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Ellembelle District Assembly reacts to Magistrate’s claim
● The Assembly says the relocation had nothin to do with illegal mining
The Ellembelle District Assembly in the Western Region has refuted claims that the District Magistrate, Madam French AwoAmissah, is relocating from her official bungalow due to illegal mining within the premises.
In a letter dated July 29, 2022 and copied to the Regional Administrative Officer of Judiciary Service of Ghana, Sekondi, the District Chief Executive, Mr Kwasi Bonzoh stated that the decision of the magistrate to relocate had nothing to do with the threat to her safety, security and health, as a result of the alleged illegal mining.
He added: “she is only using that as a ploy to move out of her official residence so she can continue enjoying her personal benefit of accommodation/rent allowance from the Judicial Service which she has been directed to forfeit as long as she continues to live in a government bungalow.
“It is, therefore, not surprising to us that the Magistrate did not even deem it necessary to inform us of her decision to relocate until the District Chief Executive (DCE) called her personally on Wednesday, July 27,2022, around 6:30 pm, after receiving the letter from the Regional Administrative Officer of the Judicial Service of Ghana.”
MrBonzoh argued that before Ms Amissah decided to relocate, there was absolutely no threat to her life and safety and that as Chairman of the District Security Committee (DISEC), he knew she had two police guards, one personal bodyguard and another residence guard.
He said it was, therefore, deceptive for the Magistrate to cite her personal safety and security as reasons for relocating.
He again stated “We find the attempt by the Magistrate to link her decision to move out of her bungalow to the purported ongoing galamseyas very disingenuous. This is because currently there is no ongoing illegal mining behind her residence as she wants the world to believe.”
Mr Bonzoh believed that the District Magistrate Court should be one of the foremost institutions within Ellembelle to prove the relentless efforts in the fight against galamsey in the last three years.
He recalled that in February 2021, DISEC gathered intelligence on illegal mining atTelekuBokazo which extended to the backyard of the bungalow jointly occupied by the Esiama Divisional Police Commander and the Magistrate of the Nkroful District Court.
He said, DISEC convened a meeting on March 5, 2021, with stakeholders and immediately conducted an operation at the site leading to arrest of one Mr. Stephen Miah and two others on March 22,2021.
The perpetrators pleaded not guilty and were granted bail and the case was adjourned to 7th April, 2021.
MrBonzo said, the Assembly had taken steps to stop illegal mining in the District.
“The very Magistrate of the Nkroful District Court who is claiming that the galamsey activities ongoing poses a great threat to her life is the same person who has been frustrating the Assembly’s fight against galamsey by treating galamseyers with kids gloves,” he added.
MrBonzohsaid that, on Monday, April 4, 2022, the District Magistrate overturned her earlier conviction and ordered that the accused should be freed.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Takoradi
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Health Minister leads delegation Mimi Darko’s appointment as AMA Director General
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister for Health and Member of Parliament has led a delegation to secure the appointment of Dr Delese Mimi Darko, Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority, as the Director General of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) during the ongoing 2nd Ordinary Session of the Conference of State Parties in Kigali, Rwanda.
This prestigious appointment, achieved through a competitive process, marks a proud and historic moment for Ghana and the entire continent.
It highlights Dr. Darko’s exceptional leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to enhancing public health and regulatory systems across Africa.
The Minister expressed his deep appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for his strong support and leadership throughout this process.
Mr.Akandoh congratulated Dr. Mimi Darko and Team Ghana for their incredibly successful campaign.
The AMA was established by the African Union on November 5, 2021, with the primary objective of improving access to quality, safe, and effective medical products throughout the continent. Its creation aims to facilitate the regulation and oversight of essential medicines at a continental level while promoting collaboration among African countries and regions.
The Agency’s mission is to provide leadership in creating an enabling regulatory environment for the pharmaceutical sector in Africa, ensuring that the African population has access to essential medical products and technologies.
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Police arrest five suspects involved in robbery cases in Ashanti Region
The Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) in the Ashanti Region has informed the public about a recent breakthrough in the fight against armed robbery in the Denchemuoso District.
Following a series of robbery incidents in the area, on April 22, 2025, PID/Ashanti operatives, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Michael Owusu Ansah, alias Baby Last, aged 32.
The suspect had been on the police wanted list since 2016 in connection with a robbery and the murder of Police Officer G/Cpl Frank Essel of SWAT/Ashanti, which occurred at the Open Space Hotel in Denchemuoso on May 19, 2016.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to engaging in multiple street and residential robberies in Denchemuoso, Atwima-Techiman, Asuoyeboah, and surrounding areas.
He also disclosed that his gang operated with knives, pistols, and pump-action guns.
Further investigations led to the identification and arrest of his accomplices, namely:Emmanuel Owusu, alias Cassidy, Maxwell Gyimah, alias Nana Kwame, Sudais Oxford Ntiamoah, alias The Man Sudais and Rhano Okyere, alias Demon
These individuals were arrested from their hideouts within Atwima-Techiman and Denchemuoso.
However, one suspect, remains at large and efforts are underway to apprehend him and recover the weapons used in the robberies.
All five arrested suspects were arraigned before the Atasomanso Circuit Court on May 13, 2025.
They were remanded into police custody and are scheduled to reappear on June 4, 2025.
