Front Page: Daily Graphic, April 9, 2010.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Founder and Leader of the Jehovah Shalom Church, popularly known as Canaan, at Gomoa Achiase, Pastor Kweku Bentum, was last Wednesday night gunned down by unknown assailants in a sordid act of anarchy that appears to be engulfing the Ghanaian society.
As if killing the pastor was not enough for the perpetrators, his wife, Mrs Margaret Bentum, who responded to a distress call from her husband, was also shot by the assailants and she is currently on admission at the Agona Swedru Government Hospital.
Five persons, suspected to be behind Pastor Bentum’s murder, have been arrested by the Gomoa Achiase Police.
A sixth person, who is believed to be the principal architect of the act, Peter Abatole, is currently on the run.
Those arrested are Adams Kassena Nakani, an in-law of Abatole’s, Abukari Adams, Francis Arhin, Cosmos Baah Yirenkyi and a woman identified by the police only as Adjoba.
The police have also retrieved the gun suspected to have been used in the pastor’s murder.
The Agona Swedru Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Owusu Donyinah, told the Daily Graphic yesterday that Pastor Bentum was due to give evidence against Peter Abatole in court today, Friday, April 9, 2010 in a case in which Abatole had been charged for stealing.
He said Abatole had been arrested on April 2, 2010 for stealing sheep.
According to him, the court granted Abatole bail on April 5, 2010 to appear again on April 9, 2010 and Pastor Bentum was to give evidence for the prosecution.
Chief Supt Donyinah said Pastor Bentum was almost at the entrance of his house when he was shot last Wednesday night.
He said the pastor screamed for help and when his wife rushed out of the house to go to his aid, she was also shot.
He said the pastor died on the spot, while his wife was rushed to hospital for treatment.
Chief Supt Donyinah said the five persons were arrested on suspicion that they might be involved in the murder.
According to him, Nakani allegedly told the police that he had been out hunting at the time of the incident and could not have been involved.
He said when Nakani was asked to produce his gun, he denied owning one and admitted ownership of the gun only after it had been retrieved from his house after a search.
Chief Supt Donyinah said the police had mounted a search for Abatole and appealed to members of the public, especially those within the area, to provide the police with any information that might lead to Abatole’s arrest.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Suspected armed robber arrested
Page 3: Daily Graphic, April 7, 2010.
Story: Albert K. Salia
A suspected armed robber who has been on the police wanted list for the past eight months has finally been arrested.
The suspect, Mawuli Dogbe, 35, is said to have been a member of an armed robbery gang led by one George Aryeetey, who was arrested on July 22, 2009.
Also known as Shorti, the suspect was arrested at the Valco Flats Market, where he claimed he was waiting for a friend, on April 4, 2010.
Shorti reportedly told the police during interrogation that he had only gone on five robbery expeditions with Aryeetey.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, the Deputy Accra Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Christian Tetteh Yahuno, said although the police arrested the kingpin of the robbery gang, it decided to continue to search for all the other members of the gang.
He said the police had been successful in arresting a number of gang members who were led by Aryeetey but explained that gang leaders often organised different groups for various operations.
He explained that the fight against armed robbery and other criminal activities was not limited to known members only.
ACP Yahuno said Shorti claimed that he had been on five different robbery expeditions with Aryeetey and other persons but could only remember the names of Stanley, Aryeetey and Emma, a Nigerian.
He said the suspect could only mention Adjiringano as one of the five areas they operated but could not list the others, with the excuse that he had not known Accra and its suburbs very well.
Story: Albert K. Salia
A suspected armed robber who has been on the police wanted list for the past eight months has finally been arrested.
The suspect, Mawuli Dogbe, 35, is said to have been a member of an armed robbery gang led by one George Aryeetey, who was arrested on July 22, 2009.
Also known as Shorti, the suspect was arrested at the Valco Flats Market, where he claimed he was waiting for a friend, on April 4, 2010.
Shorti reportedly told the police during interrogation that he had only gone on five robbery expeditions with Aryeetey.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, the Deputy Accra Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Christian Tetteh Yahuno, said although the police arrested the kingpin of the robbery gang, it decided to continue to search for all the other members of the gang.
He said the police had been successful in arresting a number of gang members who were led by Aryeetey but explained that gang leaders often organised different groups for various operations.
He explained that the fight against armed robbery and other criminal activities was not limited to known members only.
ACP Yahuno said Shorti claimed that he had been on five different robbery expeditions with Aryeetey and other persons but could only remember the names of Stanley, Aryeetey and Emma, a Nigerian.
He said the suspect could only mention Adjiringano as one of the five areas they operated but could not list the others, with the excuse that he had not known Accra and its suburbs very well.
Police to clamp down on lawlessness
Page 12: Daily Graphic, April 5, 2010.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Police Administration has directed all police commands in the country to clamp down on any acts of lawlessness and indiscipline.
It has, therefore, warned individuals and social, religious and political groupings to refrain from activities that tend to breach the Public Order Act and the peace in the country.
In an interview, the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, DSP Kwesi Ofori, said the police would deal firmly and decisively with any person or group of persons who would take the law into their own hands to cause any disturbances, irrespective of their status or social and political affiliation.
He reminded members of the public that the Public Order Act, Act 491 enjoined individuals and group of persons intending to embark on any public event such as demonstrations and rallies to inform the police at least five clear days before the event.
“People who disregard this provision do so at their own risk, as the police will not hesitate to clamp down on them in full force,” he warned.
DSP Ofori said the necessary measures had been put in place to ensure that the country continued to enjoy peace and security at all times.
He said information on alleged breach of the law that had come to the notice of the police was being investigated for appropriate action.
He described as unfortunate a statement attributed to the Yendi District Police Command that it could not arrest any of the youth threatening to kill the Yendi Metropolitan Chief Executive because the issue was too political for the police to dabble in and that no one had made a formal complaint to it.
He explained that “crime is crime” and the police had nothing to fear when handling criminal issues.
“In matters of lawlessness and threat to security, the police have nothing to with politics. It is about life and death and that is what we have been employed and trained to deal with. Criminality has no political party, religion, ethnic or any background,” he said.
Some NDC youth in Yendi last Saturday threatened to kill the Yendi MCE after accusing him of incompetence and lack of vision in championing the cause of the party and the government and creating division among the NDC rank and file in the area.
In the face of widespread condemnation, the irate youth had remained intransigent, justifying their behaviour by arguing that they resorted to violence only after the government failed to heed their persistent calls for the MCE to be sacked.
The Yendi District Police Commander, DSP Patrick Blepoe, told Joy News on Tuesday that his hands were tied because the issue was more political than criminal.
“This is a party affair involving the regional minister, who is the Chairman of the Regional Security Committee, so if we have not been instructed to carry out any arrest, we cannot act,” he said.
A security expert, Mr Emmanuel Sowatey, reacting to the position of the police on the matter, said it was a reflection of the fear security personnel entertained when it came to enforcing the law regarding members of political parties in power.
Mr Sowatey said in the security services, “the decisions you take, even if professionally right, may go a long way in affecting your prospects in terms of promotion and where you are sent to serve”.
The fears expressed by the police, according to him, were well grounded because they had seen many cases in which their colleagues who tried to be assertive and independent-minded got victimised.
“Political interference is one deadly element that affects conflicts across the nation and until such a time that we put state security above regime security, we are going to continue to have that problem,” he stated.
Mr Sowatey, however, noted that the situation was worrying because to strengthen institutions of state within the country’s fledging democracy, security personnel must live above fear and intimidation, no matter where threats were coming from.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Police Administration has directed all police commands in the country to clamp down on any acts of lawlessness and indiscipline.
It has, therefore, warned individuals and social, religious and political groupings to refrain from activities that tend to breach the Public Order Act and the peace in the country.
In an interview, the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, DSP Kwesi Ofori, said the police would deal firmly and decisively with any person or group of persons who would take the law into their own hands to cause any disturbances, irrespective of their status or social and political affiliation.
He reminded members of the public that the Public Order Act, Act 491 enjoined individuals and group of persons intending to embark on any public event such as demonstrations and rallies to inform the police at least five clear days before the event.
“People who disregard this provision do so at their own risk, as the police will not hesitate to clamp down on them in full force,” he warned.
DSP Ofori said the necessary measures had been put in place to ensure that the country continued to enjoy peace and security at all times.
He said information on alleged breach of the law that had come to the notice of the police was being investigated for appropriate action.
He described as unfortunate a statement attributed to the Yendi District Police Command that it could not arrest any of the youth threatening to kill the Yendi Metropolitan Chief Executive because the issue was too political for the police to dabble in and that no one had made a formal complaint to it.
He explained that “crime is crime” and the police had nothing to fear when handling criminal issues.
“In matters of lawlessness and threat to security, the police have nothing to with politics. It is about life and death and that is what we have been employed and trained to deal with. Criminality has no political party, religion, ethnic or any background,” he said.
Some NDC youth in Yendi last Saturday threatened to kill the Yendi MCE after accusing him of incompetence and lack of vision in championing the cause of the party and the government and creating division among the NDC rank and file in the area.
In the face of widespread condemnation, the irate youth had remained intransigent, justifying their behaviour by arguing that they resorted to violence only after the government failed to heed their persistent calls for the MCE to be sacked.
The Yendi District Police Commander, DSP Patrick Blepoe, told Joy News on Tuesday that his hands were tied because the issue was more political than criminal.
“This is a party affair involving the regional minister, who is the Chairman of the Regional Security Committee, so if we have not been instructed to carry out any arrest, we cannot act,” he said.
A security expert, Mr Emmanuel Sowatey, reacting to the position of the police on the matter, said it was a reflection of the fear security personnel entertained when it came to enforcing the law regarding members of political parties in power.
Mr Sowatey said in the security services, “the decisions you take, even if professionally right, may go a long way in affecting your prospects in terms of promotion and where you are sent to serve”.
The fears expressed by the police, according to him, were well grounded because they had seen many cases in which their colleagues who tried to be assertive and independent-minded got victimised.
“Political interference is one deadly element that affects conflicts across the nation and until such a time that we put state security above regime security, we are going to continue to have that problem,” he stated.
Mr Sowatey, however, noted that the situation was worrying because to strengthen institutions of state within the country’s fledging democracy, security personnel must live above fear and intimidation, no matter where threats were coming from.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
"Use Easter to start afresh"
Front Page: Daily Graphic, April 1, 2010.
Story: Albert K. Salia
LEADERS of three prominent churches in the country have called on Ghanaians to use the Easter season to bury their differences and begin a new life of a united people with a common destiny.
They said the vices of selfishness, disobedience, anger, evil desire, greed, corruption, as well as disrespect and intolerance, must be buried together with Jesus Christ on Good Friday.
According to them, a new life of love, unity, patience, forgiveness, reconciliation and justice should permeate the lives of Ghanaians with the resurrection of Christ.
The religious leaders — the Most Rev Dr Emmanuel Asante, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana; Rev Dr Fred Deegbe, the Head Pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church and General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, and the Rt Rev Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana — made the calls in Easter messages to Ghanaians.
The Most Rev Dr Asante called on Ghanaians to use the Easter activities to bury their weaknesses and negative tendencies.
He said from the Christian perspective, Good Friday afforded Christians the opportunity to die with Christ, explaining that past sins, negativity and weaknesses among Christians were buried and went down to the grave as Christ was buried.
He said Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday, therefore, afforded believers to start afresh in all aspects of their lives.
“For the nation, Easter should afford us the opportunity to leave behind us those negativities of the past and grab the opportunity God has given us to forge ahead in all aspects of our politico-socio-economic lives anew,” he stated.
“Yesterday is gone and a new day has dawned. Let us forget past acrimony and open a new leaf and forge ahead as a people blessed with this nation, Ghana, and abundant resources. These blessings, including the discovery of oil, should unite us to agree to disagree to work with one another in the newness of the life that has become ours through the Easter experience,” the Most Rev Dr Asante added.
For his part, Rev Dr Deegbe called on Ghanaians to use the occasion to reconcile themselves with God and their neighbours.
He said the reconciliation should unite Ghanaians more strongly for the betterment of the country and noted that if Christians put the message of reconciliation, unity and sacrifice into practice, it would move Ghana ahead.
“In this memorable season, the time Christians mark the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we should reconcile ourselves to God and to our neighbours and remain united as a people,” he said.
Rev Dr Deegbe called on law enforcement agencies to use the occasion to do their work diligently to maintain peace, law and order in society.
At a news conference to deliver his Easter message, the Rt Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso urged Ghanaians to exhibit the attitude of love, forgiveness, reconciliation, unity, justice, as well as hope, reports Matilda Attram.
He said Easter was a time for Christians to reflect and renew their lives and relationship with the Creator.
“This means throwing away the old life of selfishness and disobedience to God. It may mean confessing a theft, giving up some negative behaviour — be it anger, evil desire, greed or saying sorry to someone,” he said.
The Rt Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso, whose message was on the theme, “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ Gives Hope”, explained that Easter was a period which reminded Christians of the need to remain hopeful in God, pointing out that the resurrection of Christ gave new hope for a new life in everything they did.
He described life without Christ as one full of crises, failure, darkness, fear, sin and death which one could not endure.
Reacting to recent societal problems and challenges, he stressed the need for Ghanaians to pray for God’s intervention.
"We live in challenging times, a period when one has to live by faith and not by sight. Through all changing scenes of life, therefore, in trouble and in joy, I urge you all to hold on to your faith, continue to believe just as you did and the Lord shall strengthen your faith," he stated.
The Rt Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso advised all to refrain from immoral activities during the season and rather be motivated to observe the season with faith and confidence that joy in Christ was everlasting.
Story: Albert K. Salia
LEADERS of three prominent churches in the country have called on Ghanaians to use the Easter season to bury their differences and begin a new life of a united people with a common destiny.
They said the vices of selfishness, disobedience, anger, evil desire, greed, corruption, as well as disrespect and intolerance, must be buried together with Jesus Christ on Good Friday.
According to them, a new life of love, unity, patience, forgiveness, reconciliation and justice should permeate the lives of Ghanaians with the resurrection of Christ.
The religious leaders — the Most Rev Dr Emmanuel Asante, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana; Rev Dr Fred Deegbe, the Head Pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church and General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, and the Rt Rev Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana — made the calls in Easter messages to Ghanaians.
The Most Rev Dr Asante called on Ghanaians to use the Easter activities to bury their weaknesses and negative tendencies.
He said from the Christian perspective, Good Friday afforded Christians the opportunity to die with Christ, explaining that past sins, negativity and weaknesses among Christians were buried and went down to the grave as Christ was buried.
He said Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday, therefore, afforded believers to start afresh in all aspects of their lives.
“For the nation, Easter should afford us the opportunity to leave behind us those negativities of the past and grab the opportunity God has given us to forge ahead in all aspects of our politico-socio-economic lives anew,” he stated.
“Yesterday is gone and a new day has dawned. Let us forget past acrimony and open a new leaf and forge ahead as a people blessed with this nation, Ghana, and abundant resources. These blessings, including the discovery of oil, should unite us to agree to disagree to work with one another in the newness of the life that has become ours through the Easter experience,” the Most Rev Dr Asante added.
For his part, Rev Dr Deegbe called on Ghanaians to use the occasion to reconcile themselves with God and their neighbours.
He said the reconciliation should unite Ghanaians more strongly for the betterment of the country and noted that if Christians put the message of reconciliation, unity and sacrifice into practice, it would move Ghana ahead.
“In this memorable season, the time Christians mark the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we should reconcile ourselves to God and to our neighbours and remain united as a people,” he said.
Rev Dr Deegbe called on law enforcement agencies to use the occasion to do their work diligently to maintain peace, law and order in society.
At a news conference to deliver his Easter message, the Rt Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso urged Ghanaians to exhibit the attitude of love, forgiveness, reconciliation, unity, justice, as well as hope, reports Matilda Attram.
He said Easter was a time for Christians to reflect and renew their lives and relationship with the Creator.
“This means throwing away the old life of selfishness and disobedience to God. It may mean confessing a theft, giving up some negative behaviour — be it anger, evil desire, greed or saying sorry to someone,” he said.
The Rt Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso, whose message was on the theme, “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ Gives Hope”, explained that Easter was a period which reminded Christians of the need to remain hopeful in God, pointing out that the resurrection of Christ gave new hope for a new life in everything they did.
He described life without Christ as one full of crises, failure, darkness, fear, sin and death which one could not endure.
Reacting to recent societal problems and challenges, he stressed the need for Ghanaians to pray for God’s intervention.
"We live in challenging times, a period when one has to live by faith and not by sight. Through all changing scenes of life, therefore, in trouble and in joy, I urge you all to hold on to your faith, continue to believe just as you did and the Lord shall strengthen your faith," he stated.
The Rt Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso advised all to refrain from immoral activities during the season and rather be motivated to observe the season with faith and confidence that joy in Christ was everlasting.
Court remands music teacher
Page 31: Daily Graphic, April 1, 2010.
Story: Albert K. Salia
AN Accra circuit court has remanded Gideon Nana Ofei Dodoo, a music teacher of the Great Lamptey Mills Institute, into police custody for further investigations into his alleged defilement of a nine-year-old pupil of the institute.
His plea was not taken and the court, presided over by Mrs Georgina Mensah Datsa, remanded him into custody until April 6, 2010.
The suspect had gone into hiding since March 19, 2010 when the police started looking for him, after a complaint had been lodged that he had allegedly defiled a pupil of the institute in November 2009.
He was, however, arrested on March 25, 2010 and the case was accordingly referred to the Accra Regional office of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service.
The Head of DOVVSU, DSP Owusua Kyeremeh, said the suspect was scheduled to re-appear on April 6, 2010, by which time the police would have conducted more investigations into the matter.
Police sources said a medical report had confirmed that the victim’s private part had been dangerously tampered with.
Dodoo was alleged to have defiled the victim in November 2009 but warned her not to inform anyone about it.
The victim claimed that Dodoo told her she would die if she informed anyone about it, as a result of which she said she had to endure the abuse in a toilet where Dodoo always had carnal knowledge of her.
The girl claimed Dodoo would usually ask her to wait for everyone to leave or when the school was very quiet before taking her into the toilet to defile her.
The victim’s mother, however, detected changes in the girl and, upon interrogation, she informed her mother that it was the music teacher who had been sexually abusing her.
The victim’s mother reported the matter to the police on March 19, 2010 and also indicated in her complaint that when she went to the school, the authorities allegedly wanted to “settle” her to keep the matter silent.
Story: Albert K. Salia
AN Accra circuit court has remanded Gideon Nana Ofei Dodoo, a music teacher of the Great Lamptey Mills Institute, into police custody for further investigations into his alleged defilement of a nine-year-old pupil of the institute.
His plea was not taken and the court, presided over by Mrs Georgina Mensah Datsa, remanded him into custody until April 6, 2010.
The suspect had gone into hiding since March 19, 2010 when the police started looking for him, after a complaint had been lodged that he had allegedly defiled a pupil of the institute in November 2009.
He was, however, arrested on March 25, 2010 and the case was accordingly referred to the Accra Regional office of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service.
The Head of DOVVSU, DSP Owusua Kyeremeh, said the suspect was scheduled to re-appear on April 6, 2010, by which time the police would have conducted more investigations into the matter.
Police sources said a medical report had confirmed that the victim’s private part had been dangerously tampered with.
Dodoo was alleged to have defiled the victim in November 2009 but warned her not to inform anyone about it.
The victim claimed that Dodoo told her she would die if she informed anyone about it, as a result of which she said she had to endure the abuse in a toilet where Dodoo always had carnal knowledge of her.
The girl claimed Dodoo would usually ask her to wait for everyone to leave or when the school was very quiet before taking her into the toilet to defile her.
The victim’s mother, however, detected changes in the girl and, upon interrogation, she informed her mother that it was the music teacher who had been sexually abusing her.
The victim’s mother reported the matter to the police on March 19, 2010 and also indicated in her complaint that when she went to the school, the authorities allegedly wanted to “settle” her to keep the matter silent.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Housing development being compromised * SHC boss
Page 24: Daily Graphic, March 30, 2010.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Managing Director of the State Housing Company (SHC), Mr Mark Nii Akwei Ankrah, says the emergence of slums in urban centres indicate that human development is being compromised.
He said the failure to holistically address the challenges of planning meant that slums would continue to emerge no matter how good and well-intentioned government policies were.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) Mr Ibrahim Awal, in Accra yesterday, Mr Ankrah said the SHC was to be reinvigorated to pursue a social housing scheme that would address the housing needs of Ghanaians.
In line with that, he said, a national housing road show would be organised this year to tour the various regions and climax it with a National Housing Conference to bring all stakeholders on board to streamline housing ownership.
Mr Ankrah said what currently existed in the country was a real estate enterprise, which did not factor in the needs of many Ghanaians.
According to him, home ownership was a gradual process but the present system made it appear that it was a one-stop process.
He said he was leading the SHC to revert to its core business of a social housing scheme provider through which prospective home owners would be assisted to own houses.
He said the company was also re-engineering its existing stock of houses through re-development and building of new ones with affordable high quality materials and to suit the needs of owners.
Mr Ankrah said the era of horizontal buildings in urban centres was over and it was important that vertical development was seen as the way out.
He said the vision of achieving affordable and quality houses would require the use of local materials and planning needs of the beneficiary communities, stressing that it should not be a wholesale package of using only a particular building material for all houses across the country.
He cited for instance that the use of clay and other materials could reduce the cost of pavements in the urban centres instead of cement.
“We are bringing in a lot of innovation and flexibility in the design of housing with the ultimate owner or user in mind,” he said.
Mr Ankrah stressed the need for Ghanaians to de-politicise the housing sector, adopt a collective responsibility and think outside the box to address the housing needs.
He explained that despite the low-key activities of the SHC, the company had been acquiring large tracts of land and would make them available for prospective home owners.
He said the company had set up a Professional Advisory Unit to assist prospective home owners, companies and interested groups in instituting home owning scheme for staff.
Mr Ankrah said the company would depend on the media, particularly the GCGL, to educate the populace on housing.
He also expressed concern about the challenges in house numbering in the country, as local assemblies often provided different house numbers other than what were provided by estate firms to their owners and, thus, created problems for identification and use of housings for business transactions.
Mr Awal pledged the support of the GCGL to partner the SHC to educate the populace.
He noted that housing was key in the socio-economic life of Ghanaians and it was, therefore, important that the populace were not only informed but educated as well on the sector.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE Managing Director of the State Housing Company (SHC), Mr Mark Nii Akwei Ankrah, says the emergence of slums in urban centres indicate that human development is being compromised.
He said the failure to holistically address the challenges of planning meant that slums would continue to emerge no matter how good and well-intentioned government policies were.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) Mr Ibrahim Awal, in Accra yesterday, Mr Ankrah said the SHC was to be reinvigorated to pursue a social housing scheme that would address the housing needs of Ghanaians.
In line with that, he said, a national housing road show would be organised this year to tour the various regions and climax it with a National Housing Conference to bring all stakeholders on board to streamline housing ownership.
Mr Ankrah said what currently existed in the country was a real estate enterprise, which did not factor in the needs of many Ghanaians.
According to him, home ownership was a gradual process but the present system made it appear that it was a one-stop process.
He said he was leading the SHC to revert to its core business of a social housing scheme provider through which prospective home owners would be assisted to own houses.
He said the company was also re-engineering its existing stock of houses through re-development and building of new ones with affordable high quality materials and to suit the needs of owners.
Mr Ankrah said the era of horizontal buildings in urban centres was over and it was important that vertical development was seen as the way out.
He said the vision of achieving affordable and quality houses would require the use of local materials and planning needs of the beneficiary communities, stressing that it should not be a wholesale package of using only a particular building material for all houses across the country.
He cited for instance that the use of clay and other materials could reduce the cost of pavements in the urban centres instead of cement.
“We are bringing in a lot of innovation and flexibility in the design of housing with the ultimate owner or user in mind,” he said.
Mr Ankrah stressed the need for Ghanaians to de-politicise the housing sector, adopt a collective responsibility and think outside the box to address the housing needs.
He explained that despite the low-key activities of the SHC, the company had been acquiring large tracts of land and would make them available for prospective home owners.
He said the company had set up a Professional Advisory Unit to assist prospective home owners, companies and interested groups in instituting home owning scheme for staff.
Mr Ankrah said the company would depend on the media, particularly the GCGL, to educate the populace on housing.
He also expressed concern about the challenges in house numbering in the country, as local assemblies often provided different house numbers other than what were provided by estate firms to their owners and, thus, created problems for identification and use of housings for business transactions.
Mr Awal pledged the support of the GCGL to partner the SHC to educate the populace.
He noted that housing was key in the socio-economic life of Ghanaians and it was, therefore, important that the populace were not only informed but educated as well on the sector.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Another case of defilement at Great Lamptey-Mills
Front Page: Daily Graphic, March 27, 2010.
Story: Albert K. Salia
A MUSIC teacher of Great Lamptey Mills Institute, Gideon Nana Ofei Dodoo, 26, has been arrested by the police for allegedly defiling a nine-year-old pupil of the school.
Police sources said a medical report had confirmed that the victim’s private part had been dangerously tampered with.
Dodoo was alleged to have gone into hiding since March 19, 2010 when the police started looking for him.
He was, however, arrested on Thursday, after school authorities assisted the police to locate his house.
The Tesano Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Bossoh, told the Daily Graphic that the suspect was alleged to have defiled the victim in November, 2009 but had warned her not to inform anyone about it.
He said the victim claimed that Dodoo told her she would die, if she informed anyone about it.
According to him, the victim said she had to endure the abuse in a toilet where Dodoo always had carnal knowledge of her.
Chief Supt Bossoh said the girl claimed Dodoo would usually ask her to wait for everyone to leave or when the school was very quiet.
He said the victim’s mother, however, detected the changes in the girl and upon interrogation, the girl informed her it was the Music teacher who had been sexually abusing her.
Chief Supt. Bossoh said the victim’s mother reported the matter to the police on March 19, 2010 and also indicated in her complaint that when she went to the school, the authorities allegedly wanted to “settle” her to keep the matter silent.
At the time of filing this report, Chief Supt. Bossoh said the docket was to be referred to the Accra Regional office of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) to take over the investigations.
Story: Albert K. Salia
A MUSIC teacher of Great Lamptey Mills Institute, Gideon Nana Ofei Dodoo, 26, has been arrested by the police for allegedly defiling a nine-year-old pupil of the school.
Police sources said a medical report had confirmed that the victim’s private part had been dangerously tampered with.
Dodoo was alleged to have gone into hiding since March 19, 2010 when the police started looking for him.
He was, however, arrested on Thursday, after school authorities assisted the police to locate his house.
The Tesano Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Bossoh, told the Daily Graphic that the suspect was alleged to have defiled the victim in November, 2009 but had warned her not to inform anyone about it.
He said the victim claimed that Dodoo told her she would die, if she informed anyone about it.
According to him, the victim said she had to endure the abuse in a toilet where Dodoo always had carnal knowledge of her.
Chief Supt Bossoh said the girl claimed Dodoo would usually ask her to wait for everyone to leave or when the school was very quiet.
He said the victim’s mother, however, detected the changes in the girl and upon interrogation, the girl informed her it was the Music teacher who had been sexually abusing her.
Chief Supt. Bossoh said the victim’s mother reported the matter to the police on March 19, 2010 and also indicated in her complaint that when she went to the school, the authorities allegedly wanted to “settle” her to keep the matter silent.
At the time of filing this report, Chief Supt. Bossoh said the docket was to be referred to the Accra Regional office of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) to take over the investigations.
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