Hot!
Ghanaian community in Germany pays fines for 12 prison inmates in Ashanti Region
• Rev. Frimpong Mensah (left), a member of IPCA in Ashanti Region, Rev Supt. Stella Katso (2nd left),
Prison Chaplain, Supt. Bukari (right) and Mr. Owusu Barimah after the presentation
Moved by the example of Jesus Christ in shedding his blood on the cross of calvary for the forgiveness of sins,a Ghanaian community based in Germany in collaboration with the International Prisons Chaplains Association (IPCA) have paid approximately GH¢ 20,000.00 fines to free 12 prison inmates, who are minor offenders from the various prisons in the Ashanti Region.
The fines were paid before Easter. This was made possible by the group through the effective collaboration of IPCA and discussions held with prisons authorities in the region.
In addition to paying the fine, the group has also given the inmates pocket money to enable them to travel to their hometowns.
The group said it had identified IPCA as a credible partner having followed its activities over the period, especially the global advocacy campaign in fighting for the rights of prison inmates, and interacted with some leading members of the association.
The President of IPCA, Ghana, Rev Steve Mensah said the two groups would concentrate on extending their services to cover other regions with emphasis on female prisoners,
and make a strong case in pushing forward the introduction of Non- Custodial Sentences in the country.
He was full of praise for the Germany-based group, especially Mr Kweku Appiah and Mr. Owusu Barimah and the leading members of the Ashanti Region Branch of IPCA together with the Prison authorities.
IPCA has over the years been spearheading the welfare of prison inmates, feted them and provided them with some basic needs.
He said IPCA would monitor the lives of the freed inmates for a couple of months and support them with some basic needs so that they would not go astray and eventually find themselves back in prison, a situation which would put their work in vain.
By Raymond Kyekye
Hot!
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.
