Hot!
30 graves looted at Takoradi cemetery; residents demand improved security
Residents of Sekondi-Takoradi are calling on the managers of the metropolis to tighten security at the Takoradi cemetery after about 30 graves were ransacked by unknown persons.
Some relatives, who rushed to the site after reports of the desecration were aired on radio on Wednesday, expressed their dissatisfaction with the maintenance of the cemetery and the lack of security measures.
Relatives were seen fixing the graves of their loved ones at the time of Citi News’ visit to the site on Thursday.
“An uncle heard that there had been a raid at the cemetery, and I came and saw my mom’s grave in that state. So, I came here this morning to repair it. When I heard about it, I was a bit skeptical, but unfortunately, I came and saw my mom’s grave in that state. The authorities should come in and provide security here because when you look around, you can see that the place is in a mess, and they should tidy it up because that is the reason why the people had the chance to do what they did,” one resident said.
In a reaction, the Environmental Health Officer of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, Abdul Karim Hudu, told Citi News that the assembly is yet to identify the motivation behind the ransacking or the items stolen from the graves.
He further assured that security would be provided to secure the cemetery.
“We have boys at the cemetery during the day who normally sit there to take care of those who want to weed around the graves of their dead. But in the evening, they are gone, so I suspect that they did that in the night because there is no security.”
“The measures that we want to take are to go and weed the place and make sure that we have security there, and we have informed the police to be patrolling there so that those who do that can be arrested when they come back again.”
Source: Citinewsroom.com
Hot!
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.
