News
TMA to build police post near new motorway interchange
As part of efforts to ensure the continuous presence of the Police at the newly constructed Tema Motorway Interchange, the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) in collaboration with its partners has decided to construct a post for the Tema Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) closer to the interchange.
The post which is expected to be located on a space in front of the construction headquarters and around the Southern Fried Chicken Restaurant would also have a control tower to deal with traffic management at the heart of Tema and also help to ensure that possible road crashes and accident cases receive prompt response.
The Public Relations Officer for the TMA, Frank Asante told the Ghanaian Times that the Police Post would purposely be for the MTTD and would be at a location within the precincts of the Motorway Interchange to enable the police maintain its presence at all times.
He disclosed that the facility would also have a towing service to attend to vehicles that may break down among others.
He said the security presence at such a facility was key and hence the plans to ensure that the place was always safe for the public.
The Tema Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Department Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Joseph Owusu-Bempah in an interview said the proposed site for the construction of an MTTD and the control tower to take care of traffic management within the heart of Tema would have a great impact on traffic.
“Most traffic incidents happen in and around the Motorway Intersection and it is important prudent police presence is felt at the place” he explained.
He disclosed that the Regional MTTD Command had, hitherto, secured a two office accommodation for that purpose from the Ghana Highway Authority, but due to the new construction, that building was demolished.
ACP Owusu-Bempah said though the contractor had already provided a small post for use by the Regional MTTD there was no parking space and therefore the place had not been convenient.
He said the Regional MTTD Command was poised to use its strong ties with the leadership of TMA to see to it that the project came into fruition.
FROM DZIFA TETTEH, TEMA
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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