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Residents advised to take precaution against CSM threat in WA
• Alhaji Tahiru Moomin addressing the gathering
Guided by the causes and symptoms of a devastating desease which had claimed many lives in the past, the Wa Municipal Chief Executive, Alhaji Tahiru Moomin has asked residents of the Upper West Region to stay safe to avoid contracting cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM)
Addressing the 66th Independence Day parade at Wa, the MCE said with the advent of the hot season in the region, it was necessary for residents to stay in ventilated areas, avoid over crowded and secluded rooms with unbearable heat to remain healthy.
“I wish to advise residents to avoid direct contact with people who are sneezing or coughing since you cannot tell what virus that person is carrying; more importantly, we can revisit the wearing of nose marks in crowded areas to avoid contracting CSM,” he advised.
He called on chiefs, assembly and unit committee members to support the Ghana Health Service by sensitising their people to the devastating impact of the CSM as well as practical ways to protect themselves from the disease and infected persons.
He reminded residents to report to health facilities if they felt unwell so that they would be screened and treated on time.
Touching on security issues in the region, Alhaji Moomin appealed to the various traditional authorities across the region to take steps in resolving chieftaincy and ethnic conflicts bedeviling communities in order to prevent them from escalating.
“We hear of chieftaincy, ethnic and land disputes and conflicts stretching from the north to the south and limiting the development of the country, therefore, I would appeal to the authorities concerned to promptly help to resolve the conflicts and sustain peace and unity within the municipality and the country at large,” he said.
He lamented that conflicts inter fered with the development of the area and called for a collaborative effort towards achieving a united front for development.
Cerebrospinal meningitis is an infectious and fatal inflammation of the meninges of both brain and spinal cord which is normally caused by a virus.
The infectious disease is very pronounced during the dry season in the region when atmospheric temperature was high and associated with symptoms such as fever, pain or stiffness in the neck and numbness.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Wa
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
