News
Health Minister commissions first Public Health Operations Response Centre
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has commissioned Ghana’s first Public Health Operations Response Centre at Pantang.
The facility, established by the Africa CDC and handed over to the Ghana Health Service, is expected to improve the country’s emergency preparedness and response.
The centre will use real-time data to guide decisions during disease outbreaks and other public health threats.
The Minister noted that the new hub is a major step in Ghana’s plan to build a stronger and science-driven emergency response system.
He explained that good coordination is critical when managing outbreaks and stressed that the centre will support both national operations and cross-border collaboration across West Africa.
He assured partners that the facility will be properly maintained and used for its intended purpose.
The Regional Director of the Africa CDC’s Western Africa office, Dr Kokou Nouwame Ahinon, highlighted the importance of the centre to the continent’s “7-1-7” target, which focuses on detecting health threats within seven days, notifying within one day, and starting an initial response within seven days.
He said the centre will help link district, regional and national levels and improve collaboration among African countries.
He added that the Africa CDC is pleased to support Ghana with the tools and resources needed to strengthen public health readiness.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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
