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‘Alleged murderer not KNUST student’
The management of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has disassociated itself from a suspected murderer, who was said to be a final year Geological Engineering student of the university.
According to the KNUST, the suspect, Emmanuel Awuah, 23, “abandoned his course for two academic years and can, therefore, not be referred to as a KNUST final year student”.
Awuah allegedly killed a taxi driver over GHS 1,200.00 debt owed him by the deceased, Thomas Kwame Danso, 24.
A statement signed by the university’s Relations Officer, Dr Daniel Norris Bekoe, copied the Ghanaian Times, here, said Awuah did not register for the first and second semesters of the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 academic years.
It explained that in spite of not registering for these academic years, Awuah failed to defer his Geological Engineering program, neither did he indicate reasons for abandoning his course.
“Per the university’s regulations, a student, who abandons his course for one full academic year without any cause ceases to be a student of the university,” it said.
Condemning the alleged crime by Awuah, the KNUST urged the police to apprehend his (Awuah) accomplice and bring them to justice to serve as a deterrent to other young men and women, who might conceive such cruel acts in future.
The KNUST urged the public to crosscheck facts properly with the university relations office in future or risk legal action.
Awuah has since been provisionally charged with conspiracy to commit murder and murder.
He had appeared before the Mamponteng District Court, after his arrest by the police at Nyinahini.
His plea was not taken and the court, presided by Mr Thomas Boadi Soyori, remanded him into prison custody, to re-appear on August 3, 2020.
Prosecution said the owner of the taxi, Daniel Owusu, reported to the police station of his missing driver.
The police apprehended Awuah, who was in the possession of the taxi with registration number GE 1436-17, at Nyinahini.
According to the prosecution, Awuah told the accomplice, who is on the run, of how the deceased had refused to give him his GH₵1, 200.
The two, prosecution said, succeeded in luring the driver to the scene of the crime where they strangled him to death.
Prosecution said that when the police got to the scene, the head of the deceased was almost decomposed, and later the body was conveyed to the mortuary of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
FROM FAUSTINA KWABEA OSEI, KUMASI
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
