THE Suhum Kraboa-Coaltar District Assembly in the Eastern Region has taken a number of measures to apprehend the people behind the spate of murders that have occurred at Suhum within a period of five years.
The measures include a GH¢2,000 ransom for anybody who arrests suspects or gives information leading to the arrest of the criminals, engagement of more night watchmen, intensification of police/military patrols, formation of watch committees in all communities and questioning any person found at odd hours in the town.
Since 2005, about 10 innocent persons, some of them being watchmen, had been killed under mysterious circumstances.
This month, two watchmen who were on duty in different parts of the town nearly bled to death when attackers smashed their heads with cement blocks while at post at their workplaces.
They are Mustapha Osmanu, who was attacked on May 12, and Jacob Agbemasu, who was attacked on May 15.
The Suhum Kraboa-Coaltar District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Samuel Fleicher-Kwabi, announced the measures at an emergency meeting with security/night watchmen engaged by various organisations and individuals at Suhum.
He said apart from putting fear in the inhabitants, the mysterious killings were also gradually driving investors away from the town which was once noted for its peaceful atmosphere.
Mr Fleicher-Kwabi said although the assembly, with the support of the police and the military, had managed to curtail the attacks and killings, the criminals struck again this month during which the two watchmen, Agbemasu and Osmanu had their heads smashed with cement blocks.
He called on the watchmen to do away with “the bottle” and be vigilant while at post, stressing that the residents should question all suspicious characters found in communities.
The Suhum District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Anane Appiah, advised the watchmen to go to work with dogs and weapons, especially bows and arrows, adding that they should always be at a hidden place while at post.
In his contribution, Mr Felix Koranteng, a night watchman, said the frequent power cuts in the area contributed to the killings since the criminals operated under the cover of darkness.
He therefore urged the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to do its best to curtail the power cuts.
Another night watchman, Mr T. Kwaku Grunshie, suggested that the assembly should provide them with guns because most of them could not afford to purchase them.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
HOSPITALS DONATE TO ASIAKWA ORPHANAGE (PAGE 22, MAY 29, 2010)
PEACE and Love Hospitals based in Accra and Kumasi, in conjunction with Breast Care International (BCI), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to breast cancer awareness, diagnosis, treatment, counselling and rehabilitation of patients, at the weekend donated various food items and educational materials to the Herman Gmeiner Orphanage and School at Asiakwa.
The items, worth GH¢3,000, included clothes, schoolbags, footwear, learning materials, cooking oil and three bags of rice.
Making the presentation, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Peace and Love Hospitals, Dr (Mrs) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, said the donation was in line with her outfit’s social responsibility to ensure the happiness of children, who should also benefit from formal education.
She said apart from that, the two organisations had been conducting breast cancer awareness campaigns and screening exercises in the communities to assist less privileged women, especially those in the rural areas.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Headteacher, Mr Felix Ntiamoah Kyeremeh, expressed appreciation to the two organisations for coming to the aid of the orphanage and school.
He said the items would further improve the lot of the inmates and the pupils and appealed to other organisations for support.
The items, worth GH¢3,000, included clothes, schoolbags, footwear, learning materials, cooking oil and three bags of rice.
Making the presentation, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Peace and Love Hospitals, Dr (Mrs) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, said the donation was in line with her outfit’s social responsibility to ensure the happiness of children, who should also benefit from formal education.
She said apart from that, the two organisations had been conducting breast cancer awareness campaigns and screening exercises in the communities to assist less privileged women, especially those in the rural areas.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Headteacher, Mr Felix Ntiamoah Kyeremeh, expressed appreciation to the two organisations for coming to the aid of the orphanage and school.
He said the items would further improve the lot of the inmates and the pupils and appealed to other organisations for support.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
SCHOOL FEEDING MAKES POSITIVE IMPACT...But most deprived schools left out (PAGE 35, MAY 25, 2010)
The Executive Director of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), Mr Noble Appiah, has entreated station managers and branch executives of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) at the Aboabu Lorry Station in Tamale to be vigilant and check drivers and their vehicles to reduce accidents on the roads.
He stated that the Ministry of Roads and Transport had instituted an awards scheme for station managers and drivers as a way of encouraging them to play effective roles in the curbing of accidents on the roads.
Mr Appiah gave the advice at a meeting with station managers and branch executives of the GPRTU at the Aboabu Lorry Station in Tamale.
The meeting was aimed at educating drivers on the need to take precautionary measures to avoid accidents.
Mr Appiah said it was important for executives of the GPRTU to ensure that drivers complied with road safety measures.
“You must assert yourselves and ensure that your drivers avoid thinking so much about their profit, to the detriment of the safety of passengers,” he added.
He expressed regret that 70 per cent of all accidents recorded in Ghana occurred on good roads.
“Road traffic accidents are not acceptable and passengers must also assert themselves if their lives are put in jeopardy,” he observed.
He pointed out that “station managers must know drivers who are competent”.
He also lamented the fact that about a month ago 21 people died when two vehicles from Tamale got involved in an accident at Dawadawa on the Tamale-Kintampo road.
“This is unacceptable and we must ensure that this does not happen again. We all have a responsibility to ensure effective road safety measures,” Mr Appiah stressed.
He stated that the Ministry of Roads and Transport had instituted an awards scheme for station managers and drivers as a way of encouraging them to play effective roles in the curbing of accidents on the roads.
Mr Appiah gave the advice at a meeting with station managers and branch executives of the GPRTU at the Aboabu Lorry Station in Tamale.
The meeting was aimed at educating drivers on the need to take precautionary measures to avoid accidents.
Mr Appiah said it was important for executives of the GPRTU to ensure that drivers complied with road safety measures.
“You must assert yourselves and ensure that your drivers avoid thinking so much about their profit, to the detriment of the safety of passengers,” he added.
He expressed regret that 70 per cent of all accidents recorded in Ghana occurred on good roads.
“Road traffic accidents are not acceptable and passengers must also assert themselves if their lives are put in jeopardy,” he observed.
He pointed out that “station managers must know drivers who are competent”.
He also lamented the fact that about a month ago 21 people died when two vehicles from Tamale got involved in an accident at Dawadawa on the Tamale-Kintampo road.
“This is unacceptable and we must ensure that this does not happen again. We all have a responsibility to ensure effective road safety measures,” Mr Appiah stressed.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
NEW OKUAPEMAN BOARD INAUGURATED (PAGE 22, MAY 18, 2010)
A THIRTEEN-member board of governors for the Okuapemman Senior High School (SHS) at Akropong-Akuapem has been inaugurated.
The board, which has not yet elected its chairman, would be in office for the next three years.
In an address, a member of the board, Mr Yaw Yirenkyi-Atuah, said since their inauguration had come at a difficult period when more classrooms and dormitories had to be provided to take care of additional students due to the extension of the SHS duration from three to four years, the board would work around the clock for the provision of such facilities.
According to him, that would make it possible for the school to cater for all students.
Mr Yirenkyi-Atuah, who is a businessman from the Akuapem area and an old student of the school, therefore, called for support from the old and continuing students, staff and the parent-teacher association.
In her inaugural address, the Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service, Mrs Rene Boakye Boateng, spelt out the functions of the board, which among others, were to solicit support for the school and maintain discipline.
She advised members to always avert any “collision” with the school administration whiles doing their work.
Mrs Boakye also enjoined the students to be disciplined and make judicious use of their time to study and come out with flying colours at the WASSCE to enable them to climb the academic ladder.
The acting chairman of the old board, Odeshie Yaw Yirenkyi, expressed gratitude to all those who supported his term, especially the old students association, to ensure the school’s academic achievement over the years thereby making it one of the best in the country.
The Akuapem North District Director of Education, Mr Ben B. Cronze, who chaired the function, said his outfit would come out with a package for the best student in the school who would also be among the best in the country at the 2011 WASSCE.
Earlier, the Headmaster, Mr Felix Essah-Hienno, said the school, which was founded 53 years ago by a barrister, Mr Kwaku Opoku Acheampong, would be instituting founders’ day lectures in February next year in honour of Mr Acheampong.
He praised members of the old board for their sacrifices that had continued to improve the school’s academic record and discipline.
Gifts were later presented to members of the old board and Mrs Rene Boakye Boateng.
The board, which has not yet elected its chairman, would be in office for the next three years.
In an address, a member of the board, Mr Yaw Yirenkyi-Atuah, said since their inauguration had come at a difficult period when more classrooms and dormitories had to be provided to take care of additional students due to the extension of the SHS duration from three to four years, the board would work around the clock for the provision of such facilities.
According to him, that would make it possible for the school to cater for all students.
Mr Yirenkyi-Atuah, who is a businessman from the Akuapem area and an old student of the school, therefore, called for support from the old and continuing students, staff and the parent-teacher association.
In her inaugural address, the Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service, Mrs Rene Boakye Boateng, spelt out the functions of the board, which among others, were to solicit support for the school and maintain discipline.
She advised members to always avert any “collision” with the school administration whiles doing their work.
Mrs Boakye also enjoined the students to be disciplined and make judicious use of their time to study and come out with flying colours at the WASSCE to enable them to climb the academic ladder.
The acting chairman of the old board, Odeshie Yaw Yirenkyi, expressed gratitude to all those who supported his term, especially the old students association, to ensure the school’s academic achievement over the years thereby making it one of the best in the country.
The Akuapem North District Director of Education, Mr Ben B. Cronze, who chaired the function, said his outfit would come out with a package for the best student in the school who would also be among the best in the country at the 2011 WASSCE.
Earlier, the Headmaster, Mr Felix Essah-Hienno, said the school, which was founded 53 years ago by a barrister, Mr Kwaku Opoku Acheampong, would be instituting founders’ day lectures in February next year in honour of Mr Acheampong.
He praised members of the old board for their sacrifices that had continued to improve the school’s academic record and discipline.
Gifts were later presented to members of the old board and Mrs Rene Boakye Boateng.
KWAHU PRASO NO.2 GETS NEW SCHOOL BLOCK (PAGE 42, MAY 17, 2010)
A GH¢50,000 three-classroom block and an office for the Presbyterian Primary School, which was constructed within three months at Kwahu Praso Number Two in the Kwahu South District, has been handed over to the community.
The facility, which was funded by the District Development Fund, replaces a dilapidated structure put up about 40 years ago.
The construction of the facility became necessary because classes could not be conducted in the old building during the rainy season.
At the handover ceremony which coincided with the distribution of free exercise books to the pupils, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Joseph Omari, said the assembly decided to put up the structure to enable the pupils attend classes during the rainy season.
According to him, the assembly had decided to renovate or construct classroom blocks in the district, especially, in the rural areas and expressed the hope that with other initiatives such as the Capitation Grant, free meals and exercise books, every child in the district would be able to attend school.
Mr Omari stated that feasibility studies were ongoing for the construction of a senior high school in the area, and urged parents to take advantage of the initiative to enrol their children in school.
With regard to the free exercise books, Mr Omari personally distributed some to the pupils and said so far, 30,000 exercise books had been given out to pupils in some parts of the district, adding that the whole district would be covered soon.
The Kwahu South District Director of Education, Mr Abraham Adjetey Sowah, who assisted the DCE to distribute the exercise books, was hopeful that parents and teachers would ensure the proper use of the books.
Both the Nifahene of Kwahu Praso, Nana Boama Twerefour, and the assembly member for the town, Mr George Asiamah, were grateful to the assembly, especially the DCE, for showing personal interest in the welfare of the pupils, especially, those from poor homes.
The facility, which was funded by the District Development Fund, replaces a dilapidated structure put up about 40 years ago.
The construction of the facility became necessary because classes could not be conducted in the old building during the rainy season.
At the handover ceremony which coincided with the distribution of free exercise books to the pupils, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Joseph Omari, said the assembly decided to put up the structure to enable the pupils attend classes during the rainy season.
According to him, the assembly had decided to renovate or construct classroom blocks in the district, especially, in the rural areas and expressed the hope that with other initiatives such as the Capitation Grant, free meals and exercise books, every child in the district would be able to attend school.
Mr Omari stated that feasibility studies were ongoing for the construction of a senior high school in the area, and urged parents to take advantage of the initiative to enrol their children in school.
With regard to the free exercise books, Mr Omari personally distributed some to the pupils and said so far, 30,000 exercise books had been given out to pupils in some parts of the district, adding that the whole district would be covered soon.
The Kwahu South District Director of Education, Mr Abraham Adjetey Sowah, who assisted the DCE to distribute the exercise books, was hopeful that parents and teachers would ensure the proper use of the books.
Both the Nifahene of Kwahu Praso, Nana Boama Twerefour, and the assembly member for the town, Mr George Asiamah, were grateful to the assembly, especially the DCE, for showing personal interest in the welfare of the pupils, especially, those from poor homes.
REVIEW FORUM DISCUSSES TERM OF OFFICE FOR PREZ (PAGE 14, MAY 15, 2010)
THE term of office for the President came up for debate at a constitutional review forum in Suhum.
While some suggested that the President should be in office for five years, with a provision to serve an additional term, others were of the view that the present dispensation, which allows the nation’s chief executive to be in the seat for two consecutive terms of four years, must stay.
The forum, organised by the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), with support from the Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar District Assembly, to deliberate on various aspects of the 1992 Constitution, was attended by a cross-section of the public, including traditional rulers and assembly members.
Raising the issue at the well-attended forum, Mr Joshua Abbey, a tutor at the Presbyterian Senior High School in Suhum, said the President’s present four-year term was too short to enable him to push his agenda.
He argued that even if the President should serve an additional term, the total of eight years would not be sufficient to fully execute the agenda of his administration to fulfil promises made during the electioneering.
He, therefore, suggested a two five-year term for the country’s chief executive to make it possible for him to fulfil all electioneering promises.
While some of the subsequent speakers agreed with him, others called for the two four-year terms to stay, with the explanation that no meaningful achievement would be made in the additional two years after the President had spent eight years.
With regard to metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs), most of the participants were of the view that they should be appointed so that they would go by the development agenda of the ruling political party.
Those in favour of the election of MMDCEs said such political heads would place the interest of the people above that of the government in whatever they did, arguing that they would be bold not to implement any bad government policy without fear of being sacked from office.
Other issues tackled included the determination of the salaries and allowances of the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary and whether to separate the office of the Minister of Justice from that of the Attorney-General.
In an address, the Lead Research Counsel of the CRC, Mr Francis Obugo, said the process was to fashion out home-grown solutions to the country’s governance problems, adding that by the end of September this year people in all parts of the country would have had the opportunity to make contributions on all constitutional issues.
Welcoming the participants, the DCE for Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar, Mr Samuel Fleicher-Kwabi, expressed his appreciation to the CRC for organising the forum in the area and expressed the hope that the issues raised would be considered.
While some suggested that the President should be in office for five years, with a provision to serve an additional term, others were of the view that the present dispensation, which allows the nation’s chief executive to be in the seat for two consecutive terms of four years, must stay.
The forum, organised by the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), with support from the Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar District Assembly, to deliberate on various aspects of the 1992 Constitution, was attended by a cross-section of the public, including traditional rulers and assembly members.
Raising the issue at the well-attended forum, Mr Joshua Abbey, a tutor at the Presbyterian Senior High School in Suhum, said the President’s present four-year term was too short to enable him to push his agenda.
He argued that even if the President should serve an additional term, the total of eight years would not be sufficient to fully execute the agenda of his administration to fulfil promises made during the electioneering.
He, therefore, suggested a two five-year term for the country’s chief executive to make it possible for him to fulfil all electioneering promises.
While some of the subsequent speakers agreed with him, others called for the two four-year terms to stay, with the explanation that no meaningful achievement would be made in the additional two years after the President had spent eight years.
With regard to metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs), most of the participants were of the view that they should be appointed so that they would go by the development agenda of the ruling political party.
Those in favour of the election of MMDCEs said such political heads would place the interest of the people above that of the government in whatever they did, arguing that they would be bold not to implement any bad government policy without fear of being sacked from office.
Other issues tackled included the determination of the salaries and allowances of the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary and whether to separate the office of the Minister of Justice from that of the Attorney-General.
In an address, the Lead Research Counsel of the CRC, Mr Francis Obugo, said the process was to fashion out home-grown solutions to the country’s governance problems, adding that by the end of September this year people in all parts of the country would have had the opportunity to make contributions on all constitutional issues.
Welcoming the participants, the DCE for Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar, Mr Samuel Fleicher-Kwabi, expressed his appreciation to the CRC for organising the forum in the area and expressed the hope that the issues raised would be considered.
FOUR BURNT TO DEATH (BACK PAGE, FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2010)
FOUR persons were burnt to death, while two others were seriously injured, when an empty articulated truck collided head-on with a cargo truck fully loaded with vehicle spare parts at Nkawanda Number Two, a village near Nkawkaw on the main Accra-Kumasi Highway.
The accident occurred about 5 a.m. yesterday.
The dead bodies, including those of the drivers of the two vehicles which are yet to be identified, have been deposited at the Holy Family Hospital, Nkawkaw.
The injured, identified as Razak Issaka, 24, and Rose Adotey, 26, who were both on board the cargo truck, have been conveyed to the nearby Government Hospital at Engiresi.
The Eastern Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, told the Daily Graphic that the empty articulated truck was travelling from the direction of Kumasi, while the cargo truck, loaded with vehicle spare parts, including lorry tyres and lubricants, was from the opposite direction.
According to him, the driver of the cargo truck, who was allegedly dozing, drove into the lane of the oncoming articulated truck and collided head-on with it.
He said in the process, the cargo truck caught fire, burning to death its driver, the driver of the articulated vehicle as well as two others on the cargo truck.
He said Issaka and Adotey were seriously injured.
He said the police were investigating to identify the dead and also find the owners of the two vehicles, since no trace of their registration numbers were left after the blaze.
Supt Sarfo Peprah advised drivers plying the route to have enough rest, since fatigue accounted for most of the fatal accidents on the road.
The accident occurred about 5 a.m. yesterday.
The dead bodies, including those of the drivers of the two vehicles which are yet to be identified, have been deposited at the Holy Family Hospital, Nkawkaw.
The injured, identified as Razak Issaka, 24, and Rose Adotey, 26, who were both on board the cargo truck, have been conveyed to the nearby Government Hospital at Engiresi.
The Eastern Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, told the Daily Graphic that the empty articulated truck was travelling from the direction of Kumasi, while the cargo truck, loaded with vehicle spare parts, including lorry tyres and lubricants, was from the opposite direction.
According to him, the driver of the cargo truck, who was allegedly dozing, drove into the lane of the oncoming articulated truck and collided head-on with it.
He said in the process, the cargo truck caught fire, burning to death its driver, the driver of the articulated vehicle as well as two others on the cargo truck.
He said Issaka and Adotey were seriously injured.
He said the police were investigating to identify the dead and also find the owners of the two vehicles, since no trace of their registration numbers were left after the blaze.
Supt Sarfo Peprah advised drivers plying the route to have enough rest, since fatigue accounted for most of the fatal accidents on the road.
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