Category: Local News

The Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association, Accra Chapter, has declared a strike action for Thursday, April 10, 2025, in response to what they call “continued defamatory statements and publications” by the OR Foundation.

This foundation has frequently criticized the secondhand clothing trade in Ghana, particularly the activities within the Kantamanto Market.

In a statement, the association accused the OR Foundation of spreading “false, unbalanced, and damaging narratives” about the industry.

They claim these reports have misrepresented their operations and overlooked the significant contributions the used clothing sector makes to the economy, including job creation, poverty reduction, and providing sustainable livelihoods for many Ghanaians.

Speaking to Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Aikins Boakye Mensah, an executive member of the association, said the strike is aimed at defending the dignity of used clothing dealers and protecting the reputation of Ghana.

The dealers are demanding that the OR Foundation stop its defamatory statements and call for responsible and factual reporting on the industry.

The association stressed that they are peaceful traders but will not remain silent in the face of unfair attacks. The objectives of the strike include:

• Demanding an end to defamatory statements from the OR Foundation
• Defending the dignity and livelihood of used clothing dealers in Accra
• Safeguarding Ghana’s image both locally and internationally
• Calling for responsible and factual reporting on the secondhand clothing industry

“We are peaceful traders, but we will not sit silently as our industry and country are unfairly attacked. This strike is a unified action to defend our space, our people, and our country’s reputation” ,” Boakye Mensah said.

A District Magistrate Court in Nalerigu has convicted and sentenced 12 individuals involved in a violent land dispute in the Gbalo community near Chereponi in the Northeast Region.

The court imposed a fine of 400 penalty units—equivalent to GHS 4,800—on each of the convicts, with a default sentence of 18 months in prison. The sentencing followed nearly three years of legal proceedings and was delivered on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

According to the police, the incident dates back to July 25, 2022, when the convicts—residents of Gbalo—mobilized and launched an attack on the neighboring Sagong/Kukpong community. The assault resulted in multiple houses being torched and significant property damage.

Their arrests came a month later, on August 24, 2022, following an intelligence-led operation by the North East Regional Police Command.

Presiding over the case, His Worship Simon Kofi Bediako found the accused guilty on two counts: conspiracy to commit a crime and causing unlawful damage. The court emphasized the seriousness of their actions and delivered its verdict accordingly.

In a statement, Deputy Superintendent of Police Robert Anabik Anmain, Acting Public Relations Officer, assured the public that the police would not relent in pursuing perpetrators of violence. He urged communities to resolve disputes through peaceful and lawful means.

“Community members are advised to use peaceful and legal means to resolve conflicts and disputes in their communities,” DSP Anmain stated.

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has refuted claims circulating about a new producer price for cocoa, labelling such reports as false and misleading.

In an official statement issued Thursday, the Board clarified that no price adjustment has been authorized, as the required administrative framework remains incomplete.

COCOBOD highlighted two critical gaps including the absence of functional Board of Directors to approve such a decision.

it also pointed out that the Producer Price Review Committee, which assesses and proposes price changes, is yet to be constituted.

“Without these key bodies operational, any announcement of a new producer price is impossible and unauthorized,” the statement emphasized.

The Board urged the public and media to ignore unverified claims and await official communication through proper channels.

Rev John Ntim Fordjour, Member of Parliament for Assin South and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, has expressed gratitude to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for visiting his residence following what he described as a politically-motivated act of harassment.

Operatives of the National Investigations Bureau on Wednesday April 9 besieged the residence of the MP but their attempt was foiled by members of the minority New Patriotic Party (NPP).

In a post shared on X, Fordjour accused the NDC government of attempting to suppress MPs from exercising their legitimate oversight responsibilities.

“Thank you very much HE Dr Mahamudu Bawumia @MBawumia for the visit to my residence this evening following the politically motivated lawless act of harassment in the attempt of the NDC government to gag MPs from exercising their legitimate oversight,” Fordjour wrote.

The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) is set to carry out a demolition exercise today, Thursday, April 10, 2025, targeting structures illegally built on the Weija and Dansoman Ramsar sites.

This operation follows President John Dramani Mahama’s recent tour of Ramsar sites and flood-prone areas in Accra, where he issued a stern warning that structures on protected lands and waterways would be removed.

Speaking at the 2025 National Eid-ul-Fitr celebration at Black Star Square, President Mahama also expressed concern over increasing land encroachment and its contribution to persistent flooding and property loss.

He cautioned against illegal construction on waterways and Ramsar sites, indicating the government’s resolve to take decisive action.

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, is expected to lead a team of security officers to oversee the demolition exercise.

The initiative aims to clear unauthorized structures, restore natural watercourses, and reduce the risk of flooding during the rainy season.

The Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, has described his acquittal as vindication from a politically motivated trial.

His remarks follow the Accra High Court’s decision on Wednesday, April 9, to acquit and discharge him after more than three years of legal proceedings.

Quayson had been facing charges of forgery and perjury, with allegations that he held Canadian citizenship at the time he filed to contest the 2020 parliamentary elections.

Speaking to journalists after the ruling, Quayson expressed confidence that the truth would prevail, stating that he had always believed in his innocence.

“When you are not wrong, there is nothing you should worry about. No matter where you put the person, they will bounce back. So, that was my reaction, that I know I am innocent. I didn’t come here to bother anybody. I came here to help my community and serve my people,” he said.

The Assin North legislator emphasized that he had taken the necessary steps to comply with all legal requirements ahead of the elections but believes the case was driven by political interests.

“I made sure I did the right thing, but everything seems to be playing politics. We all knew that it was politically motivated. You heard the facts from the judges,” he added.

Quayson’s trial had become a high-profile legal and political matter, drawing national attention due to its implications for parliamentary representation and citizenship laws.

His acquittal marks the end of a prolonged legal battle and a significant moment for his political career.

Gunmen stormed the palace of a local sub-chief in Poayamire, a community in the Binduri District, on the night of Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The attack left one person dead and two others injured.

Among the victims was Naba Atamburi, the sub-chief, along with two of his family members. All three sustained gunshot wounds during the assault.

They were rushed to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital for emergency treatment, but one of the injured died on the way.

While the motive behind the attack remains unclear, residents believe it may be linked to the ongoing Bawku conflict.

Tensions in the area have heightened in recent weeks, particularly after an alleged police shooting that claimed a life.

Since the resurgence of the conflict in October 2024, at least 83 people have lost their lives in related violence.

Security forces have yet to issue an official statement on the latest incident. Investigations are underway as authorities work to restore calm to the troubled region.

The Ghana Police Service has apprehended a suspect involved in a disturbing assault incident that went viral on social media.

The suspect, identified as Dawuda Sumaila, was arrested on April 9th, 2025, following an intelligence-led operation.

Sumaila is accused of physically attacking a young man with a machete near a fuel tanker in a shocking video that has since circulated widely.

The incident occurred on Friday, April 4th, 2025, at Anyinam in the Eastern Region. The viral footage shows Sumaila assaulting the victim, drawing public outrage and sparking calls for justice.

Sumaila, who works as a tanker driver’s mate, is currently in police custody, where he is assisting with ongoing investigations into the matter.

The Ghana Police Service has assured the public that they are handling the case with urgency and that further details will be provided as the investigation progresses.

John Awumi, Chairman of the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG), has raised serious concerns over the recent surge in prices of goods and services, describing the increases as “illogical” and lacking any clear justification.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, April 10, Awumi questioned the rationale behind the price hikes, highlighting inconsistencies within the broader economic context.

“For me, it defies logic. If you look at fuel prices, the government has done a couple of things that have cancelled VAT on insurance, which has allowed transport fares to be stable for some time. Yet a tipper truck of sand has increased from Ghc2,700 to Ghc3,000 in the Greater Accra region, and stones have increased from Ghc3,400 to Ghc4,000. What is the basis for these increases? I don’t understand,” he lamented.

Awumi urged the government to take a more proactive role in monitoring and addressing such unexplained price movements. He emphasized that the current situation requires greater oversight and transparency.

He called on the Ministry of Trade to investigate the root causes of the price hikes and gather accurate data to help inform national economic planning.

“Looking at trends, the government needs to take a hand in that. We must be interested in our economy. Because you just come in and you have a certain area of the country, you just increase the price, and there is no basis.

“A pepper seller will tell you that it is because of the dollar. A bean seller, an okra seller, and all the others will tell you it is because of the dollar. It is time the Ministry of Trade goes down and gathers these figures to know what they can do so that the figures the church puts out as inflationary figures reflect what is on the ground,” he stated.

Awumi’s remarks reflect growing public frustration over the rising cost of living, especially in light of stable fuel and transport prices, which many expected would ease the pricing pressures on basic goods and construction materials.

The National Coordinator for the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has issued a stern warning to the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, demanding that he presents the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) by 10:00 a.m. today, April 10.

According to Vanderpuye, failure to comply will result in Ntim Fordjour being forcibly taken from his residence by security forces.

On Wednesday, operatives from the NIB stormed the residence of Rev. Fordjour in an attempt to arrest him over allegations he made regarding two suspicious aircraft that landed at Kotoka International Airport—claims that suggest potential drug trafficking and money laundering. However, the operation was later suspended without an official explanation.

Addressing the development, Vanderpuye revealed that the operation was called off following a plea by Afenyo-Markin, who gave assurances to National Security that he would voluntarily present Rev. Fordjour for questioning by 10:00 a.m. today.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Thursday, Vanderpuye emphasized that the Minority Leader had previously reached an agreement with government officials to ensure the voluntary appearance of any caucus member required by National Security.

“Somebody must advise Ntim Fordjour, and I will let Afenyo-Markin exercise that opportunity given him today. By 10:00, he must present Ntim Fordjour for the questioning that he is supposed to face so that we can all have our peace,” Vanderpuye stressed.

He also condemned the actions of some Minority MPs who reportedly gathered at Rev. Fordjour’s residence to resist the operation, describing their behavior as inappropriate and disrespectful.

“What they did yesterday was unruly and uncalled for, and a total disrespect for the security services. Talking of the warrant, a police officer can effect an arrest without a warrant. If the Minority Leader does not present him today, we shall plug him from his house,” he declared.