The public, particularly tricycle (Pragya) riders, has been cautioned by the presiding judge of the Nkawie Circuit Court in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti Region not to utilize their vehicle for commercial purposes.

Robert Addo noted that in order to maintain safety, sanity, and peace on the road, riders must be disciplined, law-abiding, and submissive to the police and other road regulators. He also noted that regulatory procedures to legalize the operations of tricycles (Pragia) for commercial purposes had not yet been completed.

When Ibrahim Abubakar and Peter Asare, two “Pragya” riders, were taken before the court by the police on charges of parking in unapproved areas and operating their tricycles without permits in Nkawie, Mr. Addo offered the counsel.

They entered a guilty plea to the charges, were found guilty on their own, and were each fined GH¢600 or imprisoned for nine months if they failed to pay the fine.

Section 128 sub-sections one and two, which forbade the use of such vehicles for commercial reasons, had not been abolished and must be regarded as such, Mr. Addo emphasized.

On June 27, this year, between 7:00 and 7:30 am, police inspector Kwaku Frimpong informed the court that while on official patrol, members of the Nkawie Divisional Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) noticed that the two riders had parked incorrectly in front of the Nkawie central market.

He explained that after they refused to transfer the cars to a different location, a reinforcement squad was dispatched to arrest them. Investigations at the police station showed that they lacked licenses.

As a result, they were charged, processed, and presented in court.

The government has announced plans to convert the stalled National Cathedral project into a National Cultural Convention Centre (NCCC), positioning it as the flagship hub for Ghana’s burgeoning creative economy and cultural diplomacy efforts.

According to a policy document under the new 24-hour economy initiative for culture, creative arts and tourism dubbed “SH0W24”, the NCCC will be established in partnership with the AfCFTA Secretariat and is expected to become Africa’s leading venue for international exhibitions, film festivals, trade shows and summits. 

The initiative, government says, will address a critical infrastructure gap while avoiding conflict with religious or national values.

“At the national level, a bold flagship intervention is proposed: converting the National Cathedral site into the National Cultural Convention Centre (NCCC), in partnership with the AfCFTA Secretariat. This venue will serve as Africa’s premier cultural diplomacy and creative economy forum, hosting international exhibitions, film festivals, trade shows, and summits-filling a critical infrastructure gap without conflicting with national values or faith institutions,” the document states.

The NCCC project forms part of a broader plan to revitalise the creative arts, culture and tourism sectors as pillars of economic transformation. It marks a significant shift in the use of the controversial cathedral site, which has faced public scrutiny over delays, cost overruns and its relevance.

Under SH0W24, the centre will serve as the crown jewel in Ghana’s creative economy infrastructure. It is projected to host large-scale events and exhibitions that will place Ghana firmly on the global cultural map. 

Feasibility studies for SHOW24 are scheduled for Phase 1 of implementation (2025-2026), with full commissioning expected by Phase 3 (2028-2030).

Other actions included in the SHOW24 strategy are the establishment of a National Creators Academy to train youth in music, film, fashion, digital media, and cultural performance. The training will integrate modern tools like AI and virtual reality, as well as business and cultural literacy.

In addition, over 250 community centres are set to be built or refurbished nationwide under the 24H+ Community Centre Network. These will operate 24/7 and serve as venues for training, production, exhibitions, and performances, stimulating night-time economic activity and local creative industries.

To boost market access, the initiative will also introduce the Ghana Cultural Passport, a digital platform offering curated cultural experiences for tourists, especially those from the diaspora. Ghana’s embassies will be equipped to promote creative exports, while licensing and export support systems will connect local creatives to global distribution networks.

Financing support will be provided through the 24H+ Value Chain Financing Facility and a Technical Assistance Grant Facility, both aimed at sustaining creative entrepreneurs and enterprises.

The SH0W24 document highlights the enormous potential of the creative sector to drive employment, youth innovation and global cultural influence. However, it also acknowledges deep-rooted constraints, such as inadequate infrastructure and fragmented talent pipelines, which the new programme seeks to address systematically.

Phase 2 of the rollout (2026-2027) will see the operationalisation of the Ghana Cultural Passport, the launch of regional cultural programmes, and the establishment of creative districts across the country. By Phase 3, the focus will shift to export expansion and international partnerships.

With the proposed NCCC, the government hopes to reposition Ghana as a cultural powerhouse in Africa, transforming its creative assets into viable economic drivers while preserving and promoting its rich cultural identity.

The National Cathedral project, originally launched in 2018 as a symbol of national unity and religious faith, has been one of the most controversial public infrastructure projects in Ghana’s recent history. Intended to serve as a non-denominational Christian worship centre, the project was plagued by delays, lack of transparency, ballooning costs and public outcry over the use of state funds in a secular republic. 

Despite initial assurances that it would be funded largely through private donations, millions of cedis in public funds were allocated without clear accountability, leading to calls from civil society groups, opposition parties, and even some clergy for a halt or complete review of the project. 

Its conversion into the NCCC signals a major policy pivot, one that the government believes will transform the contested site into a space of inclusive national value.

myjoyonline.com

Two students of St. Louis Senior High School in Kumasi were apprehended by school staff after they were found hiding in the trunk of a private vehicle in a foiled attempt to break bounds.

The incident occurred during a routine inspection of vehicles entering and exiting the school premises. According to school authorities, the vehicle in question had entered the campus under the pretense of picking up a passenger through the Bolt ride-hailing service.

However, suspicions were raised when the driver attempted to leave the school without picking up any visible passenger. Security officers, unconvinced by his explanation, insisted on a thorough search of the vehicle. The search led to the shocking discovery of the two students concealed in the trunk.

The students were immediately handed over to school authorities for further disciplinary action, while the driver of the vehicle was also questioned.

School officials have since reiterated their commitment to enforcing discipline and safeguarding students’ welfare, and have urged parents to support the school’s efforts in maintaining order on campus.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

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