Chief Beheaded Over Coconut

Suspect withe he head of the chief

Preliminary investigations have indicated that the Ebusuapanyin of Narkwa Asona Royal Family of Ekumfi Narkwa in the Central Region, Nana Kojo Eguasiah, was killed and beheaded last week over coconut.

The 50-year-old Ebusuapayin’s horrifying death led to communal violence in the area, as the Fantes clashed with Ewe settlers, during which three people from the community were killed and several houses set ablaze.

The suspect was apprehended after the deceased’s cellphone was traced to his sister.

Speaking at a press conference in Cape Coast yesterday, Central Regional Police Commander DCOP Stephen Andoh Kwofie said the late Ebusuapanyin had a scuffle with Kweku Mensah, a 37-year-old farmer and coconut seller, whom the deceased allegedly caught stealing coconut from his farm.

According to DCOP Andoh Kwofie, the deceased grabbed Mensah on his farm and after an exchange of words, they engaged in fisticuffs during which Mensah killed the old man, cut off the head and buried the dismembered parts on the farm.

He added that the suspect buried the head deeper into the ground next to the body to hide his crime.

The police commander further revealed that three days ago, his outfit was informed that the phone of the deceased was in possession of Mensah’s younger sister, Aba Koba, 30, so they mounted a search and traced the duo to Ekumfi Narkwa.

He stated that Mensah was subsequently arrested on Sunday and confessed to killing the deceased upon police interrogation.

DCPOP Andoh Kwofie alleged that Mensah informed his sister about the murder and his sister in turn advised him not to tell anyone about it.

He added that Mensah handed over to Koba the deceased person’s phone, which he took after murdering the Ebusuapanyin.

The police hinted that during their investigations, they called the Ebusuapayin’s phone and Koba answered it, but denied she was called Aba Koba and also gave them a wrong house address in order to prevent the police from tracing her.

DCOP Andoh Kwofie stated that Koba was however located at her hideout and arrested on Monday.

The police team sent Mensah to the farm where he retrieved the decapitated head of the deceased.

The police commander urged the public to assist them in arresting the killers of Kojo Munkoh and Saani, who lost their lives during the subsequent violence.

It would be recalled that last Tuesday, the headless body of Nana Kojo Eguasiah was found buried in a shallow grave after several hours of search on his own farm.
From: Desmond K. Dapaah, Cape Coas

Police Mad At Swedru Chief

DCOP Andoh Kwofie

The Central Regional Police Command has expressed worry about how the chief of Agona Swedru in the Agona West District of the Central Region, Nana Botwe, has resorted to the use of media platforms to tarnish the hard worn reputation of police and public officers in the region. According to the police, Nana Botwe’s allegation that the police in the area were conniving with criminals to increase crime rate, thus the need for the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Paul Tawiah Quaye to transfer all of them, was totally out of place. Addressing a press conference in Cape Coast to react to the chief’s allegation, which was published in Daily Guide on Tuesday, August 21, 2012, the Central Regional Police Commander, DCOP Stephen Andoh Kwofie, revealed that the police were there to ensure peace and order in the area and not to indulge in criminal activities with miscreants who dealt in drugs and cyber crimes. The police chief added that the chief was rather the one who pleaded for bail for criminals who had been arrested by the police in the area. He added that the chief’s allegation was to get back at the police for refusing to give his residence 24-hour police protection when he asked for it sometime ago. He added that the chief was probably infuriated by the police refusing a drink he offered them. He challenged Nana Botwe to come out and mention the names of the said police personnel who had connived with criminals in the area. He warned that should Nana Botwe refuse to do so, he would be arrested and charged with aiding and abetting criminals since he had on many occasions come to the Swedru District Police to bail criminals who had been arrested. DCOP Andoh Kwofie added that a decision by the police and the District Chief Executive in the area to introduce community policing to ensure total peace was rejected by the chief, adding that they were therefore surprised the same man turned round to accuse the police of conniving with criminals. He said the IGP had not received any complaints concerning his personnel at Agona Swedru and would therefore not transfer them unless there was evidence on the chief’s allegation. He however urged Nana Botwe to support the police in arresting criminals who were disturbing residents of the area. The acting Divisional Police Commander at Agona Swedru, ACP Owusu Donyinah, revealed that Nana Botwe on one occasion stormed the police station and ordered the release of some criminals who were arrested for vandalizing a recreational center. He added that the chief categorically stated that if the said criminals were not released, he would sleep there with his followers, a situation which forced the divisional commander to release them.

Source: Desmond K. Dapaah, Cape Coast

No Seats For NPP At Fetu Afahye

The NPP disappointed gurus Drama unfolded at this year’s Oguaa Fetu Afahye Festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of Cape Coast when New Patriotic Party (NPP) gurus who were delegated by the party’s flagbearer, Nana Akufo Addo, to witness the occasion were not offered seats. The disappointed gurus included former Member of Parliament (MP) for Mfantseman West Stephen Asamoah Boateng aka Asabee, former Attorney General Joe Ghartey, aspiring MP for Cape Coast Alfred Kodwo Thompson, as well as the Central regional secretary of the party, Kwamena Duncan. Briefing Daily Guide, an eyewitness said the gurus, dressed in their black and white kente cloths, arrived at the durbar grounds around 12:30pm. They then got seated but unfortunately, one of the traditional chiefs told them to vacate the seats since they only made provision for former President John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo. The delegation, which looked disappointed, according to Daily Guide source, had no option but to look for seats elsewhere but again, they were asked to vacate them. They finally found seats in the midst of the crowd, a situation which, according to information, compelled people who observed the scene to lambast the planning committee.Addressing the gathering, President John Dramani Mahama expressed worry over the death of the late President John Evans Atta Mills and promised to ensure that all projects embarked on by the late president are duly completed. He thanked the people of Cape Coast for the rousing support they gave him when he visited the town during his ‘Thank You Tour’. Speaking on the theme for the occasion, ‘The Asafo Companies, The Past, Present And The Future’, President Mahama called on the traditional council and leaders of the various Asafo companies to outline strategies to educate and enlighten the youth on the cultural practices and customs of the area. He also called on the youth to desist from acts of commotion to ensure total peace before, during and after the December general elections. On his part, the Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, charged President Mahama to honour his promise by constructing the Kotokuraba Market complex and the Cape Coast Stadium before he left office. Osabarima also appealed to parents and members of the various Asafo companies to involve their children in all traditional activities in order for them to know their roots as Africans. The paramount chief asked President Mahama to consider Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur as his running mate in memory of the late President Mills. Later, President Mahama cut a tape to officially name some streets in the area after President Mills. DAILY GUIDE can state on authority that this year’s festival recorded low patronage. The paper also observed that chiefs were not made to be carried in palanquins because certain rituals were not performed due to the death of the late president as most of government officials were spotted wearing black and red attires since the durbar coincided with the 40 days celebration of the late president. It will be recalled that last year’s Oguaa Fetu Afahye Festival celebration was nearly marred when NPP gurus who attended the festival at Jubilee Park were prevented by a special aide to the late president, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, from going to exchange greetings with the chiefs. The gurus were also not recognised.

Source: Desmond K. Dapaah, Cape Coast

Kennedy Cautions EC

Kennedy Agyapong addressing NPP supporters at Elmina

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for the Assin North Constituency in the Central Region, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has cautioned the Electoral Commission (EC) not to employ any diabolic tactics to rig the December 7 general elections.

Mr Agyapong alleged that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party had connived with the EC not to recharge the biometric registration and verifications machines to its fullest in order to deter voters from voting, especially at the NPP's strongholds.

He made the statements over the weekend when the NPP parliamentary candidate for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Constituency, Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, launched his 2012 campaign.

The launch, which attracted thousands of NPP supporters from the constituency, was well attended by national, regional and constituency executives.

Addressing the crowd, Mr. Agyapong alleged that the ruling party had mobilized some youth who had lodged at Gemani, a fishing community in the South Dayi District of the Volta Region and were being trained to act as national security officers to disturb the upcoming elections.

He noted that the NPP had put in place the necessary strategies to face the NDC who had planned to rig the election.

Mr Agyapong therefore urged Ghanaians not to be scared of the bad intention of NDC but have confidence and vote for NPP, the party which had their welfare at heart.

Mr. Agyapong revealed that the most corrupt government Ghana had ever had was the Mills-Mahama administration which had seen old and young ministers looting the nation for their selfish interest without thinking of the poor Ghanaian.   

'See how President Mahama and Ofosu Ampofo are misusing state resources. They have ransacked our coffers for their own personal gains and their small boys like Okudzeto Ablakwa and others are following. We need to vote against them in this election, else our resources will get lost,' he said.

Mr. Agyapong said the people of Elmina had voted for the NDC in particular since 1992, yet they had not seen any developmental projects to transform the area.

The MP therefore urged people in the area to vote for the NPP in the upcoming elections to enable them to reconstruct the deplorable Benya Bridge.

On his part, Dr. Ato Arthur appealed to the electorate to vote for him to continue his massive developmental projects.

He noted that since the constituency was well noted for its tourist and agricultural attractions, he would ensure that all the needed trimmings were provided, with support from the constituents.

From: Desmond K. Dapaah, Elmina

Nduom Party Sacks KEEA Candidate

Weak Bridge Scares Elmina Commuters

The Elmina weak Bridge

THE ELMINA Bridge also known as the Benya Bridge in the Central region has become a deathtrap and residents are now scared to use it.

The bridge which links residents in the area to surrounding communities is dilapidated and looks like it could cave in at any moment.

The rusted bridge which was built in the 1990s to ensure the free flow of tourists and people from the town to the first Portuguese Castle built in the country is fast losing its essence.

It seems the current government and the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipal Assembly are not committed to rehabilitating the bridge which generates revenue for the assembly as it serves as the main link for tourists wishing to visit the Elmina Castle and forts.

Currently, both the foot path and access road for vehicles on the bridge are completely rusted, forcing residents to close the foot path to prevent any unforeseen occurrences.

The residents are now compelled to use the vehicular path which   poses a threat to life since anyone could be knocked down by a car especially during the night.

Information gathered by DAILY GUIDE indicates that recently a resident had his leg trapped in a hole in the bridge and sustained injuries.

The residents have therefore called on President John Mahama to come to their aid and build a new bridge for them since that is the only route to the fishing market.

According to them, although the late President Mills never visited them while in office, he promised to rehabilitate the bridge and hoped the current president would to fulfill that promise.

“If the bridge is not reconstructed as early as possible we will not vote for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party and the MP,” they stated.

 From: Desmond K. Dapaah, Elmina

Nduom Party Sacks KEEA Candidate

Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom

Information reaching  DAILY GUIDE   indicates that the elected parliamentary candidate of the Progressive People's Party (PPP) in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA), Lawyer Kojo Annan has been prevented from contesting the December polls.

DAILY GUIDE  gathered that his posters and billboards, which were erected in the constituency, had been damaged while others had been removed.

A source told the paper that the beleaguered parliamentary candidate was sacked because he was not a resident of the area.

The source further hinted that the constituency executives, who anticipated the lost of the seat, passed a vote of no confidence in Mr. Annan.

DAILY GUIDE  learnt that a letter explaining the dismissal of the candidate had been sent to the founder and presidential hopeful of PPP, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, who is native of the area.

The source hinted that the constituency executives had contacted Doreen Mansah Manieson, who is based in the United State of America (USA) to contest the KEEA parliamentary seat.

A PPP constituency executive, Emmanuel K. Mosses, in an interview with  DAILY GUIDE , corroborated the story.

He added that the decision to change Lawyer Annan was taken by the constituency executives.

On her part, Mansah Manieson stated that the constituency executives, at recent meeting, decided to give her the chance to capture the seat.

Madam Manieson, a resident of the area, launched her campaign over the weekend. 

From: Desmond K. Dapaah, Elmina