Tongu Babies FC emerged winners of the maiden edition of Exposure Under-13 challenge cup held at the Ho sports stadium.
The championship which ended on Sunday, September 2, 2018 saw eight teams challenge for regional supremacy status.
Tongu Babies were impressive in all the games before crowning it with an emphatic 2-1 victory over Avatime FC. Bernard Acheampon scored a brace for the winners on the 15th and 27th minutes respectively and it proved enough for Tongu Babies to be crowned champions even though Avatime FC had a consolation goal in the 58th minutes through substitute, Doh Kelvin.
Mafi Kumasi Emmanuel FC settled for the 3rd spot as they defeated Volta Young Eagles 4-0 in the 3rd place game. Their goalkeeper, Julius Vifa won the golden gloves for conceding just 1 goal.
Second place team, Avatime FC had some consolations as midfielder Fedelis Dzormeku was named the overall best player of the tournament for his impressive display. Francis Tortor was adjudged the Goal King after scoring 4 goals though he scored as many as Richard Dzowoenu of Power Stars.
Lead coordinator, Rustum Gameli Senorgbe believes the challenge cup had served its intended purpose and looks forward to make the event an annual one during basic schools vacation periods.
“We can call it a success because the boys showed us what we wanted to see. They displayed skills, flair and desire to stand out and I think many who came to the Ho sports stadium were thrilled with the level of football displayed. It’s the first edition but we’re looking forward to making it an annual event.”
For their prize, Tongu Babies were presented with a Trophy, One set of Jersey, 150 pieces of exercise books, Mathematical sets and certificate of participation.
Nana Sampson Mboribe III of Damanko Traditional Area in the Nkwanta North District of the Volta Region has called on government to complete an abandoned E-Block Project in the community to enhance access to education in the district.
The E-block project which was started under the erstwhile Mahama administration had stalled after the current government took over administration of the country.
Nana Sampson Mboribe III disclosed that earlier attempts to engage the government to finish work on the Damanko Community Day Senior High School (SHS) which is about 85 per cent complete proved futile.
He made this known while speaking in an interview with voltaonlinegh.com during a visit to the community of a population of over 10,000 people with no SHS for their children to access.
He described the situation as a total slap and neglect from the government to provide children of the community access to quality senior high school education.
The Assemblyman for Damanko West Electoral Area, Mr. Champua Ali Adams also expressed his displeasure about the abandoned school project.
He therefore added his voice to the call for a swift intervention from government to enable children in the community have access to education.
Nkwanta North District Assembly in the Volta Region has organised a town hall meeting o interact with residents of the district.
The meeting which took place on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at Kabonwule, one of the communities in the district was attended by chiefs, opinion leaders, heads of departments, the security and community members.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Mr. Jackson Kwame Jakayi outlined government policies such as planting for food and jobs, planting for exports and rural development, free senior high school (SHS), double-track system and many other programmes currently being implemented by the Akufo-Addo led government.
The DCE entreated the people to take advantage of all the programmes especially the cashew project so as to kick poverty away from their lives in the near future.
Mr. Jakayi also accounted to the people what he has done for the district so far since becoming the DCE a year and three months now.
He appealed to the fisher folks of Kabonwule (a fishing community) to desist from using poisonous chemicals such as DDT for fishing and hinted that the law will deal with anyone caught in the illegal act.
Poor road network, lack of potable water and furniture in schools were top on the list of problems the residents put before the DCE which he promised to address in the best interest of the district.
Town hall meetings form part of measures by the Ministry of Information to sustain regular policy interaction with the general public
Engage now Africa, a non-governmental Organization (NGO) based in the country has organised free health screening for the general public on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at Ho-Bankoe EP Primary School in the Volta Region.
The exercise which saw men and women, young and old screen for various diseases including eye, blood pressure, breast cancer, was part of activities by the NGO to mark this year’s International Literacy Day which falls on Saturday, September 8.
Engage now Africa has as its main objective to eradicate poverty through adult education. It started operation in the country since 2012 with its presence in the Volta Region dating back to 2016, taking about four thousand people through adult education to be able to manage their own businesses in the region.
Literacy Manager for Engage now Africa, Jeff Nyarko in an interview with voltaonlinegh.com said though the exercise attracted members of the general public, it was organised with the intention to screen for eyes problems of their learners as a first step to addressing their reading challenges.
He disclosed that reading glasses were being provided to participants for free and those with further issues were prepared for hospital for treatment.
He called on other organisations to come out and organise such exercises regularly to help people especially the vulnerable know their status as well health education for preventive purposes.
Volta Regional Director for Engage now Africa, Mr. Francis Wamah mentioned that the NGO will mark International Literacy Day 2018 in Ho.
He revealed that provisions have been made to convey about 1,000 of their learners who had gone through adult education and skills training to be present at the event to inspire others.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Central Tongu in the Volta Region, Thomas Moore Zonyrah has encouraged some 28 persons with disability (PWDs) who received various forms of support from the Assembly to make the best out of the very little assistance given them.
Mr. Zonyrah advised, “just as the biblical talents, I will advise you put these items to good use and also give assistance to others. You’re benefiting today and it will be others tomorrow until we cater for all of you.”
He made this passionate appeal during the presentation of assorted items upon request by the PWDs through the Social Welfare Department.
The brief presentation ceremony held at the premises of the District Assembly saw the beneficiaries supported with items including fridge, industrial sewing machine, with others having their tertiary education bills paid.
In all, six individuals had their fees paid at the university and vocational schools. One person received goats for rearing with the others provided for according to their demands.
A total amount of about Gh₵33,597.50 was spent in supporting the beneficiaries. In an interview with some beneficiaries, they expressed gratitude for the support.
A beneficiary, Alfred Fiador was filled with appreciation for the Assembly for its support for PWDs and prayed for God’s blessing for them.
“It’s mind blowing what has been done for us here today, other assemblies are in the news for embezzling funds meant for PWDs but here we are through the thoughtfulness of our leaders in the Assembly and receiving support no one would have given us. It was through this same Assembly that I was able to complete my senior high school (SHS) education and currently at University of Winneba. God richly bless all those who made this possible.”
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Social Welfare Committee at the Assembly, Godwin Kaletsi expressed dissatisfaction at how the first batch of beneficiaries left the items unused, thus, defeating the purpose for which they were provided.
He said their searches revealed the items have been left idle which was not the best for the Assembly nor the PWDs.
“We have gone round to see how best these items are been put to use and its sad some people are still keeping their fridges new without use. This is really sad to say the least.”
Portions of the deteriorated Eastern Corridor road
Your Excellency, it is with due respect and honour to your high office, and heart full of pains and grievance that I write to you today. I want to start by commending you for your efforts so far by touring the Volta Region.
Mr. President, I wish to state that only greedy people are interested in robbing money from innocent people without providing quality service. Moreover, a government is responsible for providing basic necessities of life to its citizens. Some of these basic needs are water, transportation, which includes adequate and well-maintained roads, security, where citizens feel safe, ensuring that the rule of law is being enforced, and healthcare.
Your Excellency, did you know that good roads and highways play major role in nation building and contribute hugely to the country’s economic activities being mediums through which goods are transported between cities as well as people, speeding healthcare delivery, among others across the country?
A section of Eastern Corridor road- Volta Region
Your Excellency, I am writing to draw your attention to the poor state of the roads in the Volta Region, especially the deplorable, dilapidated, unmotorable state of the Eastern Corridor road and to appeal to you to declare the construction and completion of the road as a state of emergency.
Mr. President, this road has become a nightmare to the entire people of Volta and Northern regions. It is no longer motorable and we are crying out loud. The road is of great importance to us since it links to 5 regions namely, Greater Accra, Eastern, Ashanti, Volta and the Upper East.
The condition of this road has brought about many changes. Negative changes. Change in transportation fee, delay on the road due to potholes and swamps, constant accidents, breakdown of vehicles, delay in healthcare delivery, etc.
Meanwhile, the people of Volta Region had cried severally to previous governments over this road and continue to cry for the current government but to no avail. No action, no show.
Your Excellency, during 2012 to 2016, we saw efforts of the then government in power award the road to some 6 different contractors. Overtime, the citizens feel neglected, rejected, cheated and asked so many questions but who can answer us? All we know is every government plays game of politics with us.
Mr. President, we were happy to see the roads being awarded in the heat of the 2016 electioneering year and all that came into our mind was finally, our plight was to be over only to realise that construction works had come to a halt with no explanation given.
But, whom do we ask? And I ask, is this Ghana? Are we not citizens enough than spectators? Dead Goat or live Dog?
Your Excellency, I want to categorically state that your government has not done much for us for the 19 months in office to win our trust. And I ask again is this Ghana? Is this the change we voted for? Though I applaud you for the introduction of free education, should we allow accidents, delays in accessing healthcare delivery due to bad roads finish our generation?
And I ask, who is going to enjoy the free education in the future? What happens to the over 90 per cent of citizens along the Eastern Corridor road who suffer permanent disabilities, broken down vehicles, post-harvest losses as a result of the road?
Mr. President, please fix our road. That is all we are asking for. We have not benefitted much from your government. We feel abandoned. We need a Volta-loving-government, not as the previous governments.
Do our own Members of Parliaments, chiefs, and government appointees care about the plight of the people they represent? I do not want to believe they are dining with governments for their selfish interest. My people, be up and doing, we want to feel your care.
Mr. President, allow me to admit that the former government did its part (not enough though) and awarded the road to constructors, had a portion fixed from Asikuma to Peki, Nyangbo to Logba. I can also say that about 10-20 per cent of portions of the road had been fixed and then, the contractors stopped work after the elections till date.
I thought governance is a continuous process. I was heartbroken when the Road Minister, Mr. Kwesi Amoako Atta addressed the chiefs of Volta at Hohoe during the President’s 3-day tour of the region that COCOBOD which was funding the portion of the road from Have through Hohoe to Jasikan had suspended payment and that Dodi Papase-Nkwanta stretch being funded by EU loan of over 320 million euros, suffered delayed payments, thus, causing construction works to stall.
He however, assured the chiefs that government was working hard to make it motorable adding, that the contractors would return to site within two weeks but over a month now, nothing has been seen, heard or felt.
Fix our road. Eastern corridor road is all we have.
Mr. President, we have been silent for long, I am appealing to you to declare the road as a state of emergency to be fixed. When nothing is done, we shall embark on a peaceful protest to have our road fixed.
Ghana’s Auditor General, Daniel Domelevo has called for a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for operations in the extractive sector.
He said although there are some laws governing the sector, their application and implementation continues to be a stumbling block hence, the need for a stronger legal framework in the country.
Mr. Domelevo also bemoaned the lack of knowledge on the extractive sector in the country and attributed the situation to ineffective public engagements on the operations of the industry, hence calling on industry players to do more.
He said revenue accrued from the sector remains a mystery to him and faulted industry players for distancing themselves from his outfit.
“When I am asked about the revenue from the extractive industry I always try to dodge the question because when I look at my institution we don’t have the capacity to understand what goes on over there and they have also done very well to keep as far away from themselves.”
He quizzed, “as an Auditor General, the question which always comes to me is, are we getting our fair share of the national cake?”
The Auditor General speaking at the opening session of this year’s Anglophone Africa Regional Extractive Industries Knowledge Hub course in Accra last Monday said it was important that revenue accrued from the sector is not seen as a mystery.
The course dubbed the “Annual Summer School” is an initiative by the Natural Resource Government Institute, in collaboration with German International Development Cooperation.
The two-week residential course on oil, gas and mining governance seeks to deepen knowledge and equip participants with the necessary skills to undertake independent analysis of fiscal and revenue management policies, extractive industries transparency initiative reports, contracts and key legislation in their respective countries.
Participants a group photograph with the Auditor General
Capacity Development Officer with the Natural Resources Governance Institute, Mr. Adams Fuseni indicated that a lack of clear cut implementation guidelines in the absence of a shared development framework, would not augur well for the holistic development of the country.
Mr. Fuseni therefore, called for an extractive sector-specific strategy tailored towards the development of the country based on needs assessment in order to benefit from the sector.
Ghana’s favourable enabling environment had provided a good foundation for resource governance, hence ranked 1st in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, its revenue management has been identified as the weakest link in resource governance in the country.
Ghana performed poorly and ranked 23rd among 33 country assessments of sub-national revenue sharing mechanisms. Rules for sharing mineral revenues via the Mineral Development Fund are clear, but disclosures of revenues shared are not timely or audited.
The 2017 Project Inspections Report by Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) revealed that of all oil-funded projects in the Upper East, Upper West and Northern regions, 50 per cent are nonexistent.
The Association of former Members of parliament (MPs) of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) from the Volta Region has cautioned delegates not to vote for incompetent contestants in the upcoming party congress and regional executive elections.
The former MPs reminded the various delegates about the 2020 general elections stating that the upcoming party elections are highly critical in the forward match of the party to recapture power and deliver Ghanaians from the current suffering and hardship being experienced under the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
This was contained in a statement from the Association issued on Friday, August 24 ahead of regional elections on September 1, 2018.
The statement signed by the interim chairman, Hon. Joseph Amenorwode, former MP for Afadzato South Constituency and a former Volta Regional Minister under the erstwhile John Mahama administration urged delegates to vote wisely after critically assessing all contestants on their knowledge of the Party’s social democratic principles and core values of probity, accountability and transparency as well as on their own vision, mission, strategies and achievable action plans for the Party in the Region.
The former MPs also cautioned the various delegates not to be influenced by factional pressures, self-interest, money among others to vote for particular contestants but must vote for competent executives capable of discharging their responsibilities when elected.
“We advise delegates to vote for executives who are hardworking, strong willed, experienced and possess the ability to unify and lead the regional party into a massive and successful 2020 elections in tandem with other regions in the country.”
The Association expressed enthusiasm about the large number of people contesting for the various regional party leadership positions even in opposition saying it is a good sign of rejuvenation of interest and support for the NDC in Ghana and particularly in the Volta Region, its “World Bank”
The former MPs therefore, wished the party a successful regional congress to be held across the country on September 1, 2018
The Volta Regional Boxing Federation (VRBF) in collaboration with Ziope Traditional Area has set Sunday, September 2 to outdoor the Ring received from Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), a little over a week ago.
The Amateur bout will see both Nigerian and Ghanaian boxers battle for supremacy at the Grabin Guest House in Ziope.
The event recognised as one of the activities to mark this years Ziope Agbleza celebrations has the likes of Habeeb Zubair, Syvester Nzuka, Llyas Ozofehe, and Adaramati James, all from Nigeria.
The rest who are Ghanaians include Desmond Agbozo, Kujo Dzakpata, Kofi Kumah Mensah and Walter Amenyo.
Chairman of the Federation, Enam Foster Dagadu confirmed this to TalksenseSports in an interview.
It is very necessary to outdoor or launch the ring we received. We have actually worked so hard in acquiring this ring and so, the need to do this. We have spoken to the Ziope Council and they have agreed for us to hold the bout there as they are celebrating their festival.
Looking at the boxers we have, it is going to be a Ghana vs Nigeria affair. All must come and watch the outdooring, he added.
The bout is scheduled to begin at 3pm and at a fee of GH₵7.00.
The bout is one of the many bouts the Federation intends to hold in many parts of the region in promoting the game.
The Federation is poised to groom boxers who will become World Champions in the future as it begins from the Amateur level.
The VRBF after making several appeals to their national bodies, GBA and Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), finally received a Ring with accompanying equipment on Friday, August 17, a major boost to their objective.
Though women are making gentle and gradual strides in bridging the gender divide, those living with disabilities may have no other choice than to dream of the progress their able-bodied counterparts are making.
A U.N. report on the situation of women and girls with disabilities has stated that 19 per cent of women have a disability, 7 per cent higher than that of males. In addition, the report also indicated that girls are less likely to finish primary school than boys, if both are living with disabilities.
Patience Atikpoka Atuah, a journalist living with disability said for a female with disability, dropping out of school meant forced relationships and marriages that only seek to demean and worsen the plight of such women, advocating for education in order to bring such cycles to an end.
“Women generally have always been at the receiving end and for you to be disabled, it looks like a double punishment for you… First of all, you are a woman so it looks like you do not have rights and your family members will have to make decisions for you.”
Mr. Francis Ansong of disability focused organisation, Voice Ghana, who corroborated the presence of the phenomenon in the country mentioned that women continue to be at the bottom of the totem pole in the community.
He traced the issue back to the family setting where he pointed out that boys living with disabilities are prioritised over their female counterparts in accessing education.
Women are also less empowered in livelihood acquisition activities than their male counterparts as the report suggested that between 60-70 per cent of persons with disabilities (PWDs) have no literacy skills, with females forming between 55-60 per cent.
Voice Ghana, believes there is the need to promote activities of livelihood empowerment targeted towards women with disabilities through inclusion of women living with disabilities in leadership positions starting with the representation on the National Council for Persons with disabilities (NCPD) which currently has only 2 women out of a total of 14 members.
Supportive Housing
The absence of an effective housing system in the country for PWDs makes women on the streets fall prey to drug dealers, homeless men, pimps under the disguise of offering them protection, thus heightening the risk of sexual assault, human trafficking and violence in many forms.
Meanwhile, leader of the Paralegal group and Ho Municipal President of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled, Alex Akpo suggested a vigorous livelihood empowerment and skills training for the women and men alike in order to get them off the street.
Policy
There currently exists a limitation with the disability Act of 2006, ACT 715 which fails to address issues on housing for PWDS.
Elsewhere in the USA for instance, the Federal Fair Housing Act, a national law, prohibits housing-discrimination everywhere in the country on the basis of disability. The Fair Housing Act – as well as another national law, the Americans with Disabilities Act, outlaw disability-based discrimination in places of public accommodation, which includes, for example, emergency overnight shelters and social service facilities.
Though Ghana has signed on to heaps of international treaties on human rights, including the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD), the expectations of holistic implementations may be nothing short of a mirage.
The 2nd women’s manifesto for instance is demanding that government establishes community-based housing facilities to serve as temporary accommodation/shelters for needy and neglected women and girls with disabilities for eventual integration with their families or assisted to settle independently.
Lawyer Andrew Adugu
A Legal Practitioner, Andrews Dodzi Adugu said, “shelter is one of the basic needs of a human being. In formulating policies on housing, persons living with disability should be put into consideration. In affordable housing policy for instance there should be the need for a quota dedicated to persons with disability especially women.”
There may however be light at the end of the tunnel as Minister designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Cynthia Morrison is advocating for physical protection of the aged.
She indicated that her outfit will ensure the registration of vulnerable women (women living with disability and the aged) who will be sheltered, explaining that there is the need to create a safe haven for them.
