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Year in Review 2017 40 Years of Black History Month Compiled by Jonathan Baah Annobil, Toronto

January 2017 • Nana Akufo-Addo assumes office as the 5thPresident of the Republic of Ghana • Donald Trump sworn in as 45th President of the United States of America • Watoto Children Choir from Uganda visited Living Word Assembly of God Church in Toronto • TransCanada makes new application to US State Department for the Keystone pipeline. • Living Word Assembly of God launches Global University Learning Centre. • Premier Wynne rejects road tolls for Toronto; Mayor Tory calls decision “paternalistic and shortsighted”. • H.E. Dr. SulleyGariba, outgoing Ghana High Commissioner bids farewell to Canada and also briefs leaders of the Toronto Ghanaian community after elections in Ghana.

February 2017 • Ghana launches new Agricultural campaign: Planting for food and jobs with Canada promising $125m support

By Rosemary Sadlier OOnt. and Past President Ontario Black History Society

While I was not one of the founders of the Ontario Black History Society, my 22 years of public service to the OBHS helped to outreach to the broader community. I worked tirelessly, prior to and following being elected as the President, to provide Black History presentations in schools - in my first year alone doing over 100 and raising significant funds for the organization as a result. I was standing on the shoulders of the founders who had created the OBHS in 1978, and who by 1979, had secured the first proclamation in Canada - the City of Toronto Black History Month proclamation in 1979. [The Founders of the OBHS included Dr. Daneil G. Hill, Donna Hill, Wilson O. Brooks, Lorraine Hubbard and Joan Kazmarski.]

Daughter of Wilson O Brooks and Joan Kazmarski My formal connection to the OBHS did not begin until my third child was born and I found myself an ‘at home mom’ with more daytime flexibility than many of the other board members in 1993. I used my time to help to outreach to

people, organizations and church groups. I secured our first ‘mainstream’ media involvements with CBC Radio and CITYtv. I secured our first corporate sponsor, TD Bank, and now note how many other Black History Month cont’d on pg. 9

Praise Temple of Christ Int’l Men’s Fellowship

• Living Word Assembly of God celebrated Family Day with Breakfast meeting at Toronto Plaza Hotel. • Prime Minister Trudeau hosted the annual reception at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec for National Black History Month Canada 2017. • Canada’s population surpasses 35 million according to 2016 census. • President Akufo-Addo delivered his first State of the Nation Address to Parliament. • Olivia Nuamah named as Executive Director of Pride Toronto. • Ghanalinx Foundation donates to Gomoa Soccer for Change in Ghana. cont’d on pg. 22

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

EDITORIAL KEEPING YOU IN TOUCH WITH NEWS FROM HOME AND LOCAL COMMUNITY ISSUES

Make BLACK HISTORY MONTH Meaningful

EDITORIAL Publisher / Editor Emmanuel Ayiku Contributing Editors Dr. Michael Baffoe Joe Kingsley Eyiah Director of Operations Comfort Ayiku Community Reporter Jonathan Annobil Winnipeg Bureau Dr. Michael Baffoe The Ghanaian News Publishes news and comments from the Community, serves Ghanaians across Canada with good source of information is committed to give good community Journalism The Ghanaian News is published in Canada by The Ghanaian News Corporation Editorial Office 2256 Sheppard Ave. Suite 202 Toronto, Ont. M9M 1L7 Tel:(416) 916-3700 Advertising Fax (416) 916-6701 Internet: www.ghanaiannews.ca E-mail: cayiku@gmail.com info@ghanaiannews.ca $1:00 per copy Subscription costs $66.00 for one year. including postage U.S. and foreign subscriptions costs US$120 per year. Letters to the Editor We encourage your feedback and value your comments. Please feel free to write to us. keep letters to a maximum of 200 words, include your full name, Telephone # and mailing address with all correspondence. Address your letters to the Editor The Ghanaian News 2256 Sheppard Ave. Suite 202 Toronto, Ont. M9M 1L7 Tel: 416-916-3700 or Fax: 416-916-6701 or e-mail us at info@ghanaiannews.ca Articles appearing in various columns of the Ghanaian News are intended to generate civil and informed public discussions. You do not have to agree with opinions expressed by the writers. That should encourage you to write to express your own views. This is the way we generate lively and civil discussions in the community. Rejoinders are not forums for personal insults and we want readers to adhere to these principles.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage

The Month of February, ironically the shortest month of the year, is celebrated in Canada as Black History Month. The month and its celebrations provide an opportunity for Canadians to share and learn about the experiences, contributions and achievements of peoples of African ancestry. It was initiated in Canada by the Ontario Black History Society, which was founded in 1978. Before Black History Month was introduced in Canada, there was a movement to recognize North Americans of African descent. In 1926, African American historian, Carter G. Woodson conceived of the idea to declare Negro History Week (which became Black History Month) to coincide with the birth month of President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist and former enslaved person, Frederick Douglass. Later, sleeping car porters brought the idea north across the border into Canada. The first celebration of February as Black History Month in Canada was organized at Toronto’s African Canadian “Shaw Street” British Methodist Episcopal Church in 1950 by Stanley G. Grizzle. Later, the founders of the Ontario Black History Society, including Dr. Daniel G. Hill and Wilson O. Brooks, presented a petition to the City of Toronto to have February formally proclaimed as Black History Month. In 1979, the first-ever Canadian proclamation was issued by Toronto. In 1993, the Ontario Black History Society successfully filed a petition in Ontario to proclaim February as Black History Month. Finally,former Member of Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, and then Parliamentary Secretary, Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine, introduced a Motion in the House of Commons in Ottawa which was unanimously on December 5, 1995. The first national declaration of Black History Month in Canada went into effect in February 1996. We have come a long way since then. Every year in February, celebrations, big and small, take place across the Black Communities in Canada, some of which are attended, for the symbolism of it, by politicians and some government officials when it suits them. The noble idea of these celebrations was mooted to provide an opportunity for Canadians to share and learn about the experiences, contributions and achievements of peoples of African ancestry. Sadly, the history of the celebrations to date, across Canada, have been limited to efforts and involvements, some on very limited scale, to the members of the Black communities across Canada. There have been limited involvementin the celebrations by the power brokers, the rich and powerful as well as the mainstream citizenry in Canada. The only Province where politicians and political leadership have been actively participating in the Black History Month Celebrations has been the Province of Ontario. We thank them for their efforts and genuine interest in these celebrations. We however call on the leaders of the Black communities in Canada to double their efforts in organizing events and activities to involve mainstream Canadians and power brokers in the country in these celebrations if its noble objectives of providing an opportunity for Canadians to share and learn about the experiences, contributions and achievements of peoples of African ancestryare to be achieved. The celebrations should not be limited only to the Black communities. This is the time we need to showcase the contributions of Canadians of African ancestry to the nationbuilding efforts in Canada. We have heroes, past, present and living whose achievements and contributions to the Canadian Mosaic should be highlighted and showcased. That way, ALL Canadians will learn and embrace this noble idea and participate in the celebrations of Black History in Canada as a noble event worth celebrating.

Prime Minister recognizes the international Decade for People of African Descent Prime Minister announces that the Government of Canada will officially recognize the International Decade for People of African Descent

have been raised in particular by community leaders as barriers to Black Canadians experiencing full and equal participation across society.

The Government of Canada is committed to build a better, more inclusive country that recognizes the contributions of all, and creates better opportunities for more Canadians.

Over the past two years, the Government of Canada has taken concrete measures to fight inequality and improve the lives of all Canadians, including those of African descent. We have helped parents with the high cost of raising kids through the Canada Child Benefit, and expanded the Canada Pension Plan so more people can retire with security and dignity. We have also made significant investments in student grant programs, mental health initiatives, and affordable child care, and introduced a National Housing Strategy that will solve housing security for many vulnerable Canadians.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the Government of Canada will officially recognize the International Decade for People of African Descent. This Decade, which spans from 2015 to 2024, is an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the important contributions people of African descent have made to Canadian society. It also provides a framework for recognition, justice, and development to fight racism, discrimination, and the ongoing inequalities that Canadians of African descent face.

Hon. Justin Trudeau The Government of Canada has heard from concerned citizens and organizations from across Canada, including the Federation of Black Canadians, that we need to do more to work with and support Canadians of African descent. In recognizing the International Decade, the Government of Canada commits to a better future for Black Canadians. This means learning more about the issues that affect Black Canadians, including improving research and data collection, so we can better understand the particular challenges they face. Mental health challenges and overrepresentation in the corrections system

The Government of Canada will continue to build on these efforts, and create a country where more Canadians have a real and fair chance at success. Office of the Prime Minister

Provincial R.O.P.E. Squad NEWS RELEASE FEDERAL INMATE WANTED

Ransford Kusi (TORONTO, ON) – The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a federal offender wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant as a result of his breach of parole. Ransford Kusi is described as a black male, 56 years of age, 5’7” (170cm), 204 lbs (93kg) with a shaved head and brown eyes. He is also known to wear prescription glasses. He is serving a nine (9) year and six (6) month sentence for Importing Narcotics. The offender is known to frequent the Greater Toronto Area. Anyone having contact with this offender or information in regards to their whereabouts is asked to contact the Provincial R.O.P.E. Squad at 416-808-5900 or toll free at 1-866-870-7673 (ROPE) or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or call 9-1-1. Contact: Detective Constable Steve Sermet, Provincial ROPE Squad Phone: (416) 808-5900 or (416) 522-4802 www.opp.ca TWITTER: @OPP_News

The Ghanaian News January 2018

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The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Black History Month:

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“Today we begin Black History Month, a time to honour and celebrate the many achievements and contributions that Black Canadians have made to our country. “The theme for this year’s Black History Month is ‘Black Canadian Women: Stories of Strength, Courage and Vision’. Jean Augustine, Viola Desmond, Michaëlle Jean, Jully Black, Afua Cooper – these are just a few women of African descent who have shaped Canada into the country it is today. Yet all too often their stories go untold.

“The International Decade also offers a framework to better address the very real and unique challenges that Black Canadians face. By working together, we can combat anti-black racism and discrimination, and deliver better outcomes for Black Canadians. “Earlier this week, the Government of Canada announced that Canada will officially recognize the UN International Decade for People of African Descent. This International Decade, which spans from 2015 to 2024, is an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the important contributions that Black Canadians have made to Canadian society.

“This month, I invite all Canadians to take part in community events for Black History Month, and learn more about the vital role that Black Canadians have played – and continue to play – in shaping the diverse, compassionate, and prosperous country we know today.” PMO Media Relations:

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

cont’d from pg. 1

40 Years of Black History Month

amazing event to 100 initiatives they support attendees. - but the OBHS Brunch was the first. The reality of a Black History Month required Soon after I had become a means to celebrate the President, the Brunch, to have that pinnacle in already set up through the year to honour the the efforts of the then ancestors (ie. history), to immediate Past President honour the founders (ie. Charis Newton, was legacy), to honour those organized in January for who had gone before (ie. the February launch, was heritage and culture) and held in a board room in to take that time to enjoy an office building and and celebrate with each had about 95 attendees. other. Over time, with persistence, passion, and When the OBHS building upon one sold experienced a change out success after another, in office staff, and some from the board room matters were overlooked, to community centres, it became obvious restaurants, the Marriott, that more needed to the Sheraton, the Royal be done to secure an York, the Westin and annual celebration and now the Metro Toronto commemoration. I was Convention Centre, I, able to obtain a Provincial along with our team, proclamation through were able to build this

our contact person within the Ministry, Daniel O’Brien. I then obtained Provincial proclamations from each province and initiated the concept of a national ‘proclamation’ with Jean Augustine who was then MP for Etobicoke Lakeshore and Parliamentary Secretary. Corrected to be a ‘declaration’ this was successfully passed in December 1995 and first celebrated in Feb 1996. I was both honoured and thrilled to share the platform with the Prime Minister of Canada and the Black Caucus in Ottawa. My interest, passion and commitment for Black History has also led me to successfully obtain a proclamation for August

1st as Emancipation Day with the City of Toronto, Metro Toronto, the City of Ottawa, the Province of Ontario and it has gone to second reading twice on a national level. As you may know, this was the date when the British government abolished slavery and it went into effect in Canada in 1834. It sparked the idea of Canada being a safe haven for the world and brought about the first freedom movement of the Americas - the Underground Railroad. Now, with your urgent assistance, urgent because this is time limited, I am asking you to take a Black History Month action: sign the Parliamentary Petition to have Canada declare August 1st as

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Ontario pledges $187M to ease hospital crowding next year Health Minister Eric Hoskins says money will go towards adding beds, reducing wait times By Kate McGillivray · Five months after committing $100 million to ease crowding in Ontario’s hospitals ahead of this winter’s flu

season, Health Minister Eric Hoskins announced that another $187 million will be coming in the next fiscal year to continue to tackle the problem. The money will be spent on opening new beds, improving care, and shortening wait times, he said. Last October’s investment was enough to pay for 1,200 new hospital beds as well as some 600 “transitional care spaces” for patients who need assistance but don’t require a hospital stay. “It works out to the equivalent of opening six medium-size hospitals,” Hoskins said on Friday. The funding was announced after an umbrella group representing the province’s hospitals predicted a capacity crisis across Ontario unless urgent action was taken before the winter flu season. Despite the cash infusion, crowding remains an issue this winter: in Windsor, an influx of influenza patients this week caused 19 surgeries to be postponed, with both campuses of Windsor Regional Hospital operating above or near capacity for the last two weeks. The Ontario Health Coalition also told CBC News last week that the flu isn’t the only culprit in overcrowding, saying that all hospitals in cities that are bigger than 50,000 people are running at 100 per cent capacity or higher without the extra strain of a surge of influenza patients. It said the result of the crunch is increased infection rates, higher mortality rates, and increasing numbers of patients being parked in hallways where they receive substandard care. Dr. Howard Ovens, the chief medical strategy officer of the Sinai health system, tweeted his support for Hoskins’ announcement, writing that the news would be a “much needed morale boost for staff coping with all the stress in the system right now.” CBC News

The Ghanaian News January 2018

Toronto cops suspended after consuming marijuana edibles while on duty: sources Kayla Goodfield Two Toronto police officers who allegedly consumed marijuana edibles and radio called for assistance while on duty have been suspended, according to police sources. Speaking with CP24 over the phone on Monday, Toronto police spokesperson Mark

Pugash confirmed two officers are being investigated by the Professional Standards Unit but would not say what led to the investigation.

McCormack also said he would not be commenting on the investigation but confirmed that two officers have been s u s p en d ed w ith p ay pending an investigation.

Pugash said the pair will appear before a tribunal, but could not confirm when.

“All I can tell you is that there is an ongoing investigation,” he said. “I’m not aware of the specific allegations around the investigation cont’d on pg. 12

President of the Toronto Police Association Mike

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

Bank of Canada raises key interest rate target to 1.25 per cent By Andy Blatchford

OTTAWA -- The economy’s impressive run prompted the Bank of Canada to raise its trend-setting interest rate Wednesday for the third time since last summer -- but looking ahead it warned of growing uncertainties about NAFTA. The central bank pointed to unexpectedly solid economic numbers as key drivers behind its decision to hike the rate to 1.25 per cent, up from one per cent. The increase followed hikes in July and September. While the central bank signalled more rate increases are likely over time, it noted the unknowns surrounding the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement -- and the potential negatives for Canada -- were casting a widening shadow over its outlook. The bank said “some continued monetary policy accommodation will likely be needed” to keep the economy operating close to its full potential. Governing council, the bank added, would remain cautious when considering future hikes by assessing incoming data such as the economy’s sensitivity to the higher borrowing rates. The statement raised questions about how quickly the bank will raise the rate from here. Royal Bank of Canada was first among Canada’s banks to respond to the rate hike, raising its prime lending rate by a quarter of a percentage point, to 3.45 per cent, effective Thursday. RBC (TSX:RY) was followed by Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO), CIBC (TSX:CM), Scotiabank (TSX:BNS), TD Canada Trust (TSX:TD) and Desjardins Group -- a financial co-operative with offices throughout Quebec and parts of Ontario. Banks tend to raise their own prime rates after the central bank raises its lending rate to them to pass the higher borrowing costs on to consumers. Commercial lenders use their prime rate as a benchmark for setting some other rates including variable-rate mortgages and some lines of credit. For Wednesday’s move, the central bank couldn’t ignore the encouraging late-2017 data, even as it acknowledged the risks about NAFTA’s renegotiation. Governor Stephen Poloz stressed during a news conference that the bank remains data dependent, although he conceded that a rate hike wasn’t a “no-brainer” this time around because of the NAFTA talks. “Of course, the big cloud over the forecast as well as our discussion is, well, NAFTA,” Poloz said. “How immediate? How big? Lots of debate around that. Given those uncertainties, of course, the possibility of not moving (the rate) this time was in the air.” In particular, Poloz noted that research has argued the trade impacts of the deal’s demise might not have such a major impact on Canada. However, he stressed that the end of NAFTA would likely take a big bite out of investment in Canada.

“We can’t just relax and assume that it would be a small shock,” he said. In explaining the hike, the bank said in a statement that inflation was close to target and the economy was operating roughly at capacity. It also said consumption and residential investment had been stronger than anticipated, reflecting healthy employment growth. “Business investment has been increasing at a solid pace, and investment intentions remain positive,” the bank said.

Ontario may provide public sectors with more minimum wage help: Wynne BARRIE, Ont. - Ontario’s Liberal government has put millions of dollars toward helping licensed child-care centres and developmental services cope with a minimum wage increase, and the premier says help for other such publicly funded sectors may be on the way. The minimum wage rose on Jan. 1 to $14 an hour from $11.60

The government is giving licensed child cares $12.7 million so they don’t have to pass the increased costs onto parents -- though some are reportedly doing that anyway. It is also putting an extra $24.3 million into the community and developmental services sector, saying it recognizes the wage increase may impact their operating expenses.

Moving forward, the bank predicted household spending and investment to gradually contribute less to economic growth, given the higher interest rates and stricter mortgage rules. It predicted Canada’s high levels of household debt would amplify the effects of higher interest rates on consumption. Exports have been weaker than anticipated, but are still expected to contribute a larger share of Canada’s growth, the bank said. It also noted that government infrastructure spending has helped lift economic activity. “Today’s rate hike was a rear-view mirror move, but the Bank of Canada hints that the view out the front window isn’t quite as sunny,” CIBC chief economist Avery Shenfeld wrote in a research note to clients after the rate announcement. “We share the Bank of Canada’s view that higher rates will be needed over time. But perhaps not as fast and furious as the market was starting to think. The bank’s statement put NAFTA uncertainties right up front.” The Bank of Canada warned that lower corporate taxes in the U.S. could encourage firms to redirect some of their business investments south of the border. On the other hand, it predicted that Canada will see a small benefit from the recent U.S. tax changes thanks to increased demand. The bank also released new economic projections Wednesday in its latest monetary policy report. For 2017, it’s now predicting three per cent growth, as measured by real gross domestic product, compared with its 3.1 per cent prediction in October. The bank slightly increased its predictions for 2018, up to 2.2 per cent from 2.1 per cent. It expects the economy to expand by 1.6 per cent in 2019, up from its previous call of 1.5 per cent. The fourth quarter of 2017 and the first quarter of 2018 are each expected to see annualized growth of 2.5 per cent. Poloz raised rates in July and September in response to a surprisingly strong economic run that began in late 2016. The hikes took back the two rate cuts he introduced in 2015 to help cushion, and stimulate, the economy from the collapse in oil prices. Up until a couple of weeks ago, many forecasters still had doubts that Poloz would raise the rate Wednesday. However, two strong reports -- the December jobs data and the bank’s business outlook survey -- led many experts to change their calls. The Canadian Press

Premier Kathleen Wynne says she is looking across government at other sectors that receive public funding to see if more needs to be done. Meanwhile, Wynne has spoken out about small businesses -- in particular a pair of Tim Hortons franchisees -- that are dealing with the costs by reducing employee benefits, calling it “bullying.” The Canadian Press

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

FOCUS Education! Education!! Education for the Children!!! The World must Wake Up! By Joe Kingsley Eyiah, OCT, Brookview MS, Toronto, Canada This is the first time a donor and developing country co-host a GPE financing conference, symbolizing the spirit of true partnership, which is the essence of GPE. President Macron is reported to have stressed prior to the Dakar conference the importance of education as a tool to fight against poverty and inequality globally. He therefore called on world leaders to be part of this global effort to bring quality education to children around the world. “I call on the international community to join us in February 2018 in Dakar for the Global Partnership for Education Financing Conference, which France will co-host with Senegal,” Macron said. The Hard Facts: According to GPE reports, though much

progress has been made, many challenges remain to ensure all children can go to school and learn. That, 6 4 1. 2 millionchildren and youthare out of schoolfor the school year ending in 2015 2. Only 2.7%of humanitarian aidwas invested in educationin 2016 3. 35%of the world’sout-of-school childrenof primary school agelive in conflictaffectedcountries, up from 30%in 1999 4. 6 2 milliongirlsbetween the ages of 6and 14 are out ofschool around theworld 5. 4 out of 10out-ofschool childrenwill never enter aclassroom 6.

An estimated

90%of children with disabilitiesin the developing world donot go to school 7. 54%of out-ofschoolchildrenof primary school agelive in subSaharanAfrica 8. 274 million primary school children worldwide are not learning basic foundational skillsnecessary to lead productive and healthy lives 9. 1 in 4young peoplein low and lowermiddle income countriesis illiterate The listed facts are very disturbing and need addressing by all stake holders in education. I therefore hope that the Dakar Conference would bring commitment to our world leaders to partnership with the GPE in bringing quality education to all children by 2020.

Toronto cops suspended after consuming marijuana edibles while on duty: sources cont’d from pg. 10 and I’m not going to comment or speculate until the investigation is complete.” McCormack added the officers at the centre of this investigation “could be charged or they could just be cleared through the investigation.” Sources told CP24 over the weekend that the two cops allegedly consumed the marijuana edibles while on duty. The pair called for help after one of the officers ended up in a tree, the sources said.

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A female officer responding to the scene reportedly slipped and sustained a serious head injury.

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that, “Education is a vital human right, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Every girl and every boy should have the right to a quality education so that they can have more chances in life, including employment opportunities, better health and also to participate in the political process.” Obviously, education is the biggest enterprise in any civilized society. Granted the fact that education is one of the most important tool for national development it becomes the

responsibility of any progressive government anywhere to provide and promote sound educational policies as well as infrastructure that will help its people to acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes that enable them to develop their potentials. However, poor quality education is tantamount to no education! It has therefore been the goal of GPE to assist all countries especially developing countries to bring quality education to all children. It brings leaders of the developed as well as developing countries together to seek means of commitment to funding education globally, hence the Dakar conference. This recent financing education conference is rightly being hosted by President Macron of France (a developed nation) and President MackySallof Senegal (a developing country).

By Joe Kingsley Eyiah, OCT, Brookview M. S., Toronto-Canada “Governments have the primary responsibility for their own national education programs, and some of the poorest countries have shown extraordinary vision and determination to invest more of their national budgets in education. But many countries need to invest more in education—as do donor governments, d e v e l o p m e n t b an k s , in te r n a tio n a l organizations and philanthropists.”-The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) In February, 2018, France and Senegal would be co-hosting a crucial conference on financing education in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal. The conference would be held under the auspices of The Global Partnership for Education (GPE). It is known worldwide

It is not clear where the officers got the marijuana edibles from but sources said investigators are looking into whether

they were stolen during a dispensary raid. To r o n t o P a r a m e d i c s told Newstalk1010 they received a report of someone needing assistance with a medical condition in the area of Oakwood Avenue and Vaughan Road at around 1 a.m. on Sunday.

McCormack said while officers using social media to communicate with the public is important, it “walks a fine line.”

Two people were taken to hospital for various reasons as a result, paramedics said.

“There are inherent risks to that and whatever you’re posting, whether that demeans the job or diminishes what we do in policing,” McCormack said. “Social media, we think is an important piece of the culture and communicating but there has to be a balance.”

CP24 has learned Const. Vito Dominelli and Const. Jamie Young are the two officers in question.

McCormack added that this investigation comes at a time of a “serious” shortage in police staffing.

Dominelli has been popular on social media through posting videos of him lip synching to music while in uniform. However, his Twitter account has recently been made private and his Instagram account has been wiped clean.

“I am always concerned when something belittles what we do in policing and doesn’t represent us in the right light. I don’t want the public to be under the misconception that we have a bunch of officers who have nothing to do but use social media.” CP24.com

The Ghanaian News January 2018

Ghana’s Politics, A Major Drawback To National Development! By Edmund Agbeko, Toronto

The 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana has provided citizens and non-citizens of this country a number of rights and privileges of which the right to own political affiliation is not exempted. The constitution also grants a multiparty system in Ghana which are provisions that will propagate the level of democracy that we Ghanaians have. It is not shocking that our multiparty system has given birth to too many political parties which all sing songs of national development and put across criticisms when the need arises. However, with the current multiparty system and political system in Ghana, it is more or less a twoparty system since the other political parties are usually dormant and the battle lies between the social National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the capitalist New Patriotic Party (NPP) since 1993. Both parties have handed over to each other and still hope to be the only parties that will be exchanging files. This has really brought some kind of adamancy in the works of these two parties since they are usually seen blaming each other for mistakes that occur in their previous government without putting into consideration the human errors. They blame each on debt to the nation, corruption, inflation and other staffs but are usually found driving in similar directions when they gain power. The moment power is gained, the motion changes swiftly from speaking out loud

to defending projects and problems of their government. Also, once the other is in opposition, any achievement of the opponent carries a criticism even if it benefits the whole nation. This retards national development since some end up in the court and needs clarification from the constitution before such an initiatives can hold water in the country. Just in the early years of the H.E. Nana Addo government, a number of corruption allegations have been raised against the “anticorrupt” government which are defended by the government but still they sail in the minds of Ghanaians. The beginning of this government started with an alleged bribe from an appointed minister of energy who tried bribing the vetting committee of parliament. A probe of the matter by a parliamentary committee freed the Hon. Minister of Energy of any bribery as purported. The Next corruption scandal that hit the same government is the Ghana post saga where the minority thought it as a waste of national resources buying an address system that can be accessed freely on google map but was turned down by the ruling party. Not long after this, an activist of the party in power claimed some two deputy chief

of staff in the presidency were corrupt and the claim was considered baseless by CID. Other allegations against this current government are the minister of finance bond saga which is still trending and the cash – for- seat saga which all Ghanaians are anxiously awaiting. This I think is a payment to the government from the minority since the where about of the Bugri Naabu bribed car and the money that was saved in a separate account which was a bribe from John Mahama as claimed by the then opposition NPP cannot be traced. Also the ordeal the NDC and Ghanaians went through during the 2012 elections petitions is enough recount that prosperity will allow them (NDC) to forgive the NPP. The Electoral Commissioner’s sex for position claim from the then opposition NPP is wake up call for the NDC to know that allegations can change perceptions. These and many other claims levelled against the NDC when it was in power actually made NPP won the 2016 elections by 53.85%. It is about time politicians learn from the mistakes of their predecessors and stop defending their governments. The time has come that we speak of what we can do, what we have done and what we plan to do than pointing fingers at people who made Ghana have a wobbling economy. G h a n a ’s e c o n o m y wobbles because of our attitude. Ghanaians cry because we don’t think of tomorrow and we suffer and feel greedy because we choose to

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 41 6 - 9 1 6 - 3 7 0 0

follow without proper examination.

once when a change of government occurs.

Politicians have refused to continue most projects that were carried out by previous governments, rather they introduce their own projects that still need foundations. It is noted that some government contracts came to stand still since 2008 and why that happens cannot be verified. This has given room for same contracts to be awarded more than

It can be recounted that NHIS, school feeding program, college students allowance and other projects which were initiatives of H.E. J.A. Kufuor were poorly handled when the NDC succeeded from him. Currently, the NDC is also attacking the current government for not inaugurating a number of health facilities built

across the country and they are pushing government to do so. Ghana’s constitution needs some amendments on how continuity should be in this country. The principle must be one such that all governments continue with halfdone projects of their processors and can introduce new ones after those ones are completed to have a homogenous and progressive development.

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

Wynne shuffles several senior cabinet posts ahead of election Allison Jones, Toronto Area battleground -- that may see closely fought races in the election.

TORONTO -- Premier Kathleen Wynne shuffled several senior roles in her cabinet Wednesday as she prepares for a provincial election less than five months away. Deputy Premier and Advanced Education Minister Deb Matthews, Treasury Board President Liz Sandals and Economic Development Minister Brad Duguid have all said they’re not running in the June election, and Wynne is filling those jobs with politicians who are up for reelection. “I want to make sure that we have that team that’s going to carry us into the election and beyond,” Wynne said Wednesday after making an unrelated announcement in Barrie, Ont. “The people who are no longer going to be in cabinet are people who have served this province very, very well.” Mitzie Hunter moved from education minister to become minister of advanced education, Eleanor McMahon left her role as tourism, culture and sport minister to lead the treasury board, and Steven Del Duca was shuffled from transportation to economic development.

As well, the new cabinet is close to gender parity, with 13 women and 16 men.

Premier Kathleen Wynne Indira Naidoo-Harris, who had been the status of women minister and minister responsible for early years and child care, will fill the job of education minister, while keeping her early years and child care responsibilities. Kathryn McGarry was moved from natural resources to become the new transportation minister. In addition, three backbenchers were promoted into cabinet. Nathalie Des Rosiers, who was elected in Ottawa-Vanier in a byelection in November 2016, became natural resources minister, Daiene Vernile, who represents Kitchener Centre, is now minister of tourism, culture and sport, and Harinder Malhi, of Brampton Springdale, became the new minister of the status of women. Many of the ministers involved in the shuffle represent ridings -- largely in the key Greater

“I think it is important to have diversity -- gender and regional and background diversity -- at the cabinet table and so that has been part of the consideration as we go into this cabinet shuffle,” Wynne said. “It has been wonderful to have the people who have served for the last number of years, but the reality is there’s new experience and there’s a new perspective that can come to the table.” The Progressive Conservatives likened the shuffle to rearranging chairs on a “sinking ship” and the NDP said the reason for the shuffle was to give Liberals at risk of losing their seats a title to pad their resume before the election. Wynne last shuffled her cabinet in July, with a few moves to replace Glen Murray, who left as environment minister to become executive director of the Pembina Institute. At that time, Chris Ballard became environment minister and Peter Milczyn was

promoted to take over Ballard’s former post as housing minister. Wy n n e h a s p r e v i o u s l y downplayed the effect of several senior cabinet members not running again, saying people

sacrifice a lot to enter politics. Speaker Dave Levac, the Liberal representative for Brant, and Monte Kwinter, Ontario’s oldest MPP, have also announced they won’t seek reelection. The Canadian Press

Kathleen Wynne Calls Out Children Of Tim Hortons Founders For Slashing Employee Benefits The tiff follows the rise in Ontario’s minimum wage. MARK BLINCH/REUTERS Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne speaks in Toronto on Dec. 12, 2016. TORONTO — The premier of Ontario lashed out at the children of Tim Hortons’ billionaire co-founders on Thursday for reducing the benefits of their employees in response to the latest minimum wage increase, calling it a “clear act of bullying.” K a t h l e e n Wy n n e s a i d i f Ron Joyce Jr., whose father co-founded the coffee shop chain, was opposed to the Liberal government’s decision to raise the minimum wage, he should have picked a fight with her, not the workers. “I’d be happy if this man were making a statement about the

government or about the policy,” she said. “What I think is really unfair, and where I think the bullying comes in, is that he’s taking this out on his employees. He’s behaving in a way that I think is so unfair to his employees, people who are trying to make ends meet.” Wynne says ‘fairness’ is her goal: In a letter sent late last month, Joyce Jr. and his wife, Jeri Horton-Joyce — daughter of the company’s other co-founder, Tim Hortons, told employees at two Tim Hortons restaurants they own in Cobourg, Ont., that as of Jan. 1, they would no longer be entitled to paid breaks, and would have to pay at least half of the cost of their dental and health benefits. The couple said the measures were aimed at helping their company — Ron Joyce Jr. Enterprises Ltd. — offset the cont’d on pg. 16

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

Ontario Tory Leader Patrick Brown resigning amid allegations of sexual misconduct Paola Loriggio, Party leader. He did not accept that advice,” his chief of staff, deputy campaign manager and campaign manager said in a joint statement.

TORONTO -Ontario’s Opposition leader is stepping down amid allegations of sexual misconduct, dealing a severe blow to his party just months before the province heads to the polls. Patrick Brown announced the decision in a statement issued early Thursday morning, following a hastily-called news conference in which the Progressive Conservative leader “categorically” denied what he called “troubling allegations” about his conduct and his character. In the statement, Brown said that after consulting with caucus, friends and family, he decided to step down as leader but would stay on as a member of the provincial legislature to clear his name. He said “these allegations are false and have been difficult to hear” and that defeating Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne in the upcoming provincial election is “more important than one individual.” Brown’s political future as Ontario’s Opposition leader was thrown into turmoil Wednesday as the allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against him prompted calls for his resignation. In his late-night news conference, a visibly emotional Brown said he was made aware of the allegations hours earlier, but did not provide details on what those allegations were. He said he would defend himself in the court of law. “I can’t speculate on the motive of my accusers, I can only say that what they are saying is categorically untrue,” the 39-year-old politician said. CTV News reported that two women have come forward with graphic sexual misconduct allegations against Brown that date back to when the Opposition leader was a federal MP. The broadcaster did not name the women, who alleged the incidents happened at Brown’s home in Barrie, Ont., after they had been drinking in his presence. Brown was not drinking at the time, the women told CTV News. The report said one of the women, who is now 29, claimed she was still in high school when Brown allegedly asked her to perform oral sex on him. The other woman said she was a university student working in Brown’s constituency office when he sexually assaulted her at his home after an event she helped organize, CTV News reported. The woman said she did not report the alleged incident to authorities. CTV News said it had viewed

Patrick Brown records of correspondence between Brown and the women. None of the allegations have been proven in court. Politicians of all stripes were quick to weigh in, with the leader of Ontario’s New Democrats calling for Brown to step down. “I’m disgusted and disturbed by these sexual misconduct allegations,” Andrea Horwath said in a statement. “Patrick Brown must resign, immediately. He deserves his day in court, but no person can lead a political party in this province with allegations like these hanging over his head.” Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne praised the women who made the allegations, saying on Twitter that it is “a difficult and brave thing to do to come forward in the way these young women have done tonight.” Wynne said her government has made it clear that sexual assault and harassment are not to be tolerated but did not comment on Brown directly. Provincial and federal Conservatives also denounced sexual misconduct and harassment. “The allegations against the leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives are extremely serious and should be investigated fully,” federal Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer said in a statement. Progressive Conservative Lisa MacLeod, a member of the Ontario legislature, said everyone “has the right to be free from unwelcome behaviour or advances.” Even before Brown’s decision to resign, speculation began swirling as to who might replace him as PC leader should he step down. MacLeod, Christine Elliott and Caroline Mulroney were mentioned as possible candidates to take on Wynne in June. Brown’s comments were also followed by a flurry of resignations from his top staff members, who said on Twitter they were stepping down over the leader’s handling of the situation. “Earlier today, all three of us became aware of allegations about Patrick Brown. After speaking with him, our advice was that he should resign as PC

Vic Fedeli Named Interim Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader The Nipissing MPP is the party’s finance critic.

“Since our view is that this advice was in the best interest of the PC Party, we have therefore resigned our positions.” The party’s press secretary also announced he was leaving his post. Ontario PC deputy leaders Sylvia Jones and Steve Clark later issued a joint statement on the party’s website saying they “unanimously agree” that Brown cannot continue as leader. They said while Brown is entitled to due process, “he cannot lead us into an election.” Jones and Clark said the PC caucus would “immediately consult with party officials and members on best way to move forward.” Brown repeatedly denied the allegations against him and said he had instructed his lawyers to ensure that they are addressed in court. He noted that “it’s never OK” for anyone to feel they have been a victim of sexual harassment or feel threatened in any way. “I reject these accusation in the strongest possible terms,” Brown said. “This is not how I’m raised. This is not who I am.” He did not take questions from reporters and left immediately after making his statement. Brown has been leading in the polls as Ontario heads to a provincial election this summer. He was first elected as federal MP in 2006 as part of the Conservative government after serving as a Barrie city councillor. He was re-elected twice, once in 2008 and again in 2011. During his time in Ottawa, Brown served as a backbench MP in Stephen Harper ’s government and has been frequently criticized by political opponents for voting in favour of reopening the abortion debate. He won the PC leadership in 2015, beating long-time Ontario legislator and favourite Christine Elliott. Since he has become party leader, Brown has attempted to broaden the appeal of his the party, going as far as to say social conservative issues were off-limits at the PC policy convention last fall. Brown says he is pro-choice and more recently has led Pride parade delegations. The Canadian Press

Ontario PC party interim leader Vic Fedeli speaks after a caucus meeting at Queen’s Park in Toronto on Jan. 26, 2018 TO R O N TO — O n t a r i o ’s Progressive Conservatives have appointed an interim leader to replace Patrick Brown, who resigned in the face of sexual misconduct allegations. Vic Fedeli, 61, was selected by the PC caucus during a meeting Friday morning, but it’s not immediately clear if he will lead the party in the scheduled June provincial election. Fedeli is the party’s finance critic and represents the northeastern Ontario riding of Nipissing in the provincial legislature. The Tory caucus erupted i n a p p l a u s e a s F e d e l i ’s appointment was announced, with members chanting his name as reporters entered the room. Asked how he was feeling about the appointment, Fedeli said “fabulous”.

Brown announced his resignation as party leader early Thursday, hours after emphatically denying what he called “troubling allegations” about his conduct and his character. The allegations, which have not been independently verified by The Canadian Press, were made by two women who spoke to CTV News. Fedeli has called Brown’s alleged actions “deplorable.” He also said, however, that he “never saw anything that would have indicated any activity such as that” during the time he spent with Brown. Fedeli entered politics in 2003 when he was elected mayor of his home town, North Bay, Ont. He served two terms as mayor before running, and winning a seat, for Ontario’s PCs in 2011. The Canadian Press

Africa’s silent killer: Lack of elective surgery Patients undergoing surgery in Africa are more than twice as likely to die following an operation than the global average, research in the Lancet medical journal reveals. But researchers said the most worrying revelation was just how few Africans undergo elective surgery - surgery that is scheduled in advance. The number of these operations is 20 times fewer than the real need. They called the deficit a “silent killer”.

Prof Bruce Biccard, a co-author of the study from the University of Cape Town, told the Guardian the main problem is insufficient medical staff to spot complications. “[The reason] that people do so terribly in Africa from a surgical point of view is that there are just no human resources,” he said. It was the largest study of its kind ever undertaken in Africa, and included 25 countries. BBC World

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 41 6 - 9 1 6 - 37 0 0

The Ghanaian News January 2018

IMMIGRATION AND SOCIAL ISSUES By: James A. Kwaateng, B.A. (Hons), LLB (Hons)

The probable consequences of failing to declare family members on applications Failing to declare family members on applications could be characterized as a form of misrepresentation. The Immigration Act has misrepresentation provisions to ensure that applicants provide complete, honest and truthful information to the Immigration authorities when applying for entry into Canada. Misstated facts and fraudulent documents constitute the bulk of cases of misrepresentation in Immigration matters. Whenever necessary, the misrepresentation provisions of the Act are used to deny visas at visa offices abroad and admission at ports of entry to foreign nationals. Misrepresentation could also constitute basis for removal of foreign nationals once in Canada and for refusing inCanada applications. Section 40 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) that deals with inadmissibility as related to misrepresentation is applicable whether an application is made abroad, at the port of entry

or inside Canada. This puts applications for permanent residence, temporary residence, student and work permits; and renewals and extensions of status within the ambit of the section. Even if the misrepresentation is made by a permanent resident who has become a Canadian citizen, there is the possibility of revoking his citizenship pursuant to the Citizenship Act if the misrepresentation was made in order to obtain permanent resident status. Such a person could also lose his permanent resident status. Subsection 64(3) of the Act

limits the right of appeal for sponsors of family class members who make misrepresentations on applications for permanent residence, only to cases of the spouse, commonlaw partner or dependent child of the sponsor. This underscores the importance the Immigration attaches to provision of complete, honest and truthful information, and the seriousness they attach to acts of misrepresentation. Under section 40 of the Act, persons who misrepresent or withhold material facts, either directly or indirectly, relating to a relevant matter that induces or could induce an error in the administration of the Act, are inadmissible to Canada. Refusing to answer questions could also be characterized as a form of misrepresentation because that can deny the fact finder access to the truth. The misrepresentation must not necessarily be wilful or intentional. Thus, an applicant who asks a

relative to obtain information in support of an application cannot be exonerated if the information tends out to be false. The applicant could therefore be inadmissible for misrepresentation for submitting false document despite the fact he was not the one who fabricated the evidence. Certain situations would indisputably constitute misrepresentation. This could include an applicant failing to disclose that he recently applied for a visa to Canada; failure to disclose a criminal record; failure to disclose family members; failure to disclose a previous removal order; including a nephew in your application as a son; misrepresenting ages; a skilled worker applicant submitting a false education certificate; and failure to disclose changes in marital status or changes in material facts in the course of the application. The relevancy or materiality of the misrepresentation made is very important. If the

misrepresentation prevented or could have prevented the officer from doing the right thing he should have done, it could be said to be material. Misrepresentation becomes material only when it affects the process undertaken or the final decision. With respect to failure to declare a family member, if there were compelling reasons for the failure to declare, then humanitarian and compassionate factors may be considered in the application. However, a prospective sponsor may be putting his own status at risk because if the act leads to a misrepresentation finding, it can eventually cost him his status. Seek professional advice on such issues. James A. Kwaateng is an Immigration Law practitioner with offices located at 168A Oakdale Road, Suite 4, Toronto, Ontario. For a thorough discussion of your immigration and related social and legal issues, contact him at telephone number (416) 743-2758 and book an appointment with him.

Kathleen Wynne Calls Out Children Of Tim Hortons Founders For Slashing Employee Benefits cont’d from pg. 14 $2.40 hourly rate jump. Wynne, who faces a tough bid for re-election this spring, has staked her political future on policies like the minimum wage plan. “When I read the reports about Ron Joyce, Jr., who is a man whose family founded Tim Hortons, the chain was sold for billions of dollars, and when I read how he was treating his employees, it just felt to me like this was a pretty clear act of bullying,” she said. This is really not a decent thing to be doing in a place as wealthy as Ontario.Kathleen Wynne Wynne has talked for months about themes of fairness and opportunity in Ontario’s growing economy with the caveat that some workers are being left behind. The premier has said her minimum wage plan, which saw the rate jump from $11.60 an hour to $14 an hour this week, is about helping low income earners. It will increase another dollar to $15 on Jan. 1, 2019. The plan has angered

many in the business community, who say they don’t object to the increase itself but the speed with which it is being implemented. While the changes announced by Joyce Jr. are not a violation of Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, Wynne said she wants him to reverse the decision. “I hope that he understands this is really not a decent thing to be doing in a place as wealthy as Ontario,” she said. “I hope he recognizes that his employees need to be treated decently.” In their letter to employees, Joyce Jr. and his wife complained about “lack of assistance and financial help” from Tim Hortons’ head office and the government. More from HuffPost Canada: “We apologize for these changes,” the letter, widely circulated on social media, read. “Once the costs of the future are better known we may bring back some or all of the benefits we have had

to remove.” A spokeswoman for the Great White North Franchisee Association, a group created last year to give voice to the concerns of some Tim Hortons franchisees, declined to comment on the letter and said the Joyce family would not be making a comment to media. But the association’s board of directors released a statement Thursday saying Ontario’s Liberal government has put its members in a “difficult situation” by implementing the minimum wage increase. Along with the wage bump, the legislation which introduced it also includes increased costs to pension, employment insurance, and vacation pay contributions which must be paid by employers, the statement said. “It is the goal of GWNFA and its members to mitigate job losses if at all possible, and as a result, franchisees have been forced to take steps to protect their businesses in this new fiscal reality brought on by these substantial labour cost increases.”Canadian Press

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

Saint Valentine’s Day By Jonathan Baah Annobil, Toronto Saint Valentine’s Day, also known as Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is observed on February 14 each year. It is celebrated in many countries around the world, although it remains a working day in most of them. St. Valentine’s Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. Several martyrdom stories were invented for the various Valentines that belonged to February 14, and added to later martyrologies. A popular hagiographical account of Saint Valentine of Rome states that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, during his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. An embellishment to this story states that before his execution he wrote her a letter signed “Your Valentine” as a farewell. Today, Saint Valentine’s Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion, as

well as in the Lutheran Church. The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates Saint Valentine’s Day, albeit on July 6th and July 30th, the former date in honor of the Roman presbyter Saint Valentine, and the latter date in honor of Hieromartyr Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni). In Brazil, the Dia de São Valentim is recognized on June 12. The day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as “valentines”). Valentine’s Day symbols that are

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Ushering the New Year at the Apostles’ Continuation Church

Apos Charles Anokye Manu and other Pastors Apos Anokye-Manu and some Elders

Celebrating the New Year with praises Cross section of congregation

Song ministration

Congregation

The Ghanaian News January 2018

Year 2017 in Review cont’d from pg. 1 • The Ghana Methodist Church Montreal donates food items to a charitable organization Bon DieuDansLa Rue. • The Church of Pentecost Mckeown District celebrated Valentine Day at Panemonte Banquet & Convention Centre Toronto. • Ontario Premier Wynne participates in Black History Month reception at Queens Park Legislature, Toronto. • Afroglobal Television first annual Black History Month reception at Pricewaterhouse Coopers head office in Toronto. • Ghana’s SarfoAntwi wins gold in Men’s 60 meters final at the international Athletics Grand Prix.

March 2017 • Complaints against Ghana’s Missions abroad addressed at Toronto Town hall meeting. • Comprehensive celebration of Ghana@ 60 in Toronto Canada. • Ghanaian community in Manitoba marks Ghana @60 with Flag-Raising Ceremony at City Hall and a Super Banquet at Canad Inns, Regent. • Canada’s Auditor-General Beverley Romeo-Beehler uncovers evidence of bid-rigging on some Toronto city contracts. • Ghana-born medical student, Nancy Abu-Bonsrah achieves milestone at top US University. • 200 Ghanaians join class of dollar millionaires in 2016 report. • US ambassador Robert P Jackson launches Ghana Integrity Initiative consortium corruption survey.

• Liberals table legislation to legalize pot by July 2018. • Alhaji Dr. Bawumia Vice President of Ghana declares that his government in 100 days has chalked 103 achievements. • President Akufo-Addo held historic meeting with three of Ghana’s former presidentsJohn Agyekum Kufuor, Jerry Rawlings and John Mahama at the Flagstaff House. • Special inauguration of Children’s choir at the Ghanaian Presbyterian Church Toronto. • The Apostolic Church International held a marriage seminar at their premises with Doris Osei Bonsu of Ghanaian News as speaker. • Future of Women’s Leadership Forum organized in Fairmont Royal York Hotel Toronto. • Mama Florence Afriyie Otchere launches new album “ Hwe Nea Yesu Aye Wo” her debut album in Toronto. • All Nations University, Koforidua’s quest into space technology takes a giant step • Visa fraud: UK bans 4 Ghanaian MPs for 10 years. • Jonathan Mensah claims title of highest paid Ghanaian player Major League Soccer (MLS) $844,000 per year including bonuses.

• Prime Minister Trudeau defends women’s right to choose on International Women’s Day • HERstory in Black shares the experiences of Ontario 150 women who excel in their fields including 8 women from the Ghanaian community. • Ghana to build first International Pediatric Cancer Centre announced. • 30 Days of Prayer and Fasting ends at the Apostles’ Continuation Church. • Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Anthony Owusu, National Head of Church of Pentecost, cut the sod to begin work on its new church complex. • The Primate of Anglican Church Canada, the Most Rev. Frederick James Hiltz worshipped with the Ghanaian Anglican Church Toronto. • NPP Montreal Chapter holds victory party. • Manitoba’s Government and Legislature honors Ghana’s Independence celebration by hosting a delegation from the Ghanaian Community at the Provincial Legislature. • Ghanaians in Vancouver mark Ghana@60 independence with gala. • Ghana Friendship Association of Edmonton (GFAE) celebrates Ghana 60th independence anniversary. • Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Calgary celebrates Ghana@60. • Disaster! Falling Tree kills 20, injures 30 at Kintampo waterfalls. • FIFA bans Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey for life.

May 2017 • Ghanaian community in Toronto launches Homecoming outreach. • North America Mission Diocese of Ghana Methodist Church inaugurated in Toronto. • Ghanaian Women’s Fasting and Prayer Conference 15th anniversary celebration held in Toronto. • Major Maxwell Mahama allegedly lynched and burnt to death by the youth of Diaso in the Central Region of Ghana. • Seidu Mohammed who lost his fingers to frostbite while crossing into Manitoba from USA granted asylum in Canada. • Africa Day Flag raising ceremony at Queens park, Toronto. • Andrew Scheer elected Conservative Party of Canada Leader. • Apostles’ Continuation Church Worship Centre (English Service) celebrates 2nd anniversary. • All Nations International Development Agency (ANIDA) celebrated 20 years of formation. • The Apostolic Church International Canada hosted National Conference of Apostolic churches in Canada and abroad. • Mali beat Ghana to retain U17 African soccer championships.

• Ghana@60 celebrations held in Ottawa.

June 2017 April 2017 • Prime Minister Trudeau declares at HarryJerome Awards 2017 in Toronto that Racism and inequality still exist in Canada • US to deport 7000 Ghanaians according to US ambassador. • Balanced Ontario budget offers free youth drug plan and taxing powers. • Ghana selected for malaria vaccine pilot program by World Health Organization (WHO).

• Canada named “most reputable country” in time for 150th birthday. • President Akufo-Addo swears in new Ghana Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo. • Canada issues $10 note to celebrate 150 years of confederation. • Pastor Boniface Dawee Keelson inducted as pastor of Lighthouse Assembly of God Toronto. • Bellaa Tee launches new CD at Presbyterian Church Toronto. • Ahmadiyya Muslims break a fast with National Ethnic Press & Media cont’d on pg. 23

The Ghanaian News January 2018

Year 2017 in Review

cont’d from pg. 22 Council of Canada at City Hall Toronto.

• Joint service and barbeque of Ghanaian Anglican Church and St. Mary & Martha Anglican Church in Toronto.

• Ghana wins three-year maritime boundary dispute case against Ivory Coast. • Invictus Games 2017 opened in Toronto. In attendance were: Gov. General the Rt. Hon. David Johnson, P.M Justin Trudeau, Britain’s Prince Harry, America First Lady Melania Trump, Premier Kathleen Wynne and Mayor John Tory.

July 2017 • Ghanaian News Team of four attended Ghana Diaspora Homecoming Summit in Accra Ghana.

October 2017

• The Ghanaian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce & Diaspora Engagement Think Tank launched in Toronto.

• Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA) embarked on 5 city Housing exhibition in Canada.

• President Akufo-Addo assures diasporans that Ghanaians living abroad will vote in next elections in Ghana.

• Ghanaian Women’s prayer Conference presented items to York Regional Police for the Caribbean Hurricane Relief.

• Bank of Canada hikes interest rate for the first time in 7 years.

• 21.9% Canadians are immigrants, the highest in 85 years, according to StatsCan.

• Ghana Union and Ghanalinx Foundation receive wheelchair and medical supplies donation from Mr. Kris Roopnarine of Brampton. • 1st annual Ghanaian-Canadian Games and Recreational Day marks Canada’s 150 years celebration in Brampton, Ontario. • Ghana Export-Import Bank board inaugurated in Accra, Ghana. • Living Word Assembly of God Church dedicates new acquired land and celebrates Ghana-Canada Day. • 21st anniversary celebration and official opening of Manse of Ghana Calvary Methodist United Church Toronto. • Canada@150 and Ghana Republic Day Grand Picnics by Ghanaian Communities in Montreal and Winnipeg

August 2017 • National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC) opened its booth at Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto. • Pastor Oppong Damson elected the new Ministerial Secretary of the Ontario Conference of the SDA church.

• Mr. Thomas Frank Kwashikpui Seshie appointed as the new Consul-General of Ghana for Toronto. • Ghana Trade Mission visited Toronto. • Rev. Dr. Charles B.Mantey publishes second bookUnderstanding Love, Biblical & Cultural Perspectives. • Women’s Courage Awards and Fundraiser 2017 held at Sheraton hotel, Toronto.

November 2017 • 28 Ghanaian-Canadians honored at an extravaganza ceremony in Toronto. • Jonathan BaahAnnobil of Ghanaian News Radio receives NEPMCC award City Hall Toronto.

& at

• Ghana’s 2nd Lady Samira Bawumia graces GTV Ntoma dance in Toronto.

• 7th annual African Day held by African SDA in Toronto.

• African Development Bank launches Youth Advisory Group to create 25 million jobs.

• GaDangbe Association of Toronto ended the Homowo 2017 festival with a dinner/dance.

• Windsor doctor Dr. Mark Awuku named Ontario Pediatrician of the year.

• Good News International Church headed by Apostle Daniel Oduro opened Jane & Finch Intergenerational Computer Literacy project for minority seniors.

• 3rd annual Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) North York award ceremony held

• African focus service and Family Day at New Apostolic Church at Rexdale. • Ghanaian News interviews Obrempong Appiah Nuamah, Omanhene of Twifu Traditional Area and a member of Council of State in Accra. • Ghanafest 2017 held at Earl Bales Park Toronto. • The African-Canadian Social Development Council’s summer barbeque for leaders at Downsview Dells Park Toronto.

• Bright Simons from Ghana among 4 winners of the Eliasson Global Leadership Prize for his ability to integrate technology. • Asuom Association of Toronto donates surgical equipment to Asuom Health Centre. • Emmanuel Ayiku, Publisher/Editor of Ghanaian News was guest speaker at a symposium by African- Canadian Social development Council on Youth and violence. • Kwahuman Cultural Association of Toronto swears in new executives led by its President Steve Adjekumhene.

September 2017 • H.E. Joseph AyikoiOtoo presented his Letter of Credence to the Gov. General of Canada, the Rt. Hon. David Johnson at Rideau Hall, Ottawa. • Miss Zina Isaach crowned Miss Ghanaian-Canadian Queen 2017. • Impact Lives Church of Toronto celebrates 25 years of impacting lives. • Visitors and Cultural Sunday Eucharistic service at Methodist Church Ghana Toronto. • Evangel Assembly of God Church holds annual women’s week. • Ghanaian News embarked on business tour of Edmonton and Calgary. • Last Days Pentecostal Ministries grand opening of new Sanctuary in Toronto.

December 2017 • Ghanaian News receives distinguished service award at the NEPMCC end of the year party in Toronto. • Prof. Michael Baffoe of Ghanaian News installed chief in Ghana. • Premier Wynne says Ontario parents to enjoy free medications for their children. • Human Rights Court in Ghana clears Ghanaians in diaspora to vote in 2020 and orders the Electoral Commission to put measures in place within six months. • President Akufo-Addo launches $1.5b Marine Drive Project. cont’d on pg. 32

The Ghanaian News January 2018

Ghanaian Presbyterian Church End-of-Year Dinner at Rose Garden Banquet Hall, Finch/Hwy 27 Sunday December 25, 2017

Fred Apraku, Clerk of Session and family

From Left: Gloria Prempeh (3rd place), Charlotte Cudjoe (2nd place) Kwame Tieku (1st Place)

Kwame Tieku (2nd left) receiving 1st place award Saturday born from Dr. La-Kumi

Rev. Raymond Abekah and family

Gloria Prempeh receiving an award (3rd) Wednesday born. Looking on Sam Awuku Chairperson planning Câ€™ttee

Rev. Fr. Korsah presenting the award to Charlotte Cudjoe (2nd) Thursday born

Group of some members

Cross section of church members

At the dinner

Some church members

Some of the church elders

Cross section of church members

Church members at the reception

Cross section of members

The Ghanaian News January 2018

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

JP Morgan coming to Ghana will boost banking industry Credit risk consultant and Banker, Emmanuel Akrong expects the arrival of JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) in Ghana, to improve the standard of banking service in the country.

would target Ghana and Kenya, two countries in which local regulators have previously blocked the U.S. banking giant’s expansion plans, according to media reports at the time.

The CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co Jamie Dimon, revealed in an interview on Wednesday (January 26, 2018) that, the bank plans to expand its African presence into countries including Ghana and Kenya.

Emmanuel Akrong in an interview with Citi Business News mentioned that JP Morgan’s world class culture will help raise the standard of banking in Ghana.

Mr. Dimon said the bank

“Overall the arrival of JP Morgan Chase and Co is welcome news.

It’s good for the banking sector. They’re going to bring their world class customer service to Ghana. The local banks will get the opportunity to learn from their best practices to grow.”

planning to expand its branches and operations worldwide with an investment portfolio of 20 billion dollars.

The company had earlier announced that it will spend the Mr. Akrong added that the bank’s said amount over five years. arrival will further boost the level of competition in banking JP Morgan Chase & Co which industry in Ghana. is one of the biggest financial services company in the world JP Morgan’s plan of expansion declared 96.7 billion dollars in revenue in 2016. The CEO, Mr. Dimon went on to explain that JP Morgan is The company is set to raise hourly

pay for a portion of its workforce, is due to tax breaks, reduced add jobs and open 400 branches regulation and an improved in new U.S. locations. business climate in the U.S that have made it possible to make the The move, the bank explains changes. Citi News

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 41 6 - 9 1 6 - 37 0 0

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

Ghana to construct an iconic tower in Tema Ghana would soon construct an iconic tower at the Centre of the World in Tema in the Greater Accra Region as a way of attracting tourists to the country and rake-in more revenue for the State. The iconic tower would uniquely identify Ghana, which would be similar to that of the Liberty Statue in New York, USA, the Eiffel Tower in France and the Guddingburg Tower in Germany. Madam Catherine Ablema Afeku, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, made the disclosure when she took her turn at the Meet-the-Press Series in Accra.

would be marketed locally and globally to attract people to have their weddings and engagements there, advertise goods manufactured locally, as well as link the Centre to the rest of the world so as to rake-in more revenue for the State.

She said the Ministry would collaborate with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the Tema Gulf Club and the Tema Community Presbyterian Church under the auspices of the Ghana Development Tourism Company, to construct the tower as part of the Centre of the World Project. She said Ghana was the centre of the World, which is the Greenwich Meridian. “It was determined by the powers and the authorities at a meeting which took place almost a century before Ghana became a nation,” she stated. Madam Afeku said people often

Madam Catherine Ablema Afeku visited the Tema Presbyterian Church to pray at the Centre of the World, while Ghana’s First President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah use to go there when he was alive once a year for spiritual retreats. The Minister said the project

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“For instance, the Tema Golf Course could be accredited to host golf tournaments at the Centre of the World through a Memorandum of Understanding and transform the Golf Club into a first-class golf resort, transform the Presbyterian Church at the Centre into a religious tourism site and develop passenger and cruise ship terminal and also construct an iconic tower there,” she stated. The Minister said Ghana would host the West Africa Integrated

Travel Forum between 17 and 19 of March, this year, in Accra. She said the forum would provide a common platform for tourist administrators in the West African Sub-region to share ideas and find a common ground in takling the challenges confronting the tourism industry. She said the forum would help players in the tourism industry to have a common understanding in ensuring flow of tourists across countries in the West African Sub-region. “When we plan together as a region, we improve our tourism revenue because our friends in East Africa are doing it and so we want to replicate that because they have multiple destinations, which enabled tourists to visit all tourist centres with seamless visa

controls,” she said. Madam Afeku said the Government’s vision was to make Ghana a tourism destination hub; therefore, all efforts were geared towards investing in projects that would help achieve that feat. She stated that, the Accra Tourist Information Centre had been renovated and would soon be commissioned as a convention and business bureau with the aim of attracting major events to Ghana. The Minister said the Centre had three major restaurants to promote Eat-Ghana initiative and a Customer-Call Centre where both domestic and foreign tourists could make enquires on various tourist destinations in the country. GNA

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

“To all passing souls from 2017-2018” Sorry for the lost By: Stephen A.Quaye, Toronto Members of the Ghanaian community in foreign destinations who have received the shock of their lives following the passing souls of our brothers and sisters in United States of America [U.S.A], Toronto-Canada and in Accra, Ghana, should send their condolences to the bereaved families and comfort the children in this painful moment. The Ghanaian community should be reminded that, “Coroners dislike you telling the public someone committed suicide before conducting their investigations to establish the cause of death”.

Even if one has evidence or cause of death, he has to report to the police for investigation and findings released to the court and the deceased family. Contrary to this, suspected persons these days quickly take to social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp and post unsubstantiated cause or details of death when someone passes away which is not acceptable as the law frowns on such criminal act. DEATH. According to the William Webster’s dictionary, death is simply defined as the action or fact of dying or being killed, the end of life of a person. In other words, the removing of human being from the earth or non-

existence of a person in the world either by fair or foul means or either by natural way or personal way. The medical practitioners also describes death as the, “irreversible cessation of all vital functions especially as indicated by permanent stoppage of the heart, respiratory when the brain activity come to an end of life”. New Science magazine in 2007, pondered the subject in great depth as it discussed the various ways of meeting ones end, from being burned alive to drowning and decapitation. cont’d on pg. 47

Some of our community members who passed away in 2017

Victoria Hackman Acheampong - 2017

Adu Asabre Akyeampong

Dr. Jacob Boakye Nov 10, 2017

Ransford Owusu( a.k.a. Captain Moro Sept. 24, 2017

Lawyer Emmanuel Asare

Esther Donkor Jan. 23, 2017

Akwasi Yeboah Sept. 27, 2017

Emma Ama Duoduwaah Nyarko Jan 31, 2017

Ernest Twumasi Ankrah Feb. 21, 2017

Abigail Bafowaah 2017

Emmanuel Ntiri Dec. 11, 2017

Afia Birago Donkor Nov. 25, 2017

Rick Owusu Ansah April 11, 2017

Akwasi Owusu Mensah March 18, 2017

Anna Odeh, 2017

Mohammed Opoku Antwi 2017

Isaiah Anthony Michael Sarpong, Feb 11, 2017

Elizabeth Damoah Mensah, 2017

Emmanuel Ameyaw Aug. 5, 2017

Yaa Obiba Foriwaa Nov. 18, 2017

Robert Nathan Obeng March 19, 2017

Theresa Adwoa Mantey Sept 20, 2017

Paul Kwame Peprah (Omanhene) 65 yrs

Comfort Afram Anning Feb 27, 2017

Lawrence Attah Ofori Oct. 23, 2017

Grace Nyamekye 71 yrs

Joyce Asiamah June 24, 2017

Foster Buatsi Aug. 10, 2017

Emmanuel Oduro Yeboah March 8, 2017

Ida Ekua Arhin Nov 21 2017

Hayford Kumah February 15, 2017

Bennett Osah Mensah July 30, 2017

Kate Amoah 52 yrs.

Rev. Ohene Kena April 30, 2017

Hajia Mariam 48 yrs.

Franklin Opanin Kese Jan 15, 2017

Kwabena Appiah Arhin July 19, 2017

Theresa Atuobi Danso Oct. 25,2017

Kwame Boakye Dec. 28, 2017

Samuel Kwame Addai 53 yrs

May their souls rest in perfect peace Augustine Acheampong March 6, 2017

Evans Oppong Aug 21, 2017

Frank Kumi Aug 2017

Paul Sarkodee-Adoo (Sark) 71yrs. Sept 19, 2017

The Ghanaian News January 2018

Community Information PART-TIME DRIVER URGENTLY NEEDED Lighthouse Assembly of God is urgently looking for a part-time driver to drive Church bus on Sundays. Qualifications: • Must have any of the following valid licenses Class: B,D and E • Must have at least 2 years’ experience driving school bus or any bus carrying passengers If you meet the above qualifications, Please call any of the following numbers:

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

Kwame Despite builds children’s Once-In-A-Generation Tax Reform ward for 37 hospital as birthday gift Isn’t The Best Path To Fairness It would be far more effective to invest in ongoing, regular analysis of all major tax provisions.

The CEO of the Despite Group of Companies, Dr. Osei Kwame, has built a Children’s Block as his birthday present to the 37 Military Hospital. The completed ultramodern facility will be commissioned on 2nd February 2018, which happens to be his birthday.

• The Paediatric Pysiotherapy unit also has; two consulting rooms, a furnished rehabilitation gymnasium/ playroom, three washrooms, a kitchenette and a waiting area. • Also included in this complex are two extra private wards for general paediatric admissions.

The building which has already been named after the man known for his philanthropic works comes with:

The cost of the facility is not known yet.

• Paediatric Oncology (Cancer) unit, which comprises; two consulting rooms, a nurses’ reception station and office, a main ward for in-patients, a treatment area, a kitchenette, and five washrooms.

Mr Osei Kwame is widely known for his philanthropic works and the construction of the Children’s ward comes at a time when there is global call to curb child mortality. ghanaguardian. com

US sanctions Sierra Leone and Ghana businesses over Hezbollah links The US has levied sanctions against people and businesses in Sierra Leone, Ghana and Lebanon over their alleged links to Hezbollah. The six individuals and seven businesses affected are believed to be employed and owned by Adham Tabaja, one of Hezbollah’s most senior financiers. They are now subject to trade bans and asset freezes as part of the first of a series of US sanctions against the Lebanese Islamist militant group.

The Trump administration feels former President Barack Obama was too soft on Hezbollah, because he didn’t want to worsen relations with Iran, which supports the group. Today will be a “very bad day for” Mr Tabaja, a senior administration official told the news agency AFP, speaking anonymously. The financier is thought to operate across the Middle East and Africa, raising funds for Hezbollah. BBC

On the same day that Minister of Finance Bill Morneau clarified the federal government’s proposals to limit “income sprinkling” as a way for high-income owners of private companies to reduce their taxes, the Senate Finance Committee released its report recommending that all his tax changes should be scrapped. Instead, the Senate Committee recommended the government of Canada undertake an independent and comprehensive review of the tax system with the purpose of «reducing complexity, ensuring economic competitiveness and enhancing overall fairness.» CHRIS WATTIE / REUTERSFinance Minister Bill Morneau speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The last time Canada had such a comprehensive review was the Carter Royal Commission which reported in 1966 with many, but not all, of its recommendations finally implemented in legislation in 1972. This process took a decade from the start of the Royal Commission. The Senate Committee›s proposal, if taken seriously, looks very much like the proverbial «kicking the can down the road» — a massive delaying tactic. This is not to say that more in-depth review of Canada’s income tax system would be wrong. But instead of a massive “big bang” review as extensive as Carter, it would be more prudent to make ongoing in-depth analysis of various facets of the tax system a full-time activity of the Department of Finance. As Canada’s auditor general observed,

“information provided by the Department of Finance Canada on tax-based expenditures does not adequately support parliamentary oversight.” In some cases, these regular reviews could address more structural aspects of the tax system, as compared to the “tax-based expenditures” identified by the auditor general. The firestorm of protest that dogged Minister Morneau over the proposed changes in the taxation of private companies raises the broader question of just how individual and corporate income taxes should relate to one another. In tax jargon, the topic is corporate-personal income tax integration. TUMSASEDGARS VIA GETTY IMAGES Basic principles of income taxation require that incomes not be taxed twice: once when received by a corporation, and again when the income is paid out as salary or a dividend to individual shareholders. At the same time, income flowing through a corporation should not be under-taxed, compared to the way this income would be treated if it were received directly by individuals in the first place — precisely the concern being addressed by the controversial proposals recently detailed by the finance minister. A second possible focus could be the tax incentives for retirement savings in RRSPs and workplace “registered pension plans” (RPPs). In this case, the basic structure of comprehensive limits, one of the Carter commission’s original recommendations, was only implemented in 1990. But there are important questions about the overall costs of these incentives, and their targeting, as they are mostly used by those with cont’d on pg. 32

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Year 2017 in Review

• Richard Wagner sworn in as Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Canada. • New executives elected at the annual general meeting of the AfricanCanadian Social Development Council at North York Civic Centre. • 6 Presidents, business leaders nominated for African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year 2017 including H.E. Akufo-Addo of Ghana. • Billionaire couple found dead in their basement had been strangled, Canadian Police say. • The Church of Pentecost Canada, London Branch- musical concert in support of drug free society and mental health education in London, Ontario. • 3rd Food Drive & Cook Out to Evangel Hall by the Ghanaian Presbyterian Church in Toronto. • Bread price-fixing probe targeting at least 7 companies in Canada. • Toronto FC captures Major Soccer League Cup.

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

How Ghanaians welcomed the New Year 2018 with Church Services

Ghanaian Presbyterian and Anglican Churches

Ghana Methodist Church in Canada

Christ Redeemer Church

Glory Pentecostal Ministry of Toronto

The Apostolic Church International

The Ghanaian News January 2018

How Ghanaians welcomed the New Year 2018 with Church Services

Evangel Assembly of God

The Church of Pentecost

Trinity Baptist

St. Andrewâ€™s Catholic Church (Ghanaian congregation)

All Nations Full Gospel Church

The Ghanaian News January 2018

Community

y in pictures

The Ghanaian News January 2018

PEOPLE AND PLACES

Abetifi Okwahu Adonteng Club of Toronto Christmas Party Bistop Robert Kasum, CSB-Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto worshipped with the Ghanaian Congregation of St. Andreew’s Catholic Church on Sunday January 14, 2018

Group picture of Club members

Steven Nana Yaw Okyere son of Kwame Okyere and Comfort Akosua Okyere dedicated at Lighthouse Assembly of God on Sun. Jan. 14 2018

Bishop Robert Kasum CSB

Kwame and Akosua with baby Steven flanked by family and friends

Zumunta African Muslim Association of Canada (ZAMAC) End-of-Year Dinner

By Yahya Dikeni, Toronto

On Sunday, 25th December, 2017, the Zumunta Africa Muslim Association of Canada (ZAMAC) organised its annual dinner and fundraising event. In attendance were over 300 guests, both members and nonmembers including representatives and President of the Ghana Canadian cont’d on pg. 44

Alhaji Zubeiru Zugu President (middle) and other officials

Sheikh Sahmuddeen Saleh Harun, Chaplain B.C. Correction

From left: Hajia Salamatu Dawud, Hajia Mahriyatu Mohammed and husban Alhaji Hashiru

Group picture of men Group of women

Group picture of ZAMAC Executives and guests

ZAMAC Executives and North America Executives

The Ghanaian News January 2018

Evangel Assembly of God Christmas Dinner at Clairport Banquet and Convention Center on Sunday December 24, 2017

Some of the Church members at the dinner Rev. Milton Ofei and wife (center) opening the dance floor

Diana Nkansah on the dance floor with a member

Some of the church members Merry making at the party

Michael Ansu (2nd left) with other members

Merry making at the dinner

Dance, dance, dance

Some church members dancing

Rev. Milton Ofei and wife Priscilla Ofei (2nd left) and other members

Displaying their dancing skills

The Ghanaian News January 2018

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Frankly Speaking Health Tourism by Top Politicians in Ghana Must Stop Fix the Health Care system and stay home By: Dr. Michael Baffoe, Winnipeg, MB

It has become fashionable, status and badge of honor for top Ghanaian politicians, public officials and rich people to seek medical treatment outside the country when they are sick. Their favorite and top destinations for medical treatment are South Africa, Britain and the United States. Former rich politicians and the top thieves in the country also seek medical treatment in Dubai. The latest in this health tourism saga which has brought the issue to the fore once again is the recent reported illness of the Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who was quickly flown to London, England on Friday January 19th, 2018f or treatment. The government’s initial handling of the health status of the Vice President and his whereabouts created unnecessary rumors, arguments and tension in the country with the loudest noise coming from the members of the Opposition Party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The confusion started on Thursday January 18th when a terse statement was issued from the Communications Office at the Presidency that the Vice President had been taken ill and was resting at home, “on the advice of his doctors”. The very next day, rumors started flying on social media that the Vice President had been “rushed” out of the country for emergency treatment. This was true, but the President’s Communications Director, Eugene Arhin came out to deny the story saying that no communication has come from the Presidency to that effect. His actual words in his statement read as follows: “I have not authored or issued any statement stating that the Vice President travelled to the UK. It’s fake. Thank you”. He was lying, because four hours later an official Press Release was issued by the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. AkosuaFremaOsei Oparefrom the same Presidency announcing and confirming that Vice President Dr. MahamuduBawumia had indeed left the country for medical treatment abroad. Her exact words in the official communique read as follows: The Vice President of the Republic, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on Friday 18th December 2018, left Ghana for the United Kingdom on medical leave on the advice of his doctors. He was accompanied by the 2nd Lady, Hajia Samira Bawumia. The two statements above all came from the Presidency: one from the Communications Director and the other from the Chief of Staff to the President, one clearly lying and the other attempting to tell the truth in very few words as possible. By that time, Ghanaians had already made up their mind and had solid confirmation that the Second Gentleman of the Land was actually sick and his condition was such that no doctors in Ghana could treat him. So it was some of the same Ghanaian doctors who “advised” that he should seek treatment outside the country. Two days later the Minister of Information, Mustapha Hamid, added more salt to the wound by confirming that the Vice President had indeed being flown out of the country for medical treatment but that was to save him from unnecessary visits and harassment from his friends and family members. What kind of strange reasoning is that? This issue surrounding the health of the Vice President has generated so much hullabaloo with the Opposition NDC members tripping over each other as to who can make the most noise demanding “full disclosure” from the government on the “true” status of the health of the Vice President. These NDC guys amaze me especially the Koku Anyidohos, theAsieduNketias, the Okudzeto Ablakwas of this world, the Mohammed Muntaka Mubaraks and the Alhaji Suyihini (this guy is always angry about something). They have been so vocal in condemning the government for not providing adequate information on the health status of the Vice president. These guys and the whole NDC political party had forgotten that just five years ago, they had an elected

President named Prof. John Evans Attah Mills who fell ill for so many years and the same party and the people that are making the current noise refused to even acknowledge that the then President was ill. Even after his health condition deteriorated warranting a trip to the United States, the NDC and the same people named above were still denying that the then President was sick. They were so much bent on telling lies that when the then President Mills returned from the medical trip to the United States, they shamelessly got him to do an Azonto dance and jog on the tarmac at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra to show publicly that he was well. The three-minute exercise nearly killed the President that day, for he started talking through his nose immediately after. He never recovered until he mysteriously passed away in July, 2012. Till this day, the NDC and all the noisy guys named above, including the immediate past President, John Mahama, never explained to Ghanaians what killed their President. And the same guys have the nerve, the effrontery and impudence of the highest order to beat the current government on the head to provide “full disclosure” of the health status of the current Vice President only about twenty-four hours after it was officially announced that he was ill. It was tempting at some point in the confusion to agree with some of the current government officials’ assertion that if the NDC fully disclosed what killed President Attah Mills, they will also disclose the health status of

the current Vice President. The NDC guys should please spare us this arrogance, impudence and utter hypocrisy! So much about the background to this health hullaballoo of our top public officials. The big issue here is why government officials do not concentrate in fixing the broken health system in Ghana so that ALL citizens, rich or poor, public officials or private citizens will all have access to similar quality care that public officials constantly seek outside the country, surely at the expense of tax payers, and those trips and treatment abroad by the rich people in the country who actually, to all intents and purposes, stole the money with which they seek health care abroad, from public coffers. One sad case that comes to mind is that of former Finance Minister under President Kufour’s government, Hon. BaahWiredu who undertook a number of medical trips to South Africa and never returned alive. He could have been treated in Ghana, and maybe would have survived if he had used his position as Finance Minister who controlled all the public finances to fix the broken health care system in Ghana. He could have taken advantage of it when he got sick. I am by this piece calling on our leaders in Ghana to do less stealing of public funds and use more to fix our health care system so that ALL of the citizens of the country, rich, poor, politicians, public officials, thieves and good people will all access first class health care when they get sick in the treasured Land of Our Birth.

Africans: Yeah, Stop Whining And Fix Your “Shit Holes Now”. LET’S CHARGE OUR AFRICAN LEADERS AND POLICY MAKERS to live up to our expectations and potentials. Ye s , y o u h e a r d m e right, stop whining and find a way to fix your “shithole”—literally. Do you have any problem with that? I don’t think so! Just stay with me for a second and I’ll tell you why. I know I’m going to get a lot of flaks for this but you should get used to my writings by now. Truth hurts! In case you need a refresher on major news item, I want to weigh in on the President Donald Tr u m p ’s “ s h i t h o l e ” comment on Thursday afternoon, in a meeting on potential deal on immigration in United States. No one—absolutely, no one— in America really disputes the fact that we(Africans, Caribbean and Haitians) have invaded their country because of the poor policies, laziness, corruption, embezzlements, lack of accountability and other self-inflicted social ills that are working against our progress and

potentials at the home front. Now the question appears to be whether President Trump used the phrase ”shithole nations” to describe those countries or whether he used some other corrosive term. Either way, I think he was hundred percent right. OOPs! “Say what?” yeah I know you were expecting me to be mad, weren’t you? Sorry to disappoint you and rain in on your wishes. He’s a straight talker. We should be rather mad about lying to ourselves and trying to find a scapegoat— to inflate and massage our deflated egos and pride—for telling us the truth. Our leaders have shamefully put their heads between their thighs trying to attack the messenger of a true statement, instead of pledging and pleading to us and do everything and anything right so as to prevent the brain drain and the drowning in the high seas. In fact,

we have no pride and not willing to make the best use of our brains, time and natural resources at our disposal. Please don’t go anywhere because this is just to whet your appetite. Now here is the thing: Whatever word he used to describe his feelings and indignation towards immigrants, his intent was clear and on point. It was exactly what his base supporters (millions of Americans) who voted for him feel about us coming to invade their country. Tr u s t m e , a l o t o f people in United Sates of America—including some senators and congressmen and women— feel the same way about us. Fortunately or unfortunately, he is the only person who has the guts to say as it is .And I respect him for that. The bottom line is, behind the scenes— at their drinking parlors, barbershops, hair salons and dinner tables— they

question the legitimacy of so many African immigrants invading their country. By the way, how many immigrants from Norway, Sweden, Germany or France do you know who are dying to stay in United States of America? How many of them are busy crossing the ocean to come to Africa to die in the hostile wilderness? For one thing, I don’t think President Trump is a racist in the traditional sense. But I think he’s racially ignorant or insensitive to people because of his luxurious u p b r i n g i n g . H e ’s uninformed about a lot of things .Nevertheless; he speaks for the majority of Americans .So to single him out with racial tag is absurd. Oh, I heard that African Union is demanding an apology from president Trump, for allegedly referring to African nation as “shitholes”. cont’d on pg. 61

The Ghanaian News January 2018

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

Toronto budget calls for 20,000 new recreation program spaces in 2018 By Chris Fox “The new registration system will help us better manage the wait list but it doesn’t address the core problem of not enough spaces in programs,” Tory said. “Without adding more programs we won’t be able to reduce or eliminate the wait list.”

Mayor John Tory says that the city will create 20,000 new recreation program spaces in 2018 in an attempt to reduce and eventually eliminate a wait list that currently has about 70,000 names on it. In November, city council approved a plan to add 10,000 new recreation program spaces in 2018 and 25,000 in 2019 and 2020 but on Tuesday Tory told reporters that the proposed budget for 2018 includes $965,000 in additional funding to double the number of new spaces planned for 2018. He said that the spaces will be added to programs experiencing the highest demand, mainly swimming, skating and summer camps. “These community centres and the programs that go on inside of them are an indispensable part of people’s lives but as our city grows and more people decide to have families here and move here we have to make sure that these rec programs

keep up,” Tory said. Tory said that about 35 per cent of the new spaces will be allocated to programs in Scarborough, where the waiting lists tend to be the longest. The investment in new spaces comes as the city gets ready to roll out a new online platform for registering for the programs later this year. The introduction of that program comes in the wake of several interim changes made to boost the capacity of the previous system. Tory said those changes have helped improve what had become a “nightmareish” process for many parents but have not done anything to address the underlying issue of an insufficient number of spaces.

About 75 per cent of the city’s one million hours in recreation programming are offered free of charge. Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Community Development and Recreation Committee Chair James Pasternak said that the programming has become a “vital part of making Toronto a liveable city” and attracting newcomers here. “Ours must be a city that gets everyone into the game,” he said. “No benchwarmers, no wallflowers and no couch potatoes.” City council will vote on the proposed budget during a meeting scheduled for Feb 12-13. Cp24.com

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

Community Concerns

Zumunta African Muslim Association of Canada (ZAMAC) End-of-Year Dinner cont’d from pg. 38 Association, Mr. Emmanuel Duodo,and the Ghanaian News Agency. ZAMAC also welcomed dignitaries from its sister agencies in the USA, including the President of the Yankasa Association of New York, Abdul Salam Zion the President of the Kaskia Association of OhioMallamRabeuas well as the members of the Ghanaian Muslim Association in New Jersey. This incredibly successful event is held annually to bring ZAMAC members together to meet and greet and reflect on the association’s progress and forward-looking activities. The president, AlhajiZubeiruZugu took the opportunity to highlight on some key activities delivered throughout the year 2017. According to him, ZAMAC organised a summer barbecue, held Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr prayers, and hosted the Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana (Her Excellency, Hajia Samira Bawumia). ZAMAC also bought a spacious and permanent property to accommodate the increasing membership. It also received an award from the Ghanaian News Agency in Toronto for outstanding contributions in the diaspora. As part of the event, ZAMAC recognised the contributions of all members in making 2017 a year of fulfilment. Awards were presented to three key champions, who are in the persons

of: HajiaSalamatuDawud(Owner of Ghana,Guinea, Mali Restaurant ) and AlhajiHashiru and his wife HajiaMahriyatu Mohammed for their never-ending commitment and Doris Osei Bonsu, for preparing food for all ZAMAC programs. The president also expressed Crisis Counselor, Toronto words of appreciation to the ZarkinZango I feel compelled to write (Chief of the Association), Alhaji about a subject deemed Abdallah Abubakar Larry Maigaisuwa, taboo for some divorcees for always relenting much efforts to set especially men to talk about. I say that primarily up ZAMAC’s program venues ready because I have clients for kick-off. who have been to the brink of suicide and debated whether to end The dinner raised funds for the renovation their lives rather than suffer the humiliation of the new ZAMAC property. The fund and feelings associated raising was led by his eminence Sheikh with divorce. The actual Sahmuddeen Saleh Harun, who is divorce turns out to be the chaplain at the Ministry of Public the easy part. It is the emotional turmoil that Safety and Solicitor General of the is severely debilitating. BC Correction. The MC of the event Suicide, for some, seemed was Yahya Dikeni. Attendees donated easier than enduring the and pledged generous amount for the emotional roller coaster of rejection, fear and renovation of ZAMAC new property. anger. This fun-filled event afforded a unique opportunity for meeting families and friends and relaxing in an elegant and informal setting. The event was closed with marital advice from Lt. Col. DawudAgbere. He advises couples to “occasionally change the oil in their marriage engine” so as to strengthen an everlasting matrimonial bond. Afterwards, the Imam said closing prayers for a prosperous 2018 and beyond.

In some situations, the overwhelming nature of the situation can lead to one partner feeling hopeless and suicidal. In these situations, it is more often the person who feels aggrieved or abandoned who might feel suicidal rather than the person who has chosen to end the relationship.The person who made the decision to end the relationship has usually gone through a lengthy grieving and letting-go process, before leaving the relationship. And in most cases, they have already determined what their future will look like. They are much further along the journey of separation than the other partner. In contrast, while the person left behind might have been aware of conflict or problems within the relationship, it often comes as a shock when their partner leaves. In some instances, the aggrieved or abandoned partner may then directly blame the other, for the suicidal feelings they are having.Alternatively, the person who made the decision to end the relationship may in some way feel responsible or that they have done something to cause them to feel this way. It is important to understand that it is usually not their fault. Here’s the thing. You never know or realize how much emotional currency you have locked up in any relationship until it comes to an abrupt end. It is normal to expend a great amount of energy trying to salvage what you’re losing or have lost. In many ways, divorce is like going through death of a loved one.When you lose a spouse to death, emotional pain is expected, and there is a

Maritial break up and suicidal ideation

defined grieving process that can make your distress understandable to both yourself and to others. However, when a spouse is lost through divorce, many people find themselves without a clear roadmap for how to process both the loss itself and the development of a new life and identity separate from the marriage. While for some divorce is a relieving end to a dissatisfying relationship, even those happy to escape a bad marriage can underestimate the sense of loss they will feel. Divorce is not just a legal event, but a psychological and social process. It’s about two people who were in love and the trust and expectations they had for each other. You were waking up with that person. Now you have to change the whole way you live. It requires an enormous adjustment. For others, the disintegration of the relationship and the divorce itself can cause deep psychological distress that keeps you from moving forward. The common feelings of anger, resentment, confusion, fear, shame, and anxiety during and after divorce take up permanent residency in your emotional makeup and can wreak havoc on both your mental and physical health. This can be the case even if you were the one who chose to leave the marriage.Perhaps the most important part of surviving a divorce, h o w e v e r, i s t o g i v e yourself a chance to grieve for what you have lost. Perhaps you have not just lost a husband, but a lightbulb changer, a driver, and bread winner. You may also have lost your sense of identity and aspirations. You may have had an unhappy relationship, but you have also lost a dream: the idea that you would be together for ever. Never try to stop your grief; it’s a necessary reaction. You may find yourself isolating yourself from family and friends, experiencing deep i n s e c u r i t y, a c t i n g out in destructive and uncharacteristic ways, having intrusive thoughts, and feeling an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. Feelings of depression and anxiety may emerge and keep

you from experiencing pleasure or envisioning a joyful future for yourself. As divorce has become more common, the medical community has begun to recognize its destructive impact on both emotional and physical well-being, as well as the need for treatments specifically designed to support people who are struggling after divorce. Marriage breakup or divorce launches you into uncharted territory. Everything is disrupted: your routine and responsibilities, your home, your relationships with extended family and friends, and even your identity. A breakup also brings uncertainty about the future. What will life be like without your partner? Will you find someone else? Will you end up alone? These unknowns can often seem worse than being in an unhappy relationship. This pain, disruption, and uncertainty means that recovering from a breakup or divorce can be difficult and take time. However, it’s important to keep reminding yourself that you can and will get through this difficult experience or stage in life and move on with your life as a stronger and wiser person To successfully manage suicidal ideation, stress and unpleasant situations associated with divorce, consider the following tips: • •

Recognize that it’s OK to have different feelings. It’s normal to feel sad, angry, exhausted, frustrated, and confused—and these feelings can be intense. You may also feel anxious about the future. Accept that reactions like these will lessen over time. Even if the relationship was unhealthy, venturing into the unknown is frightening.

•

Give yourself a break. Give yourself permission to feel and to function at a less than optimal level for a period of time. You may not be able to be quite as productive on the job or care for others in exactly the way you were accustomed to for a little while. No one is superman or superwoman; take time to heal, regroup, and re-energize. cont’d on pg. 61

The Ghanaian News January 2018

Lifestyle Majority of Canadians don’t have a will: poll According to a new poll, 51 per cent of Canadians do not have a will. “A significant number say the reason they haven’t written a will is that they’re ‘too young’ to worry about it (25%),” a written statement by the Angus Reid Institute, which conducted the poll, said. “(A)nd almost as many say they don’t have enough assets to make a will worthwhile (23%).” According to the poll, another eight per cent said that the main reason they don’t have a will is that they “don’t want to think about dying.” The poll, which posed questions to 1,516 Canadians online, revealed that older Canadians (those over the age of 55) are nearly four times more likely than Canadians between the ages of 18 to 34 to have a will and twice as likely as those aged 35 to 54. Canadians with a household income of more than $100,000 are also much more likely to have a will than others (55 per cent, versus 49 per cent of those earning $50,000 to $99,000 and 44 per cent of those making less than $50,000) while men are more likely to have a will than women (53 per cent versus 46

per cent). The poll also found that residents of Quebec and British Columbia are the most likely to have wills (58 and 54 per cent) while those in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are the least likely (42 per cent). Not having a will, Winnipeg lawyer Lillian MacKenzie says, could leave your family in a bind. “I think people don’t like dealing with their mortality,” she told CTV Winnipeg. Dying without a will, she added, means that your property will be distributed based on a government-mandated formula -- and that could mean that important people in your life would be left with nothing. It also isn’t just loved ones that could be left in the lurch: charities often have endowment funds where willed money is banked and the interest is used to support their activities. “A lot of people do want to give to this community in their will,” United Way Winnipeg president and CEO Connie Walker said. “Those dollars are so important.” Creating a will, however, usually does not come cheaply,

costing anywhere from several hundred dollars to thousands depending on the complexity of your estate. Eighteen per cent of respondents to the poll claimed that expense is what has kept them from getting a will written. But spending that money now could save your family from a major headache once you pass. T h a t ’s s o m e t h i n g t h a t Rhonda Favreau, who works a t Wi n n i p e g ’s E l m w o o d Cemetery, knows all too well. “Working where I do,” she said, “I see a lot of families in disarray because they don’t have anything.” The survey was conducted on December 20 and 21, 2017, among a representative randomized sample of 1,516 Canadian adults who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding. With a report from CTV Winnipeg’s Jon Hendricks CTVNews.ca Staff

Top five things to know when travelling to Ghana During the day, the city is alive with rich history to explore The West-African gem that is Ghana is a much-loved destination for seasoned travellers and newbies alike. But for those newbies, it can be difficult to truly work out what you need when you come to travel. Is travelling to Ghana as simple as jumping on a flight and booking a decent hotel? Is there more to be done than simply packing a suitcase and jetting off? Well, that’s where we come in. We’ve pulled together the top five things you need to know before you travel to Ghana on your next break! You’ll need a vaccination Those who aren’t a fan of needles might not be too pleased to know that there is an immunisation required of travellers by Ghana. If you’ve never had a Yellow Fever jab in the past, it’s time for you to book

in with your GP and get one! Not only is it required by law when entering the country, but it’s important to keep you safe and healthy on your travels. All other immunisations are optional, but we suggest topping up on out of date immunisations anyway. After all, medical bills can be expensive when abroad, particularly if you do not have appropriate travel insurance. While payday loans from lenders such as Wizzcash are available in the case of an unexpected medical bill or other financial emergencies that you need quick funds for, being cautious with your health and safety while travelling is paramount in order to avoid any issues.

and at night. During the day, the city is alive with rich history to explore including the James Fort lighthouse that dates way back to the 1920’s, or if wildlife is more your style, there’s plenty of that too. Ghana has plenty of landscapes and parks to explore, including the Kakum National Park which was established by the local people to preserve the rare and endangered wildlife that call this rainforest their home. For a taste of the mountains, Ghana certainly doesn’t disappoint either. While there’s no Mount Kilimanjaro, Ghana is home to West Africa’s highest waterfall that is tucked comfortably in the folds of a mountain range for that picture-perfect exploration trip.

T h e r e ’s p l e n t y t o d o

Don’t drink tap water

Okay, so if you’ve done your research you may already know this, but Ghana really is a hub of activity both during the day

For the sake of staying fit and healthy while you’re in Ghana, avoid drinking water from taps. You can purchase cont’d on pg. 58

Keeping your New Year’s resolution to lose weight could dramatically reduce future cases of cancer

UCalgary researcher says ‘beating the bulge’ would have huge impact on our health system By American Association for Cancer Research, Cumming School of Medicine Staff

Reducing the number of overweight and obese Canadians by 50 per cent could potentially prevent a cumulative 59,829 cases of cancer by 2042, according to University of Calgary researcher Darren Brenner, PhD, who is part of a collaborative group from multiple institutions across Canada working together on the Canadian Population Attributable Risk of Cancer Project (ComPARe). “Our data provide alarming estimates of the consequences of inaction in Canada,” Brenner says. “The results of our research will inform policymakers, public health officials, and the Canadian population with targets to lower future cancer burden.” The goal of this research is to estimate how many new cases of cancer are caused by 25 different risk factors, including lifestyle factors such as diet, body size, and physical activity, and how many could be avoided over the next 30 years if changes in behaviours were made, Brenner says. “Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada, and several cancer types have strong associations with excess body weight; yet the number of Canadians who are overweight or obese is increasing,” says Brenner, assistant professor in the departments of oncology and community health sciences and member of the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute and O’Brien Institute of Public Health at the Cumming School of Medicine. Using population-level data and statistical approaches, Brenner and colleagues found that in 2011, 32.7 per cent of Canadians were overweight and 17.8 per cent were obese. While the number of overweight Canadians is

predicted to stay relatively the same over the next few decades, the rate of obesity is projected to increase, dramatically. “If current trends continue, by 2032, the prevalence of overweight and obesity will be 31.2 per cent and 27.9 per cent, respectively,” Brenner noted. Using data from 2012, the researchers estimated that 3,886 cancer cases for men and 4,740 cases for women were attributable to excess body weight. The researchers then projected that in 2042, 15,747 cancer cases for men and 10,312 cancer cases for women would be attributable to excess body weight. Brenner and his team then investigated how the trends in excess body weight could be influenced by effective interventions, he says. They found that if it is possible to intervene on excess body weight and reduce the prevalence of both overweight and obesity by just 10 per cent, a cumulative 11,966 cancer cases could be prevented by 2042. Furthermore, reducing the prevalence of both overweight and obesity in Canada by 25 and 50 per cent could prevent a cumulative 29,914 and 59,829 cancer cases by 2042, respectively. To encourage Albertans to reduce their risk of cancer, Brenner and his team have partnered with Alberta Health Services on a health promotion initiative called Alberta Prevents Cancer. The site provides information on preventable types of cancer and offers useful resources and lifestyle strategies to help reduce the risk of cancer. Brenner recently presented the findings at the American Association for Cancer Research Special Conference Obesity and Cancer: Mechanisms Underlying Etiology and Outcomes.

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 416-916-3700

The Ghanaian News January 2018

Good health better than riches – Bawumia Vi c e P r e s i d e n t D r. Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed gratitude to the Almighty Allah for healing him saying “good health is better riches.” Dr. Bawumia returned home Thursday night after a 12-day medical leave

in the United Kingdom. He left Accra to London on January 19, 2018, on the advice of his physician after being announced sick. At exactly, 08:04 hours, President Akufo-Addo,

accompanied by his wife Rebecca AkufoAddo drove onto the tarmac at the Kotoka International Airport to receive Dr Bawumia who arrived on board British Airways airline. After announcing his

return to work in a Facebook post Friday aimed at expressing his “sincere gratitude” to Ghanaians for their prayers and support while away on medical leave, Dr. Bawumia joined the National Chief Imam Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu

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He continued, “I’m so grateful to Ghanaians from all walks of life, and religion for the prayers that they have done on my behalf when I took a medical leave. I’m so thankful and grateful for their prayers and I’m happy that I have come back Insha Allah [God willing] ready to continue work.”

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

Police officer takes GHS10,000 to free robbers A police officer has confessed to taking GHS10,000 from a parent of one of two robbers, who were jailed for a robbery incident. The officer – Sgt Keyi Mensah – admitted to taking the money after police authorities instituted an investigation into the disappearance of the robbers. Emmanuel Kwame Nyanteh and Fredrick Asante both children of senior police officers -C/inspector Kennedy Kwame Nyanteh and Inspector William Armah- were convicted for the offence of robbery

and sentenced to 11 and 10 years respectively by the K.M.A Circuit Court in Kumasi on September 27, 2017. But they have, until now, not reported to the Kumasi Central prisons to serve their sentences. This alarmed authorities who instituted investigations into the whereabouts of the two. P r e l i m i n a r y investigations revealed that Sgt Kyei Mensah, who is stationed at the Ashanti Central CID as the investigator on the case, aided the escape of the convicts.

Police say “the investigator who admitted having aided the escape of the convicts after interrogations stated that the parents of the convicts C/inspector Kennedy Kwame Nyanteh stationed at the Twedie Police Station and Inspector William Armah, stationed at the Regional Visibility Unit in Kumasi influenced him with an amount of GHS 10,000 to free the convicts.”

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cont’d from pg. 30 Experts took their evidences from advance medical sciences and accounts from lucky survivors from the ten [10] methods of death which are drowning, heart attack, bleeding to death, fire, and decapitation. The rest are, electrocution, fall from a height, hanging. Lethal injection and explosive decompression among others. From the ending of the year 2017 to the early first two days of this year 2018, Ghanaians both in diaspora and in Ghana have been living in grief and shock as the news of series of deaths sunk into their communities. The deaths which shocked almost all and left the Ghanaian communities in grief was the one that left it devastated over the number of fellow nationals who perished in the fire outbreak in New York-America. So far six Ghanaians were confirmed dead in Bronx fire in New York. Another shock news was the reported passing soul of Mr. Samue Adjei Ye b o a h o f To r o n t o Canada which has left the Ghanaian community devastated since the ushering in of the year 2018. As if the devil was not tired of using his pitchfork in punching to create more shocks and griefs through deaths, he succeeded in striking an ace journalist Alaji Bature dead in Accra-Ghana on January 5, 2018. GRIEF AND SHOCK. When someone passes away, both friends and loved ones gather around the bereaved children and

the family to sympathize and comfort them as we express our condolences for the loss of their loved one who has exited life on earth. That solemn practice of comforting and sympathizing with the bereaved family, is now overtaken by the common practice of taking to social media such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp to spread falsehood of cause of death, post gory pictures of deceased persons to further worsen the grieving and shocking moments of bereaved families which is a crime. THE LAW. The Editors Code and Broadcasting Code set out ethical standards to minimize media intrusion into bereaved people’s grief or shock such as the deaths in New YorkAmerica, Toronto-Canada and Accra, Ghana and other parts of the world. E d i t o r ’s c o d e a n d Broadcasting code also says that excessive detail about suicide methods such as hanging, falling from a height, poisoning and more should not be published-therefore preventing all from spreading cause of death of our lost ones without clearance from Coroner’s to do so. GORY PHOTO FROM THE NEW YORK FIRE DIASTER. As a trained journalist, let me remind members of the Ghanaian communities both in Ghana and in diaspora as well as readers in general about prohibitions an intrusion into grief and shock such as the death of our brothers and sisters

in New York, Toronto and Accra. Clause [4] four [intrusion into grief and shock] Editors code says: “In cases involving personal grief or shock enquiries and approaches must be made with sympathy and discretion and publication such as those trending on social media, Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp handled sensitively. People are routinely searching for photos and details or cause of death of our sisters and brothers who passed away with the worse of it all posting gory pictures of their hanging, burnt or sorry motionless bodies on social media that has not been issued by their bereaved families as Coroner ’s are still investigating their cause of death. Again, let Ghanaians and the general readers alike be reminded that posting gory photos or any other material of the passing soul without clearance by the family constitute breach of human rights, copy rights as it also be an intrusion into privacy because the bereaved family are in severe pain, shock and are not in consent of such criminal acts. Let us all do the right thing by expressing our condolences to the bereaved family, comfort the children and leave the rest for Coroner’s to investigate and report their findings to the law courts and bereaved families. Until then, let us all say SORRY FOR THE LOST to their respective families who have lost their loved ones recently and keep quiet.

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

Toronto Ghanaian SDA End of Year Party at Venitian Banquet Hall, Concord on Saturday December 23, 2017

Pastor Kwame Owusu Brobbey and wife Merry making at the dinner Cross section of church member at the dinner

Members at the dinner Members at the party

Cross section of members at the party

Children’s Day at Praise Temple of Christ Int’l on Sun. Dec. 24th 2017

Apos. Alex Osei-Bonsu and the Youth Group picture of children with their teachers

Church Elders

Group of Youth in the church

Mrs. Caroline Osei-Bonsu (Pastor’s wife) with the Children’s group

The Ghanaian News January 2018

TRAVEL AND TOUR “THE NAZARETH, JESUS KNEW” By: Stephen A.Quaye, Toronto-Canada.

ago with arranged tomb ossuaries or bone boxes full of skeletal remains.

With the high expectation to explore all the places incidents took place and were recorded in the bible in Israel, the village Jesus knew, Nazareth, now a city, was one of my major targets to tour.

Right at the entrance of the tomb, Aaron again asked me,” how does it feel to visit the very place Jesus Christ spent his childhood days in the city of Nazareth?

My eyes kept darting around like that of an owl, to capture all the monasteries, caves, fortified walls, aqua ducts, underground tunnels, shafts, engravings and of course tombs. Wait a minute, “where does that narrow hole in that huge rock leads to” I asked Aaron my tour guide when the eyes of my still camera captured it as I took shots at the village. I looked straight at Aaron and waited for an answer. He quizzed, “Mr. Quaye, do you want to go inside and learn about how a tomb looks like? As said earlier my expectation was high so with an encouragement from Aaron I entered the tomb and learnt how the sages buried the dead thousands of years

Wow, this was Aaron’s question that I struggled to answer when I visited Nazareth, the very city Jesus Christ was brought from Bethlehem to be trained before descending to Galilee and onward to Jerusalem for his crucifixion and resurrection. “I have read the story many times in the bible, watch the documentary on Jesus life in the village many times but they have not sounded so real to me more than coming face to face with the real situations on the ground” was my comment and Aaron nodded couple of times to that comment. The city of Nazareth, where Jesus spent his childhood days is situated in the Galilee hills overlooking the Jezreel Valley in Israel. Nazareth’s winding, cobbled lanes, churches, convents and monasteries and all the pervading sense of history vividly conjure up the story of over 2,000 years ago when Joseph heeding the angel’s words, “took the young child Jesus Christ and his mother ….and came and dwell in the city called Nazareth in Israel”.

Shepherds are at the Nazareth City keeping their flock to give you an idea as well as those who keep the donkeys for pilgrims and tourists to learn how Jesus Christ of Nazareth rode a donkey to Jerusalem to be crucified. Standing close to a giant statue of a Roman soldier with all the heavy coat or metal garment on make it real to you how strong and powerful Roman soldiers were when they arrested Jesus, tortured him, caned him in public and crucified him. Hanged on a wall was this replica cross made of logs the Roman soldiers used in crucifying Jesus Christ of Nazareth as a second look made my stomach dropped at once. A nice looking tomb with a rolling stone hanging at the entrance of it attracts any pilgrim or tourist to go inside and have a feel of how it is and the process used in burying the dead over two thousand years ago to be precise in Jesus time. Nazareth the city Jesus knew truly presents Jesus childhood lifestyle to you so why don’t you join Ghana Methodist Church of Toronto as they plan to tour the holy land, Israel come September 2018. For more information please email: Very Reverend Joseph Owusu Atuahene at owusuatuahenej@gmail. com or call 647-713-2392.

Jesus Christ of Nazareth spent his childhood, though the gospel gives no description of these formative years. Nazareth is not mentioned in the Old Testament and only archaeological evidence points to a village inhabited during the first temple period. Its Jewish community was almost wiped out by the Romans during the Jewish revolt. Later, with the strengthening of the Roman Empire, the number of Christians grew. From the fourth century, churches were built on the sites which were connected with Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The replica cross of Jesus Christ

Today, the populations consist of Christians, represented by several denominations, Muslims and Jews. There are many churches, monasteries, convents, hostels and schools in Nazareth. The Nazareth Jesus knew Yes the feeling was great when I visited Nazareth the particular city where Jesus knew in his life over 2000 years ago on September 8, 2017. The exhibition of old carpentry tools father of Jesus Christ, Joseph used in drilling holes in wood, joining pieces of wood to carve chairs and tables, old type hack saw blade and how it was used to cut wood as according to the historians, Jesus Christ learnt his father’s craftsmanship.

The Carmel range or Mukhrata.

It was very interesting watching a Nazarene woman posing as Mary the mother of Jesus Christ preparing garment strings from hair of sheep to weave garments similar to what was used as attire over 2000 years ago. In fact it was more educating and informing as well as entertaining watching how life was lived during the days of Jesus Christ when he was a child at Nazareth city seeing how oil lamps were lighted to brighten up the environment the whole night.

Posing with a shepherd

How ceramic jars were used to fetch water, fire pots or earthenware kept burning with fire wood always ready for cooking. You love using olive oil for cooking and as anointing oil for your prayer exercises but you do not know how the oil is made? Nazareth is the right place for you to learn the whole process of extraction which is collecting of the fruits, crushing, pressing and extracting the oil done at Nazareth City. What about red wine? Whew, you have been drinking the stuff but do not also know how the finished product comes out. Do you want to know the process in brewing red wine used by the sages? Please visit Nazareth City that Jesus knew and you would be taught how it was done.

Tomb full of ossuaries of skeletons

Many people were taught in Sunday school about shepherds and the flock but do not really know how a true shepherd dresses to appear as one. Even some adults can’t describe how a true shepherd looks like.

A statue of Roman soldier

The Ghanaian News January 2018

MUKHRATA, “The Spiritual Arena” The Prophet Isaiah describes “the excellence of Camel” [Isaiah 35:2] which is among the most beautiful and fertile areas of the Holy Land, Israel.

By: Stephen A.Quaye, Toronto-Canada. “Be careful there Stephen”, Aaron my tour guide and Jewish friend said to me while I walked boldly to the spiritual arena.

The Canaanite inhabitants worshiped Baal and his consort Ishtar who were adopted by Israelites.

“You send mortar fire down the plains to consume living things, the security forces and the rabbis will descend on us like ants” he further said to me. My whole life is dependent on what I do now as a professional and registered tour guide and I would not like it to go down the tubes Aaron said with straight face. Was it a joke or he meant it? Was it factual or farce that I could command fire from the cliff of the mount down the valley and it shall come to pass. Oh how serious can that happen? Wow! What made Aaron to issue that warning to me? I looked around; lo and behold I stood at the traditional site of the contest where Prophet Elijah commanded fire from heaven that consumed Baal worshipers. That alone shouldn’t let Aaron my tour guide and friend ran to warn me. Or there was more to it than that. Well, I realized I stood right under the giant monument erected to mark the spot of the traditional contest of Mukhrata.

Filled with the Holy Spirit I decided to emulate the great prophet, I raised my hand pointed to the plains and straight up to heavens, brought it down and pointed at the plains again just to degree, declare and proclaim.

Elijah the prophet challenged the priests of ball to prove whose god was more powerful and when he won, the Israelites abandoned the Canaanite deities and false prophets were slaughtered [1Kings 18].

Believing I could be filled by the spirit of God which made Prophet Elijah defeated the 5,000 worshipers of Baal it could be possible I might perform same miracle, a new version of the story which might be dangerous so Aaron ran to stop me from emulating the Prophet Elijah. Having stopped me from commanding fire from the heavens laughter burst out from us which attracted other tourists around the monument to the spiritual arena.

Mukhrata, the traditional site of the contest, is today marked by a Carmelite Monastery built in 1886. Are you curious in stepping foot in the arena of the spiritual contest where Prophet Elijah defeated Baal worships, please join Very Reverend Joseph Owusu Atuahene of Ghana Methodist Church of Toronto and his team as they prepare to tour the Holy Land Israel come September 2018. Pictures: Carmelite Monastery, Prophet Elijah’s monument, The Carmel range or Mukhrata.

It was time to command fire from the heavens to consume my enemies Aaron. Laughter burst out from us. There Aaron shared series of testimonies told by tourist after their visit to Mukhrata and commanded fire from heavens to burn their enemies which came to pass. Mukhrata or the Camel range, rising to 1,650 feet stretches along the Plain of Esdraelon and falls steeply to the Mediterranean leaving only a narrow coastal plain.

Prophet Elijah’s monument

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

Celebration of life of Emmanuel Ntiri at The Church of Pentecost on Saturday January 13, 2018

Clergy

Children

Chief mourners Nana Obeng Darfuo II and his entourage

Sympathizers

Mackeown Church Choir

Ghanaian Womenâ€™s Fasting and Prayer Conference May 21st 2018 (Monday, Victoriaâ€™s Day Holiday) VENUE: Ghanaian Presbyterian Church 51 High Meadow Place (Finch/Signet) 9 a.m. - 12 noon Contact: 416-877-3077, 146-916-3700, 416-904-0148, 647-768-8579, 416-558,8593, 647-878-0905, 416-882-5186, 416-820-9522, 647-654-5570, 647-300-6469, 647-892-9212, 905-488-9763, 647-718-4819

The Ghanaian News January 2018

South African jazz musician High Masekela dies at 78 From Krista Mahr JOHANNESBURG - Hugh Masekela, the legendary South African jazz musician and antiapartheid activist, has died after a decade-long fight with cancer. He was 78. Often called the “Father of South African jazz,” Masekela died in Johannesburg after what his family said Tuesday was a “protracted and courageous battle with prostate cancer.” Masekela was a rare artist who succeeded in fusing politics with his music, making his songs and performances compelling and timeless. Trumpeter, singer and composer Masekela, affectionately known locally as “Bra Hugh,” started playing the horn at 14. He quickly became an integral part of the 1950s jazz scene in Johannesburg as a member of the band

Hugh Masekela, the legendary South African jazz musician and anti-apartheid activist (AP Photo/Jeff Christensen, File)

the Jazz Epistles and a member of the orchestra in the groundbreaking jazz opera “King Kong.” In the 1960s he went into exile in the United Kingdom and the United States, using his music to spread awareness about South Africa’s oppressive system of white-minority rule. He scored an international No. 1 hit in 1968 with “Grazing In The Grass.” Masekela spent time in both New York and Los Angeles, performing at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival with some of the era’s most iconic musicians, including

Janis Joplin, Otis Redding and Jimi Hendrix. He collaborated with many musicians including Herb Alpert and was married to South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba for two years. In the 1980s, Masekela appeared with Paul Simon and several other South African musicians as part of the “Graceland” album tour. Many of his compositions were about the struggle for majority rule and full democratic rights in South Africa. Masekela’s catchy upbeat 1987 song “Bring Him Back Home” calling cont’d on pg. 61

OBITUARY

Abusuapanin Nana Boakye (Akomadan), Alhaji Drissah (Akomadan), Brothers: Mr.Osei Bempah (Germany), Mr.Stephen Oduroh (Germany) and Alhaji Amadu Asante (Germany). Sisters: Mad. Juliana Osei Bempah ( Ghana), Mad. Akosua Benewaah (Ghana) and Rev. Charity Kwao (Custom and Excise Accra). Nana Asare Bafour II (Bamirihene Tuntuhene, Techiman Traditional Area), Nana Gyanfi Kumani (Bamiri Akwamuhene), Nana Abena Owusuaa (Bamiri Akwamuhemaa), Abusuapanin Osei Kontor (BASSOD Chairman), Opanin Kwame Gyan, Obaapani Yaa Afosaa, Obaapani Adwoa Nsia and Yaa Asantewaa Secondary School Old Students Assoc. regret to announce the sadden death of their beloved daughter, niece and sister the Late Naana Happy Kwao 60 years on January 17th 2018 at the Brampton Civic Hospital, Brampton Canada after a short illness.

Funeral Arrangements Viewing

Friday, February 9th 2018 at Demarco Funeral Home 3725 Keele Ave., Downsview, Ont. Time: 7 pm - 9 pm

Burial service Saturday, February 10th, 2018 At DeMarco Funeral Home 3725 Keele Ave., Downsview, Ont. Time: 9 am - 11 am

BURIAL follows immediately after the Service at the Meadowvale Cemetery at 7732 Mavis Rd., Brampton

Celebration of Life Saturday, February 10th 2018 at Lving Word Assembly of God, 139 Millwick Drive, North York, Ont. Time: 1 pm - 4 pmContact:

The Late Naana Happy Kwao

Rev. Emmanuel Kwadwo Ofori - 514-779-0602 Emmanuel Duodu - 416-357-7237 Comfort Ayiku - 416-877-3077 Elizabeth Owusu Ansah (Afrakoma) - 647-620-8423

The Ghanaian News January 2018

Beni Boo Styles WELL MADE - WELL PRICED The universal Tradition of Fashion “There is a great quote by Christian Dior where he says, ‘Respecting tradition and being audacious must always go hand in hand.’ That sums up my style and 2018 fashion trend pretty neatly. I am obsessed with traditional textiles from all over the world and the traditional craft of making clothes. As a fashion designer, am always inspired by my Ghanaian culture and lets my fastidious attention to detail guide my approach to dressing for the everyday and special occasions. “When I’m in Ghana, the way I engage with style is more through artisans than fashion designers. Of course, there are some great designers in Ghana, but the culture of ordinary people having clothes made for them as a matter of routine excites me. The first thing anyone should do when they go to Ghana is get some recommendations for a great tailor and have some pieces made.” Just like music being universal so is fashion so right here in north America Canada African fashion is in vogue and that’s the traditional way of shopping for clothes which is by making them is also becoming in vogue. It’s now enjoyed and appreciated by a lot of people and its ni more for just the celebrities. Without realizing we following a tradition, the fashion lovers of today and trendsetters or just the average person who believe the world is our runway can look for tailor /seamstress in Toronto with an ease and create their own unique style and feel like a million $ . Enjoy a bespoke today and lets know how your experience .

Photos & contribution : google on online and in-house models Shop or Order these styles @ Beniboo.com or in stores @ 2581 Eglinton Ave. W

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

FOOD AND RECIPES Compiled by Nana Ama

Homemade Easter Bun For 8 Serving(s)

Ingredients 2 ounce(s) Grace Margarine 1 bottle(s) stout 1/2 cup(s) wine 1 teaspoon(s) vanilla 1/2 tablespoon(s) Grace Browning 1 tablespoon(s) Grace Guava Jam 1 medium egg (optional) 8 ounce(s) dark sugar 1 pound(s) counter flour 1 teaspoon(s) nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon(s) salt 1 teaspoon(s) cinnamon powder 1 tablespoon(s) baking powder 1 tablespoon(s) mixed spice 1/4 pound(s) mixed peel, chopped 1/4 pound(s) raisins, soaked

Method 1. Melt Grace Hello Margarine and allow to cool, then add stout, wine, vanilla, Grace Browning, Grace Guava Jam and beaten egg (if used). 2. Stir in the sugar and mix until all the granules are dissolved. 3. Mix together all the dry ingredients then add the chopped mixed peel and raisins. 4. Combine liquid mixture with dry ingredients and mix well. 5. Scrape the batter into a greased loaf pan 12”x4”x3”. 6. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C/350°F or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. 7. Cool on a cooling rack. To Glaze: Combine 2 tablespoons honey with two tablespoons water and bring to a boil; remove from flame and use a pastry brush to apply it over the surface of the bun.

PALMNUT SOUP Ingredients 2 tins of plam nuts paste 2 large tomatoes 1 large size onion chopped salt and pepper to taste 500g fish and or meat 2 small size salted fish (optional) 1 tablet cabe maggie 8 large Okro (optional) 4 large garden eggs (optional) Method 1.Prepare fish/meat, chopped onions, salt and tomatoes and simmer 2. Mix palm nut paste with warm water and strain the liquid through a strainer. 3. Add liquid to the simmered meat/fish and the other vegeables and spices. 4. Allow the soup to simmer to the desired thinkness. 5. Skim off the excess oil from the top of the soup 6. Take it off the fire, serve with fufu, banku, kenkey, rice, yam etc.

YAM BALLS Ingredients 250g Yam 50g Margarine 1 or 1/2 Egg Yolk beaten 1 tlsp Milk Pepper, Salt, grated Nutmeg (to taste) Egg and bread crumbs for coating Oil for deep frying

METHOD To Serve: Serve with slices of cheese. Gracefoods.com

Mashed Ripe Plantain (Otor) Ingredients 4 fingers half ripe plantain 5g groundnut paste 1/4 teaspoonful ground pepper 1 large onion 2 tablespoonful palm oil Salt to taste

Method 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Peel the plantain into a saucepan Add water and salt to it and boil After 20 minutes, remove it from the fire and drain the water Grind pepper, onion and salt Add boiled ripe plantain and mix together Add groundnut paste and mix Put palm oil on fire, add chopped onions When the oil with the onion is well cooked, pur it onto the mashed plantain and mix altogether using a wooden spoon. Serve with eggs or avocado

1. Boil yam thoroughly till cooked, drain and mash to get a smooth result 2. Add margarine while still hot 3. Add pepper salt and grated nutmeg 4. Add egg, malk if mxture is dry 5. Divide them into pieces and dredge with flour 6. Roll into balls and coat with eff and breadcrumbs 7. Fry in deep-frying until golden brown 8. Drain and serve

KAKLO - 6 Servings INGREDIENTS 400g - Riped Plantain (soft) 100g - Onion 50gm - Wheat Flour 1/2 tbsp - Salt 1 tbsp - Cayenne Pepper 1/2 tbsp - Mill Ginger 2 tbsp - Sugar

METHOD 1. Wash and peel plantain 2. Blend into a pulp 3. Add mixed spice and mill ginger and gradually incorporate in flour. 4. Add sugar and salt 5. Scoop and fry in moderately hot oil until golden brown in color 6. Drain and place on a kitchen paper. ACCOMPANIMENT: Bambara Beans, Red Red or Bean Stew

The Ghanaian News January 2018

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Once-In-A-Generation Tax Reform Isn’t The Best Path To Fairness higher incomes, compared to middle-class taxpayers. base broadening by cutting back on some “tax-based expenditures,” but primarily it increased the deficit by A third possible area for in-depth review is the taxaalmost $1.5 trillion. tion of offshore income, not least given the scandals revealed by the Paradise Papers. However, this is an area that Canada cannot address on its own. Major im- In any case, any reviews of Canada’s tax system should provements in enforcement against tax evasion (which be based on solid evidence. The recent proposals is illegal), and even in detecting serious tax avoidance regarding income sprinkling, passive income and strategies (which are legal, but may be highly abusive), avoiding equitable capital gains tax on disposition of require more extensive international collaboration. a private company have been notable, at least for data nerds, for the weakness of the evidence provided. The The OECD has been leading work in the area of what’s recent PBO study seems to have done a better job. known as “base erosion and profit shifting” (BEPS). Even more important than another Royal Commission But, so far, it is not delivering nearly as much as needed on taxation would be for the government to provide to tackle the major issues. itself with high-quality data and analytical capacity so It could be that “tax reform” (or, in the words of it can understand what’s really going on, and (subject the Senate Committee report, “ensuring economic to confidentiality restrictions) enable bona fide extercompetitiveness”) is actually code for simply cutting nal researchers to provide Canadians with ongoing corporate income tax rates. The recent U.S. tax reform independent evidence-based analysis. legislation has raised fears that a lower corporate Instead of attempting once-in-a-generation “big bang” income tax rate among our neighbours will place intax reform, it would be far more effective to follow tolerable pressure on Canadian companies, inducing the auditor general and invest in ongoing analysis and them to cut investment here. But tax cuts themselves regular review of all major tax provisions.HuffPost are not tax reform. The U.S. changes did include some

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

Top five things to know when travelling to Ghana

cont’d from pg. 45 bottled water for under a pound, or pick up a sachet of pure water that has undergone a filtration process. As a rule, brands like Dasani, Voltic and Aqua-In are good brands to go for when it comes to buying bottled water in this part of Africa, or if you want to pick up a water sachet from a hawker on the street, Ice Cool, Aqua-In, Voltic and Little Drops are all trustworthy brands. Avoid ‘ice water’ too – this is just tap water that has been chilled! Forget

all

Sense

time

Ghana is no exception to the relaxed African rule, which only adds to the charms of this destination. If you’re usually on time, stick to a schedule and get stressed when this doesn’t go according to plan, the Ghanaian way of life might be quite the shock to the system, so it’s best to prepare yourself in advance! Chances are, if you arrive on time you’ll be made to wait around, and if you try and plan out a set schedule, be prepared for it to not go quite according to plan. Things tend to ‘just happen’ here, which is a part of the culture that could actually do you a world of good! Relax and slow down – you never know what you might experience!

Keeping

your

tummy

full

If there’s one thing you won’t have to worry about when travelling to Ghana, it’s making sure that your stomach stays full and happy. There’s a wide range of Ghanaian and Continental restaurants to choose from if you’re thinking about eating out every, or even some nights, or if cooking your own food is more satisfactory, it’s easy to access plenty of produce. Hawkers will sell plenty of fruit and nuts for full snacking satisfaction, and there are supermarkets too if you want to pick up some familiar foods to cook! When it comes to tipping and gratuities, you can rest safe in the knowledge that tipping is very much encouraged! In fact, Ghanaian servers are unlikely to earn much more than the equivalent of $2.00 a day, so tips supplement their wages. A 10 percent tip is more than adequate, and you could even give them the tip upfront as opposed to after your service if you want a better or more consistent service throughout. So there you have it – our top things to know before you travel to Ghana. While this destination is perfect for new travellers and the seasoned amongst you alike, there’s no harm in being prepared before you go! Happy travelling.

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

The year 2018: Controversies, Fiascoes, Skepticism and frustrations Abound The talk of a lousy 2017 Christmas celebration won’t go away any time soon—thanks in part to our lousy policy makers, who can’t wait to propose get -rich- quick schemes to milk us to death. Nevertheless, the year 2018 is not going to be anything to write home about, given the controversies and skepticisms in its DNA. The year is bouncing from issue to issue like a pinball, with no end in sight. The 2018 is just two weeks old folks, but all of these things have happened so far this year. The fallout from this year’s ‘revelations’ has over- shadowed any key national agenda. Facts: 1. DVLA compulsory First Aid kit fiasco. Yes, they wanted to make up for the compulsory towing fees rip –off which was brought down by the citizenry. 2. Televasion levy from the GBC TV executives, supposedly without the government’s consent. Hell no! 3. $ 100,000 cash-for seat saga in parliament—the jury is still out on that one but don’t count on any break- through yet. 4. A missing autopsy report on a murdered MP—oops! Justice denied even to the dead—justice denied to a deceased member of Parliament of Ghana. Who else is secured? 5. Ghana Immigration service recruitment fiasco. How do we explain the rationale behind selling of 84,637 e- vouchers for 500 vacancies? Aye ka! Now we wonder why these recruits shouldn’t be corrupt once they get the job. 6. The national health Insurance Administration’s (NHIA) sugar taxation mumbo-jumbo to fund the collapsing NHIA. I really feel compelled to respond to this particular issue because healthcare delivery issues cut across every issue in Ghana. Personally, I don’t know where to start .However, for the sake of time and space; I’m going to

concentrate so far on the NHIA’s sugar and cigarette taxation because a lot is missing in the healthcare delivery equation. Dr Annor was right about taxing fat and chemically –saturated food we wantonly consume, but he is chasing the small fish in the ocean instead of the big ones. If he really wants to safe the NHIA there are measures he can implement. How can we glorify the alcoholic consumption on our airwaves and in the media and turn around to tax the consumption of sugar? What about genetically modified (GM) food we’re religiously embracing as if there is no tomorrow? Yes, the Ghanaian consumer should be made to pay a little penalty (through taxation) for consuming products that are unhealthy like tobacco, pizza, KFC chicken or alcohol. Personal responsibility is vital when it comes to healthcare delivery issue because the consequences of individual’s choices are borne in part by the whole society through the NHIA. First our environment is intricately linked to our health— does the malaria epidemic in the country ring a bell? I’m not a medical doctor, but it’s my conviction that, solving basic human problems—like domestic waste and poor sanitation, etc— are just as important as finding medical solutions to our ailments or curing a disease. We cannot expect to have a good cost-

effective health care delivery system in this nation without a major development and deployment of ways to solve basic human problems in our communities and towns. Besides the unhealthy foods we consume every day, and poor sanitation, our food processing methods, storage and distribution outlets need a critical revamp—should we tax them also? Have you watched how vegetable growers ,especially those in the urban areas such as Accra sprinkle filthy water on their plants just before harvesting for market vendors to sell to consumers? Take a trip to the slaughter houses (where burning tires are used to process the meat), food parlors and chop bars across the land and you will understand where I’m coming from. In addition, some of our saturated herbal medicines are killing us softly— because people are wantonly and naively consuming these unhygienic and low standardized drugs that have little or instructions for the consumers. Unfortunately, in our modern society which is increasingly driven by measures of ‘financial success’ by any means necessary, the pressure to succeed is very intense. This has created a high level of unprecedented stress and related chronic health conditions. What about the conditions of our pot-holes infected and accident prone roads? Aren’t they all health hazards? What are we doing about them? Or that is not important to the healthcare equation? As if all that is not enough. We’re now adding insult to injury by topping it off with a wholesale consumption of foreign cultures and lifestyles all in the name of ’freedom’ and cont’d on pg. 66

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

President Akufo-Addo nominates Martin Amidu as special prosecutor The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has nominated Martin Alamisi Burnes Kaiser Amidu as the Special Prosecutor, subject to the approval of Parliament. According to President AkufoAddo, the Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo, by letter dated Thursday, 11th January, 2018, exercised her power of nomination, and submitted to him, for his acceptance, the name of Martin Amidu as the proposed Special Prosecutor. “I have accepted the Attorney General’s nomination, and will, in turn, submit for Parliament’s approval, when it reconvenes on 23rd January, 2018, for its first meeting of this new year, the name of Martin Alamisi Burnes Kaiser Amidu to be the first Special Prosecutor under the law”, the he added. President Akufo-Addo made this known on Thursday, 11th January, 2018, at a press conference, at the Flagstaff House. The President told the media that the appointment of Martin Amidu as Special Prosecutor is because he is fully convinced that Mr Martin Amidu, “a prominent legal personality, who held the high office of Attorney General of the Republic in the government of the late President Prof. John Evans Atta-Mills, has the requisite integrity, competence, courage and independence of character to discharge effectively the responsibilities of this new office.” President Akufo-Addo recounted the commendation given by the Supreme Court to Martin Amidu for his public spiritedness in the case of Amidu vrs Attorney-General, Waterville & Wayome [2013-2014] 1 SCGLR 112 @ 166. It will be recalled that in that judgement,

The President noted further that Mr.Amidu has indicated his willingness to accept the appointment as Special Prosecutor. “I, thus, have the honour to submit to Parliament, when it reconvenes, the name of Martin Alamisi Burnes Kaiser Amidu, for its approval for appointment as Special Prosecutor,” the President said.

Martin Alamisi Burnes Kaiser Amidu

He was hopeful that the praiseworthy speed and dispatch, with which Parliament acted on his nominees

per the respected Judge, Dotse JSC, the Supreme Court stated that “…The role of the Plaintiff, Martin Alamisi Amidu, a distinguished former Attorney-General of this country, needs to be highly commended as was done in the lead judgment of the court. The Plaintiff, in Senior Minister Yaw Osafo-Maafo my opinion, must be highly commended has stated that the Special Prosecufor his vigilante role in protecting the tor’s Bill is not a sole requirement wanton dissipation of the public purse…” for prosecuting corrupt government officials but rather one that creates The Court also, in a related suit, had an independent body for addressing this to say about Martin Amidu: “… the such specific cases of corruption. Plaintiff (that is to say Mr. Amidu) is to be commended for his public spiritedness which has fuelled his meticulous and He said: “I believe that we have put too industrious presentation of this case…” much emphasis on the special prosecutor. People have been prosecuted and President Akufo-Addo told the gathering sentenced and jailed in this country that he could also, personally, vouch for without a special prosecutor. The laws the public spiritedness of Mr. Amidu. are very clear. We need it because it will help accelerate and facilitate matters.” “We were on opposite sides in a series of landmark constitutional cases in T h e S e n i o r M i n i s t e r m a d e t h e the period leading up to and in the statement in an interview during early years of the 4th Republic, well the 25-year Thanksgiving Celeknown to students of constitutional bration of Ghana’s democracy. law, which helped shape the evolution of the Constitution of the 4th Republic. After more than 170 amendments had As Deputy Attorney General, as he been made to the bill, Parliament passed then was, he conducted those cases the Office of the Special Prosecutor Bill with the fairness which should be in November last year, which will allow a cardinal feature of the conduct of for the establishment of an independent any self-respecting lawyer,” he said. anti-corruption institution to deal with public officials who have been deemed

for ministerial appointment last year, will characterise its handling of this nomination to enable Mr. Amidu, as soon as possible, enter into office to begin the important work that awaits him. “I congratulate him on his deserved nomination, and wish him Godspeed in the valiant efforts he will undoubtedly be making to enhance the quality of governance of our country. The Ghanaian people will be the beneficiaries of that,” the President concluded. presidency. gov.gh

Special Prosecutor’s abill not a requirement for prosecutor - Snr. Minister

Osafo Marfo, Snr. Minister or found liable to corrupt dealings. The Bill gives power to a new independent prosecutor who will be tasked with the responsibility of prosecuting past and present public officers deemed to have been corrupt. However, the Senior Minister said the state can still prosecute corrupt officials without necessarily having the Special Prosecutor’s bill in place. “We cannot say that without the special prosecutor we cannot prosecute clients. We can still fight corruption with or without the special prosecutor”. Speaking on the relevance of the Thanksgiving celebrations on the country’s democratic credentials, Osafo Maafo said the fact that there hasn’t been any military intervention for 25 years especially after five military interventions since independence is worth celebrating. He added that It will impact on the unity of the nation. He said: “we have gone through four Republics and the longest is the fourth republic, this brings together all Ghanaians from all political persuasions to celebrate this silver jubilee and I think it’s a very important occasion for national recognition, national unity and to remind ourselves where we’re coming from. There have been 5 military interventions, but we’ve had 25 years without military intervention and we should congratulate ourselves for this stability”. He advised President Akufo-Addo to continue consulting other political parties to get other opinions other than from his own political party because politics should not be a reason for national division.

The Ghanaian News January 2018

Corruption in Ghana Nana Addo is incorruptible - Rawlings Former president Jerry John Rawlings, says the leader of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Akufo-Addo is not corrupt. Former president Jerry John Rawlings, says the leader of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Akufo-Addo is not corrupt. Mr. Rawlings gave this testimony in an interview with a Nigerian newspaper; The Guardian. According to the founder of the governing National Democratic Congress

(NDC), it will be very difficult for Nana Addo to be tagged as corrupt because he is not materialistic. “Fortunately for them, (the NPP), they have a leader who is not known for messing around with material things,» Rawlings said. Nana Addo on his tour recently mentioned that he is not aspiring to be pres-

Maritial break up and suicidal cont’d from pg. 44 ideation •

Don’t go through this alone. Sharing your feelings with friends and family can help you get through this period. Consider joining a support group where you can talk to others in similar situations. Isolating yourself can raise your stress levels, reduce your concentration, and get in the way of your work, other relationships, and overall health. Don’t be afraid to get outside help if you need it.

•

Have fun and laugh! Humor can significantly reduce stress. Enjoy the company of others

•

Consider participating in a stress management seminar. Ask your employer if they offer any within your organization.

•

Take Care of Yourself.When coping with a major loss such as divorce, you may notice your body seems to need more attention—you feel more tired and out-of-sorts. Try to respect what your body needs and do your best to keep yourself healthy so you will have the strength you need. In order to fully accept a breakup and move on, you need to understand what happened and acknowledge the part you played. The more you understand how the choices you made affected the relationship, the better you will be able to learn from your mistakes—and avoid repeating them in the future. If you know someone that threatens suicide, you can seek the assistance of emergency services.

Africans: Yeah, Stop Whining And Fix Your “ShitHoles Now”. cont’d from pg. 41 Reportedly, the African Union Mission in Washington, DC expressed its’ “shock, dismay and outrage”. Excuse me! Where have you been for the past four decades? How many white people have we seen on the boats crossing the ocean and getting drowned? Whose fault is that when hundreds and perhaps thousands of African youth die every day in the middle of the ocean, in an attempt to find the green pastures elsewhere? Go to New York City alone and see how many Ghanaian doctors are there. What about the nurses? How many American senators who have stolen from their country and hid the loots in African banks? So you don’t think something wrong with us? Who says we don’t appreciate our conditions we live in now? We love it that is why we’re not doing a damn thing about it. Shame on African Union. Double shame on our leaders and more shame on our policy makers. You have the guts to complain about the ‘shithole’ comment when you know very well that you helped to perpetrate our ‘shitholeness’ condition. Let’s bring it home. Given the chance, the NPP government can make a difference and change the destiny of many Ghanaian youth, however, others are busy derailing the vision of the party—and I’m not even talking about the people on the other side of the aisle Who authorized the compulsory DVLA towing fees, TV levy, First aid kit, etc? The bottom line is some individuals are busy destroying the party from within and we’re standing idle by. Hey, we can’t even keep an autopsy report in a secured place.

Look, we live in a country that has been torn by coup détats, corruptions, tribalism, embezzlements, selfishness, and plagued by manner of social ailments for over three decades. However, it’s still managing to remain more or less united, to keep ethnic-cleansing tendencies at bay. It’s strong with its fragile and infant democracy and still holding on to hope against hope. Unfortunately, it’s taking us too long to see the socioeconomic Promised Land because we glorify and worship those who steal from the nation’s coffers in any form. We don’t take our jobs serious and we’re very cheesy when it comes to integrity. We focus on activity instead of accomplishment. And punctuality is missing in our DNA. In other words, we’re solely responsible for our current conditions on this side of the planet. Not only that, Ghanaians in the Diaspora who want to come home should have the right to complain about things back home, but we refer them as “whiners” and treat them with scorn because we’re too sensitive and content. So are you offended when your country is called a “shithole”? Get used to it. Until we are not desperate to go there and desperate to panhandle for money to fix our nations –whereas we’re sitting on huge natural resources and fertile lands— we will continually live in a shithole and die miserably. Check out some of our hospitals’ wards, school infrastructures, pot-holes infected and accident prone road network across the land ,they are nothing but shithole samples of poor standard living . Did I offend anyone yet? Sorry, tough it up because I’m a little soft on this issue this time. Kwaku Adu-Gyamfi (voice of reason) *The author is a social commentator.

Former president Rawlings ident to take bribes and encourage more corruption in the country. But the former military leader expressed fears that the governing NDC may not stand a winning chance in the upcoming November polls because of what he called its corrupt nature. Mr Rawlings indicated that his wife, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings left the party because corruption has gained a place in the party which was started on the foundation of integrity. The former first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, left the NDC to form her own political group, the National Democratic Party (NDP). Mr. Rawlings intimated that “my wife is still standing where she is, cut off from

our party that she was very responsible in building up because it became corrupted from Mills’ time.” He mentioned that he can only advocate since he has no authority to deal with people he believes are corrupt. “All I can do is speak up because I find myself in a situation where I have moral responsibility and no executive authority. I would have wished that my moral authority could have the same influence. But that is not the case; corruption has infiltrated our institutions and their leaders so badly today that they use some kind of lens, to demonstrate that you can keep your moral authority, but this is executive power at work. The situation is so bad; so unfortunate.” Mr. Rawlings mentioned that all “I can do is to critique and advocate for my people. I can’t hide it. And I believe that was how I won the respect from the larger populace, from both sides of the political divide. I have remained principled.” Pulse Ghana has approached multiple NDC officials to respond to Rawlings’ comments but all declined. Like Pulse Ghana News

South African jazz musician High Masekela dies at 78 cont’d from pg. 53 for Nelson Mandela’s release from prison became an international anthem for the antiapartheid movement. Masekela returned to South Africa in 1990 after Mandela was freed and the African National Congress party was unbanned. He released more than 40 albums, and toured in South Africa and internationally until late last year. Sal Masekela, Masekela’s son who is also a musician, wrote in a statement that it was “difficult to comprehend that this moment is real,” recalling his father ’s performances in New York when he would “steal the hearts and souls of innocents with a musical storytelling all his own.” “My biggest obsession is to show Africans and the world who the people of Africa really are,” Hugh Masekela is quoted as saying on his official website. In October last year, Masekela issued a statement that he had been fighting prostate cancer since 2008 and would have to cancel his professional commitments to focus on his health. He said he started treatment after doctors found a “small ‘speck”’ on his bladder, and had surgery in March 2016 after the cancer spread. Masekela also said he felt

an “imbalance” and had an eye problem after a fall in April in Morocco in which he sprained his shoulder. He said another tumour was then discovered and he had surgery. “I’m in a good space, as I battle this stealthy disease, and I urge all men to have regular tests to check your own condition,” his statement said, asking the media for privacy. Masekela supported many charities and was a director of the Lunchbox Fund, a non-profit organization to provide daily meals to students in Soweto township. Condolences from fans poured out Tuesday on social media paying tribute to the influential musician’s career. “A baobob tree has fallen,” Nathi Mthethwa, South Africa’s minister for arts and culture, wrote on Twitter. “The nation has lost a one of a kind musician . We can safely say Bra Hugh was one of the great architects of Afro-Jazz and he uplifted the soul of our nation through his timeless music.” South African President Jacob Zuma expressed his condolences, saying Masekela “kept the torch of freedom alive globally, fighting apartheid through his music and mobilizing international support ... His contribution to the

struggle for liberation will never be forgotten.” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “recognizes the historical role that he played during the fight against apartheid and the fight for freedom and human rights after the fall of apartheid,” U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. “He was a global cultural icon that will be missed by people all over the world.” Masekela inspired generations of musicians in jazz and beyond and collaborated in recent years with South African house music DJ Black Coffee, who tweeted Tuesday: “I have no words.” Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta paid tribute to Masekela in a series of tweets that showed a picture of the two walking together. Kenyatta wrote of Masekela: “His music then was the music of a free Africa: full of anger at injustice; confident that one day these injustices would be overcome.” FILE - In an April 29, 2006 file photo, Hugh Masekela performs during the 2006 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans. A family statement issued on Twitter Tuesday Jan. 23, 2018, says South African jazz musician and antiapartheid activist Hugh Masekela, 78, passed away in Johannesburg after a lengthy battle against prostate cancer. The Associated Press

The Ghanaian News January 2018

PLACES OF WORSHIP DIRECTORY I AM ALPHA & OMEGA MINISTRY INT'L

Ghana Methodist Churches in Canada ( SOCIETIES UNDER THE GHANA METHODIST CONFERENCE)

We invite you to worship with us

The Superintendent Minister-In-Charge

Church Service:

invites you to worship with us

Sunday Worship: 10.00a.m. - 12.30 p.m. Wednesday Bible Studies: 6.00p.m. - 7.30 p.m. Friday Prayer Meeting: 7.00p.m. - 9.00 p.m.

JESUS Loves You

Toronto Society

Bishop John Mensah

NEW LOCATION 100 Penn Drive, Unit #6, North York, Ont.

Tel: 416-419-6671

EVANGEL ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH

Place of Worship: 19 Penn Drive, North York, Ont. (off Finch Av./Milvan)

416-743-4555 (Office) 905-216-2323 (Residence)

Day and Time of Worship: Sunday: Bible Class Meeting: 10:00 a.m. - 10.30 a.m. Church Service: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Jericho Hour Prayer Meeting 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Wednesday Mid-day Prayer - 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Friday: Bible Teaching/Prayer Meeting 8:00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. Saturday Organizational Meeting: 6.30 p.m. - 9.30 p.m. Sunday Brampton Prayer Meeting 8:00 p.m.

NEW ADDRESS 314 Rexdale Blvd. Etobicoke, Ont. M9W 1R6 Tel: 416-242-7950 Fax: 416-242-8573 Church Activities Pastor in Charge Rev. Milton Offei

Sunday School: Church Service: Sunday Evening: Wednesday Bible Studies: Friday Prayer Meeting:

10a.m. -11:00a.m. 11a.m. - 1:30p.m. 7p.m. - 8:30p.m. 7p.m. - 8:30p.m. 7p.m. - 9:00p.m.

Disciples Revival Church Healing & Deliverance Centre Rev. Dr. & Rev (Mrs) Charles Mantey Founders/Senior Pastors

416-614-7771

Very Rev. Joseph Owusu Atuahene

Calgary Methodist - 403-603-2864 Edmonton Methodist - 587-336-1223 Ottawa Methodist - 613-823-2291

In Montreal at: Place of Worship: 6870 Rue de Terreborne, Montreal, Que, H4B 1C5

Day and Time of Worship Sunday Divine Service: 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Friday Prayer Meetings: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Contact: Rev. Joshua C. Doughan - 514-542-0871 SERVICES ARE CONDUCTED FOLLOWING THE TRADITIONAL GHANA METHODIST LITURGY. PLEASE COME AND JOIN US. WE HAVE A PLACE FOR YOU. GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU

CHRIST REDEEMER CHURCH

Pastor-in-charge: Pastor Eric Amoah Tel: (416) 748-1242 Cell: (416) 300-9970 Church Services Sunday Service: Bible Study: 10 a.m.-11a.m. Worship Service: 11a.m. - 1p.m. Wednesday: Bible Study 6:30p.m.-7:30p.m. Friday Night Prayer: 8p.m.-10p.m. Pastor Eric Amoah Location: 4 Racine, Unit 9

(Kipling/Rexdale)

Email: info@disciplesrevivalchurch.org www.disciplesrevivalchurch.org

SUNDAY SERVICE - Morning - 10:00 am

Heaven In My Heart Ministries 100 Penn Dr, Unit #3 Rev. Eleanor Adu-Anane, Oversea and Founder MRE, ECE

Mid-Week Service Wed: Bible Study & Prayer: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Friday: Youth Service 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Friday: Adult Intercessory Prayer - 7:00 - 9:00 pm For deliverance & healing, come to Disciples, a Church that caters to your needs Do visit our website and sign up for the Pastor's monthly newsletter

www.disciplesrevivalchurch.org

30 Gordon Mackay Rd, North York, ON, M9N 2V6

Tel, 647-892-9412 Fax: 905-846-6257 E-mail eleanoraduanane@yahoo.ca

Time of Worship: Wednesday: Bible Studies 7:00pm to 8:30pm Friday: Prayer Meeting 8:30pm to 11pm st 1 . Friday of every month: All Night Prayer Meeting & Deliverance 9pm to 2am Rev. Mrs Eleanor AduSaturday: Youth Meeting: 2pm to 4pm Anane MRE, BA, RECE For Counselling & other Choir Practice: 3pm to 5pm matters contact the Pastor Sunday: Christian Education: 9am to 10am 647-892-9412 or Celebration: 10:30am to 12:30pm 905-846-6257 Mailing Address: 2 Berwick Avenue Brampton Ontario, L6Z 2P6,

FOOD FOR LIFE

The Ghanaian News January 2018

Bringing the Gospel to our Community by Rev. Isaac DeGraft Takyi For as he thinks within himself, so he is.He says to you, Proverbs 23:7a New American Standard Bible (NASB) The aphorism, “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he,” not only embraces the whole of a man’s being but is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of his life. A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts. They themselves are makers of themselves. James Allen This is the right timeto say thank you to God for His protection, provision, and presence. This is also the right time to express my profound gratitude tomy able readers, for yourencouragement and support. May the Lord who has granted you the gift of life and has brought you into 2018 grant to you all that you need to become all that He created you to be and to become. This year we will base our reflections on our “thinking”— our “thoughts”—and see how we can change our thinking to change our lives, our loved ones and our community. Can the Ghanaian Canadian Christian be creative, innovative and “originative”? Can our churches make a difference in our community? What is the greatest need in our community that the Ghanaian Canadian Christians can help address by their greatest passion, ingenuity and creativity? How does Google and Facebook think, work and change people’s lives? Canthe way Christians think and work create the needed change in the world?

I believe that God has placed us in Canada as Ghanaian Christians to be change agents and change makers, to make a lasting impact, to make a difference and leave this country better than we came to meet it. God desires that we leave a legacy in our world. The body of Christ should be the pacesetters in all spheres of life. The Apostle Paul reveals that God’s intent is that through the wisdom displayed by the church the world will learn: To the intent that now to the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, Ephesians 3:10 This year we will be looking at eleven different ways that highly successful Christians think and do their things. Our main resources besides the Bible, will be “How Successful People Think”and “Thinking ForA Change”, both books by John Maxwell, and “As A Man Thinketh”by James Allen. Is there value in Good thinking? What about Right thinking? This is how John Maxwell puts

it: Good thinkers are always in demand. A person who knows how,may always have a job, but the person who knows why,will always be his boss. Good thinkers solve problems, they never lack ideas that can build an organization, a community, a church or country and they always have hope for a better future. Good thinkers rarely find themselves at the mercy of ruthless people who would take advantage of them or try to deceive them, people like Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, who once boasted, “What luck for rulers that men do not think.” Those who develop the process of good thinking can rule themselves—even while under an oppressive ruler or in other difficult circumstances. In short, good thinkers are successful. To engage in the habit and process of good and right thinking we need to do three things: understand the value of good and right thinking, realize the impact of changed thinking and master the process of good thinking. To understanding the Value of good thinking, John C. Maxwell In his book, Thinking for a Change says, “If you are willing to change your thinking, you can change your feelings. If you change your feelings, you can change your actions. And changing your actions – based on good thinking – can change your life.” He suggests that the reasons why

Ghanaian Presbyterian

good thinking is so valuable is because good thinking creates the foundation for good results, increases your potential, and produces more good thinking if you make it a habit and a practice. Achieving your potential as a Ghanaian Canadian Christian comes from making progress, and progress is often just one good idea away. Thinking is about creating a never-ending army of ideas, capable of achieving almost anything by the grace and mercy of God. A famous playwright once said, “An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an invasion of ideas.” What are the ideas you have now? What are you doing with them? To realize the impact of changed thinking,one must try to answer the why question first. Why should you change your thinking? Why should we change our thinking? I do agree with John C. Maxwell’s reasoning “Because it is the difference that will make all the difference in your life! Good thinking can do many things for you: solve problems, create opportunities and lift you above the crowd. It can take you to a whole new level, personally and professionally”.Dear friends, changed thinking really can change your life. I know as well as you do that many people do like to talk about changing the world, changing others but very few think about changing themselves. I pray that this

year, 2018, you will make the decision to be a good thinker. If you have made that choice, then consider the following things that you need to know about changing your thinking, according to John C. Maxwell: 1. Changed thinking is not automatic, it demands intentionality and hard work. 2. Changed thinking is difficult 3. Changed thinking is and will always be worth the investment, and 4. Changed thinking is the best gift you can give to yourself and to others. 8 Finally,believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. Answer and Act 1. Who are the two or three of the best thinkers you know? What separates them from the rest of the crowd? What one good thought will you focus on this month?

Living Word

Church of Montreal

Assembly of God Church (Affiliated with P.A.O.C.)

139 Millwick Drive Toronto, Ont. (Steeles/Islington) Tel: 416- 741-6285 Fax: 416- 741-0133

Minister: Rev. Stephen Azundem

Services: Sunday 10:00AM – 1:00PM Divine Worship Service Wednesday 7:00PM – 9:00PM Teaching Service (Bible Study) Friday 7:00PM – 9:00PM – Prayer Service

Tel (office): 514 278 8109 Tel (Cell): 514 660 2422

1345 rue Lapointe St. Laurent, QC, H4L 1K5 Location: At the Corner of O’Brien and Poirier.

Email: livingwordag@bellnet.ca Senior Pastor Rev. Isaac Takyi DeGraft

Church Activities

Sunday Early Morning Prayer: 8:30 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday Prayer: 10:00 a.m-12 noon Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Friday Prayer 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Last Friday of the month“All Night Prayer”): 7:30 p.m.-12 mid-night Youth Service (Fridays): 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Departmental Meeting (Every other Sunday): 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

The Ghanaian News January 2018

Ghana Calvary Methodist United Church, Toronto Invites all Christians to join us to worship and glorify the Living God

Bethel Prayer Ministry Int'l Do you desire to experience the power and the presence of God demonstrated in your life? Do you want to experience the marvelous work of God's grace in your life? Then, Bethel Prayer Ministry International would like to invite you to visit their church where the word of God is preached powerfully to release the power of God in your life. Pastor Dennis Awuku COME AND YOU WILL BE BLESSED Senior Pastor

Contact:

Very Reverend Albert K. Appiah, Minister in-charge

Worship Schedule: Sunday Church Service - Akan: English Service

Cell. 416-400-8211 Church 416-642-0390 Worship Hours: Sunday Service: 9am - 1pm Tuesday 9am - 2 pm Consultation Wednesday: 7pm - 9p.m. Friday: 9pm - 12 pm Saturday (Prayer Warriors) 6pm - 8pm Location: 52 Carrier Drive, Unit 12, (Albion/Hwy 27)

Etobicoke, Ont., M9w 5S5

- 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Harvest Christian Church

10:00 a.m. - 12 noon

Invites you for a wonderful time with the Lord

Friday

- Prayer Meeting: - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Saturday

- Organizational Meetings Choir Practice, Singing Band Practice

Venue of Worship 65 Mayall Avenue, Toronto, Ontario

Worship Hours Sundays (Mornings) 10 - 12:45pm Wednesday (Bible Study) 7 -8:30 pm Friday (All Night Prayer) 8-10:30pm

Tel: 416-614-6110 / 647-341-7305 Email: gcmuc.org

Hamilton Society Stoney Creek United Church (Chapel) 1 King Street West, Stoney Creek, Hamilton Contact: 289-244-5914, 289-700-6815, 289-698-1388

Rev Moses Sarpong

Come and Experience the power of the Word Join us at 196 Toryork Drive(Corner of Weston/Finch)

Tel: 416-743-2507

Itâ€™s Harvest Time So Reach Out And Make A Difference

Itâ€™s A Great Commission!

The Ghanaian News January 2018

The Apostolic Church Int'l. The Apostolic Church International (Toronto Assembly) is a Branch of The Apostolic Church in Ghana Apostle Nii Aryee (Area Supt. Canada-Wide)

Meeting Schedule Sunday (Worship) Wednesday Teaching Service Friday Prayers Friday: Monthly All Night Service Saturday : Movements -

- - - -

10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. 10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

THE APOSTLES'

Field Superintendent contact: 416-454-6141 (cell) 905-913-2037 (Res)

CONTINUATION CHURCH INTERNATIONAL (CANADA)

168 Rexdale Blvd.,

North American Headquarters: 10 Belfield Road Toronto, Ont., M9W 1G1 Tel: 416-247-6629 Fax: 416-247-5308

Etobicoke, Ontario, M9W 1P6 Church Office 416-740-1979 Field Secretary: Pastor Cyril Williams - 416-875-9616 Apostle Charles Anokye-Manu

Lighthouse Assembly of God Church

SERVICE TIMES:

2017: LIBERTY IN THE SPIRIT 2 Corinthian 3:17

SUNDAY SERVICES: 10:00 am-1:30 pm Ghanaian Service WEEKDAY SERVICES: Wednesday - Bible Studies Friday - Prayer Service LOCATION:

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm 7:00 pm -9:00 pm

42 Steinway Blvd. Unit 1&2

Tel: 416-740-1200 Fax: 416-740-6435 lighthouseag@outlook.com Website: http:/www/lighthouseag.ca www.lighthouseagtoronto.org

Rhema Power of Grace Chapel Int'l

Worship Service Bible Studies Service All Night Service Deliverance

Toronto

63 Howden Rd., Unit 'F' Scarborough, ON, M1R 3C7 Tel 647-850- 0142 Fax 416-945- 9445

Sunday - Divine Worship - 10a.m. - 1p.m. Wednesday - Bible Studies 8p.m. - 10p.m. Friday - Prayer / Deliverance - 7p.m. - 10p.m. Contact Lines: Tel: 416-321-2796 (Pastor's Res) 416-747-9225 (Church)

Cell: 647-921-2414

Tel: 514-271-9083 Pastor-In-Charge: John Arhin

Contact: Res: 450-687-4916 Cell: 514-654-6178

Immanuel Assembly of God Church, Scarborough Sunday School: 9:30am -10:30am Church Service: 10:30am - 12 noon

350 Deerhide Cres, North York, ON Rev. Bishop Joe Bonnah

378 Cremazie East Montreal, Quebec, H2P 1E5

Scarborough Assembly

Place of Worship:

Founder &Pastor-in-charge

Montreal Assembly

10 Belfield Road Tel: 416-247-6629

Invites all Christians, Non-Christians and members of the Resurrection Power Tradition to join us worship the Great Jehovah

Days And Time of Worship

- Sunday 10:30 a.m. Wednesday 9:00 p.m. - Friday 9:30 p.m. - Saturday 4:00 p.m.

Worship With Us At These Branches In Canada

Pastor-in-charge: Rev. Boniface Keelson

(Hwy 27/Steeles) Toronto, Ontario, M9W 6Y6 Email:

Website: www.apostlescontinuation.org

Rev. Douglas O. Ansah Pastor-in-charge

LOCATION Don Montgomery Community Centre 2467 Eglinton Ave. E. Scarborough, Ont., (Kennedy/Eglinton Subway Station) For more info contact:

647-880-4216

Email: immanuelscarborough@gmail.com Website: immanuelaog.ca.

The Ghanaian News January 2018

The year 2018: Controversies, Fiascoes, Skepticism and frustrations Abound cont’d from pg. 59

Welcome Home Evangelistic Ministries Affiliated with the Evangelical Church In Canada

Gen. Overseer & Founder: Evang. & Prophetess Winnie Manu BRE, M. Div.

New address: Heart Lake United Church 85 Sandalwood Pkwy E. Brampton, ON Sunday Morning Worship Celebration start from 1:30 pm Wednesday Discipleship class is 7pm Friday Prayer meeting is 7pm Contact Info: Tel: 647 210 7057 Fax: 905 495 4789 Website: www.wheministries.org

Email: whemtoday@gmail.com

‘civilization’. The sad part of it is that even wellfunded and most efficient healthcare system could not withstand a rising tide of chronic diseases or the tsunami fallout from an imported lifestyle some of our young population are vigorously embracing in the name of almighty dollar. However, to control the run-away cost of the NHIA we need to control people’s behaviors. Behavioral Economists have been telling us for years that people aren’t always rational when it comes to making choices. Sometimes it takes a little extra push and cash payment or taxation to provide the nudge to encourage or discourage people to rearrange their lifestyles or do what they should be doing for themselves for the sake of selfpreservation and longevity. Speaking of incentives, the NHIA and businesses and multi-national food processing companies in Ghana should consider offering perks and other incentives to Ghanaians to stay healthy. Employers using incentives as a way to get employees into the gym, wellness programs, loss weight, stopsmoking, or other health enhancing programs are steps in the right direction, if we really want to save money and sustain the NHIA. In fact, health enhancing incentives like annual premium reduction for subscribers who loss weight or stop smoking and attend healthy awareness classes should be part of the NHIA’s equation. Our churches and mosques should start preaching health enhancing measures vigorously to the congregations across the land. The NHIA debate right now is all about giving more Ghanaians an affordable access to doctors, hospitals and medicine. Yet, the vast majority of healthcare decisions are really made by individuals,

instead of medical professionals; whether choices are about diet and exercise or ways of managing chronic conditions like diabetics, obesity or heart disease. Patients’ failure to follow even a basic regiment of prescription drug can leave them with serious medical complication and big medical cost. The NHIA loses money when people don’t take their medications for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension and later on show up at the hospitals’ emergency rooms, which costs more to treat them. For an effective healthcare delivery system, we need the two experts in the field: The doctor (who specializes in human biology and psychology and chemistry and the patient (who is also expert in feelings). Without bringing these two experts together in harmony, no good cost-effective health care insurance could be accomplished. It has been hell for 2018 so far and I don’t think this year is going to be that great, given all the controversies and fiascoes that are emerging, week after week. This year is definitely going to give the journalists and talking heads on our airwaves a lot to talk about. And comedians are going to have a field day and laugh all the way to the bank, sweat –free. How many more controversies and fiascoes are going to pop up here and there in other departments before the year gets old? Only God knows! Stay Tuned and have a Happy New Year!( Yeah right!). Kwaku Adu-Gyamfi (voice of reason) *The author is a social commentator and founder of an empowerment foundation for Disadvantaged youth of Asuom,E/R.

The Ghanaian News January 2018

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 416 916-3700

Christian Hope Ministry Int'l Invites You All To Come Worship With Us Apostle-in-charge: Apostle Twumasi Ankrah

Apostle Twumasi Ankrah

Tel: 647-916-0780 / 647-703-9717 TIME OF WORSHIP: Sunday 10:30 am - 1:30 pm Tuesday 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Friday 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

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Praise Temple of Christ International Snr. Pastor: Apostle Osei-Bonsu 336 Gary Ray Drive @ Signet Worship Schedule Sunday Worship - 10 am - 12:30 pm Wednesday - Bible Study - 7 pm - 9 pm Friday - Prayer Meeting - 8 pm - 10 pm Second and last Friday of each month All Night Prayer Meeting 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. Apostle Osei Bonsu

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The Ghanaian News January 2018

Around the Ghana Sports Scene Nigeria, Ghana to make history at 2018 Winter Olympics These African countries will be making debut appearances in some sports Nigeria and Ghana will make debut appearances in skeleton and bobsledding at the Winter Olympics in February. Skeleton is an individual sport in which the athlete rides on a small sled, known as a skeleton bobsled (or sleigh), down a frozen track while lying face down (prone). AkwasiFrimpong of Ghana and SimideleAdeagbo of Nigeria will be the first Africans to be participating in the skeleton event at the Winter Olympic. For Adeagbo, she will be making history as the first African female skeleton athlete and Nigerian winter Olympian. Frimpong will be the second Ghanaian to participate in the Winter Olympics. Ghana’s only appearance at the games was in 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia where Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong represented the country in the Slalom Ski event. How they made it to the Winters Olympics Frimpong and Adeagbo’s qualifications to the 2018 Winter Olympic were facilitated by the new rule for qualifying for the Olympic bobsled and skeleton event. According to International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), the rule grants the automatic Olympic slot for the top athlete per continent. This

Nigeria, Ghana to make history at 2018 Winter Olympics

is so long as they complete five races on three different tracks in the last two seasons before the games. AkwasiFrimpong was born and raised in Ghana. He, however, left for the Netherlands at the age of eight. After a fairly successful career as a track and field athlete, Frimpong switched to skeleton sport in 2015 and he has represented Ghana in major track events. “With all the things I went through as a (track and field) athlete in the Netherlands and the US, I have learned to face fear. I have learned that it’s possible,” Frimpong said in an interview with Business Insider Sub Saharan Africa. “Through skeleton, I’m trying to show people to come out of their comfort zone as much as possible and get into something different. We cannot all be Abedi Pele, we cannot all be Usain

Bolt, but we all have talent that we can definitely use,” Frimpong explained. AkwasiFrimpong is profiled as an entrepreneur and motivational speaker. SimideleAdeagbo was born in Toronto, Canada to Nigerian parents but she lived the first six years of her life in Nigeria. According to Adeagbo during an interview posted on Nike, she first touched a skeleton sled in September of 2017. “I read an article about how the women had this audacious goal of becoming Africa’s first-ever bobsled team to go to the Winter Olympics,” Adeagbo recalls. “I was super inspired, and instantly thought, hmm, ‘I wonder if I could be a part of that?” SimideleAdeagbo is a Marketing Manager at Nike Inc. Africa Office in Johannesburg South Africa. Pulse Ghana Business Insider

Isaac Dogboe becomes Ghana’s Youngest World Champion Ghana’s Isaac ‘Royal Storm’ Dogboe made history last Saturday as he becomes the youngest professional boxer to win a World Title for Ghana. The 23 year-old turned in one of his best performances at the packed Bukom Boxing Arena by stopping rugged Mexican fighter Cesar Juarez in round five to win the interim WBO World super bantamweight strap. Dogboe dropped Juarez in the second round with a deadly left hook – the Mexican beat the count. Juarez then mounted intense pressure on Dogboe in round three and four, but in the fifth round another ferocious left hook sent Juarez crashing to the mat. Though he beat the count but he was in bad shape forcing the referee Tony Weeks to stop the bout. Dogboe thus becomes the eighth Ghanaian to win a World title but looking at the ages of those boxers, the former Olympian is the youngest among them.

Isaac Dogboe displays his new title after winning the fight David Kotey ‘Poison’ won Ghana’s first World title at the age of 28, Azumah Nelson claimed Ghana’s second World title when he was 26 years-old Nana Yaw Konadu became World champion at age 25, Ike Quartey was 25 years when he won Ghana’s fourth World title, Alfred Kotey annexed Ghana’s fifth World title at age 26.

Joseph Agbeko won Ghana’s sixth World title when he was 27 years, Joshua Clottey add his name to the list by winning Ghana’s seventh World title at age 31. And now Dogboe has won Ghana’s eighth World title at age 23. ghanacrusader.com

with Jonathan Baah Annobil

FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup: Ghana’s PrincellaAdubeafinish joint top scorer with Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade Ghana’s Female U20 striker Priscilla Adubea ended Africa’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers as a joint top scorer with Nigeria’s RasheedatAjibade. The attacker found the back of the net 10 times in five matches for the Black Princesses. The AmpemDarkoaa Ladies forward who doubles as the striker of Ghana’ Black Queens opened her goal scoring escape by scoring twice in Ghana’s 5-0 demolishing of Algeria in Cape Coast having missed the first leg match in Algiers.

PrincellaAdubea is joint top scorer in the African qualifiers of the 2018 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Adubea again scored a double brace in the team’s qualifier against Kenya in Ghana and also got a brace in the reverse the Cameroonians to take her fixture played in Nairobi to tally to 10. increase her goal tally to eight. Adubea has gradually Adubea then scored a goal in e s t a b l i s h e d h e r s e l f a s a the side’s 1-1 stalemate with clinical goalscorer after Cameroon in Yaounde before winning the Ghana National finding the back of the net Women’s League goal queen again in the return leg to aid on two consecutive occasions. Ghana record a 3-0 win over Ghanasoccernet.com

CAF General Secretary Antony Baffoe appointed General Coordinator for 2018 FIFA World Cup final CAF General Secretary Antony Baffoe is among two African who have been appointed General Coordinators for the 2018FIFA World Cup finals in Russia this June and July. Also selected is SAFA General Manager for Football Business Russell Paul. Russell and Baffoe were among the elite General Coordinators from around the world who were assigned to see the smooth running of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and FIFA has once again shown confidence into the two by giving them responsibilities during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Anthony Baffoe Russell is a seasoned administrator and is among a few influential General Coordinators within CAF who have handled FIFA World Cup assignments. The two will be in Russia for the entire duration of the World Cup. Ghanasoccernet.com

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 416- 916-3700

The Ghanaian News January 2018

From Ballon D’Or to President The rise and rise of Liberia’s George Weah George Weah has added the Liberian Presidency to his African, European and World Best Player achievements, but his rise didn’t look realistic when he began his football career on the dusty pitches of Monrovia, writes Emmanuel Ayamga. Subscribe 24/7 Live - Subscribe to the Pulse Newsletter! Bottom of Form Over 20,000 fans watched on as Tonnerre Kalara football club of Yaoundé hosted Liberian side Invincible Eleven at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Cameroon. It was in 1987. Both teams commanded cult status at the time and were also defending champions of their respective leagues. But all the attention was on a 20-year-old who many Cameroonians had heard of but were yet to see in action. This prodigy had taken over Liberia with his dazzling performances, but he was untested outside the shores of the then war-torn West African country. However, here he was on Central African soil, up against a passionate, roaring crowd and a tactically disciplined Tonnerre side that had won the Cameroonian Premier League three times in the previous six years. If the stakes were high for both teams, the pressure was much higher for the young man at the center of it all. But he embraced it, warmed himself to the game, carefully picked his moments, majestically wooed the crowed with his trickery and, ended up stealing the show with two wonderful strikes that gave Invincible Eleven the win. That was a young George Oppong Weah! The young Clara Town native made a huge impression that Tonnerre’s president Pierre Semengue could not overlook and immediately asked of his availability. After watching him for just 90 minutes, Semengue was convinced that Weah would be a good fit at Tonnerre and quickly signed him to the Yaoundé-based club. “When he arrived, the first match he played was against Canon. He scored two goals,” Semengue recalled in an interview with DW. This was in Weah’s sole season in the Cameroonian topflight (1987-88), but his exploits meant he had left an indelible mark on all football fans in the Central African country. Whiles most Cameroonians saw in him a rough diamond starring at greatness, others saw the new Roger Milla. He was subsequently named Le Roi, which translates as The King. Soon, the next step was nigh and Europe came calling. Monaco it was! The European Dream Weah’s sole season in the Cameroonian league appeared to have been the springboard to his European dream coming true. Whiles starring with Tonnerre, then Cameroon national team coach Claude Leroy took notice of the Liberian’s talent and immediately recommended him to officials of French side AS Monaco. Initially there was reluctance as the Monaco hierarchy did not really see Weah as a player who could cut it out in Europe.

However, Arsene Wenger – the manager of Monaco at the time – had other ideas and persisted on giving the much talked about youngster a chance. The Frenchman was so keen that he personally traveled to Africa in 1988 to ensure the move was completed. So Weah became a Monaco player, with the Principality club offering to part ways with £12,000 for his services. The boy from the slums had finally realized his dream of playing in Europe, but he wanted more. Rather than being content with playing alongside superstars like Glenn Hoddle and Emmanuel Petit, Weah wanted to be rated in the same league as the aforementioned duo. In his young football career he was loved everywhere he played, and he wasn’t ready to give up that. Not even on his first shot at a European club. The first six months were tougher than Weah ever expected. The French league was far different from what he was used to back in Africa. It was less physical, more tactical and demanded more pace. Weah could not compete and the bench became his sojourn. “I just had a passion for the game and I worked hard. Everyday I would rather train than eat or sleep, “Weah told the Guardian of his early months in France. “When I moved to Monte Carlo [to play for Monaco from the

Cameroonian club Tonnerre Yaoundé in 1988] I didn’t play for the first six months. But I was determined to showcase my talent , to prove to those back home , who thought that my coming to Europe was a waste of time, that I was a good player.” That conviction to prove his doubters wrong soon developed into hunger, thanks to the guidance of Wenger. The Frenchman took him in and counseled him on how to get to the top of world football. Indeed, Weah regards the now Arsenal boss as a “father” and remembers fondly how the 68-year-old gave him protection during the difficult times. “He (Wenger) was a father figure and regarded me as his son. This was a man, when racism was at its peak, who showed me love. He wanted me to be on the pitch for him every day,” the Liberian told the Guardian. “One day, I was quite tired of training and told him that I was having a headache. “He said to me: ‘George, I know it’s tough but you need to work hard. I believe that with your talent, you can become one of the best players in the world.’ “So I listened and kept going on. Besides God , I think that without Arsène, there was no way I would have made it in Europe.” Weah bade his time and when the opportunity came he grabbed it. He was given the number nine jersey and he never disappointed. At the end of the 1989 season we was adjudged the Best Player in Africa by France Football and was also voted the best Foreign player in Ligue 1. In three years at Monaco Weah scored 47 goals and helped the club to win the Coupe de France, as well as reach the final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup. Weah’s determination and zeal inspired many, including Thierry Henry was then developing in the Monaco youth sides. “In the history of the game, I have never seen power and speed like George Weah,” Henry said of Weah back in 2014. He went on to play for Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City andMarseille before going for his last pay cheque in the UAE by joining Abu Dhabi side Al Jazira in 2001. In his time with the aforementioned European clubs, his status as a global star continue to grow and the world’s eyes was finally opened to Weah’s unique talents. At PSG Le Roi won the French league, two more Coupe de France titles, a Coupe de la Ligue and helped the club to the semifinals of both the UEFA Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup. On a personal level Weah netted 16 goals in 25 European games for the Parisians, including a wonder goal against Bayern Munich in the 1994/95 Champions League that is still very much etched in the minds of many football fans. He also won the African Footballer of The Year award for the second time in 1994 following his sterling performances with PSG. Before 1995 Weah had conquered France too and decided to join AC Milan in the Italian Serie A. At Milan, he won everything there was to win, including the League, the African Footballer of The Year for the third time, the Ballon d’Or, the FIFA Best Player and the Onze d’Or. Rising from the slums Playing in Cameroon was a stepping stone for Le Roi, however, back home in Monrovia and across Liberian his countrymen already knew the kind of talent Weah possessed. In the early 1980s when a young Weah joined the Young Survivors Youth Club in the third-tier of Liberian football, not many believed he would go on to conquer the world. Growing up in Clara Town, one of the poorest cities in Southern Liberia, things were never easy. But all Weah wanted to do was to play football. He and his age-mates would weave their own footballs with whatever fabric they could find and not even the dusty, grassless pitches in Monrovia could stop them. As one of 13 children being taken care of by his grandmother, even money for upkeep was a huge problem. As a result he had to drop out in the final year of middle school. Playing on the streets of Clara Town was all that was left. But Weah took that very seriously. He dreamed and hoped for a day when he could make a career out of football. A chance to play for Young Survivors kickstarted that dream, but not without its challenges. Weah had to adapt quickly from the each-one-for-himself play on the streets to a team player playing for a lower division club. The transition was slow, testing and sometimes rowdy, yet Weah continued working his way up the ladder – in humility and in conventionality. But the signs were already on the wall and it was only a matter of time before the skinny boy won over his doubters. The then 16-year-old was so good that his colleagues at Young Survivors usually used him as a yardstick to measure their own outputs. Even as a teenager with no nurturing from an academy Weah completely stood out whenever he had the ball at his cont’d on pg. 71 feet: talk of dribbling and shooting skills.

The Ghanaian News January 2018 cont’d from pg. 70

From Ballon D’Or to President The rise and rise of Liberia’s George Weah

Within a few months the skinny teenager who arrived at the club by chance became a crowd favourite and helped a managerless Young Survivors team to qualify into the Liberian First Division. His wonderful displays for Young Survivors did not go unnoticed. He soon earned himself a first move to the Liberian topflight, where he signed for Mighty Barrolles in the summer of 1985. Weah was one of the youngest in the side, but his confidence was unmatched. Playing among far older colleagues in the Liberian Premier League did not intimidate him at all; rather it inspired him to continue to prove his worth. Weah spent just a season with the Barrolles, but it was one that had left a lasting impression. At 19 he was already a regular, helping the side to a league and cup double during his one-year stint with the club. But there was more to come. Blighted by confusion as a result of turmoil borne out of war, many Liberians only had the local league to thank as a source of entertainment. Coincidentally, that period marked the rise of Weah, who was gradually becoming a local favourite due to his impressive performances. Gradually, he warmed himself to the locals, and by the time he joined Invincible Eleven – bitter rivals to his previous club, Mighty Barrolles – all of Liberia began to take notice of the country’s rising star. The

fledgling, yet glowing Weah completely swept away the local scene. In 23 games for the Yellow Boys he scored an astonishing 24 goals. And that, for a then 20-year-old. His goals helped the Invincible Eleven to win the Liberian Premier League – Weah’s second in succession following his earlier triumph with the Barrolles the previous season. That season he was the top scorer in the Liberian topflight and was subsequently crowned best player. It was mission accomplished at home. Two Liberian Premier League titles, a league cup trophy, the top scorer award and the best player gong: Weah had paid his dues on the local front. And like a Baron in the Badlands his rise had just began. His greatness simply knew no boundary. Ballon d’Or success In 1995 AC Milan were on a pretty rough path with regards to European success. The Rossoneri had also just conceded the Serie A trophy to Juventus, so the red half of Milan needed to respond. And the response came in the transfer market that summer. Milan president Silvio Berlusconi knew the club would lag behind if he didn’t bring in some of the finest talents available. In came Roberto Baggio and George Weah to beef up the attacking line of the San Siro outfit. Milan already boasted one of the best defensive units in the world, with manager Fabio Capello assembling the likes of Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Christian Panucci and Filippo Galli to marshal the back. Baggio was undoubtedly the club’s marquee signing, but Weah became the tormentor-in-chief. The pair combined to deadly effect and terrorized defenses both in Italy and in Europe. Weah had pace, skill and his 6’2” stature meant it was almost impossible to dispossess him off the ball. LeRoi emerged top scorer at Milan in his debut season, outshining Baggio and all the other big-name players in the team. He also helped the club to Serie A glory – their 15th overall at the time. In less than 12 months Weah had already become a favourite at Milan; his name etched in the hearts and minds of many Milanisti. His unmatched performances meant the Ballon d’Or was nigh, and Weah scooped the prestigious individual award in 1995, becoming the first, and so far only, African to do so. He later added the World Best Player and the African Footballer of The Year awards to his achievements that year. It was a truly remarkable feat for the boy who started his football career kicking polythene-woven footballs in the slums of Monrovia. The world was at Weah’s feet now: He made Liberians dream after seeing his potential, he mesmerized Cameroonians with his brilliance, he gave France magical moments and now he had just delivered the most impossible of impacts at Milan. The only major trophy he could not lay his hands on, aside the World Cup, was the Champions League. Indeed, Weah is widely regarded one of the best players never to have ever won the Champions League,

despite his influence on the pitch. Weah The Politician George Oppong Weah has come a very long way. From his time training on the grassless, dusty pitches in the slums of Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, the Clara Town native never let his guard down. LeRoi bowed out of football in 2003 having won the African, European and World Best Player awards. But he was destined for far greater things. Despite putting Liberia on the map, Weah believed there was more he could offer his country. He had the passion to serve, to lead his people as president. And so following the end of the second Liberian civil war, Weah announced his intention to run for president in the West African country. He formed the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) and decided to contest Liberia’s seat of government in 2005. However, not even his achievements as a footballer mitigated the challenges that came his way. Many people doubted his suitability, pointing to a lack of political experience and a deficiency in formal education. And with his rival, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, acquiring her education at the famous Harvard University, the odds were against Weah, a political novice. But he swept aside all that negativity and continued with his political dream. Weah eventually lost in the 2005 elections, managing just 40.6% of the total votes, as against Sirleaf’s 59.4%, following a run-off. The loss was a huge blow, but it inspired Weah to continue working hard – the only way he knows. He decided to go back to school to attain some formal education, whiles also seeking advice from legends like Nelson Mandela. “When I had a conversation with Nelson Mandela many years ago, he told me that if I was calledon to serve my country I must do the right thing. I am acting on that advice,” Weah later revealed about the South African freedom fighter’s influence on his political career. In 2006 Weah obtained his high school diploma at the age of 40. He furthered studied for a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s in public administration at the DeVryUniversity in Florida. Gradually, Weah was enhancing his political reputation and his passion was endearing to the Liberian people. In 2011 Weah took a second shot at Liberia’s seat of government, this time as vice presidential candidate to Winston Tuban, but again the CDC lost to the Unity Party’s Sirleaf. Weah then decided to run for the position of senator of Montserrado County in 2014. This time his bid was successful and he was elected as senator after garnering a whopping 78% of the total votes. But he still wanted more, and was unwilling to give up his bid to become president of Liberia. He took his ambition a little further and again contested the 2017 presidential elections on the ticket of the CDC, choosing Jewel Howard Taylor, senator for Bong county and former wife of the ousted president Taylor, as his running mate. In a very huge upset, Weah took the lead in the first round of the elections, amassing 38% of the votes. “I think the life of George Weah is a real film, it’s unbelievable. You can make a fantastic film. All my life, I remember when I saw him the first time in Monaco, coming a bit lost, not knowing anybody, not being rated by anybody as a player and after, in 1995 becoming the best player in the world and today being president of his country, it’s an unbelievable story,” Arsene Wenger remarked, as he reflected on Weah’s journey so far. A run-off was held on December 26 and Weah finally realised his dream of becoming president of Liberia, beating Johnson-Sirleaf’s vice president, Joseph Boakai with over 60% of the votes. On January 22, 2018, Weah was sworn in as President of Liberia at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, in Monrovia. It is a success story that many still find very hard to understand. Perhaps Weah’s former coach and current manager of Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, explained it best when he described the Liberian’s journey as “a film”. “I have spent many years of my life in stadiums, but today is a feeling like no other. I am overwhelmed with the crowd and the energy here today, and I guarantee you, when we finish, there will not be a winning or a losing side. Today, we all wear the jersey of Liberia, and the victory belongs to the people, to peace, and to democracy,” Weah said at his inauguration. Weah’s last line was very catchy, but what he failed to add was that his victory is not just for Liberians, but for all who aspire to rise against the odds no matter their backgrounds. When Le Roi started in the slums of Clara Town, Monrovia, not many would have predicted such a rise after 51 years of his life. But today, Weah stands as the cornerstone, having become African, European and World Best Player; and now President of Liberia.

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