Day: April 25, 2024

The Ministry of Works and Housing Thursday launched the Built Environment National Conference on Housing and Hydrology, dubbed 'BENCHH 2024'. The three-day maiden conference scheduled to take place from May 27 to May 29, 2024, would be held on the theme: 'Enhancing Collaboration to tackle Ghana's Housing and Hydrology Challenges'. The conference would provide a comprehensive platform to solicit views from the public and key stakeholders in the built environment on how to address Ghana's flooding and housing challenges. Reverend Stephen Yaw Osei, Chief Director, Ministry of Works and Housing, speaking at the launch in the Ministry's Conference Room, noted that, Ghana had 1.8 million units of housing deficit, which must be addressed for all Ghanaians to have befitting dwelling place. He added that, 12.7 per cent of houses in Ghana were empty, explaining that, people lacked the means to afford to stay in such houses, making them unoccupied. He said Government must intervene by ensuring the provision of affo rdable housing for ordinary citizens to enjoy decent accommodation and to go about their daily life activities in dignity. He said the nation's drainage system also called for urgent attention, including proper management, maintenance and redesigning to address flooding in the country. The upcoming BENCHH 2024, which will take place at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra, at 0930 hours each day, will, therefore, find collaborative solutions to the challenges. Dr Prince Hamid Armah, Chairman of the BENCHH 2024 Planning Committee, and Advisor to the Sector Minister, said, aside public and stakeholder engagement, the conference would showcase the strides made by the Ministry in recent years. The conference would also outline the Ministry's roadmap towards achieving its medium term vision of a robust and sustainable development of public works and housing infrastructure in the country. 'From addressing the housing deficit to enhancing our flood resilient infrastructure and regulations, the Mi nistry's efforts are linked to various sectors, driving socio-economic progress, and enhancing the overall quality of life for citizens,' he noted. Outlining the schedule for the conference, he said Day One would tackle flood or hydrology issues, Day Two would deal with housing issues, whilst Day Three would tackle the Regulatory Framework within the Works and Housing sector. 'Indeed, BENCHH 2024 represents an opportunity for all of us to share insights and chart a course towards a more sustainable and resilient future for Ghana's Works and Housing Sectors. 'Together, through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions, we can surmount the challenges present and pave the way for enduring progress and prosperity in our nation.' Source: Ghana News Agency

A 36-year-old trader, Patience Kofi, has been sentenced to a fine of GH?120 by the Ashaiman District Court for stealing her employer's GH?3,200.00. The convict, who was also asked by the court to refund the stolen money to the complainant, would serve six months of imprisonment if she defaulted on paying the fine and obeying the court's instructions. The court, presided over by Mr Derick Pardden Eshun, sentenced the accused person after she pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful entry and stealing. Inspector Henry Tetteh Nartey, prosecuting the case, said the complainant, Madam Vida Tetteh, is a cook and lives at Kakasunanka number two. He added that the accused person, who was residing at Somanya, started assisting her at her canteen located at the Ashaiman roundabout. He stated that on January 11, 2024, at about 0800 hours, she stole the complainant's house keys and went to her house at Kakasunanka number two, where she entered her room and made away with cash in the sum of GH?3,200.00. The prosecut or added that the following day, Madam Tetteh was about to wash her clothes when she detected that her money had been stolen, adding that upon enquiring from neighbours, she was informed by her landlord that her employee was seen entering the room, but they did not question her because she was using the key. The court heard that she was subsequently arrested, and an investigation caution statement was obtained from her in which she confessed that she stole the money. She was, therefore, charged and put before the court after an investigation. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Tarkwa circuit court has sentenced a 47-year-old man to 10 years imprisonment in hard labour for assaulting his 13 - year-old daughter after accusing her of having sexual intercourse with men.? The convict, John Ansah, who is the biological father of the victim pleaded guilty to the charges of causing harm, indecent assault, and female genital mutilation.? Police Superintendent, Juliana Essel-Dadzie, earlier told the court presided over by Mrs Hathia Ama Manu?that the complainant was a supervisor at the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL), and resident of Agona Nkwanta, while Ansah, was?a charcoal producer.? She said the convict who was a single parent lived with his children including the victim at Kwapong located within the GREL plantation.? The court heard that Ansah had been subjecting the victim to all kinds of abuses with the allegation that she was going after men and was having sexual intercourse with them.? Prosecution said on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at about 20:00 hours Ansah?tied the legs and hands of the daughter with a rope at their bamboo house and put two cutlasses into fire and pushed same in the victim's vagina in turns, and she sustained severe burns around her vagina and thighs.? Superintendent Essel-Dadzie explained that the victim cried out for help while Ansah was torturing her until she became weak but was left tired up with the rope until the next day when she managed to free herself.? After the act, Ansah became frightened that the victim might sneak from the cottage and expose him, he, therefore, started monitoring her.? The prosecutor said on March 26, 2024, the victim managed to escape from the cottage and was rescued by a witness in the case, who rushed her to the Nsuaem Government Hospital where she was admitted for treatment.? The case was reported at the Nsuaem police station, and a medical form was issued to him on behalf of the victim for endorsement and same was returned to the police.? Superintendent Essel-Dadzie said the complainant later led the police to arrest Ansah and handed him over to the Regional Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) to aid investigations.? Source: Ghana News Agency