Aflao robbers Grabbed

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August 10, 2014

The Aflao Police with assistance from the Military and National security last Wednesday evening arrested seven persons suspected to be part of an armed robbery gang who have hijacked the country’s eastern border and terrorising innocent individuals including immigration officials.

Their arrest comes barely 24 hours after the Volta regional Minister, Helen Adwoa Ntoso, visited the area and charged the security personnel to take drastic measures to clamp down on the increasing criminal activities along the border.

The suspects which include two hardened criminals on the radar of the police are Freeman Obed, 28 years old; Anani Atoku, 26; Samuel Amedzoneku, 26; Eric Henyo, 25; Kudanu Kroshie, 36; Sewornu Emmanuel, 25 and Koffie Henyo, 28.

Briefing the Minister and her Deputy, Francis Ganyaglo, the Regional Police Commander, ACP Peterkin Yentumi Gyinae, said the suspects were brought to the Regional Police Headquarters brought by the Regional Security Coordinator, Esseney Yentumi and William Akator of the National Security, accompanied by some military and police officers from Aflao in the Ketu South district.

According to ACP Yentumi Gyinae, the suspects were arrested after a distress call was made to the Aflao Sector Commander of the Military concerning an ongoing robbery at a place called Flihokpe, near the Diamond Cement Factory.

The suspects, who had in their possession one machete, three knives and a parcel of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, had allegedly attacked Festus Atisu and Atsu Kweku at Flihokpe, which is along the Ghana-Togo border and seized an amount of GH¢100.00 and CFA15,000.00 from them.

Madam Ntoso commended the collaborative efforts of the security agencies that led to the arrest of the suspects and urged them to continue until sanity prevails in the area.

She disclosed that steps are being taken to beef up the number of the security personnel at the Aflao border and its environs.

Meanwhile, sources say the suspects had been transferred to the regional police headquarters due to purported interference by some opinion leaders in the area.

Nigerian Human Traffickers

In a related development, two Nigerians, Francklin Chinezie, 25 years old and Kingsley Ochukwu Onyeji, 28, who were allegedly trafficking seven Nigerians aged between 20 and 22 years from Edo State to Abidjan in Cote D’voire, were nabbed on Wednesday at the Immigration checkpoint at Sogakope.

They have admitted to the offence of human trafficking in their caution statement and have been duly arraigned before a court of law. Victims say the suspects told them that they were being sent to France for ‘greener pastures’ only for them to find themselves in Ghana.

‘We owe you a lot’ Minister tells Pensioners

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 8, 2014

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The Volta Regional Minister, Madam Helen Ntoso has stated that the nation owed pensioners a lot of appreciation for their immeasurable contributions to survival of the country.

Speaking to members of the Ghana Government Pensioners’ Association at their get-together in Ho on Wednesday, Madam Ntoso said the pensioners ‘were committed and dedicated’ in their time of active service and urged them to have a positive approach to life so that they could maintain their strength beyond 80 years.

She appealed to them to regularly pray and advise the young ones, many of whom were falling foul of the law and had become “jail birds”. She also promised to create a bigger platform for more pensioners in the Region to fraternize and share their experiences.

Madam Celestine Vehe, Local Chairperson of the Association, advised members to exercise moderation in whatever they do, exercise regularly and pay attention to their health and share their experiences with the younger generation.

Low turnout renders registration officers idle in the Volta region

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 7, 2014

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The ongoing 10-day limited Voter Registration exercise continues to experience low patronage by prospective first time voters across the Volta region.

A tour of some registration centres on Wednesday by the Volta Regional Minister Helen Ntoso saw most registration officers idling with some having a nap due to the dull nature of the weather.

The Regional Minister first stop was at the Ho Municipal Assembly registration centre, where, the Registration officer said since the start of the exercise on Monday, a total 19 people were registered as of 12:30PM. At the Dzolokpuita and Amedzofe registration centers in the Ho West District, a total of 23 and 12 people were registered as of 1:00pm respectively.

In the South Dayi District, the Regional Minister accompanied by the District Chief Executive visited the Peki-Wodome L/a JHS and Peki Blengo E.P. church registration centres, where a total of 15 and 28 people were registered respectively.

Registration officers at the centres visited disclosed that, because of the recent Supreme Court invalidation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards for use in the exercise, majority of persons who were registered brought along guarantors.

Mr. Gbagbo Charles, a member of the Ho West district Assembly blamed the low turnout at the Vane and Amedzofe areas on the distance people in adjourning communities have to travel before registering.

He said, people in communities such as, Gbadzeme, Dzogbefeme, Biakpa and Dzokpe have to travel between 2-10km to the nearest registration centres at Amedzofe, Vane or Fume.

He therefore appealed to the Electoral commission to rotate the registration centres between the communities to enable prospective voters to register.

Also only agents of two politic all parties, the NDC and NPP were present at all the centers visited.

Madam Ntoso urged the chiefs, Assembly members and agents of the various political parties to spread the message through the beating of the gonggong, seeking audience at church sessions and social gatherings and through the information Vans in the districts to get the prospective first time voters to register their names onto the voters roll.

Ho Rotary Club launches education award scheme

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 4, 2014

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The Rotary Club of Ho has launched an education award scheme to help improve academic performance of basic schools in the Volta Region.

A statement signed by Mr Fred Duodu Takyi, Public Relations Officer of the Club, said the “Rotary Best Basic Schools and Teachers Award Scheme,” would be operational next academic year.

It said the scheme was in line with the Club’s theme of “Lighting up Education in the Volta Region,” and expected to motivate teachers to renew their commitment to the teaching profession, and foster healthy competition among communities, schools and pupils.

The release quoted Mr Rockson Kwesi Dogbegah, President of the Ho Rotary Club as saying it was “unacceptable” for the Region to place last in the last Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and pledged the readiness of the Club and its partners to help address the situation.

Mr Dogbe said eligibility for the award would be based on hard work, commitment and performance.

Mr Bright Dey, Planning Officer at the Volta Regional Education Directorate, commended the Club for the initiative, and hoped it would improve learning outcomes, skills and performance in BECE results across the region.

Statistics from the Regional Education Directorate indicate that since 2009, the performance of school children in BECE had been decreasing with the average percentage pass of the region falling from 48.8% in 2009 to 43.7% in 2010. It further dropped to 38% in 2011 and again fell to 27% in 2012 but went up slightly to an average of 39%.

Credit: GNA

‘It will take miracle for me not to Win’- Abodakpi

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 4, 2014

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The former Ghana Ambassador to Malaysia and a contender for the national chairmanship position of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Dan Abodakpi has stated that, he is optimistic of annexing the chair from incumbent Dr. Kwabena Adjei at the party’s upcoming delegate congress.

The congress scheduled for October 24, 2014 also has the current first vice national chairman and national coordinator of NADMO, Mr. Kofi Portuphy vying for the chairmanship slot.

But Mr. Abodakpi, who took his campaign to the Volta region over the weekend, told journalists in Ho that, his chances in the contest are ‘extremely’ bright, and “it will take miracle for me not to win”.

According to him, his message of reconnecting the party to its grassroots through a transformational leadership is permeating the hearts of the party’s delegates, who he believes will give him the nod on the day of congress.

The NDC is expected to go to congress on October 24, 2014 to elect new national executives and persons have declared their intention to contest various

Mr. Abodakpi who was also a one time Member of Parliament for the Keta and a former Minister for Trade and Industry in the NDC Rawlings government, said his transformational leadership agenda will ensure the revival of the party structures especially at the branch level, to make it vibrant and attractive for every member feel part of. This, he said would engender members to contribute towards the running of the NDC, instead of only relying on political appointees to finance the party.

He also disclosed as part of his agenda to draw a clear succession plan for executive positions in the party, including a review of the NDC’s constitution to cap the tenure of the chairman to two terms; so as to offer opportunity to other party loyalists with leadership ambitions to attain such positions.

Sharing his thought on the controversial clause in the NDC Election Guideline which barred members who have never held any party executive position at constituency level from contesting a regional executive slot, Mr. Abodakpi said ‘it is in the right direction… people must be identified with a constituency.. Somebody cannot just come from nowhere to become a regional executive without starting from somewhere, which is the grassroot’.

He believes his work in the NDC at region and across the country is known to the party ranks and files, some of whom have the opportunity to choose the renewal of the party at the coming congress.

HO Polytechnic launches Scholarship Foundation

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Kwadwo Duodu

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July 29, 2014

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Mr. Ganyaglo (L) with the Dean of Students & Registrar

The Ho Polytechnic in the Volta region, last Thursday launched the Dean of Students Foundation (DOSfund), with the aim of raising funds to support needy but brilliant students of the institution.

The foundation, according to the Polytechnic’s Dean of Students, Mr. Ben Honyenugah was necessitated by the numerous requests made to his office for financial assistance by some students who find it very difficult to foot their bills. A situation, he said negatively affect the academic performance of some the students.

He noted further that the foundation will also provide financial assistance to physically challenged students as well as female students studying Engineering and Science programmes.

Dr. Jakpasu Afun, Rector of the Polytechnic said financial difficulties and physical disability should not derail a person’s quest for higher education and was optimistic that the fund will help empower the students both academically and socially, especially in promoting gender equity in engineering and science education.

He also announced that Parliament has approved seven million dollars for the acquisition of modern equipment to refurbish the Polytechnic’s engineering workshops to enhance practical training of students.

The Deputy Volta Regional Minister Francis Ganyaglo who launched the foundation, lauded the polytechnic management for their foresight in putting up such an initiative to promote quality education of underprivileged students and called on other institutions to emulate the initiative.

Mr. Ganyaglo, who is a product and a former lecturer of the institution underscored the importance of polytechnic education in the human resource development of the nation and commended the Ho Polytechnic for producing the requisite skilled manpower to accelerate economic development.

He reiterated government’s commitment towards the provision of necessary educational infrastructure and facilities across the country and assures that the Ho Polytechnic will not be excluded.

He also entreated the polytechnic alumni as well as philanthropic individuals and organisations to contribute to the fund, which will be administered a board under the chairmanship of the rector.

Stop Petty trading during School hours

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Kwadwo Duodu

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July 27, 2014

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The deputy Minister of Education in charge of Tertiary Education, Mr Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa has admonished teachers, who engage in side businesses during school hours to desist from such practices.

He expressed worry over how a good number of teachers in schools were engaging in the sales of rechargeable cards, selling of pastries in schools, driving taxis among others, to the detriment of their pupils.

A situation he likened to the proverbial biblical case of serving two masters and cautioned that, “as Christ told us long ago, you can’t serve two masters… You either sell credit cards or be a teacher, you can’t do the two”.

The deputy minister, who was commissioning an ultra-modern office complex for the Ketu North district Education directorate at Dzodze in the Volta region on Friday, said such bad practices coupled with other “serious management issues” were the cause of the fallen standard of education in the region and Ghana as a whole.

According to him, findings and analysis by the Ministry revealed that the inability of directors and managers to supervise and carry out managerial issues has brought about such bad practices including drunkenness and absenteeism.

He disclosed that “teacher absenteeism in the Volta region is the highest, over 45percent as compared to the national average of 27percent”.

He wondered why private basic schools which are bereft of qualified and underpaid teachers are rather doing better than public basic schools which has more qualified and better paid teachers, adding ‘the current situation is unacceptable because the performance of public second cycle and tertiary institutions are much better than the private ones, hence the need for the same results at the basic level.’

Mr. Ablakwa therefore charged education managers not to be “arm chair directors, relying on only paper reports and hearsay accounts” but also go to the field to ensure strict supervision and proper management of schools.

The ultra modern Ketu North District Education Office Complex

The complex, constructed at the cost of GH¢ 507,557.88, is part of a 19.67 million dollars education facility from USAID in support of 150 education projects in 38 deprived districts in the country, with Government of Ghana providing a 33 percent “matching funds”.

He also urged chiefs and opinion leaders to show interest in education to ensure that teachers and managers give off their best to improve standards in their communities.

A representative from USAID office in Accra, Ms Yvonne Oberhollenzer, said her outfit remained committed to partnering Ghana in education to ensure that every child got the opportunity to succeed, saying “every educated child is a golden opportunity for Ghana’s future”.

Mr Francis Ganyaglo, Deputy Volta Regional Minister on his part, lauded USAID for the support and hoped that the facility would improve academic performance in the district.

He urged the stakeholders to cultivate a maintenance culture to preserve the life span of the complex.

Ketu North District Chief Executive, Mr Kofi Lawson, disclosed that since 2008, the district had executed 56 education projects out of 115 development projects.

He assured that the complex would be put to good use to improve academic performance in the area.

Minister unhappy with Assemblies Delay over Street Naming Project

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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July 27, 2014

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Helen Ntoso

The Volta Regional Minister, Helen Adzoa Ntoso has expressed disappointment at the slow pace of work by the various Municipal and District Assemblies in the region towards the Street Naming and Property Addressing System, a project President John Mahama in March 2013 directed all MMDAs in the country to execute within 18 months.

With two months to the President’s deadline, some Assemblies in the Volta region are yet collate the needed information on the ground including the proposed names for the street naming exercise.

Expressing her disappointment during a 5day training workshop in Ho for Planning officers and other core staff of the 25 MMDAs in the region, Madam Ntoso issued a one week ultimatum to the Assemblies to furnish her office the list of names and also organize stakeholder meetings to come out with a comprehensive roadmap for the implementation of the project.

The workshop organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development with support from the German Development Corporation (GIZ) was to enhance staff knowledge and skills on ‘Land Use, Planning and Management Information System (LUPMIS) for effective implementation of Street Naming and Property Addressing System (SNPAS).

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Emmanuel Agyekum said the ministry has provided technical support to the MMDAs by setting up a Geographic Information System (GIS) laboratories for both Regional and district offices of the Town and Country Planning Department nationwide for the collation special data for efficient and effective land use and planning.

He was optimistic that the training will serve as catalyst to propel the MMDAs to successfully execute the Street Naming project on schedule.

Workers snub Nationwide Demo in Ho

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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July 24, 2014

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The nationwide demonstration declared by Organised Labour on Thursday was virtually boycotted by workers in the Volta region capital of Ho, as only a handful of them turnout for the event.

The demonstration organised for workers in both the formal and informal sectors to protest against “harsh economic conditions and poor governance” was delayed for almost an hour due to the poor turnout.

Interestingly, the protesters who converged at the Ho Civic Centre STC yard, were virtually outnumbered by the about 200 police personnel deployed to provide security, as they marched through some principal streets of the regional capital amidst brass band music.

They carried placards, with inscriptions “John Mahama, we are suffering”, “We dey die keke, John Mahama” “Middle Income Country, Low Income Workers” “Oh Mahama, Never Again”, “Reduce the Tax Burden,” “Motivate the Ghanaian Worker for a Healthier Economy”, among others.

However scores of workers who did not join the protest were seen loitering around their offices at the ministries, while those in the informal sector also went about their normal businesses.

Mr. Samuel Ananga, the regional officer for the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) attributed the poor patronage to the inability of workers from other part of the region to join in the demonstration.

Presenting a petition to the President on behalf of workers in the region through the Regional Minister, Mr Elvis Van-Lare, Regional Secretary, Trades Union Congress asked for immediate action by government to halt the depreciation of the cedi and the rising cost of living, among other demands.

A remark by the Volta Regional Minister, Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso, that citizens should appreciate government’s achievements in the region, was met with boos and chants from the protestors.

She however said government was doing its best, saying, “the nation is like a gold going through refinery, so at the end everyone will be happy.”

She also commended the workers for a peaceful demonstration and promised to deliver their message to the president.

Court Remands Man for beheading Son

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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July 22, 2014

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The Ho District court on Tuesday remanded Gideon Abotsi, a 37 year old farmer for allegedly beheading his three year old son on Friday, July 18, 2014 over his wife’s decision to starve him of sex.

Residents of Kpeyiborme in the South Dayi district of the Volta Region on the fateful day went to bed with the shock of their life after Gideon, popularly known as ‘Jarah’ butchered his third born and only boy out of four kids till his head almost severed off.

The court presided over by Magistrate Robert Addo, remanded the suspect into prison custody to reappear on Wednesday August 6, 2014 to allow the Police continue with their investigations.

Presenting the case, Police Prosecutor Sheila Odai told the court that Last Friday, a complainant, John Ahiable who happens to be the father of the suspect reported the horrific incident to the Peki Police in the South Dayi district of the Volta Region.

She said the complainant in his statement noted that he was in the farm when some neighbours rushed to inform him that his son, Gideon has killed his own son, three year old Sitsofe Abotsi.

He rushed to the son’s house to realise that his grandson is dead and lying in a pool of blood as his son has been tied up by neighbours to prevent him from escaping.

Some minutes later the Police came to pick up Gideon to the Peki Police station.

Background

Residents in the area disclosed that the man who is also a suspected Indian hemp farmer and user carried out the heinous crime after his wife, Sena, purportedly refused to bear him more children.

Her reason was that it was not socially and economically wise to be pregnant and bear more children when they were having a hard time to cater for the four they already had.

According to them the suspect and his wife had been married for 11 years with series misunderstandings over the upkeep of their four children in recent times.

This led to the woman allegedly packing out of her matrimonial home to stay with her mother-in-law. Angered by the situation, on last Friday, Jarah went to his mother’s house, picked his son and took him to his house, where chopped off the head.

He then absconded after sensing danger but was chased by some youth of the town and arrested, who later handed him over to the police.

Meanwhile, the Peki District Police Commander, DSP Jonas Agbevam has said arrangements are underway to get the traumatised mother of the boy and her other children to go through psychological counselling while the body of the deceased is being sent to the police hospital for examination by a pathologist.