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Heavy rains kill 18 in Oman as flash floods lash UAE

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Heavy rains in Oman

Heavy rains and flash floods have swept parts of the Gulf region, killing at least 18 people in Oman and causing travel disruption in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In Oman, the death toll announced on Tuesday included at least nine schoolchildren and their driver whose vehicle was washed away by the floodwaters in Samad A’Shan on Sunday. The National Committee for Emergency Management said rescue teams were still searching for two missing people.

The government gave administrative staff in public and private sectors the day off due to the bad weather conditions in several provinces, while remote work was recommended in other parts of the sultanate. Residents were also urged to evacuate to shelters if they felt they were in danger or asked by authorities to do so.

Police and soldiers were deployed to the hardest-hit province of Ash Sharqiyah North to transport citizens out of flooded areas, according to state media.

Credit: aljazeera.com

UK Muslim student loses prayer ban challenge

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Head teacher Katharine Birbalsingh said the ban was a victory for all schools

A Muslim student at a London school has lost a High Court challenge against its ban on prayer rituals. Michaela School in Wembley was taken to court by the girl over the policy, which she argued was discriminatory.

The non-faith state secondary school previously told the High Court that allowing prayer rituals risked “undermining inclusion” among pupils.

The free school’s founder and head teacher Katharine Birbalsingh said the ruling was a “victory for all schools”.

About half the school’s roughly 700 pupils are Muslim, the court previously heard. Students are expected to adhere to strict rules including focusing on teachers extensively during lessons and remaining silent in corridors, as well as observing restrictions on uniforms.

In March 2023, up to 30 students began praying in the school’s yard, using blazers to kneel on, the High Court heard.

The school introduced the ban in the same month due to concerns about a “culture shift” towards “segregation between religious groups and intimidation within the group of Muslim pupils”, the court was told.

Credit: bbc.com

Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames

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Fire engulfed the historic spire which then collapsed

Denmark’s historic old stock exchange building in the centre of Copenhagen has been engulfed by fire. The 17th Century Børsen is one of the city’s oldest buildings and onlookers gasped as its iconic dragon spire collapsed in the flames.

Everyone inside the building was able to leave and people rushed to rescue some of its historic paintings. Culture minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt said 400 years of Danish cultural heritage had gone up in flames.

The building, dating back to 1625, is a stone’s throw from Denmark’s parliament, the Folketing, housed in the old royal palace of Christiansborg castle. Danish media said the nearby square was being evacuated and the main entrance to Christiansborg was closed because of smoke.

The old stock exchange was being renovated and had been shrouded in scaffolding and protective plastic covering. It currently houses the Danish chamber of commerce, which described the scenes on Tuesday morning as a terrible sight.

Local craftsman Henrik Grage told Danish TV that it was a tragic day. “This is our Notre-Dame,” he said, comparing it with the fire that engulfed the roof and spire of the cathedral in the centre of Paris almost exactly five years ago.

Credit: bbc.com

Eleven Natural Depression Treatments

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Depression Treatment

Being depressed can make you feel helpless. You’re not. Along with therapy and sometimes medication, there’s a lot you can do on your own to fight back. Changing your behavior — your physical activity, lifestyle, and even your way of thinking — are all natural depression treatments.

These tips can help you feel better — starting right now.

  1. Get in a routine. If you’re depressed, you need a routine, says Ian Cook, MD. He’s a psychiatrist and director of the Depression Research and Clinic Program at UCLA.

Depression can strip away the structure from your life. One day melts into the next. Setting a gentle daily schedule can help you get back on track.

  1. Set goals.When you’re depressed, you may feel like you can’t accomplish anything. That makes you feel worse about yourself. To push back, set daily goals for yourself.

“Start very small,” Cook says. “Make your goal something that you can succeed at, like doing the dishes every other day.”

As you start to feel better, you can add more challenging daily goals.

  1. Exercise.It temporarily boosts feel-good chemicals called endorphins. It may also have long-term benefits for people with depression. Regular exercise seems to encourage the brain to rewire itself in positive ways, Cook says. How much exercise do you need? You don’t need to run marathons to get a benefit. Just walking a few times a week can help.
  2. Eat healthy.There is no magic diet that fixes depression. It’s a good idea to watch what you eat, though. If depression tends to make you overeat, getting in control of your eating will help you feel better.
  3. Get enough sleep.Depression can make it hard to get enough shut-eye, and too little sleepcan make depression worse.

What can you do? Start by making some changes to your lifestyle. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Try not to nap. Take all the distractions out of your bedroom — no computer and no TV. In time, you may find your sleep improves.

  1. Take on responsibilities.When you’re depressed, you may want to pull back from life and give up your responsibilities at home and at work. Don’t. Staying involved and having daily responsibilities can help you maintain a lifestyle that can help counter depression. They ground you and give you a sense of accomplishment.
  2. Challenge negative thoughts.In your fight against depression, a lot of the work is mental — changing how you think. When you’re depressed, you leap to the worst possible conclusions.

The next time you’re feeling terrible about yourself, use logic as a natural depression treatment.

  1. Check with your doctor before using supplements.“There’s promising evidence for certain supplements for depression,” Cook says. Those include fish oil, folic acid, and SAMe. But more research needs to be done before we’ll know for sure. Always check with your doctor before starting any supplement, especially if you’re already taking medications.
  2. Do something new.When you’re depressed, you’re in a rut. Push yourself to do something different. Go to a museum. Pick up a used book and read it on a park bench. Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Take a language class.
  3. Try to have fun. If you’re depressed, make time for things you enjoy. What if nothing seems fun anymore? “That’s just a symptom of depression,” Cook says. You have to keep trying anyway.
  4. Avoid alcohol and other drugs. Substance misuse is common in people who have depression. You may be more likely to turn to alcoholmarijuana, or other drugs to deal with the symptoms of your depression. It’s unclear if drinking and using drugs causes depression. But long-term drug use could change the way your brain works and worsen or lead to mental healthproblems.

Source: webmd.com

 

Feature: The Christlike, The Christian And The Politician

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Feature

Alan has spoken and in his speech to the Pentecostals on Easter Day, he added that they should pray so that God picks someone after His own Heart to be leader of this nation.

Unfortunately, some personalities who claimed Alan was stereotyping, were rather those, stereotyping. A sentence like God can pick anybody from any religion to lead this country, clearly indicates that such persons, like Rev. Anthony Cudjoe and Hon. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, a deputy minister of state,believe that God in Heaven is a Christian God, and all non-Christians are not Heaven-bound.

In this country, certain prominent men and women of God, make it look like God cannot make up His mind when it comes to who is going to win General Elections. One pastor will come and prophesy that God says this politician will win the elections and another pastor will prophesy that God says the other politician will win.

This is an embarrassing situation and in fact even more blasphemous, which should be of great concern to Rev. Anthony Cudjoe and Hon. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, to deal with, and proclaim God, the Truthful Person, He is. One who does not contradict Himself.

The deputy-minister of Education should not assume that because he is a man of collar and at the same time a politician, he can interpret God’s words to mankind any way that pleases him. For what he stated about Alan Kyerematen on this Christlike and Christian issue, makes him, Rev. Fordjour, look like a first year Sunday School pupil.

For one thing Alan never said that people of non-Christian denominations should not be considered for the presidency. He was addressing fellow Christians and appealed to them to consider him, who is one of them, for the high office of presidency. What is ever wrong with this?

Alan never condemned Muslims and for that matter, members of other religions. He met his kind and appealed to them to vote for him. So, from where comes this statement which makes to sound as if, Muslims were condemned by Alan. Unfortunately, it is those people who are attacking Alan, who are condemning Muslims.

Rev. Anthony Cudjoe must be missing some pages in Sacred Scriptures. The will of God, cannot be changed by man and the truth is, God can pick anybody from any religion or even an atheist, to lead this country. Because He is the Father of all and not only Christians are welcomed to His Kingdom in Heaven but everyone, who has Christlike characteristics.

As for Hon. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, the mere fact that he chose to become a politician while still holding on to the shepherd’s rod of his flock, shows great stereotyping, here.

The writers of our Constitution made it clear that some people, like chiefs and traditional leaders should not be partisan. In his case, as a servant or person of God, who decided to become a partisan politician, how can he deal with members of his church whodo not belong to his political party?

How can they even approach him on matters concerning politics and governance? Can he genuinely preach against misconducts of his government and politicians and give good advice on how to deal with such situations?

When the Spirit of God descends upon Hon. Rev. Fr. John Ntim Fordjour, to speak against this or that act of his government, the question is, can he do that?

Okay, he issaying Alan made a mistake in calling for a Christian president. Can he stand in front of his congregation and convince them that Christians cannot be good leaders of this country?

In the case of King Cyrus of Persia helping to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and King Hiram of Tyre (1 Chronicles 14:1) helping to build the palace for David, people must know, first and foremost, that God does not belong to any religion.

For example, when He chose Abram to lead His chosen people, Abram might have been worshiping some other god. God created Abram and put him in an ethnic group and in a family, which might not even know God.

Also, the Israelites, from up to where they ended up in Egypt and from Egypt to the establishment of the Kingdom of Israel and onwards to this day, do not all uniquely belong to the bloodline of Abraham. Along the line, God brought in other nationals and people of other races, like Black Africans who are today the African Jews.

So, the excuse that God can also use Muslims to lead Ghana, is not the argument here. God can use a pagan to lead Ghana, and that is entirely up to His ways and His ways are not ours.

When Alan talked about Christlike, he was speaking of the characteristics of Jesus Christ. And they included: humility, selfless service, love, being very truthful, helpful, concern about others welfare, very honest, full of integrity and righteousness among others.

Alan called for a Christian leader but laid emphasis on a Christlike one, because, a Christian may not necessarily have Christlike characteristics. Even, during the time of Jesus, the apostles did not have all His characteristics. And Peter in Galatians 2: 11-14, did not show Christlike qualities.

To be Christlike entails a lot of responsibilities and for this country to be governed well, we will need someone with Christlike characteristics. That is what Alan is talking about and so if people who claim they are men of God and know the Sacred Scriptures and know Christ more than we the ordinary people, are attacking Alan for mentioning Christ, then such people need to go back to Sunday school.

Every human, Christian or non-Christians must possess Christlike qualities to be a good leader.

Now, back to Hon. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, assuming he is a member of Team Bawumia that goes to speak in a mosque or to a Muslim community, and he, the Hon. Rev., is to present Dr. Bawumia to the Muslims, is he going to say, “vote for him, because he is one of you” or “vote for Dr. Bawumia, because all the Christians are voting for him?”

The Hon. Rev., must say something and I want to know. How will he present Bawumia, a Muslim, to a Muslim community, without mentioning that, that the NPP presidential candidate is a Muslim?

All these attacks on Alan for mentioning to a Christian community that Christians should vote for him, will make it very difficult for Dr. Bawumia to present himself to Muslims and ask for their votes. Or are we going to hear him say“I am a Muslim like you, but you are free to vote for any Christian of your choice in the presidential race?”

The greatest hypocrisy is that these reverend ministers know that when politicians meet with their own, in terms of clan, ethnic group, religion, etc, etc they ask for their votes mainly based on the fact that they also belong.

Can Hon. Rev. Fordjour, be honest and tell us that during his campaign to be elected MP, when he meets fellow Christians, he never told them to vote for him because he is a Christian and more so a man of God?

In conclusion, may I find out from Rev. Anthony Cudjoe and Hon. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour whether in the view that we are in a Christian dominated country, will they ever stand in front of their congregation and advise them not to vote for a Christlike Christian?

They must be very honest about this, because if they fail to promote a Christlike Christian then, they are violating the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 16-20) of our Lord Jesus Christ. How can they make disciples of Christ of this nation, if they go ahead and promote and instal non-Christians as our leaders?

Readers, I am not engaging in any new debate as to why Ghana, a pre-dominant Christian nation, should be led by Christians. This is a very personal issue between the two men of God and me about the assignment Christ gave to them through the disciples to convert the world.

In Islam, Muslims are to bring in converts, so is Christianity. Just as the imam will teach and preach to people to become Muslims, so are the labourers in Lord’s vineyard mandated to convert people to Christianity.

That is why I am specifically asking these two reverend ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ, whether it is okay to achieve that mandatory assignment given them by Jesus Christ, by promoting non-Christians to lead Christians. I have nothing against Muslims. Thanks!

By Hon. Daniel Dugan

Today’s Champions League Quarter-Finals

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Bayern Munich welome Arsenal

Bayern  welcome Arsenal in mouthwatering encounter

Returning to the scene of many Champions League capitulation, Arsenal step foot onto the Allianz Arena turf on Wednesday night for the second leg of their mouthwatering quarter-final with Bayern Munich.

Last week’s opening battle at the Emirates certainly lived up to the hype, but Mikel Arteta‘s men were left to lament uncharacteristic mistakes in a 2-2 draw with the former Bundesliga champions, who came away with a hard-fought stalemate despite the absence of an away end.

Bayern leave their mark at Emirates

Neither Serge Gnabry nor Harry Kane made the grade in Arsenal colours during their stints in the Gunners academy, but the Bayern duo certainly left their mark on the Emirates soil during a four-goal thriller, which was sparked into life through Bukayo Saka‘s fine finish.  The Emirates stalemate certainly benefits Bayern, even with the away goals rule now a thing of the past.

With Bayer Leverkusen’s coronation on the German top-flight title, Bayern now only have European stardom to fight for between now and the end of the season, and the Bavarians have advanced from 17 of their last 18 Champions League knockout ties when avoiding defeat in the first leg, as well as going unbeaten in their last 14 home matches in Europe’s top tournament.

Arsenal take solace in defensive record

A handful of glass-half-empty Arsenal fans have already resigned their side to another title failure as Mikel Arteta’s men trail Manchester City by two points following their first Premier League loss of 2024, one which saw Villa weather a first-half storm before getting their reward for their second-45 dominance.

Arteta and co cannot dwell on Sunday’s chastening result for long, though, and the travelling crowd can take encouragement from Arsenal’s spectacular defensive record on rival territory, which has seen the Gunners ship just one goal in their last six away matches and keep clean sheets in each of their last three.

No Gooner needs reminding of the visitors’ previous humiliations on the Allianz Arena turf, though, as Arsenal return to Munich on the back of successive 5-1 away losses to Bayern in 2015 and 2017, and only one of their six away games versus the Bavarians has seen the Gunners prevail.

Prediction

For the most part, Bayern boss Tuchel oversaw a tactical masterclass in last week’s first leg, where the Bavarians’ centre-backs, midfielders and wingers all terrorised an Arsenal side evidently lacking experience of such a momentous European occasion.

While Arteta’s men are usually defensive powerhouses on the road, their lack of ruthlessness and second-half capitulation versus Villa was worrying, and with Bayern working with an extra day’s rest, we expect the Gunners to wake up from their Champions League dream.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

Manchester City and Real Madrid cross paths once again

After the first leg lived up to the hype and then some, Manchester City and Real Madrid cross paths once again for the return fixture in their Champions League quarter-final at the Etihad on Wednesday night.

Two European Titans

An evening of spectacular strikes at the Bernabeu saw the two European titans share the spoils in a 3-3 thriller last week, and the reward for Wednesday’s victor will be a semi-final test versus either Arsenal or Bayern Munich.

Real Madrid

Encounters between Man City and Real Madrid in the Spanish capital rarely fail to live up to the pre-game billing, and last week’s first leg was no different, with a six-goal extravaganza.

Coincidentally, six goals have also been registered in each of Man City’s last two Premier League contests, but Pep Guardiola‘s men have come out on the correct end of the scoreline each time, coming from behind to conquer Crystal Palace before the weekend’s 5-1 dismantling of relegation-threatened Luton Town.

Unbeaten Record

Now unbeaten in 27 matches across all tournaments since December’s lowly loss to Aston Villa, City have more than just a semi-final place on offer this week, as progression would also see the hosts equal a club-record 42-game unbeaten streak on home turf, a feat set all the way back in 1921.

Manchester City

Not since November 2022 – before the Qatar World Cup – have Man City emerged from an Etihad encounter on the wrong end of the scoreline, but Ancelotti’s Real Madrid are no strangers to extraordinary Champions League comebacks against their counterparts in sky blue.

Real Madrid’s unbeaten sequence may not be as noteworthy as their hosts’, but a 15-game streak without being bested is still nothing to be scoffed at, and the 14-time Champions League winners have some Mancunian history on their side ahead of Wednesday’s midweek sojourn to the north of England.

Prediction

Twenty-three goals have flown into the back of the net during City and Real’s last five contests – an average of 4.6 per game – and another engrossing encounter ought to be on the menu between two sides boasting fully-fit attacking contingents.

There ought to be no repeat of the four-goal drubbing dished out by Guardiola’s charges a little under 12 months ago, but with the holders imperious on home soil – albeit without the defensive solitude to match – we expect Man City to remain on course for back-to-back continental triumphs and inflict a familiar sense of Mancunian misery on Los Blancos.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

Werder Bremen suspend Naby Keita  until end of season                                              Former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has been suspended by Werder Bremen until the end of the season and given a “substantial fine” after refusing to travel with the team for Sunday’s Bundesliga game at Bayer Leverkusen.

The club said after Keita, 29, found out he would not start the match he “decided to go home instead”.

Werder Bremen lost 5-0 as Leverkusen were crowned Bundesliga champions.

“We won’t tolerate Naby’s behaviour,” said football director Clemens Fritz.

Naby Keita

“He let his team down in a time of difficulty surrounding our recent run of form and squad availability and put his own interests above those of the team.

“We can’t allow that. At this stage of the season, we need full focus on the remaining games and a team who stick together. That’s why we’ve been left with no alternative.”

The Guinea international will not train with the team or be part of the first-team dressing room as part of his punishment.

He joined 12th-placed Werder in June 2023 after five seasons at Liverpool but has made only five league appearances for the German side, and just one start.

Credit: bbc.com

FIXTURES

Bayern Munich20:00Arsenal

Manchester City20:00Real Madrid

Peter Toobu Fires Interior Minister …Accuses him of inciting Chief Inspectors and Inspectors against the Police Administration 

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Hon Peter Toobu, MP for Wa West

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa West, Peter Lanchene Toobu, has publicly criticised Mr Henry Quartey, alias ‘Accra Commando’, the Minister for the Interior, for what he perceives as lack of legal or policy backing for a recent statement he made at the police Headquarters.

Henry Quartey, Minister for the Interior

The MP’s comments, which he made in a Facebook post yesterday, came in response to a statement made by Minister Quartey during his maiden visit to the Police Headquarters recently.

During his meeting with the police hierarchy, Mr Henry Quartey allegedly announced plans to compile a supplementary special recommendation list for the Police academy.

“Good news for you. I have told the IGP we shall compile a supplementary special recommendation list to the Police academy,” the Interior Minister allegedly said.

But according to the MP, who is a retired Superintendent of Police, the Minister’s comment lacks solid legal or policy foundation, raising concerns about its validity and potential repercussions within the Police Administration.

“He only succeeded in inciting Chief Inspectors and Inspectors against the Police administration. I don’t know how he will enforce his statement,” Mr Toobu indicated.

Below is the full Facebook Post; 

Hon Henry Quartey, the Minister for the Interior, is a walking contradiction. He warned social media trolls not to incite the public with their statements and actions. At the same meeting at the Police Headquarters, the Minister said “…good news for you. I have told the IGP we shall compile a supplementary special recommendation list to the Police academy.”

The Minister has no law or policy backing his statement. He only succeeded in inciting Chief Inspectors and Inspectors against the Police Administration. I don’t know how he will enforce his statement.

Initially, I thought the Minister was not happy with the composition of Cadet Course 53 and directed the postponement of the reopening date for him to properly appreciate the situation. Today, he is directing the compilation of a supplementary list. Interesting, Let’s not put a colour on Course 53. It is dangerous for their professional development. I rest my case.

Aspiring PC donates office to La Dade Kotopon NPP

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Joseph Addo speaking to the media

Joseph Addo, aspiring Parliamentary Candidate (PC) has donated an office space to the La Dade Kotopon New Patriotic Party (NPP) branch. The office is situated on the Ako Adjei road, opposite the Kingdom bookshop.

Mr Addo, whilst donating the office space, indicated that the move was to aid the party in its bid to capture power from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the constituency.

In an interaction with the media, the aspiring parliamentary candidate clarified that the donation was motivated by his love for the party and not necessarily because he was seeking to win the parliamentary primary.

Joseph Addo also urged the delegates to consider his candidature worthy and capable to reclaim the seat for the party in the upcoming general elections. He also called for unity ahead of the primary.

The office has been carefully partitioned to create spaces for the Chairman, First, Second and Third vice chairpersons as well as the General Secretary. There is also a space for meetings, which will help the party when it comes to strategy decision.

For the constituency executives, this donation has come timely, considering that the party lacks a permanent office complex, which forces the executives to operate from a rented apartment.

Issac Odoi, First Vice Chairman for the La Dade-Kotopon constituency accepted the donation on behalf of the executives and thanked the aspirant for the kind gesture.

GCB Bank PLC Does Not Owe Government Of Ghana –Management

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Kofi Adomako, MD of GCB Bank

Our attention has been drawn to a publication in the Chronicle Newspaper dated April 10, 2024 which seeks to suggest that “…GCB Bank also owes GHC2bn” to the Government of Ghana.

GCB Bank PLC wishes to state that the information carried on the front page and on pages 2, 3 and 7 on the said date of The Chronicle newspaper is incorrect, false and misleading.

We acknowledge that the newspaper’s story is based on the proceedings of the Parliament of Ghana’s Public Account Committee’s sitting on Monday, April 8, 2024 where the 2022 Auditor General Report was discussed, however, we can emphatically affirm that GCB Bank PLC is not indebted to the Government of Ghana.

In light of the publication, the Bank has proactively engaged the Auditor General and the Controller & Accountant General to rectify the public misinformation, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to transparency and trust.

GCB Bank wishes to assure all its stakeholders, including our shareholders and customers, of our unwavering commitment to ethically providing unrivalled financial solutions towards the socio-economic development of Ghana.

JK Horgle Transport wins coveted Total Energies award

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Mr. Joseph Kwaku Horgle displaying the award

JK Horgle Transport Limited has been adjudged the Most Reliable Transport Company in 2023.

The award, which was presented to the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Joseph Kwaku Horgle by Total Energy at a ceremony in Accra, was in recognition of the Company’s dedication to prompt delivery and effective services, including driving 430,000 kilometers for Total Energy.

In a citation, Total Energy wrote: “This citation is presented to JK HORGLE TRANSPORT LIMITED in recognition of your exceptional commitment to responsive, efficiency and reliability in 2023.

JK HORGLE TRANSPORT LIMITED displayed a dedication to prompt delivery and effective services which significantly improved TOTAL Energy Marketing Ghana PLC’s competitiveness in the Petroleum market”.

It added, “your dedication to meeting and exceeding customer expectation coupled with your promotion and effective communication has set a new standard of excellence. Your contributions have not only enhanced operational efficiency but also strengthened customer trust and satisfaction”.

Mr. Horgle, who is a giant in the petroleum downstream industry in Ghana has received so many awards, making his company JK Horgle Transport, a giant and one of the sought for transport companies in the petroleum downstream sector.

From a humble beginning with about three heavy-duty trucks in the 1970s, he has grown his petroleum haulage business and currently boasts of over 500 heavy-duty trucks in Ghana.

 

The Ghanaian Chronicle