CHRISTMAS IS NOT A TIME FOR DRUG ABUSE-REV.DEEGBE

A member of the Governing Board of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) Rev. Dr Fred Deegbe has admonished the youth of the country to refrain from engaging in all manner of nefarious activities that would hinder their health during the yuletide.

According to him, most youth during Christmas period take advantage to indulge in promiscuous acts especially drugs mainly to ‘free them’ or ‘go high’ at most entertainment joints.

These acts, he added leads to contradiction of STDs such as HIV and AIDS as result of engaging in unprotected sex, road carnage, armed robbery, which have serious consequences on the society at large.

Rev. Dr Deegbe who is also the immediate General Secretary of the Ghana Christian Council made this observation during NACOB’s maiden ‘Nine Lessons and Carols’ event which was held at the forecourt of the Narcotics Control Board Headquarters on Monday 23rd December 2013.

“Christmas is a special occasion which [w] use to reflect upon the birth of our saviour Jesus Christ by showing care, love, extend assistance to the needy rather than engaging in unnecessary activities such as going to beaches, clubbing, throwing big parties for people to wine and dine, and it is time Ghanaians refrain from that’. He noted.

He called on all, especially, pastors, media practitioners, opinion leaders to use the Christmas festivity to educate the youth on the dangers of drugs use to the human health, saying drug abuse must be addressed dispassionately.

“The fight against drug trade is not only the course of NACOB, but would entreat all the rank and file of the various agencies responsible for the collective welfare of mankind to join hands to fight against this canker which has taken away the lives of innocent ones and rendered others redundant”.

Sheikh Ishaak Nuamah, a member of the Governing Board urged members of staff to remain focused and be disciplined in their work dispensation to help raise the image of the board and encouraged members to keep it up.

Mrs Akua Amartey, a Deputy CEO of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and a member of the Governing Board of NACOB praised staff members for their desire to fight the drug problems faced by the country.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of NACOB Mr. Yaw Akrasi-Sarpong commended members of staff of the Board for their dedication to duty and their resolve to serve the country with the collective aim of combating the drug trade.

Mr. Akrasi-Sarpong further stated that the board is committed to ensure that the fight against illicit drug trade and usage is totally eradicated and erase the bad tag of Ghana as a transit hub for narcotic drugs from source countries like Brazil, Peru, and Colombia to Europe as well as America.

The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB), Naval Captain Baffour Assasie Gyimah (Rtd) in his remarks urged officers to remain focused and be mindful of the tenets of their loyalty to the nation with regards to fighting the drug trade.

He hailed the staff for their cooperation and hard work and expressed his hope that a lot of maximum work would be done to salvage the alarming rate of drug usage in the country in the coming years.

 

CHRIST THE SAVIOR MISSING IN "SILENT NIGHT"

5th grade pupils of kings park intermediate school in Long Island (NY) beautifully sang " Silent Night " without christian words like " Christ the savior, Virgin mother and holy infant" at the school end of year Christmas carol.
The reason for altering the song, organisers explained,it was to avoid offending non-christians of the school.
Contrary to the intention of their actions,many parents were upset to hear the children sing an altered version of the popular chritmas song.Some of the angered parents reportedly walked out of the performance.
Many others expressed their disappointment at the school authourities for taking such actions without taking into consideration the feelings of christians but only focusing on non-christians.
" they could have chosen other sircular christmas song if indeed they meant not to offend any religion.instead of editing the original lyrics of the song and making it look like there is something wrong with it" a concerned parent
Shared her toughts on the issue with Maame Afua.
However, kings park school supritendent and the principal of the Ralph J.Osgood Intermediate school have since apolozised, admitting it was a mistake to edit the song and promised it wont happen again. -CBS NEW YORK.

MADIBA IS GONE HOME.

Nelson Mandela has finally been laid to rest in Qunu,his native home today. The solemn ceremony was attended by his family and some dignitries led by Jacob Zuma the President of South Africa and 45 thousand sympathizers.
His family,close friends as well as some selected groups took turn to pay tribute to their renowned stateman.
After leading the mouners to sing a dirge, President Zuma said " today marks the end of a long journey..."
95 candles representing the life of the great leader were lit in his honour. Senior security guards marched His casket which was wrapped in the national flag majestically to the grave yard.
Nelson Mandela deid on December 5th and today is the final day of the 10days of mourning slated in his honour.

NATURE SALUTES NELSON MANDELA.

Today the man described as the greatest freedom fighter of the 20th and the 21st century lay in state recieving his last respect for good work done. Madiba as his people affectionately call him lived his life as a unifyer and indeed continue to do so even in death. People from different class, colour, size, profession, age, race etc etc are joining the long winding queue to bid this world icon fare thee well.Heaven open with heavy down pour during his memorial service.

In the Union building in Pretoria, the nation's capital,where he was sworn in as South Africa's first black president in 1994, his still and cold body lay in a casket only as mortal remains. But in all nature on the day of his memorial service opened-up the heavens and brought down heavy rain, today as the sunset, a beautiful shades of colours appeared in the sky as a gaint rainbow hanged up in Pretoria where he laid.
As custom demands, the public viewing ends before sunset then he is taken indoors and brought out the next morning. In Nelson Mandela 's case he will be taken to a military hospital overnight for the final public viewing tomorrow.

I WAS SEEING ANGELS AT THE STADIUM...SIGN INTERPRETER

Thamsanqa Janjie, the sign language interpreter hired by the planning committe for Mandela's memorial service came under serious backlash for his performance as a sign language interpreter.
Various groups including the South Africa Translator's Institute complained about his poor performance, infact those who understand signing say he was faking and did not make any sense.
In an attempt to do damage control, he has come out with conflicting explanation that raises more questions.
Speaking to CNN, Thamsanqa said he is a fully qualified interpreter and has been trusted in the past with other similar task with no fault. He referred to his portfolio and said he is a champion at what he does.Although he claimed to be suffering from schizaphrenia, a seriuos mental illness which is controllable and he was on medication, Thamsanqa reportedly refused to provide details about how he was awarded the job for such an important event. What seemed a mear embarrasment to him and the organizers at the begining, took another turn with question about the security risk involved by endangering the life of the many heads of state who stood just few feets away from this man who happens to be mentally unstable has he claims.
While blowing his horn as a champion in the CNN interview, he told NBC News that he was hallucinating at in the course of the service " ...and immediately I see angels coming to the stadium...and sometimes things like chasing me".
Really!!! If he was seeing angels or was being chased, what has that got to do with his poor signing?
Was he telling his audience the things he was seeing by signing wrongly or better still why didnt he run away from the chase.There are more questions unanswered.
We wait to hear from the South African Government as they conduct their investigations.

BILLY GRAHAM NEEDS PRAYERS...FRAKLIN GRAHAM

Franklin Graham has siad he would appreciate prayers for his 95 year old Dad, Rev.Billy Graham who is the founder and CEO of Billy Graham Ministries.

A Fox News report says the Evangelist has been weak since his 95th Birthday on November 7. He is said to have been hospitalised two week after his bithday party which brough together his entire family and close friends including well wishers.

Rev.Graham who is now in a wheelchair has been in and out of the hospital in the past years due to his health.

MAN COMMITS SUICIDE OVER GIRLFRIEND'S EXCESSIVE SHOPPING

A man believed to be in his late 30s jumped to his death from the 7th floor in a busily crowded mall while shopping with his girlfriend in Xuzhou-china.

According to media reports, the man before taking his life was heard arguing with the girlfriend about her 5-hour long shopping spree and wanting to go home but the girlfriend insisted on buying more stuff.

Graphic fotages retrieved from the Golden Eagle International Shopping Complex indicate that the man was seen trowing tatantrums then climed to railing and jumped off to the center of the mall.

He died instantly on impact. Many holiday shoppers at the center captured on camera looked shocked upon witnessing such a bizare incident.

MANDELA'S MEMORIAL UNDERWAY IN JOHANNESBURG

Tens of thousands of every colour flood the NFB stadium where a memorial interfaith service is being held for Nelson Mandela.
Groups of people despite the heavy down pour of rain have been trooping in to partake in this historic occassion. They continue to sing,chant and dance to celebrate the life of this great African Icon who died last thursday.
Over 91 head of states and former presidents including President Obama,George Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Charter. Other prominent figures include UN Secretary-General Ban kimoon and his predecessor, Kofi Annan, David Cameroon of Briton and Raul Castro. The gathering has brought together politicians, religious leaders, entertainers and several others.
More than 11 thousand security personnel both local and international comprising of snippers and canines have been deployed to the stadium to beef-up security.
Afther today's memorial service,he will be liad in state for public viewing then he will be taken to Qunu his land of birth for his final rest.

GHANA MOURNS WITH SOUTH AFRICA

As a mark of respect and in honour of Nelson Mandela,Vice President,Mr Amissah-­‐Arthur has directed that all flags in the country fly at half mast until Sunday, 15th December, 2013 when Mr Mandela is laid to rest.

He further expressed the country's deepest sympathy to South Africans and the Mandela family 'on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Government and the people of ghana, I wish to convey our deepest sympathies to the people of South Africa, the mandela family as well as Mandela's admirers around the world'he said.

His Excellency Amissah-Arthur further noted that Mandela was an epitome of forgiveness and healing icon in the struggle for the liberation of his people and Africa. His death marks the end of an era; an era of freedom fighters like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyetta and Julius Nyerere.

NANA ADDO; MADIBA-THE NOBLEST AFRICAN OF THEM ALL

Just as thousands of people across the world from all walks of life continue to mourn and celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela who is described among many accolades as the "World Leader", his fellow African leaders join in as well.
One of such is Nana Akuffo Addo. In a press statement issued in Accra by the second-time Presidential candidate for the opposition NPP, Nana Addo described Mr. Mandela as a matured leader who redeemed South Africa with his wisdom, tactics,experience and patriotism at the age of 76.

FULL STATEMENT BELOW.

MADIBA – THE NOBLEST AFRICAN OF THEM ALL
A Tribute by Nana Akufo-Addo To Nelson Mandela (18/07/1918 – 5/12/2013)
I join the rest of humanity in commemorating the life of the greatest African that the world has ever known, a man who managed the unique global feat of being loved, admired, respected and idolised by the greatest number of the world’s population in the course of his lifetime – Nelson Mandela.

A lifetime of struggle for equality, freedom, justice and progress, he was the greatest hero of the African liberation movement, a universal symbol of courage, conviction, and commitment. Not for him the language of freedom, but the actions of tyranny. His unshakeable belief in democracy and dogged determination to build a genuine multiracial democracy in South Africa gave him, after nearly three decades of harsh and cruel imprisonment, the moral authority to embrace a policy of national reconciliation which enabled South Africa to turn its back on civil war after the senseless horrors and cruelties of apartheid.

He was, indeed, the outstanding statesman of Africa’s history, who laid a foundation of respect for human rights and individual liberties, the rule of law, and love of nation in the governance of South Africa. That will be his lasting contribution to the future of his country and, indeed, of the entire African continent.

At the age of 76, he agreed to become the first black leader of democratic South Africa because the moment required his experience, his maturity, his wisdom, his tact, his patriotism, his popularity, his compassion, his conviction and his vision. He could have gone on to stand for re-election and win an overwhelming endorsement of the South African people in 1999. Yet, like Washington at the beginning of the American Republic, he chose to handover to another lieutenant of the freedom struggle, Thabo Mbeki. In a continent of life presidents, this was an act worthy of emulation.

He showed other leaders what can be achieved even in one term of office if a leader chooses to focus on the bigger picture - the greater good - in doing the right thing that will stand the test of time and not just to survive an electoral cycle.

He used his term in office to build an enduring one-nation platform of stability to guarantee the progress of his nation. The challenge now is how leaders after him can build on the platform that

WHITE HOUSE LOWERS FLAG FOR MANDELA.

The seat of Government of America; White House has lowered the national flag as a tribute to Nelson Mandela who died today.
Later this afternoon President Barack Obama delivered a speech of condolence to the family and people of South Africa following the demise of Africa’s greatest freedom fighter and an epitome of peace and justice.
All government buildings, military facilities and U.S embassies all over the world have also been ordered by President Obama to fly their flag half-staff through to monday.


President Obama’s full speech below…
At his trial in 1964, Nelson Mandela closed his statement from the dock saying: “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

And Nelson Mandela lived for that ideal, and he made it real. He achieved more than could be expected of any man. Today, he has gone home. And we have lost one of the most influential, courageous, and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this Earth. He no longer belongs to us – he belongs to the ages.

Through his fierce dignity and unbending will to sacrifice his own freedom for the freedom of others, Madiba transformed South Africa – and moved all of us. His journey from a prisoner to a president embodied the promise that human beings – and countries – can change for the better.

His commitment to transfer power and reconcile with those who jailed him set an example that all humanity should aspire to, whether in the lives of nations or our own personal lives. And the fact that he did it all with grace and good humour, and an ability to acknowledge his own imperfections, only makes the man that much more remarkable. As he once said, “I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”

I am one of the countless millions who drew inspiration from Nelson Mandela’s life. My very first political action, the first thing I ever did that involved an issue or a policy or politics, was a protest against apartheid. I studied his words and his writings. The day that he was released from prison gave me a sense of what human beings can do when they’re guided by their hopes and not by their fears. And like so many around the globe, I cannot fully imagine my own life without the example that Nelson Mandela set, and so long as I live I will do what I can to learn from him.

To Graca Machel and his family, Michelle and I extend our deepest sympathy and gratitude for sharing this extraordinary man with us. His life’s work meant long days away from those who loved him the most. And I only hope that the time spent with him these last few weeks brought peace and comfort to his family.

To the people of South Africa, we draw strength from the example of renewal, and reconciliation, and resilience that you made real. A free South Africa at peace with itself – that’s an example to the world, and that’s Madiba’s legacy to the nation he loved.

We will not likely see the likes of Nelson Mandela again. So it falls to us as best we can to forward the example that he set: to make decisions guided not by hate, but by love; to never discount the difference that one person can make; to strive for a future that is worthy of his sacrifice.

For now, let us pause and give thanks for the fact that Nelson Mandela lived – a man who took history in his hands, and bent the arc of the moral universe toward justice. May God bless his memory and keep him in peace.
source...white house(the globe and mail)

MADIBA NELSON MANDELA DIES AT 95

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
Nelson Mandela.

President Jacob Zuma moments ago announced the death of Nelson Mandela, the first Black President of South Africa ' our nation has lost its greatest son, our people have lost a father'. He died at the age 95.
As a great freedom fighter, a noble peace prize winner his death has attracted several tributes from all over the world.
The final days of Mr Mandela were characterized frequent hospitalization has his health in the last few month keep failing him and each time he was rushed to the hospital there were rumors suggesting he is dead but most of the time he came out of until today when he finally journey on at his residence in Johannesburg.
more soon.

TAMALE HOSPITAL NEEDS ATTENTION.

The Tamale Teaching Hospital which serves as the main state run referral medical center for the three Northern Regions and the third Teaching hospital in Ghana is in a poor state and needs urgent rehabilitation.
A news report by Peace FM 's Northern Regional correspondent,Kwabena Ntow indicates that the general condition of the hospital is in bad shape as most of the madical equipments at the hospital are worn out ;posing danger to both patients and health workers.
Citing the morgue as an example, he said out of the 18 mortuary refrigerators, only 3 is functioning, the other 15 have broken down for sometime now. He said the situation has created serious congestion and at the time of filing the news report,10 bodies were lying on the bare floor, something the morgue attendants describe as normal because it is a daily occurance. Compounding the situate is inadequate water supply and lack of basic medical tools such as gloves,this they said is hindering quality health care delivery.Authorities he spoke to are therefore appealing to the government to take immediate action to intervene because they fear for an out bteak of a pandemic.