News
Take urgent legal action against ‘galamseyers’ – OccupyGhana to govt

OccupyGhana has renewed its call for the prosecution of individuals involved in mining activities within protected areas.
The civil society organization emphasized that taking legal action against offenders would serve as a strong deterrent to others and help protect the environment, particularly in sensitive areas.
Illegal mining, known as galamsey, has gained widespread notoriety in recent months, with the practice on the rise. Several unions and associations, including the Ghana Medical Association, have joined the demand for action, calling for a three-month ban on all mining activities to curb the ongoing environmental destruction.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 10, OccupyGhana urged the government to take decisive steps and prosecute those caught engaging in illegal mining.
They said, “Take Immediate Action Against Galamsey Offenders! We call for urgent legal action against persons and companies accused of illegal mining, especially in protected areas. Government inaction, especially concerning politically connected entities, has fostered impunity and undermined public trust. This must be addressed forthwith.”
According to them, “Confiscate all Galamsey Lands! We propose an amendment to the law to criminalise landowners making lands available for Galamsey. Unless a landowner can prove that their land was forcibly taken over (by having made a contemporaneous report to the police) they should be taken to have abetted the offence by facilitating it.”
“These lands should therefore be confiscated as ‘tainted property’ and then repurposed for public benefit, including reforestation, farming or even regulated mining.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Water Resources Commission also made similar demands recently, calling for the enforcement of mining laws to protect Ghana’s waterbodies.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
News
Aide Du Ciel presents over 50 laptops and projectors to selected schools in KEEA

With the world now connected as a global village through the power of computers, Aide Du Ciel, a France-based non-profit organization to wit ‘Help From Above,’ has presented over 50 laptops and projectors to some selected basic schools in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality in the Central Region.
The donation aims to enhance teaching and learning in the area, as many basic schools within the Municipality lack the necessary resources for effective ICT education.
The schools that received the donated laptops and projectors include Ntranoa M/A Basic School, Abee AME Zion School, Bronyibima M/A Basic School, Abreshia M/A Basic School, and Breman M/A Basic School, Wesley Basic School, Essaman United, Dominase Basic , Abreshia JHS and Nana Kwame Essoun.
During a media engagement, Mrs. Mary Frimpong, the founder of the organization and a Ghanaian based in France, shared the experience that motivated this generous act. She recalled visiting a basic school during one of her holidays in Ghana, where the students had no knowledge of how to use a computer.
This troubling situation inspired her to offer assistance to basic schools, particularly in Elmina and its surrounding areas, so that students could gain hands-on experience with computers.
Mrs. Frimpong emphasised that in today’s world, a student’s future could be at risk if they lack the ability to use a computer effectively.
Her goal is to ensure that every student in Elmina and its vicinity acquires comprehensive computer skills. She also urged the beneficiary schools to take proper care of the donated items, assuring them that her organization would frequently check on the condition of the laptops and projectors.
In interviews with Sompa TV’s Eric Annan, several heads of schools and teachers expressed their immense gratitude and excitement over the donation. They acknowledged that the equipment would significantly enhance teaching and learning, particularly in ICT, as the world becomes increasingly computerized.
Students from the beneficiary schools also expressed their joy and gratitude to Aide Du Ciel.
They noted that the laptops would greatly help them gain a better understanding and deeper knowledge of their ICT education.
By Benedicta Gyimaah Folley
News
Meeting with Muslim Leaders: Muntaka calls for unity in promoting peace and security

At a crucial meeting with Muslim Religious Leaders and Zongo Chiefs at the National Mosque Conference Room in Accra, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, Minister for the Interior called on the leaders to use their authority to support the security services to ensure peace and security in their communities.
According to him, Muslim Religious Leaders and Chiefs are well respected for shaping the moral fabric in the Zongo communities and there is the need for a collaborative approach to peace-building in the country for the safety of all.
On assumption of office, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has been engaging key stakeholders such as the Regional House of Chiefs, Christian Religious Leaders, Muslim Religious Leaders and Zongo Chiefs to foster partnership in improving social cohesion, addressing security concerns and promoting peace and security in the country.
The Minister expressed concern over security issues including vigilantism, land guard activities and chieftaincy issues in some parts of the country which have led to the imposition of curfews in those areas.
He urged the good people of Ghana to use appropriate means to resolve any challenges they may confront otherwise the peace of this country could be jeopardized and it will affect all.
The Minister urged them to identify community-based initiatives that promote peace and social cohesion, such as interfaith dialogue, community outreach programs and cultural events.
He also urged the development of a collaborative programme to address the root cause of conflict and establish open channels of communication between communities, the Ministry of the Interior and other stakeholders.
He also noted the need to identify community needs and develop targeted interventions that promote social and economic development.
On recent issues about drug abuse by some youth in the country which poses a significant threat to the nation’s well-being, undermining the very fabric of the society, the Minister condemned the act and called on the religious leaders and Zongo Chiefs to help the government by educating the public and promote peace and social cohesion to reverse the negative trend for the good of Ghana.
Muntaka Mubarak thanked them for honouring his invitation and encouraged them to build systems and mechanisms that would turn the Zongo Communities into more peaceful places of settlement.
The Ameer of Ahmadiya Mission Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih appealed to the Minister and other key stakeholders to help improve education in the Zongo Communities, as the lack of schools accounts for the challenges in those areas.
The Muslim Leaders and the Zongo Chiefs commended the Minister for the meeting. They prayed for him and wished him Allah’s guidance and protection.