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Art dealers still in business pending relocation

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The traders want designated space to be completed in time

Members of the Art and Craft Dealers Association say their recent engagement with government over plans to relocate the art market in Accra is yielding some positive result.

They have indicated their readiness to move to designated spaces at Kwawudi and Dodowa after the necessary facilities have been constructed.

Government intends to pull down structures at the centre to pave way for the marine drive project — an investment meant to boost the tourism industry and create jobs for the youth.

The traders, somewhat last year, had threatened to resist the relocation plans, citing various inconveniences the move was likely cause them.

They argued that livelihoods would be lost since the Community Youth Cultural Centre at Kwawukudi in Accra was not spacious to accommodate all of them

The new centre, according to them, lacks the facilities which will facilitate their activities hence their call on the government to consider renovating the centre instead of pulling it down completely.

But it appears the traders now appreciate the essence of their relocation to a new site. When The Spectator visited the market square on Wednesday, some traders were seen attending to a handful of clients.

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Contrary to previous reports, Mr Charles Kofi Appiah, Chairman of the Traditional Cultural Kente and Adinkra Manufacturers and Sellers Association, explained that it was only the administration of the centre for National Culture that was relocating.

He said prospective clients thought the market square had already been relocated but it was still operating and business was picking up gradually.

The traders are, however, not clear how soon the relocation would happen and appealed to the government to fast track work on the Kawukudi and Dodowa projects before they are relocated.

The Art Centre has been an embodiment of culture for many years. It has a Visual Arts Department, a market square and a theatre which serve as rehearsal grounds for persons in the arts.

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By Lizzy Okai

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Justin Kodua Frimpong files nomination to seek re-election as NPP General Secretary

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General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.

He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.

Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.

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“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.

He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.

“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.

His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.

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The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.

The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

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The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.

In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.

The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.

According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.

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UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.

The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.

It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.

UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.

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The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.

The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.

Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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