News
KMA revives ‘Samansaman’ sanitation drive, 13 arrested
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has officially reinstated the ‘Samansaman’ sanitation enforcement exercise as part of renewed efforts to restore cleanliness and order across the metropolis.
The operation commenced on Monday, July 6, 2026, with a patrol in Dichemso led by Mr. Kwaku Poku, Head of the Environmental Health Unit. The exercise was carried out by a special task force comprising technocrats and security personnel.
At the end of day one, 13 offenders were arrested for various sanitation offences. The arrested persons have since been arraigned before the Prempeh Assembly District Court for prosecution.
According to KMA, the reintroduction of the ‘Samansaman’ system is to ensure that residents take full responsibility for keeping their homes, businesses, and immediate surroundings clean.
The Assembly noted that the pace of sanitation improvement in Kumasi has been slow in recent times, a situation it says has contributed to deteriorating environmental conditions in parts of the city.
Speaking on the exercise, KMA stated that it remains committed to backing its sanitation agenda with decisive enforcement action to make Kumasi cleaner, healthier, and safer for residents and visitors.
The Assembly is appealing to the public to support the initiative.
“A clean Kumasi is everyone’s responsibility. Let’s all do our part by keeping our surroundings clean and disposing of waste responsibly,” the Assembly urged the people of Kumasi.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Attorney General has filed an application at the High Court seeking to set aside an earlier order that allowed Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, the first accused in a pending criminal case, to travel to the United Kingdom for specialist medical treatment.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice said the application was filed on behalf of the Republic after new information came to the attention of prosecutors following the court’s decision on June 29, 2026.
According to the Office, the new developments significantly change the circumstances under which the court granted Mr. Aludiba permission to travel.
The Attorney General said court documents filed in support of the application allege that Mr. Aludiba attempted to use an order from a differently constituted High Court in a separate case to access money held in bank accounts that remain frozen under valid orders obtained by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
The Office said the bank reportedly declined the attempted withdrawal and informed the investigative authorities.
According to the statement, the alleged attempt happened shortly before Mr. Aludiba was scheduled to leave Ghana.
It said the development raises concerns about compliance with existing court orders, the integrity of the ongoing criminal trial, and the possibility that he may not return to face trial if allowed to leave the country.
The Attorney General said these facts were not before the court when it granted the travel request and could influence its decision if they had been known.
It said the application is asking the High Court to reconsider its earlier decision in the interest of justice.
The Office stressed that the application is part of the normal legal process under Ghanaian law and does not seek to determine the outcome of the criminal case.
It noted that Mr. Aludiba continues to enjoy the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The statement further disclosed that following his arrest, Mr. Aludiba has been granted bail by the Economic and Organised Crime Office.
The Office of the Attorney General said it will not comment further because the matter is currently before the High Court.
It reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting the integrity of criminal proceedings and ensuring due process for all accused persons.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has denied reports suggesting that GH¢308,000 was stolen from the Authority by one of its personnel.
In a statement, the DVLA said the money at the centre of the alleged theft case does not belong to the Authority and was not taken from any of its accounts.
According to the Authority, the case involves a personal dispute between two individuals, one of whom is a former National Service Personnel who currently works with the DVLA on contract.
It explained that although the individual is attached to the Authority, the alleged offence has no connection with its operations, finances or official duties.
The DVLA said it has not suffered any financial loss as a result of the incident and described media reports suggesting otherwise as inaccurate and misleading.
The Authority was reacting to a media publication with the headline: “DVLA Service Personnel allegedly steals GH¢308K to purchase Hyundai Elantra saloon car, a Samsung 50-inch television set and pay sibling’s school fees.”
It urged media organisations and the public to report the matter accurately to avoid creating the false impression that public funds belonging to the DVLA had been stolen.
The DVLA assured the public that its financial systems remain secure and that its operations have not been affected.
The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to integrity and accountability, adding that it has confidence in the legal process and will fully cooperate with the police if required.
By: Jacob Aggrey
