However, presiding judge Eric Daning ordered Baffour-Awuah, who is on GH¢500,000 bail, to report to the Police once a week, rather than thrice a week as initially required.

Baffour-Awuah, who also owns Nsoatreman FC, is one of eight suspects standing trial for the gruesome murder of Francis Frimpong, a Kumasi Asante Kotoko FC supporter popularly known as ‘Pooley.’

During the hearing, the court also reviewed the bail conditions for suspects Joseph Kyeremeh, Elizabeth Akosua Ntiwaa, and Yaa Asantewaa, who are also accused of “abetment to commit crime, to wit murder.” These suspects will now report to the Police once a week and are free to leave or travel outside the Sunyani Municipality.

The suspects are scheduled to reappear in court on March 10, 2025.

Meanwhile, three other suspects, Isaac Fosu, Augustine Yeboah, and Yaw Koshy, who are charged with murder, were denied bail and will remain in custody until their next appearance on March 3, 2025.

Briamer, another suspect charged with murder, is still on the run, while Agyemang Duah Owusu, a Police inspector charged with murder, was granted GH¢300,000 bail with two sureties. The court ordered Owusu to report to the Police every day and submit his passport to the court registry within three days.

The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, February 2, 2025, when ‘Pooley’ was stabbed to death during a match between Nsoatreman FC and Kumasi Asante Kotoko FC at the Nsoatre Professor Amoah Koromansah II stadium in the Ghana Premier League.

Baffour Awuah, a former Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, was granted bail alongside Joseph Kyeremeh, another suspect, with both expected to appear before the Sunyani District Magistrate Court B on Monday, February 17, 2025.

The former Sunyani West MP is facing charges of abetment to commit crime, specifically murder, under sections 20(1) and 46 of the Criminal Offenses Act, 1960 (Act 29).

A third suspect, Agyemang Duah Owusu, who was arrested on Monday, has been remanded in police custody.

The three were apprehended following violent disturbances during a league match between Nsoatreman FC and Asante Kotoko at Nana Kronmansah Park in Nsoatre on Sunday.

Presiding Judge Eric Daning has ordered Baffour Awuah to surrender his passport to the court registry for the first 14 days, effective February 4. He is also prohibited from leaving the Sunyani Municipality without court approval.

In response to the incident, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has suspended all Matchday 20 fixtures as part of efforts to ensure justice is served.

READ ALSO

• GFA not aware of Nsoatreman FC’s withdrawal from Ghana Premier League
• IGP Dampare meets Kotoko leadership over death of fan in Nsoatreman game

Baffour Awuah, a former Minister of Employment and Labour Relations and ex-Member of Parliament for Sunyani West Constituency, has been arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit murder.

The incident unfolded on Sunday during a Matchday 19 fixture between Nsoatreman FC and Asante Kotoko at the Nana Kronmansah Park.

During the altercation, players and officials were involved in physical confrontations, leading to the tragic death of an Asante Kotoko fan, Francis Yaw Frimpong, widely known as “Pooley.”

As reported earlier, Frimpong was stabbed to death by unknown attackers.

He is also accused of inciting fans, a factor believed to have contributed to the fatal violence.

In response, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has indefinitely suspended Nana Kronmansah Park and has scheduled an emergency meeting with Premier League clubs, key stakeholders, and supporters’ groups on Thursday and Friday to address the situation.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Lydia Donkor has been assigned to lead investigations, as authorities intensify efforts to hold those responsible accountable.

READ ALSO

• Asante Kotoko communications member blames Ignatius Baffour Awuah for violence in Nsoatreman FC match
• Nsoatreman FC withdraws from Ghana Premier League after clash with Asante Kotoko

The match, held at Nana Kronmansah Park, was marred by violent clashes between players and officials, resulting in the tragic death of Asante Kotoko fan Francis Yaw Frimpong, also known as Nana Pooley, who was fatally stabbed during the incident.

In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Nii Darko placed the blame on Awuah, who he claims instigated the violence. According to Nii Darko, Awuah was seen encouraging his fans to disrupt the match.

“What happened during the game is unacceptable. Ignatius Baffour Awuah was seen inciting his fans to interrupt the game. We saw him inviting Kwesi Appiah, but we advised against it,” he said.

“After that, the fans demanded that Pooley leave the stadium. He complied, even without his Asante Kotoko jersey, due to the tense situation. Less than 10 minutes later, we were informed that he had been stabbed.”

Nii Darko further revealed that the Asante Kotoko management informed Awuah of the tragic event, but he failed to show any concern or reach out to find out what had happened.

“He has not even contacted the management of Asante Kotoko to inquire about the situation,” he added.

The case has since been handed over to the police, and Nii Darko expressed hope that justice will be served.

In response to the violence, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has called for an emergency meeting with Premier League clubs, stakeholders, and supporters’ groups on Thursday and Friday.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Lydia Donkor has been appointed to lead the investigation into the violent incident.

READ ALSO

• GFA to hold emergency meeting with Premier League clubs after fan’s death
• Asante Kotoko weighs decision on Ghana Premier League future after fan’s death in Nsoatreman

This event marks the symbolic launch of 16 Public Employment Centers across the country as part of the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project.

The Minister highlighted the importance of maintaining records for job seekers, available opportunities, and employers to manage the growing unemployment rate.

According to the Employment Minister, the project is aimed at improving capacities to support skills development and job creation in Ghana, provide opportunity for government to enhance capacity of the Labour Department at the national, regional and district levels which is a testament of government’s commitment to reducing unemployment.

The Bono East Regional Minister, Kwasi Adu-Gyan used the opportunity to commend the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration for their efforts to reduce unemployment and welcomed the impact of the new center on the region.

On his side, MCE for Atebubu Amantin, Edward Owusu, on behalf of the people of Atebubu expressed appreciation for the center’s location, even though it is not in the Bono East regional capital.

He committed to ensuring that the facility serves its purpose effectively.

The NPRA recently instructed SSNIT to halt negotiations with Rock City concerning the sale of four hotels, pending additional evaluation and discussions.

Addressing queries in Parliament, the Minister affirmed that all necessary procedures have been followed.

“Yes, it is true that NPRA came up with a directive, but I would appreciate it if my brother, my colleague, really read the directive from NPRA. It said it needed to be finished with all information relating to the sale of the hotels, which SSNIT has since done that.

“So, it wasn’t like a direct something that SSNIT should not go ahead to do anything, but then, SSNIT can only go ahead when NPRA, which is the regulator within the field, had actually certified that they have seen all the documentation and the processes, and they think that we are good to go.

“Yes, so, as a Minister, I can tell you on authority that NPRA has since indicated that they have seen the processes, and they think that SSNIT can go ahead.”

He also outlined some reasons for the sale of SSNIT’s 60 percent shares in the hotels.

“SSNIT considered only the sale of shares for its hotel investment portfolio as a strategic decision after multiple attempts at restructuring proved insufficient.

“70-60% of its shares are deemed the most viable solution to prevent further depletion of resources and to bring in private participation.”

“Is it a good business activity? Yes, I want to believe my colleague is listening to me fully, well because I answered by saying that some of the investments are either making low returns or making losses.

“So it is not in all cases that we are making losses, but even for those that are making profits, the rate of returns is lower” Mr. Baffour Awuah added.

ALSO READ:

Upcoming artiste lynched at Tanoso

Justice Asare Botwe bars media commentary on Ato Forson trial

I will complete Saglemi housing project if… – Akua Donkor

The former Ghana international was unveiled as the coach for the side on Monday, July 8 in Nsoatre.

Preko, a former coach at Medeama SC and Great Olympics, steps in to replace Maxwell Konadu, who left for a three-year stint with South African second-tier side, Black Leopards.

Addressing the gathering at Preko’s unveiling, Baffour-Awuah emphasized the community’s immense passion for football and urged Preko to foster a culture of winning both at home and on the road.

“Coach (Yaw Preko), on your part, Nsuatre is a small community but our passion for the game is huge. Our people want you to have a winning mentality, winning away and at home,” he said.

“This is what we want from you. I am there to support you. Whenever there is a challenge, let me and my board know. We wish you all the best. We want to make an impact in Africa and thank you for accepting to work with us,” he added.

Under Yaw Preko’s leadership, Nsoatreman FC will embark on their debut campaign in the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup, having clinched the Ghana FA Cup by defeating regional rivals Bofoakwa Tano.

He said the government is leveraging digital technology to introduce new software for the pensions regulator, the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA). 

The software, he said, would automate the regulatory processes of the NPRA and ensure real-time monitoring to safeguard pensions and investments. 

He said beneficiaries and service providers would be able to interface with the NPRA remotely and at their convenience without having to travel long distances to access NPRA’s services. 

“This will not only save time but also money, which can be used to purchase various pension and social security products available on the market,” he said, adding that “this will secure a better future in retirement”. 

The Minister made this known in Accra during the opening of a two-day technical seminar organised by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) on the theme: “Digitalization to leverage extension of social security coverage in West Africa”. 

Mr Baffour Awuah indicated that, the government has also partnered with pension trustees, telcos and banks to roll out various mobile pension products targeted largely at micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the informal sector. 

Through that, over 600,000 self-employed persons now have some form of social security programme, he stated. 

He said since last year, government through the various pension agencies, worked to bring about two million cocoa farmers onto the social security system.  

The Employment Minister said that it would be operational by the end of this year, which would increase the number of people on social security from 1.8 million to 3.8 million. 

“We will not rest until we get everybody on social security,” the Minister said. 

Director-General, Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Dr John Ofori-Tenkorang said Africa is one of the least covered areas in using technology to help improve access to social security and protection. 

He said, “We must find ways of using technology among other interventions to increase the reach of social protection for the vast majority of our people.” 

The Director-General said the lessons that would be learnt at the seminar must be self-evident and practical such that it would impact on how to acquire new members into the scheme. 

For his part, the Secretary-General of the International Social Security Association (ISSA), Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano said Ghana was chosen to host the 2023 seminar because SSNIT had shown commitment and leadership in social security administration thereby enhancing social protection in Ghana.   

He said one of the major challenges hindering West African countries in social security is lack of cooperation.  

“So, in this seminar, we are going to see how we can use digitalisation to increase cooperation of social security, so it’s a way through which the West African countries will change their experience,” he added. 

Participants came from Senegal, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, and Nigeria. 

The first day of the seminar was followed by the commissioning of the ISSA Liaison Office for West Africa, which officially marked the transfer of the ISSA West African host from Cote d’Ivoire to Ghana.  

President Nana Akufo-Addo has designated the Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, as the Minister in charge of Pensions.

Mr Baffour-Awuah announced the portfolio when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday, February 1.

An appointment letter from the President, according to him, was dated January 30, 2023.

The appointment is in accordance with section 211 of the National Pensions Act 2008 (ACT 766) and will see the minister steering the affairs of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

The appointment per the letter takes immediate effect. However, it is not clear if he will still serve as Minister for Employment and Labour Relations.

ALSO READ:

Ghana’s unemployment rate among the least in the world – Employment Minister

Ekosiisen National Dialogue Series: Govt alone cannot solve unemployment situation; take charge – Minister…

After reading the letter, Chairman of PAC, James Avedze Klutse described the appointment as refreshing, stating the Committee, will now have a Minister for SSNIT to appear before it following concerns raised earlier.

Play the audio attached above: