The Amasaman Circuit Court has sentenced a mason to three years imprisonment in hard labour for causing irreparable damage to a Donfeng Ex-Box car, valued at US$35,900, belonging to Hisense Company Limited.

Senyo Awuku, 32, admitted causing unlawful damage to the vehicle and was sentenced accordingly.

However, he denied entering unlawfully into the house of Mr Gad Ebenezer Afranie Kisi, the complainant, to steal the vehicle, as well as an HP laptop computer, valued at GH₵4,300.00, and cash amount of GH₵4,000.00.

He was ordered by the court, presided over by Ms Enid Marful-Sau, to be brought back on March 13, 2025, to face the other two charges: unlawful entry and stealing.

Police Chief Inspector Salifu Nashiru, briefing the court, said the complainant, who works at the Customer Service of Hisence Company Ltd, lived at Danchira Ocloo Farms, whereas Awuku was a mason living at Hobor, a suburb of Accra.

He said on January 30, 2025, the complainant returned home from work and parked his official car, a Donfeng Ex-Box car with registration number GT 4955-24 in his house.

Chief Inspector Salifu said the complainant also put his laptop, the GHC4,000.00 and the car key on top of his table in his room and slept.

The next day, at about 0500 hours, the complainant woke up to realise that the items mentioned had been stolen and reported the case to the Danchira Police.

He later put the said car’s pictures on social media informing the public that his car had been stolen.

In the afternoon of February 1, 2025, the complainant received a phone call from a friend that he had seen the car around Amasaman- Three Junction.

Upon receipt of the information, the complainant proceeded to the place and Awuku, then in charge of the vehicle, sped off upon seeing the complainant.

Prosecution said Awuku was given a hot chase, and he drove the car into a container at Ademan, damaging it.

He came out of the vehicle and took to his heels and with the help of onlookers around, he was arrested and handed over to the Danchira police.

After investigation, the convict was charged and put before court.

Awuku in pleading for mitigation asked for forgiveness and said he regretted his action.

Prosecution prayed the court to consider the fact that the vehicle had been damaged beyond repairs.

In passing judgement, the court considered both the mitigation factor, and the extent of damage caused to the car.

It ordered the release of the stolen items: vehicle and laptop computer.

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By Solomon Gumah

Tamale, Feb 19, GNA – Representatives of the Savannah Women Farmers Association in the Northern Region have participated in a day’s forum to expose them to some business opportunities in the agribusiness sector to leverage on them to improve their livelihoods.

As part of the forum held in Tamale, resource persons from Government agencies, financial institutions and buyers, took participants through ways to access funding and other opportunities at the various institutions to enhance the operations of their businesses.

The forum was organized by the Association and formed part of the implementation of the Restoration Project, under the Ghana Federation of Forest and Farm Producers (GhaFFaP) with funding support from the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Participants for the forum were selected leaders of the association, drawn from 23 communities in the five operational districts of the association, namely Savelugu, Kumbungu, Nanton, Mion and Tolon.

Mr Oseni Kabiru, Programme Coordinator of the Savannah Women Farmers Association, during the forum, said it was intended to enhance the understanding of members of the association on the procedures and processes required to access services at various departments and agencies in the region.

He indicated that it was a further platform for stakeholders at the institutions to educate members on some of the available opportunities that the association members could take advantage of to enhance their operations.

Mr Matthew Angbanyere, Nanton District Director of Agriculture, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA ), underscored need for the women to prioritise formation of registered groups and associations to enable them access support from MOFA and other NGOs.

He explained that the formation of such groups would also enable the few Technical Officers in the districts to effectively disseminate information on available technologies and services to enhance their activities.

Mr Angbanyere said, “Unfortunately most of the communities do not see the importance of the associations, until there is an opportunity for them to benefit. At that stage it makes it difficult for us to support them, because we prioritise supporting groups than individuals.”

Madam Mumuni Wedad, MOFA Officer in charge of Women in Agriculture Development in the Savelugu Municipality, urged women not to shy away from programmes and other agribusiness related initiatives in their communities to ensure sustainable development.

Madam Bridgette Sheini, Head, Kumbungu District Business Advisory Centre of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, encouraged participants to take advantage of the business counselling and the digitisation skills training initiatives at the district to enhance their operations.

GNA

By Solomon Gumah

Tamale, Feb 19, GNA – Representatives of the Savannah Women Farmers Association in the Northern Region have participated in a day’s forum to expose them to some business opportunities in the agribusiness sector to leverage on them to improve their livelihoods.

As part of the forum held in Tamale, resource persons from Government agencies, financial institutions and buyers, took participants through ways to access funding and other opportunities at the various institutions to enhance the operations of their businesses.

The forum was organized by the Association and formed part of the implementation of the Restoration Project, under the Ghana Federation of Forest and Farm Producers (GhaFFaP) with funding support from the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Participants for the forum were selected leaders of the association, drawn from 23 communities in the five operational districts of the association, namely Savelugu, Kumbungu, Nanton, Mion and Tolon.

Mr Oseni Kabiru, Programme Coordinator of the Savannah Women Farmers Association, during the forum, said it was intended to enhance the understanding of members of the association on the procedures and processes required to access services at various departments and agencies in the region.

He indicated that it was a further platform for stakeholders at the institutions to educate members on some of the available opportunities that the association members could take advantage of to enhance their operations.

Mr Matthew Angbanyere, Nanton District Director of Agriculture, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA ), underscored need for the women to prioritise formation of registered groups and associations to enable them access support from MOFA and other NGOs.

He explained that the formation of such groups would also enable the few Technical Officers in the districts to effectively disseminate information on available technologies and services to enhance their activities.

Mr Angbanyere said, “Unfortunately most of the communities do not see the importance of the associations, until there is an opportunity for them to benefit. At that stage it makes it difficult for us to support them, because we prioritise supporting groups than individuals.”

Madam Mumuni Wedad, MOFA Officer in charge of Women in Agriculture Development in the Savelugu Municipality, urged women not to shy away from programmes and other agribusiness related initiatives in their communities to ensure sustainable development.

Madam Bridgette Sheini, Head, Kumbungu District Business Advisory Centre of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, encouraged participants to take advantage of the business counselling and the digitisation skills training initiatives at the district to enhance their operations.

GNA

Oak FC, the women’s team of Accra Hearts of Oak, are having an excellent run in the 2024/2025 GARFA Women’s Division One League.

After playing eleven matches, the team have recorded 10 wins, lost once, and drawn none as they look forward to maintaining momentum in the league.

Oak FC lead Zone A of the GARFA Women’s Division One League table with a commanding 30-point lead, cementing their status at the top of the table.

The team have scored an impressive seventy-four goals and conceded nine after eleven matches, depicting their defensive solidity and explosive, ruthless attack.

With ten teams in each zone, Oak FC are on course to secure qualification to the Women’s Premier League if they retain their performance to the end, as they have some matches left to play.

Some football fans have commended the team’s brilliant performance and hope they gain qualification to play in the main league.

Meanwhile, catch up on the latest Sports Check with weightlifter Marie Agbah-Hughes on GhanaWeb TV below:

SB/EK

Member of Parliament of Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi

A Koforidua High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Ernest Yaw Kumi, the Member of Parliament (MP) of Akwatia in the Eastern Region, after convicting him of contempt of court.

According to multiple reports, the bench warrant was issued after Kumi failed to appear in court.

The MP had disobeyed an interim injunction issued against him on January 7, 2025, which barred him from being sworn in and admitted as the Member of Parliament-elect for the Akwatia constituency due to an ongoing legal battle over his election.

However, despite the court order, Kumi presented himself in Parliament and was sworn in on January 7, 2025.

Presiding Judge Justice Senyo Amedahe ruled that the convict had consistently failed to appear in court throughout the hearing of the contempt case.

He also dismissed a letter from the Minority caucus, which claimed that the MP was occupied with parliamentary duties and, therefore, could not attend court sessions.

The judge rejected the letter, stating that accepting it would contradict his own ruling.

JKB/MA

Meanwhile, you can also watch the latest compilation of Twi news below:

GhanaWeb Feature by Amos Manteaw

Barely two months into office as the 6th President of the 4th Republic of Ghana, President John Dramani Mahama has been commended by a section of the public for certain initiatives and implementations.

The President, who staged a comeback in the 2024 election after previously serving as President, appears to have gained significant experience for his second tenure in office.

Sworn in on January 7, 2025, some of his policies and implementations have been widely praised by the public.

Several individuals and organizations, including known government critics, have lauded these initiatives.

Among those who have praised Mahama for his policies are Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa; Senyo Hosi, businessman and economic policy analyst; and journalist Nana Aba Anamoah, and scores of social media users most especially X.

Organizations such as Elections Watch Ghana, and the political group Movement for Change have also expressed support for his administration’s decisions within the first few months of office.

GhanaWeb highlights five key initiatives of President Mahama that have received massive acclaim:

1. Reduction of Ministerial Positions

President John Dramani Mahama has, by Executive Instrument, reduced the number of ministries from 30 to 23.

This moves forms part of an administrative restructuring initiative aimed at enhancing efficiency and streamlining government operations.

The restructuring was formalized through the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2025 (E.I. 1), signed by President Mahama on January 9, 2025.

The Executive Instrument outlines the newly established ministries and revokes the previous arrangement under the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2021 (E.I. 12).

Some key changes include the establishment of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, and the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, among others.

2. Ban on first-class official travels

President Mahama has announced a ban on first-class travel for government appointees, emphasizing that his administration will be marked by modesty and respect for the people of Ghana.

He made this known at the swearing-in ceremony of ministers at the Jubilee House on Friday, February 7, 2025.

The President stressed that public officials must be mindful of how they use state resources.

He also stated that he had directed the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, to officially inform ministers and government appointees of an immediate restriction on non-essential travel.

3. Public declaration of assets and accountability for appointees

President Mahama has warned that he will take drastic measures against any appointee who fails to declare their assets by the deadline he has set.

Addressing the press on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, after declaring his own assets, President Mahama stated that he had instructed the Chief of Staff to notify all appointees to declare their assets by March 31, 2025.

“I’ve asked the Chief of Staff to ensure that all appointees declare their assets by the end of the first quarter of this year, that is, by March 31, 2025. Any appointee failing to meet this deadline will face severe sanctions, including removal from office,” he stated.

Reaffirming his commitment to fighting corruption and promoting transparency, Mahama explained that his decision to publicly declare his assets was intended to enforce openness and prevent corruption.

4. Payment of bondholders

The Ministry of Finance, on Monday, February 17, 2025, successfully honoured the Payment-In-Cash (VIC) coupon of GH₵6.081 billion to all bondholders under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

This action aligns with a directive issued by President Mahama, reaffirming the government’s commitment to fulfilling its financial obligations.

Additionally, the government has settled the Pay-In-Kind (PIK) portion of GH¢3.46 billion, which has been deposited into the respective bondholders’ securities accounts in accordance with the terms outlined in the DDEP Memorandum.

To strengthen debt management and enhance investor confidence, the government has allocated GH¢9.7 billion into the Debt Service Recovery Cedi Account (Sinking Fund).

This buffer is intended to support the upcoming 5th DDEP coupon payments scheduled for July and August 2025.

5. Reduction of Hajj fare

Hajj travel is a significant aspect of the Muslim faith, and President Mahama’s decision to reduce the fare has been met with widespread praise.

The government has reduced the cost of Hajj from GH¢75,000 to GH¢62,000 per person.

AM/KA

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Ghana Ambassador to Morocco, Her Excellency Charity Gbedawo, extended a warm welcome to the Black Queens at the Ibis Hotel in Casablanca ahead of their friendly against the Atlas Lionesses.

Accompanied by staff members from the Ghanaian embassy, Mrs Gbedawo, congratulated the team on qualifying for the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and assured the players of government support for the tournament.

“I am very impressed with your performance so far,” she said.

“Although you are here for a friendly game against the host, I believe you have the potential to return in July and perform even better.”

“The embassy will ensure that the Ghanaian community here supports you at the stadium on Friday and beyond. Play your hearts out, and I wish you all the best,” she added.

Black Queens captain Portia Boakye thanked the entourage and assured them that the team is eager to perform and win regardless of the value of the match.

The Queens are currently on a training tour in Morocco, where they will play preparatory games against the Atlas Lioness and AS FAR Rabat.

These matches will serve as an opportunity for the newly appointed coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren to assess his squad.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu

Keta (VR) Feb 19, GNA – The Southern Volta branch of the Coalition of Concern Teachers, Ghana (CCT), has welcomed the government’s idea to reintroduce Teachers and Parents Association (PTA) at the various stages of basic schools.

The PTA was previously dissolved and replaced with Parents Association (PA) under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, rendering the PTA non-functional.

Mr Ephraim Dodzi Jumpah, the Vice Chairman, CCT Southern Volta, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said that the reintroduction of the PTA in schools would further strengthen the bond between teachers and parents.

“PTA play a crucial role in promoting effective communication and collaboration between teachers, parents, and the community and it’s over the year’s absence has created a gap in the education system, making it challenging for teachers and parents to work together effectively,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the reintroduction of PTA by the government would help bridge the gap and improve the overall quality of education while highlighting the importance of parental involvement in education, which was critical in supporting children in learning and development.

“The PTA provides a platform for parents to engage with teachers and contribute to the school development.”

He said that the reintroduction of PTA was seen as a positive step towards promoting parental involvement and community engagement in education and it was expected to enhance the quality of education and improve student outcomes.

Mr Jumpah commended the government for considering the reintroduction of PTA and urged them to expedite the process and emphasised that the CCT was committed to supporting the government’s efforts to improve the education sector.

“We are calling on parents and teachers to work together to ensure the successful reintroduction of PTA. We hope to encourage them to take an active role in promoting parental involvement and community engagement in education.”

Mr Jumpah explained to GNA that the CCT welcomed the government’s idea to reintroduce PTA which was a positive development for the education sector, and it was expected to promote parental involvement, community engagement, and quality education that would ultimately benefit students and the broader community.

Mr Emmanuel Sodzi, a parent, who spoke to GNA expressed excitement about the intended action by the government and described the move as going in the right direction.

He said the PTA previously supported schools with infrastructure projects such as classroom blocks, teachers’ bungalows, toilet facilities, learning materials, sports facilities among and its absence was a major blow to many schools.

Some teachers and other parents GNA engaged expressed satisfaction about the move and urged government to prioritise the development grassroots education, which started from the Kindergarten to upper primary for a successful nurturing of good future leaders.

GNA

Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo

Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has praised President John Dramani Mahama for ensuring the payment of monies owed to bondholders.

She believes the President’s action was lawful and in perfect order.

Sophia Akuffo clarified that her previous stance was not driven by personal financial interests but rather by the previous government’s failure to honor its contractual obligations to bondholders.

Speaking to the press after being sworn in as a member of the Council of State, she expressed her satisfaction with the President’s directive.

Her comments follow President Mahama’s decision to instruct the payment of bondholders.

“The President’s action was in perfect order and in accordance with the law. The stance I took was not because of my pocket, but because I had a contract—a bond. The state had promised me something, and I made my money available. Then suddenly, they wanted to change the terms and force new conditions on me. No, that would never be acceptable. I was happy, and I am happy that the President has shown he is a law-abiding leader,” she said.

Following President Mahama’s directive, the Ministry of Finance has honored the Payment-In-Cash (PIC) coupon of GH¢6.081 billion to all Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) bondholders.

Sophia Akuffo was among the pensioners who picketed at the Finance Ministry during the previous government’s tenure, advocating for the government to uphold the terms of their bonds.

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By Eric Appah Marfo

Accra, Feb. 19, GN – Mr Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, the Minister of the Interior, has urged the Gaming Commission of Ghana to implement stricter measures to prevent minors from engaging in gambling.

He expressed concern over the growing number of underage gamblers, noting that many minors had become addicted, often skipping school to spend time at gaming centres.

“I want to urge you, please make sure that you put in measures that will prevent underage from participating. So that we don’t destroy the future of our country by sitting to watch as people make profit. I’ll be very grateful that you take this very, very seriously,” Mr Muntaka said during a familiarisation visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Accra on Tuesday.

The Interior Minister said his visit was to gain firsthand knowledge of the Commission’s operations and to discuss collaborative strategies to promote responsible gaming in Ghana.

He acknowledged its efforts in regulating the gaming industry, emphasising that responsible gaming practices must be prioritised.

Mr Muntaka mentioned the Commission’s mandate under the Gaming Act of 2006 (Act 721) to license, monitor, and supervise gaming operators, ensuring compliance with the law.

He highlighted the importance of enforcing existing regulations, particularly in curbing underage gambling, and ensuring the industry remained a positive contributor to national development.

Touching on the challenges facing the Commission, particularly the need for expanded office space, the Minister assured of discussions with the Ministry of Finance to secure a more spacious location for its operations.

“I must admit that the work that you are doing is very, very important. The staff can be rest assured that we are there and we have your back. Here in the ministry, we have your back,” he said.

“We’ll do whatever we can, however possible, to make you have a very cordial working environment.”

Mr Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo, the Acting Gaming Commissioner, recounting the Commission’s progress over the years, said when he first assumed office, it had only nine staff members and generated an annual revenue of GHC 159,000.

Through rigorous efforts, revenue rose to nearly GHC 20 million.

He highlighted the need for discipline among staff, warning against unauthorised visits to gaming facilities and illegal activities.

Mr Quainoo outlined efforts to curb illegal gambling, including working with service providers and the Cybersecurity Authority in the near future to block unauthorised gaming platforms.

He highlighted the Commission’s role in shaping the gaming industry beyond Ghana, citing its contributions to sports betting regulations in Nigeria and its leadership in the Gaming Regulators African Forum.

He assured the Minister of the Commission’s commitment to strengthening regulatory frameworks and boosting revenue generation while ensuring responsible gaming.

GNA