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Group threatens to deal with landguards at Appolonia
A group, calling itself the Appolonia Youth Development Association (AYDA), has expressed its resolve to use all legal means possible to deal with activities of landguards in Appolonia in the Kpone Katamanso municipality of the Greater Accra Region.
The group has called on the Kpone Traditional Council and other stakeholders to immediately intervene in land disputes to save lives and properties.
Speaking at a press conference, at Appolonia, Secretary to the association, Joseph Okoe Nuertey, blamed the turn of events on sale of stool lands by “unscrupulous people”.
“The area is overwhelmed by activities of landguards because some groups of people and individuals, who pose as landguards with support of some big men have enough room to operate and terrorise indigenes.”
He said they attacked people on their way to their farms, and allow people to encroach on our lands with impunity,” he said.
According to Mr Nuertey, indiscriminate winning of sand and gravel was also a challenge to the community.
He cautioned persons who have encroached on Appolonia land to “desist from the unpatriotic bwhaviour”, saying the association would use every legal means to stop them.
Mr Nuertey called on all members of AYDA, well-meaning citizens and residents of the area to help save the community before the land is taken away by “unlawful and greedy people”.
He called on the public, especially those who have bought land at Appolonia without the consent of the appropriate authorities to seek redress, saying, “Appolonia land is stool land and only the chiefs and elders of the area have the power to release and alienate land.”
Meanwhile, the District Police Commander for the Oyibi Frafraha District with oversight responsibility of the area, Superintendent Mr Kweku Bempah, said the police had intensified patrol in the area, to prevent any unlawful activities by any group or individuals.
He said the police were investigating land issues adding, “The police does not confer ownership of land on people, we only handle the criminal aspects of issues”.
Mr Bempah advised residents to cooperate with the police when such issues come up, to ensure that lawlessness was brought to its barest minimum.
From DzifaTetteh, Appolonia
Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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