Inspector General calm nerves of Ho Residents

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January 21, 2015

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.

Volta Police Allay Fears of Asogli Chiefs over ‘insecurity’

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 16, 2015

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DCOP Yentumi-Gyinae

The Volta Regional Police command has allayed the fears of Chiefs of the Asogli State in Ho and residents that the security situation in the Volta Regional capital is under maximum control.

According to the Regional Commander, DCOP Peterkin Yentumi Gyinae “we are in total control and that Chiefs and people of Ho should be rest assured.” He noted that a few incidents should not be exaggerated to mean the worst was happening in Ho.

DCOP Gyinae gave the assurance in a brief rejoinder to allay the fears of Ho residents.
The rejoinder was in reaction to a publication by the Ghana News Agency headlined “Asogli Warriors to Take over Security in Ho, in which some Chiefs the Asogli State reportedly registered their displeasure about the security situation during a press briefing in Ho and urged the Police to sit up else, their duties will be taken over by the Asogli warriors.

Most media houses however have confirmed they neither heard of nor were present at the said press briefing.

But reacting to the observations of the Chiefs and content of the publication, the Regional Police Command was grateful to the Chiefs for their observations saying “The Police will not begrudge the Chiefs for making an observation about issues pertaining in Ho.”

According to him there haven’t been as many cases as being referred to in the said report. On the contrary, “the Police were swift and averted actual occurrence of the crimes,” he explained.

They therefore urged the Chiefs to draw the attention of the Police in subsequent cases in other to get adequate information about the security situation in Ho and on that basis support the Police in fighting crime.

The regional Police chief found it intriguing that “the reporter chose to put out such a story without deeming it necessary to hear anything from the Police.”

He also used the opportunity to call on the Chiefs, reporters and all resident to frequently contact the Police before condemning the Police.

He noted that, there haven’t been as many cases as being referred to in the said report. On the contrary, “the Police were swift and averted actual occurrence of the crimes,” he explained.

DCOP Yentumi-Gyinae urged the Chiefs and residents to set up neighbourhood watch committees to collaborate with the Police, by volunteering information about the activities of criminal elements in their communities for them to be apprehended.

Robbers Attack Private Clinic in Ho

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 15, 2015

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Foresight Clinic

Four armed robbers last Wednesday night stormed the Foresight Clinic in Ho, the Volta Regional Capital taking away money and properties. According to an eyewitness and a victim, Wilson Ablormeti the incident which happened between 8:45pm and 9:00pm led to the loss of about GH₵1000.00, working tools and personal belonging of staff, including mobile phones and two laptops.

Wilson Ablormeti said he and the security man and one other person were assaulted by the masked robbers while his mobile phone and money was also collected.

Robbery Details

He explained that at about 8:45 a man entered the clinic to visit his wife and daughter which the security man and other nurses clarified that there was no such admission.

The man was asked to call the wife and verify her location. The man replied that he had done that and the wife was still insisting that she was at foresight Clinic.

Just when the man was being persuaded to leave, four masked men charged into the clinic and joined the man. The gun wielding men requested for the mobile phones and monies on the about seven staff members at the facility.

The Assistant Nurse in charge, Kodzo Anna added that the robbers ransacked the records room where they took over GH₵800.00. They then took two laptops and began to remove the wall television at the OPD without success. They then rushed out.

The Police was called in, but missed the robbers by a whisker.

Police Investigations

The Ho Municipal Police Command has begun fervent investigations into the case and have assured that the culprits will soon be apprehended. The Regional Police Commander, DCOP Peterkin Yentumi Gyinae have also assured that the Police in on top of issues and all resources available will be put to weeding out criminals in the municipality.

He advised residents to practice good personal security and pleaded for prompt information to assist Police in their duties.

This latest incident comes just days after some chiefs of Ho lamented about the state of security in the regional capital and threatened to deploy their traditional warriors to protect residents.

Asogli chiefs threaten to deploy Warriors to provide security of Ho

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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January 14, 2015

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The chiefs of the Asogli State in Ho, on Monday threatened to send Asogli Warriors to the street to take over the security of the Volta Regional capital.

This follows the current daily incidents and reports of robbery in the Municipality, which increased during the yuletide, and is continuing. Aside the break-ins are muggings on streets and alleys.

Before the Christmas, there were robbery cases at Mawuli Estate, SSNIT Flats, Voradep Village and ‘B’ Quarters.

Two medical doctors and a few others were also robbed last week at Goshen City, Adzroe Street and in communities opposite offices of the Regional Police Command.

The robbers tied some of their victims with robes and allegedly raped the women.

Togbe Howusu the Twelfth, Warlord of the Asogli State, at a press briefing, chastised the Police in Ho for concentrating on check points outside Ho at night, and said indications were that residents had confidence in them.

He said it appeared the interest of the Police was not in the protection of the people, and appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to intervene and help address the situation.

“We are appealing to the IGP to intervene, but if the situation persists, we will replace the Police with Asogli Warriors. The Warriors are ready,” Togbe Howusu stated.

Togbe Kasa the Second, Chief of Ho-Ahoe said the traditional authorities were not pleased with policing in Ho, and complained about the absence of police visibility in the town.

“We have been hearing about the exploits of police in Kumasi, and not happy with policing here,” he said.

Commenting on robbery cases during the Christmas festivity, the Ho Municipal Police Commander, Mr Nicholas Ofosu-Hene, told the GNA that only one robbery case was reported during and after the yuletide.

He said in view of the size and population of the Regional capital, there was the need for more police stations, to enhance policing.

Source: GNA

Volta Police hands over ‘Wee’ Cops to Headquarters

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 14, 2015

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L/C Frazer, Sergeant Ametepe and Uchenna

The Volta regional Police command has transferred the case involving two of its officers and a Nigerian, who were busted for transporting substances suspected to be India hemp (Wee) in a Police van.

LanceCorporal Frazer Defeamekpor and Sergeant Prosper Ametepe and Uchenna Ubanezim were arrested last Saturday dawn by a Highway Patrol team at Sokode-Lokoe near Ho with 18 fibre bags, containing 1051 slaps of the suspected substance; which they were transporting in a Nissan Navara pick-up with registration number, GP 3741 belonging to the Ho Regional Police Training School (RPTS).

In an interview with VoltaOnline, the Public Affairs Officer of the regional Police Command, DSP Nicholas Asiamah-Yeboah disclosed that the Police Headquarters has directed that the case be transferred to Accra for further investigations and prosecution.

“We should have taken them to court today [Tuesday], but the case will be taken over by headquarters and they’ll be arraigned before court in Accra… So we’re waiting for the arrival of a team from the headquarters to come and pick them to Accra for further investigation.”

The Police P.R.O also noted Lance Corporal Defeamekpor, a driver stationed at the Police Training School and Sergeant Ametepe who is with the Keta Police MTTU admitted during interrogation that, they were contracted by Uchenna and to cart the ‘goods’ from Kpeve-Tornu in the South-Dayi District to Dzodze-Penyi in the Ketu-North district for a fee.

According to him, the officers will also face a Service Inquiry as part of the Public confidence reaffirmation campaign by the being championed by the current Police Administration led by the Inspector General Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan.

The seized Substances

Meanwhile, a Police Source also confirmed to VoltaOnline that a slab like the ones retrieved from the suspects’ costs between GH₵100.00 and GH₵200.00 in Ghana costs between GH₵300.00 and GH₵400.00 in Nigeria. This means that if a slab is valued at about GH₵150.000.00 then the owners of the consignment will be making a total of GH₵157,650.00.

The source also noted that the bust involving the three has been recorded as Region’s second largest in recent times. The largest substance involving 2096 slabs was intercepted a few months ago, concealed in a septic truck being driven by two brothers.

Fire ravaged houses in Akatsi-North

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 14, 2015

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File Photo

Three houses were destroyed, and 25 people, including 17 children, left with nothing, except the clothes they were wearing, following a fire outbreak, said to have been started by two kids roasting groundnuts.

The incident took place at Atanve Number Two in the Akatsi North District.

A source told the Ghana News Agency that at about 2:00pm on Saturday, Joseph Sadziko and Michael Asitor, aged five and three years respectively, decided to roast groundnut in the absence of their parents.

But as Asitor tried to lift the bowl of groundnuts from the fire with a piece of cloth, it caught fire and in a panic he threw it away torching the thatch roofing as the two ran out of the kitchen without raising alarm.

The harmattan winds carried the fire onto the main building of the house, and spread to other buildings within the vicinity.

The District Assembly and Member of Parliament (MP), on Sunday gave three maxi bags of maize, three 25 kilogrammes bags of rice, wax prints, a bale of used cloths, Ghana at 50 cloths and T-shirts to the victims.

Mr. James Gunu, District Chief Executive (DCE), called for extra care to protect life and property at this time, and cautioned smokers, palm wine tappers and cattle herds, to be mindful of the way they handled fire in this harmattan season.

Source: GNA

Nkonya, Alavanyo Not Litigating Over Land – Chiefs

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 12, 2015

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Vice President With the Chiefs in a handshake

The leaders of Nkonya and Alavanyo have refuted claims that the two factions were engaged in a land dispute. According to them, the land dispute is between individuals and families from both sides and not the entire traditional areas.

This came to light when leaders of the two factions met Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur on Friday to find a lasting solution to the over 90-year-old conflict.

This will be the third attempt by government to broker peace between the two parties after talks stalled in 2013. In December last year, there were renewed clashes that left one person dead.

The violence in the two communities has persisted for years despite several mediation attempts.

The paramount chief of Alavanyo Traditional Area, Togbe Tsedze Atakora VII stressed, “I also want to put it on record that it might surprise everybody here that Alavanyo and Nkonya have never gone to court over land. If anyone has that record, let him show it.”

He further clarified, “I am saying that some people from Nkonya Tayi and six individuals from Alavanyo went to court over land.”

As far as the outspoken Alavanyo chief was concerned, limiting the problem to those individuals from Nkonya and Alavanyo – who went to court over land – would have made the problem very small. Unfortunately, the “small issue” has escalated over the years to deprive other areas of their peace and livelihood.

His position was corroborated by Nana Ampem Darko, the Ankobeahene of Nkonya Ahenkuro, who rep-resented the Paramount Chief, Nana Okotor Kofi.

According to him, the said land had been abandoned while other areas were experiencing violence along the boundaries (from Tayi to Asakyiri) between the feuding parties.

He then emphasized, “I want the whole world to know that any other thing that is happening is not on land dispute,” and that observers are only givin the atrocities a name. Nana Ampem Darko therefore pleaded with the authorities to “consider the land problem as one chapter and look at the criminality and atrocities happening as another chapter” and handle the issues decisively.

He also revealed that some people were takingadvantage of the situation to encroach onto other people’s land and farms, adding that that was what was creating problems.

Togbe Dagadu VIII, paramount chief of Akpini (Kpando) Traditional area who hosted the mediation meeting, urged both sides to fully corporate to ensure that lasting peace was realized within the shortest time possible.

Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur commended the parties for honouring the call and warned them against the cycle of retaliations which was having a negative toll on life and the economy of the area and the country as a whole.

He was hopeful that they would cooperate in the peace process.

Other people present at the meeting included Mrs. Helen Adwoa Ntoso, Volta Regional Minister; Yaw Donkor, National Security Co-ordinator; Mohammed Alhassan, Inspector General of Police and Brigadier General Adeti, General Officer Commanding the Southern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces.