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.
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
