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Street Protests: Children join demo in Tamale
• They marched to make demands
Eight-Year-Old, Zulia Yakubu, was among over 100 children who took part in the recent ‘Fix the Country’ demonstration which took place in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital.
The Children between ages seven and 12, some with placards, dressed in red apparel and arm bands joined their parents mid-morning during a harsh harmattan weather to add their voices to the concerns being raised.
It was the first time children were participating in a street protest in the area.
Mr. Ahmed Salifu, who brought two of his children to join the demonstration said: “Children are future leaders and they need to start expressing themselves on issues affecting them before they become responsible leaders.”
According to him, children needed to know their rights and register their displeasure in a safe and peaceful manner.
He pleaded with security personnel to respect the right of children to “speak up and be heard” and protect them from violence, where it became necessary for them to stage a protest.
Mr. Stephen Effah, a Communications Manager at Savana Signatures, a non-governmental organisation, in Tamale also subscribed to the idea of giving children the opportunity to meaningfully add their voice to matters that affect their future.
Article 15 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child indicates that “Children can join or set up groups or organisations, and they can meet with others, as long as this does not harm other people.”
An officer at the Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate of the Ghana Police Service in Tamale also noted that children have the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, including peaceful protest.
He urged the leaders, conveners and participants in public protests to maintain peace and order, adding that children and adolescents must be guided and protected at such gatherings.
From Geoffrey Buta, Tamale
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
