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Chiefs are not pagans, idol worshippers
The Kyidomhene of Aburi in the Akuapem South District of the Eastern Region has debunked the notion that Chiefs are pagans and ,therefore, engage in idol worship.
According to Nana Opare Kwarfo this outmoded mentality should be consigned to the dustbin of history because the chieftaincy institution was now replete with traditional rulers who worshipped God other than idols.
He said these at a Thanksgiving Service at Aburi on Sunday to hand over the
Emmanuel Presbyterian Church of Ghana, which was renovated by the Kyidomhene in collaboration with the Aburi Adonteng Traditional Council at the cost of Gh¢51,000.00, to the church.
The Kyidomhene quoted from Psalm 138:4-8 and said David was a prominent King in the days of the Israelites who God used mightily and wrote that Kings and chiefs would be shaped by his experiences and examples, to embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ and worship the Almighty God.
“This is exactly what we are doing so we are not Pagans, we are Christians and strong Presbyterians before we became Chiefs and if Chiefs and Kings become religious to serve their Creator, their Kingdoms would be better” he stressed.
He said every good king or chief should be concerned with their call to duty of their Creator with confidence in Jehovah that He would secure and perfect whatever work was entrusted into their hands.
Nana Opare Kwarfo, therefore, appealed to Ghanaians to also see the chiefs and kings in the country as children of God with specific assigned roles to play in society.
“Do not see us as evil but support us to make the Church a worthy place to die for and Ghana a better place to live in” he said.
Preaching the sermon, Rev Emmanuel Okyere Otu thanked the Chiefs for their love and commitment to solve one of the biggest challenges of the Church.
According to him, the Aburi Presbyterian Church was 174 years but leaked profusely so the Kyidomhene Nana Opare Kwarfo , Okuapemman Adontenhene Otobuor Gyan Kwasi and the traditional council volunteered to re-roof and re-paint the whole building at the cost of over Gh¢51,000.00 to befit the status of Aburi especially the House Of God.
He advised the congregation to seek God always through Jesus Christ because all the indications of the second coming of Christ were being fulfilled .
Rev Otu cited the life of King David in the Bible and said though God was with him in all his dealings he passed through hardship but never stopped praising and thanking God and urged them to take a cue from that to have faith in God and it would be well with them.
The Church presented special edition of the Holy Bible to each of the chiefs to show appreciation to them for helping in the renovation of the building.
Firefighters from the Upper West Regional Command have responded to a vehicular incident involving a long vehicle carrying 35 Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC totes) reportedly containing hydrogen peroxide at Goriyiri in the Nadowli-Kaleo District.
The five-member crew, led by ASTNO Balagee, reported to the scene where a fire and an explosion had reportedly occurred.
The firefighters assessed the scene, identified the chemical hazards and implemented appropriate response measures, bringing the situation under control.
The driver reportedly sustained severe chemical burns and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called on the government and Parliament to undertake major reforms in Ghana’s prison system, including the construction of a dedicated prison hospital and the introduction of regulated conjugal visits.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Dr Boakye-Danquah shared Chairman Wontumi’s observations and recommendations following his remand on July 20, 2026.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi’s experience in prison has given him the opportunity to interact with prison officers and inmates and observe the challenges facing the Ghana Prisons Service.
The statement noted that the NPP chairman believes the correctional system must move beyond punishment to focus on rehabilitation, welfare and productivity.
One of his major concerns is the lack of dedicated, well-equipped prison hospitals, ambulances and standby generators in several prison facilities.
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had raised concerns about the difficulties in providing medical care to seriously ill inmates, including those suffering from tuberculosis.
He is therefore calling for the construction of a modern prison hospital to serve facilities across the country. In the interim, he has proposed emergency arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital.
On the welfare of prison officers, Chairman Wontumi has urged the government to review their salaries, accommodation and conditions of service.
He has also called for proper classification of inmates, arguing that minor offenders should not be housed alongside armed robbery convicts and that persons facing trial for serious offences, including treason and terrorism, should be appropriately separated from other inmates.
The statement further highlighted concerns about the need for counselling and behavioural support for young inmates, particularly those serving sentences for defilement-related offences.
Chairman Wontumi has also called for a clear policy on the classification and management of LGBTQI+ inmates within the prison system.
On family relationships, he has proposed the creation of designated private areas where prisoners can receive visits from their spouses and children.
He believes regulated conjugal visits could help preserve marriages, reduce tension among inmates and support rehabilitation.
“The prisoner is the one in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement noted, explaining his position on the need to protect family relationships during incarceration.
Chairman Wontumi has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms with the necessary equipment to improve food production.
According to the statement, the Ghana Prisons Service has access to vast lands and skilled labour but faces a shortage of agricultural equipment, with only one tractor reportedly available for farming and garbage-related activities.
He has further proposed greater collaboration between prison authorities and the justice sector, suggesting that regional prison commanders should be included in relevant discussions because of their knowledge of prison conditions and inmate rehabilitation.
On infrastructure, Chairman Wontumi has called on the government and private sector to invest in modern prison facilities and factories, arguing that the system has seen limited structural improvements over the years.
Appeal to Parliament
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had made a special appeal to Parliament to lead efforts towards comprehensive prison reform.
He is urging the Speaker of Parliament to initiate discussions on prison conditions as a human rights and national development issue.
He has also called on the Majority and Minority caucuses to work together to pass a new Prison Reform Act and approve funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulance services, standby generators and agricultural equipment.
Additionally, he wants the Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to undertake working visits to prisons across the country to assess conditions firsthand.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi believes bipartisan cooperation between the Majority and Minority caucuses is necessary to secure the legal and financial reforms required to improve the prison system.
He has called for broader prison reforms across Africa, expressing hope that Ghana could lead the continent in improving correctional facilities.
Reflecting on his experience since July 20, Chairman Wontumi stated: “At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”
The statement added that Chairman Wontumi remained in high spirits.
By: Jacob Aggrey
