Central Tongu Best Farmer Content with Prize Package

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December 10, 2018

Central Tongu Best Farmer (2) — Mr. Edward Awuku mounting his tricycle

By: Fred Duhoe|Voltaonlinegh.com|

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”.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

GACC Calls on Ghanaians to Unite against Corruption; Says Public is Losing the War

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Volta Online

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December 9, 2018

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GACC Campaign (1) — Anti-Corruption campaigners on a float

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

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.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Isaac Dogboe Loses Title to Naverrete

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Volta Online

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December 9, 2018

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By: Eric Eli Adzie | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Isaac ‘Royal Storm’ Dogboe made an unsuccessful defense to his title as he lost the WBO World Super Bantamweight title to Mexican, Emmanuel Navarette in the United States.

Dogboe who was very unconvincing in this bout was unable to replicate the antics that won him the title off Jese Magdaleno in April 2018.

The challenger, Naverrete on the other hand looked so comfortable in the first six rounds but allowed the champ to rediscovered himself and walk his way through to what looks like a trialling last rounds.

Though Dogboe knocked down his opponent within those rounds,the match referee adjudge it as an illegal punch.

Navarrete however had a good tenth round with decisive and powerful combinations, rocking Dogboe, and dominated the rest of the fight.

By unanimous decision, all the three judges scored the bout in favour of the Mexican.
Two of the judges scored the bout 116- 112 in favour of Navarette while the last judge scored it 115 -113 also for the Mexican.
Dogboe who had a badly swollen face after the bout said he will now take a break,reorganise and come back to the top again.

“Champs don’t stay down. They get back up and fight. That’s what i must do. Still #Neho”

Dogboe was undefeated in 20 previous fights.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Akatsi Police Begins Investigation into Gruesome Murder of Two Siblings

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Volta Online

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December 9, 2018

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Akatsi Police Command has launched an investigation into a gruesome murder of two siblings in their home last Thursday evening.

The victims, a 78-year old Dela Kofi Sedor and his younger sister, a 73-year old Ami Sedor were butchered to death by an unknown person in their home at Xavi-Dziehe in the Akatsi South District of the Volta Region.

Akatsi District Police Commander, Supt Samuel Lartey Lawson who confirmed the incident to Voltaonlinegh.com said, his outfit had begun investigations to apprehend the perpetrator of such heinous crime.

According to him, he suspected that the two acts of murder were committed by one person, explaining, it was possible that the sister (disabled in one leg) saw the murderer killing her brother and attempted shouting while running away and ended up suffering the same fate as the brother.

Supt Lawson in narrating the incident said, the Police received a call minutes after the crime occurred at about 6:20pm from Chief of the area, Togbe Klutse alerting them of the murder.

He continued to say that the Police got to the scene and “found the bodies in a two-bedroom house. Victim, Dela Sedor was seated in a blue plastic chair with almost a severed head” while the body of Ami was found “lying down in the compound with multiple cutlass wounds on the head.”

He noted that although the victims’ house was surrounded by other houses, the neighbours claimed they never heard any unusual noise from the house.

The District Commander also noted that family of the deceased claimed they were not aware of any rift between them and any one in the community.

Mr Lawson in expressing the Command’s resolve to apprehend the murderer, advised the public to place their first calls in such situations to the Police before doing so to media houses as was the case in the current incident, so as not to give room to perpetrators to get away.

Meanwhile, the bodies have since been deposited at the St Paul’s Hospital, Akatsi pending autposy.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Driver Escapes; As Truck Crashes on Mountainous Fume Road

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Volta Online

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December 8, 2018

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Fume Accident (3) — The overturned truck at the accident scene

By: KALD|Voltaonlinegh.com|

A fully loaded mini truck Saturday afternoon crashed on the mountainous Ho-Fume road, report reaching Voltaonlinegh.com indicated.

The Kpando bound vehicle stocked with cartons of canned ‘Heineken’ beer, according to eyewitnesses somersaulted in one of the sharp curves after failing its brake whilst descending the stretch between Biakpa and Fume.

The driver, who was the sole occupant on board, however escaped the near fatal accident with minor injuries on his head.

Information gathered by Voltaonlinegh.com revealed that section of the road has been an accident prone spot on the Ho-Fume highway ostensibly due its dangerous slopes and curves.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

North Dayi Rewards its Hardworking Farmers

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Volta Online

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December 8, 2018

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DCE Kudjoh Atta (R) presenting the winner with her award

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The North Dayi District Assembly in the Volta Region has rewarded some dedicated farmers at the e2018 Farmers’ Day celebration held at Wusuta.

The durbar on Friday to mark the 34^th Farmers’ Day celebration under the chairmanship of President of Wusuta Traditional Council, Togbega Osei Tutu Obrempong III, was attended by the Member of Parliament for the area, the district director of agriculture, security officers, traditional leaders, and health practitioners who mounted stands for eye, tuberculosis and HIV testing services.

The Day saw a 51-year old Mary Adjei adjudged the Overall Best District Farmer. Madam Adjei who comes from Awate became the first to walk away with a solar-powered television in addition to the regular package which included 1 tricycle, 2 wellington boots, 2 cutlasses, 2 knapsack sprayers, and a solar lantern.

She has been farming for the past 5 years and has about 15 employees working on her 32 acres of farmland which includes 8 acres of maize, 10 acres of okro, 2 acres each of onion and cabbage, 10 acres of mango in addition to 70 fowls and cattle, 20.

The first runner-up, David Ahorlu from Wusuta, owns about 35 acres of farmland, 17 acres each of plantain and cocoa, and 1 acre of cassava.

The second runner-up, Godwin Agbedanu who is from Aneta cultivates several crops of farmland. Maize, 63 acres, garden egg, 10 acres, cowpea, 20 acres, rice, potatoes and cassava, 7.5 acres each.

Aside the aforementioned winners and other individual distinguished farmers who were awarded on the Day, Vakpo Senior High Technical School was awarded in recognition of its efforts towards agriculture development in the district.

The District Chief Executive (DCE), Edmund Kudjoh Atta thanked the hardworking farmers and fisherfolks and congratulated the awardees for their efforts in providing food for the citizenry.

He called on them to ready themselves for the “task ahead in feeding the nation, industry and above all, contributing significantly to the creation of employment.”

The DCE said in line with the national theme for the celebration, “Agriculture: Moving Ghana beyond Aid”, the Assembly would focus on three areas, “the human resource base, creating an enabling environment for the investor world and active participation in the market so created” in order for North Dayi to achieve self-sufficiency.

He touted the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government’s initiatives in the agricultural sector which he described “unprecedented” and assured that the Assembly was going to replicate that to position the district among the food baskets of the country.

The Dean of Municipal and District Chief Executives however, expressed his dissatisfaction at this year’s patronage at Wusuta (where he comes from) and chastised people for coming to such an important programme to honour farmers and fisherfolks, late.

The District Best Farmer, Mary Adjei in an interview with Voltaonlinegh.com, expressed gratitude for the recognition and promised to work harder.

She however identified finance and market for their farm products as the major challenges they encounter almost every year and called on government to intervene by committing some funds to be accessed by farmers at no interest.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

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

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Volta Online

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December 8, 2018

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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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Volta Online

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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