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.
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.
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.
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
“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”.
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.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | Voltaonlinegh.com |
The Volta Cricket Association has expressed appreciation to the International Cricket Council- Africa with a picture frame during a 360 review meeting with stakeholders in Ho.
The picture in the frame displays a 10-year boy whose older brother, Tuttor Deladem was among selected U-13 players for a Cricket Clinic in 2016, batting.
The boy developed interest in the game and before the officials could realise, he won gloves and pads waiting for his turn. His technique in batting was well demonstrated and a surprise to all present, as he was only watching from a distance initially.
The ICC-Africa, as part of their 360 review in Ghana, paid a visit to Ho on Wednesday, November 28, where they met with selected schools which play Cricket and those who do not, head teachers of those schools, and some parents at Sky Plus Hotel.
The meeting was attended by the Regional Director of Ghana Education Service, Miss Enyonam Afi Amafuga, Regional Director, National Sports Authority, Kwame Amponfi Jnr, B.B Dotse and Walter Kokroko, Regional and Municipal P.E Coordinators respectively among others.
The leader of the delegation from ICC-Africa, Patricia Kambarami, Development Manager, received the nicely designed frame and thanked the officials of the Association.
Leader of the ICC-Africa team, Mad Kambarani receiving the picture frame
The meeting saw fruitful deliberations from the stakeholders who raised concerns about the sports and suggested ways to improve on the development of the game in the region.
ICC-Africa appreciated the concerns raised during the deliberations and promised to consider the suggestions to ensure the growth of the sport in Volta Region and Ghana at large.
The Volta Association, having won the most active Region accolade in 2016, have had 2 separate training of the trainers courses, umpiring and scoring course, inter school competitions, 2 separate CAP courses, and an impending U-14 League.
The Region can also boast of a formidable U-15 team and 7 competent level 1 coaches.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | Voltaonlinegh.com |
Sonrise Christian School has failed to live up to expectation in their week 4 fixture against South Tongu Talents (STT) in the.
The debutants lost both categories in their second match of the League on Saturday at the Ho Sports Stadium.
In the men game which began the trail of matches, Sonrise frustrated STT in the first half with a 10-8 scoreline. STT in the second half found their rhythm and stretched their lead to wrap up the beautifully serious tussle game, 36-23.
Sonrise, a bit frightened, started the game with nice passes and steady attacks which ended up being saved by Mawulawoe Wegbe. They consequently had 7 meter advantages but wasted all while STT made use of the fast breaks with Adobia Emelia and Obeng Hannah scoring most of the goals. The 20-3 half time score was not enough for STT as Mercy Alphones forced 5 more goals for Sonrise, who lost 8-32.
Team Sonrise Christian High School
The day ended with hot exchanges between STT men and Ho Technical University (HTU). The game of equals started with lots of energy, pace, fast breaks, and inter-positional passes as both sides push for the maximum 2 points, having lost their first matches in the league. The game went to recess 15-16 for HTU with both sides seeing lots of punishments for bad tackles and STT goalkeeper Jonas Segbedzi ‘Talent’, having quite a good day.
HTU’s Benjamin Aryee received red card in the dying minutes of the game having served 2 minutes for the 3rd time. His dismissal rather gingered his team to go on to win 36-33.
Due to poor visibility, the Women game between HTU and Mawuko was postponed to next Saturday. It was really a bad day for the referees as clubs were not happy about officiating.
On the Women table, STT lead with 4 points, followed by Sonrise with 2 points. Unique Stars top the Men table with 4 points, while Stars of Asha, STT, HTU and Sonrise all have 2 points each.
The excitement of the league continues on Saturday, December 8, 2018 with intriguing pairings.
The National Accreditation Board (NAB) has commended Volta Region’s premiere university, Evangelical Presbyterian University College (EPUC) in Ho, for the important role it played and continues to play in making university education accessible to citizens of the region and the country.
Mr Lawrence Kwarteng-Ashia, Head of Public Relations on behalf of Acting Executive Secretary, NAB in a statement over the weekend at the 10th anniversary celebration of the University, said there was the need for the Institution to celebrate but also make strategic plans for the future.
“Ten years in the life of any institution is very significant and need to be celebrated but, it presents a good opportunity to reflect on how far the institution has come and strategise into the future to address the challenges ahead while positioning itself to take advantage of future opportunities.”
He said “NAB acknowledges that private tertiary institutions face a number of challenges” including funding thus, high dependence on school fees for running the institutions.
He said the Board had therefore instituted a policy where private institutions sign up with a financial or insurance company to serve as buffer to fall on for smooth running of the institutions.
The Acting President of EPUC, Dr Kenneth Nyalemegbe in presenting a report at the programme, disclosed that student enrollment had decreased from 1,500 in 2012 to 1,008 at present, citing competitions from “both public and private universities and inadequate infrastructure” as the causes.
He outlined measures including outreach programmes that the Institution had initiated to make it visible to attract potential students.
To augment income generation, Dr Nyalemegbe mentioned ventures EPUC had entered into under its Farm Project including a 6-acre land under yam cultivation at Wumenu and plans for cultivating cassava. Also, plans of piggery, rehabilitation of the Fisheries Training School at Todome and developing the Akoefe and VeKoloenu lands into research facilities.
He concluded by expressing gratitude to God and the leadership of the EP Church and its members for their support.
Cross-section of the graduating students at the programme
Clerk of the General Assembly, Rev E.A.K. Amey who represented the Moderator said the Church is happy to be associated with the problems and achievements of the University, which he referred to as the “Game-changer” in the region and the country as a whole.
He refuted the assumption people hold that EPUC is financially sound due to its existence for a decade, saying, the University “is the lowest-charging private University in Ghana” as its mandate was not to make huge profits off people.
Rev Amey therefore appealed to NAB to create a level ground for all universities to operate. According to him, private universities especially the mission-funded ones cannot stand on their own if accreditation fees as well as mentoring fees are not reduced.
Nonetheless, he pledged the continuous support of the EP Church to the University, hinting, projects were being rolled out to see that it “grows from strength to strength.”
Prof John Gatsi from the mentoring university, University of Cape Coast called on the Church to do more for the Institution and stay away from its day to day administration so as not to stifle initiatives.
Meanwhile, he advised the University administration not to take for granted, the immense contribution of the church.
The celebration which coincided with the 10th graduation and 12th matriculation programme of the University under the theme, “Celebrating 10 years of Quality Education”, saw degrees conferred on 257 duly qualified students including Member of Parliament for Nkwanta South, Geoffrey Kini. Also, 235 new students were matriculated.
Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Maxwell Blagodzi on behalf of the Regional Minister, congratulated EPUC for its role in bringing university education to the doorstep of people in the region and asked that it consolidates this feat by establishing a graduate school.
Mr Blagodzi also congratulated the students on their graduation asking them to serve as ambassadors for the Institution while urging the new students to get serious with their studies to complete their programmes successfully.
Mr Amenu receiving his award
The Overall Best Student, Loverage Kofi Amenu in a valedictory speech, recounted their journey from admission to lectures to the ultimate and asked his colleagues to take on challenges and ensure they derive the best out of every situation.
Special awards were presented to Walter Komla Blege, Rev Dr Cyril Kwao Fayose and Mr Samuel Walter Kofi Buami for their immense contributions and meritorious services towards the growth of the University.
The Acting Director General, Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) and a co-chair of the Eminent Group of Advocates for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mr. Kyeremeh Atuahene has emphasised that traditional and spiritual remedy for the cure of HIV and AIDS is not a 100 per cent cure for the epidemic.
According to him, claims that traditional and spiritual remedy offer a cure for the HIV epidemic is the cause of the drop in the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) advising that, “you can take herbal medicine and pray it works but never stop taking antiretroviral treatment because it helps to suppress and stop the spread of the disease.”
He was speaking at the National Durbar of the 30th World AIDS Day celebration on Saturday in Ho held on theme, “Know Your Status” with the national theme being “Test, Treat to Suppress and Stop New Infections”.
Mr Atuahene described the theme as apt, saying, “52 per cent of women and 72 per cent of men in Ghana have not tested for HIV. Not knowing your HIV status robs you of the ability to take control of your life.”
He disclosed that GAC in collaboration with stakeholders in health had begun processes to have relevant policies for the introduction of self-testing in conformity with international best practices and standards to enable the Commission meet the first UNAIDS 90 target by 2020.
He lamented the increasing trends in new infections among the youth as revealed by the 2017 National HIV and AIDS Report which suggested, “of 19,101 new HIV infections that occurred in Ghana, 29.1 per cent occurred among young people aged 12 to 24 years. More than two third of these newly infected youth were women.”
Mr Atuahene therefore called on the general public to work together to reduce new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths.
UNAIDS Country Director, Angela Trenton-Mbonde in her speech cited stigma and discrimination which prevented people from accessing HIV prevention and treatment services resulting in millions of AIDS-related deaths, as the greatest challenge to efforts to end the epidemic in Ghana.
She assured that as an organisation committed to achieving vision zero new infections, zero discrimination and Zero AIDS-related deaths, UNAIDS “will continue to provide high impact technical support to government institutions and civil society organisations to strengthen HIV prevention, testing and treatment services.”
She added that UNAIDS will further collaborate with other key stakeholders to “develop and implement a robust advocacy and communications programme” geared towards achieving 90-90-90 target of testing, treatment and suppressing rival load of HIV infections.
Charge D’Affaires at the US Embassy, Christopher J. Lamora in a short interview, said HIV epidemic currently has no cure and the best way to go is to get tested, be on antiretroviral treatment to suppress the viral load.
He assured that the Embassy through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) will continue to commit fund to address high levels of stigma and discrimination which impede testing and achievement of the epidemic control in Ghana.
The durbar chaired by President of Volta House of Chiefs, Nana Soglo Alloh IV, was also attended by dignitaries including Cecilia Dapaah, Minister of Sanitation and Water Resource and having Executive Oversight of GAC, Deputy Minister of Health, Tina Mensah, Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa and Heart-to-Heart Ambassadors who all added their voices to the way forward to eliminating the epidemic.
World AIDS Day is marked every December 1 to raise awareness and to remember those who died as a result of the AIDS pandemic.
