News
Appiatse dead to be buried
All is set for the burial of those who died tragically at Appiatse on Thursday, January 20, 2022, at about 1:35 pm, when a vehicle carting explosives to a mining site had an accident killing a number of persons in the process.
About 13 people were said to have died on that fateful day along the Tarkwa-Bogoso Highway.
Nine out of the 13 dead bodies would be buried on Saturday, March 11, 2022, which three bodies were being prepared for burial this Friday, March 4, 2022, as announced by the Appiatse Disaster Relief Committee.
In an interview with The Spectator, the PRO of the Committee, Mr Thywill Quarshie said, each family would be given GHc6,000 to cover the cost of the funeral including coffins which would be borne by the Prestea -Huni Valley Assembly with support from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
“Families of the four persons have explained that funerals are held in every three months in their hometowns and the next will be in June, so if they don’t bury their bodies now, it means June and that would mean an extra cost. But, we don’t want that. So, the committee has agreed and approved that they will take their bodies away for burial.” he added.
Mr Quarshie mentioned that burial services for nine other persons would be held at the park( the explosion site) at Appiatse on March 11.
He told The Spectator “We have finally agreed that the funerals would have to be done this month across board, so that there will be no excuses.”
Meanwhile, autopsy on 13 dead bodies affected by the explosion at Appiatse, near Bogoso, has been completed, the Municipal Chief Executive of Prestea -Huni Valley, Dr Isaac Dasmani, has said.
Dr Dasmani gave the names of the deceased as Ekow Jackson, 40, Akua Nyame,80, Michael Afriyie, 19, Justice Kwesi Takwa, 21, Emmanuel Quainoo, 29, Enock Obeng, 40, Ella Baidoo, 15 months and Isaac Benny, 45.
The rest were Emmanuel Awinguda, 24, Daniel Armah, 35, Martin Quaicoe, 40, Eric Gyimah, 24, and Isaac Anane, 35.
Dr. Dasmani, who is the Chairman of the Appiatse Disaster Relief Committee, indicated that a Consultant Pathologist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi,Dr. Paul Ossei Sampene, completed autopsy on Saturday, February 12, at the VIP Mortuary at Ayensukrom No.1, near Bogoso in the Western Region.
“Already, the deceased were identified by their families on February 4.” he added.
The Spectator recalls that, at about 1.35pm, on Thursday, January 20, Detective Corporal Isaac Kamanim of Firearms Unit/Tarkwa, was escorting explosives from MAXAM Company, Tarkwa, in a DAF van with registration number WR 2252-18, driven by Alfred Pappoe to Chirano Gold Mines in the Western North Region.
On reaching a section of the road between Bogoso and Bawdie, a motor cycle rider from the opposite direction ran under the van carrying the explosives.
“The motor cycle caught fire, ignited the van which burst into flames and exploded. Driver sustained deep cut on the head and was rushed to Government Hospital, Tarkwa. The Police escort escaped unhurt. A number of people including the motor bike rider are feared dead.” a police report added.
It said, the extensive damage affected a nearby ECG transformer, with a number of nearby buildings razed down while a portion of the road was also damaged.
“Some vehicles plying that road were also damaged with the passengers and inhabitants sustaining various degrees of injury.” it said.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Takoradi
News
CSA urges Universities to strengthen cybersecurity following university of Nottingham cyber-attack
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has cautioned universities and other operators of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) in Ghana to comply with cybersecurity regulations following a recent cyber-attack on the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.
In a press release issued on June 16, 2026, the Authority said the incident should serve as a warning to educational institutions that no organisation is immune to cyber threats, regardless of its size, reputation or technological capacity.
According to the CSA, the attack on the University of Nottingham is believed to have affected about 450,000 students and alumni, exposing sensitive information such as personal records, contact details, student identification information and financial data.
The Authority noted that although the breach occurred outside Ghana, it has important lessons for the country’s education sector as well as other critical sectors including health, telecommunications and transportation.
The CSA explained that Ghanaian universities are increasingly relying on digital technologies such as student information systems, online learning platforms, cloud services, digital payment systems and research collaborations.
While these technologies improve efficiency and access to services, they also create opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities.
“The question is therefore not whether Ghanaian universities or other critical sectors will be attacked, but whether they are sufficiently prepared when an attack occurs,” the statement said.
The Authority reminded institutions to adhere to the Directive for the Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, which was launched in October 2021 to strengthen cybersecurity across critical sectors.
According to the CSA, the directive requires organisations to establish cybersecurity governance structures, conduct risk assessments, implement security controls, report incidents, carry out regular audits and develop effective incident response plans.
The Authority said these measures are intended to reduce the likelihood and impact of cyber-attacks and help protect essential services and national interests.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Former NPP flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong, has criticised both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the delayed completion of the Afari Military Hospital and other stalled health infrastructure projects.
Mr. Agyapong made the remarks on Tuesday after donating a pickup truck, an incubator and personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the 37 Military Hospital as part of activities marking his 66th birthday.
Speaking at the event, he said successive governments had failed to complete the Afari Military Hospital despite having years in office to do so.
According to him, the project was initiated during the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor and construction later commenced under the NDC.
Mr. Agyapong, who previously chaired Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, said he was aware of the project’s challenges and insisted that both the NPP and NDC should be held accountable for the delays.
“We will criticise the NDC and we will criticise the NPP. That’s the only way to go,” he said.
He noted that the previous NPP administration spent eight years in office without completing the facility and questioned attempts to place the blame solely on the current government.
The former Assin Central MP called on Ghanaians to put national development ahead of partisan politics and demand accountability from all political parties.
He said the country would make greater progress if leaders focused on completing critical projects and delivering results rather than engaging in political point-scoring.
By: Jacob Aggrey
