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Global push for inquiry into COVID-19 response
Global health leaders are pushing for an independent review of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the United Nation (UN)’s World Health Assembly.
Monday’s virtual meeting brings together envoys from 194 member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The WHO is facing questions on how it has dealt with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has defended his country’s actions during the outbreak, spoke during Monday’s opening ceremony.
He said China had acted “with openness and transparency” and insisted that any investigation should happen after the pandemic was brought under control.
In other opening remarks, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed a proposed resolution calling for a review of the WHO’s handling of the pandemic and said it would initiate it “at the earliest opportunity”.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said the WHO must be given more legal powers to ensure that countries report outbreaks and share data.
“A novel infectious disease could emerge at any time and we must be able to respond more quickly and effectively,” he said.
The two-day assembly – an annual meeting that reviews the work of the UN’s health agency – comes amid recriminations between the US and China over the virus.
The US has already stopped its funding for the agency and is promoting its own vaccine programme.
More than 4.5 million people have been infected and more than 300,000 have died since the virus emerged in China in December.
The European Union, alongside countries including the UK, Australia and New Zealand, is pushing for an inquiry into how the pandemic has been handled and what lessons can be learned.
EU spokeswoman Virginie Battu-Henriksson said several key questions needed to be answered as part of any review.
“How did this pandemic spread? What is the epidemiology behind it? All this is absolutely crucial for us going forward to avoid another pandemic of this kind,” she said.
However, she added that now was not the time for “any sort of blame game”.
A draft resolution calling for a review, to be put to a vote on Tuesday, requires a two-thirds majority to pass and already has support from 116 of the 194 member states, according to Reuters.
Last month, an European Union (EU) report accused China of spreading disinformation about the crisis. -BBC
News
Minority leader urges NPP members to remain united amid restructuring
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr. Afenyo-Markin, has called on members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to remain steadfast and united as the party works to restructure its core values for the future.
In a Facebook post, Mr. Afenyo-Markin reminded the rank and file of the party that challenges should not divide them.
“We must rebuild, yes, but not as scattered stones. We must rebuild together. We are not a broken party, we are only a battle-tested party. We must not allow current challenges to blur our vision or break our ranks,” he said.
He further stressed that rebuilding the NPP must be done collectively and guided by the party’s values.
“We must rebuild together, brick by brick, anchored in our values and in the unshakable belief that no individual is bigger than the NPP. That belief must reflect in our tone, our language, our strategy, and most importantly, in our posture towards one another,” the Minority Leader stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
Police in pursuit of two suspected to be plotting a crime
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has launched investigations after officers recovered weapons and ammunition from an abandoned vehicle, believed to be linked to two men suspected of planning a crime.
The incident occurred on Sunday, August 17, 2025, when the Kuntanase District Patrol Team spotted a white Toyota Sienta with registration number NR 289-24 suspiciously parked near a bushy area along the Aputuoagya-Bekwai road.
In a statement, the police said two men were seen beside the vehicle allegedly smoking a substance suspected to be narcotics.
They fled into the nearby bush when they noticed the approaching police and escaped despite a pursuit.
A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of weapons, including an AK-47 rifle, a locally made firearm, two AK-47 magazines loaded with 30 rounds each, four packets of ammunition, and seven loose rounds.
Other items recovered included a smartphone, cowrie shells, footwear, and personal identification cards.
The vehicle has been impounded at the Kuntanase Police Station, and all recovered items are being retained as exhibits to support the ongoing investigation.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command urged members of the public with information about the suspects to report to the nearest police station or call emergency numbers 191, 18555, or 112.
By: Jacob Aggrey
