The newly appointed Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, has assured staff that her assumption of office is not to engage in witch-hunting.

According to her, she is committed to working tirelessly to develop and transform the region.

She made this known during her maiden meeting with the staff of the Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC) on Tuesday, January 4, 2025, where she officially introduced herself and familiarized herself with them as she assumed office.

Addressing the ERCC staff, Akosua Awatey assured them that she was there to serve, learn, and grow with them, and not to misuse her power to witch-hunt or undermine their work.

The Eastern Regional Minister emphasized that their diversity should be a source of strength in fostering creativity, innovation, and progress.

She urged them to leverage their unique experiences and talents to achieve greatness together.

She also advised staff members to allow one another to perform their duties effectively, ensuring harmony and preventing resentment.

Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey further stated that the campaign period was over, and it was now incumbent upon everyone to unite for the development and progress of the region.

She took the opportunity to express her heartfelt gratitude to the President for entrusting her with the responsibility to serve in his administration and contribute to Ghana’s advancement.

“In the coming weeks, I will embark on a tour to express my appreciation to the Eastern Chiefs for supporting my candidature when President Mahama nominated me to succeed Seth Kwame Acheampong, the former Regional Minister,” she added.

She concluded by promising to work diligently to justify the President’s confidence in her capabilities.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

In line with the directives of Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amotia Ofori Panin, to stop mining along the Birim River, Daasebre Dr. Twum Ampofo, the Asiakwahene, drew his strength from him and placed a ban on mining along the banks of the Supon River in the community.

This move was aimed at supporting the Okyenhene’s fight against illegal mining activities in the Akyem Abuakwa enclave.

The initiative by the overlord of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council sought to protect water bodies from pollution caused by illegal miners operating in the area.

To enforce this directive, Okyeman Nifahene, Daasebre Twum Ampofo, his cabinet, and a task force stormed several mining sites in Asiakwa to arrest illegal miners working along the riverbanks. However, upon their arrival, some miners fled, abandoning their excavators.

For those who did not flee, their excavator keys, gallons of fuel, and generators were seized. Additionally, several control boards were removed from the excavators left behind by escaping miners, rendering them inoperable.

Daasebre Twum Ampofo explained that despite numerous efforts to stop illegal miners (galamseyers) from operating along riverbanks, these efforts had been unsuccessful. As a result, they initially decided to set the excavators ablaze when found at the riverbanks.

However, they later reconsidered and chose instead to remove the control boards, preventing the machines from functioning.

The Asiakwa Royal Palace stated that before the seized equipment would be returned to the miners, they must reclaim the destroyed lands and plant rosewood or teak trees to restore soil nutrients for future farming activities.

Daasebre Dr. Twum Ampofo and his cabinet issued a stern warning to miners operating along the riverbanks, instructing them to vacate the sites immediately and remove all their equipment.

He thus warned that failure to comply would result in severe punishment, including the seizure of their machines.

The Asiakwa Apagyahene, Nana Yaw Brobbey, commended the Asiakwahene for taking decisive steps to ban mining along the river and further expressed confidence that if these measures continue, they will yield positive results.

Opanin Bernard Ampomaa Gyamena, whose house is near one of the mining sites, revealed that illegal miners frequently approached residents, offering large sums of money to purchase their homes for mining purposes. This, he noted, one person had succumbed to the offer and sold their house.

“They have pressured me on several occasions to sell my house, but I resisted because I do not want future generations to blame us for allowing illegal miners to destroy our lands and water bodies for their personal gain,” he revealed as stated.

The Okyeman Nifahene and his cabinet expressed gratitude for his stance, acknowledging his efforts in protecting the community and entreating all landowners to follow his example in preserving Asiakwa’s environment.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The Shippers, freight forwarders, and the entire shipping community are rallying behind Julius Quashigah, the CEO of the three Port Services, to become the next Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

They are urging President John Dramani Mahama to consider Quashigah for the top job, citing his exceptional expertise and experience in the ports and shipping industry.

Quashigah’s impressive credentials include 28 years of experience as a freight forwarder and clearing agent, making him one of the most respected professionals in the field. His expertise spans shipping, logistics, and business management, earning him a reputation as a seasoned and accomplished leader.

He holds a Master’s degree in Defence and International Politics from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College and another Master’s degree in Ports and Shipping Administration from the Regional Maritime University.

His academic background and professional experience make him an ideal candidate for the Director General’s position.

The shipping community’s endorsement of Julius Quashigah is a testament to his exceptional leadership skills and industry expertise. As the CEO of three Port Services, Quashigah has contributed significantly to the growth and development of several organizations in the maritime and logistics industry. Quashigah’s education, certifications, and industry experience:

Education and Certifications

• Ordinary Level: Nungua Secondary School (1991)
• Advanced Level: Labone Secondary School (1993)
• Bachelor of Arts in Social Science (Economics & Sociology): University of Cape Coast (1999)
• Master of Arts in Ports & Shipping Administration: Regional Maritime University (2009)
• Masters of Science in Defence and International Politics: Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (2017)
• Customs Proficiency Certificate: Ghana Revenue Authority Customs (2016)

Industry Experience
Julius Quashigah is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the maritime sector. He has played a pivotal role in the development of Ghana’s maritime industry and has contributed to the successful establishment of local offices for international companies.

With his diverse experience in shipping, logistics, and business management, Quashigah has grown several maritime and logistics companies, including:

Three Port Logistics Ltd are; Sevenlog Ltd, Getma Ghana Ltd, and MOL Ghana Ltd.

His leadership in these companies has led to significant operational improvements.

By// Nana Dogbe.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The Asiakwa Roman Catholic Basic School Teacher, Madam Bernice Mawusi Dogah, has praised Asiakwahene, Daasebre Doctor Twum Ampofo II, for prioritizing and investing in girl-child education.

She said Doctor Twum Ampofo’s commitment to girl-child education is very awesome. Taking steps to adopt some 60 vulnerable young girls drawn from various Basic Schools in the community and promising to take care of them until they complete Junior High School (JHS) is a very good initiative.

The move, she said, made them overwhelmed upon hearing the news.

“Looking at our current economy, it is not easy for someone to adopt 60 young female schoolchildren and sponsor their education,” she added.

Asiakwahene collaborated with his Nkɔsoɔhemaa, Nana Fofi Afia, to organize a 2-day educational program for the girls dubbed: ” POSITIVE PERIOD,” where they were taken through how to keep themselves clean when menstruating, and each person was given a sanitary pad and other items after the program.

Madam Mawusi Dogah expressed her heartfelt appreciation on behalf of the young female schoolchildren to Asiakwahene and his cabinet for the kind gesture and said the items received, especially the sanitary pads, will help the girls in diverse ways because they are expensive, and most of them cannot afford them.

She used the opportunity and appealed to the Government of Ghana (GoG) to scrap the taxes on sanitary pads and make them affordable so that every young girl can purchase them to enable them to be punctual to school during their menstrual period.

Adding to the development, the Asiakwa Nkɔsoɔhemaa (Development Queen Mother) Nana Fofi Afia I bemoaned how poverty is causing a lot of problems for many young girls in the country to the extent that they cannot afford sanitary pads.

“As a traditional ruler, we can’t sit down aloof and watch our future leaders continuously drop out of school because of sanitary pads when menstruating, hence supporting Daasebre Dr. Twum Ampofo’s vision to distribute sanitary pads to the less privileged girls in Asiakwa to help them complete JHS,” she stated.

Nana Fofi Afia expressed her gratitude to her Netherlands-based partners for their continuous support and stated that their partnership has been beneficial in addressing the challenges confronting young female schoolchildren in the area.

In his address, Asiakwahene, Daasebre Dr. Twum Ampofo said he has realized that the less privileged young girls in his community feel bashful when going to school during their menstrual period because they don’t have money to buy sanitary pads and if the blood splashes in their uniform their colleagues mock at them and to avoid this embarrassment they prefer staying at home.

Dr. Twum Ampofo, who also serves as Okyeman Nifahene, emphatically stressed they can’t allow the sanitary pads issue to become a hindrance to the education of the teenage girls in his community.

“Therefore, in every Akwasidae celebration [that is, every month], sanitary pads would be provided for them to enable them to attend school every day and have peace of mind to study,” he noted.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

A group calling itself Friends of Odeneho Abraham Boafo based in the Oti Region is calling on President John Dramani Mahama to give an appointment to Odeneho Abraham Boafo for contributing in diverse ways to the National Democratic Congress to win the 2024 election.

According to them, Boafo, the Oti Regional Assistant Secretary for the party, has emerged as an instrumental and hardworking figure in the political landscape of the Oti Region. His steadfast dedication and impressive efforts during and after the recent elections have garnered him wide acclaim, particularly among the youth and grassroots in the region and beyond.

FOAB added that throughout the election period, he demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and an unparalleled commitment to grassroots mobilization.

“He tirelessly engaged the constituents, listening to their concerns and aspirations, which resulted in a groundswell of support for the party,” they noted.

They mentioned that his ability to connect with the youth, in particular, helped energize the voter base and promote active participation in the democratic process is top-notch!

Abraham Boafo’s strategic vision and meticulous planning were evident as he was seen campaigning in almost all the nine constituencies in the region, with his own resources to ensure they captured power, and low and behold they won the election.

They said Odeneho Boafo has been pivotal in maintaining communication with the grassroots, ensuring that their needs and aspirations remain a priority.

FOAB opined that his focus on grassroots development and youth empowerment aligns seamlessly with the aspirations of the party people in the Oti region, making him a favorite leader among the populace.

“With his remarkable contributions and resolute dedication to the community, it is evident that Odeneho Kwame Abraham Boafo deserves an appointment that reflects his capabilities and passion,” they recounted.

“Recognizing Odeneho Boafo’s hard work is more than a gesture of appreciation. It is an affirmation of the transformative potential of true leadership”.

They indicated that such an appointment would not only celebrate his exceptional service but would also mean a worthy reward for the grassroots and the young leaders of the NDC, especially in the Oti Region.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source//Friends of Odeneho Abraham Boafo.

The Okyeman Nifahene of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council in the Eastern Region, Daasebre Doctor Twum Ampofo, has expressed his displeasure with recent media reports on the water crisis in Asiakwa.

According to him, some media outlets claim that residents of Asiakwa have resorted to using sachet water for their daily activities, including bathing, due to the effects of galamsey activities in the area.

“The galamsey activities in the community remain a challenge, but it is not the main cause of the inflow of water taps in Asiakwa,” he clarified.

Daasebre Dr. Twum Ampofo debunked the report, stating clearly that their water crisis is not so dire that the entire community has no access to water.

He acknowledged that water taps in the community do not flow continuously as expected.

He further explained that most households with boreholes often allow others without access to fetch water for free to meet their daily needs.

The Okyeman Nifahene, who is also the overlord of Asiakwa, attributed the current water crisis in the community to climate change and described it as a natural phenomenon that occurs during every dry season.

Daasebre Dr. Twum Ampofo made this statement on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at the Asiakwa Royal Palace during the first Akwasidae celebration of the year.

The Asiakwahene also mentioned that he had received support from some individuals and would soon drill three mechanized boreholes at strategic locations for the community.

This, he said, would serve as a temporary solution until the Ghana Water Company resolves the issue.

Meanwhile, Julia Nolst Trenite, a native of Asiakwa but living abroad, upon hearing of the situation, announced that she and her family would drill two additional boreholes to support Daasebre Dr. Ampofo in providing clean and safe water for the people of Asiakwa.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

The Okyeman Nifahene of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council in the Eastern Region, Daasebre Dr. Twum Ampofo II, as part of his one-year anniversary celebration, has announced plans to construct a fully furnished, ultramodern 50-bed capacity hospital in Asiakwa to enhance quality healthcare delivery in the area.

This project is aimed at bringing healthcare services closer to the people.

According to Daasebre Dr. Twum Ampofo II, the health of his people is his top priority, as good health enables them to work, farm, and provide for their families.

This, he explained, is the motivation behind the construction of the hospital.

Dr. Twum Ampofo, who also serves as the overlord of Asiakwa, urged his people to actively participate in the project when it begins this year to ensure its timely completion.

“This project, when completed, will create job opportunities for many people in Asiakwa and its surrounding communities and will also boost the local economy,” he added.

The Okyeman Nifahene shared these plans during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Asiakwa Palace. The meeting focused on ways to unite and work together to transform Asiakwaman and restore its former glory.

He then showed his heartfelt gratitude to the youth group in Asiakwa that called itself PROUDLY ASIAKWAN of whom he is a patron that came up with this brilliant and transformative idea to construct a Hospital to enable them to have access to medical care in the area when they fall sick instead of traveling a long distance to Kibi Government Hospital.

“The youth plays a crucial role in the development and I am ready to work hand in hand with them whenever the need arises,” Asiakwahene assured.

Additionally, Daasebre Dr. Twum Ampofo II announced his intention to drill more boreholes in Asiakwa to provide clean and safe water for daily use.

He expressed concern over how illegal mining activities have polluted local water bodies, making them unsafe for human consumption.

He also appealed to residents of Asiakwa who have migrated outside the town or abroad to return home and support these development projects once work begins.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The Gomoa Ahenfie Kɛse has expressed its great sorrow and commiseration with traders and users of the Kantamanto business area affected by the recent fire outbreak that resulted in huge losses and emotional turmoil.

The Gomoa Ahenfie Kɛse has noted that after the incident, all sorts of persons and entities are making spurious claims of ownership of the said market.

They have sent a strong caution to these people and entities to stay away from the Kantamanto land because it belongs to them.

According to them, KING OKOFO KUSAE EDU, THE ASONA ROYAL STOOL occupied presently by GOMOAMANHENE, KING OKOFO EDU XVI is the only legitimate owner of the Kantamanto market together with all lands in the area with Supreme Court Judgment 1910 and 1913 Gold Coast judgment comprising Coastal lands.

The Gomoa Ahenfie Kɛse mentioned that they share boundaries with the following Coastal Lands.

That and beyond, Teshie, Labadi, James Town, Chorkor, Kokrobite, Nyanyano, Fetteh, Senya, Apam, Jorma ( Mamford), and Dego.

“We have documents that show that the Kantamanto Market land belongs to us. Therefore, those claiming they were the owners should advise themselves and desist from the land,” it warned in a statement available to this website.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Okere District Assembly, Daniel Nana Addo Kenneth, has announced that the newly built Okere District Hospital will begin full operations in 2025 to enhance quality healthcare delivery in the area.

This hospital is part of the Agenda 111 health facilities project initiated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to bring healthcare services closer to Ghanaians.

The fully furnished, ultramodern facility with a 40-bed capacity, was one of three Agenda 111 hospital projects in the Eastern Region commissioned by President Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

The other two hospitals are the New Juaben North Municipal Hospital and the Atiwa West District Hospital.

The DCE, who is also the Member of Parliament-elect for the constituency, stated that staff assigned to the hospital have already been posted and are preparing to commence work next year.

Nana Addo Kenneth shared this information during the Assembly’s final sitting of the year, using the occasion to highlight some of the achievements of the NPP government in the district since the inception of the Assembly 2017.

According to him, President Akufo-Addo Addo-led administration has made progress in every sector of the district, which deserves commendation.

Daniel Nana Addo Kenneth also expressed gratitude to the outgoing Member of Parliament for Okere Constituency, Daniel Kwaku Botwe, whom he will be succeeding in Parliament, for his guidance and support in developing the area.

He urged Assembly members and staff to extend the same support to his successor and their administration to ensure continued success and effective delivery of their mandate.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

The outgoing Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, has expressed his appreciation to the various heads of the departments for accepting and supporting him to lead them during these 4 years in the region.

He asked them to forgive him if he had unknowingly stepped on anyone’s toes along the way, and it is his wish they continue to build bridges of peace and unity, which are important for the development of the Region.

Seth Acheampong said they were crossing over not only to a new year but also to a new administration come January 7, 2025.

“It is, therefore, my sincere prayer that as we are exiting the scene, you accor the next Regional Minister after me and its administration the same support you offered me to deliver on their mandate,” he admonished emotionally.

He indicated that doing so would ensure the continuity and growth of the region, and after all, we are one people with a common destiny.

The minister made this call during the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council’s 17th edition of the 9 lessons and Carlos held at his Residency in Koforidua on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

“As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember the true spirit of the season which is love, kindness, and compassion, and may these values guide us as we come together with families and friends to share the joy of Christmas,” he added.

In his sermon, Rev. Justice Asumang of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Ascension Congregation-Koforidua entreated the country to remember God and depend on him no matter our wealth. Without having trust in him, there would be full of confusion and frustration.

He added that if we depend on God and have trust in him, everything will be well with us, and we will see his greatness in our lives.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsoneline.com