Motorists upset with Deplorable Eastern Corridor road

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September 28, 2014

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.

Adaklu hit with Perennial Floods

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 23, 2014

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A volunteer carrying a woman across flood waters

About 30 communities in the Adaklu district of the Volta region have been cut off from the rest of the district following heavy downpour last week which flooded roads and farmlands in the area.

Major roads linking the district capital; Adaklu Waya to Mafi-Kumasi, Ziope, and Agortime-Kpetoe were completely submerged by flood waters.

The perennial disaster which is caused by the spillage of Waya and Tordze rivers in the area rendered the district capital, where the only Clinic and Senior High school are situated inaccessible to residents including students and public servants staying outside the district.

Togbui Lablulu Tegbeza V, chief Adaklu-Waya, said the situation nearly caused the lives of two pregnant women who were in labour in one of the adjourning communities last Sunday, but for the intervention of some youngmen in the area who have to carry a midwife shoulder high across the flood waters to attend to the women.

He noted that similar flooding in 2011 which claimed the life of one person compelled the late President Atta Mills to visit the area, who promise the construction of the main bridge across the river as well as the roads in the area.

Togbui Lablulu Tegbeza V, however lamented the seemingly inaction on part of government inability to construct the roads in the area as promised to end the perennial flooding.

‘Some areas are more low lying than Adaklu but they were able to raise their roads and they are passable throughout the year… We know government haven’t got money but wherever they’ve been getting money to upgrade other roads, they should find money from that source too for Adaklu, we also deserve what is good for others.’

The district chief executive of the area, Mr. Sky Ganaku said, though the flood waters are gradually subsiding, the assembly has advised residents not to attempt crossing it in order to prevent any casualty.

Mr. Simon Myles Gbaka, Regional NADMO coordinator also said his is expecting an assessment report from his men on the ground to determine the kind of relieve items to be sent to the area.

Prof Kofi Awoonor remembered

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 21, 2014

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Prof. Awoonor Mausoleum

Prof Kofi Awoonor remembered

A mausoleum to preserve the works of the late former Chairman of Council of State, Professor Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor has been commissioned at his home town of Wheta in the Ketu North district by the Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho on Sunday.

The mausoleum was part of activities to mark the first anniversary of renowned poet, who died on the 21st of September last year in Kenya during an attack by the Alshabab militant group on the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi.

Prof. Awoonor was among eminent African authors invited to participate in the Storymoja Hey festival, a celebration of writing and storytelling.

Hon. Doe Adjaho who recounted his experience with the late Professor, said the mausoleum was part of initiatives being taken by the Awoonor Family to keep the beliefs and ideologies of their father alive in order to inspire the current and future generations and urged all persons to emulate his thoughts and strive for excellence.

In accordance with the will of the late scholar, his children presented 54 sets of ‘Encyclopaedia Britannica’ to the E.P university college in Ho, as they also announced the establishment of an educational endowment fund to support the education of needy children in area as well as a literary awards for students of the language department of the university of Ghana.

L-R, Madam Cecila Johnson, Amb. Victor Gbeho & Hon. Doe Adjaho

One of his children, Sika Awoonor said as part of plans to perpetuate the legacies of their father, his entire residence in Weta will be converted into a ‘writers sanctuary’ where writers across the world could visit and have retreats.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Paramount Chief of the area, Togbiga Ashiakpor described the late Prof. Awoonor as an astute intellectual who combined the traditions of his people, contemporary and religious symbolism to depict Africa during the decolonization.

He however appealed to government to tar the road linking Weta junction to Metrikasa which has been the promise of the late Proffesor.

The remembrance ceremony which was attended by top government officials led by the Chief of Staff, Prosper Douglas Kweku Bani, saw the display of unadulterated traditional cultural performances.

Also present were Chairperson of the Council of State, Mrs. Cecilia Johnson and leading members of the NDC both at the regional and national levels as well as relatives and friends including, Professor Kofi Anyidoho and Victor Gbeho who all took turns to eulogize the late diplomat and statesman.

2014 Asogli Yam festival Climaxed in Grand Style

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 20, 2014

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Togbe Afede

A durbar of chiefs and people of Asogli has taken place on Saturday at the Ho Jubilee Park to climax this year’s Asogli Yam Festival the celebrations.

The durbar saw the showcasing of the rich cultural dexterity of the four traditional areas forming Asogli, which include Akoefe, Ho, Kpenoe and Takla.

The festival attracted Ewes from the Republic of Togo, led by Togbe Agokoli IV, Ewefiaga as well as local and foreign tourists, chiefs and some members of the diplomatic corps.

A high powered government delegation led by Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur was also in attendance.

Addressing the gathering on the theme “Let’s make our nation great and strong,” Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli State said Ghana could “bounce back” as a strong nation should the “right system and spirit” be developed.

According to him, the current challenges confronting the nation could be corrected if the right systems and spirit is developed through truthful leadership and patriotic citizenship.

“Notwithstanding our current difficulties as a nation, if we can develop the right system and the right spirit, our situation will correct itself, and we shall bounce back and forge a path towards greatness, as envisaged by our founding fathers,” he added.

He said building a great nation is a process, which involves the construction of “right systems” using the power of the State to unite and inspire the people, to contribute towards the building of a politically and economically stable and viable nation.

The Agbogbomefia called the appointment of ‘hard working men and women, who value truth and honour, with demonstrated capabilities’ into public office to ensure national progress.

Togbe Afede also bemoaned the acrimonious nature party politics in the country and called for its redirection on development instead of its preoccupation of only winning elections.

He urged government to intensify the fight against corruption and create opportunities for all, in accordance with provisions in the country’s constitution.

“All ethnic groups must be convinced about government’s commitment to fairness in the allocation of limited opportunities and resources available” he noted.

On the increasing spate of strikes in the country, Togbe Afede who is also the president of the Volta regional of Chiefs noted that ‘the practice of paying people while they are on strike creates a win-win situation that encourages strikes.. it is about time strikers lose any right to pay while they are on strike. This will minimize the resort to strikes as weapon in labour negotiations.’

Vice President Amissah Arthur in his address underscored the importance of the celebration of festivals and expressed happiness that such festive occasions provide new ways of improving the livelihood of the populace.

He said the theme for the celebration summed up the intentions of Togbe Afede to the traditional area and the country.

Vice President Ammisah – Arthur reiterated government commitment to the completion of the eastern corridor road project, which he said have been repackaged with new funding.

He also reassured the gathering of the completion of other projects in the region, including work on the Ho-Adaklu-Accra road, the Ho library and Centre for National Culture projects.

On Ebola and cholera, the Vice President said government is ensuring best standard in public health and urged the citizenry to be guided by proper environmental health practices.

The festival is celebrated mainly as thanksgiving to God, and also to the gods and ancestors for bumper harvest and to offer prayers for good health and prosperity for all.

It is also serves an annual stocktaking event for all occupational endeavours, used in mobilising human and material resources of Asogli State for job and wealth creation and serves as an annual re-affirmation of allegiance by chiefs and their subjects in the Asogli State to the Agbogbome stool.

Varsity of Health, Allied Sciences gets substantive Council

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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September 19, 2014

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The first substantive Governing Council for the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) Ho have been inaugurated in Ho last Wednesday.

The 13-member council replaces the University’s Implementation Committee, which acted as interim Council, since its establishment by an Act of Parliament (ACT 828) in 2011.

The Council which has a-three-year tenure to be renewed once is under the chairmanship of Prof. Kofi Anyidoho of the University of Ghana-Legon, who was also chaired the interim council.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, who inaugurated council, commended the interim Council for the “remarkable progress” made and urged the substantive Council to be guided by provisions in the University’s Act in all its deliberations.

Other members on the Council are Mrs Justice Agnes Dordzie of the Court of Appeal, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, Legal Practitioner, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Vice-Chancellor of University of Ghana, Dr. Yaw Adu-Gyamfi, CEO Danadams Pharmaceuticals Industries and Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, Catholic Health Services.

Others include Prof. Fred Binka, Vice-Chancellor UHAS, Mr Paul Dzandu, Deputy Executive Secretary National Council on Tertiary Education (NCTE), Mr Dzidzeme K. Sedanu-Kwawu, representative of Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS).

The rest are Mr Emmanuel Adjei, Chief ICT Officer UHAS, Mr Kwabena Sakyi, representative of the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Associations of Ghana (FUSSAG), Dr. Francis Zotor, representative of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), and Mr Daniel Y. Sarfo, representative of the Students Representative Council (SRC).

Prof. Anyidoho commended the late President John Evans Atta Mills and President John Dramani Mahama for their foresight in establishing the University.

He also expressed gratitude to the university community and workers for their support towards the successful take- off of the University.

Prof. Anyidoho said though young, UHAS had attracted large numbers of applicants and was optimistic things would move faster when structures at its permanent site were completed.

The University which enrolled its first batch of students in 2012/13 academic year currently operates from temporary structures located in Ho and Hohoe; as construction of permanent campus structures is ongoing at Sokode-Lokoe Green-valley near Ho. culled from GNA

Prof. Binkah (L) with Education Minister & Council members at permanent site

Artistic impression of permanent site

2014 Asogli Yam festival get support from MTN

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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September 18, 2014

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Flashback: 2013 donation by MTN

Ghana’s leading telecom operator, MTN Ghana as part of its commitment towards the promotion of the rich Ghanaian culture and tradition, have presented cheque for GH¢ 5,000.00 to the Asogli State in support of this year’s Asogli Yam Festival.

It also donated airtime worth a GH¢1,000.00, a GH¢500.00 worth of drink hamper and some assorted MTN souvenirs.

Mr David Woasey, regional Sales and distribution Manager of MTN who presented the items, said the donation was to consolidate the long standing relationship between the company and the Asogli state.

‘MTN as a friend of the Asogli state have come to affirm our relationship and lend our continuous support to the people as you celebrate the Asogli Yam festival’ he said and promised that his outfit would support an entertainment show in Ho dubbed “MTN Chill Zone” during the festival.

Mr Woasey said the theme for this year’s festival-“Let’s make our nation great and strong,” was appropriate because it called for selflessness and patriotism.

He said MTN as part of its Corporate Social Initiatives, has undertaken more than 95 projects in the country, impacting over 213,000 lives nationwide.

Togbe Kotoku XI, Paramount Chief of Kpenoe and Chairman of the 2014 Asogli Yam Festival Planning Committee, commended MTN for its continued support to the festival.

The three week long celebration will be climax on Saturday September 20 with a grand durbar of chiefs and people of the Asogli state and it’s expected to attract tourists and Ewes from the Republic of Togo, Benin and Nigeria.

Teachers locked out GES Boss; demands his interdiction

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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September 18, 2014

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Outgoing Regional GES boss, Emmanuel Keteku, (L) with Successor (R)

Teachers and staff of Agortime-Ziope district directorate of the Ghana Education Service in the Volta region last Tuesday demonstrated against what they describe as the sordid state of affairs in the directorate under the directorship of Gershon Kofi Agyeman.

The about 400 aggrieved educations workers, clad in red armbands defy an early morning rain to besieged the premises of the directorate at Kpetoe, on the first day of reopening of schools to locked up the director’s office and demanded his interdiction.

They accused the director of financial mismanagement, autocracy and intimidation as well neglect of his official duties, a situation they claim has stalled progress of education delivery in the district since he took over three years ago.

A press release, read by the Public Relations Officer of directorate, Patrick Tekpor, on behalf of the protestors, stated that Mr Agyeman has been an absentee director who once a while, spends an hour or two in the office whenever he deemed it fit.

‘He has never scheduled any staff meeting since his arrival to discuss challenges confronting the directorate and education in the district and efforts to get the right things done prove futile.’

They also claim the director has sidestepped procurement procedures and unilaterally collect and spend budgetary allocations meant for schedule officers.

Some Protesters

Rev. Samuel Sevor, Deputy Director in charge of Human Resources at the district directorate, said numerous complaints to superiors at the regional GES directorate about the attitude of the Mr. Agyeman have not been addressed.

‘We, teachers and staff of the directorate are no longer interested in working with this director and we’ll not rest until he is interdicted….. Else, we’ll halt all educational activities in the district.’

The agitations compelled the outgoing Regional Director of Education, Emmananuel Keteku and his successor, Alhaji Mohammed Haroon, to cut short ‘my first day at school’ tour of the region and rush down to calm tempers and disperse the teachers with a promise to address their grievances within one week.

He said the Director General of the Service is also aware of the situation and steps will soon be taken to resolve the issues raised by the teachers.

Meanwhile efforts to get Mr. Agyeman’s response to the allegations were unsuccessful as he decline comments, saying he needs clearance from his superiors.