MPs assess Ebola Preparedness at Aflao border

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September 18, 2014

Regional minister (in cap) with Fritz Baffour (m) and other Cittee members

Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior have paid a day’s working visit to the Aflao border in the Ketu-south Municipality of the Volta region to assess the security situation and the necessary preparations put in place to prevent the deadly Ebola virus from entering the country.

The border is the major transit point to Ghana’s eastern neighbours of Togo, Benin and Nigeria, which has reported cases of the disease that has plagued three other West African countries including Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Briefing the Committee members on the preparations to combat the deadly virus, the Volta Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Joseph Teye Nuertey said since news on the outbreak of the disease broke in April, the Health authorities and other stakeholders has embark on consistent public education programmes on the disease as well as training of frontline health officials.

He disclosed that 20 Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) which the region received, were distributed among the Port Health Department at the border and two hospitals out of six health facilities designated to deal with the disease. The two are the Aflao Government hospital and the Regional hospital in Ho, excluding the Jasikan, Hohoe, Sogakofe, Nkwanta hospitals because of the inadequacy of the PPEs.

He also noted due to the inadequacy of the non contact thermometers, only Port Health officers at the main border, uses the infrared gadget to screen travellers, leaving officers at the pedestrian crossing at beat nine to dispense hand sanitizers to persons using that route to rub their hands.

Committee chairman and MP for Ablekuma South, Mr. Fritz Baffour noted that the committee’s tour of other major borders in the Western, Upper East and West regions revealed similar conditions, stating that “though we are totally aware of the Ebola menace and the possibility of it landing on our shores we’ve not done enough to protect our frontiers.”

He however assured that pressure will be mounted on the relevant authorities to speed up the release of logistics to help those in the frontline put adequate preparations on the ground to safeguard the country from the deadly Ebola virus.

Border Security Challenges

Sector commanders of the security agencies at the border, who took committee members round the agencies offices and beat wire, complained of inadequate personnel, infrastructural facilities, and lack of operational logistics including transport as challenges hindering their smooth operations.

They also called for the fencing and construction of the road along the border stretch, as done by the Togolese to minimize the numerous unapproved routes and ensure effective patrol.

The Volta Regional Minister, Helen Ntoso who accompanied the committee disclosed that, plans are in place to construct a road along the border but however noted that, the road will affect some farms along the border so negotiations are on- going on to enable the farmers harvest their produce before the project takes off.

Committee members also expressed worry about the porous nature of the border and called for a wholelistic security assessment of the country’s borders to enhance safety and security of Ghanaians.

Dzifa Crowned 2014 Face of Asogli

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 18, 2014

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Miss Dzifa Nukulenu, a Level 200 student of the University of Ghana, was last Saturday night crowned the “Face of Asogli 2014.”

The 21-year old Political Science student, who won a car, a year’s working contract with McDon Multimedia, organizers of the beauty pageant, has been made the Educational Ambassador for the Asogli State.

Miss Nukulenu was also adjudged the “Most Talented” at the event, which attracted many dignitaries, including Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli.

Akorfa Agbeko, a student at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and Kafui Foli, self-employed, were first and second runners-up respectively.

The excited Miss Nukulenu told GNA that her focus was to work hard to improve the performance of pupils in the Asogli State and the Volta Region at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

She said she would organise regular educational engagements with pupils, teachers, and parents to enhance quality teaching and learning in basic schools in the traditional area.

The contest held at Ho polytechnic auditorium saw popular Ghanaian boxers, Braimah Kamoko a.k.a Bukom Banku and Michael Ayittey alias Ayittey Powers, thrilled the audience with their own version of the Queen’s language alongside other rib cracking acts.

Among the judges was veteran actor David Dontoh who is also a judge on TV3’s Ghana’s Most Beautiful show.

The Asogli Traditional Council and McDon Multimedia hosted the event, which is the fourth edition.

Ten contestants took part in the event, which has become one of the highlights of annual yam festival of the chiefs and people of Asogli, Ho, in the Volta Region.

The pageant aims at celebrating womanhood, while encouraging girl-child education in the area.

Ayittey Powers n Bukum Banku on stage

culled from GNA

Xcholera: Massive Cleanup Exercise In Ho on Wednesday

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 9, 2014

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In a move to curb the fast spread of the current cholera outbreak in the Ho Municipality, the Municipal authorities have announced a massive cleanup exercise, scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday.

The exercise which begins in the morning between 6am- 10am, will see residents pour onto the streets in their various suburbs to clear weeds, desilt and choked drains, under the coordination of assembly members and chiefs.

To ensure full participation from both formal and informal sector workers, Assembly officials have disclosed that the central market will be under lock and key, whiles shops owners, public and corporate institutions have also been directed not to open their premises for business until after the cleanup exercise.

Authorities further noted that, residents and institutions who failed to adhere to the directive will be appropriately sanctioned.

Last week, the Assembly fumigated all public toilets following reports of four confirmed cases of cholera in the Municipality. Whiles public education on cholera prevention still continues on the airwaves.

Ho Municipality to get five new Police posts

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 9, 2014

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Ariel View of Ho Central Market

In a bid to ensure the security and safety of residents, the Ho Municipal Assembly is to open five new police posts in the Municipality Mrs Fafa Adinyira, the Assembly Chief Executive has announced.

She said the additional police posts had become necessary in view of the increasing population and the relative high crime rate in the area.

Communities likely to benefit from the new police post, according to MCE are fast developing areas, such as Sokode, Adaklu, Matse, Akoefe and Hodzo , while the Ho Central Police Station would be given a facelift befitting a Municipal status.

Mrs Adinyira who was addressing a recent Town Hall meeting, said the Assembly was in talks with traditional authorities of beneficiary communities and called for support from all.

Security in the Volta regional capital has become a major concern following the increase in tertiary institutions and other business centres including financial institutions.

In recent times there have been reported cases homes and shops burglary, including robbing of fuel service stations, among others.

The forum was organised by Community Development Concerns, a civil society organization with support from the Assembly and the Netherlands Development Organization under the Social Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability project.

Madam Joycelyn Akorfa Ochlich, Executive Director, CDC, said the Town Hall meeting was geared towards ensuring good governance and her outfit would organise another by the end of the year.

culled from GNA

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

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 9, 2014

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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

By

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.