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Support for training institutions to conduct hydrographic surveys crucial – MOWCA SG
The Secretary General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) Dr. Paul Adalikwu, has advocated for support to training institutions in the maritime sector to conduct hydrographic surveys.
That, he said, will enhance navigational safety for ships and promote sustainable marine environment in West and Central Africa.
Consequently, he proposed that the Regional Maritime University(RMU) in Accra and the Regional Maritime Academy of Sciences and Technologies of the Sea (ARSTM) in Abidjan must be supported for such exercise.
He was speaking at the recently held 18th conference of the East Atlantic Hydrographic Commission (EAtHC) in Casablanca, Kingdom of Morocco.
Mr Adalikwu said the two institutions have individual and combined capacities for hosting short seminars as they already did five years ago and for developing hydrography programmes as part of their training for marine engineers.
The MOWCA SG’s suggestion falls in line with the programme of the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO)to establish training centres of excellence where the conditions were favourable.
Consequently, Dr John Nyberg, Director at IHO together with senior Officials of EAtHC agreed to visit the RMU and ARSTM, to consider the development of a hydrography programme at the Engineer level.
Dr Adalikwu identified the suitability of their premises, availability of qualified lecturers with the relevant profile and experience, possibility of partnering with international universities that had such programmes and existence of an hydrography agency as part of the public Administration or a Technical Department of the Port Authorities in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire .
It was also agreed that IHO would be invited to the 19th session of the MOWCA General Assembly, scheduled for the last quarter of 2025 to address Ministers on the benefits of promoting hydrography as part of their overall maritime programmes
The EAtHC is one of the 15 Hydrographic Commissions established by IHO worldwide to coordinate hydrography and cartography activities for safety of navigation and environmental protection.
It covers the coastal area from France down to Angola, and therefore includes the coastline of MOWCA’s member States.
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Health Minister leads delegation Mimi Darko’s appointment as AMA Director General
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister for Health and Member of Parliament has led a delegation to secure the appointment of Dr Delese Mimi Darko, Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority, as the Director General of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) during the ongoing 2nd Ordinary Session of the Conference of State Parties in Kigali, Rwanda.
This prestigious appointment, achieved through a competitive process, marks a proud and historic moment for Ghana and the entire continent.
It highlights Dr. Darko’s exceptional leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to enhancing public health and regulatory systems across Africa.
The Minister expressed his deep appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for his strong support and leadership throughout this process.
Mr.Akandoh congratulated Dr. Mimi Darko and Team Ghana for their incredibly successful campaign.
The AMA was established by the African Union on November 5, 2021, with the primary objective of improving access to quality, safe, and effective medical products throughout the continent. Its creation aims to facilitate the regulation and oversight of essential medicines at a continental level while promoting collaboration among African countries and regions.
The Agency’s mission is to provide leadership in creating an enabling regulatory environment for the pharmaceutical sector in Africa, ensuring that the African population has access to essential medical products and technologies.
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Police arrest five suspects involved in robbery cases in Ashanti Region
The Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) in the Ashanti Region has informed the public about a recent breakthrough in the fight against armed robbery in the Denchemuoso District.
Following a series of robbery incidents in the area, on April 22, 2025, PID/Ashanti operatives, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Michael Owusu Ansah, alias Baby Last, aged 32.
The suspect had been on the police wanted list since 2016 in connection with a robbery and the murder of Police Officer G/Cpl Frank Essel of SWAT/Ashanti, which occurred at the Open Space Hotel in Denchemuoso on May 19, 2016.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to engaging in multiple street and residential robberies in Denchemuoso, Atwima-Techiman, Asuoyeboah, and surrounding areas.
He also disclosed that his gang operated with knives, pistols, and pump-action guns.
Further investigations led to the identification and arrest of his accomplices, namely:Emmanuel Owusu, alias Cassidy, Maxwell Gyimah, alias Nana Kwame, Sudais Oxford Ntiamoah, alias The Man Sudais and Rhano Okyere, alias Demon
These individuals were arrested from their hideouts within Atwima-Techiman and Denchemuoso.
However, one suspect, remains at large and efforts are underway to apprehend him and recover the weapons used in the robberies.
All five arrested suspects were arraigned before the Atasomanso Circuit Court on May 13, 2025.
They were remanded into police custody and are scheduled to reappear on June 4, 2025.
