Campaigns intensify; as Volta NPP goes to the Polls on Saturday

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April 18, 2018

The NPP Regional Office awash with various campaign banners ahead of Saturday’s Conference at Hohoe

Members of of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Volta region are gearing for their annual Conference slated for Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Hohoe.

A major agenda at this year’s conference will be the election of new Regional executive officers to steer the affairs of party in the political world bank of the biggest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Some 32 aspirants are on the campaign trail to secure the 10 executive positions of the party, after they have been cleared out of 36 aspirants by the Vetting committee chaired by Mr. Charles Agbontor.

Among them are five contenders for the Regional Chairmanship slot, which include, a former regional manager of defunct Ghana Telecom and a party patron, Mr Douglas Kirk Wagba, current regional organiser, Mr Makafui Kofi Woanyah, a financier of the party, Mr David Agubiga, a private legal practitioner, Mr Ken Anku, and a veteran party strategist, Rev. Johnson Avuletey.

The vice chairpersons’ slot has two persons vying for the first vice Chairman, and five contestants for Second Vice Chairman position, which includes Mr. Albert Bediako of the Ho Technical University.

Regional Secretary Joseph Homenya, seeking re-election

Incumbent Regional secretary, Joseph Homenya is being contested by two other, including Enoch Amegbletor, the current deputy Regional Communication director of the NPP for the Regional chief scribe slot.

Also, the incumbent Regional Treasurer, Mr. Joseph Denteh is being challenged by one other for the post, whiles, four candidates, including Emmanuel Korsi Bodja and the Regional director of NADMO, Divine Bosson are battling for the Regional Organizer slot.

Joseph Denteh, Regional Treasurer, seeking re-election

The current deputy Regional women Organizer, Hannah Ashade, is vying for the substantive Women organizer position with two others, as the Nasara Coordinator contest is between avid party communicator, Zain Suleman and three other aspirants.

However, the Regional Youth Organizer slot is for the grab of a sole candidate, King David Ninkab Nkabonam through a Yes or No endorse of the party delegates.

Campaign

With the election just in sight, all 32 aspirants have deployed various campaign strategies across the 26 constituencies in the region, so as to get the nod of the about 350 delegates come Saturday.

Incumbent Secretary, Joseph Homenya aka Joe Wallace with Treasurer, Joseph Denteh

VoltaOnlinegh.com sources within the camps of some key contestants, such the incumbent Secretary, Joseph Homenya and Treasurer, Joseph Denteh, are very confident of retaining their seats, due to their instrumentality in the execution of the ‘NPP’s Agenda 3/30 and Operation Eagle eye’ in the region during the 2016 elections, which saw some appreciable gains in the party’s popular votes and the snatching of a parliamentary seat, in the opposition NDC stronghold.

Nonetheless, Enoch Amegbletor, a contender for the Regional Secretary slot, is also hopeful of pulling a surprise at the polls. He believes his years of service to the party as communicator has resonated with the party grassroot to reward him with the Chief scribe job.

On his part, Mr. Albert Bediako, a contender for 2nd Vice chairmanship slot, is optimistic of wading off stiff competition from other contenders, who are mostly former constituency chairmen to emerge victorious.
The onetime banker, turn lecturer, believes the current dynamics in politicking, do not only require career politicians to steer the affairs of parties but also needs the vital contribution of intellectuals including academics like himself to reposition and market the NPP in particular for continuous electoral victories.

He is therefore hopeful the party delegates will elect him and other visionaries, to work hand-in-hand to gain for political grounds for the party in the region, whiles at the same time serving the best interest of the rank and file of the NPP.

Regarding the Regional Organizer job, political pundits pitch as a two horse race between Mr. Emmanuel Korsi Bodja and the NADMO director, Mr. Divine Bosson. Both candidates tout themselves as grassroot person who have always worked with the party’s rank and file across the various constituencies.

For Bodja, his duty as the director of elections for the NPP 2016 campaign, placed him in a better position to lead the mobilization and coordination of the party’s structures for an effective electioneering campaign and victory.

Nonetheless, Mr. Bosson is said to be leaving no stone unturned as he deploys his ‘Submarine strategies’ to outwit other contenders at the polls.

With the curtains gradually drawing down on the campaigns, the delegates of the NPP are now faced with a daunting task to elect the best of the the candidates to efficiently runs the affairs of the elephant party in the volta region, come Saturday.

By: Lambert Coffie/VoltaOnlinegh.com

Aflao Gets Rehabilitation Centre

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Volta Online

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April 17, 2018

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A German-based non-governmental organization (NGO), On The Move e.V., operating in the Volta Region has officially inaugurated Home of Brains, a rehabilitation and training centre for persons living with mental illness.

The modern facility sited in Aflao, capital of Ketu South Municipality is to give counseling, vocational/technical training, soft and social skills and rehabilitation to persons with mental health challenges free of charge.

The project which is the third initiative of the Organization is to take affected persons through 3 to 6 months rehabilitation process before discharging them. It is also aimed at discouraging stigmatization and discrimination of persons with mental illness and their families.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Rick Wolthusen, a Medical Doctor and Country Director, On The Move e.V.-Ghana, said over 300 persons had been treated over the past years and currently, eight patients have been admitted and will undergo their services.

He however, expressed worry over how mental illness is on the rise in the country yet less attention is being given to it.

“Mental illness is on the rise with more than 3 million affected Ghanaians and yet, looking at the Ghanaian health sector, with just three psychiatric hospitals (Accra, Pantang and Ankaful) and public perception of mental illness, one must come to the conclusion that mental health is still neglected for far too long.”

He appealed to the general public for substantial support for the Organisation to create a better world for recovered persons and not only to anticipate benefits from it.

“The community members should not only ask what the facility can do for them but also what they can do for Home of Brains and their communities.”

Deputy Director of Nursing Service, Volta Region Health Directorate, Vivian Nutassey, who toured the facility applauded the move and gave assurance of local partnership to Home of Brains.

The NGO’s initiatives in the region include: “Brain Awareness and Brain Cycles” project in 2015, renovation of Denu Health Centre and other forms of support to the Ketu South Municipal Hospital among others since 2012.

By: Albert Kuzor/voltaonlinegh.com

Police Hunt for Man Who Killed His Father

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Volta Online

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April 17, 2018

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The Hohoe District Police Command in the Volta Region has mounted a manhunt for a 32- year old Lucas Siayor for allegedly murdering his 74- year old father, Alfred Kwami Siayor.

Residents of Liati-Odumasi woke up to the news of the victim’s death on Saturday, April 14, 2018, hours after the deceased and the son, now on the run, quarreled.

Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP George Tuffour who spoke with voltaonlinegh.com on the incident said the Assembly member for the area, Mr Francis Dzidzovor lodged a complaint with the Police at Golokwati later that morning at 10:00am.

In his complaint, Mr Dzidzovor said on the night of April 13, about 09:30, the suspect picked up a quarrel with his father whose body was found in bed the next morning.

When the Police moved to the scene and found the lifeless body of the victim, he had swollen face with blood oozing out from his nostrils and mouth.

Items recovered from the murder scene included bloodstained pistol and a mattock stick.

DCOP Tuffour said the suspect, the only person staying with the father, has fled from home following his father’s murder.

He added that the Police has launched a search for the suspect and called on the public to come forth with vital information that can lead to the arrest of the suspect to help in investigations into the murder.

Meanwhile, body of the deceased has been deposited at the Margaret Marquette Hospital Mortuary at Kpando.

By: Ewoenam Kpodo/voltaonlinegh.com

Eastern Corridor Contractors to Resume Work in Two Weeks

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Volta Online

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April 16, 2018

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The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa has announced that contractors working on the Eastern Corridor Road and other roads started by the erstwhile administration have been instructed to go back to site within 14 days or lose their contract agreement.

Dr. Letsa said the roads have become impassable for both vehicles and other road users to ply, adding, the president is aware of the state of the Eastern Corridor Road hence making reference to it during the State of the Nation’s Address.

The Minister disclosed this when a Coalition of Transport Associations, Vehicle Owners and Civil Society Groups from the middle and northern belts of the Volta Region paid a courtesy call on him at the Volta Regional Coordinating Council.

Dr. Letsa said he got information from the Ghana Highway Authority that contractors including those working on cocoa roads have been asked to go back to site, saying, he would do his bit.

“What I have to do as a Regional Minister is to make sure that whatever we owed the contractors they are paid if not all, they receive some part payment so that they can also mobilize and go back to site as soon as possible”.

A petition signed by the Chairman of the Association, Mathew Agble, decried the poor nature of roads as greatly affecting the economic activities of a number of people and called on the President to deliver on his promises to get the road constructed.

“His Excellency we regret to say that the projects you have promised us to complete when you resume office have halted and this has virtually created a lot of inconveniences to all classes of people using that stretch of the road. Currently, most of the cars, busses and the trucks have been thrown out of business due to the poor nature of the road. Armed robbery is on the increase especially in the low coverage areas”.

The Coalition expressed deep concern about the deplorable state of roads in areas including Peki, Kpeve, Hohoe, Jasikan, Kadjebi, Dambai through Nkwanta and Damanko covering about twelve Municipal and District Assemblies of the region, saying, the roads are nothing but a death trap.

The statement continued that though the roads were not in good conditions prior to the coming into power of the current government, they were promised that roads already under construction shall be completed upon resumption of office.

“Yojur Excellency as a matter of urgency if nothing is not done about this Eastern Corridor Road which is the main route for carting timber, food stuffs, cocoa, and livestock among others to the cities, it will increase the already high cost of living in the country and impoverish the citizens of those areas,” it added.

By: Collins Anku/voltaonlinegh.com

Ho Market to Be Commissioned Soon

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Volta Online

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April 16, 2018

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The Ho Central Market in the Volta Regional Capital is set to be commissioned soon to boost business activities in the region.

The Project which is an initiative of Ghana Urban Management Pilot Project (GUMPP) comprising the Ho Central Market, a landfill site at Akrofu and a modern abattoir at Sokode has been completed and will be opened to the public in few weeks.

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa has said following the completion and resolution of a court case against the project, the facility will soon be commissioned to serve the purpose for which it was undertaken.

According to him, the commissioning of the market had delayed as a result of a court case by some market women and shop owners regarding disagreements on the allocation of the market stalls.

The Minister’s disclosure comes on the back of agitations from a group, Concerned Citizens of Volta, demanding explanations for reasons the current government led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo fails to complete and/or continue developmental projects started across the region by the erstwhile John Dramani Mahama government.

The Group in a petition presented to the regional minister at the Volta Regional Coordinating Council on Thursday, April 12, 2018, mentioned among other things, the Eastern Corridor Road, Sokode-Ho Dual Carriage Road, Sokode-UHAS Bye-Pass Dual Road, Ho Airport and the Ho Central Market projects, as examples.

Dr Letsa in response said, the market project is completed and the court case delaying its commissioning has been resolved, thus, the commissioning will take place in few weeks time.

“The Ho market is completed. You see there have been some court cases. The market women association and the shop owners had gone to court which caused a delay in the whole process and now that allocation had been completed, the Minister will come so that we commission the place. So in the next few weeks, that market should be operational.”

The GUMP project which started in the era of the previous government has the Kumasi, Tamale, Sekondi-Takoradi metropolises and Ho Municipality as beneficiaries with Agence France de Development (AFD) supporting the project with 40 million euros and a grant of 500,000 euros for its successful implementation.

By: Ewoenam Kpodo/voltaonlinegh.com

Ho Gutters Turn Refuse Dumps

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Volta Online

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April 13, 2018

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IMG_20180409_093850 — One of the Gutters Filled With Garbage

The problem of solid, liquid, and toxic-waste management believed to have come with urbanization in developing countries like Ghana is attributed to rapid growth in population and general indiscipline.

Though Urban Waste Management is drawing increasing attention, it is evident that too much garbage lies uncollected on the streets, and in the gutters of our cities with little being done to change the trend, outcomes of which include: inconvenience, environmental pollution, public health risk among others.

The latest city to face fast growing rate in filth generation is the Volta Regional capital, Ho, where gutters being filled with garbage is becoming a normal phenomenon. This condition many fear if not dealt with urgently will cover the entire city in filth.

Areas such as the drain between the OLA and Market road through Anlokordzi is an eyesaw. Another place of concern is the drainage near the Goil Filling Station around SIC. The Housing Foot Bridge between Market and Dome and the Taso Foot Bridge between Civic Centre and K.K. House also leave much to be desired.

A shoe mender, Ametame Manya expressed worry at the situation saying, “The issue has become a headache to those of us living around gutters in Ho because people collect waste from their homes and dump it into the gutters. When we are working during the day we find it very difficult to breathe because of the stench coming from the gutters.”

Douglas Tornyemayor, a tailor lamented that “We are suffering. People do take away (human waste) from their homes and drop it in the gutters making every place smell like faeces. We are afraid that when the rains come the city will flood.”

Senyegbe Etsoravanyo, a JHS 2 pupil said “as the raining season is fast approaching, we are scared; if care is not taken, the poor disposal of waste will lead to a high incidence of sanitation related illness, such as cholera, intestinal worms and typhoid.”

The Deputy Municipal Environmental Health Officer, Divine Sokah said his outfit has over the years taken steps to keep the city clean but yielded little results.

According to him, the office engaged in radio and house to house education on proper waste management and also implemented house to house distribution of waste bin in the Municipality. However, people were adamant to pay and collect the bins.

He said a bin goes for 30 Ghana Cedis per month so he is unable to understand why it is difficult for households to own a bin. He therefore, attributed the improper disposal to the perception of waste as an unwanted material with no intrinsic value.

Although Mr. Sokah said the office will continue to engage residents to effect behavioural change, he warned that his outfit had taken and will continue to take punitive measures against perpetrators explaining, first time offenders are given notice of abatement, secondly spot fine is charged and for the last resort, victim is arraigned before court.

He commended the two waste management companies in the Municipality, Zoomlion, and Zattis and Fellis for their hard work and called on all to collect the waste bin being distributed across the city for use to promote government’s clean Ghana Agenda.

By Collins Anku/voltaonlinegh.com

Sogakope Police Grabs Man for Robbery, Rape

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Volta Online

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April 13, 2018

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Police in Sogakope in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region have arrested a 27-year old suspected armed robber from Nugblevi, Akatsi, named William Tovor after confrontations with him at Kudzekope, a suburb of Sogakope.

The suspect, according to the Tongu Divisional Commander, Chief Supt. Dennis Fiakpui, on Wednesday Apri 11, 2018 at about 10:30pm, attacked the victims, Esther Mawusi Afaglo, a nurse, Miss Adabla, an Immigration Officer and Emma Tengey, a trader, all female resident at Kudzekope, suburb of Sogakope in their separate rooms.

He said the suspect, armed with locally manufactured pistol, used cement block to break the doors of two of his victims to gain access to their rooms.

The Divisional Commander said the suspect shot the right arm of the nurse and robbed her of her mobile phone then proceeded to shoot through the door of the Immigration officer hitting her abdomen.

For the third victim, the suspect went ahead to attack her in her room, dragged her into a nearby bush and raped her.

Chief Supt Fiakpui said police had information and quickly moved to the village to launch a manhunt for the suspect with the assistance of the community which led to his subsequent arrest.

Some items found on him included mobile phone belonging to the nurse, pistol and AAA cartridges, 7 live and 3 used empty cartridges at the scene.

Meanwhile, all the victims along with the suspect who sustained injuries during the scuffle with the police, have been sent to Sogakope Government Hospital and are responding to treatment.

Chief Supt. Dennis Fiakpui said his outfit will continue with investigations to apprehend other persons who might be operating with the suspect.

By Ewoenam Kpodo/voltaonlinegh.com

Volta Wheelchair Basketball Calls Out to Potential PWDs

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Volta Online

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April 8, 2018

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The Volta Wheelchair Basketball Association (VWBA) has called on persons with disability (PWDs) who have the potential to represent the region in the forthcoming Wheelchair Basketball Competition to register their names with the Association before the end of April.

The Association in a release signed by its Secretary, Mr. FKM Duhoe said PWDs who have the interest in the sports should come forward because it has secured sponsorship from major stakeholders including the Volta Regional Sports Authority, Volta Regional Coordinating Council and other allied agencies to champion the course of PWDs in the region.

According to the release, disability sports is one of the most effective advocacy tools in bringing about tremendous socioeconomic transformation and empowering many (PWDs) to fulfill their dreams.

The release further said the newly constituted Executive Board and Management team have vowed to do their possible best to ensure that Team Volta records success in the competition because opportunities have eluded the region for too long.

“It’s time to bring Volta Region to the national and international stage to make a statement to the world and persons with disability must rise up to this challenge. Everything possible is being done to ensure success.”

The Association disclosed that series of activities have been lined up towards the hosting of the Republic Day Tournament in the Region on July 1, 2018 and the subsequent National Sports Festival to be held in the Central Regional capital, Cape Coast.

Wheelchair Basketball was founded in 1948 after World War II by Dr. Tim Nugent to serve as recreational activity for veterans of the war who were in hospitals going through rehabilitation. The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) was formerly open to only World War II veterans but has now taken a global trend.

By: Collins Anku/voltaonlinegh.com

Adaklu Gets Fire Station

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Volta Online

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April 8, 2018

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The Ghana National Fire Service, GNFS has commissioned Fire and Rescue Station in Adaklu District of the Volta Region to tackle fire related issues.

The facility sited at the district capital, Waya is to address issues of fire outbreaks in the area as well as deliver on government’s commitment to establish fire stations in all districts across the country.

Speaking during the short ceremony to hand over the facility to the Assembly, the Chief Fire Officer, CFO Edwin Ekow Blankson said the move to build fire stations in every district throughout the country is to provide safety cover for the government’s one district-one factory (1D1F) program.

He said fire outbreaks continue to destroy lives and properties and in effect affected the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) over the years, thus, government has seen the need to prevent them by providing fire stations.

Mr. Blankson, therefore appealed to residents and traditional leaders to refrain from attempting to bail out culprits who are found guilty of fire related offences.

He charged the Fire Personnel at the newly built station to prioritise fire safety and education in the Adaklu area in order to help eradicate fire outbreaks and advised chiefs to regularly organise durbars for fire personnel in the area to educate the local folks on fire prevention.

Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Kwame Agbodza who expressed gratitude to the GNFS said he will provide a 10,000-litre water tank as an emergency source of water for the station and called on the government to continue to work on channeling water from Adidome to the district.

The Volta Regional Fire Officer, DCFO Daniella Mawuse Sarpong disclosed that 24 out of the 25 districts in the Region have fire stations and assured that the GNFS will work to ensure the last district, Ho West, gets a fire station by the close of 2018.

According to her, the Service will continue to procure the needed equipment to fight fires in a quest to achieve their vision which is to record 0% of fire in the country.

By: Albert Kuzor/voltaonlinegh.com

Volta NPP Elections: Four disqualified, 32 cleared to Contest

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Volta Online

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April 7, 2018

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The hopes of some four New Patriotic Party (NPP) members to contest executive positions of the party in the Volta region have been crushed ahead of the elections slated for the later part of April, 2018.

The individuals who have filed nominations to contest various positions in the governing party were disqualified after their vetting by a 3-member panel, put together by the national council of the NPP to supervise the elections.

The vetting which took place on March 26 and 27, 2018 saw a total of 36 aspirants appearing before the vetting panel chaired by Mr. Bob Charles Agbontor, with Mr. Ken Ayim and Madam Agnes Okudzeto as member,, of which the four persons were disqualified for varied reasons.

The unlucky four, included Mr. Kofi Boateng, a former Regional Secretary, vying for Regional Chairmanship position, Mr. Joseph Kwaku Wilberforce, a first Vice regional Chairman aspirant, Joy Kumfo, assistant regional Secretary aspirant and Lambert Sefadzi Ahiadzu, also vying for the regional treasurer position.

A report issued by the vetting committee and sighted by VoltaOnlinegh ascribed reasons such as , ‘Aspirant not being a registered voter in any constituency in the region; Aspirant not being a known and active party member in the last two years, as basis for the disqualification.

Also, some of the aspirants were said to have made false claims before the committee, in addition to misconducts deemed to have tarnished the image of the party or its leadership. The report also cited the insufficient experience of aspirant to hold certain very key and sensitive positions in the party for their disqualification.

Qualified Aspirants

Meanwhile, 32 aspirants have been cleared by the vetting committee to contest the ten regional executive positions of the NPP at the regional conference slated for April 24-27 2018 at Hohoe.

In all five aspirants are battling for the chairmanship slot, with two and five aspirants vying for the first and second vice chairmanship positions respectively. One of the second Vice chairmanship contenders, is Mr. Albert Bediako, a lecturer at the Ho Technical University and a communicator of the party.

For the Regional Secretary slot, incumbent Mr. Joseph Homenya is facing competition from two other persons, including the party deputy communication director, Enoch Amegbletor.

Below is the full list of candidates for the various positions

CHAIRMAN*
*1. MAKAFUI KOFI WOANYAH
*2. KEN ANKU
*3. DAVID APUGIBA ABALOR
*4. DOUGLAS KIRK WAGBA
*5. JOHNSON KWAME AVULETEY

1ST VICE CHAIRMAN*
*1. KOFI ADJEI NTIM
*2. STEPHEN BENYASEH ALEWABA

2ND VICE CHAIRMAN*
*1. ABDALLAH MOHAMMED SADIQ
*2. OHENE FRIMPONG SETH
*3.KORNU NANA KWAKU
*4. ALBERT BEDIAKO
*5. AWUDI GABRIEL

* SECRETARY*
*1. ENOCH KWABLA AMEGBLETOR
*2. INNOCENT LYNFORD KWESI TETTEH
*3. JOSEPH HOMENYA

ASSISTANT SECRETARY*
*1. JANET EMEFA OBRO- ADIBO
*2. JOSHUA MAKUBU
*4. RONALD KAYKAY KODZO FIAKPUI

TREASURER*
*1. JOHN CUDJO DUNYO
*3. JOSEPH DENTE

ORGANIZER*
*1. EMMANUEL KORSI BODJA
*2. NESTOR ATTAH OYEH
*3. SOLOMON K. BODZAH
*4. DIVINE BOSSON

WOMEN ORGANIZER*
*1. SRODA FIATTOR NYAE
*2. AFI AGYAGBO
*3. HANNAH ASHADE

YOUTH ORGANIZER*
*1. KING DAVID NINKAB NKABONAM

NASARA COORDINATOR
*1. ALIU BASHIRU SHARUBUTU
*2. ABUBAKAR ISSAKA
*3. ZAIN SULLEYMAN
*4. SHAMSU MUDASIRU

By: Lambert Coffie/VoltaOnlinegh.com