Ya-Na’s murder: 30 arrested

Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II         About 30 persons, including the caretaker of the Abudu gate, have been arrested in connection with the 2002 murder of the Overlord of Dagbon, late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, in Yendi. A military cum national security contingent from Accra picked them up in a swoop conducted on Saturday dawn. The arrests have received mixed reactions depending on which faction one belongs. Whilst the Andanis have welcomed the move, the Abudus have greeted the action with disquiet. Some youth in protest of the arrest, this morning, burnt car tyres, but Joy News’ correspondent, Mahama Shaibu, says calm has returned to the area with some brisk business going on. “[The security agencies] have taken over the town centre and the whole of Yendi is calm,” he said. Unconfirmed report also suggests that a former minister under the NPP administration, Prince Imoro Andani, was among those arrested. Our correspondent says a former NPP vice-chairman in the Yendi constituency, and a former NADMO co-ordinator in the NPP regime have also been picked up. The children of the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, last week Saturday, issued anultimatum to the government to find the killers of their late father within two months or face relentless demonstrations. It is not clear whether the operation is a direct response to the ultimatum. At the time of filing this report, even though police confirmed the arrested persons are in the custody of the joint military and national security team, the exact location is still not known. Spokesperson for the Northern Regional Police Command, Chief Inspector Ebenezer Tetteh, indicated that the dawn arrest led to some tension in Yendi, but says the police are on the alert. “My information is that over 30 people were rounded up in a dawn swoop by a combined team of national security operatives and military personnel from Accra. But I will not be able to tell you whether those arrested are from gate ‘X’ or gate ‘Y’.” He hinted that the detainees would be sent to Accra. Chief Inspector Tetteh reiterated that the arrest is in connection with the ongoing investigations into the gruesome murder of Ya-Na and over 26 of his sub-chiefs in 2002. He assured that the security agencies have been placed at vantage points to ensure that there would not be any outbreak of violence. Meanwhile a group known as the Concerned Abudus for Peace and Justice has condemned the arrest. Dr. Ziblim Idi, a spokesperson for the group, has called on the government to explain the rationale behind the arrest, since those involved were not cited as murderers of the late Ya-Na by the Wuoko Commission that investigated the case. Story by Isaac Essel/myjoyonline.com/Ghana

South Africa police deploy for Terreblanche funeral

Supporters of Eugene Terreblanche are out in force for his funeral   A major security operation has been mounted for the funeral of white supremacist Eugene Terreblanche, who was killed on his farm on Saturday. Several police and army units have been deployed to prevent possible clashes between supporters of Terreblanche and the local black population. Around 3,000 people are commemorating his controversial life in the north-western rural town of Ventersdorp. Terreblanche led the Afrikaner Resistance movement, the AWB. Thousands of AWB supporters have gathered in the town, with the mourners including armed men in camouflage as well as young children, says the BBC's Karen Allen in Ventersdorp. South Africa's trade union federation, Cosatu, is holding a mass meeting on the other side of the town. Our correspondent says the effect of this meeting - called to discuss recent farm violence - is unclear. On the one hand, it is a way of occupying some black farm workers who otherwise might turn up at the funeral, she says. But on the other hand, it could be seen as a somewhat provocative gesture given the timing, she adds. The Afrikaner Protestant Church where the service is being held, is normally attended mostly by white South Africans. Some have travelled long distances to take part in the funeral. As a gesture of reconciliation, dignitaries from the local black community have been invited to attend the service, our correspondent says. But just a handful of them are likely to take up that offer, she adds. Two of Terreblanche's workers have been charged with his murder. Although the authorities stress that the killing had more to do with money than politics, it has led to a period of heightened racial tension. White groups and opposition parties blamed an ANC official, Julius Malema, for singing an apartheid-era song at rallies, that includes the lyrics "shoot the Boer [farmer]". The ANC has rejected that link, but accepts that the song and the debate around it was polarising society. It has now instructed its members to stop using it. Source: BBC

Polish president, 80 others die in plane crash

President Lech Kaczynski and scores of other senior Polish figures have been killed in a plane crash in Russia. Polish and Russian officials said no-one survived after the plane apparently hit trees as it approached Smolensk airport in thick fog. Russian media reports said the pilots ignored advice from air traffic control to divert to another airport. Poland's army chief, central bank governor, MPs and leading historians were among more than 80 passengers. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the crash was the most tragic event of the country's post-World War II history. The Polish delegation was flying in from Warsaw to mark the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre of thousands of Poles by Soviet forces during WWII. The BBC's Adam Easton, in Warsaw, says the crash is a catastrophe for the Polish people. He says Prime Minister Tusk was reportedly in tears when he was told. After an emergency meeting of ministers, Mr Tusk, who runs the day-to-day business of government, said a week of national mourning had been declared with two minutes of silence on Sunday at midday. He said he would travel immediately to the site of the crash, in Smolensk, where he would be joined by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Mr Tusk added: "The Polish state must function and will function". A government spokesman said that according to the constitution there would be an early presidential election, and the speaker of the lower house of parliament, Bronislaw Komorowski, would be acting president. In Warsaw, people have been gathering outside the presidential palace to lay flowers and light candles. "I'm all broken up... it cannot be expressed in words," Ewa Robaczewska told Reuters news agency. Pilot error? The Russian emergencies ministry told Itar-Tass news agency the plane crashed at 1056 Moscow time (0656 GMT) as it was coming in to land. Smolensk regional governor Sergei Antufiev told Russian TV that no-one had survived. "According to preliminary reports, it got caught up in the tops of trees, fell to the ground and broke up into pieces," he said. "There are no survivors in that crash." Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Piotr Paszkowski said it could be assumed with "great certainty" that no-one had survived. Polish TV worker Slawomir Wisniewski said he had seen the crash from his hotel near the airport. "I saw through the fog, the aeroplane flying very low with the left wing pointing to the ground," he said. "I heard something being broken and then that thudding sound. Two flashes of fire next to each other." Russian media carried claims that the plane's crew were at fault for the crash. "Flight controllers... suggested that the plane be forwarded to Minsk but as far as we know the crew took an independent decision to land the plane in Smolensk," Smolensk regional government spokesman Andrei Yevseyenkov told Russian TV. Russian officials said 96 people were killed in the crash. Polish officials said there 88 people in the delegation travelling to the Katyn commemoration. Russian investigators had earlier said there were 132 people on the plane. Mr Putin said he would personally oversee the investigation into the crash and that the bodies of the victims would be taken to Moscow for identification. Russia would observe a day of mourning on Monday, the prime minister said. Russia's Emergency Minister Sergei Shoigu said both of the plane's flight information recorders had been found and were being examined. Controversial figure Lech Kaczynski   The president was flying in a Tupolev 154, a Soviet-designed plane that was more than 20 years old. Our correspondent says there had been calls for Polish leaders to upgrade their planes. Mr Kaczynski himself had suffered scares while using the plane in late 2008, when problems with the aircraft's steering mechanism delayed his departure from Mongolia. It was then caught up in turbulence flying to Seoul. "Any flight brings with it a certain risk, but a very serious risk attaches to the responsibilities of a president, because it is necessary to fly constantly," he was quoted as saying at the time. But the head of Russia's Aviakor aviation maintenance company told Russian TV the plane was airworthy, after his plant fully overhauled it in December. As well as the president and his wife, Maria, a number of senior officials were on the passenger list. They included the army chief of staff Gen Franciszek Gagor, central bank governor Slawomir Skrzypek and deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Kremer. World leaders including Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, US President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown offered their condolences to Poland. Mr Kaczynski, who had fewer powers than the prime minister but had a significant say in foreign policy, was a controversial figure in Polish politics. He had advocated a right-wing Catholic agenda, opposed rapid free-market reforms and favoured retaining social welfare programmes. Source: BBC

Sipa Yankey takes CHRAJ to court

Dr Sipa Yankey   Former Health Minister Dr. George Sipa-Yankey has taken legal action against the Commission on Human Rights and Administration Justice (CHRAJ). The suit is challenging CHRAJ's decision to suspend public hearings into the Mabey and Johnson bribery scandal. CHRAJ suspended the hearings last week after some of the other former public officers alleged to have been bribed by Mabey and Johnson filed a writ challenging the jurisdiction of CHRAJ to investigate the the matter. But Dr. Sipa Yankey, who resigned to clear his name, is insisting that CHRAJ should hear his case. His lawyer, Kwame Gyan, told Joy News’ Cyrus deGraft-Johnson after filing the suit at the Human Rights Court he was seeking an order of certiorari to quash the decision of CHRAJ to suspend the investigation indefinitely and an order of mandamus “to compel CHRAJ to give Dr Sipa Yankey a hearing.” Mr Gyan said Dr Yankey is eager to get his name cleared because the former minister “is a young man, a very reputable professional [who] had a very reputable position which he had to relinquish to come and clear his name. We are pursuing other efforts in the UK in the same regard of clearing his name and we need the man to have time and the energies freed up so he can pursue that effort in the UK and then also move on with his life.” Asked if Dr Yankey is still nursing plans to return to public office, the lawyer said “that is the prerogative of the President.” Source: Myjoyonline.com/Ghana *Fiifi Koomson contributed reporting

Chief of Techiman, others, face charge of conspiracy

Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV         Seven people including the chief of Techiman, Nana Akumfi Ameyaw IV, have been identified as suspects in connection with the recent kidnapping of the chief of Tuobodom, Nana Baffour Asare II. The seven could be charges with conspiracy to commit crime, Director General of Police CID, DCOP Frank Adu Poku, disclosed this at a press briefing in Accra. “Investigations so far have led to the arrest of Prince Yaw Dua, 29, Banabas Atamekye alias Seidu, 31, both guards at the Techimanhene’s palace and Nana Stephen Akumfi Ameyaw, elder brother of the Techimanhene who was also the driver of the Ford bus with which the Tuobodom chief was carried to Techiman," DCOP Adu Poku said. “They have all been cautioned and charged with the offences of kidnapping, assault and stealing and have been released on police enquiry bail.” “Also identified as suspects are Oseadeayo Nana Ameyaw IV (Techimanhene), Nana Opoku Abankwa II (Krontihene), Nana Opoku Fosu Gyeabour (Mawurehene) and Nana Barima Obeng Ameyaw (Akyempimhene) who is alleged to have presided over the assault at the palace,” DCOP Adu Poku said. The briefing comes after what police authorities say was a thorough investigation into the impasse between the chiefs of Tuobodom and Techiman. DCOP Adu Poku said a docket on the case has been forwarded to the Attorney General for advice. The Tuobodom chief and his secretary were recently kidnapped allegedly by bodyguards of Nana Akumfi Ameyaw and taken to his palace in Techiman, spawned by allegations that the Tuobodom chief had masterminded an attempt to kill the Techiman chief. The development torched off clashes between supporters of the two chiefs resulting in the death of three persons. DCOP Adu Poku also hinted that the police service is in full control of security issues within its domain and will ensure there is sanity within the system. According to him, although armed robbery has reduced drastically in the country what seems to be gaining root in recent times is car snatching. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

Techimanhene denies police charges against him

Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw         Abubakar Akumfi Ameyaw, Press Coordinator of the chief of Techiman, has denied knowledge of any charges or prosecution against the chief by the police. Director General of Police CID, DCOP Frank Adu Poku, at a press conference on Friday disclosed that Nana Akumfi Ameyaw, was arrested together with six others for allegedly kidnapping the chief of Tuobodom. “They have all been cautioned and charged with the offences of kidnapping, assault and stealing and have been released on police enquiry bail,” he said, adding that a docket has been prepared and forwarded to the Attorney General for advice and possible prosecution. But Abubakar Akumfi Ameyaw in an interview with Joy News said the chief, who also happens to be his father, has no knowledge, none whatsoever, of charges and possible prosecution against him. He said the news of his father’s prosecution got to them through a "good samaritan" who had been monitoring the live press conference organised by the police in Accra on Friday. He said several efforts to acquaint themselves with the details of the press conference have proven futile and were waiting patiently to get official confirmation of the prosecution in order to react appropriately. An obviously angry Abubakar Akumfi Ameyaw accused the police of “hypocrisy” for daring to prosecute his father, when alleged perpetrators of an earlier assassination attempt on his father were walking free. DCOP Frank Adu Poku in announcing the charges and possible prosecution of the Techimanhene also stated emphatically that six people, including the Tuobodom chief, had been arrested and granted bail for their alleged roles in the assassination attempt on the Techimanhene in October, 2008. Abubakar Akumfi Ameyaw said the statements by the Director General of Police CID were rather unfortunate. Three people died in clashes between indigenes of Tuobodom and those of Techiman in February this year after the Tuobodom chief (known to owe allegiance to the Asantehene) was allegedly kidnapped and assaulted by people said to be bodyguards of the Techiman chief. The situation nearly got out of hand when the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II waded into the controversy and threatened to also kidnap the Techimanhene if government failed to take action. Police Director of Public Relations, DSP Kwesi Ofori in an interview with Joy News said the arrests were made and charges pressed after thorough investigations into the separate incidents of assassination attempt and kidnap. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

My lay point of view: Return military regime.

Author, Gifty Andoh         I have always thought it good to be born Ghanaian and still remember with nostalgia the days we sang “Goo blessa oomlan ghaaaaaana” either mixing up or loudly and seriously mispronouncing the words. Though we barely understood what we sang, let alone meant, I can say for myself that the rhythm and the fact that we all sang the same thing filled me with a sense of patriotism. It is indeed a song of many inspiring and courageous words. Speaking of which; resisting the oppressor’s rule indeed needs all our will and might. Many times however, I have dreamt of becoming a citizen of another country because, experiences and observations give me a feeling which more than I want, that my country is the most unfair. For me (and I’m sure for many others), Ghana is a land of limited, hidden and unequal opportunities so that the affluent, the “violent” and “double eyed” are the only beneficiaries; they always have been. Scenario: A pupil in “Braha bebome” LA primary school is awaken every dawn by a violent shake from a frustrated and nagging mother, the quality of water he uses and drinks is nothing compared to that which is used to flush down the toilet in many other homes. His tattered school uniform is ironed under his pillow-if he sleeps on any - and walks many miles to a school which is the sheer generosity of the shades of a tree. On his tummy,-if he doesn’t have a chair to carry to school, he listens to a teacher who is there “fortunately” because there is no other job. Whose motivation he is told awaits him in heaven and who in many cases, needs to be taught himself. Another child wakes by a gentle pat on the back, uses treated water that the other child drinks only in his/her dreams. He has access to the internet and parents to help with his homework. He even has private teachers. Imagine that these two characters are tested with the same examination and are expected to pass equally. Your guess is as honest as mine. Few of the former who are able to make the grade despite all the hardships get to access help from individuals and organizations which is very good but most often its only the “brilliant and needy” as we call them. What happens then to the not brilliant but very needy? Sometimes they just need a second chance and a brighter opportunity. The end result is overcrowding in urban areas and all kinds of social vices as most of them grow up feeling hopeless and useless even if they really are not. They then become very useful tools in the hands of nation wreckers who train them to do all kinds of ills in the society. Even if they don’t become dangerous in society, what is the future of a nation, a larger section whose people are feeling hopeless and useless? As for the rich, whether brilliant or not, quality education is always assured. Maybe Ghana needs to be bleached a little to be a bit fair because some unfairness in so unfair. The Ghana I know I found myself growing up in a place where children are given the least of everything; from meat at the dinner table to a platform for self expression, a place where politics of insults and vindictiveness dominates the airwaves whilst pregnant women lose their lives and babies because of terrible roads, inaccessible transportation service or unavailable health facilities. Where people have their teeth discolored and others develop all kinds of diseases because they cannot get the very water others are using to flush down their toilets to drink, not to mention the “on and offs” of electricity even in the cities. A Place Where custodians of the law are the very people who break it with impunity; where the police are well known for accepting a daily “offertory” every now and then from drivers who would just not abide by simple rules and regulations. A place where education is a luxury reserved for the rich and influential and those who know the “ways and means”. It is easier to pull out hair from the nostrils than to know of an impending scholarship, let alone access it. As for jobs after school, I don’t want to mention because many people seem to be passing the “interview part two”. A place where port charges are about fifty times the price of what is being cleared from the port, and the money goes into some few pot bellies who spend it lavishly on young ladies who have no respect for old age. A place where people are treated based on what they have and how much they can give. I see a place where journalists who can keep those in authority on their toes cannot live without dear brother “solidarity” because the job pays so woefully “well” yet unfortunately, it brings them into contact with very influential people, making it almost impossible not to dance to their “pleasant music”. A place seemingly peaceful yet very much aware that it is seated on a time bomb of ethnicity, chieftaincy disputes and their big brother, “do or die” politics. A place engulfed with filth, where corruption has done so well for itself by penetrating high, low and spiritual places; from the politician to the pastor, the landlord to the laborer. The list is endless. A place where everybody is quick to nag about everything especially about government’s incompetence yet they themselves do nothing to brighten their corners. It seems to me the only language the Ghanaian understands is FORCE and for many, the only thing to keep them doing the right thing. Like the conservancy laborers, the tanker drivers and the teachers in Amu Djoleto’s “money Galore”, sometimes I’m tempted to long for a military regime that apply the kind of force to keep people from doing wrong. One that appreciates zero tolerance for bloodshed, one that is not based on revenge but for the greater good of the greater number-the masses. I am told it is a dangerous wish but sometimes there is absolutely no hope in “democrazy” for the masses and in hopelessness, we wish for any other thing. What a country! Credit: Gifty Andoh Appiah. (giftdot@yahoo.com)