News
‘Pragya’ rider jailed 15 years for defilement
A tricycle ‘Pragya’ rider has appeared before the Tarkwa Circuit Court for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old pupil at Matwamatwa, a suburb of Asankrangwa in the Wassa Amenfi West Municipality.
David Owusu, 21, charged with defilement pleaded guilty with explanation, but the court presided over by Mrs Hathia Ama Manu rejected Owusu’s explanation and sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour.
The Prosecutor, Superintendent of Police Juliana Essel-Dadzie, told the court that the complainant is a police officer at Asankrangwa and his wife is related to the victim.
She said on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at about 1:30 pm, while Owusu was working in Asankrangwa township, he chanced on the victim who was on his way to the auntie’s shop, and he picked her up.
Superintendent Essel-Dadzie said when they got to the shop, Owusu failed to stop for the victim to alight and sped off to his house, dragged her into his room, and had sexual intercourse with her.
The prosecutor said that after the act, Owusu took the victim to the aunty’s house where she changed her clothes and thereafter, he took her to the shop.
On May 1, 2024, the victim revealed her ordeal to one of the workers in her aunt’s shop and she informed the complainant and Owusu was arrested and sent to the Asankrangwa police station, and reported the matter. -GNA
Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has revealed that in the whole of 2024, only GHS 362 million was released to MMDAs in Common Fund.
Contrary to this, In 2025 alone GHS 5 billion was released to the MMDAs with the following breakdown as follows.
The Minister made this revelation when he took his turn at the Government Accountability Series held today.
In breakdown, the minister nonted that 1st Quarter – 790,372,058.40 was released for 2025.
He added that for the 2nd Quarter, 1,464,983,309.60 was released.
3rd Quarter saw the release of 1,188,921,640.80 and
1,592,706,391.20 for 4th Quarter.
The Minister added tha each of the MMDAs were required to undertake the following; at least 2-CHPS compounds, 3 Classroom blocks, 10 Boreholes, and Completion of legacy projects.
Additionally, 25% of the Common Fund was allocated for the Construction of 24-Hour Economy Model Markets.
Ahmed Ibrahim noted that as a result of the timely and unprecedented release of Funds, a total of 494 CHPS compounds, 761 Classroom Blocks, 4,029 Boreholes, and 2,755 Legacy projects are currently at various stages of completion.
Also, he added that 261 24-Hour Economy Model Markets have all been awarded on contracts and construction has begun on many of them.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, together with members of the Police Management Board (POMAB), on April 17, 2026, decorated nineteen (19) senior officers who have been promoted to their next ranks based on the recommendations of the Police Council and approval of the President, John Dramani Mahama.
The ceremony, held at the National Police Headquarters in Accra, forms part of efforts to recognise merit, dedication, and long-standing service within the Ghana Police Service, while strengthening leadership across key operational and administrative levels.
The officers promoted from Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) to Commissioner of Police (COP) are Dr. Luke Asue-In-Yeng Zakpaa, Mr. Frederick Agyei, Mr. Duuti Tuaruka, Mr. Arthur Osei-Akoto, Mr. Darko Offei Lomotey, Mr. Eric Ken Winful, Mr. Barnabas Nambont Nasumong, and Mr. Desmond Owusu Boampong.
The IGP and members of POMAB congratulated the officers and urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
