Nat’l Hse of Chiefs Calls for Free & Fair Referendum Process for New Regions

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December 20, 2018

Nneka Carols (2) — some school children performing during the carol service

By: Rita Nedjoh|Voltaonlinegh.com|

It was early Christmas for some 800 school children in the Afadzato South district as they were treated to a party by a non-governmental organization, NNEKA Youth Development Foundation.

The party was part of the charity’s festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service, which saw the participation of eleven public and two private basic schools in the Ve area.

The service held at the Nneka Development centre at Ve-Agbome on Wednesday had pupils and teachers from the participating schools reading the nine lessons amidst cultural performances and carols competition.

some school children performing during the carol service

At the end of the performances, the Ve- Deme D/A Junior High School were crowned winners of the competition, with Ve-Golokuati D/A JHS and Golokuati E.P basic schools emerging first and second runner-ups respectively.

This was followed by feasting and merry making as the NGO provided food, drinks and clothes to all students present ahead of the Christmas festivity.

Founder of the foundation, Madam Cecilia Fiaka said the rationale for the programme was to give platform to the students to showcase their various talents and also give them the opportunity to experience extra-curricular activities.

Madam Fiaka, founder of Nneka , standing from Right

She explained that, the children in the rural areas do not usually have the opportunity to participate in such of extra-curricular programmes which will help them to believe in themselves.

According to “The various things that happen in the cities that add-up to the curriculum of the education, these children do not have it, which is why we try to give a platform to these children to believe in themselves.”

She noted that the programme targeted at 400 school children, ended up with over 800 students in attendance which indicated that they were missing out a lot from the extra-curricular activities and they are happy to participate in the “NNEKA Christmas carols service”.

Madam Fiaka indicated that, through these activities, the foundation was fulfilling its objective of helping solve the challenges of school drop-outs, curb teenage pregnancy and drug abuse among the youth in the rural areas and to promote education.

NNEKA Youth Development Foundation was founded in 2012 with 500 children from 10 communities. The foundation is now operating in over 200 communities in 11 districts in the Volta and Greater Accra regions.

According to her, the foundation has opened an ICT library in the Ve-Agbome for the five Ve communities and also stocked eleven school libraries with books.

Also, the foundation which relies on the benevolence of donors and volunteers for its programmes and activities, madam Fiaka noted has trained over 51 teachers to run the after school reading programme for children in addition to a “vocational and entrepreneurial path way programme” being run for teenage mothers.

The Public Relation Officer of the Afadzato South directorate of Ghana Education Service, Mr. Raymond Kubuafor who was present at the program advised the students to be of good behavior as they proceed on vacation, Adding that, they should stay away from sexual activities and drug abuse as they celebrate the Christmas festivity.

Other officials at the programmes were Circuit Supervisor for Ve-South, Madam Patience Ahorgli, and Mr. Noah Adorbor, Coordinator of private schools, among others.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Volta NHIA Staff Outdoors *929# Mobile Renewal Service with a Float

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December 20, 2018

By: KALD|Voltaonlinegh.com|

Staff of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in the Volta region on Wednesday embarked on street float in the regional capital, to outdoor the newly introduced Mobile Membership Renewal Service.

The staff drawn from the Regional office and nearby district offices clad in branded T-shirts and marched through the principal streets of Ho amidst brass band music to announce the new mobile short code, *929# through which the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) subscribers can conveniently renew their membership using their mobile phones.

Led by the Regional Director, Mr. Joseph Homenya and other management members, the enthusiastic staff marched briskly from the Volta Regional Hospital taxi rank, through the Housing road to Asigame (central market), Raymakossa traffic light to Civic centre, Post office junction to Ministries before rounding up at the premises of NHIA Regional office on the Old traffic to SIC road.

Mr. Homenya, (2nd from Right ) leading the float

The national launch of the mobile renewal service which was done concurrently by the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on behalf of the president, also coincided with the 15^th anniversary of the introduction of the NHIS by the erstwhile Kufuor administration in 2003.

Speaking on the significance of the new service, the Regional Director said, the introduction of the mobile renewal system has ushered the health insurance scheme into a whole new era of efficient and convenient service delivery to its clients.

He said the *929# affords the over 10 million active NHIS subscribers nationwide to renew their scheme membership using any kind of mobile phone across all networks, without having to travel and spend long hours at the district offices just to do so.

The service, according to Mr. Homenya will also give subscribers constant reminders through SMS on the expiration of their members, among other benefits it provides both the authority and health care providers also well.

He thus, entreated NHIA staff to intensify public education to ensure its patronage in order to reduce the high turnouts at the offices for renewal.

Endorsement

Prior to the launch, management of NHIA in the region joined by some officials from the national head office had engagements with some key stakeholders, including the Regional minister, the media and traditional authorities to brief them on how the mobile renewal service works.

Togbe Adzie Lakle Howusu XII, chief of Ho Dome and Warlord of the Asogli state, expressed excitement about the service after he was briefed by the NHIA Deputy Director in charge of Corporate Affairs, Mr Oswald Esuah-Mensah.

He described the NHIS mobile renewal service as a game changer, which will bring much relieve to subscribers who in some instances virtually sleep over at the NHIA offices just to renew their membership.

He thus threw his support for the service and pledged to lead sensitization about it among his fellow traditional leaders, stating that, “this is a very good initiative which must be made work.”

Similarly, the Volta regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa expressed delight about the innovation and was optimistic it would also help check fraud in the system as it will afford the scheme to verify claims submitted by service providers from subscribers and only pay for services that are provided.

NHIS officials with the Regional Minister

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

UNDP Urges Businesses to Use SDGs as Framework for Impact Investment

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December 20, 2018

By: Shallom Lumor | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has urged businesses in the private sector to use the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework for impact investment in Ghana.

The call was made by the Acting Resident Representative of UNDP Ghana, Ms. Gita Welch in a keynote address at the 2018 Ghana Impact Dialogue held in Accra by the Global Steering Group (GSG) on the theme “Creating a Ghanaian Impact Economy”.

Ms. Welch emphasised that impact investment is crucial for the achievement of the SDGs as it brings more philanthropic and private money into the development system to drive powerful social change.

“Through the process of allocating resources for products and services, the private sector could make returns to expand the interest in making purposeful, replicable, measurable and impactful investments which would have powerful consequences for social change within our communities.”

She added that, in line with the vision of “Ghana Beyond Aid”, developing an ecosystem for impact investment is very important as this will complement traditional types of development financing with philanthropic, private and blended capital to enhance shared value.

Ms. Welch indicated that UNDP has established SDG Impact Facility at the global level to support businesses to adapt and transform their core strategies to deliver financial, social and environmental performance, and to use the SDGs as the basis for engaging in untapped markets.

Citing specific examples of UNDP’s impact investment initiatives in Ghana, she noted that UNDP was facilitating a Multi-Stakeholder Waste Resource Platform, which is a digitally-enabled one stop shop solution to connect key stakeholders to promote waste recovery in the country.

She also stated that the Country Office was supporting a South-South Cooperation and match-making opportunities between businesses from Ghana and other countries from the South, one of which will be resulting in a joint venture to establish a solar photovoltaic plant in Ghana.

Panelists during a discussion agreed that businesses should focus more on the environmental impacts of their activities and not only on the social impacts. They also explored how the private sector can be a hub for testing new ideas; driving a culture of using data to inform decisions at all sectors and supporting a transformation of the educational system to shift from knowledge acquisition to skills application.

The dialogue also witnessed the launch of a report on the State of Impact Investing in Ghana. Presenting key findings from the report, Ms. Krizstina Tora, Marketing and Development Director of the Global Steering Group, noted that impact investment in Ghana is growing, mainly due to Government interventions to increase the supply of capital in the market.

She however indicated that there was still a great deal of opportunities for policy makers to work with investors to further enhance the sector.

The report made recommendations including the need for a common platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders to promote start-ups and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Ghana as means of attracting more impact investments.

The 2018 Ghana Impact Dialogue was an initiative by the Global Steering Group (GSG) for Impact Investment, in partnership with the Department for International Development (DFID). It brought together key stakeholders from Ghana and beyond for a collaborative dialogue on Ghana’s future as an impact economy.

Awoamefia Did Not Err in Honouring Asantehene’s Invitation–Special Aide

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December 19, 2018

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Special Aide to the Awoamefia of Anlo, in the Volta Region, Agbotadua Boni has defended Awoamefia’s visit to Asanteman in the Ashanti Region over the weekend for the Akwasidae celebration, saying, he did no wrong by accepting the invitation.

Agbotadua Boni in an interview with Voltaonlinegh.com said Awoamefia’s decision was not to ignore the concerns of the youth but it was in respect to the centuries of relationship between Anlo and Asanteman.

Awoamefia Torgbui Sri III honoured the invitation of Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu II to be at the Akwasidae celebration on Sunday, December 16 as the Guest of Honour against the wish of the youth.

The invitation to Awoamefia was announced in a release signed by the Personal Assistant to Otumfour’s Chief of Staff, Kwame Aboagye Mensah on December 5 in Kumasi. It said Awoamefia’s visit “would mark the celebration of the longstanding friendship between the Asanteman and the Anlo State as part of Otumfour’s efforts to promote national cohesion and inter-ethnic harmony.”

However, a youth group, Anlo Youth Council (AYC) expressed concern over the invitation and Awoamefia’s decision to honour it describing it as “ill-timed.”

A release dated December 14 and signed by the President of AYC, Mayor Agbleze, said though the Group admitted the “cordial relationship between the Anlo and Asanteman in times past and now,” it warned the Awoamefia and his retinue of chiefs not to attend.

It said there was a more important issue that should interest the rulers of Anloland rather than participating in Akwasidae. “The Referendum to destroy the unity and peace of the Volta Region is slated for December 27, 2018 and that fateful date alone. Whatever the outcome, there will be many Akwasidae festivals to be celebrated in the future.”

“The Chiefs and AYC have since pledged our preparedness to assist our kith and kin in the northern Volta in readiness before, during and after the December 27 Referendum. We cannot be doing or be led to do anything else, particularly, participating in the pomp and pageantry of Asanteman,” it added.

But Agbotadua Boni said Awoamefia’s visit to Asanteman had nothing to do with politics or the impending referendum but borne out of the respect for the age-long relationship between the Anlos and Asantes.

He allayed fears of some youth who sought to say that Asantehene’s invite to Awoamefia had some intended motives including a subtle way to attempt exerting hegemony over Anlo, saying, “that cannot be possible. Actually, there existed an old friendship and relationship between Anlo and Asanteman.”

He disclosed that “Asantehene even opted to visit Hogbetsotsoza of the Anlos some time ago just to demonstrate that relationship but due to some circumstances, it could not happen.”

He therefore assured the people of Anlo and Ewes that, Awoamefia’s acceptance and subsequent visit to Asanteman was to build on an old relationship and not to hurt their (Anlo/Ewes) respect and dignity as there was no hidden agenda behind Asantehene’s invitation.

Akwasidae is an ornate ceremony celebrated by chiefs and people of Asante and its allied groups including Denkyira, Akuapim, Akyem, Kwahu once every six weeks to honour their ancestors. In Ashanti Region, it is to honour the Asantehene and commemorate the date that the Asante Golden Stool was magically brought down from heaven.

Anlo & Asanteman to Deepen Peaceful Co-existence as Otumfuor Attends Next Hogbetsotso

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December 19, 2018

Awoamefia at Menhyia (3) — Otumfuor and Awoamefia exchanging pleasantries at Akwasidae

By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com|

Rulers of two ancient traditional states in Ghana, Torgbui Sri III of Anlo and Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene has pledged their commitments towards deepening the already cordial relationship between the people of two areas to foster national cohesion and development.

The Awoamefia who was the Special Guest of the Asantehene at the celebration of the final Akwasidae of the year last Sunday at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, according to a Graphic Online publication, was full admiration for his host, the Asantehene and the people of Asante for the way and manner they had lived in peace with Anlos in the Ashanti Region and the rest of the world.

Accompanied by a retinue 170 people comprising chiefs, queenmothers and prominent people from Anlo, Torgbui Sri pledged to sustain the historic tie as he opening invited the Asantehene to the 2019 Hogbetsotso festival.

Otumfuo in accepting Awoamefia’s invitation recounted how Asanteman and Anlo had lived as brothers and sisters at all times in different locations without any difficulty.

He however bemoaned the negative effects of partisan politics, which he noted was building mistrust between the two peoples in recent times and called for it not to fester further.

“We have had to contend lately with the negative effects of discordant politics which seeks to sow mistrust and set brother against brother,” he said, but added: “Happily, today, we have the opportunity to slam the door firmly to the purveyors of doom and discord.”

He mentioned the allocation of suburbs in Kumasi to Anlos, as well as the allocation of some positions in the Asante Kingdom to Anlos, to attest to the fact that the Anlos and Asantes had no conflict between them.

The Asantehene also recalled how proud his uncle, Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyemang Prempeh II, was at the time to draw a great deal inspiration from the Awoamefia’s great uncle, Torgbui Sri I, and from some of the eminent sons of the Anlo State, including renowned lawyer B.E.A. Tamakloe, who was his uncle’s personal lawyer, who later became the legal counsel for Asanteman during the very difficult years before independence.

“Ghana is a unique blend of a people with a common heritage but also with diverse characteristics. Like most African countries, managing diversities has been prone to negative influences, but we have demonstrated in our time that it is the mix of diversities which is, indeed, our greatest strength,”Otumfuor added and urged Ghanaians to make the attainment of peace and unity an utmost priority.

The Akwasidae Festival, which is celebrated on a Sunday, once every six weeks by Asantes, is used to honour the ancestors of the communities.

One unique feature about last Sunday’s Akwasidae was the blend of the rich diverse cultural heritage of the Anlo and Asanteman.

Also in attendance were the wife of the Vice-President, Mrs Samira Bawumia; and a host of government functionaries, dignitaries and ordinary people who paid homage to the Asantehene as he sat in state.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com/additional file from Graphic Online

Photos from Menhyia Palace Facebook page

KETABUSCO Gather for Fun at Posillipo Beach on Saturday

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December 19, 2018

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |
The National Executives of Keta Business College (KETABUSCO) Old Students Association (KEBSOSA) have given details of this year’s “December to Remember” (D2R) event, announcing, it will be held on Saturday 22 at Posillipo Beach Resort, Sakumono near Buena Vista Estates from 12:00-6:00pm.

The D2R is one of the major annual events on KEBSOSA calendar which brings the old students, also known as Coronats together for purposes of fun and socialization.

D2R just as the name suggests, comes off every December after another major event, Coronats’ Thanksgiving Service which happens in November whereby the Association decide on a church and fellowship together to appreciate God for the life of members and put their plans for KETABUSCO before Him.

Speaking to the President of the Association, Dr Seth Kwami Anani, he said this year’s event will be “fun-filled” as usual and more, calling on his fellow old students to show up for the event.

“Just like the disciples of Christ in the Bible, we’re gathering to have food and drinks. The day will be full of fun. More to eat and drink and of course, all kinds of games will be available to entertain every Coronat that will be coming. We’ve had a good year. We recently held our Transformational Speech and Prize Giving Day as well as our Thanksgiving Service. Just before those big events, our own, Nicholas Gborse won the Best Teacher Prize. So, we need to come together and celebrate.”

“I’m urging old students to come out in their numbers because this weekend’s event is a very special one. We’re launching an Endowment Fund known as ‘Game Changer’ in April next year which is expected to totally transform the school and we need as much heads as possible for discussions on that,” the President added.

SOGASCO Old Students Support Alma Mater

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December 19, 2018

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By: Tabitha Kugbonu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The 2004 Year Group of Sogakope Senior High School (SOGASCO) Old Students Association (SOSA) have presented some books to their alma mater to enhance teaching and learning in the school.

The donation which was primarily to retool the depleted library of the school comprised 90 text and supplementary books in varied disciplines to aid the students in their academic performance.

The donation on campus coincided with the Group’s annual general meeting which saw them elect new executives that would run the affairs of the Group.

The newly elected executives were Mr Kingsley Marnye, President, Mr Famous Agamor, Vice president, Mr Selorm Aboetaka, Secretary and Mr Vistus Agbemabiese, Deputy Secretary. The others were Madam Allen Akpesese, Organiser, and the Deputy, Mr Edem Atiena, Mr Mensah Kornu Financial Secretary, and Madam Vincentia Doe, Treasurer.

In an interview with Edwin Elorm Norviedzor, the outgoing President of the Group, he said they had information from the school’s Management Committee about the depleting stock of the school’s library that needed some urgent attention.

Mr Norviedzor said they felt the need to come together and support their school to create an enabling environment for their juniors to learn and achieve their goals.
He expressed hope that the students would make good use of the books to ginger them (the Group) to provide more learning materials to improve on the academic performance of students in the school.

Mr Norviedzor during the presentation explained that the help project of the year group was in two phases, library retooling and provision of furniture to the school’s ICT Lab. He also pledged the Group’s readiness to respond to pressing needs of the school.

Assistant Headmistress in charge of Academics, Madam Peace Gokah who received the donation on behalf of the school, expressed gratitude to the Group for the gesture.
She pledged that the books would be put to good use by both students and staff and asked for more support from the past students and other individuals.

Sogakofe Senior High School in the South Tongu District was established in 1961 as one of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah Trust Schools. The school, the first in the district is noted for producing prominent citizens of the land and beyond.

NHIS Subscribers to Enjoy Convenience; As Mobile Renewal Service Launches

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December 18, 2018

By: KALD & Rita Nedjoh|Voltaonlinegh.com|

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is set to roll out an innovative service which would bring much convenience to the renewal of membership on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the country.

The service which is part of the NHIS Mobile Membership Renewal and Authentication Project being implemented in partnership with the ILO Impact Insurance Programme funded by the French agency, AfD, provides a simple but unique solution by which NHIS subscribers can electronically renew their membership using mobile phones.

President Akufo-Addo is expected to outdoor the service on Wednesday following a successful piloting in the Asuogyaman and West Mamprusi districts of the Eastern and Upper West regions respectively, where over 21,500 subscribers renewed their membership electronically.

Mr. Oswald Essuah-Mensah addressing Journalists at the forum

Speaking at a sensitization forum for Journalists in the Volta Region ahead of the roll out, Mr. Osward Essuah-Mensah, the Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs at NHIA, explained the mobile renewal service is accessible via a dedicated mobile short code of *929# available on Vodafone, MTN, and AirtelTigo networks.

He indicated that, the system will among other things enable NHIS subscribers to also check their validity status on the scheme and also receive advance notification on the expiration of their membership for them to promptly do the renewal in the comfort of their homes with the prescribed premium deducted from their mobile money accounts.

This, Mr. Essuah-Mensah noted would lessen the stress NHIS clients go through to renew their membership at the district offices, while relieving their staff of the huge numbers they have to attend to on daily basis.

He told journalists at the forum held at NHIA Regional office in Ho that;

“About 70 per cent of our clients who visit our offices go there for renewal, so with the introduction of this innovative service, these people will no longer have to travel to our offices but just with the help of their phones enjoy the same service in the comfort of their homes without any hustle.”

“What this means is that, we are also cutting down our operational cost, because the frequency at which we have to replace our printers, tonners and other consumables will drastically reduce.”

The operationalization of this service, according to the Corporate Affairs Executive would also inure to the benefit of health care providers, as they can promptly authenticate the validity of clients NHIS membership; while it helps the authority to reduce operational cost, increase scheme penetration and revenue.

“For us to be efficient and reduce leakages, we have to move from the manual system to the electronic system where registration and payment are done electronically and claims are also managed electronically” he added.

With an overall objective of attaining a 100 per cent universal healthcare coverage in the country by 2030, where everyone in Ghana should have access to healthcare through the scheme, the NHIA envisaged a 20 per cent increase in renewal/enrollment within the first year of this mobile renewal system.

The Deputy Director in charge of Membership and Regional Operations at NHIA, Mr. Raymond Avinu on his part tasked media practitioners to use their platforms to educate the public on the service and how to access the mobile renewal system without any hitches.

Official of NHIA at the media interaction. Seated from Right, is Mr. Homenya, Regional Director of NHIA

Mr. Joseph Homenya, Volta Regional Director of NHIA expressed the readiness of his staff and the health care providers for the roll out of the system, as he assured of a sustained public education to ensure smooth utilization of the system.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

New Regional Executives of GhIS Inducted into Office

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December 18, 2018