A 40-year-old man, Kwaku Nimotia, who had been missing for four days, was found dead in his room at Assin Atonsu in the Central Region.
Family members initially believed he had traveled without notice, but a strong odor coming from his room raised suspicions. When they forced the door open, they found his body in an advanced state of decomposition.
His remains have been sent to St. Francis Xavier Hospital in Assin Fosu, while police have begun investigations to establish the cause of death.
A fire outbreak on Thursday, February 20, ravaged a two-storey apartment in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region, leaving 12 out of 20 bedrooms completely destroyed.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) District Command responded swiftly to the emergency, managing to contain the flames and prevent the fire from spreading further.
Their efforts successfully saved eight bedrooms from being consumed by the blaze.
Despite their quick intervention, the fire gutted 12 rooms along with all their contents, leaving significant damage in its wake.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
A truck driver narrowly escaped death when a heavy load under escort fell onto his truck and another vehicle at Abura Dunkwa in the Central Region.
According to a report shared on the social media platform X by EDHUB, the driver, who was badly affected by the accident, survived miraculously but sustained injuries.
He was extricated from the wreckage and rushed to the hospital for treatment.
This incident recalls a similar tragedy that took place in November 2020, when two individuals, a man believed to be a worker at a rubber processing factory in the Western Region and a woman, lost their lives after a metal container fell on the vehicle they were traveling in along the Takoradi Vodafone highway.
The metal container, which was loaded with cocoa beans, had fallen off an articulated truck heading toward the Takoradi Harbour and crashed onto a Daewoo car carrying two occupants.
The passengers were trapped inside the car, but emergency responders from the Ghana National Fire Service and a Road Safety recovery truck managed to free them. Sadly, they were declared dead at the scene, and their bodies were taken to the Effia Nkwanta Government Hospital morgue in Sekondi for autopsy.
The damaged vehicles were later towed to the Western Regional MTTD yard in Sekondi for investigation.
The truck driver, Emmanuel Kwaku, aged 32, was arrested and prosecuted for the incident.
Tragic incident as a heavy load under escort falls onto a truck and another vehicle. pic.twitter.com/cS6PaikYZc
— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) November 20, 2024
UPDATE: Nobody died in the truck or the other vehicle after the load fell on them. The driver of the truck, who was closely impacted, miraculously survived the incident and was rescued, sustaining some injuries. The accident occurred on the Abura Dunkwa to Assin Fosu road. https://t.co/nqLUVqvcRL pic.twitter.com/68Qo50wiSm
— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) November 20, 2024
Seven deaths have been reported from 47 confirmed cholera cases in the Central Region.
As of yesterday, the Regional Health Directorate recorded 720 suspected cholera cases in the region.
In a media briefing in Cape Coast, Dr. Agnes Achiamaa Anane, the acting Central Regional Health Director, revealed that cholera cases have been confirmed in eight districts: Cape Coast, Awutu Senya, Awutu Senya East, Gomoa East, Mfantseman, Hemang Lower Denkyira, Effutu, and Agona West.
She added that four other districts—Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA), Assin South, Assin North, and Gomoa Central—have suspected cholera cases that are yet to be confirmed.
Dr. Anane explained that four of the deaths occurred in individuals who were already deceased when brought to health facilities.
Describing the situation as “very alarming,” Dr. Anane expressed concern that some of the suspected cases might turn out to be positive.
She emphasized the importance of maintaining good sanitation and hygiene practices to prevent the spread of the disease. Additionally, she urged Ghanaians to recommit to washing their hands with soap and running water, as was done during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Anane also stressed that anyone experiencing diarrhea should seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility.
“People should not die as a result of cholera since it can be treated,” she said.
Dr Anane appealed to the media to support efforts by the health directorate in sensitising residents and Ghanaians in general towards adopting measures that would stop the spread of the disease.
To that end, she urged radio stations to institute programmes and also support the playing of jingles aimed at supporting efforts at curbing the spread of cholera.
The Central Regional Health Promotion Manager, Mathew Ahwireng for his part, expressed concern about the practice of open defecation among some communities within the Central Region.
He, therefore, called for a halt in such practices since it contributed towards the outbreak of certain infections such as cholera.
He stated that, the Regional Health Directorate and other stakeholders were working tirelessly to eliminate cholera in the region.
Other stakeholders and members of the Central Region Risk Communication committees under the health directorate at the programme, called for collaborative efforts towards addressing the problem.
They called for the intensification of clean-up exercises as well as the enforcement of by-laws of the various assemblies on sanitation
Central Regional Minister, Justina Marigold Assan, has announced that the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative has generated 1,095 direct jobs and 14,750 indirect jobs within the Central Region.
She noted that 11 of the projects are operational, while 13 others are currently under construction.
These comments were made during the Central Regional Town Hall Meeting and Exhibition.
Additionally, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture emphasized the significant impact of the fisheries sector, which has provided over 3 million jobs.
Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, the Presidential Advisor on Health, reiterated that the completion of the Agenda 111 and Euroget Hospital projects will help fill gaps in healthcare infrastructure and enhance access to medical services.
In her introductory remarks, Fatimatu Abubakar, the Minister for Information, explained that the meetings aim to strengthen the connection between the government and the public, promoting trust and transparency.
The event also included exhibitions highlighting government initiatives and projects across various sectors, including infrastructure, roads, healthcare, and education.
Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has urged residents of Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding communities to use drinking water wisely as efforts continue to improve the quality of raw water sources.
In a statement dated October 2, 2024, GWL’s Central Regional Office reported that the Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant has seen a reduction in water turbidity levels, now averaging 9,000 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units), down from 14,000 NTU. This improvement is credited to the Central Regional Security Council, led by Regional Minister Mrs. Justina Marigold Assan.
As a result of these efforts, water production at the plant has increased from 1.98 million gallons per day to 2.77 million gallons per day. Despite this progress, GWL emphasized the importance of using water wisely to ensure adequate supply for all residents.
The Central Regional Security Council is actively working to enhance the quality of the raw water source, and GWL has committed to keeping the public informed of any significant changes that might affect water supply.
GWL expressed gratitude for the support received from the Regional Security Council and reiterated its commitment to providing reliable water services to the region.
Read the statement below
The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has reprimanded Central Region residents for their insufficient electoral support for the party.
In a TikTok video from an NDC event held in the Central Region, Asiedu Nketiah criticized the local residents for failing to back the party with their votes, even though the party has regularly chosen its flagbearer or running mate from their region.
“Today, I have come to look directly into the faces of you, residents of the Central Region, and speak the truth. What I want you people to know is that you are royals in the NDC, but you are behaving like people who don’t value their worth. This party was founded by celebrated personalities from the Central Region, including Kwamena Ahwoi, Kwesi Botchwey, Ato Ahwoi, and others.
“In our first election, we chose someone (K.N. Arkaah) from the Central Region as our running mate. In our second election, we selected Prof. Mills as our running mate, and in our third election, Prof. Mills became our flagbearer. In our fourth and fifth elections, Prof. Mills was our flagbearer. He won and became President.
When he died, John Mahama took over and selected someone (P.K. Amissah-Arthur) from the Central Region to be Vice President. After Amissah-Arthur, today, we have Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang from the Central Region as our running mate and soon-to-be Vice President,” said the former Deputy Minister for Agriculture during the Rawlings regime.
He continued, “So, you have a lot of valuable assets, but you are discarding them. Why are you throwing out your intestines and replacing them with rubbish? There are regions in Ghana where the flagbearer of a party comes from, and ever since, the people of those regions have consistently voted for that party. But you, the people of the Central Region, who helped form the NDC, in all eight elections held in this Fourth Republic, there has not been one in which a person from the Central Region wasn’t a flagbearer or running mate. Yet, during elections, you vote against the NDC. Think about this carefully. If you don’t make it to Heaven, don’t blame Jesus.”
A container truck driver was fatally shot and others were injured in a violent highway robbery at Agona Suromanya, Agona East District in the Central Region.
The attack occurred around 8:00 PM when highway robbers blocked the road, targeting over 15 vehicles and stealing more than GH₵100,000 along with mobile phones.
The robbery continued for over an hour until local residents, armed with homemade weapons, intervened.
Despite their repeated calls for police assistance, help was delayed, prompting the residents to take matters into their own hands.
The robbers shot and killed the truck driver, who was en route to Agona Swedru, and injured others before fleeing.
The delay in police response, which took over three hours, has left the community outraged.
Many believe that a quicker police arrival could have prevented the driver’s death.
A tragic accident involving a Toyota Hiace passenger bus has resulted in the deaths of three people and left several others injured. The incident took place at Gomoa Mprumam Junction on the Winneba-Apam Highway in the Central Region.
The bus, registered under number CR 805-24, was reportedly traveling at high speed when a tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control. Unable to apply the brakes, the vehicle veered off the road and rolled over multiple times.
Footage from the scene shows personal belongings scattered across the road, alongside the bodies of two men and a woman. Fragments of the bus seats were also visible on the road, with some eyewitnesses attempting to salvage items from the wreckage.
In an interview with Adom News, Apam District Fire Service Commander DO2 Anthony Kwesi Rhule confirmed the vehicle’s excessive speed. He noted that if the driver had not been speeding, the crash might have been avoided.
There were 15 passengers on the bus, including three children and 12 adults. The deceased woman was traveling with her children, who, along with other injured passengers, were taken to Winneba Trauma and Municipal Hospital for medical attention.
DO2 Rhule urged drivers to adhere to speed limits and obey road signs, emphasizing the need for caution on highways to prevent such accidents.
The bodies of the deceased have been moved to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital mortuary, while some of the injured have been transferred to the Winneba Municipal Hospital for further care.
Close to seventy (70) young individuals in the Awutu Senya East Municipality, Central Region have received tapolins, 5,000 fingerlings and a package of fish feed estimated at 38,500 cedis, from the government to kickstart their fish farming businesses.
The beneficiaries received this gesture, after undergoing an intensive two-day training in aquaculture organised by the minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development.
The Aquaculture for Food and Jobs Programme which was unveiled by President Akufo-Addo in August, is part of the government’s broader commitment to sustainable development, food security, and job creation.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of seafood, promoting fish farming as a sustainable means to reduce reliance on imports.
Speaking to the media after distributing the first batch of fingerlings and fish feed to the beneficiaries, Mavis Hawa Koomson, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, highlighted the government’s commitment to boosting the aquaculture sector.
She emphasized that encouraging fish farming is crucial for meeting the country’s seafood demand.
“For government to bridge the gap of demand and supply of seafood, we need to encourage fish farming to complement governments effort “.
“So that the government would be able to reduce the importation of seafood,” the Minister re-emphasised.
The Minister, who also represents the Awutu Senya East constituency, urged the youth to take full advantage of the programme, which is designed to enhance their future prospects through sustainable fish farming practices.
A violent incident in Awutu-Bawjiase, Awutu Senya District, Central Region, has resulted in the death of a 30-year-old man.
As reported by myjoyonline.com, the violence erupted when a group of men, believed to be land guards, forcibly entered the Bawjiase chief’s palace.
This occurred just before the planned outdooring ceremony for the new chief, Nai Nana Kwaku Osardu (III).
According to police sources, the suspected land guards arrived at the palace while the chief’s family was preparing for the ceremony. The invaders opened fire, leading to the death of the man.
The community, which has been in a prolonged chieftaincy dispute for 25 years, had recently received a resolution from the National House of Chiefs.
Despite this, the violence has continued, leaving the community in disbelief.
The Bawjiase District Police Command is working to restore calm and order.
The deceased’s body has been transported to the Police Hospital for further investigation by the local police.
Samuel Atta-Mills, Member of Parliament for the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem Constituency in the Central Region and brother of the late President Atta-Mills, has accused Koku Anyidoho of showing disrespect during the recent commemoration of the late President.
He claimed that Anyidoho’s actions were orchestrated and financially supported by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to undermine the commemoration.
Atta-Mills criticized Anyidoho for allegedly engaging in political theatrics that he believes are intended to distort the legacy of the late President.
He emphasized that the commemoration should not be marred by political tactics and expressed a desire to keep the late President’s legacy free from political manipulation.
“Koku Anyidoho was sponsored by the NPP to tarnish the Atta-Mills commemoration. We want to keep politics out of his legacy,” Samuel Atta-Mills stated.
A memorial service of the late President Prof John Evans Atta Mills at the Asomdwee Park in Accra on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 was marred by a disagreement.
The confusion started after former deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Koku Anyidoho reportedly overran a scheduled time at the venue, delaying the second event at the same venue to mark 12 years since President Mills’ passing.
The second event was reportedly being organized by the NDC, according to a report by Joy FM.
Two wreath-laying ceremonies were scheduled to take place on Wednesday, July 24, in commemoration of the passing of the former President who died on July 24, 2012.
The first event, organised by Mr Anyidoho, reportedly ran over its scheduled time, delaying the second event organised by the NDC and the J.E.A. Mills Memorial Heritage.
Watch video below:
Koku Anyidoho's 'drama' at Mills' commemoration NPP sponsored – Samuel Atta-Mills claims
— TIG Post (@tigpost_) July 27, 2024
University of Ghana | Code Micky | Afena Gyan | Di Maria | Safo Newman | Papaye | DSTV | 1st of August | Shameless | #tigpost pic.twitter.com/WiYScUsk4e
Health authorities in the Central and Eastern regions are on high alert following reports of Dengue fever outbreaks.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed cases in both regions, with efforts underway to investigate and manage the situation effectively.
Dr. Franklin Asiedu Bekoe, Head of Public Health at the GHS, stressed the importance of early detection and prevention measures during a recent interview on JoyNews’ AM Show.
He highlighted that while the exact number of cases in the Central Region is still being determined, initial samples have tested positive for Dengue fever.
Dr. Bekoe emphasized the daytime biting habits of the Aedes mosquito, the vector responsible for transmitting Dengue, and urged residents to protect themselves by wearing clothing that covers the skin and using mosquito repellent.
“Early detection is crucial for effective treatment,” Dr. Bekoe noted, underlining that while Dengue vaccination isn’t widely available, prompt medical attention and appropriate hospital care can significantly mitigate the severity of the illness.
In the Eastern Region, where 11 cases have been confirmed and over 100 samples are under testing at the Noguchi Memorial Institute, measures are being intensified to curb the spread of the disease.
Dr. John Ekow Otoo, Deputy Eastern Regional Health Director, stressed the need for community involvement in mosquito control efforts and highlighted ongoing social mobilization and communication to raise awareness about Dengue prevention.
“We advise miners to cover excavation pits to prevent stagnant water accumulation, which can serve as mosquito breeding grounds,” Dr. Otoo advised.
He urged individuals to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding against mosquito bites, reinforcing that community-wide efforts are critical in containing the outbreak.
Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has expressed strong confidence in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) chances of winning the December 7, 2024 elections, particularly in the Central Region.
In a recent statement, Afenyo-Markin affirmed that the NPP is poised to secure a minimum of 14 seats in the Central Region, highlighting the party’s extensive efforts and strategic planning as pivotal factors.
“Mark this down, NPP will get not less than 14 seats in the Central Region,” he emphatically declared during an interview with Yen Nsempa host, Nana Yaa Brefo on July 3.
“I said in December, God-willing, NPP will get not less than 14 seats. Come December 2024, NPP will get not less than 14 seats in the Central Region,” he reiterated.
Afenyo-Markin emphasized the NPP’s dedication to diligent preparation and hard work to achieve their electoral objectives.
“We will work hard and diligently to ensure this. We will explain our policies to the people, and with God’s Grace, the promise of not less than 14 seats will be fulfilled,” he affirmed.
Highlighting their comprehensive strategy, Afenyo-Markin stressed the significance of unity, prayer, and strategic planning.
“It will all be hard work, prayers, guided and calculated steps,” he added.
Reflecting on the 2020 general election results, Afenyo-Markin acknowledged the NPP’s loss of nine parliamentary seats to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which won 13 out of the region’s 23 seats.
Addressing internal party dynamics, Afenyo-Markin commented on concerns about unity, stating, “There was no unity because some campaigned against their fellow party members, leading to losses.”
In conclusion, Afenyo-Markin urged NPP members and supporters to unite in breaking the eight-year ruling cycle, emphasizing the critical importance of solidarity in achieving electoral success.
Members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Assin Central took to the streets on Friday, June 28, 2024 in protest against the suspension of their parliamentary candidate, Nurein Shiabu Migyimah.
The Central Regional Secretariat of the NDC announced the withdrawal of Nurein Shiabu Migyimah as the party’s Assin Central Parliamentary Candidate for the 2024 general elections due to moral reasons.
Following complaints against Nurein Shiabu Migyimah, the NDC’s Central Regional Functional Executive Committee conducted thorough investigations and discussions, leading to the immediate withdrawal of his candidature.
The Regional Functional Executive Committee has notified the Assin Central Chairman of the NDC about Nurein Shiabu Migyimah’s six-month suspension pending review and adjudication by the Regional Disciplinary Committee.
While the party did not specify the offense, sources suggest Mr. Migyimah allegedly impregnated the constituency secretary’s wife.
In response to the announcement, constituency members protested, alleging the directive aimed to prevent Mr. Migyimah from contesting.
Residents claimed to have conducted their own investigations, asserting the allegations were baseless. One resident recalled similar accusations against the candidate in 2019, questioning why he was allowed to pick up nomination forms if there were misconduct concerns.
Another resident criticized the lack of consultation with the constituency by the NDC’s Central Regional Functional Executive Committee before issuing the directive.
They have called on NDC flagbearer John Mahama to intervene, fearing the issue could disrupt party unity.
Meanwhile, Mr. Migyimah has denied the allegations of misconduct and anti-party behavior, expressing confidence that he will be vindicated through the party’s due process.
The NDC’s Central Regional Communications Director, Gabriella Tetteh, confirmed the suspension citing intimate videos involving Mr. Migyimah and the constituency secretary’s wife.
She explained that their relationship, which began in 2013, resurfaced in 2019 when Mr. Migyimah returned to contest the elections after a period abroad.
Madam Tetteh emphasized the party’s concern over the negative publicity generated by the videos, prompting their decision to take action.
The Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, has revealed ongoing efforts within his ministry to amend the Chieftaincy Act, granting traditional leaders authority to adjudicate minor disputes within their jurisdictions.
A contentious issue highlighted by the Minister involves Section 63(D) of the Act, currently under dispute at the Supreme Court, which restricts traditional authorities from adjudicating local matters and limits their operational scope.
Speaking at the sidelines of a royal conference organized by the Church of Pentecost in Gomoa Fetteh, Central Region, Stephen Asamoah Boateng emphasized the importance of supporting and strengthening the institution of chieftaincy.
“The government appreciates your impact on the sound character formation of several thousands of generations of men and women in our country.
“Nananom, you administer a lot of work for the government, and in my interaction, we are amending the Chieftecy Law. In its place, we want to include some very clear authority to be given to the Nananom to be able to resolve petty disputes in your communities.
“This already exists in Act Section 62(D), but you and I know that it has been disputed in the Supreme Court, but we need to make some amendments. They will appreciate that we need to give Nananom back the authority, but it should be slightly amended, which I am working on very closely,” he stated.
Additionally, the Minister outlined plans to establish a Chieftaincy Development Fund, similar to the National District Assembly Common Fund, aimed at providing financial support to traditional authorities.
This fund would include living allowances, adjusted periodically to accommodate changes in living conditions and exchange rates.
“Beyond that, we need to also look at resourcing Nananom. The central government takes resources, and some must go back if we are given responsibilities to administer on our behalf and on behalf of the people.
“So, we are proposing a Chieftaincy Development Fund, similar to the National District Assembly Common Fund, and we are also looking at giving a living allowance, not the legal money that you come for sitting. These are living allowances, which means they will be adjusted when the exchange rate or the living condition changes, so Nananom can be comfortable when they are administering the country for all of us, he added.
A study conducted by the Central Region office of the National Youth Authority (NYA) has revealed that the majority of perpetrators of teen pregnancy, child marriage, and sexual and gender-based violence are commercial tricycle and motorcycle riders.
The research was initiated following reports of rising incidents of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the region.
Mrs. Anita Nana Seguah Ansah, Central Regional Director of the NYA, shared these findings during a one-day training of trainers workshop for tricycle and motorcycle riders.
The workshop aimed to educate them on the adverse effects of teen pregnancy, child marriage, and other harmful practices.
Organized by the NYA in collaboration with the Central Regional Coordinating Council and sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the workshop sought to reduce the prevalence of teen pregnancy and child marriage in the region.
Participants were drawn from Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem, Cape Coast, Assin Fosu, Awutu Senya East (Kasoa), Gomoa East, Agona East, and Agona West.
Mrs. Ansah highlighted that the research predominantly implicated tricycle and motorcycle riders.
She expressed hope that these riders would return to their communities as ambassadors, disseminating information to help reduce SGBV, child marriage, and teen pregnancy cases.
Similar workshops have been held in Gomoa West, Cape Coast, and other districts, with feedback indicating an improvement in the situation.
The NYA is committed to replicating these workshops across all districts in the region to reduce SGBV, child marriage, and STIs among the youth.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mrs. Vida Yankey, Agona Swedru District Commander, discussed the causes, effects, and punishments associated with SGBV.
She expressed concern about the high rates of defilement and teen pregnancy in the Swedru Municipality.
ASP Yankey, also the Agona Swedru Divisional Coordinator of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, warned tricycle and motorcycle riders against engaging in such crimes, noting that offenders could face a minimum of 15 years in prison.
The DOVVSU Divisional Coordinator further detailed the punishments for rape, defilement, incest, sexual harassment, and other domestic violence issues, urging riders to desist from such actions to maintain peace.
Peer Educator of the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), Ms. Abigail Appiah, spoke about STIs, warning riders about the dangers and advising them to use condoms to prevent infections.
She cautioned against self-medication and the excessive intake of antibiotics for STIs, recommending proper treatment at health facilities.
Public Health Nurse at the Agona West Municipal Health Directorate, Mrs. Dorcas Sam-Mensah, urged riders to be responsible and prioritise their health to avoid complications.
She expressed concern over the numerous teen pregnancy cases in the municipality, attributing them to poverty, a lack of education, and inadequate parental care and control.
The main Accra-Winneba Highway has collapsed, causing a major traffic disruption on Thursday morning, June 6, 2024.
The collapse comes after the Ayensu River was diverted by a contractor working on the Kasoa-Cape Coast Highway.
Commuters have been left stranded as strong floodwaters from the Ayensu River created a large hole across the highway.
The frustrated commuters who called for urgent repairs to the road and penalties for the contractor.
The river diversion also caused flooding in over 150 houses at Gomoa Mampong on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
The diversion has also affected a bridge spanning the Ayensu River, originating from the Eastern Region and traversing the Accra-Cape Coast Highway at Gomoa Okyereko in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region before its discharge into the sea.
The Gomoa East District Director for the National Disaster Management Organisation (NaDMO), Robert Hackman, has advised commuters to use alternative routes at Winneba while repairs are being done.
Two individuals have been apprehended by the police in connection with a stabbing incident near the Ofaakor Electoral Commission Office in the Central Region, close to Kasoa.
The victim, Ato Koomson, is the son of the MP for Awutu Senya East and Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mavis Hawa Koomson.
The altercation arose from a disagreement over seating arrangements at a venue where the Electoral Commission was facilitating the transfer of votes and replacement of missing ID cards.
Michael Addo, the Constituency Secretary of the Awutu Senya East New Patriotic Party (NPP), received a call in the early hours of Sunday, June 2, regarding this dispute.
Ato Koomson, having arrived at the scene before Michael Addo, alerted him about the escalating tension.
Ato mentioned that he had information suggesting that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) planned to disrupt the proceedings.
Despite efforts to calm the situation, Ato Koomson was reportedly stabbed by an individual believed to be affiliated with the NDC.
Michael Addo emphasized their commitment to pursuing justice regardless of the parties involved, urging the police to expedite action in resolving the matter.
Although the police didn’t disclose the identities of those arrested, reports indicate that they are NDC members.
King Adawu, an NPP member who also sustained minor injuries, recounted that the alleged NDC member pulled out a knife during the altercation, resulting in Ato Koomson’s injury to the chest and a minor cut to King Adawu’s hand as he attempted to intervene.
A tragic incident has unfolded in Assin Juaso, located in the Assin Fosu Municipality of the Central Region, where the lifeless body of a 50-year-old taxi driver known as “One Day,” identified as Kwabena, was discovered in a public toilet.
Kwabena had been reported missing for a span of two weeks, following the discovery of his abandoned taxi in the bush, prompting concerned citizens to notify the police of his sudden disappearance.
Subsequently, a body was found within a decrepit public toilet in Juaso, later confirmed to be that of the missing driver upon examination.
Family members, speaking to Nyankonton Mu Nsem, conveyed their deep grief and lamentation over the distressing turn of events.
Meanwhile, residents of the area have raised alarm over the alarming frequency of such occurrences, citing approximately six similar cases within the past two months.
In light of these troubling developments, residents have urged the police to bolster patrols in the vicinity to safeguard the community’s well-being.
Kwesi Alhaji, purportedly holding the title of Mankrodo in Gomoa, Central Region, vehemently denies allegations of torturing and murdering people over land disputes.
Accused of orchestrating terror and violence, Kwesi Alhaji faces allegations from various quarters, including Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong.
During an interview on Adom FM, monitored by GhanaWeb, Kennedy Agyapong accused Kwesi Alhaji of terrorizing the people of Gomoa, alleging murders over land disputes and claiming to possess evidence to support his claims.
In response to the accusations, Kwesi Alhaji, in an exclusive interview with Nana Yaa Brefo, refuted the claims, asserting he has never killed anyone nor contracted anyone to commit murder on his behalf.
He recounted rushing to Adom FM’s premises upon learning of Kennedy Agyapong’s accusations during a live broadcast, challenging the legislator to produce evidence.
However, according to Kwesi Alhaji, Kennedy Agyapong failed to provide any evidence despite the opportunity.
“They say I murder and keep the corpses of my victims in the fridge. I am aware Kennedy Agyapong said that. At the time he made those accusations against me, he was with Allotey Jacobs and I had gone to buy an air conditioner at Circle, so immediately I heard that, I rushed to the premises of the station to challenge Kennedy Agyapong to show us where I store the bodies of those he alleges I have killed. But he couldn’t even come down to face me,” Kwesi Alhaji explained.
Tragedy struck on Tuesday, April 30, in Millennium City near Kasoa, Central region, as a military personnel lost his life in a land dispute.
Two others narrowly escaped harm during the incident.
The confrontation unfolded when the deceased and his companions confronted workers on a disputed piece of land they claimed ownership of.
Despite attempts to resolve the matter at the Millennium City Police station, tensions continued to escalate.
Previous efforts seeking police intervention had failed, leading to a further escalation of the disagreement.
The soldiers initially tried to persuade the occupants of the land to seek mediation at the police station, but the dispute persisted.
Upon returning to the police station to follow up on their complaint, they were informed that the case had been transferred to the Central East Regional Police Command.
As they made their way there, they encountered further conflict, resulting in gunfire and the tragic death of one soldier.
Speculations of potential retaliation from Ghana’s army officers have arisen due to past incidents like the Captain Mahama case.
This has left residents of Kasoa living in fear, with reports of helicopters in the sky adding to the tension and concern for safety.
Watch video below:
Concerned citizens of Kasoa are expressing frustration over the portrayal of their community following recent media reports linking criminal activities to the area.
Their concerns stem from the shooting incident involving military personnel at the District Police Command in Millennium City, situated within the Gomoa East District of the Central Region.
In a statement released on May 1, 2024, the residents voiced their dissatisfaction with the ongoing misrepresentation.
“We are extremely unhappy with the continuous misrepresentation of our community in the media. Kasoa has unfairly become synonymous with crime, despite many incidents occurring outside our municipality,” the residents noted.
The residents stressed the need for accurate reporting to prevent tarnishing Kasoa’s reputation and impeding its economic progress.
“As residents, we do not find it tasteful that the bad name tag is associated with Kasoa, as it is blocking our business potential,” they said.
Furthermore, they cited the recent shooting incident as evidence of inaccurate portrayal.
“We are disturbed that a state security agency like the police could not define the jurisdiction accurately. It must be noted that the Millennium City, where the shooting took place, is natively known as Gomoa Bantama and falls directly under Gomoa Fetteh in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region, while Kasoa falls within the Awutu Senya East Municipality.
“In a similar incident, an alleged missing manhood case that happened at Nyanyano Kakraba, also in the Gomoa East, was widely reported as happening in Kasoa,” the statement said.
“all Ghanaians, particularly media organisations and state agencies, to do due diligence and avoid mentioning Kasoa other than the specific locations where crimes are perpetrated.”
The residents urged all Ghanaians, particularly media organizations and state agencies, to exercise due diligence and refrain from mentioning Kasoa unless referring to specific locations where crimes occur.
Despite their grievances, the residents commended the police for swiftly apprehending the perpetrator of the recent murder. They called for further investigation to apprehend any other individuals involved and to address the underlying issue of violent land disputes.
A man, believed to be in his 70s, was discovered dead in a sitting position in a gutter at Kasoa-Opeikuma Junction in the Awutu Senya East Municipality of the Central Region.
According to gathered information, the deceased, who was not a resident of the area, was observed wandering the streets on Sunday, April 28.
Some residents interacted with him, during which he mentioned that he was searching for someone who had gone missing.
Due to his age, he caused significant traffic on Sunday night while attempting to cross the Opeikuma road, but was aided by a kind passerby.
To the surprise of many residents, they awoke on Monday, April 29, to find the man seated in a gutter, partially unclothed, and deceased.
The police were notified of the incident and arrived at the scene to transport the body to the Winneba Special and Trauma Hospital Mortuary for autopsy and preservation.
Meanwhile, both the police and residents are collaborating to locate the family of the deceased, as he is not from the area.
Residents of Afrangua near Saltpond in the Mfantsiman Municipality of the Central Region were startled to discover the body of a man, believed to be in his 40s, in a walkway.
The lifeless body, wrapped in a sack, was found near the Roman Catholic Church, sending shockwaves through the community.
Upon removing the sack, the badly decomposed remains of the victim were revealed, indicating that the individual may have been killed several days prior to the discovery.
The victim, dressed in a t-shirt and pair of jeans, had his sandals placed together near his head inside the sack.
Speaking to Adom News’ Seth Kofi Adjei, the Assemblyman for the Afrangua Electoral Area, Issah Alhassan, stated that the deceased was not recognized by anyone in the area.
He suspected that the victim was killed elsewhere, placed inside the sack, and then abandoned in the vicinity.
Mr. Alhassan noted that no missing person’s report had been filed, and the community had not made any prior discoveries along the route where the body was found.
Meanwhile, the Police in Saltpond have transported the body to the Cape Coast mortuary for preservation pending investigations.
Police in New Edubiase have apprehended two suspects accused of robbing and killing an 80-year-old Ghanaian-American woman at her residence in Nyinese, Central Region.
The suspects, identified as Yusif Afrim (25) and Wisdom Sete (35), allegedly committed the crime before fleeing with two vehicles, a Mini Cooper with registration number CR 267-24 and a Toyota Vitz with registration number GJ 3817-21.
They were intercepted by police while en route to Kumasi, Ashanti Region.
During questioning, Wisdom Sete confessed to using supernatural means to kill the victim, identified as Naomi, on April 18, 2024.
Sete claimed the motive was a dispute over access to the Toyota Vitz, which was denied to him despite their impending marriage ceremony.
A Chinese national, identified only as Wu, along with five Ghanaian collaborators, has been apprehended for encroaching on the mining concession of Zoar Mining Enterprise in the Twifo Atti-Morkwa District of the Central Region.
The illegal miners, using excavators and other earth-moving equipment, have caused significant damage to over 50 acres of the 120-acre concession owned by the company.
They claimed to be working for a person named Ernest, who is currently evading arrest.
The arrest of these armed miners comes after extensive surveillance conducted by the security personnel of Zoar Mining Enterprise.
The suspects were arrested around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, and subsequently handed over to the Ministries Police in Accra, following directives from officials of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Zoar Mining Enterprise was granted a 5-year mining lease, subject to renewal, by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, on November 15, 2023, to mine gold and diamond.
However, prior to commencing operations, the illegal miners had already invaded the concession, with over 40 of them engaging in illegal mining activities.
Nana Akwasi Yentumi Asante, Operations and Sustainability Manager of Zoar Mining Enterprise, expressed satisfaction with the successful operation to remove the illegal miners from the concession.
“The arrest was done by our company’s security unit and was calm, well-coordinated, and without any blood flow. We started the ambush at around 1 a.m. today.” he said.
He said Zoar Mining has “lost millions of Ghana cedis” to the illegal mining activities.
“If we were to do our own business, production in the worst-case scenario is between 4kg and 15kg of gold per concession of such nature,” he said.
Appalled by the development, Nana Asante warned the company will do everything possible to protect its concessions, which can rake in more funds into government coffers in taxes.
Two final year pupils of the Abisco M/A Basic School in Abesewa, Dunkwa-Abasewa, tragically lost their lives after falling into an abandoned galamsey pit in the Upper Denkyira East District of the Central Region.
The deceased have been identified as Dominic Abu, aged 15, and Enoch Ogo, aged 16. The incident occurred on Monday, April 8, while they were on their way home from school.
According to reports, one of the pupils fell into the pit, and in a valiant attempt to rescue his friend, the other pupil also entered the water-filled pit and tragically drowned alongside his companion.
Their lifeless bodies were subsequently recovered from the pit, adding to the growing concern among residents about the dangers posed by the abandoned galamsey site.
This is not the first time such a tragic incident has occurred in the area.
Two years prior, a final-year student from St. Andrews Senior School met a similar fate when he fell into the same pit while attempting to use a shortcut route from Abesewa to Barrier, which was flooded at the time.
Ernest Arkon, the Assemblyman for the Compound Electoral Area, expressed dismay over the recurring deaths at the galamsey site.
In response, he issued a stern ultimatum to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and the Member of Parliament for Upper Denkyira East, demanding action to reclaim the land within four months.
Failure to do so, he warned, would result in a massive demonstration led by him and concerned residents.
Comedian Benson Nana Yaw Oduro, popularly known as Funny Face, has been remanded into police custody for two weeks by the Ofaakor Circuit Court in the Awutu Senya East District of the Central Region.
This decision comes after Funny Face appeared before the court facing charges of drunk driving and careless driving.
The incident leading to Funny Face’s arrest occurred on Sunday evening when he allegedly rammed his vehicle into a group of people at Kasoa Kakraba, resulting in injuries to five individuals.
The crash prompted swift police action, leading to Funny Face’s apprehension and subsequent legal proceedings.
During the court hearing, the prosecution argued that Funny Face’s reckless actions endangered the lives of innocent bystanders and warranted a thorough investigation.
The comedian’s legal team, however, pleaded for leniency, citing his status as a public figure and expressing remorse on behalf of their client.
After considering both sides, the Ofaakor Circuit Court ruled in favour of remanding Funny Face into police custody for a period of two weeks.
This decision aims to allow for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident and to ensure that justice is served.
The news of Funny Face’s arrest and subsequent remand has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with fans and colleagues expressing concern and calling for accountability.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of drunk driving and the importance of responsible behaviour behind the wheel.
As Funny Face remains in custody pending further legal proceedings, the public awaits developments in this case and hopes for a fair and just resolution for all parties involved.
Comedian Benson Nana Yaw Oduro Boateng known popularly as Funny Face‘s social media posts before the sad events of March 24, 2024, which involved him and resulted in the injuries of five people in Kasoa, Central Region, had shown him to be optimistic.
On various platforms, Funny Face shared uplifting messages where he depicted himself as a happy person dedicated to his faith and scripture.
In one post, accompanied by a video of him dancing joyfully, he expressed gratitude to media mogul Bola Ray for impacting his life.
Despite the positive tone of his posts, questions lingered about the timing and authenticity of the shared video.
Nonetheless, his followers expressed admiration for his determination before the accident and concern afterward, particularly focusing on his behaviour.
The tragic accident occurred when Funny Face collided with five road users in Kasoa, including a mother and her children, and eyewitnesses suggested he was intoxicated at the time.
Funny Face, also known as Benson Nana Yaw Oduro Boateng, has faced personal challenges, including a tumultuous relationship and battles with depression, which have been widely reported in recent years.
See post below:
The Ashanti Regional Chairman for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Bosiako, (Chairman Wontumi) has refuted claims that Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, the running mate for the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama hails from the Central Region.
Speaking on Northern Go FM he indicated that Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang traces her origin to the Northern Region.
He challenged her to be proud of her true heritage, stating, “I Wontumi says Nana Opoku Agyemang is not from the Central Region. I challenge Nana Opoku Agyemang. She is from the Northern Region. Wherever you come from, you must be proud of it. My wife and family are from the Central Region.
According to him, Professor Naana Jane got married to an Ashanti man, Mr Opoku Agyemang, where they both worked at Cape Coast University (UCC).
He added the marriage collapsed after 20 years, as such she kept the name “Opoku Agyemang”.
“She and her husband from the Ashanti Region, Mr Opoku Agyemang. They worked at Cape Coast University. As they worked, they studied with each other and got married and took the man’s name,” he added.
The Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region, Chairman Wontumi, has accused the running mate of the NDC of being from the Northern Region rather than the Central Region. He also claimed that the NDC's running mate secretly married former President John… pic.twitter.com/GOtPjYCii1
— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) March 21, 2024
The Founder of the Movement for Change, Alan Kyerematen, has vowed to transform the Central Region into West Africa’s financial services hub if elected president.
Expressing dissatisfaction with both the NPP and NDC, Kyerematen pledged to uplift the fortunes of the Central Region, emphasizing its historical significance as a former capital.
Believing the region holds untapped potential, Mr Kyerematen committed to establishing the largest financial services center in West Africa to boost trade activities and enhance the local economy.
“There is no major project the people of the Central Region have benefited from. The Ashanti, Western and Greater Accra Region have benefited but the Central Region has not and that is why I want to make the Central Region the International Financial Services Centre of West Africa. This will help open up the region to investors. This will be done within two years of assuming office as the President of the Republic,” he added.
“The Central Region has the Majority of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Ghana and the people of the Central Region must take advantage of it to boost the economy of the region. My leadership will invest heavily in that sector to boost the sector,” Mr Kyerematen said.
“The Traders Market initiative will see market women have soft loans to invest in their businesses. The Bank will specifically be set up for traders since they don’t have a bank on their own that serves their interest.”
He criticized the lack of major projects benefiting the Central Region under the administration of the NPP and NDC and promised to make it the International Financial Services Centre of West Africa within two years if elected president.
Mr Kyerematen also aims to promote the Central Region as a tourism hub, leveraging its abundance of UNESCO World Heritage sites. He plans to invest significantly in the sector to bolster the region’s economy.
Expressing concern about the region’s poor market infrastructure, Mr Kyerematen assured improvements during his presidency. Additionally, he announced plans to establish a traders’ bank to provide financing for market women through soft loans to invest in their businesses.
Traders across various markets, including Kasoa, Winneba, Agona Swedru, Cape Coast, and Elmina, greeted Kyerematen with excitement, considering him a beacon of hope for the country’s economic development.
They expressed disappointment with the performance of the major political parties (NPP and NDC) and believe Mr Kyerematen will bring about positive change if elected president.
The Gomoa Okyereko police station in the Central region is in disarray as its roof was torn off during a heavy downpour, leaving officers stranded.
The intense rainfall in the municipality not only resulted in the roof’s destruction but also caused extensive damage to documents, furniture, and computers on Thursday.
Furthermore, the newly commissioned roof of the Kasoa Bulk Distribution office and 20 other houses in Gomoa Ojobi have suffered similar damage.
Expressing concern after inspecting the extent of the destruction, Chief of Gomoa Okyereko, Nana Kofi Donkor, appealed urgently for the authorities to repair the police station’s roof. He emphasized the officers’ role in reducing crime and road accidents in the area.
The Central East Regional Police Commander, DCOP Owusu Bempah, and his team are currently on-site inspecting the damage.
Atlantic Lithium, an exploration and development company, has committed to allocating one percent of its mining revenue to uplift the communities in Mfantseman.
Aaron Monver, the Head of Operations at Atlantic Lithium, emphasized the company’s focus on prioritizing the well-being of its working environment and supporting community development.
To achieve this, the company plans to establish a community development fund aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of the catchment communities.
This commitment was conveyed during a meeting organized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to discuss the proposed Ewoyaa lithium mining and processing project in the Central Region.
The meeting provided a platform for Atlantic Lithium to engage with the communities, gather feedback, and address environmental concerns as part of the process to secure operational permits.
Aaron Monver urged the community to embrace the opportunities created by the project, emphasizing the importance of local participation.
Atlantic Lithium is dedicated to responsible mining practices that contribute positively to the local communities and the country as a whole.
Stakeholders were encouraged to collaborate in supporting the project to achieve its objectives.
The move aligns with the growing demand for lithium, driven by the increasing adoption of electric vehicles for energy storage to meet global climate change objectives.
Ghana has granted a 15-year lithium mining license to Atlantic Lithium Limited, positioning the country to tap into the lucrative global lithium industry.
Barari DV Ghana Limited, a unit of Atlantic Lithium, holds the lease to construct a lithium mine in Ewoyaa, Central Region, pending environmental permits from the EPA and the Minerals Commission.
Professor Richard Kofi Asiedu, the Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has announced ambitious plans for the upcoming 2024 elections, expressing confidence in the party’s ability to secure victory in 20 out of the 23 Parliamentary seats in the region.
Speaking at an awards ceremony organized by the Agona West NDC Youth Wing’s Working Committee in Agona Swedru, Prof. Asiedu disclosed that the regional working committee had devised strategies to mobilize members, particularly the youth, across all 23 constituencies to work tirelessly towards achieving this goal.
The Chairman emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration within the party, urging the Agona West Parliamentary Candidate, Mrs. Ernetina Dangbe, to foster a united front to enhance the party’s chances of recapturing the seat from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Prof. Asiedu underscored the prevailing economic hardships facing Ghanaians, noting widespread discontent among the populace. He urged party members to harness this discontent and channel it towards securing electoral victory, emphasizing the need for cooperation and mutual understanding among the rank and file.
Commending the Agona West NDC Youth Organiser, Mr. Freebody Mensah, for his innovative and proactive approach, Prof. Asiedu highlighted the significant changes brought about in the youth wing of the constituency under his leadership.
In her address, Mrs. Queenstar Pokuaa Sawyer, the Agona East Member of Parliament (MP), lauded the dedication and hard work of the youth wing, which she noted had inspired many others to join the party. She urged the youth to focus their campaign messages on the 24-hour economic policy outlined by the NDC flagbearer, Mr. John Dramani Mahama, and intensify their efforts to ensure a resounding victory in the December elections.
As the NDC gears up for the electoral contest, the party’s leadership in the Central Region is laying down the groundwork for a vigorous campaign aimed at capturing a significant number of Parliamentary seats and securing victory for its Presidential Candidate. With the stakes high and the political landscape evolving, all eyes will be on the NDC as it strives to translate its strategies into tangible electoral success in the upcoming polls.
In the Twifo Atti-Morkwa District of the Central Region, at Twifo Eduabeng, a 12-year-old girl was allegedly fondled and licked by a 43-year-old driver, who showed up at the Twifo Praso District Court.
Chief Inspector Joseph Kusah, the prosecution’s case presenter, stated that on January 3, 2024, at approximately 8 a.m., the accused, George Antwi, who practices herbal medicine, invited the victim to his home for medication due to skin conditions she had been battling.
Then, after tricking the victim into believing he was giving her medicine, he dragged her into his bedroom, stripped her nude, and forced her onto the bed.
Subsequently, the accused turned off the lights, covered the windows with curtains, loudly turned on the radio, and started caressing and licking the victim’s vagina. Antwi was unaware that the victim’s two younger sisters had crept into the room and seen what had happened. Antwi threatened to kill them and their parents if they told anyone in the community, hoping to silence them.
Chief Inspector Kusah informed the court that the kids told their parents about the threat despite it, and they filed a formal complaint with the police and got a medical form.
He claimed that Antwi was taken into custody and was facing charges of indecent assault and making threats of harm. The accused entered a not guilty plea, and the court, presided over by Maxwell Foli Kpodo, granted him bail in the amount of Gh¢5,000.00 with two sureties.
The suspect was further ordered by the court to stay inside the jurisdiction until the case was resolved.
In June this year, the Church of Pentecost (CoP) is poised to launch an e-church, expanding its presence into the virtual space.
This initiative aims to bring the church experience to a wider audience through online platforms, fostering a digital community for worship, fellowship, and engagement.
The Chairman of the church, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, revealed this initiative as part of Vision 2028 during the 2024 Global Ministers and Wives Conference at the Pentecost Convention Centre in Gomoa Fetteh, Central Region.
This visionary move is intended to establish a pastor-led, gadget-equipped space for ministering to people in the virtual space.
The ongoing five-day conference, themed “A people of God unleashed to transform their world with the values and principles of the Kingdom of God,” is being attended by over 5,000 ministers and their wives both locally and virtually from more than 150 countries via zoom.
Apostle Nyamekye emphasized that the Vision 2028 initiative is a continuation of the Vision 2023 agenda, extending from 2018 to 2023.
The concept of “unleashing” involves moving members beyond the confines of the church into their spheres of influence for transformation. This transformation includes the conversion of souls and society through the gospel.
The Vision 2028 agenda aligns with the Possessing the Nations mission statement of the Church of Pentecost, focusing on establishing responsible and self-sustaining churches filled with committed, Spirit-filled Christians impacting their communities.
The Chairman explained that each of the 31 thematic areas designated for Vision 2028 has specific strategic objectives.
While the global nature of the church operates in 150 nations as of December 2022, there is recognition that interventions may vary based on contextual relevance. External branches are encouraged to align interventions with the spirit of the vision within their specific contexts.
Vision 2028 seeks to achieve the overall goal of the Possessing the Nations agenda—creating a church where members actively transform worldviews, thoughts, and behaviors with the values and principles of the Kingdom of God.
Unlike Vision 2023, which focused on equipping the church, Vision 2028 emphasizes unleashing the church into society, encouraging every member to have a ministry outside the church, becoming channels of God’s grace to the outside world.
A 25-year-old man, Richard Manu, also known as Azonto, has been accused of decapitating his father, Kwaku Manu, in Assin Akrofuom, located in the Assin South District of the Central Region. The horrifying act was reportedly triggered by the son’s belief that his father engaged in a spiritual exchange of his prosperous destiny with that of his twin senior brother.
Following the gruesome beheading, Richard allegedly proceeded to inflict cutlass wounds on his mother and other family members present in the house during the shocking incident. An eyewitness, Kojo, recounted waking up to the horrifying scene and attempting to intervene before seeking help.
The suspect was eventually arrested by the police patrol cars, rescuing him from a potential lynching by the enraged community members. Currently undergoing medical treatment at St. Francis Xavier Hospital in Assin Fosu, Richard is closely monitored by the police.
Okyeame Kwame Amankrah, the suspect’s uncle and the Akyeamehene of Assin Akrofuom, expressed shock at the unfolding events, emphasizing the seemingly amicable relationship between the father and son prior to the gruesome incident. Investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding this tragic and spiritually charged act.
In 2023, the Central Region reported 664 fire incidents compared to 570 in 2022, indicating a 16.5% increase. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, unlike 2022, which had two deaths among the 570 cases.
The Regional Office of the Ghana National Fire Service expressed concern about the elevated rate of increase. Bushfires rose from 114 in 2022 to 159 in 2023, mainly attributed to farmers and hunters.
Domestic fires increased from 195 in 2022 to 234 in 2023, primarily caused by electrical faults due to poor wiring and LPG accidents, according to DOIII Abdul Wasiu Hudu, the Regional Public Relations Officer.
“Burning of rubbish also caused some commercial fires,” he added.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) provided specifics on additional incidents managed by the Service, including 125 road traffic extrications, one flood response, and the handling of six bee attack situations that led to 10 injuries.
“There were four well rescues where two died and two survived, one rescue from a septic tank and one case of electrocution,” he explained.
However, in 2023, the Service received 34 prank calls. DOIII Hudu, expressing concern about this occurrence, emphasized that fire safety is a collective responsibility. He urged the public to refrain from making prank calls and to diligently adhere to all protocols to ensure the safety of everyone.
Highlighting bushfires as a major concern, he stated that the Service would persist in educating stakeholders about the laws against bush burning and the associated consequences to reduce such incidents.
“It’s illegal to burn bushes and you will be held accountable if your actions lead to bushfires,” he warned.
The Fire Officer highlighted that the Service’s primary challenge was covering extensive distances to respond to distress calls.
This, he observed, led to increased response times, resulting in some incidents spiraling out of control. Consequently, he appealed for the establishment of more fire stations to safeguard lives and property.
A 21-year-old pragyia rider Kwaku Fafa has found himself in critical condition following an attack by an individual believed to be suffering from mental health issues. The assailant inflicted cutlass wounds on the young rider, raising concerns about the safety of individuals in the community.
The victim reportedly faced the attack while attempting to intervene in a brawl between the assailant and another mentally challenged individual in Ajumako, Central Region.
The alleged attacker has been identified as Kwame Anin and the other mentally challenged individual involved in the altercation as Kofi Abomi.
According to Oheneba Ademah, Kofi Abomi accused Kwame Anin of having anal sex with him. This led to their argument turning into a fight.
Residents in the area have also accused the attacker of indecent behaviour and unwarranted assaults on people.
He said Kwame Anin through his modus operandi peeps through bathrooms when women are bathing to watch their nakedness.
If caught or confronted, he will either assault you or attack you physically.
What broke the camel’s back was his alleged sexual encounter with Kofi Abomi.
Kweku Fafa, who was at the time around the area, attempted to separate them, but Kwame Anin allegedly inflicted cutlass wounds on him.
Fafa was quickly rushed to the hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.
Doctors have, however, disclosed that he may lose an eye due to the nature of his injuries.
Efforts by some aggrieved elders in Gomoa Amoanda, Central Region, to orchestrate the killing of the town’s Chief and seven others were thwarted when the spiritual practitioner hired to carry out the act revealed the plot to the Chief.
Details uncovered by GHOne News indicate that two dissatisfied siblings, Kwame Baah and Ewudzi, along with their two nephews, Safohene Joe and Akweylabi, allegedly conspired to enlist the services of a spiritual practitioner to eliminate the recently installed Odzikurow of Gomoa Amoanda, Nana Osuapem Kwawbudu (III), and his council of elders.
Allegedly, the accused individuals reportedly paid GHC5,000, providing pictures of the chief and elders, and pledged an additional GHC2,000, along with a cow and two sheep, as a promised payment contingent upon the successful completion of the intended harm by the spiritual practitioner.
Sources add that, subsequent to the suspects delivering all the necessary items to the spiritual practitioner, the intermediary who facilitated their engagement with the juju man approached the palace and filed a report to the chief and his council of elders, just a day before the planned incident.
The juju man also informed the Gyaasehene of Amoanda that some people had contracted him to kill them and he actually named them.
The suspects were arrested on Friday, January 5, 2024, at about 10:00pm by the Youth of the community at their hideout.
The Odikro of Gomoa Amoanda, Nana Osuapem Kwaw Budu III in an interview condemned the reprehensible actions of the disgruntled elders.
He vowed to have them banished from the town as their conduct could not be entertained in the town.
Minister of Fisheries and Member of the Awutu Senya East constituency in the Central Region, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has refuted accusations connecting her to the reported assault on journalist David Kobina of Cape FM.
The reported incident transpired on January 4, subsequent to a vetting process for parliamentary aspirants held at the Central Regional Coordinating Council in Cape Coast.
In an official statement, the Minister dismissed the accusations as unfounded and deliberately concocted by her adversaries with the intent of damaging her reputation and exploiting a political advantage.
She rejected the allegations and urged the respective stakeholders to refrain from making premature judgments and to allow thorough investigations into the allegations.
“We categorically reject the claim that individuals associated with our team were responsible for this regrettable act. Mavis Hawa Koomson has consistently advocated for a peaceful and constructive political environment, and our team does not endorse or engage in any form of violence. We call on the Ghana Journalists Network and all stakeholders to allow the investigative process to unfold and refrain from premature judgments. Our thoughts remain with Mr. Kwabena, and we hope for his way to recovery.”
In a heartbreaking incident in Kasoa Opeikuma, located in the Awutu Senya East Municipality of the Central region, a 59-year-old man named Peter Owusu met a tragic fate as an uncompleted building collapsed on him, claiming his life.
The incident occurred while he was chasing a bird that was a frequent visitor to the site.
According to a report by adomonline.com, the bird would often make noise on the uncompleted building between 11:00 pm and 4:00 am. Frustrated by the daily disturbance, Mr. Owusu decided to take action to chase the bird away.
In an account provided by the Kasoa Branch Pastor of Deeper Life Church, Isaac Opoku Mensah, the deceased’s widow revealed that her late husband initially threw a stone at the bird, causing it to temporarily fly away.
However, the bird returned after about ten minutes.
In an attempt to rid the area of the bothersome bird, the deceased climbed the uncompleted building. Unfortunately, the structure unexpectedly collapsed, leading to his tragic demise.
The man was quickly rushed to the Kasoa Mother and Child Hospital, but upon arrival, he was pronounced dead.
Despite recent public outrage from the Minister of Foreign Affairs over corruption in passport application centers, middlemen referred to as ‘Goro boys’ are thriving at the Cape Coast Passport Office.
These individuals, in collaboration with some passport office personnel, including immigration officers and security officials, are imposing hefty fees to expedite passport issuance, causing inconvenience for many daily visitors.
Unauthorized middlemen have set up makeshift operations in and around the office, even engaging in fraudulent activities like printing and altering passport dates. They charge applicants between GHC1,000 to GHC1,600, promising a passport within one to two weeks.
Civil service workers sharing the premises are also involved, exploiting their positions for a fee. The Regional Information Service Department office has turned into an annex for passport services, where applicants seek assistance with online applications.
An insider mentioned that idle officers have time to engage in these illicit activities. GhanaWeb’s investigation revealed that these middlemen dress professionally, approaching potential applicants to persuade them into their services. An anonymous applicant revealed being charged GHC2,000, negotiating down to GHC1,500 to expedite the process.
“I paid money to receive my passport within a week but my friend who could not pay is still struggling to get hers, though it’s been months now,” she told GhanaWeb.
She received her passport on the planned day, but her buddy, who came with her, is yet to receive her passport, months after going through all of the procedures.
The petitioner asked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to enact measures to clean up the system and make it more equitable for everyone in the country.
“The government has introduced digitalization to scrub all these corrupt activities in the system but people find their way out to bypass the system,” she admonished.
In response to the circumstance, Mr Micheal Asante, Regional Director of the office, denied the activities of Goro lads who had taken over the premises, saying that those may not have come from his office.
“There are people around particularly Goro boys but I don’t have any Goro man on my staff list. But we have people around who have mounted containers and others who claim they are passport application centers and charge them depending on the service the person wants. I am not talking about it because it’s outside my jurisdiction but none of my staff have been involved in that act,” he told our reporter.
He promised the office that it was working hard to overcome those issues in order to make the passport application appear less difficult.
“Sometimes logistics issues are the only problem that delays passports in the Regions but when there are booklet immediately our backlogs are printed out,” he said.
Mr. Asante encouraged applicants to start the registration process online before coming to the office for biometrics and other procedures.
When caught in the Goro actions, he warned perpetrators to stop or risk prosecution.
“I don’t tolerate such acts and no applicant has informed or complained that my staff are charging for the process and if I get hold of one the person will immediately be sacked or sanctioned,” he said.
Maxwell Investments Group has successfully completed a trial run for its bamboo processing facility, aiming to boost income for residents in the Central Region and its surrounding areas.
In partnership with European collaborators, the facility is set to handle approximately one hundred thousand tonnes of bamboo daily at full capacity.
The Chief Executive of the Group, Dr. Maxwell Ampong, emphasized the importance of support from the private sector and government agencies for this young initiative.
He outlined the goal of establishing collection points across the country, enabling rural communities to trade bamboo for sustenance.
The facility’s primary objective is to positively impact lives and provide income to rural communities throughout Ghana.
Dr. Ampong noted the significant demand for bamboo products in the European market, underlining the importance of securing a steady supply of raw materials for processing.
He called for support to ensure the project’s success, as it aspires to become a livelihood for many.
Additionally, Dr. Ampong hinted at plans to expand the facility to benefit more communities and offer economic support.
This Bamboo project is part of Maxwell Investments Group’s broader efforts to alleviate poverty, particularly in Zongo and Inner-City communities in Ghana.
On Thursday, August 31, a confrontation unfolded between tipper truck drivers in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region and police officers from the Central Regional Police Command.
This dispute emerged from the refusal of numerous tipper drivers to comply with the Quarry Development Fund requirement, which had been implemented by both the Gomoa East and Awutu Senya West District Assemblies.
Expressing their dissatisfaction with this situation, the aggrieved drivers argued against the imposition of a fee of GHC 5 per cubic unit of transported material.
This fee resulted in charges ranging from GHC 80 to GHC 100 depending on the size of the load.
Eric Addo, the station master representing the tipper truck drivers association, issued an appeal to the Minister of Local Government, Dan Botwe, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Akuffo Dampare, and President Akufo-Addo. His plea aimed to avert potential future violent confrontations.
Additionally, Solomon Darko Quarm, the District Chief Executive of Gomoa East, who spoke on behalf of Awutu Senya West, clarified that the levy had been introduced to support the development of communities associated with the stone quarries.
Nine Community Police Assistants stationed in Ajumako Bisease, within the Ajumako Enyan Essiam District of the Central Region, have successfully apprehended Augustine Ghansah, an escaped prison inmate.
Ghansah managed to break out of the Osamkrom Prison camp, situated in the Agona West District of the Central Region.
Following his escape, a report was filed at the Ajumako Bisease Police Station, prompting the launch of an investigation.
Upon learning that the police were actively searching for him, the fugitive took refuge in a dense forest in Ajumako Bisease. In response, nine Community Police Assistants were dispatched to comb the forest in pursuit of Ghansah.
After three days of relentless searching, they eventually spotted him concealed behind a large tree near a thick undergrowth. A swift chase ensued, leading to his capture.
Ghansah was subsequently taken into police custody and placed in a cell before being returned to the Osamkrom Prison camp.
The successful apprehension of the escaped prisoner has garnered widespread praise for the commendable efforts of these nine Community Police Personnel stationed at the Ajumako Bisease Police Station.
Residents are now urging the government and Inspector General of Police, George Akuffo Dampare, to consider permanently recruiting these nine Community Police Personnel into the Ghana Police Service as a valuable contribution to national security.
Members of the Church of Pentecost Tarkwa branch, have involved in an accident at Gomoa Otsew on the Kasoa-Cape Coast Highway in the Central Region.
The incident has resulted in the death of one individual, while another person has sustained injuries.
Speaking to the media, the Apam District Fire Commander, ACFO Adolf Ankomah Nuamah, indicated that the injured individual is currently undergoing treatment at the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital.
Reportedly, the accident involved a collision between a Man Diesel truck and vehicles carrying Church of Pentecost Tarkwa branch members.
The driver of the Man Diesel truck, who had returned from Ivory Coast, shared that upon reaching Gomoa Otsew, another vehicle engaged in an unlawful overtaking maneuver and abruptly merged in front of his truck.
In order to avoid a collision with the recklessly overtaking vehicle, the truck driver veered off the road and entered a nearby bush.
Tragically, the Toyota Coastal bus carrying over 22 Church members was unable to avoid the collision, impacting the rear of the truck.
“Around 5:30 pm, we received a distress call about an accident involving a Man Diesel truck from Ivory Coast, a Toyota Coastal bus carrying members of the Church of Pentecost, and a Nissan Navara bus from Accra.”
“According to the driver of the Man Diesel truck, another vehicle made an illegal overtake, forcing him to collide head-on with the Nissan Navara and the Toyota Coastal bus. One person from the bus was run over. There were twenty-two people on the Coastal bus, but one died and one was seriously injured. They were taken to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital for treatment.”
A developer associated with the Millenium City Construction Company in the Central region, Kofi Asthma, has revealed plans to demolish more than 5,000 houses in the vicinity due to encroachment activities.
Under the leadership of the Central East Police Command, a group of more than 100 police officers conducted a marking operation to pinpoint residences that have unlawfully encroached upon the properties of others.
Kofi Asthma indicated that the marking of the houses is the first stage of the process as a result, those who were affected are to visit their office for negotiation or face demolition of their apartments which is the second stage.
The developer at Millennium City called on the affected individuals to comply with the directive otherwise their houses would be demolished.
“If you have seen Police men going around in Millennium City, it is by the order of the court. People are trying to destroy our estate. Most of them are foreigners and because of small money, they are giving us trouble. Our clients are unable to develop their land when they buy from us.
“They keep saying I don’t have any land in Millennium City, but I am daring them to come forward with documents. We went to Ofaakor Circuit Court to take a court order to move the encroachers from our land. Those whose houses have been earmarked must know that this is the first phase of the exercise, the second phase will be the demolition stage. They must either come forward for renegotiation or face demolition,” Citinewsroom.com quoted Kofi Asthma as having said.
The developer of the construction company lamented the activities of land guards that have created an unconducive atmosphere in the area.
“The issue of the land guard is disturbing the peace of the people of Millennium City. They demand digging fees, threatening the lives of developers, and making life unbearable for developers,” Kofi Asthma said according to citinewsroom.com
More than 5,000 residences in the Millennium City district of the Central region face imminent demolition due to encroachment activities.
The area’s developer has commenced the initial phase of the demolition process, marking the affected housing units for future removal.
A team of over 100 police officers from the Central East Police Command is supervising the process of labeling the housing units for demolition. Each marked unit now bears inscriptions indicating impending removal.
21st-century Construction Limited, the developer, revealed that they obtained a court order from the Ofaakor District Court to address the encroachment activities within their property.
They expressed concern over how encroachment is adversely affecting their operations.
The developer further emphasized that those whose houses have been marked should be aware that this is the initial phase, with the demolition phase to follow.
They urged affected residents to engage in renegotiations or face demolition.
“If you have seen Police men going round in Millennium City, it is by the order of the court. People are trying to destroy our estate. Most of them are foreigners and because of small money, they are giving us trouble.
“Our clients are unable to develop their land when they buy from us. They keep saying I don’t have any land in Millennium City, but I am daring them to come forward with documents. We went to Ofaakor Circuit Court to take a court order to move the encroachers from our land.
“Those whose houses have been earmarked must know that this is the first phase of the exercise, the second phase will be the demolition stage. They must either come forward for renegotiation or face demolition,” Kofi Asthma the developer at Millennium said.
“The issue of landguard is disturbing the peace of the people of Millennium City. They demand digging fees, threatening the lives of developers, and making life unbearable for developers,” Kofi Asthma added.
