The Municipal Chief Executive, Albert Boakye Okyere, told Citi News in an interview that the measure will help address the surge in crime.

“We don’t want them to operate within that zone, and more so we have told them that no motor operations will be allowed after 11:00pm every day. After 11:00pm, we will not allow any motorbike to operate within the municipality. If it is a private motorbike you have to prove to the police. We have as well discussed with them how jointly we can be watchmen of our own communities in order to curb robberies,” he said.

[contextly_sidebar id=”uO5n4rpetc81RUsZB4oD3suYbOkxh8yg”]He explained that the directive is to among other things control such operations which he said was illegal in the country.

“The okada operation itself has its own issue of not being a legal business practice, yet this is where we find ourselves. So we think we should put some control measures in place. They can be anywhere, but these very areas that we have found them to be very congested.”

Per Ghana’s laws, the use of motorbike for commercial purposes is illegal.

Despite the criminality of such business in Ghana, such operations have been booming especially in the capital city, Accra.

Upsurge in robberies

There have been an upsurge in armed robbery cases in the last few weeks with some persons including an expatriate losing his life.

Communities such as Oyibi, Halelluyah and Gbestele all in Greater Accra, have recently recorded high cases of armed robberies.

‘We’ll shoot to kill robbers who engage us’

Meanwhile, the Accra Regional Police Command has threatened that it will shoot to kill any armed robber who attempts to engage the Police in a gunfight.

Speaking to Citi News, DCOP George Alex Mensah said the Service will do all it takes to protect its officers and the citizenry.

–

By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Ashaiman MCE bans ‘Okada’ after 11pm to curb robberies appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The initiative, according to the Member of Parliament, seeks to encourage students to take their books seriously.

About one hundred private and public schools within the constituency are set to take part in the inter-schools quiz competition.

The MP, who launched the competition noted that, the inter-schools quiz competition is a programme that he believed would help raise academic standards within the Ashaiman municipality.

“Ashaiman, we all know is an area with so many less endowed students and it is about time we initiate programmes to whip up the zeal for books among the students. This is the only surest way in building a brighter future for our future leaders.”

Mr. Norgbey noted that “education is the only key that is able to close the gap between the elite and the downtrodden, and so as the MP for the area, I believe this is one way to ensure that students fall in love with their books to enable them grow into becoming responsible citizens in future.”

The Ashaiman Municipal Educational Director, Rev. Joyce Orleans Madjitey on her part noted that, the quiz would be a springboard to prepare students within the municipality for greater heights in future.

“This quiz competition will be very exciting, and I can see all the children are really into it; everybody wants to win. I believe it really came at the right time since it will help them in preparing for their future exams.”

Some of the students from the participating schools who spoke with Citi News were very optimistic of emerging winners. They thus promised to study extra hard in ensuring their dreams are fulfilled.

The launch of the second edition of the Ashaiman MP’s quiz saw a fully packed auditorium with students from about one hundred schools.

The quiz will last for a period of three months where winners would walk away with cash prizes and some giveaways from the MP.

Other educational programmes being rolled out by the MP include the MP’s mock for final year students within Junior High and  Senior High Schools in the municipality.

–

By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ashaiman MP launches second inter-schools quiz competition appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Appiah was in Ashaiman as part of familiarization work by his charity foundation which he launched earlier this year. The 57-year feels the football talent pool in Ashaiman justifies the construction of an astro turf in the area.

“There are so many areas here [in Ashaiman] where we can get an artificial turf  where all the sporting activities can take place so the people can go out there and play.

“Most people in Ashaiman are really good at sports and we need to create these centers to help them and it will help the nation as well,” he said.

Appiah has also partnered German firm JVG-Thorma to construct a solar plant in the same area, valued at $14.5m.

–

By: Fentuo Tahiru/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kwesi Appiah to construct astro turf in Ashaiman appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to a release by the Tema Regional Police Command, the two Nigerians, Ali Haruna, 48, and Ali Mubanoo, 50, were arrested at different locations upon a tip-off from an informant.

The two were arrested at Old Tulaku, a suburb of Ashaiman, whilst trading in the drugs.

A release signed by the Tema Regional Police PRO, ASP Joseph Darkwah, noted that the suspect, Ali Haruna, had in his possession one thousand (1,000) pieces of assorted dangerous drugs including Tramol, Diazem Tablets, Axzol tablets and nitrazepam, while the second suspect, Ali Mubanoo, had in his possession five hundred (500) pieces of assorted drugs including Tramol and Eskazepam among other assorted drugs, that requires a dealer to possess a license before retailing.

ASP Darkwah noted that, the suspects in their caution statement said they have been selling these drugs to their customers who are mostly the youth of Ashaiman.

The two are being processed for court to face prosecution.

The release advised persons dealing in such dangerous drugs, to desist since the police will clamp down on persons in such illegal trade.

–

By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 2 Nigerians arrested for selling ‘dangerous’ drugs at Ashaiman appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Stonebwoy, real name Livingstone Etse Satekla, revealed the worrying information on his Facebook page on Sunday, indicating that his wife, Louisa, was injured in the attack at the Saka Saka Park.

It appears he was the target of the knife attack, but the unknown assailants missed and ended up cutting his wife, who he recently married in June 2017.

Louisa was rushed to the hospital minutes after the 2017 BET Awards nominee ended his act.

“Knife cuts Tru My Tent Missed Me As Target And Cuts wifey on her back side! Minute Before I Hit Stage! But #IstillDeliveredForMyPeople and Rushed To The hospital right after I Got Off Stage… ” the caption on a picture of his ripped tent stated.

In that very stage performance, Stonebwoy was joined on stage by seeming rival, Shatta Wale, who fulfilled an earlier promise to join his fellow dancehall artiste on stage.

The concert also featured the likes of Kofi Kinaata, Yaa Pono, Kofi Slay, and Sariki.

The Ashaiman area is known to be a core constituency of Stonebwoy’s fanbase. The town is one of the areas in the Greater Accra Region with a high crime rate.

–

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Stonebwoy’s wife injured in knife attack at Ashaiman concert appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

They were charged for causing nuisance under the Public Health Act 2012 (Act 851) by the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly.

The four convicted persons are Rau Dauda, Valentina Onu, Anthony Mensah and James Stevens.

Anthony Mensah and James Stevens were fined GHS 1,200 each, while Valentina Onu and Rau Dauda were both fined GHS1, 020 respectively.

The Ashaiman Municipal Assembly under its new MCE, Albert Boakye Okyere, is embarking on a drive to rid the shoulders of the roads and pavements in the central business area of the municipality of hawkers.

According to the MCE, drivers who ply the central business area in Ashaiman find it very difficult to drive smoothly since they have to struggle with hawkers and traders who have taken over almost two-thirds of the central business roads.

“We shall not allow the traders and hawkers to unlawfully take over our roads. It is not safe for them and it also impedes development. This exercise shall continue unabated until we are successful.” the MCE said.

He thus advised traders to desist from using the shoulders and pavements of the roads as their selling points, since the Assembly will strictly apply its Assembly by-laws and persons found culpable shall be prosecuted.

–

By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ashaiman: Four traders fined GHS 4,440 for street hawking appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the residents, their roads are so deplorable that private cars have stopped plying the road except for tipper trucks, 207, urvan buses and rickety commercial taxis.

Even Police officers who are stationed at a local station in the area have had to park their vehicles at a filling station on the Ashaiman Katamanso road and then join commercial vehicle to work at the New York Police station.

This they attributed to the bad nature of their roads thereby compelling salon vehicles to stop using the roads.

Along the shoulders of the road are quite a number of broken down vehicles with their shafts, links and ball joints ripped apart.

According to some of the residents who spoke to Citi News, they said most salon private cars have had to park their cars at some filling stations along the main Ashaiman to Katamanso road to board commercial vehicles into the communities.

Some of the drivers who ply the communities told Citi News that they have tried on several occasions since the last administration to get their roads fixed but to no avail.

They said they will embark on a massive demonstration if the new District Chief Executive, Solomon Appiah fails to show signs of constructing the road.

“We are tired of the promises and this time round we are not going to take those fake excuses and promises given us by the District Assembly because we are dying. Look at our cars, they look rickety not because they are old but due to the horrible and terrible nature of the roads”

When Citi News visited the area, it was clear that the road has developed huge pot holes that can be likened to valleys.

Salon cars that dread to use the road have the mud water in the wide holes on the road cover almost up to their door level.

A resident, who works at the Ministries told Citi News how he has to struggle on daily basis to get to work ” As you can see, I just left home going to work and my car was washed before leaving home but look at it now, it’s like I’m coming from the jungle. We are so tired of hearing the rhetoric from the District Assembly and I will personally support any group of persons who would wish to stage a demonstration because we are dying. My pregnant wife has to relocate to my in-law’s house at Ashaiman due to the hell she goes through each time she has to go for antenatal.”

The angry residents and drivers said they are planning to pay a courtesy call on the DCE to officially inform him of their problems and subsequent plans of demonstrating to ensure he is in the know and not taken off guard.

“We have planned a demonstration slated sometime this month but as courtesy demand, we wish to officially visit the MCE and brief him of our current predicaments and if no practical assurances are heard from him, then we shall continue with our planned demonstration unabated.”

When contacted, the Municipal Chief Executive, Solomon Appiah noted that he is aware of the bad nature of the roads and appealed to residents to endure until the rainy season is over.

He said attempts to grade the roads earlier this year were dashed by the rains hence the need to wait till the rains are over.

However, in an attempt to fill some of the wide holes on the road, Citi News can say the DCE has poured some trips of soil on the road to ensure motorist get a temporary relief from the wide disturbing holes on the road.

But the residents and drivers have kicked against the move, saying clay isn’t the right material to be used on such a road since it would rather deepen their woes.

–

By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kpone Katamanso: Residents threaten demo over bad roads appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The four persons who belong to one family and live in a wooden structure sustained serious burns when fire gutted the wooden structure.

22-year-old Fati Iddrissu, Abass Iddrissu 23, Adiza Iddrissu, 67 and Amina Addrissu, 5 are all on admission at the Emergency Unit at Tema General Hospital and receiving treatment.

According to some residents who spoke to Citi News at the scene, they said the fire started at 10am.

They blamed the fire on the 23-year-old son of the woman who sells petroleum products in the house.

“We were outside when we saw the son of the old lady trying to serve a client who had come to purchase petrol for his motorbike so in the process of serving the guy we heard a blast and all of a sudden fire. The blast was so loud that it carried the old lady and her grandchild and threw them on the road in front of their house. All these while the son and his other sister were also trapped in the room while the fire gutted the house. So we had to start the firefighting ourselves together with the Assemblyman who until the fire service came to compliment our efforts”

Another worried resident who gave her name as Madam Rakia appealed to the police to ensure they rid the town of illegal sale fuel on table tops.

“We are just scared of our lives so we want them to be cleared from the municipality.”

The Assembly Member for the Naa Amui Electoral Area, Shadrach Tetteh said the injured are responding treatment at the Tema General Hospital and would be transferred to Korlebu for further treatment.

Mr Tetteh said he has cautioned the guy to stop trading in petroleum products at home but to no avail.

“Even last week I went to him to warn him to stop trading petrol at home since it could spark fire one day and here we are today. The sad part is he has been keeping the product in the same room where he sleeps with his mother and other siblings.”

So far two separate swoops have been organized by the current MCE to clamp down on the dealers but to no avail.

The Municipal Chief Executive Albert Boakye Okyere who visited the scene to get first-hand information hinted that the Assembly will not relent on the fight against the illegal sale of petroleum products on table tops in the municipality.

He said they will in the coming days swoop on them again and prosecute persons who will be caught dealing in such illegal business to serve as a deterrent to the others.

“The Assembly will not relent on dealing heavily with persons engaged in such business because it is a threat to security and safety.”

.

–

By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Four table top fuel sellers burnt in Ashaiman  appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The contract which was being considered by the erstwhile NDC administration under the leadership of Ibrahim Baidoo, was considering to sign a contract to evacuate heaps of refuse at a temporary dumping site along the motorway, which has become a nuisance to residents.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Nmh7y7W0tQPltAD06AzWaaZnNuQuXNkb”]However, the vigilance of the incumbent Municipal Chief Executive was able to execute the same contract that was supposed to have cost the tax payer in excess of about eight hundred thousand Ghana cedis to a little over two hundred thousand Ghana cedis thereby saving the Assembly close to a whopping five hundred thousand Ghana cedis.

According to the chief executive, upon assumption of office, he was briefed on the refuse situation and the various efforts to clear the temporary dumping site of the heaps of rubbish, but was unsuccessful due to the high quotation brought forward by various bidders.

“When I took office, I was briefed on the refuse situation and the various quotations brought forward. However I noticed the Assembly was broke and also the quotations were quite high considering the nature of work to be done. The least quotation to evacuate the refuse turned mountain was six hundred and 60 thousand Ghana cedis, and others within the range of as high as seven hundred to eight hundred thousand Ghana cedis, which I thought were too much for the Assembly to bear considering its financial status.”

Mr. Okyere said he therefore adopted a strategy by constituting a committee made up of Assembly members and technocrats at the Assembly to execute the same contract without having to award it to any contractor.

Mr. Okyere said “it is sad the erstwhile administration was considering signing a contract of such magnitude without recourse to the state of the Assembly which is in a wobbling state where it was highly broke and in debt.”

He also said the Ibrahim Baidoo administration as per the handing over notes, left behind a debt of Ghc17 million, one hundred and six thousand, eight hundred and  fifty eight Ghana cedis, sixteen pesewas (17,106,858.16), while its total revenue generated as at 31st May, 2017 stood at two million and four hundred and sixty-five thousand, two hundred and seventy three Ghana cedis, seven pesewas (2,465,273.07) representing 11% of annual budgeted revenue of 22 million, one hundred and ninety eight thousand, four hundred and forty seven and twenty pesewas.

He said the financial status of the Assembly is not the best, and requires pragmatic measures to ensure the Assembly is back on track to enhance development.

He said he will review all contracts under the erstwhile administration and ensure value for money as well as revoke those that were signed in haste during the transition period that are questionable.

“I am not here to witch-hunt, but to ensure the people get value for money because the municipality needs more and I can’t afford to disappoint my people and the president” he noted.

–

By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ashaiman MCE saves GHc500,000 from ‘bloated’ contracts appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Founder of the NDC, Jerry John Rawlings, former President John Dramani Mahama, General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia among others, are billed to speak at the rally.

Past and present NDC Members of Parliament and other party dignitaries are also expected to grace the occasion.

–

Photos: Delali Adogla Bessah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Hundreds attend NDC’s 25th anniversary rally [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.