News
Too many excuses: the mask is a must!
A policeman stopped us on Thursday morning and wanted to check whether everything about our commercial vehicle was in order.
There was nothing wrong after all. Everybody seemed to be minding their business with their nose masks on except an elderly who was not wearing his.
The policeman inquired why he was the only one without the mask. He responded: ” I have a nose mask and a face shield but I am not wearing because I can’t breathe well.”
I was on the back seat and said to myself, such a flimsy excuse! Will you ‘breathe well’ when you contract the disease and do not survive?
The officer immediately asked him to do the needful and he did. As soon as we left the junction, the man took the mask off again. I saw other passengers on board looking at him ‘suspiciously’.
Heading for my destination, I saw some hawkers who wore the nose masks but pulled it down to only cover their mouths. Here again, I wondered if all citizens knew the essence of the mask.
The mask, we are told, is meant to prevent the virus from entering our body through our mouth and nose. But it appears some people are still taking this precaution for granted and decide to wear the mask anyhow it pleases them.
In spite of the high incidence of COVID-19, sections of the public are still giving flimsy excuses why they cannot wear the nose mask. I wish to use your medium to draw attention to this once again.
Just as we are told, “the mask is a must.” People should not leave their homes without it. The mask is not for our bags or pockets. Let us wear it at all times, especially in crowded place. It is for our own good.
Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has revealed that in the whole of 2024, only GHS 362 million was released to MMDAs in Common Fund.
Contrary to this, In 2025 alone GHS 5 billion was released to the MMDAs with the following breakdown as follows.
The Minister made this revelation when he took his turn at the Government Accountability Series held today.
In breakdown, the minister nonted that 1st Quarter – 790,372,058.40 was released for 2025.
He added that for the 2nd Quarter, 1,464,983,309.60 was released.
3rd Quarter saw the release of 1,188,921,640.80 and
1,592,706,391.20 for 4th Quarter.
The Minister added tha each of the MMDAs were required to undertake the following; at least 2-CHPS compounds, 3 Classroom blocks, 10 Boreholes, and Completion of legacy projects.
Additionally, 25% of the Common Fund was allocated for the Construction of 24-Hour Economy Model Markets.
Ahmed Ibrahim noted that as a result of the timely and unprecedented release of Funds, a total of 494 CHPS compounds, 761 Classroom Blocks, 4,029 Boreholes, and 2,755 Legacy projects are currently at various stages of completion.
Also, he added that 261 24-Hour Economy Model Markets have all been awarded on contracts and construction has begun on many of them.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, together with members of the Police Management Board (POMAB), on April 17, 2026, decorated nineteen (19) senior officers who have been promoted to their next ranks based on the recommendations of the Police Council and approval of the President, John Dramani Mahama.
The ceremony, held at the National Police Headquarters in Accra, forms part of efforts to recognise merit, dedication, and long-standing service within the Ghana Police Service, while strengthening leadership across key operational and administrative levels.
The officers promoted from Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) to Commissioner of Police (COP) are Dr. Luke Asue-In-Yeng Zakpaa, Mr. Frederick Agyei, Mr. Duuti Tuaruka, Mr. Arthur Osei-Akoto, Mr. Darko Offei Lomotey, Mr. Eric Ken Winful, Mr. Barnabas Nambont Nasumong, and Mr. Desmond Owusu Boampong.
The IGP and members of POMAB congratulated the officers and urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
