Volta Netball Selects Ten in First Justifier for Sports Festival

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June 13, 2018

The Volta Regional Netball Association has selected ten (10) players for further justification for this year’s National Sports Festival in Cape Coast. The selection followed the Association’s first Justifier held at the Adidome Senior High School (ADISEC).

The Justifier which came off on Sunday, June 10 saw 24 individual players from Keta-Blamezado, Sogakope, Ada, Tefle, Mawoekpo and other old students from Akatsi College of Education, Sogakope SHS, Adidome SHS, and Aviyeme Battor SHS. The 7 aside single sex game which begun in the early hours of Sunday, had Bernice Gakpey, Emefa Agboado, Isabella Asilevi, Gloria Azumah, Ruth Agyeman, and Joyce Narh. Others who completed the number included Lawrencia Dravi, Beatrice Deku, Queen Asinyo Doe and Bridget Misroameda.

Regional Chairman who doubles as the Volta Region P.E Coordinator, Bright B Dotse, Secretary Jack Adamah and other technical handlers were there to ensure they picked the best players.

Speaking to TalksenseSports, Regional Coordinator, Selorm Dusu said they will conclude the selection process in Ho at a yet to be set date, as the Northern zone cannot hold their Justifier due to busy schedules of the colleges.

Despite this challenge, the Association remained optimistic of getting the best players to represent the region in battling the rest for laurels.

“There is a little problem. The Northern zone made up of the colleges are now writing their exams so we can’t have the Justifier there, for this reason, we intend just picking the very good ones for the final selection at Ho. We also had information that the Inter Colleges Games will also take place around the Sports Festival date in Tamale and it will be a major problem for the team.”

“The Justifier went well, we had quite a number of players participating and we are expecting the other zones to have it. In short, everything was successful and it was also very competitive as we had individual players instead of clubs, and that was ok.” He added

This year’s Sports Festival at Cape Coast, comes off from July 29 to August 9, 2018.

By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey/voltaonlinegh.com

MTN Touts Achievements; As It Rounds up IPO Launch in Volta

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Volta Online

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June 12, 2018

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Telecoms giant, MTN Ghana has ended a nationwide launch of its Initial Public Offer (IPO) for subscribers and stakeholders at the Volta Regional Capital, Ho after successful launches in the other nine regions of the country.

The IPO which was officially launched on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 and expected to end on July 31, 2018 at 5pm would give Ghanaians and the general public the opportunity to own 35 per cent shares of MTN Ghana.

Speaking at the Regional launch on Tuesday, June 12, General Manager of MTN Business, Sam Addo said the offer is to allow the telecom company fulfill a regulatory obligation regarding the purchase of one of the 4G spectrum licenses in 2015 and would possibly be listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange on September 5, 2018.

“As many of you are already aware, MTN is listing its shares to meet conditions agreed in 2015 when it acquired the right for the 4G license. With Tuesday’s launch, we have made history as the first Telcom to be listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange at the conclusion of this exercise.”

He touted some achievements made so far by MTN in terms of being the first to introduce GSM technology, attain nationwide coverage, launch 3G, Mobile Money, Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Foundation and 4G Mobile services among others.

“We have more than 200,000 retailers and our Mobile Money service has contributed significantly to employment creation with jobs for over 100,000 merchant points across the country who received a total of about 50 million USD (GHS226m) as commission in 2017,” Mr. Addo added.

The Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Mr. Maxwell Blagogee who was the Guest of Honour at the launch commended the Board and Management of MTN Ghana for taking such a giant step to ensure 35 per cent of its shares is made available to Ghanaians.

He used the medium to appeal to Management of MTN to strive for 100% of their network coverage in the region to facilitate communication while asking for 3G technology to cover all the 25 administrative district capitals to ensure students have unhindered access to the internet for research among other things.

The telecom giant is hoping to raise an amount of GH¢347 million from 4.6 billion shares on offer at the cost of GHp75 per share.

The investing public can buy their shares from some selected banks, Selected MTN Ghana branches, IC Securities (Ghana) Limited, and through mobile money. Alternatively, one can enter the URL, mtnghanashares.com to purchase the shares.

By: Ewoenam Kpodo/voltaonlinegh.com

CWSA Gets Office in North Dayi; Mgt Board Inaugurated

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Volta Online

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June 12, 2018

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The DCE (middle) in a chat with an official from CWSA

The North Dayi District Assembly has provided an office space for Community Water and Sanitation (CWSA) Management Team at Vakpo to facilitate the team’s work in the district.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area, Mr. Kudjoh Attah in a speech at a brief ceremony on Monday, June 11, 2018 to inaugurate the team appreciated the importance of CWSA and expressed his age-long worry about acute shortage of water that has plagued some parts of the district especially Vakpo.

He charged the staff to be hardworking and dedicated to duty so as to bring efficiency in the management of the community water system and also admonished the members of the community to cooperate and assist the team to deliver on its mandate.

Mr. Kudjoh Attah seized the opportunity to express his heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Executive Officer of CWSA, Mr Worlanyo and the Regional Director of CWSA Engineer Dugbartey for their personal roles in ensuring that his dream of solving Vakpo water problem becomes a reality.

According to him, that was the first of its kind and could only be realised under Nana Addo’s sensitive government and asked for God’s blessing for the team.

The Regional Director of CWSA on his part, assured the gathering of the readiness of his team to deliver on its core mandates. He however, appealed for the support of the district assembly and traditional authorities for efficiency.

Paramount Chief of Vakpo Traditional Area, Togbega Gbogbolulu V expressed the preparedness of the Council and the community to support the team through various means to ensure that they live in peace, tranquility and harmony with the local folks.

Various speakers at the event praised the DCE for his foresight and commitment to serve his people and prayed for God’s guidance and protection over his life.

The programme also saw in attendance traditonal leaders, newly recruited staff of the CWSA, assembly members and some party executives among others.

By: Ewoenam Kpodo/voltaonlinegh.com

Ho: Crime Victims raise Red flag over Alleged Police shielding of Suspects

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Volta Online

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June 12, 2018

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Credible information reaching the news desk of Voltaonlinegh.com has revealed some unhealthy happenings within the Ho municipality, which sort to impugn the professional integrity of both Municipal and Regional commands of the Ghana Police Service.

The information pointed to the activities of two suspected criminals in town who claimed to have secured immunity against their prosecution for some offences they have been charged with.

Voltaonlinegh.com gathered the suspects, Philip Ganya, 43 and Fafali Fumey age 35, were arrested in the latter part of 2017 by personnel from the Municipal Police command at Anlokordzi -Kpakome, a notorious suburb of Ho, for their involvement in series of robberies in the municipality.

According to the sources “Ganya was arrested around August last year and he was found with India hemp and a locally manufactured pistol. Fafali on the other hand, was found with similar items including live cartridges when the police arrested him in November on his motor bike.”

Although both suspects are currently facing trial at the Ho circuit court, there seems to be some behind the scene maneuverings to get the case aborted, the sources revealed.

Some worried crime victims also narrated to this news portal, about how the suspects who are on bail have been going round the vicinity, claiming to have strong connections with some senior police officers, whose intervention would aid them evade justice.

It therefore came as a joy to suspects, Ganya and Fafali, when a mysterious fire gutted the chamber of the trial judge in the early hours of Monday, March 12, 2018, in which a number of document, including dockets were destroyed, one of the impeccable sources narrated to Voltaonlinegh.com.

The source however added that, the said joy was truncated when the two appeared before the court later that month and the trial judge announced to them that, their docket was intact and as such the trial would continue unabated.

Since then, however, no progress has been made with the trial due to the absence of police investigators in court to give evidence. A situation, Voltaonlinegh.com understands, compelled the court to adjourn the trial on at least two occasions.

Further checks by this news portal seem to lend credence to the claims of the two suspects, as the absence of the investigators in court was somewhat linked to an ‘order from above,’ warning the law enforcers not to go and testify against the suspects.

Strenuous attempts by Voltaonlinegh.com to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the claims of the crime victims have not been successful, even though sources at the Ho Municipal Police command confirmed the ongoing prosecution of the said suspects.

By: Voltaonlinegh.com

EC Impasse would create Constitutional Crisis-General Mosquito Predicts

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Volta Online

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June 11, 2018

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The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has predicted a constitutional crisis for the country if the protracted tension at the Electoral Commission (EC) is not resolved immediately.

According to him, the impasse at the election management body had obstructed the undertaking of crucial decisions and actions that should have been made after the 2016 general election.

Addressing members of the NDC at Aflao in the Ketu South District in the Volta Region, Mr Asiedu Nketia said the issues plaguing the commission must be a major worry to Ghanaians.

“My fear is that we will get so close to the next general election and there will be too many things yet undone, and if we are not careful, we are leading this nation into a constitutional crisis. We have been warned not to speak for fear of being cited for contempt. If there is anything leading us into crisis, I will prefer to talk about it and risk being cited for contempt than keeping quiet.

“Whatever is happening at the EC must happen quickly enough so they can look forward and undertake their activities before Election 2020 because the alternative will be a chaotic election; and Ghanaians are not ready for that. We demand that the results of the 2016 general election be gazetted,” he said.

Expedite resolution

He, therefore, called for quick resolution of the troubles at the EC in order not to create a constitutional crisis in the country.

Mr Nketia indicated that almost two years after the 2016 elections, the commission was yet to meet stakeholders to review the activities of that year and also plan for the next election cycle.

“Our EC has been stampeded into a situation of inactivity, as we speak now, what they need to do to bring the 2016 elections to conclusion; to review what went wrong in 2016 has never happened. And yet we’re moving gradually to the next election, all the preparatory work that ought to have started two years ago have not been done. My fear is that, we’ll get so close to the next election and there will be too many things left undone and I can assure, if we are not careful, we’re moving this country into a constitutional crisis,” he stated.

He also appealed to the National Identification Authority (NIA) to include more means of identity for the Ghana card instead of restricting themselves to passports and birth certificates.

Background

The EC boss Mrs Charlotte Osei, and two of her deputies have been engrossed in public disagreement over how affairs are conducted at the commission.

Both sides have accused each other of incompetence and financial impropriety. A petition sent to the President for the dismissal of the commissioners is being considered by a committee set up by the Chief Justice, as Ghana’s Constitution demands.

Credit: Daily Graphic

Volta region will get Undiluted Attention under Next NDC Gov’t – Mahama

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Volta Online

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June 11, 2018

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NDC UNITY WALK (1) — Former President Mahama speaking at the Unity Walk

Former President, John Dramani Mahama has promised the people of the Volta region that, a new government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will give undiluted attention to the developmental needs of the region.

According to him, the region, which has been the political world bank of the party, deserved a better deal in term of development from an NDC government, as the bird that lays the golden egg.

Mr. Mahama who was speaking at the final Unity walk of the party at Aflao Victory Park in the Ketu South constituency on Saturday, said irrespective of whoever leads the next NDC government, the party will firmly keep to this promise.

“I want to make a commitment to you that, whoever leads a new NDC government in 2021 would be committed wholly to the development of the region,” he said, while touting some legacies of the NDC government in the region, under his leadership including the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS).

Mr. Mahama however bemoaned the current government’s neglect of some road projects, initiated by his administration and stated that, “we did a lot of work in the extension of water and road construction. All the roads that we started have come to a standstill and my heart bleeds for the Eastern corridor road. However long it takes, I assure you that the next NDC government will come and finish that Eastern corridor road.”

The walk, which started from Tokor through Denu to Aflao, brought together several hundreds of party supporters from various constituencies with their leadership from the region and national, as well ex appointees and parliamentarians.

The gathering was also used to take dig at the Akufo-Addo led NPP administration, with and Flagbearer hopeful, Mr. Ekow Spio Gabrah use the describing it as a deceitful government, which was failing to fulfill its promises to Ghanaians.

According to him “They promised us, one district, one factory, one constituency, one factory; can you point to one of those factories in the Volta region, what about the million dollar? These should tell you that, the NPP is failing and only bringing hardship to pockets of Ghanaians.”

He therefore entreated the NDC’s rank and file to be steadfast, as the party was party rising from the defeats of the 2016 general elections and undergoing a reorganization to enable it recapture power in the 2020 elections.

The NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah on his part called for expedite resolution of the impasse at the Electoral Commission in order not to create a constitutional crisis in the country.

Mr. Nketiah indicated that, almost two years after the 2016 elections, the commission was yet to meet stakeholders to review the activities of that year and also plan for the next election cycle.

“My fear is that, we’ll get so close to the next election and there will be too many things left undone and I can assure, if we are not careful, we’re moving this country into a constitutional crisis,” he stated.

By: Voltaonlinegh.com

Over 200 Newly trained Teachers graduate from Franco

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Volta Online

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June 11, 2018

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The St. Francis College of Education at Hohoe has awarded Diploma in Basic Education Certificate to over 200 newly trained teachers.

The certificates were presented to the new teachers made up of 73 females and 182 males during the College’s 11th Congregation held on the School’s premises.

Mr. Raphael Kodzo Kwashie, the College’s Principal, commended the graduates for their academic performance and advised them to be self-disciplined in their field of work.

“My graduates, I don’t have many things to tell you but what I want to say briefly is that the world is a very big but place, be nice to people be humble, stand for the truth at all times, and above all don’t forget your God” he said.

He said the College, since its establishment over hundred years ago had provided sound academic and morale training to its trainees, who are serving in various sectors of the country.

“The College continues to turn out students with fantastic results, in the maiden Diploma in Basic Education Examination results in 2007, Franco top all the 38 public college of education then by placing first, with the introduction of excellent award by University of Cape Coast (UCC) the list is never complete without the names of Franco students”

Mr. Kwashie stressed that despite the success, the College over the years have been battling with inadequate infrastructures, unavailability of school bus and poor road network within the campus.

He however appealed to government agencies to come to the aid of the School in providing these needs, mostly the GetFund Authority to complete some stalled facilities to house more students.

A High Court Judge, Justin Kofi Dorgu, who represented the Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo as the guest speaker, advised the new teachers to exhibit the knowledge acquired to raise responsible future leaders, saying “you should be role model of everybody, the letter writer, the interpreter, the mediator and a linguist to the chief” he said.

He also called on them to serve as a mouthpiece of security to help reduce criminal and conflict relates issues in the various educational institutions they would be posted.

The Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive, Andrew Teddy Ofori assured that, the challenges at College would be forwarded to the appropriate quarters for redress.

Five of the graduands were also honoured for their sterling performances, they include Best Behaved Student (Class of 2017) Donkor Ernest, Most Innovative Student, Agbador Larry Kofi, Best Student in General Studies Programme, Vita Samuel, Best Student in Science/Maths Programme and the 2017 Best Graduating Student goes to Seddoh Onorion Raul.

By: Albert Kuzor/ Voltaonlinegh.com

Petroleum C’ssion Court Stakeholders’ Backing for Keta Basin Exploration

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Volta Online

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June 10, 2018

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EPA Engagement (3) — Relationship Manager at Petroleum Commission, Judith Blay

The Relationship Manager at the Petroleum Commission, Madam Judith Blay has appealed to the media and civil society organizations (CSOs) to support the oil exploration in the Keta Delta Block.

According to her, when oil and gas is discovered and eventually production commences in commercial quantities in the area, the various regulatory bodies especially the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Petroleum Commission will monitor to ensure the oil firm, Swiss African Company which has been awarded the block, complies with regulations to benefit the community members and the country.

Madam Blay was speaking to the media, CSOs, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) at the final day of the five-day public hearing organized by the EPA from Monday, June 4 to Friday, June 8 to illicit concerns and expectations from the citizens in the four districts that make up the Keta Delta Block.

The Public Hearing which was in accordance with the Environmental Assessment Regulations 1991, LI 1652 (Regulation 17) has become necessary after government in 2016 awarded the Block stretching from Ketu South, Keta, South Tongu and Ada East to the oil firm to explore for oil.

Read: Residents Express Apprehension over Keta Basin Exploration

Chiefs and people of the area had earlier expressed apprehension on the proposed onshore and offshore exploration of oil in the Keta Delta Block saying, it would affect the environment and invariably, impact on their livelihood.

The citizens also feared that they might not profit from the proceeds of the oil when production starts with others citing the construction of Akosombo Dam decades ago with its attendant harms to Lower Volta without compensations.

Madam Blay however allayed such fears, stating that Ghana has learnt her lessons and the issues of Niger Delta will not happen in Keta Delta Block or any part of the country.

She also assured that the regulatory bodies will ensure there are employment avenues, local content and major development projects in the host community so that the company does not take advantage of them.

She therefore, urged all stakeholders to collaborate with the regulatory bodies and support the exploration to be successful and be watchdogs when the production begins so that the oil will be a blessing and not a curse to the host community and Ghana.

Mr. Kodzo Agbenor-Efunam, Deputy Director, Oil and Gas at EPA clarified that no company has been given permit to produce oil in the area but to search for oil (exploration) which will be regulated so that it does not cause any damage to the environment.

He emphasized that should the oil be found (which he prayed for because of the benefits to the communities), the Agency will continue to engage the public to illicit their concerns before giving the permit for any production activities.

Chairman of the Independent Panel on the Keta Delta Block, Prof. Sandow Mark Yidana, and Department of Earth Science at the University of Ghana thanked everyone who participated in the Public Hearing. He assured that all genuine concerns including environment and livelihood will be compiled and presented to the appropriate quarters for redress and then brought back to the communities for further deliberations.

The weeklong stakeholders engagement was given extensive online coverage by PenPlusBytes, an NGO which has done extensive media training in oil and gas, with support from Voltaonlinegh.com via their social media handles @penplusbytes @oilgasghana @voltaonlinegh

By: Ewoenam Kpodo/voltaonlinegh.com

Handball: Volta Handball League to End at First Round

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Volta Online

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June 9, 2018

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The Volta Regional Handball Association has decided to end the first edition of their league in the first round due to the unavailability of players from the various teams.

At a meeting with Stakeholders in Ho on Wednesday, June 6, all agreed that the league ends just with the first round, so that proper preparations will be made for the start of the second edition to avoid repeating this seasons mishaps.

The league which mainly has Senior High School (SHS) teams have seen most of the players completing school, leaving the Coaches/Managers with no option to continue league matches as they are yet to groom new players.

With the consensus of all present at the meeting yesterday, the last matches for both male and female categories will be played at a yet to be set date, conducive for all.

Stars of Asha male play Prosco, while Stars of Asha female battle for a second spot in a match against Mawuli School.

Saint Teresa’s College of Education, (Teresco) by virtue of the decision will be declared winners of the female category as they lead with 6 points. Stars of Asha (SOA) male will however have upper hand over Ho Technical University (HTU) should they win their match against Prosco, who are with 2 points behind SOA and HTU.

The Association who received trophies from former Black hands goalkeeper, Patrick Norvor will then set another date to present the trophies to the winners of the league. With the interest of other schools to participate in the league, the Association intends to prepare to start another season in October 2018 and end before the Academic year ends.

The VRHA have however set July 24 to select players for the upcoming Sports Festival in Cape Coast. Volta Handball hopes to do better than last year’s achievement, winning bronze in both categories in Kumasi.

By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey/Voltaonlinegh.com

Freddie Blay rounds up NPP Chairmanship Campaign in Volta

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Volta Online

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June 9, 2018

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The Acting National chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party, Mr. Freddie Blay has embarked on a two-day campaign tour in the Volta region ahead of the party’s national executives elections.

Mr. Blay who is vying for the substantive chairmanship position, with his entourage began the tour at Sogakope, in the South Tongu constituency, where he met and interacted with more than 200 party delegates from seven constituencies within the southern part of the region, such as Central and North Tongu Constituencies, Keta, Ketu South, Akatsi North and among others.

Campaign Message

Speaking at a conference with the constituency executives after the campaign team was given a rousing welcome on the streets of Sogakope, Mr. Sylvester Tetteh, the campaign manager said, Freddie Blay is the only outstanding aspirant who can lead the NPP government to remain in power when voted to man the affairs of the party.

He explained saying, Mr. Blay after his political career with the CPP joined the NPP when it was in opposition, adding that, his boss have worked so hard over the years for the party and that has resulted in the party’s victory in the 2016 general elections, and advised the gathering to vote for Freddie Blay for the forward march of the party.

Mr. Blay, adding to his campaign manager indicated that, the government is committed to revamping collapsed textiles companies across the country, therefore when voted to maintain the chairmanship, he would create opportunities in the textile industries for the party faithful mostly women to trade the textile products.

The team later moved to Ho, where he had an interaction with Media Practitioners after a closed-door meeting with more than five constituencies Central zone of the region, and among are Ho, North Dayi, Afadzato South, Ho West and South Dayi.

Mr. Blay, disclosed to the Media that, the promised one buss per one constituency, making 275 buses will soon arrive at the Tema port and will be entrusted to a well-established Transport company to manage.

He explained that, the buses upon given to the Transport Company will work to generate revenues for the party at constituency level, which will help the party at such levels to ease financial difficulties, he added that, reason to procure the buses is to make NPP a self-financing political party.

Volta North

The acting chairman and his team, went on the campaign trail to the Volta North on the second day, starting at Borae in Krachi East, He was warmly welcomed by the delegates and other party members with a call for pickups and motorbikes to ease poor transportation in the their constituencies.

Some executives from Krachi East, Dambai and Nchumuru, appealed to the chairman to lobby motorbikes for the party officers and at least one pickup for the offices to enable smooth operations in their communities most of which are hinterlands.

They however, praised Mr. Blay for what they described as his tremendous efforts which has led the party to victory and pledged to vote for him massively.

Mr.Blay in a response, promised to procure the three pickups, the motorbikes and in addition with the one bus per constituency initiation, explaining that his efforts has made available 6,000 motorbikes and 300 pickups during the campaign period for the 2016 elections and when given the nod to continue leading the party, he would procure more motorbikes and vehicles out of which their demands will be met.

At Kadjebi, the team met some constituencies executives who were enthusiastic about the chairman, they also appealed for well resourcing of the party at grassroots and job opportunities when their votes declare him to maintain the chairmanship.

Also at Hohoe, the chairman promised to establish a pro NPP radio Station to preach messages of the party and also to serve as a source of revenues.

This came to light when party communicators lamented about poor communication systems in the area, they lamented that most of the radio within the area are owned and manage by the opposition NDC party, thus has given them less propagating.

Freddie Blay, who showed concern about the complaints, said he would establish the station before 2020 campaigns begins to battle their opponents. He added that the NPP party needs strong advocates and when elected into office, he will ensure it happens to enable the government to remain in power for more terms.

The election

The ruling party [NPP], last month opened nominations for interested aspirants to contest for the party’s national positions, for which five persons are contesting the chairmanship position, they include acting chairman of the NPP, Freddie Worsemawu Blay, Alhaji Abubakar Abdul-Rahman, Stephen Ayensu Ntim, Dr Richard Amoako Baah and David Kankam Boadu, along the way Alhaji Abubakar Abdul-Rahman popularly known as Alhaji Short has withdrawn himself from the race. The election is scheduled to be held on July 7 and 8.

The tour

The campaign trail in the region was graced by the Regional Party Organizer, Emmanuel Kosi Bodja, 1st Vice Chairman, Adjei Ntim, Women Organizer and other party faithful, and was figured out that, the party’s delegates in all the constituencies are in support of the acting chairman and at the various gathering Freddie Blay was assured of massive votes.

By: Albert Kuzor/Voltaonlinegh.com