Professional Christian from Gospel Pillars International Church, Professional Teacher. His aims are to take the Gospel of Christ to all nations through everything he does. Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ must be our priority.
Carlo Ancelotti has hinted that Real Madrid may not need to sign Kylian Mbappe, amid intense speculation about the Paris Saint-Germain superstar.
Carlo Ancelotti suggests that Real Madrid does not require Kylian Mbappe because they already have ‘the greatest six players in the world’.
After seeing his side beat second-placed Girona 4-0 on Saturday, Ancelotti was quizzed on the prospect of Mbappe moving to the Bernabeu at the end of the season in a blockbuster free transfer. Real have consistently been linked with the World Cup winner and reports have previously suggested that Mbappe has already decided to make the move to Spain.
What Ancelotti said
Ancelotti stated in a press conference, “You keep asking about a player who plays for another team.”
He continued, “We already have the world’s top players here. Vini Jr. came in first, followed by Bellingham and Rodrygo. Then Kroos, Valverde, and Camavinga…
Mbappe has been in incredible form this season, scoring 30 goals and providing seven assists in 29 appearances across all competitions. Such figures would not be out of place at the Bernabeu.
The saga is unlikely to end anytime soon. Mbappe will almost definitely continue to dominate back-page headlines in both Spain and France; it remains to be seen when things will come to a head.
Negative news articles can have a huge impact on the reputation of an individual or organisation in an age where information is easily accessible online.
These pieces can exist on the internet permanently, influencing personal lives, professional possibilities, and corporate operations. However, numerous strategies can be used to reduce the influence of these articles or, in some situations, completely eliminate them.
This article delves into successful techniques for dealing with bad news items on the internet, emphasising the significance of professional services such as Guaranteed Removals in specific instances.
Table of Contents
Assess the Situation
Determine the Impact
Understand Your Options
Direct Removal Requests
Contact the Publisher
Utilize the “Right to Be Forgotten”
Legal Actions
Evaluate Legal Grounds
Issue a Takedown Notice
Online Reputation Management Strategies for the negative news articles
Suppress Negative Content
Engage Professional Services
Monitor Your Online Presence
Conclusion
Assess the situation.
Determine the impact.
Before taking any action, consider the bad article’s influence on your reputation or business. Consider how often it appears in search results and how visible it is to your target audience. This assessment will assist you in determining the level of urgency and required action.
Depending on the nature of the item and the platform on which it is housed, your options for removal differ. Direct removal from the source, legal action, and online reputation management tactics are all valid options, each having merits and disadvantages.
Direct Removal Requests
Contact the Publisher.
As a first step, consider contacting the publisher or author of the bad article. You have the right to seek the removal or amendment of anything that is erroneous, outdated, or unfairly detrimental. Publishers may be inclined to accept your request, especially if provided with persuasive arguments or facts.
Utilise the “Right to Be Forgotten”
Individuals in certain jurisdictions, such as the European Union, have the “Right to Be Forgotten,” which allows them to request that their personal information be removed from search engine results under certain situations. If applicable, this can be an effective strategy for managing online reputation.
Legal Actions: Evaluate Legal Grounds
If the content is defamatory, breaches privacy laws, or infringes on copyright, you may have legal grounds to demand its removal. Consult a legal advisor to better understand your rights and the likelihood of a successful legal challenge against the publication or website.
Issue a takedown notice.
A DMCA takedown notification can be successful in addressing copyright infringement. This legal instrument requires the hosting service to remove content that violates copyright, if the complaint fits specified criteria.
Online Reputation Management Strategies for negative news articles
To suppress bad content, promote positive content instead of removing it completely. Create and disseminate high-quality material that reflects well on you or your company to push the unfavourable piece lower in search engine results, making it less visible to the public.
Engage Professional Services
Professional online reputation management services can provide specialised support in difficult instances where straightforward removal or suppression techniques are insufficient. Guaranteed Removals is one such service provider that specialises in assisting individuals and businesses to remove bad content from the internet, including news articles. Their knowledge and resources can be quite helpful in negotiating the complexity of internet material removal.
Monitor your online presence.
Continuously monitor your internet presence to swiftly detect any unfavourable content. Tools such as Google Alerts can alert you when new content about you or your company is published, allowing you to reply quickly.
Removing bad news items from the internet can be a difficult but not impossible undertaking. Understanding your options, from direct removal requests to using professional services such as Guaranteed Removals, allows you to take proactive efforts to safeguard and maintain your online reputation. Remember, each scenario is unique, and the appropriate solution is determined by the individual circumstances surrounding the negative content. While not all content can be erased, a combination of legal action, online reputation management methods, and professional support can help to reduce its impact.
The Complementary Education organisation (CEA), an organisation within the Ministry of Education, has introduced two flagship programmes: Complementary Basic Education (CBE) Cycle 9 and the Remedial Programme.
The Complementary Basic Education programmes serves out-of-school children aged 8 to 16, whereas the Remedial programmes focuses on school dropouts, allowing them to retake their exams.
Complementary Education caters to basic education for out-of-school children between the ages of 8 to 16, while the Remedial Programme concentrates on school dropouts, offering them an opportunity to re-sit their examinations.
Speaking during the launch in Accra on February 6, the Acting Executive Secretary of CEA, Catherine Appiah Pinkrah, said the agency will collaborate with traditional leaders to identify deprived children in the Bono East, Northern, Upper West, and Upper East regions.
“In 2024, during Cycle 9, the Agency is scaling up targeting 30,000 CBE out-of-school children in four regions and eight districts.
“Bono East Region; on Pru East, Pru West and Sene West districts; Northern Region; Tatale, Zabzugu and Yendi districts; Upper East; Bolga, Bongo and Talensi districts; Upper West Region-Wa Municipal, Wa East & West districts),” she said.
She explained that this was one of the government’s initiatives to develop the human resources of the nation, as the future of our nation depends on these children.
Additionally, she stated that from 2018 to 2023, the agency conducted remedial piloting with 435 learners in the Bono East Region, consisting of youth, teenage mothers, and school dropouts.
Madam Pinkrah added that free classes were organised for them to re-sit for the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE), with 95% of them transitioning into free Senior High Schools and Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions.
She said, “Under this initiative, 6,000 learners across the country have been earmarked to receive free remedial education support to enable them to re-sit for BECE and WASSCE this year 2024.”
Again, Madam Pinkrah said the agency’s drive, although ambitious, was in line with President Akufo-Addo’s mandate of reducing the non-literate population of about eight million.
Present at the event were the Deputy Minister of Education, Gifty Twum Ampofo, queen mothers, and development partners of the CEA.
Gifty Twum Ampofo who read a speech on behalf of the Education Minister, said the initiative was laudable as it would help cater to the informal sector and ensure that everyone can at least read and write.
Deputy Minister of Education, Gifty Twum Ampofo
This way, she emphasised that it would help them be able to read and interpret basic things in their various businesses.
Referring to the benefits of informal education, she said her grandmother equally did not have formal education but was able to acquire literacy skills, which enabled her to read her Bible and other materials.
Again, she said if everyone had basic education, it would contribute to the development of communities and the country as a whole.
She said, “Under this initiative, 6,000 learners across the country have been earmarked to receive free remedial education support to enable them to re-sit for BECE and WASSCE this year, 2024.”
Which school did you attend? That is a simple question that is more loaded than perceived. ‘Ehm… ehm… ehm’ is sometimes the initial response, which may never be completed. Other times the response has been swift with no hesitation whatsoever; and the school’s name is dropped with enthusiasm and unsolicited follow-ups: the principal’s name, the National Science Quiz, etc, until you get irritated and walk away.
In our days, the joke among non-elite students was: ‘Achimota Girls are coming, the only problem is the English language to meet them.’ ‘Achimota sandals’ were the footwear commonly worn to mark one’s social status.
Local values then compel parents to aim at ‘good schools’ for their wards: Achimota, Mfantsipim, Wesley Girls, Holy Child, Adisco, etc. and not Obra ye Oko (Life is War), or Ohia ma Adwen SHS, in spite of excellent results Obrasco or Ohiasco recently posted. The perception is made worse by bureaucratic labels like ‘Grade A Schools,’ ‘B Schools,’ etc. that classify schools by alphabets skewed to debase the less privileged. That classification could easily be stretched to produce ‘Grade Z’ schools one day. Beyond Grade Z, there would perhaps be a Grade Die.
Incidentally, one hardly sees labels like, ‘Schools Making Steady Progress.’ That is where Obrasco and Ohiasco could probably lead the rankings and trend in the social media.
This truth was evident in 2019 when an unknown school, Mamfe Methodist Girls High School disrupted the rankings and won for Ghana the World Robofest contest held in Michigan , USA, while jingle bells were nowhere to be found. That victory has since transformed the fortunes of Mamfe Girls up the Akwapim mountains.
Day in, day out, perceptions are jolted. I myself wondered the school attended by my erudite friend Kofi Akpabli, a brilliant lecturer at Central University. When Kofi told me which school he attended, my eyeballs widened. Great students and their schools like precious beads sometimes do not jingle, but are noiselessly dotted in nooks across the country including Nsaba Presbyterian Secondary School (now senior high), where Kofi Akpabli graduated in 1990.
Yet, our great schools should be lauded for the high academic and leadership standards they set, which inspire the lesser endowed. Take the story of our premier University of Ghana. Its role of Ghanaian vice chancellors produces a virtual who is who.
Which schools did they attend? The first Ghanaian vice chancellor of Legon, Achimota; 2nd vice chancellor, Achimota; 3rd vice chancellor, Achimota; 4th vice chancellor, Achimota; 5th vice chancellor, Achimota; 6th vice chancellor, Prempeh College; 7th vice chancellor, St Augustine’s; 8th vice chancellor, Achimota; 9th vice chancellor, St Peters Boys; 10th vice chancellor, Holy Child. With this intimidating roll of honours, let’s pray the next Vice Chancellor of Legon breaks the monotony.
For the next Legon VC, how about a product of Obra Ye Ko Secondary School, Obrasco, where life is war? We are indeed waiting for that occasion, which would surely be celebrated with a great ‘abunuabunu’ banquet at the VC’s lodge.
When I got possessed with writing in my late twenties, I once met a huge personality I never dreamed seeing. He was author of the classic book ‘Topics in West African History,’ which we voraciously read at A Level. My God! It was the venerable Albert Adu Boahen, a great scholar many suspected was the author of my anonymous newspaper column, late 1970s. In a tale dilated in my memories (The Pen at Risk), I bumped into the big professor at a car park in Legon one day.
Having learned I was the anonymous author of that weekly column, the professor posed a query that unsettled me: ‘by the way, which school did you attend?’ I almost melted but managed a feeble response; and it was none of the big schools he was expecting! A disappointed ‘Kontopiaat,’ his nickname, chuckled in disbelief and mildly boasted that as far as he was concerned, only Mfantsipim boys (Kwabotwe) were capable of the language in my column. Would I accept honorary membership of the great Kwabotwe family, he asked? The matter ended with a gentle surge in my entrails, the proud voice of my small school.
On 24th January this year, a reader privately in-boxed me after reading my Facebook post entitled ‘Pot Holes Epidemic.’ In her words: ‘I just read your article. It was very long, but I was able to read to the end, and did not skip any line, because you write so well. Did you perhaps attend Achimota School? ….. Great article, well written. Kudos. Regards’. Signed.
‘Science quiz or no science quiz, by far the best school in Ghana today, often unnoticed due to modesty is the unsung Winneba Secondary School my alma mater [prolonged laughter by audience]. And this is in spite of the Mfantsipims, the Achimotas, and Prempehs who make the most noise only because they are empty barrels,’ I bragged looking over my shoulders.
The entire auditorium at La Tang Hotel, North Ridge rocked in jitters and that included the former President J. A Kufuor who was one of the five honoured. JAK exploded in reels of baritone laughter, expecting the climax of my speech to have been his Prempeh College.
The truth is I attended Winnesec more than half a century ago and have since not left, partly because I have been soaked, almost possessed by what appear to be the little things of life that can transform generations.
Winnesec I Love You.
I am dedicating this post to all lesser endowed schools in Ghana. Chest up, and go for laurels!
According to a National Council for Curriculum and Assessment official, the new Senior High School (SHS) curriculum will be piloted in two Second-cycle schools: Okuapeman Senior High School and Mampong Senior Technical School.
The Curriculum Council (NaCCA) official stated that following the Second Cycle School Curriculum Pilot, his organisation will gather feedback from Senior High Schools (SHS) and incorporate concerns before the curriculum was pushed out statewide.
Mr Reginald Quartey, Head of the Curriculum Directorate at NaCCA, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the new Senior High School Curriculum will emphasise social, emotional, and behavioural challenges and values.
He stated that the Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) had spoken with a variety of stakeholders, including people with disabilities, to ensure that the new curriculum was inclusive and met the requirements of students with disabilities.
“The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment with the support of T-Tel (Transforming Teaching Education and Learning), a Ghanaian not-for-profit organisation, has constituted an Inclusive Education Expert Advisory panel to strengthen accessibility for learners with disability,” Reginald Quartey, chairman of the panel, told the interview.
In a related development, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA, which reports to the Ministry of Education, has renamed two key topics, Integrated Science and key Mathematics for Senior High Schools.
Professor Edward Appiah, Director-General of NaCCA, stated in an interview with the Daily Graphic that Integrated Science would be renamed General Science and Modern Mathematics rather than Core Mathematics, NaCCA New Curriculum in SHS.
During the discussion, Professor Edward Appiah informed Graphic Online’s Education Editor, Kale-Dery, that the renamed disciplines would be studied by students pursuing General Arts, Business, Home Economics, and Visual Arts.
The NaCCA Director-General did, however, state that beginning this academic year, Senior High School (SHS) pupils in the country will no longer be obliged to study Core and Elective Mathematics as separate examinable topics.
Professor Edward Appiah, the Director-General of NaCCA, stated that they will take Additional Mathematics rather than Integrated Science because they are currently taking Pure Science.
Bojan Bogdanovic is probably the most famous athlete to come out of Croatia, except for its football players. However, the 30-year-old did not achieve all of his success in one day.
Imagine your country at war with itself, with even basic essentials being battled over.
Consider having a desire of being a professional basketball player amid such dangerous circumstances. Bojan Bogdanovic is one such visionary who not only envisioned but also realised his goals.
The tall, swift, agile, and beautiful Utah Jazz small forward is considered one of the best Croatian players in NBA history.
In fact, he might even be the best, as evidenced by his recent contract with the Jazz, which made him the highest-paid Croatian athlete in history.
So, bear with me as I will guide you through the career and life of a young kid who grew up in the war-torn country of Bosnia, dreamed of being a professional, and managed to achieve it.
But first, let’s get started with some quick facts that will help my dear readers get warmed up.
Quick Facts
Full Name
Bojan Bogdanovic
Birth Date
18 April 1989
Birth Place
Mostar, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia
Nick Name
Not available
Religion
Not available
Nationality
Croatian
Ethnicity
Not available
Education
Not available
Horoscope
Not available
Father’s Name
Mario Bogdanovic
Mother’s Name
Not available
Siblings
Ivana Bogdanovic, Martina Bogdanovic
Age
34 Years Old
Height
6’8″ (2.03 m)
Weight
103 kg (226 lbs)
Shoe Size
Not available
Hair Color
Black
Eye Color
Black
Body Measurement
Not available
Build
Athletic
Married
No
Girlfriend
None
Spouse
None
Position
Small Forward/Shooting Guard
Profession
Basketball Player
Net Worth
$25 million
Clubs
Utah Jazz (Current); Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers (Former)
Bojan’s NBA career started with the Miami Heat. The Miami-based franchise selected Bogdanovic 31st overall in the 2011 NBA Draft.
However, he got traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves on the same day and then again to the New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn Nets).
Although Bojan had signed with the Nets, he could not play for them until 2014. The contract with his former team Fenerbache in the European League did not allow him to play for another team.
As a result, the Croatian small forward had to wait three years before making his NBA debut for the Nets. Ultimately, the time came during the 2014-15 season as he played in 78 games for the franchise, averaging 9.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in his debut season.
Some notable highlights of his time with the Nets have to be when he scored a career-high 44 points against the Philadelphia 76ers in a 131-114 win.
Another one has to be his outstanding shooting form, which helped the Nets clinch the No.8 seed in the Eastern Conference during the 2014-15 season.
By the time Bojan reached his final season with the Nets, he had averaged a career-high 14.2 points, 1.6 assists, and 3.6 rebounds.
Throughout the three-season with the Nets, the 30-year-old had made a name for himself as one of the top 3 and D players at that time.
However, Bojan had much higher ambitions than just playing in the league. As a matter of fact, Bogdanovic always wanted to be an NBA Champion since he started playing basketball. As a result, the Croatian decided to move on to greater pastures to realize his dreams.
With mutual consent from both the player and the team, Bojan got traded to the Washington Wizards, who needed an excellent shooter to complement one of the best backcourts at that time, John Wall and Bradley Beal.
Also, Wall and Beal were All-Star players who decided to go to Washington even better.
Bogdanovic playing against his future team, Utah Jazz
Despite the talents that the Wizards had that season, the franchise could only manage to reach the Eastern Conference Semi-final, where they eventually lost to the Boston Celtics.
In the run to the semi-finals, Bojan contributed significantly, coming in as the primary scorer off the bench when Wall and Beal sat out.
As a result, the 30-year-old managed 12.7 points and 3.1 rebounds during his half-season with the Wizards. Even though the Wizards wanted Bojan to stay with the Franchise, he decided not to sign a new deal, citing a lack of playing time as the primary reason.
Consequently, the Croatian entered the free agency market, where the Indiana Pacers offered the small forward $21 million over two years for his services. Subsequently, Bojan signed with the Indiana-based franchise to have the best moments of his career to date.
In his first season with the franchise, the Pacers reached the playoffs by securing the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference.
But that was the only positive for the Indiana-based franchise, as they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by a LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers.
Contrarily, there were a lot of positives in the defeat for Bojan. For instance, he managed a playoff career-high 30 points while shooting 7 of 9 3-pointers to help his team win the third game of the series.
He averaged 12.4 points, 1.9 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game during the series. In fact, it was Bogdanovic’s best postseason at the time.
The next season, Indiana again managed to reach the playoffs by finishing the regular season in the 5th position. The same place that the franchise finished just a season earlier. Consequently, a lot of fans saw it as a bad omen.
Unfortunately, their worst nightmare came true as the team crashed out in the first round of the playoffs against the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics were one of the title contenders that season, boasting players like Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Jaylen Brown, to name a few.
Consequently, the overpowered Celtics team bulldozed past the helpless Pacers, sweeping the series 4-0.
Even though Indiana got swept, Bojan’s stock grew even more as he was the best player for the Pacers, managing his best playoff performance. The Croatian averaged an impressive 18.0 points, 2.8 assists, and 5.8 rebounds.
Consequently, teams with cap space with the resources to pay the small forward vied for his signature.
But it was the Utah Jazz that ultimately won the battle as they signed the 30-year-old to a four-year, $73 million deal. As a consequence, Bojan became the highest-paid Croatian athlete of all time.
Bogdanovic celebrates a 3-pointer
Bogdanovic has played in all 60 games for the Utah-based franchise,,, averaging career-highs 20.5 points, 2.1 assists, and 4.2 rebounds at the time of writing.
Due to his impressive performances for the Jazz, the small forward was in contention to be named an All-Star, a feat that no Croatian has managed before.
How tall is Bojan Bogdanovic? Age, Height, Weight
The Croatian stands at 6 feet 8 inches, or 2.03 meters if you measure your height in meters. Excuse me for the pun! To be a basketball player, one needs to be tall and athletic, which Bojan is.
Also, the Jazz small forward weighs 226 pounds or 103 kg. One might feel that it is a bit too much; however, NBA players need to be healthy and muscular, especially backcourt players. So, in my opinion, he has the perfect weight for his height.
At the time of writing, Bojan is 34 years old, but that did not deter the Utah-based franchise from signing the Croatiantoo a four-year, $71 million deal. As per the contract, he will remain with the Jazz until the 2022-23 season.
How much does Bojan Bogdanovic make? Salary & Net Worth
The Croatian-born player is currently worth $25 million, which he accrued mainly through his playing career. Bojan has played for Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, and Utah Jazz. So, his net worth should come as no surprise.
Bojan Bogdanovic | Contract
According to his most recent deal with the Jazz, Bogdanovic has earned $73 million over four years. Consequently, the tall small forward became the highest-paid Croatian athlete of all time.
As per the contract, Bojan is earning $17 million for the 2019-20 season, making him the third-highest-paid player in the Utah Jazz franchise currently.
However, his salary will gradually increase in the coming years. In fact, in the final year of his current contract, Bogdanovic will earn $19.5 million.
Previously, the Croatian was earning a reported $21 million over two years with the Indiana Pacers. As a result, he was the fourth highest-paid player on the Pacers roster.
Over the course of his career, Bojan has earned nearly $49 million. But there is a catch; however, basketball players in the USA have to pay almost 50% of their income on taxes. As a result, the highest-paid Croatian athlete’s net worth is not as much as you expect.
Bojan Bogdanovic | Family & Lifestyle
Bojan Bogdanovic was born to his father, Mario Bogdanovic, who was a professional basketball player in Croatia. But the information about his mother remains unknown. Besides, Bogdanovic has two younger sisters, Martina Bogdanovic and Ivana Bogdanovic.
As of now, the 30-year-old is not in any relationship. As a matter of fact, Bojan’s personal life is shrouded in mystery, y as he does not like to talk about his personal life publicly.
But according to reports, Bogdanovic was in a relationship in the past. However, the exact details of the relationship are not made public.
Judging by his social media posts, the Croatian seems to be an avid lover of adventure sports like shooting, hiking, etc. In addition, the 30-year-old is also a massive fan of football and follows the leagues in England, Spain, and his homeland, Croatia.
At the 2018 World Cup, Bogdanovic was present to support his beloved Croatia, who reached the World Cup final.
Furthermore, the Jazz small forward also likes to spend his free time with his friends and family. To emphasize, Bogdanovic often goes on vacations with his sisters and posts their adventures and stories on his various social media accounts.
His agents are Jason Ranne and Darren ‘Mats’ Matsubara.
What are some of Bojan Bogdanovic’s best games?
His recent best game was against the Nuggets in the 2020-21 regular season, where he made 48 points. He also scored 34, 33, and 32 points against the Raptors, Wizards, and Clippers.
These are some of the career highs he has recorded this season. Furthermore, while playing for the Nets, he scored 44 points against the 76ers.
What is Bojan Bogdanovic’s defense rating in the 2020-21 season?
This season, the basket baller’s defense rating is 111.7.
Is Bojan Bogdanovic and Bogdan Bogdanovic related?
No, the two are not related, as Bojan is Croatoan while Bogdan is Serbian. Nonetheless, their surnames are identical, and both are well-established NBA players.
What is Bogdan Bogdanovic’s vertical?
The professional athlete has recorded a 36-inch vertical.
What is the correct pronunciation of Bojan Bogdanovic?
His name is pronounced as bow·juhnbog·da·nuh·vich.
Bojan Bogdanovic is a Croatian professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association. He also represents Croatia’s national team internationally. Standing at 2.01 metres, he plays the small forward position.
Bogdanovic Bojan to the Knicks
Leon Rose is on a winning streak. He hasn’t missed a game since signing Jalen Brunson to what is widely regarded as the most valuable contract in basketball. The Knicks, who have avoided going all-in since flirting aggressively with Donovan Mitchell, have done well to add a stable of players cut squarely from Tom Thibodeau’s favoured fabric of two-way toughness.
OG Anunoby was clearly a home run. Donte DiVincenzo has been a laser-cut double in the gap. Josh Hart injected immediate juice at last year’s deadline, and Bogdanovic is another win on the margins, as New York has managed to keep all eight of its trade-eligible first-round picks in its holster while building out a group capable of conference finals contention.
What Knicks’ Bojan Bogdanovic trade with Pistons means long-term
The Knicks miraculously preserved salary cap flexibility and first-round picks in the Bogdanovic, Burks trade
The New York Knicks made one of the more significant moves on the penultimate day before the NBA’s trade deadline. The Knicks acquired Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks for basically nothing.
To complete the deal, New York traded Quentin Grimes, who had recently fallen out of the Knicks’ rotation, to the Detroit Pistons. They also returned Evan Fournier, who had been out of the rotation all season, Ryan Archidiacono, Malachi Flynn, and two second-round picks.
All of this comes after New York made a trade earlier this season to add OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa.
So, despite acquiring talent, New York’s rotation stays intact, which is why the deal is regarded as a significant accomplishment for the Knicks’ playoff hopes. However, it has long-term consequences for the Knicks that will benefit them beyond the current season. Let us review.
Bojan Bogdanovic’s Contract
First, there are contract considerations that may affect a future trade. Fournier’s contract is an asset because it includes a team option for next season, which allows it to be picked up and used in a transaction this summer as well. It’s never been a huge asset because Fournier has been a limited player recently due to his defensive limitations. Furthermore, he has not seen significant or consistent action in more than a year. However, in certain cases, such as this one, actual influence is irrelevant.
So the Knicks traded away an asset that may have been used to add a star in the near future. The truth is, Bogdanovic’s deal provides a comparable benefit.
It is only partially guaranteed for 2024-25 and will expire following the next season. In other words, the Knicks still have a $19 million contract that can be used in a trade if a suitable star becomes available. And, given the disparity in on-court utility, Bogdanovic’s contract is more valuable than Fournier’s.
The Knicks’ list of first-round picks
The fact that New York was able to retain all of its future first-round picks is obviously a significant accomplishment. According to HoopsHype, Detroit turned down a deal centred on two first-round choices for Bogdanovic last season.
So acquiring Bogdanovic and Burks in exchange for Grimes, Fournier, Archidiacono, Flynn, and two second-round selections is a significant victory that benefits the team now while also preserving future flexibility.
Granted, Washington and Detroit’s picks are unlikely to be traded anytime soon, and they might end up as second-rounders.
They will, however, have their own picks as well as two others (Dallas and Milwaukee). That’s an enviable position to be in given how close the Kncks’ roster is to being complete. And few other teams can compete with the finest possible New York contract.
So, after almost a day, this offer appears even better than it did at first – and that’s saying something.
But for the time being, the Knicks will focus their efforts on the buyout market, as they still have approximately $2.5 million in cap space to deploy. As complete as the Knicks are now (when healthy), they may not be finished. Stay connected.
Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, CEO of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs), has indicated that the cost of power will rise with the adoption of the Emissions Levy, which went into force on February 1, 2024.
In his analysis of the Emissions Levy of GH₵100 per tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2), he warned that the levy will increase the cost of energy generation – cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh), resulting in higher prices for customers.
“Every change in law with cost consequences for power generating will undoubtedly have an impact on end customers via the tariff.
“It is therefore important for our decision-makers to foresee effect of the economic consequences before implementing such laws,” he said.
While the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by a single (1MW) gas-fired power plant depends on several factors, including the efficiency of the power plant, the type of gas used (typically natural gas), and the plant’s operational load, he explained that a 1MW natural gas-fired power plant operating at 50 percent efficiency emits approximately 362 kg of CO2 for every megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity generated.
Applying the GH₵100 per tonne of CO2 fee will boost the cost per kWh for energy customers by around GH₵0.0362, a figure that resonates across the energy sector, he claimed.
The Emissions tax per kilogramme of CO2 is GH100 every 1,000 kg (or 0.1 GH/kg). For 362 kg of CO2, the tax will be GH36.2 for 1MWh of generated energy, taking into account the CO2 content incorporated in the natural gas volume necessary for 1MWh.
He further stated that the fee per kWh is GH₵0.0362, which translates to GH₵36.2 per 1,000 kWh.
He did, however, emphasise the simplification inherent in these computations, warning that they rely on average values for multiple factors. He stresses that real emissions and prices may vary significantly depending on the power plant’s individual characteristics, the grade of natural gas used, and operational efficiency.
Dr. Apetorgbor also revealed the annual CO2 Emissions Determination Formula, which shows how much CO2 a gas-fired power station releases per year. “Assuming the plant operates at full capacity for 24 hours a day over a year (which is 8,760 hours annually), and using the rough estimate of 0.231kg CO2/kWh, as emission factor, for natural gas: Multiply the power output in megawatts (MW) by the number of hours in a year (8,760), and by the emission factor of 0.231 kg CO2/kWh.”
Meanwhile, in an earlier statement, the Chamber bemoaned that according to the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), the legislation “is a political risk (an increased cost event), mitigated by an increased costs clause in the agreements, which proposes a pass-through mechanism whereby economic implications go to the end-user”.
Dr. Apetorgbor believes that the cost of generating electricity will rise as a result of a change in the law that imposes a legal responsibility on power producers. He stated that, like the downstream petroleum sectors, power plant management and operation are cost-sensitive.
“Specifically, the levy will be added to the operational costs build-up of the power plants,” he said. He went on to say: “Implementing the Emissions Levy Act, 2023 necessitates an equal measure of review for the electricity generation tariff to ensure predictability of cash flow for the power producers.”
This modification, he stated, is required to offset the higher operational costs caused by the application of the Emissions Levy, Act 2023 (Act 1112), ensuring operational reliability and sustainability.
A project to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education at the basic and junior high school levels in Accra’s Dansoman municipality has been inaugurated.
The Alpha Beta School began the STEM35 Legacy Project as part of its attempts to develop a STEM Centre of Excellence.
With a goal of earning $350,000, the project’s first phase successfully renovated its science labs, modernised its IT facilities, and added a physical science hub.
Dr Naomi Adjepong, Director of the School, said this at the school’s annual Founders’ Day celebration and project launch in Accra last Friday.
The Community engagement
Dr. Adjepong noted that the project modifications would provide cutting-edge STEM education facilities for both Alpha Beta students and the local community.
“The school has also introduced innovative STEM-related programmes which include the launching of STEMROBO (Coding, Robotics, and AI) as a weekly subject for students in Years one – nine, and the STEM Champions programme, a 10-week STEM immersion initiative,” she went on to say.
The programming, she explained, would include practical workshops, guest speaker sessions, and industrial excursions for kids at the school and in the community.
“The STEM35 Legacy Project extends beyond the school walls, exemplified by successful partnerships with local public schools.”
“Alpha Beta hosted 140 JHS students from the AME Zion School for practical sessions in the science lab, aiding their understanding of scientific concept,” she went on to say.
Dr. Adjepong stated that the continuing STEM Champions Programme for females in JHS two and three was another notable community project spearheaded by the school.
The Way forward.
The initiative, she added, was designed to include additional technology enhancements such as upgraded Internet connectivity and the construction of an Innovation Lab and Maker Space this year to improve the project.
“Alpha Beta will also increase its participation in both local and international STEM competitions, providing more opportunities for students to engage in STEM-related activities,” she said.
Dr. Adjepong also encouraged potential partners, stakeholders, and organisations to collaborate in shaping the future of STEM education, noting that the institution was actively seeking new partnerships to increase the impact of the STEM35 Legacy Project while also exploring creative fund-raising initiatives.
There is a long history, dating back at least to Prof Busia, of leaders from our political tradition striking a chord with voters. J.A. Kufuor and Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo had their moments, but Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is poised to elevate Danquah/Busia politics to the level of Sir Winston Churchill, Tony Blair, and Barack Obama.
In a speech made last night at Ohene Konadu Auditorium – UPSA, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the 2024 NPP flagbearer, laid out his vision for Ghana, including a far-reaching economic plan to change Ghana’s sociopolitical landscape.
Dr. Bawumia cited devolution designed to ensure that people’s goals are reflected in their institutions as an example of how strength could be gained.
However, he did it in a creative way, putting the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the centre of what he described as a modernising national coalition of progressive voters.
Dr. Bawumia’s flawless performance also laid out the fiscal principles for the next NPP government, ensuring a clear route to sustainable finances.
In practice, Bawumia’s ambitious strategy, as outlined in his address, would expand our economy, making it greener and more equitable, while also providing good, secure jobs throughout the country.
Bawumia dazzled his audience in Shakespearean fashion with his pledge to address the cost-of-living crisis and soaring energy bills, as well as his pledge to abolish the windfall tax on domestic electricity consumption, E-Levy, and Emissions tax. He insisted that the NPP under his presidency will not waver from putting the Ghanaian economy on solid ground.
Another key takeaway from the speech was his commitment to make National Service optional, as well as his intention to collaborate with no more than 50 ministers and deputy ministers.
Bawumia’s policy speech was a rallying cry for economic rationality and decent governance. Dr. Bawumia defended the NPP’s reputation for better economic management and resisted the NDC’s extremist political ideals.
To provide some background, several of Dr. Bawumia’s initiatives will undoubtedly promote economic growth by increasing private investment in Ghana.
His tax plan would cancel a scheduled corporation tax rate hike and make a temporary increase in the yearly investment allowance permanent, empowering the private sector to drive growth and stability.
Dr. Bawumia is widely regarded as Ghana’s next great hope, with his conservative sensibilities, incredible sense of humour, and natural charisma serving as a political game changer.
In actuality, Dr. Bawumia is the guy for Ghana. His ideas, which are a modern version of tried-and-true economic outliers, serve as his vehicle of impact.
What Ghana requires at this time is an electrifying leader who feels new, has star quality, and has the appropriate optics. A leader untainted by corruption. Dr. Bawumia has it all. He is actually extremely nuanced.
The fact is that, Dr. Bawumia’s attention to detail and nuance, as well as his assertiveness, make for a potent combination that could help the NPP consolidate control.
Indeed, those who have interacted with Dr. Bawumia see him as a likeable and skilled leader who is eager to listen and engage with opposing viewpoints.
There’s a reason Dr. Bawumia is the bookmakers’ favourite for the 2024 election. Regardless of what others think, Dr. Bawumia is Ghana’s best option currently. John Mahama and the NDC must be shaking in their boots.
