Top 3 'loose-talkers' of the past week

This past week, the last of the two young preteens who were callously killed in a reckless accident at East Legon was buried.

The emotional church service and how several Ghanaians came to terms with new information that the two 12-year-olds had each recently acquired their foreign citizenship, has left very soar tastes in the mouths of people.

GhanaWeb also reported on how the mother of Justine, the girl who was buried in the past week, had been mute since the accident that happened on Saturday, October 12, 2024, and also brought you some pictures from the funeral service on Wednesday, October 23.

But the anger people felt about this fatal incident was exacerbated when the father of the boy at the center of the crash, 16-year-old Elrad Amoako, decided to publicly speak about the event in his church during last Sunday’s service.

That was just one of the comments made by popular people this week that GhanaWeb considers loose-talks.

Here is a list of some of the biggest loose-talkers of the past week and what they said:

Archbishop Salifu Amoako:

The General Overseer of Alive Chapel International Ministries, Bishop Salifu Amoako, expressed his frustration over the widespread attention his son's accident has been receiving.

According to him, what happened was purely an accident as his son didn't set out to kill anybody.

In a video posted on X by CITI FM and sighted by GhanaWeb, Bishop Amoako stated, "It was an accident. My son did not carry a gun to go and kill somebody. My son involved himself in a terrible accident. I was not the one who did it. Neither his mother."

The pastor said this while addressing congregants during his Sunday church service on October 20, 2024, attributing the issue's attention to his popularity.

"It is because of my name, that is why the thing is going everywhere. If this car had hit an Okada, who is going to mention it? It is just because of my name. So, let's see what the Lord will do," he remarked.

He further warned his church members against engaging in unnecessary discussions about the tragic accident that ended the lives of two young girls.

The man of God also stated that people, particularly Ghanaians, tend to speak cheaply because that is what they have.

“People don’t know the truth so Ghanaians talk. The only thing they have is talking. Did you hear what I said? Ghana here, they don’t have anything, the only thing they have is talking. Talk is cheap, don’t go and say things to add more pain to my life. Stay calm, stay quiet, the case is still in court,” he said in the viral video.

See the video below:

It was an accident; my son did not carry a gun to kill somebody - Bishop Salifu Amoako. pic.twitter.com/k8oRcStwTw
— Akosua Journalist (@Iam_aJournalist) October 20, 2024

Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh:

In the past week as well, the Founder and President of World Miracle Outreach, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, got a lot of people talking when he bemoaned the rising levels of HIV/AIDS infections in the country.

Speaking on a panel discussion on GTV, on Thursday, October 24, 2024, the pastor was particularly worried about the rising number of HIV infections among students.

He indicated that the virus is spreading among students because of the high levels of promiscuity among them.

He added that the level of HIV infections at the nation's premier university, the University of Ghana (UG), Legon, is astonishing.

“The number of boys and girls in Legon who are HIV positive, you would have the biggest shock of your life. This is sad, this is sad and I’m happy I’m saying this on national TV.

“Some of these young boys and young girls already on campus are living promiscuous lives and they have already contracted HIV/AIDS. These are people I have prayed for... and I’m not talking about 10 years, 5 years,” the pastor said.

He added, “It is sad. And if some of them tell you how they get into it, what is happening is that some of these girls go to the place and when they come back they also connect to the boys and girls there. So, a lot of people think that they are getting a boy, they are getting a girl then it (HIV) spreads.”

However, the University of Ghana later replied, describing his comments as untrue.

The University of Ghana denied the assertions by Rev. Lawrence Tetteh, stating that the allegations are unfounded.

“Management of the University of Ghana has noted with grave concern the recent public statements by Rev. Lawrence Tetteh regarding alleged HIV infections among students at the University.

“The University finds his remarks on GTV's Breakfast Show on Thursday, October 24, 2024, insensitive and highly disappointing. His claims are totally unfounded and not supported by available data. It must be noted that:

“Public discussions around HIV/AIDS must be grounded in verified facts, not speculation.

“HIV status cannot be determined through counselling or prayer; scientific methods remain the only means for diagnosing infections. Statements made without data-backed evidence mislead the public and risk amplifying fear, stigma, and misinformation,” a press statement on October 25, 2024, said.

Watch the pastor's remarks in the video below:

There are shocking numbers of students in University of Ghana, Legon who are HIV-infected,- Rev. Lawrence Tetteh alleges #GTVBreakfast pic.twitter.com/7dEYnd4Mq9
— GTV Ghana (@GTV_Ghana) October 25, 2024

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh:

The political campaign season continues to be heated up and with the recent events that have come out of Parliament, it has given cause for many people to make comments about the legislature.

One of such persons is the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, who is also the 2024 Running Mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh.

NAPO as he popularly referred to, criticised the current happenings in Parliament, particularly the actions of National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus.

According to him, Parliament is for reasonable people, not a boxing arena.

He said, "If we wanted to be boxers, we would have gone to the boxing ring. Parliament is for sensible people, not for boxers," in a video shared on X by UTV Ghana on October 26, 2024.

NAPO further explained that the Parliament is meant for making decisions for the betterment of the country, not for fighting.

"We don’t go to Parliament to fight. We go to Parliament to think for the country, to act for the country, to do good for the country," he added.

His remarks stem from the recent tensions between the National Democratic (NDC) Congress and New Patriotic Party (NDC) caucuses in Parliament over who qualifies as the Majority, which resulted from the declaration of vacant seats by the Speaker of Parliament.

Dr. Opoku Prempeh also critiqued the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama’s campaign promises, questioning the feasibility of the 24-hour economy.

According to him, Mahama has served as president and been in opposition for eight years, but he is yet to point out tangible policies that would significantly improve the future of the country.

"Pay the teacher allowance, put on the light, buy the school uniforms. That is the responsibility of a government. You have been a president and been in opposition for eight years. You can’t mention one thing you will do for the country if you are elected. You said 24-hour economy, John Mahama, it is not about 24-hour economy," NAPO stated.

Watch the video in the X post below: