Hot!
Tension brews at Egyambra in Ahanta West
There is simmering tension at Egyambra, a farming community in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region as 21 families are up in arms with the Chief of the area, Nana KofiAmo lll, who has ordered the bereaved families to pay money and drinks (Nkae Nsa) before they bury their dead relations.
As a result, the families have petitioned the Police Administration to intervene immediately as the matter could degenerate into anarchy, and called for the transfer of the Municipal Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Valentine Akposu for failing to ensure peaceful settlement of the issue at stake.
The letter dated May 5, 2022, and written by their counsel, Mr Yaw Anokye Frimpong from John Konny Chambers to the Director, Police Professional and Standard Bureau (PIPS), Accra, was copied to the Western Regional Minister, Regional Police Commander, Regional Crime Officer, as The Spectator source disclosed.
The stalemate over the matter stems from the directive by Nana Kofi Amo III that, the families should pay ‘Nkae nsa’, that is money and drinks, else they would not be permitted to bury their dead ones.
“It is our fervent hope that you would treat the matter with the urgency it deserves so that the people of Egyambra can put fear behind them, especially where they allege that, some time ago, one of their people was killed through acid dousing by some unknown persons.” counsel pleaded.
The petition recalled that on April 4, 2022, the families through their counsel, wrote a petition to the Western Regional Police Commander to take immediate steps to avert what could be a volatile situation at Egyambra.
It submitted that, Nana Amo III with the backing of Ahanta Omanhene, Nana Baidoe Bonsoe XV, informed them that anyone who failed to pay him the ‘Nkae Nsa’ upon the death of their relative would not be permitted to bury the corpse at the public cemetery and any attempt to disobey the order would be met with the pouring of acid or any deadly substance on them.
The letter further said that, the Regional Police Commander acted swiftly on the matter and that the Municipal Security Committee (MUSEC) organised a meeting on April 26, 2022, but, surprisingly, the Municipal Police Commander directed the aggrieved people to settle the matter with Nana Amo III, otherwise the chief would be right in using his machomen and other agents to pester them.
Further, the Police Commander, they complained, failed to take note of a more recent High Court judgement which tried the merit of the same ‘nkae nsa’ payment that the chief lost.
The lawyers stressed “Our clients say after the comments made by the aforesaid officer, the chief sent some youth to Egyambra with substances believed to be acid, blatantly displaying same at the public cemetery to scare mourners from burying their dead.
“We have instructions from our clients to report the conduct of the police officer to you for further investigations and possible transfer from the area because he has demonstrated that he cannot do anything to bring peace to the place he is serving,” the petitioners said.
Meanwhile, in the letter to the Western Regional Police Commander, dated April 4, the Egyambra families wrote that, since their ancestors migrated from various locations to settle at Egyambra stool land 40 years ago, the custom had been to pay the said notification drink to the Amantwe family which owned that cemetery lands, whether “it is an Amantwe candidate who occupies the Egyambra stool.”
Responding, Nana Amo acknowledged the court ruling on whether he holds the capacity to exact the nkae nsa but, explained that the Abusuapanyin could receive same.
“The families have buried some of the dead elsewhere and we know that there will be a burial on Friday, June 17 at Egyambra.” he told The Spectator.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Takoradi
Madam Sandra Seyram Kpedor, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Anloga in the Volta Region, has emphasised the importance of parental involvement in children’s education, stating that education is free, but parents need to do more to support their children.
She said parents, teachers, and students must be involved in addressing the challenges facing the district’s education sector, particularly the poor Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.
Madam Kpedor outlined some key roles parents should play to promote their children’s education, including providing a conducive learning environment, monitoring their children’s progress, and supporting teachers.
The DCE highlighted some challenges the district faced such as inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of teachers, which have also contributed to the poor BECE results and called on well-to-do parent to help solve the situation through and other supports.
To address the issues, she also announced that plans have been taken to utilise the district’s common fund to implement educational projects, such as constructing school blocks and teachers’ bungalows at Sodzi community, and 2-unit classroom blocks each at Akplorwutorkor and Tegbi-Afedome respectively, among others.
Madam Kpedor also noted that her office had earlier notified the Ministry of Education to deploy more teachers to the area to improve teaching and learning, and encouraged students to work hard and strive for excellence, and work beyond their limit to succeed.
“To my wonderful and beautiful girls, you have to know it clear that women and girls have equal opportunities to compete with men for greater achievements,” she indicated.
The DCE cited her own achievement as a testament to the fact that women can excel in leadership positions, alongside Vice President Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and stressed that girls were no longer limited to domestic roles but can pursue their dreams and become leaders.
Additionally, she mentioned that a meeting was held earlier with assembly members, and other stakeholders to address the district’s educational challenges and improve academic performance.
She promised that the district’s education oversight committee and stakeholders would work together to address the challenges and improve the district’s BECE results and called for parental involvement and support to boost the district’s education sector for children to chase their dreams to become future leaders for the success of the district and the nation.
She urged parents not to leave everything to the government but rather help in the provision of some necessary materials such as textbooks, exercise books, pens, pencils, food, and guidance to children for the successes of young learners. –GNA
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
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
