Businessman and philanthropist Alhaji Seidu Agongo has issued a powerful call for the establishment of a national support system to care for the families of public servants who die in active service. His appeal comes in the wake of the recent tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of two government ministers and six others.
In a heartfelt Facebook post titled “National Loss, Personal Pain: The Families We Must Not Forget”, Alhaji Agongo urged the government and citizens of Ghana to move beyond ceremonial mourning and prioritize long-term welfare for the dependents left behind—particularly children, spouses, and other dependents.
“These are not just names on a list. They were fathers, husbands, breadwinners, and mentors,” Agongo wrote. “Their sudden absence has created lifelong emotional and financial voids that cannot be filled by condolences alone.”
The tragic crash, which occurred last Wednesday, claimed the lives of Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Dr. Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Samuel Aboagye, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Agongo’s impassioned statement calls for a systemic shift in how Ghana supports the families of its fallen public servants.
He emphasized the need for education scholarships, housing assistance, mental health services, skills training for widows and widowers, and long-term financial security through pensions or insurance schemes.
“We cannot allow their families to suffer alone and in silence after the united, loud outpouring of grief,” he said. “They must not suffer the same abandonment that has befallen others.”
Citing past examples—including the families of the late Deputy Finance Minister John Kumah, President John Evans Atta Mills, and Major Maxwell Adam Mahama—Agongo highlighted the painful reality of forgotten families once the public mourning fades.
He referenced remarks made by the widow of John Kumah, who spoke out about feelings of betrayal and rejection from people they once trusted. “People we thought would be there — the way they turned their backs on us,” she said.
While some state initiatives have been launched in response to such tragedies—like the Major Mahama Trust Fund and the current mental health support for those affected by the recent crash—Agongo argues these efforts are often isolated and insufficient.
Alhaji Agongo called for a comprehensive national framework to institutionalize the welfare of all public servants who die while serving the country—not just high-profile individuals.”Every police officer, soldier, teacher, healthcare worker, or civil servant who dies in service leaves behind people who depended on them. Their sacrifice to the nation should be honored not just with words, but with concrete, lasting support,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of collective responsibility, reminding Ghanaians that “the test of our humanity is not in how we treat people when we need them, but how we care for their families when they can no longer benefit us.”
As the nation continues to mourn, Agongo urged prompt action to protect and support grieving families, warning that the opportunity for meaningful change is fleeting.
“The time for action is now, while our grief is fresh and our commitment is strong. Tomorrow may be too late.”
Alhaji Seidu Agongo, known for his philanthropic efforts and social advocacy, concluded by asserting that caring for the families of fallen public servants is not an act of charity but a moral obligation and a measure of the country’s character.
A shocking incident involving a serving police officer allegedly pulling a loaded rifle on his colleagues to forcibly free a suspect in a narcotics case, has landed three people before the Circuit Court 11 in Accra.
No. 52620 G/Cpl. Awudu Alhassan Shaban, a 31-year-old police officer with the Regional Visibility Unit in Accra, is facing a charge of interference with arrest and seizure, contrary to Section 49(a) of the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020 (Act 1019).
Shaban, who appeared before Her Honour Basilia Adjei-Tawiah on Thursday, pleaded not guilty.
He is standing trial with two others – a couple, Joyce Osabutey, 40 and Joseph Amardi, also known as “Blackie” or “Ofie”, 58 – who are facing related charges, including Unlawful Control of Narcotic Drugs and Abetment of Crime.
The Shocking Confrontation
According to the brief facts presented by Prosecuting Officer ASP Issah Achiburi, on July 30, 2025 around 8:45 a.m., officers from the Drug Law Enforcement Unit (DLEU) at CID Headquarters acted on intelligence and stormed the Adabraka Workers College area, near the TUC building, for an anti-narcotics operation.
During the raid, officers arrested a young man, later identified as Buabeng, a student of Accra Technical University (ATU), who was allegedly involved in the use and trade of narcotic substances.
As officers attempted to handcuff Buabeng, G/Cpl. Shaban reportedly dressed in black police trousers and a white singlet suddenly appeared at the scene wielding his service rifle, a C-Z No. F201010 loaded with 20 rounds.
In a dramatic turn, he allegedly pointed the weapon at Detective Inspector James Brobbey and threatened to shoot, if the suspect was not released. Fearing for their safety, officers released the suspect on the spot.
Shaban reportedly ordered the entire police team to vacate the area. However, the officers tactically overpowered him and he was arrested at the scene.
A subsequent search at the location led to the discovery of 24 plain rubber wraps of dried plant material suspected to be narcotics, a black police shirt embroidered with the name “Awudu” and the Ghana Police crown, a black helmet, a black muffler and various types of cigarettes.
Shaban and the seized items were transferred to the CID Headquarters and later handed over to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for further investigation.
Further Arrests and Confessions
The next day, police returned to the scene with Shaban, who pointed out Joseph Amardi and Joyce Osabutey as the owners of the narcotics base. The couple was arrested.
In her caution statement, Joyce Osabutey admitted ownership of the 24 rubber wraps of suspected narcotics and claimed her husband sold the drugs when she was unavailable.
Amardi corroborated her story and further alleged that the accused officer, G/Cpl. Shaban, frequently visited the premises to smoke marijuana, hashish and other narcotics.
The student, Buabeng, remains at large and efforts are underway to apprehend him.
The seized substances are to be sent to the Police Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis.
All three accused persons have pleaded not guilty and have been remanded into police custody. The case has been adjourned to August 18, 2025, for continuation.
Meanwhile, Buabeng remains a wanted man as police continue their investigation.
Ing Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, a former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who is also aspiring to lead the party as flagbearer, has suggested to the Speaker of Parliament, the Electoral Commission (EC) and both NPP and National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership to adopt a conventional method whenever an MP’s seat falls vacant, instead of conducting by-elections.
“Therefore, I humbly propose to you, Sir, Rt Hon Speaker, Chairman NDC, NPP and Chairperson EC, a bold yet feasible reform as a CONVENTION, when an MP’s seat falls vacant, the incumbent party be allowed to simply select a successor through its internal democratic mechanisms, without triggering a by-election with all its associated risks mentioned above”, he suggested in a letter sent to the Speaker of Parliament.
The following is the full content of his proposal as contained in the letter;
To: The Speaker of Parliament,
Chairman NDC,
Chairman NPP,
Chairperson EC,
The Ghana Peace Council,
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations.
Dear Esteemed Countrymen,
I write to you today, as a Ghanaian citizen deeply unsettled by a pattern that has evolved repeatedly to now threaten the peace and dignity of our democracy.
This period of national mourning and deep sober reflection occasioned by tragic events of last week, somehow provides a wonderful opportunity to develop a political CONVENTION anchored by true consensus of key political actors in our beloved country, Ghana.
Time and again, we have witnessed by-elections develop into scenes of fear, aggression and needless damage to lives and property.
It is noteworthy to recall Atiwa, Chereponi, Akwatia and Ayawaso West Wuogon among others, where armed and masked party operatives and vigilantes have caused mayhem, leaving many scared for life and undermining of our hard-earned reputation as an oasis of peace in a turbulent sub-region.
These are not distant memories, but part of a disturbing, recurring cycle, typified by the recent July 2025 rerun of some polling station elections in Ablekuma North, where we saw the emergence of shocking parallels: state-linked forces, law enforcement hesitation, high-profile targets attacked and post-violence-blame games impeding justice .
This can no longer continue while we grow numb, with all due respect.
I trust that our democracy should inspire hope, rather than the hazards we behold every now and then. Democracy cannot flourish amid fear, violence and impunity.
Therefore, I humbly propose to you, Sir, Rt Hon Speaker, Chairman NDC, NPP and Chairperson EC, a bold yet feasible reform as a CONVENTION, when an MP’s seat falls vacant, the incumbent party be allowed to simply select a successor through its internal democratic mechanisms, without triggering a by-election with all its associated risks mentioned above.
This approach acknowledges our peculiar reality and deals head-on with the disturbing issues we face. It saves public resources, protects lives and thwarts the escalating cycle of partisan violence. More importantly, it offers us an opportunity to nurture consensus building among political actors.
We need to redirect our energies towards peaceful coexistence. Let’s elevate this dialogue beyond partisan lines and inspire national consensus. Akwatia and Tamale Central can lead the way.
Ghana is stronger than our worst moments. Our shared cultural roots and aspirations are more than the conflicts at polling stations.
Political leaders should inspire hope in every rural classroom, every urban market, every unemployed graduate seeking opportunity.
Let us prove that our politics can protect democracy and our generation in particular will not leave it fractured.
Let us break this destructive cycle together, not with empty speeches, but with courageous, consensual reform. Our legacy and the future of our people depends on it.
The Asantehemaa, Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III has passed on, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene has officially announced.
Otumfuo made the disclosure at an emergency meeting of the Asanteman Council yesterday, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
The King said the One Week Observation of the Queen mother will take place at the forecourt of Manhyia Palace on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
In February 2017, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in consultation with the royal family, appointed his then 83-year-old elder sister, Nana Ama Konadu, as the 14th Asantehemaa to succeed her late mother, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II.
Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem, the 13th Asantehemaa, passed away in November 2016 at the age of 111, after reigning for 39 years.
Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III was born in 1927 to the 13th Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem III (1977-2016) and Opanin Kofi Foffie, also known as Koofie or Keewuo of Besease, near Atimatim, a suburb of Kumasi. He was a Carpenter by profession.
Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III was the first born of Asantehemaa Nana Afia Kobi’s five children, the youngest of whom is Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III, known in early life as Nana Panin, had informal palace education.
In 1959, at the age of about 22, Nana Panin was christened and baptised into the Saviour Church of Ghana and christened Ruth.
She was also of the Anglican Church by convention, since every Asantehene and Asantehemaa becomes an automatic member and patron of the Anglican Church.
By occupation, Nana Konadu Yiadom III was a Caterer who specialised in local dishes. She was also into food crop farming and petty trading. Her hobbies were cooking, music and dance.
The Circuit Court 11, presided over by Her Honour Basilia Adjei-Tawiah, has ordered a psychiatric examination for 26-year-old Nana Yaw Boakye, an unemployed man, accused of attempted robbery and causing unlawful harm to a female student.
The directive followed what the court described as “strange behavior” exhibited by Boakye, after he initially pleaded guilty to the charges.
Upon being asked to plead for mitigation, Boakye abruptly reversed his narrative, claiming he was the actual victim in the case and was being wrongfully pursued.
He also made inconsistent statements about his identity and background, claiming to be Nigerian, but unable to identify which state he hails from.
“I was running from Nima to help my father at Teshie. I didn’t know what I had done when people started chasing me,” he shouted in court, accompanied by exaggerated gestures, which raised concerns about his mental state.
Although Boakye had already pleaded guilty to both counts, the judge ruled that his behaviour suggested he might not have fully understood the implications of his plea.
“The accused’s behaviour depicts someone who may have mental challenges and hereby orders the accused be sent to the Accra Psychiatric hospital assessment,” Judge Adjei-Tawiah stated.
As a result, a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf and he was remanded into custody until August 21, 2025 pending the results of the psychiatric assessment.
According to the brief facts presented by Chief Inspector Rosemond Anyane, the incident occurred on July 25, 2025 at around 7:30 a.m.
The complainant, a student living at the Teshie Police Barracks, had gone to the Teshie market to buy porridge when she realised the accused was following her.
Without warning, Boakye allegedly stabbed her multiple times in the right hand and ribs, in an attempt to steal her phone.
The victim was rushed to the Teshie Family Health Hospital, where she received treatment and was later discharged.
Police investigations led to the arrest of Boakye, the following day. A knife suspected to have been used in the attack was found in his possession, and he reportedly admitted to the offence during interrogation.
The court awaits the outcome of the psychiatric evaluation before proceeding with trial.
The Accra Circuit Court, presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, has remanded a serving soldier, Corporal Bernard Bortey and six other suspects into police custody, in connection with the armed robbery and kidnapping of a fuel tanker driver and his mate.
The accused, including Cpl. Bortey (A1), were arraigned on Monday and pleaded not guilty to four charges: conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, kidnapping and abetment of robbery.
The court adjourned the case to August 25, 2025 while investigations continue.
The six other accused persons are: Mark Abito (A2), 34, a fuel tanker driver; Ganiu Abdulai (A3), 31, a driver; Atiiga Banabas (A4), 26, unemployed; Awine Ibrahim (A5), 25, a tanker driver’s mate; Muniru Ayebo (A6), 19, a tanker driver’s mate and Shaibu Adams (A7), 27, a tanker driver’s mate
The court also issued a directive for the release of the stolen tanker, a DAF diesel fuel truck with registration number GT-2493-20 and its 54,000 litres of diesel, valued at GH¢769,500.00 to its owner, Petroland Ltd., represented in court by Mr. Appiah Kubi.
The decision followed a request from the prosecution citing safety concerns over the vehicle being parked in the open at the police station.
The facts presented by the prosecution, led by ASP Issah Achibari holding brief for ASP Emmanuel Heligah, indicated that the robbery took place on August 6, 2025 at Pampaso Number 1, in the Eastern Region.
According to the police, Cpl. Bortey, stationed at the Ghana Armed Forces’ Teaching and Doctrine College and four other accomplices – Raphael Amartey, Arhin and two others, all currently at large, trailed a fuel tanker from Tema to Pampaso.
At gunpoint, they intercepted the truck and kidnapped the driver, Jerry Kawuo, and his mate, Desmond Owusu Junior, forcing them into a green pickup (GX 2881-22).
The stolen fuel tanker was allegedly driven to Pacific Fuel Station at Bunso Junction, where the other accused persons were caught red-handed attempting to discharge the fuel into an empty tanker (GN 804-13) using a pumping machine.
Around 12:30 a.m. on August 7, 2025 police at a checkpoint in Ablekuma Borkorborkor arrested Cpl. Bortey, who was in military uniform.
The victims, still handcuffed in the pickup, managed to raise an alarm, prompting the arrest. Follow-up investigations led to the arrest of the other six accused at Bunso Junction.
According to the prosecutor, the group had planned the heist in advance, splitting into two teams—one to monitor the tanker from Tema, and another, led by Cpl. Bortey, to execute the robbery at Pampaso.
All seven suspects have been remanded into police custody to reappear in court on August 25, 2025.
Police say efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects currently at large.
“In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.” -Greek poet Aeschylus
There are moments in life when loss and tragedy cannot be fully expressed in words. Their meaning is carried instead by the silent language of the heart, mind, and spirit. We mourn, we grieve, we lament, and we cannot forget. This week, our nation has been shaken. Families are bereaved. No one expected that a short journey from Accra to Obuasi would end in such heartbreak. A journey meant to serve the nation became the final chapter in the lives of eight dedicated Ghanaians.
They left home in the morning, said goodbye to their families, and never returned. The pain is almost too heavy to bear.
We mourn Dr. Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence, Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed – Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Dr. Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Samuel Aboagye – Former Parliamentary Candidate, Sergeant Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
These men were on their way to represent the President at the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rComdsep) in Obuasi. This programme aimed to bring order to small-scale mining and tackle the menace of illegal mining. They died in the service of that mission.
They loved their nation so much that they often placed national duty above personal comfort. They carried out their work with passion and dedication. One can imagine that even in heaven, their conversations would still be about Ghana and how to make it better.
The nation that sent them to Obuasi did not intend to say goodbye in this way. Yet the final and inevitable truth of life called death has robbed Ghana of their vibrant presence from their families, friends and nation. The grief is deep, the pain sharp, the shock immense.
Our tears may never seem enough to match the magnitude of this loss. But as the Greek poet Aeschylus wrote, “In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.”
We cannot weep forever. We must also celebrate who they were and what they stood for. As Martin Luther King Jr. once wrote, “Death is not evil; what is evil is to be outside God’s purpose and plan for your life.” These noble men found their purpose which was in service to their country, love for their families, and commitment to the public good.
Our political colours and differences should not divide us in moments like this. There is a common bond of humanity that unites us all. The prophet Isaiah envisioned a time when “the lion and the lamb shall lie down together, and none will be afraid.” Rev. Jesse Jackson once explained that even lions and lambs can find common ground, for neither wants the forest to burn or the drought to destroy their home. In the same way, we as a nation must find unity in our shared destiny.
As President John Mahama has said, let us come together and move forward, for the future has no place for a divided and disoriented people. Let’s rally behind their family and the nation as we chart through this foggy moment.
These men have gone to meet their Maker, but their spirit and their works remain with us. They have paid their dues to Mother Ghana. They have left footprints of dedication and sacrifice in the sands of time and in the words of the English poet, Wilfred Owen, “These men are worth your tears.”
By Appiah Kusi Adomako, Esq, CUTS International Accra
Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle
According to a graphiconline report, the Upper West Regional branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) is worried about the effect of illegal mining on education in the country and has called for a holistic approach to tackle the menace.
The association says one of the challenges facing education in the region is school dropouts, as a result of illegal mining activities. It said the illegal mining is luring students, particularly those in Junior High, to abandon school and travel south to engage in it.
The regional chairman of the association, Ivon Kuule, who disclosed this during the quadrennial Delegates Conference of GNAT in Wa, said the challenge needed urgent attention to “ensure that we provide the best quality of education to all children of school going age in the region.”
He said even though members of the association were doing their best to provide the students in the region with the best of tuition, some of the challenges needed urgent attention. He cited high teacher attrition rate, lack of accommodation and basic social amenities, especially in the hard-to-reach communities, inadequate school infrastructure and inadequate resources for the implementation of the new curriculum, for both the Junior and Senior High schools.
The disturbing revelations from the Upper West Regional branch of GNAT should jolt the conscience of every policymaker, community leader and parent. The lure of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is no longer a distant threat confined to certain regions. It has become a destructive force reaching into classrooms in the north, robbing children of their right to education and a chance at a dignified future.
That students, particularly in Junior High schools, are abandoning their books to travel south for illegal mining is a tragedy with far-reaching consequences. This is not merely a story of children seeking quick income, it is a dangerous trade-off swapping the promise of education for the perils of an unregulated, exploitative and environmentally destructive industry.
The GNAT regional chairman, Ivon Kuule, was right to call for urgent, holistic action. Teachers may be giving their all in the classroom, but their efforts are undermined by high teacher attrition, lack of teacher accommodation, poor basic amenities in remote areas, inadequate school infrastructure and insufficient resources to implement the new curriculum effectively. When schools lack basic learning tools and communities are deprived of socio-economic opportunities, it becomes easier for children to be enticed by illegal mining’s false promises.
The problem is twofold. First, there is the direct draw of galamsey fast cash, peer influence and adventure. Second, there is the push factor of educational neglect, under-resourced schools, overworked teachers and a lack of visible pathways from classroom learning to meaningful employment. In such an environment, children begin to question the value of staying in school at all.
This crisis is not just about the north, it is a national issue. The loss of even one child to illegal mining represents the erosion of national human capital. If we fail to act decisively now, we will not only lose a generation of potential engineers, doctors, teachers, and leaders, but we will also perpetuate cycles of poverty, environmental degradation, and underdevelopment.
Education is the single most powerful weapon we have to break the chains of poverty and exploitation. It is time we wield it with determination, ensuring that no child in Ghana has to choose between a dangerous pit and a promising future.
One of the remaining old buildings in Kumasi’s bustling Adum area constructed in early 1900s to showcase the traditional architectural design, but rapidly disappearing from the city’s commercial heart
Kumasi, the historic capital of the Ashanti Kingdom and Ghana’s cultural heartbeat, is rapidly losing its architectural heritage to modern development. Once a city defined by iconic traditional buildings and colonial-era structures, Kumasi’s unique identity is fading beneath the rising tide of glass-and-steel complexes. Experts warn this trend threatens not just the city’s skyline, but its very soul.
A typical and rare example of an old building at Asem, near the Jackson Park with a unique architectural heritage
In the bustling, traffic-choked streets of Adum, the commercial heart of Kumasi, heritage buildings are rapidly disappearing. This unsettling trend clashes with Kumasi’s reputation as Ghana’s cultural citadel and raises urgent questions about the city’s identity and future.
Kumasi is widely known for its rich culture and customs expressed through its food, clothing, language, festivals, and other traditions. However, this vibrant cultural identity is increasingly at risk as the city’s architectural heritage vanishes.
Unlike European cities such as Paris, Tokyo, and London, where historic buildings are preserved as living monuments, many of Kumasi’s century-old architectural treasures are being demolished to make way for modern glass-and-tile structures bearing little connection to Ashanti culture. Indeed, Adum is increasingly resembling a European city, and even traditional palaces seem to be succumbing to this craze for modernity.
Beyond Adum lies the home of King Agyeman Prempeh I, a prominent Ashanti monarch regarded as a symbol of Ashanti resilience and patriotism. Exiled by the British colonial government to the Seychelles Islands, his once-grand residence now lies in ruins, exposed to the elements just meters from the King Prempeh I Airport.
In view of the above, The Chronicle sought expects opinions from academics from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
Urban Development Beyond Buildings
Dr. Stephen Appiah Takyi, senior lecturer at the Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), offers a cautionary perspective on this transformation.
“Many believe development means building more stores and residential buildings. But true urban growth involves cultural identity, sustainability, aesthetics, efficiency, and ensuring social and environmental well-being,” he said.
A typical one-storey Ashanti-style building made of brick and wooden panels at Adum
For Dr. Takyi, preserving heritage is critical if Kumasi is to reflect the identity of its people. “If every old structure is replaced by modern ones, future generations will not know their roots,” he warns adding “That is why most civilized countries have strict development controls protecting heritage sites.”
Historically, Ghana’s progress was measured largely by economic indicators such as GDP and inflation. Dr. Takyi advocates for a broader approach that incorporates social and environmental factors.
“We once had a thriving timber industry that collapsed due to deforestation. Economic growth without social and environmental sustainability is incomplete.”
Illegal mining, though lucrative, destroys water bodies and harms public health, underscoring his point: “You can make money but sacrifice your health. To him, true development requires balancing economy, society, and environment to ensure lasting progress.
Cultural Heritage: Africa’s Untapped Economic Treasure
Ghana and Africa possess rich cultural heritage, yet this wealth remains largely untapped for development.
“Where did Komfo Anokye live? Where did the Ashanti kings live? These sites alone could generate billions in tourism revenue,” Dr. Takyi argued.
He pointed to a country like Thailand, which earns far more from cultural tourism despite having fewer heritage assets than Ghana. “This calls for policies that promote heritage architecture as part of cultural tourism marketing,” he contended.
“Preserving heritage sites protects our identity and tests real progress. Our ancestors built storey buildings with local materials over a century ago. Why can’t we build skyscrapers today with the same resources?”
He lamented that many Africans lose pride in their own history by imitating the West. “We are not primitive,” he stressed and added, “Our story is one of innovation, wisdom, and development.”
Ghana’s values crisis, where materialism dominates politics, religion, and tradition, threatens heritage preservation.
An aged structure along Town Hall (Prempeh Assembly Hall) road, bearing witness to the rich history of Kumasi but showing signs of neglect and weathering over time
“Even the best laws fail if people believe money places them above the law. We need laws protecting heritage sites, but more importantly, a value system that respects these laws,” Dr Takyi told The Chronicle. He calls for education reforms to teach Ghanaian heritage from an early age, building pride and identity.
Architecture That Respects Climate and Culture
Dr. Takyi also critiqued the rise of glass-and-aluminium buildings in Kumasi, noting Western designs suit colder climates, not Ghana’s tropical weather.
“Our ancestors designed buildings with open spaces and verandas to enjoy fresh air. Why discard this wisdom and rely solely on air conditioning, which is costly and unsustainable?”
He cited the Kejetia Market redevelopment as a missed opportunity to blend traditional design with modern needs like natural light and ventilation.
The Architect’s Insight: Heritage and Identity
Dr. Emmanuel Banahene Owusu, architect at KNUST’s Department of Architecture, expanded on what heritage means in architectural terms.
Heritage, he explains, represents the collective values assigned to buildings or monuments as reminders of important events, personalities, or innovations recognized locally and globally.
Kumasi’s Ashanti buildings have influenced West African architecture for centuries. Made from local materials like laterite, mud, and thatch, and adorned with symbolic Adinkra motifs, these structures embody climate-responsive, sustainable design.
Dr. Banahene explained how Christianity influenced a shift from extended family homes to nuclear family units, prompting architectural adaptations such as multiple self-contained households within the same building.
“Christianity advocated for the nuclear family… this influenced the design of hybrid houses in Kumasi.”
While modern materials like aluminium composite panels and imported roofing are popular, Dr. Banahene stressed on the benefits of indigenous materials.
“Local materials suit our climate, cost less, and artisans have the skills to work with them. Traditional techniques like “wattle and daub” (atapkame) remain relevant despite maintenance challenges.
Community Spirit and Climate Responsiveness
Ashanti construction was deeply communal, often accompanied by cultural rituals. Courtyards served as multifunctional social spaces and enhanced natural ventilation. Mud and laterite walls provide excellent thermal performance, keeping interiors cool by day and warm by night — outperforming many modern concrete blocks.
Preserving Heritage: Challenges and Opportunities
Heritage buildings face threats from humidity, termites, rodents, and pollution. Traditional maintenance practices are vital, and new technologies like 3D scanning and photogrammetry offer innovative ways to document and protect these structures.
“Documentation ensures that even if a physical building is lost, its form and construction techniques survive virtually,” Dr. Banahene noted.
Conclusion: Protecting Kumasi’s Soul
The loss of Kumasi’s architectural heritage threatens Ghana’s cultural identity and historical continuity. Balancing modern development with preservation demands collective will from policymakers, traditional authorities, academics, and citizens alike to keep Kumasi a living testament to Ashanti legacy and African pride.
Aerial view of Aboso, Bompieso destroyed by illegal mining
Two Chiefs in the western region have declared their respective custodial lands as no go area for illegal mining popularly known as ‘galamsey’.
Consequently, they have sent a strong warning to politicians and others engaged in the illegal menace to keep off their lands.
The chiefs have also endorsed the raid on illegal mining sites in the area by security operatives recently.
In a statement signed on behalf of Odikro of Aboso, Nana Kwasi Appiah reiterated that, the recent raid by anti-Galamsey Taskforce in the area had the full consent and blessings of the chiefs in the area.
“Nananom would like to reiterate that the raid being conducted is a collective effort and has our consent as the traditional leadership of Abosso and Bompieso, who are committed to the safety and well-being of our citizens”.
The statement encouraged the security operatives to continue their raid until the area was rid of illegal mining.
“We, through this release, urge the security agencies responsible for the raid to continue their good work, which is aimed at protecting our forest that is currently under siege”.
The statement continued that, the Aboso Odikro, together with his Bompieso counterpart endorse the ongoing galamsey raid by the joint security.
“We, the Chiefs and Elders of Abosso and Bompieso communities in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region, do hereby affirm and endorse the ongoing galamsey raids by the joint security, mainly to clear all unauthorised groups and individuals who have for some years encroached on our lands in the name of galamsey”.
The chiefs said they were happy the raid was taking place on their respective lands and commended the Land and Natural Resource Minister and his Defense counterpart for heeding their calls.
“We are happy that the raid is taking place in our area and would like to commend and thank the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, the Interior Minister and the Defense Minister for adhering to our calls, which have led to this raid”.
As traditional leaders and allodia owners of the lands, which stretch from Abosso, Huniso and Bompieso, the chiefs said they were aware of the negative impact of illegal mining such as destruction of water bodies and farm lands and, therefore, could not sit unconcerned.
They warned “We wish to use this medium to warn all politicians within and outside the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality who have taken it upon themselves to encourage any recalcitrant individuals or groups further encroaching on our lands, mainly to engage in illegal mining activities, to refrain from hiding behind them”.
This is because, Nananom would not sit idle and watch any individual, group of persons continue to perpetuate harm to farm lands and water bodies anymore.
Nananom, Odikro stated in the release believed in responsible mining, and that is “what we are calling for, and not any act of indiscipline that leads to the destruction of our natural resources, which were handed over to us by our ancestors”.
