News
EOCO arrests 2 doctors and 9 others in baby trafficking syndicate
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) together with the Medical and Dental Council have arrested some health workers engaging in “baby harvesting and “baby trafficking”.
In a joint statement they indicated that two babies have been rescued in the process.
Eleven suspects, including two medical doctors, four nurses, two social welfare workers, two mothers and a traditional birth attendant and mothers are currently in custody aiding with investigations.
Executive Director of EOCO, Frank Adu Poku, who gave the announcement, said the two baby boys were trafficked by two different syndicates.
The first, a doctor (name withheld) who owns a private hospital at Laterbiorkorshie is said to have sold the baby at an amount of GH¢ 30,000.00, with the help of his two nurses.
The second, also a medical practitioner is reported to have exchanged the baby for GH¢28,000.00 after securing the baby from a nurse at a General Hospital.
All participants of the child harvesting and trafficking have been arrested and currently on bail, according to the EOCO director.
According to the statement, the Medical and Dental Council and EOCO have been investigating the activities of some medical practitioners, nurses, social welfare officer and other individuals who were suspected to be engaged in the illegal act of baby harvesting and human trafficking.
The joint team carried out the investigations into the illegal activities from June to November, 2020.
News
Steps underway to repeal L.I 2462 – Prez assures
President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that steps are underway to repeal Legislative Instrument 2462 as part of efforts to protect the country’s forests and water bodies.
During his media encounter at the Jubilee House, the president explained that the repeal will formalise the ban on mining in forest reserves and strengthen enforcement against illegal mining.
He stressed that his administration is committed to safeguarding the environment, reclaiming degraded reserves, and deploying more personnel to protect river bodies across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
9 forest reserves recovered from illegal mining – President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has announced the recovery of nine forest reserves from illegal mining under his government’s intensified environmental protection drive.
Addressing journalists at the Jubilee House, the president explained that hundreds of excavators, water pumps and other equipment have been seized as part of the operation, while degraded areas are being reclaimed and restored.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to end mining in protected areas, deploy more personnel to safeguard river bodies and strengthen laws to secure Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.
This notwithstanding, President Mahama revealed that two of the retrieved forest reserves had gone back into the hands of illegal miners, however, adequate measures have been put in place to reclaim them.
By: Jacob Aggrey
