Suspected NDC Supporters Vandalised Ho Central Party Office

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January 21, 2025

BY: VoltaOnline NewsDesk

The Ho Central Constituency office of the National Democratic Congress was on Tuesday evening attacked, with some properties set ablaze.

According to information gathered by VoltaOnline, the incident was orchestrated by suspected party supporters who were disgruntled over non-inclusion of the constituency in the ongoing ministerial appointments by President Mahama.

The alleged supporters vandalised the constituency office located off Dome-Housing road, brought out furniture and other valuables, and set them ablaze. They also burnt tyres on the main road. The fire was however doused by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service who were called to the scene.

A source familiar with the situation told VoltaOnline that the individuals were protesting the non-inclusion of one party stalwart and financier, [name withheld], in President Mahama’s list of ministerial nominees.

‘Our investigations revealed that, a well-known party member led the people to break into the party office and vandalised properties in it,’ the source disclosed.

They however absconded from the scene before the arrival of the police.

Meanwhile, the party leadership is yet to officially comment on the incident.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Fire Swept Through Anloga Market

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Volta Online

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January 21, 2025

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BY: VoltaOnline NewsDesk

A devastating fire swept through the Anloga market in the Anloga District on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, destroying several stalls and leaving traders in despair.

The fire, which started around 2:00 pm, rapidly spread through the market due to the highly flammable materials on sale, according to a report by Anloga-based Radio Hogbe.

A trader Madam Gifty, who lost her wares, recounted her ordeal: “I was arranging my goods when the fire started. I heard someone shout ‘Fire! Fire!’ and then saw the flames spreading rapidly. My livelihood, everything I’ve worked for, is gone!” A corn mill was also destroyed in the blaze.

A fire personnel dousing the flames. (C) Radio Hogbe

The Anloga Fire Station, which responded promptly, managed to contain the inferno and prevent further damage. However, parts of the market, a bustling hub in the southern sector, lies in ruins, with traders counting their losses.

Meanwhile, the Anloga District Assembly has pledged support for the affected traders, helping them rebuild their stalls, while the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) investigates the cause of the fire.

An affected trader being consoled. (C) Radio Hogbe

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Ablakwa, Kofi Adams Make Pres. Mahama’s Third List of Ministerial Nominees

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Volta Online

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January 21, 2025

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BY: VoltaOnline NewsDesk

President John Dramani Mahama has released his third list of ministerial nominees, with Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Kofi Adams being two of the notable names on the list.

Hon. Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has been nominated for the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs, while Mr. Adams, the Member of Parliament for Buem in the Oti Region, has been nominated for the position of Minister of Sports and Recreation.

Other notable nominees on the list include Samuel Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, who has been nominated for the position of Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations. Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the NDC Director of Elections and IT, is heading to the Defence Ministry as sector Minister.

The list of nominee also includes the final three Regional Ministers, and some Ministers of State, including, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP who is designated for Government Communications.

The nominees are expected to undergo parliamentary vetting and approval in the coming weeks.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

NDC Commences Vetting of MMDCE Applicants in Volta Region

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Volta Online

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January 21, 2025

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BY: Lambert Coffie | VoltaOnline

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is set to commence the vetting of applicants vying for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) positions.

The exercise will be conducted at the conference room of the Residency in Ho.

The week-long exercise, which begins today, Tuesday, January 21, 2025, will evaluate over 280 applicants competing for 18 MMDCE slots in the region.

Day one will feature applicants from Hohoe, Kpando, and Afadzato South. Day two is dedicated solely to North Tongu, which has the highest number of applicants, totaling 40. Aspirants for Ho, numbering 24, will have their turn on Monday, January 27, 2025.

The vetting committee, comprising the NDC Regional Chairman, Regional Secretary, Regional Organizer, representatives from the council of elders, former appointees, the women’s wing, the parliamentary caucus, and two Constituency Executives, will shortlist three applicants for each of the 18 Assemblies. These shortlisted candidates will then be forwarded to the NDC National headquarters for further consideration by the president.

Meanwhile, below is the list of individuals vying for the MCE portfolio in the Ho Municipal Assembly:

Mawunyo Agbe
Kasu Richard Delali Kofi
Ivy Emefa Adiko
Atsinah Richard Azorko
Sylvia Afi Sowatey
Geoffrey Nkrumah-Gatsey
Selasie Priscilla Coffie
Sitsofe Kofi Kataku
Stephen Adom
Tsevi Jackson Kwaku
Awuma Frank Yao
Daniel Kodjo Agboka Dzegede
Joycelyn Akorfa Ochlich
Franklin Kofi Gedzia
Margaret Akua Dzogbewu
Martha M. Gato-Lagble
Divine Freg Afedo
Manfred Nuku-Dei
Stanley Nelvis Glate
Joseph Emil Amevor
Geli James Mensa Kwami
Edem Kodzo Gadzanku
Cyril Fiator
Lt (GN) Tony Anyawoe (Rtd)

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

OPINION: Valuing Our Grassroots Leaders: It’s Time to Pay Our Assembly Members

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Volta Online

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January 20, 2025

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BY: Togbui Dzablu IV | OPINION

As a traditional leader and a concerned citizen, I am compelled to speak out on the plight of our District Assembly members and Unit committee members. These dedicated individuals are the backbone of our governance system, working tirelessly to promote local development and democracy. Yet, they are not paid for their work.

This is unacceptable.Article 242 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana recognizes the importance of District Assemblies in our governance system ¹. However, the District Assembly Elections Act, 1994 (Act 473), does not provide for the payment of salaries or allowances to District Assembly members.

This has far-reaching consequences. Without compensation, Assembly members are often forced to use their own resources to support community development projects, creating a burden on them and their families and potentially leading to corruption and undue influence.Furthermore, the monetization of the confirmation of District Chief Executives and the election of Council of State members has created a system that undermines the integrity of local governance.

Assembly members are expected to play a crucial role in these processes, but they are not paid for their work. Instead, they are often influenced by financial incentives, which can lead to decisions that are not in the best interest of their communities.It is time for the government to recognize the value of our Assembly members and Unit committee members. They deserve to be paid for their work, and they deserve our respect and support.

I urge the recent constitutional review team to consider Act 473 and make necessary amendments to ensure that Assembly members are empowered to perform their duties effectively.I also call on community members to support their Assembly members and Unit committee members, and to recognize the sacrifices they make for our communities.

In many communities, Assembly members are the ones who provide support and assistance to residents. They help to resolve disputes, provide guidance and counseling, and facilitate development projects. They are the face of local government, and they play a critical role in promoting democracy and good governance.

However, despite their importance, Assembly members are often overlooked and undervalued. They are not provided with the necessary resources and support to perform their duties effectively, and they are often expected to work for free. This is not sustainable. If we want to build stronger, more vibrant communities, we need to recognize the value of our Assembly members and Unit committee members.

We need to provide them with the necessary support and resources, and we need to pay them for their work.Let us work together to build stronger, more vibrant communities. Let us support our Assembly members and Unit committee members, and let us show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication.

It is time to pay our Assembly members. It is time to recognize their value and their contributions to our communities. Let us make it happen.

The writer is a media practitioner and Awafia of Kpando Dzewoe

Gunu Meets Togbe Afede, Other Stakeholders Ahead of Vetting

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Volta Online

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January 20, 2025

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BY: VoltaOnline NewsDesk

The Volta Regional Minister-Designate, Hon. James Gunu, has hit the ground running, meeting with key stakeholders and outlining his agenda for the region.

Upon his return from abroad over the weekend, Hon. Gunu met with Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli, at his residence in Accra. The meeting was to formally introduce himself to the Overlord of the Regional Capital, Ho, and solicit his support for his leadership of the region. The meeting also brought together other key stakeholders, including the Manager of Sunon Asogli Ltd, the Ivorian ambassador to Ghana, and an Indian Investor.

L-R: Sunon Asogli Manager, Hon. Gunu, Ivorian Ambassador, Togbe Afede & the Indian Investor

On Sunday, the Minister-Designate was given a rousing welcome at the NDC Regional Office in Ho, where he interacted with party officials. Earlier, he held engagements with stakeholders in his home constituency of Akatsi North, and sought the blessings of traditional leaders, ahead of his parliamentary vetting scheduled for January 23.

Hon. Gunu until his nomination, was the Regional Secretary of the NDC and the first DCE for Akatsi North District, between 2012 and 2017.

Related Story: Volta Regional Minister-Designate Pledges to Work for All

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Former Ho MCE Reacts to Viral Video, Alleging His Ownership of Housing Project

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Volta Online

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January 19, 2025

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BY: Lambert Coffie| VoltaOnline

The immediate past MCE for Ho, Hon. Divine Bosson, has responded to allegations claiming he owns a 10-unit detached 2-bedroom apartment project in Godokpui, a suburb of Ho.

A viral video had suggested that the project, which he spearheaded during his tenure, was actually his personal project.

However, in a statement via his official Facebook page on Saturday, January 18, Mr. Bosson has refuted the allegations, explaining that the project, which was in line with the government’s affordable housing initiative, was meant to alleviate the accommodation burden faced by Assembly staff. He emphasized that the project was undertaken in collaboration with state institutions, including the Ghana Health Service, the Nurses Training College, and the School of Hygiene.

The housing project as captured in the viral video

According to him, the land in question is owned by the Ghana Health Service and is currently occupied by the Nurses Training College and School of Hygiene. He also noted that there is a documented agreement in place to ensure that the two institutions benefit from the facility, not just the Ho Municipal Assembly staff.

Hon. Bosson further expressed concern over the spread of misinformation and has instructed his lawyers to take action to protect his reputation and clear his name.

Meanwhile, some assembly members are demanding thorough investigations into the project, citing a lack of documentation at the Municipal Assembly. They claim that the former MCE only mentioned the project during an assembly meeting but failed to provide details on funding, contractors, and terms of agreement.

“Assembly projects are captured in the medium-term plan and budgeted for. But this particular project isn’t captured in any such document. And even that, the assembly works department isn’t in charge of the project,” an assembly member told VoltaOnline, and called on the new government to institute a probe into the issue.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

GES Interdicts Three Officers; Taxi Driver Arrested Over Alleged Food Diversion

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Volta Online

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January 19, 2025

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BY: VoltaOnline NewsDesk

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has interdicted three officers of the Tsito Senior High Technical School (SHTS) in the Volta Region, pending an investigation into the alleged diversion of over 100 cartons of tin tomatoes meant for student meals.

The interdicted officers are Rev. Joy Kafui Akpebu, Headmaster of Tsito SHTS, Mr. Sylvanus Awunyo, Storekeeper, and Mr. Samuel Kwame Ampeh, Driver.

According to a statement issued by the GES via Facebook on Saturday, January 18, 2025, the decision to interdict the officers was in accordance with Section 8, Clauses (i-v) of the GES Code of Conduct, which authorizes the interdiction of staff who may interfere with an ongoing investigation.

The incident came to light after a viral video emerged on Friday of a taxi driver conveying cartons of tin tomatoes on the Sokode-Akrofu road. The driver, Atsu, was caught with 109 cartons of tin tomatoes in his Opel Astra vehicle, allegedly transferred from a school bus belonging to Tsito SHTS.

Hon. Macbillion Bansah, the Assembly Member for the area, corroborated the incident, stating that he received a call about the incident and arrived at the scene to find the taxi driver with the items.”I received a call about the incident, and when we arrived at the scene, we found the taxi driver with about 109 cartons of tin tomatoes,” Mr. Bansah said. “We immediately called the police, and the driver was taken into custody.”

Atsu, the taxi driver, is currently being held at the Ho Central Police station, assisting with investigations.

The incident has raised concerns about the mismanagement of school resources and the potential for corruption, especially in light of recent reports of food shortages in schools across the country.

Source: Evans Attah Akangla, Swiss FM

PURC Urges Utility Companies in Bono East to Improve Service Quality

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Volta Online

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January 18, 2025

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BY: VoltaOnline NewsDesk

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has called on utility companies operating in the Bono East Region to step up their game and improve the quality of services they provide to consumers.

This call to action was made by the Bono East Regional Manager of PURC, Mr. Cassiel Eghan Asiedu, during the presentation of the Commission’s 2024 annual report to stakeholders in the region.

According to the report, a total of 452 complaints were lodged against utility companies in the region in 2024. Fortunately, 446 of these complaints were resolved, representing an impressive 98.67% resolution rate.

However, despite this high resolution rate, the report highlighted some disturbing trends. For instance, the majority of the complaints lodged were against the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), with issues such as pole faults, cable problems, power outages, phase-offs, and voltage fluctuations being the most common. In fact, these quality of service complaints accounted for 61.20% of the total complaints lodged against NEDCo, followed by billing complaints which accounted for 29.31%.

Mr. Asiedu noted that most of the complaints were lodged through electronic media, particularly the WhatsApp platforms created by the PURC to interact with stakeholders. He emphasized the need for utility companies to ensure reliable and high-quality service delivery, adding that the PURC will continue to protect the interests of all stakeholders.

Mr. Asiedu also urged for more collaboration among stakeholders to ensure quality service delivery and satisfactory customer service.

The PURC’s call to action is expected to resonate with consumers in the Bono East Region, who have been clamoring for improved services from utility companies.

Source: Kingsley Attitsogbui

Volta Regional Minister-Designate Pledges to Work for All

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Volta Online

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January 16, 2025

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BY: Lambert Coffie | VoltaOnline

Mr. James Gunu, the newly nominated Volta Regional Minister, has expressed heartfelt gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership for the honour bestowed upon him.

In a statement, Hon. Gunu expressed deep humility and commitment to serving the people of the Volta Region. He pledged to work tirelessly in the interest of all, regardless of political affiliation, to promote the development and prosperity of the region.”I am committed to working closely with traditional and religious leaders, party executives, Members of Parliament, and other stakeholders to meet the expectations of the people of the Volta Region,” he stated.

The Minister-Designate also acknowledged the overwhelming support and joy that greeted his nomination, saying it gives him a huge sense of responsibility and trust that God will guide him in his new role.

As a veteran journalist and local government expert, Hon. Gunu brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies (Journalism) and two Master’s degrees: one in Development Communication and another in Local Government Administration and Organisation.

Until his nomination, Mr. Gunu was a 2-term Regional Secretary of the NDC since 2018, having served as the first District Chief Executive (DCE) for Akatsi North from 2012-2016.

Related Story: James Gunu nominated Volta Regional Minister

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com