News
Netherlands supports Ghana’s fight against drug trafficking, donates new scanners to NACOC…supports gender-based activism in James Town
The Netherlands government has donated new upscale intrusive scanners to Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) as part of collective efforts aimed at tackling transnational trafficking of illegal drugs through the country’s airports.
The new scanners are expected to significantly boost the commission’s operational efficiency and enhance their ability to monitor and flag high risk cargo and passengers.
At a brief handing over ceremony held at Marriott Hotel in Accra, Dutch Minister of Justice and Security, Mr. Foort van Oosten, indicated that the gesture reflects the Netherlands’ long-standing commitment to partnering with Ghana on security and justice issues, whilst commending the impressive bilateral relations between the two nations.
Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Muntaka, who received the scanners on behalf of government, indicated that the intrusive scanners would support Ghana’s fight against drug trafficking and thanked the Netherlands government for the kind gesture.
“We needed these new intrusive scanners to prevent drug trafficking at our ports; and for the Netherlands government to step in to assist, we are most grateful,” he noted.
He assured the Dutch delegation that the scanners will be used responsibly, adding that they would be operated and maintained by specially trained officers.
In furtherance of the Netherlands’ strong commitment to human rights and the promotion of gender equality, Mr. Foort van Oosten also unveiled the “OrangeCorner Mural” in support of a campaign against gender-based violence in James Town and surrounding communities.
The Orange Corner mural symbolizes resistance against domestic violence, and was born out of a partnership with Act for Change, a youth-focused non-governmental organization that is raising awareness about sexual and gender-based abuses in the community.
Act for Change uses creative arts and participatory theatre to empower young people on gender-based violence.
The campaign will include social media activities and interactive theatre performances for students and community youth leaders.
Thomas Partey, Ransford Yeboah Königsdörffer, Kojo Oppong Peprah, and Alexander Djiku trained with the Black Stars on Tuesday, March 23 as preparations intensify for the international friendly against Austria on Friday.
The newly arrived players—Partey, Königsdörffer, Oppong Peprah and Djiku—joined the group training Tuesday afternoon in readiness for the match.
Partey and Djiku bring valuable experience and dexterity to the team, having played a major role in securing Ghana a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States of America.
All 25 players participated in Tuesday’s training session, each aiming to catch the eye of head coach Otto Addo.
The full squad present at training included Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Benjamin Asare, Joseph Anang, Patrick Pfeiffer, Derrick Luckassen, Derrick Kohn, Jerome Opoku, Caleb Yirenkyi, Kojo Oppong Peprah, Jonas Adjetey, Marvin Senaya, Gideon Mensah, Elisha Owusu, Ibrahim Sulemana, Kwasi Sibo, Jordan Ayew, Prince Kwabena Adu, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Antoine Semenyo, Kamal Deen Sulemana, Daniel Agyei, Thomas Partey, Alexander Djiku, and Ransford Yeboah Königsdörffer.
Training will continue on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of the match on Friday, March 27, 2026.
The Kadjebi District Police Command, through a sustained intelligence-led operation, has arrested a suspect, Chalim Madzaton, also known as Peter Tano, 36, a farmer.
He was apprehended at his hideout in Kpaya, a suburb of Ahamansu, in connection with the murder of 80-year-old Dakolor Semaka.
On March 24, 2026, police received a report that the suspect had allegedly attacked his girlfriend, Yaa Tugbenyo, 55, and her mother, the deceased, at their residence in Mangoase near Kadjebi During the incident, Yaa Tugbenyo managed to escape but later returned to find her mother lying motionless on the floor.
Police Officers visited the scene and found the body of the deceased lying in a supine positior with isible signs of violence.
The scene was processed, and photographs were taken for evidential purpose.
The deceased was pronounced dead by a medical officer at St. Mary Theresa Hospital and the body has since been deposited at the hospital’s morgue for preservation and autopsy.
The suspect is currently in Police custody assisting with investigations and will be arraigned before court.
