Krachiwura Cautions Ewe Chiefs against Laying Claim on Volta North Territory

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October 2, 2018

By: Albert Kuzor | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Nana Mprah Besemuna III, Paramount Chief of Krachi in the Volta Region and also Chairman of the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) of Oti Movement, a group advocating for the creation of a new region out of the Volta Region said they deserve a region of their own.

According to him, the views of citizens from the southern parts of the region and those in diaspora that the northern part belongs to the Ewes are incorrect.

“It appears that the Ewes think that they are the colonisers and we are the colonised. You know we have our land and you have your land, if we say we don’t want certain arrangement we have the right to say it.”

“We don’t know the Ewes until 1950s when the Germans brought us together and we had brought clearly defined boundaries that we only joined the Ewes, we were not under them,” he added.

He cautioned Ewe chiefs against claiming ownership of the northern territory saying, “if you say they are grabbing your land, you have no land here. I warn any chief in Ewe land who will say that he has territories in this area.”

Nana Mprah Besemuna said citizens in the Oti enclave were ready and awaiting the referendum which is scheduled for December this year and urged them to come out in their numbers to vote for the realisation of the proposed Oti Region.

“We want to also see everything that the south has or everything that all other regions in Ghana have,” he added.

The Krachiwura who was speaking in an interview with Voltaonlinegh following comments by some Ewes accusing the current government of working to partition the region along ethnic lines, said their demand for the new region was only to speed up development in those areas but not to create conflicts between the north and south of the region.

Some 9 out of the 25 administrative districts in the region are expected to become part of the proposed Oti Region with plans of carving out Lolobi, Akpafu and Likpe from the Hohoe Municipality to add to the new region.

However, the Lolobi and Akpafu Traditional Councils early this month issued a press statement stating their stance against that move saying they were better off being part of the Volta Region.

Currently, there are two separate lawsuits against the Electoral Commission challenging the constitutionality of rolling out limited voter registration exercise in affected communities and plans to hold the referendum later this year in only the affected areas to determine the creation of the proposed regions.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Head Teacher Appeals for School Infrastructure

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Volta Online

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October 1, 2018

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By: Obrempongba Kwame Owusu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Head teacher of Nkwanta M/A Junior High School (JHS) ‘C’ in the Volta Region, Kennedy Amoako has called on government and philanthropic organisations to help resolve challenges impeding effective teaching and learning in the school.

According to him, the numerous challenges including the lack of basic educational materials are gradually affecting academic activities.

He added that the lack of classroom furniture worsens academic activities, thus, appealed to government and individuals to help provide furniture for the pupils.

He made this call on Thursday during parents and teachers association (PTA) meeting of the school. He however, commended the PTA for its continued support to the school.

A teacher in the school, Mr Aziz also added to the head teacher’s call by appealing to government for a computer lab and library to enhance the study of information and communications technology (ICT).

The PTA Chairman, Mr. Francis Kwame Mensah in addressing the meeting, urged parents not to relent on their efforts but continue to contribute their quota towards the development of the school.

In an interview with some of the pupils of the school, they raised the lack of school infrastructure, toilet facility and a computer lab and library center as their major challenges and called on the authorities and corporate organisations to come to the aid of the school.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Volta Table Tennis Bounces back to Winning Ways

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Volta Online

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October 1, 2018

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By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Volta Region’s only club at the Stanbic Bank National Table Tennis League in Accra, Vilcabamba Table Tennis Club (VTTC) returned to winning ways in week 4 on Saturday September 29.

The Denu-based club after losing all matches in both categories in week 3, saw the female side beat Prisons 3-2 while the male lost first match 0-3 to Otumfuo Stars but defeated Eastern Loopers 3-1.

Matilda Fodu began on a good note for the ladies after seeing off Prison’s Eunice Quaye 3-1 (11-9, 11-5, 7-11, 11-1). Attipoe Eyram lost the second singles in a 3 straight sets to Esther, 4-11, 6-11, 7-11. Matilda and Millicent Ankude then put their team ahead in the doubles with an 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9 results against Christabel and Eunice. Millicent bounced back to complete the victory, beating Esther 11-5, 6-11, 11-8, 11-9.

The males’ defeat to Otumfuo started with Bright Dzotsiafe losing 3 sets 11-8, 11-5, 11-3 to Sunday, after which David Senyo lost 3-1 (8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8) to Favour. The doubles then had Sellasie and Senyo losing a 3-2 thriller (11-7, 11-3, 7-11, 8-11, 11-7) to Sunday and Cosmos.

Improving upon their previous performance, David Senyo beat Ofori 3-2 (5-11, 11-6, 3-11, 11-5, 14-12) before Sellasie allowed Eastern Loopers to draw level, losing 3-1 (17-15, 7-11, 8-11, 4-11) to Nketia. Sellasie ensured parity was restored as he partnered Bright to defeat Emmanuel and Theophilus in 3 straights sets 11-4, 11-9, 11-9. David sealed the victory with the fourth game, beating Theophilus 3-1 (11-5, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6).

Coach of VTTC, David Senyo Ahiaba said they were closer to achieving their target with the female victory, expressing joy in the revenge against Eastern Loopers.

“Our sweet revenge against Eastern Loopers as they beat us narrowly last year in the national games in Kumasi is a great achievement. Moreover, our girls winning today, is one step closer to our aim of being in the top 3 at the end of the league.”

He called for support in cash or kind to motivate the team to achieve their aim while expressing appreciation to their Chairman, Thomas Kuenyefu and few people in the club for supporting them as well as all well-wishers for their words of encouragement.

Out of 10 clubs, Vilcabamba female team lies 6th on the table with 8 points, 4 adrift leaders Army & immigration, and 5 more than bottom side Western; whereas the male team occupies the 12th position with 14 points, 10 less than table toppers Immigration & Police and 10 more than 18th placed Coast Loopers.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Patrons in Awe of Undiscovered Mt. Peki Adzokoe

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Volta Online

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September 29, 2018

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Hikers taking pictures on top of Mt. Peki Adzokoe

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Patrons who thronged Peki Adzokoe community on Thursday to go hiking the less-patronised or existing-but-undiscovered Mountain Peki-Adzokoe has expressed admiration and wondered why tours were not organised of the mountain for tourists to help open the community up to reap the full benefits of its tourist site.

The patrons, mostly people of Peki Traditional Area in the South Dayi District of the Volta Region went hiking the Peki Adzokoe Mountain as part of activities to celebrate this year’s Peki Yam Festival.

Beautiful scenery viewed from Mt. Peki Adzokoe

The climb to the mountain by residents of the various Peki communities including Avetile, Dzake, Tsame, Wudome, Blengo, Agbateh, Adzokoe among others coincided with UN World Tourism Day which is celebrated every September 27 to raise awareness on tourism’s actual and potential contribution to sustainable development.

The 1,510 ft Mt. Peki Adzokoe offered spectacular view of Peki communities and beyond from its summit which was accessed through a dense forest, plantations of palm trees and cocoyam, and about an hour’s climb, passing two levels of waterfalls along the way.

Intriguing traditional sites like ruins of buildings and fortifications used as defenses against warring tribes can also be seen at the wide-levelled summit.

Climbing and descending the mountain was a difficult task yet enjoyable and fulfilling. The path to the summit was slippery as rains fell in the forest every now and then forcing hikers to support themselves on a stick with the other hand on the ground for the most part of the journey.

This giant rock at the top served as delivery area for women

Mt. Peki Adzokoe with its tourism potentials however, has not been well-developed to attract visitors just like the others, Mt. Adaklu, Gemi, Afadja and other tourist sites in the region which serve as tourist destinations to many and this, according to the people of Peki, needed to change.

Head of Avenui clan, Torgbui Amenu XIII in an interview with Voltaonlinegh earlier said the Peki area was replete with various tourist sites which remained unknown to the younger generation and those outside Peki.

He spoke of the Slave Cave at Dzake which used to be the resting place when Peki was the ancient 300-kilometre slave route linking the north and east Volta Region to the coast from Vakpo, and Wusuta in the era of the slave trade.

He mentioned other interesting places including a tunnel at Dzogbati, and caves at Peki Adzokoe.

Peki 2018 Yam Festival (Tedudu in Ewe) will be climaxed by a grand durbar of chiefs and people of Peki state with the Paramount Chief, Deiga Kwadzo Dei XII in state at Blengo.

To herald Saturday’s durbar, mini durbars were held on Friday in the various communities where farmers exhibited their yam tubers from their farms.

Traditional games like top spinning ‘tondoo fofo’ and palm frond bundle throwing known as ‘kpodada’ were also played in the streets by the local youth to mark the celebration.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

[Article] A letter to National Service Personnel

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Volta Online

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September 28, 2018

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By: Shallom Lumor | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Dear National Service Personnel,

By now some of you have started reporting whiles others are still preparing. Most of you have been posted to places where you have never been before.

As usual the connected ones are in Accra and the cities. Their parents may be politicians or virtually connected. Such is Life. Some people will always be privileged whiles others will always be less privileged. Even Jesus said, “the poor will always be amongst you.”

I have some messages for you.

First of all, the chances of you getting absorbed at your various service posts are very slim, I repeat very slim. Your bosses shouldn’t deceive you, to the ladies, you will be threatened to offer sex for jobs.

Some of your bosses will promise you heaven on earth. He or she will show you all the care and love in the world. In fact, some of you will become queens and kings whiles others will become slaves and maids to their bosses. Whichever category you find yourselves, please, securing a job from those your bosses is only 1% true.

With this politically crazy Ghana, no CEO is safe, no director is safe and no manager is secured. Directors, CEOs, non-executive directors are losing their jobs daily in Ghana.

Even if they don’t lose it, changes in government will affect them.

So do not be deceived, just work hard, but don’t be 101% sure that you will get a job after one year.

The most important part of my letter is that you must start putting your business ideas together, try to register your own businesses and start putting things in place of becoming your own boss so that immediately you complete your service you would have gotten something to do with your life.

Save at least 20% of your monthly allowances towards starting your business. Start reading books on how to be your own boss.

Secondly, some of you service personnel will be using 50% of your allowances on dresses, shoes, make ups, ties, and anything that makes you looks good. It’s good to look good, but please beware that it will last just for a year.

You will be taking ‘selfies’ with your new looks and be updating us on social media but after a year you will weep when you see that others have gotten a better job and are still updating us, whiles you wallow in your joblessness.

Please keep it cool at this time. Things don’t always go according to our expectations.

After a year, you may wear those dresses for years in order to look for a secured Job. THINK, SAVE AND INVEST.

However, I heard a company is offering you guys electrical appliances. Oh yes! It’s very good to furnish your rooms. But who takes loan to buy home appliances?

You alone, do you need the microwave oven, cooking stove, flat screen TV, blender, iron?

National Service is not a life starter; you even want to start on negative?

THINK, SAVE AND INVEST.

You must know that, you may purchase all those appliances and after service if things don’t work as you expected, you will sell them all, just to have something to eat.

For some of you, after the service, you may not even have places in your various homes to send them to. THINK, SAVE AND INVEST.

Some of you will spend your whole service period buying roasted plantain popularly called ‘kofi brokeman’, hausa koko and waakye for others. Please fight to be sent to departments where you can learn and have some experiences.

You are not the first offering your National Service in that organization and you won’t be the last. You will endure all the undocumented messenger work and at the end of the service no one will appraise you for being a messenger who buys waakye monthly.

Let me tell you a secret, it’s likely the work you do more will be what you will be employed for. Please I will like to know whether you will be employed to be buying ‘kofi brokeman’?

No! So better focus on being productive than humble, serviceable and respectful. These are the words they will be using on you for buying food for them.

I am not saying you shouldn’t serve them, please do, but know that the ultimate aim for you there is to serve your nation and learn through practices which must give you the necessary experiences for a future job.

Lastly, this is not the time to start taking some family responsibilities. It will last only for a year. What will you do after a year? THINK, SAVE AND INVEST.

But then again, use your time wisely in your various offices to learn more, open your eyes, read every document that comes your way.

Be smart and be productive. Contribute your quota significantly to the growth of your organization. You won’t regret it. THINK, SAVE AND INVEST.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Eastern Konnect Organises Maiden Games

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Volta Online

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September 28, 2018

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By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Old Students Associations (OSAs) of senior high schools (SHSs) in the Eastern Region, having come together to form a common front with the name, ‘Eastern Konnect’ will be having their maiden edition of games on Saturday, September 29, 2018.

The sporting activities cum socialisation with the motto “Konnecting to Build a United Front” come off at the Athletics Oval of the University of Ghana, Legon in the Greater Accra Region. There will be games like lime & spoon, sack race, tug of war, and playing cards. The OSAs will battle in other games like ludu, 100m & 50m and off course, soccer for bragging rights.

The one day event which is seen as a way of unifying all the schools to achieving the target of enhancing the educational level of Eastern Region schools plus networking, will have 12 old students associations participating.

President of Eastern Konnect, Scofray Nana Yaw Yeboah outlined the objectives of the group ‘Eastern Konnect’.

“Our focus is to bring Eastern Region schools’ associations together and you know there is power in unity. We also want to create a platform that we can network among ourselves for businesses and any other aspects to promote certain level of quality of education in the educational sector. It is very important that we project our Eastern Regional schools to a level so that no school is deemed small; we put structures in place to make every school formidable.”

“In other words, to ensure every school achieves academic and extra curricula excellence,” he added.

The day is expected to be full of fun with spiced with various jama songs as the school with the loudest jama will be acknowledged.

Nana Yaw Yeboah, who doubles as the President of Mmarima Mma (Koforidua Sec Tech OSA) has appealed to corporate bodies to come on board to and help in achieving this.

The packed day with health screening is expecting to see ROSA, KOGA, AOGA, ABENFO, POJOBA, MMARIMA MMA, PERSCOBA, BEACONS, ANSECANS, ADEHYE, ABUSCO and ODA as the games begin at 7am.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Volta Table Tennis Maintains League Target despite Losing Week 3 Ties

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Volta Online

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September 26, 2018

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By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | voltaonlinegh.com |

Head Coach of Vilcabamba Table Tennis Club (VTTC), Denu, David Senyo Ahiaba has said their target of finishing in the top three at the end of the ongoing National Table Tennis League is still achievable.

VTTC, the only team representing Volta in the league lost in both female and male categories in week 3 game which was played on Saturday, September 22 at the Accra Sports Stadium Hall.

The female team, having won 1 out of 3 matches were beaten 3-0 by Immigration while the male team with 2 wins out of 6 matches lost 3-0 each to Fire and Army.

“The chances of the male team to make it into the top three, is becoming slim but there is still hope. The ladies however, have greater chances of making it into the top three despite their loss because they lost to Ghana’s current first two ranked team,” the coach said.

Matilda Fodu suffered a 3 straight sets defeat 6-11, 5-11, 6-11 to Immigration’s Cynthia Kwabi in the first single before Millicent Ankude battled Hilda Asare and also lost 5-11, 7-11, 8-11. Millicent stepped up again but this time with Malwine Akator to pull one back in a fierce doubles contest against Hilda and Abigail Tetteh but eventually lost 4-11, 8-11, 10-12.

In the male category, Elliot Quarcoo defeated Sellasie Setorwofia in 3 straight sets, 11-7, 11-9, 11-5 in the first singles after which Desmond Addy beat David Senyo 3-1 (11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9) to make it 2-0 for Fire. The doubles then saw Emmanuel and Addy beat Volta’s Senyo and Bright Dzotsiafe 3-1, with Volta winning the first game; 6-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-9).

In the match against Army, Samuel saw off Bright Dzotsiafe in a 3 straight sets, 11-5, 11-3, 11-9, while Boateng defeated David Senyo in another 3 straight sets, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6. Boateng and Trebi had a 5 sets thriller against Senyo and Sellasie, which Army won 3-2 with an 11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 9-11, 11-8 results.

David Senyo Ahiaba, who doubles as the Regional Head for the Volta Regional Table Tennis Association added that the team could do better with much support from philanthropists.

“VTTC will perform better if the team is given enough support and well resourced. Our doors are still open for sponsorship from corporate bodies and philanthropists. I want to also thank everyone for their prayers and thoughts.”

The weekly National Table Tennis League which is yet to have title sponsors, continues next Saturday at 9am at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

NDC Poised to Engage Media more Insightfully

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Volta Online

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September 25, 2018

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By: Sepenyo Dzokoto | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region on Sunday hinted it was poised to engage the media in more insightful ways as it rebrands the party towards the 2020 general elections.

Mr. Daniel Agboka-Dzegede, Regional Treasurer gave the hint during a business dinner he hosted for some members of the Volta Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) at his home in Ho.

He said going forward, the media-NDC interplay in the region should be more businesslike.

Mr. Agboka-Dzegede said the Party is now oriented to building fluid media links, based on the proficien of the sides.

He conceded that the Party had not been proactive with its dealings with the media which probably affected the flow of information between it (NDC) and the people.

Mr. Emmanuel Akoto, a Micro-Business Consultant who is the Administrator of the Regional Office of the NDC, wanted journalists to demonstrate professionalism and candour in their dealings with people.

Mr. Kafui Kanyi, Chairman of GJA Volta Chapter said journalists in the region were upbeat about the overtures of the NDC, counselling political parties to package their messages well.

Other points raised by members of the GJA Volta Chapter present, included political parties being scientific in planning their messages, as their targets were in different segments of society.

Togbe Misrowoda, a journalist observed that the media organs were market places of ideas for every other political party, and so journalists should not be resented for actively building networks through, across and within all political parties.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

PCG Pastor Reminds Christians of Duty to Care for Health Physically

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Volta Online

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September 23, 2018

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The District Pastor of Anum Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Rev. Gershon Ofoe Agbi has reminded Christians of the duty to care for their health in the physical just as they do they in the spiritual so that they to live long to proclaim God’s word and fulfill His assignment on earth.

Rev. Agbi said the only way to be in good health is through good exercise of the body coupled with regular medical checkups to identify ailments at the early stage for treatment.

The pastor who also supervises PCG, Peki-branch in South Dayi District of the Volta Region, said this in an interview at a health screening and blood donation exercise for members of Peki Avetile community.

The exercise was organised on Saturday by Peki branch of the church in collaboration with Centre for Physical and Emotional Support Foundation, a team from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, and the Peki District Hospital.

Community members who came out in their numbers were screened for ailments including high blood pressure, sugar level, malaria, diabetes, hepatitis B, and HIV. The exercise also saw some people donate blood to restock blood at the district hospital as well as counseling on stress management practices.

Chairman for the exercise, Mr. Nicholas Frimpong in explaining the reason for the event said, helping to provide bank for the district hospital and screening members of the church and community formed part of the church’s corporate social responsibility (CSR).

He added that the church wanted to use the exercise to minster to people so as to win souls for the church which had come to the community barely two years and for God’s kingdom.

Head of Avenui clan, Torgbui Amenu XIII thanked the leadership of Peki PCG for organising such an important exercise which he said was first of its kind to take place in the community.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Self Regulation Is the Way to Go-NMC Boss

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Volta Online

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September 22, 2018

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC) has proposed self regulation on the part of media houses to avoid flooding the homes of Ghanaians with indecent content when the country goes digital from 2019.

According to him, self regulation in terms of content in the media is necessary to protecting the cultural values, thus, projecting the Ghanaian identity.

Nana Gyan-Apenteng was reacting to suggestions at a public forum on constitutional and legal implications on digital migration from participants that the NMC institutes sanctions to enforce some form of compliance from content producers on our screens.

The NMC Boss said attempting to enforce compliance from content producers will result in media censorship and that the Commission cannot risk going back to the era of culture of silence that stifled the Ghanaian media before the country’s return to constitutional rule in 1992.

He said on the global freedom of expression index (freedom of the media), Ghana currently occupies the first spot in Africa and 23^rd in the world adding that it is good for the country’s growing democracy and everyone’s responsibility to “guard freedom of the media jealously.”

The forum which was organised on Friday by the Commission in collaboration with the Fredrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) in the Volta regional capital, Ho, was attended by various stakeholders including media experts, officials from the NMC, National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), the security and traditional authorities.

Michael Abbey (middle) and Alexander Bannerman (left) with Nana at the forum

Deputy Executive Secretary to the NMC, Mr. Alexander Bannerman spoke on progress the Ghana government has made so far in the area of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) infrastructure in preparedness for the digital migration next year.

He explained that in digital migration, the various channels will be hyped onto a multiplexer to be managed by a Central Digital Transmission (CDT) Company to transmit the signals. He added that unlike the analog, the DTT comes with some advantages including sharp pictures, clear sounds, and more channels.

Resident Director, FES, Mr. Michael Abbey in his statement called for the need to entrust the platform into the right hands to avoid foreign intrusion into the Ghanaian media to the detriment of the citizenry.

The participants also charged the NMC which is the body the Constitution of Ghana enjoins to ensure the freedom and independence of the media, to rise up to the occasion and commission management of the CDT company to insulate the state-owned media from governmental control.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com