GUMP Project to transform Ho- MCE

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January 2, 2015

The Ho Municipality is set to see some major facelifts this New Year, following the commencement of some infrastructural projects in the area by government under the Ghana Urban Management Pilot Project (GUMPP).

The projects comprising the construction a modern abattoir, an engineer landfill site, and the reconstruction of the Ho Central market at a cost of 28 million Ghana cedis is scheduled for completion in November this year.

Speaking with VoltaOnline, the Ho Municipal Chief Executive Mrs. Fafa Adinyira described the projects as the ‘game changer’ for the municipality.

She explained that central market which will be transformed into a modern one will have a total of 232 shops with warehousing and ancillary facilities such as a clinic, fire and police posts.

“Time period we’ve given to the constructors is one actually year, from November, 2014 to November, 2015 the project must be completed.. So we’re going to see a new face of Ho in the market area and the other two projects, the abattoir and landfill site hopefully will also be completed.”

Responding to recent agitations over the state of roads in the regional capital, Mrs. Adinyira noted despite financial constraints the Urban Roads Department managed to work on some 9.5km roads within the regional capital.

She however said there is a lot more to be done and plead with residents to exercise restraint as the assembly continue to champion the development of the area.

Three other cities of Kumasi, Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi in addition to Ho are also benefitting from the GUMMP Project with a 40.5 Million Euro funding from the French Agency for Development–AFD.

The project is aimed at improving the living conditions in urban area through the provision of social infrastructure.

Deputy Min. calls for revamping of Arts and Culture in Schools

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Kwadwo Duodu

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October 11, 2014

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The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Madam Dzifa Abla Gomashie has called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to collaborate with Ghana Education Service and the Centre for National Culture to revamp Arts and Cultural activities in the various basic and second cycle schools in the country, as a means of preserving and promoting the rich Ghanaian culture.

According to her, Arts and Culture is what distinguishes a person or a group of people from others hence the need to ensure it never goes extinct, noting that without art and culture a person or group of people has no identity and heritage.

This, she said is necessary in protecting the country’s culture heritage against western adulteration and imbibing true Ghanaian values and patriotism among the youth and generations unborn.

Speaking at the Southern Volta Regional Festival of Arts and Culture held in Akatsi last Thursday, Dzifa Gomashie who is a proud product of the Art and cultural industry, said the industry has the potential to provide sustainable jobs for the teeming youth and transform the economy of the region, thus appealed to the MMDAs to assist in its development and promotion.

She also encouraged young people to take interest in Arts and cultural activities so as to learn about the unique and diverse cultural practices in the country to help shape their lives for the better.

The event which saw colourful cultural performances by various troupes and Arts exhibition, was used to select performing groups and exhibitors to represent the Volta region in the upcoming National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC 2014) scheduled for November 29, at Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo region under theme ‘The Creative Arts and Tourism Industry, a Platform for National Development.’

Similar event was also held at Hohoe on September 17, for the districts in the northern part of the region.

The Volta Regional Minister, Madam Helen Adjoa Ntoso called for the proper integration of the Creative Arts sector in communities with tourism sites to promote communal growth of both sectors. She also entreated Ghanaians to patronise the numerous tourist attractions in the region to boost the growth of local economies.

Madam Ntoso also reiterated government’s commitment towards the completion of the regional office complex of the Centre for National Culture in Ho.

Alavanyo chiefs invoke deity after Soldier Assailants

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Kwadwo Duodu

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October 10, 2014

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Traditional leaders at Alavanyo in Hohoe Municipality are said to have invoked the wrath of the gods on the unknown assailants who opened fire on a military man who was on peace keeping in the area on Thursday afternoon.

The assailants were said to have escaped into a nearby bush after they shot Lance Coporal William Bedford who have gone to the bush to urinate.

According to the chiefs the rituals which was performed at the scene of the attack, will compel the assailants to own up or the wrath of the gods will be visited on them and their families.

Lance Coporal Bedford is part of a team of security personnel deployed in the area to maintain peace following sporadic communal clashes between the people of Alavanyo and Nkonya.

Though, the motive behind the attack is not yet known, Police sources said the incident has no link with the age old communal conflict but believe it may be a case of settling “personal scores”.

The victim, who is said to be in critical condition, was first rushed to the Margaret Marquart hospital in Kpando, before being transferred to the Regional Hospital in Ho.

The Volta regional minister and chairman of RESEC, Helen Ntoso who heard of the incident, rushed to the emergency ward of hospital on her way from a function in Akatsi to see the Lance Coporal, who was later transferred to the 37 Military hospital in Accra Thursday evening.

The Police has commenced investigations into the incident, which is said to be the first of its kind to occur in the area.

Alan K woos Volta NPP delegates

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Kwadwo Duodu

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October 9, 2014

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Alan Exchanging pleasantries with delegates

Mr. Alan Kwodwo Kyeremanten, one of the three contenders in the flagbearership race of the opposition New Patriotic Party NPP, has taken his campaign to the Volta region on Wednesday, promising party delegates a lot of goodies should he be given the nod at the October 18 congress to lead the NPP into election 2016.

Addressing a mini rally of party delegates in Ho, Alan Kyeremanten promised to provide bicycles and motorbikes to party officers at the ward and Polling station levels, whiles each constituency will benefit from a new party office and a pickup vehicle.

“This time, if you make Alan your flagbearer, I will ensure that every executive, from polling station to coordinator to constituency will have the means of transport either bicycle or motorbike. Your bicycle will be registered in your personal name so that even when you are not an executive you can take it home as your reward for working for the party.”

He further stated that under his leadership, all party officers at the grassroot be put monthly salaries to enable them devote their time and energy to the service of the party.

Mr. Kyeremanten also promised the disbursement of campaign funds through the mobile money service, so as to ensure effective campaigning at the grassroots.

The former trade Minister said the party risk becoming irrelevant in the country’s political arena should it stay a bit longer in opposition.

‘Politics is about power and any party that stays out of power for too becomes irrelevant,’ he said and appealed to delegates to vote for him as the party’s flag bearer, as he has the key to unlock the 2016 victory for the party.

‘If you want power, give power to Alan and power will come to the NPP in 2016’ Alan chanted.

ICU cautions Private FM stations Owners in Volta

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Kwadwo Duodu

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October 7, 2014

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Mr. Ananga, Regional ICU Officer (M)

The Volta regional branch of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) has sent a word of caution to owners of private FM stations and other employers in the region to desist from the blatant flouting of the labour laws by paying their employees below the national minimum wage.

According to Mr. Samuel Ananga, the Union’s regional Officer, most of the private entities including the FM stations and schools denied their workers adequate remuneration and other service benefits, despite engaging their services beyond the statutory 8 working hours per day; in violation of the international labour Organisation’s convention on ‘equal pay for equal work.’

At a press briefing to mark the maiden edition of ‘World Precarious Day’ in Ho on Tuesday, Mr. Ananga disclosed that his outfit has in recent times received numerous complaints from such workers, who in some cases are not paid their meagre salaries for months.

The Volta region in recent years has seen the proliferation of radio stations with seven currently operating in Ho the regional capital.

Some workers of these stations, according to Mr. Ananga have also been working for years without appointment letters, a situation he said violates section 75 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) which stipulates that ‘a worker who is employed by the same employer for a continuous period of six months and more shall be treated as a permanent worker.’

He also advised desperate job seekers to insist on their rights and not allow themselves to be exploited by some unscrupulous business owners.

The ‘world Precarious day’ is marked to bring to the attention of the government, employers, civil society organizations, advocates of justice and equality, workers and the public the injustice and deprivation being meted out to casual workers.

‘Adaklu NPP falls flat for Nana Addo’

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Kwadwo Duodu

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October 6, 2014

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With less than two weeks to the October 18 delegate congress of the Opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), the party’s delegates in the Adaklu Constituency of the Volta region have acclaim the party’s two time flagbearer and third time contender, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, as the 2016 Presidential candidate.

Addressing a press conference on Monday at Adaklu-Abuadi, Raybon Evans Anyadi constituency Chairman, ‘Adaklu Constituency is the smallest in terms of numbers, so we will not allow any other candidate, be it Alan Kyeremanten or Addai Nimo to come to Adaklu and muddy the waters for us, for that matter we are declaring our total support for Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo.’

Present at a press conference were 18 out of 36 polling station executives with host of party supporters.

According to Mr. Anyadi, the overwhelming endorsement Nana Addo had during the NPP’s Special delegate congress only shows that the party’s rank and files are solidly united behind him, hence the need for him go unopposed.

He said the constituency has ‘falling flat’ for Nana, because majority of Ghanaians have accepted him as ‘the President in waiting’ and allowing other contenders to muddy the waters before coming to do damage control will be very detrimental to the 2016 campaign.

Immediate past National Deputy Women Organizer of the Party, Madam Tina Mensah asserted that Nana Addo is the ‘man of the moment, who has proven to be a man of integrity and incorruptible.’

She said the party will not trade the man who had five million votes in the last general elections for a man who cannot convince party delegates for votes but claims to have the key to victory, and called for over 90 percent vote for Nana in the upcoming congress.

A former Ho East constituency Chairman and an elder of the Party, Mr. Emil Asidigbe tasked party members to begin the 2016 campaign for Nana Addo, who he said has been tried and tested and not to be swayed by money.

Dzodze Climax 2014 ‘Deza’ Celebrations

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Kwadwo Duodu

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October 5, 2014

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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).