The Volta Region is poised for a massive socio-economic transformation under the second John Mahama-led NDC government, Mr. James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, has declared.
According to him, the region is a top priority of President Mahama, and efforts are being made to accelerate development across sectors.
Speaking at a press interaction prior to his official assumption of office, the minister mentioned improvement of critical road network, including the deteriorated Ho-Denu/Aflao road, as high on the government’s priority agenda.
The minister explained that the road was a major economic route, and as such, efforts were ongoing to package it for a contract as soon as possible.
“The Ho-Denu road is very dear to the president because of its economic potential. So we’re already in talks with the Roads Minister to quickly package it for a contract. I can tell you that this road would be among the first set of road projects to be awarded in the region,” the minister stated.
Mr. Gunu also touched on plans to establish ’24-hour economy’ industrial zones to facilitate agribusiness and manufacturing, creating meaningful jobs for the youth.
Regarding the current water crisis bedeviling the regional capital, Ho, the minister assured that he would work tirelessly with stakeholders to resolve the mechanical challenge at the Kpeve Water treatment plant, to restore supply as soon as possible.
In the interim, Mr. Gunu announced the provision of tanker services to critical institutions like facilities and schools from Tuesday to alleviate their plight.
As a long-term solution, the minister said the government is committed to expanding the water treatment facility to improve water supply to the catchment areas.
Mr. Gunu, who was optimistic about the region’s developmental prospects, pledged to work with all stakeholders towards its realization.
Mr. James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, has called on the media to support the government’s ‘Reset Agenda’ aimed at revitalizing the economy and promoting development in the Volta Region.
Speaking during an interaction with regional executives and members of the Volta/Oti Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Ho, Mr. Gunu emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and the media in promoting the region’s development agenda.
The Minister, a veteran journalist and member of the GJA, underscored the role of the media in shaping public discourse and promoting development, and charged them to showcase the region’s opportunities particularly in sectors such as agribusiness, manufacturing, and tourism.
The minister pledged to work tirelessly with stakeholders to address critical challenges confronting the region. He also assured that his administration will promote transparency and accountability in governance and to ensure that the government’s ‘Reset Agenda’ achieves its intended objectives.
Mr. Emmanuel Agbaxode, Regional Chairman of the Volta/Oti-GJA, congratulated Mr. Gunu on his new role and assured him of the Association’s support and cooperation. He noted that Mr. Gunu’s elevation was recognition to the media fraternity and entreated all to support him to advance the development of the region.
Mr. Mawutor Agbavitor, NDC Regional Chairman, who was present at the interaction said with the zeal and energy of both the minister and President Mahama, the government would deliver to the satisfaction of citizens.
The media engagement was the minister’s first ahead of his official assumption of office at the Regional Coordinating Council on Monday, February 3, 2025, following his swearing-in on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
The Member of Parliament for Ho West, Hon. Emmanuel Bedzrah, has been appointed to a seven-member committee to vet shortlisted candidates for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) positions.
The committee, constituted by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, in collaboration with the Office of the President and the National Democratic Congress, will scrutinize candidates’ qualifications, conduct interviews, and undertake background checks to select the most suitable candidates.
The committee is chaired by Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), with Hon. Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, General Secretary of the NDC, as a member.
Other members of the committee include Hon. Dr. Valerie Sawyer, Hon. Alhaji Collins Dauda, Hon. Cletus Avorkah, and Hon. Naa Momo Lartey.
The committee is expected to start work on February 6, 2025, and submit its final report to the President on March 7, 2025.
A gory accident that occurred on the Ho-Accra Road near Anum-Asikuma on Saturday, February 1, 2025, has claimed the lives of four people.
According to a Graphic Online report, the accident occurred when a Toyota RAV4 with registration number GW 3328-S, traveling from Accra, attempted to overtake another vehicle and crashed into an oncoming Toyota Hiace mini-bus heading from Ho to Koforidua.
The drivers of the two vehicles, including one identified as Justice Adjei, alias Bob Marley, were among the deceased. The identities of the other two deceased persons are yet to be confirmed.
The collision resulted in significant damage to both vehicles, leaving them mangled beyond recognition.
Eleven other passengers who sustained injuries were rushed to the Peki Government Hospital for medical attention, along with the bodies of the deceased.
The police have commenced investigations into the accident.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com | Culled from Graphic Online
Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC on Friday, January 31, 2025 officially extended its operations to Ho, the capital of the Volta Region, with the inauguration of its newest branch.
The new branch, conveniently located within the Central Market enclave, shares premises with ChickenmanPizzaman, providing easy access to customers.
Republic Bank MD
According to the Managing Director of Republic Bank, Mr. Benjamin Dzoboku, the expansion into Ho is part of the bank’s strategy to increase financial inclusion and support economic growth in the region.
“We are excited to bring our brand of innovative and customer-centric banking to the people of Ho and the Volta Region,” Mr. Dzoboku said. “Our goal is to provide financial solutions that meet the unique needs of our customers and support the growth and development of the local economy.”
The inauguration of the Ho branch was attended by dignitaries, including Togbe Anikpi, Dufia of Ho-Heve, Hon. James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, and other stakeholders.
Togbe Anikpi commended Republic Bank for its decision to establish a branch in Ho, saying it would help to promote economic development in the area.
Hon. James Gunu also praised Republic Bank for its investment in the region, saying it aligns with the government’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs and supporting local businesses.
Hon. James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister
Mr. Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah, a loyal customer of the Bank, testified to its role in expanding his business to multiple countries.
Republic Bank’s entry into Ho is expected to increase competition in the banking sector and provide customers with more options for financial services.
Mr. James Gunu has been sworn in as the new Volta Regional Minister, following his successful vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
The swearing-in ceremony, which took place at the Jubilee House on Thursday, January 30, saw Mr. Gunu, together with seven other Regional Ministers and six sector Ministers, subscribing to the oath of office, administered by President John Dramani Mahama.
He is however expected to formally begin work at the Volta Regional Coordinating Council in Ho on Monday, February 3, 2025, where he will oversee the implementation of government policies and programmes in the region.
According to a statement issued by his Special Aide, Bright Delali Kugbeadzor, Mr. Gunu’s first day at work would begin with a meeting with staff of the VRCC to outline his vision for the region and receive briefing on ongoing programmes and activities. The meeting is aimed at familiarizing the Minister with the current state of affairs in the region, as well as to chart a new course for the development of the Volta Region.
Later in the day, the Minister would visit the Ghana Water Company treatment plant at Kpeve to acquaint himself with ongoing repair works on a broken-down shaft, which has resulted in the curtailment of water supply to the regional capital.
The visit, the statement noted would demonstrate the Minister’s commitment to addressing the pressing needs of the people of the Volta Region, and to ensuring that basic amenities such as water are available to all.
The Volta Regional vetting committee has shortlisted 54 candidates, including nine women, for the 18 Municipal and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) positions in the region.
The committee, chaired by Mr. Egypt Kudoto, Regional Vice Chairman of the NDC, vetted 237 applicants, including 30 women, during a week-long exercise.
Three candidates were shortlisted for each of the 18 assemblies. President John Dramani Mahama will make the final selection, appointing one candidate per assembly as MMDCE.
The nine shortlisted women are from eight assemblies and includes; Madam Sename Leyo Vicentia (Agortime-Ziope), Madam Sandra Seyram Kpedor (Anlo), Madam Rebecca Agboga (Adaklu), Madam Solace Juliana Dzeble Adjah (North Dayi), Madam Elizabeth Edem Tsekpodoe (Kpando), Madam Zogli Vida (Afadzato South), Madam Victoria Amefadzi Yawa Doe (North Tongu), Madm Aretha Aku Agbeyome (South Tongu), and Madam Victoria Dzeklo (South Tongu).
In the Ho Municipal Assembly, Mr. Mawunyo Agbe, Presiding Member and Constituency Vice Chairman of NDC, Mr. Divine Ferg Afedo, former constituency NDC Chairman, and Mr. Stephen Adom, also made the shortlist.
Acting NDC Regional Secretary Bright Kwashie Ege in a circular announcing the shortlisted candidates, congratulated them and wished them success in the next phase of the selection process.
The Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) has officially handed over a designated site to MTN Ghana Foundation for the commencement of expansion works on the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Centre.
The project, which was initially announced in 2024 with a planned start date of June 2024, is now set to begin after the site handover.
The expansion works, estimated to cost GHC30 million, will add 42 more beds to the existing 22-bed facility, an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an elevator, and modern medical equipment to the hospital.
Speaking during the site handover ceremony, Dr. John Tampuori, Chief Executive Officer of Ho Teaching Hospital, expressed his gratitude to MTN Ghana Foundation for their support. He noted that, the expansion will address the increasing demand for emergency care, as the hospital’s current Accident and Emergency Department operates with only 22 beds, often overstretched due to high patient numbers.
Dr. Tampore (in suit) interacting with the MTN Ghana Foundation team
Madam Rhoderlyn Entsua-Mensah, Manager of Sustainability at MTN Ghana, reiterated the foundation’s commitment to supporting critical healthcare infrastructure in Ghana. “We are proud to partner with Ho Teaching Hospital to expand their Accident and Emergency Centre, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the community,” she said.
The construction firm, Build-Haap Gh. Limited, is expected to commence work on February 3, 2025 and complete it within eight months.
From the moment, Adam and Eve became aware of their vulnerability in the stories of Genesis 3:7, the need for privacy became an inherent part of human existence.
Their act of covering themselves with leaves was the beginning of human’s journey to protect not only their physical bodies but also their spiritual and emotional well-being. Privacy, in its essence, became a shield against exposure or threats and a boundary to preserve person’s dignity. This need for protection became even more pronounced after World War II, culminating in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948, which recognized privacy as a fundamental human right.
In today’s interconnected world, the concept of privacy has expanded into a new realm called the digital world where our lives are increasingly reflected in a digital form. This digital form is what many referred to as DATA. This data is more than just numbers and text; it is a reflection of our identities, behaviors, preferences, and relationships. From online shopping habits and social media interactions to health records and financial transactions, our thoughts, habits and identities are generated and stored daily for various use.
Data indeed is a digital reflection of ourselves .The use of these data may be malicious or helpful. Therefore, the need to safeguard our digital privacy is not just a technical challenge but also a fundamental human necessity. The beauty of our new world is that nearly every scroll, click, swipe, and transaction generates data, personal information that become valuable assets for making lives easier not just for businesses and governments, but for individuals as well.
Data has become a catalyst for innovation, convenience, and progress. It empowers us to make informed decisions, connect with others, and access services that were once unimaginable.However, when data falls into the wrong hands, it becomes a destructive tool.Individuals, organizations, face risks of Identity theft, financial fraud, reputational damage, just to mention a few. This is why it has become important to protect DATA.
Just as Adam and Eve covered themselves to shield their physical vulnerability, we are now compelled to cover our digital selves with ‘materials’ such as encryption, passwords, and privacy protocols. As Data Protection and Privacy Week 2025 kicks off this week, the call to safeguard personal information is getting louder than ever.This year’s Data Protection and Privacy Week 2025, themed “Protecting Privacy, Empowering People”, is a rallying cry for individuals, organizations, and governments to take collective action in securing data and empowering individuals to take control of their digital lives.
Governments around the world are stepping up to address these challenges through robust data protection laws. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the United States’ California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and Ghana’s Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) are leading examples of frameworks designed to safeguard personal information.
In Ghana, the Data Protection Commission has been leading various campaigns to educate citizens on their rights and responsibilities as far as data protection and privacy is concerned. The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is the Regulatory body in Ghana responsible for enforcing compliance and investigating breaches. Organizations are encouraged to adhere to their data processing rules and protocols.
As a Certified Data Protection Practitioner, I have come to the understanding that Data protection is built on four tenets of Transparency, Consent, Accountability and Purposefulness. To understand how these tenets work to ensure a safe ecosystem for our data, we must be familiar with terms such as Data Subject, Data Processor and Data Controller. While the Data Subject is the individual whose information is collected, the Data Controller is the one who determines how the data should be used. For example, a bank, as a Data Controller, can collect customer information to open an account or give a loan facility.
A Data Processor on the other hand is an entity or individual that processes personal data on behalf of the data controller. Thus they are instructed by Data Controllers on how the data should be used. Example, a cloud storage provider such as google, Amazon that hosts customer data for a business takes instructions from the Controller.
In respecting the tenets of Data Protection, Data Processors and Controllers hold the responsibility of ensuring that they clearly explain to their Data Subjects and Regulator how data is collected and used.
The Data Controller must ensure they receive Consent of Data Subjects before collecting or gathering their data. By ensuring Transparency data must be processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner.
Data Controllers and Processors should be held accountable for breaches in the course of managing people’s data. Only the data necessary for specific purposes should be collected to ensure purposefulness. It should not be that a data collected from a Patient in a hospital should be in the hands of an insurance company!
Unauthorized sharing of such data especially with third parties like insurance companies without the patient’s explicit consent violates data protection principles and can lead to serious ethical and legal consequences. Above all people have the right to access, correct, or delete their data. This is what I would call the golden rule that puts power back into the hands of the data subject and hold organizations accountable for how they handle data.
Businesses, healthcare providers, and financial institutions any entity that collects and processes people’s data have a critical role to play as gatekeepers’ of our personal information. To meet this responsibility, organizations must invest in technical safeguards such as Encryption, firewalls, and other cybersecurity measures to prevent breaches. And as individuals we have the responsibility to decide who we provide certain vital information about ourselves to and why.
We need to know how to protect ourselves especially online. We have to void sharing sensitive information on unsecured platforms; we need use strong passwords and change them regularly. We need to regularly check and update privacy settings on social media and other platforms and report any suspicious activities on our platforms.
Data protection should not be seen as just a law, but it should be a way of life; a culture we must all adopt with collective efforts of safeguarding ourselves.
As Data Protection and Privacy Week 2025 unfolds, the message is clear: Your data is your power. By protecting it, we not only safeguard our identities but also pave the way for a safer, more trustworthy digital future.
The writer is a Communications Specialist and Data Protection Practitioner. You can reach him for further comments by Call/WhatsApp +233 241145874 or via email: kingnobert2@gmail.com LinkedIn: Kingnobert Akpablie
The American fast food franchise, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), has reportedly shut down its operations in Ho, the Volta Regional capital, just three years after it commenced operations in December 2021.
A notice posted at the premises, located at the Allied Oil Fuel station close to the Ho Central Market, claimed the company was “relocating to serve customers better”, but without stating the new location.
However, sources close to the matter revealed to VoltaOnline that the company had indeed folded up in town with the reason being low patronage and unsustainable operational costs.
The notice on the premises. (C) Facebook/Prince Amevi
VoltaOnline gathered local workers were notified earlier in the week before the closure and were given the option to relocate to a new branch in Techiman.
On Friday, January 24, a company truck arrived at the premises to move equipment and logistics, a source stated, marking the end of KFC’s operations in Ho.
The shutdown has sparked speculation among observers, with some attributing it to the entry of ChickenmanPizzaman, a similar business that opened two branches in Ho a few months ago.
Prior to its closure, the KFC branch in Ho faced financial difficulties, including a power disconnection by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in March 2023 over an unpaid debt of about GH¢68,000.
