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Father Campbell receives honourary doctorate for humanitarian support
The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in the Volta Region last Friday conferred an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree on Reverend Father Andrew Campbell, a Catholic priest, for his unflagging impact on leprosy control, health and development in Ghana.
The ceremony which coincided with the 5th Congregation of the university at the main campus at Sokode-Lokoe, near Ho, was witnessed by the Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamadu Bawumia and other dignitaries.
An accompanying citation described Father Campbell as “friend to the poor, brother to the needy and servant of humankind whose persistent humanitarian support for the community of lepers and street children earned him the affectionate title, the leper priest.”
Born in Ireland in 1946 and ordained in 1970, Rev Father Campbell sailed to the Tema port on October 13, 1971, to work as a missionary priest in the Society of the Divine Word in Ghana.
He received his Ghanaian citizenship on July 3, 2013.
“Over the years, you have taken an active interest in the plight of the poor and needy, particularly cured lepers.
“Your public displays of solidarity have been about rehabilitating Ghana’s lepers and breaking down the prejudice that makes outcasts of them,” the citation noted.
It acknowledged Father Campbell’s valiant role in championing the rights of lepers within his parish, often inviting them to church services where they were given the place of honour.
The citation again read in part: Your tireless efforts have been based on your belief that improvements can be made in the lives of the poor and needy not only through state subsidy but also through charitable donations and fund raising.
It lauded Father Campbell for several initiatives, including a mill at the leprosarium in Accra and other places in Ghana; a soap making venture, mat making, poultry farms and dress making for those who still have fingers, aimed at equipping cured lepers with skills that allow them to be self-sufficient.
“As a result of your lobbying, church initiatives and government policies are beginning to handle the plight of lepers in a more compassionate manner,” the citation further said.
Father Campbell who received the degree with great joy thanked UHAS for the great honour and said that “if you want to be happy, make someone happy.”
Father Campbell, the founder of Lepers’ Aid Committee, a group of young people determined to assist in curing lepers by raising funds, is a founding member and co-chairman also of Environmental Protection Association, West Arena, Accra, an NGO with the aim of keeping the surroundings clean.
Pix: Father Campbell flanked by Mr Justice Victor J. M. Dotse (left), Chairman of the Governing Council of UHAS and Professor John O. Gyapong, Vice Chancellor.
From Alberto Mario Noretti, Ho
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
