TOUCH GHANA🇬🇭

Illegal workers have invaded the farm of former Zimbabwean first lady Grace Mugabe to mine for gold. Reporters from the Zimbabwean newspaper Newsday found them uprooting lemon trees, digging shafts and loading gold ore into lorries. After unsuccessfully confronting them on Thursday, Mrs Mugabe reported the matter to the police. The farm is in Mazowe, where she had forcefully evicted villagers in 2015 – while her husband was still in power. Mrs Mugabe said in a statement to the police obtained by the New Zimbabwe website that she was touring the farm when she was “shocked to find approximately 400 men illegally panning for gold”. When she confronted them at the farm, some 40km (25 miles) north of Harare, she said they “started to shout obscenities at me and continued with their unlawful activities”. Newsday reports that one worker shouted at her: “You no longer have any power to remove us. This is the new dispensation, we do what we want”. Last year Mrs Mugabe was widely reporte

After a decade of successful musical career with its accompanying failed relationships, Ghanaian songstress Rebecca Akosua Acheampong, who’s known in showbiz as Becca is set to marry. Becca early this year in an interview with TV3 posited that she will marry in no time although she failed to disclose the identity of the man. After the long wait, everything is over as it has become known that the man in mind then was nobody but Blakkcedi who doubles as Stonebwoy’s manager. Blakkcedi revealed this long hidden secret when he shared a picture of him and Becca on his Instagram page with the caption; “Pre-Wedding Photoshoot With My Beautiful @beccafrica”

The National Organiser for the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Mr.Kofi Adams has caution the government on the arrangement to receive the US Base Military in the country. Speaking to the press this morning, Mr. Adams lamented that, allowing the US Base Military into the country is a serious threat to the country's security system since the citizens of Ghana won't have access to any of their activities and also they won't be taxed on the things they import and export in and out of the country.   He further added that, if Pres. Akuffo Addo is indeed championing 'Ghana beyond aid',  then he must avoid the deal since the negative implications outweighs the positive effects on the country.                  READ ALSO: teachers must avoid corporal punishment http://touchghana.blogspot.com/2018/03/teachers-must-avoid-corporal-punishment.html

  The Deputy Minister of Education: Mrs. Barbara Ayisi, has sided with the decision taken by Ghana Education Service (GES) on the banishment of corporal punishment in our schools.   Speaking to the press this morning, Mrs. Ayisi lamented that some teachers carries their frustrations from home to the school and cane the students which reduces the interest of students from attending school.   She went further to explain that, teachers can find other ways to correct students who violates school laws in order not to scare them. She also added that if teachers can not punish students in a rightful manner, then they must avoid canning as instructed by GES.     she said this when speaking with Alaska on Ghana Tesen morning show on Okyeman FM 101.5 at Akim Oda in the Eastern region.

Seven more suspects have been arrested over Monday’s violent clashes between youth groups which left one person dead at Ahwiaa, near Kumasi. It brings to 57, the number of suspects in police grips some of whom were due for court. Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ken Yeboah, says the latest suspects were picked up Wednesday night during police patrol. He said an alternative dispute resolution mechanism stakeholders explored after the earlier clashes, failed to yield expected results. According to him, wanton abuse of tramadol and other drugs by the youth is partly to blame for the increasing cases of robbery and violent conducts in the Ashanti Region. Further police swoops in suspected crime spots have led to the seizure of such substances. A worried COP Yeboah said  that there is no law backing prosecution for use of tramadol in the face of the destructive nature of the substance. The Police chief wants national action to stem the tide. Meanwhile, police presence will b

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has debunked the assertion by Defense Minister Dominic Nitiwul that the controversial military deal was signed under the erstwhile Mahama administration by the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hannah Tetteh.  Mr. Nitiwul has received massive backlash from the public after a memo written by his ministry on a possible corporation between government and the US military was leaked to the media.  The agreement which will exempt the US from paying tax on equipment imported into the country, also permits the military to set up a telecommunication system on Ghana’s radio spectrum for free.  It also gives the US military unfettered access to some facilities close to the Kotoka International Airport.  Addressing the media yesterday, the Defense Minister alleged that, the then government also saw the controversial agreement passed, binding Ghanaians and government to the deal. He also described the recent agreement as a renewal of the same

Dancehall artiste., Shatta Wale has lashed out at Bullet, former Manager of Ebony over reports that he (Wale) wants to be paid before performing at a tribute concert. On late Friday afternoon, Wale questioned the reports via a post on Facebook writing: “How can I charge to go and perform at a funeral..where is the happiness and enjoyment at the particular place and time ..Bullet if you are the one spreading rumors like this which I know u can ….then u fool waaa this Friday..This is not the first time I am hearing this form your camp .. Zylofon is my pride if you know like go burn the sea ..#champioooon #Zylofon#bossbaker #SM#Storm#SolashEnt#Asuoden #LBEZ 4 #ZYLOFON#ZYLOFONMEDIA#ZYLOFONMUSIC#ZYLOFONSHATTAS”The ‘Taking Over’ artistetravelled to America today to shoot music video off his THE REIGNalbum. It will be his first after signing a 3-year deal with Zylofon Music.A tribute and vigil concert will be held in Ebony’s honour at the La Trade Fair Centre in Accra on March 23. Some of

DOWN South Satan Company - a Weed Smoking Association of the Akim Oda Municipality, has called on the Nana-Addo led administration to legalize the sales of _Indian Hemp_ - a substance popularly known as *Wee* so as to help foster the building of the nation. According to their spokesman who per security reasons, preferred to be called 'Gayooyo', the legalisation of 'wee' could encourage them pay their taxes; a responsibility expected of them thereby becoming patriotic citizens. He, on behalf of his colleagues, pleaded on the government's side taken to ban the importation and use of _shisha_ and other stuff a such. To them, the police is leaving no stone unturned to put asunder themselves and their favourite weed 'pal' which serves as a catalyst to boost their immune system to work hard thereby pleaded on the government to advice the police from hunting them.

The state has filed a case of causing financial loss against Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni, a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana COCOBOD. Charged along with Dr Opuni is one Seidu Agongo. A total of 27 charges have been levelled against them, Graphic Online has gathered. The case is set to be called on Friday, March 23, 2018 at the High Court. In February 2017, the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) froze the assets of Dr Opuni as part of investigations into his period as CEO of COCOBOD. He is alleged to have mismanaged the cocoa sector during his tenure. Dr Opuni was relieved of his post on January 12, 2017 Source; classfmonline

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has found the presence of chlorpyrifos, a toxic substance commonly used in pesticides in the samples of the banku and dough at Akakpokope in the Volta region where six people were reported dead after consuming the food. Following the deaths of the individuals the FDA sent samples to the FDA Quality Control Laboratory on Monday 5 March 2018 for analysis of which part of the samples were sent to the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA). In a statement by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FDA, Delese Darko which was released on Wednesday 14 March 2018, the authority said “laboratory results from the GSA on the 13th of March, 2018 indicated the presence of Chlorpyrifos” which confirms earlier analysis by the FDA. FDA said they are forwarding the findings to the Public Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service for further action. The release added that “the FDA is not mandated to determine the cause of death. This can only be established after a pa

Sport360's Stuart Appleby looks at the seven key statistics ahead of the highly anticipated tie between the two giant After their 1-1 first leg draw,  Barcelona  will host  Chelsea  in their last 16  Champions League   decider at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night. The two sides have had some highly engaging European battles over the years and their second leg clash promises to be no different. Here, we take a look at the seven deadly stats centred around the two heavyweights. MATCH STATS 9  – Remarkably, Chelsea are undefeated in their past nine matches against Barcelona in all competitions – with their last loss to Barcelona being way back in February 2006. 4  – At the Camp Nou, Barcelona have drawn the previous four meetings with the west Londoners – with the most recent of those coming in April 2012. 881  –  Luis Suarez  is enduring a goal drought in Champions League competition and has failed to find the back of net in 881 minutes, dating back to his strike against PSG 12

Begoro, a farming community in the Fanteakwa District of the Eastern Region, is now becoming an end-user and peddler hub for illicit drugs trade.  Findings revealed that Begoro has been seriously plagued by all manner of social-vices, which include minors engaged in prostitution, stealing, alcoholism and armed robbery.  A high sale of wee and some deadly concoction believed to be alcoholic beverages mixed with Indian hemp was also recorded.  These notorious ghettos are popularly known amongst the drug peddlers, users and addicts as ‘Bolar and cemetery ghettos.  About 80 per cent of the youth in Begoro are alleged to be involved in smoking marijuana (wee), a worrying development which has become a grave concern to the assembly members of the area, who have raised an alarm over this pressing issue. The discussion on the upsurge of wee smoking by youth in Begoro came to light during the 7th Begoro District Assembly meeting when Assembly member for Bontrase Electoral area, Hon Rev Ge

Two persons have allegedly been rushed to the hospital after consuming an expired powdered milk from the Kumasi City Mall in Ashanti region.  The two victims (name withheld) are sons of a medical doctor with the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Dr. Ernest Opoku.  The Doctor made this allegation on a News platform, "My Ghana Today" where touchghana.blogspot.com had a copy.  Dr. Ernest in his allegation said he bought a box of peak powdered milk from the "Game" section of the shopping mall but forgot to check on the production and expiry date when his two sons unfortunately got attacked by severe enteritis after consuming some of the milk.  "I bought a box of peak powdered milk from the Mall on Wednesday 7th March 2018. My two boys who took some the next day were both admitted for severe entities", he narrated. He indicated that he later checked on the box and realized it was three months expired.  "I checked the box and realized it had expired sin

The Akufo-Addo government is determined to continue infrastructure projects began by previous administrations to ensure Ghanaians enjoy the full benefits of such expenditure. Government will also revive projects began by the Kufuor administration but were abandoned by the Mills and Mahama governments, especially housing projects, in order to address the country’s housing deficit which is in excess of 1.7 million units and is expected to rise to 2 million by 2020 if swift measures are not taken.  The Vice President of the Republic, H.E. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, made the declaration when he commissioned Phase II of the Security Services Housing Scheme at the Eastern Naval Command, in Tema New Town on Monday March 12, 2018.  Began in 2014, the fully gated Barracks is made up of 23 blocks comprising a total of 368 apartments. Out of the 23 blocks, 8 blocks are 3-bedroom flats and 15 blocks are 2-bedrooms flats. The facility also comes with a multi-purpose sports facility and a playing grou

 TODAY NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES, 13/03/2018

Young women regret casual sex less if they take the initiative and the sex was good, according to a new study. Previous research has found that in general women regret one-night stands more than men. But researchers interviewed 547 Norwegian and 216 American university students, all of them heterosexual. The answers suggested that the "clearest gender-differentiating factor" for regret after casual sex is who made the first move. They also found that women feel less regret if the "partner was skilled and they felt sexually satisfied". All the participants in the  study  undertaken by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the University of Texas were aged under 30 years. Previous research has found that men in general regret casual sex much less than women and the researchers found this was not affected by whether the men took the initiative. "Women who initiate sex are likely to have at least two distinguishing qua

Former Asante Kotoko coach Steven Polack has hit back at the club, describing the two-time African champions as 'visionless' and 'without a plan' for the future.  In his last interview before he departed for his native Britain, Polack bemoaned the lack of planning at Kotoko and says anytime he has the opportunity to work with a Ghanaian club again, he will love to be at a club that appreciates planning. Polack, 57, was fired last month after he failed to guide Kotoko through to the group stage of CAF Confederation Cup. The Porcupine Warriors suffered a first round exit at the hands of Congolese side CARA Brazzaville.  “I’m a bit sad that I’m leaving. I feel like, I need to go home, have a little break; get refreshed mentally and physically, spend some time with my family and who knows I could be back here in a couple of weeks’ time” “But if I was to come back to Ghana, It has to be a club that actually has a vision and plan, and a strategy for one, two, three-four-

The decease families are in another agony after Patience Afealete 27yrs body's that was buried at SokatsiKope located in Sonuto/KumadeKope Electoral Area situated in the Ketu South Municipality was missing since Friday* This tragedy happens on Friday morning after the family heads went to the burial ground to complete the burial process they started on Thursday. Speaking to a family member, it was revealed that Patience Afealete did not died a natural death but she died through drowning into water at a town near Gemeni. The family member explains "My Sister died in a river when their cannon they were traveling on capsized at Brubeh near Gemeni. We buried her on Thursday 8th March 2018 around 5pm at the paternal side which is SokatsiKope but only to hear on Friday morning that the body is not in the grave. It is an agony. We are even speechless about the whole thing. We are pleading with the police to treat this matter as urgency and arrest the culprits. Justice is what we c

It was wrong for the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Joseph Kofi Adda, to have blamed Zoomlion Ghana Limited for the filth in Accra, Ama Ofori Anwti, Executive Director for the Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA), has said. According to her, the blame game won’t help in the struggle against the sanitation related problems across the country. The Minister, who was speaking at a Sanitation Forum in Accra on Friday, 9 March 2018, singled out Zoomlion Ghana Limited for failing to ensure that the waste in the environment are collected and disposed of properly. He said: “Dr Agyapong [CEO of Zoomlion Ghana Limited and Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies], I’m sorry to disappoint you here…finding solid waste everywhere I feel really disappointed and if you were to ask me why this thing is so, I will put the blame squarely on Zoomlion. Zoomlion, to me, is the cause of it”. Mr Adda said it was the responsibility of the private waste management company to su

A 23-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly posing as a member of the security team of the Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia. Sissey Ibrahim was busted on Sunday full military wear at Kotoka International Airport after joining the security team escorting the Vice President. The incident happened at 11:30am on Sunday. He is currently being held for interrogation at the Airport Police Station, the report adds. "The suspect who claims to be a student of University of Ghana, Legon, was spotted in the company of the security details of the Vice – President of the Republic of Ghana at the Airport,"said the Officers who arrested Ibrahim, as quoted by myNewsGh.com They stated that the “demeanour and style of the suspect” made them highly suspicious of him for which reason they accosted him for a brief interrogation, leading to the discovery that he was a fake soldier. He is said to have confessed to the Police that the uniforms belong to his elder brother Sargent Zakari Ib

US ambassador to Ghana Robert Jackson has commended former President John Mahama for the infrastructural drive he embarked upon while President of Ghana. According to him, the various projects Mahama constructed are important for Ghana.  “I think ex-president Mahama had a vision, too, so, I want to give him credit where credit is due, his emphasis was on infrastructure, which is very important – schools, clinics, hospitals, roads, President Mahama did a lot for this country,” Ambassador Jackson said while commending President Akufo-Addo in an interview with Ghanaweb.  He however noted Mr. Akufo-Addo is more visionary than some recent Ghanaian leaders.  “I do think that he is more visionary than some recent Ghanaian leaders. President Akufo-Addo’s focus on the private sector and making the private sector the engine of growth rather than government being the driving force is how I see the difference between the two of them. “Both of them had visions for the country, I think Preside

United States Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson has said he thinks Ghanaians are “myopic” on the subject of homosexuality. He said Ghanaians’ attitude towards the subject reflects a ’lack of understanding of the sciences”. In an interview with Ghanaweb’s Kyenkyenhene Boateng, the US Ambassador in a categorical reply to a question asked by the journalist if he holds the view that it is myopic to oppose the basic human rights of gays just because of their sexuality, the US Ambassador to Ghana replied: “I do think it’s myopic. I think it reflects a lack of understanding of the science.” The top US government representative said he think when Ghanaians against gay rights are given the opportunity to study about the subject, they stood a chance of changing their mind. “I think that many of those Ghanaians if they study the issue they might come to a different conclusion.” The top diplomat told Ghanaweb’s KKB. In the same interview, monitored by mynewsgh.com, he said he believes g

Smoking of shisha and electronic cigarette will be banned in Ghana by the middle of the year, Ghana Health Service (GHS) has said.  The GHS says it is collaborating with the Ministry of Health to place an outright ban on the two substances.  It will also partner the Food and Drugs Board to make stiff laws that will fast track the process of the ban.  According the GHS, shisha, which is mixed with flavourings such as mint, is more "harmful than cigarette".  Speaking at the World Conference on Tobacco held in Cape Town, South Africa, Principal Research Officer at the Service, of GHS, Mr Logoh noted that it was important to ban the smoking of shisha as the trend was becoming alarming.  “The FDA does not have the regulation right now to control the smoking of shisha and electronic cigarette,"he said. "However, we’re working with the Ministry of Health to ban shisha and electronic cigarette. Shisha use is more harmful than cigarette, if you puff one from that tube

Today's newspaper , 12/3/2018

Independence Day is a day I make sober reflections on how far Ghana has fared within the past six decades after declaring itself free. Free from colonialism, imperialism, neocolonial dogma and free from any sort of external influence. The men and women who led this revolution can only be celebrated for their virtues so utterly displayed, they pioneered a great cause and will forever be eulogized for claiming a country for themselves and generations. On 6th March 1957, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in a spirited speech, proclaimed that there is a new Africa in the world, Africa that is able to fight its own battle and show that after all, the Blackman is capable of managing his own affairs. Six decades later, that statement remains an ambition, elated by his enthusiastic euphoria. Six decades later, Ghana is still staggering in living up to its true meaning, the Star of Africa, the beacon of Self-Struggle and a hope to all other African countries who were at time, either apartheid or dominantly

Ghanaians have given the president His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo a new nickname as ‘King Promise’ for the numerous promises he keeps on giving to the people of Ghana. It will be recalled that in the run up to the 2016 general elections, Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party promised a lot of ‘juicy packages’ should they be voted to rule the country. Notable amongst them Attractivemustapha.com captured is the reduction in petroleum prices but rather increased its prices upon assumption of power. “Anytime Akufo-Addo gets a microphone he gives another promise while the previous ones have not been executed”, a section of Ghanaian youth told Attractivemustapha.com Here are the nicknames Ghanaians gave to five presidents and one military head of state. 1. Kwame Nkrumah – African showboy Nkrumah earned this nickname due to his generally positive performance as president as well as his pan-African activism across the African continent. 2. Ignatius Kutu Acheampong – Fa wo

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has hinted of plans to deploy the services of the military onto the streets in their fight against poor sanitation within the city. Filth has engulfed the metropolis compelling residents to raise concerns about how dirty the city has become in recent times blaming authorities for their indifferent attitude. But Speaking on Kumasi-based Abusua Fm’s Abusua Nkommo hosted by Luther King Kwame Adinkra, the Mayor,  Osei Assibey Antwi described the military as persons with discipline encoded in their DNA, adding that service of the military would be much needed in the war against sanitation issues in within the garden city. He stated that he is in talks with the Ashanti Regional Commander of the military. “Very soon people will see military personnel in town educating the residents on sanitation”, he divulged. “The military are there to protect us in times of difficulties and we are now in sanitation difficulties, so we need them. I know they will b

Multiple award-winning investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas has revealed he has met and spoken to Ghana’s first Special Prosecutor, Martin A.B.K. Amidu, and they intend to collaborate in the fight against the canker of corruption in Ghana. In the over 20 minutes interview aired on  Aljazeera,  Anas Aremeyaw Anas expressed high optimism about the appointment and eventual confirmation of “Uncle Martin”-as he affectionately called Mr Amidu throughout the interview- as Special Prosecutor. Anas also made reference to the comments by Mr. Martin Amidu during his vetting about working together with him (Anas) in the fight against the scourge of corruption in Ghana. Anas Aremeyaw Anas revealed that they have sat down to look at “their differences” and “their books”, with the conclusion being one- trouble for corrupt people in Ghana. “… You have Uncle Martin sitting on that seat and I collaborating with him - there is really going to be heat on those corrupt officials in Ghana”, Ana