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Security assured at Odwira festival – MCE
Barima Awua Sarpong Asiedu Larbi
The Akuapem North Municipal Chief Execu¬tive (MCE), Barima Awua Sarpong Asiedu Larbi has stat¬ed that adequate measures had been taken to ensure a peaceful celebration of the Odwira Festival.
The festival which will begin on September 25 and end on the October 1, 2023 is celebrated by the chiefs and people of Akuapem.
Mr Asiedu”s made this prom¬ise at the parading of Odehye Kwasi Akuffu popularly Known as Joe Ferrel as the Paramount Chief of Akuapem during the funeral of the late Odehye Gladys Abena Otema Ohene at Akropong last Saturday.
At the funeral, Odehye Akoffu who was dressed in the costume of an omanhene danced to traditional music, after which he spoke to the mourners, proclaiming himself as the Okuapemhene.
His speech led to confu¬sion between his followers and those of the Oseadeoyo Kwasi Akuffu III, the gazetted Okuapemhene who would be presiding over the Odwira festival for the first time in six years.
The timely intervention of the police, however restored order.
After an emergency mu¬nicipal security committee meeting, on August 15, Barima Asiedu Larbi told the press that although calm has been restored, all the necessary security measures had been taken to ensure a peaceful celebration of the Odwira festival.
He, therefore, urged all Akuapems in the diaspora to embark on a homeward journey to join relatives and friends to celebrate the fes¬tival during which Oseadeoyo Kwasi Akuffu III would be climbing into the Palanquin for the first time in six years.
“We have handled security issues very well to maintain peace, although we have spent over GH¢2million on it in the past few years which should have gone into the provision of social amenities for the people.
“l, however, believe that the current peaceful atmo¬sphere will continue to enable the assembly utilise its finan¬cial resources on infrastructur¬al amenities,” the MCE stated.
The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Dancehall musician Shatta Wale has issued a strong public statement calling for an end to what he describes as continuous attacks on his brand, following an apology from media commentator Awal Mohammed.
In the statement, Shatta Wale acknowledged the apology but stressed that persistent criticism and what he sees as deliberate attempts to damage his image must stop.
He noted that for many years, he has spoken for the streets, the youth, and people who feel ignored by society, while also promoting Ghana on the global stage and creating jobs through his work.
He expressed concern that some media personalities, commentators, and influential figures continue to target his name unfairly.
According to him, the issue goes beyond music and touches on respect, fairness, and national maturity.
The musician warned that continued disrespect toward voices that represent ordinary people could have wider consequences.
He emphasised that the Shatta Movement remains strong and organized, and that the patience of the masses should not be taken for granted.
He added that if systems continue to fail the people, they have the ability to organize politically through numbers and truth, not violence or hate.
Shatta Wale clarified that his message was not a threat but a reminder of reality, stressing that attacking a symbol that represents millions of people can have social, cultural, and democratic effects.
He called for respect, fairness, and unity, saying the voice of the people will always rise.
The statement comes after Awal Mohammed recently described Shatta Wale fans during a public discussion as junkies.
The comments triggered backlash from fans of the musician, prompting Awal to later issue an apology.
By: Jacob Aggrey
