Review of 2015: Ghana’s biggest stories

As each calendar year draws to a close, we take a look at the major news items we carried. Essentially a retrospect of the ups and downs, the best and worst, the heroes and villains who occupied front pages of newspapers and major news portals in the country.

In May, the sudden demise of legendary trainer Cecil Jones Attuquaayefio was reported. The 70-year-old African Champions League winner reportedly died of throat cancer – news that shocked the sporting fraternity.

Then, in June, the nation again went through emotional trauma when at least 96 bodies were retrieved from the debris of the Goil Filling Station at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, which was gutted by fire.

Within hours of the outbreak, President Mahama announced a whopping GHC50 million compensation package for victims; he personally oversaw other solidarity initiatives such as a three-day nationwide mourning which accompanied with memorial service for the dead.

The national tragedy attracted global attention as messages of condolences poured in from world leaders.

The year was also marked by proliferation of high-profile scandals, industrial strikes and political vandalism and atrocities. Most notably was the unpleasant killing of the NPP’s Upper East Chairman, Mahama Adams, who was attacked with acid.

Not forgetting Anas’ devastating judicial corruption exposé that shook the very foundations of Ghana’s legal system. The scandal led to the dismissal of some magistrates, court clerks and a host of others.

At the same time, extreme storms, drought and floods threatened the lives and livelihoods of people in the raining season as many parts of the country, especially Accra were submerged anytime there was a heavy downpour.

Tens of thousands were rendered homeless during the period.

After several utopian, fanciful and mouthwatering promises to the citizenry, government failed to fix the erratic power supply which is widely known as “Dumsor” while the slump of the local currency, the cedi continued unabated.

Government during the period also constructed and inaugurated lots of projects, including the Damongo-Fufulso-Sawla road, the Kwame Nkrumah Flyover project, renovation of the Adomi Bridge and others.

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