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Draught game centres, potential spread of COVID-19?

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One of the games which involves close contacts with the opponent is the draught game.

Arguably, it does not ensure the practice of strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocol of social distancing due to its close proximity nature.

This is because the board used for playing the game (usually positioned on the laps of the players), is placed between the two persons opposing each other, who sit less than a metre or three feet away from each other.

The situation is not different at the Tema Community One Community Centre area where many people made up of both young and old meet to play the game.

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On several occasions where The Spectator has visited the place, at least 10 people have been found closely gathered with many of them not wearing nose masks.

The players and those cheering them on, including those who are the next to play, stand right behind the players cheering.

When one opponent succeeds in blocking the other by taking a significant number of the pieces of his contender which makes it impossible for the other to move, it drew noise from both supporting parties.

The players are also noted to speak on top of their voices to tease themselves as they jump and pick an opponent pieces.

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With the closeness to each other without face masks, it obviously draws droplets which results in exchanges that has the potential to spread the coronavirus.

With the state of affairs, any coughing or sneezing which are often involuntary actions from the persons involved in the game, could compromise the health and safety of many.

There are no hand washing facilities or alcohol-based hand rubs at the venue, therefore anyone no matter how clean or dirty his hands are, just joins and handles the board or the pieces for playing the game which is also a recipe for the spread of the virus.

The Spectator is by this drawing the attention of all players and city authorities to as a matter of urgency put measures in place to right the potential wrongs so that the venue for the game does not become a fertile ground for the spread of the virus. 

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One may ask, in the event that one of the frequent visitors to the place contracts the virus, will he be willing to stop coming there or be bold enough to tell the others?

From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema

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NPP completes constituency executive elections in 245 constituencies- Justine Kodua announces

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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it has successfully conducted constituency executive elections in 245 out of its 276 constituencies across the country.

The party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said the exercise recorded an 88.7 per cent success rate and was conducted peacefully in the constituencies where voting took place.

In an update posted on his Facebook page, he said elections in 23 constituencies were put on hold because of various disputes.

He added that four constituencies Ningo Prampram, Atwima Mponua, Obuasi West and Trobu could not hold their elections due to last minute challenges.

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According to him, the party’s National Steering Committee will also review election activities in Afigya Sekyere East, Adansi Asokwa, Bantama and Asante Akyem Central.

Mr Frimpong said the National Secretariat is committed to resolving all outstanding issues to ensure the successful completion of the constituency executive elections.

He expressed appreciation to members of the party for their support and discipline throughout the exercise.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to all Patriots for their commitment, discipline, and support, which contributed to the successful conduct of these elections,” he stated.

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By: Jacob Aggrey

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Police arrest two Nigerians over murder of compatriot in Tamale

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The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested two Nigerian nationals in connection with the murder of a 36-year-old Nigerian man at Sanzirigu in Tamale.

The suspects, identified as Daniel Victor Eze and David Oko Ewa, were arrested on Saturday, July 11, shortly after the body of Nkemujika Uzorchuku Eze was found in his bedroom.

According to the Police, preliminary investigations showed that the deceased lived in a three-bedroom apartment with his wife, Peace Uzorchuku, the two suspects and another Nigerian national, Godwin Nwafor.

The Police said officers began investigations after receiving a report that the deceased had been found lying in a pool of blood in his room.

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A team that visited the scene found that he had suffered a deep cut to the forehead and had a towel stuffed into his mouth. The room had also been ransacked.

The Police said a wooden pestle believed to have been used in the attack, together with other items, was recovered from the scene for forensic examination.

The body was taken to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where a medical officer confirmed him dead before it was deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and an autopsy.

According to the Police, intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of the two suspects at Tatale on the same day while they were allegedly attempting to escape into the Republic of Togo.

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They were later handed over to the Tamale District Criminal Investigations Department to assist with investigations.

The Police said the suspects allegedly admitted during interrogation that they had conspired to kill the deceased because he had been withholding money they claimed was obtained through internet fraud.

A search conducted after their arrest led to the recovery of several items suspected to have been stolen from the deceased’s room, including mobile phones, laptop computers, a tablet, jewellery, clothing, wristwatches, personal documents and other valuables. The Police said the items have been kept as exhibits to support the investigations.

The suspects remain in Police custody and are expected to appear before court on Monday, July 13, to facilitate the ongoing investigations.

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The Northern Regional Police Command said it remains committed to bringing everyone involved in the crime to justice and urged the public to provide credible information to help fight crime.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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