Ghana’s poor run in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil has received more damning descriptions from the international public. According to a study conducted by the Cambridge University Press, the top words used by various media reports worldwide in relation to Ghana’s World Cup campaign were “money”, “strike”, “powerful”. These words stem from the Black Stars’ troubles associated with rows over the payment of appearance fees to the players and the airlifting of three million US dollars in cash to [....]

After 120 tedious and goalless minutes that were in stark contrast to the spectacular shock of the first semi-final between Brazil and the Germans, Argentina prevailed and a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 finals - when they played West Germany - will be played out in Rio. Goalkeeper Sergio Romero was the hero with penalty saves from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder, while opposite number Jasper Cillessen was unable to repeat the feats of his deputy, Tim Krul, in the quarter-final win against Costa Rica [...]

Members of the Teachers Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) of the College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Medical School at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital have threatened an indefinite strike. According to them, if the management of the college does not pay their market premium owed them since 2013; they will lay down their tools. The TEWU members say the premium, which is an allowance for staff calculated according to basic salary has not been paid despite a series of meetings with [.....]

The FIFA Emergency Committee has decided today, 9 July 2014, to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with immediate effect, on account of government interference. Article 13, par. 1 and article 17, par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes oblige member associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties. The decision follows a letter sent by FIFA to the NFF on 4 July 2014, in which it expressed its great concern after the NFF was served with court proceedings [....]

Canadian pop star Justin Bieber has pleaded no contest to misdemeanour vandalism in connection with the egging of his neighbour’s home and has been sentenced to two years’ probation. California’s court also ordered him to pay $80,900 (£47,160) in damages, serve five days of community service and complete an anger management programme. Bieber, 20, was not present in court for the arraignment. The singer faces two other criminal cases in Florida and Toronto. “Justin is glad to get this matter [....]

I just read a story in which the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) declared that the party is ready to govern Ghana. I don’t know the source of Mr. Kwabena Agyepong’s confidence, but if it is based on the party’s performance in opposition, then we should all be terrified by the prospect. The NPP has been a disappointing opposition party. The NPP won 47.74 percent of valid votes cast in the presidential elections of 2012 and garnered 115 seats in Parliament. In fact, if executives of [....]

Google Glass has been hacked so that it can be controlled by brainwaves. By combining the smart glasses with an electroencephalography (EEG) headset, the software makes it possible to take a picture without moving a muscle. London-based start-up This Place said the tech could be utilised in high-pressure hands-free situations – such as during surgery. It has released the MindRDR software for free in the hope that developers will adapt it for other uses. Google made it clear that it does not support [....]

An Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) policy analyst, Emmanuel Bensah, says the proposal by leaders within the sub-region to abolish residence permits for member states and introduce biometric Identification Cards (ID Card) is a ‘’good idea’’. ‘’This will help complement attempts to monitor and evaluate the kind of people who pass through the boarders all the time; in principle I think it’s a good idea,’’ he said. ‘’… the abolishing of residence permit is the one of the [....]

The Bank of Ghana has revealed that the country’s public debt including both domestic and external debt hit 58.4billion cedis at end of March this year. This is a leap from the GH¢52.1 billion recorded at the end of December last year. The new figure represents 55.4 percent of GDP. Of the total, the domestic debt component was GH¢27.8 billion which is 47.5% of the overall total. According to the Governor of the bank of Ghana Dr Henry Kofi Wampah provisional data on government fiscal operations [....]

President John Dramani Mahama has said the nation’s economy will grow in spite of current challenges. Government has been criticized for the rising inflation rate, high budget deficit, tax evasion, corruption in public institutions and other challenges facing the country. But speaking at the Global Leadership Training forum, President Mahama was optimistic Ghana’s economy will overcome its current challenges.According to him, “a new oil bill which will increase Ghana’s oil production from [....]