TIG Post

Tag: Obuasi

  • Obuasi: Assailants kill man in brutal home invasion

    Obuasi: Assailants kill man in brutal home invasion

    A suspected high-priority homicide invasion, which has claimed the life of a 42-year-old man, has created fear in residents of Asonkore SSNIT in the Obuasi East Municipal Assembly. According to reports, a group of unidentified assailants attacked the deceased, Bismark Yaw Sarfo Danso, inside his own residence in the early hours of Saturday, December 13.

    The unfortunate incident happened around 1:30 am and 2:00 am when three armed men invaded and ransacked the home of the deceased, and murdered the man, after which they bolted with cash, a laptop, and other valuable items.

    The robbery attack is currently being treated as a suspected homicide by the police after the death of Mr Danso. The police have already launched an investigation into the case, leading to the detention of a close relative of the deceased for questioning as they ramp up efforts to find the suspects.

    The police have also apprehended the younger brother of the deceased for questioning. Consequently, the police command has urged anyone with information related to the case to inform them.

    Wife of the deceased, Comfort Mensah, confirmed the development, noting the quick response of law enforcement:

    Meanwhile, Mr Danso’s body has since been deposited at a mortuary in the Ashanti Region pending a post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.

    Obuasi East, a municipality known for its deep historical ties to the massive AngloGold Ashanti gold mine, has often struggled with sporadic crime linked to economic pressures.

    The Asonkore SSNIT area, a residential zone, is generally considered secure.

    About two months ago, residents of Domeabra Old Town in the Ga South Municipality were reported to be living in fear following the gruesome murder of a 50-year-old mason, locally identified as ‘Taller’.

    His body was discovered in an uncompleted building, savagely mutilated with specific organs and tissues removed, raising suspicions of a possible ritual killing, a category of homicide that, according to police data, remains a grave concern in the region.

    The Assemblyman for the Domeabra Electoral Area, Joseph Akrashie, who has been coordinating with local law enforcement, provided chilling details of the police’s preliminary findings to Adom News.

    And according to him, “Taller is well-known in the area, and we are shocked about what has happened to him,” Akrashie said, conveying the community’s disbelief.

    He proceeded to detail the precise nature of the mutilation as explained by the police, indicating that, “…the suspects cut the deceased’s left heel and left thigh and removed all the veins in that part.”

    Following the discovery, the Ghana Police Service Homicide Unit was immediately deployed.

    The body of the deceased was promptly conveyed to the Police Hospital Mortuary in Accra to undergo an autopsy, which is expected to confirm the exact cause of death and provide further forensic evidence relating to the type of instrument used in the mutilation.

    Currently, no arrests have been made in connection with the murder; however, police have intensified investigations to apprehend the suspects who are still at large.

    This has prompted calls from residents to the government and the IGP to beef up security in the community to ensure safety and prevent a recurrence.

    In July, a similar ritual killing incident occurred when six people, including a female, murdered a 25-year-old mason for money rituals.

    Six individuals, including five males and a female, are in police custody for their involvement in the murder of a 25-year-old mason, Nelson Anyena, at Mafi Adidome.

    He was murdered after moving to stay with his wife, having left his hometown, Wusuta, in the South Dayi District, on December 4, 2024.

    As the police continue their investigation, the Regional Police Command has entreated the family and close associates of the deceased to remain calm as they pursue justice.

    “The Regional Police Command duly appreciates the support of the public in uncovering the heinous crime,” the police added in a statement.

  • NAIMOS cracks down on galamsey in Obuasi, impounds equipment

    NAIMOS cracks down on galamsey in Obuasi, impounds equipment

    The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) task force has seized illegal mining equipment in a major swoop in Obuasi in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region. 


    Equipment seized during the operation conducted on Monday, November 17, included motorbikes, vehicles, water pumps, and other tools used for illegal mining activities. Makeshift shelters and assorted equipment at the site were also destroyed.

    The task force also stormed a concession at Anyankyireml, a site that had been taken over by groups of illegal miners. Although the concession is legally owned by Asante Gold Corporation, it has been occupied by these illegal miners, forcing the rightful owners to flee the site.


    However, the intervention of the NAIMOS team drove out the miners and securing the land for its rightful owners. Illegal mining continues to pose a major challenge to the country, with several foreign nationals implicated and multiple arrests made. In June, NAIMOS warned criminal groups to vacate galamsey areas.


    The John Dramani Mahama-led government established the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat in July as part of efforts to curb illegal mining activities in the country.


    Speaking during an update on Wednesday, July 23, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, disclosed that the newly established Secretariat would act as the brain of Ghana’s anti-illegal mining operations.


    “To coordinate the efforts of the military, police, and other security agencies, the ministry has established the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) as the operational nerve-centre for Ghana’s fight against illegal small-scale mining,” he stated.


    The Secretariat’s responsibility is to collaborate with other key institutions such as the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance (GRA–Customs Division), and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority as part of its mandate.


    This collaboration is expected to ensure that excavators and other earth-moving equipment entering the country are not diverted for illegal mining activities.


    “In collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance (GRA–Customs Division), and the Ports and Harbours Authority, we have initiated a proactive tracking of all imports of excavators and earth-moving equipment from the point of entry,” he added.


    Illegal mining activities continue to pose a major challenge to the country. Several Chinese nationals have been involved in such illegal operations, leading to multiple arrests.


    Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that scientific tests are being carried out on new chemicals that could help restore polluted water bodies and rivers affected by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.


    Speaking at a high-level stakeholder engagement on galamsey in Accra on Friday, October 3, with members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), President Mahama said, “There are new chemicals that have come that allow you to treat water and take out the toxins and the heavy metals. One of them is called dowtine. The people came, and we sent them there. They took samples, tested. We are waiting for them to bring the results back.”


    He has asked Ghanaians to exercise patience regarding the longstanding battle against illegal mining (galamsey) activities. During a meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), President Mahama said declaring a state of emergency will not end the menace.


    According to him, government advisors believe the country can overcome galamsey by adopting best practices in small-scale mining, including technologies that help neutralize or remove harmful chemicals from water bodies.


    Additionally, the President pledged to honor the calls of many Ghanaians by declaring a state of emergency when his advisors give him the nod to do so.


    President Mahama believes that the country can eradicate the long-term canker if it deploys more troops and invests additional resources in the fight. He concluded that the battle seems to be a long one, but his administration is committed to ending it.


    “While we are fighting the menace, I am also saying we should uptake technology in order to protect the environment. So yes, let’s fight the illegal mining but at the same time, let’s bring the new technology that will help us protect our environment.


    “Now with the elephant in the room, state of emergency, yes, I have the power to do it, but the president acts on the advice of the National Security Authority, and as at now, this moment, the National Security Authority believes that we can win the fight against galamsey without declaring a state of emergency. I want to assure you that the day they advise me otherwise, that boss, now we need a state of emergency, I won’t hesitate,” he added.

  • Bawa-Rock Ltd donates GHS250k to support education, healthcare in Obuasi

    Bawa-Rock Ltd donates GHS250k to support education, healthcare in Obuasi

    A gold trading and mining company based in Obuasi, Bawa-Rock Ltd, owned by Alhaji Rasheed Bawa Namoro, has made a series of donations totaling GH¢250,000 to improve education and healthcare in the municipality.

    The donations made on Wednesday, 15th October 2025, reaffirm the company’s long-standing commitment to the development of Obuasi and its surrounding communities.

    As part of the initiative, Bawa-Rock Ltd donated GH¢100,000 to the Galaxy Foundation to support its ongoing free surgical operations for underprivileged patients in Obuasi and nearby areas. The Executive Director of the Foundation, Mr. David Hagan, expressed profound gratitude to the company, describing the donation as “a life-saving intervention that will restore hope to hundreds of underprivileged individuals in need of critical medical attention.”

    Bawa-Rock Ltd supports education and healthcare in Obuasi with GHS250k

    In the area of education, the company presented various items valued at GH¢30,000 to the Obuasi Municipal Education Directorate to support the 2025 Best Teacher Awards. The items included a 65-inch television, gas cooker with oven, deep fryers, juicers, blender, microwave, and electric kettle — all aimed at recognizing and rewarding outstanding teachers in the municipality.

    Additionally, Bawa-Rock Ltd refurbished the computer laboratory at Boete M/A JHS ‘B’ in the Obuasi East Municipality and supplied it with 15 brand-new desktop computers and new furniture to enhance ICT teaching and learning.

    The headmaster of Boete M/A JHS ‘B’, Mr. Emmanuel Karikari, thanked the company for its timely intervention, noting that the school had been struggling to provide students with practical computer lessons due to a lack of equipment.

    “This gesture will go a long way to improve ICT education in our school and prepare our students for the digital age,” he said.

    The Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, Mr. Alfred Koomson, also expressed appreciation to Bawa-Rock Ltd, commending the company for its continuous support for education in the area. He urged other corporate organizations operating in Obuasi to emulate their example by investing in the development of the communities in which they operate.

    The presentations were made on behalf of the company by Mr. Eric Addae Boateng, the Business Development and Sustainability Lead at Bawa-Rock Ltd. He reiterated the company’s commitment to contributing to social and community development as part of its core business operations.

    “Bawa-Rock Ltd believes in giving back to the community that hosts us. Education and healthcare are two key pillars that drive our corporate social responsibility agenda, and we will continue to support initiatives that improve the lives of the people of Obuasi,” he stated.

    The series of donations further cements Bawa-Rock Ltd’s reputation as a socially responsible company committed to promoting sustainable development through partnerships and direct community impact — setting a strong example for responsible corporate citizenship within Ghana’s mining sector.

  • Prison officer found dead at Obuasi

    Prison officer found dead at Obuasi

    A prison officer identified as Constable Clement Tei Gyabah, been found dead in River Pompo at Pomposo, a suburb in the Obuasi East District in the Ashanti Region.


    Although the circumstances surrounding his death is yet to be confirmed, however, the deceased together with his motorbike, were retrieved from the river on Wednesday, July 30.


    Some eyewitnesses allege that, the victim hit a motorcycle on a barricade that protects pedestrians by separating them from vehicles that are driving across or along the River Pompo.

    Additionally, some suggest that the deceased was struck by a speeding vehicle, as he sustained visible injuries on his body.

    Meanwhile, the body of his remains has been deposited it at the morgue pending investigations.

    Also this year, a police officer, Constable John Kwabena Dogbe, lost his life in the River Offin at Assin Asaman in the Central Region while pursuing illegal miners attempting to flee.


    Constable Dogbe lost his footing on the slippery riverside terrain and fell into the fast-moving water in the course of the pursuit.


    Constable Dogbe was part of a special task force from the Central North Regional Police Command conducting a swoop against illegal mining activities.

    Some of the miners tried to escape by wading across the river, prompting the officers to give chase.

    The operation, aimed at dismantling mining setups along the river, was disrupted when suspected miners scattered upon spotting law enforcement officers.


    His body was recovered by local police and emergency response teams four hours after the incident.

    According to a Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) study about 1,360 people drown annually in Ghana between 2019 and 2021.

    Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ghana Navy suggest that Ghana recorded 52 drowning fatalities in 2022, with males making up 63% of these deaths.

    Females accounted for 37% of drowning incidents, depicting a clear gender disparity.

    The higher male fatalities have been attributed to increased involvement in water-related activities, such as fishing, boating, and swimming, by experts.

    They argue that these activities are usually undertaken without adequate safety measures, like lifeguards or life jackets.

    Young adults between 15 and 29 years recorded the highest proportion at 33% as per the WHO’s report.

    Individuals aged 30 to 49 years accounted for 25%, while children aged 5 to 14 years made up 17%. Notably, 12% of drowning victims were children under 4 years, reflecting their heightened vulnerability.

    Recently, the Black Volta Basin claimed the lives of seven students of Lawra Senior High School (SHS) on June 14.

    All members of the school’s cadet group, had decided to jog along the riverside at Dikpe on Saturday morning, June 14.


    There were a total of 16 of them, 11 girls and 5 boys. Ten of the 16 students, including 8 girls and 2 boys, chose to board a canoe managed by a young boy in an attempt to cross the Black Volta River at Dikpe.


    Their commander jumped into the river to save the lives of his comrades and was able to rescue three students.


    Tragically, seven of them perished in the water. The seven deceased students came from various parts of the Upper West Region: two from Lawra Constituency, two from Daffiama/Bussie/Issah, one from Nandom, one from Wa, and one from Nadowli/Kaleo.


    The bodies of the deceased have been released to their respective families for burial.


    Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Lawra, Hon. Bide A. Ziedieng, has called for public education on security measures that must be ensured during transportation by water bodies.


    This is not the first time lives, especially those of students, have been lost to drowning on the Black Volta.


    In 2023, some eight students drowned in the Volta Lake in the Sene East District on their way to school.


    This prompted calls on the government to provide life jackets to pupils and staff in island communities who commute by water.


    Eduwatch Africa called on the Ghana Education Service and other relevant stakeholders to roll out measures to avert such disasters in the future.


    “In the immediate term, we urge the Ghana Education Service (GES) to facilitate the availability of life jackets to all school children and staff who sail to and from school, not only in the Sene East district, but all other ‘island and settler communities’ where children and staff commute by water transport to school.


    “The GES should, in collaboration with the relevant state agencies, facilitate health and safety orientation sessions for all its pupils and staff in island communities”, portions of the group’s statement read.


    The Ghana Education Service (GES) donated 100 life jackets and learning materials to the Atigagorme and Wayokope communities in the Sene East District.


    Then Director-General of GES, Dr Eric Nkansah, said the donation was an interim safety and security measure for school children.

    Meanwhile, the Minister responsible for Interior, Honourable Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has revealed several measures the government and its agencies will put in place to check the rate of drowning incidents involving students and others in rural areas.

    Appearing before Parliament on Wednesday, July 2, the sector minister noted that there will be regular sensitisation of canoe owners or operators and residents along the Black Volta Basin, and sensitization of students and identifiable bodies on maritime safety.

    Also, the Ghana Maritime Authority will provide life jackets to canoe operators along the river, conduct regular monitoring of canoe operators to ensure safety on the river, and ensure all canoes are regularly maintained.

  • Violent Chieftaincy clash at Gomoa Obuasi leaves 6 injured

    Violent Chieftaincy clash at Gomoa Obuasi leaves 6 injured

    A chieftaincy dispute in Gomoa Obuasi, located in the Central Region, escalated into violence, leaving six individuals injured, including Agya Amoh, the head of the Asona Royal Family.

    The unrest broke out during a meeting in the community when a group of youth loyal to one faction launched an attack on their rivals, causing injuries and extensive property damage.

    According to reports from Citi News, tensions have been brewing since the Omanhene of the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Council, Obrempong Nyanful Krampah, appointed Kwabena Atta as the caretaker chief following the death of the town’s substantive chief. However, the town’s Regent has reportedly refused to relinquish authority, fueling ongoing confrontations.

    Describing the attack, Nana Mbir Asomako recounted, “We were waiting to have a meeting, and suddenly, we saw stones flying through the air from outside at around 9 to 10 a.m. Several roofs of the palace have been destroyed, including two vehicles.”

    He further expressed concerns about the attackers’ disregard for law enforcement, adding, “They claim they do not fear the police and will continue to terrorize us. We had indications that they were planning to burn the entire place down, so we decided to leave the palace. The police have been duly informed.”

  • AGA schools in Obuasi to resume classes on Jan 27

    AGA schools in Obuasi to resume classes on Jan 27

    Students of AngloGold Ashanti Schools in Obuasi are now slated to resume classes on January 27, 2025, amid growing unrest within the mining community.

    The school management had initially scheduled the reopening for Wednesday, January 22. However, a new statement revealed the delay, with the revised date allowing for the restoration of calm before students return.

    “Management is continuing broader consultations with relevant authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone upon reopening,” the statement read.

    The decision comes after careful evaluation of the situation in Obuasi to ensure that peace is fully restored and the safety of students, staff, and all involved parties is prioritized.

    Both AGA Schools and Williams and Brew School are expected to resume their activities on Monday.

    In light of the violent confrontation between the military and illegal miners, all schools, both private and public, had been temporarily closed due to ongoing security concerns.

    This unrest has hindered the academic progress of the schools, which had only recently reopened three weeks ago.

    In response, the management of AGA Schools has introduced measures to revise the academic calendar and recover the lost teaching hours.

    “To make up for the lost contact hours, particularly for our candidates preparing for the Cambridge IGCSE, Checkpoint Examinations, and the 2025 BECE, we will adjust the academic calendar,” the statement read.

  • Probe into Obuasi incident will be impartial – Ato Forson

    Probe into Obuasi incident will be impartial – Ato Forson

    Majority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has assured Ghanaians of the government’s commitment to conducting an impartial and thorough investigation into the recent violent clashes in Obuasi.

    The incident, which occurred at a mining site and reportedly involved illegal miners, resulted in the tragic loss of up to eight lives, sparking nationwide concern.

    Addressing journalists at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, January 21, Dr. Forson emphasized the government’s determination to uncover the truth and ensure justice is served.

    He stated, “Finally, we wish to assure Ghanaians that pursuant to the directive of His Excellency the President, impartial and timely investigations would be carried out into the Obuasi incident.”

    The directive from President John Dramani Mahama follows widespread calls for accountability and decisive action to prevent similar occurrences. Dr. Forson expressed the government’s regret over the incident, describing it as a deeply troubling event that demands urgent attention.

    The investigation, according to Dr. Forson, aims not only to bring those responsible to justice but also to address the underlying issues that contributed to the clashes.

  • Security concerns in Obuasi lead to closure of schools temporarily

    Security concerns in Obuasi lead to closure of schools temporarily

    Classroom activities in both public and private schools in Obuasi and Obuasi East municipalities have been suspended for two days following heightened security concerns in the gold-mining town.

    The decision comes after a violent clash between illegal miners and military personnel near AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi Mine. The altercation reportedly occurred when some miners breached a security fence at one of the company’s mining concessions, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals and injuries to several others.

    In response to the unrest, George Koomson, the Director of Education for the Obuasi Municipality, announced the temporary closure of schools to safeguard students and staff.

    “We can’t guarantee the safety of both learners and teachers, so we’ve agreed that for tomorrow [Monday] and possibly Tuesday, we will not be going to school. The contact hours will be missed and recouping the lost hours will be difficult,” Koomson stated.

    President John Dramani Mahama has called for a full investigation into the incident to determine the events leading to the deadly confrontation.

    “The government has ordered a full inquiry to determine the circumstances and ensure that any unlawful actions are addressed,” a statement from the Presidency affirmed.

    In addition, the President directed AngloGold Ashanti to take immediate responsibility for the victims’ medical expenses and to arrange proper burials for those who lost their lives in the clash.

  • Obuasi Mine clash: Mahama vows justice with swift investigation

    Obuasi Mine clash: Mahama vows justice with swift investigation

    The government has conveyed its heartfelt regret over the devastating loss of up to eight lives, allegedly involving illegal miners, during violent altercations at a mining site in Obuasi.

    This tragic development has ignited nationwide concerns, prompting decisive intervention from President John Dramani Mahama.

    In a formal statement, President Mahama mandated an immediate inquiry to ascertain the events leading to the clashes and pledged that anyone implicated in unlawful actions would face the full weight of the law.

    In light of the tragedy, the government has instructed AngloGold Ashanti to fully finance medical care for the injured and to support funeral arrangements for those who lost their lives.

    President Mahama also charged security forces with implementing robust measures to avert similar occurrences in the future.

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), in a separate statement, confirmed that soldiers acted in self-defense after being ambushed by illegal miners at the AngloGold Ashanti mine on Saturday night.

    According to the GAF, the illegal miners were equipped with locally fabricated firearms, pump-action guns, gas cylinders, knives, axes, machetes, and industrial bolt cutters. The soldiers reportedly returned fire after the miners initiated the attack.

    This response underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring justice, safeguarding lives, and maintaining peace in the affected region.

    “In response to the unfortunate incident, President John Dramani Mahama has ordered an immediate investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the clashes and ensure that any individuals found to have acted unlawfully are brought to justice,” portions of the statement noted.

  • Obuasi: Clash between small-scale miners, soldiers claims 8 lives, four vehicles burnt

    Obuasi: Clash between small-scale miners, soldiers claims 8 lives, four vehicles burnt

    A deadly confrontation between small-scale miners and soldiers protecting the AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Mine has left eight people dead.

    The violent clash, which unfolded late last night in the Ashanti Region, also saw the destruction of four vehicles by fire.

    This incident has escalated tensions in the region, but the exact cause of the conflict remains unclear.

  • Fire explosion in Obuasi; one dead, 7 others injured

    Fire explosion in Obuasi; one dead, 7 others injured

    The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has reported a massive fire explosion at a garage in Bogobiri, Obuasi, in the Ashanti Region, caused by welding activity.

    Per reports, one life has been lost as a result and several others injured. The seven injured persons have been hospitalized in Obuasi and Kumasi.

    According to officials, the incident occurred during welding work, which triggered the explosion and led to a raging fire. Firefighters are currently at the scene working tirelessly to bring the situation under control.

    The GNFS has advised residents and motorists to avoid the affected area for their safety and use alternative routes.

    Overhaul operations are currently underway to extinguish any remaining pockets of fire within the affected five (5) structures made up of 3 metal containers and 2 sandcrete buildings.

    https://twitter.com/eddie_wrt/status/1867591299894775975

  • Police place GHC20k bounty on heads of Obuasi election violence suspects

    Police place GHC20k bounty on heads of Obuasi election violence suspects

    The Ghana Police Service has placed a GH₵20,000 bounty on individuals from Obuasi who were captured in a viral video threatening violence ahead of the 2024 General Elections.

    The suspects, including Fuseini Yahuza, Bernard Ahedor, Simon, Basit, and Musa Yakubu (alias Agya Musah), have been on the run since the video surfaced, prompting the police to issue a manhunt for their arrest.

    The incident, which raised concerns over the potential for electoral violence, has led the police to intensify their efforts to locate and apprehend those responsible. The suspects were declared wanted on November 15, 2024, following their involvement in making violent threats related to the upcoming elections.

    The Police Service is urging the public to assist in their search by providing any information that could lead to the suspects’ capture. A reward of GH₵20,000.00 has been announced for individuals who offer credible information that results in an arrest.

    Authorities are calling on anyone with knowledge of the suspects’ whereabouts or any relevant details to contact the Police via a dedicated phone number: 0547927272.

    In their appeal, the Police have reassured citizens to remain calm and assured them that they are fully committed to maintaining a peaceful, secure, and orderly environment as the country approaches its elections. The public’s cooperation is crucial to ensuring the safety and security of all during the electoral period.

  • Excavator operator robbed of GHC35,000 at gunpoint in Obuasi

    Excavator operator robbed of GHC35,000 at gunpoint in Obuasi

    A 33-year-old excavator operator, Agya Owusu Ansah, has fallen victim to a robbery incident where he was stripped of his cash and other valuables totalling GHC35,000 at Dadwen, near Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.

    Reports from the police indicate that the victim was asleep in his room when he suddenly woke up to the sight of six masked men, three of whom were armed with guns, pointing at him.

    The other three individuals proceeded to tie him up with ropes before robbing him.

    The robbers made away with cash amounting to Gh¢30,000, along with a Samsung ‘A15′ mobile phone valued at Gh¢1,850.00 and an Infinix Spark ’19’ mobile phone valued at Gh¢1,400.00.

    Agya Owusu Ansah suspects that one of the six individuals involved in the robbery was the mastermind behind the crime.

  • Accident at Obuasi leaves motor rider dead

    Accident at Obuasi leaves motor rider dead

    A tragic incident occurred in Obuasi, Ashanti Region, as a motor rider collided head-on with a Hyundai Grace Mini Bus, resulting in the rider’s untimely death.

    The deceased, identified as 27-year-old Kudus Habid, was riding an unregistered Royal Motor Bike from Asonkore towards Tutuka, both suburbs of Obuasi.

    According to police investigators, while traversing a section of the road at Asonkore, Habid allegedly rode recklessly, leading to the collision with the oncoming Hyundai Grace Mini Bus bearing registration number AC 405-23, driven by Assan Edward.

    As a result of the collision, Kudus Habid sustained severe injuries and was promptly rushed to SDA Hospital in Obuasi for medical attention.

    Sadly, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. His body was then transferred to the Obuasi Government Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

    Following the incident, the police have taken both the accident vehicle and the motorbike to the station for further investigation and action.

  • Nine shops at Obuasi destroyed by fire

    Nine shops at Obuasi destroyed by fire

    A fire outbreak at Obuasi Bogobire Stadium Junction in Ashanti has destroyed nine container shops, causing significant financial losses and property damage.

    Affected victims, in an interview with Adom News correspondent Isaac K. Normanyo, stated that the fire lasted several hours.

    One spare parts dealer recounted the loss of his container, which contained various spare parts such as bumpers, fan belts, and bonnets, valued at over GH¢350,000.

    Another victim, who sells second-hand clothes, lamented the destruction of over 15 bales of clothing in the fire.

    A mobile money vendor disclosed a loss of over GH¢10,000, while a carpenter reported the destruction of five sets of stuffed chairs, a wardrobe, and other materials.

    Despite the devastating impact, victims expressed gratitude to the Obuasi firefighters for their swift response.

    The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

  • Accident on Obuasi road leaves 5 dead

    Accident on Obuasi road leaves 5 dead

    A tragic incident unfolded in Dadwen area near Obuasi, within the Adansi North District of the Ashanti Region, claiming the lives of five individuals and leaving over 14 others critically injured.

    The accident involved several vehicles, notably a Toyota Hiace ‘trotro’ bearing registration number AS 2889-19, driven by 19-year-old Osei Ahenkorah, en route from Dunkwa to Kumasi.

    Another vehicle implicated was a trailer with registration number AS 468-S, driven by 41-year-old Kofi Mahama, traveling from the Anwiankwanta highway to Obuasi.

    Additionally, a Jetta salon car with registration number GT 3171-11, under the control of 40-year-old Ofori Samuel Ankrah, was also involved in the collision.

    Witnesses recounted that the Toyota Hiace ‘trotro’ was speeding and lost control, swerving from its lane and colliding with the trailer at Dadwen.

    Among the 20 passengers aboard the Toyota vehicle, including children, fourteen survived with injuries, while four tragically perished at the scene.

    Thankfully, both the driver of the trailer and his assistant survived the collision.

    The deceased individuals were respectfully transported to the morgue at Obuasi Government Hospital for further arrangements.

  • Gory accident near Obuasi leaves 5 dead, 14 injured

    Gory accident near Obuasi leaves 5 dead, 14 injured

    A tragic accident in the Dadwen area near Obuasi in the Adansi North District of the Ashanti Region has resulted in the loss of five lives and left over 14 others critically injured.

    The incident involved multiple vehicles, including a Toyota Hiace ‘trotro’ with registration number AS 2889-19, driven by 19-year-old Osei Ahenkorah, traveling from Dunkwa to Kumasi.

    Another vehicle involved was a trailer with registration number AS 468-S, driven by 41-year-old Kofi Mahama, heading from the Anwiankwanta highway to Obuasi.

    Additionally, a Jetta salon car with registration number GT 3171-11, driven by 40-year-old Ofori Samuel Ankrah, was also part of the collision.

    Eyewitnesses reported that the Toyota Hiace ‘trotro’ was traveling at a high speed, lost control, veered off its lane, and crashed into the trailer at Dadwen.

    Among the 20 passengers on-board the Toyota vehicle, including children, fourteen survived with injuries, while four individuals tragically lost their lives at the scene.

    Sadly, one of the injured passengers succumbed to his injuries at the AGA Hospital shortly after admission.

    Fortunately, both the driver of the trailer vehicle and his mate survived the collision.

    The bodies of the deceased individuals were transported to the Obuasi Government Hospital morgue for further arrangements.

  • Obuasi: Female medical student allegedly commits suicide in her room

    Obuasi: Female medical student allegedly commits suicide in her room

    A female medical student completing her internship at the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Hospital in Obuasi, Ms. Devaki Dassie, was discovered deceased in her room on Saturday, March 23, 2024.

    Preliminary investigations by the police suggest that Ms. Dassie was found lifeless at her residence in Brahabebome, Obuasi, near the hospital where she was employed, and it appears she took her own life by hanging.

    Sources from the police, indicate that upon arrival at the scene, investigators discovered the rope used in the hanging, attached to a ceiling fan in her room.

    The body has been transferred to the Heaven’s Gate mortuary for preservation, awaiting further examination through an autopsy.

  • Gang beats man to death after allegedly visiting girlfriend at Obuasi

    Gang beats man to death after allegedly visiting girlfriend at Obuasi

    A 35-year-old man from Manso in the Ashanti Region reportedly met a tragic end after visiting his girlfriend in Obuasi.

    As reported by Kumasi-based Kessben FM, the man was assaulted by a gang allegedly orchestrated by the ‘local boyfriend’ of his girlfriend.

    Nana Ogyam Boamah, a reporter for Kessben FM, mentioned that the victim was subjected to severe beatings, stabbed multiple times, and left dead.

    He reported that personnel from the Ghana Police Service in Obuasi intervened, providing assistance to the injured victim, who lay helpless on the ground.

    The police rendered necessary aid and transported the victim to a nearby health facility, where he eventually succumbed to his injuries.

    Footage from the incident scene, included in the report, depicted the victim lying in a pool of blood. At that moment, he was unable to communicate verbally but gestured to individuals believed to be police officers present.

  • Controversy erupts as MCE clashes with anti-galamsey crusader over arrest of Chinese illegal miners

    Controversy erupts as MCE clashes with anti-galamsey crusader over arrest of Chinese illegal miners

    Municipal Chief Executive Officer (MCE), Kwaku Kyei Baffour, is said to have clashed with Kwasi Aboagye, an anti-galamsey activist based in Obuasi, regarding the arrest of illegal miners within the municipality.

    As reported by the Chronicle Newspaper on July 31, 2023, the confrontation took place after the arrest of three Chinese nationals and two Ghanaians who were engaged in illegal mining activities near Bekwai, specifically at Achiase.

    According to the report, Kwesi Aboagye, who also serves as the President of the Adansi Progressive Association (APA), led a team of personnel from Obuasi, including policemen and National Investigation Bureau (NIB) officers, in an operation that resulted in the apprehension of the illegal miners.

    Nevertheless, when confronted by individuals claiming to be elders representing the Omanhene of Bekwai and subsequently a Taskforce from the Bekwai Municipal Assembly, Aboagye declined to release the detained Chinese nationals, citing concerns about the authorities’ dedication to effectively tackling illegal mining.

    The report mentioned that Aboagye pointed out the authorities’ inaction despite the extensive environmental degradation and appeals from local residents, which prompted him to take action and intervene in the situation.

    In response to the said allegations on Angel FM, the MCE Kwaku Kyei Baffour refuted Aboagye’s claims, asserting that his Taskforce was conducting a routine check to drive away the Chinese miners when they encountered him coincidentally.

    The MCE is reported to have accused the anti-galamsey crusader of disrespect, discrimination, and extorting money from illegal miners.

    The confrontation, according to the report, escalated as both parties exchanged harsh words on live radio.

    The MCE threatened to have Aboagye arrested by the police for not seeking permission from authorities before making the arrests of the said illegal miners.

    “Aboagye doesn’t respect; if he really respects, he would have consulted the police administration and my office before making those arrests. You don’t know your job. You wouldn’t have said this if you have brains. I’ll make the police commander invite you, Crazy guy.

    “I am going to the Police Commander; I’ll let him be arrested. Why didn’t you seek permission from authorities before going on with such an activity? Is Aboagye credible? Foolish Aboagye,” the Chronicle quoted the MCE to have said on air.

    In turn, Aboagye is also alleged to have retaliated, calling the MCE “crazy” and urging President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to dismiss him for allegedly condoning illegal mining activities in the area.

    “You are also a crazy MCE. What have been your contributions? President Akufo-Addo must sack you.”

  • AkromaGold Ltd to reclaim mined sites in Birim North District

    AkromaGold Ltd to reclaim mined sites in Birim North District

    AkromaGold Limited, a mining company operating in the Eastern Region of Ghana, has commenced a project to restore and reclaim previously mined sites in the Birim North District.

    The exercise is part of the company’s proactive efforts to prevent a recurrence of the Obuasi incident, in which some illegal miners were trapped under a mining shaft of the Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi mines after they invaded the company’s concessions.

    The company, which had earlier engaged chiefs and community members of Noyem and other surrounding areas in the district where it holds concessions, carried out a major reclamation exercise at its newly acquired concession at Noyem on June 23, 2023, with the assistance of a task force.

    Over 1,500 residents of the area who had invaded the company’s Noyem site and were busily engaging in illegal mining were caught off guard when the team appeared at the site with machines for the exercise.

    The illegal miners, both men and women, young and old, who had entered the mine shaft, connected electricity deep down the shaft, and were using explosives to blast the underground rocks, pleaded with the company to allow them some time to bring out their loads (gold sand), a plea which was accepted by the company for an hour before the exercise began.

    Emmanuel Mintah, Deputy Director of Operations at AkromaGold Limited, who led the exercise, said in an interview with Citi News that the company was being proactive to avoid a recurrence of the Obuasi incident, in which some miners were trapped in a mine shaft.

    He revealed that the company had an incident at Wusiwusi, in which a 14-year-old girl lost her life in a mining pit after some illegal miners invaded the company’s concession and left the pit bare after mining.

    “There is a concession at Wusiwusi which also belongs to our sister company Akroma. A 14-year-old girl, while it was raining, tried to use a shortcut to get to school, but unfortunately, illegal miners who had come to engage in illegal activities did not cover the mining pit and the girl fell in and died.”

    “As a company, we were held responsible for that even though we were not the ones mining on that concession. So we don’t want any of such issues to happen again. That is why we are being proactive in doing things now,” he stated.

    Mr. Mintah said the activities of illegal miners were a cause for concern because they not only destroyed the land, but they also made it extremely difficult to reclaim the land.

    He urged the community members to cooperate with the company in its efforts to reclaim the mined sites.

  • Captain Smart and crew reportedly assaulted in Obuasi

    Captain Smart and crew reportedly assaulted in Obuasi

    Captain Smart and his crew of the Onua Maakye show are said to have been involved in an attack at Obuasi, Ashanti region on Thursday, June 8.

    A man believed to be a member of the Obuasi Municipal task force stormed the venue and attempted to disturb the work of the Onua team.

    The thug physically prevented the technical team from mounting live gadgets claiming he was ordered from above to stop the event, TV3’s Ashanti Region correspondent William Evans Nkum reported.

    The team is currently at the Obuasi Central Police Command resolving the issue, Onuaonline.com also reported.

    More soon…

  • Lands Minister engages stakeholders on AngloGold’s Obuasi mine shaft invasion

    Lands Minister engages stakeholders on AngloGold’s Obuasi mine shaft invasion

    The minister of lands and natural resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, has led a government delegation to Obuasi to meet with different stakeholders and discuss solutions to the problem of unauthorized mining in the area.

    The minister’s visit to the mining town comes a week after some illegal miners invaded Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi Mine’s concession and got trapped in the mine shaft.

    Seventy-nine illegal miners who used the exit were subsequently arrested. Sixteen others who later attempted to invade Anglogold’s concession were also arrested.

    The incident has created tension between community members and Anglogold Ashanti.

    As part of efforts to better understand the issues, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources held a closed-door meeting with the Obuasi Municipal Assembly and the Obuasi East District Assembly.

    He also held separate meetings with traditional leaders under the Adansi Traditional Council and the management of Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi Mine.

    During his preliminary remarks at the meeting with the management of Anglogold, Mr. Jinapor assured the company of the government’s commitment to ensuring that the mine achieves its goals.

    The minister also visited the mining sites of the mining company.

    He will later meet with small-scale miners in the area to hear their concerns.

  • DCE recounts violent encounter between soldiers and illegal miners in Obuasi

    DCE recounts violent encounter between soldiers and illegal miners in Obuasi

    The District Chief Executive (DCE) of Obuasi East, Faustina Amissah, has confirmed reports that personnel of the Ghana Armed Force were deployed to Obuasi over the commotion surrounding reports of illegal miners being trapped in a mine shaft belonging to AngloGold Ashanti.

    On May 31, 2023, there was heavy military presence in the community after a viral video showed the men clashing with some residents of Obuasi.

    According to the Obuasi East DCE, some illegal small-scale miners started pelting stones at the military officers protecting AngloGold, The Chronicle newspaper reports.

    This, she said, forced the army to call reinforcement from its 2BN in Kumasi, to help its officers protect the workers of the company because the illegal miners were on rampage.

    “They were stoning the soldiers because they have now realised that after all, AGA soldiers will or shout because of their corporate image are working on certain things to have a local soldier barracks,” she is quoted to have said in an interview with The Chronicle.

    The DCE also said that only 101 illegal miners were trapped and not 300 as reported in the media and that all of these people have been arrested.

    She was worried about the failure to stop the galamseyers from entering the mining pits of AngloGold Ashanti.

    She warned that if people are not stopped from illegally entering the mine it might, one day, collapse; adding that “If not before we realise, we have to close down the mines again,” he said.

  • Military men assigned to Obuasi over trapped illegal miners in mining shaft

    Military men assigned to Obuasi over trapped illegal miners in mining shaft

    The Ghana Armed Forces reportedly deployed its personnel to Obuasi on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, over the commotion surrounding reports of illegal miners being trapped in a mine shaft belonging to AngloGold.

    It is not clear why the military personnel were deployed but a video shared by Kumasi-based Oyerepa TV showed them trying to control an aggrieved crowd of people.

    The army personnel arrived in some of their military vehicles and they were more than fifty in number.

    They started firing warning shots after some residents started pelting stones at them.

    The personnel could also be seen preventing some youth in civilian clothing from working towards certain directions.

    There has been tension in Obuasi following news of over 300 illegal miners have been trapped in a mine shaft belonging to multinational mining giant AngloGold.

    The incident according to a Citinewsroom.com report occurred at AngloGold’s Obuasi Mines at Anwiam in the Obuasi East District of the Ashanti Region.

    The miners are said to have entered the underground shaft in search of gold deposits but have been trapped because all exit routes were subsequently shut.

    One of the illegal miners, Ali Tijani who spoke to Citi News said some of his colleagues are unconscious as they have run out of food and water, the Citi News report stated.

    Relations of the trapped minister, including their wives, on Tuesday, besieged the site where the illegal miners were supposed trapped carrying for them to be rescued.

    Meanwhile, the management of AngloGold has refuted claims that some persons have been trapped in a mine belonging to them.

    In a statement dated Tuesday, May 30, 2023, and signed by the Managing Director, Eric Asubonteng, he explained that the claims cannot be true because the exit ramp from the mine remains open.

    He added that in the case that anybody was trapped in their mine, they can exit on foot via the existing ramp, a report by graphic.com.gh said.

    Eric Asubonten, however, explained that some seven illegal miners who were in their mines yesterday walked out on foot and are in the custody of the police.

  • Obuasi youth ‘go bonkers’ over detention of illegal miners

    Obuasi youth ‘go bonkers’ over detention of illegal miners

    Several properties worth thousands of Ghana cedis were destroyed by furious youth in Obuasi on Tuesday, May 30, as they expressed their anger over the detention of a group of illegal miners.

    The illegal miners were arrested for entering an underground concession belonging to AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine.

    The rampaging youth destroyed property mostly belonging to AngloGold including vehicles and billboards, to press home their demand for the release of their colleagues who had been arrested after exiting the shaft.

    The illegal miners, numbering about 48, who were being held at the Central Police Station were later released.

    But the irate youth continued to agitate for those underground to be allowed to go home without arrest.

    Over 200 illegal miners on Monday, May 29 were believed to have been trapped in the northern areas of the mine where no active mining has been done for years.

    News of the incident sparked widespread protest in the Obuasi township as people converged at the Obuasi East Assembly to implore authorities to intervene.

    However, when the relevant authorities including security agencies went to the location, the miners refused to come out for fear of being arrested.

    Following the arrest of those who came out, the rest decided to stay underground to avoid arrest, leading to the unfortunate destruction of property belonging to AngloGold.

    Meanwhile, AngloGold Ashanti has provided an update on the incident in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday.

    The mining firm said the unauthorised persons purported to have been trapped could exit on foot via the existing ramp through the main access to the area.

    “No person underground has been confined in any way and the main exit from the mine remains opened,” the statement clarified.

    It said any unauthorised person underground could leave the mine at any time by the exit points where public security remained on standby.

    “Intrusion of illegal miners into underground areas remain a significant dangerous activity and AngloGold Ashanti Ghana is working alongside authorities to ensure that only authorised mine personnel and contractors can access underground work areas,” the statement concluded.

  • Over 300 illegal miners trapped in Obuasi mine shaft belonging to AngloGold

    Over 300 illegal miners trapped in Obuasi mine shaft belonging to AngloGold

    Over 300 illegal miners are allegedly trapped in AngloGold’s Obuasi mine shaft at Anwiam, Ashanti Region.

    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.

    He said they have reached out to their families and are hoping authorities can intervene to get them out of the shaft.

    “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. The DCE must come to our aid. We don’t have any work, that’s why we go there to mine to take care of ourselves and our families,” he said.

    Meanwhile, efforts to get a comment from officials of AngloGold on the development have not yielded any positive results.

  • 17-year-old St. Monica’s SHS student dies under mysterious circumstances

    17-year-old St. Monica’s SHS student dies under mysterious circumstances

    The family of a 17-year-old student at St. Monica’s Senior High School has accused authorities of negligence at the institution following the incidents that led to the sudden death of their relative.

    This was sighted in a newspaper report by the Chronicles dated May 29, 2023.

    The deceased student, identified as Patience Amanyi or Maame Sakyiwaa, was laid to rest over the weekend in Obuasi, in the Ashanti Region.

    According to the newspaper, Maame Sakyiwaa, a General Arts student, had been unwell for some time. Despite her attempts to secure permission to seek medical attention outside the school, her requests were reportedly ignored by the school authorities.

    Instead, she was advised to visit the school’s sick bay, which proved insufficient to handle her illness.

    The newspaper added that the family received news of her passing only a few hours after she had contacted her mother for her Ghana Card details.

    Richard Monnie, a cousin of Maame Sakyiwaa, expressed the family’s confusion surrounding her untimely death.

    The newspaper stated that Monnie, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, around 17:00 hours called the mother of the deceased, requesting information related to her Ghana card for a registration exercise.

    Shortly after, the family received another call, informing them of the devastating news of Maame Sakyiwaa’s passing.

    Monnie suspects that the person who made the call was not his cousin and believes that she had already passed away before the staged conversation took place.

    “We are very much sure that our relatives died long before the call came through, and the person who called was not Maame Sakyiwaa. It was someone who spoke on her behalf because we are told she managed and visited the sick bay of the school on Saturday, May 20, 2023, and went to church on Sunday, but on Monday, May 22, 2023, when she went to class, she could not sit upright, putting her head on the table throughout the day.

    “Per information available to us, Maame Sakyiwaa was kept at the school sick bay without hospital attention,” Monnie was quoted to have said.

    The deceased’s cousin questioned the school’s lack of communication with the family during Maame Sakyiwaa’s failing health condition and raised concerns about the decision-making process.

    He recounted an incident from the previous month when she [reference to the deceased] was delayed at home for two days after the school’s reopening and was subsequently denied entry to the dormitory upon her arrival and was made to sleep outdoors for two days.

    Monnie further disclosed that the family has been assured by the school authorities of prompt investigations into the case.

    The Public Relations officer at the Ashanti Regional Education office is reported to have urged the family of the deceased to remain patient awaiting the outcome of the inquiry.

  • Obuasi residents clash with police over demolition exercise

    Obuasi residents clash with police over demolition exercise

    Some residents in Obuasi vehemently resisted police authorities who were deployed to the area to conduct a demolition exercise.

    Over 400 residents of PTP, a suburb of Obuasi in the Ashanti Region have been rendered homeless following a demolition exercise undertaken by the Obuasi East District Assembly.

    According Despite Media’s Stephen Sekyere, the assembly undertook the demolition exercise to reclaim some lands for the purpose of constructing hostels to house students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology – Obuasi Campus.

    A video of the exercise sighted by GhanaWeb shows some of the affected residents engaged in a heated confrontation with some security officers.

    In the midst of the confrontation, multiple gunshots were fired by the police.

    According to the affected residents, the District Chief Executive Officer for Obuasi East, Faustina Amissah led the demolition exercise without offering them a chance to evacuate or relocate.

    The DCE, however, has denied the claims by the victims. According to her, ample time was given to the residents to relocate from the said land.

    Meanwhile, the affected residents have threatened to file legal action against the Assembly.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • One injured, property vandalised as Gausu youth clash

    One injured, property vandalised as Gausu youth clash

    Fear has gripped the entire Gausu community in the Obuasi Municipality of the Ashanti Region following violent attacks on some youth by a group believed to have come from Estate, a suburb of Obuasi.

    One member of the Estate youth suffered cutlass wounds in the head and other parts of the body and is receiving treatment at the Obuasi Government Hospital.

    Speaking to Adom News’ correspondent, Isaac K. Normanyo, some residents in the Gausu community said the incident started around 6:30 pm Thursday.

    They said guns were being pulled while cutlasses were being thrown sporadically.

    “We want the police to ensure that those involved in the disturbances are made to face the full rigors of the law.”

    In the ensuing melee, one person got seriously injured, a motorbike burnt, one car completely vandalised.

    Meanwhile, three are in the grips of the police assisting with investigations.

    The assembly member of Gausu electoral area, Dauda Tahiru, said such disturbances have taken place in the community over the years and added that it is his expectation that those arrested this time will be jailed.

    Mr Tahiru said he is confident that an imprisonment would serve as a deterrence to others who perpetuate such crimes in the name of ‘ gangs ‘ in other parts of the municipality.

  • Obuasi residents praise government for ‘no guarantor’ student loan policy

    Some residents of the Obuasi Municipality have heaped praises on the government for introducing the ‘No Guarantor’ Student Loan Policy.

    This was after the management of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) led by its Chief Executive Officer Nana Kwaku Agyei Yeboah met with traders, drivers and market women at the Obuasi Central Market to sensitise them on how to access the fund.

    In a series of publicity drives which started on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, in Obuasi, managers of the fund earlier met with Artisans and Staff of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly to also brief them on the details of the SLTF.

    Led by Yaa Achiaa, a tomato seller at the Obuasi Central Market, she said hitherto, they had challenges accessing student loans due to difficulties in finding guarantors. She said the government since coming to office in 2017 has made education accessible with the introduction of the Free Senior High School policy and the ‘No Guarantor’ loan system.

    “The government has relieved us of the burden of funding education in the country. Now, as parents, we don’t have to go through the stress of looking for money to pay our wards’ school fees. This Government is a blessing,” she added.

    The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia launched the ‘No Guarantor’ Student Loan Policy at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, on Wednesday, June 8, 2022.

    The ‘No Guarantor’ Student Loan Policy, a promise by the Akufo-Addo government before the 2020 elections, is to make tertiary education accessible to Ghanaian youth, especially graduates from the highly subscribed Free Senior High School policy.

    With the ‘No Guarantor’ Student Loan Policy, the cumbersome and restrictive policy of students providing three SSNIT contributors as guarantors before they could access student loans for tertiary education is now a thing of the past.

    The Chief Executive officer of the Student Loan Trust Fund Nana Kwaku Agyei Yeboah in an interaction with the media after the sensitization sessions in Obuasi said the ‘No Guarantor’ loan scheme is proof of the government’s commitment to enhance access to education in the country.

    He appealed to Ghanaians to take full advantage of the ease with which one can access the loan, to acquire it to cushion their children’s education.

    The Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi Honourable Elijah Adansi-Bonah lauded the government for introducing the policy. He said the government despite the economic challenges facing the country, has not relented in performing its responsibilities of improving the living standards of Ghanaians.

    He appealed to residents of Obuasi to rally behind the Government to deliver on its promises.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Obuasi Municipal Assembly embarks on week-long decongestion exercise

    The Obuasi Municipal Assembly has embarked on a week-long decongestion exercise in Obuasi as part of efforts to beautify and keep the city clean and safe.

    The exercise, which sought to rid the municipality of unauthorised structures, have seen many structures pulled down under the supervision of the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Elisha Adansi Bonah.

    Traders, who sold on the streets, were also removed to improve traffic flow, especially in the Central Market area with the support of the Police.

    Other areas that were affected by the exercise were Gauso Mangoase, Bidiem and Kokoteasua, where illegal permanent structures were also demolished.

    At the onset of the exercise, temporal structures that were mounted along the Obuasi Technical Senior High School fence wall and served as safe abodes for criminals that occasionally attack students were demolished.

    The illegal structures also aided some students to scale over the school wall to town without using the approved exit gates.

    Mr Adansi Bonah said the exercise was informed by the Assembly’s determination to ensure sanity in Obuasi while protecting lives from the dangers associated with selling at unapproved places in the Central Business District.

    “As an Assembly we cannot continue to allow people to take the laws into their own hands, build structures and even sell on the road. We believe after the exercise, Obuasi will regain its bragging right as the cleanest city in Ghana,” he told the media.

    He said the Assembly gave prior notice for people to remove the affected structures, but they did not heed to the numerous warnings.

    The MCE said the Assembly was committed to allowing businesses to thrive, but not at the detriment of the safety of the public.

    “This will be a continuous exercise and we are going for a court order which will empower the Assembly to serve notices to those who have built their structures without obtaining permit from the Assembly,” he cautioned.

    Mr David Agyei, the Municipal Works Engineer, bemoaned the level of lawlessness in the society, saying that it was unacceptable for people to build without applying for permit from the assembly.

    He said that practice if not checked, would lead to impunity and the consequences could be disastrous.

    He, however, served notice to owners of unauthorised structures yet to be demolished to take steps to salvage whatever they could because the Assembly was poised to bring down all such structures.

    Source: GNA

  • Rise in breast, prostate cancer in Adansi blamed on westernization

    There has been a surge in reported cases of breast and prostate cancer in Obuasi and its surrounding areas.

    According to Dr. Kwadwo Anim, the Executive Director of AGA Health Foundation,  the most widely cited reason for the increase in these cases is “westernization”.

    Speaking at a Grand Durbar and mini-clinic organised by AngloGold Ashanti to mark this year’s breast and prostate cancer awareness month at Akrokerri in the Adansi North District of the Ashanti Region, Dr Anim said life styles like smoking, alcohol and some eating habits are leading factors according for the rise in these cases.

    Breast cancer is a critical medical condition that has stared humanity in the face for several decades, particularly females.

    Even though there is no scientifically proven cure for cancer, the condition can be managed if detected early enough.

    In 2020, breast cancer was the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide and accounted for 29.5% of cancer incidence and 22.1% of cancer deaths in Africa. In Ghana, breast cancer accounted for 31.8% of cancer incidence.

    Prostate cancer, on the other hand, is a cancer that occurs in the prostate. Prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

    Prostate cancer is reported to be the second leading cause of male cancer deaths in Ghana and in Korle bu Teaching Hospital alone, 20 men were diagnosed with the disease every week.

    Dr. Anim also mentioned that people’s quest to seek for herbal and spiritual assistance without going to the hospital to be properly screened has also resulted in some fatalities.

    “October every year has been set aside to create awareness about early detection of breast cancer in particular but it seems people are not heeding to the call. In breast cancer, the prerequisite is early detection. Once you report it at the early stage, you can be cured,” Dr Kwadwo Anim ended.

    The Stakeholders Engagement Superintendent of Anglogold Ashanti, Edmond Oduro Agyei, on his part, said Anglogold Ashanti has made commitments to improve the living conditions of its communities.

    In view of this, the company through its 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan lined up plethora of health intervention programs targeted at improving quality health care of the people.

    “As we have always mentioned, we don’t want to leave our communities the same way we met them so included in our 10-year SEDP which we launched in July was a comprehensive health related programs targeted at providing solutions to the health care needs of the people and this program is one of them”

    Anglogold Ashanti as part of its health intervention program has also started capacity building workshops for health workers in Obuasi on infection prevention and other diseases.

    Mr. Oduro Agyei said AGA has partnered AGA Health Foundation,  GIZ and Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation to screen the people of Akrokerri on breast and prostate cancer as well as other diseases.

    The Chief Executive for the Adansi North District, Eric Kwaku Kusi, on his part, underscored the importance of Stakeholders involvement in the fight against breast and prostate cancer.

    “You will agree with me that Government cannot fight these diseases alone hence I applaud AGA and its partners for coming together to collectively fight breast and prostate cancer.”

    Akrokerri hemaa Nana Serwaa Buruwaa II advised men and women to take the education on breast and prostate cancer seriously.

    She added her voice to the call for early detection and treatment.

     

     

  • DVLA introduces digital technologies to check drivers, vehicles

    The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has introduced some five key digital appliances in its operations to ensure a regulated framework for an enhanced and a more effective supervision of drivers and vehicles.

    They comprise the vehicle windscreen glasses tint meter, handbrake tester, hand-held tablet computer, tyre tread depth gauge and tyre air presser gauge.

    Obuasi station is the first to take delivery of the hand-held tools, while all 32 district offices across the country are to receive the kits for effective operations.

    The DVLA says the appliances will help detect approved tinted windscreens, test the brake efficiency of a vehicle, and get instant access to a driver’s particulars upon keying in their registration and certificate of competence numbers to establish the authenticity or otherwise.

    In the past, most driver offenders were let off the hook because the authority lacked these standard gadgets to strengthen their checks on the road.

    The Compliance and Enforcement Manager of DVLA, Richard Kwasi Eyiah, explained that “after all checks are carried out on a vehicle, an automated gadget instantly issues out a receipt to the driver to know the status of the car as to whether it passed the test or not”.

    Field demonstration

    The Appliance and Enforcement Unit of the DVLA, last Thursday (September 29), organised a brief demonstration of the tools to the media in Kumasi and later moved on to the streets to test their innovative kits on drivers and vehicles.

    During the field demonstration, it was detected that some vehicles had issues, but no arrests were made.

    However, the DVLA field officers urged the drivers to update their papers, as well as put their vehicles in shape in order not to fall foul of the law.

    Enforcement

    Mr Eyiah in a post-test run interview said the tools would be used effectively to ensure compliance on the roads to ensure maximum safety on the roads with only roadworthy vehicles.

    “Road rules will only be obeyed if drivers are made aware that not obeying them would result in detection and unwanted outcomes such as fines or licence suspension or cancellation.

    “With these gadgets, there will be no hiding place for recalcitrant drivers,” he emphasised.

    Mr Eyiah used the opportunity to commend the government for resourcing the authority which had enabled it to play its role more efficiently.

  • AngloGold brings healthcare to residents of Obuasi’s homes

    The Obuasi Mine of the mining company AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) is rethinking its health intervention to inhabitants in its catchment areas with a new strategy dubbed: “Mini-clinic initiative.”

    It entails bringing the clinic right to the doorsteps of the locals while attending to their community’s unique medical requirements.

    Following completion of the project, the mining company met the area’s residents’ critical health needs, providing benefits to around 1,000 residents of Nhyiaso in the Obuasi Municipality.

    The program is a component of the company’s socioeconomic plan to encourage routine health screenings in rural areas amid worries about a potential rise in HIV, Hepatitis B, and COVID-19 infections.

    The initiative is being rolled out in collaboration with the AGA Health Foundation and the Obuasi Municipal Health Directorate with support from the Otumfuo Foundation.

    People’s life matter

    The Stakeholder Engagement Superintendent of the AGA, Edmund Oduro Agyei, said it was the priority of the company to put people’s health in its host communities first to ensure a healthy community, adding “people’s life matter.”

    He said the AGA Health Foundation was to provide quality healthcare not only to the mine employees and dependents but also to the people of Obuasi and neighbouring communities.

    Mr Agyei assured the AGA’s continual support to host communities to ensure a sustainable future.

    The Senior Manager, Environment, of the AGA, George Owusu Ansah, said the AGA’s malaria control programme remained a flagship health intervention, which was making a significant socio-economic impact not only in Obuasi but in Ghana as a whole.

    He said the AGA’s 16-bed capacity maternity block, which was handed over to the Obuasi Government Hospital recently, had positively contributed to improving maternal and child healthcare to the people of Obuasi.

    Mr Owusu Ansah assured that the initiative will open a new frontier of bringing quality healthcare to the doorstep of its host communities.

    He encouraged the people to take advantage of the initiative and present themselves for screening each time the clinic got to their area.

    Diseases

    Residents were screened for HIV, hepatitis, toothache and oral health, hypertension, diabetes, eye, COVID-19 among others.

    The Principal Medical Officer, Occupational Health of the AGA Health Foundation, Dr Justin Dakora, urged the mine to leave the communities better than it met them.

    He encouraged the people to visit the hospital regularly to ensure their health was in better shape.

     

  • Obuasi residents protest over worsening unemployment rate

    Scores of inhabitants within the mining town of Obuasi and other surrounding communities in the Ashanti Region are marching through major streets in the area to demonstrate over what they describe as the worsening unemployment situation in the area.

    The protestors, who are mainly the youth, are also calling on the management of Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi mine to release lands for them to mine on, since they accuse the company of not employing residents.

    The organizers of the demonstration say, as part of their protest, they will be petitioning the management of Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi mine over the matter.

    There is a heavy security presence as a number of police officers drawn from the Obuasi district command and the regional police are escorting the protestors.

    Source: Citinews

  • Johannesburg is more developed than Obuasi because gold mines are owned by South Africans Sam Jonah

    Businessman and Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, has stated that mining communities in South Africa are more developed than those in Ghana because the mines there belong to South Africans.

    He explained that because the mines belong to South Africans, they re-invest revenues they get from the mines back in the communities which leads to their development.

    Sam Jonah, who said this in an interview on GTV monitored by GhanaWeb, added that mining communities in Ghana are not developed because the mines are owned by foreigners who take all the revenue they recoup outside the country.

    “When people say look at Obuasi and look at Johannesburg we all produce gold, well you are right Johannesburg was a gold town, Obuasi was and is a gold town, so is Tarkwa, so is Konongo. Do you know what the difference is? The difference is that in Johannesburg the owners of the mines were South Africans, so they had nowhere else to put their money and so they invested their money in their town and the government applied the taxes in the town and the country.

    “Until 1969, Ghana, as a country had no shareholder interest in Obuasi (Ashanti Gold Limited), which has been operating since 1895. In 1969 the Ghana government was given 15 percent of the company … then in 1972 General Acheampong took up the commanding height and assume 55 percent interest in the mines, that is where for the first time the people of Ghana became prominent owners of the mines since 1895.

    He added that the government got US$ 330 million when the ASHGold was listed on the US Stock exchange but unfortunately none of the funds was used to develop the Obuasi.

    “… they (government) got US$ 330 million off the table, cash, if even a $100 has been invested in Obuasi, Obuasi will have been a different place but it used to balance the budget because consistently we have lived beyond our means,” he explained.

    He reiterated that Johannesburg is developed because the mines there were owned by South Africans unlike here in Ghana where no Ghanaian owns part of our gold mining companies.

    Sir Sam Jonah is the executive chairman of Jonah Capital, an equity fund based in Johannesburg, and is considered one of Ghana’s richest men.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Obuasi Municipal goes green as Assembly plans to plant 9,000 trees

    Chief Executive of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly (OMA), Elijah Adansi-Bonah has called on residents of the municipality to come out in their numbers and rally around the Green Ghana Project to plant 9,000 trees in Obuasi under the Green Ghana Project.

    The Green Ghana initiative is being championed by the Forestry Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

    Minister Samuel Jinapor during the launch of the programme mentioned that his Ministry is seeking to work out a formula where the trees planted will be economic trees.

    He added that the rationale for this exercise is to plant trees to make an investment for the future.

    Mr. Adansi-Bonah, while addressing the gathering at the launch of the Green Ghana Project at Nana Ponkor JHS in the Obuasi Municipality, praised the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for such a laudable project.

    “This bold initiative by the government will ensure the beautification of Obuasi and provide shades along pedestrian walkways, greening open spaces as well as mitigate the effects of climate change.”

    To make the project a successful one, Mr. Adansi-Bonah said: “I want to seize this opportunity to appeal to those who will go for the seedlings to protect and maintain the seedlings [and] ensure that the vision of the President to have a Green Ghana is achieved.”

    The officer in charge of the Obuasi Sub-station of the Forestry Commission talked about the preparedness of his outfit to take care and protect the seedlings once planted to ensure that the vision of the President is achieved.

    “My office has put in a mechanism where we will ensure that we take care and protect the plants for them to mature very well for the benefit of the entire Municipality.”

    Source: 3news.com

  • MP donates beds to hospitals in Obuasi East

    Exactly a week after commissioning two modern Health facilities in his constituency, the Member of Parliament for Obuasi East, Dr. Patrick Boakye- Yiadom has once again donated twenty (20) beds to the four main hospitals in the Obuasi East constituency.

    The beds which included Delivery beds, normal hospital beds, Children’s cot and wheelchairs were given to the AGA Health Foundation, Bryant Mission Hospital, SDA Hospital and Todah Hospital.

    At a short ceremony to handover the beds to the beneficiary hospitals, Hon. Boakye-Yiadom commended Health personnel in the district for their commitment and diligence to duty, especially during the Covid-19 outbreak. He asked them to continuously work hard for the development of the district and the country at large.

    He reiterated the commitment of the NPP Government towards quality healthcare delivery in the country. He continued that, evidence of Government’s good works is seen in the revival of the NHIS by settling their age-long debts. Again, he said, the President recently provided 10,000 beds and provision of over 300 ambulances to all the constituencies in the country.

    The Member of Parliament who is seeking reelection revealed that the Government has decided to build a district hospital in the Obuasi East District as part of the 88 district hospitals to be constructed nationwide from next month. These, he said give credence to the call for Ghanaians to give the Government another term.

    Receiving the items on behalf of the Hospital, the District Health Director, Madam Delphine Gborgblorvor, emphasized the importance of the beds in the provision of quality healthcare to the people of Obuasi East. She said, they can now heave a sigh of relief since the district has always had to deal with inadequate beds in some hospitals.

    Madam Gborgblorvor bemoaned the blatant disregard for the Coronavirus preventive protocols. A situation, she described as worrying especially when the disease is still in existence and affecting a lot of people. She however advised the general public to seek medical care at the hospitals since measures have been put in place to fully adhere to all the Covid- 19 protocols.

    The nurses Manager of AGA Health Foundation, Madam Sirina Mahammed also said the beds will help augment existing beds in the Hospital. She praised the MP for the kind gesture and said “just like Oliver Twist, we will always call for more”.

    Source: Information Services Department

  • Obuasi town roads to be completed in March 2022 Akufo-Addo

    Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has inspected ongoing work on the 30-kilometre Anhwiankwanta-Obuasi Road, as well as the ongoing construction of town roads within the Obuasi Municipality.

    Inspecting the works on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, on day-1 of his 4-day tour of the Greater Accra Region, President Akufo-Addo was told by the contractor, Messrs. Joshob Construction, that the Anhwiankwanta-Obuasi project is being constructed at a cost of GH¢321.9 million cedis.

    The entire 30-kilometre road section has been formed and subbase placed, with 20 kilometres and 15 kilometres of crushed stone base and asphaltic binder respectively, having been laid.

    Physical progress, the contractor told the President, is about 70% complete, stressing that the project implementation is ahead of schedule, and barring any challenger, the road will be completed 18 months ahead of schedule.

    The contractor indicated that once completed, the road will enhance socio-economic activities, and facilitate the efficient movement of people, goods and services in Anhwiankwanta, Daa, Patasi, Kwapia, Dadwen and the contiguous municipalities of Obuasi, and Bekwai, among others.

    The President also inspected ongoing work on the GH¢128.92 million Obuasi Town Roads project, being undertaken by Messrs Justmoh Construction Ltd. The objective of this project is to overhaul the road network within Obuasi and give the township a facelift befitting its status as a gold and district capital and improve mobility and safety of people, goods and services.

    With the project having commenced on 17th March 2020, it is set to be completed on 15th March 2022, i.e. a 24-month construction period.

    The scope of works comprises the upgrading of 10km of unpaved roads to bituminous seal finish, and overlay an additional 20km arterial and collector road, with an asphaltic concrete wearing layer. In order to improve road and general drainage within the township, 23km of concrete-lined roadside, outfall and cross drainage structures will also be constructed.

    Key among the roads to be rehabilitated are Abompekrom Road, Assembly Road, Church Road, Hospital Road, Neighbourhood Clinic Road, Mensahkrom Road -Sec Tech, JJ-Queen Egyima Road, Queen Egyima-Post Office Road, First Allied-Central Mosque, Odotobri Road, Melcom-Stadium Road, Estate Roads, DUR Road, Ahasonyemedea Road

    Thus far, about 7.8 km of concrete-lined roadside and 105m of cross drainage structures have been constructed and 10km of roads overlaid with asphaltic concrete. Physical progress is currently 38.6%.

    Source: NET2 Television

  • Akufo-Addo commissions KNUST Obuasi campus

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, 4th November 2020, officially inaugurated the Obuasi Campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University (KNUST), at a brief ceremony in Obuasi.

    It will be recalled that the idea of starting the Obuasi Campus of KNUST came up on 22nd January 2019, when President Akufo-Addo launched the Obuasi Mine Redevelopment Project, in Obuasi.

    Recounting the process leading to the establishment of the Campus, the Paramount Chief of Bompata Traditional Area, Nana Effa Apenteng, who is Chairperson of the Governing Council of KNUST, stated that “in the presence of the Chancellor of the University, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, you (President Akufo-Addo) magnanimously agreed to support its establishment.”

    This, he noted, was welcoming news to the University as it perfectly fitted into its strategy to increase access to science and technology education.

    “Subsequently, the Obuasi Municipal Assembly and Anglogold Ashanti made land and buildings available for the initial infrastructural needs of the campus. As providence will have it, here we are today, witnessing the inauguration of the KNUST Obuasi Campus,” the Chairperson of the Council added.

    He was confident that, in the not distant future, the Obuasi Campus will develop into a full-fledged University like the University of Mines and Technology in Tarkwa and the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Sunyani, which were all satellite campuses of KNUST.

    Nana Effa Appenteng told the gathering that programmes for the Obuasi Campus have thus been carefully selected to suit the vision of the University.

    “We began this Campus during the 2019/2020 academic year, with Engineering, specifically Civil, Geomatic, Mechanical and Materials Engineering. The other programmes are logistics and supply chain management and environmental science,” he added.

    With a total of three hundred and forty-three (342) students were admitted to the Campus during the 2019/2020 academic year, the Chairperson of the Governing Council indicated that the University is envisaging to admit about 1,500 students for the campus, as engagements have already been concluded to introduce a number of new programmes in the field of health such as General Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory Science.

    He thanked President Akufo-Addo for giving clearance to the University to enable it to recruit four hundred and twenty (420) staff members this year.

    Oh his part, the President assured the University of the commitment of Government towards the growth and development of the University, assuring that the necessary structures would be availed to the Obuasi campus.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Thieves raid Len Clay stadium in Obuasi to steal floodlight cables

    Thieves have raided the Len Clay stadium in Obuasi and made away with lighting equipment worth around USD$172,000.

    The Police in Obuasi have commenced investigations into a case of cable theft which has been reported to them by AshantiGold SC.

    AngloGold Ashanti Company Limited have been called in to assess the damage caused.

    No arrests have been made at the moment as the search for the thieves continues.

    The thieves cut the cables meant to be used for electrical works on the flood light and other essential cables at the Len Clay stadium.

    AshantiGold SC will host Karela United FC at the same venue in the opening day of the 2020/2021 Ghana Premier League on 15 November 2020.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • KNUST to introduce health related courses at its Obuasi campus

    The Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson, has revealed that discussions have gone on to introduce Health related courses such as Nursing, Midwifery, and Medilab to its Obuasi Campus.

    Speaking at a day’s working visit to formally introduce herself to the management of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly on Thursday, August 20, 2020, the First female Vice-Chancellor of the University said “currently, the Dean of the Obuasi campus is working with the Dean of Medicine and Dentistry, Knust and Hospitals in Obuasi for space for experiential training for students when the courses come on board”.

    She said management of the University is relentlessly pursuing expansion of programs in their Obuasi campus which currently has a student population of 343.

    With the graduates of the Free Senior High School expected to increase students intake at the Country’s Universities, the Vice Chancellor said “We are molding the gold not on the ground but in the minds and brains of the children in the country”.

    Professor Dickson praised the Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi, Hon Elijah Adansi-Bonah for playing a lead role to ensure that the Knust-Obuasi campus see the light of day. She advised the two parties (KNUST and OMA) to work collaboratively to strengthen their existing relationship which is needed to train skillful and quality graduates for Ghana.

    The Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi Honorable Elijah Adansi-Bonah congratulated the Vice Chancellor on her appointment and for making history. He said KNUST and the Obuasi Municipal Assembly have an unending relationship in the field of education. He called on the two parties to be mindful of the task ahead and work assiduously to achieve the ultimate goal of producing quality graduates for the country.

    Kwaku Kwarteng, the Member of Parliament for Obuasi West Constituency also added his voice to the call for the two parties to collaborate effectively to achieve the desired goal.

    The management of Knust seized the opportunity to put forward their concerns to the MP for Obuasi west who is also the Deputy Minister of Finance for redress.

    Heads of Departments of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly and Senior management members of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology were also present.

    Source: Sampson Manu, Contributor

  • Obuasi Municipal Assembly supports trainees with start-up kits

    The Obuasi Municipal Assembly in collaboration with the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) has presented start-up kits to over 300 trainees in the area.

    The gesture was to support the beneficiaries who received training in soap making, gari processing, cake and bread making, to start their own businesses to fend for themselves and their families.

    Mr Elijah Adansi Bonah, Municipal Chief Executive, who made the presentation said it would help reduce unemployment in the area.

    He said the beneficiaries were carefully selected from the Sansu, Kunka, Antobuasi and Anyinam electoral areas to cover as many young people as possible.

    Mr Adansi Bonah charged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the kits to support their businesses to increase their incomes and improve on their living conditions.

    He said the assembly would monitor the activities of the beneficiaries to help achieve the objectives of the programme.

    Mr Kelvin Ofori- Atta head of Obuasi Business Advisory Centre urged the gari processors to make good use of the gari processing machine since those staying around Mmamiriwa, Sansu and Awona could benefit immensely from the business since they had a ready market in Obuasi.

    Some of the trainees commended the government for the opportunity and said it would then train other people to also become self-employed.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Obuasi residents shy away from testing

    Residents of Obuasi and its surrounding towns in the Ashanti Region are living in fear as they are facing stigma and discrimination from the coronavirus (COVID-19).

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) says residents of Obuasi and its surrounding towns in the Ashanti Region are scared of availing themselves for COVID-19 testing because of the fear of being stigmatised and discriminated against by society.

    Ashanti Regional Director of the GHS, Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang, who disclosed this at a press briefing here, on Wednesday, said “if this persists, it is going to be very difficult to achieve results.”

    He stated that, new infected cases were going down in Obuasi two weeks after the area was reported to be leading in confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Ashanti Region.

    Following this, the Central Business District of Obuasi was closed down to enable management to execute a well-planned shift system to control the spread of COVID-19 in the area.

    Overall, Obuasi has recorded 587 COVID-19 cases with Obuasi Municipal recording 381 cases and Obuasi East recording 208 cases as of May 20, 2020.

    Dr Tenkorang stated that, the total confirmed cases in the region have increased to 886 with a total of seven deaths while 15 people were currently on admission and 75 people in isolation.

    According to him, the number of recorded new infections in the region have reduced, as 139 confirmed cases have tested negative after initial repeated tests.

    He stated that, although the new infection was going down in the region, there was the need for the public to continue to observe the safety protocols and guidelines in order to prevent more infections.

    Dr Tenkorang commended authorities in the region for ensuring that safety protocols were being adhered to and that it has accounted for the reduction of new infected cases of the disease.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • Delayed release of results caused hike in Obuasi coronavirus cases – GHS

    Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, the Head of Disease Surveillance at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), on Tuesday, said the late release of the test results of infected persons accounted for the increase in infections at Obuasi.

    The authorities, he said, had very little idea of the magnitude of the infection rate until the release of the backlog of the positive results for cases in the Municipality, last week, by the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR), which had been overstretched with workload.

    Before their results were returned positive, the individuals who showed no symptoms of the disease were not been properly isolated and thus had gone about their duties without observing the precautionary protocols and infected others, thereby making Obuasi the main hotspot of the Ashanti Region.

    The authorities, Dr Asiedu-Bekoe said, consequently, became overwhelmed by the numbers.

    Giving an update on the assessment of the situations at Obuasi and Tema and their management by a team of experts from the GHS, Dr Asiedu-Bekoe said both situations had since been brought under control.

    In the Obuasi case, several activities and measures had been strengthened by the joint Municipal Health Directorates in partnership with their stakeholders to prevent the further spread of the novel coronavirus in the Municipality and its environs.

    Currently, he said, an aggressive retesting was ongoing of all the old cases for the reconfirmation of their status, while enhanced contact tracing had also been in force for the new confirmed cases in the high densely populated communities.

    Also, voluntary mass testing was being rolled out in the areas of high risk populations, including taxi and “trotro” drivers and food vendors.

    Dr Asiedu-Bekoe said some extraction kits had also been presented to the KCCR to enhance testing, while sputum testing had been added to complement the swab sampling.

    The Male Ward of the Obuasi Government Hospital had been converted into a 14-bed COVID-19 treatment centre, while efforts were underway to have a 100-bed isolation facility to deal with limited isolation facilities for patients.

    He said a similar 100-bed facility had been secured in Kumasi to add up to the number of isolation centres.

    He also mentioned other interventions such as the intensification of public education on the COVID-19 preventive and hygiene protocols, particularly those on the wearing of face masks, regular hand washing with soap under running water, social distancing as well as the spitting, sneezing and cough etiquettes.

    Dr Asiedu-Bekoe said in the Tema fishing factory incident, the number of workers exposed to the virus by their co-worker had risen to 695.

    The GHS, therefore, allocated these persons to their respective residential districts for proper isolation and treatment.

    However, 624 of them have tested negative after treatment and were awaiting their second negative tests to be declared recovered.

    The factory had been made to address the conditions, which facilitated the spread and made to put in place measures for its containment.

    Source: GNA

  • COVID-19: Taxi drivers, food vendors, others to undergo mass voluntary testing in Obuasi

    The government is rolling out a voluntary mass testing programme in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region as part of efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in that area.

    Obuasi currently has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the Ashanti Region.

    According to the head of Disease Surveillance Department of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, a visit to the area revealed some work that still needs to be done to ensure that the risk of spread in the area is kept low.

    Speaking at a Ministry of Information press briefing, Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe said taxi drivers, food vendors, and other high-risk persons will be tested in the mass exercise.

    “We are going to carry out enhanced contact-tracing in the very high-risk areas. Obuasi has very densely populated areas like Central Market, Anyinam, Asankore, Wawaso among others…We are also going to do mass voluntary testing among certain risk groups including taxi drivers and food vendors. That is a way of trying to address surveillance and contact management in Obuasi,” he said.

    He revealed that 72 percent of all cases recorded in the area occurred within four days [April 21 April 25] with one trader identified to have infected 17 people.

    Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe noted among other observations that the fact-finding team found out that compliance to the wearing of face mask in the area is low and there is no COVID-19 treatment facility in the area despite being a very densely populated area.

    “Obuasi is one area where population density is high. Although AngloGold Ashanti has a prominent hospital, they did not have a treatment facility. You also see that, you do not see people wearing face masks…They also did not have a holding facility,” he observed.

    He further announced that the Health Ministry has secured a 100-bed facility as an isolation centre to help in case management.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Couple spread Covid-19 in Obuasi market leading to its shutdown

    The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service has revealed that a couple has been key in the spread of Covid-19 to some other in people at Obuasi in the Ashanti region.

    According to Dr Patrick Aboagye, the pair who work as traders were unknowingly carrying the virus while going about their usual activities in the central market.

    “This was the case of a couple who were positive and had been working with people for the past two weeks with seventeen of their immediate contacts being positive and that has led to the spread in the market,” he said.

    In view of the development, the market has been shut for disinfection and fumigation while a team of over 40 health officials have been tasked to find contacts.

    The two are receiving treatment and so are all other affected individuals.

    The Ashanti region has been reported to have 307 new cases of Coronavirus out of which 272 are from Obuasi alone.

    “This tells us that some of the dynamics of the large groupings, the central markets and the lorry parks are very congested places so any case there can lead to a  quick flare up,” Dr Aboagye noted.

    Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Aboagye listed hotspot areas in the country.

    The Director-General stated that Obuasi is the virus hotpot in the Region as a lot of the cases recorded stem from the area.

    Other cases were recorded in Asonkore, Wawase, Kumasi Metro, Oforikrom and Nkawie with a number of miners testing positive as well.

    Out of these numbers, 45 of them have been put in isolation while the rest have been isolating at home.

    As of Tuesday, May 12, 2020, Ghana has a Covid-19 case count of 5,127 from the previous 4,700 announced two days earlier.

    Currently, there are 4, 611 active cases, which are people who are still alive and receiving management.

    Meanwhile, there are 494 recoveries, 4, 6060 others responding to treatment and 5 critically ill patients

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

     

  • Obuasi Central Market shut down over coronavirus

    The Obuasi Municipal assembly has closed the Obuasi Central Market to enforce social distancing directive in the wake of COVID-19.

    Two other markets have also been shut down by the authorities.

    The municipal assembly has also directed all drinking spot operators to close down their shops effective this morning.

    The assembly has also directed residents in the community to compulsorily wear nose mask.

    The Municipal Chief Executive of Obuasi Elijah Adansi Bonah announced these directives while addressing a news conference in the municipality to outdoor new measures adopted by the Assembly in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

    The move became needful after cases of the virus started rising in the Municipality. Obuasi is currently the epicentre of the virus in the Ashanti Region which with 47 positive cases.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Obuasi: Couple, wedding guests arrested for defying ban on gatherings remanded

    A circuit court in Obuasi has remanded 40 persons for defying the ban on social gatherings amidst the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Ghana.

    Police say a total of 46 persons were arrested on Saturday, 11th April 2020 while holding a wedding ceremony at Akaporiso in the Obuasi East District of the Ashanti Region.

    According to the police, six persons were granted bail after investigations revealed they were not part of the gathering.

    The 40 persons including the groom and bride who were arraigned on Thursday have been charged with defying the Imposition of Restrictions Act and will reappear before the court on May 6, 2020.

    The officer in charge of prosecution at the Obuasi Divisional Police Command, ASP Kwabena Oduro Boateng told Citi News that “We arrested more than 40 people who were celebrating a marriage ceremony at Obuasi. They were taken to court today and have been remanded to reappear before the Obuasi Circuit Court on the 6th of next month. We arrested about 46 but 40 were taken to court. This was because after the investigation, it was revealed that the six people were not part of the people who committed the offence. They were charged with violating the Restrictions Act. They all pleaded not guilty to the offence.”

    Background

    The persons that were picked up during the ceremony included the groom, Philip Ahenekwa, aged 35, and the bride, Ama Frema, aged 40.

    The Obuasi Municipal Police Commander, DSP Martin Asenso, told the media that some of the guests managed to evade arrest.

    In a similar incident, a couple and over 25 guests out of 50 were arrested by the Greater Accra Regional Police Command during their wedding ceremony in Darkuman over the weekend.

     

    Persons arrested for flouting directives

    Some 406 persons have so far been arrested for violating the partial lockdown directive and the ban on public gatherings.

    This was disclosed by ACP Lydia Donkor, Head of Legal and Prosecution at Accra Regional Police Command of the Ghana Police Service on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, at a press briefing organised by the Ministry of Information.

    “So far, 406 persons have been arrested with 103 in custody. 248 have been granted bail and 41 have been processed for court,” she said.

    70 out of the 406 persons are in the Ashanti Region.

     

    Source: citinewsroomÂ