Arriving on Sunday, April 20, from Vizhinjam, India, the colossal ship spans the length of four football fields and boasts a gross tonnage of 228,786.

It was expertly piloted into berth by Ghana’s marine pilots, showcasing the advanced capacity of MPS Terminal 3 and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

“This is a turning point for West African trade infrastructure,” said Garmy Sy, Managing Director of MSC Ghana. “The arrival of 24,000 TEU vessels signals our readiness to scale operations and strengthen regional and global connectivity.”

Operating under MSC’s Africa Express Service, the MSC DILETTA completed its journey from Asia to Tema in just 17 days — a remarkable feat in shipping efficiency.

The vessel’s arrival underscores Ghana’s strategic role in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its growing importance in global maritime logistics.

Officials say the development not only affirms MSC’s commitment to the region’s economic growth but also cements Tema’s position as a premier shipping hub on the West African coast.

Read the statement below:

PRESS RELEASE

Historic Arrival of 400-Meter Vessel at MPS Terminal 3 Ushers in New Era for West African Trade

Tema, Ghana – April 23, 2025 – In a landmark moment for maritime trade in West Africa, MPS Terminal 3 at the Port of Tema has successfully received one of the world’s largest container ships, the 400-meter-long – the size of four football fields, MSC DILETTA. Arriving on the morning of Sunday, April 20, 2025, from Vizhinjam, India, this historic call marks a significant step forward in positioning Tema as a major transshipment and trade hub along the West African coast.

Measuring 400 metres in length overall, with a gross tonnage of 228,786 and a beam of 61 metres, MSC DILETTA, now holds the record as the largest ship ever received by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA). With a draft of 16 meters and a beam of 61 meters, the MSC DILETTA is the largest vessel ever to berth in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its arrival underscores the advanced infrastructure and capacity of MPS Terminal 3, purpose-built to accommodate vessels of this scale. The vessel was guided safely into berth with pilotage support from a highly skilled team of marine pilots.

By deploying vessels of this magnitude, MSC affirms its commitment to economic development of the sub-region and consolidates its role as a leading logistics partner in Africa. This strategic initiative embodies a clear vision: to connect Africa to the rest of the world through MSC’s extensive maritime and terrestrial network, which enables the provision of door-to-door solutions, ensuring smooth and efficient logistics across the continent. “This is a turning point for West African trade infrastructure,” said Garmy Sy, Managing Director of MSC Ghana. “The arrival of 24,000 TEU vessels signals our readiness to scale operations, enhance intra-African and global connectivity, and meet the continent’s growing demand with efficiency and sustainability at the core.”

The MSC DILETTA operates on the Africa Express Service, a dedicated maritime service operated by MSC that links major ports in Asia and West Africa. Since its inception, the service has steadily optimised transit times and expanded its port network. MPS Terminal 3 is the first port of call on this service, delivering faster turnaround and direct connections between Ghana, the Far East, and Southeast Asia. Prior to docking in Tema, the MSC DILETTA made port calls in Shanghai, Nansha, Shekou, Vungtau, Singapore, and Vizhinjam International Seaport. It completed the voyage to Tema in just 17 days, surpassing the typical 21-day transit time from Asia, a notable achievement in shipping efficiency.

This development aligns closely with the ambitions of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), providing critical infrastructure to support intra-African trade and broader economic integration. The arrival of MSC DILETTA is more than a milestone; it is a signal of West Africa’s growing stature in global maritime trade. In a remarkable feat of maritime expertise, Ghana’s Marine Pilots have successfully berthed one of the world’s largest container vessels at Tema Port, marking a historic milestone in the country’s port operations and reinforcing Tema Port’s position as a premier shipping hub in West Africa, capable of handling some of the largest vessels in global trade.

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At a press conference on Saturday, the residents clad in red apparel clarified that they were not against the appointment of people from other tribes.

“We are not against the fact that big positions are held by persons from the North and also the Volta. It is not as if we are better than them. But we want to tell the president that what is good for the goose is equally good for the gander.

“All the 25 clan houses in Tema have told us that we need to give them someone who is an indigene who understands them. It will help the clans to know that at least this is our person,” a resident stated.

Another added, “We will know that at least the mayor is a son or a daughter of the soil. That is the only thing we are asking for.”

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Residents say this is causing a stench, leading to the closure of some shops within the area.

The area surrounding the Tema Metropolitan Assembly is plagued by significant sanitation challenges, including clogged gutters, litter scattered between stalls, and overflowing rubbish bins.

These issues are creating a persistent and unpleasant odor, with one of the major spillovers posing serious health risks to local residents.

Emmanuel, a taxi driver in the area, expressed concern over the health hazards posed by the situation, emphasizing the urgent need for action.

Several food vendors have also been severely impacted by these conditions as they struggle to maintain their businesses amid the unsanitary environment.

Richard, a local shop owner, shared that his business and those of his colleagues have been forced to shut down due to the worsening sanitation crisis.

Vendors and residents alike are calling for swift intervention from authorities to address the mounting challenges.

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In a joint statement, the Ghana Grid Company Ltd. (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) announced that WAPCo has begun maintenance work on the gas pipeline transporting natural gas from Nigeria to Ghana.

The maintenance, scheduled from February 5 to March 2, 2025, includes pipeline cleaning—commonly known as “pigging”—and the replacement of sub-sea equipment.

“This temporary suspension of gas supply will force thermal plants in Tema to shut down due to the unavailability of gas,” the statement noted.

To minimize disruptions, the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, in collaboration with stakeholders, has secured alternative liquid fuel for some dual-fuel generating plants in Tema to maintain power supply during the maintenance period.

GRIDCo, ECG, and other key players in the energy sector have assured the public of ongoing efforts to mitigate potential power supply challenges.

The public and stakeholders are urged to cooperate as measures are implemented to maintain a stable power supply.

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The wooden structures, mostly located in areas such as Site One and Site Two, serve as homes for the many low-income residents of Tema.

Rent prices for wooden structures fall between GH₵100 and GH₵250, depending on factors such as size, location, and the level of development.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the occupants voiced their frustrations over the exorbitant rent prices, noting that the situation was worrying, especially as those structures lack essential amenities such as toilets, bathrooms, electricity, water, and bigger spaces.

Many attributed their reliance on these structures to financial constraints that make it impossible for them to afford better accommodation.

Ms. Rita Doe, a cleaner in Tema, revealed that she pays GH₵250 monthly for her room, noting that it was worth it because the room is tiled and has electricity.

“I paid GH₵ 250 for this room, which is expensive, but I believe it’s because it’s tiled and has electricity,” she explained.

Ms. Hannah Dadzie, a hawker in Tema, lamented the unaffordability of wooden structures saying, “I pay GH₵ 150 for my room, which is too much for this small space, but I have no other option, others pay even more.”

She further explained that occupants often face additional financial burdens, such as paying GH₵2.00 daily to access public toilets and an additional GH₵2.00 to use public bathrooms.

“How can my children and I bathe twice a day when we have to pay GH₵2.00 each time we use the bathroom, not to mention the toilet?” she questioned.

Ms. Cecilia Amissah, a trader in Tema Community Two, shared her struggle of paying GH₵120.00 monthly for a very small room without any basic facilities.

Madam Comfort Nkrumah, a food vendor in Ashaiman and a wooden structure tenant, said the high rent cost of wooden structures was compounded by poor security and vulnerability to harsh weather conditions.

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The baby is currently receiving medical attention at the Tema General Hospital.

Charles Amos, the Assemblyman for the Padmore Electoral Area, said he received a call from some residents about the discovery of an abandoned baby in a manhole around.

Mr Amos said the residents had carefully retrieved the baby from the manhole before he reached the scene, adding that the umbilical cord and placenta were still attached to the baby when discovered, suggesting that it was abandoned right after delivery.

He said although the baby was found in an unhealthy condition, it was alive and was immediately sent to the Tema Community One Police Station, where a complaint about the incident was made, and subsequently sent to the hospital for medical care.

The Assemblyman called for increased awareness about safe ways to hand over unwanted children to Social Welfare and other institutions, stressing that abandoning a baby was a criminal offence punishable by law.

He appealed to the public to volunteer information on the mother of the baby and also advised adolescent girls to desist from abandoning their babies, educating them to opt for protective sexual intercourse if they could not abstain.

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His recent events, from the North to the South and the East to the West, have consistently drawn massive crowds, all showing fervent support for his presidential bid.

Last night, Dr. Bawumia captivated a large audience at his community connect in Tema New Town Station, Tema East Constituency. Despite delays from another engagement, the enthusiastic crowd—mainly youth—waited for hours, and their excitement reached a peak upon his arrival. They greeted him with new campaign songs and exuberant cheers.

In his address, Dr. Bawumia highlighted the shortcomings of the NDC’s past government, contrasted them with the NPP’s achievements since 2017, and outlined his vision and policies for 2025.

His speech was met with continuous applause and cheers.

Earlier in the day, Dr. Bawumia brought his dynamic campaign style to the three Tema constituencies—Central, West, and East. His visits to the light industrial area in Community 9, BBC Station in Community 2, and Community 1 market were met with enthusiastic receptions from traders and locals alike, further igniting his campaign momentum.

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The former New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament disclosed that the lack of support from his own party members led to his loss in the bid for another term in office.

Speaking at the campaign launch of Jefferson Kwamena Sackey, the Ablekuma Central NPP parliamentary candidate, Mr. Titus-Glover charged NPP members to eliminate divisiveness within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as they prepare for the upcoming December polls.

He stressed that,  internal unity is crucial for the party’s success.

Mr Titus-Glover pointed out that without togetherness and collective effort, the NPP’s goal to break the eight-year cycle in Ghana’s political history will not be realised.

He urged party members to focus on solidarity and collaboration to ensure victory in the forthcoming elections.

“I lost Tema East because my people did not support me, they sabotaged my campaign, resulting in my defeat to the NDC. We should eschew all forms of division as we prepare for the polls, we can’t be divided going into the election so let’s remain united,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jefferson Sackey is aiming to unseat the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dan Abdul-Latif in the upcoming December elections.

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“We started rapping from 1997 in Tema. Your favourite rapper Sarkodie is from Achimota, and he came to Tema to learn the genre” he stated.

In his new song titled “Statement,” Yaa Pono said he is one of the trailblazers, who has entertained Ghanaians through rap for over two decades.

Yaa Pono raps, addressing the perception that Sarkodie is a Tema native. “If you talk rap, it’s me. You cannot take me out, and I control the game.”

Yaa Pono’s rap is in response to lyrics in Sarkodie’s song “Brag,” where he appeared to diss other Ghanaian rappers.

“The time I no come then you people all be jons,” Sarkodie rapped, a line that didn’t sit well with Yaa Pono.

In his song, Yaa Pono insists that Sarkodie should pay respect to rap legends who paved the way for him to thrive in the industry.

“Give all the respect to who you believe… If Reggie and Obrafour didn’t come, we won’t be surviving [in this business],” he states.

Yaa Pono’s “Statement” is already trending on Twitter, as fans eagerly discuss the rapper’s bold declarations and his response to Sarkodie’s lyrics.

Check out some reactions concerning Yaa Pono’s statement below: 

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According to eyewitnesses, the two robbers approached the driver with the intent of snatching his vehicle after forcibly taking his phone.

In a display of courage and self-defense, the driver reacted swiftly, accelerating his vehicle and run over the attackers.

One of the robbers succumbed to injuries, while the other is reported to be in critical condition.

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Mr Charles Amos, Assemblyman of the Padmore Electoral Area, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the incident happened on Monday, March 25, 2024.

The victim struggled with the suspect to reclaim some items he stole from his room.

He said the thief managed to escape with two mobile phones and GHS300, adding that the incident had since been reported to the Tema Community One police station.

According to the assemblyman, it took the intervention of some community members who screamed for help upon seeing what was going on to save the life of Mr Amoah.

He said theft was often recorded in the community, especially at Site 500 and its environs.

Mr Amos called on the authorities and the Ghana Police Service to, as a matter of urgency, do something about the situation as the place was becoming a breeding ground for social vices.

The victim, narrating the incident to the GNA, said he woke up from his sleep at about 02:00 hours and saw the unidentified man holding his jeans and searching his room.

He added that he chased the thief, who ran out of the room immediately after he saw that he was awake.

Richard said that he caught up with him outside the house and tried to collect his items from him, but the unidentified man stabbed him multiple times and ran into Site 500.

He said he was rushed by neighbours to the Lagoon clinic at Tema Community One for treatment.

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In collaboration with the media, assembly members and stakeholders, the District has been sensitising the public to be aware of the dryness of the harmattan weather and the susceptibility of bushes to uncontrolled fire outbreaks.

Bushfires often result from unintentional fires set up to clear specific areas, but which end up affecting other places as well, causing damage to property, animals, and in the case of ECG, some wooden electricity poles in bushy areas.

In Ada District, the company has lost some electricity wooden poles in Koluedor Zongo, Tojeh, Hwakpo and Addo Kope from December 2023 to Thursday, 25th January 2024.

The effect of these bush fires affects both customers and the utility service provider, in that, the customers being served with the part of the network with burnt poles will not have power for a while, as the damage caused must be rectified.

On the part of the company, resources meant for other developmental projects will have to be diverted to replace lost materials in order to restore power supply.

The District Manager for ECG Ada District, Ing. Louis Nutsugah, said “We appeal to those engaged in these activities to consider the danger it poses to the stability of electricity supply to the communities in the district”.

Ing. Nutsugah also called for public support for all to be on alert and watchful in the communities so that, hopefully, we can help to prevent as well as educate community members on the effects of bushfires.

Ing. Nutsugah thanked all stakeholders who continually support the activities of the utility service provider and called for continuous collaboration to ensure better services.

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The 9-page petition accused the TDC Company, as the company selling lands.

The Secretary to the Tema-Sakumor Shrine, Stephen Ashitey Adjei who submitted the document urged Parliament to investigate the activities of the companies unlawfully selling lands belonging to long-staying residents.

The Speaker’s Secretariat received the petition on behalf of Alban Bagbin and assured that the Speaker would pay attention to their call.

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Transit drivers stationed there had a troubling confrontation with the Assemblyman and residents over their indiscriminate parking on the shoulders of the road.

Mr Francis Davies Mills, the Assemblyman for the area, found himself embroiled in a situation that unfolded due to vocalising his disapproval of how transit drivers had been heedlessly parking on the road’s shoulders.

“These drivers, having obtained the necessary documentation from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority for their journeys to neighbouring West African countries, engage in careless parking that generates unsightly littering, contributing to the unsavoury atmosphere of the area,” expressed the concerned Assemblyman.

He further highlighted that the drivers were involved in illicit activities under the cover of night, leaving behind evidence of their indiscretions, such as used condoms, in nearby gutters.

The frustration Mr Mills faced reached a crescendo when he turned to the Tema Municipal Assembly for assistance, only to find his pleas unanswered.

In a candid conversation on Accra FM on August 16, 2023, Mr Mills aired his grievances.

“As an Assemblyman, this is not supposed to stem from the oath of secrecy, but it is the only option for now,” he argued.

He recounted that when he rallied residents to collectively voice their concerns about the disruptive conduct of the transit drivers, an alarming incident occurred.

Shockingly, he said some drivers within their ranks resorted to aggression, brandishing a firearm against him and the aggrieved residents.

Haphazard parking on the road’s shoulders, a recurrent practice by transit drivers, has precipitated a series of adverse consequences.

“This reckless parking practice has not only created visual obstructions that impair drivers’ and pedestrians’ perspectives but has also led to the tragic accidents of residents being struck by moving vehicles,” emphasized the report.

The sightlines of both drivers and pedestrians have been obstructed by the obstructively parked trucks.

The visits unraveled several environmental infractions, including pollution and the exposure of workers to heavy metals and acid.

Consequently, the Executive Director of EPA, Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu, ordered the immediate closure of three non-compliant industries: Non-Ferrous Company Limited, Success Africa Limited, and Syntec Ghana Limited.

The EPA head said, “We are not here to mar anybody’s business, but we cannot allow production of this magnitude to go on – polluting the air, acid all over the place. You, the workers, the staff, are being subjected to and exposed to hazards. We don’t want it to happen to you. You are so precious to the country Ghana. You deserve to work in a very congenial environment just like any other person.”

He quizzed the workers, “Do you agree with me?”

Speaking about the likely impact on human health, Dr. Kokofu said, “We are afraid that you might have been exposed to substances like lead. So we’re going to bring in public health to test each one of you at the expense of the company, to ensure that none of you is having any health issues.”

On the back of the deplorable working environment and blatant disregard for environmental regulation, Dr. Kokofu emphasised, “We will temporarily close down the factory and summon the owners to the head office in Accra to come and explain why they are working under these conditions.”

Apart from being exposed to hazardous chemicals, workers lamented poor working conditions and remuneration.

A 31-year-old lady who works as a supervisor at Success Africa Company Limited told Joy News, “So far, after almost eight years of working here, my salary is not up to GHC 800.

“Another worker, a forklift operator at the same company noted, “Because of the acid infection, some of the workers have stopped.”

At Syntech Ghana Limited, a scrap metal recycling plant, over one hundred workers say their conditions of work are nothing to write home about.

A 35-year-old mother of three who works as a factory hand lamented, “There’s nothing about safety covering me, and even when you get hurt on the job, it’s very difficult for them to send you to the hospital.”

She added, “The whole year, the salary increment is GHC 2.00, and our daily mark for 12 hours of work is GHC 30.00.”

A supervisor at Non-Ferrous Metal Company Limited at Shai Hills in the Shai Osudoku District, Philip Nutsugah, applauded the EPA for the move.

He said, “Today, I’m happy to see the EPA people in our company, and they are trying to help us. We are citizens of Ghana, and we need to have good health. So, I am happy EPA is here to help us, so that whatever we are also doing here, we do it in a nice way for us to be healthy,” he added.

Meanwhile, the EPA head had this word of caution for industries and individuals who pollute the environment indiscriminately.

“Indiscriminate burning of other materials, including fabrics and weeds and all those things, we are seriously discouraging it, and we are arresting people for that, so we are asking the public to reach out to the EPA, make their complaints if people are burning and burning indiscriminately. What we have not been able to tackle as of now are vehicular emissions.”

Regarding that, he said, “In conjunction with DVLA, we’ve set the standards, and we will soon roll out how to deal with vehicular emissions. And when the time comes, we need the support of the public, including the media, to be able to stop these vehicle emissions. All of us here may have a vehicle one way or the other, and all our vehicles are smoking.”

“So don’t be worried if EPA asks you to pack your vehicle because it is smoking, to go and refit it. These are some of the things that we can do to enhance the quality and the integrity of the air that we breathe,” Dr. Kokofu noted.

However, the EPA called for the prioritization of waste segregation in the country to help curb environmental pollution.

“And this is what we want the people of Ghana to know, that it is important to segregate our waste so these waste recycling facilities can get these materials to work.”

In order to tackle climate change and attain the Sustainable Development Goals, the country must ensure strict adherence to its environmental laws, otherwise, attaining the 2030 goals could be a mirage.

The forum, which aims to provide a platform for residents to voice their concerns about the state of roads, particularly the issue of bad roads in the area, was scheduled to take place today.

Early this morning, as residents began to gather at the designated venue for the People’s Forum, they were met with a heavy police presence and warnings not to proceed any further.

Adom FM reporters on the ground said the police were instructed not to allow anyone to enter the venue, effectively blocking the residents from expressing their grievances.

The decision to deploy the police has caused an uproar among the residents, who feel their democratic rights to freedom of speech and assembly have been violated.

Many residents had gathered to address the long-standing issue of bad roads in the area and were eager to engage in constructive dialogue with local authorities.

One resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed their frustration, saying, “We have been living with terrible roads for years, and this was finally an opportunity to have our voices heard. It is disappointing and disheartening that the MCE would resort to such measures to silence us.”

The People’s Forum, organized by Adom FM and Adom TV, had been widely publicized and had garnered significant attention from the local community.

The aim of the forum was to facilitate an open discussion between residents and local government officials, including the MCE, to find solutions to the persistent road issues.

The residents argue that the deployment of police to suppress citizen participation is undemocratic and infringes upon the rights of the residents.

As the controversy surrounding the deployment of police to prevent community members from participating in the People’s Forum intensifies, the community waits anxiously for a solution to the bad roads that have plagued their daily lives.

The Adom FM and TV People’s Forum has become the biggest platform that is enabling communities to make their issues known.

The People’s Forum comes at no cost to communities hence many communities are leveraging this great opportunity in line with the stations’ promise of being the ‘voice of the voiceless’.

Below is a video of the deployment:

About 34 women are in the grips of the law for engaging in prostitution in the Tema Metropolis.

The brief facts indicate that some young ladies have been parading the streets of the Tema Metropolis at night soliciting clients for prostitution.

The Tema Regional Police Command organised an intelligence-led operation to bring sanity into the metropolis.

The operation led to the arrest of the sex workers which included Ghanaians, Liberians and Nigerians at Subon Valley at Community 7.

Others were also arrested at Sabrina Hotel at Community 17 as well as in Viena City and Datus area both in Community Eight.

Investigations disclosed that the accused persons have been operating as prostitutes whose modus operandi was to stand at street corners and make faces at men, smiled at them and made gestures with their mouths to obtain clients for prostitution.

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After investigations, the accused persons were charged with the offence and arraigned before the court on Tuesday where each was granted bail of GHC5, 000 with two sureties, one to be justified.

However, the Police ordered to authenticate the identity of each of the accused persons before bail can be considered.

They are to reappear in court on 15th March 2023.

Speaking at the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of Tropical Cable and Conductor Limited in Tema on Wednesday, June 22, Vice President Bawumia said, the ongoing global economic crisis will bring about a new phenomenon, where countries would no longer have to depend much on external products and services, but depend on their local industries.

He, therefore, called for a rethink, and the offering of more support to local Ghanaian industries, to empower them and become as successful as Tropical Cables in order to be internationally competitive.

“The ongoing global economic crisis, which is the result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, will bring about a new global architecture, where countries will have to be more dependent on themselves,” Dr Bawumia said.

“If we are going to succeed in this new global architecture we have to support our local industries to succeed and that is what other countries are going to do.”

“So there has to be a rethinking of the policy environment; what can we do to empower our local industries. We don’t know when this war between Russia and Ukraine will end but it will end, even if it is five years, it will end.”

“But we have to be prepared for the new emerging global architecture and we can only be prepared for it if we are empowering our local industries to produce and to compete globally,” he said.

Government’s industrialization vision

The Vice President stressed that the Akufo-Addo government’s industrialization agenda, which was initiated right from the onset of the government in 2017 before the current global crisis struck, could not have been done at a better time, as it fits into the agenda to boost local industries, be self-reliant, create jobs for the youth and also boost the economy.

“Industrialization has been a strategic priority of the President Akufo-Addo government. The One District-One Factory (1D1F) initiative has been transformed from a political mantra into an effective flagship programme geared towards revamping of the economy to create job opportunities for our teeming graduate youth,” added the Vice President.

“At the heart of the One District, One Factory (1D1F) concept lies government’s firm determination to transform the Ghanaian economy from one known as a supplier of raw materials to the international market, supplying foreign industries with our natural resources to the detriment of our locally based ones, to one that feeds local value-enhancing entities in the country.”

“This is why our government in 2019 launched the Ghana Beyond Aid program, with the overriding objective of adding value to our raw materials at source.”

25 Years of TCCL Excellence

Congratulating Tropical Cable on its 25th Anniversary, Dr Bawumia expressed joy that an indigenous Ghanaian company, which started on a modest note and went through the challenges of industrialization, has grown to be an industry leader and has also become globally competitive.

“Twenty-Five years in the life of any business is certainly worth celebrating but if one appreciates the unique challenges of the manufacturing sector, then the significance of this achievement stands out even more,” Dr Bawumia said.

“We are gathered here to congratulate and to celebrate you as a company on the attainment of this remarkable milestone. I am sure that, 25 years ago the scale of what we see here today was probably difficult to imagine but due diligence, discipline and innovation and hard work, have paid off and propelled you to sit at the top of your industry, serving power utilities, the real estate and construction sectors, the mining sector, and so on, with internationally certified cables and conductors.”

“As a nation, we are indeed proud to have an indigenous company like Tropical Cable. Its achievements over the years have given meaning to the belief that this nation can produce and sustain industrial excellence.”

At the ceremony, the Vice President also launched Tropical Cable’s CAT-6 cable, which is the first certified CAT-6 cable to be manufactured in Ghana.

The court, presided over by Festus Fovi Nukunu, slapped the fine on Mr Terry on his plea of guilty to three counts of unauthorised keeping of dogs in dwelling house, keeping of animals on-premises, and non-compliance with an abatement notice.

The court also gave him one month to relocate the dogs from the residential area, after pleading with the court, and was to report back on June 22.

Prosecutor Saudatu Issaka, the Environmental Health Analyst, said Mr Terry was a resident of Tema.

According to the prosecution, sometime in February this year, a complaint was made to the Environmental Health Office by some residents in the community about the rearing of dogs and cats on a large scale by the accused.

The residents claimed that it was causing nuisance such as offensive odour and noise among others.

The prosecution told the court that on February 18, 2022, a team of Environmental Health officers inspected the place and found that the accused had a big cage housing about 10 dogs and cats believed to be on commercial basis.

The accused was given a brief education and a notice was served to him to remove them from the house to a more convenient place, but he failed and was subsequently charged to appear and answer before the court.

Felix Tetteh Batcha, a car dealer at Community 9, was shot dead on Monday, April 25.

In a press statement, the Police revealed that the deceased received a call from a man who expressed interest in buying one of the cars he was selling.

The prospective buyer introduced himself as a doctor at the Community 22 Polyclinic, the Service noted.

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According to the head of the Public Affairs Unit in Tema, C/INSPR Stella Dede Dzakpasu, when Felix arrived at the Polyclinic, the supposed doctor claimed he was busy at the surgical theatre, and therefore, sent one of his boys to go on a test drive with the deceased and his friend who had accompanied him.

“When they got to a spot around Bampo Hotel, the test driver stopped the vehicle and got down under the pretext of making a phone call.

Some minutes later, three men emerged on a motorbike, attempted to forcefully take the ignition key from the deceased and in the ensuing struggle, shot him,” the Police revealed.

Since the unfortunate incident, the vehicle has been recovered by the Police.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has reached out to the victim’s family.

He assured them of a thorough investigation into the incident and also provided police clinical psychologists to offer psycho-social support to them.

Also, the Regional Commander has visited the bereaved family to commiserate with them.

Read full statement from police on the matter:

Of the number, 198 were attributed to domestic fires compared to the 180 domestics fires recorded in the region in 2020.

The data from the GNFS showed that domestic fire incidents from January to December 2021 were the highest in the Tema Region.

The data also showed that commercial and vehicular fire incidents were the second highest in the Tema Region last year with 192 and 103 cases, respectively, recorded during the period under review. In the year 2020, the region recorded 177 commercial fires and 50 cases of vehicular fires.

Bushfires

There were also 30 incidents of bushfire last year while 77 incidents were registered in 2020, and those involving electrical causes stood at eight for last year as compared to 38 the previous year.

For industrial related fires, a total of 13 cases were recorded in the region in 2021. Interestingly, the same figure was reported in 2020.

The Tema Region of the GNFS also recorded one death from the 584 fire incidents with 16 injuries during the period under review.

The service also recorded 33 cases of false alarm, eight cases of oil spillage and four incidents of gas leakages.

Road crashes

There were 68 road accidents with 24 deaths and 270 injuries in 2021. The statistics indicate that of the total number of accidents recorded, 37 occurred on the Motorway, while 10 happened at Sege, which is also on the N1.

Out of the 270 injuries recorded over the period, 145 occurred on the Motorway, 68 at Sege and 36 in the Dodowa area. Four injuries were recorded in the Tema metropolis and seven in Ada.

He said the criminals live within the communities and are known by the public who sometimes cover up for such lawbreakers.

“Those who know criminals must sell them to the police by exposing the criminals and getting money for sharing credible information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of such miscreants,” he stated.

Dr Dampare made this statement following his visit to the Tema Regional Police Command on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2021.

Speaking on the victims at Sun City, he assured that the Police are determined to arrest and prosecute these perpetrators behind the attacks on mobile money vendors.

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He consequently placed a GH¢20,000 bounty on the heads of the persons behind the crime.

The IGP also urged the traditional and opinion leaders to support the Police and help fight crime in all communities.

He encouraged the Tema Police Command to increase security and surveillance in Tema and other areas like Ashaiman and Adjei Kojo, Gbetsile and Afienya.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Awal Osah, 41-year-old, motor rider, failed to give way to the nurse who was attempting to cross the road at the pedestrian crossing markings and ended up knocking her down.

According to the Tema Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), at about 14:20 hours, the suspected rider was in charge of Royal motorbike with registration number M-17 GT 1062 and was riding along the Tema General Hospital road from Community five.

He was riding towards the Ashaiman direction with his son, Sule Osah, 14-year-old, as a pillion rider.

Upon getting to a section of the road before the Community Seven traffic light intersection, he failed to stop and give way to the nurse.

The suspected rider, pillion rider and the nurse sustained various degrees of injuries and are all currently on admission at the Tema General Hospital receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, the MTTD has revealed that 39 persons in the Tema Police Region died as a result of road accidents between January and March this year, Sergeant Richard Timinka, MTTD has disclosed.

Explaining the accident data in terms of gender; Sgt. Timinka said out of the 39 deaths recorded; four were males aged below 18 years old, and 25 were 18 years old and above. Two females below 18 years old; and 18 others who were 18 years old and above also died.

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He noted that the deaths occurred from 344 accidents involving 194 commercial vehicles, and 248 private cars as well as 99 motorcycles, tricycles, and bicycles.

Sgt Timinka, stated this on behalf of Chief Superintendent William Asante, Tema Regional MTTD Commander at the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Tema Regional Office and MTTD road safety campaign platform.

The GNA-Tema and MTTD Road Safety Project seeks to actively create consistent and systematic weekly awareness advocacy on the need to be cautious on the road as a user, educate all road users of their respective responsibilities, and sensitise drivers, especially of the tenets of road safety regulations, rules and laws.

Providing data to support the accident rate in the region, Sgt. Timinka said commercial vehicles killed 18 people, private cars killed 13 people and motorcycles/tricycles eight.

Breaking the statistics further Sgt. Timinka said 34 were classified as fatal, 154 serious and 156 minor accidents cases recorded in the first quarter of this year.

He explained that “fatal accidents are those that death occurred; serious ones were those that victims were hospitalised over 24 hours; while minor ones are those which victims spent less than 24 hours in a hospital.

The Tema Region, which spans from Abattoir through to Ada, Ashaiman, Dodowa and the Shai Hills, also recorded 384 injuries due to road accidents.

He noted that there was a high probability of persons getting injured in accidents involving motorcycles and tricycles as the statistics for Tema showed that 91 persons got injured during the first quarter of 2021 and 13 died through the 99 accidents that involved them.

He said another worrying trend was the killing of pedestrians as according to him nine were killed between January and March 2021 out of the 23 knocked down by vehicles.

He urged drivers to be responsible on the road and protect pedestrians by stopping for them to cross while cautioning pedestrians to only cross the roads at designated places and safe places to avoid endangering themselves and other users of the road.

A resident whose name was only given as Kwabena decided to cut down the tree which was becoming a threat to human life.

Kwabena told Adom News the roots of the tree were extending and growing into the ground.

He explained he contacted the appropriate authorities to secure a permit before cutting down the tree and afterward, hired a chainsaw operator.

After falling the tree, Kwabena said he decided to cut them into smaller logs and that was when the calabash which was rotting away was found.

Eyewitnesses rushed to the tree to catch a glimpse and also take pictures, however, the calabash vanished into thin air before they could even complete their photoshoots.

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One Sisi Yaa, who owns a shop close by could not hide her joy after the tree was finally cut down.

According to her, she has been trading under the tree for almost 35 years yet could not boast of any profit made from the business though she could not ascertain if that had anything to do with the tree.

The suspect together with his accomplices, now on the run, on November 24, 2020, engaged in a suspected robbery activity at Tema Industrial Area at about 2.50am, but absconded when police responded to a distress call; leaving behind his mobile phone and his unregistered motorbike which were retrieved by police.

The suspect has since been on the radar of police until his arrest on Wednesday.

Adamu and his gang specialize in the use of industrial cutters, grinders, heavy-duty hammers and equipment to break into Banks, Companies and Warehouses.

Some members of Adamu’s gang are currently on trial at the Sunyani High Court after their arrest during a robbery activity.

Other members wanted by the police in connection with the robbery in November 2020 are Ali aka Dangote, Nsiah aka Nab, Efo aka Senior Man, Solani, Quarshie, Santiago and Adamu; a Taxi Driver in Tema.

Musah Adamu has since been arraigned before the Tema Circuit Court and remanded into police custody to re-appear on May 17, 2021.

The general public is hereby called upon to volunteer and assist the police with any information that will lead to the arrest and subsequent prosecution of the above named suspects who are now on the run.

DSP Divine Asiam, with the prosecution unit (Jupol) of the Tema Plice Command, according to Starr News sources, shot himself in his room Sunday morning.

He passed on at the Police Hospital. It is unclear the reason for the action.

Western Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olivia Ewurabena Tawiah Adiku, who confirmed the story to Empire News’ Emmanuel Ohene-Gyan, said the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Felix Fosu Agyemang, who was in the company of other senior police officers, have been to the scene and commenced investigations into the matter.

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The incident comes weeks after two police officers took their lives in separate incidents.

Constable Yelnona Eugene of the National Protection Unit allegedly shot and killed himself on February 1, 2020, while on duty in Accra. In the Western Region, Superintendent Cepram McCarthy Zenge, shot himself dead leaving behind a suicide note.

The note read: “I’m fed up in this world.”

According to reports, the two cars were set alight overnight in her home at Community 10.

Portions of her windows have also been razed by the fire which began at about 3:am Sunday, November 10.

No causalities have been recorded.

Barely a month ago, the actress turned politician in an interview said some persons have been making threatening calls to her,

She added that about six attacks have been made on her life, and a report has been made at the district police station.

According to him, he has no plans of becoming a politician, hence Ghanaians should disregard such reports.

Our attention has been drawn to a politically suggestive artwork circulating across social media platforms bearing the picture of AMG Business CEO, popularly known as Criss Waddle, claiming he’s running for MP in Tema constituency on the ticket of the CPP.

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Check out the press release below:

Residents at Tema New Town were thrown into a state of shock on Thursday when news broke that the young woman, named Abigail had poisoned her two little children.

The lady is alleged to have killed the children using ‘rat poison’ which she bought from the open market.

The children, two and one-year-old reportedly died in their sleep after the concoction had been administered to them.

Though it is not clear what might have triggered her action, Abigail’s sister explains she has a mental disorder history.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem show, she disclosed Abigail was some time ago taken to a prayer camp where she is believed to have been healed.

“We are not financially fit to take her to the hospital so we resorted to the church and she has since been okay but we never heard she threatened to poison her children though we stay in the same area.

“I even met her Thursday morning and asked of the children but she told me they were still sleeping only to later hear of the unfortunate incident,” she said.

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She stressed life has been hell for Abigail as she can barely afford a three-square-meal because her husband is not supportive.

“I sometimes provide money and food for them since the husband always fights her when she asked for money,” she sobbed.

Meanwhile, Abigail has been arrested and assisting with investigations.

Giving the advice on the sideline of a disinfection exercise in St James International School, Lashibi, in the Tema West Constituency, the Tema General Manager of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Seth Appiah Ocran, said government alone cannot fight the pandemic.

“And so as parents, we must support the government by ensuring that our school-going children have, at least, nose masks and hand sanitisers to protect them from the Covid-19 pandemic,” he urged.

Again, he charged parents to educate their children on the Covid-19 safety protocols.

The exercise, which saw the disinfection of about 17 basic schools in the Tema West Constituency, was part of the President directives for all basic schools in the county to be disinfected before reopening date–Monday, June 29.

Some of the schools that received disinfection on the day were Young Scholars International School, Good Shepherd International School, Azure International School, Apex Community School among others.

According to Mr Appiah Ocran, about 205 basic schools (public and public) were targeted for disinfection in the Tema West Constituency.

“And many of these schools have been disinfected already, adding that we are disinfecting 17 schools today (Wednesday, June 25), and also a mop up of the schools whose heads were not available during the early days of the exercise,” he said.

Mr Appiah Ocran, however, said one challenge they encountered during the exercise was the unavailability of some of the schools’ head, albeit prior notice about the exercise was relayed to them.

“The unavailability of some of the headmasters/mistresses sometimes delayed the exercise, but I must admit that generally the heads were cooperative,” the Tema Zoomlion GM said.

Mr Appiah Ocran went on to disclose that his company had already disinfected all the public schools, adding that “we are left with some private schools then our task would be complete.”

“The public schools in Tema are dotted in Communities Two, Five, Klagon, Adjei Kojo areas, and they have all been disinfected,” stated Mr Appiah Ocran.

For her part, the Headmistress of Azure International School, Deborah Okyere, commended the central government and Zoomlion Ghana Limited for including private schools in the exercise.

After almost a week of an acute water shortage in parts of Accra and Tema, the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has assured the crisis will end Tuesday, May 18, 2020.

The water company’s assurance comes in the wake of the completion of repair works on its Treatment Plant.

Director of Communications at the GWCL, Stanley Martey, gave the assurance on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Monday.

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“In Tema and Kpone, we have had challenges in the area but from today, they will get water,” he stated.

Mr Martey urged residents to develop the culture of storing water should they begin the rationing.

“Lets develop the culture of storing water so that we don’t suffer when we start rationing” he added.

This, they noted, would prevent the recurrence of mass infection in companies operating in the industrial cum harbour city.

The unions called for the mass testing in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after 533 out of 1,300 workers of a well-known international fish processing company located in the Tema Fishing Harbour enclave tested positive to Covid-19.

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a state address on Sunday night disclosed that “it is important to stress that 533 out of the 921 new cases recorded between last Wednesday and Thursday are factory workers from a fish processing factory located in Tema. All 533 persons were infected by one person”.

Mr Abraham Koomson, General Secretary of the GFL, said companies must urgently embark on such testing to avoid having a large number of their workers contracting the virus unknowingly.

Mr Koomson said the Ministry of Health must initiate such testing as most of the companies were not in a position logistically to carry out such a test.

He added that it was unfortunate that his outfit’s call for a total lockdown did not materialize adding that such a measure would have prevented such mass infections in one company.

The leadership of the TDCL on its part, said they were devastated to hear that 533 workers of the said company tested positive to the virus, indicating that mass testing in companies would help nib the spread in the bud.

Mr Ebenezer Kodwo-Taylor and Mr Emmanuel Addo-Kumi, Chairman and Secretary for the Tema District Council of Labour respectively, appealed to the government to conduct massive test in the industries in the Tema Metropolis and its environs.

They reminded companies within the hub to strictly adhere to the Covid-19 protocols adding that the Ghana Employers Association must also ensure that their members followed the procedures.

“Again, Inspectorate Department of Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations must ensure that industries within the enclave follow the Covid-19 protocols to curtail the spread of the coronavirus,” they said.

Mr Frank Asante, Public Relations Officer, Tema Metropolitan Assembly, on his part, said the Metropolitan Chief Executive was engaging leadership of companies on the strict adherence on Covid-19 protocols in their premises.

Mr Asante also appealed to companies to review some of their employees’ time management system such as the clocking timers and finger print scanners which had the potential of spreading the virus quickly among staff.

The complainant, Alhaji Hamid Masawudu, who disclosed this on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Friday said the police have also impounded the motorbike and a pistol with some rounds of ammunition and other valuables from the scene.

The criminals per police video footage succeeded in robbing a Chinese of GH¢300,000 and a Lebanese of an undisclosed amount after withdrawal from the Tema Zenith bank branch.

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However, an attempt to rob him of some GH¢123,000.00 he withdrew from the same branch resulted in an exchange of gunshots after a hot police chase which led to their demise.

 “This robbery is the third incident at the same branch, Lebanese, Chinese (300,000) and now me. I actually suspect there is an informant in the bank. As I am speaking with you now, the police managed to retrieve two of their phones, their motorbikes and other valuables and I believe this will help the police to arrest the person behind these robberies,” he said.

Mr Masawudu, who is also an importer and a clearing agent, said the robbers are around 20 years of age.

Meanwhile, the police in a post on Facebook said a chunk of the money spilled at the scene of the robbery incident, leading to a scramble by some members of the public before the police arrived.

“The two robbers died in the process, while the money scattered on the streets and were picked by people around, leaving only GH¢2,500.00 salvaged by the complainant,” the police have said.

The bodies of the robbers have been sent to the police hospital morgue for further action.

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The Metropolis initially confirmed two cases out of which one had fully recovered leaving one active case with 43 out of 46 contacts traced and tested negative.

Dr. Sally Quartey, Tema Metropolitan Director of Health Services, disclosing this to the Ghana News Agency said, the two new cases were males who visited the hospital sick with symptoms of COVID-19.

Dr. Quartey added that their samples were collected and subsequently tested at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.

She added that the two were receiving treatment under quarantine while contact tracing was ongoing.

She pleaded with residents to strictly obey the laid down preventive measures especially staying at home to prevent spreading the disease in the Metropolis

Photos circulating on social media has his manager, Angel Town and some team members, distributing the foodstuff to the less-privileged.

In the video, the mayor of Tema, Hon. Felix Mensah Nii Anang-La, thanked the foundation for putting smiles on the faces of his people.

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Find the video and photos below:

The campaign, dubbed “Greening Tema” will involve the distribution of over 1,000 seedlings to public schools to be planted.

Speaking to journalists at the 63rd Independence Day celebration held at the Tema Sports Stadium, Chief Executive Officer, James Gnanaraj explained the company felt obliged to give back to the community within which they operate. with beneficiaries given

He said the company had identified several other areas that needed attention in terms of development and pledged that they would continue to offer their support as part of their corporate social responsibility.

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On his part, the Managing Director, Immanuel Rajamani, stated that there was a package attached to the allocation of seedlings to the schools, revealing that special awards would be given to schools that take very good care of their trees.

“The beneficiaries would be given between 30 and 100 seedlings for planting and nurturing and the best will be awarded. The rationale is to encourage the kids to keep the trees well and help in environmental protection,” he added.

Frank Asante, the Public Relations Officer of Tema Metropolitan Assembly, welcomed the initiative and said environmental protection was one of the key areas under the Tema restoration agenda.

He commended the group for the laudable move, adding the Horticulture Department of the Assembly had started working on a framework to ensure proper monitoring of the initiative to achieve its set objectives. 

The hard work of the students were openly acknowledged  when Tema hosted the maiden rotating Greater Accra Regional parade at the Tema Sports Stadium.

The awards went to Master Francis Fantevie, first national fastest human athlete under 15, Miss Donkor Jill Kukua, first runner up in the national reading competition, Mr Diamond Kusime, second national fastest human athlete under-15 girl’s division.

Others were; Tema Community Eight Number One JHS for emerging first runner up in Greater Accra Region(GAR) in Coral music at the Festival of Arts and Culture, while  Tema Community Eight Number Two JHS also were awarded for being first runner up for GAR in dance, Twedaase Basic School also received an award for drum appellation.

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Chemu SHS received a special award for emerging winners for the 63rd Independence anniversary debate while Miss Sobbin Flaviola Naana Nyenyima, who was the best GAR regional BECE candidate for girls, was also honoured, in addition to Sobbin Flavio Nana Badu and Miss Kumah Precious Dzogbenyuie Akosua, who were Tema metro best BECE candidates for 2019.

Miss Amoaba Ayishetu Cynthia and Master Botchway Bright Doe, received awards for being best in 2019 WASSCE in the Metropolis.

The award winners received certificate of recognition and cash ranging from GH¢1,000.00 to GH¢2,000.00.

Chief Executive Officer of Kingdom  Exim, Mr. James Rajamani, said that the special awards sponsorship was part of his company’s corporate social responsibility, explaining education was of great importance to the company hence the sponsorship.

In attendance were the Greater Accra Regional Minister, The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Greater Accra Regional Education Director, Mr Agyiri Blankson, Member of the Council of State and heads of security services in the Region among other dignitaries.

Some youth group of Tema who recently accused traditional authorities of the area for having a hand in the growing unemployment situation among indigenes of Tema have apologised for their conduct.

The group is pleading with the Traditional Council to temper justice with mercy by granting them clemency for what they say is a mistake which has cost them.

The group had demonstrated on Tuesday, November 26, to register their protest against what they say is an increasing unemployment situation in the Tema area.

As part of that protest, they made series of allegations including the claim that the traditional authorities of Tema were complicit in their predicament.

According to them, they have been side-lined and left to suffer with their qualifications and physical strength wasting away while non-indigenes enjoy employment opportunities in the industrial city.

However, spokesperson for the youth, Tetteh Mallam on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, has admitted they indeed went overboard with their claims against the traditional council.

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“We want the Traditional Council to forgive us; the claims that they are giving our slots to the foreigners are not true so they should forgive us for dragging their names into the mud,” he pleaded.

The youth group have also appealed to the Council not to hold anything against them because they regret their actions.

Mr Tetteh, however, insists that they are being short-changed as indigenous youth of Tema even though they have industries such as VALCO, GPHA and many others yet they continue to be unemployed.

“Our forefathers were farming on these lands which have now been used to establish companies yet we are not benefiting from the establishment of such companies,” he cried.

Source: Adomonline.com | Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

Flags are generally used as symbols, signalling devices or for decoration.

Associations and countries have various reasons for settling on one type of flag or another. A regular scene at Ghana’s coasts is canoes having various flags, high up.

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JoyNews’ Joseph Ackah-Blay spent some time at the Tema Fishing Harbour where an argument ensued among fishermen on why they sail with distinct flags.

Watch his report above:

Source: Ghana | Joy News | Joseph Ackah-Blay

The suspects are said to have hired the KIA Picanto car with registration number GS 950-19 from Madina to Dodowa in the Greater Accra region at about 12:30am on Thursday.

Upon reaching Traditional Council at Dodowa, the teenager allegedly attempted to strangle the driver with a nylon rope as his girlfriend allegedly stabbed the driver in the left arm and leg.

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In an attempt to snatch the car from him, the driver managed to overpower them but the suspects escaped.

According to the Dodowa District Commander, Supt. Harrison Katso, the driver, whose shirt was soaked with blood, reported the incident at about 2:30 am.

“He came to the station with a deep cut on his left arm and leg with his shirt soaked with blood. He brought with him a kitchen knife, a nylon rope, lady’s bag containing clothes and mobile phones and narrated his ordeal,” Supt Katso said.

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He said looking at the victim’s condition, he (victim) was issued a medical form and was rushed to the Shai-Osudoku Government Hospital for treatment.

“Just as the patrol team was about to search for the suspects, a resident, Emmanuel Aboagye and two others brought the suspects who were spotted in the neighbourhood,” he added.

The suspects admitted having committed the crime after initial interrogation.

A search by the police for the suspects’ place of abode proved futile.

“There was no physical structure to show at Ritz Junction around Adentan. They claim to be living under a tree. Neighbours said suspect Korley recently came around to look for a place for her container,” Supt Katso said.

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“Drivers must always monitor the conversation and demeanor of clients. Installing tracking devices in their cars will be of help in case of attack,” he suggested.

Supt. Katso also lauded the residents who handed over the suspects without attacking them and urged the general public to always do same.

The two suspects will be arraigned after investigations, the police said.

Source: Adomonline.com | Adom News | Kwame Yankah

Witnesses say they heard a loud noise shortly after huge flames engulfed the armoury at the military base in Tema, in the Greater Accra Region.

A junior military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said the Base Ammunition Depot (BAD), as it is known, holds a large consignment of explosives.

The fire is said to have started a little after midnight, followed by the loud explosions.

No death has been reported.

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Military chiefs from the Ghana Armed Forces say they are unsure what triggered the fire.

Firefighters battled the fire for at least two hours before bringing the situation under control.

Encroachment

Panic swept through neighbouring residential areas when the explosions started.

Patience, an eyewitness told Myjoyonline.com that when the explosions started she thought it was an earthquake.

The barracks, which was initially sited away from civilian populations, is currently a neighbour to a densely populated area in the Tema municipality.

Reports indicate that heavy encroachment of lands belonging to the base by developers and other institutions put non-uniformed members of society at risks when such fire disasters strike.

Fused out

Moses Dawutey, a freelance Defence Reporter, explains that some small arms and high explosives were affected by the fire.

“Some of the high explosives fused out towards Gulf City (a residential area close to the barracks) and the vibration alone was enough to cause cracks in buildings but it didn’t denote…it just fused out,” he said.

While the fire was raging, soldiers were deployed from the barracks to ensure that the fire did not spread to the high explosives compartment of the armoury, he told Myjoyonline.com.

He said had the heavy explosives been detonated by the fire, a major catastrophe would have occurred.

Although it is not clear what may have caused the fire, some experts Myjoyonline.com have contacted say excessive heat within an armoury can trigger fires.

Armouries are expected to be fitted with heavy-duty air-conditioners to keep their temperatures low at all times.

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Contained

As of 3 am Wednesday morning, firefighters have contained the fire.

Moses Dawutey told Myjoyonline.com that highly placed military sources tell him the military “deployed all means to prevent the fire from spreading…[the sources said] the fire was detected in the laboratory and small arms zone of the depot. As such the effort was concentrated in halting the spread to the areas housing the highly explosive zone where long-range ordnances are located.”

Meanwhile, panic-stricken residents have moved to safety at neighbouring towns like Afienya, Community 25 and Gbetsile, all in the Greater Accra Region.

They found the robbery attacks on them are surprising because the area is usually under constant police patrol.

A source in the area told this paper that a woman who deals in ladies’ hair product and has a shop at Lebanon, a suburb at  Ashaiman was attacked by three men wielding guns.

The robber is said to have made away with bags containing an unspecified amount of monies, electronic gadget belonging to shop attendants.

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Another incident was recorded on Friday, October 26, 2018, at Community 8 Shell filling station which houses Starbite restaurant.

Three days after, another daylight attack happened at Kaysen Gas station in Community 4, Tema.

The robbers were alleged to have used a Pontiac Vibe with registration number GN 3731-16  during the attack and made away with money from the station.

They moved straight into the pharmacy shop and pointed a pistol at the cashier and gestured for cash. Two other robbers stood behind the counter and collected cash and other items into a bag.

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At the time of filling this story, the Tema Regional Police Command was locked in an emergency meeting convened by the Regional Police Commander, (DCOP) Mr. Edward Johnson Oyifi-Akrofi.

Public relations Officer (PRO) of the Tema Regional Police command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr Joseph Benefo Darkwah, confirmed to the media in Tema, the meeting was over recent robbery attacks.

The Tema Regional Police Command has in a press release indicated that it has intensified its vehicular and boot patrols within the metropolis and suspect a syndicate is behind the spate of armed robberies.

The press release urged residents to be vigilant and should not hesitate to report to the police if they found any suspicious group within their vicinity.

Assessment carried out by TOR Anti-fire and Explosion Campaign Team indicates that the use of fire for cooking, burning of refuse, syphoning of fuel among other things by these drivers could cause an explosion.

In 2014, fire gutted some pipelines of TOR laid behind Cocoa Processing Company leading to the death of a resident who was burnt beyond recognition.

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TOR has, since last year, been engaging the drivers on the need to vacate the area.

The eviction exercise was carried out with assistance from the police and other security agencies with little or no force due to cooperation from the drivers.

Tema Oil Refinery has been one of Ghana’s strategic assets over the years as the only refinery.

Crude oil is the refinery’s main raw material for production which is mostly imported from Nigeria and transferred through pipelines from Tema harbour for storage in tanks and processed into several finished products for consumption.

Therefore, any illegal activity close to these pipelines is seen as a national threat.

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Public Affairs Manager for TOR, Dr Kingsley Antwi-Boasiako said the area is being barricaded to prevent future intrusion.

“At TOR, we put safety first. This is not the first time we are undertaking such exercise. What is different is the fact that we are barricading this area. Anyone who trespasses will have himself to blame. Apart from this, there will be surveillance by both internal security and police here”, he indicated.

A member of the  TOR Anti-fire and Explosion Campaign Team,  John Winston Quasie maintains that Tema Metropolitan Assembly ought to be up and doing to evict drivers who occupy an area close to TOR but falls under TMA.

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“Activities of these drivers directly opposite where we carried this exercise corrode our lines and because there are no detectors on the lines, it will be difficult to know which part is leaking. The dangerous aspect is these drivers also use fire and the whole place will go off within a twinkle of an eye.

General Services Manager and member of TOR Anti-fire and Explosion Campaign Team, Rosina Brew said in the event of an explosion, escaping will be next to impossible due to where these tankers and trucks are parked.

“Explosion is the last thing anybody would wish for TOR because it will be the biggest disaster in Ghana’s history”, she said.

He particularly heaped praises on Lt. Col. Joseph Malik Punamane, head of Security at the Tema Port and his lieutenants as heroes of the moment for successfully thwarting a potential terror attack.

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“Nobody is talking about the smooth professionalism that they displayed and it is a shame because if an attack had taken place, the media would have been awash with the bad news,” Ofoe Teye said.

Nene, who is also the Tema East Constituency Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) said that national honours were in order for Lt. Col. JM Punamane and his charges at the Tema Port.

In collaboration with his Deputy, Kingsley Darko, Col. Punamane is said to have arrested a suspected Irish terrorist and his Ghanaian accomplice, 25-year-old David Kammermeier who was picked up at about 12:45 on Wednesday, 17th October at the Port when he was found suspiciously loitering about Berth 13 of the Port.

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He said Col. Punamane and his charges who were on high-security alert since reports emerged that Ghana’s power barge in Tema had become a target for terrorists, quickly picked Mr Kammermeier up on Wednesday afternoon.

During preliminary investigations, Mr Kammermeier mentioned Nicolas Ocansey, a freight forwarder with a company called Hangola Ghana Limited, as the person who aided him to gain entry to the port.

It has since emerged that David Kammermeier had suspicious footprints in many countries, including Germany, Morocco, Niger, Senegal and Burkina Faso, where he was arrested.

However, due to lack of concrete evidence, the Burkinabe authorities released him.

The Irish suspect and his Ghanaian collaborator have since been handed over to the Tema regional branch of the Bureau of National Investigations, and information he claimed that he was on a study tour in Ghana.

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“Whatever the outcome of the investigation, one cannot help but applaud the professionalism that Lt. Col. Punamane and his lieutenants have displayed and I think this deserves to be praised,” Nene Ofoe-Teye said.

He used the opportunity to assure both local and foreign patrons of the Tema Port that security was tight and reliable and since the posting of Col. Punamane there, the overall security atmosphere had improved remarkably with sea patrols and even security at the anchorage of the port beefed up.

“It is due to this heightened sense of security that David kammermeier was detected and picked up quickly.

Evans Amarh, a Security personnel at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, added his voice to the praise singing saying Lt. Col. Malik Punamane and his charges richly deserved it.

Mr Amarh, who is also the Deputy Constituency Organizer of Tema East NDC said, “the praise should be extended to the current Director General of GPHA, Mr. Michael Luguje, and the Board Chairman, Mr Peter MacManu, as well.

“There has been mature cordiality between the Board Chair and the Director-General and this has created a good working environment for all the departments, including the security department, to work fluidly,” Mr. Amarh concluded.

The incident occurred on Thursday morning but police have failed to respond to calls for clarification.

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The victim, identified only as Rasheed, according to an eyewitness, rushed into the compound of one of his neighbours on Thursday, with blood dripping down his back.

A neighbour, Mama Gee, told Adom News that after she confronted the shooter, he explained Rasheed was an armed robber.

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She gave the following narration in Twi:

“We were preparing food in the morning around 9:00 O’clock when we heard what sounded like a firecracker. But my sister, whom I was cooking with, said it was a gunshot.

“So I said if it is a gunshot then they will shot again. Then we saw Rasheed running into our house with blood all over his body. He was naked. Rasheed told us he has been shot because they said he was [armed-robber]. So I approached the man [shooter], he was not in full uniform he was wearing the blue-black police trousers and police boots with a white shirt…The man shot him again but the boy run. Everyone got scared but I confronted him asked him why he was doing that but he told me I cannot teach him how to do his job.”

Three (3) people have been reported dead and several others injured in an accident on the Tema-Accra motorway.

An eyewitness narrating the incident to Adom News said, the incident occurred on Wednesday night when a Hyundai H100 with registration number GB-1667-12 failed its break, forcing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, and in the process veered off the main road.

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At least, three people on board the vehicle which was travelling from Sogakope, Ada stretch to Accra died on the spot.

The bodies have since been deposited at the morgue while the injured are receiving treatment at the hospital.

According to Project Coordinator Joseph Yeboah, detour roads and other alternative routes have been made available to motorists to manage the traffic situation as a result of the closure which begins from Sunday, 26 August 2018.

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He added that the exercise will be sustained until the first phase of the interchange is completed.

Meanwhile, Assistant Superintendent of Police in charge of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service in the Tema region, Paul Bruce, said 20 officers shall be deployed daily to assist motorists.

Tema Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Joseph Benefo Darkwa said until the report is done, there is very little they can do about the case.

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The victim who is in class one at Royal International School is fighting for his life after being allegedly sodomized by three class 5 boys in school.

The boy (name withheld) who is currently on admission at the Tema General Hospital is said to be suffering from an infection as a result of the act.

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His distraught grandmother, Theresa Lamptey on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem  said after the suspects were identified by the victim, they were left to go scot-free by the Community Eleven Police.

She added that, the boys were released after they denied the act.

But reacting to the issue, ASP Benefo Darkwa said they have not abondoned the case but rather waiting for doctor’s report.

He said eventhough the suspects have been granted bail, they are being closely monitored and will be invited for further investigations if neccessary.

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ASP Benefo Darkwa promised justice will be served if the culprits are found culpable.

Meanwhile, Proprietress of Royal International School, Prinscilla Manu Gyebi said the boy was not sodomized.

Rather, she said the sore in the boy’s buttocks is due to a boil infection.

Madam Gyebi indicated that, she assisted his grandmother with money when he was admitted at the hospital thus find it strange when the sodomy issue came up.

This notwithstanding, the Royal school head said they have also lodged a complaint at the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service.

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