ZIAVI-DZOGBE CELEBRATE MAIDEN YOUTH FESTIVAL

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September 19, 2011

The youth of Ziavi-Dzogbe in the Ho municipality have climaxed their maiden youth festival with a fund raising durbar at Ziavi-Dzogbe on Saturday.

The festival according to the organisers forms part of the annual yam festival of the chiefs and people of Ziavi.

According to Togbe Ayibor II, Sohefia of Dzogbe, the youth festival was instituted to organise and galvanize the youth from the area to contribute to the development of the area.

He said the festival which was made possible with the support of Dutorfia of Ziavi, Togbe Adzanye IV and Togbe Dexe II, as well as Ziavi-Dzogbe Community Development Association (ZICODA) , an association of citizens of Ziavi Dzogbe based in Accra, will be celebrated every year to raise funds to undertake developmental projects in the community.

The Assembly member for the area, Mr. Raymond Norgbe, said the community lacks public place of convenience hence proceeds from the fund raising will be used to complete a 20 seater WC toilet which was start by ZICODA, Accra chapter in 1999.

Togbe Dexe II on his part urged the youth from the Area to embrace the festival which has come to stay and contribute their quota towards the development of the area.

A total of GH¢ 21,600 was realised through the fund raising to support the completion of the toilet project.

Music at the durbar was provided by Leticia band, a youth brass band group set up by the Dutorfia, Togbe Adzanye IV and Norvisi Borborbor group.

VOLTA NHIS RECORDS LOW RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 12, 2011

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Out of over 1.3 million subscribers of the national health insurance scheme in the Volta region, just a little over 400 thousand representing about 30% subscribers are active members, that is; those who have renewed their membership as at June 2011.

Mr. Elliot Nestor Akototse, the Volta regional manager of the national health insurance authority made this known at a two day mid-year review meeting of the 15 schemes in the region held in Ho last Thursday.

Mr. Akototse therefore urged the various schemes to assess their performance during the first half of the year and also develop new strategies to encourage existing subscribers to renew their membership and also lure non-members to join the scheme in order to attain the national subscriber base target of 64% from the current 54%.

In a later interview with Volta Premier FM in Ho, the regional NHIA boss attributed the large number of inactive membership to the attitude of subscribers, who according to him wait until they are sick before they renew their membership.

Mr. Akototse said, from the beginning of October 2011, health insurance subscribers who renew their membership would have to wait for three months before using their cards to access health care.

He therefore called on subscribers whose memberships have expired to renew before October 1, 2011 to continue benefiting from the scheme.

HEALTH ALERT: FAKE TOMATO PASTE ON THE MARKET

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 8, 2011

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the fake tomato pa

The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has alerted Ghanaians about some fake tomato paste with inscription “Tomato King” being smuggled into the country.

In a press release, the FDB said the fake “tomato king” tomato paste contains an undisclosed colour whose safety could not be guaranteed because it had not been registered with the Board, is sold along the eastern corridor of the country.

The fake tomato paste is produced in China by Mickachi Impex Co. Ltd. for Sonam Togo Sarlu Company in Togo.

content of the fake tomato past

Later in an interview with Volta Premier fm on Thursday, the zonal officer of FDB in charge of Eastern and Volta zone, Mr. Roderick Daddey-Adjei, said the board was informed of the fake tomato paste by a consumer who used the product for soup and realized the soup and the fish in it turned very red and she became suspicious.

He explained that the FDB market surveillance team is going round in the markets to seize and destroy the fake tomato paste.

He therefore advised the public to report retailers and wholesalers dealing in the fake tomato paste to the Board on the following numbers; 024-6814175, 024-4337235, 024-4337232 and 024-4337251or report to the nearest police station.

Click on link and listen to Mr. Daddey-Adjei FDB Zonal officer for Volta & Eastern

HO BIOMETRIC PASSPORT CENTRE COMMISSIONED

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 30, 2011

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The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni has commissioned a new Biometric Passport Application Centre in Ho with an appeal to those holding “machine-readable” passports not to rush to obtain the new passports since they would be in use until November 2015.

Alhaji Mumuni said the new passports which have high security and bio-data features would require prospective applicants to be personally available at the Centres to complete the application processes and requirements.

The new passports according to the minister permit any Ghanaian to travel to any ECOWAS country without a visa and also stay in that country for three months without a resident permit.

He therefore urged Ghanaians to protect the integrity of the biometric passports by reporting any foreigner who might attempt to obtain it and that no middle-men would be required to obtain the new passports.

Volta Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Amenowode said the opening of the Centre was a welcome relief to prospective passport applicants in the region since the acquisition of the passport is a right to every Ghanaian.

The opening of the Ho centre brings to six after Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi, Tamale and Sunyani centres.

PRESIDENT MILLS BEMOANS THE USE OF VULGAR WORDS

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 22, 2011

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Prez Mill & Rev. Amenu

President John Atta Mills has expressed concern over the use of vulgar words and the high level of immorality in the country.

The president said the tongue is the smallest part of the body but very powerful thus any word that comes from it has potency of building or destroying the nation.

He has therefore called on the Church and Ghanaians to guard against these cankers which are eating into our social fabric.

The President said this at the just ended 3rd General Assembly of the E.P. Church, Ghana in Ho.

He also complained fervently about the actions of charlatans who call themselves men of God saying the that both the church and the nation are under attack as the Church which serves as a succor for the depressed and vulnerable in society, is no longer safe as a result of the activities of these charlatans.

On the 2012 general elections, President Mills promised that the government will ensure free, fair and transparent proceedings but also cautioned that government would not sit down and allow any person or groups of persons to disturb the national peace in their quest to win political power.

On his part, the moderator of the General Assembly of the E.P church, Rev. Francis Amenu said the E.P Church, abhors homosexuality but not the actors and said the act is a complex and a serious issue which have to be handled as such. He therefore expressed believe that those who engage in the act can be forgiven and have their lives transformed through the use of a Christ-centered approach.

Rt. Rev. Amenu said homosexual marriage was without Biblical theological precedent and that the phenomenon today like in Biblical times was as a result of distortions brought about by sin.

Click link to listen to attached audios Prez Mills on the use of Vulgar words,Prez Mills assured peaceful elections & Rev. Amenu on Homosexuality

FIRST REGIONAL POLICY FAIR OPENS IN HO

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 18, 2011

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Vice Prez- John Mahama

Vice President John Mahama has given the assurance that the Eastern Corridor and the Volta University projects will commence before the end of this year. He said the projects are dear to government and will be executed in due course.

Mr. Mahama said this when he opened the 1^st regional Policy Fair at Ho in the Volta Region on Wednesday, August 17.

The annual policy fair was instituted by government to showcase ideas and possible policy alternatives for the development of the nation.

The vice president therefore urged citizens of the region especially critics who said the region has been neglected to visit the fair to abreast themselves with government policies, programs and projects that are being undertaken in the various districts across the region. He also asked the public to attend the various dialogue sections during the fair to listen and provide constructive criticisms that will lead to the formulation of human centered policies that can live the test of time.

Hon. John Akologo Tia, minister of information said the fair is in line with president mills’ policy of running open, transparent and accountable governance as well as encouraging grassroots’ participation in governance.

John Tia also said the call by some people for the scraping of the information ministry in the midst of the proliferation of various media organizations cannot hold since the ministry’s core mandate is to provide accurate information from government to the public and also take the concerns of the public through its agencies to the attention of the government for appropriate actions to be taken.

The Volta regional minister, hon. Joseph Amenorwode was grateful to government for starting the regional policy fair in the region which he described a ‘very reliable’ and therefore called on citizens in the to participate actively in the fair.

The fair which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Information in conjunction with the Volta regional coordinating council and the various MDAs and MMDAs will end on Saturday, August 20.

Click on link to listen to attached audio John Mahama on Eastern corridor & Varsity

Story by; Lambert Atsivor VP fm.

‘RIGHT TO INFORMATION, TOO MANY BLANKET EXEMPTIONS’

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Kwadwo Duodu

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July 30, 2011

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Parliamentary Logo

Participants at a public forum organized in Ho, on the Right to Information bill have expressed concern about the blanket exemptions in the proposed bill which they believed will thwart the purpose of the right to information. The bill under section 5 to 18 contains number exemptions including information from the office of the president, vice president, cabinet as well as information concerning national security among others.

The forum was the first in the series of regional forums being organized by the parliamentary joint committee on the constitution, legal and parliamentary affairs and communications with support from the World Bank.

Participants who were drawn from civil society, academia, clergy, educational institutions, security services, traditional authorities, local government, departments and agencies among others also expressed reservations about the requests fees to be paid before accessing information, which they considered as a hindrance to information access while others believe it will broaden the scope of corruption in the system.

Other concerns raised include poor records keeping in country and also the setting up of an independent body to oversee the administration of the law when passed.

Mr Felix Twumasi Appiah, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Constitution, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and communications, said the purpose of forums is to solicit views from the public in order to have an effective law that can stand the test of time.

He also explained that the Bill was based on the internationally accepted declaration, that the right to information was a basic right of the individual and said the bill when passed will lead to availability of information that will enrich public discourse and bring about greater transparency in governance.

click link to access The Right to Information Bill

HO MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY EXCEEDED 2010 REVENUE TARGET

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Kwadwo Duodu

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July 14, 2011

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Hon. Isaac Kodobisah- Ho MCE

The Ho municipal assembly has improved in its revenue mobilization efforts as the assembly exceeded its 2010 revenue target of GH¢ 600,432.00 by GH¢ 650,089.24 being 108% of the budgeted revenue.

This was disclosed to assembly members by the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Isaac Kodobissah at the assembly meeting in Ho on Wednesday.

According to the MCE, the 2010 revenue performance inspired the assembly to peg tits 2011 estimated revenue at GH¢ 848,730.00, of which GH¢ 318,539.63 forming 38% of the estimated figure have been collected in the first half of the year.

Mr. Kodobissah said measures are being taken to step up mobilization during the second half of the year since revenue collection within the first half of every year among assemblies is generally slow.

Among the measures being adopted include, public education, refresher course for revenue staff and the formation of revenue task force.

Touching on the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), the MCE said a total of GH¢ 459,994.51 being the 3rd and 4th quarter disbursement for 2010 has been received from the common fund secretariat and disbursement for 2011 has not yet started. The delay in the DACF disbursement according to Hon. Kodobissah hinders smooth implementation of planned programs and projects but said the sector ministry is putting in pragmatic measures to arrest the situation.

He therefore called on assembly members to device measures to mobilize sufficient internally generated funds to implement the assembly’s plans.

The MCE also touched on various projects being undertaken by the assembly, these include among others, the construction of 19 six-unit classroom blocks to remove schools under trees and a 5 four-unit teachers quarters in the various communities in the municipality. Others include the construction, reshaping and upgrading of various road networks, the patching of potholes in the Ho Township and also the commencement of the second phase of the street lightening project of 10km.

Under the government social intervention programs, a total of 1,745 pupils from seven clusters of schools are benefiting from the school feeding program, like wise 6,100 uniforms were distributed under the free school uniform program with 1,800 more yet to be distributed and a total of 46,241 exercise books have also been distributed under the free exercise books program.

Also, a total of 1,076 youths have been engaged in 8 modules under the national youth employment program.

Hon. Kodobissah also announced to the assembly members that negotiations are underway between the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), Ministry of local government & Rural Dev’t and the Administrator of the District Assembly Common fund to purchase motor bikes for them.

SECOND QUARTER SECURITY SERVICES ROUTE MARCH ORGANIZED IN HO.

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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July 3, 2011

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A total of 235 personnel drawn from the 66 artillery regiment, the Ghana Police service, Prison service, Immigration service, fire service and the Custom Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) took part in the second quarter Volta regional security services combat route march in Ho last Thursday.

According to the commanding officer of the 66 artillery regiment, Lt. col. Abass Seidu, the route march is aimed at assessing the fitness of security personnel in the region and also to send a strong signal to the criminals and the public in general, their readiness to combat any act of lawlessness in the region.

Lt. col. Abass said the route march is also to create the platform for the security personnel to socialize and exchange ideas.

The march begun from the Volta barracks and ended at the Ho sports stadium where the personnel were addressed by the Volta regional minister, Hon. Joseph Amenorwode. He commended them for their efforts in maintaining peace and security in the region and expressed the hope that the route march will lead to a better collaboration among them.

Hon. Amenorwode also urged the security personnel to treat their civilian counterparts well since they will become civilians once they retired. He as well asked them to involve their wives in subsequent route marches.

At a reception for senior officers, Col. Rtd Cyril Neku, the deputy Volta regional minister, entreated them to be vigilant especially as the 2012 elections approaches since it is a very critical one coupled with the production of oil in the country.

He also suggested to the officers to consider organizing seminars to educate the public on the various roles they play as security services.

YOUNG ROSELYN DONATES TO HO CURED LEPERS

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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June 25, 2011

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Roselyn (R) presenting the items to a cured leper

In an obvious departure from the traditional cake cutting and gifts presentation from family and friends, accompanied with the usual birthday party, Miss Roselyn Numarce, a resident of Ho Bankoe on Thursday, 23rd June 2011, decided to celebrate her 21st birthday with the cured lepers of Ho leprosarium.

Accompanied by her senior brother, Shakespeare and some friends, she donated items ranging from toiletries, used clothes, provisions, bags of rice and other assorted food items to the cured lepers.

According to Miss Roselyn Numarce, the items were from friends and families as well as some benevolent people in the community who bought into her idea to assist the cured lepers on her birthday.

Mr. Frimpong, the administrator of the Ho leprosarium and Mr. Nelson Atito, the Supervisor of the Cured Lepers Village, who received the items on behalf of the cured lepers, thanked Miss. Roselyn for putting smiles on the faces of the cured lepers through her donation, and called on other people to emulate the kind gesture of Miss Roselyn Numarce.

Some of the cured lepers who were present at the presentation were full of praises for Miss. Roselyn for remembering them on her birthday and prayed for God’s blessing upon her and her benefactors.

The Ho Cured lepers’ village was put up to home cured lepers whose families have abandoned them.

The village also has a clinic provided by the Cured Lepers Foundation, an NGO with joint sponsorship from the Bonita Foundation and Madamfo Ghana Foundations of Germany to cater for the health need of the cured lepers.