GENERAL NEWS
Uphold unity to secure December 7 polls — National Security Minister
The Minister of National Security, Mr Albert Kan Dapaah, has urged political leaders and Ghanaians in general to uphold the unity of the country as the ultimate value that should guide their actions to ensure peaceful December polls.
He said political actors and Ghanaians must refrain from divisive and hate speeches which could endanger the peace and security in the country.
He also urged politicians and the populace not to allow their political interests to override the interest of the state, warning that it would be self-defeating and meaningless to pursue their political interests at the detriment of the country.
“The pursuit of our interests should not be allowed to deepen the political fault lines which when not checked, could degenerate into political instability,” he said.
Stop fuelling false sense of insecurity
Speaking on the floor of Parliament yesterday, Mr Dapaah expressed worry at the false sense of insecurity being created by some individuals, especially political actors, prior to the general election contrary to the peace in Ghana.
“There seems to be a deliberate attempt by certain individuals to create a false notion of rising insecurity in the country. The facts, however, run counter to this false notion. For instance, they (the facts) suggest a reduction in crime levels in the country,” he said.
He had appeared in the House together with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to brief the members of security arrangements being put in place to ensure violent-free polls.
False notion
The minister said an assessment of such claims showed that politicians who had been creating such false sense of insecurity were also culpable of threatening violence on their campaign podiums if they lost the election.
“An assessment of recent developments that the police force face reveals that the false notion of insecurity is fuelled by some politicians.
“These politicians at one moment openly threaten violence should they lose the election and at another express concern about rising insecurity in the country.
“This is unacceptable and must be condemned in the most uncertain terms irrespective of where it is coming from,” he stated.
He gave an assurance that despite the false sense of insecurity, state security actors remained resolute to ensure a peaceful and secure environment for all Ghanaians before, during and after the December 7 elections.
He pointed out that democratic tendencies allowed disagreements but democratic means must as well be used to settle the differences.
He added that inasmuch as government was doing its best to ensure that the country remained intact before and after the elections, Ghanaians had to play their part by providing information to assist in confronting all threats to security in the country.
Also submitting a statement on the Floor of Parliament, the Inspector General of Police, Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, gave an assurance that the police, as required of them, would be professional on polling day to ensure the poll process was incident free.
Mr Oppong Boanuh, who is also the Chairman of the Election Security Taskforce, warned that anybody who disturbed the peace of the country would not be spared.
No intimidation
Commenting on the statement, the Minority Leader, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, urged that any person deployed to maintain peace on elections day should be properly identified.
“We are committed to peace and security of the country, but we will not accept intimidation in the name of national security,” Mr Iddrisu stressed.
The Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, called for the police to be at the forefront of security at the polling stations on voting day.
In a recent incident that happened at Evans Hotel, near Trasacco Valley, East Legon, member of parliament for Jomoro Constituency, Western Region is alleged to have been in a ferocious brawl with a diasporan family who came to Ghana for the Christmas holidays.
The victim, Olivia, an American giving her account on the incident, explains that Hon. Dorcas Affo-Toffey parked in a wrong spot at the hotel leaving little to no space for other patrons to park their cars. This attracted the security guard at post to confront the MP but he was met with series of insults and an order to back off.
Olivia further explains that they needed a space to park their car also so her boyfriend, who was in the car with her and her father decided to talk to Hon. Dorcas so she could do the needful. But he was equally met with more scorn and barbs. She (the MP) then ordered her bodyguard and a group of men and women she was with to beat them up and in the process got their car mangled at different spots and glasses cracked as well.
Olivia then added that she got hurt physically and her whole family are traumatized by the happenings. She lastly said she did not know the said woman was even a lawmaker until after the incident. She quizzed that if lawmakers are this lawless, who will fight for ordinary citizens?
Olivia shared that she has since reported the case to the police and hope due diligence will be done and the peppertrators be brought to book according to the law. She said the security camera of the hotel captured the whole event which corroborates with her story.
Minister of Jomoro Constituency, Western Region, Hon. Dorcas Affo-Toffey is yet to speak to the matter.
Watch the account of Olivia on the case and snippets of the incident from the CCTV of Evans Hotel.
Once known as the “Garden City,” of West Africa, Kumasi, a bustling city in Ghana, has sadly fallen from grace. The once pristine streets and lush greenery have been replaced by filth and neglect. It is disheartening to witness the deterioration of this once beautiful city, and even more concerning is the lack of action and care from its inhabitants. In this article, we will explore the reasons why nobody seems to care about the filth in Kumasi, and shed light on the detrimental effects it has on both the city and its residents.
Gone are the days when Kumasi was a shining example of cleanliness and order. Today, rubbish is disposed of haphazardly, and the streets are filled with a variety of waste. The market women and men, who were once the lifeblood of the city, contribute to the problem by making the inner city filthy while continuing to sell their goods amidst the mess. This lack of responsibility and disregard for hygiene is deeply concerning.
Understanding the causes of this filth epidemic is essential to tackle the issue effectively. One major reason is the lack of proper waste management systems and infrastructure. If people do not have convenient options for waste disposal, they are more likely to resort to dumping rubbish wherever they please.
Additionally, the absence of strict enforcement and penalties for littering further exacerbates the problem. It is a collective failure on the part of authorities, residents, and businesses.
The consequences of Kumasi’s filth extend far beyond the immediate eyesore. Firstly, the health hazards posed by uncollected garbage and unsanitary conditions cannot be ignored. Diseases and infections spread more easily in such environments, putting the well-being of residents at risk. Secondly, the city’s image and tourism potential are severely compromised. A dirty and neglected city fails to attract visitors, leading to economic losses for local businesses and residents alike. Lastly, the filth breeds a culture of apathy and indifference, perpetuating a cycle of neglect.
Addressing the filth in Kumasi requires a multi-faceted approach involving both the government and its citizens. Firstly, there needs to be a significant investment in waste management infrastructure, such as garbage collection systems, recycling facilities, and public waste bins. Moreover, strict enforcement of littering laws and appropriate penalties should be implemented to deter irresponsible behavior.
Source: MC Paa Saahene
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