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Don’t attack personnel in uniform – Donald Gwira warns martial artists
Members of African Goju and the young trainess after the session
Practitioners of African Goju, an indigenous sports and system of self-defence, have been cautioned not to use their skill to attack security personnel in uniform.
This distinct form of martial arts, according to the Chief Instructor of African Goju, Mr. Donald Gwira, was to protect oneself, family and property other than causing fights or being on the offensive.
He said attacking personnel in uniform was a breach of the tenets and philosophy of the sports which could attract dire consequences for the offender when found culpable.
“If anyone in uniform accosts you, take the ones’s name and service number and report the person. The problem with attacking anybody in uniform is that, if you touch them, you are fighting the institution and not the individual. The whole institution would come after you and there is nothing going to save you in that regard.
“We have had instances where these have happened and we know what the consequences have been,” he said.
Mr. Gwira gave the warning at a Martial Arts Seminar and Exhibition on African Goju, held last Saturday in Accra as part of efforts to groom the next generation of practitioners.
The Seventh Degree Black Belt with over 40-years of experience who taught some basic self-defence techniques at the event, said the goal was to make African Goju the sole form of martial arts in Africa.
He said self-defence was crucial in all aspects of life and that children were the future of the sport, hence the need to provide the needed assistance to enable them to discover their full potentials.
About 50 children between ages five and 10 put a display on various aspects of self-defence, while the senior practitioners including “Great Warrior”, Patrick Mintah, exhibited other advanced styles and tactics by breaking a beer bottle with his head as part of his presentation.
Prof. Danny Gwira, the Founder of African Goju, emphasised the need to practice, promote and sustain the unique form of martial arts in Ghana instead of looking up to the Chinese and Koreans who were considered the masters of the art.
He said it was important to imbue the art of self-defence in children at a tender age and encourage them to do things by themselves, hence the plan to organise regular training sessions and seminars in future.
“The event marked 38 years of African Goju which was not only about building physical strength but also the holistic development of an individual,” he stated.
Prof. Gwira was confident other stakeholders would support the initiative to help train and produce great practitioners in Ghana.
The event saw Mr. Joshua Brown inducted into the Ken Gwira Hall of Fame after years of dedicated service and practice.
African Goju was formed in Ghana in 1985 by Danny Gwira, a student of Professor Ron Van Clief the Founder of Chinese Goju. It is practiced in over 34 countries as there are increased efforts to promote the sport in Africa.
BY ERNEST NUTSUGAH
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammy Awuku, has expressed deep sorrow following the sudden passing of Isaac Batsa, the constituency secretary for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker issued a statement on Tuesday reacting to the news, which has shocked the local political community.
Mr.Awuku praised the late NDC secretary for his bipartisan approach to local governance.
He noted that despite their different political affiliations, Batsa consistently rose above party lines to serve the constituency with diligence.
The MP revealed that the news was particularly shocking given that he had last interacted with Batsa just three days prior on Saturday.
Concluding his statement, Sammy Awuku extended his heartfelt condolences to Batsa’s family, the constituency and regional executives, and the entire NDC fraternity, wishing the deceased peaceful eternal rest.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
