Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
President Kufour has inaugurated the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi with the assurance that a 20,000-seater stadium will be constructed at Cape Coast next year.
He said similar facilities would also be constructed in all the regional capitals to enable the youth to develop their talents in sports more efficiently. He said his government was committed to developing sports infrastructure in the country and would leave nothing to chance to realise the dream.
He commended the architects, consultants and the Venue Organising Committee for coming up with the magnificent edifice and called on the sports authorities to maintain it regularly.
He said it was equally important for the sports fraternity in Kumasi and all stakeholders to accord the visiting teams the needed hospitality and goodwill to ensure a peaceful tournament.
President Kufuor also said the facilities such as the tartan tracks, the pitch, the VVIP and VIP stands showed the commitment and efficiency of the contractor to provide an edifice which would meet the standards of the present and future generations.
Present at the ceremony were the First Lady, Mrs Theresa Kufuor, the Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Prof. Dominic Fobih, the Finance Minister, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, the Minister of State in charge of Chieftancy and Culture, Mr S. K. Boafo, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Emmanuel A. Owusu-Ansah and the Mayor of Kumasi, Mrs Patricia Appiagyei.
In an international match to mark the opening of the stadium, the national U-17 team, the Black Starlets, lost by 2-0 to their Ivorian counterparts. Adama Triloru put his side ahead in the 32nd minute through a spot kick after which Michael Serijees scored a second goal in the 38 minute.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
SECURITY SITUATION IMPROVES AT KNUST .... Page 30
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
The restriction placed on taxi drivers in the Kumasi metropolis from operating on the campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) since August this year has reduced the crime rate in the university community considerably.
Over the years, cases of armed robbery, sexual assault of female students, snatching of mobile phones and physical assault of students, lecturers and the university community had been regular, creating a state of panic among residents of the university.
As part of the measures to reduce the crime rate at the university and to instil sanity , the university authorities introduced an innovation that identified taxis that operated on the university campus.
Since the beginning of August when the authorities started implementing the innovation by embossing identification numbers on taxis that operated on the university campus, the KNUST had not only been selective on commercial vehicles that did business at the university, but had also ensured that such cars had the requisite documents that met their criterion in terms of road worthiness, insurance and signs to prove that they were maintained regularly.
That, according to the university authorities, was to ensure the safety of passengers.
Explaining the rational behind their measures, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, told the Daily Graphic that the initiative was to address the security concerns of members of the university community.
“I saw security as a major concern for students, lecturers, and all stakeholders who do business in diverse ways in the university and this needed immediate action for sanity to prevail”, he stressed.
Prof. Adarkwa said because the university shared common boundaries with about 19 communities in the Kumasi metropolis, it had numerous entry and exit points so members of the public and motorists, who had no business on campus entered through several outlets, creating much inconveniences to students, lecturers and the entire university community.
He said some of them indulged in criminal activities, creating a state of insecurity for the university community
He said it was to reduce the crime rate that his administration decided to restrict the entry of vehicles to the university campus.
He said as part of the measures “we prevented any vehicle from entering the university through the Bomso route, because we found out that about 70 per cent of vehicles which entered through that route had no business doing on campus”.
“The idea was that if we could reduce vehicular flow into the university, especially taxis, then we can control security well . This is because of the realisation that a lot of the criminal activities that were recorded on campus were committed by taxi drivers and their accomplices”.
He said prior to the arrangement some female students were abused by taxi drivers and others were abducted and molested after they had been robbed of their mobile phones and monies.
“Previously there were reported cases of robbery on a daily basis but now it has dropped significantly, indicating that we are on course to minimise the crime rate on campus”.
Professor Adarkwa said before the new measures were introduced they formed a committee comprising lecturers, students and other members of the university community “and they are monitoring the situation and improving upon them when necessary”.
“For now, we have about 70 embossed taxis operating on campus and 16 shuttle buses with the other hostels having their own buses that convey students to campus and when the need arises we shall increase the number, but that depends on the recommendations of the committee”, he noted.
He said “all the commercial drivers operating on campus have been properly trained to appreciate the ethics on campus, so they are living up to expectation.
He said security agents conducted regular patrols on campus at night to check armed robbers who used to attack the university community “ so there had been a substantial drop in armed robbery cases on campus of late, and commended them for their gesture.
Professor Adarkwa appealed to all stakeholders to be security conscious and co-operate with the authorities to create a serene atmosphere for effective teaching and learning at the university.
The restriction placed on taxi drivers in the Kumasi metropolis from operating on the campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) since August this year has reduced the crime rate in the university community considerably.
Over the years, cases of armed robbery, sexual assault of female students, snatching of mobile phones and physical assault of students, lecturers and the university community had been regular, creating a state of panic among residents of the university.
As part of the measures to reduce the crime rate at the university and to instil sanity , the university authorities introduced an innovation that identified taxis that operated on the university campus.
Since the beginning of August when the authorities started implementing the innovation by embossing identification numbers on taxis that operated on the university campus, the KNUST had not only been selective on commercial vehicles that did business at the university, but had also ensured that such cars had the requisite documents that met their criterion in terms of road worthiness, insurance and signs to prove that they were maintained regularly.
That, according to the university authorities, was to ensure the safety of passengers.
Explaining the rational behind their measures, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, told the Daily Graphic that the initiative was to address the security concerns of members of the university community.
“I saw security as a major concern for students, lecturers, and all stakeholders who do business in diverse ways in the university and this needed immediate action for sanity to prevail”, he stressed.
Prof. Adarkwa said because the university shared common boundaries with about 19 communities in the Kumasi metropolis, it had numerous entry and exit points so members of the public and motorists, who had no business on campus entered through several outlets, creating much inconveniences to students, lecturers and the entire university community.
He said some of them indulged in criminal activities, creating a state of insecurity for the university community
He said it was to reduce the crime rate that his administration decided to restrict the entry of vehicles to the university campus.
He said as part of the measures “we prevented any vehicle from entering the university through the Bomso route, because we found out that about 70 per cent of vehicles which entered through that route had no business doing on campus”.
“The idea was that if we could reduce vehicular flow into the university, especially taxis, then we can control security well . This is because of the realisation that a lot of the criminal activities that were recorded on campus were committed by taxi drivers and their accomplices”.
He said prior to the arrangement some female students were abused by taxi drivers and others were abducted and molested after they had been robbed of their mobile phones and monies.
“Previously there were reported cases of robbery on a daily basis but now it has dropped significantly, indicating that we are on course to minimise the crime rate on campus”.
Professor Adarkwa said before the new measures were introduced they formed a committee comprising lecturers, students and other members of the university community “and they are monitoring the situation and improving upon them when necessary”.
“For now, we have about 70 embossed taxis operating on campus and 16 shuttle buses with the other hostels having their own buses that convey students to campus and when the need arises we shall increase the number, but that depends on the recommendations of the committee”, he noted.
He said “all the commercial drivers operating on campus have been properly trained to appreciate the ethics on campus, so they are living up to expectation.
He said security agents conducted regular patrols on campus at night to check armed robbers who used to attack the university community “ so there had been a substantial drop in armed robbery cases on campus of late, and commended them for their gesture.
Professor Adarkwa appealed to all stakeholders to be security conscious and co-operate with the authorities to create a serene atmosphere for effective teaching and learning at the university.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
PROF MILLS TO VISIT KUMASI ... Page 16
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
THE opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will organise a mammoth rally at the Konadu Yiadom School Park in Ashtown in Kumasi on Sunday, December 16, 2007 to usher Professor John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills into the metropolis to begin a six-day maiden visit since he was officially endorsed as the flag bearer of the party.
He would also visit selected communities in the Ashanti Region to formally introduce himself to supporters and sympathisers of the party and solicit their support for the December 2008 general elections.
A release signed by the acting Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NDC, Mr Yao Doe-Tamakloe, said the maiden visit of Professor Mills would be used to strengthen his house to house campaign which has so far had positive impact on the political arena.
According to the release, the rally at the Konadu Yiadom Park would be an explosive one because apart from Professor Mills who is the guest of honour to address the numerous supporters and sympathisers who would troop to the rally ground, “many NDC stalwarts and representatives of other minority parties and dignitaries would also address the people”.
It said it was after the rally that Professor Mills would “ “embark on his house to house and door to door initiative to interact with various communities throughout the Kumasi Metropolis on a daily basis”.
The release said the NDC flag bearer would also use the six -day period in the Ashanti Region to attend a number of meetings with selected economic and social groups before departing on December 21, 2007.
THE opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will organise a mammoth rally at the Konadu Yiadom School Park in Ashtown in Kumasi on Sunday, December 16, 2007 to usher Professor John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills into the metropolis to begin a six-day maiden visit since he was officially endorsed as the flag bearer of the party.
He would also visit selected communities in the Ashanti Region to formally introduce himself to supporters and sympathisers of the party and solicit their support for the December 2008 general elections.
A release signed by the acting Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NDC, Mr Yao Doe-Tamakloe, said the maiden visit of Professor Mills would be used to strengthen his house to house campaign which has so far had positive impact on the political arena.
According to the release, the rally at the Konadu Yiadom Park would be an explosive one because apart from Professor Mills who is the guest of honour to address the numerous supporters and sympathisers who would troop to the rally ground, “many NDC stalwarts and representatives of other minority parties and dignitaries would also address the people”.
It said it was after the rally that Professor Mills would “ “embark on his house to house and door to door initiative to interact with various communities throughout the Kumasi Metropolis on a daily basis”.
The release said the NDC flag bearer would also use the six -day period in the Ashanti Region to attend a number of meetings with selected economic and social groups before departing on December 21, 2007.
HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER UNDER ARREST (Back Page)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
THE police have arrested Kwadwo Asiedu, a tipper truck driver who drove over a young woman and killed her instantly.
The incident, which occurred at Kaase, a Kumasi suburb, on Thursday, December 6, 2007, also saw the truck with registration number AS 7032 Y, driven by Asiedu, smashing a VW Golf saloon car with registration number GR 668 F, destroying it beyond repairs.
The vehicle also injured two other people, a middle-aged female teacher and a man, who were walking on the pavement around the Guinness Junction at Kaase. They were then rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, where they were admitted for medical treatment.
The incident threw the otherwise solemn industrial community of Kaase into a state of mourning on the eve of Farmers Day.
Eyewitnesses told the Daily Graphic that the tipper truck allegedly had a brake failure, causing it to crush the woman, Vivian Asiedu believed to be a susu collector in her early 20s.
The deceased, who was only identified as Vivian, was on her usual rounds and walking on the pavement when the tipper truck hit and dragged her along the road before smashing into the VW Golf.
After smashing into the saloon car, the two vehicles fell into a gutter with the truck on top of the saloon car, causing extensive damage to it beyond repairs.
The two occupants in the car miraculously escaped unhurt.
The body of the susu collector has since been deposited at the KATH mortuary for autopsy.
He said just after the accident, the driver and his mate took to their heels and managed to escape before the police arrived at the scene.
THE police have arrested Kwadwo Asiedu, a tipper truck driver who drove over a young woman and killed her instantly.
The incident, which occurred at Kaase, a Kumasi suburb, on Thursday, December 6, 2007, also saw the truck with registration number AS 7032 Y, driven by Asiedu, smashing a VW Golf saloon car with registration number GR 668 F, destroying it beyond repairs.
The vehicle also injured two other people, a middle-aged female teacher and a man, who were walking on the pavement around the Guinness Junction at Kaase. They were then rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, where they were admitted for medical treatment.
The incident threw the otherwise solemn industrial community of Kaase into a state of mourning on the eve of Farmers Day.
Eyewitnesses told the Daily Graphic that the tipper truck allegedly had a brake failure, causing it to crush the woman, Vivian Asiedu believed to be a susu collector in her early 20s.
The deceased, who was only identified as Vivian, was on her usual rounds and walking on the pavement when the tipper truck hit and dragged her along the road before smashing into the VW Golf.
After smashing into the saloon car, the two vehicles fell into a gutter with the truck on top of the saloon car, causing extensive damage to it beyond repairs.
The two occupants in the car miraculously escaped unhurt.
The body of the susu collector has since been deposited at the KATH mortuary for autopsy.
He said just after the accident, the driver and his mate took to their heels and managed to escape before the police arrived at the scene.
Monday, December 10, 2007
TIPPER TRUCK KILLS WOMAN, INJURES 2, DESTROYS CAR (Graphic Nsempa....Page 20)
By George Ernest Asare, Kumasi.
THE industrial community of Kaase, a Kumasi suburb, was on Thursday evening thrown into a state of anguish and mourning when a tipper truck alleged to have had a brake failure crushed a young woman in her early 20’s to death, smashing her head into pulp and killing her on the spot.
The deceased, who was only identified as Vivian, was a susu collector and was on her usual rounds of collecting the daily contributions from her customers when the tipper truck, with registration number AS 7023 Y, hit and dragged her along the road before smashing her into a VW Golf saloon car, with registration number GR 668 F.
After smashing into the saloon car, the two vehicles fell into a gutter with the truck on top of the salon car causing extensive damage to the Golf car. The two occupants in the car miraculously escaped unhurt.
Before then, the truck had knocked down a female teacher and a middle aged man who also sustained various degrees of injury and were rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) where they were admitted.
The body of the susu collector has been deposited at the KATH mortuary for autopsy. The driver of the tipper truck and his mate took to their heels immediately the accident occurred and the police are hunting for them to assist in their investigations.
An eyewitness, Mr Christopher Akowuah, told Graphic Nsempa that around 5 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2007, he saw the tipper truck descending at a terrific speed from the Abattoir road towards Atinga Junction on the Kaase road. He said he suspected that the truck had a mechanical problem because the driver was making frantic efforts to inform the motorists ahead to give way.
He said in an attempt to manoeuvre his way through the traffic ahead, the truck crashed into the saloon car, dragging it into a nearby gutter and completely damaging it beyond repairs.
According to Mr Akowuah, at that time the deceased was walking on the pavement so the truck hit her, dragged her along and smashed her head in the process killing her instantly.
He said the truck also hit a female teacher and a middle aged man who were also walking on the pavement and added that just after the accident, the driver and his mate managed to escape before the police arrived on the scene to investigate the accident.
THE industrial community of Kaase, a Kumasi suburb, was on Thursday evening thrown into a state of anguish and mourning when a tipper truck alleged to have had a brake failure crushed a young woman in her early 20’s to death, smashing her head into pulp and killing her on the spot.
The deceased, who was only identified as Vivian, was a susu collector and was on her usual rounds of collecting the daily contributions from her customers when the tipper truck, with registration number AS 7023 Y, hit and dragged her along the road before smashing her into a VW Golf saloon car, with registration number GR 668 F.
After smashing into the saloon car, the two vehicles fell into a gutter with the truck on top of the salon car causing extensive damage to the Golf car. The two occupants in the car miraculously escaped unhurt.
Before then, the truck had knocked down a female teacher and a middle aged man who also sustained various degrees of injury and were rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) where they were admitted.
The body of the susu collector has been deposited at the KATH mortuary for autopsy. The driver of the tipper truck and his mate took to their heels immediately the accident occurred and the police are hunting for them to assist in their investigations.
An eyewitness, Mr Christopher Akowuah, told Graphic Nsempa that around 5 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2007, he saw the tipper truck descending at a terrific speed from the Abattoir road towards Atinga Junction on the Kaase road. He said he suspected that the truck had a mechanical problem because the driver was making frantic efforts to inform the motorists ahead to give way.
He said in an attempt to manoeuvre his way through the traffic ahead, the truck crashed into the saloon car, dragging it into a nearby gutter and completely damaging it beyond repairs.
According to Mr Akowuah, at that time the deceased was walking on the pavement so the truck hit her, dragged her along and smashed her head in the process killing her instantly.
He said the truck also hit a female teacher and a middle aged man who were also walking on the pavement and added that just after the accident, the driver and his mate managed to escape before the police arrived on the scene to investigate the accident.
NDC TO STRENGHEN HOUSE-TO-HOUSE CAMPAIGN (Page 15)
George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
THE opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed its determination to strengthen and sustain its house-to-house political campaign initiated by its flag bearer, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, as part of its marketing strategy to win more sympathetic votes during the 2008 general election.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr Daniel Ohene-Agyekum, who made this known, said Professor Mills would visit the Kumasi metropolis and its environs in the course of the month to interact with the leadership of the party and carry his campaign strategy a bit further.
He said since the youth constituted the bulk of the electorate, they were the main target group of the party, saying that with the house-to-house campaign, “we will be able to reach out to them and explain our philosophy to them in a more appropriate way for them to appreciate the need to give us their mandate to manage the affairs of the state through the 2008 general election”.
He told the Daily Graphic why the party had intensified the house-to-house campaign, instead of organising rallies in the run up to the 2008 general election.
Mr Ohene-Agyekum said the latest initiative by Professor Mills was yielding fruitful results “because unlike rallies, where the leadership does not spend much time to explain the party’s vision and philosophy to its sympathisers, we are able to do so during the house-to-house campaigns and we are now winning more youth to our side”.
He said since no election was won on a silver platter, the NDC was encouraging its youth wing to work very hard to turn things around for it to win next year’s elections convincingly.
“The youth have the strength and muscle to move from town to town and village to village to make the house-to- house campaign more forceful and fruitful,” Mr Ohene-Agyekum said.
He said the youth should be able to mobilise the people to support the cause of the NDC and explain to them why it was a better choice than any other party to govern the country.
He said with the positive interaction the party members had had with the electorate, “they will better understand the need to give their mandate to us”.
“We are not going to wait until the last minute for us to organise rallies because some of them do not get the message right and appreciate our concerns and philosophies. But with this, we are getting right to the people to make victory certain,” Mr Ohene-Agyekum said.
He said the NDC was certain of victory because of the prevailing conditions in the country.
“The prevailing circumstances under which majority of Ghanaians find themselves today, especially the massive corruption, extreme hardship and the high poverty levels, are such that if we work hard and all the other wings of the party, like the Youth and Women’s wings, play their roles well, it is likely that we will emerge victorious,” he said.
He said Professor Mills had set the ball rolling with the house-to-house campaign so the onus lay on all party faithful to begin to reach out to the people and explain the party’s philosophies to them.
“We are a party that cares for the generality of the people, not a party that lays emphasis on the acquisition of wealth, so we deserve to be re-elected to power next year,” the regional chairman intimated.
THE opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed its determination to strengthen and sustain its house-to-house political campaign initiated by its flag bearer, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, as part of its marketing strategy to win more sympathetic votes during the 2008 general election.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr Daniel Ohene-Agyekum, who made this known, said Professor Mills would visit the Kumasi metropolis and its environs in the course of the month to interact with the leadership of the party and carry his campaign strategy a bit further.
He said since the youth constituted the bulk of the electorate, they were the main target group of the party, saying that with the house-to-house campaign, “we will be able to reach out to them and explain our philosophy to them in a more appropriate way for them to appreciate the need to give us their mandate to manage the affairs of the state through the 2008 general election”.
He told the Daily Graphic why the party had intensified the house-to-house campaign, instead of organising rallies in the run up to the 2008 general election.
Mr Ohene-Agyekum said the latest initiative by Professor Mills was yielding fruitful results “because unlike rallies, where the leadership does not spend much time to explain the party’s vision and philosophy to its sympathisers, we are able to do so during the house-to-house campaigns and we are now winning more youth to our side”.
He said since no election was won on a silver platter, the NDC was encouraging its youth wing to work very hard to turn things around for it to win next year’s elections convincingly.
“The youth have the strength and muscle to move from town to town and village to village to make the house-to- house campaign more forceful and fruitful,” Mr Ohene-Agyekum said.
He said the youth should be able to mobilise the people to support the cause of the NDC and explain to them why it was a better choice than any other party to govern the country.
He said with the positive interaction the party members had had with the electorate, “they will better understand the need to give their mandate to us”.
“We are not going to wait until the last minute for us to organise rallies because some of them do not get the message right and appreciate our concerns and philosophies. But with this, we are getting right to the people to make victory certain,” Mr Ohene-Agyekum said.
He said the NDC was certain of victory because of the prevailing conditions in the country.
“The prevailing circumstances under which majority of Ghanaians find themselves today, especially the massive corruption, extreme hardship and the high poverty levels, are such that if we work hard and all the other wings of the party, like the Youth and Women’s wings, play their roles well, it is likely that we will emerge victorious,” he said.
He said Professor Mills had set the ball rolling with the house-to-house campaign so the onus lay on all party faithful to begin to reach out to the people and explain the party’s philosophies to them.
“We are a party that cares for the generality of the people, not a party that lays emphasis on the acquisition of wealth, so we deserve to be re-elected to power next year,” the regional chairman intimated.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
SCULPTOR MAKES BUSTS OF NKRUMAH, KUFUOR (Page 29)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
A SCULPTOR, Mr James Boakye, has donated two separate busts of the First President of Ghana, the late Osagyefuo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and President John Agyekum Kufuor, to the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board at a short ceremony at Ntensere, near Kumasi.
According to Mr Boakye, who is physically challenged, the donation was his personal contribution towards the 50th anniversary celebration of Ghana’s independence.
The acting Ashanti Regional Director of the Museums and Monuments Board, Mr S.F. Dadzie, received the bursts on behalf of the Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture.
Briefing the Daily Graphic, Mr Boakye who is an employee of the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in Kumasi said he was motivated by the visit of the sector Minister, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, to the CNC in January this year to make a personal contribution towards the region’s celebration of Ghana @50.
He stated that apart from the two busts, he had also made that of the late Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, the country’s Prime Minister in the Second Republic, the late Tafawa Balawa, a former Nigerian President, and the Omanhene of the Offinso Traditional Area, Nana Wiafi Akenten III.
A SCULPTOR, Mr James Boakye, has donated two separate busts of the First President of Ghana, the late Osagyefuo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and President John Agyekum Kufuor, to the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board at a short ceremony at Ntensere, near Kumasi.
According to Mr Boakye, who is physically challenged, the donation was his personal contribution towards the 50th anniversary celebration of Ghana’s independence.
The acting Ashanti Regional Director of the Museums and Monuments Board, Mr S.F. Dadzie, received the bursts on behalf of the Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture.
Briefing the Daily Graphic, Mr Boakye who is an employee of the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in Kumasi said he was motivated by the visit of the sector Minister, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, to the CNC in January this year to make a personal contribution towards the region’s celebration of Ghana @50.
He stated that apart from the two busts, he had also made that of the late Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, the country’s Prime Minister in the Second Republic, the late Tafawa Balawa, a former Nigerian President, and the Omanhene of the Offinso Traditional Area, Nana Wiafi Akenten III.
GANGSTERISM GAINING FIRM ROOTS IN KUMASI (Page 29)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
THE Police in Kumasi have indicated that gangsterism is gaining roots in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs, creating a state of insecurity and fear among residents.
As part of their investigations to unravel the mystery surrounding the gruesome murder of a 26-year-old goldsmith, Jordan Osei Yaw, at South Suntreso in Kumasi on November 24, 2007, the police revealed that the deceased was allegedly murdered by a gang of six youth based at Bantama in Kumasi.
Using machetes, axe and other sharp objects, the gangsters inflicted deep wounds on the head, forehead, neck, palms, back and other parts of the body of the deceased, who bled profusely to death.
The deceased was at that time watching television in his room around 10:30 p.m. when the suspects parked their Mitsubishi Pajero with registration number GR 3574 G by the roadside, entered his room which was not locked and callously inflicted the fatal wounds on his body before fleeing in the waiting vehicle.
The police are looking for six persons, who are said to belong to a gang in Bantama for their alleged involvement in the crime. The suspects are Kwame Appiah, described by the police as the leader; Kwadwo Poku, alias Vandamme, alias Kutany, who is also the younger brother of Appiah; and others whose names were only given as Dauda, Marcus, Gyempeh and Agyankugya.
The police have, however, alleged that the deceased belonged to a rival gang based at Ashtown and they were seriously planning to revenge the death of Osei Yaw.
According to the police, the gang at Ashtown are massively massing up to first attack the father of one of the gangsters who is said to be involved in the killing of Jordan.
The police alleged that Kwadwo Poku had a deep machete wound on the left wrist and bled profusely until he became unconscious after the crime and was, therefore, rushed to the County Clinic at Abrepo for treatment.
The nature of the injury was such that the suspect had to be referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) by his alleged accomplices, who were all soaked in blood, and was admitted around 11:30 p.m. He was discharged at 8:30 p.m. the following day after his wound had been sutured, but lack of security consciousness on the part of the medical officers at both the County Clinic and the KATH did not make them suspect anything to conduct further investigations on how Poku sustained the injury.
They also failed to find out why those who accompanied him to the hospital were all soaked in blood.
The police stated at the press conference that the wave of gangsterism in Kumasi dated as far back as 2004 and gave instances where some youth from Asawasi and Zongo clashed for inexplicable reasons, leaving behind a number of casualties.
The police said in the course of the clash in 2004, one person from Asawasi had one of his fingers severed while another from Zongo had his right wrist chopped off.
The police attributed their difficulty in apprehending the criminals to inadequate information from the public.
One thing that is clear is that members of both rival gangs at Ashtown and Bantama who have sworn to create insecurity in Kumasi are well-known to residents, and they are also aware of their nefarious activities, yet nobody is prepared to offer useful information to the police.
The time has come for the police to act decisively by going all out to arrest and prosecute all deviants who are creating panic among residents in Kumasi to enhance peace and security in the metropolis.
The public also have a big role to play by not only becoming security conscious and report all suspicious characters to the police, but also refraining from interfering with the work of the police to enhance their operations.
THE Police in Kumasi have indicated that gangsterism is gaining roots in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs, creating a state of insecurity and fear among residents.
As part of their investigations to unravel the mystery surrounding the gruesome murder of a 26-year-old goldsmith, Jordan Osei Yaw, at South Suntreso in Kumasi on November 24, 2007, the police revealed that the deceased was allegedly murdered by a gang of six youth based at Bantama in Kumasi.
Using machetes, axe and other sharp objects, the gangsters inflicted deep wounds on the head, forehead, neck, palms, back and other parts of the body of the deceased, who bled profusely to death.
The deceased was at that time watching television in his room around 10:30 p.m. when the suspects parked their Mitsubishi Pajero with registration number GR 3574 G by the roadside, entered his room which was not locked and callously inflicted the fatal wounds on his body before fleeing in the waiting vehicle.
The police are looking for six persons, who are said to belong to a gang in Bantama for their alleged involvement in the crime. The suspects are Kwame Appiah, described by the police as the leader; Kwadwo Poku, alias Vandamme, alias Kutany, who is also the younger brother of Appiah; and others whose names were only given as Dauda, Marcus, Gyempeh and Agyankugya.
The police have, however, alleged that the deceased belonged to a rival gang based at Ashtown and they were seriously planning to revenge the death of Osei Yaw.
According to the police, the gang at Ashtown are massively massing up to first attack the father of one of the gangsters who is said to be involved in the killing of Jordan.
The police alleged that Kwadwo Poku had a deep machete wound on the left wrist and bled profusely until he became unconscious after the crime and was, therefore, rushed to the County Clinic at Abrepo for treatment.
The nature of the injury was such that the suspect had to be referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) by his alleged accomplices, who were all soaked in blood, and was admitted around 11:30 p.m. He was discharged at 8:30 p.m. the following day after his wound had been sutured, but lack of security consciousness on the part of the medical officers at both the County Clinic and the KATH did not make them suspect anything to conduct further investigations on how Poku sustained the injury.
They also failed to find out why those who accompanied him to the hospital were all soaked in blood.
The police stated at the press conference that the wave of gangsterism in Kumasi dated as far back as 2004 and gave instances where some youth from Asawasi and Zongo clashed for inexplicable reasons, leaving behind a number of casualties.
The police said in the course of the clash in 2004, one person from Asawasi had one of his fingers severed while another from Zongo had his right wrist chopped off.
The police attributed their difficulty in apprehending the criminals to inadequate information from the public.
One thing that is clear is that members of both rival gangs at Ashtown and Bantama who have sworn to create insecurity in Kumasi are well-known to residents, and they are also aware of their nefarious activities, yet nobody is prepared to offer useful information to the police.
The time has come for the police to act decisively by going all out to arrest and prosecute all deviants who are creating panic among residents in Kumasi to enhance peace and security in the metropolis.
The public also have a big role to play by not only becoming security conscious and report all suspicious characters to the police, but also refraining from interfering with the work of the police to enhance their operations.
POLICE ARREST TRUCK DRIVER (Page 29)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
THE Kumasi Police have arrested a 25-year-old Ghanaian driver for using a cargo truck with a foreign registration number for commercial activities in the country.
The police explained that vehicles bearing foreign registration numbers were supposed to carry only goods on transit but not for any commercial activity in the country.
The vehicle, a DAF cargo truck with registration number RT 6753 AB, which was fully loaded with charcoal, was heading towards Accra.
The driver, John Kofi Owusu, had loaded charcoal which measured 16 feet above ground level instead of the stipulated height of 11.9 feet.
The police said the driver’s action led to the destruction of some telephone lines and threatened the lives of other road users and would be arraigned as soon as investigations were completed.
He has been charged with loading above the stipulated height, insecure loading, causing damage to government property, carrying greater number of passengers, over crowding front seat and failing to stop.
The police have also impounded the cargo truck.
The Ashanti Regional Police Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit, Mr James Sarfo Peprah, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the incident, said the police spotted the driver at Afrancho on the Techiman-Kumasi road and when he was flagged to stop, he ignored the directive and sped on.
He said the cargo car, which was loaded above the stipulated height, caused massive destruction to telephone lines on the way but the driver ignored the outcry of the public who drew his attention to the destruction.
He said the driver was arrested by the Police at Suame, who blocked the road when they were alerted. He provided his name and identified himself as a Ghanaian after his arrest.
Mr Peprah expressed concern about the negative attitude of the driver and gave the assurance that he would be put before court to serve as a deterrent to others.
In another development, the police at Suame have arrested a 33-year-old driver for loading his vehicle above the stipulated height.
According to the police, the driver, Seidu Muhammed, who was driving a KIA cargo truck with registration number AS 3684 Y, had loaded charcoal to a height of 10 feet instead of the stipulated 9 feet.
THE Kumasi Police have arrested a 25-year-old Ghanaian driver for using a cargo truck with a foreign registration number for commercial activities in the country.
The police explained that vehicles bearing foreign registration numbers were supposed to carry only goods on transit but not for any commercial activity in the country.
The vehicle, a DAF cargo truck with registration number RT 6753 AB, which was fully loaded with charcoal, was heading towards Accra.
The driver, John Kofi Owusu, had loaded charcoal which measured 16 feet above ground level instead of the stipulated height of 11.9 feet.
The police said the driver’s action led to the destruction of some telephone lines and threatened the lives of other road users and would be arraigned as soon as investigations were completed.
He has been charged with loading above the stipulated height, insecure loading, causing damage to government property, carrying greater number of passengers, over crowding front seat and failing to stop.
The police have also impounded the cargo truck.
The Ashanti Regional Police Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit, Mr James Sarfo Peprah, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the incident, said the police spotted the driver at Afrancho on the Techiman-Kumasi road and when he was flagged to stop, he ignored the directive and sped on.
He said the cargo car, which was loaded above the stipulated height, caused massive destruction to telephone lines on the way but the driver ignored the outcry of the public who drew his attention to the destruction.
He said the driver was arrested by the Police at Suame, who blocked the road when they were alerted. He provided his name and identified himself as a Ghanaian after his arrest.
Mr Peprah expressed concern about the negative attitude of the driver and gave the assurance that he would be put before court to serve as a deterrent to others.
In another development, the police at Suame have arrested a 33-year-old driver for loading his vehicle above the stipulated height.
According to the police, the driver, Seidu Muhammed, who was driving a KIA cargo truck with registration number AS 3684 Y, had loaded charcoal to a height of 10 feet instead of the stipulated 9 feet.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
OHENE AGYEKUM DENIES MAKING SEDITIOUS STATEMENT (Page 17)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
THE Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress, (NDC), Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum, has categorically denied media reports attributed to him that “should the New Patriotic Party (NPP) win the 2008 general election and the NDC loses, Ghana will burn”.
“I am a responsible and mature person and will never make any hollow statement as some newspapers and radio stations in the country are alleging,” he said.
“What I said and would repeat here is that, should the leadership of the NPP conduct themselves in the same way as they did in 2004 by arrogating to themselves the constitutional powers of the Electoral Commission (EC) to announce the results for the 2008 elections as they did in 2004, then it would be a recipe for chaos and confusion in the country,” he explained.
Mr Ohene Agyekum pointed out that “but for the maturity and peaceful nature of our flag bearer who acted in accordance with the trust that the international leaders had in him, there would have been confusion in 2004”.
“This is a statement that people in all political divide in the country should appreciate and support, because we have all contributed to the present stability in the country and would not allow any individual or political party in Ghana to create any situation that would plunge the country into political turmoil and instability,” he stressed.
Mr Ohene Agyekum was reacting to media reports and editorial comments of this paper on what he was reported to have said, which sought to mean that if the NPP retained power and the NDC lost, the country would burn. This was during an interview with the Daily Graphic in Kumasi at the weekend.
He said they were able to tolerate the NPP in 2004, “but will certainly not be a second fool in 2008 if the leadership of the NPP repeat what they did”.
Recalling the events that took place prior to the official declaration of results by the EC in the 2004 elections, Mr Ohene Agyekum pointed out that “four clear hours before the final collation of the results of the presidential and parliamentary elections, and as some political parties were waiting anxiously, but patiently for the EC which had the constitutional mandate to make a public announcement on the final outcome of the elections, the ruling NPP, acting with arrogance and impunity, sat in judgement and issued a statement through Messrs Obetsebei-Lamptey and Kwamena Bartels to the effect that by their calculations, the NPP had won the elections”.
He questioned what would have happened if the other political parties had also gone ahead to announce their results of the elections.
The NDC regional chairman said at that time, the supporters of the NPP, NDC, PNC and CPP would have been in the streets and the scenario would not have been pleasant, because there would have been clashes throughout the country and this would have set the country ablaze.
“This is what I said and I repeat that if the NPP leadership attempts to repeat that, then it would create instability and confusion in the country to derail the gains we have made over the years,” he noted.
He stressed that he was neither a war monger nor a prophet of doom and did not wish Ghana to burn, but the future of this country did not rest on the NPP leadership alone.
“We all have a shared responsibility to protect and defend the integrity of the constitution for the sake of future generations,” he said, adding that, “I am deeply concerned about the way the NPP arrogated to themselves the authority of the EC to announce publicly the results of the 2004 election”.
“These are some of the issues that cause mayhem and political turmoil in other parts of Africa and beyond, and I do not wish that this happens in the only country we have on this planet,” he further stated.
Mr Ohene Agyekum said having enjoyed political stability for some time, and charting a democratic course in Africa, which was not only the envy of neighbouring countries, but had also won international recognition, the need to ensure that the democratic course blossomed and yielded positive results was a shared responsibility.
“There has been a long spell of peace and stability, so it is not my intention and wish that this spell of peace and stability should be interrupted by any act of violence, so I would like our friends and colleagues on the other part of the political divide to appreciate the value of my statement rather than hurl insults at me,” he declared.
THE Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress, (NDC), Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum, has categorically denied media reports attributed to him that “should the New Patriotic Party (NPP) win the 2008 general election and the NDC loses, Ghana will burn”.
“I am a responsible and mature person and will never make any hollow statement as some newspapers and radio stations in the country are alleging,” he said.
“What I said and would repeat here is that, should the leadership of the NPP conduct themselves in the same way as they did in 2004 by arrogating to themselves the constitutional powers of the Electoral Commission (EC) to announce the results for the 2008 elections as they did in 2004, then it would be a recipe for chaos and confusion in the country,” he explained.
Mr Ohene Agyekum pointed out that “but for the maturity and peaceful nature of our flag bearer who acted in accordance with the trust that the international leaders had in him, there would have been confusion in 2004”.
“This is a statement that people in all political divide in the country should appreciate and support, because we have all contributed to the present stability in the country and would not allow any individual or political party in Ghana to create any situation that would plunge the country into political turmoil and instability,” he stressed.
Mr Ohene Agyekum was reacting to media reports and editorial comments of this paper on what he was reported to have said, which sought to mean that if the NPP retained power and the NDC lost, the country would burn. This was during an interview with the Daily Graphic in Kumasi at the weekend.
He said they were able to tolerate the NPP in 2004, “but will certainly not be a second fool in 2008 if the leadership of the NPP repeat what they did”.
Recalling the events that took place prior to the official declaration of results by the EC in the 2004 elections, Mr Ohene Agyekum pointed out that “four clear hours before the final collation of the results of the presidential and parliamentary elections, and as some political parties were waiting anxiously, but patiently for the EC which had the constitutional mandate to make a public announcement on the final outcome of the elections, the ruling NPP, acting with arrogance and impunity, sat in judgement and issued a statement through Messrs Obetsebei-Lamptey and Kwamena Bartels to the effect that by their calculations, the NPP had won the elections”.
He questioned what would have happened if the other political parties had also gone ahead to announce their results of the elections.
The NDC regional chairman said at that time, the supporters of the NPP, NDC, PNC and CPP would have been in the streets and the scenario would not have been pleasant, because there would have been clashes throughout the country and this would have set the country ablaze.
“This is what I said and I repeat that if the NPP leadership attempts to repeat that, then it would create instability and confusion in the country to derail the gains we have made over the years,” he noted.
He stressed that he was neither a war monger nor a prophet of doom and did not wish Ghana to burn, but the future of this country did not rest on the NPP leadership alone.
“We all have a shared responsibility to protect and defend the integrity of the constitution for the sake of future generations,” he said, adding that, “I am deeply concerned about the way the NPP arrogated to themselves the authority of the EC to announce publicly the results of the 2004 election”.
“These are some of the issues that cause mayhem and political turmoil in other parts of Africa and beyond, and I do not wish that this happens in the only country we have on this planet,” he further stated.
Mr Ohene Agyekum said having enjoyed political stability for some time, and charting a democratic course in Africa, which was not only the envy of neighbouring countries, but had also won international recognition, the need to ensure that the democratic course blossomed and yielded positive results was a shared responsibility.
“There has been a long spell of peace and stability, so it is not my intention and wish that this spell of peace and stability should be interrupted by any act of violence, so I would like our friends and colleagues on the other part of the political divide to appreciate the value of my statement rather than hurl insults at me,” he declared.
Monday, December 3, 2007
MIDWIFE, 76, SUPERVISES 6,000 BIRTHS IN 40 YEARS (GRAPHIC NSEMPA..Page 13)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Chiraa
THE Chiraa Traditional Council has honoured a 76 year old midwife for her dedication and commitment to the promotion of the primary health care at Chiraa and its environs in the Brong Ahafo Region, making it possible for her to successfully supervise the delivery of over 6000 babies for the past 40 years.
The Midwife, Madam Rosebud Mbroba Gaisie, who has stayed and worked at Chiraa throughout her prime and old age at her Maternity Clinic, was honoured with a certificate alongside other patriotic citizens at Chiraa during the third anniversary celebration of the enstoolment of the Queen Mother, Nana Yeboah Pene II.
At 76, she is still poised to deliver as many babies as possible and leave a legacy as one of the most successful midwives the nation has ever produced.
The ceremony, which was organised by Nana Yeboah Pene, and attended by many dignitaries, including the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, the Most Rev, Dr.Aboagye Mensah and the Deputy Minister for Mines and Forestry, Mr Adjie Yeboah, was used to raise funds to complete a female dormitory for the students at Chiraa Senior High School on Saturday November 24, 2007.
The project which was initiated by the queen mother was to ensure that the female students of the school had decent place of accommodation to enable them concentrate on their core business of studies.
This, according to Nana Pene “ would ensure that the students studied at an enabling environment and develop their potentials in a more effective and efficient way and acquire the skills that would enable them contribute more meaningfully to sustainable national development”.
The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kwadjo Adjie Darko, presented a personal cheque for GH¢25,000 (¢250 million) as his contribution towards the early completion of the project.
The ceremony saw the display of cultural values as Nana Pene dressed in her golden kente cloth and decorated with assorted gold ornament rode in a palanquin amid drumming and dancing to the admiration of the dignitaries who were at the durbar grounds.
It was in the course of the fund raising ceremony that Madam Gaisie was honoured and presented with the certificate of honour.
Nana Pene commended the 76 year old Midwife for her continuos service to the Chiraa community.
She said because of her efficiency, commitment and meritorious service she had provided over the years, the public had gained much confidence in her and therefore preferred delivering their babies at her clinic to going to the public health centres.
She pointed out that the female dormitory which is under construction was key to the promotion of discipline and moral values among the female students and therefore urged all stakeholders to support her initiatives to enhance the early completion of the project.
Other dignitaries who were honoured with certificates included Mr Opoku Danso who was the first Head Teacher of the SDA school, Mr George Osei Brempong for his patriotism, Opanin Kwabena Mensah, who was the first PTA Chairman for Chiraa Senior High School, Mr Amanfi Kyereme, a teacher at Chiraa and Nana Akua Asantewaa for her .
The Chief of Chiraa, Barima Minta Afari also commended Madam Gaisie and her compatriots and urged the residents to emulate their shining example.
He pointed out that the time had come for the citizens to eschew any divisive tendencies and join hands with the traditional authorities to devise means that would accelerate the pace of development in the community.
He pointed out that early completion of the female dormitory would enable the traditional rulers initiate another project of building a police station at Chiraa to reduce the crime rate in the community and its environs and therefore called for their active support.
Pix- Madam Rosebud Mbroba Gaisie admiring her certificate after the presentation.
END.
THE Chiraa Traditional Council has honoured a 76 year old midwife for her dedication and commitment to the promotion of the primary health care at Chiraa and its environs in the Brong Ahafo Region, making it possible for her to successfully supervise the delivery of over 6000 babies for the past 40 years.
The Midwife, Madam Rosebud Mbroba Gaisie, who has stayed and worked at Chiraa throughout her prime and old age at her Maternity Clinic, was honoured with a certificate alongside other patriotic citizens at Chiraa during the third anniversary celebration of the enstoolment of the Queen Mother, Nana Yeboah Pene II.
At 76, she is still poised to deliver as many babies as possible and leave a legacy as one of the most successful midwives the nation has ever produced.
The ceremony, which was organised by Nana Yeboah Pene, and attended by many dignitaries, including the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, the Most Rev, Dr.Aboagye Mensah and the Deputy Minister for Mines and Forestry, Mr Adjie Yeboah, was used to raise funds to complete a female dormitory for the students at Chiraa Senior High School on Saturday November 24, 2007.
The project which was initiated by the queen mother was to ensure that the female students of the school had decent place of accommodation to enable them concentrate on their core business of studies.
This, according to Nana Pene “ would ensure that the students studied at an enabling environment and develop their potentials in a more effective and efficient way and acquire the skills that would enable them contribute more meaningfully to sustainable national development”.
The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kwadjo Adjie Darko, presented a personal cheque for GH¢25,000 (¢250 million) as his contribution towards the early completion of the project.
The ceremony saw the display of cultural values as Nana Pene dressed in her golden kente cloth and decorated with assorted gold ornament rode in a palanquin amid drumming and dancing to the admiration of the dignitaries who were at the durbar grounds.
It was in the course of the fund raising ceremony that Madam Gaisie was honoured and presented with the certificate of honour.
Nana Pene commended the 76 year old Midwife for her continuos service to the Chiraa community.
She said because of her efficiency, commitment and meritorious service she had provided over the years, the public had gained much confidence in her and therefore preferred delivering their babies at her clinic to going to the public health centres.
She pointed out that the female dormitory which is under construction was key to the promotion of discipline and moral values among the female students and therefore urged all stakeholders to support her initiatives to enhance the early completion of the project.
Other dignitaries who were honoured with certificates included Mr Opoku Danso who was the first Head Teacher of the SDA school, Mr George Osei Brempong for his patriotism, Opanin Kwabena Mensah, who was the first PTA Chairman for Chiraa Senior High School, Mr Amanfi Kyereme, a teacher at Chiraa and Nana Akua Asantewaa for her .
The Chief of Chiraa, Barima Minta Afari also commended Madam Gaisie and her compatriots and urged the residents to emulate their shining example.
He pointed out that the time had come for the citizens to eschew any divisive tendencies and join hands with the traditional authorities to devise means that would accelerate the pace of development in the community.
He pointed out that early completion of the female dormitory would enable the traditional rulers initiate another project of building a police station at Chiraa to reduce the crime rate in the community and its environs and therefore called for their active support.
Pix- Madam Rosebud Mbroba Gaisie admiring her certificate after the presentation.
END.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
KEEP SURRONDINGS CLEAN ...Food vendors advised (Page 29)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi.
FOOD vendors in the Kumasi metropolis play crucial role in the lives of people who patronise their services.
Chop bar(traditional food joint) operators at Kejetia, ‘Atwemunum’, Central Market, the Asafo Neoplan Station and other areas, offer all kinds of indigenous food such as ampesi, fufu with all kinds of soup and fresh game (bush meat), as well as banku and tuozafi (TZ) to the public from dawn to dusk to keep body and soul together.
There are other food vendors, mostly women, who sell roasted plantain, yam , cocoyam, maize and bread along the principal streets in the metropolis.
While some of the food vendors in the metropolis operate in a clean environment, others operate in dirty surroundings that pose a health hazard to customers.
Some food vendors in the metropolis have specialised in selling food items very close to refuse dumps, public places of convenience, at the sides of dusty roads and other filthy environments.
Ironically, the city authorities and medical personnel seem to have shirked their responsibilities of ensuring that food is sold to the public in environmentally clean areas.
At the Central Market and Asafo, for example, some food vendors sell their food very close to choked gutters which attract houseflies that spread communicable diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery and diarrhoea.
At other areas where the environment is a bit clean, the vendors wash the used plates and bowls in the same basin, using the same water from dawn to dusk without considering the health implications of their actions and inaction to the public.
It has also become the practice of some ‘chop bar’ operators to use the same napkin for their numerous customers to clean their hands.
Commenting on the filthy environment that some food vendors in the Kumasi metropolis operate in, Mr Kofi Abebrese, a Kumasi-based businessman, urged the Inspectorate Division of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly to intensify its activities to ensure that food sold to the public does not cause any health problems.
He pointed out that some of the food vendors were ignorant that their selling food in filthy areas could create health problems for their customers, hence the need for the Assembly to educate them regularly.
He said it was important for the Assembly to also ensure that food vendors in the metropolis were regularly educated for them to appreciate the need to sell at environmentally clean areas to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
Mr Abebrese pointed out that the National Health Insurance Policy initiated by the government would not yield any positive result if the activities of food vendors create health problems for the consuming public, stressing that certain diseases could be prevented if the vendors created healthy environment for their customers.
FOOD vendors in the Kumasi metropolis play crucial role in the lives of people who patronise their services.
Chop bar(traditional food joint) operators at Kejetia, ‘Atwemunum’, Central Market, the Asafo Neoplan Station and other areas, offer all kinds of indigenous food such as ampesi, fufu with all kinds of soup and fresh game (bush meat), as well as banku and tuozafi (TZ) to the public from dawn to dusk to keep body and soul together.
There are other food vendors, mostly women, who sell roasted plantain, yam , cocoyam, maize and bread along the principal streets in the metropolis.
While some of the food vendors in the metropolis operate in a clean environment, others operate in dirty surroundings that pose a health hazard to customers.
Some food vendors in the metropolis have specialised in selling food items very close to refuse dumps, public places of convenience, at the sides of dusty roads and other filthy environments.
Ironically, the city authorities and medical personnel seem to have shirked their responsibilities of ensuring that food is sold to the public in environmentally clean areas.
At the Central Market and Asafo, for example, some food vendors sell their food very close to choked gutters which attract houseflies that spread communicable diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery and diarrhoea.
At other areas where the environment is a bit clean, the vendors wash the used plates and bowls in the same basin, using the same water from dawn to dusk without considering the health implications of their actions and inaction to the public.
It has also become the practice of some ‘chop bar’ operators to use the same napkin for their numerous customers to clean their hands.
Commenting on the filthy environment that some food vendors in the Kumasi metropolis operate in, Mr Kofi Abebrese, a Kumasi-based businessman, urged the Inspectorate Division of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly to intensify its activities to ensure that food sold to the public does not cause any health problems.
He pointed out that some of the food vendors were ignorant that their selling food in filthy areas could create health problems for their customers, hence the need for the Assembly to educate them regularly.
He said it was important for the Assembly to also ensure that food vendors in the metropolis were regularly educated for them to appreciate the need to sell at environmentally clean areas to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
Mr Abebrese pointed out that the National Health Insurance Policy initiated by the government would not yield any positive result if the activities of food vendors create health problems for the consuming public, stressing that certain diseases could be prevented if the vendors created healthy environment for their customers.
INDIVIDUAL DONATES GH¢25,000 TOWARDS GIRLS DOMITORY (Page 11)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Chiraa.
THE Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kwadwo Adjei Darko, has presented a cheque for GH¢25,000 (¢250 million) to the Chiraa Traditional Council to facilitate the construction of a girls’ dormitory for the Chiraa Senior High School.
The Special Assistant to the Minister, Mr George Mireku Duka, presented the cheque on behalf of Mr Adjei Darko to Nana Yeboah Pene II, Queen of Chiraa, and Barima Minta Afari, the Chief of Chiraa, during a durbar organised to celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the enstoolment of Nana Yeboah Pene as the queen of Chiraa.
The project which is at the li ntel level was initiated by Nana Pene last year, when she celebrated the 2nd anniversary of her enstoolment.
In an address read on his behalf, Mr Adjei Darko commended Nana Pene for her sense of initiative and commitment to improving education at Chiraa.
He pointed out that the singular efforts of Nana Pene to initiate the girls’ dormitory at Chiraa was highly commendable and needed the support of all to ensure the completion of the project.
Mr Adjei Darko, who is also the Mem ber of Parliament for Sunyani West, says investing in the education of girls was quite necessary, because that builds their capacity to enable them contribute in diverse ways to a sustainable national development.
In his address, the Chief of Chiraa, Barimah Mintah Afari, also commended Nana Pene for her untiring efforts at supporting the development of Chiraa.
He pointed out that since she ascended the stool thr ee years ago, Nana Pene had always been at the forefront of initiating programmes and projects that had a positive impact on the lives of the people of Chiraa and urged her to sustain it.
Barima Afari appealed to the people of Chiraa, both at home and abroad to support the queen in diverse ways to facilitate the completion of the Nana Yeboah Pene dormitory project.
For her part, the queen thanked Mr Adjei Darko in particular and th e other dignitaries who graced the occasion for their support and contributions which she said had made it possible for her to raise some funds to continue the project.
She explained that she initiated the project because female students in the school were accommodated in a hostel outside the school premises, which undermined their academic work.
She expressed the hope that the project would have a positive impact on the lives of the students and encouraged them to concentrate on their academic work.
Nana Pene used the occasion to honour some members of the Chiraa Community who contributed in diverse ways towards the development of Chiraa.
Among those honoured with certificates was a 76-year-old midwife, who had for the past 40 years, supervised the delivery of 6,000 babies at Chiraa
THE Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kwadwo Adjei Darko, has presented a cheque for GH¢25,000 (¢250 million) to the Chiraa Traditional Council to facilitate the construction of a girls’ dormitory for the Chiraa Senior High School.
The Special Assistant to the Minister, Mr George Mireku Duka, presented the cheque on behalf of Mr Adjei Darko to Nana Yeboah Pene II, Queen of Chiraa, and Barima Minta Afari, the Chief of Chiraa, during a durbar organised to celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the enstoolment of Nana Yeboah Pene as the queen of Chiraa.
The project which is at the li ntel level was initiated by Nana Pene last year, when she celebrated the 2nd anniversary of her enstoolment.
In an address read on his behalf, Mr Adjei Darko commended Nana Pene for her sense of initiative and commitment to improving education at Chiraa.
He pointed out that the singular efforts of Nana Pene to initiate the girls’ dormitory at Chiraa was highly commendable and needed the support of all to ensure the completion of the project.
Mr Adjei Darko, who is also the Mem ber of Parliament for Sunyani West, says investing in the education of girls was quite necessary, because that builds their capacity to enable them contribute in diverse ways to a sustainable national development.
In his address, the Chief of Chiraa, Barimah Mintah Afari, also commended Nana Pene for her untiring efforts at supporting the development of Chiraa.
He pointed out that since she ascended the stool thr ee years ago, Nana Pene had always been at the forefront of initiating programmes and projects that had a positive impact on the lives of the people of Chiraa and urged her to sustain it.
Barima Afari appealed to the people of Chiraa, both at home and abroad to support the queen in diverse ways to facilitate the completion of the Nana Yeboah Pene dormitory project.
For her part, the queen thanked Mr Adjei Darko in particular and th e other dignitaries who graced the occasion for their support and contributions which she said had made it possible for her to raise some funds to continue the project.
She explained that she initiated the project because female students in the school were accommodated in a hostel outside the school premises, which undermined their academic work.
She expressed the hope that the project would have a positive impact on the lives of the students and encouraged them to concentrate on their academic work.
Nana Pene used the occasion to honour some members of the Chiraa Community who contributed in diverse ways towards the development of Chiraa.
Among those honoured with certificates was a 76-year-old midwife, who had for the past 40 years, supervised the delivery of 6,000 babies at Chiraa
REMOVE ILLEGAL TIMBER PROCESSING FACILITIES ...Minister (Page 20)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Achiaakrom
THE Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines, Mrs Esther Obeng-Dapaah, has directed foreigners who have sited their timber processing facilities in plantation areas and forest reserves, without the requisite approval from the Forestry Commission, to remove them immediately.
She stated that siting the facilities in the forest reserves without approval contravened the existing legal provisions. The minister stressed that her ministry had directed the “Forestry Commission to ensure the full implementation of and compliance with Section Three of the Timber Resource Management (Amendment) Act 617 on the investment requirements”.
Mrs Obeng-Dapaah, who gave the directive at the annual general meeting of the Ghana Timber Association (GTA) at Achiaakrom, near Ejisu, noted that to ensure the effective monitoring of logging, processing and export of timber products in the country, the ministry was installing a log tracking or validation of legal timber scheme in the timber industry.
The meeting, which coincided with the inauguration of a 20-member National Executive Council (NEC) of the GTA, was on the theme: “Helping to Build Ghana Through Conservation of our Forest”.
The executives who were sworn into office by the sector minister included Mr Boateng Poku, President; Nana Ohene Adututu, Second Vice-President; Mr George Kennedy, Ashanti Regional Chairman; Mr Kwame Asenso Agyare, Western Regional representative; Mr Yaw Opong, Central Regional; Mr Kwame Owusu, Organiser, and Mr Kwabena Affum, Deputy Treasurer.
Ms Obeng-Dapaah said the facility was being installed by the Forestry Commission through the active support of the European Union.
She expressed concern about the rate at which the forest cover in Ghana was being depleted, stressing that before independence, the country had a total forest area of eight million hectares but it had now reduced to less than two million hectares.
She said the “dwindling state of the natural forest due to unsustainable practices, such as over-logging by illegal chainsaw operators and timber contractors, excessive mining, conversion of the natural forest to agricultural land, annual wildfires, expansion of infrastructure and changes in land uses, should be a worry to all stakeholders”.
The minister said it was, therefore, important for her ministry to institute measures that would effectively address the problem of forest degradation, stressing that with such measures, illegal logging and waste control in logging and processing would reduce significantly.
Ms Obeng-Dapaah stated that the GTA had a big role to play in complementing the ministry’s efforts at conserving the forests and the wildlife resources of the country.
She said the measures that had been instituted to address the problem of illegal mining in forest resources would also go a long way to reduce the over-exploitation of timber, thereby increasing revenue for both the government and the private sector.
Ms Obeng-Dapaah urged the participants to intensify their efforts at plantation development, explaining that “as major traders of the wood resource, the GTA and the Ghana Timber Millers Organisation (GTMO) have a collective responsibility to ensure that we restore our degraded forests to their productive functions”.
In his inaugural address, the newly-elected President of the GTA, Mr Boateng Poku, called on the government to actively resource the GTA in its quest to practise forest conservation in the country.
He stated that the GTA should be used as a conduit and be provided with access to the requisite forest resources to enable it to conserve the forest in a more practical way.
Mr Boateng said the GTA also intended to establish a task force “to check its own members against illegal activities and help stem illegal chainsaw activities which deprive the government of the requisite revenue to develop the country”.
He said as part of its contribution to conserve the forest resources of the country, the GTA had established a 300-hectare teak plantation at Bumfuom in the Asante Akyem North District, while plans were far advanced to plant an additional 700 hectares of teak and other timber species in other parts of the Ashanti Region.
THE Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines, Mrs Esther Obeng-Dapaah, has directed foreigners who have sited their timber processing facilities in plantation areas and forest reserves, without the requisite approval from the Forestry Commission, to remove them immediately.
She stated that siting the facilities in the forest reserves without approval contravened the existing legal provisions. The minister stressed that her ministry had directed the “Forestry Commission to ensure the full implementation of and compliance with Section Three of the Timber Resource Management (Amendment) Act 617 on the investment requirements”.
Mrs Obeng-Dapaah, who gave the directive at the annual general meeting of the Ghana Timber Association (GTA) at Achiaakrom, near Ejisu, noted that to ensure the effective monitoring of logging, processing and export of timber products in the country, the ministry was installing a log tracking or validation of legal timber scheme in the timber industry.
The meeting, which coincided with the inauguration of a 20-member National Executive Council (NEC) of the GTA, was on the theme: “Helping to Build Ghana Through Conservation of our Forest”.
The executives who were sworn into office by the sector minister included Mr Boateng Poku, President; Nana Ohene Adututu, Second Vice-President; Mr George Kennedy, Ashanti Regional Chairman; Mr Kwame Asenso Agyare, Western Regional representative; Mr Yaw Opong, Central Regional; Mr Kwame Owusu, Organiser, and Mr Kwabena Affum, Deputy Treasurer.
Ms Obeng-Dapaah said the facility was being installed by the Forestry Commission through the active support of the European Union.
She expressed concern about the rate at which the forest cover in Ghana was being depleted, stressing that before independence, the country had a total forest area of eight million hectares but it had now reduced to less than two million hectares.
She said the “dwindling state of the natural forest due to unsustainable practices, such as over-logging by illegal chainsaw operators and timber contractors, excessive mining, conversion of the natural forest to agricultural land, annual wildfires, expansion of infrastructure and changes in land uses, should be a worry to all stakeholders”.
The minister said it was, therefore, important for her ministry to institute measures that would effectively address the problem of forest degradation, stressing that with such measures, illegal logging and waste control in logging and processing would reduce significantly.
Ms Obeng-Dapaah stated that the GTA had a big role to play in complementing the ministry’s efforts at conserving the forests and the wildlife resources of the country.
She said the measures that had been instituted to address the problem of illegal mining in forest resources would also go a long way to reduce the over-exploitation of timber, thereby increasing revenue for both the government and the private sector.
Ms Obeng-Dapaah urged the participants to intensify their efforts at plantation development, explaining that “as major traders of the wood resource, the GTA and the Ghana Timber Millers Organisation (GTMO) have a collective responsibility to ensure that we restore our degraded forests to their productive functions”.
In his inaugural address, the newly-elected President of the GTA, Mr Boateng Poku, called on the government to actively resource the GTA in its quest to practise forest conservation in the country.
He stated that the GTA should be used as a conduit and be provided with access to the requisite forest resources to enable it to conserve the forest in a more practical way.
Mr Boateng said the GTA also intended to establish a task force “to check its own members against illegal activities and help stem illegal chainsaw activities which deprive the government of the requisite revenue to develop the country”.
He said as part of its contribution to conserve the forest resources of the country, the GTA had established a 300-hectare teak plantation at Bumfuom in the Asante Akyem North District, while plans were far advanced to plant an additional 700 hectares of teak and other timber species in other parts of the Ashanti Region.
NGO LAUNCHES PILOT PROJECT ON ICT (Page 20)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
A NON GOVERNMENTAL Organisation (NGO) operating in the Ashanti region has launched a four year pilot project which seeks to use Information Communication Technology (ICT) to increase access to information and know-how on cardiovascular diseases among health workers in the Ashanti Region.
This is to enhnace their competence in providing education to the public on effective preventive measures that could be taken to reduce the disease.
The NGO- ProCor- which is based in the United States of America (USA) is collaborating with a cardiology Consultant at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) , Dr Bernard Nkum, to increase access to, and the application of useful information about cadio vascular disease prevention among the health workers in the Ashanti Region.
This is to enhance the promotion good health, especially among those in their productive years, thereby accelerating the pace of socio-economic development in the country.
According to the Programme Co-ordinator, Catherine Coleman, the Ashanti region has the highest number of cardiovascular disease reported cases at the out patient department, and pointed out that about 80 per cent of cardiovascular diseases “ can be prevented”.
At a round table conference in Kumasi with medical officers to outline the programme, Ms Catherine noted that engaging health workers who can effectively and efficiently play useful role in the prevention of Cardio Vascular Diseases (CVD) in the participatory process would enable the stakeholders “develop innovative, effective and sustainable communication strategies that will promote heart health”.
Explaining, she pointed out that CVD is the leading cause of death globally and “ in Ghana, heart disease and stroke are the top five and six causes of death respectively and their incidence is increasing rapidly”.
Stressing, Ms Coleman pointed out that “ the economic growth occurring in Ghana and many other countries around the world brings with it an increase in CVD risk factors”.
She pointed out that statistics on CVD’s in the country indicate that 29 per cent of adult Ghanaians are hypertensive, 14 per cent are obese and six per cent are diabetic”.
She attributed the increase in cardio vascular diseases among people in their productive years to the lifestyles such as physical inactivity, a salt-rich diet with processed and fatty foods, as well as increase in alcoholic and tobacco intake among others.
She said the disease which was peculiar to the developed countries is now “ spreading at an alarming rate from the developed countries to emerging economies in Asia and Africa.
Ms Coleman noted further that educating the public on preventive measures of the CVD’s “ can save millions of lives for whom treatment would be unaffordable on either an individual or a national level”.
She said lack of adequate resources in low-and middle income countries also results in lack of access to relevant and timely information”.
“ Providing reliable health information for health workers in developing countries is potentially the single most cost effective and achievable strategy for sustainable improvement in health care”, she noted.
A NON GOVERNMENTAL Organisation (NGO) operating in the Ashanti region has launched a four year pilot project which seeks to use Information Communication Technology (ICT) to increase access to information and know-how on cardiovascular diseases among health workers in the Ashanti Region.
This is to enhnace their competence in providing education to the public on effective preventive measures that could be taken to reduce the disease.
The NGO- ProCor- which is based in the United States of America (USA) is collaborating with a cardiology Consultant at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) , Dr Bernard Nkum, to increase access to, and the application of useful information about cadio vascular disease prevention among the health workers in the Ashanti Region.
This is to enhance the promotion good health, especially among those in their productive years, thereby accelerating the pace of socio-economic development in the country.
According to the Programme Co-ordinator, Catherine Coleman, the Ashanti region has the highest number of cardiovascular disease reported cases at the out patient department, and pointed out that about 80 per cent of cardiovascular diseases “ can be prevented”.
At a round table conference in Kumasi with medical officers to outline the programme, Ms Catherine noted that engaging health workers who can effectively and efficiently play useful role in the prevention of Cardio Vascular Diseases (CVD) in the participatory process would enable the stakeholders “develop innovative, effective and sustainable communication strategies that will promote heart health”.
Explaining, she pointed out that CVD is the leading cause of death globally and “ in Ghana, heart disease and stroke are the top five and six causes of death respectively and their incidence is increasing rapidly”.
Stressing, Ms Coleman pointed out that “ the economic growth occurring in Ghana and many other countries around the world brings with it an increase in CVD risk factors”.
She pointed out that statistics on CVD’s in the country indicate that 29 per cent of adult Ghanaians are hypertensive, 14 per cent are obese and six per cent are diabetic”.
She attributed the increase in cardio vascular diseases among people in their productive years to the lifestyles such as physical inactivity, a salt-rich diet with processed and fatty foods, as well as increase in alcoholic and tobacco intake among others.
She said the disease which was peculiar to the developed countries is now “ spreading at an alarming rate from the developed countries to emerging economies in Asia and Africa.
Ms Coleman noted further that educating the public on preventive measures of the CVD’s “ can save millions of lives for whom treatment would be unaffordable on either an individual or a national level”.
She said lack of adequate resources in low-and middle income countries also results in lack of access to relevant and timely information”.
“ Providing reliable health information for health workers in developing countries is potentially the single most cost effective and achievable strategy for sustainable improvement in health care”, she noted.
PILOT PROJECT ON LAND ADMINISTRATION ESTABLISHED (Page 20)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
THE Ministry of Lands and Forestry has established a pilot project designed to strengthen land administration and security in the land tenure system in the Ashanti Region.
The project is dubbed: “Land Administration Policy (LAP)”, which is embodied in the National Land Policy (NLP) programme.
It is designed to develop the human resource base for both the customary and public land delivery system in a more effective and efficient way to enhance easy access to land and its management in the region in particular and the country in general.
The project, which is also intended to simplify the process for accessing land, is being implemented through a long-term land administration programme designed to reduce land litigation and its social and economic implications, stimulate economic development, reduce poverty and promote social stability.
Throwing more light on the project during an interview, the National Facilitator of the Customary Land Administration Unit, Mr Mark Kakraba-Ampeh, stated that under the project, Customary Land Secretariats (CLSs) were being established in the various traditional areas in the Ashanti Region.
“This is to ensure that customary land in the region becomes accessible, effective, equitable and accountable, to create the enabling environment which will encourage further investment in land and sustainable resource management,” he added.
Mr Kakraba-Ampeh said the CLSs were also to ensure that the “diversity of different customary land tenure system in Ghana are recognised”.
Mr Kakraba-Ampeh said CLSs collated information on the right of ownership of land in the traditional areas in the region and made them public to ensure the right of ownership of customary land.
He added that the CLSs would also keep and maintain accurate and up-to-date land records, and keep records of all fees and charges associated with land grants.
He said the CLSs would in addition receive all correspondence on behalf of the land committee and serve as link between the land owning community and the public sector land agencies such as the assemblies, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Thematic Facilitator of the Unit, Mr George Nti, for his part, told the Daily Graphic that the project was a demand-driven approach, which would be adopted for the selection of traditional areas for assistance.
He said so far, about 11 traditional areas in the Ashanti Region — Juaben, Ejisu, Bekwai, Adansi, Obogu, Ofoase, Mampong, Manso Nkwanta, Agogo, Nkawie and Toase — had expressed interest to be part of the project.
Mr Nti said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would soon be signed between the government and customary authorities on the project.
He explained that under the MoU, the obligations of the parties involved in the project would be laid bare, but hinted that the Land Administration Project would provide computer and accessories at all secretariats to be established.
THE Ministry of Lands and Forestry has established a pilot project designed to strengthen land administration and security in the land tenure system in the Ashanti Region.
The project is dubbed: “Land Administration Policy (LAP)”, which is embodied in the National Land Policy (NLP) programme.
It is designed to develop the human resource base for both the customary and public land delivery system in a more effective and efficient way to enhance easy access to land and its management in the region in particular and the country in general.
The project, which is also intended to simplify the process for accessing land, is being implemented through a long-term land administration programme designed to reduce land litigation and its social and economic implications, stimulate economic development, reduce poverty and promote social stability.
Throwing more light on the project during an interview, the National Facilitator of the Customary Land Administration Unit, Mr Mark Kakraba-Ampeh, stated that under the project, Customary Land Secretariats (CLSs) were being established in the various traditional areas in the Ashanti Region.
“This is to ensure that customary land in the region becomes accessible, effective, equitable and accountable, to create the enabling environment which will encourage further investment in land and sustainable resource management,” he added.
Mr Kakraba-Ampeh said the CLSs were also to ensure that the “diversity of different customary land tenure system in Ghana are recognised”.
Mr Kakraba-Ampeh said CLSs collated information on the right of ownership of land in the traditional areas in the region and made them public to ensure the right of ownership of customary land.
He added that the CLSs would also keep and maintain accurate and up-to-date land records, and keep records of all fees and charges associated with land grants.
He said the CLSs would in addition receive all correspondence on behalf of the land committee and serve as link between the land owning community and the public sector land agencies such as the assemblies, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Thematic Facilitator of the Unit, Mr George Nti, for his part, told the Daily Graphic that the project was a demand-driven approach, which would be adopted for the selection of traditional areas for assistance.
He said so far, about 11 traditional areas in the Ashanti Region — Juaben, Ejisu, Bekwai, Adansi, Obogu, Ofoase, Mampong, Manso Nkwanta, Agogo, Nkawie and Toase — had expressed interest to be part of the project.
Mr Nti said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would soon be signed between the government and customary authorities on the project.
He explained that under the MoU, the obligations of the parties involved in the project would be laid bare, but hinted that the Land Administration Project would provide computer and accessories at all secretariats to be established.
Friday, November 23, 2007
ARMED ROBBER ON HUNGER STRIKE (Back Page)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
REPORTS from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), say the suspected lone armed robber, Alfred Eric Zieme, had been on hunger strike prior to his discharge last Wednesday.
The suspect was shot in the legs last week when he attempted to escape from lawful custody and had since been on admission at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. He refused to take any meals but had not given any reasons for his action.
Described as a violent robber with a penchant for robbing and killing his victims in broad daylight, the 25-year-old man was shot by the police when he attempted to escape at Fufuo, near Barekese, after he had led the police there as part of their investigations.
The suspect, whose legs were in a plaster of Paris (pop), was told to come for review regularly.
He is now in police custody to assist them in their investigations.
A source close to the KATH told the Daily Graphic that prior to his discharge, Zieme revealed that because of his links with top officials, he would be eventually set free even if he spent two years on remand.
“He boldly told me that he has links in parts of the country so no matter how long he spends on remand, he would be set free, so we should prepare for the worst,” the source hinted.
The source, which described the suspect as one of the most dangerous criminals in the country in recent times, also said the suspect confided in him that he succeeded in robbing one of his victims to the tune of GH¢100,000 (¢1 billion) and another of GH¢50,000 (¢500 million) and invested them in his project at the Race Course area at Bantama in Kumasi.
The suspect, who was under heavy police guard for the period he spent at the ICU, is alleged to have robbed every major fuel station along the Kumasi-Sunyani road.
According to the police, investigations into his operations were ongoing, and that he would be arraigned soon.
REPORTS from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), say the suspected lone armed robber, Alfred Eric Zieme, had been on hunger strike prior to his discharge last Wednesday.
The suspect was shot in the legs last week when he attempted to escape from lawful custody and had since been on admission at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. He refused to take any meals but had not given any reasons for his action.
Described as a violent robber with a penchant for robbing and killing his victims in broad daylight, the 25-year-old man was shot by the police when he attempted to escape at Fufuo, near Barekese, after he had led the police there as part of their investigations.
The suspect, whose legs were in a plaster of Paris (pop), was told to come for review regularly.
He is now in police custody to assist them in their investigations.
A source close to the KATH told the Daily Graphic that prior to his discharge, Zieme revealed that because of his links with top officials, he would be eventually set free even if he spent two years on remand.
“He boldly told me that he has links in parts of the country so no matter how long he spends on remand, he would be set free, so we should prepare for the worst,” the source hinted.
The source, which described the suspect as one of the most dangerous criminals in the country in recent times, also said the suspect confided in him that he succeeded in robbing one of his victims to the tune of GH¢100,000 (¢1 billion) and another of GH¢50,000 (¢500 million) and invested them in his project at the Race Course area at Bantama in Kumasi.
The suspect, who was under heavy police guard for the period he spent at the ICU, is alleged to have robbed every major fuel station along the Kumasi-Sunyani road.
According to the police, investigations into his operations were ongoing, and that he would be arraigned soon.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
GALAMSEY AGAIN (05/11/07 PAGE 7)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Obuasi.
SIX illegal gold miners trapped in the Obuasi mine of Anglogold Ashanti have made a dramatic escape by launching an attack on security personnel who had gone to effect their arrest.
The six galamsey operators, trapped 2300 feet underground at the Adansi Shaft and armed with explosives, knives, machetes and other dangerous weapons, attacked the security men on guard in the underground mines and succeeded in escaping through some of the channels around 7:30 pm last Sunday.
This came barely a week after the illegal miners battled security men at Obuasi and escaped from the deep mines where they had been trapped for some days.
Prior to that, the operators had thrown stones at the security men, officials of Anglogold and media men who had gone underground around 12:30 pm to investigate.
The illegal operators were holed up in an obscure corner in a rock at the time the officials and journalists arrived in the deep mines and they threatened the life of anyone who attempted getting close to them, insisting that they should be allowed to carry their booty away to enable them to recoup what they considered to be the huge investment they had made.
“ We would only come out if the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, comes here to intervene. After coming so close to having access to three quality rocks, we cannot just leave them behind to make the huge investments made go to waste and get home empty handed, so allow us to carry our booty away, ” one of them shouted.
The incident came to light last Saturday when security men at Anglogold discovered that the illegal mtners had used explosives to gain access into one of their strategic rocks at the Adansi Shaft.
Briefing newsmen on the incident at Obuasi, the Mine Manager, Mr Ahmed Bashiri, said last Saturday, they heard unusual noises at some of their strategic areas within the Adansi Shaft and during investigations, they realised that about six illegal miners had entered the deep mines and exploiting some of their strategic rocks “which had been left purposely to hold the deep mines together”.
He said all attempts to flush them out since last Saturday proved futile and the situation was creating security concerns to the mines.
He expressed concern about the operations of the illegal miners, especially coming at a time Anglogold was planning to undertake further operations underground.
“ We are planning to undertake further operations underground, but these illegal miners are creating danger by destroying the pillars that hold the mines together, and if it continues, the mines would finally collapse to create a big problem for the company and the state,” he noted.
Explaining. Mr Bashiri said it was the strategically located Adansi Shaft which would be used to create avenues for further underground mining, “ but the rate at which these illegal miners are destroying the shaft can cause the collapse of the mines”.
He therefore appealed to all stakeholders to collaborate with the management of Anglogold to flush out the illegal miners to protect and secure the mines to enhance their operations.
END
SIX illegal gold miners trapped in the Obuasi mine of Anglogold Ashanti have made a dramatic escape by launching an attack on security personnel who had gone to effect their arrest.
The six galamsey operators, trapped 2300 feet underground at the Adansi Shaft and armed with explosives, knives, machetes and other dangerous weapons, attacked the security men on guard in the underground mines and succeeded in escaping through some of the channels around 7:30 pm last Sunday.
This came barely a week after the illegal miners battled security men at Obuasi and escaped from the deep mines where they had been trapped for some days.
Prior to that, the operators had thrown stones at the security men, officials of Anglogold and media men who had gone underground around 12:30 pm to investigate.
The illegal operators were holed up in an obscure corner in a rock at the time the officials and journalists arrived in the deep mines and they threatened the life of anyone who attempted getting close to them, insisting that they should be allowed to carry their booty away to enable them to recoup what they considered to be the huge investment they had made.
“ We would only come out if the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, comes here to intervene. After coming so close to having access to three quality rocks, we cannot just leave them behind to make the huge investments made go to waste and get home empty handed, so allow us to carry our booty away, ” one of them shouted.
The incident came to light last Saturday when security men at Anglogold discovered that the illegal mtners had used explosives to gain access into one of their strategic rocks at the Adansi Shaft.
Briefing newsmen on the incident at Obuasi, the Mine Manager, Mr Ahmed Bashiri, said last Saturday, they heard unusual noises at some of their strategic areas within the Adansi Shaft and during investigations, they realised that about six illegal miners had entered the deep mines and exploiting some of their strategic rocks “which had been left purposely to hold the deep mines together”.
He said all attempts to flush them out since last Saturday proved futile and the situation was creating security concerns to the mines.
He expressed concern about the operations of the illegal miners, especially coming at a time Anglogold was planning to undertake further operations underground.
“ We are planning to undertake further operations underground, but these illegal miners are creating danger by destroying the pillars that hold the mines together, and if it continues, the mines would finally collapse to create a big problem for the company and the state,” he noted.
Explaining. Mr Bashiri said it was the strategically located Adansi Shaft which would be used to create avenues for further underground mining, “ but the rate at which these illegal miners are destroying the shaft can cause the collapse of the mines”.
He therefore appealed to all stakeholders to collaborate with the management of Anglogold to flush out the illegal miners to protect and secure the mines to enhance their operations.
END
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