Keep Faith with Gov’t for Fulfillment of Promises – DCE

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November 23, 2018

By: Fred Duhoe | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The District Chief executive (DCE) for Central Tongu, Thomas Moore Zonyrah has urged all within the district to keep hopes alive as the Nana Addo government works assiduously to fulfill all promises made to the people of Ghana prior to his election as president.

The DCE in addressing a town hall meeting on Wednesday said government was on course as some of the promises made including Planting for food and Jobs, 1District-1 Factory (1D1F) and 1 million dollars per constituency have so far been delivered.

“We have had our fair share of government policies and projects so far. We have received our 1 million dollar per constituency as promised by the president, planting for food and jobs is ongoing with over 5000 farmers registered so far.”

Mr Zonyrah revealed the 1D1F had already materialised in his district with a company currently into greenhouse vegetables production and had so far, employed 65 workers from the district.

He also mentioned that some 200 graduates had been posted to the district under the NABCO programme recently launched.

The town hall meeting afforded the citizens the opportunity to ascertain some facts from government representatives to enhance policy formation and decision making.

The Ministry of Information in collaboration with the Information Services Department (ISD) had engaged almost all the 25 assemblies in the Volta Region.

Volta Regional Director of ISD, Mr Stephen Adzah expatiated on achievements of government so far and was of the firm belief that government was on course and all must support the various initiatives to the benefit of the ordinary Ghanaians.

“Government has so far rolled out a number of social policies such as the free Senior High School which almost everyone is benefiting from directly or indirectly. NABCO has so far recruited some 100,000 youths who hitherto would have been home by now but through the great leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo, these young graduates will be working in different sectors and start receiving some Gh₵700 for upkeep.”

Central Tongu District is the second to last district in the region to have engaged citizens as stakeholders in development.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Central Tongu MP Touts his Achievements to Constituents

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Volta Online

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November 22, 2018

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By: Fred Duhoe | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Central Tongu Constituency, Hon Alexander Gabby Hotordze has touted his achievement since becoming the MP listing among other things, a number of schools, health facilities and other social projects he had undertaken in his service to the people.

The MP mentioned this to the citizens of the area at a town hall meeting at Mafi Kumase.

Giving an account of his expenditure from the MPs Common Fund, he disclosed some of the projects he had had undertaken and hinted of those in the pipeline.

“I have given close to 500 street lights to be fixed at vantage points within the district to enhance visibility at night. All junior high schools in the district will benefit from free exercise books while I’ve made efforts to resource the circuit supervisors at Ghana Education Service (GES).”

He added “support has been given to the health sector and the police service in the district and this I hope to continue to progressively see our district develop.”

The town hall meeting offered Mr Hotordze the opportunity to brief his people on happenings and recent laws that had been passed in parliament.

“We have so far as minority approved two significant laws and the third one being the Right to Information (RTI) Bill will soon be passed. As for the loans, we keep approving it for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government even though that’s not what they promised us.”

Town hall meetings, an initiative of the Ministry of Information (MoI) in collaboration with the Information Services Department (ISD) aim at interacting with the various segments of the society and explaining to the general public government and assemblies’ programmes and policies.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

South Dayi Health Dir Argues Co-payment Is a Necessary Evil as District Records 100% Cases

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Volta Online

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November 22, 2018

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The South Dayi District Director of Health, Patience Nunoo has labeled co-payment at the various National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) credentialed health facilities across the country including South Dayi as a necessary.

According to Madam Nunoo, although co-payment is bad and must not be encouraged, some situations at the health facilities require co-payment to save lives.

She was speaking at a stakeholders forum on co-payment on Tuesday at the South Dayi District Assembly.

The forum followed findings from a recent survey conducted by the District National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) which revealed that all the 11 health facilities in the district (1 District hospital, 1 CHAG, 5 health centres and 4 CHPS compounds) were illegally taking money from NHIS card holders.

Presenting the findings at the forum, the District Manager of NHIA, Mawuko Tsigbey said “pregnant women seeking ante-natal and delivery services are the worst victims of these illegal fees because they are made to pay the highest amounts compared to clients seeking general out-patient department (OPD) services.”

“These illegal fees were being collected at various units in the health facilities including the consulting room, laboratory, maternity unit, dispensary,” the survey added.

Co-payment is the illegal practice of NHIA credentialed healthcare provider charging a valid NHIS card holder a fee for services or medicines/treatments provided that are covered under the NHIS benefits package.

Currently, the country’s insurance model does not permit for a card holder and the NHIA to share the cost of treatment for conditions covered by the Scheme’s benefits package. Put simply, a condition and its treatment that is covered by the Scheme is covered fully and if it is not covered, the client bears the full cost of such treatment.

The Health Director said the health facilities struggle to provide health care to clients mentioning delays by the NHIA in reimbursing them and high prices of acquiring the items for the care delivery than what is on the NHIA tariff, thus, resulting in passing the difference to the patient.

The Acting Medical Supt of Peki Government Hospital, Dr Alphonse Makafui Dzakpasu who shared similar views with the Health Director said, their focus as health practitioners, is on delivery of quality health care and not just delivering health care.

Although he registered his displeasure about co-payments, he explained that sometimes situations compel them to suggest medicines to patients when those covered under the Scheme proved to lack the potency to cure their sicknesses.

The District Chief Executive for the area, Ernest Patrick Kojo Mallet observed that there was the need for consultations between key stakeholders in order to resolve complaints of low prices of NHIS service and medicine tariffs which seemingly were to blame for issues of co-payment.

Mr Emmanuel Avinu who represented Regional NHIA Manager called on health care providers to comply with the policy direction of the Scheme, explaining that the Authority has prosecutorial mandate to take on providers caught attempting to defraud the system.

He said the NHIA intends working on prompt payment of claims and asked that complaints of low NHIS tariffs should be communicated through the proper channels for review so as not to defeat the very purpose for which government established the Scheme.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Kekeli Radio’s Music Festival Records Huge Success

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Volta Online

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November 20, 2018

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Volta Best Radio at the recently held 23^rd Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards, Kekeli Radio 102.9 has organised the biggest ever Ewe musical competition dubbed, Kekeli Ewe Music Festival.

The event which took place on Sunday at E.P. Church Elorm Parish, Ho-Bankoe formed part of activities lined up to herald the 5^thanniversary celebration of the award-winning radio station later in December this year.

Kekeli Ewe Music Festival according to the Programmes Manager of Kekeli Radio, Israel Abotsivia, was meant to showcase the rich culture of the Ewe people through drumming and dancing.

He said, it was informed of the desire to let the listeners of the radio station feel a part of the celebration and the best way to rope everyone else in was through the binding force, music.

Chief Executive Officer of the Ho-based Kekeli Radio, a subsidiary station of Jubilee Radio 106. 9, Keta (the first private radio station in the region), Rev Norkplim Adikah called on the people to appreciate the Ewe language and be proud to speak it anywhere.

Rev Norkplim Adikah addressing patrons while the MCs look on

According to him, the language is an international one and offers great opportunities to its speakers, thus, the need for it to be taken serious.

The event which attracted huge number of patrons including traditional rulers and music experts saw impressive performances from a list of Ewe music genres including borborbor and agbadza which were part of four categories that performing groups numbering about 20 from various districts, contested in to win the bragging right as the champion group for the first ever Ewe musical concert to be organised in the region.

The contest started off with Choral Music, then Borborbor, Agbadza, and Unique Performance including atsyiagbekor by carefully selected performers.

Patrons were kept thrilled during the performance which started some minutes after 3 in the afternoon and travelled deep into the night (few minutes to midnight). Also, Solomon Ahiable and Rejoice Fiamor (both presenters at the station) who co-emceed the event constantly kept patrons gingered up with their witty jokes and dance moves.

At the end, Asogli Unity Borborbor, Ho-Bankoe beat off competitions in their category to emerge winners. New Generation from Agortime-Wodome carried the day for the Agbadza category. For the Unique Performance, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Youth, Ho-Depot were winners while St Anthony Catholic Church, Christ the King Choir from Sokode- Gbogame sang to victory in the Choral Music category.

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Youth were declared the overall winners. Three groups, Israel Group, Good News Choir and CYB all from the host, E.P. Church Elorm Parish, Ho-Bankoe won Special, Well Behaved and Well Dressed awards respectively.

The champions were presented with awards as well as plaques for their rewards.

Patrons who Voltaonlinegh.com spoke to expressed excitement and asked that the Kekeli Radio should make Kekeli Ewe Music Festival an annual event.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Registrar Cautions against Interfering with Works of Law Enforcement Agencies

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Volta Online

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November 19, 2018

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By: Albert Kuzor | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Registrar of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, Mr. Harry A. Attipoe has advised chiefs who are fond of bailing persons guilty of social crimes to stop such practice in their various areas.

According to Mr. Attipoe, it is very common in the Volta Region as well as other parts of the country to see chiefs and other key personalities in communities intervening to prevent the law enforcement agencies from dealing with perpetrators.

He said many chiefs nowadays use their powers to prevent the police and courts from playing their roles any time youth in their areas falls foul of the law.

He appealed to the chiefs not to undermine the works of the various law enforcement agencies aimed at deterring wrongdoers in their communities.

He made this known during a sensitisation workshop organised by the Volta House of Chiefs under the auspices of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs in the Hohoe Municipality.

The workshop was aimed at building the capacity of the chiefs, queen mothers, and kingmakers from Lolobi, Akpafu, Likpe, Santrokofi and Gbi traditional arears on how to prevent chieftaincy disputes in their areas.

Mr. Attipoe who was the facilitator at the workshop, advised the chiefs to obey the Constitution and Chieftaincy Acts to enable peaceful environment and reigns.

He advised kingmakers to desist from exchanging the traditions of the people for money and charged them to follow due procedures before installation of chiefs and queen mothers. The participants were also charged to stay away from active politics and social media in chieftaincy issues.

He disclosed that some chiefs in the region lack the financial muscle and called on well-to-do individuals to support their traditional rulers.

Most of the about 120 participants who attended the workshop expressed gratitude to the House of Chiefs and called on the Registrar to continually engage them.

The chiefs also appealed to the government to extend support to their traditional councils, sub and divisional chiefs to enable them play their roles as chiefs.

Similar workshop had been held in about 10 traditional areas and is expected to cover all the 120 traditional councils in the region before 2019.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

No Voltarian in the Game, NDC Must Think about It – Anita De-Soso Fires

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Volta Online

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November 18, 2018

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By: Voltaonlinegh.com |

The First National Vice Chair of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Anita De-Soso is concerned all aspirants from the Volta Region have lost out in the party’s 9^th National Delegates Congress.

Anita De-Soso said it is a cause for worry that “there is no Voltarian in the game…”, urging the party to subject the outcome to deep thinking.

Although the results for National Chairmanship for the party in which veteran politician Dan Abodakpi was contesting were yet to be announced at the time of the interview, the former National Women’s Organiser revealed to Joy News he lost.

According to her, this development will not affect the NDC during the 2020 election if only the party finds a good way to “massage” the outcome of the Congress.

The Volta Region is said to be the World Bank of the opposition NDC as the party garners the majority of its votes from the region during general elections.

Mrs De-Soso who told Joy News she had lost out on the National Organiser position even before the results were declared said she is happy because, after 39 years in politics, she ventured into a male-dominated area.

She said those who have gotten the mandate to serve should do their best and urged the party members to unite towards victory in 2020.

“There were few women against 23 men contesting for different positions…if that is what they [delegates] want so be it…I have made my name and I will continue to enjoy myself in the party,” she said.

She said no one should feel slighted for losing out but respect the decision of the delegates.

She called on the new leaders to lace their boots and know that the race toward election 2020 has already begun.

Source: www.myjoyonline.com

[Handball ] Mawuli vs Sonrise Tie to Be Honoured next Week

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Volta Online

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November 18, 2018

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By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Mawuli School’s tie against Sonrise Christian High School in the Volta Regional Handball League which was supposed to be played on Saturday, November 10, has been pushed to Saturday November 24, at the Ho Sports Stadium.

The week 2 clash between the schools had to be postponed due to the unavailability of Mawuli School team, as they were engaged in another assignment.

It was rather unfortunate for fans of handball from Ho and its environs who trooped to the Ho Sports Stadium only to see no action over the weekend, having been thrilled on week 1.

They would have to come back next week to witness 3 matches as Ho Technical University (HTU) battles Unique Stars (US) in week 3 of the league.

It will be revenge or repeat this season as HTU suffered a 23-21 defeat to US during the gala played on October 20 to introduce the league.

HTU, runners up in last year’s league with goal difference to champions Stars of Asha have everything to prove to newbies Unique Stars who are full of surprises.

Meanwhile, the Organizing Committee is working on getting the other schools who have not yet resumed, to honor matches, with some challenges being sorted out.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Ve-Lukusis Mark 2018 Dodoleglimeza

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Volta Online

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November 18, 2018

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The wall at the miniature village, Ve-Deme — The wall at the miniature village, (Glime) Ve-Deme

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Chiefs and people of Ve Traditional Area in the Afadzato South Dstrict of the Volta Region have celebrated their annual Dodoleglimeza to commemorate the historic escape of Ewes from the tyranny of King Agorkorli in Notsie in present day, Togo.

The grand durbar of 2018 Ve-Lukusi Dodoleglimeza chaired by Justice Senyo Dzamefe, an Appeal Court Judge was well attended and attracted government officials including Minister of Energy, John Peter Amewu, Deputy Minister of Information, Pius Enam Hadzide, Deputy Administrator of GETFUND, Joseph Denteh, tourists and visitors.

Addressing the durbar at Golokuati, the Minister of Energy, Mr John Peter Amewu urged the young ones to draw lessons from the history of their people in relation to the circumstances surrounding their escape from bondage and the hardships they endured in their sojourn to their present location.

A speech being read on behalf of Togbui Delume

He said these lessons should include the need for respect for human dignity, sense of unity, mutual respect for one another.”

“Also important are the lessons about the essence of being proud as somebody belonging to the Ve tradition, which by extension fits into feeling of pride of being a Ghanaian; to love one’s country and what belongs to one. These are the factors underpinning development of our nation,” he added.

On the theme for the festival, “Developing Local Industry: A Solution to the Rural-Urban Drift”, Mr Amewu described it as appropriate and “perfectly fits into our current situation where there has been an increase in migration of people especially the youth , from the rural areas to the cities and urban centres in search of non-existing jobs.”

He identified two major factors, lack of employment opportunities in the rural areas and concentration of development projects in the urban centres to be blamed for the rural urban drift.

The Minister disclosed that it was the reason the Nana Akufo-Addo-led administration had initiated policies including Free Senior High School (SHS), 1 District- 1 Factory, Nation Builders Corps in a quest to reverse the trend.

He explained these initiatives were meant to offer equal chances to children of both poor and rich parents access to SHS education, de-concentrate employment opportunities and provide for the huge number of unemployed youth in every part of the country.

Mr Amewu pledged to extend electricity to communities in the Ve area who are yet to be connected in addition to providing some streets lights to light up the principal streets in the area. He also promised to relay concerns of the people to the President for redress.

Chairman of Ve Lukusi Improvement Society (VELIS), Prof. I. J. Kwame Aboh in a speech said the problem of unemployment in the area which was gradually reducing the towns and villages in Ve to “ghost towns” informed the theme for the 2018 celebration.

According to him, “though the aim of the festival is to bring our people together annually to celebrate our freedom, it also presents us with a platform to get policy makers to explain government policy to us, and also see how our people can take advantage of such policies and liberate themselves from poverty with the hope of giving themselves a better life.”

In a welcome address read on behalf of the Paramount Chief of Ve, Togbuiga Delume VII, he commended the government for its initiatives aimed at alleviating the hardships of the citizenry.

He called on Ve-Lukusis to re-examine their lives in order to make the efforts of their forebears of defying all odds to liberate themselves worthwhile by being economically self-sufficient and liberated indeed.

He observed that to achieve that dream, there was the need for everyone especially the youth, to get involved and not sitting aloof expecting government to provide all the resources or drifting to the urban centres.

Of the various activities to herald the climax of this year’s festival was the symbolic wall-breaking ceremony (Gligbagba) which was re-enacted at a miniature village on Friday in Ve-Deme.

Feasting at the miniature village in readiness of the wall-breaking

The ceremony saw women cook sumptuous meals while drumming and dancing went on till a time when a soft portion of the wall protecting the people was broken and with people walking backwards, passed through.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Concerned Eastern Corridor Road User Advises Government to Fall on BOT for Relief

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Volta Online

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November 17, 2018

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A section of Eastern Corridor road- Volta Region — A section of Eastern Corridor road

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Secretary of PROTOA, Hohoe branch, Mr Godsway Amuyawo has suggested to government to employ build-operate-transfer (BOT) to complete the Eastern Corridor Road which had been abandoned for years to give users of the road some respite.

According to him, delays by sucessive governments to complete the road despite several promises meant governments were having difficulty securing funds to complete the road, thus, the need to resort to BOT.

By this suggestion, Mr Amuyawo wanted government to delegate a private construction company to take over the Eastern Corridor Road project and finance it to completion and then own, and operate the facility for a certain period to enable it recover its investment, operating and maintenance expenses in the project and then transfer the road to the public administration at the end of the concession agreement.

He said government needed to use this strategy as done in other countries to complete the project which began in 2011 and scheduled to be completed in 2013 to serve as the major link road between the south and north.

He proffered the advice on Friday during a protest by members of concerned road users including driver unions and market women in Hohoe in the Volta Region.

The angry residents, in registering their displeasure over the deplorable nature of their town roads linking other towns and districts in the region, put roadblocks on the main road and burned tyres causing a total gridlock.

Residents burn tyres to ground vehicular movement

A release by Concerned Eastern Corridor Road Users read by Daniel Kporfor, complained bitterly about the delay in fixing the road and stressed “we want to emphasise that we are tired of the numerous promises by previous and current governments.”

“We want government as a matter of urgency to attend to our roads” it said threatening that the group will continue with agitations until work resumes on the road.

The GPRTU Secretary, Hohoe branch, Mr Winfred Akpah in an interview with Voltaonlinegh.com said their initial plan was to hold a peaceful demonstration to draw government’s attention to their woes and to impress upon it to fast-track processes to get solution to their problem.

According to him, the Hohoe Police ran to court and succeeded in restraining them few hours to the planned demonstration and that provoked the youth to block the roads which prevented vehicles passage including Ghana National Fire Service Vehicle until ater in the day.

Speaking to Voltaonlinegh.com, most drivers complained that the poor state of roads in the municipality linking other towns especially on the Eastern Corridor stretch, kept damaging their cars, causing them to spend unreasonably long hours on journeys that should take minutes to cover thus, impacting negatively on their socio-economic life.

They noted that successive governments had failed to keep their promises of completing the road hence their call for the road to be fixed without any more delays.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Mawuli to Be Tried by Sonrise in Week 2 of Volta Handball League

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Volta Online

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November 16, 2018

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By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | Voltaonlinegh.com |

After an entertaining and wonderful start, the Volta Regional Handball League enters week 2 with 2 matches on Saturday, November 17, 2018.

Mawuli School, who have enjoyed the fruits of the regional league will be put to test by new entrants Sonrise Christian High School.

The private school, Sonrise, having participated in the gala to usher in the league this season, will come into the game with a lot of energy as they lost all matches played in the gala.

However, Mawuli after finishing last in the maiden edition of the league would also aim at starting the season on a brighter note.

Yet, both sides have been meeting during the Central Zone School Sports Association Festivals as the private school has been an affiliate for long. Knowing each other might however not play the game on Saturday but victory will come for the better side due to the transition of students.

With both categories facing each other on Saturday, the male game will begin at 1pm while the female game starts at 3pm at the Ho Sports Stadium.

Community clubs showcased class and physique last week but what will come out of the school’s challenge is yet to be known.

The Volta Regional Handball Association is still working hard to secure sponsorship for the league. All managers are however advised by the Organizing Committee to pay their affiliation fee of GH₵150.00 early enough to help them run a smooth league.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com