News
‘Don’t cut corners, God detests it’
Rev Awintia (in the middle) with some journalists.
The Assemblies of God (AG) Regional Superintendent for the Greater Accra East, Reverend Andrews Nelson Awintia, has said that difficult times must not be an excuse for people to cut corners.
“Cutting corners is evil and God is not in it. He does not support or promote it and He will not sit down for that to happen,” he said.
He said in crisis moment, a person should be careful about what comes across as a ‘juicy’ gift or offer because what looks like a solution usually ends up as a predicament.
Reverend Awintia gave the caution when he interacted with journalists from the Tema regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
It was aimed at encouraging the media to promote integrity and honesty in society.
He said sometimes things could be so hard with one’s back against the wall; but in such times, one should be more concerned about setting a good example.
Rev. Awintia said corrupt deals could give momentary satisfaction but comes with serious repercussions.
He said once people begun to do wrong things, it meant they did not have faith in the power of God to provide.
He said it was important for people to question the source of certain offers that come their way in order not to find themselves in difficult situations.
The Regional Superintendent said in crisis moment, one must be careful and note that, it was better to be poor with integrity than be rich and have no integrity.
He encouraged Ghanaians to be prayerful and trust God to show up even in the darkest hour and also always insist on doing right.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema
News
Businessman, farmer granted bail for allegedly defrauding estate developer
The Amasaman Circuit Court has granted bail to a businessman and a farmer over an alleged GH¢120,000 land fraud.
Nii Korley Sai Boni IV, 53, and Kingsley Oblitey Quansah Commey, 44, were granted GH¢150,000.00 bail with two sureties each.
They are accused of granting 20 plots of land without titles to Mr Raymond Kwaku Marfo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RKM Estate Development Company.
The court, presided over by Ms Enid Marful-Sau, ordered that the sureties deposit their valid national identity cards with the Registry.
Nii Boni and Commey denied conspiring to defraud Mr. Marfo.
The court instructed the prosecution to serve the accused with necessary materials by April 2, 2025.
Chief Inspector Frederick Awuah-Ansah, prosecuting, said Mr Marfo was the CEO of RKM Ghana Limited, an estate development company.
He said that Nii Boni is a businessman and self-styled chief of Korleyman near Medie, while Commey is a farmer from Papase near Adjen Kotoku in the Ga West Municipality.
In June 2022, Mr Marfo was working on a land he purchased from Abusuapayin Ayitey Ankwah of Ankwa Dobro.
Nii Boni and Commey, along with one Obodai (now deceased), confronted Marfo, claiming ownership of the land.
The prosecution said Nii Boni and Commey convinced Marfo to buy 20 plots along the road leading to Samsam.
Marfo paid GH¢120,000.00 for the plots, and an official receipt was issued. However, when Marfo attempted to begin work on the land, he was informed by Nii Boni and Commey that there was an injunction on it.
After conducting a search at the Lands Commission, Marfo discovered the land was registered in the name of Babbel Limited.
Marfo then reported the case to the Amasaman Divisional CID on May 10, 2024. Subsequently, Nii Boni and Commey were arrested, and in their caution statements, they admitted the offence.
They promised to repay the amount involved but failed to do so.
After thorough investigations, Nii Boni and Commey were charged and brought before the court.
News
Gaming Commission warns operators against underage betting
The Gaming Commission of Ghana has warned gaming operators involved in underage betting to desist from it.
The Commission also said such facilities will be closed down if it continues in the illegality.
“There is the need to pay attention to underage gambling because the children are our future,” he added.
Acting Gaming Commissioner of Ghana, Emmanuel Quainoo said this in Accra when he paid a courtesy call on the Editor and Acting Editor of The Spectator and Ghanaian Times newspapers, respectively.
The call was part of the Acting Commissioner’s familiarisation tour to some media houses and to build partnerships with them.
He said the mandate of the commission was to regulate the activities of game operators and ensure they conform to the law.
The Acting Gaming Commissioner said the commission has been receiving calls on illegal and underage gambling, a situation he said will need the assistance of the media in clamping down such operators.
He mentioned that the commission has so far licensed 55 gaming operators across the country.
He explained that as of January 2025 to date, 23 casinos, 15 Sport betting, two route operators and five remote interactive games have been licensed.
He mentioned that other operators have put in applications while the rest have paid part of their license fees.
He said the commission was hoping to expand their operations and be visible in all regions across the country.
The Acting Editor of The Ghanaian Times Alhaji Salifu Abdul-Rahman said the rate at which the youth in the Zongo community are involved in betting was alarming.
Alhaji Abdul-Rahman called on the Gaming Commission to intensify their education in schools, especially in the zongo communities while urging them to clamp down on illegal operators.
The Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina N.M. Quaittoo thanked the Commission for the visit, saying “we are willing to partner and support you.”
Also present at the meeting were Deputy Director, Human Resource and Administration, Ms Jennifer Puplampu, Deputy Director, Finance Mr Nana Kwame Sekyi Dadzie and Head of Corporate Affairs Ms Beatrice Baiden.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
