Monday, 2 April 2018

Sankore: Thugs beat up police, seize patrol vehicle for robbery

Seven armed men on Friday evening overpowered a police patrol team at Sankore, in the Brong Ahafo Region, and seized their vehicle.

The thugs, according to the police, later used the seized vehicle to undertake series of robberies at targeted locations, including the residence of the Member of Parliament (MP) of the area.

Four people, including a police officer, are currently receiving treatment for cutlass wounds following the attack.

The Asunafo South MP – whose house was robbed – Eric Opoku is convinced the robbers are members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Police have not confirmed the MP’s claim that the attackers were NPP supporters, but said their men had to abandon their patrol duties and ran for their lives.

“The police vehicle fell into a ditch; they [the distressed patrol team] pulled the driver out of the vehicle and the policemen exited the vehicle and found their way back to the police station to secure their lives,” District Police commander for Sankore, DSP Robert Akwasi Boakye, told Joy News’ Elton John Brobbey.

He said investigations are underway to apprehend the ringleader, one Godfred Amponsah, said to be a beneficiary of the Justice for All Programme.

Alleged ‘NPP thugs’

MP for Asunafo South, Eric Opoku, claims the thugs had first confronted the police at Abuom Junction which leads to Sankore, preventing them from patrolling the community.

“The NPP boys met them and told them they will not allow them to enter the town to do their patrol work. That they [ the thugs] don’t understand why they are patrolling the community,” the MP told Joy News.

However, the joint police-military patrol team had insisted and gone ahead to undertake their legitimate duty.

“They [the attackers] did not agree with them [patrol team]. So they chased them and the police had to run,” the MP said.

No arrests have been made, however, DSP Robert Akwasi Boakye says police chiefs, including the Regional Commander, have visited the town to get first hand information about the attack on the security forces.

Source:myjoyonline.com

Amewu 'exposes' Anglogold Ashanti

The Lands Minister has lashed out at AngloGold Ashanti for shortchanging local companies over contracts to supply the mining firm with equipment and other consumables as plans are underway to redevelop it.

Anglogold Ashanti Tuesday morning put together a forum in Accra to coach local companies on how to be successful in bidding for contract ahead of the exercise.

But the forum it appears was a charade John Peter Amewu alleged.

“I have a feeling that this gathering is a mere propaganda gathering. It is just to send signals to Ghanaians that AngloGold will be doing things differently,” he said, adding but that is not the case.

John Peter Amewu blew said, the ministry is reliably informed, AngloGold has already shortlisted at least two foreign companies to undertake the supplying job and was only organizing the forum for purposes of propaganda.

“Two foreign contractors have already been shortlisted and the ministry got this information 11:00 pm yesterday. This government is not against foreign companies but all foreign companies working in this country must take note that the resources belong to Ghanaians. You don’t go to South Africa and bring the black boys there. You don’t go to Australia and send the black boys there.

“We want to entertain the white boys to work with us but there must be equity,” he said.

AngloGold Ashanti officials are yet to officially comment on the matter.

Source:myjoyonline.com

Mahama bemoans fake facebook accounts in his name

Former President John Mahama has warned Ghanaians and his social media followers to be wary of fake social media handles in his name.

Mahama who appears concerned over the development warned via his verified twitter handle @JDMahama that “There are many pages on Facebook using my name or a combination of my official name,” he noted.

He concluded: “ I wish to make it known, once more, that this is my only Facebook Account (@JDMahama) and my twitter handle is @JDMahama. Any other account is unauthorized & unknown to me or my Office. Thanks”.

Mr. Mahama who spent his Easter festivities helping Sierra Leone with their elections extended warm wishes to the Light House Chapel in Accra which appears to have extended invitation to him to attend their service.

“I wish the Lighthouse Family a great Good Friday Miracle Service with @EvangelistDag. Will be missing today’s service because of an elections assignment in Sierra Leone tmrrw. Recall fondly the power of the preaching & the fellowship when I joined you in 2016”.

Source:myjoyonline.com

Ebony Reigns laid to rest

'Sponsor', 'Maame Hwe', 'Kupe' among the many other hits that got even those who never thought they will dance to Afropop music on their feet, has today brought tears into the eyes of scores of fans as the ‘90s Bad Girl’ is laid to rest today.

Ebony Reigns as she is popularly known in showbiz perished in a gory car accident in the night of February 8 at Nyamebekyere in the Ahafo Ano South District in the Ashanti Region.

Priscilla Opoku Kwarteng as she is known in personal life was returning from Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region, where she went to visit her mother. She met her untimely death when the Jeep she was riding in collided with a VIP bus coming from the opposite direction.

The dancehall artiste died with two others, her friend Franky and a military man identified as Lance Corporal Francis Atsu Vondee.

Ebony’s father confirmed to JoyNews on the morning of her death that the ‘Maame Hwe’ hit singer was scheduled to go on a tour of Europe to promote her music.

“…I have her visa, it is still with me in the room”, he told JoyNews’ Maxwell Agbagba. She died a week shy of her 21st birthday.

The body of the late musician was laid to rest at the Osu Cemetary after a funeral service at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra.

Some of the known personalities at the funeral included Catherine Afeku, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Bice Osei Kuffour (Obour), President of Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA); Dr Lawrence Tetteh of UK-based World Miracle Outreach, Wanlov, Countryman Songo and Rev Thomas Yawson.

Sammy Awuku of the Youth Employment Agency, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Nicholas Omane Acheampong and Rex Omar are also at the funeral.