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Alban Bagbin installed Chief in Suma
Speaker Bagbin(third left) on his way to the installation
The Suma Traditional Council (STC) at Suma in the Bono Region on Saturday installed the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin as a chief with the stool name Nana Adosorkorhene I.
The Speaker’s installation was to recognise his show of strength against western powers in the promotion of LGBTQ+ activities in the country.
It would be recalled that in July this year the Suma Traditional Council also awarded the Highest Order of the Suma State Adinkra award to Mr Bagbin for his advocacy on the anti- LGBTQ+ bill.
The colourful coronation was preceded by initiation rites performed behind closed doors before the coronation at the forecourt of the Suma Palace.
Mr Bagbin arrived at the Palace adorned in a beautiful smock and accompanied by his wife, Minority Caucus in Parliament, staff of the Parliamentary service board and other dignitaries.
Also in attendance were a delegation from the clergy made up of members of the Pentecostal Council, local council of churches led by the Bishop of Sunyani Diocese, Mathew Kwasi Gyamfi.
The occasion was to climax a week-long crusade organised by the STC for God’s blessings and protection on the Suma State under the theme “Who the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
The Omanhene of the area, His Royal Majesty Odeneho Dr Affram Brempong III said Ghana’s culture was under threat and all effort must be made to preserve the culture, values and traditions of the Ghanaian society against any abominable indoctrination.
He said the Parliament of Ghana must pass the human and sexual rights and family values Bill 2021 into law to safeguard the moral fabric of the Ghanaian society.
The paramount chief explained that the Adosorkohene title given to Mr Bagbin means a tower of strength derived from the Suna deity which protected their ancestors against their enemies during wars and that people associate with Mr Bagbin of his resolve to ensure that Parliament pass the bill into law.
The Speaker of Parliament on his part expressed his excitement and delight for the honour bestowed on him by the chiefs and people of Suma.
His coronation, he said, was not for him alone but for the institutions of Parliament and Ghana as a whole.
He assured that Parliament will do the right thing to ensure that the LGBTQ+ bill was passed into law, adding that the cost of LGBTQ+ activities on the health system of the country cannot be borne by the state.
Mr Bagbin explained that countries promoting homosexuality were facing the brunt of it, stressing that Ghana will not be intimidated to tolerate such a bad culture.
He said his recent call for a change in the governance structure of the country to allow chiefs, religious bodies and the media was aimed at strengthening the democratic culture of the country.
He commended the chiefs and people of Suma for preserving their rich culture which he said had stood the test of time and called for peace and unity among traditional authorities in the country.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Suma Ahenkro
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
