Aleppo battle: Syrian city 'back under government control'

The Syrian army says it has retaken full control of Aleppo, following the evacuation of the last group of rebels.

In a statement, the army said it had "returned security to Aleppo" and called it a "crushing blow" for rebels.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed "all civilians who wished to be evacuated have been, as well as the wounded and fighters".

This is the biggest victory for President Bashar al-Assad since the uprising against him began in 2011.

• What next for the evacuees?

• In pictures: Aleppo evacuations

At least 34,000 civilians and rebel fighters have been removed from eastern Aleppo over the past week, a UN official said earlier.

Heavy snow, strong winds and the poor state of vehicles have slowed the evacuation, forcing thousands of people to wait for hours in freezing conditions.

The UN, which is monitoring the pull-out, called the process "traumatic, with crowding and vulnerable people waiting for hours and exposed to sub-zero temperatures".

The evacuees from eastern Aleppo are being taken to rebel-held territory in the countryside west of the city, and in Idlib province.

As part of a deal brokered by Russia and Turkey, residents of the government-controlled towns of Foah and Kefraya in Idlib province, besieged by rebels, are also being removed.

ICRC spokeswoman Krista Armstrong said that everyone from each side who wanted to be evacuated had now been moved, and the process was complete.

'Great loss'

"This victory represents a strategic change and a turning point in the war against terrorism on the one hand and a crushing blow to the terrorists' project and their supporters on the other hand," the Syrian army statement said. The government usually refers to the rebels as "terrorists".

The statement said the victory was a further incentive for the army to carry on fighting to "eradicate terrorism and restore security and stability to every span on the homeland".

Yasser al-Youssef, of the rebel Nureddin al-Zinki group, said the return of Aleppo to full government control was a "great loss".

"For the revolution, it is a period of retreat and a difficult turning point," he told the AFP news agency.

Aleppo was once Syria's largest city and its commercial and industrial hub before the uprising against Mr Assad began in 2011.

For much of the past four years it was divided roughly in two, with the government controlling the western half and rebels the east.

Troops finally broke the deadlock this year with the help of Iranian-backed militias and Russian air strikes, reinstating a siege on the east in early September.

After breaking through the rebels' defensive lines in mid-November, they quickly advanced and had seized all but 2.6 sq km (1 sq mile) by the time a ceasefire was brokered.

Donald Trump: US must greatly expand nuclear capabilities

Donald Trump has called for the US to "greatly strengthen and expand" its nuclear capabilities.

The president-elect, who takes office next month, said the US must take such action "until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes".

His spokesman later said that he was referring to the need to prevent nuclear proliferation.

Mr Trump spoke hours after President Vladimir Putin said Russia needs to bolster its military nuclear potential.

The US has 7,100 nuclear weapons and Russia has 7,300, according to the US nonpartisan Arms Control Association.

Mr Trump's comments came in the form of a tweet, giving no other details.

Hours later, Jason Miller, the communications manager for the Trump transition team, explained he "was referring to the threat of nuclear proliferation and the critical need to prevent it - particularly to and among terrorist organizations and unstable and rogue regimes".

Mr Miller also added that the president-elect "emphasised the need to improve and modernize our deterrent capability as a vital way to pursue peace through strength".

Mr Trump's tweet came after President Putin met with his military advisers to review Russian military activities in 2016.

"We need to strengthen the military potential of strategic nuclear forces, especially with missile complexes that can reliably penetrate any existing and prospective missile defence systems," Mr Putin said.

Russia, he added "must carefully monitor any changes in the balance of power and in the political-military situation in the world, especially along Russian borders", possibly referring to US missile defences in eastern Europe which the Pentagon says are to counter Iran.

During Mr Trump's campaign he referred to nuclear proliferation as the "single biggest problem" facing the world, but also said he could not rule out using nuclear weapons against Europe.

Mr Trump's defeated Democratic rival Hillary Clinton repeatedly cast her opponent during the campaign as too erratic and lacking in the diplomatic skills required to avoid a nuclear war.

She mocked him by saying "a man who can be provoked by a tweet should not have his fingers anywhere near the nuclear codes".

A new era dawns: By Laura Bicker, BBC News, Washington DC

This is a radical departure from President Obama's current policy.

Mr Trump has offered no further details on his plans but he has hinted in the past that he favoured an expansion of the nuclear programme.

He was asked in interviews whether he would use weapons of mass destruction against an enemy and he said that it would be an absolute last stance, but he added that he would want to be unpredictable.

In contrast, President Obama has talked of the US commitment to seek peace and security without nuclear weapons.

He has sought to reduce the nation's arsenal of nearly 5,000 warheads in favour of more special operations forces and precise tactical strikes.

But in 29 days the nuclear codes and the nation's defence policy will no longer be in his hands.

In interviews before his surprise victory Mr Trump said that other countries should spend more on their own defence budgets, and forgo US protection, because "we can't afford to do it anymore".

He has said he is in favour of countries such as Japan and South Korea developing nuclear weapons "because it's going to happen anyway".

"It's only a question of time," he told the New York Timed editorial board, adding that "they're going to start having them or we have to get rid of them entirely."

Mr Trump is spending the festive season at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where he has been meeting with campaign advisers.

Russia used Syria as live-fire training - US general

The US army's commander in Europe has accused Russia of using its military campaign in Syria as a "live-fire training opportunity".

Lt Gen Ben Hodges said Russia's "disregard for civilian casualties... is not the conduct of a nation that wants to be treated like a superpower".

Russia's defence minister said on Thursday that its air force had killed 35,000 fighters in Syria.

But Russia has been accused of using heavy weapons in civilian areas.

It has consistently denied targeting civilians.

'Stronger than any potential aggressor'

Russia's aerial intervention in the Syrian conflict last year has helped the Syrian army capture eastern Aleppo. But it has further heightened tensions with the West, after it annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in March 2014.

Aleppo evacuation nears its end

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said 162 types of modern armaments had been tested during the campaign in Syria, which included 18,800 aerial sorties.

"What we see in Syria of course is a demonstration of capabilities and using weapons that are not necessary," Gen Hodges told the BBC.

President-elect Donald Trump is known to want better relations with Moscow, but Gen Hodges said the US military was pushing ahead with plans to bolster its presence in Europe.

"All the indications show we are going to continue our commitment," he said.

President Vladimir Putin gave a bullish account on Thursday of Russia's military strength at the defence ministry's final meeting of 2016, describing it as "currently stronger than any potential aggressor".

But he said Russia had to "strengthen the military potential of strategic nuclear forces, especially with missile complexes that can reliably penetrate any existing and prospective missile defence systems".

Mr Shoigu accused Nato of doubling the intensity of its military exercises, mainly with the focus on Russia.

He singled out the UK, accusing British armed forces of using Russian tanks and army uniforms to identify the enemy during exercises on Salisbury Plain in southern England.

"The last time this way of training troops was used was by Nazi Germany," he added.

Source: www.bbc.com

NDC will be a responsible opposition – Koku Anyidoho

The Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in charge of operations, Koku Anyidoho has vowed his party will act as a responsible opposition as it cedes power to rivals the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who have won the mandate to govern Ghana after the 2016 election.

Per the constitution of the Republic, elected governments are allowed a four-year mandate after which an election takes place. The NDC is paving way for a Nana Adddo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government after 8 years in power.

Speaking in an extensive interview on GHOne TV Thursday, Koku Anyidoho promised the NDC “will play its new role as an opposition responsibly.”
“I can assure that we will be responsible in opposition,” he emphasized.
Touching on the incoming NPP government, the close confidant of late President John Evans Atta Mills added:
“We are not going to wish them [NPP] bad. When they get everything right, it goes to the benefit of us [as Ghanaians]. If education is free, petrol is free and there are no more taxes, I will also benefit from it. so we wish them well.

Koku Anyidoho says the NDC while playing its role in opposition, will put the incoming government on its toes to fulfill the lofty campaign promises which have won them power.

“While we’re praying that they succeed so the whole of Ghana also succeeds, when things are not going in the right direction, we will also ask the critical questions.”

”You promised this and that, how come you are not delivering on your promises? That does not mean that you don’t wish them well. It is because you wish them well that is why you will continue to remind them of their promises,” he ssured.

Akufo-Addo confirms Alan Kyeremanten as Trade Minister

Nana Akufo-Addo, president-elect has officially confirmed Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten will be his minister of trade and Industry.

Together with yet to be named Ministers of Finance Economic Planning, the team will have a responsibility of transforming the country’s economy and ensuring a sustainable macro-economic stability.

Nana Akufo-Addo made the confirmation at a meeting with the Private Enterprise Federation at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

The meeting was to lay bare his administration’s strategy for the private sector for the next four years and the president-elect did not disappoint as he rallied support of the private sector for government’s activities.

He said his government is committed to creating a competitive economy that will produce sustainable growth but that will require the involvement of two key sectors- government and the private sector.

He said government has a responsibility to create the congenial environment, which it will do, but the private sector also has a responsibility to take advantage of that environment.
“All irrational policies will be stopped,” he promised and guaranteed a shift from the policy of taxation to that of production which will boost the economy.
“…You asked for a government that worked with you rather than dictate you…You are getting it,” the president elect stated, charging, “roll up your sleeves and get to work.”
Nana Akufo-Addo said with his able vice president all “nuisance taxes” will be removed to free the private sector to expand.

Economic transformation was one of the trump cards of the New Patriotic Party ahead of the 2016 elections with promises of a stable economy that will provide jobs for the jobless youth.

Nana Akufo-Addo said his administration has an agenda for job creation in place and invited the private sector to join in the agenda to create jobs.

“Easily the most crucial problem is the lack of jobs” the president-elect reiterated but was quick to add “job creation is essentially a private sector activity.”

He said the famous one-district-one-dam promise made during the election will be fulfilled in partnership with the private sector.

The president elect also lamented the high cost of doing business in Ghana which he said is a disincentive to economic growth and development.

He said for a government that has a record of growing the economy to 9% without oil in 2008, the new task for his administration will be to ensure sustainable growth in the economy.

He said his administration will refocus the activities of the national investment bank to provide capital for private sector initiatives, to attract finances and investment opportunities to young entrepreneurs.

He said his attention will be on dynamic business entrepreneurs without regard to their political affiliation.

Nana Addo Appreciates Actors and Musicians

President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed deep appreciation to actors and Musicians who contributed to his victory in the 2016 elections.

During a moving speech at a Thanksgiving Service organised by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Sunday, he lauded some musicians and actors including Evangelist Diana Asamoah, Cindy Thopmson, Agya Koo, Lucky Mensah, Praye Tintin, Praye Tiatia and all the other great stars who left their comfort zones to join the rugged terrain of party politics and made a great contribution towards the party’s victory.
“I am forever in their debt, as I am in the debt of those who went on the gruelling campaign with me around the country” he said.

He called on all Ghanaians to act with kindness, generosity and magnanimity towards one another, and to forgive anyone who may have wronged or hurt them.
“I do recognize that there have been some instances of misconduct and altercations that should not have happened. Such behaviour is unbecoming of us” he noted.

Source:otecfmghana

Thank God if your husband satisfies you sexually - Stella Damasus

You may agree with what Stella Damasus is saying about women who give too much information about their sex life and the effects of giving such information especially to people who they consider close friends.

In this video, the Nollywood actress talks about the negative effect of discussing one’s sexual life with close friends.

She said,

"There are some things you cannot discuss as regards your marriage. If you are a married man or woman, no matter how close anybody is to you; even if you have a bestfriend that is extremely close to you, please I beg of you, keep your bedroom affairs to yourself. Every woman wants to be satisfied, so if your husband is satisfying you sexually, just say thank God, keep it to yourself and smile and be happy."

Watch the video here.

Actress Matilda Asare likely to be Creative Arts Minister

Sources within the top echelons of the New Patriotic Party have hinted Otecfmghana that Kumasi-based actress Matilda Asare could be the next creative arts minister in Nana Addo’s administration.
Matilda Asare thumbed her nose at her pregnancy to campaign for Nana Addo across the country and chaired fund raising activities in the united states for the Npp ahead of the 2016 polls.

Even though President Elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, is still expected to present his list of ministers, deputy Ministers among others to the National Executive Committee, we are reliably informed that the national cordinator for Agenda 57% for Nana Addo 2016 has made the cut.

The chief executive officer of Zion Train Movie productions holds a Bachelors Degree in Human Resource Management from the Ghana Baptist University and is married to Mr. Daniel Kwadwo Sarfo, vice president of the Film Producers Association of Ghana.

Host of ‘Ate Sem’ on RTV Big Akwess on Monday, also confirmed reports of a possible ministerial appointment for Matilda Asare.

In 2013, veteran actress and queenmother, Mrs. Dzifa Abla Gomashie-Ahiaglo was part of a list of 26 persons President John Dramani Mahama released for deputy ministerial positions to be vetted by Parliament. She was vetted and became deputy minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.

Already, some names are being circulated in the media as the first batch of ministers who will form the new Cabinet – others are believed to be lobbying to serve under Nana Addo’s administration

I was nearly chased out of Ghana for Akufo-Addo’s song – Diana Asamoah

Gospel musician, Diana Asamoah has revealed that she was nearly chased out of Ghana for composing a song for President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The songstress said she was questioned on why she composed a song for someone who is not destined to be President.
“They called me and questioned me on why I composed a song for someone who was not created to be President, but I stood my grounds and today I thank the Lord that he has made his prophecy come to pass…,” she said at the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Thanksgiving Service at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Diana Asamoah noted for her moving worship songs openly endorsed the NPP flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo.
The song stated that the NPP flagbearer was the one appointed by God to lead Ghana for the next four years.
In the song, she compared Ghana to Jerusalem and Nehemiah to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the presidential candidate of the NPP.

She stated that just as Nehemiah would not sit idle and watch the destruction of the city, Akufo-Addo would also not watch on for Ghana to be ruined.
She, therefore, implores all and sundry, from students to workers to help propagate the gospel of change and work towards the rebuilding of Ghana by aligning with the NPP.
Diana Asamoah, however, failed to name the person who called to question her.

Source: Adom

M.I, Paedae,Joey B, Tee Phlow, Medikal for EL Bar 3 Concert

For the past 3 years, reigning Vodafone Ghana Artistes of the Year, EL has consistently found a way to keep the hip-hop head stable while winning the hearts of the other half. With a carefully curated show, EL has developed the B.A.R Concert into one of the shows that most people plan their year’s activities around and this year will not be any exception.

With an A-List cast of artistes about to dazzle and party, the year couldn’t have ended any better than a concert that brings the timeless flavors of the early 2000s and the fresh and forever young tunes of today. The concert’s lineup this year will feature one of Africa’s biggest hip-hop acts, M.I and a host of Ghanaian acts like Omar Sterling, Edem, Medikal, Joey B, Jayso, Tee-Phlow, Cris Waddle, BBnZ Crew among others who promise nothing but a jam till the end.

Performing hit after hit, the cast has artistes who crisscross genres, those who are hip-hop till death and those who just do it for the culture. If you are looking for a place to be this 23rd, the Polo Court should be on the agenda as EL takes fans through his catalog of hits from ‘Obuu Mu’ to ‘Koko’ to ‘American Passport’. The love and the party don’t end there with EchoHouse in charge of production, drinks will be on the house.

Mike Ezuruonye’s first movie Sold N20 million in 10 days

Popular Nollywood actor, Mike Ezuruonye is a happy man right now, his debut movie as executive producer, ”Brother Jekwu” is said to have grossed over N20 million in 10 days.
Brother Jekwu is a comedy film and Mike’s first movie as an executive producer.
Congratulations are in order for Mike.
Meanwhile, last Sunday, Emoney, Kcee and other members of Five Star Music family were at Ikeja Cinema to see the movie.
Emoney paid for 170 people at the cinema to see the movie and gave several gifts to people who couldn’t get enough of him. The bouncers had tough time controlling the crowd.

Afia Schwarzenegger's marriage will soon collapse - Owusu Bempah

Controversial prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah says comedienne Afia Schwarzenegger’s marriage to Mr Abrokwah will soon hit the rocks.

According to the founder and leader of the Glorious Word and Power Ministries, Afia will soon bear the fruits of insulting men of God and all elderly people in the country.

He sent out a word of caution to the radio/TV presenter to desist from mocking and insulting elderly people in the country.

Prophet Owusu Bempah alleged that Afia was paid by outgoing president John Dramani Mahama to launch attack on some people in the society.

I was confused: Ofori Amponsah explains U-turn to secular music

Highlife musician, Ofori Amponsah has disclosed that the trauma he went through after his wife divorced him some five years ago was the reason he came out to say he was ‘dawging’ secular music for the altar.

But after living the life of a “Man of God’ for a while, Ofori Amponsah aka All4Real realised he was not cut for that and came back last year with Alewa featuring Sarkodie saying he was done with that life and has reconciled with secular music.

He is therefore pleading with Ghanaians to forgive him if he offended anyone with his intermittent switch from Highlife to gospel and back to Highlife because he was confused at that time.

In an interview with Showbiz, the Otoolege hitmaker said his wife leaving him rendered him so heartbroken that he became a recluse and didn’t want anything to do with anyone not even his first love- music.

“I just could not live with that. I was very confused. My marriage falling on rocks dealt me a big blow. I locked myself up. I didn’t want anything to do with anybody. I virtually went crazy and even considered committing suicide.

“I started smoking and drinking heavily and that got worse when I found out my friends who I trusted told lies about me to my wife which she believed. I could not believe they could cook up stories like that. That got to me badly.

“I gave out all the expensive equipment in my studio for my work and didn’t want to have anything to do with music. Infact I lost faith in God. I hit rock bottom”, Ofori Amponsah revealed to Showbiz.

Two years after recovering from the shock of his wife leaving him, the multiple award winning artiste said he somehow revived his faith in God as part of his healing process.

‘’I think God wanted me to draw closer to Him that is why He allowed what happened to happen to me. And it was around that time that I set up a church in my house.

“Now the real Ofori Amponsah is back like never before after clearing my head from all this trouble. Ghanaians are now going to enjoy the real Ofori Amponsah again but now a better and a more transformed Ofori Amponsah” he said.

His manager Ashes who was by him during the interview said Ghanaians should give Ofori Amponsah the benefit of the doubt and accept him for who he is because everyone goes through bad situations at a point in life.

Ashes added that, Ofori Amponsah has so far done collaborations with artistes such as Kwabena Kwabena, Akwaboah, Amakye Dede, Paa Kwesi and he looking forward to working with more artistes in the next couple of months.

“Ghanaians, your favourite highlife musician who gave you songs such as Odwo, Emmanuella, Sardine, Abelle, Puduo, Nothing But Love has come back to stay” he added.

Source: Graphic Online

Samini celebrates birthday today!!!

Today happens to be the birthday of Ghanaian Reggae and Dancehall recording artiste Samini.

Emmanuel Andrews Samini as he is known in real life was born on the 22nd of December 1981 in Accra, Ghana.

He changed his stage name from Batman to samini and his genre of music is a melodious mixture of highlife, dancehall, reggae and hip-hop.

Samini terms his brand of music as the “African dancehall”.

He signed his first record deal with Ashanti International.

He posted on his twitter handle that he tried to make it to Ghana today but has been stuck in Dubai on transit.

On behalf of Anokyekrom and Otec fm, we wish you a happy birthday…..

No handing over notes, no work- Minority charges

The Minority in Parliament says it will no longer participate in any government business until the House is given copies of the handing over notes of the outgoing government.

Minority leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu says without the document it is difficult for Parliament to decide which business to transact and which not to.

By the new Transition law, the Executive was expected to hand to Parliament a copy of the handing over notes one month to the elections. They were supposed to do same to the Administrator General.

At a press conference Thursday, the Minority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu is alleging that the Executive has failed to give the handing over notes to the Legislature.

According to him, he has checked with the Clerk of Parliament, who is the custodian of all documents in the House and she confirms the handing over notes have not been brought to Parliament.

He said when he confronted the Speaker, Edward Doe Adjaho belatedly promised to follow up on getting the handing over notes.

He then wondered how the Minority will be invited to take part in the business of the house when it does not know what is in the handing over notes.

Mr Kyei Mensah Bonsu explained the handing over notes should have come with projections of what the government intended to do from the day it handed over the notes, to the 7th of January, the day it will officially hand over power completely to the incoming administration.

In the absence of the notes, he said the Minority cannot tell what the government has set itself to do during the period of the transition.

He lamented what he said was the latter day recruitment exercise by the executive and other state institutions, recruitments which have not been budgeted for in the budget statement the John Mahama administration presented to Parliament for the first quarter of 2017.

He wondered how the outgoing government expects the incoming administration to pay the salaries of the new personnel it is recruiting.

Media reports suggest there are ongoing recruitments in the Army, Immigration, etc at a time the NDC administration is bowing out, something members of the transition team of the incoming administration have not been happy about.

Mensah Bonsu said the Minority will only be part of the business of the house for the few days remaining if it is furnished with handing over notes and the projections.
He also debunked assertion that the Minority is sabotaging the passage of the Right to Information Bill by the Adjaho led Parliament.

He argued, the Minority throughout every stage of the process has shown more commitment to have the bill passed into law.

He said just before Parliament rose, the Bill was withdrawn for a re-sanitization and they hope the controversial clauses will be looked at before the Bill will be passed into law.

The leadership of Parliament is meeting over the matter to find an amicable solution to the impasse.

Source:Myjoyonline

Black Queens picket over unpaid bonuses

Ghana’s female Senior National Team, Black Queens are currently picketing at the Ministry of Youth and Sports over their $25,000 outstanding bonuses per player for participating in various international tournaments.

The girls who were told by the FA secretariat to wait for the Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye who will be at post around 2:pm have vowed to collect their monies before they will disperse to their various homes.

They have threatened to walk straight to the Flagstaff house to meet the outgoing President John Dramani Mahama if the Minister fails to show up in his office.

Speaking with Ghone Tv’s Dennis Murpuri, some of them threatened to stop playing for the nation if the country continues to discriminate against them.

The aggrieved girls clad in their red jerseys were spotted carrying placards with the inscription ‘ honour your heroes, stop discrimination, we need our money’ among others.

NDC to beg Kingmakers on behalf of destooled chief

The Ashanti Regional Executives of the National Democratic Congress(NDC) have revealed plans to plead with the Kingmakers of Essienimpong in Ejisu on behalf of the destooled sub-chief, Nana Ekon Ansah Boafo.

The Ankobeahene had his stool taken by the kingmakers after playing the role of an NDC polling agent in the just-ended general elections.

He’s said to have ignored his traditional functions and rather chose to act politically, an act which, the kingmakers said, was against tradition.

But the party’s regional Vice Chair, Alex Attivor Sawyer, arguing on the matter said although the embattled Chief is a party member, he was not engaged as a party polling station agent on the day of elections.

“…He went there and realized our agents were not there. So he called the Chairman. And the Chairman said OK, he should hold on and he will come and bring the actual polling agents. It’s very bad and unfortunate. Chieftaincy and politics does not mingle. We can only go there and plead on his behalf which we have not yet done. We’ll discuss to see how best we can reach out to the King makers over there.”he told Accra-based Citi FM in an interview.

Wampah’s son-in-law jailed over cocaine smuggling plot

A fugitive drug lord who plotted to smuggle 400 kilos of cocaine into the UK in frozen Argentinian beef “lived like an African King”. David McDermott, 43, married the daughter of the governor of Ghana’s Central Bank and enjoyed a life of luxury during three years on the run.

The dad-of-six was captured in Accra, the capital of the West African state, in a sting led by the National Crime Agency and Ghanaian authorities. McDermott, from Ormskirk, failed in a bid to avoid extradition and was hauled back to Britain, where he was today jailed for 13 years. Judge Alan Conrad, QC, said: “This case arises of a plan to import a massive quantity of cocaine of high purity from South America.

“It was a plan that very nearly succeeded. The value was enormous and the impact would have been enormous had the drugs reached the streets.”

McDermott was part of a Liverpool-based gang who imported the super strength cocaine, worth up to £70m, hidden among meat from Buenos Aires.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Border Force officers intercepted some 16 holdalls full of the 79% pure drug on May 3, 2013 at Tilbury Docks in Essex. William Baker, prosecuting, said 79% pure cocaine was “about the highest purity which cocaine can be produced.”

He said the shipping container was only inspected “by chance” because of an E. coli problem at the Argentinian meat factory. Officers removed the 400 blocks with the logo “Burro” – Spanish for donkey – on the side and replaced them with dummy bricks.

The load was then delivered as planned to Wigan’s Cold Storage Ltd, where it was collected by courier James Mossman, 40, of Delaware Road, Kirkby. Mossman – jailed for seven years and four months – collected two holdalls but abandoned them when he realised the drugs were gone.

Mr Baker said the gang, who had no idea the authorities were involved at this stage, met at the KFC restaurant at Aintree Retail Park. Anthony Short, 42, of Croston, Lancashire, who bought the cover load of beef and was jailed for 22 years, was in regular contact with McDermott.

They thought the owner of Cold Storage might have stolen the stash and discussed threatening his family and burning down their home. Mr Baker said the cocaine had a wholesale value of £19.5m, but if cut to street level purity, would have been worth some £70m. He said: “My understanding is it’s the largest seizure in the North West of this drug.”

McDermott admitted his role in the conspiracy on the basis he would receive 50kgs of the drug. His previous convictions include possessing cannabis, ecstasy and cocaine. Damien Nolan, defending, said his client only dealt with Short and was not at the top of the plot. He said he had four children in the UK, who he brought up on his own, as their mum was not involved for personal reasons. Mr Nolan said McDermott also had a wife and two children in Ghana, the youngest of whom is six-months-old and he has never met.

He said: “They have not been able to visit. It has been a very difficult experience for him in custody.”

The lawyer said hard-working McDermott “had a complete change in lifestyle” and had been involved with the church in Africa. Mr Nolan added his client had been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of the debilitating illness Crohn’s Disease. After McDermott’s arrest, the Daily Mirror revealed he had married Ramona Wampah, daughter of the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr Henry Kofi Wampah.

A source said: “He had what seemed to be an idyllic life, in a plush estate, having married into the Wampah family, in essence living like an African king. “He and Ramona lived under the radar with their toddler.” Mr Wampah denied knowing his son-in-law was a British fugitive, saying he thought he was just a mining sector worker.

Source: Liverpool Echo

Trump names adviser Conway as his presidential counselor

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has named his former campaign manager Kellyanne Conway as counselor to the president, his transition team said in a statement.

Conway, 49, currently a senior adviser on Trump’s transition team, is widely credited with helping him bring a more disciplined approach to campaigning that helped him win the November presidential election.

In her new post, Conway will play a key advisory role in the White House when Trump takes office on Jan. 20, helping to manage the New York businessman’s messaging and legislative priorities, according to the statement.

Trump said Conway “played a crucial role in my victory. She is a tireless and tenacious advocate of my agenda and has amazing insights on how to effectively communicate our message.”

In an tv interview shortly after the announcement, Conway said Trump was finalizing his communications staff and was preparing to announce his choices for White House press secretary and related posts soon but gave no other details.

Source: Reuters

Gas filling station explodes near Trade fair centre, many feared injured

A gas filling station near the Trade Fair Center in Accra has exploded injuring many with suspected number of people dead.

It is unclear what may have caused the explosion but eyewitnesses say a number of people who were at the filling station during the time of the explosion.

The fire service have arrived at the scene to bring the huge flames under control but reports from the scene indicate that after the explosion thick black smoke was billowing into the sky.

Five persons are feared dead.