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NPP Chairman, 2 others arrested for stealing metals for bridge maintenance granted bail
The Akyem Swedru Circuit Court presided by His Honour William Twumasi Appiah has granted bail to the Oda NPP Constituency Chairman and two other accomplices accused of stealing metals meant for the maintenance of a bridge between Akyem Oda and Abenase.
This was after the Chairman, Awudu Issaka and his accomplices, Ibrahim Issifu and Baba Adams pleaded not guilty when they appeared before the Court.
The metals are valued at GHC40,000, according officials of the Ghana Highway Authority.
The prosecutor, Inspector George Oteng revealed that sometime in July, 2019, Ibrahim Issifu and Baba Adams while riding in car with registration number GW 934-13 were stopped by the Police at a barrier between Oda and Oda Nkwanta.
According to him, the suspects carried some heavy metals on the Kia car they were driving.
He said when the Police questioned Ibrahim Issifu about the metals, he claimed ownership but told the officers that he bought them from a Ghana Highway Authority staff.
He explained that the suspects called Awudu Issaka, who spoke to the Police to allow them passage.
The NPP Chairman, the prosecutor said intervened. But the two were later arrested and arraigned.
The Court, in its first sitting issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Chairman Awudu Issaka for failing to appear before it but the warrant was cancelled after his lawyer, Richard Ofen had told the Court his client was ill.
He was, however, present in Court today to face to face prosecution.
The Court adjourned sitting to May, 18.
Speaking to the media after proceedings, Awudu Issaka explained that he only intervened because he knew them as an NPP polling station executive and a decent businessman in the constituency.
One of the accomplices, Ibrahim Issifu also explained that “I only called Chairman Awudu to help him pass the Police barrier but I have been wrongly accused.”
Source: www.myjoyonline.com
News
ICU holds Greater Accra regional youth, women confab
The Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) on Friday held the Greater Accra Regional Youth and Women’s Conference to build a strategic network.
The conference which brought together representatives of the Union was a great opportunity for ICU Ghana to make its voice heard on policies that were crucial to the development of the country.
The platform was also used to elect new officers for the Greater Accra Branch of The ICU Ghana to mark its 12th National Quadrennial Conference in August.
The General Secretary of the ICU Ghana, Mr Morgan Ayawine, called on government to assist the two state-owned media organisation, New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of The Spectator and The Ghanaian Times newspapers and Graphic Communication Group Limited (GCGL).
“The two state-owned media played major roles in disseminating government policies, educating, entertaining and informing the public of the happenings in the world,” he added.
He said ICU Ghana would also raise issues about the recapitalisation of the two organisations with the sector minister.
Mr Ayawine disclosed that the ADB and NIB banks were also going through the same ordeal but government intervened and urged government to do same for the two state-owned organisations.
He stressed on equal partnership between unions and employers, saying the capital and labour were crucial to create, produce and generate funds.
The General Secretary advised the various branches of the association to suggest solutions on socio-economic issues such as employment for discussions.
The newly-elected members who were sworn in by the General Secretary, Mr Morgan Ayawine includes Belinda Cochrane-chairman, Eric Ekow Turkson-Vice chairman and Moses Kwaku Otoo-Secretary.
Others were Charles Akomea-Financial Secretary, Charles Biden- Executive Member, Diana Asiedu-Women’s Representative and Samuella A. Brago-Youth Representative.
The chairman of the Greater Accra Branch of the ICU Ghana, Belinda Cochrane thanked the leadership for contributing to the success of the union.
She added that the conference was to prepare for the 12th National Quadrennial Conference and also to take stock of the activities of the branch for the past years and discuss issues on the ground.
News
Minister for Health holds emergency stakeholder meeting with principals and directors of Health Training Institutions
In a proactive move to strengthen collaboration within the health sector, the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has convened an emergency meeting with the Conference of Heads of Health Training Institutions (COHHETI) across the country.
The meeting aimed to deepen engagement between the Ministry and key stakeholders responsible for training health professionals.
The session provided a platform for open dialogue on the challenges facing health training institutions, the quality of healthcare education, and the strategic direction of human resource development in the sector.
Addressing the stakeholders, Mr. Akandoh emphasized the importance of fostering strong and cordial relationships between the Ministry and training institutions to ensure a well-coordinated and responsive healthcare system.
He indicated that the purpose of the meeting was also to collaborate, discuss concerns, and find practical solutions that would benefit not only the institutions but also the Ghanaian people who rely on the healthcare system.
The President of COHHETI, Madam Margaret Mary Alacoque welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and necessary. She raised concerns about transportation challenges, accreditation delays, staffing shortages, and the general conditions and status of service for Health Training Institutions (HTIs). She also shared innovative strategies that some institutions have adopted to improve training outcomes.
In his response, Mr.Akandoh assured participants of the Ministry’s commitment to addressing their concerns and announced plans to enhance coordination and follow-ups.
He added that the Ministry would soon introduce policy reforms aimed at improving standards in health education and ensuring alignment with national health priorities.
These reforms include reducing the cost of admission, implementing automatic code generation for applicants, and clarifying leadership roles within HTIs.
