VTTC Chair Urges Members to be Responsible

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January 1, 2019

By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | Voltaonlinegh.com

Chairman of Vilcabamba Table Tennis Club (VTTC), Thomas Kuenyefu has called on his members to be responsible.

Speaking at this year’s Open Championship at the Centre for National Culture, Denu, Mr Kuenyefu urged his members to exhibit their commitment to the club by paying dues.

“You have to pay your dues because it is the payment of dues that qualifies you to be a member. Let us know who our members are by the payment of dues. This will make us responsible. Those of you outside Denu, you can show your commitment to the club by paying your dues and then you claim membership because it is a club which is open to all, we even have members in Accra. So we don’t keep it to only players in Denu or Volta Region. We want to further open up, so that people from other regions will hear of us and join.”

VTTC, Volta Region’s only active club lifted the image of the region at the just ended national Table Tennis league after placing fourth in the female category and eleventh in the male category despite their financial challenges.

With its base at Denu in the Ketu South Municipality, the club keeps training talents in and around the municipality who are prospect future champions.

Chairman Kuenyefu revealed to Voltaonlinegh.com, the roadmap to developing the talents they unearth which “is their pride.”

“What we do is to encourage the children to come and play the game and educate themselves but at this stage, the children are becoming men, so we expect them to also participate as club members. We operate purely as a club and by membership. That way, the children and the adults will feel responsible and take initiatives.”

“We have been able to strike alliances with most of the schools around this area, even up to the tertiary level and we have Millicent today who is at the tertiary level on scholarship, which is very unusual. But these things are going on and that is the source of our pride and encouragement to continue,” he added.

The owner of the Hotel Vilcabamba, Denu also congratulated all participants of the 2018 Championship which was held on Saturday, December 29.

The Championship saw massive improvement from the previous year as the competitiveness increased due to the participation of Ghana’s top seeds and had over 37 participants, with 5 categories battling for pride and laurels.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

2018 VTTC Annual Championship Sees Improvement

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Volta Online

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January 1, 2019

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By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | Voltaonlinegh.com |

This year’s Vilcabamba Table Tennis Club (VTTC) and Micky Group Limited Open Championship with Ghana’s top seeds, Cynthia Kwabi and Derrick Abrefa in participation over the weekend at the Centre for National Culture at Denu in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region, has recorded classic competition and improvement.

The Annual Championship which is aimed at encouraging the young talents in the region saw over 37 participants coming from various parts of the region including the host town, Denu, Hohoe, Anloga, Tokor, Kpando, Anyako, as well as the national capital, Accra, and neighbouring Togo.

The best of 3 in group stages and the best of five in the knockout stages of the singles championships saw Benjamin Mensah beat Richard Semexah 3-2 to clinch Gold Medal and a smart phone in the Cadet category. It was an intriguing encounter from start to finish as both proved why they were in the finals, with the last set ending 11-9 for Mensah.

Richmond Semexah, twin brother of Richard beat Solomon Agbanyo 3-1 to place third as both received cash prizes, Polo shirts, Bronze Medals with certificates.

In the Juniors Category, Hohoe-based Bless Hodasi sailed through to the finals and defeated Eli Aglago in 3 straight sets to run away with the Gold Medal and Wall Clock. Dominic Prah, also from Hohoe settled for Bronze Medal together with Ishmael Clottey from Accra who lost to the former 3-1 in the third place game.

The Veterans, which saw only four participants who battled for a single round robin, had Michael Kpeku winning all 3 matches to clinch the Gold Medal, while Israel Bossman picked Silver Medal. Julius Amekpor managed Bronze, whereas Thomas Kuenyefu went home only with a certificate and cash prize.

It was a cagey final as Millicent Ankude battled Cynthia Kwabi in the female category which saw emerging talents display their skills in the group stages. Millicent fought back to draw 1-1 after Cynthia had taken the lead. The home fans grew wild as Millicent forced the Ghanaian International to fumble in the 3rd game but experience won it for Kwabi, as she sealed a 3-1 victory over Millicent Ankude. In the 3rd place match, Matilda Fodu lost 2-3 to Malwine Akator, while Abigail Heanyeame clinched the 5th position overall after beating Beatrice Boateng 2-1.

Derrick Abrefa had a 100 per cent record in his quest to clinch Gold Medal in the male seniors but not on a silver platter as he fought his way through to victory, beating Dzodzi Norvihoho 3-1 in the finals. Selassie Setorwofia took Bronze Medal after a thrilling 3rd place game with Bright Dzotsiafe, a 3-0 revenge for the former who lost 1-3 during their group game.
Abrefa, received a wooden Trophy, Cash prize, a certificate, a polo shirt, and a wall clock, while Kwabi among other winners of each category had same but without a trophy.

There were cash prizes for 5th and 6th place overall in the female category only but all first 4 in each category except Veterans (4th place), had Certificates, medals, Polo shirts & cash prizes.

Chairman of the VTTC, Thomas Kuenyefu in an interview indicated the club’s intention to open the Championship to the whole country and to further improve upon it in 2019.

“Next year, we shall do a bigger tournament, with bigger prizes and bigger competitors from outside the region, so that we will have a national affair and not just a regional affair. So we want to encourage players from other regions who are not exposed to come next year.”

Vilcabamba Table Tennis Club also used the opportunity to honor Millicent Ankude, Malwine Akator, Jemilatu Mensah and Matilda Fodu who helped the club achieve a 4th place berth at the

National Table Tennis League which ended in November with a party at the Hotel Vilcabamba.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Nneka Foundation Put Smile on the Faces of Children at Kpando

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Volta Online

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December 29, 2018

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By: Albert Kuzor | Voltaonlinegh.com |

It was a glamorous moment for over 700 children in the Kpando Municipality on the Boxing Day (26^th December) as they were treated to Christmas party.

The children drawn from the Kpando Township had their good time to enjoy variety of food and drinks through the benevolence of Non-governmental Organization, Nneka Youth Development Foundation.

The party was an annual project by the foundation to put smiles on the faces of less privileged children during the Yuletide, according to Madam Cecelia Fiaku, founder of the NGO.

The Christmas party was held for the children with lots of food and drinks to the sound of good music, with supports from Indomie Ghana.

The children also had the opportunity to witness the appearance of Santa Claus, interacted with him and listened to Bible stories.

Most of the children whom at their first time witnessed Santa were happy and enjoyed the ceremony with lot of fun and games.

The Member of Parliament of Kpando, Delali Sowah who was present, thanked Nneka Youth Foundation for their benevolence and also for choosing her area for this year’s Christmas party for the children.

She used the occasion to interact with the children, most of who are primary school pupils and advised them to focus on their education.

The Municipal Health Director, Mr. Samuel Abubey also shared a happy moment with the kids and advised them on basic health tips and also advised the beneficiary children to be obedient in society and in their schools.

He was happy for the project being held in the Kpando municipality and was grateful to the Nneka Youth Foundation.

Prior to this, the foundation had organized similar pre-Christmas party at the Youth camp at Ve-Agbome in the Afadzato South district, for over 800 children from the district.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

North Tongu Assembly Empowers PWDs with Working Tools

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Volta Online

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December 29, 2018

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PWDs (1) — The DCE (R) handing over a Deep Freezer to a beneficiary

By: KALD|Voltaonlinegh.com|

Some 70 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the North Tongu district have received support from the assembly to enable them engage in decent economic ventures of their choice.

The support comprises works kits such as deep freezers, fridges, sewing machines, milling machines, ovens, wheel chairs, desktop computers, laptops, cash and assorted food items for petty trading.

The District Chief Executive, Mr. Richard Collins Arku who presented the items to the beneficiaries at a brief ceremony at Battor, said the gesture was in line with government’s agenda to make disabled persons economically self-reliant by supporting them to engage in petty business activities.

According to him, the items worth GHS164,000 were purchased from the three per cent disability allocation of the District Assembly Common fund, which was hitherto given to the beneficiaries as handouts.

Some of the items given to the beneficiaries

While, reiterating government’s commitment towards the wellbeing of PWDs, the DCE urged the beneficiaries to put the items to good use in order to achieve the intended results.

He pledged the assembly’s continuous support to persons with disabilities through capacity building programmes and provision of working tools to more and more of them.

Mr. Atsu Amedzo, President of the North Tongu Branch of Persons with Disability, who expressed appreciation to the government for the support, also commended the DCE for his commitment towards the welfare of disabled persons in the area.

He however called for an increase in the disability fund allocation in order for more of their members to benefit from the government’s support programme.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

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

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Volta Online

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December 28, 2018

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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

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Volta Online

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December 27, 2018

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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

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Volta Online

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December 27, 2018

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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

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Volta Online

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December 27, 2018

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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

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Volta Online

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December 26, 2018

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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

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Volta Online

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December 26, 2018

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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