News
Ebi Bright, a good choice for TMA
Dear Editor,
I wish to congratulate the first female Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), Mrs Ebi Bright on her appointment.
Her appointment is a reward for her good works in the municipality. It was unfortunate she was not successful in her bid to become the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema Central Constituency.
But in this capacity, she can still serve her people.
Mayor Bright has been an advocate for women in Tema and beyond and would stop at nothing to inspire other girls and women to work hard to also occupy such top positions.
Her inclusion in the array of mayors in Tema should motivate all women in Tema and the entire country to aspire for excellence and fight to overcome negative barriers that may hinder women’s development.
As an admirer of this hardworking lady, I wish to urge her to bring development projects to the Tema Central, Tema East and others.
Mayor Bright must also engage stakeholders especially the chiefs, MPs, assembly members, religious and opinion leaders as well as youth leaders to dialogue on how to make Tema the once industrious city of Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Tema, just like other assemblies, is facing several challenges regarding infrastructure, youth unemployment, and sanitation, among others.
That should tell Mayor Bright that her appointment comes with challenges which require the efforts of every stakeholder to address. I know she is capable. Congratulations Mum.
Victor A. Buxton
Tema Central
News
Nii Lante Vanderpuye calls for punitive action against soldier who assaulted the Joy News journalist
The former Member of Parliament for the Odododiodio Constituency and National Coordinator for the Disaster Resilience Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has called for strict disciplinary action to be taken against the soldier who allegedly assaulted a Joy News journalist during the demolition of a facility around Spintex in Accra on July 30.
The structures is said to belong to popular businessman, Daniel McKorley, popularly known as McDan.
Condemning the incident, Mr. Vanderpuye, stated that no one deserves to be assaulted in the line of duty.
He described the attack as unacceptable and insisted that it should not be excused under any circumstance.
“No government in its right sense would endorse, sanction, or approve of any wanton disregard for the rights of a journalist,”.
“I will never support, approve of, or justify any form of assault on any individual without cause” he affirmed.
He further explained that such misconduct is often the result of over-excited and irresponsible behavior by some security personnel, and it should not be viewed as a government policy or directive.
Mr. Vanderpuye stressed that even when security officers are provoked, their response must remain within legal and ethical limits.
“You don’t just attack someone and violate their fundamental freedoms and expect to walk away free,” he stated.
He emphasized that all forms of assault, whether from a civilian, a security officer, or even between civilians are wrong and must be condemned.
He urged the Ghana Armed Forces to follow the example of the Ghana Police Service, which interdicted an officer involved in a similar assault during the recent election at Ablekuma North in 19 polling stations.
He expressed confidence in the military’s disciplinary structure.
“I expect the military to act just as the police did. The army has always been a disciplined institution,” he said.
Mr. Vanderpuye urged the public and state institutions to take such matters seriously and ensure that justice is served, especially when it involves press freedom and the rights of ordinary citizens.
News
Police mount search for man 40, over GH3 million fraud
A 40-Year-old man, Alhaji Fareed Amin Yakubu, who allegedly took GH3 million from a businesswoman under the pretext of investing it in an oil business and paying back is being sort after by the police.
This is because the accused has jumped bail.
The accused stopped attending court proceedings after he was granted bail by the Circuit in Accra, presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah on October 13, 2023.
Consequently, Alhaji Yakubu, charged with defrauding by false pretence and two counts of issuing fake cheque is being tried in absentia.
Prosecuting, Superintendent of police, Mr Augustus Yirenkyi told the court that the complainant, Madam Darling Tuffour, resides at Tessa Avenue, East Legon, while the accused lives in Ashongman.
He said Alhaji Fareed approached Madam Tuffuor in the early part of 2021, claiming that he needed money to clear a consignment of oil from the port.
The court heard that Alhaji Fareed requested and was given GHS 3 million by the complainant in two tranches.
Supt. Yirenkyi said the accused claimed he would pay back shortly.
He said the complainant, being convinced that this was a young man trying to establish himself as a legitimate business man, accepted post dated cheques from Alhaji Fareed.
However, when the period came for repayment, both cheques were declined by the respective banks.
The prosecutor told the court that the complainant was asked by Alhaji Fareed to re-present the cheques later.
On those dates, the cheques bounced again.
He then went into hiding, evading the Complainant.
As last resort, the matter was reported to the Police. After a long search, publications and declaring the Accused “wanted”, he was finally apprehended and put before the Circuit Court in August 2023. The Court, in its magnanimity, granted him bail on October 10, 2023.
Similar to how he had evaded arrest for long periods of time, the accused had since refused to show up in court and once again gone into hiding.
The case against him in the Circuit Court is being tried in his absence while the hunt for him continues.
BY MALIK SULLEMANA
