Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Nkawkaw
A 26-year-old armed robber suspected to have masterminded several robberies in a number of houses in Nkawkaw and its surrounding communities has been arrested by the Nkawkaw police.
The suspect, Gilbert Kissi, alias Short Man, who was said to have led different gangs of robbers not only to rob households but also assault and rape their victims, was arrested, together with his girlfriend, at his hideout at Madina in Accra at 12.30 p.m. on January 19, 2008.
The suspect, who was on the police wanted list in Nkawkaw and Accra, was, at the time of his arrest, in possession of a number of stolen items such as jewellery, mobile phones, a DVD player and a pair of shoes.
He was said to have told the police that he had stolen the items from one of his victims, a pastor, in Nkawkaw.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Nkawkaw, the Nkawkaw Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Paul Awini, said the suspect was the architect of two robberies in two houses in Nkawkaw on December 30, last year, during which the gangsters made away with GH¢1,570 and other valuables.
He said although three of Kissi’s accomplices were arrested through the vigilance of one of the victims who alerted a police patrol team in Nkawkaw, Kissi himself managed to escape.
Chief Supt Awini said on December 4, last year, Kissi also led a four-member gang of armed robbers to rob one Rev Ohene Akuffo of the Nkawkaw branch of the International Central Gospel Church and made away with jewellery, a DVD player, pairs of shoes and travelling bags which were later identified by the reverend minister as those stolen from his house.
The Divisional Police Commander said Kissi’s arrest was made possible through a close collaboration between the Nkawkaw police and their counterparts at the Accra Central Police Station, with support from an informant.
Meanwhile, the suspect has been placed in police custody pending further investigations into the matter.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
FARMER IN CUSTODY FOR KILLING WIFE (Page 34)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
A 35-year-old farmer, Kofi Opata, who allegedly killed his wife by hitting her head with a pestle at Odomatta, a village near Asesewa in the Eastern Region, has been remanded in police custody by the Koforidua Circuit.
The accused, who was living with his wife, Agbamey Ayeshetu Tetteh, and their only child in the same house, was said to have struck the head of the woman several times on January 1, this year, until she died.
Opata's plea was not taken and the court, presided over by Mr Robert Adjei Gyan, adjourned the case to January 28, this year.
Presenting the facts of the case to the court, the prosecutor, ASP Theophilus Nyandu, said about 9 a.m. on January 1, 2008, a quarrel ensued between Opata and the wife, during which the suspect took a pestle and hit the head of the deceased several times until she died.
According to the prosecutor, neighbours reported the incident to the police, who went to the scene and found the deceased lying in a pool of blood, after which the accused was arrested.
He prayed the court to remand the accused in custody to enable the police to carry out further investigations into the matter.
A 35-year-old farmer, Kofi Opata, who allegedly killed his wife by hitting her head with a pestle at Odomatta, a village near Asesewa in the Eastern Region, has been remanded in police custody by the Koforidua Circuit.
The accused, who was living with his wife, Agbamey Ayeshetu Tetteh, and their only child in the same house, was said to have struck the head of the woman several times on January 1, this year, until she died.
Opata's plea was not taken and the court, presided over by Mr Robert Adjei Gyan, adjourned the case to January 28, this year.
Presenting the facts of the case to the court, the prosecutor, ASP Theophilus Nyandu, said about 9 a.m. on January 1, 2008, a quarrel ensued between Opata and the wife, during which the suspect took a pestle and hit the head of the deceased several times until she died.
According to the prosecutor, neighbours reported the incident to the police, who went to the scene and found the deceased lying in a pool of blood, after which the accused was arrested.
He prayed the court to remand the accused in custody to enable the police to carry out further investigations into the matter.
HELP CURB CHIEFTAINCY DISPUTES — ASIEDU ...(Page 11)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Mamfe-Akuapem
PRESIDENT John Agyekum Kufuor last Saturday joined the chiefs and people of Mamfe-Akuapem in the Eastern Region in a grand durbar to climax their Ohum Festival, during which an appeal was made to king makers to help curb chieftaincy disputes in the region.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, who made the call, said although chiefs played an important role in the country's socio-economic development, it was unfortunate that the chieftaincy institution in the region had been plagued with disputes.
That development, together with land disputes, he said, posed a serious threat to development in the region and the country.
The event was on the theme, "The Chieftaincy Institution: A Partnership With National Development". The occasion was also used to climax the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the installation of Osabarima Ansah Sasraku as the Chief of Mamfe.
It was attended by dignitaries, including Mr Samson Kwaku Boafo, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture; Mr Samuel Owusu, the Minister of Public Sector Reforms; Mr Edward Adu Aboagye, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Akuapem North, and Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, the flag bearer of the Convention People's Party (CPP).
The regional minister said the chieftaincy institution had, since the colonial era, been a big partner in national development, as it was used as the pivot or channel for policy dissemination and implementation, as well as in the administration of the country, especially at the local level.
"Chiefs, apart from being custodians of our traditions and values, are the embodiment of the communities and, therefore, act as unifying forces for development, peace and unity," Mr Affram Asiedu said.
He said it was in recognition of the important role chiefs played in the country that the government set up the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture, the houses of chiefs, among others, to empower chiefs to play their roles in national development more effectively.
He, however, expressed deep worry over the high number of chieftaincy and land disputes, which he said posed a serious threat to the socio-economic development of the region in particular and the country as a whole.
"Litigation, in whatever form, wastes time, money and other resources which could alternatively be used to develop the communities. It also leads to enmity among ourselves," he said.
Mr Affram Asiedu, therefore, appealed to king makers in the region to nip issues that had the potential to generate into chieftaincy disputes in the bud.
The regional minister also expressed his displeasure at indiscipline in society, particularly with regard to the poor attitude towards the environment, immorality, abuse of traffic regulations, rioting by the youth and instant justice meted out to suspected criminals.
He, therefore, called on chiefs to join hands in the fight against those social evils to make society safe for all.
He also mentioned road rehabilitation, especially the Pantang-Mamfe road, and other projects in the educational, health, water and sanitation sectors, as some of the achievements of the government in the area.
For his part, Mr Boafo said since the relevance of the chieftaincy institution in the country's development could not be underestimated, it was time the institution "rid itself of archaic customs which retard progress to enable it to contribute effectively to the country's development aspirations".
To that end, he stressed the need for chiefs to be encouraged to explore funding to enable them to set up educational scholarships and carry out development projects to augment the government’s development process.
He called on the people, especially the youth, not to allow themselves to be manipulated by politicians to engage in violence for their selfish gain.
In his welcoming address, Osabarima Ansah Sasraku III, who dwelt extensively on the crucial role of chiefs in national development and the settling of disputes in society, expressed concern about the inability of chiefs to be involved in the day-to-day administration of their communities.
Osabarima Sasraku, who is also the Kyidomhene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, said since the role of the chieftaincy institution in the development process and governance of the country was ill-defined, it had severely limited the ability of chiefs to be effective leaders in terms of development in their respective communities and the country as a whole.
He, therefore, called for a review of the Chieftaincy Act to make room for the development of the leadership potential of chiefs, who should be seen as public officers to be held accountable and be given an appropriate role to become effective development agents in the country's decentralisation process.
Present at the ceremony were the Krontihene of Akuapem, Osahene Offei Kwasi Agyeman, the Nkosuohene of Asanteman, Nana Owusu Banahene, who chaired at the occasion, and the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Felix Asare-Darko.
PRESIDENT John Agyekum Kufuor last Saturday joined the chiefs and people of Mamfe-Akuapem in the Eastern Region in a grand durbar to climax their Ohum Festival, during which an appeal was made to king makers to help curb chieftaincy disputes in the region.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, who made the call, said although chiefs played an important role in the country's socio-economic development, it was unfortunate that the chieftaincy institution in the region had been plagued with disputes.
That development, together with land disputes, he said, posed a serious threat to development in the region and the country.
The event was on the theme, "The Chieftaincy Institution: A Partnership With National Development". The occasion was also used to climax the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the installation of Osabarima Ansah Sasraku as the Chief of Mamfe.
It was attended by dignitaries, including Mr Samson Kwaku Boafo, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture; Mr Samuel Owusu, the Minister of Public Sector Reforms; Mr Edward Adu Aboagye, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Akuapem North, and Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, the flag bearer of the Convention People's Party (CPP).
The regional minister said the chieftaincy institution had, since the colonial era, been a big partner in national development, as it was used as the pivot or channel for policy dissemination and implementation, as well as in the administration of the country, especially at the local level.
"Chiefs, apart from being custodians of our traditions and values, are the embodiment of the communities and, therefore, act as unifying forces for development, peace and unity," Mr Affram Asiedu said.
He said it was in recognition of the important role chiefs played in the country that the government set up the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture, the houses of chiefs, among others, to empower chiefs to play their roles in national development more effectively.
He, however, expressed deep worry over the high number of chieftaincy and land disputes, which he said posed a serious threat to the socio-economic development of the region in particular and the country as a whole.
"Litigation, in whatever form, wastes time, money and other resources which could alternatively be used to develop the communities. It also leads to enmity among ourselves," he said.
Mr Affram Asiedu, therefore, appealed to king makers in the region to nip issues that had the potential to generate into chieftaincy disputes in the bud.
The regional minister also expressed his displeasure at indiscipline in society, particularly with regard to the poor attitude towards the environment, immorality, abuse of traffic regulations, rioting by the youth and instant justice meted out to suspected criminals.
He, therefore, called on chiefs to join hands in the fight against those social evils to make society safe for all.
He also mentioned road rehabilitation, especially the Pantang-Mamfe road, and other projects in the educational, health, water and sanitation sectors, as some of the achievements of the government in the area.
For his part, Mr Boafo said since the relevance of the chieftaincy institution in the country's development could not be underestimated, it was time the institution "rid itself of archaic customs which retard progress to enable it to contribute effectively to the country's development aspirations".
To that end, he stressed the need for chiefs to be encouraged to explore funding to enable them to set up educational scholarships and carry out development projects to augment the government’s development process.
He called on the people, especially the youth, not to allow themselves to be manipulated by politicians to engage in violence for their selfish gain.
In his welcoming address, Osabarima Ansah Sasraku III, who dwelt extensively on the crucial role of chiefs in national development and the settling of disputes in society, expressed concern about the inability of chiefs to be involved in the day-to-day administration of their communities.
Osabarima Sasraku, who is also the Kyidomhene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, said since the role of the chieftaincy institution in the development process and governance of the country was ill-defined, it had severely limited the ability of chiefs to be effective leaders in terms of development in their respective communities and the country as a whole.
He, therefore, called for a review of the Chieftaincy Act to make room for the development of the leadership potential of chiefs, who should be seen as public officers to be held accountable and be given an appropriate role to become effective development agents in the country's decentralisation process.
Present at the ceremony were the Krontihene of Akuapem, Osahene Offei Kwasi Agyeman, the Nkosuohene of Asanteman, Nana Owusu Banahene, who chaired at the occasion, and the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Felix Asare-Darko.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
TAXI DRIVERS SENTENCED 16 YEARS EACH (MIRROR, PAGE 23)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Nkawkaw
TWO TAXI drivers who stole two taxi cabs belonging to their colleague taxi drivers at Nkawkaw have been sentenced to 16 years' imprisonment each with hard labour by the Mpraeso Circuit Court.
The convicts, Yaw Antwi, alias Sammy, 25, a native of Pepease and Yaw Wiafe, 20, from Obomeng, were said to have gone to the houses of Michael Osei and Alex Ayim-Adu both at Domeabrah, suburb of Nkawkaw on January 2 and 4 and stolen two Daewoo Tico taxi cabs belonging to them.
They were said to have removed the back seat of Ayim-Adu's vehicle and abandoned it at the outskirts of Nkawkaw while Osei's vehicle was found parked at Wiafe's house at Aburi.
The two pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit crime and stealing in the case involving the theft of Osei's vehicle and were sentenced to eight years' imprisonment on their own pleas.
They however pleaded innocent to similar charges involving Ayim-Adu's car theft but were found guilty based on sufficient evidence adduced to implicate them and sentenced to another eight year's imprisonment.
Briefing the Daily Graphic at Nkawkaw yesterday (21/01), the Nkawkaw Police District Commander, DSP Thomas Osei said on January 4, 2008, Michael Osei, the first complainant reported to the Nkawkaw Police that his taxi cab Tico Daewoo with registration number GE 242V, which was parked in his house could not be found stolen when he woke up in the morning.
DSP Osei said the complainant suspected the convicts as those who might have stolen his car, which he used the previous day after which he led the police to Antwi’s house at Nkawkaw where the convicts were arrested.
He said when the police conducted a search in the bedroom of Antwi, two car seats which were hidden under the bed were retrieved but the convicts, who claimed ownership of the items, told the police that they purchased the seats from somebody, whom they could not name.
While investigations were underway, Alex Ayim-Adu heard of the arrest of the two and came to the police station to identify the car seats as that of his stolen taxi cab.
According to the Nkawkaw District Commander, in the course of investigations, both Antwi and Wiafe admitted to stealing Osei's vehicle which according to them was driven to Wiafe's house at Aburi, where it was retrieved by the police.
They however denied ever stealing the taxi cab belonging to Ayim-Adu.
TWO TAXI drivers who stole two taxi cabs belonging to their colleague taxi drivers at Nkawkaw have been sentenced to 16 years' imprisonment each with hard labour by the Mpraeso Circuit Court.
The convicts, Yaw Antwi, alias Sammy, 25, a native of Pepease and Yaw Wiafe, 20, from Obomeng, were said to have gone to the houses of Michael Osei and Alex Ayim-Adu both at Domeabrah, suburb of Nkawkaw on January 2 and 4 and stolen two Daewoo Tico taxi cabs belonging to them.
They were said to have removed the back seat of Ayim-Adu's vehicle and abandoned it at the outskirts of Nkawkaw while Osei's vehicle was found parked at Wiafe's house at Aburi.
The two pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit crime and stealing in the case involving the theft of Osei's vehicle and were sentenced to eight years' imprisonment on their own pleas.
They however pleaded innocent to similar charges involving Ayim-Adu's car theft but were found guilty based on sufficient evidence adduced to implicate them and sentenced to another eight year's imprisonment.
Briefing the Daily Graphic at Nkawkaw yesterday (21/01), the Nkawkaw Police District Commander, DSP Thomas Osei said on January 4, 2008, Michael Osei, the first complainant reported to the Nkawkaw Police that his taxi cab Tico Daewoo with registration number GE 242V, which was parked in his house could not be found stolen when he woke up in the morning.
DSP Osei said the complainant suspected the convicts as those who might have stolen his car, which he used the previous day after which he led the police to Antwi’s house at Nkawkaw where the convicts were arrested.
He said when the police conducted a search in the bedroom of Antwi, two car seats which were hidden under the bed were retrieved but the convicts, who claimed ownership of the items, told the police that they purchased the seats from somebody, whom they could not name.
While investigations were underway, Alex Ayim-Adu heard of the arrest of the two and came to the police station to identify the car seats as that of his stolen taxi cab.
According to the Nkawkaw District Commander, in the course of investigations, both Antwi and Wiafe admitted to stealing Osei's vehicle which according to them was driven to Wiafe's house at Aburi, where it was retrieved by the police.
They however denied ever stealing the taxi cab belonging to Ayim-Adu.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
AVOID CHILD LABOUR ON COCOA FARMS ...(Page 20)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
THE Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, has advised cocoa farmers against the use of child labour on their farms.
Mr Asamoah said since cocoa farming was labour-intensive, the farmers should rely on adults for such services, instead of children.
He said that would not only enhance the country’s image on the international scene, but also boost the sale of its cocoa on the international market to improve the country's economy.
Mr Asamoah made the call at this year’s Eastern Regional Best Cocoa and Workers' Day celebration at Suhum.
He said “we are not against your children helping you on your farms occasionally, but child labour on cocoa farms, at the expense of their education and other rights, are unacceptable and frowned upon at the international level”.
The event, which was organised by the Produce Buying Company (PBC) on the theme: “The PBC and the Farmer—A Better Future,” was used to honour 94 cocoa farmers and staff of the PBC.
Mr Abraham Adusei was adjudged the overall best cocoa farmer in the region.
The award winners were given items such as Wellington boots, cooking utensils, cutlasses and Ghana@50 cloths.
Mr Asamoah stated that since cocoa played an important role in the country’s economy, especially in foreign exchange earning, employment generation and infrastructural development, the government, through the PBC, decided to set aside a special day to reward cocoa farmers in the country.
He said the government would continue to support cocoa farmers through the payment of better prices and bonuses, free spraying of cocoa farms and other initiatives to boost production.
“I wish to advise that while you continue to take good care of your farms, you should also take good care of your children’s education to enable them to become responsible adults and assume high positions in the future,” Mr Asamoah stressed.
He urged cocoa farmers to take full advantage of the various interventions by the government in the education sector such as the Cocoa Board Scholarship Scheme, the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme to educate their children.
In an address read on his behalf, the Managing Director of the PBC, Mr Anthony Osei Boakye, said the award scheme, which was set up seven years ago, was to reward hardworking cocoa farmers who were contributing tremendously to the growth of the country’s economy.
THE Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, has advised cocoa farmers against the use of child labour on their farms.
Mr Asamoah said since cocoa farming was labour-intensive, the farmers should rely on adults for such services, instead of children.
He said that would not only enhance the country’s image on the international scene, but also boost the sale of its cocoa on the international market to improve the country's economy.
Mr Asamoah made the call at this year’s Eastern Regional Best Cocoa and Workers' Day celebration at Suhum.
He said “we are not against your children helping you on your farms occasionally, but child labour on cocoa farms, at the expense of their education and other rights, are unacceptable and frowned upon at the international level”.
The event, which was organised by the Produce Buying Company (PBC) on the theme: “The PBC and the Farmer—A Better Future,” was used to honour 94 cocoa farmers and staff of the PBC.
Mr Abraham Adusei was adjudged the overall best cocoa farmer in the region.
The award winners were given items such as Wellington boots, cooking utensils, cutlasses and Ghana@50 cloths.
Mr Asamoah stated that since cocoa played an important role in the country’s economy, especially in foreign exchange earning, employment generation and infrastructural development, the government, through the PBC, decided to set aside a special day to reward cocoa farmers in the country.
He said the government would continue to support cocoa farmers through the payment of better prices and bonuses, free spraying of cocoa farms and other initiatives to boost production.
“I wish to advise that while you continue to take good care of your farms, you should also take good care of your children’s education to enable them to become responsible adults and assume high positions in the future,” Mr Asamoah stressed.
He urged cocoa farmers to take full advantage of the various interventions by the government in the education sector such as the Cocoa Board Scholarship Scheme, the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme to educate their children.
In an address read on his behalf, the Managing Director of the PBC, Mr Anthony Osei Boakye, said the award scheme, which was set up seven years ago, was to reward hardworking cocoa farmers who were contributing tremendously to the growth of the country’s economy.
NEW JUABEN NHIS MAKES PROGRESS ...(Page 20)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
The New Juaben Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (NJMHIS) has increased registration of its members.
The sheme has so far registered 94,964 persons.
The figure represents 70 per cent of the municipality's population of 136,768.
The Board Chairman of the scheme, Nana Kwame Oppong III, who made this known at the scheme’s second annual general meeting at Koforidua, said as of November 30,2007 the scheme had collected GH¢524,000 as premium and paid bills of approximately GH¢180,000 to the various designated health facilities.
According to the Board Chairman, the scheme received GH¢2.31 million support from the National Health Insurance Council (NHIC) to supplement payment of claims for those exempted from paying premium and to cater for administrative expenses.
Nana Kwame Oppong expressed appreciation to the NHIC for providing the scheme with one Toyota Pick-up and a motorbike, which he said had enhanced the mobility of the scheme's staff. He also thanked DANIDA and the New Juaben Municipal Assembly for their support.
The Board Chairman, who is also the chief of Jumapo, mentioned poor conditions of service for the management and staff, frivolous use of service by clients at the various designated health facilities and low staff strength as some of the challenges facing the scheme and called on stakeholders to help address such issues.
The Executive Secretary of the NHIC, Mr Ras Boateng, said the scheme, which had achieved a 50 per cent coverage in 143 districts across the country and was instituted as one of the key pillars to reducing poverty in the country, had 62 per cent of its members accessing free healthcare services.
He noted that although the rate at which the people were registering with the scheme and accessing healthcare services were encouraging, it had posed a serious challenge to the NHIC, since it had to pay huge bills of approximately GH¢32.4 million to schemes in the districts for the settlement of their indebtedness.
Mr Boateng said as part of efforts to address such challenges, a 15-member council had been inaugurated to oversee the smooth and efficient operation of the scheme, adding that zonal offices, which would serve as links between the council and the district mutual insurance schemes, had been established to monitor their operations.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram- Asiedu, expressed satisfaction with the rate at which people in the region were registering with the scheme, adding that as of September this year 1,060,970, representing 58 per cent of the region's population of 2,106,696, had registered while a total premium of GH¢2.67 million had also been collected.
To sustain the scheme, he advised the various service providers to charge realistic fees in order not to jeopardise its sustainability.
He commended the management of the various schemes, health providers and premium collectors for contributing immensely to the success of the scheme in the region.
The New Juaben Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (NJMHIS) has increased registration of its members.
The sheme has so far registered 94,964 persons.
The figure represents 70 per cent of the municipality's population of 136,768.
The Board Chairman of the scheme, Nana Kwame Oppong III, who made this known at the scheme’s second annual general meeting at Koforidua, said as of November 30,2007 the scheme had collected GH¢524,000 as premium and paid bills of approximately GH¢180,000 to the various designated health facilities.
According to the Board Chairman, the scheme received GH¢2.31 million support from the National Health Insurance Council (NHIC) to supplement payment of claims for those exempted from paying premium and to cater for administrative expenses.
Nana Kwame Oppong expressed appreciation to the NHIC for providing the scheme with one Toyota Pick-up and a motorbike, which he said had enhanced the mobility of the scheme's staff. He also thanked DANIDA and the New Juaben Municipal Assembly for their support.
The Board Chairman, who is also the chief of Jumapo, mentioned poor conditions of service for the management and staff, frivolous use of service by clients at the various designated health facilities and low staff strength as some of the challenges facing the scheme and called on stakeholders to help address such issues.
The Executive Secretary of the NHIC, Mr Ras Boateng, said the scheme, which had achieved a 50 per cent coverage in 143 districts across the country and was instituted as one of the key pillars to reducing poverty in the country, had 62 per cent of its members accessing free healthcare services.
He noted that although the rate at which the people were registering with the scheme and accessing healthcare services were encouraging, it had posed a serious challenge to the NHIC, since it had to pay huge bills of approximately GH¢32.4 million to schemes in the districts for the settlement of their indebtedness.
Mr Boateng said as part of efforts to address such challenges, a 15-member council had been inaugurated to oversee the smooth and efficient operation of the scheme, adding that zonal offices, which would serve as links between the council and the district mutual insurance schemes, had been established to monitor their operations.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram- Asiedu, expressed satisfaction with the rate at which people in the region were registering with the scheme, adding that as of September this year 1,060,970, representing 58 per cent of the region's population of 2,106,696, had registered while a total premium of GH¢2.67 million had also been collected.
To sustain the scheme, he advised the various service providers to charge realistic fees in order not to jeopardise its sustainability.
He commended the management of the various schemes, health providers and premium collectors for contributing immensely to the success of the scheme in the region.
Monday, January 21, 2008
2 PORTERS JAILED FOR THEFT (Page 16)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
TWO young porters who outwitted their Lebanese employer and stole GH¢5,000 belonging to him have been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment each with hard labour by a Koforidua circuit court.
The convicts, Kwasi Ayembi, 21, and Michael Ayari, 22, were said to have hidden another porter, Kofi Dada, 21, currently on the run, under a table in the shop of their employer who, unknowingly, locked up the shop at the close of the day and went home.
Dada then managed to break the safe and stole the money.
The convicts, who were charged with conspiracy to steal, unlawful entry and stealing, pleaded guilty to the charges and were sentenced on their own pleas.
Presenting the facts of the case, ASP Theophilus Nyandu told the court, presided over by Mr Robert Adjei Gyan, that on December 19, 2007, the complainant, Mr Ali Khawajale, the Lebanese employer, reported to the police that his shop, which contained assorted food items, had been broken into by some people who made away with GH¢5,000.
According to ASP Nyandu, Mr Khawajale said after close of work on December 18, last year, he locked up the shop and went home but when he opened it the following day, he detected the loss of the money and suspected the two convicts, Ayembi and Ayari, to be the people who might have broken into the store.
The prosecutor related that the police immediately caused the arrest of the two convicts and when a search was conducted in their room, the police retrieved GH¢580.
In their caution statement, according to ASP Nyandu, Ayembi and Ayari said that Dada was made to hide under a table in the shop after close of work on December 18, last year, thereby enabling him to have access to the safe from which he stole the GH¢5,000.
Passing sentence, the court was of the view that the action of the convicts could have severely undermined the ability of their employer to raise sufficient money to pay the salaries of other employees of his enterprise.
TWO young porters who outwitted their Lebanese employer and stole GH¢5,000 belonging to him have been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment each with hard labour by a Koforidua circuit court.
The convicts, Kwasi Ayembi, 21, and Michael Ayari, 22, were said to have hidden another porter, Kofi Dada, 21, currently on the run, under a table in the shop of their employer who, unknowingly, locked up the shop at the close of the day and went home.
Dada then managed to break the safe and stole the money.
The convicts, who were charged with conspiracy to steal, unlawful entry and stealing, pleaded guilty to the charges and were sentenced on their own pleas.
Presenting the facts of the case, ASP Theophilus Nyandu told the court, presided over by Mr Robert Adjei Gyan, that on December 19, 2007, the complainant, Mr Ali Khawajale, the Lebanese employer, reported to the police that his shop, which contained assorted food items, had been broken into by some people who made away with GH¢5,000.
According to ASP Nyandu, Mr Khawajale said after close of work on December 18, last year, he locked up the shop and went home but when he opened it the following day, he detected the loss of the money and suspected the two convicts, Ayembi and Ayari, to be the people who might have broken into the store.
The prosecutor related that the police immediately caused the arrest of the two convicts and when a search was conducted in their room, the police retrieved GH¢580.
In their caution statement, according to ASP Nyandu, Ayembi and Ayari said that Dada was made to hide under a table in the shop after close of work on December 18, last year, thereby enabling him to have access to the safe from which he stole the GH¢5,000.
Passing sentence, the court was of the view that the action of the convicts could have severely undermined the ability of their employer to raise sufficient money to pay the salaries of other employees of his enterprise.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
POLICE SHOOT GALAMSEY OPERATOR (Page 20)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Nkawkaw
A 25-year-old galamsey miner who allegedly attempted to attack policemen detailed to arrest him for threatening to kill his mother and set their family house ablaze at Amoa, a village near Nkawkaw, sustained injuries when the police fired at him.
The suspect, Aziz Kwame Asante, is currently on admission at the Koforidua Central Hospital receiving treatment under police guard.
Asante was said to have chased his 72-year-old mother, Afia Manu, a farmer, out of their house at Amoa with a machete, and attempted to attack the police with the weapon after he had refused to hand it over to the police when ordered to do so.
Asante, brandishing the machete, rather advanced towards the peace officers, compelling them to fire at his knees.
Briefing the Daily Graphic at Nkawkaw on Wednesday, the Nkawkaw Police District Commander, DSP Thomas Osei, said on January 6, this year, at about 11.30 am, Afia Manu reported to the Amoanapraso Police Station, near Nkawkaw, that her son, Asante, who had threatened to kill her and set their house ablaze, had chased her out of the house with a machete.
DSP Osei said Afia Manu led two policemen, armed with AK47, to the house and met Asante wielding a machete but when he was ordered to drop it, he refused and rather advanced towards them after a warning shot had been fired.
According to the District Police Commander, the peace officers had no other option than to fire at his knees, causing him to fall down before being arrested.
He said Asante sustained injuries and was first sent to the Holy Family Hospital, Nkawkaw, and later transferred to the Koforidua Central Hospital for further treatment.
DSP Osei said in his caution statement, Asante told the police that he had over the years been having dreams in which the mother had been flirting with him, a situation he blamed to be the cause of his inability to get married.
According to the suspect, on January 5, this year, he once again had the dream and while he was pondering over what could be the cause of the dreams, the mother approached him and gave him GH¢1 but he refused to accept it because the mother had never offered him anything like that before.
The District Police Commander said Asante then left the family house to collect two tubers of yam to cook at a friend’s house.
While the yam was on fire, DSP Osei said, the mother rushed to Sammy’s house and attempted to carry the boiling food away but was prevented from doing so by Sammy after which the mother left for her house.
The District Police Commander stated that Asante then told the mother that she had no right to eject him from his late father’s house and threatened to kill her and set the house ablaze.
True to this words, Asante set fire to an oiled rug and attempted to burn the building but the mother used a machete to put out the fire.
Out of anger, the suspect took the machete away from the mother and pushed her to the ground following which a co-tenant, one Yaa Marian, raised an alarm for which other neighbours came to Afia’s rescue and the incident reported to the police.
DSP Osei said when two armed policemen were dispatched to accompany the mother to the house to arrest the suspect, he advanced towards the police officers with a sharpened machete.
He stated that the police fired a warning shot to compel the culprit to surrender the machete but he rather advanced menacingly towards the peace officers wielding the machete, compelling the police to fire at him.
A 25-year-old galamsey miner who allegedly attempted to attack policemen detailed to arrest him for threatening to kill his mother and set their family house ablaze at Amoa, a village near Nkawkaw, sustained injuries when the police fired at him.
The suspect, Aziz Kwame Asante, is currently on admission at the Koforidua Central Hospital receiving treatment under police guard.
Asante was said to have chased his 72-year-old mother, Afia Manu, a farmer, out of their house at Amoa with a machete, and attempted to attack the police with the weapon after he had refused to hand it over to the police when ordered to do so.
Asante, brandishing the machete, rather advanced towards the peace officers, compelling them to fire at his knees.
Briefing the Daily Graphic at Nkawkaw on Wednesday, the Nkawkaw Police District Commander, DSP Thomas Osei, said on January 6, this year, at about 11.30 am, Afia Manu reported to the Amoanapraso Police Station, near Nkawkaw, that her son, Asante, who had threatened to kill her and set their house ablaze, had chased her out of the house with a machete.
DSP Osei said Afia Manu led two policemen, armed with AK47, to the house and met Asante wielding a machete but when he was ordered to drop it, he refused and rather advanced towards them after a warning shot had been fired.
According to the District Police Commander, the peace officers had no other option than to fire at his knees, causing him to fall down before being arrested.
He said Asante sustained injuries and was first sent to the Holy Family Hospital, Nkawkaw, and later transferred to the Koforidua Central Hospital for further treatment.
DSP Osei said in his caution statement, Asante told the police that he had over the years been having dreams in which the mother had been flirting with him, a situation he blamed to be the cause of his inability to get married.
According to the suspect, on January 5, this year, he once again had the dream and while he was pondering over what could be the cause of the dreams, the mother approached him and gave him GH¢1 but he refused to accept it because the mother had never offered him anything like that before.
The District Police Commander said Asante then left the family house to collect two tubers of yam to cook at a friend’s house.
While the yam was on fire, DSP Osei said, the mother rushed to Sammy’s house and attempted to carry the boiling food away but was prevented from doing so by Sammy after which the mother left for her house.
The District Police Commander stated that Asante then told the mother that she had no right to eject him from his late father’s house and threatened to kill her and set the house ablaze.
True to this words, Asante set fire to an oiled rug and attempted to burn the building but the mother used a machete to put out the fire.
Out of anger, the suspect took the machete away from the mother and pushed her to the ground following which a co-tenant, one Yaa Marian, raised an alarm for which other neighbours came to Afia’s rescue and the incident reported to the police.
DSP Osei said when two armed policemen were dispatched to accompany the mother to the house to arrest the suspect, he advanced towards the police officers with a sharpened machete.
He stated that the police fired a warning shot to compel the culprit to surrender the machete but he rather advanced menacingly towards the peace officers wielding the machete, compelling the police to fire at him.
Monday, January 14, 2008
BABA JAMAL RE-ELECTED PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE ...Page 44
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Takorase
THE National Democratic Congress(NDC) last Saturday re-elected Baba Jamal as its parliamentary candidate for the Akwatia Constituency in the Eastern Region.
The endorsement of the 38-year-old winner, who is also the Deputy General Secretary of the party, was automatic since the sole competitor, Mr Kwadwo Obeng Darko, failed to turn up at the congress held at Takrowase on Saturday.
Baba Jamal, who won the party's primaries in both 2000 and 2004 but lost to the New Patriotic Party's candidate, polled 176 votes out of the 181 valid votes cast, while his absentee competitor had only five.
The main hall of the Takrowase National Youth Centre where the congress took place was filled to capacity with many of the contestants' supporters standing outside amidst brass band music and dancing, while others mostly Baba Jamal's supporters wore T-shirts embossed with his picture.
In his acceptance speech, Baba Jamal, who was accompanied by his wife, Rahr, expressed his profound gratitude to the party rank and file, the executive, particularly its founder, Flt Lt J. J. Rawlings, for their support and encouragement, saying "by my strength alone I will not have made it to this end".
He described his victory not as a personal achievement but that of the entire NDC and therefore called for unity and co-operation in the party to ensure victory in the 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections.
"To this end, I Baba Jamal, pledge to work with Mr Kwadwo Obeng Darko, who is a brother and a friend, to ensure that our party achieves its aspirations of not only winning the Akwatia Constituency but also forming the next government come 2009", he stated.
In an address prior to the voting, the Deputy National Organiser of the party, Mr Yaw Gyan, called on members of the party to put aside their individual differences and throw their weight solidly behind whoever emerged the winner to enable the party to win back power from the NPP in the 2008 general election.
"Much as I acknowledge the 2008 elections will be a daunting challenge for our party, bearing of grudge and bitterness within the rank and file of the party will not augur well for us to emerge, victorius so we should move ahead as one family with a common destiny", he said.
He indicated that as part of efforts to avoid any electoral fraud in the general elections, the party would soon train its executive and polling station agents throughout the country on the issue and also set up a task force which would monitor the elections to make it impossible for any of the political parties, especially the NPP, to rig the elections.
On his part, the Eastern Regional Secretary of the party, Mr Anthony Gyampo, said since the NPP government assumed administration of the country, the living standard of the masses had worsened, citing the failure of the government to address the basic needs of the people in areas such as education and health.
He, therefore, urged the rank and file of the party to work extra hard and demonstrate deeper commitment to the course of the party to enable it take back power from the NPP at the 2008 elections.
Mr Gyampo, who urged the members of the party to stay vigilant in order not to be lured with money by the NPP, adding "the NDC is ready to match the NPP boot for boot".
The National Treasurer of the party, Mrs Clark Quayson, asked the party faithful to turn up in their numbers during the voting day to ensure one-touch victory for the NDC.
Present at the event were the party executives including the National Deputy Vice- Chairman, Alhaji Sinare and other Members of Parliament on the ticket of the NDC.
THE National Democratic Congress(NDC) last Saturday re-elected Baba Jamal as its parliamentary candidate for the Akwatia Constituency in the Eastern Region.
The endorsement of the 38-year-old winner, who is also the Deputy General Secretary of the party, was automatic since the sole competitor, Mr Kwadwo Obeng Darko, failed to turn up at the congress held at Takrowase on Saturday.
Baba Jamal, who won the party's primaries in both 2000 and 2004 but lost to the New Patriotic Party's candidate, polled 176 votes out of the 181 valid votes cast, while his absentee competitor had only five.
The main hall of the Takrowase National Youth Centre where the congress took place was filled to capacity with many of the contestants' supporters standing outside amidst brass band music and dancing, while others mostly Baba Jamal's supporters wore T-shirts embossed with his picture.
In his acceptance speech, Baba Jamal, who was accompanied by his wife, Rahr, expressed his profound gratitude to the party rank and file, the executive, particularly its founder, Flt Lt J. J. Rawlings, for their support and encouragement, saying "by my strength alone I will not have made it to this end".
He described his victory not as a personal achievement but that of the entire NDC and therefore called for unity and co-operation in the party to ensure victory in the 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections.
"To this end, I Baba Jamal, pledge to work with Mr Kwadwo Obeng Darko, who is a brother and a friend, to ensure that our party achieves its aspirations of not only winning the Akwatia Constituency but also forming the next government come 2009", he stated.
In an address prior to the voting, the Deputy National Organiser of the party, Mr Yaw Gyan, called on members of the party to put aside their individual differences and throw their weight solidly behind whoever emerged the winner to enable the party to win back power from the NPP in the 2008 general election.
"Much as I acknowledge the 2008 elections will be a daunting challenge for our party, bearing of grudge and bitterness within the rank and file of the party will not augur well for us to emerge, victorius so we should move ahead as one family with a common destiny", he said.
He indicated that as part of efforts to avoid any electoral fraud in the general elections, the party would soon train its executive and polling station agents throughout the country on the issue and also set up a task force which would monitor the elections to make it impossible for any of the political parties, especially the NPP, to rig the elections.
On his part, the Eastern Regional Secretary of the party, Mr Anthony Gyampo, said since the NPP government assumed administration of the country, the living standard of the masses had worsened, citing the failure of the government to address the basic needs of the people in areas such as education and health.
He, therefore, urged the rank and file of the party to work extra hard and demonstrate deeper commitment to the course of the party to enable it take back power from the NPP at the 2008 elections.
Mr Gyampo, who urged the members of the party to stay vigilant in order not to be lured with money by the NPP, adding "the NDC is ready to match the NPP boot for boot".
The National Treasurer of the party, Mrs Clark Quayson, asked the party faithful to turn up in their numbers during the voting day to ensure one-touch victory for the NDC.
Present at the event were the party executives including the National Deputy Vice- Chairman, Alhaji Sinare and other Members of Parliament on the ticket of the NDC.
Friday, January 11, 2008
GREAT COMMISSION CHURCH ELECTS EXECUTIVE COUNCIL .... (Page 28)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Bunso
A SEVEN-member Governing Council of the Great Commission Chapel International that would steer the affairs of the church for the next five years has been elected.
The executive council, with Rev. Joseph K. Antwi as Chairman, also had Rev Dr S. Asuming-Brempong as Vice-chairman, Missions; Rev. S. V. Ansah, Vice-chairman, Finance and Rev K. E. Hagan, Director of Ministries.
The others were Rev. R. K. Adanu, Director of Finance; Rev. G. D. K. Opeku, Director of Personnel; Rev. J. K. C. K. Tengey, Director of Church Life and Rev. G. K. Gbloe, Director of Evangelism.
The election coincided with the church’s four-day annual general meeting (AGM) at Bunso, which was attended by about 120 members, including presiding elders, reverend ministers and chairpersons of the local committees across the country to deliberate on the successes and failures of the church over the years and plan for the future.
Preaching a sermon at the closing session, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Rev. Joseph K. Antwi, advised Christians to seek the welfare of others and show appreciation to the ministers’ efforts to promote their welfare.
This, he noted, would enable the members to achieve lasting successes in the pursuit of their aspirations and also overcome inherent challenges in life.
“In our individual capacity as Christians, we cannot overcome the challenges of life without the support and encouragement of our fellow human beings, whom we should see as our immediate greatest investment to rely on for support at all times,” he said.
Dwelling on Ecclesiastics 4:9-12, Rev. Antwi also urged Christians to exhibit self-discipline, integrity, hard work and sacrifice in the pursuit of their aspirations besides the grace that God had made available to mankind.
A SEVEN-member Governing Council of the Great Commission Chapel International that would steer the affairs of the church for the next five years has been elected.
The executive council, with Rev. Joseph K. Antwi as Chairman, also had Rev Dr S. Asuming-Brempong as Vice-chairman, Missions; Rev. S. V. Ansah, Vice-chairman, Finance and Rev K. E. Hagan, Director of Ministries.
The others were Rev. R. K. Adanu, Director of Finance; Rev. G. D. K. Opeku, Director of Personnel; Rev. J. K. C. K. Tengey, Director of Church Life and Rev. G. K. Gbloe, Director of Evangelism.
The election coincided with the church’s four-day annual general meeting (AGM) at Bunso, which was attended by about 120 members, including presiding elders, reverend ministers and chairpersons of the local committees across the country to deliberate on the successes and failures of the church over the years and plan for the future.
Preaching a sermon at the closing session, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Rev. Joseph K. Antwi, advised Christians to seek the welfare of others and show appreciation to the ministers’ efforts to promote their welfare.
This, he noted, would enable the members to achieve lasting successes in the pursuit of their aspirations and also overcome inherent challenges in life.
“In our individual capacity as Christians, we cannot overcome the challenges of life without the support and encouragement of our fellow human beings, whom we should see as our immediate greatest investment to rely on for support at all times,” he said.
Dwelling on Ecclesiastics 4:9-12, Rev. Antwi also urged Christians to exhibit self-discipline, integrity, hard work and sacrifice in the pursuit of their aspirations besides the grace that God had made available to mankind.
REGIONAL MINISTER TOURS MARKETS IN KOFORIDUA ...(Page 29)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, has paid a familiarisation visit to the central and the Juaben Serwa markets, all in Koforidua.
The visit was to enable Mr Affram Asiedu to formally introduce himself to the market women, acquaint himself with the problems facing them as well as wish them a happy and prosperous New Year.
The Regional Minister, who was accompanied by the New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, Nana Adjei Boateng and his Co-ordinating Director, Mr M. K. Offei, also visited some of the traders at the outskirts of the markets and elsewhere in the area.
During the tour, some of the market women complained of lack of adequate structures to sell their wares, lack of electricity, poor drainage system that had resulted in flooding during rainfall, limited number of cleaners to keep the market tidy and credit facilities to expand their businesses as some of the problems facing them.
Madam Maafia Boatemaa, 49-year-old cloth seller was worried about limited space and lack of credit facilities for the women to access loans at the various financial institutions as some of the challenges affecting their business.
Addressing the media after the tour, Nana Adjei Boateng gave assurance that the assembly would soon expand the market and provide other necessary facilities such as adequate dustbins, potable water and parking spaces for vehicles to ease congestion at the two markets.
THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, has paid a familiarisation visit to the central and the Juaben Serwa markets, all in Koforidua.
The visit was to enable Mr Affram Asiedu to formally introduce himself to the market women, acquaint himself with the problems facing them as well as wish them a happy and prosperous New Year.
The Regional Minister, who was accompanied by the New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, Nana Adjei Boateng and his Co-ordinating Director, Mr M. K. Offei, also visited some of the traders at the outskirts of the markets and elsewhere in the area.
During the tour, some of the market women complained of lack of adequate structures to sell their wares, lack of electricity, poor drainage system that had resulted in flooding during rainfall, limited number of cleaners to keep the market tidy and credit facilities to expand their businesses as some of the problems facing them.
Madam Maafia Boatemaa, 49-year-old cloth seller was worried about limited space and lack of credit facilities for the women to access loans at the various financial institutions as some of the challenges affecting their business.
Addressing the media after the tour, Nana Adjei Boateng gave assurance that the assembly would soon expand the market and provide other necessary facilities such as adequate dustbins, potable water and parking spaces for vehicles to ease congestion at the two markets.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
AKENKASU CELEBRATES AFAHYE ....(Page 24)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Akenkasu
THE chiefs and people of Akenkasu in the Birim South District of the Eastern Region on Saturday climaxed their Afahye Festival with a grand durbar and a call on the people to take advantage of the various people-centred government initiatives to improve their standard of living.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, who made the call, said various programmes such as the National Health Insurance Scheme, had been introduced by the government to enable the ordinary Ghanaian to have access to quality health care without any financial hindrance and urged them to register with the scheme to enjoy its benefits.
The event, which was used to launch an education fund to support brilliant, needy students in the area, was attended by a number of people including Mr Frank Kwame Bosomtwi, Municipal Chief Executive of Akim Oda.
“Since the development of every part of the country is on the agenda of the government, it is prudent to also introduce programmes such as the School Feeding Programme, which has enabled pupils of Akenkasu L/A Primary School to enjoy a nourishing meal each day,” he said.
The regional minister gave the assurance that such programmes would soon be extended to other schools this year to enable the pupils to enjoy good meals and stay in the classroom.
He reminded the people of the threat of HIV/AIDS to the development of the country and therefore appealed to them, particularly the youth, to lead responsible lifestyles in order not to contract the disease.
Mr Affram Asiedu mentioned a number of roads that had been constructed in the area over the years. These included the Akenkasu-Ohiahyeda road, Akenkasu-Badam road, Akenkasu-Akosombo road and Akenkasu-Adabo-Motto-Ayigbe road and the provision of potable water to nine communities in the area.
For his part, Mr Bosomtwi commended the people for living at peace with one another and expressed the hope that such harmonious existence would be sustained to ensure the rapid development of the area.
The Chief of Akenkasu, Nana Korankye Prempeh II, commended the government for its support towards the development of the area and appealed to the government to expedite work on the Aperade-Akenkasu-Brofoyedur road to facilitate the movement of goods and services.
THE chiefs and people of Akenkasu in the Birim South District of the Eastern Region on Saturday climaxed their Afahye Festival with a grand durbar and a call on the people to take advantage of the various people-centred government initiatives to improve their standard of living.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, who made the call, said various programmes such as the National Health Insurance Scheme, had been introduced by the government to enable the ordinary Ghanaian to have access to quality health care without any financial hindrance and urged them to register with the scheme to enjoy its benefits.
The event, which was used to launch an education fund to support brilliant, needy students in the area, was attended by a number of people including Mr Frank Kwame Bosomtwi, Municipal Chief Executive of Akim Oda.
“Since the development of every part of the country is on the agenda of the government, it is prudent to also introduce programmes such as the School Feeding Programme, which has enabled pupils of Akenkasu L/A Primary School to enjoy a nourishing meal each day,” he said.
The regional minister gave the assurance that such programmes would soon be extended to other schools this year to enable the pupils to enjoy good meals and stay in the classroom.
He reminded the people of the threat of HIV/AIDS to the development of the country and therefore appealed to them, particularly the youth, to lead responsible lifestyles in order not to contract the disease.
Mr Affram Asiedu mentioned a number of roads that had been constructed in the area over the years. These included the Akenkasu-Ohiahyeda road, Akenkasu-Badam road, Akenkasu-Akosombo road and Akenkasu-Adabo-Motto-Ayigbe road and the provision of potable water to nine communities in the area.
For his part, Mr Bosomtwi commended the people for living at peace with one another and expressed the hope that such harmonious existence would be sustained to ensure the rapid development of the area.
The Chief of Akenkasu, Nana Korankye Prempeh II, commended the government for its support towards the development of the area and appealed to the government to expedite work on the Aperade-Akenkasu-Brofoyedur road to facilitate the movement of goods and services.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
MAN REMANDED OVER WIFE'S DEATH ...(Page 19)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Akropong
A 50-year-old palm wine tapper who allegedly murdered his 60-year-old wife at Addo-Nkwanta near Adawso in the Akuapem North District of the Eastern Region has been remanded in police custody by the Akropong Circuit Court.
Kwame Seke, the accused, was said to have left for his farm in the morning of December 29, 2007 and returned home about 8 p.m, only to find his wife, Ama Adukpo, alias Mansa, a farmer and petty trader, lying dead in a pool of blood in the yard of their compound house in a remote cottage.
The accused, who had been married to the deceased for six years without any child, was charged with murder. His plea was not taken.
He was remanded by the court to reappear on February 14, this year.
The prosecutor, Detective Chief Inspector P. K.Nyanueke of the Akropong Police Division, told the court, presided over by Mr Yaw Owusu Kwarteng, that on December 29, last year, the accused, in a caution statement, told the police that he went to his farm that fateful day and returned home at about 8 p.m only to find his wife dead in a pool of blood.
Instead of shouting for help, the prosecutor said, Seke, who had six children from his previous marriage, told the police that he carried his dead wife into the room and placed her on a mat.
Mr Nyanueke said the accused stated that after taking his bath, he went out to inform some neighbours, one Paterson Gamli and another woman, about the incident.
He said the accused pleaded with the woman to dress the deceased and place her in a loin cloth (amonsi) but she declined, with the explanation that since she did not come from the same tribe as the dead, she could not perform such an act.
The prosecutor indicated that after the two neighbours had left the scene, Seke dressed his wife, after which he poured water on the blood stains on the door to the room, some silver pans belonging to the wife and the floor in an attempt to “do away with the stains”.
He said Gamli later informed two members of the unit committee, who went to the scene and later informed other members of the committee, who reported the incident to the police and the accused was arrested.
The prosecutor said since the death of the deceased remained a mystery, the court should remand the accused person to enable the police to carry out investigations into the matter, which the court obliged.
A 50-year-old palm wine tapper who allegedly murdered his 60-year-old wife at Addo-Nkwanta near Adawso in the Akuapem North District of the Eastern Region has been remanded in police custody by the Akropong Circuit Court.
Kwame Seke, the accused, was said to have left for his farm in the morning of December 29, 2007 and returned home about 8 p.m, only to find his wife, Ama Adukpo, alias Mansa, a farmer and petty trader, lying dead in a pool of blood in the yard of their compound house in a remote cottage.
The accused, who had been married to the deceased for six years without any child, was charged with murder. His plea was not taken.
He was remanded by the court to reappear on February 14, this year.
The prosecutor, Detective Chief Inspector P. K.Nyanueke of the Akropong Police Division, told the court, presided over by Mr Yaw Owusu Kwarteng, that on December 29, last year, the accused, in a caution statement, told the police that he went to his farm that fateful day and returned home at about 8 p.m only to find his wife dead in a pool of blood.
Instead of shouting for help, the prosecutor said, Seke, who had six children from his previous marriage, told the police that he carried his dead wife into the room and placed her on a mat.
Mr Nyanueke said the accused stated that after taking his bath, he went out to inform some neighbours, one Paterson Gamli and another woman, about the incident.
He said the accused pleaded with the woman to dress the deceased and place her in a loin cloth (amonsi) but she declined, with the explanation that since she did not come from the same tribe as the dead, she could not perform such an act.
The prosecutor indicated that after the two neighbours had left the scene, Seke dressed his wife, after which he poured water on the blood stains on the door to the room, some silver pans belonging to the wife and the floor in an attempt to “do away with the stains”.
He said Gamli later informed two members of the unit committee, who went to the scene and later informed other members of the committee, who reported the incident to the police and the accused was arrested.
The prosecutor said since the death of the deceased remained a mystery, the court should remand the accused person to enable the police to carry out investigations into the matter, which the court obliged.
MAN, 26, LYNCHED AT ADUKROM ... (Page 19)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Adukrom
A 26-year-old driver, Kwasi Mintah, was last Saturday lynched at Adukrom in the Eastern Region.
Mintah, a native of Abiriw, was lynched after he had stabbed and inflicted a deep cut on the chest of Kofi Bekoe, a 27-year-old welder from Adukrom, during a fight between some young men from Abiriw and Adukrom.
The body has been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue in Accra pending autopsy, while Bekoe, who was admitted to the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital but has been discharged, is assisting the police in their investigations.
Briefing the Daily Graphic at Adukrom on Thursday, the acting Station Officer of the Adukrom Police Station, Sergeant Juliana Gyebi, and General Lance Corporal S. Appiah said the deceased was at the Adukrom Odwira Festival on December 29, 2006, where he witnessed a beauty contest being organised at the festival.
They said while the contest was going on, fighting broke out between some unidentified youth from Abiriw and Adukrom.
The police officers stated that in the course of the clash, Bekoe intervened to separate the two sides but Mintah, who was wielding a dagger, stabbed him in his chest, causing Bekoe to fall unconscious and was rushed to hospital for treatment.
The deceased, according to the police officers, fled, leaving behind the dagger but he was chased by a mob from Adukrom who lynched him.
A 26-year-old driver, Kwasi Mintah, was last Saturday lynched at Adukrom in the Eastern Region.
Mintah, a native of Abiriw, was lynched after he had stabbed and inflicted a deep cut on the chest of Kofi Bekoe, a 27-year-old welder from Adukrom, during a fight between some young men from Abiriw and Adukrom.
The body has been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue in Accra pending autopsy, while Bekoe, who was admitted to the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital but has been discharged, is assisting the police in their investigations.
Briefing the Daily Graphic at Adukrom on Thursday, the acting Station Officer of the Adukrom Police Station, Sergeant Juliana Gyebi, and General Lance Corporal S. Appiah said the deceased was at the Adukrom Odwira Festival on December 29, 2006, where he witnessed a beauty contest being organised at the festival.
They said while the contest was going on, fighting broke out between some unidentified youth from Abiriw and Adukrom.
The police officers stated that in the course of the clash, Bekoe intervened to separate the two sides but Mintah, who was wielding a dagger, stabbed him in his chest, causing Bekoe to fall unconscious and was rushed to hospital for treatment.
The deceased, according to the police officers, fled, leaving behind the dagger but he was chased by a mob from Adukrom who lynched him.
Friday, January 4, 2008
CONDUCT CLEAN RESEARCH INTO CHILD LABOUT (Back Page)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Bunso
A CHIEF Director of the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment (MMYE), Mr Emmanuel A. Akuffo, has called on researchers on the issue of child labour in the country’s cocoa industry to let their research findings reflect the true situation on the ground.
According to him, any research findings that would not reflect a true picture of the situation in Ghana would be discredited by the international independent verification body which is also in the country to conduct similar research.
This, he said, could dent the image of the country and the sale of its cocoa on the international market.
The verification body is made up of officials of international cocoa product manufacturers, consumer groups, local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the COCOBOD.
In an address read on his behalf at a workshop on the issue at Bunso in the Eastern Region, Mr Akuffo said “as you undertake this national assignment, which will determine the country’s socio-economic destiny, you must perform your research work with seriousness, dedication, precision and speed, as well as show a keen eye for details and quality”.
The 80 participants, who will conduct a survey to determine the extent of child labour in 60 per cent of the country’s cocoa-growing areas, were drawn from 11 cocoa-growing districts, COCOBOD, Ghana Statistical Service, UNICEF, Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), University of Ghana and the Ghana Medical School.
The workshop was organised by the MMYE in conjunction with World Cocoa Foundation, COCOBOD, Ministry of Finance and the District Assemblies.
As part of the training to give the participants a practical exposure, they would visit six cocoa-growing communities in and around Bunso to gather data on the extent of trafficking and exploitation of children on cocoa farms in the area.
According to the chief director, for the country to succeed in redeeming its image with regard to the non-use of child labour on cocoa farms, the participants should work hard to ensure that the country would be able to meet the deadline of July 1, 2008, when it had to present its report outlining the extent of child labour in the cocoa industry to the Harkin-Engel Protocol, which was set up to deal with child labour in cocoa production.
Mr Akuffo said as part of efforts to avert such possible damage to the country’s cocoa industry on the international scene, a National Programme for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Cocoa (NPECLC) was set up in August, 2006, under the auspices of the MMYE.
Mr Akuffo, who said the NPECLC was to ascertain the veracity of the assertion by the international media that some children were involved in child labour in cocoa production, said the NPECLC had successfully undertaken a pilot survey in most cocoa-growing areas, and had also organised sensitisation programmes in the various cocoa-growing districts to educate cocoa farmers on the harmful effects of child labour in cocoa production.
For her part, the National Programme Manager of the NPECLC, Mrs Rita Owusu Amankwah, said the American Congress had earmarked about $4.3 million for the Tulan University to conduct research into the extent of child labour in the country’s cocoa industry.
Mrs Amankwah, who was a facilitator at the workshop, therefore, advised the participants to make every effort to come up with genuine findings to help remedy the problem and redeem the image of the country on the international scene.
A CHIEF Director of the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment (MMYE), Mr Emmanuel A. Akuffo, has called on researchers on the issue of child labour in the country’s cocoa industry to let their research findings reflect the true situation on the ground.
According to him, any research findings that would not reflect a true picture of the situation in Ghana would be discredited by the international independent verification body which is also in the country to conduct similar research.
This, he said, could dent the image of the country and the sale of its cocoa on the international market.
The verification body is made up of officials of international cocoa product manufacturers, consumer groups, local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the COCOBOD.
In an address read on his behalf at a workshop on the issue at Bunso in the Eastern Region, Mr Akuffo said “as you undertake this national assignment, which will determine the country’s socio-economic destiny, you must perform your research work with seriousness, dedication, precision and speed, as well as show a keen eye for details and quality”.
The 80 participants, who will conduct a survey to determine the extent of child labour in 60 per cent of the country’s cocoa-growing areas, were drawn from 11 cocoa-growing districts, COCOBOD, Ghana Statistical Service, UNICEF, Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), University of Ghana and the Ghana Medical School.
The workshop was organised by the MMYE in conjunction with World Cocoa Foundation, COCOBOD, Ministry of Finance and the District Assemblies.
As part of the training to give the participants a practical exposure, they would visit six cocoa-growing communities in and around Bunso to gather data on the extent of trafficking and exploitation of children on cocoa farms in the area.
According to the chief director, for the country to succeed in redeeming its image with regard to the non-use of child labour on cocoa farms, the participants should work hard to ensure that the country would be able to meet the deadline of July 1, 2008, when it had to present its report outlining the extent of child labour in the cocoa industry to the Harkin-Engel Protocol, which was set up to deal with child labour in cocoa production.
Mr Akuffo said as part of efforts to avert such possible damage to the country’s cocoa industry on the international scene, a National Programme for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Cocoa (NPECLC) was set up in August, 2006, under the auspices of the MMYE.
Mr Akuffo, who said the NPECLC was to ascertain the veracity of the assertion by the international media that some children were involved in child labour in cocoa production, said the NPECLC had successfully undertaken a pilot survey in most cocoa-growing areas, and had also organised sensitisation programmes in the various cocoa-growing districts to educate cocoa farmers on the harmful effects of child labour in cocoa production.
For her part, the National Programme Manager of the NPECLC, Mrs Rita Owusu Amankwah, said the American Congress had earmarked about $4.3 million for the Tulan University to conduct research into the extent of child labour in the country’s cocoa industry.
Mrs Amankwah, who was a facilitator at the workshop, therefore, advised the participants to make every effort to come up with genuine findings to help remedy the problem and redeem the image of the country on the international scene.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
ROBBERY VICTIM'S VIGILANCE LEADS TO ARREST OF THREE (Page 32)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Nkawkaw
THE vigilance of a robbery victim has led to the arrest of three men who robbed two households at Nkawkaw at gunpoint and made away with GH¢1,570 and other valuables.
The suspects were arrested on board an Accra bound Nkawkaw vehicle at Mile 7 in Accra after the victim, who was on board, alerted the driver that two armed robbers were on board the vehicle. They are Ahmidu Yakubu, 21, who claims to be a trader, and Kwame Atta alias Osman, 22, a scrap dealer, both residents of Agbogbloshie in Accra, and Kwasi Dom, 29, alias Awudu, a resident of Nkawkaw.
The victim had spotted the two suspected criminals at the Nkawkaw-Accra main lorry park boarding the same vehicle and he alerted the driver.
When the vehicle reached Mile 7 in Accra, the driver informed the passengers that the vehicle had developed a fault and therefore parked it. He quickly informed the police of the presence of the three on the bus, whereupon the police moved in swiftly to arrest the three.
Briefing the Daily Graphic at Nkawkaw on Monday, the Nkawkaw Police Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Paul Awini, said on December 30, 2007 at about 1.30 a.m., the three robbers, armed with guns and machetes, attacked a transport operator, Mr Seifa Ntiri, his wife and their six-year-old daughter at his house at Nsutam, a suburb of Nkawkaw.
He said the robbers tied the hands and legs of Mr Ntiri in his sitting room and ordered him to direct them to their bedroom from where they took away GH¢1,500.
Thereafter, Mr Awini said, the robbers took the wife of Mr Ntiri to the bedroom where Kwasi Dom, said to be the architect of the robbery, attempted to rape her but was prevented by his other accomplices after which they took a number of items including two wrist watches, mobile phones and tins of corned beef and sardines.
Chief Superintendent Awini said after the robbery the robbers locked all the doors to the building and fled. The victims were rescued later in the day by neighbours.
The Divisional Commander said that was after the criminals had attacked another household at Kyidom, also a suburb of Nkawkaw.
He said Stephen Antwi, a resident of house number NJ1087, Kyidom, reported to the police that five unidentified men armed with guns and machetes had attacked the house at 11.30 p.m. and made away with a number of valuables including mobile phones and GH¢749.
Chief Superintendent Awini said while travelling to Accra later Mr Ntiri spotted the three on the same bus he boarded and alerted the driver.
According to the Police Commander, when Atta was searched a number of mobile phones, one imported pistol with six rounds of live ammunition and two masks had been concealed in a bag he was carrying.
Ahmidu Yakubu, the second person, was also arrested and when he was searched, a locally-manufactured pistol with two live cartridges was retrieved from him.
Chief Supt Awini said during interrogation, Kwame Attah mentioned Kwasi Dom alias Awudu as the one who invited them from Accra to his plantain farm, near his workshop at Nkawkaw where he brought out the two guns which they used in their operation.
THE vigilance of a robbery victim has led to the arrest of three men who robbed two households at Nkawkaw at gunpoint and made away with GH¢1,570 and other valuables.
The suspects were arrested on board an Accra bound Nkawkaw vehicle at Mile 7 in Accra after the victim, who was on board, alerted the driver that two armed robbers were on board the vehicle. They are Ahmidu Yakubu, 21, who claims to be a trader, and Kwame Atta alias Osman, 22, a scrap dealer, both residents of Agbogbloshie in Accra, and Kwasi Dom, 29, alias Awudu, a resident of Nkawkaw.
The victim had spotted the two suspected criminals at the Nkawkaw-Accra main lorry park boarding the same vehicle and he alerted the driver.
When the vehicle reached Mile 7 in Accra, the driver informed the passengers that the vehicle had developed a fault and therefore parked it. He quickly informed the police of the presence of the three on the bus, whereupon the police moved in swiftly to arrest the three.
Briefing the Daily Graphic at Nkawkaw on Monday, the Nkawkaw Police Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Paul Awini, said on December 30, 2007 at about 1.30 a.m., the three robbers, armed with guns and machetes, attacked a transport operator, Mr Seifa Ntiri, his wife and their six-year-old daughter at his house at Nsutam, a suburb of Nkawkaw.
He said the robbers tied the hands and legs of Mr Ntiri in his sitting room and ordered him to direct them to their bedroom from where they took away GH¢1,500.
Thereafter, Mr Awini said, the robbers took the wife of Mr Ntiri to the bedroom where Kwasi Dom, said to be the architect of the robbery, attempted to rape her but was prevented by his other accomplices after which they took a number of items including two wrist watches, mobile phones and tins of corned beef and sardines.
Chief Superintendent Awini said after the robbery the robbers locked all the doors to the building and fled. The victims were rescued later in the day by neighbours.
The Divisional Commander said that was after the criminals had attacked another household at Kyidom, also a suburb of Nkawkaw.
He said Stephen Antwi, a resident of house number NJ1087, Kyidom, reported to the police that five unidentified men armed with guns and machetes had attacked the house at 11.30 p.m. and made away with a number of valuables including mobile phones and GH¢749.
Chief Superintendent Awini said while travelling to Accra later Mr Ntiri spotted the three on the same bus he boarded and alerted the driver.
According to the Police Commander, when Atta was searched a number of mobile phones, one imported pistol with six rounds of live ammunition and two masks had been concealed in a bag he was carrying.
Ahmidu Yakubu, the second person, was also arrested and when he was searched, a locally-manufactured pistol with two live cartridges was retrieved from him.
Chief Supt Awini said during interrogation, Kwame Attah mentioned Kwasi Dom alias Awudu as the one who invited them from Accra to his plantain farm, near his workshop at Nkawkaw where he brought out the two guns which they used in their operation.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
DONATION TO KOFORIDUA HOSPITAL (Page 34)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
PRESBYTERIAN Churches in the New Juaben Municipality yesterday donated assorted food items and other materials worth GH¢1,500 to the Children’s Ward of the Regional Hospital at Koforidua.
The items included 14 cartons of fruit drinks, 25 cartons of soap, toiletries, biscuits, 50 toys and other provisions.
Presenting the items on behalf of the churches, the Chairman of the Akuapem Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Dr Joseph Obiri Yaw Mante, said the donation formed part of the social responsibility of the churches towards the underprivileged and the poor in society.
“On a special occasion like Christmas when Christ was given to mankind as a gift, it behoves Christians to also demonstrate such love for the poor and underprivileged in society”, he stated.
He was hopeful that the presentation would help put a smile on the faces of the beneficiaries and prayed for their speedy recovery.
Receiving the items on behalf of the management of the hospital, Ms Mary Attipoe, a Principal Nursing Officer, thanked the churches for the gesture and promised to ensure a fair distribution of the items to the beneficiaries.
PRESBYTERIAN Churches in the New Juaben Municipality yesterday donated assorted food items and other materials worth GH¢1,500 to the Children’s Ward of the Regional Hospital at Koforidua.
The items included 14 cartons of fruit drinks, 25 cartons of soap, toiletries, biscuits, 50 toys and other provisions.
Presenting the items on behalf of the churches, the Chairman of the Akuapem Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Dr Joseph Obiri Yaw Mante, said the donation formed part of the social responsibility of the churches towards the underprivileged and the poor in society.
“On a special occasion like Christmas when Christ was given to mankind as a gift, it behoves Christians to also demonstrate such love for the poor and underprivileged in society”, he stated.
He was hopeful that the presentation would help put a smile on the faces of the beneficiaries and prayed for their speedy recovery.
Receiving the items on behalf of the management of the hospital, Ms Mary Attipoe, a Principal Nursing Officer, thanked the churches for the gesture and promised to ensure a fair distribution of the items to the beneficiaries.
MCMILLAN PRESENTS BOOKS TO NEW JUABEN SCHOOLS (Page 11)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
UNIMAX Macmillan Limited, publishers and distributors of various educational materials, has presented 150 copies of assorted books to the Eastern Regional office of the Ghana Education Service (GES) for distribution to some junior and senior high schools in the New Juaben Municipality.
The donation, which was worth GH¢1,370, was in response to an appeal the Eastern Regional office of the GES made to the company to help stock libraries of schools in the area.
Making the presentation, the Eastern and Volta Sales Representative of Unimax MacMillan, Mr Mohammed Ahmadu, said the presentation, which formed part of the company's social responsibility, was meant to ensure that pupils and students had access to up-to-date and quality educational materials.
He expressed the hope that the donation would enable the pupils and the students to read wide to acquire adequate knowledge and help raise educational standard in the municipality.
Receiving the items, the Eastern Regional Director of Education, Mrs Akosua Takyiwaa-Adu, thanked Unimax MacMillan for the gesture and called on other corporate bodies to help stock libraries in the area with relevant educational materials to raise the standard of education in the area.
UNIMAX Macmillan Limited, publishers and distributors of various educational materials, has presented 150 copies of assorted books to the Eastern Regional office of the Ghana Education Service (GES) for distribution to some junior and senior high schools in the New Juaben Municipality.
The donation, which was worth GH¢1,370, was in response to an appeal the Eastern Regional office of the GES made to the company to help stock libraries of schools in the area.
Making the presentation, the Eastern and Volta Sales Representative of Unimax MacMillan, Mr Mohammed Ahmadu, said the presentation, which formed part of the company's social responsibility, was meant to ensure that pupils and students had access to up-to-date and quality educational materials.
He expressed the hope that the donation would enable the pupils and the students to read wide to acquire adequate knowledge and help raise educational standard in the municipality.
Receiving the items, the Eastern Regional Director of Education, Mrs Akosua Takyiwaa-Adu, thanked Unimax MacMillan for the gesture and called on other corporate bodies to help stock libraries in the area with relevant educational materials to raise the standard of education in the area.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
GOAT THIEVES RUN INTO TROUBLE
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
AN attempt by two persons to escape with two goats they stole at Adweso, a suburb of Koforidua, on Christmas Day failed when the vehicle they were using crashed into a refrigeration repair shop.
In the event, a 16-year-old girl, who was sitting near the shop, got injured and was rushed to the Koforidua Regional Hospital for treatment. Her name was only given as Alice.
Incidentally, the vehicle the thieves were using, an Opel Vectra Saloon cara, with registration number GR 3539 U, belonged to the owner of the goats.
According to an eyewitness, Kojo Boateng, a resident of the house where the animals were stolen, around 12.30 p.m., on December 25, 2007, the two robbers entered the house at Mile 50 and attempted to drive a number of goats out of their pen into the Opel Vectra.
He said the bleating of the animals alerted residents but before they came out the thieves had managed to escape with two of the animals.
The fleeing thieves who were hotly pursued by Kojo Boateng in another car with registration number GT 3688 Y, hit the front side of the Opel, forcing it to skid off the road before hitting the young girl and running into the refrigeration shop.
Bystanders, who thought the accident was an ordinary one, rushed to the rescue of the injured girl, leaving the thieves to escape before Boateng could reverse and narrate the theft to them.
When the Opel vehicle was searched two goats were found in the booth.
AN attempt by two persons to escape with two goats they stole at Adweso, a suburb of Koforidua, on Christmas Day failed when the vehicle they were using crashed into a refrigeration repair shop.
In the event, a 16-year-old girl, who was sitting near the shop, got injured and was rushed to the Koforidua Regional Hospital for treatment. Her name was only given as Alice.
Incidentally, the vehicle the thieves were using, an Opel Vectra Saloon cara, with registration number GR 3539 U, belonged to the owner of the goats.
According to an eyewitness, Kojo Boateng, a resident of the house where the animals were stolen, around 12.30 p.m., on December 25, 2007, the two robbers entered the house at Mile 50 and attempted to drive a number of goats out of their pen into the Opel Vectra.
He said the bleating of the animals alerted residents but before they came out the thieves had managed to escape with two of the animals.
The fleeing thieves who were hotly pursued by Kojo Boateng in another car with registration number GT 3688 Y, hit the front side of the Opel, forcing it to skid off the road before hitting the young girl and running into the refrigeration shop.
Bystanders, who thought the accident was an ordinary one, rushed to the rescue of the injured girl, leaving the thieves to escape before Boateng could reverse and narrate the theft to them.
When the Opel vehicle was searched two goats were found in the booth.
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