The fatal accident occurred on Saturday, January 17, when the heavy-duty truck, which was hauling sand from an ongoing road construction project, reportedly lost control and veered off the road into a container shop used as a salon.

The impact instantly turned the busy salon into a scene of devastation.

According to Accra-based Citi News, the salon operator, her two children, and a customer were trapped when the truck rammed into the structure, killing them on the spot.

Four others sustained various injuries, including the truck driver. One critically injured victim was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, while the others are receiving treatment at the Kumawu Government Hospital.

Residents have expressed renewed concerns over the safety of operations by the construction firm responsible for the Kumawu road project.

This is not the first incident involving the company’s trucks. Previously, one of its vehicles veered into a mosque in the area. Although no lives were lost then, the latest tragedy has intensified calls for stricter safety measures.

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Speaking at Effiduase in the Ashanti Region on Thursday, Anim argued that the NPP’s defeat in 2024 was due to internal challenges and not the choice of candidate.

He stressed that Dr. Bawumia remains the most marketed and prepared candidate the party can put forward at this time, adding that everyone deserves a second chance to build on past gains.

“Each of us bears some responsibility for our loss in 2024 — from how we relate to each other to the policies of our government. However, this is not the time to lament or apportion blame. This is the time to preach unity, come together and put our best foot forward to secure victory,” he stated.

The Kumawu MP further highlighted Dr. Bawumia’s resilience and capacity for introspection, insisting that he is best placed to lead the NPP to victory in 2028.

“We don’t know who the other party will bring. But we have a tried, tested, and battle-hardened candidate who represented us in the last election. We have someone we have marketed across the length and breadth of Ghana. Every village and household in Ghana has heard of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

“We have five men in our flagbearer contest, but I am convinced the one who can take us to the 2028 finish line is Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. He is our best bet for victory, and I proudly support him,”  Anim declared.

Source: Ernest Akowuah Twum

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He is particularly concerned about the unbridled activities taking place along an uncompleted road project initiated by the previous government.

Mr. Anim warned that the indiscriminate sand mining could compromise the quality and durability of the road once completed.

“The progress of our area depends on safeguarding public property. We cannot allow the reckless actions of a few to derail development meant for all,” he cautioned.

The MP urged security agencies to intensify their operations to immediately halt indiscriminate sand mining activities in the area until the affected road is completed.

According to him, the police anti-robbery unit has already stepped-up efforts to clamp down on offenders.

Mr. Anim is confident the current government will work to complete projects inherited from the previous administration.

As part of accountability measures, he disclosed plans to conduct routine inspections across the constituency to monitor the state of government assets and ensure those who vandalize or misuse them face the law.

During a constituency tour on Sunday, November 17, Dr. Bawumia unveiled plans for transformative development projects, including the establishment of a nursing training college and improvements to local infrastructure.

“These initiatives are designed to drive growth and create opportunities for the people of Kumawu,” he said.

Dr. Bawumia assured residents of his commitment, adding, “I can contest again if I win the elections, but the same cannot be said for John Dramani Mahama.

“We plan to build a nursing training college in the Kumawu constituency, fix your roads, and upgrade Kumawu to a municipality. I will account for all these promises when I return to campaign for re-election.”

As part of his visit, Dr. Bawumia also inaugurated a newly constructed district assembly office for the chiefs and people of Kumawu.

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The concerned residents claim the speed of work ahead of the recent bye-election has slowed down.

They also doubt the quality of work, considering the project lacks a drainage system.

JoyNews’ correspondent Nana Boakye Yiadom has more in the following report:

They include National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Kwasi Amankwaa and the two independent candidates Kwaku Duah I and Kwaku Duah II.

The decision, according to MP-elect, Mr Anim, is to unite and collectively develop the town to secure the town of their birth.

Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem Monday, the MP-elect said he has reached out to all of them for their support.

On the independent candidate, Kwaku Duah I, he said they had a frank conversation and he [Duah] pledged his support to champion the cause of development in the area.

“I called Kwaku Duah on phone and we had a very frank conversation. He is an open person and gave me his support. The others too also did,” he stated.

As indigenes of the land, Mr Anim is confident the pledge from the candidate is not mere rhetoric but they will walk the talk.

The NPP candidate polled 15,264 votes, representing 70.91 percent, to restore the party’s dominance in the constituency.

Dr Dacosta, who was instrumental in the campaign of the party’s candidate, had predicted such victory in an earlier interview.

“I expect over seventy percent of votes for the NPP. The fact is that it will be a massive victory,” he predicted before the election.

In the 2020 parliamentary election, the deceased MP, Philip Basoah, polled 14,960 votes and was closely matched by independent candidate Kwaku Duah, who had 11,698 representing 39 percent votes.

The NPP, prior to the 2020 elections, was divided into two factions, with one of the factions openly declaring support and campaigning for the independent candidate, Mr Duah.

Dr Dacosta observed the unity that has prevailed in the NPP necessitated the increase in the party’s votes in the Kumawu bye-election.

“The independent candidate benefited from the divisions in the party. For now, the party is united so let us not give prominence to the independent candidate,” he added.

Dr Dacosta has further pledged support for the MP-elect in discharging his mandate.

This follows the unfortunate demise of sitting Member of Parliament, Philip Atta Basoah.

As the ruling party works to retain the seat, the opposition party is hoping to snatch it as a signal to what is coming in the 2024 general election.

Prior to voting tomorrow, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, Kumawu is agog with political activities as prominent figures from both political parties including former President John Mahama and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stormed the town to rally support for their respective candidates.

However, the fight for supremacy is in which political party has embarked on developmental projects in the area.

National Youth Organiser of both NPP and NDC clashed on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem and defended vehemently their party’s projects in the area.

NDC’s National Youth Organiser, George Opare Addo, popularly known as Pablo, argued that majority of the towns in Kumawu were connected to the national grid under PNDC/NDC government.

He cited the Kumawu water project and many town and link roads in the area as projects under the NDC.

Pablo said the NDC brings relief and does not discriminate when it comes to development projects in areas which are not their strongholds.

He urged the people not to be deceived by the vote buying road projects by the NPP government since they will be halted after the by-elections.

In a rebuttal, the National Youth Organiser of the NPP, Salam Mustapha, said the road projects in the area aree not to attract votes.

Rather, he explained that, the ongoing road projects have become possible because of the vision and hard work of Philip Basoah, the late NPP MP for Kumawu Constituency.

The NPP Youth leader stated that the road projects at Kumawu and the nearby communities would continue unabated even after the by-election.

He appealed to natives in Kumawu to vote massively for the NPP and its candidate, Ernest Yaw Anim to continue the developmental projects in the area.

Having been voting for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for over 28 years, a vote for the NDC will mean massive development in the area.

National Youth Organiser of the NDC, George Opare Addo, made the comment in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Monday.

The by-election in Kumawu is slated for Tuesday, May 23, 2023. This became necessary following the death of the NPP MP, Philip Basoah.

He died at the age of 53 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Ahead of the bye-election, the NPP candidate, Ernest Yaw Anim, is the number one on the ballot paper; NDC candidate, Kwasi Amankwa, takes the second spot, while the third and fourth positions are for two independent candidates who bear the same name, Kwaku Duah.

The ruling party is confident of retaining the seat but the NDC is certain the people of Kumawu will vote for a change.

The NDC Youth leader bemoaned the unemployment situation in Kumawu though it is the stronghold of the NPP.

“Every young person in Kumawu is jobless even though it is NPP stronghold. It is said,” he stressed.

Mr. Opare Addo said the NDC‘s candidate is bringing a development oriented candidate who will accelerate the development of Kumawu.

“NPP is deceitful; you don’t take the people for granted so the people of Kumawu should vote for a change,” he added.

The team was led by its flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama. The meeting comes ahead of a by-election at Kumawu on Tuesday 23rd May, 2023.

Mr Mahama also introduced the party’s parliamentary candidate for the Kumawu by-election, Kwasi Amankwah, to the Paramount Chief.

Below are some photos:

A young man wearing NPP T-shirt is seen sharing cups of rice and cloth to residents at Kumawu during his campaign for the party’s candidate, Ernest Yaw Anim.

The video has since gone viral with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) alleging that the ruling party is buying the votes of residents.

In spite of this, the NDC said it has the support of the grassroots and will snatch the seat from the NPP on Tuesday 23rd May, 2023.

But reacting to this, the National Youth Organiser of the NPP, Salam Mustapha, on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Friday debunked the assertion.

He explained that though the gentleman who shared the rice and cloth is a member of the NPP, he was not sanctioned by the party to do it.

“The guy is called Paul and a native of Kumawu. He was sharing the rice and cloth in honour of his late mother who until her demise cared for the people in the area. He didn’t intend any malice,” he claimed.

The NPP Youth leader said as a responsible political party, they will not buy votes just to win an election.

Rather, he said the hard work and track record of the late MP and the achievements of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will win the elections for them.

“NDC is behind this propaganda to give NPP a bad name but it won’t fly. We will retain the seat after the election,” he added.

Play attached audio for more:

To him, NDC’s track record in the constituency will speak for itself on May 23, 2023.

“We’re going to emerge victorious for the first time since 1992 when the NDC won the Kumawu seat.

“Ghanaians vote not based on the projects you do before a by-election, they take into consideration the past projects. Since 1992, no party has done as much for the people of Kumawu as the NDC. Under His Excellency John Mahama, potable water was made accessible and a state-of-the-art hospital was built,” he said on Accra-based Neat FM.

He mentioned that the NDC Kumawu candidate is going unopposed.

“Our candidate is standing unopposed because no other aspirant bought the nomination forms,” he announced.

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The NDC candidate will face Ernest Yaw Anim, who was elected last Sunday during the New Patriotic Party primary.

He has, however, entreated the delegates to vote en masse for his niece, Obaapa Ama Serwaa.

Opanin Yaw Baah, who is also a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Kumawu, was among the six aspirants who went through vetting successfully last Sunday and were set for the election this Sunday.

Reasons for withdrawal

In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the party’s by-election committee, Opanin Yaw Baah said: “Having considered my political status and pedigree within the large family, I have come to the conclusion that the last atom of my “political breath” should be at the disposal of the National Front, rather than at the periphery of Kumawu.

“I see myself as a great player in our scheme of things as far as ‘Breaking the 8’ mantra is concerned.

“I believe the interest of my beloved Kumawu will be better served if I stay outside and help unify our party in the constituency,” he said.

Endorsement

“It has never been my hallmark to embark on an endorsement spree.

However, with the  peculiar situation of Kumawu, coupled with demands for lasting peace, I entreat all delegates to vote en-mass for my niece “Obaatanpa Serwaah”, whose mother once presided over the Sekyere East District Assembly, between 2003-2007, before Kumawu was carved out of Effiduase/Asokore.

She is also considered not belonging to any of the two powerful blocks in Kumawu,” he stated.

“Concluding, I take the opportunity to express my profound appreciation and gratitude to the Kumawu Traditional Council, led by the indefatigable Omanhene, Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua, for their enormous support,” Opanin Yaw Baah, a lawyer, said. 

Recall

The NPP opened and closed nominations for the Kumawu Constituency by-election from April 11 to April 14, 2023.

After the process, eight persons filed their nominations to contest the party’s primary in the constituency but after vetting six were successful and two others were disqualified over issues of dual citizenship.

Others who sailed through the vetting process were the Kumawu Constituency Vice-Chairman of the NPP, Kwame Appiah-Kubi; the current Director of Health Promotion at the Ghana Health Services (GHS), Dr Aboagye Dacosta; a former MP for Kumawu; Obaapa Ama Serwaa, Ernest Anim and Owusu Bempah.

The two contestants who were disqualified were Dr Philip Bannor and Edward Osei.

According to the former Managing Director of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), his decision stems from concerns raised by leadership of the party over his dual citizenship status.

“I resigned to bring a sense of calmness to Kumawu and the party. I am a citizen of Ghana and also hold a United States passport,” he told a section of the media on Wednesday, April 19 at Kumawu.

Lawyer Edward Osei participated in the 2020 NPP primary at Kumawu but lost to the late Philip Basoah despite holding dual citizenship.

“During the 2020 primary, I was vetted and passed successfully though I had a US passport,” he said.

“This was possible because under our Supreme Court interpretation of Article 94(2a) of the Ghana constitution which talks about owning an allegiance to another country. Republic V High Court Ex Parte Zanetor Rawlings affirmed that a person must qualify as an MP the time they submit their form to the EC.

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“When the EC has not opened nomination, a person cannot be disqualified. In 2020, the elections were held on June 20, 2020, and the EC opened nominations on October 9, 2020, a whole five months lag. So If I had won the primary in 2020 there will have been a whole five months to prove my eligibility in 2020,” he stated.

The primaries come ahead of a by-election following the death of Kumawu MP, Philip Atta Basoah on March 27, 2023.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, on 3rd April 2023 declared the Kumawu seat vacant and directed the Electoral Commission (EC) to commence processes for a by-election.

On the back of this, the NPP opened nominations from Monday 11th – 14th April 2023 for interested members to pick forms.

The others who have picked the forms so far include; Edward Kofi Osei, Dr Philip Bannor, Ernest Yaw Anim and Ama Serwaa.

Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi was in the constituency to ensure a smooth process.

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He predicted a resounding victory for the NPP, adding that, they intend to use the by-elections to deepen its dominance in the region.

Meanwhile, Kwasi Amankwah will contest unopposed on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Preliminary investigations revealed that, suspects, Edward Boateng, Evans Addo, Yaw Kusi, Michael Owusu, Yaw Boateng and Emmanuel Mensah, together with one other suspect who is currently on the run, pulled up in a taxi cab at the checkpoint.

The taxi which was overloaded with seven male adults caught the attention of one of the three police officers who were on duty at the checkpoint.

He, therefore, stopped them and requested to search the car.

However, the suspects in an attempt to prevent the police officer from checking the car, pounced on him and violently attacked him.

A police reinforcement team rushed to the scene and arrested six of the suspects. There is a manhunt for one of the suspects who is currently at large.

The police officer and one of the suspects who sustained injuries were sent to the hospital for medical attention.

Meanwhile, the two other police officers No. 58741 G/Constable Isaac Boiatey and No. 61963 G/Constable Evans Owusu who were at the checkpoint when their colleague was attacked have been interdicted.

They have been referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for investigation.

Below is the police statement

This follows the death of the incumbent MP Philip Atta Basoah last Tuesday.

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bgabin has since declared the MP’s seat vacant and directed the Electoral Commission (EC) to put in place measures for a by-election.

Though the EC is yet to comment on the development, the Ashanti Regional NDC Secretary, Frank Amoakohene is optimistic they will snatch the seat when a by-election takes place.

He was speaking to Adom News on the sidelines of its parliamentary aspirants’ vetting.

He called on the people of Kumawu to rally behind the NDC and support them with overwhelming votes.

He noted that NDC can take over the seat with hard work and unity in the Constituency.

Mr Amoakohene also expressed his condolences to the family, the wife and children of Mr Basoah as well as the people of Kumawu.

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Akwasi Sarkodie, an uncle of the late Kumawu Member of Parliament, Philip Basoah, has eulogised the late lawmaker following his death.

He said Mr Basoah has lived a good life and was a kind and good man who devoted much of his life to public service, especially towards the development and growth of his people.

“Basoah has really paid his dues. As a family, we won’t pick one thing he has done because he made sure the people of Kumawu are taken care of. He took care of the widows, the poor and he even gave them money all the time.

“A lot of the youth have been enrolled in school all because of Mr Basoah and has helped them in terms of getting them jobs. Those people are really affected because their lives depended on him. Now he is no more, we have really lost a gem. But I am hopeful that per his good deeds, God will receive him in heaven,” he said in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem Wednesday.

Philip Basoah, 54, died on Monday, March 27, following a brief illness.

Meanwhile, members of the New Patriotic Party in the Ashanti Region have expressed sadness at the unfortunate news.

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Barima Tweneboah Koduah and the other suspects were believed to have attacked police and military personnel dispatched last month to prevent a clash at the funeral of destooled Akyempimhene of Kumawu.

Police say the group threw an improvised petrol bomb at a human barricade formed by the security personnel injuring some of the officers

Ashanti Regional police PRO, ASP Yaw Nketia Yeboah told Adom News currently that five of the injured are still on admission at the Komfo Anokye Teaching hospital.

The clashes began during the funeral of the late Kumawu Akyempenghene, Nana Okyere Krampah after a Queenmother who belongs to Barima Tweneboah Kodua V faction allegedly ordered the police to stop Barima Sarfo Tweeneboah Kodua II from attending the funeral in his capacity as Kumawuhene.

Reports said Barima Sarfo Tweneboah Kodua II’s supporters forcibly resisted the police attempt to stop them.

This compelled the police to fire warning shots including teargas to control the angry followers of the self-acclaimed paramount Chief which resulted in a gun battle between the disgruntled faction and the law enforcement agency.

Five police officers and some residents sustained bullet wounds and are currently receiving medical attention at the Juaben Government Hospital.

click on attached audio for more