Ashanti Today

Four members of a car snatching syndicate operating in Kumasi are in the grips of the police in Ashanti, after being identified by their victims during an identification parade.  They are Francis Abugri, alias “Sule”, 42 year old, Yusif Salam, aged 31 year driver, Emmanuel Asiedu Bona alias “Lion” or “Odenkyem” 28 years and an ex-convict and Mohammed Abubakar, 31 years.  At a media briefing in Kumasi, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Fred Adu Anim, said three others who are alleged to be part of the syndicate, and whose names were mentioned by the four suspects to the police as Joe, Mustapha and Agyeman are at large.  A search has therefore been mounted for them. He said the suspects usually target private vehicles and taxis and notable areas that such robberies take place are Dichemso, Santasi, Abrepo and Krofrom.  DCOP Anim explained that the car snatching syndicate trails their victims to their homes and at the entrance of the house, attack and ro

The Ghana Oil Company Limited, GOIL has rewarded about 780 of its customers with free fuel and other consolation prizes in the second ‘Efie Ne Fie’ promotion in Kumasi.  Some customers were rewarded with one thousand Ghana Cedis, 500 Ghana Cedis and 300 Ghana Cedis worth of fuel on their GOIL Go card. Others got an additional weekend stay for two at the Coconut Grove Hotel, free servicing of their vehicles and other consolation prizes.  The Managing Director of GOIL, Patrick Akorli commended the public for showing total commitment to the GOIL brand. He said GOIL, which is the leading oil marketing company in the country, is through the ‘Efie Ne Fie’ promotion, reciprocating the gesture with rewards as a way of saying thank you at the end of the year.  Mr. Akorli emphasized that the ‘Eife Ne Fie’ promotion is not a raffle or a game of chance. He stated that GOIL would continue to offer value for money services to customers. Mr Akorli explained that GOIL believes that its profit

President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede, has called for a fair, transparent and an equal playing field for all interested parties in the conduct of Referendum towards the creation of new regions on the 27 th of this month.  He advised particularly traditional leaders in the areas where the exercise will take place to consider first, peace, security and unity of the people in all their activities geared towards the event by allowing both proponents and the protagonists to undertake their campaigns.  T ogbe Afede who gave the advice in Kumasi stressed that, Ghanaians expect to continue to enjoy peace regardless of the outcome of the referendum. "A fair, transparent conduct of the Referendum would enable all sides to accept the outcome to sustain the peace", he stressed.  He was addressing the last General Meeting of the National House of Chiefs.  At the General Meeting were delegations from the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Local G

A Bill approved by the Cabinet for a national Referendum to amend Article 55 Clause (d) of the 1992 Constitution is expected to mature in May 2019. An amendment of this entrenched Constitutional provision will then pave the way for the government to actualize its plans for the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to deepen democracy and grassroots participation in the governance architecture of Ghana.  A Technical Advisor to the Ministry for Local Government and Rural Development, Dr. Oduro Osae, disclosed this in Kumasi at the last General Meeting of the National House of Chiefs for the year.  In a power point presentation on what government has been doing about the creation of districts and the election of the MMDCEs to update members of the House, Dr. Oduro Osae noted that, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is working hard towards the election of the MMDCEs in fulfilment of the NPP’s campaign promise and that all the fragme

The Chinese government has lauded the ever improving bilateral cooperation and relations as well as political trust between China and Ghana in the last 18 years. This development has culminated in an increase in the volume of China’s trade investment in Ghana from 100 million Dollars in the year two thousand to six point-seven billion Dollars as at the end of 2017.  The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Shi Ting Wang, made this known in Kumasi when he led a delegation from his Embassy to donate electronic gadgets valued at 20 thousand Dollars plus a cheque for 20 thousand Dollars to the National House of Chiefs towards implementation of the House’s digitization project. The donation was the Embassy’s response to a request by the National House of Chiefs for support towards the digitization project.  The Chinese Ambassador enumerated strategic sectors of the Ghanaian economy where China has made substantial investment with the view to propelling the Ghanaian economy. Among them are

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, KMA, has suspended indefinitely the much publicized partial re-opening of the roads to and from the newly built Kejetia terminal complex.  Last week, the KMA issued a statement through the media announcing its decision to clear part of the temporary fence around the project to allow motorists use the premises as a thoroughfare ahead of the Christmas festivities from yesterday, 16 th of this month. The plan, the KMA explained, was to avert escalation of the human and vehicular congestion and any possible negative consequence on life and property during the yuletide.  Speaking to Ashanti Today in Kumasi, the Public Relations Officer of the KMA, Godwin Nyame, noted however, that officials of the Assembly encountered an undesirable situation around the terminal complex last Saturday when they went to assess the readiness of the place for the partial opening of the roads when traders and hawkers invaded the place.  The situation, according t

The Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Osei Assibey-Antwi has given the firm assurance to affected traders of the Kejetia Terminal that they will be given first priority in the re-allocation of stores, when the first phase of the Kumasi Central Market-Kejetia Re-development Project is completed.  He said Government, and indeed the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, will not disappoint the traders, adding that the Assembly would carry out the process in a transparent manner.  Mr. Assibey-Antwi was addressing a meeting in Kumasi between the traders and the committee set up to undertake the validation of all legitimate Kejetia traders. The meeting was to keep them abreast of the guidelines under the roadmap to get them re-settled.  Mr. Osei Assibey promised the traders that the Committee will carry out the roadmap without bias, preferences or political considerations.  Chairman of the Kejetia Oversight Validation Committee, Nana Agyenim Boateng, who is also the  Amoamanhene,

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has launched its version of ‘Operation Father Christmas’ with a procession of personnel through selected major roads and suburbs of the regional capital of Kumasi.  It was a ‘Show of Force’ and the Command’s preparedness to provide a congenial atmosphere for both residents and visitors to enjoy the upcoming yuletide without fear of crime or intimidation.  The personnel, some dressed in their crime combat gear including mob-control apparatus and led by the Deputy Regional Police Commander, DCoP Fred Adu-Anim, paraded the city in a convoy of vehicles starting from the Regional Police Headquarters. They went through the Central Post Office, KMA, the Asafo Interchange through the Amakom intersection, Asawase, Aboabo, Airport Roundabout, Bantama, Nhyiaeso before getting back to the Regional Headquarters. At most of the areas the police went through, motorists, passengers and pedestrians alike watched them an apparent approval mood while some

Information reaching Ashanti Today has it that, one of the Licensed Buying Companies, LBCs has been robbed at a gun point of an amount of 450 thousand Ghana Cedis.  A source at New Edubiase in the Adansi South district of the Ashanti region said that, the incident occurred at about 2.30 pm Thursday, 13 th December, immediately upon the arrival of the Accountant of the company  with the money  at the office near the District Assembly.  The Accountant, whose identity is yet to be disclosed, reportedly withdrew the money from the local branch of the Ghana Commercial Bank for disbursement to the company’s Purchasing Clerks who had been waiting to take it for cocoa purchases in the district.  According to the source, as soon as the Accountant arrived at the company’s premises at New Edubiase, a suspected gang of four men showed up firing guns sporadically during which two of them allegedly carried the sacks containing the money after which they all bolted.  Two persons

The Acting Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress, Joshua Ansah has called on the National Commission on Civic Education, NCCE, to intensify awareness creation among Ghanaians on the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those that are relevant to all unions.  Among them are Goal Eight, Decent Work, Goal Five, Gender Equality, and Goal 16, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. He said as the state agency responsible for civic education, the NCCE holds it as a responsibility to reinforce the accountability of the implementation process in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.  Staff of the Commission should also collaborate with other like-minded stakeholders to monitor and evaluate the key Sustainable Development Goals that should be based on transparency and consultation.  Mr. Ansah was addressing the Third Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the NCCE Staff Union Division of the Public Services Workers Union, in Kumasi. It was under the theme, “The

Figures from the Criminal Investigations Department, CID, indicate that in 2017, one thousand, 685 children were sexually abused. Also, three children are sexually abused in Ghana everyday. These figures exclude rape.  Again, statistics show there is massive gender inequality in society while in the media, males are given more space than their female counterparts. These came to the fore at a seminar on Ethical Gender Reporting for Journalists in Kumasi, organized by the Centre of Journalism and Ethics with support from the High Commission of Canada.  Press Secretary to former President, late Dr. Hilla Limann, Mohammed Adam, who was the resource person, noted that as the ethics of journalism dictate, ‘journalists must always write with fairness, accuracy, integrity and sensitivity when reporting on gender sensitive issues.’  He called on journalists to be sensitive when reporting issues on gender especially women and children. They must also be ethical in their reportage i

As Ghana marks its 34 th National Farmers Day to honour her hardworking farmers and fishers, the Ghana Agricultural and Rural Development Journalists’ Association, GARDJA, has urged government to develop pragmatic and sustainable policies to address the myriad of challenges undermining agricultural production across the country.  In a statement jointly signed and issued in Kumasi by the President, Richmond Frimpong and General Secretary, Ernest Kofi Adu, to recognize and appreciate the contribution of farmers to the economy on the occasion of the national farmers day, GARDJA mentioned in particular, difficulties associated with land acquisition and ownership for farming purposes as one bottle-neck that must be tackled head-on.  According to GARDJA which is a media advocacy group on agric and rural development, the largely customary land holding system does not only undermines agriculture production, but is also a major cause of conflict in the society. The situation, the

The National Accreditation Board, NAB, says it will start an audit of the academic certificates of all lecturers in all the tertiary educational institutions from next year with an objective of eliminating the lecturers with fake credentials from the system.  The executive secretary of the NAB, Dr. Kingsely Nyarko, disclosed this to the journalist Ashanti region. This was after leading a team of officials of the NAB to engage the management of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and technology, KNUST, in an evaluation of the new academic undergraduate engineering programs proposed for introduction by the university.  The planned academic certificate audit by the national accreditation Board would come on the heels of a nation-wide credential verification of all public service employees by the Auditor General to flush out of unqualified persons on the government, s payroll.  The NAB executive Secretary noted with concern the quality of the knowledge lecturers with fake

Nearly 22 per cent of the about eight million children translating into one out of every five children within the age range of five and 17 years in Ghana are engaged in child labour in different sectors of the national economy.  The situation is seriously impacting on the personal development, education and health of such children and undermining school enrollment.  To address the problem, the Ministry for Employment and Labour Relations and its partners are taking pragmatic steps to withdraw all children illegally engaged in any form of employment anywhere in the country. The sector Minister, Ignatius Baffuor Awuah, gave the assurance in an address read for him in Kumasi at a day’s National Stakeholders’ Dialogue on the Creation of Child Labour-Free Zones in Ghana. The National Dialogue which was on the theme: “Building Momentum; Sharing Practices and Inspiring Stakeholders towards the Creation of Child Labour-Free Zones in Ghana”. It aimed at seeking the input and support

An 11-member Board of Trustees has been set up by the Board of Directors of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital with the oversight responsibility of managing the Hospital’s Endowment Fund, an initiative to raise funds to address the operational challenges of the hospital.  The Trustees have the mandate to encourage public-spirited individuals and organizations to support the hospital to achieve its goal in the health delivery system.  Members of the Board of Trustees include Kwabena Kesse of Kessben Group of Companies, Nana Adwoa Dokua, Managing Director Beauty Queen Hotel, Dr. K. K. Sarpong, CEO of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Ahaji Kamil, a private Business Executive and Opoku Boamah, CEO of Opoku Trading Limited.  Others are Mrs. Gyamfua Owusu-Akyaw, Ashanti and Bono Ahafo Regional Chairperson of Association of Ghana Industries, Mrs. Akuamoah-Boateng, a Health Development Consultant, Charles Dontoh, Dr. Kofi Osei and Dr. Oheneba Owusu-Danso, Chief Executive of

Christians particularly preachers and church leaders have been reminded of their obligations to inspire the followers to unite and live pure lives worthy of their affiliation with Jesus Christ who is the focus of their worship. To this end, they must not only unite but also encourage their members to be tolerant of divergent views including criticisms, showing love to all and forgiving one another of their transgressions.  The Minister in charge of the Nsawam Road Church of Christ in Accra, Evangelist George Asah, gave the advice in Kumasi at the 49 th annual graduation and thanksgiving service of the Ghana Bible College.  The service was used to send off 38 students of the College who had completed two ye ars of theological courses in Sacred Ministry, Bible and Christian Ministry after which they also undertook six months of intensive mentorship at various congregations of the Church of Christ.  The service was on the theme: “Purity and Unity; A Hallmark for Maturity”

Operations of the Micro and Small Loans Centre, MASLOC, has now been decentralized to all the 43 administrative districts of the Ashanti region with the recruitment of 129 beneficiaries of the Nation Builders Corps to man the district offices.  The decentralization is meant to engender ownership of the MASLOC and enhance its visibility while improving its accessibility, especially to micro and small business operators who require the support of the Centre to grow their enterprises.  Speaking on Garden City Radio’s Super Morning Flight in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional Director of MASLOC, Hajia Zaanabu Sallow, noted that, opening of offices at the district level would also enable the Centre identify the real needs of prospective loan seekers and their locations so as to maximize recovery.  Hajia Sallow disclosed that, government is presently considering a plea by loan seekers to cut down the interest rate from the current '24 per cent to 15 per cent to encourage prompt

The need for a bigger and modern healthcare facility at Kumawu in the Sekyere Kumawu district in the Ashanti region has never been that urgent than now considering the fact that, apart from population growth, the district has also been split into two administrative districts with the communities located far apart from each especially remotely within the Afram Plains portion.  Incidentally, it is only the 22-bed Polyclinic at Kumawu that is improvising as the referral facility for both the Sekyere Kumawu and Sekyere Afram Plains districts with the Sekyere Kumawu district alone inhabited by over 67 thousand people. This came to light when Ashanti Today paid a visited the area to report on the dire healthcare situation. The Sekyere Kumawu district was in 2012 split into two administrative districts with the Sekyere Afram Plains becoming the new district. Sekyere Kumawu district alone has about 67 thousand inhabitants. The two districts have communities that are located far apart

The National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA will on the 19 th of next month officially launch its Mobile Membership Renewal Service towards easing difficulties existing subscribers go through in renewing their membership.  The innovation is also part of strategies adopted by the NHIA towards achieving its target of roping in the Health Insurance Scheme every Ghanaian citizen or legal resident by 2020 to propel Ghana towards meeting the United Nations Universal Health Coverage by all member states by the year 2030.  A Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs of the NHIA, Oswald Essuah-Mensah, made this known in Kumasi at a day’s engagement of journalists, staff of the Information Services Department, representatives of the Ghana Trades Union and the National Commission for Civic Education to brief them on the Mobile Membership Renewal service and other digital initiatives to strengthen the National Health Insurance Scheme.  The NHIA Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs expl

Government has urged geoscientists in Ghana to assert their influence on pragmatic measures being adopted towards aligning the country’s development policies towards attainment of the targets set out in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.  According to government, geoscientists, as professionals whose expertise relate to investigations of the physical composition, structure and processes of the earth, can significantly help in environmental assessment, locate water, mineral and energy resources, while predicting geological disasters to affect national development projects.  The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mining, Mrs. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, made the call in the Ashanti region at the opening of the 1 st Annual National Conference of the Ghana Institution of Geoscientists.  The three-day conference, which is on the theme: “The Role of Geoscience in Sustainable National Development” is being attended by geoscientists from Ghana, USA and Nige

It is emerging that the gas filling station at New Tafo that caught fire last Tuesday had  no fire safety permit to operate, contrary to the laws of Ghana. Additionally, there are speculations that the station did not have the Environmental Permit from the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA.  An impeccable source close to the Fire Service gave these hints to Ashanti Today but would not be identified. Should these pieces of information be confirmed, it would mean that the owner, said to be a woman, was operating an illegal business and could therefore be liable for the appropriate legal consequences, should the authorities take up the matter for prosecution.  The Ghana National Fire Service is yet to make public its findings of investigation to unravel the cause of last Tuesday’s explosion at the gas filling station but rumours are rife that the inferno was caused by a spark at the point of repairs on one of the gas tankers at the station that had developed a leakage and