Category: General

Seven suspects have so far been arrested in relation to the murder of Mr Eric Johnson, the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Cozy Hills Hotel, at Jirapa in the Upper West Region, according to the Ghana Police Service The suspects: Kumbata Kwaku, Dookuuri Fausta, Braimah Kasim, Beyuo Felix, Michael Klugey, Charles Tuoze and Favour Nuobe, who are all workers at the Hotel, are in Police custody assisting the investigation. The deceased was found on February 11, 2024, lying in a pool of blood in one of the rooms at the hotel. A news brief from the Police said they would continue with investigations to bring the perpetrator(s) to face justice. Source: Ghana News Agency

Protests decreased to 3,432 in 2023 compared to 7,754 protests in 2022,» member of the Social Observatory at the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) Rihab Mabrouki said. At a press conference, held, Tuesday, on the FTDES's annual report on protests, non-regulatory migration, suicide and violence, Mabrouki underlined that the governorate of Tunis ranked first in 2023 with 557 protests, followed by the governorate of Gafsa in the second position with 424 protests then the governorate of Sidi Bouzid with 259 movements. Mabrouki affirmed that these protests took place to demand the right to a decent life, employment, payment of salaries, quality education and improving healthcare services. «Despite the decrease in the number of protests in 2023, environmental protests reached 463 movements, which represents 13.5 % of the total protest,» she added. FTDES President Abderramène Hédhili pointed out «that protests declined in 2023 because Tunisian citizens grew disillusioned by the usefulness of demonstrations as well as politicians' failure to find effective solutions to Tunisia's economic and social problems.» The FTDES President reiterated that «the decline in the number of protests should not been as an achievement for the ruling power but rather a sign of a future social explosion." Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Rev. Fr. Andrew Campbell, Founder of the Lepers Aid Committee, has urged health professionals to avoid discrimination when delivering care to patients. He pointed out that all people seeking healthcare, including lepers, need equitable treatment and compassion from professionals. Rev. Fr. Campbell made the call when the Catholic Health Professionals Guild paid a visit to the Weija Leprosarium in Accra, as part of events to commemorate the World Day of the Sick. As part of the Day's activities, the Guild offered free health screenings to 26 cured lepers and relatives who cared for them at the facility. The exercise included vital assessments, HIV tests, eye screening, breast examination, general consultations, and the provision of medication. Rev. Fr. Campbell said ignorance and fear remained a barrier between society and persons who have recovered from leprosy. He said despite years of public education and support, lepers in other areas were still neglected by their families. 'The greatest problem we h ave here is the stigma. People (even health professionals) are afraid to go near lepers, to touch them or to talk to them…Each one of them [at the Leprosarium] is cured, and we want to give them the best because they have been treated badly by their families and society,' he said. Rev. Fr. Campbell, who has led advocacy for poor people for the past 50 years, also called for more resources, stating that the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) fund was insufficient. In addition to the medical treatments, the Guild donated GHS5,000 to support activities at the Leprosarium. They also organised a holy Mass, which was conducted by Rev. Fr. David Amissah Andoh, the association's Chaplain. In his sermon, Rev Andoh commended care providers and encouraged survivors of the disease to feel confident about themselves. 'There is no difference between a leper and someone who is not. We are all the same. Leprosy is a curable disease, and we need not despise people with this condition. They are also children of God,' he said. Rev Fr. Campbell thanked members of the Guild for the gesture and other benefactors of various Leprosaria across the country. World Day of the Sick is an annual event that raises awareness and advocates for high-quality health care. It was established in 1992, during the reign of Pope John Paul II, and was first observed on February 11, 1993. The theme for this year's celebration was 'Healing the Sick by Healing Relationships.' The day also marks the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in southern France serves as a miraculous healing place for the sick. Source: Ghana News Agency

One person, believed to be a mobile money vendor has been shot dead by suspected armed robbers at Walewale in the West Mamprusi Municipality of the Northeast Region. The deceased identified as Rabiu, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. Eight others who sustained injuries from stray bullets because of the attack are currently receiving medical attention at the same hospital. Three unidentified armed men on a motorbike were said to have carried out the attack at Nalerigu junction bus station near the main Bolgatanga-Walewale Tamale Highway. An eyewitness told the Ghana News Agency that the suspects arrived and opened gunfire on the busy station, killing the deceased and injuring others. The victims were first rushed to the Walewale Government Hospital but were later transferred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital. The eyewitness expressed concern that there have been growing armed robbery incidents in the area since 2021. Mr Issahaku Arimeyaw Somo, the West Mamprusi Municipal Chie f Executive who confirmed the incident said investigation was ongoing to arrest the perpetrators and called for calm. Source: Ghana News Agency

Former President John Dramani Mahama, flagbearer, National Democratic Congress (NDC), has mourned the passing of Dr Herbert Wigwe, Access Holdings Plc Founding Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and former Group Managing Director of its flagship subsidiary, Access Bank Plc. In a statement issued and copied to the Ghana News Agency, the former President said: 'It's difficult coming to terms with the tragic accident that claimed the lives of my dear friend Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son, along with three others. 'My sympathies go out to the families of those who perished in the tragic accident and our thoughts are with Herbert's surviving children and the families of all who died.' Mr Mahama noted that he had the privilege of knowing the late Dr Wigwe more closely from 2009 during his setting up of the Access Bank branch in Ghana. 'He came across as a brilliant, and determined young man who was on a swift upward trajectory. This is evident in the growth of Access Bank into a widely recognised global bran d.' The former President said Dr Wigwe's legacy in the finance and banking sector would always be remembered. Source: Ghana News Agency