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Police secure conviction of five armed robbers in Ashanti Region
The Ghana Police Service has secured the conviction of five armed robbers on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, abetment of crime by supplying ammunition, and dishonest receiving.
The five convicts; Jeffrey Dwomoh, Clifford Opoku, Kwabena Kyei Barfour, Prince Opuni, and Henry Kusi Marfo, were arrested in 2023, along with two other suspects, Richard Dogbatsey and William Ansah, in connection with a series of robbery and carjacking incidents in the Ashanti Region.
Jeffrey Dwomoh and Clifford Opoku, were both found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery, and each was sentenced to 120 years of imprisonment in hard labour while Kwabena Kyei Barfour was convicted of dishonestly receiving and sentenced to 105 years of imprisonment in hard labour.
The court also found Prince Opuni guilty of reckless and inconsiderate driving and sentenced him to a fine of 350 penalty units, or in default, serve a custodial sentence of 10 months imprisonment in hard labour.
Additionally, he was ordered to pay a fine of Five Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢ 5,000.00) for causing damage to a Police vehicle.
Henry Kusi Marfo was convicted of supplying ammunition to facilitate the robbery and sentenced to a total fine of 1,050 penalty units, or in default, serve a custodial sentence of 15 months imprisonment in hard labour. He has since paid the fine to the court.
Two of the accused persons, Richard Dogbatsey and William Ansah were acquitted of the charge of abetment of robbery.
The faces of the five convicted individuals have been shown because they are no longer suspects but convicts.
The New Times Corporation (NTC) on Monday held its annual thanksgiving service, bringing together staff and management to reflect on the past year, express gratitude, and renew their commitment to the organisation’s growth.
At the service, the Deputy Chairperson of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) and a Board Member of the New Times Corporation (NTC), Madam Charity Binka, called for strong and intentional collaboration among staff, emphasising that unity and teamwork were crucial to transforming the corporation during its challenging times.
“This is a time to break silos, share ideas and work together as one team with a shared vision,” she said, adding that innovation and digital transformation must be embraced to secure NTC’s future.
Madam Binka expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the corporation and its employees despite financial and operational difficulties.
“Though the journey has not been smooth, God has sustained us. We are here today because of His grace,” she indicated, acknowledging the resilience and dedication of staff who have kept The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator among the country’s most respected newspapers.
Quoting Jeremiah 29:11, she encouraged staff to remain hopeful and confident that brighter days lie ahead.
Delivering the sermon, Rev. John Akorli of Word Divine International Ministry at Sukura, Accra, cautioned staff against excessive talking and gossip, warning that careless speech could create unnecessary problems.
Rev. Akorli further reminded staff that their identity should not be defined by past mistakes, family background, or negative labels.
He encouraged them to live confidently, depend on God’s guidance, and remain focused on their responsibilities, noting that spiritual awareness and discipline were essential to personal and organisational growth.
The service ended with prayers for unity, renewal, and a prosperous new chapter for the New Times Corporation.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Catholic Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese, Bishop Joseph Afrifa Agyekum, has expressed concern over the rising rate of divorce in the country, attributing the trend largely to inadequate knowledge about marriage and misplaced expectations of couples.
He said many marriages were collapsing because couples entered into the union without a clear understanding of the responsibilities, sacrifices and commitments that marriage demands.
The Bishop raised the concern while addressing congregants at the 50th anniversary of the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church at Madina on Sunday.
According to him, marriage was increasingly being viewed through unrealistic lenses shaped by social media, peer pressure and material expectations, rather than mutual respect, patience and shared values.
“Many people go into marriage with expectations that are not grounded in reality. When those expectations are not met, conflict sets in and eventually leads to separation or divorce,” he observed.
The Bishop noted that some couples lacked proper preparation before marriage, adding that pre-marital counselling was often treated as a formality rather than an opportunity to gain deeper insight into marital life.
He stressed the need for churches, families and society to intensify education on marriage, particularly among the youth, to help them make informed decisions before entering into marital unions.
The Bishop also urged married couples to embrace dialogue, forgiveness and understanding, saying disagreements were inevitable but could be resolved through patience and commitment.
He urged couples experiencing challenges to seek counselling instead of resorting to separation, emphasising that strong families remained the foundation of a stable and progressive society.
By Kennedy Afedzi
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