IGP Interdicts 3 Officers over Assault on Journalists, Gives One Week for Reports

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March 20, 2019

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) David Asante-Apeatu has interdicted three police officers for their alleged involvement in an assault on some journalists working with Ghanaian Times Newspaper last Thursday near Kinbu Traffic in Accra.

In a statement on Wednesday and signed by Director-General of Public Affairs Department, Ghana Police Service, ACP David Eklu, IGP Asante-Apeatu also gave one week ultimatum to the Accra Regional Crime Officer who he directed to take charge of the investigation of the case from Ministries Police Station and the Commander of the Central Motor Traffic Unit tasked with the responsibility of investigating the motor traffic accident of the case.

The interdiction of the three, Inspector Isaac Opare of the Ministries Division, Accra, Sergeant Ebenezer Akrofi of the Accra Regional Police Headquarters and Lance Corporal Evans Kofi Ntim of Police Visibility, Accra, followed several calls from different sectors of the Ghanaian public including the umbrella body of journalists, the Ghana Journalists Association for swift investigations into the matter to punish the perpetrators.

Also Read: For once, Punish the Perpetrators-GJA to Police Administration

The attack on the journalists – Malik Sullemana, Raissa Sambou and Salifu Abdul Rahman followed a traffic offence and an accident involving alleged unregistered motorcycle of the police officer and a vehicle belonging to Ghanaian Times.

In a scuffle that ensued when the journalists tried to video the incident, a number of officers including the three interdicted, descended on the journalists to the extent that one of them, a nursing mother collapsed and was rushed to the Ridge Hospital in Accra for treatment while another suffered punches in his face causing blood to gush out from his nostrils.

The IGP further charged the Police Professional and Standard Bureau (PPSB) “to look into the conduct of the police officers who were on duty at the Ministries Police Station when the incident was reported.”

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

NPP Patriots Throng Parliament to Support Dep VR Min Designate

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Volta Online

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March 20, 2019

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By: Fred Duhoe | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Hundreds of party faithful from the Volta Region on Wednesday thronged Parliament House to support Deputy Minister designate for the Volta Region, Rev Johnson Avuletey as he readied to take his turn at the Parliamentary Vetting Committee.

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwarts and government appointees from the region were at the Parliament House to give their full support to Rev Avuletey.

Spotted among them were the Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yaw Letsa and his former deputy and the Regional National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Divine Bosson among others.

The Reporter in an interview with some of the supporters, they expressed optimism that the Dep. Minister Designate popularly referred to as the “Man of the Grassroots” would sail through to fill the vacuum created by the former Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Maxwell Blagodzi who had been moved to Oti Region.

Some party members from the region present to solidarise with the Minister designate

One of them, Sulleyman said, “we are very hopeful our candidate will be passed to be the Deputy Regional Minister. He’s been a member of the New Patriotic Party for years and his experience will be brought to bear to satisfy the good people of the region.”

Aside the vetting of the 3-time Regional Organiser of the NPP, the Minister designate for Oti Region, Amb. Kwasi Owusu Yeboah was among those to be vetted on the day.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Oti Coordinating Council to be Operational next Week-Dan Botwe

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Volta Online

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March 20, 2019

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Dan Botwe, Minister, Regional Reorganisation and development — Mr. Dan Botwe

By: Benjamin Owusu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

As part of activities to get regional coordinating councils established and operational in the 6 new regions across the country including the Oti Region, over 120 key and technical staff have been appointed to begin work in the Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC) by next week.

This, according to Minister for Regional Reorganisation and Development, Dan Kwaku Botwe, would enable the people in the Oti Region have access to basic social services within the shortest possible time to prevent travelling out for such services.

Mr. Botwe who was in the region on Monday to inspect facilities to be used as offices and accommodation, expressed satisfaction with the facilities and urged workers who would be posted to the region to work hard to achieve the vision and aspirations of the people for accelerated development and also bring governance to their doorsteps.

Inspection of some facilities to be used as administrative offices for Oti Region

The Head of Local Government Service (LGS), Dr Nana Ato Authur implored the staff to shy away from leaking office information on social media describing it as unethical and charged workers to be committed to working to accelerate needed development within the region.

Deputy Minister, Maxwell Blagodzi also assured that chiefs and people of Oti region that he would ensure that the necessary facilities were provided to facilitate the needed development that the people have been deprived of for years.

Nana Kwaku Beyinor II of Dambai on his part, called for local content in terms of recruitment and appointment to ensure inclusiveness.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Ghana Police Refuse Bias Tag, Say Circumstances Affect their Line of Duty

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Volta Online

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March 20, 2019

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Director-General of Public Affairs, Ghana Police Service, ACP David Eklu has debunked assertions that the Police Administration only moves in swiftly to take action against perpetrators of crimes to seek justice for colleague officers saying, the Police is not biased towards their own but circumstances make it appear so.

ACP Eklu said contrary to the perceptions, the Police Administration does not shield police officers who offend the law but follow due process to institute investigations and take action against such people according to the outcomes of the investigations.

He was speaking on Ho-based West FM’s morning show, West Breakfast Drive on Tuesday regarding comments from the public which sought to suggest that the Police selectively enforce law and order in the country.

Last Thursday, some police officers allegedly assaulted 3 Ghanaian Times Journalists who were on their way for an official assignment, near Kinbu Traffic in Accra to the extent that one of them, a nursing mother collapsed and was rushed to the hospital for treatment while another suffered punches in his face causing blood to gush out from his nostrils.

Same day, an officer was involved in a brawl with a driver and his mate around Mallam Junction and in a video that went viral, the two were seen beating up the uniformed man.

Although many including the Ghana Journalists Association had condemned the assault and called for swift investigations to punish the perpetrators, no action was seen on Monday (a day those who assaulted the police were arraigned before court) aside a statement from the Police on Friday assuring the public that investigations had begun.

Also Read: For once, Punish the Perpetrators-GJA to Police Administration

Asked about why there was a swift action on one hand (in the case of assault on the police) and a delay on the other (assault on the journalists), the Director-General of Public Affairs said the circumstances in both instances differed.

“That Thursday after the driver and his mate beat up the police, he reported the case at a police station that he was beaten by the officer and was issued with a medical report to visit the hospital. Then the video later came out on Friday which alerted the officers at the station where he earlier lodged the complaint with. So when he came back with his mate to the station, they were arrested. Because they could not be kept in the police cells for more than 48 hours, they had to be arraigned before court.”

He continued, “but on the scuffle between the Ghanaian Times journalists and the policemen, like I mentioned earlier, the journalists waited till yesterday, Monday to make their statement. In that case, we were unable to take any action because we didn’t get to hear from the other side. Besides, for us to act, a medical form must be returned confirming a person has actually suffered physical assault.”

ACP Eklu admitted that there could be times arrests are made without statements from both sides saying, that only happens when the availability of a party to a case cannot be guaranteed when needed, which was not in the case involving the Policemen and the journalists.

He also spoke of police service regulations including lack of civility towards the public which when officers offend, attract punishment of all kinds and called on officers of the law enforcement institution to be law abiding so as not to bring the name of the Institution into disrepute and to be able to carry out their duties with a clear conscience.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

MTN Supports Science Education in Akatsi

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Volta Online

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March 19, 2019

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

MTN Ghana Foundation, the social responsibility wing of telecoms giants, MTN in collaboration with Dext Technology has supported Akatsi D.A/A.R.S. Basic School in the Akatsi South District of the Volta Region with some 145 Science sets.

The donation on Tuesday formed the last leg of a nationwide distribution of the sets aimed at enhancing the teaching and learning of science and technology in basic schools.

The Science set, the first ever product of Kumasi-based technology innovative development organisation, Dext Technology which had won prestigious awards including African Union Innovation Award, is believed to provide pupils with the requisite practical experience for the study of the subject.

Regional Team Lead, MTN, Mawuli Katahena in an interview with Voltaonlinegh.com at a short ceremony to hand over the tools to the school explained that MTN was passionate about the education of the young ones especially in the area of Science.

“We believe that the children are the future leaders. We believe that the children need lot of Science education and we also acknowledge the fact that our lectures are too theoretical and not much practical and so, we have collaborated with Dext to make the teaching and learning of Science so easy and interesting.”

Mr. Katahena said MTN was motivated to partner with Dext because “with this simple tool, they (pupils) can do a lot of things” and added that their aim was to help them have “do a hands on experiment in Science not just the theoretical but feel what they’re been taught.”

He also hinted that MTN would further push this project and get other Science-based equipment for schools across all the regions to build interest in young people to study Science.

Pupils trying their hands on building a simple circuit using the Science sets

Mawuli Amedofu of Dext Technology underscored the importance of the new innovation saying, it had about 35 components capable of operating 26 experiments in the basic school syllabus including building a simple circuit, understanding the properties of light, electromagnetics and usage of resistors.

Mr. Amedofu assured of development of more “hands on learning tools for Science” to train “problem solvers and innovators for the future” saying, their first flagship product, the Science set had received endorsement both locally and internationally and had also brought on board MTN.

District Chief Executive for the area, Leo-Nelson Adzidogah thanked MTN for the items which he believed would be put to good use to benefit the present pupils of the school and those yet to come.

Mr. Adzidogah urged pupils and staff of the school to take proper care of the Science sets for younger ones who would come after them to also have the practical feel of the subject.

Head teacher of the school, Melody Akorfa Kovey disclosed that some science teachers in the school had been trained on how to manipulate the device and the others will also receive the training in due time in order for them to give a comprehensive user-training to pupils for the desired impact.

The day which saw some upper primary pupils demonstrate the use of the sets for experiments was attended by officials from the District Education Directorate, and representatives of Parents and Teachers Association and the School Management Council.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Ensure the Safety of Journalists At All Times- Volta GJA Chairman Tells Public

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Volta Online

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March 19, 2019

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By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Volta Regional chairman of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA-Volta), Mr. Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi has opined that, it was the duty of everyone including public and private institutions to ensure the safety and security of journalists at all times.

According to him, the mandate of journalists and the media in general as enshrined in the constitution was crucial to the sustenance of Ghana’s democratic credentials, for which they ought to be protected by all in their line of duty.

Mr. Kanyi who was speaking in an interview with Kofi Gamor on West 97.5 FM Breakfast Drive in Ho on Monday, following last week’s police assault on three Ghanaian Times newspaper journalists and the storming of an Accra based radio station by self-styled prophet, Rev. Owusu Bempah, said the incidences were becoming one too many and charged the appropriate state actors to ensure justice was serve swiftly in these matters to serve as deterrent to others.

Also Read: For once, Punish the Perpetrators-GJA to Police Administration

He noted that, these unfortunate occurrences was a blot on the country’s democratic credentials globally, for which the state must take a strong stance against the perpetrators in order safeguard its image among the comity of nations.

The GJA-Volta Chairman further hinted that, the umbrella body was weighing various options including legal action and media blackout against institutions whose personnel assault media practitioners in their line of work.

Mr. Kanyi however advised journalists to be safety conscious in the discharge of their duties, stressing that, ‘there was no story worth the life of a journalist.’

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Govt Firms up Deals for Agriculture Mechanisation, Yendi Water Projects

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Volta Online

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March 18, 2019

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By: Voltaonlinegh.com |

Government has reached final agreements with the India Export-Import (EXIM) Bank for the take-off of financing arrangements to improve agricultural mechanisation services in farming communities across the country and provide water for the inhabitants of Yendi and its surrounding towns and villages.

This was made known after a meeting between officials of EXIM Bank of India led by its President, Mr. David Raaquinha, and a Ghanaian delegation led by the Vice President of the Republic, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on the sidelines of the ongoing 14th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Partnership Project in New Delhi, India.

Following a visit by H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to India last year, discussions were opened on the possibility of financing agreements between the Government of Ghana and EXIM Bank of India for a $150 million credit facility to finance the strengthening of Agriculture mechanisation services in Ghana, and a further $30 million facility for the Yendi Water Project.

Legislative approval for the two deals has since been passed by Parliament.

At a closed door meeting between Vice President Bawumia and officials of India EXIM Bank on Monday March 18, 2019, all final discussions for the take-off of the two projects were sealed with final sign off set for next month.

The agriculture mechanisation project is expected to provide equipment and training for the various Agriculture Mechanisation Services Equipment Centers (AMSEC) across the country, while the Yendi Water Project will provide water to the over 133,000 residents of the Yendi Municipality and the surrounding towns and villages who contribute to the agriculture sector through the production of food and cash crops on a large scale.

Vice President Bawumia expressed satisfaction at the commitments and assistance offered by the EXIM Bank of India and the Government of India to Ghana over the years and pledged enhanced friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Earlier, Dr. Bawumia had an interactive meeting with leaders and captains of industries in India, where he took the opportunity, together with the key stakeholders in Ghana’s investment drive, to showcase the Ghana Project and what Government is doing to create an investor-friendly environment conducive for business to thrive.

Leaders of Indian-owned companies already operating in Ghana also took the opportunity to tell the Ghana story, while providing crucial feedback on ways to make the business environment even better.

Source: www.presidency.gov.gh

‘I will Serve Your Best Interest ’- Minister Designate Assures Oti Residents

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Volta Online

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March 18, 2019

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By: KALD|Voltaonlinegh.com|

The Minister-Designate for the Oti Region, Mr. Kwesi Owusu-Yeboah has assured to serve the best interest of all persons in the newly established region irrespective of their political, ethnic and social affiliation.

Answering questions from members of Parliament’s appointment committee during his vetting last Friday, Mr. Owusu-Yeboah who until his nomination was Ghana’s ambassador to the Republic of Togo, pledged to unite all fronts in attaining the hopes and aspirations of the new region.

“I would work to ensure that everybody comes on board, whether you’re an indigene or a settler… my performance [in the past] shows that I was nonpartisan,” he stated, adding that, “I’m a minister not for NPP but a minister for the region and I’m supposed to be a father for everybody and so there should be no difficulty [dealing with pressure from party members].”

The former Volta Regional minister under the erstwhile Kufour led government, was hopeful to leverage on his previous experience in Regional administration to lay a strong foundation for the Oti region, with critical focus on road, education and other social infrastructure development.

Mr. Owusu-Yeboah promised to mobilize both indigenes and non-indigenes in harnessing the socio-economic potentials of the area, and as well create equal opportunity for all in area of employment and the provision of other government services.

Accompanying the minister-designate to the vetting were his deputy, Mr. Maxwell Blagodzi, Krachi East Member of Parliament, Mr. Michael Gyato, Volta Regional Chairman of NPP, Mr. Makafui Woanyah as well as traditional leaders, including Chief of Kpassa, Ubour Tasan Konja VI and Krachiwura, Nana Mprah Besemuna III.

The Oti Region is one of the six newly created regions under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo with Dambai being its capital. The other regions are Western North, Ahafo, Bono East, Savannah, and North East.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

US, HTU See Victories in Volta Handball League Week 7

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Volta Online

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March 18, 2019

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By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Unique Stars (US) and Ho Technical University (HTU) handball clubs have enjoyed victories over their opponents in week 7 of the ongoing season 2 of the Volta Handball League.

Mawuko Girls and Unique Stars began the day in a rather tough first half which saw the latter lead 15-14 in the match played on Saturday, March 16.

Tactics and experience came to play as US extended their lead in the second half and stretched their opponents who tried coming back at par. The US female team enjoyed their first victory since registering, with a 33-25 results.

Their male team also ensured they beat Mawuli School in the second match of the day.

Unique Stars weren’t complacent but consistent from start to finish with a half time score at 22-08. Mawuli School Handball team who managed to score 12 more goals in the second half, lost the game in a humiliating 52-20 score.

HTU then came back to win a strong game against Stars of Asha (SOA) after going down 18-19 in the male division. The end of the super exciting encounter saw HTU triumphing 42-36.

Currently, Unique Stars male lead the table with 8 points, HTU follow with 4 points same as SOA and South Tongu Talents with 2 points. Mawuli is yet to grab a point in their 2 outings.

South Tongu Talents lead the female table with 4 points, followed by Sonrise and Unique Stars with 2 points apiece while Mawuko and HTU lie bottom with no point.

The league continues unabated on Saturday, March 23 with week 8 ties.

Meanwhile, the Volta Regional Handball Association is calling on corporate bodies to come on board to sponsor the league.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

VRA Fights Bilharzia at Dzebetato with Standalone Biofil Toilet

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Volta Online

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March 18, 2019

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By: Tabitha Kugbonu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Volta River Authority (VRA) has commissioned a 30-Standalone Biological Filter and Composter Limited (Biofil) Toilet facility at a cost of Gh¢150,000 for the people of Dzebetato in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region to solve sanitation and water related diseases especially bilharzias.

The Biofil toilet is a simple compact on-site organic waste treatment system that uniquely combines the benefits of the flush toilet system and those of the composting toilets and eliminates the disadvantages of both systems.

Speaking to Voltaonlinegh.com, Sam Fletcher, Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), VRA on behalf of Shirley Seidu, Director, General Service Department (GSD), VRA said their aim was to eradicate the Bilharzia among communities along the Volta River.

Mad. Shirlley Seidu of VRA handing over documents to the DCE, Mr. Emmanuel Agama

Mr. Fletcher said Dzebetato was the second community to benefit from the Biofil Toilet in the region after Kebenu in the Central Tongu District which got the facility earlier.

According to him, Kebenu was recording as high as 84% of bilharzia cases and had reduced to 20% two years after Biofil toilet was installed in the community.

He observed that if Kebenu could reduce the rate within such a short time Dzebetato would in no time be bilharzia-free.

He said though VRA’s mandate is to provide electricity to every Ghanaian, they have always had the interest of communities at heart by working with communities to attain their developmental goals.

He therefore urged the people of Dzebetato to make good use of the facility.

Mr. Dennis Kwaku Buabeng, Head of Engineering at Biofil said the company had installed 8 Biofil toilets in many parts of the country and beyond.

Mr. Buabeng explained that their target groups cover different communities and cited projects done at places including Anglo-Ashanti Staff Courts, University of Cape Coast, toilets for schools under Ministry of Education, UNICEF, USAID etc and added that currently, they were working on World Bank funded project for low income communities in some 11 districts in Greater Accra Region.

District Chief Executive (DCE) for South Tongu, Emmanuel Louis Agama in a speech thanked officials of VRA for the project which he said was in line with government’s sanitation policy launched on December 13, 2017 by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo aimed at keeping the environment clean.

Mr. Agama said one of the key areas of the policy tasked MMDCEs to provide decent place of convenience for their people to prevent open defecation.

He disclosed that although the assembly had made tremendous effort towards addressing this sanitation problem, there were still lots of communities without household latrines resulting in open defecation.

The DCE expressed hope that the VRA project for the people of Dzebetato would bring total relief not just for that community but to the entire South Tongu.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com