The Member of Parliament for Zebilla, Cletus Avoka, has said that he will be requesting the speaker of Parliament to initiate a probe into the military brutalities that took place in Garu. He said there are so many questions about the operations of the Military. “We were hopeful that we would be making the statement today [Tuesday, October 31] in Parliament but the time was gone and the Second Deputy Speaker who was in the Chair said that the statement was important and that he would want good attention so we should take it on [Wednesday] in the morning. We intend to request the speaker to order a probe into this event. “There are so many questions to ask than answers that we have. What did they actually want? Who authorised it?” He said on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 Tuesday, October 31. He further stated that there is no justification for the Military brutalities. He indicated that the facts presented by the National Security Ministry do not support the reality on the ground. The Ministry of National Security had explained the dawn military operation that took place in Garu and Bugri in the Upper East Region after some residents were injured in the military operation in the communities. The situation attracted flak from security analysts including Dr Adam Bonaa who said that the military invasion did not appear to be a counter-terrorism operation due to the assault on the people. Dr Bonaa explained that the modus operandi for fighting terrorism has been one that involves the locals to be able to win therefore, attacking them will rather be counter-productive to the efforts in fighting the terrorists. “No country has been able to fight terrorism without the involvement of the people. and so if you are there claiming to be fighting terrorism then I will say you need the involvement of the people. This doesn’t look like an activity to counter terrorists, this looks like an operation to brutalize the people in the area,” he said on the mid-day news on TV3 Sunday October 29. But the Ministry of National Security explained that on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 an irate youth group armed with AK 47 rifles, machetes and other weapons besieged a team of five counter-terrorism intelligence officers deployed by the Ministry of National Security to Garu on a critical, special operation. Despite initial attempts to introduce themselves as National Security personnel, the Ministry said, the irate youth group proceeded to attack the officers by firing multiple gun shots at a black Toyota Land Cruiser in which the officers were seated. Following an escalation of the attacks on their vehicle, the officers drove to seek refuge at the Garu Police Station. “The irate youth, subsequently, pursued the officers, encircled the police station and fired multiple shots at same with the intention of killing the officers. The timely intervention of the Ghana Armed Forces enabled the safe evacuation of the National Security personnel from the Garu Police Station,” a statement by the Ministry on Sunday October 29 said. Further to the aforesaid development, it added, the Ministry of National Security and the Ghana Armed Forces, on Saturday, October 28, 2023, conducted a joint operation in Garu to seize weapons used by the perpetrators of the attack on the National Security personnel. “A number of the perpetrators have also been arrested. The Ministry of National Security deems the attack on the security personnel at a police station highly unacceptable, and strongly condemns acts aimed at intimidating and harming officials of State Security and Intelligence Agencies, and impeding them from effectively executing their mandate to safeguard the peace and stability of Ghana. “Whereas the Ministry of National Security works to promote active citizen participation in safeguarding the peace and stability of our dear nation, deliberate acts that seek to jeopardise the lives of personnel of State Security and Intelligence Agencies will not be countenanced. “The Ministry owes it a duty to protect personnel of State Security and Intelligence Agencies who have sworn an oath to, at all times, defend the people and the territorial integrity of Ghana against all forms of threats,” the statement said. quesMr Cletus Avoka who is also a member of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament said “With the greatest of respect, I don’t think that the operations by the National Security were justified even if it was embellished too much or it was exaggerated. “I am saying so against the backdrop that the facts presented by the National Security minister are inconsistent with the facts that we gathered from the grounds. “On the 24th of October, I heard that a strange V8 Vehicle was spotted in Garu, Garu is part of the Bawku enclave and because of the principle of ‘See Something, Say Something’ one or two people spotted the vehicle and then it looked strange to them because it didn’t have a registered number at the back. So they got to them and discovered what they were doing, they asked them who they were and what they wanted and they said they were national security operatives and they had come there for a mission. The youth asked, how are you national security and you are not at the Police Station or a recognized place? The youth then said they would send them to the Police station to ascertain. “So these young men sent them peacefully and safely to the Police station, it was when they got to the Police station that the Police personnel opened the vehicle and discovered that there were arms and ammunition in the car. “This alarmed the local community because that area is a volatile area and they could not understand whether they were actually national security in good faith or they were pretending to be members of the National Security. It was at this point that the news went around the community that they had arms and ammunition, it was at that stage that they deflated the tyres so the lorry doesn’t move.” Credit: 3news.com

The Church of Pentecost has declared a three-day fasting and prayer session for the deacon kidnapped during last Sunday’s service in a Johannesburg Assembly in South Africa. The fasting and prayers begins Tuesday, October 31 and scheduled to end on Thursday, November 2. According to a statement issued by the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, the early Christian church earnestly prayed for Jesus’s disciple Peter when he was arrested and kept in prison and, so, it is imperative for the current church to pray for deacon Emmanuel Cudjoe. The fasting and prayers is meant “for the health and release of our brother”. Beyond that, the session will also intercede for global peace with particular attention given to what is happening in Gaza and Ukraine. “During the period, we will also be interceding for Global Peace, with particular emphasis on the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine,” the statement said. It also indicated that virtual joint prayer sessions will be held every day at 22:00GMT from the studios of Pent TV and streamed via Facebook, YouTube or Zoom. Background On Sunday, October 29, during church service in Johannesburg, armed robbers stormed the Church of Pentecost assembly, making away with valuables and cash. The less-than-five-minutes attack left members traumatised. A deacon was kidnapped. Meanwhile, Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria on Monday, October 31 announced that it is working with the church as well as the South Africa Police Service (SAPS) “to ensure the speedy and safe release and return of the victim to his family”. Credit: 3news.com

The Ghana High Commission in South Africa has confirmed the Ghanaian church robbery in Johannesburg and the kidnapping of a Ghanaian deacon. The incident happened at a Johannesburg branch of The Church of Pentecost in South Africa during a church service, which was being broadcast live. The suspected robbers, after seizing valuables from church members at gunpoint, took the church deacon into custody. The whereabouts of the church deacon is currently unknown. The incident took place on Sunday, October 29, 2023. A notice dated October 30, 2023, issued to the Ghanaian community in South Africa by Ghana’s High Commission in South Africa said the Commission was working with the police to ensure the “speedy and safe release and return of the victim to his family.” “Kindly note that the South African police is fully focused on the matter and is working hard to ensure the safe return of our compatriot.” Credit: GNG

As the year draws to a close and the festive season approaches, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has embarked on massive sensitization campaigns, addressing crucial issues of food safety and tobacco abuse as these topics take center stage in the effort to protect public health and ensure the well-being of all citizens. The FDA, mandated to safeguard public health, has been proactive in its mission to create awareness about the detrimental consequences of tobacco use, particularly among the youth, including students. Periodically, the FDA conducts comprehensive public education programs in educational institutions to enlighten students about the harmful effects of tobacco. On Friday; October 27, 2023 the Bono Regional Office of the FDA launched an impactful public education campaign at Barhamiya Islamic Basic School in Penkwase, Sunyani Municipality. In this significant event, a total of two hundred and twenty (220) pupils from upper primary and Junior High School (JHS) levels actively participated. During the session, students were provided with valuable insights into the dangers associated with tobacco and tobacco products. Furthermore, FDA officers imparted essential knowledge on food safety, highlighting measures to prevent food contamination. Following the informative presentations, pupils were encouraged to ask questions, and FDA officers were readily available to provide comprehensive responses. At the end of the program, Mr. Omar Fuseini, the Headteacher of Barhamiya Islamic Basic School, expressed his gratitude to the FDA and its officers for the invaluable education. He stressed the importance of regular visits by the FDA to continue educating both students and staff at the school, underlining the significance of such initiatives in shaping a healthier and safer future for the youth. Credit: Richard Abrokwah

The 27th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) awards event was held in Accra on Sunday, October 29. Below are the winners of the awards… News Reporter Fred Duhoe, CitiFM/CitiTV Best News Reporter Print Alberto Mario Noreti, The Mirror Feature writing Television Gifty Adjei, GBC Feature writing Online Felix Dela Klutse Feature Writing Radio Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman, EIB Network Feature Writing Print Efia Akese, The Mirror Documentary writing TV Godwin Asediba, Media General Documentary writing Radio Doreen Ampofo, GBC Columnist Eric Mensah Ayettey, Multimedia to TV3 Education reporter Anthony Adongo Apubeo, Investigative Journalism Francisa Enchill, JoyNews Freelance Arts & Entertainment Kweku Bolton, GBC Business and Economic Reporting Emma Davies, Multimedia Group Environment and Science Akua Oforiwaa Darko, GBC Health Beatrice Aenadju, GBC Agriculture and Food security Della Russel Ocloo, Daily Graphic Democracy and Good Governance Seth J. Bokpe, Fourth Estate Gender Vivian Adu, Atinka Media Crime and Court Edward Adeti, Fourth Estate Domestic Tourism Print Mohammed Fugu, Daily Graphic Road safety Kester Aburam Korankye, Daily Graphic Illegal mining Erastus Asare Donkor, Multimedia Group Best TV Program (Ghanaian Language) Critical issues, UTV Best Radio Program (Ghanaian Language) Efisem, Atinka Media Best TV Program (English) Ghana Tonight, Media General Disability Emmanuel Dzivenu, Joy Prime (Multimedia) Best Radio Program (English) Newsfile, Joy FM (Multimedia) Best Newspaper Layout Daily Graphic, Graphic Communications Student Journalist of the Year Collincia Ayifa, UCC, Multimedia Group Female Journalist of the Year Award Francisa Enchill, Freelance, Joy News Komla Dumor Most Promising Award Neta Kris Abiana, Multimedia Group Journalist of the Year Award Erastus Asare Donkor, Multimedia Group Credit: 3news.com

President Akufo-Addo has donated GHc100,000 to the family of the late Ga Manye, Naa Dedei Omaedru III. The presentation was done on behalf of President Akufo-Addo by Member of Parliament of Tema East, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover. Other items donated included boxes of Malt, Heineken, water, whisky, and other assorted items. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) also donated GH¢10,000 to the funeral activities. It will be recalled that the late Ga Manye died on December 26, 2022. President Akufo-Addo on June 19, signed a book of condolences in honour of the late Ga Manye. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Presidential Hopeful for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong has charged the Volta River Authority (VRA) to compensate victims whose homes and other valuable properties have been damaged by the flood during the spillage. He made the call following the unfortunate incident which occurred few weeks ago. He said "Why do we always have the floods. We have to solve it" "I don't know why people will say that the affected persons are stubborn when they have lost what they acquired over the years" "The VRA must compensate the people and I promise you that I am going to fight. "We that are not engineers, we ask whether the VRA people have the experience or expertise" "We need to have huge tanks to store the waters so that you can use it during the dry season" "We have to store water so that it can be used on the farms" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ghana has to demystify Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Digital Technology as well as let its women likewise girls know that their jobs are not only in the Arts, Minister of Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has disclosed. She made these remarks while touring a Girls-in-ICT project in some senior high Sschools in the Eastern Region on Friday. The Minister said"We have to demystify and introduce more girls to ICT/Digital Technology" "We have to let women know that their jobs isn't only in the Arts, but even with the Arts, they need some form of digital skills to be able to succeed" "The way the world is evolving, we cannot develop without giving our young girls the chance to acquire digital skills" "We seem to behave as if all things technical, mechanical, digital, engineering, science, mathematics, are a male thing so women cannot excel in it". She stressed that such thoughts have contributed to the huge gap between men and women in ICT in Ghana. "Thankfully,  it is changing so about 10 or 11 years ago, the International Telecom Union decided that if we want to make a difference, and expose more girls to the wonders of ICT, we have to be deliberate, focused and introduced more girls to it. Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that about fifteen (15) Junior High School students were selected in batches from 15 basic schools in the Akuapem South District in the Eastern Region to partake in the Girls-in-ICT program. The JHS students wowed the sector Minister after they took terms to walk her through some codes, scribes, games among others they had developed. The Minister who could not hide her joy also told Journalists that plans are underway to ensure that JHS and SHS have ICT centres where the students can access and acquire knowledge. She also disclosed that measures are also being put in place to ensure that every JHS and SHS students has his or her own laptop. The students expressed joy and thanked the sector Minister for such an initiative. They assured that they will make good use of what they had learned and also educate their colleagues. The Girls-in-ICT program saw the Minister of Communications and Digitalization together with her entourage toured the Aburi Girls SHS, Presbyterian Secondary School, Mampong, Regional Library, Koforidua and Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua, popularly known as GHANASS. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Inspector-General of Police Dr George Akuffo Dampare has assured Ghanaians in and out of the country that this year’s Christmas will be incident free as the police are ready to protect them and their belongings. The Police Chief is particularly urging Ghanaians in the diaspora and other nationals to make Ghana their destination of choice as they will be fully protected. “We want to assure you that this Christmas will be awesome. I assure you that the police will give you double overdose of security" “So Ghana is ready, to all the tourist I want assure you that ghana is ready, the police is ready, come and enjoy our hospitality. We will protect you and all your belongings,” the IGP said at a meeting with the leadership of the TUC at the Police Headquarters on Wednesday. The meeting was part of the police administration’s ongoing engagement with key stakeholders as part of security preparations ahead of the yuletide. On Monday, the IGP and the police management board met with some Muslim leaders while on Tuesday the team engaged members of the Ghana Private Roads Transport Union and members of the Creative arts industry respectively. Source: classfmonline.com

The Ghana Police Service says it has arrested a young man captured in a viral video threatening to attack and prevent delegates from voting at the upcoming New Patriotic Party's Flagbearer elections. According to the Police, it arrested suspect, lbrahim Iddrissu Shummah after he threatened to attack and prevent people from voting in the upcoming Flagbearer Elections in the Assin Central Constituency. The police added that the suspect is in custody assisting investigation. Credit: Ghana Police Service

The Sogakope District Hospital says it will soon be compelled to reject dead bodies from other facilities as it struggles to accomodate the increasing numbers. According to the District Hospital, its morgue is running out of space. In an interview with an Accra-based radio station, Administrator of the District Hospital, Samuel Dekpo said "The hospital's morgue is running out of space" He added that the Sogakope Distict Hospital made room and accommodated dead bodies from the Richard Novati Hospital following it submerging in flood. He added that some other dead bodies from the Richard Novati Hospital were sent to other sister facilities with morgues. It will be recalled that recent spillage of the Akosombo Dam has left over 30 communities flooded. The disturbing incidents has rendered some persons homeless. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The organizers of the funeral service for the late Ga Manye, Naa Dedei Omaedru III, say they will proceed with the ceremony on Saturday, despite being slapped with an injunction. The funeral earlier hit a snag following an injunction secured against it by some interested parties. The organizers of the funeral were restrained from going ahead with the funeral for the next ten days. The plaintiffs in the case are: Nuumo Emmanuel T. Antia We, Head of the Antie We of Kpone, Nii Addey Oba-Aasaa II, Ankobea of Antie We of Kpone, Shippi Antie I, Saduase Shippi Kpone, Charles Nii Kotey Kotey, Head of Naa Dedei Omaedru We Family of Faase, Accra, Asafoatse Nii Kotey Ga II, Oseahene of Ga Manye Stool and Principal Elder of the Naa Dedei Omaedru We of Faase Accra, Michael Nii Ofei Danso of unnumbered House Accra, Principal Elder of Naa Dedei Omaedru We of Faase Accra and Naa Yomofio, Linguist of Ga Manye Naa Dedei Omaedru We. However, during an interview on Eyewitness News, a member of the funeral planning committee and the Ga Adangbe Council President, Nii Ayikoi Otoo, stated emphatically that the funeral would go on as planned because they had not been served with the court documents. He believes the organizers could not be sued because they were assigned to organize the funeral, insisting that the funeral would take place at the Ga Mantse Palace. “We don’t know anything about the injunction. These days, lots of things happen on social media. There may be things going around on social media, but I don’t think that as of now anybody has been served. I’m a member of the funeral committee, I have not been served with anything. We haven’t seen anything, so we don’t even know the extent of that order. What is it about? Is the Ga Traditional Council named as a party to the defendants?” If I give you work to do as a subcommittee or appoint you as an agent, and you have a problem, who do you sue? Is it me or the agent? Why is the Council out? The remains of the late queen mother is that a funeral? The injunction is clear that it’s about the body, you wait and see what happens. When they serve us, we will deal with it,” he told Umaru Amadu Sanda on Eyewitness News. Nii Ayikoi Otoo highlighted the number of traditional leaders and dignitaries who will be in attendance to commiserate with the Ga Traditional Council. “Saturday is the funeral day. We will have the burial service from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Afterwards, we will hand over the coffin to the Asafoatsemei to parade through the principal streets. And in the evening, we will have a private burial. These days, even those who are not royals are given private burials. How much more the late queen who was a royal?” “It will be a grand funeral. We have invited all the important chiefs of Ghana: the Asantene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Akyem, Kwahu, Yendi Yaa Naa, and Bolga Naa Ba. I mean every important paramount chief that you can think of. And they have all pledged that they will be here in person " The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will also be here, Ministers of State. It’s going to be huge. The funeral will happen at the Ga Mantse’s Palace,” he emphasized. He called on the people living around and selling in the Central Business District in the Greater Accra Region to observe the funeral day by closing their shops, schools, and offices. Ga Manye, Naa Dedei Omaedru III died in December 2022. A book of condolences was signed and opened by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on June 19, 2023. Credit: Citinewsroom