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Vienna City, a popular night club and entertainment centre located at Circle, Accra is on fire. The fire is said to have started around 7:00 pm, Thursday. It is not clear yet what caused the fire but properties running into thousands of cedis are up in flames. Vienna City is just opposite the Goil filling station which was reduced to ashes on June 3, 2015, the night of flood and fire disaster which claimed some 150 lives. Joy News' Latif Iddrisu says fire officers have come with about six fire tenders and are desperately trying to douse the flames. Residents, some of whom still remember the gory impact of the June 3 disaster are giving a helping hand to fire officials to ensure the fire does not degenerate. But there is a shell filling station inches away from the burning City with a tanker said to be offloading fuel, Latiff reports. The workers of Vienna City are also trying to have access to the Casino which is the heart of the Vienna City to salvage what may be left of the

Gary Neville’s reign in Spain went down the drain from the word go. The Manchester United legend was a shock appointment by Valencia and the shock was validated by how dreadful the Spanish side were during his tenure. After four short months in charge, he’s been sacked by Valencia. A hit in the Sky Sports studio after hanging up his boots in a glittering career for United, Neville was an instant hit receiving widespread praise for his insight and natural charisma in front of a camera. Neville comes across as a born leader and the longer his stint on Sky Sports went on, the more people touted him for a career in management. But it was a massive surprise when he was announced as Nuno’s successor at the Mestalla. Pals with Valencia owner Peter Lim, he obviously thought Neville could succeed in La Liga. But only three wins in 16 league matches tells its own story while there was also a 7-0 tonking at the hands of Barcelona and a Europa League exit to Athletic Bilbao.

Who is provoking you in Ghana now ... 1. Your parents 2. MTN 3. President John Mahama 4. ECG 5. Landlords 6. NPP 7. Tigo 8. Vodafone 9. Glo 10. NDC 11. Your boss @ work 12. Husband 13. Boy Friend 14. Girlfriend 15. Expresso Choose ur number. Posts your comments. Good night

Arsenal Wenger’s interview with beIN Sports, confirming he’ll be at Arsenal next season . Yesterday we brought you news of a new Arsene Wenger interview with beIN Sports, in which the Gunners boss talked about his future with the club. Wenger, who never seems to be too far away from another crisis at the Emirates Stadium, is under contract until 2017. While many fans would like to see the back of their manager sooner, Wenger has now revealed he’ll be at Arsenal next season. The key quotes were as follows: I work for a club I love. If I can share that love with the supporters, it’s even better. I have no doubt [that he’ll stay next season]. I am committed. When I do something, I do it 100%.

The Andani Royal family in Dagbon in the Northern Region has rejected aspects of the roadmap to peace agreed over two years ago. The gate has stated categorically that they will not allow the funeral of the late Na-Mahamadu Abdullai to be performed at the Gbewa palace. The final funeral rites of the late Chief from the Abudu faction has been a point of contention even though the roadmap agreed it should be performed at the palace. Speaking at a media briefing Sunday to mark the 14th anniversary of the killing of The Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, the Adani spokesperson Basharu Dabali insisted that allowing the Abudus into the Gbewa palace contravenes tradition. “We shall under no circumstance allow for the funeral of Mahamadu Abdullai to be performed at the Gbewa Palace. To allow this to happen is to reward crime since this was the reason [they] forcibly removed Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II from the palace to pave the way for the funeral of Mahamadu Abdullai to be performed

DRAMA OVER SECURITY CAPOS: BNI SWERVES COURT; DI OFFICES RAIDED; NPP LASHES OUT Although an Accra Circuit Court last Thursday granted bail to the three South African Security officers who were arrested by the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) for alleged breach of security, they were still being caged by the national security operatives. JB DANQUAH BY-ELECTION TODAY Three candidates from different political parties are poised to contest the vacant parliamentary seat in the Abuakwa North Constituency of the Eastern Region. FITCH WARNS GHANA OVER DETERIORATING DEBT SITUATION Credit ratings agency Fitch Ratings has warned that Ghana’s fiscal and external deficits leave the country vulnerable to domestic and external shocks, including law oil prices and tight financing conditions. AIRPORT COMPANY BEEFS UP SECURITY Following terrorist attacks o the Brussels Airport in Belgium and a warning by security chiefs of a credible terrorist threat to all countries in the sub-region, inc

Over 40,000 registered voters are expected to cast their ballot in 69 polling stations in the Abuakwa North Constituency’s by-election today [Tuesday]. The by-election became necessary following the death of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for the area, Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, last month. The MP, affectionately called JB, was stabbed to death at his residence at Shiashie in Accra by a teenager, Daniel Asiedu, who is currently facing prosecution. The NPP’s Gifty Twum Ampofo is being challenged by Samuel Frimpong of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) and the United People’s Party’s Isaac Kwarteng. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) pulled out of the by-election because according to a statement signed by the General Secretary of the party, they were “stunned by the death of the late MP Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, particularly circumstances surrounding his gruesome murder that brought the nation to a standstill.” It however emerged later that their Parliamentary nominee for the Abu

The 69-year old retired Captain of the Ghana Armed Forces, Captain (rtd) Edmond Koda, who was being held by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), for his alleged role in the invitation of three ex-police officers from South Africa to train the New Patriotic Party’s security personnel, has been released on health grounds. Citi News reported on Sunday that Capt. Koda, who’s the Head of the private security detail for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, had taken ill whiles in BNI custody. His lawyer, Nana Asante Bediatuo, had told Citi News his client was not being treated fairly and that his rights had been abused under the laws of Ghana. This was after he had been released on Thursday with the charges against him dropped, but re-arrested the same day and his residence at Weija thoroughly searched. Nana Asante Bediatuo said Captain Koda was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital for medical attention, where doctors had recommended he stayed there a while l

Presidential Candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party, (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says the main priority of his government when elected into office, will be the provision of hundreds of jobs to the teeming masses of unemployed Ghanaian youth. According to him, well-thought out policies in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, as well as the provision of a conducive environment for the private sector to flourish, will be key to creating jobs for the youth. The NPP flagbearer made these comments during a campaign at Drobonso, in the Sekyere Afram Plains Constituency of the Ashanti Region, on Saturday, March 26. With the mainstay of residents in the constituency being agriculture, Nana Akufo-Addo noted that Ghana’s over-reliance on cocoa will not be a feature of his government. Rather, an aggressive diversification of cash crops, akin to the developments in neighboring Cote d’Ivoire, which earns that country $12 billion in export revenues, will be pursued by his

Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has appealed to fellow politicians to campaign on ideas and avoid the tactics of intimidating the electorate. He said elections are about development and the choices available to the people. Vice President Amissah-Arthur said this at the 40th anniversary of the Gonjaland Youth Association at Salaga in the Northern Region. He said government is committed to ensure that this year’s elections are transparent, free and fair. He expressed worry about the chieftaincy problems across many parts of the country largely due to confusion over the rightful successors. “In parts of our country, succession to chieftaincy has become a source of conflict. But the Gonja people demonstrate some of the most peaceful and best practices when it comes to ascensions to chieftaincy.” The Vice President also appealed to the chiefs and people of Gonja to resolve all lingering succession issues. Vice President Amissah-Arthur said government’s transformation agenda is o

President John Dramani Mahama has lashed out at critics of his schools under trees programme saying it is a work in progress. According to him, political opponents are using the programme to score cheap political points. Speaking at the annual Tortsogbeza Festival of the chiefs and people of Sokpoe in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region, President Mahama said his administration has a strategy in place to eliminate all schools under trees by 2020. 2010 schools under trees survey “In 2010 when we did a survey of schools under trees or substandard schools, there were 4,210 of them and we undertook the schools under trees programme and since then, we’ve built more than 1,700 schools all over the country.” President Mahama said government concedes that “there are still schools that are substandard and under trees and I never said anywhere that we’ve replaced all the schools under trees with modern schools.” “…So sometimes when you see political quantity surveyors going aroun

The Auditor General’s Department is ready to present the documents of about 3,600 teachers to the Ministry of Finance for them to be paid their two years salary arrears. Earlier this year, three teacher unions; the Ghana National Association of Teacher (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT), threatened to go on a strike if all outstanding monies owed them were not paid by the end of February 2016. Government however averted this after they assured the teacher associations that their monies would be paid. The General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), David Ofori Acheampong, revealed that the unpaid group of teachers had not been cleared for payment by the Ministry of Finance all this while. “This group didn’t have financial clearance at all, which means they haven’t been paid a single cedi since they were employed. That was as a result of the fact that GES didn’t seek financial clear

The Tarkwa Nsuaem Constituency Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Samuel Osei Kofi Boamah has passed away. He was rushed to the hospital, Saturday after he complained of pain in his leg but died early Sunday at the hospital. The Communications Director of the NPP in the Western Region, Okaatakyie Amankwaah Afrifa who confirmed the news to Joy News said “the party has lost a very experienced chairman”. The late Osei-Boamah aside from being a constituency Chairman also owned a Pharmacy in Tarkwa. “He comes from the Eastern Region but lived most part of his life in Tarkwa, and almost everybody in Tarkwa knew him. His death is a big blow to us,” Afrifa said. He said the Western Regional and Executives and executives of the constituency have "traditionally" gone to the residence of the late Chairman to mourn with his family. Meanwhile, the First Vice and Acting Western Regional Chairman of the party also died on February 8, this year and is yet to be buried. credit:

The sad news of Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey's death which occurred on Sunday, March 20, dominated the early hours of Monday. Many expressed shock over the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) national chairman's passing. The late Obetsebi-Lamptey Dozens of patients flocked the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital’s surgical, urology and neurology Units after they were re-opened on Monday, March 21, 2016. The three units and the Intensive Care Unit were shut down for maintenance two months ago. Also on Monday, there was an update on the sad story that broke during the weekend about a chief shot together with his son and family head at Dodowa. The lifeless bodies of the Chief of Sota, Nene Kpetutu, his son and a family head were found in a Toyota Corolla vehicle on the Afienya-Dodowa road in the Greater Accra Region. The bodies as found on Sunday morning His wife on Monday told Joy News she suspected her husband was killed over land issues. Police say they are still investigating the

In Kparekpare, a farming community in the Krachi East District of the Volta Region, residents are compelled to drink from muddy, stinking water. The farming community which is well known of its yam production’s main water source is a muddy dam. The residents go to fetch the dirty water after pigs have swim in it. Adom FM’s Mubarak Yakubu who has visited the community reports that community also shares the same water source with cattle. Mubarak however says he couldn’t stand the stink emanating from the water which Kparekpare residents call drinking water. It however serves as water source for other neighbouring communities as well. Some residents who were spotted fetching from the dirty water say they treat it by dipping alum (Aluminum Sulfate) in it for the dirt to settle under it before use. Chief of Kparekpare Traditional Land Nana Owusu Attah III says many of his people have been complaining of stomach upset after drinking the water. He says other have suffered skin infecti

US$50,000.00, GHc1,518,410.10 paid into EOCO accounts: No official receipts An amount of US$50,000.00, GHC 1,518,410.10 which were paid into the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) Exhibit Dollar, Exhibit Cedis and two Government of Ghana accounts respectively between June and November 2012 from various payees were not covered with official receipt, 2014 Auditor General’s Report has revealed. According to the report although these monies were recorded in the respective cash books and lodged into the respective accounts, accounts, the non-issuance of receipts blurts transparency and denies assurances of completeness. The omission the report said could be attributed to the ineffective supervision by the Head of Finance to ensure that, officials receipts are issued for all monies received. “If this practice is not stopped, money received could end up in private pockets without Management easily detecting it. We recommended and Management agreed to ensure the Head of Finance sup

The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party says election 2016 is about the future of the Ghanaian youth, explaining that the electoral choice they make this year will go a long way to determining their future and the future of successive generations of Ghanaians. According to Nana Akufo-Addo, the youth of Ghana have a basic choice to make in this year’s election – a choice between the current NDC government which is overseeing unprecedented levels of economic difficulties and hardships, and the NPP which has demonstrated, from 2001 to 2009, that it has a proven track record of delivering progress and prosperity to the people of Ghana. “If you, the youth, feel comfortable with the current situation, then vote for the NDC and continuity. However, if you are dissatisfied with your current situation, then vote for change in November. We are living today in hardships and difficulties. This is not the kind of Ghana we want. Ghanaians want change and I strongly believe that

Police in the Volta Region on Saturday Morning prevented members of a pro New Patriotic Party (NPP) group from holding a peaceful health walk at Ho, although they met the requirements of the Public Order Act. The health walk dubbed March for Change, was spearheaded by the group, ‘Volta For Change’. Citi News’ King Norbert Akpablie quoted the police as saying that they took the decision based on an ‘order from above’ although the police had been duly notified of the exercise. Akpablie reported that over thirty police officers from a SWOT team were deployed to ensure that the new illegal directive ‘from above’ is enforced. The President of the group, Eyram Doe wondered why they had been prevented from going ahead with the event when they had duly notified the police who had no problem with it. “We asked permission, we wrote letters to the Police to inform them that we will be having this programme but we arrived here and the Commander of Operations in the region came to tell us that

Police in the Volta Region on Saturday Morning prevented members of a pro New Patriotic Party (NPP) group from holding a peaceful health walk at Ho, although they met the requirements of the Public Order Act. The health walk dubbed March for Change, was spearheaded by the group, ‘Volta For Change’. Citi News’ King Norbert Akpablie quoted the police as saying that they took the decision based on an ‘order from above’ although the police had been duly notified of the exercise. Akpablie reported that over thirty police officers from a SWOT team were deployed to ensure that the new illegal directive ‘from above’ is enforced. The President of the group, Eyram Doe wondered why they had been prevented from going ahead with the event when they had duly notified the police who had no problem with it. “We asked permission, we wrote letters to the Police to inform them that we will be having this programme but we arrived here and the Commander of Operations in the region came to tell us that

The Deputy Communications Director of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Fred Agbenyo has likened actions of the leadership of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to a bunch of lunatics. He asserted that it was wrong for the NPP executives to make public that the government is plotting to murder their Flag bearer Nana Addo. The Acting National Chairman of NPP Freddie Blay in a press conference on Thursday alleged that the Mahama led NDC government is scheming plans to assassinate Nana Addo, hence the arrival of the three ex-police officers. Asked on Ultimate Fact File hosted by Julius Caesar Anadem if the NDC is planning an onslaught on the leadership of the NPP, Agbenyo further described such comments by the NPP executives as childish comments. He wondered why people with sound mind would make such conclusion, saying the NDC party would not gain anything from killing an ‘old man’. ‘Is it not interesting and funny, doesn’t that come across to you like a 10- year o

Police in the Volta Region on Saturday Morning prevented members of a pro New Patriotic Party (NPP) group from holding a peaceful health walk at Ho, although they met the requirements of the Public Order Act. The health walk dubbed March for Change, was spearheaded by the group, ‘Volta For Change’. Citi News’ King Norbert Akpablie quoted the police as saying that they took the decision based on an ‘order from above’ although the police had been duly notified of the exercise. Akpablie reported that over thirty police officers from a SWOT team were deployed to ensure that the new illegal directive ‘from above’ is enforced. The President of the group, Eyram Doe wondered why they had been prevented from going ahead with the event when they had duly notified the police who had no problem with it. “We asked permission, we wrote letters to the Police to inform them that we will be having this programme but we arrived here and the Commander of Operations in the region came to tell us that

A suicide bomber has blown himself up at a football stadium south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, killing at least 29 people and injuring 60 others. The blast in Iskandariya, a mixed Sunni and Shia Muslim town, happened in the early evening on Friday at the end of an amateur football game, Falah al-Khafaji, the head of security for Babel province, said. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) - which controls large areas of the country's north and west - later claimed responsibility for the attack. An apparent escalation of large bombings in areas outside ISIL's control suggests that Iraqi government forces may be stretched thin after recent gains against the group in the western and northern provinces. At least 60 people were killed earlier this monthin an attack claimed by the group 80km further south, in Hilla, when an explosives-laden fuel tanker slammed into a government checkpoint. Thousands take to the streets Separately, thousands of people rallied in Baghd

flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Akufo-Addo has called on Ghanaians to use the Easter festivities to renew hope in the future of the country, despite the hardship. “Thus, let us renew and strengthen our faith in God and continue to pray for a free and prosperous future for Ghana. I am confident that we can transform our nation and use all the blessings that the Almighty has bestowed on us to bring wealth to all our people, if we work at it,” the three-time flagbearer said in his Easter message. Nana Addo's statement is the pick of Cartoonist Makaveli. Source: Ghana/starrfmonline.com/103.5FM/

Some parents of candidates registered for this year's Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) in the Pusiga District of the Upper East Region, are expressing worry over questions in a mock examination they say is politically tainted. As part of preparations for the examination, the Pusiga District office of the Ghana Education Service (GES) organised the rehearsal examination for candidates in the district, which started on Wednesday 23 March 2016. But the nature of question 18 of the English paper has sparked worry among parents, who fear it could spark tribal and political hatred among the pupils. Question 18 of the English paper asked the candidates to choose from a set of possible answers, the one which is nearest in meaning to the word CANVASS as captured in the following sentence: “Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, popularly known as 'all-die-be-die' canvassed for votes.” The GES Regional Director for Upper East, Janet Kawia, has condemned the act and indicated

Not everyone can meet Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi -- not even the daughters of the President of the United States, Barack Obama. Obama was speaking at the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative Town Hall in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and revealed that his daughters Sasha and Malia had asked him if they could meet the Argentine No. 10. But even the POTUS could not make it happen. "I also wanted to bring my daughters here, so they could see the beauty and the vibrancy of this city," he told the crowd . "They've already met one famous Argentinean -- His Holiness Pope Francis. Now they want to meet [Lionel] Messi, but I could not arrange that." Good to know that even some of the most famous people on the planet can't get everything they want, but it is surely only a matter of time before a signed Messi shirt arrives on the steps of the White House.

President John Mahama has urged residents of the Volta region to dismiss claims that his government has abandoned the region by way of development. According to him, the Volta region is the area he has visited the most, as President of the country. Addressing a gathering of chiefs and people of Todome in the South Dayi district of the region Thursday, Mr. Mahama said his political opponents are deliberately preaching falsehood that his government has taken the region for granted, despite their support for the ruling NDC. “When somebody comes and tells you that government has abandoned Volta region, it’s an absolute falsehood. …People have taken that lie and repeated it often and often that government has abandoned the Volta region to the extent that some of our people are beginning to think that it is true that Volta region is not getting its fair share of the national cake; I can assure you that is absolutely false. “This is one region I have visited more than any other region in

The three South African ex-police officers arrested for training bodyguards and other personnel of New Patriotic Party (NPP) leaders have been granted bail in the sum of GHC60,000. Major Ahmed Shaik Hazis (rtd), 54; Warrant Officer Denver Dwayhe, 33, and Captain Mlungiseli Jokani, 45, were each admitted to a GHC20,000-bail with a surety by an Accra Circuit Court after the Police prosecutors presented their case against them. The three ex-cops, who were picked up at Agona Duakwa in the Central region for acts deemed as a threat to national security by the Bureau of National Investigations, pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit crime, unlawful training and making false declaration when they made their first appearance in court Thursday afternoon. They were represented in court by a team of seven lawyers led by Elis Owusu-Fordjour and Samuel Ata Akyea. The prosecution, led by Superintendent Francis Baah had wanted them to be remanded but the lawyers raised object

There was drama at the Achimota Shopping Mall in Accra, when a man accosted businessman and National Democratic Congress (NDC) financier, Alfred Agbesi Woyome, for duping the state in the sum of GHC51.2 million. The man, angered by Woyome’s inability to refund the GHC51.2 million dubiously paid to him by the state, confronted the NDC financier and enquired when he was going to pay back the money. An eyewitness account indicated that Mr Woyome was seated at an eatery with his family having dinner when the man, yet to be identified, rushed on the businessman and asked him to cough out the money. “While Mr Woyome was enjoying his meal, the man stood at a distance and watched him for some time, after which he approached him to find out whether he was the Woyome who had defrauded the state,” the eyewitness asserted. The witness said Woyome’s wife immediately denied that her husband was the Woyome who had defrauded the state, but Mr Woyome himself admitted that he was Woyome and tried t

Mognewsportal run down the key talking points ahead of the Black Stars' bout with the Mambas on Thursday. Ghana will host Mozambique at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The game will be the third Group  fixture for each country, and with the hosts already having recorded two wins, over Lesotho and Rwanda, a victory over Mozambique would put the Black Stars on the brink of qualification. In this feature, we run down the five things fans ought to keep an eye on as Avram Grant's side take to the field once again. Acheampong to replace Ayew Frank Acheampong has had the knack recently of making every opponent he faces appear mediocre. It doesn't matter who they are, which team they play for or what the gameplan is, if Acheampong gets the ball in a one-on-one situation, and takes on a defender, Anderlecht are destined to score. He has proven it time and again so far this season in the Europa League, and his stunning brace against

We have taken notice Front page stories in the Tuesday, March, 22, edition of the state-owned daily graphic, and in newspapers to the "rented press stable of the ruling NDC government, about the arrest of 3 south African nationals on suspicion of engaging in act that threaten the country's security". According to the publication, the 3 men were invited into the country by capt. Korda (rtd), head of our presidential candidate's personal security. We wish to place on record that the presence of the three men in Ghana is not for any act that can be said remotely to threaten the country's security. Known security detail belonging to the NPP's presidential and vice presidential candidates were being given routine training by these security experts specialised and licensed to offer VIP protection. Indeed, the two personal drivers of the candidates, as well as the official photographer of Nana Akuffo Addo were part of the 15 persons undergoing training which took pla

Jake Otanka Obetsebi Lamptey died on Sunday, March, 2016 in London following a protracted illness. The national democratic Congress(NDC), says the sad news of the passing away of the former national chairman of the main opposition NPP, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, has hit the party very hard in the heart. In a heartfelt condolence message signed by the party's general secretary, Asiedu Nketiah, said. " We send out our heartfelt condolences to the immediate and extended families of the late former chairman of the new patriotic party (NPP). We also commiserate with the NPP in this moment of grief. Source: pulse. Com. gh