Volta Region GWCL Chief Manager Honoured for Good Leadership

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May 2, 2019

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh |

Volta Regional Chief Manager, Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Ing. Joseph A. Nkrumah has received an award for his sterling qualities at this year’s regional May Day celebrations held at Jubilee Park, Ho.

The award which was in recognition of his good leadership skills and innovation that had led to positive transformation in the company’s execution of its mandate of production and distribution of potable water to customers in urban areas in the region was presented to him by the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa.

Ing. Nkrumah as part of his innovation in water management aimed at sustaining freshwater and ensuring enough raw water all year round, initiated measures including leading a tree planting exercise at the company’s head works at Hohoe where workers planted about 300 acacia seedlings along the banks of River Dayi on which the Hohoe water supply plant is based following an earlier dredging of the river.

The Day saw other workers rewarded for their dedication to work including two District Officers of Information Services Department, Dominic Boachie, South Dayi and Mathew Dormenyo, Nkwanta South who received special awards with the overall winner, Trade Union Congress (TUC) Personality Award presented to Bertha Akosua Neglo.

The 2019 celebrations witnessed a route march from the STC yard through the principal streets of Ho and to the event ground by workers in branded T-Shirts of the various unions and organisations from both public and private sectors.

Regional Minister shaking hands with some workers at the event

The workers carried placards with inscriptions which included “Our Money oooo, Our money” seeking to draw government’s attention to their plights.

The Volta Regional Minister Dr. Archibald Letsa in a speech thanked all workers for their service to the region and the high level of tolerance reulting in the stable peace in the labour system.

Dr. Letsa touched on the theme for the 2019 celebrations, “Sustainable Pensions for All: The Role of Social Partners” by advising workers to develop interest in their pension package before reaching retirement in order to plan well and enjoy their labour at old age.

Acting Volta Regional Secretary for Trade Union Congress (TUC), Edith Amenuvor Afewu in a speech at the event, gave a brief background into the celebration of the Day and called on government to address the unfair labour practices in the country, saying, Ghanaian workers faced numerous challenges including some earning below the national minimum wage of GH¢270.00 per month.

Madam Afewu decried the high incidence of poverty and destitution among pensioners in Ghana attributable to the low salary levels and demanded that steps be taken to tackle these issues to adequately remunerate workers to have decent salaries to live on after they go pension.

The Day also known Workers’ Day celebrated every May 1, has been an international holiday in many countries since 1891 and originally born from the protracted struggle for workers’ rights and social justice of the late 1800s.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Near Chaos at Ho Teaching Hospital as Relatives Receive Calls to Collect Corpses

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Volta Online

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May 1, 2019

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh |

Dozens of relatives of bodies deposited at the Ho Teaching Hospital Mortuary on Wednesday morning were left in a state of confusion by the mortuary workers who asked them to carry away the corpses against Friday, May 3.

The relatives besieged the hospital from around 9am after management of the mortuary called them on phone inviting them to pick up their corpses in anticipation of their intended strike action on Thursday.

Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MOWAG) had in a press release dated April 24, hinted of embarking on an indefinite strike action from may 2 to protest the “many years of living and working under horrific conditions in the various state and private mortuaries” across the country.

The release accused the relevant state authorities including Fair Wages and Salaries Commission of foot-dragging in resolving their grievances and so, the decision for the industrial action.

Earlier, the Association went on an indefinite strike action in March this year to press home their demand for better working conditions but suspended it at the plea of the National Labour Commission.

A mortuary worker at HTH showing condition of his boot and glove to the camera

Presiding Member for Agotime-Ziope District, Dodzi Nutor who spoke on behalf of the relatives expressed shock at the development saying that corpses were not food or something like that which could be carried and sent home for preservation.

Mr. Nutor complained that they had a contract with the hospital morgue to keep the bodies till Friday and so to be called on Wednesday for them because of an intended strike action was unacceptable.

The mortuary manager at the hospital and National Vice Chairman of MOWAG, Anthony Amadotor in a response, admitted calling the relatives to come for their bodies.

According to Mr. Amadotor, it had become necessary to alert them so that in the likelihood of an industrial action on Thursday, there would not be any hurdles taking bodies from the morgue on Friday for funeral processes by which time they (mortuary workers) might not be at post.

A mortuary worker who gave his name as Caleb only appealed to government to listen to their concerns and address lack the of maintenance of mortuary facilities, low salaries, lack of protective clothing, among others to prevent similar actions in the future.

Meanwhile, sources Voltaonlinegh spoke to later disclosed that the relatives of the deceased left the mortuary without the bodies and were assured of regular service when they return on Friday for them.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Ho Teaching Hospital must not just be in Name-UHAS VC to Gov’t

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Volta Online

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May 1, 2019

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh |

Vice Chancellor of University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Prof. John Gyapong has appealed to government to resource the new Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) in terms of massive infrastructure to achieve its ultimate goal of training health professionals for the country.

On Monday, April 29, the Volta Regional Hospital (Trafalgar) was designated as Ho Teaching Hospital to train doctors, pharmacists, nurses and allied health scientists of UHAS, a solely health professional training university established in 2011.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the hospital at the University’s Auditorium, Trafalgar Campus, Prof. Gyapong said though the conversion was a good step, it behooved government to on a certificate of urgency, embark on infrastructure improvement at the hospital befitting of the new status and to make it fit for the purpose for which it was converted.

“There is currently a lot of pressure on us to increase the intake into all our programmes and introduce new ones. Any such move will be contingent on massive infrastructure improvements at the hospital to make it fit for purpose to achieve the ultimate goals of training health professional for the country.”

“There will be the need for the establishment of simulation centres and skills laboratories to enhance training. In the meantime, we intend to work closely with some satellite hospitals to facilitate our training,” he added.

Dignitaries in a photograph after the ceremony

Special Guest of Honour, Agbogbomefia of Asogli, Togbe Afede XIV who was represented by the Warlord of Asogli, Togbe Adzie Lakle Howusu XII commended government for the elevation and called on President of the Republic, Nana Akufo-Addo to release funding to support the upgrading of current facilities at the hospital.

Togbe Howusu said the conversion had brought about the need for a new Volta Regional Hospital to care for the health needs of people in the region and appealed to government to consider facilitating the process.

Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu assured that government would announce a new regional hospital to make quality health care services accessible to the people of the region and neighbouring regions such as Oti and Eastern regions.

Hon. Agyemang-Manu revealed that government was committed to giving the fifth teaching hospital in the country the needed support to become “the premium in innovative tertiary health care delivery, medical education and research” to serve seekers of tertiary health services.

“The Ministry is working towards acquiring funds to expand infrastructure for service delivery including wards, offices, etc. Also, the Ministry is working at getting funding to retool the hospital and acquire new equipment to enhance service delivery such as the CT Scan, Laboratory equipment, Anaesthesia machines, etc and getting the MRI back to operate.”

Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa expressed hope about the transformation of the hospital which he said would inure to the benefit of the region as it would attract consultants and experts into the region, thus, economic growth.

Dr. Archibald promised management and staff of HTH the readiness of the Regional Coordinating Council to support the hospital into a model teaching hospital in Africa and asked that they played their part in making this dream possible by giving excellent customer care service to their clients.

The ceremony chaired by a medical consultant, Dr. Delanyo Dorvlo had in attendance the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HTH, Dr. John Tampuri, Council Chairman, UHAS, Justice Jones Dotse, former deputy regional ministers, Members of Parliaments, teaching hospital CEOS, district chief executives, academicians, health professionals and traditional leaders including the Awoamefia of Anlo, Torgbui Sri III.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Fisheries Ministry Signs Pact with Fisherfolks To Enforce Closed Fishing Ban

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Volta Online

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April 30, 2019

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By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Marine fisherfolks in the Volta region have entered into a social contract with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development to enforce the impending closed fishing season, slated for May 15 to June 15, 2019 across the country.

The closed fishing season was necessitated by the continuous depletion of fish stocks in the country’s waters over the years, a situation experts fear could lead to the total collapse of the fishing sector if urgent steps are not taken to reverse the trend.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Anloga market on Monday, the sector minister, Madam Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, said the fishing industry which is a major source of livelihood for many and a contributor to the country’s economy was fast losing its economic value and must be protected.

She thus urged the fisherfolks to respect the month long ban which would allow the fishes to spawn and restock in order to safeguard the survival of the sector, adding that, they should see the closed season as an intervention which is aimed at making their business more profitable and sustainable.

On their part, the leadership of the various landing beaches who signed the pact on behalf of their members assured the minister of their commitment to respect the fishing ban and also enforce it at their various beaches.

Madam Afoley-Quaye who also toured some of the fishing communities in the Ketu South and Keta municipalities, later commissioned a landing site facility at Anloga in the Anloga district.

The commissioning the Anloga Landing site facility

The facility comprises a cold store, an area for fish smoking and a trading area for mongers, among other ancillary facilities.

She entreated the beneficiaries to put the facility to good use and have a good maintenance culture for the place in order facilitates their business.

Present with the fisheries minister during her engagements was the District Chief Executive for Anloga, Mr. Seth Yormewu and Municipal Chief Executives for Ketu South and Keta, Mr. Elliot Agbenorwu and Mr. Godwin Effah respectively.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

MTN Steps up Game, Brings Products and Services Closer to Customers

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Volta Online

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April 30, 2019

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh |

Management and staff of telecoms giants, MTN in the Volta Region have given their customers a special treat in terms of service delivery in an exciting programme.

The programme dubbed MTN Customer Outreach Programme brought the company’s products and services to the doorsteps of the customers.

The event, the second of its kind in the region had MTN set up a whole office at the Ho Central Market on Tuesday and provided services which customers usually visited the offices to access including new registration for MTN Mobile money (Momo), sim card registration, migration onto MTN 4G, purchase of MTN sim-phones and general enquiries.

While a team pitched camp at the market to receive customers and attend to their needs amidst music loud enough to attract customers, another made up of two groups were dispatched to go round the market and shops to “evangelise” to traders and market women and potential customers on the principal streets of Ho about the goodies the biggest telecoms network had to offer.

The MTN “evangelists” were detailed to speak to existing/potential customers about Momo fraud, MTN-Ayo Insurance, and the two new products from MTN, MTN smart feature phone and, Turbo net (a router which can take up to 32 devices) among others.

Speaking in an interview with Voltaonlinegh, Regional Team Lead, MTN, Mawuli Katahena disclosed that the company intended to continue with the programme to show its commitment to rendering exciting services to customers to get them (customers) hooked up to the network for life.

According to Mr. Katahena, MTN Customer Outreach Programme “is a customer evangelism programme” aimed at satisfying customers and hoped to use the “door to door” approach to solicit feedback which would help the company find innovative ways to further delight them.

“We realise that always, the customers come to us for products and services that they need. But this time around, we want to take the products and services to the people because we believe that the customer is key and because of that we have to treat the customer as such.”

He mentioned that the first programme held last year was “impactful” and hinted of intentions to hold two for the 2019 year which had been declared at MTN to be the “year of the customer” with products and services tailored to suit them.

Mr. Katahena revealed that there were plans to rope in communities without the MTN network to expand their network coverage in the region and therefore, called on customers to get excited and remain on the network for all the exciting offers.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

ENA Advocates for Rights of Persons with Albinism at Nabu

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Volta Online

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April 30, 2019

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By: Tabitha Kugbonu | Voltaonlinegh |

Engage now Africa (ENA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which aims to heal, rescue and uplift individuals from poverty in some African countries is advocating for the rights of persons with albinism in border communities including Nabu in the Nkwanta North District of the Oti Region.

Nabu is a small farming community which lies on the Ghana-Togo border with part of the community falling within Togo where it is believed that the existence of a person with albinism prevents rainfall, thus, endangering lives of children born with the condition.

According to the findings of ENA, Nabu which has approximately 3,800 inhabitants with about 85 per cent of the population being Muslims and noted for yam cultivation, refer to persons with albinism as “mbamban” (witches/wizards) who must be avoided to prevent misfortunes.

The NGO got this revelation in an interactive community durbar it organised. According to the sources, persons with albinism at Nabu and surrounding areas faced lots of humiliation, discrimination and stigmatisation.

This informed ENA to organise a durbar to sensitise and educate the community on albinism and had the chief of the community, Nana Biley and his entire household as first participants and later, about 1,000 participants including school children, youth, elderly men and women, teachers, traditional leaders, imams, assembly members as well as opinion leaders at the sensitisation programme.

Participants were exposed to the facts about albinism with some admitting that they feared persons with albinism because of the black spots on their body.

The NGO also took time to boost the confidence level of persons with albinism by teaching them to understand the conditions and care they deserved and encouraged them to stand up for their rights and make an impact by partaking in communal labour and other community related activities.

They were also provided with hats and sunscreen lotions to lessen their condition.

Engage now Africa therefore urged benevolent organisations and individuals to come on board and fight human rights related issues especially the undermining of persons with albinism in the country.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Nkwanta South MP Urges Ghanaians to Revive Spirit of Communalism

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April 25, 2019

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Mr Kini and Mad Ndebiwa sitting in one of the desks — Hon. Geoffrey Kini (left)

By: Benjamin Owusu | Voltaonlinegh |

Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkwanta South Constituency in the Oti Region, Geoffrey Kini has entreated Ghanaians to revive communal spirit to help government in developing the country.

Hon. Kini said although government was putting in much effort towards Ghana’s development, there was the need for citizens to also contribute their quota towards achieving the needed development.

He made this known when he donated roofing sheets and bags of cement to residents of Portribor community towards the construction of a 4-bedroom bungalow for teachers being financed by the youth.

The youth of Portribor community through self-help initiative are constructing the four-bedroom accommodation for teachers posted to the community to improve academic performance in the area.

Youth of Potribor working on the project

On behalf of the assemblyman for the electoral area, David Yatimah expressed gratitude for the support from the MP and assured that the material would be put to good use.

Mr. Yatimah encouraged the youth to speed up work for early completion of the project to enable teachers have a place to stay in the community.

Youth leader in charge of the project, Kofi Konja also thanked the MP and outlined numerous challenges facing the school in the community and appealed to him to come to the aid of the school.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Shia Residents Demand Facelift for only Second Cycle School

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Volta Online

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April 24, 2019

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By: Albert Kuzor | Voltaonlinegh |

Chiefs and people of Shia in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region have called on the government to provide the needs of the only second cycle institution in the community.

The school, Shia Secondary Technical School (SHISTECH) was built through communal labour as a community day school more than two decades ago and has since not seen any infrastructural development despite being absorbed by government in 2010 and transformed into both day and boarding systems.

SHISTECH with its current population of over five hundred students cannot boast of modern classrooms, teaching staff room, head master’s office, and laboratories for Science and Technical courses among others.

For the infrastructure in the school, a deteriorating ancient 3-unit classroom block converted into dormitory for boys which is congested due to an increase in enrollment, a makeshift kitchen and classrooms which are not friendly for academic excellence.

Paramount Chief of the area, Togbe Dadzawa III, indicated that the school was built by the toils of Shia citizens some years back and needed infrastructural development in the school to continue serving the area and the country at large.

Togbe Dadzawa made this known at a durbar on Monday to climax 2019 Easter Homecoming celebrations of the people held on the theme, “Mobilising Shia Youth for Development”.

The Paramount Chief who expressed gratitude to the current government and the Volta Regional Minister for completing a water project in the community and also for responding to the needs of the community, called for support believing that their (residents) efforts alone could not transform the school into what they dreamt of and so, the need for government to extend its support to the school.

Head teacher of the school, Joy Akpebu narrated the agonies of the school saying, “now our biggest challenge is infrastructure. You can look around; the shade you see there was sponsored by the Shia citizens outside home. Currently, we have 25 hectares of land, fully registered and since government took responsibility of this school in 2010, we cannot single point any infrastructural development in the school.”

“We have 12 classes under trees and now that the current government continues to promise us, our prayer is also that for the first project, we want 18-unit classroom block,” Mr. Akpebu added.

He commended the chiefs and people of Shia for their restless efforts in the life of the School, revealing that the only school vehicle, Mahindra pickup which was involved in an accident and currently undergoing repairs, had a native footing the bill for the repair works.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Shia Chief Advocates for Communal Labour to Enhance Development

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Volta Online

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April 24, 2019

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By: Albert Kuzor | Voltaonlinegh |

The Paramount Chief of Shia Traditional Area in the Volta Region, Togbe Dadzawa III has called on his fellow chiefs and Ghanaians to shun much dependence on the central government for development in their various communities.

He wanted Ghanaian citizens and leaders to sacrifice and be devoted to developmental issues in their towns and villages through reviving the power of communal labour and voluntary works, using his community as an example.

“My father, who was Togbe Dadzawa II ruled this community for over four decades and always called for contributions from the people of Shia to develop the area. During his era, this community fought for roads which are today linking us to our neighbouring communities and to the republic of Togo. The palace, the church and so many developmental projects were initiated under his tenure.”

He added that he was continuing with what his predecessor started for the community since he (the current chief) was installed over thirty years ago.

Togbe Dadzawa who is a retired police officer indicated that the community knowing the values of education, pooled resources together to build a secondary school which was absorbed by government in 2010.

He mentioned that Shia has a clinic which was also started by citizens in the health sector before being taken over by government and till date, his citizens, home and abroad kept supporting the facility in terms of equipment and other petty needs.

The Paramount Chief made these remarks at a durbar on Monday to mark the 2019 Easter celebrations held in the community.

Hundreds of citizens from across the country and other parts of the world partook in this year’s event which was rendered spectacular by a display of traditional dances including borborbor, zipo, and music from brass band for Christian worship among others.

Director of Volta Regional National Disaster Management Organisation, Divine Bosson, a native of Shia spearheaded a tree planting project on Saturday which saw over a hundred seedlings planted on the streets of the community and promised additional seedlings to be planted throughout the town.

Chairman of Shia Youth in Accra, Michael Lagble told Voltaonlinegh that the purpose of the 2019 Easter celebrations was to mobilise the youth and fellow citizens to help in developing Shia.

Shia is an ancient community in the Ho Municipality sharing borders with the Republic of Togo and with majority of its people being Roman Catholics. It has fertile and forested lands which support cocoa farming and other crops.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Agbeko Thrills Fans as He Retains Title in Clash for Redemption Bout

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Volta Online

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April 23, 2019

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Two-time former International Boxing Federation (IBF) world champion and the reigning World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa Bantamweight title holder, Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko (35-5, 26KOs) has defended his title against Shabani Hashimu Zuberi of Tanzania to the thrill of fans on Friday night at Aborigines Beach Resort, Keta in the Volta Region.

Agbeko, 39 who received massive support from his home-based fans through loud cheers and war songs with “agbadza” (an Ewe dance) tunes failed to force his opponent, 23 who had fought 18 times, won 15 and lost 3 with five knockouts to his credit, to throw in the towel but fought on to the last round of the bout despite being dealt with heavy punches resulting in cuts and a swollen face.

In the end, the three judges scored the headline bout, 120-107, 120-108 and 120-107 in favour of Joseph Agbeko.

Fmr. Prez Rawlings decorating Agbeko with a belt

The bout, under the Aborigines Promotion and dubbed, “Clash for Redemption” came off from Friday night and ran into the dawn of Saturday.

It featured many fights including the vacant IBF Africa Middleweight belt contest between Togolese boxer, John “Africa Mike Tyson” Koudeha and Victus Kamevor with the Togolese defeating his opponent in a knockout in the third round.

The night also featured National Super Lightweight contest between Ho-based boxer, Anama “Polo Pala” Dotse and Tackie Annan where the hard-fought bout had Polo Pala giving in at the 11^th round.

Also, Emmanuel Martey winner of WBO Africa Super Middleweight belt easily defended his title against his Tanzanian opponent, Ibrahim Maokola in which he stopped Maokola very early into the bout.

The well-attended bout attracted boxing fans from various parts of the country including Accra, Ho, Aflao, Keta and neighbouring Togo as well as officials from Togo and Tanzania and was graced by former President of the Republic, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com