Bishop Emeritus Anthony Adanuty

Bishop Adanuty who was said to have tendered in his resignation a year ago, after  attaining  the ‘ canonical’ age of 75 years, had his resignation confirmed by the Pope on Thursday, April 7, 2016.

A brief statement from the Vatican to the church in Ghana stated, “the Holy Father, on 7th April 2016, accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Keta-Akatsi (Ghana), presented by His Excellency Most Rev. Anthony Kwami Adanuty, in accordance with Canon 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law.”

The statement also  announced the Bishop of the Ho Catholic diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu  as interim head of the Keta-Akatsi diocese. “The  Holy Father has accordingly appointed His Excellency Most Rev. Emmanuel Fianu, S.V.D., Bishop of Ho (Ghana) as Apostolic Administrator for the sede vacant et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the same Diocese.”

Bishop Emmanuel Fianu

The Canon Law, which is the body of laws and regulations that governs the Roman Catholic Church, states that ‘a diocesan Bishop who has completed  his seventy-fifth year of age is requested  to offer his  resignation from office  to the Supreme Pontiff, who, taking  all the circumstances  into account, will make provision accordingly.”

Most Rev.  Adanuty, who is the Vice President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, was elected Bishop  in December 1994 and has been in charge of  the Keta-Akatsi Catholic diocese, which was carved out of the then Keta-Ho diocese in 1995. With the pontifical approval of his resignation, Bishop Adanuty formally begins his retirement as a ‘Bishop Emeritus.’

Source: @Lambert_Coffie/Voltaonlinegh 

Mr. Wokanya (in white) taking the oath of office

Mr. Alfred Kofi Wukanya, a retired teacher of the Nkwanta Senior High School has been confirmed as the new District Chief Executive for the Nkwanta South district in the Volta region.

He polled 34  votes  to secure the mandate of the 42 member assembly at an emergency meeting held at the district assembly hall on Tuesday.

Mr. Wukanya who was nominated in November last year by President Mahama to replace the late DCE, Peter Kojo Kenyenso, had his confirmation delayed for several months due to some unresolved ‘security issues,’ according to the Regional Minister, Helen Ntoso. The district has been without a substantive chief Executive, following the gruesome murder of Mr. Kenyenso in November, 2014.

The delay, also compelled  some youth of the governing NDC who went on protest two weeks ago and locked up the party’s office in the area over the seemingly inaction of the party executives.

Speaking to pressmen after his approval, the new DCE pledged to foster peaceful coexistence among the various tribes in the area and also work hand-in-hand with all stakeholders to ensure sustainable development in the district.

“I will use felt-need approach in delivering projects to the various communities in consultation with the assembly members, Chiefs and opinions leader,” Mr. Wukanya indicated.

The Deputy Volta regional minister, Mr. Francis Ganyaglo on his part called for maximum cooperation and support among stakeholders and the assembly in delivering President’s better Ghana Agenda in the area.

Source: Voltaonlinegh/@Lambert_coffie

The Ho Jubilee Park is set to  come alive this weekend, as  the 2016 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) nominees jamz train makes a stop over at the Volta regional capital. 

The event, which is the first of its kind to hit the capital will parade the  hit makers in the Ghanaian Music industry on one stage to  treat  patrons with electrifying performances come Saturday night.

Top on the bill for the night are  ‘sons of the soil’, Edem, EL and Stonebouy, the 2015  VGMA reigning Artiste. Gospel greats S.P. Kofi Sarpong and Patience Nyarko, Wisa of ‘ekiki me’ fame, ‘Ye wo krom’ hit maker, Atom, Jupiter, and ‘King of the Street’ Kwaw Kesse.

An array of budding artistes from region, including  Hecta, Enamily, Keeny Ice, Kula, Agbeshie, Belce, as well as the Dorttyard ‘commandos’, Kush Elikem, Woyram, Mystro, and Kweku BiZkiT will also mount stage to showcase their lyrical prowess to the nation at the official Pre VGMA Party of the year, which will be cohosted by Sizzla One, of Kekeli Radio in Ho.

 The VGMA  2016 Unsung artistes will also have their debut at the event to prove which of them deserves to perform at the main event slated for Saturday, May 7 at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).

Public Relations Manager for Charterhouse, organizers of the VGMAs, George Quaye told Bright Ellis, Host of Ultimate Drive on KUUL FM on Friday that, patrons should expect nothing short of spectacular  performances from artistes on bill.

He said the rationale behind the nominees jams was to give music fans the chance to celebrate Ghanaian music and have a feel of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards experience  before the main event. ‘Tomorrow is a big day for Ghanaian music and the people of Volta region should be ready to party with their favorite artistes at the Jubilee park in Ho.”

The VGMA nominees jams train, which has been  to Accra, Koforidua, Kumasi, Tamale and Cape Coast in the past years, according George Oquaye also gives the platform to  ‘Home base’ artistes to exhibit their talents. “The idea is to give this local Acts, the exposure to sell their talents to the world and I expect an exhilarating performances from them,” he noted in the interview.  

As of the time of this report, the event crew members were at the Jubilee park feverishly setting up for the big party scheduled for 7:00PM on Saturday. 

The  2016  VGMA which   is sponsored by Vodafone, is on the theme, “Let the Music Play Live” and has  28 categories up for grabs.

Source: @Lambert_Coffie/ VoltaOnlinegh

Mr. Amewu (M) addressing the press

The Leadership of the opposition New Patriotic Party in the Volta region has defended the party’s development  records  in the region during  the eight years tenure of the Kufour -led government between 2001 and 2009.

According to the NPP, the Volta region under the President Kufour’s administration, has witnessed monumental development projects and programmes in various sectors including roads, education, water and health among others. 

The party  was reacting to comments by President Mahama that, the NPP has nothing to show in terms of development in the region during their tenure in power. The president at a durbar of Chiefs and people of Anlo last weekend also stated that, the NDC party is responsible for all the massive projects that the Volta region since the inception of the fourth republic.

But addressing the press in Ho on Wednesday, the regional chairman of NPP, Mr. John Peter Amewu described the President’s claims as false and diversionary, citing  the ‘massive infrastructure development at the Ho Polytechnic, extension of potable water to more than 15 towns and villages within the southern sector as well as the construction of the Keta Sea defense project’ as some of the projects the NPP executed in the region.

He  also noted that in addition to the numerous social intervention programmes such as the National Health Insurance Scheme, the Metro Mass transit system, the NPP also constructed various road in the region including  the  ‘Tema-Sogakope, Sogakope-Adidome, Kpando -Worawora, Dzidziso-Pepesu.’

Mr. Amewu stated that, despite  the massive support the governing party  enjoys in the region, coupled with the number of years the NDC and its antecedent PNDC led the country since independence, the Volta region has been given a ‘raw deal and neglected by the same NDC government.’

He indicated that, “It will be gross understatement of facts to state that the NPP did nothing for the region, when we juxtapose the performance of the NPP and the NDC in terms of the number of years each party served the region, one will not be far from the truth that the performance of NPP far outweighs that of NDC.

The NPP chairman also  took a swipe at the President Mahama for the ‘many unfulfilled promises’ to the region, which is referred to as  the World bank and IMF of the governing NDC and challenged him to ‘reward investors of the world bank with what they are due.’ 

He however, assured  residents of the region, the next NPP government under Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo will focus on industrializing the region  to create sustainable jobs for the teeming unemployed youth.

Source: Voltaonlinegh/@Lambert_Coffie

Library photo

A 56 year old man has been killed with at least three other persons sustaining gunshot wounds in what is said to be a renewed chieftaincy dispute at Sovie near Kpando in the North Dayi district.

The incident which took place during a funeral last Sunday night, according an eyewitness,  saw the sporadic firing  of live bullets by alleged  supporters of one of the two  feuding factions in the dispute. This, has led to chaos at the funeral ground as people ran for their precious lives.

The district Police commander for North Dayi, ASP Twumasi Ankrah, who confirmed the incident to  Volta online   said the decease who has been identified as one Fabian Mensah Vidzro was shot in the neck and shoulder. Two other persons who sustained injuries, were also  treated and discharged at the Anfoega Catholic hospital, he noted. 

However, a third victim who has been identified as a  suspect in the latest clash, is still  on admission at  hospital  under police guard as investigations continue,  the ASP Ankrah noted.

A source at the hospital also disclosed to Volta online that some victims who were brought to the facility for treatment were taken away by their relatives over fears of a possible  reprisal attacks.

The Police commander further revealed that several empty cartridges believed to have been fired from sophisticated riffles including a  bazooka were retrieved from  the  scene.

He however noted a team of police personnel have been detailed in area since Monday to forestall any  reprisal attacks, as tension heightens in the area.

Sovie has been engulfed in a protracted chieftain dispute for many   years  now, this was after  the demise of then paramount chief, Togbe Nyako VI and subsequent installation of one George Prika as a successor with  the stool name Togbe Nyarko, VII. 

The situation, however turned violent since November last year, after another claimant to the stool, Felix Tordeytse was also enstooled as a rival chief with same stool name.

Supporters of both factions, according to the Police have clashed on a number of occasions at the least provocation and this, has resulted in the destruction of properties and injuries in some cases.

According to ASP Twumasi Ankrah, the dispute has led to  the proliferation of arms in the area, but  indicated that his outfit is on top of the situation. He noted that, some suspects arrested in connection with previous incidents are yet to be arraigned before court, as the district magistrate is on leave. 

He however assured that, the police will decisively deal with  the criminal elements  and appealed to  the relevant  institutions to work at resolving  the chieftaincy disputes to ensure lasting peace in the area.

 Source: Voltaonlinegh/LA

Hon. Helen Ntoso

The Volta Regional minister Helen Ntoso has explained  reasons for the delay in the approval of the new District Chief Executive for Nkwanta South, Mr. Alfred Wokanya.

Mr. Wokanya who was nominated by  President Mahama in November last year to replace the  murdered DCE, Peter Kojo Kenyenso, has his confirmation processes pending till now.

The delay has angered some NDC youth in the area, who went on protest an locked up the party office. They also blamed the regional minister Helen Ntoso for continually postponing the confirmation meetings by assembly members.

However, responding to the sentiments of the  youth in an interview with Ho-based KUUL FM, the regional minister, Helen Ntoso attributed the delays to concerns raised by some ethnic groups in the area, which  needed to be  addressed  before going ahead with the confirmation.

She said, because of the multiplicity of ethnic groups in Nkwanta South, government is being tactful in tackling the concerns in order not to jeopardize the prevailing peace and security of the area. 

‘There are various interests in the Nkwanta south and since the demise of the former DCE, a number of petitions have been sent to the President and the RCC and going through them, you realized that some are legitimate concerns which have to be addressed. So that’s exactly what we are doing to ensure the security of the area is not jeopardized,’ she explained.

She however said the confirmation will go ahead as soon as those bottle necks are removed and urged the aggrieved youth to exercise restraint.

Source: Voltaonlinegh/@Lambert_coffie

President Mahama in a handshake with Torgbui Sri

The President who was addressing   at a durbar at Keta, after a meeting with the   chiefs and elders of Anlo   on Saturday,  indicated that the National Development Planning Commission, (NDPC) has already begun preliminary works on the proposed Volta Basin Development Authority and the government will soon set up an implementation committee to spearhead the establishment of the authority. 

The meeting was at the behest of the Awomefia of Anlo, Torgbui Sri III, for the President to update  the traditional authorities  about  government’s projects and programmes in the area. Traditional authorities in the area at various events called for the setting up of an authority to spearhead the  holistic development of the area in order to tame the growing levels of unemployment.

President Mahama again hinted of plans to construct a habour in the Keta area, disclosed that, both proposal  have been captured  in the governing National Democratic Congress’(NDC) manifesto for the 2016 general elections.

“ I am aware of how the development authority is dear to your hearts and I want to assure you that, the National Development Planning commission is working on it and as a result, we have captured in my manifesto for this year’s election. Same it is with plans to establish a deep sea port in the area. All these have been included in our 2017 to 2020 manifesto.”

Touching on the much anticipated oil exploration in the Keta basin, the President revealed  that, parliament before the Easter break  gave  approval for commencement of  exploration in the basin and exploratory works will soon begin. This,  he noted will open up job avenues for the teeming unemployed youth in the area.

The Awomefia Torgbui Sri III on his part, commended the President for his  government’s effort in delivering   infrastructural  projects and programmes across the various sectors, including education and health. He however  called for the revitalization of some irrigation projects in the area to boast agricultural production as well as  extension of potable water to some communities within the Anlo state.

Some government and party functionaries  acoompanied the President to the durbar. They include; Interior minister  Prosper Bani, Food and Agriculture  minister, Fiifi Kwetey, Volta regional minister, Helen Ntoso and former Transport minister, Dzifa Attivor. Koku Anyidoho, Deputy General Secretary of NDC as well as MP for Anlo constituency, Kofi Humado were also present. 

Source: Voltaonlinegh/LA

Aggrieved youth locking up the party office

Some aggrieved youth of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Nkwanta South constituency of the Volta region have locked the party’s offices in protest over delays in appointing a a substantive  DCE for the area. 

The youth clad in red apparels also burnt lorry tyres to express their anger against the party’s regional executives and the Volta regional minister, Helen Ntoso for their seemingly inaction on the issue.

The Nkwanta south district has been without a substantive Chief Executive since November 2014, following the gruesome murder the then DCE, Peter Kojo Kenyenso.

Though,President Mahama in November last year  nominated Alfred Okanya for the position, his confirmation by the assembly members is still pending as a date is yet to be fixed for the exercise.

The situation, according to the aggrieved youth is retarding  the rapid development of the district.

A branch executive of the NDC and spokesperson for the aggrieved youth, Alidu Musah Surak told Volta Online that  several letters sent to the regional and national secretariats to ensure the confirmation of the DCE nominee  yielded no result,  accusing  the regional minister, Helen Ntoso for continually postponing the confirmation meetings by assembly members.

He said they will intensify their protest by Monday, if a date is not fixed for the confirmation, stating that any further delay might affect the party’s fortune in the November 7, general elections.

Meanwhile,  the NDC is yet to hold primaries in the constituency to elect a parliamentary candidate for the elections.

Source: Voltaonlinegh/@Lambert_coffie

Deceased Daniela Akorfa Okai

A seven-year old girl last Monday met her untimely death, during a downpour in Ho, the Volta regional capital. Daniela Akorfa Okai, a primary one pupil of the Mawuli EP Basic school was electrocuted in her home during the rains that lasted over an hour.

According to witnesses, the late Daniela was found stuck to a metallic television pole outside their home located in a Ho-Ahoe suburb of  SOWETO by her mother who had left the seven -year old in the porch earlier, to attend nature’s call. 

Mourners at the burial service

Upon her return, however, Daniela’s mother tried to rescue her daughter but experienced a shock and called for help. It was later revealed that the pole was exposed to a naked electric wire on the building.  Daniela died few hours later after being rushed to the Ho municipal hospital for treatment.

The remains of the deceased being conveyed to the cemetery

Due to the nature of her passing, young Daniela was buried on Wednesday morning at a brief burial ceremony was held in their home, which  was  attended by family  members,  neighbours, teachers and school mates who are still yet to come to terms with the tragic event.

School mates of the deceased

Source: Voltaonlinegh/LA