President John Mahama has reacted to rumours that he spent the last Christmas in Dubai but has chosen to celebrate this year’s in Bole because he lost power.
Since the President visited his hometown for this year’s Christmas festivities Sunday, many have suggested on social media platforms that the outgoing leader has chosen a humble place for the occasion because he is out of power and needs a place to feel belonged.
But in a tweet, Mr Mahama responded to a critic by saying : “ ..a year ago today, President Mahama was in Bole and not Dubai”.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”><a href=”https://twitter.com/Aye_Asem_OOO”>@Aye_Asem_OOO</a> a year ago today, President Mahama was in Bole n not Dubai.</p>— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) <a href=”https://twitter.com/JDMahama/status/813115131068612608″>December 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, the President was given rousing welcome by his kinsmen in Bole in the Northern region as he arrived to observe Christmas there on Sunday.
Scores of people had lined the streets to his home amid chants “ We want John” as his convoy drove the family through to his residence.
President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo was the best man to have led Ghana even in the last eight years, former presiding bishop of the Methodist church reverend Samuel Asante Antwi has said.
According to the cleric, Nana Addo has over the years prepared himself for the job and deserved the opportunity long ago.
Delivering a message on Christmas Day in Accra, reverend Asante said God has been gracious to Ghanaians through the defeat of the ruling NDC in the December elections.
“So far as I am concerned, he (Nana Addo) is the best. He is the best in so many years. So far as I am concerned he is the best for the past eight years and it is so in the name of Jesus Christ.
“God has removed a huge burden from Ghana. He has brought us peace, perfect peace,” he said.
President John Mahama will hand over to the NPP administration led by the former attorney general on January 7, 2017.
Nana Addo who contested the presidency for the third time defeated Mr. Mahama by over million votes.
Former Cameroon captain Rigobert Song is fit again after a narrow brush with death when suffering a stroke in early October, he explained in an interview published by French daily L’Equipe on Saturday.
“I’m back from the brink,” the former Liverpool and West Ham defender who led Cameroon to back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations declared.
“My blood pressure was up at like 25 and it felt like my head was exploding,” he said of his stroke, suffered at his home in Yaounde October 3.
“I was lucky to fall on my side and that way when I went down my tongue came out.”
“My dog started barking and the concierge came up but didn’t dare come in. But then a friend showed up and got me help,” he explained.
The 40-year-old was airlifted to France for specialist treatment after suffering a cerebral aneurysm and falling into a coma.
Unmissable on the pitch with his flowing dreadlocks that were dyed blond later in his career, Song also played for Metz and Lens in France and won two league titles at Galatasaray in Turkey.
For Cameroon he played in the same team as the veteran Roger Milla at the 1994 World Cup before the emergence of goal king Samuel Eto’o alongside whom he helped forge Cameroon’s global status.
He was capped 137 times, 36 of them were at Cup of Nations finals where he captained his country to the trophy twice in 2000 and 2002 and also won Olympic gold in 2000.
Perhaps the lowest point of his career came at the 2003 Confederations Cup when his friend and central defence partner Marc Vivien Foe died during a game against Colombia from a hereditary heart condition.
Manchester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho has dragged two lawyers in the Manchester area to court over image rights.
Iheanacho, claimed that he was lured into signing over rights to his name to area attorneys Robert Zanicky, of Drums, and Raymond Hassay, of Exeter.
Iheanacho, 20, met Zanicky in early 2013, when he was 16, after Zanicky approached him following the 2013 African Under-17 Championships. An agreement was signed in late July 2013 by Zanicky and Iheanacho’s father.
The contract, which was signed for $1,000, enabled Zanicky, Hassay and their combined venture, First Eleven Management, in Wilkes-Barre, image rights to Iheanacho.
When Iheanacho turned 18, Zanicky convinced the striker to sign another contract that turned over 100 percent of his image rights to RHRZ LLC and Team Kelechi LLC, based in Pittston.
“The assignment governs all of Kelechi’s image rights, defined to include all legal and beneficial rights and goodwill stemming from Kelechi’s name, nickname, initials, autograph, caricature, reputation and endorsements,” the lawsuit states. It also prohibited Iheanacho from signing with another party for the use of his image or likeness.
First Eleven, acting as Team Kelechi’s “exclusive agent” was able to market, sell or licenses Kelechi’s image. Images licensed out garnered First Eleven 20 percent of the gross revenue.
The duo also would receive 50 percent compensation from RHRZ LLC. At the time their first contact was agreed upon, Iheanacho said, he was not aware of Zanicky’s suspension from the practice of law after pleading no contest to two counts of corruption of minors.
According to Times Leader records, Zanicky, who was president of the United Soccer Training Academy, was charged in 2011 with corrupting the morals of two girls, who were 16 and 17 at the time.
Three sisters who slept in their mother’s drinking spot have been found dead at Tarkwa-Nsuta in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem municipality in the Western region.
The three died after inhaling fumes from a generator.
Chief Inspector George Sekyi of the Tarkwa-Nsuta station office said on December 18, he received a call that three children had died in a drinking spot.
He said he and his officers rushed to the scene but were told that the deceased Abena Amos, 15, Arabi Dadzi, 13 and Akaba Dadzi, 7, have already been deposited at the Tarkwa Government Hospital morgue awaiting autopsy.
In an interview with Starr News’ Emmanuel Ohene Gyan Mr. Sekyi said the deceased lived with their mother, who operates the ‘Golden City Kitchen’ drinking spot in the Tarkwa Nsuem municipality.
He said they decided to pass the night in the drinking bar after they assisted their mother to sell beverages.
The station officer said on December 17, there was a power outage as result of a heavy downpour that occurred during the day and because of that Madam Dadzi put a generator in the bar to enable the deceased have access to light as they slept. The mother of the girls later found them dead when she went to the shop the next morning.
A fourth sister who was also found unconscious is receiving medical treatment. Police in the area are investigating the incident.
Singer George Michael has died at his home at the age of 53.
The star, who launched his career with Wham! in the 1980s and had huge success as a solo performer, “passed away peacefully” on Christmas Day in Goring, Oxfordshire, his publicist said.
His manager, Michael Lippman, said he had died of heart failure.
Former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley said he was “heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend”.
Writing on Twitter and referring to Michael by his family nickname of “Yog”, he added: “Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved. A xx”
Michael’s family announced news of his death in a statement issued through the singer’s publicist.
“It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period,” it said.
“The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.”
South Central Ambulance Service were called to Michael’s property at 13:42 GMT. Thames Valley Police also attended and Michael was confirmed dead at the scene.
They added: “At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious. A post-mortem will be undertaken in due course. ”
A small heart wreath and a rose are among the tributes left outside the front door of Michael’s home, a detached property by the River Thames.
Court battle
Michael, who was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in north London, sold more than 100 million albums throughout a career spanning almost four decades.
He first found fame with schoolfriend Ridgeley in duo Wham! – reaching number one in the UK singles charts on four occasions. One of the band’s most enduring songs Last Christmas, is currently number 16 in the UK singles chart.
The song was originally released in 1984 and is the biggest selling single not to reach number one.
It was kept off the chart’s top spot by Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas, which actually featured Michael.
Solo albums followed, including the multi-million selling Faith in 1987.
The follow-up Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 outsold Faith in the UK but led to Michael losing a court case with record label Sony over his frustration at how the album has been marketed.
As a solo artist, Michael scored a further seven number one singles in the UK with songs including Careless Whisper and Fastlove, collaborated with the likes of Aretha Franklin and Elton John, and won three Brit Awards and two Grammys.
The Grammy organisers said Michael’s “extraordinary talent had a profound impact on countless entertainers worldwide, and his creative contributions will live on forever”.
Troubled artist
Michael later began facing headlines for reasons other than his music.
After years of refusing to be drawn on speculation about his sexuality, Michael disclosed he was gay in 1998 after being was arrested in a public toilet in Beverly Hills, California, for engaging in a lewd act.
The music video for the single that followed, Outside, featured a men’s bathroom transformed into a disco and policemen kissing.
In October 2006 he pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs, and in 2008 was cautioned for possession of class A drugs, including crack cocaine.
In September 2010, Michael received an eight-week prison sentence following an incident in which he crashed his Range Rover into a shop in north London. He admitted driving under the influence of drugs and possessing cannabis.
Pop stars from Michael’s heyday were joined by contemporary names in paying tribute on Twitter.
ABC’s Martin Fry said: “Absolutely devastated to hear of the loss of @GeorgeMichael Truly brilliant talent #sad #sad #sad.”
Duran Duran referred to the the so-called curse of 2016 – following the deaths of David Bowie, Prince and Rick Parfitt – posting on their official Twitter account: “2016 – loss of another talented soul. All our love and sympathy to @GeorgeMichael’s family.”
The band included a picture of Michael with its frontman Simon Le Bon, Sting and Bob Geldof.
Madonna posted a video from 1989 on Twitter and Instagram of herself presenting Michael with an award, and wrote: “Another Great Artist leaves us”.
Robbie Williams, whose first solo single was a cover of Michael’s song Freedom, wrote: “Oh God no …I love you George …Rest In Peace x”.
DJ Tony Blackburn said: “Unbelievable, George Michael has died at the age of 53. RIP.This dreadful year goes on and on. So sad, a real talent.”
Boy George wrote: “He was so loved and I hope he knew it because the sadness today is beyond words. Devastating.
“What a beautiful voice he had and his music will live on as a testament to his talent. I can’t believe he is gone. I hope the Buddha will hold him in his arms.”
Ghana international Kwadwo Asamoah has fond memories of his time with Italian playmaker and 2006 World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo at Juventus.
Asamoah played alongside Pirlo at the Juventus Stadium from 2012 until the latter departed for Major League Soccer outfit New York City FC in 2015.
They won three successive Italian Serie A titles as well as the 2014-15 Coppa Italia.
“Andrea Pirlo was one of my favourites and it was great for me as a player because I had an opportunity to play with him for three years,” Asamoah told Cross the Line.
“I can say that this is something great for me, it is not only about his football.
“When he was here, I saw him outside of football, his personality, his way of talking to people, he is a very nice person and very humble.
“When you talk about Andrea, there are a lot of people who know that he is a very good player, but if you get close to him then you know that he is a different person.”
Asamoah joined Juve in 2012 from fellow Serie A side Udinese, whom he had joined from local club Liberty Professionals.
The midfielder boasts has 69 appearances and four goals for Ghana.
Wolfsburg have confirmed the departure of Julian Draxler to Paris Saint-Germain, with the Germany international signing a four-and-a-half year deal at Parc des Princes.
Goal understands the Ligue 1 champions will pay €35 million up front for the former Schalke man with the possibility of an extra €10m to be paid in bonuses.
“Julian Draxler is to leave VfL Wolfsburg and sign for French club Paris Saint-Germain, pending a medical examination,” a Wolfsburg statement confirmed.
“The 23-year-old attacker has agreed to a four-year deal with the Ligue 1 titleholders and Champions League participants. Both clubs have agreed to keep the financial details of the deal confidential.”
Sporting director Olaf Rebbe said: “We’ve had some very intense but constructive discussions with Paris Saint-Germain, Julian Draxler and his management over the past few days and we’re confident to have reached a satisfactory conclusion for all parties.”
Head coach Valerien Ismael added: “Of course I’m sad to see Julian go, because he’s an outstanding footballer. He gave everything in the recent matches against Frankfurt and Borussia Monchengladbach and once again showed how much this club meant to him.
“I hope his move to France provides him with a fresh challenge.”
Draxler joined Wolfsburg from Schalke in August 2015 but has endured a difficult time at the Volkswagen Arena.
He has made 14 appearances this season without scoring a goal and was omitted from the squad to face Bayern Munich following concerns over his behaviour, although he did register an assist in each of his last two games against Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Monchengladbach.
The arrival of Draxler, who had been linked with a move to Arsenal, is expected to hasten the departure of Jese Rodriguez, who has been linked with a return to La Liga with Las Palmas.
Goal understands PSG are also keen on Wolfsburg defender Ricardo Rodriguez, who they see as a long-term replacement for Maxwell and competition for Layvin Kurzawa.
Tamale residents living around the neighbourhood of Ghana’s deputy ambassador to Saudi Arabia Hajia Boya Gariba were engulfed with fear Sunday morning after the diplomat started firing gunshots at a nearby church.
According to reports, Hajia Gariba resorted to the action after the Spring of Life Assembly Church had failed to heed to a warning for them to tone down with noise on Christmas Day.
The church members reportedly manhandled and injured a young boy who was sent by the diplomat to ask them to reduce the noise emanating from their service.
Confirming the incident to Starr News, Hajia Gariba said she gave the warning shots because the worshippers became aggressive after they failed to heed to her caution to tone down.
According to her, the move was only a self-defense mechanism.
“They came here to attack me so I had to call the regional commander, and I told them to stop, you won’t stop because its not a church. I did the shooting because they gave it (gun) to us for self protection.
“I have reported to the police, the CID has come here several times they won’t stop. I was bathing then they came here to attack us and they even wounded this boy so I have shot. The gun is licensed and I have been trained to use it,” she recounted.
President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo has assured Ghanaians he will put all his energy and attention to ensuring that Ghanaians enjoy quality standard of living under his administration.
In a Christmas message on Facebook, the former attorney general urged Ghanaians to endeavour to spread kindness and love with the less privileged in society as mark the birth of Christ.
“For my part, I am grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to serve Ghanaians in the coming years. I assure you that I am going to devote all my energies towards creating a free and prosperous society of opportunities, where every Ghanaian child, no matter the circumstances of their birth, has a fair chance to strive for a happy and dignified life, and where we can unleash the enterprise and creativity of our people so that we can build a progressive, prosperous Ghana whose citizens live in harmony and security.
“Let us all celebrate the season safely and responsibly, and remember to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves in this season of giving. Let our open hearts and warm smiles help feed those who are hungry and offer comfort to those in need. Let us take the time to gather, love, listen, and learn from each other, and to remember that together, and with the help of God, we can overcome any challenge and achieve any future of which we can dream.
“I wish every Ghanaian a Merry Christmas. May the Good Lord bless Ghana and us all,” he wrote.
