Alavanyo chiefs invoke deity after Soldier Assailants

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October 10, 2014

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).

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

By

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.