Supermoon plus eclipse equals rare sky show Sunday night

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Get ready for a rare double feature, starring our very own moon.

A total lunar eclipse will share the stage with a so-called supermoon Sunday night or early Monday, depending where you are. That combination hasn't been seen since 1982 and won't happen again until 2033.

When a full or new moon makes its closest approach to Earth, that's a supermoon. Although still about 220,000 miles away, this full moon will look bigger and brighter than usual. In fact, it will be the closest full moon of the year, about 30,000 miles closer than the average distance. (The moon's orbit is far from a perfect circle.)

NASA planetary scientist Noah Petro is hoping the celestial event will ignite more interest in the moon. He is deputy project scientist for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, which has been studying the moon from lunar orbit since 2009.

"The moon's a dynamic place," Petro said Wednesday. "We're seeing changes on the surface of the moon from LRO. We're seeing that it's not this static dead body in the sky ... it's this great astronomical object that we have in our backyard, essentially. So people should get out and start looking at it."

Many stargazers, professional and amateur alike, dislike the term "supermoon," noting the visible difference between a moon and supermoon is slight to all but the most faithful observers.

"It's not like the difference between an ordinary man and Superman," said Alan MacRobert, a senior editor at Sky & Telescope magazine. "It really ought to be called a tiny, slightly little bit bigger moon, rather than the supermoon."

The full eclipse of the moon will last more than an hour and be visible, weather permitting, from North and South America, Europe, Africa and western Asia. Showtime on the U.S. East Coast is 10:11 p.m. EDT (0211 GMT); that's when the moon, Earth and sun will be lined up, with Earth's shadow totally obscuring the moon.

In Europe, the action will unfold before dawn Monday. No matter where, the preshow will begin two hours earlier.

There won't be another total lunar eclipse until 2018.

This eclipse marks the end of a tetrad, or series of four total lunar eclipses set six months apart. This series began in April 2014.

The 21st century will see eight of these tetrads, an uncommonly good run. From 1600 to 1900, there were none.

Observatories are marking the celestial event with public telescope viewing, although magnifying devices won't be necessary; the eclipse will be easily visible with the naked eye. Astronomers are urging stargazers to simply look to the east.

In Los Angeles, Griffith Observatory also will serve up Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" on the piano and other moon-themed music.

NASA will provide a live video feed of the entire eclipse — an option in case clouds obscure your own view.

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Online:

NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/

Baby Operated on While Still in Womb

Picture from myjoyonline.com

  

Children have always been a beautiful gift from God.

This baby's life was sparred with the aid of a pioneering operation carried out when she was still in her mother's womb.

Michelle Cannon had been advised to have an abortion after receiving the devastating news that her unborn daughter had a rare and usually deadly condition. Fluid was building up in the baby's chest and crushing her lungs, but at 22 weeks she was too premature to be delivered.

First Baby of 2015 in US

On 1st of January 2015, the first 2015 baby was born in the United States and even though it was a boy, he was Ghanaian.

Young Okatakyie Yaw Afiriyie Asare who was born to Bertha Asare weighed 7 pounds, 9.5 ounces and was born in the Mother Baby Centre, Minneapolis.

Ghana's Victoria Hammah sacked over $1m claim

Ghana's Deputy Communications Minister Victoria Hammah has been sacked in Ghana after she was apparently recorded saying she would stay in politics until she has made $1m (£600,000).

"If you have money then you can control people," she said on the tape which has been widely circulated in Ghana.

Ms Hammah has not yet commented on the tape or her sacking.

The BBC's Sammy Darko in Accra says she played a key role in President John Mahama's election last year.



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Ghana can earn $300m from cashew if production increases – Association

The prospects of Ghana’s cashew production is high because the country can rake in between $300 and $400 million if she increases her cashew production from the current 50,000 metric tonnes to 200,000 tonnes annually. 

Mr Windfred Osei Owusu, President of the Ghana Cashew Industry Association, who made the observation on Tuesday, added that the country could attain the goal if 90 per cent of the raw cashew nuts were processed. He was speaking in Accra at the launch of the World Cashew Festival and Expo 2013 in Africa, on the theme: “Value Chain and Gains-Focusing on the Potential to Leverage Profit in Each Sector of the Cashew Industry and in New Markets.” The event, which is expected to come off between September 16 and 19, would be organised by the African Cashew Alliance’s (ACA), to assist players in the industry to develop the value-chain process. The four-day programme would also provide a platform for cashew farmers, processors, traders, exporters, service providers, retailers, equipment manufacturers, bankers and other stakeholders to fashion out innovative ways to improve and sustain the industry. Mr Owusu called on the Government to roll out the Cashew Development Project and similar policy interventions to sustain the industry. He was optimistic that if the players received Government support, similar to those enjoyed by cocoa, palm and mango farmers, the cashew business would thrive. 

Mr Owusu appealed to Government to make funds available to cashew farmers through the Export Development and Agricultural Investment Fund. He called on the farmers to join associations and apex bodies to access technical support to build their capacity to sustain their businesses. Mr Owusu said increased investor interest in the industry was a positive indication that the sector had much to offer in terms of job creation, poverty alleviation and income generation. He said one of Brazil’s leading cashew businesses, was in the process of setting up a 35,000-metric-tonne capacity facility at Prampram, in the Eastern suburb of Accra. Mr Owusu said he was hopeful the project would create 2000 direct jobs and other auxiliary employment opportunities and called on the media to sensitise the public on the economic and the nutritional value of cashew products. 

Mr Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture expressed Government’s commitment to partner ACA to ensure that the cashew industry became vibrant. He discredited speculations in the media that the cashew production in the country was dwindling. Speaking on the upcoming Cashew Festival, Mr Roger Brou, Managing Director of ACA, said the event would give farmers the platform to explore innovative business prospects in the industry. Beekeeping and production of cashew-apple juice are some new markets farmers could discover. Ghana is said to have produced more than 20,000 metric tonnes of raw cashew nuts in the year 2012, with its production largely centered in the Brong-Ahafo Region. 

The country is considered to be the hub for trading cashews from neighbouring countries, including Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. In total, more than 80,000 metric tonnes of raw cashew nut was exported in 2011. On the processors side, Ghana has an installed processing capacity of about 18,000 metric tonnes.

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Ghana Business News 

Ghana's National Chief Imam praises Akufo-Addo

Sheikh Dr Osumanu Nuhu Sharubutu, National Chief Imam, has applauded Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, 2012 Presidential Candidate for New Patriotic Party (NPP) for helping to maintain national peace. He gave the commendation when he led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on Nana Akufo-Addo in Accra. 


The delegation made up of Imams, Muslim Chiefs and Islamic Scholars thanked Nana Akufo-Addo for accepting the Supreme Court verdict on the election petition filed by the NPP challenging the election of President John Dramani Mahama in the 2012 general election. Sheikh Sharabutu said the decision of the NPP flagbearer helped in sustaining peace and stability. He said it is important for Ghanaians to preserve the country’s peace towards national development. 

“There is the need for us to unite, preserve and sustain the peace that Ghana is enjoying,” stressed. He said political tolerance is the only means by which Ghana could consolidate the gains of democracy and called on the citizenry to be tolerant and promote tranquillity. 

Sheikh Sharabutu appealed to Muslim religious leaders to remain as peace ambassadors, to ensure national development. Nana Akufo-Addo said the NPP would not seek a review of the Supreme Court’s ruling, observing that Ghana’s election would never be the same again. He also said the NPP had set precedence for generations to follow. 

Read more in Ghana Business News

In Memory of a King | Ghanaians Look Back at their Loss as they Celebrate one year of the Death of Former President John Evans Atta Mills

Today, Ghana remembers its year-old loss. At 14.05 GMT last year, the then President, now Late President John Evans Atta-Mills passed away. Ghanaians look back into his life and miss him. Throughout the country, people have been given the chance to express themselves as to what they want to be done in his memory. 

A planning committee was setup to ensure that activities to mark the 1st Anniversary of the Late President John Evans Atta-Mills are made special. Car-parking arrangements have also been decided on towards the 'wreath-laying ceremony' in memory of the Late President. This is scheduled to take place today, Wednesday, 24th July, 2013 at the Asomdwee Park.

"We miss him very much and pray he has eternal rest where ever he is."

AGI calls for Industrial Parks and Power Plants across every region

The Association of Ghana Industries wants government to set up an Industrial Park in every region. The association believes this should enhance the operations of local manufacturers to effectively address the country’s economic challenges. 

Ghana's Daily Minimum Wage now GHȻ5.24

The Daily Minimum Wage is now pegged at GHȻ5.24 It has been increased by 17 per cent from GHc4.48 by the National Tripartite Committee (NTC) at the consultation of its 2013 National Daily Minimum Wage (NDMW) meeting on April 30, 2013.

It takes effect from May 1, 2013.

This was contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Nii Armah Ashietey for government, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Employers Association (GEA), Mr Alex Frimpong for the President of GEA and General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Mr Kofi Asamoah for Organised labour.

“Any establishment, institution or organisation whose daily minimum wage is below the new National Daily Minimum Wage should adjust its wages upward accordingly,” it said.

It said the committee had recommended that the NDMW should be tax exempt.

The National Tripartite Committee reiterated its commitment to the improvement of incomes and productivity in both the public and private sectors.

"I think this is terrible... what happened to sustainability..."

Courtesy:
myjoyonline

An Open Letter to the President of Ghana, His Excellency President John Daramani Mahama

"Following his recent election into office, a concerned Ghanaian has something to say and did it this way... in an open letter."

Dear President Mahama,

I am writing to you as a proud National Democratic Congress (NDC) activist with high hope in my heart for our great party. I have listened to you keenly since you became the President of Ghana and your commitment to job creation and preserving the peace within the NDC family and the nation as a whole is quite critical

Unedited | Jordan Ayew's temporary retirement letter

Jordan Ayew

Following the unexpected resignation of brothers, Jordan and Dede Ayew, the following unedited letter was published by GhanaWeb.

The following is the letter:

I write to formally communicate to you my decision to withdraw my services from the senior national team, the Black Stars.  temporarily. The reasons for my decision, although personal, I believe, I would eventually inure to the benefit of the Black Stars, the reason being that in this period of my temporary absence, I intend not only to work hard in my club as a young player so I can obtain the quality, experience and stature necessary for a call up to play in the national team, but also ensure that my membership of the national team when I soon come out of my temporary resignation endures in a more secure manner so as to avoid the situation where I am unsure as to when my services are required for the national team.

The point I have just made is  vindicated by the fact that although on every occasion that I have had the opportunity to play for my nation I have played to the best of my ability and served my nation with commitment, it appears that my efforts have not impressed the management team of the senior national team. The reason is that in the position for which my services are required for the national team, I have been ranked way behind several players as not to merit a place in the team on occasions when it mattered. My observation comes against the backdrop of the fact that I was considered not good enough to play for the national team even at a time when my club believed I was doing very well and honoured with player of the month for my club.

In this regard, I have decided that I need to work harder especially in my club in the hope that I can convince the management team of the Black Stars in the very near future by the grace of the Almighty that my efforts merit a place in the national team, not just occasionally or sporadically but more permanently in so far as I still actively play football.

I wish my colleagues in the team all the best and hereby affirm my commitment to my beloved country the Republic of Ghana and pledge to always faithfully and dutifully serve the nation to the best of my ability when I return. I also assure the fans of my love for them and affirm to them that I am as always committed to all matters involving the national team.

Thank you

JORDAN AYEW

British Airways is 75 years in Ghana!!!

Seventy-five years ago a handful of passengers boarded a bi-plane for a one-week journey which would pioneer an air service that today still links Ghana and the United Kingdom.

On 13 October 1937, the DH86 Diana class aircraft operated by Elders Colonial Airways on behalf of Imperial Airways arrived in Accra for the first time. This once-weekly service between Southampton and Accra took almost one week, involving nine stops between the UK and the Central African hub of Khartoum.

A couple of years later, the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) was formed under the BOAC Act, from the merger of Imperial Airways and British Airways Ltd, a British airline that operated in Europe in the 1930s.

In 1974, the UK government dissolved BOAC and British European Airways to form the global carrier, British Airways, as we know it today. 1987 saw the airline privatised in a hugely oversubscribed flotation of shares on the London Stock Exchange, as well as the appointment of British Airways’ first women pilots.

In 2002, British Airways begun daily, non-stop flights between Accra and London on a Boeing 767 aircraft. The six-hour overnight flight is extremely popular for business travellers, who enjoy the convenience of a full working day in Ghana, and an early morning arrival for easy onward connection to other destinations.

Today, British Airways operates to Ghana on a Boeing 777-200 aircraft with a four-class configuration, which features its innovative First (First Class) product, along with Club World (Business Class), World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) and World Traveller (Economy Class).

Currently, British Airways is the only airline to offer a first class service in and out of Ghana, and its £100m investment into the improved product is proving extremely popular on the route.

Iberia, the Spanish national carrier, merged with British Airways in January 2011 to the International Airline Group. In July 2012, Iberia launched it’s twice-weekly Ghana operation, with Economy and Business Class Cabins on an Airbus A319 aircraft. So far, Iberia’s operations have been “extremely encouraging.”

“It’s amazing to think that 75 years ago we were operating bi-planes that could carry seven passengers and the journey took over a week, when you consider that today we have daily flights a day that do the journey in about six hours,” says James Wooldridge, British Airways commercial manager for Ghana.

“We believe very strongly in investing in the communities we operate in, and Ghana has benefited greatly from such commitments over the past 75 years,” says Wooldridge.

British Airways’ CEO, Keith Williams was recently in Ghana to support Flying Start, the airline’s partnership with UK charity, Comic Relief, which was launched two years ago to raise money around the world for good causes. Flying Start hopes to raise £500,000 by the end of 2012 to vaccinate 100,000 Ghanaian children against deadly diseases.

Story by myjoyonline.com