Thursday, January 31, 2013

Prof Ken Attafuah Endorses Oye Lithur’s Position on Homosexuality



Human rights lawyer and Criminologist, Professor Ken Agyemang Attafuah has defended the position of the minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur, on the controversial gay issue.

Professor Attafuah in an interview on Joy FM, endorsed Nana Oye Lithur's stance on homosexuality, explaining that the constitution does not point out any discretion in the area of sexual preferences.

He said the Constitution guarantees the fundamental human rights of every individual irrespective of the person’s sexual orientation.

Referring to Article 15 (1) which states that "The dignity of all persons shall be inviolable", he said homosexuals have fundamental rights which should not be undermined.

According to him, Nana Oye Lithur clearly made her stance before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee that she was not going to promote homosexuality even if, she also added that she will protect the rights of all people including homosexuals.

He added that she being a gender activist has a mandate to protect the rights of marginalized people in the country; something that she has sought to do all this while.

He further stated that the constitution does not specifically make any provisions about the sexual orientation of persons.

He explained that sexual orientation cannot be interpreted to mean natural carnal knowledge, so homosexuals could not be entirely faulted for their sexual preferences.

Professor Ken Attafuah expressed that though homosexuals are not exempt from the laws that prohibit the practice of sodomy, bestiality and other sexual misconducts; their rights as humans should be respected.

He however advised all Ghanaians to comply with the laws of the country.

"We must all obey the laws of this country", he urged.


From: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw/peacefmonline.com



PNC Organizer Calls For Privatization of The Water Sector In The Country



The National Youth Organizer of the Peoples' National Convention (PNC), Abu Ramadan has called for privatization of the water sector in the country.

Abu Ramadan, speaking on Peace FM's morning show programme "kokrooko", he said privatizing the water sector will help resolve the challenges the sector faces.

According to him, the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) together with the Ghana Water Company has failed in its duties and therefore the only solution to the incessant water problem in the country is when private institutions are contracted to address the challenges.

He explained that privatizing the sector will promote competition among water suppliers and ensure that they effectively execute their duties.

"In competition, there is perfection," he emphasized.

He added that the water shortage that has since characterized the nation affects productivity and it is about time the sector authorities are sanctioned for failure of duty.

"I hear the sanctions PURC can give; can even get to the point of going to prison - the Chief Executive [of Ghana Water Company]. Such sanction when implemented could help Ghana…should they implement it, it will put the Chief Executives on their toes," he said.

He appealed to government to ensure that the sector is left in private hands while maintaining the PURC as regulators.

Meanwhile, the Public Utility Regulatory Commission on Wednesday said it will hold discussions with the Management of the Ghana Water Company to find solutions to the water problem in the country.

The Ghana Water Company has announced there will be a six-month rationing of supply of water to various parts of Accra and Tema after the company discovered some structural defects in the Weija Treatment Plant.

Four of the 12 filters in the plant are said to be damaged but the company has indicated that the fourth filter which is on the verge of breakdown is under repairs.

The sector Minister, Collins Dauda, has also given an assurance that the Water Resources, Works and Housing Ministry will meet with the authorities to discuss ways to improve the water distribution channel.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

Presby Moderator: Nana Oye Lithur Is A Coward

Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Right Reverend Professor Emmanuel Martey has admonished Nana Oye Lithur to boldly defend her stance on the issue of homosexuality.

He described Nana Oye Lithur as a "coward" for being evasive during her vetting before the Appointments Committee of Parliament.

"Nana Oye Lithur was a coward. She should have come out boldly", Reverend Martey asserted.

He explained that gay acts are a "breach of common sense" and therefore contravene the laws of the nation.

According to him, "even animals don't do what homosexuals do", so it is disgraceful for Nana Oye Lithur to support the rights of homosexuals in the country.

He stated without mincing words that he will not trust "such person (Nana Oye Lithur) to be my leader."

To him, Nana Oye Lithur's position on homosexuality does not give protection to children in the country and the society.

He further said her responses to the barrage of questions during the vetting yesterday pose danger to the economy, stressing that her utterances in the past reveal the true character of the human rights advocate.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show Thursday, the Moderator said that homosexuality, which he accused Nana Oye Lithur of promoting in the past, is morally wrong and its acceptance must not be entertained.

Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur appeared before the Appointments Committee on Wednesday for vetting.

She was queried for long hours about her real stance on the issue of homosexuality in Ghana.

She was quoted to have said that irrespective of the late President John Evans Atta Mills' abhorrence of homosexuality, the rights of gays should be protected since they do not infringe on any person's fundamental rights.

But her critics have fired salvos at her for uttering such words and therefore asked President John Mahama to review her appointment.

Nonetheless, the undaunted Gender activist stood to her grounds and made it clear before the Appointments Committee that she will protect the rights of every Ghanaian including homosexuals.

This seems not to have simmered down with the Moderator of the Presbyterian church, who has raised doubts about the character of Nana Oye Lithur.

He urged her to come out to defend her previous comments in order to prove how audacious she is on the matter.

It appears the issue about whether the rights of homosexuals should be legitimized or not may not sooner or later die out as several civil organizations and persons have registered their disgust at any utterances that tend to support gay rights.

The civil societies have vehemently condemned acts by gays and lesbians in the country, claiming that a legitimization of their rights may corrupt the integrity of the nation.

Paramount among the critics are some members of the Clergy Association.

Recently, a group calling itself the Concerned Clergy Association of Ghana condemned Nana Oye Lithur, a human rights activist, for supporting the rights of gays.

The group argued her stance may be detrimental to the nation, hence making the country susceptible to foreign countries who have legalized gay rights.




 
 
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
 

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

I do not promote homosexuality - Nana Oye Lithur



Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur, has clarified her stance on the rights of homosexuals in the country.

Nana Oye Lithur says her focus is to defend the fundamental rights of every Ghanaian, therefore emphasizing that homosexuals have rights that should be respected.

She categorically stated her position on gay rights is "personal" and stressed that she leaves the issue for debate in the public domain.

The issue concerning the rights of homosexuals have since caught public eye with several people raising red flags over its legitimacy.

This intricate topic has attracted divided attentions across the length and breadth of the country.

Though many Ghanaians seem to have condemned the acts of gays in the country, Nana Oye Lithur who doubles as a Gender Activist of the Human Rights Advocacy Centre, says what she has sought to do all this while is to play her role effectively.

She argued before the Appointments Committee chaired by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Ebo Barton Oduro, that she being a human rights activist is mandated to protect the rights of all people.

Without mincing words, she asserted that she will not promote homosexuality when approved as a Minister.

Nana Oye Lithur appeared before the Appointments Committee today to go through the laid-down procedure as a ministerial nominee.

She was vetted amidst a barrage of questions; notably among them was her stance on homosexuality.

She denied ever advocating the legalization of homosexuality in the country.

Clarifying her point, she said she rather urged that the fundamental rights of every Ghanaian including homosexuals should be protected.

Nana Oye Lithurs' nomination was challenged by a civil society group who believed her appointment could have dire consequences on the nation.

The group which called itself the Concerned Clergy Association of Ghana dreaded her support for homosexuals could adversely affect the integrity of the nation.

But Nana Oye Lithur who would not take it lightly made it clear before the Committee that she will guard the rights of all Ghanaians and adhere to the constitutional provisions.

From: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw/peacefmonline.com

Asiedu Nketia Is Always Dozing Off In Court…Doesn’t Follow Proceedings – Sammy Awuku



A Deputy Communications Director of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammy Awuku, has hinted that "there is a problem" with the General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, following his utterances about the law suit filed against President John Dramani Mahama and the Electoral Commission (EC).

Sammy Awuku, in an interview with Okay FM, expressed regret over recent comments by the NDC General Secretary in relation to the NPP's Presidential Election Petition.

The leadership of the New Patriotic Party petitioned the Supreme Court, challenging the 2012 Presidential elections.

The petitioners; NPP Presidential candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Vice Presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the party's National Chairman, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, filed the petition in the highest court of the land to seek redress in their legal battle with the respondents in the case.

They accused the respondents; President John Dramani Mahama and Electoral Commission of rigging the 2012 elections.

According to the legal team of the NPP, they have pieced together evidence that vindicates Nana Addo and prayed the Supreme Court to be the final arbiter in the case.

Johnson Asiedu Nketia speaking to the media at the court premises on Tuesday, said, “the NPP’s argument is a ‘palm wine tapper’s’ argument; you [NPP] are alleging that there are irregularities in about 4709 polling stations and we [NDC] say let us know which of the 26,000 polling stations has got these irregularities so that when we are preparing, we will be looking at those specific 4709", adding that he "was surprised to hear that NPP say they are not alleging any fraud against NDC at all, but this is different from what they speak about on radio and other platforms; they describe us [NDC] as thieves, as people who have engaged in fraud.”

But to NPP Communicator says Asiedu Nketia’s outbursts does not come to him as a surprise.


According to him, the NDC Chief Scribe is fond of dozing and sometimes "sleeping" in the courtroom whiles proceedings unfold, and thus it is not surprising his (Asiedu's) attempt to mislead the general public.

"In fact, Asiedu Nketia, General Mosquito; as for him, he always sleeps in the court. I have seen him on two occasions in court dozing off. So, maybe, General does not listen to some of the things [said in court] properly." he said.

He said the NPP's petition is due to some irregularities the party found out in the electoral results, pointing out that the "wrong person" was declared victor in the elections.

He debunked claims by the NDC General Secretary that NPP stalwarts argue differently on media platforms, explaining that the petitioners citing President John Mahama and the EC as respondents is a constitutional requirement.

He stated if the Lawyers for the petitioners were not up to task; there wouldn't have been an 8-1 majority decision in favour of the NPP on Tuesday at the Supreme Court.

He added that the arguments made by the Lawyers for the respondents that the plaintiffs should make available evidence claiming there were irregularities in the election results in about 4709 polling stations across the country are weak.

To him, if the petitioners heed the calls by the NDC, it could "amount to tampering with evidence."

He however stressed that the New Patriotic Party will “respect the verdict” of the court when the Supreme Court gives its ruling on the case.
 
 
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
 

Ursula Tells Murtala Mohammed: It Is Not Over Yet



Embattled Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West, Ursula Owusu has expressed disappointment in the Member of Parliament for Nantong, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed for making disparaging remarks about her in the media.

She decried Murtala Mohammed’s comments, saying it was most unfortunate for him to have reacted in a fierce manner in Parliament.

The two Parliamentarians were reported to have nearly engaged in a skirmish in the lobby of the Parliament House on Tuesday.

Murtala Mohammed claimed the MP for Ablekuma West had undermined the integrity of Northerners in the country.

According to him, Ursula Owusu had described Northerners as “cattle rearers”.

He continued that an NPP Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei, who appeared as his co-panelist on Metro TV's Good Morning Ghana, also made similar derogatory comments during the show.

He said Dr. Akoto Osei reacting to a demonstration by some pro-NDC group calling itself NDC Youth Network for Peace a couple of weeks ago, made a statement that sought to "impugn the integrity of the people of the North."

The aggrieved group who feared President John Mahama may not appoint caretaker Communications Minister, Haruna Iddrisu in his government, vandalized some billboards which had images of the President and the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Collins Dauda.

Murtala Mohammed who was obviously not happy with the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, sought to reproach him.

He alluded to similar statements made by other members of the New Patriotic Party, including Ursula Owusu, who he alleged had said but for free education, elite Northerners would have been cattle rearers.

He described Ursula Owusu as not being civil in her utterances.

But what seemed to be just an exchange of minds turned into fierce verbal confrontations between the two MPs in Parliament's lobby.

The two were said to have hurled "unparliamentarian" words at each other after their misunderstanding.

Speaking on Oman FM Wednesday morning, Ursula Owusu insisted her comments did not seek to insult the intelligence of Northerners in the country.

According to her, she was misquoted by the Nantong MP, explaining that her comment sought to throw light on the NPP's free education mantra.

She cited President John Mahama and some other Ministers as beneficiaries of free education in the Northern Region.

She emotively bemoaned the reactions by Murtala Mohammed, stressing that for her; the conflict "has not ended yet".

She added she will take the issue up with the appropriate authorities.
 
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
 
 


 

   




 

 


Nana Oye Lithur to appear before PAC



Gender Activist of the Human Rights Advocacy Centre, Nana Oye Lithur, will today appear before the Appointments Committee in Parliament.

She will be vetted in the capacity of Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection.

Some civil societies have since raised eyebrows over her appointment, therefore oppposing her legitimacy to head the Ministry.

The Concerned Clergy Association of Ghana argued that her appointment could have dire consequences on the nation.

They expressed doubts in her performance should she be approved by the legislative body.

Nana Oye Lithur is known to have defended the rights of homosexuals who were attacked by some unidentified assailants because of their sexuality.

According to the group, her support for gay rigths could be detrimental to the economy, taken into consideration the quest by some foreign countries to coerce African countries into the acceptance of gay acts.

Nonetheless, Nana Oye Lithur will be vetted together with the Minister-designate for Local Government and Rural Development, Akwasi Oppong-Fosu, Minister-designate for Communications, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Professor Jane Nana Opoku Agyemang, Minister-designate for Education and Dr. Oteng Agyei, Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology.

Meanwhile, the minority will be absent during the vetting process.

The Appointments Committee is chaired by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Ebo Barton Oduro.

From: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw/peacefmonline.com

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Government and NLC should be proactive - Fred Agbenyo



A member of the Communications team of the National Democratic Congress, Fred Agbenyo says the National Labour Commission (NLC), the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and all authorities in the health sector should be "proactive" in order to ward off any future dangers in the sector.

According to him, the stakeholders should be "proactive so that they won't push the health sector workers to the extent that they will go on strike."

Speaking on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo", Fred Agbenyo told host Tweneboah Koduah, that the appropriate authorities in the health sector should put the necessary structures in place in order to address the concerns of the medical doctors in the country.

The doctors have threatened to embark on a nationwide strike on Monday, February 18, 2013 if the FWSC does not rectify the inconsistencies in their salary scheme.

They complain that the FWSC has not heeded their grievances in relation to the Single Spine Salary Scheme.

According to the General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr. Frank Serebour, the grading of district directors and medical superintendents was referred to the Ghana Health Service Council on November 4, 2011 by the National Labour Commission but has since not been resolved.

He explained in a Daily Graphic publication that the "positioning of the association was that any doctor being made a medical superintendent or district director had to maintain his or her grade."

"Thus, a specialist being made a medical superintendent would still retain the grade of specialist, but would not assume a lower grade upon assuming the position of medical superintendent or district director."

But Dr. Frank Serebour stated that the arrangements stipulated by the association has not been met by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and this has therefore necessitated the doctors' strike notice.

Reacting to the strike action, Fred Agbenyo pleaded with the health sector workers to revoke their decision stating that "strike should not be the last object" when the workers identify some lapses in the work of the Labour Commission and the health authorities.

He explained that any time medical doctors embark on strike, several patients lose their lives adding that strike actions can be revoked but the lost lives are irreversible.

"How can we reverse something that is damaged? How can we pay the price? So, we plead; this (strike) is not a good weapon to be used all the time. We plead, let us use other means to resolve some of these issues." he pleaded with the health workers.

He appealed to government, National Labour Commission and all stakeholders in the health sector to come to a consensus in order to resolve the conflict.

From: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw/peacefmonline.com


I have no doubt the Black Stars will bring the trophy home – Fred Agbenyo



Fred Agbenyo, a member of the Communications team of the National Democratic Congress, has commended the Black Stars for showing resilience and perseverence in the match against Niger yesterday.

The Black Stars clinched a 3-0 victory over their Nigerien opponent.

He lauded the players for again lifting the flag of the nation high and putting up a good performance in the on-going African Cup of Nations.

He advised Ghanaians to loosen their tight gloves on the players and the technical bench since to him, until the tourney is ended, no team can be cocksure about the outcome of each game.

"For anybody to use an opening match to draw conclusion on the team and the technical team and the rest, I think it was most unfortunate." Fred Agbenyo said.

He alluded to the stars' performance in the AFCON 2012 in Angola, saying though the players  kicked off poorly, they could pull a surprise in the tournament.

He was optimistic Ghana will take the trophy home in the AFCON 2013.

He expressed no doubts about the performance of the players stressing that he “will not be surprised at all that on the final day, they (Black Stars) will bring the cup to Ghana”.

From: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw/peacefmonline.com

Police-Military presence at Yendi was "unnecessary" - Sammy Awuku

Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammy Awuku, has expressed disgust at the shooting incident that occurred at Yendi in the Northern Region.

The incident which happened yesterday saw heavy military and police presence at Yendi.

Reports revealed that two persons sustained gunshot wounds after a combined force from the Military and Police Service beseiged the Abudu Royal Palace to thwart attempts by the Abudu spiritual head, Bolin-Lana, to celebrate this year's Damba festival.

The Bolin-Lana is said to have ignored warnings from the security agencies and Andanis to refrain from celebrating the festival.

The two persons were shot following confrontations from some youth who sought to prevent the military and police personnel from making entry into the palace.

Speaking on Peace FM's morning show, Sammy Awuku vehemently condemned the actions by the military and police personnel who trooped into the Abudu palace.

According to him, the presence of the security agencies were "unnecessary" and rather "heightened the tension" at Yendi.

He however called on the Abudus and the Andanis to settle their differences amicably and ensure peace in their area.

He appealed to the Chiefs of Dabon not to just pay lipservice to maintaining peace at the area but ensure that the 10-year deadlock between the Abudu and Andani Royals is dealt with.

Touching on the nationwide strike notice by the public sector doctors in the country, Sammy Awuku said government should put the necessary measures in place in order to boost the working conditions of the doctors.

He noted the doctors have since been unfairly treated and therefore called on the appropriate authorities to resolve the impasse.

Meanwhile, the doctors have asked the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to address their concerns, and threatened to embark on a nationwide strike action on Monday, February 18, if the inconsistencies in their payment scheme are not rectified.

The General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr. Frank Serebour, stated that though the doctors have complied with the processes involved in the Single Spine Salary Scheme, it seems the Fair wages and Salaries Commission has made no headway to improve their conditions.

From: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw/peacefmonline.com






Monday, January 28, 2013

Mahama Consoles Brazilian President Over Nightclub Fire

President John Dramani Mahama has sent a message of condolence to the Brazilian President, Dilma Vana Rousseff, her government and families of the 230 people who lost their lives in the nightclub fire.

A statement signed by Presidential Spokesperson, John Abdulai Jinapor, quoted the President as saying in the message that “for a nation to lose so many of its citizens especially young and university students is a serious tragedy that can affects its human resource.”

The message mourned with all who lost a relation, friend or loved one in the ‘Kiss Nightclub’ fire, and expressed on behalf of the Government and People of Ghana, “condolences to the families of the victims.”


John Abdulai JINAPOR
PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON
ADDIS ABABA- ETHIOPIA
[January 28, 2012]

Government denies 1.5 tons of gold transaction with Iran

The office of the President has discounted reports that Ghana has hauled 1.5 tons of gold intended to settle some financial commitments it has with the government of Iran, to Turkey.

A statement released by Policy Think Tank, Danquah Institute (DI) indicated that Turkish authorities had seized 1.5tons of gold in a Turkish Airline cargo plane bound for Dubai en route to Instanbul’s Ataturk Airport in Turkey.

The institute demanded answers from President John Mahama as to the reasons that necessitated the deal.

According to DI, they smell a rat in the transaction; since the deal was done on the blind side of Ghanaians.

But Spokesperson for the President, John Jinapor has debunked the reports which have attracted some international media outlets, saying they are all falsehood.

John Jinapor in an interview with Peace FM, said the story is untrue because no such transaction has gone on between the Iranian government and the government of Ghana.

He explained that "First of all, Ghana doesn’t settle financial transactions with gold and so it cannot be the case. Secondly, government does not sell gold and so it is not true that there has been such an involvement. We’ve spoken to the Governor of Bank of Ghana and Seth Terkper and they have all confirmed that the story is not true.”

He continued: "There is no truth that the government of Ghana has taken gold somewhere and it has been confiscated.”

"I can confirm that so far all the checks I have done and all the authorities I have spoken to indicate that the story being alleged is false…"


Nevertheless, the Executive Director of the Danquah Institute, Gabby Otchere Darko insists the story is not fabricated and therefore expressed disappointment in the President’s Spokesperson for showing sheer ignorance of the case.

According to him, “The story was reported by the Turkish official news agency and it was even carried by Mehr News Agency(MNA) and so this cannot be concocted. What he has said is even more worrying: for him to deny that government has no knowledge of the issue...he has raised more questions than answers. He shouldn’t use his ignorance to discredit the story he knows nothing about. The information he gave is wrong…”, adding that John Jinapor “as a government spokesperson, he should know better” before making such utterances.


From: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw

Tinsel Ene and Chuks get married


What appeared to be just an act of love on television screens has now seen the light of the day as Nigerian actors Florence Uwaleke and Iyke Okechukwu, who made a popular debut in M-Net soap opera; Tinsel, have finally tied the knot.
The couple, commonly known as Ene and Chuks on set, got married and performed their traditional marital rites on Friday, January 25, 2013.

The two were seen in Tinsel professing their love to each other and what turned out to be just dating on set seems to have sealed their love.

It is reported their several hours of togetherness as lovebirds on set played a significant part of their decision to get married.

aameyaw.blogspot.com wishes them all the best…

From: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw



Majid Michel Stars In Tinsel

Actor Majid Michel is joining TINSEL, sources say. Michel is set to feature in the television series, in what would be his first major production after winning Best Actor at the AMAAs.

A production crew from TINSEL is said to have flown into town over the weekend to shoot scenes involving the Ghanaian at a location enewsgh.com gathers, was Cape Coast.

He joins a list of Ghanaian actors to take up roles in the MNET-funded production including Omar Sheriff Captan, Chris Attoh, and Leonora Okine.

Source: Enewsgh.com

Elton John & Husband Proudly Show Off Their New Baby

Tenderly cradling his new baby in his arms, Sir Elton John proudly shows off his family of four. Beside him sits husband David Furnish, and their two-year-old toddler Zachary.

The couple’s second son Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John (to give him his full title) was born on Friday 11 January weighing 8lb 4oz.Like his elder brother, little Elijah was born to the same California-based surrogate mother - whom the couple said they love ‘like a sister’.

They revealed that the boys are at least half-brothers as they share the same egg donor.But it is not clear if that is the same woman who carried them for nine months, or someone else.

Another unknown is which man is the baby’s biological father - if, indeed, either of them.

Neither Sir Elton, 65, or his civil partner Mr Furnish, 50, have revealed whether Zachary or Elijah carry their genes.However on Zachary’s official birth certificate, Sir Elton is named as ‘father’ and Mr Furnish as ‘mother’ leading to speculation that the rock star is his biological father.

They have also kept the identity of the boys’ surrogate mother a closely guarded secret. Speaking to Hello magazine, Sir Elton said: ‘She is a wonderful, kind and loving woman, who we love like a sister.

‘We have a very close bond with her and were in constant touch throughout the pregnancy, getting updates, seeing scans and sharing all the little details that make those nine months so exciting.

‘She has given us two amazing gifts and we in turn have a duty of care to her and are fiercely protective of her anonymity.’

Unlike elsewhere in the world, it is not illegal in California for a multi-millionaire such as Sir Elton to pay a significant sum of money to a surrogate or gestational carrier.

If she were paid, a surrogate mother could in theory have become very rich after successfully delivering first Zachary and then Elijah.

It is likely she would have signed a strict confidentiality agreement never to speak about the deal. The couple said the arrival of their second son, who was born in Las Vegas, ‘completes our family in a most precious and perfect way’.Sir Elton admitted that such was the intensity of love he feels for their firstborn, who was born on Christmas Day 2010, he was worried if he would ever be able to love another child as much.

‘But I have learned that a parent’s capacity for love is endless’ he said. ‘When another child is born, our depth of love just grows deeper and wider, so it was very emotional.’

Filmmaker Mr Furnish said: ‘Throughout our lives we have both loved and been loved, but the love of a parent for his or her child is different to anything else, as all parents will know. You find new depths of love, and experience pure joy.

‘Both of us have longed to have children, but the reality that we now have two sons is almost unbelievable.‘The birth of our second son completes our family in a most precious and perfect way. It is difficult to fully express how we are feeling at this time; we are just overwhelmed with happiness and excitement.’

Sir Elton, who has sold more than 250million records in a four-decade music career, has previously regretted waiting so long for a child.
They had previously been turned down for adoption due to his age.

‘It changes everybody. It’s the most wonderful thing you could possibly go through,’ he said. ‘I regret a little bit that I didn’t do it sooner, but he [Zachary] has changed our lives. Everything is about him now. ‘He’s gorgeous, he travels brilliantly, he so loves people, and it makes our lives - he’s the icing on the cake.’

Their new son will want for nothing - if the example of his elder brother is anything to go by. Zachary’s godmothers are Lady Gaga, magazine editor Ingrid Sischy, and Sichy’s partner Sandy Brant, while the couple spent thousands on his nursery and FedExing breast milk from his surrogate mother around the world.

 Source: thesun.co.uk

61-Year Old Male Nurse Caught Allegedly Having Sex with a Corpse

A 61-year old male nurse named Alejandro Razo has been accused of Necrophilia and arrested at Sherman Oaks Hospital on January 20, 2013.

He was allegedly caught having sexual act with the body of a dead woman.Security guards told the police that the deceased patient of the hospital has been violated by one of their nurses.

LAPD Lt. Andy Neiman confirmed the incident to CBS Los Angeles. Razo has been charged for a Health and Safety Code violation and necrophilia.

He will face 3 years of imprisonment once he got convicted. According to reports, Razo posted $20,000 bail.

Sherman Oaks Hospital refused to comment on the incident. Necrophilia has been considered as a crime in California in 2004.

Source:ireporterstv.co

Lesbians Take Over Accra Mall

One of the greatest challenges facing the managers of Accra Mall is how to deal with Lesbians and prostitutes, who are using the shopping centre as a fertile ground to practice their illegal trade.

One major area where such lesbians and prostitutes advertise themselves is behind the doors of the various female washrooms situated at the mall. As soon as one sits on the water closet, the first thing that strikes is the various writings behind the door.

The contact numbers and the names of the lesbians are written on the doors with blue and black ink. Some of them read: “Are you a lesbian? Call Lydia on …….. for a chat. If you are a white lesbian, call me on….. for relationship,” among others.

Apart from lesbians, some prostitutes have also written their phones numbers behind some of the restrooms for business.

Michael Oduro Konadu, the Marketing Officer of Broll Ghana Limited, managers of Accra Mall told Economic Tribune that: “it is difficult to identify a prostitute in the Mall because of the crowd that shows up on a daily basis.”

“Most young ladies who parade themselves on the corridors of the Mall are prostitutes either waiting to be picked up by their clients or looking out for men seeking sexual adventure. This makes their transactions more discreet,” Konadu added.

He disclosed that on a few occasions he had witnessed prostitutes being kicked out from the mall by the security team.

“Lesbians and prostitutes are posing great challenge to us, but we want to assure our customers that we shall deal with the problem as soon as possible. We have taken a new measure to bring in police patrol to the parking lot every morning and every evening,” Mr Konadu noted.

Source: Ewuresi Laing & Helena Quansah/Economic Tribune/Ghana

40-year old man beheaded in the Eastern Region



A 40-year old man has reportedly been beheaded by some unknown persons in the Eastern Region.

The incident occurred on Sunday at the man’s residence near Bonsu Junction.

An eyewitness narrating the incident said the man was murdered in his home after closing from church.

The deceased whose name was only given as Mr. Duah is said to have picked a quarrel with one of his two wives before the murder.

The two were bickering over an asset they both acquired in addition to some stores at Bonsu.

The deceased was later decapitated, though the wife is reported to have been absent when the murder took place.

Police have since arrested one person in connection with the murder and also taken custody of the mortal remains.

From: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw