News
Assembly man shot dead in Aboabo
A wave of grief has swept through the Amansie West District over the fatal shooting of the Assembly Member for Aboabo, Samuel Danquah, during a violent clash between residents and armed military personnel at a mining site in Mpatuam on Tuesday.
Samuel Danquah was killed when military men opened fire on angry residents in Mpatuam. Two other people were also shot and are in hospital.
The trouble started on Monday, September 8, when local people said security guards from Asanko Mines killed a miner.
On Tuesday, hundreds of young people blocked the roads to the mining site, demanding justice for the dead man.
Danquah went to the scene to talk to the protesters and calm them down. But when soldiers arrived, they started shooting. Danquah was hit by a bullet and died at the hospital.
“Danquah came to help calm the situation,” said Kwame Sakyi, an Assembly Member for Mpatuam, who saw what happened. “He believed in talking through problems.”
After the shooting, the angry crowd set fire to vehicles and equipment belonging to the mining company. The whole area is now very tensed.
“The situation is out of hand,” Sakyi told reporters. “The youth are devastated. They feel unheard, unsafe, and betrayed. We’ve lost a respected leader and the people are demanding answers,” he added.
This is not the first time such troubles between mining companies and local communities in Ghana has been recorded. Many people living near mines say the companies make money from their land but give nothing back to them.
They complained that the mining is destroying their farms and water sources while they remain poor. When they protest, security forces often use force against them.
Sakyi is asking the government to investigate what happened and find out why soldiers shot at unarmed people. He wants to know why a respected community leader was killed while trying to make peace.
“While mining brings economic opportunities, communities continue to feel left out,” he explained, adding that, “We need better ways for people to talk about their problems without violence.”
Community leaders and civil society groups are also calling on the government to step in and prevent more violence in mining areas.
People who knew Danquah said he was always trying to help solve problems peacefully. His family and friends are shocked that he was killed while trying to prevent a commotion.
The funeral arrangements are being made while the community mourns a leader who died trying to serve his people.
Many opinion leaders believe the incident shows how dangerous the situation has become in Ghana’s mining areas, where conflicts between companies and communities are getting worse instead of better.
From Kingsley Hope, Kumasi
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![Mrs Georgina Quaittoo [third from right] pose with some members of the Association Photos Okai Elizabeth.](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mrs-Georgina-Quaittoo-third-from-right-pose-with-some-members-of-the-Association-Photos-Okai-Elizabeth.jpg)
THE Times Ladies Association, a group consisting of female staff of the New Times Corporation (NTC), on Monday commemorated this year’s International Women’s Day with a call on women to empower themselves through education, unity and healthy living to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The event, held at the NTC’s boardroom, was attended by management members and staff of the corporation and was to celebrate the achievements of women and reflect on their role in society.
In her address, the President of the association, Mrs Georgina N.M Quaittoo, said the global celebration, marked annually on March 8, recognised the economic, political and social achievements of women while raising awareness about gender equality.
Although the international celebration fell on Sunday, she explained that the association decided to mark the occasion on March 9 to enable members to participate fully and commemorate the day in their own way.
Speaking on this year’s theme: ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,’ and the global campaign theme: ‘Give to Gain,’ she the association had over the years worked tirelessly to support the growth and progress of the corporation despite the challenges they faced.
Urged members to commit themselves to deeper service to humanity and the advancement of women. She said women were unique, resilient and invaluable to society, stating that they deserved respect, appreciation, kindness and love for the vital roles they played in families, workplaces and communities.
According to her, members of the President, who is also the Editor of The Spectator newspaper, encouraged members to empower themselves academically and take advantage of opportunities to improve their lives and careers.
She also urged them to maintain healthy lifestyles by going for regular medical check-ups, exercise regularly, get enough rest and support one another.
Moreover, she advised members to accept leadership positions when given the opportunity and to exhibit qualities such as hard work, confidence, patience, compassion and responsibility in both their homes and workplaces.
Contributing, the Chanel Marketing and Circulation Manager, Mr Alfred Koomson, said women played critical roles in society and deserved to be supported and appreciated.
He urged men to recognise that they were often vulnerable species without the care, support and contributions of women in their lives.
He, therefore, commended women for the invaluable roles they play as mothers, caregivers, professionals and leaders, stressing that society would be incomplete without them.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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GHANA celebrated her 69th Independence Anniversary last Friday with colourful parades across all 16 regions of the country.
This year’s theme: ‘Reflect, Review, Reset,’ emphasised the importance of reflecting on the nation’s journey, assessing its current state, and planning for a brighter future.
At the Jubilee House, dignitaries present were President John Mahama, Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, former Presidents, Akufo-Addo and John Agyekum Kufuor, behalf of the President, former President of Tanzania, and other distinguished guests.
The President, John Dramani Mahama, addressed the nation at the seat of government whiles Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives addressed their various assemblies on.
As part of the celebrations, school children paraded and displayed their marching skills whiles others performed cultural and other social activities to mark the day across the regions.
