That’s the explanation from the District Police Chief for the area, Guy Raymond, who spoke on Eyewitness News.

[contextly_sidebar id=”FDMUqDKKPKNB2A7Q9CGpJaVVJKbZ5pMg”]He has however assured that the culprits will definitely be brought to book soon.

Explaining why the suspects were not arrested on the spot, Mr. Raymond said: “In situations of this nature, you do not rush in making arrests. You may end up escalating the issue, so it will take time for us to know what to do. Looking at the situation at the time, we had to use our discretion and the best option was to invite the leadership and see the way forward.”

“It is not a lawful conduct. That is why we are pursuing the matter. We are still investigating, and the perpetrators will be brought to book,” Mr. Raymond added.

Some rampaging youth believed to be sympathizers of the NPP stormed the precincts of the Assembly and locked up the District Chief Executive, Mohammed Bakor in his office.

They have accused the DCE of engaging in “divide and rule” tactics, and failing to address their concerns.

It took the intervention of the police to free the DCE.

An eyewitness, who spoke to Citi News, said the youth came around 11:30am on Thursday, “chanting that they don’t want him again, and that there is smuggling in the district and all those things.”

Police in Karaga in the Northern Region also failed to arrest suspects who invaded a police station, and freed some NPP members who were in police custody.

The Public Relations Officer of the Northern Regional Police Command, ASP Yusif Tanko, explained that the “volatile” nature of the incident did not allow for immediate arrests.

“The situation was very volatile and the number of rampaging youth was high, so if it happens like that you have to decide whether you will bring the situation under control and arrest or bring the situation under control and later make the arrest, but in our situation we thought bringing the situation under control first was the best.”

“We have not made any arrests yet, but Karaga is very calm and we are assuring you that we will take decisive action at Karaga,” he added.

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

The post Sissala tension didn’t allow us to arrest NPP youth – Police appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Legislator, the comparison between Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and the founders of the United Gold Coast Convention creates unnecessary tension.

[contextly_sidebar id=”3Vp5mh0mzKMexGVRtTaZBN4gcVsYa9x3″]”Nkrumah’s history cannot be taken away from him and I do not think Danquah’s can also be taken away but when we draw the kind of comparison that we do from time to time, we create an unnecessary tension in the country. We cannot say that 1957’s independence was actually gotten for us by Danquah.You cannot say that. You can talk about people who contributed but as I said with everything that happens in history there is a climax and many a time, it is the climax that we refer to but if you want to cherry pick, you pick somebody from 1947 and then you bring them to 1957, it sort of misconstrues the whole history. Let us put people where they belong in the history of Ghana. There are so many things that we need to spend our energies and time on.”

His comments come a day after Speaker of Parliament Prof Mike Oquaye underscored the need for the political history of the country to be told in its entirety.

Mr. Oquaye contended that even though the first President, Dr Nkrumah played a significant role in the struggle for independence from colonial rule, the contributions of others must not be overlooked.

Delivering the anniversary lecture for the Ghana; 60 years celebration, Prof Mike Oquaye said Ghana has founders and not a founder.

“Men and women inspired by love for country met in Saltpond to work for self governance and freedom from globalisation. I have great regard for Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as a great Ghanaian but the truth must be told. A recap of the chronology of events shows that before the arrival of Nkrumah, some gallant Ghanaians were taking steps to lead Ghana to independence. That is truism. People have regrettably asked how can we have more than one founder to such compatriots. I humbly lend them this advice. Foundership cannot be pursued in monopoly terms.”

This longstanding debate on Ghana’s founder was brought to the fore earlier in 2017 when President Nana Akufo-Addo’s speech delivered at Ghana’s 60th independence anniversary parade came under attack over what some said was a skewed account of Ghana’s history to suit his father, Edward Akufo-Addo and uncle, J.B. Danquah who were critical players in Ghana pre-independence.

Though some have argued that the President did not seek to downplay Nkrumah’s vital role that led to Ghana’s independence, others believe Nana Addo attempted changing Ghana’s history in favour of his father and uncle.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Nkrumah, Danquah debate unnecessary – Ricketts Hagan appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Parents are also said to be rushing off to schools to bring their children home. About three weeks ago, similar tensions triggered clashes which led to the death of ten people including; seven women, two children and a man.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ElDlTmS8okJuPU8O3nurK9OPef0HaDrY”]Citi News’ Mohammed Aminu Alabira who reported from the Bimbilla Township stated that,“tension is mounting in Bimbilla over a possible clash again. Since morning, there have been rumours of a possible clash today.”

He added that, although there is heavy security in the township, most shops have been closed down.

“I’ve seen school children running everywhere in town trying to get home. Shops and businesses have also closed down. Security is heavy on the grounds,  both the military and police are visible in the area,” he added.

Meanwhile the Nanumba District Police Commander, DSP Benjamin Aniah, has told Citi News more officers have been deployed to the area to arrest anyone who foments trouble.

“…the rumour in the town has caused some funny things among some people; but the security forces are on the grounds and we are patrolling every place in the township to ensure that no miscreants disturb the peace. So aside the rumour; there hasn’t been any actual breach of the peace here,”  DSP Aniah clarified.

Bimbilla curfew reviewed after sporadic gunshots

The Bimbilla Township has been under curfew for some years now. The interior Ministry recently reviewed the curfew from 4:00pm to 6:00am to 6:00pm to 6:00am.

“There is a total ban on all persons on the Bimbilla Towhship and surrounding areas from carrying arms, ammunitions or any offensive weapon. Any person found with any arms or ammunitions will be arrested and prosecuted,” a statement from the Minister of Interior added.

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

The post Tension brews in Bimbilla over fear of reprisal attacks appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In the first half 2014 alone,  the sale of used cars online has grown by 15%  as compared to the same period in the previous year.

What is more, the used car market now attracts a younger customer base, as first time car buyers now move to online marketing platforms like Tonaton.com in search of better bargains.

According to the Marketing Manager of Tonaton.com, Kwabena Opoku-Boakye, “the average age of the used car buyer is now pretty low with people as young as 25 to 29 years, opting for used cars in cities like Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Takoradi.”

He believes that the younger demographic can be partly attributed to the surge in the use of the internet as a medium for buying and selling used cars.

Mr. Opoku-Boakye adds, “The younger generation tend to spend more time online and the emergence of credible online trading platforms like Tonaton.com has eased the pressure on people who previously had to rely on family and friends or drive long distances looking for their first car to buy.

People have also found an easier way of trading off their old cars in order to buy new ones.”

The rush of younger customers to buy could  also explain why the used car market is experiencing such levels of patronage in the face of the general economic downturn in Ghana.

The increase in the number of people who go online in search of better bargains has resulted in a rise in the amount of business for individuals and garages that put up their cars for sale online.

The Managing Director of De-Georgia Motors at Tesano in Accra, George Dwomoh, acknowledges the impact of the online marketing platforms saying, “Around 60% of the customers who visit my garage to buy cars now come through Tonaton.com.

“Most of these people are youngsters who are looking forward to owning their first car”.

The Managing Director of K&K Motors, Michael Toku, has a wide range of new cars in addition to used cars in his garage and he agrees with this assertion.

“We have witnessed about 10% decline in the sale of new cars, but the used car business has been phenomenal this year,” he says.

“K&K Motors has sold a whopping 80 used vehicles in the first half of 2014 alone.

“Typically the trend is that used car brands like Toyota and Nissan from the US and Korean cars like Kia and Hyundai are the most patronized by first-time car buyers who are mostly young corporate executives.”

In spite of the incessant depreciation in the value of the Cedi, the average price of a used 2010 Toyota Corolla on Tonaton.com for instance, is GH¢ 22,500.

On the streets of the capital Accra however, the price could rise to GH¢ 25, 000.

The average price of a brand new Toyota Corolla will cost a potential buyer a whopping $ 22,700.00, approximately GH¢ 68, 100.00 at the current exchange rate.

A Hyundai Elantra, more often patronized by the young and upwardly mobile Ghanaian, sells at an average price of GH¢ 23, 000 on Tonaton.com, but could cost GH¢ 3,000 more on the streets of Accra.

Tonaton.com has been operative in Ghana since it was first launched in February 2013 and has since become one of the most visited websites in the country.

By: Edwin Kwakfofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Fast growing online car market sees rise in younger buyers appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.