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‘We won’t pop bottles’ – Napoli on brink of title

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Victor Osimhen is Napoli and Serie A's top scorer with 21 goals

Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti said it isn’t yet time for celebrating, despite Sunday’s last-gasp 1-0 win at Juventus moving them to potentially one win from the Serie A title.

Giacomo Raspadori’s stoppage-time winner moved Napoli 17 points clear, days after being knocked out of the Champions League by AC Milan.

If Napoli beat regional rivals Salernitana on Saturday and Lazio fail to win at Inter Milan the next day, Spalletti’s side would be champions for the first time since 1990.

“We need to wait before we pop any bottles, because we still have a little way to go,” said Spalletti.

“They played really well and it wasn’t easy to do that so soon after being knocked out of the Champions League. I don’t think we could have done any more tonight.”

Barring a collapse in the final seven games of the season Napoli will win the league, the crowning glory of Spalletti’s career which has seen him progress from lower league football as a player to the top of the Italian game.

The Scudetto would be his first league title since the two he won in Russia with Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2010 and 2012, and his first trophy in a major league since an Italian Cup with Roma in 2008.

The 64-year-old said: “It’s obviously very satisfying to be here.

“It has been a tougher road here for me than for others who began from a higher level, those who earned respect from their playing careers and had the opportunity to lead a top team right from the start.”

Credit: bbc.com

Repealed Criminal Libel Law Is Back? …journalists protest against suppression of free speech … Want sections of obnoxious Electronic Communication Act removed

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Mr Sulemana Braimah, Executive Secretary, Media Foundation for West Africa

A Coalition of media organisations in the country has called on President Akufo-Addo to repeal sections of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775) and the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) which have over the years been used to criminalise free speech.

The Coalition want the Akufo-Addo government to particularly repeal Section 76 of Act 775 and Section 208 of Act 29.

The group said it is concerned about the use of the aforementioned provisions to arrest citizens and journalists, and press charges against them when the statements so made by the Journalists are considered as defamation and, therefore, warrant civil remedies instead of criminal charges.

Some media personnel

“We recognise that the media and journalists can sometimes be reckless and unprofessional to the extent of publishing false and defamatory stories. Fortunately, the laws of the country provide aggrieved entities remedies for civil actions against citizens, journalist and media organisations.

“It is regrettable, therefore, that repressive actions of the Electronic Communications Act and the Criminal and Other Offences Act are being weapon sided to muscle free speech under the Akufo-Addo regime… Repeal these two laws “.

They made the comments at a press conference in Accra yesterday. The Coalition is made up of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) and the Private Newspapers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG).

Section 76 (1) of the said Act 775 states that: “A person who by means of Electronic Communications Service, knowingly sends communication which is false or misleading and likely to prejudice the efficiency of life saving service or to endanger the safety of any person, ship, aircraft, vessel or vehicle commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than three thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than five years or both.”

The GJA President, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, addressing the media

Section 208(1)  of Act 29 also states that” Any person who publishes or reproduces any statement, rumour or report which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the public peace knowing or having reason to believe that the statement, rumour or report is false is guilty of a misdemeanour.

Reading a speech on behalf of the Coalition, President of the GJA, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour observed that the application of the two provisions is similar to the way in which the Criminal Libel Act was used to oppress people in the 1990s.

“…During the hey days of the Criminal Libel law in the 1990s, the Criminal law was used precisely in the way it is now being used to prosecute and punish journalist and public speakers for allegedly  making false or defamatory statement against certain family members or associates of the president.”

He said Journalists and public speakers have been held criminally culpable, based on the two provisions.

He made mention of Mr Kwabena Bobie Ansah, a news presenter with Accra FM, who was held criminally culpable on February 10, 2022 for allegedly publishing false news about the First Lady, Madam Rebecca Akufo-Addo.

He said the recent one which actually was the basis for the press conference was the detention of a Radio Ada Journalist, Mr Noah Dameh, over a Facebook post involving businessman and CEO of McDan Group of Companies, Mr Daniel Mckorley.

The GJA President noted that interestingly, these were the very acts that the current President spoke against in the 2000s when he was the Attorney General and Minister for Justice and hence took steps to repeal the Criminal Libel Act.

Mr Dwumfour said that currently some prominent media personalities, including Prof Kwame Karikari and the Deputy Minister of Information, Madam Fatimatu Abubakar have all spoken about the issue, but yet the government has turned a deaf ear, hence their call.

A reminder to President Akufo-Addo

On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Mr Sulemana Braimah, said maybe the President has forgotten his view on criminalising free speech back then, because he is currently overwhelmed with a lot of work and has, therefore, not had time to reflect.

Hence, the Coalition is using the presser to remind the President of his stance on criminalising free speech, since the country is operating the same constitution that the President used to repeal the Criminal Libel law, Mr Braimah said.

“Our job is basically to remind him that, Mr President, these were your views, we are still operating the same constitution, we are still talking about the same laws and these positions that you upheld are basically what we are saying we are in support. You know we support you and we want you to take action in line with your convictions at that time,” he indicated.

We will whip our people in line

The General Secretary of the GJA, Mr Kofi Yeboah, noted yesterday that the Coalition is not oblivious of the mistakes that its members also commit, so while it expects the President to act, it will also take steps to ensure that members abide by the GJA code of ethics and undertake responsible journalism which is devoid of false publications and sensationalism.

He said the GJA is taking steps to reconstitute the Ethics Committee that will call recalcitrant journalist to order.

26-years old lady gunned down in Kumasi; Attacker bolts

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The deceased

Horror and grieve struck residents of the Central Business District of Adum, Kumasi, after a twenty-six (26) year old lady was gunned down on Thursday night.

Relatives and loved ones are wailing and are yet to come to terms with the demise of the lady, who has been identified as Victoria Dapaah, and affectionately known as Maa Adwoa .

Information available to The Chronicle suggest, the lady is said to have been called out on Thursday April 21, 2023, around 22:00hrs and upon stepping out to attend to the person, multiple gunshots were opened on the lady by her attacker.

The deceased

This paper gathered that upon gunning her down, her attacker who called her out left the crime scene with a rickshaw, which is known as ‘Pragia or Mahama Camboo’

Good samaritans subsequently rushed Maa Adwoa to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH),but was pronounced death upon arrival. The body has since been deposited at the morgue of KATH.

The Ashanti Regional Police Command have also launched investigation into the case, after they visited the family of the deceased, but an arrest is yet to be made of any suspect.

Kumawu NPP primary: Yaw Baah steps down – roots for Obaatanpa

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Yaw Baah, former Member of Parliament for Kumawu

Hon. Yaw Baah, a former Member of Parliament for Kumawu in the Ashanti Region, has pulled out of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) primary to elect a candidate to represent the party in the impending bye-election in the constituency.

In a letter written to the party, he said he had considered his political status and pedigree within the large family and has come to the conclusion that “the last atom of my ‘political breath’ should be at the disposal of the National Front, rather than at the periphery of Kumawu.”

The following is the letter he wrote to the party announcing his withdrawal.

RE: WITHDRAW OF CANDIDATESHIP PER THE PENDING KUMAWU BYE ELECTION

I write formally in reference to the above subject.

Having considered my political status and pedigree within the large family, I have come to the conclusion that the last atom of my “political breath” should be at the disposal of the National Front, rather than at the periphery of Kumawu.

I see myself as a great player in our scheme of things as far as “Breaking the 8” mantra is concerned. I believe the interest of my beloved Kumawu will be better served, if I stay outside and help unify our party in the constituency.

It has never been my hallmark of embarking on endorsement spree.

However, with the Kumawu peculiar situation, coupled with lasting peace demands, I entreat all delegates to vote en-mass for my niece, “Obaatanpa Serwaah”, whose mother once presided over [the] Sekyere East District Assembly, between 2003 and 2007, before Kumawu was carved out of Effiduase/Asokore.

She is also considered not belonging to any of the two powerful blocks in Kumawu.

Concluding, I take the opportunity to express my profound appreciation and gratitude to the Kumawu Traditional Council, spearheaded by the indefatigable Omanhene Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua, for their enormous support.

Thank you all, and best wishes to all fellow Kukrudites

Yours sincerely,

Opanin Yaw Baah

40% of tertiary students should pursue engineering –Akufo-Addo dreams

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President Akufo-Addo , delivering a speech at the ceremony

President Akufo-Addo wants to see a Ghana where 40% of its tertiary students are pursuing courses in Science, Technology and Engineering.

He argues that this would reflect the journey of the 21st Century, which is about science, technology and innovation.

He cited statistics from the People’s Republic of China which has 40% of its tertiary students pursuing engineering and wished the same for Ghana.

Priscilla Osei Tutu, (right) with Essel Comfort Boampomaa, demonstrating the Illuminated Child Safety Device at the event

He said, “These are the statistics that we have to try and achieve if indeed our dream of transformation is going to be more than a dream – 40% of tertiary students in Ghana to be engineering students.”

President Akufo-Addo shared this vision on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 when six students of Uaddara Basic School visited him at Jubilee House.

They came to present an award they had won for designing an illuminated child road safety device.

Designed by the all-female team, nicknamed the ‘Genius Six’, the device is to assist basic school children to cros busy streets in the cities.

A delighted President Akufo-Addo congratulated the team, saying “what you have been able to do, and the inspiration that hopefully it would give other generations about the future of our country.”

He was particular about the inspiration the innovation of the girls would give on the need for the nation to think about an educational system that conforms to the 21st century.

He opined that engineers “hold the key” to the process of development and of transformation, “so it very exciting for me an old man to see that we have young people in Ghana now, that are firmly launched on the path of science and technology,” and its application to solve problems.

President Akufo-Addo believes it would be in order to get the ministries of Road and Transport to look at the possibility of adopting the device invented “to be used across the country.

STEM

The Deputy Minister of Education, Ntim Fordjour said the innovation was in line with the government’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.

The STEM, being championed by the Akufo-Addo government is an approach to learning and development that integrates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through STEM, students develop key skills including: problem solving, creativity, critical analysis.

COMPETITION

Priscilla Osei Tutu and Essel Comfort, two of the six girls, demonstrated their prototype to President Akufo-Addo.

They said the device, upon pressing a button, signals drivers through a sound and a sign to stop to allow pedestrians to cross.

The girls desire to further research on how to use human shadow as a sensor to operate the device, which would make it more disability friendly.

The team came tops out of 50 teams from various districts in the Ashanti region, who took turns before a panel of judges to pitch their ideas and innovative modules or prototypes.

The ‘Genius Six’ of Uaddara Basic School managed to wow the judges at the final stage of the competition, making them the victors of the day.

They took part in the Ghana Science and Tech Explorer Prize (GSTEP) competition to clinch the ultimate title.

Reconstruction of Ayanfuri-Kwamprakrom road begins

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Transport Minister addressing the gathering while District Chief Executive for Upper Denkyira West looks on

The Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Mr. Stephen Pambiin Jalulah, has, on behalf of the Minister of Roads, cut the sod for the reconstruction of the Ayanfuri-Kwamprakrom road project.

The project, which is expected to address the deplorable state of the road network in the area, would also see the upgrading of the Asaman-Nyinawusu feeder road.

Deputy Roads and Highways Minister breaking the grounds for the reconstruction works

The Ayanfuri road connects the inter-regional and national integration, including the Central, Western North, Ashanti and Ahafo regions.

The Deputy Minister, at the sod cutting ceremony last Monday, commended President Akufo-Addo for making the project possible, and that the contractor was ready for the job, and urged the members of the community to give them the needed support.

He said the contractor had started with the clearing, construction of concrete, earthworks, u-drains and culverts.

The Minister of Transport, Mr. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, promised the chiefs and people that the project was bound to be completed in good time, as the contractor had already commenced work.

The Central Regional Minister Justina Marigold Assan, gave the assurance that the government was committed to infrastructural development to enhance the socio-economic development of the citizenry, as well as facilitate the free flow and movement of goods, services and access to the market.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Upper Denkyira West, Mr. Richmond Koduah, said the project would be completed within two years, and commended the President for delivering on his promise.

He appealed to the chiefs and farmers who would be affected by the construction process, to settle all issues amicably with the contractor.

The DCE pleaded with the constituents to reconsider their position against the government and support it and ensure massive votes for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the elections.

Load limit to be rigidly enforced on Accra-Tema Motorway

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Accra-Tema Motorway

Mr. Kwasi Amoako Atta, Minister of Roads and Highways, says vehicles which exceed the legal height limit of 4.5 metres will, in the coming months, be sanctioned and denied access to the Accra-Tema Motorway.

This was to allow for the seamless construction of about 22 metres bridge over the Tema Motorway which is expected to begin in May this year. The construction which formed part of the Flyover project from the Flowerpot roundabout has a duration period of about four to five months.

The Minister said he would be seeking the assistance of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to strictly enforce the height limit of trucks on the motorway.

He has therefore urged the Messrs China Railway No.5 Engineering Ghana Limited contractors and Doeke Consult Limited, the Supervising Consultant not to relent in having culprits turned away and dealt with for flouting the law, adding that “don’t treat any driver who flouts the law with kid’s gloves.”

Mr. Amoako-Attah also urged the contractors to take proactive steps to ensure that the traffic situation on the motor way was well managed during the construction to reduce loss of productive time in traffic.

Mr. Emmanuel Dogbotse, the Resident Engineer, said the engineers were working hard to minimise the impact of the construction on economic activities, adding that “we will try to work day and night so that the time for construction can be reduced from four and half to maybe three months.”

“We have four stages of traffic control and seven stages of construction. In our first traffic control, we will maintain the original lanes and we will do stage one construction.

“In the next traffic control, we will do stage two and stage construction and we will put the motor way road through the median of the motorway. We will still maintain our two lanes in two lanes out,” he said.

He indicated that the contractors would be mounting gentries on each side of the road to prevent vehicles with heights exceeding the legal limits from passing through the construction site.

“The law says 4.5, but most of the truck on the motorway are more than 4.5 metres, but we will allow up to 4.8, because our clear height limit is 5.2 metres,” he said.

The flyover project consists of one mainline bridge of 802 metres, two ramp bridges, four auxiliary roads of 2.5 kilometres and ancillary works.

It will involve creating an access route from the Motorway to the Boundary Road roundabout and an exit into the Cantonments from the Giffard Road interchange.

The project which originally started in March 2017 has a revised completion date of Dec 31, 2023, from March 16 2019 and an intended final take over period of December 31 2024.

The revised contract sum for the project is GH¢284.6 million according to the Ministry.

Source: GNA

Editorial: We applaud NAS, Florida University collaboration but …

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Editorial

The management of the National Ambulance Service (NAS), in collaboration with the University of Florida and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has introduced MotoMeds to enhance healthcare at night.

MotoMeds, according to a story we published yesterday, is a free paediatric telemedicine and medication delivery service designed to prevent pre-emergent illnesses from transitioning into emergencies at night when children are most vulnerable and isolated.

Addressing a news conference in Accra, this week, the Chief Executive Officer of the NAS, Prof Ahmed Nuhu Zakariah, applauded the University of Florida for embarking on this project.

Explaining how the system works, an official from the University told journalists: “When a child gets sick at night, their parents or guardian calls the dedicated MotoMeds hotline. Our specially trained NAS Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) will conduct a telemedicine assessment over the phone to develop an initial patient assessment, then one of the EMTs is sent out to deliver the medication to the child.”

The telemedicine, which is currently limited to Jamestown and Ussher Town communities, has, according to the said official, has helped over 300 children since November last year. To ensure a healthy economy, the health of the population must never be undermined. The Chronicle is, therefore, happy that such a laudable project has been initiated by the two institutions.

Our prayer is that it will gradually be extended to all parts of the country to save the lives of children who would have, otherwise, died from preventable diseases. But much as we appreciate this collaboration with the Florida University to ensure efficient healthcare delivery for our children, we do not think this must lead to the relegation of the core mandate of the NAS.

Through the efforts of the government, all the 275 political constituencies have, at least, one ambulance. The idea is to bring healthcare delivery to the doorsteps of the people, most of who are living in hard-to-access areas. Unfortunately, the hopes of the people have been dashed, because majority of them do not have access to ambulance services when the need arises.

There are several reports that when people fall sick and the Ambulance Service is called, they are ignored with excuses that they (NAS) do not have fuel in the vehicle. Indeed, a couple of months ago, we used this very column to express concern over a similar development that occurred in the Volta Region.

The NAS was not set up to cater for only the affluent in society – it is meant for all Ghanaians, irrespective of their financial standings. To deny the people whose taxes were used to import these ambulances the right to use the service is, therefore, very unfortunate. In our opinion, if the claim of not having fuel is really the true reflection of the situation on the ground, coupled with allegation that money is requested for fuel, then it is rather very unfortunate, and must be investigated by the NAS.

We cannot be shouting on top of our voices that each of the 275 constituencies has an ambulance, yet its services are not satisfactorily made available to the public. We hope the Minister for Health will make a direct intervention to ensure that the ambulance services are made available to every Ghanaian.

Letter to Senior Opupulepu (227)

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Opinion

The Construction of Ewiase and Its Implication on Day-Borns (1)

Dear Senior Opupulepu,

How are you do? I hope you are do fine, just as I and all my mines are all do fine.

Senior, I am still in the Eastern Light mood, celebrating the victory of Yahweh’s Only Pickin, Yesu Christus Emmanuel over Wofa Sasabomsam and his entire military armed forces.

Senior, like I stated in the previous letter, the readings that sweet me pass, on the eve of Eastern Light was the story on how ewiase was constructed. It was later revealed unto me, the impart each day has for those born into it.

Senior, it went like this. One fine something, it cannot be a day because days were not born then, Yahweh, opened the Eastern Window of His bedroom and beheld a vast area not yet developed. He decided to develop that area and bring life and civilization there. He would do so in seven sections.

Senior on the following something, Yahweh seeing how dark that area was, said, “Let there be Light.” That First Something went to look for Light but could only bring osono. Yahweh rejected it, since with the slight breeze it became dum and unless you sor, there will be no light. That was how dumsor came about. After searching and searching, the Something to be called Sunday, managed to get hold of a burning touch he plucked from the burning bush, which was Sunlight, not the soap. Yahweh accepted that, and because the touch was brought closer to the time when darkness was fast coming, Yahweh called the Light, Day and the Darkness, Dumsor. Yahweh, blessed Sunday for his efforts.

Senior, evening came, morning followed, the First Day. In fact, all the dumsor, dumsor that we have been experiencing is due to Sunday. Go and bring Light, he brought osono which was dumsor. And bring the proper light in time, he spent that long time and Yahweh had to officially baptise darkness as dumsor.

Senior, then Yahweh said, “Let there be Sky.”Here too, the Second Day or Monday went looking for tall, tall buildings like Job 600’s senior brothers which are called skyscrapers. He spent so much time and came with a few, which were all rejected. He later came with the Sky proper after climbing up Mount Everest and plucking it down. This was accepted, and Yahweh blessed Monday for his efforts.Evening came morning followed, the Second Day.

Senior, because Monday was very capable of climbing tall, tall things, Monday Borns are good at climbing people’s coconut trees, mango trees, cashew trees and pear trees and plucking the fruits without permission. So, if you find out that your fruits are not on the tree and not also on the ground then go to a Monday Born near you. Whatever fruits they will have in their possession are all yours, just take them away without any comments. I am not in any way attempting to suggest that Monday Borns thief fruits, no, they don’t. Their expertise is just in climbing people’s walls and cleverly navigating into their garden,and plucking fruits without asking permission or being noticed. This is different from what you are thinking in your thoughts.

Senior, on Day Three, Yahweh said “Let There Be Dry Land and Wet Sea, and the very intelligent Third Day or Tuesday, produced Dry Land and Wet Sea immediately and Yahweh blessed Him. But it was still morning, so Yahweh said again to Tuesday, “Let there be Cassava, Cocoyam, Plantain, Kola Nut, Mango, Orange and Cashew tress and all plants, that will make the earth green, green,” and before Yahweh could finish talking, Tuesday produced them. Yahweh was very impressed and blessed Tuesday again. Evening came, morning followed the Third Day.

Senior, the most productive people of all ewiase are Tuesday borns. Tuesday Borns are not proud, arrogant, too known or loud. They are very gentle, humble and usually quiet but in all this ewiase cannot function without them. In fact, Yahweh saw in Tuesday the salvation of mankind, and He handpicked a very beautiful young maiden born on Tuesday, called Eno Abena Maria to be the mother of His only Pikin, Yesu Christus Emmanuel who was also born on a Tuesday. The old man who protected both Mother and Child, was also born on a Tuesday born, called Agya Kwabena Josef.

Senior, Yahweh was full of hope and thought that His construction work was going to be simple and easy going and so He said, “Let there be touch lights in the Sky,” and a too known Wednesday, without finding out what exactly Yahweh wanted went to bring fireflies. Yahweh said, “Hmmm, not again. This is not what I want.” It took almost the whole day before Wednesday arrived with small, small touch lights to make Christmas trees lights in the night. Yahweh, anyhow blessed Wednesday, too.

Senior, if you want to talk about Wednesday Borns, people will think you hate them. But that is not the case. They are people who complain always and think what they think is the right thinking. Too known, too four o’clock tea always doing before thinking. That is Wednesday Born.

Senior, a certain Akua in my house, wants some help. I will be back. So, I am Kwabena, no I am Dan, sorry I am done.

It’s me!

Mechanical Engineer charged with stealing, fraud

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Court

Kwame Amanya, a mechanical engineer, has been accused of fraud and stealing a Valtra tractor valued GH¢80,000.00.

He was arraigned together with Joe Clark Arthur, a fabricator, who is facing the change of dishonestly receiving.

They have both pleaded not guilty to the charges and were admitted to bail in various sums of money.

Amanya, first accused (A1), was given bail in the sum of GH¢100,000.00 with two sureties to be justified by landed property, while Arthur (A2) was given GH¢20,000.00 with one surety who is a family member.

The court, presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, has adjourned the next hearing to May 3, 2023.

Addressing the court, Chief inspector Daniel Danku said during the year 2019, the complainant in the case entrusted his Valtra tractor with registration number GR7118-18 to the accused on rental basis.

However, after a period of about six months A1 and the tractor could not be located.

He said the complainant later got information that the tractor had been spotted at Maame Krobo near Afram Plains in the Eastern Region.

Therefore, a report was made to the Cantonments police and investigations led to the arrest of A2 who was in possession of the said tractor.

He informed the police that he bought the tractor from A1, and this led to the arrest of the latter.

During investigations Amanya also stated that he sold the tractor to A2 upon the authorisation of the complainant, but could not produce his proof of transaction or any money paid to the complainant after the sale.

During investigations, a witness in the case also showed up at the police station and stated that the tractor in question had been sold to him by Arthur, but when he requested for the documents covering the vehicle, he was assured that the documents would be retrieved from the complainant in Accra for him, but A2 failed to do so.

The witness added that until he heard that the tractor in question was involved in a case under investigation at the Cantonments police station he did not know the real owner.

The prosecutor said the tractor had since been impounded by the police and kept at the Maame Krobo District Police Headquarters.

After thorough investigations, the 1st and 2nd accused persons were charged with the offences and put before court.

The Ghanaian Chronicle