News
Ministry confiscates excavators, other mining equipment in Western North Region
Officials from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, on Tuesday, confiscated eight excavators and mining-related equipment at some illegal mining sites in Tugakrom in the Suaman District of the Western North Region.
Other mining equipment at some of the sites were burnt by the national security operatives on the orders of the Minister, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, who led the operation.
This was after the team, including military personnel undertook enforcement exercise in the area, which has seen about 100 acres of land destroyed by activities of illegal mining.
The visibly angry minister could not hide his disappointment at the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Suaman, Mr Christian Baah, and the District Police Commander, Theophilus Boateng, for failing to halt illegal mining in the area.
Addressing journalists, Mr Asomah-Cheremeh, said, the DCE and the police commander conspicuously failed to protect some nine excavators seized from illegal miners earlier this year in the area.
He said that the seized excavators were placed in the custody of the DCE and the District Police Commander.
However, when the minister returned later, some major parts of the excavators were missing, thus, making it impossible to transport them.
Eight of the seized excavators, he said, were found on illegal mining sites at Tugakrom on Tuesday during the enforcement operation, a situation which compelled the minister to chide the local authorities.
The actions of the DCE and the District Police Commander, he said, would be communicated to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for possible disciplinary actions.
Mr Cheremeh called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to support government in the fight against illegal mining, and to protect the country’s vegetative cover and water bodies from grittier degradation.
He encouraged indigenes of mining communities to rightfully acquire into small-scale mining licences for their mining activities.
By Claude Nyarko Adams
Muslims across the country celebrated this year’s Eid-ul-Adha in a colourful and spiritually uplifting atmosphere under the theme, “A Season of Sacrifice, Solidarity and Spiritual Renewal.”
The celebration brought together Muslims from diverse backgrounds in a remarkable display of faith, unity and cultural heritage.
The occasion was marked by special Eid prayers at various designated grounds, the slaughtering of rams in homes for sharing among family members, friends and the less privileged, as well as musical concerts and recreational activities including horse riding.
Leading the celebration was the Chief Imam, Dr Sheikh Osman Sharubutu.
While the national celebration was held at the Black Star Square where President John Dramani Mahama was the Special Guest of Honour, similar gatherings took place at different centres across the capital and other regions of the country.
A visit by The Spectator to some celebration grounds revealed Muslims, both young and old, elegantly dressed in colourful jalabiya and other Islamic attire, reflecting the rich culture and traditions of the Muslim community.
The celebration also portrayed the spirit of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the country, as a number of Christians joined their Muslim counterparts to mark the occasion.
Muslim leaders and government officials used the opportunity to call on the faithful to uphold the teachings of the Holy Quran, renew their spiritual commitment and refrain from acts capable of undermining the peace, unity and security of the nation.
They further urged Ghanaians to continue to live in harmony and support one another for national development.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Dear Obaa Yaa,
During Eid-ul- Adha celebration, I decided to spend the weekend at my boyfriend’s place since we were planning towards our marriage.
To my surprise, what keeps me wide awake, restless and frustrated every single time is that he snores loudly like a generator running on full power, and I genuinely cannot get any rest
At a point, I thought it was just a normal thing, but I have realised it is something he does with ease and doesn’t see anything wrong with it.
When he steps out in the morning, I try to get enough sleep because I may not sleep in the evening.
The most annoying thing is that, he always wants to cuddle me. These two things are a no for me and a red flag.
We are about to get married, what should I do?
Enam, Keta.
Dear Enam,
The snoring and constant cuddling are frustrating, but you don’t have to choose between sleep and closeness.
Start with the snoring: check if it’s worse when he sleeps on his back, cut out alcohol before bed, try nasal strips or a humidifier, and see a doctor if he pauses while breathing.
For quick relief, foam earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones help a lot.
Separate blankets, a bigger bed, or sleeping apart on some nights often makes couples rest well and feel closer overall.
Bring this up before the wedding .Tell him you want to wake up next to him for years to come, but sleep deprivation makes you both miserable.
Test earplugs and side-sleeping this weekend, and if it’s still unbearable, bring in a doctor. Good sleep matters more for your marriage than staying glued together all night.
