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General Secretary of the Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MoWAG), Richard Kofi Jordan has cautioned Pathologists at various hospitals to stop threatening and rather train morticians on how to handle Covid-19 dead bodies to avoid the spread of the virus in the country. According to Mr Jordan, since they have not been trained on how to handle such dead bodies, it is difficult for them to go about performing their duties. Speaking on an Accra-based radio station, Mr Jordan said “As we speak, we have an issue pending where a mortician was asked to go for a corpse which has been identified as covid-19. Since we have not been trained on how to handle such dead bodies, it is difficult for us to go for it but the pathologist has threatened to have the mortician, transferred if he does come for the dead body” He added that the Association is unhappy about the treatment meted to its staffs adding they will not cheapen their lives at the expense of the virus. Mr Jordan hinted aside Korle-Bu having 11 covid-19 dead bodies, both Ga-East hospital and Ridge hospital have their specific numbers. “What about those that are dying from the house? We are missing a point. They are only reporting that we have 24 deaths but honestly people are dying from the house. We are also receiving bodies of people who have died but not from covid-19. In most villages, bodies are directed straight to the morgue. It is only a few that die from the hospital” he explained. The General Secretary hinted although the Health Minister has asked citizens to live with the virus because it has become a normal disease, most morgues are getting congested. He explained that the lives of mortuary workers are at a high risk as they often come in contact with the dead bodies with personal protective equipments. He said “If care is not taken, we will keep counting more infecting rates because it is very scary. The workers are not safe as they cannot tell if they are safe to even interact with their families. The work load of mortuary men are too much that some people sometimes make us remove the packed bodies bring out theirs” He advised people who often visit the mortuaries to be careful adding the virus are easily transferred from dead bodies to people easily since it is a fluid. “Some diseases are very contagious whiles others are not. Until the body is embalmed anything can happen. One can get infected with HIV/AIDS if the body is not embalmed, one can contract. The fridges used at the morgue in Ghana are not fridges. We are not serious. We have to get to a point where that saying, we are the leaders in Africa must manifest. Some fridges get broken and mortuary men are left stranded. Some facilities have stand-by generators whiles others don’t have” he reiterated He explained that the awful smell inhaled on daily basis is very harmful to the health of a mortuary man adding that all manner of deaths brought to the morgue, needs to be worked on. He said “As we are talking about covid-19, Authorities are not seeing the need to ran us through how to deal with patients who died from it. Some family members have buried their covid-19 dead bodies whiles others are yet to come. I don’t agree with the data from the Ministry of health talking about the number of deaths recorded” He advised the public to continue adhering to the social distancing directives. “To those who come to the morgue and cry. You are not banned but do not make noise. I will beg Ghanaians to carry their nose mask and sanitizers to the morgues if they don’t want to be disgraced. To people who have kept their dead relatives in the morgue for long, should kindly speed up, observe the private burial directives” Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Comedian Kalybos has fired back at Actor Funny Face for allegedly accusing him of sleeping with his ex. According to Kalybos, he has never tried such shameful act before. Speaking on an Accra-based radio station, the comedian said “I’m not far from calling Funny Face. I tried calling him in a matured way but to my surprise I was blocked. I don’t know triggered Funny Face to accused him of being a snitch” Born Richard Asante, he also revealed that he still cannot fathom why Funny Face came up with such allegatios. He said “I’m not that low of a person to beg you to have something to do with his girlfriend” Background Some weeks ago, Actor Funny Face took to him social media handle to humiliate Bismark-The-Joke, Kalybos and Actor Kwadwo Nkansah (Lil win). In the post, he labeled Bismarck-the-joke, Lil Win and Kalybos as the” 3 Idiots” accused them of trying to kill him and jabbed Kalybos for backing and supporting people to fight him. Funny Face also called the three been ungrateful. Story by: Mandy Woods

Musician, Kidi has received the bashing of his life after Accra Fm’s mid-morning show host, Nana Romeo humiliated him on live radio for being late for an interview. The angry show host vent his anger on the young Artiste in an unpleasant manner. In a live facebook broadcast, Nana Romeo said “I want to say this on tape. I am serious. I want to make this point clear on this show. Kidi, you are not better than us. Before you started your music career, we were already in the radio business. You can’t use us anyhow” On entering the studio, Nana Romeo further went hard on the young musician throwing jabs at him. “Why do you always mess up our show? Sit! Kidi, welcome, why do you do that to us? This is the second time you have done this. We have promoted flyer and announced on air only for you to arrive late. Don’t you respect our show” he quizzed. Musician, Kidi on the other hand apologised to the host and listeners for his lateness. The young musician said “First of all, apologies to the listeners but I feel I am being attacked” He added that he does not understand why the host is being unfair to him adding the behaviour of the mid-morning show host was not nice. Nana Romeo also added that no Ghanaian Artiste has ever reported late to his show adding he cannot fathom why Kidi did that for the second time. The ‘Sugar Daddy’ hit maker feeling embarrassed, walked out of the studio without granting the interview. Story by Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) is appealing to the Akufo-Addo administration to pump about GHc18 Billion into the country’s various sectors as part of measures to alleviate losses made due to the novel coronavirus. According to the Union, some findings by its Labour Research and Policy Institute revealed some shocking effects of the COVID-19 health crisis on jobs and livelihoods in the formal and informal sectors of the economy. Speaking on an Accra-based radio station, Director of Labour Research and Policy Institute of the TUC, Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo said “The government needs to do more to revive the economy and also manage the potential job losses. One of the things we did was to estimate the loss of GDP that we are likely to experience because of COVID-19 and our estimation is based on the data provided by the Minister for Finance when he told Parliament that the 2020 GDP growth which was initially estimated at 6.6% will now be 1.5%.” He noted although Government is facing some difficulties, it is confident, their request can be granted. Mr. Otoo also advised government to consider printing enough cash into the system or borrow from the Ghana Heritage Fund (GHF). He said “We went to borrow from the IMF with all the conditionality. If we were able to borrow from the IMF, it should be safer to ask government to borrow for the future. So that we replenish that fund when the COVID-19 storm is over.” Story by: Mandy Woods

Former Deputy Auditor General, Dr Dominic Ayine says he is disappointed in the ruling by Ghana’s apex court involving the Special Prosecutor, his age and ability to work effectively. According to him, although disappointed, he is willing to wait for detail of the judgement from the court. Addressing Journalists, the Former Deputy Auditor General said “There is no exemption in the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act that says that the Special Prosecutor can be above 65 years old. I have not seen that. So, I do not understand the basis for that decision” He added that although the ruling did not go well, the case at hand will open the gate for individuals who have passed the age of retirement yet seeking to be appointed into public offices. The court in a majority 5-2 disagree, the decision of dismissing the case. Speaking on an Accra based television, Vitus Azeem noted that the antecedence sets in the retirement regime for the public service sector. Deputy Attorney General, Joseph Dindiok Kpemka said "What the court said was that the Office of The Special Prosecutor is a specialized agency not in the contemplation of 1901 as espoused by Dr Ayine and that has been our position all along,” He added “the Justices of the Supreme Court agreed with that distinction that we drew their attention to. But they did not in any way endorse that all other public officers, even if they are above 65 should continue to hold office.” The Deputy AG later advised to refrain from critics reading meaning into the judgement apart from what the learned justices of the Supreme Court. Story by: Magdalene Maame Abena Serwaa Asante

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini has sent a strong warning to the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) to desist from spreading false information to the public as such messages tends to affect the veracity of subsequent news items. According to him, the GTA must learn to speak via one channel adding countervailing others will not help the country in the fight against coronavirus. Speaking on an Accra-based radio station, the Tamale Central MP said “Both factions were not on the same page before the notice went out. They should not have issued their circular without consulting the sector Minister” Mr. Fuseini also added that as and when the Ministry dropped its counter notice, it should have ordered the Tourism Authority to redraw their early message but it failed to. This call comes after a statement was released by the Ghana Tourism Authority on Wednesday saying ‘Drinking Bars could operate but must observe the social distance directive. The sector Minister, Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, later in the day, released a counter statement stressing that ‘Drinking Bars should still remain closed’ The two statements have spark controversies on social media as a sector of the public expressed disappointment saying the sector Minister and the GTA are confusing themselves. “It would have been prudent for the Public Relations (PR) of the Ghana Tourism Authority to wait for Ghanaians to have access to the release to understand if President Akufo-Addo had lifted or eased the restriction on drinking bars operating likewise hotels. We do not know or can’t tell” he said. Hon. Fuseini also hinted that the world will not be the same again even if the virus is cured. He stressed that the hospitality industry has been heavily affected by the COVID-19. The Tamale Central MP who also doubles as a Member of the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture also explained that there are lots of countries that are being affected by the virus. He said “Because of its impact, I am sure they stood on that directive to see how they can ease the devastation effect of the disease in the country. To be honest with you, the earlier communique did not have any bad motive since President Akufo-Addo in one of his updates started that the food chain operators are exempted. He never said hotels should not work” Hon. Fuseini reiterated that coronavirus is a very dangerous disease. He called on Government to prioritise the Tourism Industry since that is a sector that generates lots of revenue for the country. “As a member of the committee on tourism, arts and culture, I think with the social interventions and supports from Government to other Institutions, the Tourism Industry must be the first. In some jurisdictions, the tourism industry receives the support first” he noted. He stated that although Industries are still working, luxury products are not being purchased unlike essential things which is gaining patronage. He said “The Tourism sector is an industry that generates lots of revenue for the country because of its relationship with other industries. If they are hard hit, Government should put them among the relief packages” Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Two Ga-Dangme advocacy groups, Ga-Dangme Hewaloi Hewamenya, and Ga-Dangme Education and Cultural Foundation (USA) are calling for the Authorities to value, preserve and protect of the Ga and Dangme culture and languages in the country. According to the groups, the two cultures and languages are the local dialects of the indigenous people of Ghana’s capital city, Greater Accra which must not be brushed aside. In a statement issued and signed by Spokesperson for the groups, Osofo Nii Naate Atswele Agbo Nartey said "The two organisations, made up of sons and daughters of Ga-Dangme lineage, are working frantically in Ghana and the diaspora to ensure the development of people of Ga-Dangme descent. They are also collaborating to enhance participatory local governance in Ga-Dangme communities" He added that it is important for people to learn and speak the local language stressing that knowing one's dialect helps in connecting with them. Osofo Nii Naate Atswele Agbo Nartey also mentioned that it is important for non Ga-Dangme people to have respect and dignity for language. He tasked the various media houses to make it a point to read news and host few shows in Ga-Dangme. "GaDangme language must be added on schools curriculums and irrelevant transfer of trained GaDaŋme teachers from Greater Accra to other regions should be stopped" he stated. He appealed to Universities to provide scholarships for outstanding Ga-Dangme students and sponsorship their programs abroad. Story by Joshua Kwabena Smith

As two female Artistes, Eno Barony and Sista Afia have gotten social media buzzing and talking for days following a diss battle, Swedru Musician, Patapaa Amisty has revealed he is the new face of Highlife Music in Ghana. According to him, although the music industry has giants and great names, none of them can be compared to him. In a tweet, the Swedru Artiste said “I’m the New Face of Ghana High Life Music, Take it or Leave it !!!” He added that Ghanaians are yet to hear the best as he is set to release a new High Life song featuring Song writer, Akwaboah. Born Justice Amoah, the hiplife musician said “Wait for my super Hi Life banger Ft @akwaboahmusic which drops tomorrow and you will understand” In other developments, rapper, Fameye has advised Patapaa to consider venturing into tomato farming as a side business aside his music career. According to him, although Patapaa is a good musician, having an extra profit-making venture will help him. In an exclusive with Thinknewsonline.com, Fameye said “I think Patapaa is a good musician but he should also do tomato farming, as a part time job, because I am also planning on doing same. The comments come after he was asked which Ghanaian Artist, he thinks should quit music and do something else. Born Peter Famiyeh Bozah, the rapper added that since government is advocating for the youth to venture in agriculture, he believes people who take up the idea will make enough money. “To me, a lot of celebrities are investing into farming, which is good for them. This can help promote Ghana and agricultural sector” he said. Story by: Magdalene Maame Abena Serwaa Asante

A Philanthropist, Manoj Sewani has donated 150 rolls of hand tissue and 200 bottles of 50 milliliter alcohol-based hand sanitizer to the Ghana Immigration Services (GIS) to help fight the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). According to him, the donation will help support the gesture was to support the Services fight against the virus. Presenting the items, he said "Immigration Service is working hard to protect the countrys borders from illegal entry of persons who may be infected with the virus, and so, they need all the support and motivation in the world to continue with the good work" Receiving the items, Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration in charge of Finance and Administration, Mrs. Judith Dzokoto-Lomoh, who received the items on behalf of the Service, expressed gratitude to Mr. Sewani for the support. She assured him that the items would be sent to personnel at the forefront combating the virus "Your corporate citizenship will be remembered, especially when you want to be identified with us as a Ghanaian" she added. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

As part of measures at making convenient access to information technology for its customers, Telecommunication Operator, AirtelTigo has announced its partnership with one of the world’s most popular mobile web browser, Opera in Ghana. According to the company, the move will help curb the difficulties customers have when accessing information on web. Addressing Journalists, Chief Business Officer at AirtelTigo Business, Ethel Anamoo said "We are excited to bring this powerful browsing platform to our customers, and we are confident that this partnership will be instrumental in helping us bring more Ghanaians online" She added that customers (New/Old) will be offered free data and browsing on the Opera Mini browser and Opera News App for three months. Madam Anamoo further explained that through the partnership, both new and existing AirtelTigo customers will automatically receive free 50MB data every day to access latest local and global news anytime. The Chief Business Officer hinted that since Opera Mini and Opera News App works on all Android mobile phones, AirtelTigo customers are encouraged to download Opera Mini and Opera News App from the Google Play store to enjoy the free data and browsing. She said "Both mobile applications incorporate the unique data compression technology of Opera, capable of pre-processing and reducing the amount of data from a website before it reaches the users’ phones, saving up to 90 percent of mobile data" Madam Anamoo reiterated that although the customers will be entitled to free data daily, it will cover only browsing on Opera News and Opera Mini. She added that the package does not include video streaming or downloading files from the internet. EVP Mobile at Opera, Jorgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera disclosed that it is essential to lower the barriers for access to information in these unprecedented times. He said “Our browser and news apps are important access points for people to stay on top of both local and global news and together with AirtelTigo we will make browsing and access to information free for millions of Ghanaians" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Some scores of Ghanaians have expressed mixed reactions on utterance made by President Akufo-Addo in his ninth update on Covid-19. According to some Ghanaians, President Akufo-Addo is diverting from the usual covid-19 update to do politics which does not speak well of his administration. In an interview with a task force officer, Amadu Adams, he said “President Akufo-Addo has been playing politics with Covid-19 and our lives. If he is really willing to fight the virus, he should have not released us from lock down. I am disappointed” He quizzed the government on my it allowed its citizenry to embark on its usual activities when the recorded cases kept on increasing. Mr Amadu further added that Government has not provided any logistics to either the citizenry likewise the health workers and part of its support to the fight against the virus. He mentioned that he is disappointed President Akufo-Addo is playing blame games and tagging Ex-President Mahama as the one rather politicking Ghana whiles the NDC Candidate has not. The task force officer fumed that it was completely unnecessary for the President to have lifted the ban on movement emphasising that citizenry have been left to their fate. He tasked Government to take up its responsibilities and save the lives of the poor adding failure by Authorities will lead to trust lost likewise votes in the coming election. “I must be honest and say that if President should bring back lock down, many people will die. “The President failed to strengthen the testing training exercise leaving the sick to their fate. On the other hand, Opoku Andrews, a phone dealer at Tiptoe lane, Circle lauded the President for his efforts in the fight against the virus. He explained that President Akufo-Addo called a spaded a spade by adding the opposition, National Democratic Congress (NDC) has failed woefully as a collective group in the bid to support the country’s fight against the virus. He said “President is not doing politics. We know the opposition has its Covid-19 team but they have been side-lined due to how mischievous they have been. We are to fight together. We must not do politics by this time” He commended President Akufo-Addo for his decision not to have flown home the Ghanaian students in Wuhan. Mr Andrews however called for a lockdown adding it will help reduce the number of people in town likewise the spread of the deadly coronavirus. He challenged the largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) to join forces with the Akufo-Addo administration in the fight against the virus. Background President Akufo Addo last Sunday called on the public to rubbish the cheap political talks from the Presidential Candidate of the largest opposition political party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama as the country fights the deadly coronavirus. According to him, he knows some political actors are trying to deceive Ghanaians that the country’s current numbers represent a failure on the part of Government. In his ninth address to the nation on measures taken against spread of coronavirus, President Akufo-Addo said “Do not begrudge them. They need to make such comments for their political survival” Click to watch video: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Rapper Medikal has expressed disappointment in female artiste, Eno for being ungrateful to him after years of friendship. According to him, the recent jabs from Eno on him is one he least expected. In a tweet, the AMG Artiste said "I gave you a free verse and a video shoot for free. You could have linked up for another verse but you didn’t” Born Samuel Frimpong, the 'Omo ada' hit maker seems to be ignoring Eno whiles followers on social media are asking him to respond. Eno on the other hand has been so tactical in her lines hoping Medikal will reply. Thinknewsonline.com is following and will update readers on new developments. Below are screenshots of tweets: Story by: Magdalene Maame Abena Serwaa Asante