National Best Teacher Returns Home to a Standing Ovation

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October 9, 2018

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Mr. Nicholas Mawunya Gborse, who won the Ghana Teacher Prize after being adjudged the Most Outstanding Teacher for 2018, has been greeted with a standing ovation when he visited his former school, Keta Business College (KETABUSCO) for its maiden Speech and Prize Giving Day (SPGD) under the transformational agenda of the school.

The old student of KETABUSCO (Coronat) on Saturday received a rousing welcome when he showed up for the event after winning the national award the previous day.

Mr Gborse in a handshake with VR Educ Dir, Mad Amafugah while former headmaster, Mr Dzogbeta (in a hat) KEBSOSA Prez, Dr Anani and current Headmaster, Mr Seake-Kwawu (left) look on

The SPGD which saw prizes awarded to deserving students as well as to best performing teachers was themed, “Indiscipline, the Bane of Academic Excellence”.

The event was as a result of a decision taken by the leadership of KETABUSCO Old Students Association (KEBSOSA) to propel academic excellence to help realise the bigger agenda of transforming the school from its current Grade B to Grade A in 5 years.

Coronat Nicholas Gborse who is a teacher at Bishop Herman College (BIHECO) was presented with the award on Friday during a durbar to mark National Teachers’ Day which coincided with World Teachers’ Day on the theme, “The Right to Education Means the Right to a Qualified Teacher”.

For the prize, he received a 3-bedroom house valued at GH¢180,000, a laptop, educational materials and life insurance worth GH¢500,000 from headline sponsors of the awards, SIC Life Insurance.

Vice President Dr Bawumia presenting the award to Mr Gborse

Mr. Gborse in a speech, spoke of his educational background which began from a deprived community, Tregui in the Keta Municipality and how with determination, he had emerged the winner of the Ghana Teacher Prize.

Speaking in an interview with Voltaonlinegh.com, Mr. Gborse was grateful to God for His mercies which saw him through the rigorous criteria, reforms and processes that characterised the 2018 Awards which was the rebranded and upgraded version of the hitherto Best Teacher Awards to emerge the ultimate winner.

He expressed gratitude to the Volta Regional Education Directorate, KETABUSCO and his 2000 year batch (EWOEM), Management and Staff of BIHECO and people of Adaklu for their prayers and support that won him the Award.

The Ghana Teacher Prize Award winner called on all teachers regardless of their location, to continue with whatever good service they are rendering to the nation because God will surely identify them for recognition.

“I am not oblivious of the fact that many of them out there are doing their best for Mother Ghana but perhaps are yet to be recognised. Maybe because of where they are or it is not yet their time. I want to believe that God has an appointed time for everybody. Today could be my time but tomorrow would be their time.”

He charged teachers to do more, saying, “besides the teaching and learning in classroom context, I’ll continue to admonish my colleagues to take a special interest in the formation of the students or the pupils entrusted into their care. For me, that’s even paramount than the As and Bs that they get in the grades because after all the A1s and B2s, it’s about how they live their lives and the kind of life they live is not depended on the grades.”

He also advised teachers to take personal development serious, attend relevant workshops, diversify, be current and global citizens who are exposed and know about happenings around them.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

TTAG Directs Teacher Trainees to Halt Payment of Exorbitant Fees, Says Discussions Are Ongoing

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Volta Online

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October 9, 2018

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana (TTAG) has directed its members nationwide to put on hold payment of fees the Association deemed exorbitant pending parliament’s scrutiny and approval.

The Association called on all teacher trainees to remain calm and resolute while it continued with discussions to resolve the matter of the bills.

“The executives of the Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG) in an opportunistic meeting with the Minister of Education on Monday, 1st October, 2018 discussed the exorbitant fees and it is worthy to note that, the Minister of Education stated emphatically that Parliament has not approved any bill for Colleges of Education for the coming academic year.”

TTAG in a release jointly signed by the President, General Secretary, and Public Relations Manager, expressed outrage at the exorbitant bills being handed out to its members for the start of the 2018/2019 academic year.

The Association claimed the fees released by the Conference of Principals of the Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) for the first semester of the academic year was way too higher and attempts to discuss the fees with PRINCOF failed.

“The leadership of the TTAG upon critical analysis, consultations and concerns received from teacher trainees realised the exorbitance of the bills. Surprisingly, in the absence of feeding fee on the bills which will be taken from each teacher trainee’s allowance, the bills are even higher as compared to previous bills which included the feeding fee. All attempts to reach PRINCOF to discuss the exorbitant fees charged have proven futile.”

Meanwhile, the leadership of TTAG appealed to the Ghana Education Service (GES) not to deny newly trained teachers posting based on licensure examination results asking that the maiden examination “should be used as a formality to license all individuals who sat for the examination due to numerous challenges coupled with the implementation of the policy before, during and after the examination.”

The Association also commended government for its assurance to continue the payment of the teacher trainees’ allowances and asked that measures are put in place to effectively disburse allowances for the 2018/2019 academic year.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Volta TUC Welcomes Establishment of Consolidated Bank

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Volta Online

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October 8, 2018

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By: Kris Delali Asare | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Acting Volta Regional Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Edith Abla Amenuvor has welcomed the recent development in the banking sector which resulted in Bank of Ghana merging five banks into Consolidated Bank Ltd as a step in the right direction saying, it was to “sanitise the system.”

The Bank of Ghana recently revoked the licenses of 5 banks: BEIGE, Sovereign, Construction, UniBank and Royal Bank following their insolvency and merged them into Consolidated Bank to protect the interests of depositors.

Madam Amenuvor was of the view that the Consolidated Bank offers a safe haven for depositors’ fund to maintain trust in the banking sector.

She was speaking in an interview with Voltaonlinegh.com at the annual general meeting of District Council of Labour (DCL) under TUC held at the Hohoe Municipal Assembly Conference Hall to deliberate on recent happenings in the country.

Madam Amenuvor however, urged the government and the Bank of Ghana to safeguard existing jobs to prevent an increase in the unemployment rate in the country.

She called for proper investigation and possible punishment of those found culpable with regards the collapse of the five banks.

The Acting Regional Secretary decried constant fuel price hikes and called on government to properly regulate fuel prices in the country to meet the income of workers in the country.

She also advised government not to burden the Ghanaian worker with increased and nuisance taxes without reviewing workers’ salaries, adding that “failure to do this means we have to advise ourselves.”

The District Council of Labour meeting which usually discusses issues that affect workers and the impact of government policies on the welfare of workers in the various districts across the country, started on September 12, 2018 and it is scheduled to end on October 12, 2018.

It is expected to cover major districts in the Volta Region with areas such as Krachi, Nkwanta, Kpando, Jasikan and Hohoe already covered. The team will later visit Sogakope, Keta, Akatsi, Denu and Adidome to climax the meeting on October 12, 2018.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Freshman Is Volta’s Best Radio Personality, the Second in a Row

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Volta Online

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October 8, 2018

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Freshman, winner, 2018 Volta Region RTP Award

By: Kris Delali Asare | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The General Manager of Heritage FM, Hohoe, Mr. Frank Foley popularly known as Freshman has emerged Best Radio Personality at the just ended Radio and Television Personality (RTP) Awards for the Volta Region.

Freshman, the winner of the 2017 edition of the RTP Award for the region has retained the title for the second consecutive time amidst cheers and excitement when announced as the ultimate winner.

The event which was organised by Big Event Ghana over the weekend at the Accra International Conference Centre sought to recognise and appreciate media practitioners in both radio and television who against all odds, stood tall throughout the stipulated year.

Speaking to Voltaonlinegh.com after the event, Mr. Foley was all grateful to God for his tender mercies and prophesies in his life. He recalled how he was behind time to canvass for votes but God been so good, his will had been done.

Freshman was grateful to the entire Hohoe Municipality and beyond for the undiluted support and encouragement which enabled him achieve this milestone.

He dedicated the award to all and sundry for their individual votes which actually made a difference.

He also hinted of plans to establish a media school to enhance the tentacles of journalism in Hohoe Municipality and the region at large.

Freshman beat six other radio personalities from the Volta Region including Kofi Awoonor also known as K.G of Lorlornyo FM also based in Hohoe to win the award.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Pencils of Promise Commits to Quality Education in Volta and Eastern Regions

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Volta Online

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October 8, 2018

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By: Albert Kuzor | Voltaonlinegh.com |

A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Pencils of Promise (PoP) has built more than 140 basic schools in Volta and Eastern regions of the country to improve on quality education in the less privileged communities.

Some 22 districts and municipalities which benefited from the interventions of the NGO included Ketu North, Akatsi South and North, Ho Municipality, Afadzato South, Asuogyaman.

The Country Director of PoP, Mr. Freeman Gobah noted during the organisation’s 2018/19 Programme Expansion Launch held at Ehi-Horme in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta region.

The event was purposely organised to boost activities of the organisation and to also expand its organisational goals to include quality and literacy education in its targeted areas.

Mr. Gobah said the NGO had built “147 school project, serving 38,674 pupils in 22 districts of the Volta and Eastern regions of Ghana with 13 more ongoing.”

He said Pencils of Promise had also worked to improve literacy education in these regions by providing “3,500 E-readers in 28 schools with over 390,000 e-books across the schools, 14,300 paper books in additional 20 schools.

He added that PoP had also worked to ensure health and sanitation in the beneficiary schools. “We have delivered 60 water filters, 168 hand washing stations, 215 dustbins, mounted 70 polytanks, built 50 toilets,” he said.

According to him PoP is expected to expand their activities this academic year by aiding these and additional schools with 40 new classroom projects with sanitation facilities, some 9,000 extra paper books, 100 washing stations, 300 dustbin, 60 teaching and learning materials and many more.

Mr. Freeman Gobah, who is also an educationist indicated that PoP has as its organisational vision to provide quality education for every child and have partnership with local governments and communities to positively impart students, parents, and teachers in Ghana, Laos , Guatemala and Nicaragua. It had provided a total number of 480 schools and serving 94,241 students directly in these countries.

Togbe Dzeble Adukpo IV, Chief of Ehi-Horme expressed gratitude to PoP for assisting their community and its service to the world.

Representative of the Volta Regional Director of Education, Madam, Enyonam Afi Amafugah commended PoP’s interventions and assured of government’s support and personal motivation in providing quality education for every Ghanaian child.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

‘The Fund’ Marks International Day of Older Persons, Celebrates Retired Teachers

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Volta Online

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October 5, 2018

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By: Kris Delali Asare | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Hohoe-Afadzato South Ghana Education Service Welfare Fund known as ‘The Fund’ has marked this year’s International Day of Older Persons with a celebration to honour retired teachers at Cobies lodge in Ve-Golokuati in the Afadzato South District of the Volta Region.

There was also a free medical screening which saw the retired teachers screened for illnesses including high blood pressure and diabetes.

Speaking to Voltaonlinegh.com, Chairman of the Welfare Fund, Mr. G.M.K Sadzi said the celebration was the second of its kind and promised to maintain the annual celebration which coincides with the international day of older persons.

Mr. Sadzi was grateful to the retired teachers present at the occasion which also witnessed the unveiling of a GH₵30,000.00 mobile clinic van to cater for the health needs of members.

He blamed the low turnout on poor roads which are not friendly for most aged people and promised to procure a welfare van to facilitate the movement of the teachers in the coming year.

Meanwhile, the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in the Hohoe Municipality donated an amount of GH₵1,000.00 to support the celebration.

In an interview with the Municipal GNAT Chairman, Mr. Kennedy Motiglo, he said the essence of the welfare was to bring the retired teachers together and give them a sense of belonging.

The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1 each year and was observed for the first time on October 1, 1991.

The day is about raising awareness on issues affecting the elderly such as senescence and elder abuse. It is also observed to appreciate the contributions that older people make to society.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Stop Discrimination against Children with Disability- NCCE Director

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Volta Online

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October 5, 2018

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By: Christopher Pappoe | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Central Tongu District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) Mama Hodzige II has asked Ghanaians to desist from discriminating against persons living with disability (PWDs) especially children.

Mama Hodzige II gave the caution on Monday when officials of the NCCE visited some schools in the Central Tongu District in the Volta Region to raise awareness on child protection on the theme “Non Discrimination against Children Living with Disability”.

She called on architects to be current and design school buildings that are disability friendly to enable PWDs have access to such buildings with ease.

She said it saddens her to see government and church buildings with no plans made for persons living with disability to access them.

Mama Hodzige II urged school children and parents to accept children living with disability so that they will also feel part of society.

She also warned students to stop teasing or making discouraging statements against their colleagues who are PWDs and decried how some school children living with disability are forced to drop out of school due to victimisation from fellow students.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Volta Participates in National Boxing Championship

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Volta Online

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October 4, 2018

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By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Volta Regional Boxing Federation (VRBF) has presented 6 boxers to participate in the National Boxing Individual Championship at the Sports Hall of the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Championship organised by the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) to select boxers to form the Black Bombers team begins today, October 4 to Saturday, October 6, 2018.

Volta has paraded Afagbedzi Prosper, Dorgbetor Holy, Wisdom Agbogbleamenu and Adzewoda Bernard. The other two include last year’s National Sports Festival Bronze winner in the flyweight division, Nana Antwi and Osei Maxwell.

Abubakar Sadick Akake who is the Volta Regional Boxing Head Coach believes his boys can make an impact at the Championship.

“In fact, we have been training for the national Games for long and we are well prepared. We have been training since we heard the news of the indefinite postponement of the Games at Cape Coast. I believe in my boys and I know at the end of the Championship, we will get some of them into the team. We don’t have any threat from any Region; we are just prepared for the task ahead.”

Weigh in took place at the Bukom Boxing Arena in the early hours of Thursday and was followed by a technical meeting for all ring officials. The Championship has become necessary as the GBF must prepare the Bombers adequately for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games after the previous team from Australia was dissolved.

President of the Ghana Boxing Federation, George Lamptey in an interview with Voltaonlinegh.com said they are yet to receive any support for the 3-day tournament.

“As I speak to you, we are yet to receive sponsorship after we sent out letters to attract people to come on board but none has shown any commitment. We have to do this Championship to raise the Black Bombers team.”

“We invited all regions but we are yet to hear from the coaches. Volta, Upper West, Central and Ashanti are the regions I have seen so far,” he added.

The event is expected to begin at 4pm in all weight categories, with the technical team keen on selecting good boxers for the Black Bombers.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Dan Abodakpi Vows his Election as Chairman will Seal NDC’s Victory

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Volta Online

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October 4, 2018

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By: Albert Kuzor | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Mr. Dan Abodakpi, former Member of Parliament (MP) for Keta who is aspiring for the chairmanship position of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has promised to transform the NDC from the grassroots to the national levels, when elected to man the party at its upcoming national delegates conference.

The former government appointee and founding member of the NDC said there are cracks within the party following its humiliating defeat to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2016 general elections which must be well dealt with before next general elections in 2020.

According to him, when given the nod to steer the affairs of the party, he will work to resolve the conflicts and as well, restore the core values of the party to mobilise support for victory 2020.

Mr. Dan Abodakpi made the promise in Ho where he met and interacted with some party executives/delegates and the press to kick-start his regional campaign.

He noted that when he becomes the chairman, he will “heal wounds in the party” and unite members beyond unity walk to ensure fairness.

“I’ll go beyond unity walks and reach the grassroots for proper healing because our grassroots cannot be taken for granted.”

Mr. Abodakpi who is also a founder of some party cadres said he will work to ensure full participation of these groups to coordinate activities towards the party’s victory.

The former minister of Trade and Industry was of the view that his election will represent a new hope for the party to mobilise and reconnect to its members and to ensure progress of the party.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Asogli State Determined to Protect Constitution, Demands Referendum Be Held in other Parts of Volta

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Volta Online

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October 4, 2018

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Togbe Afede XIV, Agbgbomefia of Asogli State

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Asogli State Council has cautioned government and all key actors in the creation of the proposed Oti Region out of the Volta Region to adhere to the 1992 constitution for peace to prevail.

The Council believed the processes so far from the commission of enquiry to the limited voter registration exercise and the proposed referendum later this year to determine the creation of the new region had not been fair to citizens at the southern and middle belt of the region who are in the majority.

Addressing a press conference in Ho on Tuesday, Togbe Adzi Lakle Howusu XII, Warlord of Asogli said the Council fears this unconstitutional manner in which the process is being carried out can pose a threat to the peace currently being enjoyed in the region and demands that the authorities go by constitutional means.

“We find these developments worrisome and therefore wish to state our position unequivocally that the creation of the Oti region involves the alteration of the existing boundaries of the Volta Region. Therefore, the entire Volta Region must be allowed to take part in the referendum and it must not be limited to only the area earmarked for the Oti Region.”

He said creation of new regions results in alteration of existing boundaries arguing, “if one of the issues to be decided in such a referendum is the boundary of a new region, then it is difficult to see how voting could be limited to only people within an assumed boundary and not the entire region.”

The Council on behalf of the chiefs and people of Asogli and their brothers in the south said they are not against the creation of the proposed Oti Region but only demanding that due process be followed as provided for in chapter 2 of the Constitution.

The Council added that they are not exerting or attempting to exert dominion over those in the Oti enclave.

“We also want to add that the Ewes have never sought domination over the other tribes in the region, even though we are in the majority. Volta’s population comprises: Ewes 73.8%, Akans 2.8%, Ga Dangme 1.5%, Guan 8.1%, Gruma 11.3%, others 2.5%. But out of the six regional ministers we have had since 2001, three were non-Ewes from the northern part of the region: Hon. Kwasi Owusu-Yeboah, the late Hon. Henry Ford Kamel and Hon. Helen Ntoso.”

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com