News
Aveme Danyigba youth halts operation of Cocoa smugglers
Some of the bags containing the cocoa seeds
There was drama at Aveme Danyigba in the North Dayi District of the Volta Region as an assemblyman led a vigilante group, mainly the youth, to arrest a cocoa smuggling syndicate from the Afram Plains area.
The syndicate had crossed the Volta Lake with the aim of crossing the border to the Republic of Togo only to meet a fierce resistance from the angry youth.
The youth action followed a tip-off from officials of COCOBOD that Cocoa beans were being transported across the Volta Lake from Afram Plains to the Volta Region to be smuggled to Togo.
Briefing the media at Aveme Danyigba, the assemblyman for Aveme Electoral Area, Mr Godsway Antwi, said after the hint from COCOBOD staff, the vigilante group took positions around the landing site where a Kia truck with registration number GG 1781-18 arrived.
According to him, the boat finally arrived about 30 minutes after the truck and 99 sacks of Cocoa beans were offloaded onto the truck.
Just when they were about to take off, the youth emerged from their hiding and blocked the road.
According to him, upon realising the danger and youth aggression, the suspected smugglers felt threatened and took to their heels, leaving the truck and the Cocoa beans behind.
The vigilante group, led by the assemblyman, reported the incident to the chief of Aveme Danyigba, Togbe Kokroko.
Mr Antwi said the youth were satisfied when Togbe Kokroko ordered that the vehicle with the sacks of Cocoa beans should be handed over to the police at Anfoega.
“We were happy that a delegation from COCOBOD and the National Security from Accra and Hohoe visited our community and thanked the chief, elders and the youth and rewarded us handsomely for our patriotism.”
Mr Antwi therefore urged Ghanaians to support institutions to fight against criminals such as smugglers and other corrupt practices, which affected the development of the country.
Meanwhile, the truck with the 99 bags of Cocoa beans were transported to the Volta North Police headquarters at Hohoe for further investigation.
A police source said the police would look for the owner of the vehicle to assist and produce the suspected smugglers who escaped.
From Samuel Agbewode, Aveme-Danyigba
Muslims across the country celebrated this year’s Eid-ul-Adha in a colourful and spiritually uplifting atmosphere under the theme, “A Season of Sacrifice, Solidarity and Spiritual Renewal.”
The celebration brought together Muslims from diverse backgrounds in a remarkable display of faith, unity and cultural heritage.
The occasion was marked by special Eid prayers at various designated grounds, the slaughtering of rams in homes for sharing among family members, friends and the less privileged, as well as musical concerts and recreational activities including horse riding.
Leading the celebration was the Chief Imam, Dr Sheikh Osman Sharubutu.
While the national celebration was held at the Black Star Square where President John Dramani Mahama was the Special Guest of Honour, similar gatherings took place at different centres across the capital and other regions of the country.
A visit by The Spectator to some celebration grounds revealed Muslims, both young and old, elegantly dressed in colourful jalabiya and other Islamic attire, reflecting the rich culture and traditions of the Muslim community.
The celebration also portrayed the spirit of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the country, as a number of Christians joined their Muslim counterparts to mark the occasion.
Muslim leaders and government officials used the opportunity to call on the faithful to uphold the teachings of the Holy Quran, renew their spiritual commitment and refrain from acts capable of undermining the peace, unity and security of the nation.
They further urged Ghanaians to continue to live in harmony and support one another for national development.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Dear Obaa Yaa,
During Eid-ul- Adha celebration, I decided to spend the weekend at my boyfriend’s place since we were planning towards our marriage.
To my surprise, what keeps me wide awake, restless and frustrated every single time is that he snores loudly like a generator running on full power, and I genuinely cannot get any rest
At a point, I thought it was just a normal thing, but I have realised it is something he does with ease and doesn’t see anything wrong with it.
When he steps out in the morning, I try to get enough sleep because I may not sleep in the evening.
The most annoying thing is that, he always wants to cuddle me. These two things are a no for me and a red flag.
We are about to get married, what should I do?
Enam, Keta.
Dear Enam,
The snoring and constant cuddling are frustrating, but you don’t have to choose between sleep and closeness.
Start with the snoring: check if it’s worse when he sleeps on his back, cut out alcohol before bed, try nasal strips or a humidifier, and see a doctor if he pauses while breathing.
For quick relief, foam earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones help a lot.
Separate blankets, a bigger bed, or sleeping apart on some nights often makes couples rest well and feel closer overall.
Bring this up before the wedding .Tell him you want to wake up next to him for years to come, but sleep deprivation makes you both miserable.
Test earplugs and side-sleeping this weekend, and if it’s still unbearable, bring in a doctor. Good sleep matters more for your marriage than staying glued together all night.
