The surprise operation forced suspected galamsey operators to flee as officers stormed the site. During the raid, makeshift structures were destroyed, and equipment used in illegal mining activities was set ablaze.

The task force also uncovered the extensive use of illicit drugs and dynamite within the enclave.

NAIMOS confirmed that similar targeted operations will be intensified in the coming days and weeks to curb galamsey activities and address the growing drug-related issues linked to such sites.

The incident, which occurred on October 6, 2025, led to the death of John Abban, brother of the chiefs of Butre and Asemkor.

In a statement dated October 21, 2025, the police said three suspects, Kennedy Abor, alias Abongo (30), Kojo Attah Panyi (20), and Joseph Basses (30), were apprehended at their hideout in Funko on October 15 following sustained intelligence operations by the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate.

The remaining two suspects, Abraham Cudjoe, alias Yalle (39), and Ekow Painstil (45), were later arrested at Afuaman Ayigbe Town in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region on October 21, in a joint operation between the Western and Accra Regional Intelligence Directorates.

Police say all five suspects are currently in custody assisting with investigations.

Source: AdomOnline

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The Regional Public Health Director, Dr. Gifty Amugi, said the 21-day vaccination exercise would have a four-day aggressive penetration in most affected communities, while the remaining 17 days would be normal delivery.

She described the vaccines as safe and approved by the Food and Drug Authority (FDA).

The Region currently has 59 active cases from 13 districts with two deaths.

Dr Amugi said this at the Sub-national launch of the Mpox Vaccine in new Takoradi in the Western Region with departmental heads as well as District Health Directors of the service well represented.

The Acting Director-General of GHS, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, who launched Sub-national project said, “some 1, 800 clinicians and health staff have been trained in the surveillance…we shall keep campaign and awareness across the country”.

He thanked dedicated workers and volunteers for the commitment to the response activities.

Dr. Akoriyea said the nation has so far recorded three deaths, “Our newest hope is the vaccination, we cannot afford to lose people to this preventable condition.”

All Health workers, close contact of confirmed cases, and the seven high risks districts among others would be first vaccinated.

Dr Akoriyea encouraged proper hand washing, avoiding close contact or handling clothings of affected persons.

He urged all stakeholders to come on board: traditional leaders, red Cross, opinion leaders adding, “we all need to be part of the Solution.”

Dr. Marion Okoe, the GHS Western Regional Director, said the vaccination, which was targeted, would complement ongoing surveillance, case management, home care, and other interventions to arrest the virus.

Dr Frank Lule, from the WHO country office said the African Region had so far recorded 120 deaths from 30,000 confirmed cases.

He noted that the WHO would continue to provide technical and operational support to end the condition in Ghana.

The team, after the launch, embarked on community engagement and vaccination.

GNA

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The shrine, dedicated to Maame Wata and said to belong to Togbe Nana Benin, was uncovered during a joint riverine operation with the Western Naval Command on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

The priest allegedly abandoned the site without attempting to invoke any spiritual powers after spotting the taskforce.

Accra-based TV3 reported that the team also inspected several makeshift structures used by illegal miners along the riverbank.

Inside one room believed to be used for purification rituals, officers found a list of prescribed ritual items — one sheep, one goat, six fowls, one guinea fowl, cowries valued at GHC 3,000, and an additional cash payment of GHC 300. Two sheep and a fowl were found tethered nearby, apparently awaiting sacrifice.

A naval officer who led the operation described the discovery: “This room is designated for the mallam or juju man. You’ve escaped, yet you’re supposed to wait and meet with us. We don’t have time for this; we only answer to God. You’re running away? Next time, we expect to see you with the juju.”

Western Regional National Security Liaison Officer Brigadier General Musah Whajah (Rtd) reiterated the taskforce’s commitment to eliminating illegal mining, saying no form of intimidation or spiritual ritual would derail the mission.

He vowed the team would persist until meaningful improvement was seen in the state of the Ankobra River.

The operation has reignited debate about whether spiritual symbols deter enforcement teams or strengthen their resolve.

The taskforce leader was unequivocal: “This is where they consult the gods, their operating bed, so to speak. They believe that by doing this, they’ll be granted more gold, but in reality, they’re destroying our water bodies. We won’t forgive them; we’ll destroy everything. Wherever their gods reside, we’re ready to confront them. We’ve encountered various rituals — white sheep, white fowls, and other things — but we won’t back down. We’ll take them down and move forward.”

Source: Adomonline

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This follows a petition from the Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL) over the massive destruction of its rubber plantation by illegal miners.

The devastation of cocoa farms by illegal miners has long been documented. But rubber plantations have now become the latest target.

The Ghana Rubber Estate Limited is counting its losses, with over six hectares of rubber plantation, some two thousand mature trees ready for tapping, destroyed in the Adiewoso enclave of the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.

The company says chemicals used in galamsey pits are killing trees prematurely, drastically reducing yields.

Acting on the company’s complaint, the Western Regional Security Council launched a special operation on Thursday, August 21.

The joint team, comprising soldiers from the Second Infantry Battalion, police, and national security operatives, stormed Adiewoso and Tettrem communities.

By the end of the exercise, 12 people, 11 men and a woman, were picked up. Two tricycles and a motorbike were retrieved, with twenty-five chanfang machines used for illegal mining set ablaze.

Brigadier General Whajah advised the Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL) to move beyond security operations and engage the host communities in a dialogue.

According to him, sustainable results can only be achieved if locals fully understand the economic dangers of illegal mining to the company’s survival.

The 12 suspects are currently in police custody at Agona Nkwanta in the Ahanta West Municipality, assisting investigations, as the Regional Security Council vows to intensify the clampdown on galamsey.

Source: Ina-Thalia Quansah

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According to a police statement, the arrests were made along the Wassa Akropong–Japa–Dadieso road. The team also extended its operation to the Obeng Mining Group site at Wassa Japa, where 64 changfan machines were dismantled.

In a separate operation in Asankrangwa, the police responded to reports of illegal mining near the 1D1F building along the Asankra Saah–Asankra Kwabeng road. The team retrieved three water pumping machines and four motorbikes.

All 23 suspects are currently in custody and assisting with investigations.

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A new report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime reveals that while the region’s economy is largely driven by agriculture, employing about 70% of its estimated two million residents, there is a growing dependency on mining and its allied sectors, including oil and gas extraction, cocoa processing, timber, and palm oil production.

However, it is illegal gold mining, often conducted under the radar of regulatory authorities, that is rapidly transforming the economic and environmental landscape of the region.

Satellite imagery analysed between 2015 and 2021 highlights a significant surge in artisanal and small-scale gold mining activity, particularly around Wassa Akropong and Asankragua, where the communities are emerging as gold trade hotspots.

Illegal mining beyond boundaries

The report underscores that while it is difficult to determine the legality of every mining site without physical inspection, a significant portion of ASGM operations clearly extend beyond licensed mining concessions.

Some also take place within concessions designated solely for exploration, not exploitation, and others flout basic environmental and health regulations, qualifying them as unlicensed operations under the country’s law.

According to the report, overlaying satellite imagery with the mining cadastral maps reveals a disturbing picture: vast stretches of mining activity occurring illegally, both outside sanctioned zones and within areas where miners lack the appropriate licences or permits.

The phenomenon, experts warn, is not merely a question of geography but of impunity and weak regulatory enforcement.

Asankragua: a new mining frontier

While Wassa Akropong has long been on the radar of researchers and authorities, the growth of artisanal and small-scale gold mining in and around Asankragua marks a new frontier.

Once overlooked, Asankragua has become a burgeoning hotspot, with predictive computer models indicating strong potential for further mining activity in its environs.

The researchers attribute this development to the arrival of foreign nationals, particularly Chinese actors, who are introducing sophisticated technologies and accelerating the scale and intensity of artisanal and small-scale gold mining operations.

This foreign influence, the report notes, has brought with it an influx of advanced mining machinery and processing techniques, facilitating a gold rush that is not only largely unregulated but also environmentally destructive, the report stated.

Cocoa plantations under threat

One of the most troubling consequences of this illegal mining boom is the widespread destruction of cocoa plantations, a critical source of livelihood for thousands of rural families in the Western Region.

According to the findings, in many communities, gold mining pits have replaced cocoa farms, undermining food security and threatening the country’s global reputation as a top cocoa producer.

Images captured near Abooso, for example, show shocking levels of deforestation and water turbidity, both indicators of environmental harm caused by unregulated mining.

Ground-truthing exercises, or field verification visits, remain essential for confirming satellite findings and gauging the true extent of the damage.

Call for stronger oversight and enforcement

The report calls for urgent policy attention and enhanced regulatory oversight. It recommends more consistent ground-based investigations to supplement satellite surveillance and advocates for the review of current mining policies to ensure proper licensing, compliance, and enforcement mechanisms.

Environmentalists and local leaders are also calling for a rethinking of the development model in the region.

“We cannot trade our forests, farms, and water bodies for short-term gain,” one local official remarked. “Ghana must invest in sustainable mining practices and community engagement, especially in high-risk zones like Asankragua.”

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Read the full statement below:

The fire reportedly started around 7 p.m. at Vision Beach, a neighbouring resort, where it is believed to have broken out in the kitchen before spreading rapidly through its front desk area and into parts of Maaha Beach Resort.

An eyewitness, speaking to Citi News on condition of anonymity, described the initial struggle to contain the blaze.

According to the witness, a fire tender from the nearby Atuabo Gas Processing Plant was unable to intervene due to the nature of the fire and the specific chemicals used in their firefighting systems.

“The fire didn’t start from our end but from Vision Beach,” the eyewitness recounted.

“It started from the kitchen through its front desk before it spread to our place [Maaha]. The Ghana Gas fire tender was even passing when the fire started, but they said they couldn’t help because of the chemicals they use.”

Efforts to call in additional firefighting support were made through the personal assistant of the local Member of Parliament, who contacted stations in Axim and surrounding areas for urgent assistance.

The delay in firefighting response allowed the flames to consume more structures before fire tenders from Axim and other nearby towns arrived to bring the situation under control.

Though the full extent of the damage is yet to be officially confirmed, the fire is a major blow to one of the most prominent beach resorts in the region, known for attracting both local and international tourists.

Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the cause of the fire or confirm whether there were any injuries.

Source: Myjoyonline

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In Tarkwa, one Salifu Gariba was arrested for the theft of a Toyota Land Cruiser (PC), registration number GS 1845-23, belonging to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The vehicle was stolen from the residence of an EPA employee in Budo City in the early hours of 15 April.

The suspect was intercepted the following day by officers of the Northern Regional Police Command at Kukobila, along the Tamale–Bolgatanga highway. The vehicle was successfully retrieved. Gariba is currently in police custody as investigations continue.

In a separate incident, three suspects linked to a gold robbery in Wassa Afransie were arrested through an intelligence-led operation.

The suspects—Felix Adjei, alias Africa or Nana Adjei; Emmanuel Kelvin, a Nigerian national; and Kofi Appiah, alias Kesse—are accused of robbing employees of Mas Palasco Gold Buying Limited of 14 pounds of gold and other valuables worth GHS 199,000.

The incident occurred on 4 April, when the suspects, some of whom were armed, ambushed the company’s vehicle returning from Wassa Ayiem.

The robbery also involved the theft of an unregistered Toyota Corolla, which was later found abandoned.

Weapons, ammunition, and a cash amount of GHS 65,000—believed to be proceeds from the robbery—were recovered. All three suspects remain in custody, assisting with further investigations.

Additionally, six individuals were arrested at Bepoakyi near Dompim on 23 April in connection with illegal mining operations.

The suspects—Justice Tetteh, Michael Anche, Bismark Gyimah, Ramzy Amoah, Michael Attivor, and Emmanuel Andoh—were apprehended as part of ongoing anti-galamsey operations.

Five excavators used in the mining activity were seized and are currently being held at the Dompim Police Station, pending transfer to the Tarkwa Nsuaem District Assembly.

The Western Regional Police Command has reiterated its commitment to curbing crime, safeguarding public safety, and protecting the region’s natural resources. Investigations into all three incidents are ongoing.

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The initiative, themed “Economic Development Through Education,” is spearheaded by Tullow and its partners and implemented by the Sekondi-Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (STCCI). It aims to support brilliant but needy students enrolled in public tertiary institutions.

At an award ceremony in Takoradi, Vincent Annan, Chief Executive Officer of STCCI, disclosed that the beneficiaries are enrolled in various public universities, Colleges of Education, and Nursing and Midwifery Training Colleges.

In addition to receiving tuition and hostel fee support, each student is entitled to semester stipends and psychosocial care. Furthermore, 100 out of the 120 recipients received laptops to aid their studies.

According to Benjamin Nii Kpani Addy, Deputy CEO of STCCI, the selection process was rigorous. Out of 644 applicants, 208 were shortlisted, with 120 ultimately chosen. Among them, 40 students were awarded full scholarships and another 40 received partial scholarships for studies in public universities. The remaining 40 were split evenly between Nursing and Midwifery Colleges and Colleges of Education.

He clarified that applicants to private institutions and those who opted for fee-paying programmes were not eligible for the scheme. Mr. Addy added that applications for the 2025/2026 academic year would soon open and urged prospective candidates to provide accurate information during the application process.

Edmund Fiifi Enchil, Social Performance Manager at Tullow, highlighted the company’s long-term commitment to building resilient communities through education.

He noted that over the past eight years, Tullow has invested in educational infrastructure such as kindergartens, STEM centres, and clubs across fishing communities—impacting more than 8,000 students.

Mr. Enchil explained that the Tertiary Scholars Aid forms part of a broader effort that has already supported over 1,800 senior high school students.

“We hope these scholarships will nurture critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills essential for tackling modern challenges,” he said, adding that Tullow envisions a future where all students, regardless of their background, have access to quality education.

In an interview with Adom News, Mike Abekah Aidoo, Secretary of the Western Regional Canoe Council, commended the initiative. He described it as a vital opportunity for youth in coastal communities to access better education and urged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the support provided.

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This comes despite the facility being commissioned three months ago.

During a tour of the hospital on Monday, March 10, the Minister noted that only 10% of the required medical equipment had been installed, making the facility unfit for operation.

He stressed that the incomplete installations have left the hospital non-functional since its commissioning.

The hospital was inaugurated by former President Nana Akufo-Addo just two days before the December general elections. However, Mr. Akandoh disclosed that at the time of its commissioning, the facility was far from ready to serve the public.

He emphasized the urgent need for the government to allocate funds to complete the installation of essential medical equipment to ensure the hospital can provide quality healthcare services.

“Completing the project is one thing, and paying for the project to become a property of the state is also another. As we speak, we need to cough up not less than $9 million for this particular project alone,” he stated.

The Minister further highlighted that a functional hospital requires more than just physical infrastructure.

“When we talk about a hospital being in operation, it is not just the brick and mortar. That is why I requested to see certain departments. You cannot commission a project without installing the necessary hospital equipment,” he added.

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The waste includes used syringes, surgical gloves, and other clinical equipment.

The situation has raised public health and environmental concerns among residents, who are calling for immediate action from local authorities and health officials.

Dr. Patrick Ekye Kwesie, Leader of the Western Nzema Youth League (WNYL), speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the presence of medical waste along the beach was not just an environmental issue but also a serious public health threat to the community.

“This issue raises serious questions about the management and disposal of medical waste in our region. Such waste, if not handled properly, can lead to the spread of infectious diseases and pose risks to both human and marine life,” he stated.

Dr. Kwesie called for a comprehensive investigation into the source of the waste and urged authorities to take immediate steps to clear the beach to prevent potential health risks.

Mr. Ishmael Kanga, Safohene of Ngelekazo, also told the GNA, “This beach is a vital part of our community because we rely on it for our livelihoods. Seeing it polluted like this is heartbreaking, and we need the authorities to take action immediately.”

When the GNA contacted the Ellembelle Area office of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Engineer Douglas Arhinkorah Asuako-Ferkah, Acting Area Head, said a team from the Jomoro Municipal Environmental Health Department and the Ghana Maritime Authority at Axim had collaborated to assess the situation for further action.

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At just 32 years old, Boakye, who hails from Asankragua, is a gold trader. He outperformed eight other candidates in the race.

His closest contender, Akwasi Nsiah-Awuah, garnered 10 votes, while Adjei Clement secured a single vote. The remaining six candidates failed to receive any votes.

Following his win, Boakye expressed his gratitude to the delegates for entrusting him with the responsibility of representing the region on the Council of State.

He emphasized the importance of youth involvement in governance and policymaking and pledged to advocate for the interests of the Western Region at both regional and national levels.

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Due to the increase in the number of cholera cases and deaths being recorded in the Region, the Western Regional Co-ordinating Council has issued a ban on the sale of vegetables by food vendors.

This was after the Environmental Surveillance investigations revealed that about 96 per cent of cholera infections were linked to food vendors, particularly through the sale of contaminated vegetables.

However, during a visit to the Takoradi central market by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), some vegetable sellers expressed worry over the ban, saying it slowed their business and affected sales.

Madam Grace Ababio, a cabbage seller, said she had put her business on hold as instructed by authorities in the region, saying, “Selling vegetables is my only means of survival, however the lives and safety of individuals matter most, and so I have no choice than to adhere to the directive coming from the authorities.”

Madam Fati Abubakar, another vegetable seller, called on authorities to expedite measures and manage the disease as their business could not be halted for a longer period, especially as the festive season approached.

“Vegetables play a vital role during festive seasons, especially in food preparation, so we are calling on the authorities to reconsider their decisions and put measures in place for proper handling of this type of food item to help stem the spread of cholera in the region,” she added.

The region has so far recorded more than 910 cholera cases with more than 10 deaths.

The Deputy Regional Director in charge of Public Health, Dr Gifty Amugi disclosed this on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem Monday.

According to her, over 1,000 people have reported to various health facilities with symptoms, including diarrhoea and vomiting.

However, 90 of these reported cases have been confirmed as cholera.

“The outbreak started in the 4th of November and we were committed to curb it but it heightened from the beginning of December. We so far have over 1,000 reported cases but 90 have been confirmed with 15 deaths reported,” she detailed.

Expressing concerns over the rising cases, Dr Amugi bemoaned people have disregarded safety measures.

“We’re appealing to everybody to take the basic precautions. It’s so important if we don’t do that we’re going to lose more people, so please personal hygiene is very important, we must wash our hands, and the food we eat must be warm. As soon as anybody gets these symptoms, he/she must report to the nearest health facility,” she advised.

Dr Amugi further said that cholera treatment is free and has all the needed logistics to care for affected ones.

She therefore urged all residents to report suspected cases immediately to health facilities, adding vaccination exercise has also began in the region.

“We started on Sunday and will run till Thursday, so we will urge all to take advantage of the exercise,” she noted.

Alongside the Western Regional Coordinating Council’s (WRCC) the ban on the sale of vegetables by food vendors to curb the spread, Dr Amugi said the Health Directorate has intensified its awareness campaign and preventive measures.

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A statement signed by Mr Stephen Quarshie, Acting Regional Co-ordinating Director, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the cholera outbreak in the Region had affected eight MMDAs, with 908 cases and 10 deaths recorded.

It said the situation required that the Public Health Emergency Response Teams in all MMDAs be constituted and resourced to enable them to execute their mandates within the guidelines provided by the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

The statement noted that as part of measures to curb the surge in reported cases, MMDAs were directed to undertake mass evacuation of refuse in all communities, identify appropriate treatment centres, strictly enforce sanitation bylaws, and conduct intensive public education, among others.

Meanwhile, the Western Regional Directorate of the GHS is set to undertake a mass vaccination campaign against the spread of cholera from Sunday, December 15 to Thursday, December 19, 2024, within four MMDAs.

They include; the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Effia-Kwesimintsim, Ahanta West and Shama Municipalities.

The vaccination teams would visit homes, schools, churches, mosques, markets, and other vantage points to administer the doses to persons aged one year and above.

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The initiative will cover four Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) severely affected by the cholera outbreak.

The vaccination campaign aims to reach over 600,000 residents aged two and above in the Shama Municipality, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ahanta West, and Effia-Kwesimintsim. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers will be excluded from the vaccination.

Teams will be stationed at key locations such as churches, mosques, markets, homes, and schools to ensure widespread coverage. These areas have been identified as high-priority zones due to their vulnerability.

Earlier this month, Ghana conducted its first sub-national cholera vaccination campaign in the Awutu Senya East sub-districts, from November 30 to December 3, targeting an estimated 150,000 people.

The campaign exceeded its target, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to control the cholera outbreak.

Source: 3News

As of December 7, 2024, the outbreak has resulted in 789 suspected cases and eight deaths, with over 60 new cases reported daily.

The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan and Effia Kwesimintsim Municipal areas are the epicenters of the outbreak, accounting for 95% of the reported infections.

Environmental surveillance has identified contaminated vegetables—particularly salads, leaves, and green peppers sold by food vendors—as the primary source of the infections, linking them to 96% of cases.

In response, the WRCC has imposed an immediate ban on the sale of vegetables by food vendors throughout the region. Violators will face prosecution under the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851). The ban will remain in effect until health authorities deem it safe to resume such sales.

The WRCC has also issued a stern warning to the general public, urging residents to avoid purchasing or consuming vegetables from food vendors. Those using vegetables for domestic purposes are advised to ensure they are properly cleaned and treated before consumption.

Oliver Cromwell, the Regional Environmental Health Analyst, emphasised the urgency of these measures, stating, “Protecting public health is our top priority. We cannot afford to lose more lives to preventable infections. We are counting on the public’s cooperation to curb this outbreak.”

The WRCC said it remained committed to ensuring the health and safety of residents and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

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The Electoral Commission (EC) rescheduled the exercise after a leakage of ballot papers was detected in the two regions, prompting swift action to safeguard the credibility of the election process.

The EC ordered a recall and reprinting of the ballot papers for the affected regions. The Commission’s Chairperson, Jean Mensa, announced this decision during an emergency news conference on Sunday, 1st December.

The recall was deemed necessary to ensure the voting process’s integrity before the 2024 General Election.

For this year’s general election, there are 328 special voting centres nationwide, accommodating 131,478 voters on the special voting list.

These include members of the security services, media personnel, and election officials, who vote ahead of the general populace to allow them to perform their duties on election day.

Speaking on Wednesday, 4th December, a Deputy Chairperson of the EC, Dr Bossman Asare, confirmed the Commission’s readiness for today’s special voting exercise in the Western and Eastern Regions.

He assured the public that all necessary preparations had been completed to ensure a smooth and transparent process in the two regions.

“The Electoral Commission is very much ready for the special voting tomorrow [Thursday]. All the materials that are required for the elections have been dispatched to the two regions, that is the Western Region and the Eastern Region.

“So we do expect that all those who are special voters in these two regions, regardless of where they are located now, will be able to make it to their special voting centres,” he said.

He further explained that there would be 33 voting centres in the Eastern Region and 17 in the Western Region, urging all registered special voters in these areas to participate in the process.

Dr Asare also emphasised that those who fail to vote on Thursday will not have the opportunity to do so on Saturday, 7 December.

For the 2024 general election, there are 328 special voting centres across the country and 131,478 voters on the special voting list.

The Electoral Commission has ordered a recall and reprinting of ballot papers for the Eastern and Western Regions after a leakage was detected with the initial ballot papers.

The Commission’s Chairperson, Jean Mensa announced this at an emergency news conference on Sunday, December 1.

According to the Commission, this has become necessary after it was informed by National Security that a single defaced paper was taken out of Checkpoint Printing Limited Printing House.

The defaced paper was earmarked for destruction but unfortunately found its way out of the firm which has been working with the Commission since 1992.

The reprinting will be done by BuckPress and Innolink.

As a result, it announced the suspension of the special voting exercise which is due to start tomorrow, Monday, for the two regions whose ballot papers were printed by Checkpoint Printing Limited Printing House.

The two regions will have their special voting on Thursday, December 5, before the general election on Saturday, December 7.

It says the security features of ballots for the two regions will be enhanced to differentiate them from the ones that have gone out.

The Commission said the total recall is to ensure the integrity of the election.

It says all parties and contestants in the election have been informed of the development and have agreed to the recall and reprinting.

Before this incident, the EC similarly reprinted ballot papers for Ahafo and the Volta Region due to some errors with the initial printing.

The Commission has also detected some shortfall in the ballot papers dispatched to some regions and is working to fix the anomaly.

Mr. Siah has vowed that Dr. Bawumia will win by no less than 53% of the votes in the region.

The Chairman made this statement in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, with 12 days remaining until the highly anticipated electoral process.

Additionally, Mr. Siah declared that the NPP will flip three seats from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to secure 12 of the 15 parliamentary seats in the region.

“We are all earnestly praying and waiting for December 7. I will secure 12 seats and leave the NDC with 5,” he said.

“I have been the Regional Chairman for almost 12 years, and I know what I’m saying. The NPP secured 3 seats in Western North under my tenure. I’m winning the Western region hands down,” he added.

In a related development, former NPP National Chairman, Freddie Blay, stated in October 2024 that the party will win the majority of seats in the region.

As a former Ellembelle MP, Mr. Blay, speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen program, cited that the NPP will win back the Jomoro, Ellembelle, and Evalue-Gwira seats, which are currently held by the NDC.

He acknowledged that there have been a few issues that contributed to the NPP’s loss of these seats, particularly in Ellembelle.

However, it is not clear if these are the same three seats Mr. Siah has set his sights on.

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The objective of this retail campaign, the team noted is to win first-time voters and make undecided electorates choose the NDC as the best alternative party during the polls.

The campaign, dubbed “An evening encounter with electorates,” commenced on Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, in the Shama Constituency.

The campaign team led by the Western Regional Youth Organiser, Alhaji Mustapha Iddrisu, will cover all orphan constituencies in the Western Region, except the Shama Constituency.

Speaking in an interview with journalists, the commander of the youth wing, explained that the purpose of the retail campaign is to acknowledge the vital role of first-time voters in the scheme of affairs during the national electoral exercise, and to also establish contact with many of the electorates who appear undecided ahead of the December crucial polls.

“We want to improve the electoral fortunes of the party in the Western Region and the only way the party can do that, is to prudently deploy the youth to areas considered as the red zones, to inspire the electorates to vote massively for our party,” he said.

According to the NDC Regional Youth Organiser, although there is a general call for a change of government in the country which has become essential following the display of abysmal performance by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), the youth wing would not rest and rely on the wind of change blowing nationwide, but would intensify their activities through the retail campaign to woo voters.

He said “We are doing this retail campaign with a different mindset, while departing strategically from the usual norm of converging at one spot to address the electorates. We know we are winning the elections, but our margin of victory must be unprecedented and historic in our democratic dispensation”.

Explaining the primary focus of the youth wing in achieving this herculean task, he said “We want to win most of the orphan constituencies in our region, and successfully break the monopoly of the NPP in the urban and peri-urban areas in our region, and yes we can do it”.

Consequently, Alhaji Mustapha Iddrisu charged the various youth working committee members to pay detailed attention to the ultimate goal of the youth wing and work according to plans and instructions.

“I have charged the various committees under the youth wing, deployed across the nook and cranny of our region, to ensure that they do effective campaigning while ensuring that truly, they are applying the retail module to catch the attention of first-time voters and as many as possible, those who fall within the undecided bracket.

“We must widen the NDC victory gap while using the youth wing as the springboard. In terms of the separation of powers within the party. We are, internally the army of the party and as the commander of this strong army in the region, I have the conviction that my team and I would deliver victory to our party.

The party, according to the Regional Youth Organizer would not abandon the youth when victory is secured and therefore, their contribution must be felt at the polls hence “the all-out campaign” deployed regionally and across orphan constituencies.

Sekondi, Takoradi, Effia, Essikado Ketan, Kwesimintsim, Ahanta West, Shama, and Tarkwa Nsuaem Constituencies are the orphan Constituencies of the NDC. These seats are currently being occupied by the NPP.

But, the NDC Youth Organizer says the tables would turn after the December elections considering the work the party has done.

“It would shock our opponents. They would smell and experience an unbelievable defeat ever suffered.

They may not believe their eyes, seeing the seats we are going to snatch from them after winning the region, considering the work we are doing, and the modus operandi being applied. We are convinced and certainly sure, of achieving our target “he concluded.

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Consequently, the party has called on electorates within the urban centers of Sekondi-Takoradi, Essikado-Ketan, Shama, Kwesimintsim, and Effia to embrace the good policies of the party ahead of the December polls.

The target of the party is to win Effia Constituency and some of these seats within Sekondi-Takoradi, which have been traditionally held by the New Patriotic Party NPP.

Since 1996, all the seats within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area have been won by the NPP in all elections conducted.

But, the NDC is now aiming at breaking the jinx, with the target to win the Effia seat currently being occupied by the outgoing MP Joseph Cudjoe.

The incumbent MP is exiting Parliament following his defeat at his party’s parliamentary primary though he has already spent 12 years in Parliament.

According to the NDC, the main seats available for grabs in the December elections are, Sekondi, Takoradi, Essikado-Ketan, Shama, Kwesimintsim, and Effia constituencies.

The leadership of the party made this commitment while addressing an enthusiastic crowd of party sympathizers at the campaign launch of the NDC Parliamentary candidate for Effia Constituency, Abdul Majeed Nasam Dokurigu.

The leadership of the NDC categorically penciled down the Effia seat as one of the seats readily up for grabs.

Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, confirmed the position of the party ahead of the crucial polls.

On his part, the Western Regional Communications Officer of NDC, Richard Kirk-Mensah, outlined the major issues troubling electorates in the Effia constituency and across the region.

According to him, health, education, and jobs have been difficult in the region because of the poor performances of the NPP legislators in the urban centers.

The NDC Parliamentary candidate for Effia Constituency, Abdul Majeed Nasam Dokurigu, also addressed the electorates and assured them of providing better servant leadership.

The candidate later presented industrial sewing machines, hair dryers, barbering kits, and other working tools to tailors, seamstresses, and hairdressers in the constituency.

He assured the beneficiaries that the gesture formed part of the efforts being made to expand opportunities for job creation in the area.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

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The bridge served as the link between Princess Town, Abase, Tumantu, Animakrom, Adelazo, Silimowu, Asuboye, and Aketakyi areas.

The collapse had left around 6,000 residents isolated, disrupting key economic activities such as fishing, rubber, and timber farming, and posing a significant national security threat.

The Human Security Department of the Ministry of National Security, in collaboration with the Ghana Highways Authority, undertook the swift reconstruction of a 22km Bailey bridge in Princess Town.

This project aimed to reconnect the communities and address the economic, health, social, and security challenges that arose due to the bridge’s collapse.

By reconstructing the bridge, the Ministry of National Security demonstrated its commitment to addressing critical infrastructural issues.

This effort not only revived economic activities in the region but also reduced the risk of unrest and external threats.

The project serves as a vital step in ensuring the stability and security of the affected communities.

Source: National Security

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Cheddar as he is popularly known speaking at the launch of his 12-pillar policy document, said the region as “by far the richest region, if not in Ghana, on the continent.”

He therefore believes that developing the region would position Ghana as a global powerhouse, capable of “supplying Africa and even supplying the world.”

The equipment includes bulldozers, wheel loaders, concrete mixers, low beds, motor graders, water tankers, tipper trucks, backhoes, and rollers.

The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, at the launch of the construction equipment for MMDAs at Apremdo, near Takoradi, explained that the President’s vision goes beyond just constructing roads.

“DRIP is about creating a connected and thriving Ghana, where every district, no matter how remote, feels the impact of progress. This initiative would ensure the progress and prosperity of the country at the local level.”

According to the regional minister, DRIP is the largest investment ever made in the Local Government Sector, providing nearly 1,500 equipment to MMDAs across the country.

“This is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to improving local infrastructure by giving Local Authorities the tools they need to effect meaningful change in their local communities.”

The DRIP project is expected to create nearly 8,000 direct jobs, stimulate local economic development, reduce post-harvest losses since farmers will have improved roads to transport their farm produce to market and improve general service delivery across the country.

He assured the MMDAs that the Western Regional Co-ordinating Council seized with the mandate to co-ordinate the activities of MMDAs in the region, will closely monitor the effective utilization of this equipment.

“Adequate preparations have been made for the maintenance and fueling of the earth-moving equipment and to effectively resolve all the pending issues concerning the smooth implementation of the programme.”

With regards to the training of operators and drivers, he mentioned that 30 participants from each MMDA will receive training on the use of these machines. In all, 420 operators and drivers will be trained for the region.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) of Mpohor District of the Western Region, Ignatius Assah Mensah, lauded the government for this initiative, saying, “This will bring a total transformation in the district.

“He explained that the district had no tarred road until recently when the government awarded the road on contract. “Work has already started; there are many roads in my district which are in a deplorable state, and this affects our traders because crops and other vegetables, which are supposed to be transported to the markets and other urban centres, get rotten.”

The equipment, he said, has been received at the right time, “it will open up certain routes, make some of the roads accessible, as well as make transportation easier for all, especially our traders.”

Source: Adomonline

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Following her tour, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the facilities operations, observing that they are functioning effectively and aligning with the region’s development goals.

“These facilities provide a sustainable solution to uncontrolled dumping of medical waste and faecal sludge,” she emphasised.

Lydia Alhassan also highlighted the government’s plans to collaborate with the private sector to invest in the sanitation sector, aiming to establish more facilities nationwide.

The visit was part of the minister’s familiarisation tour, having assumed office in May this year, aimed at gaining firsthand insight into development projects in the region.

She stressed the importance of such plants in supporting development goals, aiming to treat all waste from Tarkwa, Nzema, and Ahanta.

She mentioned the upcoming operation of the IRECOP facility, delayed due to capacity upgrades, which will recycle about 90% of the region’s waste, generating employment opportunities.

The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, noted that the projects were now operational, with the facility processing 10 trucks of waste daily, aiming to direct more waste to the facility.

He added that the plant also produces end products meeting international standards.

The €20 million Takoradi Wastewater Treatment Plant, a joint project involving Jospong Group, Pureco Kft, Ecosteryl, Sewage Systems Ghana Ltd, and the ministry, aims to transform waste management systems in the region.

The facility treats 10,000 cubic meters of faecal matter daily using European technology.

The project includes a centralized medical waste treatment plant to collect and treat hazardous healthcare waste.

Lydia Alhassan also used the opportunity to inspect the Tarkordi-Sekondi water expansion project in Daboase, which was about 65% complete.

Source: Adomonline

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A statement issued by GWCL on Thursday, April 25, said the interruption is due to a power outage at the Inchaban and Daboase Water Treatment Plants.

GWL clarified that the interruption is a direct consequence of the power outage, which has affected the plants’ ability to treat and supply water to the affected areas.

In response to the situation, GWL has been in communication with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), which has assured them of efforts to resolve the power issue promptly.

The company has also assured its customers that water supply will resume immediately upon the restoration of power to the treatment plants.

“Management of Ghana Water Ltd in the Western Region wishes to inform the public that due to a power outage at the Inchaban and Daboase Water Treatment Plants, water supply to the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis has been interrupted. Engineers of Electricity Company of Ghana Limited have assured us that they are working around the clock to resolve the problem and restore power supply.”

“Management assures our cherished customers that as soon as power supply is restored to the plants, water supply to the metropolis will resume. We apologize unreservedly for any inconvenience this supply interruption may have caused,” it stated.

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Effective today (April 11, 2023), the fare adjustments have impacted various routes. For instance, the fare from Takoradi to Kwei-Kuma has increased from GH₵6.00 to GH₵7.20 pesewas, while the journey from Takoradi to Accra now costs GH₵78, up from GH₵65.

Similarly, the fare from Agona-Nkwanta to Akwaada has risen to GH₵18 from the previous GH₵15, and the route from Sekondi to Takoradi now costs GH₵6, up from GH₵5.

A regional executive member of the GPRTU, speaking anonymously to the Daily Graphic in Takoradi, explained that the fare hike is not unique to the Western Region. Reports from other regions suggest they are also implementing similar adjustments.

The decision to increase fares is attributed to the escalating costs of fuel, spare parts, and other operational factors. The GPRTU official urged passengers to report any unauthorized fare charges by drivers to the union.

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The Takoradi Forest District Office of the Forest Services Division had information that some illegal miners were operating in the Reserve at a portion near the Morrison Community.

A team of nine staff, made up of Rapid Response Unit staff and Forest Guards, was quickly dispatched to the site to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the information.

Upon arrival in the Reserve, three members were left in the operation vehicle, and the rest walked through the forest for over an hour, to the illegal mining site.

From afar, the team members spotted a dugout pit with illegal miners busily carrying out what is known as “dig and wash”.

The team members decided to take different routes to enable them to encircle the illegal miners and arrest them.

According to a member of the team, a few minutes after they had taken their different routes to the pit, he heard gunshots and therefore became alert, looking out for signs of danger.

He moved forward a bit and saw the illegal miners running into the forest, leaving their working tools behind.

He said a few minutes later, he heard one of his team members screaming and calling out to the rest of the members of the team to come to the aid of Mr Konlan because he had been shot.

The Team, therefore, called off the entire exercise, carried Mr Konlan, who was vomiting blood at the time, and walked through the forest for over an hour, back to where their vehicle was parked.

They took him to the Effia Nkwanta Government Hospital in the Western Region. He was referred to the Cape Coast Regional Hospital for further treatment.

From there, he was referred to the University of Ghana Medical Center in Accra, where he was admitted but has since been discharged and asked to report for a review in the next two weeks.

A CT Scan carried out on Mr Konlan indicated, among others, that a “Non-contrast serial axial CT scan of the head with bone windows shows multiple metallic bullets, one located in the left temporoparietal, went through the bone into the brain from the left temporal and parietal to the left occipital and into the right lobes”.

“There are other bullets that did not enter the brain or fracture any bone; 2 are left in the left frontal scalp, one in the left parietal at the vertex, multiple lodged close to the angle of the left mandible, and one in the soft tissue of the right neck”.

The case has since been reported to the Takoradi Central Police Station and no arrest has been made so far.

Staff of the Rapid Response Team have come under serious attack from illegal forest operators in recent times.

This is the second in a period of six weeks, with the last one, being the kidnapping of Mr Vitus Yourdong in the Asukese Forest Reserve in the Bono Region.

He was part of a Rapid Response Team deployed into the Reserve to arrest illegal chainsaw operators.

He was captured and kept by his captors for over two weeks, after which he was dumped at a refuse site at Nkwakaw- Asona in the Eastern Region.

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She was speaking at the opening of a Western Regional Development Forum organised by the Nana Kobina Nketsia IV Trust at Busua.

Madam Amissah Arthur, who also hails from the Nzema area, questioned why both political and traditional leaders have failed the region.

“We have all known for a long time that our region has been neglected, helpless and that we have no legacy. But my question is, has it taken us so long to come together and deliberate on how we can change this narrative?

“Yes! We might have met in our pockets to talk about this issue before, but have we met as a serious group to deliberate? Are we happy to let the region deteriorate? Is there something that is preventing us, or are we in denial? Whatever it is, we have let our people down,” she said.

Matilda Amissah Arthur further stated that the current low level of development in the region could be interpreted by the people as a testament to the fact that leaders in the region are not serious.

“The chiefs, clergy, civil society, the media, we have all given the people of Western Region reason not to take us seriously or trust us. Where have you been as chiefs? Where have you been when all the lands are being taken over by galamsey?

“Some say that you have sold our land. Some say that you have fronted for big men in Ghana and from abroad and that some even say that you have been given huge sums of money, even though I don’t see in on,” she opined.

The former Second Lady, while galvanizing the region’s leadership towards development, intimated that they can only ensure that the Western Region is given what it deserves as the producer of the bulk of Ghana’s minerals, cash crops and others if the people and leadership forge ahead together in a Busua Consensus.

The Western Regional Development Forum, an initiative by the Nana Kobina Nketsia IV Trust is a week-long initiative that has attracted stakeholders including chiefs, technocrats, civil society, political functionaries, youth leaders, priests, governmental representatives and security officials, among others from the Western to discuss the development of the Western Region.

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The expected export value of the hub is US$60 billion and would create 680,000 jobs for the people. 

Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Western Regional Minister, who said this at the Minister’s briefing dubbed: “The State of the Region Report” in Accra on Wednesday, said the hub would be a major growth pole for the nation. 

The Minister said the petroleum enclave was in line with the Government’s plan to make the Region the hub for oil and gas activities. 

Some of the key infrastructure expected in the hub include jetties, storage tanks, refineries, liquefied natural gas facilities, power and fertilizer plants. 

Residential and commercial areas, security and emergency response area, waste management centre, water treatment plant and light to medium industrial area were the other facilities expected to be constructed in the hub. 

Mr Darko-Mensah used the media encounter to update the public on major infrastructure projects and social interventions implemented by the Government since 2017, as well as ongoing ones. 

The Minister, for instance, mentioned the tier-three PTC interchange in Takoradi, which was 58 percent completed and expected to be ready in July next year. 

The Takoradi Central Market Re-development Project, which was 68 percent completed at an estimated cost of 48 million euros would also be ready in February 2024. 

The government, he said, had constructed an automated oil jetty at the Takoradi Port, created a modern container terminal at the Port, began the construction of a Forward Operating Base at Ezinlibo to enable the military to protect the country’s petroleum installations and respond swiftly to any security emergency. 

It had also completed fishing harbour and landing beaches in Axim and Dixcove respectively, with facilities such as fish markets, net mending places, cold rooms, warehouses, day care centres, administration blocks and power rooms.  

The 25-million-dollar Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) operational headquarters was also progressing steadily. 

Mr Darko-Mensah noted that all those infrastructure projects were in tandem with the vision of becoming a model region where all persons could effectively participate in the productive assets of the Region for wealth creation. 

On Free Senior High School Policy,  Mr Darko-Mensah observed that the policy had increased school enrolment by 483 percent from 13,310 in 2017 to 63,631 beneficiaries. 

Meanwhile, a total of 104 educational facilities, comprising classroom blocks, dormitories, dining halls and ICT centres had been completed in the Region since 2017 to date. 

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Under the government’s “One-District, One-Factory” flagship programme, a total of 48 companies were approved to receive support out of which seven were operational thus creating direct and indirect jobs for the people. 

The Regional Minister stated that the sea defense projects at Amanful-Kuma, Adjoa, Funkoe and Aboadze had been completed, thereby protecting the coastline communities from the devastation of the high tidal waves. 

Of the 68 road contracts awarded for bitumen surfacing constituting 1,104 kilometres only 152 kilometres were constructed. 

He mentioned other critical trunk roads in the Region that were being constructed including the 63km Agona-Nkwanta-Tarkwa road, which was 18 per cent completed. The 60km Tarkwa-Damang road had been completed while the dualisation of the Paa Grant road through to SECO was ongoing. 

The Minister announced that of the 1,959 km of the roads being worked on in the Region only 250km had been done and, thus, expressed grave concerns about the lackadaisical attitudes of some of the contractors. 

In view of that, Mr Darko-Mensah said he had recommended the termination of some of the road contracts and reward them to new contractors.

The disbursement exercise, which took place on Wednesday and Thursday, in Takoradi and Tarkwa respectively, saw a hundred beneficiaries in Takoradi and two hundred and twenty-seven beneficiaries in Tarkwa receive support for their businesses.

Speaking on the occasion CEO of MASLOC, Abibata Zakariah expressed sympathy with the beneficiaries, many of whom were victims of the Takoradi makeshift market fire incidence that razed down over 100 shops six months ago.

She noted that the incident has had a significant impact on the businesses and livelihoods of these market women thus necessitating the need for the disbursement of these Group loans.

Madam Zakariah went on to say that due to the situation described above, she had to increase the number of beneficiaries from an initial 50 individuals to 100 in order to assist them revamp their businesses.

Beneficiaries who received amounts ranging from a ₵1,000 to ₵2,000 expressed their willingness to repay these loans in order to access an increased amount in future disbursements.

Engaging beneficiaries in Tarkwa, CEO of MASLOC stated that the market women are a very strategic component in driving the economy and there is always a need to support them with these loans to help boost their businesses.

Madam Zakariah, on the other hand, used the occasion to urge all beneficiaries to make a concerted effort to repay these loans which will contribute to the overall goal of sustaining MASLOC’s revolving funds.

In response to press inquiries, she emphasized that the institution’s loans are distributed to Ghanaians between the ages of 18 and 65 who qualify for microloans to support their businesses.

MASLOC’s Regional Manager, Malik Botwey, went on to say that they had taken steps to fully orient the market women on the terms of the loan and added his voice to the call for these beneficiaries to repay their loans in order to help them access higher amounts in the future.

Speaking to the beneficiaries in Tarkwa, Member of Parliament for Tarkwa Nsuaem constituency and Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, expressed gratitude to MASLOC for disbursing these loans to beneficiaries in his constituency.

He also asserted that he would assist in sensitizing beneficiaries to repay these loans on time so that these disbursements could be extended to many more people in the future.

In addition, Mr Duker informed the CEO of MASLOC that he has submitted an application for support through the institution’s hire purchase scheme items such as sewing machines, hair dryers, and saloon cars for the youth in his constituency who meet the eligibility requirements.

The disbursements in Takoradi and Tarkwa which forms part of a series of upcoming disbursements were attended by Mr. Paul Sarbeng Deputy CEO for Operations and Kwabena Asamoah Deputy CEO for Finance and Administration and Issah Iddrisu Amadu, Head of credit at MASLOC.

Alhaji Bawa, according to reports, passed on on Thursday, September 22, 2022.

This was after he was rushed to the Effiankwanta Regional Hospital after failing ill but could not survive.

He was 74.

The deceased replaced Chief Imam Sheikh Ustaz Dr Ali Hassan Ali, who died after having occupied the position for some years.

Alhaji Bawa was installed as Chief Imam in May 2022.

Tributes have since been pouring in on social media in his honour with the body buried in accordance with Islamic traditions.

The criminals cut and stole several electrical components belonging to the State electricity distribution company opposite the Takoradi cemetery.

The subsequent day, the thieves went back to “finish the job”.

Unfortunately, luck eluded one of the thieves as he was caught by some residents who had heard about the Saturday robbery and have since been vigilant.

“According to those who caught the guy, ever since the last theft case, they have been vigilant. So, Sunday evening at about 7 pm they saw some young men scaled the wall of Station B into the yard. They became alarmed. They monitored them and saw them working on some conductors with pliers. So, they went after them. They were able to catch one of them. The rest managed to escape.

“The young men decided to play the watch over role because according to them, they have learned that these theft cases are contributing to the localised outages. And they say, it is affecting their appliances.”

Benjamin Quarcoo, Regional PRO, was full of praise for the young men who caught the thief and called for more of such vigilance to help arrest persons who are stealing from ECG.

“We are happy with how the public is helping us in arresting these unpatriotic members of society. We are encouraged to renew and sustain our efforts.

“The public should know that these theft cases affect all of us and must continue to offer the necessary assistance to arrest these thieves. And we are sure the localised outages, due to theft cases, will reduce,” he said.

He has warned the company will continue to vigorously pursue persons who have been targeting and stealing their installations, till the last one is caught.

“If they have decided to cause problems for us, then they should be ready. We will not relent in our efforts to ensure that the last one of them is caught.

“We will also take personal interest to ensure that they are duly punished in accordance with the laws of the country.”

Four of the suspects, Shadrack Nyame, Wofa Yaw Boadi, Sampson Attobra and Kweku Koduah were arrested at their hideout at Wassa Powuako after they had robbed their victims of an amount of GHc 42,360.00 and some mobile phones at a section of the road between Wassa Powuako and Wassa Abenabena.

Three others; Samuel Amuzu, Francis Acheampong and William Kwifie were arrested for attacking and robbing their victims of various sums of money and some gold ore at Yayaso village near Samreboi.

Items so far retrieved from the suspects include cash of GH₵ 1,480, a quantity of gold ore, one pump action gun, seven AAA live ammunition and one spent cartridge.

The police announced the arrest in a statement which indicated the suspects are in custody and will be taken through the due process of the law.

“We commend the Western Regional Police Command for conducting this successful operation. We are also thankful to the victims and community members who assisted in the operation.

“We continue to urge the public to support the police to maintain a safe and secure environment for all,” the statement added.

According to the Service, reports of such a condition purported to have been sighted in the Western Region must be disregarded.

This follows a viral social media post alleging that the country had recorded its first case.

There are now about 237 confirmed and suspected cases of monkeypox worldwide.

The UN Health agency have announced plans to contain the virus.

Symptoms can be very similar to those experienced by smallpox patients, although they are less clinically severe, albeit visually dramatic, with raised pustules and fever in the most severe cases that can last from two to four weeks.

Some of these symptoms were physically seen in the image that accompanied the social media post which many feared could be Ghana’s patient zero.

But the GHS in a statement on Wednesday explained that “an individual reported to a facility in the Ahanta West Municipality in the Western Region with blisters.”

However, “initial assessment of case is not suggestive of monkeypox.”

The statement signed by Western Regional Director of Heath Services, Dr Yaw Ofori Yeboah, indicated that more probes are being conducted.

On the back of this, the GHS says it is on high alert and will provide updates to the public about further developments.

The event is scheduled to take place at the Sekondi Youth Centre in the Western Region.

This follows a first edition in the Eastern Regional Capital, Koforidua last week.

The exercise forms part of series of engagements aimed at explaining the basics and importance of the E-levy as well as to take feedback and inputs from relevant stakeholders that will inform the government’s implementation.

Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Sekondi Member of Parliament (MP) and Deputy Energy Minister; Andrew Egyapa Mercer, Central Regional Minister; Justina Marigold Assan and Western Regional Minister and Takoradi MP; Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah are expected to speak at the exercise.

Also in attendance will be sector-specific Civil Society Organisations and other relevant industry stakeholders.

The E-levy is a new tax measure introduced by the government in the 2022 Budget on basic transactions related to digital payments and electronic platform transactions.

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This means a charge of 1.75% will apply to electronic transactions that are more than GH¢100.00 on a daily basis (24 hours).

The session, being organised by the Ministry of Information, will be live on various television networks in the country as well as the Ministry’s social media pages.

The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon.

The town has been wiped out as human bodies are reportedly mutilated with buildings and other structures completely destroyed.

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The Police and other emergency service providers have currently activated a full emergency recovery exercise.

The Prestea-Huni Valley National Disaster Management Organisation(NADMO) Director, Francis Abeku Yankah in an interview with Adom News said the victims have been rushed to various health facilities in the area.

Mr Yankah explained the Municipal Chief Executive Officer (MCE) has also initiated steps to get a temporal accommodation for residents.

“We have been able to secure a big hall from the Catholic Church we call the Parish hall at Bogoso to spend the night. We will give them food and mattresses until tomorrow to know the way forward,” he said.

He further appealed to relevant authorities and well-meaning Ghanaians to come to the aid of the community.

Police reports explain the gang embarked on two robbery attacks on 7th and 8th January 2022 at Wassa Akropong and Mpohor in the Western Region.

They attacked their victims with an array of weapons including a locally manufactured pistol, cutlasses and a dagger.

They bolted from the crime scenes with various items including a motorbike, mobile phones, and a cash amount of Ghc 2,700.

The suspects identified as Godwin Boah, Philemon Essien, Emmanuel Yaley, Mohammed Sumaila, Evans Amarh, Patrick Aboah, Augustine Nana Abaka, Kwabena Acquah and Godfred Akwah are currently in police custody.

Suspect Philemon Essien who sustained a gunshot wound on his hand and suspect Emmanuel Yaley who sustained non-gun-shot-related injuries during the arrest were sent to Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital where they were admitted for treatment, and are under Police guard.

Items retrieved from the suspects include a cash amount of Ghc 2,200.00, a motorbike, and an Opel taxi with Registration no. WR 3186-14 which have been impounded for further investigation.

The police are on the lookout for two of the suspects who managed to escape.

Meanwhile, the Service has commended community members of Wassa Appiahkrom and Ayiem for supporting the police in effecting the arrests.

“We equally commend the personnel of the Western Regional Command for their patriotic services towards ensuring peace and security in the region.

“Indeed, Police-Community partnership is the master key to crime-fighting. Let us, therefore, continue to work together for safer communities,” the police stated.

The suspects have been identified as Patrick Baidoo, aged 18, and two students, all 17.

However, the police won’t make public the names of their schools due to security reasons.

Police sources indicate the trio confessed to committing the crime.

The Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olivia Adiku, has announced the suspects will be arraigned and charged accordingly.

“At about 5:00 pm on December 24, our team from the Regional Intelligence and Operation Unit, based on some intelligence, conducted an operation and arrested three suspects. All these three are [SHS] students.

“They were arrested in connection with the Bolt driver who was severely burnt on December 22, 2021,” she announced.

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DSP Adiku further revealed that the suspects will be charged with robbery and murder following the death of the driver who was also a naval officer.

“Unfortunately, the Bolt driver has passed on. The suspects confessed that they wanted to steal the car from him. When they got to Baka-Ano, and they asked him to hand over the keys, he refused, hence they poured the petrol on him and burnt him. The three are currently in our custody and would be put before court on the charges of robbery and murder,” she detailed.

The victim, AB1 Boateng Okyere, who was at the Effa Nkwanta Hospital, died after being transferred to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.

The name of the alleged victim has been given as Stephanie Kumiwaa, 26.

3news reports that Stephen Kumi, who is the boyfriend of the victim, told Connect FM the last time he spoke with her was on Sunday, October 17.

According to him, on that fateful day, Miss Kumiwaa, a resident of Mpohor told him she would be coming to visit him after church.

“I didn’t hear from her again after the long chat on phone, only for me to be called the next day by some guys using my girlfriend’s phone that they had kidnapped her and that I should pay GHS2,000 otherwise she would be raped and used for rituals,” he recounted.

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According to him, after days of back and forth, he and a friend of the alleged victim, whose name has only been given as Sandra, contributed GHS1,000 and sent it to the guys through her phone, only for the alleged kidnappers to still demand another GHS2,000.

The case was then reported to the Mpohor Police and the Assembly member of the town.

As of November 1, 2021, the whereabouts of the lady

is yet to be known while the alleged kidnappers have not been heard from for over a week.

Narrating details of the incident, assembly member for Asemasa electoral area, Jude Kamfa, said the brawl was triggered by a mobile phone theft case that happened on July 29, 2021.

According to him, some young men from Kamfakrom allegedly attacked a woman from Ampatano at her farm and stole her phone, however, they were apprehended and sent to the chief’s palace.

He said the chief then called him to have the suspects picked by the police, but he suggested that the suspects be brought to the police station since he was not available. He said he was told residents of Kamfakrom had blocked the road which leads to Ampatano town preventing the arrest of the suspects.

He said he then proceeded to report the incident to the Agona Nkwanta police commander but was told there was no police car available and so a taxi was picked accompanied by five policemen. He noted they were able to pick these suspects and returned them to the town on bail.

He further revealed that upon his return to the town later that day, he was attacked by residents of Kamfakrom who stoned him and damaged the windscreen of the car he was in.

On Saturday, July 31, 2021, he said a youth from Kamfakrom threatened to beat anyone who would return to the Kamfakrom School. In retaliation, the youth of Ampatano pursued the youth of Kamfakrom which ended in five persons from Ampatano sustaining gun injuries.

He further noted that although the Agona Nkwanta Police command, as well as the SWAT, visited the town, residents of Kamfakrom remained adamant as they blocked the road preventing commercial vehicles from operating.

Mr Kamfa revealed the towns remained unstable as of Sunday, August 1, 2021.

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When contacted, the Western Regional Police Public Relations Officer DSP Olivia Ewurabena Adiku revealed that calm has been restored to both towns. She indicated the police have commenced investigations but no arrest has been made.

She added the five people, all males, are responding to treatment at the Dixcove government hospital.

On Monday, he will pay a courtesy call on Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Regional Minister as well as the Regional Security Council (REGSEC).

The Minister will also visit the palace of Nana Kobina Nketsia V, the Esikado-Omanhene before he starts his meetings of the Regional Land and Forest sector agencies.

He will end his day’s agenda with a meeting with the Municipal Chief Executive and District Chief Executives in the region.

The Damongo MP will on Tuesday morning begin his day interacting with the mining city of Tarkwa before proceeding to inspect a Mineral Development Fund (MDF) Infrastructural Projects at University of Mines and Technology.

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He will also visit the AngloGold (Iduapriem Mines).

Mr Abdulai Jinapor will also visit a Mining Community Site and end his day with a meeting with Small Scale Mining Association.

Since he took office, the Minister has been touching base with agencies under his ministry to familiarize himself with them and have first hand knowledge of happening in the sector.

The deceased, identified as Roger Anabah, and said to hail from the Northern Region, was engaged in the construction of a fence wall at the Volta River Authority (VRA) area.

The incident occurred on Friday, December 25, around 1300 hours and the body is yet to be retrieved.

Eyewitnesses told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the deceased was seen swimming in the sea but they later realised he was groping for breath.

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An attempt to rescue him failed, the witnesses said. 

The incident was reported to the Assembly Member as well as the unit committee and the youth in the area to mount a search to retrieve the body but they were unsuccessful.

Mr. Emmanuel Avevor, the Assembly Member for the area, confirmed the incident and admonished the public to be wary of swimming in the sea during the festive season.

The incident has since been reported to the Police at Aboadze for investigations.

Agya Akwasi Marfo Akwaboa Gyan, the 106-year-old man, married to 35-year-old Akua Asabea Gyan, has recounted how he managed to propose to the latter.

According to Agyaba as he is widely known, he was very shy making his intentions known to then Miss Asabea due to the age difference.

He disclosed this on Adom TV’s Badwam show while narrating their marital journey.

“The affection for her grew over time as she stayed in my house as a herbalist who was treating her sister and I really admired the way she went about her duties,” he recounted.

Agyapa noted he had stayed single for 10 years after he lost his wife, adding his only solace was his farm.

“I was so sure she was the one and I had fallen in love with but couldn’t declare my intention due to my age but at a point, I had to,” he noted.

Surprisingly, Agyaba noted the family did not hesitate to accept the proposal after he confronted the would-be in-laws.

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 “When I was treating her sister, it was more like they had given her to me because they told me if she dies, I should bury her.

“But if she survives, I should give her hand in marriage to my nephew. So they were very happy about my proposal to their daughter due to her past experience with the young man,” he bragged.

Watch the video attached above:

New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Western regional General secretary, Charles Bisue, has sent an important message to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the December polls.

This comes on the back of the ‘snub’ from some residents in the region who met the NDC’s running mate, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.

A viral video captured the NDC’s vice-presidential candidate touring a part of the Western region without a crowd.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang was seen waving residents from her V8 vehicle but they looked unconcerned and went about their normal duties.

A situation Mr Bissue believes does not augur well for the party in the area with regards to the 2020 election.

“In Axim, if the MP, Catherine Afeku should drive through the principal streets, market women and all will troop in to cheer her up but for a vice presidential candidate to face this, it does not speak well,” he said.

He sent the message of caution while speaking on Prime Morning on Joy Prime.

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To him, the party’s strategists need to rethink, adding if they are convinced that is not the real situation, they can bring out a counter video.

“Takoradi Market Circle is a place that if you will win the election, you will know when you drive through the place. So they should have gone out to assess the place before sending in whoever it was,” he added.

Listen to Mr Bissue in the video attached above: