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
Government has inaugurated a Technical Committee to drive the implementation of the Accra Marine Drive Tourism Investment Project, a key initiative aimed at transforming the capital’s waterfront into a world-class tourism and commercial hub.
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, described the move as a critical step to accelerate progress, stressing the need for efficiency, collaboration, and accountability.
The Committee, chaired by Deputy Minister Yussif Issaka Jajah, will coordinate stakeholders, address bottlenecks, and ensure timely delivery of the project.
The initiative is expected to boost tourism, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth, reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to sustainable development.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has stepped up its fire safety education efforts in Suhum Municipality and Abetifi Odwenease as part of ongoing campaigns to prevent fire outbreaks and improve emergency readiness.
In Suhum, fire officers engaged traders and customers, educating them on handling LPG leakages, proper use of fire extinguishers, and general shop safety practices. Meanwhile, the Kwahu East Command extended outreach in Abetifi Odwenease, visiting homes, drinking spots, construction sites, and stores to promote safe handling of flammable materials, proper electrical usage, and correct gas cylinder placement.
Practical demonstrations on fire extinguisher use were conducted, and residents were encouraged to adopt good housekeeping habits and proactive safety measures to reduce fire risks and protect lives and property.
