The situation has prompted the Municipal Security Committee (MUSEC) to take swift action by declaring the area a no-go zone for illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight individuals, including the Defence Minister, who were involved in efforts to combat illegal mining, the Kintampo Municipal Assembly together with local security agencies launched an anti-galamsey operation along the Black Volta.

Despite these interventions, recent reports indicate that the river has been inundated by illegal miners, leading to severe pollution of the water body, which also serves as a key source for power generation at the Bui Power Authority.

In response, MUSEC, led by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Isaac Donkor, conducted another operation over the weekend, during which more than 40 motorised machines and other equipment used for illegal mining were seized.

Addressing the media, Mr. Donkor stated that the assembly would not tolerate any form of illegal mining in the municipality and warned perpetrators to stay away from the area.

He also cautioned chiefs and community leaders who may be indirectly supporting illegal miners under the guise of community development to desist from such actions.

The incident, which occurred in the Dwenewoho Electoral Area, has left the community rattled, with many struggling to understand what may have led to the tragic act.

According to locals, the body was discovered around 2:00 PM, suggesting the act may have occurred earlier in the day without being noticed.

Police have since conveyed the body to the mortuary as investigations begin to establish the identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Rahim Amidu, a Unit Committee Member for the Dwenewoho Electoral Area, confirmed the discovery and called for improved mental health support within the community.

Some residents who spoke to Adom News also expressed disbelief, describing the incident as disturbing and unusual in the area.

Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to assist in the ongoing investigation.

The incident occurred on Saturday night, and thanks to the swift response of the emergency team, the fire was brought under control before it could spread further and cause more destruction.

According to reports from the scene, the fire caused damage to five motorbikes, a commercial fufu pounding machine, and a wooden structure used by the shop owner.

Fire personnel managed to contain and extinguish the flames within minutes of arrival, preventing the blaze from spreading to nearby structures and shops, many of which are closely clustered in that section of town.

No injuries or fatalities were reported in the incident.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation but officials say initial observations point to possible electrical faults or flammable materials left unattended.

GNFS has once again advised all shop owners and mechanics to ensure strict adherence to fire safety protocols, especially as the dry season increases fire risks.

They are also encouraging the installation of fire extinguishers and proper wiring systems in commercial areas to reduce the risk of similar outbreaks.

Speaking to Adom News, Commander Twum Prempeh emphasized that while bushfires have been recorded in the area, domestic and market fires have remained under control due to compliance with fire safety measures and continuous education by fire personnel.

“Our 24-hour patrol of critical areas in the municipality has been instrumental in curbing fire outbreaks. Residents’ adherence to preventive education has also played a significant role in maintaining this fire-free period,” he stated.

Despite these successes, the Fire Commander cautioned residents to remain vigilant and avoid complacency, stressing the devastating consequences of potential fire outbreaks.

He assured that fire education efforts would continue to ensure sustained awareness and safety in the municipality.

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Verdict: Misleading. DUBAWA’s research revealed that the video of the muddied waterfall was that of the Kintampo waterfall. It was filmed in 2023, not 2024. Anas Sabit Anas, a journalist in the Brong Ahafo region where the waterfall is located, told DUBAWA that the water is clean and clear but occasionally muddied when torrential rains occur.

Full-Text

Beatrice Annan, a deputy spokesperson of ex-Ghanaian President John Mahama, has shared a video of a muddied waterfall, blaming the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the condition.

The Facebook post, which featured a collage of two videos, showed a video of a clean waterfall on the left hand, purportedly taken in 2016, and a muddied waterfall on the right hand, taken in 2024.

A screenshot of the video collage shared on Facebook

The lawyer wrote on Sept. 14, 2023, that:

“This is no longer funny. For how long will the NPP continue to destroy our country while we remain quiet?”

See a similar video shared on YouTube here.

Beatrice’s post follows a renewed campaign nationwide for President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government to ban illegal mining called Galamsey.

Data showed that about 60 percent of Ghana’s water bodies have been polluted, and the activities of illegal miners have destroyed forest reserves.

Commenting on the post, a Facebook user wrote:

“The remaining [three] months to the election [are too] much. We can’t continue with this criminal impunity [and] hardships.”

Another Facebook user added:

“This is terrible. Oh, Akufo-Addo and Dr Bawumia, why?”

The social media platform showed that, as of Sept. 15, 2024, the post had received over 2,300 views, 83 likes, 24 comments, and 19 shares.

DUBAWA decided to probe the claim as part of its campaign against misinformation and disinformation in Ghana.

Verification

DUBAWA’s research revealed that the video of the muddied waterfall Mr Mahama’s aide shared was that of the Kintampo waterfall. It was filmed in 2023, not 2024.

The findings of DUBAWA’s Google keyword search showed that the video of the muddied Kintampo waterfall was filmed in 2023 after a heavy downpour.

An Instagram user shared the video on Oct. 10, 2023, with the following caption:

“The current state of the Kintampo ‘TEA’ falls & BO’TEA’ Falls. The future doesn’t look bright anymore. According to them, it’s due to unusual torrential rains in the region causing an overflow which brought loads of mud & debris from upstream, giving the water a temporary makeover.”

DUBAWA contacted Anass Sabit Gidan-Sarki, a journalist in the Bono East region where the waterfall is located. Anass revealed that the water is clean and clear but occasionally gets muddied when torrential rains occur.

“The water just gets sometimes dirtier when there’s a heavy downpour,” Anass told DUBAWA.

Anass shared this picture of the Kintampo waterfall with DUBAWA, which was taken two months ago. Photo credit: Anass Sabit Gidan-Sarki

According to Mr Sabit Gidan-Sarki, the tourist site has been managed well after the 2017 tragedy where 18 people died following a heavy downpour.

“The facility has been managed very well since the incident. It is now under the care of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA),” he said.

See videos of the Kintampo waterfall after the 2017 disaster here, here, and here.

It is, however, unclear the year the video of the clean Kintampo waterfall was filmed.

Conclusion

The video of the muddied Kintampo waterfall Mr Mahama’s aide, Beatrice Annan, shared was filmed in 2023, not 2024, as she alleged.

He argued that, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has little to offer them in terms of development.

Kintampo, located in the Kintampo North Constituency of the Bono East Region, has been a stronghold of the NDC since 1992, with the party consistently winning both the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Dr. Opoku Prempeh expressed frustration over the fact that despite the lack of tangible development from the NDC, the people continue to vote for the party.

“Every single development within this area has been under an NPP government,” he stated. “Unfortunately, the people have never voted for us. It’s not wrong for them to choose the NDC, but they cannot stick to them when they are not delivering on development.”

He added that the NDC might take the people of Kintampo for granted because they assume the constituency is a guaranteed win. “The NDC will not take you seriously because they know they already have your votes,” Dr. Prempeh cautioned.

Dr. Prempeh further urged the people to choose the NPP’s candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for the upcoming elections, saying, “Dr. Bawumia should be your choice because he will come and account to you after four years. Unlike the NDC flagbearer, Dr. Bawumia has proven his commitment to accountability and development.”

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According to him, this move will help boost the economic activities in the area.

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) made this promise while addressing the party faithful as part of his four-day tour of the Bono East Region.

“We will rebuild the market and make it an ultramodern one,” he said on Monday.

During the tour, Mr Mahama urged the electorate to vote out the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming election.

He added that, the Kintampo roads are also high on his agenda if he wins the December poll.

Source: Myjoyonline

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According to the Nkoranzamanhene, the Mo Paramount Stool is attempting to encroach on Nkoranza Stool lands, which have been recognized and respected for centuries.

The Traditional Council strongly objects to the Mo Paramount Stool’s recent installation of a new chief and its claims to certain lands, including the Kintampo Falls and Yam Market.

The Omanhene argued that, there is already a recognized Kintampohene, Nana Awiti Kuffour, who has been performing his customary duties without hindrance since 1973.

He views the Mo Paramount Stool’s actions as a deliberate attempt to disrupt the peace in Kintampo, which is well known to be part of the Nkoranza Traditional Area.

He warns the Mo Paramount Stool to respect the established boundaries and refrain from making further claims to Nkoranza lands.

Meanwhile, the Nkoranzamanhene cautioned the Mo Paramountcy against building its palace in Kintampo, urging them to respect the established boundaries and let peace prevail in Kintampo.

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This led to the arrest of their members.

However, after engagement with the parties and the Bono East REGSEC, they have come to an agreement to allow the exercise to proceed smoothly.

One key point in the guidelines governing the vote transfers, which is expected to end on June 14, 2024, is that, no one has the right to physically prevent a voter from transferring his or her vote to a constituency of choice except the EC.

Additionally, it is stated that the busing of people for the voting processes is not an offense.

Despite this, the Kintampo EC office has become a venue of conflict where party members physically prevent voters from doing their transfers.

To avert further disturbances, the REGSEC, led by the Regional Minister, Kwasi Adu-Gyan, engaged the leadership of the two major parties and the EC on Thursday to ensure a violence-free exercise in the few days ahead.

After the meeting, the leadership of the NDC and NPP in the Kintampo North constituency who spoke to Adom News committed themselves to peaceful conduct.

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A hearse driver transporting a dead body is said to be in critical condition after an accident at Kintampo in the Bono East region.

Three others also sustained various degrees of injuries and are receiving treatment at the Kintampo Municipal Hospital.

Adom News‘ Daniel Wiafe reported that, the hearse driver crashed into a truck in an attempt to swerve a tricycle which crossed it.

The dead body has since been transferred into another vehicle for interment.

Watch the video above:

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The motorbike and the articulator truck were both travelling in the same direction when the unfortunate collision occurred.

The impact of the heavy truck hitting the motorbike resulted in the immediate death of the passenger whilst the rider was rushed to the Kintampo Government Hospital.

The deceased has been identified as Nana Agyeman.

The police responded swiftly to the scene and transported the body to the morgue for further procedures.

A close friend of the deceased, Baffour Takyi Stephen, recounted that he had been in conversation with Nana Agyeman just minutes before the accident.

The surviving rider, whose identity remains undisclosed, shared that he had no prior connection to the deceased passenger.

He simply requested a lift on the motorbike, unaware of the unfortunate fate that awaited them on the highway.

About 22 people have been reported dead in an accident between Kintampo and Babatokuma in the Bono East region.

The gory accident occurred at about 11 pm on Sunday.

Witnesses narrated the accident involved a Yendi-Kumasi bound Grandbird bus with registration number AS 4635 – 22 with about 52 passengers on board and a truck with registration number GW 1127 – P transporting tiles.

The truck reportedly veered off its lane into the lane of the bus in an attempt to avoid crashing into another car which was parked on the road.

Unfortunately, the bus crashed into the truck killing 21 on the spot while the other person died at the hospital.

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The deceased include a child, 17 males and four females whose bodies have been deposited at the Kinatmpo hospital where some injured persons are also undergoing treatment.

Watch the video attached above:

The heavy truck loaded with foodstuffs from traders who took advantage of the market day, crashed upon getting to Abofo while heading to Buipe.

Some injured passengers who spoke to Adom News narrated that the car fell into a huge pothole, as there were no warning signs of a construction in progress ahead.

Consequently, the truck somersaulted before screeching to a halt at the side of the road.

A trader died on the spot, another is in critical condition and many passengers sustained various degrees of injuries.

One of the injured passengers disclosed he was hooked to the car and dragged on the asphalt road in a 20km stretch.

The injured passengers have been transported to various hospitals in the district.

Watch video below:

The robbers attacked the male victim at gunpoint, but he was brave enough to struggle with his attackers.

His wife, who rushed to the scene following his cries for help was also subjected to same ordeal.

After the couple successfully managed to take away the guns of the robbers, they were inflicted with cutlass wounds.

The man was slashed in his waist, chest and other parts of his body while his wife escaped with a broken left arm and a deep wound to his right arm.

Unit Committee Chairman, who spoke to Adom News, said that was the third of such incident in just one month.

According to him, the suspects have been terrorizing residents, leading to death of one victim.

He indicated the matter has been reported to the Kintampo district police, and the victims are receiving treatment in a nearby hospital.

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The deceased are three women, including a pregnant woman, and a male.

Reports indicate the accident, involving a Neoplan bus, occurred in the wee hours of Tuesday, June 29, 2021, while approaching Nante Zongo, a community in the Kintampo South District.

The bus with the registration number GR-5865 L, carting goods with other passengers onboard, was said to be travelling from Kumasi to Gushegu.

Information gathered suggested that the driver failed brake, lost control, veered off the road and somersaulted into a ditch.

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Personnel from the Police, ambulance and fire service rushed to the scene to help rescue the victims.

The eight injured made up of 5 males and 3 females are currently in stable conditions and responding to treatment at the Kintampo Government Hospital.

According to witnesses, the 14-year-old girl was in a rush to remove her clothes from the drying line hanged from the edges of a roof due to rains.

It is said that one of her clothes got stuck between the wires which had current flowing through and upon contact with the rain water, it electrocuted the teen.

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Her 53-year-old father, out of paternal instincts, ran to save his daughter but suffered the same ordeal in the process.

The charred bodies were deposited at the morgue but have been released to the family for Muslim funeral rites.

A woman, whose identity is yet to be known, died on the spot while a toddler was declared dead at the Kintampo Municipal Hospital.

Four of the injured passengers, numbering over 30, were referred to the Holy Family Hospital at Techiman, with the others receiving treatment at the Kintampo Municipal Hospital.

Information gathered suggested the accident involved a sprinter mini bus and a tractor.

The Sprinter bus was heading to Sunyani from Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region when the incident occurred.

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According to witnesses, the tractor, which was ahead of the sprinter bus, had a sudden tyre burst.

The situation caused the driver to lose control and crossed the sprinter which veered off the road.

Mr Alhassan suggested the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was hiding Electoral Commission (EC) materials in a particular house with intention of rigging tomorrow’s elections.

But for the quick intervention of the security Kintampo would have witnessed a bloody Sunday afternoon for the false alarm.

This suspicion attracted hundreds of NDC sympathisers who surrounded the house to do their search for the alleged materials.

This brought about tension at the place as both parties troop there to ascertain the veracity of the allegation.

In the process the elections security team quickly rushed there and the NDC constituency chairman was permitted to lead his team to search the house.

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At the end of the search it was revealed EC materials were absent but rather the New Patriotic Party was setting up the place as their party’s collation centre.

The chairman, therefore, came out to address the feuding supporters and apologised to the residents of the house and the security for the false alarm.

Reports indicate the incident occurred around 9:30 am on Thursday, October 29, 2020. after the rear tyre of the bus burst, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

According to witnesses, the accident is said to have occurred on the Amomankwanta and Krutakyi stretch which is an accident-prone zone.

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The accident involved a Toyota Hiace Bus with registration number AS 8030-20 travelling from Techiman to Tatale in the Northern Region.

The passengers, recounting the incident, claimed that the bus driver was speeding, causing the vehicle to somersault and crash into the side of the road.

Alhassan Abdulmutil, a passenger who sustained injuries on the head and spine, narrated the incident to Citi News.

The incident, according to police report, occurred around 2030 hours on Monday when the moving truck, loaded with cartons of playing cards, veered off its lane.

The truck was said to be from Tema heading towards Ouagadougou when it somersaulted, landing on the nearside at Kadelso barrier in the Kintampo Municipality of the Bono East region.

The officer was rescued and rushed to the Buipe Hospital where he was declared dead.

The body has since been deposited at the Kintampo Municipal Hospital Morgue for further directives and the suspected driver, Kagambega Zacharia, is in police grips.

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The said vehicle has been impounded by the police.

Earlier this year, another Motor, Traffic and Transport Department officer was killed by a vehicle on the same stretch.

The robbers said to be 12 in number subjected the passengers in the Urvan bus to intense search and took away their monies, phones, laptops and other valuables.

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JoyNews’ Seth Kwame Boateng reported that, “Thirty minutes after driving past last Monday’s accident scene which killed over 30 persons on the Kintampo-Tamale road, we observed from afar some people desperately trying to stop our vehicle.”

According to him, the long stretch being such a silent one, their driver was not too sure whether it was safe for them to stop so we continued.

He said what saved him and his crew was when a brown pickup which had overtaken them at a point which suddenly stopped and turned with speed towards them.

“He shouted at us to return since there was a highway robbery underway. Yes, it was true, the armed robbers numbering about 12 had crossed an Urvan bus full of passengers from Sunyani going to Tamale. They first smashed the windscreen and impressed on the driver to stop,” the journalist said.

According to the reporter, the robbers then ransacked the vehicles which were carrying a number of passengers including teachers from the Tamale Technical University who were returning from a workshop.

“Everything they were carrying, from their laptops, wallets, ID cards and sums of money. As if this was not enough, they also beat with clubs and the butt of their guns. Some sustained cuts in their heads.

“From afar, we could see the robbers comfortably and boldly carrying out their activities with no vehicle coming or going.

“A number of vehicles had joined ours and parked on the shoulder of the road but with all engines on so we could retreat as soon, we become their target.”

According to him, a few calls to the security officials in Kintampo saved the situation as the robbers entered the nearby bush when they got wind of the arrival of the armed police.

Reports indicate the deceased, who is a cashew purchasing agent, was shot around 1:pm on Saturday.

The body of the man, yet to be identified, was found in a pool of blood with gun wounds in the head near River Pumpu around Kyeremakoma, a suburb of Kintampo.

Though no concrete evidence has been established, a Fulani man, who is believed to be the suspect, has been arrested and assisting with investigations.

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In an interview with Adom News, some children, who witnessed the incidents, said they saw a man who approached the deceased for money and while struggling with him, two other masked men joined with guns and started shooting.

This made them (the children), who had gone to wash their clothes in the river and others coming from farms, ran for their lives.

The police have since deposited the body at the Jema Government Hospital Mortuary pending investigations.

Four people of the same family have died in an accident involving a Mercedes Benz and a Yuntong bus at Alhassan Akuraa in the Kintampo Municipality of the Bono Region.

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The Benz (private), according to reports, veered off its lane and collided with a Yutong bus rendering the driver who happens to be the husband, 65 years, the newly married wife, a son and a brother dead instantly.

The incident, according to Adom News‘ Wiafe Akenten, occurred around 11: pm Monday when the family were travelling from the Western Region to Garu to plan for the funeral arrangement of the man’s mother.

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The new couple, Wiafe reported have been married for just one month, adding that the occupants on board the Youtung bus escaped unhurt.

The Benz, however, has been mangled beyond recognition.

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Assemblyman for Alhassan Akuraa where the accident occurred also narrated how they tried to rescue the victims.

Meanwhile, the Kintampo Divisional Police Command, confirming the incident, said the bodies are currently at Kintampo mortuary pending further investigations.

Listen to full report in audio above:

Four people have been reported dead with several others in critical conditions in a gory accident at Kintampo in the Bono region.

The accident occurred around 3: am on Friday when a sprinter bus run into a spoilt trailer truck at the Kintampo Police barrier near the Abofuor forest.

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Narrating the incident on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem Friday, Florence Marfo, a VIP bus driver, who helped rescue some passengers on board, said the truck had been on the road for almost two months.

“While heading towards the police barrier, I saw the head of a trailer carrying iron rods had cut off with someone on the truck signaling in-coming vehicles with a torch.

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 “I offered to help them rescue the people trapped in the vehicle and I saw the driver of the Sprinter had been trapped by the steering wheel while he stood in the car. Two others were dead behind his seat and another two at the front seat,” she narrated.

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Source: Adomonline.com | Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

A two-year-old girl and a man only identified as Michael have been killed in an accident at Ntankro in the Kintampo South District of the Bono East Region.

Local reports say the accident occurred when a Kia driver carrying tubers of yam veered off its lane in an attempt to escape crashing into a broken-down truck.

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The truck, however, collided head-on with a Taxi.

Speaking in an interview with Adom News, Kwesi Larwu who is Michael’s relative explained the issue came to them as a big blow.

According to Larwu, Michael was an elder of the Church of Pentecost whose demise will affect his community, church and family greatly.

He said other people are in critical conditions and are awaiting an ambulance to take them to the Wenchi Methodist Hospital for orthopaedic treatments.

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The mother of the 2-year-old girl who is heavily pregnant is said to be in a critical condition and had been referred to Techiman Holy Family Hospital for medical attention.

One person has been confirmed dead with several others injured following a disagreement over the burial place of a family head at Kintampo in the Bono East region.

Adom News’ Wiafe Akenten reported on Adom Midday News that a misunderstanding between two feuding chieftaincy factions of the Moos tribe was the cause of the incident.

According to him, there was a misunderstanding on their way to the traditional home, New Longoro for the burial of the family head, ‘Abusuapanyin’,  leading to exchange of gunshots which led to the death and injuries to others.

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Confirming the incident in an interview with Adom News, Police Commander, ACP Gyau said three people initially suffered the gunshots but one had been confirmed dead.

The body of the deceased has been sent to the mortuary with others receiving treatment in the hospital.

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Meanwhile, the Abusuapanyin’s corpse has been returned to Kintampo and calm has been restored.

Listen to report:

Source: Adomonline.com|Adom News|Wiafe Akenten

The accident according to the Kintampo Ghana National Fire Service commander, Adu Kumi happened around 10 am Thursday morning about 300 metres from where the Metro Mass Bus claimed over 60 lives last year.

According to Mr Adu Kumi, the accident occurred when the driver of a long trailer with registration number GN 1904 failed breaks and in an attempt to save the situation, the truck somersaulted and later landed in a bush.

Mr Adu Kumi said it took the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) over two hours to get him out of the truck loaded with over 1000 containers of cooking oil.

“This morning we had a call indicating an accident had occurred. The driver of the trailer had failed breaks. In an attempt to save himself the car somersaulted and fell into a bush” he said.

The deceased was identified as Imoro Awudu by his driving license and also a colleague driver with a different vehicle.

According to the said driver, they had all taken off from Tema when the unfortunate incident happened.

Meanwhile, Mr Adu Kumi said the conductor of the driver survived and currently receiving treatment at the Kintampo Municipal hospital while the body has been conveyed to the morgue.

Listen to the GNFS officer

Catherine Afeku told Members of Parliament Tuesday investigations conducted show the tourist site was operated by the Municipal Assembly during the fatal accident that killed some 20 students of the Wenchi Methodist Senior High School and the School of Mines and Natural Resources at Fiapre.

“A day after, [the incident] my team, the Vice President of this country and other stakeholders visited the site. We did not see any illegal occupation of the site… No one was able to corroborate the story of illegal occupants…” she said.

But Mr Ablakwa in a rebuttal said the comment by the Tourism Minister is part of a grand scheme to protect the pro-New Patriotic Party’s inexperienced Invisible Forces, who manned as the place December elections.

“If the minister said the municipal assembly was in charge and doesn’t know about the forces then she has insulted our intelligence. They were not trained personnel. We in the minority are not satisfied with her response…” he said to Okay FM.

In addition, Mr Ablakwa recalled how the Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, Nana Obiri Boahen and the Chief of Kyeremankoma, where the site is located, alleged that the group evicted all tour guides after the NPP won the 2016 elections, in the weeks leading up to the March 2017 disaster which claimed 18 lives.

It is with this that, the minority MP said the precious lives that were lost at the tourist grounds don’t correspond with the response the minister gave to parliament as such she should stop defending the forces.

“The chief and Nana Obiri Boahen said invisible forces have taken over and the invisible forces taking over weren’t wrong. We also listened to 9 invisible force members who claim they collect monies from tourists and share with the regional executives of the NPP, we have the tape…” he explained.

He however added that, “The young people who lost their lives were more than 20. Human’s lives are precious for such a response from her. It isn’t good to cover things up. This kind of shielding of the conduct of the forces will encourage them to keep up with the assaults…”

According to Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa, any family member of the victim who files against the state in the law court will render the state a lot of trouble hence the government should award them the compensations they deserve duly.

“Any family member who takes a legal matter against the state will render the state a lot of trouble. If this is the way they will continue shielding them then people will join and think they can get away with things. Covering party vigilante groups won’t help. The government should compensate the families…” He said.

Twenty people mostly students lost their lives while over 21 others also sustained injuries after trees crashed on them following a heavy storm on Sunday, March 19, 2017.

Most of the victims were students of the Wenchi Senior High School while others were tourists.

The tourist site was closed down while a committee was set up by government to probe the cause of the disaster.

Presenting the report to Parliament Tuesday, the Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts minister, Catherine Afeku, said despite the conclusion that the disaster was an act of God, other factors also contributed to the unfortunate event.

“The report concluded that although this was an act of God, a number of remote and immediate causes were identified as being instrumental to the accident.

“A lack of focus on public safety responsibility, a lack of adequate training and supervision of personnel, poor environmental management factors and impact of encroachers on the area which has exposed the soil to major erosion and made trees weak and vulnerable,” Mrs. Afeku told Parliament Tuesday.

The Creative Arts minister added that recommendations made by the committee are already being implemented to prevent any future disaster.

She also dismissed claims that members of the invincible forces – a pro-NPP vigilante group – were in charge of the Kintampo Waterfalls during the disaster.

The site will be reopened to the public on September 1.

The Kintampo Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Desmond Owusu Boampong who confirmed the incident on Adom FM’s Morning Show “Dwaso Nsem” Friday said the crash also left 37 people in critical condition.

The accident according to him occurred around 2am Friday when a bus conveying passengers from Kumasi to Kintampo failed breaks, somersaulted and later landed in a nearby bush.

Chief Superintendent Desmond Owusu Boampong said three passengers who were trapped under the bus died on the spot.

He said the ghastly accident has created a heavy vehicular traffic on the road as police personnel are at the scene to control the situation.

Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased, as well as the injured, had been transported to the hospital for preservation and treatment respectively.

Chief Superintendent Desmond Owusu Boampong said driver of the bus is however nowhere to be found.

 Click on attached audio for more

The First Lady thanked the Bishop and his wife, for their generosity, when they paid a courtesy call on her, and encouraged them to do more for society.

The couple expressed their appreciation to the First Lady for her warm reception, adding that members of their church were moved to make the contribution, when they heard of the sad news.

Representing Government was the Minister for National Planning who also doubles as the Member of Parliament for Wenchi constituency, Prof Yaw Gyan Bafour who donated the money.

This is in addition to an earlier donation by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia to the survivors.

The Vice President-led delegation visited the Kintampo Hospital where Dr. Bawumia donated an undisclosed amount of money to the University of Energy and Natural Resources students on admission.

Prof Gyan Baffuor presenting the money to the families urged them to be strong and discard spiritual linkages to what happened.

He also visited injured victims at Wenchi Methodist Hospital.

Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus in parliament have also donated an amount of GHC 2000 to the Wenchi Methodist Senior High School.

The team led by Banda MP, Ahmed Ibrahim was to console the students and encourage them to stay strong despite the incident.

The deceased and injured persons were students of the Wenchi Senior High School, and the University of Energy and Natural Resources.

The accident occurred after a huge tree run off the top of the waterfall following strong winds, falling onto the scores of revellers swimming beneath the fall.

Click on attached audio for more

source: Ghana/Adom News/Maame Esi Nyamekye Thompson

The General Overseer of God’s Crown Chapel in Kumasi, Prophet Reynolds Oduro Gyebi prophesied that disaster would struck at Kintampo and hence called on persons, especially school children seeking to visit the location last weekend to cancel their trips.

A video of Prophet Reynolds Oduro Gyebi prophesying that there was going to be a tragedy at the Kintampo Waterfall went viral on social and mainstream media after the accident.

He has since gained media attention with him claiming further that the country will continue to experience more disasters if the leadership fail to declare a national day of fasting and prayers for the nation.

But the former Legislator speaking on Accra-based Peace FM’s Kokrokoo Tuesday said he has failed to see why Ghanaians would want to credit the man of God for the disaster.

According to him, after listening to the tape of Prophet Gyebi predicting the disaster, he is convinced that the man of God never had the prophecy right because most of the things he said on the tape never came to pass.

“The prophecy about Kintampo disaster was never accurate, he said one school but there were two schools, he also said that all the children would die but some lived, so why should we credit him, his prophecy never came to pass…,” Namoale said.

The former Legislator who claimed to be a member of the Church of Christ urged Ghanaians to do away with the attitude of blaming every misfortune on superstition.

He emphasized that there was the need to do safety audit at the waterfalls and other tourism sites to prevent any such disaster in the future.

“We should do away with this spiritual things and rather right our wrongs, let’s block the loopholes and that is the solution,” he argued further.

According to him, though some men of God could do wonders, others were exploiting people and doing so for fame.

Prophet Reindolph Oduro Gyebi observed that many self-styled prophets motivated by money, fame and power were giving all kinds of prophecies including death, election victory and financial breakthroughs.

But speaking on Adom FM’s Morning Show “Dwaso Nsem” Tuesday following his prophecy on the Kintampo disaster, he noted that his prophecy was just to caution the public and not motivated by any power.

“The prophecy I gave about the disaster was to alert the public but I hear people saying that I did that because of fame. I want Ghanaians to know that there are false prophets and being used by the devil to manipulate innocent Ghanaians and so it is important that they tread cautiously else these prophets will face the wrath of God” he stressed.

Twenty revellers, mostly students, were killed and several others injured after a big tree on top of the Kintampo Waterfall fell on them following a heavy rainstorm that hit that part of the country Sunday afternoon.

The victims – mostly students of Wenchi Senior High School, Wenchi Methodist High School and University of Energy and Natural Resources – according to reports, had gone to the tourist site located on the Pumpum River, on an excursion to swim and make-merry when the tragedy struck.

Prophet Reindolph Oduro Gyebi last Monday on Abusua Fm, a Kumasi-based radio station, predicted the mishap when he said God had revealed to him an intended excursion by a group of students to Kintampo.

That was during a prayer session on his programme dubbed, ‘Eagle Hour’ on the radio station at about 11:30 pm.

He warned the organisers and the school authorities concerned to cancel the trip and reschedule it.

Not long afterwards, the prophecy made by the relatively unknown prophet came to pass and a video footage of the prophecy began to circulate on social media a day after the incident.

Click on attached audio for more

Source: Ghana/Adomonline.com/Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

According to Joseph Yamin, the disasters are the results of the numerous curses rained on high profile personalities, political figures and public servants during the 2016 elections.

“We must blame Abronye DC and the several other NPP guys who placed various curses on persons they claimed would attempt to steal the elections for John Mahama and the NDC, I remember they called on the gods and ancestors to not only kill people who would attempt to but their descendants as well…,” he argued.

Ghana has experienced series of disasters since the beginning of the year with the latest being the death of up to 20 Senior High and University students who had travelled to the Kintampo waterfalls for an educational trip.

Other students were also injured in the rainstorm which led to the collapse of several trees that had formed a canopy around the three-tier water falls.

Prior to this disaster, several persons had perished through suicides and crashes on major highways in the country.

All these, Joseph Yamin said should be blamed on the NPP especially it’s Brong Ahafo youth organizer, Kwame Baffoe who had been leading some youth to place rampant curses on the nation before and after the elections that brought Akufo-Addo and the NPP to power.

“Before the elections, he slaughtered a sheep and the blood sacrificed unto the land. There were other women that the NPP brought from Bekwai to also curse with bottles of schnapps. These women were said to be experts in cursing people. They had a way of going around it so the gods would respond accordingly…,” he said.

According to him, the gods and ancestors the NPP guys called upon for help are responding because he is of the strong conviction that agents of the NPP added some figures ‘stealing’ the elections for Nana Addo.

“The bloods of goats and dogs were spilled just because of elections, and the gods are responding to these occult practices of the NPP so we have to blame the disasters on them…,” he argued on Accra-based Okay FM.

To avert these misfortunes, Joseph Yamin said there was the need for the government to organize a national day of prayers so the country will seek God’s forgiveness.

Source: Adomonline.com | KWAKU NTI | nanakwakunti@gmail.com | @NanaKwakuNti

The decision to close down the falls, she said was taken after a close consultation with the Vice President, REGSEC, NADMO and other stakeholders.

“We have closed down the Kintampo Waterfalls…there will be safety audit at the waterfalls and other tourism sites where these natural disasters will likely occur…,” she said on Adom FM’s Morning Show, ‘Dwaso Nsem’ Tuesday.

The closure of the waterfalls comes two days after up to 20 students who were on an educational trip to the tourist site perished during a rainstorm.

Several others were also injured in the process and are on admission at various hospitals in the Brong Ahafo region. Those in critical conditions have been transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.

The students were from the Wenchi Methodist Senior High School and University of Energy and Renewable Resources in Sunyani.

Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Tourism Minister, Catherine Afeku, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Coordinator and several persons from the government paid a visit to the Kintampo township and also to the family houses of the victims.

Families of the dead were assisted with an amount of GHC2,000 each while the injured were also assisted with a GHC1,000 for medications.

Read more: Bereaved families to receive GH¢2000

The General Overseer of God’s Crown Chapel in Kumasi, Prophet Reynolds Oduro Gyebi said God revealed to him that disaster would struck at the tourism site and hence called on persons seeking to visit the location last weekend to cancel their trips.

A video of Prophet Reynolds Oduro Gyebi prophesying that there was going to be a tragedy at the Kintampo Waterfall went viral on social and mainstream media after the accident.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen Programme on Monday, he said more disasters are waiting to happen in the country if the government fails to declare a national day of fasting and prayer.

“What happened in Kintampo is something small, something big is about to happen in Ghana if we fail to pray…it is true that many horrible things would happen this year and I prophesied this on 24th October, 2016…,” he revealed.

Read More: Declare national day of fasting and prayers to avert more disasters – Prophet

Source: Adomonline.com | KWAKU NTI | nanakwakunti@gmail.com | @NanaKwakuNti

At least 17 people are reported dead in a ghastly accident at the Kintampo Waterfalls in the Brong Ahafo Region.

The deceased are believed to be Geography students of Wenchi Methodist Senior High School and other revelers from the University of Energy and Natural Resources who were there on an excursion.

According to Nana Owusu Kinkra, he believes it is both physical activities and remote spiritual factors that culminated in the incident.

He stated that, there were some spiritual requirements that should always be performed by Chiefs in the country, since they are spiritual leaders to maintain natural law and order to serve as checks and balances to prevent such unfortunate instances.

He recalled that, back in the days there were several festivities, prayers and libations that were done to satisfy and cleanse various natural elements and water bodies together with ancestors to protect mankind from such unforeseen circumstances.

“First it is the human activity that has resulted more or less or partly to the misfortune. There is also the spiritual undertone. I am talking as the Kontihene with regards to the blood stool inherited by our ancestors. We have some rules and regulations and some duties to perform. Our ancestors accepted some duties and customs, like it or not, we must continue them…”

But modern Chiefs, he said, failed to recognize such religious functions due to the emergence of Christianity and civilization which eventually turns the cursed knot back to the present day deeming it difficult in the spiritual realm to prevent such abominable acts from occurrence.

“Because of Christianity and modernization we aren’t interested in the duties to perform especially with modern day chiefs. Whatever the culture and spirits demand we have to give them. Chiefs must make sure to recognized festivals, cultures and libations that enforce natural order things in the society. We need to go back and recoup all those things and bring them back into play…”

In moving forward, he advised the governments and Chiefs across the country to start policies to protect the tourist attractions physically.

Moreover, he urged them to continue to perform rites and customs that are used to sacrifice to keep balance in the spiritual world.

“You can call me superstitious but our religion doesn’t define us as unbelievers in our faith in spirituality. The respect we don’t give to creation is part of it and our spiritual aspect is  part of it. If we disregard our rivers and do not give in to the rivers what they want. And when they die they die with the people. We have few trees to protect us against the storm. One tree cannot withstand the storm…” he disclosed on Accra-based to Class Fm.

Click on attached audio for more

source: Ghana/Adomonline.com/Dennis Kofi Adu

Nana Effah Guarkuro, the revellers who visits the place openly have sex with their partners in the river, which in his opinion triggered the disaster.

A total of 17 students of the Wenchi Methodist Senior High School were crushed to death by a tumbling tree during a rainstorm, Sunday afternoon.

The students were on an excursion to the waterfalls in the company of some of their teachers when the incident occurred.

Out of 11 others who sustained varying degrees of injuries eight of them are on admission at the Techiman Municipal Hospital while the three others have been rushed to Kumasi for special care.

A lot of people are still in shock since the waterfall has not recorded any accident of this magnitude since its inception. Some safety experts have also blamed the authorities in charge of the waterfalls for the incident.

They argued that a robust safety system should have identified the dangers posed by the location of the tree and authorities in charge should have known the age of the tree and the soil system around it.

But Nana Effah Guarkuro on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Monday said he is not surprised such an unfortunate incident occurred.

He explained that, the river, trees and rocks at the Kintampo waterfalls are all gods revered by the people thus any act of sacrilege could anger them.

“The people who come to the water fall have sex with their lovers which is something the river god abhors so I believe it is all part of it” the Kyeremankoma chief stated.

On the way forward, Nana Effah Guarkuro said the waterfalls should remain closed for them to perform the necessary rites to pacify the gods.

According to her, “the news of the tragedy at Kintampo has stunned the whole country”, adding the whole of Ghana shares in the pain of the families who have lost 19 lives.

Some students who had gone to the Kintampo Waterfalls on Sunday on an excursion met their untimely deaths as others sustained severe injuries when hilltop trees fell on them following torrential rains.

“I pray that God will comfort and strengthen you during this difficult time. These were all beautiful young souls and we will always remember them as such.

“I also pray for a speedy recovery for all the injured and pray they return home to their loved ones soon.

“I pray that no other family would have to go through this ever again. May the Almighty God watch over you all,” Mrs. Akufo-Addo said in an open letter to the bereaved family.

Prophet Reynolds Oduro Gyebi, the General Overseer of God’s Crown Chapel in Kumasi speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen Programme said God has revealed to him that more disasters are awaiting the country if the country fails to pray about it.

“What happened in Kintampo is something small, something big is about to happen in Ghana if we fail to pray…it is true that many horrible things would happen this year and I prophesied this on 24^th October, 2016…,” he revealed

A video of Prophet Reynolds Oduro Gyebi prophesying that there was going to be a tragedy at the Kintampo Waterfall has gone viral on social and mainstream media after an accident at the location which led to the death of eighteen persons.

Preaching on Kumasi-based radio station, Abusua FM in the Ashanti region, he prophesied that “I have seen in a vision that a school is about to embark on an accident to Kintampo Waterfalls, but they had an accident and all of them died. I want them to cancel the trip or postpone it.”

18 persons have been confirmed dead by Chief Superintendent Desmond Owusu Boampong, Kintampo Police Divisional Commander.

The victims, largely students of the Wenchi Methodist Senior High School, were on an excursion and were swimming when the tree fell from the top on them.

Many of the victims are believed to be students, who were swimming under the fall.

Officers from the Ghana Fire Service, the Police and Ambulance Service arrived at the scene to rescue those who have been trapped in the water by the tree.

Those who were rescued were rushed to the Kintampo Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed grave concern about the accident.

To avert this tragedy, the man of God called on the National Peace Council to oganise a national day of fasting and prayers which would be interdenominational and also involve muslims in the country.

The President, he said is aware of this prophecy and hence he would continue to write more tributes if he fails to ensure the organization of this service.

18 persons have been confirmed dead by Chief Superintendent Desmond Owusu Boampong, Kintampo Police Divisional Commander.

The accident occurred on Sunday March 19 at about 4PM while tourists were still at the falls. A tree from the top of the waterfalls fell onto the sightseers who were swimming.

Mahama in a tweet described the accident as “tragic”.

The former President tweeted “very sad news of tragic deaths at the Kintampo waterfalls. Sincerest condolences to families of the victims.”

Eighteen persons have so far been confirmed dead.
The students, who were swimming at the base of the waterfall, lost their lives when a nearby tree broke and fell on them following an earlier rainstorm in the area.

Nana Akufo-Addo in a tweet on Monday said it was an “unfortunate incident”.

“I have learnt with great sadness, the unfortunate incident that occurred at Kintampo Waterfalls yesterday. My deepest condolences to the families of all those affected by this unfortunate and tragic incident,” he tweeted.

The dead and injured, mostly students were part of different groups visiting the site.

”We extend our condolences to the families of the dead and pray for the injured who have been rushed to the Kintampo and Techiman General Hospitals”, she said.

The Ghana Tourism Authority will work closely with the Ghana Police and the Kintampo District Assembly to ensure the families receive needed support and information.

The statement urges the media and the General Public to be circumspect in their reportage especially in the sharing of images of the dead and critically injured.

Seventeen persons who were on an excursion to the 25 metres water fall lost their lives after a windstorm which uprooted several trees around the water body.

Adom News’ Wiafe Akenten reported that the  dead include students of Wenchi Methodist Senior High School (SHS) who were on an excursion to the celebrated tourists site.

Footages emerging from the scene shows security personnel assisted by civilians packing the lifeless bodies unto pick up trucks.

The unfortunate incident is said to have occurred between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm Sunday.

The accident has left the residents of Kintampo and the entire Bring Ahafo region dumbfounded.

Tourism Minister, Catherine Afeku has sent messages of condolence to the families of the victims of the Kintampo water fall accident.

The Tourism Minister in a statement copied to Adomonline.com said the ministry will work in conjunction with the security agencies to ensure that the victims and their families are supported by government.

Below is the full statement:

STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF TOURISM, ARTS AND CULTURE ON THE ACCIDENT AND DEATH OF STUDENTS AT KINTAMPO WATERFALLS

The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture , Hon. Catherine Abelema Afeku, wishes to express her sincere sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims caught up in the unfortunate rainstorm that hit the Kintampo waterfalls on Sunday 19th March 2017, killing and injuring many . The dead and injured, mostly students were part of different groups visiting the site .
” We extend our condolences to the families of the dead and pray for the injured who have been rushed to the Kintampo and Techiman General Hospitals”, she said.

The Ghana Tourism Authority will work closely with the Ghana Police and the Kintampo District Assembly to ensure the families receive needed support and information. The statement urges the media and the General Public to be circumspect in their reportage especially in the sharing of images of the dead and critically injured.