News
‘Asafo Electoral Area, dean of criminals’ ?
Asafo electoral area, which comprised vicinities such as the VIP lorry station, Asafo-Market, Asafo-Zion, among others, have now become hideouts for criminals.
Crimes such as robberies at knifepoints, drug peddling are common in those areas.
Consequently, Mr Ernest Okai, Assembly Member for the electoral area, in a statement to the Ghanaian Times, called on the Ashanti Regional Police Command as well as the Chief Executive Officer of the Kumasi metropolis, to help deal with the situation.
He noted that many robberies as well as drug trafficking had taken place in the area, and there was the need for serious security measures to protect human lives.
Mr Okai, who is also journalist with Media General (TV3) recounted a recent incident in which a man was allegedly killed by some prostitutes in a hideout near the Asafo-Fish Market area, and snatching of bags of women in the electoral area, saying the situation needed urgent attention of the security.
He stressed that the security should engage in daily swoops in the area, to scare criminals from diabolic activities.
Mr Okai also suggested to the Kumais Metropolitan Assembly, transport unions at the Asafo Market to support the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) in dealing with the situation.
‘’I am appealing to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, REGSEC as well as other institutions to come to our aid, because the situation is becoming irresistible and sometimes scary to say the least,’’ he appealed.
Mr Okai said he would appeal to the Inspector General of Police or the Presidency, if the Regional Police Command and REGSEC fail to help deal with the situation.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
News
Police arrest two suspects for possession of suspected narcotic substance at Ayi Mensah
The Ghana Police Service has arrested two suspects for possession of eleven (11) large compressed sacks of a substance suspected to be narcotics at Ayi Mensah in the Greater Accra Region.
The suspects, Mathew Narkotey and Augustine Teye, were arrested by a team from the National Operations Department (NOD) on June 7, 2025 during routine patrols. The suspects were onboard a Mazda pick-up truck with registration number GT 3490-P when a search uncovered the suspected narcotic substance concealed in the vehicle.
The vehicle and the suspected substances have been impounded and are currently secured at the Joint Operations Centre for evidential purposes.
Both suspects are in police custody assisting with investigations, while efforts are underway to arrest one Martey, named by the suspects as the intended recipient of the consignment.
News
‘Thousands of Ghanaian women suffering from Obstetric Fistula’
Thousands of Ghanaian women continue to suffer in silence from Obstetric Fistula (OF) due to inadequate access to surgical treatment, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has revealed.
Dr Wilfred Ochan, UNFPA’s Country Representative, disclosed that over the past decade, Ghana has accumulated a backlog of more than 12,000 untreated cases, despite recording an estimated 1,300 new cases each year.
He made the remarks during a visit to the New Times Corporation (NTC) in Accra to mark the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF).
“Only 1,000 repairs have been done in 10 years. That leaves thousands of women isolated, in pain, and excluded from society due to a condition that is both preventable and treatable,” Dr Ochan said.
He stressed the need for greater investment in surgical capacity, public awareness, and partnership, especially with the private sector— to accelerate Ghana’s efforts to eliminate the condition by 2030.
Obstetric Fistula results from prolonged or obstructed labour without timely medical care, causing a hole between the birth canal and bladder or rectum, leading to continuous leakage of urine or faeces. The consequences include stigma, chronic incontinence, and often, the death of the baby.
To help close the treatment gap, the UNFPA is working with health institutions including the Komfo Anokye and Cape Coast Teaching hospitals to scale up surgeries and outreach.
“We must not allow women to suffer lifelong trauma for simply trying to give life,” Dr Ochan urged.
The Managing Director, Mr Martin Adu-Owusu, pledged NTC’s support in raising public awareness and promoting maternal health initiatives.
“We are ready to collaborate with you to ensure that maternal deaths and issues affecting women come down to the barest minimum so that together we can achieve the UN goal to eliminating Obstetric Fistula by 2030,” he said
By Esinam Jemima Esinam
