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3 traders burst into tears over GH¢120 court fines
A Gavel
Three traders who were dragged to the Adentan Magistrates court in Accra for disturbing public peace burst into tears after the court imposed a GH¢120 fine on each of them or spend six months in prison.
The convicts Vivian Fiatsor, Mawutor Fiatsor and Sadame Linda who pleaded guilty to one count of disturbing the peace in a public place contrary to section 298(a) of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (ACT 29) knelt and wept uncontrollably and pleaded with the court presided over by Madam Nancy Adadey to tamper justice with mercy.
But the court would have none of that and were led by the Police escorts to either begin their sentence or pay the fine.
Chief Inspector Philomena Borje prosecuting told the court that the accused are all traders and neighbours residing at Burnapat Oyibi in the Kpone Katamanso Municipality in the Greater Accra Region.
She said Vivian and Mawutor Fiatsor are siblings and on March 6, 2024 the three came to the Oyibi Police Station and reported a case of assault against each other.
The court heard that Police medical report forms were issued to all of them to attend hospital for treatment which they duly returned endorsed by medical officers.
Chief Inspector Borje stated that Mawutor Fiatsor and Linda Sadame were bearing grudges against each other in their neighbourhood.
Due to that on March 6 at about 10:30am while passing by each other in their neighbourhood at Burnapat, they both without provocation started raining insults on each other. This, the court heard, led to a fight between them in which both inflicted degrees of injuries on each other.
The Prosecutor told the court that the scene attracted Vivian Fiatsor, the sister of Mawutor who tried to separate them but Linda Sadame slapped her with the reason that she held her for the sister to bite her left arm.
Chief Inspector Borje said after investigations they were all charged with the offence and arraigned in court.
By Lawrence Vomafa-Akpalu
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
