News
‘Pragya’ rider jailed 15 years for defilement
A tricycle ‘Pragya’ rider has appeared before the Tarkwa Circuit Court for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old pupil at Matwamatwa, a suburb of Asankrangwa in the Wassa Amenfi West Municipality.
David Owusu, 21, charged with defilement pleaded guilty with explanation, but the court presided over by Mrs Hathia Ama Manu rejected Owusu’s explanation and sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour.
The Prosecutor, Superintendent of Police Juliana Essel-Dadzie, told the court that the complainant is a police officer at Asankrangwa and his wife is related to the victim.
She said on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at about 1:30 pm, while Owusu was working in Asankrangwa township, he chanced on the victim who was on his way to the auntie’s shop, and he picked her up.
Superintendent Essel-Dadzie said when they got to the shop, Owusu failed to stop for the victim to alight and sped off to his house, dragged her into his room, and had sexual intercourse with her.
The prosecutor said that after the act, Owusu took the victim to the aunty’s house where she changed her clothes and thereafter, he took her to the shop.
On May 1, 2024, the victim revealed her ordeal to one of the workers in her aunt’s shop and she informed the complainant and Owusu was arrested and sent to the Asankrangwa police station, and reported the matter. -GNA
Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has pledged Ghana’s continued commitment to advancing women’s rights and empowerment.
She made the statement at the UN High-Level Meeting marking 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Dr. Lartey said the Beijing Declaration, adopted in 1995, was a bold vision that recognized the advancement of women and girls as key to peace, justice, and sustainable development.
She added that while much progress had been made, the journey to full equality was still not complete.
She explained that the commemoration was of special importance to Ghana as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of the country’s national machinery for women.
She also highlighted that Ghana made history in January this year when its first female vice president was sworn into office, describing it as a breakthrough that showed the country’s determination to give women’s voices space in governance.
According to the minister, Ghana has strengthened its legal and policy framework by passing the Affirmative Action Act in 2024 and adopting a new gender policy to guide actions from 2025 to 2035.
She added that protection systems had been reinforced through the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service.
She pointed to Ghana’s focus on economic empowerment through programs such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), the School Feeding Program, and the Microfinance and Small Loan Centers (MASLOC).
Plans, she said, were underway to establish a Women’s Development Bank to expand financial inclusion and provide affordable credit, especially for women in underserved areas.
Dr. Lartey stressed that the Beijing Declaration was not just a promise written on paper but a call to action.
She urged the international community to recommit to removing barriers and giving women and girls equal opportunities.
She affirmed Ghana’s commitment to a future where no woman or girl is left behind.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Donkor, has commended the Ashanti Regional Police Commander and his team for their professionalism during an operation that dismantled a notorious armed robbery syndicate.
Speaking at the Police Headquarters in Accra, DCOP Donkor said the success of the operation was due to effective teamwork and tactical execution by the regional command.
She stressed that their dedication and courage played a major role in bringing down the gang, which had been terrorizing banks and rural financial institutions across the country.
She further praised the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, for his leadership and direction, which she said has strengthened the fight against armed robbery and improved public confidence in the police.
DCOP Donkor assured the public that investigations are ongoing and pledged that the police will not relent in pursuing the remaining suspects still at large.
She called on Ghanaians to continue to support the police with information that can help in combating crime.
By: Jacob Aggrey
