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SHS student arrested for kidnapping
An 18-year-old final year student of Eguafo Senior High school (SHS) in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality of the Central Region is in the grips of the police for kidnapping.
The police is also on a manhunt for two other accomplices who are currently on the run.
The student, whose name was given as Daniel Wallace together with his accomplices, kidnapped two children aged five and six years respectively at Komenda on Thursday, June 4, 2020, and demanded an amount of GH₵ 8,000 from their parents.
Narrating the incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Paul Arkorful, assembly member for Kisi Electoral Area said one of the kidnapped children was a nephew of Daniel.
He said on Thursday June 4, he received a distress call from the police about the kidnapping of two children at Komenda.
According to him, the police implored the community leaders to make announcements at their information centres and also help apprehend the perpetrators.
Mr Arkorful said with the help of the Queen Mother of Kissi, Nana Efua Badu II, the police CID and the community leaders, Daniel was arrested but he refused to mention the names of his two accomplices.
On how Daniel was apprehended, he said a police woman posed as mother of one of the kidnapped children and bargained for the amount to be reduced on phone.
According to him, she bargained with the kidnappers until the amount was reduced to GH₵ 500 and the kidnappers provided a mobile money number for the money to be paid into.
He said the police contacted MTN for that number to be blocked after the money had been paid and subsequently traced the owner of the number to Kissi where Daniel was arrested on Sunday, June 6.
The assembly member expressed worry about the increasing level of crimes in the community and called for police patrols in the area.
The Central Region Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Oppong confirmed the arrest of the suspect, saying further investigations were on-going. GNA
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
