Veteran Ghanaian actor, Katawere, known in private life as Ebenexer Donkor, has died.
According to family sources, the actor died early Monday morning, and his remains has been deposited at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital morgue.
He was 78.
Katawere featured in the popular television series, Efiewura – where he played the role of a controversial and difficult landlord.
Prior to his acting career, he disclosed in a 2013 interview on Asempa FM that he worked with the then glamour stores and later had to carry his sewing machine around from house to house as “oye adiaye”.
In that interview also, he revealed, that his name Katawere was derived from a controversial god.
Source: Ghana/StarrFMonline.com/103.5FM
Katawere dead
Kojo Antwi, EL, Efya others for “Bottles & Bands” Nov. 19
“Bands and Bottles”, is the ultra-urban, sophisticated, super fun hang-out place you want to spend your day on Saturday, November 19.
The event is opened to patronage by people from all walks of life and varied demography.
Empire Entertainment, organisers of the event in a statement said they expect families, friends, colleagues and associates at the Accra Polo Club to come together over drink, eat and jam to live band music.
“Samples of free drinks will be provided from 10am to 10pm, with the stage set for surprise performances by top class musicians – from legends to the ‘underground’,” the communication reads in part.
“The event also provides an opportunity for companies to exhibit their products to a targeted audience of 2,000 patrons and more.
“Accra Polo Club will host the day FREEEEEE day festival and then we will jam the night away at the legends concert on the same lawn.”
There would be performances from the “funkiest line up ever”, Kojo Antwi, EL, Efya, Paapa Yankson, Feli Nuna, Afro Harmony Band and Akoo Nana.
There will also be enough drinks, food and games for you and everyone you bring.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
65,000 to vote under Special Voting on Dec 1
A total of 65,001 voters are expected to cast their ballot under special voting on December 1, 2016, according to the Electoral Commission.
The media list is made up of 871 personnel alongside 23,567 security services officials and 40,563 election officials, the Head of Communications at the EC, Mr Eric Kofi Dzakpasu, told Accra-based Asempa FM.
Special voting is a special dispensation under the electoral laws that allows registered voters who will not be able to present themselves at their polling stations on voting day as a result of the roles they will play in the elections to vote on a date before the rest of the electorate vote on the date set for the elections.
The category of people who are allowed to do special voting are security personnel, officials of the EC and journalists.
On Monday, November 14, 2016 the Supreme Court dismissed a case intended to pin the Electoral Management Body to declare results of the Early Voting ahead of the main polls slated for December 7.
Source: Ghana/starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
NPP sanctioned logo on parliamentary ballot sheets – EC
The Electoral Commission (EC) has said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) sanctioned the logo it used on the 2016 parliamentary ballot sheets, hence the party has no basis to raise concerns after the printing process.
“…High ranking officers of the party visited the printing houses regularly to monitor the process. At no point did they raise any objections about the NPP’s logo as it was being printed,” a statement from the EC said.
The leadership of the main opposition NPP in the Ashanti region has expressed disquiet over the nature of the parliamentary ballot papers that have been dispatched to the region by the EC. The party is worried that the ballot papers do not have the initials of the party, like it does for other political parties.
The EC delivered the ballot papers for the 47 constituencies in the Ashanti region today, Monday November 14.
However, in a statement to react to the party’s concerns, the EC said: “For the Parliamentary Notice of Polls and Ballot Sheets, the New Patriotic Party specifically indicated their satisfaction with the logo as processed for printing.
“During the printing process, not only did the party have its representatives at the printing houses at all material times, high ranking officers of the party visited the printing houses regularly to monitor the process. At no point did they raise any objections about the NPP’s logo as it was being printed.”
Below is the full statement:
CLARIFICATION: POLITICAL PARTY LOGO ON BALLOT SHEETS
The Commission’s attention has been drawn to reports in sections of the media suggesting that the Commission had printed a ‘wrong logo’ for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on the Parliamentary ballot sheets. We would like to place on the records that the claim is entirely inaccurate.
Below are the facts:
1. All Political Parties participating in this year’s elections worked closely with the Commission’s Directorate of Electoral Services to agree on the acceptable logo for their parties to be printed on the Notice of Polls and the ballots sheets.
2. For the Parliamentary Notice of Polls and Ballot Sheets, the New Patriotic Party specifically indicated their satisfaction with the logo as processed for printing.
3. During the printing process, not only did the party have its representatives at the printing houses at all material times, high ranking officers of the party visited the printing houses regularly to monitor the process. At no point did they raise any objections about the NPP’s logo as it was being printed.
4. For the avoidance of doubt, we have added the NPP’s official logo as it appears on the party’s letterheads. It is clear from the pictures that the party uses these two versions of their logo interchangeably. Both do not include the party’s acronym as now being claimed.
5. We would like to further place on the record that it is only for the Presidential Ballot that the NPP has specifically requested that its acronym should be added to the logo, and that has been done.
6. Therefore, it cannot be accurate that the Commission committed any design or printing errors as being speculated or claimed.
Thank you.
Signed:
ERIC KOFI DZAKPASU
Head of Communications
Source: Ghana/starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
Saboba: Journalist attacked as Azorka Boys rampage
A journalist with Saboba-based Radio Gaakii Matias Acop, has been attacked in a street rampage allegedly involving a vigilante group – Azorka Boys – loyal to the Northern Regional chairman of the NDC, Chief Sofo Azorka.
Acop said he was attacked and beaten at a location near Saboba market when he went to witness a clash between supporters of the National Democratic Congress and Mr Joseph Amuzu the party’s First Vice chairman in the region who resigned to contest as an Independent candidate.
The regional chairman, according to reports, was in the constituency capital to chair a meeting between the leadership of the NDC party and some disgruntled members when his boys allegedly spun out of control and violently attacked supporters of the Independent candidate.
Reason for the clash remained unclear but the journalist claims the District Chief Executive Adolf Ali who physical engaged in the brawl ordered the Azorka Boys to attack him claiming he filmed the violence.
“It was the DCE Adolf Ali of Saboba ordering people to beat people, so he spotted me and told his boys that beat him and they rushed towards me before I realised I was unconscious”, Matias narrated.
He said his mobile phones and other gadgets including a tape recorder were seized and crushed in the attack.
The DCE has, however, denied the claim and before he dropped the line on Starr News, he said: “They can keep on accusing me, I didn’t go out for campaign today I only went out when Azorka and co came from the field and I took them to the community centre to take supper.”
The Saboba constituency has remained a flashpoint of political divisions after Mr. Amuzuh dumped the NDC executive position to run as an independent candidate.
He had said elsewhere that the NDC now see him as a credible threat and therefore has initiate vicious measures to discredit him and intimidate his supporters.
Source: Ghana/StarrFmonline.com/103.5FM/Eliasu Tanko
Election 2016: Don’t be scared – Mahama to businesses
President John Mahama has urged the business community not to panic over election related rhetoric ahead of the December polls.
The President has assured government will do everything possible to safeguard the stability of the country.
There is some amount of uncertainty and tension regarding the impending elections. Recent clashes between supporters of governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and security detail of Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has left many wondering how the elections will pan out.
However, the President believes the polls will be as peaceful as all the others in the past.
“Often when we are getting to an election the political rhetoric raptures up. I urge you not to be afraid or frightened that it is going to lead to any blowup. I mean Ghana has a history of peaceful, transparent and successful elections and I believe that this 7th election under the 4th Republic is not going to be any different,” Mahama told CEOs and captains of industry at the GIPC quarterly Presidential breakfast meeting Monday.
He called for support for whoever comes out victorious at the polls in December.
“I will play my part as President and commander in chief to ensure that we have a stable, secure environment for people to cast their ballot. And I believe that, once the elections are over, the people of Ghana will decide who they want to lead them over the next four years and whoever emerges all of us must support the person,” Mahama admonished.
Ghana heads to the polls on December 7.
Source: Ghana/starrfmonline.com/103.5FM/Ibrahim Alhassan
2016 Women’s AFCON: Basigi drops 9 players
Black Queens coach Yusif Basigi has dropped nine players in naming his 21-member final squad for the Women’s AFCON in Cameroon next week.
Alima Sadia Moro, the only foreign-based shot stopper was dropped from the squad as well as Deborah Afriyie who was touted the Lionel Messi of the side.
Another goalie Beatrice Nketsia and defenders Hillia Kobblah, Mabel Baffoe Eshun and Agnes Quaye as well as Rita Otchere and Alberta Asante were all dropped.
The squad for the tournament featured eight foreign-based players with 13 home-based stars.
U.S-based Florence Dadson and Swedish duo of Elizabeth Addo and Portia Boakye made it into the final 21 despite reporting late to camp.
In all, three goalkeepers, six defenders, eight midfielders and four attackers were selected.
FULL LIST:
Goalkeepers: Nana Ama Asantewa , Patricia Matey and Fafali dumehashi
Defenders: Janet Egyir, Rosemary Ampem, Linda Eshun, Cynthia Adobea, Cynthia Adjei and Regina Antwi
Midfielders: Juliet Acheampong, Mary Essiful, Priscilla Saahane, Priscilla Otchere, Safia Abdul Rahman, Alice Kusi, Elizabeth Addo, Grace Asare
Strikers: Samira Suleman, Portia Boakye, Florence Dadson, Faiza Ibrahim
The tournament will be held in Cameroon between 19 November and 3 December 2016.
Oscar Pistorius moves to prison ‘better adapted’ for disability
Jailed South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been moved to another prison at his request.
Pistorius asked to move to the nearby Atteridgeville Correctional Centre, South Africa’s department of correctional service said.
The centre, just outside Pretoria, is better adapted for disabled offenders.
The former Paralympian, known as the Blade Runner, is serving a six-year prison sentence for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.
The double amputee had been serving his time in Kgosi Mampuru II prison, a large facility in Pretoria which houses about 7,000 inmates.
In comparison, Atteridgeville is far smaller, and houses offenders serving up to six years and has rehabilitation and development programmes for inmates.
“The transfer was in line with his special needs,” department spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo told the AFP news agency.
“The new prison caters for people with special needs, it has been revamped to include facilities like bath tubs.”
Prosecutors are currently appealing the gold medal-winning athlete’s six-year sentence, increased from the original five-year sentence in July, which they say was too lenient and does not fit the crime he committed.
Ms Steenkamp died after Pistorius fired four shots into a bathroom door on Valentine’s day.
Pistorius, 29, has always maintained he thought she was an intruder.
source: BBC
FIFA U-20 WWC: Black Princesses concede late to NZ
Ghana’s Black Princesses made a false start to their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign after conceding a late goal to lose 1-0 to New Zealand on Monday.
Substitute Tayla Christensen scored a dramatic last-minute winner to help New Zealand to a hard-fought win over the Black Princesses.
The match was an entertaining affair played at a good tempo throughout, but New Zealand’s Nadia Olla was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers and produced several key saves.
The Oceania side started brightly but Ghana took a clear stranglehold as the first half wore on.
New Zealand spurned two good opportunities within quick succession early on via Isabella Coombes and Martine Puketapu, the former set-up by the ever lively Paige Satchell.
But suddenly Ghana sprung to life. The Black Princesses were lively in possession and made numerous successful forays down the flanks, constantly looking dangerous from crosses and corners.
By half-time New Zealand goalkeeper Olla had made half a dozen saves. The best chance of the opening half saw Jane Ayieyam volley a cross over the crossbar from close-range, narrowly failing to convert what would have been a spectacular goal.
Ghana kept knocking at the door but their efficiency in the attacking third was poor. The clearest opening of the match saw Wasilla Diwura-Soale latch onto a midfield turnover and run clear, but Olla came out to make a brave diving block at the feet.
New Zealand forward Jasmine Pereira fired a volley inches wide late on, but the Junior Football Ferns finally broke the deadlock a minute from time.
Substitute Christensen pushed her way through a static back four and rounded the keeper to score a much-celebrated winner.
‘Running among bullets’: Mosul families tell of desperate flight from ISIS
The crowd surges for the truck as soon as it arrives.
Children are crying as they’re passed along a production line of strangers up into the back of the vehicle’s high-walled metal tray. Mothers, sisters and grandmothers scramble after them, carrying their few possessions.
It’s standing room only. Watching them all squashed in as the doors close, it’s hard not to think of cattle.
But these people are now safe. Only a few hours earlier they were making the hazardous walk through Mosul’s eastern neighborhoods where Iraqi forces are trying to advance through the ISIS-controlled city.
Before Hasnaah Mohammed was helped up into the truck, she sat in a wheelchair. The 56-year-old says she’s now in too much pain to walk after her desperate escape from Mosul with four children.
“I was running among bullets. Walking and crying. Running and crying,” Mohammed says.
“We’ve been suffering from explosions for the past eight days and every day I prayed for God to save us. And then mortar rounds started hitting our home. Half of the home was destroyed.”
Families separated at screenings
The women and children in the truck are leaving behind the adult male members of their families. The men will be screened at another location to check they’re not ISIS members hiding among desperate civilians.
Um Noor has three young children and she doesn’t want to go without her husband.
“We are all families here who fled battles in Mosul and Daesh,” she says using the common Arabic acronym for ISIS.
“I don’t want to spend the night in the camp alone with my kids. I won’t feel safe.”
Um Noor’s concerns also point to a persistent lack of trust in the Iraqi security forces, who famously fled when ISIS swept through Mosul in June 2014.
“Of course I am worried about my husband,” she says. “What if they decide to arrest him for no reason?”
As soon as the women and children are gone, the Iraqi soldiers gruffly order the men to sit in rows. They’re huddled quietly up against an abandoned row of shops, sheltering in the shade.
One of the nervous, crouching figures looks too young to be with this group. Dawood Ali is only eleven years old.
He tells us he would never have anything to do with ISIS because he saw first hand what they’re capable of.
It’s an horrific story to hear from a young boy: “They slaughtered three men and called us to come watch. One of them, the poor guy, wasn’t beheaded properly. So another man came with a knife and finished the job.”
Source: CNN