Morkordze Classroom Block; a Disaster in Waiting

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June 23, 2018

The abandoned building which has developed cracks

An abandoned 3-unit classroom block at Morkordze D/A Primary School in the Anawusukope Electoral Area of South Tongu District in the Volta Region is a disaster waiting to strike with pupils and teachers of the school to bear the brunt.

Part of the building which has developed deep cracks requires little storm which comes along with heavy rainfalls lately, to come crashing down and put lives of a number of pupils in danger.

The school which is in need of classroom infrastructure and other teaching and learning materials, has two different building projects (3-unit classroom with an office and store-room each) stalled for a long time leaving pupils and teachers at the mercy of the weather.

One of the projects which was started in 2011 and is being funded by the District Assembly’s Common Fund (DACF), is on lintel level and has already developed deep cracks, an indication that the contractor responsible for that project did no good job.

The uncompleted building being used for classroom

The other, a GETFUND project which began in 2013 and currently serves as classrooms for the school is also not completed. Though it has been roofed, the building has no doors and windows.

The situation compels the school to close anytime it threatens to rain, thus, disrupting contact hours that pupils have to stay in class and learn.

Some managers of the school voltaonlinegh.com contacted preferred to remain tight-lipped on the matter.

Assemblyman of the area, Mr. George Kwesi Asafo in his reaction said he has on several occasions tabled the infrastructural challenges at Morkordze D/A Primary School before the Assembly for redress but no assistance has come to the school.

Until the Assembly and government finally comes to the rescue, it will only take the benevolence of philanthropists and citizens of Sokpoe Traditional Area to save the situation so as to secure the future of the children in the community and the other surrounding communities the school serves.

By: Ewoenam Kpodo/voltaonlinegh.com

Volta Handball Wraps up League on Saturday

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Volta Online

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June 23, 2018

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The Executives of Volta Regional Handball Association have set Saturday, June 23, 2018 for the final games of the ongoing Handball League to wrap up their maiden season.

The date was arrived at after consultations from the teams involved to have the two matches of the league, which ends the first round and the entire season league, played at the Ho Sports Stadium.

Stars of Asha female are expected to lock horns with Mawuli Senior High School (SHS) at 1:00pm. Mawuli will want to finish the league with at least a point as they languish at the bottom of the table, while Stars of Asha will love to keep a winning momentum, to finish the truncated league on a good note.

At 2:30pm, Stars of Asha male engages their neighbors, St. Prosper’s Senior High School (PROSCO) in what will be termed as a clash of the titans. It is going to be a game of glory and honour. A win for Stars of Asha sees them lifting the trophy. PROSCO will however not be pushed overs as a score margin could also win the trophy for them.

The Association, who are still working on making the league a better one next season, intend to begin early enough to avoid this season’s mishaps. The league which is made up of only one community team (Stars of Asha) is however hopeful of more teams.

With the wonderful sponsorship of former Black Hands goalkeeper, Patrick Norvor, the Association will be able to present trophies to deserving winners at a yet to be set date.

By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey/voltaonlinegh.com

Morkordze Residents Worry over Safety of High Tension Cables in the Community

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Volta Online

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June 22, 2018

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Residents of Morkordze, in the Anawusukope Electoral Area of South Tongu District in the Volta Region have expressed fears over the safety of some high tension cables in the area.

Their concern has to do with a high tension pole which runs from Gladisco passing through Morkordze to Agave which is at risk from a baobab tree, very close by with its branches spread just above the pole.

Speaking to voltaonlinegh.com during a visit to the community on Thursday, June 21, the residents expressed fear that there is the possibility of a disaster should the branches fall onto the cables causing them to tear.

Their fears follow the electrocution of three persons, a woman named Yaa Gayi said to be in her 50s and her two grandchildren aged 9 and 7 after heavy downpours in the community on Monday, June 18, 2018.

The incident happened when roofing sheets that got ripped off by rainstorm, peeled off the coat from an electric wire causing it to be electrified. Unfortunately, the victims in an attempt to seek refuge from the rains in another room, got electrocuted by the live wire.

The community has since been left in total blackout as the district power distributor cut power to the area to avert more disasters following Monday’s electrocution.

The building that got its roofing ripped off

Assemblyman for the area, George Kwesi Asafo in an interview with voltaonlinegh.com appealed to Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ada Operation District (under which the area falls) to visit the community and prune the branches of the baobab tree to forestall any danger.

According to him, he had earlier written to Ada ECG to inform them of the situation but it is taking them forever to heed to the call.

Meanwhile, Headman of the community, Mr James Azilaku, has been speaking with the engineer responsible from Ada ECG to reconnect power to the community.

By: Ewoenam Kpodo/voltaonlinegh.com

Aggrieved Teachers Debunk Govt’s claim of Clearing All Salary Arrears

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Volta Online

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June 20, 2018

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Education Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh

A group calling itself, Victims of Salary Arrears, (VOSA), has expressed disgust at the news making rounds that government has paid off all outstanding arrears owed teachers.

In a press release dated June 18, 2018, VOSA said claims that government has paid all arrears of teachers cannot be true, as there are more than 30,000 teachers whose salary arrears are locked up, with no hope that they will pe paid.

We want to state emphatically without mincing words that the government has not paid all the arrears as it had been reported in the media.”

“This unfair treatment of innocent Ghanaian teachers creates more apathy and lack of commitment which mostly reflect in the falling standards of education,” the release stated

The release comes on the heels of President Nana Akuffo-Addos statement on Saturday, June 16 at the 170th anniversary celebration of the Presbyterian College of Education, Akropong in the Eastern Region.

The president said government has cleared all arrears accrued between 2013 and 2016, owed teachers with respect to travel allowances, transfer grants and overtime allowances.

He added that government is no longer accruing arrears in addition to this years 11 per cent increase in basic salary for teachers.

VOSA said it holds no grudge with the president because he might have been ill informed on the situation to have come out publicly with that information.

“We think this posture of the president is misleading and a palpable betrayal of trust. Either he has been ill informed by GES or MOE or misled into making statements that do not reflect the realities on the ground. We may not blame our president too much because he is not in touch with whatever happens on the ground.”

It is however, disappointed in Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ministry of Education (MOE) for creating the impression that all is well instead of fighting the cause of teachers and by extension, ensuring high standards of education in the country.

VOSA therefore wants the media to disregard the information while calling on the government to pay all outstanding salary arrears with immediate effect to prevent the group from hitting the street and boycotting classes in protest.

By: Ewoenam Kpodo/voltaonlinegh.com

Video: The Adventure of Edem, Van Vicker & others at Wli Waterfall

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Volta Online

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June 20, 2018

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Tourism Ambassadors — Van Vicker, Edem & Lucky Mensah were part of the Tourism Minister's visit to some tourist sites in the Volta region

Showbiz icons, Van Vicker, Edem and Lucky Mensah, last weekend joined the Minister of Tourism, Madam Catherine Afeku on breathtaking adventure of the Wli Waterfalls in the Volta region.

The Waterfalls, situated some 20 kilometers from the municipal Capital of Hohoe, has been touted as a must-visit leisure spot for sightseers, which must be developed to its full potential.

The spectacle there is that of the waters of Agumatsa tumbling some 80 meters down, adulated and overcast by hordes of fruit bats.

Madam Afeku together with the celebrity-tourism ambassadors were of the opinion that, the nature site, could pull all the world to it.

It is a “global destination worth visiting,” Madam Afeku stated.

The tour was part of efforts to promote coastal tourism under the “say no to open defecation on beaches” campaign of the ministry.

The visit was also to evaluate and improve infrastructure and management of tourist sites in the Volta Region.

Musician, Edem said the site was a “place to be, indeed heaven, while Actor, Van Vicker asked, “who would not want to be here” and Lucky Mensah said,” there was no place like this in the world”.

Watch: Edem ‘throws’ Invite to his fans to visit Wli

The celebrities, who are to use their social media influence to promote the various tourist sites, wanted the Eastern Corridor roads completed quickly to boost number of visits to the falls.

The Minister in a chat with journalists said more celebrities would join in to serve as tourism ambassadors to speed up the development of the sector of the region.

She also said ways would be found to increase revenue generated at the Falls and have it ploughed back into its development.

Volta Region has high stakes in tourism with its waterfalls, rivers, beaches, mountains, coastline, game reserves and colonial vestiges among others.

Watch the Minister and the Celebrities Adventure of the Waterfalls

… when the ‘Homeboy’ showcased his drumming skills on the Borborbor drums at Wli

By: voltaonlinegh.com | Videos By CypressGH

South Tongu: Middle Aged Woman and Grandchildren Electrocuted

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Volta Online

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June 19, 2018

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Sokpoe Incident3 — The bodies of the deceased being conveyed into a police vehicle

Residents of Morkordze in the Anawusukope Electoral Area of the South Tongu District, have been devastated following the electrocution of a woman and her two grandchildren during a heavy downpour last Monday night.

The three, Yaa Gayi, said to be in her 50s, Mawulolo Dofey, 9 and Morkporkpor Dofey, 7 got electrocuted to death when they attempted walking in the flood water collected in the compound of their home during the heavy rains in the area.

Voltaonlinegh.com understands, the three were forced to leave their room to seek refuge from the rains in another room when strong winds ripped the aluminum roofing off the kitchen causing the rains to drip in.

Unfortunately, there was an electric cable that fell in the flood water during the cause of the rains and the victims, unaware of the consequences of this, walked in the flood and got electrocuted by the live wire.

The bodies of the deceased persons have been deposited at the Sogakofe Government Hospital pending autopsy.

By: Ewoenam Kpodo/voltaonlinegh.com

Youth Told to Remain Resolute in Their Endeavours

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Volta Online

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June 19, 2018

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A Clergyman has cautioned the youth to stay away from any activity that may result in chaos and confusion, in order not to be branded as agents of destruction.

Apostle General Emmanuel Astiko, Founder and Leader of Power Mission Church International (PMCI), was addressing the closing ceremony of a programme for over 650 children at the church’s headquarters on Monday, June 18, 2018 at Dzodze in the Volta Region.

The four-day programme was dubbed: “Youth – Future leaders of Ghana”.

Participants were drawn from six churches in the district. It was organised and sponsored by the Power Mission Church International.

He cautioned the youth to remain resolute and not to allow themselves, to be used to foment trouble and that they should also endeavour to live exemplary lives for their peer groups to emulate.

The “Man of God” observed that fomenting chaos and confusion to serve anyone’s political agenda, would not augur well for the country, and used the platform to ask the youth not to adhere to any programme by politicians that may cause mayhem.

He therefore, advised them to be law-abiding and work vigorously to project good image of the youth, adding, “Be resolute and say no to any form of actions that would mar your future career.”

He also cautioned Ghanaians to desist from undermining, backbiting and any other act, which could lead to litigation or conflicts, since the country need peace at all times, “before, during and after every election periods”.

Source: GNA

Wallahs Academy Holds 10th Graduation Ceremony

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Volta Online

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June 18, 2018

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Wallahs Academy Senior High School, a private senior high school in Ho, Volta Region has held the tenth graduation ceremony for its students on Saturday, June 16, 2018 on the school’s premises.

The graduation ceremony was held for 100 students, out of which 51 were males and 49 females for successful completion of their three-year senior high school programmes.

Wallahs Academy was established on 16th October, 2006 to provide an alternative for qualified junior high school graduates who could not gain admission into the public’s choked senoir high schools.

Though it started with nine students and seven teachers, it currently has a student population of over 440 and 40 workers made up of 19 non-teaching staff, and 21 teaching staff, superintended by a headmaster, an administrator, and three assistant headmasters.

The headmaster of the school, Frank Coffie Snr. thanked the almighty God for His grace and blessings for seeing the school through its ten years journey and asked for His continued protection.

He congratulated the students and urged them to let love lead them in all their activities to be able to give spiritual support to one another in times of need.

He encouraged them to always use the motto of the school as their walking stick and serve as good ambassadors of the school wherever they find themselves.

The Proprietor of the School, Maxwell Worlanyo Affram touted the achievements of the school saying, it has produced excellent students that contributed to the country’s human resource base since its establishment.

He said education is the bedrock of every developed country and urged government to continue to invest in the education of the citizenry while the private sector also plays it role in complementing government’s efforts.

The Volta Regional Director of Education, Madam Enyonam Afi Amafuga said the theme “Ten Years of Quality Private Senior High Education: Achievement, Challenges, and Prospects” could be described as very apt and appropriate.

According to her, it re-echoes the sacrifices and commitment that the management and other stakeholders in education, especially the government of the day have been making to ensure private education is very affordable in the country.

She said though there may be challenges, investment made in the educational sector to promote the growth and produce quality future leaders are evident.

She encouraged the continuing students to eschew all forms of social vices including pilfering, promiscuity, same sex relationship and other forms of ungodly act that would destroy their personal well-being and the social and moral fiber of the country’s cultural heritage.

Madam Amafuga noted that as students, their core objective is to learn hard so as to excel in their examination and called for the existence of a healthy relationship between the staff and the students to continuously promote the good image of the school.

The Outgoing School Prefect, Desmond Borbor on behalf of the graduands expressed appreciation to the staff for their selfless dedication and total commitment which made their dreams of having quality senior high education to come to pass.

By: Collins Anku/voltaonlinegh.com

Help to Transform Wli Falls-Tourism Minister Tells Chiefs

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Volta Online

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June 17, 2018

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Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Madam Catherine Afeku has called on traditional leaders and the management committee of Wli Waterfalls to support her and the Ministry to restructure the Waterfalls and make it Ghana’s tourism haven.

According to her, the Waterfalls remains one of the most preferred tourist destination sites despite its current dilapidated state, expressing hope that her planned interventions will no doubt, yield expected results.

The Wli Waterfalls, the highest waterfall in West Africa and known locally as Agumatsa Waterfalls – meaning, “Allow Me to Flow,” is located in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region.

Though the Falls attract tourists from across the world who flock there because of the stunning nature of the waterfall as well as the serene environment, management of the Falls fails to maintain the site to attract more tourists.

Madam Afeku who observed the poor conditions at the Falls including the absence of sanitary facility, rest stop among others as factors that turn away tourists from the Falls, asked for the support and cooperation from the chiefs and people to make the restructuring work.

The Minister made the call when she visited the Falls as part of a tour of some tourist sites in the region. She was accompanied by some officials from the Ministry and three tourist Ambassadors, Edem, Rapper, Lucky Mensah, Highlife Musician and Van Vicker, an Actor.

According to her, the situation at the Falls (similar to that of other tourist sites in the country) is as a result of poor management of revenues.

She explained that host communities of tourist sites have management committees who have employed tour guides and staff who collect revenues, part of which must be used to maintain the sites yet there is little to show for them.

This, she noted is not in the best interest of the communities, tourist sites, the tourists and the entire country.
Madam Afeku therefore mentioned that a new system will see the deployment of an automated payment system to maximise revenue generation.

Revenue generated would be shared among key stakeholders with majority been directed into improvement of the Waterfall and other facilities in the Wli enclave.

A Senior Tour Guide at the Waterfalls, Emmanuel Gblorkpor thanked the Minister for her plans to re-position the Falls and on behalf of the whole stakeholders of the site, pledged maximum support to the new arrangements.

By: Ewoenam Kpodo/voltaonlinegh.com

#NSMQ18: Sonrise SHS claims Supremacy over Opoku Ware SHS

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Volta Online

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June 16, 2018

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Sonrise Christian High School in Ho, the Volta regional capital, has claimed its fame at the ongoing National Science & Maths Quiz (NMSQ2018) by beating Opoku Ware School (OWASS) in a preliminary contest to secure a spot in the next stage of the competition.

Sonrise, who are debutant in the prestigious competition virtually railroaded through the final rounds of the contest, after trailing the Kumasi-based OWASS in the first three rounds to win the 13th preliminary stage contest, which also featured Berekum SHS from the Brong Ahafo region.

Team Sonrise took advantage of the wrong responses from OWASS to answer the third and fourth riddles to secure the historic feat, with 49 points as against Opoku Ware SHS and Berekum SHS’ 46 and 15 points respectively.

The school, which has now won the hearts of many, with netizens resorting to search engine Google to know more about the 13 year old private second cycle institution in the Volta region, is expected to make a strong case at the one-eighth stage with its newly acclaimed fame.

Prior to its debut at the NMSQ Festival, Sonrise SHS won their Volta Regional contest against St. Paul’s SHS, Nkwanta Community SHS and Kete Kratchi SHS.

Meanwhile, two other schools from the region have so far made to the next stage of the competition after winning their respective preliminary contests. They include, OLA Senior High School and St. Mary’s Seminary SHS, Lolobi.

OLA garnered 26 points to beat Ghanata SHS and Mim SHS, which both secured 25 and 10 points respectively; whereas St. Mary’s with 26 points also edged out Nkroful Agric SHS, 22 points and St. Ignatius of Loyola SHS, 20 points.

By: Voltaonlinegh.com|Photo Credit: NSMQ Facebook Page