Elizabeth Ohene Writes: Who Speaks for the Ewes?

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October 26, 2018

By: Voltaonlinegh.com |

At the last Census in 2010, out of the 25 million people in Ghana, almost two million people said they were Ewes. I am one of them.

I have not lived in the Volta Region since I left in 1964 to go to the University (I was 19 then and I am now 73 years old), and that would mean more than two-thirds of my life has been lived outside the Volta Region.

But I call it my home since Abutia, my home village, is in the geographical space of the Volta Region.

I do not call myself a “Voltarian” or “Voltain” or whatever computation of the word that is used by some to describe those who come from that region.

I do not regard the Volta Region as an Ewe region because I have always known the area of the Trans Volta Togoland in which I was born, to be an area inhabited not only by Ewes but also by people who were not Ewes, like all the Avatime and Likpe and Akpafu and Buem and Krachi people I went to school with.

I knew that the Peki people were definitely Ewes but they were not part of Trans Volta Togoland.

Since I tend to have strong opinions on most issues, I have always been reluctant to make any claims on behalf of groups that I could be counted as being part of.

I speak on my own behalf only. Right now there are things being claimed on behalf of “Ewes” that I feel constrained to formally disclaim myself from.

There seems to be something called “Eweland” which is said to be at risk from the creation of an Oti Region.

One of the things I learnt as a child about the Ewes was that after their experience of a dictator king and the flight from Notsie to their present-day abodes, they vowed that never again would they subjugate themselves under one king.

That is why there are so many independent chiefdoms in present-day Eweland and there are and there is no king of Ewes or Volta Region.

All true Ewes know that. There will be a good opportunity to write a full article about the Ewes but this is not the day.

This weekend, the President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV, purported to speak on behalf of the people of the Volta Region and in the interest of the peace-loving people of the region and comprehensively condemned the proposals to create the Oti Region.

It is not clear when he became a constitutional authority as well as being the financial guru he is reputed to be. He says the Commission of Enquiry into the setting up of new regions did a shoddy job

Brave man. He says it is unconstitutional not to allow the entire Volta Region to vote in the referendum, and advises that the 1992 Constitution would be bastardised if there was a yes or no question in the referendum. Very brave man.

I do not know how Togbe Afede X1V came to acquire the power to speak on behalf of “the people of the Volta Region”. He certainly does not speak on behalf of this Ewe woman from Abutia.

I prefer the Supreme Court to decide on what is constitutional and what is not.

There is a suggestion that those who are against the creation of the Oti Region are for peace. Now, I am not against the creation of Oti Region, but I am certainly for peace.

Indeed, the only people who have been threatening war are those who claim to be against the Oti Region.

I have never heard anyone claim the lands occupied by the people in the proposed Oti Region as being “Eweland”, and yet today, I hear these people, mostly Guans, generally accepted as having lived here longer than any other group, being referred to as “settlers”!

In the cacophony of voices in this Region creation debate in the Volta Region, everybody claims to be speaking for some majority.

For the avoidance of all doubt, this Ewe woman would want it to be understood that I would be happy with, or without an Oti Region.

I know my Ewe history well enough to state that there is no Ewe chief that can purport to speak on behalf of Ewes.

Article was first published in the Wednesday’s edition of Daily Graphic newspaper

Source: www.graphic.com.gh

Elect Leaders Who Can Ensure Victory in 2020 – Hannah Bissiw Tells Volta NDC Women

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Volta Online

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October 25, 2018

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By: Obremponba Kwame Owusu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Aspiring National Women’s Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Hanna Louisa Bissiw has appealed to delegates of the party in the Volta Region to consider her vast experience and give her the mandate to lead the women’s wing of the party.

According to her, President Nana Akufo-Addo and his New Patriotic Party (NPP) had already failed Ghanaians and so, there was the need to forge ahead in unity, put the party first and during the upcoming delegates congress, elect leaders who can ensure victory for the NDC in the 2020 general elections.

The former Deputy Minister and Member of Parliament for Tano South while addressing NDC women’s wing on Wednesday at the northern part of the region at Nkwanta said the NPP’s promises of one million dollars per constituency, one district-one factory, one village-one dam are all failed promises.

Dr Bissiw in a photo with the NDC women at Nkwanta

She added that the marginal depreciation of the cedi among others gave the signal that the NPP government had failed Ghanaians therefore, the onus now lies on the delegates to elect capable leaders who can secure a win for the party in election 2020.

The aspiring NDC National Women’s Organiser said when given the mandate, she would focus her attention and restructure the women’s wing in the party to play effective role to recapture power from the NPP.

Dr Hanna Louisa Bissiw had therefore called on party supporters to go into the elections with the love for the party and with one purpose to appoint executives capable of leading the party to recapture power in 2020.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Minister Expresses Shock at Togbe Afede’s Comments on Creation of New Regions

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Volta Online

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October 24, 2018

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Dan Botwe, Minister, Regional Reorganisation and development — Mr. Dan Botwe

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Minister for Regional Reorganisation and Development, Hon. Daniel Botwe has expressed shock at comments made by the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and President of National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV on processes leading to the creation of new regions saying, those comments were baseless and should be disregarded.

In a release dated October 24 and signed by the Minister, Togbe Afede had been consulted more than anyone on the issue of creation of new regions and for Togbe to later come out and condemn the work of the Commission as shoddy was unbelievable.

The release was in response to Voltaonlinegh.com’s story on October 21 headlined, “We Want the Law to be Respected, Commission of Enquiry Did Shoddy Work -Togbe Afede” where the Agbogbomefia in addressing a delegation of Ewefiawo fe Haborbor (Association of Ewe Chiefs) and Anlo Youth representatives who called on him at the Asogli Palace in Ho, registered his displeasure with the work of the commission set up to investigate the demand for the new regions.

He among other things suggested that the creation of the proposed Oti Region out of the Volta Region and other new regions involved the alteration of existing boundaries, thus, people in those affected regions must be allowed to partake in the referendums scheduled to be held later.

Mr Botwe said the Ministry had for some time remained quiet on views expressed by respected chiefs on the matter “but has found it imperative in this instance to respond to attacks on the Commission of Inquiry into the Creation of Regions by no less a person than Togbe Afede XIV.”

According to him, the Commission made up of eminent Ghanaians, was constitutional in its work to the satisfaction of government.

“The Commission adhered strictly to the provisions outlined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana relating to the creation of regions. Government is thus satisfied with the manner in which the commission conducted its work and the subsequent report submitted. Even though members of the Commission may not bear the title Togbe, they are eminent people in Ghana.”

The Minister added that members of the Commission rather did a good job deserving of “commendation not insults.”

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Peasant Farmer Devises Means to Protect Maize Farm from Birds

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Volta Online

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October 24, 2018

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By: Fred Duhoe | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Maize has been one of Ghana’s most cultivated crops over the years with most farmers having it on their farms whether on large or small scale.

In September last year, fall armyworms invaded maize farms in parts of Ghana and some other neighbouring countries causing distraction to acres of cultivated maize farms. The fall armyworms proved difficult to control even with chemical sprays.

This became a hurdle for the sector minister, Dr Akoto Osei while farmers also counted their losses.

However, a visit to a maize farm of Torgbui Boni at Anloga in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region revealed a different story. Here, the farmer devised a strategy to prevent flocks of weaver birds which entered the farm to feed on the cultivated farmland of about 100×100 plot of land.

The farm located in the midst of households looked very green, a sign of a productive maize farm, thus, attracting these birds.

“How do these birds even know that the maize is ready for consumption? I haven’t seen or experienced this kind of disturbance from weaver birds before. At least with these hard plastic bottles covering the maize, the birds can’t peel the husk to gain access,” Torgbui Boni observed.

Meanwhile, a young farmer, Torgbui’s grandson, Emmanuel Boni busied himself to scare the birds away. For his strategy to save the little left on the farm, the boy was seen cutting the base of plastic bottles which he fixed on the maize as a form of protective coat to secure the maize. Empty sachet rubbers were also not left out.

The young farmer protecting his maize from birds

Narrating his reasons, the young farmer who was tasked by his grandfather said “protecting the maize this way makes it difficult for the stubborn weaver birds to destroy the maize. We have no option than to use this method in order to harvest what we’ve sowed.”

Products of maize find their ways to almost every dining table in Ghana and in most West African countries. Banku one of the staple foods of the Ghanaian people, especially those from the Volta Region is made from maize and any attempt by the hungry weaver birds to harvest the maize before its rightful owner will mean denying them of their favourite food.

Maize, one of the easily cultivated crops and which can be preserved for a longer period has a bag in Ghana currently being sold at about GH₵500.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Work Resumes on Ho-Sokode Road, Eastern Corridor to Follow

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Volta Online

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October 24, 2018

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By: Collins Anku | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Users of the Ho-Accra road can now take a deep breath after the contractor working on the dualisation of the Ho-Sokode road has hit the ground running almost two years after works on the road stalled.

The 10.5-kilometer stretch road was started during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration but work was stalled when they lost the 2016 general elections.

The road when completed will connect Sokode Gbogame to Civic Centre, Ho and is expected to cost an estimated amount of 126 million Ghana cedis.

The project is being executed by China Railway No. 5 Engineering Ghana Limited and it is expected to last for 18 months.

During an official ceremony by the sector minister and Member of Parliament for Atiwa West, Kwasi Amoako-Atta for the resumption of works on the road, he noted that reasonable amount of money had been paid to the contractor to come back to site.

The Minister said once work resumes on the road, he will leave no stone unturned to see to its completion.

Hon. Amoako-Atta said the president had come to meet a very bad state of roads across the length and breadth of the country and promised to his ensure that things are put in their right perspective.

The Minister warned that President Akufo-Addo will not tolerate any shoddy work under his watch and called on the contractor to deliver nothing but quality work to the people of Ghana.

He added that it is the passion and will of the president to fix all roads in the country and called on all and sundry to support the government in delivering on his mandate to the people.

Payment

He said the company has raised a certificate of 27 million Ghana cedis of which payment was effected after they received the certificate.

The Minister disclosed that an advance payment of 10 million Ghana cedis was made last year September, and an additional 11.5 million Ghana cedis for some other jobs including pavement construction by the same contractor.

He revealed that 5 million Ghana cedis had also been approved on October 22, 2018 to be added to the initial amount paid the contractor.

The Minister said government had paid 15 million cedis of an 18.5 million Ghana cedi work done by the contractor and that the additional 13 million Ghana cedis will be paid to ensure that the contractor delivers quality work to the people of the country.

He assured the contractor that funds will always be made available to them to help them complete the work within the stipulated period.

Mr Amoako-Atta urged the Regional Minister, Dr Letsa to supervise the construction to ensure quality work is done supervision and called on the contractor to speed up works but not to sacrifice quality and assured of adequate arrangements to compensate owners of properties that will be affected on time.

He again assured that work on the abandoned Eastern Corridor road will also resume in the shortest possible time to link the north to the south.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

South Tongu Gets Banana Farm under 1D1F

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Volta Online

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October 24, 2018

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By: Christopher Pappoe | Voltaonlinegh.com |

There was a sod cutting ceremony on Tuesday for the commencement of a 5,000-acre banana farm at Kpotame in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region.

Speaking at the ceremony, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Louis Emmanuel Agama disclosed that the project which is under the flagship 1 District-1 Factory (1D1F) initiative, will see over 600 locals employed for the first phase which will be mainly for export purposes.

The DCE added that the district will soon get a banana processing plant which will process the farm produce for export.

He therefore advised citizens of South Tongu, Central Tongu and Ada East districts, the catchment areas of the project to take advantage and get jobs on the farm.

Thomas Moore Zonyrah, District Chief Executive for Central Tongu urged the investors to engage more locals than expatriates since the youth of the district need jobs.

He also asked for a peaceful coexistence between the locals and the investors in order to attract more investors to the area.

Togbega Nakakpo Dugbaza VIII, President of Tongu Council of Chiefs urged the investors to treat the locals with respect and not look down upon them since that could spark riot.

He also promised on behalf of the Tongu Traditional Council to release land to any investor who would want to invest in the area.

A resident, Kofi Sam who is the youth leader of Tefle Kpotame said he was happy about the project since it would create jobs for the youth of his area.

The company, RADIKAL India earlier visited the district on August 18, 2018 to familiarize with the elders and chiefs of Tongu Traditional Area with the promise to come back for investment. It said the banana processing plant will process the banana from the farm into chewing gum among others for export and local consumption.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

NPP Youth Group in Krachi Nchumuru Calls for Head of DCE after several Accusations

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Volta Online

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October 23, 2018

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The youth with placards asking for DCE's dismissal

By: Kingsley Mamore | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Krachi Nchumuru, Augustine Akwesi Appiah has incurred the wrath of a group of party supporters who are calling for his immediate dismissal.

The group, Alliance of Concerned NPP Polling Station Executives who staged a demonstration last week, are accusing the DCE of budgeting and paying for non-existing projects.

The group accused the DCE of engaging in a loot and share venture with the common fund. “It is surprising to mention that the recently approved district assembly supplementary budget captured non-existing projects as either completed or ongoing with huge monies in some instances already paid for,” it alleged.

The group mentioned a supposed construction of waste dumping site in the district with a budget estimate of GH₵320,000.00 and about GH₵160,000.00 already paid for.

The group also mentioned that the District Finance Officer, Charles Obri, the District Coordinating Director, Eric Agbo and one Engineer, Michael Daccoo connived and awarded to themselves, an over-bloated contract sum to renovate a CHIPS compound at the hometown of the DCE called Bejamse.

Spokesperson for the group reading the petition before presentation

Nana Yaw who spoke on behalf of the demonstrators said, “the District Chief Executive since assuming office on several occasions had totally ignored the wise guidance of party leadership aimed at solidifying the electoral gains of the party in the constituency.”

To him, the DCE had been disregarding and undermining party structures in the constituency adding that the party had on several occasions appealed to him to involve them in assembly programmes but to no avail.

“Our pleas fell on death ears. The party is currently distant from the activities of the district assembly and as a result, unable to take proper credit for work done by the government.”

He further stated that Mr. Augustine Akwesi Appiah had refused to participate and attend some major events including funerals in the constituency involving the New Patriotic Party (NPP) members.

Attempts by the reporter to contact the DCE for his reactions on the allegations however, proved unsuccessful.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Agotimes Climax 2018 Agbamevorza in Grandeur

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Volta Online

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October 23, 2018

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The chiefs and people Agotime Traditional Area in the Agotime-Ziope District of the Volta Region have climaxed the 2018 Agbamevorza (Kente Festival) on Saturday at Kpetoe in grand style.

The day had the paramount Chief of Agotime, Nene Nuer Keteku III sit in state to receive homage and welcome visitors to the festival. The dress code for the day was kente and this was displayed in any form and shape whereby tradition was seamlessly fused with fashion and modernity.

A section of dignitaries at the grand durbar

The festival which attracted ministers, members of parliament, municipal and district chief executives and both local and foreign tourists was held on the theme, “Attitudinal Change: the Panacea for our Future Development”.

There were various activities which preceded the grand durbar. On Friday morning, the people observed the Heroes and Heroines Day, an ancient traditional practice of the people to commemorate their forefathers who fought in great wars and rendered selfless service to the community. The day saw the people wear red and black war-like attires to perform musketry ritual amid drumming, singing and dancing.

Later in the day, there was the Kente (kete in Ewe) Weaving Competition, one of the main activities of the Agbamevorza which brought together, master weavers to exhibit speed, wisdom, craft, creativity and ingenuity in weaving.

A junior high school pupil, Bless Dogbey who came out with the best design in this year’s competition, was grateful to the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Charles Agbeve for sponsoring the competition which will benefit the people, the youth especially. He disclosed that the GH₵5,000 cash prize he received will be used to sponsor his education.

Hon. Charles Agbeve (left) handing out the the cash amount to the Festival Planning Committee Chaiman, Mr. Eddie Akotey

Previous activities which marked the festival included Godigbe (The Landing Day) which saw the people reenact the largest single landing of the Agotimes at the bank of River Tordzi at Afegame in their hand-dugout canoe with kente treasures.

It was followed by Maidens Water Fetching which had women dressed in beautiful kente clothing visit the riverside to fetch water in demonstration of hospitality to welcome visitors to the festival. The beauty of this was portrayed when they returned from the riverside in single file carrying water in clay pots well balanced on their head with the support of palm leave pads to be poured in a bigger pot at the forecourt of the palace.

There was also the Women and Children’s Day which was in recognition of the role women and children play in the entire kente business, from puberty through marriage, delivery, naming ceremony and mourning when women are dressed to tell the story of kente throughout the stages of life.

Speaking at the durbar, Nene Nuer Keteku III called on the President to consider Agotime-Ziope District in regard to Kente in its flagship 1 District- 1 Factory project to benefit the area.

According to him, the area had initiated a Kente Village at Kpetoe to be the one-stop shop aimed at boosting the kente industry and believed the project will create jobs for the youth and prevent them from migrating to urban area in search of non-existing jobs.

He also appealed to government for a district hospital to be constructed to care for the health needs of his people adding, land had been procured for the hospital, 14 years ago.

Energy Minister, John Peter Amewu who represented President Nana Akufo-Addo assured the chiefs and people of government’s readiness to support the kente industry as it held a key potential to the economy.

He admitted the bad nature of roads in the region especially the Sokode-Ho road and the famous Eastern Corridor road that is expected to link the north to the south and announced that work will begin on these roads before the year ends.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Nkwanta North School Feeding Caterers Adopt Financial Strategy to Support Party Executives

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Volta Online

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October 22, 2018

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By: Obrempongba Kwame Owusu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Caterers in charge of the School Feeding Programme in the Nkwanta North Constituency of the Volta Region have come to an agreement to use their allowances to finance activities of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the area to claim the parliamentary seat from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to the Constituency Women’s Organiser, Faustina Donkor, who is also one of the caterers, the NPP in Nkwanta North lost the seat twice to NDC as a result of lack of financial support during campaigns.

She added that they must win the parliamentary seat for the party in the 2020 elections hence their decision.

“We the caterers are initiating this internal arrangement to help solve the financial problems and win back the seat for NPP come 2020.”

The District Chief Executive for the area, Jackson Kwame Jackayi lauded the decision by the caterers and emphasised that it would strengthen the party financially to run the affairs in the constituency towards recapturing the Nkwanta North parliamentary seat in 2020.

He added that the NPP lost the parliamentary seat twice to NDC after the former Member of Parliament and Deputy Volta Regional Minister during the Kuffour administration, Joseph Kwaku Nayan due to lack of finance and logistics.

Mr Jackson Kwame Jackayi believed that this would also help party executives in the constituency to go about their activities efficiently.

He therefore, called on others to emulate and adopt the move by the caterers to support the party’s affairs.

Madam Nkumfo who spoke on behalf of the caterers stressed the move was to secure their position as caterers since they would lose their jobs when the party is voted out of power.

She appealed to caterers in other orphaned constituencies to emulate their example so that the party will be financially resourced at the constituency level.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Elikplim Agbemava Lobbies for Vote to Lead NDC with a Promise to Woo the Youth to Party’s Side

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Volta Online

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October 21, 2018

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

A legal practitioner and one of the contenders for the flagbearership position of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Elikplim Agbemava expressed hope that he will get the nod of the party in the upcoming national delegates conference to lead the party to victory in the 2020 elections.

Mr Agbemava touted reasons why he remains the best option for the NDC in the 2020 elections saying, he would lead with integrity which is one of the many qualities the electorates look out for in choosing who becomes the country’s president.

He said, as a youth himself, he will work to galvanise the support of the youth who constitute a majority in the country, thus, making the chances of the party winning the elections, high.

Elikplim Agbemava hinted that he will focus on the youth who all along had been reduced to just leading popular expressions and not properly equipped to give off their best for the development of the country and assured, he will rather turn these youth into leaders.

“They are not to be called upon to lead demonstrations. They are there to build nations, they are there to build our country and we must equip them with the necessary skills and financial support to be able to participate in the development of the nation.”

He expressed the view that the current administration is not running and all-inclusive government which is needed to get policies that will cater for all manner of persons, young or old, rich or poor for a better Ghana.

The 41-year old also observed that Ghana’s resources had been going waste for a while and felt it was the new generation took the mantle of leadership from the old to determine their destiny and that of the future generations.

The NDC Aspirant was among the delegation of Ewe chiefs and Anlo youth who called on Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli at his palace on Saturday in Ho.

Speaking in an interview with Voltaonlinegh.com, Mr Agbemava who hails from Srogboe in the Keta Municipality said the agitations for other parts of the Volta Region to be included in the referendum to create the proposed Oti Region are constitutional.

He said he will support through legal means to ensure that the Constitution is complied with in the creation of the new region.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com