A quick catch up on today’s top stories…
1) Five die on the spot in deadly multiple car crash on Accra-Kumasi highway
At least five persons have died in a fatal accident involving three vehicles Thursday morning at Akyem Anyinasin junction near Bunso, along the Accra-Kumasi Highway. The accident occurred about 9:20 am on December 16, 2021, when the Toyota Corolla from the Kumasi direction allegedly undertook a wrong overtaking and attempted to drive past a stationary cargo truck in the middle of the road to the lane of oncoming vehicles. The Toyota Corolla collided head-on with the Pathfinder.
The Toyota Hiace with passengers aboard which was following closely also crashed and somersaulted multiple times. Three male and two female passengers in the Toyota Hiace died instantly while others including occupants of the two private vehicles sustained life-threatening injuries. Scores of injured persons have also been rushed to the Kibi government hospital and the Savior Memorial hospitals in Osiem.
2) Government still pays GH¢1 per plate for school feeding
The government of Ghana, beginning 2022, intends to expand coverage of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) from 3.4 million to cover over four million school children. However, despite the intent to increase coverage, the government plans to peg the grant at GH¢1 per plate of food for primary pupils and Senior High School students.
This development has generated concerns among some stakeholders who say the grant of GH¢1 per plate is inadequate and will invariably compromise the quality of meals served to schoolchildren. The association explained that the amount allocated by the government for each student for every meal is woefully inadequate to satisfy the existing cost of goods and services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting economic effects.
3) Research reveals Omicron variant 70 times faster than Delta variant
The Omicron variant multiplies 70 times faster than Delta in human airways, according to researchers. A new study in Hong Kong provides the first information on how Omicron infects people, and it also suggests it replicates less well in human lung tissue compared with the original strain of the virus.
This could indicate a lower severity of disease, but the experts warned the ‘overall threat is likely to be very significant’. Dr. Michael Chan Chi-wai said it is important to note ‘that the severity of disease in humans is not determined only by virus replication but also by the host immune response to the infection’.
4) Yeezy owner Kanye West says he’s ‘going to be homeless in a year’
Kanye West has left fans in shock with his latest revelation about himself, saying he’ll be ‘homeless in a year’ because he’s turning all his properties ‘into churches’. The American rapper, record producer, and fashion designer has said that he believes society is being killed by “capitalist rule”, adding: “It’s time to change that.”
Kim Kardashian’s estranged husband, who recently changed his name to Ye, Inspired by this, he said he is “going to be homeless in a year” as he’s “going to turn all the homes I own into churches”. The Grammy winner, in the latest issue of 032c, revealed: “We’re making this orphanage, and it will be a place where anyone can go,” he explained in the latest issue of 032c.
5) Leicester v Spurs called off due to COVID-19 outbreak
Tottenham’s Premier League match against Leicester on Thursday has been postponed due to Covid-19 outbreaks. It is the third consecutive postponement involving Tottenham, after their Europa Conference League match against Rennes and last weekend’s Premier League game against Brighton were also called off because of Covid.
Those postponements came after a total of eight players and five members of staff tested positive at the north London club had tested positive for Covid-19. Leicester are also dealing with a coronavirus outbreak, with manager Brendan Rodgers having said on Wednesday that he was “disappointed” the Premier League had rejected a request from the Foxes for the fixture to be postponed.
