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Tension in New Juaben as Police break into royal stool room, detain family members
Tension has gripped the New Juaben traditional area following an incident where a group, reportedly led by the New Juaben divisional police commander, forcibly entered the stool room of the Adwampong royal family in Koforidua.
The confrontation ensued after the queen mother of the Adwampong royal family resisted the unauthorized removal of the black stool.
The stool is a crucial component for the upcoming enstoolment ceremony of a new Chief for the family, scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 1, at the Yiadom Hwedie Palace, presided over by Daasebere Kwaku Boateng III.
According to the Queen mother Nana Akosua Afrakoma, who has been in charge of the stool since she was enstooled 29 years ago, the said Chief who is to be enstooled Thursday evening is not known and has not been nominated by her hence her resistance.
But the group under the supervision of the Koforidua District Police Commander now acting Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Baah, together with heavily armed men from the Counter Terrorism Unit broke into the stool room and changed the locks.
Nana Afrakoma II who expressed disappointment at the conduct of the district police called on the Regional Security Council and National Security Minister to intervene to prevent bloodshed.
“I had a call this morning that yesterday [Wednesday] they came here to steal the stool but were resisted and they have brought the police to break my door this morning. That’s my route, I haven’t ruled with any of them for the past 29 years. I know nothing about the enstoolment they are doing. They’ve destooled me unlawfully and I don’t go to the palace anymore.”
Meanwhile, the son and daughter of the Queen mother who were invited by Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Baah to make a formal complaint have rather been detained upon reaching the Koforidua Central police station.
Source : Citinewsroom.com
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
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
