The incident occurred around 7:20 p.m. when a 6kg pressurized LPG cylinder reportedly caught fire in the kitchen of a self-contained apartment.

A crew from the Koforidua Municipal Fire Station, led by Assistant Divisional Officer I Sagoe, quickly arrived at the scene and began firefighting operations.

Thanks to their rapid intervention, the blaze was brought under control and contained within minute and completely extinguished in an hour.

Although the fire destroyed the LPG cylinder and several kitchen items, no injuries were recorded.

The swift efforts prevented the flames from spreading to other parts of the building.

The GNFS has since reminded the public to regularly inspect their gas cylinders and connections for defects and to contact emergency services immediately in case of gas leaks or fire outbreaks.

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The blaze, which broke out around 5:30 a.m. spread quickly before firefighters from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) arrived to contain it.

Under the command of ADO I Sagoe, the crew managed to prevent the flames from extending to nearby houses and shops.

The fire was brought under control shortly before 7 a.m. and completely extinguished by 8:04 a.m.

No casualties were reported, though several valuable items were lost.

GNFS has launched investigations to determine the cause of the incident.

Source: Adomnonline.com

In a statement signed by the General Manager of External Communications, Charles Nii Ayiku, ECG described the claims as baseless and urged the public to disregard them.

The company clarified that the incident involved a customer who owed GH¢6,519.38 since September 2024.

As part of ECG’s ongoing revenue mobilization campaign, “Operation Keep the Lights On,” staff visited the customer’s premises on January 24, 2025, where they discovered an illegal self-reconnection and disconnected the facility due to the violation.

The exercise reportedly faced resistance, with the customer allegedly threatening the ECG team with a machete. Police assistance was sought to safely complete the disconnection, which was carried out directly from the pole outside the premises.

According to ECG, the fire broke out later that day, long after its personnel had left the scene. The company stated that disconnecting power from a pole is a standard procedure that cannot cause a fire.

“Disconnection of power supply directly from a pole totally curtails electricity supply to the affected premises and CANNOT, by any means, result in a fire outbreak. Thus, the customer’s allegation against ECG is completely false,” the statement emphasized.

ECG reaffirmed its commitment to safety and professionalism, assuring the public that it would never engage in actions that endanger lives or property.

The company urged customers to pay their electricity bills promptly and refrain from illegal connections to prevent similar incidents.

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This promise was made when Serwodji submitted his nomination at the New Juaben South Constituency party office, expressing his interest in serving as the Mayor of Koforidua.

Stephen Serwodji, popularly known as Kwame Tenge, is backed by his experience as a former deputy constituency secretary of the National Democratic Congress and director of operations for the Eastern Regional Youth Wing in the 2024 General Elections.

“As a director of operations for the Eastern Regional Youth Wing, I visited all the ghettos in the region. I met over 15,000 ghetto boys and girls. These are a fraction of the unemployed youth in our country, and we know their needs. I am in a position to support President John Mahama’s vision for youth empowerment,” Stephen Serwodji stated.

He emphasized that the youth-focused development agenda is particularly significant, given that young people constitute a substantial portion of the Ghanaian population.

According to the Youth Bridge Foundation, the youth make up about 58% of the Ghanaian voter population, making them a critical demographic in shaping the country’s future.

He said his vision for the people is also aligned with existing initiatives aimed at empowering young people in the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly.

For instance, the “Youth for Governance” project seeks to address the issue of a lack of youth participation in governance by mobilizing and empowering young people to engage in local governance processes.

Some enthusiastic party supporters who accompanied Serwodji to file his nomination expressed confidence in his leadership, urging the government to consider him for the position.

“Kwame Tenge is a grassroots man. He has been with us through power, to opposition, and back to power. He has paid his dues for our victory in the region, and he needs to be empowered to empower others,” the youth mentioned.

“The fact is, the president has the power to appoint. We’re just pleading with the appointing authority to empower young people who have dedicated their lives to this party. We won’t accept any imposition,” said the grassroots supporters.

The offices included the National Identification Authority (NIA), National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), National Service Secretariat (NSS), and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

The group also reportedly moved to the regional offices of these institutions, attempting similar actions.

This action has caused distress for the affected staff and left individuals who visited the offices to access services stranded.

Although calm has been restored, the situation has had a traumatic impact on the staff.

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The fertilizers, allegedly intended for distribution to farmers, were discovered being offloaded into an abandoned church building following a tip-off.

A heated confrontation erupted between the transporters, EV Logistics, and the NDC officials, who accused the handlers of diverting the items for private gain.

Speaking to the media, the NDC parliamentary candidate for New Juaben North, Samuel Adongo, revealed that, three officers from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture who were at the scene drove away in a Ministry-branded pickup vehicle when he approached them for clarification regarding the intended recipients of the fertilizers.

Mr Adongo stated that, while the police have initiated investigations, the NDC is committed to ensuring the fertilizers remain secured until the next government assumes office.

Officials of EV Logistics have declined to comment on the incident.

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Speaking to Adom News, the Public Relations Officer of the Koforidua Prisons, DSP Ezekiel Kolletey, relayed the inmates’ plea.

He highlighted the insufficiency of their daily feeding allowance and called on Ghanaians to support them, particularly during the festive season.

This appeal came after the Church of Pentecost – Nkawkaw Adoagyiri District Women’s Ministry, in collaboration with OAT Bakery, visited the prison to donate food, drinks, tissues, and other essential items.

During the presentation, District Pastor Mordecai Wereko encouraged the inmates to remain hopeful, emphasizing that imprisonment does not mark the end of their lives.

He urged them to embrace faith in Jesus Christ, assuring them of a brighter future beyond their current situation.

Source: Akwasi Dwamena

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The meeting brought together hotel management, bar owners, restaurant operators, food vendors, and other entertainment service providers to discuss strategies to combat tobacco use.

The TOPAFA project takes a unique approach to assisting qualifying governments in sub-Saharan African nations that have signed the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

About 34 tobacco vendors and students attended the one-day programme to learn more about the dangers and consequences of smoking tobacco.

Ms. Anita Owusu Kuffour, the Eastern Regional Director of FDA, warned about the dangers of tobacco use, stressing that “It is so dangerous that there is nothing safe about it, and it can ruin everything from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet.”

Unfortunately, she observed that many people were unaware of the significant harm caused by tobacco products.

She urged for better control of their use to minimize these negative effects.

As the Christmas season approached, she emphasized the importance of engaging bar operators to raise awareness about the relevant norms and regulations, as well as the harmful effects of tobacco.

She explained that one of the FDA’s mandates was to prohibit smoking in public places, and everyone must adhere to these regulations.

She referenced the Public Health Act of 2012, Act 851, Section 58, which states that a person is not allowed to smoke tobacco or any tobacco product or hold a lighted tobacco product in enclosed indoor areas of workplaces or public areas, except in designated smoking areas.

She emphasized that these public areas include transportation terminals, markets, social gatherings, and other entertainment venues where large crowds congregate.

“The authority has been conducting a monitoring operation, and it frowns on tobacco products that do not bear warning signs; if you are caught selling such products, your items will be confiscated, and you will face the full force of the law,” she said.

Ms. Kuffour urged all stakeholders to adhere to the guidelines for selling tobacco at their facilities, stating that if they did not have a designated smoking area, they could not operate, and that allowing customers to smoke in public places posed a hazard to non-smokers.

She warned that failure to display a “No Smoking” notice in your establishment, to deter smokers and protect the health of non-smokers, could result in closure by the FDA and serious legal consequences.

Ms. Margaret Gbadago, a participant, stated that she had limited knowledge about the risks associated with tobacco use.

She noted that the information provided today would help reduce health risks, especially for those exposed to second hand smoke.

Another participant, Mr. Yaw Amponsah Isaac, added that the education would help both dealers and smokers in minimizing the health risks related to smoking.

He further noted that while their businesses might be affected, their health was paramount, and it made no sense to prioritize profit over well-being, “so it’s crucial to follow FDA guidelines to ensure the safety of non-smokers.”

Statistics from the Tobacco Atlas indicate that over 6,700 Ghanaians die each year due to tobacco-related diseases, with 66 per cent of these deaths occurring in individuals under the age of 70.

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The New Juaben South Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Tijani Mikano, clashed with security personnel after resisting instructions to leave the voting perimeter.

He argued that, he would only comply if the New Patriotic Party (NPP) official, allegedly campaigning in the restricted area, was also removed.

“The EC has given us a parameter in which we should distance ourselves from the voters, but the NPP is campaigning in the queue so I also decided to campaign with my team but the EC says it is not allowed. If it is not allowed, they should drive the others back so the voters can cast their vote…,” he explained the cause of the incident.

The situation escalated into a heated standoff, drawing the attention of voters, security personnel, and Electoral Commission (EC) officials.

Speaking with the Presiding Officer, Darlington Annan, he said the NDC executive was misled to believe the NPP agents exceeded the perimeter.

He clarified that the NPP representative had been instructed to leave the queue for causing a disturbance, but the parties’ misunderstanding fueled the altercation.

“He [the NPP representative] was moving around and was asked to move from the queue because he was causing a nuisance to the voters so he was advised to leave the queue, but as he was going, the opponent thought he was interfering so they wanted to know what was happening and in the process, it escalated to a debate between them,” he narrated.

JoyNews’ Eastern Region correspondent, Kofi Siaw says it took the intervention of the Electoral Commission officials and police officers to settle the misunderstanding.

He said they spoke to both parties and they vacated the premises.

He noted that calm has since returned to the place and voting is ongoing.

Meanwhile, voting in the Western Region has been smooth and peaceful with little to no reported incidents.

Although the special voting took place in 14 regions on Monday, Eastern and Western regions could not vote after the Electoral Commission recalled and ordered and reprinting of their ballot papers following a mishap that was detected with some ballot papers.

Source: Emma Ankrah

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During the removal of the bags from the armory, it was discovered that the seal on one of them had come off.

Investigations confirmed that this occurred during the packing and unpacking process.

The Electoral Commission and political party representatives have verified that the contents of the bag remain intact and untampered with.

The Police Service reassures the public that the matter has been thoroughly addressed, and the integrity of the materials has been upheld.

“It has been revealed that when the bags were removed from the armory, one of the seals was found to be off. It has been established that this occurred as a result of the packing and unpacking of the bags. The broken seal has been found, and the contents of the bag have been confirmed to be intact by the stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission and representatives of the political parties who witnessed the incident,” the statement said.

Source: Adomonline

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In addition, the former president has assured of constructing a modern market similar to the popular Kejetia market built by his government.

According to Mahama, upgrading the area will bring about significant change in its development.

“I thought when they recently elevated some Assemblies, they would have elevated Koforidua too. If God permits and the NDC wins, we will elevate Koforidua to metropolitan status so that we can mobilize resources to improve road infrastructure and increase development.”

“When we were in government, we constructed asphalt roads. Some have deteriorated, but when we return, we will fix them.”

“Koforidua market is a very big market, and when we return, we will build a new one for you, just like the Kejetia market,” he assured.

He added that his government would mobilize enough resources to develop the project and attract businesses to the area.

Mr. Mahama has been on a five-day campaign tour of the Eastern Region. He began his tour in the Nsawam Adoagyiri constituency, where he addressed a large crowd of NDC supporters.

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A vote for Bawumia is an endorsement of thievery, hardship, and...

Agyei Frempong who is believed to be in his late thirties was electrocuted while fixing a streetlight in his electoral area.

Eye witnesses say Agyei Frempong who is not a trained electrician fell from the electricity pole following a shock.

Some residents who were around when the incident happened rushed the assemblyman to the Eastern Regional Hospital but died later in the facility.

George Agyei Frempong, a known carpenter, was elected the assembly member for Oguaa electoral area in the last district assembly elections.

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According to him, Koforidua has seen much improvement in roads, health and sports infrastructure, trade support systems, education, security, and all sectors of the economy under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration than the previous NDC administration put together.

Addressing market women at the Agartha Market near the Railway Police Station in Koforidua, Mr. Okyere Baafi announced plans to solve the perennial mud witnessed at the market during the rainy season.

He assured traders that the problem would be solved by the end of September.

“If there is any MP who prioritizes the development of Koforidua, then I’m the one. I’m a Koforidua boy, Koforidua is my Hometown. So I will go all out to make Koforidua better than I met it,” he said.

He exhibited some projects undertaken under his leadership in less than four years including the retooling of the Eastern Regional Hospital, the Koforidua Technical University Hospital, the construction of a New Hospital at NyameKrom, and several clinics within the New Juaben South Municipal.

On education, he touched on the construction of a New school block for the Anglican school at Betom among others. He said several citizens of Koforidua have been given scholarships to study abroad while others have been granted scholarships to study in Ghana.

The MP believes education holds the key to development.

He told the market women to assess his performance and decide in favor of him and the NPP flag bearer Dr. Mahamadu Bawumiah in the December 7th election.

This finding emerged from routine surveillance conducted by the Polio Laboratory at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.

According to a press release issued on Tuesday, September 17, Health Minister, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye confirmed that the sample, taken on August 20, was identified as cVDPV2 on September 5.

Dr. Okoe-Boye has described this discovery a “public health emergency” and emphasized the urgency of taking immediate action to prevent the virus from spreading further.

In response, the Ministry of Health, working with the Ghana Health Service, has initiated field investigations to trace the virus’s source and assess the risk of it spreading geographically, including to human populations. Enhanced surveillance measures have also been implemented for closer monitoring.

The public is advised to adopt precautionary measures such as improved handwashing, proper sanitation, and the safe disposal of faeces.

Additionally, parents are urged to ensure their children complete their vaccination schedules to strengthen immunity against the virus.

Read the press release below:

Source: Adomonline

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The syndicate has reportedly stolen about five cars in less than a week in the Easter regional capital.

The latest incident occurred on Wednesday morning, involving a senior staff of the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly whose Hyundai Elantra with registration number ER 584-21 was stolen from her car park.

A Hyundai Elantra with registration number GE 2028-19 was also stolen.

The owner has been identified as the owner of Olive Mall opposite the Mile 50 total fuel station at Awoy3.

The Police Command according to reports by Accra-based Channel One News possess a bunch of master keys and remotes.

Detailing their modus operandi, the Police sources said the criminal syndicate track their victims to their homes or shops and on their blind side.

They then try their hands on any of the keys or remotes to access the targeted vehicle before bolting with it.

The incessant crime has left residents in fear.

Meanwhile, as the Police have urged residents to offer information that can assist with investigations.

Source: Adomonline.com

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Andrews believed to be in his late sixties was found neatly dressed in a suit and shoes, with glasses, hanging from a rope tied to the door frame.

Strangely, his legs were touching the ground.

Residents recount that the deceased who claimed Swiss residency but hailed from Ghana, had only been living in the area for about six months but was known for drinking and having fun with some of the youth.

He mentioned having a family in Switzerland while stating that his extended relatives resided in the Central region, and had built a house in Accra.

Just days before his demise, Mr. Andrews had told some residents he will travel back to Switzerland during the weekend.

He is alleged to have arranged for his belongings to be transported to his family home in the Central region by a relative a few days back.

The sudden and unexpected nature of his death has left the community reeling with shock and speculation.

The Police have taken the deceased’s body to the morgue for further examination pending an autopsy.

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In a statement signed by the General Secretary, Kofi Yeboah, the Association said this would be the first time in recent memory that the GJA is observing the WPFD outside the national capital, Accra.

The move is in line with a commitment by the National Executive to organize such national events outside Accra to make the regional branches vibrant and inspire all members with a strong sense of belonging in the Association regardless of their geographical location.

Whilst the global theme for this year’s event is: “Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis,” the GJA chose “Leveraging Journalism for Sustainable Environment and Future,” as the national theme.

The statement said the Association sought to lead a strong media campaign for the protection of the environment and the good of the country.

Dignitaries expected to grace the occasion at the Abba Bentil Theatre of the Koforidua Technical University include the Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, the  Minister of Information-designate, Fatimatu Abubakar and the Head of Office & Representative of  UNESCO Office Accra,  Edmond Moukala.

Others include the Press Attache at the Embassy of the United States of America, Accra; Kevin Brosnahan, the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr John Kingsley Akrugu and Erastus Asare Donkor of the Multimedia Group Limited.

Dr John Kingsley Akrugu will deliver the keynote address to highlight how Journalism could help protect the environment while Erastus Asare Donkor, GJA Journalist of the Year 2022, will share some critical thoughts on staying the course of environmental protection through Journalism.

The event, which is expected to bring together stakeholders of the inky fraternity, would start promptly at 0930 hours under the royal chairmanship of Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III, the Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area.

The UN General Assembly proclaimed May 3 as World Press Freedom Day in December 1993, based on the recommendation of UNESCO and in tandem with the anniversary celebration of the ‘Declaration of Windhoek’ by the latter’s General Conference on May 3.

The commemoration of the day reminds governments of their commitments to press freedom and the need to respect the same.

It also encourages media professionals and practitioners across the world to use WPFD to reflect on issues of press freedom and professional ethics.

One key feature of the occasion is the release of the global press freedom index by Reporters Without Borders, which gauges press freedom performances of countries.

In recent years, one significant trailer to the commemoration of WPFD is the organisation of the Africa Media Convention (AMC) in a fortnight, which forum rallies media actors and partners, as well as government officials, to discuss pertinent issues of press freedom.

Ghana, under the joint auspices of the GJA, Ministry of Information and UNESCO, Accra Office, will host this year’s AMC, scheduled for May 15 – 17, 2024, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

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The event was attended by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin and various diplomats.

It was the region’s first-ever national Independence Day celebration.

Themed “Our Democracy Our Pride,” the celebration took place at the newly commissioned 5,000-seater Koforidua Youth Resource Center. 

Commemorations were held in selected municipalities in Accra, including a march in the Korley Klottey Municipality, hosted at the prestigious Accra High School.

As the parade inspection progresses, people were eager to hear the Independence Day speech by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

See photographs from the parade grounds below by Samuel Tei Adano;

The annual celebration is being held on the theme: “Our Democracy, Our Pride”.

The event has the Ivorian President, Alhassan Ouattara, as the Guest of Honour. 

Watch the livestream below:

Many of the residents see the occasion as an opportunity to showcase the rich cultural diversity, the people’s history, and the socioeconomic potential of one of Ghana’s serene urban areas.

Indeed, the stakes are high, given the Region’s crucial role in securing Ghana’s independence in 1957.

The region has most of the ‘Big Six’ icons who helped lead the country to independence.

Koforidua, founded in 1875, is noted for its tropical forests, cascading waterfalls, tourist attractions, and beautiful landscape.

Ahead of the anniversary celebration, the town has been adorned with the country’s red, yellow, and green flags at every visible corner, flying proudly in the bustling streets.

When the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited the Koforidua Youth Resource Center on Tuesday, the venue for the anniversary programme, the place was decorated with national flags, memorable portraits of liberation fighters, and other historical scenes from the struggle for independence.

A team from Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a waste collection and management company, was also busy finishing preparations.

According to Faustina Shardey, the company’s Regional Coordinator, the authorities fumigated the entire Centre to help tidy it up.

On security, the National Security Council was also taking precautions to ensure public safety, with police personnel deployed at every vantage point.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) was also at work, bringing on board an array of fire tenders specifically for the programme.

Some traders were observed selling event paraphernalia and other souvenirs to enhance their livelihoods.

“It is a dream come true that we are hosting the national event of our independence anniversary, because the Region played no mean a role in advancing the nation’s cause for self-rule,” Baba Musa Mohammed, a Muslim cleric, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA), in an interview.

He lauded the government for its rotational policy in hosting the independence celebration and hoped that the Region would not disappoint.

Many schoolteachers, pupils, and students visited the Centre to feel the impending occasion.

In an interview, they expressed optimism about the Region’s hosting of the event.

The one-hour downpour came along with strong winds around 5 pm on Monday, February 19, and ripped off the JHS 2 and JHS 3 classrooms, the staff common room, a pavilion, and the ICT lab of the school destroying several teaching and learning materials.

A section of the students were seen busily wiping mud from computers that were soaked in rainwater, others were also spreading wet books to be dried by the sun.

Students in the affected classrooms had been moved to a makeshift pavilion on the premises of the Catholic Church, which is next to the school.

Alex Addo Anim Tete, an old student of the school who visited to assess the situation on behalf of all the old students, made a passionate appeal to the government and civil society groups to immediately intervene for full academic work to resume.

The Member of Parliament for the area and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Michael Kofi Okyere Baafi sent a delegation to the school to assess the extent of damage.

Mercy Oforiwa’s remains were exhumed from an unfinished building in Kyekyewere, a suburb of Nyamekrom in the Eastern Region, according to the police.

The suspect was arrested for iron rod theft but later confessed to the murder in his statement.

The deceased had been reported missing on June 17, 2023.

Accompanied by the suspect and other family members, the police visited the alleged crime scene to verify the burial site.

The exhumation took place on Wednesday, December 13.

The decomposed body has been taken to the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua for autopsy and further preservation.

According to the suspect, he claimed to have accidentally pushed his mother during a heated argument over GH¢500, causing her head to hit the wall and resulting in her death.

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Her partner in crime, Abraham Odotei, remains at large.

The fetish priestess’ deceitful tactics involve searching communities for obituary posters of relatively affluent bereaved families.

She then approaches these families with fabricated allegations, asserting that the deceased had sought spiritual financial assistance, referred to locally as “Boame,” at her shrine.

However, the deceased failed to fulfill their end of the spiritual agreement, resulting in their untimely demise.

Exploiting the vulnerability of grieving families, the fetish priestess proceeds to threaten them, insisting on performing elaborate rituals, including appeasing the gods and demanding substantial sums of money before allowing the deceased to be buried.

She further warns that non-compliance will lead to ongoing deaths within the family, starting with those who orchestrated the funeral.

Driven by fear, numerous families fell victim to her deception, paying significant amounts of money under duress.

Florence Amo’s arrest followed a report filed by a family that had previously fallen prey to her schemes.

Subsequent investigations revealed multiple victims with similar complaints.

Florence Amo has been remanded by the Koforidua Circuit Court “B.”

However, her defense counsel has failed to appear in court on two occasions for case management.

During the latest court session, the prosecution expressed concern over the defense counsel’s absence despite being served with necessary documents.

Presiding Judge, Her Honour Matilda Ribeiro emphasized that proceedings would continue without delay if a valid excuse was not provided.

Reluctantly granting Amo’s plea for another adjournment, the judge directed her to obtain the necessary disclosures.

In the event of the defense counsel’s continued absence, case management will commence on the next adjourned date, scheduled for December 19, 2023.

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The incident occurred as GUTA intensified its mission to close down shops and businesses operated by foreigners engaged in retail activities.

Mobile phone accessories and bags were seized on the streets, triggering heated confrontations and physical altercations.

In a surprising turn of events, dozens of Nigerians mobilized and stormed the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly, where GUTA members had converged for debriefing after their operations.

The Nigerians, demanding the release of their seized items and justice for what they deemed as the mistreatment of their compatriots, created a tense atmosphere at the Assembly.

It took the intervention of Michael Okyere Baafi, Member of Parliament for New Juaben South who is also Deputy Minister for Trades and Industry, to restore order and calm tempers.

GUTA’s stance is rooted in concerns over competition and the potential impact of foreign retailers on the local market.

Samuel Victor Aikens, Eastern Regional Vice Chairman of GUTA, emphasized the Association’s commitment to enforcing the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Law, which prohibits foreigners from engaging in retail trade.

“Every country has its laws and regulations. GIPC ACT 865 forbids foreigners from entering into retail trade so that is why we are stopping them from operating in retail. We are asking them not to retail. They can bring the goods, give it to Ghanaians to sell it at retail price. So that is why we are trying to prevent them from doing retail. We are not stopping. There are foreigners retailing rice, oil, motors we are going to stop them,” Samuel Aikens said.

However, not all Ghanaians support GUTA’s actions. Some bystanders argue that the Nigerians have brought competitive pricing to the mobile phone business, preventing cheating on the part of Ghanaian dealers.

New Juaben South MP, Michael Okyere-Baafi emphasized the importance of respecting domestic laws despite regional and continental efforts to promote free trade.

He said the GIPC Act does not permit foreign nationals to engage in retail, and the Ministry supports the closure of foreign retail shops but advocates for a peaceful approach.

“Because of what we call ECOWAS UTLS, citizens of countries in the ECOWAS region can enter every market to do business which is duty free, quota free, however you have to get documents to prove that you can do legitimate business. So if you don’t have those documents to prove then you will not be allowed to do business and exactly what is happening.”

This incident comes two weeks after the Eastern Regional branch of GUTA closed down 38 shops of foreigners engaged in retail businesses.

The association has vowed to continue its efforts throughout the yuletide season and beyond.

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The incident, characterised by ruthless violence, occurred at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 30, 2023.

The armed robbery gang executed their criminal act with precision, descending on the Total 5 service station in what appeared to be a well-planned heist.

The security guard on duty, whose identity has not yet been officially disclosed, became the first victim of this brazen robbery.

The armed robbers, without hesitation, fatally shot the security guard, killing him instantly.

The terror of the robbery extended to another individual, identified as the brother of the service station’s manager.

This individual suffered gunshot wounds during the ordeal, but swift action was taken to ensure he received the necessary medical attention at the Eastern Regional Hospital.

Despite the quick response and deployment of armed police personnel by the Effiduase District Police Command, the robbers managed to escape before their arrival at the scene.

However, the police investigators are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for justice.

They are meticulously gathering evidence, conducting interviews with witnesses, and working tirelessly to track down the suspects responsible for this reprehensible act.

The local police are now reaching out to the nearby communities for assistance in this ongoing investigation, encouraging cooperation from the public to aid in the pursuit of justice.

The lifeless body of the security guard has been transported to the Eastern Regional Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Fuel filling stations have recently become targets of armed robbers in the Eastern region.

Yilo Krobo Municipality recorded the second fuel station robbery attack on October 24, 2023.

The robbery gang targeted the Gaso fuel filling station and a mobile money vendor in the heart of the municipality, situated approximately 200 meters away from SP GAS filling station, where a similar robbery occurred in the same horrifying modus operandi on October 11, 2023, at about 7:30 pm.

According to eyewitnesses, the four armed robbers, including a female, executed their deadly mission in less than 8 minutes amid the firing of sporadic warning shots.

Armed with pump-action guns, they managed to make off with an undisclosed sum of money from the Gaso Filling station, in addition to a substantial amount of GHc 28,000 from the mobile money vendor.

No arrests have been made.

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The heart-breaking incident occurred when the three men, together with two others who were contracted to perform maintenance work inside the reservoir, allegedly failed to observe safety protocols, got suffocated, and eventually died in the tank.

It is not yet clear to the institution if these men were probably trained and certified for such work.

Observation of safety protocols in all engineering works, the institution, said is paramount in protecting life and property and is taken seriously in the training and certification of engineering technicians and craftsmen. 

Sadly, the GhIE observed that several artisans in the country are not properly trained and certified for the type of work that they do and usually do not follow the required safety protocols.

“The Engineering Council Act, 2011 (ACT 819) prohibits the hiring of individuals without the necessary training and certification from undertaking engineering works similar to what the three deceased men were involved in, adding, it is not clear if the Produce Buying Company undertook the needed due diligence before contracting them for the works”, he explained.

“We urge all especially public sector agencies to ensure that all engineering practitioners they engage are adequately trained and certified by the Engineering Council of Ghana and observe proper safety protocols”, the President pointed out.

Recently, the GhIE trained and inducted over 300 craftsmen as members in a process toward certification by the Engineering Council of Ghana.

“We encourage all artisans (electricians, mechanics, masons, plumbers, and the like) to contact the GhIE to take advantage of the training and certification process to become compliant with the laws of Ghana.

In doing so, they will be able to be more professional, safe, and ethical in their activities. They will also be eligible to participate in the continuous professional development programs of the Institution”, he mentioned. 

“As we mourn with the families of the deceased, we urge all artisans to observe all safety protocols required in their operations to protect life and property”, he added.

The GhIE is engaging with the Engineering Council of Ghana to find out the root course of this problem and measures to prevent future occurrences.

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The three, identified as Mr. Ashie, Octopus, and Jonathan, were among five technical experts hired by the PBC workshop to maintain the fuel reservoir at the COCOBOD office.

It is unclear how the incident occurred, but two workers in an attempt to rescue a colleague who entered the reservoir also suffocated to death.

Colleagues of the victims present at the scene, reported the incident to the authorities.

A response team comprising officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Municipal Secretariat, Effiduase Police Command, Ghana Ambulance Service, and Ghana National Fire Service arrived at the scene to help remove the bodies of the victims from the underground tank.

The Deputy Municipal Director of NADMO for New Juaben North, Kankam Twumasi Daniel, confirmed the incident to Citi News and said that the police have begun their investigation.

He added that, the bodies have been deposited at the St. Joseph’s Hospital mortuary in Effiduase for preservation and autopsy.

“Around 11 o’clock, NADMO received a call about an incident at PBC yard. So we had to rush there. When we got there, per our investigations, five gentlemen were contracted by the management of the facility to do some maintenance work in their reservoir tank containing fuel and unfortunately, three of them had drowned.

We had to call other departments, thus the Ghana Fire Service, Ghana Police Service, and Ambulance Service so that we could extricate the bodies from the tank” he said.

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The event, organised by Magic Mindx, saw an impressive lineup of talented musicians, including Jupitar, Amerado, Yaw Tog, Koo Ntakra, EL Kojo, and many other notable artistes who captivated the audience with their exceptional performances.

The ecstatic fans couldn’t contain their excitement as they witnessed some of Ghana’s top musicians belting out their chart-topping hits.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere was charged, with the crowd chanting along to every lyric, solidifying Eno Barony’s position as a commanding force in the country’s music scene.

Shortly after the concert, Eno Barony took to her official Instagram page to express her gratitude to her loyal fans and fellow artistes who graced the stage alongside her.

She penned a heartfelt message, saying, “I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the incredible artistes who joined me on stage at my Eid Concert last Saturday! Your exceptional performances brought the house down and left the crowd in awe. Each one of you showcased your talent with utmost brilliance, and I am immensely grateful for your contribution to the resounding success of my concert. My team at Magic Mindx and I deeply appreciate your support. Special thanks to Amerado, Yaw Tog, Jupitar, Koo Ntakra, Wise B, and EL Kojo.”

Eno Barony’s Eid Concert in Koforidua Zongo undoubtedly proved to be an unforgettable night for music enthusiasts, leaving a lasting impression of the rapper’s prowess and the remarkable talent showcased by the assembled artistes.

Watch the highlight below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by RAP GODDESS✨ (@eno_barony)

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The former CPA, who was identified as Theophilus by police personnel, was rescued in the early hours of Tuesday after being caught trying to cut electricity service cables on a pole in the community.

A young man who was on his way to work raised an alarm after seeing the alleged thief up the pole.

The alleged thief almost stabbed the young man with a knife, but the screams of the young man caught the attention of a security guard who joined in to apprehend him.

Citi News reports the youth of the area beat the young man and tied him to the very pole he had climbed to cut off the wires.

Though the suspect gave his name as Acheampong Emmanuel, a police patrol team which came around quickly identified him and called him by his real name, Theophilus, before taking him away.

Benjamin Appiah, the Assemblyman for the Old Estate West electoral area, spoke to Citi News about the recent activities of criminals in the area.

“Our main issue is the stealing of items in our community. It has been going on often, and when we catch them, we turn them in to the police. We are trying to protect the community. This morning I was called that another thief had been caught and beaten, and was tied to a tree. We came and rescued him, so I called the police to assist me.

“This is about the 4th or 5th time a thief has come here to steal. We have about three or four girls here who have been wounded with knives by thieves after snatching their phones. I don’t like it when thieves are caught by residents and beaten,” he explained.

Meanwhile, some residents of the area who have been sharing some horrifying experiences with criminals have called on the Ghana Police Service to intensify their patrols day and night.

“We are appealing to the police to intensify patrols here,” they said.

Citi News can also confirm that two suspects who were arrested last week Friday by the Nyamekrom Community watchdog committee after breaking into a home in the area are at the intensive care unit of the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua receiving treatment.

The two suspects, who are part of a group of criminals operating with a motorcycle and terrorizing residents in the area, were arrested by the community watchdog committee who had laid an ambush.

The Assemblyman for Nyamekrom Electoral area, Nana Boaheng Enoch, who told Citi News that he has been targeted by the criminals, says the watchdog group will stop at nothing to get rid of criminals in their neighbourhood.

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The incident occurred on Thursday evening.

The ambulance suffered damages but it was not clear if the patient and paramedics aboard suffered any serious injuries.

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An Ambulance from Fanteakwa North was swiftly dispatched to pick up the patient and paramedics onboard to Koforidua.

The unidentified woman, who was on a motorbike, was crushed by a speeding Kia Rhino truck which was heading towards the Charlie Junction area from the Koforidua Polyclinic side.

The suspected driver, according to witnesses, after hitting the lady, made a turn towards the Central Police road without attending to her though the incident happened less than 40 meters away from the Eastern Regional Hospital.

Police personnel, who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, assisted to convey the bleeding victim who was unconscious to the hospital.

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The police, who have begun investigations, want the public to assist with relevant information which will lead to the arrest of the suspected driver.

Within the same period, the hospital had to foot the bills of some poor persons treated at the facility because their relatives and family members could not pay their medical bills.

While the hospital lost GH¢103,476 from the absconders, the bill for the poor persons amounted to GH¢3,183.

These incidents were made known at the 2022 annual performance review meeting of the hospital last Monday.

The meeting, which was attended by the senior staff of the hospital and the media, was aimed at discussing the hospital’s progress and challenges, to address inherent challenges to make the facility friendlier to patients.

Addressing the gathering on the hospital’s premises, the Medical Director, Dr Arko Akoto–Ampaw, said the action taken by the absconders, together with the cost of treatment of the poor persons, made the facility lose GH¢106,659.

He also indicated that the hospital lost GH¢64,929 and GH¢18,657 on absconders and poor persons in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Dr Akoto-Ampaw said such a situation had arisen because the hospital was primarily government-owned. He said given that, no patient could be denied healthcare services, irrespective of the patient’s financial situation, adding that many of them found it difficult to pay medical bills and absconded.

He indicated that although such patients were identified later, they were again treated despite not being able to settle their previous medical bills.

“No patient should be denied treatment or allowed to die because he or she cannot pay for services provided at the hospital. So, we will continue to treat them whenever they come to the hospital,” he said.

According to the medical director, malaria, hypertension, pneumonia, respiratory tract infection, tonsillitis, rheumatism/joint pains/musculoskeletal pain, conjunctivitis, urinary tract infection, anaemia and gastroenteritis, were the top 10 causes of attendance at the Out-Patients Department (OPD) of the hospital from 2020 to 2022.

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Causes of death 

He mentioned that cardiovascular/stroke, pneumonia, prematurity, chronic liver cirrhosis, cardiac failure/CCF, HIV/AIDS/Retroviral infections, hypertension, septicaemia/sepsis, kidney disease and hepatic encephalopathy/encephalopathy were also the top 10 causes of deaths at the facility from 2020 to 2022.

According to Dr Akoto-Ampaw, the hospital’s OPD attendance had seen a significant decrease by 5.3 per cent from 283,114 in 2021 to 268,191 in 2022, while insured patients accounted for 86.5 per cent of attendance compared to 74.7 per cent in 2021.

The Medical Director said two-thirds of the total attendance; 65 per cent (181,728), was females while males made up 35 per cent, and an average daily OPD attendance of 931 patients was recorded at the facility.

Admissions, he further stressed, rose by 23.8 per cent (21,809) in 2021 to 26,990 in 2022, while the average length of stay at the facility rose from 5.5 per cent to 6.6 per cent in 2020.

Dr Akoto-Ampaw pointed out that through innovations, maternal deaths reduced from 59 in 2020 to 33 in 2021 and further increased to 46 in 2022, while institutional maternal deaths per 100,000 live births stood at 960 in 2020 and 640 in 2021, and further increased to 868 in 2022.

Achievements 

Touching on the hospital’s achievements, he cited the rehabilitation of the hospital’s CT scan machine, the rehabilitation of the pre-operating theatre room, the painting of the main hospital laboratory, the construction of a diabetic block and the installation of a booster pump behind the physiotherapy block to ensure regular supply of water, among others.

Dr Akoto-Ampaw said his outfit would, this year, undertake projects such as the expansion of the hospital’s mortuary cold room and painting of its external walls, the creation of a new shed at the hospital’s main stores, painting of the hospital’s fence wall and construction of an autopsy unit at the hospital’s mortuary.

The yet-to-be-identified deceased was found dead in drainage at Sentimental near Oti Boateng Senior High school area.

The body was still lying in the drainage facility at the time of reporting at 6:40am.

Major roads leading to the Eastern regional capital Koforidua were severely flooded after downpour on Sunday.

Flooded roads included Effiduase traffic light stretch of the Koforidua to Bunso highway, the Abrewankwanta stretch of the Koforidua to Suhum highway, the Okorase portion of Koforidua to Mamfe Highway and Akwadum portion of the Koforidua to Suhum Highway.

The floods prevented vehicular movement for many hours creating gridlock until the flood waters receded at about 9:00 pm.

Hundreds of passengers and drivers were stranded.

The floods were caused by overflow of rivers and drainages on the roads.

Few drivers who attempted to bulldoze through the flood waters had their engines damaged.

Goil and shell fuel filling stations at Effiduase traffic light and Abrewankwanta roundabout respectively as well as shops and houses were also flooded.

A mechanic shop at Abrewankwanta was submerged destroying dozens of vehicles under repair.

Due to the situation commercial drivers travelling outside Koforidua doubled their transportation fares to cover cost of using long winding deplorable alternate routes to their destinations.

The newly constructed bridge on Koforidua to Nyamekrom road which was serving as alternate route to Suhum has also collapsed.

Floods wreak havoc in other parts of the region.

Many parts of the Eastern Region were also hit by devastating floods following three days of torrential rainfalls.

Major rivers -Burim, Ayensu, and Densu have all overflown its banks submerging homes and roads.

The Kyebi Court Complex, the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) office, the Kibi Presbyterian College of Education, the Kyebi Demonstration school, and some other institutions and homes near the Birim River were seriously flooded for the first time in many decades.

It took the intervention of personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service and some volunteers to rescue victims including children trapped in schools, offices and homes.

One of the videos which captured the incident on Friday and Saturday saw a family including women and children being scaled over a wall by the rescue team.

The wall of Kibi Presbyterian College of Education collapsed. A GETFUND project ongoing on campus was also submerged.

“This is the first time in the annals of the area that Birim has overflown it’s banks and flooded the upstream. I was born here and did my O-Level at ABUSCO. I have lived here, became an assembly member, worked at the Assembly I have never seen the Birim river flood the upstream of the river because the volume of water in the upstream is not much to cause flooding it is the tributaries that increase the volume downstream. The cause is blockage by the illegal miners who have diverted the river course in multiple portions,” Oteng Adjei, a former assembly member told Starr News.

Reports by officials of the National Disaster Management Organization in the various mining districts indicate more devastation at Denkyembour, Atewa, and Fanteakwa South among others.

Meanwhile, about one hundred residents of Amanase in the Ayensuano District were on Saturday, October 1, 2022, displaced as River Ayensu also over flooded its banks following days of torrential rainfall.

The floods entered homes, shops and almost submerged significant part of the community.

The Akwadum stretch of the Koforidua to Suhum highway was blocked by severe flood caused by overflow of the Densu river Sunday, October 2, 2022.

A statement by the Ghana Highway Authority- Eastern Region said “all motorists traveling between the DVLA roundabout in Effiduase- Koforidua to Suhum that due to the heavy downpour of rain over the weekend the road is temporarily not passable at the bridge at Akwadum.

“Motorists from Koforidua to Suhum are advised to turn at the traffic light at the SSNIT Estate to Nyamekrom-Supriso road to Obourtumpan then to Nkatenkwan and link the road back at the outskirts of Akwadum. Motorists from Suhum to Koforidua are to observe this and turn at the outskirts of Akwadum and follow the same route to Koforidua. The inconvenience is deeply regretted.”

A resident at Densuano, a community along the river fears the water Dam by the Ghana Water Company Limited in the community may collapse which will be fatal.

“The Dam is submerged, downstream houses are flooded, please inform National disaster management people to get closer to the people downstream for assistance.”

The Densuano Dam was subsequently shut down by the Ghana Water Company Limited.

Already, management of Ghana Water Company Ltd ( GWCL), Eastern region had announced to its “cherished customers and consumers in and around Akyem Oda, Akwatia, Kade and its environs that water supply has been interrupted as a result of the shut down of the Akyem Oda Water Supply Treatment Plant.

“The shutdown is due to flooding of the plant from overflow of water from the Birim River. We are waiting for the flood water to recede and assess the extent of damage to equipment and other installations before resumption of water production. We regret the inconvenience caused,” a statement by management said.

Dr Kwaku Adu, a Lecturer in the faculty of Environment and Conservation at University College of Agriculture and Environmental Studies (UCAES) located in Akyem Bunso said the reality of climate change is being felt hence leadership of the country must be more committed to mitigating the impacts.

He said the scourge of illegal mining and deforestation will worsen the plight of Ghana if urgent resilient measures are not taken to address the situation.

The New Juaben North constituency-embossed ambulance was en route to St. Joseph hospital to pick up an emergency case to Accra.

However, the tricycle rider recklessly crossed the ambulance driver while other cars had given way to the ambulance resulting in a side-impact collision.

The impact of the crash ejected the rider and a passenger aboard the tricycle on the road under the ambulance which crushed them.

The victims were removed into the accident ambulance and were rushed to the hospital but the rider died shortly after arrival.

The injured passenger is however responding to treatment.

Personnel from the motor traffic and transport department of the Police visited the scene and after taking inventories, towed the Pragya tricycle to the Regional Police Headquarters for further investigation.

The family of the deceased in Accra has been informed.

The Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Ambulance Service, Michael Gaani told Starr News “It happened Friday, September 23, 2022. The ambulance was going for an emergency to Accra for a CT scan. So other cars stopped giving him the way and this rider thought he could be fast and go. So the Pragya grazed the side of the ambulance and it hit him on the chest. So he died.”

Michael Gaani said drivers in the region face serious obstruction by reckless riding of tricycle operators.

“On Tuesday one of the Pragya hit the back of our ambulance at Aburi and destroyed all the lights. They are crashing our ambulances and killing themselves. The riders do not know the regulations on the road and they are just riding anyhow”.

Somtooma (not her real name) was rescued from the streets of Koforidua by Ibrahim Amevor, a good Samaritan sometime early this year.

She was delivered on April 30, 2022, through Cesarean at the Eastern Regional Hospital but suffered severe puerperal psychosis.

The nursing mother and baby have since been in the care of the good Samaritan in his family house in Koforidua.

However, after Starr News expose’ on sex trafficking activities involving young Nigerian girls, the Nigerian High commissioner to Ghana initiated processes to repatriate her to Nigeria.

On Thursday, August 11, 2022, the victim and the baby were evacuated by the commission together with some international partners to Accra for repatriation.

She will be provided medical care, sponsored to learn a vocation and be given a seed capital of $1,500.

Ibrahim Amevor, the good Samaritan is happy he saved the victim and baby but wants more to be done to curb the sex trafficking menace in Koforidua.

The motor rider was crashed while on his motorbike.

He suffered a fatal injury and was rushed to the hospital where he was admitted to the emergency room.

The victim has been identified only by his nickname “Owner”.

The collapsed billboard advertising Rabito Clinic was erected a few months ago at the Regional Hospital Traffic light but pedestrians continued to question its structural integrity.

The New Juaben South Municipality is inundated by many illegally erected billboards some of which are near collapsing posing danger to pedestrians.

The items that were donated included 15 bags of cement, 20 slates of roofing sheet, 70 bags of water, stationery, plywood, sports attires and children’s clothes among other items such as a cash donation to sustain them.

The Chief Executive Officer, Richmond Kwame Senaya, who goes by the name Rich Lampard and members who form part of the foundation said they heard about the plea of the school and decided to help since that is what their organisation stands for.

“Looking at their canteen it’s even not in a good form, we decided that we will bring them these items and building materials to put one up. We also gave them some textbooks after we heard their plea. We have given them money too and others such as paint to even finesse the building,” he said.

Students in Jumapo Anglican Children’s School in Koforidua showed gratitude to Kiva Foundation amid highlighting other situations that make them struggle to keep up with their classes.

The Headmistress of the school thanked Kiva Foundation for their kind gesture and further appealed to other individuals and corporations including the government to come to their aid.

“We thank Kiva Foundation for helping us out and we truly appreciate. We have many issues we deal with here and the items they brought will go a long way to give us some comfort. God bless them,” one said.

Also, one of the students, Christiana Amponsah, said their roof leaks anytime it rains, hence the roofing sheets donated will be of great use.

She, however, added that, they lack an ICT lab so whenever they want to learn ICT, they borrow computers from other schools to make it happen.

Other items, they complained about includes lack of library and other sporting amenities to make their schooling better.

Meanwhile, Kiva Foundation, after their kind gesture, gave the school a sense of assurance to return with an outstanding package in an attempt to ease their burdens to provide an excellent environment for learning.

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The building was released to the school to be used temporarily as a classroom for the Junior High School students some seven years ago however the government has failed to construct a classroom block for the JHS as a GETFund project has been abandoned.

Teachers and Pupils reported to school on the first day of reopening on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, to surprisingly observe their classrooms undergoing renovation and conversion to office accommodation facility by the Church.

The students became stranded and sat under trees throughout the day as management of the school, Ghana Education Service (GES) and the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly held meetings to provide emergency intervention.

A shift system has been reintroduced as a stop-gap measure to improvise the lower Primary classrooms to accommodate the displaced JHS students.

With the new arrangement, Primary 1 to 3 pupils will attend school in the morning while primary 4 to 6 pupils will come to school in the afternoon.

This shift system would enable the Junior High School students including final years preparing for Basic Education Certificate Examination to have uninterrupted studies.

The New Juaben South Municipal Director of Education Victor Degraft Etsison told Starr news the emergency measure is not the reintroduction of the shift system.

“That is what we have come to meet this morning but I can assure you that Ghana Education Service is on the ground. We’ve made very fast arrangements to ensure that we bring back all the children to the classroom.

“The arrangements are such that we made a similar arrangement when covid was very serious and we are making same arrangement so I can assure you and assure the general public in particular that no child will sit under a tree or any canopy. From tomorrow you will see academic work seriously in progress.”

The Municipal Education Director appealed to GETFund to complete an abandoned classroom block project in the school.

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The chairman of the Parents and Teachers Association, PTA, Eric Obeng said the school is facing serious infrastructural crises due to the increasing students’ population to the consistently high academic performance by the school, therefore, appealed for expansion of the school’s infrastructure.

Nana Yaw Debrah Assembly Member for Asuofiri electoral area where the school is situated said the situation in the school needs urgent intervention by the government.

He said the reintroduction of the shift system will affect the students.

“It is always hard to complete the syllabus so the introduction of the shift system will make it even more difficult for most teachers to complete the syllabus.

With the shift system, the students will enjoy a maximum of two to three hours in school include break time and other activities, but when they are together without the shift system they will have to spend more than three hours and this will not help us to achieve our objectives”.

The Assemblymember added that “There is currently an ongoing project which sponsored by GETFund which started in 2019 but it is still at the footing level, I can’t tell the exact problem in relation to the contract.

“I explained the GETFund project issue to the member of parliament and the MCE and they promised that by the end of the year the project will be completed and handed over to the school.”

The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Ghana has meanwhile sent a delegation to assess the situation.

Raymond Opare- Ansah Offei drowned in an open septic tank filled with water at the back of the school Tuesday afternoon.

The class three pupil was rushed to the Eastern Regional Hospital, Koforidua but was pronounced dead on arrival.

His body has been deposited at the same hospital pending an autopsy.

According to George Opare Offei, father of the deceased, management of the private school informed him on phone that his son accidentally fell into a septic tank in the school and was rushed to the Regional Hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.

The father reported the incident to the Adweso District Police command where detectives accompanied him to the said school located at Okorase.

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The Police met the Proprietor of the School Daniel Mantey and the school’s driver who led the police to the scene of the open manhole at the back of the school.

After taking inventories, police proceeded to the morgue to examine the body but there were no visible marks of violence on the body.

No arrest has been made so far.

The Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, DSP Ebenezer Tetteh confirmed the incident to Kasapa News.

He said investigation is ongoing and anyone found culpable of the negligence of duty will be arrested.

The teenage mobile money vendor was seen by a passerby weeping and claimed she had been attacked at gunpoint by a three-member robbery gang at about 8:50 am Thursday, November 11, 2021, that, the robbers took away a bag containing about ghc8,000 and the mobile phone used for the mobile money transaction.

However, according to other shop owners who had opened their shops nearby, the mobile money operator did not raise alarm even after the so-called armed robbers escaped casting doubt on her claim.

Emmanuel Commey Gyimadzo, the owner of the mobile money business, told Starr News, the narrations of her employee engaged just a month ago after completing Senior High School, did not add up.

According to him, his checks at the MTN office indicated that the alleged robbers withdrew about Gh2,000 e-cash on the mobile money wallet on the phone a few minutes after the employer reported the alleged robbery incident.

“I was at the hospital attending to my sick brother when she called me that she was experiencing menstrual cramps so I should come around for the items to enable her to leave to get medicine. When I returned, she told me she was okay and will continue to work. But when I left for the house, she called again that she is feeling the pains again. I returned to collect the items and sale and gave her money to leave around 4:00 pm. But at about 6:00 pm the sister called that Grace has not reached home.

“The following day, I went back to the hospital, while she returned to work but about 10 minutes to 9:00 am, she called me that a gang of three armed robbers had attacked her and absconded with everything. I was shocked because this is a busy street. I quickly rushed to MTN to block the SIM card only to be told the money has been withdrawn already”.

The business owner said the employee confessed after he threatened to arrest her.

“She confessed to me and her sister that, a certain guy came to her to propose love and requested for her number but she declined but later the guy invited her and went to his house and met her wife. But when we asked her to direct us to the house, she changed the narration that, it was rather a hotel which she went with the monies and mobile money phones but they took the money and phone and kept it in the room, and took her to town but they disappeared and left her stranded. She took the tricycle back to the hotel but was told they had checked out and left”.

A complaint was lodged at the Central Police station in Koforidua leading to the arrest of the mobile money operator who was subsequently detained to assist investigations.

Property worth thousands of Ghana Cedis were destroyed with about 60 houses submerging following a three-hour rain.

A makeshift bridge connecting the community to Koforidua township was also washed away by the floodwaters and submerged homes.

This was after a river that flows across the Nyamekrom road overflowed its banks on Friday evening and flooded the main road.

Residents have blamed the flooding on the construction of a bridge in the community, which had taken too long to complete.

They appealed to authorities to ensure its completion early to prevent the perennial flooding.

The accused persons are Prince Sabla, 18, Amponsah Isaac, 19, both labourers, and Emmanuel Koranteng, 23, a mason.

Police have retrieved large quantities of household items and appliances including flat-screen television sets, shoes, laptops, wigs, gold watches among others believed to have been stolen.

A complainant Faustina Boakye, resident of Two- Streams, a suburb of Koforidua was led by Police to identify a bag containing 30 cloths and clothes,11 pairs of men’s shoes, a gold watch, and two pairs of ladies shoes.

Others include; three body perfumes, three ladies’ handbags, one home theater, a wig, a 40 inches brand new TV set, a blender, a black Toshiba laptop and cash of Ghc600, all stolen from her room.

According to Faustina Boakye, on October 11, 2021, at about 10:00 am, her daughter locked their four-bedroom apartment and left for town.

The three accused persons conspired and invaded the house, used a pestle to break three Turkish security doors, entered the rooms, and made away with the items above.

The accused persons later shared the booty with each person taking theirs home.

The complainant made a report at the Regional Police CID after returning home at about 4:10 pm to notice the room has been burgled.

Police Intelligence led to the arrest of suspects from their hideouts.

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They led police to their various rooms to retrieve the stolen items except for the Toshiba laptop and ghc600 cash.

The accused later led police to retrieve the laptop.

They admitted the offence during their caution statement and were charged with conspiracy to commit crime causing unlawful damage, unlawful entry, and stealing.

The Prosecuting officer Chief Inspector Bernard Annor arraigned the accused before the Koforidua Circuit Court “B” presided by His Honour Kwame Polley, Esq.

The accused persons pleaded guilty to all charges.

The Judge convicted the accused on their own guilty plea but deferred the sentence to November 11, 2021.

The judge gave the accused persons the opportunity to find ways to purchase new security doors to replace the ones they damaged and return the Ghc600 before judgment day.

Sentencing was deferred to Nov. 9, 2021.

Meanwhile, some victims have popped up to identify their stolen items from the pool of times retrieved by Police.

The class three pupil of King of Kings Preparatory school allegedly drowned while walking in the floods to the house after closing from school.

A search team made up of Police and residents led by the Assembly Member for the area, Benard Acheampong, have since been searching for the victim in the Nsukwao drainage facility.

The Assembly Member told Starr News the search party was at the Nkubem downstream of the drainage facility searching for the girl as at 6:00 pm.

The Koforidua -Sentimental area was the worst affected after an hour and a half downpour.

Flood Waters overflowed the newly constructed 16 million cedis Nsukwao drainage facility and flooded homes, shops, and roads in the area causing damage to many properties.

The Eastern Regional Capital, Koforidua has been experiencing serious floods for about two months now after every heavy downpour.

The Municipality after a two-hour rainfall on Monday, September 13, 2021, experienced one of the worst floods.

Dozens of homes and shops near the Nsukwao drainage facility were also flooded causing damage to many household properties and items being offered on sale in the shops

Some houses and walls collapsed as the floodwaters violently entered homes.

Many domestic animals particularly dogs, cats, sheep, goats, and hen were drowned and carried away by the floods.

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The accused person, evangelist Samuel Ofosu, resides at Akyem Kukurantumi while the victim (name withheld) is a trader and resides in Koforidua.

The Prosecuting Officer, Chief Inspector Owusu Ababio, told the court that, on August 6, 2021, the accused invited the victim to his house to assist him to prepare for his mother’s funeral.

On August 8, 2021, at about 7:00 pm the victim went to the accused person’s house with her two children aged seven and 10.

A few hours later, the evangelist asked the victim if she often suffers headaches which she answered in the affirmative.

He prescribed an alleged herbal drug he bought from Kumasi which he claimed was efficacious for headaches.

He suddenly switched off the light, and administered three cannabis edible candies to the victim one after the other and subsequently administered a powdered substance twice to the victim under her tongue to swallow.

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A few minutes later, the victim started reacting severely to the side effects of the substances by experiencing nausea and vomiting amidst agitation and anxiety.

She started screaming for help forcing her two children, who were sleeping in a different room, to rush to their mother in an attempt to offer help but the accused screamed at them, chased and locked them in their room.

The accused allegedly locked the door with a password that prevented the victim from leaving the room to seek help.

At about 12:00 midnight, the accused claimed he was taking the victim to the hospital but on reaching the Police snap checkpoint at Kukurantumi, the victim reported to the police her ordeal which caused his arrest.

The victim was rushed to the Community Hospital, Kukurantumi while the accused was detained in police custody.

Police investigators later conducted a search in the accused’s room where some of the edible cannabis candies were retrieved. A substance, suspected to be a narcotic drug, was found in his wardrobe together with different substances in a similar container.

During interrogation, the accused admitted administering three out of four cannabis-infused candies to the victim and also gave her a snuff.

The victim, whose condition deteriorated, was referred to Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua but later referred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for further treatment.

Mark Koranteng, 65, Dademantse of Mpanmu near Dedeso was arrested by Begoro Police in the Eastern region after the parents of the victim made a formal complaint to the police.

According to the parents, they observed strange physical changes and symptoms of pregnancy on the victim.

In February this year, the accused who used to call the victim “my wife ” sent someone to call her for an errand but he allegedly took advantage and had sexual intercourse with her.

The parents alleged the victim told them that the chief subsequently had sexual intercourse with her again the same month.

They made an official report to Begoro Police but the case was referred to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) at Regional Police Headquarters in Koforidua.

The medical Doctor endorsed the medical report form issued to the victim, stating that “pregnancy has been confirmed with a urine pregnancy test. Abnormal examination reveals palpable uterus up to umbilicus which is mildly tender“.

The Chief was arrested and during the submission of his caution statement, admitted inviting the victim to his house twice to give her money but has never slept with her.

Prosecuting Officer, Chief Inspector Benard Annor, charged the chief with the offence of defilement.

He has been granted bail by the Koforidua Circuit court to reappear on July 26, 2021.

This comes after the Eastern Regional Manager of Glo Ghana telecommunication company was also arrested by Police for also allegedly defiling a 14-year-old Junior High School student in Koforidua.

The accused, Awoseni Akinyemi, 30, allegedly defiled the JHS2 student three times in his house at Abrewa-Nkwata a suburb of Koforidua and gave her contraceptives each time.

He has been put on remand.

The Girls Education Unit of Eastern Regional Police Command has expressed worried over increasing sexual abuses against teenage girls leading to an increase in teenagers.

Over 17,000 teenage pregnancies were recorded in 2020 in the Eastern region, making it the second-highest nationwide after Ashanti Region.

Most of these girls have dropped out of school. The Ghana Education Service is therefore implementing a ” back to school” project to ensure these pregnant students go back to school after delivery.

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The incident occurred at about 2:00 pm Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

Information gathered indicated that the victim was knocked down by a Toyota Hilux pick-up vehicle with registration number GN 4872-16 which was being driven by a 61-year-old man- Isaac Rexmond Nti with one person onboard from Kumasi heading towards Adentan using the Koforidua route.

On reaching Agonaba junction on Oyoko stretch of the highway, the vehicle knocked down the victim, a pupil of SDA Preparatory School who allegedly crossed him from the offside lane killing him instantly.

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The impact of the accident forced the vehicle to veer off the road and eventually rammed into a nearby container shop at the roadside.

Fortunately, no other casualty was recorded.

The acting Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, Sergeant Francis Gomado, confirmed the incident to Starr News. He said, the driver reported himself to the Oyoko Police station and was arrested and detained to assist with investigations.

The accident vehicle has been impounded by the Police.

Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been deposited at the St Joseph’s Hospital morgue.

Fire has razed several shops in Koforidua in the Eastern Region, destroying property worth millions of cedis.

Reports indicate the incident occurred near the Metro mass transit terminal in the central business district.

Though the cause of the fire was not immediately known, it is said to have destroyed about eight shops in the area.

Traders lost items including jewelries, soaps, plastics materials, second hand-clothing and toiletries among others to the fire.

Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) struggled to douse the fire as traders look on helpless and wailed over their loss.

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Meanwhile, the Eastern Regional Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, AD01 Ignatius Kwamena Baidoo, has assured investigations will be conducted to know the cause of fire.

Watch the video attached above:

The deceased, identified as Dacosta Tuffuor, drowned in an attempt to cross a small river – Amosaw, which passes through the community.

He reportedly slipped in front of a wooden footbridge and fell into the river. His body was found at night around 11:00 pm after hours of search by residents.

Omane Stephen Tuffuor, father of the deceased, told Kasapa News they noticed that the child was missing in the evening, hence went to the palace to inform the chiefs and elders.

A public announcement was made for search during which he was found drowned in the river.

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Kwame Tawiah, a former Assembly Member, said a sandal of the deceased found at the river bank gave the search team a clue that he might have drowned.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Koforidua for preservation and further investigation by Police.

The seven have been confirmed dead in an accident at Asitey, a suburb of odumase Krobo with several others sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

The victims, three males and four females who were returning to Akosombo from a funeral at Akim Oda died on the spot after the bus they were travelling on plunged into a valley on the Asitey mountain.

The driver of the bus with registration number GV 2497-14, belonging to the Volta River Authority failed a brake when he was navigating a curve.

A team from the Ghana police service, Fire Service struggled to rescue the victims.

The injured numbering about fifty were admitted at the St. Martin’s De Pores hospital at Odumase and the Atua government hospital where they are receiving medical attention.

Below are some photos from the accident scene:

Story: Kofi Siaw

The members who turned up in their numbers to worship and praise God had a shock of their lives when the issue came to their attention.

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The substance, according to reports was found in a secured place somewhere in the ceiling of their uncompleted building being used as their place of worship.

It is unclear who kept the wee in the church but some members suspect the culprit saw their church as a safe haven to hide the banned substance.

Speaking to Adom FM’s morning show host, Captain Smart, the Circuit Steward of the Methodist church in Koforidua, George Osei expressed shock at the incident.

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He said church leaders were in Accra for an induction ceremony when members informed them about the bizarre incident.

Mr Osei said they have asked them to report the incident to the police for immediate investigations.

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