#OddThoughts : Black Stars Money Transfer to Ghana

#OddThoughts : Black Stars Money Transfer to Ghana .

I've heard stories of the Ghana Black  Stars having issues with regards to bringing back the USD currency to Ghana , which was flown to them days ago in Brazil from Ghana .

After insisting on having the money in cash (which didn't make sense),taking it out of Brazil is their headache now.

Option 1 : each person should find  people among the fans and GFA officials and give them $10k each so that they bring it to Ghana for them .heard lots of fans and GFA officials ( was not there so cant confirm) were there.

Option 2: they should give the money to the Ghana ambassador ,not the entertainers , so that it is transferred later to them since they have little time to open individual accounts (transferring the appearance fee into banks accounts is  what should have been done in the first place,not physical cash)

Option 3: give some of the money to a charity in Brazil , then bring $10k

Option 4: Pay the tax required and bring the money. They can still chill in Ghana with $83k left , the exchange rates will favour them.

Option 5: blow $90k of the cash on high class fashion,then come back with $10k

Watch out for more options

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@Quabynah

World Cup 2014: Muntari, Boateng sacked from Ghana camp

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has expelled midfielders Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng from the Black Stars camp ahead of their must-win game against Portugal on Thursday. The two were said to have fought two days ago during training and after Appiah intervened it ensued in altercation between him and the Schalke midfielder. Muntari is also reported to have slapped a Black Stars management committee member Moses Parker during a crisis meeting over the unpaid appearance fee. The decision to banish the duo from camp was arrived at in a management meeting on Thursday at the team’s hotel. The two have since left the team’s hotel and will not be part of the World Cup campaign should Ghana progress to the knockout stage. Ghana have dominated the headlines over the past 24 hours as issue of appearance fee row hit camp ahead of their trip to Brasilia to face Portugal. Source : goal.com

World Cup 2014: Government's $3m Cash Arrive In Brasilia For Black Stars' Players

The much awaited $3 million cash appearance fee meant for the Black Stars players has safely arrived in the Brazilian city of Brasilia where the Black Stars are scheduled to play Portugal in their last group G game, Ghanasportsonline can confirm. The $3 million cash arrived in a presidential jet at around 9pm Brazilian time (12pm GMT) The government’s action was necessitated by a player revolt over the non-payment of their appearance fees ahead of the team’s departure for Brasilia. It took a timely presidential intervention for the players to eventually agree to board the team’s bus to the airport for Brasilia. The arrival of the money is a delivery of the President’s promise to the playing body Deputy sports Minister Joseph Yamin earlier denied rumours that the monies were not available and that had led to the delay. “The money was mobilised but a chartered flight to take the money to Brazil is what has delayed the money up until now.” The deputy Minister said

Source: Ghanasportsonline.com

Musculoskeletal Pain Affects Young Musicians.

Students who play musical instruments may be more likely to experience musculoskeletal problems than their peers. Neck pain (60.4%), wrist pain (44.4%), upper back pain (41.7%), and lower back pain (38.2%) were the most common musculoskeletal complaints among a group of 225 adolescent musicians. Because the probability of developing pain symptoms increases with each additional year a student plays, the authors of the study recommend preventative treatments to protect young musicians' necks, wrists, and backs. 
Medical Problems of Performing Artists, June 2014

Electricity And Water Tariffs Go Up 12 And 6.1 %

The Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission has increased water and electricity tariffs for the third quarter of the year. The move, which according to the Commission was in line with the automatic adjustment formula, will see a 12 per cent increase in electricity and 6.1 per cent in water for the next quarter beginning July 2014. The PURC had initially proposed a 31 per cent increase in electricity and 14 per cent in water but the commissioners after meeting Wednesday morning on the proposal decided to review it downward same as what was increased for the second quarter. The tariffs went up 12 per cent for electricity and 6.1 per cent for water at the beginning of the second quarter in April 2014. Under the automatic adjustment formula the commissioners have the option to exercise the decision variable which empowers them to maintain the prevailing tariff or review it. The commissioners after their meeting Wednesday in Accra therefore decided to review the proposed increment downward to the same level as what was increased in the second quarter. Earlier the Director of Public Affairs, Nana Yaa Jantuah, had asked consumers to expect an increment beginning July 2014.

Source: Daily Graphic

Reasons to succeed

Surround yourself with reminders of the reasons you have chosen to do the work you do. Keep the thoughts of those reasons foremost in your mind.

Achievement never happens for its own sake. Achievement is built when there are solid, meaningful reasons behind it.

The only enduring impediment to success is the lack of a reason for that success. Connect with a good reason, keep that connection strong, and you will find your way through whatever challenges you encounter.

When you have a reason, you have a stake in the outcome. When you have a reason, you're able to summon the discipline, commitment, persistence and creativity necessary to get the job done.

The best motivation is not to be found in some sophisticated secret technique or procedure. The best motivation is to constantly keep yourself in contact with your reasons.

Give yourself plenty of reasons to succeed. And you most assuredly will.

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Ghana FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi to sue Daily Telegraph

Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi is to sue the Daily Telegraph newspaper over its claim he agreed for the national team to play in matches others were preparing to fix.

The allegations came after a joint undercover investigation by the paper and Channel 4 programme Dispatches.

Nyantakyi told BBC World Service "the contents of the publication are not wholly true".

The GFA has also called in the police to investigate the allegations.

Nyantakyi told BBC Sport he has sent a seven-page response to both parties and is also considering taking legal action against the Channel 4 show.

The undercover investigation identified two people, one a licensed agent of world governing body Fifa and the other a Ghana club official, who allegedly said they could fix friendly matches involving the national side, who are currently involved in the World Cup.

None of the claims involve matches at the World Cup. The report claimed that Nyantakyi had agreed for Ghana to play in two proposed matches after the World Cup.

"I have not agreed to any match-fixing deal involving the GFA," he said.

"I was given a draft contract which I indicated to their agent that I hadn't read and I also had some issues with it and so it will be premature for anybody to say the GFA is at fault."

When news of the investigation first broke on Sunday, the GFA issued a statement saying it had called in the police to investigate two people for misrepresentation.

A statement from the GFA said: "The Ghana Football Association has requested the Ghana Police Service to investigate two persons for misrepresenting the GFA with an attempt to defraud.

"The two were also allegedly filmed claiming that they would bribe GFA officials to ensure that the contract is signed.

"We wish to state that the GFA did not sign the contract as we waited for the response from the legal committee and that the two gentlemen did not make such corrupt offers to the GFA or its officials.

"We wish to assure the public that we will not tolerate such misrepresentations and we will seek strong sanctions against such individuals if such claims are found to be true."

The GFA added the matter had been reported to Fifa and the Confederation of African Football.

Ghana have drawn with Germany and lost to the United States so far at the World Cup but could still qualify from Group G if they beat Portugal on 26 June.

Ghana FA rubbishes match fixing claims by UK media, reports duo to FIFA, Police

The Ghana FA rubbished claims by an English newspaper that it agreed to play in international matches that others were prepared to rig insisting that it has reported the men at the centre of the affair to the Ghana police and FIFA.

An undercover investigation by The Telegraph and Channel Four's Dispatches programme claims the GFA agreed to take part in international football matches organised by match fixers.

Christopher Forsythe, a registered Fifa agent, along with Obed Nketiah, a club official in Ghana, were secretly recorded boasting that they could employ corrupt officials who would rig matches played by Ghana.

The two men have been reported to the Ghana Police while the GFA has informed FIFA and CAF about the report which was published by the newspaper on Sunday night.

The Ghana FA's full response to the allegations were not published by the newspaper only reserving just one paragraph as the GFA's response by paraphrasing.

Reporters from The Telegraph and a former Fifa investigator claimed they represented an investment company that wanted to "sponsor" games.

The president of the country's FA then met the undercover reporter and investigator, along with Mr Forsythe and Mr Nketiah, who were proposing to organise matches for the Black Stars before they were asked to submit a draft proposal.

Even before the GFA had responded to the proposal whether to accept or decline it, the Daily Tepegraph concluded that the GFA had agreed to the deal.

The draft contract stated that it would cost $170,000 (£100,000) for each match organised by the fixers involving the Ghanaian team, and would allow a bogus investment firm ?to appoint match officials, in breach of Fifa rules.

But the GFA rejected the claims of the newspaper saying that its full response to the letter to the Daily Telegraph was not published by the paper as it is meant for them to exact maximum publicity in the wake of Ghana's excellent showing at the World Cup.

"We wish to state categorically that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) or its President Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi never approved or gave Diamond Capital Management the consent to go ahead and organise friendly matches for the Black Stars," the statement from the GFA to the Daily Telegraph which was not published by the UK newspaper read.

"Messrs Forsythe only submitted a draft contract which shows that what they had proposed has not been accepted, signed, sealed or approved as we had not signed or approved anything for Diamond Capital Management to go ahead to organise matches for the Black Stars.

"Till date, Mr. Nyantakyi has not read the so called draft contract. Mr Nyantakyi made this fact known to Messrs Forsythe on 7th June, 2014. Mr Nyantakyi never read nor acknowledged receipt of it. Mr Nyantakyi never discussed any of the terms of the draft contract with any of the personalities in this case let alone accept it.

"What Mr Nyantakyi later received from them were promptings and reminders to sign and return the contract to them. Mr Nyantakyi told them there were governance issues involved that needed to be cleared by our Legal Committee before the GFA could sign."

When they were confronted about their operation, both Mr Forsythe and Mr Nketiah denied any involvement in a plot to fix matches. Mr Nketiah said: "These are false allegations and I will never in my life do such a thing."

As part of a statement, Mr Forsythe, said: "To be frank everything I told you about the match fixing was a figment of my own imagination because I am so naive that I don't even know how matches are done. They were promises just to be able to get something off you."

Opportunity

Today, life will give you the opportunity to be honest. Take that opportunity, and keep yourself aligned with the power of truth.

Today, life will give you the opportunity to be compassionate. Take that opportunity, and feel the priceless satisfaction that comes from making a difference in the lives of others.

Today, life will give you the opportunity to act with discipline and focus. Take that opportunity, and enjoy the fruits of being highly effective in whatever you do.

Your life today will give you the opportunity to learn, to achieve, to enjoy, to reflect, to share, to listen, to understand and to love. Embrace each opportunity that comes your way with gratitude, enthusiasm and a sense of positive purpose.

On this day, life will give you the opportunity to be your best, to live and to act true to the unique and beautiful person you know you are. Take that opportunity, and run with it.

If you've been wishing and waiting for a perfect opportunity, it is here and now. This day will be what you make of it, and there's no opportunity better than that.

Past Joys

It is great to treasure the joys of the past. When you do so, those joys will always be with you, bringing new pleasure each time you think of them.

But don’t get so dependent on past joys that you neglect to make new ones. Instead, allow the joys you’ve previously experienced to inspire you to make even more.

World Cup 2014 Opening Ceremony

The 2014 World Cup opening ceremony will feature all the pageantry and decadence to be expected from a FIFA production. There will be dancers and pop stars and lights and choreography just baffling enough to make you forget that it all precedes a football tournament that has little to do with any of it. But before Brazil play the first match against Croatia, a marvel of scientific innovation will be demonstrated on the pitch that should make it all worthwhile.

A paraplegic whose identity has been kept secret will leave their wheelchair behind and get into what's being described as an Iron Man-like exoskeleton that will allow them to take the tournament's first kick using signals from their brain. The robotic bodysuit was developed by Brazilian doctor Miguel Nicolelis and 156 scientist from around the world and is the product of 30 years of work. It's being unveiled at the World Cup's opening ceremony in Sao Paulo's unfinished stadium as an attempt to show that Brazil is investing in science and things beyond football — which the millions of Brazilian protestors who have been bitterly opposed to their government squandering billions on this World Cup and the 2016 Olympics would dispute.
Source:Yahoo News

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List of FIFA Presidents

Robert Guerin - France ,1904-06

Daniel Burley Woolfall - England ,1906-18

Jules Rimet - France ,1921-54

Rodolphe Seeldrayers - Belgium ,1954-55

Arthur Drewry - England, 1955-61

Stanley Rous - England, 1961-74

Joao Havelange - Brazil ,1974-98

Sepp Blatter - Switzerland ,1998-present

Central University Hostel Collapse

Eight students of the Central University Collage, escaped death last Friday, when the hostel they were occupying collapsed.

None of the students was hurt as they were all not in the building during the incident.

The two-storey uncompleted structure located at Methodist Junction at New Dawhenya in the Ningo-Prampram District suddenly gave way as floors and pillars fell on each other like falling pack of cards on Friday afternoon.

The cause of the collapse is yet to be ascertained.

Parts of the main house and some stores located on the compound were also broken with iron rods that were holding the pillars of the collapsed building.

A popular eatery 'Ajeley Restaurant' which is also located in the structure was also flattened.

The GNA reported that personnel from Ghana National Fire Service, National Disaster Management Organisation officials and police personnel were present at the scene.

Traumatised students from an adjacent hostel and some residents had also gathered at the scene of the incident on Friday.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Paul Mensah Bampoh, District Police Commander, said his outfit received information about the collapsed building at about 1430 hours.

He said information gathered on the incident was very sketchy but confirmed that there were no casualties.

Alhaji Shardrack Nartey, District Chief Executive, who visited the scene, consoled the owner, Mr John Arthur, who was visibly traumatised as he kept weeping.

Alhaji Nartey said the technical officers of the Assembly would investigate the incident to find out the cause.

He also called on developers to adhere to all building regulations to prevent recurrence of such incidence.

Some of the affected students told the GNA that all their belongings which include learning materials, clothing, furniture and cooking utensils were buried under the rubble.

In March this year, a seven-storey uncompleted hotel building at Nii Boi Town in Accra collapsed claiming one life
 
Source: GNA

Ways to produce healthy semen

Sperm health depends on factors such as the following :

Quantity : Your semen should contain more than 15 million sperm per milliliter.

Quality : Sperms should have the normal shape which is oval heads and long tails.

Movement : The sperms should be able to wriggle and swim through a woman's cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes. This is called motility.

Take these steps to help to produce healthy sperms .

Check your weight : Obesity affects sperm quality. It reduces sperm count and movement.

Practice safe sex :Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the leading cause of infertility. Avoid these sexually transmitted infection by using a condom any time you have sex or staying in a mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.

Eat healthy : Eat lots of fruits and vegetables which are rich in antioxidants. These include leafy green, citrus fruits, whole grains,folate-enriched cereals, breads and pastas.

Do not smoke : Smoking tobacco results in low sperm count, reduces sperm motility and may result in abnormally shaped sperms.

Avoid excessive heat : Avoid tight underwear or athletic shorts. Hot tubs, saunas and steamy baths may also interfere with sperm production. Take frequent breaks when cycling or sitting for a long period of time. Do not place your laptop on your lap directly. All these lifestyle habits may affect sperm production.

Limit alcohol intake :Drink alcohol in moderation. Alcohol abuse can reduce quality and quantity of sperms.

Manage stress : Engage in stress relieving activities such as meditation. Stress  can decrease sexual function and interfere with the hormones needed to produce sperm.

Stay active : Exercising can help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce stress and keep you healthy. All these help in healthy sperm production.

Cut down on caffeine : It is known to reduce sperm count and concentration.

Avoid certain medications : Some medications can cause fertility issues. These include calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, anti-androgens and chemotherapy drugs.

Stay away from toxins : Chemicals such as heavy metals, lead and pesticides can affect sperm quality and quantity. Wear protective clothes and equipments when working with them.

Avoid illegal drugs. : Illegal drugs such as marijuana decrease sperm movement and results in abnormally shaped sperm. Cocaine and heroin also hinder the production of healthy sperms.

Avoid lubricants during sex : Personal lubricants such as saliva, most skin lotions, and K-Y jelly can hinder sperm motility. If you need to use lubricants, your best bet is vegetable, safflower or peanut oil.

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Health Alert: Fishermen In Lower Axim Use DDT For Fishing

Fishermen in Lower Axim in the Western Region have resorted to the use of DDT, carbide, dynamite and light for fishing.

The result is that most of the fishes are brought to the shore dead and discoloured, with broken flesh and sunken eyes, indications that they are not fresh.

There are fears that the practice maybe widespread along the west coast of the country.

According to the Chief Fisherman at Lower Axim, Nana Kojo Eshun, the fishermen usually use light to attract the fish, while DDT, carbide and dynamite are used to increase the catch.

Apart from the obvious health implications for fish consumers and processors, the practice is also deepening poverty among fishermen and fishmongers, largely women, as the quality and quantity of fish are adversely affected after smoking.

A fishmonger, Madam Hannah Donkor, is not happy about the situation.

"The fish caught using light is okay but the ones by chemicals are creating a lot of problems for us," she stated.

She said some of the fishmongers had incurred huge debts as a result and explained that the dynamite and carbide methods of fishing caused fishes to rot soon after catch.

According to Madam Donkor, the fish caught with such chemicals also breaks into pieces when exposed to smoke and heat, thereby affecting prices and sales.

The use of chemicals such as DDT and carbide poses a serious health hazard to fish consumers.

Some of the chemicals have had dire consequences on the fingers of some fishmongers.

Health experts say eating food with large amounts (in grammes) of DDT over a short time will most likely affect the nervous system.

People who swallow large amounts of DDT become excitable and have tremors and seizures.

They also experience sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. The effects on the nervous system go away once the exposure to DDT is stopped.

Axim is a coastal town and capital of the Nzema East District in the Western Region.

It lies ,64 kilometres west of the port city of Sekondi-Takoradi to the west of Cape Three Points.

Lower Axim is a major fishing town, with as many as 1,500 canoes.

According to the Secretary of the Lower Axim Fishermen Association, Mr Micheal Nokoe, "any type of fish can be found at Axim".

Mr Nokoe stated that there was a time when the fishermen were made to swear to the sea that they would not use the chemicals again, but the situation had changed "and many of us are using these chemicals today".

"Unfortunately, we cannot stop our people because they also need to survive. But we are ready to stop if the government is able to stop all fishermen from the practice," he said.

Nana Eshun described the illegal fishing practices as a major problem affecting the survival of the fishing industry.

Addressing the problem was not beyond the fishermen association in Lower Axim, he stated but he was quick to add that it was the responsibility of the government to assert its authority to hald illegal fishing practice in the country's waters.

"As the chief fisherman here in Axim, for instance, we can tell them to stop and they will stop today, but we are in the same Ghana; while other fishermen are using those illegal methods, we cannot stop doing same and go hungry," he stated.

"If the government puts its feet down, we will help it stop the illegal fishing practices," he stated..

DDT is a pesticide that was once widely used to control insects on agricultural crops and insects that carry diseases such as malaria and typhus but is now used in only a few countries to control malaria.

Before 1973 when it was banned, DDT entered the air, water and soil during its production and use as an insecticide.

DDT is present at many waste sites. It does not occur naturally in the environment.

After 1972, the use of DDT was no longer permitted in the United States, for instance, except in cases of a public health emergency.

It is, however, still used in some other areas of the world, most notably for controlling malaria
Source:Peacefmonline