We have solid record in Volta region-NPP replies Mahama

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April 7, 2016

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

Man, 56 killed, others injured in renewed Sovie chieftaincy dispute

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Kwadwo Duodu

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April 5, 2016

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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

Nkwanta South: Minister clarifies delay in approving DCE

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Kwadwo Duodu

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April 5, 2016

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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

Southern Volta Basin Dev’t Authority in the Offing-President

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Kwadwo Duodu

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April 3, 2016

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President Mahama in a handshake with Torgbui Sri

President John Mahama has hinted of plans to establish the Southern Volta Basin Development Authority to drive the needed development in that part of the country. According to the President, the southern part of the Volta region holds a lots of investment potentials in tourism, aquaculture and other sectors, which needed to be harness through the coordination of such an agency.

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

Nkwanta South NDC youth protest delay in Approving new DCE

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Kwadwo Duodu

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April 1, 2016

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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

Seven year old girl electrocuted in Ho

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Kwadwo Duodu

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March 31, 2016

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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

Zoomlion equips Volta MMDAs

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Kwadwo Duodu

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March 30, 2016

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The new fleets

Zoomlion Volta, a subsidiary of indigenous waste management company, Zoomlion Ghana Ltd has presented new fleet of trucks and equipment to 20 Municipal and district assemblies in the region.

The equipment consisting of 20 trucks, 104 motor tricycles and 90 communal waste containers, is augment the ones already being used by the assemblies to effectively manage waste in their jurisdictions.

Speaking after a brief handing over ceremony in Ho last Wednesday , Mr. Evans Ewudzie Arthur, General manager of Zoomlion Volta said the retooling is part of an existing waste management arrangement between the company and the assemblies. He said though, each of the 25 assemblies in the region presently has 2 trucks and 11 communal containers in addition to tricycles, some of the equipment are aging, hence the new ones.

Motor tricycle

“We already have an arrangement with all the assemblies when it comes to management of waste their areas. Based on that, we provide them with equipment and other waste management services. But we have realized that, the trucks and other equipment in use now have reach their 5 years life span and there is the need to replace them,” he stated.

Mr. Arthur also noted that, the remaining five district assemblies will receive their equipment from a consignment that the company is expected to take delivery of.

Mr. Ganyaglo inspecting the equipment

The Deputy Volta regional minister, Mr. Francis Ganyaglo who received the equipment on behalf of the beneficiary districts, lauded Zoomlion for its support towards good environmental sanitation management in the region. He called for the sustenance of the government’s national sanitation day initiative in order rid the country of sanitation related diseases.

The deputy minister also urged the assemblies to put in place a comprehensive plan to maintain the equipment.

Source: voltaonlinegh/LA

Torrential rain causes flooding in Ho (Photos)

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Kwadwo Duodu

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March 29, 2016

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A flooded home at Poly

A heavy downpour in the Ho, Monday afternoon has left parts of the regional capital flooded, with dozens of shops and homes inundated with flood waters.

The rain which started at about 5:00 PM and lasted for almost an hour, left major storm drains and culverts overflowing with running waters.

This, also resulted in the flooding of sections of some roads within the capital, such as the Dome-Barracks, YMCA-Civic Centre-Asanyame, OLA-Market and Poly roads among others.

Shops and homes along these stretches at Bankoe, Anlokordzi, Poly, Dome and other places also had their fair share of the flood.

Barracks road

A visit to some of the suburbs after the downpour, saw affected residents scooping water and sand debris out of their shops and homes.

“These flood is more than what we experienced last year,” an affected hairdresser on the Poly road, exclaimed.

A lot of debris have also piled up at mouth of some culverts, with some scattered on the street at the time of this report. No casualty was however reported.

debris inside the Civic centre bridge

Asogli State palace road

over flooded culvert on the Poly road

Source: Voltaonlinegh/LA

High court orders arrest of Water Resources Minister (Details)

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Kwadwo Duodu

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March 28, 2016

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Dr. Agyemang-Mensah

The Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Dr. Kweku Agyemang-Mesah has found himself on the wrong side of the law, as the High court in Ho has issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

The court issued the warrant after the minister failed to appear before it on several occasions to answer to contempt charges brought against him and two other directors of ministry over destructions caused to some communities in the Keta municipality as a result of the Ada sea defense project.

Two persons, Marshall Koblah Fenu and Zikpuitor Benjamin Atsu Fenu in early 2015, filed a writ in court seeking an interlocutory injunction on the Ada sea defense project being undertaken by Dredging International Company from Netherlands, due to its adverse impact on the Gamenu, Fuveme and Kporkopor-Kedzi communities along the estuary.

They also asked the court to order the ministry and the contractor to take immediate remedial steps to safeguard the communities. An order the court presided over by his Lordship Patrick Bayerh granted, giving the ministry 40 days to carry out the remedy. This was however not heeded to by the ministry, prompting the plaintiffs to return to court with contempt charges against the minister, the chief director and the director of hydrological service.

However, since the start of the contempt hearing in December 2015, the minister Dr. Agyemang-Mensah has never appeared in court, though the chief director, Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu and director of hydrological services, Mr Owusu Ansah were present on most occasions.

The conduct of the minister, according to court sources infuriated the presiding judge during the last two hearings, hence the decision to issue a bench warrant for the minister’s arrest at the last adjourn date of Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The judge accordingly directed the Inspector General of Police to arrest and bring before the court, the Water resources, works and housing minister on April 15, 2016, when the court is likely to rule on the contempt case.

In an exclusive interview with Volta online, one of the plaintiffs who is also the counsel on the case, Marshall Fenu said, they resorted to the court after the ministry and the Attorney General failed to act to several correspondents sent to them about the devastative effect of the project on the other communities in the Keta municipality.

He said for almost 9 months after the court gave the initial order to the ministry to take remedial action to safeguard the affected communities, no one from the ministry visited the areas to assess the situation.

The communities have been on the receiving end of the devastating tidal attacks in recent time, which has caused damage to homes, schools and farmlands.

Source: Voltaonlinegh/Lambert A. Coffie

Exclusive Audio: President Mahama’s 2016 Easter Message

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Kwadwo Duodu

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March 27, 2016

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President Mahama exchanging pleasantries with chiefs at the durbar

President John Mahama has urged Ghanaians not to only dwell on the failures of the country Ghana but also celebrate her successes.

According to him, Ghana has chalked a lot of successes ahead of her peers in the West African sub region since independence, which we most often take for granted.

Delivering his 2016 Easter message at Sokpoe in the South Tongu district of the Volta on Saturday, President Mahama said just as the lessons of Easter remind us of adversity and opportunity, so is the story of Ghana.

“Easter teaches us life is not one long smooth journey of opportunity alone. As a nation, 59 years of independence, we have gone through adversity but we have also had our moment of opportunity. And so what makes the difference between success and failure is that we don’t lament on our moments of adversity but we recognize our moment of opportunity and take advantage of it,” President Mahama stated at the 32nd annual Tortsogbe (River crossing) festival celebrations by the Chiefs and people of Sokpoe, a community along the western bank of the Volta river.

He further noted that “we all want to go to heaven, but we cannot walk straight into heaven like this. You have to die first before you resurrect in heaven. So you must necessarily go through adversity in order to that you can have opportunity.”

He therefore believe, it is only when citizens appreciate and boast of the country’s successes that, others will be motivated to work hard to make Ghana a better place. Play attach audio and listen to full message.

Source: Voltaonlinegh/LA