Man killed in accident on Ho-Adidome road

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February 20, 2015

One person died on the spot while another sustained severe injuries in an accident involving a tipper truck with registration number GR 5901-12 on the Ho-Adidome, Friday afternoon.

The truck, belonging to Ussuya Ghana Ltd, one of three construction firms working on the Ho-Adidome road, was said to be transporting gravel to site at Adaklu-Hlekpe, when it veered of the road and fell into a ditch near a Gridco sub-station popular known as ‘Power house’.

According to eyewitnesses, the loose chippings on the road might have caused the truck driver, Zaburu Abubakar to lose control of the vehicle resulting in the crush.

The deceased, identified only as Gadako, who was on board the truck with the driver is reportedly not an employee of the construction firm.

Meanwhile the driver is receiving treatment at the Ho Volta regional Hospital as police commence investigations into the accident.

Immigration Service deports 48 illegal Nigerian immigrants

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 31, 2015

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Officials of the Ghana Immigration Service in the Volta region on Saturday afternoon deported about 48 illegal Nigerian immigrants, who entered the country through unapproved routes.

The immigrants who claimed to be fulanis from Oyo state in Nigeria, were arrested at Bandai in two Benz buses on their way to Chinderi, the capital of Krachie-Nchumuru district on Friday.

The group including six male adults, 18 women and 24 children were transferred to Ho on the request of the regional minister for immigration profiling and health screening.

Their leader, who holds a Nigerian Voter I.D with name Atiku, Alhaji Adams, told officials in Hausa that, they were relocating to Chinderi engage in cattle herding but were jettisoned at the Dambai ferry site with their belongings by the articulator truck which took them from Nigeria.

Speaking to VoltaOnlinethe Volta Regional Minister Hellen Adjoa Ntoso disclosed that the immigrants didn’t have any travelling document apart from Nigeria Voter I.D cards issued in Oyo state, hence the decision to repatriate them immediately.

She also disclosed that one of the women who was in labour on their way to Ho, has given birth at the Bandai clinic.

The Health screening conducted on them, declared them medically fit before their repatriation in a Police truck escorted by security officials through the Aflao Border.

Dozens displace by weekend Rainstorm

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 27, 2015

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Hundreds of families in South Tongu, Ketu-North and Ho municipalities of the Volta Region were rendered homeless, a rainstorm swept through some communities in the three districts, over the weekend.

Roofs of some basic schools were also ripped off, disrupting educational activities in the affected communities.

According to information from the National Disaster Management Organisation, (NADMO) the rain storm swept through Hodzo in the Ho municipality days earlier and destroyed the roof of a 6-unit classroom block in addition to few individual houses.

Similar destructions were experienced at and Devego in the Ketu-North district, the storm hit there and South Tongu district on the Saturday.

Three communities, Agbagorme, Agbakorpe and Lakpo were worst affected, with 92 homes and three schools destroyed.

The storm, according to reports, nearly claimed the life a pregnant woman at Agbagorme when she was hit by a fallen block from her building, which left her unconscious for hours, before being resuscitated at a hospital in Sogakope.

Headteacher of Agbakorpe R.C Primary School, Augustine Dzotorgbe whose school had a whole classroom block ripped off by the rainstorm, disclosed to VoltaOnline the disaster has damaged a lot of stationary and other teaching materials.

“In mean, we just have a multiple grade class to maintain the children as teaching and learning goes on. We are waiting for philanthropists to come and assist us to come and reroof our classroom block.”

The over 626 affected victims are currently putting up with relatives, as they awaits relief items from the National Disaster Management organisation (NADMO).

Paschal Agbagba, Deputy Regional Coordinator of NADMO noted his outfit has forwarded an assessment report on the damages to the national headquarters for immediate assistance.

“For now we are constrain resources wise… But looking at the severity of this case, within one week, we should have some response from the headquarters.”

Meanwhile the DCE for South Tongu, Samuel Mawuko Eworyie, who toured the affected areas, said the assembly will as a matter of urgency fix the affected schools for teaching and learning to continue.

He also pointed to construction flaws in some of the homes destroyed by the rainstorm.

“We notice that there have been a lot of structural defects when it came to the buildings that were put up. So it was easy for the wind to just lift the roof off .”,

He however assured affected residents; that the assembly will liaise with NADMO to support them with roofing sheets to enable them put their buildings.

Wee Arrested in Fake Diplomatic Vehicle

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 26, 2015

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Two men are currently in the grips of the Volta Regional Police Command after they run out of luck in an attempt to use a fake Diplomatic Vehicle to convey suspected Indian hemp. Checks indicate that the Diplomatic Vehicle number on the vehicle, CD 182-13 falls within the British High Commission allotment of diplomatic numbers issued by the Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) of Ghana.

The two who have been identified as Ahmed Harunah, 39 and Akoto Castro, 24 were arrested last Sunday, 25^thJanuary, 2015 by the Volta Regional Highway Patrol Team.

They were arrested at about 4:00pm in Frankadua in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region which is under that Peki Division of the Volta Regional Police Command.

Ahmed and Akoto

The Regional Police Commander, DCOP Peterkin Yentumi Gyinae who confirmed the arrest to Volta Online, indicated that they were moving from Tsibu, near Peki which lies on the famous Eastern Corridor Road to Accra, the national capital.

He said the diplomatic Number plate; CD 182-13 which was embossed on the Land Cruiser Prado which was being driven by Ahmed heightened the curiosity of the patrol team.

The then stopped the vehicle and searched it. They found seven maxi fibre sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. After a thorough count 446 was compressed slabs of the substance was realized.

DCOP Yentumi Gyinae said, after interrogation, the two mentioned the owner of the illegal substance to be one Afenyo of Dzemeni Tornu in the South-Dayi District of the region.

They denied knowledge of their destination in Accra. According to the suspects, they were to call Afenyo when they got to Accra for directions to the final destination of the suspected Cannabis Sativa.

The Regional Crime Officer, James Kofi Abraham hinted that when questioned, the two confirmed that the number plate was a fake one which was provided by a friend who is an agent (also known as Goro Boy) of the DVLA in Accra.

Other checks by Volta Online also indicate that the Road Worthy and Insurance documents were all issued in with the same number and they all seem to be genuinely done.

That notwithstanding the Volta Regional Police command has assured that the full weight of the law will be applied. The Regional Commander was optimistic that the drug trade will surely be weeded out in the region.

This latest arrest comes barely two weeks after two police officers and Nigerian were also busted with 1051 slaps of the suspected substance at Sokode-Lokoe near Ho.

Woman Arrested With Wee

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 25, 2015

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A 22 year old lady has been arrested by the Volta Regional Police Command for possessing substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa otherwise known as Indian Hemp.

The lady who has been identified as Angela Boakye had hidden the suspected illegal substance in a basket full of fresh okra.

But for the vigilance and strictness of the Police personnel at the Barrier the young lady would have eluded the security personnel.

Angela Boakye

Narrating the incident to Daily Guide, the Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Peterkin Yentumi Gyinae noted that the woman was arrested last Sunday, 25 January, 2015 at about 1:30pm in a Hohoe-Accra bound commercial bus. The Bus has the registration number, GS-4055-13.

On reaching the Kponvie-Barrier which happens to be the last Police Checkpoint in the Ho Municipality, the officers on duty stopped the vehicle for routine checks.

The basket which had a green cloth covering it attracted the attention of the police who searched it and found the 35 slabs of compressed Indian hemp in it.

The driver in charge of the vehicle identified Angela as the owner of the basket to which she owned up. She initially denied knowledge of the Indian hemp, but admitted to the basket o Okro.

The Regional Commander however noted that after interrogation, she admitted knowledge of the substance. Angela claims to have taken custody of the consignment from Ve-Kolenu in the Afadjato South District and was conveying to one Allhaji in Accra.

The Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent James Kofi Abraham confirmed that she is being processed for further action.

This latest arrest comes barely two weeks after two police officers and Nigerian were also busted with 1051 slaps of the suspected substance at Sokode-Lokoe near Ho.

Murdered Nkwanta-South DCE buried on Assembly Premises

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 25, 2015

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The remains of the murdered Nkwanta-South District Chief Executive, Peter Kojo Kenyenso was on Saturday laid to rest at the forecourt of the district assembly premises at Nkwanta.

Hundreds of mourners including, Politicians, traditional leaders and business Executives trooped the Nkwanta R.C School Park to pay their last respects to a man, who was brutally shot dead by unknown assailants in the evening Monday, November 3 last year his residence.

A government delegation led by the Local government Minister, Julius Debrah, MMDCEs, MPs and leading members of the governing NDC party including Dan Abodakpi was present to mourn with the Kenyenso family including his wife and three kids

Several tributes poured in for the 50 year old local politician, with many describing him as ‘affable and energetic’ man with unbridled ‘passion and dedication’ towards the development of his area.

Regional Minister, Helen Ntoso described his murder, as an indelible stain on the entire Nkwanta area, and appealed to residents to assist with information for the perpetrators to face justice.

Member of Parliament for the area, Gershon Gbediame, explained that the decision to bury the DCE at the assembly is to serve a notice that, “Never Again” should such a barbaric act take place in the area.

He was also hopeful that justice will be served, be it from the ‘state apparatus or the creator of the universe.’

Inspector General calm nerves of Ho Residents

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 21, 2015

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Following recent spate of robberies in parts of the Volta regional capital, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan on Tuesday embarked on a day’s working visit to Ho to assess the security situation in the municipality.

The IGP, accompanied by the Director-General Police Public Affairs, DCOP David Ampa-Bennin were led on a tour of municipality including some crime prone areas by the regional commander, DCOP Peterkin Yentumi-Gyinae.

He also paid courtesy calls on the Deputy Regional Minister, Francis Ganyaglo and the Warlord of the Asogli Tradtional Area, Togbe Adzie Lakle Howusu XII, before meeting his officers at the regional Police command.

Speaking later at a Forum organised by the Volta regional Security Council to deliberate on the security situation with some stakeholders, Mr. Alhassan noted that, the rapid expansion of the municipality required some changes in strategy to combat the rising crime menace.

He therefore announced the establishment of more Police tent-cities and the introduction of motorbikes patrols, as some measures to increase Police visibility in the municipality especially in new communities situated at the outskirts and to residents to support the initiative.

The Visit The visit was on the heels of a recent threat by Asogli Chiefs in Ho to deploy their warriors to the street to take over security.

E.C Boss backs Partisan District Assembly Elections

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 20, 2015

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Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan has entreated Ghanaian Professionals to contest in the District Level Elections (DLEs) so as to enrich quality of district assemblies to accelerate development at the grassroots.

According to him, though the local government system is the foundation for the country’s democracy and development, it lacks the requisite human resources to effectively deliver to the citizenry.

“Next time, all of you, become candidates, for you’ll improve the quality of the assemblies,” the E.C boss told Journalists during a day’s capacity building workshop in Ho on Monday.

Partisan Participation in DLEs

He also alluded to suggestions that the local government elections should be made partisan, saying “eventually in the future, we have to open it up to partisan participation, because they (parties) are behind the scenes,” though the law currently barred parties from doing so.

Dr. Afari-Gyan however stressed that, opening up the district level elections to partisan participation should be with the hope that, it will end the dichotomy of the two major parties (NDC and NPP) so that the other minority parties ‘can pick up some strength at the countryside.’

“But if things goes the way they already are, that if you mention your name and you don’t add either NDC or NPP nobody can even recognise you, then my friend we are moving in the wrong direction,” he warned.

Touching on the upcoming District Level Election scheduled for March,3 2015, the E.C who also doubles as the commissioner responsible for the Volta and Ashanti regions, appealed to media houses to whip up public interest in the exercise through their reportage.

Mr. Wilhelm Gaitu, Regional Manager of Ghana News Agency, who was a facilitator at the programme, noted that ‘elections invoke emotions,’ hence the need for media practitioners to be circumspect in their election reportage.

He stated that media is ‘the marketplace for trading political choices at elections’ and advised practitioners especially radio presenters ensure decorum on the airwaves in order to sustain peace and tranquillity in the country.

Participants were also enlightened on meaning of the various electoral terminologies including, Election Monitor and Observer, Irregularities, Fraud and Rigging as well as Spoilt and rejected ballots.

Police busted 19 Suspects in connection with recent robberies in Ho

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 20, 2015

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The Suspects on parade

The Volta Regional Police Command on Monday conducted an identification parade for 19 suspected criminals who were arrested during a special Police operation within the Ho Municipality over the weekend.

According to the Regional Police Commander, Peter-King Yentumi Gyinae, the arrest of the suspects was based on police intelligence and public tip-offs for their involvement in recent robberies in the area.

However, none of the suspected criminals was identified at the parade, a situation DCOP Gyinae blamed on the uncooperative attitude of crime victims to participate in the exercise.

Notwithstanding that, the Police Commander said the suspects will be profiled with their fingerprint and pictures taken before granting them bail.

There were reports of an upsurge in criminal activities within regional capital in recent times, the latest one being the armed robbery raided on a private health facility in Ho, Foresight hospital.

The situation also have compelled chiefs from the Asogli traditional area to chastise the Police and threatened to deploy their warriors to provide security in town.

But the Regional Police chief appealed to the general public to volunteer information to the police to enable it protect lives and property.

Ho Poly Ready For Technical University

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 18, 2015

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Ho Polytechnic is ready to join the first batch of Polytechnics in Ghana to be converted into Technical Universities in 2016.

According to the Rector, Prof. Emmanuel Kojo Sakyi, Ho Polytechnic is more than 50% ready for conversion into Technical University having started implementing the recommendations of the Dr. George Afeti Committee.

The Rector made the announcement recently at a press conference in Ho in commemoration of his 100 Days in Office which originally fell on the 5^thof January, 2015.

As part of the recommendations of the Technical Committee, for a polytechnic to be granted technical university status, it should be offering a minimum of four (4) Bachelor of Technology degree programmes in science and technology based disciplines.

New Initiatives

Some of the new initiatives include the expansion of academic programmes especially the Bachelor of Technology programmes which currently include BTech in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Auto-Mobile Engineering and Agricultural Engineering.

Facilities and infrastructure has started seeing massive improvement and expansion while existing programmes are being reviewed through the collaboration with Industry to make courses more industry friendly.

According to the Rector, “I have directed all faculties of the Polytechnic to sign MOUs with industry players” in a bid to forge a closer collaboration with them and also meet one of the qualification criteria for the conversion to Technical University.

Currently, the Polytechnic has established collaboration with Felix Houphouet Boigny ‘L’institut National Polytechnique’ of La Cote d’Ivoire for exchange programmes. It also has similar collaboration with the Vocational Institute for Technology (VIT), India and Pulaski Technical College, USA.

He also mentioned the upgrading of teaching staff of the polytechnic meet the university standard. Prof Sakyi therefore hinted that these and many other initiatives have already yielding desirable results and urged all staff, students and stakeholders to unite in making the dream of becoming a technical university a reality.

Prof. Emmanuel Sakyi, Ho Poly Rector

Distant Learning

“Committees are also in place to facilitate the establishment of School of Research and Graduate Studies, An International Scholarly Journal, Centre for Entrepreneurial and Technology Transfer and Endowment Fund for Staff development,” said Prof Sakyi.

Another ambitious project mentioned by the Rector is the start of Distance Learning programmes at Akatsi, Aflao, and Hohoe as well as the commencing of an evening and weekend school for workers.

Challenges and Progress

Prof. Sakyi assumed office on October 1, 2014 as the Rector of Ho Polytechnic admitted that his first 100 days has not been without challenges some which include poor sanitation, erratic power and water supply and institutional weaknesses.

With sanitation, he noted that “…the workforce responsible for cleaning our facilities have now seen some level of encouragement to do the rights thing.” A new switch over has been installed to improve power supply while plans were far advanced to acquire two new plants specifically for Asogli and Afadzato blocks to facilitate Teaching and learning.

The use alternative power source preferably Solar is being explored while there are plans to drill two new mechanized boreholes to improve the water situation in the various halls of residence on campus.

Vision

Prof. Sakyi said his vision for the Polytechnic is “to create and strengthen administrative and academic institutions to support quality vocational and technical education” with the focus on teaching, learning and research.

This will be achieved through institutional re-engineering which bring into effect the necessary technical and adaptive changes to make the polytechnic’s administrative structures more effective.