News
Mama Aku Seme II bringing hope, development to Avetakpo community
The role of a ‘mother’ in our local community has become synonymous with the traditional and modern roles of a queen mother; promoting health, education, liaison for infrastructure development and as special adviser to the chief and elders on women affairs.
Thirty eight-year old Mama Aku Seme II of Avetakpo, a deprived rural community in the Ho West district of the Volta Region, is one of such models.
Known in private life as Joyce Aku Dzifa Amedorme, she was enstooled as queen mother in 2019 and has already embarked on some developmental projects in her community.
Two years into her role, Mama Aku Seme II lobbied and got the US Ambassador Self Help Aid to build a three-unit classroom block for the community. This is the first school building in the settler community.
“This development brought joy to my people and the children, especially who had longed for a school building for years,” she said beaming with smiles.
She stated that it is her desire to build a community school up to the Junior High School (JHS), a clinic and a public toilet for residents of Avetakpo.
In 2023, during the Akosombo Dam spillage, which displaced thousands of people in Mepe, she donated clothing and other relief items to the victims.
Through her foundation, known as Mama Aku Seme II Charity Foundation, she has supported over 200 needy children and orphans with clothing, food items and other essentials in order to bring smiles to the faces of children.
When asked about her passion for the welfare of children, she said “I love to see them happy; their smile warms my heart.”
Mama Aku Seme II is from a family of six and a mother to two boys in a family of six. She is currently works with Forever Living Company limited.
And she has an advice for the youth.
“The youth must show seriousness in whatever they do. That is what would define their future.
They must be disciplined, respect the elderly and just be nice to people because one could find him or herself at a place of need.”
Mama Seme speaks Deutsch, English and four Ghanaian languages- Ewe, Twi Fante and Hausa.
She loves sports and loves to play tennis at her leisure time.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
News
Declare a state of emergency in parts of the country affected by illegal mining – Coalition Against Galamsey to Mahama
The Coalition Against Galamsey is asking President John Mahama to declare a state of emergency in areas badly affected by illegal mining.
According to the Convenor of the Coalition, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the situation has gone beyond control and requires urgent action to save lives and protect the environment.
He explained that the Constitution allows a state of emergency to be declared when the actions of criminals threaten essential resources such as water, safety, and the survival of communities.
He said illegal miners were destroying water bodies and depriving large communities of clean drinking water, which is an “essential of life.”
Dr. Ashigbey stressed that the call was not for the entire country, but only for parts of Ghana where the destruction is severe.
He added that declaring a state of emergency in these areas will give government the legal power to act quickly and decisively.
He also called on the President to provide clear timelines and targets to guide the fight against galamsey.
This, he said, would help demonstrate government’s seriousness and commitment to ending the menace.
The Coalition insisted that declaring a state of emergency was no longer a last resort but an immediate step needed to save Ghanaians and protect the future of the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
The Ghana Bar Association must be non-partisan in the discharge of their duties – Dominic Ayine urges
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has called on the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to remain non-partisan in the discharge of its duties.
He said the credibility of the legal profession would be at risk if the bar allowed itself to be influenced by political interests.
Speaking at the GBA 2025/ 2026 annual general conference, Dr. Ayine reminded members that their first allegiance was to the Constitution and the Republic, not to any government or opposition party.
He stressed that for over three decades, the GBA had played an important role in helping the Supreme Court interpret and enforce the law, but outside the courtroom, its advocacy had often lacked consistency.
Dr. Ayine pointed to past cases such as the 2015 petition against the former CHRAJ Chairperson, Loretta Lamptey, and the 2017 petition for the removal of Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, where the bar remained silent.
He noted that the association only found its voice during the petition against former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, a stance he said coincided with the position of the opposition.
He questioned why the bar acted differently in those situations, especially since all three cases involved women of repute who held positions in key constitutional bodies.
Dr. Ayine urged the GBA to be the conscience of the republic, saying lawyers must defend the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the rights of citizens regardless of which political party was in power.
He warned against inviting foreign interference in Ghana’s constitutional matters, saying international collaboration should be limited to professional exchanges and not politics.
He further encouraged the GBA to promote integrity among its members, strengthen pro bono services to support the poor, and embrace digital reforms such as e-filing and electronic court records to modernize the justice system.
According to him, the destiny of Ghana is tied to the integrity of the legal profession.
He added that if lawyers stand firm, the country will also stand firm, but if they falter, the republic will stumble.
By: Jacob Aggrey
