Alavanyo Residents Demand Independent Probe Into Killing of Two Persons During Security Operation

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January 14, 2019

Alavanyo shooting (1) — The Agitated Residents on the streets

By: | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Residents of Alavanyo-Dzogbedze in the Hohoe municipality are demanding an independent probe into circumstances which led to the killing of two indigenes by a joint police-military task force in the area last Sunday.

There was an uneasy calm in the area after the joint security task reportedly clashed with some agitating youth and in the process shot and killed the two persons and injured at least six others during an operation in the area.

Report from the area suggested that, the Police had sought the assistance of the Chief of Alavanyo Dzogbedze to help retrieve handcuffs that had gone missing during an arrest operation early in the day.

According to the Queen Mother of Alavanyo, Mama Ametor II, Alavanyo-Dzogbedze which is the first town from Kpando had some Indian Hemp (wee) farm. Although there was a Joint Police and Military camp at Alavanyo-Kpeme overseeing the area, a Police patrol team went to the farm without their knowledge to undertake a wee operation at about midday.

The Bodies of the deceased persons conveyed from the scene in a Pickup vehicle, 15 hours after the incident

She alleged that the Officers who went to the farm and requested for money, but the owner refused, making the officers burn the farm. They then arrested the owner and two other guys, which infuriated the youth of the town. They then assisted the three guys who were handcuffed to escape arrest.

The Police left the town only to return at about 6:00pm that same day to talk to the Commander of the Military Team at Alavanyo to assist them retrieve their handcuffs. They met the Alavanyo Dzogbedze Chief who assured them of getting their handcuffs back.

Unfortunately, when they were returning, the crowd gathered in the town hooted at them. Few moments later gunshots were heard, leading to the death of two men and injury of six others.

Contradictions

This account however contradicts that of the Police, as the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Francis E. Doku told the media on Monday morning that the six officers that went there on Sunday Afternoon, included officers from the SWAT unit to intercept illegal arms and not Indian Hemp.

He said residents attacked his officers leaving one unconscious. They freed their suspects and took an Ak47 Rifle and three handcuffs.

The team reported the incident at Kpando Divisional Police command where another team went in the evening to retrieve the gun and the handcuffs. On returning the team was shot at by unknown assailants from the bush and the Police returned fire leading to the two deaths and injuries.

Although the Regional Police Commander claimed in his interaction with the media hours before midday that his men had visited the scene and conveyed the body to the morgue, it emerged that his men were not on the ground as at then.

This portal can authoritatively report that the corpses were conveyed at 1:30pm Monday in the presence of the Hohoe MCE and the Queen mother of Alavanyo

Checks in the area revealed the bodies of the deceased persons remained at the scene for several hours before they were finally conveyed to the morgue later on Monday.

Information gathered indicated that, police officers assigned to go and assess the two corpses and convey same to the morgue did not go, for fear of their lives.

The Officers feared that the youth in Alavanyo, particularly Dzodgedze where the incident happened will stage a reprisal attack to revenge the death of their kinsmen.

After a lot of back and forth, the bodies were finally conveyed by the Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Teddy Ofori, the Queen Mother of Alavanyo Traditional Area, Mama Ametor II, a National Security and BNI official at about 1;30pm on Monday; over 15 hours after the young men died.

The Queen mother, who was not happy about the situation, wondered why the Police will allow the bodies of the same men they shot to lie down by the road side for such long.

REGSEC Meet as Alavanyo Fumes

As at the time this report was filed, the Volta Regional Security Council (REGSEC) was in a crunch meeting at Kpando with the Police and other key stakeholders.

Meanwhile, residents in Alavanyo have expressed disgust at the action of the Police and are calling on the IGP, National Security Coordinator, Interior Minister and the President to order an investigation into events leading to the cause of death of their relatives.

Mama Ametor II was not happy with the accounts of the Police describing it as half-truth as there are many inconsistencies in the accounts.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

[Article] Human Rights and Issues of Vulnerable Groups

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Volta Online

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January 11, 2019

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By: Patience Sewurah | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Human Right is a right that everyone is entitled to as a human being regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political affiliation, nationality, social status among others.

The question is, does everyone or every citizen enjoy this fundamental human rights?

We live in a society, Ghana for example, where women and children are not allowed to do certain things based on some cultural and traditional norms that people still hold on to. Also, persons living with disabilities get discriminated for no fault of theirs but for their disability.

Despite all the human rights provisions in the 1992 that every Ghanaian citizen is entitled to vulnerable groups including women and children, persons with disabilities, lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender and intersexual (LGBTIs) and albinos continue to have their rights abused in our various communities.

Although the Constitution guarantees rights to freedom of expression and of assembly to Ghanaian citizens, these fundamental rights of LGBTI people are actively denied them making them targets of physical and violent attacks.

There had been some media reports of such discriminatory acts such as kicking out young gay people from their homes among others.

Government of Ghana has a responsibility especially after it has committed itself at the international stage to promote the rights of every citizen (including LGBTIs) to strengthen institutions in charge of human rights issues such as Commission on Human

Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Social welfare, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), etc to get to the defense of such vulnerable groups as well as carry out a thorough public education on the rights of every citizen in the society.

As a Journalist and a Human Rights Defender, I say let us all come together to protect the vulnerable and the less privileged in our society for a prosperous future.

NB: Writer is a Broadcast Journalist

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Nkwanta United Holds RTU to 2-2 Draw in Friendly Encounter

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Volta Online

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January 11, 2019

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By: Obrempongba Kwame Owusu | Voltaonlinegh.com

Newly promoted Division Two side, Nkwanta United has managed a 2-2 draw with former Premier League side, Real Tamale United (RTU) in a friendly match at the late Joe Tetteh Coffei stadium in Nkwanta in the Volta Region.

The home side, Nkwanta United, took the lead 5 minutes into the game through a blunder committed by RTU goalkeeper, Mubarak Somed.

He got punished by Eviem Edem who made no mistake in scoring his first goal for his club.

Nkwanta United doubled the lead when Alhassan Atakora Borjan scored a corner kick from Mensah Godson on the 16th minute.
But experienced RTU came back strongly with tactical passes to level the score-line through Maulaya and Taufig Alolo in the 36th and 43rd minutes of the first half.

The former Asante Kotoko, Kessben FC and AC Horsen of Denmark player, Taufiq Alhassan Alolo who captained RTU side converted a rebound to cancel the second goal.

After the break, Eviem Edem missed a chance to put revitalised Nkwanta United side ahead when he blasted the ball off the post.

Coach Ibrahim Tanko of RTU commended his boys for equalising the two goals scored in the early minutes of the game.

Mr Tanko was optimistic his formidable side will soon bounce back strongly into the Ghana Premier League.

He advised Nkwanta United players to be disciplined and strictly stick to instructions from their coach to better their career.

Nkwanta United coach, Daniel Kwame Tweneboah was content with the performance of his boys and expressed gratitude to the people of Nkwanta for the immense support shown throughout the game.

He added that Nkwanta United looks forward to playing with two clubs from the region, Elite FC of Hohoe in their next game on January 20, 2018 at Joe Tetteh Coffie Park before taking on the Borborlogi-Boys of Kpando Heart of Lions.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Court Remands Metro Mass Driver and Conductor for Two Weeks

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Volta Online

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January 10, 2019

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By: Obrempongba Kwame Owusu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

A driver and a conductor of a Metro Mass Transit (MMT) bus intercepted with a submachine gun (SMG) and live ammunitions on Sunday at Nkwanta in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Volta Region have been remanded into police custody for two weeks.

The two, driver, Tony Kwaku Ann Baidoo and his mate, Samuel Larbi were on Tuesday, arraigned before the Nkwanta District Court on charges of conspiracy and illegal possession of firearms.

The Prosecutor, Detective Victor Gadese, pleaded for more time to gather evidence in prosecuting the two suspects.

The court presided over by Baba Issahaku Iddi remanded the suspects into custody for two weeks to allow the prosecutor time to continue his investigations.

The suspects who are currently in the Nkwanta Police station cells failed to produce owners of ammunitions concealed under seats and boots onboard the MMT bus they were operating.

A team of police personnel during a random search on the bus on Sunday at the Nkwanta Police barrier retrieved one SMG riffle plus 3 packets of metal cache consisting of 2,100 rounds of ammunitions.

The case had been adjourned to January 22, 2019.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Togbe Afede Hosts Aged & Children of Asogli to End-of-Year Banquet

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Volta Online

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January 9, 2019

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com|

Agbogbomefia of Asogli and President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV has organised his annual banquet for hundreds of aged people and about 2,300 children from the Asogli State at his residence in Ho, the Volta Regional capital.

The event which was in celebration of the yuletide had the children taking their turn on Boxing Day, Wednesday December 26, 2018 before the elderly, who had their turn last Sunday, January 6, 2019.

Last Sunday’s feast attracted the aged, opinion leaders, elders and chiefs from the traditional area who were treated to sumptuous meals including “akple” and “fetridetsi”, a staple food of the people, and good music.

In a similar fashion, the children, mostly basic school pupils, enjoyed good food and music spiced with storytelling sessions, thus, making the day one of fun for them.

A section of the children at Wednesday’s event

However, unlike the event for the aged yet in a very humbling way, the children had the opportunity to be served by chiefs of Asogli State including Togbe Afede who led the team of his chiefs to ensure every child that showed up on the day had something to eat and drink.

Togbe Afede XIV serving children at the event

Speaking on behalf of Togbe Afede on Sunday, Chief of Ahoe, Togbe Kasa III, called on the senior citizens to train their children and grandchildren into good leaders, setting them on the right path to build the nation in future.

According to him, there would be no bright future if the youth who will be the future leaders tomorrow lack the right upbringing and through the use of drugs and improper dressing among others, waste their youthfulness.

Togbe Kasa therefore charged the aged to put their feet down and ensure they correct the young ones and discipline them into responsible people capable of taking up the challenge to build the nation in the future.

The aged at the party at Togbe Afede’s resisidence

Mama Agblatsu III, Afetor-nyornufia of Bankoe on behalf of Shepherd’s Centre of Ageing, a group of aged Christians with branches in various parts of the region, who were also in attendance at Sunday’s event, commended the Agbogbomefia for his initiative to annually host the aged to a dinner table and in effect, uniting to create a joyful old age for every aged person.

Mama Agblatsu also touched on the admonishing by Togbe Kasa to parents and decried the challenges of modern parenting, saying the younger generation nowadays, with the help of technology, find ways of doing things at the blind side of their parents making the issue of discipline and character building problematic.

She nonetheless added her voice by tasking parents to among other things ensure their children go to the bed before them and asked that parents desist from forcing their children to look for means to fend for the family.

In the ealier event for the children, Togbe Afede XIV urged the children to be obedient, respect their parents and persevere in their academic studies to become important people in future so as to play useful roles in the society.

Togbe Afede addressing the children. To the left is Togbe Kasa III

He called on them to learn at the feet of accomplished personalities in the Asogli State and beyond and aspire to be like them and even more in future, plegding the Asogli State’s readiness to support needy but brilliant pupils and students to attain every height in their academic pursuits.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Nkwanta Police Impounds Metro Mass Bus With Stockpile of Ammunitions

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Volta Online

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January 7, 2019

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Metro Mass ammunitions (2) — The impounded bus

By: Obrempongba Kwame Owusu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Police at Nkwanta in the newly created Oti Region has intercepted ammunitions onboard an Accra-Kpassa bound Metro Mass Transit (MMT) bus, with registration number GR 4417-12 on Sunday evening.

The weapons which were concealed under the passenger seats of the bus and in the booth, were intercepted at police barrier in the late hours of Sunday during a random search by a team of police personnel including the Municipal Commander, ASP William Ayensu, Inspector Linus Akpatsa, Lance Corporal Michael Appiah and Corporal Benjamin Andoh and others.

The items retrieved included one SMG riffle plus 3 packets of metal cache consisting of 2,100 rounds of ammunitions.

ASP William Ayensu who disclosed this to Voltaonlinegh.com commended his team for retrieving such weapons from the bus.

He also cautioned drivers and the general public to be extra careful when someone gives them parcels to be delivered from one point to the other.

Meanwhile, the driver of the MMT bus, Tony Kwaku Ann Bedu and the conductor, Samuel Larbi, have since been kept at the Nkwanta Police Station to assist the police with investigations.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Ghana Taekwando Federation Appoints New PRO and Dep Secretary

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Volta Online

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January 5, 2019

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By: Yaw Skef | Voltaonlinegh.com

The Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) at its first board meeting for the year 2019 has appointed Mr Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey as their Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Mr Adnan Odartey Lamptey as their Deputy Secretary General.

The appointment, finalised at the meeting on January 3, 2019, became necessary as Mr Lamptey (5th dan Taekwondo practitioner) has been loaded with administrative duties of the Federation, thus, the confirmation by the board.

Meanwhile, the appointment of Mr Clottey to replace Mr Adnan’s previous portfolio (PRO) was by dent of hard work and commitment towards the promotion and development of Ghana Taekwondo.

Adnan Odartey Lamptey, Deputy Secretary General for GTF.

Mr Clottey, who reports for Voltaonlinegh.com served on the Publicity and Media Sub Committee during the 1st Ghana Open last year and also the recently formed part of the Local Organising Committee for the 10th Korea Cup Taekwondo Championships.

By this new appointment, he was being tasked to do more as the GTF prepares to begin a busy 2019.

The Board had (with the backing of Article 14.7 of the Constitution) among major decisions at their meeting, dissolved all Committees. However, it opened up for registered interested persons to apply to be members of the 9 committees.

The Ghana Taekwondo Federation begins a busy year with a visit by 4 from the World Taekwondo Peace Corps, Headquartered in the Republic of Korea in January.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Minister Apologises Over Media ‘Curfew’ During Oti Referendum

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Volta Online

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January 4, 2019

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By: KALD & Rita Nedjoh| Voltaonlionegh.com |

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa has rendered an apology to the Ghana Journalists Association in the Volta region for the unintended consequences of a security alert, restricting movement of reporters during the just ended referendum for the proposed Oti region.

Journalists in the course of Thursday, 27^th December 2018 referendum for the creation of a new region in the northern part the Volta region, were asked by the Regional Police commander, DCOP Francis Doku to restrict their movement to the media centre at Bueman SHS in Jasikan, following security intelligence which pointed to plans by some indigenes to attack unfamiliar faces in the area including reporters.

This did not go down well with the GJA-Volta, which in a statement signed by the Regional Chairman, Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi, described the development as “unfortunate in view of Ghana being an icon of democratic growth and development, following the referendum that ushered in the Fourth Republic.”

However, speaking at a press soiree organized by the Volta Regional Police command on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, where the issue took centre stage, Dr. Letsa who is also the Chairman of the Regional Security Council (RegSec) said the caution to journalists to restrict their movement during the referendum was not intended to prevent them from performing their duties but rather to safeguard their safety and security in the area.

He thus apologized to the media fraternity and said “the security alert which was communicated by the commander was from regional security council and it was in no way done to stop you from doing your work, so as the chairman of RegSec, I want to apologise to you if such a decision didn’t go down well with you.”

“We all know this referendum was a novel process in our democracy and stakes were quite high so as a security council we were just being proactive to ensure everything goes on peacefully and if in that process you felt offended, I apologise and let’s continue to work together,” the Minister added.

That notwithstanding, Dr. Letsa commended the cordial relationship between the police administration and the media in the region, and urged the two institution to continue to work collaboratively to ensure absolute peace and tranquility prevail in the society.

The Soiree

The soiree which took place at the Regional Police headquarters in Ho on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 brought together media practitioners, regional security heads, officers and personnel of the Police services to wine and dine, while taking stock of the previous year performances.

In attendance also was the Deputy Regional Minister, Mr. Maxwell blagodzi.

The Regional Police Commander DCOP Francis Doku on his part commended the support of the media to the service over the years, stating that “the relationship between the Police and the Press has been cordial and constructive.”

He noted that, the region in the just ended 2018 witnessed less crime as compared to the preceding year, a feat he attributed to the effectiveness of the security agencies in the region.

“I dare say that the Volta Regional Police has not been sleeping on its job at all and this is succinctly proven by the crime statistics of the year 2017 as against 2018,” DCOP Doku stated and called for more public cooperation to help bring down the incidences of crime to the barest minimum.

New District Command

The Regional Police chief also announced plans to open new district police commands at Juapong and Adaklu in the North Tongu and Adaklu districts respectively by the middle of 2019, as he appealed to the Regional Coordinating council to help provide vehicles for the new commands when they become operational.

GJA

The Regional chairman of GJA-Volta, Mr. Kafui Kanyi on his part applauded the police command for recognizing the support of the media and hosting them to such an occasion.

He indicated that, the media-police relationship was very symbiotic for which both institutions must continue to support each other in the discharge of their constitutionally mandated duties without any hindrance.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Akplakope Residents Get Potable Water at Last

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Volta Online

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January 3, 2019

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By: Tabitha Kugbonu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The people of Akplakope, a community in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region have heaved a sigh of relief after a borehole water project was handed over to the community to help resolve their age-long water problems.

The 5,000-dollar project was constructed by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) Shaqiri Family and BRR Group of USA in collaboration with Amazing Amazing Grace Children’s Foundation after Member of Parliament (MP) for the area had lobbied them to provide good drinking water for his people.

The project would serve other communities in the district including Bakpa Dokpo, Bakpa Akplakope and Bakpa Bedikpo.

In an interview with the MP for the area, Alexander Gabby Hottorwodze, he stated that throughout his campaign tour in the community during the 2016 general elections, he realised that the community lacked a lot of social amenities such as potable drinking water, electricity, good roads among others, thus, planned on solving the problems one after the other.

Hon Hottorwodze said though his party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) unfortunately lost the presidential election, he (the MP) won and needed to help his people in any way possible to have access to good drinking which had resulted in the commissioning of the borehole water project.

He therefore urged the residents to make good use of the water and expect more developmental projects in their community.

Mr. Clifford Yaw Frimpong, a representative from the NGOs, stated that he had close relation with the MP and through their discussions, the MP made him aware that the community needed potable water and so, arrangements were made to get the NGOs to construct the borehole water project for the community.

He expressed satisfaction about the project and promised to help the community to get access to other projects from his NGOs.

In an interview with residents of the community, they expressed gratitude for having access to potable water which had remained their cry for over a decade.

One of them, Bensah Sakpiti thanked the MP and the NGOs for finding a lasting solution to their water challenges and promised that the community would make good use of the project.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

NGO Celebrates New Year For Aged Persons in Afadzato South

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Volta Online

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January 3, 2019

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By: Albert Kuzor | Voltaonlinegh.com|

A non-governmental organization, Kafui Foundation has in the spirit of the yuletide set a table to celebrate the New Year for hundreds of aged people in the Afadzato South district.

The event which took place on the second day of the new year, (Wednesday, January 2, 2019) saw over 500 senior citizens together with traditional leaders from various communities within the district gathered at Ve-Golokuati, where they were treated to sumptuous meals and good music.

Founder of Kafui Foundation, Ms Kafui Takyi and her team who spent time with the old people, extended the season’s felicitations to them and entreated them to help ensure peace and tranquility prevail in their various communities.

She noted that, the occasion was to celebrate the senior citizens for their immense contributions towards the growth and development of their communities and the nation as a whole during their youthful days.

According her, “over the years these people have been left alone making them to feel neglected by the society after their working age, so the Foundation has seen it necessary to bring them together to make them feel that they are not forgotten.”

Ms. Takyi thus promised to make the party an annual event for the aged to have fun and also receive free medical screening.

The event, which was graced by the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Mr. Wisdom Semanu Seneadza afforded the elderly people the opportunity to once again reminisce the good old days and also dialogue on developmental issues of the district.

On his part, the DCE lauded the generosity of the organizers, as he encouraged the old people to have hope in the New Year.

He also applauded the traditional leaders in the area for ensuring peaceful co-existence in the district and urged them to continue to show leadership and provide wise counsel for the development the forward march of the district.

The Kafui Foundation is an NGO with focus on issues of Education and Health in the Volta region.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com