By Collins Agyekum-Gyasi, Kumasi.
A 68-YEAR-OLD man, Timothy Kojo Tandoh, who stood surety for his son in a stealing case in August 2010, but failed to produce him in court after 18 adjournments, has been convicted to serve six months in jail term by a Circuit Court in Kumasi on Monday.
Mr Tandoh, on August 23, 2011, applied for and signed an application of recognisance bail under “Section 104 of Act 29/60, assuring that he would produce the son before the Court at every sitting, but he failed to honour the promise.
He also failed to pay the GH¢ 10, 000 surety he signed for, compelling the court to slap him with the six month jail term.
When the court asked him to show cause why the bail bond should not be executed on him, Mr Tandoh stated that he had not been able to secure loans from friends to execute the bail bond.
Chief Inspector Rejoice Sumatu, prosecuting, told the Court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Amo Yartel that the convict stood surety for his son, one Nana Badu, who was arrested for stealing a mobile phone and cash from a passenger.
The prosecutor said the suspect, who was a mechanic at Atasemanso in Kumasi, stole a cash of GH¢ 2,540.00 and a TV mobile phone wrapped in a polythene bag from a passenger in a trotro.
She said the incident occurred on July 17, last year, when the complainant boarded a trotro from Suame roundabout to Abrepo Junction where she alighted.
She said in the course of the journey, Nana Badu who was sitting beside her in the vehicle used a sharp object to cut the bag containing the money and phone and when the complainant alighted from the vehicle, she realised that her money and the mobile phone were missing from the bag.
She said the complainant used another phone to call the number of the missing phone only to be responded by a male voice that refused to identify himself.
The prosecutor stated that the complainant lodged a complaint with the Police at the Central Police Station where investigation started immediately.
She said in the course of the investigations, it was revealed at the Vodafone office that the number of the stolen mobile phone had been used to call a witness in the case, causing police to invite the recipient of the call to assist in their investigations.
According to the prosecutor, the witness in the case revealed that it was Nana Badu who called her with the missing phone and assisted the police to arrest him around 5: 30 am on July 20,2010.
Chief Inspector Sumatu said when the suspect was arrested, he denied stealing the money and the mobile phone in his caution statement, but alleged that he found the phone on the ground at Santasi.
However, after series of police investigations, he was charged with the offence, and it was during his maiden appearance in court that his father stood surety for him, and also made a part payment of GH¢800.00 of the money his son was alleged to have stolen.
Monday, January 31, 2011
2 remanded for defilement (NSEMPA PAGE 5, JAN 31, 2011)
By Collins Agyekum-Gyasi, Kumasi.
THE Kumasi High Court, on Friday, remanded two accused persons in prison custody on two counts of conspiracy and defilement of a three-year old girl.
The accused persons, Desmond Addai and Osei Kwadwo both pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded into prison custody to reappear on February 10, 2011.
The case, which has been with the Attorney General’s Department for nearly a year, was called up for hearing on Friday, January 28, 2010.
However, trial was halted halfway into the proceedings, when a lawyer announced that she had been requested to defend the accused persons and pleaded for a short date to enable her prepare adequately to defend her clients.
Meanwhile, the accused persons had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Presenting the facts of the case to the court presided over by Justice R.C. Azumah, the Prosecuting Attorney, said the complainant, a trader, and the victim lived at Feyiase near Kumasi, where the accused persons also resided.
Mr Boison said on February 9, 2010, the complainant was searching for the victim to give her evening meal but could not find her till about 7.30 pm in the evening when she came home crying and bathed in faeces.
The victim was bleeding from her vagina.
The victim, he informed the court, then told the complainant that one of the accused persons, Addai, had sent her to buy ice water and that he and another person took her to a nearby plantain farm where they defiled her.
When she confronted Addai, he mentioned Osei Kwadwo as his accomplice because the victim could not identify him (Osei) who was wearing a mask.
According to the prosecution, a medical form duly endorsed by a medical officer, confirmed that the vagina of the victim was badly torn. Her hymen was also broken.
Based on the medical report, the Addai and Osei were arrested and charged with the crimes.
THE Kumasi High Court, on Friday, remanded two accused persons in prison custody on two counts of conspiracy and defilement of a three-year old girl.
The accused persons, Desmond Addai and Osei Kwadwo both pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded into prison custody to reappear on February 10, 2011.
The case, which has been with the Attorney General’s Department for nearly a year, was called up for hearing on Friday, January 28, 2010.
However, trial was halted halfway into the proceedings, when a lawyer announced that she had been requested to defend the accused persons and pleaded for a short date to enable her prepare adequately to defend her clients.
Meanwhile, the accused persons had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Presenting the facts of the case to the court presided over by Justice R.C. Azumah, the Prosecuting Attorney, said the complainant, a trader, and the victim lived at Feyiase near Kumasi, where the accused persons also resided.
Mr Boison said on February 9, 2010, the complainant was searching for the victim to give her evening meal but could not find her till about 7.30 pm in the evening when she came home crying and bathed in faeces.
The victim was bleeding from her vagina.
The victim, he informed the court, then told the complainant that one of the accused persons, Addai, had sent her to buy ice water and that he and another person took her to a nearby plantain farm where they defiled her.
When she confronted Addai, he mentioned Osei Kwadwo as his accomplice because the victim could not identify him (Osei) who was wearing a mask.
According to the prosecution, a medical form duly endorsed by a medical officer, confirmed that the vagina of the victim was badly torn. Her hymen was also broken.
Based on the medical report, the Addai and Osei were arrested and charged with the crimes.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
MONEYGRAM INTERNATIONAL PROVIDES BOREHOLES FOR ABUBOI IPAGE 35, JAN 13, 2011)
THE people of Asuboi, a farming community in the Offinso South District in the Ashanti Region, could not hide their feelings during the inauguration of two boreholes fitted with hand pumps provided for them by MoneyGram International.
It was the greatest gift ever handed over to the community, as both the aged and the young took to the floor to celebrate the occasion with music and dance.
On November 5, this year, after Kumasi-based Nhyira FM, a private radio station, had carried the plight of the people of Asuboi on a news bulletin concerning the outbreak of black flies infestation of their water source, MoneyGram and partner banks promised to provide the community with two boreholes that would provide the people with potable water.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the MoneyGram Marketing Manager for Anglophone West Africa, Mr Gabriel Wilson, stressed the need for the people of Asuboi to adopt the culture of maintenance by taking good care of the boreholes so that they would have a longer lifespan.
“As we hand over these two boreholes, we would like to encourage the good people of Asuboi to maintain the investment for generations unborn to also benefit from the projects,” he reminded the people, and called on the Community Water and Sanitation Agency to assist the people to maintain them.
Mr Wilson called on media practitioners to hype more on rural dwellers and the development of communities, instead of paying attention to the developed areas.
Mr Ohene Tawia of Nhyira FM, who first brought the woes of the people to the fore, urged them to unite and be one another’s keeper.
He commended MoneyGram and its partner banks, Water Solutions, the Vector Control Unit and Zoomlion, which supplied chemicals to fight the black flies, for their prompt response to the distress call of the people of Asuboi.
Earlier in a welcoming address, Nana Frimpong Manso, the Asonahene of Asuboi, commended MoneyGram for the assistance to his people.
He used the opportunity to appeal to the telecommunication companies to build a mast in the area to enable the people to receive and send news outside.
“We have to climb trees to get telephone signals, which is not good enough, and we need the phone companies to construct masts here,” Nana Frimpong Manso said.
It was the greatest gift ever handed over to the community, as both the aged and the young took to the floor to celebrate the occasion with music and dance.
On November 5, this year, after Kumasi-based Nhyira FM, a private radio station, had carried the plight of the people of Asuboi on a news bulletin concerning the outbreak of black flies infestation of their water source, MoneyGram and partner banks promised to provide the community with two boreholes that would provide the people with potable water.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the MoneyGram Marketing Manager for Anglophone West Africa, Mr Gabriel Wilson, stressed the need for the people of Asuboi to adopt the culture of maintenance by taking good care of the boreholes so that they would have a longer lifespan.
“As we hand over these two boreholes, we would like to encourage the good people of Asuboi to maintain the investment for generations unborn to also benefit from the projects,” he reminded the people, and called on the Community Water and Sanitation Agency to assist the people to maintain them.
Mr Wilson called on media practitioners to hype more on rural dwellers and the development of communities, instead of paying attention to the developed areas.
Mr Ohene Tawia of Nhyira FM, who first brought the woes of the people to the fore, urged them to unite and be one another’s keeper.
He commended MoneyGram and its partner banks, Water Solutions, the Vector Control Unit and Zoomlion, which supplied chemicals to fight the black flies, for their prompt response to the distress call of the people of Asuboi.
Earlier in a welcoming address, Nana Frimpong Manso, the Asonahene of Asuboi, commended MoneyGram for the assistance to his people.
He used the opportunity to appeal to the telecommunication companies to build a mast in the area to enable the people to receive and send news outside.
“We have to climb trees to get telephone signals, which is not good enough, and we need the phone companies to construct masts here,” Nana Frimpong Manso said.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
OYOKO CITIZENS ABROAD PUT UP MATERNITY BLOCK (PAGE 22, JAN 11, 2011)
CITIZENS from Oyoko-Ashanti resident in the United States of America (USA) and Europe are constructing a maternity block for the community to enhance healthcare delivery.
The project, estimated at GH¢35,000, will facilitate reproductive and child healthcare (RHC) at the Oyoko Clinic.
Residents from the community told Daily Graphic that consulting and clinical duties at the RHC had come to a halt, compelling patients from the community to travel long distances to seek medical care elsewhere.
Briefing Daily Graphic at Oyoko on the construction of the maternity block, the spokespersons, Messrs Amoako Agyemang and Kofi Asamoah Omono, who are based in the US and Amsterdam respectively, said the project was being undertaken to facilitate quality healthcare delivery.
They expressed concern about the problems pregnant women and children in the community went through when they travelled to seek medical attention.
The two men gave the assurance that the project would be completed on schedule to ease such problems.
Mr Asamoah Omono, however, appealed to residents in the community to support the project with communal labour to ensure its early completion.
The Akwamuhene of Oyoko, Nana Amoako Amankwaa, who is also the project co-ordinator, emphasised the commitment of the people to complete the project on schedule.
He stated that the early completion of the project would not only enhance quality healthcare delivery, but would also make it possible for the residents to engage in productive ventures to open more avenues for the development of the community.
The Chief of the town, Nana Owusu Kwadwo II, commended the financiers of the project for their initiative and urged the residents to also support the development initiatives of the community in diverse ways.
The project, estimated at GH¢35,000, will facilitate reproductive and child healthcare (RHC) at the Oyoko Clinic.
Residents from the community told Daily Graphic that consulting and clinical duties at the RHC had come to a halt, compelling patients from the community to travel long distances to seek medical care elsewhere.
Briefing Daily Graphic at Oyoko on the construction of the maternity block, the spokespersons, Messrs Amoako Agyemang and Kofi Asamoah Omono, who are based in the US and Amsterdam respectively, said the project was being undertaken to facilitate quality healthcare delivery.
They expressed concern about the problems pregnant women and children in the community went through when they travelled to seek medical attention.
The two men gave the assurance that the project would be completed on schedule to ease such problems.
Mr Asamoah Omono, however, appealed to residents in the community to support the project with communal labour to ensure its early completion.
The Akwamuhene of Oyoko, Nana Amoako Amankwaa, who is also the project co-ordinator, emphasised the commitment of the people to complete the project on schedule.
He stated that the early completion of the project would not only enhance quality healthcare delivery, but would also make it possible for the residents to engage in productive ventures to open more avenues for the development of the community.
The Chief of the town, Nana Owusu Kwadwo II, commended the financiers of the project for their initiative and urged the residents to also support the development initiatives of the community in diverse ways.
Friday, December 31, 2010
FAKE FILM DIRECTOR JAILED FOR STEALING (MIRROR, DEC 31, 2010, PAGE 21)
From Collins Agyekum-Gyasi, Kumasi.
A KUMASI Circuit Court has convicted a self-styled movie director who craftily managed to deceive a student and succeeded in bolting away with her Laptop and a mobile phone.
James Kelvin Asante, pleaded not guilty to stealing the items valued at GH¢1,520 but was found guilty by the court.
Presenting the facts of the case to the court, presided over by Mr Emmanuel Amo-Yartey, the Police Prosecutor, Chief Inspector Comfort Baffour-Kyei, said Asante, lived in Accra and on September 13, last year, approached a witness in the case, Ms Benelyn Ofei, a student of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), that he needed someone to play an acting role in a film he was working on.
Ms Ofei, who looked at the story with a cold attitude, called in her roommate, the complainant, to meet the convict if she was interested.
The prosecutor said the complainant, after hearing the story from Asante, showed interest to feature in the said film and said that she was ready to play any role.
Asante allegedly told the complainant that one Yvonne Forson had disappointed him (Asante), hence his desire to look for a substitute actress.
The prosecutor said: “ The convict directed her (the complainant) to bring along her laptop and phone so that he could copy the script onto the laptop for her to study it. With regard to the phone, he purported to store his number on it for her to give him a call if she encountered any difficulty.”
On the complainant’s return with the items, Asante allegedly collected them and sent her to meet some film stars at the Unity Hall and sign an entry form. She rushed to the Hall but met none of the alleged film stars.
Ms Baffour-Kyei said the complainant returned to report to Asante but he too had disappeared with her laptop and the Nokia phone.
She said three days later, she saw Asante on the university campus and reported the matter to the KNUST Security personnel who arrested and handed him over to the KNUST police. After investigations, he was charged with the crime.
A KUMASI Circuit Court has convicted a self-styled movie director who craftily managed to deceive a student and succeeded in bolting away with her Laptop and a mobile phone.
James Kelvin Asante, pleaded not guilty to stealing the items valued at GH¢1,520 but was found guilty by the court.
Presenting the facts of the case to the court, presided over by Mr Emmanuel Amo-Yartey, the Police Prosecutor, Chief Inspector Comfort Baffour-Kyei, said Asante, lived in Accra and on September 13, last year, approached a witness in the case, Ms Benelyn Ofei, a student of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), that he needed someone to play an acting role in a film he was working on.
Ms Ofei, who looked at the story with a cold attitude, called in her roommate, the complainant, to meet the convict if she was interested.
The prosecutor said the complainant, after hearing the story from Asante, showed interest to feature in the said film and said that she was ready to play any role.
Asante allegedly told the complainant that one Yvonne Forson had disappointed him (Asante), hence his desire to look for a substitute actress.
The prosecutor said: “ The convict directed her (the complainant) to bring along her laptop and phone so that he could copy the script onto the laptop for her to study it. With regard to the phone, he purported to store his number on it for her to give him a call if she encountered any difficulty.”
On the complainant’s return with the items, Asante allegedly collected them and sent her to meet some film stars at the Unity Hall and sign an entry form. She rushed to the Hall but met none of the alleged film stars.
Ms Baffour-Kyei said the complainant returned to report to Asante but he too had disappeared with her laptop and the Nokia phone.
She said three days later, she saw Asante on the university campus and reported the matter to the KNUST Security personnel who arrested and handed him over to the KNUST police. After investigations, he was charged with the crime.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
ANTOA POLICE TO GET PERMANENT STRUCTURES (PAGE 22, DEC 29, 2010)
THE Antoa Traditional Council is constructing permanent structures for the Antoa Police Station in the Ashanti Region at a cost of GH¢150,000.
Police personnel in the town have operated in rented premises since 1961 so the traditional authorities released a 27-acre piece land for the project.
In a speech read on behalf of the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr Patrick Timbilla at the sod-cutting ceremony, he urged the people to volunteer information about suspected criminals to the police.
He said that was one sure way of checking crime, stressing that the police were not magicians to get to the bottom of every crime without public support.
Mr Timbillah said policing everywhere depended on information, giving the assurance that police personnel could perform very well upon accurate information given them.
He said it was everybody’s civic duty to inform the police on the activities and movements of criminals within the communities.
Mr Timbillah observed that in recent times, armed robbers had turned their attention on the highways with most of the fugitives and their tricks being imported.
He, therefore, warned the public not to keep more monies at home.
The regional commander expressed the service’s appreciation to the chief of Antoa, Nana Kwame Owusu Agyeman, the queen and elders of the town for their great assistance in helping to create a harmonious society.
He urged the general public and organisations to emulate the leadership examples of the chief and his people to help the police in the execution of their responsibilities.
The Kwabre East District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Adams Iddrissu, enumerated the numerous projects executed by the chief and his elders for the community.
He said the Antoa community had been very popular on the lips of people throughout the country and everything necessary would be done to raise the living standard of the people.
On behalf of the district assembly, the DCE pledged 200 bags of cement towards the project.
The Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Kofi Frimpong gave the assurance that the 14-kilometre road from the town to Kumasi had been awarded on contract for reconstruction.
He pledged to provide all the roofing sheets needed to complete the police station.
Earlier in a welcoming address, Nana Owusu Agyeman said the completion of the station would ensure that most of the social vices such as drug peddling, gambling and truancy among school children in the area would stop.
He made request for the youth of the town to be considered for enlistment into the Ghana Police Service.
Police personnel in the town have operated in rented premises since 1961 so the traditional authorities released a 27-acre piece land for the project.
In a speech read on behalf of the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr Patrick Timbilla at the sod-cutting ceremony, he urged the people to volunteer information about suspected criminals to the police.
He said that was one sure way of checking crime, stressing that the police were not magicians to get to the bottom of every crime without public support.
Mr Timbillah said policing everywhere depended on information, giving the assurance that police personnel could perform very well upon accurate information given them.
He said it was everybody’s civic duty to inform the police on the activities and movements of criminals within the communities.
Mr Timbillah observed that in recent times, armed robbers had turned their attention on the highways with most of the fugitives and their tricks being imported.
He, therefore, warned the public not to keep more monies at home.
The regional commander expressed the service’s appreciation to the chief of Antoa, Nana Kwame Owusu Agyeman, the queen and elders of the town for their great assistance in helping to create a harmonious society.
He urged the general public and organisations to emulate the leadership examples of the chief and his people to help the police in the execution of their responsibilities.
The Kwabre East District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Adams Iddrissu, enumerated the numerous projects executed by the chief and his elders for the community.
He said the Antoa community had been very popular on the lips of people throughout the country and everything necessary would be done to raise the living standard of the people.
On behalf of the district assembly, the DCE pledged 200 bags of cement towards the project.
The Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Kofi Frimpong gave the assurance that the 14-kilometre road from the town to Kumasi had been awarded on contract for reconstruction.
He pledged to provide all the roofing sheets needed to complete the police station.
Earlier in a welcoming address, Nana Owusu Agyeman said the completion of the station would ensure that most of the social vices such as drug peddling, gambling and truancy among school children in the area would stop.
He made request for the youth of the town to be considered for enlistment into the Ghana Police Service.
Monday, December 27, 2010
LET 2011 BE YEAR OF PROSPERITY...House of Chiefs urges Ghanaians (PAGE 12, DEC 27, 2010)
THE National House of Chiefs has noted that political insults had the tendency to create chaos or anarchy in the country.
While hailing the country’s democratic dispensation, the House described as unfortunate the use of insulting language against political opponents in recent times.
It has, therefore, called on all and sundry to ensure that there is decency in the political environment.
In a New Year message signed by the Registrar of the house, Mr S.R Takyi, on behalf of the Wulugu Naba Pugansoa Naa, Prof. John S. Nabila, the House urged all Ghanaians to unite and pray so that 2011 would usher the country into a period of prosperity.
The House commended all chiefs in the country for their support during 2010 and prayed that the House would continue to receive the necessary support and encouragement to deliver in the coming year.
It commended the government and the nation’s gallant farmers for the successful Farmers’ Day celebration at Somanya in the Eastern Region.
The chiefs also thanked God for the peaceful celebration of the major festivals, such as Good Friday, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha as well as the peaceful Hajj.
Nananom stated that Christmas was the revelation of God’s love to mankind.
Consequently, they called on Ghanaians to extend love to their neighbours.
While hailing the country’s democratic dispensation, the House described as unfortunate the use of insulting language against political opponents in recent times.
It has, therefore, called on all and sundry to ensure that there is decency in the political environment.
In a New Year message signed by the Registrar of the house, Mr S.R Takyi, on behalf of the Wulugu Naba Pugansoa Naa, Prof. John S. Nabila, the House urged all Ghanaians to unite and pray so that 2011 would usher the country into a period of prosperity.
The House commended all chiefs in the country for their support during 2010 and prayed that the House would continue to receive the necessary support and encouragement to deliver in the coming year.
It commended the government and the nation’s gallant farmers for the successful Farmers’ Day celebration at Somanya in the Eastern Region.
The chiefs also thanked God for the peaceful celebration of the major festivals, such as Good Friday, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha as well as the peaceful Hajj.
Nananom stated that Christmas was the revelation of God’s love to mankind.
Consequently, they called on Ghanaians to extend love to their neighbours.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)