24hr Market: Prioritize Protection; Hajia Charity’s Call to President Mahama, Interior, and Defense Ministers
Former Upper East Regional Women’s Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hajia Charity Chariyam, has issued a passionate call for enhanced security measures as the government rolls out its 24-hour market initiative across the country. While the initiative has been welcomed by many, Hajia Charity, known for her courage and candid opinions, has raised an alarm over a looming danger: armed robbery. In an interview with Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of Apexnewsgh, she warned that women who work late into the night face daily threats, and without proper protection, the new policy could do more harm than good. “Imagine a woman selling pepper or salt all day, only to be attacked on her way home and lose her hard-earned money,” she said. “Many of these women rely on small loans from banks or groups such as MASLOC. If robbed, they are left with nothing but debt. Their capital is already small; losing it means they cannot sustain their families or businesses.” President John Dramani Mahama has described the 24-hour market policy as a major campaign promise aimed at creating wealth in beneficiary communities. Speaking at a sod-cutting ceremony for a model market in Bimbilla in the Northern Region, he explained that the modern multipurpose markets would depart from traditional designs, offering banking services, storage, fire and security protection, restaurants, crèches, and clinics to handle traders’ emergency health needs. He assured that all 261 districts of Ghana would eventually benefit. Hajia Charity endorses the president’s vision but insists that a well-structured, round-the-clock security system must accompany it. She proposed that security personnel work in three shifts, morning, afternoon, and night, to ensure markets remain protected at all hours. Without this, she warned, the fear of robbery would only increase, discouraging traders from participating. Beyond immediate protection, she called for long-term solutions to address the root causes of crime. “It’s not just men; even women are involved in robbery out of desperation,” she noted. She urged the government and community leaders to empower the youth with jobs and skills training in trades such as welding, tailoring, and more, so that young people can earn an honest living. Offering a message of hope, Hajia Charity shared the story of some local businessmen who started small and became billionaires through perseverance and honest work. She appealed to President Mahama, the Interior Minister, and the Defense Minister to prioritize both security and empowerment. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu Assumes Office as Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister
The halls of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs buzzed with anticipation as Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, officially took up her post. Her elevation, announced by President Bola Tinubu, was met with warm applause from staff and dignitaries alike. In a statement, Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa highlighted that Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s appointment was a testament to the Federal Government’s confidence in her leadership and diplomatic acumen. During a reception held in her honor, Permanent Secretary Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed extended his heartfelt congratulations. He described her appointment as a well-deserved recognition of her unwavering dedication and professionalism in service to the nation. Ambassador Ahmed expressed optimism that the new minister would further strengthen Nigeria’s foreign relations and forge deeper diplomatic partnerships worldwide. He pledged the ministry’s full support as she works to advance the administration’s foreign policy priorities. Reiterating the ministry’s commitment, Ahmed emphasized the drive to promote Nigeria’s national interests, protect its citizens abroad, attract foreign investment, and nurture both bilateral and multilateral relationships. In her remarks, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu graciously thanked the ministry’s management and staff for their warm welcome. She reaffirmed her resolve to build upon the achievements of President Tinubu’s administration and to push forward Nigeria’s foreign policy agenda. She reiterated her dedication to the Federal Government’s 4D Foreign Policy agenda, Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography. Emphasizing citizen diplomacy, strategic autonomy, professionalism, and institutional efficiency, Odumegwu-Ojukwu underlined the importance of these values in confronting global challenges and safeguarding Nigeria’s interests on the world stage. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Seven Arrested Over Alleged BECE Exam Malpractice at Kyebi Amanfrom
Seven individuals, including two headteachers, two teachers, a senior examination supervisor, and invigilators, have been granted police enquiry bail after their arrest over alleged examination malpractice during the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) at the Kyebi Amanfrom Basic School examination centre in Abuakwa South Municipality, Eastern Region. The arrests were carried out by the Kibi Divisional Police Command in collaboration with officials from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), following an operation prompted by suspicions of malpractice. Sources indicate that WAEC officials, conducting an unannounced monitoring exercise at various examination centres, allegedly caught the senior examination supervisor and invigilators taking photographs of examination question papers with their mobile phones. The suspects were reportedly apprehended on the spot and handed over to Kyebi Police for investigations. Preliminary checks on their mobile phones allegedly revealed that the examination questions were being forwarded to headteachers, who then collaborated with teachers to solve them before passing the answers back to candidates in the examination hall through the supervisor and invigilators. Further police investigations led to the arrest of the headteacher and a teacher from Kyebi Odumase Presby School, as well as the headteacher and a teacher from Okanta Presby Basic School. The senior supervisor and invigilators arrested earlier are said to have assisted police in identifying the other suspects. Representatives from teacher unions later visited the divisional police command and reportedly secured police enquiry bail for the seven suspects, assuring authorities that they were not flight risks and would cooperate fully with ongoing investigations. As part of the bail conditions, police confiscated all the suspects’ mobile phones and directed them to report to the station daily while investigations continue. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana Police Arrest 50 in Special Anti-Narcotics Operation at Madina Market
In a sweeping anti-narcotics operation at the Madina Market enclave in the Greater Accra Region, the Ghana Police Service has arrested 50 individuals suspected of involvement in drug distribution networks. The special exercise, led by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team, took place on Thursday, May 7. Acting on intelligence, officers moved swiftly to dismantle drug trafficking activities within the bustling market area. Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Director-General of Police Operations, COP Emmanuel Teye Cudjoe, reported that among those arrested were 46 men and four women. Preliminary investigations revealed that 25 of the suspects are Ghanaians, while the rest include 13 Nigerians, nine Nigeriens, and one national each from Mali, Togo, and Burkina Faso. Police identified 26-year-old Abigail Oku and a Nigerian national, Mohammed Zaya, as alleged ringleaders of the narcotics network in the area. Additionally, two other Nigerian nationals, Yousef Abubakar, 25, and Ahmadu Alfani, 43, were named as shop operators allegedly involved in the sale and distribution of illegal drugs. The suspects, along with items seized during the operation, have been transferred to the National Operations Directorate Headquarters to assist with ongoing investigations. According to the Ghana Police Service, this operation forms part of a broader clampdown on the trafficking and sale of narcotic substances in markets, communities, and public spaces nationwide. Source: Apexnewsgh.com