The newly installed Nkwanta Agyode Chief in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Volta Region, Nana Sago Akaneasen I has called on the people of the area to forge ahead in unity with the purpose to facilitate development.
Addressing the media at his palace in Nkwanta, he observed that government alone could not bring the needed development to the area, adding that it was only through unity that the people could build a formidable traditional state.
Nana Sago Akaneasen cautioned the youth against illicit use of drugs and asked that they rather focus on their education for a brighter future.
He asked fellow traditional rulers to initiate programmes that can reinforce moral values in the younger generation.
The newly installed chief also urged citizens within the Oti enclaves both home and abroad to vote “YES” in the referendum scheduled for December 27 to make the proposed Oti Region, a reality.
On her part, the Queen of the area, Nana Ama Besiribe had also called on women in the area to support their husbands towards their children education.
She advised that women must desist from buying expensive funeral clothes and rather provide support to show commitment towards their children’s welfare.
The Awoamefia of Anlo, Torgbui Sri III has pandered to his subjects to give his address in Ewe at this year’s Hogbetsotsoza over the weekend at the capital of Anlo State, Anloga in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region.
The Awoamefia’s request for his address to be in English to benefit visitors who might not have understood the Ewe language met a resounding “no” from the gathering which came as a shock (humorous though) forcing him to translate his prepared speech into Ewe.
The crowd on the other hand, clapped and cheered as they won over their Overlord.
Torgbui Sri in the short address he gave, underscored the need for unity among the people of Anloland and the entire Volta Region, saying it is the ingredient to propel development and without which stagnation will be the lot of the people.
He also called on the government to redeem the promises made to his people including dredging of the Keta Lagoon and construction of a harbor at Keta to provide job opportunities for the people in the area.
According to him, there are no job avenues in the Anlo area and this leads the youth to migrate to other areas in search of jobs after their education.
The Agbogbomefia of Asogli, Togbe Afede XIV, who also graced the occasion, commended the chiefs and people of Anlo for extending an invite to the people of Asogli to participate in the 2018 Hogbetsotsoza describing it as the right path for unity among the Anlos and Asoglis, the people Eweland, Volta Region and the country as a whole.
He was grateful to the people of Anlo for making it known that they do not support the manner in which the division of the region was being handled.
The Agbogbomefia emphasised that there was the need for the entire region to be considered for the referendum to be held later in December as creation of the new region involves the alteration of the existing boundary.
The Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious affairs, Mr Kofi Dzamesi, who represented the President, said government had taken steps to address the concerns of the Awoamefia on development projects.
He disclosed that executive instruments had been signed for a new district, Anlo with its capital at Anloga out of Keta Municipality and for the establishment of a harbour at Keta in a bid to bring development to the area.
The Minister also touched on concerns about the partitioning of the Volta Region, saying protests against the procedures in relation to the Constitution must be channeled through the appropriate avenues without people takinh the law into their own hands.
The durbar on Saturday to climax the 2018 Hogbetsotsoza chaired by former Diplomat and Member of Parliament (MP) for Anlo, Hon Philip Gbeho, attracted dignitaries including four aspiring presidential candidates of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC): former President John Dramani Mahama, Alban Bagbin, Ekow Spio-Garbrah and Sylvester Mensah.
Also in attendance were Deputy Volta Regional Minister, current and past ministers, MPs, municipal and district chief executives (MDCEs), executives of both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the NDC.
Ghana’s youngest boxing world champion, Isaac Dogboe and his father, Paul Dogboe also stormed the durbar. Rapper Edem, and Bhim Nation Boss, Stonebwoy including other upcoming artists from Anloland were in earlier to thrill the crowd who showed up for Edemfest, a musical concert organised by the Rapper on Hogbetsotso periods.
Hogbetsotso is a festival of exodus of Ewes from Hogbe (Notsie in present day Togo), their final home after migrating from South Sudan. It is believed the Ewes were treated cruelly under King Agorkorli hence their escape.
For the escape, they devised a means to break the fortified mud wall that enslaved them by asking their women to dispense water on one side of the wall anytime they had to dispose of dirty water. With time, the wall became weak, making it easily breakable thus, facilitating their escape.
How the women dressed during the escape reenacted
Many activities precede the durbar on Saturday including purification (dodede). This involves the expulsion of evil spirits.
There is also the reconciliation (nugbidodo) day when disputes are resolved with the belief that their ancestors lived in peace with one another in their escape from Notsie.
Also of importance is the mock-up day set aside to reenact the escape from Notsie. Here, in order to divert attention, the Ewes walked backwards to give the impression that they were moving towards and not away from Notsie. This is done through the medium of Misego or Husago dance believed to be the vehicle for the departure.
The Volta Region branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has launched the 2nd edition of Volta Journalists Awards in Ho.
The awards, instituted last year is aimed at appreciating journalists and media practitioners in the region as well as encouraging the young journalists to embrace professionalism
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, in a speech to launch the Awards lauded journalists for their contributions towards development issues in the region, citing a publication that led to the release of a heavily-pregnant woman from prison as example.
He called on the leadership of the Association to bring on board all practitioners in the various districts across the region as those at the districts have been doing great works to bring local governance issue to the people.
He advised practitioners to desist from using their media platforms especially radio to run down people and government for reasons best known.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for North Dayi and Dean of municipal and district chief executives (MDCEs) in the region, Mr Kudjoh Attah described the theme for the Awards, “Media-Key Partner in Local Governance” as apt.
He commended the goods works of journalists in the region and asked that they continue to do more by allocating air time for government policies to be explained to the people.
Mama Attratoh II, Queen mother of Ho-Dome who was the Chairperson at the launch, expressed disgust at acts of violence against journalists. She asked for such people or groups of people to be shamed.
She also called on journalists in the region to be circumspect in their reportage to maintain the peace that currently prevails in the region.
Mr Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi, Regional Chairman of GJA bemoaned the rising attacks on journalists in the region by some people, describing it as worrisome.
He noted that the Association will not tolerate but resist such unwarranted attacks on members and called for concerted efforts to arrest the situation.
The Regional Director of Communications, GJA, Mr Harrison Belley disclosed that entries are open to journalists practising (in both print and electronic media) in the region.
He gave categories for entries as Health, Education, Agriculture, Sanitation, Tourism, Business and Economics, Sports, Local Governance, Child Protection, Morning Show – English, Morning Show – Ewe, Morning Show – Twi.
Mr Belley announced November 2017 to November 15, 2018 as period of entry eligibility disclosing that deadline for submission of entries is at 5:00pm on November 15, 2018.
He directed all entries should be addressed and delivered in 4 copies for print and 4 copies of CD for electronic to the Chairman of GJA Volta Awards Committee at the Ghana News Agency (GNA) block in Ho.
Members of the awards committee are Mr Sepenyo Dzokoto, Mr Ralph Avornyo and Madam Lydia Adajawah.
The awards night which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Skyplus Hotel, Ho has sponsors including Electricity Company of Ghana, (ECG), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) – Volta and Eastern Chapter, Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAS) Pencils of Promise, Stanbic Bank, Africa Hill Hotel, Skyplus Hotel and Afe Lotto
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has called for concerted efforts in order to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5, Gender Inequality, which forms an integral part of all the SDGs
This means considering the special needs, concerns, knowledge and experiences of both male and female in climate change adaptation and mitigation planning, and implementation.
Speaking at a National Validation Workshop to review a Gender Analysis Report of Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) Support Programme, Mr. Louis Kuukpen, Assistant Country Director of UNDP Ghana, indicated that women, especially those in rural areas depend heavily on the natural environment for water, fuel, and food production, and their livelihoods are mostly directly affected by natural disasters, environmental degradation and deforestation, hence the need to count them on environmental issues.
He added that evidence shows that in agriculture, climate change will worsen the existing barriers faced by women farmers in the areas of access to secured land tenure, agricultural inputs, financing, water, energy, infrastructure, technologies, and extension services, and hence the urgent need to mainstream gender into climate change planning and policy frameworks.
According to him, research indicates that, closing the gap in access to land and other productive assets for women would increase agricultural outputs by up to 20 per cent in Africa.
In a remark, Ms. Levina Owusu, the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), emphasised that Ghana is already experiencing the impacts of climate change especially in key climate sensitive sectors such as agriculture and energy.
This, she said, is greatly impacting women’s livelihoods negatively and which informed the development of the country’s NDC gender analysis report, being validated.
She stated, “it therefore became necessary to ensure that interventions aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts, recognise and address the gendered effects of climate change.”
Ms. Owusu added that the gender analysis report was commissioned to better understand where women and men are situated in the two key climate change priority sectors (energy and agriculture) to examine barriers of women empowerment and their contributions to the sectors; and to identify the opportunities for policy articulation to strengthen the integration of gender equality into the country’s NDC planning and implementation, within the Ghana NDC Support Programme.
The NDCs are national climate plans highlighting climate actions including climate related targets, policies and what measures governments aim to implement in response to climate change and as a contribution to global climate action.
It is a central element for implementing the Paris Agreement which is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), dealing with greenhouse-gas-emissions mitigation, adaptation, and finance, starting in the year 2020.
The Ghana NDC Support Programme is being implemented by MESTI, in partnership with UNDP, with support from the German Government.
The programme aims to enhance the technical and institutional capacities of public, private sector and social actors to scale up mitigation actions that support NDC implementation in Ghana. It also seeks to integrate gender equality in NDC planning and implementation processes within the broader sustainable development context.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | Voltaonlinegh.com |
The Executives of the Volta Regional Handball Association (VRHA) have unanimously agreed to postpone the commencement of the second edition of the regional league after honouring the late Prince Agbotse (handball player) with a memorial match at the Ho Sports Stadium on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.
The league which has been scheduled to start on Saturday, November 3 had to be postponed to November 10, as the burial and final funeral rites of the late Agbotse, popularly known as ‘Borbor’ will take place at Hohoe on November 3.
The decision became necessary as most of the handball players who showed up at the memorial match expressed their desire to go and pay their last respects to the deceased who played for Mawuli School.
For the memorial match, 3 teams (Agbotse, Prince and Borbor) were formed out of the many present including Mawuli School male and female players.
A section of players who showed up for the game
The 15 each half game which had most of the Association members, together with Mawuli School P.E teachers present, saw Team Agbotse defeating Team Borbor 18-11 and then allowing team Prince to play Borbor, which resulted in fierce 12-13 score line with several substitutions.
The enthusiasm with which the players (in red arm bands) exhibited their skills in honour of their friend was spectacular.
The non-competitive match ended with players sharing fond memories of the player who helped Mawuli School win Gold in the Central Zone Sports Festival Handball game this year amidst jama.
Some jama at the game
Dennis Eli Osei who mentored Borbor as a coach described the former Mawulian (Mawuli student) as a gem.
In closing the gathering, Vice Chairman of the Volta Regional Handball Association and former Sports Committee Chairman of the Ho Technical University, Vincent Asimah advised all players to be particular about their health issues, although an activity like handball improves one’s health.
“I want to congratulate all of you for coming to honor our son, friend and brother. I would like to take this opportunity to advise you all on your health. As you play, you must check your diet, alcohol intake, and other behaviors that will not enhance your health status. I pray and hope, no such calamity will befalls us again.”
The executives of VRHA are therefore working on acquiring a bus which will convey to and fro Hohoe, members as well as players.
Meanwhile, the Organizing Committee still reminds all teams of the payment of their GH₵150.00 affiliation which will help the smooth running of the league.
The Volta Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has directed its members to boycott all events of secessionist groups in the region following recent verbal attacks on journalists by elements of these groups at Asogli Palace in Ho.
By this directive, events of Homeland Study Group Foundation and other groups campaigning for the separation of Volta Region from Ghana as an independent Western Togoland will not be covered by journalists in the region.
Journalists on Sunday, October 28 suffered verbal attacks from some people believed to be in the camps of secessionist groups while on assignment to cover an engagement between chiefs from the region and Agbogbomefia of Asogli, Togbe Afede XIV.
The attack and hooting from the separatist elements who were drawn to the Asogli Palace having heard of the planned meeting between the chiefs, was too much for the journalists to bear, thus, forcing them to leave the event even before it started.
Blacklisting these groups was contained in a release by the Association dated October 30 and signed by its Secretary, Alberto Mario Noretti as a way of registering its displeasure and deterring others from attacking Journalists in the future.
The release said the Association “sees this conduct as totally unacceptable and cannot guarantee the safety of journalists who turn up for their events.”
It decried the increasing incidents of attacks on media practitioners and noted its resolve to resist such unwarranted attacks on members.
“The Association is unhappy with the soaring incidents of attacks on journalists in the Region in recent times and wishes to state that it will fiercely resist any attempt by individuals or groups to intimidate media practitioners in the Region.”
The Rotaract Club of Evangelical Presbyterian University College (EPUC), Ho on Friday provided hand washing equipment to Tanyigbe Dzafe M.A Primary School after sensitising them on the need to always keep their hands clean.
The donations by the EPUC branch of Rotaract Club, a non-governmental organisation to help pupils keep their hands clean at all times, was in line with this year’s Global Hand washing Day (marked every October 15) on the theme, Clean Hands- a recipe for health.
The members of the Club led by the President, Mr. Felix Amenuvor encouraged the pupils to make hand washing a habit.
“We brought you this hand washing basins in order to help you wash hands under running water and soap so as to completely remove germs before eating.”
“Wash hands with soap at critical times, especially before eating, cooking, or feeding others. Model good hand washing behaviour and remind or help others to always wash their hands before eating,” he advised.
Mr. Amenuvor further told the pupils to make hand washing part of their family meals and asked that they establish places to wash their hands in the household saying, “in your community, in schools, workplaces, and in health facilities, promote effective hand washing behaviour change.”
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | Voltaonlinegh.com |
The Volta Regional Handball Association (VRHA) in collaboration with all handball players in the region will honour the late Prince Agbotse (handball player), with a Memorial Match on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.
The match which will be played at the Ho Sports Stadium at 3pm is part of preparations towards the burial of the late old student of Mawuli School at Hohoe on Saturday, November 3, 2018.
Agbotse, popularly known as ‘Borbor’ was part of the maiden Regional Handball League in 2017 and played for Mawuli School. His contribution to the school’s handball team led them to win Gold medal in the Handball Games in the 2017 Inter-Schools Sports Festival organised by the Central Zone Schools Sports Association at the Ho Sports Stadium.
Borbor, who completed his senior high school education in 2017 died on Monday, September 3 after a short illness. Condolences from the Regional Handball Executives, the entire playing body, his team mates as well as schools mates have since been pouring in to mourn with the family.
The organising committee of the regional handball league is therefore entreating all handball players in the region to be available for the match.
Meanwhile, it is announced to all clubs who have showed interest in participating in this year’s league to pay their affiliation fee on time to enable the organising committee put together the necessary measures to ensure a smooth season, beginning November 3, 2018.
The Nkwanta Senior High School (SHS) in the Volta Region has been closed down indefinitely and students asked to leave the campus by 4:00pm on Tuesday, October 30.
The decision by the school authorities to shut down the school came a day after students went on rampage destroying properties of the school.
The destruction of school properties was in protest of some rules in the school which permit authorities to seize mobile phones from the students as well as other disciplinary measures imposed on them.
The protest by the students on Monday night saw a section of the administration block and classroom structures destroyed while over sixteen motorbikes and four vehicles of the school had their windscreens smashed.
Windscreen of a car left smashed after protest
The Headmaster of the School, Paul Boafo Nyarko, who announced the decision to close down the school until further notice said, the decision was taken after a meeting with the Municipal Security Committee (MUSEC).
The Municipal Police Commander, ASP William Ayensu disclosed to Voltaonlinegh.com that 30 students have been arrested so far in relation to the protest and are currently assisting the police with investigations.
Speaking to some parents who were there to take their wards, they condemned the protest describing it as unwarranted. They however, called for government intervention for the school to be re-opened soon.
Electricians in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region will undergo one month capacity building training to unable them obtain license as fully fledged electricians with the authority to operate in any part of the country.
Mr. Atsu Egbenunya, the Special Assistant to the Minister of Energy, John Peter Amewu, made this known during a familiarisation workshop at the Hohoe Municipal Assembly Conference Hall on Friday, October 26, 2018.
He mentioned that, the program is a nationwide exercise and that interested members of Hohoe cannot be overlooked.
For the programme, electricians will be awarded competency certificate after going through the month’s training aimed at helping to improve on their work standard.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the New Patriotic Party in the Hohoe Constituency, Mr. Anthony Kondobrey who was present at the event debunked claims of partisan approach towards the selection of the beneficiaries. He asked all competent electrical engineers to take advantage of the opportunity.
The trainees were taken through basic safety tips for the first start by Engineer Adam Issah, an international Electrical Engineer from the Ghana Energy Commission.
The Ghana Electrical Wiring Regulations 2011, (L.I. 2008) were passed into law by Parliament on Friday, February 24, 2012 as one of the responses to the spate of electrical fires that had occurred in the country.
The key objectives of the Regulations are to ensure that only properly qualified and certified professionals engage in electrical wiring and installation works, to well defined standards that would promote the safety of persons, property and livestock.
Under the regulations, only Certified Electrical Wiring Professionals (CEWPs), qualified under the regulations, will be legally entitled to undertake indoor electrical wiring projects.
