29/02/08
Story: Mary Mensah
A parade of retired and serving soldiers to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 28th February Christiansborg Crossroad Shooting incident was held yesterday at the Freedom Monument at Osu.
The day is celebrated each year to honour three ex-servicemen, Sgt Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey, who, in 1948, were killed by the colonial police while leading a peaceful march to the Osu Castle to present a petition to the then Governor of the Gold Coast.
The parade was mounted by a contingent of military and police personnel, with Squadron Leader Yosi Laatey-Ayeh as the Parade Commander.
It was attended by high-ranking government officials, parliamentarians and other VIPs, including the Defence Minister, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt Gen J.B. Danquah, and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Patrick Acheampong.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the government and people of Ghana by the Minister of Defence, while the Chief of the Defence Staff laid one on behalf of the security agencies. The Chairman of the Veterans Association laid one on behalf of the veterans, while the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah II, laid the last one on behalf of the Ga Traditional Council.
The solemn aspect of the ceremony was when a roll call of the departed warriors was made without response.
The veterans, numbering about 20, who were clad in their old military uniforms, responded “absent” each time the name of a departed colleague was mentioned.
A minute’s silence was observed after the sounding of the last post and the flags were raised.
Ex-Warrant Officer B. Laryea, who read a modified version of the history of the 28th February shooting, said during the Second World War, soldiers of the Royal West African Frontier Force fought alongside the allied forces and, at the end of the war, there was increased agitation by the anti colonial movement for independence for the colonies in South East Asia and Africa.
He said the war veterans, who had fought gallantly and had received high commendation, were demobilised at the end of the war and paid a pittance by way of war gratuity of about one shilling a day.
He said the ex-servicemen were naturally not happy with the gratuity. They thought the British Government, which then ruled the Gold Coast, would, in appreciation of the sacrifices, pay them appropriate gratuity.
Ex-WOI Laryea said several appeals made by the soldiers to the authorities fell on deaf ears and that after a period of waiting, the ex-servicemen decided that a direct approach should be made to the British Governor and Commander-in- Chief of the Gold Coast Regiment, Sir Gerald Creasy.
On that fateful day, he said, a number of them were on a march to the Castle to present their petition when Mr Imray fired at them when his two orders to disperse were disobeyed.
The news about the death spread rapidly, leading to a breakdown of law and order and that encouraged anti-colonial movements which led to the attainment of independence in 1957.
Friday, February 29, 2008
TWO WEE SMUGGLERS NABBED (PAGE 40)
29/02/2008
Story: Mary Mensah
The Highway Patrol Team on the Accra-Ho road yesterday arrested two men who allegedly tried to transport nine large packages of substances suspected to be Indian hemp from Ho to Accra.
The two were arrested in separate operations on the same stretch of the road with the parcels hidden under the seat of the passenger vehicle on which they were travelling.
They are Tetteh Martey, 42, and Tawiah Moses, 38.
According to a police source, at about 2:30 p.m. on Monday the patrol team stopped a mini bus at the Doryimu junction for a routine check.
The bus was travelling from Ho to Accra with passengers on board and while the bus was being searched a large black plastic bag was found under the seat and when it was opened eight large parcels of the substance which had been neatly wrapped was found.
Martey claimed ownership of the substances and said he was asked to give them to somebody at Afienya but he could not disclose the name of the person who gave him the substances.
He was, therefore, arrested to assist in investigations.
In the other incident the patrol team intercepted a passenger bus at the Shai Hills at dawn on Tuesday.
The source said the bus was also travelling from Ho to Accra with passengers on board and when it was stopped for a check another large black plastic bag containing Indian hemp was found.
He said the parcel was on the lap of Tawiah, who was sitting at the back of the vehicle, and as soon as the police stopped the bus he quickly pushed it under one of the seats but his action attracted the attention of the police who found the substance under the seat and he was arrested.
The two are currently assisting the police in their investigations.
Story: Mary Mensah
The Highway Patrol Team on the Accra-Ho road yesterday arrested two men who allegedly tried to transport nine large packages of substances suspected to be Indian hemp from Ho to Accra.
The two were arrested in separate operations on the same stretch of the road with the parcels hidden under the seat of the passenger vehicle on which they were travelling.
They are Tetteh Martey, 42, and Tawiah Moses, 38.
According to a police source, at about 2:30 p.m. on Monday the patrol team stopped a mini bus at the Doryimu junction for a routine check.
The bus was travelling from Ho to Accra with passengers on board and while the bus was being searched a large black plastic bag was found under the seat and when it was opened eight large parcels of the substance which had been neatly wrapped was found.
Martey claimed ownership of the substances and said he was asked to give them to somebody at Afienya but he could not disclose the name of the person who gave him the substances.
He was, therefore, arrested to assist in investigations.
In the other incident the patrol team intercepted a passenger bus at the Shai Hills at dawn on Tuesday.
The source said the bus was also travelling from Ho to Accra with passengers on board and when it was stopped for a check another large black plastic bag containing Indian hemp was found.
He said the parcel was on the lap of Tawiah, who was sitting at the back of the vehicle, and as soon as the police stopped the bus he quickly pushed it under one of the seats but his action attracted the attention of the police who found the substance under the seat and he was arrested.
The two are currently assisting the police in their investigations.
FOUR ARMED ROBBERS NABBED (Page 28 Lead)
29/02/2008
Story and Pix: Mary Mensah
Four suspected armed robbers who snatched a taxi from its owner at Pig Farm and went on a stealing spree at Dzorwulu have been arrested by the Accra Regional Police Command.
The four were arrested by residents at the Sid Theatre area of Dzorwulu when they snatched the bag of a lady who was walking by the roadside.
They are Kwadwo Djan, alias Junior, 19; Jacob Etiano, 21; Kofi Hene, 18 and Paul Mensah, 21, all drivers’ mates living at Pig Farm.
According to the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCP Opare Addo, at about 2:00 a.m(Which day ???????) the driver of the taxi, a Kia Pride with registration number GR. 2187 Z, was on his usual rounds at the PTC area at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle when two of the suspects signalled him to stop.
They told him to take them to an area at Pig Farm but within a few metres to their destination the one sitting in front of the taxi asked the driver to stop for his friend to alight.
He said as soon as the driver stopped the taxi, he spotted two men wielding a machete and a knife and they asked him to step down or they would kill him.
He said the driver alighted and they entered the taxi and sped off.
The driver went to the Kotobabi Police Station and lodged a complaint after which he went home.
According to the commander, the four went about snatching bags and other valuables, using the machetes and knives to threaten their victims.
He said at about 6:30 a.m, they pounced on the complainant, Ms Murial Naa Ofeibea Dodoo, who was on her way to work and snatched her bag.
*PIX* The suspected armed robbers (from left to right): Paul Mensah, 21, Kofi Hene, 18, Jacob Etiano, 21 and Kwadwo Djan, alias Junior, 19, who are all drivers’ mates living at Pig Farm.
Story and Pix: Mary Mensah
Four suspected armed robbers who snatched a taxi from its owner at Pig Farm and went on a stealing spree at Dzorwulu have been arrested by the Accra Regional Police Command.
The four were arrested by residents at the Sid Theatre area of Dzorwulu when they snatched the bag of a lady who was walking by the roadside.
They are Kwadwo Djan, alias Junior, 19; Jacob Etiano, 21; Kofi Hene, 18 and Paul Mensah, 21, all drivers’ mates living at Pig Farm.
According to the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCP Opare Addo, at about 2:00 a.m(Which day ???????) the driver of the taxi, a Kia Pride with registration number GR. 2187 Z, was on his usual rounds at the PTC area at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle when two of the suspects signalled him to stop.
They told him to take them to an area at Pig Farm but within a few metres to their destination the one sitting in front of the taxi asked the driver to stop for his friend to alight.
He said as soon as the driver stopped the taxi, he spotted two men wielding a machete and a knife and they asked him to step down or they would kill him.
He said the driver alighted and they entered the taxi and sped off.
The driver went to the Kotobabi Police Station and lodged a complaint after which he went home.
According to the commander, the four went about snatching bags and other valuables, using the machetes and knives to threaten their victims.
He said at about 6:30 a.m, they pounced on the complainant, Ms Murial Naa Ofeibea Dodoo, who was on her way to work and snatched her bag.
*PIX* The suspected armed robbers (from left to right): Paul Mensah, 21, Kofi Hene, 18, Jacob Etiano, 21 and Kwadwo Djan, alias Junior, 19, who are all drivers’ mates living at Pig Farm.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
COURT WAS TRICKED TO GRANT BAIL-JUDGE (Page 3 Lead)
25/02/08
Story: Mary Mensah
THE High Court judge who granted bail to the only Nigerian suspect in the Prampram cocaine trial has indicated that the suspect had not been charged with the possession of the 67 parcels of cocaine which was seized at Prampram in May 2006.
He said the suspect was presented to the court as a professional driver who was hired to pick a vehicle loaded with fish from the Prampram Beach to Achimota in Accra.
According to the judge, Mr Justice Anthony K. Abada, the prosecution neither presented the accused, Kenneth Ugah, as a Nigerian nor an accomplice in the matter.
He claimed that the facts, as made available to the court, indicated that Ugah was to be paid a fee for his services as driver and that although the prosecution raised objections to the bail application, he had to grant the bail to save a man he considered innocent.
Justice Abada stated in his ruling, which was made available to the Daily Graphic, that the suspect, in his application for bail, had stated that he was an innocent person who had been held in custody, since his arrest on May 21, 2006, without trial, contrary to Article 14 (4) of the 1992 Constitution.
The judge said the prosecution opposed the granting of bail not on the grounds that the applicant had actual knowledge of the nature and quality of the article possessed, or that the applicant had been aware that what he possessed was cocaine, a narcotic drug, but on the rather flimsy excuse that since the actual owner of the goods, Gordon, was still at large, the release of the applicant on bail could hamper investigations and that the application was premature and should, therefore, be refused.
“In my judgement, the whole purpose of bail before trial is to secure the attendance of the accused at his trial and to secure any sentence that may be pronounced on him subsequent to his conviction,” the Judge stated.
Justice Abada held that it was self evident that a person who had been denied bail before trial, only to be subsequently acquitted, would have suffered injustice, adding that it was to prevent that injustice that courts were granted powers to grant bail in appropriate cases.
The principle was that once it was established that a trial was probable within a reasonable time, then bail for persons accused of crime was mandatory, he explained.
“Failure or refusal to grant bail under such circumstances will constitute a direct infringement of the constitutional rights of the individual. See Okyere V. The Republic (1972) 1 GLR 99 at p. 104,” the judgement added.
“In the circumstance, the applicant is entitled to bail and shall be admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢30,000 with a surety to be justified and is to report himself to the police once every fortnight. Meanwhile the police must redouble their efforts in tracing and arresting Goddy, alias Gordon, the true owner of the whitish substance suspected to be cocaine,” he said.
Ugah, 42, was arrested as the driver of the Mercedes Benz bus, with registration number GW 1243 X, in which 28 cartons of fresh fish and 67 large cartons of cocaine were found.
The drugs were intercepted by the Buffalo Unit of the Police Service in Tema, in conjunction with the Prampram Police.
During investigations, Ugah was taken to his house at Madina, where samples of the material used to wrap the drug and other items, together with another Benz bus of the same colour as the one used to cart the drug, were found.
He was then arraigned, charged with conspiracy and possession of narcotic drugs without lawful authority and was remanded into custody to enable the police to conduct further investigations into the case.
But while he was at the James Fort Prison, he was reported to have fallen sick and taken to the Police Hospital for treatment.
According to police sources, Ugah’s condition was said to have deteriorated and, as a result, his counsel filed a motion for bail at the High Court, upon which the court, presided over by Justice Abada, granted him bail on June 25, 2007 in the sum of GH¢30,000 with one surety to be justified.
Ugah was to appear again in court on July 11, 2007 but he failed to do so.
Frank Wood, well known at the courts for having stood surety for many accused persons, who stood surety for Ugah, has been ordered by the court to produce him (Ugah) but he has failed to do so.
Story: Mary Mensah
THE High Court judge who granted bail to the only Nigerian suspect in the Prampram cocaine trial has indicated that the suspect had not been charged with the possession of the 67 parcels of cocaine which was seized at Prampram in May 2006.
He said the suspect was presented to the court as a professional driver who was hired to pick a vehicle loaded with fish from the Prampram Beach to Achimota in Accra.
According to the judge, Mr Justice Anthony K. Abada, the prosecution neither presented the accused, Kenneth Ugah, as a Nigerian nor an accomplice in the matter.
He claimed that the facts, as made available to the court, indicated that Ugah was to be paid a fee for his services as driver and that although the prosecution raised objections to the bail application, he had to grant the bail to save a man he considered innocent.
Justice Abada stated in his ruling, which was made available to the Daily Graphic, that the suspect, in his application for bail, had stated that he was an innocent person who had been held in custody, since his arrest on May 21, 2006, without trial, contrary to Article 14 (4) of the 1992 Constitution.
The judge said the prosecution opposed the granting of bail not on the grounds that the applicant had actual knowledge of the nature and quality of the article possessed, or that the applicant had been aware that what he possessed was cocaine, a narcotic drug, but on the rather flimsy excuse that since the actual owner of the goods, Gordon, was still at large, the release of the applicant on bail could hamper investigations and that the application was premature and should, therefore, be refused.
“In my judgement, the whole purpose of bail before trial is to secure the attendance of the accused at his trial and to secure any sentence that may be pronounced on him subsequent to his conviction,” the Judge stated.
Justice Abada held that it was self evident that a person who had been denied bail before trial, only to be subsequently acquitted, would have suffered injustice, adding that it was to prevent that injustice that courts were granted powers to grant bail in appropriate cases.
The principle was that once it was established that a trial was probable within a reasonable time, then bail for persons accused of crime was mandatory, he explained.
“Failure or refusal to grant bail under such circumstances will constitute a direct infringement of the constitutional rights of the individual. See Okyere V. The Republic (1972) 1 GLR 99 at p. 104,” the judgement added.
“In the circumstance, the applicant is entitled to bail and shall be admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢30,000 with a surety to be justified and is to report himself to the police once every fortnight. Meanwhile the police must redouble their efforts in tracing and arresting Goddy, alias Gordon, the true owner of the whitish substance suspected to be cocaine,” he said.
Ugah, 42, was arrested as the driver of the Mercedes Benz bus, with registration number GW 1243 X, in which 28 cartons of fresh fish and 67 large cartons of cocaine were found.
The drugs were intercepted by the Buffalo Unit of the Police Service in Tema, in conjunction with the Prampram Police.
During investigations, Ugah was taken to his house at Madina, where samples of the material used to wrap the drug and other items, together with another Benz bus of the same colour as the one used to cart the drug, were found.
He was then arraigned, charged with conspiracy and possession of narcotic drugs without lawful authority and was remanded into custody to enable the police to conduct further investigations into the case.
But while he was at the James Fort Prison, he was reported to have fallen sick and taken to the Police Hospital for treatment.
According to police sources, Ugah’s condition was said to have deteriorated and, as a result, his counsel filed a motion for bail at the High Court, upon which the court, presided over by Justice Abada, granted him bail on June 25, 2007 in the sum of GH¢30,000 with one surety to be justified.
Ugah was to appear again in court on July 11, 2007 but he failed to do so.
Frank Wood, well known at the courts for having stood surety for many accused persons, who stood surety for Ugah, has been ordered by the court to produce him (Ugah) but he has failed to do so.
British Minister Visits DOVVSU ( Inside Pages)
26/02/2008
Story: Mary Mensah & Davina Darko-Mensah
THE British Deputy Minister for International Development, Ms Gillian Merron, has paid a familiarisation visit to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service in Accra.
The visit was to enable Ms Merron to have firsthand knowledge of the operations and activities of the various units within DOVVSU following the passage of the Domestic Violence Law (DVL).
She said an effective judicial system would help minimise domestic violence in the country and commended Ghana for the passage of the DVL, saying that the move would go a long way to give women the confidence to ensure that justice was done.
Ms Merron said violence against women affected their lives and those of their children, saying that hindered the development of the nation.
The Under Secretary urged DOVVSU to continue with the good work it was doing by providing shelter for victims of domestic violence and putting the smiles on their faces.
The National Co-ordinator of DOVVSU, ACP Beatrice Vib-Sanzani, who briefed the British deputy minister, said the unit, which started in 1998, had expanded over the years and currently had 75 desks in various districts throughout the country.
She said the unit handled issues that related to child abuse, domestic violence and other forms of inhuman treatment among women and children.
She observed that DOVVSU received support in the form of counselling and legal assistance from both local and international bodies such as UNICEF, UNFPA, NGOs, among others.
Additionally, it currently had five clinical psychologists who counselled the victims of reported cases.
One of the clinical psychologists, DSP Angela Obeng, explained that some cases that DOVVSU had processed were still pending in court due to delays.
That, she indicated, resulted in most victims preferring out-of-court settlements rather to punishing the offenders of the violence.
Some officials from the British Department for International Development (DFID) accompanied Ms Merron.
Story: Mary Mensah & Davina Darko-Mensah
THE British Deputy Minister for International Development, Ms Gillian Merron, has paid a familiarisation visit to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service in Accra.
The visit was to enable Ms Merron to have firsthand knowledge of the operations and activities of the various units within DOVVSU following the passage of the Domestic Violence Law (DVL).
She said an effective judicial system would help minimise domestic violence in the country and commended Ghana for the passage of the DVL, saying that the move would go a long way to give women the confidence to ensure that justice was done.
Ms Merron said violence against women affected their lives and those of their children, saying that hindered the development of the nation.
The Under Secretary urged DOVVSU to continue with the good work it was doing by providing shelter for victims of domestic violence and putting the smiles on their faces.
The National Co-ordinator of DOVVSU, ACP Beatrice Vib-Sanzani, who briefed the British deputy minister, said the unit, which started in 1998, had expanded over the years and currently had 75 desks in various districts throughout the country.
She said the unit handled issues that related to child abuse, domestic violence and other forms of inhuman treatment among women and children.
She observed that DOVVSU received support in the form of counselling and legal assistance from both local and international bodies such as UNICEF, UNFPA, NGOs, among others.
Additionally, it currently had five clinical psychologists who counselled the victims of reported cases.
One of the clinical psychologists, DSP Angela Obeng, explained that some cases that DOVVSU had processed were still pending in court due to delays.
That, she indicated, resulted in most victims preferring out-of-court settlements rather to punishing the offenders of the violence.
Some officials from the British Department for International Development (DFID) accompanied Ms Merron.
Traffic Congestion's During Presidents Bush Visit(Back page)
26/02/2008
Story: Mary Mensah & Daniel Nkrumah
COMMUTERS in Accra had to contend with heavy traffic congestion for close to six hours yesterday as security men mounted road blocks in the capital in the wake of the visit of the President of the United States of America, Mr George W. Bush.
The traffic situation appeared to have been worsened by some changes in the routes used by President Bush, particularly because such changes were communicated to the public at a very short notice.
Major streets in the capital were dotted with police personnel and flag-waving schoolchildren, who waited anxiously to catch a glimpse of the American President, and the American First Lady, Laura Bush.
In the sweltering heat, some commuters had to walk long distances to their various destinations as empty trotro buses and taxis were caught in the traffic for hours.
One commuter, who gave her name as Mary Quao, tucked her child at her back and walked from the 37 Lorry Station to La, as the road from Accra Girls Secondary through 37 Military Hospital to the Trade Fair Centre at La had been blocked.
Some of the commuters expressed their displeasure at the long hours the roads had been blocked, arguing that they had been told the blockades were going to last for shorter periods.
“This is pure punishment, I am going to Tema and I have to walk a long distance before I can get a bus,” another commuter lashed out and briskly walked away, dabbing his face with a wet handkerchief to wipe away sweat.
Some private car owners, after waiting in the traffic for well over three hours, came out of their cars and joined members of the public lined along the streets to catch a glimpse of President Bush.
One private car owner, Mrs Paulina Marquaye, who had stayed in traffic at the Lands Department for well over two hours, said, “This is not fair to Ghanaians, the man had delayed and they should have at least allowed us to pass rather than leaving us in the sun”.
The American President had breezed through the streets of La to the Osu Castle earlier in the morning around 9.30 am in a convoy of about 40 cars. Seated comfortably in his Ford limousine, he waved at the schoolchildren, and members of the public along the road and it appeared that some of them had expected to see more of him than a brief glimpse in the convoy. “I could not even see his eyes,” one school girl lamented as she walked away quite disappointed.
Just before the movement of the convoy, there had been a hitch when an Urvan bus knocked down one of the motor riders after the bus driver had ignored police signals to stop at the U-Turn just before the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.
The victim was rushed unconscious to the Police Hospital where he was said to be responding to treatment. The driver of the Urvan bus, however, absconded and abandoned the vehicle, which was later towed to the Police Headquarters.
On Tuesday, on President Bush’s arrival at the Kotoka International Airport, police personnel lined up from the Airport Roundabout on both sides of the road to the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.
They had a difficult time controlling the large number of people, especially those at the Palm Wine Junction at La, who had gathered to welcome the American President and his convoy.
It was a spectacular sight as the police motor riders exhibited their riding skills on the roads to the admiration of the crowd who cheered them on. The crowd got into a frenzy when the Ford limousine conveying the President and his wife passed by.
Some of them were happy to have witnessed the event, claiming that they were also part of history and had a story to tell their grandchildren in future.
An American Naval Ship surveyed the waters in front of the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, where the American President was believed to have lodged. Also, there were helicopters that hovered in the skies around the area apparently as part of the security measures.
Story: Mary Mensah & Daniel Nkrumah
COMMUTERS in Accra had to contend with heavy traffic congestion for close to six hours yesterday as security men mounted road blocks in the capital in the wake of the visit of the President of the United States of America, Mr George W. Bush.
The traffic situation appeared to have been worsened by some changes in the routes used by President Bush, particularly because such changes were communicated to the public at a very short notice.
Major streets in the capital were dotted with police personnel and flag-waving schoolchildren, who waited anxiously to catch a glimpse of the American President, and the American First Lady, Laura Bush.
In the sweltering heat, some commuters had to walk long distances to their various destinations as empty trotro buses and taxis were caught in the traffic for hours.
One commuter, who gave her name as Mary Quao, tucked her child at her back and walked from the 37 Lorry Station to La, as the road from Accra Girls Secondary through 37 Military Hospital to the Trade Fair Centre at La had been blocked.
Some of the commuters expressed their displeasure at the long hours the roads had been blocked, arguing that they had been told the blockades were going to last for shorter periods.
“This is pure punishment, I am going to Tema and I have to walk a long distance before I can get a bus,” another commuter lashed out and briskly walked away, dabbing his face with a wet handkerchief to wipe away sweat.
Some private car owners, after waiting in the traffic for well over three hours, came out of their cars and joined members of the public lined along the streets to catch a glimpse of President Bush.
One private car owner, Mrs Paulina Marquaye, who had stayed in traffic at the Lands Department for well over two hours, said, “This is not fair to Ghanaians, the man had delayed and they should have at least allowed us to pass rather than leaving us in the sun”.
The American President had breezed through the streets of La to the Osu Castle earlier in the morning around 9.30 am in a convoy of about 40 cars. Seated comfortably in his Ford limousine, he waved at the schoolchildren, and members of the public along the road and it appeared that some of them had expected to see more of him than a brief glimpse in the convoy. “I could not even see his eyes,” one school girl lamented as she walked away quite disappointed.
Just before the movement of the convoy, there had been a hitch when an Urvan bus knocked down one of the motor riders after the bus driver had ignored police signals to stop at the U-Turn just before the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.
The victim was rushed unconscious to the Police Hospital where he was said to be responding to treatment. The driver of the Urvan bus, however, absconded and abandoned the vehicle, which was later towed to the Police Headquarters.
On Tuesday, on President Bush’s arrival at the Kotoka International Airport, police personnel lined up from the Airport Roundabout on both sides of the road to the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.
They had a difficult time controlling the large number of people, especially those at the Palm Wine Junction at La, who had gathered to welcome the American President and his convoy.
It was a spectacular sight as the police motor riders exhibited their riding skills on the roads to the admiration of the crowd who cheered them on. The crowd got into a frenzy when the Ford limousine conveying the President and his wife passed by.
Some of them were happy to have witnessed the event, claiming that they were also part of history and had a story to tell their grandchildren in future.
An American Naval Ship surveyed the waters in front of the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, where the American President was believed to have lodged. Also, there were helicopters that hovered in the skies around the area apparently as part of the security measures.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
SPECIAL ON BUSH VISIT- US CO-OPERATION WITH POLICE DATES BACK TO INDEPENDENCE (PAGE 29)
19/02/08
Story: Mary Mensah
The co-operation between Ghana and the US government on training of officers and men of the Ghana Police Service dated back after independence in 1960 where policemen from Ghana were sent to the US to be trained in general policing techniques.
After that senior police officers were also trained by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Academy and five senior officers including the Inspector General of Police and former Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department had so far benefitted from the training.
The major support for the service came with the establishment of the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program( ICITAP) by the US Department of Justice in 1986.
ICITAP developed and delivered training courses specifically for the police service locally and in the United States in the following areas, Basic Police Skills Instructors Development, Civil Disorder Management Control, Traffic Control Duties, Patrol Duties, Democratic and Community Policing, courses among others.
The security of the state is one of the chief responsibility of the government of Ghana who believes that education and training is central to the growth and development of the country’s policing systems.
So far over 600 officers and men of the Ghana police service had benefitted from the ICITAP training programmes which aims to transform the “cop-culture” in Ghana.
The United states government also offer other supports to the various security agencies in the country. It supports the upgrade and maintenance of a database system that allows the Government of Ghana to collect data on nearly all persons entering and exiting the country through valid points of entry. it also works in collaboratively with the government of Ghana to eliminate safe havens, restrict travel and eliminate terrorism financing.
The US also assists Ghana to enhance its maritime safety and security with financing for Automated Information System receivers and patrol boats and through the International Military Education and Training Program, soldiers from the Ghana Armed Forces study and train in the United States. Ghana's long-standing and positive reputation in multiple peace keeping operations continues with the support of the U.S. funded Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance.
The US also provides approximately $1 million in support of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center, where commanders and staff from all over the world train together for future peace keeping missions.
The U.S. is providing training to eight battalion staffs preparing for peace keeping operations to Bundase Training Camp. A U.S. liaison officer is seconded to the Center.
The USG's counter narcotics and anti crime goals in Ghana are to strengthen Ghanaian law enforcement capacity to improve interdiction capacities, to enhance the Narcotics Control Board's (NCB) office and field operation functions, and to reduce and end the flow of narcotics transiting through Ghana.
The United States provided counter narcotics surveillance and detection equipment, including two narcotics detection devices ("Itemisers") at Kotoka International Airport.
The U.S. also conducted training courses to Ghana law enforcement officers focused on suppressing corruption, drug interdiction at Ghana's air and seaports, and narcotics investigations skills.
In August 2005, the U.S. government signed an agreement to provide Ghana's law enforcement agencies with an additional $200,000 to fight narcotics trafficking. Under this funding, the Drug Enforcement Administration provided a two-week basic narcotics investigations skills course for NCB and other Government of Ghana counter narcotics staff, which includes donations of new handcuffs and drug testing kits.
The U.S. is also working with the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, and held a Customs training course in September last year.
The U.S. funds an anti-trafficking program that rescues children from forced labor in the fishing industry and works closely with the government and private sector to prevent harmful child labor practices on cocoa farms.
The United States Embassy now has a federal prosecutor assigned as an officer who works with criminal justice officials to assist in the proper implementation of Ghana's Human Trafficking Act of 2005.
In this role, the U.S. is training prosecutors, investigators and judges on the tools available to them to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate human trafficking cases.
Story: Mary Mensah
The co-operation between Ghana and the US government on training of officers and men of the Ghana Police Service dated back after independence in 1960 where policemen from Ghana were sent to the US to be trained in general policing techniques.
After that senior police officers were also trained by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Academy and five senior officers including the Inspector General of Police and former Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department had so far benefitted from the training.
The major support for the service came with the establishment of the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program( ICITAP) by the US Department of Justice in 1986.
ICITAP developed and delivered training courses specifically for the police service locally and in the United States in the following areas, Basic Police Skills Instructors Development, Civil Disorder Management Control, Traffic Control Duties, Patrol Duties, Democratic and Community Policing, courses among others.
The security of the state is one of the chief responsibility of the government of Ghana who believes that education and training is central to the growth and development of the country’s policing systems.
So far over 600 officers and men of the Ghana police service had benefitted from the ICITAP training programmes which aims to transform the “cop-culture” in Ghana.
The United states government also offer other supports to the various security agencies in the country. It supports the upgrade and maintenance of a database system that allows the Government of Ghana to collect data on nearly all persons entering and exiting the country through valid points of entry. it also works in collaboratively with the government of Ghana to eliminate safe havens, restrict travel and eliminate terrorism financing.
The US also assists Ghana to enhance its maritime safety and security with financing for Automated Information System receivers and patrol boats and through the International Military Education and Training Program, soldiers from the Ghana Armed Forces study and train in the United States. Ghana's long-standing and positive reputation in multiple peace keeping operations continues with the support of the U.S. funded Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance.
The US also provides approximately $1 million in support of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center, where commanders and staff from all over the world train together for future peace keeping missions.
The U.S. is providing training to eight battalion staffs preparing for peace keeping operations to Bundase Training Camp. A U.S. liaison officer is seconded to the Center.
The USG's counter narcotics and anti crime goals in Ghana are to strengthen Ghanaian law enforcement capacity to improve interdiction capacities, to enhance the Narcotics Control Board's (NCB) office and field operation functions, and to reduce and end the flow of narcotics transiting through Ghana.
The United States provided counter narcotics surveillance and detection equipment, including two narcotics detection devices ("Itemisers") at Kotoka International Airport.
The U.S. also conducted training courses to Ghana law enforcement officers focused on suppressing corruption, drug interdiction at Ghana's air and seaports, and narcotics investigations skills.
In August 2005, the U.S. government signed an agreement to provide Ghana's law enforcement agencies with an additional $200,000 to fight narcotics trafficking. Under this funding, the Drug Enforcement Administration provided a two-week basic narcotics investigations skills course for NCB and other Government of Ghana counter narcotics staff, which includes donations of new handcuffs and drug testing kits.
The U.S. is also working with the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, and held a Customs training course in September last year.
The U.S. funds an anti-trafficking program that rescues children from forced labor in the fishing industry and works closely with the government and private sector to prevent harmful child labor practices on cocoa farms.
The United States Embassy now has a federal prosecutor assigned as an officer who works with criminal justice officials to assist in the proper implementation of Ghana's Human Trafficking Act of 2005.
In this role, the U.S. is training prosecutors, investigators and judges on the tools available to them to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate human trafficking cases.
COP KILLS ONE, AND WOUNDED FOUR AT AYIREBI
18/02/08
Story: Mary Mensah
The Police Administration had directed investigations into the rioting and shooting incident at Ayirebi and are appealing to witnesses to state their side of the story to enable the police to get to the bottom of the incident.
The Director of the Police Public Affairs Directorate, DSP Kwesi Ofori who disclosed this to the Graphic in an interview in Accra today said it is unlawful for the youth to block a major road with planks and burn lorry tyres.
He said such actions disrupts public peace and should not be encouraged because public demonstrations on issues should be in line with the public order law which enjoins organisers of demonstrations to notify the police five days before the event.
DSP Ofori indicated that police will then discuss the basic security arrangement with the organisers and this is to make the demonstration peaceful and incident free one.
“ But for the youth to take the law into their own hands by barricading the Ofoase Ayirebi Oda road with lorry tyres and huge wooden planks is unlawful and should be condermed”, he said.
According to him the road is a major one and such actions would prevent vehicular flow, it might also caused inconvenience to travellers and also affect economic activities in the area.
He said issues of such nature needs careful investigations and the police will leave no stone un turn in their bid to get to the bottom of the matter and added that the shooting took place when the police arrives on the scene and tried to clear the road to allow free flow of traffic which had mounted at the time.
The Director stated that the matter would be investigated taking into accounts the rules and regulations on the discharge of weapons and the prevailing situation at the time of the shooting.
He appealed to the youth, opinion leaders and chiefs to remain calm while the matter is investigated.
Story: Mary Mensah
The Police Administration had directed investigations into the rioting and shooting incident at Ayirebi and are appealing to witnesses to state their side of the story to enable the police to get to the bottom of the incident.
The Director of the Police Public Affairs Directorate, DSP Kwesi Ofori who disclosed this to the Graphic in an interview in Accra today said it is unlawful for the youth to block a major road with planks and burn lorry tyres.
He said such actions disrupts public peace and should not be encouraged because public demonstrations on issues should be in line with the public order law which enjoins organisers of demonstrations to notify the police five days before the event.
DSP Ofori indicated that police will then discuss the basic security arrangement with the organisers and this is to make the demonstration peaceful and incident free one.
“ But for the youth to take the law into their own hands by barricading the Ofoase Ayirebi Oda road with lorry tyres and huge wooden planks is unlawful and should be condermed”, he said.
According to him the road is a major one and such actions would prevent vehicular flow, it might also caused inconvenience to travellers and also affect economic activities in the area.
He said issues of such nature needs careful investigations and the police will leave no stone un turn in their bid to get to the bottom of the matter and added that the shooting took place when the police arrives on the scene and tried to clear the road to allow free flow of traffic which had mounted at the time.
The Director stated that the matter would be investigated taking into accounts the rules and regulations on the discharge of weapons and the prevailing situation at the time of the shooting.
He appealed to the youth, opinion leaders and chiefs to remain calm while the matter is investigated.
MAJOR ROADS TO BE SEALED OFF (PAGE 3)
18/02/08
Story: Mary Mensah
THE Police Administration has said that due to the official visit of the President of the United States of America, George Walker Bush, some major roads in the capital would be sealed off to all vehicular traffic from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday February 19, 2008, before the arrival of the President.
In a release issued in Accra yesterday and signed by the Director of Police Public Affairs Directorate, DSP Kwesi Ofori over the weekend mentioned the affected roads as follows: The Liberation Road — from the Association International School Junction to the Airport traffic light through 37 roundabout to Afrikiko traffic light.
The Airport by-pass — from Airport roundabout to El-wak traffic light, the 4th Circular Road-from Ghana International School (GIS) junction to El-Wak traffic light and the Giffard Road — from 37 roundabout through El-wak traffic light to the Congo junction.
The release said the Burma Camp Road — from the Congo junction to the La ‘T’ Junction and the La by-pass — from La road ‘U’ turn to the Teshie Police Station.
It also urged the public to note that other road seal-offs may be carried out between February 19 to 21, 2008 at a very short notice but that would also be announced in due course.
The release, therefore, advised motorists to resort to alternative routes to their destinations.
The police also entreated all members of the public to co-operate with them to ensure a peaceful and successful exercise.
Meanwhile, the release said any inconvenience that these road blockades may cause to motorists and other road users is deeply regretted.
Story: Mary Mensah
THE Police Administration has said that due to the official visit of the President of the United States of America, George Walker Bush, some major roads in the capital would be sealed off to all vehicular traffic from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday February 19, 2008, before the arrival of the President.
In a release issued in Accra yesterday and signed by the Director of Police Public Affairs Directorate, DSP Kwesi Ofori over the weekend mentioned the affected roads as follows: The Liberation Road — from the Association International School Junction to the Airport traffic light through 37 roundabout to Afrikiko traffic light.
The Airport by-pass — from Airport roundabout to El-wak traffic light, the 4th Circular Road-from Ghana International School (GIS) junction to El-Wak traffic light and the Giffard Road — from 37 roundabout through El-wak traffic light to the Congo junction.
The release said the Burma Camp Road — from the Congo junction to the La ‘T’ Junction and the La by-pass — from La road ‘U’ turn to the Teshie Police Station.
It also urged the public to note that other road seal-offs may be carried out between February 19 to 21, 2008 at a very short notice but that would also be announced in due course.
The release, therefore, advised motorists to resort to alternative routes to their destinations.
The police also entreated all members of the public to co-operate with them to ensure a peaceful and successful exercise.
Meanwhile, the release said any inconvenience that these road blockades may cause to motorists and other road users is deeply regretted.
POLICE CIVILIANS CLASH AT OFANKOR (BACK PAGE)
15/02/08
Story: Mary Mensah
There was a fierce clash between loaders at the MUUS Timber Market at Ofankor and the police following the death of one of their colleagues who was hit by a stray bullet from a shot fired by a member of the National Forestry Task Force in the early hours of yesterday.
The deceased, Ebenezer Asare, 22, was hit in the forehead by the bullet while sleeping by the roadside while another loader, Kojo Effah, 19, also sustained a gunshot wound in the left eye and was rushed to the Nsawam Government Hospital for treatment.
The irate loaders, incensed by the death of their colleague, barricaded the main Accra Nsawam road for more than three hours by burning lorry tyres at all the intersections on the road.
They also pelted the police vehicles which were dispatched to the scene with stones, smashing the windscreens of two vehicles.
It took a combined team of over 200 police personnel drawn from the Rapid Deployment Unit, Highway Patrol Unit, Accra Regional Police Command and the Tesano Police together with the National Fire Service to bring the situation under control.
The police threw tear gas and fired warning shots in order to disperse the crowd to enable the fire service to put out the fires on the road and allow free flow of traffic.
Fourteen suspects have so far been arrested to assist the police with their investigations.
According to Nana Adjei Badu, Chairman of the Timber Sellers Association, the forestry task force intercepted a cargo truck on the outskirts of Nsawam and were escorting it to their office at the Achimota Forest.
He said the driver said members of the task force had collected money from him so when he was asked to drive to the office he refused and on reaching MUUS he decided to branch into the yard.
He said a soldier among the task force fired three warning shots but that did not deter the driver who parked by the side of the road and bolted.
The bullet hit 19-year-old Kojo Effah, a mate on the truck, and he was rushed to the Nsawam Government Hospital where he is said to be responding to treatment. Nana said after the shots the loaders were incensed so they started throwing stones at the task force and they left the scene.
He said all this while, they did not know that the bullet had killed their colleague who was sleeping in front of a shop at a distance of about 100 metres from the scene.
He said a tea seller, Ataa Asantewaa, first saw the deceased lying down in front of the shop and called out to him to wake up but he did not bulge so she left him and went away but at about 6:30 a.m. a colleague by name Nana Yaw shook him up but he realised the body was cold and when he removed the cloth covering his face he saw the bullet wound on his forehead and raised alarm.
The chairman explained that the loaders usually slept by the side of the road in order to jump on the vehicles as soon as they arrived at the yard to offload the logs.
For his part, the Director General of Operations of the Ghana Police Service, DCP Patrick Timbilla, said the situation had been brought under control.
He said the soldier who fired the shot had been arrested by the Forestry Department and he was yet to be handed over to the police to assist in investigations.
Story: Mary Mensah
There was a fierce clash between loaders at the MUUS Timber Market at Ofankor and the police following the death of one of their colleagues who was hit by a stray bullet from a shot fired by a member of the National Forestry Task Force in the early hours of yesterday.
The deceased, Ebenezer Asare, 22, was hit in the forehead by the bullet while sleeping by the roadside while another loader, Kojo Effah, 19, also sustained a gunshot wound in the left eye and was rushed to the Nsawam Government Hospital for treatment.
The irate loaders, incensed by the death of their colleague, barricaded the main Accra Nsawam road for more than three hours by burning lorry tyres at all the intersections on the road.
They also pelted the police vehicles which were dispatched to the scene with stones, smashing the windscreens of two vehicles.
It took a combined team of over 200 police personnel drawn from the Rapid Deployment Unit, Highway Patrol Unit, Accra Regional Police Command and the Tesano Police together with the National Fire Service to bring the situation under control.
The police threw tear gas and fired warning shots in order to disperse the crowd to enable the fire service to put out the fires on the road and allow free flow of traffic.
Fourteen suspects have so far been arrested to assist the police with their investigations.
According to Nana Adjei Badu, Chairman of the Timber Sellers Association, the forestry task force intercepted a cargo truck on the outskirts of Nsawam and were escorting it to their office at the Achimota Forest.
He said the driver said members of the task force had collected money from him so when he was asked to drive to the office he refused and on reaching MUUS he decided to branch into the yard.
He said a soldier among the task force fired three warning shots but that did not deter the driver who parked by the side of the road and bolted.
The bullet hit 19-year-old Kojo Effah, a mate on the truck, and he was rushed to the Nsawam Government Hospital where he is said to be responding to treatment. Nana said after the shots the loaders were incensed so they started throwing stones at the task force and they left the scene.
He said all this while, they did not know that the bullet had killed their colleague who was sleeping in front of a shop at a distance of about 100 metres from the scene.
He said a tea seller, Ataa Asantewaa, first saw the deceased lying down in front of the shop and called out to him to wake up but he did not bulge so she left him and went away but at about 6:30 a.m. a colleague by name Nana Yaw shook him up but he realised the body was cold and when he removed the cloth covering his face he saw the bullet wound on his forehead and raised alarm.
The chairman explained that the loaders usually slept by the side of the road in order to jump on the vehicles as soon as they arrived at the yard to offload the logs.
For his part, the Director General of Operations of the Ghana Police Service, DCP Patrick Timbilla, said the situation had been brought under control.
He said the soldier who fired the shot had been arrested by the Forestry Department and he was yet to be handed over to the police to assist in investigations.
POLICE CIVILIANS CLASH AT OFANKOR (BACK PAGE)
15/02/08
Story: Mary Mensah
There was a fierce clash between loaders at the MUUS Timber Market at Ofankor and the police following the death of one of their colleagues who was hit by a stray bullet from a shot fired by a member of the National Forestry Task Force in the early hours of yesterday.
The deceased, Ebenezer Asare, 22, was hit in the forehead by the bullet while sleeping by the roadside while another loader, Kojo Effah, 19, also sustained a gunshot wound in the left eye and was rushed to the Nsawam Government Hospital for treatment.
The irate loaders, incensed by the death of their colleague, barricaded the main Accra Nsawam road for more than three hours by burning lorry tyres at all the intersections on the road.
They also pelted the police vehicles which were dispatched to the scene with stones, smashing the windscreens of two vehicles.
It took a combined team of over 200 police personnel drawn from the Rapid Deployment Unit, Highway Patrol Unit, Accra Regional Police Command and the Tesano Police together with the National Fire Service to bring the situation under control.
The police threw tear gas and fired warning shots in order to disperse the crowd to enable the fire service to put out the fires on the road and allow free flow of traffic.
Fourteen suspects have so far been arrested to assist the police with their investigations.
According to Nana Adjei Badu, Chairman of the Timber Sellers Association, the forestry task force intercepted a cargo truck on the outskirts of Nsawam and were escorting it to their office at the Achimota Forest.
He said the driver said members of the task force had collected money from him so when he was asked to drive to the office he refused and on reaching MUUS he decided to branch into the yard.
He said a soldier among the task force fired three warning shots but that did not deter the driver who parked by the side of the road and bolted.
The bullet hit 19-year-old Kojo Effah, a mate on the truck, and he was rushed to the Nsawam Government Hospital where he is said to be responding to treatment. Nana said after the shots the loaders were incensed so they started throwing stones at the task force and they left the scene.
He said all this while, they did not know that the bullet had killed their colleague who was sleeping in front of a shop at a distance of about 100 metres from the scene.
He said a tea seller, Ataa Asantewaa, first saw the deceased lying down in front of the shop and called out to him to wake up but he did not bulge so she left him and went away but at about 6:30 a.m. a colleague by name Nana Yaw shook him up but he realised the body was cold and when he removed the cloth covering his face he saw the bullet wound on his forehead and raised alarm.
The chairman explained that the loaders usually slept by the side of the road in order to jump on the vehicles as soon as they arrived at the yard to offload the logs.
For his part, the Director General of Operations of the Ghana Police Service, DCP Patrick Timbilla, said the situation had been brought under control.
He said the soldier who fired the shot had been arrested by the Forestry Department and he was yet to be handed over to the police to assist in investigations.
Story: Mary Mensah
There was a fierce clash between loaders at the MUUS Timber Market at Ofankor and the police following the death of one of their colleagues who was hit by a stray bullet from a shot fired by a member of the National Forestry Task Force in the early hours of yesterday.
The deceased, Ebenezer Asare, 22, was hit in the forehead by the bullet while sleeping by the roadside while another loader, Kojo Effah, 19, also sustained a gunshot wound in the left eye and was rushed to the Nsawam Government Hospital for treatment.
The irate loaders, incensed by the death of their colleague, barricaded the main Accra Nsawam road for more than three hours by burning lorry tyres at all the intersections on the road.
They also pelted the police vehicles which were dispatched to the scene with stones, smashing the windscreens of two vehicles.
It took a combined team of over 200 police personnel drawn from the Rapid Deployment Unit, Highway Patrol Unit, Accra Regional Police Command and the Tesano Police together with the National Fire Service to bring the situation under control.
The police threw tear gas and fired warning shots in order to disperse the crowd to enable the fire service to put out the fires on the road and allow free flow of traffic.
Fourteen suspects have so far been arrested to assist the police with their investigations.
According to Nana Adjei Badu, Chairman of the Timber Sellers Association, the forestry task force intercepted a cargo truck on the outskirts of Nsawam and were escorting it to their office at the Achimota Forest.
He said the driver said members of the task force had collected money from him so when he was asked to drive to the office he refused and on reaching MUUS he decided to branch into the yard.
He said a soldier among the task force fired three warning shots but that did not deter the driver who parked by the side of the road and bolted.
The bullet hit 19-year-old Kojo Effah, a mate on the truck, and he was rushed to the Nsawam Government Hospital where he is said to be responding to treatment. Nana said after the shots the loaders were incensed so they started throwing stones at the task force and they left the scene.
He said all this while, they did not know that the bullet had killed their colleague who was sleeping in front of a shop at a distance of about 100 metres from the scene.
He said a tea seller, Ataa Asantewaa, first saw the deceased lying down in front of the shop and called out to him to wake up but he did not bulge so she left him and went away but at about 6:30 a.m. a colleague by name Nana Yaw shook him up but he realised the body was cold and when he removed the cloth covering his face he saw the bullet wound on his forehead and raised alarm.
The chairman explained that the loaders usually slept by the side of the road in order to jump on the vehicles as soon as they arrived at the yard to offload the logs.
For his part, the Director General of Operations of the Ghana Police Service, DCP Patrick Timbilla, said the situation had been brought under control.
He said the soldier who fired the shot had been arrested by the Forestry Department and he was yet to be handed over to the police to assist in investigations.
NUNGUA POLICE PICKS 2 SUSPPECTS (PAGE 3)
16/02/08
Story: Mary Mensah
Two suspects, described by the Kpeshie District Police as leaders of a notorious armed gang which had been terrorising and robbing residents of Nungua and its environs, have been arrested.
They were identified as Afotey Odai alias Taller, 32 and David Abu, 28 said to be the leaders of two groups; one involved in mobile phone and car snatching while the other carries out residential robbery.
According to the Nungua District Police Commander, DSP Moses Segu, the two suspects had been on the police wanted list for a long time and were arrested following routine police operations to flush out criminals hiding within the Nungua township.
He said Abu is the leader of the mobile phone and car snatching gang who attack people in broad daylight wielding knives. He said they assault victims who try to resist.
DSP Segu said there were several cases of armed robbery pending against them at Nungua and other police stations in Accra.
The Commander said earlier this year Abu attacked a taxi driver who raised an alarm leading to his arrest and when a bag he was holding was searched ten mobile phones, four knives and other dangerous implements were found in it.
He said during the period when Abu was in custody and arraigned before court cases of armed robbery reduced drastically in the township.
The District Commander said he was granted bail when he made his second appearance at the court and soon afterwards robbery cases shot up again in and around Nugua.
DSP Segu said all efforts to arrest the two suspects proved futile until the police operations at criminal hideouts within the township when they were arrested among several others.
He said an identification parade would be held to enable victims identify the suspects to enable the police to prosecute them.
He appealed to victims of armed robbery attacks to report at the police stations and assist the police in their investigations.
Story: Mary Mensah
Two suspects, described by the Kpeshie District Police as leaders of a notorious armed gang which had been terrorising and robbing residents of Nungua and its environs, have been arrested.
They were identified as Afotey Odai alias Taller, 32 and David Abu, 28 said to be the leaders of two groups; one involved in mobile phone and car snatching while the other carries out residential robbery.
According to the Nungua District Police Commander, DSP Moses Segu, the two suspects had been on the police wanted list for a long time and were arrested following routine police operations to flush out criminals hiding within the Nungua township.
He said Abu is the leader of the mobile phone and car snatching gang who attack people in broad daylight wielding knives. He said they assault victims who try to resist.
DSP Segu said there were several cases of armed robbery pending against them at Nungua and other police stations in Accra.
The Commander said earlier this year Abu attacked a taxi driver who raised an alarm leading to his arrest and when a bag he was holding was searched ten mobile phones, four knives and other dangerous implements were found in it.
He said during the period when Abu was in custody and arraigned before court cases of armed robbery reduced drastically in the township.
The District Commander said he was granted bail when he made his second appearance at the court and soon afterwards robbery cases shot up again in and around Nugua.
DSP Segu said all efforts to arrest the two suspects proved futile until the police operations at criminal hideouts within the township when they were arrested among several others.
He said an identification parade would be held to enable victims identify the suspects to enable the police to prosecute them.
He appealed to victims of armed robbery attacks to report at the police stations and assist the police in their investigations.
SECURITY FOR US PRESIDENT'S TOUR (CENTRE LEAD)
16/02/08
THE Ghana Police Service in conjuction with the American Security agencies, has put in place a stringent and comprehensive security arrangement to ensure a peaceful and successful visit of the President of the United States.
The arrangement will see the deployment of over 1,000 security personnel comprising all specialised units within the Ghana Police Service, National Security and the Armed Forces, at vantage points especially around the Kotoka International Airport and the hotel where the President would sleep for the three day visit and the personnel had been put on high alert.
Three American planes have already landed at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) discharging men and equipment from the American service.
According to a police source, on Tuesday February 19, 2008 no person or vehicle would be allowed around the airport area for over an hour prior to his arrival.
The US Presidential Jet, Airforce One, is expected to touch down together withn two other large planes, one carrying the press and the others carrying the white house staff at exactly 7:30p at the Kotoka International Airport with President George Walker Bush Jnr and his wife on board to begin a historic three-day official visit to Ghana.
The source said the road from the Airport to the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel would also be closed to traffic and no vehicle would be allowed there till the President had settled into the hotel room.
President Bush is schedule to meet President Kufour the next day and the road would be blocked from Teshie to the Castle at Osu.
Two US Naval ships has also landed in Ghana and had since been patrolling the coast.
According to the source Ghana has been selected as the operational base for the three West African countries namely Liberia, Benin and Ghana and added that all the operational structures had been put in place to co-ordinate affairs.
It said the selection of Ghana as a base for the three African countries shows the trust that the United States government have in the government and the security agencies of Ghana.
It warned the public that there would be inconveniences on the road so they should bear with the security agencies and respect sirens when they heard them in order to make the visit a memorable one.
THE Ghana Police Service in conjuction with the American Security agencies, has put in place a stringent and comprehensive security arrangement to ensure a peaceful and successful visit of the President of the United States.
The arrangement will see the deployment of over 1,000 security personnel comprising all specialised units within the Ghana Police Service, National Security and the Armed Forces, at vantage points especially around the Kotoka International Airport and the hotel where the President would sleep for the three day visit and the personnel had been put on high alert.
Three American planes have already landed at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) discharging men and equipment from the American service.
According to a police source, on Tuesday February 19, 2008 no person or vehicle would be allowed around the airport area for over an hour prior to his arrival.
The US Presidential Jet, Airforce One, is expected to touch down together withn two other large planes, one carrying the press and the others carrying the white house staff at exactly 7:30p at the Kotoka International Airport with President George Walker Bush Jnr and his wife on board to begin a historic three-day official visit to Ghana.
The source said the road from the Airport to the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel would also be closed to traffic and no vehicle would be allowed there till the President had settled into the hotel room.
President Bush is schedule to meet President Kufour the next day and the road would be blocked from Teshie to the Castle at Osu.
Two US Naval ships has also landed in Ghana and had since been patrolling the coast.
According to the source Ghana has been selected as the operational base for the three West African countries namely Liberia, Benin and Ghana and added that all the operational structures had been put in place to co-ordinate affairs.
It said the selection of Ghana as a base for the three African countries shows the trust that the United States government have in the government and the security agencies of Ghana.
It warned the public that there would be inconveniences on the road so they should bear with the security agencies and respect sirens when they heard them in order to make the visit a memorable one.
Friday, February 8, 2008
POLICE WARNS PUBLIC AGAINST CELEBRATIONS
08/02/2008
Story: Mary Mensah
The Police Administration has reiterated its call on all Ghanaians, especially soccer fans, to celebrate victories of the Black Stars without causing death, damage or obstructing public peace.
It expressed grave concern about the manner of jubilation by football fans following the Ghana-Nigeria match last Sunday where people blocked highways, stripped naked, burnt lorry tyres in the middle of the roads and drove carelessly with people hanging on vehicles, among others.
The acting Director of the Police Public Affairs Directorate, DSP Kwesi Ofori, who made the appeal in Accra yesterday, said a number of lives were lost, many people were injured while property worth thousands of cedis were destroyed throughout the country during the celebrations.
He said these were acts of lawlessness and warned that the police would deal drastically with anybody who would obstruct the peace anytime Ghana won a match.
He further called on drivers to comport themselves during celebrations and respect other road users.
DSP Ofori also warned those who used fireworks at the stadium to desist from doing so because anybody found engaging in such acts would be severely dealt with.
He said the police would intensify its search at all entrances of the Accra and Tema stadiums to ensure that no illegal material was smuggled in.
The acting director also warned criminals who created chaotic situations in order to steal that the police and other security personnel had been positioned at all vantage points and they were on high alert to arrest any criminals at the stadiums.
He said the celebration was national in character and the police would leave no stone unturned to ensure that law and order was maintained.
In a related development, the Accra Regional Police Command has expressed serious concern about the blatant lawlessness exhibited in some parts of the metropolis following Ghana’s victory.
A release issued in Accra yesterday and signed by the Regional Commander, DCOP Opare-Addo, described the acts and behaviours exhibited as criminal.
It said reports had it that in areas such as Osu, Madina, Kaneshie and the High street, traffic was held up for several hours and some criminals took advantage of the situation and went on the rampage, causing damage to property.
The release indicated that in as much as the police did not discourage anybody from celebrating they would not compromise on their professional obligations in the face of breaches of the law during victory celebrations.
Story: Mary Mensah
The Police Administration has reiterated its call on all Ghanaians, especially soccer fans, to celebrate victories of the Black Stars without causing death, damage or obstructing public peace.
It expressed grave concern about the manner of jubilation by football fans following the Ghana-Nigeria match last Sunday where people blocked highways, stripped naked, burnt lorry tyres in the middle of the roads and drove carelessly with people hanging on vehicles, among others.
The acting Director of the Police Public Affairs Directorate, DSP Kwesi Ofori, who made the appeal in Accra yesterday, said a number of lives were lost, many people were injured while property worth thousands of cedis were destroyed throughout the country during the celebrations.
He said these were acts of lawlessness and warned that the police would deal drastically with anybody who would obstruct the peace anytime Ghana won a match.
He further called on drivers to comport themselves during celebrations and respect other road users.
DSP Ofori also warned those who used fireworks at the stadium to desist from doing so because anybody found engaging in such acts would be severely dealt with.
He said the police would intensify its search at all entrances of the Accra and Tema stadiums to ensure that no illegal material was smuggled in.
The acting director also warned criminals who created chaotic situations in order to steal that the police and other security personnel had been positioned at all vantage points and they were on high alert to arrest any criminals at the stadiums.
He said the celebration was national in character and the police would leave no stone unturned to ensure that law and order was maintained.
In a related development, the Accra Regional Police Command has expressed serious concern about the blatant lawlessness exhibited in some parts of the metropolis following Ghana’s victory.
A release issued in Accra yesterday and signed by the Regional Commander, DCOP Opare-Addo, described the acts and behaviours exhibited as criminal.
It said reports had it that in areas such as Osu, Madina, Kaneshie and the High street, traffic was held up for several hours and some criminals took advantage of the situation and went on the rampage, causing damage to property.
The release indicated that in as much as the police did not discourage anybody from celebrating they would not compromise on their professional obligations in the face of breaches of the law during victory celebrations.
107 CRIMINAL CASES SO FAR AT GHANA 2008 (Page 3 Lead)
08/02/2008
Story: Mary Mensah
One hundred and seven criminal cases have so far been reported from the four match venues of the 26th Africa Nations Cup (Ghana 2008).
The Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra had 53; Essipon in Sekondi, 34; Baba Yara in Kumasi, 13, and the Tamale Stadium, seven cases.
Police sources said the crimes involved assault, ticket racketeering, stealing of mobile phones and cameras, snatching of bags, possessing and smoking of Indian hemp, offensive conduct and obstructing peace, among others.
Eight culprits have been sentenced to imprisonment for periods ranging from one year to 24 months while others have been remanded in prison custody pending further investigations.
The Accra Regional Crime Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boi-Bi- Boi, gave the names of those convicted in Accra as Imoro Chazli, Abdulai Mohammed, Elliot Bampoe, Timothy Mensah and Nii Boi.
He said a number of the cases were still under investigations and expressed concern that there was no clear cut law on the offence of ticket racketeering and this had made it very difficult to prosecute those arrested for that offence.
He said majority of the cases involved stealing but so far no fake ticket case had been recorded in Accra.
ACP Boi-Bi-Boi said many of the complainants after reporting the cases refused to follow up and this hindered the smooth prosecution of some of those arrested.
He said the police had been able to manage security at the four match venues effectively and appealed to supporters to be circumspect in their celebrations after matches.
For his part, the Crime Officer of Sekondi, Superintendent Dennis Abade, said 34 suspects comprising 23 foreigners and 11 Ghanaians were arrested for various offences during the tournament.
He said 17 out of the number were arrested for stealing, nine for offensive conduct and the rest for possessing Indian hemp and added that majority of those arrested were Nigerians.
Supt Abade said one Malian who snatched a mobile phone had been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment while six Nigerians who appeared before the court had been remanded to appear at a later date while investigations continue.
The Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Bright Oduro, said out of the 13 cases reported seven were of stealing of mobile phones and digital cameras, one of car snatching and five of possession of Indian hemp.
He said Masawudu Ibrahim, aged 34, who stole a mobile phone, had been sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment with hard labour while Mumuni Mahazu, 23, who also snatched a mobile phone and a German passport, was sentenced to five years’ in imprisonment with hard labour.
ACP Oduro gave the names of the suspects who had been remanded as Issifu Mohammed, 32, Kwaku Owusu, 21, Alidu Amandi, 32 and Mohammed Jobo, 24.
He said in Tamale, the seven cases involved ticket racketeering, stealing and possession of Indian hemp and all suspects had been remanded to appear at a later date.
Story: Mary Mensah
One hundred and seven criminal cases have so far been reported from the four match venues of the 26th Africa Nations Cup (Ghana 2008).
The Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra had 53; Essipon in Sekondi, 34; Baba Yara in Kumasi, 13, and the Tamale Stadium, seven cases.
Police sources said the crimes involved assault, ticket racketeering, stealing of mobile phones and cameras, snatching of bags, possessing and smoking of Indian hemp, offensive conduct and obstructing peace, among others.
Eight culprits have been sentenced to imprisonment for periods ranging from one year to 24 months while others have been remanded in prison custody pending further investigations.
The Accra Regional Crime Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boi-Bi- Boi, gave the names of those convicted in Accra as Imoro Chazli, Abdulai Mohammed, Elliot Bampoe, Timothy Mensah and Nii Boi.
He said a number of the cases were still under investigations and expressed concern that there was no clear cut law on the offence of ticket racketeering and this had made it very difficult to prosecute those arrested for that offence.
He said majority of the cases involved stealing but so far no fake ticket case had been recorded in Accra.
ACP Boi-Bi-Boi said many of the complainants after reporting the cases refused to follow up and this hindered the smooth prosecution of some of those arrested.
He said the police had been able to manage security at the four match venues effectively and appealed to supporters to be circumspect in their celebrations after matches.
For his part, the Crime Officer of Sekondi, Superintendent Dennis Abade, said 34 suspects comprising 23 foreigners and 11 Ghanaians were arrested for various offences during the tournament.
He said 17 out of the number were arrested for stealing, nine for offensive conduct and the rest for possessing Indian hemp and added that majority of those arrested were Nigerians.
Supt Abade said one Malian who snatched a mobile phone had been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment while six Nigerians who appeared before the court had been remanded to appear at a later date while investigations continue.
The Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Bright Oduro, said out of the 13 cases reported seven were of stealing of mobile phones and digital cameras, one of car snatching and five of possession of Indian hemp.
He said Masawudu Ibrahim, aged 34, who stole a mobile phone, had been sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment with hard labour while Mumuni Mahazu, 23, who also snatched a mobile phone and a German passport, was sentenced to five years’ in imprisonment with hard labour.
ACP Oduro gave the names of the suspects who had been remanded as Issifu Mohammed, 32, Kwaku Owusu, 21, Alidu Amandi, 32 and Mohammed Jobo, 24.
He said in Tamale, the seven cases involved ticket racketeering, stealing and possession of Indian hemp and all suspects had been remanded to appear at a later date.
TAXI DRIVER NABBED WITH 11 BAGS OF INDIAN HEMP
08/02/2008
Story: Mary Mensah
THE Highway Patrol team on the Accra-Ho road has intercepted an Opel taxi cab loaded with 11 large bags of Indian hemp on the Juapong-Asikuma stretch of the road.
The driver of the taxi, Emmanuel Quarshie, 23, was arrested but his two accomplices escaped.
According to the Commander of the Highway Patrol Unit, Superintendent Ernest Owusu-Donkor, at 3.30 a.m. on February 3, 2008, the team saw the taxi parked at a point between Juapong and Asikuma.
He said three persons, one of them holding a torch, were standing by the car so the police pulled up and inquired what they were doing there at that time.
The commander said Quarshie told the police that one of the tyres of the vehicle had developed a puncture and that the other two men were assisting him to replace it.
Not satisfied with the explanation, the policemen alighted from their vehicle, at which point the two men immediately fled into the bush.
Supt Owusu-Donkor said Quarshie also attempted to run but he was arrested and when the taxi was searched, 11 large packages of substances suspected to be Indian hemp were found in the booth.
He said Quarshie was sent to the headquarters of the unit for further investigations and during interrogation he mentioned one of his accomplices as Gabriel, whom he claimed owned the Indian hemp.
According to the suspect, he plied between Accra and Madina, saying he had met Gabriel about four months ago while on his normal rounds and they became friends.
He said at 2.00 a.m. on Saturday, Gabriel had called him and asked him to go to Finte, located between Juapong and Asikuma, to convey some goods to Accra for him.
He said although he did not know the kind of goods, he charged Gabriel GH¢40 and he agreed so he set off from Madina at midnight. On reaching the spot, he found the two by the roadside waiting for him.
Quarshie claimed the two took him to a spot and loaded the drugs into his vehicle, adding that it was when they were about to set off for Accra that they were intercepted by the police, with the two managing to escape.
Although he claimed Gabriel was his friend, he could not tell the police his full name or where he lives.
Investigations continue.
Story: Mary Mensah
THE Highway Patrol team on the Accra-Ho road has intercepted an Opel taxi cab loaded with 11 large bags of Indian hemp on the Juapong-Asikuma stretch of the road.
The driver of the taxi, Emmanuel Quarshie, 23, was arrested but his two accomplices escaped.
According to the Commander of the Highway Patrol Unit, Superintendent Ernest Owusu-Donkor, at 3.30 a.m. on February 3, 2008, the team saw the taxi parked at a point between Juapong and Asikuma.
He said three persons, one of them holding a torch, were standing by the car so the police pulled up and inquired what they were doing there at that time.
The commander said Quarshie told the police that one of the tyres of the vehicle had developed a puncture and that the other two men were assisting him to replace it.
Not satisfied with the explanation, the policemen alighted from their vehicle, at which point the two men immediately fled into the bush.
Supt Owusu-Donkor said Quarshie also attempted to run but he was arrested and when the taxi was searched, 11 large packages of substances suspected to be Indian hemp were found in the booth.
He said Quarshie was sent to the headquarters of the unit for further investigations and during interrogation he mentioned one of his accomplices as Gabriel, whom he claimed owned the Indian hemp.
According to the suspect, he plied between Accra and Madina, saying he had met Gabriel about four months ago while on his normal rounds and they became friends.
He said at 2.00 a.m. on Saturday, Gabriel had called him and asked him to go to Finte, located between Juapong and Asikuma, to convey some goods to Accra for him.
He said although he did not know the kind of goods, he charged Gabriel GH¢40 and he agreed so he set off from Madina at midnight. On reaching the spot, he found the two by the roadside waiting for him.
Quarshie claimed the two took him to a spot and loaded the drugs into his vehicle, adding that it was when they were about to set off for Accra that they were intercepted by the police, with the two managing to escape.
Although he claimed Gabriel was his friend, he could not tell the police his full name or where he lives.
Investigations continue.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
3 DIE AFTER GHANA, NIGERIA DUEL One in Accra, 2 in Tamale (PAGE 3 LEAD)
05/02/2008
THE spontaneous jubilation that characterised the 2-1 victory of the Ghana Black Stars over Nigeria yesterday resulted in the death of three people in Accra and Tamale.
In Accra, Mary Mensah reports that apart from the death of a 11-year-old pupil of the Kotobabi 5 Primary School, Nasiru Salifu, a man riding a motorbike through jubilant supporters was nearly lynched when he knocked a middle-aged man during the celebration at Ayikuma near Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region.
Although the motor cyclist escaped, his motorbike was burnt while the middle-aged man whose name was not immediately known was admitted to the 37 Military Hospital.
In Tamale, Hassan Inusah, a driver with the Ghana Fire Service, and a 14-year-old Class Five pupil, Issahq Mohammed, died through separate motor accidents, reports Zakaria Alhassan.
Inusah died when he crashed his motorbike into a colleague’s while Mohammed fell off a moving vehicle and was run over by the driver.
The acting Director of Police Public Affairs Directorate, DSP Kwesi Ofori, told the Daily Graphic in Accra that Salifu joined others in the celebration, and they were dancing when a bus with registration number GS 2681 Y whose driver was also celebrating the victory knocked Salifu at the Abavana Junction and absconded.
He said the driver was still at large and the police had mounted a search for his arrest.
The acting director reiterated his appeal to members of the public to be circumspect during celebrations, adding that any celebration should be within the confines of the law.
He said the burning of lorry tyres on roads, illegal roadblocks which caused traffic jams on a number of roads within the metropolis and people who went naked publicly were unlawful.
DSP Ofori indicated that the way and manner some drivers also sped and drove carelessly on the roads, endangering the lives of pedestrians and other road users, was uncalled for.
In the Tamale incident, eyewitnesses told the Daily Graphic that the driver, whose name was not given, joined in the celebration with Mohammed and others in the bucket of a pick-up, singing and dancing, reports Zakaria Alhassan.
In the process of the celebration, Mohammed fell off the vehicle as the driver began his antics of intermittently turning the vehicle around. He was run over by the vehicle and died instantly.
A number of people who were also involved in minor accidents received various degree of injuries as they rode their motorbikes and vehicles dangerously on the roads to the dismay of onlookers.
Some children who joined in the respective receptions in Tamale could not also trace their homes and had to be taken to some radio stations for announcements to be effected for their guardians to go for them.
In spite of these occurrences, some of the jubilant funs celebrated Ghana’s victory deep into the night.
THE spontaneous jubilation that characterised the 2-1 victory of the Ghana Black Stars over Nigeria yesterday resulted in the death of three people in Accra and Tamale.
In Accra, Mary Mensah reports that apart from the death of a 11-year-old pupil of the Kotobabi 5 Primary School, Nasiru Salifu, a man riding a motorbike through jubilant supporters was nearly lynched when he knocked a middle-aged man during the celebration at Ayikuma near Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region.
Although the motor cyclist escaped, his motorbike was burnt while the middle-aged man whose name was not immediately known was admitted to the 37 Military Hospital.
In Tamale, Hassan Inusah, a driver with the Ghana Fire Service, and a 14-year-old Class Five pupil, Issahq Mohammed, died through separate motor accidents, reports Zakaria Alhassan.
Inusah died when he crashed his motorbike into a colleague’s while Mohammed fell off a moving vehicle and was run over by the driver.
The acting Director of Police Public Affairs Directorate, DSP Kwesi Ofori, told the Daily Graphic in Accra that Salifu joined others in the celebration, and they were dancing when a bus with registration number GS 2681 Y whose driver was also celebrating the victory knocked Salifu at the Abavana Junction and absconded.
He said the driver was still at large and the police had mounted a search for his arrest.
The acting director reiterated his appeal to members of the public to be circumspect during celebrations, adding that any celebration should be within the confines of the law.
He said the burning of lorry tyres on roads, illegal roadblocks which caused traffic jams on a number of roads within the metropolis and people who went naked publicly were unlawful.
DSP Ofori indicated that the way and manner some drivers also sped and drove carelessly on the roads, endangering the lives of pedestrians and other road users, was uncalled for.
In the Tamale incident, eyewitnesses told the Daily Graphic that the driver, whose name was not given, joined in the celebration with Mohammed and others in the bucket of a pick-up, singing and dancing, reports Zakaria Alhassan.
In the process of the celebration, Mohammed fell off the vehicle as the driver began his antics of intermittently turning the vehicle around. He was run over by the vehicle and died instantly.
A number of people who were also involved in minor accidents received various degree of injuries as they rode their motorbikes and vehicles dangerously on the roads to the dismay of onlookers.
Some children who joined in the respective receptions in Tamale could not also trace their homes and had to be taken to some radio stations for announcements to be effected for their guardians to go for them.
In spite of these occurrences, some of the jubilant funs celebrated Ghana’s victory deep into the night.
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