Three individuals, posing as police officers, have been apprehended and placed in police custody for patrolling polling stations during the district assembly and unit committee elections in Asawase, Ashanti region, held on Tuesday.
The suspects, identified as 37-year-old Zakari Yakubu, 24-year-old Godsway Fiakodzo, and 26-year-old Ibrahim Zack, were allegedly seen at Sawaba New Site polling stations A and B, falsely presenting themselves as officers monitoring the electoral process.
Law enforcement officials disclosed that the accused persons were attired in black outfits, equipped with body jackets, pepper sprays, jack knives, and five pairs of handcuffs.
Acting on suspicion of impersonation, the police promptly detained the three individuals, who were wearing bulletproof vests, and impounded two motorcycles associated with them.
Inspector Frank Osae, the investigator, along with his superiors, ensured a swift court appearance for the suspects following their arrest.
The trio, facing charges of “falsely pretending to be public officers,” appeared before the Prempeh Assembly Hall District Court and has been remanded into police custody.
The case is scheduled to reconvene on January 6, 2024.
Several electoral areas in the Ashanti Region will be excluded from today’s district-level elections due to logistical challenges. Notable areas affected include South Suntreso, Bantama, Atwima Nwabiagya, Atwima Mponua, Dadieso, and Santasi.
Some residents arriving at polling stations found them empty, lacking electoral officers and necessary logistics for the voting process.
Residents reported receiving public announcements in the early hours, advising them not to visit the centers as the voting had been rescheduled.
Despite this setback, citizens are prepared to fulfill their civic duty and cast their votes the following day once logistical challenges are resolved.
Contrastingly, in other parts of the region, the electoral process has commenced smoothly, with electoral officers expecting significant voter turnouts.
Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called on chiefs to advocate for accountability in stalled projects within the Ashanti Region.
The plea comes in response to delays affecting projects like Phase 2 of the Kejetia Market, the Kumasi International Airport, and the Komfo Anokye Maternity and Children’s block.
Earlier this year, reports indicated that contractors had abandoned project sites due to unpaid arrears from the government.
Addressing the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs, the Asantehene emphasized the importance of chiefs actively seeking answers rather than remaining passive spectators.
“Nananom, what are we also doing? I see a lot of chiefs going to the President for favours, have we done same for the airports and our roads? Let’s ask ourselves”.
The Asantehene clarified that all projects in the region are to be handled by the Regional Minister and questioned the chiefs’ involvement in seeing that these projects are built.
The chiefs were urged by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to investigate the reasons behind the delays in the region’s projects.
“We should know if indeed there’s no money to fund all these projects. Let us also seek answers from governments on why the projects are not completed,” the Asantehene said.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Encourages Participation in Fundraising Effort for Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital’s ‘Gee’ Block Refurbishment.
The Asantehene calls on households in and around the Ashanti region, as well as corporate Ghana, to contribute to the collective goal of raising $10 million for the restoration of the aging ‘Gee’ block at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
The block, in use for almost 70 years, has not undergone significant renovations, with various areas exhibiting deterioration, including cracks in the ceiling, broken floor tiling, algae-infested washrooms, exposed electrical wiring, and overcrowded wards.
Despite its original 500-bed capacity, the hospital now accommodates around 1,200 in-patients in its main ward.
At the grand launch of the ‘Heal Komfo Anokye’ project, the Asantehene prevailed on Ghanaians to join the collective efforts to refurbish the facility.
“I visited the hospital at night. I came here twice and I was really saddened by what I saw. Komfo Anokye whom the hospital was named after was never sick, so the hospital can’t be sick. We must work together to fix it. There will be several changes in government but the building will always be there to serve us,” he said.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II continued: “I urge everyone including households in the Ashanti region to join me raise money for this project. Even 200 Ghana cedis will be appreciated. Let’s support this project”.
Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has directed Members of Parliament from the Ashanti Region to shift their focus towards addressing the developmental needs of the region.
Accusing all MPs from the region of excessively enjoying the perks of the capital, Accra, where their legislative duties are centered, he emphasized the negative impact on their respective constituencies.
This directive came during his address at a fundraising event aimed at revitalizing the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), the primary teaching hospital in the region.
The hospital has deteriorated significantly due to a poor maintenance culture, prompting the Asantehene’s intervention.
Expressing frustration in his speech at the gathering, which included the MPs, he sternly emphasized, ‘I am telling you to be serious and focus on the region; it seems you are enjoying Accra too much. Accra is becoming too sweet for you. Stop the hypocrisy and focus; this is what will bring you glory in Accra,’ eliciting cheers from the audience.
KATH, situated in Kumasi, serves as a referral center for the Northern, Upper East, and Upper West Regions, as well as Brong Ahafo, Central, Western, Eastern, and parts of the Volta Regions.
On Friday, November 10, 2023, at the KATH premises, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II rejected a prepared speech in the presence of hundreds of people gathered at the hospital.
“Instead of delivering his speech in English, the Monarch chose to use the local dialect of the Asantes – Twi, to address the congregation to the surprise and admiration of all present,” Opemsuo.com reported.
The official mouthpiece for Manhyia Palace added that “His Majesty, in the course of his submission, noted that the condition of the hospital did not require an eloquent speech, but understanding in championing the good cause.
“This is not the time to be eloquent,” he said, reasoning with the public to support the renovation and justifying the rejection of the written speech.
“The state of the hospital is a matter of an emergency, and that’s why we are here. Corporate institutions, businesses, professionals, and all must contribute their quota. No amount is meager.”
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is calling on all Ghanaians, corporate institutions, businesses, professionals, and others to contribute towards saving the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
The Ashanti overlord described the current state of the hospital as embarrassing and emphasized the urgent need to raise funds for the building, which is nearly 70 years old.
He revealed that he personally inspected the hospital on two separate occasions, both at midnight, to assess the extent of its dilapidation. Following these inspections, he instructed the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Prof Otchere Addai-Mensah, and some executives to develop a financial proposal for the renovation.
“I’ve been there twice all at midnight to inspect the hospital. I saw the sorry state it sits in…Why should the hospital suffer this fate, if Komfo Anokye himself never got ill? So I promised to amass help for this project.”
“12 out of 16 regions, have their patients referred here. Patients get drenched when it rains and the exposed wires can cause fire outbreaks when rainwater comes into contact with the wires. Even the new Emergency Ward is in dire need of renovation. We will be brought to this hospital when the need arises and so there is a need to work it out.”
The Director General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust, Dr. John Ofori Tenkorang, disclosed that approximately 57,000 self-employed individuals registered with SSNIT within the span of a year.
Prior to the initiation of the Self-employed Enrolment Drive (SEED) and the subsequent public awareness campaign, only 14,000 self-employed individuals had enrolled with SSNIT.
Nevertheless, he asserted that this substantial surge in enrollment occurred within a year of the SEED program’s launch and extensive public outreach efforts.
Dr. Tenkorang shared this information during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by SSNIT in partnership with the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The primary objective of the meeting was to increase awareness about SEED among informal sector workers and underscore the importance of their participation in the program.
He acknowledged that there were initial reservations about the program’s effectiveness, but the remarkable increase in enrollment within a year underscores people’s willingness to participate.
“The growth is tremendous…l think the future is very bright. The number suggests that people actually want to join the scheme because the benefits that we offer are enormous and second to none,” he stated.
Speaking to the press during a day-long engagement with leaders from various informal sector unions under the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Kumasi, Ashanti region, on October 18, 2023, the Director General emphasized that the recent administration of SSNIT reflects their commitment to serving the best interests of the public.
He noted that a remarkable transformation has occurred in recent years, with efficiency and timeliness now defining the standard. He remarked, “When you submit your pension claim, it is typically processed and scheduled for the next month’s payment within an average of 10 business days.”
A suspected thief faced a fatal end as enraged residents of Tafo Four Miles in the Ashanti Region assaulted him. The deceased was believed to be part of a gang of thieves that had targeted the area for theft.
Regrettably for him, he was apprehended by an angry crowd in pursuit of the group. Confirming the incident, Brother Emmanuel, a committee member, recounted that locals heard cries as the mob chased the thieves.
He reported that the individual passed away shortly after being attacked by the furious crowd. When he arrived at the scene, he found the deceased’s body concealed with plantain leaves. The irate mob did not disclose the specifics of what the young man and his fleeing gang had stolen.
”They couldn’t say what the young man and his associates stole, but residents said they heard screams of thieves being pursued. Three of them were able to flee, but the one who was assaulted was unlucky. He was beaten to a pulp. He was not dead when I was informed, but he was dead when I arrived on the scene.”
When asked if thievery was prevalent in the area, he said yes.
“Just this morning, when the incident occurred, a resident who was attending to nature’s call returned to find her room broken into and a young man with her television and decoder,” he said.
“The suspected thief shoved her aside and fled before she could say anything,” he added.
A tragic incident has occurred in Atwima Boko, a town in the Ashanti Region, where a 33-year-old nurse named Rita Asamoah has been murdered by unidentified assailants.
According to sources within her family, Rita’s husband alerted the police during the early hours of Tuesday, October 10, reporting that his wife had not returned home after her previous day’s work.
Subsequently, law enforcement and members of the community launched a search operation to locate Rita. During the search, her sandals were discovered approximately one hundred meters away from her residence. Tragically, her lifeless body was later found in a nearby bush.
Beside her, authorities found a sum of money and various items she had purchased, including diapers and baby food.
The police promptly transported Rita’s body to the morgue and have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her tragic demise.
She left behind three children. Following the incident, residents in the community say they are living in fear.
“Due to the death of our neighbour, we are indeed living in fear,” said Samuel Afrifa, a neighbour of the deceased. “We want authorities to beef up security here.”
The Ghana Police Service has arrested two individuals, Alhaji Wahab Suleiman and Ibrahim Abubakari, in connection with an attempted robbery and the firing of shots at police officers in Ejura, located in the Ashanti Region, on October 9, 2023.
The accused, in collaboration with another individual who is currently evading capture, reportedly engaged in a shootout with police officers who were conducting an operation to thwart a planned robbery targeting a mobile money vendor in Ejura.
The Ghana Police Service reported that two of its officers sustained gunshot injuries during the altercation and were promptly transported to a medical facility for treatment. Tragically, General Sergeant Ahmed Kamal, one of the officers, succumbed to his injuries.
he two suspects involved in the attempted robbery, who also suffered gunshot injuries during the shootout with the police are currently receiving medical treatment while under police custody. Law enforcement authorities are actively working to locate and apprehend their accomplice to bring them to justice.
During the incident, the police retrieved several pieces of evidence, including two SB shotguns, one pump-action gun, six live BB cartridges, and one used BB cartridge. These items will likely play a crucial role in the investigation and potential legal proceedings.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased officer. You paid the ultimate price in the service of your nation; rest well with your maker. May Allah grant you Jannah,” the Ghana Police Service added in its press statement.
The Police Service has intensified its manhunt for 4 robbers who shot and killed a police officer in yet another bullion van attack at a filling station in Ablekumah.#MiddayLivepic.twitter.com/PAbgIwbx60
Kennedy Agyapong, NPP flagbearer hopeful, aims to revitalize the Ashanti Region‘s economy by harnessing tourism and the automobile industry’s potential. He emphasizes these sectors’ potential to create jobs, especially for unemployed youth.
“We can build a ceramic factory in the Ashanti Region and the first ceramic factory would be built at the former KBL land,” he said.
“We don’t need to go and buy ceramic tiles from China when research has shown that the vast land from the Central Region to the Adansi area can do the trick. There will also be a collaboration between the Suame Magazine, and the School of Engineering at the KNUST and we will build a tractor assembling plant in Ashanti Region,” Agyapong said.
“Nobody talks about the rich Ashanti heritage. I am going to promote Ashanti culture with museums, parks and entertainment centres… I am going to expand Lake Bosomtwe to about a three-kilometer stretch and mount boats, affordable hotels for people to come and see”, he said.
Agyapong expressed these views during a Kumasi street walk on September 30. He urged party supporters to unite behind him, ensuring the party’s governance and turning the economic revival vision into reality.
“I am a man with vision, I am coming for you and that is why I have rejected offers to step down to become Bawumia’s running mate”, he alleged, adding: “Your vote is your power. Vote for Ken Agyapong and I know God will speak on 4 November.”
Kennedy Agyapong is facing Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former Mampong MP Addai-Nimoh and Akoto Afriyie, the former agriculture minister ahead of the race.
A social media group representing the Ashanti Region, known as Asante Nation, has criticized the current government for what they perceive as neglecting the region, despite a significant show of support in the 2020 elections.
Asante Nation has expressed discontent, pointing out that it has been seven years since the current government assumed power, yet there have been no substantial developments or projects initiated in the region.
Using X (formerly Twitter) as their platform, the group presented evidence illustrating the overwhelming support the New Patriotic Party received in the 2020 elections in the Ashanti Region.
Furthermore, they highlighted various projects initiated by former presidents in the region, which remain either unfinished or abandoned.
“What his own Party predecessor John Agyekum Kufuor couldn’t complete have all being left unattended; Sofoline Interchange, KNUST Teaching Hospital, Boankra, Krofrom Market etc.
“What his immediate predecessor John Dramani Mahama left too nothing has been done about them; Afari Military Hospital, Sawua Regional Hospital, Kumawu Hospital, Bekwai Hospital etc. Apart from Kejetia phase 1 he helped to complete.
“His own projects that he started too, he hasn’t completed any. Kumasi International Airport (Abandoned), Kejetia Market Phase II (Abandoned), Maternity Block at KATH (Abandoned) etc,” some of the tweets read.
To top it all, they added that the president promised four interchanges, but after 4 years, not even one has been completed.
“He promised Kumasi 4 interchanges, baako koraa ayɛ asɛm. The Kumasi Airport Project started before the Tamale Airport project, Tamale Airport has been commissioned, Go to the Kumasi Airport site and see, workers left the site long ago,” the tweets said.
It's been 7 years, and he has never commissioned any meaningful project here.
What his own Party predecessor John Agyekum Kufuor couldn't complete have all being left unattended; Sofoline Interchange, KNUST Teaching Hospital, Boankra, Krofrom Market etc.
What his immediate predecessor John Dramani Mahama left too nothing has been done about them;
During the limited voter registration exercise in the Asokore Mampong Municipality, several applicants resorted to spending the night at various registration centers.
This decision came after several days of unsuccessful attempts to complete their registrations.
These applicants found themselves in competition with political party agents who, in their bid to secure positions in the queue for their potential voters, resorted to using stones and other objects as makeshift placeholders.
As the clock ticked past 3 AM, and with the dawn light accompanied by increasing rainfall, the gates of the Electoral Commission’s Asokore Mampong office remained closed. However, outside the office, a unique scene unfolded.
Stones and chairs were meticulously arranged in a queue formation. Each stone symbolized an applicant, while the benches represented three or more people.
As time passed, some newcomers attempted to form a separate human queue, but this was met with resistance from those who had diligently maintained their positions using stones and chairs.
A branch women’s organizer for the NDC in Asawase Constituency, Seida Alhassan who was in the middle of the misunderstanding alleges, “I am a branch organizer for my political party. I am bringing my party members to register that is why I came this early to queue for them. I could have slept in my house. I was here when you brought your children to queue, I even offered seats for them, how do you come and skip our queue here?”
Numerous individuals are grappling with growing frustration, having invested hours waiting in queues since the commencement of the exercise.
For some applicants, their relentless dedication to queuing has stretched over a period of at least two days, and yet, they have not achieved their objective.
These applicants earnestly implore authorities to implement measures that can alleviate their mounting frustration and expedite the registration process.
“We have been quarreling since we got here at 4 am. I got the chance to register around 11 a.m. People are queuing with stones and benches. I have to find a way to jump the queue,” Mustapha Mohammed said.
Figures available to Joy News indicate the electoral commission is unable to meet the daily target of three hundred. About 80 applicants were registered on the first day.
On the second and third days of the exercise, the number of successful applicants remained under 300.
Meanwhile, the volume of applicants continues to surge, with interest groups pushing for an expansion of registration centers from the Electoral Commission. However, these efforts have not yet yielded the desired results.
Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, has rubbished the assertion that former Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen, was let down by the people of Ashanti Region at the New Patriotic Party’s Super Delegates Conference.
At the end of the elections in the Ashanti Region, Dr Bawumia polled 97 votes out of the 121 total valid votes cast. Alan Kyerematen, on the other hand, garnered just 10 votes, whereas Kennedy Agyapong polled 6 votes.
For some experts, this came as a surprise, as the assertion was that the people of the Ashanti Region would side with a native. That was not the case.
According to Mr Osei Mensah, the delegates cannot be blamed but rather the strategy employed by the aspirants. He noted other natives of the Ashanti Region such as Francis Addai-Nimo failed to secure a single vote.
“Honourable Konadu Apraku, is from Akomadan, he has been an MP before, why did he get. No votes, so what should he say.
“Addai-Nimo, he was Mampong MP, he is from the Ashanti Region, what did he get. What did Alan get. In the Ashanti Region, did Alan not get 10 votes? When Addai, after the entire counting had 9. So what should he say. Kwabena Agyapong, is he not from the Ashanti Region, what should he say,” he said in an interview on Peace FM.
Simon Osei Mensah added: “In this election, everyone has a strategy. Let me say I’m contesting and give promises, the delegates will come in their numbers but how many of them will vote for me. You should know the type of election you are going into.”
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, has shed light on the probable cause for this achievement by the Vice President.
In an interview with Good Evening Ghana’s host, Paul Adom-Otchere, Chairman Wontumi noted that prior to the elections, the people of Ashanti Region had announced their support for the Vice President.
He noted that the condition given to him during the party’s congress that led to his election as Ashanti Regional Chair was for him to support the Vice President wholeheartedly.
“When I was running for elections, I told them. This is the message the people have given me that once I become a regional chairman, I should support the Vice President. You can ask all the constituency executives,” he said.
He alluded to the assertion that the super delegates who voted in favour of the Vice President had the blessing of the delegates who will partake in the November 4 primaries.
Meanwhile, former Trade Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, has withdrawn from the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential elections.
His official withdrawal is contained in a press statement issued on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
According to the former minister, his withdrawal stems from his abysmal performance at the party’s just-ended Super Delegates Conference due to the interference of some leaders of the party.
In his statement, he said: “After having carefully analysed the results of the said elections, it is absolutely clear to me from events leading to, during and after the elections, that the Special Delegates Conference was strategically and tactically skewed in favour of one particular Aspirant. The pronouncements made by some leading Members of our Party both before and after the elections, also lend weight to my observations.
His withdrawal has been acknowledged by the party’s leadership.
The price of pork meat per kilogram has been increased to GH¢30, effective Friday, September 1. This adjustment comes after the previous price was GH¢26 per kilogram.
The Ashanti Regional Organiser of the Pig Farmers and Producers Association, Augustine Naah, cited the rising production costs as the reason for this necessary price adjustment.
In an interview with Akoma FM‘s Antwi Boasiako, he said that “soya beans, maize, drugs, transport, and labour costs among others, have all gone up.”
Mr. Naah emphasized that it has become essential for them to align prices with the increasing cost of production in order to sustain their business operations.
He appealed to consumers of the product to understand the situation and support them so that they can continue to operate successfully in the industry.
The closure of the Niger border due to the ongoing coup in the West African nation has led to significant losses for onion traders, who are witnessing multiple bags of onions spoiling, causing financial setbacks.
From the start of the turmoil, onion traders, especially in the Ashanti region, who rely on imports from Niger, have encountered considerable financial setbacks due to the extended duration it takes for the goods to reach Ghana.
In an earlier report, the traders noted that they had to sell a bag of onions which originally costs GH¢1300 for GH¢100 because they had gone bad upon their arrival in Ghana.
The latest video on the development has shown several bags of onions going bad as traders are unable to transport the commodity to their intended destinations.
Commentary being run on the video which was shared by GHOne on Instagram revealed that the truck drivers have been left to their fate as the borders remained closed.
The male voice running the commentary in Twi could be heard saying: “Because of wicked African mindset, they will not open the borders for their fellow African to pass. God must help us. All these bags of onion are going to waste.”
On the other hand, some traders have noted that they have lost almost GH¢500,000 due to the phenomenon.
A group of individuals, suspected to be hired thugs, have attacked a team of masons who were constructing a fence around a royal burial ground in Kotwi, a neighborhood in Atwima Kwanwoma in the Ashanti region.
This aggressive action followed allegations that the masons defied an order issued by Ashanti’s paramount leader, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to have the burial ground fenced for its protection.
Several masons shared their accounts of the incident, stating that they were working on a fencing contract assigned by the area’s family head when they were confronted and assaulted by the unknown thugs who abruptly halted their work.
“They questioned our authority to work there, and upon mentioning the Abusuapanin, they started physically attacking us, demanding we stop. They proceeded to demolish the work we had done. This isn’t the first time these strongmen have come to halt our work through violence,” reported the masons.
According to these workers, the thugs, claiming to be acting on behalf of the chief of Kotwi, asserted that only the chief had the right to award contracts for the site.
Further investigations revealed that the royal burial ground, Anokye Banmu, has suffered encroachment and various forms of degradation. Apart from unauthorized construction, the site has witnessed the dumping of waste, defecation, and activities like milling, drinking establishments, and mechanical work, causing noise and unpleasant conditions.
During a visit to Anokye Banmu, graves and tombstones of royals, possibly descendants of Okomfo Anokye and other members of the Ashanti kingdom, were observed.
Abusuapanin Kwabena Mensah, the head of the Kotwi royal family, was instructed by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to fence Anokye Banmu to protect it from further damage due to encroachment, misuse, and degradation.
Nana Kwadwo Amoah Ampem Okogyeabour, Executive Director of Corruption Combat International and a descendant of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, appealed for swift action against those responsible for the attack. He alleged that his investigation indicated the chief of Kotwi sent the hired thugs.
He emphasized, “I could not understand why the chief, who should protect Asanteman’s property, would oppose those safeguarding it. I investigated and found that the Kotwi Chief ordered the thugs to stop the work. This is an act of arrogance. I urge the Asantehene to take action against this barbaric act.”
However, secretary to the Kotwi chief, Nana Sei Tutu, contradicted these claims, stating that the Abusuapanin lacked the authority to permit such work on Anokye Banmu.
He asserted that Nana Kwabena Mensah was not the Abusuapanin as claimed by others. Nana Sei Tutu urged the public to dismiss these allegations.
A driver of a passenger bus (locally known as trotro) in the Ashanti Region has recounted how he lost his sight completely weeks after engaging in a verbal argument with a passenger who issued a threat, telling him to wait and witness the outcome.
Isaac Moro, also known as Atimbila, discussed his unfortunate situation on the “Sompa Asem Mp3 Nipa” program of Kumasi-based Sompa FM, during a broadcast earlier this week.
Atimbila, originally from Bolgatanga but currently living in New Suame, Kumasi, expressed that he was pleading with the individual he had a short argument with to forgive him and grant him the opportunity to recover from his blindness.
Narrating the sequence of events to the show host, he said: “I worked with my conductor early July picking passengers at Shell Station but because we are not running a regular station route we were headed for the Otumfuo roundabout, apparently, this elderly man was the only passenger yet to alight as he was heading for Kejetia.”
Atimbila said he saw the altercation between the man and his conductor but “I kept mute as he spoke with the mate.”
He stressed that his intervention came as the mate kept begging the man at a point he agreed to alight. “I intervened … and then he said we will see, so I appealed to him over his choice of words, he left the mate and told me to wait that I will see, when he got down.
“I said, what will I see, is he going to kill me or that I should wait and see what? He said he had given me until July ending, I will see what will happen and that as he leaves to Accra, I will not see him again.
“I called his bluff because we are always fighting passengers,” he added.
In recounting how the problem with his eye started, he said he had almost forgotten the episode and thought he was suffering an eye condition known as ‘apollo.”
“So, on 27th of July, I had one eye becoming watery as if I had apollo. The following morning it had worsened but I still went to work with my conductor because I could see clearly with the other eye, by 6pm I found that the other eye was problematic.
“I spoke to the station chairman and he also said it was a case of apollo. The following morning, I woke up and tried opening my eyes, I couldn’t see at all but I knew it was morning,” he submitted.
He said his old woman had been struggling with him since he went blind, which situation he believes is entirely because of the episode.
He extended an appeal to the public to try to find the aggrieved man to show mercy and allow me to be healed.
Over 500 sacks of onions, offloaded from trucks, have spoiled as a result of transportation delays.
The delay is stemed from the border closure in Benin. Consequently, the quality of the onions has been significantly compromised, resulting in substantial financial losses for individuals engaged in the onion trade.
The spoilt onions are either being thrown away as waste or sold to retailers at lower prices than originally intended.
The Anloga Onion market has witnessed a drastic decline in prices, with a sack of onions previously valued at GH¢1,300 now being sold for as little as GH¢100.
Speaking to the media, a truck driver, “we spent ten days at the Benin border, so the onions have turned bad. Onions start to go bad within four days. The Ghana Ambassador came to intervene, which is why we were allowed to pass through the border, but it was too late. We have lost a lot of money. About 220 bags of onions have all gone bad.”
The onion vendors have expressed their sorrow over the substantial losses, which are estimated to be in the millions of Ghanaian cedis.
One vendor said, “Sadness has befallen us. When you are approaching the market, you will smell the scent of the onions that have gone bad. This is due to our inability to reach here on time as a result of the closure of the border. We can’t calculate the amount lost as it stands now. An onion bag that used to be sold at GHS1,300 is now five bags being sold at GH¢150. We don’t know what we are going to do. We are calling on the government to come to our aid because it’s affecting us. We pay taxes.”
Another vendor shared their frustration, stating, “I’m now selling a bag of onion for GH¢100, GH¢200, GH¢500. We have sent some to the refuse dump. I will not even get my principal, not to talk about my profits. We even sent money for additional trucks when we heard that the border was opened. And here we are with so much loss.”
In the context of Niger, a coup was announced by soldiers on national television on July 27.
This coup resulted in the dissolution of the constitution, suspension of institutions, and closure of the nation’s borders.
President Mohamed Bazoum was detained by troops from the presidential guard. On August 7, the coup leaders took the step of closing the country’s airspace indefinitely, citing concerns about potential military intervention from neighboring nations.
The West African group of countries, ECOWAS, had previously warned that it might use force if President Mohamed Bazoum was not reinstated by 23:00 GMT on Sunday.
A junta spokesperson has affirmed the readiness of Niger’s armed forces to defend the nation.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti region has discredited reports suggesting the suspension of a women’s organizer in the Kumawu Constituency.
Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NDC, in a statement clarified that the publication made by the Chronicle newspaper, which was subsequently republished by other media outlets, is untrue.
Dr. Amoakohene deemed these publications to be malicious in nature.
He also emphasized that the name mentioned in the story, Akua Afriyie, is not recognized in any of the party’s official records as a women’s organizer or party executive at the branch, constituency, or regional level.
In light of these clarifications, the NDC in the Ashanti region has expressed its commitment to accurate information dissemination and maintaining transparency within its organizational structure.
“I also want to put on record that the said name (Akua Afriyie) which is linked to the story does not exist in any of our records as a party women’s organizer or party executive either at the branch, constituency or regional level,” the Ashanti Regional Secretary, Dr. Frank Amoakohene stated.
Twelve commercial tricycle riders have been placed under police custody by the Akropong Magistrate Court in the Ashanti Region.
This comes after a turbulent protest occurred at the premises of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) on Monday, August, 7 2023.
The riders were presented before the court on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, and formally charged for their involvement in the disturbances that resulted in the destruction of property and injuries sustained by six police officers.
The protest was triggered by the impounding of 46 tricycles, as their riders refused to adhere to new transportation restrictions imposed within the Kumasi Central Business District.
During the confrontation, law enforcement officers were met with hostility while attempting to prevent the riders from marching towards the KMA in a bid to demand the release of the confiscated tricycles.
In an interview with the media, the Head of the Transport Department at KMA, urged the “pragya” riders to address their concerns through proper channels. He encouraged them to communicate their grievances to the Chief Executive and the complaints committee, emphasizing the potential for amendments to regulations if they prove to be counterproductive to peaceful coexistence. While acknowledging the national-level illegality, Wilson highlighted the local intention to regulate transportation within the city.
The KMA Transport Convener, Kwaku Appiah, added that compliance with the directive is expected from these transport operators; otherwise, the entire city could face disruption.
The suspects are scheduled to appear in court once again on Tuesday, August 14.
Head of Public Affairs at the West African Examination Council (WAEC), John K. Kapi has characterised the initial day of the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as trouble-free, despite receiving notifications of exam irregularities in three regions.
John Kapi disclosed instances of misconduct were detected in the Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Central regions.
For instance, in the Ashanti Region, he mentioned that a student was apprehended while trying to enter the examination hall with unauthorized materials.
He also emphasized that measures have been put in place to deal with persons who flout examination regulations to make sure fairness prevails.
Speaking in an interview with JoyNews, the Head of Public Affairs for WAEC highlighted the report of malpractices they received on the first day and how they would deal with the culprits.
“I guess we’ve had a good day so far. No reports have come from anywhere, so I guess everything’s okay. We’ve received a few reports from the Ashanti Region where one individual was picked up, but he was trying to approach the examination hall with some foreign material for the candidates. We’ve also picked somebody up from Tema Central, where the lady had some information that she intended to pass on to the candidates. In the Central Region, We picked up two people who were answering the questions in the middle of the paper that intended to send to the candidate writing exam.
“Anybody who breaches any of these rules, what you do is simply report you to the law enforcement agencies. They apply our rules, and then they are charged. They are sent to court. We still have our monitors in the field. We have our own officers who are monitoring the centers. We have the National Investigative Bureau who are working with us. We also have our own locally-recruited personnel who are monitoring these centers. And so, we’ll continue to maintain momentum. We’ll sustain momentum until the exams are over,” he said.
He further commended the soaring female population for dominating this year’s examination and for breaking the jinx of male domination over the past years.
“We know now that we’re having more female candidates going into this examination as compared to the male population. Over the years, we’ve had the males dominating in examinations. So if there are many more females who are coming up, I think it’s a good thing that is worth celebrating for us as a society and as a nation,” he added.
It appears flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alan Kyerematen may not be welcomed by all during his constituency delegates durbar in the Ashanti Region.
On Tuesday, July 28, 2023, the former Trade Minister announced his decision to return “home” to engage the over 35,000 cherished kingmakers of the NPP from July 28 to August 2, 2023.
The week-long campaign has however been pushed forward to start on August 7 and end on August 12.
Alan Kyerematen is expecting a rousing welcome but that may not the case.
On July 30, a Tweep criticised the aspirant for failing to remember the Ashanti Region during his time as a government official.
You never did anything for asanteman Always thinking of Accra
— The Untold African Story (@ourafricanst) July 30, 2023
According to the user, @ourafricanst, Alan Kyerematen “never did anything for Asanteman” as he was “always thinking of Accra.”
It is unknown if more others hold the same assertion.
But is the concern raised substantive? In October 2022, when Alan Kyerematen held the position of Trade Minister, the Ashanti Region was a beneficiary of 21 out of the 125 factories under the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative.
Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, noted that about 30 more factories were at various stages of completion.
Alan confident about Ashanti Region
During an interview on Angel FM on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, Mr. Kyerematen expressed the viewpoint that the party necessitates a candidate capable of securing no less than 80 percent of the votes in the Ashanti Region.
The ex-Trade Minister further stated that he possesses the capability not only to secure the party’s support by over 80 percent of votes in the Ashanti Region but also to amass a substantial number of votes from the strongholds of the major opposition party, the NDC.
“We are not just looking for a flagbearer, we are looking for someone who can help the NPP retain power… Everybody knows that the Ashanti Region is the backbone of the NPP… And so for a difficult election, which I perceive is going to happen in 2024, you need a candidate that is going to win at least 80 percent of the votes in the Ashanti Region to guarantee us victory.
“You need a candidate who can do two things, consolidate your base and reduce the strength of your opponent. We all know that the base of the NDC is the Volta Region but many people have been asking why Voltarians like me so much.
“Everybody in Ghana knows that the people of the Volta Region have taken me to be one of them. I believe that I am the candidate who can win 80 percent of the votes in the Ashanti Region and also compete with the NDC in the Volta Region for their votes to be reduced,” he said in Twi.
The Head of the Transport Department at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Randy Wilson, has appealed to tricycle operators in the metropolis to communicate their concerns to the assembly rather than resorting to insults and aggressive behavior following the ban on their operations in the Central Business District (CBD).
During an interview with the media, Mr. Wilson emphasized that tricycle operators should adhere to the established rules and approach the assembly with their grievances.
“The tricycle operators are to go according to the rules that have been set, and if they have any grievances, they should come to us, and we can sit down and talk about it in a way that will benefit the assembly, the tricycle operators, and the travelling public,” Mr. Wilson said.
“We are human beings, and policies and issues come up. We should deal with them in a civil manner and not resort to insults or aggressive behaviour. Instead, we should sit down and discuss solutions that will make our lives better,” he added.
He urged a constructive dialogue that would benefit all parties involved, including the assembly, tricycle operators, and the public.
Mr. Wilson clarified that the ban was implemented to reorganize the transport system in the CBD, addressing issues such as traffic accidents and congestion.
He stressed the importance of dealing with policy matters in a civil manner rather than resorting to hostility.
However, the Secretary of the Pragya Workers Association of Ghana, Ayamdago-Amadi Dauda, argued that the KMA was targeting the wrong group, asserting that traders and other commercial vehicles were the primary contributors to the congestion.
In the Ashanti Region, tricycle operators have intensified their protests against the restriction on their movement in parts of the CBD, despite the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly’s determination to enforce the policy.
On Wednesday, August 2, the tricycle operators took to the streets and blocked a major road leading to Kejetia, causing significant disruptions to traffic and daily activities.
The ban was enacted as part of the city’s efforts to tackle traffic congestion and enhance pedestrian safety in the bustling area.
Tricycle operators, who heavily rely on ferrying passengers and goods within the city center, expressed their frustration and concerns, fearing the ban would negatively impact their livelihoods and result in job losses.
The First Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Atwima Nwabiagya South constituency of the Ashanti Region, John Kwame Duodu has donated 4,200 sets of mathematical instruments to the education authorities in the area.
This donation was made with the purpose of ensuring that all candidates taking the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) have access to the essential learning tools they need.
The presentation of the mathematical sets was carried out free of charge and was part of an initiative to support the preparedness of the candidates.
Mr. Duodu, also known as Sir John, emphasized that these are challenging times, and not all parents can afford such materials for their children, particularly when preparing for an external exam like the BECE.
Therefore, in consultation with the party leadership, including the Member of Parliament, he decided to make this donation to boost the confidence of the students.
During a brief ceremony at the Municipal Education Directorate in Nkawie on Monday, July 31, Sir John highlighted the achievements of the Akufo-Addo administration in the education sector.
He also reminded the candidates that they would benefit from the Free Senior High School policy if they perform well in the exams.
The Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipal Director of the Ghana Education Service, Juliana Essel Cudjoe, gratefully received the donated items. She praised Mr. Duodu’s kindness and described the gesture as timely.
She also mentioned some of the interventions implemented by her office to support the students before, during, and after the elections. With the upcoming BECE scheduled to take place from Monday, August 7 to Friday, August 11, 2023, she expressed hope that these learning materials would greatly aid the candidates in the municipality to perform excellently.
For 14-year-old Ursula Amoh Mensah, one of the JHS final-year students in the country, the timely arrival of the mathematical instruments will undoubtedly be of immense help.
A heartbreaking incident occurred during the Fire Festival celebration in Aboabo, Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
According to a reports, a 14-year-old boy tragically lost his life due to a stray bullet that struck him.
Masawudu Abdul-Aziz, the victim, was present at the festive event when the unfortunate incident occurred. Amidst the enchanting display of celebrants firing muskets, dancing, and lighting fires, he was struck by a bullet.
The incident has plunged the community into a state of disbelief and sorrow, as the teenager’s life was tragically claimed during the festivities. The community is mourning the loss of the young boy who became an unfortunate casualty of the event. Additionally, there are reports of several others being injured during the incident, and they are currently undergoing medical treatment.
The deceased boy’s uncle, Muaz Abdul-Baki, recounted the moment he received the news from his wife.
According to him, he rushed to the scene to find his young nephew lying in a pool of blood. “My wife called me last night to inform me that the boy attended the ceremony and had been hit by a stray bullet, so I quickly moved there and confirmed it was true,” citinewroom.com quoted him to have said.
The Fire Festival, also known as the Bugum Festival, holds significant cultural importance among the people of Dagbon, Mamprugu, and the Nanumba ethnic groups. It is an annual celebration that marks a historical event on the Mole-Dagbon calendar.
Those who have migrated from the North and now reside in the Southern part of the country participate in the festival each year to honor their heritage and traditions.
The Police have launched an investigation into a troubling viral video showing a Police officer dragging a suspect on the floor during an arrest in Dadease, near Kumawu in the Ashanti Region.
Upon the video’s appearance, the concerned Police officer has been swiftly detained and subsequently placed on interdiction while the investigation is ongoing.
To address the gravity of the situation, the Inspector-General of Police has taken immediate action by dispatching a team from the Ashanti North Regional Police Command to meet with the victim’s family.
Furthermore, the Inspector-General personally reached out to the victim’s mother over the phone to provide reassurance that a thorough and unbiased investigation will be conducted into the incident.
Police assault in Ghana
In March 2019, a distressing incident occurred in Accra Central, where three journalists from the Ghanaian Times newspaper were subjected to assault by 10 police officers. The assault took place as the journalists were filming the police officers’ wrong practices.
The journalists had captured on camera a traffic offence and an accident involving a police officer using an unregistered motorcycle. The police officers became agitated and unhappy that the journalists were attempting to document the accident.
As a result, the police officers launched a physical attack on the journalists, causing severe injuries. Malik Sullemana, a court reporter, Raissa Sambou, a general reporter, and Salifu Abdul Rahman, an assistant editor, bore the brunt of the officers’ brute force. Two of them had to be taken to the hospital for medical treatment.
This incident sparked outrage among Ghanaians and sparked further discussions on the importance of press freedom and the need to protect journalists’ rights in the country.
On Tuesday, July 25, 2023, near Kuntenase in Bosomtwe District, Ashanti Region, two human skulls were discovered at a refuse dump.
According to available information, a group of young boys who were searching for scraps in the afternoon made the unsettling discovery of the skulls.
Upon learning of the find, the authorities were alerted, and Rainbowradioonline.com reported that a court has ordered the skulls to be kept until the investigation is completed.
As part of the investigation process, the skulls were taken to Jachie Pramso Hospital for a medical evaluation.
Paul Owusu Sarfo Kantanka, the Assembly Member for Kuntanase Electoral Area, confirmed the news to the media. He stated that the skulls were found by some minors at a dump site. One of the skulls appeared to be without flesh, while the other still had hair and some flesh intact.
It is believed that unknown individuals dumped the skulls at the site, and the perpetrators are suspected to have brought them from another location. The local authorities do not believe that the individuals responsible for this act are from the area, as there have been no reports of missing persons or murders in the vicinity.
After the discovery, the remains were taken to the mortuary. The community sought a court order to bury the remains, but the judge advised them to wait as the entire bodies had not been discovered yet.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are determined to uncover the truth behind this distressing incident.
The spokesperson for the Alan Kyerematen campaign team, Yaw Buaben Asamoa, has provided an explanation for the decision to put on hold the campaign trip of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant to the Ashanti Region.
According to Mr. Asamoa, the postponement was deemed necessary due to other essential government and parliamentary activities scheduled for that period.
Specifically, the decision was made to avoid interfering with public interest in the mid-year budget review, which is set to be delivered to Parliament on Monday, July 31.
He highlighted the significance of the budget review, as it is the first since Ghana entered the IMF program.
The review will assess whether the country is making progress, remaining static, or experiencing setbacks in its economic development.
“The Minister of Finance is slated to deliver the mid-year budget review to Parliament. That budget review, the first since we entered the IMF programme, will tell us whether we are making progress, we are static or we are retrogressing.
Given the importance of this event for the entire nation, the campaign team did not want their activities to compete for media attention during that week.
Mr. Asamoa stressed the significance of the budget review for Mr. Kyerematen’s campaign and his chances of winning the 2024 polls.
The team is conscious of the fact that the state of the nation’s economy will play a crucial role in the 2024 election’s outcome.
Therefore, they are keen on aligning their campaign with Mr. Kyerematen’s great transformational plan, which aims to build the economy following the IMF stabilisation period, focusing on a stable and sound macroeconomic environment.
The mid-year budget review is expected to prioritize policies aimed at securing economic stability and fostering growth.
It will also encompass several reforms, including the Post-CoVID-19 Programme for Economic Growth (PC-PEG), which aims to improve institutions and controls in the country.
Other areas targeted for enhancements include expenditure commitment control and arrears clearance, debt management, governance, tax policy, tax administration, energy sector reforms, and cocoa sector reforms.
Government has set up three new training facilities to enhance the training of officers in the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).
These facilities consist of a Mid-Country School located in Tepa, Ashanti Region, a Tactical Training School situated in Kyebi, Eastern Region, and a Centre of Excellence established at Odorkor, Greater Accra Region.
Vice President Bawumia disclosed this development during the parade review of Cadet Intake 17 at the Immigration Service Academy and Training School in Assin Fosu, Central Region.
The government’s intervention aims to equip the first line of the country’s border defense with specialized vehicles, equipment, and arms to safeguard Ghanaians.
The passing-out ceremony of the GIS marked the first event after the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.
“You will agree with me that the Service occupies a strategic position toward achieving peace and security as well as economic prosperity,” Vice President Bawumia stated.
A total of 357 Cadets completed a seven-month rigorous training program, covering various aspects such as Immigration Law, Practices, and Procedures, Migration Management, Operational Planning, Criminal Procedures, Intelligence Gathering, Investigations, Travel Document Management, Map Reading, Navigation, and the French language.
The Ghana Immigration Service plays a vital role in managing the country’s borders, ensuring proper monitoring of goods and individuals entering and leaving the nation, issuing visas to non-Ghanaians, and contributing to national security, trade, and investment facilitation.
Vice President Bawumia assured that the government would continue to provide the necessary logistical support for the GIS to fulfill its mandate effectively. The Service will be equipped with specialized surveillance equipment, regional offices, residential accommodation, and other critical operational logistics.
“I’m pleased to announce that the Government has delivered its promise of procuring arms and ammunition for the Service to boost its operations and enhance security at the borders,” he said.
“The GIS would be equipped with specialized surveillance equipment, regional offices, residential accommodation, and other critical operational logistics,” he added.
He stressed the importance of adopting a more innovative and robust approach to managing migration in the face of ever-changing global security dynamics. The government has already introduced modern technology, such as the paperless input of traveler’s data at Kotoka International Airport and the use of the Ghana card as an e-passport, establishing the identity of Ghanaians through their fingerprints. This will help preserve travel history and enhance migration management in the collective interest of the State.
Vice President Bawumia also commended the positive relationship and cooperation between the Ghana Immigration Service and sister security agencies, with some of these agencies utilizing the Service’s training facility for their personnel.
“This is why the Government of President Akufo-Addo believes that the GIS has to adopt a more innovative and robust approach to managing migration in the collective interest of the State. I know you have embraced modern technology as the most reliable tool for reaching this goal. Evidence of this is the implementation of technology put in place for the paperless input of traveler’s data at the Kotoka international airport in March 2023.
“We have also seen some level of implementation of the Ghana card as an e-passport (with the Ghana card the identity of people can be established using their fingerprints). Ghana Missions and other Embassies abroad will be able to establish the identity of Ghanaians using their fingerprints. Identity can even be established without the Ghana card if you have been enrolled on the database. The Ghana card is also being linked with existing passports so that travel history will be preserved.”
Enraged youth from the Asokore Mampong Municipality, in the Ashanti Region have taken violent action against the Asawase Police station following the death of one of their peers.
According to reports, the young man died as a result of mistreatment by police officers during a swoop at a hideout.
In response to their colleague’s death, the furious youth stormed the Asawase police station, pelting stones, and causing damage to the building and other properties within.
As a consequence of the attack, the police station is currently without electricity due to the damage caused to the meter.
To prevent further escalation of the situation, a significant police deployment has been put in place in the area.
Recounting the incident, the Assembly Member for Asawase West Electoral Area, Gideon Okai, revealed the extent of the damage inflicted upon the police station.
He mentioned that the youth accused the police of causing their friend’s death, while some officers denied the allegation.
This disagreement led the youth to retaliate, resulting in the destruction of several items and equipment, including the meter.
A young man from the Central Region has been apprehended for stealing salted fish, popularly known as ‘koobi,’ at Obuasi Central Market in the Ashanti Region.
The incident was captured on video and shared on Facebook by Wendy Akuffo, quickly going viral.
The suspect, identified as Paa Yaw from Mankessim, had traveled to Obuasi in search of opportunities but ended up engaging in theft. ‘Koobi’ is a cherished ingredient used in Ghanaian soups and stews.
According to reports, a vigilant night watchman spotted the thief during a patrol session as he attempted to escape by jumping from a storey building. The watchman subdued him with a locally-made security weapon and retrieved the stolen ‘koobi’ from him.
The thief had come prepared with a modern bag with multiple zippers to stash his loot, but he only managed to get away with the ‘koobi,’ which he placed in a polythene bag.
The video showed the alleged thief tied to a pole near a stall with heavy chains and a padlock, awaiting action by market authorities. It is suspected that he may have been part of a notorious gang known for robbing markets in Obuasi.
On Thursday morning of July 2023, the suspect was handed over to the police, who are currently conducting an investigation into the matter.
In the first half of the year 2023, nine individuals lost their lives, and property valued at over GHc51,319,900.00 was destroyed in fire incidents, as reported by authorities.
In all, a total of 581 fire outbreaks were recorded in the first half of the year as against 700 recorded in the same period in 2022.
The figure represents a 17 per cent reduction in fire incidences in the region.
Divisional Officer Three (DO111) Mr Peter Addaid, Ashanti Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, made this known in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi.
He attributed the reduction to intensified public education campaign on the dangers and effects of fire, embarked upon by the Service.
He said aside the public education, the Command also conducted regular fire safety inspections and audits at various places of interest.
According to him, the number of fires recorded at the end of the second quarter of 2023 compared to that of the first quarter of the same year showed a significant reduction.
In the first quarter of 2023, a total of 390 fire incidents were recorded while 191 fires were reported in the second quarter of the year.
He said the Regional Command had continually conducted simulation exercises at various premises including the Kejetia Market, the biggest hub for trading activities in Ashanti, to adequately prepare for any future occurrences.
These exercises are meant to validate and enhance preparedness and response plans, procedures and systems for all hazards and capabilities.
Mr Addai said the reduction in fire incidents was a good signal that people were adhering to practices and tips from fire officers.
He called on Ghanaians to remain fire safety conscious saying, “a stitch in time saves nine”, prevention, as we all know, is cheaper than the damage caused after an outbreak of fire.”
Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia has laid the groundwork for the construction of a 100-bed Ejura Sekyeredumase District Hospital in the Ashanti Region.
The hospital, which is being built as part of the government’s flagship Agenda 111 Project, will have cutting-edge technology such as X-Rays, Medical Gases, a Haematology Analyzer, a Chemistry Analyzer, a CT Scanner, an MRI, Ultrasound, Fluoroscopy, Mammography, and a Microbiology Analyzer.
It will also contain employee housing and is planned to be completed in 18 months at a cost of US$16 million.
At the sod-cutting event in Ejura on Tuesday, Vice President Bawumia reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of all Ghanaians, which led to the decision to build 111 district hospitals with a variety of uses.
Vice President Bawumia described the Agenda 111 Project as the largest investment in the country’s health infrastructure history since independence.
“We want to ensure that every district in Ghana has a hospital. We have six new regions, so we are also building six new regional hospitals, as well as upgrading the Efia Nkwanta Hospital in the Western Region,” the Vice- President said.
In addition to the construction of the 100-bed Ejura Hospital, there are plans to build two new Psychiatric Hospitals in Kumasi and Tamale.
Furthermore, the Government, as highlighted by Dr. Bawumia, has implemented various initiatives to enhance healthcare accessibility and delivery. These initiatives include the nationwide provision of ambulance services through the One-Constituency, One-Ambulance program, the networking of hospitals to facilitate access to medical case histories, the introduction of the drone medical delivery system, and the implementation of the E-Pharmacy regime.
“We will continually explore ways to improve our healthcare delivery approaches and systems,” Dr Bawumia pledged adding, “a healthy nation is a wealthy nation”.
Chief of Ejura, Barima Osei Hwedie II, appreciates the Government’s numerous projects in the area over the past six and a half years. He calls on citizens to rally behind national development endeavors.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ashanti Ports Services Limited (APSL), Isaac Afum, has revealed that the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal (BILT), also known as the Boankra Inland Port project in the Ashanti region, will be completed and handed over to the government in November 2024.
During a visit to the project site, Mr. Isaac Afum, accompanied by APSL officials, expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the $330 million project, which had faced numerous challenges over the past two decades.
Mr. Afum confirmed that the Ghanaian contractors, Justmoh Construction Limited, were on track with the project timeline. He anticipated that, barring any unforeseen obstacles, the project would be delivered as scheduled.
During the visit, earth-moving machinery was seen actively working on the terminal area, with approximately 80 percent of the filling already completed.
Once finished, the Boankra Inland Port will feature various facilities including an inland clearance depot, customs bonded and unbonded estates, commercial areas such as banks, offices, and trading facilities, vehicle parking and light industrial areas, as well as an administration block complex.
The project aims to provide services for importers and exporters in the middle and northern parts of the country, while also serving as a crucial transportation route for transit traffic to and from landlocked neighboring countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Mr. Afum expressed optimism that the completion of the project would not only enhance business opportunities in the region but also generate employment for the youth through direct and indirect means.
He commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his support and confidence in selecting a local concessionaire for the development of the Boankra Inland Port.
“My gratitude also goes to the Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah and the Shippers Authority for their continuous support and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his role, advice, and unflinching support to the progress of the project,” he added.
According to the CEO, additional funding for the project has been secured, with Africa Export-Import Bank (Afeximbank) committing $280 million and an Italian financier providing an additional $100 million.
The Ghana Shippers Authority is the client for the project, and the concessionaire is Ashanti Ports Services Limited, a joint venture involving Afum Quality Limited of Ghana.
The Project Manager of the Boankra Inland Port, Jarrar Saddique, provided an update on the progress of work, stating that once the surfacing and drainage system were completed, the construction of structures would commence.
The Board Chairman of Ashanti Ports Services Limited, Nana Bugyei, expressed their commitment to supporting the successful completion of the project.
Furthermore, the project is expected to generate significant employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled labor.
A confrontation between individuals believed to be land guards and wood sellers in the Akwatialine area of the Asokore Mampong Municipality, located in the Ashanti region, has led to two individuals sustaining injuries.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when contractors were carrying out construction work were met by wood sellers who have resisted their relocation for redevelopment plans by Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly.
According to reports, land guards supposedly contracted by the Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly faced off with the wood sellers.
The Asokore Mampong Municipality authorities have noted that the ongoing efforts to redevelop the area have prompted the need for the woodworkers to move to alternative locations.
In April 2023, clashes occurred between security operatives and the wood sellers who resisted vacating the area where they conducted their businesses. The confrontations resulted in injuries to some wood sellers.
The Municipal Chief Executive of Asokore Mampong, Kennedy Kankam, had previously stated in an interview with Citi News that the wood sellers would be allowed to operate in newly constructed stores once they were completed.
A heart-wrenching incident unfolded near Tepa in the Ashanti Region, where a 28-year-old man named Kwabena Talat met a tragic fate after being electrocuted. The incident has plunged his family members and friends into profound sorrow.
As reported by DailyGuide, Talat was involved in the process of cutting down a tree in a nearby bush when, by unfortunate accident, the tree fell onto an electric pole, leading to his immediate electrocution.
The incident occurred on Saturday around 5pm, prompting the police in Tepa to launch an investigation into the case.
Authorities from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) were compelled to disconnect power supply to the area to facilitate the safe removal of the body.
Subsequently, the lifeless body was taken to a morgue for autopsy and preservation as the police continue their investigation.
A police document revealed the account provided by Mr. Amidu Laari, the Odikro of Nkwanta near Tepa, who reported that Talat was felling a tree beneath a high-tension electric pole.
It was during the process of removing the fallen tree that the tragic electrocution occurred, resulting in his immediate demise.
Government has inaugurated its inaugural state-of-the-art medical waste and treatment plant in Adegya, situated within the Ashanti Region.
During the commissioning ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health, Mahama Asei Seini emphasized that this facility symbolizes Ghana’s unwavering dedication to protecting public health, preserving the environment, and promoting sustainable development.
The deputy minister highlighted the inherent risks associated with medical waste, which consists of materials that are potentially infectious and hazardous. If not handled appropriately, such waste poses a significant threat to both human health and the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
By establishing this modern treatment plant, Ghana has taken a proactive stance in managing medical waste effectively. The facility is equipped with advanced technologies designed to sterilize, disinfect, and dispose of medical waste in a manner that minimizes the potential risks to human health and the environment.
The operation of this cutting-edge plant will bolster Ghana‘s environmental conservation efforts and contribute to curbing the transmission of infectious diseases. Moreover, it serves as a testament to the country’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development by promoting responsible waste management practices.
In summary, the commissioning of Ghana’s first-ever ultra-modern medical waste and treatment plant in Adegya marks a significant milestone in the nation’s healthcare system. It showcases Ghana’s dedication to safeguarding public health, preserving the environment, and fostering sustainable development by ensuring the proper management of potentially hazardous medical waste.
“It is critical that we adopt responsible and efficient measures to prevent the spread of diseases, protect our healthcare workers and minimise the impact on the environment,” Seini said.
He said the facility will serve all heath care facilities within the region and neighboring towns.
Seini added that it will also serve as a learning facility for health students in the region.
Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, acknowledged that the management of medical waste has been a persistent challenge in the country.
Highlighting the scale of the issue, he further mentioned that Ghana has administered more than 22 million vaccines within the past two years, excluding vaccines for children. The management of the resulting medical waste from this significant vaccination effort has posed a considerable challenge to the healthcare service.
The statement by Dr. Kuma-Aboagye sheds light on the immense volume of medical waste generated during the vaccination campaigns. Vaccines often require proper disposal of vials, syringes, and other materials, which can be potentially hazardous if not managed appropriately. The disposal process must adhere to strict protocols to prevent any adverse impact on public health and the environment.
The acknowledgment of the waste management challenge by the Director General of the Ghana Health Service highlights the importance of establishing dedicated facilities like the recently commissioned medical waste and treatment plant. Such facilities provide the necessary infrastructure and expertise to handle and dispose of medical waste safely and efficiently.
The efforts to address the waste management challenge align with Ghana’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring sustainable development. By effectively managing medical waste, the country can mitigate potential risks to human health, protect the environment, and promote a safer healthcare system for all.
In conclusion, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye‘s acknowledgement of the medical waste management challenge in Ghana, particularly regarding the large-scale vaccination efforts, emphasizes the need for improved waste management infrastructure and practices.
It underscores the significance of the newly commissioned medical waste treatment plant and similar initiatives in ensuring the safe disposal of medical waste generated by healthcare services in the country.
“We are currently open burning of waste, incinerators with its accompanying high electricity consumption cost and so there’s a need to transform to a safer, efficient and environmental friendly system and what we have here provides this excellent result. We are happy to be part of this transformation,” Kuma-Aboagye said.
Residents of the Emena Constituency in the Ashanti Region are threatening turmoil if the police do not free three people who were detained for allegedly trying to stop a private developer from building a road through a cemetery. Tensions are rising in the area.
The young man said that the aforementioned construction had led to the exhumation of ancestors’ remains and the destruction of several cemeteries.
The residents of the town protested the road project’s damage to the cemetery in an effort to protect the burial grounds, which led to their arrest, according to a report filed by UTV. As a result, the private developer began building a road leading to his residence, directing it through the town cemetery.
In an interview with UTV, an assemblyman from the Emena Boadi Appiahdu Kokoben electoral district, Kenneth Owusu Bediako, offered his support for the young people, noting his own observation of three tombs that had been destroyed. He highlighted that it is forbidden to exhume grave remains.
“For me, I heard on Friday that they have brought grader to demolish our graves which has resulted in some graves of our fathers being exposed, so, I went to the police station to discuss with them, for myself I have witnessed about three graves that have been demolished…so, I support the steps that the youths have taken because it is a great taboo to exhume our grandfathers’ grave with a grader.”
Several residents voiced their concerns over the issue. One resident lamented, “What is painful is that someone has taken the law into his hands to exhume our graves, believing that his son, a Circuit Court Judge, will deliver justice on his behalf, disregarding the feelings of the community.”
Several residents voiced their concerns over the issue. One resident lamented, “What is painful is that someone has taken the law into his hands to exhume our graves, believing that his son, a Circuit Court Judge, will deliver justice on his behalf, disregarding the feelings of the community.”
Additionally, from another resident, “My father Kwaku Mensah’s grave is now exposed. We implore our leaders to intervene and protect our cemetery.”
The unfortunate death of a five-year-old boy has resulted in the closure of a pharmacy at Kenyase in the Kwabre East Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The Pharmacy Council took this action against the owners of the Life Dream Pharmacy on Friday, after preliminary investigations revealed that the facility illegally dispensed drugs to the child after he was bitten by a rabid dog in August 2022.
It was also determined that the child did not receive life-saving anti-rabies vaccines, as an autopsy revealed he tested positive for the deadly disease.
Mr. Benjamin Kwarteng Frimpong, Director of the Pharmacy Council in the Ashanti Region, who led a task force to the facility, confirmed the incident to the media.
“A five-year-old boy was bitten by a rabid dog, and his family brought him to the pharmacy,” he said. After giving him an injection, they gave him some drugs. They later informed the family that there was no need to send the boy to the hospital. Unfortunately, the boy died in September of last year. We became aware of the problem and investigated and followed up with the facility. We’ve also discovered several breaches, so we’ve decided to close the facility and investigate them.”
He went on to say that the pharmacy would be given the opportunity to respond to the findings and violations. They’d have to appear before the committee and defend themselves. They have admitted that the boy received an injection, so they will be able to respond to the issues.
He then advised pharmacies, licenced medical shops, and other drug-dispensing facilities to strictly follow the practice’s rules and regulations.
He warned that anyone found breaking the practises’ rules and guidelines would face serious consequences.
Surgeon and ex-Environment Minister, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, has warned of God’s judgment against those harming rivers, forests, and habitats in the country.
He delivered this powerful message, supported by scriptures, during a breakfast gathering commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Kumasi Chapter of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship in the Ashanti Region.
“Revelations 11:18 says the nations are angry because your wrath has come. The time has come for you to punish the dead and to reward your servants the prophets and saints who revere your name.”
“The last line is, ‘and to punish those who destroy the earth. That is what God says. He will destroy people who destroy the earth,” he asserted.
Professor Boateng’s report on the activities of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining has sparked a mix of praise and criticism due to its revelations of alleged involvement by politicians, influential individuals in government, the media, and the presidency.
Prof Boateng cautioned, “When we are destroying our environment, we must know we are not alone. All the other creatures are very important. God created us to do His will. To cater for the last, the least and the lost. “
To strengthen his argument, Professor Boateng illustrated the consequences of destroying a single tree, highlighting the resulting ecological imbalance that disrupts the intricate web of symbiotic relationships within natural habitats.
He emphasized that these ecosystems are intricately designed by the infinite wisdom of God.
“When we take machines into the forest, pull down trees; there may be a dozen birds with their nests there as their home. We might find lizards, thermites and other things there as their habitat.”
When we take it down it is like an earthquake to these organisms. For these animals, there are thousands of earthquakes in Ghana everyday destroying their habitats, water and food sources.” Professor Frimpong-Boateng chided, “They will not survive and God is not happy with that.”: He asked, “When was the last time you saw a vulture in Ghana? Vultures need tall trees and if you destroy their habitats, their food and sources of water, they will die.”
Professor Frimpong-Boateng presented a thought-provoking scenario to the audience, urging them to imagine a situation where a more powerful being arrived on Earth, demolishing homes and depriving humans of essential resources like food and water.
Drawing from his deep scriptural knowledge, he referenced the story of Jonah’s mission to Nineveh, highlighting how God’s concern extended not only to the lives of the city’s 120,000 residents but also to the well-being of the animals residing there.
The President of the Kumasi Chapter of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship, Gideon Tei, expressed his delight at Professor Frimpong Boateng sharing invaluable insights on living a life that reflects the grace of God.
More than 300 health workers have left the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Ashanti Region, seeking better opportunities overseas.
This trend, observed during the first quarter of 2023, is having a negative impact on healthcare delivery in the region.
Data from the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate indicates that 304 health workers, including doctors and nurses, have applied for unpaid leave.
Investigations conducted by the directorate reveal that the majority of these workers have traveled abroad in search of improved living conditions.
The Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Emmanuel Tinkorang, acknowledges the detrimental effect of this exodus on healthcare delivery in the region.
“When we did the analysis for the first quarter of 2023, we realised that about 304 applied for leave without pay which means that they have left the service, but additional information indicates that most of them have left the country and these are very skilful health workers with the right knowledge, attitude, and skill to do the job, but it seems that they have been attracted outside the country.
“This is worrying in the sense that these are workers that we need to run the health system in the country and the government is doing well by providing health infrastructure and if our people are leaving the country, how do we run this system?”
As part of the Suame Interchange Project in the Ashanti region, authorities have initiated the removal of structures situated along the streets.
The Suame Municipal Assembly had previously issued notices to owners, urging them to relocate and facilitate the contractors’ progress.
The ongoing removal primarily targets temporary structures, while the Assembly is concurrently working on addressing permanent structures.
Suame’s Municipal Chief Executive, Maxwell Ofosu Boakye, affirmed that owners are cooperating fully with the officials overseeing the exercise.
“We made the announcement two weeks ago, and since this is a project that everyone is expecting, as of Friday, about 80 percent of them had already started relocating. As of Monday, because of how well they were cooperating, we decided to add two more days, which ended yesterday.”
“Less than 10 percent of them were adamant and reluctant to move, so we had to use force. And as soon as we started doing that, the majority of them asked for a few hours to move out,” he stated.
Mr. Boakye expressed gratitude to the structure owners for their cooperation and shared understanding of the project’s importance.
“I will thank them because we thought we were going to face a stiffer resistance from them, but it was more like they themselves saw the need for us to have the project done,” he stated.
Residents in Bokankye, Akropong, and Esaso of the Atwima Nwabiagya North District in the Ashanti region have expressed their dissatisfaction regarding the terrible state of roads in the area.
The communities argue that the road, which serves as an alternative access route to northern regions, has been neglected for an extended period.
Speaking to the media the residents described their daily commute as frightening and dangerous due to the poor road conditions.
The inadequate road network is adversely affecting their daily activities, health, and local economy. They hold Member of Parliament, Benito Owusu-Bio responsible for the road’s disrepair, as he has served in parliament for two decades without resolving the issue.
The Assemblyman for Bokankye, Malik Osei Kwame, assures the residents that the Bokanye-Esaso road has been contracted out, urging them to be patient.
However, residents remain skeptical, as previous contractors have failed to initiate construction. District Chief Executive Rebecca Yeboah reassures the residents that the contractor is now on-site and committed to fixing the road promptly.
Six Chinese individuals operating at an illegal mining site have been arrested by the Operation Halt II team in the Amansie Central Districtof the Ashanti Region.
The suspects, six Chinese and a Ghanaian, were found engaging in illegal mining in defiance of the government’s ban on activity, popularly known as galamsey.
They have wreaked havoc on the environment and water bodies, including River Offin.
Since Tuesday, June 6, the Operation Halt II team has mounted a sustained operation.
They have patrolled Apamprama Forest Reserve, Oda Forest Reserve, Bosomtwe Forest Range and other galamsey sites in Ashanti Region.
Districts visited included Amansie Central, Amansie South, Bekwai Municipal and Bosome Freho District.
Those arrested were galamsey operators mining off reserve area of Bosomtwe Range Forest, illegal mining sites and other unauthorized sites.
The team seized 30 excavators with some of them being decommissioned.
Other machines for illegal mining were also burnt by the team during the operation.
Their mission is to fight against illegal mining in forest reserves and river bodies.
Some Changfan machines, water pumping machines fuel storage tanks and other improvised mining equipment and structures were all affected.
The six Chinese arrested were handed over to the Immigration Officers in the Bekwai Municipality whilst the excavators were taken to the Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces in Kumasi.
The Deputy Commander of the Operation Halt II, Lt. Col. Louis Boakye, said the exercise was to conduct confirmatory patrols in areas visited.
“We are undertaking confirmatory patrols to check whether we have illegal miners within our forest reserves we visited last time,” he stated.
He expressed worry on how the illegal miners have invaded forest reserves and destroyed economic trees and water bodies.
According to him, the action of illegal miners poses threat to farmers and security.
He appealed to the people to desist from negative practice.
He assured that “we fight to win and never give up”.
The Ring Leader of the Rapid Response Team of the Bekwai Forest District, Ebenezer Appiah, expressed serious concern about the way information is leaked to the galamsey operators when they are embarking on a patrol.
“We are doing our best to protect the forest reserves,” he said.
He said the continuous attacks on Team by the illegal miners pose serious threat to members.
Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has commissioned the 31.2 kilometres Assin Fosu to Assin Praso stretch that connects Ahwian Nkwanta in the Ashanti Region to Yamoransa in the Central Region.
The N8 highway according to the Vice President will improve travel time for communities along the stretch adding that other auxiliary facilities that come along with the road project will be completed in due time.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who commissioned the road project at Assin Praso indicated that the project was done with support from the Japanese government to the tune of 58 million US dollars adding that the government will continue to secure additional funds to construct the remaining 67 kilometres between Assin Fosu and Yamoransa.
“The 31.2-kilometre Assin Fosu to Assin Praso road has been completed, and it’s a testament to President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to improve road infrastructure across the country. The N8 highway will also connect Ahwian Nkwanta in the Ashanti region to Yamoransa in the Central Region. The project which is at a cost of 58 million US dollars is a grant from the government of Japan to Ghana,” Dr. Bawumia said.
“The upgrading of Assin Fosu town roads which is 50% completed is underway, and I must say that under the NPP government Assin has seen a lot of development. A modern footbridge and other auxiliary facilities will soon be completed,” the Vice President noted.
Dr. Bawumia assured that government will secure additional funds to complete the 67-kilometre road between Assin Fosu and Yamoransa.
“Apart from the construction of the N8 highway, works have also been completed on the 70-metre span steel footbridge at Assin Kushia while a bridge has also been constructed on the Pra river. The rehabilitation of the 32-kilometre Mankessim to Abura Dunkwa road is 80% completed,” Dr. Bawumia added.
The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwesi Amoako Attah indicated that new technologies which are environmentally friendly were used in the construction of the road where the old pavement was recycled and used as a sub-base material adding that the Ministry will replicate this in a subsequent project.
“This new technology used is environmentally friendly since it recycles the old payment and uses it as a sub-base material and this reduces the volume of gravels that will be taken from other adjoining communities,” Amoako Attah said.
Suzuki Momoko a representative of the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana His Excellency Hisanobu Mochizuki indicated that the Japanese government is confident that the construction of the road will ease the burden of traffic.
“I would like to emphasize that in other to keep the road in good shape proper maintenance culture must be inculcated, and I wish to charge the Ministry of Road and Highways to do that. But I must say that the government of Japan will be willing to support Ghana with more technical expertise”.
NADMO’s warning comes two days after four bodies were recovered from floodwaters in various towns in the Ashanti Region following Wednesday’s downpour.
The Ashanti Regional Director of NADMO, Frank Duodu, urged the public not to risk their lives during a downpour.
He admonished the public to take warnings from the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMA) seriously during the rainy season and act accordingly.
“Make sure that when the rains are coming, we follow the warnings of the Meteo Agency and if there is no need to go to places you know are flood-prone areas, don’t go.”
Mr. Duodu also advised the public to take shelter on higher ground whenever it is raining.
“You find high places to lodge when the rains are coming but if it turns out to be what we witnessed on Wednesday, not that the place got flooded, but you decide to go through the flood waters, then I will say there is more that we have to do.”
Four people drowned at Atafoa, Sepaase, and Tafo, all in the Ashanti Region, on Wednesday, June 21st night.
The brother of one of the victims in the Atafoa incident died when he dived into the river to find the deceased on Thursday, June 22nd.
A six -year-old boy has lost his life after the heavy rains on Wednesday, June 21, at Tafo Ahenbronum in the Tafo-Pankrono Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The KG2 pupil, according to residents, was taken away by the running water after he slipped and fell in an open gutter while playing in rain showers.
The deceased who has been identified as, Papa Atta was pronounced dead at the Tafo Government Hospital on Wednesday June 21,2023 after residents saw his body over 200 meters away from the accident scene and rushed him to the facility.
Speaking to the media, an aunt to the deceased, Mama Linda confirmed the incident.
“We were all home when it begun to rain, Papa Atta, his twin sister, together with other children had returned from school and were playing inside when it begun to rain, we had no idea, the deceased had gone out to play in the rains with his colleagues who were already outside
“We later heard some people shouting about a child who had been dragged away by the water, only for us to learn that it was Papa Atta Residents in the area searched frantically for him only for us to discover his body over 200 metres away from our house full of injuries. He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead by doctors”, she narrated.
Mama Linda noted that the body of the deceased has since been kept at the morgue of Tafo Government hospital.
At least two individuals have lost their lives in the Ashanti Regionas a result of Wednesday’s downpour.
All the victims are male who attempted to cross the flood water flowing with strong current in the evening to their destinations.
At Afoah on the Barekese road, a victim who was sitting on a bicycle wanted to save his bicycle when the violent flooding water overpowered both in the Bantama constituency. The lifeless body is yet to be located as of Thursday morning.
In the Atwima Nwabiagya North district, a father of two was also washed away at Abuakwa Besiase while crossing a river on motorcycle.
Traditional authority in the communities where the people were washed away by the flood waters have been informed while preparations for traditional rite are underway.
Several communities in Ashanti region including Kejetia, Adum, Breman, Aboabo, Oforikrom were all flooded during and after the evening rains.
A 68-year-old Ghanaian, Zulfawu Ishaku, has lost her life while on pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
It is unclear what caused the death of the pilgrim but 3news.com‘s sources are attributing it to hardship.
The deceased was believed to have hailed fromKumasi in the Ashanti Region.
The deceased was said to be on visiting visa, which is not allowed by Saudi authorities for pilgrimage.
Such persons are said to infiltrate the Ghanaian camp annually to observe the Hajj at the expense of government-registered pilgrims.
This year, the Ghana Hajj Board warned would-be pilgrims not to attempt to travel to Saudi Arabia with such visas as they would be arrested and handed over to the authorities.
Over the weekend, three of such persons were arrested. Zulfawu Ishaku was said to have travelled toMeccaduring Umrah season with the intention to stay over and perform Hajj with those officially permitted to.
Unfortunately, on her part, she went through difficult times during her stay which led to a worsening medical situation, resulting in her demise.
Officials of the Ghana Consulate has been informed about the situation and processes are underway to have her buried.
The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has issued a statement announcing an interruption in the water supply to certain areas of theAshanti Region due to the temporary shutdown of the Qwabi Treatment Plant.
According to GWCL, the shutdown was due to technical challenges at the Qwabi Treatment Plant on Sunday (18 June).
The affected areas include Asuoyeboah, Tanoso, Apatrapa, Pokukrom, Bobankye, Nyankyereniase, Esaase, Akropong, Ntensere, Mfensi and Koforidua.
Others are Manhyia, Maakro, Agogo, Twedie, Nkawie, Mim, Toase, Afari, Wiosi, Abuakwa and its environs.
A statement issued by GWCL said its engineers are working to resolve the challenge to ensure the flow of water to the affected areas.
The Accra High Court has rejected the “submission of no case” filed by En Huang, also known as Aisha Huang, the alleged Chinese illegal mining kingpin, in a illegal mining (galamsey) case.
In a ruling today, the court, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Aisha Huang, reports Graphic Online’s Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson.
Consequently, the court directed the accused person to open her defence to answer to the charges leveled against her.
Not guilty
En Huang, a Chinese national has been accused of being in the thick of affairs of galamsey, especially in the Ashanti Region.
She was deported from Ghana in 2018, after the A-G decided to discontinue her trial in which she was accused of engaging in small-scale mining without licence.
However, she was said to have sneaked back into Ghana to allegedly engage in the same activities for which she was deported.
The Attorney-General (A-G), Godfred Yeboah Dame, then decided to prosecute her for the alleged crimes before her deportation and new ones committed since her entry back into the country.
It is the case of the prosecution that Aisha had an illegal mining concession at Bepotenten in the Amansie West District in the Ashanti Region and also operated a mining support services company.
She has pleaded not guilty to undertaking a mining operation without a licence, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation, the illegal employment of foreigners and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry.
