News
Ignore allegations against former Regional Minister — NPP youth
A section of the youth belonging to the New Patriotic Party in the Daffiama-Bussiue-Issa (DBI) Constituency of the Upper West Region have called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to disregard and reject calls from a fraction of the youth in the area to deny the former Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, political appointment in his second term in office as president of the Republic.
The youth in a speech read by Mr Awiliba Naafiw Bazaanye at Issa on Tuesday said that the minister was unfairly opposed by some ‘selfish’ factions within the party and had suffered false allegations irrespective of his hard work and noble service to the region.
This reaction stemmed from series of news conferences by a section of the youth in the Wa Central, Lawra and DBI Constituencies respectively opposing a possible reappointment of Dr Salih as the Regional Minister.
At some of the news conference, the minister was accused of ‘selfishness and disregard for party functionaries as well as masterminding the defeat of some parliamentary candidates’ of the party in the region.
In response to the allegations, Mr Bazaanye refuted allegations levelled against the former minister and described him as a unifier as well as a development-oriented individual who had the progress of the region at heart and worked assiduously to ensure the region developed.
“The said conferences against the former regional minister was borne out of malice, hatred and envy and certainly without substance”, he stated.
He intimated that Dr salih was instrumental in the campaign for the parliamentary candidate of the area, Mr Nadi Imoro Sanda and personally supported the numerous campaigns of the candidate by canvassing votes for him and the President.
“Unfortunately, Mr Sanda did not win the contest; but the former minister must not be blamed for the defeat”, he said.
He called on President Akufo-Addo to ignore such ‘greed-incited’ allegations and make his appointment based on his expertise as a President of the republic adding that the youth of the party were ready to support whoever was appointed into office as the minister.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, ISSA
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
News
KNUST mourns death of 3 students
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is grappling with the devastating loss of two students, Akosuah Owusuaa and Bertha Kookale Hammond, who passed away in separate incidents on March 9, 2025.
The university community is still reeling in shock as details of the incidents are scarce, leaving many to read meanings into the loss of these young lives.
Akosuah, a third-year Forest Resource Technology student, was said to have fallen ill before her passing.
Bertha, a final-year English student, also passed away on the same day, with the cause of her death still unknown.
The Association of Students of English, KNUST, released a statement announcing Bertha’s passing, describing her as a “dedicated and talented student” who will be deeply missed.
“It is with great sorrow that we write to you regarding the devastating loss of one of our very own, Bertha Kookale Hammond, a final-year student of English who has passed away, leaving behind a gaping void that cannot be filled.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to Bertha’s family, her friends, and loved ones during this agonising moment. May we find comfort in the memories of her bright smile and sheer enthusiasm.”
These recent deaths come on the heels of a similar incident involving a final-year Biological Sciences student, Joana Deladem Yabani, whose lifeless body was found near the KNUST Disability and Rehabilitation Centre on February 27, 2025.
The cause of death is still under investigation, with initial police examination revealing marks of violence on her body.
CCTV footage analysis led to the arrest of a suspect, Daniel Tuffuor, a 21-year-old fellow student, and reportedly Joana’s boyfriend, the same day.
Tuffuor was remanded and is set to appear in court again on March 17, 2025.
The KNUST community is mourning the loss of these young lives, and the university is working closely with the authorities to ensure that justice was served.
From Kingsley E.Hope,
Kumasi
