News
Akim Oda MP appeals for late Akwatia MP’s children to be included in presidential support fund
Member of Parliament for Akim Oda Constituency, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has appealed to President John Mahama to include the children of the late MP for Akwatia, Ernest Kumi in the support fund the President promised to establish.
The fund is intended to assist the families of eight individuals who died in a helicopter crash while travelling to the Ashanti Region.
Speaking in an interview with UTV Ghana, Mr. Acquah argued that the work of an MP was comparable to that of a president and therefore deserving of similar recognition.
“Ernest Kumi also deserves such treatment. He is even yet to be buried,” he stated.
He stressed that it was imperative for the government to consider the late MP’s children as beneficiaries of the fund.
He added that his remarks were also to remind the government of the need to honour the late MP, as well as to remember the 16 children who tragically lost their lives on the Atwedie stretch of the Kumasi-Accra highway.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
President Mahama thanks Ghanaians for support after helicopter crash tragedy
President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and the government have expressed deep gratitude to Ghanaians and the international community for the support shown following the helicopter crash of August 6, which claimed eight lives, including two ministers of state.
In a message issued by the Presidency on Monday, the President said the nation was moved by the outpouring of condolences, solidarity, and practical assistance offered during the period of mourning.
He noted that the sympathy messages, attendance at the state funeral, and acts of kindness towards the bereaved families brought comfort in a difficult time.
The statement commended individuals, security personnel, and corporate organisations that worked to ensure that the victims were given what it described as a “dignified and befitting Ghanaian burial.”
“As we return to the duties of resetting Ghana and building the Ghana we want, let us remain united in prayer, comfort one another, and continue to support the families affected by this tragedy,” the statement said.
The President in the statement prayed for the souls of the departed to rest in eternal peace.
Following the conclusion of the state funeral and the burial of all eight victims, the Chief of Staff has directed that flags at public buildings, which had been flown at half-mast in mourning, be restored to full mast with immediate effect.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
President Mahama grants 998 prisoners amnesty
President John Dramani Mahama has granted amnesty to 998 prisoners serving various jail terms across prisons in the country.
The gesture is upon the recommendation of the Prisons Service Council and in consultation with the Council of State and in accordance with Article 72(1) of the Constitution.
A statement issued by the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, in Accra yesterday said the number is out of a total of 1,014 recommended.
Per the statement, 87 persons who were sentenced to death will now be commuted to life imprisonment whiles 51 prisoners who were on life sentence will now have to serve 20 years.
First time offenders to be granted pardon are 787, seriously ill, 33, over 70 years irrespective of offence 36, nursing mothers, 2 and petitions, 2.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
