All posts by Christian

• Christian
• April 21, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 2 minutes Read

We need more support to develop boxing talents in Ghana – Mohammed Aryeetey

Gold medalist at the African Games, Mohammed Aryeetey, has appealed for more support to aid the development of boxing in Ghana.

Aryeteey, who developed his craft by taking part in junior championships, believes more investments in the sport will also pave the way for talented young boxers to come through the ranks.

The former national Flyweight champion believes the lack of support has led to many talented boxers quitting the sport despite Ghana being noted as a country that has produced a host of world champions.

“Most of our friends and our colleagues that we started with have stopped boxing due to financial problems,” he said in an interview on Prime Morning.

“I think we need a lot of support. We all come from James Town and it’s not really easy for us. We are trying our best to get somewhere. We are doing it without a lot of support there are many many people who have stopped as a result. We have the desire to continue even when the going gets tough,” he said.

Aryeteey also called on stakeholders to provide the necessary equipment for the boxers to help them get better.

“We have to get a lot of training equipment. The training equipment is the most important thing because some of our clubs here in Ghana don’t have training equipment. Also, the boxers lack financial support and some of us, we just close from training we don’t get what to even eat. These things, when provided inspire us to put much focus in the game,” he continued.

• Christian
• April 21, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 3 minutes Read

US agrees to withdraw troops from Niger amid Sahel region’s pivot to Russia

The US Department of State agreed to pull out about 1,000 troops from the country that has been under military rule since July 2023, US media reported late on Friday.

US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine met on Friday, the reports said, with Washington committing to begin planning an “orderly and responsible” withdrawal of its troops from the country.

The US built a military base in Niger to combat armed groups that pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) in the Sahel region, which also includes Burkina Faso and Mali.

The major airbase in Agadez, some 920km (572 miles) from the capital Niamey was used for manned and unmanned surveillance flights and other operations.

Known as Air Base 201, it was built at a cost of more than $100m. Since 2018, it has been used to target ISIL fighters and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate.

While maintaining a line of communication with the military government in Niger, the US military had started preparing for the possibility of having to withdraw, with US General James Hecker saying last year that Washington is probing “several locations” elsewhere in West Africa to station its drones.

Nigerien state television reported that US officials would visit next week. There was no public announcement from the State Department on the withdrawal and officials said no timeline had yet been set.

Niger announced in March that it had suspended a military agreement with the US and would pursue a withdrawal of its soldiers.

The US is being forced to withdraw from Niger as it is not favoured either by the ruling military or by the population that is rejecting post-colonial forces. Protesters took to the streets in the capital earlier this month to demand the departure of US forces.

Like the military rulers in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, the West African nation had kicked out French and European troops following the military takeover.

All three countries have now turned to Russia for support, with Moscow confirming earlier this month that it has sent military trainers and an air defence system and other military equipment to Niger as it deepens its security ties.

Along with armed groups, the conflict-ridden Sahel region is also becoming an influential route for drug trafficking, with the United Nations saying 1,466kg (3,232 pounds) of cocaine were seized in Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso and Niger compared with an average of just 13kg (28.7 pounds) between 2013 and 2020.

• Christian
• April 21, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 1 minute Read

Over 50 funeral goers die as ferry sinks in CAR

At least 58 people have died in the Central African Republic after the overcrowded ferry carrying them capsized, say officials.

Most of the 300 people on board were on their way to a funeral on Friday when the vessel sank.

It happened on the Mpoko river near the capital, Bangui.

Footage of the accident on social media shows people falling or jumping into the water trying to reach the banks of the river.

Boat disasters are not uncommon in the Central African Republic.

“What just happened was terrifying,” a witness told French-language broadcaster RFI.

“I know a family who’ve lost seven relatives in this tragedy.”

Speaking to local station Radio Guira on Saturday, civil protection head Thomas Djimasse said rescuers retrieved “58 lifeless bodies” from the water, but added “we don’t know the total number of people who are underwater”.

Dozens of survivors are reported to be receiving treatment in hospitals in Bangui.

• Christian
• April 21, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 2 minutes Read

Togo approves constitutional reform changing how president is elected

Lawmakers in Togo have approved changes to the constitution linked to presidential term limits and how presidents are elected, which some opposition politicians and civil society groups have denounced as a constitutional coup.

Togo’s parliament had already adopted the amendments on March 25, but the reforms led to an opposition backlash so President Faure Gnassingbe called for further consultations and a second parliamentary vote.

The lawmakers gave final approval to the reform late on Friday, just days before the April 29 legislative elections that had also been pushed back due to the issues around the constitutional amendments.

The second reading was passed with all 87 politicians present agreeing to the new system, under which the president will no longer be elected by universal suffrage, but by members of parliament.

The amendments also introduced a parliamentary system of government and shortened presidential terms to four years from five with a two-term limit.

It does not take into account the time already spent in office, which could enable Gnassingbe to stay in power until 2033 if he is re-elected in 2025, a highly likely scenario as his party controls parliament.

Those opposed to the changes fear they could allow further extensions of the president’s 19-year rule and his family’s grip on power. His father and predecessor Gnassingbe Eyadema seized power in the coastal West African country via a coup in 1967.

In a statement on Saturday, the Dynamique Pour la Majorité du Peuple (DMP) opposition coalition and other signatories said the constitutional changes were a political manoeuvre to allow Gnassingbe to extend his tenure for life.

“What happened at the National Assembly yesterday is a coup d’etat,” they said.

“Large-scale action will be organised over the next few days to say ‘no’ to this constitution.”

• Christian
• April 21, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 2 minutes Read

Ethiopia land violence leaves thousands homeless

Fighting over disputed land along borders of Ethiopia’s Tigray and Amhara regions has displaced close to 29,000 people, the United Nations says.

Fighting began last week between forces from the two regions in Raya Alamata district, which is claimed by both.

Officials in Amhara have accused forces from Tigray of launching an invasion, but former rebels in Tigray deny this.

A two-year civil war ended in late 2022 in Ethiopia, after central government signed a peace deal with Tigray forces.

However, issues of contested areas, disarmament of ex-combatants, and the fate of hundreds of thousands of Tigrayans forced out of their homes during the war remain unresolved.

The contested district of Raya Alamata had been under Tigray until war broke out in 2020, but the Amhara forces have since seized it.

Following the resurgence of the latest fighting, Tigray forces have reportedly advanced towards some areas in the district.

Life-saving assistance is urgently required, the UN said, adding that some families were sheltering in open areas in nearby Amhara districts of Kobo and Sekota.

Meanwhile the embassies of seven Western countries – including the US and the UK – have released a joint statement expressing their concern at the reported violence.

They are calling for de-escalation and have encouraged disarmament and demobilisation.

• Christian
• April 21, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 3 minutes Read

15-year-old ‘married’ to Gborbu-Wulomo still a virgin

The Minister-designate for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Darkoa Newman, has indicated that Naa Okromo, the 15-year-old child married to a 63-year-old Ga priest, has not been defiled. This was confirmed following various medical assessments made to ascertain whether the minor has had any carnal knowledge with Gborbu-Wulomo, Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, whom she was married to.

Speaking during a press conference in Accra, Ms. Newman said, “The Social Welfare Department under the Ministry of Gender had taken the child through counseling with the required medical attention taken.” “We would like you all to know that the medical assessment on the child indicates that she is not pregnant, and she has no immediate health concerns,” she said.

Interim action

The Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, in its interim report, advised that Naa be returned to live with her parents and continue her education. The Minister further revealed the girl’s exact age as 15, having been born on 18th July 2008.

“The child will continue to pursue her education, and the Attorney General has issued an interim report and has advised that in the best interest of the child and in accordance with Section 2 and 5 of the Children Act, she should be released to her parents pending their review of the docket,” Ms. Newman disclosed.

Meanwhile, a Deputy Attorney General, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, has disclosed that the AG office is reviewing the docket to ascertain various issues concerning the matter before deciding on possible prosecution.

“If anything adverse is found in this particular docket, we give you the assurance that we will initiate prosecutions, but if there is nothing adverse about what happened, we will also let you know,” he said.

Background

On March 30, a video on social media, triggered by reports of an alleged marriage of a 12-year-old girl to the Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse in Nungua circulated. In the video, the 63-year-old priest Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII, also known as Gborbu Wulomo, was seen performing the traditional marriage rights of Naa Okromo. Following widespread criticism, the traditional council denied claims and insisted that the ceremony was a betrothal between the young girl and the priest.

According to the office of the Gborbu Wulomo, Naa Okromo is considered one of the special children chosen by the Gborbu deity to dedicate their lives to serving the god. Again, the GaDangme Council clarified that the relationship between the Gborbu priest and the 12-year-old girl is simply a betrothal and not a marriage.

However, in response, CHRAJ and Civil Society Organizations including Occupy Ghana, Amnesty International, FIDA-Ghana, and many others condemned the ceremony citing a violation of the Children’s Act. Shortly after, the Ghana Police Service announced that it had taken Naa Okromo and her mother under police protection. Also, the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice urged the Ghana Police Service to expedite investigations into the alleged marriage.

By Josephine Duodo

• Christian
• April 21, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 2 minutes Read

Court remands mason over theft of 222 bags of cement

A 32-year-old mason has been remanded by the Pakyi District Court over an alleged theft of 222 bags of cement valued GHC17,516.00, belonging to his employer.

Emmanuel Sebeh has denied the offence, and he will be brought back to the Court on May 2, 2024.

Police Chief Inspector Christian Amartey told the Court presided over by Madam Dora Nsiah Jackson that Madam Gifty Afriyie, the complainant, was a trader whilst Sebeh, the accused person, was a resident of Paa near Trede.

He said Complainant owned a cement shop where the accused lived and in December 2023, he contacted and pleaded with complainant to employ him at her cement shop as a sales boy.

Chief Inspector Amartey said the complainant obliged and handed over 300 bags of cement to him to sell each at GHC78.00 and paid him monthly.

Prosecution said on March 8, 2024, complainant went to the shop to take stock only for her to detect that there was no single bag of cement at the shop.

The Court heard that when Sebeh was asked of the whereabouts of the bags of cement, he said some workers had come for them on credit and he could not account for 222 bags of them.

Police Chief Inspector Amartey said when his employer asked for the names of his creditors, he could not give out the names and where they could be located.

The complainant reported the matter to the Trede Police, Prosecution told the Court.

Sebeh, in his investigation cautioned statement, admitted the offence and after investigation, he was charged with the offence to appear before court.

• Christian
• April 21, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 2 minutes Read

Farmer sentenced to 24 years for defiling pupil

The Tarkwa circuit court has sentenced a 56-year-old farmer to 24 years imprisonment in hard labour for defiling a 10-year-old pupil.

The convict, Kwaku Sarfo, who is popularly known as Kantanka was convicted on his own plea when he appeared before the court presided over by Mrs Hathia Ama Manu.

Although, Sarfo pleaded for mercy, the court rejected his plea and imposed the sentence on him to deter men of his calibre from committing such offences against innocent girls in Tarkwa and its environs.

Superintendent of Police, Juliana Essel-Dadzie, prosecuting told the court that the complainant was a farmer and father to the victim, a primary four pupil, and both resided at Anokwa in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality with Sarfo.

She said on Thursday, March 28, 2024, around 1300 hours, the victim was sent by her parents to fetch water from a nearby stream for domestic use.

Prosecution said while on the way, Sarfo who was the complainant’s neighbour, called the victim and gave her a white margarine container to fetch water for him.

Superintendent Essel-Dadzie said when the victim returned with the water, Sarfo asked her to take it to his room, and she did, and he followed her, locked the door and forcibly had sexual intercourse with her.

Sarfo, after satisfying his sexual desire, threatened the victim not to disclose it to anyone, and asked her to go home.

Prosecution said the following day, the complainant noticed the victim was bleeding from her vagina and he interrogated her, but she kept quiet, and the complainant together with the wife took her to the Prestea Government Hospital for treatment.

Superintendent Essel-Dadzie said the victim informed the medical officer who examined her at the facility about her ordeal in the hands of Sarfo.

The complainant was immediately informed and he lodged a case with the Prestea police, and he was issued a medical report form in respect of victim to be taken to the hospital for endorsement.

Prosecution said after the act Sarfo went into hiding, but on Saturday, March 30, 2024, he was picked up in Prestea by the police.

• Christian
• April 21, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 2 minutes Read

Court remands 36-year-old trader for stealing employer’s money

The Ashaiman District Court has remanded into police custody a 36-year-old trader, Patience Kofi, for stealing GH₵ 3,200.00 belonging to her employer.

The Court presided over by Mr. Derick Pardden Eshun, remanded him to reappear on April 22, 2024, for sentencing after pleading guilty to two counts of unlawful entry and stealing.

Inspector Henry Tetteh Nartey, prosecuting the case, said the complainant, Madam Vida Tetteh, is a cook and lives at Kakasunanka number two.

He added that the accused person, who was residing at Somanya, started assisting her at her canteen located at the Ashaiman roundabout.

He stated that on January 11, 2024, at about 0800 hours, she stole the complainant’s house keys and went to her house at Kakasunanka number two, where she entered her room and made away with cash in the sum of Gh₵ 3,200.00.

The prosecutor added that the following day, Madam Tetteh was about to wash her clothes when she detected that her money had been stolen, adding that upon enquiring from neighbours, she was informed by her landlord that her employee was seen entering the room, but they did not question her because she was using the key.

The court further heard that she was subsequently arrested, and an investigation caution statement was obtained from her in which she confessed that she stole the money.

She was, therefore, charged and put before the court after an investigation.

• Christian
• April 21, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 2 minutes Read

Sam Jonah urges journalists to speak up against threats to Ghana’s democracy

The Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Sir Sam Jonah, has called on Ghanaian journalists to actively safeguard the country’s democracy by not shying away from addressing critical issues affecting its governance system.

Sir Sam Jonah emphasized that media professionals in Ghana should serve as paragons of objectivity, promoters of informed discourse, and unwavering champions of freedom and truth.

Speaking at the launch of the 75th-anniversary celebrations of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra, Sam Jonah expressed concerns about troubling trends in the national dialogue, urging a renewed commitment to the principles championed by Ephraim Amu, especially in the current era where democratic values and social cohesion face significant tests.

Furthermore, he encouraged media practitioners to utilize their platforms to address pressing issues such as the perceived politicization of state agencies against dissenters, encroachments on press freedom, public scepticism regarding the impartiality of the judiciary, and the concerning lack of accountability in public finance management.

“In this era, where the essence of our democracy and the fabric of our society are tested, let us recommit ourselves to the principles that Ephraim Amu so eloquently espoused. I implore you to be the standard-bearers of objectivity, the architects of informed discourse, and the unyielding defenders of freedom and truth. In this regard, all of us have to be concerned about some disturbing developments in our national discourse,” he said.

“The perceived weaponisation of state agencies against opponents, the creeping assault on freedom of the press, the perceived lack of trust in the dispensation of justice, and the pathetic lack of accountability in the protection of the public purse, this is the time for patriots to find their voices,” he added.

Sir Sam Jonah also urged journalists “to be fearless and courageous. We cannot and must not compromise on our defence of the national interest. The success of our attempt at a democratic order will depend crucially on how free the press is. In the words of Walter Cronkite, a widely respected American journalist, ‘freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy!”

The theme for the 75th anniversary celebration is “75 Years of Excellence in Journalism: Past, Present, and Future.”