News
Ho convicts appeal for outright clemency as COVID-19 hits prisons
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Ho-Prison.jpg&description=Ho convicts appeal for outright clemency as COVID-19 hits prisons', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Ho-Prison.jpg&description=Ho convicts appeal for outright clemency as COVID-19 hits prisons', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Inmates at the Ho Central Prison have been agitating for an outright pardon from the government after three prisoners and six officers tested positive for COVID-19 sometime in July and earlier this month.
They insisted that their crimes did not warrant the death sentence and that they have served substantial time for their offences.
This prompted a medical team from the Ghana Prisons Headquarters in Accra to carry out a training programme recently for the inmates as well as the officers on ‘COVID-19 Risk Communication’ to allay their fears.
When contacted on Wednesday, however, DDP Andrews Dzokoto, Deputy Director of Prisons in-charge of the Volta Region said that the COVID-19 cases had all been treated and that there was currently no case of the virus at the prison.
He said that the initial cases which were recorded among two convicts were mind-boggling because they were not leaving the prison for any hard labour outside.
The third prisoner often went outside to work at the auto-mechanic base of the prison, DDP Dzokoto told The Spectator.
With regards to the officers, he said that some of them tested positive for the virus upon their return from leave.
According to him, some of the officers who tested positive for the virus were asymptomatic.
Now, officers who returned to work after their leave were quarantined and monitored for two weeks before they were allowed into the prison yard again, DDP Dzokoto said.
He disclosed that as soon as the cases were detected, the prison medical team linked up with the Volta Regional COVID-19 treatment centre, near Ho and another centre at Hohoe and their collaborative efforts yielded rapid and positive results.
DDP Dzokoto said that there were now 381 inmates at the Ho Central Prison, adding that, “We are still not admitting new convicts here.”
He told The Spectator that new convicts were now sent to the Kete Krachi Prison in the Oti Region.
From Alberto Mario Noretti, Ho
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has joined Ghanaians in mourning the passing of the Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom, His Majesty Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II.
In a statement following the customary announcement from the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, the former President described the late King as “a great figure of unity, strength and the enduring legacy of a proud and dignified people.”
“Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II joins the illustrious list of Dagbon royals who have enabled the steady progress of Dagbon for over three centuries,” he said.
The former President recalled the Yaa Naa’s crucial role in resolving the protracted “Dagbon Crisis.”
He noted that as Chief of Savelugu, Yoo Naa, the late King was pivotal to the peace process that eventually led to his enskinment as Yaa Naa during his tenure as President.
“He and the two younger princes at the time, with mutual respect and affection, accepted my advice towards the implementation of the special solution to the special circumstances of the Dagbon Kingdom at the time,” Akufo-Addo stated.
He also reflected on the honor of being enskinned as “Naa Abudani” by the late King in 2019.
The title, he said, was in recognition of his efforts toward the Dagbon reconciliation process, during the first Damba Festival celebrated in Yendi after the Yaa Naa’s enskinment. “It is an honour I will always treasure,”he added.
President Akufo-Addo said the reign of Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II was marked by “a rapid resurgence of dignity, pride, unity and cultural renaissance across Dagbon.”
He urged the Chiefs, Kingmakers and elders of Dagbon to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition in accordance with Dagbon customs, and noted that the successful enskinment of a regent was reassuring.
“I call on all well-meaning Ghanaians to support him and the people of Dagbon during this difficult period,”he said.
On behalf of himself and his wife, Rebecca, the former President extended his deepest sympathies to the Royal Family, Chiefs, elders and the people of Dagbon.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace in the Bosom of the Almighty until the Last Day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again,” he added.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it has successfully conducted constituency executive elections in 245 out of its 276 constituencies across the country.
The party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said the exercise recorded an 88.7 per cent success rate and was conducted peacefully in the constituencies where voting took place.
In an update posted on his Facebook page, he said elections in 23 constituencies were put on hold because of various disputes.
He added that four constituencies Ningo Prampram, Atwima Mponua, Obuasi West and Trobu could not hold their elections due to last minute challenges.
According to him, the party’s National Steering Committee will also review election activities in Afigya Sekyere East, Adansi Asokwa, Bantama and Asante Akyem Central.
Mr Frimpong said the National Secretariat is committed to resolving all outstanding issues to ensure the successful completion of the constituency executive elections.
He expressed appreciation to members of the party for their support and discipline throughout the exercise.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to all Patriots for their commitment, discipline, and support, which contributed to the successful conduct of these elections,” he stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
