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Everything you need to know about Lassa fever

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Lassa fever

Lassa fever is an acute, viral disease carried by a type of rat that is common in West Africa. It can be life-threatening.

It is a hemorrhagic virus, which means it can cause bleeding, although 8 out of every 10 people with the virus have no symptoms. If it affects the liver, kidneys, or spleen, it can be fatal.

The disease is endemic to a number of West African countries. Rough estimates suggest there are between 100,000 and 300,000 cases of Lassa fever each year in West Africa, and approximately 5,000 deaths due to the disease.

In some areas of Liberia and Sierra Leone, 10 to 16 percent of all hospital admissions are due to Lassa fever, indicating a serious and widespread impact in those areas.

In 2015, a person returning from Liberia to the U.S. received a diagnosis of Lassa fever. International travel has increased the risk of diseases spreading from one country to another.

This article will look at the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Lassa fever.

Fast facts on Lassa fever

Lassa fever causes around 5,000 deaths per year.

It is spread through the feces and urine of the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis).

It is most common in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Nigeria.

Symptoms are varied and include pulmonary, cardiac, and neurological problems.

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What is Lassa fever?

Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease. It can be serious.

Lassa fever was first discovered in Nigeria, when two missionary nurses became ill with the virus in 1969. Its name is derived from the village of Lassa, where it was first documented.

Lassa fever is a viral infection carried by the multimammate rat Mastomys natalensis (M. natalensis).This is one of the most common rodents in equatorial Africa, found across much of sub-Saharan Africa.

Lassa fever mainly occurs in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Nigeria. However, the Mastomys rat is common in neighboring countries, so these areas are also at risk.

Causes

Once a Mastomys rat is infected with the virus, it can excrete the virus in its feces and urine, potentially for the rest of its life.

As a result, the virus can spread easily, especially as the rats breed rapidly and can inhabit human homes.

The most common method of transmission is by consuming or inhaling rat urine or feces. It can also be spread through cuts and open sores.

The rats live in and around human habitation, and they often come into contact with foodstuffs. Sometimes people eat the rats, and the disease can be spread during their preparation.

Person-to-person contact is possible via blood, tissue, secretions or excretions, but not through touch. Sharing needles may spread the virus, and there are some reports of sexual transmission.

Lassa fever can also be passed between patients and staff at poorly equipped hospitals where sterilization and protective clothing is not standard.

Symptoms

A cough can be a symptom of Lassa fever.

Symptoms generally appear within 6 to 21 days after infection occurs.

An estimated 80 percent of infections do not produce significant symptoms, although there may be a general malaise, headache, and a slight fever.

In the remaining 20 percent of cases, Lassa fever becomes serious.

Symptoms can include:

bleeding in the gums, nose, eyes, or elsewhere

difficulty breathing

a cough

swollen airways

vomiting and diarrhea, both with blood

difficulty swallowing

hepatitis

swollen face

pain in the chest, back, and abdomen

shock

hearing loss, which may be permanent

abnormal heart rhythms

high or low blood pressure

pericarditis, a swelling of the sac that surrounds the heart

tremors

encephalitis

meningitis

seizures

In around 1 percent of all cases, Lassa fever is fatal, and around 15 to 20 percent of all hospitalizations for the disease will end in death.

Death can occur within 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms due to multiple organ failure.

One of the most common complications of Lassa fever is hearing loss, which occurs in around 1 in 3Trusted Source infections.

This hearing loss varies in degree and is not necessarily related to the severity of the symptoms. Deafness caused by Lassa fever can be permanent and total.

It is particularly dangerous for women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Spontaneous loss of pregnancy occurs in around 95 percent of pregnancies.

Diagnosis

The symptoms of Lassa fever vary widely, and diagnosis can be difficult.

Clinically, the disease can resemble other viral hemorrhagic fevers, including the Ebola virus, malaria, and typhoid.

The only definitive tests for Lassa fever are laboratory-based, and the handling of specimens can be hazardous. Only specialized institutions can conduct these tests.

Lassa fever is generally diagnosed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assays (ELISA). These detect IgM and IgG antibodies and Lassa antigens.

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) can also be used in the early stages of the disease.

Treatment

Health organizations hope that current work on vaccine development will be successful.

Rehydration and treatment of symptoms can improve the chances of survival if there is an early diagnosis.

Prescribed early, the antiviral drug ribavirin has proven useful in fighting Lassa virus, but how it works remains unclear.

However, access to ribavirin in the areas worst affected by the Lassa virus is limited. Additionally, ribavirin may be toxic and teratogenic, meaning it can cause mutations. For this reason, it is not a perfect solution.

Ribavirin is not useful for preventing Lassa fever before it occurs, and there is currently no vaccine for this disease.

However, work on a vaccine is underway, and some drugs are showing promise.

An article published in The Lancet in April 2018 notes that the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and Themis Bioscience are collaborating on developing the Lassa vaccine through phase II clinical trials, and that research and development on the vaccine will be accelerated.

Media sources have expressed optimism that one vaccine may be ready for human trials by the end of 2018.

Other treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and maintaining body function.

This includes managing fluid levels, electrolyte balance, oxygenation, and blood pressure.

Prevention

The main focus of prevention is “community hygiene,” to control the rat population.

This includes:

regular hand-washing

storing foods in rodent-proof containers

keeping garbage away from the home

keeping pet cats

avoiding blood and other bodily fluids when caring for sick relatives

following safe burial procedures

using protective equipment in a healthcare setting, including masks and eyewear

The Mastomys rat is so widespread that it cannot realistically be eradicated. As a result, the main aim is to avoid these rodents and prevent them from sharing human habitation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations work to raise awareness in areas where Lassa fever is a threat.

Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com

Feature: Here’s to You, Ex-WO1 Bright Segbefia (3) For God and Country, saying it as it is (b)

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Ewes are among ethnic groups that love one another and other people from other ethnic groups. Majority of Ewes are for peace, however there are few who will like to ignite conflicts between them and other tribes.

I am in this feature, recalling events of the past and pleading with the majority of Ewes, who are good and godly to rise up against this agenda which could one day pitch us against other tribes.

Today, we heard from the good chiefs and people of Nogokpo that it was through their help solicited by Kwame Nkrumah that we were able to gain independence.

I have no grounds to challenge this, since politicians can go seeking help from all forms of deity and also from the Almighty Triune God to be favoured in their political ambitions.

However, I have this to say. If indeed, Nkrumah went to see the Nogokpo deity after it looked impossible to lead Ghana to independence, and the deity granted him that favour, then why did Nkrumah not acknowledge Nogokpo?

Nkrumah solicited help from Jesus Christ through the Catholic Church and so when independence became possible, he asked the Church to dedicate the country to Jesus Christ. Therefore, on March 5, 1957 Ghana was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Is Nkrumah that ungrateful not to mention Nogokpo as a contributor to the victory of independence?

Some readers, especially Ewes may think I am going to raise tribal sentiment by recalling the past. What is a historical event will always be spoken about and it is only when we learn from history and vow not to repeat the wrongs, will there be peace, love and unity in this country. So, I continue.

Rawlings killed only Asantes who overthrew civilian administrations and left out the Ewe, JWK Harlley and the Ga J.A. Ankrah of the 1966 coup and also left out Ewes, Major Agbo and Major Selormey of the 1972 coup.

What does Bright Segbefia and others like him, think of what people will say about Ewes? Over forty years later, Rawlings in a final confession, stated that all those killed were not corrupt, but they had to be sacrificed to save the lives of eighty to over ninety corrupt people in the army and society, who deserved to die. So, that explained that the stable was not cleaned after all, since after all this, corruption only sky rocketed.

Saying it as it is, in 1979, Rawlings made a crown prince of Asante to carry nightsoil, parading him in the streets of Kumasi. And in 1999, he grossly disrespected the new Asantehene when he poked his blood-stained finger in the king’s face and accused him of not disciplining an alleged Asante youth over comments the man who gave his name as Francis or something on Joy FM radio in Accra.

When the Aflao chief gave the president ultimatum to complete a school project, which he took over from Mahama, from barely 20% to over 90% complete, and the president suggested that the chief should go and complete it himself, the Opposition NDC and some Ewes went to war against the president for what they claim was an insult to the chief. Is a chief allowed to speak to a president like that?

This same Rawlings stood in front of Asante chiefs and people and condemned them calling Asantes ungrateful people. Because, majority of Asantes do not vote NDC. Meanwhile, the stupidity of his conclusion is that the NDC got its third largest of its presidential votes from the Ashanti region in 1996. Can any other politician especially an Asante dare say this about Ewes?

When Rawlings came in 1979 and came back in 1981, all private industries he destroyed belonged to Asantes. He fished out only Akan and particularly Asante businesses and went on to warn Ghanaians not to patronised goods and services produced from these industries and businesses.

So, United Mattress and Foam Company, Siaw’s Tata Brewery, Poku Transport, Safo-Adu’s Industrial Chemical Laboratories (ICL), Darko Farms, and Menka Soap among others were all collapsed, meanwhile another very strong and competent industry, Nkulenu belonging to an Ewe was left to continue to operate peacefully in progress and to yield foreign exchange for this country. Ghana lost out big time.

When Rawlings came in 1979, he was against affluent life style, but he left out Pub la Rita, a very popular youth joint in Osu, because it belonged to MacCofie, an Ewe.

A less known fast-food joint, called Trafalgar in Accra, owned by an Asante, which was rising up to match and even beat Bus Stop restaurant, was crashed down.

Seriously, if an Asante man had done any of these to businesses owned by Ewes, what will be the response? I expect Segbefia to respond to this.

Ex WO1 Bright Segbefia is talking about children’s textbooks which maligned Ewes, unfortunately he never volunteered to produce a few sentences or paragraphs which attacked Ewes. I wish he did, so that I can join him to attack the authors.

Strangely, he kept a distance from the tribal bigot, Prof. Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor’s infamous book, “The Ghanaian Revolution” who stated that he is Ewe First and Ghanaian Second. On Page 57 of his infamous book, this tribal warlord wrote:

“Ewes in the Armed Forces achieved the reputation of being notorious coup makers’ and plotters against successive governments because Ewes see themselves in opposition to all governments in Ghana which inevitably became Akan (Ashanti) dominated.

“The contest for power is reduced in simple terms to a fierce contest between the Akan (Ashantis) and the Ewes”. Tribal warlord and Chairman of Council of State sees “Ewes as effective check on Ashanti effort at hegemony”. He goes on to state that the purpose of the 31st December Revolution “is to take away the political and economic hegemony perpetrated by Akans, particularly Ashantis.

Tribal warlord, Professor Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor is not done yet. He goes on to state that Dr Nkrumah’s CPP Government fell because of the presence of corrupt Ashanti elements in the Party. (Ref: Checkmating the “Terrifying Great Ashanti” Project is right on course, by Daniel Damptey Danquah – 01/06/2012.)

So, the December 31, coup of 1981, was to eliminate Asantes from the political and economic sectors. And to this day, Rawlings is celebrated after committing atrocities which are alien to the noble ways and ideals of the typical Ewe.

Below are some acts and comments against Asantes and I will humbly ask Bright Segbefia to comment by accepting or condemning them.

Emmanuel Dela Cofie, on May 19, 2010 wrote this, the Hypocrisy of the Asantehene Stinks, in which he alleged that the Otumfuo was overly corrupt.

When Prison officers went on strike, Sedinam Atieno Tamakloe, a top member of the NDC retorted on air that “no wonder the strike was started by prison officers in Kumasi”, when in actual fact it was initiated by prison staff in the Western Region.

Kobby Acheampong, of the NDC, made this remark about the late Sir John. “Sir John was behaving like a typical kookoase kuraseni. He stayed in Kumasi too long. He is in Accra now. He should broaden his horizon.

Clearly the way he talks is very typical of someone who is sometimes very ignorant. The Kumasi thing is too much in him” What is the Kumasi Thing? And why describe Kumasi with the adjective, “Thing?”

Bright Segbefia, what will be your reaction, if an Asante made such comments against Ewes?

Going forward, in 2009, Alfred Agbesi Woyome a full-blooded Ewe, could steal GH¢ 51.2 million, worth $32 million at that time, from state coffers. He was made to walk free and what’s more the proverbial anger of Ewes when someone dares them, was loudly silent.

To some Ewes, only Akans especially Asantes are corrupt and nation wreckers. And to this day, those loud Ewes are very silent about Woyome.

It is a big insult to Ewes to be told they are Togolese or non-Ghanaians. Some Ewes openly attack non-Ewes who dare to suggest that. But where were those voices when the Ewedome Ewes came out to say they are not Ghanaians and declared their independence calling their new country Western Togoland?

And they were even ready to fight and kill for this. No condemnation came from Ewes, except the Anlo chiefs who only came out to confirm that they are Ghanaians.

Back to what brought us here, Bishop Agyinasare said Nogokpo is the headquarters of demons. Even though this is an unfortunate statement to hear about one’s hometown, it does not mean the town is demonic. When Jesus Christ stated that Satan is the ruler of this world, He had good reasons for that. Satan’s power is over all the nations of the earth.

That could be very frightening when we realize he can influence men in such a way that they are not even aware that they are being influenced toward evil. His power is so extensive that he is over all the nations of the earth.

Jesus calls him the ruler of this world (John 14:30). He affects people’s attitudes by moving our reasoning processes toward satisfaction of the self. He gives disinformation and stirs up our spirit.

Satan would always attack those walking the path of righteousness and will not be bothered about those already on the path of damnation.

With the bishop’s statement, I will rather humbly suggest that all the people of Nogokpo, home and abroad, should unite as one and walk the path of righteousness calling on God for protection and pleading with Him to drive away Satan and the demons. For if truly Satan has pitched his camp in Nogokpo, it is obvious the people there are doing something which Satan does not like.

Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, Amen. Now WO1 Bright Segbefia doom the gloom and brighten yourself as your name states and come out with responses to my lengthy counter-rejoinder.

By Hon. Daniel Christian Dugan

 Editor’s note: views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle. Also this is the last article the paper will publish regarding this subject matter.

Feature: Rejoinder; When Commonsense speaks without commonsense;An ode to Daniel Dugan

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Charles Dugan’s rebuttals, 23, 26 June, 2023, would not merit the attention of anyone under normal circumstances.

And I must say that, but for his calculated fib about me to achieve his objective, I would not have wasted time to respond to his insult-laden write-ups. I assure the editor of this paper that, this is the last time I will comment on Dugan’s effusions.

Dugan wrote: ‘First, with his clouded mind and mentality, Bright blindly wanted to suggest that I am an Asante and implying that anyone who criticises Ewes are Asantes.’ Oh!I would have asked Dugan to quote the sentence(s) in which I made a reference to his tribe or Asante.

But as he said that I wanted to ‘suggest,’ it is clear that that was his wayward deduction from my rejoinder, and not a statement, because nowhere did I mention his tribe.

For those who may not have read Dugan’s highly offensive article that I was compelled to rejoinder, please,get a copy of the 15th June, 2023, edition of this paper and make your own analyses.

A former minister, whom I shared the publication with, as he visited me, kept shaking the head from the middle of the article in total disagreement with him, and made a remark that I restrain myself from sharing.

Dugan said he is partly Ewe, and despite his comments being abusive, he should be seen as objective.

He must have long lost touch with his Ewe root for writing ‘Torgbuioo’ instead of ‘Torgbuiwo,’ and  must be reminded that, those whom the Anlo folklore, ‘Torkoratorlia;’(the 5th Landing Beach), referred to as having been severely punished for certain offences,were indigenes, not aliens.

As such, his Ewe ancestry is immaterial in these conversations. Was he saying that because he’s an Ewe, if he went wrong, I should look the other way?

Did he not understand why I referred to the people of Nogokpo as ‘in-laws’ of bishop Agyinasare, against whom he stirred the honest nest?

If tribes were relevant, chiefs and people of some communities would not have ostracised some natives over certain perceived comments and acts.

Not long ago, the FM station of an indigene was shut down by the paramount chief of the area, because the station was being ‘unprofessional.’

Relationship should not matter in condemning a crime. And that is why your statement of having ‘Ewe blood’ is a red herring fallacy.

Dugan wrote: ‘’Togbuioo cannot deny knowledge of the fact that some Akan towns in this country are degraded as citadel of witchcraft and others as sika duro are engaged in. Ewes look down upon people from this ethnic group or most importantly, such towns which to them, must be avoided at all cost.

To this day, such towns have been labeled for all that is evil and wrong, yet to this day, no traditional leader from these towns has cautioned people from making such statements.’

Here, I offered Dugan free tutoring that, he should have said: ‘some Ewes,’ because such a claim is unscientific, as it amounts to what is referred to in some quarters as ‘loose talk,’ or a sweeping generalisation, when he could not provide a research finding with all the characteristics.

And in his face-saving long-winded thesis, which he evidently did with much reluctance, judging from the plethora of contradictions, he wrote: ‘between what the bishop said and what Bright knows that is said about the Nzema people, which he is too coward to admit that it is also said among Ewes, and that Nzema is a witchcraft citadel, which is more an attack on the indigenes?’

So, Dugan admits that both descriptions constitute an attack, but is saying that we should rather be concerned about the degree of the attack. This is the evidence of the loose talk I am worried about.

If some people, for whatever reasons, become unguarded in their comments about a particular tribe, I should not, and would not dwell on that hearsay to say the entire tribe is guilty of this or that; because the views of a fewpeople cannot be said to represent those of a whole tribe.

That is poisonous framing.It would have been nice if the fearless Dugan had named the accuser and the podium on which the good people of Nzema were sadly labeled as such. But such a statement without verifiable evidence, lacks the commonsense; the name of your column.

‘By the way, in March, this year, it was reported that Ghana was an illicit drug trafficking hub. What is your reaction? Are you in illegal drugs deals?” Dugan asked. This is how he wanted me to juxtaposehis stereotyping of all Ewes and the description of Nogokpo Township as headquarters of demons in the Volta Regionby bishop Agyinasare against this description of Ghana. Do you need any further evidence that your article was not fit for anyone’s attention?

How could you draw this correlation? Ah ba! Dugan, a proponent of hate speech, will always try to find a space in a landmine and beckon his ‘adversaries.’

He tried to get me on his side to trumpet his tribal euphony, when he attempted to draw me into the Ashanti-Ewe dichotomy, which the Otumfuor and Awomefia have commendably tried to stitch recently with positive results.

As someone with enormous know-hows from ten (10) UN peacekeeping operations, besides ECOMOG in Liberia, I know the ravages of wars and would be the last on this earth to clap for anyone poking this kind of fire.

Dugan found bishop Agyinasare’s unfortunate comment as a conduit to gleefully talk about the 1970’s political activities, Jerry Johns Rawlings and his purported vitriol on an Ashanti chief, Kofi Awooner’s book, etc, without any relevance whatsoever to the issue.

And he went bananas: ‘Coming on the issue at stake where a certain retired warrant officer of the Ghana Armed Forces, Bright Segbefia…’ Have you seen why I said he tries to host others in landmines of tribalism?

How did it become essential to rope in the Ghana Armed Forces? Could he not have mentioned my name without linking it to the military? What did he seek to achieve by that?At a point, I was wondering if he was delivering an extempore speech at a political rally where there is no room for a rebuttal.

Dugan’s claim that his article was just suggesting to the Nogokpo chiefs and elders to allow what Bishop Agyinsare said to pass so that life can go on, is far from the truth. This comment certainly was an afterthought. That is why it is important for anyone reading this for the first time to get the copy of the paper and read it.

‘Togbuioo, please just chill and refrain from daring Christ in this matter’ he cautioned. And see these: ‘Togbuioo, do you consider the repercussions that would follow when traditional worshipers clash with Christians in this country?

Calling on your gods will not help matters but rather put Ewes in a bad light. ‘Togbuioo,’ Dugan proceeded, ‘why is it that once a statement is made against Ewes, it is a reason to go to war?

Tell me, how conciliatory are these? How could you look down on someone’s faith when the 1992 Constitution talks about religious tolerance? Do you need to condemn another religion in order to profess yours? Only some African pastors do so, and it is unhealthy for coexistence.

Dugan still justified the comment of bishop Agyinasare. Face Book scavenger as he is, I believe he may have seen and heard the extensive discussions and condemnations of the comment and I am not going to spend time on it. Someone described it as a security matter.

But if Dugan still thinks that the only way they can be seen as worshiping their creator is to be launching onslaught on other people’s belief system, then it is up to them, because the Bible has cautioned Christians against pronouncing judgments.

When I asked him to be mindful of the directive of Mathew 22: 21 that, everyone must be allowed to worship in line with their beliefs, he dissented. Any wonder we have a multitude of Christian denominations?

‘Do not judge,’ Mathew 7:1cautions us, ‘or you too will be judged.’ My apology for the mix-up of Duncan and Dugan; inadvertent it was, as I typed that rejoinder from my mobile phone.

By EX WOI Bright Segbefia, PR Practitioner

Editor’s Note: Views expressed in this rejoinder do not represent that of The Chronicle. Also this is the last rejoinder the  paper will publish regarding the article being referenced.

Timothy Weah joins Juventus from Lille

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Timothy Weah

United States forward Timothy Weah has joined Juventus from Lille for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old scored eight goals in 102 appearances for the French club.

Weah played an influential role for the USA at the 2022 World Cup and scored a goal in their draw with Wales in the group stage.

His father George, the president of Liberia, won the Ballon d’Or in 1995 while playing for Juve’s Italian rivals AC Milan.

Timothy Weah was born in the United States but began his professional career with Paris St-Germain, where he won the Ligue 1 title before moving on loan to Celtic.

He was part of the Celtic side that won the league and cup Double in 2018-19.

Credit: bbc.com

Barcelona legend Iniesta makes an emotional departure from Japan

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Andres Iniesta

Former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has given no indication of his next destination after the 2010 World Cup winner made an emotional departure from Japanese club Vissel Kobe on Saturday.

 

The 39-year-old, who scored the only goal when Spain won the title against the Netherlands in South Africa in 2010, finished his five-year spell in Japan with a 57-minute appearance in a 1-1 draw with Consadole Sapporo.

 

The game was Iniesta’s first start in the league this season due to a succession of injuries that have limited his involvement in the current campaign as Kobe have launched a rare challenge for the J.League title.

 

‘The last few months have been a really tough period both for me and those close to me,’ a teary-eyed Iniesta told a sold-out Misaki Park Stadium, according to Kyodo News.

‘I have the desire to retire and close my career while playing on the pitch, and I’m taking my next step in accordance with that emotion.’

 

Iniesta joined Kobe, owned by billionaire businessman Hiroshi Mikitani, in the summer of 2018 and helped the club claim their first trophy when they defeated Kashima Antlers to lift the 2019 Emperor’s Cup.

 

The following season Kobe reached the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League in their debut in the continental championship and the team currently sit in third position in the J.League, two points behind leaders Yokohama F Marinos.

Credit: dailymail.co.uk

45-yr-old Buffon offered £25m deal to join Saudi Pro League

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Gianluigi Buffon

Gianluigi Buffon has reportedly been offered a lucrative deal to continue his career in Saudi Arabia.

The 45-year-old – who made his professional debut nearly three decades ago – currently captains his boyhood club Parma in Serie B.

A hamstring injury affected his playing time last season but the former Juventus star reclaimed the No 1 spot upon his return, making 17 appearances as Parma reached the Serie B play-offs.

Buffon still has twelve months remaining on his current deal at the Stadio Ennio Tardini but reports suggest the ‘keeper may have one final move left in his legendary career.

A report from Italian publication Corriere dello Sport claims that Buffon has received an extremely lucrative offer to become the latest star to join the burgeoning Saudi Pro League this summer.

The goalkeeper is said to have been offered a £25million-a-year offer to join an unnamed team in the gulf state.

As he approaches his 28th season as a senior player, Buffon is said to be debating his options.

First, he could step away from the game entirely, hanging up his boots as Italy’s most-capped player and one of the most highly-regarded goalkeepers ever to grace the game.

Second, he could see out his contract at Parma, and in doing so likely eclipse Andrea Pierobon’s record as the oldest goalkeeper in Italian football history.

Finally he could become the latest noteworthy player to make the move to Saudi Arabia, playing domestic football outside of his native country for just the second time in his illustrious career following his brief spell at PSG in 2018-19.

Credit: dailymail.co.uk

Liverpool sign Szoboszlai for £60m from RB Leipzig

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Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai

Dominik Szoboszlai is officially a Liverpool player and has been given the exciting challenge of upholding the tradition of one of the club’s most famous jerseys.

The Hungary international arrived on Merseyside on Saturday to undergo a medical, which he passed with no issues, and has signed a contract that will run to June 2028 after Liverpool triggered his £60million release clause to take him from RB Leipzig.

Szoboszlai will be asked to add a different dimension to Jurgen Klopp’s midfield and he will wear number 8 – the shirt synonymous with Steven Gerrard; Liverpool fans will be hoping the 22-year-old has significantly more success in it than Naby Keita, who made an identical move from the Bundesliga to Anfield in 2018.

Klopp has been charting Szoboszlai’s progress for sometime and Liverpool moved for him, having considered Mason Mount as an option for that role.

He joins Alexis Mac Allister, who moved from Brighton at the start of June, as the second addition to Liverpool’s squad since the end of last season and represents a key piece of business.

The youngster told Liverpool’s official website: ‘[A] really historic club, really good players, good coach, everything is good. For me it was perfect to make the next step in a club like this. The fans, the stadium, everything is really good.’

Szoboszlai arrived at Merseyside for his medical on Saturday after the Reds triggered his release clause which expired one night prior.

After flying into Liverpool on private jet, he underwent the first stage of tests ahead of signing his contract.

Credit: dailymail.co.uk

Gov’t  Fires 3 Contractors …working on Agenda 111 projects for not meeting standards

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RICHARD OWUSU-AKYAW
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A drone shot of Agenda 111 at Trade, Ashanti

The seriousness which the Akufo-Addo government attaches to the construction of Agenda 111 projects has compelled it to terminate contracts for three of the hospitals for non-performance.

The Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Nsiah Asare, who disclosed this during a press briefing at Trede in the Ashanti Region yesterday, did not name the contractors involved, but said their performances had not been that satisfactory.

“We have terminated the contracts of three contractors due to non-performance and failure to meet the required standards. As we have indicated, we will not compromised on the standards of these hospitals and the construction timelines, which is why we have moved quickly to terminate the contracts of these contractors,” he told the media.

Dr Nsiah Asare and KON inspecting the project at Trade

Dr. Nsiah Asare emphasised that the abrogation of the contracts was to ensure the successful implementation of the Agenda 111 projects within the time frame set by the government, adding that “the termination serves as a demonstration of the government’s dedication to upholding rigorous standards and holding contractors accountable for their performance.”

Dr. Nsiah Asare, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, informed the media that out of the projected 111 hospitals to be constructed, 88 of them were currently underway.

He said the hospitals being constructed under the programme would offer a range of facilities, including state-of-the-art surgical theatres for maternity, obstetrics and gynecology, male, female, pediatric, and isolation wards, among others.

Furthermore he said, accommodation would be provided for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare personnel within the hospital premises.

He said the government considered the Agenda 111 as the most significant investment in healthcare infrastructure in the country since independence, and would not relent in the provision of these hospitals.

The Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, who organised the briefing, expressed satisfaction with the steady progress being made in the implementation of the Agenda 111 hospitals project.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah briefing the media at the project site

With the objective of bridging the healthcare inequality gap and strengthening the health system nationwide, Agenda 111 has been a cornerstone of the Akufo-Addo administration’s vision for Ghana’s healthcare sector. The project will provide hospitals for 101 outstanding districts, along with regional and specialised hospitals.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah emphasised that the project was advancing steadily, with several milestones already achieved. “Gradually, government’s grand vision of transforming the healthcare system of the country is coming to fruition, and in due course we all will witness this unprecedented achievement in the history of our Republic,” he said.

He highlighted the meticulous planning and management of the project, which has been divided into eight zones, each consisting of an average of 14 sites. These sites have dedicated teams of consultants, including architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, and biomedical engineers, ensuring the smooth execution of the construction process.

Minister Oppong Nkrumah acknowledged the challenges faced in implementing the project, but assured the public that the government remained steadfast in its commitment to delivering high quality healthcare facilities.

The Minister also called on all stakeholders, including local beneficiary communities, traditional leaders, youth, and actors in the local health sector, to rally behind the project and provide their unwavering support.

He stressed the importance of community engagement and collaboration to ensure the seamless integration and optimal functionality of the health facilities upon completion.

Ghana’s economy will rebound -StanChart boss

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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President Akufo-Addo (left), addressing Jose Vinals (right), Group Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank, leader of the delegation from Standard Chartered Bank

The Group Board Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank, Jose Vinals, has expressed confidence in Ghana’s economic recovery measures.

He expressed the bank’s confidence in the rebound of Ghana’s economy on Thursday, June 29, 2023, when he visited Jubilee House to meet President Akufo-Addo.

He told the President that the visit was exclusively for Ghana, illustrating the bank’s strong commitment to the economic development of the country.

President Akufo-Addo (middle), in a photograph with Jose Vinals (2nd from left), Group Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank, Mansa Nettey (left), Chief Executive

According to him, the visit was necessary at a time when the country was embarking on a journey to recover from the recent economic turmoil.

He stated that the bank’s continuous support for the Government of Ghana demonstrated its “confidence” in the future of the economy of the country.

“This confirmation of our support is also a vote of confidence in Ghana’s future. We are confident that, working hard in a joint manner between the government and the private sector, Ghana will be able to get out of this situation and embark on the growth path that it had before COVID-19 and the other crises that hit the country, the region, and the world.”

The Group Board Chairman told President Akufo-Addo that the bank saw tremendous opportunities in Ghana in the area of digitalisation, for instance. He said the bank would continue to invest in Ghana, adding that his outfit would soon launch a platform for the financing of micro, small, and medium enterprises for the purposes of transformation.

QUARTER STATISTICS

In the first quarter of 2023, Ghana’s economic growth increased to 4.2 % year-on year, compared to 3.0% in the same period of 2022.

President Akufo-Addo (middle), shaking hands with Jose Vinals (2nd from left), Group Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank after a meeting at the Jubilee House.

The Government Statistician, Prof Samuel Annim, said recently that the public administration, defense and social security, health, education, information and communication sub-sectors were the main drivers of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for the first quarter of 2023.

GDP growth rate without oil and gas (non-oil GDP) for first quarter of 2023 is 5.5%, which compares to the same period in 2022 with a growth rate of 3.7%.

The service sector recorded the highest growth of 10.1 % followed by the agriculture sector with a growth of 4.8% and the industry sector of -3.2 %.

EXEMPLARY

In his response, President Akufo-Addo commended the contributions of the bank to the economic growth of Ghana.

He mentioned that the reach of the bank and “the manner in which it has interacted with the government and the people of the country has been exemplary.”

President Akufo-Addo remarked that the issues raised by Mr. Jose Vinals were those at the heart of the government and the nation, and urged the bank to support the country.

He stated that the government was committed to the programme of digitalisation of the Ghanaian economy, adding that “our Vice President [Dr. Bawumia] has been very upfront.”

OPPORTUNITY

Responding to the commendation by the Standard Chartered Bank boss on the joint collaboration between the government and the private sector, President Akufo-Addo indicated that the government was committed to creating the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.

He remarked that opportunities abound in every sphere of the nation and urged the bank to continue to invest further in the economy of the country.

Former absa staff makes 3rd appearance in alleged GH¢1.2m stealing case

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Court hammer

Emmanuel Sakyi Afriyie, a former absa Bank staff, who allegedly stole over GH¢1.2 million from his then employer’s customers, has made a third appearance in court.

He appeared with 11 others who had been charged with him before an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Ellen Ofei-Ayeh, yesterday. Emmanuel, first accused (A1), together with the others, will make their fourth and third appearances respectively on July 7, 2023.

Her Honour Ofei-Ayeh adjourned the case upon a prayer by the prosecution that they needed time to amend the charge sheet and brief facts to reflect the new accused persons who made their appearance during the last adjourned date.

On Monday, this week, the court was told that six accused persons, who were allegedly at large, had surrendered to the police, following media reports on the case. It was this development that prompted the prosecution to inform the court that they wanted to amend the charge sheet, which should have been done yesterday, but that did not happen.

Emmanuel Sakyi Afriyie, 25 and now a businessman, is facing 13 charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, stealing, forgery of other documents, and falsification of accounts.

Others, Cecil Nyamesem Agyarkwa (A2), Richard Aikins (A3), Michael Tweneboah Oppong (A4), Fouad Mohammed (A5) and Caleb Bandoh (A6), who first appeared before the court with A1, have been charged with stealing and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Those who voluntarily reported themselves are Nicholas Nii Sai (A9), Nana Kwesi Gyimah (A10), Benjamin Adoari (A11), Boadu Nana Yaw Adjei (A13), Joseph D Anim (A14) and Othniel Amankwah Darkwa (A17).

The police are yet to arrest Clinton Asamoah (A7), Kwame Owusu Buadu (A8), Daniel Osei (A12), Ernest Aryee (A15), and Isaac De-Heer (A16).

All of the accused persons, with the exception of A1, have been granted bail in the sum of GH¢200,000.00 with two sureties, who are gainful employed, and earning not less than GH¢2,500 a month.

Background

The prosecuting officer narrated to the court that Nana Addo Ampem-Darko, Head of Fraud Detection and Operations at Absa Bank Ghana Limited, is the complainant in the case.

According to him, A1 is a resident of Labone and until May this year, he was contracted as Processing Officer at the bank.

He added that Cecil is 26 years old and a student at the University of Ghana, Legon, Richard, 31, a trader, Michael, 25, also a trader, Fouad, 32, a System Administrator and Caleb, 25, an entrepreneur.

He told the court that Al was employed by Absa bank as a contract staff in the month of February 2022 and was posted to Osu branch as a Processing Officer, whose job description was to assist customers in loan processing, T-bill processing, debit card processing, dormant account activation and customer account maintenance among others.

C/Insp. Anquandah said due to Emmanuel’s job description, he worked on several accounts, including that of Ekua Ewuduwa Dadzie’s bonus and savings accounts.

However, somewhere in February 2023, Al registered for an online coding course, which the renewable annual subscription fee was USD 174.30, equivalent to GH¢2,287.69.

Unfortunately, instead of A1 to pay for the course out of his own pocket, he rather made the payment on Rev Cynthia Patricia Asamoah’s Visa card on February 6, 2023.

As a result, the complainant and the Fraud team of the bank were gathering evidence on the matter to engage Al, but the latter made a swift move to tender in his resignation letter, effective May 31, 2023.

The sudden resignation and the alleged illegal transaction on the customer’s visa card by A1 made the bank officials more suspicious to investigate him in other areas.

The complainant, together with the fraud team, made up of the bank’s IT experts, detected that on April 20, 2023 Al by his own machination accessed one of his colleague’s User ID and password to change the contact number on another customer, Ekua Ewuduwa Dadzie’s accounts.

So, on April 21, 2023 Al personally set up an internet and mobile banking access on Ekua Ewuduwa Dadzie’s accounts, using his own User ID and password, after which he had access and started operating on the accounts without the victim customer receiving SMS alert.

Therefore, from April 21 to May 12, 2023, Al with full access to the Ekua Ewuduwa’s account, fraudulently transferred a total of GH¢945,133.00 including charges from the accounts to a number of people.

First and foremost, he transferred GH¢90,000.00 to Cecil’s  girlfriend, Rhoda AbenaGransimaaPanyinQuansah’s Cal bank and Fidelity bank accounts; GH¢180,000.00 to Richard’s Cal bank account; GH¢30,000.00 to Michael’s Cal bank account and GH¢30,000.00 to Fouad’s GT bank account.

Caleb also received GH¢30,000.00 in his Cal bank account, Kwame  and Nicholas received GH¢30,000.00 and GH¢60,000.00 respectively in their Access bank and Fidelity bank accounts and Nana Kwesi got GH¢90,000.00 in his Cal Bank account.

Benjamin had GH¢60,000.00 in his Ecobank account, Daniel received GH¢30,000.00 in his Fidelity account, Boadu, GH¢30,000.00 his GT bank account, and Joseph, GH¢60,000.00 in his FNB account.

All of the transfers were done in tranches of GH¢30,000.00 on different dates within the said period.

On May 9, 2023 from 7:21am to 7:32am, he used another colleague and that of the branch Manageress, Felicia Mackenzie’s Users IDs to change and authorise the contact numbers of eleven customers’ accounts, including the account of late Justice Anthony Kofi Abada, former IGP, late Mr. Ernest Ako, Williams Joe Frimpong, Rev Theodora Baaba Hackman, Esther Marian Hackman and replaced them with only one contact number, 0531668674.

On May 11, 2023, Al transferred GH¢50,000.00 from Esther Marian Hackman’s account to Absa account of Ernest Aryee and did the same on the next day, by transferring GH¢50,000.00 each from late Ernest Ako, Williams Joe Frimpong and Rev Theodora Baaba Hackman’s accounts to some other Absa account holders.

The receivers of the transfers were Ernest, Othniel and Isaac.The court was told that Cecil, Richard, Michael and Fouad stated in their respective investigation cautioned statements that Clinton came to their shops to purchase Iphone 14 Pro Max and requested for their bank accounts details and forwarded the same to Al to effect those fraudulent transfers into their accounts.

On May 12, 2023 Al was arrested by the Police in respect of the Visa Card theft and was granted Police enquiry bail to be reporting.

On May 15, 2023, the complainant on behalf of the bank petitioned the Director General of CID in respect of GH¢1,207,017.00 theft detected in furtherance to the Visa Card case.

Interestingly, when Al was contacted to report himself to police, he refused to show up, meanwhile, effort to compel his surety to produce him also failed.

On June 4, 2023, A1 together with his girlfriend Ivy Okertchiri, who stood as surety for him attempted to escape from the jurisdiction to Dubai, but he was arrested at the Kotoka International Airport by the Ghana Immigration Service and handed over to the police.

C/Insp. Anquandah stated that investigation revealed that Al, together with his accomplices, within the period of April and May 2023, stole a total amount of GH¢1,209,304.69 from the aforementioned customers’ accounts.

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