News
Police arrest wanted car snatching suspect
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has arrested a suspect wanted in connection with a series of car snatching robberies and vehicle thefts in the Ashanti Region.
The suspect, William Opoku, also known as Father Blessing, was arrested during an intelligence led-operation at Ahwiaa near Kumasi after Police identified hideouts used by him and his gang at Ahwiaa and Pankrono.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted involvement in several vehicle thefts, including the stealing of a Toyota Corolla on the Anwiankwanta–Asanso stretch, a Police officer’s Toyota Corolla at Pankrono, another Toyota Corolla at Moro Market, and a white Toyota Corolla at Anloga Junction, all in Kumasi.
He subsequently led Police to recover the white Toyota Corolla from a workshop where it was undergoing repairs.
He also confessed to involvement in the attack on a Police officer at Kronum Brokutu on 5th July 2025, during which an AK-47 assault rifle and ammunition were stolen.
The suspect further identified his accomplices as Prince alias Killer Wooah, Suley alias Shangu Spirit, Bonkro alias Okoronko, Aki, and Yaw Antwi.
Police mounted a follow up operation on 17th June 2026 and spotted Suley alias Shangu Spirit, Bonkro alias Okoronko, and another suspect riding an unregistered Honda PCX motorbike.
During an attempt to arrest them, the rider allegedly knocked down a Police officer and opened fire while fleeing.
Police returned fire, during which Suley alias Shangu Spirit and another suspect identified as Long Story sustained gunshot injuries, while Bonkro alias Okoronko escaped.
Suspect Suley alias Shangu Spirit has been linked to several car snatching and vehicle theft cases, including those at Anwiankwanta–Asanso, Anloga Junction, and Moro Market as well as the attack on the Police officer.
The stolen AK-47 rifle is believed to be with William Opoku alias Father Blessing for safekeeping.
The injured suspects were rushed to the Bekwai Municipal Hospital for treatment but were pronounced dead on arrival. Their bodies have since been deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
Suspect William Opoku is currently in Police custody assisting investigations, while efforts have been intensified to arrest the remaining accomplices, including Bonkro alias Okoronko, and to recover the stolen vehicles, the AK-47 rifle, and ammunition.
Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, has toured a leading solar energy facility in Canada following the submission of a Letter of Intent and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for a proposed 270MW solar power project in his constituency.
The MP was invited to Canada to inspect the operations and technology behind AKA Energy Systems, the company partnering with the Gomoa Special Economic Zone to develop the landmark renewable energy facility.
During the tour, Mr. Obeng was taken through the company’s advanced solar infrastructure, engineering processes, and long-term energy management systems.
Senior officials of AKA Energy Systems provided insights into how the technology can be adapted to meet Ghana’s power needs while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
“This project is not just about megawatts. It’s about energy security, industrialization, and jobs for the people of Gomoa Central,” Mr. Obeng said after the facility visit.
He added that “Seeing the technology firsthand confirms that solar can be a real solution for powering factories and homes reliably.”
The 270MW solar plant forms the energy backbone of the Gomoa Special Economic Zone, a project the MP says will position the area as a competitive hub for manufacturing and exports under the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.
According to Mr. Obeng, Africa’s industrial future hinges on solving the power problem first.
“Too many countries try to attract factories before fixing energy. We are determined not to put the cart before the horse. Before industries arrive, the power must already be here,” he explained.
He noted that the partnership with AKA Energy Systems reflects a deliberate shift toward clean, affordable, and sustainable energy to drive Ghana’s next phase of growth.
The MP added that the project will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs during construction and operation, while also lowering electricity costs for businesses within the zone.
“The future belongs to those who prepare for it. With abundant, reliable, and affordable energy, Gomoa Central can become one of the most attractive industrial destinations in West Africa,” he concluded.
Negotiations on the final investment and implementation timeline for the 270MW facility are expected to continue in the coming months.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Elikplim Akurugu, in partnership with the Ga East Municipal Assembly, has begun rehabilitation works on the road leading to the Ga East Municipal Hospital to improve access and ease movement for residents and patients.
Speaking on the project, the DRIP Coordinator for the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Seth Agboyie, said the team had already worked on the Kwabenya stretch and part of Ablaje under its road reshaping programme.
He explained that although work had to be paused at Ablaje due to pressure, the team returned to complete the current stretch.
He noted that last year, the assembly implemented a programme where teams moved into each electoral area for about ten days to reshape major roads before moving to other communities.
According to him, the current works are a special intervention targeting roads that have become severely damaged due to the rains.
Mr. Agboyie added that the project had faced some delays due to heavy rainfall but resumed when the weather improved.
He said the team is working on a 1.2-kilometre stretch, with about 720 to 730 metres already completed.
He revealed that the intervention was partly supported by a GHS 14,000 contribution from the health workers at the Ga East hospital, which helped facilitate the works.
Residents of Dome-Kwabenya welcomed the project and praised the MP for initiating the road rehabilitation.
They said the intervention was timely and would ease movement, especially for patients and residents who rely on the road to access the hospital.
They noted that the road leading to the hospital had been in a poor state for several years, making it difficult and uncomfortable for patients, drivers, and residents who use the facility.
They explained that the situation often caused delays in accessing healthcare and increased transport difficulties, especially during the rainy season.
Some residents, however, urged contractors to ensure quality work, warning that poorly executed roads often deteriorate quickly.
They called for durability in the construction to prevent a return to bad conditions.
Others also appealed for more development projects across the constituency, saying additional road improvements would further enhance living conditions and demonstrate continued commitment to the area.
By: Jacob Aggrey
