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New Yagbonwura assumes throne …exclusive shots from Gonjaland
Biikunu Jewu Soale I, the new Yagbonwura of the Gonja Traditional area was enskinned at a colourful traditional ceremony at Nyange on Monday, March 20, 2023 in Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District in the Savannah Region.
On Tuesday March, 21, 2023, he was officially outdoored at the forecourt of Jakpa Palace at Damongo and was witnessed by hundreds of citizens and dignitaries from far and near.
He succeeded the late Tuntumba Boressah as the 34th Yagbonwura. As customs demands, the new King stopped at Jentilpe where he was given water to drink before he continued to Damongo.
Guests at the colourful event included the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; former President John Dramani Mahama, President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohuo Yaw Gyebi II; and the Minister-designate of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs designate, Stephen Asamoah Boateng.
Also present were chiefs from other traditional areas, ministers of state, Members of Parliament, political party representatives, the clergy among others.
The King, in his inaugural address, paid tribute to his predecessors and urged all chiefs of the Gonja Traditional area to unite and protect the Gonja Kingdom.
He called for peaceful co-existence among citizens and advised the chiefs to collaborate with the government to speed up development of the area and the nation.
Dr Bawumia congratulated the new Yagbonwura, and pledged the government’s cooperation and support.
Former President John Dramani Mahama also congratulated the new Yagbonwura and wished him well in his reign.
On February 27, 2023, the kingmakers of the Gonja Kingdom announced the 60-year-old farmer as the new Overlord. Before his enskinment, he was the Paramount Chief of the Tuluwe Traditional Area.
The new Overlord was first enskinned as Jakpaseriwura, from where he moved to the Timanklan-wura skin to Kachinako-wura and finally got to the Bunda skin in 2011.
Here are some sights and scenes.
From: Geoffrey Buta, Damongo.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammy Awuku, has expressed deep sorrow following the sudden passing of Isaac Batsa, the constituency secretary for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker issued a statement on Tuesday reacting to the news, which has shocked the local political community.
Mr.Awuku praised the late NDC secretary for his bipartisan approach to local governance.
He noted that despite their different political affiliations, Batsa consistently rose above party lines to serve the constituency with diligence.
The MP revealed that the news was particularly shocking given that he had last interacted with Batsa just three days prior on Saturday.
Concluding his statement, Sammy Awuku extended his heartfelt condolences to Batsa’s family, the constituency and regional executives, and the entire NDC fraternity, wishing the deceased peaceful eternal rest.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
