News
‘Machomen’ attack Queen mother?
Some “machomen” caused a stir when they attacked the queen mother of Adum-Afrancho in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of Ashanti Region and disrupted the celebration of her 94th birthday.
The men, allegedly stormed the palace, vandalised the main gate and charged into the bedroom of the queen mother and manhandled her after they had assaulted some of the people around.It all happened on Sunday, September 6, 2020 when the queen mother was getting ready to celebrate her birthday which coincided with the celebration of the Akwasidae, of the Asante kingdom.
Surprisingly, the ‘machomen’ were said to have capped their hostility by consuming the queen mother’s drinks for the celebration, and also made away with a sheep meant for sacrifice during the Akwasidae celebration.
Unit Committee Chairman for the area, Nana Sarfo Adjei Kantanka, confirmed the incident, saying the attacked persons were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
At a press conference held on Monday, September 7, 2020, the Unit Committee Chairman accused the chief of the community, Nana Osei Yaw, for being behind the attacks and said the residents since the incident were living in fear.
He, therefore, appealed to the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to intercede to ensure that the lives of the inhabitants were protected.“What I can say is that President Akufo-Addo, we are pleading with you to come and help us. We are also pleading with Otumfuo, this is his father’s town, he should come to our aid.
I can’t sleep at home, because this guy rolls with ‘machomen’, he can come at any time,” he said.But, the chief of the town, denied ever hiring ‘machomen’ to cause any mayhem in the town.
He explained that as a result of some chieftaincy dispute in the area, he had sent a letter to the Trede Police, two weeks earlier, informing them of the celebration of the Akwasidae.Nana Osei Yaw, indicated that the queen mother had no right to celebrate the Akwasidae once he is the chief who is supposed to organise it.
He mentioned that the Trede Police contacted him of an earlier letter from one Yaw Antwi, son of Nana Yaa Agyeiwaa, in view of the Akwasidae and birthday celebration of the queen mother, claiming that there was no chief in the town.
As part of the celebration, the chief said, Yaw Antwi had organised a military band to grace the occasion that Sunday. According to the chief, the police realised, following a preliminary investigation, that Yaw Antwi was trying to foment trouble, and as such, was arrested and detained at the police station on Saturday.
The chief said that on Sunday, he, together with some of his subjects, were given an escort by the police from Trede to the palace and that “I did not go there with any machomen.”He added that the police were there to the end of the Akwasidae and no one touched the old woman, whom he said was even, not the queen mother, but her daughter, Nana Ataa Agyeiwaa.According to Nana Yaw Osei, he could not even slaughter the sheep for the Akwasidae rituals as the stool and other materials were nowhere to be found and as such he had reported a case of missing stools to the police.
He said no one consumed the drinks or took away the sheep of the old lady but “I rather handed over my sheep to the family because I could not use it for the rituals.”
From Kingsley E.Hope, Kumasi
Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central Kwame Asare Obeng, widely known as A Plus, is calling on young people to take hypertension seriously by checking their blood pressure regularly and taking prescribed medication to prevent sudden deaths and stroke.
In a message shared to the public, the MP noted that cases of young people dying from high blood pressure are rising, even though the condition is preventable.
He mentioned that many refuse to go for checkups, and those who later discover they have hypertension still stop or avoid taking their medication.
He expressed worry that some men refuse treatment because they believe blood pressure drugs affect their sexual performance, a belief he described as misleading.
A Plus stressed that staying alive and healthy should be the priority, adding that complications from uncontrolled hypertension could lead to stroke and long term disability.
He encouraged the youth, especially men, to get their blood pressure tested and take treatment seriously to protect their health and future.
A Plus urged the public to spread the message so more people will take action on their health.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has met first term Members of Parliament to strengthen cooperation between his office and newly elected legislators.
The engagement was organised to help build better working relations and improve communication within the House.
Bagbin stressed the value of open interaction and mentioned that similar sessions will later involve continuing MPs, the media and the public through televised programmes.
He reiterated the 9th Parliament’s goal of promoting openness and inclusion, describing integrity, honesty, civility and participation as key values for national progress.
He encouraged the creation of a mentorship system to allow experienced members to guide new ones.
Bagbin reflected on the growth of Ghana’s legislature over the years, noting a shift from strong partisan conduct to a more mature multiparty atmosphere.
He urged MPs to maintain their party identity while working together for development.
Present at the meeting were the Clerk to Parliament Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, the Deputy Majority Whip Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe and the Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei.
By: Jacob Aggrey
