The Ghana Police Service has apprehended three suspects linked to a robbery targeting students and lecturers of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR).
The incident occurred on the Odomase-Badu road in the Sunyani West Municipality around 7:00 PM on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
According to a reliable source at the Bono Regional Police Command speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the arrests were made based on police intelligence, with investigations ongoing.
Police recovered multiple mobile phones and other valuables from the suspects, who were apprehended at their hideouts.
During the robbery, which took place as the victims returned from a field trip, the suspects attacked and robbed them. Police highway patrol teams intervened, leading to the arrest of one person.
Tragically, a student named Abdul Aziz Issah lost his life during the attack. Six other students sustained minor injuries and have since received medical treatment and been discharged.
The incident occurred on the Odomase-Badu road in the Sunyani West Municipality at approximately 1900 hours on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
The Bono Regional Police Command confirmed the arrests to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), attributing the successful operation to effective police intelligence. The suspects were apprehended in their respective hideouts, where officers recovered numerous stolen items, including mobile phones and other valuables.
The robbery unfolded as the UENR group was returning from a field trip. The attackers ambushed the victims, leading to a chaotic scene. However, the prompt intervention of police highway patrol teams resulted in the immediate arrest of one suspect at the scene.
Tragically, the incident claimed the life of a student named Abdul Aziz Issah. Additionally, six other students sustained minor injuries during the attack. They received prompt medical attention and have since been treated and discharged.
The police continue to investigate the robbery, seeking to uncover further details and ensure that all those involved are brought to justice.
The Bono Regional Police Command reassured the public of their commitment to maintaining law and order, emphasizing that the safety and security of citizens remain a top priority.
Ghana Police Service has reported the arrest of a suspect linked to a robbery on the Odumase-Badu Road near Sunyani, Bono Region, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
The incident targeted students from the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) who were returning from a field trip.
The apprehended suspect is currently in custody, while efforts are underway to locate and apprehend the accomplice, who remains at large.
“The Ghana Police Service has arrested one suspect in connection with a robbery incident that occurred on the Odumase-Badu road, near Sunyani, in the Bono Region, at about 7pm on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
“The suspect, and his accomplices, currently on the run, attacked and robbed students and lecturers of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) while returning from a field trip,” the police said.
According to the police, the attack led to the death of a student, while six others sustained minor injuries.
“A student, identified as Abdul Aziz Issah, sadly lost his life during the attack. Six other students who sustained minor injuries have been treated and discharged.
“Police highway patrol teams intervened and arrested one person. A manhunt is currently ongoingto get the other accomplices arrested to face justice,” the police statement issued on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, added.
The administration of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani has confirmed the tragic death of a student during a robbery targeting a group of students returning from a field trip.
The incident occurred in the vicinity of Boffourkrom within the Sunyani West Municipality of the Bono Region.
According to a statement issued by the Deputy Registrar, Alfred Appiah, the University Management expressed deep regret over the incident, which took place on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 7 p.m.
Armed robbers attacked approximately 300 and 400 BSc Renewable Energy Engineering students as they returned from a field trip to the Bui Power Authority.
The statement sadly revealed that one student lost his life during the ordeal, and the university has extended its condolences to the bereaved family.
“The University Management wishes to inform the general public and parents that an unfortunate incident happened yesterday, Tuesday, 16th April 2024 at 7 p.m. as a group of armed robbers attacked some 300 and 400 BSc Renewal Energy Engineering students during their return from a field trip to the Bui Power Authority.”
“Tragically, one student lost his life as a result of the incident. The family of the deceased has been notified, our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”
The remaining students received medical treatment, were discharged, and are presently undergoing necessary counseling sessions.
Furthermore, the statement urged residents in the vicinity of the incident to promptly report any suspicious activities to the police. However, the Sunyani Police command has already arrested one suspect in connection with the robbery.
The Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has refuted allegations made by the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu-Nketia.
The press aide to the minister, Kofi Afena Abrefa, released a statement on Thursday, November 30, rejecting Mr Asiedu-Nketia’s claim that Dr Opoku Prempeh obstructed the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani, from establishing a medical school during his tenure as Education Minister.
Dr Opoku Prempeh denied the accusation, emphasizing that decisions regarding such matters fall under the purview of the Ghana National Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and the National Accreditation Board, not the Education Ministry or the sector minister.
He urged Ghanaians to disregard what he termed “political mischief” by Mr Asiedu-Nketia.
“Energy Minister and former Minister for Education, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh popularly known as NAPO has become aware of statements attributed to the National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in a Ghana Web publication of 30th November 2023, to the effect he as Education Minister, blocked the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani from obtaining a medical school.”
“Whilst this statement exposes the NDC National Chairman as not well-informed on matters about the subject matter of tertiary education in Ghana, it is important to refute same,” an excerpt of the statement said.
University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) has commenced its second edition of the career fair, aimed at providing students with exposure to various career opportunities and industry developments.
The Vice-Chancellor of UENR, Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, inaugurated the event.
Organized by the Departments of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, as well as Computer and Electrical Engineering, the two-day career fair carries the theme “Energy Transition Prospects and Challenges: The Role of the Graduate Engineer.”
Its primary objective is to bridge the gap between theoretical classroom knowledge and practical industry expectations. Additionally, the fair aims to strengthen the students’ relationships with key industry players such as Ghana Gas, National Petroleum Authority, and Electricity Company of Ghana.
Prominent industry entities, including Bui Power Authority, Energy Commission, GRIDCo, and the Kofi Annan ICT Training Centre, are also participating in the event.
The career fair provides an invaluable opportunity for students to engage with industry professionals and gain insights into emerging trends and challenges within the energy sector.
“Hopefully, our students will learn how they can land jobs with your companies, and certainly, we can foster relationships that can make UENR a choice institution partner for research and other innovative activities,” Prof Asare-Bediako stated at the opening session of the fair held at Fiapre, near Sunyani.
Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako highlighted the significance of strategic collaboration between the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) and industry partners. As the sole university in Ghana and West Africa with a specific mandate to train professionals in the field of energy and natural resources, such collaborations are crucial.
Prof. Asare-Bediako emphasized that energy has emerged as a central force driving global communications and policies. Given the adverse impacts of energy usage on climate change, it is imperative for the university and its students to actively contribute to national development efforts.
By engaging with industry partners and fostering fruitful collaborations, UENR aims to enhance its role in training competent personnel, contributing to advancements in the energy sector, and addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
This fair is a step in the direction of exposing students to the career opportunities available to them following such conversations, opportunities for innovation, challenges and directions of the industry while studying on completion of their programmes of study, which will make them able and active citizens of our dear nation,” he stated.
The VC hoped the fair would therefore certainly expose the students to the potential areas they could direct their acquired knowledge and skills from their training in the university.
“Students in our Petroleum Engineering programme have been recent champions of the Society of Petroleum Engineering (SPE) Ghana Section PetroBowl competition. The Computer and Electrical Engineering students are also recent Robotics Champions, and we finally made a placement in the final three at the recent Gas Challenge,” he said.
Prof. Asare-Bediako noted that the energy sector was one of the key drivers of any economy, worrying that the recent astronomical increase in the price of fuel and electricity has had a ripple effect on the prices of basic household commodities.
“To secure the future of this all-important sector, a critical decision has to be made by grooming the next generation of managers, engineers and technicians,” the VC stated, and therefore underlined the need for the students to understand the onerous task ahead of them.
Prof Asare-Bediako said the global call for the control of carbon emissions has placed natural gas as the reliable source of clean fuel as the nation sought to bring renewable energy sources into the energy mix.
The fair would therefore create a platform for both industry and academia to engage on the Sustainable Development Goals and their relationship to effective collaboration between industry and academia, and their impact on national development, he said.
Dr Yaw Boakye-Ansah, the Head of Department of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering earlier said he was optimistic the fair would not only advance the knowledge of the students but also position them well on their career path.
The government has tightened the penalties for anyone convicted of illicit mining activities, according to Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor.
According to him, the ‘Operation Halt II’ also continues to support the enforcement measures, and said all prosecutions pertaining to illegal mining activities were undertaken by the Office of the Attorney-General.
The Lands Minister said about 119 cases involving 727 accused persons were pending before the Courts for various offences relating to illegal mining in the Eastern, Western and Ashanti Regions.
He added that the figure excluded 187 people convicted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment in the Eastern Region last year.
Mr Jinapor made the announcement at the opening of a two-day transformational dialogue on artisanal and small-scale mining under the theme, ‘Sustaining Environmental Security and Human Right in Small Scale Mining Operations in Ghana,’ at Fiapre in the Sunyani West Municipality.
The programme, initiated by theUniversity of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) aimed at bringing together various stakeholders to deliberate on the issue and jointly make efforts towards a common direction.
It was attended by politicians, traditional leaders, students, members, and staff of the UENR, artisans and small-scale miners, civil society actors, representatives of large-scale mining companies and the media.
Mr Jinapor observed small-scale mining impacts a number of human rights, including the right to life, health, safe environment, water, property and development which needed to be addressed as a matter of high public interest.
He said Ghana was blessed with abundant mineral resources, which if managed properly could provide a strong base for the livelihoods of the people.
But improper management of the mineral resources through illegal mining was plaguing the country now, hence most environmentalists had been advocating that mining was just a destruction and must be stopped completely, Mr Jinapor stated.
He said mining must be done sustainably and responsibly to protect the natural environment and the rights of persons being affected by it, because that industry continues to be the bulwark of the national economy.
Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, the Vice-Chancellor of the UENR said the institution initiated the dialogue as a way of contributing to promote responsible mining to ensure industrial and associated environmental best practices for the country’s sustainable development.
The government is to establish a 175 million Euros new campus to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) Nsoatre site at Sunyani West Municipality of the Bono Region.
Ms. Gifty Twum-Ampofo, a Deputy Minister in-charge of Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) made the announcement in an address at a durbar to climax a week-long educational festival and celebration of the 5th anniversary of Obrempong Professor Kyem-Amponsah II as the chief of Fiapre in the Sunyani West Municipality.
It was on the theme “Promoting and Sustaining Quality Education, the Legacy of a Progressive Chief”.
The project, she said was being funded by the Standard Chartered Bank of the United Kingdom, saying “we are at the stage of value for money audit, because we have already gone through Parliament and the Ministry of Finance”.
Ms. Twum-Ampofo explained the project would comprise laboratories, information, communication and technology (ICT) centres, lecture rooms and hostel facilities, saying it would be completed in 28 months to motivate and create access for more students to acquire STEM education.
Barima Minta Afari II, the Chief of Chiraa and the Benkumhene (chief of the left-wing division) of the Dormaa Traditional Area who presided said provision of formal and quality education was a collective responsibility that required the support of all stakeholders to achieve the desired results.
He therefore commended Obrempong Prof. Kyem-Amponsah for his effort in promoting education in the area, particularly with the establishment of the education endowment fund to finance the provision of educational facilities like a library complex and an ICT centre for the benefit of pupils and students.
The University of Energy and Natural Resources, UENR, in the Bono Region has recorded five positive cases of Coronavirus on its main campus in Sunyani.
At its 3rd emergency meeting held on Monday, February 8, 2021, the Executive Committee of the Academic Board received information from the COVID-19 Response Team for deliberation and consideration.
Mr G. K. Anane, Senior Assistant Registrar and Secretary to the Executive Committee disclosed this in an update to Ghanaweb’s Regional Correspondent.
Dr. Solomon Fofie, the University Medical Health Officer disclosed that the University Clinic has recorded five positive cases; one being a staff and four being students.
‘The affected staff member and students are self-isolating while contact tracing is ongoing in line with national and UENR COVID-19 response protocols’, Dr Solomon Fofie indicated.
The Secretary to the Executive Committee has directed that teaching and learning activities will be migrated online to reduce the number of physical contact hours as a measure to reduce possible infections on campus.
Mr G. K. Anane further announced that the school will support lecturers to use other online learning and teaching platforms to augment the moodle platform that has been created by the Department of Information and Technology.
Mr Alfred Ohene Nana Appiah, the Senior Human Resources Manager of the University subsequently informed staff of management’s decision to implement a shift working system for all administrative staff as the immediate measure to stop a possible spread at work.
The Executive Committee of the school appealed to the staff, the student body and the entire university community to observe the preventive measures by always wearing their nose masks while staying at a distance of 1.5 metres from each other.
