TIG Post

Tag: January

  • 132 fire incidents were recorded across Ashanti Region in January – GNFS

    132 fire incidents were recorded across Ashanti Region in January – GNFS

    A total of 132 fire incidents were recorded in Ashanti Region were recorded between January 1 and 31, 2026, marking a decrease from the 187 cases reported during the same period in 2025, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has disclosed.

    Addressing the media on Monday, February 2, the Ashanti Regional Fire Command PRO, DO III Peter Addai, noted that about 45 cases of the fire outbreaks were prevented.


    He added, “We have been able to reduce fire incidence by about 45 cases, which is really impressive. The damage one fire can cause is serious, so the command’s success in reducing the number of incidents is significant”.


    Ghana recorded over 3,595 fire incidents nationwide in the first half of 2025, with regional breakdowns showing hundreds of cases across the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Central Regions.


    Barely a week into the New Year, some Kasoa residents had their stalls completely burnt after a fire ravaged stalls in a major outbreak at the Kasoa New Market on Sunday, January 4, 2026.


    According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), a distress call was received around 4:50 p.m., after which the Kasoa Fire Station swiftly reached the scene, only to find the fire at a very advanced stage.


    The fire was spreading so rapidly that fire tenders had to immediately call for reinforcement from Weija, Anyaa, Dansoman, Industrial Area, Flagstaff House, Madina, and Swedru fire stations.
    After about two hours of firefighting, the tenders managed to extinguish the flames at 6:52 p.m., brought the fire under control at 7:52 p.m., and fully extinguished it by 10:00 p.m.


    Although several metallic shops and wooden stalls were destroyed—along with food items such as maize, beans, shea butter, spices, and other merchandise—the swift response by firefighters prevented the blaze from consuming the entire market.


    Fire control officers explained that, despite the losses incurred, several stalls were salvaged. Among the challenges listed by the GNFS during the operation were poor accessibility within the market, long distances to reliable water sources, and interference from members of the public at various points during the operation.

    This fire marks the second major outbreak at the market in the last two years.


    Fire tenders from Kasoa and Swedru have been left on standby to prevent any possible re-ignition, while investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.


    A fire incident at Abuakwa Manhyia in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti Region claimed the lives of a three-month-old baby and six others.


    The fire outbreak, which occurred at about 12:30 a.m. on Monday, December 22, swept through an apartment. This information was disclosed by the Assembly Member for Abuakwa Manhyia, Evans Opoku. Meanwhile, the cause of the incident is yet to be established. Ghana has recorded several fire incidents from January to November this year.


    Recently, a fire outbreak at Tsito–Awudome Gborkorpe in the Volta Region destroyed a two-bedroom self-contained apartment. No casualties were reported from the incident, which occurred on Monday, December 8.


    Several students at Kedjebi-Asato Senior High School (SHS) in the Oti Region were left unconscious after a fire gutted one of the boys’ dormitories on Tuesday morning, December 2.


    The students passed out from exhaustion as a result of smoke inhalation during the fire. Unfortunately, all their belongings were destroyed. Meanwhile, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) successfully brought the blaze under control.


    Last month, a four-bedroom apartment at Aboabo Number 2 in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region was razed by fire on Wednesday, November 27.


    A young man in the community who attempted to help extinguish the fire was electrocuted in the process. Speaking to the media, the Assembly Member for the area, Haruna Abdul Rashid, disclosed that the victim received treatment at the hospital.

  • Road accidents have claimed 2,600 lives from Jan to Nov 2025 – MTTD

    Road accidents have claimed 2,600 lives from Jan to Nov 2025 – MTTD

    The Director of Education, Research, and Training at the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), Chief Superintendent Alexander Kwaku Obeng, has disclosed that between January and November, road accidents in Ghana claimed the lives of two thousand six hundred individuals (2,600). Out of this number, 1,937 were males and 492 females.


    Speaking to the media on Thursday, December 12, he noted that over 22,000 vehicles were involved in the crashes. He added that 13,000 people sustained injuries in the same period.

    Ghana has reported a surge in the number of fatalities resulting from road crashes this year. The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) recorded one thousand five hundred and four (1,504) deaths, compared to one thousand two hundred and thirty-seven (1,237) fatalities reported in the same period in 2024, representing a 21.58 percent increase in the first half of 2025.


    According to provisional data released by the National Road Safety Authority in collaboration with the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), a total of 7,289 road crashes were recorded between January and June this year. Per the data, a total of twelve thousand three hundred and fifty-four (12,354) vehicles were involved in these crashes.


    As a result of these incidents, eight thousand three hundred (8,300) individuals sustained injuries. Additionally, one thousand three hundred and one (1,301) pedestrians were knocked down across the country.


    According to recent data provided by the National Road Safety Authority, on average, eight (8) lives are lost every day due to road crashes. Each day, forty (40) road crashes are recorded, and forty-six (46) individuals sustain injuries. Daily, sixty-nine (69) vehicles and motorcycles are involved in road crashes.


    To help combat the rising number of road crashes, the National Road Safety Authority has called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and increased public education.

    The NRSA has emphasized the need for stronger enforcement to curb the alarming trend. The Road Traffic Act 2004, an Act to consolidate and revise the Road Traffic Ordinance, 1952 (No. 55), provides for more comprehensive regulation of road traffic and road use to ensure safety on the roads and to address related matters.


    A person who drives a motor vehicle dangerously on a road commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction:


    (a) where (i) a bodily injury does not occur, or (ii) a minor bodily injury occurs to a person other than the driver, to a fine of not less than one hundred penalty units and not exceeding two hundred penalty units, or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding nine months, or to both;


    (b) where bodily injury of an aggravated nature occurs to a person other than the driver, to a minimum fine of two hundred penalty units and not exceeding five hundred penalty units, or to a term of imprisonment of not less than twelve months and not exceeding two years, or to both;
    (c) where death occurs, to a term of imprisonment of not less than three years;


    (d) where there is damage to state property, to a fine of not less than one hundred penalty units and payment for the damage caused in an amount determined by the Court.


    The Court may, upon conviction of a person under subsection (1), (a) order the payment of appropriate compensation to an injured person or to the estate of that person, or (b) order the withdrawal of the driver’s license for a period of not less than three years and not more than five years.


    A person who drives a motor vehicle on a road without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years, or to both.


    A person commits an offence if, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, that person:


    (a) causes anything to be on or over a road;
    (b) interferes with a motor vehicle, trailer, or cycle; or
    (c) interferes, directly or indirectly, with traffic equipment, where it would be obvious to a reasonable person that doing so would be dangerous.


    A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding twelve months, or to both.


    Meanwhile, over one-third of emergency cases at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) have been linked to road crashes, according to statistics from the facility.


    Speaking to the media, Deputy Medical Director of KATH, Dr. Yaw Opare Larbi, noted that road crash victims brought to the emergency unit often do not survive because their injuries are very severe.


    “A little over 30 per cent of the cases that come to this facility, this Accident and Emergency Unit, are due to accidents, and most of the accidents, a few are domestic, but the majority of them are road traffic accidents.


    “Now in Ghana, we know that our statistics, a lot of our road accidents are from errors, driver errors, pedestrian errors. And then we know that we have some percentage that is attributable to maybe things like faulty vehicles or maybe road conditions, but a lot of the accidents are preventable,” he stated.

  • Arsenal race for Sporting CP’s Goncalo Inacio ahead of January transfer window

    Arsenal race for Sporting CP’s Goncalo Inacio ahead of January transfer window

    Arsenal is reportedly in pursuit of Goncalo Inacio to fortify their defense in the ongoing three-way title race with Liverpool and Manchester City.

    According to A Bola, the Portuguese international and Sporting CP star, aged 22, has attracted the attention of Arsenal.

    However, securing Inacio’s services could prove costly, given his crucial role at Liga Portugal leaders Sporting CP and the €60 million (£52m/$65m) release clause in his contract.

    Inacio, known for his left-footed prowess, would provide formidable competition for Arsenal’s left-sided center-back, Gabriel Magalhaes.

    In light of last season’s setback, where Arsenal faced defensive challenges following an injury to William Saliba, the club is actively seeking defensive depth in the upcoming January transfer window.

    The Gunners are currently thin at the back, with the loss of summer-signing Jurrien Timber to an ACL injury in the Premier League season’s opening game.

    Additionally, Arsenal is exploring the possibility of acquiring Inacio’s teammate and fellow defender, Ousmane Diomande, as part of their efforts to strengthen their defensive lineup.

    Interestingly, Inacio has previously played against Arsenal and even scored a goal in Sporting’s 2-2 draw with the Gunners in the first leg of last season’s Europa League round of 16.

    Sporting eventually eliminated Arsenal in a penalty shootout.

    Considering Arsenal’s financial constraints and adherence to Financial Fair Play regulations, a January transfer seems unlikely unless the club makes a significant sale.

    With both Sporting CP and Arsenal deeply involved in their respective title pursuits, neither side wishes to endure significant disruptions mid-season.

  • Ghana records 15.1% fall in interest rates since January 2023

    Ghana records 15.1% fall in interest rates since January 2023

    Ghana’s interest rates have significantly decreased by 15.1%, the largest decrease in Africa since January 2023.

    Yields on the money market were as high as 35% at the beginning of the year, but the government was compelled to cut interest rates to reduce the cost of borrowing drastically.

    This is the sharpest decline in Sub-Sahara Africa in 2023.  

    For the 91-day Treasury bill, the yield has dropped by 15.11% to 20.26%. That of the 182-day T-bill has also seen a sharp decline by 13.15% to 22.83%.

    But the yields in Ghana are still among the highest on the continent. Egypt is one of the few countries in Africa with yields higher than Ghana.

    Meanwhile, Analysts are optimistic the $710 million in loans approved by parliament will likely slow down the rise in yields on the money market.

    The Parliament of Ghana last week approved seven loans, totaling $710 million, to support critical sectors of the economy. The loans are expected to finance various government initiatives as well as facilitate the government’s bid to secure an IMF board agreement.

    At the last auction on Friday, May 5, 2023, the T-bills sale was oversubscribed, as the treasury raised ¢2.57 billion, exceeding the gross target by 40.01%.

    According to the auction by the Bank of Ghana, the government accepted a significant ¢2.56 billion from the bids submitted by the investors, largely the banks.

    Yet again, the majority of the bids came from the 91-day T-bills as ¢1.62 billion were tendered. All the bids were consequently accepted.

    Also, almost all the ¢380.75 million of bids submitted for the 182-day T-bills were accepted.

  • Robert Gilman: Ex-US marine jailed in Russia for drunken attack

    An ex-US marine has been sentenced to four and a half years in Russian prison for kicking a police officer while drunk.

    Police removed Robert Gilman from a train after complaints from fellow passengers in January.

    He was then arrested for kicking an officer while in custody.

    Gilman told the court in Voronezh, south-western Russia, that he did not remember the incident but “apologised to Russia” and to the officer.

    After being found guilty, Gilman – 28 and from Massachusetts – said the sentence requested by the prosecution was too strict.

    The lawyers told TASS, the Russian state news agency, that Gilman was in Russia to study and obtain citizenship.

    Gilman was reportedly staying in Sochi, but headed by train to Moscow to replace his damaged passport at the US Embassy.

    His lawyers said they would appeal against the court’s decision and contact US officials to seek a prisoner exchange.

    There have been several high-profile cases of Americans being sentenced to lengthy prison terms in Russia recently.

    This could lead to prisoner swaps, a process often seen as “hostage diplomacy”, where countries try to use people as bargaining chips.

    Another ex-marine, Trevor Reed, was freed in April in a prisoner swap after being found guilty of violence against a police officer on a night out in Russia.

    And another former US marine, Paul Whelan, is serving 16 years for spying charges after a short trial was conducted entirely behind closed doors.

    He maintains his innocence, and describes himself the victim of “greasy, slimy Russian politics”.

    US basketball star Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison on drug charges by a Russian court in August.

    The double Olympic winner admitted possessing cannabis oil, but told the court she had made an “honest mistake”.

    The US claims she’s being wrongfully detained. It is unclear how long she will spend behind bars, as the US and Russia have reportedly discussed a prisoner swap involving Russian arms trafficker, Viktor Bout.