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Police in Tumu impound trucks load of smuggled fertiliser

Police in Tumu have impounded two trucks of smuggled subsidised fertiliser meant for the government’s flagship programme, Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJs), at Ligmera junction around Kupulima in the Sissala East Municipality.

The impounded fertilisers, which were in 25kg bags, with inscription “Planting for Food and Jobs” were loaded in two articulated trucks with registration numbers GW-8761-09 and GE-458-09, and were being smuggled to Leo, in neighbouring Burkina Faso.

Confirming the incident to Ghanaian Times at Wa yesterday, Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Gideon Boateng said the trucks were intercepted by police personnel who were on patrol duty around the area on Sunday.

He said upon inspecting the truck, they found several bags of fertiliser in both trucks and impounded the vehicles together with the fertiliser.

“The drivers of the vehicle after parking the trucks at the District Police Headquarters absconded and have since not been found,” he said.

He added that the police have launched investigation into the matter and would endeavour to identify the perpetrators of the crime for prosecution.

The Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Francis Aboagye Nyarko cautioned Ghanaians against perpetrating what he described as “unpatriotic acts.”

He appealed to residents to desist from such acts as it went a long way to affect farmers in the country and deprived them of the basic inputs they needed to ensure high productivity.

Source: Ghanaian Times

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Greater Accra Regional Minister calls on traders to operate within designated spaces to ease congestion

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has called on traders in the city to operate within designated spaces to ease congestion and maintain cleanliness in market centres.

Speaking with traders at the Kaneshie Market on February 4, 2025, during a tour of selected market centres to assess sanitation challenges, reinforce government commitment to address indiscriminate refuse disposal, and improve market conditions, the minister called for collaboration between traders and local authorities to address sanitation and maintain order.

She assured the new government’s commitment to addressing urban challenges and improving market conditions in Accra as part of its broader agenda for a cleaner city.

“We are here to engage you in a conversation about our mission to improve cleanliness in Greater Accra. We are taking into account the conditions of the roads, your problems, and your suggestions. Most walkways have been taken over by traders instead of serving their original purpose, which leads to traffic congestion. We want to understand your challenges so that we can find the best way to assist you,” the Minister stated.

The Minister who was accompanied by officials from the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council ( GARCC) led by the Chief Director of the GARCC, Mrs. Lilian Baeka, some staff from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly(AMA) and other sister assemblies in the Region used the opportunity to enquire about the state of waste disposal within the market and the efficiency of refuse collection by the assemblies.

“Does it take long for the refuse to be collected after it is gathered? These are some of the issues we want to address,” she added, inviting traders to share their thoughts.

The President of the Greater Accra Markets Association, Mrs. Mercy Naa Afrowa Needjan who welcomed the minister, expressed gratitude for the visit and assured traders commitment to rally support behind her as a woman in leadership.

”In the market, we face numerous challenges we wish to discuss. There are various groups of traders with some selling at the top, others beneath, while some can be relocated, others should be removed. However, we must follow due process to ensure that people’s livelihoods are not affected. She cannot do it alone, and we are ready to support her efforts,” she stated.

She noted that efforts to regulate trading activities, especially on the Kaneshie overhead footbridge, had proven difficult despite continuous engagements with the police.

Madam Mercy Naa Afrowa Needjan identified street trading as a major concern, explaining that it had significantly affected business inside the main markets.

“Our major problem is those selling outside. Because of them, the market is now dry. Almost everyone has moved onto the streets. They are our brothers and sisters, and we want them inside the market. There are a lot of vacant spaces they can occupy,” she said.

On sanitation, she remarked that significant progress had been made, stressing that previously, the Kaneshie market was associated with rubbish, but the story had changed for good.

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President John Mahama submits list of Deputy Ministers

President John Dramani Mahama has nominated 13 people to serve as deputy ministers in his government.

In accordance with Articles 78(1) and 79(1) of the Constitution, President Mahama submitted the names of the underlisted to Parliament, through the Speaker, for prior approval to serve as Deputy Ministers.