Ashaiman New Town residents oppose citing of fuel station
Tension is mounting in Ashaiman New Town between some residents in the township and a businessman over the siting of a proposed fuel service station.
According to some members of the community, the project which is located opposite a Church of Pentecost Mission House and a Seventh Day Adventist Church was also closer to a bakery and an Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) transformer and poses a threat to public safety.
This has culminated in a decision by the regulator, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to put the project on hold until an amicable solution was found.
Speaking to The Spectator on Wednesday, the residents expressed varied opinions on why the project must not be sited in the area as it poses significant threat to life and property.
Ms Leticia Gbeve, who spoke on their behalf said the residents were not consulted to know whether they were in agreement or not before permit was issued to the owner of the property.
She said the facility was too close to their residences and that was their major worry because they fear in the event of an accident, the consequences would be disastrous.
Ms Gbeve said the residents were not against any developmental project in the area but would prefer something that would not threaten lives and properties, adding that “we want for instance a mall, hotel, hospital or apartments.”
She said, it was important that the relevant institutions, especially the EPA made time to address their concerns thoroughly for an amicable resolution that would guarantee their safety and protect the environment.
Responding, the businessman, Mr David Azupio disclosed that the relevant institutions had inspected the landing and carried out various assessment on his invitation before permit was granted for the project to be constructed.
He said the institutions were still closely monitoring all activities at the project site to ensure he was complying with the directives.
According to him, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the EPA, the Ashaiman Traditional Council (ATC), and others with oversight responsibility over the construction of such a facility had done their part so far to ensure compliance with standards.
Mr Azupio assured that he would ensure that all safety standards were adhered to, in order to safeguard the security of the residents and his staff.
“We have been advised to consider safety measures to mitigate any kind of unforeseen issues. They instructed us to among other things raise the walls of the project higher as well as go every length to ensure that the community continued to be a safe place to live,” he said.
Meanwhile, a stakeholder meeting has been held by the EPA following a petition received from the residents to the Agency.
It was to provide the owner of the fuel service station and the citizens an opportunity to engage and also for the former to present the details of the project, its environmental impact and safety measures to be implemented to the community and also for a discussion on the facility under construction.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Ashaiman
News
Mama Aku Seme II bringing hope, development to Avetakpo community
The role of a ‘mother’ in our local community has become synonymous with the traditional and modern roles of a queen mother; promoting health, education, liaison for infrastructure development and as special adviser to the chief and elders on women affairs.
Thirty eight-year old Mama Aku Seme II of Avetakpo, a deprived rural community in the Ho West district of the Volta Region, is one of such models.
Known in private life as Joyce Aku Dzifa Amedorme, she was enstooled as queen mother in 2019 and has already embarked on some developmental projects in her community.
Two years into her role, Mama Aku Seme II lobbied and got the US Ambassador Self Help Aid to build a three-unit classroom block for the community. This is the first school building in the settler community.
“This development brought joy to my people and the children, especially who had longed for a school building for years,” she said beaming with smiles.
She stated that it is her desire to build a community school up to the Junior High School (JHS), a clinic and a public toilet for residents of Avetakpo.
In 2023, during the Akosombo Dam spillage, which displaced thousands of people in Mepe, she donated clothing and other relief items to the victims.
Through her foundation, known as Mama Aku Seme II Charity Foundation, she has supported over 200 needy children and orphans with clothing, food items and other essentials in order to bring smiles to the faces of children.
When asked about her passion for the welfare of children, she said “I love to see them happy; their smile warms my heart.”
Mama Aku Seme II is from a family of six and a mother to two boys in a family of six. She is currently works with Forever Living Company limited.
And she has an advice for the youth.
“The youth must show seriousness in whatever they do. That is what would define their future.
They must be disciplined, respect the elderly and just be nice to people because one could find him or herself at a place of need.”
Mama Seme speaks Deutsch, English and four Ghanaian languages- Ewe, Twi Fante and Hausa.
She loves sports and loves to play tennis at her leisure time.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Sports
Nsoatreman FC plot Kotoko fall
KumasiAsante Kotoko’s resolve to consolidate their stay at the summit of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) table will come under threat tomorrow when they take on Nsoatreman FC at the Nana Kronmansah Park in Nsoatre tomorrow.
The last round of games saw the Porcupine Warriors jump to the top of the table for the first time this season with a 1-0 home victory over Karelia United.
A whopping 16 points separates the two sides heading into the game, making the visitors the favourites on paper.
Nsoatreman will be looking to return to winning ways on home soil after going down 1-0 at new boys Young Apostles.
Having picked just a win in their last 10 games, the plot looks too thick for stand in Coach Andy Sinason who the masses in Nsoatre are hoping will find the master stroke to beat Kotoko.
On the heels of Kotoko on the log is second placed Bibiani Gold Stars who welcome defending league champions Samartex FC to the Dun’s Park.
Gold Stars have been tough customers at home and with that advantage, one would not be far from right in calling this game for the host.
Having endured a torrid first round which also marked the sacking of Coach Nurudeen Adamu, his replacement Christopher Ennin will need to do a lot if he is to pick a point from this game.
Fourth placed Nations FC who are two points adrift Kotoko will hope to keep the pressure on the leaders when they host new boys Young Apostles at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi.
After picking their third win of the season last week, Accra Lions will be hoping for yet another good day when they visit the Nii Adjei Kraku II Spots Complex in Tema to play against Vision FC.
In other games, bottom place Karela United will return to the Aliu Mahama Stadium in Tamale to play Berekum Chelsea, Medeama SC will welcome Legon Cities to the Tarkwa TNA Stadium, the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park in Dormaa will host the Aduana Stars versus Bechem United clash while struggling Dreams FC face Basake Holy Stars at the Tuba Astro Turf Park.
By Raymond Ackumey
