Owners of Roots Yard Lodge and Vegetarian Restaurant, Peki Avetile in the South Dayi District of the Volta Region, Mr. Kojo Ababio and Mrs. Jacqueline Ababio have financed the construction of a 5-cubicle toilet facility for teachers and pupils of GOVCO Demonstration School, Peki.
The facility which is accompanied with a hand washing basin is fitted with low flash water-closets to minimize water usage. It also has a self-composting septic tank to cater for the entire population of over 500 of the school.
In an interview, Mr. Ababio said they did a 201-kilometre bicycle ride across UK within a period of two years to raise an amount of Gh₵39,950.00 for the project which took nine months to complete.
Keys to the facility being handed over
He revealed that his family had to visit the UK every summer for the past two years to undertake such an initiative which has produced a fruitful result for the benefit of all.
According to him, there was the need for the facility because the old one in the school was an eyesore which could also promote the spread of many viral diseases.
Mr. Ababio who said he conceived the idea together with his wife, was grateful it had come to fruition and will serve a good cause.
On her part, Mrs. Ababio was of the view that her family would also benefit from the project as their two children, Marcus and Solomon Ababio (who are pupils in the school) will also find a safe place of convenience while at school.
She admitted it was no mean achievement but very pleased to see it manifest.
School children looking on during the handing over of the facility
The official opening of the toilet facility coincided with ‘My First Day at School’ celebration of the new academic year, welcoming new students to GOVCO.
The District Director of Education, Madam Justine Ziema called on teachers to show love and care in order to realise the potentials in their pupils. She also urged them to welcome newcomers to the school with love so as to keep them in school.
Also present at the handing over ceremony were Rev. Sylvanus Tettey, Principal, Peki College of Education, Togbe Amenu XIII, Representative, Peki Avetile Traditional Council and the Headmaster of GOVCO Demonstration School, Rev. Abraham Bediako.
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa and officials from the regional education directorate among others have embarked on a day’s tour to some selected schools in some districts in the region to welcome newcomers to the schools.
The day, ‘My First Day at school’ was used to usher into class one, pupils from kindergarten and to welcome new entrants into the kindergarten.
Schools visited included Ziavi Adukofe Basic School, Ho Municipality, Dzolo Gborgame E.P Basic School, Ho West District, Takuve Basic School, Agortime Ziope District, and Adaklu Wayanu Basic School in the Adaklu District.
The visit which took place on Monday, September 17 also saw the Volta Regional Minister, the Volta Regional Education Director, the Ho Municipal Education Director, Ho Central Municipal Chief Executive and their entourage distribute 25 free school uniforms to kindergarten pupils of Ziavi Adukofe Basic School in the Ho Municipality.
IZWE Savings and Loans as a way of supporting the event, distributed 135 exercise books, 9 mathematical sets, and 9 pens to some selected pupils of the Ziavi Adukofe Basic School.
Packs of ‘Kalypo’ drinks were also distributed to all new entrants of the various schools.
Some new entrants
The distribution was intended to whip up the interest of pupils (the new ones) in education and to motivate other children of school going age in the area to be in school.
Addressing pupils of the schools visited, the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government is committed to seeing every child of school going age in school noting that it was the reason government had implemented the free education policy to ensure children from poor homes do not stay at home because of money.
He called on parents to support the efforts of government by providing the needs of their children and encouraging them to aspire to achieve their dreams.
The Volta Regional Director of Education, Enyonam Afi Amafugah commended the teachers for their good work and encouraged them to continue to prepare the pupils for a better future.
Head teachers of some of the schools visited lamented the lack of ICT lab, school library, and bungalow for teachers which they said were affecting teaching and learning in the schools and appealed to the authorities for support.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey |Voltaonlinegh.com |
The female team of Vilcabamba Table Tennis Club (VTTC) picked their first 3 points at the ongoing National Table Tennis League at the Sports Hall of the Accra Sports Stadium.
Week 2 of the league which was played on Saturday, September 15, saw the ladies take the games to their opponents Otumfuo Stars and grabbed the 3 vital points.
Matilda Fodu started off by beating Gifty Boakye in the singles with 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 12-10 results. Millicent Ankude continued, winning 3 straight sets 11-5, 11-4, 12-10 against Mensah Wendy to make it 2-0. In the doubles, Eyram Attipoe and Millicent Ankude battled Gifty Boakye and Matilda Boateng to produce a 14-12, 11-5, 9-11, 11-8 winning results to seal a comfortable victory for the female team of Volta.
In a rather unfortunate situation, the male side of VTTC lost all two matches on the day after their 2 victories in week one. Asoba Foundations enjoyed a 3-1 win over VTTC after which GRA also had a 3-0 triumph.
Asoba’s Smart beat Sellasie Setorwofia 11-3, 13-11, 11-7 in the first single before VTTC’s David Senyo drew level with 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11 against Augustine. In the doubles, Samuel and Augustine saw off Sellassie Setorwofia and Bright Dzotsiafe with a 13-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-5 results. Smart returned to beat Bright Dzotsiafe in a 3 straight sets 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 to make it 3-1.
Joseph Okine and Eric Addo both had 3 straight sets win (10-12, 14-16, 14-16), and (9-11, 6-11, 6-11) against Sellassie Setorwofia and David Senyo in the singles before Eric and Kwame finished it off 3-1 against Senyo and Bright (11-9, 11-9, 11-5, 9-11) for GRA.
Head Coach of VTTC, David Senyo Ahiaba who expressed optimism said,“we are grateful to God for yet another week of injury free competition. I knew the matches for the male team was going to be tough but I was hoping we will beat at least one of the teams. All is not lost yet so we will try and win more matches as the league progresses. Our ladies however, did very well by beating Otumfuo Stars and getting their 3 points. I hope this win will serve as a pilot hole for us to get to the top 3 at the end of the league.”
He also appealed to philanthropists and sports enthusiasts to support the only team from the region in cash or kind in order for the team to give off its best.
Volta has the target of first three ranking and can achieve that with motivation from all quarters. The best of 5 singles and double league action continues with week 3 at the Accra Sports Stadium next Saturday with mouthwatering fixtures.
Gbidukorza, an annual festival of the chiefs and people of Gbi state in the Volta Region was launched on Saturday September 15, 2018 at the forecourt of Hohoe Municipal Assembly.
Gbidukorza 2018 which will be celebrated at Hohoe from the 7th- 10th of December, is themed: “Consolidating Two Decades of Gbidukor Unity for Accelerated Development”
The day had Togbe Keh XII, Chief of Gbi-Wegbe who represented Togbega Gabusu VI, Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area, as the Chairman of the occasion with Mama Dzawoe II, Queen Mother of Gboxomo Traditional Area as the Co-Chair Person.
Togbe Keh in his address, spoke on the strong bond and unity the celebration of Gbidukorza over the years have bestowed on the people of Peki and Hohoe. He also outlined some achievements garnered out of the festival which include the Gbi Rural Bank and construction of a craft village as part of the long term projects.
Mama Dzawoe II together with Mama Gedzesi I, Queen Mother of Trevi Traditional Area unveiled the official outfit for Gbidukorza 2018.
Mama Gedzesi I, General Secretary of Hohoe Municipal Council of Queens spoke on the role of Queen Mothers in the celebration of the festival and decried how the youth especially, abhor traditional values.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kingsley Amu, Co-Chairman of the Gbidukorza planning committee was optimistic of a successful celebration and called on indigenes of Gbi State across the world to participate in this year’s festival.
This year’s festival is the 23rd since the people of Hohoe and Peki Traditional Areas reunited to form Gbidukor (Gbi State) after more than 300 years of being separated through migration and colonial factors.
Boxing is said to be a combat sport, only for the dedicated and success hungry. Not many people are thought to have the appetite for it in the Volta Region.
The notion is that people from the region would rather go into carpentry; sing loudly to the rhythmic sound of the hammer, masonry or go fishing.
Wrong notion of course, because that view is held of Ewes; There are other ethnic groups in the region, who could go into boxing if others there want to handle the saws and the pickaxes only; So a boxer and a good one too, surely must be from some other region. If you are from the region, Volta, then of course must not be domiciled there.
All that notion has changed as the story of boxing in the Volta Region is about to be re-written.
We have world beaters coming from the region and many more are being groomed in the region, even with all the technical problems.
Anama Dotse aka ‘Polopala’ (in red pant) in an undercut with Ugandan Sani Yidana Kublie
Dotse Anama, (17-16, 12 KOs) alias Polopala, is a budding great boxer set to change the notion.
“I, (Polopala), will prove to them that I’m a great boxer from the streets of Asogli”.
Those are the words of a young spirited fighter who loiter the streets of Ho, capital of the Volta region, yearning to be a world champion.
Aflao, apart from sharing Ghana’s Eastern boarder with Togo, is the nest of budding boxers in the region. Indeed the only boxing coach in the region lives there.
So boxing as a game is vibrant there.
Lightweight boxer, Nathaniel Nukpe is a school dropout and a boxer from Aflao. He told me how he struggled to make ends meet.
“I come from the street, the street has made me who I am today”
“I dropped out of school, I had no friends“
“I became a boxer because I am a street boy,
“Many deserted me but today those who left me out are coming back because I’m a successful boxer”
Nathaniel Nukpe (17-4. KOs 12), who describes himself as the king of technical knockouts, no longer feel abandoned and is motivated by the success, the hardship of the streets has blessed him with.
There is this notion that boxers hail from the street and the only way to survive is being tuff among peers on the streets and transforming into a pugilist as a game, boxer.
Perhaps that notion is true.
Unlike Nathaniel Nukpe, Azumah Nelson Jr, son of boxing legend, Azumah Nelson who lacks nothing and very comfortable, away from the streets, with all the tutelage from his father cannot be a world champion one day.
Azumah Nelson said his son has been overly pampered, which has made him unenthusiastic about becoming a good fighter.
“He is very comfortable, he has everything he wants, when he was young, I pampered him, he has a car that takes him to school and wait for him, bring him home, he lacks nothing”
“I would support junior if he wants to fight, if he does not want to fight too I would back him.” The piece from Azumah, Ghana’s boxing legend as quoted in the Daily Graphic Issue of 2nd September 2018.
So how can the region support the very spirited young one wanting to be great boxers?
Enam Dagadu the Volta Regional Boxing Federation’s chair has hopes, in the midst of the many challenges confronting the region.
He said the emergence of amateur boxers in the region would propel the sport to grow, but regretted there were not many boxing promoters and match makers from the region.
“Volta has a bright future in the discipline”
“We only have one promoter, this is not enough”
“It’s time for Volta to turn attention on boxing here in the region”
Recently, the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), the mother body for boxing in Ghana, donated some boxing equipment to the regional federation to aid the region’s growth in the sport.
‘King Kong’ Agbeko retained his WBO Africa Bantamweight Title (Image:Skef fotos)
Two time former world champion, Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko (39-5, 25KOs) who held the IBF title twice between 2007 and 2011 hails from Aflao in the Volta region.
Agbeko has not been very active for close to 8 years.
In a bid to revive his boxing career, Volta region’s sole promoter, Mitch Woolams of the Aborigine Promotions staged an international bout in Aflao, in March 2018 where Joseph Agbeko secured the WBO Africa Bantamweight title against the undefeated Ugandan champion, Frank Kiwalabye (17-2, 12 KOs).
The “King Kong” went ahead to defend his title in Ho against Ghanaian boxer Ekow Wilson (13-9, 2TKO).
With this the former commonwealth bantamweight title holder is set for another crack at the world title again.
The beauty of all these is that folks who hail from the region can take pride in these boxing greats.
Meanwhile, great boxers have emerged from the Volta region, the likes of Ray Bansah and Prince Amartey who represented the region at their peak internationally.
Prince Amartey was a famous boxer and former Army officer, who won a bronze in the middle weight Division, at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.
Boxing enthusiasts in the region, are nostalgic about the late 90’s in Ghana, when many stayed awake late into the early hours of the mornings to watch the Legendry Azumah Nelson, the Ike Quateys’ and Joshua Clottey fights.
Edwin Tukpeyi, an entrepreneur and a boxing enthusiast is one of them.
“I recall myself and my dad Edwin Tukpeyi Snr, kept wake to watch fight on the screen in Ho.
“But today all those exciting times are over now”
“It used to be great fun and an entertaining time”
The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) offices and hostel in Ho was a popular boxing hub.
The YMCA centre, located at Ho Civic centre, was a lively arena for boxers in the region.
As Volta prepares to re-launch boxing, the mantra of “NEHO,” used by another son from the soil, the Ghanaian-British professional boxer, Isaac Dogboe, the Royal Storm, should be the battle cry.
Issac Dogboe
Dogboe the current World Boxing Organization, Super bantamweight champion.
“Neho” is an inspirational word for the boxer which literally means, “let it erupt”.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in the Volta Region has taken custody of new sets of printers to facilitate the operations of the health insurance scheme in the region.
The equipment, 33 in number would be deployed to all the 16 district scheme offices in the region to enhance the production of the biometric NHIS cards to new subscribers.
Mr. Joseph Homenya, the Volta Regional Director of NHIA who took delivery of the equipment, told voltaonlinegh.com in an interview that the delivery of the new printers was timely as the current set of printers being use in the various district offices were over-aged, thus, suffered frequent breakdowns, which ultimately hindered efficient delivery of service to clients.
Mr. Homenya (R) inspecting the Printers with Mr. Avinu, Regional NHIA Operations Manager
“One major headache of our operations was the frequent breakdown of printers because most of them have been in the system for over 10 years. It has been challenging in the past months for our district schemes to issue new NHIS cards to subscribers but thankfully, through the instrumentality of our management in Accra and the government, these new printers together with other consumables have been procured to boost our operations.”
According to him, each of the 16 scheme offices in the region will receive two printers with the remainder placed on standby at the regional office.
One of the robust printers
Mr. Homenya added that, the regional Management Information Systems (MIS) officer was currently under training in Accra on the use of the new robust equipment and similar training would be held for all district MIS officers in the region in the coming weeks.
He also used the opportunity to encourage the citizenry to remain active on the National Health Insurance Scheme in order to enjoy continuous access to quality and affordable healthcare.
The 55 UHAS medical students ushered into clinical training
By: KALD|Voltaonlinegh.com|
Some 55 medical students of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), School of Medicine have formally begun their clinical training as part of their 6-years journey to becoming medical doctors.
The students, who have completed their three years of pre-clinical studies in basic medical sciences, were ushered into the practical stage of their training at a White Coat ceremony held at the UHAS main campus at Sokode-Lokoe near Ho in the Volta region.
The ceremony which signified the transition of students from the theoretical classroom studies to a practical training in health facilities saw key faculty members dressed up the medical students in white coats with stethoscopes around their necks in readiness for their new task.
The students donning their white coats
Professor Henry Tagbor, Dean of UHAS School of Medicine, said the white coat ceremony, which is the second in the history of the school, was a crucial step in the professional development of medical students.
“You are the our second batch of students to successfully complete your pre-clinical training in the basic sciences and the second to start your clinical training,” he stated and added that, “most of your training will now be conducted on the wards of the hospital. This is you will learn and practice for the rest of your careers.”
Prof. Tagbor hence advised the students to make the best of the practical training and put the knowledge acquired during the pre-clinical training at the service of patients.
The Volta Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Timothy Letsa who was the guest speaker, urged the medical students to uphold professionalism and cooperation in the service of the humanity.
He cautioned them against medical negligence and be guided by the professional code of ethics and operate within the regulatory and policy frameworks of the facilities in which they will be training.
“Quality of care is critical in service delivery and must be held in high esteem. In your practice you must aim at improving health outcomes, minimizing complications and disabilities and above all saving lives,” Dr. Letsa added.
Taking the professional oath
The Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council, Dr. Eli Atikpui administered the professional oath to the students and urged them to abide by the tenets of the medical profession and be at the service of patients regardless of their social standings.
He urged parents to continuously support their wards as they enter a challenging phase of their training.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor John Gyapong on his part reiterated the commitment of UHAS management to provide the conducive environment for the training of the medical professional in spite of challenges.
The students in a pose with dignitaries after the ceremony
He use the opportunity to remind government to give effect to the conversion of the Volta Regional hospital into a Teaching hospital , by constituting its governing board as soon as possible to facilitate the clinical training of the medical students.
The President of Keta Business College (KETABUSCO) Old Students Association (KEBSOSA), Dr Seth Kwami Anani has disclosed that the Association will hold its maiden annual Speech and Prize Giving Day under the transformational agenda for the school on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the school’s premises in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region.
The event which will see prizes awarded to deserving students as well as to best performing teachers to encourage others, will be under the theme: “Indiscipline, the Bane of Academic Excellence”.
The President said the objective for organising the event is to motivate students to perform academically to help realise the bigger agenda of the Association to transform the school in 5 years to come.
KEBSOSA President, Dr Anani
“Improving academic performance, through Teacher and Student Motivation, of our school is one of the strategic outcomes under the pillars of the Transformational Agenda which has the objective of moving the school from its current Grade B to Grade A in 5 years. Other strategic outcomes include but not limited to infrastructure transformation, discipline and branding of the school.
The transformational agenda for the school is anchored on four main pillars which include, “Education and Training, Marketing and Communications, Organization and Membership and Project & Funding”.
The October 6 event which has 1988, 1998 and 2008 year batches as headline sponsors for students’ awards, is expected to be held annually and set the tone for students to challenge one another academically and consequently give the school an enviable position among best performing second cycle institutions in the country.
Dr Seth Anani is therefore calling on all well-meaning Coronats (KETABUSCO old students) to support with their donations in giving a practical meaning to the transformational agenda in pursuing academic excellence and discipline as a strategic output at this year’s speech and prize giving day.
Residents of Gekrong, a farming community in the Nkwanta South District of the Volta Region are appealing for a health post to be situated in their community to improve healthcare delivery in the area.
According to the residents, they have to travel over 20 kilometers to the municipal capital, Nkwanta to access healthcare.
The Assembly member for the area, Issaka Kwame Issac, expressed worry over lack of a health post to see to the health needs of his people.
Assemblyman for the area
He spoke of the difficulties that women in labour go through to access a health centre as very disturbing and called on government to help solve the problem.
He made this known while speaking during the celebration of the annual festival of the people of Gekrong, Jodzi Festival 2018.
He also seized the opportunity to appeal to the government to consider the rehabilitation of Kue-Nkwanta feeder road to facilitate transportation of farm produce in the area to the capital
MCE, John Thasun
The Municipal Chief Executive for the area, Elder John Thasun in response to the appeal, assured that the assembly will do its best to assist the community in addressing the challenges.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey | Voltaonlinegh.com |
The Vilcabamba Table Tennis Club (VTTC) experienced mixed results at the Sports Hall of the Accra Sports Stadium as the 2018 Ghana Table Tennis League began on Saturday, September 8.
The league which saw many clubs (security and civilian) across the country registering to partake, had Vilcabamba male team win all two matches played while the female lost a single match.
The best of 5 of the single and double competitions had VTTC beating Madina 3-1, with Bright (3-0) and Senyo Ahiaba (3-1) winning their first singles, allowing Sellasie Setorwofia and Bright Dzotsiafe to lose the doubles, 2-3. Sellasie Setorwofia sealed it off with a 3-0 win to hand the team their first victory.
Volta’s only rep at the national league, who were knocked out at the 1/8 stage of the knockout competition last month enjoyed another 3-1 victory against Accra-based Divine Travel and Tour Club. Once again, the first two singles were won by Sellasie 3-0 and Senyo 3-0. However, Sellasie and Bright lost the doubles 1-3 but Bright came back to get the much needed points for VTTC with a 3-0 results.
VTTC team
The female side of the VTTC couldn’t replicate the exploits of their male colleagues as they lost 3-0 to Army. Millicent Selorm could only win a game against her opponent as she lost 3-1 in the singles. Matilda Fodu lost 3-0 while Millicent and Eyram Attipoe lost 3-1 in the doubles.
Coach of VTTC, David Senyo Ahiaba who expected better results from the female team said the team needed motivation.
“We beat Madina in the knockout, so we knew what to expect. Beating Divine Travel and tour was a great achievement for us, considering the calibre of players they have. We gave off our best and it paid off. Hopefully, the subsequent matches will also bring us joy but for both categories. We are still appealing to sports enthusiasts to come to our aid especially those in the Volta Region because the team needs the necessary support to compete well in the league.”
Other week one results in the men’s category saw Police beat Tiger Sharks 3-1, Fire defeat Eastern Loopers 3-1 and GRA go 3-0 pass Faith. Army lost a cagey 2-3 match to Prisons. Immigration also beat Otumfuo Stars.
For the women, Immigration triumphed 3-0 against Otumfuo Stars while Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) beat Eastern Loopers 3-1. Police saw off Madina 3-0 whereas Western lost 0-3 to Prisons.
The league, preceded by a knockout which was won by Immigration (winning both categories on August 25) will be played every Saturday at the same venue.
Volta who has the target of making the first three at the end of the league, will next battle Asoba Foundation for the male category, while the female side faces Otumfuo Stars on Saturday, September 15.
