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Don’t use police to intimidate children – Chief Supt Tay
Ghana Police
Parents have been cautioned against the use of the police to intimidate or threaten children, ostensibly to get them to do what is right.
The action,according to Chief Superintendent Seth Tay of the Tema Regional Police Command, was likely to take away their confidence in the police and also make the children see them (the police) as enemies.
Chief Superintendent Seth Taysaid this at a forumorganised by the St. Paul Methodist Cathedral, Tema last Sunday.
The programme sought to educate and throw light on Police arrests and prosecution of offenders vis-a-vis the offenders’ rights during the process.
It formed part of the Coordinating Office of Social Services of the Church termed “know the law” forum.
According to Mr. Tay, children should be encouraged to see the police as friends whom they could easily run to when they have challenges, a situation he said was important for their safety and security.
He said some children have over the years been helpful in investigation from their observations and disclosure of information to the police, adding that“It has been significant in unravelling crime and that was why they should be drawn closer to the institution.”
He also encouraged the public to be law abiding to make the society a safe place to live.
Chief Superintendent Taycautioned the public against shielding people in their communities who were engaged on any form of criminal activities.
He said when a person was shielded, it emboldened them to commit more crimes and in the process endanger the lives of every member of the community.
He noted that where a person was also arrested by the police on suspicion of any crime, it was important for them to be law-abiding and interact with the police politely instead of being hostile as that had not been helpful in some cases.
He assured the public that the police was there to serve them and so both should cooperate to make the society a better place.
Meanwhile, the Director of Kobiri-Wood and Associates, Mrs. Adelaide Kobiri-Woode has advised the public to learn about their basic rights as citizenson their own.
She said when this was done, they would be well equipped to deal with issues that could confront them and to understand the right measures to take.
She advised that much as people were arrested, they had the right to remain silent because whatever they said could be used against them in the law court.
Mrs. Kobiri-Wood stated that in cases where they were not satisfied with a verdict, they had the right to appeal.
She advised people todesist from physical confrontations with the police even if they felt unfairly treated.
She encouraged persons who could not afford the services of lawyers to go to Legal Aid for assistance so that they would be better placed to understand issues.
From DzifaTettehTay, Tema
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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.
