ECG Energy Saving Tips

1. Use low energy compact fluorescent lamps as replacements for traditional incandescent lamps.

2. Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators to reduce water usage and its associated energy for heating.

3. Ensure that hot water cylinders and hot water pipes are well insulated.

4. Ensure that thermostats for appliances are effective and set at moderate levels.

5. Use energy saving settings on refrigerators/freezers, air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes washers, and clothes dryers

6. Reduce air conditioning costs by
a) Cleaning or replacing the filter once a month
b) Sealing air leaks through the doorways, window, wall cracks etc.
c) Planting shade trees and shrubs around the house especially on the west side

7. Replace ageing inefficient appliances, especially when they need major repairs, with the most energy-efficient models

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CAF writes to Ghana to host AFCON 2015

The government of Ghana has confirmed the receipt of a letter from the Confederation of African football to be on standby to host the next African Cup of Nations.

Youth and Sports Minister Mahama Ayariga told Citi News in an exclusive interview that the football governing body saw Ghana as one country with a potential to quickly host the showpiece.

But first, he dropped a strong hint that Morocco will not host the event. "It is only today that I'm hearing of the formal refusal of Morocco to budge on the issue of the date which means that Caf would definitely need to look at an alternate venue."

Based on that, Caf started quickly contacting nations they see fit to step in. "Caf wrote to us a few days ago actually and indicated that Morocco had given strong indications that they will pull out if Caf did not change the date.

"And Caf also indicated that it was firm on those dates but they will meet the Moroccan authorities and take a decision at that meeting. "But in the meantime they are writing to a number of countries that they think have the capacity to be an alternative venue… in the event of Morocco actually pulling out," the minister told Citi Prime News on Thursday.

The minister confirmed the Caf letter came through the Ghana Football Association, and it also said that other countries were being considered.

What will make Ghana host it?

Morocco requested Caf to postpone the tournament which was set for January next year, due to the Ebola epidemic, which Caf has turned a blind eye to.

Ayariga says should Ghana choose to host, there would be two key considerations. "I have been looking at the two key issues involved. One, the cost of hosting it and secondly, the very health issues that is making Morocco to renege on the commitment they made to Caf."

Sources say that such an emergency hosting will cost Ghana about $10 million. But Ghanaians have been voicing immense displeasure at the very prospect of taking the next Afcon, which many see as a poisoned chalice.

Why is Ghana even thinking of Afcon?

Ayariga told Citi Sports' Gary Al-Smith that Ghana's government are sensitive to fears about the country's readiness and will leave nothing to chance. "That is why we are evaluating the request. Guinea is a country that has a problem with Ebola. Morocco hosted Ghana to play Guinea in Casablanca. Guinea came to Ghana and played here yesterday.

"Sierra Leone is a country is a country that has a problem with Ebola and they were also in Cameroon. And so I think that we need to look at it in terms of the health issues and in terms of the financial implications too."

Earlier reports also said that South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan is set to meet with the Caf boss Issa Hayatou to discuss a way forward as South Africa is set to replace the North African giants.

Source:supersports

A Review of Television Awards Ghana

TELEVISION AWARDS GHANA FESTIVAL is designed to engage all relevant stakeholders in television broadcasting and set to conduct structured annual awards for deserving television stations, programs, production crew and individuals in the industry. The Project also gives television viewers nationwide an opportunity to interface with their favourite TV Stations and Programs.

The project is being held in partnership with various industry stakeholders including the Ministry of Communications, National Communications Authority, the National Media Commission, Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association among others to establish clear guidelines for Ghana's migration from analog broadcasting to digital terrestrial transmission (DTT). This platform will also serve as an exciting medium to promote approved and trending industry information from the regulatory bodies for the consumption of the general public.

The project implementation strategy for the awards festival captures key inputs of both analog and digital television networks broadcasting in Ghana by enforcing the board directive that television stations shall appoint two members each to serve on the Faculty which decides ultimately on nominations and awards. This exciting platform also creates a healthy interface with the general public as "4 Popular Award Categories" shall be exclusively voted for by television viewers nationwide with The Faculty deciding on the "30 Outstanding Industry and Primetime Award Categories" approved by The Board through a technical peer review electoral college

Review :

The awards show,which was the first of its kind was held at the National Theatre on 10th of October 2014 .MC for the night was a former housemate of Big Brother Africa fame, assisted by a lady. It was beamed live on several television networks across the country. The stage and lighting was not extraordinary

Due to broadcasting time constraints, the nominees who where were earlier on being displayed on the giant screen ,had to be stopped. The MC's assistant, took over the responsibility of mentioning the names of nominees.

Several awards were given, interestingly, almost all the awards had the prefix 'Outstanding' this or that. The repetitive mentioning of 'outstanding' by the Mc started to make the event boring.
There were some musical interludes including a culture dance

The MC, who is also known to be a stand up comedian, occasionally dropped one or two jokes which most of the audience didn't get it, only a few laughed. At times he himself tells them not to worry if they didn't get the joke. Some of the jokes were what are described as 'expensive jokes' , of which he had to make it clear at the of the event its all for fun , nothing personal. He seemed to be 'talking too much' ,which once again he acknowledged.

Some of the award winners took the opportunity to advertise for free their upcoming show. One musician who performed also took the same step to advertise. That was quite opportunistic to do that on tv , wondering if they would be given an invoice to pay for that advert. 
During the tail end of the event, one could not hear the names of the nominees. The award presenters just mentions the winners.

The last award which was the ultimate was a little marred by the person who presented it. In her bid to be 'funny' ,ended up screaming  for the MC's assistant to mention the nominees. The request was never met, was a little embarrassing for that to happen on live tv.

On the whole, the event would be rated 5/10 , just average. Since this is the foremost event, they would be pardoned a little although there is more room for improvement. Lessons would be learnt by the organisers to make the next one better. They were also racing against time because GTv stops transmission at 1am, one could see the way the MC was trying his best to speed up the event. The event actually ended at 1:04 am.

We hope this awards scheme has come to stay and would see a better one next time around

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