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Eastern Region: GBA and Judicial Service celebrate 41st Martyrs’Day
The Eastern Regional Branch of the Ghana Bar Association and the Judicial Service has celebrated its 41st Martyrs’ Day at the Ascension Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Koforidua.
The celebration was to commemorate the gruesome murder of the three high court judges namely Justice Fred Poku Sakodie, Cecilia Koranteng Addo and Justice Kwadwo Adjei Agyapong who were abducted from their respective homes in Accra on June 30, 1982 and murdered at the Bundase Military Range in the Accra Plains.
A solemn ceremony was organised at the premises of the church and wreaths were laid in after the service in memory of the murdered judges.
In an address during the ceremony, the Eastern Regional President of the Ghana Bar Association, Mr Francis Polley said the Bar and Bench would continue to mourn the death martyrs of the rule of law who had died in their line of duty.
“In response to the call for reconciliation by the National Reconciliation Commission and the Biblical injunction that we should forgive those who trespass against us, we have forgiven the wrong doers for their cowardly and evil deeds. However, we still remember these martyrs of the rule of law and we will continue to celebrate them,” he said.
He said the Bar and the Bench acknowledged and proclaimed the good qualities they possessed in their line of work for which they were murdered.
“The Bar and bench and the good people of Ghana salute you, you died in the line of duty and performed duties as judges without fear and favour and stood for the rule of law for which they could not eliminate,” he added.
He therefore called on judges, the Bar and Bench in the country to continue the legacy of the three deceased judges and be bold in executing their mandate without fear and favour and continue to stand for the rule of law and justice for humanity.
In a sermon preached at the ceremony, the District Minister in charge of the Koforidua and Minister of Ascension Presbyterian Church, Rev Justice Kwame Asumeng called on judges and members of the Bar association to execute their work soberly and decide impartially when settling cases.
That, he said backed by courage would cause nobody to trample on them, adding that “the nation today and the next generation depends on you and it is my prayer that God should give you what it takes to stand for the truth always.”
In attendance was the Eastern Regional Minister,Seth Kwame Acheampong, Municipal Chief Executives for New Juaben South and North, Mr Isaac Appaw-Gyasi and Mrs Comfort Asante and other important dignitaries.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
The Ghana Tourism Development Company, GTDC, under the leadership of Prof.Kobby Mensah has launched GTDC Campus Tourism Office at the University of Ghana.
The initiative aims to promote educational and domestic tourism by providing structured campus tour experiences showcasing key heritage sites, including the Archaeology Museum and the School of Performing Arts.
It will also offer students their first travel experience across the continent and inculcate in them love to visit Ghana’s heritage sites.
Addressing the gathering at the launch yesterday, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, described tourism as a vehicle for education and heritage preservation, stressing that the sector must inspire citizens to value and protect national culture for future generations.
The minister highlighted tourism’s connection to disciplines such as history, the arts, economics and environmental science.
The minister further noted that the private sector is the engine of tourism economy, adding that the engines require fuel, which is talents.” by investing in these young people today, you are securing the quality, the innovation and competitiveness of our own industry for tomorrow.
She added that the establishment of the office represents a deliberate investment in the intellectual capital of the country.
The GTDC boss, Prof.Kobby Mensah, said,”at GTDC, we believe that if our tourism has to be sustainable, we have to promote domestic tourism and a very big part of it is getting students to appreciate tourism and helping them to organise tours.”
He added that the University of Ghana itself is a huge heritage site which must be explored.
Prof.Kobby Mensah noted that the initiative, which is one of many to be established across the country, is a joint partnership between GTDC and University of Ghana.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof.Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, said the University is a custodian of heritage which goes beyond the structures and welcomed the establishment of the first Campus Tourism Office.
She was optimistic that the office would be put to good use to achieve the intended purpose.
The launch brought together Stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to nurturing future tourism and hospitality professionals.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana has officially accepted an invitation to serve as Guest Country at Burkina Faso’s 22nd National Culture Week in Bobo-Dioulasso from April 22 to May 2, 2026.
The invitation was extended by Burkina Faso’s Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo, accompanied by the Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Ghana, H.E. David Kabré.
Receiving the delegation, Abla Dzifa Gomashie reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening cultural diplomacy and strengthening historic ties between the two nations.
She noted that the festival will create opportunities for young creatives, expand exhibition platforms and promote commercial exchange within the creative sector.
The event will feature cultural performances, a community village and gastronomy fair, an arts market, literary engagements, and a craft and trade fair.
Ghana’s participation is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between John Dramani Mahama and Ibrahim Traoré, while fostering collaboration within the creative ecosystems of both countries.
