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Aveme Danyigba youth halts operation of Cocoa smugglers
Some of the bags containing the cocoa seeds
There was drama at Aveme Danyigba in the North Dayi District of the Volta Region as an assemblyman led a vigilante group, mainly the youth, to arrest a cocoa smuggling syndicate from the Afram Plains area.
The syndicate had crossed the Volta Lake with the aim of crossing the border to the Republic of Togo only to meet a fierce resistance from the angry youth.
The youth action followed a tip-off from officials of COCOBOD that Cocoa beans were being transported across the Volta Lake from Afram Plains to the Volta Region to be smuggled to Togo.
Briefing the media at Aveme Danyigba, the assemblyman for Aveme Electoral Area, Mr Godsway Antwi, said after the hint from COCOBOD staff, the vigilante group took positions around the landing site where a Kia truck with registration number GG 1781-18 arrived.
According to him, the boat finally arrived about 30 minutes after the truck and 99 sacks of Cocoa beans were offloaded onto the truck.
Just when they were about to take off, the youth emerged from their hiding and blocked the road.
According to him, upon realising the danger and youth aggression, the suspected smugglers felt threatened and took to their heels, leaving the truck and the Cocoa beans behind.
The vigilante group, led by the assemblyman, reported the incident to the chief of Aveme Danyigba, Togbe Kokroko.
Mr Antwi said the youth were satisfied when Togbe Kokroko ordered that the vehicle with the sacks of Cocoa beans should be handed over to the police at Anfoega.
“We were happy that a delegation from COCOBOD and the National Security from Accra and Hohoe visited our community and thanked the chief, elders and the youth and rewarded us handsomely for our patriotism.”
Mr Antwi therefore urged Ghanaians to support institutions to fight against criminals such as smugglers and other corrupt practices, which affected the development of the country.
Meanwhile, the truck with the 99 bags of Cocoa beans were transported to the Volta North Police headquarters at Hohoe for further investigation.
A police source said the police would look for the owner of the vehicle to assist and produce the suspected smugglers who escaped.
From Samuel Agbewode, Aveme-Danyigba
The New Times Corporation (NTC) on Monday held its annual thanksgiving service, bringing together staff and management to reflect on the past year, express gratitude, and renew their commitment to the organisation’s growth.
At the service, the Deputy Chairperson of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) and a Board Member of the New Times Corporation (NTC), Madam Charity Binka, called for strong and intentional collaboration among staff, emphasising that unity and teamwork were crucial to transforming the corporation during its challenging times.
“This is a time to break silos, share ideas and work together as one team with a shared vision,” she said, adding that innovation and digital transformation must be embraced to secure NTC’s future.
Madam Binka expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the corporation and its employees despite financial and operational difficulties.
“Though the journey has not been smooth, God has sustained us. We are here today because of His grace,” she indicated, acknowledging the resilience and dedication of staff who have kept The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator among the country’s most respected newspapers.
Quoting Jeremiah 29:11, she encouraged staff to remain hopeful and confident that brighter days lie ahead.
Delivering the sermon, Rev. John Akorli of Word Divine International Ministry at Sukura, Accra, cautioned staff against excessive talking and gossip, warning that careless speech could create unnecessary problems.
Rev. Akorli further reminded staff that their identity should not be defined by past mistakes, family background, or negative labels.
He encouraged them to live confidently, depend on God’s guidance, and remain focused on their responsibilities, noting that spiritual awareness and discipline were essential to personal and organisational growth.
The service ended with prayers for unity, renewal, and a prosperous new chapter for the New Times Corporation.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Catholic Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese, Bishop Joseph Afrifa Agyekum, has expressed concern over the rising rate of divorce in the country, attributing the trend largely to inadequate knowledge about marriage and misplaced expectations of couples.
He said many marriages were collapsing because couples entered into the union without a clear understanding of the responsibilities, sacrifices and commitments that marriage demands.
The Bishop raised the concern while addressing congregants at the 50th anniversary of the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church at Madina on Sunday.
According to him, marriage was increasingly being viewed through unrealistic lenses shaped by social media, peer pressure and material expectations, rather than mutual respect, patience and shared values.
“Many people go into marriage with expectations that are not grounded in reality. When those expectations are not met, conflict sets in and eventually leads to separation or divorce,” he observed.
The Bishop noted that some couples lacked proper preparation before marriage, adding that pre-marital counselling was often treated as a formality rather than an opportunity to gain deeper insight into marital life.
He stressed the need for churches, families and society to intensify education on marriage, particularly among the youth, to help them make informed decisions before entering into marital unions.
The Bishop also urged married couples to embrace dialogue, forgiveness and understanding, saying disagreements were inevitable but could be resolved through patience and commitment.
He urged couples experiencing challenges to seek counselling instead of resorting to separation, emphasising that strong families remained the foundation of a stable and progressive society.
By Kennedy Afedzi
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