The Brong Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) has not given any directive to the effect that the statue of Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, which is currently standing at the Jubilee Park in Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region, should be demolished.
The Regional House of Chiefs has also not instructed the BA@50 Planning Committee to remove the statue and neither has the committee itself taken any categorical decision to carry out such an action contrary to public speculation.
The Omanhene of Prang Traditional Area, Nana Kwadwo Nyarko III, who is also the Chairman of the BA@50 Planning Committee, dispelled the notion at a grand durbar of the chiefs and people of the Brong Ahafo Region to climax the year-long Golden Jubilee celebration of the creation of the region on Saturday.
He declared: "We, therefore, plead with all parties to exercise restraint on this matter since those propagating such unfounded allegations are only playing the devil’s advocate and are probably up to some mischief".
He said: "Let us rather concentrate on the things that bind us together as one people since in unity we find strength".
According to the chairman of the anniversary planning committee, the decision to celebrate the creation of the region, was a clear demonstration to the current generation that the region was worth dying for.
Secondly, he pointed out that, it was to rekindle the sense of unity and tenacity of purpose of the Brong Ahafo citizens, and that with togetherness, "we would be able to propel the socio-economic development of the region to greater heights to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of our people".
The theme for the celebration was: "Brong Ahafo @ 50: Achievements, Challenges and Prospects".
According to the chairman, among the benefits to be derived from the celebration of the Golden Jubilee are the planting of 30,000 tree seedlings, made up of cassia and teak species, in all the district capitals.
“It is our belief that we have supported the Government’s policy and drive towards making Ghana green".
He also said the organisation of various sporting activities was considered a catalyst to improve the physical health and fitness of the citizenry.
He said 600 schoolchildren, 20 of whom were drawn from each district, were offered the opportunity to have lunch and interact with accomplished personalities, role models and nananom in the region.
In addition, he noted that the trade and investment fair/exhibition, which was dubbed: "Dwa Kessie 2009", attracted both local and foreign participation, which not only showcased the region’s immense potential but also resulted in the marketing and sale of products.
Furthermore, Nana Nyarko pointed out that the Congress of Brong Ahafo Citizens served as a rallying point for regional consensus building, forged unity among citizens and also invigorated the people to revisit those laudable principles of the gallant chiefs, especially, those in leadership to serve the people better.
The chairman of the planning committee, however, admitted that the committee faced a lot of challenges in its work but nevertheless, with hard work, selfless commitment, tenacity of purpose and focus, its members were able to deliver their assigned tasks successfully.
The President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi II, and the Omanhene of the Kukuom Traditional Area, expressed his appreciation to the government for the unique contribution it made towards the overall development of the region, in respect of education, health, road network, electricity supply, telecommunications and the provision of other social services, including potable water supply.
He, however, said the region still faced several challenges in respect of the development of infrastructure generally, inadequate health facilities, water supply and education facilities.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Nyamekye-Marfo, paid glowing tribute to all nananom of blessed memory and other distinguished personalities, who fought for the creation of the region as well as all previous governments for their contributions towards infrastructure development of the region.
He expressed his appreciation to the Government and the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETfund) for the construction of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre for chiefs and people of the region on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee celebration, which would go a long way to enhance the use of ICT among schoolchildren in the region.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo, on behalf of the RCC and planning committee, thanked the President J.E.A. Mills and his Vice, Mr John Dramani Mahama, ministers and all other personalities who made the celebration a success.
Monday, November 9, 2009
VARSITY OF BA (1B, NOV 9)
PREPARATIONS are underway for the establishment of a public university in the Brong-Ahafo Region.
The President, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, who dropped the hint at a durbar in Sunyani to climax the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the region at the weekend, said the government had set up a committee to work out the technical details for the establishment of the university which would run major courses in Energy and Natural Resources.
President Mills also hinted that a number of chiefs had pledged to release plots of land to be used for the construction of facilities which would accommodate the staff and students of the university.
The durbar attracted chiefs of the various paramountcies in the region, as well as high-ranking government functionaries.
According to President Mills, the government considered education as the key to the nation's present and future development.
He said the well-being of the country would be dependent on the existence of a standing corps of skilled workers in various disciplines especially the sciences, who would be inventive and innovative.
President Mills said the government was aware that the higher challenges of tomorrow could be dealt with to a reasonable extent by well trained and educated workforce drawn from all parts of the country.
He said the world was undergoing rapid transformation in the fields of science and technology and the only way the country could catch up with the rest of the world was for the government to provide educational facilities for the benefit of the people, especially the youth.
President Mills implored the chiefs and people of the region to use the occasion to take stock of their achievements ,the tasks and challenges which still undermined its total development.
He said anniversaries were normally used by people to draw a balance sheet for their lives in order to ascertain whether their achievements were more than their shortcomings or vice-versa.
President Mills said the region had come a long way since its establishment by the first President of Ghana by way of producing some of the most finest and astounding personalities in the country.
For his part, the Bring Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo chronicled the feats that the region had chalked up in the various sectors since its creation.
He, however, conceded that there were still some formidable challenges to be overcome.
The regional minister said he was hopeful that the region, which boasted of several brilliant personalities who could be found in reputable institutions in the country and elsewhere in the world would be
mobilised to adequately address the challenges.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo said the region was endowed with massive natural resources which would be harnessed to generate income to be channelled into other sectors as well as offer employment opportunities for the people, especially the youth.
Other speakers at the function were the President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi 11, Mrs Cecilia Johnson, a member of the Council and Nana Kwadwo Nyarko, chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee.
The President, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, who dropped the hint at a durbar in Sunyani to climax the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the region at the weekend, said the government had set up a committee to work out the technical details for the establishment of the university which would run major courses in Energy and Natural Resources.
President Mills also hinted that a number of chiefs had pledged to release plots of land to be used for the construction of facilities which would accommodate the staff and students of the university.
The durbar attracted chiefs of the various paramountcies in the region, as well as high-ranking government functionaries.
According to President Mills, the government considered education as the key to the nation's present and future development.
He said the well-being of the country would be dependent on the existence of a standing corps of skilled workers in various disciplines especially the sciences, who would be inventive and innovative.
President Mills said the government was aware that the higher challenges of tomorrow could be dealt with to a reasonable extent by well trained and educated workforce drawn from all parts of the country.
He said the world was undergoing rapid transformation in the fields of science and technology and the only way the country could catch up with the rest of the world was for the government to provide educational facilities for the benefit of the people, especially the youth.
President Mills implored the chiefs and people of the region to use the occasion to take stock of their achievements ,the tasks and challenges which still undermined its total development.
He said anniversaries were normally used by people to draw a balance sheet for their lives in order to ascertain whether their achievements were more than their shortcomings or vice-versa.
President Mills said the region had come a long way since its establishment by the first President of Ghana by way of producing some of the most finest and astounding personalities in the country.
For his part, the Bring Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo chronicled the feats that the region had chalked up in the various sectors since its creation.
He, however, conceded that there were still some formidable challenges to be overcome.
The regional minister said he was hopeful that the region, which boasted of several brilliant personalities who could be found in reputable institutions in the country and elsewhere in the world would be
mobilised to adequately address the challenges.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo said the region was endowed with massive natural resources which would be harnessed to generate income to be channelled into other sectors as well as offer employment opportunities for the people, especially the youth.
Other speakers at the function were the President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi 11, Mrs Cecilia Johnson, a member of the Council and Nana Kwadwo Nyarko, chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Students have individual responsibility for their actions (PAGE 11, NOV 6)
A MATRICULATION ceremony has been organised for 108 fresh students, including 16 females, to undertake undergraduate courses at the Faculty of Forest Resources Technology (FFRT) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), at the Sunyani Campus in the Brong Ahafo Region.
The Pro Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Professor William Otoo Ellis, who performed the function, stated that it was always a sad thing to dismiss a student and therefore, urged the freshmen and women to be of good behaviour, law abiding and serious with their studies.
“Never give us the opportunity to either rusticate or dismiss you. With this attitude, you will not have any problems with anybody. In all your endeavours, my dear students, be guided by the anxiom that, anything that is a breach of common sense, also constitutes a breach of university regulation for which you will face appropriate sanctions which could include dismissal from the university”, Prof. Ellis cautioned.
He said, there were many other important issues that they needed to know which had all been stipulated in the Student’s Guide and so, “Be familiar with those provisions and be guided by the tenets of the provisions”.
The Pro Vice Chancellor added, “Get to know the KNUST, its philosophy, ideology, vision, mission and be good ambassadors of the university every where you go from now on and remember that, you have come to the university and, therefore, use this opportunity to attain universal education. Make a conscious effort to get to know so many other things other than what you are supposed to study in your chosen programme or area of specialisation”.
Prof. Ellis reminded them of the fact that all of them had entered the university as individuals and, therefore, had the individual responsibility for any action or inaction on their part, stressing that, the university was governed by rules which served as margins of everybody’s freedom, and that, “Hiding under the umbrella of groups and misconducting yourself can cause your withdrawal, rustication or prosecution”.
He emphasised that, their admission to the university, was a rare privilege for them to add value to themselves in their attempt to become more useful citizens to Ghana in particular and Africa at large.
“I, therefore, congratulate you all for making one of the best and strategic decisions of your life. I am very hopeful that you will make maximum use of this opportunity offered you to attain tertiary education so that, following the completion of your programme, you will go and positively impact lives of ordinary citizens in Ghana and Africa, especially, in your chosen area of study which is Forest Resource Technology,” he added.
Prof. Ellis further cautioned, “You must remember that, henceforth, you are responsible for the planning or scheduling of your time and you must know that, the university is not like a high school, where you have the privilege of a senior housemaster to wake you up from your sleep, prompt you on your time for prep and so on”.
He said, everything was now up to them, and that their success or otherwise would depend on their ability to utilise that freedom to their advantage, saying, “Be cautiously adventurous and make sure you explore your talent to the full”.
The Pro Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Professor William Otoo Ellis, who performed the function, stated that it was always a sad thing to dismiss a student and therefore, urged the freshmen and women to be of good behaviour, law abiding and serious with their studies.
“Never give us the opportunity to either rusticate or dismiss you. With this attitude, you will not have any problems with anybody. In all your endeavours, my dear students, be guided by the anxiom that, anything that is a breach of common sense, also constitutes a breach of university regulation for which you will face appropriate sanctions which could include dismissal from the university”, Prof. Ellis cautioned.
He said, there were many other important issues that they needed to know which had all been stipulated in the Student’s Guide and so, “Be familiar with those provisions and be guided by the tenets of the provisions”.
The Pro Vice Chancellor added, “Get to know the KNUST, its philosophy, ideology, vision, mission and be good ambassadors of the university every where you go from now on and remember that, you have come to the university and, therefore, use this opportunity to attain universal education. Make a conscious effort to get to know so many other things other than what you are supposed to study in your chosen programme or area of specialisation”.
Prof. Ellis reminded them of the fact that all of them had entered the university as individuals and, therefore, had the individual responsibility for any action or inaction on their part, stressing that, the university was governed by rules which served as margins of everybody’s freedom, and that, “Hiding under the umbrella of groups and misconducting yourself can cause your withdrawal, rustication or prosecution”.
He emphasised that, their admission to the university, was a rare privilege for them to add value to themselves in their attempt to become more useful citizens to Ghana in particular and Africa at large.
“I, therefore, congratulate you all for making one of the best and strategic decisions of your life. I am very hopeful that you will make maximum use of this opportunity offered you to attain tertiary education so that, following the completion of your programme, you will go and positively impact lives of ordinary citizens in Ghana and Africa, especially, in your chosen area of study which is Forest Resource Technology,” he added.
Prof. Ellis further cautioned, “You must remember that, henceforth, you are responsible for the planning or scheduling of your time and you must know that, the university is not like a high school, where you have the privilege of a senior housemaster to wake you up from your sleep, prompt you on your time for prep and so on”.
He said, everything was now up to them, and that their success or otherwise would depend on their ability to utilise that freedom to their advantage, saying, “Be cautiously adventurous and make sure you explore your talent to the full”.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY COLLEGE ADMITS 839 STUDENTS (NOV 4, PAGE 11)
THE Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG), Fiapre, near Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region, Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, has advised students, especially those at the CUCG, to be concerned about issues of social justice and be prepared to champion the cause of the downtrodden and oppressed in the society.
The education that you are receiving must make you work for integral human development. This means that you must be concerned about social, economic and political dimensions of human existence and speak out when necessary,” he stressed.
The Most Rev. Osei-Bonsu, who is also the Bishop of the Konongo-Mampong Diocese of the Catholic Church, gave the advice when he addressed the 9th matriculation of the CUCG, where 839 students were officially admitted to the university to pursue Religious Studies, Education, Economics and Business Administration, as well as Information, Communication and Science Technology (ICST) programmes.
From a total of 50 students in 2003, the total student population of the CUCG now stands at 2,200.
The Catholic Bishop pointed out that, from the beginning the Catholic Church saw its evangelising mission as having both spiritual and material dimensions, and that in line with promoting the material dimension of the evangelisation mission, the church had through all the ages put premium on education.
He explained that, from the earliest times, the church, at great cost and sacrifice, established schools which he noted had enriched humankind and responded to the needs of every time and place, adding, “The Church did all this in order to provide education to the people.”
Bishop Osei-Bonsu, therefore, advised that, as students in a Catholic institution, they must place God at the centre of their lives and realise that they cannot do without Christ and should also seek the understanding of their faith, whether it is Christian or non-Christian.
He said a major characteristic of Catholic academic institutions, was the premium that they placed on discipline and morality, and that, they attempt to inculcate a high standard of morality and discipline in students, and that was why many non-Catholics and even non-Christians send their children to Catholic schools.
Professor James Hawkins Ephraim, the Vice Chancellor of the CUCG, said, the university was marching the significant increases in the student numbers with commensurate academic staff increase and infrastructural development projects with the support of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, adding that the university was also grateful to the National Investment Bank (NIB) and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) for being trustworthy and dependable partners.
He pointed out that, having been chosen by the university among the lot, the CUCG had already placed value on the fresh men and women and so they were to be transformed into what he described as, “A royal priesthood, a people set apart to do greater things for God”.
Prof. Ephraim reminded the students that, they came to the university alone and at the end of their respective programmes they would leave alone but added that “If you behave yourselves properly, you may even find your life partner at the end of your programmes,” he stated.
The education that you are receiving must make you work for integral human development. This means that you must be concerned about social, economic and political dimensions of human existence and speak out when necessary,” he stressed.
The Most Rev. Osei-Bonsu, who is also the Bishop of the Konongo-Mampong Diocese of the Catholic Church, gave the advice when he addressed the 9th matriculation of the CUCG, where 839 students were officially admitted to the university to pursue Religious Studies, Education, Economics and Business Administration, as well as Information, Communication and Science Technology (ICST) programmes.
From a total of 50 students in 2003, the total student population of the CUCG now stands at 2,200.
The Catholic Bishop pointed out that, from the beginning the Catholic Church saw its evangelising mission as having both spiritual and material dimensions, and that in line with promoting the material dimension of the evangelisation mission, the church had through all the ages put premium on education.
He explained that, from the earliest times, the church, at great cost and sacrifice, established schools which he noted had enriched humankind and responded to the needs of every time and place, adding, “The Church did all this in order to provide education to the people.”
Bishop Osei-Bonsu, therefore, advised that, as students in a Catholic institution, they must place God at the centre of their lives and realise that they cannot do without Christ and should also seek the understanding of their faith, whether it is Christian or non-Christian.
He said a major characteristic of Catholic academic institutions, was the premium that they placed on discipline and morality, and that, they attempt to inculcate a high standard of morality and discipline in students, and that was why many non-Catholics and even non-Christians send their children to Catholic schools.
Professor James Hawkins Ephraim, the Vice Chancellor of the CUCG, said, the university was marching the significant increases in the student numbers with commensurate academic staff increase and infrastructural development projects with the support of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, adding that the university was also grateful to the National Investment Bank (NIB) and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) for being trustworthy and dependable partners.
He pointed out that, having been chosen by the university among the lot, the CUCG had already placed value on the fresh men and women and so they were to be transformed into what he described as, “A royal priesthood, a people set apart to do greater things for God”.
Prof. Ephraim reminded the students that, they came to the university alone and at the end of their respective programmes they would leave alone but added that “If you behave yourselves properly, you may even find your life partner at the end of your programmes,” he stated.
GOVT URGED TO EXPEDITE ACTION ON RIGHT TO INFORMATION BILL (PAGE 16, NOV 3)
The Brong Ahafo Network of non-governmental organisations (BANGO), has called on the Government to expedite action on the passage of the Right to Information (RTI) bill.
The coalition said passing the Right to Information Bill was a fundamental human right guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution and recognised as a right by the International Convention on human rights.
BANGO, which is also a member of the coalition on the RTI, argued that the bill, which was drafted in 2003 and reviewed in 2003 and 2005, had unnecessarily delayed and so it was high time the Government gave serious consideration to the passage of the bill into law.
The network of NGOs further pointed out that the passage of the RTI bill would establish a major legal instrument and political mechanism for the opening of the process of good governance, promotion of transparency, probity and accountability in public affairs as well as ensuring greater and popular participation in governance.
Addressing a press conference in Sunyani, the capital of the Brong Ahafo Region, the group reminded the current Government of its 2008 election manifesto which stated that “The new NDC Government shall enact into law, the freedom of information bill to facilitate access to official information, buttressing our commitment to disclosures”.
A member of the Steering Committee of the coalition on the RTI, Dr F.K. Biney, observed that in his maiden state of the nation address, the President urged the passage of the bill which in his view, deserved serious consideration by Parliament but nothing concrete had since been done.
“Our democracy shall undergo metamorphosis, if consistent best international practices are adopted, since they will certainly produce a radical qualitative advancement in the desire for freedom, justice and good governance,” Dr Biney noted.
He further declared that “we are entreating all stakeholders and well-meaning Ghanaians to generate abundant public interest and pressure for the bill to be placed before Parliament for its consideration into law to meet international standards”.
Dr Biney added that civil society and the coalition desired to ensure the implementation of the RTI legislation.
The Secretary to BANGO, Mr Joseph Kwaku Yeboah, who also addressed the conference, pointed out that the choice of democratic governance entailed the active participation of every one in the country, stressing that in participatory democracy the right to information was particularly relevant.
Mr Yeboah, who is also the Programme Officer of the Brong Ahafo Regional Office of the National Commission on Civil Education (NCCE), emphasised that it was essential to ensure good governance and that it was only when those who were to participate in the process were informed that they could contribute meaningfully to governance.
He pointed out that the importance of the RTI and the desire to ensure that there was transparency in governance, constituted the foundation of empowering the citizenry to contribute to good governance and rapid development of the country.
The Co-ordinator of the Brong Ahafo Chapter of the Coalition, Mr Peter Subaare, in his opening remarks, urged all other stakeholders to come on board and ensure the passage of the RTI bill into law because accessing information in Ghana was very difficult.
The coalition said passing the Right to Information Bill was a fundamental human right guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution and recognised as a right by the International Convention on human rights.
BANGO, which is also a member of the coalition on the RTI, argued that the bill, which was drafted in 2003 and reviewed in 2003 and 2005, had unnecessarily delayed and so it was high time the Government gave serious consideration to the passage of the bill into law.
The network of NGOs further pointed out that the passage of the RTI bill would establish a major legal instrument and political mechanism for the opening of the process of good governance, promotion of transparency, probity and accountability in public affairs as well as ensuring greater and popular participation in governance.
Addressing a press conference in Sunyani, the capital of the Brong Ahafo Region, the group reminded the current Government of its 2008 election manifesto which stated that “The new NDC Government shall enact into law, the freedom of information bill to facilitate access to official information, buttressing our commitment to disclosures”.
A member of the Steering Committee of the coalition on the RTI, Dr F.K. Biney, observed that in his maiden state of the nation address, the President urged the passage of the bill which in his view, deserved serious consideration by Parliament but nothing concrete had since been done.
“Our democracy shall undergo metamorphosis, if consistent best international practices are adopted, since they will certainly produce a radical qualitative advancement in the desire for freedom, justice and good governance,” Dr Biney noted.
He further declared that “we are entreating all stakeholders and well-meaning Ghanaians to generate abundant public interest and pressure for the bill to be placed before Parliament for its consideration into law to meet international standards”.
Dr Biney added that civil society and the coalition desired to ensure the implementation of the RTI legislation.
The Secretary to BANGO, Mr Joseph Kwaku Yeboah, who also addressed the conference, pointed out that the choice of democratic governance entailed the active participation of every one in the country, stressing that in participatory democracy the right to information was particularly relevant.
Mr Yeboah, who is also the Programme Officer of the Brong Ahafo Regional Office of the National Commission on Civil Education (NCCE), emphasised that it was essential to ensure good governance and that it was only when those who were to participate in the process were informed that they could contribute meaningfully to governance.
He pointed out that the importance of the RTI and the desire to ensure that there was transparency in governance, constituted the foundation of empowering the citizenry to contribute to good governance and rapid development of the country.
The Co-ordinator of the Brong Ahafo Chapter of the Coalition, Mr Peter Subaare, in his opening remarks, urged all other stakeholders to come on board and ensure the passage of the RTI bill into law because accessing information in Ghana was very difficult.
COCOA SMUGGLERS ARRESTED IN WR (BACK PAGE, NOV 3)
TWO persons who allegedly attempted to smuggle 44 bags of dried cocoa beans valued at GH¢5,520 to neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire have been arrested at the Osu Checkpoint in the Bia District of the Western Region.
It took the vigilance of an Assistant Collector of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Mr Edem P. Amega, assisted by Mr Francis Kotto, the Bia District Chief Executive (DCE), who emerged at the scene, to apprehend the suspects.
The suspects, Foster Karikari, 28, a purchasing clerk, and Awudu Abudu, alias Abu, 28, a driver, were handed over to the Debiso Police.
The suspects were put before the Debiso Magistrate’s Court on October 10, 2009 and they were remanded in prison custody. But when they re-appeared before the court, presided over by Mr Lawrence Buer, on October 28, 2009, they were granted bail in the sum of GH¢5,000 with one surety each to be justified.
They were charged on two counts of conspiracy to commit crime and attempting to smuggle cocoa without authority, contrary to Section 317 (1) of Act 29 of 1960, and are to appear before the court again on November 11, 2009.
By the order of the court, the cocoa beans are to be sold to any accredited licensed buying company and the proceeds given to the police for safe-keeping until the final determination of the case.
The court ordered that the vehicle which was used for the crime should be released to the owner, who should keep it within the vicinity so that it could be traced at any given time it was needed.
Police Chief Inspector Daniel Ahedemola Ogidigidi of the Debiso Station, who briefed newsmen on Saturday, said about 5 p.m. on October 10, 2009, the CEPS official sent the accused persons to the police station and reported that they were carrying cocoa in a Mercedes Benz truck with registration number WR 9256 C.
According to Chief Inspector Ogidigidi, the customs officer indicated that he was on duty at the Osu Checkpoint of CEPS when the vehicle emerged and, upon inspection, he detected that it was loaded with cocoa beans.
He said when Mr Amega demanded the waybill covering the luggage, the suspects could not produce any satisfactory one, adding that just as the customs officer was questioning the suspects, the DCE arrived on the scene and the suspects were arrested and handed over to the police.
In a related development, a team from National Security, led by Inspector James Tampuri, has arrested and handed over to the Debiso Police four persons who were allegedly smuggling 68 bags of dry cocoa beans to Cote d’Ivoire.
They are Seth Aidoo, a driver; David Asum, James Donkor and Kofi Doryor who were conveying the cocoa beans in a KIA truck, with registration number AS 858-09, on October 19, 2009.
Briefing newsmen, Chief Inspector Ogidigidi said the team, which was on a special exercise, intercepted the suspects but when they were asked to produce a waybill, they could not satisfy the group, who then arrested them.
It took the vigilance of an Assistant Collector of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Mr Edem P. Amega, assisted by Mr Francis Kotto, the Bia District Chief Executive (DCE), who emerged at the scene, to apprehend the suspects.
The suspects, Foster Karikari, 28, a purchasing clerk, and Awudu Abudu, alias Abu, 28, a driver, were handed over to the Debiso Police.
The suspects were put before the Debiso Magistrate’s Court on October 10, 2009 and they were remanded in prison custody. But when they re-appeared before the court, presided over by Mr Lawrence Buer, on October 28, 2009, they were granted bail in the sum of GH¢5,000 with one surety each to be justified.
They were charged on two counts of conspiracy to commit crime and attempting to smuggle cocoa without authority, contrary to Section 317 (1) of Act 29 of 1960, and are to appear before the court again on November 11, 2009.
By the order of the court, the cocoa beans are to be sold to any accredited licensed buying company and the proceeds given to the police for safe-keeping until the final determination of the case.
The court ordered that the vehicle which was used for the crime should be released to the owner, who should keep it within the vicinity so that it could be traced at any given time it was needed.
Police Chief Inspector Daniel Ahedemola Ogidigidi of the Debiso Station, who briefed newsmen on Saturday, said about 5 p.m. on October 10, 2009, the CEPS official sent the accused persons to the police station and reported that they were carrying cocoa in a Mercedes Benz truck with registration number WR 9256 C.
According to Chief Inspector Ogidigidi, the customs officer indicated that he was on duty at the Osu Checkpoint of CEPS when the vehicle emerged and, upon inspection, he detected that it was loaded with cocoa beans.
He said when Mr Amega demanded the waybill covering the luggage, the suspects could not produce any satisfactory one, adding that just as the customs officer was questioning the suspects, the DCE arrived on the scene and the suspects were arrested and handed over to the police.
In a related development, a team from National Security, led by Inspector James Tampuri, has arrested and handed over to the Debiso Police four persons who were allegedly smuggling 68 bags of dry cocoa beans to Cote d’Ivoire.
They are Seth Aidoo, a driver; David Asum, James Donkor and Kofi Doryor who were conveying the cocoa beans in a KIA truck, with registration number AS 858-09, on October 19, 2009.
Briefing newsmen, Chief Inspector Ogidigidi said the team, which was on a special exercise, intercepted the suspects but when they were asked to produce a waybill, they could not satisfy the group, who then arrested them.
POLICE TO PROBE ALLEGATION OF MILITARY BRUTALITY (BACK PAGE, NOV 3)
THE Brong Ahafo Regional Police are investigating a case in which five military men, led by one Major Mezu, allegedly subjected three civilians to severe beatings at the Sunyani Magazine.
The victims were said to be undertaking a building project contracted to them when the incident occurred.
The soldiers, whose names are yet to be ascertained, allegedly stormed the project site in a military vehicle, while the said Major Mezu went there with his own saloon car, with registration number GT 7213-09.
They were also alleged to have ordered the victims, Philip Ofosu, a mason; Kwaku Adjei, supervisor, and Benjamin Kusi, the contractor, to lie down on their backs and look at the sun at about 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2009, while the military men continually kicked them mercilessly, resulting in bleeding from parts of the bodies of the victims.
A source close to the police who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic in Sunyani said the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Brong Ahafo Regional Police had officially written to the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion of Infantry (3BN) to release the suspects for questioning.
According to the source, the military authorities had given the assurance that the suspects would be released today to assist in investigations.
The victims, who called at the Daily Graphic office in Sunyani to narrate their ordeal, indicated that they had been contracted to undertake a fence project around a building plot belonging to one Mr Charles Oduro about a month ago.
According to them, while they were at the site, one Mr Larweh, who was believed to be a relative of Major Mezu, approached them and ordered them to stop work immediately or he would call in the military to beat them up.
They alleged that when the said military officer and his men arrived, he also ordered them to stop work, but they refused and asked him to show a legal document backing his order.
The victims alleged that the soldiers then pounced on them and assaulted them mercilessly.
According to them, after they had satisfied themselves, the soldiers left in their vehicles, while they (the victims) called the land owner, who then reported the matter to the police.
The owner of the said plot told the Daily Graphic that the lease and other documents covering the acquisition of the plot were with him for the perusal of whoever wanted to do so.
Attempts to get the Commanding Officer at the Liberation Barracks, Lt Col Michael Amoah Ayisi, on his mobile phone proved futile.
The victims were said to be undertaking a building project contracted to them when the incident occurred.
The soldiers, whose names are yet to be ascertained, allegedly stormed the project site in a military vehicle, while the said Major Mezu went there with his own saloon car, with registration number GT 7213-09.
They were also alleged to have ordered the victims, Philip Ofosu, a mason; Kwaku Adjei, supervisor, and Benjamin Kusi, the contractor, to lie down on their backs and look at the sun at about 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2009, while the military men continually kicked them mercilessly, resulting in bleeding from parts of the bodies of the victims.
A source close to the police who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic in Sunyani said the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Brong Ahafo Regional Police had officially written to the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion of Infantry (3BN) to release the suspects for questioning.
According to the source, the military authorities had given the assurance that the suspects would be released today to assist in investigations.
The victims, who called at the Daily Graphic office in Sunyani to narrate their ordeal, indicated that they had been contracted to undertake a fence project around a building plot belonging to one Mr Charles Oduro about a month ago.
According to them, while they were at the site, one Mr Larweh, who was believed to be a relative of Major Mezu, approached them and ordered them to stop work immediately or he would call in the military to beat them up.
They alleged that when the said military officer and his men arrived, he also ordered them to stop work, but they refused and asked him to show a legal document backing his order.
The victims alleged that the soldiers then pounced on them and assaulted them mercilessly.
According to them, after they had satisfied themselves, the soldiers left in their vehicles, while they (the victims) called the land owner, who then reported the matter to the police.
The owner of the said plot told the Daily Graphic that the lease and other documents covering the acquisition of the plot were with him for the perusal of whoever wanted to do so.
Attempts to get the Commanding Officer at the Liberation Barracks, Lt Col Michael Amoah Ayisi, on his mobile phone proved futile.
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