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Murder of Sogakope assembly member: Mason jailed for life, 2 others get 94 years in jail
Five years after the assembly member for Sogakope, Mawuli Adzahli was robbed and shot dead at his residence in Sogakope by some gangsters, the ringleader, Richard Adikyere, a mason, has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
The court in Ho, presided over by Justice Daniel Ekow Mensah, also sentenced two accomplices to 47 years each in prison for robbery.
Adikyere had pleaded not guilty to robbery, possession of firearms without lawful authority and murder.
The two others, Emmanuel Hedzro, unemployed and Stephen Adzibolo, also pleaded not guilty to robbery.But they were all found guilty by the court.
Four other accomplices in the case, Obed Ayornu, Michael Sam, Samuel Kofi Zotorvi and his twin brother, Christain Zotorvi who entered plea deals with the court and pleaded guilty for their complicity in the case, were each sentenced to 15 years at an earlier hearing.
The court heard that Hedzro, the first accused in the case, sometime in 2020 informed his friend Adikyere that there was a wealthy merchant in Sogakope, and then instructed him to recruit a gang to join them to rob him.
The first accused then led Adikyere to show him the house of the assembly member and subsequently Adikyere recruited other gangsters for the operation.
Senior State Attorney, Andrews Dodzi Adugu said as part of the robbery operation, Adikyere, Adzibolo, Ayornu and Sam stormed the house of the Mawuli Adzahli on March 1, 2020, at about 1:30 am and broke into the room using cement blocks.
The court heard that a pump action gun and two pistols belonging to Adikyere were also used for the operation.
In the process, the prosecution said, Adikyere shot the merchant three times and killed him at the scene, before the gang took away a large sum of money from the house.
A post-mortem examination at the Sogakope District Hospital revealed the cause of death as head and chest injuries from gun shots at close range.
Days after the incident, the police arrested the accused persons, including Hedzro who had used his share of the booty to buy himself a motorbike valued at GH¢4,800.
The accused were arrested at different locations, including Ashaiman.
During interrogation, Adikyere admitted he shot and killed the assembly member with a pump action gun, the court heard.
It also emerged that Adikyere stole the gun from an earlier robbery incident, the court was further told.
Giving judgement, the court said it took into account the heinous and callous nature of the offences committed by the accused persons.
The court said it also considered the overwhelming evidence from the prosecution to prove its case.
As they were being led out of court, Adikyere who was handcuffed to Hedzro attempted to attack journalists who were trying to take photographs of them.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
