News
Jirapa gets new Paramount Chief
Justice Donglabong Dinaa
The Jirapa Traditional Council in the Upper West Region on Saturday enskinned and out-doored Mr Justice Donglabong Dinaa as its new Paramount Chief.
The ceremony which attracted indigenes, well-wishers and dignitaries witnessed beautiful display of culture through performances by the various cultural troupes amidst firing of musketry.
The 41-year-old educationist who is currently an Assistant Director at the Jirapa Municipal Education office comes as the fifth Paramount Chief of the area and the immediate replacement for the late chief, Naa Gbongbori Ansoleh Ganaa I.
Under the skin name, Naa Dinaa Donglabong Ganaa III, the chief who trumpeted his passion about education said he was going to work hard to improve the fortunes of learners especially at the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) in the municipality.
The Chief lamented in an interview with the media that over the years, performance of pupils at the BECE had been an issue of concern and said that he would work with respective stakeholders to see how best they could enhance quality teaching and learning in the municipality.
As an educationist, he was very particular about quality teaching which would translate into improved academic performance.
The chief said he would work closely with stakeholders such as head teachers and supervisors to understand that there was a paradigm shift in teaching and learning and would also motivate them in order to ignite passion for action.
He said the St Joseph hospital in the municipality used to be a referral facility in the region but had lost its relevance in recent times and said he would work with staff of the facility to ensure the hospital returns to its former glory.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Jirapa Constituency, Mr Cletus Seidu Dapilah said he had been interacting with the chief on how to develop the education, health and other sectors to develop the municipality.
“I will use this occasion to appeal to the chiefs that are here to resolve chieftaincy issues in their respective traditional councils to ensure that peace prevails in the municipality because we need peace for development and we can only get peace if we learn to forgive one another,” he said.
He advised the chief to remain neutral and not involve himself in partisan politics which could mar his reign.
The Chief of Ullo Tuopari, Naa Basignaa III encouraged the new chief to live beyond reproach and maintain a high standard of integrity so that he is able to administer the affairs of the traditional area in fairness.
“I will advise you to give everyone the same measure of attention so that you are able to gain their trust and stay away from arguments; particularly in public and from people who tend to flatter others for own parochial interest”, he added.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Jirapa
Ahyiresu and Abofrem, two quiet communities in the Atwima Mponua District, have been shaken to the core by a chilling midnight drama that reads like a nightmare.
A pastor and a young mother stand accused of attempting to bury a five‑month‑old baby girl alive, a crime that has ignited outrage and disbelief across the township.
According to police, Apostle Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, 36, Head Pastor of the Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, conspired with his uncle Emmanuel Appiah, 53, and the child’s mother, 23‑year‑old Beatrice Agyapomaa, to dispose of the infant, Anaya Achiaa, under the cover of darkness.
A fourth suspect, Emmanuel Donkor, remains on the run.
The suspects were caught near a refuse dump around 10 pm on April 9, 2026, after a vigilant resident, Akwasi Twezor, noticed their suspicious movements.
When confronted, they claimed the child was already dead and had palace approval for burial. But Twezor’s instincts proved right—the baby was still alive, gasping faintly for breath.
Chief Linguist, Nana Yaw Badu, later confirmed that Frimpong had misled him earlier in the evening, securing permission for burial by falsely declaring the child dead.
The infant was rushed to the Abofrem Clinic, where she is now responding well to treatment. Police described her as “very beautiful.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evelyn Yitamkey, Commander of DOVVSU in Bibiani, confirmed that the suspects have been provisionally charged.
Frimpong faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges, while Agyapomaa and Appiah are charged with conspiracy and abetment.
They were remanded by the Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Asiedu Nimako, to assist investigations.
The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, ASP Yitamkey indicated.
The attempted crime has provoked fury among residents, many suspecting ritual motives aimed at bolstering the pastor’s influence.
Crowds attempted to attack the suspects outside court, but police intervention prevented mob justice.
The Assembly Member for Ahyiresu, Yusuf Suleiman, has assured residents that justice will be pursued swiftly.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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