‘Allow young people to explore their talents’- Varsity Lecturer urges Parents

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September 9, 2014

Michael Dabi, Lecturer at EPUC

A Lecturer at the Evangelical Presbyterian University College (EPUC) in Ho, Mr. Michael Dabi has called on parents not to restrict their wards in exhibiting their God talents but rather provide good counselling and guidance to enable them attain their full potentials in life.

He said the situation whereby parents impose academic courses on their wards to study at the second cycle and tertiary institutions only put pressure on them to perform, which some end up failing, whereas they could have easily excel in their preferred courses.

Mr. Dabi who himself have experienced similar fate as a teenager, at the launch of his book, ‘Proverbs for Students’ , said he was compelled to study Science courses at both the Senior High and University level, though he has the preference for the Arts and Music.

‘Coercing students to study programmes against their talents put pressure on them to perform… but if everyone is allowed to use his/her talent, the world will be a better place’ he noted.

He also posited that, lack of motivation is one of the root causes of academic failure among students, hence the decision to come out with the book, which chronicles his experiences as a student and a lecturer, with a blend of ancient and biblical proverbs as well as famous quotes to inspire young people to reach out to the world with their talents.

Dr. Cyril Fayose, President of the E.P University College who launched the book, urged young people to be discipline and time conscious as the proverbial ant, so as to make a positive difference in the society with their talents.

Unveiling of the book

Former Deputy Attorney -General laid to rest

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 8, 2014

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Captain retired Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey, a private legal practitioner and a former minister of state in the erstwhile Kufour led-Administration, has paid a glowing tribute to a former chief state Attorney, who was later appointed a Deputy Minister of Justice and Attorney General in President Mills’ administration, Mr. Anthony Kwame Gyambiby, who died in March this year and was laid to rest at the weekend.

Capt. Rtd. Effah-Dartey, who was called to the Bar together with Mr. Gyambiby in October 1986, described the former chief state attorney in a tribute, as an incorruptible and astute public official who dedicated his life to the service of mother Ghana.

“Mr. Gyambiby virtually lived all his life working for the nation… working honestly and tirelessly just to push the national agenda forward… But the tragedy of society is that, those few who actually constitute the bedrock and fabric of our nation are usually unsung and unheralded.” Capt. Rtd. Effah-Dartey said during the funeral service at Asato in the Kedjebi district of the Volta region.

The late Gyambiby, who was also the Gyaasehene of the Asato traditional Area, under the stool name, Nana Otuo Srebour Gyambiby, joined the Attorney General’s department as an Assistant State Attorney in 1990 and rose through the ranks, attaining the highest rank of Chief State Attorney in 2001.

He also headed the eastern regional office of the A-G’s department in 2007 until his retirement in 2007, but was retained on contract before his subsequent appointment as a Deputy Attorney General in April, 2012 by the late President John Mills.

He has prosecuted several high profile criminal cases on behave of the state with distinction, notable among them was the case against former Minister of Information, Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, his deputy Mr Frank Agyekum and six others under the erstwhile Kufour administration for wilfully causing financial loss to the state.

Staff of the Department, described him as a ‘Prosecutor par excellence’, whose high sense of professionalism and strict discipline is attested to by “all who came into contact with him, including judges, colleague members of the bar and even persons he prosecuted.”

For his family and the people of Asato traditional area, the late Gyaasehene Nana Gyambiby was a family man, a devoted Christian and cheerful philanthropist, who is always concerned with the welfare of people and the development of the area.

Among the mourners were the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Madam, Marietta Brew Appiah Opong, Volta regional Minister, Madam Helen Ntoso, staff of the A-G’s department, some members of the Ghana Bar Association and the Judiciary.

L-R, Cpt. Effah-Dartey, Madams, Helen Ntoso & Marietta Brew Oppong

No Power supply to buildings not wire by ‘certified’ Electricians

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 4, 2014

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Victor Owusu, P.R Manager

The Energy Commission has disclosed that effective February next year, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) will not extend power supply to any building which has not been wired by the commission’s certified electricians.

The move, according to a Senior Programme Officer in-charge of Technical Regulations at the Commission, Mr Solomon Sarpong, is to ensure that standard electrical fittings such as cables and switches are used to properly wire the facilities, in order to curb power leakages as well as to avert firebreaks.

He said ‘poor electrical wiring contributes to energy losses at home and a major cause of the numerous fire outbreaks in recent times’ hence the commission’s decision to begin certifying professional electricians to avert the situation.

Mr Sarpong who was speaking in Ho during the Commission’s “SAVE A WATT”, campaign, urged persons who would require the services of such certified electricians to contact the commission or any ECG offices across the country.

The nationwide campaign which was launched in June this year is geared towards sensitizing consumers on the need to conserve energy as a means of reducing the annual electricity demand of 10-15 percent, which has resulted in the current energy crisis facing the country.

Mr Victor Owusu, Public Affairs Manager of the Energy Commission on his part noted that sustainability of country’s energy sector depends on the commitment of electricity consumers towards energy conservation practices.

He said ‘energy generation is expensive, and electricity pricing will not come down’ hence the conservation campaign towards changing the wasteful use of electricity by households, offices and businesses, energy inefficient electrical appliances and unprofessional wiring of buildings.

He noted that the ‘off your freezer’ campaign embarked on by the commission during the 2014 world cup season yielded significant result, as demand on the national grid was reduced by 70 megawatts during the period.

Mr Owusu also observed that leaving the lights on, in and around kiosks and containers on week-ends constitutes a significant drain on the national electricity grid.

He further stated the Commission aims at inculcating the habit of energy conservation among children, so that when they become adults, they will adopt energy conservation measures.

The acting Volta Regional Director of the ECG, Mr Robert Amewuda, said energy conservation was not about affordability of the utility by consumers, but rather that it be fairly available to every consumer.

Nana Tops NPP Super delegates congress in Volta Region

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 1, 2014

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E.C Officials collating the ballots

Despite predictions that Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten one of the seven flagbearer aspirants of the NPP might pull a surprise in the Volta region at the party’s super delegate congress on Sunday, because of the relatively massive support he enjoys in the region, the poll ended with Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo sweeping majority votes.

He polled 28 votes, as against Allan’s 14 votes from a total of 51 votes cast, with Joe Ghartey, Asamoah Boateng and Addai Nimo polling one vote each; whiles Dr. Konadu Apraku and Kofi Osei Ameyaw secured 2 and 4 votes respectively.

Mr. Anthony Oppong deputy Volta regional director of the Electoral Commission, who presided over the elections said, in all, 56 delegates were expected to cast their votes but due a court injunction placed on the executives of both the Ho central and South Tongu constituencies prevented their chairmen from participating in the exercise, while two other delegates have also transferred their votes to Accra, with one absentee delegate.

Voting which started around 9:17am ended by midday, leaving delegates and party supporters to anxiously await the outcome of the polls, which was finally announced by the E.C officials at the stipulated 3:00pm. The announcement of results sent majority of the delegates into wild jubilation, though they claim it was expected.

Confusion

Ken Anku

The process which started peacefully at the Ho catholic Secretariat was nearly marred midway, when a misunderstanding ensued between a former Parliamentary candidate for North Dayi and an agent of Alan Kyeremanten, Ken Anku and the regional Chairman, John Peter Amewu.

The regional chairman was granting a request by journalists to pose for a photo shot by the ballot box after casting his vote, a move which did not go down well with Mr. Anku who angrily shouted at the chairman to leave the voting area.

This led to a verbal confrontation between the two personalities, with Mr. Anku referring to Mr. Amewu as a ‘traitor’, who also in turn fired back with ‘you are stupid’. The encounter then degenerated into one insult after the other until some delegates intervened to calm nerves, prevent the verbal fight between the two gentlemen from getting into fisticuffs.

Asabee’s Customised Rice Packs

Delegates at the congress were served with jollof rice and fried fish, by agents of Asamoah Boateng.

The food packs which were branded in NPP colours with the picture of the Asamoah Boateng embossed on them, had the inscription ‘Vote Asamoah Boateng, Number two (2).’ It also had a replica of the ballot paper indicating his position on the ballot paper.

The gesture was however not enough to secure him enough votes as he only ended up with a single vote at the end of voting.

Useless Exercise

Mr. Kenwood Nuworsu, the former regional of the party, after casting his ballot said, the special voting exercise was useless and a waste of time and party resources. According to him, the party should go on directly with the national delegate congress using the expanded the Electoral College.

About 14 police personnel provided security at throughout the congress, which was generally peaceful, despite the earlier confrontation.

‘Ministers must declare assets at vetting’- Governance Expert

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 28, 2014

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Harrison Belley

A governance consultant and a member of the Right to Information (RTI) Coalition in the Volta region, Mr. Harrison Kofi Belley has called for a review of the Assets Declaration Law to compel Public officials especially Ministers and their Deputies to declare their assets before the appointment committee of Parliament during vetting.

This, he said would ensure timely declaration and eliminate the tendency for false declaration by appointees, noting that ‘the law in its current form do not promote transparency as officials only list their assets on paper ,seal it in an envelope , and send it to the Auditor General, who is also not permitted to verify the information presented .‘

Article 286 (1) of the1992 Constitution requires “a person who holds public office to submit to the Auditor General a written declaration of all property and assets owned by or liabilities owed by him directly or indirectly.”

Speaking at a stakeholder forum in Ho last Wednesday on the Right to Information (RTI), Mr. Belley posited that public declaration of assets by appointees would ensure greater transparency and accountability in governance, as it will empower the populace to verify and monitor the activities of such officials.

The forum organised by the Right to Information (RTI) Coalition with support from STAR-Ghana was on the theme ‘Promoting the passage of an effective RTI law in Ghana; Mainstreaming RTI into the Local Governance Structure’ and attended by members of various interest groups from both formal and non-formal sector.

Mr. Tenaso Kofi Gbedema, the Volta regional RTI focal person underscored the importance of the right to information bill but said passing it in its current state will not serve its intended purpose, noting that ‘the RTI a fundamental human right and the torch stone for all freedoms.’

Participants at the Forum

According to him, the current bill which covers certain state institutions in its implementation must be amended to include Private institutions and Non-governmental Organisations that are providing services to the public as well as traditional authorities who are the custodians of community resources to ensure accountability.

Mr. Martin Dzikunu, another member of the coalition said the current Bill contains so much ‘blanket exemptions and if passed into law would impede access to information and calls for the redefinition of such exemptions.

He also reiterated the coalition’s call for the establishment of an Independent Information Commission to monitor the implementation of the RTI law when finally passed and not leave it to the Attorney General department.

Participants, including Mama Agblatsu III who chaired the forum called on parliament to the streamline of all ambiguities in the RTI bill to ensure its immediate passage to promote transparency and accountability.

They also urged public institutions adopt proper record keeping methods including the use of electronic means and fire proof cabinets to safeguard public documents.

201 Cholera outbreaks recorded in Volta region

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 27, 2014

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Mr. Draffor with Mr. Dogbegah

The Volta region has so far recorded 201 cholera cases with five casualties as of Tuesday, August 26, Mr Mathew Drafor, Head of Disease Surveillance Unit at the Regional Health Directorate has stated.

According to him, the Ketu-South district recorded the highest number of cases, with 110 cases and two deaths, a sharp increase in 60 cases recorded on Friday, August 22. Also the Nkwanta South recorded 67 cases with three deaths, Ho-West, 12 cases, Ketu-North 10 cases and the Ho Municipality with two cases.

Mr. Draffor disclosed this on Tuesday at a public sensitization forum organised by the Ho Rotary Club in conjunction with the Royal Hospital at the Ho central market on the theme: “End Cholera Now.”

He noted that the increasing pace of the disease is getting out of hand and called for concerted efforts from stakeholders to tackle the menace.

He also urged the public to practice good personal hygiene and also be careful in handling dead persons.

Mr Richard Ahiagbede, Municipal Environmental Officer said the Assembly is fumigating some areas in the communities to halt the spread of the disease.

The Ho Municipal Director of NCCE, Mr Kenneth Kponor, said despite regular education on radio, some individuals remain adamant to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene and calls for the prosecution of such persons.

Mr Rockson Dogbega, President of Ho Rotary Club said the sensitization campaign was necessitated by the fast pace the disease is spreading, stating that “this is to help educate ourselves and our mothers who sell foodstuff to us to prevent the spread of the disease.”

He tasked the participants to become health ambassadors and preach cleanliness, while refuse collectors should step-up their operations.

The recent cholera outbreak has caused havoc in parts of the country, especially in the Greater Accra region where over 3,000 cases have been recorded with at least 40 lives lost.

‘We’ll work with Stakeholders to drive development’

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 27, 2014

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Rev. Dr. Agidi

The Moderator-Elect of the Evangelical Presbyterian (E.P) Church, Ghana Rev. Dr. Seth Senyo Agidi has disclosed that, the church under his tenure will strengthen its collaborative efforts with other stakeholders to uplift both the spiritual and social status of individuals in the society, in order to drive the socio-economic development agenda of the country.

Reverend Dr Agidi, who is the church’s Director of Programme, Ecumenical and Social Relations, was elected at the just ended 6th General Assembly meeting and will take over from Right Reverend Francis Amenu, in January 2015 for a six years term.

At a cocktail reception organised in his honour by the Rotary Club of Ho, of which he is member, Rev. Dr. Agidi noted that core tenets of Rotary is in sync with the church’s mission of improving the well being of individuals, since it is not enough for the church to only feed people spiritually with the gospel.

“When the spirit is strong and flesh is weak, the flesh will draw back the spirit and vice versa” he said and pledged to work with all stakeholders including the Rotary club to improve the welfare of every individual.

He also announced his intention to engage in unity talks with the Global Evangelical Church, which broke ranks with the E.P church some years ago.

Rev. Dr. Agidi further disclosed his intention to embark on a membership expansion drive so as to double the church’s membership by intensifying and extending the gospel of Christ to every ‘nook and cranny’.

Mr. Rockson Dogbegah, President of the Ho Rotary said the election of Rev. Dr. Agidi to the high office of Moderator of the E.P Church is symbolic to the club’s core value of ‘Service above self’, and congratulated him on his elevation.

He assured Rev. Dr. Agidi of the club’s unflagging support throughout his tenure in driving the socio-economic development of the region and Ghana as a whole.

Rev. Agidi in a toast with Mr. Dogbegah

Noise Making in Ho banned at Night

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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August 16, 2014

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Ho M.C.E

After several public complaints over excessive noise making in the Volta regional capital of Ho, the Municipal Assembly on Thursday banned ‘excessive noise’ making in the municipality after 10PM.

Consequently, churches, mosques, drinking bars, corn mill and sawmill operators, hawkers and individuals are not expected to make ‘excessive noise’ deep into the night or face sanctions.

Mrs Fafa Adinyira, Ho Municipal Chief Executive at a stakeholder meeting on noise making in the Municipality, said the Assembly continued to receive complaints from the public on noise level in the Ho Township and said the Assembly would soon start enforcing its laws on noise making.

Togbe Akliku Ahorney, Volta Regional Manager of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said stress associated with noise making was “great” and urged churches to help ‘shape’ attitude of society.

He also called on operators of night clubs to install sound proof systems and ensure that the noise they generated was within their precincts.

Mr Kofi Tenasu Gbedemah, a Human Right Activist, said excessive noise in churches could kill worshipers.

“I am not against the churches but the noise they generate can kill their worshipers and affect the sick and aged who live around the churches. They must also not forget that there are hospitals around them and essential workers work at night,” he stated.

Reverend Robert Kwao, Volta Regional Chairman of Ghana Pentecostal and Christian Churches (GPCC) enumerated socio-economic benefits society derived from churches and said churches did not make noise deliberately to make others uncomfortable.

“We are sensitive to society and we will go by the directive not to make noise after 10PM,” he promised.

The EPA says noise pollution is sound that is disordered and irregular, producing an unpleasant sensation that is unwanted or that interferes with the ability to hear.

Motor vehicle, blowing of sirens and horns, hawkers, sawmills, corn mills, social gatherings and religious bodies are the main sources of noise creation in Ho.

Noise is said to cause emotional upset and ailments such as indigestion, ulcers, heartburn and gastrointestinal malfunctions in the body.

Industrial noise exposes workers to high blood pressure and heart abnormalities and can affect vision, circulatory and nervous systems.

Credit: GNA

Education Ministry to Publish approved fees for new Academic Year

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 14, 2014

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Alex Kyeremeh

The Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Pre-Tertiary Education, Alex Kyeremeh, has announced that, the ministry will soon publish the approved fees for all Public second cycle schools for the 2014/2015 academic year.

The publication which will be carried on all major media platforms, according to the deputy minister is to safeguard parents and guardians from paying unapproved fees, which some school Heads in the country have been charging first year students.

‘We will be tough on school heads who charge unapproved fees… Education should not be the preserve of a privileged few but affordable to all’ he stated and appealed to all stakeholders including chiefs report any recalcitrant school head for the necessary sanction to be applied.

Mr. Kyeremeh who is also the MP for Techiman North was speaking at Kpeve in the Volta region, during the commissioning of an ultra-modern office complex for the South Dayi District Education Directorate, constructed at the cost of 800 thousand Ghana cedis with funding from Department for International Development (DFID).

He also noted that, measures are in place to ensure prudent utilization of the recent 156 million dollars World Bank loan facility acquired to build 23 new Senior High Schools, upgrade 125 existing schools and provide scholarship to over 10-thousand poor students from deprived communities in the country.

As parts of the measures, he said an independent fund administrator will be appointed to liaise with communities in selecting eligible beneficiaries.

On the issue of using part of the money to supply sanitary pads for female students, the Deputy Minister explained that government will not buy the pads and distribute, but instead the money will be given to such students to buy what will keep them in school and their eligibility for the next trench will be based on a proof of purchase.

The Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Francis Ganyaglo on his part asked education officers to strengthen monitoring and supervision in the schools so as to improve the quality of education delivery in the area. He also urged the stakeholders to cultivate proper maintenance culture to safeguard the life span of the building.

The South Dayi district, according to a speech read on behalf of the outgoing District Director of Education, Mrs. Veronica Adzato-Ntem, is ranked the second in the Volta region at 2013 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), after being first consecutively in the 2011 and 2012.

While commending government for the edifice, she also appealed for the provision of computers to facilitate the work of the directorate and also assured that the edifice will be properly maintained.

GRAFT Foundation Provide free Surgery to the underprivileged

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 12, 2014

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A patient being prepared for the Surgery

The Ghana Reconstruction of Anomaly and Trauma Fund popularly referred to as the GRAFT Foundation , a non-governmental charity medical organisation, as part of its Hope Projects, have restored the lives of 106 underprivileged persons in the Volta region, who were suffering from various medical deformities and complicated anomalies acquired from birth or accident.

The NGO led by its founder Dr. Kwame Abrokwaa Yankyera with his team of volunteer Ghanaian Plastic Surgeons, Anesthetics, Urologists, Orthodontists and Nurses conducted free Reconstructive Plastic Surgeries on patients (including babies), some of whom travelled from Kete-Krachie, Dambai, Nkwanta and other parts of the region to the Volta Regional Hospital in Ho.

The exercise which begun on August1-9^th, saw the team work tirelessly to rectify anomalies such as, Cleft lip and Palate, Burn related complications, (Ectropion and Contracture) Syndactaly (fused fingers), Tumours and Swellings as well as Genital Filariasis (Abnormal Swelling of the Scrotum).

Dr. Kwame Abrokwaa Yankyera, who is also head of the Plastic Surgery and Burns department of the 37 Military Hospital in an exclusive Whatsapp message to this reporter, said ‘We finished surgeries (with the 106^thperson) on Saturday, 9^th August at exactly 4:19PM.. We take glory not in the numbers but giving hope to these people and making them productive again, all to the glory of God’.

In July, Dr. Abrokwaa Yankyera and his team of volunteers screened over 250 Patients with such medical conditions at both the Regional and Hohoe Government hospitals and those who conditions do not required surgery were given medications.

He explained that, the foundation initiated the Hope Projects in 2013 with the aim of bringing hope to the medically hopeless in the country, who have no idea that such anomalies can be corrected and as well cannot afford the cost plastic surgery.

The GRAFT foundation, through its first Hope Projects in 2013 change the lives of 92 persons in the 3 northern regions, Central and Western regions. A feat that won Dr. Abrokwaa Yankyera a cash prize of 50,000 Ghana Cedis, after he was nominated and adjudged the winner of the first ‘MTN Heroes of Change’ programme organised by the MTN-Ghana Foundation.

The success of last year’s project, according to the benevolent Plastic Surgeon motivated the foundation to include the Volta and Eastern regions this year’.

Dr. Abrokwaa Yankyera expressed gratitude to the staff and management of the Volta Regional Hospital for their support during the exercise and also appealed to benevolent individuals and institutions to support the GRAFT foundation financially and materially to sustain the Hope Project.