13 arrested in Wa over attempted murder of chief 
* Source: GNA

The Police in Wa have arrested 13 persons suspected to have been involved in an assignation attempt on Naa Fuseini Pelpuo, a rival claimant to the Wa skin at Wa on Saturday.

The suspects whose names were not given have been placed in police custody and their statements were being taken.

Seidu Yakubu, a 40-year old man died of bullet wounds at the Wa Regional Hospital on Saturday following the assassination attempt.

Mr. Kofi Danso-Akyeampong, Upper West Regional Police Commander, told the Ghana News Agency that the gun was apparently fired by a sniper.

According to him, the chief was the intended target but the bullet missed him and hit the deceased who was sitting on his right side at the forecourt of the Wa Naa’s palace.

He said two other persons who were critically injured during the incident are on admission.

The incident is believed to have emanated from the decision of Naa Pelpuo and his supporters to occupy the Wa Naa’s palace following his victory in a recent ruling of the National House of chiefs in a suit filed by those opposed to his enskinment as Paramount Chief of Wa by a section of the kingmakers.

However, the Regional Police Commander told the Ghana News Agency that there was no legal document barring Naa Pelpuo and his supporters from occupying the palace

The palace has not seen any occupant since the death of Naa Momori Bondiri II, in January 1998.

Naa Yakubu Soali II, from the Naakpaha gate who succeeded Naa Bondiri, never moved into the palace until he died in 2005.

Calm has returned to the town and the inhabitants were going about their activities.


**********


One person killed in assassination attempt on Wa paramount chief 
* Source: Joy Online


One person was killed when a gunman Saturday opened fire on the Paramount Chief of Wa in the Upper West Region in what is suspected to be an assassination attempt.

Naa Fuseini Pelpuo is said to have been exchanging pleasantries with his people when the sniper pulled the trigger.

The deceased Seidu Kawunu Baye sustained serious injuries when he shielded the chief with his body upon seeing the gunman pull the trigger.

Hospital authorities however pronounced him dead a short while ago.

The Duse Naa, Salifu John Gara who speaks for the Wa Traditional Council told Joy News the gun was fired by another claimant to the skin.

He said the Wa Chief Palace was released only yesterday to Naa Fuseini following a favourable court judgement in May this year.

The Police in the Upper West Region say they are investigating the incident.

Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kofi Danso Acheampong said the town is calm.

The Wa skin has been in dispute for several years following the death of Naa Yakubu Soalee. A ruling of the national house of chiefs some three weeks ago gave Naa Fuseini the go-ahead to move to the Wa Naa’s palace.


**********


NDC is already in a ditch - Rawlings

* Source: GNA


The founder of the ruling National Democratic Congress, Jerry John Rawlings has spoken in a characteristic passionate manner at the 33rd Anniversary celebration of the June 4 Uprising in Aflao, Volta region.

According to Mr. Rawlings the NDC has run itself into a ditch and can not beat their opponents NPP in the upcoming elections if the ideals of the June 4 uprisings have been abandoned.

He said he foresaw the NDC entering the "ditch" a long time a go. According to him, the NDC has wasted all opportunities to prevent itself running into the ditch.

Speaking to a teeming supporters, Mr. Rawlings asked "Why is our own party afraid of June 4th?. He added that June 4th was a divine intervention, it was given to us by God."

He defended the June 4th uprising of 1979, saying 'It is written in the Ethics of Men, that when human beings try every means possible to unseat a corrupt, dictatorial, and oppressive government they have every right to revolt."

The former President said it is his greatest wish that the NDC wins the elections but quickly added "How can you beat Nana Akufo Addo and the NPP when you are rejecting the values of June 4. How can you win when you are afraid of values of June 4, freedom and justice?"

"Have we also become guilty, and how do we expect to win" he quizzed.

Mr. Rawlings attributed last Saturday night's plane crash which claimed ten lives near the Burma Camp to the poor judgement and poor skill of the pilot. Rawlings, whose plane landed shortly before the accident occurred said the crash need not to have happened because the pilot had the laxity not to land due to the bad weather.

The former president was preceded by various cadres who pledged their solidarity to the ideals of the June 4 and the former first family.

Mrs Rawlings also spoke at the event which some residents of Aflao had initially wanted to be taken away from the area.

For many people suggesting the Rawlingses would announce the formation of a new political party, it was not to be as there was no hint of that by the former first family.


**********


Dont remove fuel subsidy - Savelugu MP
* Source: GNA

Mr. Mohammed Abdul Samed Gunu, New Patriotic Part (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Savelugu, has cautioned the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government not to increased the price of petroleum product.

He warned that any attempt to increase the fuel price would be a devastation to worsen the unbearable poverty in the Northern Regions, especially during this farming season.

A statement signed by Mr. Gunu quoted the Minister of Finance, Mr. Kwabena Duffour who was on behalf of government on the 29th May 2012, in an interview on city news said that the IMF call for removal of subsidy on petroleum products was in the right direction.

The statement said “according to him the petroleum subsidy was only favoring the rich to the detriment of the poor.”

It said the finance Ministers' accession was not realistic and attainable, and that, any increase of fuel price can result in increase in cost of goods and services and above all increase in cost of farm implements such as fertilizers.

The statement said the cost of an acre would go up and this would inevitably result in high cost of living for the general populace.


*********


Junior doctors suspend strike

* Source; Joyt Online


Junior doctors at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital have suspended their strike action.

The doctors declared the strike to back demands for improved security following the mysterious death of one of their colleagues. They had earlier ignored calls to suspend the strike, insisting their lives were in danger.

However after a meeting with hospital authorities the doctors have decided to suspend the industrial action.

Vice President of the Junior Doctors Association, Dr. Vincent Ganu, told Joy News the hospital administration has shown some commitment as far as improving security and therefore “we also, by good faith, would want to meet them half way.”

“So we decided that for what they have done so far...we would suspend the strike for now...”

Vincent added that the doctors are hoping the authorities will put in place sustainable measures to address their concerns.


**********