The involvement of Croatia’s sharp-tongued president in the country’s parliamentary election on Wednesday may not be constitutional. But it is certainly livening up what had threatened to be a predictable affair.
The country’s parliamentary polls tend to follow a pattern. A centre-left coalition led by the Social Democrats (SDP) runs against the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), whose support runs from centre-right to right-wing nationalist.
Most of the time, the HDZ wins. It consistently reaps the rewards of a large membership base and strong organisation – though opposition parties claim that patronage and corruption are just as influential.
But this election looks like it might be different. And that is all down to the presence of Zoran Milanovic.
He has consistently been rated as the country’s most popular politician since he became president four years ago, even though as head of state he has little actual power in running the country. People in neighbouring Bosnia, illegal immigration, and military aid to Ukraine have all been lashed by Mr Milanovic’s sharp tongue. Meanwhile, he has spoken admiringly about Russia’s military prowess.
French President Emmanuel Macron says the Paris Olympics opening ceremony could move from the River Seine if the security risk is too high. Mr Macron said it could be “limited to the Trocadéro”, across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, instead of covering the planned stretch of the river.
He added that it could even be moved to the Stade de France, reverting to a traditional ceremony.
The opening ceremony is set to be the first to be held outside a stadium.
More than 10,000 athletes are expected to sail along a 6km stretch of the Seine on some 160 barges.
The organisers had originally planned to accommodate some 600,000 people to watch the ceremony from riverbanks, but that has now been scaled down to 300,000 people.
It has already been revealed that tourists will not be given free access to watch the ceremony, as was originally planned. Instead, tickets will be by invitation only, not via open registration.
Oil prices fell on Monday after Iran’s reprisal attack on Israel over the weekend.
Brent crude – a key benchmark for oil prices internationally – was lower but still trading close to $90 a barrel on Monday morning.
Prices had already risen in expectation of action by Iran, with Brent crude nearing a six-month high last week.
Analysts said the markets would be looking to see how the conflict could affect global supply chains.
Oil price fluctuations can cause ripple effects across the world due to countries being heavily reliant on the commodity, which is used to produce fuels such as petrol and diesel. Fuel and energy prices have been a major driver behind the higher cost of living worldwide in the past couple of years.
Analysts said Israel’s reaction to the attack would be key for global markets in the days and weeks ahead.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said the confrontation with Iran is “not over yet”.At the end of last week, the price of Brent crude touched $92.18 a barrel, the highest since October, but early on Monday it had fallen back to around $89.70.
A bishop and several other people have been stabbed during a sermon in Sydney that was being streamed online.
The incident happened on Monday evening at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the suburb of Wakeley.
Police responded to reports that a number of people had been stabbed but said none of their injuries were life-threatening.
A man has been arrested and taken to an undisclosed location, police said.
Following the attack large crowds gathered outside the church, with unverified footage posted online appearing to show some attacking the building and emergency service vehicles.
Police said “a large police response is under way and the public is urged to avoid the area.”
The bishop who was attacked was named by local media as Mar Mari Emmanuel. His identity was later confirmed by the church, which is Eastern Orthodox. The church said in a statement that a priest, Father Isaac, was also injured. Both were taken to hospital.
According to AFP news agency, the neighbourhood is a hub for Sydney’s small Christian Assyrian community, many of whom have fled persecution and war in Iraq and Syria.
Alhaji Abdul Ali Barry, Asanteman Zongo Nkosuohene
The youth in the Zongo communities in the country have been admonished not to allow themselves to be used as stooges by politicians.
Alhaji Abdul Ali Barry, the Asanteman Zongo Nkosuohene in Kumasi, advised the youth to eschew the penchant for money by refusing to be stooges of politicians to perpetuate violence, particularly during election period.
He advised them to opt for a better option of pursuing higher education to better their lives and secure their future.
The Asanteman Zongo Nkosuohene gave the advice at his residence at Dichemso, on Thursday, April 11, 2024 to mark the end of one month of the fast of Ramadan, the Eid ul-Fitr.
He cautioned that monetising one’s youthful life could be disastrous as education cannot be compared to education with money.
Alhaji Barry, however, expressed satisfaction with the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the country and cautioned politicians to desist from acts that could trigger violence or crisis during the election.
“We are one people and I urge the electorate to exercise their franchise by voting peacefully and whoever emerges as winner should be accepted by Ghanaians,” he said.
The Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group (GEAG), Nzema Youth Association, Aowin Youth Association and three other Youth Groups, all in the western region, have joined hands to roundly reject illegal mining on water bodies, lands and forest reserves.
The group at a news conference and a sensitisation workshop at Bakanta in the Ellembelle District of the region rejected any form of small scale mining, including community mining.
Elizabeth AlluaVaah, who read a statement on behalf of GEAG, mentioned that irresponsible mining had destroyed their forest, land and rivers and continues to pose as an existential threat to the people.
“Why can’t we stand together with one voice and destroy this evil of mining. What will it take for Nzemas, Wassas, Sefwis, Ashantis and others who are suffering from the evil canker to say enough is enough”, she asked.
Turning her attention to traditional leaders, Elizabeth Allua Vaah said given that Nananom are the custodians of the land, forest and rivers, they should not allow it to continue.
‘Today’, the GEAG spokesperson told the conference, “many of us are drinking mercury and lead laden water, eating tubers, fishes and fruits that have been contaminated with poisonous heavy metal”.
Patric Danso reading his statement
The resulting increase in diseases associated with mercury, lead and cyanide poisoning today, she indicated, was just a herald to what would befall our unborn generations.
Given the dangers associated with illegal mining and many lives that have been lost through it, the spokesperson asked, “Do their death mean anything to you,Nananom.
Cocoa production has reduced and whatever little we have left will soon be tagged as contaminated with heavy metals. Isn’t that concerning enough?”
To that end, she said “we demand action, we need action”.
GEAG, however, indicated that it was aware of the excellent works some gallant traditional leaders and others have done to keep galamsey destruction away from their lands.
Nevertheless, “We are also aware of the complicit role the state and some of Nananom have played in the poisoning of our lands and rivers. Rest assured, there will be time for reckoning for all.
“If the state would not keep us safe and some of our traditional leaders were also going to betray us, then it will be up to us regular citizens to stand up and protect our communities”.
According to her, their lands in towns and villages such as Aiyinase Sendu, Obeng Krom, Anwia, EgilaEshiem, Banso and Dadieso, all in Nzema, are being destroyed by foreigners and Ghanaians fronting for them.
The group showed results of the analysis of five different water sources like rivers Ankobra, Birim, Butre, Offin, Pra, Subie, Tano and others, that have been contaminated as a result of mining.
She expressed the hope that, “you will join us in our resolve to say never again to destructive community mining”.
The Youth of Asemkrom in a solidarity statement also highlighted how illegal mining has destroyed lands, water bodies and forest, despite the fact that the area has anti-galamsey youth who have resolved to fight the canker.
Patrick Danso, who read the statement on behalf of AsemkromYouth, indicated that the fight against illegal mining in Asemkrom, spearheaded by some youth in the area, had explicitly unveiled three of the players in the galamsey saga.
He mentioned names that are deeply involved in galamsey in the area.
According to him, though those behind the mining claim it was providing jobs for the youth in the area, the youth on the other hand rejected the claim.
Given the difficulties the anti-galamsey team are facing in their work, he recounted an incident where on December 28, 2022 two Chinese and six Ghanaians were caught in the act of illegal mining at Asemkrom.
They were arrested by the anti-galamsey group, but to date, there has been no prosecution. Funny enough, Patrick Danso told the press conference that eleven anti-galamsey activists were rather charged for assault.
The charge, he said, were pressed by the very kingpins who were arrested in the act of illegal mining by the anti-galamsey group.
That aside, they were also arrested on false accusation of having sold land for galamsey. All these, he indicated, were collaboration between the kingpins and the Police, including some elders of the community.
“We want to make it clear to all and sundry that the current situation at Asemkrom, relating to the fight against galamsey cannot continue. The rule of law must be upheld and security of all citizens assured.
“We stand ready to support the government and the local communities in finding lasting solution to the crisis and we call upon all parties involved to come together in the spirit of cooperation and dialogue”.
Dr. Robert Nyameke and Wendy Climate both sensitised the workshop on health implications of galamsey.
You are what you eat, as the saying goes. But a growing body of evidence indicates that it’s not just what and how much you eat that influence your health. How fast and when you eat also play a role.
Research now indicates that these two factors may affect the risk for gastrointestinal problems, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Because meal timing and speed of consumption are modifiable, they present new opportunities to change behavior to help prevent and perhaps address these conditions.
Not So Fast
Most people are well acquainted with the short-term gastrointestinal effects of eating too quickly, which include indigestion, gas, bloating, and nausea. But regularly eating too fast can cause long-term consequences.
Obtaining a sense of fullness is key to staving off overeating and excess caloric intake. However, it takes approximately 20 minutes for the stomach to alert the brain to feelings of fullness. Eat too quickly and the fullness signaling might not set in until you’ve consumed more calories than intended. Research links this habit to excess body weight.
The practice also can lead to gastrointestinal diseases over the long term because overeating causes food to remain in the stomach longer, thus prolonging the time that the gastric mucosa, mucous membrane layer of the stomach, is exposed to gastric acids.
A study of 10,893 adults in South Korea reported that those with the fastest eating speed (less than 5 minutes per meal) had a 1.7 times greater likelihood of one kind of gastritis than those with the slowest times (greater than or equal to 15 minutes per meal). Faster eating also was linked to increased risk for prolonged indigestion in a study involving 89 young-adult female military cadets in South Korea with relatively controlled eating patterns.
On the extreme end of the spectrum, researchers who performed an assessment of a competitive speed eater speculated that the observed expanding of the stomach to form a large sac necessary makes speed eaters vulnerable to morbid obesity, gastroparesis, intractable nausea and vomiting, and the need for gastrectomy.
The risk for metabolic changes and eventual development of type 2 diabetes also appears to be linked to how quickly food is consumed.
Given these potential issues, the good news is people can slow the speed at which they eat so they feel full before they overeat.
A 2019 study in which 21 participants were instructed to eat a 600-calorie meal at a “normal” or “slow” pace (6 minutes or 24 minutes) found that the slower group reported feeling fuller while consuming fewer calories.
This approach may not work for all people, however. There’s evidence to suggest that tactics to slow down eating may not limit the number of calories people who already overweight or obese consume.
Patients with obesity may physiologically differ in their processing of food, according to Michael Camilleri, MD, consultant in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
“We have demonstrated that about 20%-25% of people with obesity actually have rapid gastric emptying,” he said. “As a result, they don’t feel full after they eat a meal and that might impact the total volume of food that they eat before they really feel full.”
The Ideal Time to Eat
It’s not only the speed at which individuals eat that may influence outcomes but when they take their meals. Research indicates that eating earlier in the day to align meals with the body’s circadian rhythms in metabolism offers health benefits.
“The focus would be to eat a meal that syncs during those daytime hours,” Collin Popp, PhD, a research scientist at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York, said. “I typically suggest patients have their largest meal in the morning, whether that’s a large or medium-sized breakfast, or a big lunch.”
A recent study of 2,050 participants found that having the largest meal at lunch protected against obesity, while having it at dinner increased the risk for obesity and led to higher body mass index.
Consuming the majority of calories in meals earlier in the day may have metabolic health benefits, as well.
The launch of the Ghana Performance Tracker in Accra on April 10, 2024, stands as a historic milestone, heralding a new era of transparency and accountability in the nation’s developmental journey. This ground-breaking initiative represents a concerted effort to bridge the gap between the government and its citizens, providing unprecedented access to crucial information about the country’s progress.
By serving as a centralized repository for data from 30 ministries, the platform offers a comprehensive overview of government activities, spanning diverse sectors such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and social welfare. This comprehensive approach ensures that citizens have access to a wealth of information, ranging from project details and outcomes to impact assessments and beneficiary insights .
This article, explores the diverse significance of the Performance Tracker, uncovering its transformative potential in enhancing transparency, empowering citizens, and driving positive change.
The Relevance of Performance Tracker:
Transparency and Accountability
At the core of its mission, Performance Tracker embodies the principles of transparency and accountability. By making detailed project information and outcomes readily available to the public, the platform will foster a culture of openness and trust between the government and its citizens. Through Performance Tracker, individuals can scrutinize government promises, track progress, and hold elected officials accountable for their actions.
Thus, transparency ceases to be a mere aspiration but evolves into a fundamental pillar of good governance, with Performance Tracker serving as a catalyst for fostering public trust and confidence in governmental institutions.
Informed Decision-Making
In the realm of policymaking, access to timely and accurate data is paramount for informed decision-making. Performance Tracker will play a pivotal role in equipping policymakers with real-time insights into the efficacy and impact of government programs and initiatives.
Whether evaluating the success of an infrastructure project or analysing the outcomes of a social welfare program, policymakers can rely on the data provided by Performance Tracker to make evidence-based decisions that are grounded in empirical evidence.
In a nation striving for progress and development, informed decision-making is not merely desirable but essential for steering the country towards sustainable growth and prosperity.
Citizen Empowerment
Empowering citizens with knowledge and information is integral to fostering active citizenship and democratic participation. The Performance Tracker will serve as a powerful tool for citizen empowerment by granting individuals access to critical information that directly impacts their lives and communities.
Through the platform, citizens can explore government projects, understand their implications, and engage in meaningful dialogue about governance and public policy.
By fostering an informed and engaged citizenry, Performance Tracker facilitates greater civic participation and collaboration between the government and its constituents, thereby strengthening the fabric of democracy in Ghana.
Identifying Gaps and Improvements
Acknowledging the inherent imperfections of government operations, the Performance Tracker will serve as a mechanism for identifying both successes and shortcomings in governmental initiatives.
By transparently highlighting areas of improvement and showcasing instances of effective governance, the platform enables stakeholders to collaboratively address deficiencies and drive continuous improvement in public service delivery.
Whether through community feedback mechanisms or data-driven analysis, Performance Tracker facilitates the identification of gaps in service provision, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively to address the needs of the populace.
Building Public Trust
Trust is the cornerstone of any functioning democracy, serving as the bedrock upon which the relationship between the government and its citizens is built. Performance Tracker can play a crucial role in building public trust by providing transparent and accessible information about government performance and achievements.
When citizens can witness tangible results and track the progress of government initiatives in real-time, it fosters a sense of confidence and legitimacy in governmental institutions. Conversely, if promises remain unfulfilled or projects fail to meet expectations, citizens can hold the government accountable, thereby reinforcing the principles of transparency and responsiveness in governance.
Potential Dangers:
Selective Reporting: There’s a risk that only successful or positive outcomes will be highlighted on the Performance Tracker, while failures or shortcomings will be overlooked, leading to a skewed perception of government performance.
Lack of Feedback Mechanisms: Without effective channels for citizens to provide feedback or report issues, the platform may fail to address community concerns or reflect the true needs of the population.
Resource Constraints: Limited resources or capacity constraints within government agencies may hinder the accurate and timely reporting of project data, compromising the reliability of information on the platform.
Misinterpretation of Data: Citizens or policymakers may misinterpret complex data presented on the platform, leading to misguided conclusions or inappropriate policy responses.
Overreliance on Technology: Dependency on the digital platform may marginalize traditional communication channels or community engagement methods, excluding segments of the population without access to technology.
Recommendations:
Promoting Transparency: Implement measures to ensure balanced reporting on the Performance Tracker platform, including the inclusion of both successes and challenges faced in project implementation.
Facilitating Feedback Loops: Establish mechanisms for citizens to provide feedback directly through the platform, enabling continuous improvement and responsiveness to community needs.
Capacity Building: Provide training and support to government officials responsible for data collection and reporting, enhancing their capacity to accurately and efficiently update information on the platform.
Data Visualization and Education: Utilize user-friendly data visualization techniques and educational resources to help users better understand and interpret information presented on the platform.
Hybrid Approach: Adopt a hybrid approach to information dissemination, combining digital platforms with traditional communication methods to ensure inclusivity and reach diverse segments of the population.
Conclusion
The Performance Tracker transcends its role as a mere repository of data; it symbolizes a paradigm shift towards more transparent, accountable, and participatory governance in Ghana.
As the nation continues its journey towards development and progress, Performance Tracker serves as a guiding compass, steering policymakers and citizens alike towards a future characterized by transparency, accountability, and citizen empowerment.
Let us embrace the transformative potential of Performance Tracker, and collectively work towards a Ghana that thrives on the principles of good governance and citizen participation.
Through active engagement with the platform, meaningful dialogue, and collaborative action, we can harness the power of data and information to drive positive change and build a more prosperous and inclusive society for all Ghanaians.
Barcelonawill be aiming to book their spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign when they welcome Paris Saint-Germainon Tuesday night. Xavi‘s side will bring a narrow advantage into the second leg of their quarter-final at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Barcelona
Barcelona’s form since Xavi announced that he would be standing down as head coach this summer has been excellent, going 13 games unbeaten in all competitions, recording 10 wins in the process.
Raphinhawas the star of the show in Paris in the first leg, netting a brace, while Andreas Christensen came up with the winner in the 77th minute, so Barcelona will enter this fixture with a 3-2 advantage.
Head-to-head
Barcelona lead the overall head-to-head against PSG, boasting six wins to the French outfit’s four, but they suffered a 4-1 home loss to the capital giants in the last-16 first leg back in February 2021.
Paris Saint Germain
Xavi’s side will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 win over Cadiz in La Liga on Saturday, and they have been victorious in each of their last four in the Spanish league.
PSG, meanwhile, have not been in action since the first leg, with their last Ligue 1 game coming at home to Clermont on April 6, sharing the points in a 1-1 draw, which left them 10 points clear at the top of the table.
Unless something extraordinary happens, another Ligue 1 championship will be secured this season, but the Champions League is the trophy that this club really want, and it would be some story if a certain Kylian Mbappe could help the team win the competition as a parting gift.
PSG were last present in the semi-finals in 2020-21, while they made the final in 2019-20, but two of their last three tournaments have ended in the round of 16.
The capital outfit will be aware of the size of the task facing them against an in-form Barcelona, but this is the side of the draw that both sides would have wanted to have been in, as the winner will take on either Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund for a position in the final.
Prediction
The first leg between the two sides was brilliant, and we are expecting plenty more entertainment on Tuesday night. PSG certainly have enough quality to turn this game around, but Barcelona have been boosted with the returns of some key players at a vital stage of the season, and we are expecting Xavi’s side to navigate their way into the semi-finals of the competition.
Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid will go head-to-head for a spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday night, with the pair locking horns in the second leg of their quarter-final.
Atlético Madrid
Atletico have a narrow lead to protect, having recorded a 2-1 victory in the first leg at Wanda Metropolitano, but it is delicately poised ahead of what should be a fascinating contest at Signal Iduna Park.
Delicately poised
Dortmund were comfortably second-best in the first half of their quarter-final with Atletico, and goals from Rodrigo De Paul andSamuel Lino sent the Spanish team two goals ahead. Sebastien Haller came up with the away side’s goal in the 81st minute of the clash at Wanda Metropolitano, and it is now delicately poised, with Dortmund trailing in the tie but now having home advantage.
Dortmund have not progressed past the quarter-finals of the Champions League since famously reaching the final in 2012-13, ultimately losing 2-1 to Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich, and they were knocked out of last season’s tournament in the round of 16 by Chelsea.
Dortmund were missing Jadon Sancho against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday due to illness, but the on-loan Manchester United attacker is expected to return to the side on Tuesday night.
Borussia Dortmund
Atletico will feel that they should have been out of sight in the first leg considering their dominance in the opening 45 minutes, and it remains to be seen whether they will be made to pay in the second leg.
Atletico failed to make it out of the group stage of last season’s Champions League, while they have not been past the final eight since featuring against Real Madrid in the semi-finals back in 2016-17.
Prediction
There is nothing to separate these two teams in the head-to-head record, with both posting three wins from their seven matches, while there has also been one draw.
It would not be a surprise to see Dortmund turn this one around on Tuesday, but there is just something about Atletico at this stage of the competition, and we are backing the Madrid giants to claim a draw, which would see them advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League once again.
I always remind myself that there is someone younger, hungrier, and more skilled than I am; in other words, there’s always someone better than I am. This keeps me humble and on my toes.
Who can’t relate to “wanting the best“? Employers can’t be blamed for seeking and holding out for the “best” candidate, especially in a job market flooded with candidates. Every recruiter, HR professional, and hiring manager knows no perfect candidate exists. Yet, they still hunt for purple squirrels.
Today’s job market:
The number of jobs has decreased.
The number of candidates has increased.
Fewer people are leaving their job.
With so many people seeking work, employers have, along with access to technology that can do the work—job seekers and employees are entering an era where they’re starting to compete against AI, along with robotics—and cost-effective alternatives, such as hiring freelancers, contractors and sending jobs overseas, an array of options to get their jobs done. Hence, there’s always the feeling that there’s someone or something better out there.
An interviewer’s thoughts after an interview: “Yeah, [name] ticks off most of the boxes, but with all the resumes we’re getting, there’s a good chance I’ll find someone who ticks off all the boxes.” It’s common for employers to keep job postings open for several months while they try to find a candidate with specific skills, education, certification, and experience rather than hire for “potential,” which is impossible to determine.
Right now, candidates with shinier resumes and LinkedIn profiles than yours are going after the same jobs you’re gunning for. The ocean of job seekers is filled with more experienced fish. However, there’s a bright side; being “the best” is highly subjective. Perfect on paper or LinkedIn doesn’t always equate to perfect in person.
While employers seek the best, it should be noted that “the best” isn’t always quantifiable, and skills and experience aren’t the only things hiring managers consider. In actuality, “the best” is more about compatibility with the company’s culture and your interviewer(s)— especially if your interviewer will be your boss—and timing, which you have no control over, than “there’s always someone better.” There’s no mythical unfairness or unseen forces at play other than life happening.
Here’s a question to ponder: Which reasons did you feel contributed to you not being hired for the jobs you interviewed for? Was it because the employer felt it was in their best interest to continue looking for a better candidate, or was it something else? Putting aside your self-interests, do you think the employers who didn’t hire you made a mistake? If “yes,” why?
In previous columns, I’ve mentioned that being likable supersedes your skills and experience. Your charisma, character, smile, clothes, and how you present yourself physically will either work for you or against you. It’s not rocket science to self-reflect and figure out which of your qualities, behaviours, and physical characteristics entices or repels employers.
Prioritizing being likable over your skills and experience is a job search strategy that more job seekers should adopt.
Several years ago, I was competing against another candidate for a position I was excited about. After three interviews and an online personality assessment, I was blown out of the water. Compared to past rejections, this one really hurt. Curious about who got hired, I kept an eye on the company’s LinkedIn page to see when new employees appeared.
Several weeks later, the person I lost out to updated their LinkedIn profile and appeared as a new employee. When I read their profile, I thought, “Damn! I’d hire her over me.” She ticked off all the boxes and many more outside of skills and experience.
When you get an interview, it’s because what the employer read on your resume, LinkedIn profile, and social media appealed to them on some level, and they feel you could do the job. Now comes the difficult part, selling yourself as the best candidate.
Your goal is to stop your interviewer from thinking there are better candidates out there than you, and not hiring you would be a mistake.
Work in statements that illustrate why you’re the best candidate.
“I consider this job a good match for my long-term goals, and I would like to continue building my career with this company.”
“Collaborating with others is one of my greatest strengths.”
“One of the things I would keep an eye on if I were hired is…”
Despite many hiring managers’ attempts, it’s impossible to determine “the best” candidate during the recruitment process based on a measurable scale alone. Therefore, stop fretting about being “the best” and focus on being the best and likable version of yourself.
I’ve yet to meet a hiring manager who hired a candidate they didn’t like, no matter how much they thought the candidate’s skills and experience were “the best.”
Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers “unsweetened” job search advice. You can send Nick your questions to artoffindingwork@gmail.com.
