News
Bishop Salifu Amoako and 2 others re-arrested shortly after AG withdrew charges against them
Founder and General Overseer of the Alive Chapel International Church, Prophet Elisha Salifu Amoako, and two others have been rearrested by the Police shortly after they were discharged by the Circuit Court in Accra.
According to EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, who was at the Court, Bishop Salifu Amoako, his wife and Linda Bonsu Bempah were immediately rearrested when they stepped out of the Courtroom.
He added, however, that it was not immediately clear whether fresh charges would be brought against them.
On Monday, February 17, the Attorney General (AG), through Yaw Acquah, a State Attorney, informed the Circuit Court of the directive from the AG to withdraw the charge sheet to allow for further investigations.
According to him, the outcome of the further investigations will determine the direction of the matter.
Bishop Salifu Amoako, together with his wife Mouha Amoako, a banker, and one Linda Bonsu Prempeh, a Sales Assistant, were charged for “permitting an unlicensed person to drive”.
This led to the death of two young children after the 16-year-old driver killed two young children in a gruesome accident in Accra.
The accused pleaded not guilty and were admitted to bail by the Circuit Court in Accra in the sum of GH₵50,000 with two sureties each without justification.
In Court on Monday, February 17, the State Attorney said, “About the study of the document, it has been deemed necessary to allow the police to conduct further investigations to determine the direction the prosecution should take.”
According to him,“As such, we are before you this morning to withdraw the charge sheet against the three accused persons,” the State Attorney told the Court presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah.
Defence lawyers indicated that they do not oppose that request to have the charges withdrawn, saying, “If the prosecution wishes to withdraw charges brought against the accused persons, we have no objections.”
His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, the presiding judge, before discharging them, said if the AG who initiated the action sought to withdraw, the Court would grant them as the defence did not object.
“If the Attorney General that brought the case is now praying for the withdrawal of the case, and the counsel of the accused persons are in support of the withdrawal, the court has nothing to say,” he added.
“The prayer for the Attorney General is granted, and the matter struck out as withdrawn. The accused persons are discharged,” Mr Bright Acquah stated.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
News
‘Nipahiamoa’ residents cry for basic social amenities
Residents of a farming community in the Nkoranza North District of the Bono East Region are living under conditions that directly reflect or connote the name of the township, Nipahiamoa.
The name of the town, Nipahiamoa, when translated directly means ‘humans need help.’
Despite the contribution in ensuring there is sufficient food in not only the region but the country at large, Nipahiamoa lacks basic social amenities to make life enjoyable after their farming activities.
water for the people of Nipahiamoa
According to some of the members of the community that The Spectator spoke to during a visit to the area, they lacked basic needs such as potable water, health post, among others.
This, they claimed, was impacting negatively on their general wellbeing and appealed to authorities to come to their aid.
The Unit Committee chairman of Nipahiamoa, Mr James Najohnbo, told this paper on Thursday that successive governments have neglected the town over the years.
“It is the reason we are where we are today in this era of development. Some people poke fun that our condition is a reflection of the name of the town but I don’t believe that. We have been neglected by governments over the years. There are no government initiatives here,” he explained.
The community, inhabited by over one thousand people, mostly settlers, is located on the Techiman-Kintampo stretch of the Trans-ECOWAS highway which connect from Tema to Mali.
Mr Najohnbo, who conducted this reporter around, revealed that a borehole constructed for the community by the former Member of Parliament for Nkoranza North, Major Derrick Oduro, had since broke down, compelling the people to turn to the Bono manso waterfalls which they trek several kilometres for their source of water.
Mr Najohnbo stated that their children are not left out in this challenges as they had to trek to either Manso or Dweneho, about two kilometres to access healthcare and education.
He added that a wooden structure constructed in 1994 currently serves as the only primary school for the community.
“Our kids had to trek several kilometres to Manso to attend school which come at cost to most parents.”
A 30-year old hairdresser, Rebecca Dibenpong, also appealed to authorities to come up with income generating activities to boost economic lives of the people.
She alleged that politicians often claimed they don’t have enough numbers to attract development, hence such initiatives were directed to bigger communities.
Like the name suggest, Nipahiamoa, the community needs urgent attention to make life meaningful for the people who contribute to the national economy by way of their farming activities.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Nipahiamoa
News
Maternal mortality rate increases in Ashanti Region
The Ghana Health Service has revealed a staggering statistic of 1,000 women losing their lives during childbirth in the Ashanti Region between 2020 and 2024.
This alarming number, according to the Regional Health Director, Dr Frank Adomanko Boateng, highlights the persistent challenge of maternal mortality in Ghana, despite efforts to improve maternal healthcare.
Dr Adomanko Boateng, therefore emphasized on an urgent need for stronger interventions to curb the high rate of maternal deaths.
Speaking at the 2024 Regional Health Forum, he indicated that “Ghana is struggling to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.”
Dr Boateng stressed that time was of the essence, saying, “The clock is ticking, and we must double our efforts.”
He called for intensified measures over the next six years to bridge the gap and prevent further loss of lives.
Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio, he noted, has been declining from 760 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 310 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017.
However, “the country still faces significant challenges in reducing maternal mortality, particularly in regions like Ashanti.”
To address the issue, he said, Ghana has been working to improve maternal healthcare through various initiatives, including the Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
The country aims to reduce maternal mortality by strengthening healthcare systems, improving access to quality care, and enhancing community engagement
From Kingsley E. Hope,
Kumasi
