Author: Phoebe Martekie Doku

The latest update on the murder case involving a 22-year-old man and his late boss, 35-year-old Princess Afia Ahenkan, at her residence in Apaaso, Ashanti Region, reveals that the suspect, John Allister, sold the woman’s car for GH¢100,000.

As per the Daily Guide newspaper report, John Allister, employed by the deceased for a brief period, sold her Kia Sportage and used a portion of the proceeds to purchase a Toyota Vitz.

The police have successfully recovered the Toyota Vitz from the suspect.

Background:

Princess Afia Ahenkan, a businesswoman in Sokoban, a suburb of Kumasi, was tragically murdered on Friday, September 8, 2023. This incident led to the arrest of the prime suspect, John Allister, who had been working as a house help for the victim’s family.

The victim was identified as the wife of the son of legendary Ghanaian footballer, Reverend Osei Kofi.

Samson Kwame Nyamekye, Peace FM’s Ashanti regional correspondent, confirmed the arrest during an Evening News broadcast on September 14, 2023.

Nyamekye reported that John Allister, aged 22, is now in police custody, cooperating with the ongoing investigations.

According to reports, John Allister fled the crime scene with his employer’s car and various belongings of the deceased. He also took the victim’s phone and impersonated her, sending messages to friends and acquaintances.

“The police encountered difficulties in retrieving the deceased’s body from the house, but I can confirm to Peace News that there is good news: John Allister has been apprehended by the police this afternoon and is currently in police custody, aiding in their investigations,” Nyamekye stated.

A video circulating on social media shows John Allister in handcuffs, being interrogated by an unidentified individual about the whereabouts of the stolen items. In the video, John admits to selling all the items he took from the victim’s residence and offers to provide contact information for the person who bought these items.

Sports broadcaster Dan Kwaku Yeboah revealed chilling details of the incident on September 14, 2023, stating that the woman, known as Efia Ahenkan or Princess Efia, was the wife of Reverend Osei Kofi’s son, who resides in London, United Kingdom.

According to Kwaku Yeboah’s account, Princess Efia was allegedly stabbed by her house help, John Allister, whom she had hired only a few months prior.

“The family of Reverend Osei Kofi is currently in deep sorrow as the wife of his son based in London has been killed. To enable his wife to pursue her business activities freely, the man had hired a house help through an agency. The house help’s name was John Allister, and he was being paid through the agency. On Friday, while she was in conversation with a friend, the friend suddenly heard her scream that she had been stabbed. The phone went silent, and her number went inactive. So, the next day, the friend sent a police team to the house in Kumasi,” he narrated.

Dan Kwaku Yeboah continued to describe the crime scene and the condition of the house when the police and the concerned friend arrived at the scene.

“Upon reaching the house, they discovered that the dog in the house had been released, and the lady’s body was found in the garage. The car in the garage had been driven away by the house help,” he reported.

The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources has finally released the long-awaited allowances, which were overdue by ten months, to School of Hygiene Trainees across the nation.

This payment encompasses all eligible trainees for the 2021/2022 academic year.

However, the Coalition of Hygiene Students is persistently advocating for the settlement of the remaining outstanding allowances.

In a statement issued by the Coalition, they conveyed, “On behalf of the student leadership of the Schools of Hygiene, we are pleased to announce to the general public that the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources successfully disbursed the outstanding ten-month allowance arrears owed to School of Hygiene Trainees on Friday, September 15, 2023. This payment covered all eligible trainees entitled to allowances for the 2021/2022 academic year.”

“As a coalition, we have decided to sit tight on our September 13 decision,” the statement continued. “This is after the latest developments which strongly point to the needful being done by the government to settle all arrears owed trainees in the schools of hygiene.”

Nonetheless, the Coalition remains concerned about the unresolved issue of ten-month pending arrears with the ministry, affecting the 2021-year group of certificate students at the Ho School of Hygiene.

The statement continued, “As a coalition, we have decided to maintain our stance as of September 13, following recent developments that strongly indicate the government is taking the necessary steps to settle all outstanding arrears owed to trainees in the schools of hygiene.”

Back in August, the Coalition of Health Trainees had issued a six-day ultimatum to the government, demanding the disbursement of two years’ worth of outstanding allowances. Emmanuel Awuku, the General Secretary of the coalition, emphasized their patience in awaiting the allowance disbursement but hinted at their willingness to resort to more drastic measures if their demands continued to be unmet.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has cautioned the Akufo-Addo-led administration against the removal of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.

In an interview with the media on Monday, September 18, 2023, Mr Agyapong asserted that there would be no valid reason for replacing Dr. Dampare citing the remarkable performance he has displayed during his tenure.

As the head of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Defense and Interior, Agyapong, who is also a flagbearer hopeful of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), emphasized that Dr. Dampare is the best IGP he has witnessed.

He cautioned against making the error of removing him, highlighting Dr. Dampare’s achievements in reducing armed robbery rates, enhancing the police headquarters, and maintaining a clean and aesthetically pleasing environment.

Mr Agyapong’s remarks were made in response to discussions regarding a leaked tape that allegedly revealed a plot to oust IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.

In the video, a retiring Police Commissioner, self-identified as Mensah, and Bugri Naabu were heard deliberating the removal of Dr. Dampare due to concerns that he might enforce strict measures during the 2024 elections.

The Police Commissioner contended that Dr. Dampare’s commitment to fairness and preventing electoral irregularities could hinder their political interests.

Mr Agyapong further mentioned that the IGP had been summoned by a parliamentary committee investigating the leaked tape, as two police officers involved in the recording made allegations against him.

These officers accused Dr. Dampare of conspiring with Burgi Naabu, the former Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, to create the video and criticized his leadership style as autocratic.

The Minority caucus, has responded to Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta’s allegations against the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.

Mr Ofori-Atta had accused the NDC of derailing an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

In an article, Mr Ofori-Atta stated that upon assuming power in 2017, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government inherited what he described as a ‘derailed IMF programme’ and a severely compromised financial industry from the NDC.

This article came in the midst of ongoing calls by the Minority for the resignation of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), citing mismanagement of the Central Bank.

Moreover, Ofori-Atta used his article to rally support for the construction of a new, suitable office for the BoG.

“The Minister of Finance should not say anywhere again that the NDC administration left behind a derailed IMF programme. Clearly, at the time we were leaving office, there was no monetary finance. For the first time in the history of Ghana, the government did not take money from the central bank even though the law allowed the then administration to take 5% of the previous year’s revenue from the central bank.”

“The people of Ghana would recall that because the Mahama administration left behind a robust economy, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government within the first three months of its assumption of office was able to borrow US$2.25 billion from Franklin Templeton”.

In response, Minority Leader Ato Forson released a statement countering Ofori-Atta’s claims and asserting that the Mahama administration had left a robust economy. He emphasized that during their tenure, they did not resort to monetary finance and had a strong fiscal position. Forson highlighted their ability to borrow a substantial amount from Franklin Templeton shortly after handing over to the NPP government.

Forson passionately argued that the NDC’s performance in governance was superior to the current administration. He expressed confidence in the NDC’s potential to govern effectively and hinted at the upcoming elections in 2025.

He concluded by asserting that history will remember Ofori-Atta for steering Ghana towards the IMF, employing strong imagery of an ambulance.

Mr Forson reiterated the call for the resignation of the BoG Governor and implied that both Ofori-Atta and Governor Addison would be held accountable for what the Minority perceives as economic mismanagement.

“We did better than they are doing and the NDC will always do better when the good people of Ghana give John Mahama and our party the opportunity to govern from January 2025. Finally, the Minority in Parliament wishes to remind Governor Addison and Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta that the day of reckoning is very near and they will be held accountable for their collective mess,” he said.

“History will remember this Minister of Finance and the government’s Economic Mismanagement Team headed by Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia for taking Ghana to the IMF in an ambulance”.

Travelers on the Bamboi-Wa highway find themselves in a dire situation as heavy rains on Sunday washed away a significant portion of the Bole-Sawla road section.

This highway serves as the vital connection between the southern part of the country and the Upper West region.

In the aftermath of the rainfall, a bridge that connects the Bole and Doli communities was entirely swept away, rendering it impossible for both vehicles and pedestrians to traverse the area.

The Savannah regional director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has promptly reported this incident to the Ministry of Roads and Highways, urging them to take swift action.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Authority (MoFFA), Dr. Yaw Twerefour, has addressed the prevailing public misconceptions about his organization’s role as a regulator within the funeral industry.

Upon the announcement of his appointment by the President, Dr. Twerefour observed a significant level of confusion among Ghanaians regarding MoFFA’s purpose.

He clarified that while MoFFA had existed since the 1990s as a board, it was only in 2019 that concrete steps were taken to elevate it to an authority tasked with regulating the funeral sector in Ghana.

Dr. Twerefour noted that public reactions on social media following his appointment underscored the urgent need for increased awareness about MoFFA’s functions.

He expressed these concerns during an interview with the media on Friday, September 15, 2023.

He recounted an instance where individuals questioned the necessity of regulating the funeral industry, prompting him to ask whether they preferred an unregulated environment over a regulated one.

Dr. Twerefour emphasized that the absence of regulation in the country’s funeral sector over the years had given rise to various problematic practices and challenges, including the improper use of ambulances as hearses.

MoFFA’s primary mandate encompasses the regulation, oversight, and licensing of all aspects related to the storage, burial, transportation, and disposal of deceased individuals.

Dr. Twerefour clarified that the term “mortuary” simply serves as a name denoting the industry that his agency regulates, and it should not be associated with myths or superstitions.

He highlighted the fact that many undertakers throughout the country operate without the requisite licenses, and even grave diggers are required to obtain licenses through the agency.

Additionally, MoFFA bears the responsibility of ensuring that cemeteries adhere to specific standards, including the provision of walls, office facilities, and restroom amenities.

Dr. Twerefour pointed out that certain cemeteries lack these fundamental facilities, which can result in the intrusion of free-range animals. Moreover, he emphasized that the law permits family members to report mortuaries failing to properly preserve the deceased bodies to MoFFA for appropriate action

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially registered a complaint with the Electoral Commission (EC) regarding the malfunctioning registration equipment deployed across the nation.

Numerous first-time voters have encountered frustration and disarray at various registration centers due to equipment malfunctions and the sluggish pace of registration.

In the Northern Region, a multitude of eligible registrants have endured long queues for several days.

In the Tamale metro center, only 72 individuals managed to be enrolled onto the register since Tuesday, primarily due to equipment-related challenges.

Local residents shared their exasperation with the media, stating that despite their persistent efforts to participate in the registration process from the outset, they have yet to have their names added to the list.

“This is our third day of coming here. It didn’t go well for us at all,” one resident complained.

Nevertheless, Tamale’s EC Director, Bismark Nti, conveyed that they have witnessed some improvement following the arrival of new machines.

“The first two days we had serious challenges here. As for the first day it was terrible, we were able to register five people. As at now the keys are working very well.”

This situation is not unique, as similar issues have been reported across the country.
The opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has accused the EC of intentionally distributing faulty machines to their strongholds in an attempt to suppress their votes in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

In response, the NPP Deputy General Secretary, Haruna Mohammed, called on the NDC to cease complaining, emphasizing that the problem extends nationwide.

He stated, “They should refrain from constant complaints and finger-pointing. We understand that it’s the opposition’s role, but it should be carried out responsibly. These are machines, and even the phones they use sometimes let them down. We need to encourage the Electoral Commission to have technicians on standby to promptly resolve these machine issues.”

Notably, the NPP has also submitted formal complaints to the Electoral Commission regarding the problematic machines. Haruna Mohammed added, “In certain areas, the registration process has been quite smooth, while in others, the machines have been frustratingly slow. The NPP, as a party, is concerned about the pace of registration, and we have officially raised our concerns with the Electoral Commission.”

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission had previously assured JoyNews that these challenges are common and will be rectified before the registration process concludes in October. Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission, affirmed, “If you compare the hiccups from yesterday to today, you’d notice a significant reduction in problems. This is normal; I told everyone that this registration exercise spans 21 days, and the first three days will bring challenges, which will be resolved. By the end of the third day, the system will operate smoothly. So, everything happening is within the expected norms.”

Jean Mensa, Chair of the Electoral Commission, has been honored as the best head of an entity within the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) category for the 2022-2023 audit year by the Internal Audit Agency (IAA).

This recognition is attributed to her outstanding leadership, which has led to significant improvements in transparency and accountability in managing public funds at the Electoral Commission.

The award was presented during the IAA’s annual conference at the University of Professional Studies in Accra on September 15. Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Senior Presidential Advisor, bestowed the award.

The citation accompanying the award commends Mrs. Mensa for her prompt implementation of audit recommendations and her strong support for the independent and objective work of the internal audit unit.

It also recognized her efforts to ensure that the unit has the necessary resources and autonomy to fulfill its mandate effectively.

Jane Mensa’s actions have substantially strengthened the internal control systems of the Electoral Commission.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic following the award presentation, Mrs. Mensa expressed her satisfaction at the recognition of the Commission’s efforts to establish efficient resource management systems.

She highlighted initiatives such as cost reductions in elections and the introduction of competitive procurement practices.

She also mentioned the establishment of an internal audit unit staffed by professionals in 2020 and the introduction of an audit committee to ensure compliance with financial and procurement regulations.

Mrs. Mensa emphasized the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability and viewed the IAA’s recognition as both a collective achievement and motivation to continue prudently managing public funds.

“We are a commission that believes in transparency and accountability, and to the very best of our ability, we try to be prudent in the use of the public purse,” she stressed.

The Internal Audit Agency operates under Section 23 of the Internal Audit Agency Act 2003, (Act 658).

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has reported that women in the country earn 34.2% less than men among paid workers, based on data from the first quarter of the 2022 Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey (AHIES).

On the occasion of International Equal Pay Day, observed annually on 18th September to advocate for equal pay for equal work, GSS released a press statement providing further insights.

The statement highlighted that the gender wage gap is narrowest among paid workers with tertiary education or higher, where women earn 12.7% less than their male counterparts.

However, the gap widens to 60.1% for workers with basic education and 54.0% for those with no formal education.

“The gender wage gap is lowest among paid workers with tertiary education or more where women earn 12.7 per cent less than their male counterparts. The wage gap is highest among workers with basic education (60.1%) followed by workers with no education (54.0%),” it added.

In terms of age groups, for individuals aged 36 to 60 years, women receive 33.4% less pay than men. In the 15 to 35 age group, the difference is 30.7%.

Analyzing employment sectors, the gender wage gap is most pronounced in the private informal sector, where women earn 58.7% less than men. Following closely is the private formal sector with a gap of 29.9%.

The public sector exhibits the smallest gender wage gap, with women earning 10.5% less than men.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), has stated that its abundant human resources and technical prowess to implement a robust IT system aimed at improving its prospects of winning the 2024 general elections.

Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the newly-appointed Director of Elections in charge of IT for the party, affirms that the NDC is well-prepared for electoral success and has already tested its IT system during the party’s presidential primary and the Assin North by-election.

In an interview with the media, Dr. Omane Boamah dismisses claims by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) that they possess an insurmountable electoral strategy.

He asserts that the NDC can match the NPP’s IT capabilities, citing their successful handling of the Assin North by-election results in contrast to the NPP’s delayed collation efforts.

He said, “As we speak, their collated results for Assin North by-election is not ready although Joe Anokye was there. For instance, as I sit here, with my Smartphone, I know all that is happening in the 268 centers as far as the ongoing limited voter registration exercise is concerned.”

“But we don’t shout or talk about what we are doing. We did it seamlessly in our presidential primaries without noise. From there, we moved to Assin North, we’ve done it. Not that I am over-trusting the team that we have worked with, but as we speak, we’ve worked together for at least two years.”

He disclosed that, prior to his recent appointment as the Director of Elections in charge of IT, the team that deployed the NDC’s IT system for its presidential primary and the Assin North by-election, was chaired by the former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, an indication that they have adequate human resource to deliver.

“Let me assure our people, that just as we didn’t make noise about the presidential primaries and the collation in Assin North, we’ll deliver.”

Dr. Omane Boamah emphasizes that the NDC’s IT system is both robust and redundant, drawing attention to the significant data center infrastructure established during his tenure as Communication Minister. He underscores the importance of maintaining secrecy concerning certain state capabilities even after leaving government.

Addressing concerns about the NDC’s capacity for national elections, Dr. Omane Boamah expresses confidence in the party’s readiness and emphasizes their commitment to achieving their goals, with his appointment to lead the Election IT directorate as evidence of their dedication.

He also remarks on the NPP’s success in previous elections, crediting their effective collation of results. However, he reiterates that the NDC’s comprehensive election strategy will present formidable challenges to the NPP in the upcoming polls.

Dr. Omane Boamah concludes by confidently stating that the NDC will emerge victorious in the 2024 elections, citing internal polls and their commitment to countering perceived efforts to limit their chances, such as the Electoral Commission’s decision to reduce the number of voter registration centers.

The president and founder of IMANI Africa, has criticized the Electoral Commission (EC) for limiting the voter registration exercise to its district offices.

Cudjoe voiced his apprehensions about the EC’s conduct, stating that it has been operating without accountability for a considerable period and has been unresponsive to advice and recommendations.

He lamented that the EC seemed to have been allowed to act lawlessly and show disregard for established procedures.

“The EC has been allowed to become lawless for some time…it is impervious to whatever advice is given them.”

One specific example he highlighted was the EC’s decision to confine the registration centres to its district offices, a choice that has been met with disapproval from a segment of the public due to the inconvenience of these locations for many eligible voters.

Notably, both the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and various civil society organizations have urged the EC to broaden the registration exercise to more accessible locations. Despite these calls, the EC has maintained its stance and continued registration exclusively at its district offices.

Cudjoe argued that the EC’s unwillingness to listen to the concerns of stakeholders and expand the registration process has led to long queues and delays at the registration centres.

He further called on the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to assert their concerns about the ongoing voter registration process, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that the EC adheres to the nation’s electoral laws.

Allegations of favoritism have surfaced as legal practitioner Martin Kpebu criticizes the Electoral Commissioner (EC) of Ghana, Jean Mensa.

He condemned her purported failure to extend the voter registration exercise and questions what he perceives as dubious decisions made by the Electoral Commission.

Kpebu minced no words when he harshly rebuked Mensa, asserting that her appointment seemed to be based not on her competence but on her association with the First Lady.

“What the EC is saying is totally wrong. What they are doing defies logic. If the EC eats humble pie and decides to extend registration to all the areas, it will be perfect for our democracy. It has always been clear that the EC is engaged in voter suppression. We cannot countenance this because this country does not belong to the EC. So Ghanaians have to get up.”

Furthermore, Mr Kpebu raised concerns about whether the Electoral Commission was treating the institution as if it were a private enterprise or their personal property.

“Is the EC your personal property? Is the EC a private company that you are running?” he asked.

Kpebu continued to express doubt about Jean Mensa’s qualifications for the role of Electoral Commissioner, alleging that her appointment was influenced by her close relationship with the First Lady.

“I’m not surprised because when Madam Mensa was being appointed, I said that she was not competent. I said it because I asked around everywhere and I never heard anything positive anywhere. I raised it those days she’s not competent. It’s just the cronyism. She’s related a bit to the First Lady, so that’s the connection.”

The legal expert concluded his critique by urging the Electoral Commission to reevaluate its decisions and extend the voter registration exercise to ensure broader citizen participation.

He also hinted at potential advocacy for changing Ghana’s name, underscoring the importance of understanding the nation’s history and identity.

The families of three individuals who were shot by the police in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district of the Savannah Region are seeking justice from the police.

Jimah Kocho, Habibu Abudi, and Haadi Salifu were apprehended by the police in 2022 from their respective homes in three different communities, suspected of involvement in a robbery incident within the area.

Relatives state that the trio was traced to Accra and only learned about their deaths through a court case they had to initiate, discovering that they were killed during an alleged exchange of gunfire with the police.

Chief Inspector Adams Yahaya, a retired officer and uncle 4to two of the deceased, emphasizes the importance of investigating and penalizing those responsible for this incident.

“We made some enquiries, and they told us the operation was not sanctioned by police headquarters or the National Operations in Accra. There’s no amount of money that can compensate human lives. So those who sanctioned the operation, we want the law to take its course, they should be investigated by a committee. If they are found culpable, they should be put before the court.

“All the deceased had children and wives, we need something [money] that can cater for their children from now to the tertiary level. We also need an apology from the policy administration. They have tainted the image of the family, those boys were not armed robbers,” he said.

There is a growing call for the government to invest in and partner with the local garments and textile industry to incorporate sustainability principles into fashion design.

This comes in response to concerns about the detrimental effects of importing used clothing on the country’s economy.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sleek Garments Export Limited, Dr. Nora Bannerman, emphasized the need for this collaboration.

She believes that such an initiative would not only reduce the adverse impact of fast fashion on the environment but also generate significant profits for domestic manufacturers.

“So, this is where the government will come in and can support businesses to upgrade their equipment to produce fabrics that are quality but affordable and meet the standards of consumers,” she said.

Dr. Bannerman stated, “This is where the government can step in and support businesses in upgrading their equipment to produce high-quality yet affordable fabrics that meet consumer standards.”

She encouraged traders to engage in discussions and negotiations with local clothing manufacturers to produce clothing that promotes sustainability in fashion.

These remarks were made during the unveiling of Sleek Garments Export Limited’s Brand Ambassador for its latest product range, “Cuddles,” in Accra.

Nana Kwame Ankumah, also known as Niashun, a rising music artist, has signed a one-year contract to help promote the company’s new product and connect with potential customers.

At the product launch, Mrs. Bannerman highlighted that the introduction of “Cuddles” was the result of extensive research and customer feedback.

Natasha Bannerman-Kudjaw, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Sleek Garments Export Limited, explained that Niashun was chosen as the brand ambassador due to his unique blend of talent and style. She described “Cuddles” as a product that delivers a quality experience to customers, hence the name.

Mrs. Bannerman-Kudjaw expressed confidence that Niashun would effectively align the company’s values with customer needs and desires. She also hoped that the brand could leverage his influence to increase awareness, expand its customer base, and cultivate lasting relationships.

In his role as a brand ambassador for one year, Niashun is expected to utilize his influence to raise awareness, represent the brand at key events, support promotional campaigns aligned with the brand’s values, and collaborate on various initiatives aimed at strengthening the brand’s identity.

Niashun expressed his gratitude to Sleek Garments for giving him the opportunity to represent the brand.

He pledged to work diligently and effectively in his role as a brand ambassador and acknowledged the company’s outstanding contribution to the country’s development.

He hoped to secure beneficial deals for the company through his efforts.

Traders at the new Kejetia Market in Kumasi have decided to call off their planned protest against the facility’s management following a successful meeting with officials from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

Over the past few days, traders at Kejetia Market had been raising concerns within the facility by displaying warning signals aimed at the management.

Their primary demands were the resolution of recurring issues related to individual meters within the facility and the delayed construction of a borehole for their use.

To ensure their concerns were taken seriously, the traders had stressed that if their issues were not addressed by Tuesday, September 12, they would escalate their actions to ensure their grievances were heard.

Fortunately, significant progress was achieved after a meeting involving Samuel Pyne, the Kumasi Mayor who also serves as the board chairman of the facility, representatives from ECG, and the market’s management.

ECG has committed to providing the traders with the requested individual meters and has detailed payment terms to expedite the process.

Additionally, the traders reported that the borehole issue has been partially resolved, prompting them to suspend all planned actions in light of these recent developments.

Nana Akwasi Prempeh, the President of the Federation of Kumasi Traders, informed the media that they have temporarily halted their planned protest while awaiting the installation of meters in the Market.

“We held a meeting with the management and board of the Kumasi City Market and we resolved that going forward, all planned activities of the traders against the management have been put on hold. This came as a result of the meeting. Officials of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Market’s management came and made a presentation to us and proposed four scenarios for bringing individual meters to the Market.

“Of the four scenarios, we opted for one pending the contractual agreement that the management and the supposed contractor are going to sign but before the signing, ECG will implement a flat rate regime within the market during the period of the pre-installation and installation of the meters and so for now, all the activities we have planned have been put on hold.”

The CEO of Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu, is collaborating with other ministries to develop a Lead Prevention Policy to address lead exposure.

The EPA is also intensifying educational efforts to raise awareness about the risks associated with lead.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Dr. Kokofu stated, “the EPA will then move ahead and recommend that a high-level multi-sector ministerial committee, including the Ministry of Science, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, may consider establishing a lead prevention and reduction policy for Ghana with the support of Pure Earth and UNICEF.”

These actions have become imperative following a recent study that revealed elevated levels of lead contamination in popular metal cookware known as ‘dades3n’ across four regions in Ghana. The Global Rapid Market screening study, conducted by the environmental NGO Pure Earth’s Blacksmith Initiative, identified concerning levels of lead in consumer products and food items produced in low and middle-income countries, including Ghana.

The study found high levels of lead contamination in various items, with metal cookware (‘dades3n’) at 55%, ceramic cookware at 18%, children’s toys at 14%, and local mascara cosmetics at 7%.

A World Bank report also highlighted the severe impact of lead exposure on cognitive development, indicating that children under 5 years old worldwide lost a significant amount of IQ points due to lead exposure, particularly in low and middle-income countries.

Country Director for Pure Earth, Esmond Wisdom Quansah, emphasized the risks of lead poisoning associated with using metallic cookware.

He mentioned that the study results were consistent across multiple experiments, urging public awareness and consideration of alternatives to mitigate further damage.

“Children under 5 years old worldwide lost 765 million IQ points, those living in low and middle-income countries lost 729 million IQ points.”

“There is an average loss of 5.9 IQ points per child and this IQ points loss is 80% greater than the previous estimate,” the report stated.

Quansah revealed that leach tests conducted on the metallic or aluminum cooking pots showed that 52% of the pots tested had lead leaching in concentrations greater than the reference level of 10 ug/L. Although repeated leaching reduced lead levels, it remained above the 10 ug/L reference level in most cases, raising concerns about the safety of such cookware.

“What this points to is that we are not safe, if you happen to be eating from any of these metallic or ‘dades3n’ cookware we are at risk of lead poisoning.”

“We’ve grown a step further, our scientists have conducted what we call the leach test to determine the percentage of leach of this lead concentration in this metallic or aluminum cooking pot into the food and we were surprised by the findings of the scientists.”

“52% of the pots tested leached lead in concentrations greater than our reference level of 10 ug/L. The repeated leaching “boils” in pots in general resulted in lower lead in leachate, although lead remained above the 10 ug/L reference level in most cases, so that is a cause for concern for everyone and that is why we are putting this information in the public,” he explained.

Lawyer Martin Kpebu has announced his intention to take legal action against President Akufo-Addo for alleged corruption, stating that not even immunity granted to a former President will deter him from pursuing this course of action.

Mr Kpebu clarified that presidential immunity is intended to protect individuals for their official actions and not for acts of corruption. He made these remarks in an interview with the media on Saturday, September 16.

His statement was made in the context of discussing the recent apology issued by Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo.

“The immunity is for the things that he has done and not for acts like corruption,” he stated.

Mr Kpebu expressed concern that it took President Akufo-Addo a considerable amount of time to remove Safo from her position as Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, implying that such delays might indicate corruption.

Kpebu asserted his intention to take legal action against President Akufo-Addo as soon as the President leaves office, based on his allegations of corruption.

However, Richard Ahiagbah, the Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), criticized Kpebu’s frequent criticism of the President, describing it as “unexemplary” and highlighting Kpebu’s propensity to insult the President at will.

The Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency (MoFFA) has declared its intent to ban the importation of metal caskets into the nation as a measure to better control burial space.

MoFFA has stated that the use of metal caskets for burial purposes is considered a violation of the law.

The agency has explained that the law disapproves of the use of metal caskets because they do not decompose like wooden coffins.

This decision has been prompted by concerns that Ghana is facing a shortage of burial space. Dr. Yaw Twerefour, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MoFFA, made this announcement during an interview with the media.

Dr. Yaw Twerefour further clarified that MoFFA’s responsibilities encompass the control, licensing, and regulation of all aspects related to the handling of the deceased, including storage, burial, transportation, and disposal within the country.

He emphasized that MoFFA is currently engaged in discussions with various stakeholders to arrive at a final decision regarding the importation of metal caskets into the country.

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He stressed that while the use of metal caskets may be fashionable, it contradicts the law, as these caskets were originally designed for transporting deceased bodies to contain droplets from the deceased body.