Hot!
‘Alleged murderer not KNUST student’
The management of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has disassociated itself from a suspected murderer, who was said to be a final year Geological Engineering student of the university.
According to the KNUST, the suspect, Emmanuel Awuah, 23, “abandoned his course for two academic years and can, therefore, not be referred to as a KNUST final year student”.
Awuah allegedly killed a taxi driver over GHS 1,200.00 debt owed him by the deceased, Thomas Kwame Danso, 24.
A statement signed by the university’s Relations Officer, Dr Daniel Norris Bekoe, copied the Ghanaian Times, here, said Awuah did not register for the first and second semesters of the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 academic years.
It explained that in spite of not registering for these academic years, Awuah failed to defer his Geological Engineering program, neither did he indicate reasons for abandoning his course.
“Per the university’s regulations, a student, who abandons his course for one full academic year without any cause ceases to be a student of the university,” it said.
Condemning the alleged crime by Awuah, the KNUST urged the police to apprehend his (Awuah) accomplice and bring them to justice to serve as a deterrent to other young men and women, who might conceive such cruel acts in future.
The KNUST urged the public to crosscheck facts properly with the university relations office in future or risk legal action.
Awuah has since been provisionally charged with conspiracy to commit murder and murder.
He had appeared before the Mamponteng District Court, after his arrest by the police at Nyinahini.
His plea was not taken and the court, presided by Mr Thomas Boadi Soyori, remanded him into prison custody, to re-appear on August 3, 2020.
Prosecution said the owner of the taxi, Daniel Owusu, reported to the police station of his missing driver.
The police apprehended Awuah, who was in the possession of the taxi with registration number GE 1436-17, at Nyinahini.
According to the prosecution, Awuah told the accomplice, who is on the run, of how the deceased had refused to give him his GH₵1, 200.
The two, prosecution said, succeeded in luring the driver to the scene of the crime where they strangled him to death.
Prosecution said that when the police got to the scene, the head of the deceased was almost decomposed, and later the body was conveyed to the mortuary of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
FROM FAUSTINA KWABEA OSEI, KUMASI
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.
