Day: April 21, 2024

Two siblings have been put before the Awutu Breku District Court on charges of two counts of conspiracy? to commit crime, publication of false news and assaulting Sampson Nii Annan Oku, an artist over claims that he caused the disappearance of someone’s penis.

They are Ugochukwu Chilota a 20-year-old trader and Favour Chilota, a 24-year-old sales girl.

Ugochukwu is facing additional charges of causing unlawful harm and stealing.

They have pleaded not guilty before the court presided over by Mrs Naomi A.A.Kuntour.

The court has remanded them into police custody till May 2, 2024.

Meanwhile the Court has ordered the prosecution led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Thomas Sarfo and Chief Inspector Bernice Wei Kpuusuu to file their disclosures and?serve same?on the accused persons.

The prosecution told the court that the complainant was an artist working with Indomie Ghana Company, who was in Kasoa for a project.

It said the accused persons were siblings residing at Kasoa Pink FM area.

On April 14, 20
24, at about 8:30 pm,? the accused persons were walking together at Kasoa Overhead while the complainant and his brother, a witness in the case, were also walking behind?them in search of footwear to purchase.

In the process, the prosecution said the complainant accidently touched Ugochukwu.?

It said Uogochukwu suddenly claimed his manhood?had disappeared as a result of the touch.

The prosecution told the court that the accused persons suddenly rushed on the complainant? and Favour held the neck of the complainant? and together with Ugochukwu demanded that? the complainant?restored his penis.

The court heard that the complainant denied the allegation and the two accused persons began beating him and as a result, the complainant lost his TechnoKeypad valued at GHC100.

The prosecution said people, who trooped to the scene joined in assualting the complainant.

The court was told that? the accused persons brought the complainant to the Kasoa CBD Police Station and reported the matter.

The prosecution said
immediately? Chief Inspector Kwabena Gyasi, Station officer of Kasoa CBD and Detective Sergeant Eric Edumadzie physically? examined Ugochukwu’s?manhood and found it intact and they arrested the two accused persons to assist in investigations. ?

The prosecution told the court that a medical form was issued to the complainant? to seek medical treatment.

According to the prosecution, Ugochukwu was examined by Dr Patrick Bediako of Saint Gregory Hospital and he described Ugochukw’su manhood as ‘normal in size? with no deformity’.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Prof Stephen Jobson Mitchual, has been officially inducted into office as the 5th Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW).

The ceremony held at Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre at the North Campus, of the University in Winneba, was capped off in grand style as convocation, deans, senior and junior members, governing members of the University, Sister Universities VCs, members of the university community and others celebrated the new VC’s investiture.

Prof Mitchual’s appointment took effect on Monday, October 1, 2023, succeeding Prof Mawutor Avoke, whose tenure of office expired on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Until his appointment as the fifth VC of UEW, Prof Mitchual with over two decades of academic and administrative expertise in higher education space, was the Ag. Prof-Vice-Chancellor and Ag. Dean of the School of Graduate Studies at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skill Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED).

He is an illustrious figure in the fie
ld of Wood Science and Technology, known for his ground-breaking research, unwavering commitment to education, and contributions to sustainable wood processing and safety practices which had earned him his place as a luminary in academia.

He holds a PhD in Wood Science and Technology obtained from Kwame Nkrumah University (KNUST), in 2014; MSc in Wood Technology and Management awarded by KNUST in 2005 and BSc Agriculture Engineering obtained from KNUST in 1993.

Prof Mitchual is at forefront of pioneering researcher in Wood Science and Technology, studies on wood processing, wood preservation, sawmill safety and development of innovative wood-based materials.

Currently, he is an external assessor for several institutions that run programmes in wood science and technology, a member of the society of wood science and Technology USA and American Association for precision Engineering USA, Ghana Science Association.

His legacy as a scholar, mentor, advocate, and community leader continues to shape the future of
wood science and technology as well as the educational space, leaving an indelible mark on both Academia and the Wood Industry.

Neenyi Ghartey VII, Chancellor of UEW and the Paramount Chief of Effutu Traditional Area, invested Prof Mitchual as the 5th Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Rev John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister for Education graced the occasion.

Also in attendance were Nana Ofori Ansah I, Chairman of the UEW Council, Ag Registrar Mrs Wilhelmina Tete-Mensah who assisted Chancellor Neenyi Ghartey to enthrone Prof Mitchual.

Rev Dr Stephen Yenusom Wengam, of the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana, led Prof Mitchual to answer and testify his faith in the presence of the gathering and made declarations touching his calling.

The VC declared that he was determined to carry out his responsibility faithfully, seeking the welfare of those who worked under him, to ensure that the academic work and moral education will be lifted higher than its present standard, so that students who came out of the univers
ity will be patriotic citizens.

The Officiating Minister later presented the VC to the gathering who accepted him by a standing ovation and also pledged to support him in the execution of his work.

Prof Mitchual addressing the gathering, thanked the Almighty God for how far he had brought him, thanked President Akufo-Addo, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, the Chancellor, Chairman of the Governing Council, Member of Parliament for Effutu and the Majority Leader of Ghana Parliament Mr Afenyo-Markin and all who contributed towards his investiture and induction.

He assured to work with all and sundry towards the battement and the growth of the University.

Rev Ntim Fodjour, on behalf of President Akufo-Addo and Dr Adutwum, congratulated Prof Mitchual for his official investiture and induction into office.

He called for all hands to be on deck, saying they were looking forward for an era where there will be combine through rich expertise and forces to work for prosperous future and the transformatio
n awaiting the university.

‘It is our expectation that the leadership of the university will continue to embrace all hands to forge ahead for a better future… where stability becomes the order of the day,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) has allayed the fears of consumers that fuel prices may go up astronomically by the end of April this year.

The Chamber said its assessment of the variables that influence prices at the pumps, particularly the exchange rate, had been stable in the last week, adding that the situation may not have any huge impact on prices of petrol, diesel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Speaking to journalists in Accra, Dr Patrick Kwaku Ofori, Chief Executive Officer, CBOD, dismissed reports claiming that prices of petrol and diesel would hit at least GHS18 per litre by next week.

‘Despite the fear mongering that the dollar was going to close at GHS 14, to be fair, it has been relatively stable, which is far better than what happened the previous weeks.

‘Now the price is GHS14.99 (per litre). It’ll get to GHS18 (per litre) unless the dollar hits maybe GHS15 but I can’t foresee the dollar hitting even GHS14 by even next week,’ he said.

Dr Ofori urged the public and ‘e
nergy experts’ to desist from churning out uniformed projections that could trigger fear among consumers and influence investments in the sector.

He said the Chamber was concerned about the influence of such speculation on consumer behaviours and the volatility of prices at the pumps.

He announced plans by CBOD to organise training courses for journalists on the components of fuel pricing and market dynamics among other informative engagements to help reduce misinformation around fuel pricing.

‘We should be guided with some of our utterances. Forex commodities are sensitive to key elements within the sector and the economy. When people make certain speculations that are projections, we need to probe further,’ he said.

After maintaining relative stability for months, fuel prices recorded repeated hikes in the last four weeks, with analysts blaming the situation on spike in international prices and depreciation of the Cedi against the US Dollar.

Currently, petrol and diesel are trading at an average GHS14.
99 and GHS14.80 per litre at the pumps.

Dr Ofori said the performance of the Cedi against the Dollar and prices on the international markets were the major variables that had influenced fuel price hikes in recent weeks.

He said the Chamber was exploring innovative avenues to enhance access to forex and reduce pressure on the Cedi.

Dr Ofori said contrary to claims that bulk oil distributors benefited from fuel price increments, the BDCs sometimes incurred losses if their projections of the forex market exceeded expectations.

Assessing the situation on the international market, he expressed worry that ongoing tensions in the Middle East could affect global fuel prices if the exchanges between Israel, Iran, and Gaza escalated.

‘We do not want the situation to escalate. Once it escalates, we should be certain that oil prices will go up,’ he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Nana Kweku Dua II, Krontihene of Kadjebi Traditional Area, has appealed to the government to help expand the water system in the Kadjebi township.

He said the town’s population has expanded, so the current water reservoir, which was constructed some forty years ago could not serve the inhabitants.

He made the appeal during the final funeral rites of the late Alhaji Rashid Bawa, former Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria at Kadjebi in the Oti Region.

Nana Kweku Dua, who read the Kadjebi Traditional Area tribute, described the late Diplomat as ‘ illustrious son, a hero, and a true servant.’

He eulogised his achievements in the areas of education, health, water and sanitation, roads and drains, employment, apprenticeship, rural electrification, among others.

The Krontihene said ‘during his tenure as an Independent Member of Parliament he managed to build many classroom blocks to drive the reduction of schools Under Trees in the Kadjebi District and that recently as the Parliamentary Candidate for the rulin
g NPP, he paid the community counterpart funding for the Dodo-Pepesu Nursing School block being built by the Pencils of Promise, a non-governmental organisation.’

‘H. E Rashid Bawa has been instrumental in ensuring the speedy completion of the Kadjebi District’s first ever 100 Bed Capacity District Hospital under the Agenda 111 project, with his frequent site visits to encourage the contractor’, he added.

They were Chiefs and Queen mothers from Asato, Dodo, Dodi, Ahamansu, Dapaa, Ampeyo and Pampawie Traditional Areas in the District present.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Maxwell Lukutor, the South Tongu Parliamentary Candidate (PC) for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has assisted the Aglorkpovia community to complete their ongoing Kindergarten classroom block project.

Responding to a request from the Chief and elders of the community, Mr Lukutor generously provided 30 bags of cement to facilitate the project’s progress.

The gesture, which came as a ray of hope for the Aglorkpovia community, signifies the PC’s commitment to uplifting local initiatives and fostering development in the enclave.

Mr Lukutor expressed his dedication to serving the community and ensuring that vital projects like the KG classroom block are successfully realized.

Mr. Matthew Akorli, the Atravenu Ward Coordinator, led the elders and the people of Aglorkpovia community to receive the cement donation.

Mr. Akorli mentioned that the donation would foster the community’s educational infrastructure.

He lauded Mr Lukutor for his generosity and unwavering support and emphasized the invaluable r
ole of such collaborative efforts in driving progress and enhancing the quality of life for all members of the community.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has said the Ministry was working to establish a dedicated fund for the chieftaincy institution in the country.

He said stakeholders at the Ministry were presently developing a working document for the fund, which would become an independent lifeline for traditional leadership in the country.

The Minister revealed the initiative when he engaged with members of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs on Friday, and said with the needed consultations and input, the fund should be realised in a couple of months.

‘It’s about time we gave attention on our traditional leaders so they can take some responsibilities off the State. If the central fund is not reaching us, we create our own fund,’ he said.

Mr. Asamoah-Boateng said the fund would be managed by traditional rulers, and must therefore provide the needed input for developing the fund.

He added that traditional leaders should help to also provide needed resources for its sustainability w
hile noting that it would be important for the Government to support the fund.

‘Government must fund the Chieftaincy Fund. It sounds radical but it is necessary. It is the only way the chiefs can take care of their communities without recourse to politicians’.

The Minister shared plans and visions for the institution, which he said would among others, enhance the role of traditional leaders through capacity building and training, and most importantly through the amendment of laws to boost their authority.

He said role of queen mothers would also be established, saying that they played key role in matters such as girl child education and other gender issues.

Mr. Asamoah-Boateng reiterated government’s commitment to providing befitting physical structures for the various regional houses, and said work on those for the six newly created regions would progress in earnest.

Security topped discussions at the meeting, which was the Minister’s first official engagement with chiefs in the Volta Region since he wa
s appointed last year,

He appealed to traditional authorities to take charge of security the community, and work to ensure peace and unity.

He said the authority of chiefs would be required during the coming general elections, and appealed to the Volta House to seek a permanent end to secessionist agitations.

Traditional rulers at the meeting called attention to what they said were continuing incidents of harassment at security borders and posts, to which the Minister promised to investigate and bring to address.

Source: Ghana News Agency