News
Gold Fields, AGL step up malaria campaign at Tarkwa
Mr Ofori presenting mosquito repellents to Nana Yaa Damoah
Gold Fields Ghana Limited (Tarkwa Mine) and Abosso Gold Fields Limited (AGL, Damang Mine) have stepped-up malaria campaigns in Tarkwa and Prestea- Huni Valley municipalities of the Western Region.
These include education of community on malaria and its prevention, treatment and use of bed nets and mosquito repellents, checking status on malaria and distribution of mosquito repellents particularly to pregnant women.
Working through the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF), both the Tarkwa and Damang Mines, have spent a total of US$ 7,000 on this year’s World Malaria Day marked last Tuesday, at Huniso in the Prestea-Huni Valley municipality of the Western Region.
On the theme: “Time to deliver zero malaria; invest, innovate implement”, school children, community member, health professionals, farmers and pregnant women participated.
Speaking at the ceremony, Executive Secretary, Abdel-Razak Yakubu, explained that the Foundation was committed to improving the health and well-being of people in the host communities.
He said since 2007, GFGF had joined the international community in the fight against malaria.
As part of Gold Fields’ contribution to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 3; which focuses on ensuring healthy life and promote well-being, the Foundation has implemented a number of programmes and projects in the health front.
These include the construction of health facilities, health outreach and weekly radio programmes where health professionals educate the public on pertinent health issues among others.
The Foundation, he said, had spent US$2,195,150.92 in support of health and well-being activities at Tarkwa while Damang Mine, had also spent US$ 732,006.94.
Urging communities to find innovative strategies to eradicate malaria,he encouraged all to embrace the malaria vaccine when government approves it.
Queen of Huniso, Nana Yaa Damoah, said children below age five and pregnant women were mostly affected with malaria and encouraged members of the community to always keep their environment clean by desilting choked gutters.
Prestea-Huni Valley Municipal Health Director, Timothy Kobina Ofori, said, 12,962 malaria cases were recorded among children under five years, 14,975 in 2021 and 9,726 cases in 2022 in the Prestea- Huni Valley municipality.
He mentioned that 3,337 pregnant women were tested positive for malaria in 2020, 3,498 in 2021 while 2,599 were also tested in 2022.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Huniso
Lawyer for Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi , Andy Appiah-Kubi, says case management proceedings involving three witnesses in the Samreboi case have been concluded, with the court expected to resume hearing on May 14, 2026.
Speaking to journalists after proceedings, Mr. Appiah-Kubi said the legal team had completed most of the required filings but still had a few additional witness statements to submit.
According to him, witness statements have already been prepared for Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining, Engineer Gomashi, and Mireku Duker.
“Today the business was for conference management and case management. We have finished it except that we have a few more witnesses to file their witness statements for,” he said.
He explained that the remaining witnesses are expected to sign their statements before the legal team files them in court.
“We intend to file them by tomorrow or Monday when the witnesses come to sign and read their witness statements,” he added.
Mr. Appiah-Kubi further noted that the court has adjourned the matter to May 14 for continuation of proceedings.
Chairman Wontumi and his co-accused are standing trial for allegedly transferring or assigning mining rights in respect of Akonta Mining’s Samreboi concession to a third party, Henry Okum, without approval from the Minister responsible for Mines, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Police Service has arrested four suspected armed robbers following an intelligence-led operation in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
The suspects, identified as Abdulai Ibrahim, Amadu Rahman, Amadu Sulemana, also known as Saaga, and Adu Yakubu, were arrested on May 5, 2026.
Investigations indicate that on 4th May 2026, the suspects converged at Gbane, a mining community in the Talensi District, after travelling from Yagaba and Fumbisi to carry out a robbery operation, during which they robbed four motorbikes and several mobile phones.
During interrogation, the suspects admitted to a series of robberies within the Talensi District, along the Yagaba Fumbisi road and the Yagaba-Nanguruma road in the North East Region.
They also confessed to a robbery at the Vikandi Phone Shop in Bolgatanga on 22nd March 2025, which was captured in a viral video in which they were seen wielding an AK47 assault rifle.
They further admitted to multiple robberies at Gbane mining sites, where gold and large sums of money were taken from victims.
The suspects later led Police to a farm near Biung, close to Gbane, where the gang leader, Amadu Rahman, had concealed an AK47 rifle.
A search of the area led to the retrieval of the rifle, with serial number 68100563, and eighty-seven (87) rounds of live ammunition hidden in a fertilizer sack.
During the search to retrieve the weapon, suspect Amadu Rahman collapsed and was rushed to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
His body has been deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.
The remaining three suspects are in Police custody and will be put before court to face the full rigours of the law.
