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Gender Ministry condemns video of child forced to smoke
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has condemned a viral video that shows a group of men forcing a young child to smoke a cigarette.
The Ministry described the act as abuse and a violation of the child’s rights.
It explained that exposing a child to harmful substances is an offence under Ghana’s Children’s Act, which requires that all children be protected from physical, psychological, and moral harm.
The incident, according to the Ministry, also goes against the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy, which calls for children to be raised in safe and nurturing environments.
The Ministry cautioned parents, guardians, caregivers, and the public to uphold their responsibility to protect children from harm.
It stressed that actions that endanger children are unacceptable and punishable by law.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection referred the video to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service for immediate action.
The Ministry urged the police to move quickly to arrest and prosecute those involved.
With the world approaching the end of the 16 Days of Activism against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, the Ministry called on families, traditional leaders, religious groups, and civil society to intensify efforts to prevent violence and protect vulnerable people, especially women and children.
It said the incident is a reminder of the urgent need to shield children from all forms of abuse, adding that the protection of children is a shared duty for everyone.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Government of Ghana has approved plans to establish a new teacher training college at Ezinlibo in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region.
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, announced the decision during a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Gas Company.
He explained that the government, through the Ministry of Education and in collaboration with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, has a strong case to support the project.
According to him, the new college will help expand access to tertiary education, especially in the Western Region.
He added that the project will be carried out in partnership with Ghana Gas as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts to support education in the area.
The minister stressed that the approval is a policy decision, with plans to establish the college in 2027. He noted, however, that the timeline will depend on the availability of funds from the Ghana Education Trust Fund.
He said the initiative is part of the government’s broader plan to improve teacher education and ensure more trained teachers are available across the country.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Gas, Judith Adjoa Blay, said the meeting followed a proposal by the Nzema Academia and Educationalist Association.
She noted that the discussions focused on the policy direction and overall plan for the project.
She further explained that there will be a technical meeting to outline the scope of work and key requirements needed to begin implementation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ashanti North Regional Police Command has arrested eight suspected highway robbers in a special intelligence-led operation following a robbery attack on the Mampong–Ejura Highway.
In a press release dated March 31, 2026, and signed by the Ashanti North Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Felix Apedo, the police said the suspects were linked to a robbery incident that occurred on March 26, 2026, at the Aframso Bridge.
According to the statement, six armed men attacked a driver, Appiah Joseph, who was transporting 14 passengers in a Ssangyong minibus from Kumasi to Atebubu. The attackers reportedly robbed the victims of cash and mobile phones.
The police explained that after the incident, they gathered intelligence and mounted surveillance on the suspects.
Acting on the information, a special operations team, in collaboration with personnel from the NOD Surveillance Unit in Accra, moved to Amakwa Dadey Hotel at Ejura on March 30, 2026.
The statement noted that upon arrival, the officers found the suspects allegedly sharing money believed to be proceeds from the robbery. Eight suspects were subsequently arrested.
They were identified as Amidu Sajo, Ibrahim Sule, Karim Hadu, Malik Jibrilla, Yusifa Asakoko, Umaru Issifu, Damani Yamba, and Ibrahim Iddrisu, also known as “Bule.”
The police further stated that Iddrisu, who was on the wanted list for previous robbery cases, attempted to escape during the operation. While being pursued, he reportedly attacked an officer with a cutlass and tried to seize a service weapon.
In the process, he sustained gunshot wounds to his left leg and arm.
He was rushed to the Mampong Government Hospital and later referred to the Jamasi Pope John Paul Hospital, where he was pronounced dead while receiving treatment.
Police said several items were retrieved during the operation, including two rounds of AK-47 ammunition, three cutlasses, an amount of GHC 15,717.00, eight mobile phones, a talisman, an ID card, and a side bag.
The remaining suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with investigations.
The command indicated that the operation is ongoing to arrest other suspects and retrieve additional weapons.
It added that the body of the deceased has been deposited at the Mampong Government Hospital morgue for preservation and further action.
The Ashanti North Regional Police Command assured the public of its commitment to fighting highway robbery and ensuring safety, and urged residents to continue cooperating with the police.
By: Jacob Aggrey
