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Send Ghana awards journalists for hardwork
Mr Albert Futukpor receiving the Online Category award.
The Chief Executive Officer of Social Enterprise Development Foundation of West Africa (SEND West Africa), Mr Siapha Kamara, has tasked media practitioners in the country to continuously impress upon the government to institutionalise the Public Health Emergency Fund.
The Public Health Emergency Fund advocacy is an initiative of SEND Ghana (a subsidiary of SEND Foundation of West Africa) and Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), meant to support the preparedness and healthcare delivery during pandemics in the country.
“We have been advocating government to manifest its commitment to public health emergency which has become part of our health landscape. Therefore, we are not resting until local investment in emergency preparedness at the district and national level is prioritised,” he said.
MrSiapha Kamara was speaking at the second Epidemic Preparedness Journalists Awards in Accra, last Friday.
The event recognised outstanding contributions of Ghanaian journalists in raising awareness on Public Health Emergency and Response Financing.
It was on the theme: “Celebrating Media and Local Level Advocacy Excellence Towards Epidemic Preparedness Financing in Ghana.”
The awardees received citations and an undisclosed amount of money for increasing public and political awareness as well as encouraging sustained media attention on the topic.
Mr Albert Futukpor of the Ghana News Agency received two awards for the Most Impactful Stories and Best Report (Online) category. He was crowned the Overall Best Reporter in 2023.
The runner-up for the online category was Mr Zadok Gyasi of the Daily Graphic.
In the Print Category, journalists from the New Times Corporation – Abigail Annoh and Benedicta Folley – were both awarded for the Best Report in Category.
EIB (GHOne, Starr FM)’s Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman and GTV’s MutalaIssah won in the Broadcast Category; Radio and TV respectively.
Additionally, some non-governmental organisations(NGOs) were also honoured for their contributions to promote EPR messages through their social media platforms.
The In-Country Coordinator of GHAI, Mr Stephen Atasige, commended journalists for their dedication towards quality healthcare delivery in the country and urged SEND Ghana and its stakeholders to continue with the campaign. The ceremony was attended by Members of Parliament, representatives of the Ministries of Finance and Health and some local government representatives as well.
By Yunusah Essandoh
The Government of Ghana has approved plans to establish a new teacher training college at Ezinlibo in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region.
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, announced the decision during a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Gas Company.
He explained that the government, through the Ministry of Education and in collaboration with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, has a strong case to support the project.
According to him, the new college will help expand access to tertiary education, especially in the Western Region.
He added that the project will be carried out in partnership with Ghana Gas as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts to support education in the area.
The minister stressed that the approval is a policy decision, with plans to establish the college in 2027. He noted, however, that the timeline will depend on the availability of funds from the Ghana Education Trust Fund.
He said the initiative is part of the government’s broader plan to improve teacher education and ensure more trained teachers are available across the country.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Gas, Judith Adjoa Blay, said the meeting followed a proposal by the Nzema Academia and Educationalist Association.
She noted that the discussions focused on the policy direction and overall plan for the project.
She further explained that there will be a technical meeting to outline the scope of work and key requirements needed to begin implementation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ashanti North Regional Police Command has arrested eight suspected highway robbers in a special intelligence-led operation following a robbery attack on the Mampong–Ejura Highway.
In a press release dated March 31, 2026, and signed by the Ashanti North Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Felix Apedo, the police said the suspects were linked to a robbery incident that occurred on March 26, 2026, at the Aframso Bridge.
According to the statement, six armed men attacked a driver, Appiah Joseph, who was transporting 14 passengers in a Ssangyong minibus from Kumasi to Atebubu. The attackers reportedly robbed the victims of cash and mobile phones.
The police explained that after the incident, they gathered intelligence and mounted surveillance on the suspects.
Acting on the information, a special operations team, in collaboration with personnel from the NOD Surveillance Unit in Accra, moved to Amakwa Dadey Hotel at Ejura on March 30, 2026.
The statement noted that upon arrival, the officers found the suspects allegedly sharing money believed to be proceeds from the robbery. Eight suspects were subsequently arrested.
They were identified as Amidu Sajo, Ibrahim Sule, Karim Hadu, Malik Jibrilla, Yusifa Asakoko, Umaru Issifu, Damani Yamba, and Ibrahim Iddrisu, also known as “Bule.”
The police further stated that Iddrisu, who was on the wanted list for previous robbery cases, attempted to escape during the operation. While being pursued, he reportedly attacked an officer with a cutlass and tried to seize a service weapon.
In the process, he sustained gunshot wounds to his left leg and arm.
He was rushed to the Mampong Government Hospital and later referred to the Jamasi Pope John Paul Hospital, where he was pronounced dead while receiving treatment.
Police said several items were retrieved during the operation, including two rounds of AK-47 ammunition, three cutlasses, an amount of GHC 15,717.00, eight mobile phones, a talisman, an ID card, and a side bag.
The remaining suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with investigations.
The command indicated that the operation is ongoing to arrest other suspects and retrieve additional weapons.
It added that the body of the deceased has been deposited at the Mampong Government Hospital morgue for preservation and further action.
The Ashanti North Regional Police Command assured the public of its commitment to fighting highway robbery and ensuring safety, and urged residents to continue cooperating with the police.
By: Jacob Aggrey
