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2 cheerleaders were shot in a Texas supermarket parking lot after one opened the door to the wrong vehicle

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Pedro Tello Rodriguez Jr.

Two teenage cheerleaders were shot after one said she mistook the suspect’s vehicle as her own in a supermarket parking lot near Texas’ capital – making this at least the third incident this week in which young people who’d made an apparent mistake were met with gunfire.

Authorities arrested Pedro Tello Rodriguez Jr., 25, the man they say shot the two teens. He was taken into custody early Tuesday, the Elgin Police Department said in a news release later that morning.

Officers responding just after midnight Tuesday to an H-E-B supermarket parking lot found two people in a vehicle who’d been struck by bullets, police said, citing preliminary reports. One with serious injuries was rushed by helicopter to a hospital and in critical condition, while the other was treated at the scene, the release said.

An image of Ralph Yarl taken from social media

The White homeowner accused of shooting a Black teen who rang his doorbell turns himself in and is released on bail

The latter girl had gotten out of a friend’s car and opened the door to a vehicle she thought was hers, only to find a man sitting in the passenger seat, she said during a livestreamed prayer vigil Tuesday night at her cheer team’s gym, CNN affiliate KTRK reported.

Heather Roth said she was trying to apologize to the man when he got out of the passenger door.

“He just threw his hands up, and then he pulled out a gun and he just started shooting at all of us,” Roth said, fighting tears.

Roth was struck by a bullet but was treated and released at the scene, Lynne Shearer, managing partner of the Woodlands Elite cheer program, told CNN.

Source: cnn.com

UK warns China against intimidating foreign nationals in Britain

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US arrests two for running secret Chinese ‘police station’ in NYC

Britain says any intimidation of foreign nationals by China or other states on its soil is unacceptable as it responded to a media report about a secret Chinese police station.

Britain has previously said that reports of undeclared police stations in the country were “extremely concerning” and the police were looking into the issue.

This week, United States federal agents arrested two New York residents for allegedly operating a Chinese “secret police station” in the Chinatown district of Manhattan. China has said it firmly opposes what it called “the US’s slanders and smears”.

On Wednesday, Britain’s policing minister, Chris Philp, said the government was aware of about 100 such stations around the world.

“This government takes interference with foreign nationals here, transnational intimidation, extremely seriously,” he said. “It is completely unacceptable, and we will do whatever is necessary to stop it from happening.”

The Chinese government has previously said there are centres outside China run by local volunteers, not Chinese police officers, that aim to help Chinese citizens renew documents and offer other services.

Source: Aljazeera.com

Residents flee capital Khartoum as fighting continues

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Smoke billows over the Sudanese capital Khartoum

Thousands of civilians have fled Sudan’s capital and foreign nations are trying to evacuate their citizens, amid a fifth day of fierce fighting.

Witnesses reported people leaving Khartoum in cars and on foot on Wednesday morning, as gunfire and deafening explosions rocked the city.

Meanwhile, officials in Japan and Tanzania say they are considering missions to evacuate their citizens.

The exodus follows Tuesday’s collapsed ceasefire between the warring factions.

The Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had agreed a 24-hour humanitarian ceasefire on Tuesday, but the truce collapsed within minutes of its proposed launch at 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT).

A new ceasefire with the same timing was put forward by the RSF on Wednesday. The army said it would abide by the truce – but gunfire can still be heard across the capital.

Smoke can be seen over the area of the army headquarters in the centre of the city, where much of the fighting between rival military factions is centred.

The fighting at the moment mostly involves shelling, not heavy air bombardments.

Civilians began to flee the capital early on Wednesday morning after fighting resumed and Khartoum was enveloped in thick black smoke following explosions near the army headquarters.

Witnesses reported heavily armed RSF fighters patrolling the city on pick-up trucks, while fighter jets loyal to the military conducted strikes on targets believed to be held by the paramilitary forces.

A shortage of fuel and a lack of public transport has seen many of those fleeing forced to do so on foot, with some seeking to get passage to central and western Sudan – where their families live – on flatbed trucks.

One local fleeing the capital told the BBC that the RSF had set up checkpoints on roads around the city and some of its fighters had robbed him, stealing his phone and some money.

Source: bbc.com

ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED? NOT SO CONTINUES

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Pastor David Leroy Matthews -Sozo Ministries, Ohio

(ANNOUNCEMENT FOR BOTH SAINTS AND SINNERS)

That old serpent called the devil and Satan, has deceived the whole world. Ephesians 6:10 – 18 10.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints Some years ago, there was a woman advertising in the Jack Chick magazine that you could buy her paper swords.

(Ephesians 6:17 – And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God) and she was making money from those deceived by Satan. Here in the US there was a man named Leroy Jenkins, long dead, a man who had many miracles in his meetings. When he was imprisoned for his sins, he would call Susan, who would handle his meetings while he was in prison.

Leroy would call Susan during the tent meetings from prison and tell her what clothes they had on, what seat someone was in, and Susan will say to them Leroy said you are healed. One time a man was not there, and Leroy said Dam!, and told Susan he is out in the parking lot, go quick and tell him he is healed.

Leroy had divorced his wife and became involved in homosexuality Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. When Leroy got out of prison, he gave credit of his spiritual ability to his native American background, and started selling holy water out of a well. Matthew 7:15-23 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.21 Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Hebrews 12:14   Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Leroy Jenkins name will be taken out of the Lamb’s Book of Life. John 4:7 -29 7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) 9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saith thou truly.

19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

27 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? 28 The woman then left her water pot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Verse 22  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. (Salvation in Greek is Soteria meaning “Rescue or Safety physically or morally; deliver, health, salvation, save, saving”)

When someone sells you holy water or oil, they are deceiving you (John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.) Jesus is referring to those who believe on Him, will have ever lasting ‘water of life’ When pastors sell you a metal sword, they are making and being led of Satan to blind you from the Truth.

Our Bibles translated, ‘Dagger’ a short pointed weapon, with sharp edges, used for stabbing, for close up fighting in warfare, you cannot fight (wrestler) close up with a sword Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (Salvation in the Greek is Soteria, meaning : Rescue or Safety physically or morally; deliver, health, salvation, save, saving The Sword is the word of GOD “YAHWEH’.

The first of the warfare was in the garden Genesis 3Genesis 3:1-7 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. Matthew 4:1-11 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. As a teenager, I was saved according to the doctrine I was raised in which I no longer agree with. And I was chosen to be the leader of the teenagers who would pass the offering plates, once a month through the congregation.

A thought came to me that I could keep some of that money, but my next thought was ‘this money is the Lord’s money’, I am not going to steal the Lord’s money. I learned that one of the other teenagers, was stealing the Lord’s money. Hebrews 2:12-18 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

You who are wrestling with demon spirits, trying to draw you into sexual perversion, Yahshua ‘Jesus’ will help you overcome the power of Satan, call on Him! If you are already bound by the spirit of sexual perversion, the Almighty God ‘Yahweh’ is ready to deliver you by the “blood of His Lamb and our Lamb, shed at Calvary”.

By Pastor David Leroy Matthews of Sozo Ministries “Ohio”

Space Sponsored by Emmanuel Akwasi Adjei, Be Made Whole International Ministry

Email- bemadewholeministryint@gmail.com

(To be continued)

Today’s Europa League Quarter-Final Fixtures & Previews

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Manchester United vs Sevilla

Rejuvenated Sevillato take on Manchester United

Sevilla and Manchester United will lock horns at Estadio Ramon on Thursday evening in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final, with the tie delicately poised at 2-2.

There is just something about Sevilla and this competition, lifting the trophy on six occasions, which is a record, and it would certainly not be a shock to see them go all the way once again this season despite their struggles domestically in 2022-23.

Sevilla will have to win the Europa League if they are to be present in next season’s Champions League, as a disappointing La Liga campaign has left them down in 13th in the table, 16 points off fourth-placed Real Sociedad.

Mendilibar’s team have now picked up seven points from their last three league games, though, including a 2-0 success over Valencia at the weekend, and they will now be looking to reach the semi-finals of the Europa League at Man United’s expense, which would be a huge scalp in this season’s competition.

Man United will still be confident of beating Sevilla on Thursday to progress to the final four, but Erik ten Hag‘s side are picking up injuries at the worst possible stage of the season. Man United will not want to make a habit of competing in the Europa League, but they won the competition in 2017, and they are still the favourites to lift the trophy this term despite last week’s result at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils are still waiting for their first victory over Sevilla, losing two and drawing two of their previous four meetings, including a defeat in the semi-finals of the Europa League in August 2020. Sevilla’s recent form has been impressive, but expectMan United to navigate their way into the final four of the competition

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

Sporting Lisbon welcome Juventus to Estadio Jose Alvalade

Facing a one-goal deficit from last week’s first leg, Sporting Lisbon welcome Juventus to Estadio Jose Alvalade in Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final decider.

Sporting Lisbon vs Juventus

Beaten by Federico Gatti‘s second-half strike in Turin, Sporting are without a win from their last four home games in Europe. Meanwhile, Juve may have suffered successive Serie A defeats but have won each of their last four in continental competition – all without conceding a goal.

Winless in three previous meetings with Juventus in UEFA competition, Sporting Lisbon have also been eliminated from each of their last five European knockout ties when they have lost the first leg, so history is certainly not on their side ahead of this week’s second leg.

Not only that, but since beating Tottenham in Lisbon last September they have failed to win any of their home fixtures in Europe. Sporting will certainly need to halt that run on Thursday,

Juventus may have lost their last two away matches against Portuguese opponents – versus Porto in the 2020-21 campaign and Benfica earlier this season – but avoiding defeat this week would see them through to yet another major semi-final.

With the accumulated know-how of Allegri and his expensively-assembled cast of underachievers, Juventus can frustrate a Sporting side which has not replicated last term’s title-winning form and are a little more vulnerable these days.

As a draw would take them through to the final four, Juve will happily play the part of spoilers and focus their efforts on striking on the break – or via a set-piece situation.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

Tough home customers Roma host Feyenoord

After a close-fought contest in Rotterdam last week, Roma and Feyenoord reconvene on Thursday evening, when they conclude their Europa League quarter-final tie at Stadio Olimpico. Jose Mourinho‘s Roma won a third straight Serie A game without conceding at the weekend and can be tough customers on home soil.

Roma vs Feyenoord

Almost everything that could go wrong did go wrong for Roma in last Thursday’s first leg, as not only did captain Lorenzo Pellegrini miss a first-half penalty, before Mats Wieffer drove home a powerful winner for Feyenoord, but forward duo Paulo Dybala and Tammy Abraham were both forced off with injuries.

Nonetheless, the Eternal City side enjoyed a successful return to Serie A duty on Sunday, when Pellegrini redeemed himself by scoring the second goal in a 3-0 win over Udinese.

Though it has not always been a joy to watch, Mourinho’s pragmatic approach has certainly helped the Giallorossi graft their way to within touching distance of a long-awaited Champions League return.

UEFA Cup runners-up in 1991, Roma are yet to win either the Europa League or its predecessor and are now making only their second appearance in the current competition’s quarter-finals, but last year’s Conference League triumph has surely whetted their appetite to go further.

Roma will fancy their chances of cancelling out their deficit at a sold-out Stadio Olimpico, but overall victory could ultimately prove beyond them.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Coup trial: Adawudu Exchanges Heated Words With Judges

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Mr Victor Kwadjoga Adawudu, counsel for four of the accused persons

Victor Kwadjoga Adawudu, Counsel for four of the alleged coup plotters currently standing trial in Accra, exchanged heated words with the three-member panel of judges, for going ahead with the case, after he (Adawudu) had fallen sick.

He did not understand why the court will adjourn sitting when a member of the panel is indisposed, but failed to extend the same gesture to him.
He expressed this displeasure when he was refused the chance to re-examine Kafui Doyan, aka Ezor, the second accused person by the panel, presided over by Justice Afia Asare-Botwe.

Mr Adawudu lost his cool and argued extensively with the court that he was indisposed on Monday, hence was not available to lead his client in evidence.
He contended that instead of the court adjourning to enable him attend to his health problem, it proceeded to ask his client, Kafui Donya, to give his evidence-in-chief.

One of the panel members, Stephen Oppong, however, indicated to Counsel that the court was at liberty to continue with proceedings, even in the absence of lawyers in the case.
Adawudu did not, however, take kindly to the position espoused by the judge, resulting in heated arguments.

Justice Stephen Oppong who was not happy with the stance taken by the Counsel, cautioned him that he should not be talking back to the bench and that it should be the last time of doing that.
But Adawudu furiously responded that the “bar will reciprocate respect from the bench.”
The panel also replied him, urging him to keep his respect and that after all, he was not the one who appointed them.

The heated exchanges ignited the atmosphere in the court.
Mr Adawudu attempted to re-examine his client after the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Yvonne Attakora Obuobisa concluded her cross-examination.
Mrs Obuobisa refuted the claim by the second accused in the trial that he visited Accra to manufacture weapons at the instance of the third prosecution witness (PW3), Sergeant Awarf Sulley.

Proving this point with a number of videos played at court, she said Sulley Awarf was introduced to the accused for the first time in the late Dr Frederick MacPalm’s (first accused) house.

She said it was in the first accused’s (A1) house that PW3 took A2’s contact, therefore, he couldn’t have been the one who called to engage him.
Mrs Obuobisa stated that A2 was invited by Dr MacPalm to produce locally manufactured guns and IEDs, which were going to be used to violently overthrow a constitutional government.

The following is continuation of cross-examination;

Q. PW3, Sulley Awarf, did not even have your number before you came to Accra, so he could not have been the one who called you and invited you to Accra to work for him?
A. PW3 was the person who called me to come to Accra. Because of that, I met him at 37 and he took me to A1’s house.

Q. In Exhibit AN, which is your caution statement that you gave to the police on 22/9/19, on page 2 of that statement, you stated that a friend told you that a Doctor wanted you to come to Accra?

A. That is not true.
Q. You also stated that this friend gave your number to the Doctor and he also called you?
A. That is not so.
Q. You also stated that when everything was fresh in your memory, this doctor also sent you GH¢100.000 which you used as transport?

A. PW3 sent me GH¢100.00 to use to come to Accra and later on Dr. also sent me some money.
Q. You also stated that at Dr MacPalm’s residence, he told you he wanted you to manufacture 10 pistols and explosives for him?

A. What I said was that he asked me to repair guns, not to manufacture them.
Q. You also stated in the same page 2 that you agreed to do this work and charged GH¢2,300 for each pistol and GH¢4,000 for the explosives.
A. That is not so. I did not say I will make explosives, but funeral musketry.

Q. What you stated in Exhibit AN is what has been captured in audio recording, which is part of Exhibit E, when you went to Dr MacPalm’s residence on 28/2/19?

A. I want the audio to be played.
(MacPalm speaking: Ezor is not a stranger to me)
Prosecution: Now from pages 2 and 3 of Exhibit G14, when you got to Accra, Dr MacPalm introduced you to Sulley and others?

A. Sulley was the person who took me to Dr MacPalm’s place and when Doctor realised I was speaking Ewe and we were from the same place, he took it upon himself to do the introduction?

Q. This cannot be true because Dr MacPalm told Sulley you have come to do some work for him?
A. That is not so

Q. Mr Ezor, in this same audio recording on page 24 of Exhibit G 14, you gave Sulley your number for the first time so he could not have been the one who called you?
(Audio playing: Dr MacPalm speaking -It is you and Ezor. I have his number. Sulley Awarf: …2323. The name is Mr Ezor. Spelling E. Z. O. R)

A. Sulley was the person who called me and I met him at 37 before he took me to Dr MacPalm’s residence.
Q. Mr Sulley couldn’t have called you till you gave it to him?
A. I have two numbers.
Q. On which number did Sulley call you on?

A. On 0247058533
Q. Mr Ezor, this cannot be true, because you did not give any of these numbers to the group when you came to Accra and they wanted your number?

A. My lady, the number I spoke to Sulley was …but when we got to Dr MacPalm’s residence, I gave him another number which we were communicating on.
Q. Again, in your own caution statement, on page 3, on the first line, you stated that you came to Doctor’s residence upon direction given to you by Doctor?

A. That is not so.
Q. Mr Ezor, you came to Dr MacPalm purposely to manufacture IEDs and locally manufactured pistols?
A. That is not so

Q. And you also knew that these locally manufactured guns and IEDs were going to be used violently to overthrow the constitutional government?
A. I didn’t know
Q. On page 3 of Exhibit AN, you stated that Doctor told you that what you were coming to produce was going to be taken to the Flagstaff house for a coup?

A. That is not so
A. You also stated that Dr MacPalm told you to hurry up so that the equipment could be used for the coup?
A. That is not so
Q. In fact, one Stephen, who was with you when he heard what Dr MacPalm said, advised you that Dr MacPalm was a bad man so you should leave?

A. That’s true
Q. Now you also stated that you will produce six pistols and 22 explosives for Doctor?
A. I repaired six pistols.
Q. You also stated that you repaired 22 explosives.

A. I stated I manufactured 22 funeral musketries.
Q. You said that Dr MacPalm gave you some chemicals and six syringes to put in the explosives?

A. That is not so
Q. You stated that the purpose of the explosive was to make people sleep?
A. That is not so.
Q. It is true that you put the chemical in the explosives because this is verified by the analyst report, Exhibit A?

A.That is not true.
Q. In your conversation with Dr MacPalm, A3 and Sulley Awarf, contained in Exhibit, some chemicals and components were mentioned to be put in the explosives?
A. That is not so

Q. On page six of 28, of exhibit G14, in the last paragraph, it is the transcription of the meeting of 28/7/19. Dr MacPalm stated that you could put in pepper and gas and other chemicals used for operation in the explosives?

A. That’s not so
Q. In exhibit J, which is a forensic report of the IEDs and pistols; powdered pepper, syringes and … spinal injection were found in the IEDs?

A. That is not so
Q. From page 12 of Exhibit J, which is still the audio recording of your conversations of …you talked about the number of pistols you were going to produce?
A. He talks about the guns I will repair because Sulley brought in the guns I was to repair.

Q. What kind of guns did Sulley bring to you?
A. They were different pistols
Q. Can you tell the court the kind of pistols?

A. I don’t know their exact names but I remember one was a revolver pistol.
Q. Were they locally manufactured pistols or foreign?
A. Some were locally manufactured pistols and others foreign.

Q. You said Sulley brought you pistols from the military high command. He could not have brought you locally manufactured pistols?
A. As I mentioned before, they were locally manufactured pistols and foreign ones. I don’t know where he got the locally manufactured ones from.

Q. The locally manufactured ones were manufactured by you?
A. That is not so.
Q. This is the video dated 17/12/19- 00020
(Video playing) Do you recognise this place?

A. Yes
Q. Which place is that?
A. Doctor’s residence.
Q. In this video can you identify the person?

A. I’m the one
Q. Now you see some pipes at your left. Can you tell the court what those pipes are?
A. Those are some of the funeral musketries.
Q. Can you tell the court what you were pounding?

A. I was pounding gunpowder and sand.
Q. What is the nature of gunpowder?
A. It is black

Q. Is it in a form of powder?
A. It grounded but not too fine

Q. I put it to you that what you were pounding include pepper, gunpowder and other chemicals that you were pounding to get fine powder?
A. I pounded only gunpowder and sound

Q. The reason you were pounding all these material was because upon explosion it would have a lethal effect?
A. When you put gunpowder in pipe you would have to pound it. So I did not add anything.
Q. These pipes are not the kind of pipes used for funeral musketry?

A. These are the types of pipes used for funeral musketry
Q. You knew that what you were manufacturing were going to be used to violently overthrow the government.

A. That is not so.
Q. These pipes were the same pipes that were brought to be tendered as exhibit N?
A. That is not so

Q. Mr Ezor, I put it to you that these are the pipes, were the same pipes you worked on as stated in this video?
A. That is not so
Q. Mr Ezor, this is Pic 0005 19/8/19. Can you identify this place?

A. Yes.
Q. Which place is this?
A. That is Doctor’s residence.

Q. Which implements are these?
A. The device in the red container is used for making holes.
Q. These were implements you used. Is that correct?

A. Yes. They were tools I used.
Q. Where did you purchase them from?
A. I bought some from Accra and Hohoe.

Q. Now can you identify the implement, what he is pointing to?
A. Those are some of the guns Sully brought to me to repair.

Q. Are they foreign or local?
A. the one to the left of the scene are locally manufactured guns and the others to the right of the screen are foreign.

Q. There is also one here. That is also locally manufactured pistols
A. It is a locally manufactured gun.

Q. All the guns are locally manufactured guns?
A. That is not true.

Q. You saw the implements. What was that?
A. Those were the old implement I was repairing
Q. This is Stephen, isn’t it?
A. Yes
Q. Stephen was the one who advised you that Dr MacPalm was a bad person?
A. Yes. He was the one who advised me.

Q. Mr Ezor, I put it to you that you were the one who manufactured all the 22 IEDs.
A. No.
Q. You were the one who manufactured the locally manufactured gun?

A. That is not so.
Q. I also put it to you that you manufactured them, knowing the purpose for which it was going to be used.

A. That is not so, I don’t know anything about.
Q. You acted together with Dr MacPalm, A3, with A4, A6 and A5 to violently overthrow the government.

A. That is not true. I don’t know the people whose names have been mentioned. And also it was after we were arrested and arraigned before court before that I got to know some of the accused persons. And I also did not know about any plot to overthrow the government.
Re-examination

Q. You were shown Exhibit AN, that is the caution statement to the police. In that statement it says that you stated what has happened.

 

785 buildings to go down at Tse-Addo

By
JENNIFER AMBOLLEY
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Mr Asenso Boakye addressing the media

The Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso Boakye says about 785 houses that have been built in waterways in some parts of Accra,including the Tseaddo Drain enclave, in the Teshie Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly will be demolished.

Addressing a news conference in Accra yesterday, Minister Asenso Boakye said his recent visit to some of the flood prone areas revealed that structures have been built close to the drain, resulting in flood inundation and severe erosion along the banks of the drain.

Mr. Asenso Boakye highlighted the level of indiscipline on the part of the public in developing wetlands left as a buffer for streams, rivers and lagoons, as well as those who block watercourses which compound the problem and undermine government’s efforts.

Some of the drains being desilted

According to him, he also visited Teshie Bush Road Drain in the same Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly where structures had been put up haphazardly on reservation for the river channels.

Mr. Boakye emphasised on the need for citizens to support government’s efforts by respecting rules and regulations governing settlement planning and avoid development in water ways and drainage buffers.

These activities include “filling lagoons and wetlands with construction materials for development purposes; Building on drainage channels, hence blocking the free flow of storm water; Dumping of solid waste in drains thereby reducing their capacity to hold storm water; and Gaps in the enforcement of planning laws and building regulations by the MMDAs.” he indicated.

The ministry officials who attended the press conference

To address these challenges, Mr. Asenso Boakye disclosed that his Ministry has engaged with the Ministry of National Security to seek support for the Assemblies to enforce planning laws and building regulations to stop development on the Kpeshie wetlands and other water bodies across the country.

Additionally, the Ministry is engaging the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development to enhance support for the Assemblies in dealing with the challenge of buildings in waterways and drainage buffers.

He continued that his ministry had deployed all resources “available to us to construct new drains and improve existing ones with a focus on vulnerable communities ahead of the raining season.”

Minister Asenso Boakye answering a question at the press conference

The minister revealed that Government was collaborating with the World Bank to invest USD 200 million to mitigate flood risk and solid waste management challenges in the Odaw Drainage Basin.

According to him, the government’s comprehensive programme to tackle flooding in vulnerable communities is investment in the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project.

“The procurement process for the performance-based dredging of the Odaw River is completed and works expected to commence soon after the implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan to compensate individuals that will be impacted by the project,”he added.

Other interventions the Minister mentioned include drainage improvement works at Achimota, Nima and Kaneshie.

Also, he stated that the procurement process for Drainage Improvement Works at Achimota is far advanced.

The GARID project, he revealed, is also undertaking participatory community upgrade in Alogboshie,Akweteyman and Nima.

“Other important interventions include the construction of retention ponds in the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission area to hold large volumes of water, which would have otherwise flowed directly towards the city centre to cause flooding”, the minister reinstated.

He also acknowledged that the team is also undertaking non-structural measures such as the Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) for the Greater Accra Region as well as Social and Behavioural Change Campaign.

With the Early Warning System, he disclosed that people in vulnerable communities will have the benefit of advanced notice of flooding, so they can take steps to protect their lives and valuables.

Subsequently, the minister indicated that “from 2018 to date, the Government has committed approximately GHS 450 million to the programme and that is the single most significant investment from Government of Ghana funding sources to tackle flooding.”

Under the National Flood Control Programme, he said that 384 desilting projects and 202 drainage channel construction projects were initiated.

“The effect has been the mitigation of flood hazards in beneficiary communities such as;Kuntunse Satellite, Achimota Mile 7, Katamanso, Mamprobi, Abeka-Ayigbe Town, Labadi Olympia, Tse-Addo, Teshie Yoomo Specs, Nungua (United Church Area), Haatso, Madina Firestone, Madina Mayehot, Madina Redco, Madina Oblogo, Dome Crossing, Santa Maria (Plus FM and Washing) Weija GEICEL, Kasoa Iron City, Kasoa Obom and Ashaiman, among other communities across the country.” he added.

To ensure the positive impact is experienced in other targeted communities, the Ministry and the Ghana Hydrological Authority will follow-up to ensure completion of all ongoing projects under 2020 National Flood Control Programme, Mr. Asenso noted.

Additionally, the Minister said his outfit had initiated a process of undertaking economic, environmental and social impact assessment of the completed drainage projects under the National Flood Control Programmes.

Ahead of this raining season, the ministered confirmed that desilting works have been undertaken in selected flood hot spots such as Kasoa Millennium City, Adenta Sakora, Nsakyi, Ablekuma, Dawhyenya and Dome Railway Crossing, New Legon, Santor, Adenta, Sango and Naapladjor Drains.

He concluded by saying his outfit is determined to ensure that Accra is adequately prepared for the impending rains.

 

$122m vaccines factory for Accra

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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0
President Akufo-Addo performing officials function for work to start on the project

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has broken ground for the construction of a vaccine manufacturing factory in the country.

The construction of the US$122.6 million vaccine plant is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024, and production will commence in 2025.

The private sector-led project, owned by DEK Vaccines Limited, a consortium of Ghanaian pharmaceutical companies, is expected to produce 600 million doses of vaccines annually.

The vaccines to be manufactured include COVID-19, malaria, HPV, pneumonia, rotavirus, and cholera with the full value chain.

The President arriving at the venue for the programme

The project has a plan to construct a total of four fill and finish lines that can fill any type of vaccine and provide full-time employment for over 250 people.

SELF-SUFFICIENT

In his address preceding the groundbreaking, President Akufo-Addo indicated that the factory would propel the nation to be self-sufficient in the production and manufacturing of vaccines.

“It all started on February 28, 2021, with Update 24 of what has come to be known as the Fellow Ghanaians series of addresses to the nation at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when I declared to the Ghanaian people my determination to see to the manufacturing of vaccines here in Ghana,” he recalled.

Chiefs and Queenmothers seated for the programme

He stated that the COVID-19 vaccine nationalism exhibited by the developed countries called for urgent action to safeguard Ghana for the unforeseen future.

JOURNEY

President Akufo-Addo recalled that, as had “been the norm,” this idea, like the Free Senior High School (Free SHS), was downplayed by a section of the public, who thought it was a lofty idea that could not be implemented.

Regardless of that, he set up a Presidential Vaccine Manufacturing Committee, whose work was to formulate a concrete plan of action towards domestic vaccine development and manufacturing.

The plan of action, the President noted, culminated in the establishment of the National Vaccine Institute in July 2021, with a US$25 million seed investment from the European Investment Bank.

President Akufo-Addo and dignitaries pose for the camera

On February 14, 2023, the National Vaccine Institute Bill was enacted by Parliament, which has received presidential assent, and its Board of Directors will be out in the open later.

RETURN TO NORMALCY

President Akufo-Addo recalled the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the loss of lives and businesses, but expressed delight in vaccines savaging the disaster.

According to him, far from viewing the pandemic as a disaster to which the world was powerless, Ghana fully embraced the lessons it taught the nation, including the importance of strengthening its unity and solidarity with countries on the continent.

While acknowledging the vaccines that Africa received from abroad, he noted that Ghana, Rwanda, and Senegal are together venturing into development and manufacturing and are determined to become vaccine manufacturing hubs in sub-Saharan Africa.

“In the short term of two years, DEK Vaccines Limited will fill, finish, and package COVID-19 and the other vaccines I have enumerated,” he stated.

In the medium term, five years, President Akufo-Addo said the target is to continue to establish more domestic vaccine manufacturing plants in the country, to produce vaccines to meet WHO standards, and then see to a long-term plan of production in ten years using innovative technology.

The Presidential Dais

In his welcome address, the Managing Director of DEK Vaccines Limited, Pharm., Dr. Kofi Nsiah-Poku, said COVID-19 was “an eye opener” and that the ceremony was taking place as a result of the vision of President Akufo-Addo.

Acknowledging the call by the WHO for the world to prepare for the next pandemic, Dr. Nsiah-Poku assured the gathering that the DEK factory is designed to have a reserved capacity for any emergency or pandemic.”

The Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Nsiah Asare, speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Vaccine Manufacturing Committee, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, said the DEK Consortium has developed a bankable business plan to provide enough resources to be able to put up the factory.

Speaking as the representative for the European Union, which is a bilateral partner, Ambassador M. Irchad Razaaly said the EU has stuck to its promise to support Ghana in its journey and transformation into a pan-African vaccine manufacturing hub.

The EU has given a five-million-euro grant to the DEK Consortium to commence the construction and manufacturing of vaccines in Ghana.

Tradition on full display

The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, commended the government and the company for the step they took, adding that the project would open the door for more partnerships.

The Minister for Health, Kwaku Agyeman Manu was represented by Tina Mensah, Deputy Health Minister who said the President’s vision for a Ghana Beyond Aid was the driving force for the ministry.

Prez to commission 312 housing units for Police 

By
admin
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President Akufo-Addo

The first phase of A 504-Accommodation facility made up of one- and two-bedroom housing units for the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Meteorological Agency, Civil Aviation, and DVLA is set for commissioning on Wednesday 19th April, 2023

The first phase of the project, which includes 312 housing units, also has a fully furnished clinic, school block for JHS and Primary, police mobile maintenance unit, police station, fuel depot, and garage will go a long way in reducing the accommodation challenges facing the police

The Second phase will see the construction of 192 housing units, taking the total number to 504 housing units.

President Akufo-Addo is expected to commission yet another major project undertaken by his government as part of measures aimed at addressing the accommodation needs of the Ghana Police Service

The project, developed by Unique Development Company, is a land swap agreement between the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry, Lands Commission, Ministry of Interior, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and the private developer.

During one of the inspections, a Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu Bio said the agreement was reached when government realised that the Police Service was in urgent need of accommodation, which also fell in line with the government’s plan to build Morden Barracks for the security services as their numbers kept increasing by the day.

He indicated that the construction began in 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the progress was interrupted and almost halted

The Deputy Minister explained that the project also includes a 10 Unit, 2 bedroom accommodation for the engineering and mechanic department of the Service with offices, canteens, and a police post to ensure their safety.

The Deputy Minister clarified that the project has also relocated the residents of the Ghana Airport Company and the Meteorological Service at Jubilee Enclave to pave the way for the construction of the Jubilee City Project.

KMA rolls out sustainable revenue mobilisation … With AfD, ASToN support

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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0
The Mayor of Kumasi handing a POS to a Bantama revenue collector

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has rolled all three basic requirements for the implementation of electronic taxation (e-taxation) to ensure a sustainable revenue mobilisation.

The e-taxation concept is the use of smart and digital technologies in the management and operations in the city.

Following the selection of Kumasi for the project, the KMA has established a comprehensive database of all property values, with commercial and residential demarcation for proper tax management purposes.

Mayor Sam Pyne flanked by the PM and Metro Coordinating Director while addressing the revenue field officers

It has also established a centre to process data, and further gone to the extent of procuring 70 Point of Sale (POS) devises to ensure effective digital revenue collection, mainly from business operative permits and licences.

The POS has a 24-hour internet connectivity, provided by MTN.

The project is being implemented with the support of the Africa Smart Towns Network (ASToN), and funded by Agence Française de Développement (AfD) at €100,000.

The Mayor of Kumasi, Mr. Samuel Pyne, while distributing the POS devices on Monday, urged the revenue collectors of the assembly at the various Sub Metro Councils to work diligently and achieve results to ensure proper accountability and development in the Metropolis.

Mr. Pyne assured them that the KMA would ensure that the requisite equipment and tools, including desk top computers and adequate POS devices, are procured, as well as ensure a well functioning internet service to make the Data Centre functional.

Mr. David Abbam Adjei, Metro Finance Officer, disclosed that the Data Centre captures about 85% of businesses in the Metropolis for the purposes of taxation, and hoped the Assembly’s Internally Generated Fund (IGF) would be sustained.

Meanwhile, the Revenue Sub-Committee of the Assembly has directed that all Sub-Metro Councils must distribute demand notices to business concerns in good time to ensure effective revenue collection to raise funds for its development agenda.

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