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Just In: Nottingham Forest announce the signing of Ghana captain André Ayew
Ghana’s captain André Ayew joins English premiership side, Nottingham Forest on a free transfer following his recent departure from Al Sadd and has signed a deal until the end of the season.
André will wear the shirt number 42 during his time on Trentside.
André Ayew said: “It’s a great feeling to sign for Nottingham Forest.
“I know how big the club is and I know how much the club means to the city and the fanbase. It’s always been difficult whenever I’ve played against Forest and at The City Ground and I love the stadium.
He added, “Steve Cooper is someone who knows me very well and knows how to work with me both on and off the pitch. We have a strong relationship, he’s a special coach and a special human being and someone who I really look up to.”
According to him “I know what I can bring to the team, I’m ready to give my all and make sure that we are able to stay in the Premier League.”
Ayew, 33, reunites with Steve Cooper having previously played under the Forest Head Coach at Swansea City, scoring 35 goals in 84 appearances under the Welshman’s tutelage.
Ghana’s national team captain, Ayew has received a total of 113 international caps. His participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup made him the only Ghanaian player to feature at the nation’s last three World Cups and scored in their opening group stage fixture against Portugal.
Born in France, Ayew came through the ranks at Marseille, scoring 60 goals in 209 appearances during a nine-year spell with the French club.
In June 2015, he moved to the Premier League and joined Swansea, registering 12 goals and five assists in 35 appearances during his first spell at the Liberty Stadium.
The following summer, Ayew moved to West Ham United in a then club-record deal, going on to make 50 appearances in all competitions for the London club.
Ayew returned to Swansea for a club-record fee in January 2018, scoring a further 35 goals in 106 appearances for the Welsh side.
In July 2021, Ayew joined Al Sadd and scored 15 goals in 21 league matches as they were crowned Qatar Stars League champions last season.
Leaving Qatar having netted 22 goals in 39 games for Al Sadd, the experienced forward returns to England and becomes The Reds’ latest recruit.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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Small-scale miners schooled on health hazards of mining with mercury
Mr Lovelace Sarpong (right) addressing the participants
Some Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners in the Ashanti and Central regions have been sensitised on the potential health dangers humans are exposed to with the use of mercury in gold processing.
The sensitisation which was organised by PlanetGOLD Ghana project was to raise awareness about the negative impacts on the use of mercury in mining activities.
According to the PlanetGOLD Ghana Project Coordinator, Mr Lovelace Sarpong, the use of mercury in artisanal small-scale mining pose health challenges that affects the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys; and may be fatal.
Some Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) that benefited from the exercise were Amansie Central, Asante Akim North, Amansie South, Amansie West, Bekwai, and Adansi North in the Ashanti Region, and Upper Denkyira East (Dunkwa-on-Offin) and Upper Denkyira West (Diaso) in the Central Region.
Additionally, he said inorganic salts of mercury were corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested.
He stated that the PlanetGOLD Project has conducted several initiatives to raise awareness on reducing mercury exposure among artisanal and small-scale gold mining actors in the country.
It was to promote mercury-free mining practices in line with Ghana’s obligations under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, support the formalisation of the ASGM sector while advocating the adoption of the CRAFT Code and responsible supply chains, and raise awareness on the availability of mercury-free alternatives.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Area Head for Konongo, Mr Dawood Abbas, underscored the importance of government’s environmental regulations and EPA’s role in ensuring compliance within the ASGM sector.
He encouraged miners to prioritise environmental stewardship to gain community trust and secure a Social License to Operate (SLO) and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to enforce its commitments under the Minamata Convention.
BY Cecilia Lagba Yada
Entertainment
Stonebwoy releases sixth studio album ‘Up & Running’
Ghanaian multiple award-winning musician, Stonebwoy is out with his sixth studio album dubbed ‘Up & Running.’
As part of the release Stonebwoy performed various songs on the album to patrons at a special listening party last night.
The listening party held at the Alora Beach in Accra brought together Industry players, musicians, actors, corporate Ghana, diplomats and fans of Stonebwoy among others.
The album is made up of songs like, Memories, Pray For Me, Jejereje, Overload remix, Shine, Psalm 23, Betta Tin, Your Body, Geography, Shine, Lovely Weather, Jiggle and White, Ekelebe and Fvck Up Summer.
‘Up & Running’ features the top musicians such as Duncan Mighty, Ir Sais, Spice, Amaria BB, Jahmiel, 10TIK, Larruso, Chi Ching Ching, Kaylan Arnold, and Blvk H3ro, Wyclef Jean and ODUMODUBLVCK.
The album, which includes diverse songs for different target markets, shows Stonebwoy’s calculated effort to reach out to wider and new audiences around the world.
Stonebwoy is expected to hit the road in a global tour with his new album, ‘Up & Running.’
The colourful event was attended by industry personalities like Fred Nuamah, Andy Dosty, Keche, Bullgod, Nadia Buari, Nana McBrown,Kwaw Kese,Robert Klah,D-Black, Larusso and many others.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Enjoy the album below
UP & RUNNIN6 – ALBUM OUT NOW!