Sergei Lavrov made a second visit to Africa in the space of six months
Germany’s foreign office has come under fire after taking aim at Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s tour of Africa using an unpopular generalisation about the continent.
In a tweet, Germany’s foreign office had said: “The Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov is in Africa, not to see [leopard emoji], but to bluntly claim that Ukraine’s partners “want to destroy everything Russian”.”
Many were angered by the suggestion that Africa’s wildlife was the only thing worth bringing the Russian envoy to the continent.
Ebba Kalondo, the spokesperson to the African Union chairperson, wondered whether “the continent of Africa, its people and wildlife is a joke to you?”
Ms Kalondo noted that German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock recently visited the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia. “Did she come to see animals?” she posed.
On Wednesday, Germany agreed to send its Leopard tanks to Ukraine. For some time, it had resisted internal and external pressure to supply their tanks to the country.
France will withdraw its military forces from Burkina Faso within a month, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs told CNN on Wednesday.
Following a formal request from the Burkina Faso government to do so, the French military mission will end a month after receipt of that written demand, the ministry said.
Since 2018, the French and Burkina Faso governments have had an agreement allowing the presence of French troops on Burkinabe soil. French troops have been deployed in West Africa since 2013 to fight jihadist groups in the Sahel.
This withdrawal is the latest step back for France’s military footprint in the Sahel region, after the 2022 withdrawal of French forces from Mali following a military coup in the country and the eventual breakdown in relations with the Malian government.
The French Armed Forces declined to comment on the composition of the mission in Burkina Faso.
A new drug is set to transform the lives of thousands of migraine sufferers after it was approved for use in the United Kingdom.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is recommending eptinezumab for around 164,000 adults where at least three previous preventive treatments have failed.
The drug has been found to be as effective as three others already approved for injection at home — erenumab, fremanezumab and galcanezumab.
All four medicines are calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors, which work by targeting how proteins cause blood vessels in the brain to swell.
The new class of treatments are thought to work by blocking the CGRP chemical called CGRP which prevents the blood vessels dilating.
Migraines are common, affecting around one in every five women and around one in every 15 men, usually starting in early adulthood.
As well as throbbing head pain, many people suffer other symptoms such as feeling sick, being sick and increased sensitivity to light or sound.
Painkillers often have little effect during an attack and even if they work, sufferers may have sufficiently frequent attacks to need a preventative treatment.
Trials found patients treated with eptinezumab experienced a significant reduction in severity and frequency of headaches each month.
The treatment costs around £5,870 annually, though the pharmaceutical firm Lundbeck has agreed to provide it to the NHS at a discounted price.
Rob Music, chief executive at the Migraine Trust, said it was ‘great news’ that there is another treatment option for people living with severe migraines but added that it was vital those eligible can access it.
This new class of drugs has been life-changing to many people with migraine in the UK.
‘It has allowed many to do things that migraine had prevented them from doing, from being able to work full-time to being able to enjoy travelling.
‘Unfortunately, too many people whose lives are currently being severely impacted by migraine, and who are eligible for these treatments, are unable to access them.
‘As we start 2023, we hope that integrated care systems will do more to ensure that there is greater access to this potentially life-changing treatment.’
Dr. Joyce Rosalind Aryee, Executive Director, Salt and Light Ministries
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” – Micah 6:8 (NIV)
INTRODUCTION
Last week, we concluded that the Church is the collective of all believers and that we can faithfully, boldly and with great eagerness maintain our prophetic voice in this secular, decadent sin-filled world, lifting Christ up that He may draw all men to Himself, because God has empowered us, so to do. Enjoy the second part of this enlightening article written by Marvin Moore in the publication called ‘THE SIGN OF THE TIMES’.
There is Sin in the Church
“Every now and then I hear from someone who is deeply perplexed and worried about others in the church who are not living the Christian life as my caller or correspondent thinks they should.
Now I will be the first to admit that there is sin in the church. Our society is painfully aware of the sexual improprieties of too many of its religious leaders. There is embezzlement of church funds by those who have been trusted with safeguarding them. There are pride, politicking, and control through manipulation and anger. There is quarrelling over such profound things as doctrine and over such simple things as which colour to paint the walls.
Worst of all, there is a loss of deep spirituality among Christians today. Many of us attend church once a week, but nobody would recognize our Christianity the other six days. We rarely pick up a Bible or pray nor do we examine our lives on a regular basis to identify and correct the flaws in our characters that are creating misery in our own lives and the lives of those we live with.
There is a time and place to pay attention to these problems. That is what the Old Testament writer; Ezekiel was talking about when he wrote of those who were “grieve(ing) and lament(ing) over all the detestable things” that were being done in Jerusalem. “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it” – Ezekiel 9:4. But this grieving and lamenting should never become a full time vocation for any Christian.
Unfortunately, too often that is what the people who call or write to me have done or at least seem to be doing. I have known people who could hardly utter a word about the church that wasn’t morbid and down-in-the-mouth. It was the essence of their religious experience.
If you see this tendency in yourself, I would like to suggest several things you can do to be sure your criticism of the church is appropriate.
Pray Before we Criticize
Before we point out sin, we should be sure that we have the right attitude. That is why Paul advised that only those who are truly spiritual should undertake this task. “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted” – Galatians 6:1. Praying for others before we try to correct the problems they are creating puts us in the right spirit.
Check Ourselves Before we Criticize
Those best qualified to point out errors in the lives of others are those who are most aware of the error in their own. Let’s ask God to help us see the flaws in our own lives. Ask Him to show us whether our criticism is majoring on minors. And especially ask Him to help us see if our criticism of others is a cover-up for some spiritual pride or insecurity in ourselves.
Consult Before we Criticize
Find a spiritual leader in the church who is outside our circle of friends – one whose judgment we trust – and explain the matter as we see it to him. This may be our pastor, or it might be an elder or other mature Christian. Often, such people can help us to see matters from a more accurate perspective.
Look For Positive
Before we utter a word of criticism about others, spend five times as much time looking for all the positive qualities in our church and especially in the lives of those we condemn. This is particularly important if we see in ourselves a tendency to major on sighing and crying over the sins of others.
Speak to the Guilty First
Ninety-five percent of the criticism in the church would come to an abrupt halt if Christians practiced the biblical principle found inMatthew 18:15-20. If we are truly aware of a flaw in the life of another person, then that person is the first, not the last, who should hear about it. And if we recognize the flaw, then we are responsible for pointing it out, not to others, but to him or her. If we have done everything else I have suggested so far, then perhaps – not certainly, but perhaps – you are the one who should point it out.
I have noticed that those who focus largely in criticism of the spirituality of others or of the church in general tend to be very unhappy people themselves – quite contrary to the joy that Jesus said should characterize our Christian experience as we read inJohn 15:11; 17:13. So it is very likely that the best outcome we will discover from following the suggestions made here is much greater joy in our own lives.”
Remain Blessed!
Please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays 5.30 am., Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays 5:30 am; and YFM 107.9 – Sundays 6.30am; for our Radio Bible Study as well as Sunny FM 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm. for Hymns and their Stories.
The former Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Dr. Mark Assibey-Yeboah, has emphasized that Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia would be a good president if elected by the electorate.
In a one-on-one interview with Philip Osei Bonsu on Asempa FM’s flagship afternoon talk show, Ekosiisen, on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 the former NPP lawmaker stated that looking at the impressive credentials of the Vice President, there is no doubt that he would make a good president if elected.
“I think he has paid his dues, you understand. When we look at how our numbers have gone up in the Northern Region, we are at par with the NDC, each of the parties have 9 seats. Even in the Savanna Region, we (NPP) have 4 seats whereas they (NDC) also have 3. In North East, we have 3 and the NDC have 4. Overall, in the three Northern Regions, the NPP have 16 and the NDC have 15’’ he stated.
“There was a time that we (NPP) had 3 seats but now we have 16 and the NDC have 15, the old Northern Region as it were. He has done his bit. Even though the delegates will decide, but for me, when I look at his CV, I think that he will be a good president. I think that with the kind of CV that he boasts of, if given the nod, he will win’’ Dr. Assibey-Yeboah told Osei Bonsu.
Responding to a follow-up question by Philip Osei Bonsu that on the balance of probability if Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia would be a better fit than Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, the astute Economist said that either of them would do well but if he looks at Dr. Bawumia’s credentials, he would be a better flagbearer for the party, as he is ahead of Alan Kyerematen.
Mark Assibey-Yeboah holds an MA and a Ph.D. both in Economics from the University of Tennessee, USA specializing in International Macroeconomics, Monetary Economics and Econometrics.
He has been published in reputable journals such as Economic Record, International Journal for Finance and Economics, Journal for International Trade and Economic Development, and The North American Journal of Economics and Finance.
Marcelo Bielsa has arrived in London for further talks with Everton’s hierarchy as they search for a successor to Frank Lampard.
The 67-year-old former Leeds United manager is a favoured choice of Everton owner Farhad Moshiri.
Sean Dyche, who has been out of work since being dismissed by Burnley in April, is the other main contender to take over at Goodison Park.
The Toffees hope to have someone in place by the weekend.
Bielsa is believed to have reservations about the composition of Everton’s squad and its ability to play his trademark high-tempo style of football, as well as taking over in mid-season.
But the fact that he has flown to England to discuss the possibility further shows there is still interest on both sides.
Dyche is also in the final round of discussions.
Should Everton get someone in place before the weekend they would have a week to work with the players before they welcome Premier League leaders Arsenal next Saturday.
Everton sacked Lampard after Saturday’s 2-0 loss at West Ham left them 19th in the table with only three wins and 15 points from 20 games.
La Liga says it “strongly condemns acts of hatred and intimidation against Vinicius Jr” after an effigy of the Real Madrid winger was hung from a bridge near the club’s training ground.
A banner reading “Madrid hates Real” was attached to the bridge’s railings.
Atletico Madrid and Real meet in the Copa del Rey on Thursday and Atletico said the incident was “repugnant”.
Brazil international Vinicius Jr, 22, said last month the Spanish league had to act on racists attending games.
Before the Madrid derby in September, a minority of Atletico fans sang racist songs aimed at the player as they entered their Wanda Metropolitano stadium before Real’s 2-1 win, which the club condemned as “unacceptable”.
However, Spanish prosecutors closed an investigation into the chants three months later, saying it was impossible to identify those responsible.
Earlier this month, the Spanish league said it had filed charges relating to the racist abuse of the Brazilian to the “relevant judicial, administrative and sporting bodies”.
And La Liga on Thursday said it “will press for an investigation by relevant state security forces and bodies” into the effigy and banner, and will “seek convictions for those responsible and request the most severe sentences”.
Atletico stressed that while the rivalry between the two clubs is “the greatest… so is respect”.
Chelsea‘s new signing £88million Mykhailo Mudryk hit the ground running last Saturday as the Ukrainian impressed during a 35 minute cameo against Liverpool.
The 22-year-old achieved a top speed of 22.76mph during the match, according to Stas Perform, narrowly faster than the 22.74mph Everton’s Anthony Gordon managed against Fulham in October.
Mudryk and Gordon occupy fifth and sixth place respectively on the list of fastest Premier League players since the start of the 2020-21 season.
If Mudryk wishes to top the list one day, the winger would have to take the record off a former Chelsea star.
Centre back Antonio Rudiger, who left the Blues for Real Madrid last summer, surprisingly holds the accolade.
The German international was tracked at 22.81mph during Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Brighton back in December 2021.
Brighton wing back Tariq Lamptey lies second on the list with a top speed of 22.76mph
The flying Brighton wing back had previously held the record after achieving a top speed of 22.76mph against Newcastle in September 2020.
His mark has since been equalled by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Wolves’ Adama Traore, with the Spaniard having long been renowned for his sprints down the wing.
Manchester City’s Kyle Walker unsurprisingly features in the top 10, placing seventh with a speed of 22.72mph achieved back in 2020 against Leicester City.
Muntaka (left), Haruna (middle), Avedzi (right), leading the minority caucus to the Electoral Commission Office in 2020
The highly opposed reshuffle in the leadership of the Minority in Parliament, largely described as a coup d’état, allegedly orchestrated by the camp of former President John Dramani Mahama, has ignited some rancor in the NDC.
Apart from opposition from some party supporters in the Northern and Ashanti regions, with some even massing up at the regional offices, the Minority Caucus is also now divided.
At the time of filing this report yesterday, some 60 NDC MPs had signed a petition against the decision. They include; Alhassan Suhuyini, MP for Tamale North; Dr. Kwabena Donkor, MP for Pru East; Dr. Dominic Ayine, MP for Bolgatanga East; Sam George, MP for Ningo-Prampram; Alhaji A.B.A Fuseini, MP for Sagnarigu; Samson Ahi, MP for Bodi and Collins Dauda, MP for Asutifi South.
“We are concerned that this critical decision didn’t seem to have taken into consideration the unity of purpose and focus our caucus requires to deal with; the Electoral Commission’s intentions to introduce a new CI, the government’s IMF negotiations and its intended reintroduction of the ‘Agyapa deal’ before the House.
We also think this decision would have unintended consequences as we go into our Parliamentary primaries,” part of the petition read.
They have also threatened to stand by the old leaders, if their concerns for broader consultations are ignored.
Supporters massed up at NDC Tamale Regional Office
However, reports also indicate that about 40 of the NDC MPs have also endorsed the change in leadership, though no particularly names are out yet.
There is an emergency Caucus meeting scheduled for today over the tension mounting in the party, over the change in leadership.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
Meanwhile, previous events leave a narrow gate for one to escape, believing the trio have been ousted to ensure a particular agenda is executed.
In an interview with TV3’s Roland Walker, the flag bearer aspirant, Dr Kwabena Duffuor mentioned that should he win the primary, Haruna Iddrisu can be his running mate.
He had been asked of his potential choice for running mate should he become the flag bearer of the opposition NDC, going into the 2024 general elections.
He said: “there are two people who are doing very well in politics. They are lawyers. They are politicians. Look at almost 30 years in politics. Look at this young man, Haruna. Any of them – either Haruna or Bagbin could be my running mate. They are working hard, ain’t they? They are in politics. Are they not? They will compliment me.”
At this time, political observers, who have followed the internal issues of the NDC, know that, Haruna Iddrisu is not in the camp of Mahama, and for his main contender to openly state that he can choose Haruna as a running mate, will click a button in that camp, thereby leading to crippling Haruna before it is too late.
ENDORSEMENT
During the campaign launch of the National Chairmanship, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and some Minority MPs, led by the First Deputy Chief Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, attended and endorsed his candidature.
In his address, Ahmed, who had earlier stated that the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu himself would have loved to be present, had asked them to represent the Caucus.
The second Deputy Chief Whip, Comfort Doyo Ghansah was present. Calling General Mosquito his father, he told Mr Nketiah and the gathering that Haruna was on parliamentary assignment at IEA.
He further said a lot of the MPs had attended the launch, “and this tells you that the Minority Caucus, we have our unflinching support for you. Not only are we giving you the support, we are doing the work with you,” he said to a loud applause from the gathering.
Out of the five member-leadership, three did not attend the launch, according to checks by this paper. The Minority Leader and his deputy, and the Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak were absent.
DISCLAIMER
The open endorsement announced by the first Deputy Chief Whip at the ceremony did not sit well with the other leaders of the minority, who issued a disclaimer the following day.
Signed by Haruna Iddrisu, the disclaimer said “the leadership categorically denies the assertions by Hon. Ibrahim Ahmed and wish to state that the Caucus never met on the matter and have not taken any decision on the matter.”
It added that, “the Caucus has not met and has not taken any decision on any of the candidates contesting any position within the party.”
The disclaimer said Ahmed Ibrahim was prompted and he rendered an unqualified apology to the entire Caucus.
MAHAMA, HARUNA RELATIONSHIP
Several political observers have noticed the frosty relationship between former President Mahama and the outgoing leader of the minority in parliament, Haruna Iddrisu.
They say it dates back to when late Prof John Evans Atta-Mills was President, and the party was considering a possible ticket after him, and Haruna’s name was mentioned as possible running mate, instead of Mahama. Prof Mills was called to glory and Mahama took over because he was then the Vice President.
When Mahama won the 2012 elections, his first list of appointments did not include Haruna Iddrisu, giving weight to rumors that there were some confusion between the two. Haruna had been named in the first list of Prof Mills’ ministerial appointments. He was named the Minister for Communications, even as young as he was in 2009.
When Mahama took over in 2013, he removed Haruna from the Communications Ministry.
Following Haruna’s removal and not been appointed again, chaos broke out in Tamale, and Mahama was compelled to appoint Haruna as Trade Minister.
Political analysts wondered why Mahama failed to include Haruna, as clever as he is, in his first cabinet, giving that his former boss, even had Haruna in his cabinet.
Former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, has justified the decision of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to reshuffle its leadership in parliament, saying the move is to prepare the party for the 2024 elections.
The largest opposition party on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 announced a change in the party’s parliamentary leadership.
In a letter signed by the General Secretary of the party, Fifi Kwetey, it said“the new leadership would be charged to recommend consequential changes in the Ranking membership to Headquarters of the party for approval”.
According to the party, former deputy minister for finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson takes over from Haruna Iddrisu as the minority leader; Kofi Armah Buah, member of parliament for Ellembelle takes over from James Klutse Avedzi as deputy minority leader; Kwame Agboza succeeds member of parliament for Asawase, Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak as the minority chief whip; whilst Ahmed Ibrahim and Comfort Doyoe- Ghansah retain their positions as first and second deputy minority chief whips respectively.
The move has since been met with a myriad of mixed reactions from the party, as well as the general public.
In an interview with Bolgatanga based A1 radio on Wednesday, Mr. Inusah Fuseini, who doubles as the former ranking member on constitutional and legal affairs committee in parliament, explained that the economy would dominate discussions in the forthcoming elections, hence the need to choose persons who are well versed in the area, to lead the party in parliament.
He said the current group of leaders appointed to steer the affairs of the party in parliament is capable of masterminding victory in the impending elections, since the election would be won in parliament.
“The ultimate aim of the reorganisation efforts is to prepare the party for the impending elections and make sure that we put our best foot forward to win election 2024. It is in our collective interest that we galvanise and mobilise our energies for the battle ahead.
“Parliament will be a key battleground for the hearts and minds of the people of Ghana. NPP will be introducing policies, NPP will be dissipating our resources, the economy will be central to the debate on whether or not the NPP government can be trusted to rule this country,” he told host of the station’s Daybreak Upper East show, Mark Smith Ahumah.
He continued: “and so who is a better person suited for that charge, for that responsibility, than Cassiel Ato Forson, who was deputy minister for finance and helped in the management of the economy, and who is ranking member of finance. Or Armah Kofi Buah or Agboza Governs? And so it is just the reorganisation, strategising and repositioning of the party for the battle ahead”.
The axing of Haruna Iddrisu as minority leader in particular was met with stiff opposition from the constituents of Tamale South, as well as the incumbent Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who asserted that there was no due consultation prior to the appointment of the new leadership.
When asked whether there was consultation before the appointment, Mr Inusah Fuseini said all the structures of the party were duly consulted and thus urged persons who are displeased with the move to accept the newly appointed leaders, since the decision cannot be reversed.
