This is in spite of a ban placed on all forms of small-scale mining and an intensified government effort to end illegal mining.

[contextly_sidebar id=”g72YN8oAOgldMLmc1JpYzk6Y0GbxsRy0″]Citi News’ Western Regional Correspondent, Obrempong Yaw Ampofo, reports that although the anti-galamsey task-force, Operation Vanguard, is working in these areas, the miners have adopted new methods to outwit them.

“We have over a million illegal miners scattered across the Western Region. The Western Region has less than hundred land-guard officers trying to contain illegal mining. Galamsey is still ongoing in the Wassa Amenfi community”.

As part of measures to clamp down these miners, the National Commander of the task-force, Colonel Amoah Ayisi, said his team is hopeful that the involvement of the Navy and Marine Police will yield some positive results.

“The river body is a major concern in terms of these illegal mining activities. So far, we have managed to destroy four hundred and eighty-five floating platforms that they use on the river for illegal mining,” he said

The Western Regional Minister, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, has said that the fight against illegal mining known as galamsey, will be sustained to bring an end to the abuse of Ghana’s mining laws and the destruction of the environment.

“The move by government to end galamsey or illegal mining is based on the wanton destruction of the country’s water bodies, farmlands and other infrastructure by individuals and groups within and outside the country. Due to the gravity of the situation, government through a well-orchestrated means will sustain the campaign against this menace”.

Small scale mining ban extended again

The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry has for the third time extended the ban placed on all forms of small-scale mining.

Following the widespread devastation of water resources and forest reserves as a result of the activities of illegal mining, government, in January 2017 placed a ban on small scale mining for a period of six months.

The ban was however extended in October 2017, for another three months, which ended in January 2018.

But speaking at an awards ceremony by the Bureau of Research, Governance, Commerce and Administration,  the Lands and Natual Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu explained that his outfit had to extend the ban again after small scale miners failed to meet the target set for them to have it reviewed.

“The ban has invariably been extended because we have not lifted it. We met with the Association and clearly our targets have still not been met. The ban is still in force until we have reviewed our performance and given an indication of what to do next.”

The Minister also indicated that his outfit will maintain the moratorium on all activities of small-scale mining until it was convinced that, illegal mining, otherwise known as “galamsey” had been completely eradicated.

‘Small-scale miners stage protest’

In September 2017, some small-scale miners in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi, staged a demonstration against the ban,

Despite some police arrests and firing of tear gas at the protesters, the organizers described the demonstration as successful.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The suspect, Daniel Gyan, who lives in a cottage at Adonikrom in Enchi, was said to have had a misunderstanding with Emelia, and shot her in the chest through the back.

The Enchi District Police Commander, Superintendent of Police, Raymond Kofi Erzuah, disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency.

According to him, the suspect hails from Aburi in the Eastern Region.

He said on March 9, at about 2200 hours, one Prosper Bedzo of Adonikrom who was accompanied by the police night patrol team came to the police station and made a complaint that, at about 1930 hours, a quarrel ensued between the deceased who is his niece, and the boyfriend Daniel over money.

He said the suspect became offended, took his single barrel gun and shot Emelia and fled.

He said those who witnessed the incident quickly went to Emelia’s aid, rushed her to the hospital for treatment but she died on the way.

Superintendent Erzuah explained that the police apprehended Daniel on that same day at Botchweykrom, which is about two miles from where he had allegedly committed the offence.

He said the suspect has since been detained for further investigations.

The District Police Commander said Emelia’s body has since been deposited at the Enchi Government Hospital morgue for autopsy.

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Source: GNA

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Speaking to Citi News’ Obrempong Yaw Ampofo ahead of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday, some of the residents in that stretch of the country demanded more from the government.

Click below to listen to the full report compiled by Obrempong Yaw Ampofo:

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post #SOTNGhana: Mixed reactions in W/R to Nana Addo’s first year [Audio] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Two others are said to have suffered various degrees of injury, and are receiving treatment at the Ekwe Hospital.

[contextly_sidebar id=”3VuH8woFERdb8qCXe9uF8PZjdLrBzI1A”]The gas tanker was en-route to the Atuabo Gas processing plant site from Takoradi when the driver noticed a fault.

He then proceeded to a welding shop to get the suspected gas leak fixed.

The tanker then exploded killing a welding apprentice on the spot, and injuring three others, according to the Ellembelle District Police Commander, Superintendent Thomas Bayor.

“There was some type of leakage so the driver invited a welder who came to weld and because of the lighting of the flame, the tanker exploded and there were four people around so three were injured and one died on the spot,” Supt. Bayor said.

The driver’s conductor, who was among the injured, later died from his injuries at the Ekwe Mission Hospital.

The deceased persons have been identified as Samuel Kenyah, the welder apprentice, and Amos Tetteh, the driver’s mate.

The other two injured persons have also been identified as Michael Boavo, 26, and Jackson Bosompem, 23, both welders are currently receiving treatment at the Ekwe Hospital.

The driver is also assisting the Elembelle Police with investigations into the incident.

100 injured in 2017 Takoradi explosion

This is the first major gas explosion in 2018 which has recorded fatalities.

The Western Region witnessed a major gas explosion in May 2017, when two gas tankers exploded when they were discharging gas at a fuel station on the Sekondi-Takoradi road.

This explosion left over 100 persons injured including Ghana Fire Service personnel, students at a nearby school, and employees of a Metro Mass depot.

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By: Kojo Ennimil Arthur/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post W/Region: Gas tanker explosion kills two at Baku appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This is the third time the court has had to adjourn hearing.

The court granted the adjournment request when state prosecutor Inspector Paa Ahinsan, and counsel for the plaintiff Lawyer Ebo Donkor, pleaded with the court to adjourn the case whilst they work to finalize their investigations.

[contextly_sidebar id=”cGU3nYKHSGb4nuVguqCPIC3jt5KTE0V2″]Detective Corporal Adjei Shaibu who came to court amidst heavy police escort, was whisked away into police custody by the SWAT Unit of the Ghana Police Service immediately the court granted the adjournment request.

Some past students of GSTS and some family members were in court to observe proceedings on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.

“We will not sacrifice justice for speed”

Counsel for the plaintiff, Lawyer Ebo Donkoh, speaking to journalists after court proceedings said they were happy the court granted their request because “we cannot afford to sacrifice justice for speed.”

He explained that “this is a serious case where the life of a young promising man has been taken tragically. The case is barely a month old so we cannot sacrifice justice on the altar of speed. We need not to rush. The family is looking for justice. It is not about my satisfaction, but we all want the system to work. We want the rule of law to work.”

Accused counsel unhappy with adjournment

Meanwhile, counsel for the accused, Edmond Aquaahene, was not happy the case had been adjourned three times on grounds of gathering required evidence.

He told reporters after the third proceedings that “I am not happy because this is a matter that the investigation should not be delayed. I do not think that Ghana police do not have what it takes. It’s been a month. At least they should round up their investigation and then send the docket to the AGs Department for advice…I believe they have what it takes to start the case.”

Family members hurl chants of justice at cop

Some family members who are yet to come to terms with why Detective Adjei Shaibu allegedly shot and killed their son, hurled chants of ‘justice’ on the cop, whilst he was being whisked away.

They chanted appellations, calling on God to reveal the truth in the matter.

“God, Show your greatness. Speak on our behalf. Let justice prevail. Do not let the [suspected] killer go unpunished” One woman was heard chanting.

COP uses phone whilst in custody – Lawrence’s family

Some of the family members of the late Lawrence Baidoo alleged that Detective Corporal Adjei Shaibu is allowed to use his personal mobile phone whilst in custody “because he is one of their own.”

They say they suspect he could have his way to conceal vital evidence whist he is able to communicate with the outside world. But counsel for the accused Edmond Acquaahene, debunked the allegations, saying “ I have been speaking to him whilst in custody, but not on his personal phone, but on a visitor’s line. When someone visits him whilst in custody, I speak to him on that line. He does not use his personal phone there,” he said.

Police Service interdicts Detective Shaibu

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has interdicted Detective Corporal Adjei Shaibu.

Counsel for the accused, Edmond Acquaahene, told journalists that his client has been on interdiction.

“He has been interdicted even before our previous court appearance on the 12th January. His salary has been slashed down. He will not be performing his duties as he used to do until this case is over. But that does not mean he seizes to be a police officer.”

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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The exercise which will begin tomorrow [Thursday] February 1, 2018 will end on February 25, 2018.

The scheduled temporary shutdown is to enable a team of engineers to undertake a planned routine maintenance on the facility to help improve upon the plant’s capacity as well as prolong its lifespan.

A statement from Ghana Gas copied to Citi Business News said all key stakeholders including Ghana Gas, Tullow Oil. ENI, Volta River Authority (VRA), and Marinus have put in place the necessary mechanisms to reduce the shutdown duration, which would have taken a total of 55 days to 25 days.

“The Board of Directors, Management, Operations team, together with all the company’s partners are working together to ensure that there is minimal disruption to power supply during the period,” the statement said.

It pointed out that expansion works would be carried out on the company’s  Regulating and Meeting Station (RMS) infrastructure at Takoradi, to help increase gas handling capacity from the current 135 mmscf/d to 405mmscf/d.

The increased capacity is expected to add an additional 270mmscf/d capacity to the facility.

“Upon completion of the maintenance works, major planned government projects such as the railways expansion project and the fertilizer production plants and other key government industrialization projects, are expected to benefit”.

In addition it will Increase supply of 200mmscrd/d to with ENI

This will make a tie in at Sanzule allow ENI to transport about 170mmscf/d of lean gas from the Western power enclave and to the Eastern power corridor via the West African Gas Pipeline.

Also, a tie in with Marinus would be undertaken for the delivery of Isopetane, to be used for power production and also minimize environmental impact.

Management of the Atuabo gas plant had undertaken such exercise in the past.

In 2016, the shutting down of the plant for maintenance lasted for 10 working days.

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By: Anita Arthur/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

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The victim, whose name has been withheld, was said to have been sexually assaulted after she drank a non-alcoholic beverage suspected to have been laced with a sedative, at a party thrown by some fishermen who were celebrating bumper catch on Monday, January 17, 2018.

The victim, who woke up the next morning with blood stains in her dress and in severe pain, reported her ordeal to her mother’s friend as her mother was out of town.

[contextly_sidebar id=”u6WwMV02fAelNRDwFw7uJO1FtRCMQK0g”]However the matter was not reported to the police until after the victim’s mother had returned from her trip on Monday.

Before the matter could be reported to the Police, the father of two of the suspects approached the victim’s mother for an amicable resolution of the matter.

The four suspects are currently at large.

Meanwhile the district police commander for the Ellembelle District Supt. Thomas Bayor who confirmed the incident to Citi News, added that a medical form has been issued to the victim whilst investigations and a manhunt for the suspects are underway.

“[The incident] has come to our notice. It was reported to us yesterday in the evening. The police are making efforts to arrest the suspects. In the meantime, we issued a medical form to the victim yesterday and she brought it this morning. Investigations have commenced into the matter.”

Supt. Bayor expressed displeasure that the parents of the victim had waited a week after the incident happened before going to the police.

“As a result of this, we have had to do a thorough investigation to know that we arresting the right perpetrators of the crime. The delay could also get the suspects to escape arrest. Defilement cases like this should not be kept at the house,” he added.

5 in court for sexually assaulting girl in Bantama

This comes on the back of some five persons who are currently facing trial for alleged sexual assault of an 18-year old girl at Bantama in the Ashanti Region.

The suspects were arrested after a video which reportedly showed them forcing themselves on the victim went viral on social media.

Lebanese ‘rapes’ househelp

A Lebanese national is also standing trial for reportedly raping his Ghanaian househelp at his residence in Accra

Rabih Haddad was recently granted bail by an Accra High Court to the tune of five hundred thousand cedis (GHc500,000) with two sureties to be justified.

The suspect, who took ill in December after his arrest, has been on admission at the Police Hospital till date.

Five arraigned for alleged gang rape in Osu

Five persons including four Junior High School students have also been arraigned for their involvement in the alleged gang rape of a 15-year-old girl at Osu in Accra.

The five have been charged with indecent assault, child pornography and defilement after they allegedly inserted their fingers into the victim’s private part, fondled her breasts and forcibly had sex with her.

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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Summit, which is in its fourth year, is held on the 1st of January each year. This year’s was the best so far in terms of organization and patronage.

The SSNIT Conference Room in Takoradi was full to capacity as over 150 youth attended the New Year Summit.

Speakers for this year’s summit were carefully selected from the power, energy and financial sectors.

The first speaker, Kwamina Sagu Ekremet, the QSHE Manager at AI Energy, who doubles as a Leadership and Personal Development Trainer, spoke on how to become a better leader in 2018.

He noted that what Ghana has experienced for the better part of our post-independence history was a deficit of good leadership. He therefore admonished the youth to build their leadership credentials to be able to lead with vision and ambition.

Philip Osei Bonsu, the second speaker, CEO of OBPR Consult who doubles as the Public Relations Officer of the Electricity Company of Ghana, in the Western Region, spoke on how to standout in the marketplace by calling on the youth to recognize the intense competition in the job market and position themselves to be able to compete and standout when given the opportunity.

Philip Osei Bonsu, who’s a 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow, who is passionate about youth development, then introduced them to the skill sets needed for one to be employable by 2020.

The main speaker for the day, Richmond Kwame Frimpong, who is an author, a life coach and a motivational speaker of international repute, and also doubles as the Managing Director of Beige Pensions, a member of The BEIGE Group, delivered a presentation on how to make 2018 your best year ever, the DOs and DON’Ts.

He charged the youth to be aware of and appreciate the fundamental laws of life that must be followed to the latter if one wants to be successful in 2018 and beyond.

Some of the participants who were present at the 2017 edition testified about the positive impact of the summit on their lives in the year 2017.

The 2018 edition, which lasted for approximately three hours, was a fulfilling experience for all the participants who promised to act on the principles shared by the various speakers.
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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Nzema chiefs reject Dr. Ben Asante as Ghana Gas CEO

Just when people were about drawing down the curtain on the excitement of NPP’s victory in the 2016 election,  and appointments were being dished out, that some Nzema Chiefs declared their displeasure over the selection of Dr. Ben Asante as CEO of Ghana Gas.

Some Ghanaians, including a few prominent Nzemas expressed their displeasure with the chief’s rejection of Dr. Ben Asante; whose technical competence is enormous in the field.

The rejection which was largely based on ethnic considerations fell flat, as the President’s appointee was eventually confirmed and accepted.

Appointment of Charles Bissue as presidential staffer

Stan Xoxe Dogbe, a presidential staffer under President Mahama had then got many Ghanaians talking about how he handled members of the Presidential Press Corps and other related matters. He successfully marketed the position “presidential staffer” and got many persons talking about it.

So when a letter of appointment came for Charles Onuawonto Cromwell Bissue, Western Regional Secretary of the ruling NPP as presidential Staffer, several inhabitants of the region mostly NPP supporters were excited.

Charles Bissue was viewed as one of the hardworking NPP executives in the region.

Five Chinese and five Ghanaians arrested on Ankobra River

Illegal mining was still ravaging havoc to the environment, particularly on the three major rivers in the region; River Pra, Ankobra and Tano.

The Chinese nationals had developed a ship-like vessel in the middle of the Ankobra River which served as the source of raw water for Ghana Water Company Limited for residents in Nzema East Municipal and the Ellembelle Districts.

They were mining in the middle of the River. These 5 Chinese and their five Ghanaian counterparts were arrested and arraigned at a Sekondi High Court. Currently, all of them are on bail as the trial continues.

GHUMCO Gas explosion

On May 9th, the Western Regional capital of Sekondi-Takoradi was rocked with a gas explosion that occurred at about 7:30am that Tuesday.

Over 180 people were injured, but no life was lost. Of the injured, 15 were staff of GHUMCO, 7 were firefighters from the regional fire department, 6 students and many other persons.

The emergency preparedness of the Western Regional Hospital, Effia Nkwanta and other health facilities were tested.

The company is yet to pay any compensation to the victims as had been promised.  The company as at December 2017, still owes the Takoradi Government Hospital over Gh10,000.

Wassa Akropong riots

Whist persons affected by the gas explosion were about getting off their sick bed in the region, Wassa Akropong, a town that was yet to come to terms with how illegal mining was taking away its vibrancy, as a Chinese Casino operator in the town Jian Gen Hai, reportedly shot and killed a 30-year old Ghanaian, Nana Boah, during a misunderstanding over payment for a job that had been done for the Chinese national.

The case was transferred to the Takoradi District Court where it was adjourned to 13^th December 2017. The case was later adjourned to January 2018, after a plea for bail was not granted.

Splitting Western Region

Another story that got the people of Western Region talking was when the processes to begin a possible split of the Region were commenced by the NPP government.

Consultations by the 9-member commission of enquiry first met petitioners for the split in Accra. It was followed by consultations with the media, the regional house of chiefs and later 6 other engagements in Sekondi Takoradi, Enchi, Wassa Akropong, Adabokrom, Sefwi Wiawso and Bibiani.

Findings from the consultations are yet to be released by the commission, which will approve the  split or otherwise.

Shooting of GSTS Student Lawrence Baidoo

Just as the year was ending, a 17-year old final year student of the Ghana Secondary Technical School, who had just finished his Elective Maths paper before the Christmas vacation, Lawrence Baidoo, was shot and killed on Friday evening when Detective Corporal Adjei Shaibu, allegedly mistook him and his four other unarmed friends for armed robbers.

The shot also injured Kobina Dorkpoh, one of the five friends who is hospitalized at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital. The five were attending a musical concert at Shama Junction.

The case is now before the Takoradi District Court which has been adjourned to January 12, 2018.

Meanwhile, counsel for the accused, Edmond Acquaah Arhin, has strangely denied that his client was not around the scene at the time the incident happened.

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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 7 stories that got Western Region talking in 2017 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking at the third public consultative exercise held by the nine-member Commission of Enquiry at Wassa Akropong in the Wassa Amenfi East District, Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II explained that the move will fast-track the region’s development. 

[contextly_sidebar id=”2iTDtbWNMS60WpTXuUbbwoGqh8GTaquW”]“It’s been sixty years since Ghana attained independence but our roads, particularly in Wassa Amenfi have been very bad…If I want to travel to my own hometown Wassa Manpong, I have to go through Ayenfuri, and then continue to Diaso. Meanwhile, there is a 30-minute route that is in a deplorable state so today, I have had to travel 2 hours before I can travel the same distance I could have done within 30 minutes”.  

Okuamoah Sekyim II further noted that “it has also been difficult getting support from the central government over the years to our district so if the government says it wants to split this region so it can extend support to us effectively, I think it is a good call and we must all support it”.

Other residents and stakeholders who had come from the Amenfi West and Central Districts also threw their weight behind the creation of another region from the Western Region.

“I work at the district education office at Asankragua but I can also agree to the split of the region because of the difficulty it is to exchange correspondence from the north with the south. The split could fast-track development and many hours will not be wasted just on travelling. I fully support the split,” one resident said.

There were others who despite agreeing that the region be split, did not want the capital situated in the Sefwi part of the region.

Others also felt the move will have traditional implications on the power and territories of Wassa Amenfi Traditional area, while some called for the three Amenfi Districts to be added to the Southern part of the region.

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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Wassa Amenfi chief backs Western Region split appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.