The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from Mondelez Cocoa Life Program, has launched a mobile application to facilitate tree registration in off-reserve cocoa landscapes in the Asunafo North and Suhum Municipalities, in the Ashanti and Eastern Regions respectively.
The tree registration is to help farmers or those who plant trees, secure proof of ownership from the Forestry Commission, as per the current policy on tree tenure/ownership in Ghana.
The exercise is expected to encourage farmers to plant more trees in their farms to improve the country’s forest cover.
“As cocoa farmers, securing ownership of trees in our farms is what we have all been pushing for. So this registration exercise is very important to us”, stated Mr. Daniel Amponsah, a Cocoa Farmer in Kasapin Community, Asunafo North District.
Speaking on the importance of the mobile application, Mr. Kwame Asumadu, a Forest Management and Conservation Specialist at UNDP emphasized that the mobile application is to ease tree registration process in off-reserve landscapes.
“We had dialogues with various stakeholders to design a registration form to be used by farmers to register planted trees in off-reserve landscapes. To minimize the multiple tasks in such a tiring process, we decided to develop a mobile application to facilitate the data collection and storage processes”, noted Mr. Asumadu.
He added that the registration exercise will involve both planted and naturally-occurring trees to serve as an incentive to enhance the conservation of biological diversity in the landscape and the maintenance of the environmental conditions necessary for optimum production of cocoa.
To facilitate the tree registration, 45 community-level enumerators have been trained to embark on the registration process. They were particularly trained on the application of the mobile app and how to collect biodata, farm size, and tree data for each farmer and farms. It is expected that about 300,000 trees would be registered for farmers in the 2 districts.
The exercise would be carried out in the remaining 10 Cocoa Life districts where local economic trees were supplied to cocoa farmers.These districts are Ahafo Ano North, Amansie West, Sekyere East (Ashanti Region); Awutu Senya (Central Region); Fanteakwa, West Akim, New Juaben (Eastern Region); Bia West, Juabeso, and Wassa East (Western Region).
The tree registration initiative falls under a project entitled “Environmental Sustainability Project (ESP II) in Cocoa Landscapes’’. The project, has since 2014, supplied over 1.5million economic tree seedlings to more than 10,000 farmers in 560 communities across 5 regions of Ghana for planting, to increase tree and carbon stocks on their farms.
This falls in line with the project’s principal objective to help cocoa farmers adopt environmentally sustainable and climate change resilient cocoa production practices, and to conserve ecosystems and natural resources in cocoa landscapes.
A parent has written to the authorities of his wards’ schools to feel free and use the cane on them as a corrective measure anytime they go wrong.
The man by name Emmanuel Kufoalor from Dededo in the Ho West district in his authority note to teachers stated that, his wards should be excluded from the government’s directive to all schools barring the use of corporal as a corrective tool on students.
A copy of the letter dated 5th December, 2018 and sighted by Voltaonlinegh.com, has the following excerpts;
“I Emmanuel Kufoalor write to state that, my wards and I will not be part of the law from the Government to all schools that teachers should not correct the notorious students by canning them.
… Any teacher who will teach any of my wards should feel free and use the cane or any corrective measure to correct them.”
The letter also contained his contact and a Voter identification numbers for confirmation by anyone who would be in doubt of the content.
Copy of Mr. Kufoalor’s letter
When contacted, Mr. Kufoalor confirmed the existence of the letter and gave reasons for his unusual action.
He told Voltaonlinegh.com that, the absence of caning in schools was destroying his children as they do not respect teachers anymore which turned to affect their academic work.
According to him, ‘the low academic performance and insubordination of my wards compelled me to write to their school authorities to use cane on them as a corrective measure. I correct them in the house with the cane but teachers claim Government directive says students should not be caned.”
The father of five, whose first child is currently in the senior high school with the rest in basic school, bemoaned how some parents quarrel with teachers because their wards were corrected with cane and stated that, such conducts breeds indiscipline among the children which affects their academic work.
Quoting the biblical principle of “Spare the rod and spoil the child”, Mr. Kufoalor emphasized the need for some level of corporal punishment to be allowed in school in order to instill discipline in wayward children.
It will be recalled that, the Ghana Education Service (GES) few years ago outlawed the use of the cane in all schools in the country.
A statement issued to that effect stated that “Henceforth, any GES/private school staff who inflicts corporal punishment on any child in our schools will be dealt with per the policy guidelines of the service and subsequently referred to the appropriate institution to deal with it”
Residents of Asutsuare in the Shai Osudoku District have called government to impress upon managers of a Chinese manufacturing company, Shinefeel Company Ghana Limited to find an alternative means of discharging wastewater from their activities; threatening to take the law into their own hands should nothing be done about their issue.
The residents complained they had made several attempts to stop the company from polluting their water source but it failed to heed their calls.
The aggrieved residents are accusing the company of discharging its wastewater into their (residents’) canals used for irrigating their rice and vegetables farms.
According to them, the Shinefeel Company Ghana Limited which recycles papers to produce toilet paper and egg holder and also produces paint and plastic products, channels its wastewater through the canal, describing it as a worrying situation.
Regional Correspondent of Metro TV and Best Health Reporter at the just ended Volta Journalists Awards, Christian Ahodie spoke to the aggrieved farmers including women who said they “experience itching and skin rashes” whenever they came into contact with the water which they suspected was as a result of the wastewater from the company that was being directed into the canal.
According to a resident, Narteh Patience, they “use the water for washing but after using the water, your skin turns white and itches. We are seriously affected and we want the company to put a stop to discharging their wastewater into the canal.”
However, the company maintained that its wastewater being discharged “is safe”, suspecting the development to be someone or a group instigating the community against them.
The Corporate Affairs Manager of Shinefeel Company Ghana Limited, Simon Adom disagreed with the suspicions of the residents. He said though their treatment plant breaks down occasionally, “the company treats the waste water before it is discharged and cannot be harmful to human health.”
Regarding the complaints of skin itching by the people, he said that could be resulting from the use of some agro chemicals and advised the famers to seek medical attention.
An Environmental Health Officer, Asutsuare Council, Julius Totime assured that “there are periodic inspections” on the activities of Shinefeel Company Ghana Limited after the company had come under serious accusations few months ago when tonnes of fishes died in the Volta lake.
The Environmental Officer noted that though fears were that the deaths were as a result of the company’s activities, test results by the Environmental Protection Agency did not find any link to the company.
Education gives knowledge that uncovers the lid on darkness and brings light where many would have perished without it.
As ignorant as many on the streets are, it is more dangerous to see it fester, mature and become a monster without education.
On my usual travels from Accra to Ho last two years, I saw for myself how mob injustice was been meted out to a young man just almost my age.
Seeing the gory scene physically for the first time left me traumatized for days. Very unfortunate on my part, the vehicle I was on board was caught in serious traffic right there. Cement blocks were thrown at him; logs and any form of metal were used to hit him. For what his crime was, only Christ knows! I took my eyes off but will unconsciously catch a glimpse just to see if the young man has mysteriously vanished from the angry inhumane creatures.
The young man was weak, helpless and bleeding profusely. Aside death, he has no hope but the angry mob was still bent on setting him ablaze with lorry tyre hanged on him. How sad, pathetic and pity it was to imagine that was one of my friend or possibly your relative!
Just when I attempted shouting at the mob, other passengers on board my vehicle tamed me to my seat for the fear that I do not invite terror on them.
Gradually the vehicle faded from the scene from metres to kilometres but the incident was still mirroring in my eyes. It became clear to me when I saw it in the newspapers the following day and this means just one thing to me.
All the reportage about such inhuman and degrading treatment are often true and not concocted nor exaggerated as I use to think.
I asked myself, isn’t there anyone to seek justice for this sought of people? I revisited the 1992 constitution of Ghana to see if they have no place of refuge. It was in black and white in Article 13(1) that ‘No person shall be deprived of his life intentionally except in the exercise of the execution of a sentence of a court in respect of a criminal off.’
It thus, became evident the law prohibits such acts but seems the missing link here is the lack of education.
It is against this background that the African Centre for International Law and Accountability (ACILA) has been touring the length and breadth of Ghana, educating the fourth estate of the realm (The media) on what the law says with reference to the fundamental rights of everyone including the vulnerable in society.
Why the media? The media because their impact in shaping minds, educating and relentlessly shaping public knowledge is unmatched compared to the Executive, Judiciary and the Legislature.
The media on daily basis influence almost all Ghanaian through many mediums including print, radio/television or social media.
Throughout the year 2018, ACILA held engagement with 300 news editors, 180 news reporters and 60 bloggers and social media enthusiasts in all ten regions of Ghana. This has been one of the impactful means through which knowledge is impacted to better inform the public.
The Executive Director of ACILA, Mr. William Nyarko has dedicated his days, energy and resources to framework of ideas getting committed to a common purpose of a just society where everyone’s right is upheld and protected no matter the circumstances.
In an encounter with journalists in the Eastern region at Koforidua on October 10 2018 which I was privileged to partake, Mr William Nyarko said “everyone has a right to live and we must eschew the tendencies of pronouncing suspects guilty before they’re haul before the law” since this could lead to people taking the law into their own hands to meter out cruel punishment to suspected individuals.
The 10th of December is celebrated by the UN as World Human Rights Day
As the World marks December 10 as “World Human Rights Day”, the onus lies on us to seek knowledge on the fundamental human rights in the chapter 5 of the 1992 constitution of Ghana.
We cannot keep doing unto others what we would have resisted others to do unto us. No matter how slowly the wheel of justice grinds, the outcome will certainly be in the interest of the parties and strengthening our democracy.
Just as people living with some form of disability or the other are considered “vulnerable”, it simply means they fall in a class of some minority where their dependency on the majority will certainly mean so much to them to achieve their full potentials.
No one chooses to be an amputee, blind, death, dwarf or hunchbacked but to be sexually oriented is but a choice and this does not necessarily make the law selective in implementation.
No matter our race, religion, creed, or “SEXUAL” orientation, we all deserve some dignified treatment under the laws even under the United Nations Chatter declaration some 70 years on.
It is sad and worrying to say the least to ever pelt stone or assault or marginalize someone based suspicions of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender).
Heaven suddenly broke loose when the president of the Republic of Ghana mentioned in a BBC interview that law to legalise gays and lesbians relationship will one day emerge when a strong force emerge to revolt for it. Yes, such act has no place in our Ghanaian society same way taking the life of another or himself.
We ought not to be judgmental by considering some acts more sinful hence demand lighter punishment just like a man who sleeps with his fellow man for pleasure. I’m totally against the act of LGBT just as I’m against any form of inhumane treatment towards such persons, one must not attempt killing a fellow human but rather draw the laws attention and that’s where I stand because they’re simply vulnerable like the visually impaired.
To better assist such people, it’s best to offer them some form of counseling with higher expectation that they change to understand the most enjoyable sexual experience of a man initiating with a woman.
The Holy book (Bible), in Numbers 35:16-17 speaks volume of what awaits all of us who think we must stone others to death.
In as much as our educational system might have failed us by not enlightening us on the basic human rights, it is just proper to seek knowledge ourselves because it will first be to your defense when anyone attempts to abuse that basic RIGHT.
It’s still a crime in Ghana to engage in any canal knowledge in public and it’s equally a crime to dehumanize or assault a fellow human let alone taking a fellow human life.
DCOP Francis Doku, Volta Regional Police Commander
By: KALD & Rita Nedjoh| Voltaonlinegh.com
The two persons who were arrested for attempting to cast a spell on President Akufo-Addo and six others at a shrine over the creation of the proposed Oti region have been granted bail.
The two, Ebenezer Atsu, 32 years and Shepherd Acolatse, 55 years were granted temporary freedom on Saturday after they were arrested last Wednesday at Wheta in the Ketu North municipality, where they sent a list of prominent government functionaries and individuals for a spiritual exercise to get them cancel the impending referendum on the proposed region.
On the list were names of the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa, Regional Reorganization minister, Dan Botwe, Chairman of the Commission of Inquiries, Justice Brobbey, Electoral Commission Chairperson, Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensa, Asantehene Otumfuor Osei Tutu II and Dr. Obed Asamoah, a senior citizen and a proponent of the Oti region.
The Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Francis Doku who confirmed the release of the two suspects to Voltaonlinegh.com on Monday, earlier justified their arrest and said the police was duty bound to safeguard the security of the state, which could be breached by the actions of the two individuals.
Meanwhile, Reports of the arrest of the two persons generated a lot of comments and backlash for the police on social media with many, including a legal practitioner, Professor Kwaku Asare (Kweku Azar) who condemned the arrest, as the action of the two were not in contravention of the country’s criminal laws.
Below Are Some Social media Comments Condemning the Police Action
The Volta Regional Command has intercepted huge sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp with a street value of about GHS 300,000 in a community in the South Dayi District.
A team of Police officers led by the Regional Operations Commander, ASP Fredrick Banini arrested the illicit goods during an intelligence led operation at Kayira, a community near Kpeve on the midnight of on Saturday, 8 December 2018.
The Regional commander, DCOP Francis Doku during a press briefing said, the 25-member team from the SWAT unit had a tip off that the suspected Indian hemp were kept at the said location and added that upon their entry into the community found two men on a bike and trace them but the two knowing the area very well maneuvered their way through the bush and escaped.
Four Locally manufactured guns were also impounded alongside the Dried leaves
The team, according to DCOP Doku later conducted a search and found 50 sacks and five drums of suspected dried leaves in addition to four locally manufactured guns at a location.
“Putting a street value on the suspected dried leaves, it will be about GHS300, 000,” he revealed, and described this interception as the biggest in recent time.
He added that four suspects, namely Adormla Torvor 70, Gati Samuel 38, Prosper Donkor 27, and Dotse Noah 25 who have been picked up in connection with the crime would be arraign before court on Tuesday.
The Regional Commander noted that investigations are ongoing and samples of the dried leaves will be sent to the Crime Lab for testing.
Watch DCOP Doku Briefing Journalists on the Arrest
DCOP Doku who assured of their commitment to clamp down on such illegal drugs trade in the country, however called on the public to give the police relevant information in that regard.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey| Voltaonlinegh.com |
Two Volta Regional Taekwondo Clubs, Diamond and Volta Academy have made progressive impact at the just ended 10th Korea Cup Taekwondo Championships.
The teams who had athletes in the male Seniors, Juniors and Cadet, chalked 2 Gold medals, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze and a trophy for the Most Promising player in the Junior Category.
With 11 participants, Hassan Amadu lost to Mohammed Oman of Fighters Club, Accra, in the round of 16 in the -54Kg category. Mahamed Isaka defeated Zolekif Alidu of Fighters Club and went on to the quarter finals to beat Prisons’ Alimo Gabriel who won against Volta’s Courage Klutse. Isaka lost his next bout against Amadu Mossi of the University of Ghana to grab a Bronze medal in the -58Kg category.
Hassan Haruna unfortunately fell to Fighters’ Abdulai Sumani in the Seniors quarter finals after defeating Anthony Dadzie of Golden Dragon in the round of 16 stage in the -63Kg category.
For the Juniors -48Kg category, Zakariya Kalid won Volta’s first Gold medal after a glorious victory against Matey Ferdinand of Mapro in the straight semis and Amarnor Amartey of Tema Tech in the finals. Then came another Gold medalist, Moumouni Sadly in the -59Kg seeing off a stiff competition from Ahabli Godwin of OLAMS in the straight semis. Moumouni, who was decorated with the Most Promising male player trophy, was smarter than Francis Madjie of Smart Roots Club in the finals.
Alex Larweh, after standing by in the straight semis of the +78Kg grabbed Silver, as he failed to beat Seth Holm of Smart Roots Club.
Immran Muhammed lost to Prince Asem of Queens Club in the round of 16 stage of the Male Cadet -33Kg after beating fellow Volta player Khalid Al-Hussein in the prelims. In the same category, Ali Issah fell to Okoe Kelly (eventual winner) of Rangoon in the round of 16 after beating Gameli Kelvin of St Mary’s in the prelims.
Usman Immran also lost to Edmond Ahiabu of Martin Luther in the prelims of the -37Kg.
Coach of the Volta Taekwondo Association, Prosper Medadues Badohu expressed his delight in an interview with TalksenseSports.
“I am very happy that our athletes are happy because they have just had their first time appearance and experience at the Championships. Our athletes we use to bring are worn out and some are in school as well. I must also say we achieved these without the necessary equipment, both digital and protective, is a huge exploit. In all, though compared to other clubs in terms of medal we were not the first and not the last, we did well. Going forward, we appeal for motivation because we are just to ourselves, managing these clubs without support from anywhere. When it comes to Taekwondo in Ghana, many know Volta has talents.”
With support, the Association can register many athletes for this and other Championships that will expose them to the bright future.
The Association however keeps working on the creation of new clubs in the schools and the community with Achievers Tkd Academy at Ho Agbasiafe RC one of them.
The newly crowned 2018 best farmer in the Nkwanta North district, Maja Mojin has called on the institute scholarship package and other incentives for yam famers to cater for the education of their wards just as in the case of cocoa farmers.
According to him successive governments over the years have neglected yam and other food crop farmers whilst concentrating only on cocoa producers, although it was not the only contributor in the Ghana’s economy.
He has therefore called on the government to pay equal attention other crop farmers and provide them with same incentive packages to enable them take care of their children in school.
Mr. Mojin who spoke to Voltaonlinegh.com, on the sideline of the Farms Day celebration at Kpassa, also appealed to government to construct the feeder roads linking the farming communities to facilitate easy transportation of their farm produce to market centres.
On her part, Madam Rose Labue, who was adjudged the second best farmer entreated other women to go into farming as a source of livelihood for themselves and also support their families.
The District Chief Executive for Nkwanta North, Mr Jackson Kwame Jackayi has also advised the youth in the area to advantage of the government flagship intervention programmes in the agriculture and other sectors to improve their livelihoods.
The winner of the District Best farmer awards in the Central Tongu District, Mr Edward Awuku has expressed his satisfaction with the prize package of a tricycle, a knapsack sprayer and a pair of Wellington boot.
The University of Cape Coast graduate, who has 200 acre mango farm, 40 acres each of Maize and Cassava, 30 acre rice farm, 536 cattle, as well as other livestock and poultry products, told voltaonlinegh.com that, “the recognition is enough despite the items given are not worth much.”
The father of five, whose assets include two vehicles, a tractor and two dug outs for irrigation, was honoured together with thirteen others at the district Farmers Day celebration last Friday at Mafi-Dove.
All awardees in exception of the overall best were presented with a phoenix bicycle, two cutlasses, a pair of boot, a knapsack sprayer as well as a certificate.
The Mafi Anfoe Junior High school, also received two wheelbarrows, two knapsack sprayers and 10 cutlasses in recognition of their school farming project.
Officials
In his address, the District Director of Agriculture, Mr Francis Nutakor said the district has exceeded its enrollment target under the government’s flagship “Planting for Food and Jobs” programme by six per cent.
He encouraged the youth to take keen interest in agriculture as a source of income and occupation. “We would soon rollout raring for food and jobs in 2019 and we expect everyone to be a part of this program. Everyone must benefit from every program instituted by government, by so doing, this nation will be food sufficient”.
Mr. Zonyra (R) with the District Best Farmer (L)
The District Chief Executive, Mr. Thormas Zonyra Moore bemoaned the poor patronage of the Adidome farm institute by the indigenes even though courses are ran at no cost to beneficiaries.
“It’s really sad when our own people fail to take advantage and interest in the institution in the district (Adidome Farm Institute) that trains and equip farmers seasonally. People come from other regions to partake in programs yet the youth in the district sits aloof”.
He charged the people to approach him frequently as his door is opened to all.
Farm products were on exhibition from tubers to cereals and cash crops. Animals such as goats and sheep were not left out. All exhibitors had a cutlass after which they traded their crops and animals after the Durbar.
Dove-Land of No Animal
The choice of Mafi-Dove for the event was an interesting one, as the raring of animals and slaughtering of same remain a taboo in the community.
Mr Vincent Ayim, a native of the community and chairman for the occasion explained that, “We do not rear animals in Dove community but adjoining communities do. It’s simply a taboo which we have kept for ages and that have brought cohesion among us as a people. Animals’ droppings are one thing that makes environment look messy”.
“We don’t kill or spill blood on this land that’s why giving birth is also prohibited but in all this, we have not recorded any form of maternal mortality this is because we’ve obeyed our forefathers and the customs they left behind” he stated and added that, “we permit animals to be brought here for exhibition purposes hence the venue for this years’ farmers day celebration is in place”.
Dressed in white t-shirts with the words, #Ghana says no to corruption and boldly written, “Corruption is stealing from Ghana” on both front and back of the of the t-shirts, Ghana anti-corruption campaigners on Saturday, went on a float through the principal streets of the Volta Regional capital, Ho.
The campaigners who already communicated enough just by way of their apparels, held placards with inscriptions including ” Corruption undermines the rule of law”, “Corruption creates poverty”, ” Corruption robs us all”, “Demand accountability from elected leaders”, ” Report corrupt practices ” in their march which ended at OLA SHS where participants were addressed by various speakers.
The march formed part of a week-long (December 3-9) activities outlined to mark the 2018 International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) in all 10 regions across the country. IACD is marked every December 9 to mobilise citizens in the fight against corruption and to sensitise the public on its dangers.
Senior Research Officer, Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), Bright Sowu called on Ghanaians to come together and with concerted efforts, fight canker which he said ” is robbing Ghana of her resources.”
According to him, the though the anti-corruption campaigners kept making some inroads in raising awareness on anti-corruption, “Ghana is losing the war on corruption.”
He therefore implored the citizenry to be concerned and in their individual ways, contribute to the fight by making a “bold declaration that seeks to resist, reject, report and punish corruption”
He also called on government to show its commitment to fighting the menace by passing the Right to Information Bill, and timely passage of key anti-corruption bills including Conduct of Public Officers Bill, Whistle blowers Amendment Bill and Companies Amendment Act and to ensure urgent passage Presidential assent to the recently passed Witness Protection Bill.
The Registrar, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ)-Volta, Mr Eric Oduro Danso spoke of what acts constitute corruption calling on the participants not to focus on top politicians and some security agents as the only corrupt entities in the country but see it as something that almost every Ghanaian indulge in every day.
He spoke of petty ones such teachers taking chalks, pencils and learning materials to their wards at home, public servants asking from those requiring services to “buy them water to drink”, using official vehicles for private business, lying, among others as forms of corruption that must not be encouraged.
He called on the citizenry to report any form of corrupt practices to CHRAJ, the Commission mandated to deal with such issues for action, assuring that they Commission protects the identity of such whistle blowers.
A representative from the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, Prosper Afenyo asked the citizenry to invest their energy in reducing the spate of corruption as to him, corruption cannot be eradicated.
He explained that corruption, an age-old sin just like other sins, cannot be because humans are naturally sinful.
He called on everyone whether Christians or Muslims to see corruption as a sin against God that will go unpunished.
The Chief Budget Analyst therefore, appealed to all to get involved in making the practice enenemy to to discourage others from committing the act, thus, reducing incidents of corruption.
The event on Saturday also saw participation from officials from the VRCC and Ho Municipal Assembly, National Commission for Civic Education, security services, youth groups, among others who make up the Local Accountability Network (LANET), ably coordinated by VOICE-Ghana, a focal partner in the region and spearheaded by GACC with funding support from open society initiatives from West Africa.
