News
Chieftaincy disputes pose a threat to investment
The Western Regional Minister, Mr Kwabena Otchere Darko-Mensah, has bemoaned the numerous chieftaincy disputes which continued to pose serious threats to the peace and security of the region.
He said notwithstanding efforts by the security agencies, almost all the districts in the region have one issue or the other. Prominent among them are the protracted chieftaincy disputes at Dixcove, Fijai, Essipon, Komfueku, Ateiku, Dompim-Pepesa and Shama.
The region, he said, continued to enjoy relative peace, with no cause for fear and panic, adding that it is heart-warming to note that intensification of security patrols has brought some relief to residents of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan area but nevertheless, vigilance and personal security on the part of every citizen is required to ensure safety.
Mr Kwabena Otchere Darko-Mensah expressed these concerns at a two-day meeting with members of the Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC), which was the first meeting of the year.
He explained that the meeting was always held in the first quarter of the year but the COVID-19 pandemic forced people to adjust meetings because of the numbers involved.
He said the Regional Security Council (RCC) met periodically and at emergency sessions to deal with and review security issues in the region, among such issues dealt with was the resolution of impasse between the Chief Imam of Sekondi Mosque, and the Sekondi-Zongo Chief over the management of the Sekondi Central Mosque.
The Regional Minister told all districts that have not yet elected their presiding members to do so as a matter of urgency, adding “failing to do so may lead the President declaring the assembly as having been in default and may consequently transfer the performance of its functions to a person or body by Executive Instrument and dissolve or suspend it for not more than one year (Section 37 of the Local Governance Act, 2016(Act 936).
He congratulated Mr Benjamin Kessie, Dr Isaac Dasmani and Alhaji Abdul Mumin-Issah on their appointment and subsequent confirmation to the high office of Chief Executive of their respective assemblies.
He also congratulated the 10 Presiding Members (PMs) on their election; and further implored the remaining four assemblies (Wassa Amenfi West, Amenfi Central, Ellembelle and Wassa East) who have not yet been able to elect their PMs to do the necessary consultations, to ensure the election of their PMs.
He indicated that guidelines have been issued for the MMDAs and MDAs to prepare their 2021 Annual Budget and this is where it is essential for all the assemblies to have their Presiding Members elected.
Mr Darko-Mensah noted that until the laws change, the District Assemblies remained non-partisan and should, therefore, conduct their affairs as such.
He told the MMDAs to be business-like in their approach, always seeking to create value.
Mr Darko-Mensah appealed to all the MMDCEs to cooperate very well with the various technocrats to come out with feasible developmental agenda for the total development of the communities.
Present at the meeting were traditional leaders, MMDCEs, Presiding Members, coordinating directors and all heads of departments.
From Peter Gbambila, Takoradi.
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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