DVLA to get Ultra-Modern Office Complex in Ho

By

-

August 28, 2013

A sod has been cut on Tuesday for the construction of a state-of-the-art office complex for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in Ho. The Eight hundred and forty-five thousand dollars ($845,000) project, when completed would have a vehicle testing bay, banking facility, a restaurant and staff offices.

The project which is a brain-child of the Volta Region Development Agency (VORDA), to mark the 10th anniversary celebration of Togbe Afede XIV, Paramount Chief of Asogli State and President of Volta Region House of Chiefs, will be executed by Planet Sanitation and Constructions Ltd.

Mr Appiah-Danquah Kufuor, Chief Executive of Planet Sanitation and Constructions, disclosed that all construction jobs would be given to local artisans.

He said about 150 temporal workers will be engaged during the construction and 50 permanent workers will be employed when the facility becomes operational.

“All aspects of the project will be done by local artisans, in line with Togbe’s vision of creating jobs for the people”.

He also hinted that, a Fuel Service station will be set up around the facility when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gives the go-ahead.

Togbe Anikpi III, Divisional Chief of Ho Heve, who cut the sod, said the project, among others, was to create jobs for the local people. He therefore called on natives leaving outside to return home and work.

The Paramount Chief of Kpenoe Traditional Area, Togbe Kotoku XI who donated the land for the project said “good times are here” and urged the youth to take advantage of the job opportunities to enhance their lots.

In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Rudolph Beckley, Chief Executive of DVLA, commended the chiefs and people of Kpenoe for releasing land for the project and said efforts were being made towards opening two other offices in the northern part of the Region.

He said when completed, the complex would help speed up the realization of the objectives of the Authority and position it to continue the drive in reducing road fatalities and optimizing revenue generation towards the achievement of the “Better Ghana agenda.”

Mr Beckley said in the past six months, the three DVLA offices in the Region registered a total of 2,923 vehicles and issued road worthy certificate to 23,555 vehicles.

He also said the authority has automated its operations to drastically reduce the work of middle-men popularly known as “Gurro boys’ and maximize revenue for the state.

The Volta Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo in a speech read on his behalf, said “Asogli in Ghana now means progress and development” and commended Togbe Afede for the foresight and pledged the support of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council.

The project which is located at Titrinu, off Ho-Aflao road is expected to be completed within seven months.

UPDATE: Ho Student Killers Nabbed

By

Kwadwo Duodu

-

August 27, 2013

0

The deceased Percy and Senyo Anku (right)

Police at Ho in the Volta Region have arrested three suspects in relation to the robbery incident that resulted in the death of Percy Kafui Nbuake, a final year student of the Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) University College (EPUC).

This was confirmed by the Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Nicholas Opare Ofosu-Hene in an interaction with some pressmen yesterday.

The Commander, who was stuck in a series of meetings, directed Detective Inspector A. Kofi Begum to give the necessary details.

He gave the names of the suspects as Frank Awudey, 22, student; Albert Nunyuie, 30, painter; and Senyo Anku, 28, driver.

He explained that the case was a dicey one and that they were working around the clock to get adequate evidence and witnesses to unravel the whole truth and prosecute the necessary suspects as prescribed by law. He said soon the suspects would be arraigned.

The deceased, 32-year-old Percy Kafui Nbuake, a human resource student, was with his girlfriend, Rosemond Buaka, 23, a shop attendant, when he was shot dead on the night of Friday August 23, 2013 by assailants at a basic school opposite the E.P. Church cathedral at Ho-Kpodzi.

Percy was shot after the two assailants robbed them of their mobile phones and money, and afterwards subjected them to rigorous searches.

The assailant searching Percy was said to have shot him after the deceased made him out and queried, “Oh, is it you; and you don’t know me?”

The assailants fled immediately after shooting the deceased, leaving Rosemond behind as she shouted for help.

Residents who rushed to the scene conveyed Percy to the Volta Regional Hospital, fondly called Trafalgar, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A report was quickly made to the Municipal Police Command and some men were deployed to the scene and the necessary information taken to commence investigations into the matter. Based on some intelligence information, a swoop was carried out in the vicinity where three suspects were apprehended to assist the police in their investigations.

The names of the suspects were given as Frank Awudey, Albert Nunyuie and Senyo Anku.

Residents around the crime scene believed that Senyo, an ex-convict, was the prime suspect.

He was alleged to be involved in several criminal activities and was once sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for attempted rape and stabbing a young lady at a classroom of the same school where Percy was murdered.

Other residents also based their claim on the fact that they once saw Senyo warning Percy to stay away from his girlfriend. However, the Police said, Senyo had denied that in his interrogation, and so did Rosemond, Percy’s girlfriend.

A search in Senyo’s house revealed a military uniform while nothing incriminating was found with the other two suspects.

Just like Senyo, the other two suspects had also denied knowing anything about the robbery and shooting.

Credit: Fred Duodu Dailyguide, Ho

EXCLUSIVE: President nominates First Female M.C.E for Ho

By

Kwadwo Duodu

-

August 27, 2013

0

Mrs. Fafa Adinyira

President John Mahama has nominated Mrs. Fafa Adinyira, a Human Resource Practitioner as the new Chief Executive for the Ho Municipality. A statement issued on Monday said the nomination is in accordance with Article 243(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 20(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, Act 462.

Information available on Mrs. Adinyira’s facebook page indicated that, she attended Kpedze Senior High School for the ‘O’ and ‘A’ certificates in 1975 and had her first Degree in 1981 from the University of Ghana. She also went to Donetsk State University in Ukraine for her Msc. in Economics in 1988.

Mrs. Adinyira has over 20 years working experience as Human resource Practitioner and she is currently the General Manager in charge of Human Resource at AEL Ghana Ltd, a mining company in Accra.

Mrs. Adinyira is a native of Ziavi-Dzogbe in the Ho municipality and married to one Mr. Adinyira, a mining Engineer from Amedzofe.

In 2012, Mrs. Adinyira contested the Ho central constituency NDC primaries with four other aspirants and came second to Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo, polling 104 votes as against Mr. Kpodo’s 270 votes. When approved by two-third assembly members, Mrs. Adinyira will become the first female M.C.E for Ho

Fear Grips Adaklu Residents, As Lion Returns

By

Kwadwo Duodu

-

August 25, 2013

0

The Chief and People of Adaklu Wumenu and Dave located along the Ho-Aflao highway in the newly created Adaklu district are living in fear, following reports that A beast-like animal suspected to be a lion, which terrorized them sometime in 2009-2010, has re-surfaced last week.

Togbe Adzimah II chief of Adaklu Wumenu, who broke the news to U.S FM last Thursday evening, said herdsmen who took their animals for grazing that morning reported that, they heard the roar of the animal in the bush which caused them and their cattle to take to their heels.

The chief said since the news got to the communities, the people, who are predominantly farmers are afraid to visit their farms.

Minutes after the story broke on US FM, that evening, a Police officer staying at Anyama near Adaklu Dave; Mr. Raphael Aglonu came to the studios in Ho with a photograph of his goat which was devoured by an animal on the night of Saturday August 20. On the photograph were the head and legs of the goat on the ground with no blood-stains around it.

Mr. Aglonu said a critical look at the paw prints of the animal; do not suggest that of a dog but a wild animal such as a lion.

The remains of the devoured goat

This latest development has resulted in panic among residents including farmers, school children and market women who often use some foot paths in the bush to get to their various destinations.

Sometime in 2009, the chief of Adaklu Workpe, Togbe Dzamesi II was allegedly attacked by a lion when he went to inspect his new farm land.

The chief was subsequently taken to the Volta Regional Hospital where he was treated for over a month and his left arm amputated.

Meanwhile, Mr. Alex Agyei, park manager at the Kalakpa Game Reserve at Abutia Kloe near Ho, who heard the news on US FM, have led officers from the wild-life division of the forestry commission to the area on Friday to track the animal.

He also advised residents in the area to keep their animals in a pen and appealed to the people not to attempt to hunt the animal on their own as it might attack and kill them.

Togbe Dzamesi talks of his 2009 Ordeal

Togbe Dzamesi in the Studios of US 100.3 FM

Narrating his ordeal to Togbui Ahorgo I on U.S FM morning show on Friday, Togbe Dzamesi said what he encountered in 2009 was a real lion, which attempted devouring him but he struggled with it and in the process the lion inflicted so much wounds on his left arm, which led

On how he escaped from the lion, the chief said he slapped the lion with his right hand and instantly the lion got muted and left. When asked if he made some deity pronouncements before slapping the animal, he retorted “I am an elderly man”.

Togbe Dzamesi said when the incident happened in 2009, the youth embarked on a search which was supported on the first day by the police but the search which continued for days was finally curtailed because they could not trace the animal.

He therefore called on the authorities to respond swiftly to current resurfacing of the carnivorous animal in the area in order to safeguard the lives of the farmers.

Togbe Dzamesi in the Hospital in 2009

He also said since his amputation in 2009, he no longer engage in farming activities, which was his source of livelihood and also use to carter for his children education. He is therefore appealing to kind-hearted individuals to come to his aid.

Murder: Student shot dead in Ho

By

Kwadwo Duodu

-

August 25, 2013

1

Percy Kafui Nbuakey, a 32 year old final year student of E.P University College in Ho was shot dead last Friday night by an assailant at a Primary school opposite the E.P church cathedral at Ho Kpodzi. A man whose house is close to the school told US FM in Ho that, he was going to bed when he heard a gunshot and a sequence loud cry for help at about 11:15pm from the school compound.

He then rushed there with some people from the neighborhood and upon reaching the school they met a lady with the young man lying in a pool of blood on the veranda.

The man said, when they ‘interrogated’ the lady, she told them that, she was having a conversation with Percy, when the assailant popped from behind with a knife and asked them to handover their phones and money, which she complied but said the guy was not carrying his phone.

The lady also said the assailant subjected them to a thorough search, and in the process Percy raised his head and saw the assailant’s face and retorted ‘oh, is it you; and you don’t know me’? There and then the assailant removed a gun and fired at the guy’s head and bolted.

The guy was then rushed to the regional hospital by a good-Samaritan driver but he died upon reaching the hospital.
The Ho Municipal Police Commander Superintendent, Nicholas Opare Ofosu-Hene has confirmed the incident to US FM on Saturday and said his men have been to scene that night and Saturday morning and investigations have already begun.

Meanwhile the mood at the deceased family house in Ho-Dome on Saturday was that of wailing and mourning as family members are yet to come to terms with incident.

Speaking to U.S FM, The deceased mother, Joyce Agboklu, said Percy visited her home at Barracks New town that Friday evening, where he met with his 4year old son. She said later that night she received a phone call, telling her that her son was attacked by arm robbers and sent to the hospital. She said, she was only told of his death that Saturday morning.

Madam Agboklu described her son’s death as a ‘big-blow’, especially when he is about completing his university education.

A family-source has also told U.S FM that, the lady who was with the deceased that night has been detained by the police and two other suspects have also been arrested in connection with the killing.

The Ho-Kpodzi area has been a fertile ground for criminal activities in recent times, especially at night. criminals attack persons and rob them of their phones and other valuables. They sometimes rape innocent women.

NPP Making Steady Progress in Volta- Reg. Organizer

By

Kwadwo Duodu

-

August 22, 2013

0

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been making steady progress in its electoral fortunes in the Volta region since 1992, said Mr. Ken Kodjo Ayim, Volta regional organizer of the party.

According to Ken Ayim, the party in the last election had fifteen percent of votes in the region, as against eight percent in 1996 and four percent in 1992; a trend he said is an indication that the Volta region is the future of the New Patriotic Party.

“People think Volta is the weakest for the party, but while other regions are at their peaks and declining, Volta is still increasing”, Ken Ayim said and noted that, it is an indication of how formidable the NPP is becoming in the region.

He however said the party’s doors are still opened for the good people of the region to join.

Mr. Ken Ayim was speaking at a flag-raising ceremony to mark the 21st anniversary of the NPP at the party’s regional secretariat in Ho on Thursday. Present at the ceremony were the some executives and leading members of the party in the region.

He said the NPP as the biggest the political party in the country since 1992, has contributed tremendously to the multi-party democratic dispensation of the fourth republic. He stated the NPP’s 8years in government, led by President Kuffour brought the numerous social interventions programmes such as National health insurance scheme, school feeding programme, capitation grant, youth employment, among others which brought a great relieve to Ghanaians.

“The party is so proud of President Kuffour, for the numerous social intervention programmes, which is without any doubt impacted the lives of ordinary Ghanaians”.

He also said the NPP is a pacesetter in the Africa, stating that “in Africa today, NPP has the largest electoral college to elect its leaders”.

Mr. Ken Ayim further stated that, it is only by divine orchestration that the NPP is marking its 21^st anniversary exactly a week to the historic Supreme Court verdict on the election petition. “Those who believe God rules in the affairs of men should judge for themselves”, he said.

Announce acceptance of SC verdict within 30 minutes-Togbe Afede

By

Kwadwo Duodu

-

August 21, 2013

0

Togbe Afede

Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli, on Tuesday appealed to parties in the 2012 Election petition case to announce their acceptance of the Supreme Court verdict within 30 minutes after the ruling.

He said such a pronouncement would avert chaos and demonstrate the parties’ commitment to peace in the country.

Togbe Afede, President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, said this at the third general meeting of the House in Ho.

He said the peace of the country was non-negotiable and urged the citizenry to accept the ruling of the Supreme Court.

“It is sad that everyone is calling and praying for peace. It is so sad that even the US is advising its citizens…but we must know that the peace of this country is non-negotiable,” Togbe Afede said.

He said the country should be able to go through elections without fear and must not allow the ambitions of a few politicians to disturb the nation.

Togbe Afede said throughout his travels, he noted that investors preferred Ghana to other countries because of the country’s peaceful nature and urged the citizenry to uphold this value.

He appealed to chiefs to talk to the youths to be peaceful.

Togbe Afede said the Volta Regional House of Chiefs would settle all 29 cases before it by the end of 2014 to ensure peace in the Region and the country.

Dr. Henry Seidu Daanaa, Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs now on a week’s working tour of the Region, appealed to the Volta Regional House of Chiefs to resolve disputes in Anlo, Peki and Akpini.

He reiterated the importance of chieftaincy in the socio-economic development of the country and said the Ministry was addressing issues of membership and jurisdiction of chiefs.

The House presented some gifts to Dr. Daanaa, who is billed to visit Ve, Gbi, Anfoega, Tapa , Aflao and Klikor Traditional Areas.

Source: GNA

Health Service Ambulance Crashed In Ho

By

Kwadwo Duodu

-

August 20, 2013

0

The crashed Ambulance

An ambulance carrying a patient to the regional hospital in Ho crushed with a Kia carnival yesterday evening, as the two vehicles were negotiating the Ho-Ahoe round-about in opposite directions.

The ambulance with registration number GR 7596-13 was crashed at the passenger side of the front seat by the Kia Carnival with registration number ER 840-13, somersaulted and landed upside down. Onlookers at the scene immediately rushed in to convey the accident victims in a taxi to the Regional Hospital. There were however no casualties, this the onlookers described as a miracle.

The ambulance driver, 40 year old Francis Manu narrating the incident to US FM later at the regional hospital, said they were transferring a 10 year old boy who had a swollen tummy from the Kete-Krachi District Hospital to the Volta Regional Hospital popularly called ‘Trafalgar’. On board the ambulance was a nurse, the boy’s father and his auntie.

According to the driver, as they approached the roundabout from the Ho stadium road, there was a traffic jam from an adjourning Glala Street Junction towards the roundabout and just as he was negotiating the roundabout in the opposite direction, the Kia Carnival from nowhere hit the passenger side of the ambulance.

Mr. Manu said in order not sweep through some people and a house close by upon the crash, he quickly directed the steering wheel in the opposite direction, causing the vehicle to somersault and fell upside down.

The Ahoe roundabout is a very busy area surrounded with lots of houses, shops and a variety of venders. This makes the area quite busy with people of all walks of life moving in different directions due to the roads connected to the roundabout and services provided in the area

All persons involved in the accident escaped unhurt, including the driver of the Kia carnival William Offei who is also a staff of the Ghana health service in Ho.

William Offei also 40 years described the ordeal as a miracle. He said he was also on the lane from the Glala street junction towards the roundabout. Just as he was negotiating the roundabout he heard the ambulance’s siren and before he could say jack the ambulance was amazingly crossing in front of him from the opposite direction.

The ambulance has been towed to Municipal Police command, where investigations have already begun.

Customs Recruit Collapsed and Died at Training

By

Kwadwo Duodu

-

August 19, 2013

0

Alex Aidoo

Mr Isaac Kofi Toffah, Commandant at Ghana Revenue Authority’s Customs Division Training Academy at Kpetoe, has confirmed to US FM on Monday, that Alex Aidoo, a Customs recruit died after he collapsed during a routine welcome training exercise on Saturday.

The 35 years old Aidoo reported together with 32 other driver-recruits at the Academy for a two-week training course.

According to Mr Toffah, the recruits were asked to carry their luggages and trek from a distance to the Academy after a roll call was conducted. He said exercises such jumping running, and press-ups, are routine for all recruits during the walk.

The commandant further disclosed that prior to the exercise, the Physical Training Instructor (PTI) asked if anyone had a medical condition to which one of the recruits with multiple fractures responded affirmatively and was excused after examination.

Mr Toffah said after sometime, the PTI and his assistants observed that Aidoo was having difficulties with the exercise and asked him to take a rest at the entrance of the Academy. He said after sometime, Aidoo was found shivering and a nurse was called in and he was conveyed by ambulance to regional hospital in Ho, Where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Mr Toffah has however dispelled reports suggesting that the recruit died out of molestations during the exercise and said checks indicate that the deceased had some health problems.

Eye-witnesses Account

Eye-witnesses described the last Saturday’s exercise as ‘life-threating’ claiming that recruits whose luggages were deemed by the officers, as not heavy enough, were given cement blocks to carry in their luggages and run with it, including the deceased recruit.

“The recruits were instructed to remove their shirts and roll on the hot asphalted road, those of them who resisted, were flogged with logs to comply” an eye-witness narrated with a teary eyes.

The exercise got the recruits visibly weak and tired but they were not allowed to take rest or drink some water, even those who attempted resting, were ‘flogged and forced to continue the exercise’ a lady witness narrated.

The deceased eye-witnesses said, collapsed with his luggage in front of the training school, after about three hours of enduring the alleged ‘brutalities’ from the instructors.

The medical team which followed the recruits with an ambulance during the exercise rushed to resuscitate the young man and later conveyed him to the Volta regional hospital in Ho, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Another eye-witness described the exercise as a sheer wickedness rather than training, “how can you take a fellow human being through this torture in the name of training. Even military training is not like this’ he said angrily.

South-Dayi Chiefs rejects re-nominated D.C.E

By

Kwadwo Duodu

-

August 19, 2013

0

Paramount Chiefs from three out of four traditional areas in the South-Dayi District of the Volta Region have expressed their outmost displeasure over the re-nomination of Hon. Semanu Kafui Bekoe as the chief executive of the area.

A press statement jointly signed by, Torgbui Asuo Kwesi V, Torgbui Adza Wiah Kwesi II and Torgbui Aku Dompeh XI, paramount chiefs of Tongor, Kpalime and Kpeve traditional areas respectively, and issued at a press conference held in Peki, last Friday, the chiefs said the re-nomination Of the DCE, came as surprise to them especially when they (chiefs) have petitioned the government through the Volta regional minister Hon. Nii Laryea Afottey-Agbo and the NDC party hierarchy both in the region and at the national level, against the chief executive’s re-nomination.

According to the statement read by the Regent of Tongor-Tsanaakpe, Torgbui Dompreh Aboagye, the chiefs said, they can no longer work with the DCE, who they said has an “insulting behavior” towards them, citing an instance in 2011 at a festival at Todome-Kpalime, where the DCE described the chiefs as ‘insatiable lots’.

“We can no longer work with the out-going DCE because of his insulting behavior towards us, chiefs”

The statement also accused the DCE of not consulting them (chiefs) and other opinion leaders from the three traditional areas on key developmental issues; this the chiefs said is contributing to ‘the existing suspicion and disunity within the district’.

The chiefs are however, accusing the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Edem Asimah for manipulating the system to get the incumbent DCE, Hon. Kafui Bekoe re-nominated though, according to the statement, the DCE openly stated that ‘he is no longer interested in the position on health grounds’.

“No single person within the district/constituency has the mandate to determine who the DCE should be. His actions are very dangerous, without honour and could impact on peaceful co-existence” the statement noted.

The chiefs further stated that political positions must be equitably distributed among the four traditional areas of Tongor, Kpeve, Kpalime and Peki.

“Both Peki and Kpalime traditional areas have held the position of District Chief Executive before. For equity to prevail, it should now be the turn of Tongor and Kpeve traditional areas to contest for the position of District Chief Executive.”

The chiefs through the statement are strongly appealing to the President Mahama to reconsider the re-nomination of Hon. Kafui Bekoe as DCE; else they will be compelled to advise themselves.

“We hope we shall not be boxed into a corner that brings no comfort, peace and cooperation but distress and conflict” the statement ended.

Meanwhile, the three paramount chiefs in the statement also call on the president to as a matter of urgency to investigate the implementation of a water project in the area, alleging impropriety on the part of the DCE, Kafui Bekoe and MP, Edem Asimah, which led to a shoddy execution of the project. According to the statement, water has never flow through the pipes since the project was commissioned.

“Evidence abounds that inferior materials were used to carry out the project at a huge cost. Sadly, water failed to flow through the pipes up till today”.