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Businesswoman, daughter in court over drugs in alcoholic beverages

A 43-year-old businesswoman who was nabbed with two plastic bottles of alcoholic beverages mixed with cannabis, has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

Gloria Baako was also nabbed with nine table tennis size cannabis with net weight of 201.42 grammes concealed in her handbag at Mallam Attah Market.

Gloria has been charged with two counts of unlawful control of narcotic drug.

With her in the dock was her daughter Abigail Lartey Lartiokor, a 21-year-old bartender and a student.

Abigail is being held for abetment of unlawful control of narcotic drugs.

The two accused persons have denied the various charges.

The court presided over by Mr Isaac Addo has admitted them to bail in the sum of GHS50,000 each, with two sureties each.

The matter has been adjourned to July 17.

Prosecution led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Seth Frimpong said that the complainants are police officers stationed at Drug Law Enforcement Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service.

Prosecution said the two accused persons resided at Newtown-Commando, Accra.

It said on February 2, 2023, at about 11:45 am, the complainant acting on intelligence arrested Abigail at a drinking spot at Mallam Atta market, Accra.

According to prosecution, during a search at the drinking spot, two plastic bottles containing alcoholic beverage popularly known as ‘Laka’ and Nine tennis ball size of hard brownish substance, all suspected to be laced with narcotic drug.

Prosecution said when Abigail was interrogated, she confessed to the crime and mentioned Gloria, her mother as the owner of the exhibit.

It said Abigail therefore led the complainants to the residence of Gloria.

According to prosecution, Gloria mentioned one ‘Abodam’ and Yaw at Mallam Atta Market as her suppliers.

Prosecution said the exhibits were forwarded to the Police Forensic Science Laboratory for analytical examination.

It said on February 28, 2023, the test report confirmed that the exhibits were Cannabis, a narcotic drug

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Bail is not for sale – Judge declares

Bail granted to accused persons in cases before the court are not for sale, a Circuit Court Judge has declared.

Mrs Sedinam Awo Balokah said taking money before executing court bail undermined the delivery of justice. ‘Bail is not for sale in court.’

The Circuit Court Judge at Adenta said this when Eugene Kyei Yeboah aka Sparrow GH, a Software Engineer, appeared before her.

The accused person has been charged with stealing, forgery of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) Form A and C and two counts of defrauding by false pretences.

Yeboah, aged 26, is alleged to have rented two vehicles from two rental companies and sold same to a mechanic in Accra.

He has denied the charges preferred against him.

Yeboah has been admitted to bail in the sum of GHS 400,000 with four sureties, two to be justified. He has not been able to execute the said bail.

The Judge’s warning came after she had come across on social media an appeal launched by some friends of the accused person to assist him (accused person) to execute the GHS400,000 bail.

The Trial Judge asked the accused person to stop his friends who are soliciting money on Facebook to execute his bail.

‘Tell your friends to stop soliciting money on social media to execute your bail. Tell them to stop it before it gets ugly. In my court, nobody takes money before executing bail. Bail is not for sale in court. The Republic does not take money before bail is granted or executed.’

Yeboah told the court that he was not aware of any appeal being launched on Facebook.?

‘My lady I am not aware of any appeal on Facebook. It’s been a long time since I visited face book.’

The Trial Judge said: ‘Then someone is milking from your suffering. People are collecting money for your release. You don’t need money for your release. Please get us your sureties.’

The trial judge has ordered prosecution led by Inspector Eric Abban to file disclosures for trial to commence.

The matter has been adjourned to July 25, 2023

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Kasoa teen killers: Accused persons initial wanted to kidnap and demand ransom

Detective Chief Inspector Japhet Agyemang, an investigator, says the two Kasoa teenagers who allegedly murdered an 11-year-old boy, had an initial intention of kidnaping the victim and demand ransom.

He said the ransom from the deceased’s parents was a fee for ritual money by one fetish priestess, but realising how difficult the kidnapping was, they decided to murder the 11-year-old boy.

Mr Agyemang was giving evidence-in-chief led by State Attorney, Nana Ama Osei.

The two teens are being held for the murder of Ishmael Mensah Abdallah on April 3, 2021, for alleged ritual purposes.

They allegedly lured the deceased into an uncomplete building and killed him with a club and cement block.

The investigator said the accused persons had been friends since 2008, while the deceased was a neighbour to the first accused person and a very good friend to the second accused person.

He said some weeks before the incident, the accused persons were watching a television programme, where the practice of how to make ritual money to become a millionaire was being shown.

He said after the programme, they picked the numbers being displayed on the screen and decided to consult.

The investigator said the first accused person called a fetish priest at Amansaman and indicated their interest, the said priest asked of his age, of which he lied that he was 18 years and the fetish priest then cut the line on him.

The accused persons called another fetish priestess at Amanase near Winneba in the Central Region, the priestess asked them to provide a human being and GHS5000.

Mr Agyemang said the accused decided on the deceased, so somewhere on March 28, 2021, they decided to lure him to the uncompleted building, but they were not successful.

He said on April 3, 2021, the first accused person before the act convinced the deceased that the second accused person was having a video game for sale, so he should follow him to see whether he was interested.

He said the accused persons kept a bag on the floor in the uncompleted and asked him to pick the game in the bag, which they knew was empty.

He said in the progress of bending down to check on the supposed game, the first accused person hit the deceased with club, as he was struggling on the floor, second accused also picked a broken cement block and hit on his head.

The investigator said after that they used the shovel and dug a pit in the sandy and soft soil to bury the deceased with the intention of calling the fetish priestess in the evening to assist them carry the body.

He said while they were burying the deceased, the sister of the first accused person came around the scene to urinate, there the first accused confronted her and asked her to go back, and they then moved away from the spot.

The sister, who was curious and suspicious, went to the window of the building and peeped through the where she saw that her brother had dug a pit and went to inform her mother.

He said after the mother of the first accused person inspected the building and the area, she informed his father of what she had seen and when they got there, they saw blood clots on the floor but thought the first accused had killed an animal and buried it there.

The investigator said when they removed sand from the surface, they saw the hand of the deceased and further digging revealed the full body of the deceased.

He said the father of the first accused person locked the accused persons in the room, sensing danger to their lives.

Upon a call to the patrol team and on reaching the scene, the father of the first accused handed the accused person to the Police.

The defence opposed the tendering of caution statements being tendered by the prosecution through the investigator. saying it was not taken voluntarily.

The Court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo adjourned the case for a mini trial to commence.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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DPM and FM Demeke Calls for Swift Ratification of CFA

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen underscored the need for the ratification of Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA).

The second Africa-Run High-Level forum on equitable and reasonable utilization of transboundary watercourses in Africa is underway in Addis Ababa today.

The forum has been taken place under the theme: “Equitable and Reasonable Utilization of Transboundary Watercourses: A Key to Africa’s Prosperity.”

The overall purpose of the conference remains to ensure equitable and reasonable utilization of the transboundary water resources through promotion and exchange of experiences and scientific researches, it was learned.

In his opening speech, deputy prime minister and foreign minister stated that Nile Basin has been suffered from man-made and natural challenges.

It is high time to double the efforts to address such challenges, Demeke said.

Regarding CFA, he said: “we shall finalize the ratification of CFA and realize the wishes of our people”.

Describing the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as a manifestation of utilization of water resources, he affirmed “GERD is a manifestation of equitable and reasonable use.”

The Grand Renaissance Dam has immense benefits to lower riparian countries,” Demeke said.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

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PM Abiy Participates on Roundtable Summit of New Global Financing Pact In Paris

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed participated on the roundtable entitled “Evolving the model of multilateral development Banks to address the 21st century challenges” at the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris, France.

During the session, the premier emphasized the need to implement past pledges with resolve and boost concessional financing facilities.

He also emphasized that it needs to create a robust mechanism to finance the transition to a green future and end the debt crisis.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

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Ethiopian Operating Ahead of Pandemic while Many Airlines Still Recovering: IATA Director General

In an exclusive interview with ENA, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General, Willie Walsh said Ethiopian Airlines is a very successful airline well recognized right across the world.

“I think if you look at Ethiopian Airlines, it is a model for what can be done in other parts of Africa,” he elaborated.

Ethiopian is a member of the Star Alliance and has seen significant growth investment in new aircraft. It has expanded its network, and unlike many airlines around the world, it’s actually now trading with more passengers than it had in 2019.

“A lot of the world is still recovering from the pandemic. Ethiopian Airlines is actually operating ahead of where it was in 2019. I think it demonstrates the potential that exists and the opportunity for not just for Ethiopian Airlines but for other airlines in Africa. I think it is a great example of what can happen,” he elaborated.

Speaking on the importance of the implementation of Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), he said “I believe that a Single African Air Transport Market is a fantastic opportunity.”

Mentioning examples in Europe, he said that Europe has deregulated and allowed airlines to compete and to operate right across Europe.

It has transformed the industry and it has been so much better for consumers, he said, adding it has given consumers more choice, cheaper fares and greater access.

He stated that the same potential exists in Africa.

“The countries have signed a memorandum of understanding. What we need to do now is to move forward, ratify that agreement and implement it so that consumers in Africa can benefit in the same way as we have seen in Europe and other parts of the world,” Walsh urged.

Moreover, he elaborated that the opportunity of the aviation industry in Africa is huge but the industry is small relative to the global industry.

“I have to say, I think the opportunity for Africa is huge. The industry here is small relative to the global industry, and about 2.1 percent. But when you look at the population of Africa and the opportunities, the resources, everything there, suggests to me that the future for aviation here is very positive,”

Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), Adefunke Adeyemi said on her part that Ethiopian Airlines today is the largest carrier in Africa. “They (Ethiopian) are playing an important role in integrating the continent, through their hub and many routes that they have. We really appreciate and support their commitment to integrate into the continent. We are collaborating with them and other stakeholders to do that,”she indicated.

Noting the opportunities for African aviation are immense, she stressed it needs to connect Africa though aviation properly.

“Aviation can play a very key role in integrating the continent like it does for other regions of the world. It is really, really important for Africa in particular because of our size, and also our population mass. There is a great opportunity,” she pointed out.

Noting aviation is also a critical component of the African Continental Free Trade Area(AfCFTA), she said that “we need that to work together and really important for us to embrace it.”

However, currently the biggest challenge of African aviation is that they were fragmented terms of access to operate into countries and access to airspace. “We have to operate Africa as a more domestic and holistic Pan African market,” Adeyemi underscored.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

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PM Abiy Participates in Summit of New Global Financing Pact in Paris

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali has arrived in Paris, France, along with his delegation and is currently participating in the summit of the New Global Financing Pact, according to the Office of the Prime Minister.

By the initiative of President Emmanuel Macron, France is hosting more than 300 high-level participants, heads of state and government, international organizations and representatives of civil society and the private sector, from 22 to 23 June 2023.

The aim of the summit is to lay the groundwork for a renewed financial system suited to the common challenges of the 21st century, such as fighting inequalities and climate change and protecting biodiversity.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

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Asamoah Gyan retires from football

Ghanaian football star Asamoah Gyan announced his retirement in a ceremony in Accra Ghana on Wednesday, June 21. He shared an emotional note.

“I want to thank my beloved country Ghana, my family, my colleagues from school…club mates, coaches and everybody who has played a role in my career as a footballer” an excerpt of Gyan’s letter read.

The Black Stars’ record goalscorer with 51 goals in 109 games for his country, said it was a difficult decision to take. “A stage that is difficult in every footballer’s career, a moment all footballers do not wish but when nature dawns that this voice will keep echoing into the ears.”

He indicated that “I will put my experience to use in the field of coaching, football business, and scouting.”

Asamoah Gyan ends a 20-year career as Africa’s top World Cup goalscorer with 6 goals; He scored in Ghana’s 2-0 win over the Czech Republic in a group game at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. During the 2010 tournament in South Africa, he scored thrice as the Black Stars reached the quarter-finals. He later scored two more goals at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The former captain played in seven Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, helping Ghana finish third in 2008 and as Runners-up in the 2010 and 2015 editions.

The striker had stints with Serie A’s Udinese, Sunderland in the English Premier League, and Rennes in the French Ligue 1.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

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Health Grievances: Gov’t creates interministerial mediation committee

An Interministerial Committee that will examine the complaints of grieving Health Workers in Cameroon and propose concrete solutions to their problems, has been put in place by Prime Minister, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute in a decision he signed on June 20.

The Interministerial committee is structured in three chapters thus the creation, organization, and functioning chapters, and is made up of diverse personalities and stakeholders.

Members of the Interministerial committee are the Ministers of Public Health, Public Service and Administrative Reforms, Labour and Social Security, Finance and Decentralization, and Local Development.

Among other missions the Ad hoc committee will have, are:

to update the list of workers who are in precarious situations (a list that stands at 27 000)

to define objective criteria to be fulfilled in the progressive contextualization process of health workers in precarious conditions.

to examine all revendication’s tabled by the health workers within the framework of the Social inclusive dialogue and propose real solutions to the problems. “The proposed solutions will be submitted to the hierarchy for appreciation” reads the decision.

This decision from the PM, according to some trade unionists, is a positive progress made to resolve the 1-month social tension.

” We are presently seeking solutions that will calm down the situation. This is already a step forward because all Government ministries that are concerned with this case, have been included in the Ad Hoc Committee,” Declared Sylvain Ngah Onana, president of the CAP/Santé trade union.

” We are now waiting for what we can term policy mediation which can be real before July 15. Let’s wait and see” He added.

” We were already waiting for a reaction from the government and the reaction can be seen through this Prime Ministerial decision. We shall reach out to other workers so that they get the information and also decide which position we have to take. Our fight is to find long-lasting solutions so as to improve the living and working conditions of health personnel in Cameroon, ” concluded Onana

Health workers in some hospitals in Yaounde, on May 22, 2023, began protesting against low wages, lack of funds, burnout, lack of working equipment, and unsafe working conditions. The strike action in Cameroon’s Capital is currently in its second month, and the workers promised to continue the strike till their problems are solved.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

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World Music Day: Cameroon upcoming artists decry increasing challenges in music industry

While Cameroon on Wednesday joined the international community to commemorate World Music Day celebrated every year on June 21, upcoming artists in the music industry have complained bitterly about the everyday challenges they face.

This day is always commemorated to celebrate and promote the global language of music, and to bring together people of different nationalities, cultures, and races through music.

These musicians in Cameroon say they face many challenges, including the lack of supportive infrastructure, piracy, and limited access to finance.

“Upcoming artists face a unique problem of finance, marketing strategies, and information on how to protect their art. The cost of production and the promotion of music is actually high which limits a lot of us young artists from getting exposure in the industry. As an artist, information is key to success. Most of us lack information about music, where to put our music to be able to earn minor income as an independent artist, how to protect the art, and so on,” Ndocham Ferdinand Akem AKA Akem Cameroonian upcoming musician said.

“Not having a team to work with. That involves marketer, producer, manager, bloggers, etc and it all boils down to finance, so, my main problem is lack of money to finance the above,” Chianoh Malvis AKA Vinhora stated.

“Upcoming artists have a lot of challenges ranging from finance, lack of sponsors, disrespect, etc. From recording, and shooting of a video clip to paying tv, radio, and bloggers so that they can help you get your song out there entails a lot of money. At the level of disrespect, when an artist is not yet known people turn to disrespect you a lot, some even invite you to programs at the end, they don’t pay the money that was agreed upon. Having a sponsor is difficult especially here in Cameroon, people still don’t believe they can invest in music, they don’t yet know music is business “showbiz”, most people here still see music as something done by people that are jobless, rascals,” Don Chiambah Venasius Chia AKA Don Shell bemoaned.

The theme for World Music Day 2023 is “Music on the Intersections”, highlighting the ability of music to unify communities and individuals.

These upcoming musicians are hoping for better days ahead in the music industry.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

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Zoom Scheduler, now generally available, allows users to align calendars with clients and contacts quickly and easily

Zoom extends free signup period for Zoom Scheduler to July 20

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Zoom announced general availability for its new Zoom Scheduler tool and the extension of the free signup period. Zoom Scheduler makes finding the perfect meeting time easier by sharing availability for others to conveniently book appointments.

“We heard again and again from our customers that they were looking for a convenient way to book appointments without leaving the Zoom platform,” said Joseph Chong, Head of Product, Solutions, and Industry Marketing, Zoom. “With Zoom Scheduler, they can. Based on positive feedback, we will be offering Zoom Scheduler for free for anyone to try for one more month.”

Zoom is known for simplifying collaboration tools, and its latest product has taken on everyone’s least favorite meeting task: aligning calendars. Sharing availability windows back and forth manually takes up valuable time and adds more friction to a workday. Meeting with potential customers or clients often compounds this problem, as external participants lack visibility into one another’s calendars. Zoom Scheduler allows hosts to generate windows of availability that others can use to book appointments. With Zoom Scheduler, users will be able to grow their businesses faster and get more done so they can spend more time on what matters: preparing for the meeting or taking a break.

Get together with Zoom Scheduler

Now generally available, Zoom Scheduler places a meeting on the host’s calendar with a Zoom Meetings link already included, saving both participants time. Hosts can use their preferred calendar: Zoom Scheduler works seamlessly with Zoom Meetings and Zoom Mail and Calendar and integrates with both Google Calendar and Microsoft 365.

Features of Zoom Scheduler include:

  • Ability to schedule one-on-one meetings or one-to-many group meetings and specify how many people can attend any available slot.
  • Choose recurring availability or custom availability for one-off meetings.
  • Generate slots of availability when any or all team members are available.
  • Automate and customize email notifications.
  • Collect preferred information during the attendee booking process.

Beta customers love how Zoom Scheduler saves time and consolidates meeting scheduling where it makes the most sense: in the middle of the communication platform they know and love.

“Zoom Scheduler offers an easy, no-effort integration with the rest of the Zoom platform,” said Gabe Moronta, Visla. “It has all the features, settings, and capability I need.”

Zoom Scheduler integrates with Zoom Calendar, which has become a resource for meetings both before and after. Zoom Calendar offers a sidebar view alongside the Zoom desktop client, so attendees can maximize their time by seeing if others have joined the meeting yet. After the meeting, shared files live in the Calendar invite for future reference.

Free and paid Zoom users can try out Zoom Scheduler for free anytime before July 19, 2023. On July 20, 2023, Scheduler will be available as an add-on for purchase for $5.99/month per user on Zoom’s website (add to any existing legacy Zoom plan or Zoom One plan), and will be included in the Zoom One Business Plus and Enterprise Plus plans.

About Zoom
Zoom is an all-in-one intelligent collaboration platform that makes connecting easier, more immersive, and more dynamic for businesses and individuals. Zoom technology puts people at the center, enabling meaningful connections, facilitating modern collaboration, and driving human innovation through solutions like team chat, phone, meetings, omnichannel cloud contact center, smart recordings, whiteboard, and more, in one offering. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ:ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Get more info at zoom.com.

Zoom Public Relations
Lacretia Taylor
press@zoom.us

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8862086

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Gambia to test Indian drugs after cough-syrup scandal

The Gambia is enforcing mandatory inspections and testing of all drugs being imported from India. The tests will be done in India.

The new measures come after at least 70 children in the small West African nation died last year after taking Indian-made cough syrups.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said they had been contaminated with toxic chemicals commonly used in car brake fluid and other industrial products.

India later said that the medicines complied with specifications when tested at home, but the WHO responded that it stood by alerts issued for four of the cough syrups.

Other batches were later linked to the death of 19 children in Uzbekistan.

India, whose pharmaceutical industry makes a third of the world’s medicine, has also made it compulsory since 1 June for cough-syrup makers to get samples tested before exporting their products.

The Gambia is considering possible legal action over the deaths.

Source: BBC