PCG Pastor Reminds Christians of Duty to Care for Health Physically

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September 23, 2018

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

Ghanaians own MTN now-Sam Koranteng

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September 21, 2018

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Corporate Services Executive of MTN Ghana, Mr. Samuel Koranteng has described as a success subscription to the company’s Initial Public Offer (IPO) which commenced on March 29 and closed on July 31 this year making the company the first in the country to have listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE).

The IPO was to allow the telecommunication company fulfill a regulatory obligation regarding the purchase of one of the 4G spectrum licenses in 2015 and to give Ghanaians and the general public the opportunity to own 35 per cent of its shares.

Mr. Koranteng in an interview on Thursday at an editors’ forum in the Volta regional capital, Ho, said MTN exceeded the expectation rate of IPOs and added that though the company is an international one, it is right to say it is owned by Ghanaians.

“Now, MTN is not just owned by a multinational. It’s owned in excess of 128,000 Ghanaians and in terms of our outlook, we’re now listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange so we have become an international company with firm roots.”

The MTN editors’ forum is an annual meeting of the telecommunication giants with editors in the ten regions of the country to talk about their yearly plans, successes, and challenges and to solicit feedback from them in a bid to bettering their services to customers.

Presentation of souvenirs to some participants

The Corporate Services Executive on the company’s social responsibility activities, mentioned that MTN is focused on education, health and economic empowerment with several of such projects being carried out across nationwide.

He said the company has recently introduced MTN Bright scholarship Award Project to give 300 brilliant but needy students the opportunity to go through tertiary education for 3 years with the first set of 100 beneficiaries already awarded.

The worth of the scholarship covers their tuition fees, accommodation, and a stipend of Gh₵500 per semester which caters for books and other learning materials.

The Zonal Manager for MTN Mobile Money (Momo), Mr. Eric Yeboah Asiamah in reacting to questions of upsurge in frauds against Momo subscribers, said customers must be alert of such fraudulent activities so as not to fall victims to the fraudsters.

He cautioned against believing social engineering tactics the fraudsters employ to rob people of their monies adding, if they are in doubt or suspect such activities, they should call MTN office for complaints and the necessary action. He disclosed the company had followed on such complaints and had been successful in prosecuting and punishing some of these culprits.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

North Dayi Police Command Gets New Station

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September 21, 2018

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The North Dayi District Assembly in the Volta Region has handed over an ultra modern apartment to the Police Command in the District for use.

The construction of the building formed part of government’s initiative to rebrand and make the Ghana Police Service more effective.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Kudjoh Attah, at a brief ceremony on Wednesday to hand over the building to the District Police Commander, commended the contractor, engineers of the assembly and the project consultants from AESL for their technical support and cooperation.

DCE, Kudjo Attah in an interaction at the event

The DCE who already started supplying furniture to the newly constructed police station assured the Command of providing adequate furniture and other logistics needed for effective policing.

Mr. Kudjoh Attah asked the Police to do their best to maintain the property adding that it will motivate the assembly to willingly support the Police with their logistics at all times.

He further advised the police command to maintain the facility such that it disabuses the minds of Ghanaians of the generally held perception that the police do not take proper care of properties belonging to the state.

The DCE admitted that there is the need for the Police to be given logistical support to be able deliver on its mandate in the wake of contemporary crimes.

The District Commander, DSP Hilarious Avornyo who received the keys to the edifice, promised that the Command will use the new station as expected and that his outfit will do its best to maintain the structure.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Food Scientist Advises Beekeepers to Control Vegetation around Beehives

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September 20, 2018

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

A lecturer at the Department of Food Science and Technology, Ho Technical University (HTU), Dr. Emmanuel Letsyo has advised beekeepers to restrict the growth of pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) containing plants around their beehives to avoid the potential risk of contaminating honey samples.

The PAs produced by plants as a defense mechanism against insect herbivores are natural toxins that can be damaging to the liver when consumed.

Dr. Letsyo whose area of research includes the determination of plant contaminant in foodstuffs and herbal products identified the four common PA plants in Ghana and called on beekeepers around the rain forest and middle belt zones of the country where they are mostly found to clear them away to avoid contamination.

“The PA plants are chromolaena odorata which is commonly known as ‘acheampong’, ageratum conyzoides, heliotropium indicum and crotalaria retusa. These are the most common plants in Ghana here and they contaminate honey sample so they should restrict these plants from growing around the beehives because when they have these plants around, they will have the bees collecting the pollen and nectar from these plants and using them in their honey production.”

He encouraged rather, the growth of medicinal plants around the beehives so that when the bees collect nectar from them, they transfer the medicinal properties into the honey to benefit the health of consumers.

Dr. Letsyo disclosed this on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 in an interview after his presentation on Plant Toxins in Honey: A Potential Health Risk at the ongoing 4^th National Food Hygiene, Safety and Sanitation Conference at HTU.

The 2-day conference themed: “Food Borne Illness and Sanitation in the Era of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); The Implication for a Healthy Workforce” had various speakers giving keynote speeches on the first day of the conference.

There were officials from the Volta Regional Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Gorden Akurugu and Elorm Yao Dordor who jointly spoke on Food Safety, Food Hygiene and Food Borne Illness. They decried dangers of food borne diseases in the country and elsewhere and reinforced the need for government, the food industry, the academia, and individuals to do more to ensure safety of food as a preventive measure.

Dr. Frederick Vuvor of University of Ghana, School of Biological Sciences in his presentation on Environmental Sanitation and Disease Control, entreated organisations and individuals to keep food and their environment clean to prevent food contamination and minimise the spread of diseases in the wake of outbreaks.

Mr. Sulemana from the Regional office of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) also had his turn to educate participants on the role of the Company in managing drinking water in ensuring public health.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Xornam Foundation Empowers Deprived Pupils with Learning Materials

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Volta Online

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September 19, 2018

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Xornam Foundation (5) — Volunteers from Xornam foundation with some of the Beneficiaries after the donation

By KALD|Voltaonlinegh.com|

A Ho-based Non-governmental Organization, Xornam Foundation has donated learning materials to some deprived pupils in three selected basic schools in the Volta region.

The items comprising exercise books, mathematical sets and pens were presented to the beneficiary pupils at the Dzelukope E.P Basic School in the Keta municipality, Hodzo L/A and Ziavi-Lume Junior High Schools, both in the Ho municipality.

In all, about 210 pupils benefited from the gesture in the three schools with each of them receiving five exercise books, two pens and a mathematical set to aid their learning activities for the 2018/19 academic year.

According to the NGO, the gesture formed part of its Education Drive project, aimed to empowering underprivileged children to stay in school regardless of their social circumstances.

Miss Praise Anani, proprietor of Xornam foundation who led a team of volunteers and members of the foundation on the charity mission to the schools on Monday, noted that “This initiative was to help these deprived rural children understand the need for education and as well support them with some necessary learning materials.”

“A lot of these rural children drop out of school because of lack of learning materials, so through this project, we were able to give each student 5 exercise books, two pens and one mathematical set,” she added.

Miss Anani who expressed the commitment of the foundation to ensure every child gets quality education, was also hopeful that the gesture would inspire and generate the interest of education in the children, “who are the future of our dear country.”

The team during a mentoring session encouraged the pupils to look beyond their present circumstances and aspire for greatness as well as focus on their studies and eschew any form of deviant behaviour which could jeopardise their future aspirations.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Couple Raises Funds from 201-Kilometre Bicycle Ride across UK to Construct 5-Cubicle Toilet

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Volta Online

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September 19, 2018

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By: Kris Delali Asare | Voltaonlinegh.com |

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.

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.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Regional Minister, Others Tour Volta Schools to Mark ‘My First Day at school’

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September 19, 2018

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By: Voltaonlinegh.com |

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.

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.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Volta Female Team Picks First 3 Points at Table Tennis League

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September 18, 2018

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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.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

2018 Gbidukorza Launched

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September 18, 2018

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By: Kris Delali Asare | voltaonlinegh.com |

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- 10^th 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.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com