News
Unknown gunmen takeover SSNIT lands at Koforidua
Residents of Old Estate SSNIT flats in Koforidua and its environs are living in fear.
This is because the area which is one of the communities in New Juaben North Municipality in the Eastern Region has of late been besieged by some persons wielding guns.
These unknown persons are suspected to be illegal private developers on 180- acre land belonging to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
An incident occurred on Tuesday, 3rd May, 2022, at about 11:30 am when a resident heard some sporadic gun shots and had to run for cover in his bedroom suspecting that the gun shots were from armed robbers.
Giving an account to this reporter, the resident said he saw a black Land Cruiser, a white 4×4 and other vehicles at the place but fearing that the occupants might have been armed robbers; he did not come out for fear of his life.
The area in question has been turned into sand winning (business) place while others are also putting up huge mansions. It is believed the encroachers have been wielding guns to prevent people from confronting them on their nefarious activities.
However, if the encroachers are not checked immediately the unexpected may happen.An officer at the Eastern Regional SSNIT Office told this reporter that the land belonged to SSNIT which built 10 blocks containing 160 flats for workers in 1997.
He said the flats were allocated to various organisations to be shared among their workers but in 2005 SSNIT noticed that there were encroachers on some parts of the land and decided to secure it through the Land Commission.
He said, he heard that due to financial constraints SSNIT management decided to give part of the land to interested individuals for orderly development and a well planned suburb of Koforidua.
He noted that over 130 acres of the land were given out, remaining 50 acres for SSNIT. According to him, the remaining 50 acre land had been taken over by encroachers, sand winners and others hence the numerous problems in the area.
He said he had never heard of land guards or gun shots in the area until recently.
He appealed to SSNIT management to sit up before the unexpected happens.
The Eastern Regional SSNIT PRO, Royal Nii Krotey Donkor and the Estate Manager, Mr Denu confirmed SSNIT ownership of the encroached land and said the activities going on there and that management would soon take action. “This is all that we can say for now” they added.
From Samuel Opare Lartey, Koforidua.
News
NSA board sets up committee to supervise digital reforms
The Governing Board of the National Service Authority (NSA) has announced the inauguration of a Transition and Implementation Steering Committee (TISC) to oversee the Authority’s digital transformation agenda.
According to the Board, the move follows a letter dated 17 June 2025 from the Office of the President to the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment directing the suspension of the existing deployment system, calling for an audit of its operations and instructing the design and deployment of a new digital platform.
The Board explained that the audit had been completed and had found the existing system unsatisfactory.
It indicated that the Minister had written to the Board to begin the necessary legal processes to ensure the contract for the audited system, which expired in August 2025, would not be renewed, and to take further steps toward designing and deploying a new digital platform that would guarantee transparency, security and real-time verification of service personnel postings.
It stressed that the TISC had been established to ensure a smooth and orderly transition from the current National Service Scheme digital platform to a new ICT-led system aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and service delivery.
The Authority outlined the Committee’s mandate as overseeing the phased migration from the legacy system, directing the design and deployment of a modern digital platform, and supervising its operationalisation across core functions including personnel enrolment, postings, payroll, allowances and scheme administration.
It further noted that acting under the directives of the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment and deriving authority from the NSA Board, the TISC has the power to issue instructions to NSA departments and engage external partners necessary to achieve its mandate through the Governing Board.
The Authority named Dr. Wisdom Atiwoto, a member of the NSA Board and Director of Research, Statistics and Information Management at the Ministry of Health, as chair of the Committee.
Other members include Ms. Ruth Dela Seddoh, Mr. Shadrack Mensah, Ms. Elorm Goh, Mr. Benjamin Freeman Kusi, Ms. Jennifer Opong, Dr. Stephan Nwolley, Mr. Koku Abotsi, Mr. Japhet Kuntu, Mr. Nabil Abubakar Hussayn and Ms. Regina Obenewa Penrose as Secretary.
The NSA Board assured the public and stakeholders of its commitment to innovation, accountability and excellence in service delivery.
It emphasised that there would be no disruption in the fulfilment of its obligations to national service personnel as outlined in the National Service Act, Act 1119 (2024), and indicated that updates on the Committee’s progress would be communicated in due course.
With the collective expertise of its members, the TISC is expected to deliver a robust and future-ready platform that will anchor the next phase of the National Service Scheme’s operations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
Sports Minister defends working relationship with GFA President
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams, has defended his working relationship with the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku.
According to him, Kurt Okraku is the head of the body responsible for running Ghana’s national teams, and it would not be helpful if his office was always in confrontation with the GFA leadership.
“You can’t give your national teams to an institution to manage and constantly be in conflict with its leader. If you do that, you won’t even be able to sit around the table and have a conversation,” he explained.
Mr. Adams said he prefers to focus on solving problems rather than personalising them.
He noted that issues should not be blamed on individuals unless it is proven that they are directly responsible.
He admitted that he has engaged the FA leadership on several occasions, even though some people accuse him of being too comfortable with Mr. Okraku.
“Yes, we have engaged a lot, and some say I am too close to him. But the relationship is not about refusing to point out what is wrong. If something must be corrected, I will say it,” he stated.
The Minister further explained that while he works with the GFA President, he does not appoint the association’s leadership.
He said the FA goes through an election cycle, and the government has no role in selecting its leaders.
Mr. Adams stressed that maintaining a cordial relationship with the GFA does not mean overlooking mistakes, but rather ensuring that there is room for dialogue and correction when necessary.
By: Jacob Aggrey
