Chief Appeals to Government to Absorb Community School, ZISTECH

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July 31, 2018

The Paramount Chief of Ziavi Traditional Area, Torgbe Kwaku Ayim IV has appealed to government to absorb the Ziavi Community Senior High Technical School (ZISTECH) in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region into the public system.

He said it would be his utmost desire to witness the taking over of the school by government to promote high standard of education in the area.

Torgbe Ayim IV said the school has been bedeviled with challenges including low enrolment, uncompleted school block, lack of textbooks, inadequate library books and computers for the computer laboratory.

He therefore believes that when the school is absorbed into the public system it would help do away with these problems.

Torgbe Kwaku Ayim IV was addressing a gathering during the inauguration of Seth Kamens Science Laboratory of the school and a send-off party for Seth Kamens, an American 1^st Peace Corps Volunteer in the School.

He said the little over Gh₵42,754 science laboratory project was funded through a grant from the Peace Corps Small Grant Program – “Let Girls Learn” to enhance the teaching and learning of science in the school.

He added that the move was spearheaded by Seth Kamens who managed to secure the grant for the project to see the light of the day.

Torgbe on behalf of the community and himself, thanked Seth Kamens for his selflessness and dedication towards the progress of the school saying, even though he was going, his name would forever remain in their hearts.

The Ho Municipal Chief Executive, John Nelson Kwasi Akorli commended the administrators of the school for bringing their managerial skills to bear in the affairs of the school.

He admitted that operating a community senior high technical school comes with a lot of hard work, sacrifice, and commitment.

He therefore assured the people that he would do his best to ensure that Ziavi Community Senior High Technical School which was established in September 2014, is taken over by government.

By: Collins Anku/voltaonlinegh.com

President of IHDN Mission Hospital Calls on Public for Support

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Volta Online

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July 30, 2018

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Dr. Edem Agamah, Founder of International Health and Development Network (IHDN) Mission Hospital at Weta-Adzadokpo in the Ketu North District of the Volta Region has called on the public to financially support the hospital to continue to provide quality healthcare to the general public.

According to him, he established the hospital with support of partners from USA to contribute to the development of healthcare of the people in the area and beyond and it is only appropriate to call for support when the hospital is financially burdened and needs resources to improve on its services.

He among other things, decried the situation where National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) bills needed to reimburse the hospital’s indebtedness to suppliers and for other purposes, remain unpaid between 8 to 12 months, thus, stretching the financial strength of the hospital.

Dr. Agamah sandwiched by wife, June and Dr. Letsa

He made the appeal at the 10th anniversary celebration of the hospital on Saturday, July 28, 2018 in the premises of the IHDN Mission Hospital.

Saturday’s celebration themed, “Ten Years of Improving the Health of the Community through Primary Healthcare”, saw the commissioning of 5-storey staff apartment, cutting of sod for the construction of radiology diagnostic centre for the hospital and a brief memorial service for the late parents of Dr. Agamah.

There was a fund-raising session in support of construction of the Centre which Dr Agamah, a hematologist-oncologist hopes will be stuffed with medical equipment that are lacking at the Volta Regional Hospital to provide specialist treatment to citizens of the region and the nation as a whole.

Sod cutting for radiology and diagnostic centre

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa in a speech, congratulated the leadership of the hospital on their successes chalked in “providing quality health care, humanitarian assistance, education and Christian values to the people.”

He expressed gratitude to Dr Agamah for initiating the project in the region saying, “it is therefore proper that the government is in partnership with IHDN Mission Hospital to develop the physical and spiritual aspirations of our people.”

He also urged everyone to work together for the hospital to achieve its vision to be a model and leader for quality healthcare provision in Ghana and the sub-region.

Background

The IHDN Mission Hospital is a subsidiary of a non-governmental organisation (NGO),

IHDN formed in 1996 by a team of missionaries from Springfield, Illinois, USA led by Dr. Edem Agamah.

Clinical work started in 1996 under a mango tree and later, living room of Dr. Agamah’s father, the late Mr. Benjamin Agamah.

The hospital which was finally commissioned in 2008, currently has in-patient capacity of 80. It also has maternal and child services with over 1,000 antenatal and 200 deliveries including caesarian sections without any record of maternal mortality.

IHDN Mission Volunteers have over the years offered continuing professional development (CPD) lectures at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Volta Regional Hospital.

By: Ewoenam Kpodo/voltaonlinegh.com

Athletic SC Are Champions of 7th Anniversary Gala of HMJFA

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Volta Online

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July 30, 2018

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Olympic Athletic SC have been crowned champions in the 2018 Hohoe Municipal Juvenile Football Association (HMJFA) gala which came off on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29 at E.P. Park in Hohoe, Volta Region.

The 2-day football gala which marked the 7th anniversary celebration of HMJFA saw 6 football teams participate under Group A and B.

Group A saw the likes of Olympic Athletic SC, Hohoe City and Whemco Stars. C.A Stars, International Football Education (IFE) and Open Hearts FC were in Group B.

The final match between Olympic Athletic SC and IFE was fierce and got decided through penalty shootout, 6 – 5 aggregate in favour of Olympic Athletic SC

Mohammed Issah, Coach of the winning team was grateful to God and his players for such a historic feat.

The Municipal F.A Coordinator, Mr. Abu Safianor Osmanu was pleased to witness a world class soccer performance. He pledged of the Assembly’s support for the Association to make it more competitive and formidable in the region.

He also assured that the best 25 players identified would be properly groomed for the regional games.

Amechichie Daniel Ayido, the representative of Togbe Kutor VIII and special guest of honour for the anniversary match, presented the trophy to the winners.

In all, the best goal keeper award went to Kamalu Issah of Hohoe City while Dogbe Nelson from Olympic Athletic SC took the goal king position with Segbedzi Charles of IFE taking the best player award.

Hohoe Municipal Juvenile Football Association was formed 7 years ago with a mission to reduce streetism, truancy and other social vices which an idle child might find himself in.

It bears the motto “Education through Sports”, implying that every player in all the registered teams must be regular at school.

The celebration was heralded by a float through the principal streets of Hohoe on July 21 followed by screening of team players on the 22^nd.

By: Kris Delali Asare/voltaonlinegh.com

PWDs in Nkwanta North Express Gratitude for Government’s Support

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Volta Online

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July 30, 2018

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Persons with disability (PWDs) numbering 60 in the Nkwanta North District of the Volta Region have expressed gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo and his New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for the continued support offered PWDs.

They expressed the appreciation when they received items procured by a percentage of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) allocated to PWDs.

The items ranging from deep freezers, corn mill, disability mobility tricycles, sewing machines, containers among others are to empower them improve on their livelihood.

Speaking after the presentation, Nkwanta North District Chief Executive, Jackson Jakayi said government is committed to empowering people living with disabilities be financially independent and to contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation.

He also indicated that the items were specifically requested by the beneficiaries after a need assessment.

“The government has instituted an instruction which the assembly uses to access and know what exactly they (PWDS) want. A committee was formed to go round and get the necessary information and based on the assessment conducted, the assembly arrived at these items.”

The DCE expressed hope that the items would be helpful in addressing specific problems since they requested the items themselves.

President of the Federation of Persons with Disability in the district, John Nanka, commended government on the initiative and stated that “this is a demonstration of government’s commitment to empowering people living with disabilities”

He assured that the items will be put to good use to benefit society and advised members to involve in activities which will sustain them without having to beg for alms.

By: Obrempongba K. Owusu/voltaonlinegh.com

Volta Regional Minister Tours Project Sites

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Volta Online

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July 29, 2018

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The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa has embarked on a day’s tour to some project sites in the region to inspect ongoing works.

The delegation started off the tour with a visit to Shia in the Ho municipality where he (the Minister) inspected an ongoing community water project which is being sponsored by the government of Spain expected to provide residents with more than 5 pipe stands at various points in the community.

The project (which is currently 35 per cent completed) will supply the community with 6600 gallons of water per day upon completion.

The Regional Minister also visited the only second cycle institution in the town, Shia Senior High Technical School where he interacted with the chiefs and authorities of the school on the infrastructural deficit the school is currently facing.

Dr. Letsa noted that several appeals have been made to the Ministry of Education to support the school and expressed hope that sod will be cut soon for an E-block and girls dormitory for the school.

He mentioned that as part of the free senior high school (SHS) programme, the school will also receive more than 250 beneficiaries this September.

Torgbe Dadzawa III, Paramount chief of Shia used the occasion to appeal for construction of a new school complex on a 25-hectare land donated by the community.

The Minister and his entourage proceeded to Awudome SHS in the Ho West District. He met with the school’s authorities and deliberated on means of addressing infrastructure challenges in the school.

RM being briefed by Awudome School authorities

Dr. Letsa after touring the campus to see some stalled projects and deplorable facilities in the school, reiterated his government’s commitment to second circle education in the country.

He assured that his office will liaise with the central government as well as the district assembly to ensure problems of infrastructure are addressed in the school before the end of his tenure as Minister.

The Minister’s entourage on the day included the Regional and Ho Municipal Education directors, municipal Chief executives, NADMO officials and executives of the ruling NPP.

By: Albert Kuzor/voltaonlinegh.com

Agric Dir. Advises Youth of Nkwanta South to Engage in Cashew Cultivation

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Volta Online

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July 29, 2018

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Director for Agriculture in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Volta Region, Mr. Cephas Akai has asked youth in the area to engage in cashew cultivation to enhance their livelihood.

According to him, the prospects of cashew cultivation surpass those of cocoa saying, cashew has a potential to accelerate the country’s economic growth.

This he said informed government’s decision to invest into cashew to increase production since cashew is identified as the ‘savanna cocoa’ which would contribute to increased foreign exchange for the country.

Mr. Akai made this known during the distribution of cashew seedlings to 600 farmers who applied and met the requirements in the Municipality.

Government under its Planting for Export and Rural Development is distributing cashew seedlings to interested farmers across the country.

Mr. Akai added that farmers who have received the seedlings would be enlightened on how to maintain the farm for good yields and assured of constant monitoring by technical officers to ensure success of the project.

Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), John Thasun, noted that the initiative by the government would create job opportunities and encouraged Ghanaians to venture into the agriculture sector.

He called on all to embrace the cashew programme to make available enough raw materials to propel government’s industrialization objective being implemented through the one district- one factory (1D1F) programme.

A farmer, Amenyo Batholomio thanked government for the free seedlings and appealed for farming equipment for the success of the project.

Madam Diana Kpolah, also a farmer encouraged colleague females to take advantage of the project to support their families and take care of their children’s education.

By: Obrempongba K. Owusu/voltaonlinegh.com

Cross-Border Traders Petition Government over Extortion

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Volta Online

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July 28, 2018

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A trader group, Volta Region Cross-Border Traders’ Association has called for investigations into the activities of a leader for an extortionist group, Maxwell Lugudor “who claims he operates under the instructions and supervision of the National Security Coordinator.”

According to the group, the activities of Maxwell Lugudor and his group have the tendency to deprive government of the needed revenue to undertake development projects in the country because some people have already resorted to taking unapproved routes to avoid being extorted.

At a media briefing to submit their petition to the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa on Friday, July 27 in Ho, Chairman of the group, Mr. Prosper Tagborlo accused Mr. Lugudor of using threats to extort huge sums of money from the members.

“Although our members pay more than 90% duties on their goods, the said Maxwell Lugudor has been extorting money from them under the threat of arresting them and confiscating their goods if they fail to pay him. He takes various sums of money, sometimes, Gh¢4,000.00 at other times, Gh¢10, 000.00, etc.”

The group is therefore calling on government to stop these activities else they will have no option than to join the others in passing the various unapproved roads which consequently will deny government of revenue.

The Regional Minister upon receiving the petition expressed disgust at the alleged activities of the said Maxwell Lugudor and promised to investigate for appropriate steps to be taken.

Meanwhile, he advised members of the group to alert the police any time such extortionists come their way.

By: Ewoenam Kpodo/voltaonlinegh.com

Pencils of Promise Builds Modern Classroom Block for Hohoe Bethel Methodist School

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Volta Online

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July 26, 2018

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Pencils of Promise, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) has commissioned a 6-unit classroom block with sanitation facilities to replace a wooden structure at Bethel Methodist Primary School, Gboxome in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony on Wdnesday, July 25, 2018, Mr. Anthony Kwashiga, a representative of the Director of Pencils of Promise said the main objective of the NGO is to create access to education.

He said the donation to the Methodist School is the 9th project completed by Pencils of Promise with 23 more ongoing in the municipality.

Mr. Kwashiga was grateful to the Municipal Assembly and the beneficiary communities for supporting their module of operation with the 20 per cent role they played in the building projects.

The Headmistress of the School, Madam Ruby Agbenu, called it “a dream come true” to have such an edifice on the school’s compound and revealed that the poor nature of the school has been the reason for low student population since the school’s establishment in 1995.

Madam Agbenu also asked for the implementation of School Feeding Programme in the school to motivate pupils from poor homes to stay in school.

Speaking on behalf of the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Kwadzo Mawugbe hinted that the Assembly has taken some measures to improve on education in the municipality.

Chief of Gboxome, Togbe Gboxo I who graced the occasion commended the teachers of the school for their commitment to duty despite the poor infrastructure at the school.

He admonished the municipal assembly for lack of efforts in fixing a footbridge frequently patronised by the pupils and waiting for disaster to happen before attending to it.

Bethel Methodist School which currently has a student population of 253 was established in 1995 as a missionary school with 6 boys and 20 girls to help increase membership of the church.

Though it was absorbed by government as a public school in 2001, it continued to operate in the wooden structure it started with without any support from government.

By: Kris Delali Asare/voltaonlinegh.com

Hohoe NASPA Supports Maths Education at Gbi-Kpeota Basic School

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July 26, 2018

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The Hohoe chapter of the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) has donated a draft board to the teachers and pupils of Gbi-Kpeota Basic School at Gi-Kpoeta in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta region.

Tuesday’s donation formed part of the 35th NASPA Week Celebration on the theme “Developing the Possibility”.

The donation was influenced by Organizer of Hohoe NASPA, Emmanuel Gligah who happens to teach in the school as a National Service person and realized the need for a draft board to enhance effective teaching and learning hence, such donation.

Addressing a cross section of the students, President of Hohoe NASPA, Azeez Adeshina Oscar advised the pupils to consider their books as a friend and focus on the need to strive to succeed in life through constant reading and learning.

Meanwhile, in receiving the item, a Mathematics teacher of the school, Mr. Mawuli Akpalu said the donation was timely and would go a long way to improve on mathematics education which would naturally raise the knowledge base of the pupils.

Abigail Abrah, Girl’s Prefect of the school expressed gratitude on behalf of the students

Headmistress of the school, Madam Teresa Kessah used the opportunity to call on the Municipal Chief Executive of Hohoe and other benevolent organizations or persons to come to the aid of the school so as to improve on its second best position in the Municipality after Presby Basic School at Ahado.

Gbi-Kpeota Basic School which has a population of about 453 from kindergarten to junior high, has some challenges.

Lack of funds has stalled the completion of a single unit class room block extension for over a year now while a 3-unit classroom block financed by school’s PTA lacks plastering and painting though it remains an essential infrastructure in the school.

Also, government’s intervention programme, the School Feeding Programme is not being implemented in the school with most of the pupils from extremely poor backgrounds, living with guardians and usually come to school on empty stomachs.

Report by: Kris Delali Asare/voltaonlinegh.com

Avance Media Awards Female Students in Nkwanta South Municipality

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Volta Online

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July 25, 2018

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Avance Media (1) — One of the Awardees receiving her prize

A non-governmental organization (NGO), Avance Media, has presented awards to 169 deserving female students in three second cycle schools in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Volta Region.

The students who were drawn from the Nkwanta Community Senior High Technical School, Nkwanta Senior High School and Kyabobo Girls Senior High School received award plaques with inscription “Be A Girl”.

The initiative is aimed at motivating young girls in underprivileged schools to take their lessons serious and work hard towards achieving academic excellence.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Managing Director of Avance Media, Prince Akpah, asserted that the educational gap between rural and urban Ghana contributes to the mass failure of candidates in examination in rural areas.

He added this informed a decision by his outfit to institutionalize an award scheme to recognize, motivate and mentor female students in rural areas.

Mr Akpah explained the awards would be categorized in leadership, sports and academic performances while awardees would be made mentors to guide and counsel their fellow female students.

He added that the award scheme would also curb school dropouts as academic underperformance of female students is one of the major contributing factors in the high number of female school dropouts countrywide.

“Most female students get demotivated when they realize they don’t perform well in their academics. The often give up on education and drop out, thinking education is not their field. We want to use this scheme to also tackle school dropouts by encouraging young girls to stay committed to their studies and learn for better results.”

The Headmaster for Nkwanta Senior High School, Paul Nyarko, expressed gratitude to Avance Media for the award scheme adding that it would propel academic performance in the school as well as improve on the standard of education in the Nkwanta South Municipality.

The Headmistress for Kyabobo Girls Senior High, Ms Venya Rebecca congratulated the award winners and advised them not to relent in their studies.

She hoped the success of the awardees would inspire other students to attain similar heights and be awarded as well.

The awardees expressed their profound gratitude to Avance Media and promised to improve on their academic performance.

By: Obrempongba K. Owusu/voltaonlinegh.com