Opoku Ware Senior High School (OWASS) has won the 2025 Ashanti Regional Renewable Energy Challenge with a groundbreaking multi-purpose farm tiller designed to support rural agriculture.

The event, held at Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI), is part of a nationwide initiative by the Energy Commission and Ghana Education Service (GES) to promote innovation in renewable energy among SHS students.

OWASS topped the contest with 83.3 points, impressing judges with a cost-effective, eco-friendly solution for tree crop farming.

Obuasi SHTS placed second with 77.7 points, while Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ SHS followed in third with 72.7 points. Other finalists included St. Monica’s SHS, St. Michael’s SHS, Sekyedumase SHS, Bosomtwe Girls’ SHS, Esaase Bontefufuom SHS, and KNUST SHS.

Mr. Julius Nkansah-Nyarko of the Energy Commission praised the competition for bridging theory and practice, and revealed plans to partner with CSIR to support top projects with funding and technical help.

Madam Hannah Amponsah of the Ashanti Regional Education Office commended the students for their creativity, noting the projects reflect deep understanding and practical thinking.

From 142 initial entries, 10 schools reached the finals. OWASS will now represent Ashanti Region at the zonal level, with the best schools advancing to the national finale in Accra.

The challenge remains a powerful platform for developing young innovators tackling Ghana’s energy and environmental needs.

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is expected to appear before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service today, Monday, May 26, 2025.

This follows a failed attempt by a joint team of National Security operatives and police officers to arrest him at his residence last Friday, May 23.

The attempted arrest triggered a swift reaction from NPP supporters, who thronged Chairman Wontumi’s residence in protest. The crowd, which grew throughout the morning, condemned the presence of heavily armed security personnel who had surrounded the property.

READ ALSO: Joint Police and National Security operatives storm Wontumi’s residence with search warrant

Although the motive behind the security operation remains unclear, Chairman Wontumi reportedly assured the officers that he would honour their invitation and present himself to the CID today.

His lawyer, Kwame Adom Appiah, speaking to Citi News, confirmed that they are ready to cooperate with the police.

“We are practicing democracy. Wontumi is not someone who can hide from the cameras. He is not someone who is going to run away. He has investments in Ghana, and he is not going to go anywhere. If you want him any time or day, you are going to get him. They have asked us to appear today, so we will go wherever we are asked to,” he said.

“We have not done anything criminal, and we are not afraid of getting to them,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Interior Minister, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, defended the attempted arrest and the approach used.

He insists that the operation was justified and conducted in accordance with national security protocols.

Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Friday, May 23, Terlabi dismissed suggestions of political motivation, stating that the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) acted within its mandate.

“The National Security will not go to Wontumi’s house without a reason. They went there with a reason. So let us allow the security personnel to do their job, because at the end of the day, what we need in this country is peace,” he said.

Addressing claims by Wontumi that the operation was an attempt to harass or harm him, Terlabi pushed back, describing the NPP chairman’s remarks as a distraction.

“He is just playing the victim. Nobody wants to kill Wontumi, and they did not go there to kill him. They went there to invite him. If you are to go and catch a wild dog, you do not go there without arming yourself,” he added.

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The Rotational Nurses and Midwives Association of Ghana has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike starting June 2, 2025, in protest against the government’s failure to pay their outstanding allowances.

According to the Association, its members are owed 12 months of unpaid allowances, a situation they say has become untenable. Despite issuing a 14-working-day ultimatum to prompt government action, the group says its concerns have been met with silence.

Speaking to Citi News, the Association’s President, Ebenezer Boateng, expressed frustration over the continued neglect of their plight.

“The minister has not communicated officially to us, which is very sad. This is because they see us now as insignificant in the health sector, in the ministry, as well as to the public,” he lamented.

Boateng confirmed the group’s intention to proceed with the strike if no action is taken.

“On June 2, we are going on a nationwide strike. We do not want to hear any story from them. This has been a consistent problem for about 5 years now. All they give is an assurance, we don’t need that now,” he stated.

The Association says it is left with no choice but to withdraw its services until concrete steps are taken to resolve the payment delays.

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