News
‘Machomen’ attack Queen mother?
Some “machomen” caused a stir when they attacked the queen mother of Adum-Afrancho in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of Ashanti Region and disrupted the celebration of her 94th birthday.
The men, allegedly stormed the palace, vandalised the main gate and charged into the bedroom of the queen mother and manhandled her after they had assaulted some of the people around.It all happened on Sunday, September 6, 2020 when the queen mother was getting ready to celebrate her birthday which coincided with the celebration of the Akwasidae, of the Asante kingdom.
Surprisingly, the ‘machomen’ were said to have capped their hostility by consuming the queen mother’s drinks for the celebration, and also made away with a sheep meant for sacrifice during the Akwasidae celebration.
Unit Committee Chairman for the area, Nana Sarfo Adjei Kantanka, confirmed the incident, saying the attacked persons were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
At a press conference held on Monday, September 7, 2020, the Unit Committee Chairman accused the chief of the community, Nana Osei Yaw, for being behind the attacks and said the residents since the incident were living in fear.
He, therefore, appealed to the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to intercede to ensure that the lives of the inhabitants were protected.“What I can say is that President Akufo-Addo, we are pleading with you to come and help us. We are also pleading with Otumfuo, this is his father’s town, he should come to our aid.
I can’t sleep at home, because this guy rolls with ‘machomen’, he can come at any time,” he said.But, the chief of the town, denied ever hiring ‘machomen’ to cause any mayhem in the town.
He explained that as a result of some chieftaincy dispute in the area, he had sent a letter to the Trede Police, two weeks earlier, informing them of the celebration of the Akwasidae.Nana Osei Yaw, indicated that the queen mother had no right to celebrate the Akwasidae once he is the chief who is supposed to organise it.
He mentioned that the Trede Police contacted him of an earlier letter from one Yaw Antwi, son of Nana Yaa Agyeiwaa, in view of the Akwasidae and birthday celebration of the queen mother, claiming that there was no chief in the town.
As part of the celebration, the chief said, Yaw Antwi had organised a military band to grace the occasion that Sunday. According to the chief, the police realised, following a preliminary investigation, that Yaw Antwi was trying to foment trouble, and as such, was arrested and detained at the police station on Saturday.
The chief said that on Sunday, he, together with some of his subjects, were given an escort by the police from Trede to the palace and that “I did not go there with any machomen.”He added that the police were there to the end of the Akwasidae and no one touched the old woman, whom he said was even, not the queen mother, but her daughter, Nana Ataa Agyeiwaa.According to Nana Yaw Osei, he could not even slaughter the sheep for the Akwasidae rituals as the stool and other materials were nowhere to be found and as such he had reported a case of missing stools to the police.
He said no one consumed the drinks or took away the sheep of the old lady but “I rather handed over my sheep to the family because I could not use it for the rituals.”
From Kingsley E.Hope, Kumasi
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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