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 Klottey-Korle MP advocates stricter measures against cybercrime

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• Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings

 The Member of Parliament (MP) for Klottey-Kor­le, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Raw­lings, has called for urgent and multi-dimensional measures to address the alarm­ing rise in cybercrime across the country.

The MP in a statement she made on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, highlighted the growing menace of online fraud and its devastating impact on individuals and society.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings lament­ed encountering cybercriminals, who have created numerous fake accounts impersonating her on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp.

She said despite having verified the accounts, the fraudulent activities persisted, affecting her and others, and causing severe financial and reputational harm to unsuspecting victims.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings called for harsher legislation, and en­hanced public education to tackle cyber threats.

She expressed concern about the delays in response from social media platforms to reports of fake accounts, and the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals, who exploit technological gaps and evade prosecution.

The MP criticised the discon­nect between the current judicial system and the fluid nature of cybercrime.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings cited that overwhelming evidence against cybercriminals, failed to result in justice.

She explained that this has created a sense of impunity among offenders, who continued to exploit victims psychologically and financially.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings advo­cated enhanced collaboration be­tween law enforcement agencies such as the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority, and the Bureau of National Com­munications under the National Security Ministry.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings stressed the importance of interagency cooperation, intelligence sharing, and the use of advanced technol­ogy to identify and apprehend cybercriminals.

Touching on examples of organised crimes in Ghana, including high-profile kidnappings and drug trafficking, the MP un­derscored the need to address the direct link between cybercrime and other criminal activities.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings proposed the establishment of specialised cybercrime courts, to handle complex digital cases, which would expedite trials and provide thorough adjudication, while also serving as a deterrent to criminals.

She recommended the acqui­sition of advanced surveillance tools, such as International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers, to enhance the investi­gative capabilities of law enforce­ment agencies.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings acknowledged concerns about potential abuse of such technol­ogy, and called for strict regula­tions and oversight to safeguard citizens’ privacy and civil liberties.

The MP also urged Parliament to consider enacting legislation to compel social media companies to take stronger action against crimi­nal activities on their platforms.

Additionally, she stressed the need for public education to dis­courage financial transactions via social media and to raise aware­ness about online safety.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings noted that a comprehensive approach, combining legal reforms, ad­vanced technology, and public awareness, was essential to com­bat cybercrime effectively.

She urged the government to prioritise these measures to pro­tect citizens and maintain public trust in digital platforms.

 BY RAISSA SAMBOU

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 Heritage Month Ghana trends

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Since the institution of the Heri­tage Month celebration in Ghana, it has offered citizens opportuni­ties of a lifetime to learn about their cultures and lifestyles.

Ghana’s version is observed in the month of March, coinciding with the country’s Independence Day celebra­tions on March 6.

Heritage Month features festivals, food fairs, arts, crafts, and music events to highlight the economic and social value of preserving national heritage.

Though a brainchild of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), the celebra­tion has been driven to greater heights by local media with the organisation of several events to create the needed euphoria.

Among the events are the Heritage Caravan and Back To Your Village Food Bazaar pow­ered by Accra-based Citi FM and Citi TV, Wear Ghana Festival and the Gɔbɛ festival powered by 3News.

The Heritage Caravan is a road trip which takes patrons across more than half of Ghana’s regions to offer a distinctive road trip that allows participants to explore the various re­gions of Ghana, providing an up-close encounter with the country’s histori­cal and cultural heritage.

In addition to these roles played by the media, news anchors and other presenters appear on screens immac­ulately garbed in locally made outfits, bringing out the beauty of our tradi­tions.

Today, The Spectator news­paper selected a few of the media personalities that are working to give the cel­ebration a global dimension to project the country.  

 By Andrew Nortey

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 MoMo vendor 24 murdered at Kwadaso

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• Mobile money shop
• Mobile money shop

 A disturbing crime has shaken the Kwadaso Onion market communi­ty in Kumasi, leaving family and friends grieving the loss of a young life.

Identified only as Junior, a 24-year-old mobile money vendor, was found murdered in his room on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

According to eyewitnesses, Junior had returned home the previous day with a substantial amount of money, over Gh¢20,000.

It was suspected that the killers might have been motivated by the large sum of money in Junior’s posses­sion.

A police source that confirmed this to The Spectator, said investigation has been launched into Junior’s mur­der, but so far, no arrests have been made.

The Kwadaso community is reeling in shock, calling for justice and an end to the atrocity that has claimed the life of a young and promising individ­ual.

Junior, is believed to be a native of Ejisu Onwe, and was known to his col­leagues and friends as a hardworking and diligent individual who worked at the Kumasi Race Course.

His tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the risks and challenges mobile money vendors faced.

The incident comes barely a month after Patricia Nimako, a 27-year-old Mobile Money (MoMo) vendor, was shot and killed at Krofrom, Kumasi in the Ashanti region by an unknown assail­ants.

The suspected armed robbers fled with the deceased cell phones and an amount of GH¢10,000 on Thursday, February 13, at approximately 3:00 p.m.

The two armed robbers reportedly stormed the kiosk where the deceased was operating and without any provo­cation shot her dead.

There has not been any arrest yet by the police.

 From Kingsley E. Hope , Kumasi

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 Learn how to prepare local dishes…Queen mothers urge young women

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• Some local dishes

 In a heartwarming display of inter­generational wisdom, queen moth­ers from local communities in the Obuasi enclave shared their expertise on how to prepare local diets with young ladies on the International Women’s Day event, courtesy of An­gloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine.

Beyond the fanfare, these revered women leaders took centre stage to impart a vital life skill: traditional cooking as they guided eager students and other young ladies through the art of preparing local delicacies.

In fact, the aroma of ‘Abunabunu’, ‘Aprapransa’, ‘Enuhu’, ‘Akaw’, ‘Tuo Zafi’ (TZ), among others, wafted through the air to the extent it could attract people from a distance, as the queen mothers entertained the young women with tales of resilience, entrepreneurship, and community building.

This year’s International Wom­en’s Day Celebration was under the theme: ‘Accelerate Action for Wom­en’s Equity.’

As the event drew to a close, the queen mothers gave words of wisdom upon their young guests.

From Nana Amoanima Dede, Queen mother of Adansi she stated that: “Never forget your roots, and always remember that the kitchen is not just a place for cooking, but for building connections and forging communi­ties.”

Nana Akua Dwum II, Queen moth­er of Edubiase, on her part urged the young ladies to learn how to prepare traditional dishes in order to preserve cultural heritage of the nation.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the mining company, Samuel Boakye Pobee, mentioned their readiness to roll out an “All-Women Apprentice­ship Programme, aimed at empow­ering young women in the Obuasi communities in entrepreneurship.”

He said the project would include women in basic technical skills and their capacity building to boost their employability to reshape perceptions of women’s roles in traditionally male-dominated industries.

According to the Managing Director, the mining company’s commitment “is to empower young people with specialised skills, and progressive knowledge to make them financially independent.”

The company, he indicated, was accelerating action towards wom­en’s equality at the Obuasi Mine and within host communities with the aim to build a foundation to create an inclusive and supportive business culture.

Mr Pobee expressed the need for innovative approaches and dedicated efforts to encourage and invest in women’s participation in all fields, including all levels of technical and operational areas and must be inten­tional and deliberate.”

 From Kingsley E. Hope, Obuasi

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