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

December 5, 2018

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

Volta Online

December 5, 2018

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

Volta Online

December 5, 2018

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

Volta Online

December 5, 2018

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

Volta Cricket Appreciates ICC-Africa Visit

Volta Online

December 4, 2018

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.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Sonrise Suffer Defeat from STT in Week 4 of Volta Handball League

Volta Online

December 4, 2018

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.

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.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

NAB Commends EPUC on the Occasion of its 10th Anniversary

Volta Online

December 4, 2018

Mr Blagodzi helping to cut EPUC at 10 cake

By: EwoenamKpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

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.

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.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Traditional and Spiritual Remedy Not a Cure for HIV and AIDS – GAC

Volta Online

December 4, 2018

By: Ewoenam Kpodo & Rita Kafui Nedjoh | Voltaonlinegh.com |

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 30^th 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.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

End Church Conventions by December 24 for Resounding ‘YES’ Votes-Chiefs Tell Pastors

Volta Online

December 4, 2018

By: Obrempongba Kwame Owusu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

President of Guan-Akyode Traditional Council, Nana Obombo Sewura Lupuwura II and chiefs in the Nkwanta South District of the Volta Region have called on the Christian Council within the Oti enclave to end all church programmes by December 24 to enable residents prepare for the referendum.

He said the creation of the Oti Region is for all persons, tribes, the young and old who live within the Oti enclave and so, Christmas conventions must be cut short because long duration of such conventions could derail their efforts to get the Oti region.

The President of Guan-Akyode Traditional Council made the call at the second council meeting of the chiefs on Friday.

Cross-section of chiefs at the council meeting

According to the Traditional Council, majority of the population in the area are Christians hence the need for the Christian Council to woo eligible voters to participate in the referendum slated for December 27 for a resounding “YES” vote to pave way for the creation of the Oti Region to enhance socio-economic development.

Nana Lupuwura II hinted that the Council of Chiefs will engage pastors and church leaders in the area to reschedule their conventions either before or after the referendum.

“We are leaving no stone unturned in our quest to have the Oti Region for development. For that matter, the churches should end their programmes by the said date since such functions cannot take place simultaneously with the referendum to get people to vote “YES” to get the much awaited region,” he explained.

The creation of the regions, according to provisions in chapter two of the 1992 Constitution, requires a referendum with at least 80 per cent of residents in the affected region(s) approving of the split after 50 per cent of eligible voters had come out to vote.

Six new regions are expected to be carved of four regions which include Northern, Western, Brong-Ahafo and Volta regions.

Nana Lupuwura maintained that the demand for Oti Region was motivated only by the desire to have development projects extended to the north of the Volta Region and had nothing to do with tribalism, saying, they will continue with education on the referendum to meet the constitutional requirement.

Earlier, Adele Traditional Council had also held a press conference and called out to residents of the area to go out in their numbers to vote for the new region.

Nana Kumah Anasa Ntrado V, who read the speech on behalf of the Paramount Chief, Nana Opoku Anto during the press conference said, the struggle for a new region out of the Volta Region, is over five decades.

Nana Kumah Anasa had therefore urged residents (both home and abroad) to come and support their own to get the new region.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Voltaonline Editor Gets Recognition at Second Volta GJA Awards

Volta Online

December 3, 2018

By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The 2018 edition of the Volta Journalists Awards organized by the regional chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA Volta) came off last Saturday night with some eleven media practitioners receiving laurels in various categories.

Among the awardees was Miss Ewoenam Kpodo, the acting Editor of voltaonlinegh.com, who was adjudged the Most Promising Young Journalist of the Year at the ceremony held at the Skyplus hotel in Ho under the chairmanship of Torgbui Binah Lawluvi VI, Paramount Chief of Ziope Traditional area and a former member of the Council of state.

The award, which was her first major honour in the inky fraternity, came as a big surprise to Ms. Kpodo, who was awestricken when she was called up for the special recognition ostensibly for her constant and accurate reportage on various sectors of the region.

“This was really unexpected, more so when I didn’t put in any entry for this year’s awards,” she told voltaonlinegh.com, and added that, the award would be a big boost for her journalism career into the future.

Ewoenam Kpodo, Volta GJA Most Promising Young Journalist, 2018

Also, three others; Tabitha Kugbonu, of Radio Tongu, Tilda Acorlor, of GBC Volta Star Radio and Jemima Achivors of Kuul FM, were respectively adjudged best reporters in Education, Sports; Tourism and Disability.

Whereas, this was Ms. Acorlor’s second award in the sports category after a similar feat at maiden edition of the GJA Awards last year; Ms. Achivors was the only recipient this year to pick up awards in two separate categories i.e. tourism and disability.

Watch the Awards Ceremony Here

Other award winners include Sumaiya Salifu Saeed and Samuel Akumatey of Ghana News Agency (GNA) for Local Governance; Metro TV’s Christian Ahordie, Health; Harrison Belley, Lake News Paper – Agriculture; Kekeli Radio’s Kingsley Attitsogbui, Sanitation; Mary Anane-Amponsah, Daily Graphic – Business & Economics.

The best Morning show programme in English and Akan respectively went to GBC-Volta Star Radio, while that of Ho 92.5FM was crowned the Ewe Morning show of the Year.

Special awards were also presented to Public Relation Officers of some institutions, including Fred Baimbill Johnson, formerly of ECG-Volta, Foster Honu of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC), George Tasiame of Ho Municipal NHIA, Isaac Meyir of Ho Technical University, Senam Bruce of Ho Municipal GES, the PR team at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) among others.

Two distinguished personalities, Mama Atrato II, Queen mother of Ho Dome and Mr. Dela Gadzanku, Eastern/Volta Zonal President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) were also granted honourary memberships of the GJA Volta.

Guest Speaker

Dr. Esther Offei-Aboagye, deputy Chairperson of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) delivered the keynote address on the theme, “Media-Key Partner in Local Governance” and called for closer collaboration between the two institutions to deepen the decentralization process in the region.

She underscored the need for both the media and the assemblies share a common goal of promoting active citizens participation in the local governance system, champion social accountability to ensure even distribution of development in the various communities.

Dr. Offei-Aboagye further urged the media to help promote the investment potentials in the various local areas in order to attract the needed investments to propel the ‘Ghana beyond aid’ agenda of the government.

The Regional Chairman for GJA-Volta, Mr. Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi said the media was prepared to work with the assemblies for a common good and entreated them to always be receptive to journalists as partners in development.

He said it was however unfortunate for some people to question the contribution of the media to national development, stating that as the fourth estate of the realm, the media continues to play outstanding role in shaping public opinion and strengthening society.

“We protect the public interest against malpractices and create awareness on government policies, programmes and projects, while providing feedback to both government and the people,” he added.

Mr. Edmund Attah Kudjo, District Chief Executive for North Dayi and Dean of Volta MDCEs, expressed the readiness of his colleagues to work hand-in-hand with the media to the benefit of the citizenry, as he commended the award winners.

A Deputy Information minister, Mr. Enam Hadzide who represented the substantive minister, hinted of the ministry’s plan to commence a programme dubbed ‘Time with DCE’, through which the president’s representatives in the various assemblies would have radio engagements with the citizenry to respond to their concerns.

Mr. Hadzide who also launched the GJA Welfare fund with seed money of GHS5000, once assured of government’s commitment towards the passage of the Right to Information law in due course.

The Volta Regional minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa also pledged the continuous support of the VRCC for the activities of the GJA in the region.

Several dignitaries graced this year’s awards ceremony, including the national GJA President, Mr. Affail Morny, the Press Attache of the American Embassy in Ghana, politicians from the two main parties, MMDCEs, MPs, traditional and religious leaders.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

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