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Vice President commiserates with families of Volta Lake boat accident victims
Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has led a government delegation to Krachi West in the Oti Region to sympathise with families affected by the recent boat accident on the Volta Lake near Okumah.
The delegation included the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, the Member of Parliament for Krachi West, Helen Ntoso, the Oti Regional Minister, John Kwadwo Gyapong, the head of NADMO, Major (Rtd) Dr. Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon, officials from the Ghana Maritime Authority, and representatives of the security agencies.
The Vice President conveyed the government’s deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the entire community on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the people of Ghana.
She assured the affected families that the government would continue to support them as they prepare to bury their loved ones.
As part of the visit, the delegation presented relief items and safety equipment to the families and community members to promote safer transport on the lake.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang urged boat operators to strictly follow safety protocols and ensure that passengers are provided with life jackets and other protective gear before embarking on any trip.
She described the tragedy as a painful reminder of the need to prioritise safety on the country’s water bodies.
The Vice President said the government is taking steps to strengthen safety standards, enforce regulations, and provide the necessary logistics to improve water transportation, especially for communities that rely on the Volta Lake for travel and trade.
She encouraged all stakeholders to work together to prevent such incidents in the future.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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
