News
Chainsaw operator arrested over death of c’nity police assistant
A 55-year-old chainsaw operator has been arrested by the police in connection with the death of a community police assistant.
Isaac Gyan, the suspect, was said to have fell a tree which allegedly fell on the deceased, Owusu Arhin, 35.
It was not very clear as to how the deceased went into the forest.
He was stationed at the Mankranso Police Station, and neighbours believed he might have gone to monitor the activities of some illegal chainsaw operators in the forest.
The incident occurred at about 12 noon on Sunday, in the Ahiamankwa Forest, near Kunsu Wioso, in the Ahafo Ano South District of Ashanti.
Gyan, according to a police source, was using a chainsaw to cut up the tree when the trunk fell on the victim.
Emergency services rushed to save the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
His body has since been deposited at the Mankranso Plus Laboratory Mortuary “for further action,” the police source said.
A similar incident had occurred a day before at Motiakrom in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality of the Central Region.
The deceased, Eric Ntam, was seeking shelter under a tree during a downpour when the trunk fell on him, witnesses said.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
News
STAR-Ghana Foundation, IOM Ghana complete livelihood project in U/E Region
Some hard working women on the field
The Star-Ghana Foundation, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Ghana, have successfully concluded the Community Livelihood Enhancement Project.
The initiative, which run from April to August, aims to bolster social cohesion and promote peace in the border communities of Namoo and Pulmakom.
Alhaji Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, Executive Director of STAR-Ghana Foundation, emphasised the project’s focus on vulnerable groups, particularly women, youth, and men who are susceptible to radicalisation and violent extremism.
At the project’s handing-over ceremony, Alhaji Amadu noted that the construction of two fenced gardens, each measuring 25m by 25m, and fitted with mechanised boreholes were developed to support 55 individuals by offering them plots of land for the dry season farming, to ensure sustainable income sources for the beneficiaries.
According to him, two mechanised boreholes, two 5000-litre water storage tanks, and generator sets were provided to ensure a reliable water supply for both the community and the farms.
This infrastructure is expected to be a vital asset, especially during the dry season, improving agricultural productivity and overall community well-being.
To further empower the beneficiaries, 40 tins of seeds—including onion, pepper, tomato, and hibiscus— were distributed to enable successful dry season farming in a bid to improve food security in the region.
Madam Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, Chief of Mission for IOM Ghana, remarked on the broader impact of the project, stating, “This initiative marks a significant step in addressing communal insecurity and enhancing livelihoods in these vulnerable border communities.”
She praised the active participation of women in the project, commending them for viewing the initiative as their own and for working collectively to ensure its success and urged the women to continue to use the platform to become financially independent.
Mr John Theodore Azam, representing the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, commended STAR-Ghana and IOM Ghana for the timely intervention, acknowledging the positive impact the project has already made in uplifting the socio-economic conditions of the border communities.
The Community Livelihood Enhancement Project forms part of broader efforts by STAR-Ghana Foundation and IOM Ghana to address the root causes of instability and promote lasting peace in vulnerable border communities across the region
From Geoffrey Buta,
Namoo, Upper East Region
News
Media organisations told to create female-friendly workplaces
A section of the panellist at the forum
Media organisations have been urged to create supportive workplace environments sensitive to specific needs of female journalists.
According to the Executive Director of Women and Change (WOMEC), Dr Charity Binka, women have been marginalised in the media space for too long, adding that women make up only 25 per cent of news and 30 per cent of leadership roles in the media industry.
Dr Binka made this recommendation in a presentation on “Equal Voices- Promoting gender equality in media in Ghana” at the Media and Women Empowerment Forum held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) last Wednesday.
The conference which was organised by Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in partnership with the French Media Development Agency was to combat gender inequalities while promoting women at all levels of responsibility in the country.
“There’s no focus on women in the media and most of the organisations do not have policies on gender and gender-based abuse,” she said.
Furthermore, Dr Binka noted that media houses who have guidelines on gender must develop them into policies and the ones who have existing policies must ensure that these policies were enforced.
“Journalism training schools should incorporate gender into their curriculum and where they lack capacity, they should collaborate with gender experts,” she added.
The Head of Department of Communications Studies, University of Ghana, Prof. Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin, emphasised the need for media organisation to adopt female friendly workplace practices, adding that there was evidence of masculine work practices and socialisation which makes it difficult for women to fit in.
She called for women participation in decisions making especially in matters that affects women or related to them.
“Women are not sitting at the table where decisions that affect them are made; there is low inequality consciousness. Sometimes, women who are being discriminated against do not know about it themselves,” she noted.
On her part, the Deputy Director, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ms Vera Karikari, said the media was a powerful tool that could reinforce stereotypes or drive empowerment that can bring change.
Other speakers included the Programmes Officer, Media for Democracy and Good Governance, MFWA, Mr William Nianjerbor Jalulah; a lecturer at UniMAC-IJ, Mrs Ewuradwoa S. Tabicca, and Head of Social and Development Desk, Despite Media, Ms Nana Yaa Konadu Yiadom.
By Cecilia Lagba Yada