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M-CODe calls for toilet facilities along highways
The Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (M-CODe) has highlighted the need for decent toilets along every major highway in the country as a necessary step to enhance the culture of hygiene among the citizenry.
The National Convener of M-CODe, Mr Emmanuel Addai, made the call prior to the official launching of the Volta Region branch of the coalition in Ho on Wednesday.
He said that such facilities along the highways would definitely help to reduce the high incidence of the open defecation in the country apart from guaranteeing the comfort of travellers in distress.
Mr Addai pointed out that the menace of open defecation could extend from the highways to the communities in the form of diseases and it was high time the appropriate steps were taken to curb the trend.
Meanwhile, the National Convener of M-CODe has blamed the large absence of toilets in many homes in the country on the continuous failure of the Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to enforce the Building Code.
“The assemblies look on unconcerned as developers put up houses without toilets and also schools and health facilities without functioning toilets,” he observed.
Mr Yaw Attah Arhin, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Technical Coordinator of World Vision Ghana, sponsors of M-CODe activities revealed that 6.5 million people in Ghana still engaged in open defecation.
That state of affairs did not project a clean image for the country and it was time the issue was addressed with utmost seriousness, he pointed out.
Mr Arhin said that the vigorous involvement in the campaign against open defecation by M-CODe was timely and also projected highly bright prospects for the success of the campaign.
The acting Volta Region Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Mawuli Hubert Yevu-Agbi urged members of the M-CODe to support the movement against open defecation with great zeal and enthusiasm, adding that matters of sanitation and hygiene were of greater national importance than political stories.
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The Criminal Investigation Department has launched an investigation into a viral video in which a woman identified as Arianna Naomi Mackey, an American citizen, claims she was kidnapped by five masked men, whom she alleges were officers of the Ghana Police Service on snap-check duty in Accra, and robbed her of some amount of money.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the video was recorded at a hotel in Accra where Ms. Mackey and two companions were staying.
According to the police, investigation also confirmed that they checked out of the hotel on December 5, 2025.Checks at the Kotoka International Airport also disclosed that she left Ghana on the same day.
The Police subsequently contacted the alleged victim to assist the investigation. She indicated to Police that she was out of the country and she could not get the names of the alleged officers nor the number plate of the vehicle they were using.
Police further requested for the contact details of her friend in Ghana, who she said was with her during the time of the incident.
She, however, stated that her friend does not want to be involved in the investigation.
According to the police, she has since deleted the video on her page and further efforts by the Investigators to contact her through WhatsApp calls and messages have proved unsuccessful, as she has declined to respond and later blocked the team.
Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to secure her cooperation through appropriate diplomatic channels.
The Ghana Police Service has noted that it treats such allegations very seriously and remains committed to uncovering the facts in this case.
The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested three men believed to be part of a kidnapping syndicate responsible for abducting a 42-year-old man in Wapuli, a community in the Yendi District.
The suspects, Haruna Seidu, Amidu Bandi and Osman Bandi allegedly kidnapped the victim and demanded GH¢100,000 from his family for his release.
According to a police statement, officers from the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate were deployed to Wapuli after the incident was reported.
The team conducted surveillance and launched a rescue operation.
On Friday, December 5, 2025, police successfully rescued the victim and arrested the suspects after what was described as an intense exchange of gunfire.
The suspects were later taken into custody and are expected to be arraigned before court.
The Police said the a fourth suspect, who is believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the operation, is currently on the run.
They urged the public to provide any information that may lead to his arrest.
By: Jacob Aggrey
