#OtiReferendum: Voters Give 98% Endorsement to New Oti Region

By

-

December 28, 2018

Oti Yes Campaign (3) — Pro-Oti campaigners on a street march.

By: Voltaonlinegh.com |

Voters in the proposed Oti region have given an overwhelming endorsement for the creation of the new region, as results of Thursday’s referendum has exceeded the minimum 80 per cent threshold of YES votes.

In all, 323,708 out of a total of 366,545 registered voters participated in the polls, of which 319,296 representing 98.64 per cent voted ‘YES’ with 2,878 ‘NO’ votes and 1,534 rejected votes recorded respectively.

Turnout on the day was 88.31 per cent, far above the constitutional threshold of 50 percent.

Mr Joseph Kodua, the Regional returning officer of Electoral Commission, announced the outcome of the referendum to an ecstatic crowd at the collation centre at the Bueman Senior High School in Jasikan on Friday with the following breakdown;

Hohoe Municipal (SALL), 21,367 registered voters, votes cast 10,619, 9,427 YES votes, 1,125 NO votes and 67 rejected votes, thus scoring 49.79% of the threshold of votes

Jasikan district had 40,566 registered voters, 39,360 votes cast, 38, 915 YES votes, 310 NO votes and 135 rejected votes thus scoring 97.03 %.

Biakoye district had 43,571 registered voters, 36,883 votes cast, 36,351 YES votes, 434NO votes and 98 rejected votes with a score of 84.65%

Kadjebi district had 43,586 registered voters, 40665 votes cast, 40002 YES votes, 553 NO votes and 110 rejected ballots thus scoring93.35 %.

Krachi East had 45,833 registered voters, 42,786 votes cast, 42,485 YES votes, 204 NO votes and 97 rejected ballots with a score of 93.35%

Krachi West had 28,157 registered voters, 27734 votes cast, 27,577YES votes, 66 NO votes and 91 rejected ballots leading to a score of 98.50 %

Krachi Nchumuru had 33, 357 registered voters, 29,112 votes cast, 29000YES votes, 51NO votes and 61 rejected ballots making a score of 87.27 %.

Nkwanta South had 58, 925 registered voters, 50, 893 votes cast, 50, 006 YES votes, 18 NO votes and 779 rejected ballots resulting to 80.37%

Nkwanta North had 51,183 registered voters, 45, 656 votes cast, 45,443 YES votes, 117 NO votes and 96 rejected votes thus scoring 89.20%.

Jubilant citizens of Jasikan burst into joy and spontaneously embarked on a float on the streets to celebrate the victory.

Present at the collation centre were the Minister of Integration and Regional Organisation, Mr Dan Botwe; Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yaw Letsa; Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Mr Maxwell Blagodzi; former national organizer of NDC, Mr Kofi Adams; and some municipal and district chief executives.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com / Additional files from Graphic Online

#OtiReferendum: GJA Unhappy With ‘Curfew’ On Media Coverage

By

Volta Online

-

December 27, 2018

0

By: Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Volta region chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has expressed resentment about attempts to blackout media coverage of the ongoing referendum in the proposed Oti region.

This follows a directive from the Regional Police Command to journalists covering the polls to restrict their movement in the area, as intelligence gathered revealed some persons in the Oti enclave were uncomfortable with unknown faces, including the journalists observing the process and could attack them.

Instead, the police command advised reporters to converge at a makeshift media centre set up at the Bueman Senior High School at Jasikan, where they will receive periodic briefing on the process.

But a statement issued by the Regional chairman of GJA-Volta, Mr. 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.”

It said, the country was noted to have undertaken a number of major national elections and safely survived predictions of threats and violence; and as such, the GJA sees “the alleged threats from the Joint Consultative Committee on Oti and the locals, detractive, an act of intimidation and a means to muscle out the media from playing its watchdog role mandated by the 1992 Constitution.”

According to the statement, such “tendencies that could set bad precedents be avoided as we approach the 2020 general elections-A group of people cannot place a “curfew” on media coverage of public elections or determine how the exercise is covered.”

The GJA however also advised reporters to be highly professional, conscious of their safety but not be intimidated.

Polling Officers Gagged

Meanwhile, reports reaching Voltaonlinegh.com from some parts of the Oti area revealed some polling officials at the voting centres have been gagged from speaking to the media on the progress of the exercise.

According to information gathered, polling officers in some centres at Kpassa and Likpe have declined to give accredited reporters information on the voting process due what they said was an ‘order from above.’

“The Presiding officers are not speaking to the media anymore. We went to three polling stations. Not a single soul in a queue. The Presiding officers said they received orders not to speak to the media,” some reporters on the ground told Voltaonlinegh.com

You can follow all the updates on this referendum here on www.voltaonlinegh.com or on Facebook and Twitter, @Voltaonlinegh using the hashtag, #OtiReferendum #Referendum #DecisionDay

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

#OtiReferendum: Voting Commences Amidst Heightened Security

By

Volta Online

-

December 27, 2018

0

Oti Voting (3) — Voting ongoing at a polling station at Dambai

By: KALD & Fred Duhoe|Voltaonlinegh.com|

Voting has commenced across all polling stations within the proposed Oti region amidst tightened security to forestall any disturbances that could disrupt the referendum process.

Voltaonlinegh.com correspondents in the area report that, enthusiastic residents have defied the dry-hazy-cold harmattan weather to queue at voting centres, long before voting begun at 7:00am.

In all, some 366,545 registered voters in the eight earmarked districts and municipalities as well as four other traditional areas, for the new region are taking their turns at 814 polling stations to vote on whether the proposed Oti region should be created or not.

Correspondent, Fred Duhoe reports from Dambai in the Krachi East municipality that, business activities in the area have come to a standstill as voters trooped the polling centres to cast their ballot.

The chief of Dambai, Nana Koku Beyennor II was the first to cast his vote at the Lapaz polling station “A” where over 15 have people so far voted.

Chief of Dambai, Nana Koku Beyennor II after casting the first ballot

He is very optimistic, they will meet the constitutional threshold of at least 50 per cent voter turnout and 80 per cent ‘yes’ vote to see through the creation of their long desired Oti region.

According to Nana Koku Beyennor, “There is vim for victory; there are no worries at all. The turn out this morning alone speaks for itself and we have no worries at all.”

The Krachi East Member of Parliament, Mr. Michael Gyato who is on monitoring visits to some of the polling centres, said it was obvious the day will end well with victory.

“I have been to a number of polling stations already and I can say on authority that there is nothing that will hinder our progress.”

Krachi East MP, Michael Gyato monitoring the process

Unsafe Terrain for Media

Meanwhile, media personnel covering the referendum have been asked be to be extra vigilant on their rounds as the ground was not safe due to rising tension.

The Regional Police Commander, DCOP Francis Doku, has thus advised reporters to restrict their movements and converge at the Bueman Senior High School in Jasikan where a press centre will be set up for them to operate from.

You can follow all the updates on this referendum here on www.voltaonlinegh.com or on Facebook and Twitter, @Voltaonlinegh using the hashtag, #OtiReferendum #Referendum #DecisionDay

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

#OtiReferendum: Over 350k Voters to Decide Fate of ‘Oti Region’ Today

By

Volta Online

-

December 27, 2018

0

A sample ballot paper for today's referendum

By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

After months of anticipation and intense campaigning, the people in the northern part of the Volta region, which is earmarked for the proposed Oti region are set to go to the polls in a historic referendum, to decide the fate of their long cherished desire of having a region to themselves.

Some 366,545 registered voters across eight districts and municipalities as well as four other traditional areas, in the Oti enclave are expected to turn up at some 814 polling stations to vote on whether the proposed Oti region should be created or not.

The polls being conducted by the Electoral Commission is running from 7:00am to 5:00pm in the affected areas of Jasikan, Kadjebi, Biakoye, Nkwanta North, Krachi West, and Krachi Nchumuru districts, in addition to Krachi East and Nkwanta South municipalities as well Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Likpe traditional areas, taken out of the Hohoe municipality.

About 3,256 electoral officials, four per each centre have been deployed for this novel constitutional exercise, in which voters have the chance to choose between colours, yellow and brown, representing ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ respectively on the ballot paper.

The exercise which is ongoing in the five other proposed region across the country, is the first of its kind under the fourth republican constitution of the Ghana, and voters have a huge task of meeting the constitutional requirement of atleast 50 per cent turnout and 80 per cent ‘Yes’ vote to guarantee the creation of a new region.

Security

As a result of the mounting tension ahead of the polls, about 1,000 security personnel have been deployed to the Oti enclave to police the process, according to the Volta Regional Police commander, DCOP Francis Doku.

He said the security is on high alert for some group of persons, who per intelligence gathered intend to disrupt the exercise due to their opposition to the region creation.

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Krachi East, Mr. Michael Dzato has cautioned anti-Oti campaigners to stay off the area, as any attempt by them to derail the process will be fiercely resisted by the people.

He told correspondent, Fred Duhoe in an interview at Dambai that, “whoever comes to the Oti enclave to register a No vote will be resisted with our blood,” stressing that, “We don’t anticipate any ‘No’ vote in the referendum because all our people are yearning for development. Anyone within the Oti region who wants to vote ‘No’, has no problem with us but anyone from outside the mapped area who may want to, will have themselves to blame.”

You can follow all the updates on this referendum here on www.voltaonlinegh.com or on Facebook and Twitter, using the hashtag, #Otireferendum #Referendum #Decisionday

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Miracle Valley Assemblies of God Church Fetes Widows in Nkwanta South

By

Volta Online

-

December 26, 2018

0

By: Obrempongba Kwame Owusu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

With the vision to better the living standards of the less privileged, orphans and widows in society, Miracle Valley Assemblies of God Church, Ghana, Nkwanta-branch in the Volta Region on Sunday feted over 20 widows as part of the Christmas celebration.

This was the church’s contribution towards ensuring that widows in the church and their children enjoyed the Christmas festivities.

The theme for this year’s celebration was “Manifesting the Gift of the Spirit”.

Speaking after the event, Head Pastor of the Church, Rev Dr Prince Osei Barimah said “this is the time that Christian organisations as well as public-spirited organisations show compassion to the poor in the society.”

According to him, this gesture of organising an end-of -year get-together party has since 2014 been sustained to bring comfort to widows and the less privileged in the Nkwanta South Municipality during which they are supplied with food items and assorted drinks.

Rev Dr Barimah therefore, appealed to individuals, churches, and organisations to contribute in cash or kind towards improving the general welfare of the widows and the needy in society.

Madam Grace Klu, who spoke on behalf of the widows, thanked the church for their contributions and called for a conscious effort on the part of the church as well as individuals, organisations to help root out poverty among the less privileged.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Fire Guts 5-Bedroom Apartment at Aflao On Christmas

By

Volta Online

-

December 26, 2018

0

Burnt House (2) — Burnt roof of the building

By: Sylvia Awuye| Voltaonlinegh.com|

A five bedroom apartment at Gbagblakorpe, a suburb of Aflao in the Ketu South municipality was on Tuesday, (Christmas Day) razed down by fire.

The inferno, which occurred at about 10:00am swept through all rooms destroying several household items and belongings, except a mosque in the apartment.

Prior to the arrival of personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), who brought the situation under total control, residents managed to contain the spread of the fire to adjourning buildings.

Assistant Municipal Station officer, Francis Asrah told Voltaonlinegh.com that the poor road network connecting the community affected their swift response to the incident.

“We were coming back from Agbozume to fight a fire, but coming here has been difficult because of the bad nature of the diamond cement road, we couldn’t speed like we should have. That is why a lot of properties have been burnt.”

He said no casualty was recorded and investigations have commenced to ascertain the cause of the fire.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Oti Campaign Heats Up ahead of Thursday’s Referendum

By

Volta Online

-

December 26, 2018

0

Oti Yes Campaign (1) — Pro-Oti campaigners on a street march.

By: Voltaonlinegh.com |

Campaigners for the proposed Oti region have step up their game to mobilize the needed numbers for an outright endorsement of the new region in the northern part of the Volta region come the referendum on Thursday 27^th December 2018.

The last few days has seen a lot of community mobilization campaigns in the eight districts and municipalities earmarked for the referendum, with a lot of street activities each morning to whip up support for a ‘Yes’ vote.

In the Jasikan District for instance, there was a “Yellow Walk for Oti Region” with hundreds of people, including chiefs all draped in yellow, the colour representing “yes” on the ballot.

According to a Ghana News Agency report, busloads of natives from the enclave have also been arriving in major towns such as Jasikan, Nkwanta, Kpassa, Dambai, and Kete Krachi ahead of the D-day, as the ferry at Dambai has increased its daily crossings with canoe operators also working round the clock to handle the increasing traffic.

The various Organizing Committees for the pro-Oti campaign are leaving no stone unturned, as they have taken the campaign to various Christmas convention grounds in the area to solicit for a massive turnout and an overwhelming endorsement for the new region.

Mr Daniel Bamease, acting Secretary for the Krachi East Municipal Organising Committee, told the Ghana News Agency that churches would help deliver the “yes” messages widely and effectively.

Traditional and opinion leaders have also been seen in the campaign teams moving from one church to the other ahead of the referendum.

Kofi Adams, (L) actively on the pro-Oti campaign

The campaign also has witness both sides of the major political divides, the NDC and NPP in rare unionism mobilizing support for the new region. Mr Kofi Adams, a former National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress, has been seen on the campaign trail asking the people to vote “yes” to create Oti, for development.

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission has debunked reports of an injunction on the exercise on Thursday and has called on eligible voters in the six proposed new regions in the country to come out in their numbers on the D-day to exercise their franchise.

Mr Kafui Klutsi, Krachi East Director of the Electoral Commission, has also expressed the preparedness of the Commission to conduct the referendum.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com/with additional files from GNA/Photos from Facebook

Dr. Letsa Extends Yuletide Felicitations To Voltarians, Promises of a Brighter 2019

By

Volta Online

-

December 25, 2018

0

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa has on his own behalf and on behalf of his government, wished the people of the region “a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New year in advance.”

Dr Letsa in his Christmas message to the people urged them to enjoy the festive occasion as he assured of a brighter new year.

Furthermore, I wish to seize this opportunity to entreat all of us to enjoy this festive season and look to the future with hope, for 2019 shall be brighter and with more opportunities for us as a people of this beautiful region.”

Dr Letsa indicated that the season affords people the opportunity to reflect on their activities during the year to make better resolutions for the new year, encouraging those who could not achieve their objectives in 2018 “not to be discouraged but see the coming year as an opportunity to do better.”

He therefore called on the people to take advantage of all programmes of the current administration which are aimed at improving on the lives of the citizenry, saying, “we cannot afford to lag behind.”

He implored everyone, especially the youth to celebrate Christmas in moderation in order not put their lives and that of others in harm’s way.

The Minister also expressed appreciation to the chiefs, security services and the citizenry for their support and cooperation which had culminated into the smooth running and implementation of government policies in the region as well as the relative peace being enjoyed in the region and urged everyone to continue to say a prayer for the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his government.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Police Retrieves Stockpile of Arms ahead of Oti Referendum

By

Volta Online

-

December 24, 2018

0

Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Doku — DCOP Francis Doku, Outgone Volta Regional Police Commander,

By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Volta Regional Police Command has retrieved a stockpile of arms and ammunitions from a hideout at Alavanyo-Dzogbedze in the Hohoe Municipality, in the Volta Region following an intelligence-led operation last Saturday.

Items impounded during the operation included a sub-machine gun (SMG) rifle No. 63254 and one a locally manufactured short gun with large quantities of ammunitions.

According to a release from the Regional Police Command on Monday, the operation which was as a result of their “desire to ensure an incident free referendum” in the proposed Oti Region, saw the retrieval of the arms together with 61 pieces of AK 47 ammunition, eleven G3 assault rifle, seven blank AK47 ammunition and three used AK47 ammunition from a room in the area.

Though the occupant of the room had bolted, the Police command assured of efforts to apprehend person(s) behind the stockpiling, as it also cautioned “perpetrators of any offensive act to stop or face the wrath of the command.”

The statement ended with an appeal to the general public to volunteer information on the issue to the police.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Vilcabamba Holds Annual Championship

By

Volta Online

-

December 24, 2018

0

By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Centre for National Culture, Denu will be hosting the annual Table Tennis Championship organised by Hotel Vilcabamba and Micky Group Limited on Saturday, December 29, 2018.

The Championship which is open to all will have Cadet boys (Under 15), Junior boys (Under 21), Men (Under 40), Veterans, (plus 40) and female over 10 years.

The one day event which begins at 8:00am will see first 4 of each category take medals (except veterans, first 3), cash prizes, T-shirts, Certificates and possible trophy winners in each category.

The Championship which has been consistent for over 15 years will have a best of 3 for the preliminaries but best of 5 for the knockout stages. A category which will see more than 8 players will be grouped while that which will be 8 or less will play a round robin.

Coach David Senyo Ahiaba expressed his expectation of the Championship in an interview with Voltaonlinegh’s Davis Clottey (TalksenseSports).

“I am expecting that Volta will be the hub for Table Tennis. So, this will be used to unearth talents and also expose the region to other parts of Ghana. Since it is open, we even hope people from outside the country will come. We also expect a lot of people to participate.”

Vilcabamba Table Tennis Club (VTTC) will use the Championship which climaxes their year to specially honour the ladies who placed fourth at the 2018 National Table Tennis League after laurels won at the League (which ended in November) were presented to their Chairman, Thomas Kuenyefu.

VTTC, Volta’s only active Table Tennis club won the Most Improved player accolade and the Most Disciplined player accolade at the 2018 National Table Tennis League Awards on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com