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Farmer, 40, inflicts machete wounds on daughter for visiting estranged wife
Divine Borbor, 40, a farmer at Dzemeni in the South Dayi District of the Volta Region slashed the chin and hand of his 16-year-old daughter with a machete as punishment for visiting her mother, the Ho Circuit Court has heard.
He pleaded not guilty to causing unlawful harm when he was arraigned before the court last week Friday.
Inspector Clever Ayayee, who represented the republic, told the court, presided over by Mr Felix Datsomor that the estranged couple still lived in Dzemeni at different locations.
That made it possible for their daughter, a Senior High School (SHS) student, to visit her mother on daily basis and help her with the household chores, the court was told.
According to the prosecution, the girl often spent the night with her mother and returned to her father’s house the next day, early in the morning to execute similar domestic duties.
The court heard that on June 20, at about 7am, when the girl returned to her father’s house again, the accused ordered her to leave.
The prosecution said that the girl did not budge and that angered her father who left the compound for the room and returned outside with a machete.
There and then, the prosecution said, Borbor used the machete to inflict wounds on the helpless girl’s chin and right hand.
Subsequently, the girl’s mother reported the matter to the police at Kpalime-Duga leading to the arrest of Borbor.
On June 23, Borbor was brought to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Ho, where he was charged with the offence after investigations.
The girl has since been treated and discharged from hospital, the prosecution said.
The accused who was remanded in police custody is expected back in court on July 22.
From Alberto Mario Noretti, Ho
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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.
