News
‘All masks are not equal’
As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc, experts maintain that if all people wear nose masks and observe other safety protocols, the pandemic could be brought under control.
But there seems to be argument over which masks are most effective. There are suggestions that some masks may actually spread the virus than not wearing one at all.
It is common to see some people in public using handkerchiefs, as nose masks.
According to Mr Kalvin Odonkor, a nurse and health blogger, “some people really don’t understand that not all face coverings are equal, and that there are some that are going to be more or less effective”.
He said given the rate of droplet transmission, people must stop covering their mouths and noses with handkerchiefs, bandana and other materials.
“All masks are not equal; some are of inferior quality and this could be dangerous. I think that many people are just wearing these face coverings not realising that they are meant to serve a purpose” he said.
For those who are still confused about why masks are necessary, he noted that asymptomatic spread was one of the factors to keep in mind. 
He said that, there were many people out there who did not know that they were infected, and that face shields or nose masks helped to reduce contracting the disease from those who did not show any signs or symptoms.
“If everybody knew their status, that would be a different story, but the fact of the matter is that most people don’t know whether they’re infected or not,” he said.
By Geoffrey Buta
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
