers.

The police successfully recovered the complainant’s car and another vehicle during the investigation.

Efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest Kula, who remains at large.

Green Ghana

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Opinion

When Donald Trump swept both the popular and Electoral College voteson November 5, 2024, NDC reminded Ghanaians that it was an omen. An ex-president in the US beat a sitting vice president to win elections. In Ghana, an ex-president was contesting a sitting vice-president and would be beaten by an ex-president.

Of course, some of us debunked that. The culture used to be like this. Since 1992, whenever a democrat won in America, the NDC will win in Ghana and whenever a republican won in America, the NPP will win in Ghana. It was so from 1992 until things however became complicated in 2020, when Biden (Dem) came and Nana Addo (NPP) came.

What was going to happen in Ghana, in 2024, when Trump (Rep) staged a comeback? The rest is history.

After the results of the elections,the map of Ghana was painted in green and blue, it was a very beautiful site. From space, Ghana looked like a vast area, rich in lush greenery of vegetation and smaller areas of blue water bodies. It was what those who care about the environment, will be very pleased to see.

But beneath this lush greenery look from space, Ghana’s environmental situation is scary. The environmental degradation topped by irresponsible mining called galamsey, spelt disaster for the country. The president promised to lay down his presidency in the fight against galamsey. All his efforts ended up rather worsening the situation. It was as if, irresponsible miners dared him to dare them. The president only raised his arms and gave up the fight.

H.E. John Dramani Mahama has come back as strong as Donald Trump of the US. His re-election into office cannot be dismissed as mere luck, because the NPP votes did not come. It was like two powerful teams meeting in a cup final. The fact that one team came with a weaker side does not mean that if it lost the match, the victor should not be acknowledged and praised.

John Mahama’s victory was a truly genuine show of love and trust by Ghanaians, to the only president of the Fourth Republic who did only one term.What made Ashanti region add on over 40,000 more votes to his overall votes than it did in 2020 and reduce the NPP flag bearer, Bawumia by over 600,000 votes less than it gave Nana Addo of NPP in 2020?

Ashanti region did not trust the current NPP and even though it will still vote for the party, it would not give them enough votes to win the general elections. The party must go elsewhere.

The fate and future for political parties will depend on how the NDC handles this country in the next four years. The era of an independent presidential candidate being elected president, looms very close. Take a rather unknown independent candidate, Nana Kwame Bediako, winning 84,478votes (0.05%) as at day of declaration was more than all the votes established political parties like CPP, NDP, ACP among others could harness. These political partes could all together gain 83,624 votes. Together all the independent candidates, Kwame, Alan, Kofi and John gained 122,091 votes of 0.01% of valid votes cast, while six established political parties had 83,624 votes or 0.007% of valid votes cast on declaration day.

Should the NDC slip as NPP did, the independent candidates would only have to come together and make one of them their flag bearer and Ghana would kiss political parties, forming government good-bye.

NDC is back and has painted Ghana green. We pray that for the sake of Ghana, we must all support this government and bring out our opinions even if diverse to help John Mahama turn this country round. The voice of Ghanaians has spoken and the non-NDC Ghanaians should not watch and pray that this new government fails. We must contribute no matter how little to guide the new NDC government on the right path. It is Ghana which will benefit, it is Ghana that matters here.

If we all help John Mahama to move this country forward, the next political party or independent president, who will form government will move the country further up and this will continue until we become a first world country.

Our desire is not to make this new government fail and say, “they say they can do it, let us see what they can do!” Our desire should be to help move Ghana forward.

H.E. John Dramani Mahama, some of us were very nasty to you during your campaign, please take it as mere political-talk, as Hon Betty Mould Iddrisu will say.

If with Free SHS and many infrastructural developments, Ghanaians will still reject NPP, then there is something we want from our political leadership.

H.E. John Dramani Mahama, it was God who brought you this victory, please go and acknowledge Him with thanksgiving in your church. Your victory was ordained by God, but not the God who those so-called prophets serve. Our God uses only people with humility to serve Him in His vineyard, not the arrogant and proud men who parade themselves as people who dine and wine with God. They are all false prophets. May you be blessed by Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, Amen. May Ghana move to a higher level in four years.

By Hon Daniel Dugan

Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle

Editorial: Sophisticated Fraudulent Activities: Maame Tiwaa’s Cry Must Be National Concern 

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THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

The Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, has complained bitterly about the recent surge in sophisticated fraudulent activities and schemes in the country.

Criminals, particularly fraudsters, she said, kept evolving and modifying their modus operandi including anticipating the systems put in place to stop them and putting  out countermeasures to be ahead.

In a recent speech delivered to public sector leaders at a Seminar organised by the Conference of Association of Certified Fraud Examiners in Accra, COP Tiwaa said, adding to the aforementioned developments was the issue of insider threats.

Shedding light on activities of insider threats, Maame Tiwaa noted that though organisations rarely paid high attention to the vulnerabilities of insider threats, they remained a challenge that could easily have profound impact when they occur.

“Insider threats are particularly challenging because we are talking about people within the system – our own employees or trusted partners – who know exactly where the vulnerabilities are. These individuals have access and insight that external actors simply do not”.

As if these do not post enough threat, she said, “In an increasingly globalised world, cross-border fraud schemes have also become a serious concern with criminals exploiting regulatory gaps between nations to evade detection.

“Globalisation, while beneficial in many ways, has opened up new avenues for financial crime. Fraudsters can operate from virtually anywhere in the world, making it crucial for us to collaborate with international agencies to track and prevent cross-border fraud”.

To be able to stem the tide, COP Maame Tiwa indicated that there was the urgent need to constantly train EOCO officials because the evolving nature of fraud made their job not just reactive, but also one of constant innovation.

“Preventing and detecting fraud requires considerable resources – technology, skilled personnel and training, but unfortunately our budgets don’t always allow us the flexibility we need. It’s a significant hurdle and one we must work to overcome with strategic partnerships and support,” She added.

In our view the cry of Maame Tiwaa about the sophisticated nature of fraudulent activities and the way they keep evolving, must be a general concern to all well-meaning Ghanaians.

The Chronicle is particularly alarmed over this development because such fraudulent activities have the potential to increase financial losses, reduce investors’ confidence and decrease economic growth and affect the country’s reputation.

The development is exacerbated by the fact that Ghana cannot risk of being marked and regarded as a safe haven for fraudulent activities because such a negative tag would definitely come with other dire consequences.

For instance, Ghana’s international image would be dented and get blacklisted by international organisations, as well as trade sanctions by the international community, which would automatically erode our gains and international reputation.

The Chronicle, therefore, calls on the government and corporate institutions to, as a matter of urgency, provide adequate resources to EOCO to enable it recruit the skilled professionals it needs to work with and also provide regular training for the staff to stay ahead.

Since we cannot allow few miscreants to dent the image of the country with their wonton fraudulent activities, we must be ready to put in place adequate measures that would stem the tide, and the time is now.

14,000 benefit from AGA free mini clinics this year

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Nurses attending to patients

As many as 14,000 people have benefited from free mini Clinics organised by AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Mine, for various communities within Obuasi this year, the Community Relations Manager of the company, Mr. Edmund Oduro Agyei, has disclosed.

Speaking at the fifth in the series of mini Clinics organised for the Obuasi market square community, Mr. Oduro Agyei said, “the mini clinics have positively impacted the lives of over 14,000 individuals and progressively we will help turn our communities into healthy thriving ones.”

“As you participate in today’s event, I encourage each of you to take advantage of all the services available here. Ask questions, seek clarification and most importantly learn about your health,” he said.

Hon. Andrew Amoako Asiamah speaking at the commissioning ceremony

The Community Relations Manager expressed his appreciation to AGA partners, which included Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, GIZ, Ghana Health Service and AGAHF for their support towards the organisation of the mini Clinics.

Speaking at the event in commemoration of World AIDS Day, Mr. O.J.K. Addai, Senior Wellness Officer of AngloGold Ashanti Health Foundation (AGAHF) advised that those who have tested positive to HIV should adhere to the treatment regime and always take their drugs.

He pointed out that if HIV patients take their prescribed drugs, the viral load in the system reduces to the barest minimum.

Mr. Addai stated that per the 2021 HIV Sentinel Report, HIV Prevalence for Obuasi is 4.2% meaning that among every 100 people in Obuasi 4 to 5 people are believed to be living with the HIV virus.

Madam Mavis Opoku-Nkansah, a teacher who attended the clinic with her children praised AGA for the intervention.

“I have benefited a lot. I would have paid a huge amount of money if I had gone to the hospital. It is my wish that the exercise is periodically carried out so that the less privileged could get access to health care”, she added.

From Frederick Danso Abeam, Obuasi

Fomena MP builds Police Station for Dadwen/Kyekyewere communities

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The newly built police station

To take care of the security needs of Dadwen and Kyekyewere communities in the Adansi North District of the Ashanti region, Mr. Andrew Amoako Asiamah, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Fomena, has constructed a police station for the two communities.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Mr Amoako Asiamah said the two communities command a population of more than 10,000 people and for that matter they deserve to be given a police station to take care of them and their assets.

He pledged to build quarters to accommodate police personnel who will be posted to man the station.

The MP, therefore, pleaded to collaborate with the chiefs to look for a land for that purpose.

He called for a strict maintenance culture to prevail to ensure that the police station does not deteriorate, a few months after its commissioning.

The Ashanti South Regional Police Commander, DCOP George Ankomah, promised that the police will take good care of the facility to make it last longer.

He charged members of the two communities to cooperate with the police by providing adequate information to enable them perform, stressing that the police rely on information from the public to work effectively.

The Odikro of Dadwen, Nana Sarfo Kantanka, called on his people to comport themselves so that they do not find themselves in police grips.

On his part, the Kyekyewere Odikro, Nana Aboagye Sempah, noted that of late robbers have resorted to giving the community sleepless nights and thanked the MP and the police for collaborating to give them the police station.

From Frederick Danso Abeam, Dadwen

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