Ninety-seven persons have been arrested by the Accra Regional Police Command for failing to wear their face masks.
According to the Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Afia Tenge, the culprits were arrested in a special operation by the Police Service in Accra.
“The Regional Police Command embarked on a special operation this morning and has been able to arrest 97 persons who were not wearing the face masks. We arrested these persons around the Tudu area, railways, CMB, Farisco and its environs.
“What we observed was that these people usually have face masks but will not wear it. They were rounded up this morning and some were made to buy or wear the face masks. They have all been brought to the Regional Command as we make a decision on them,” she said.
Sanctions
This operation comes after President Akufo-Addo, in his 22nd COVID-19 update to the nation on Sunday, January 17, 2021, ordered the Inspector General of Police, James Oppong-Boanuh, to strictly enforce the mandatory wearing of nose masks among the populace.
The sanctions for not wearing face masks are contained in a new Executive Instrument (E.I. 164).
People who fail to wear face masks in public risk a prison sentence of four to 10 years or a fine ranging GHC12,000 to GHC60,000, or both.
Group declares Simon Osei-Mensah 2020 Best Regional Minister
By Benedicta Akplor, Kumasi
The Acting Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, has again been adjudged the Best Regional Minister for 2020 by FAKS Investigative Services, a Ghanaian research and background investigative company.
The survey of ten regional ministers, according to FAKS Investigative Services, scored both the former Ashanti and Central Regional Ministers 4,081, making them the best performed regional ministers in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration for the year 2020.
Mr Simon Osei-Mensah and Mr Kwamena Duncan, Central Regional Minister, had 94.31 per cent of the total mark each.
This is the third time Mr Osei-Mensah has been adjudged the Best Regional Minister by FAKS.
Other winners
The second on the list was Mr Salifu Saeed, Northern Regional Minister, who polled 3,820 votes, representing 88.29 per cent; followed by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Ishmael Ashittey, who polled 3,623, representing 83.73 per cent.
The fourth position was Evelyn Ama Kumi- Richardson, Bono Regional Minister, who garnered 3,342 points (77.23 per cent), with the fifth position going to Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister with 3,059 points (70.71 per cent).
The FAKS annual survey also included the performance of Members of Parliament and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in the country.
A statement signed by the Chief Executive of FAKS, Yaw Sarpong, explained that the 2020 survey focused on opinions from the public as well as some assessment from the ministries, agencies and the regions.
The survey took place between October and December 2020, and it was the 9th edition since FAKS started this project.