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12 Home Remedies for Stomach Pain

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Gastric

There are several popular home remedies for indigestion. Some may also help ease stomach upset from other sources, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

  1. Drinking water

The body needs water to efficiently digest and absorb nutrients from foods and beverages. Being dehydrated makes digestion more difficult and less effective, increasing the likelihood of an upset stomach.

Additionally, drinking water may help reduce heartburn.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that although the general rule of thumb is drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily, a person’s fluid needs can vary. Activity levels, elevation, extreme temperatures, general health, and size can all make a difference in fluid needs.

Around 20% of a person’s fluid intake will come from food, with the rest coming from beverages. For most people, a suitable figure to aim for is approximately 8 or more cups of water daily.

Pros and cons

Drinking water can help with digestion and prevent dehydration.

However, some people may forget to drink water throughout the day. Additionally, some may prefer the taste of other beverages.

Products, such as water bottles and flavor enhancers, can make drinking water throughout the day more convenient and enjoyable.

  1. Avoiding lying down

Avoiding lying down may prevent indigestion from becoming heartburn.

When the body is horizontal, the acid in the stomach is more likely to travel backward and move upward, which can cause heartburn.

Therefore, people with an upset stomach should avoid lying down or going to bed for at least a few hours until it passes.

Pros and cons

Avoiding lying down may be a convenient remedy if a person performs daily activities.

However, this remedy may be unsuitable if someone experiences stomach pain during the time they rest or sleep.

  1. Ginger

Ginger may help reduce nausea and vomiting in people who are pregnant or those who undergo chemotherapy.

Individuals with an upset stomach could try adding ginger to their food or drinking it as tea. Some all-natural ginger ales may also contain enough ginger to settle an upset stomach.

Ginger tea is widely available to buy in supermarkets and online.

Pros and cons

Research suggests that ginger may help reduce nausea in those who are pregnant.

However, larger doses of ginger may cause side effects, such as gas, heartburn, indigestion, and abdominal discomfort.

Many different products containing ginger are available commercially and may help manage nausea. These include ginger tea, ginger chews, ginger lollipops, and ginger supplements.

  1. BRAT diet

Doctors may recommend the bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (BRAT) diet to people with diarrhea.

BRAT foods may decrease the number of stools a person passes and help ease their diarrhea.

As these foods are bland, they do not contain substances that irritate the stomach, throat, or intestines. Therefore, this diet can soothe the tissue irritation resulting from the acids in vomit.

Many of the foods in the BRAT diet are also high in nutrients, such as potassium and magnesium, and can replace those someone loses through diarrhea and vomiting.

Pros and cons

The BRAT diet may help harden stool and reduce diarrhea and dehydration. This may help reduce stomach cramps due to loose stool.

However, this diet may not be suitable for the long term, as people may not consume all the necessary nutrients through the food in this diet.

  1. Avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol

Smoking and alcohol may trigger indigestion and other gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Pros and cons

Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake improves people’s quality of life and reduces the risk of certain health conditions, such as cancer.

However, avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol can be difficult, and individuals may require extra support.

Learn more about quitting smoking and drinking:

Five ways to quit smoking

11 tips for giving up smoking

Best apps for quitting smoking

How long does it take to detox from alcohol?

Best apps to stop drinking alcohol

8 of the best alcohol support groups

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  1. Avoiding difficult-to-digest foods

Research suggests that the following foods may increase the risk of indigestion:

fatty or acidic foods

wheat products

fruit and fruit juices such as watermelon

spicy foods

greasy foods

Pros and cons

Avoiding difficult-to-digest foods may help ease the stomach and reduce discomfort and pain. Additionally, more easily digestible foods, such as fruit and vegetables, may help promote a nutritious, balanced diet.

However, avoiding richer or heavily preserved foods may be more difficult for people who do not have the time to source fresher food or those who live in a food desert. Food deserts are regions where individuals have limited access to nutritious and affordable food

  1. Baking soda

Some healthcare professionals suggest that baking soda can help relieve heartburn and indigestion by reducing stomach acidity.

Pros and cons

While this home remedy may help with an upset stomach, it may not taste pleasant. Additionally, consuming too much baking soda may lead to:

shallow or slow breathing

muscle twitching

muscle spasms

diarrhea

vomiting

irritability

  1. Figs

Figs contain substances that act as laxatives to ease constipation and encourage healthy bowel movements. Figs also contain compounds that may help to ease indigestion.

Pros and cons

However, if people are also experiencing diarrhea, they should avoid consuming figs due to this food’s laxative effects.

Figs are available in several forms, such as fig leaves, food, and paste.

  1. Aloe juice

Aloe vera may help reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and colitis, although the evidence for these benefits is slight and needs further research.

Pros and cons

Healthcare professionals state that drinking aloe vera juice can yield multiple benefits, including providing relief from the following symptoms of GERD:

heartburn

flatulence and belching

nausea and vomiting

acid and food regurgitation

However, ingesting aloe vera may cause abdominal pain and cramps.

Aloe vera juice is widely available commercially.

  1. Basil

Basil contains substances that may reduce gas. Its leaves also contain levels of high linoleic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties.

Pros and cons

Basil is usually available to purchase in grocery stores, gardening stores, and online.

However, those in food deserts may have to rely on online stores if they find it difficult to source fresh basil.

  1. Licorice

Products that contain licorice root may help relieve digestive symptoms. However, experts are uncertain about the role of licorice in these products.

Someone with an upset stomach could try drinking licorice root tea several times daily until their symptoms improve.

Pros and cons

Licorice root teas are widely available online, but it is possible to make them at home by mixing 1 or 2 teaspoons of licorice root powder with boiling water.

However, licorice can cause side effects, such as an increase in blood pressure and a decrease in potassium levels. This may be especially dangerous for those with high blood pressure or kidney or heart disease.

  1. Rice

Plain rice may be beneficial for those with stomach pain due to irritable bowel syndrome, along with other low FODMAP food.

Rice is also part of the BRAT diet that doctors may recommend.

Pros and cons

Rice is available in bulk at many grocery stores and is often one of the more affordable foods available.

However, there is some evidence that white rice consumption may increase the risk of metabolic syndrome. However, the risk may increase with regular or frequent consumption and may not affect those who consume white rice to help with stomach pain.

Prevention tips

The following tips may help prevent stomach pain:

eating slower

eating less fatty or processed foods

identifying food intolerances and allergies

drinking more water

reducing stress, where possible

taking part in regular exercise

However, if a person has stomach pain that does not resolve itself or pain that interferes with their quality of life, they should contact a qualified healthcare professional for testing and treatment.

Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com

Feature: Daring the Supreme Court; The NDC and Dual Citizenship

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Feature

During the drafting of the 1992 Constitution, the Consultative Assembly in Article 8 (1) allowed Dual Citizenship when it stated that, a citizen of Ghana may hold the citizenship of any other country in addition to his citizenship of Ghana. Going on the Assembly stated clearly in Article 94 (2a) that, A person shall not be qualified to be a Member of Parliament if he, (a). owes allegiance to a country other than Ghana.

This is an irony. A Ghanaian is permitted by law to become citizen of another country and yet when he does, certain benefits reserved for Ghanaians would be denied him.

Now since the 1992 Constitution was drafted by a Consultative Assembly made up of at least 85% coming on board, directly appointed by the PNDC (33%) and at least 52% from the local government assemblies and other revolutionary organs in the country attached to the assemblies, the Constitution can be said to have been drafted by the predecessors of the NDC. And it is therefore an NDC show piece.

Ghana had a constitution which was in effect largely drafted by interested stakeholders, the PNDC and Jerry John Rawlings.

Today, the Supreme Law of the Land is saying that Ghanaians in the Diaspora can send down resources in the form of cash and logistics to help build Mother Ghana, but as far as the direct management of this country is concerned, they are outcasts or aliens.

In 2008, a fine and handsome gentleman, Adamu Dramani Sakande, aged 46 at that time, stood on the ticket of the NPP and won the Bawku Central seat.

His victory was challenged in court and in July 2012, he was sentenced to jail, for false declaration of office, perjury and deceit of a public officer. Adamu had failed to deny UK citizenship before contesting the Bawku Central seat.

In jail, he fell seriously ill and was pardoned in 2013 by President John Mahama. He voluntarily flew abroad to the UK to take care of his health. Sadly, in September 2022, Adamu died after persistent heart problems.

In the sight of the NDC, the law had worked and justice had been delivered when Hon. Adamu Sakande was found guilty and thrown out of Parliament and into jail. This party jubilated over this.

In 2020, the NDC presented a parliamentary candidate in the person of James Gyekye Quayson to contest the Assin North seat. Like Adamu Dramani Sakande did in 2008, James won the seat and become MP.

And like Adama Dramani Sakande’s case, his election was contested in court. He was also found to have unconstitutionally stood elections in his constituency.

According to the Supreme Court of Ghana, upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 94 (2a) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, James Gyekye Quayson was not qualified at the time of filing his nomination forms between 5th to 9th October, 2020 to contest the 2020 Parliamentary elections for the Assin North Constituency as Member of Parliament.

Can one clearly see that the Supreme Court, in the case of Gyekye Quayson spoke the same words as the Court did in the case of Adamu Dramani Sakande?

Words like, not qualified at the time of filing, mean false declaration, perjury and deceit of public officer, unless I have serious challenges in the English Language. So may someone help me here. Thank you.

The Supreme Court went on to state that the decision of the NDC to permit Gyekye Quayson to contest the elections, violated the Constitution. The very act of lawlessness the NPP might have committed in Adamu’s case in 2008.

At least the NPP could be pardoned here, because of oversight. But the NDC had electoral history to guide them.

And did I read right, when a certain publication attributed NDC Allotey Jacobs of the NDC to have said he warned against making James Gyekye Quayson the parliamentary candidate because he was a dual citizen, but his pleas fell on deaf ears?

The Supreme Court went on to nullify both his election and swearing in as MP, declaring these two events as unconstitutional.

The NDC’s communication officer, My Sammy Gyamfi, has torn the Supreme Court’s decision to shreds, claiming the Apex Court acted against Section 20 (d) of PNDC Law 284.

This law according to him, states that a parliamentary candidate must be qualified at the time of election. And the Supreme Law of the country, which is superior to all other laws, is saying that a person is not qualified to be MP if he or she owes allegiance to another country.

Maybe I need help here again, oh bother English language again. I take it here to mean that, to qualify to be an MP is a process, which begins from filing to contest party’s parliamentary primary, filling to contest the constituency seat, contesting the constituency seat and winning the seat, which qualifies you as MP. Now, if during the process, you show course to be disqualified, then you do not qualify to be MP.

Is the NDC saying, a foreigner who had applied to become a citizen of Ghana, can contest parliamentary primary, file to contest constituency elections, when all along he is not yet a Ghanaian and only becomes one just before the elections, so can be said to have done the appropriate thing?

And by the way, the Supreme Court is dealing with the 1992 Constitution which is the Supreme Law and which states clearly in Article 1 (2) that, This Constitution shall be the Supreme Law of Ghana and any other law found to be inconsistent with any provision of this Constitution shall to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.

And here is the NDC quoting from another law which is inferior to the 1992 Constitution and they want all of Ghanaians to follow them blindly. Justifying the unjustifiable and always defending a lie, and in this case, daring the Supreme Court.

The NDC MPs in Parliament are said to have indicated that unless they read what Chief Justice nominee, Mrs Torkonoo, had written as her verdict, they would hold on to her appointment as Chief Justice.

Strangely, is this how the nation should be run? When NDC’s interest is not fulfilled then Ghana can go bonkers. And these are a group of people who claim to be for the suffering masses, even if there are such masses, anyway.

The NDC’s determination to relaunch the parliamentary ambitions of Mr James Gyekye Quayson is an interesting one. For someone whose case in court is not completed, as the case of perjury and others are yet to be determined, why is the NDC daring the Court by presenting Mr Quayson again?

Assuming My Quayson wins the by-election and weeks later he is found guilty for perjury, false declaration, etc., there would be another by-election, won’t it?

Back to Sammy Gyamfi, assuming Mr James Gyekye Quayson, who had filed to contest the Assin North seat, but had not been cleared by the Canadian authority to be non-citizen of that country before the elections, would the NDC had revoke his candidacy at that late hour, knowing well the party would not be able to contest that seat? Your guess is as good as mine.

The NDC would have gone ahead and broken the law and come out to defend what cannot be defended.

The NDC’s predecessors wrote the 1992 Constitution and put in laws which is hurting everybody now, including themselves. This Article 94 (2a), was deliberately put there to make sure Ghanaians in the Diaspora do not have any hand in governance.

In the eighties and right through the nineties, there was this perception by the PNDC and NDC, that majority of Ghanaians abroad belonged to the UP family. And so, to make sure that they do not take over the Executive and Parliament they must be banned by law to take up such offices.

While Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution, allows every citizen of Ghana of eighteen years of age and above and of sound mind, the right to be registered as a voter and the right to vote, this did not extend to majority of Ghanaians living abroad.

So in 2006, Representation of the People (Amendment) Act (Act 699) to allow all eligible Ghanaians abroad to vote was passed.

On the day the bill was passed in Parliament, all NDC MPs walked out, resolving never to be part of what they perceived would spell doom for this nation.

Again, in the minds of the NDC, over 85% of Ghanaians abroad support the NPP and with Ashanti region giving the party lots of problems in General Elections, they cannot afford another Ashanti region.

Today, the NDC are admitting that these are problems in Article 94 (2a) and are praying that this dual citizenship law should be amended. Anyway, before that, they should insist on the full implementation of ROPA (Act 699) of 2006.

It is only fair that if Ghanaians abroad with dual citizenship can be allowed to be MPs, then every eligible Ghanaian abroad must be allowed to directly determine who should lead this country.

The NDC cannot push this Constitution on us and when it adversely affects them, they will come out daring the courts.

Hon. Daniel Dugan

Today’s Europa Conference League Final: Fiorentina, West Ham aim to end long trophy drought 

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Fiorentina players

Both clubs aim to end a long trophy drought in Wednesday’s Europa Conference League final, as Fiorentina take on West Ham United at Prague’s Fortuna Arena.

The teams convene in the Czech capital, with the Viola’s last silverware coming some 22 years ago and the Hammers having waited almost twice as long. One will now succeed inaugural winners Roma, as the competition’s top scorers clash with unbeaten opponents.

FIORENTINA

Three decades after their most recent European final appearance – a defeat to Serie A rivals Juventus in the 1990 UEFA Cup showpiece – Fiorentina will become the first club to feature in all four UEFA club competition finals when they stride out on Wednesday night.

Vincenzo Italiano‘s men will also follow in the footsteps of Viola sides that have featured in the European Cup and Cup-Winners’ Cup deciders, having forged their own path to Prague in impressive style this season.

Comfortably the Europa Conference League’s leading scorers, Fiorentina have racked up some 36 goals in 14 games during the process – nine more than second-ranked West Ham, albeit having played two more matches.

With Brazilian striker Arthur Cabral setting the pace on seven strikes so far, 21 of those goals were scored away from home, and the Viola have netted at least three times on each of their last six European road trips; winning on each occasion.

ROAD TO THE FINAL

The Tuscan club have actually lost three matches already: finishing runners-up in Group A, before brushing aside Braga, Sivasspor and Lech Poznan to make the semi-finals, where Basel lay in wait. It took extra time to see off the stubborn Swiss side, and Antonin Barak‘s late winner helped avoid the lottery of penalties; setting up the chance to become Italy’s second successive Conference League winners.

By rallying towards the end of their domestic season, Fiorentina finished eighth in Serie A when the campaign concluded last weekend, and a run of three wins from four ended with Friday’s 3-1 win at Sassuolo.

Nonetheless, only if Juventus are ultimately banned from UEFA competition will the Viola qualify for more European football next term, so with Wednesday’s winners gaining direct entry to the 2023-24 Europa League group stage, the stakes are even higher when they meet West Ham.

While Italiano has been lauded for introducing a slick style of play and reviving Fiorentina’s flagging fortunes, the pressure is now on to secure silverware for a club whose last major trophy was the Coppa Italia of 2001. Failure in this year’s cup final versus Inter saw one shot at glory come to nothing, so everything now rides on the season finale.

WEST HAM UNITED

Fiorentina have not won a continental title since the 1961 European Cup-Winners’ Cup, while West Ham won the same trophy four years later, when they beat 1860 Munich 2-0 at Wembley. Neither side has lifted a UEFA trophy since, but it is the Hammers who have had to wait longest for silverware of any sort.

Few would have thought FA Cup victory in 1980 would be followed by a 43-year drought, but that is what transpired at the East London club, who in addition to several domestic near-misses fell in the Europa League semi-finals last season.

David Moyes has since managed to navigate some stormy seas while several colleagues at other Premier League clubs were fired for underperformance, and the experienced Scot has now taken West Ham one step further in the Conference League.

ROAD TO THE FINAL

Despite not always fielding his strongest side on Thursday evenings, Moyes has seen his team put together an impressive unbeaten record throughout Europe’s third-tier competition – with only one draw blotting an otherwise perfect return from 12 matches.

West Ham United players

Their route to the final took in winning Group B last autumn, before beating both AEK Larnaca and Gent quite comfortably in the knockout stages; a 3-1 aggregate defeat of AZ Alkmaar in the semis featured some ugly scenes in the away leg, but despite crowd trouble threatening to mar the moment, a final place was secured.

The Hammers’ continental campaign, though, has developed in contrast to dismal domestic form for most of the 2022-23 season, and they had to settle for a 14th-place finish after losing 2-1 to Championship-bound Leicester City on the Premier League’s final day.

Some have suggested that the future of Moyes and his coaching staff could still depend on the outcome in Prague, as over £150m was spent last summer to little effect. Surely shifting the burden of going generations without a trophy would make him untouchable though.

WHO’S IN WHO’S OUT

Once again, Vincenzo Italiano rotated his Fiorentina squad at the weekend, in order to keep key men fresh for Wednesday’s showpiece occasion, and with most players available he will be tasked with settling on his strongest XI.

Only back-up goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu is sidelined by injury, while Nicolas Gonzalez should be fit to start despite crashing into the goalpost in scoring the Viola’s final goal of the Serie A season.

Having also netted twice in last month’s win over Basel, the Argentina winger should support central striker Arthur Cabral from the right, but other places in Italiano’s attacking unit appear up for grabs.

Czech playmaker Antonin Barak is among those in contention: the semi-final matchwinner played for final hosts Slavia Prague prior to moving to Italy.

RICE FINAL GAME?

Both Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal also turned out at the Fortuna Arena during their time at the same club, and the pair should feature for West Ham in midweek.

Joining Soucek in the English side’s engine room, captain Declan Rice will most likely sign off on his Hammers career before departing for pastures new this summer. Elsewhere, cup goalkeeper Alphonse Areola replaces Premier League first-choice Lukas Fabianski.

Gianluca Scamacca – recently linked with a loan move back to Serie A in the summer – is set to be West Ham’s sole absentee, having recently undergone knee surgery. With his place almost uncontested, then, Michail Antonio starts up front.

PREDICTION

As Fiorentina are not likely to compromise on their principles and could take the game to West Ham, an intriguing encounter is in prospect. Both teams are desperate to claim silverware, though, and it may be a tempestuous affair.

It could be the Hammers’ greater capacity for defensive discipline which proves the deciding factor – in addition to a distinct threat from set-pieces.

 

POSSIBLE STARTING LINEUP

Fiorentina:
Terracciano; Dodo, Martinez Quarta, Milenkovic, Biraghi; Amrabat, Mandragora; Gonzalez, Bonaventura, Ikone; Cabral

West Ham United:
Areola; Kehrer, Aguerd, Zouma, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio

Jinapor talks tough in Obuasi: AngloGold Mines Will Always Be Protected … Gov’t will not condone illegality

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RICHARD OWUSU-AKYAW
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Samuel Jinapor · Minister of Land and Natural Resources, touring the mine
One of the pits the illegal miners used to enter AGA underground mine

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has made it clear that the fact that one is unemployed does not mean the person can illegally enter AngloGold Ashanti underground mine to dig for gold.

Such a conduct, according to him, frowns upon the laws of the country and that the government will take every step to ensure protection of the mine.

The minister gave the warning when he led a team from his ministry to visit Obuasi Mines, which was invaded by a group of illegal miners last week.

Samuel Jinapor · Minister of Land and Natural Resources

The illegal miners, popularly known as ‘galamseyers’, had gone to the underground mine of the mining conglomerate but were exposed by security.

When they realised that their cover had been blown, the illegal miners claimed to have been trapped underground, but those who eventually came out were arrested and later granted bail.

This development led to mayhem in the mining town, with the ‘galamseyers’ blocking major roads in Obuasi and burning lorry tyres. They also pelted military personnel protecting the mines with stones, but they (soldiers) did not retaliate.

Addressing the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners GNASSM) after a closed door meeting with the Obuasi Municipal and Obuasi East District Assemblies, Traditional leaders, Senior Management of the AGA and touring the northern concession of the mine, Jinapor disagreed with the idea of using  unemployment as an excuse to cause illegality.

“The lack of employment can never be a justification for illegally attacking the concession of AGA and that I think I should make it abundantly clear,” he said.

He appealed to all the miners in Obuasi to respect the laws of the land.

The minister touring the mine

“That is government’s position and we need to find alternative means of employment for the youth in Obuasi and we are working with AGA and other stakeholders to actualise this objective, including responsible and regulated community mining and so on and so forth “, he told them, adding that government is working to get the national economy back on track for life to get back to normalcy.

Mincing no words, Jinapor who was accompanied by his Deputy, Mireku Duker and the Chief Executive Officer for the Minerals Commission, Martin Ayisi, underscored the importance of AGA to the national economy of Ghana.

According to the minister, the AGA was put under care and maintenance sometime in 2016, primarily because of the same problem that is at play today. Jinapor said it was through the instrumentality of President Akufo-Addo and His Royal Majesty Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and other stakeholders that the mine was revived.

“I want to underscore the importance of this asset to the economy of this country… I should say so forcefully that it is government’s policy that AngloGold’s concession be protected through any legal means”, he said.

The Minister also tasked the Deputy Minister responsible for Mines, George Mireku Duker to Chair a committee to, among others, examine the Internal Security Architecture of the company, as well as provide Alternative Livelihood opportunities for the teaming Youth through the creation of Community Mining Schemes (CMS) and ensure a healthy and closer collaboration among all stakeholders in the Municipality.

The management of AngloGold Ashanti thanked the Minister for his interest in the matter. They said all 86 illegal miners who went underground have come out and been handed over to the police.

They pledged their commitment to work with Government to ensure a healthy collaboration between the company and the community.

Kumawu roads have not been abandoned –Prez

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MAXWELL OFORI
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President Akufo-Addo in a picture with the Kumawumanhene, Barima Safo Tweneboa Kodua

Contractors working on road projects in the Kumawu constituency will remain on site till all the projects are completed, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured.

He gave the assurance during a meeting with the Omanhene of the Kumawu Traditional Area, Barima Safo Tweneboa Kodua at Jubilee House yesterday.

The chief had accompanied the Member of Parliament-elect of Kumawu, Ernest Yaw Anim and some party executives from National, Regional and Constituency to show appreciation to President Akufo-Addo for supporting the MP to win the seat.

President Akufo-Addo in a photograph with the MP on his left chief on his right

The Chief, in his remarks, had mentioned “rumours” about contractors abandoning the projects after the election and that he would “have been surprised because I know the President cannot do that to me.”

ASSURANCE

President Akufo-Addo in his remarks assured the chief that “the people who have come to do the work will stay and finish the work before they move. There won’t be a question of election gimmicks. That will not be in my case, and it will not be correct. So, Nana you can be rest assured.”

President Akufo-Addo, in congratulating the Kumawu MP-elect, indicated that the by-election “has given a signal to the entire country about how elections should be done.”

COMMENDATION

President Akufo-Addo asked him to ensure that his stay in the August House will benefit the people of Kumawu who voted for him. He commended all the party followers whose contributions led to the victory in Kumawu.

The National Chairman, Stephen Ayensu Ntim, who led the delegation, said they had come to officially introduce the MP-elect to the President before his swearing in today in Parliament.

The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, who is the leader of the Majority Group, told the President that they had oriented Mr. Ernest Yaw Anim ahead of his investiture today.

The General Secretary of the ruling NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, assured the President that the party will work to win the Assin North seat as well.

Court tells 3 soldiers: you have waived your rights for cross-examination

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Court Complex

Three out of the five soldiers- Corporal Seidu Abubakar, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon and Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon who are standing trial with one senior police officer and three civilians in the alleged coup plot case have had their rights for cross-examination waived by the High Court hearing the case.

Their rights were waived when they failed to personally cross-examine the third accused (A3), Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu, after Warrant Officer II Esther SaanDekuwine’s counsel, MrLamtiigApanga,had taken his turn.

According to the accused persons, they needed the assistance of lawyers to conduct the cross-examination on their behalf, since they can’t do it on their own and,therefore, pleaded with the court for adjournment.

However, the court, presided over by three justices – Afia Serwaa Botwe-Asare, HafisataAmaleboba and Stephen Oppong- held yesterday that the three applications for adjournment cannot be granted because they had already been cautioned for having one Counsel representing all of them.

Victor Kwadjoa Adawudu, until March this year, was representing five of the accused persons, which the court deemed as conflict.

Mr Dawudu was representing Corporal Seidu Abubakar, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon, DonyaKafui, aka Ezor, as well as Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu.

Nevertheless, A3 and MrDawuduparted ways and currently being represented by Rita Kutin Ali, a lawyer from Legal Aid Commission. However, because of the former Counsel’s relationship with Alan, he could not have cross-examined on behalf of the four others.

Although Mr Dawudu attempted desperately to intervene, the court said it has already ruled on the subject matter.

The court explained that it was not going to grant the accused persons application for adjournment because they were continuously warned from the onset about the dangers of one counsel representing several clients in a case and a reason they must conduct their own cross-examination.

The court has adjourned the next hearing to today.The accused persons were 10 in number, with the first accused (A1), Dr Frederic Mac-Palm now deceased.

The accused persons were; Dr Frederic Mac-Palm (medical doctor), DonyaKafui, aka Ezor (blacksmith), Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu (fleet manager), Johannes Zikpi (civilian employee with the Ghana Armed Forces) and Colonel Samuel KodzoGameli.

The rest are; Warrant Officer II Esther SaanDekuwine, Corporal Seidu Abubakar, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr Benjamin Agordzo.

The following are the questions and answers (Q&A):

Q. At the last adjourned date, you informed the court that you know A6?
A. Yes.

Q. How do you know her?

A. In the year 2017, because of the kind of work I do, which I normally give vehicles to drivers. So I happened to meet this gentleman who per the company’s arrangements, he needed someone to stand surety for him.

So this gentleman indicated to me that Madam Saan is his sister and she will stand surety for him. And per the arrangements, I have to check where the guarantor lives. He took me to her at Teshie military camp.

Q: So from 2017 to date, you have known Madam Saan?
A: Yes.
Q: Is it your case that besides being the guarantor for the driver, you became friends?

A: Yes and it was also because she hails from my mother’s hometown and I have always wanted to learn the language. So I always visit her now then.
Q: Do you know she is a soldier?

A: Yes I was told.
A: What is her function in the military?
A: I remember I asked her and she told me she is a Caterer.

Q: Now, it is alleged that you introduced A1 (Dr MacPalm) to A6, is that the case?
A: That is true.

Q: What was the purpose of this introduction?
A: After I got to know her, she always complains about health issues and most of it was about fertility problems. So I told her I have a doctor friend who can help her.

Q: Now, it is alleged that you and A6 met with A1?
A. Yes.
Q: What was the subject of discussion?
A: I introduced A1 to Madam Esther Saan and the discussion was about her health issues with A1.

Q. Do you know a gentleman called Sulley Awarf?
A. Yes.

Q. Had there been an occasion you, Sulley Awarf, A6 and A1 met?
A. I met with Sulley Awarf and A6 but A1 was note there.
Q. Where did you meet?

A: We met at Teshie.
Q. Can you tell the court where you met?
A: We met at Next Door Beach Resort.

Q: What was the discussion about?

A: I spoke to them about TAG and I requested for their support. After explaining to them the mission of TAG, Madam Saan asked the expertise I needed from them and I explained to her that it is about security and in case we don’t understand anything on that subject we will consult them, in order to help us create public awareness.

Q. It is alleged that you and the other accused persons with specific reference to A6 planned to overthrow the government?
A. That is not true.

Q. Beside the meeting or meetings held between you, Sulley Awarf and A6 at the Next Door Beach Resort, what other encounter did you have with A6 in respect of the allegation you are facing in this court?

A. There are no other encounters in that regard, although we met on other occasions for family things.
Q. Is it your case that besides the meeting that happened at Next Door Beach Resort, A6 did meet in any of the meetings?

A. I never met with A6 to discuss anything concerning the allegation. I remember when I met my sister somewhere in July 2018, I had some challenges, which made it difficult for me to make calls on mtn. So I stopped contacting my sister for almost a year.

It was after I was arrested that I met her again and we were both shocked and she asked whether I was in Ghana or travelled because I usually travel a lot.
Counsel: That would be all for A6.

Court calls A7 to cross-Examine A3. Adawudu stood up to intervene but the court declined, since Mr Adawudu is in a position of conflict. Thus, until March, this year, he was representing A3, now in the box. He cannot in such circumstances turn around to cross examine him because of lawyer-client privilege among others

A7: I want to plead with the court to be given some time to seek the assistance of a lawyer who can do the cross examination on my behalf.
Court: This is nothing new. We have called your attention to it so many things. When it is Mr Donya’s turn, an Ewe interpreter was called for him to conduct his own cross-examination.

Counsel: Respectively my Lords, if I may be heard.
Court: The court has just ruled.
Counsel: He is my…

Court: The application for adjournment is refused.
A7: I’m still pleading with the court.
Court: We will consider you cross-examination waived and moved to the next

person. Do you have any questions?
A7: I can’t cross-examine.

Court: The application for A7 is refused to examine.
A8 (Ali Solomon) called to cross-examine.
A8: My Lord, I also need to get a lawyer. I contacted a lawyer and he said I needed my lawyer to clear me.

Court: The last time I checked, you said Adawudu was on his way coming. Solomon, are you going to cross examine Mr Debrah or not?
A8: I will but I’m not prepared.
By the court, no adjournment shall be granted and that is why A2 was asked to conduct his own cross-examination. …should A8 fail to cross examine, we will consider him to have waived his right. The right to cross examination is waived.

A9 called to testify
A9: My Lord, I pray that you give me time to look for a Counsel to do the cross-examination for me. I tried to contact a lawyer but he told me that I need to get clearance from Mr Adawudu, but I was not hearing from Mr Adawudu.

Court: A9 will cross-examine or not
A9: My Lord, I will do that but I can’t do it on my own.
Cross-examination by Kumivi Dotse
Q: Mr. Debrah, did you indicate in your evidence-in-chief that you didn’t know

A10 at all?
A: Yes, but he is somebody I used to see on TV and Facebook.
Q: You also did indicate that during your interrogation you were shown A10 picture and asked to identify?

A: Yes.
Q: You were the administrator of a page called of TAG executive?
A: Yes.
Q: One of the persons on that page was a certain Dr Sam?
A: That is true.

Q: At one point in time, the said Dr Sam was removed from the page, is that not correct?
A: That is so. I removed him from the platform. I was instructed by Dr MacPalm.

Q: Can you share with the court why you removed him from the page?
A: He went against the roles governing the page. We first drew his attention and urged him to apologise and retract those comments but refused, so Dr MacPalm instructed that I removed him.

I remember he even called me and Dr MacPalm and we had a conference call. During the conference call, I remember Dr MacPalm asking him to apologise but the conference call turned confrontational and degenerated into insults. And that was why Dr MacPalm asked that I remove him and report him to the police.

Q: What happened to the recording?

A: When I was arrested Chief Inspector Nkrumah said my phone would be used as an exhibit. When the exhibits were brought before the court I realised my phone was not part of it so I informed my Counsel, then Lawyer Adawudu, and he promised to follow it up.

So it was just last year that Chief Inspector Nkrumah called me and handed over the phone to me, but it was off.

Q: What happened to the recording?
A: After switching it on, I realised the recording and other information on the phone had been deleted.
Q. So it is your case that that the recording was deleted as part of other information on your phone?

A: Yes.
Q: Apart from Dr MacPalm and Dr Sam, do you also remember the other person on TAG Executive platform?

A: It was myself, Dr Sam, Dr MacPalm and Mr Kofi Amoah. We were the ones who formed Take Action Ghana. Later we added one lady by name Miss Awindor and one gentleman called Kofi Amoah.
Q: Is it your case that A10 was not one of your members on TAG Executive platform?

A: Yes.
Cross-examination by DPP
Q. Mr Debrah, can you tell the court your date of birth?

A. 22/10/1988.
Q. Where were you born?
A. I was born in Accra.

Q. In your investigation caution statement, Exhibit AB, which you wrote yourself on the 22/9/2019, you gave your age as 21 years in your own handwriting?

A. Unless I have a look at the witness statement. I have seen it and critically looked at it, you will notice that it is 31 but I was asked to correct it to 21.

I remember when I was sent to BNI, at the entrance, I mistakenly wrote 1998 instead of 1988, when I later wanted to correct it, they did not allow me and I also thought it was not a big deal.

Q. do you have a Ghanaian passport?
A. Yes.
Q. What is the date of birth on your Ghanaian passport?

A. 1988
Q. You told the court that you were a fleet manager, can you explain what you meant?

A. What a fleet manager does is to take care of all the vehicles that go out, those that need servicing on site.
Q. What company?

A. Smart Company limited.
Q. Who does the Smart Company Limited belong to?
A. It belongs to a woman called Boadu and I was also a shareholder.
Q. What percentage of shares do you hold?

A. 50%
Q. About how many vehicles does Smart Company Limited have?
A. 32 cars and they were all bought by the company.

Q. You have stated to the court again that your were the administrator of the Take Action Ghana group platform?
A. Yes.

Q. And you were also the Secretary?
A. Yes.

Q. You were also the administrator of the executive platform?
A. That is so.
Q. You were the one who could admit and take out members.

A. Yes, but I added Dr MacPalm.
Q. You were very well aware of the objectives of TAG, which was stated in the exhibit platform as outlined variously in Exhibit AE?

A. They were objectives suggested by Dr Sam and it was one of the reasons he was removed from the platform. The objective of TAG is what is at the Register General.

Q. Now, from line 27 to 34 and the following page from about 10 to line 37, the discussion on the platform was to mobilise the masses in a historical… and civil uprising that would bring about a new constitution and would shut the current government down?

A. All these were written by Dr Sam but we did not approve of it because it was against our rules of engagement and one of the reasons we deleted him.

Q. That could not have been true because on Exhibit AE, there was no displeasure registered to what Dr Sam had said.

A. That is true and it was the reason why we took him off the group.
Q. Rather Dr Sam was commended by Dr MacPalm as reflected on the last two lines. Read it?

A. Reading: “…” If you continue on the next line, Dr MacPalm asked that we find time to meet and deliberate on the issue. It was Mr Amoah who drew his attention and I also called Dr MacPalm attention and that was why we agreed to meet.

Q. After you have gone…phase 1 and phase 2?
A. That is not true, when we met Dr Sam, Dr MacPalm and another person I don’t remember, we threatened to take him off the page…

Q. You are being untruthful because at this point, Dr Sam was not in Ghana; he had travelled to the US?

A. He was in Ghana and was living at Teshie-Nungua Estate.
Q. He was not in the country?

A. I remember Dr Sam was in the country. My car broke down and he was the one who drove me to my house at East Legon. I told this court that I was introduced to Dr Sam in Ghana at Alajo but we did not travel abroad to meet him.

Q. In fact, from page 12 on Exhibit AE on pages 7 & 8 line on the bottom, it was rather Dr Sam who cautioned that certain words like revolution should be taken out.

A. It was Dr Sam who authored that statement so he could not have been the same person to have cautioned us.

Ekumfi to bid farewell to departed chiefs on June 17

By
AGNES ANSAH
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The four late chiefs

Communities in the Ekumfi Traditional Area have started preparations towards the holding of the final funeral rites for four paramount chiefs who ‘went home’ some years ago.

Leadership of the traditional area have put together a number of activities in preparation for the final funeral rites of Nana Akyin VI, Nana Akyin VII, Nana Benyiwa IV and Nana Benyiwa V on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at the Royal Palace grounds at Ekumfi Abiram.

According to the Omanhene of the Ekumfi Traditional Area, Odeefuo Akyin VIII, the rites and celebration is well deserved, considering how well these two chiefs and queens have served their communities and the nation as a whole.

He noted that Nana Akyin VI, for instance, was the first President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs and served for 14 years. He was also one of the first chiefs to be appointed as the Chairman of Presidential Commission, when Ghana became a Republic.

This achievement, according to Odeefuo Akyin VIII must be celebrated, hence the grand funeral rites to bid all of them farewell.

As a result of this, all communities in the Ekumfi Traditional area are expected to observe some days of silence in reverence to the chiefs. The inhabitants, including churches, are banned from organising burials or any activity intended to disrupt the solemn atmosphere in the Traditional area.

Also, inhabitants in every community making up the traditional area are expected to clean up their vicinities on June 9, this year, as part of preparation towards the rites.

From Saturday, June 10 to Friday, June 16 all communities making up the Ekumfi traditional area are expected to, amidst drumming, singing and dancing,  march to Royal Palace Grounds (RPG) at Ekumfi Abiram to  pay homage to the stool.

On Saturday, June 17, which is the great day itself, inhabitants of all the communities will troop to RPG to bid farewell to the four chiefs and queens.

Some dignitaries expected to grace the occasion are the President of the National House Chiefs, Ogyeahohuo Yaw Gyebi II and the President of the Central Regional House of chiefs, Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu VIII.

From the government side, the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng and the Central Regional Minister, Madam Justina Marigold are also expected to grace the accession.

On Sunday, June 18, 2023 inhabitants of surrounding communities are expected to gather at the RPG again for a Thanksgiving service to climax the celebration.

Ada chiefs want Akufo-Addo to clamp down on illegal miners

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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0
illegal mining (galamsey)

The Chiefs of the Ada Traditional Council have asked the President to provide state security at the Ada Songor salt project to curb activities of illegal salt miners thwarting the progress of the project.

The Chiefs confessed to the tremendous development the Ada enclave is witnessing, owing to the salt project and expressed concern that it might not last long if the illegal miners are not stopped.

“The harm these illegal salt mining activities pose to the Songor Lagoon is far-reaching” and added that “Your excellency, help us have the state security agencies act swiftly to curb and bring to order those in the Ada traditional area who have taken the law into their own hands and have total disregard for the law.”

Nene Abram Kabu Akuaku III, Paramount Chief of Ada Traditional Area made the appeal during a call on President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House, Accra, on Monday.

Nene Abram Kabu Akuaku III, who is also the President of the ATC told President Akufo-Addo that since the government granted the license for commercial investment in the salt project, the  area had seen progress in the development and commercial production of the mineral in the Songor concession.

In his response, President Akufo-Addo was elated at the testimonies of the chief.

“I’m impressed and happy about the message that you have brought here to us in Jubilee House today,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo reiterated the point that the benefits of the project transcend the Ada township, adding that if fully developed, has the potential to make a major contribution to the economic fortunes of the country.

On the issue of the state providing the projects with security, President Akufo-Addo bought into the request. He opined that, the resolve of the chiefs to help the project succeed merit their plea.

He assured the chiefs that he would take the matter up with the security agencies to ensure that “miscreants, people who do not have the welfare of the community at heart, but only their individual pockets are brought to book and disciplined.”

Editorial: Teacher motivation – corporate bodies should emulate Mireku Duker’s example

By
THE CHRONICLE
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0
Editorial

It is undeniable fact that teachers have played and continue to play a major role in the human resource development of this country. All the current crop of politicians, academicians, business executives just to mention a few – all passed through the hands of teachers.

Without the teacher at the Basic and Senior High Schools (SHSs), this country cannot produce the needed human resource to manage the national economy. It is upon the basis of this, that the government decided to institute the National Teachers’ award to reward our hard working teachers at the pre-tertiary level.

Much as this policy of rewarding teachers by the government is commendable, it is impossible for the government of the day to appreciate the good works of all teachers across the country. In other words, the award scheme for teachers to get national recognition is so competitive that only a few of the teachers will be rewarded.

The best way to address this problem is for the government to decentralise the award scheme, where each district, municipal and metropolitan assemblies are allowed to reward teachers in their local area.

In our opinion, therefore, this huge gap that has been created can only be filled by the private sector, which also benefits from the fruits of our hard working teachers.

It is in the light of the above that The Chronicle is happy that the Member of Parliament for Tarkwa-Nsueam, Mr Mireku Duker, has taken it upon himself to reward teachers in his constituency.

A story The Chronicle carried yesterday indicated that he has instituted an award scheme to reward hard working teachers in the Tarkwa-Nsueam municipality.

The award scheme started last year and this year, the winner was given a brand new salon car, worth $14,500. A total of nineteen teachers received various awards, ranging from Chest Freezer, 50 inch LED Television and Citations.

This is no doubt a laudable initiative and The Chronicle is happy with the bold statement from the Legislator that the award has come to stay in the constituency.

As noted by Mr Mireku Duker, promoting quality education should not involve only the construction of modern buildings and providing learning materials. We also need to take into consideration the welfare of the teacher, who is going to mould the children into future leaders.

Despite billions of dollars that Ghana as a country continues to sink into education, most parents aspire to send their children to private schools, which appear to perform far better than the public sector schools. Interestingly, most of the teachers in these private schools are not even trained, yet they are performing better than the trained ones in the public schools.

This, we believe, boils down to supervision and motivation of teachers in the private schools. If this is the reality on the ground, it confirms our position that promoting quality education does not lie in the provision of infrastructure alone, but also taking care of the welfare of the teacher.

It is the hope of The Chronicle that corporate bodies and individuals will emulate the example Mr Mireku Duker has set in Tarkwa-Nsueam by instituting similar schemes in their areas of operation to motivate teachers to give off their best.

This is the only way we can help to improve on the quality of education in the country.

Ahafo Regional NADMO embarks on monitoring and compliance exercises

By
FRANCIS OWUSU-ANSAH
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Director of Operations for Ahafo Nadmo, Murtala Mohammed(l) giving out directives

The Ahafo Regional National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has embarked on monitoring and compliance exercises in Tano South Municipality.

The officers visited fuel stations, gas stations, sawmills, hotels and sachet water-producing facilities at Bechem, Takyimantia and Derma.

The Director of Operations for Ahafo NADMO, Mr Murtala Mohammed, advised the various companies that it is more imperative to put out proper safety measures to protect their firms than to let their negligence cause man-made disasters which could heavily affect the facilities beyond repairs.

“I am highly disappointed that all sawmills we visited are not complying with the safety measures. The workers were not wearing safety boots, safety hand gloves and safety spectacles which can save them from an emergency calamity”, he said.

“The positioning of the emergency assembly points were nothing to write home about; however I have tasked the respective managers to provide all the necessary safety equipment to their workers as soon as possible because we shall come back for another monitoring”, he added.

The Head of the Rapid Response Unit for Ahafo NADMO, W.O Abdulai Bawah, also stated emphatically that NADMO’s vision is to build a disaster resilient Ghana of which Ahafo region is not exempted therefore, the organisation is poised to ensure that all safety precautions are in place to help protect lives and properties.

“We shall not relent on educating the public from preparedness to response, recovery, prevent misfortunes, and create awareness in prone communities and institutions on all disaster types, especially industrial disaster, ” he said.

The NADMO operations team educated the various institutions within Bechem and its environs on a professional approach to disaster management systems.

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