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Adhere to safety protocols to fight COVID-19 – Omanhene of Berekum
The Omanhene of Berekum, Daasebre Dr Amankona Diawuo, has urged residents in the Bono Region to strictly adhere to the safety protocols to fight the COVID-19 as the region recorded its first confirmed case.
The Omanhene said he was worried that some residents, drivers and operators of tricycles, popularly called ‘pragyia’, were not attaching seriousness to the observation of COVID-19 safety protocols.
Last Wednesday May 6, 2020, the Bono Region recorded its first positive case of COVID-19 at Sampa in the Jaman North district by a Togolese national who was in the company of some other foreigners who entered Ghana illegally.
Daasebre Dr Amankona Diawuo, who is also a surgeon at the Regional Hospital in Sunyani, said in an interview in his palace at Berekum in the Bono Region that discussions were underway between the Police and the Berekum Traditional Council to arrest and sanction any resident who flouts the safety protocols, especially in relation to the wearing of nose masks and the observation of physical distancing.
Berekum is one of the largest cities in the Bono Region where tricycles, popularly known as ‘Pragyia’ are the major means of transport.
The Bono Regional Co-ordinating Council recently banned the operations of ‘ pragyia’ in the region but lifted the ban after about a month and instructed that each tricycle should carry a maximum of two passengers, who together with the operator must be in a nose mask at all times.
A visit to the Central Business District of Berekum, showed number of passengers and operators of ‘pragyia’ not wearing nose masks, a situation the Omanhene described as worrying.
He said it was about time residents realised that the coronavirus disease was real and could infect anyone, regardless of one’s status in society.
Meanwhile, the Omanhene has presented assorted items worth over Twenty-three Ghana cedis to the Berekum Municipal and Berekum West District offices of the Ghana Health Service for distribution to the various health facilities in the two districts.
The items included 1,000 pieces of nose masks, 600 bottles of hand-sanitiser, ten boxes of hand gloves, 12 pieces of infrared thermometer and 10 packets of tissue paper and ten gallons and 20 Veronica buckets.
FROM: DANIEL DZIRASAH, BEREKUM
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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.
