Build Friendly Environment for Us- PWDs Call on Gov’t

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December 8, 2018

By: Albert Kuzor & Selase Bannor| Voltaonlinegh.com|

The Akatsi South District Assembly in collaboration with the Global Action for Women Empowerment (GLOWA) has marked the 2018 International Day for Persons with Disability (PWDs) with a call on the government to build friendly environment for the PWDs.

Scores of physically challenged persons at a mini durbar held at Akatsi, to mark the day, were seen holding placards with inscription such as “Make the environment disability friendly”, “Help bring out the best in us”, “We have the right to education”, among others.

They called on government to enforce the Disability Act, pointing at Section 6 of Act 715, which states that, owners of any building must see to it that the building is accessible by PWDs and also, Section 17 which talks about accessible education for them.

PWDs holding placards with inscriptions while marching

Speaking at the event, President of the Association of Students with Disabilities, Carl Tetteh, bemoaned how all persons of different ages with disability in the country are still having difficulties in accessing some public places.

He said, despite the enactment of laws to protect them, these laws are not doing what it has been enacted for.

“There is evidence of our commitment and ability as Ghanaians to enact beautiful laws to tackle problems in the society. However, their implementation has always not been the best.”

Touching on education, Mr. Tetteh spoke of the inadequate facilities and suggested the way forward.

“Twelve years and still counting, there are not enough schools that are integrated for persons with disability especially, visually impaired students. At least, each region in Ghana should have integrated schools. As it stands now, there are only seven integrated senior high schools, two in the three northern regions, one in Brong Ahafo Region, one in the Central Region, two in the Volta Region and one in Eastern Region. When this is done, a person will not be compelled to travel a long distance, from one region to another to get education.”

He quizzed, “why should a citizen’s choice to go to school be restricted to a particular school?”

He appealed to civil society organisations, the Media, and volunteers to join the advocacy for PWDs to be accepted by the society while calling on law enforcement agencies to deal with any person found guilty of stigmatising PWDs.

The District Chief Executive of the area, Leo Nelson Adzidogah pledged support for them and encouraged them to consider themselves as citizens.

He also advised them to participate in any national activities, especially in the upcoming elections in the various districts.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Advocate Organisation for PWDs Call for Reforms for Inclusive Health Delivery System

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December 7, 2018

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Representative of Kekeli Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for persons with disability (PWDs), Mr Eric Ofori has called for sign language to be incorporated in the curriculum of training institutions especially health to cater for the medical needs of PWDs.

The visually impaired described as worrying the number of challenges PWDs face in accessing services in public institutions in terms of physical structures and provision of essential services including medical service to them.

He said most of the assemblies “lack that capacity to support persons with disability especially those with hearing impairment” making it very challenging to such people to access health care.

He asked that government considers the needs of such people and make arrangements for their inclusion in the health delivery process.

“At the training institutions, sign language should be made at least, part of the curriculum so that whoever comes out should have some knowledge about sign language. And also, social welfare can play a role because we have a social welfare school where sign language is taught. We hope that they can bring some of these people on board to the public places so that when people come, they can be helped to access health care.”

Mr Ofori was highlighting the projects his organisation, which is a Star- Ghana Grant partner carried out on enhancing the inclusion of PWDs in 4 district assemblies in the Volta Region at a workshop on Thursday in the regional capital, Ho on the theme, “Enhanced Media-CSOs’ Partnerships for Inclusive Local Governance”.

The workshop engaged participants who included selected journalists and STAR-Ghana Grant Partners from the region on the need for media and CSOs coming together as a team, the roles to play, and strategies to develop to impress on government to ensure that it carries everyone along in implementing these reforms.

Programmes Manager, GJA/STAR-Ghana Project, Kojo Impraim speaking on media-CSOs policy engagement, explained that media’s work touches on local governance just like the CSOs and must help in educating the people on the proposed reforms which aims to decentralize the governance process.

He described for instance the impending referendum on creation of new regions as “not well communicated to the people” saying, “the bottom line is that you’re carving out a new region, your argument is that the place is underdeveloped and therefore, you want to develop the place. So we’re interested to understand the rationale behind and what your roadmap leading to the development is.”

He underscored the need for the partnership to engage government on these reforms because to him, “when we leave it to them (politicians), they will do it in a political jacket.”

On her part, Project Officer, GJA/STAR-Ghana Project, Rebecca Ekpe called on the media and NGOs to work together for a common goal as the two and every citizen of Ghana, owe a duty to the people.

“We owe the duty to our people. Educate them, inform them, and provide them what it takes to be part of the process. We owe them a responsibility not just as journalists but it is a constitutional mandate so it is a must that we to do it.”

Volta Regional Chairman, Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Kafui A.B. Kanyi agreed that the media’s activities are local governance-centred, having to do with reportage on issues about sanitation, water, among other things.

He therefore welcomed the project and assured that the partnership between media and CSOs will promote local governance issues in the region and Ghana as a whole.

Thursday’s workshop under GJA/STAR-Ghana Zonal Training for Media and Civil Society Organisations Project was the third of similar ones expected to be held across the country zoned into five: Greater-Accra and Eastern regions, Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, Volta Region, Central and Western regions, and Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo regions.

The project, sponsored by STAR-Ghana and its donor partners is aimed at fostering collaboration between the media and CSOs to influence government on the 3 proposed major reforms bordering on local governance namely, the Constitutional Review and Reforms of the District Assembly Election, Proposed Election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives and the Creation of New Regions.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Prez Akufo-Addo, Dr. Letsa; others Taken to Voodoo Shrine over Oti Region

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Volta Online

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December 6, 2018

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DCOP Doku — DCOP Francis Doku, Volta Regional Police Commander

By: KALD & Rita Nedjoh |Voltaonlinegh.com|

It has emerged that some persons opposed to the creation of the proposed Oti region have resorted to foul means, including the use of voodoo spirit to thwart the impending referendum on the proposed region.

Two of such persons have reportedly taken the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa and five others including the Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, to a shrine to cast a spell on them to cancel the referendum in the region.

The two, identified as Ebenezer Atsu, 32 years and 55 year old Shepherd Acolatse, both from Ashaiman were said to have visited the voodoo shrine at Weta in the Ketu North municipality with a list which included the names of the Regional Reorganization minister, Dan Botwe, Chairman of the Commission of Inquiries, Justice Brobbey, Electoral Commission Chairperson, Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensa and Dr. Obed Asamoah, a senior citizen and a proponent of the Oti region.

According to the Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Francis Doku, the suspects were arrested by the Dzodze Police upon a tip off from the fetish priest, Festus Kwashie Babanawo who suspected a foul play.

DCOP Doku told a press briefing in Ho on Thursday that, the suspects who were arrested at about midday on Wednesday claimed during interrogation that they were sent by one John of Ashaiman to use spiritual means to get the said individuals to discontinue with the processes to divide the Volta region.

He said the two are still in custody assisting with investigations, as efforts are made to apprehend their collaborators and the appropriate charges to slap them with in court.

The commander however assured of adequate security arrangements towards the referendum slated for Thursday, 27^th December, 2018, and warned trouble makers would be met with appropriate force.

Read Also: Nefahene of Guan Akyode Curses Saboteurs of Oti Region

The Supreme Court last week threw out a legal suit challenging the recommendation of the Justice Brobbey Commission for only eligible persons in the affected areas to vote in the referendum.

Source: www.Voltaonlinegh.com

Volta, Brong Ahafo Make Significant Gains in 2017 HIV Prevalence Records

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Volta Online

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December 6, 2018

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By: Fred Duhoe | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The data from the 2017 HIV prevalence by region has indicated that Volta Region dropped from its sorry first place to fourth according to the Ghana Health Service.

The Volta Region had the highest prevalence with 2.7 per cent jointly with Brong Ahafo Region in 2016 but made significant strides to come fourth with 2.3 per cent while Ashanti Region took the lead.

The Northern Region maintained its lowest prevalence of HIV infection with a 0.6 per cent, an improvement from the 2016 rate of 0.7 per cent.

Revealing the statistics at an HIV and AIDS workshop held for journalists in the Volta Region organised by African Centre for Development (ACEDEV) Reporting in collaboration with the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Golda Asante, an HIV and AIDS consultant, said despite the gains, the region had to up its game in some urban communities.

According to her, the reflection from those urban communities still had high records compared to the overall regional data.

The Ashanti and Greater Accra regions recorded 3.2 per cent to come first as the regions with the highest HIV prevalence while Western, Eastern regions recorded 2.4 and 2.1 percent respectively.

Brong Ahafo Region improved significantly from first to sixth place with 2 per cent.

Two regions, Upper West and Upper East recorded 1.3 per cent while Central Region recorded 1.8 per cent same as last year.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

NUGS Applauds Government as NaBCo Beneficiaries Receive 1st Stipend

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Volta Online

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December 6, 2018

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has expressed gratitude to government over the release of Ghc67,135,600 for the payment of monthly stipends of 95,908 Nation Builders Corps (NaBCo) beneficiaries.

The Union also commended government’s vision of improving the lives of the Ghanaian youth especially the unemployed graduates through initiatives including Nation Builders Corps (NaBCo), Youth in Afforestation, etc.

This was contained in a release from NUGS jointly signed by its President, Clifford Sarpong Boateng and Press & Information Secretary, Reindolf Amankwa.

The release followed an announcement on Tuesday by the Chief Executive Officer of NaBCo, Dr Ibrahim Anyars that the Ministry of Finance had released money for the first payment of stipends for some 95,908 trainees who confirmed their acceptance onto the scheme (NaBCo) to benefit from the allowance of GH¢700 each.

Dr Anyars, in speaking to the press said the beneficiaries would be paid through the e-zwich system of the Ghana Interbank and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS).

While NUGS commended government for keeping its promise and releasing money to pay allowances for NaBCo beneficiaries, it expressed disappointment at the delay in doing same for the Youth in Afforestation and called on government to fast track the process.

“We however understand that, the payment of monthly allowances of Youth in Afforestation is ongoing in batches and thus want to encourage the payment agency to speed up the payment process.”

The Union which seeks the general welfare of Ghanaian youth also encouraged government to consider “the early payment of Teacher and Nurses trainee allowances so as to foster their sound academic wellness and willingness to serve the nation with passion.”

Meanwhile, NaBCo beneficiaries have started receiving alerts from the Scheme regarding their payment of allowances, hours after Dr Anyars’s announcement.

President Akufo-Addo launched the NaBCo programme on May 1, 2018 as one of his government’s flagship programmes to deal with graduate unemployment.

The beneficiaries are being engaged under seven modules namely, Revenue Ghana, Educate Ghana, Digitise Ghana, Civic Ghana, Heal Ghana, Feed Ghana and Enterprise Ghana for a 3-year contract and are expected to earn a monthly stipend of GH¢700 each.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Volta One TV Set to Broadcast Live Isaac Dogboe Bout

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Volta Online

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December 5, 2018

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Dogboe becomes Ghana's youngest world champ — Dogboe, Ghana's youngest world champ

By Eric Eli Adzie|Voltaonlinegh.com|

Volta region’s first television station, Volta One TV together with Media 7 has acquired exclusive broadcast rights for this weekend’s bout involving Isaac ‘Royal Storm’ Dogboe and his Mexican counterpart Emmanuel Navarrete.

The fight which will take place at Madison Square Garden in the United States of America on Saturday night will be telecast live on V1 TV in collaboration with Rising Star Africa Promotion and Togbui Badu Royal House of Anyako.

Dogboe (20-0, 14 KOs) will be defending his WBO World Super Bantamweight title he won in April this year by knocking down then Champion, Jesse Magdalena in round 11 and successfully made his first defense against Japanese Hidenori Otake in round one last August.

Navarette has fought 25 times, winning 24 and losing one and has recorded 22 knockouts; he is currently ranked number two by the WBO and number one by the WBA.

At a press briefing on Wednesday in Ho ahead of the fight, the Public Relations Officer for V1 TV, Mr. Paul Mensah Anku said the decision for the live broadcast was aimed at bringing the much anticipated bout between their own Isaac and his opponent to the comfort of their homes.

Officials of V1 TV at the press briefing

On her part, the Chief Executive Officer of V1 TV, Madam Dzifa Attivor said their gesture was also to support an indigenous brand in the person of Dogboe, known for his famous phrase, ‘NEHO.’

“What we’re doing today is just to promote one of our own. Our very own son, Isaac “the Royal Storm” Dogboe hails from Anyarko and so we deem it necessary, as part of our vision of showing off the richness of the Volta region to the world, to support him and urge him on to victory for all of Volta and Ghana,” she said.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Patronage of ‘Mahama Camboo’ Tricycles on the Rise in Ho

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Volta Online

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December 5, 2018

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Mahama Camboo in Ho — Passengers on board the 'Mahama Camboo' on the streets of Ho

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

It gained currency under the erstwhile Mahama led administration as an alternative means of transportation in some parts of the country and got named after the former president.

The now popular tricycle, best known in the country as “Mahama Camboo” which has been receiving patronage from a number of residents in other areas, has finally found its way into the Ho municipality, where more and more people are beginning to endorse its services.

In 2015 the past government through the Micro Finance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) distributed the “yellow-yellow” tricycles to some youth in the Northern Region to serve the transportation need of people in that part of the country. The former president was also reported to have entered Wa Township on a two-day visit, in a tricycle.

Former President Mahama having a ride in a tricycle

It has since become a toast of many commuters in the peri-urban areas and beginning to enjoy high patronage in the Ho Township since its introduction two months ago.

In the first week of its operations, patrons enjoyed free ride to any part of the regional capital, after which the operators began charging very moderate fares.

Passengers are charged GH₵1.00 for short distance and GH₵1.50 for long distance within the Ho Township, almost half less what taxis charge (GH₵1.80 for short distance), thus giving tough competition to the drivers.

Speaking to Voltaonlinegh.com, some people attributed their patronage of the tricycles largely to economic reasons, as it is cheaper compared to regular taxi services.

This, some taxi drivers in town were however not enthused about, claiming, the tricycles unlike taxis, do not consume much fuel and their spare parts are cheaper among other things.

‘Mahama Camboo’ tricycles outdoored in Ho during the Asogli festivities (c)facebook

Apart from taxi drivers, a group, Road Safety Advocates Ghana, was reported to have described as unlawful the use of these tricycles for commercial purposes asking authorities to regulate their use.

Meanwhile, there seems to be an emerging trend where people for some reasons, forgo cars in favour of the tricycles.

A couple, Simon and Faustina Dakudzi, a 35-year old Carpenter and a 33-year old provision shop owner respectively, got married over the weekend at Remar Anointing Church at Deme-Barrier near Ho in the Volta Region.

The two were greeted with cheers as they drove through town in the now famous ‘Mahama Camboo’ as their wedding getaway car.

Earlier in April this year, a couple in Kumasi, Mr and Mrs Kusi, an IT teacher at Kumasi Senior High Technical and a business woman respectively, hit the street of the garden city in similar fashion, using tricycles for their wedding ceremony, according to media reports.

Though the Dakudzis fell on the ‘Mahama Camboo’ as a means of cutting cost and living within their means, they still desired to do something out of the ordinary as explained by Faustina who told Voltaonlinegh.com, that “we want to have a wedding that is memorable, something that others have not done, yet within our own means” just as the Kusis who saw it as an adventure and an occasion to make a difference and create options for others.

For now, irrespective of arguments for and against its operations, it appears this new means of transportation has come to stay. Iit however behooves on the relevant authorities to regulate its operation to ensure the safety of patrons.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Playwright Promises to Excite Patrons with Reloaded ‘Down the Aisle’ this Christmas

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Volta Online

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December 5, 2018

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By: AKN | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Patrons who requested for a restage of the newest work of the fast rising Playwright and Emcee, Korku Lumor, should brace themselves up for yet another exciting festive season of laughter and life lessons.

It promises to be an exciting experience on December 26 at the Ho Technical University (HTU) Auditorium as organisers of the event assure patrons of great performance and variety on the day.

Produced and staged earlier this year by Loom Hub Events and Productions, ”Down the Aisle” is a comical but thought provoking play that told the story of a young unemployed graduate who entered into marriage ill-prepared just to please members of his church.

When Jonathan, a 27-year old unemployed graduate succumbed to pressure from his local church to walk down the aisle with Boatemaa, a young graduate nurse and lead singer in the same church , he later realised that ‘happily ever after’ was just a phrase in ink.

Jonathan had to navigate his way through a stormy and troublesome illiterate mother in-law and fraudulent schemes of his brother in-law, thus, learning some bitter lessons of life from his own shortcomings and the people around him to come to terms with realities.

After the first performance in March this year in Ho, the over thousand patrons that filled the GM Afeti Auditorium of HTU during the first and second shows were left craving for more.

Playwright Korku Lumor told Voltaonlinegh.com that per the popular demand, the team has decided to restage the play and included varieties that would come as a Christmas package for patrons. The new package features Award Winning Afro Pop Artiste, KD Bakes.

He sees the reloaded “Down the Aisle” as an opportunity for people to move from the bustling cities to serene and neat City of Ho.

This melodrama is styled with the local Ewe and Twi accents, broken-English and the formal English language as the dominant medium of expression.

Patrons are encouraged to visit Stadium Gate Supermarket and KCS Downtown to purchase their tickets or contact 020-035-6581/024-341-7348 for ticket reservations for the shows which have the first coming off from 4-6pm and the second, 8-10pm

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Together We Rid Ghana and the World of HIV Epidemic – UNAIDS

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Volta Online

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December 5, 2018

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By: Fred Duhoe | Voltaonlinegh.com |

“Let’s pause and remember the millions of people who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses,” were the words of the UNAIDS Country Director in Ghana, Angela Trenton-Monde.

This, according to her, will afford many more of the population the desire to know their HIV status.

She made this known in her address to mark this year’s World AIDS Day on Saturday in Ho, expressing optimism that the 90-90-90 global target will be achieved when stigmatisation, discrimination and criminalisation of HIV is totally abhorred in society.

The UNAIDS Country Director observed that some level of progress had been made, saying, “it’s encouraging that at the global level, 75 per cent of people living with HIV as at 2017 knew their status.”

In Ghana, there has been improvement by 20 per cent from the 2016 data of 45 per cent of people knowing their HIV status.

The Day saw participation from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the field of HIV and AIDS-related issues while students from second cycle institutions were not left out.

HIV testing stands were available and people had the opportunity to get tested for the first time. Also, sensitisation on sexual reproductive health was offered at the various stands by the CSOs.

Touching on the contribution made over the years by President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Ghana, Christopher J. Lamora was hopeful the tides will soon turn to reflect the investments made by the United States government over the years.

“We’ve invested over 80 billion in the global HIV and AIDS response through US bilateral HIV efforts against tuberculosis and our contributions towards the Global Fund to fight AIDS. In Ghana, approximately 28000 HIV positive Ghanaians will receive treatment with support from the Ghana AIDS Commission and CSOs.”

PEPFAR in marking its 15 years of global existence and 10th anniversary in Ghana has made tremendous contributions towards saving lives and to ensure HIV-free generation.

“The 90-90-90 fast track goal provides that 90 per cent of population get tested, 90 per cent of those HIV positive on treatment and 90 per cent with suppressed viral loads and usher an AIDS-free generation by 2030,” Mr Lamora revealed.

According to the UNAIDS, AIDS-related deaths globally have been cut in half since their peak in 2004 and new HIV infections have been reduced by 47 per cent since 1996.

World AIDS Day is marked every first December to raise awareness and to remember those who died as a result of the AIDS pandemic. The global theme for the 2018 Day was “Know Your Status” with the national theme being “Test, Treat to Suppress and Stop New Infections”.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Rainstorm Rips off School Roofing in South Tongu District

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Volta Online

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December 5, 2018

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By: Tabitha Kugbonu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Heavy rainstorm has hit Dabala Junction Comboni Primary School in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region causing destruction to a classroom block of the school.

The Assembly member of the area, Cephas Aguzey, in an interview with the reporter, recounted that the incident occurred over the weekend, adding, the strong winds ripped off the roofing sheets from the classroom building, a situation which has left both teachers and pupils of the affected classrooms without roof over their heads while teaching and learning go on.

The school block manifesting the effects of the rainstorm over the weekend

He explained that, for him not to look unconcerned he was forced to inform the District Chief Executive, Emmanuel Louis Agama, the Member of Parliament, Mensah Korbla Woyome and also the office of the District National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) about the situation which they promised to intervene for solution.

While the school looks up to the authorities for help, Mr Aguzey is appealing to philanthropists and the general public to come to their aid.

A classroom with its roofing sheets ripped off

Head teacher of the school, Emmanuel Kweku Teshie stated that, the situation caused the management of the school to hold a meeting on Monday and later, issued a letter to the Ghana Education Service, South Tongu about the incident.

According to him, the environment was not conducive for the kindergarten 1 to Primary 3 pupils so they were asked to go home to allow carpenters to work on the school building so that by next week, they could resume school in readiness for their end of terminal examination.

Mr Teshie also suspected the building materials used for school (which was built in 2005) funded by Comboni Unit to be of low quality hence the current situation.

Reacting to the situation, NADMO Coordinator, Mr. Collins Avornu said his outfit was at the scene on Monday to see how the incident occurred and promised that the office would call for an emergency meeting in the assembly as to how best to solve the problem.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com