Chiefs and people of the North Tongu District of the Volta Region are calling on the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to provide adequate security for their Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa prior to his appearance in court on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
The Member of Parliament has been charged with a contempt case after kicking court documents supposedly served on him in an issue between himself and Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng.
But according to the chiefs and people of the North Tongu district, government must protect the MP as his anti-corruption crusade is saving the country millions of Ghana cedis.
Speaking at a press conference, Manklalo of the Dorfor Traditional Area, Togbe Agbohla VI, said the North Tongu MP has become a target for some “state-sponsored attacks, machinations, and threats”.
“We the chiefs and people of North Tongu will like to strongly condemn the grand scheme by the powers to gag and intimidate Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. We note with outrage the threats on the life of our Honourable Member of Parliament and the machinations to fabricate and level baseless and unfounded allegations by groups with no credibility who seek to tarnish the hard-won reputation of our distinguished MP,” he said.
Togbe Agbohla VI
According to Togbe Agbohla VI, chiefs and people of the area “have remained silent over the years despite the threats and vitriolic attacks on the MP. But cannot continue anymore to stand aloof and watch these wicked thugs continue to have a field day and probably harm our beloved son”.
They however called on the President to provide adequate protection to the MP.“We are calling on His Excellency the president of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that, it is his constitutional duty to protect every citizen of this country and the situation we find ourselves in now is very alarming, and I’m pleading on behalf of North Tongu to provide security to our MP for him to be safe,” he stated.
According to the chiefs and people of North Tongu, activities of the MP are in line with President Akufo-Addo’s promises to fight corruption in the country and protection of the public purse. By Desmond Selase Aggor
The Asokwa Circuit Court in the Ashanti Region has granted bail to the Suame Constituency Youth Organiser of the National Democratic (NDC).
The accused, Razak Koumpa Avoliya, was admitted to bail in the sum of GH₵50,000 with two sureties.
Speaking to JoyNews correspondent, Nana Yaw Gyimah, the counsel for the accused, Evans Amankwaah thanked the court for accepting their bail application.
He indicated a preparedness to face the prosecution at the next adjourned date.
“Thankfully, the judge has granted our brother (Koumpa Razak) bail and we are thankful to the Judiciary and the judge for granting our brother bail and understanding the position that we were coming from.
“The condition is also good that we are executing the bail at the registry of the court. We are to come to court on the 9th of March. The court has ordered that the prosecution serves us will be at their disclosures so that we can start the trial”, he said.
Suame NDC Youth Organiser granted 50k bail
The Suame NDC Youth Organiser is reported to have made statements to incite violence in next year’s general election.
Politics | Regional
Suame NDC Youth Organiser granted 50k bail
Source: Prince Adu-Owusu
14 February 2023 1:11pm
The Asokwa Circuit Court in the Ashanti Region has granted bail to the Suame Constituency Youth Organiser of the National Democratic (NDC).
The accused, Razak Koumpa Avoliya, was admitted to bail in the sum of GH₵50,000 with two sureties.
Speaking to JoyNews correspondent, Nana Yaw Gyimah, the counsel for the accused, Evans Amankwaah thanked the court for accepting their bail application.
JoyNews/AdomNews · Suame NDC Youth Organiser granted 50k bail
He indicated a preparedness to face the prosecution at the next adjourned date.
“Thankfully, the judge has granted our brother (Koumpa Razak) bail and we are thankful to the Judiciary and the judge for granting our brother bail and understanding the position that we were coming from.
“The condition is also good that we are executing the bail at the registry of the court. We are to come to court on the 9th of March. The court has ordered that the prosecution serves us will be at their disclosures so that we can start the trial”, he said.
Suame NDC Youth Organiser granted 50k bail
The Suame NDC Youth Organiser is reported to have made statements to incite violence in next year’s general election.
As a result, the Police issued a statement on Monday on his threat “to attack persons of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the run-up to the 2024 General Elections”.
The accused was detained by the Police on Wednesday after the regional leadership of the party turned him over.
He was, however, arraigned on Thursday and denied bail.
The prosecution told the court that investigation has since been completed but didn’t oppose to application for bail by the lawyers of the accused.
Meanwhile, the accused is expected to appear before the court on March 9.
Source: Prince Adu-Owusu
Prosecutor, ACP Kofi Blagodzie had prayed the court for more time to enable investigations concluded
Efforts by lawyers for Koampa Razak Avoliya, the Suame National Democratic Congress (NDC) youth organiser to secure bail at the Asokwa Circuit court over an alleged hate speech was shot down.
Prosecutor, ACP Kofi Blagodzie had prayed the court for more time to enable investigations concluded.
He argued that the release of Razak Avoliya might cause anarchy considering the magnitude of his ‘hate speech’ on Sunday when he granted a local media house interview during an event.
The presiding judge, Fred Obikyere was convinced, despite defense’s plea for bail application.
Lawyer Evans Amankwaa, counsel for the accused described Thursday’s ruling as disappointing “I am talking as a lawyer and NDC member, we will not be intimidated” he told William Evans-Nkum.
The NDC youth organizer for Suame Constituency Razak Koampa Avoliya has been detained by the police to face prosecution for passing violent comments in a viral video.
Avoliya was at the Ashanti Regional police CID on Wednesday to assist police investigations after he was captured in the viral video asking party supporters to unleash mayhem on any activist of the New Patriotic Party during the 2024 polls.
He was later referred to the Suntreso District Police Command where he was cautioned and charged with offensive conduct. He is expected to face a court on Thursday, February 9.
His Lawyer Evans Amankwah has been providing additional information about the status of the case and his client said: “
“His caution and charge statement has been taken. They charged him with offensive conduct, and we are to go to court tomorrow. We will cooperate with the law. The detention does not perturb us. He is not worried and I assure the supporters of the NDC that, the youth organizer is in high spirits.”
Joseph Yammin, the NDC’s national organiser, defended the NDC Suame Youth Organizer’s comments and insisted that his detention will not scare the party.
“We are not in any way going to be intimidated by the police or the arrest. As we have massed up here, we will be coming anytime the police takes an action. What we are expecting them to do is to extend equal measure to the NPP. I am sure that the court will have no reason to detain our brother.”
The NDC’s regional leadership in Ashanti Region met with the police on Tuesday and pledged to work with them to uphold peace and order.
Ashanti Regional First Vice Chairman of the NDC, Captain Kwame Jabari told journalists the party will ensure the right thing is done.
“We have met the regional police commander for a discussion on the viral video. After our discussions, he said we should bring him to the police station. This morning, we took him to the Regional Police headquarters and was sent to the Sofoline Divisional Headquarters and so currently, he is with the crime officer, and possibly he will be processed for court.”
We the Coalition of National Youth Organizers have chance on a voice audio purported to be the voice of the NDC constituency Youth Organizer talking about how they intend to kill people in the 2024 Elections which he believes will win the NDC power.
We are of the view that his comments are born out of ignorance and uneccessay bravado.
Such comments are not only Reckless but tracheous which portrays an intention to commit crime.
We want to take this opportunity to educate the Ghanaian Youth that Ghana is a Democracy practising country and Not Democrazy
Democracy is where we the Politicians Understand and accept that it is the people who will decide to engage our Service or other wise, because power belongs to the People in Democracy.
Demo-Crazy is where politicians behave that they must capture power at all Cost, thus with or without the consent of the People.
This act of Demo-Crazy leads to threats, fabrication of lies, pull him / down, violence and unecessary criticism of the sitting government, all in the view of capturing power.
Currently, our current system of government seems to becoming a Demo-crazy with both the NPP and the NDC beating war drums before, during and even sometimes after elections
As young politicians we think this unacceptable political practice must be condemned.
We are therefore calling on the NDC, especially the National Youth wing of the NDC to come out and condemn his Youth Organizer.
Again we are calling on the Ghana Police service to immediately detain this Youth Organizer.
We are also drawing the attention of the National Peace Council and the NCCE to extend their roundtable discussions and dialogue programs to the constituencies.
We are also appealing to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) formally BNI to investigate the status of the Vigilante groups of the NPP and the NDC which we believe are still being maintained.
……Signed…….
Comrade Osei Kofi Acquah
National Youth Organizer for the CPP
General Secretary Coalition of National Youth Organizers
A FAMILY OF 3 PERISHES IN A RUINOUS FIRE AT ABUAKWA NSONYAMEYE IN KUMASI DUE TO LATE DETECTION, CALL UP AND WRONG ADDRESS OF THE FIRE
An unattended lit mosquito coil in close contact with room combustibles caused the heart-wrenching fire which claimed 3 lives and resulted in the destruction of three (3) bedrooms and their contents including roofing sheets, doors, utensils, furniture, household appliances and personal effects which run into several thousands of cedis.
Fortunately, Two (2) other Tenants in the affected house managed to escape unhurt from the ruinous fire.
A late call-up to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) for help, as a result of the late detection of the fire and the wrong address provided to the fire scene and poor road network, led to the destruction of Three (3) bedroom and their contents.
Unfortunately, the heavy fire claimed Three (3) lives; a mother, 28 years, and her Two (2) daughters with ages 6 and 9 years. The deceased got trapped in their room, suffocated by the heavy smoke and burnt to death by the fire.
The ferocious fire which is believed to have started about 0200 hours got to the GNFS at 0343 hours.
The Firefighting Crew got to the fire scene at 0419 hours to finally contain the well-advanced blaze at 0453 hours which caused the roof of the affected building to cave in. The charred bodies of the 3 persons were conveyed to the morgue by the Police.
The Duty Officer, ASTNO Osei Gyamfi after extinguishing the fire seized the moment to advise bystanders and residents to always call the GNFS early for help with the correct address of the fire.
Filed by the PRO,
Ashanti Region
(Wednesday, February 01, 2023)
Some residents in the Bono East region, especially Techiman, Nkoranza, Kintampo, Yeji, Prang and Atebubu are worried about the activities of police personnel in the area working under the Police Intelligent Directorate (PID) of the Ghana Police Service.
IGP Dr.Akuffo Dampare
The PID, according to Police sources, has been in existence for quite a long time but used to be in only Accra and Kumasi. PID offices have however, been opened in all regional commands of the Ghana Police Services since the current Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare took office in 2021.
These personnel, whose operations in the Bono East region are under the command of a police Chief Superintendent(name withheld) has been accused for conducting arbitrary searches in people’s homes, arrest people and seize properties without any court order and most often subject their preys to all kinds of inhumane treatments, including severe beatings and sometimes open fire at them.
When some Journalists visited Techiman, the Bono East regional capital, it was observed that these personnel claim they take their instructions and report directly to the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, and can therefore act without the prior knowledge of the Regional, Divisional or District Command of the Police Service.
Residents are therefore calling on the Ministry of Interior and the Presidency to intervene and call these PID personnel to order as their activities keep threatening the peace and security of the region.
The residents, who spoke on conditions of anonymity for fear of being targeted for any possible fallout from the interview, cited several instances where these personnel have raided people’s homes, mostly at odd hours, and picked up innocent residents, flogged them; all in the name of carrying out investigations.
“When these PID guys arrest someone, they sometimes take him to residence of a senior Police Officer (name withheld) and subject the person to all kinds of inhumane treatment for days without any trial and more or less kidnap him. If the family of the victim hears about it and trace their relative’s whereabout and gets to the said officer’s house, they would be made to pay a huge sum of money before the so-called suspect is released. This has been going on for some time now”, a resident confided in our reporter.
Rambo-style arrests:
Another resident narrated how these personnel, who are usually not in any uniform, picked-up a young man in Techiman on suspicion that he owns a gun in his house and bundled him into a waiting pick-up vehicle with registration number GN 3780-21 and sped off.
“In a typical Rambo style, these guys immediately covered the suspect’s face with a sack, took him to Senior Police Officer’s residence and beat him up mercilessly until he became unconscious.
The victim’s wife and children didn’t know where he was and, together with several others, began searching for his whereabouts”, the resident said.
He continued that: “someone managed to get us the registration number of one of the vehicles used to pick the man and when the number was reported to the Regional Crime Officer of the Police Service, it was realised that that vehicle belonged to these PID personnel and up till now, the case is still pending.”
May 2022 Nkoranza killing:
At Nkoranza, most people who spoke to our reporter accused the PID as being behind the killing of the late Albert Donkor of Nkoranza nearly one year ago.
The body of Albert Donkor has still not been given to the family for burial since his ‘gruesome murder’ by the police, on 18th May 2022 while nobody has also been arrested and prosecuted on the matter.
27-year-old Albert Donkor was a multi-TV decoder installer and completed the Nkoranza Technical Institute in 2016, was picked up from his room by the police, including personnel of PID, deep in the night and was allegedly taken to the Nkoranza Police Station, from where he was allegedly maltreated and killed by his preys.
Residents of the town upon hearing of the action of the Police went on rampage and virtually brought all activities in the town to a standstill as they burnt tyres and blocked some key roads to register their displeasure.
The police, in their bid to control the crowd fired into them, killing another person in the process.
Some residents of Nkoranza believe that, per their investigations, Albert was intentionally picked up and killed because he had spotted one Police Officer of the PID unit among some armed robbers who were carrying out a robbery activity on the main Techiman – Kintampo highway.
The late Albert Donkor is said to have disclosed the identity of the police officer to a friend at Nkoranza who in turn informed the said officer about what he had heard about him.
The said police officer therefore led his colleagues to hunt for Albert Donkor with the view to ending his life so that nobody hears about his involvement in armed robbery.
Attempts to get the side of PID leadership in the region has so far been unsuccessful.Stay tuned for further development of the story!
The Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has eulogized the security services of the Constituency for ensuring that peace prevailed during the past year.
He explained that the prevailing peace in the district could not be attained without the support and effort of the security services who worked day and night to bring sanity into all communities in the district.
Dr Adutwum presenťing a package to 55 year old Yaa Konama during the event
Crime rate reduction
Dr Adutwum who is also the Minister for Education was particularly happy with the drastic reduction in the crime rate in the district which he attributed to the security service for good initiatives leading to the attainment of such a feat.
The MP announced this when he presented food items to the security services in the Bosomtwe District on Tuesday at Jachie in appreciation of their commitment towards attainment of peace in the area.
The beneficiary institutions were the Ghana Police Service, National Fire Service and the National Ambulance Service who were presented with bags of rice, boxes of mackerel and gallons of cooking oil.
Avoid complacency
Dr Adutwum urged the security services and all other institutions not to be complacent and to continue working very hard towards offering the best service to the people so they could undertake their day-to-day activities in peace towards the development of the country.
He assured them of the government’s preparedness towards the provision of the right resources towards their smooth operations.
54 year Afia Duruwaa receiving her package from Dr Adutwum during the ceremony
The Kuntanase District Commander of Police, DSP Eric Akwaboah, on behalf of the beneficiary institutions thanked Dr Adutwum for the support.
He pledged their readiness to continue working very hard to maintain peace in the district which saw a drastic reduction in criminal cases in the year under review.
Mr Akwaboah appealed to the populace to release relevant information to the security services so they could use it in tracking suspected criminals and dealing with them.
The overlord of Asante Kingdom ,Otumfuo OSEI Tutu II,has been petitioned to urgently intervene in the Asamang chieftaincy dispute before its escalate to lost of lives and properties.
The residents of Agona-Asamang which politically falls under Sekyere South district and traditionally under Nsuta Traditional council are currently living in fear and panic as a result of the chieftaincy dispute.
Samuel Kwakwa Sarpong Jnr addressing the media at Asamang
It is against the backdrop,Ahenemma,Ahenenamo (royals) as well as concerned citizens of Asamang are calling on Otumfuo OSEI Tutu II to personally intervene in the chieftaincy dispute to restore peace and unity in his uncle’s community.
The spokesperson of the group, Samuel Kwakwa Sarpong Jnr, blamed the Adako Royal family head who is currently under great oath of Otumfuo(Ntamkese),some divisional Elders of Asamang and Nsutamanhemaa for the current tension in the community.
Addressing a press conference
on Wednesday,4th January,2023, Samuel Kwakwa Sarpong Jnr said they want Asanteman council and Otumfuo OSEI Tutu II to investigate the CHIEFTAINCY dispute and punish those who would be found culpable to serve as deterrent to those.
The late chief of Asamang
“As we speak now,there is serious division in Asamang community which is retarding development and progress because of the chieftaincy dispute.People are currently living in fear because they’re fear they would be attack by other factions.
We have been restrained several times by the incumbent Queen mother,Nana Adwoa Boaduwaa not to result to violence but use all laid down traditionally procedures to seek redress but as it is now we can’t predict what could happen and we think that it’s only intervention of Otumfuo and Asanteman council that could calm down unforseen violence”.
The spokesperson said ” we wish to draw the attention of Otumfuo OSEI Tutu II and Asanteman council to some serious customary infractions happening in Asamang orchestrated by Opanin Korankye Ababio,some members of the Asamang divisional council and supported by Nana Siaburaa Aduwaa, Nsutamanhemaa”,he alleged.
According to him, after the burial of the late Beema Owusu Sskyere, Opanin Korankye organized a meeting of Asamang Adako Royals,Ahenemma,and ahenenananom.
That at the said meeting,Op.Korankye told them that religion leaders in the area had intervene to settle all difference between himself and Asamang queen mother,Nana Adwoa Boaduwaa and that they’re on excellent terms now with no issues between them again.
Contrary to the claim,few days later they realized that Op.Korankye started holding some meetings in an attempt to destool the queen mother.
As we speak now,Op.Korankye says he has destooled Nana Adwoa Boaduwaa and has installed new queen mother in total disregard to Asante traditional customs.
We have three (3) sections in Asamangand two sections who are majority don’t support Op Korankye and some elders decision.
To this end,a formal complained was lodged
against Op. Korankye,some elders and Nsutamanhemaa through Jachie Amoatenghene(the linguist through whom Adako issues get to Asantehene.
That they had also invoked the great oath(Ntamkese) of Asantehene on Opanin Korankye .
That to their surprised Op.Korankye has allegedly disrespected the great oath of Otumfuo and is said to have team up with some Asamang divisional elders to outdoor a new queen mother for Asamang.
He said “Op.Korankye again disrespected great oath of Otumfuo and Asanteman and went ahead with some divisional elders of Asamang to outdoor their purported new Asamanghemaa.
In all these,the entire Adako Royal family has been left out and he just goes around with one section of the family.The other two sections who are majority are strongly against Op.Korankye’s actions per our honest investigations”.
Adding that majority of the family consider the action by Op.Korankye as shocking, uncustomary,and very disrespectful to Asante tradition and Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.”
We therefore by this release humbly and respectfully ask;Is Nsutamanhemaa,Nana Siaburaa Aduwaa and Op.Korankye above Otumfuo Ntamkese?
If no,we are then respectfully calling on the Asanteman council and the owner of Asanteman, Otumfuo OSEI Tutu II to look into these serious customary breaches and cause the proper Asante procedures to be followed since we didn’t want to usurp the powers of Otumfuo and make judgement on basic customs and traditions.
We pray and hope Otumfuo will severely punish Op Korankye,the divisional Elders of Asamang and Nsutamanhemaa who’s playing a central role in all infractions and disrespectful of Asante’s practices”.
As we are about to attend 31st watchnight, let us also make sure we enhance the security in our homes before leaving. MToday is the last day of the year and last days are always dangerous
. Don’t put your keys under any doormat or flowerpot. Remember to switch off all inside lights and put on outside lights.
It is my prayer that God forgives us our sins and opens a great door as we enter 2023. Coka, l care
