Four suspects have been arrested by the Fomena Police under the Ashanti South Regional Police Command in connection with a violent robbery attack on an okada rider on February 22, 2026.

The victim reported the incident to the Fomena Police Station with a machete wound on his left toe. According to his account, the attack occurred while he was returning from Old Ayaase after dropping off a passenger.

He told police that upon reaching a section of the road, he was ambushed by about ten tricycle riders who had barricaded the route with their tricycles and other objects. The group allegedly attacked him, inflicted a machete wound on his leg, and made away with his unregistered Haojin motorbike valued at GH¢15,000.

Acting swiftly on the complaint, police officers launched an intelligence-led operation within the Fomena township and arrested four suspects the same day. The suspects have been identified as Adom Peter, Abdul Zakari, Andy Benjamin, and a juvenile offender whose name has been withheld in accordance with the law.

During the operation, police retrieved the victim’s stolen Haojin motorbike, a machete believed to have been used in the attack, one tricycle machine, and its ignition keys.

The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to protecting lives and property. The Command also urged residents to volunteer timely and credible information to support ongoing crime prevention and law enforcement efforts.

President John Dramani Mahama has announced decisive measures to eliminate the long-standing “no-bed syndrome” in Ghana’s health facilities, emphasizing that no patient in need of emergency medical care should be turned away from any health facility.

Speaking during the State of the Nation Address, President Mahama stressed that the Ministry of Health will soon issue new operational guidelines to ensure that patients in emergency situations receive immediate care, even under makeshift or temporary conditions.

“You don’t need to have a comfortable bed to save a patient. No patient must be turned away from any health facility they report to,” President Mahama stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to saving lives while health infrastructure capacity is being expanded.

To address the challenge sustainably, the government outlined several ongoing infrastructure projects aimed at increasing hospital bed capacity across the country. President Mahama announced the implementation of Phase 2 of the Ridge Hospital project to expand bed capacity at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital.

“We are investing heavily in expanding healthcare infrastructure to ensure that our hospitals can meet the growing demand for quality healthcare services,” he added.

The President also confirmed that several major hospital projects will be completed to improve healthcare delivery nationwide. These include the completion of the Police Hospital project and the La General Hospital project in the Greater Accra Region.

In the Ashanti Region, President Mahama said the government remains committed to strengthening tertiary and regional healthcare delivery. “We will complete the Sewa Regional Hospital. We will complete the Afari Military Hospital. And we will complete the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Maternity and Children’s Block,” he assured.

According to the President, the infrastructure expansion is part of a broader health reform agenda aimed at improving access to quality healthcare while reducing the pressure on major referral hospitals.

Health policy analysts have often identified the no-bed syndrome as a critical challenge contributing to preventable deaths in the country’s health system. The new policy guidelines are expected to improve emergency response protocols and ensure better coordination between health facilities.

President Mahama reaffirmed that improving healthcare access remains a top priority of his administration, adding that the government will continue to invest in both human resources and health infrastructure to strengthen Ghana’s health system.

President John Dramani Mahama has announced significant progress in strengthening Ghana’s health workforce, revealing that over the past year, 13,500 nurses and midwives, along with hundreds of doctors and other health professionals, have been absorbed into the public payroll.

Addressing the nation, President Mahama described the development as part of government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and resolving unemployment challenges among trained health professionals.

“Over the past year, 13,500 nurses and midwives, together with hundreds of doctors and other health professionals, have been successfully absorbed into the public payroll,” President Mahama stated.

He further announced that nursing trainee allowances, which had been a major concern for trainees, have now been fully regularized and restored as part of efforts to support health education and training.

“We are determined to support our health trainees and professionals. That is why nursing trainee allowances have been regularized and restored to ease the financial burden on students pursuing health training,” he added.

According to the President, the government’s health sector reforms are aimed at improving service delivery, boosting morale among health workers, and ensuring better access to quality healthcare across the country.

He reiterated government’s commitment to expanding recruitment opportunities for health professionals while improving working conditions within the public health sector.

Analysts have described the move as a major step toward addressing workforce shortages in public health facilities and strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system.