South Africa knock Morocco out of AFCON, advances to quarter-finals

Morocco faced an unexpected exit as South Africa secured a 2-0 victory, reaching the quarter-finals for the third time in their last four African Cup of Nations appearances, thanks to Evidence Makgopa’s decisive goal.

The first half unfolded with tight scoring opportunities marked by Teboho Mokoena’s audacious 40-yard attempt, causing a moment of concern for Yassine Bounou.

Morocco’s halftime message seemed to have emphasised more attacking intent, but Bafana Bafana’s counterattack proved pivotal. Makgopa, yet to score in the tournament, capitalised on a well-timed run, scoring and sending his team into wild jubilation.

Despite Morocco’s desperate attempts, their chance to level from the spot came late in the game. Ayoub El Kaabi’s close-range effort struck Mothobi Mvala’s hand, resulting in a contentious penalty. Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi’s penalty hit the crossbar, lacing the team’s frustration with predicament.

With Sofyan Amrabat receiving a red card for a foul in injury time, Morocco faced further adversity.

Teboho Mokoena’s sublime free-kick goal into the top-left corner sealed Bafana Bafana’s progress and compounded Morocco’s misery.

South Africa’s coach Broos, conscious of the tournament’s unpredictable nature, now dares to believe their 28-year trophy drought might end in just 12 days.

Ghana plans to start using electric vehicles for public transport

ACCRA, Ghana — Government is working on a policy framework to move public transportation from a dependence on petroleum fuels to electric vehicles, Vice President Bawumia has disclosed.

“Where I want to see us go in the next few years is to move public transport completely from a dependence on petrol and diesel to fully electric vehicles. That is really where Ghana ought to go. And it is doable.

We ought to move away from petrol and diesel to electric vehicles as a matter of policy,” Dr Bawumia stated on Wednesday September 27, 2023 when he visited the offices and assembly plant of Solar Taxi, a wholly Ghanaian start up engaged in the assembly and manufacture of electric cars, motorcycles, buses and battery packs for electric cars.

Among the top 3 Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing companies in Africa, Solar Taxi, founded in 2019, with a staff strength of 113 (90% of whom are women) and an average age of 26, can also convert petrol or diesel powered vehicles into electricity powered ones, with the technology to convert cars and buses also available, according to Jorge Appiah, CEO and Co-Founder.

Solar taxi has assembled over 460 vehicles and sold over 500 vehicles, with orders for vehicles, battery packs and training in the maintenance of EVs coming from all over the continent.

Solar Taxi also operates a ride-hailing service, as well as a motorcycle leasing and vehicle sales model anchored on the Ghana Card. Through its bankers, the company provides financing options for its motorcycles, cars and buses, to be paid for over time, without collateral. All they require is a Ghanacard ID.

Mr Appiah disclosed this while riding in one of the company’s EV buses, which can travel from Accra to Kumasi without need for a recharge of the batteries, with Vice President Bawumia and the heads of STC, Metro Mass, Aayalolo, as well as officials of the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Road Safety Commission.

Fuel, Transportation

“The whole issue of climate change, energy transition and moving away from dependence on fossil fuels to more green energy is very important for us because as you know, we spend a lot on fossil fuel. But the other thing that is very, very important for Ghanaian households and individuals is the high cost of transportation.

“If you look at the cost of transport in Ghana, there are two elements that dominate the pricing formula for transport: fuel and spare parts. Now, with what you are doing with electric vehicles generally, I mean, the fuel costs really becomes very minimal.

“And then because of the nature of the engines for electric vehicles, its very low maintenance. So with these two elements, you will reduce the cost of transport very significantly. So to deal with one of the aspects of the cost of living increase that Ghanaians are facing on a sustainable basis, we need to really, as a matter of policy, say that, look, let’s move away from the dependence on fossil fuels, petrol and diesel, to electric vehicles and make sure we can make it happen. Are the charging stations available? Let’s make it happen. It’s possible.”

TVET

Acknowledging that it may not be a “smooth transition,” Vice President Bawumia nevertheless argued that “the benefit for Ghana – lower prices of transport, savings on foreign exchange, job creation, opportunities to train – far outweigh any such challenges.

“For example, you could really help the TVET institutions design a curriculum in terms of EV maintenance and so on, because as we move and see more adoption of EVs, you’ll need more people who can maintain,” he suggested.

Pointing out that that the cost of fuel and transport are the two of the main drivers of inflation, in Ghana, with a rise in them having implications on other variables like the exchange rate, cost of food and utilities, Dr Bawumia commended the founders of Solar Taxi for their commitment to entrepreneurship.

“We as a country really have to believe that it is possible to leapfrog many of the advanced countries in the area of technology. In the area of electric vehicle manufacturing, I think we have a bit of a comparative advantage in Africa and in in Ghana compared to the more advanced countries.

“But what really will make it happen is people who have the ideas, who have the dedication like you, who have thought through this, who value chain in this whole enterprise. You have been able to put something together. From our point of view as a country, we are very interested in your success. Very, very, very interested. And we are even more delighted that it is the youth who have taken up the mantle of entrepreneurship. We as government will collaborate with and provide the support you and others like you need to deal with any bottlenecks,” the Vice President assured.

Ghana deports 16 Nigerians for engaging in online fraud

16 Nigerians have been deported from Ghana for allegedly committing cybercrimes there.

Dr Chukwu Emeka, the Controller of Seme Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) disclosed this on Friday October 14.

Speaking at a news conference in Seme, Lagos State, Emeka said the deportees are young Nigerians who claimed that they were deceived or intentionally went out of the country in search of greener pastures.

He said;

“Ghana’s Financial and Intelligence Agency accused them of cybercrime but from our preliminary investigation, we discovered that some of them were lured into these criminal activities due to the get-rich syndrome our youths are developing.

“Some of them are victims because they were deceived that they can make money if they leave Nigeria. Unfortunately, they don’t get the actual thing they bargained for in Ghana.

“Further investigation also showed that most of them left the country through illegal routes or through the sea to other West African countries.”

Urging Nigerians to always travel with valid documents and also live and do their businesses according to the law of the land they had travelled to, Emeka added that it is shameful to see young Nigerians getting involved in some unholy activities when they were supposed to be building their talents for their future.

Man shoots himself dead after ‘fortifying’ self against bullet

A man has reportedly shot himself dead at Agona Port near Diaso in the Upper Denkyira West District in the Central Region of Ghana.

The man who shot himself after spiritually fortifying himself against gunshot, was identified simply as Divine and it was also learnt that he was in his 30s.

Eyewitnesses told local publications that he first shot his ankle before shooting his ribs but the bullet failed to penetrate in both attempts.

Convinced that he had succeeded, he allegedly pointed the gun to his head and shot at close range. The bullet penetrated and he died instantly.

His remains have been sent to the Dunkwa On-Offin Mortuary for storage and an autopsy. Diaso law enforcement has opened a probe into the incident.

Man accidentally cuts off his testicles while dreaming about cutting meat

A man is in hospital for surgery after accidentally cutting his own testicles off while sleeping.

Ghanaian farmer Kofi Atta, 47, also known as Wofa Atta, dozed off in an armchair and said he managed to pick up a knife while sleeping and dreaming about cutting meat. In his sleep, he said he mistakenly cut his testicle.

Still in a dream-like state, the farmer from Assin Akomfede called for two neighbours who rushed to his house and found him alone, covered in blood. He was rushed to St Francis Xavier hospital in Assin Fosu.

Speaking to BBC Pidgin he said: “I was sitting in my chair when I dozed off. In my sleep, I dreamt that I was cutting some meat in front of me.

“I don’t remember how I picked up the knife, even I am confused.” He explained that he was still unsure of what had happened when his neighbours arrived, although he stood up and felt a sharp pain in his genitals.

Perhaps as a result of the loss of blood, Kofi only came out of the dream state when in hospital. That’s when he realised he hadn’t been chopping meat for a family meal, but rather his own testicles.

The victim’s wife, Adwoa Konadu, disclosed that the latest incident is not the first time her husband has carried out such activity while sleeping.

She said that he frequently moves, converses, and occasionally fights while he is asleep. It was during one of such episodes that Wofa Atta ended up damaging his genitals.

20 Ghanaian fishermen jailed for trafficking marijuana to Nigeria.

20 Ghanaian fishermen have been sentenced to one-year imprisonment each for transporting 13.670 kilogrammes of marijuana, aka cannabis Sativa, from Ghana to Nigeria.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo on Thursday, August 4, convicted and sentenced them after finding them guilty of the charges of conspiracy and unlawful transportation of the drug during a hearing at the Federal High Court in Lagos State.

The convicted fishermen include Francis Teye, Kweke Komel, Gad Adjah, Theophilus Tetteh, Kwesi Aboagye, Ekon Fynn, Kwamena Baah, Kwabina Adjei, Micheal Okutu, Isaac Kofi, Kweku Moko, Kwezi Adzi and Kweku Mensah.

Others are Micheal Kofi, Ekon Bentum, Kwesi Amissah, Joshua Huago, Otu Otipeseku, Isaac Yorsson and Nana Kodwo.

The convicts were arrested with the drug conveyed from their country into the Nigerian territorial waters on January 14, 2022.They were arraigned on two counts of conspiracy and unlawful transportation of the substance.

The prosecutor, Mr. Fingere Owen, told the court that the offences were contrary to and punishable under sections 11(b) and 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges.Following their guilty pleas, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the case.Owen also tendered some exhibits and urged the court to convict and sentence them in accordance with the sections they were charged with.

However, lawyers for the convicts, Mr. Uche Okoronkwo, who led Calistus Onyewueke, both of Minerva Legal Practice, told the court that all the defendants were first time offenders without previous criminal records.

Justice Oweibo sentenced them to one-year imprisonment each.The judge also ordered that the sentence should commence from the date of their arrest.

He, however, ordered the convicts to pay the sum of N50,000 each in lieu of the sentence and ordered that the boat used in smuggling the banned substance be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Buhari, Ghana, Ivory Coast Presidents will be removed – Prophet Okikijesu

Founder, Christ Apostolic Miracle Ministry, Apostle Paul Okikijesu has said that God is about to reject the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the cleric, God said that if the president refuses to change, He will reject his government just like He rejected the government of biblical character, King Saul.

“Thus says the Lord: If the President refuses to quickly make amendments during this period, I will change hands concerning his government, says the Lord God of hosts,” he said.

Speaking further, Apostle Okikijesu said that the actions of the Presidents of Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Ghana do not please God.

He stated; “Thus says the Lord: If these leaders refuse to take steps of rectification, My judgment will come upon them mightily.

“If they refuse to pay attention to the voice of I the Lord from the mouths of the religious advisers; if they elevate humans or idols more than I the Lord; then the judgment of I the Lord will come upon them and I the Lord will work with a harsh judgment hand.

“They will not be able to continue their tenure because their position will be given to their neighbors that are better than them. That is, the people who will occupy their posts are beside them; the positions will be taken away from them, says the Lord God of hosts, unless they repent and amend their ways.

They should write down this period; if they refuse to take steps of rectification; if they refuse to turn to I the Lord; if they refuse to turn to the God of heavens who is the God of the Hebrews; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit; if they refuse to ask the religious advisers who are filled with the Holy Spirit, to inquire what the Lord wants and expects from their governance. If they refuse to take all these steps, then, they will be removed from office, and their positions will be given to their neighbors who are better than them.

They will lose their positions, and the judgment of I the Lord will come upon them. They will witness a severe hand of judgment; because what I the Lord had spoken concerning their souls will happen, so they should believe that there is no powerful being that has power over his/her own soul.

“Thus says the Lord: I the Lord is the owner of the souls of these Presidents, and I the Lord can ask for their souls anytime that I like; with no one who can obstruct or delay me.

Thus says the Lord of hosts: It is not Apostle Paul Okikijesu who owns the souls of these Presidents, but it is I the Lord God of hosts who is God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Israel. I, the God of their forefathers is the One who owns their souls. I the Lord can ask for their souls anytime that I like, and their posts will be given to their neighbors who are better than them”.

Twitter snubs Nigeria, set to open its African headquarters in Ghana

The CEO of Twitter, Jack Dorsey has announced the selection of Ghana as the country to establish its headquarters in Africa.

Jack made the announcement via his platform, Twitter on Monday, April 12, 2021.

His tweet read: “Twitter is now present on the continent. Thank you Ghana and Nana Akufo-Addo.”

https://t.co/tt7KR3kvDg?amp=1

Responding, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, on his official Twitter page revealed that the partnership was agreed upon after a virtual meeting with Jack.

He welcomed the development and described the partnership as exciting for Ghana’s tech sector.

His tweet read: “The choice of Ghana as Headquarters for Twitter’s Africa operations is EXCELLENT news. The government and Ghanaians welcome very much this announcement and the confidence reposed in our country.

“As I indicated to Jack in our virtual meeting which held on 7th April 2021, this is the start of a beautiful partnership between Twitter and Ghana, which is critical for the development of Ghana’s hugely important tech sector.

“These are exciting times to be in, and to do business in Ghana,” he tweeted.

Wizkid spotted having a good time with Gyakie and King Promise in Ghana (Video)

Nigerian pop and afrobeat singer, Wizkid has been spotted having a good time with Ghanaian artistes, Gyakie and King Promise.

Wizzy who has been in Ghana for some months has hosted some of Nigeria and Ghana’s best musicians.

A video shared by Gyakie on the 2nd of April showed Wizkid, King Promise, and herself having a good time at an outdoor party in Ghana.

They all danced and sang along to Gyakie’s hit single, “Forever”.

She captioned the clip; “The big family ”

Beautiful countries to visit in Africa.

MAURITIUS
Mauritius is a country in East Africa, known for its beaches, lagoons and reefs. This is Ganga Talao , a place in Mauritius known to be a tourist attraction for Indians.

MADAGASCAR
Madagascar formerly known as Malagasy Republic is an island country in Indian ocean, off the coast of East Africa.
Here is Baobab Tree hotel & spar in Mahajanga , Madagascar.

GHANA
Ghana is a country in west Africa, along the gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic ocean.
This is Movenpick Ambassador hotel in Accra , Ghana.