The National Identification Authority (NIA) has taken action by dismissing 10 employees due to their involvement in misconduct and unauthorized collection of fees from applicants for the Ghana Card.
The NIA’s decision comes after an investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) revealed their violation of authority regulations.
Per reports the dismissal followed a comprehensive inquiry process, which included suspending the implicated officers, constituting a disciplinary committee of inquiry to provide a fair hearing in accordance with the law, and the management’s acceptance of the committee’s recommendations.
The dismissed employees were found to have engaged in activities such as soliciting and accepting unauthorized fees from Ghana Card applicants and manipulating the registration system for personal gain.
These activities were confirmed to have taken place at various NIA offices including the head office in Accra, Subin Sub-Metro District Office in Kumasi, Western Regional Office in Takoradi, Registrar General’s Department Office at Accra Central, Adentan Municipal Office, and La-Nkwantanang Municipal Office.
The Executive Secretary of the NIA, Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah, emphasized the organization’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and ethical behavior.
The dismissal of the staff members underscores the NIA’s dedication to both safeguarding the rights of its personnel and promptly enforcing the rule of law.
This move is in alignment with the NIA’s goal of establishing a robust, principled, adaptable, and competent national institution that fosters a sense of genuine national pride among its citizens.
Attafuah pledged to implement additional measures to prevent such misconduct from recurring in the future.
The report reiterated that the NIA remains resolute in fulfilling its mandate of providing reliable, credible, and transparent identification services to citizens, all while maintaining the highest levels of professionalism and ethical conduct.
The Ghana Police Service has bid a farewell to one of its most esteemed horses P/H Corporal Queen Mother.
This resolute horse, renowned for its unwavering dedication and service, passed away on August 8, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of impressive ceremonial displays and contributions to state functions.
In recognition of its dedicated service, P/H Corporal Queen Mother has been posthumously elevated to the rank of a Sergeant.
P/H Corporal Queen Mother, symbolizing honor and loyalty, had been a steadfast member of the Police Mounted Squadron since 2019, embodying the Service’s ethos through its relentless efforts.
This majestic horse had played an integral role in various significant occasions, including Independence Day Parades, the commencement of Parliament during the State of the Nation’s Address, and the graduation of Cadet Officers.
The bond between the Service and P/H Corporal Queen Mother went beyond duty, with the horse endearingly becoming part of the Police family.
Its commanding presence and dignified demeanor made it a popular figure at public events, eliciting pride and admiration.
As the Ghana Police Service mourns the departure of this esteemed horse, it also celebrates the invaluable contributions it made to both the Service and the nation.
The legacy of this exceptional horse will continue to inspire Ghanaians, serving as a reminder of the unwavering dedication and commitment that define the nation’s law enforcement agency.
P/H Corporal Queen Mother, now known as P/H Sergeant Queen Mother, left behind three offspring, with the youngest being just two weeks old.
Former President John Dramani Mahama asserted that Ghana’s unemployment rate had reached its highest point, marking the first occurrence of such a high rate in the nation’s history.
During a speech at the graduation ceremony of the Academic City University College over the weekend, Mr. Mahama pointed out that there were very few job opportunities for graduates, leading to extended periods of unemployment for many of them.
He recalled that during his tenure, there were abundant job opportunities, and for those interested in teaching, automatic postings were provided.
However, the former president noted that the situation has changed significantly, with fewer job openings and reduced retention of individuals after their national service.
In addition, Mr. Mahama expressed concern over the state of the local economy, stating that it was in a state of disarray.
While delivering his speech, he said, “We left the university gates and walked into ready jobs waiting for us. There was automatic posting if you wanted to go into teaching. Many of us were retained and absorbed into workplaces where we had been posted for National Service…Our colleagues who made first class were quickly snapped up by prestigious banks and private corporations like UAC, Lever Brothers, now Unilever, and Standard Chartered Bank as management trainees.”
“There are no ready jobs to absorb you. It may take years for you to find decent employment. There are cases of students who remain unemployed five years after completing university. Unemployment in Ghana is at its highest in history today, estimated at 13%. Our economy is in crisis. The closure of indigenous banks and the banking sector cleanout have led to the loss of several jobs,” John Dramani Mahama stated.
The Ghana Police Service has stated that appropriate action will be taken against its officer, who was caught in a viral video dragging a suspect on the ground during an arrest in Dadease, near Kumawu in the Ashanti Region.
According to a statement issued on Friday, July 28, 2023, the police reported that the officer involved has been detained and temporarily suspended as a result of the incident.
“The Police have commenced investigation into a viral video in which a Police officer is seen dragging a suspect on the floor during an arrest at Dadease, near Kumawu in the Ashanti Region.
“The said Police officer was detained and has been interdicted and will be taken through the due process of the law,” parts of the statement read.
It added that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has sent a team to commiserate with the family of the victim.
“As investigation continues, the Inspector-General of Police yesterday sent a team from the Ashanti North Regional Police Command to engage the victim’s family.
He has also spoken to the victim’s mother via the telephone and assured her of a thorough investigation into the matter,” the statement concluded.
In the said video which has been sighted by GhanaWeb, two men in police inform could be seen attempting to arrest a man.
One of the officers could be seen engaging in a scuffle with the suspect as a lot of people had gathered around watching what was happening.
The officer fixed a belt on the neck of the suspect and started dragging him around by the neck with the belt.
Some of the community members tried to stop the policeman from dragging the suspect but to no avail.
A dramatic manhunt has culminated in the arrest of 14 suspects connected to the horrifying killings in the notorious Mpameso forest.
Law enforcement agencies have worked tirelessly to apprehend the suspected perpetrators responsible for the heinous acts, finally bringing hope for justice to the families of the victims and the terrified community.
The suspects have been identified as Hafiz Mohammed, Fuseini Mohammed, Abass Abukari, Alhassan Razak, Fuseini Shaibu, Addai Gyebi, Abubakari Issahaku, Seidu Sulemana, Kwabena Yeboah, Sulley Alhassan, Enoch Opoku, Ibrahim Issah, Obeng Richard, and Ibrahim Adams.
It is believed that the suspects shot two individuals who tragically lost their lives during the confrontation while the victims were on guard duty at a timber concession within the Mpameso Forest.
Following the suspects’ arrest on Tuesday, July 25, the Police conducted a search and recovered eight (8) pump-action guns, a cutlass, and a knife from their possession.
At present, all the suspects are under Police custody and are actively cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
The suspects will also be arraigned, today, July 17, and held accountable for their alleged roles in the clash and the consequent fatalities.
The Ghana Police Service has initiated an extensive manhunt for unidentified gunmen who perpetrated a lethal attack on a Kumasi-Bawku bound bus in Walewale, situated in the North East Region last Friday, resulting in the tragic death of one person and leaving numerous others injured.
Astonishingly, the bus caught fire while parked for investigation and safety purposes right in front of the Walewale police station.
The authorities suspect the attack is linked to the ongoing chieftaincy-related conflict in the Bawku enclave.
According to reports gathered by the Daily Graphic, the bus was ferrying passengers from Kumasi to Bawku, and upon reaching the outskirts of Walewale, assailants opened fire on the vehicle, causing the fatal casualty and injuries.
Although the bus was subsequently towed to the police station, it inexplicably caught fire and was reduced to ashes.
A statement from the police confirmed that a thorough investigation has been launched to apprehend the culprits behind the heinous act. Concurrently, the West Mamprusi Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) has strongly condemned the attack, calling for an expeditious and meticulous investigation to ensure the perpetrators face justice.
The Municipal Chief Executive and Chairman of MUSEC, Issahaku Arimeyaw Somo, expressed his dismay at the barbaric and unfortunate attack on innocent passengers, asserting their unwavering commitment to holding those involved accountable and subjecting them to the full force of the law.
Member of Parliament representing Tamale North Constituency, Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, made a claim accusing the government of engaging land guards to safeguard state lands.
The lawmaker’s accusation was in response to a statement made by Professor Patrick Agbesinyale, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), during a meeting with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Forestry.
In that meeting, the director indicated that the ministry has allegedly resorted to engaging a land guard to retrieve and protect government lands.
Ghana has been grappling with the rate at which state lands are being encroached upon by individuals, organisations and groups.
The government in 2012 began a state land reclamation exercise aimed at repossessing lands that belong to the state but have been encroached upon illegally.
In doing this, the MP for Tamale North said the government is engaging the services of some land guards to protect the state lands as the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources cannot protect these lands themselves.
However, moments after the lawmaker made these claims, all three of the institutions that were indited by the MP came out to vehemently refute the claims.
Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
In a statement dated July 17, 2023, the ministry said it wants to set the record straight.
It indicated that the government and for that matter, the ministry does not contract the services to assist in reclaiming encroached government lands.
The ministry stated that it has only engaged the services of Aynok Holding Limited, a registered limited liability company to assist in the reclamation process.
Ghana Armed Forces
After the Ministry came out, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) also released their statement on the same day to disassociate themselves from the claims by the MP for Tamale North.
In their statement, the forces described the claim as ‘unimaginable’ that the military cannot protect its lands but rather indulge in illegality by relying on the services of land guards.
As an institution responsible for protecting the frontiers of the country against external threats, the Armed Forces indicated that it remains focused on making the country safe against external forces from the Sahel Region.
Ghana Police Service
The last of the three is the Ghana Police Service who also stated in their statement that the claim by the MP is baseless, false and unfounded.
In their statement, the service stated that it has not on any occasion engaged the services of land guards to reclaim or protect its lands as it is being claimed by the Alhassan Suhuyini.
It went on to say that the service has in recent times intensified its anti-land guard operations in communications affected by the activities of these land guards and this renewed effort will not stop until perpetrators of such illegal activities are brought to justice.
In an alarming development, an individual whose identity remains unknown has transmitted a video message directly to the Bank of Ghana, publicly announcing his plans to carry out a robbery at the institution. The man not only disclosed his intention but also issued a warning to the Ghana Police and Soldiers, urging them to be prepared for his impending arrival.
The alarming video, which has since gone viral on social media, shows the man making daring threats as he directly addresses the Bank of Ghana.
In the video, the yet-to-be-identified man said; “Tell the Ghana Police and the soldiers that, I am coming to the Bank of Ghana, I am coming with my squad to rob.
“So, they should prepare themselves to await our coming,” he said.
The man’s boldness is evident as he delivers his threatening message with noticeable confidence.
He concludes the video by urging viewers to share his message with the security services.
“We are coming with all our guns and ammunition to take all the monies they have gathered.
So, share it with the soldiers, they should be alert. I will not say when I am coming but I have said it that we are coming to the bank of Ghana,” he added.
This follows series of robberies witnessed in recent times.
The recent of a robbery case occurred on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Two unsuspecting individuals on a motorbike entered a Star Oil filling station at Ablekuma and robbed a bullion van. The incident sadly led the death of the police officer who was accompanying the van.
A manhunt has been initiated by the Police for twin brothers accused of fatally stabbing a 17-year-old boy at a well-known drinking establishment in Berekum, located in the Bono Region.
According to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, July 16, 2023, and the lifeless body of the victim, Alhassan Sulemana, has been taken to the Berekum Holy Family Catholic Hospital mortuary for preservation and further examination through an autopsy.
A source at the Berekum Divisional Police Command confirmed the incident to the GNA but declined to make further comments on the incident.
The deceased and the suspects, only known as Harus and Farouk, were friends and they were said to have attended a night party with others at the drinking spot where a misunderstanding ensued between them.
During the melee, one of the suspects pulled a pair of scissors and stabbed the deceased instantly in the chest.
Hajia Safia Sulemana, the mother of the deceased who could not control her tears was shocked about the death of his son and appealed to the Police to be expeditious in their investigations.
She told newsmen her son and the suspects had been childhood friends and wondered how the incident happened.
Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Dubik Mahama, has expressed his resignation in the search for the company’s stolen vehicles.
According to him, his outfit has been assisting the Police Service to locate and retrieve the vehicles.
Mr Mahama, who was updating the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament on the progress of the investigation into the robbery incident, added that his Director of Legal Affairs made contact with the Police about four months ago to ascertain the status of the investigation.
“We have reported the matter to the police. We have assisted the police in their investigations. They are going to wrap up and then advise us accordingly.”
“Where I sit as the Managing Director, I’ll just say I am not looking forward to receiving those vehicles again. I’m just waiting for the final report of the Ghana Police Service on the matter,” he said.
Briefing the Committee on how the vehicles got stolen, the ECG Managing Director said that “the full investigative report is not here, but it was taken from the person at gunpoint …at different times, not all at the same time.”
Mr Mahama noted that none of the drivers involved in the robbery incident got injured.
He, however, told the Committee that he is certain that the drivers are still employees of the company but are not assigned to drive.
Commenting on whether it was coincidental for all the three vehicles to be snatched at gunpoint, Mr Mahama said, “It didn’t happen on the same day, it happened around different times. There’s time-space in different locations. I think two of them were at gunpoint, and one, the vehicle was parked at home.”
Background
Three vehicles belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) were snatched at gunpoint in the Ashanti region.
The vehicles, including a Toyota Landcruiser, were stolen by gunmen under strange circumstances.
The separate incidents that took place last year are yet to be solved by the Police.
The Ahafo Regional Police Command of the Ghana Police Service has initiated an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of a fellow officer stationed at a checkpoint in the Bia-Tano Forest of the Ahafo Region.
According to a Newspaper Report by the Ghanaian Times dated July 18, 2023, the investigation will clarify the cause of death of the police officer.
Sergeant Titus Avoka Azasiyande, the deceased officer, was discovered dead on Friday, July 15, 2023, with gunshot wounds on his body at the police checkpoint in Bediako, a suburb of Goaso, situated on the Kasapin-Bibiani Highway in the Ahafo Region.
At the time he was found, the deceased was lying by his Ak 47 rifle at the checkpoint with blood oozing from his lower abdomen.
Sources say a timber truck driver, who was coming from Kasapin, on reaching the Bia-Tano Forest police checkpoint, found the policeman dead and reported to the Goaso Regional Police Command.
It is unclear whether the deceased policeman committed suicide or was shot and killed by someone.
According to the report, the body of Sergeant Titus Avoka Azasiyande has been deposited at the Goaso Government Hospital pending autopsy.
The death of Sergeant Titus Avoka Azasivande adds to the number of service men and women who die while in the discharge of their duties.
Again, it serves as a stark reminder of the risks that these law enforcement officers face in the line of duty.
A mother who lost her two sons to a shooting incident at Bortianor could not hold back her grief as she invoked curses on the police officers who executed the shooting.
In a video making rounds on social mother, the bereaved mother is seen pouring out her frustration, by offering a sacrifice of a liquid believed to be an alcoholic beverage and breaking eggs, as well as sitting in a gutter to invoke the wrath of the ‘gods’ to ‘serve her justice.’
On June 8, 2023, the Police engaged in a shootout which claimed the lives of five persons in Bortianor.
Police authorities confirmed the killing of the suspects in a statement issued on Saturday, June 10, 2023.
According to the service, the five were suspected landguards, who engaged the police in a shootout when the police visited the area.
“On June 8th, 2023, the police conducted an operation targeting criminal elements involved in robbery and land guard activities.
These individuals had been terrorising residents and landowners in Bortianor and nearby communities,” the police statement explained.
Upon detecting the approaching police team, the suspects opened fire from their hideout, prompting the police to retaliate.
As a result, five of the suspects were injured and later pronounced dead at the hospital, while the remaining suspects fled the scene and are still at large, the police added.
According to the police, various weapons, including guns and ammunition, were seized as exhibits from the suspects.
Despite their justification, the shootout has been widely condemned by the general public, with many Human Rights organisations demanding justice for the deceased. There have also been calls on Ghana’s Parliament to institute a probe into the matter.
Meanwhile, residents and family members of the deceased want justice to be served.
The Bortianor Traditional Council has called for an impartial investigation into the shooting of some people claiming to be land guards by the Ghana Police Service in June 2023 in Bortianor, Greater Accra Region.
The traditional authority has disputed accusations that the people were land guards who terrorized villagers.
According to the Traditional Authority, the Parliamentary Committee established to investigate the subject has yet to visit the enclave.
Some traditional chiefs in the area spoke to the media about their outrage at the occurrence and urged the government to investigate the killings.
A leader mentioned that the local police commands were unaware of the raid until after the killings occurred.
“The Divisional Police didn’t know anything about the incident the day it happened. The Weija District and the Krokobite Division didn’t know anything about it and this was just about 500 meters from where the incident happened.”
He refuted claims that the victims were armed land guards who had been terrorizing the local residents.
“They were not having guns and the bullet casings shown on TV were brought from else, and we know the people who did that and wrongfully killed the people.”
“The government should wake up and find a way to investigate this thing, and we are ready to give to them telephone numbers to start with their investigations,” the angry traditional leader added.
The police officer who unfortunately died in the Ablekuma Bullion Van Robbery event has been promoted from General Lance Corporal to General Corporal posthumously.
The solemn announcement was made during a pre-burial service held at the St. George Catholic Church in Tesano, Accra, as a heartfelt tribute to the fallen hero, Callistus Amoah.
General Corporal Callistus Amoah, while on official duty in a bullion van at Ablekuma Fan Milk in Accra, bravely faced armed robbers at a fuel station and tragically succumbed to their gunfire.
The news of his promotion was met with profound respect, serving as a profound recognition of his unwavering dedication and ultimate sacrifice.
Expressing deep condolences, the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akufo Dampare, conveyed heartfelt sympathy to Callistus Amoah’s family and extended his support to the institutions with which the officer was associated during his honorable service.
Dr. Dampare further assured the public that relentless efforts would be exerted to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.
“On behalf of my colleagues and the leadership of the Police, I extend my condolences to Amanda, the parents of my brother and the institutions that when my brother was alive was involved in. Since the incident happened, I have been in an unmeasurable pain which I have not been able to quantify and define until I came here today.
“Calis is a colleague to all of us at the top but to me, he is a brother because the village he comes from is close to a village I have adopted because of the benevolence of an old lady towards me.”
The wife of the late Callistus Amoah, Amanda Amoah,stood before the mournful assembly and tenderly paid tribute to her beloved husband, portraying him as a remarkably generous soul.
The gathering resonated with solemnity as friends, family, and colleagues united in remembrance, joining together to pay homage to the cherished memory of a dedicated police officer who selflessly sacrificed his life in the line of duty.
An unnamed police officer is facing accusations of forcefully removing the waist beads worn by a married woman during an operation that resulted in the arrest of her husband, identified as Sixtus Arthur.
The alleged incident has raised concerns about potential police misconduct and violation of personal belongings during law enforcement activities.
According to the woman, Veronica Arthur, she was with her husband in their room in the afternoon of Tuesday, July 11, 2023, when more than 15 men claiming to be policemen, budged in on them.
She said that the men then forcefully arrested her husband, and in the heat of the moment, one of the officers grabbed her by the waist and tore her waist beads, a report by 3news.com has said.
“We were sleeping around 1:00am when we heard a knock at the door. We opened the door and saw about 15 men claiming to be police officers.
“They forcefully entered our room and started searching for my husband. I was trying to talk to them but they kept pushing me away. I wanted to go out and pass urine but one of the officers held my waist, pulled me back, and tore my beads. I came back to the room and saw them manhandling my husband without any reason,” the distressed Veronica Arthur said in a radio interview.
The incident happened at Nkroful in the Western Region.
She also said that of all the men who came to their home, only one of them was in a police uniform.
“One of them was in uniform with a pump action gun. With the rest, some of them were holding spanners,” she added, the report said.
Also speaking on the matter, Naana Yaaba, the mother of Sixtus Arthur, added that they have so far been unable to trace the whereabouts of her son although they have combed a number of police stations.
“We have been to Central, Harbor, and Sekondi police stations to find out if he was sent there but all to no avail. We currently do not know where he has been taken to,” she also said.
The report added that while it is unclear what prompted the arrest, there are suspicions that the matter could be related to an ongoing chieftaincy issue, since Sixtus is said to be the secretary to the substantive chief, Nana Kobina Gyan II.
Suspects in a chieftaincy dispute which threw the Lugni community in the Northern region into a state of fear and panic have been arrested. This is according to reports from the Ghana Police Service.
According to the police, two people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Speaking on how they were arrested, the police said a patrol team in town saw the suspects who have been identified as Kofi Binyam and one Mensah, a plumber in the area, wielding guns. This prompted the police to arrest and detain them.
On Thursday, inhabitants of Lugni in the Nanumba South District of the Northern Region had to evacuate to ensure their well-being due to a conflict over chieftaincy, which led to numerous gunfire sounds.
The discord, according to reports, originated when the acting regent of Lugni offered kola nuts to a Konkomba leader, enabling him to be officially appointed as the chief of the Konkombas in Lugni. Nonetheless, another Konkomba clan expressed their objection to this selection.
The Binyam and Naamuhi clans are at odds with one another. While getting ready to install a new chief, the other clan got offended and is said to have started shooting. The Binyam clan is said to have assaulted the Naamuhi clan.
The Binyam clan objected to the Nanung chief of Lugni enskinning the Naamuhi clan as the Konkomba chief for Lugni, and this sparked the shooting incident on Thursday night. Calm, however, has been restored now.
This adds to the number of chieftaincy disputes recorded in the Northern Region. A recent similar incident occurred in May this year at Yong Dakpeme Yile in the Northern Region between two rival groups in the area. The clash was between supporters of Fuseini Chemsi and Mohammed Chemsi over the handing over of a staff of authority ceremony. Although measures including mediation have been employed to curb these conflicts, they still persist, especially in the Northern parts of the country.
Suspects in a chieftaincy dispute which threw the Lugni community in the Northern region into a state of fear and panic have been arrested. This is according to reports from the Ghana Police Service.
According to the police, two people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Speaking on how they were arrested, the police said a patrol team in town saw the suspects who have been identified as Kofi Binyam and one Mensah, a plumber in the area, wielding guns. This prompted the police to arrest and detain them.
On Thursday, inhabitants of Lugni in the Nanumba South District of the Northern Region had to evacuate to ensure their well-being due to a conflict over chieftaincy, which led to numerous gunfire sounds.
The discord, according to reports, originated when the acting regent of Lugni offered kola nuts to a Konkomba leader, enabling him to be officially appointed as the chief of the Konkombas in Lugni. Nonetheless, another Konkomba clan expressed their objection to this selection.
The Binyam and Naamuhi clans are at odds with one another. While getting ready to install a new chief, the other clan got offended and is said to have started shooting. The Binyam clan is said to have assaulted the Naamuhi clan.
The Binyam clan objected to the Nanung chief of Lugni enskinning the Naamuhi clan as the Konkomba chief for Lugni, and this sparked the shooting incident on Thursday night. Calm, however, has been restored now.
This adds to the number of chieftaincy disputes recorded in the Northern Region. A recent similar incident occurred in May this year at Yong Dakpeme Yile in the Northern Region between two rival groups in the area.
The clash was between supporters of Fuseini Chemsi and Mohammed Chemsi over the handing over of a staff of authority ceremony.
Although measures including mediation have been employed to curb these conflicts, they still persist, especially in the Northern parts of the country.
Security and safety analyst, Adam Bonah has lauded the Ghana Police Service for what he refers to as exemplary performance during the recently concluded Assin North by-election.
Bonah, recognizing the significance of the police service’ effort in maintaining peace and order, gave the service an A+ grade for their professionalism and diligence throughout the electoral process.
Speaking in an interview he emphasized that the measures implemented by the police during the tension-filled by-election played a vital role in preventing potential outbreaks of violence.
“For my assessment, I will give the police, in terms of handling this particular high-tensioned by-election in Assin North, I will give them an A+ which will be about 85%,” Bonah stated.
He added “I say so because if the police had not put a lot more strategy and a lot more men on the ground, along with the assistance of other security agencies, Assin North would have been bloodier than Techiman.
“Assin North would have been bloodier than Talensi, Assin North would have been bloodier than Ayawaso Wougon, and probably all other by-elections. So, for me, I think their performance is commendable. They have done what probably they had not been able to do in all by-elections since the 1992 constitution.”
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission declared James Gyakye Quayson as the Member of Parliament-elect for the Assin North constituency on June 27, 2023, following the conclusion of the by-election. Quayson, who contested on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), emerged victorious with a significant margin.
According to the Electoral Commission’s announcement, James Gyakye Quayson garnered a total of 17,245 votes, representing 57.56% of the total votes cast. His closest contender, Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), received 12,630 votes, accounting for 42.15% of the votes. Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party Ghana (LPG) secured 87 votes, which represented 0.29% of the overall tally.
The by-election in Assin North was held to fill the parliamentary seat left vacant following a legal battle that questioned Quayson’s eligibility to hold office due to dual citizenship concerns.
Security and safety expert Adam Bonah praised the Ghana Police Service for its “exemplary performance” during the recently completed Assin North by-election.
Bonah, recognizing the significance of the police service’ effort in maintaining peace and order, gave the service an A+ grade for their professionalism and diligence throughout the electoral process.
Speaking to Ghanaweb, he emphasized that the measures implemented by the police during the tension-filled by-election played a vital role in preventing potential outbreaks of violence.
“For my assessment, I will give the police, in terms of handling this particular high-tensioned by-election in Assin North, I will give them an A+ which will be about 85%,” Bonah stated.
He added “I say so because if the police had not put a lot more strategy and a lot more men on the ground, along with the assistance of other security agencies, Assin North would have been bloodier than Techiman.
“Assin North would have been bloodier than Talensi, Assin North would have been bloodier than Ayawaso Wougon, and probably all other by-elections. So, for me, I think their performance is commendable. They have done what probably they had not been able to do in all by-elections since the 1992 constitution.”
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission declared James Gyakye Quayson as the Member of Parliament-elect for the Assin North constituency on June 27, 2023, following the conclusion of the by-election. Quayson, who contested on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), emerged victorious with a significant margin.
According to the Electoral Commission’s announcement, James Gyakye Quayson garnered a total of 17,245 votes, representing 57.56% of the total votes cast. His closest contender, Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), received 12,630 votes, accounting for 42.15% of the votes. Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party Ghana (LPG) secured 87 votes, which represented 0.29% of the overall tally.
The by-election in Assin North was held to fill the parliamentary seat left vacant following a legal battle that questioned Quayson’s eligibility to hold office due to dual citizenship concerns.
Founder and leader of Glorious Word Power Ministry International Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah, has come forward with disturbing allegations of mistreatment and police brutality while in custody.
Reverend Bempah in 2021 was arrested for creating “multiple videos containing threats, brandishing of a weapon and the assault of some police personnel,” a statement from the Ghana Police Service said.
The widely circulated circular by the Ghana Police Service said Rev Owusu Bempah was arrested together with three other suspects namely; Michael Boateng, Frederick Ohene and Nathaniel Agyekum, on Sunday, September 13, 2021, at his church premises.
The police indicated that two other suspects were on the run and they [police] were pursuing them.
During his stay in custody there were reports that he fell ill. It was reported that he was rushed to the hospital barely five hours after a court denied him bail and remanded him into police custody for one week. Rev Owusu Bempah has confirmed this in a video circulating on social media, adding that he was manhandled by the police officers.
He said he was subjected to torture on his hospital bed, disclosing that, he suffered physical injuries as a result.
“While on the hospital bed, I was placed on drip and handcuffed as well. The handcuffs were pressed tightly to my wrist to the extent that I sustained a cut and was bleeding as a result,” he disclosed while addressing some members of his church, including his junior pastors.
He said he questioned why he was subjected to that gruesome treatment and the officer-in-charge said it was ‘an order from above.’
He said his fierce anger was kindled against the police service, especially the IGP, and planned to hold him to ransom in the spiritual realm. However, due to several pleas from big guns in the New Patriotic Party (NPP), he forgave the IGP.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service is yet to respond to the allegations.
Kwame Governs Agbodza, Member of Parliament for Adaklu has alleged that 500 soldiers have been deployed to Assin North where a crucial by-election is taking place today, June 27.
He wondered why a security task known to be strictly undertaken by the police, which point has been buttressed by the Inspector-General of Police, is being augmented with the military without any concrete explanations.
“The IGP has made it clear that elections security is the responsibility of the Police. So what duties will the 500 soldiers deployed and on their way to Assin North be performing tomorrow?
“Is this deployment at the request of the IGP? Somebody must provide urgent answers,” he disclosed in a tweet on the eve of the polls.
The IGP has made it clear that elections security is the responsibility of the Police. So what duties will the 500 soldiers deployed and on their way to Assin North be performing tomorrow?
Is this deployment at the request of the IGP? Somebody must provide urgent answers.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has fielded its ousted MP for the area James Gyakye Quayson who will come up against the ruling New Patriotic Party’s Charles Opoku.
Ahead of the vote, a fellow NDC MP Nelson Dafeamekpor has slammed the IGP over a directive that all police assigned to MPs should return their arms to the local police.
A directive he said was unconstitutional to the extent that it varied the condition of service of MPs and also exposed them to security risks.
Voters in the Assin North constituency are demonstrating their eagerness to exercise their democratic rights.
A GhanaWeb reporter present at the Methodist Primary 1 polling station in Assin Breku captured images of voters forming queues as early as 5:00 am even though polls formally open at 7:00 am.
Nimatu Yakubu reports that as early as 5:30 am, election materials had already arrived at the particular polling station, and preparations for the voting process were in full swing.
The images from the polling station depict a diverse group of individuals patiently waiting in line, eager to have their voices heard through the ballot box. The early turnout suggests a strong sense of civic duty among the residents of Assin North.
A sprinter bus driver has run over a suspected armed robber, resulting in his death.
The deceased was among five suspected armed robbers who tried attacking and robbing some market women.
According to a police situational report, the bus with registration number AS 9159-14 with traders onboard, was returning from Yeji and heading towards Sunyani when it was attacked on reaching the outskirt of Ahyiaem town of Nkoranza jurisdiction on Ejura- Nkoranza stretch.
In the victims’ account, five armed Fulani men shot into the said vehicle and caused damage to the fan blade.
A policeman who was providing escort returned fire and the driver knocked down run over one of the robbers, killing him instantly
Police proceeded to the scene and found an unidentified, mutilated Fulani male adult believed to be in his late 20s lying dead in the middle of the road.
He was wearing a black jacket over a pink African wear and a black Addidas pair of trousers.
The body of the deceased was conveyed to the St.Theresa’s Hospital Morgue, awaiting identification and postmortem while police have mounted a hunt for the other four suspects said to be on the run.
The Assin North community has been reassured by the Ghana Police Service that sufficient security measures have been implemented in the area to maintain safety, law, and order before, during, and after today’s election.
“We wish to urge the people of the Assin North Constituency to go about their normal activities freely including going out to exercise their civic duty of casting their vote,” it said.
It gave the assurance at a meeting held at the instance of the Inspector-General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare and the Police Management Board with key stakeholders in the election including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) and the Electoral Commission (EC) to enhance the working relationship among all stakeholders towards a peaceful election.
False information
A statement issued and signed by the Director, Public Affairs, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Grace Ansah-Akrofi, said the security concerns of all the stakeholders were noted and had been factored into the final security strategy for the election.
“However, one concern all the stakeholders want the public to help them address is the circulation of false information on social media.
In this regard, we wish to urge the public to be circumspect in their reportage on the election and avoid circulating false information that has the likelihood to occasion a breach of peace since the police will take the necessary action against anyone found culpable,” it said.
The statement said the NPP team was led by its National Chairman, Stephen Ntim, and National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, while the NDC team was led by the National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, and General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey.
The LPG was also led by its General Secretary, Jerry Owusu Appauh, and regional executive members and the Electoral Commission was led by its Director of Operations.
“We wish to express our gratitude to all our stakeholders for their cooperation so far and look forward to the same level of cooperation for the last lap of the election to ensure a safe, secure and peaceful exercise,” it said.
Voters/Candidates
A total of 41,168 registered voters are expected to cast their votes in 99 polling stations across the Assin North Constituency in the poll today.
The by-election has three candidates.
They are Charles Opoku of the NPP, James Gyakye Quayson, NDC, and Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana.
It was necessitated by the removal of Mr Quayson of the NDC as the Member of Parliament for the Assin North Constituency due to a Supreme Court ruling on his dual citizenship case.
Observers
In a related development, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) says it has deployed 15 observers for today’s by-election.
It said the deployment was in fulfilment of its mandate to mobilise citizens to actively participate in the electoral process and to complement the efforts of the Electoral Commission in ensuring a transparent, free, fair and peaceful by-election.
National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketia says no meeting has been held so far with leadership of the various political parties ahead of the Assin North by-election, a situation which only foments suspicions among parties.
“These are all deliberate mechanisms in making sure that the elections are rigged,” hesaid in an interview with TV3 on Sunday, June 25.
A meeting has, however, been scheduled to be held between the Ghana Police Service and leadership of the various political parties on Monday, June 26.
Mr Asiedu Nketia is not convinced, however, as he says no measure can be taken to avert a security risk less than 24 hours to the D-day.
He, nonetheless, pledged to work with the state security agencies, without any other options, to ensure peaceful polls on Tuesday.
“If the security is going to be provided by the police service that is organizing medical screening to facilitate the victory of one side, that is NPP, but we still trust that we don’t have any option than to cooperate with state security.”
The NDC has maintained James Gyakye Quayson for the by-election despite being the cause of it after the courts declared his election in 2020 null and void and of no legal effect.
The NPP has, however, changed its candidate, going for Charles Opoku, who hails from the same town, Assin Breku, as Mr Quayson.
Veteran journalist, Kwesi Pratt has raised questions about the bullion van attack at Ablekuma Fanmilk in Accra which resulted in the death of a Police officer.
Four armed robbers shot and killed a Police officer guarding the bullion van which reportedly stopped at a fuel station to refill its tank.
A CCTV camera captured the moment when robbers riding a motorcycle ambushed the van immediately after it parked at the fuel station.
The robbers made away with a sum of money and a gun belonging to the late Police officer.
Speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show, Kwesi Pratt asked some questions worth answering as he found the incident perplexing.
“The robber who got down was wielding a gun, is that the Police officer didn’t see him approaching the vehicle? Also, what was the bullion van doing at a fuel station and if it was going to collect money, what precautionary measures were taken? Why wasn’t the Police officer wearing armored uniform?”, he asked, stressing he cannot fathom the incident.
“If the Police officer was wearing a bulletproof vest, maybe he might not have died”, he added.
Mr. Pratt also expressed concerns over the treatment of Police officers in the country, lamenting about how they are under-resourced and the need for them to be protected.
“What sin have the Police committed against us to deserve all these?”, he further asked and demanded “the Police also need protection…It is about time to take good care of the Police”.
A personnel of the Ghana Police Service was on Thursday, June 22, 2023, shot and killed armed robbers at Ablekuma, a suburb of Accra.
The CCTV footage from the scene of the crime showed the moment, the armed men attacked the bullion van the deceased police officer was escorting.
More videos are emerging from the crime scene and one of the videos showed how some brave residents of Ablekuma attempted to save the victim who has been identified as Amoah.
The said video, which was shared by Kofi TV, showed the late Amoah laying in the bullion van motionless.
Most of the residents who were around were just looking at the victim in fear but two men bravely took action to save his life.
The first man can be seen in the video, raising the motionless police officer in the van. He was joined by another man and together they were able to bring him (the victim) out of the van.
They raced to the main street and the other residents helped stopped a black 4-wheel drive. They placed the victim in the car and they raced to a nearby hospital but the victim was pronounced dead at the hospital.
A security policy expert, Anthony Acquaye, has squarely placed the blame for the gruesome killing of one of its officers at the doorsteps of the high command of the Ghana Police Service.
The deceased officer, identified only as Amoah, was attacked and fired at multiple times while he was in the passenger seat of a bullion van that had gone to a popular fuel station at Dansoman to collect money.
In CCTV footages that have since gone viral, some four men atop two motorbikes, went directly for the policeman in the front seat of the white van, firing at him until he succumbed to death.
But reacting to the incident, which the police have announced is under investigation, Anthony Acquaye said that the top hierarchy of the police service have failed to prioritise the safety of their own men.
“Having noticed the poor-quality bullion van in question in the video footage and the police officer shot without wearing armoured vest and ballistic helmet has triggered me to ask the Ghana Police high command on how well do they ensure their men and women adhere to the right operating standard procedure in such an important operation involving life and money.
“Understanding the police service as an institution on how it stands by its directives and ensures its full implementation in this poor-quality bullion van issue has become very problematic and questionable,” he said in a statement.
Anthony Acquaye, who also works at the Centre for Security Dialogue and Peace Advocacy (CSDPA), further questioned the commitment of the service in ensuring that it provides the best protection for its men in such situations.
He also questioned the police high command on why it continues to allow its men to go on such assignments when it once stated that it would no longer allow such assignments if institutions do not provide them with standard protection.
“Referring to the press statement signed and released by the then Director of Public Affairs, Superintendent of Police, Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman (Mrs), dated 14th June, 2021, with reference number PAD/PRESS/VOL3 178, having it 3rd paragraph read as, ‘The IGP is also reminding the Association of Bankers to provide a fortified armoured vehicles for carting currencies by the close of June 2021 as earlier agreed between them and Police Service, lest the Police withdraws its officers for escort duties.’
“So, the question I’m asking is, if the Police Service High Command are aware of how the security of cash movement and escort officers are critical in the banking business and for that matter have warned the Association of Bankers on the deadly threat the sub-standard vehicles used by most of their banks in transporting of their money pose on personnel life and the money, why then do the Police high command allow them to continue using them?” he added.
Besides, the security policy expert raised concerns on why police personnel on such assignments still do so without bullet proofs.
“Again, why are some police officers on these special duties not given bullet proof vests and ballistic helmets to wear for their personal protection,” he added.
He has therefore called on the police service to prioritise the security of its men, stressing that it should enforce its directive on the use of the armoured bullion vans by the banks or withdraw its officers on such duties entirely.
What we know so far on the bullion van attack that killed a police officer:
Time of the attack
Even though reports of the incident got into the media late afternoon, the incident is said to have happened at around 1:30 pm according to eye witnesses, a claim buttressed by Star Oil statement.
The oil company confirmed thus in a statement: “Star Oil is deeply saddened to announce an armed robbery attack at our Ablekuma Fanmilk station on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at approximately 1:30 PM.
What the attackers took away
From our review of CCTV footage, the robbers made away with two bags, the contents of which remain unknown at this point.
Star Oil further confirmed in their statement that the van had just arrived to collect money when the attack was launched.
“The robbers attacked the van a few minutes after it arrived for cash collection at the station,” their statement of June 22 stressed.
Officer identified by first name only
The slain officer who was retrieved from the van after the robbers had bolted has been declared dead.
Even though the terse police statement on the incident did not fully identify him, Star Oil’s statement provided a single name as Amoah.
Contrary to some social media reports that the police had arrested the robbers, their statement released hours after the incident disclosed that a manhunt was on for the killers.
“The Police are on a manhunt to arrest a gang of four robbers who attacked a bullion van at Ablekuma Fanmilk, a suburb of Accra and shot the Police escort who has unfortunately passed on,” the statement read.
Eyewitnesses in the area told the media about how the operation unfolded stating among others that the sound of repeated gunshots had them scampering and taking cover.
That after the robbers had bolted, most people rushed to the scene where they saw the policeman slumped in the car seat.
“It was there that some of the people carried him into a car and rushed him to the hospital,” one of the eyewitnesses told Metro TV news.
ABLEKUMA BULLION VAN ROBBERY IN FOCUS: BLAME POLICE HIGH COMMAND FOR THEIR INABILITY TO ENFORCE THE RIGHT OPERATING STANDARD PROCEDURE TO SAFEGUARD ITS OFFICERS – Security Analyst
Seriously, it is too sad to have another gallant police officer killed in a sub-standard bullion van robbery attack at Ablekuma-Fanmilk. It on record that, between February 2021 and February 2022, four separate bullion van robbery attacks were recorded across Greater Accra Region. A critical analysis on the video footage intelligence recorded by the closed-circuit television (CCTV) at the filling station showed clearly how the robbers with their two motorbikes ambushed the bullion van, shot the police officer on target whiles the driver run for his life.
Having noticed the poor-quality bullion van in question in the video footage and the police officer shot without wearing armoured vest and ballistic helmet has triggered me to ask the Ghana Police high command on how well do they ensure their men and women adhere to the right operating standard procedure in such an important operation involving life and money.
Understanding the police service as an institution on how it stands by its directives and ensures its full implementation in this poor-quality bullion van issue has become very problematic and questionable.
Referring to the press statement signed and released by the then director of public affairs, superintendent of police, Sheilla Kessie Abayie – Buckman (Mrs) dated 14th June, 2021 with reference number PAD/PRESS/VOL3 178 having it 3rd paragraph read as “The IGP is also reminding the Association of Bankers to provide a fortified armoured vehicles for carting currencies by the close of June 2021 as earlier agreed between them and Police Service, lest the Police withdraws its officers for escort duties”
So, the question I’m asking is, if the Police Service High Command are aware of how the security of cash movement and escort officers are critical in the banking business and for that matter have warned the Association of Bankers on the deadly threat the sub – standard vehicles used by most of their banks in transporting of their money pose on personnel life and the money, why then do the Police high command allow them to continue using them.
Again, why are some police officers on these special duties not given bullet proof vests and ballistic helmets to wear for their personal protection.
It is important to state that, protecting, detecting and deterring are the ultimate security strategies that can safeguard our gallant police personnel in an unaware situation like this, with they are alertness in combating coupled with the presence of the armoured bullion van with its security features such as its tracking device, its bullet resistance glass and siren could have deterred the robbers in the first place or the tracking device could have tracked them by alerting the danger as they continued to follow them with their motorbikes or probably it could have been very difficult for the robbers to open the door of the armoured bullion van and shoot the police officer. It is prudent to establish that, if the police officer was wearing the armoured vest the bullet probably wouldn’t have penetrated into his body.
Ghana Police Service must as a matter of urgent enforce its directive on the use of the armoured bullion van by the banks or withdraw its officers on such duties.
Signed
Anthony Acquaye (MA in Security, KAIPTC) Security Policy Expert Center for Security Dialogue and Peace Advocacy (CSDPA) 0556783703
Mr Dennis Yeribu, Principal Manager, Planning and Programmes Directorate of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), says about 10 per cent of all road crashes are linked to poor tyre maintenance.
He has therefore advised motorists to observe good tyre maintenance practices to ensure safety on the roads.
Mr Yeribu made the comments on Friday during a “Stay Alive Tyre Safety Campaign,” organised by the NRSA in collaboration with Vulco and supported by the Ghana Police Service.
As part of the exercise, the team performed tyre assessments of about 500 private vehicles plying the Tema Motorway. They also shared tyre safety and management tips with drivers, gave out tyre inflation coupons and embarked on road safety sensitisation.
After carrying out tyre checks, the team informed drivers of their tyre health status and provided them with remedies.
Mr Yeribu said an important component of road safety was the issue of tyres which many road users, unfortunately, paid little attention to.
He said the Tyre Safety campaign would be replicated in other regions of the country, adding that, soon a similar exercise would be organised for public transport.
Mr Yeribu said the data gathered from the exercise would inform future policy directives and targeted education programmes on road safety.
He thanked Vulco and the Police for their assistance and lauded the drivers for their cooperation and availing themselves to receive the education.
The drivers on the other hand, thanked the NRSA for the exercise and for enriching their knowledge on tyre safety.
Mr Shakti Shukla, National Retail Manager of Vulco, said his outfit had observed that about 65 per cent to 70 per cent of the vehicles had winter tyres instead of summer tyres which were best suited for Ghana’s weather condition.
Summer tyres have a dedicated rubber compound that delivers excellent grip and handling on both dry and wet roads in warmer conditions. On the other hand, winter tyres provide outstanding grip on road surfaces covered with snow and ice, as well as wet roads in cold conditions.
He informed that the standard maximum shelf life of tyres was five years but observed that most tyres were overaged and cracked.
The shelf life of a tyre is the time between date of manufacture and period of its road worthiness. This applies to the period before the tire is first used—the period when the tire is kept away in the dark from having direct contact with sunlight or rain.
He advised motorists to purchase tyres that conformed to their vehicle’s Original Equipment (OE), had the correct tyre size, maintain the recommended tyre pressure and check the warranty given by the manufacturer.
The OE are the parts of a car that were fitted at the factory during manufacturing. Only approved OE tyres are fitted to new cars. OE tyres are developed specifically for each make and model of car.
He advised drivers not to fit different tyre sizes on the same axis but to only mount the size specified by the manufacturer.
“To maximize the tire performance, a driver should make an axis rotation every 10,000 kilometres. Drivers should control their tire pressure every 15 days, use manufacturer’s recommended pressure, check the status of valves and place caps on the valves.”
“Elements that impact negatively on the life of tyres include driving at high speed, taking turns too fast and quick stops. The consequences of unbalancing include tyre damage, irregular wear, loss of traction and stability and lack of comfort,” he said.
A 28-year-old private security man has been sentenced to serve a 22-year prison term, after having been found guilty of stabbing a resident of an apartment he was guarding with a meat fork.
A report by the Chronicles Newspaper dated Friday, June 16, 2023, indicated that the suspect, now a convict whose name is given as Alhassan Abdul Rahuf, admitted to the offence in his cautioned statement to the police.
According to the report, Rahuf broke into the victim’s (name withheld) house through the children’s window, changed into the victim’s husband’s clothes and barged into the room of the victim as she was getting dressed.
On seeing the accused, the victim was compelled by the incident to run out naked in search of help but was stabbed by the convict twice in the abdomen.
The court which was presided over by His Honor Isaac Addo on June 15, 2023, slapped the defendant with a 15 and 7-year sentence for unlawful entry and causing harm respectively.
The convict would serve 15 years imprisonment because the counts will run concurrently.
Presenting the facts of the case in court, the prosecuting officer Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer named Rita Owusu who is the facility manager of Arabella Residence located at Cantonments, as the complainant.
The brief indicated that the victim, a businesswoman is a resident of Arabeila residence whiles the convict was a security guard with Protea Coin Security Company, which provides security services for the residence.
On April 28, 2023, at about 7:10 am, the convict who was on guard duty at the above-mentioned residence sought permission from his supervisor to use the washroom but failed to return to the post.
C/Insp Lawer continued that the convict after using the washroom went to the apartment of the victim, entered it through the children’s playroom window and changed himself into the victim’s husband’s clothes. He left his uniform and boots in a polythene bag in the children’s playroom and hid himself.
The next day, April 29, 2023, at about 1:30 pm, the victim was dressing up when suddenly, the convict barged into her while she was naked in the bedroom.
The victim shouted for help, but the convict rushed into the kitchen, picked up a knife and a meat fork, and stabbed her twice in the abdomen with the meat fork. Bleeding profusely, she was rushed out to the hospital by a neighbour who heard the scream from the victim.
The convict on the other hand, also rushed out and cut one of the electric fence wires and scaled over the wall to escape.
Intelligence investigation by the Police led to the arrest of the convict at a nearby construction site.
He admitted the offence in his cautioned statement and led police to retrieve his security uniform kept in the victim’s room.
C/Ins Lawer told the court that after the investigation the convict was charged with the offences.
A Tema Magistrate Court has ordered that Godpapa the Greatest, and his wife, Empress Lupita God Muzaria, the trending couple TikTok ‘stars’ in Ghana, to go for a psychiatric assessment.
The couple, whose real names are Daniel Chayah and Jocelyn Charyah, are facing a charge of the murder of their two children, a report by graphic.com.gh has said.
The report added that the presiding judge, Benedicta Antwi, gave the order for psychiatric medical assessment during the appearance of the couple on Thursday, June 15, 2023.
Additionally, the couple have been referred to Legal Aid for the services of a lawyer “since the court was not clothed with authority to grant bail in the instant case.” The court will reconvene on Monday, June 26, 2023.
Godpapa The Greatest and Empress Lupita were picked up by the police and subsequently arraigned before the TDC Magistrate Court on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
The Ghana Police Service says it has commenced efforts to arrest some suspects in a viral video where a woman is captured being subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment by a group of people.
In a statement issued on Monday, 12 June 2023, the Police Service said it has commenced an investigation into the incident said to have occurred in the Upper East Region.
“The Police have commenced investigation into a viral video believed to have originated from the Upper East Region, in which a female victim is seen being subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment by a group of people.
“We wish to call on the public to remain calm as efforts are underway to get the perpetrators arrested to face justice,” the statement said.
In the video, the woman is at one point half-naked, before she is completely stripped of everything she is wearing, exposing her nakedness, even as some men gathered around her to beat and molest her.
Meanwhile, security analyst, Adib Saani, has raised a worrying concern about a disturbing video of a woman who has been identified as a Fulani woman being sexually molested in public by some men.
But reacting to the video, which he said emanates from Zebilla in the Upper East Region, Adib Saani said that this is the kind of things that motivate terrorist narratives.
He explained that when things like these are encouraged, it becomes easy for terrorist groups to capitalise on them to infiltrate communities, and eventually, countries like Ghana.
“This is a very dangerous move by the youth of the area as it feeds into the terrorist narrative. Terrorists love to see these because they exploit them to create a motive to stage attacks.
“This incident is more or less a VIP invite to terrorists. Attacking women and children amounts to crossing the red line.
“I am concerned as a security stakeholder because this could cause reprisals,” he stressed.
Adib Saani also stated that he has learnt that the woman is married with children, and has since relocated with her family.
He stressed that the Fulani community leadership in Ghana has been looking for the woman since the incident but without success.
The security analyst, therefore, called on the Ghana Police Service to effectively identify and arrest the perpetrators involved in this atrocity.
“I call on the police to effect an arrest ASAP and prove that we are governed by law and would not countenance such acts of barbarity,” he added.
TheGhana Police Servicehas been penalized with a fine of GHS100,000 due to its failure to adhere to the directives of the Right to Information (RTI) Commission.
These directives mandated the police to provide the requested information to an applicant as required by the RTI.
The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Africa, had sought information on the status of cases involving police brutality.Despite addressing the request to the Inspector General of Police, the Police Service completely ignored it.
The RTI Commission in a statement highlighted the Respondent’s failure to make decisions on the applicant’s request, along with their disregard for the Commission’s letter.“Based on the Respondent’s failure to make decisions on the Applicant’s application lodged with it, the Respondent has clearly failed to perform its obligation under Act 989.
This is coupled with its failure to respond to the Commission’s letter received by it.“Such a posture by the Respondent is not to be encouraged as it is an affront to the right of access to information enshrined under Article 21(1) (f) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and affirmed by Act 989 and same ought to be disapproved in strong terms.
“For this reason, an administrative penalty of GH¢ 100,000.00 is imposed on the Respondent and this shall be payable to the Commission not later than 14 days after receipt of this decision of the Commission by the Respondent.
“The penalty so imposed shall attract an additional default penalty rate of l0% on the principal penalty sum of GH¢100,000.00 in the event of default for any additional 14 days thereafter.”
The Police in Ahafo Region have begun investigation to unravel the mysterious death of Alex Gyabaah, the Chairman of the Pentecost Polling Station of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at Duayaw-Nkwanta in the Tano North Municipality of the region.
Residents woke up in the early hours of Saturday June 3, 2023, and found the lifeless body of Gyabaah, a carpenter hanging with a rope tied around his neck at his carpentry shop and the Police have since deposited the body at the Duayaw-Nkwanta St John of God Catholic Hospital for preservation and autopsy.
A reliable Police source in an interview said Police investigations were on-going and appealed to the residents to remain calm.
Some friends and relations said they were shocked and saddened about the death of Gyabaah, and suspected foul play, and appealed to the Police to be expeditious in their investigations.
“He was a lovely person, and we still don’t know why somebody like Gyabaah should hang himself.
“I think there is something suspicious because we were just with him on Thursday during the observance of the one-week funeral rite of the late Nana Boakye Tromo II, the paramount chief of Duayaw-Nkwanta,” a close friend and leading member of the NPP in the area stated.
Meanwhile, the mysterious death of Gyabaah has since spread like wildfire in the town, as hundreds of mourners joined the Duayaw-Nkwanta Traditional Council to observe the one-week funeral rites of the late paramount chief who died somewhere in 2022.
Dr Freda Prempeh, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North constituency together with some of the NPP constituency executives had since visited and sympathized with the bereaved family.
The MP said she was also shocked about the death of Gyabaah, and urged the bereaved family and friends to take solace in God, assuring that the Party in the constituency was strongly behind them in their moment of grief and appealed to the Police to be swift with their investigations.
An accident involving four cars including a Resurrection Power New Generation Church (RPNGC) church bus has left about 50 persons injured.
The incident happened at Menskrom Weija Junction on the Accra-Kasoa highway, on Sunday.
According to reports, the unfortunate incident was caused by a drunk police officer who was engaged in wrongful overtaking while plying the route on Sunday afternoon.
The four cars are a Tata bus, which carried the members of the Resurrection Power New Generation Church, an old Benz, KIA Rio taxi and a Toyota Vitz belonging to a police officer.
Eyewitnesses claim that the police officer, who was driving from Kasoa tollbooth to Accra, made a wrong overtaking and in the process crossed the bus; resulting in the accident.
Upon getting to the Weija junction traffic light, the police officer’s car run into the church bus, which also crashed into two other vehicles parked along the shoulders of the road.
In an interview with Adom News’ Seth Kofi Adjei, some of the eyewitnesses blamed the police officer in the Toyota Vitz for the accident.
An eyewitness said two of the church members are feared dead while many of them are seriously injured.
The bus was carrying about 50 passengers including children. A taxi driver, whose car was affected, also blamed the accident on the police officer.
Personnel of the Ghana Fire Service and the police team were at the scene to ensure the free flow of traffic.
The Savannah Regional Police Command has granted bail to some 49 suspects who were arrested at Daboya in the Savannah Region following unrest in town.
This was after clashes between Mamprusis and Gonjas at Lukula, a farming community in the North Gonja District, led to an attack on police in the region.
The suspects reportedly smashed the Savannah Regional Police Commander’s vehicle windscreen and another brand-new pickup belonging to the district command.
Following the unrest, about 107 were arrested, and kept in police custody in Tamale in the Northern Region.
Other men in the town have since fled, hiding in bushes and distant communities. Also, all commercial and domestic activities have been brought to a standstill in Daboya and its environs.
In town, JoyNews cited only women and a few other female students returning to town on vacation.
The remaining 51 suspects, according to police sources, would be put before a Tamale High Court on Monday, June 5.
Two police officers were injured when two suspected criminals attacked them and run off with handcuffs during an operation at Gomoa Nyanyano in the Central Region.
The police had dispatched a team of police officers from the intelligence unit to apprehend suspects who had reportedly robbed residents at Kasoa and sought refuge at Gomoa Nyanyano.
Upon their arrival at the area, the officers were unexpectedly attacked by the young residents, resulting in injuries to two of them.
Recognising the need for additional support, the remaining officers promptly called for reinforcement from the Central East Regional Police Command.
Despite the challenges faced, the team successfully managed to apprehend eight individuals from the ghetto, while two others managed to flee, taking the police handcuffs with them.
The injured police officers were swiftly sent to a nearby hospital for immediate medical attention.
Meanwhile, the eight apprehended suspects were handed over to the Central East Regional Police Command for further investigation.
The incident has prompted a thorough ongoing investigation by the authorities to uncover the identities and whereabouts of the escaped individuals.
The police are determined to recover the stolen handcuffs and bring those responsible to justice.
A Police Corporal in Kumasi reportedly attempted suicide by jumping a three storey-building.
He is currently recovering from multiple fractures after the incident which occurred in the city’s Central Business District.
Corporal Emmanuel Sarpong with the Kumasi Ridge Police Station, according to a police situational report, sighted by MyNewsGh.com, drove to the Kumasi Central Barracks climbed the story building situated within the barracks and jumped off, injuring himself in the process
He was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, where he has been admitted at the emergency ward for treatment. At the time of filing this report, he was visited at the hospital and was found responding to treatment.
The Medical Officer on duty at the emergency ward revealed that the policeman had suffered fractures on both legs and that they are yet to assess the extent of the fractures.
AngloGold Ashantihas denied claims that 300 illegal miners have been confined and unable to escape from one of the company’s mine shafts.
A statement from the mining firm explained that the trapped miners have not been confined and can exit on foot via the existing ramp from the mine.
“Unauthorized persons underground are able to exit on foot, via the existing ramp, through the main access of this mining area. No person underground has been confined in any way and the main exit ramp from the mine remains open.
“Obuasi Gold Mine’s management team has notified the relevant authorities and public security services and is working closely with them.”
The company added that seven illegal miners exited through this main access point on foot and are in the custody of the Ghana Police Service.
The miners reportedly entered the underground shaft in search of gold deposits but were unable to come out after all exit routes were closed.
One of the illegal miners, Ali Tijani who spoke to the media said some of his colleagues are unconscious as they have run out of food and water.
“We went to the AngloGold mine to work, but the place was closed down. For four days now, we are just in there. We don’t have any food or water. And they do not want to give us water. We are about 300. We went there on our own.”
Below is the full statement by AngloGold Ashanti
AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Provides Update on Media Reports
AngloGold Ashanti Ghana’s Obuasi Mine is aware of media reports alleging that illegal miners may have been trapped underground in the northern areas of the mine, remote from current active mining areas.
Unauthorized persons underground are able to exit on foot, via the existing ramp, through the main access of this mining area. No person underground has been confined in any way and the main exit ramp from the mine remains open.
Obuasi Gold Mine’s management team has notified the relevant authorities and public security services and is working closely with them.
Yesterday, seven illegal minersexited through this main access point on foot and are in the custody of the Ghana Police Service. Any unauthorized person underground is encouraged to leave the mine at any time by the exit points where public security personnel remain on standby.
The intrusion of illegal miners into underground areas remains a significantly dangerous activity and AngloGold Ashanti Ghana is working alongside authorities to ensure that only authorized mine personnel and contractors can access underground work areas.
The safety and security of our employees and community members remain our top priority and AngloGold Ashanti Ghana stands ready to provide any assistance required by the authorities in ensuring the safe exit of any unauthorized persons underground.
The Asokore Mampong District Court has been greeted by a busload of the family of a 26-year-old mother of one who was allegedly shot multiple times and killed by her lover, a police inspector, in Kumasi.
The relatives claim they are in court to seek justice for their departed loved one.
They are dressed in red and black clothing, some of which bears the slogan ‘Justice for Maa Adwoa.’
Inspector Ahmed Twumasi, who is said to have shot his lover multiple times in the chest and abdomen with a service rifle, is appearing in court for the second time after being remanded into police custody a month ago.
In April, Police prosecution told the court the accused demanded a refund of Ghs5,000 he allegedly paid the deceased to settle an issue between the two in the presence of a female friend.
The Inspector says he had no intention of killing his lover adding that only God knows what happened on the day of the incident.
The Ghana Police Service (GPS) has reportedly rescued a boy kidnapped at Drobo in Jaman South Municipality of the Bono Region.
A post shared on social media by EDHUD, indicated that the victim, a class five pupil, went missing at a demonstration in Drobo, on Saturday, May 27, 2023.
The father of the boy indicated that he had been kidnapped.
The tweet had a video that showed the moment he was recused by the police from what looks like a forest.
The exhausted and starved boy can be seen tied to a tree by his neck, hands and legs.
One of the police officers can also be seen cutting off the knots to free the victim.
The boy nearly fell as he attempted to walk and was carried from the scene by the police officer.
Security and safety analyst Dr. Adam Bonaa has commended Inspector-General of Police Dr. George Akuffo Dampare and the Ghana Police Service (GPS) for overseeing what he considers the most peaceful by-election in the history of Ghana’s current Republic.
In an interview with GhanaWeb, Dr. Bonaa stated that the recent by-election in the Kumawu Constituency was by far the most peaceful witnessed in Ghana since 1992, and that credit should be given to the current police administration.
“Since 1992, when the Fourth Republican Constitution took effect, we haven’t really had any by-elections that were not characterized by violence. All by-elections from that time until the 2020 general election, including the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election that ushered in the 2020 election, were marred by violence. So, it is good that we are beginning to see some semblance of stability and peace during elections, and I must say kudos to the security agencies, particularly Dampare and his team,” he said.
Dr. Bonaa expressed hope that the success in terms of election security would be sustained through the efforts of the police. He also congratulated political parties, including the NPP and the NDC, as well as other stakeholders, for committing to peace in the Kumawu by-election.
Upcoming Election in Assin North
Following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that declared the election of James Gyekye Quayson as the Member of Parliament for Assin North unconstitutional, a by-election is expected to be held to elect a new MP.
Looking ahead to the anticipated by-election in Assin North, Dr. Bonaa stated that the police must replicate their security measures from Kumawu to ensure a peaceful election in the constituency and in other upcoming elections, including the New Patriotic Party’s presidential and parliamentary primaries, as well as the 2024 general elections.
“I expect the police to prove to Ghanaians that what happened in Kumawu was not just an isolated incident. Their tactics worked, and if everything goes well, Assin North will also witness one of the most peaceful by-elections. I also expect the same level of security in the NPP flagbearership contest, which won’t be an easy task for any security agency. However, we anticipate that they will navigate their way into the 2024 elections,” Dr. Bonaa stated.
No Need for Military
The security and safety analyst emphasized the importance of keeping the military away from election monitoring activities in the country.
“I must also add that some of us have advocated for the use of the military in elections to be a thing of the past. The military should be the last resort when things go terribly wrong. Placing them at the forefront does not help us and has never helped us. So, some of us continue to advocate for keeping them on standby so that if the police need them, they can be called upon. National Security caused mayhem in Ayawaso West Wuogon, and it took the police to exert their authority and restore order,” Dr. Bonaa added.
He concluded by stating that if all security agencies adhere to the protocols laid out by the Ghana Police Service, Ghana can rewrite history when it comes to the democratic process of voting.
The Eastern Regional Fire Command has begun investigating a fire incident at Daasebere Estate, a suburb ofKoforidua in the New Juaben South Municipality that destroyed an apartment.
Although the cause of the fire is yet to be known by the fire service, some eyewitnesses who spoke to Citi News indicated that there was a spark from a socket in one of the rooms where the occupant was charging her mobile phone.
Some personnel of the National Ambulance Service and the Ghana Police Servicewho occupied the apartments together with their families narrowly escaped death but unfortunately lost all their belongings to the fire.
“I was in town yesterday when they called me that our house was on fire, so I quickly went to the fire service station to report the fire. When I got there, they told me that they had already dispatched a team to attend to the fire. When I got back, they were not there, so we decided to attempt fighting the fire ourselves, but it was too late,” one victim narrated.
The victims are appealing to the public for assistance as they have lost everything in the inferno.
A 10-year-old girl has been sexually molested by a 40-year-old man at Anaji Queen of Peace near Takoradi.
The man, who has been identified as just Thomas is a mason by profession, and is reported to have abducted the girl for six days.
Dailyguidenetwork.com reports that Thomas locked the little girl in his room and only allowed her out when he returns from work.
In an interview, the father of the victim, Confidence Fiadzo, commended the police for their swift intervention in arresting the suspect.
He indicated that he had just moved into the area with his children from Mpatado.
According to him, in the early morning of Saturday, May 6, 2023, his 10-year-old daughter decided to go and fetch water from a well at Anaji Queen of Peace, which is about 10 minutes’ walk from their new residence, and did not return.
He added that he realised his daughter was not returning home, so he asked her siblings to follow up.
“They combed all the area, including the location of the well and all uncompleted buildings, but they could not find my daughter,” he said.
He added that after failing to find her, he reported the case to the police and made some radio announcements, and published her photograph on social media.
Mr. Fiadzo told DAILY GUIDE that a female neighbour of the suspect later saw the little girl come out of the man’s room.
According to the neighbour, because “the man did not have a wife or a child, she became suspicious after seeing the little girl coming out of his room. So she reported the case to the Anaji police,” Dailyguide added.
The police rushed to the place, rescued the girl and arrested the suspect, and called the father to inform him.
They later directed the father to send her daughter to the hospital for an examination, and it was there that the doctors confirmed that the little girl was sexually molested by the suspect.
The suspect is currently at the Kwesimintsim Police Station assisting with investigations.
The Ghana Standards Authority(GSA) has launched a statewide enforcement campaign to eliminate the market of inferior electrical cables.
This follows GSA’s routine market surveillance exercises that showed an alarming increase in the proportion of substandard cables on the market.
The exercise, which would involve officials of the GSA and theGhana Police Service, is expected to get illegal cable manufacturers and importers arrested and their illegal operations halted.
While the influx of illegal cable on the market poses a risk of domestic and industrial fires when used to wire buildings, their availability on the market is destroying the fortunes of certified local manufacturers of cables.
Substandard cables also lead to losses to our electricity supplying companies the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and affect the country economically.
Market surveillance
In 2017, the authority undertook market surveillance that involved testing cables for quality and standards.
Of the 22 brands that were sampled for laboratory testing, only two, which were manufactured locally, passed the critical safety requirement test for conductor resistance.
All locally manufactured cables at the time passed all tests.
The cables were manufactured by Tropical Cable and Conductors Limited, Reroy Cables and Nexans Kablemetal Limited, all in Tema.
At the time, the GSA began to educate the public on authentic cables by publishing the names of cable brands that had met critical test requirements.
Even though the GSA still publishes the list of approved cables on its website, the public still patronises unapproved cables because they tend to be cheap. Local manufacturers
The Director-General of the GSA, Professor Alex Dodoo, told the Daily Graphic in an interview that the authority had information on some local manufacturers whose products were not certified by the GSA.
As such, the GSA cannot attest to the safety of these products and has, therefore, cautioned the public against patronising these products.
Already, the GSA has confiscated locally produced cables which are not certified in addition to impounding all imported cables that do not meet national standards.
To protect consumers and to highlight the dangers posed by illegal cables, the GSA will be holding a stakeholders meeting next week to highlight the scale of the problem and to bring all manufacturers and importers into compliance.
“The GSA will, however, press the stiffest applicable sanctions to all non-complying manufacturers and importers in line with the Ghana Standards Authority Act, Act 1078 of 2022,” Prof. Dodoo added.
In the meantime, the GSA is advising all consumers to visit the GSA website (www.gsa.gov.gh) and search for the list of approved electrical cables before making any purchases.
Eighty-two police officers have dragged the Attorney General(1st Defendant), the Ghana Police Service(2nd Defendant) and the Inspector General of Police(3rd Defendant) for acting unfairly and capriciously with respect to the failure of the Ghana Police Service to promote them after the completion of their studies through the study leave with pay policy of the service.
In a suit filed at the High Court, Accra, the police officers led by D/Inspector Kofi Osal, who were granted study leave with pay for the 2017/2018 academic year, accused the Ghana Police Service of denying them their deserved accelerated promotions or entry into the Police College after the successful completion of their studies.
They insist that even after duly notifying the Ghana Police Service upon completion of their programs of study and petitioning it to promote them, the police service still failed to promote them notwithstanding the fact that other persons under similar circumstances have been promoted.
The eighty-two police officers noted that the Ghana Police Service engaged in an “unfair and unreasonable exercise of discretion, the failure to uphold the duty to be fair and candid not to act in a capricious or biased manner or be driven by resentment, prejudice and personal dislike on the part of the 2nd[ Ghana Police Service] and 3rd[ the IGP] defendants,” and therefore demand that the Court give “(a) An order directed against the 2nd and 3rd Defendants to grant those amongst them who qualify for accelerated promotions as well as permit all of them to enter the Police College/Academy without any further delay.
Karela United’s embattled winger, Philip Flamini, has been granted bail with three sureties by the Nkroful District Court in the Western Region of Ghana.
The court proceedings were overseen by Her Worship Awo Amissah French. Flamini was charged with sexual assault and defiling a 13-year-old school girl.
The alleged incident occurred on Saturday, April 29, at the club’s house in Edwakpole, a suburb of Aiyinase in the Ellembelle District.
Flamini, a 24-year-old Ghana Premier League player who previously played for Sekondi Hasaacas, was arrested and has been in police custody for the past two weeks.
Flamini is scheduled to reappear before the court on Monday, May 15, 2023. Karela United has suspended him pending the conclusion of the ongoing police investigation.
It is currently unclear whether the club will allow Flamini to return to training while investigations continue.
TheGhana Police Servicehas formed a legal team to investigate a viral video in which a candidate for the National Democratic Congress'(NDC) parliamentary elections on May 13, 2023, was caught spraying cash at a polling site.
In the heat of election in the Ejura Sekyeredumase Constituency on Saturday, Juliana Kinang Wassan was captured on video throwing wads of cash from the roof of her car causing a melee amongst ecstatic delegates.
In a statement following at the end of polling, the Ghana Police Service said a legal team is studying the video to establish whether her action is criminal and warrants any further action.
“The attention of the Police Service has been drawn to a viral video in which Madam Juliana Kinang-Wassan, one of the Parliamentary aspirants for the Ejura Sekyedumase Constituency, is seen spraying money at a crowd during the elections at Ejura Sekyedumase, in the Ashanti Region. A dedicated legal team is currently scrutinising her conduct in the video to establish whether there are elements of election-related crime to warrant Police intervention or otherwise,” the statement said.
The police further announced the arrest of eight individuals at various polling stations across the country for election-related offences and disturbing the peace during the primaries.
Read the full statement by the police below:
POLICE ARREST EIGHT PEOPLE FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY PRIMARIES OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS
The Police have arrested eight (???? suspects throughout the country for various election-related offences and disturbing the peace during the Presidential and Parliamentary Primaries of the National Democratic Congress held on Saturday, 13th April 2023. The suspects, Yaro Burdove, Harrison Martey, Imoro Ibrahim, Arkoli Mensah, Nyarko Richard, Prince Lomotey, Hamidu Dramani and Bejando Emmanuel, were arrested at their various voting centres across four constituencies in the country.
Specifically, suspect Yaro Burdove was arrested during the elections at the Ningo Prampram Constituency for taking a photograph of his ballot paper in the polling booth and also attempting to take photographs of the ballot of other voters, while Harrison Martey and Imoro Ibrahim were arrested for engaging themselves in an unlawful fight at a voting centre at the same constituency.
Suspects Arkoli Mensah and Nyarko Richard were arrested for disturbing the peace by engaging themselves in an unlawful fight at a voting centre during the voting process at the New Juaben South Constituency in the Eastern Region.
At the Mfantseman Constituency in the Central Region, suspect Prince Lomotey was arrested at the voting centre for personation, while at a polling station in the Atebubu-Amantin constituency in the Bono East Region, suspects Hamidu Dramani and Bejando Emmanuel were arrested for causing violence.
Five of the suspects are currently on Police inquiry bail, while the three others are in custody assisting the ongoing Police investigation.
Meanwhile, the attention of the Police Service has been drawn to a viral video in which Madam Juliana Kinang-Wassan, one of the Parliamentaryaspirants for the Ejura Sekyedumase Constituency, is seen spraying money at a crowd during the elections at Ejura Sekyedumase, in the Ashanti Region.
A dedicated legal team is currently scrutinising her conduct in the video to establish whether there are elements of election-related crime to warrant Police intervention or otherwise.
The Police would like to assure the public of its commitment towards ensuring, peace, security, law and order at all times.
A total of 1,235 delegates are scheduled to vote in the Volta region’s legislative and presidential primaries in the Ketu North constituency.
It includes 1,200 delegates from 138 branches in the constituency, 28 constituency executives and 7 former appointees.
The Electoral Commission as at 8am arranged venue for the exercise. The election is taking place at Penyi D/A basic school.
Speaking to the media, Volta Regional chairman of the party Mawutor Agbavitor said voting materials have been dispatched to the various 18 constituencies on Friday, 12 May and election is to start at 9am.
He said, the various election centres will be man by personnel from the Ghana Police Service (GPS) and no private security is allowed.
Agents of the various aspirants have arrived at the venue before 7 in the morning.
A total of 20,721 delegates are expected to participate in the presidential election and 18,695 to vote in the parliamentary race throughout the Volta region.
Management of VRA/NEDCo in the Upper East Region has threatened to cut power to the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Health Service if they fail to settle their indebtedness of GHs 34 million to the company.
The company says the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Health Service owe the company GHs 18 million and GHs 16 million respectively.
VRA/NEDCo billing officer, Williams Asare, speaking to the media during an exercise revealed the indebtedness of the two institutions has affected their operations.
He warned they would not hesitate to disconnect their facilities if urgent measures are not taken to settle their indebtedness.
“The health institutions in the Upper East put together are owing us (VRA/NEDCo) GH¢16 million, and we have engaged the regional health directorate and given them their entire bill. But we have seen documentation from the Director-General of the Ghana health service that, for those facilities that internally generate funds, we should have an arrangement for them to pay. As for the legacy debts before 2021, they will take up with the Ministry of Finance to pay”.
“Some clinics and health facilities have come for us to have some payment agreements where they’re going to pay a substantial amount to reduce the debt and commit to paying the current bills, and we’ll be following up on that. Our L.I. allows that, when we serve the bill, after 14 days, if the customer doesn’t pay, you are due to disconnect, so we’re going to ensure that we don’t come there”.
“The police administration in the region are owing us GHs18 million, we engaged the regional police commander, and he has taken up the bill and is putting a covering memo to the police administration at the head office for them to pay. For certain category of officers, they’re supposed to pay their own bills so for those facilities we’re in the process of metering them with pre-paid meters so that they pay”.
He added that over GHs 5 million out of GHs 120 million have been retrieved from customer indebtedness to the company in the ongoing revenue mobilization and disconnection exercise.
VRA/NEDCo’s Upper East Region management has warned the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Health Service (GHS) to pay their debts to the company or else be disconnected from the national grid.
According to VRA/NEDCo, the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Health Service owe the company GH¢18 million and GH¢16 million respectively.
Speaking to Citi News, VRA/NEDCo billing officer, Williams Asare, said, the indebtedness of the two-state institutions threaten their operations and warned that, VRA/NEDCo would not hesitate to disconnect their facilities if urgent measures are not taken to settle their indebtedness.
“The health institutions in the Upper East put together are owing us (VRA/NEDCo) GH¢16 million, and we have engaged the regional health directorate and given them their entire bill. But we have seen documentation from the Director-General of the Ghana health service that, for those facilities that internally generate funds, we should have an arrangement for them to pay. As for the legacy debts before 2021, they will take up with the Ministry of Finance to pay”.
“Some clinics and health facilities have come for us to have some payment agreements where they’re going to pay substantial amount to reduce the debt and commit to paying the current bills, and we’ll be following up on that. Our L.I. allows that, when we serve the bill, after 14 days, if the customer doesn’t pay, you are due to disconnect, so we’re going to ensure that we don’t come there”.
“The police administration in the region are owing us GH¢18 million, we engaged the regional police commander and he has taken up the bill and is putting a covering memo to the police administration at the head office for them to pay. For certain category of officers, they’re supposed to pay their own bills so for those facilities we’re in the process of metering them with pre-paid meters so that they pay”.
Mr. Asare disclosed that over GH¢5 million out of GH¢120 million have been retrieved from customer indebtedness to the company in the ongoing revenue mobilization and disconnection exercise.
He reiterated that VRA/NEDCo will sustain its revenue mobilization efforts to ensure efficient power supply and value for money for its customers.
Mr. Asare appealed to all customers of VRA/NEDCo to settle their outstanding bills or come to the office of the company to negotiate payment agreement plans to settle their indebtedness or risk disconnection.
