Dzodze Climax 2014 ‘Deza’ Celebrations

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October 5, 2014

Torgbui Dey III and Mama Agbaledzokpui of Dzodze Apetepe

The Chiefs and People of Dzodze Traditional area in the Ketu-North district of the Volta region have climaxed their 13^th annual ‘Deza’ (Oil Palm Festival) over the weekend, with a call on young people in the area to venture into cultivation and production of oil palm instead of engaging in risky unsustainable and illegal economic activities.

The Ketu North district is one of the districts in the Volta region that records worrying levels of fuel smuggling due to their proximity to the to the Republic of Togo.

But according to the Volta Regional Minister Helen Adwoa Ntoso, the potentials in the oil palm industry are enormous and lucrative, which can lead to economic security.

She said aside the domestic consumption of oil palm, its extensive use as a vital raw material for industrial production of products such as cosmetics, soaps, bio-diesel fuel, among others, makes its cultivation a very lucrative venture, which can turn the fortunes of many young people.

She proposed as a way of motivating the youth, the institution of an award scheme to reward the best oil palm farmer, saying ‘it is when our people are engage in this kind of economic activities, that little by little our economy will grow into a robust one.’

The minister also commended the efforts of all farmers and assured them of government continuous support through various agriculture intervention programmes to make farming worthwhile.

Madam Ntoso flanked by Ketu North DCE and MP

The durbar which saw the showcasing of the rich culture and tradition of the various divisions of Dzodze, was attended by illustrious sons and daughters from the area, including Ambassador Modestus Ahiable, Former Volta regional Minister, Kofi Dzamesi and a host of Chief Executives of neighbouring districts, including Kofi Lawson, DCE for the area as well as local and international tourist.

Also present were two chiefs from the Eastern region, Osaberima Kwesi Boating III of Akwatia traditional area and Nana Osafo Kantanka I of Akwapim traditional area, who is also the Managing director of Takoradi International Company (TICO).

The two in a solidarity message underscored the importance of peace and unity for socio-economic development and urged the people to support both traditional and political leadership to drive meaningful development.

Mr. Emmanuel Xorvey Dzineku, chairman of the festival planning committee, lauded government for the various developmental projects initiated in the area and called for their speedy completion.

He also appealed for infrastructure support for the newly established Dzodze E.P College of Education which begins this academic as well as the reconstruction of Dzodze-Denu road which is inundated with potholes.

The Member of Parliament for Ketu-North, James Kludze Avedzi redeemed a pledge made at last year’s celebration by then Minister of Agric, Kofi Humado and presented a number of oil palm seedlings to the planning committee.

New school block for Tanyigbe-Anyigbe

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Kwadwo Duodu

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October 2, 2014

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A 3-unit classroom block with office and store has been commissioned at the Tanyigbe-Anyigbe M.A Basic School in the Ho Municipality.

The school block which was constructed by the Council of Ewe Association of North America (CEANA) at the cost GH¢ 100,000 replace a fifty year old dilapidated structure which had become a death trap.

Mrs. Rose Quarshie, former Executive Director of CEANA, said the project is part of group’s contribution towards quality education delivery in the community and urged the parents invest in the education of their wards.

She said the group, which is made up of Ewes from Benin, Togo and Ghana, based in United State and Canada has the objective of providing social intervention projects in health, education, water and sanitation across communities in all three countries.

Mr Francis Ganyaglo Deputy Volta Regional Minister commended CEANA for complementing government’s efforts in ensuring the delivery of accessible quality education.

He also urged the community to support government in the provision of quality education, noting that ‘beautiful building do not guarantee good results’ unless all stakeholders including the teachers, pupils and parents worked hard to improve on the academic performance in the area.

Rev. Father Anthony Azah, CEANA Project Co-ordinator lamented about the delay in executing the project, due to the unwillingness of community members to provide communal labour.

Divisional Chief of the area and initiator of the project, Togbe Kwame Akoto V, thanked CEANA for providing the funds which were judiciously used for the project.

He said the new classroom will help improve enrolment in the school which has been declining in the past.

He also gave assurance that it would take several decades for the building to see any major rehabilitation because of the quality of materials used.

Mr Kofi Kludjeson, entrepreneur, who chaired the function, pledged to provide an Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre for the school, whiles the President of Noble Dream Investment Group, Mr Ezekiel Owusu Afriyie, also promised to give GH¢ 5,000 to the school, for the procurement of furniture for the classrooms.

AUDIO: Ho Polytechnic Management debunks local POTAG allegations

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Kwadwo Duodu

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October 1, 2014

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Dr. JVK Afun, Outgoing Ho Polytechnic Rector

The Management of Ho Polytechnic in the Volta region have debunked allegations of financial malfeasance levelled against it by the leadership of the local chapter of the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG).

During a press conference on Monday, September 30, Paul Deladem Koku chairman of the Ho Polytechnic PoTAG, accused the management of spurious administrative decisionsand downright manipulative scheming which has caused a huge seepage of the Polytechnic’s finances.

The leadership of POTAG accused Management of deliberately delaying the payment for a Nissan Teena saloon vehicle purchased in April 2012 without due process, which has accrued of interest for two years, while the polytechnic council have approved the said vehicle to be given as a gift to the rector, Dr. JVK Afun whose tenure ends on September, 30.

But reacting to the allegations on Tuesday, outgoing Rector, Dr. J.V.K. Affun and the Registrar, David Dzontoh described the accusations as baseless, frivolous and without any merit.

They explained that the vehicle was supposed to be pay for by Getfund but the inability of the fund to pay led to the accruement of interest for two years, thus the decision from Council to pay with the school’s internally generated fund while awaiting refund from GEtfund.

Mr. Dzontoh also stated that the vehicle is being sold to the outgoing rector at a discounted rate as stipulated in the rector’s condition of service, which other past rectors have benefited from. He also debunked allegation of employing new staff members without due process.

Below are excerpts of the POTAG allegations and responses from Management.

Brothers busted with ‘Wee’ stocked in Sceptic truck

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Kwadwo Duodu

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October 1, 2014

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Luck eluded two brothers in an attempt to outwit security personnel by using a septic truck to transport large sums of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp popularly known as “wee”.

The Ho Police on Tuesday dawn busted the brothers, Kwabena Owusu, 30 and Yaw Baffo, 20 when the septic truck otherwise used for transporting human excreta was intercepted at mile 48 near Agbokofe off the Ho-Aflao Highway.

This is the latest among several other ploys adopted by drug dealers and smugglers in the region to outwit the Police and other security agencies. In the past, the stuff were concealed in very expensive suit and brief cases which were rarely searched by the by security officials at various check points. Other ploys include the concealment of the dried leaves under buses, engines and behind the inner body of vehicles. While some also stashed in animal feeds and other commodities.

According to the Volta Regional Crime Officer, Chief Inspector James Kofi Abraham, at about 2:30am Tuesday dawn, the Police upon a tipoff intercepted the septic truck with registration number, GT 598-J, stuffed with 40 mini sacks containing 2,096 slabs of the suspected India hemp.

Detective Abraham said the two told the Police they were from Achimota in Accra and had been called by one “Efo” to transport the dried leaves from Dzemeni, in the South-Dayi District to Aflao.

The culprits, Kwabena, driver and Yaw, apprentice who were pretending to be discharging human excreta were arrested and escorted together with the vehicle to the Drug Law Enforcement Unit (DLEU) of the Regional Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Deputy Minister Tour Flood affected Areas

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 30, 2014

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Mr. Ganyaglo (M) with Madaam Azumah-Mensah inspecting the Kpetoe Bridge

The Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Francis Komla Ganyaglo, in the company officials of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and the Feeder Roads Department, on visited areas hit by recent flooding in five districts of the region to commiserate with victims and assess the impact of the devastated disaster.

The flooding which was as a result of the overflow of River Todze following heavy downpours submerged farmlands, houses and displaced thousands of persons in the Agortime-Ziope, Akatsi South, Adaklu, South Tongu, and Central Tongu districts.

The Deputy Minister and his entourage first stop was at Kpetoe, capital of Agortime-Ziope district, where he was joined by Member of Parliament, Juliana Azumah Mensah and DCE Michael Adjaho to commiserated with the chiefs and family of the middle aged man who lost his life as a result of the collapse of a building by flood waters.

They also inspected the submerged bridge on the Ho-Aflao road and the flooded maternity ward of the Kpetoe health centre.

The team later moved to the Akatsi south and South Tongu districts where vast track of farmlands and feeder roads were inundated.

The Deputy Minister also interacted with the Recue team from the NADMO headquarters led by Mr. Daniel Setsofia who ferried stranded victims to safety in one of the hardly hit communities.

Mr. Setsofia said the devastations caused by the floods were very massive, as properties and farm crops destroyed runs into hundreds of thousands of Ghana cedis.

The Assembly member for Tordzinu, one of the hardly effected communities in the South Tongu District, Madam Christiana Afeku made a passionate appeal to government and benevolent organisations to support the victims who have lost their livelihood through flooding.

She said the flood destroyed crops such as pepper, tomatoes, okro, beans, groundnut and cassava that were ready for harvest as well as some livestock, hence without external support, the people will be left with huge debts, since they acquired loans to cultivate the crops.

Major roads connecting Waya, the capital of Adaklu district to other communities have also been cut off, rendering access to the only Health centre and Senior High School impossible.

The situation, according to the DCE, Emmanuel Sky Ganaku has brought economic and social activities to a temporary halt.

Portable Water sources in the affected communities including Kpoviadzi in the Central Tongu district have also polluted by the flood waters.

Mr. Simon Myles Bakar, Volta regional NADMO coordinator attributed the flooding to torrential rains upstream in the Republic of Togo, where River Todze has it source. He however proposed the dredging of the Todze River and other small ones in the affected areas to curb such situations in coming years.

According to NADMO initial assessment figures, a total of 3118 persons and 672 houses were affected by the floods in all five districts, majority of which is in the Agortime-Ziope, 1,920 persons and 305 houses.

Also, a total of 2,510 acres of farmlands were submerged with 21 culverts and 14 feeder roads destroyed.

Responses

Flooded road

Mr. Francis Ganyaglo the Deputy Volta regional Minister, throughout the tour assured the affected victims of government’s support to alleviate their plights, while urging them to move to safer grounds, since rains have not stop yet.

He urged the various assemblies to collaborate with NADMO to ensure the dredging of the rivers in the areas in order to curb future devastations.

Mr. Ganyaglo also admonished to take a cue from this disaster and be circumspect in issuing out work permits, so as to prevent people from building on water ways.

About the Kpetoe Bridge on the Ho-Aflao road, the minister said government is planning to replace the entire bridge which has deteriorated over the years because of the heavy traffic that it carries on daily basis.

Officials of the Feeder Roads Department also assured that the affected roads and culverts will be properly worked on when the rains subside.

Mrs. Juliana Azumah Mensah, MP for Agortime-Ziope promised to construct a new Maternity block from her share of the Common fund at a site acquired for the district hospital while they await the Health Ministry to award the hospital project.

NADMO relief Items

Meanwhile, the National Disaster and Management Organisation (NADMO) have presented relief items to victims in five flood affected districts.

The items include 200 pieces of family relief pack, including mattresses, 100 pieces of washing soap, 600 pieces of blankets, 400 pieces of mosquito nets, and 500 bags of maize and rice.

Mr Kofi Portuphy, National Coordinator of NADMO, said water tankers, water purifiers and poly tanks would be sent to provide good drinking water to the affected communities.

He advised the people to move from the lowland areas as there is the possibility that the rain might continue.

Mrs Helen Ntoso, Volta Regional Minister, also announced that the Regional Coordinating Council would be liaising with Zoomlion, to urgently fumigate the affected communities.

Submerged farmlands

Dzemeni Fishermen to strike over Premix shortage

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 29, 2014

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Fisher folks and commercial boats owners in Dzemeni, a fishing community along the Volta Lake in the South Dayi district of the Volta region, have resolved to dock their boats and nets in an indefinite strike action, Tuesday.

The action, according to David Gbetey, Secretary of the Inland Fishermen and Boat Union at Dzemeni is to protest the perennial shortage of pre mix fuel for their operations.

Mr. Gbetey said the community use to receive two tankers of premix fuel every week, but alleged that a directive from the District Chief Executive Kafui Bekui, one tanker have been diverted to another station.

The situation, he said has brought untoward hardship onto boat operators, who are running at a lost, as middlemen popularly referred to as ‘magomago’ take advantage to sell the product to them at exorbitant prices, compelling them to resort to the use of ‘super’, to power the boats.

He also disclose that a letter sent to the DCE to notify him about the union’s earlier decision to embark on a demonstration was not responded to, hence the resolve to go on strike.

The union has since been running radio announcements to notify their counterparts in other island communities about the intended strike.

If carried through, traders who cross the lake from the Affram Plains to sell food stuff at the Gemeni market will be stranded, as there will be no commercial boats to ferry them and their commodities across the lake.

Recalcitrant boat operators who defy the directive, according to Mr. Gbetey will be liable to a spot fine of GHc 1000 and a three month ban.

The DCE, Kafui Bekui has however, refuted the allegation saying he do not control the discharge of premix fuel from the headquarters in Accra.

Motorists upset with Deplorable Eastern Corridor road

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 28, 2014

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truck grounded on the road

Motorists and passengers plying the Hohoe-Jasikan to Kadjebi road in the Volta region are calling on the Ghana Highway Authority to as a matter of urgency carry out emergency repair works on deplorable portions of the highway to ease their travelling woes.

According to them, travelling on the road has become a nightmare in recent times as vehicles plying the route often get stuck at various portions of the stretch which has become very muddy with lots of ditches due to heavy downpours.

Last Wednesday, stranded passengers have to endure the inconvenience of pushing vehicles to manoeuvre through the muddy ditches around Bueman Senior High School in the Jasikan district.

Some traders who frequent the road say the situation is adversely affecting their businesses as most food stuffs being cart from the northern part of the region get destroyed before reaching Accra and other market centres in south.

They also complain of the exorbitant fares being charged by some drivers because of the bad state of the road; as the drivers also express frustration over the damage being caused to their vehicles when plying that route.

The deplorable nature of the road have has pose insecurity to its users as armed robbers frequently terrorise motorists and passengers especially at night.

The Hohoe-Jasikan-Kadjebi road is part of the Eastern Corridor road project, which begins from the Tema roundabout and ends at Kulungugu in the Upper east region.

The over 695 kilometres route is divided into several lots and connects Juapong, through Asikuma, Peki, Kpeve, Hohoe, Jasikan, Kadjebi, Nkwanta and Oti-Damango in the Volta region.

Whereas, the Asikuma to Agate, Dodo-Pepesu to Nkwanta, and Nkwanta to Oti-Damonko lots have been awarded to contractors, the lot which comprises Agate-Hohoe-Jasikan-Kadjebi to Dodo-Pepesu is yet to be awarded to a contractor.

However, Vice President, Kwesi Amissah Arthur at a grand durbar to climax this year’s Asogli Yam Festival in Ho last weekend, announced the repackaging the road project with new source of funding to facilitate its construction and subsequent completion.

Court remands rival chief in Aflao Chieftaincy dispute

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 27, 2014

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Torgbui Amenya Fiti (L) Torgbui Aflao Detu

The Ho High court on Friday remanded into Police custody, a claimant to the Aflao paramount stool, Togbui Afla Awuno Detu IX.

Torgbui Afla Detu, known in private life as Raphael Kodzovi Fiho was arraigned before the court after he was arrested by the Aflao Police on Thursday for defying Police orders not to enter the town after security intelligence revealed his actions could spark violence.

Five other persons were also arrested by the police for attempting to enter the residence of the rival chief, after they had information that he (Torgbui Afla Detu) was in town to be outdoored as the new chief of the area.

Torgbui Afla Detu who was charged on two counts of offensive conduct, organizing public event without recourse to the public order act, however pleaded not guilty to both charges.

State Prosecutor, Moses Asampoa told the court the action of the rival chief, has raised tension in the area, with the potential to inflame chaos.

He subsequently prayed the court to remand the accused in order to douse the tension in the area. But the defence counsel, Savior M.K Dzikunu rebutted the claims of the prosecutor and also prayed the grant bail to his client since the charges against him were bailable offences.

Presiding judge Patrick Baaye in his wisdom remanded the rival chief into police custody to reappear on Tuesday, September 30. The decision, according to the Judge is for the safety of both the accused and the people of Aflao.

Irate youth

Tension was high in the area following an announcement by a rival chieftaincy faction in the area that a new paramount chief that was installed last year will be ushered into the town yesterday.

This has led to the deployment of heavy security in the area as irate youth went rampage burning lorry tyres and firing musketry to perevent the outdooring of the rival chief.

About a year ago, some chiefs in Aflao claimed to have installed Torgbui Afla Awunor Detu IX as Paramount Chief for the traditional area, an action that denounced by Torgbui Amenya Fiti, the incumbent Paramount Chief, and his elders, who think the rival chief was trying to usurp their powers.

Flood kills one Person at Kpetoe

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 25, 2014

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Flood waters inside the maternity ward

Residents of Kpetoe the capital of Agortime-Ziope district of the Volta region are still counting their losses as part of the town was submerged by flood waters after River Todze overflowed its banks in the area Wednesday night.

The flooding which occurred at midnight collapsed about 100 buildings, killing one person and injuring several others, according to NADMO officials.

The injured persons, including the pregnant wife the deceased are currently receiving treatment at the regional hospital in Ho.

The only health center in the area has also been taken over by the floodwaters, thereby halting health care delivery. While the bridge connecting the Ho-Aflao road has also been submerged, causing inconvenient to motorists plying the road.

The situation has brought lots of socio-economic activities to a halt with many victims trying to relocate as NADMO officials assess the situation.

According to Mr. Simon Bakar, the Volta Regional Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization, (NADMO), the water level ranged from the knee to the average height of man depending on the location.

He explained that the deceased is a middle aged man who was with his pregnant wife and two children. The family of four was sleeping in their home when water began to submerge the building which had obviously suffered similar floods over the years.

Before they could know it, the building was tumbling down. Mr. Bakar and him men Mr. Bakar and his men who have been in the area since 1:00am after the flood began at about 12 midnight took the man to the Volta Regional Hospital in Ho.

He said Doctors at the facility, popularly known as Trafalgar confirmed to him at about 7:00am that the man had passed on, while the pregnant wife and two children were safe and sound. Other security personnel and volunteers forming a rescue team have also been in the area since midnight.

Mr. Bakar, the Volta Regional Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization, (NADMO) noted that the flood waters were as a result of the overflow of River Tordze. He said an assessment of the submerged Health Center at Kpetoe shows that the entire facility is not fit for use and hence needed to be relocated immediately. This, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Michael Komla Adjaho alluded to.

He conceded that the extent of damage was quite great and that urgent measures were being put in place to ameliorate the situation. He therefore called on other faith based organizations, relief agencies and philanthropists to come to the aid of affected communities.

The river which has its source from the Republic of Togo also has other sources within the region joining it at various points along its path. Following a series of rain falls in the republic of Togo and the, the river overflew it banks, a situation which happens annually.

Currently bridge constructed at Kpetoe to link Ho, the Regional Capital to Kpetoe and other communities and districts along the Ho-Aflao highway have been totally submerged. Travelling along the route is almost impossible now as motorists and passengers are all stranded.

To this end scores of vehicles upon reaching the Kpetoe Bridgbe from Ho, had to be returned as well as those from the opposite side, thus Aflao and co. However, stronger vehicles that could cross were also guided by residents and the rescue team as to how to cross over.

Mr. Bakar said “the situation is serious and as you can see, about one-third of Kpetoe is under water.” He said snakes and other poisonous creatures have been spotted floating in the water, adding that “a very huge spitting cobra, like the size of my thigh has even been killed not long ago.”

According to him, the extent of damage was still being assessed, but in the meantime school children have been urged to stay home, farmers are advised not to go to the farm and vehicles are being urged to return to avoid any fatalities.

More so, affected person were being relocated and documented to help mobilize the necessary relief items for them.

the submerged bridge

Pencils of Promise to boost Education delivery in Volta region

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 24, 2014

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Mr. Goba, director of PoP signing the MoU with Mr. Ganyaglo and Alhaji Haroon

In an era where the standard of Basic and Senior High school education in the Volta region continue to take a nose dive coupled with poor and inadequate classroom infrastructure, an educational charity organisation, Pencils of Promise (PoP) have officially entered into a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the Volta Regional Directorate of Education to help stem the situation.

The MoU, pave the way for PoP to complement government’s effort in providing classroom blocks and other teaching and learning materials for schools in deprived communities for the next five years. The charity organisation which started operations in 2012 has already built classrooms for 53 schools in 15 districts of the Volta region within the last two years.

Mr. Freeman Goba, Country Director of the organisation said Pencils of Promise is committed to providing 500 school blocks in Ghana by the end of 2015. This, he said is in fulfilment of the Organisation’s mission of bringing smiles on the faces of the less privileged, through the provision of shelter and logistics to deprived community schools.

Figures from the Education directorate, indicated that there 1,501 temporary classroom structures at the Kindergarten, Basic and Senior High Schools levels whereas 4,029 dilapidated classroom blocks at the various levels needed major rehabilitation work across the region.

Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Mr. Francis Ganyaglo who witnessed the MoU signing, said though government is doing a lot in the provision educational infrastructure and logistics, there is still much to be done and applauded Pencils of Promise for coming in to support government’s efforts to provide accessible and quality education for all.

Alhaji Mohammed Haroon, regional Director of Education who expressed excitement about the partnership, said it will foster a stronger collaboration between the Ghana Education service and Pencils of Promise in ensuring better educational outcomes and pledged his outfit’s support towards the implementation of the agreement.

Present at the signing ceremony were Chief Executives of some of the beneficiary districts, led by their Dean, Michael Adjaho DCE for Agortime-Ziope district.

Currently operating in 15 out of 25 Districts of the Volta region, the organization intends to expand its activities to the remaining ten districts and other regions in coming years.

Pencils of Promise have provided full scholarship to 80 students in Junior High and Senior High Schools, with the commitment of extending it to cover 200 beneficiaries by 2015.

The organisation has also recently introduced a Self Organized Learning Environment (SOLE) project, aimed at encouraging students to participate effectively in their studies through the use of technology.

Under this project, students are provided with electronic devices (E-readers) to enable them access the internet and do basic research on their own and make presentations on their findings, leaving the teachers in purely guidance positions. This is currently been piloted at Toklokpo D.A. Primary School and Agorhome RC Primary School all in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region.