THE Chief of Amanokrom in the Akuapem North District in the Eastern Region, Nana Osim Kwatia II, has called for unity and a peaceful co-existence among the people of the town.
That, he said, would enable them to unite as a people to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the area.
“If we want to see any significant progress taking place in our communities, then we must resolve to do away with bickering, rancour and misunderstanding and rather channel our resources and energies into the development of our town”, Nana Kwatia stressed.
Addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Amanokrom, Nana Kwatia stated “we need peace and unity at Amanokrom so we must be one another’s keeper”.
The event, which coincided with the 10th anniversary of the enstoolment of Nana Manko Aba II, the queen of Amanokrom, was also used to announce the ban on drumming and dancing in the area for the next 40 days prior to the celebration of the annual Odwira festival on September 14, this year.
As part of the ceremony, a borehole constructed by “Friends of Amanokrom” was inaugurated.
Highlights of the festival included a health screening exercise, a cooking contest, talent hunt, torch light procession through the main streets of the town, interdenominational thanksgiving service and street jams.
Nana Kwatia, who is also the Gyaasehene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, said for the past two years, Amanokrom had been embroiled in chieftaincy disputes that had divided the ranks of the people of the town.
He said the problem had partly contributed to a tense atmosphere in the area, a situation that had slowed down the area’s development.
“As one people, we must remember that nobody will come from outside to build our town for us. We must, therefore, come together and contribute our individual and collective expertise to the development our communities”, Nana Kwatia stressed.
He noted with concern that the few resources that could be utilised to maintain security in our town should rather be used for our communities’ development.
Nana Kwatia appealed to the people to observe the ban on drumming and dancing and use it as “a period for reflection on our achievement and the challenges facing us as a people”.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
HELP COMBAT INDISCIPLINE AMONG YOUTH (PAGE 20)
THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, has appealed to Christians to support the government and school authorities to combat the increasing spate of indiscipline among the youth.
That, he said, could be achieved if Christians led exemplary lifestyles worthy of emulation by the youth, who looked up to them as role models in society.
“As stakeholders in the development of our children, we must co-operate with the government and school authorities to combat the rising spate of indiscipline which has the tendency to retard the progress and development of our future leaders,” he stated.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo made the appeal at the seventh biennial convention of the Accra Grand Commandery and Ladies Auxiliary Knights of St John International in Koforidua.
The event, on the theme, “Renewing the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood — The joy of living in Christ”, was attended by reverend fathers, supreme officers, supreme subordinate and grand officers, officers of districts and local commanderies and brother knights of the Catholic Church.
Among others, the convention was aimed at fostering a feeling of fraternity and fellowship among members, as well as improving their moral, mental and social well-being.
The regional minister said the world was bedevilled with crises such as wars, hunger, diseases, occultism, lust for material riches, homosexuality and several others.
He particularly expressed concern over indiscipline, which, he noted, had become a serious issue, triggering unprecedented campaigns by various anti-indiscipline campaigners, the government and other stakeholders to nip that social canker in the bud.
He also bemoaned the rate at which filth was engulfing cities, towns, communities and institutions in the country, adding, “If we believe that cleanliness is next to Godliness, then we have a duty to keep ourselves and surroundings clean.”
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo further expressed worry over the increasing rate of HIV/AIDS infection among the youth and appealed to the Catholic Church to educate the youth on the dangers of leading irresponsible lifestyles that could predispose them to infection.
The Grand President, Brig General Robert K. Foil, said as part of the charitable obligations of the association for the past 72 years, members had visited and supported a number of orphanages and hospitals to provide hope for the people.
In a message, the Bishop of Koforidua, the Most Rev Joseph Afrifa-Agyekum, asked the members of the association to lead exemplary lifestyles to enable them to become role models in the Catholic Church and society in general.
That, he said, could be achieved if Christians led exemplary lifestyles worthy of emulation by the youth, who looked up to them as role models in society.
“As stakeholders in the development of our children, we must co-operate with the government and school authorities to combat the rising spate of indiscipline which has the tendency to retard the progress and development of our future leaders,” he stated.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo made the appeal at the seventh biennial convention of the Accra Grand Commandery and Ladies Auxiliary Knights of St John International in Koforidua.
The event, on the theme, “Renewing the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood — The joy of living in Christ”, was attended by reverend fathers, supreme officers, supreme subordinate and grand officers, officers of districts and local commanderies and brother knights of the Catholic Church.
Among others, the convention was aimed at fostering a feeling of fraternity and fellowship among members, as well as improving their moral, mental and social well-being.
The regional minister said the world was bedevilled with crises such as wars, hunger, diseases, occultism, lust for material riches, homosexuality and several others.
He particularly expressed concern over indiscipline, which, he noted, had become a serious issue, triggering unprecedented campaigns by various anti-indiscipline campaigners, the government and other stakeholders to nip that social canker in the bud.
He also bemoaned the rate at which filth was engulfing cities, towns, communities and institutions in the country, adding, “If we believe that cleanliness is next to Godliness, then we have a duty to keep ourselves and surroundings clean.”
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo further expressed worry over the increasing rate of HIV/AIDS infection among the youth and appealed to the Catholic Church to educate the youth on the dangers of leading irresponsible lifestyles that could predispose them to infection.
The Grand President, Brig General Robert K. Foil, said as part of the charitable obligations of the association for the past 72 years, members had visited and supported a number of orphanages and hospitals to provide hope for the people.
In a message, the Bishop of Koforidua, the Most Rev Joseph Afrifa-Agyekum, asked the members of the association to lead exemplary lifestyles to enable them to become role models in the Catholic Church and society in general.
GOVT TO INVEST IN LAKE TRANSPORT (BACK PAGE)
Resources are to be invested by the government in transportation on the Volta Lake to make it a safer, affordable and cost-effective alternative to road and rail transport.
The investment is expected to save the nation $165 million incurred on road accidents annually, the Minister of Transport, Mr Mike Hammah, has announced.
Interacting with the media during a visit to the Volta Lake Transport Company (VLTC) Limited at Akosombo, Mr Hammah said the proposed investment in water transportation would also facilitate the movement of goods and services between the northern and southern sectors of the country.
The visit was to afford the minister and his deputy, Mrs Dzifa Attivor, an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the challenges facing the company and its workers as well as to share the government’s vision for enhancing inland water transportation in the country.
“As part of strategies to boost the country’s socio-economic development and fast-track the attainment of a middle-income status by 2020, we are determined to construct a railway line from Tema to Akosombo from where cement and bulk haulage will be conveyed on the Volta Lake to Buipe and the northern parts of the country,” Mr Hammah stated.
The minister said since inland water transportation was more affordable, cheaper, environmentally friendly and cost-effective, the government was determined to commit huge resources to the sector.
According to him, the country’s dependence on road transport had not only taken a toll on its Gross Domestic Product, but also cost human lives through accidents which had caused “grief, pain and untold economic and psychological hardships to victims, their families and their dependants”.
Mr Hammah, who said the government was determined to support the growth of the VLTC, also appealed to the management and staff of the company to work extra hard to turn its fortunes-round.
The Managing Director of VLTC, Mr Kwasi Osei Sarpong, said one of the challenges facing the company was the replacement of Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation patronage with a Korean company, WORCON, a situation which he said had adversely affected the revenue generation of VLTC.
He, therefore, appealed to the government to help address problems facing the company so as to keep its 800 staff at post.
The investment is expected to save the nation $165 million incurred on road accidents annually, the Minister of Transport, Mr Mike Hammah, has announced.
Interacting with the media during a visit to the Volta Lake Transport Company (VLTC) Limited at Akosombo, Mr Hammah said the proposed investment in water transportation would also facilitate the movement of goods and services between the northern and southern sectors of the country.
The visit was to afford the minister and his deputy, Mrs Dzifa Attivor, an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the challenges facing the company and its workers as well as to share the government’s vision for enhancing inland water transportation in the country.
“As part of strategies to boost the country’s socio-economic development and fast-track the attainment of a middle-income status by 2020, we are determined to construct a railway line from Tema to Akosombo from where cement and bulk haulage will be conveyed on the Volta Lake to Buipe and the northern parts of the country,” Mr Hammah stated.
The minister said since inland water transportation was more affordable, cheaper, environmentally friendly and cost-effective, the government was determined to commit huge resources to the sector.
According to him, the country’s dependence on road transport had not only taken a toll on its Gross Domestic Product, but also cost human lives through accidents which had caused “grief, pain and untold economic and psychological hardships to victims, their families and their dependants”.
Mr Hammah, who said the government was determined to support the growth of the VLTC, also appealed to the management and staff of the company to work extra hard to turn its fortunes-round.
The Managing Director of VLTC, Mr Kwasi Osei Sarpong, said one of the challenges facing the company was the replacement of Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation patronage with a Korean company, WORCON, a situation which he said had adversely affected the revenue generation of VLTC.
He, therefore, appealed to the government to help address problems facing the company so as to keep its 800 staff at post.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Akwatia election re-run...POLICE COMMAND ASSURES VOTERS OF SECURITY (PAGE 16)
THE Eastern Regional Police Command has assured voters in the Akwatia Constituency of the preparedness of the police and other security agencies to deal ruthlessly with trouble makers who will attempt to truncate the smooth conduct of the election on August 18, 2009.
“Trouble makers bent on creating unnecessary tensions and engaging in electoral frauds and the snatching of ballot boxes should advise themselves and disabuse their minds of such evil intentions as the police will deal ruthlessly with anyone caught in the act,” the Command stated.
The Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Stephen Andoh-Kwofie, who gave the warning, stated that “not only will the presence of the police outnumber residents of Akwatia but we will go all out to make our presence more felt and protect not only the ballot materials but also the lives of the voters during the election”.
He was briefing the press in Koforidua on the preparation of the command to combat crime in the New Juaben Municipality and its environs as well as its readiness to police the six polling centres at Akwatia.
The meeting followed a dawn exercise involving police officers and personnel of the Eastern Regional Command on Saturday.
“If a person attempts to snatch a ballot box, he has moved away from being considered as a voter to a trouble maker who needs to be harshly dealt with according to the law,” DCOP Andoh-Kwofie stated.
The Regional Commander noted that lack of adequate security personnel during the 2008 elections at the Akwatia Constituency was partly taken advantage of by trouble makers to create confusion, tension as well as engage in various electoral frauds which truncated the conduct of smooth elections there.
To avert recurrence of such violent act, DCOP Andoh-Kwofie gave an assurance that not only would there be more than 10 police men to be deployed to each of the six polling stations, but there would also be a stand by combat-ready force to provide the needed reinforcement in the event of any eventuality.
“For this reason, the Command hopes that trouble makers will shed off their animal instincts to engage in violent behaviours during the election for their own good”, he stressed.
He added that “Akwatia election is a small problem for the police and other security forces, since we have faced tougher and bigger challenges”.
“Trouble makers bent on creating unnecessary tensions and engaging in electoral frauds and the snatching of ballot boxes should advise themselves and disabuse their minds of such evil intentions as the police will deal ruthlessly with anyone caught in the act,” the Command stated.
The Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Stephen Andoh-Kwofie, who gave the warning, stated that “not only will the presence of the police outnumber residents of Akwatia but we will go all out to make our presence more felt and protect not only the ballot materials but also the lives of the voters during the election”.
He was briefing the press in Koforidua on the preparation of the command to combat crime in the New Juaben Municipality and its environs as well as its readiness to police the six polling centres at Akwatia.
The meeting followed a dawn exercise involving police officers and personnel of the Eastern Regional Command on Saturday.
“If a person attempts to snatch a ballot box, he has moved away from being considered as a voter to a trouble maker who needs to be harshly dealt with according to the law,” DCOP Andoh-Kwofie stated.
The Regional Commander noted that lack of adequate security personnel during the 2008 elections at the Akwatia Constituency was partly taken advantage of by trouble makers to create confusion, tension as well as engage in various electoral frauds which truncated the conduct of smooth elections there.
To avert recurrence of such violent act, DCOP Andoh-Kwofie gave an assurance that not only would there be more than 10 police men to be deployed to each of the six polling stations, but there would also be a stand by combat-ready force to provide the needed reinforcement in the event of any eventuality.
“For this reason, the Command hopes that trouble makers will shed off their animal instincts to engage in violent behaviours during the election for their own good”, he stressed.
He added that “Akwatia election is a small problem for the police and other security forces, since we have faced tougher and bigger challenges”.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
POLICE ARREST FOUR SUSPECTS (PAGE 23)
FOUR persons found in possession of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp at Suhum in the Eastern Region, have been arrested by the police.
The suspects, Mutali Iddrissu, a driver; Kwesi Attah, a farmer, and two others, a driver and a passenger whose names had been withheld by the police, were arrested on July 22 and 23, this year.
The four are currently in police custody assisting in investigations.
Briefing the Daily Graphic last Saturday, the Suhum Police Commander, Superintendent S. Kontomah, said about 3 p.m. on July 22 this year, the police patrol team spotted a Man Diesel truck with registration number AS 5629 V travelling from Tamale to Tema.
He said the police team stopped the truck and when a routine check was conducted, seven parcels of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp was discovered in a compartment of the truck.
Superintendent Kontomah added that about 7.30 a.m. on July 23, this year, a highway patrol team led by Inspector G. O. Lamprey, also spotted an Opel Astra taxi- cab with registration number ER 824 W carrying four mini bags and four cartons of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
He said the police immediately arrested the driver and an occupant both of whom claimed that they were only asked to send the items from Koforidua to Akyem Oda.
On the same day at about 3.30 p.m., a community police assistant on duty at the Suhum roundabout saw Kwesi Attah and another person (name withheld) alighting from an Urvan that had just arrived from Koforidua.
Mr Kontomah said while the community police assistant drew near the two, they took to their heels but luck evaded Attah, who, after being arrested, confessed to the police of possessing two cartons of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The suspects, Mutali Iddrissu, a driver; Kwesi Attah, a farmer, and two others, a driver and a passenger whose names had been withheld by the police, were arrested on July 22 and 23, this year.
The four are currently in police custody assisting in investigations.
Briefing the Daily Graphic last Saturday, the Suhum Police Commander, Superintendent S. Kontomah, said about 3 p.m. on July 22 this year, the police patrol team spotted a Man Diesel truck with registration number AS 5629 V travelling from Tamale to Tema.
He said the police team stopped the truck and when a routine check was conducted, seven parcels of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp was discovered in a compartment of the truck.
Superintendent Kontomah added that about 7.30 a.m. on July 23, this year, a highway patrol team led by Inspector G. O. Lamprey, also spotted an Opel Astra taxi- cab with registration number ER 824 W carrying four mini bags and four cartons of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
He said the police immediately arrested the driver and an occupant both of whom claimed that they were only asked to send the items from Koforidua to Akyem Oda.
On the same day at about 3.30 p.m., a community police assistant on duty at the Suhum roundabout saw Kwesi Attah and another person (name withheld) alighting from an Urvan that had just arrived from Koforidua.
Mr Kontomah said while the community police assistant drew near the two, they took to their heels but luck evaded Attah, who, after being arrested, confessed to the police of possessing two cartons of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
TWO CONSTABLES, CIVILIAN JAILED FOR EXTORTION (BACK PAGE)
TWO police constables and a civilian who were found in possession of narcotic drugs and extorted money from a drug peddler have been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment each with hard labour by the Koforidua High Court.
General Constable Emmanuel Adjei, 28, of the Mobile Force Unit, Accra and Jersey J. Tumawoo, 29, of the Nima Police Station, Accra were, together with Moses Larbi, 32, said to have arrested the drug peddler on September 1, 2006 at Akropong-Akuapem.
The convicts collected GH¢514.60 and seized eight wrapped pieces of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine from the drug peddler whom they later left off the hook.
The three, who were charged with possessing narcotic drugs, conspiracy to commit crime and corruption, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
Presenting the facts of the case to the court, presided over by Mr Justice Gbie S. Suurbaareh, a State Attorney, Mr Frederick Tetteh said at about 4.30 p.m. on September 1, 2006, Chief Superintendent G. O. Ahenkan of the Akropong-Akuapem Divisional Police Command had information that some policemen had gone to Akropong to effect the arrest of a suspected drug dealer.
The prosecutor said Chief Inspector Ahenkan also indicated that the two police constables and Larbi, a member of a watch-dog committee in Accra, also collected unspecified sums of money from the drug peddler.
Mr Tetteh said when a team of policemen from the Akropong Divisional Police Command were sent to investigate the incident, they arrested the convicts, while another accomplice whose name was only given as Paul managed to escape.
A search conducted on the three led to the discovery of eight wrapped pieces of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine and GH¢514.60 in the pockets of the police constables.
During interrogation, the convicts told the police that they collected the money from the drug peddler who they later released.
Sentencing them, the court said instead of the police constables assisting in the fight to rid the country of the drug menace, they rather engaged themselves in the negative practice.
General Constable Emmanuel Adjei, 28, of the Mobile Force Unit, Accra and Jersey J. Tumawoo, 29, of the Nima Police Station, Accra were, together with Moses Larbi, 32, said to have arrested the drug peddler on September 1, 2006 at Akropong-Akuapem.
The convicts collected GH¢514.60 and seized eight wrapped pieces of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine from the drug peddler whom they later left off the hook.
The three, who were charged with possessing narcotic drugs, conspiracy to commit crime and corruption, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
Presenting the facts of the case to the court, presided over by Mr Justice Gbie S. Suurbaareh, a State Attorney, Mr Frederick Tetteh said at about 4.30 p.m. on September 1, 2006, Chief Superintendent G. O. Ahenkan of the Akropong-Akuapem Divisional Police Command had information that some policemen had gone to Akropong to effect the arrest of a suspected drug dealer.
The prosecutor said Chief Inspector Ahenkan also indicated that the two police constables and Larbi, a member of a watch-dog committee in Accra, also collected unspecified sums of money from the drug peddler.
Mr Tetteh said when a team of policemen from the Akropong Divisional Police Command were sent to investigate the incident, they arrested the convicts, while another accomplice whose name was only given as Paul managed to escape.
A search conducted on the three led to the discovery of eight wrapped pieces of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine and GH¢514.60 in the pockets of the police constables.
During interrogation, the convicts told the police that they collected the money from the drug peddler who they later released.
Sentencing them, the court said instead of the police constables assisting in the fight to rid the country of the drug menace, they rather engaged themselves in the negative practice.
NADMO PRESENTS RELIEF ITEMS TO TWO SCHOOLS (PAGE 35)
THE National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in partnership with the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council has presented a number of relief items to two basic schools at Anum-Boso and Anum-Gua.
The items, comprising a number of packets of roofing sheets and bags of cement, were presented to the Boso Junior High School and the Bose Gua Senior High Technical School.
They were meant for the rehabilitation of part of the school buildings that were damaged as a result of a heavy downpour that also ripped their roofs.
Presenting the items, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said the NADMO and the RCC decided to donate the items following a media publication about the destruction of the part of the school building not long ago.
Mr Ampofo, who was taken round to inspect the affected school buildings, urged the traditional and school authorities to use the items for the purpose for which they donated.
Receiving the items, Nana Akyempem Adu VII, Benkumhene of Anum Traditional Area and Nana Amoah Kwasi III, Krontihene of Boso Gua Traditional Area, thanked the government for the gesture, which they said would be a relief to the teachers and pupils of the beneficiary schools.
They, however, appealed to the government to help re-construct the dilapidated major roads in the towns to facilitate the movement of the people and goods.
The items, comprising a number of packets of roofing sheets and bags of cement, were presented to the Boso Junior High School and the Bose Gua Senior High Technical School.
They were meant for the rehabilitation of part of the school buildings that were damaged as a result of a heavy downpour that also ripped their roofs.
Presenting the items, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said the NADMO and the RCC decided to donate the items following a media publication about the destruction of the part of the school building not long ago.
Mr Ampofo, who was taken round to inspect the affected school buildings, urged the traditional and school authorities to use the items for the purpose for which they donated.
Receiving the items, Nana Akyempem Adu VII, Benkumhene of Anum Traditional Area and Nana Amoah Kwasi III, Krontihene of Boso Gua Traditional Area, thanked the government for the gesture, which they said would be a relief to the teachers and pupils of the beneficiary schools.
They, however, appealed to the government to help re-construct the dilapidated major roads in the towns to facilitate the movement of the people and goods.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)