Day: December 19, 2023

Shalimar Abbuisi, the Belgian Spokesperson for the New Force, a political group, has been discharged by the Kaneshie District Court.

The court also struck out the charge against her and ordered that the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) release Shalimar’s iPhone to her.

At the court today (Tuesday), the prosecution, led by Assistant Commissioner of Immigration (ACI) Adolf Aboagye Asenso told the court presided over by Nana Abena Owusu Amenyo that ‘my instruction is that the charge against the accused person be withdrawn.’

ACI Asenso did not oppose the application by the defence counsel inviting the court to order the release of the accused person’s phone.

The prosecution explained that the phone was not in the custody of the GIS, adding the said phone was sent to the NIB.

Mr Francis Xavier Sosu, lead Counsel for Shalimar, informed the court that they had before it a motion on notice praying the court to release Shalimar’s iPhone 13 Pro Max to her.

According to t
he defence counsel, the NIB after the last Court sitting said they did not find anything incriminatory against the accused persons.

It prayed for the court to reduce the number of times the accused persons should be reporting to the GIS.

Mr Sosu said the defence team would ascertain the documents in the custody of the GIS and that should his client breach any of the immigration laws, they would regularise the documents.

However, soon after the accused person was discharged by the court, GIS officials, who had been positioned at various points of the court, escorted the Spokesperson for the New Force into a GIS waiting van.

Armed GIS officials in a pickup led the van out of the court premises.

Some relations of the accused person could not hide their tears

This led to a confrontation between GIS officials and the defence counsel, who told journalists that his client was being assaulted by security persons.

According to the counsel, his client had been ‘bundled’ into a waiting car as if she was a ‘ Commo
n Criminal’.

‘What kind of disgrace is this? I am so disappointed about what happened in court. Are you living in a democracy or a jungle, if her permit has been revoked so, you treat her this way?’ The defence counsel asked.

Shalimar was picked up by security officials following her activities with the New Force, a political group, and her engagements on social media.

She was charged by the GIS for allegedly obtaining a student permit by false declaration.

She denied the charge and was admitted to bail in the sum of GHC20,000 with two sureties.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, the President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, has called on the government to carefully consider the opinions of stakeholders in the agreement between Government of Ghana and Barari DV Ghana Limited Lithium.

He asked government to suspend the agreement and conduct a thorough examination into the deal, highlighting the compelling arguments put forth by the Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo , Civil Society Organizations, and other concerned Ghanaians.

Osagyefo Agyemang Badu II emphasized that the various arguments indicated that all was not well with the exploitation of Lithium and other associated minerals in the Ewoyaa community of the Mfantseman Municipality of Ghana.

The Paramount Chief of Dormaa Traditional Area (Dormaahene) made the remarks in his address at the 2023 end-of-year meeting of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs in Sunyani.

He said his opinion of not been in support for the agreement was due to its failure to solely focus on lithium mining becaus
e the agreement was not specific but was open and allowed for the extraction of any other associated minerals found on the land.

Osagyefo Agyemang Badu II highlighted that similar agreements in the past, pertaining to resources like gold, had resulted in significant hardships for the country, as the country had not benefited adequately, leading to many young Ghanaians seeking better opportunities abroad.

Furthermore, he explained that Ghanaians were not opposed to mining, however, the country should receive at least a minimum of 50 percent share from the agreement to help contribute to the national development.

Osagyefo Agyemang Badu II urged the government to carefully review the agreement and refrain from signing any agreement that might not serve the best interests of the country.

He commended the chiefs and people of the area for their courage in standing firm to fight for the best interest of the people in the area and the country in general
Source: Ghana News Agency

The newly elected national executives of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) have been sworn in at a colourful event in Accra.

The event saw all private sector players in the tourism industry coming up to collectively swear in the newly elected executives after several months of litigation in court.

Mr Ekow Sampson, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, GTA in Charge of Operations, congratulated the executives on their election to run the affairs of the tourism private sector for the next two years.

He said without the private sector there was no way the tourism sector could thrive, hence the sector needed a strong and viable private sector like GHATOF to push the industry forward.

‘We have seen a lot of progress in the sector over the years and that has happened due to the hard work of the private sector.’

Mr Sampson said the tourism sector had become very competitive and it was important for the private sector to be united and committed to boost the sector and urged the new executive to engage in partners
hips with other countries to build the capacity of the industry.

Dr Kwesi Eyison, Immediate past President, GHATOF said there was the need for unity of purpose and understanding to advance the course of the Federation.

He pledged their support to the success of the new administration and entreated all to provide them with the maximum support.

Mr Charles Adu Gyamfi, of the Ghana Progressive Hotels Association and Newly Sworn in President of GHATOF, said the Federation, the mouth piece of the tourism private sector, was made of 25 trade associations.

He said their responsibility was to advocate for the improvement of the fortitude of its associations as well as to engage the tourism public sector to advance the course of Ghana’s tourism sector with the objective of improving the industry and placing Ghana high on the list of most visited country in the world.

‘GHATOF has been in existence since 1974 and is still relevant . Its journey has been difficult but with our collective strength we can achieve our o
bjectives.’

He said it was important for the individual associations ensure a stronger union by investing in GHATOF and partaking in its activities for it to succeed.

‘While there is the need to strengthen the individual associations, we must ensure that GHATOF is well resourced to play its advocacy role effectively and efficiently in order to attain the collective goal.’

Mr Adu Gyamfi said as new executives, they were willing to play their roles as leaders with professionalism and humility as their hall mates for the development of the sector.

He cautioned that grievances were bound to happen in any organisation, but they must put all issues behind them and move forward together not as individual associations but as one Federation.

‘No tourism association is greater than the other and humility, respect and sincerity should be part of our day to day activities so that we can succeed in our operations.’

The other executives are Mr Kwaku Passah Snr, of Tour Guides Association as Vice President, Mr Caleb K
ofie, Secretary, Mr Ahmed Naamann of Dodi Travel and Tours as Treasurer, and Madam Beatrice Naa Ayeley Atsere, of the Ghana Traditional Caterers Association as Financial Secretary.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Nana Ansu Gyeabour, Krontihene of Nasana in the Tain District of the Bono Region, has called on drivers to be vigilant on the road during, before and after the yuletide to avoid road crashes.

Nana Gyeabour, also the Bono Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU), asked drivers not to succumb to passengers’ pressures to over speed and cause accident which may lead to the destruction of lives and properties.

He asked drivers to obey road regulations over passengers’ demands as giving in to unnecessary pressure could cause disastrous consequences.

Nana Gyeabour gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani to remind drivers and travelers to remain calm on the road to ensure accident free this year’s Christmas season.

He urged drivers not to rush for passengers with the intention of getting more money, which may cause their lives and that of others, saying desire for additional income may lead to accidents, resulting in loss of life, injuries and pr
operty damage.

Nana Gyeabour emphasized that excessive speeding was not the solution to ensuring faster trips, instead, drivers should exercise caution and adhere to road traffic regulations to ensure the safety of all road users.

He stated that a good driver is the one who was able to transport passengers to their destinations safely without encountering any challenges and called on passengers to cooperate for accident free journeys.

Nana Gyeabour said during these occasions, the GPRTU collaborated with various organizations such as the Motor Traffic and Transport Department, Road Safety Authority and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority to educate drivers on road safety awareness to refresh their minds and emphasize the importance of caution on the road.

He was worried one state of the road network in the region, which had become a major concern for drivers, saying the frequent damage to vehicles due to the poor road conditions which significantly reduces their profits to support their livelihoods
.

Nana Gyeabour highlighted the deplorable state of the major roads in the Region and mentioned Sunyani to Kumasi, Sunyani to Techiman, Wenchi, and Goaso roads, adding that the only stretch

of road in good condition was the Sunyani to Berekum route, however the Berekum , Drobo and Sampa road were in dire state.

He appealed to the government for immediate attention for the reconstruction of the major road networks which connect to the other parts of the country.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Ministry of Commerce Alumni Association Ghana (MoSAAG) has donated relief items worth over GH?80,000 to flood victims in the South Dayi Constituency of the Volta Region.

The donation was in response to appeals from the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Area, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor.

The items presented to Chiefs and Elders at Todome included mattresses, bags of rice, sachets of water, clothes, buckets, mosquito coils, sanitary towels, canned fish, sanitary towels, Cooking Oil, and soaps.

Mr Dafeamekpor, receiving the items expressed gratitude to the Association saying, ‘This donation cannot have come at a better time, where over 5,000 people have been affected by the flooding and these items will go a long way to help them recover.’

Mr Dafeamekpor said, ‘The flood has completely submerged houses and washed away farmlands leaving many homeless and without a source of livelihood.’

The MP commended the efforts of Citi TV, Media General and other media houses stating that they had been key in highlightin
g the victims’ plight and urged other organizations and individuals to assist the victims, who were in desperate need of food, water, clothing, and shelter.

He said though the government through the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) had supported victims, more needed to be done.

‘What the government has provided so far is inadequate because the numbers of people affected are high. We therefore call on other institutions to complement these efforts,’ he appealed.

The MP said one major issue that needed to be addressed was resettling flood victims and it was one of the key issues affecting the displaced people over the years by flooding and the inappropriate compensation paid to them by VRA.

Mr Sualah Yazid Zougrana, President of MoSAAG said the donation formed part of the Association’s annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts funded through scholarships they received from the Chinese government.

‘We undertake studies in China thanks to the Chinese government, so we deem it an o
bligation every year to give back to society a portion of the funding as our widow’s mite,’ Mr Zougrana said.

He said last year, the Association as part of its CSR, the Association constructed a borehole for Anorteyman, a community in the Obom Domeabra Constituency.

‘Last two years, we went to donate to an orphanage that houses Children Living with HIV. This year, we decided to assist flood victims in this area to mitigate their plights,’ he said.

Togbe Adza Yeh Arku V, the Chief of Todome, thanked MoSAAG for the kind gesture and appealed to other Groups to assist victims in Todome and surrounding areas, who continue to face immense difficulties in the wake of the flood.

Communities to benefit from the items donated by MoSAAG include Sodzikofe, Mamewatakofe and Gblorkporkofe.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Hedzranawo Slavery Museum, one of the three-town tourism projects in the Somé Traditional Area of the Ketu South Municipality, has been opened to the public.

The projects, apart from helping to put the three communities of Hedzranawo, Adzido, and Adafienu on the slave map, aimed to identify, research, and add value to all enslaved heritage sites on Ghana’s Eastern coastline.

Professor Wazi Apoh, a Development Archaeologist and initiator of the projects, in an address during the commissioning ceremony, acknowledged Gerda Henkel Stiftung, senior students of the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, University of Ghana (UG), Torgbui Sape Agbo V, his elders and the Community Project Committee members for their support.

He disclosed that the projects started when he and his colleague, Dr Mark Seyram Amenyo-Xa conducted research in 2018 to identify slave heritage sites in communities along Volta’s coast.

Professor Apoh indicated that the discovery of a ‘rich array of painful histories, memories, spac
es and relics of slavery’ in the three-town communities compelled him to return to Hedzranawo to pursue the CVERP initiative.

Torgbui Sape Agbo V, the ‘Dufia’ of Hedzranawo, also the ‘Awaklasuga’ of Somé who, with the help of a wooden staircase experienced the dungeon, spoke to Ghana News Agency, saying, ‘Our forefathers suffered.’

‘I was in there for less than two minutes but couldn’t breathe. Inside the underground vault which I will call the concrete water tank was dark and hot. It’s terrible. Those who engaged in this trade were inhumane,’ he said.

Dr Gideon Agble, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Business and Integrated Development Studies in Wa, was grateful for the initiative, saying it would add on to the already existing historical sites.

‘The biggest shock for me is the underground vault. This is a proper dungeon, unlike other sites where it is a walkthrough.’

He said the fantastic nature of the site which made it different in architecture and design would go a long way to attract tourist
s who move to other known tourist sites.

The museum and two others, Hedzranawo-Adzido Slave Market, Memorial Centre, and Adafienu Palace Slavery Museum, are currently at different stages of completion with sponsorship from Gerda Henkel Foundation, started in 2019 under the Coastal Volta Enslaved Route Project (CVERP).

Community members still have remains of slavery like long chains and shackles at the Palace of Torgbui Dovoh of Adafienu.

There are also important relics such as the Treaty of Adafienu which was signed in 1852 to end slavery.

Others also include sword and staff with an embossed inscription of Her Majesty the Queen of England.

The rationale of the project was to focus attention on the slave relics of the areas as equally important heritage sites.

Such a drive would also enhance the CVERP sites as alternative sites of slave heritage commiseration, reflection, education, and healing,’ the Heritage Expert and Dean of the School of Arts,’ UG said.

Each of the seven sections of the museum featu
res aspects of slavery in the three-town area with exhibits, being materials that were used in the trade, such as ancient bottles containing alcoholic beverages, ceramic plates, glass, and beads in addition to an underground vault, a centuries-old dungeon where slaves were kept.

The newly commissioned Hedzranawo Slavery Museum, a rehabilitation of a brick building that served as an ancient European Slave Post would be opened to local and international tourists every day of the week except on Mondays.
Source: Ghana News Agency