MCE Nominee for Keta Meets Stiff Opposition as NPP Group Questions His Eligibility

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March 22, 2019

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Some members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Keta Constituency of the Volta Region have taken to the streets of Keta in a demonstration against President Nana Akufo-Addo’s nominee for Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Keta, Godwin Edudzi Effah.

The group made up of card bearing polling station executives, elders and the grassroot members of the NPP within the Keta Constituency is questioning the eligibility of Mr. Effah who they say is an indigene of Anlo Constituency believed to be the Anlo Constituency Financial Secretary of the party until the last Annual Delegates’ Conference in February, 2018.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on March 13, nominated Mr. Effah, an accountant with the Ghana Education Service (GES) as the new MCE for the Keta Municipal Assembly.

His nomination was occasioned by the transfer of the current MCE for Keta and indigene of Anlo Constituency, Seth Yormewu to the newly inaugurated Anloga District Assembly (which was carved out of Keta Municipality after several requests) as its first DCE.

The demonstration saw the protestors clad in red attire and armbands, marching briskly with placards which conspicuously conveyed their message to the President to withdraw the nomination of Mr. Effah.

A protester displaying inscriptions on a placard during Friday’s demonstration

Friday’s demonstration followed an earlier petition to the President on Monday through the Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa and copied to the Minister of Local Government and NPP National, Regional and Keta Constituency chairmen, which lauded the creation of Anloga District but expressed reservation on Mr. Effah’s nomination.

“Unfortunately, and as usual, those same unseen forces from the Anloga side, some of whom owe allegiance to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and who were at the helm of affairs in the last assembly, have once again managed to influence the nomination of Mr. Godwin Edudzi Effah to help them satisfy their parochial interests and to strengthen their own market powers over we the people of the Keta constituency.”

The group therefore demanded the replacement of Mr. Effah with a grassroot member from the constituency or risk stiffer resistance from members.

“We wish to state that if his nomination is not reversed, and immediately too, we the grassroots of the party in the Keta constituency will resort to anomic forms of redress to ensure Mr. Godwin Edudzi Effah never occupies the office of the MCE in the Keta Municipality.”

The group concluded on the caution that “we will no longer tolerate the ‘monkey dey work, baboon dey chop’ situation in our constituency.”

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

It’s Been a Sad Story for Us in the Water Sector-VR CWSA Dir.

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Volta Online

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March 21, 2019

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Volta Regional Director of Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), Ing. Divine Dugbartey has decried the many challenges facing the agency in the region citing finance as the biggest impeding their work of getting clean water to rural dwellers in Volta and Oti regions.

Ing. Dugbartey said though the agency had done quite well since it took charge of water supply systems in the region on June 18, 2018, there was the need for funding to be able to make impact.

According to him, projects carried out included rehabilitation of treatment plants on the surface systems, transmission lines, distribution lines, storage tanks and public standpipes and installation of pumps and noted, more needed to be done.

“We have done a lot since we took over because we have been able to rehabilitate pump houses at Akatsi, Taviefe, Vakpo, Kwamekrom. We have also worked at the intake at Adidome and Kpassa-Damanko but there’s still more to be done and we haven’t stopped. What it means is that for the system to operate optimally, we need to invest more.”

The Regional Director made this known on Wednesday during CWSA regional stakeholder engagements in Ho themed “Reforming Ghana’s Water Sub-sector towards Efficient Management of WASH Services to Rural Communities and Small Towns”.

He lamented the situation and made reference to Damanko-Kpassa where he said “CWSA needs about 15 million Ghana cedis to replace the UPBC pipes with HDPE pipes for the transmission of about 40 kilometres” saying, funds were readily unavailable.

He therefore called on all stakeholders to be a part as he emphasised that “everyone has a responsibility to ensure that safe water runs in every rural home” to enable Ghana attain SDG 6 which is about clean water and sanitation by 2030.

An official from CWSA Head office, Mr. Ibrahim Adoko took participants through what the Agency is about, its mandate, the reforms it underwent, the challenges and achievements.

Mr. Adoko said the Agency established in 1998 to facilitate the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services was to implement National Community Water and Sanitation Programme (NCWSP) managed under Community Ownership and Management (COM) model.

He said there were challenges with the system including water management gap, interrupted service, continuous breakdown of water systems, high indebtedness to power distributors and inadequate maintenance that threatened the sustainability of the huge investments by government.

He disclosed that the shift from community management approach had brought professionalism into the water management system and its attendant outcomes including increased revenue in sale of water without increase in tariff.

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa in a speech read on his behalf, was grateful to CWSA for its efforts in addressing water problems in rural areas in the region and the country at large.

To Dr. Letsa, new approaches must be adopted in the water management system for desired impact in order to fit into government’s Ghana beyond Aid agenda.

District Chief Executive (DCE) for North Dayi, Edmund Kudjoh Attah who chaired the occasion underscored the importance of clean water in rural areas describing the theme for the engagement as apt.

The Dean of MDCEs commended the Agency for their efforts and urged them to ensure more rural areas were covered in future to make the SDG 6 achievable.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

HHOSA Donates Learning Materials to Alma Mater

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March 21, 2019

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By: Rita Kafui Nedjoh | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Ho Housing Old Students Association (HHOSA) has presented Aki Ola textbooks and story books worth GHC500.00 to their alma mater, Ho Housing M/A School to facilitate teaching and learning in the school.

The donation was in response to an earlier appeal for assistance made on behalf of the school by the Headmistress, Madam Paulina Sallah.

The items were bought with funds from the past students of the school and some donations from individuals.

Handing over the items to the management of the school at a ceremony, Chairman of HHOSA, Mr. Ansah Elikplim expressed confidence that the books would significantly help to address the challenges the school had been faced with.

He advised the pupils to take good care of the books and study hard to make good grades in their final Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

He also called on management of the school to maintain the books and to ensure quality teaching in the school.

Receiving the books on behalf of the school, the Headmistress Madam Paulina Sallah thanked the old students for not forgetting their alma mater and promised to take good care of the books given them.

Mrs. Paulina Sallah however, appealed to old students and other individuals to also come to the aid of Ho Housing M/A School in addressing the many challenges facing the school.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

‘I’m Ripe for the Job; Leadership Not About Certificates’ – Avuletey

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Volta Online

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March 21, 2019

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Avuu — Mr. Johnson Avuletey, Deputy Regional Minister

By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com|

The Deputy Volta Regional Minister-designate, Mr. Johnson Avuletey has justified his nomination by President Akufo-Addo to serve in the second top most political position in the region despite his limited academic qualifications.

The nominee, who is a former timber merchant and reverend minister, during his appearance before the Appointment Committee of Parliament on Wednesday downplayed the relevance of academic qualifications in the political administration of a region, stating that, regardless of his limited academic credentials, he was the right person at the moment to assist the regional minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa to drive the president’s transformation agenda in the region.

‘I am more than the right person [for this job] and my going into that office is a relief to the people of the region,’ the outgoing Regional Premix Fuel Coordinator said in response to a question from a member of the committee and MP for Hohoe, Dr. Bernice Adiku-Heloo who sort to know his suitability for the office.

The 3-time Regional Organizer of the governing new patriotic Party (NPP), in a further response to a follow up question from the Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhiyini, regarding his highest academic qualification being a Diploma in Adult Education, stated that, academic certificate was not the only consideration for his appointment but also his leadership skills and experience of the political terrain in the region.

According to him, ‘If you’re appointed as a regional minister or deputy to the best of my knowledge, it is not only certificate they watch. You are a leader and you must be accountable to the people, you have to bring a lot of people on board and prosecute government agenda.’

Adding that, members of the appointment committee would be marveled with his performance in office, when given the nod and later invite him back to the august house for recognition.

Seen as a grassroot man, the nominee said he was well abreast with the challenges of the people in the region, which, when given the nod, he will assist his minister to address.

Other issues that featured on Mr. Avuletey’s almost an hour long vetting, include, his previous timber business, which he did between 1988 and 1998; and his role as premix fuel coordinator in curbing the diversion and smuggling of the highly subsidized product.

He nonetheless pledged to work hand-in-hand with the Regional Minister and all other stakeholders to ensure peaceful coexistence among residents, promote the region’s tourism potentials and spearhead the implementation of government’s flagship policies and programmes, which would provide sustainable jobs for the teeming youth.

The deputy minister-designate was accompanied by Regional minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa, and former deputy, Mr. Maxwell Blagodzi, MP for Krachi East, Mr. Michael Gyato, Energy Minister, Mr. John Peter Amewu, Volta Regional Director of NADMO, Mr. Divine Bosson and a host NPP party supporters.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

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

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March 20, 2019

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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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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