News
Accra College of Medicine holds 8th matriculation
• Dr. Mrs Kate Quartey-Papafio delivering her address
Though required to be intellectually equipped to carry out their duties as medical doctors, the Accra College of Medicine (ACM) has gone a step further to add moral training to the programme.
This, the institution believes, will prepare the medical doctors adequately for the arduous task ahead of them in serving their numerous patients.
The Council Chairman of ACM, Prof Stephen Adei, in his welcome address at the 8th Matriculation of ACM, in Accra, said the College had to produce the best medical students for the country.
He said character was what would carry them to the field, adding that,” You must go and stand out as the best academically and morally trained doctors in the service of humanity.”
The Guest Speaker, Dr Mrs Kate Quartey-Papafio bemoaned the fact that though there were many trends in modern medicine,a lot had not been explored in Ghana.
She mentioned that tele-medicine, though not fully established in Ghana, was one of the modern trends being used around the globe, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic where it was essential for patients, doctors, and pharmacists to collaborate effectively for a common good.
“Modern medicine provides the facility for surgeries to be carried out remotely using laparoscopic devices and tools, such that surgeries could be carried on a patient whose doctor resides on a different continent,” she said.
Dr Quartey-Papafio said there was the need to re-orient the youth of the country to adopt social media to change their focus towards providing the needed values in the medical profession.
She urged the matriculants to be innovative by incorporating the various fields of medicine into one theme and bring about changes in the profession.
The President of ACM, Prof Afua Adjo Jectey Hesse reminded the matriculants that everything they would go through would be a test of their character.
She asked them to build their character on the values of integrity, passion, innovation, excellent leadership, community service and above all heart power which were the attributes the Ghanaian public were looking for in their doctors.
Prof Hesse said character was not optional, it was sacrosanct to the future that God had planned for them and their homes.
“ No matter where you place prayers, character matters. The greatest fraud in life is religion without character,” she said.
Ms Michaelina Maa Afia Aframa Appiah, a matriculant who spoke on behalf of her colleagues, thanked their parents and guardians for the enormous sacrifices they had made,adding that they were grateful for the opportunity granted them to study at the college.
She called on her colleagues not to give up no matter how bumpy the road would become, “because one day, millions of people will commend us for our spirit of perseverance,” she said.
The 22 students who took the Matriculation and ACM Honour Code oaths, were admitted to levels 100, 200 and 500 respectively.
By Raymond Kyekye
News
Chief of Abesim destooled
The Dominase Royal Family of Abesim, near Sunyani in the Bono Region, has destooled Barima Kumi Akyeaw III as Chief of Abesim, following a ruling by the Sunyani High Court.
The decision was announced at a media briefing at Abesim on Sunday by the Head of the royal family, Nana Agyei Saarah, who stated that the chief, known in private life as Kelvin Anane Addo, was improperly nominated, elected, and installed.
According to Nana Agyei Saarah, apart from the irregular installation process, the former chief engaged in several actions that brought the Abesim stool into disrepute.
The Sunyani High Court, presided over by Justice Nathan P. Yarney, delivered the ruling on March 25, 2025.
The court upheld that Barima Kumi Akyeaw III was invalidly enstooled, citing a breach of customary procedure.
The Court further noted that the nomination process, conducted by the Adehyepanin (Abakomahene), following the death of the Queen mother of Abesim, failed to follow due traditional process.
He emphasised that under Abesim stool custom- which forms part of the Kyidom Division of the Dormaa Traditional Council, the Abakomahene assumes the authority to nominate candidates in the absence of a Queen mother.
Three candidates—Christian, Kelvin, and one Agyekum were reportedly nominated.
However, the court held that since there was a pending petition before the Judicial Committee of the Dormaa Traditional Council against Kelvin Anane Addo, it was inappropriate for the Dormaahene and his Divisional Chiefs to proceed with his nomination and installation.
Justice Yarney ruled that any act, whether described as opinion, advice, or otherwise, that causes grievance to another, may be subject to the supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Abesim
News
Man narrowly escapes death, accused of stealing 19 fowls, a dog
A 42-year-old man, Kwabena Otoo, narrowly escaped death on the dawn of Monday when residents of Assin Adubiase lynched him, having been accused of stealing 19 fowls and a dog.
“I heard the commotion from my house,” said a resident who wished to remain anonymous. “By the time I reached the scene, there was already a crowd surrounding him. His pleas for mercy were drowned by angry voices.”
Otoo, bleeding profusely and severely injured, might have lost his life if not for a timely distress call to the Assin Fosu Divisional Police Command.
Officers arrived around 4am, pushing through the mob to rescue the battered man.
“We found him in critical condition,” shared one responding officer. “Every minute counted in getting him medical attention.”
Now recovering at the Assin Fosu Polyclinic, Otoo suffered physical wounds but also faces uncertain future as investigations continue.
Medical staff report indicated that he suffered multiple injuries requiring immediate treatment.
Community members claim Otoo’s contradictory answers during questioning triggered their suspicions and subsequent assault.
One witness explained that, “people here have lost too much to thieves… frustration has been building for months.”
The Police have confirmed Otoo is from neighbouring Assin Odumase and are calling for anyone missing fowls or a dog to come forward as part of their investigation.
“This could have ended in tragedy,” warned a police spokesperson. “We understand community frustrations, but mob justice is never the answer. We urge citizens to report crimes rather than taking matters into their own hands.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
