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Flooding Disrupts Academic Activities at KNUST, Leaves Students Stranded

A heavy downpour on Thursday morning caused severe flooding across sections of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus, disrupting academic activities and leaving many students stranded between their halls of residence and lecture venues.

The flooding overwhelmed drainage systems in several parts of the campus, rendering key roads, bridges, and pedestrian walkways impassable.

As a result, many students heading to lectures were forced to use longer alternative routes, while others remained in their halls due to safety concerns and restricted access to academic areas.

To ease the situation, the university deployed buses capable of navigating some of the flooded sections to transport students across affected areas. However, taxis and other smaller vehicles were unable to access several inundated routes, further hampering movement on campus.

University security personnel were also deployed to monitor the affected areas and direct traffic to ensure the safety of students, staff, and motorists.

The flooding significantly slowed movement across the university and disrupted normal academic activities, particularly during the morning hours when many lectures were scheduled.

As of Thursday afternoon, university authorities had not issued an official statement detailing the full extent of the disruption or outlining immediate measures to address the situation.

Meanwhile, students have renewed calls for urgent and long-term solutions to the recurring flooding problem on campus, expressing concerns about accessibility, safety, and the impact of seasonal rains on teaching and learning.

Many students believe improvements to the campus drainage infrastructure are necessary to prevent future disruptions and ensure the smooth running of academic activities during the rainy season.

Source: Nana Achiaa Aboagye

John Dumelo Announces Free World Cup Viewing Centres and Meals for Ayawaso West Residents

The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Setor Dumelo, has announced a series of community initiatives to enable residents to enjoy Ghana’s FIFA World Cup matches together.

In a post shared on his official Facebook page on Thursday afternoon, Mr Dumelo said the commencement of the World Cup brings “good news” for residents of the constituency, outlining several arrangements to promote communal viewing and support for the Black Stars.

According to him, subscriptions have been paid for selected television viewing centres across Ayawaso West Wuogon to ensure residents can watch the tournament.

In addition, free giant screens will be mounted at the following locations for Ghana’s World Cup matches:
– Abelemkpe Astro Turf Park
– Okponglo
– Mempasem
– Airport Residential Area
– West Legon
– Dzorwulu

Mr Dumelo also disclosed that he has partnered with 13 kenkey vendors across the constituency to provide free kenkey and fish meals to supporters attending the Black Stars’ matches.

The initiative is aimed at creating a festive atmosphere while encouraging residents to rally behind the national team throughout the tournament.

Concluding his announcement, the Ayawaso West Wuogon MP urged Ghanaians to support the Black Stars, declaring, “Go Ghana Go!”

The initiative has generated public interest as football fans across the constituency prepare to gather at the designated centres to cheer on Ghana during its World Cup campaign.

Bleeding during pregnancy is not normal; seek medical attention immediately – Maternal Health Expert

A Maternal and Child Health Expert at Ridge Hospital, Mrs. Racheal Hesse Matey, has urged pregnant women to seek accurate medical information and ignore myths surrounding pregnancy and childbirth.

Speaking on Atinka TV’s Ghana Nie hosted by Ama Gyenfa Ofosu Darkwah, Ms. Matey dismissed the common belief that vaginal delivery automatically causes vaginal looseness.

According to her, many factors can contribute to vaginal looseness, and some women who have never given birth also experience the condition. She advised women not to allow such misconceptions to influence their choice of delivery method.

She further stressed that bleeding during pregnancy is not normal and should be treated as a medical emergency. Pregnant women experiencing any form of bleeding, she said, should seek immediate medical attention.

The health expert also debunked the belief that swollen legs during pregnancy indicate the sex of a baby. She explained that swelling is a common pregnancy-related condition and has no connection to whether a woman is carrying a boy or a girl.

Mrs. Matey highlighted the importance of mental health during pregnancy, warning that untreated emotional and psychological challenges could affect mothers even after childbirth.

She also encouraged husbands to support their wives during labour, noting that the presence of a partner often helps reduce anxiety and stress during delivery.

Touching on childbirth trends, Ms. Matey observed that an increasing number of women are choosing Caesarean Section (C-section) deliveries, stressing that expectant mothers should rely on medical advice when making decisions about childbirth.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com

Massive Equipment Theft Hits Komenda Sugar Factory; Three Suspects Arrested Amid Security Concerns

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A major theft at the Komenda Sugar Factory has severely disrupted key operations after unknown persons allegedly made away with critical industrial equipment, exposing significant security and operational challenges at the state-owned facility.

Three Suspects Arrested

Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the theft and are continuing their investigations. Authorities have assured management and the public that efforts are underway to recover the stolen equipment and identify any additional individuals involved.

Critical Equipment Stolen

According to preliminary reports, the perpetrators gained access to the factory overnight and dismantled several heavy-duty industrial motors used in the plant’s water management and utility systems.

The stolen equipment reportedly includes:
One primer motor from the spray pond cooling system
Two pumps from the water reservoir station
One pump from the wastewater station
One freshwater pumping station motor is supplying the factory floor
One critical firefighting pump
A large spray pump motor was reportedly left behind at the scene.

The theft has significantly affected the factory’s water supply, wastewater management, and emergency firefighting capabilities.

Management Expresses Concern

A representative of West Africa Agrotech Company Limited, Mr Patel, confirmed the incident but declined to provide extensive comments, stating that the matter is under active investigation by the Ghana Police Service.

Internal communications, however, reportedly show management expressing disappointment over the apparent security lapse, questioning how multiple heavy machines could be dismantled and removed without detection.

Unpaid Security Staff Raise Questions

A security officer, speaking anonymously, alleged that security personnel assigned to the factory have gone 20 months without receiving salaries.

The revelation has sparked concerns over whether prolonged salary arrears may have weakened security operations or contributed to vulnerabilities at the facility. No official evidence has been presented to link any security personnel to the theft, and investigations are ongoing.

Concerns Over Police Response

Sources indicate that management initially encountered delays after reporting the incident, including logistical challenges that reportedly required assistance in fueling a police vehicle before investigators could visit the scene. Police have since intensified investigations following the arrest of the three suspects.

Factory Remains Vulnerable

The theft has left essential infrastructure compromised, particularly the factory’s water systems and firefighting equipment, raising concerns about operational readiness and safety.

Management officials also say uncertainty remains over plans to fully revive the factory and secure the investment needed to resume production.

A Decade After Commissioning

The incident comes just days after the factory marked ten years since its inauguration on May 30, 2016. Once envisioned as a catalyst for industrial development and employment, the Komenda Sugar Factory has remained largely inactive, with the latest theft highlighting ongoing challenges surrounding the facility’s maintenance, security, and future operations.

Investigations into the theft continue, with authorities expected to provide further updates as the case progresses.

Interior Minister: Police Have Learned Lessons from Ablekuma North By-Election Violence

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The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, has told Parliament that the Ghana Police Service has learned important lessons from the violence and disturbances that characterised the Ablekuma North by-election.

Responding to questions on the floor of Parliament, the Minister said the Police have reviewed and strengthened their election security strategies, noting that the improvements were evident during the subsequent Akwatia by-election, which was conducted in a more orderly manner.

According to him, the experience from Ablekuma North has informed new operational measures that will be adopted to enhance security during future by-elections and other electoral processes.

Mr Muntaka Mubarak further disclosed that the Ghana Police Service will work more closely with the military and other security agencies to strengthen election security and ensure the safety of voters, electoral officials, and stakeholders.

He expressed confidence that the enhanced collaboration and revised security strategies will contribute to peaceful and credible elections across the country.

Tell Ghanaians the Truth’ — Patrick Boamah Pressures Foreign Affairs Minister Over South Africa Attacks

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Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Patrick Yaw Boamah, has cautioned government against what he describes as the risk of misrepresentation and propaganda in its handling of recent xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa.

According to the Okaikwei Central MP, the sensitive nature of the developments requires a measured, factual and diplomatic response, warning that any attempt to distort the situation could undermine Ghana’s foreign relations and investor confidence.

Speaking on the matter at a press briefing with journalists in parliament, Mr. Boamah called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to urgently appear before Parliament to provide a comprehensive briefing on the situation and government’s response efforts.

“The issue is too important to be reduced to political communication. Parliament and the Ghanaian public deserve accurate information on what is happening and the steps being taken to protect our citizens,” he stressed.

Mr. Boamah expressed concern over what he described as discrepancies between accounts being provided by some Ghanaian officials and reports emerging from South African authorities, arguing that conflicting narratives could create uncertainty and damage Ghana’s international standing.

He further warned that any mishandling of the situation could have broader implications for trade, investment and diplomatic relations between the two countries.
His comments come amid growing concern over attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, prompting calls for enhanced diplomatic engagement and stronger protection for affected communities.

The lawmaker maintained that government must approach the matter with transparency, accuracy and diplomacy to ensure the safety of Ghanaians abroad while preserving the longstanding relations between Ghana and South Africa.

Zoomlion, NADMO and Partners Begin Three-Day Clean-Up Exercise in Greater Accra to Combat Flooding

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Zoomlion Ghana Limited, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), FeDEMS Group Ltd, Dredge Masters Ghana Limited, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), and several Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), has today begun a three-day clean-up and desilting exercise in selected flood-prone communities across the Greater Accra Region.

The exercise, which runs from June 10 to 12 and starts daily at 7:00 a.m., is targeting major drainage channels and waterways in Roman Ridge, Mallam, Paloma, Circle, Kaneshie and GBC. Teams are undertaking extensive cleaning and desilting works to improve the free flow of rainwater and help reduce the risk of flooding.

The initiative comes in response to recent heavy downpours that have triggered flooding in parts of the capital, raising concerns about poor waste disposal practices and clogged drainage systems.

Speaking on the sidelines of the exercise, the Greater Accra Regional Director of NADMO, Dennis Nartey, said the collaboration among the participating institutions demonstrates a collective commitment to addressing one of the major causes of flooding in the metropolis.

According to him, every heavy rainfall leaves behind significant amounts of waste and debris, much of which eventually finds its way into drains and waterways.

He noted that the situation is further worsened by residents who deliberately dump refuse into drains, making it difficult for water to flow freely during storms.

Mr. Nartey stressed that many flooding challenges are man-made and therefore require a change in public attitude. He urged residents to dispose of waste responsibly and make use of designated waste collection systems rather than relying on rainwater to carry away refuse.

He also used the occasion to promote the ongoing “No Do No Do” campaign, which seeks to discourage indiscriminate littering and encourage environmental responsibility among citizens.

“Protecting lives and property from floods requires the active participation of every member of society,” he said.

The Head of Government and Corporate Affairs at Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Emma Adwoa Appiah Osei-Duah, said the company is pleased to partner with NADMO, FeDEMS and the other agencies in undertaking the exercise, particularly at a time when the country is experiencing frequent heavy rains.

She explained that waste carried by floodwaters often accumulates in drains and waterways, creating blockages that increase the likelihood of flooding.

According to her, the clean-up exercise forms part of broader efforts to address these challenges through sustained sanitation interventions and stakeholder collaboration.

Madam Appiah Osei-Duah noted that the three-day programme is designed to support flood prevention efforts by clearing waste and silt from critical drainage channels in affected communities.

“The partnership reflects a shared commitment to protecting communities and improving environmental conditions across the capital,” she added.

Also speaking at the exercise, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Sophia Kudjordji, said the initiative is specifically aimed at reducing flood incidents during the rainy season by ensuring that drains and gutters remain free from obstruction.

“We are gathered here today to undertake this clean-up exercise as part of efforts to curb flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. Most floods occur because gutters and drains are clogged with waste. Therefore, we are dredging and cleaning these gutters to ensure the free flow of water,” she stated.

Madam Kudjordji noted that while rainfall itself cannot be prevented, the destruction often associated with floods can be minimised through proper sanitation practices and regular maintenance of drainage infrastructure.

She called on residents to support the efforts of sanitation authorities by refraining from dumping refuse into drains and waterways, stressing that maintaining a clean environment is a shared responsibility.

She expressed confidence that sustained public education and community participation would go a long way toward reducing flooding and safeguarding lives and property across the metropolis.

Source: Mavis Fantevi

Roads Ministry Seeks 1,000 New Staff to Strengthen Project Supervision

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The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has raised concerns over severe staffing shortages within agencies under the Ministry, warning that inadequate personnel are affecting the supervision and quality assurance of road projects across the country.

Addressing Parliament’s Select Committee on Economy and Development, the Minister revealed that the Ministry has requested the recruitment of about 1,000 additional staff to strengthen oversight and improve the delivery of road infrastructure projects.

According to Mr. Agbodza, the shortage of engineers, quality assurance officers, and other technical professionals has left many agencies overstretched, making it difficult to effectively monitor ongoing projects despite significant government investment in the sector.

“The staffing level of the agencies is far less than what it should be. If you consider the fact that we are investing heavily in these projects, part of the reason some of the projects suffer quality assurance is simply because we don’t have enough people to monitor these projects,” he told the committee.

The Minister attributed part of the challenge to the creation of six new administrative regions, which expanded the workload of road agencies without a corresponding increase in staffing levels.

As a result, technical departments responsible for project inspection, monitoring, and compliance have been forced to operate with limited personnel, raising concerns about the effectiveness of project supervision.

Mr. Agbodza disclosed that approval has already been granted for the recruitment of 137 staff members for the Ghana Highways Authority, including engineers and quality, safety, and environmental officers. However, he stressed that the staffing challenge extends across the entire roads sector.

“We’ve got approval for 137 staff at various levels, QSEs, engineers and everything, but that was just for highways. The Chief Director has since submitted a request for about 1,000 because we created six new regions and didn’t actually staff them with new staff,” he said.

The Minister emphasized that addressing the personnel gap is critical to ensuring value for money in road infrastructure investments and improving the quality of projects delivered to the public.

He assured lawmakers that efforts are ongoing to secure the necessary approvals to boost staffing levels, which he believes will significantly enhance project monitoring, quality control, and service delivery across the sector.

Source: Mavis Fantevi

Opong-Fosu Responds to Growing Calls for Leadership Role Within NDC

Hon. Akwasi Opong-Fosu has acknowledged growing calls from influential personalities and stakeholder groups within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) urging him to assume a leadership role.

In a press statement, he confirmed that over the past two months, he has engaged in extensive consultations on repositioning the party for a reset agenda — one that reconnects with the grassroots, restores confidence in leadership, and inspires renewed hope among members and supporters.

The statement emphasised that stakeholders consistently highlighted the urgent need for leadership grounded in integrity, credibility, and inclusiveness. According to the release, there was broad consensus that Opong-Fosu possesses the qualities, experience, conviction, and institutional memory required to guide the NDC through this critical period. His longstanding service to the party and commitment to its founding ideals were cited as important assets.

Opong-Fosu’s reflections in the press statement underscored his belief that any reset agenda must begin with a restoration of foundational values and principles, coupled with a renewal of mindset towards leadership – not only within the NDC but also across the broader national discourse on governance and development.

A Stellar Public Service Record

Hon. Opong-Fosu’s credibility is anchored in a distinguished public service career spanning over four decades. Under Rawlings, he served as District Secretary/DCE from 1982 to 2000 and Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development (2000-2001).

He also served under Prof Mills as acting Minister for Local Government and Rural Development during the Transition and later as Head of the Local Government Service.

In addition, he also served under President Mahama as Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, where he spearheaded Ghana’s decentralisation reforms, and later as Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, advancing sustainable development policies. He also represented the Amenfi East Constituency in Parliament between 2013 and 2017.

Beyond Ghana, he has held continental leadership roles such as President of the Africa Union of Local Authorities and Chairman of the Africa, Caribbean, Pacific Local Government Platform, positioning him as a continental voice for decentralisation and institutional strengthening.

His international engagements include representing Ghana at the United Nations, Crans Montana Forum, and Wall Street Economic Summit, where he advocated for sustainable development and investment-driven growth.

Currently, he serves as Board Chairman of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), steering Ghana’s investment agenda while also leading think tanks such as Africa Growth Solutions and the Africa Global Emergence Centre.

His global recognition was further cemented in 2026 when he received the Exemplary Leadership Award in India, honouring his decades-long contribution to governance reform and inclusive economic transformation across Africa.

While humbled by the confidence expressed in him, Opong-Fosu stressed in the press statement that further consultations with key pillars and constituencies within the party are necessary before any final decision is made. A formal announcement will follow once these consultations are complete.

Read the full statement below.

Armed Forces Music School Honours Atinka TV for Outstanding Media Support

The Armed Forces Music School (AFMS) has honoured Atinka TV for its outstanding support and commitment to promoting the institution’s activities and mission.

The citation, presented on June 4, 2026, commended Atinka TV for its professionalism, dedication to quality broadcasting, and continuous willingness to support the school through extensive media coverage and publicity.

According to the citation signed by the Commanding Officer of AFMS, Lt. Col. S.R. Tawiah, Atinka TV’s partnership has significantly enhanced the visibility of the school’s events and programmes, leading to increased public engagement and awareness of its activities.

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The Armed Forces Music School noted that the television station’s contribution to information dissemination and community partnership has played a vital role in strengthening the institution’s public image and outreach efforts.

Presenting the honour on behalf of the officers, soldiers, defence civilian staff and students of the school, Lt. Col. Tawiah expressed heartfelt appreciation to Atinka TV for its continuous support, professionalism and valued partnership.

The citation further thanked the media organisation for its exceptional service and commitment to excellence, highlighting the important role the media plays in promoting educational and military institutions across the country.

The recognition underscores the strong collaboration between the Armed Forces Music School and Atinka TV and reflects the impact of strategic media partnerships in advancing public education, cultural development and community engagement.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com