Sekondi Oct.27,GNA-Four persons on Wednesday appeared before a Sekondi District Magistrate's Court for alleged robbery. They are Benjamin Amoah, 20, Maxwell Arthur, 20, Kwesi Essandoh, 19 and Kwame Ankama, 25.

In the dock with them was Richard Bassaw, a 20 year old driver at Mpohor, who was charged with aiding and abetment of crime. The pleas of the accused persons were not taken and were remanded to re-appear on November 11 this year.

Two others who were also charged with robbery but on the run Ebo and Kwame Prosecuting, Police Sergeant Gordon Bawa, said Amoah, Arthur and Essandoh were small-scale miners resident at Subriso in the Mpohor Wassa East District.

He said on July 11, this year, the three accused persons went to Mpohor and contacted Ankama, Ebo and Kwame who were also small-scale miners. Sergeant Bawa said the first three accused persons asked Ankama, Ebo and Kwame to join them to steal from the complainants, Amos Asare, a farmer and cocoa buyer resident at Subriso and Yaw Sam, a gold dealer and a farmer residing at Ningo.

He said Ankama contacted his bossom friend, Bassaw, to assist with his taxi to enable them have a successful operation. Sergeant Bawa said later, the six accused persons conspired and fixed a date for the operation.

He said on July 12 this year, Ankama, Ebo and Kwame boarded Bassaw's taxi and proceeded to Benso where they picked Amoah, Arthur and Essandoh and left for Subriso.

Sergeant Bawa said at Subriso, they went straight to the house Asare who was then not at home.

He said the six accused persons broke into the room of Asare and succeeded in stealing 700 Ghana Cedis cash and a box of Saba soap valued at 40 Ghana Cedis.

Sergeant Bawa said they proceeded to Benso where Amoah alighted with the booty.

He said the accused persons went back to Ningo and met Sam drinking with a friend and sensing danger, they laid ambush until the friend left and the place was safe.

Sergeant Bawa said the five accused persons went straight to Sam's house but they left one person and the driver to wait outside. He said the accused persons attacked Sam and mercilessly assaulted him till he became unconscious. According to Sergeant Bawa, they ransacked the room and stole 1,400 Ghana Cedis and bolted when Sam's wife raised alarm. Sergeant Bawa said later, gong-gong was beaten and Amoah, Arthur and Essandoh were arrested by search parties and handed over to the Police. Three days later, the three arrested persons mentioned Ankama and was arrested at Mpohor but the other two others managed to escape. During investigations, the accused persons all admitted the offences.

VRA intends to commence discharge of water from dam

Aboadze (W/R) Oct.27,GNA-The Volta River Authority (VRA) will discharge small volumes of water from the Akosombo Dam in a controlled manner if the level of the Volta Lake rises above 277 feet. Mr. Kweku Awotwi, Chief Executive of the VRA, announced this at a press conference at Takoradi Thermal Plant at Aboadze on Wednesday. He said the discharge has been planned because of the current rate of flow of water into the dam's reservoir.

Mr. Awotwi said as at October 27, this year, the Volta Lake has risen to 276 point 40 feet, the record highest and likely to rise above 277 feet on or around November 1.

He said the measure is to ensure that the VRA is not forced to spill uncontrolled volumes of water in event that the lake rises above the maximum allowable level of 278 feet. This is also to provide optimum protection for the communities downstream "in line with meeting the objective for flood control", Mr. Awotwi said. He said it is not expected that communities downstream would be adversely affected by small discharge planned.

Mr. Awotwi said the VRA is collaborating closely with the lakeside communities, District Assemblies and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) to provide appropriate and adequate information when the need arises and mitigate any effects.

He said the VRA would ensure that communities are given sufficient notification and would provide continuous public announcements before, during and after the spillage.

"We are monitoring the situation and wish to assure all Ghanaians that there is no danger to the dam", Mr.Awotwi said, adding: "We count on the cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure that lives and properties are protected and saved during the period".