Day: May 4, 2023

The Tarkwa circuit court, has sentenced a taxi driver to 10 years imprisonment in hard labour for conspiring with his wife to rob a driver of his Mazda Damio taxi cab valued at GH?30,000.00.

The convict, Timothy Amponsah, 32, who is not a first-time offender pleaded guilty to conspiracy and robbery.

The Prosecutor, Police Chief Inspector Joseph Lartey, told the court presided over by Mrs Hathie Ama Manu that the complainant, Sampson Arhin, 28, a taxi driver, lives at Ankobra in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality.

He said Amponsah and the wife Sheilla Omano, who is currently on the run, were residents of Asebu Ankromah in the Central Region with four children.

On March 5, 2023, around 1800 hours, Chief Inspector Lartey said the couple agreed to travel to Prestea to rob a taxi from any driver they chanced upon.

Prosecution said, the same day at about 2130 hours Amponsah and the wife arrived at Prestea to carry out the operation, spotted the complainant in his taxi cab with registration number AS 9230-22 and signaled him to stop.

The two then hired the service of the complainant from Prestea to Dumasi to visit a friend, but on arrival around 2230 hours, Omano made a phone call and later told Arhin that the person they came to visit had left to Bogoso so they should proceed to the said place.

He said in the course of the journey, Omano sat on the front passenger's seat, while the convict who sat directly behind the driver attacked him around a rubber plantation and smeared powered pepper on his face.

He said the complainant lost control of the vehicle and the engine went off and Amponsah pushed him out of the vehicle and then drove to an unknown destination.

On March 6, 2023, the complainant reported the incident to the police in Bogoso and was given medical form to attend hospital, where he was treated and discharged.

Chief Inspector Lartey said on March 11, this year, police upon further investigations, arrested Arhin at Asebu Akromah and when a search was conducted in his room, complainant's original number plate was found.

The court after passing judgment ordered that the vehicle should be released to the complainant.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, the minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has hinted of plans by the ministry to amend parts of the Chieftaincy Act, to allow for Chiefs and Queen mothers to participate in the country's decision-making process.

According to him, traditional rulers played a pivotal role in the shaping of national discourses and cohesion, hence the need to include them in the formulation of policies and programs towards national development and cohesion.

Mr Asamoah Boateng gave the hint at the final funeral rights of the late Paramount Chief of Adele traditional Area, Nana Opoku Anto III, at Tutukpene in the Nkwanta South district of the Oti region.

The minister commended the chiefs and people for maintaining peace in the area over the years and pledged his ministry's continuous collaboration with the chiefs and queens of the area to ensure development.

He said his outfit was aware of the processes begun by the late chief to get all his sub-chiefs gazetted before his demise and promised the ministry's commitment in ensuring that the process continued.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Morocco's King Mohammed VI has approved the celebration of the Amazigh New Year as an official national holiday.

King Mohammed VI has instructed to add the Amazigh New Year to the list of national holidays in Morocco.

In a statement from the Royal Court, Morocco's King Mohammed VI has approved the celebration of the Amazigh New Year as an official national holiday.

Instructions were sent to the Head of the Government Aziz Akhannouch, to take the necessary steps to implement the decision.

This move reflects the king's 'commitment to the Berber language, a fundamental part of Morocco's authentic identity and a shared asset for all Moroccans,' the statement explains.

The constitutional recognition of the Amazigh language as an official language of the country, alongside Arabic, further underscores the significance of this decision. It's a historic step that's expected to deepen national unity and further promote the country's diverse cultural heritage.

Activists in Morocco have long been campaigning for the Amazigh New Year to be recognized as an official national holiday. The Amazigh New Year, also known as 'Yennayer,' marks the beginning of the agricultural calendar and is celebrated by the country's Amazigh people, who make up around 40% of the population.

While the Moroccan government recognized the holiday, it was not an official national holiday with paid time off work. Activists argued that granting the holiday official status would be a significant

step towards recognizing and celebrating the country's diverse cultural heritage.

The campaign had gained momentum in recent years, with many Moroccans expressing support for the idea on social media.

Source: Ghana News Agency