ISTR Africa Holds Regional Conference in Accra

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Dr. Alex Segbe! a, Health Minister MUST READS

EXPRESS NEWS 46-kilometre Dodo- Pepesu-Nkwanta road inaugurated See Page 3

GENDER EXPRESS Lordina Foundation receives HIV and Syphilis Ghana reduces test kits from Alere See Page 9 Malaria deaths

by 45% OUR WORLD IN PICTURES Aftermath in Ecuador Full story inside See Page 14

INSIDE TODAY To Advertise your products GIDA lauds impact of GCAP on agric NSS receives 18 vehicles from MoE Essien slams ‘cheap news’ over his ! tness and services in ! e CEO of the Ghana Irrigation ! e National Service Secretariat (NSS) has Angry Panathinaikos mid" elder Michael The Daily Express Newspaper Development Authority, Dr. Ben Vas received 18 branded vehicles from the Essien has slammed widespread reports in Nyamadi has said that the Ghana Commercial Ministry of Education. ! e vehicles include the Greek media about his " tness as ‘cheap Call: 026 160 9963 or Agriculture Project has really improved 1 Toyota Land Cruiser, 1 Toyota Camry news’ insisting such ‘lies’ will not break his email: [email protected] agricultural business in the country. and 16 Toyota Hilux pickup trucks. resolve. &913&44/&84 &913&44/&84 410354 2 ThursdayThursday 2121 April,April, 20162016 || DailyDaily ExpressExpress EXPRESS NEWS

By: Sefakor Fekpe Se! [email protected]

Deaths caused by Malaria in the country has reduced by almost Ghana reduces 45 percent in the past 5 years, the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) has revealed . ! is means the number of malaria deaths in Ghana has fallen from about 4,000 in 2010 to a little more than Malaria deaths by 45% 2,000 in 2015. ! is, according to the NMCP, is largely attributed to increased prevention and control measures the country has put in place. ! ese measures include: the dis- tribution of treated mosquito nets, President Mahama joined by the Chief of Dodo Pepesu, Nana Dasibre Oboni Sebewie V, a representative of the European Union, the Regional Minister of the Volta Region to cut the ribbon to inaugurate the road seasonal malaria chemoprevention initiatives, free medication for pregnant women, indoor residual spray- 46-kilometre Dodo-Pepesu-Nkwanta road inaugurated ing, among others. By: Mathias Amoah (with GNA project. " e construction of the road are provided with the necessary road completed projects in Dambai, Kete- High School in the area to absorb “We’ve recorded a massive reduc- ! les) was supported with a grant from the infrastructure to facilitate the attain- Krachi, Jasikan, Kadjebi, Hohoe, the numerous Junior High students tion in Malaria deaths; almost 45% [email protected] European Union . ment of the development goals and Chindiri, Ho and Juapong, among in Dodo and other surrounding It is to facilitate the movement of social aspirations of the people. other communities. in " ve years. From the year 2010, we communities. President John Dramani Mahama, on people, as well as goods and services According to President Mahama, He also cut sod for the commence- President Mahama is on a regional were recording about 4,000 deaths, in in the area. apart from the eastern corridor ment of some new projects for the Tuesday, as part of his ‘Accounting to tour to account for his stewards to the 2015, it’s just a little above 2,000, so It is also expected to reduce the cost roads, those in Hohoe, Jasikan, and people of the Volta Region. the People Tour’ in the Volta Region, people who gave him the mandate to about 45% reduction malaria deaths of transportation, as it is the shortest the Kpedze town roads, among many " anking the President for the o! cially Inaugurated the 46-kilome- rule. He has already visited the west- tre Dodo-Pepesu-Nkwanta Road in connecting road between the south- others, would be executed within the construction of the road, Dasebere for us, is a very great achievement but ern and eastern regions of Ghana. He the Kadjebi District. ern and northern sectors. year. Obonie Sebewie V, the Omanhene we are not resting,” the Programme returns to Accra today. " e Dodo-Pepesu Road forms It is in line with government’s President Mahama, as part of the of Dodo, further appealed to the Manager of NMCP, Dr. Constance part of the Eastern Corridor Road pledge to ensure that communities tour also inspected and inaugurated Government to establish a Senior Bart-Plange, disclosed to media prac- titioners in Accra, at the launch of this year’s World Malaria Day. She further disclosed that available records show about 27.7% reduction in Malaria parasites in peoples’ blood as against more than 50% some years back. “So whereas in the past more than half people tested were carrying Malaria parasites in their blood, now it has reduced to about a quarter. We want to make sure that Ghana will be truly free from Malaria,” she added. According to the World Health Organization, nearly half of the world’s population are at risk of malaria. In 2015, there were roughly 214 million malaria cases and an esti- mated 438 000 malaria deaths. Sub- Saharan Africa continues to carry a Children playing with an Insecticide Mosquito Net (Photo credit: Kobby Blay) disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2015, the regions in 2015, with 3,266,041 peo- ! e NMCP further called for more region was home to 89% of malaria ple receiving 1,814,467 nets since the investment in the control of Malaria cases and 91% of malaria deaths beginning of this year in the Northern to prevent going back to square one as In 2010, the Centre for Disease Over 15 million nets were Region. Ghana is in a “critical situation.” Control and Prevention (CDC) “In 2015, 994,451 structures were distributed in the Central, Ashanti, “We are in a critical situation ranked Malaria as the number one sprayed covering 1,325,507 people because, we’ve made gains. If we have killer disease in Ghana with 13% of in targeted districts, 651,986 preg- Brong Ahafo, Western and Upper reduced to almost 45% in " ve years, deaths recorded in 2010, prompting nant women received Intermittent we want to further reduce until there government to initiate interventions East regions in 2015... Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy are no more deaths. We want to fur- that will help reduce the deaths to (IPTp).” ther reduce the malaria load so that it 75% by 2020. fever is malaria is over. Make sure that don’t treat well, if you don’t complete Currently, the NMCP is advocating no more becomes a threat.” Dr. Bart- “We want to get to the stage where when you think you have Malaria, treatment, it means that you will be against self medication, advising the Plange said. nobody will die from Malaria, ’’ the get to a health facility and let them creating resistance. Once you create general public to report malaria cases ! e World Malaria Day falls on Programme Manager of NMCP test you,” Dr. Constance Bart-Plange resistance to the anti-Malaria; what at the nearest health centre. Monday, April, 25. It will be on the assured. recommended. we call the ACT, will be in trouble “We are also promoting what we theme: ‘End Malaria for Good; Invest Over 15 million nets were distrib- “! e medications we use are very because we don’t have any alternative all, test before you treat. In that aspect in Malaria.’ uted in the Central, Ashanti, Brong good and we don’t want people to now.” we are saying that the era where every Ahafo, Western and Upper East mess up with the medication. If you 4 ThursdayThursday 2121 April,April, 20162016 || DailyDaily ExpressExpress EXPRESS NEWS

(L-R) Dr. Isaac F. Mensa Bonsu (Director of Plan Coordination, NDPC), Lawyer Ernest Ko! Abotsi (Law lecturer) Prof. Agilakpa Sawyerr (President of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Science) Mr. Bright Simons (President, mPedigree Network)

Make available all public contracts By: Emelia Essumanba- Josiah necessary because the a! airs of our opment gaps in our Ghana’s political [email protected] country and economy are managed economy and to be able to make rec- - Prof. Sawyerr through contracts; procurement ommendations President of the Ghana Academy of contracts, mining contracts, security " e Noble Law Group is a Non- Arts and Science, Professor Akilakpa contracts and many more. Governmental think tank that focuses Sawyerr says it is about time govern- “" e terms of these arrangements on law and public policy advocacy. ment routinely made signed contracts must re# ect policies in our interest. According to the Co-Founder of public. How can we monitor the stages when Noble Law Group, Herbert Krapa, the Speaking on the theme “Laws we don’t know the details of what group has an over-riding aim of cre- ..." e general motive at Work; Rethinking Ghana’s merited the signage? " e general ating space for dialog for the develop- is this, simply put the Development Path” at the maiden motive is this, simply put the signed ment of Ghana. edition of Noble Law Group’s law and contracts there for us to see,” he rec- “We focus on law and public pol- signed contracts there for public policy platform, Prof. Sawyerr ommended. icy and how the two can be merged to said this issue is of concern because " e theme, “Laws at Work; propel the growth of our country,” he us to see. policies advance national interest. Rethinking Ghana’s Development commented. He adds that the issue of publiciz- Path” sought to identify the devel- ing signed government contracts is Ghana Home Loans launches GH¢380m note programme Ghana Home Loans says it has speci$ cally wish to invest in listed “It certainly opens new frontiers in received approval from the Securities securities. the introduction of mortgage-backed and Exchange Commission (SEC) to " is new channel of funding in securities to investors,” he said. establish a Domestic Medium Term turn enables Ghana Home Loans to Mr Adu expressed appreciation to Note Programme for 380 million introduce novel and exciting home the SEC and the Bank of Ghana for Ghana cedis. loan products to the market thereby providing the much needed support " is programme will enable making home ownership possible for and guidance in securing all the nec- Ghana’s leading home loans pro- a greater number of Ghanaians. essary approval required to launch vider to issue mortgage-backed notes Commenting on the SEC approval, the notes programme. denominated in either US dollars Mr Dominic Adu, the Chief Executive He congratulated the transac- or Ghana cedis and subsequently O% cer of Ghana Home Loans, said; tion advisors; IC Securities, for list them on the Ghana Alternative “this note programme is not only sig- their e! orts in seeing the structur- Market. ni$ cant because of its size, it is the ing process through to a successful " e SEC’s approval fundamen- largest yet to come to the market, it completion. tally transforms Ghana Home Loans’ is also signi$ cant because of its direct In the coming weeks, Ghana Home funding ability making it possible for impact on home ownership, the pen- Loans would release the timeline for the home loans specialist to raise debt sions industry, the local debt capital the issuance of the $ rst tranche of from pension funds, high net worth market, and the real estate sector. notes under this programme. individuals, and other entities that Credit: GNA Mr Dominic Adu, CEO - Ghana Home Loans 4 Thursday 21 April, 2016 | Daily Express Daily Express | Thursday 21 April, 2016 5 EXPRESS NEWS

Make available all public contracts By: Emelia Essumanba- Josiah necessary because the a! airs of our opment gaps in our Ghana’s political [email protected] country and economy are managed economy and to be able to make rec- - Prof. Sawyerr through contracts; procurement ommendations President of the Ghana Academy of contracts, mining contracts, security " e Noble Law Group is a Non- Arts and Science, Professor Akilakpa contracts and many more. Governmental think tank that focuses Sawyerr says it is about time govern- “" e terms of these arrangements on law and public policy advocacy. ment routinely made signed contracts must re# ect policies in our interest. According to the Co-Founder of public. How can we monitor the stages when Noble Law Group, Herbert Krapa, the Speaking on the theme “Laws we don’t know the details of what group has an over-riding aim of cre- ..." e general motive at Work; Rethinking Ghana’s merited the signage? " e general ating space for dialog for the develop- is this, simply put the Development Path” at the maiden motive is this, simply put the signed ment of Ghana. edition of Noble Law Group’s law and contracts there for us to see,” he rec- “We focus on law and public pol- signed contracts there for public policy platform, Prof. Sawyerr ommended. icy and how the two can be merged to said this issue is of concern because " e theme, “Laws at Work; propel the growth of our country,” he us to see. policies advance national interest. Rethinking Ghana’s Development commented. He adds that the issue of publiciz- Path” sought to identify the devel- ing signed government contracts is Ghana Home Loans launches GH¢380m note programme Ghana Home Loans says it has speci$ cally wish to invest in listed “It certainly opens new frontiers in received approval from the Securities securities. the introduction of mortgage-backed and Exchange Commission (SEC) to " is new channel of funding in securities to investors,” he said. establish a Domestic Medium Term turn enables Ghana Home Loans to Mr Adu expressed appreciation to Note Programme for 380 million introduce novel and exciting home the SEC and the Bank of Ghana for Ghana cedis. loan products to the market thereby providing the much needed support " is programme will enable making home ownership possible for and guidance in securing all the nec- Ghana’s leading home loans pro- a greater number of Ghanaians. essary approval required to launch vider to issue mortgage-backed notes Commenting on the SEC approval, the notes programme. denominated in either US dollars Mr Dominic Adu, the Chief Executive He congratulated the transac- or Ghana cedis and subsequently O% cer of Ghana Home Loans, said; tion advisors; IC Securities, for list them on the Ghana Alternative “this note programme is not only sig- their e! orts in seeing the structur- Market. ni$ cant because of its size, it is the ing process through to a successful " e SEC’s approval fundamen- largest yet to come to the market, it completion. tally transforms Ghana Home Loans’ is also signi$ cant because of its direct In the coming weeks, Ghana Home funding ability making it possible for impact on home ownership, the pen- Loans would release the timeline for the home loans specialist to raise debt sions industry, the local debt capital the issuance of the $ rst tranche of from pension funds, high net worth market, and the real estate sector. notes under this programme. individuals, and other entities that Credit: GNA Mr Dominic Adu, CEO - Ghana Home Loans 6 Thursday 21 April, 2016 | Daily Express EXPRESS NEWS

World Bank maybe right with report, but…

By: Fred Yaw Sarpong sometime now and this maybe as a result [email protected] of many factors. “It may also be as a result of A Senior Lecturer at the Department International Monetary Fund's cushion of Economics, University of Ghana, Dr. to the Ghana’s economy as part of the Ebo Turkson says the World Bank Pulse programme between the IMF and Africa report that suggested that Ghana’s Ghana,” he added economic growth is expected to rise may “If they are able to achieve the target be right. set under the IMF reform package, According to the report, Ghana’s then we should expect better economic economic growth is expected to rise growth than previous years and this moderately despite some challenges will be good for the country,” said Dr. facing the country. !e World Bank said Turkson. the growth will be driven by improving On investor con$dence, Dr. Turkson investor con$dence, launching of new said that is not certain because of this oil$elds, and overcoming the electricity year been an election year. crisis. “We have witnessed other past Dr. Ebo Turkson however stated that elections where the government spent there are some current indications which more than what is budgeted in that do not re%ect on what the World Bank $scal year. So far we have not seen such report said. situation this year. Let’s pray it continues “For the past two or three weeks, we till the election is over,” he stated, adding have been experiencing some power that if the government makes attempt to crisis even though authorities have said spend more than what is budgeted, that that it’s temporal. On the basis of that is where we will see some di"culties we cannot say that the power crisis has and that will also weaken investor ended. If we have been able to solve the con$dence. problem outright then we can say that He said: “Interest rates are high and for sure,” he stated. that has a#ected credit facilities to the But Dr. Turkson attests to the fact private sector. A lot of business owners that the currency has been stable for are afraid to borrow because of interest rates.” Dr. Ebo Turkson, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Economics, University of Ghana NSS receives 18 vehicles from MoE By: Emelia Essumanba-Josiah eliminate the 35,000 ghost names on payroll and to be patient, accept and train personnel when [email protected] handles about 40,000 personnel,” she added. they are set to work in their out$ts. Dr. Michael Kpessah Whyte, Executive !e National Service Secretariat (NSS) has Director of National Service, expressed received 18 branded vehicles from the Ministry appreciation to the Government, Ministry of of Education. !e vehicles include 1 Toyota Education and the Ministry of Finance for their Land Cruiser, 1 Toyota Camry and 16 Toyota gesture to the Secretariat. Hilux pickup trucks. “We wrote letters to the Government, to the !e keys to the 18 vehicles which cost almost Procurement Agency and Ministry of Education 3 million Ghana cedis were handed over to the requesting such o#er. So our books are clear. secretariat yesterday in Accra. We did the right things in getting this deal,” he !e Minister of Education, Prof. Jane Naana stressed. Opoku- Agyemang said these vehicles are given He believed that the vehicles are the fruits to NSS to make their work more e"cient and of the Secretariat’s hard work in curbing the e#ective in other regions. malfeasance created in Ghost names and Prof. Opoku- Agyemang revealed that NSS payrolls. quali$ed for this gesture because they $rst of all Dr. Kpessah Whyte thanked the Government, form part of the 22 educational agencies under the Ministry of Education and Ministry of (R)Education Minister, Prof. the Ministry of Education. Finance for their gesture and assured all that Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang hands the keys to the vehicles Again, she said that the Secretariat had they will work hard to make things more appealing to stakeholders. to (L) Dr. Michael Kpessah managed to come out of the muddy scandal Whyte, Executive Director of the where the 75,000 personnel on pay roll some Prof. Naana Agyemang used the platform to National Service Scheme years back included 35,000 ghost names. also appeal to all National Service user agencies “Currently, the Secretariat has been able to Daily Express | Thursday 21 April, 2016 7 EXPRESS NEWS ISTR Africa holds regional

Executive Director of WACSI, Nana Asantewa Afadzinu said the challenges facing most civil societies are resources and an enabling environment appropriate for working. conference in Accra She addressed the issues of some civil societies receiving funds and totally By: Emelia Essumanba-Josiah organizations had contributed a lot to misappropriating the funds. [email protected] Africa’s development. “Let’s all yearn to educate ourselves and According to her, civil society has been be better people. When we put the right the fore-runner of women’s right. “Over !e International Society for !ird Sector structures, the culture and ethics in the set Research (ISTR) has held its Africa Regional the years, legislation has been gathered structures makes it di"cult for such groups Conference in Accra. !e conference was and structured in di#erent countries to misuse funds received,” she advised. aimed at taking stock of civil societies and across the continent. !ings have been Mrs. Sowa said civil society in a renascent their role in the development in Africa. more progressive around the promotion Africa must promote positive values to !e ISTR conference was in partnership and implementation of women’s right,” she strengthen the African continent morally, with West Africa Civil Society Institute educated. economically, socially and in industrious (WACSI), the Institute of African Studies Again, she said the area of child rights (IAS, UG-Legon) and the African Woman and armed con%icts has been addressed ways. Development Fund (AWDF). and seen improvement. Other areas as “We must work harder to give our Speaking on the theme “Civil Society universal access to education, and the continent the best. In as much as we do this and a Renascent Africa: A Stock Taking”, status quo of HIV and AIDS in Africa had lets remain committed and accountable to Mrs. !eo Sowa, Executive Director of seen improvement owing to the role played every course we $nd ourselves in to ensure AWDF said civil society had achieved a lot, by civil societies. civil societies and their roles do not die o#,” Nana Asantewa Afadzinu, however there are more things to be done. Prof. Francis Dodoo, Director of IAS, she pleaded. Executive Director of WACSI In her stock- taking submission, Mrs. UG-Legon said that the basic expectations Discussants from the continent took Sowa believed civil society which includes of the Civil Society is that they must turns to present their research $ndings on the professional, business and voluntary contribute signi$cantly to the country’s “Civil Society and a Renascent Africa: A associations, the labor unions, some part economy, sustain political reform and Stock Taking”. !ey recommended ways to of the media and non- governmental ensure the growth of legitimate structures. improve civil society’s roles in Africa.

Discussants from African civil societies (Standing), Leaders from ISTR, AWDF, IAS,WACSI (sitting)

GIDA lauds impact of GCAP on agric sector

By: Mathias Amoah Food and Agriculture (MoFA) with a total Daily Express learnt that the objective of sector, carry out research on the investment [email protected] investment support of US$145 million. Of GCAP is to increase access to reliable water, climate in agriculture, and develop the this amount, US$100 million is a credit from land, $nance, agricultural inputs and output capacity of GIPC sta# for commercial !e Chief Executive O"cer of the Ghana the World Bank – International Development markets by smallholder and nucleus farmers agriculture investments. Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), Association (IDA), while the remaining in selected project intervention areas. It has developed the National Framework Dr. Ben Vas Nyamadi has said that the Ghana US$45 million is a grant from the United As a result of this, GCAP started with the for Out-grower schemes/Contract Farming Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP) has States Agency for International Development rehabilitation and modernization of existing in Ghana that re%ects the best practices, really improved agricultural business in the (USAID). public irrigation infrastructure in the country. including international lessons adapted to the !ey are the Kpong Irrigation Scheme (KIS), country. “We have engaged quite a number farmers Ghanaian context has been developed the Kpong Le& Bank Irrigation Project According to him, there are a lot farmers through this initiative and we are making It is also facilitating business development (KLBIP), all in the Eastern Region, and the from farm based organizations who are sure that we bring on board more farmers to through the provision of grants to enhance Tono and Vea irrigation dams in the Upper bene$ting immensely from the GCAP a&er bene$t from the project,” he said. the capacities of farmer-based organizations, East Region. the project was introduced four years ago. He said the purpose of the project is to move input dealers and other agricultural services !e Daily Express was informed that the farming from a lower level of participation !e Ghana Commercial Agricultural GCAP is providing support to the Ghana providers along the value chain in Project to a commercial level that ensures wealth Project (GCAP) was established in 2012 Investment Promotion Centre (CIPC) to activity areas. !e project is expected to come creation and food security in the country. under the auspices of the Ministry of develop a strategic plan for the agriculture to end in September 2019. 8 Thursday 21 April, 2016 | Daily Express COMMUNITY FOCUS Petty traders lobby for ‘night market’ at Lapaz

By: Fred Yaw Sarpong !e Public Relations O"cer (PRO) at [email protected] AMA, Numo Blafo, however disclosed that the assembly has not yet decided to create a night Some petty traders located at Lapaz, a suburb market in the area, though he thinks it is a of Accra, are calling on the Accra Metropolitan laudable idea. Assembly (AMA) to create avenues to enhance !e spokesperson for the Hawkers and Petty night trading in the area. !e Accra Metropolitan Assembly has Traders Association, Mr. Ohene Mensah Kakra demarcated red lines along pavements where said hawking should be legalized in the country the petty traders are suppose to mount their on pavements at a distance and at particular wares behind during the day. times. “We are aware of operating here at night is “!ere is no way we can do away with illegal, but we think it is also an opportunity hawking activities in the country. So why don’t for the AMA to generate some revenue by we create the avenue for the system to engage endorsing night business here,” a trader told the Daily Express. people to do such businesses,?” he asked. “Most workers close late and when they get “!ere are a lot of places in the world where here, they try to make some shopping before we can $nd night markets. !ere are night going home,” she added. markets in England, Barcelona, Italy and other Currently, an illegal a night market is created countries as well. !e informal sector employs between Nii Boi junction and Las Palmas about 80% of Ghanaians. Why can’t we create Restaurant at Lapaz, where a lot of items are more jobs in this sector?” he added. traded. He called on the AMA and policy makers !e traders claim some AMA o"cials go round every evening to demand money and to formulate bylaws which will regularize this food stu# from them as ‘ground rent’. night market business.

MTTD apprehends lawless drivers at Abofu

ACP. Patrick Edusei Sarpong, Director General, Motor Transport and Tra!c Department

By: Emelia Essumanba-Josiah Motor Transport and Tra"c Department According to ACP Sarpong, these culprits work. We will make sure this place is not used as [email protected] (MTTD) told this paper the place has illegally will be taken to Tesano Police Station where they a bus stop,” he said. been turned into a bus stop when there is a clear will be processed and sent to court. As part of their quarterly checks, the !e Motor Transport and Tra"c Department indication that it is not a bus stop. He added that though it is just a few that have National Road Safety Commission together (MTTD) of the Ghana Police, yesterday “!ese bus stops are unapproved. Drivers been arrested, the other troublesome drivers with stakeholders (Ghana Highways Authority, apprehended some public transport drivers for have created these points and routes themselves will have their share of punishment. Department of Urban Roads, Ghana Police wrongly using an unapproved routes at Abofu, which are accident prone and dangerous. It’s He said the arrest is necessary because it is Service MTTD and Driver and Vehicle near Achimota as a bus stop. crazy to think that drivers always wait to see about time laws are enforced. “If the drivers are Licensing Authority, DVLA) went on road Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) police before they do the right thing,” ACP failing to be educated, we will allow the laws to inspection yesterday. Patrick Edusei Sarpong, Director General, Sarpong commented. Daily Express | Thursday 21 April, 2016 9 GENDER EXPRESS

Dr. Angela El-Adas, Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission receiving the items from Ms. Zeina Henaine of ALERE

Commission, the First Lady said the incorporation of both HIV and syphilis tests in a single kit had many Lordina Foundation receives HIV advantages. It would save the use of needles and blood volume, eliminating the need for laboratory personnel or infrastructure, as well as decreased time to results, and overall it lowered the cost of testing. and Syphilis test kits from Alere She said using a dual screening test for HIV and syphilis would also reduce testing duplications, labor time, logistics fee, storage space and operating costs partly because it did not require electricity or other ALERE Incorporated, a global diagnostic device dedication in ensuring the welfare of women and equipment. and service provider company has donated 12,000 children in less privilege areas. She said the Standard Diagnostics (SD) HIV/ duo HIV and Syphilis test kits to the First Lady and Presenting the test kits at a ceremony in Accra, Ms syphilis duo test kits were indeed one of a kind as President of the Organisation of African First Ladies said using a dual screening test for HIV and syphilis they could detect HIV and Syphilis with the same against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), Mrs Lordina Mahama. would permit an e"cient extension of maternal care specimen using a single device. !e SD HIV/Syphilis duo was a rapid diagnostic services and support health capacity. Mrs Mahama said like many other members of test kit for the simultaneous prevention of mother to She said the presentation formed part of a pledge OAFLA, Ghana had bene$tted $rst hand from those child transmission of HIV and syphilis results in 20 made by the ALERE group to members of the OAFLA kits which were for use “during our the elimination of minutes. last year in New York following recognition that more Mother-to-Child Transmission (eMTCT) outreaches Ms Zeina Henaine, ALERE Social Responsibility than one million women and families had to face conducted throughout the country”. Ambassador for Africa who presented the items the trauma of repeated pregnancy loss, stillbirth or !e elimination of mother-to-child transmission commended the First Lady for her hard work and child born infected with and su#ering from HIV and outreaches was aimed at bringing services to the syphilis. communities using an integrated health approach. She explained that apart from their role as OAFLA “With the donation from Alere, we can now move members the First Ladies had their individual projects from two di#erent kits for HIV/Syphilis to a single test which they executed in their respective countries, kit. Our clients will access HIV and syphilis testing hence the need to support their e#orts. services at a single point instead of moving from one Ms Henaine said HIV and syphilis were the source point to another”, she said major public health problem a#ecting women and According to the First Lady it had taken a lot of time their newborn infants in the world, and 90 per cent to receive Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) approval HIV infections to children were from mother-to for those test kits, and it had been worth every e#ort -child transmission during pregnancy, delivery and put in by the Ministry of Health and Alere since the breastfeeding. delivery of the SD HIV/syphilis duo kits by Alere to She said pregnant women infected with syphilis the OAFLA Ghana Chapter in November 2015. might transmit to their unborn child and although it She expressed her appreciation to Alere for syphilis is easily curable with penicillin, unlike HIV providing innovative kits, and appealed to them to which were routinely tested in pregnant women, there increase the allocation of the SD HIV/syphilis kits were usually no tests carried out for syphilis pregnant initially delivered to Ghana to support its $rst 90 women. campaign to test 6 million people over the next 12 According to her, when detected, treatment in the months. early stage of pregnancy could prevent congenial syphilis, stillbirth or premature births. Credit: Sandow S Kpebu, In a speech read on her behalf, by Dr. Angela El-Adas, Director General of the Ghana AIDS [email protected] 10 Thursday 21 April, 2016 | Daily Express TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov

Bots must be fast, useful, and ideally should also work in the app’s inline mode. Telegram’s Pavel Durov To submit a bot, Telegram asks that developers contact them at BotSupport and include their work’s username and the tag giving developers $1 million #BotPrize. With Facebook’s entry into the bot market, there’s certainly a war to win over the hearts and minds of developers. Many might lean in grants to build bots more toward Facebook because its Messenger reaches 900 million monthly active users — by comparison, Durov’s company has 100 million monthly active users. However, Telegram hasn’t given up, even releasing a major update With Facebook’s entry into the bot to its Bot API just days before the F8 developer conference. Competition is certainly $erce, market, there’s certainly a war to win given that it’s going head to head against Kik, WeChat, Line, and Slack. over the hearts and minds of developers No deadline was listed, but the bot contest is likely going to cease when the money runs out. And while grants start at $25,000, how Telegram isn’t conceding the bot market to In a blog post, the company suggested that bots will be judged remain unknown, but it’s Facebook or any other messaging platform areas developers should focus on include probably at the discretion of Telegram. It could — it’s putting more resources into building its integrations, tools for bot builders, AI stu#, be assumed that the more useful and creative service out. !e company revealed that in order and natural language processing. However, it the bot is, the more that Durov will pay out, to attract developers to its service, its founder doesn’t want to limit a bot’s potential and asks which means those funds will likely support Pavel Durov will be giving away $1 million to be surprised. further bot development on the messaging in grants to those who “create an impressive “We don’t mind if you port your bot from a platform. bot” using Telegram’s Bot API. Grants start at di#erent platform,” the company explains. “Just $25,000 each and could go higher. make sure it really feels at home in Telegram.” Credit: Ken Yeung, venturebeat.com

THE DAILY EXPRESS published by International Marketing Apple unveils new and Communications Firm,

THE EVENTPR COMPANY LIMITED. improved MacBook News Editor: Apple released a set of updates to its ultra- But Apple (AAPL, Tech30) didn't neglect Head of Design: Armatey ARMAH thin and light laptop line, including an extra its MacBook Air, giving the 13-inch model a hour of battery life, newer processors, better boost in memory. !e new MacBook Air start graphics card, and faster %ash storage. with 8 GB of memory, making it comparable Adverts, Sales & Marketing: !e starting $1,299 model for the 12-inch to the new MacBook. MacBook now comes with the latest 1.1 GHz Apple started selling the new MacBooks Intel Core m3 processor and 256 GB of %ash through its website on Tuesday and said they Circulations: storage. !e $1,599 version comes with a will be in Apple's physical stores and other retail stores on Wednesday. faster 1.2 GHz Intel Core m5 processor and 512 GB of %ash storage. !e company unveiled its redesigned new MacBook is thinner and lighter than laptops last year, touting their slim pro$le, the MacBook Air. !e MacBook is not as Content & Editor: !e MacBook now has up to 11 hours of battery life, which is an hour more than that fanless construction, Force Touch trackpad, powerful as the MacBook Air, however, and of the 11-inch Macbook Air and an hour less and universal USB-C port. it carries a he&ier price tag. than that of the 13-inch MacBook Air. !e body of the MacBook is tapered Mob: +233 24 8264 353 like the body of the MacBook Air. But the Credit: CNN Tel: 026 160 9963 Daily Express | Thursday 21 April, 2016 11 12 Thursday 21 April, 2016 | Daily Express Daily Express | Thursday 21 April, 2016 13 PRESIDENTIAL DIARY PRESIDENTIAL DIARY

President Mahama meets members of the Council of State at the Flagsta! House

Accounting to the People tour of the Volta Region 12 Thursday 21 April, 2016 | Daily Express Daily Express | Thursday 21 April, 2016 13 PRESIDENTIAL DIARY PRESIDENTIAL DIARY

President Mahama meets members of the Council of State at the Flagsta! House

Accounting to the People tour of the Volta Region 14 ThursdayThursday 2121 April,April, 20162016 || DailyDaily ExpressExpress EXPRESS NEWS Our World in Pictures

Damage is seen on the road between Pedernales and Jama, after an earthquake struck o! Ecuador’s Paci" c coast. Credit - Reuters

A! ermath in Ecuador

Rescue team members walk along a street past damaged building

Rescue team members carry the body of a victim at a collapsed building after an earthquake struck o! the Paci" c coast, in Pedernales, Ecuador.

People leave a hilltop cemetery after spending the night there in fear of a tsunami in Jama

People organize humanitarian aid for victims of the earthquake that struck Soldiers and rescue team members are seen as heavy machinery is used to carry the body of a victim o! the Paci" c coast, in Quito, Ecuador, April 19, 2016. 14 Thursday 21 April, 2016 | Daily Express Daily Express | Thursday 21 April, 2016 15 EXPRESS NEWS EXPRESS NEWS Our World in Pictures President Mahama inaugurates

Damage is seen on the road between Pedernales and Jama, after an earthquake struck o! Ecuador’s Paci" c coast. Credit - Reuters second phase of Asogli power plant

President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated the $rst unit of the second phase of the Sunon Asogli Power Plant Project that would add 180 megawatts of gas-$red power to Ghana’s power generation mix. !e second phase of the project would generate a total of 360 megawatts when the second unit is brought on stream and boost the power generation capacity of the country. At a colourful ceremony at the Sunon Asogli Plant at Kpone near Accra, President Mahama said the project when completed would augment the many other interventions being made at improving the energy supply of the country. He said project feeds into the vision of his government to provide the country with at least 5000 megawatt power generation capacity. President Mahama, who was joined by Mr Yu Zhengsheng the Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to inaugurate the plant, said his government was determined to establish Ghana as the power hub of West Africa. He said Ghana would take advantage of the West African electricity market and export A! ermath in Ecuador excess power to be generated to countries with power de$cits. !e President noted that the inability of the West African Gas Pipeline Project to supply the quantum of gas needed to $re the various thermal units in the country had created a shortfall of over 750 megawatts of power in the eastern power enclave in Tema. He said government was hastening the process of reversing the %ow of excess gas from the Western oil platforms to cater for the Eastern power enclave to give the needed boost to increase power production. President Mahama, as part of measures to increase power production, said Ghana has signed an agreement with Quantum Energy Rescue team members walk along a street past damaged building and Sahara Energy for the deployment of two %oating storage regasi$cation units to supply Lique$ed Natural Gas to the Eastern power enclave. He said the commencement of the TEIN $eld and the exploitation of ENI’s Sankofa $eld, as well as projections to bring the greater Rescue team members carry the body of a victim at a collapsed building after an earthquake struck o! the Paci" c coast, jubilee $eld on stream would ensure that the in Pedernales, Ecuador. country gets a steady supply of gas for the next two decades. President Mahama commended the government of China for its continuous support to Ghana’s power generation e#orts, People leave a hilltop cemetery after spending the night there in fear of a adding that the Sunon Asogli Plants were tsunami in Jama contributing signi$cantly to the country’s generation capacity. Mr Yu, who was on a four-day o"cial visit to Ghana, was elated on the prospering relations between China and Ghana, expressing optimism that the Sunon Azogli Power project would contribute immeasurably to Ghana’s energy needs. He pledged China’s continuous support for Ghana’s development e#orts to bolster ties between the two nations. !e Project, which was constructed by the Shenzhen Energy Group of China, is expected, when completed, to supply about 20 percent of Ghana’s energy demand. People organize humanitarian aid for victims of the earthquake that struck Soldiers and rescue team members are seen as heavy machinery is used to carry the body of a victim o! the Paci" c coast, in Quito, Ecuador, April 19, 2016. Credit: GNA 16 Thursday 21 April, 2016 | Daily Express THE ENTREPRENEUR

!is makes sense when you realize that entrepreneurs are the ones who disrupt industries, chafe against the status quo and spark a good revolution. PsychCentral even reported, “New research has found a childhood pattern of antisocial tendencies among entrepreneurs.” So, if you’re sometimes labelled as a nerd or geek, or boring, or rude, don’t sweat it. Instead, go do what you were meant to do -- start a business or two. 5. You see everything in the world Pushing the pessimistic or optimistic dichotomy aside for just a moment, how do you view the world around you? Is everything $ne, or are there a few things that could use improving? Your perspective is a marker of your entrepreneurship tendencies. Entrepreneurs see things that need $xing. !ey see trends that need changing. !ey see a world that’s not yet perfect. USA Today reported, “Serial entrepreneurs $nd new problems to $x,” because, let’s be honest, there’s a lot that needs $xing in the world. Elon Musk was someone who wanted to $x the world. He wasn’t content with online payment methods. !at's why he launched PayPal. He wasn’t content with the slump of space exploration. He started SpaceX. He saw a problem with the reliance on traditional methods of energy. Say hello to SolarCity, Tesla Energy, Hyperloop and Tesla Motors. 6 Signs that you're not cut Look at the world. What do you see? No changes needed? If that’s the case, you probably don’t see a pressing need to start a business. But if you see problems that need solving, and solutions that need inventing, consider out for entrepreneurship entrepreneurship your calling. 6. You feel very mainstream. (And you love it.) Lots of people want to start a business. But not You may be content to pour your life and hard Entrepreneurship is counter-cultural, because everyone has what it takes. !e proportion of work into someone else’s dream. And that’s $ne. contemporary society tends to discourage risk those who merely want to be entrepreneurs Many people $nd true ful$llment in this pursuit. taking. We con%ate protection with progress. will always be higher than that of the few who Parents, for example, are motivated by a desire !e cultural “we” smiles approvingly at closed actually start a business. !e simple reason to help their children achieve their dreams. environments, safe decisions, sound investments, is that not everyone is cut out for the rigors of Teachers give their lives to motivating and risk-free assets and cups that don’t spill hot co#ee entrepreneurship. prospering a generation of students. Nonpro$ts on us. So, you may be thinking about starting exist to rekindle dying dreams. !ose are all $ne things. But in moments of a business. But can you? Check out the It’s not wrong to nurture someone else's dream. brutal honesty, we realize that some of life’s risk following signs that you are not cut out for the But if you have your own dreams, perhaps you is necessary and good. !e mainstream obsession entrepreneurial life. should stop working to ful$ll someone else’s. with safety and security tends to denude life of its 1. You prefer following orders. 3. You don’t like hard work. natural and healthy risk. !e world is made of followers and leaders. Entrepreneurship is about hard work. It’s !e person who %oats contentedly in the Which one are you? about facing indecision, insecurity, instability current of mainstream culture is, perhaps, not If you’re committed to being a comfortable and borderline insanity. the choicest person for entrepreneurial pursuits. order-taker the rest of your life, perhaps !ere’s nothing really pleasant about that. Apple's "!ink Di#erent" commercials famously entrepreneurship is not for you. If, on the other Ironic as it seems, there’s a certain satisfaction in commented: hand, you feel a twitch of desire to make some hard work. Humans are made for hard work, and Here's to the crazy ones. !e mis"ts. !e rebels. decisions and give some orders, that may be the hard work has its own reward. !e troublemakers. !e round pegs in the square spark of entrepreneurship. It’s cliche to say “work smart, not hard.” But holes. !e ones who see things di#erently. !ey're here’s the rude reality: You must work smart and not fond of rules. And they have no respect for hard. Entrepreneurship isn’t a bag of smart tricks. the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with It’s smart tricks combined with heart-pounding them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing hard work. you can't do is ignore them. Because they change If you’re not into the whole hard-work thing things !ey push the human race forward. And It’s about facing -- rewarding as it is -- then the entrepreneurial while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see life is not for you. genius. Because the people who are crazy enough 4. You get along great with to think they can change the world, are the ones indecision, insecurity, who do. everyone in your life. !ose words inspire entrepreneurs. But the instability and Take a quick survey of all your human not-so-entrepreneurial among us hardly warrant relationships. Any interpersonal problems? A a second glance. breakup? A shouting match? An argument? borderline insanity No? None? Okay, that’s settled. You’re probably Conclusion not an entrepreneur. !e beauty of of these traits is that they are As it turns out, entrepreneurs aren’t the wide- malleable. Entrepreneurship isn’t a you-got-it- grinning, back-slapping, glad-handing socialites or-you-don’t proposition. You can cultivate the qualities of entrepreneurship through sheer will, they may seem to be. Entrepreneurs tend toward the outer fringe of social behavior and cultural patient habit and intense desire. someone else’s dream. norms. Fortune magazine featured this bit of Don’t let anything get in your way of living out Businessman, investor and philanthropist insight: your dream. If you want it, you can be cut out Farrah Gray wrote, “Build your own dreams, or Want to $nd the future entrepreneurs in a for it. someone else will hire you to build theirs.” Which room full of teenagers? Look for the boys who do you prefer to do? like to break a rule from time to time. Credit: Neil Patel, entrepreneur.com Daily Express | Thursday 21 April, 2016 17 HEALTH & NEWBORNS

3) Ingrown hairs aren’t dangerous Shaving and waxing will both cause Pubic hair: ingrown hairs, where “you take o# the top layer of the skin so the bit of hair le& tries to grow again and grows in 8 things on itself,” explains Byrne. !ey can be unsightly, uncomfortable and very painful – but they won’t put your life you need in danger. 4) Hair removal creams might be best to know While waxing and shaving have similar e#ects, hair removal creams work di#erently, using chemicals. before you Byrne says: “!e only di#erence with creams is there’s no physical trauma to the skin.” It means that there’s shave less chance of receiving cuts and Credit: Radhika Sanghani, infections. telegraph.co.uk But, most manufacturers say you shouldn’t use the creams on your !e most common way to remove genital area. So, they won’t work for the hair is by shaving, according Brazilians. to a new study, published in the 5) Hair removal can American Journal of Obstetrics increase STI risks and Gynaecology. It’s nothing we A 2012 study suggests that hair Is your baby overweight? couldn’t have guessed – waxing removal can increase your chance of isn’t just painful, it’s expensive and contracting an STI because remove time-consuming. the hair a#ects the skin membrane, But what is surprising is that the making it easier for bacteria to enter research also found 60 per cent the body. What you need to know of women had at least one health Byrne says that in his experience, complication incurred from pubic this is true. He explains that pubic hair removal, typically epidermal hair is there to “absorb moisture and abrasion (invisible cuts to the skin) drain it away from areas that aren’t Credit: FoxNews.com diabetes were overweight by the time signs of readiness. “I think that there and ingrown hairs. It was also exposed”. If there’s no hair, the skin is they were 11 years old. is a cultural need that parents feel shown to cause severe skin irritation, more vulnerable to infections such as Chubby babies and toddlers are But the main thing doctors look that they need to start their babies on infections and – according to an herpes and genital warts. adorable, but with the childhood at is growth curves. So if your baby’s food, but medically they don’t have older study – increase the spread and 6) Trimming is less risky obesity epidemic on the minds of weight suddenly jumps from the to,” Hes said. transmission of STIs. For women who really just don’t most parents, paying attention to 25th percentile to the 90th, it’s time Choose healthy foods It’s pretty shocking stu# to think to chat with the pediatrician. that shaving your bikini line could want to go au natural, trimming is a those few extra pounds is more “All babies and toddlers need “We want to make sure that the leave you in hospital, or at a higher safer option. Byrne explains that an important than ever. to be fed the same way,” according rate of weight gain is not too rapid; risk of catching genital warts. But just ingrown hair follicle won’t happen One in three children is either to Melinda Johnson, a registered we want them to stay on their growth how likely is it? Is shaving your bikini with trimming – the only downside overweight or obese, and it’s a dietitian and spokesperson for is that as the hairs grow longer, it can curves,” Hes said. line really that bad, or is it OK to carry problem that is showing up before the Academy of Nutrition and cause itching. babies even start to walk. In fact, If you’re concerned about your on? Dietetics, who said an overweight I spoke to Hugh Byrne, a consultant Oh, and if you’re using an electrical approximately one-third of children baby or toddler’s weight, here’s what little one should never be put on a gynaecologist, to $nd out the real trimming device, be extra careful at 9 months old were either at risk for you can do: diet. Instead, make sure your child dangers of hair removal: when it’s so close to your genitalia. obesity or already obese, according Talk to the doctor is getting regular meals of fruits and 7) Hair removal is more to a study in the American Journal 1) Hair removal can give Your child’s pediatrician can take vegetables, lean proteins and whole you abscesses dangerous for overweight of Health Promotion. a look at his or her growth charts to grains. Also, cut down on restaurant women So if your baby has extra rolls Byrne tells me that since hair make sure weight gain is occurring fare, fast food and processed foods. !e new American study found and folds, is it simply baby fat or removal became really commonplace on a consistent basis. It’s also a Establish healthy he’s seen “a de$nite increase in that complications were twice as something more? great opportunity to chat about your likely for overweight or obese women, It all depends, according to behaviors infected abscesses that need to be child’s diet and activity – and make lanced [drained]”. Typically, they’re and three times more likely if they Dr. Dyan Hes, medical director At this stage, your child is learning changes if necessary. caused by bacteria entering the body removed all their pubic hair. Byrne at Gramercy Pediatrics in New how to eat in response to his or her Breastfeed through the hair follicle. explains that it’s because for larger York City and a board member of hunger, yet “this is one of the areas He explains that it’s easily women, their skin will be closer “Breastfeeding is protective against the American Board of Obesity we as parents can get way too pushy, corrected, either by antibiotics, or a together. obesity,” according to Hes, who said Medicine who said there are several and we mess them up,” according patient having an operation, which “!e hairs that are short are more reasons why a baby might be formula-fed babies are o&en overfed. to Johnson. She added that well- always carries a danger risk. likely to be ingrown,” he says. “!ere’ll overweight. Even though breastfed babies are at meaning parents sometimes take also be more moisture so they’re more lower risk for obesity, new research 2) Shaving isn’t worse Some babies who are overweight the plate away when a child is still than waxing likely to have bacteria.” slim down once they become shows that extended breastfeeding hungry, which can encourage food Waxing is o&en seen as the 8) It’s up to you toddlers while others are simply is no better than a shorter duration, seeking behaviors that could lead to preferable option, but Byrne explains Even with these risks laid out, born big. “If you’re born 10 pounds, according to a recent American obesity. that because pubic hairs generally Byrne explains: “It’s entirely personal Medical Association study. you’re going to always be in the 90th Plus, eating because he or she is grow at a slant, even waxing will not preference – you just need to be percentile most of your life,” Hes Start solids at the right bored, sad or cranky isn’t the right be able to fully pull out a hair. It means aware of the risks. Some cultures have said. time approach. “!is is a very important it could still become an ingrown hair. been doing it for centuries. If you’re If one or both parents are time to really teach kids how to Although pediatricians “!ere’s no di#erence between the worried about an infection, go and overweight or obese, it’s likely that a honor their hunger, how to eat only recommend introducing solids two,” he says. “ All you’re doing is see your doctor, otherwise you don’t child will be the same. Whether it’s when they’re hungry, and how to really need to discuss it with a GP.” between 4 and 6 months, 40 percent removing the hair.” because of genetics or lifestyle, it is stop when they’re comfortably full,” of moms do so earlier, according hard to determine, but Hes said it’s she said. to a recent study in the journal usually a combination of both. Pediatrics. And formula-fed babies Get moving Moms who had gestational who start early are signi$cantly Toddlers love to run, jump and diabetes are also more likely to more likely to be obese by 3 years play, and making exercise a part of give birth to big babies and have old, a separate American Academy your child’s daily routine now is overweight children. In fact, of Pediatrics study found. crucial for an active lifestyle later. So according to a study in the journal Experts agree that when deciding turn o# the TV and head to the park, Diabetes Care, 31 percent of children on solids, it’s important to look for a gymnastics class, or the pool. whose moms developed gestational 18 Thursday 21 April, 2016 | Daily Express JOBS & CAREERS

allows me to tell animated and practical stories in the classroom, and my work as a lecturer enables me to be an empathetic interviewer and researcher in the $eld. You’ll Open More Doors Millennials are not plagued by the same challenges our parents were: having to stick to one career path and commit to a lifetime at one job. But we do have it more di"cult in some ways, with a tough job market and global competition. And in this economy we face, having a range of experiences and careers is an advantage—whether it’s to have a couple of great fallback options, or to compete for jobs that have a wide range of skills. My colleague and friend Soo$a Asad was initially working in business a&er getting her degree, staying in the industry for seven years. But her true skill is photography and art, and she began to pursue her photography full-time. Her business savvy helped her expand her portfolio and land several gallery exhibits in Bangkok, and later she was able to merge the two interests by landing a gig at an animation and tech company in her native country of Pakistan—a gig that never would have been possible without $rst having two distinct career paths. You Can Pursue Diverse Interests One of my colleagues in India confessed she loved composing and organizing music, but would study medicine because it earned her respect. When I suggested combining both interests to engage in music therapy, she was thrilled—and decided to pursue music therapy as a separate career. We live in a world where we can run a startup, have a day job, and work remotely at night if we want to—so why not take advantage of it? Don’t get me wrong—doing many things can be stressful, but it can also be exceptionally gratifying. If you can $nd the right balance, doing what helps you bring in a paycheck and also pursuing your interests will enable to you feel like you’re pursuing the career of your dreams, even if it’s a nontraditional one. Embrace your paths: why having You Can Go Global If you’re interested in working around the world, having a multitude of skills in di#erent $elds can not only help you land the job, but it can also make your overall assimilation to the country that much multiple jobs is a good thing easier. Across the world, di#erent professions are respected in di#erent ways, and you may $nd a I recall being at a grant interview in Germany A&er the interview, I walked through Berlin skill set you have that was completely undervalued several years ago, cra&ing my answers to each of pondering this reaction. Clearly I wasn’t going to in the United States will be celebrated elsewhere. my interviewer’s questions carefully. I wanted to receive the grant, but I was still content that I had In Southeast Asia, you may $nd a demand for showcase my experience, innovation, and what I stayed true to my goals. I wondered why, however, teachers, but you can also $nd a need for grant thought was charm. And so, I shared stories about this interviewer had such a problem with my writers and research analysts as well, and in India my work in the globally discussed projects I had answer. Why can't I be all of those things? Why was there is a huge demand for voice coaches, teachers, led, and I explained the several di#erent $elds that he making me choose? and people with business experience. Most of these I focus on. To this day, I disagree with the notion that I career paths intersect or build upon each other, !en I waited for a response. A&er a moment should choose, or should have to. I’ve actually and building on those layers is key. of silence, one of the older interviewers threw his always considered my being involved in a number My colleague in Korea, Luigina Webb, not only pen and shouted, "Well what are you? An activist? of di#erent careers to be a good thing. From both translates for major companies, but also works in A professor? A reporter? You can’t be all of them!" my own experience and that of my peers, there are the Korean Pop industry, and when she has time I replied that I, in fact, do represent all of those a number of reasons why pursuing multiple $elds, she models, too. Luigina’s interests and her degree professions, and that my career intersects with a or even careers, is a big advantage. in law make her a well-rounded and desirable larger global framework and a larger life goal—and You Can Build a Strong Foundation candidate in many $elds in Korea, which is a huge to my shock, my interviewer fumed with anger. asset to her as she’s worked to settle and $nd work "How should I set my future up?" my friend there. asked me once. "Do you think I should go into Talk to other people in a range of $elds, and foreign policy, or run for local politics? Which one you’ll $nd that most career paths are not linear should I choose?" I realized that it was not only and that each individual journey is di#erent. !is We live in a world where possible for her to do both, but it would actually be bene$cial. A&er all, having a global outlook is normal—and it’s a great thing, and it opens would certainly help her understand people, build many doors. Since that interview in Germany, I we can run a startup, relationships with those of diverse backgrounds, have continued to pursue and develop my di#erent and learn how to lead—all crucial skills for a local careers, and I’ve also realized and developed an politician. even greater appreciation for how they all come have a day job, and work O&entimes, one path can be a building block for together. I am not sure if I will ever $t in a one- something else, and it can help you gain critical track career—so for now, I will happily embrace remotely at night if we experience that’ll someday propel you toward the many career paths I have established, and another career goal. In my friend’s case, her foreign look forward to seeing how they will evolve in the policy work would give her the foundation she future. want to needed to achieve her goal of being a politician. In my own career, my human rights work in the $eld Credit: Natalie Jesionka, themuse.com Daily Express | Thursday 21 April, 2016 19 EXPRESS OPINIONS

10 ways you may be losing your brand integrity

I de$ne Brand integrity as the ability to the rights. It is a continues cycle to strengthen stand for, who your audience are: delivering another: present one’s brand both in words and deeds your brand. You must know speci$cally what your brand Simply say what you mean and mean what to be true, respectable and acceptable without 3. Ignoring the use of Social Media: represents and the unique audience you serve, you say. Keep your brand promise always, don’t compromising on standards (brand’s promise). if not your brand will easily lose its value by over promise and under deliver. Doing business in this age without social As Wikipedia has it “Integrity is the quality spreading too thin. media presence is almost an error, (depends of being honest and having strong moral on the type of business you are into), however 8. Hyping instead of helping: principles; moral uprightness. It is generally a personal or corporate guiding having a strong social media presence enhances personal choice to uphold oneself to consistent As the noise increases in advertisement and values. your business in many ways. Most o&en than moral and ethical standards.” not, it’s the quickest way customers can give you “If the gap between the projected image and feedback on your brand. the reality of the customer experience widens, customers smell hypocrisy.” Ballantyne and 4. Reacting to feedbacks instead of Aitken (2007, p. 366) responding appropriately: !at is to say when the promised value is Gathering feedbacks for feedbacks sake I de$ne Brand integrity as the ability to under delivered and there is no synchronization, doesn’t do you any good. It’s your commitment then there is a brand integrity issue. to work with those feedbacks that matters. Not present one’s brand both in words and deeds Now take a look at ways that you may be reacting in anger when it’s not in your favour is compromising on your brand integrity. a great skill to develop. Learn to be patient and to be true, respectable and acceptable without 1. Not having the means to be respond positively to feedbacks reached by customers: 5. Putting up an Arrogant attitude: compromising on standards (brand’s promise) To stay in business you must have means It’s okay to defend your products and services to be reached by potential clients and existing but note that you are in business to serve, to customers, if not you stand the risk of losing meet the needs of others. Place people $rst, your business to your competitors. Customers accept corrections when you err to help make want to reach you buy a click of a button, a call, your brand better. promotion; a brands goal is to be seen and heard Your personal and or your corporate brand social media, etc. Make it easy to be reachable. 6. Trying to please everyone: and then be patronized. Hyping your product values are critical guiding principles to the 2. Ignoring feedbacks: just to reach your audience won’t do you much survival of your brand. You should constantly You are not in business to serve everyone, good; instead focus on helping, meeting the Feedbacks are ways to assess your brand’s hold it to be true. period! needs of your market. performance, to correct the wrongs and project 9. Promising one thing and Credit: Bernard Kelvin Clive 20 Thursday 21 April, 2016 | Daily Express FOREIGN EXPRESS

President Xi Jinping (pictured) has overseen a sweeping revamp of the security Soldiers take positions to stand guard outside of the Chinese Parliament known as apparatus aimed at combating threats both at home and abroad. But new security laws the Great Hall of the People. A Chinese computer expert has been sentenced to death he passed, or wants to pass, have alarmed the West, including the counterterrorism law for leaking state secrets after giving a foreign power 150,000 classi"ed documents in and a draft cyber security law, amidst a renewed crackdown on dissent. revenge after being sacked for reportedly being a bad employee Chinese computer technician sentenced to death for leakage A Chinese man has been sentenced to death for Meeting in Southeast Asia and Hong !e report did not say when or if the execution !e cyber security and counterterrorism laws leaking more than 150,000 classi$ed documents Kong, Huang eventually handed over 150,000 had happened, or where he was tried. codify sweeping powers for the government to an unidenti$ed foreign power, state television documents, covering secrets ranging from China's state secrets law is notoriously broad, to combat perceived threats, from widespread said today. everything from the ruling Communist Party covering everything from industry data to the censorship to heightened control over certain !e computer technician from Sichuan, to military and $nancial issues, the report said. exact birth dates of state leaders. technologies. named as Huang Yu, worked for a government But as he was no longer employed, he began Information can also be labelled a state secret Critics of the counterterrorism legislation, department which handled state secrets, but was to run out of documents to provide, and so retroactively. for one, say it could be interpreted in such a President Xi Jinping has overseen a sweeping sacked for being a bad employee, the report said. targeted his wife and brother-in-law who also way that even non-violent dissidents could fall revamp of the security apparatus, aimed at Filled with anger, he messaged a 'foreign spy worked for government departments handling within its de$nition of terrorism. combating threats both at home and abroad. organisation' on the internet and o#ered to sell state secrets, state television said. China has consistently rejected any criticism But new security laws he has passed, or wants documents he had obtained while working for In the end, his frequent travel and sudden to pass, have alarmed Western governments, of its human rights record, saying it adheres to his former employer, who gladly took him up unexplained wealth caught up with him and including the counterterrorism law and a dra& the rule of law. on his o#er and so began their relationship, it in 2011 he was arrested, and then sentenced to cyber security law, amidst a renewed crackdown added. death, it added. on dissent. Credit: dailymail.co.uk

Margrethe Vestager, EU charges Google with abusing European Competition Commissioner Android market dominance !e European Union charged Google "A competitive mobile Internet sector is (GOOGL.O) on Wednesday with abusing increasingly important for consumers and the dominant position of its Android mobile businesses in Europe," European Competition operating system, opening a second front Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a against the U.S. technology giant that could lead statement. to large $nes. "We believe that Google's behaviour denies European Union antitrust regulators said consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and that by requiring mobile phone manufacturers services and stands in the way of innovation by to pre-install Google Search and the Google other players," she said. Chrome browser, the U.S. company was denying Internet Explorer-browser maker Microso& consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and Corp (MSFT.O) declined to comment. remarkable system based on open-source so&ware !e Commission alleges Google has breached sti%ing innovation. Suppliers of browsers including Mozilla, which and open innovation. EU antitrust rules by making phone manufacturers Google is already facing EU charges over the is behind Firefox, as well as Apple (AAPL.O), with "We look forward to working with the European pre-install its search function and Chrome promotion of its shopping service in Internet its Safari browser, and Norway's Opera So&ware Commission to demonstrate that Android is browser, and by preventing them from selling searches at the expense of rival services, in a case (OPERA.OL) were not immediately available to good for competition and good for consumers," mobiles running competing operating systems that has dragged on since late 2010 despite three comment. Google's general counsel Kent Walker said. based on the Android open source code. !e EU also charged the U.S company with attempts to resolve the issues. !e European Commission said about 80 FairSearch, the lead complainant, said Google giving $nancial incentives to manufacturers and !e stakes are higher for Google in the Android percent of smart mobile devices in Europe and had launched Android as an open source project, case as it made about $11 billion last year from the world run on Android, the operating system network operators to pre-install Google Search but was now hindering the development of exclusively on devices. advertising sales on Android phones through its developed by Google. versions that might lead to new operating systems apps such as Maps, Search and Gmail, according Google, which has 12 weeks to respond to the able to compete with Android. Credit: uk.reuters.com to estimates by $nancial analyst Richard Windsor. charges, said in a statement that Android was a Daily Express | Thursday 21 April, 2016 21

Nollywood's Nonso Diobi BUSINESS survives car accident PAGE 22 & FINANCE NIB opens Ashanti Mampong branch

!e relevance of the Informal sector to the According to him, NIB has capable men Ghanaian economy cannot be overemphasized. and women who can manage their business It has the potential to propel the economic and NIB the track record of sound $nancial development of the Country. It is in the light management. He said though the banking sector of this that empowering the sector in terms of is experiencing sti# competition in deposit savings mobilization and $nancial support is mobilization and growth in pro$t in recent critical. times, NIB has been able to exceed industry !e CEO/MD of the Bank Mr.Ernest Mawuli average for deposits. Agbesi stated this at the opening of the Ashanti Mampong branch in the Ashanti Region. "!e Mampong branch will re-enforce the Bank’s capacity to serve our customers, especially those in the informal sector” Mr. Agbesi emphasized. He said the Mampong branch is the $&h branch to be opened in the Ashanti Region and forty !e Mampong second in the Country. The MD/CEO, Mr. Ernest Mawuli Agbesi assisting the Mamponghene, Dasebre (Dr) Nana Osei Bonsu Mr. Agbesi assured customers that the Bank branch will and Mamponghemaa Nana Agyakuma Du"e to commission the Mampong Branch will open more branches in the near future to serve the needs of customers better. He said NIB was established 53 years ago to re-enforce the propel the industrial growth and development of the Country. Having achieved this mandate by Bank’s capacity supporting many companies to be on their feet in the areas of manufacturing, infrastructure, to serve our agriculture , construction etc. its target is now to develop the informal sector of the economy through mobilization of savings. Mr. Agbesi customers, assured the public of prudent management of their funds and will not cause them to have especially those in un-necessary heart aches as some micro-$nance institutions do. the informal sector Front view of the Mampong branch Daily Express’ May Day Special

The Daily Express, Ghana’s FIRST and only FREE circulating newspaper is publishing a Special Edition to commemorate this year’s International Workers Day (May Day) which falls on May 1.

The Edition will feature interesting and thought provoking op-eds by prominent personalities and o!cials, messages from various international labour experts & organizations, trade and diplomatic missions, short pro"les of innovative and successful entrepreneurs both local and foreign, photo history and story of past May Day celebrations in Ghana.

For further information please contact us: 026 160 9963 | [email protected] 22 Thursday 21 April, 2016 | Daily Express SHOWBIZ & STYLE

Darling Arithmetic – Villagers Adele In Colour – Jamie xx Nollywood's Matador – Gaz Coombes Ex Machina Nonso Diobi Pan !e Duke of Burgundy Best television soundtrack survives car And !en !ere Were None From Darkness London Spy !e Ivor Novellos are highly prized by accident musicians because they are voted for by their peers. “It’s really nice that it’s celebrating the gra&,” said Jack Patterson, from dance act Clean Bandit, who is nominated this year for co-writing Jess Glynne’s number one hit Hold My Hand. “It’s about the stu# that you don’t see – [working] in these grotty rooms for hours and hours with scraps of paper and gigabytes of discarded voice notes.” “Music awards are funny things – but these ones seem to be actually controlled by writers and the writing community,” added !e Adele snubbed at Villagers’ Conor O’Brien, nominated for best album. “Which feels good because writing can be Nonso Diobi a strange, solitary existence. So it can be nice to peek your head above the parapet and say ollywood actor, Nonso Diobi has Ivor Novello Awards ‘hello.'” reportedly survived a serious road Although Adele did not receive a nomination accident. dele has failed to win any nominations make it to !e Brits has a chance here,” he told at the awards’ launch, she could still pick up a NAccording to Nollywood reports, the at the prestigious Ivor Novello Awards, the BBC. prize when the ceremony takes place on 19 incident occurred Sunday, April 17, 2016, but which recognise achievement in !e full list of nominees is as follows: May in London, as there are special awards for didn’t give further info to where it happened. Asongwriting. Best song musically and lyrically “outstanding song collection” and “songwriter !e actor shared a picture of him at the !e star, whose third album 25 was the Bloodstream – Ed Sheeran of the year”, decided by a panel from the British hospital and thanked God for saving him. biggest-seller of 2015, was overlooked by the Bros – Wolf Alice Academy of Songwriters Composers and “Had an accident yesterday evening, my leg awards, which are voted for by her fellow Wasn’t Expecting !at – Jamie Lawson Authors. !e singer won the latter prize in 2011, all plastered up but I believe that sometimes composers and songwriters. in recognition of her breakthrough album, 21, God allows some things to happen to people Instead, Ed Sheeran, Jess Glynne and James Best contemporary song while Rolling In !e Deep won most performed so we can know who our true friends are. If Bay made the shortlist. All My Friends – Snakehips & Tinashe & work (recognising the song broadcast the most you have or know any way you can help me And, following the row over diversity at the Chance !e Rapper o&en on UK radio) at the same ceremony. heal faster please do and always put me in your Brits, Roots Manuva and Skepta were listed for Cargo – Roots Manuva “All this means is that she was not nominated daily prayers….!ank you and I love you all”, best contemporary song. Shutdown – Skepta in the $ve categories in which there were judges,” he captioned the photo he shared. Broadcaster Paul Gambaccini, who has Most performed work said Gambaccini. Nonso Diobi is a proli$c Actor, a producer, a hosted the ceremony since 1987, says grime and Hold Back !e River – James Bay “It does not mean that she hasn’t won anything director, a businessman, an entrepreneur, GLO UK hip-hop had been recognised because of the Hold My Hand – Jess Glynne that was in the gi& of the academy.” Ambassador, and above all a philanthropist. way the awards were set up. King – Years & Years “!is is what the Ivor judges do – they do Credit: BBC Credit: ghanaweb.com deep listening, so the type of song that may not Best album Daily Express | Thursday 21 April, 2016 23 Sports and Fitness

Essien slams 'cheap news' over his Panathinaikos !tness Angry Panathinaikos mid$elder Michael “When they cannot break you,then they Essien has slammed widespread reports in start telling lies about you. I'm very well the Greek media about his $tness as 'cheap and $t… CheapNews. Jah bless still,” Essien news' insisting such 'lies' will not break his posted on social media. resolve. !is comes a&er several newspapers According to the reports in Greece the and radio stations in Greece reported on Ghana international has struggled to break Monday that the Ghanaian mid$elder is into the team in recent times due to his set to leave the Greek giants this summer problematic injuries. because of concerns over hit $tness. !e reports claim there is currently a big According to the reports, Essien, 30, has gulf between the club and the Ghanaian agreed to mutually terminate his Greens with both parties reported to have reached contract at the end of the season and the Greek media claim it is because of his an agreement to mutually part ways. $tness problems. Essien has been linked with a reunion Essien has been restricted to just 13 with international teammate Sulley appearances for Panathinaikos since his Muntari at Saudi side Al Ittihad. move from AC Milan in the summer and !e Ghanaian in the past has played for the last time he played for the club was French sides Bastia and Lyon as well as against Olympiakos on March 13, 2016. Despite the lack of playing time, Essien Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan. says he is fully $t and such reports are calculated to break him. Credit: ghanasoccernet.com

Michael Essien

Manuel Neuer signs new !ve- year contract

World Cup winner Manuel Neuer has on Tuesday and will play the winner signed a new $ve-year contract with of Wednesday's game between Hertha Bayern Munich. Berlin and Borussia Dortmund in the !e deal keeps the Germany $nal. goalkeeper, 30, at the Bundesliga club !ey have a seven-point lead over until 2021. Dortmund at the top of the Bundesliga Neuer joined Bayern from fellow with four games le& and play Atletico Bundesliga club Schalke, agreeing a Madrid in the Champions League $ve-year deal in July 2011. semi-$nals. Since signing for Bayern he has won !is season will be manager three Bundesliga titles, two German Guardiola's last at the club before he Cups and the Champions League in takes over at Manchester City, with 2013, while Pep Guardiola's team are on former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti to course to win the treble this season. replace him. !e Bavarians beat Werder Bremen 2-0 in their German Cup semi-$nal Credit: BBC

Manuel Neuer Thursday 21 April, 2016 | Daily Express