News
“Okada man” in court for raping hawker in bush
A 20-YEAR-OLD “okada” operator, William Cephas, who allegedly sped with a hawker on the back seat of his motor bike to the bush behind the Ho Airport, and raped her, is standing trial at the Ho District Magistrate Court ‘2’.
The court, presided by Mr Akosah Agyare-Amoanpong Yaw, was told that prior to the criminal act; the accused subjected his victim to severe beatings with a club to weaken her, first.
Prosecuting, Inspector Clever Ayayee, revealed that the woman’s ordeal did not end after the brutal sexual assault as Cephas held her captive in the shrubs from morning (9am) till night (10:00pm) before releasing her.
He said that the accused seized all her goods, valued at GH¢700, before releasing her to go home.
When Cephas was arraigned at the court last Wednesday on a charge of rape, his plea was not taken.
The prosecutor said that on November 26, last year, the accused on his motor bike, stopped by the victim along the road at Sokode-Lokoe, near Ho and feigned interest in the blenders and other items she was selling.
He said that the accused told the woman that he did not have enough money on him so she should accompany him to his house where he would take money to buy the goods.
The unsuspecting victim obliged only for Cephas to take her through such an ordeal.
Inspector Ayayee said that the woman reported the matter to the police the next day, after which a search was mounted for the accused and with the assistance from some public-spirited individuals, Cephas was spotted at the Ho Civic Centre and arrested on December 16, last year.
The court remanded Cephas in police custody to appear again on January 13, 2021, as the matter was still under investigation.
From Alberto Mario Noretti, Ho
The ECOWAS Council of Ministers has unanimously endorsed President John Dramani Mahama as West Africa’s sole candidate for the Chairperson of the African Union when the rotating position gets to the region in 2027.
The endorsement was announced at the ninety-fifth ordinary session of the Council in Abuja on 12 December 2025.
The Authority of Heads of State and Government is expected to adopt the recommendation on Sunday.
In a declaration issued after the meeting, the Council noted that Ghana remains an important member of the regional bloc and continues to contribute to ECOWAS’ international standing.
It stressed the need for member states to work together to secure top positions for West Africans in continental and global organisations.
The Council explained that adopting a unified stance would help ECOWAS protect and promote its interests within the African Union.
It therefore recommended that the Heads of State fully back Ghana’s bid for the AU chairmanship.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Education Service has released all outstanding feeding grants for Special Schools across the country.
The funds cover the third term of the 2024/2025 academic year and the first term of the 2025/2026 academic year.
GES has also cleared all arrears owed Senior High Schools and Senior High Technical Schools for perishables supplied between 29 July and 17 October 2025.
According to the Service, the money has been transferred into the accounts of all beneficiary schools.
Heads of Special Schools, SHS and SHTS have been asked to submit official receipts for the funds through their Regional Accountants to the Director General.
The Public Relations Unit in a statement noted that GES remains committed to supporting effective teaching, learning and inclusive education in the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
