Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, he said the arrest was made after an identification parade, during which the three were identified by eight victims of the robberies.

[contextly_sidebar id=”TrHDVH1B66Z1czh7VJ3ymrIHxXcC7vtK”]“We have arrested the three of those most wanted and notorious armed robbers who are in our custody now. On Tuesday we conducted an ID parade and almost all eight victims identified them as the persons who attacked them,” he said.

He says the victims and other members of the public are assisting the police with further information to enable them prosecute the suspects.

He mentioned that in their attempt to make the people of Koforidua safe, they have divided the municipality into four zones for quick responses. He says they have intensified their intelligence based systems.

“we have zoned the municipality into four zones, recently the police administration gave us three additional vehicles for operational purpose and in addition to the vehicles we have now, we have been able to zone the municipality, so that at any point in time, based on the where the robbery is, we can quickly respond to the crime scene,” he said.

During the three separate robberies by the armed gang of four, victims were subjected to severe beatings, during which a family were robbed of their wedding rings, television sets, jewellery, laptops, footwear, clothes and foodstuffs.

‘We’re ready to die’

Despite these attacks some of which have also been recorded in Accra and Tema, the Director of Operations for the Ghana Police Service, COP George Akufo Dampare has said although his outfit is logistically deficient, they are ready to put their lives on the line to ensure the safety of every Ghanaian.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Dampare also noted that the support of the citizens will go a long way to help the Police Service combat the increasing rate of crime in the country.

“We want to give them [citizens] the assurance that we will go every length, including losing our lives to make them safe. We understand that we are not there yet, in terms of the full complement of our equipment. We also understand that over the years, government after government has made an attempt to bring us to a particular level in terms of equipment,” he said.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmoline.com/Ghana

The post Three arrested over Koforidua robbery incidents appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The armed men subjected their innocent victims to severe beatings before robbing them of their valuables.

[contextly_sidebar id=”BAz86nxy1mloHQth4jNd0FsjlHbSCCFR”]On Tuesday February 27th, the robbers took over the Okorase town in Koforidua, robbing a family of their wedding rings, television sets, jewellery, laptops, footwears, clothes and foodstuffs.

Eastern Regional Police PRO, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, who confirmed the incident to Citi News indicated that the robbers carried out their attacks on foot.

“On 27th February at 12:45am, Patrol Team Papa 11 received a distress call to the effect that armed robbers have attacked a house at Okorase. Patrol Teams Papa 11, Papa 15 and Papa 10 moved to the area simultaneously. Patrol Team Papa 11 arrived at State Housing Bungalow No. 25 and met victims Ernest Donkor Attiklo age 34 and his wife Joana Opoku age 28. It was detected that the robbers numbering four who have covered their mouths with ‘bandana’ and wielded a small black metallic pistol, cutlasses, knife etc broke the main door with a cement block and tied up victim Joana with net sponge, held hostage victim Ernest Donkor and made away the following items; 40 inches flat screen Akai TV, HP laptop, four mobile phones, 4 GB pen drive, wedding ring of victim Ernest Donkor, and cash the sum of GHS 170.00.”.

ASP Ebenezer Tetteh added, “the robbers also attacked victim Gifty Asante age 30 of the same house by breaking her main door with a cement block and made away with an Acer laptop, mobile phones and cash the sum of GHc 215.00”.

‘Attempted robbery at Peace hill SHS, Okorase’

At about 01:20am, four armed robbers broke the main door with a cement block and one of them entered. Victims Patrick Bekoe age 56 and the wife Margaret Oti age 54 raised an alarm by shouting which made their neighbors to come out. This forced the robbers to abandoned the operation and fled, no item was stolen there foiling the robbery, according to ASP Ebenezer Tetteh”.

‘Robbery at menalic clinic area’

“At 01:30 am, young men numbering four who covered their mouths with ‘bandana’ and wielded a small black metallic pistol, cutlasses, knife, pistol etc broke the main door which is a metal door with a cement block and tied victim Asiwome Tei – Mati age 36 with his own cloth at house opposite Menalic Clinic in Okorase. The robbers made away with an HP laptop, laptop bag, two mobile phones including a Samsung S7, a desert boot, phone charger and cash the sum of GHc 5”.

ASP Ebenezer Tetteh revealed that the armed robbers carried out their operations on foot.

He said the “same robbers also attacked Emmanuel Dornor age 26, the landlord, by breaking his metal door through same means and made away with his iPhone 5s, and an Infinix Hot phone belonging to victim Grace age 22. It was noted that, the robbers were on foot in their operation”.

He however assured residents of Koforidua and the Eastern Region of their safety.

Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku

The post Armed Robbers attack 3 houses in Koforidua appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The court, presided over by her Ladyship Mercy Addae-Kotei, granted them bail in the sum of GHc 100.000 each.

[contextly_sidebar id=”28rWWFv4tp5h63gv84cuT7AYcvsMWie9″]The suspects: Alex Owusu and Wadoski, were arrested by the police on Monday for breaking into the home of the NPP Secretary.

They are alleged to have stolen GHc4,000, mobile phones and an envelope containing albums and documents intended for the constituency elections.

Reports indicate that they were contracted by Obeng Manu, the New Juaben South NPP organizer and one Justice Afful. Two of the robbery suspects are at large.

The lawyer for the accused persons, Francis Poley, argued that his clients were not a threat to police investigations and, thus, qualified for bail.

The suspects, who were charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime to wit robbery and robbery, will appear before the court on March 21, 2018.

Background

Obeng Manu and Justice Afful reportedly drove the suspected robbers to the residence of the Constituency Secretary at Koforidua.

According to the police, the suspects forced their way into the house, but the Constituency Secretary was not available.

The Constituency Secretary’s aide, Pious Tevi, was however attacked, tied and blindfolded by the robbers. The house was also ransacked.

Robbers charged GHc1,000

The Police Commander said the suspects confessed that they charged GHc1,000 from Obeng Manu and Justice Afful, but the amount was reduced to GHc800 after negotiations.

They also confessed to receiving GHc400 on Sunday, February 18, 2018, with an assurance of getting the remaining amount after the work was done.

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By: Nii Amartey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post New Juaben NPP organizer, others granted bail after robbery appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Several residents in the New Juaben municipality have fallen victims to activities of these criminals.

Most of them lost their mobile phones, purse and bags containing money at gun or knife-point.

According to residents, one can hardly take a quiet walk in the streets after an evening meal without being accosted by knife-wielding thugs who demand personal belongings and money.

Afia Serwaa, who resides at Adweso SSNIT flat, but operates a shop close to the Adweso market, recounted her experience with criminals who snatched her bag, while she walked home with her three children.

“I was on my way home with my children when I heard the sound of a motorbike coming from behind me. The whole place was dark so I could not see when the light of the motorbike got close but before I realized, a man behind the rider reached out for my bag. He pulled it from me and I began shouting for help”.

“Eventually they went away with the bag which contained the day’s sales I had made from work. I blame the incident on lack of street lights in the area and the Police post which is also not in the area. If there was street light I would have seen the guys on the motorbike to even identify them. Now my children are all traumatized and we become scared anytime we close from the shop and we are heading home”.

Another resident, Nana Atuahene told Citi News the presence of thieves in the area is due to the absence of street lights.

“I always go for my daily jogging at 4:00am every dawn, and what I noticed is that only the street lights at the Koforidua Technical University work. The rest are all not working and this has prevented several people from coming out to exercise.”

“Pickpockets and other thieves we call ‘Kwashey boys’ have taken advantage of the darkness in the area, and are robbing innocent people of their mobile phones and other valuables.”

The New Juaben Municipal Engineer, Alex Tetteh, while admitting the lack of maintenance of these streetlights, said the Assembly is making efforts to procure a crane but needs assistance from central government.

“Our major challenge has been how to maintain the street lights. It is true several areas in the Municipality are without street lights but quite recently we distributed some street lights to various Assembly members for their areas and I know they have fixed them,” he said.

“From Adweso, Agyeiwaa lodge, Poly area and on the highway, the street lights are very long which requires cranes to be used in maintaining them. But as it stands, the Assembly does not have one so we are making arrangements to buy a crane from either Kumasi or Accra. I will suggest that government should also assist us with the maintenance because it involves a lot of money.”

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Koforidua residents ‘living in fear’ of attacks by criminals appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking to Citi News after a visit to the project site by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Mr Sackey said that the project, which was awarded in 2001 under ex-president John Agyekum Kufuor, was abandoned when the New Patriotic Party government was voted out of power in the 2008 elections.

“In 2007, it was supposed to last about 6 months but after the change of government, nothing was done till now,” he said.

“Presently, we estimate that to complete it, we would need about 117 million Ghana cedis. As at 2007, we had about 4.2 with some external works.”

He further explained that the project is currently in Phase one, which will have 448 two-bedroom apartments.

“The bigger picture is to finish the whole project which is about 110 acres which will give us about 2400 flats. But now we are doing only the phase which will give you 448 two-bedrooms, 84 one-bedroom apartments and 36 shops. Every block has got 4 shops on the ground floor.”

The Affordable Housing Programme was launched back in September 2005.

The aim of the project was to provide houses to low and middle-income workers of the country. It was supposed to provide accommodation for at least 12,000 families.

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By: Jeffrey Owuraku Sarpong/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @ojsarpong

​​​​

The post Gh¢117m needed to complete Koforidua Affordable Housing project appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The four students, Emmanuel Aduomi, 19; Raymond Oppong, 17; Aseidu John, 19 and Amanor Enoch, 19, were earlier arrested by the New Juaben Municipal Police Command during the said attack.

The attack by the boys from KOTECH, left a female student of the SDA school with head injuries after she was hit with a stone.

Students of KOTECH clashed with police following the arrest of the four students who attacked students and teachers of the SDA school. Both police and authorities of the schools, say they are unaware what may have triggered the clashes.

Confirming the incident to Citi News, the Deputy Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Gideon Boateng, said the four students had been attacking students of SDA on several occasions.

“Police received a call from the headmistress of the school that they were under attack by some students from KOTECH, apparently the recent attack was the third time in a week, but the teachers on previous occasions tried to mitigate the situation.”

“The Municipal Police Command quickly moved to the school and subsequently arrested the four students who had injured a female student as a result of the stones they threw into the classrooms,” he narrated.

Inspector Boateng added that, the police had begun investigations into what might have triggered the actions of the students from KOTECH.

“We have issued the female student with a police medical form to seek immediate medical attention at the hospital, we have also granted the four students police bail as we intensify our investigations.”

A teacher at the SDA Senior High School, Bernard Hoyle, expressed his fears over the situation to Citi News.

“We are really worried about these attacks because it is not the first time. We have gathered information that students of KOTECH are planning to attack us again next week Thursday when we vacate, so school authorities have decided to hire buses and bring them into the school’s compound to convey our travelling students to avoid being attacked on the streets.”

When asked by Citi News about plans to ensure the safety of the students, Inspector Gideon Boateng assured that police were in control of the situation.

“I must say that if the signals the teachers are picking is true, then I will caution the students of KOTECH to rescind their decision because we will let them know that laws work in Ghana. If a single soul is arrested again he will be prosecuted. I want to assure students of SDA and teachers that the police are on top of issues, and we will make sure they are protected”.

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post KOTECH students granted bail after attack on SDA SHS appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The traders, mostly women, were clad in red, as they marched through some principal streets of the regional capital, before presenting a petition to the Eastern Regional Minister, Eric Kwakye Darfour.

The traders are resisting the Assembly’s decision to relocate with the excuse the new market has no toilet or urinal facilities. They also claim the spaces there cannot contain all of them.

They have thus asked the Assembly to allow them to sell on the pavements and other unauthorized spots at least for the Christmas period to enable them make some good sales, since the new area may not be good for business at the moment.

But the Assembly says it cannot allow an illegality to continue and the traders must move at all cost.

Amidst chants, the traders held placards with inscriptions such as “Give us our freedom”, “2020 we go show Nana”, “Nana, you have deceived us”, “Say no to Abaye”, “MCE is Hitler,” among others.

This is about the third time in three months such an action has taken place after the New Juaben Municipal Assembly commenced a decongestion exercise a month ago, to sanitize the principal streets of Koforidua.

Some of the demonstrators who spoke to Citi News called for the resignation of the Municipal Chief Executive, Madame Comfort Asante whom they said was abusing her powers.

The leader of the demonstrators, Theodore Kofi Aboagye, who presented the petition to the Eastern Regional Minister, said the traders had been deceived by the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who promised that they will not be relocated.

Eric Kwakye Darfour, after receiving the petition on behalf of the President, assured the traders that their concerns will be addressed.

Traders ‘assault’ New Juaben officials during decongestion exercise

In November this year, the Transport Officer of the New Juaben Municipal Assembly, Batscott Nkrumah, threatened legal action against traders who assaulted him during a decongestion exercise.

Confusion broke out between the Municipal Assembly task-force and some petty traders at the Agartha Market, after the traders resisted officials of the Municipal Assembly who had gone there on a routine de-congestion exercise

Mr. Nkrumah, who is the leader of the New Juaben Municipal Assembly task-force, accused some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and some members of the assembly of inciting the traders against the task-force when he spoke to Citi News.

Traders must move – MCE insists

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the area, Madame Comfort Asante, at the time explained that, the Assembly will not relent in its efforts to ensure sanity prevails in the regional capital.

“We have not locked or closed shops in the city. All we are saying is that, we won’t allow the traders to sell on pavements, it is not hygienic for the buyers and its not safe for the traders as well.”

“If you take a walk in town you will see the mess on our streets, these traders come as far as onto the streets where vehicles ply to arrange their goods and sell which is not safe for them. As an Assembly, we will not sit and wait for a disaster to occur before we take steps; and  that’s the reason we have taken measures to revive the Agartha market to relocate them,” she told Citi News.

“We are asking them to go there and sell, there is a Police station very close to the market, their safety is assured and those who have not yet gotten a shed, should come to our office and we will assign them one.”

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By: Neil Nii Amartey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Koforidua traders protest against relocation to new market [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The non-profit organization has supported over 2,000 beneficiaries, all above the age of 50, since its inception three months ago.

Eastern Harvest successfully set up the Food Bank which has since been providing food items including rice, oil, tomato paste, milk, sugar, wheat, among other things, to its numerous beneficiaries, spanning the aged, widows, pensioners and the vulnerable in Koforidua and its environs.

A 2014 report by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), on the state of food security in the world, indicated that, 805 million people in the world – with 60% of them being women and 200 million of them children under 5 years – do not have enough to eat, while one in every nine people on earth goes to bed on an empty stomach.

Statistics indicate that, at least 45% of Ghana’s population lives on less than US$ 1.25 a day, making it difficult for them to afford one-square meal each day.

This was made known by the Director of the Eastern Harvest Food Bank, Eric Darko, when management of Joy Industries volunteered to support the distribution of food to the beneficiaries.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Joy Industries, Dr. Harrison Tetteh, who also donated bags of rice to support the Food Bank, was impressed with activities at the Bank.

“I am very happy to have taken time off my [busy] schedule to come and volunteer here to serve our pensioners. I must say the feeling of giving back to people is very great which needs to be our lifestyle,” he said.

“In my Interactions with the old people, I realized that they have a lot of challenges, some widows who spoke to me expressed their joy and the relieve the creation of the food bank has brought to them, and this indicates that we should help one another.”

Dr. Harrison Tetteh then assured the management of Eastern Harvest Food Bank of his continued support for the project, and also called others to follow suit.

“I am really impressed with the work these guys are doing here at the Food Bank. Joy Industries will continue to support it in every way we can, we will do our best to also put smiles on the faces of the widows and other pensioners. I believe it is time we cultivated and activated the habit of giving. You do not need enough to be able to give out at least a share of the small you have with others, and God will ensure you have enough, so let’s all come on board to support the food bank”.

The Director of Eastern Harvest Food Bank, Eric Darko, who was very appreciative of the kind gesture from the management of Joy Industries, in an interview with Citi News, called on the media to help educate the general public on the importance of food banks.

“Eastern Harvest Food Bank has fed almost 2,000 beneficiaries within three months since we started our operations in Koforidua. Food distribution is currently done twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays), due to limited donations we receive, we want the youth in particular, and every well meaning Ghanaian to make it an effort to even contribute a cedi either daily, weekly or monthly to help us support our pensioners and aged who are in our communities,” he said.

“Public education is our major challenge since most people in Ghana are not familiar with food banks. I believe adequate exposure of our activities will encourage more people to volunteer and donate to support the food bank”.

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Koforidua Food Bank supports 2,000 beneficiaries in 3 months appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The walk which is in its 7^th year and aimed at increasing awareness about the disease was themed “our breasts, let’s check them.”

The event was organized by the Breast Care International (BCI) in collaboration with the Peace and Love Hospitals.

The enthusiastic walkers moved through some principal streets of Koforidua and held placards which read: “breast cancer is curable,” “breast cancer is survivable” among others.

Speaking in an interview, President of Breast Care International, and CEO of Peace and Love Hospitals, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, said, “The annual BCI Ghana Walk for the Cure has assumed a national character, attracting people from every strata of society, affirming that our awareness creation program has been embraced by all.”

“We are riding on this national acceptance to increase our visibility, and by extension, heighten and sustain awareness about this debilitating disease, which, but for our consistency, would have needlessly destroyed several precious lives and families.”

According to the American Cancer Society, every 69 seconds a woman somewhere in the world dies from breast cancer; and a woman is diagnosed every 19 seconds.

In Ghana, breast cancer continues to occupy the first position in mortality as far as cancers are concerned.

Reports suggest that about 60% of patients report to the hospital at a late stage making it difficult to be cured.

“Breast cancer statistics would remain a scar on our conscience, if we do not collectively fight the condition as a National disaster,” Dr. Wiafe added.

The event coincided with the annual “Akwantukese” Festival of the people in the region, blending tradition with health, in an all-embracing event.

Politicians, breast cancer ambassadors, the clergy, students, teachers, farmers and civil society organizations walked in solidarity for the cure.

President of BCI was grateful to the headline sponsor, Delta Airlines and several reputable multinational organizations as well as individuals that supported the walk.

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Source: Breast Care International

The post Thousands walk against breast cancer in Koforidua appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A black Audi Q7 with registration number GG- 9931-15, while overtaking another vehicle after slight rain in the area, skidded and crashed into an Urvan Mini bus with registration number GB-4150- 12, pushing the bus off the road into the bush.

According to an eyewitness who happens to be one of the passengers on board the Koforidua-Asamankese bound vehicle, a fierce driving competition between some two cars on the same route caused the accident.

“We were on our from Koforidua to Asamankese when some two cars were overtaking each other, but I was not really looking ahead so all I heard were screams and then a huge bang; so some of us came out hurriedly and started helping those who got injured.”

She said five of the injured passengers have been sent to Suhum Hospital, whilst six others who were badly injured, were sent to the Koforidua Central Hospital.”

A timely intervention from the officers of the Regional Ambulance Service, saw the injured being conveyed to the hospitals.

Meanwhile, the District and Regional Police Command, is yet to brief the media on what might have caused the accident, as some officers who came to the scene declined commenting, stating they are about to commence investigations.

This incident happened in less than a week after five passengers lost their lives in another accident at Kyekyewere, a village close to Suhum.
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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 11 critically injured in accident at Nankese near Koforidua appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.