The residents of Korleman City, an estate in the area, have raised concerns about how the activities of the company were affecting them.

They had planned to demonstrate on Saturday against what they describe as unlawful operations of Happy Sunshine, a tomato factory owned by Chinese nationals.

[contextly_sidebar id=”kM1tWOJI9HQGVwafOyg7omegAEevYE07″]The tomato factory operates in the heart of a residential area resulting in massive environmental pollution.

Despite an order from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the company to shut down and relocate, the factory continues to operate, with the tacit support of the Assembly.

The residents say the protest is intended to get the appropriate authorities to act.

One resident, who expressed his frustration said: “Do you know the number of containers they brought? About ten articulated trucks, and what happens is that, even if you check with the District Assembly bye-laws, they have breached everything. That road is supposed to take us to the estate, but they have blocked that road.”

The EPA shut down the facility after a series of Citi News reports had revealed that the company was operating illegally in the residential area.

A notice of closure was posted on the doors and walls of the factory after officials of the EPA, accompanied by the Police went to the premises.

However, despite the order from the EPA and complaints from the residents, the factory has reopened and is operating again, with the support of the Ga West Municipal Assembly led by the District Chief Executive, Clement Wilkinson.

This has prompted the residents to threaten a suit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the owners of the facility as well as the Municipal Assembly.

Relocation

The EPA had earlier held a closed-door meeting between management of the factory where the company was directed to move its operations to an industrial area, as their current location has not been zoned for such activities.

The Principal Programmes Officer at the Accra Regional office of the EPA, Sophia Vanderpuye, who confirmed the directive to Citi News on Tuesday, said: “At the meeting, it was made very clear to them that the site where they are operating is not appropriate for the kind of manufacturing activity that is going on there is wrong. We had got evidence of the thick smoke that was emanating from their chimneys into the atmosphere, and with the accompanying noise issues. Based on these, they were made to understand that the EPA cannot permit such an activity in a predominately residential area so they have to relocate.”

“They must find an appropriate location, most preferably, an industrial area where they can conveniently produce. The Assemblies have already zoned the areas.”

The tomato factory was fined GHc 15,000 by the EPA in August 2017 for operating illegally, while the company was also ordered to halt any form of production.

However, the management of the factory violated that order and resumed full production in November.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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Many feel the officer, Believe Amedzro, should be dismissed from the service for her disparaging remarks against the people of Wa.

Following a shooting incident, some residents of Wa went on a violent protest against police, pelting stones and blocking roads leading to a police officer sustaining injury.

Criticising the demonstration, the policewoman took to Facebook and described the residents as ‘fools’ and their forefathers as ‘criminals’ among other unprintable words.

Believe Amedzro also said she hated policing “in a stupid town” like Wa, adding that she was “proud to be a voltarian.”

Some of the residents of Wa spoke to Citi News’ Latif Mahama with one saying “the girl in question should be dismissed from the service because it is not moral on her part to insult the natives. If the Commander is hearing this, this girl [Believe Amedzro], you must dismiss her. We are serious about that.”

“As a lady, she should not have commented on the issue, but once it has happened, we will leave to the PIPS [Police Intelligence and Professional Standards Bureau] to take its own course,” one other resident said.

Another called on police authorities to reprimand the officer saying “I will call on the authorities that be to reprimand the lady. I don’t think she is fit to be a police officer. With these comments, everybody’s integrity is at stake… the lady needs to be reprimanded.”

Believe Amedzro has already been summoned to Accra by the Inspector General of Police to answer for her conduct.

The Upper West Police Commander, ACP Buah Appiah, also condemned her conduct and assured that his outfit had initiated disciplinary procedures.

“The Upper West Regional command has initiated disciplinary action against the said police woman so it will be the purview of the police administration in Accra to decide the outcome or the fate of the police woman.”

“It was quite an unprofessional statement and I don’t expect any member of the service, especially in the Upper West region to repeat what the woman has done,” ACP Buah Appiah.

Police officer arrested in connection with Wa shooting

Meanwhile, the policeman whose alleged shooting of a 23-year-old civilian riding an unregistered motorbike led to the protest by residents, has been arrested.

Addressing the media, the Deputy Regional Police Commander, ACP Edward Oduro Kwarteng confirmed that the officer involved is currently in the grips of the regional police command and assisting with investigations.

He further called for calm as he said the police continued to investigate the incident.

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

The post Wa residents want police woman fired for ‘insulting’ them appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In an interaction with Muslim clerics at the Alesuna Mosque, Nana Akufo-Addo noted that when the time is due for elections, there are some who, for political gain, will infiltrate Zongo communities and seek to foist division, on religious lines, amongst the people.

“They will say Akufo-Addo hates Muslims, does not like people resident in Zongo communities, so as to put fear in you. There is not an iota of truth in any of this. Of all the presidential candidates contesting this year’s elections, I’m the only one who has selected a Muslim to be my running mate,” Nana Akufo-Addo said.

The NPP flagbearer further explained that his choice of Dr. Bawumia, since 2008, was because “with Christianity and Islam being the two dominant religions in Ghana, unity amongst these two religions will help spur on the country’s development.”

“The Muslim I chose is not just a Muslim, but a very brilliant Muslim, who can help develop the nation with his indepth knowledge.”

The NPP flagbearer explained that his choice of Dr. Bawumia, since 2008, was because “with Christianity and Islam being the two dominant religions in Ghana, unity amongst these two religions will help spur on the country’s development. The Muslim I chose is not just a Muslim, but a very brilliant Muslim, who can help develop the nation with his in-depth knowledge.”

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Nana Addo mobbed by supporters at Nima appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.