The Forestry Commission with support from its taskforce and the military has arrested five galamsey operators in the Bosomtwe Range Forest Reserve in the Bekwai Forest District of the Ashanti Region. The suspects were arraigned before the Bekwai Circuit but a couple of them have been granted bail at the moment. Despite the ban on illegal mining in the country in forest reserves and on water bodies, these illegal miners or galamsey operators defied President Nana Akufo-Addo’s orders and took hold of the Bsomtwe Range Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region. Sources say after storming most of the mining communities within the Bekwai Forest District, the task force established that there are illegal mining activities that have caused total destruction to the environment and also posing threat to the forest reserve. Hundreds of galamsey operators have invaded the Bosomtwe Range Forest Reserve in a way that left the Forestry Commission officials bemused. Five galamsey operators were subsequently arrested in a operation that involved officials from the Commission, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Ghana Armed Forces. The operation was to know the extent of destruction caused by the illegal miners. The visit also followed reports that illegal mining was in full force in that forest reserve. When the team got into the Reserve, it came to light that several hectares of the forest cover had been destroyed by the galamsey operators, who had abandoned their equipment and run for cover. They have created four illegal mining sites about the size of sports stadium in the reserve. Excavators, changfan machines, fuel storage tanks and other equipment were seen at the site and some were burnt. They had felled hundreds of economic trees and dug deep pits in their illegal search for gold. River bodies in the reserve appear to be polluted by the illegal ministers. A Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu Bio, who was outraged at the extent of the devastation caused by the illegal miners, led in the burning of some of their machines. In an interview with the media on the issue in the reserve, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources pointed out that galamsey operators have recently been drawn to the reserve and it is a source of worry to them. He called on the judiciary to expedite action on those arrested and prosecute them. “Some of them have been arrested and being processed to court in Bekwai. A couple of them have been granted bail. In fact, we are praying with the court to expedite action on the case, so they can be prosecuted and jail them,” he said. According to them, this is the third time that he has visited Bosomtwe Range Forest Reserve and described the place as an endemic galamsey area. “But then what we keeping saying is that the forest reserves and water bodies are no-go areas. They are red zones. So anyone found doing this we will follow it to the letter to get them secured. “We are here today and we will be going to other forest reserves to monitor what is happening there. We thank the taskforce here,” he said. The Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey, said they are now collecting data on the forest reserves destroyed by the illegal miners. He described the galamsey activities in the forest reserves as very devastating to the environment. “The last decade, our focus was on illegal chainsaw operators and the bush fire prevention and others. “But, at the moment, we have to deal with galamsey menace. It’s becoming dangerous and bigger due to the impact,” he stated. Story by: Benjamin Aidoo

Some irate youth earlier on Tuesday, August 23 besieged and locked up the Northern Region office of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). They fired gunshots while destroying party properties at the regional office. According to information gathered by 3news.com, the youth were demonstrating against the appointment of Ali Adolf as the acting regional chairman by the Regional Executive Committee following the death of former Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Mobila a few weeks ago. Heavily armed police personnel have been deployed to the party office. No arrests has since been made. Source: 3news.com|Ghana

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) continues to enhance the security and sanctity of its examinations to make them malpractice-free. Currently, the West Africa Senior Schools Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is ongoing, having started on Monday, August 1. Addressing journalists on Monday, August 22 the conduct of the exams so far, the Head of Public Affairs of the Council, Agnes Teye Cudjoe, said additional depots will be set up for very confidential materials to ensure the sanctity of the question paper packs. These depots are said to be under 24-hour guard by personnel from the Ghana Police Service. Aside that number combination padlocks will be added to the ordinary padlocks and the codes will only be released a few minutes to dispatch. “The Council has put in place a number of measures to guarantee test security,” she said. “These include collaboration with the National Intelligence Bureau, NIB, to monitor the printing of question papers, working closely with a number of security agencies to track and arrest dealers and operators of rogue websites, inspection of all depots nationwide and depots that needed further fortification have been duly attended to" “Serialisation of some question papers, movement of question papers from strong rooms to depots in batches, creation of additional depots for the storage of confidential materials to ensure that the depots are located close to schools to prevent the situation where schools start late or question papers are released to them early, use of number combination padlocks in addition to ordinary padlocks for all security bags containing question paper packets and these combination padlocks you cannot open them unless the codes are sent to the depot keepers.” Source: 3news.com

A Ghanaian prostitute who goes by the name 'Too Hot' has revealed how she got into prostitution on the 'Day Show' with Berla Mundi. According to her, she was defiled by her class teacher in primary. She said this started her journey into hardcore prostitution at 15 years. “I was about 15 years when I went into this prostitution business. I lost my virginity to my class teacher in Primary school. I bled when he had sex with me. I was in class 4.” When Berla asked her, “So he raped you?” “No, I allowed him,” Too Hot responded. So Berla urged her to tell how her class teacher defiled her. “We used to run shifts in school. I was in 4B. Through friends, I had heard about sexual relations. So, I also tried until I got the teacher’s attention, and he came to like me. He asked me to help him with petty chores in his bungalow. He told me he liked me and noticed me in class when I went to his house. I knew he liked me because I was very athletic, I played volleyball and netball in school, and he was our coach. Through that, he confessed his intentions, and I accepted. And he had sex with me,” she recounted. 'Too Hot' disclosed that she never told anyone about it because her mother would have had the teacher arrested. She mentioned that the teacher was later transferred out of her school, and she lost contact with him. Watch the video below: By: Grace Somuah-Annan

The Administrator for the St Martin De Porres Hospital, Emmanuel Bosompem, says six out of eight victims brought to the facility on Monday following the clash between the Nuaso Old Town residents and the military are still on admission. Dr Bosompem confirmed minor injuries were treated and surgeries done on them and that they are in stable condition but could not confirm gunshot wounds. “Eight people were brought in [Monday], two have been discharged. One of the six was in critical condition but he is in stable condition now. They had injury on the leg and on the shoulders.We didn’t take any bullet out, so we cannot confirm that the wounds are gun shots wounds.” The Hospital Administrator is worried the unstable environment is not prudent for work. “We want to appeal that the situation be resolved amicably because [Monday] we had a tough time rescuing the situation. We needed an X-Ray technician for the cases, because they had blocked the way, we struggled before getting access. This doesn’t augur well.” Relatives of the victims are alleging they were shot. “My brother was shot, he is on Oxygen, we don’t even have enough to care for him now,” almost teary Comfort Tetteh explained. Residents thronged the St Martin’s De Porres Hospital on Tuesday morning to check the conditions of their relatives. Two incident occurred on Monday. The first misunderstanding resulted in alleged flogging of Nuaso Old Town residents by the military. The military’s return to the community to take the transformer from the Nuaso Old Town community resulted in the alleged shootings in the air after resistance from the community. The Nuaso Old Town community is relatively calm now, but sections do not have light because the transformers have been cut off. The residents want the lights back and request the President to intervene in the matter. “They shot at us, we had to pelt them with stones in defence, now they have cut us off, the businesses here cannot work, we need the lights back. This is not a war zone.” Story by: Yvonne Neequaye

Three robbery suspects were allegedly shot dead by the police at Obosomase in the Akwapim North District of the Eastern Region. The unfortunate incident is said to have happened on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. Some residents alleged that the suspects numbering four exchanged gunshots with the police who swooped on them Tuesday dawn. Credit: 3news.com

The Australian High Commissioner designate, Her Excellency Berenice Owen-Jones has on Tuesday, 23rd August, 2022 called on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to among others discuss Ghana's participation in the upcoming African Down Under Mining Conference (ADU) scheduled to take place in Perth, Western Australia from 29th August to 3rd September 2022. Receiving the High Commissioner on behalf of the Sector Minister, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mines, Hon. George told Duker H.E Owen-Jones about Ghana's agenda to ensure value addition in the mining sector, explaining that "we are no longer in the mine and ship agenda considering how that has cost us over the years" He commended Australian mining companies operating in Ghana for their role in helping shape the socio-economic development agenda of the country. Touching on the ADU Conference, the Deputy Mines Minister said it is the priority of the Ministry and the Sector Minister to be part of this all important conference. "Visiting Australia for this conference is a priority to the Ministry and the Sector Minister Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor is also looking forward to it" Hon. Duker was also quick to add that the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality together with the University of Mines Tarkwa, (UMaT) have put in place some measures to partner a Gold mining town in Australia for what he described as a "Sister-City" initiative and hoped that with the effort of H.E Owen-Jones, this agenda will be realised. The High Commissioner designate, H.E Berenice Owen-Jones expressed her joy and anticipation to host Ghana in Australia during the conference saying that they plan on putting Ghana on the spotlight. She explained that similar to the Mining Indaba Conference, the African Down Under Conference is going to afford participating countries the opportunity to meet giants in the Mining industry to discuss, jaw-jaw and share ideas on making the industry a robust one in their respective ones. The High Commissioner Designate who is barely six months in Ghana, hopes to lead her country to strengthen bilateral ties with Ghana, expecially in the area of Mining and further disclosed the visit of the Australian Foreign Affairs Minister to Ghana who she said will be attending the West African Mining security conference scheduled for 28-29th September in Accra. She also assured the Deputy Minister that she will indeed put in the effort to make the Twin-City initiative work for the benefit of both communities and countries at large. "I will put in my best to make sure this happens" she concluded. Below are some pictures: Story by: Nadia Aidoo

Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mines, George Mireku Duker has assured Executives of the Ghana Mines Workers Union that the Akufo-Addo Administration will not relent on ensuring that mining companies do the right thing(s) in the country. The Deputy Minister made the call when he met with some Executives of the Ghana Mines Workers Union in Accra on Monday. Speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Minister said "Government has been on these companies to roll out local content polices to favour the indigenes of the various  communities in which they operate. Government will however not relent on ensuring that mining companies do the right thing" Hon. Duker also charged mining companies in the country to deepen their local content policy in the favour of indigenes of the communities they operate in. "We wouldn't want a situation where the mine or the concessionaire will elapse their mining life and get away without giving the hard working Ghanaians what they are due and this is what we want to frown on". '"As these mining companies make profit in their venture, they must do so collaboratively and also link whatsoever gains they make with their entire workforce. This is the "right thing" the Ministry and government expects from the various mining companies" Hon. Duker further explained that local content is not only about welfare but also making available part of thier concessions to the Ghanaian workers by way of outsourcing some of their production activities, technological advancements among others. He acknowledged the challenges tabled by the workers union and commended them for addressing their grievance appropriately through the right quarters. He assured the executives that the Ministry will continue to engage the Ghana Chamber of Mines and the Union to coordinate and bridge all the gabs "we will ensure we dot all the "Is" and cross all the "Ts" ". In response to the issues raised by the Hon. Minister on incentives to motivate miners, the Chairman of the Ghana Mines Workers Union, Kwarku Mensah Gyakari said "All miners in the big mining companies including Newmont Ghana work on fixed term contract which means miners leave  after two years" "When we enquired from Newmont Ghana and we were told that the laws of Ghana allows it and they have no option to do so," he added. Taking his turn, Secretary of the Ghana Mines Workers Union, Abdul Moomin Gbana said "The State must take interest. In other jurisdictions, they have been very clear about the fact that if you put an employee on a two-year contract, as long as the job remains, you cannot continue to keep the workers on temporal employment" He described the life of mining as not static adding that it is subject to change based on the critical imperatives and considerations. "We are increasingly treating workers as if they are commodities, we buy off the shelves and when you finish using them, you dump them" "I don't think that is how the Ghanaian worker particularly, the mining worker wants to be treated. All these things boils down to policy. Government must be interested, put your best foot forward and demand that the rights of workers are respected and ensure that workers work in an atmosphere of decency" he mentioned. Watch the videos below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Hearts of Oak have been dealt a huge injury blow with midfielder, Maman Lawali Abdourahmane set to miss the start of the 2022/23 campaign. The Nigerien has endured a patchy fitness record since signing for the Phobians at the beginning of the 2019/20 season. The information available to this site indicates that he will have to wait until mid-October to be back on the pitch. It’s understood the 25-year-old picked up the injury in pre-season training and has not featured in the club’s recent games. The midfielder has yet to appear for the Phobians since January 2021. Credit: phobianews.com

Former Ghana captain, Asamoah Gyan says that he still habours hopes of playing for Ghanaian giants Kumasi Asante Kotoko but needs to be fit first. He says that when he regains his fitness, he will play for Kumasi Asante Kotoko after missing the chance some years ago. “I have been an Accra boy. I didn’t want to move to another City and then Legon Cities contacted me. Although I was talking to Kotoko I had wanted to be in Accra,” he said on the Dentaa Show. “When I get fit and start playing competitive football, obviously I will play for Kotoko,” he added. The former Sunderland ace missed out on the chance to fulfill a childhood dream in November 2020, as he opted to join Legon Cities instead of Asante Kotoko. Kotoko was in talks with Ghana's all-time leading top scorer but was unable to reach an agreement with Asamoah Gyan before he opted for Legon Cities. At Legon Cities, he was hindered by persistent injuries and loss of form as he barely played any football for the team before his contract was terminated. Asamoah Gyan recently revealed in an interview with the BBC that he wants to play for the Black Stars at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Credit: Ghanasoccernet

Ghanaian giants, Asante Kotoko have confirmed former Burkina Faso national team gaffer Seydou Zerbo as the club's new head coach, following Ghanasoccernet.com exclusive revelation of the looming appointment of the highly experienced trainer. Zerbo arrived in Ghana last night to conclude negotiations and other documentations as was exclusively revealed by Ghana's leading football news outfit GHANAsoccernet.com. The 59-year-old who is nicknamed "Krol" after Dutch tactician Ruud Krol is a replacement to Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum who recently resigned from his post. He has signed a one-year contract with the Porcupine Warriors with an option for another year. Dr. Ogum guided the Ghanaian giants to clinch the Ghana Premier League for the first time in eight years. Zerbo's last job was the handling of the Burkina Faso national team at the 2020 CHAN tournament in Cameroon. The Stallions exited at the group stages. The highly-rated tactician begun his coaching career in the 2013-14 season when he was in charge of Rail Club du Kadiogo. He later coached Bankuy Sports from 2014 to 2016 before heading to SONABEL and giants ASFA Yennenga. Zerbo's last team was Union Sportive des Forces Armées before he was handed the local national team job. Credidt: Ghanasoccernet

Ace broadcaster Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, popularly known by his initials KKD, has responded to criticisms levelled against him by host of Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana Paul Adom-Otchere. In an interview on Onua FM‘s Maakye on Monday, August 22, KKD said he would not want to engage his “junior brother” in any media tussle but he forgives him for all the rants on his evening show last Thursday. Mr Adom-Otchere, who is also the board chairman of the Ghana Airport Company Limited, took on KKD for criticising the Finance Minister on GTV’s morning show. Mr Adom-Otchere said Ken Ofori-Atta had not engaged in any conflict of interest situation as alleged by KKD on the state broadcaster. Asked about his response to Mr Adom-Otchere, the world acclaimed smooth-talker said: “Paul is my junior brother and so I won’t speak about him. Whatever he has said, I forgive him.” He, however, disclosed how the award-winning broadcaster attended a programme he – KKD – hosted at Movenpick Ambassador hotel in the company of a woman who was not his lawfully wedded wife. Watch the video below: Source: 3news.com