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Security intercepts 53 parcels of smuggled ‘wee’ in Ketu South
The security agencies in the Ketu South Municipality in the Volta Region have foiled another attempt by the notorious cross-border drug cartel there to cross into Togo with a huge consignment of dried leaves suspected be to marijuana, otherwise known as ‘wee’.
This time, three men who were spotted with a sack, by a joint team of personnel from the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) on a routine patrol exercise last Saturday at Beat 6 of the Ghana-Togo border fled, leaving behind the maxi sack containing the stuff, as the security personnel closed in on them.
The abandoned sack which was taken to the Aflao Sector Command of the GIS was found to contain 53 parcels of the dried leaves, weighing 22,683.3 grammes in total.
This comes barely 48 hours after 31 parcels of cannabis were left behind by four fleeing members of the cartel, at the Beat 11 border enclave near Aflao.
In both instances, the couriers were trying to enter Togo through unapproved routes when the security personnel pursued them.
In the earlier incident, it was established that two of the suspects were Togolese.
The officer in-charge of the Public Affairs Unit of the GIS in the Volta Region, Assistant Inspector Felix Klu-Adjei disclosed these to the Ghanaian Times in Ho yesterday.
He said that a manhunt for all the seven suspects was underway.
Meanwhile, he said that the parcels of dried leaves had been handed over to the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) for further investigations.
FROM ALBERTO MARIO NORETTI, HO
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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.
