Ghanaian Times

"Wenchi Muslims sanctioned", is the banner headline that captures the front page of the Times. According to the Times, Osagyefo Ampem Moree-Bediatuo the fourth, Omanhene of Wenchi traditional area, has banned Muslims from entering the Wenchi mosque until further notice. This is because of the recent violence between two Muslim sects - Al Sunnas and the Tijanniya - in which four people died. The Omanhene, the paper says, called on the government to punish all those found guilty in the violence. GRi

In another front page story, the Times reports that a committee set up by the Kumasi Traditional Council to study funeral celebrations in the metropolis, has proposed that no food and drinks should be served during funerals. The story headlined: "Funeral C'ttee urges ban on food, drinks", says the proposals recommended among other things, that in the case of drumming groups, money should be given them in lieu of drinks. According to the paper these were contained in a report the committee submitted to the council at a meeting at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi,l last Thursday. GRI

"President leads Forces in clean-up", finds a place on the front page of the Times. The paper says the President, Flt-Lt Jerry John Rawlings at the weekend, joined members of the various units of the Ghana Armed Forces, personnel of the Fire Service and Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Task Force, to undertake a massive clean-up in various parts of Accra. According to the paper, at Nima, the President led them to desilt the gutters along the Nima Highway and swept the Nima Market. President Rawlings was reported as entering a culvert and bringing out rubbish. GRI

In a back page story, the Times reports that two elderly women accused of witchcraft, were lynched by a mob in the early hours of last Thursday at Kumbungu, about 15 kilometres north of Tamale. The story says the victims were Madam Azure Issifu, 55 and Madam Hawa Abdulai, 60. According to the Times, a number of women who were threatened by the mob, have fled the town. GRI