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Trump threatens to permanently freeze US funding to WHO

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US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to permanently cut off the nation’s funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO) if the body does not commit to what he called “substantive improvements within the next 30 days”.

In a letter to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, a copy of which was published by Trump on Twitter, the president added that he could reconsider the US membership in the organisation.

The threat came as the world continues to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, which has infected more than 4.8 million people globally and killed over 318,000.

The United States alone has reported more than 1.5 million infections and over 90,000 deaths as of 4:03 pm (2003 GMT), according to a count by Johns Hopkins University. Both figures are far higher than those in any other country or region. 

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Trump announced in mid-April that his administration would halt US funding to the WHO, a roundly-criticised move that many experts have said was trying to shift blames and would be counterproductive to addressing the public health crisis.

Former US Vice President Joe Biden said Monday that time had been wasted in the US response. 

“It’s heartbreaking to think how much fear, how much loss, how much agony could have been avoided if the president hadn’t wasted so much time and taken responsibility,” Biden told a virtual event. “We got denials, delays, distraction.”

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the WHO is a specialised agency of the United Nations for international public health, which has played a crucial role in coordinating the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic. 

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During the ongoing World Health Assembly, many world leaders have strongly defended the WHO and voiced their support for the organisation to continue its leading in the coronavirus battle. 

Robert Redfield, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), praised the WHO in April.

“WHO has been a long-term and still is a great partner for us. We’re going to continue to do all we can together to try to limit this,” Redfield said. “We’ve worked together to fight health crises all around the world. We continue to do that.” -Xinhua

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Hopeson Adorye invites Ghanaians to join new United Party

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A leading member of the newly rebranded United Party, also known as UP, Hopeson Adorye, has called on Ghanaians who feel dejected or oppressed in politics to join the new party, describing it as a better political home for all.

He made these remarks at the launch and rebranding of the Movement for Change into the United Party (UP) at the Coconut Grove Hotel in Accra on Thursday, October 16.

Mr. Adorye explained that the party was fully ready to serve as an alternative political force to address Ghana’s challenges.

He noted that the UP leadership was focused and determined to change the country’s political structure and bring meaningful transformation.

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He stated that the party’s vision was to build a united Ghana, stressing that without unity, the nation could not make real progress.

According to him, the mission of the UP was to create a prosperous country where every citizen could provide for themselves and their families.

Mr. Adorye emphasised that the new party was not formed to destroy any existing political organization but to contest and win elections to bring about the needed change.

He expressed confidence that many Ghanaians from different political backgrounds, including those dissatisfied with their current parties, would join UP+ because of its values and inclusive ideology.

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He added that the party was building its structures from the grassroots and hoped to complete them by the end of the year as part of efforts to strengthen its national presence.

The Founder of the United Party (UP), Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, also addressed the gathering and reflected on the transformation of the Movement for Change into the UP+.

He explained that the rebranding marked a new phase of political renewal, symbolized by the monarch butterfly in the party’s logo, which represents transformation, resilience, and endurance.

Mr. Kyerematen noted that the colors of the party yellow, black, and white stood for Ghana’s gold resources, the black star of Africa, and purity, respectively.

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He stated that the UP stands for ethical leadership, integrity, and unity, adding that many of its members entered politics to serve the nation, not for personal gain.

He revealed that the party’s Great Transformational Plan (GTP), which has received global recognition, would guide the UP+ government when elected.

“The plan is designed to stabilize the economy, reduce the national debt, and promote industrial growth through ten strategic anchor industries” he added.

He explained that the health policy would emphasize preventive care, community-based services, and the inclusion of traditional and herbal medicine, which many Ghanaians rely on.

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Mr. Kyerematen further stated that the UP would promote a strong Pan African agenda, explaining that Ghana’s prosperity must be tied to the wellbeing of the entire continent.

He noted that the party believes in Ghana first, and its policies were anchored on uniting the country and restoring hope in national development.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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Dr. Bawumia urges NPP members to rally behind his flagbearership bid

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Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has appealed to the rank and file of the party to rally behind him as he prepares to lead the party in the 2028 elections.

Addressing delegates in Sene East during his campaign tour, he highlighted key contributions to the party.

He revealed that at the behest of former president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, he left his job at the Bank of Ghana to work for the NPP.

According to him, many asked him to rescind the decision. However, because of his loyalty to the party, he resigned from the bank to be their running mate.

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He added that at the African Development Bank, he resigned in 2012 just to serve the party at the highest level.

“I defended the party in 2012. We lost, but I stayed in Ghana to put pressure on John Dramani Mahama and the NDC,” he added.

He is therefore urging the party to choose continuity and to back his leadership.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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