Category: General

Three persons who beat up a taxi driver, tied his neck with a rope, and robbed him of his vehicle at Gbawe in Accra have been jailed for 44 years.

Kwabena Bandoh, a car wash attendant, who has been in lawful custody because he had no fixed place of abode, was sentenced to 14 years.

His accomplices Kingsley Adjei, an electrician and Alex Oppong, a dispatch rider, were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each.

The three accused persons were held on charges of Conspiracy to commit crime and robbery.

The three pleaded not guilty but the court presided over by Mr Isaac Addo found them guilty at the end of the trial.

The case presented by Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer is that the complainant James Andoh is a driver residing at Weija SCC while the convicts resided at Circle and Ablekuma, respectively

Prosecution said the complainant was in charge of a Toyota Vitz with registration number GW 5160- 23.

On June 21, 2023, prosecution said at about 12:40 am, the accused persons engaged the service of the complainant
.

Prosecution said the accused persons who were at Odorkor, asked the complainant to take them to Mallam-Gbawe Police Station.

On their way, prosecution said, they reached a Police snap Check point, and they informed the Police that they had a case at the Gbawe Police Station.

Prosecution said a few meters to the Gbawe Police Station, the accused persons asked the complainant to take the right road, but he (complainant) took the left.

The convicts began assaulting the complainant with slippers and tied his neck with a rope and smeared a hot ointment into his eyes.

According to prosecution, a struggle ensued, and the convict pulled the complainant out of the car.

Prosecution said the complainant became unconscious and the convicts succeeded in robbing him of his vehicle.

The court heard that Bandoh drove the car to the Kwame Nkrumah Circle and parked it behind the Ghana Commercial Bank where he was looking for a buyer.

On the same day, the prosecutor said, the complainant reported the matter to the Pol
ice, and he was given a police medical form.

Prosecution said the complainant later led the Police to the crime scene and his pair of slippers was retrieved from the scene.

Police intelligence later indicated that the accused persons were at Circle with the vehicle, offering the car for sale.

Prosecution said some Police officers were dispatched to Circle where Bandoh and Agyei were arrested while they were in the process of selling it.

The prosecutor said in the accused persons’ caution statements, they admitted the offence and indicated that they were three of them robbed the complainant.

On July 1, 2023, the Police arrested Oppong at his hideout.

Prosecution said Bandoh and Agyei identified Oppong as their ‘gang leader.’
Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Irchad Razaaly, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Ghana, says the EU-West Africa Fusion Artists Residency and Expo will promote cultural integration and cross-cultural collaboration.

He said the Expo would showcase the unique fusion of European and West African art, highlighting the rich heritage, cultural diversity, and contemporary trends.

Mr Razaaly said this during a press conference to announce the opening of applications for the EU – West Africa Fusion Artist Residency Expo in Accra.

The Residency expo would bring together musicians, fashion designers and visual artists: painters, photographers, street artists from Ghana, Togo, Benin, and the EU Member States in promotion of the spirit of cultural integration and cross-cultural collaboration.

The EU-West Africa Fusion Artists Residency and Expo is Centered on three thematic areas, Fashion, Music, and Visual Arts with a total amount of EUR 3,000 being awarded to the winning team, comprising a musician, a fashion designer, and a visual artist.

He said, ‘There is no denying that Ghana is one of the countries in the sub-region with a richness of cultural history and it is the goal of the EU to facilitate cross-cultural exchanges and promote Ghanaian, and African culture and heritage in and outside Europe.’

He said through this, the EU-West Africa Fusion Artists Residency and Expo would endeavour to create an enriching platform for cultural exchange and expression, fostering understanding and appreciation of art forms from multiple perspectives.

The Ambassador said for the EU, culture was a key element or area for job creation, stating that they had recognised the central stage that culture was taking in Ghana, especially during yuletides.

Mr Razaaly said the EU was looking at 12 artists in different fields of arts for the beginning to assess how progressive it would be and improve upon it moving forward.

He said interested applicants could submit their applications by Wednesday, 3 January 2024.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr David Kwarteng, Executive Director of the Institute of Nature, and Environmental Conservation (INEC) Ghana, has stressed the need to prioritize the health needs of the people while advocating for climate change actions and other environmental issues.

He said it was important for advocacy groups in climate change to prioritize and tackle the health of the people, especially those in rural communities, while mobilizing to tackle climate change and other related environmental issues.

Interacting with journalists during a free health screening exercise organized by INEC for residents of Kwapanin, near Abofour in the Offinso South District, he said it was important to educate and encourage people in rural communities to undertake regular health screening to help detect and diagnose diseases early for prompt treatment and management.

About 500 residents were screened for sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis ‘B’, malaria, blood pressure, and skin infections, among others and where necessary, medications w
ere provided.

The health professionals also took the opportunity to educate the community members on the need to ensure healthy lifestyles and good eating habits.

Mr. Kwarteng touching on the relevance of the health screening exercise at Kwapanin, said INEC Ghana, had in the last 18 months worked in the community as part of its major environmental and climate change mitigation programmes by planting indigenous trees, whose ecosystems had been broken due to environmental degradation.

It was important to prioritize the well-being of the people – ensuring that they were strong and fit to go about their daily routines and taking issues of the environment seriously.

Mr Kwarteng used the occasion to remind Ghanaians of the alarming rate of environmental degradation, saying climate change was real and the call to action was now.

He called for concerted efforts as citizens, to make positive impacts on the environment which would go a long way to reduce rising health issues posed by climate change effects.

Madam
Felicity Afosaah, a resident of Kwapanin commended the organization for screening the residents.

She said although the community had a community health planning services (CHPS) compound, it was not every ailment that could be reported and rallied for such health screening programmes to be accessible to the locals.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate is seeking to vaccinate 88,315 people against COVID-19, as the nineth National COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign begins on Saturday, December 19 to Wednesday, December 20.

The region, which recorded the second highest cases in Ghana during the peak of the global pandemic is leaving no stone unturned in the impending exercise ahead of the yuletide.

‘Protect Yourself, Protect Your Family, Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19 Now,’ is the theme for the campaign being spearheaded by the Ghana Health Service and its partners across the country.

People of 18 years and above are being targeted in all the 43 districts in the Region during the five-day exercise.

Mobile vaccination teams would move to schools, markets, churches, bus stations and other public places where people converge in their numbers, to vaccinate eligible people.

The public can also visit nearest health facilities and designated vaccination posts to take their jabs.

Dr. Emmanuel Tinkorang, the Regional Director
of Health Services, told the Ghana News Agency that the COVID-19 vaccination was for protection and not treatment and urge Ghanaians to get vaccinated while they were healthy.

He said though the cases had reduced drastically, the virus was still around and stressed the need for people to protect themselves and their families by participating in the exercise.

The Regional Director encouraged those who had already received the vaccine to talk to their health providers on the need for a booster dose.

He underlined the need for people to continue observing the COVID-19 prevention protocols, especially frequent hand washing under running water and usage of alcohol-based hand sanitisers.

‘If you feel anything unusual after the vaccination, report to the nearest health facility,’ he advised.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, has called on the business community to partner with the judiciary in its digitalisation drive to enhance justice delivery.

She said the businesses could support the promotion of virtual hearings in courts across the country to ensure that parties in dispute could participate in proceedings without necessarily travelling to be at the trial.

She explained that the Constitutional Instrument (CI) 87, which amended the High Court Civil Procedure Rules, made room for hearings to be conducted electronically via video link.

This, she said, could save cost and time.

The Chief Justice was speaking at the 12th edition of the Association of Ghana Industry (AGI) Industry and Quality awards.

It was on the theme: ‘Promoting local production in an ever changing business climate.’

She urged businesses and chambers of commerce and industry to consider adopting regions, districts and different levels of court to provide line items such as e-auction platforms and e-signature
for easy delivery of court proceedings and virtual hearing.

‘Unfortunately, the Judiciary does not have enough facilities to make the option of virtual hearings available in all the 430 courts around the country,’ the Chief Justice said.

In all, 27 individuals and companies were recognised for their excellent performances with KEDA Ghana Ceramics Company Ltd winning the Overall Best Industrial Company of the Year award and GB Food grabbing the Overall Best National Quality Company of the Year.

The Ghana Enterprise Agency, GIZ Ghana, and the European Union were given honorary awards.

Chief Justice Torkornoo said efforts had been made to deal with the long time it took to settle trade and commercial disputes through the setting up of the Commercial Courts to exclusively deal with such cases.

There are also opportunities for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for all commercial disputes.

Mr K.T. Hammond, the Minister of Trade and Industry, said the country’s economy would not improve with the unbridled a
ppetite for imports.

It was in this context that, he said, a decision was taken to restrict some of the imports to save the country’s economy.

For his part, the President of AGI, Dr Humphrey Ayim-Darke, said the Association supported deliberate policies to restrict the importation of items in which the country had local production capacity.

‘AGI will continue to dialogue with government to develop targeted policy interventions that will enable businesses to increase production to meet both local and export demands,’ he said.

He said local production was a catalyst for job creation and economic growth with rippling effects on society, opportunities and shared prosperity for all.

‘I wish to reiterate that local production is a necessity. It is a strategic path to resilience, prosperity, and sustainability in our ever-changing business climate,’

Dr Ayim-Darke urged policymakers to create favourable conditions for local businesses through the provision of incentives, grants and supportive regulations.
Sourc
e: Ghana News Agency

Dr. Donald Agumenu, a leadership and governance expert, says the proposed 24-hour economy by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has the potential to revolutionise key sectors of Ghana’s economy.

He said the proposed policy presented opportunity for the country to position itself as the gateway to West Africa and a global economic force and called for support for it.

Dr. Agumenu, who is also a Global Advisor, American Academy of Project Management, said with Ghana hosting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), such a policy was timely to open the country up for rapid socioeconomic growth.

He said key sectors that could be revolutionised were mining, tourism, and allied services.

The Governance Expert said the use of advanced digital technologies for efficient extraction, processing, and prudent management of mineral resources under the policy, was commendable.

That, he said, would ensure responsible and sustainable mining practices and community development.

Dr. Agumenu said in the touris
m sector, the policy would revive the country’s night life and economy and create jobs for people in the sector.

He said the different components of night-time economies such as night markets, electricity and energy schemes, and the essential security architecture to ensure safety and business continuity, would provide job possibilities in the tourism and hospitality industries.

Dr Agumenu said there would be job opportunities for chefs, servers, bartenders, waiters, and many others.

He said people in the entertainment industry and allied services, especially those who worked outside the 0800 to 1700 hours schedule, would also witness a turnaround in the sector.

According to him, the implementation of the 24-hour economy, powered by digital transformation and innovation, could transform the fortunes of the country and enhance the living condition of the citizenry.

The flagbearer of the NDC, Mr John Dramani Mahama, proposed the 24-hour economy during an engagement at the ninth Ghana Chief Executive Busine
ss Cocktail.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Chief Justice Getrude Torkorno has described the late Anthony Akoto Ampaw, as the ‘heart of the community,’ one who impacted social thinking and social dynamism.

Eulogising the astute lawyer and human rights activist, she said she had ‘a personal benefit’ of knowing the multi-dimensional personality for many years in the law profession and other circles.

‘As a lawyer in the court room, his processes were always well-researched, well-articulated and relevant. His work had absolute integrity and his citations could be relied on.

‘I believe I speak for all of us when I say ‘Sheey Sheey’ impacted social thinking, social conscience, and social dynamism by his sheer intellectual exertions.

‘We share the sorrow of his family because we have all been affected and we know we will continue to be affected because he had so much to give,’ she said at a remembrance event at the National Theatre in Accra.

The late Akoto Ampaw, nicknamed ‘Sheey Sheey,’ would be laid buried this weekend after final funeral rites are pe
rformed at the forecourt of the State House in Accra,

Chief Justice Torkonoo, who joined family, friends, colleagues at the bar and members of Civil Society Organisations at the event, prayed for the repose of his soul.

Dignitaries from diverse backgrounds took turns paying glowing tribute to the renowned practitioner who made significant contributions within and beyond the legal profession.

Dubbed an evening of Reminiscences, Testimonies, Tribute, and Performances, the audience were engaged with soothing rhythms by the Winneba Youth Choir, poetry by Nana Asaase, an invocation by Prof Kofi Anyidoho and the National Dance Company.

The remembrance event was organised jointly by Star Ghana Foundation, CCD Ghana, National Media Commission, Ghana Integrity Initiative, Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), the Ghana Bar Association, and other supporting organisations.

Ms Princess Fatiah Nkrumah, a relative, said Mr Ampaw had a heart of compassion and was an embodiment of ‘strength and discipline.’

‘He neve
r hesitated to give us advice… In his workaholic life, he still found time to celebrate with us. It was in our darkest hours that his love shined brightest.

‘He had a rare gift of making everyone feel valued regardless of their age,’ she stated, adding the late Akoto Ampaw’s legacy will live in the family and in the lives of everyone he interacted with.

Mr Kwesi Pratt, Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, stated it was ‘impossible to say goodbye’ to Mr Ampaw as he ‘planted so many human seeds’ in different fields of endeavour.

He recalled various exploits of Mr Ampaw as a political activist and many other initiatives he took in recruiting the leadership of the Movement for Freedom and Justice in the 1980s.

Mr Pratt praised the hard work of Mr Ampaw and his pursuit for knowledge even during incarceration at the Tamale prison.

‘He was the engine of the Alliance for Change. He wrote more than 90 percent of the statements issued, including those read by Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo. He worked so hard to
keep the moment going.’

‘He [Ampaw] was an amazing character; he loved to read anything and everything. He was not afraid of prison; he saw prison as an opportunity to improve his knowledge and skills in French and felt disturbed that the authorities who had detained him were in a hurry to release him,’ Mr Pratt stated.

Prof Kwame Karikari, Executive Director, MFWA, said Mr Ampaw’s life would ‘inspire those he left behind to pursue the noble cause he lived for.’

The leadership of Star Ghana, Trades Union Congress (TUC), Right to Information Coalition (RTI), all hailed Mr Ampaw’s contributions and impact on their activities over the years, as well pro-bono services he rendered during his practice.

Mr Suleiman Brimah, Executive Director MFWA, commended Mr Ampaw’s role in the establishment of the organisation, describing the lawyer’s passing as a loss to the media fraternity, as he defended many media practitioners in various instances.

In attendance were Mr Yaw Graham, Coordinator, Third World Network Afri
ca, Justice Emile Short, Former Commissioner of CHRAJ, Mr Samuel Awuku Okudzeto, Member of the Council of State, Prof Akilapa Sawyer, Ms Ndey Tapha Sosseh, Former President of The Gambia Press Union, colleagues from the Akufo-Addo, Prempeh and Co Chambers, and other prominent figures and associates of the deceased.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Gaylord Agbedor, a 40-year-old farmer at Agornu-Kporkplorte in the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region has been shot dead by some unknown gunmen.

The incident, according to residents in the area, revealed that the move was allegedly championed by some herdsmen who saw the lifeless body of a cow around the deceased farm.

Mr Kennedy Biedo, the assembly member for the area, in an interaction with the Ghana News Agency, said the suspected perpetrators of the crime were later apprehended in their various hideouts by the Akatsi Police upon tip-off.

‘He was allegedly killed by the suspects who are currently under investigation by the Akatsi South Police.’

Mr Biedo stated that the suspect, Kofi Hushie from Zemu Etrorkope and one other, allegedly shot the deceased in his farm.

Mr Biedo in his further narration, explained that the act could be attributed to the circumstances leading to the death of their cattle.

He urged the residents to remain calm since the matter was under police investigation.

The
Police at Akatsi have since confirmed the incident to the GNA.

The suspects are currently in police custody to assist in investigations, whilst the deceased has been deposited at the St. Paul’s Hospital Morgue at Akatsi awaiting autopsy.

The deceased left behind two children and a wife.
Source: Ghana News Agency