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.
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