Three killed in gory Ho accident

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January 9, 2016

At least, three persons are reported dead in an accident involving a Benz bus and two taxi cabs in Ho Saturday, afternoon.
The bus with registration number GT 8320 C, according eyewitnesses was descending the Galenkui hill, when it ran into the taxis, one of which was engaging in a u-turn in front of the Goil filling station opposite the OLA SHS 2nd gate, with the other overtaking it.
Eyewitnesses believe the 33 seater bus might have had brake failure resulting in the accident.
Several persons on the bus are said to have sustained various degrees of injury, as it capside on a pavement.

Personnel from the Fire Service and Police service were at the scene to evacuate the victims to the regional hospital in Ho for treatment, as investigation commenced.

Passengers onboard the Benz bus have been identified as members of the Apostles Revelations Society (ARS) church, who were returning from a funeral.

Source: VoltaOnlinegh/LA

Photos: Vice President keep fit with appointees in Ho

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 9, 2016

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Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur and a host of of government ministers and appointees took time off their busy schedules to burn some calories in a health walk in Ho, the Volta regional capital, Saturday morning.

The appointees including the chief of staff, Julius Debrah clad in polo shirts with inscription #Changinglives, #transformingGhana walked through the principal streets of Ho, starting from the Volta Serene hotel on Kabakaba Hills.

They walked briskly through the Afede high street to the residency road, joining the Civic center road and back to the hotel, where they engaged in some aerobics.

The walk climaxed the a retreat for the ministers and appointees as well presidential staffers chaired by president Mahama to strategies for the government’s final year in office.

Source: VoltaOnlinegh/LA

President Mahama reopens refurbished Adomi Bridge

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Kwadwo Duodu

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December 19, 2015

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The refurbished Adomi bridge (c) Facebook

President John Mahama has reopened the rehabilitated Adomi bridge at Atimpoku in the eastern region to commuters, Saturday afternoon.

The 335 metre suspension steel bridge across the Volta river was refurnished at a cost of 12.9 million euros by Bilfinger MCE GmbH of Austria within the period of 20months.

The rehabilitation saw the reinforcement of steel beams beneath the bridge deck, replacement of the hanger cables holding the suspended deck to the steel arch, replacement of concrete on steel deck with asphalt and the provision pedestrian concrete walkway.

Speaking at the recommissioning ceremony, President Mahama noted that, the rehabilitation became necessary following deep cracks that have developed on parts of the steel beams as a result of excess weight from overloaded trucks.

He therefore cautioned drivers to adhere to axle load requirement and urged officials of the Ghana highways authority to enforce the laws by not allowing overloaded trucks to access to the bridge, in order to elongate its life span.

The Adomi bridge which connects the Volta region to other parts of the country through the eastern region, was close to traffic in March 2014, for its first major rehabilitation after it was constructed over five decades ago.

President Mahama taking the ride on the bridge (c) Facebook

Whiles acknowledging the inconvenience caused to commuters, President Mahama said the closure was a necessary evil to avert any disaster and commended motorists for their patience during the period.

Togbe Tepre Hodo, paramount chief of Anfoega traditional area who represented the Volta region house of Chiefs commended government for the project and called for a routine maintenance plan for the bridge.

Present at the ceremony were the regional ministers for the Volta and Eastern regions, Helen Ntoso and Antwi Bossiako Sekyere respectively as well as other government officials and traditional leaders.

Meanwhile, the two ferris at Senchi are expected to be decommissioned early January to be sent to Dambai and Yeji to augment the ones on the Volta lake.

Gov’t rebuilds Gbi Paramount Chief’s residence

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Kwadwo Duodu

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December 17, 2015

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Government has reconstructed the vandalized residence of the paramount chief of Gbi traditional area, Togbega Gabusu VI in Hohoe.

The residence, which was vandalized by some irate zongo youth in June, 2012 during a communal clash with some indigenes of area, was rebuild as part of peace efforts by government through the Volta regional coordinating council.

The GHc 254, 000 two bedroom self contain and three semi-detached chamber and halls were constructed by CW constructions Ltd within a period of 18 months.

At a brief ceremony to handover keys to the walled and gated facility on Tuesday, Director of CW Constructions Limited, Mr William Chidiak told journalists the facility is ready for occupation by the chief.

He however said the company will be on standby to rectify any defect which will detected during the initial period of occupation.

The deputy Volta regional minister, Mr Francis Ganyaglo, who received the keys to the house, said the completion of the residence will ‘cement the existing peace and tranquility’ currently prevailing in the area.

He commanded the contractor for contributing towards the peace process and urged the zongo community and the indigenes to coexist peacefully.

Mr. Ganyaglo also charged the police in the area to provide 24 hour surveillance at the residence until the chief relocates to the place.

Togbega Gabusu who is currently out of town, will be handed over the residence at an official ceremony upon his return.

Rehabilitated Adomi bridge to be opened to traffic

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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December 15, 2015

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Adomi Bridge

Motorists who use the Adomi bridge to connect to Accra and other parts of the country will soon heave a sigh of relief, when President Mahama reopens the rehabilitated bridge situated at Atimpoku in the eastern region to vehicular traffic this weekend.

This follows the completion of an 18 months extensive rehabilitation works by the Austrian construction and Engineering firm, Bilfinger MCE GmbH on the 335metre bridge, spanning across the Volta river.

The bridge which connects the Volta region to other parts of the country through the eastern region, was closed down in March 2014, for its first major rehabilitation after it was commissioned over five decades ago.

The closure created a lot of inconvenience to motorists and travelers moving from the central and northern parts of the Volta region to the national capital, Accra, as they spent long hours waiting to cross the river with the two ferries provided by the Ghana Highway Authority at Senchi.

Senchi Ferry Site

Ahead of the grand opening of the 12.9 million euros refurbished edifice by President Mahama, some transport operators at the Ho Lorry station are already heaving a sigh of relief.

According them, the reopening of the bridge will ease their traveling difficulties as the long hours spent during a single trip will reduce drastically.

“The is a welcoming news to us, because it will release our burden of crossing the river with the pontoon and sometimes when it is night, we have to sleep over. Now when the bridge is opened, there will be no sleeping at the pontoon site and the crossing will be at every time, any moment,” a driver with the Cooperative Transport told Volta Online.

They are also optimistic the tolls that will be charge at the bridge will be far cheaper than exorbitant rates they pay at the ferry site.

“With the opening of the bridge, I hope there will be a big difference in the tolls, because in the past we pay GHc 1 at the bridge but with the pontoon we pay GHc 8, which is too much for us,” Nii stated.

14 perish in gory Hohoe-Jasikan road accident

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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December 10, 2015

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File photo

Some 14 persons are reported dead in a fatal accident which occurred on the Hohoe-Jasikan road in the Volta region, Thursday afternoon.

The accident which occurred between Bowiri and Jasikan, involved an urvan passenger vehicle traveling from Jasikan in a head-on collision with a Metro mass transit bus, coming from the Hohoe direction.

According information gathered, almost all the passengers on board the urvan bus have perished, except a woman and her baby who were miraculously found alive in the mangled vehicle.

An eyewitness, Foster who arrived at the scene moments after the accident, told Volta Online that, passengers on board the metro mass also sustained various degrees of injury and have rushed to the Jasikan and Hohoe government hospitals for treatment by a team of Police and Fire service personnel, who reported at the scene.

“There are about sixteen people in the urvan and all are feared dead, except a woman and her child. The others in the metro mass sustained various degrees of injuriees and have been taken to the Jasikan and Hohoe hospitals’ the emotionally distraught eyewitness narrated.

The eyewitness, believe that the deplorable and dusty nature of the road might have contributed to the accident, as visibility on the road was poor.

Police in the area have since begun investigations into the tragedy.

First year Ho Poly student murdered

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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December 1, 2015

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Police in Ho are investigating the gruesome murder of a female student of the Ho Polytechnic by an unidentified assailant(s), Monday dawn.

The body of Naomi Kpodzro, a first year HND Fashion student was found in a pool of blood by her mates on Monday dawn at ‘Divine Star’ – a private female hostel- with knife and gunshot wounds on her body.

She was however pronounced dead at the regional hospital in Ho, where she was rushed for treatment.

An assistant registrar in-charge of Public relations at the Polytechnic, Mr. Isaac Meyir who confirmed the incident, said the family of the deceased have also been contacted.

Though, It is unclear what led to the killing, reports indicate the deceased may have offended a lover.

According to anonymous sources , a call made to the victim’s phone was answered by the suspected killer who asked the caller to let the victim know that, “it’s not everyman’s money you spend and go for free.”

However, a contrary report indicated that, the lady might have been a victim of a mistaken identity, whose roommate might have been the actual target.

New Police station commissioned at Sokode-Bagble

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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November 26, 2015

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As part of efforts to enhance security as well as maintain law and order within the Ho municipality of the Volta region a new police station has been commissioned in the area.

The facility located at Sokode-Bagble along the Ho-Accra highway, was solely financed by a Ho based businessman and philanthropist, Mr. Joe Ayivor popularly known as ‘Afelotto’.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Mr. Ayivor said the increasing incidents of robbery and burglary including recent attacks on fuel service stations within the area necessitated his intervention.

According to him, the absence of a police installation in the area hinders the early response of the police to crime alerts, and recounted how he had to drive several kilometers at night to Ho to get a police patrol team to respond to a robbery attack on his fuel service station a year ago.

“From Sokode-lokoe to Anyinawase, there is no police post, so all communities within that stretch are in danger in terms of any criminal attacks. That’s why I decided to support the communities here.”

The new police station which is the third in the municipality, comprises of a charge office, office for the station officer, male and female cells with modern washrooms. The offices are fully furnished with, computer set, furniture, air-condition, television, refrigerator set, potable water with a reservoir among others.

Mr. Ayivor and his wife

The Regional Police Commander, DCOP Peterkin Yentumi Gyinae on behalf of the Ghana Police Service and the Inspector General of Police, COP John Kudalor commended the gesture and urged others to emulate.

He reiterated that security is a shared responsibility and the era of waiting on only government to provide infrastructure for security agencies are far gone. He therefore welcomed all forms of support from the public to make policing in Ho and the entire region smoother.

The Deputy Regional Minister, Francis Ganyaglo described the Police station as timely considering the increasing population of the municipality. While commending Mr. Ayivor for his intervention, he also urged well meaning individuals, groups and communities to initiate some development projects since government alone cannot provide it all.

NDC Primaries: Four MPs tumble, Seven new faces join ticket inVoltaregion.

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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November 22, 2015

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Four incumbent members of parliament tumbled in the just ended parliamentary primaries of National Democratic Congress in the Volta region.

They include. Hon. Joe Gidisu, MP for Central Tongu and former minister for roads and highways, who was beaten by Mr. Gabby Hotordze with almost 5000 votes in a three man contest. Hon. Gidisu polled 3,123 votes as against Mr. Hotordze’s 8,088 votes.

In the North Dayi constituency, Hon. George Loh set the record as a one term MP, as he was toppled by a female aspirant, Joycelyn Tetteh, a student of the University of Cape Coast. She polled 3,037 votes as against Mr. Loh’s 2,207 votes.

Hon. Edem Asimah also suffered defeat in the South Dayi constituency, where he Lawyer Rockson Defeamekpor, who polled 2,422 votes, as against Mr. Asimah’s 1,585 votes.

The 4th causality was the Incumbent MP for Biakoye, Hon. Emmanuel Bandua also lost to Nyanpon Aboagye.

In all, Seven new faces have made their way onto the NDC’s ticket for the 2016 general elections. They are include Charles Agbeve for Agortime/Ziope, and Angela Alorwu-Tay (DCE) for Afadjato South.

Below is the list of winners in the NDC primaries in Volta region.

1. Mr. Charles Agbeve – Agortime/Ziope (New)

2. Hon. Peter Nortsu – Akatsi North

3. Hon. Kwame Agbodzah – Adaklu

4. Hon. (DCE) Angela Alorwu-Tay – Afadjato South (New)

5. Hon. Bernice Adiku Heloo – Hohoe

6. Hon. Dela Sowah – Kpando

7. Hon. James Klutse Avedzi – Ketu North

8. Hon. Bernard Ahiafor – Akatsi South

9. Hon. John Majisi – Krachi Nchumuru

10. Rockson N. Defeamekpor – South Dayi (new)

11. Ms. Jocelyn Tetteh – North Dayi (new)

12. Hon. Kofi Humado – Anlo

13. Hon. Richard Quarshigah – Keta

14. Hon. Emmanuel Bedzrah – Ho West

15. Hon. Kobby Woyome – South Tongu

16. Mr. Gabby Hotordze – Central Tongu (new)

17. Hon. Helen Ntoso – Krachi West (unopposed)

18. Hon. Benjamin Kpodo – Ho Central (unopposed)

19. Hon. John Oti Bless – Nkwanta North (unopposed)

20. Hon. Wisdom Gidisu – Krachi East

21. Mr. Nyapon Aboagye – Biakoye (new)

22. Mr. Abdul Aziz Muniru – Akan (New)

23. Hon. Daniel Ashiamah – Buem

The NDC has however put on hold primaries in the Ketu South, North Tongu and Nkwanta South constituencies.

NDC suspends disqualified Ketu South MP aspirant

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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November 18, 2015

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Koku Anyidoho, Deputy NDC General Secretary

The Volta regional branch of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has suspended one of the disqualified parliamentary aspirants for the Ketu South constituency Jim Yao Morti.

The party in a statement Wednesday said the decision has become necessary following the “unacceptable” behavior of Yao Morti and his supporters after his disqualification from the upcoming primaries.

Morti is in court seeking to place an injunction on the Saturday primary in the constituency.

According to the writ, he said he met all laid down requirements stated in the NDC’s guidelines for the election, hence could not understand his disqualification.

“Even though no communication has been channeled to the plaintiff directly, the plaintiff got to know that the reason for the delay and actions of some of the executives of the 1st Defendant [Fifi Kwetey] to stall his candidature is to assist the 5th defendant who has lost touch with the constituency,” the writ stated.

The NDC goes to the polls on Saturday to elect its Presidential and parliamentary candidates for the 2016 elections.

Credit: StarrFMonline