In a heartbreaking incident at Saltpond, within the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region, a nine-year-old boy tragically lost his life while crab hunting.
As reported by Kasapa News, the unfortunate event unfolded on the morning of Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
The victim, Paa Kwesi, accompanied by three friends, all under the age of thirteen, ventured into a marshy area in search of crabs.
While engaged in their crab hunting expedition, the group sought relief from the scorching weather by taking a dip in a nearby river.
However, tragedy struck when Paa Kwesi jumped into the water but failed to resurface.
His three companions, assuming he had returned home, continued their activities without raising an alarm.
It wasn’t until they arrived home, having sent Paa Kwesi’s slippers ahead, that they realized he was missing. Despite their discovery, they chose not to notify anyone of the incident.
Concerned about her son’s absence, Paa Kwesi’s mother reported the situation to the authorities and sought assistance from local radio stations and information centers. Unfortunately, their efforts to locate the missing boy proved futile.
Subsequently, the family received distressing news that a body had been found on the riverbank at Mankessim Hinni.
Rushing to the scene, they tragically confirmed the lifeless body to be that of Paa Kwesi on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, in the afternoon.
The deceased’s body has been transferred to the Mankessim Roman Catholic Hospital Mortuary for preservation, pending further arrangements.
A small town in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region, Saltpond, a 21-year-old fetish priest, who also worked as a taxi driver, has been lynched.
The young man, known as Okomfo Michael, allegedly engaged in a robbery on Monday evening, July 31, which ultimately led to his demise.
According to reports the suspect was caught in the act during the robbery and was subjected to a lynching by enraged individuals in the community.
His lifeless body was found with gruesome injuries, including the chopping off of his upper lip and multiple cuts on his head.
Residents of the area shared their knowledge of Okomfo Michael, stating that he had a notorious reputation as a thief and had been on the police wanted list for numerous thefts of mobile phones and farm produce in the community and beyond.
Shockingly, it was believed that he used the proceeds from his criminal activities to construct a large house in the community.
Following the incident, the deceased’s body was taken to the Saltpond Government Hospital morgue.
The authorities have been alerted, and the Saltpond Police are conducting an investigation into the matter.
The late Professor Ama Ata Aidoo, née Christina Ama Aidoo was born on 23 March 1940 at Saltpond.
The Ghanaian author, poet, playwright and academic, was also a former Minister of Education in the Ghana government.
Ama Ata Aidoo who received international recognition as one of the most prominent African writers of the 20th and 21st centuries wrote her first play, The Dilemma of a Ghost, in 1964.
For more than fifty years she has produced top-notch plays including Anowa, Pittsburgh, Our Sister KillJoy, her first novel published in 1977.
In 2000, Aidoo founded the Mbaasem Foundation, a non-governmental organization based in Ghana with a mission “to support the development and sustainability of African women writers and their artistic output”.
The academician who studied at the University of Ghana, Legon and held a fellowship in creative writing at Stanford University in California, was appointed Minister of Education under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) in 1982.
She resigned after 18 months, realising that she would be unable to achieve her aim of making education in Ghana freely accessible to all.
Below are some of the interesting books by the late author:
Dilemma of a Ghost (1965): The story revolves around Ato Yawson, a Ghanaian who completes his studies in the United States and returns to Ghana with his American wife, Eulalie.
It becomes evident from the start that Eulalie is different from the local girls, creating a potential for conflict.
Changes: A Love Story (1991) : The story chronicles a phase in the life of a career-focused Ghanaian woman, as she goes through a divorce from her first husband and enters into a polygamist marriage.
Our Sister Killjoy (1977): Presented in a prose-verse form, the narrative delves into the thoughts and experiences of Sissie, whose perspective is influenced by her encounters with the Western world and its contrast to her homeland. Along the way, she confronts the hypocrisy and corruption of the African elite. The story not only explores the dynamics of modern African society but also sheds light on the challenges faced by women worldwide.
No sweetness here and other stories(1970): This is another collection of short stories that depict the lives of ordinary people in post-independence Ghana, especially women and children. The stories deal with themes such as poverty, oppression, violence, love and survival. The book was first published by Longman in 1970 and has been reprinted several times by different publishers, including The Feminist Press at CUNY in 1969.
Anowa(1970): Anowa, characterized by her independent spirit, possesses her own unique perspectives. While she eventually finds a partner in Kofi Ako whom she decides to marry, her parents, particularly her mother, express disappointment in her choice. Disheartened by her parents’ reaction, Anowa decides to leave her family and embark on a journey with Kofi Ako. Although she loves him, she begins to realize that he is not entirely her ideal match.
Diplomatic Pounds & Other Stories (2012): This collection comprises twelve exquisitely crafted short stories that solidify the author’s esteemed status as a leading writer in Africa and beyond. Through her delicate and distinctive writing style, Aidoo explores ordinary subjects from fresh and unique perspectives. Her work challenges traditional norms, prompting readers to reexamine long-held beliefs and offering new insights into familiar themes.
An angry letter in January and other poems (1992): This thought-provoking poem intertwines themes of feminism and anti-racism as it responds to a letter from a bank. Beginning with the conventional tone of a response letter to a financial institution, the poem delves deeper to explore these important social issues.
The girl who can and other stories (1999): This collection of short stories serves as a powerful exploration of female empowerment. The author, an education administrator, passionately addresses the issue of limited educational opportunities for women in her contemporary Africa. Firmly believing in the transformative power of education, she advocates for women’s rights and strives to ensure that their progress aligns with the development of the newly independent nation. As a woman born in post-independent Ghana, she embarks on a courageous journey to fight for the rights of women and empower them with a new sense of identity.
After the Ceremonies: New and selected poems (2017): The poems featured in this collection delve into various themes, including colonialism, independence, motherhood, and gender, approaching them with an intimate and personal perspective while also offering commentary on wider social issues. The collection, titled “After the Ceremonies,” is organized into three sections, comprising both newly written poems and previously unpublished works.
Ghana, where the bead Speaks (2008): This captivating book is a vibrant, full-color volume spanning 106 pages. It brings together the poetic musings of renowned African woman writer, Ama Ata Aidoo, on the significance of beads within our society. Complementing Aidoo’s poetic reflections, the book also features an enlightening essay by Esi Sutherland-Addy, a professor of African Studies at the University of Ghana. Together, they provide a compelling exploration of the cultural and symbolic importance of beads in our lives.
Diplomatic Pounds & Other Stories (2012): In this collection of stories, the author celebrates the nuances of friendships and love while delving into the complexities of African Diaspora connections. The narratives explore the challenges and feelings of disconnectedness that arise from navigating different cultures, specifically Africa and the West, resulting in a sense of anomie and fragmentation. Aidoo’s keen interest lies in portraying the universal vulnerabilities and imperfections that are inherent to human nature. Through her stories, she sheds light on the shared human experiences that transcend cultural boundaries.
The Eagle and the Chickens and Other Stories (1986): The book contains short stories for children, teaching them
Birds and Other Poems (1989): This enchanting series of stories is crafted specifically for young readers, aiming to foster a love of reading from an early age. Accompanied by vibrant illustrations, these tales captivate young imaginations and inspire a lifelong passion for books. Whether enjoyed at home, in the classroom, or within school libraries, this collection is an essential addition to any literary collection dedicated to nurturing young minds.
The Eagle and the Chickens: A Story Retold(1986): This is a children’s book that retells a traditional African tale about an eagle who grows up among chickens and does not realize his true identity until he meets another eagle. The story teaches a lesson about self-discovery and courage. The book was published by the Ministry of Education, Curriculum Development Unit in Zimbabwe in the 1980s.
African Love Stories: An Anthology (2006): This is an anthology of love stories by African women writers from various countries and backgrounds. The stories celebrate the diversity and complexity of love in Africa, challenging the stereotypes and clichés that often dominate the representation of African romance.
The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has rejected allegations of any procurement violations associated with the allocation of consultancy contracts for the Saltpond decommissioning project.
In response to the allegations, GNPC released a 10-point statement on Friday, clarifying the procurement process for the project.
The Corporation emphasised that a news report by one Thibault Lanchon of the Africa Intelligence media entity, an affiliate of Indigo Publications run by Phillipe Vasset, had misrepresented the facts surrounding the contract awards.
It stated that the Saltpond Field, discovered in 1970 and put into production in October 1978, faced multiple shutdowns due to declining production, eventually leading to a complete shutdown in 2015.
Response
Furthermore, it explained that in response to the decision to decommission the Saltpond Field, the Ghanaian government appointed GNPC to manage the project.
On January 12, 2022, GNPC signed the Saltpond Field Decommissioning Contract with Hans & Co. Oil and Gas Limited, the chosen decommissioning contractor.
GNPC mentioned that, given its limited experience in decommissioning, it sought a project management consultant to ensure quality control and assurance throughout the Saltpond Field Decommissioning Project (SFDP).
According to the statement, GNPC applied for single-source procurement on October 19, 2021, but later canceled the tender based on legal grounds after an internal review.
GNPC said that following a comprehensive review in July 2022, it reapplied to the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) for a project management consultant, this time opting for an open competitive tender method based on PPA’s recommendation.
Interest
It said out of three firms that expressed interest, only two partnerships, Ensol Energy Ghana Limited (Ensol) and TSB Offshore Inc. (TSB) and PAP Energy Limited and Luy Resources, submitted proposals at the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage.
The statement mentioned that after a thorough evaluation of the proposals, GNPC awarded the contract to the Ensol-TSB partnership based on the merit of their tender.
“On March 7, 2023, Ensol notified GNPC of the withdrawal of its partner, TSB, from the project management consultancy contract and proposed a replacement,” the statement said.
“According to Ensol, TSB decided to prioritise other contracts it had over the project management consultancy contract due to the prolonged procurement process from tender submission in October 2022 until contract execution at the end of January 2023.
Nowhere in the communication between GNPC and Ensol is there a suggestion that TSB’s withdrawal was a result of any malpractice by anybody related to GNPC, and as such, anybody suggesting that must provide evidence.
Ensol’s request to replace TSB with another firm is currently going through GNPC’s internal due diligence process.
It is, therefore, false that the PPA objected to Ensol’s proposed new partner”.
GNPC
Addressing another allegation, GNPC said almost 70 per cent of the consultancy work was not completed by GNPC’s technical teams before the project management consultancy contract was awarded.
“It should be noted that the scope of the project managementconsultancy is in three phases: pre-decommissioning, decommissioning and post-decommissioning.
The critical phase covers decommissioning, which is ongoing, and post-decommissioning.
In recognition of the fact that part of the pre-decommissioning had been done at the time of execution of the project management consultancy contract, the final contract price of under three million US dollars (USD 3,000,000.00) was consistent with the change in scope”.
GNPC also reassured the public of its commitment to ensuring the successful execution of the Saltpond Field Decommissioning Project, considering the significant environmental health and safety implications involved.
