The assailants also inflicted deep machete wounds on three other persons believed to be supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

[contextly_sidebar id=”9tdFPKcFADuOSYXmm4BaOXEdGhNDMe6u”]In an interview with Citi News, the Brong Ahafo Regional Police PRO, Chief Inspector Augustine Oppong, indicated that the Police are on the lookout for other suspects while the two undergo interrogation.

“Yesterday [Monday], we were able to arrest two people and they have been brought to the Regional Police Headquarters which is in Sunyani. We are taking their statements and if we realize that the evidence is cogent enough, we process them for court. If you look at the traces at the gate of the Minister, we can be sure that the people are more than five. As we have arrested two, we are also going to hunt for the rest.”

This is the second attack on Eric Opoku’s private residence after a similar attack in December 2017.

NPP condemns attack

The attack has been condemned by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the constituency.

The party in a statement signed by the Communications Director of the NPP in the constituency, Nana Adusei Opoku, also urged the Police to bring the perpetrators to book regardless of their party affiliation.

“The NPP in Asunafo South does not support some of these things. In fact, we were the persons who spoke against some these obnoxious acts when we were in opposition,” he told Citi News.

“We solidarise with our MP even though he belongs to the other side of the political divide, we think that some of these things do not help the constituency to move forward. Crime has no color and you being an NPP member doesn’t exonerate you from the courts if you are found to be the culprit of a crime. So if it happens that some our members are behind this thing, the police should take over and the courts will deal with them,” Nana Adusei Opoku stressed.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Two arrested over attack on Eric Opoku, NDC members appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Communications Director of the NPP in the constituency, Nana Adusei Opoku, urged the police to bring the perpetrators to book regardless of their party affiliation.

“The NPP in Asunafo South does not support some of these things. In fact, we were the persons who spoke against some these obnoxious acts when we were in opposition,” he told Citi News.

“We solidarise with our MP even though he belongs to the other side of the political divide, we think that some of these things do not help the constituency to move forward. Crime has no colour and you being an NPP member doesn’t exonerate you from the courts if you are found to be the culprit of a crime. So if it happens that some our members are behind this thing, the police should take over and the courts will deal with them,” Nana Adusei Opoku stressed.

The Police in Kukuom are already on a manhunt for the men who carried out the attack on Sunday and vandalized vehicles in the MP’s compound.

The unknown assailants attacked and wounded three other persons, believed to be supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress, with cutlasses.

This is the second attack on Eric Opoku’s private residence after a similar incident in December 2017.

The Kukuom District Police Commander, DSP Robert Akwasi Boakye, said his outfit has picked up leads that will aid in the arrest of the suspects.

–

By: Zoe Abu-Baidoo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NPP condemns attack on Eric Opoku, other NDC members appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The other suspect involved in the attack is however on the run.

[contextly_sidebar id=”99sZOBwFgQ4wsoKzUf4Fmc6rUlx0O8d1″]The Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, ASP Afia Tenge, told Citi News the two were on an unregistered motorbike when they carried out the attack.

“This [Monday] afternoon, between the hours 1.30 and 2, some two armed men on an unregistered motorbike attacked a mobile money vendor at Madina…They managed to rob the mobile money vendor but unfortunately one of them was overpowered, the other one managed to escape but the suspect we currently have in our custody was not able to escape. He was overpowered by residents in the community. The other one who is also on the run is also being searched for,” said ASP Tenge.

There have been a series of attacks on mobile money merchants in the country.

The most recent one resulted in the killing of a 31-year old operator at Kronom-Kyeraasi in the Afigya Kwabre District of the Ashanti Region.

In the wake of these attacks, mobile money merchants and businesses have been cautioned by the Police, to be wary of criminals who are targeting their businesses.

Vendors appeal for protection

Current figures show that mobile money agents increased from 136,000 in 2016 to 194,000 in 2017.

They have subsequently appealed for security following attacks on some agents.

‘We can’t protect every Mobile Money joint’

The Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP George Alex Mensah, had earlier stated that it was impossible for his outfit to provide adequate security for every mobile money business in the capital Accra, due to what he described as the alarming rise in the number of operators.

He had stated that it will be difficult for the Police Service, with its limited numbers to protect all the mobile money points across the country.

“They spring out at any corner and these armed robbers are just making meat out of them so it is a worry for the Police Service… We have scheduled a meeting with the telecom if we can discuss how best we can at least make sure anybody who is going to set up this money business will have a secure environment. Some of these are even operating on bicycles and these are easy prey for armed robbers,” he added.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Mobile Money robber arrested at Madina after escaping lynching appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The GJA, in a statement, vehemently condemned the attack and called for immediate action.

[contextly_sidebar id=”WQi1U983IADFb3MG1w13uB9CBlkeXgh2″]Three journalists, including Citi FM’s Marie-Franz Fordjoe and two others from TV3 and Ghanaweb, were last week assaulted by security guards at the NPP’s headquarters when they were covering a demonstration by some angry party members.

The party is however yet to condemn or take action on the attack several days after the incident.

The GJA thus believes the seeming silence defeats the tenets of democracy on which the NDD was founded.

“We call on the leadership of the NPP to bring the culprits to book to demonstrate abhorrence of such dastardly act. The GJA expects that the NPP, as the ruling party and political tradition founded on the tenets of democracy, will whip its supporters into towing that philosophical line.”

MFWA also condemns attacks

Meanwhile, the Media Foundation for West Africa, has also strongly condemned the attack on the journalists.

The Foundation’s Executive Director, Sulemana Braimah, told Citi News that the party’s continuous silence on the matter will only encourage the hooligans.

“This is a matter that does not require a party having a meeting before it condemns the action. I think if this goes as it is now without any statement, apology, without any actions taken against the security people who did that, it will only further the culture of impunity, the culture of thuggery that we are witnessing in this country, and it will be extremely unfortunate. The people who abused these journalists are private security people at the party’s headquarters. And our expectation is that, at least the party will make a statement and perhaps take an action that will demonstrate to everyone including party security people that people including journalists who seek to engage with the party or make information happening within the premises know.

“The right thing to do is not to beat them, the right thing to do is not to attack them, so all that we are calling for is for the party to come up with something that will clearly state its position that it does not tolerate some of these actions. But if goes quiet, it means it is justifying whatever these party people did.”

How it happened

Following up on hints of an ongoing protest at the party’s national headquarters in Accra, the reporters headed there last Thursday to follow up on latest developments.

Upon their arrival, scores of the party’s members, numbering about 200 from the Ellembelle Constituency in the Western Region, had besieged the headquarters demanding a clean register ahead of the party’s internal elections in January 2018.

Whilst filming the happenings, they were attacked by about six well-built men who are security guards at the party’s head office.

GhanaWeb’s cameraman was slapped, thrown on the ground and kicked mercilessly by the ‘macho’ men.

When the issue was reported to the NPP Deputy General Secretary, Sam Payne upon his arrival at the scene, he retorted that, “no one asked him [the reporter] to come and film” and walked away.

Efforts by onlookers and the protesters were simply insufficient to calm the anger and energy with which the security guards were manhandling the cameraman.

TV3’s reporter earned slaps, after which his phones and other equipment were seized.

Citi FM’s reporter was also attacked by a female party loyalist and the ‘macho’ men. Her spectacles were broken, whereas her phones and bag were seized. She later was given back her items.

The Ellembelle protesters, who tried protecting the journalists, were also attacked.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Arrest NPP security men for attacking journalists – GJA appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

These include five pieces of kente cloth, 10 pieces of wax print, executioners’ word, computer system unit and four swords used for the swearing-in of chiefs.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Andrew Anyani, the District Commander, who confirmed the burglary said nobody had so far been arrested.

The Gyaasehene and caretaker of the palace detected the theft and informed the police.

The criminals struck exactly one week after the death of the Omanhene, Nana Tiefum Ampratwum.

DSP Anyani said the police had intensified their investigation into the matter, and vowed to do everything to arrest and bring the culprits to justice.

He appealed to the people to provide useful leads to assist them to arrest the criminals.

–

Source: GNA

The post Thieves break into Ofoase Omanhene’s palace appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

[contextly_sidebar id=”hmkgdurJseXSceT3TJpcQdbsyKzIyoWt”]Members of the Delta Force stormed a Kumasi Circuit court on Thursday, and vandalized some court property, and freed 13 of their members, who were facing trial for allegedly harassing the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, George Adjei.

The Service in the statement said “this act of impunity is not only a grave affront to the independence and dignity of the judiciary, but also an attack on the rule of law and the administration of justice in a constitutional democracy.”

“The Judiciary is the last bastion and bulwark for the defence and protection of the constitution and the rule of law. This barbaric incident is most regrettable and dents the image of the country which is seen as a beacon of democracy in Africa,” the statement added.

Other proposals

The Service also made a number of demands including a call on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Minister of Interior, to take immediate steps to provide maximum security at all times for judges.

It further demanded an immediate investigation into the incident, adding that, the perpetrators dealt with decisively in accordance with law.

“The nation’s attempt at democratic governance and enforcement of the rule of law will flounder and fail if such actions are allowed to foster.”

While appealing to judges and staff to remain calm and discharge their duties without fear, the Service also said it has taken note of the assurances given by the government with regards to this matter.

“The Council will keep in touch with government on the issue of security for Judges and staff and additional steps to be taken to avert any such incidents in the future.”

The Judicial Council also called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Minister of the Interior to take immediate steps to provide maximum security at all times for the Judge concerned and indeed all Judges and courts in the country.

Judges panic over Delta Force attack in open court

The Judges and Magistrates Association of Ghana earlier expressed fear for the lives of its members following the incident.

According to the judges, the incident on Thursday has brought to light the threat they face each day with the inadequate security at the various courts in the country.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post Judicial Service wants Delta Force attack investigated appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Although I was shocked when I learnt the report days ago on Citi FM an Accra-based FM station on the attack by the Delta Force on the Judge in Kumasi who had ordered the remand of thirteen of the Delta force members, I was also in disbelief for hours. If the abduction and murder of three High Court Judges and the army officer in the 80s were grievous and heinous, an attack on democracy and rule of law, then this cannot be praised. In a civilized society like ours, the courts are all we have. Any attempt to undermine its authority and to ridicule it in this manner is unforgivable. But how did this impunity fester and continued? In the early days of the NPP victory, a number of these loosed canons who call themselves Delta Force with apparent affiliation to the NPP went on rampage and took toll booths under the guise that their party was in power and they wanted to protect state assets.

Really? My expectation at the onset of the hooliganism and criminal conduct was outright condemnation from the president elect at the time. Instead of members of the NPP condemning the acts outright, they resorted to political trickery by claiming that there was a sitting president at the time and the government of the NDC was still in power and that the sitting government needed to act on the development. With all due respect, the expectation of outright condemnation did not come from president-elect. My recollection is that when the president Nana Addo, then president elect, spoke his comments as carried on Citi FM or so, were unbelievable. To paraphrase; he said these were few young intoxicated guys misbehaving and that the situation will normalize. He spoke casually of such serious issue.  But here we are: the situation is degenerating to the extent that a whole judge, the fountain of justice has been attacked and the remand orders made by her, rendered inefficient because Delta Force created confusion at the court and whisked the suspected criminals away.

Recall that members of the Delta Force had appeared before the court in connection with a precious act of attacking the president’s appointee for security coordinator. It was around 2:00pm when Richard Sky barged into Jessica and Philip’s programme with the update from Kumasi. To think that a group of people affiliated to a political party forming the government could muster the courage to put up this behavior in a court of law has never happened even under the democratic regimes perceived as nascent. Of course they are strengthened because their party is in power. What a sad day for the Judiciary and our democracy especially under a government that touts itself with achievement in democratic feats. This is a huge embarrassment to Ghana before the International Community and I pray the International media does not take this up. It is to avert this embarrassment that the president must cause the whip to be cracked. But it should not end there, just like the Martyrs day lectures have been instituted by the Ghana Bar Association to commemorate the abduction and murder of the Judges in the 1980s, a similar thing must be done.

This judge need not die before this unfortunate and barbaric incident is immortalized. Like we always remember the Judges, and speeches are made to remind the public and other power bearers that never again should this happen, the Ghana Bar Association must do same. This is because although it is a chapter that we would love to forget, it will be suicidal to pretend that a sitting Judge was never attacked in the history of this country. It is serious enough that members of the Delta Force attempted to attack the judge and disrupted business for the day. It is even more serious that when the court remanded the accused persons, members of this unlawful group stormed the court and whisked or however they took the accused persons much to the helplessness of an ill-equipped and prepared police.

Every practitioner of law knows that the orders of a court are not to be taken lightly and the courts themselves in order to maintain the force and effect of their orders will not make them if it or they may not or cannot be enforced or supervised. Orders which may be circumvented by certain intentional conducts are also generally avoided. An order which cannot be enforced exposes the court to some ridicule from the public. In the latter consequence, the public might feel smart by being able to evade the effect of an order which should not have been made. There are serious consequences attached to disobeying courts processes much more its orders. This is why the audacity of the Delta Force to take their members out is worrying.

Finally, Mr. President since you assumed office, a number of things have happened in response to which I expected some stern reaction and message to be sent out but it did not happen.

Mr. President, National Security Minister, the Inspector General of Police, AG’s department and the Chief Justice and all of us must not allow this to slide. A dangerous and irreversible precedent will be set. To the Ghana Bar Association, you must immortalize this day.

–
By: Albert Quashigah/ UPSA (Law Faculty).
[email protected]

The post Delta Force attack on judiciary; an unprecedented case since 1992 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to her, she visited the seat of government hoping to address some issues regarding her ex gratia package, when she was verbally assaulted and even pushed around by some irate National Security operatives.

[contextly_sidebar id=”2IVkJSolEVlXYBFjFXi1wraKgD6jegrp”]Narrating the incident to Accra-based Class FM, the former MP said : “I was following up on my ex gratia so I went to Flagstaff House and I was directed by the Ministry of Finance to go to the Chief of Staff’s office so I wrote a letter and sent it to the Chief of staff’s office. I was there and I realized that three women were verbally assaulting my secretary all because she had the NDC rubber band on her wrist… I later entered and I heard them say ‘This is Rachel Appoh’ and immediately they heard I am Rachel Appoh, they started verbally assaulting me. They were pushing me and someone held my right hand and was like ‘walk out , walk out this is not party office’.”

“One of the women, Aunty Naomi, asked me to leave the country if I can’t stay, and I told them I am not leaving the country today or tomorrow,” she added.

Ms Appoh claimed further that the women attacked her for insulting the President.

She however denied claims she had insulted the President, saying she had a very good relationship with the latter.

“The President came to my constituency two months to election. When people were greeting the President, he was seated, but when he got there he hugged me. I want to tell every NPP person that they do not know Nana Addo more than me. “

Her allegation comes in the wake of several attacks believed to have been orchestrated by groups affiliated with the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The most recent involved one ASP Nanka-Bruce, who served at the Flagstaff House under the past National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, who was assaulted by men believed to members of the NPP vigilante group, Invisible Forces.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post I was ‘assaulted’ at Flagstaff House – Rachel Appoh appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Several persons were captured on video stripping and beating the lady for allegedly stealing money  from a shop owner at Adum in Kumasi. The video subsequently went viral on social media.

[contextly_sidebar id=”i7HN7ViwGCbXKJQmSRmFqMNssUiIdghc”]Several groups have since called for prosecution of persons involved in the incident.

Speaking to Citi News, Madam Otiko Djaba described the incident as horrific, and commended efforts by the police in arresting the suspects.

“Ghana is a blessed country; and we live by the principles of democracy and the rule of law. I condemn the video. It is horrific, it is about injustice, and that is not who we are as a people. Ghanaians have a lot of warmth and love especially for their mothers and children and so even if there is an allegation we believe a person is innocent until proven guilty.Criminals as well have rights; so in this case there is an allegation that she has stolen some money; but whether it is true or not, it is not for the mob to decide. It is for the system. It is the Police who will decide on that and that is why I am condemning it.”

“The treatment she was given is inhumane and lacks dignity. I want to apologize on her behalf and Ghana, and we will put in some mechanisms to ensure that it does not happen again. Having said that; I think there is a trend of intolerance building up in our society. Sometimes even young men who are involved are burnt. Mob action and some form of rage seems to be coming into our national development and that means we have a lot of work in the advocacy so we are going to work with the Police and stakeholders like the traditional rulers and the victims themselves so that we begin to sensitize our people about tolerance and the rights of individuals.”

24 arrested

Meanwhile the Police in Kumasi have arrested 24 men suspected to be involved in the incident. The 24 suspects are currently in the custody of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Kumasi.

According to police sources, a screening exercise is expected to take place to identify those who took part in the mob action.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post Gender Minister condemns assault on suspected female thief appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Police perpetrators of such attacks risk arrest and prosecution if they go ahead with such acts of vandalism.

The Police in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Superintendent Cephas Arthur said “it has come to the attention of the Police that some people are attacking supporters of NDC in various parts of the country” but failed to name areas in which such acts were being perpetrated.

“The Police Administration wishes to caution those who are engaging in acts of vandalism and rowdism to desist, as Police officers who have been deployed to maintain law and order will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute those who break the laws of the land,” the statement added.

Supporters of the NPP were also cautioned to be moderate in celebrating their victory and eschew acts that could threaten the peace in the country.

Nana Akufo-Addo, the presidential candidate of the NPP, defeated incumbent President Mahama of the NDC with 53.85% of the total votes cast in last Wednesday’s polls.

President Mahama however trailed behind with 44.40% thus truncating his second term bid.

Meanwhile, there have been jubilation by NPP supporters nationwide.

Below is the full statement from the Police:

NEWS RELEASE: ATTACKS ON NDC SUPPORTERS.

It has come to the attention of the Police that some people are attacking supporters of NDC in various parts of the country.

Furthermore, there are reports of excessive jubilation by NPP supporters across the country.

Consequently, the Police are calling on the general public, especially, supporters of the NPP to desist from engaging in any acts that will violate the rights of other people and also breach the peace prevailing in the country after the polls.

The Police are further, entreating party supporters in jubilant mood to go about their celebration in moderation.

The Police Administration wishes to caution those who are engaging in acts of vandalism and rowdism to desist, as Police officers who have been deployed to maintain law and order will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute those who break the laws of the land.

Signed: Supt. Cephas Arthur, Police PRO

–

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

The post Stop attacking NDC supporters – Police warn NPP appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.