News
550 drivers fined GH¢182,640 for traffic offences
At least 550 drivers in the Greater Accra Region have been convicted to a total fine of GH¢182,640, for committing various traffic offences, during the first quarter of the year,
The convicts were arrested for excessive speeding, driving through red lights, and using expired documents among others.
The Commanding Officer of the Central Motor Traffic and Transporting Unit (MTTU), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Martin Ayiih, who disclosed these to the Ghanaian Times, in Accra, yesterday, said the convicts were involved in 1,038 road accidents.
He said 533 commercial, 1,226 private vehicles and 298 motorcycles were involved in the accidents.
ACP Ayiih said 58 people were killed and 525 were injured in the reported cases within the period.
He said the unit would collaborate with the Ministry of Transport, Municipal and District Assemblies, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority and the National Road Safety to ensure sanity on the road.
ACP Ayiih said more personnel would be deployed on the roads, to help in traffic management, stressing that there was the need to protect lives and properties to enhance the country’s socio-economic and human development.
He urged drivers to abide by road safety regulations to avoid accidents, saying that, “Most of the accidents recorded are as a result of human errors, such as excessive speeding, driving with gadgets such as mobile phones, and jay walking which need to be avoided.”
ACP Ayiih said, “Desist from excessive speeding, using of gadgets such as mobile phones when driving and avoid speeding and wrongful overtaking “.
He asked pedestrians to use zebra crossing and overhead bridges when crossing the roads, to prevent knockdowns.
ACP Ayiih appealed to vehicle owners to maintain their vehicles regularly, and journalists to support the Unit in its educational drive.
BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI
News
NPP is so hurt by my nomination – Sam George
The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, and Member of Parliament(MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, says opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) are hurt by his nomination.
The minister who was approved by the majority in Parliament yesterday in a Facebook post stated that “It is clear to me that the NPP is so hurt by my nomination as Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations and would stop at nothing to fight it.”
His post was in response to photos circulated on social media suggesting he was watching what appears to be nude content on his phone.
Mr. Sam George accused the NPP MPs of circulating fake photos with a false narration to tarnish his reputation, saying: “They have resorted to a smear campaign and cheap lies with fake photos.”
“After failing to mobilise their own Caucus in Parliament to vote against my nomination, they have resorted to smear campaign and cheap lies with fake photos,” he posted.
He concluded, “I can assure them that the days of misinformation and cheap fabricated lies are coming to an end. The Ministry would tighten regulations on such illegal conducts of misinformation and disinformation in the coming weeks and sanitise our media space.So help me God.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
New BoG governor can’t engage in official duties – Afenyo-Markin to Mahama
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin has raised concerns over the assumption of official duties by Dr. Johnson Asiamah as Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
The former Deputy Governor was recently nominated by President John Dramani, on January 31, 2025, to serve as Governor, pending approval by the Council of State.
This follows a formal request by the current Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison, to proceed on leave ahead of his retirement on March 31, 2025.
However, in a letter to President Mahama dated February 4, Minority Leader raised serious concerns with Dr. Asiamah’s assumption of office in the absence of the Council of State.
“Your Excellency, it is my considered view that Dr. Johnson Asiamah should refrain from engaging in official duties at the Bank of Ghana until his nomination has been duly approved by the Council of State. While awaiting confirmation, he can seek any necessary briefings outside the formal assumption of office,” the letter noted.
He added, “I trust that due attention will be given to this matter to uphold the integrity of our institutional processes.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read full statement below