Vodafone ‘Healthfest’ train hit Ho with massive turnouts

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July 21, 2014

Dozens of residents in the Ho municipality of the Volta region thronged the forecourts of the Asogli State palace at Ho Bankoe, where the Vodafone Ghana ‘healthfest’ train made a stopover at the weekend to provide free health care.

The initiative put together by the Vodafone Ghana foundation, saw mostly local paramedics screened hundreds of persons including the aged, some of whom reported to the venue as early as 5am.

The screenings were done for ailments such as Diabetes, Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis and HIV in a virtual health post setup, which has sections for registration, Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure Checks, Laboratory, Consultation and Pharmacy as well as a gymnasium and kids play corner.

The almost 800 patrons were also taking through health education on various lifestyle diseases and HIV.

Mr Courage Botchway the regional Data Officer at the National HIV Control Programme, spoke about importance of knowing ones HIV status, so that carriers, including pregnant women could be put on routine lifesaving treatment.

Mr Daniel Asiedu, Corporate Communications Manager of Vodafone, described the massive turnout as ‘very impressive and overwhelming’ and said the Healthfest is another indication of the telecom giant’s commitment to bringing quality health care to the door step of underprivileged Ghanaians.

According to him Vodafone’s health programmes including the popular television series ‘Healthline’ is aimed at bridging distance and cost between the people and health care delivery.

He further disclosed that, 15 people had so far benefited from ‘life changing’ treatments under the Healthline project from the Volta Region.

Dr Richmond Opare said high blood pressure was the common illness among those who have been diagnosed and most people with such condition had been on treatment but for one reason or another have stop regular visits to the hospitals.

He also disclosed that, there were a few cases of diabetes and HIV as well as some concerns with overweight.

An elder of the Asogli State, Daniel Ocloo Dzaba after taking his turn said the Healthfest was “a dream come true”, as he couldn’t even remember his last time of going through such a thorough medical screening. He also suggested monthly repetition of the exercise.

Five regional capitals, including Ho have so far witnessed the Vodafone “Healthfest” which was launched in March 2014, with the five other regions will also have their turn in coming weeks.

Muslims asked to pray for ‘troubled’ economy during Ramadan

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Kwadwo Duodu

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July 20, 2014

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The Deputy Volta regional minister, Mr. Francis Ganyaglo has called on Ghanaian Muslims to use the holy month of Ramadan to seek Allah’s intervention to help abate the current economic challenges confronting for the country.

He reiterated government’s commitment to fixing the challenges facing the nation and called on citizens to support government to restore the economy back on track.

Mr. Francis Ganyaglo made the called last Friday when he led a government delegation to present fifty (50) bags each of sugar and rice to the Muslim community at the Ho new Zongo.

The donation according to the Deputy Minister was on behalf of President Mahama to support the annual Ramadan fasting of Muslims across the country.

He urged them to continue to coexist peaceful and pray for peace and tranquillity across the country to drive national development.

The Acting regeant of the Ho new Zongo, Jabril Adamu received the items on behalf of the Muslim community after a brief prayer was said for the president and his government, by a spiritual leader from Senegal, sheik Sham.

Ali Baaba, a Zongo youth leader thank government for its support to the Islamic community and assured of their prayers for the country.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. For a 30-dy period, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. It is a season to purify the soul, refocus attention on Allah and practice self-sacrifice.

The Deputy Regional Minister was accompanied by the regional coordinating director, alhaji Ibrahim Alhassan, Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Fafa Adinyira, Mr. Kofi Attoh, former MP for Ho central and Mr. Kwesi Aboagye, NDC regional chairman.

Book and Research allowance brouhaha; ‘We won’t be pushovers’- UTAG tells Gov’t

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Kwadwo Duodu

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July 17, 2014

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Dr. Bekoe swearing inn UHAS-UTAG

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) have sent yet a strong signal to government that, the association will not back down in the “fight” against the scrapping-off of the book and research allowance for its members.

Dr Samuel Ofori Bekoe National President of UTAG said on Wednesday that members of the Association are professionals who are committed to their work and know the tools needed for the job and “would not be pushovers to allow people who do not know anything about tertiary education to dictate to them”.

Government in the 2013 budget announced the cancellation of the book and research allowance and replacing it with a national research fund. This decision however did not go down well with the two tertiary education teachers associations, with the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana declaring an indefinite strike for the past 8-weeks.

But speaking at the inauguration of the 10^th UTAG branch at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho, Dr. Bekoe said the book and research allowance were part of the condition of service of members of the association and government has no right to unilaterally take away the allowances, noting that, it was against international labour laws.

“Government must listen to us because anything short of this will not auger well for all of us and if government cannot do it, it must move out for the one who can do it” he stated.

UTAG, according Dr. Bekoe is not against the proposed national research fund, and should not be used to replace the book and research allowances since both are serving different purposes.

He also said the absence of a policy document on the proposed national research fund could affect its successful implementation.

The UHAS branch of UTAG is under the Presidency of Dr Francis Zotor, Head of the Department of Public Health, UHAS. Other executives are Peter Adatara, Vice-President, Reuben Ayivor-Djanie, Secretary and Ms Eunice Berko, Treasurer.

Dr Bekoe asked the new executives to unite to develop the Association as professional union and assured them of the UTAG national executive committee’s support in their activities.

Professor Edwin K. Wiredu, Pro Vice Chancellor of UHAS lauded the association for fighting for the good of its members and urged them to remain steadfast in their endeavours.

Fuel Smuggling: Kpedze Police impound 50 ‘Kufour gallons’ of Petrol

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Kwadwo Duodu

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July 17, 2014

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Gallons containing petrol

The Police in Kpedze with support from the Ho-west District Security Council (DISEC) in the Volta region, last Monday evening impounded over 1,675 litres of petrol suspected to be packaged for smuggling to neighbouring Togo.

The fuel which was concealed in 50 yellow jerrycans popularly called ‘Kufour gallon’ and a drum were found hidden in a building located on the premises of a local Allied Oil filling Station in the area.

According to the Kpedze District Police Commander ASP, Sebastian Folivia, the police last Friday (July 11, 2014), upon a tip off spotted some motorbikes with yellow gallons suspected to contain fuel and after a hot chase, they entered the escaped into Togo.

However investigations that evening, according to ASP Folivia pointed to the Allied Oil filling Station as the source of supply.

It was also revealed that, the filling station received over 20,900 litres of petrol last Friday (July 11, 2014), but as of last Monday evening, a substantial quantity of over 7,200 litres was filled into containers allegedly waiting for smuggling.

A female sales attendant at the filling station, Veronica has since been picked up to assist the police in investigations.

Smuggling of fuel and Cocoa using ‘Okada’ has become rampart in the area because of its proximity to neighbouring Togo but Mr. Samuel Ewoade, Ho-West District Chief executive said the District Security Council has intensified its surveillance in order to combat the menace.

The Volta Regional Minister Helen Ntoso who was in the area on Tuesday to access the situation and inspect the exhibits expressed disgust about the increase in smuggling activities in the region which she said is adversely affecting the economy of the country. She described the perpetrators as nation wreckers and called on all Ghanaians to help bring them to book.

Madam Ntoso announced that, the Regional Security Council will soon form an Anti-Smuggling Task Force to clampdown on the illegal activity in the region.

the filling station

In May this year, the Ketu-South District Security Council also sent an SOS message to the regional Security Council to intervene in the increasing smuggling activities in the area, which has overwhelmed the limited custom officials at the borders.

In recent times there has been an upsurge in the number of new fuel filling stations springing up along the Ho-Aflao highway, which observers believe may only increase the rate of smuggling of petroleum product along the Ghana-Togo border.

Ho Municipal Hospital records Zero maternal death

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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July 17, 2014

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Mad. Ntoso presenting award to Dr. Kumi

The Ho Municipal hospital in Volta region which was hitherto regarded as a ‘death camp’ for expectant mothers has for the first time, recorded zero maternal death in the last one year.

The facility attained this feat between June 2013 and June 2014, down from 14 deaths in 2012, and three deaths in the first half of 2013.

To this end, nine midwives and two doctors were on Tuesday honoured by the Queenmothers of Asogli traditional area for their efforts in reducing maternal mortality.

At the maiden award ceremony, the Queenmothers honoured Dr Lawrence Kumi, Medical Superintendent of the Hospital and Dr Tamara Alvarez Ramirez from Cuba, for their ‘good leadership and dedication’ in changing the image of the Hospital.

Other awardees included Madam Innocentia Anthonio, a Principal Nursing Officer in charge of the Maternity ward, Elizabeth Kpesese, Victoria Aggor, Elizabeth Klu, Agnes Asigbe, and four others.

The awardees were selected through the recommendations of mothers who attended the hospital in a two month radio phone-in programme.

The Queenmother of Ho-Dome and initiator of the award, Mama Attrato II disclosed that the Asogli Queenmothers two years ago planned to protest against the rate at which pregnant women were losing their lives at the facility.

She therefore described the hospital’s feat as a great achievement, worthy of celebration and commended the midwives for turning the situation around.

Awardees in a Group photo

Mama Atrato also noted the award ceremony would be extended to other health facilities.

Dr Joseph Nuertey, Volta Regional Director of Health Services, lauded staff of the Hospital for changing the hospital’s image to a facility of choice for pregnant women.

He also asked them to sustain the effort to drastically minimize maternal and neonatal deaths, in order for the country to achieve the Millennium Development Goal four and five, which seeks to reduce neonatal and maternal mortality ratio by three quarters by 2015.

Dr. Nuertey further disclosed, though the region has the least number of midwives, skilled delivery had started going up from 45.6 per cent in 2013 to 47.9 per cent at half year, with stillbirths decreasing from 1.9 per cent to 1.8 per cent. Whiles neonatal deaths had also decreased from five per 1000 to 3.1 per 1000.

He therefore urged other traditional areas to adopt the award scheme to help reduce maternal mortality.

Madam Helen Adjoa Ntoso, Volta Regional Minister, applauded the Queenmothers for the initiative and asked midwives to put their duty above personal gains.

Madam Innocentia Anthonio, a Principal Nursing Officer in charge of the Maternity ward, on behalf of other awardees thanked the Asogli Queenmothers for the recognition given them.

She assured all and sundry that the award has renewed their commitment in working together to improve the lives of mothers and their babies towards the attainment of the MDGs 4 and 5.

Advocacy Group calls on Volta Chiefs to lead region’s renaissance

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Kwadwo Duodu

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July 17, 2014

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Voice of Volta Executives

A Volta Region interest advocacy group, ‘Voice of Volta’ has called for the reawakening of traditional authorities and indigenes of the Volta region to push for the total development of the region.

According the group, despite the region is endowed with both natural and human resources; it is still slugging behind in almost every facet of development, hence the need for a renaissance, which would propel everyone into action to uplift the region unto a better developmental pedestal.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Ho last Friday, the group’s Secretary, Mr Charles Siayor stated that, the renaissance should be culturally driven by traditional authorities in the region, who “in contemporary times, lead the way in fighting underdevelopment”.

He further stated that “No nation or people could move forward if its body-politics is incoherent” and called for a strong bonding between chiefs and their people as a precursor to creating the atmosphere, for the take-off everybody was asking for.

This, according to Mr. Siayor could be the only way to “raise a formidable front as a people to dialogue with governments and local authorities to influence the development agenda of the region”.

The group also bemoaned the decay in societal values, which was breeding disrespect for traditional authority. “We condemn the frivolous anti-chieftaincy remarks on the streets and public places and we are utterly opposed to disparaging remarks about chiefs on radio.”

Mr Siayor therefore called for “a thorough sanitizing of chief-subject relations based on respect for traditional authorities”.

Interim chairman of the group, Mr. Emmanuel Ashigbi, also entreated indigenes of Volta region elsewhere to contribute towards the region’s development by investing in economic activities back home which create jobs for the people.

Present at the Press Briefing were representative of the Group across the region.

Gov’t yet to pay Contractors working on Ho-Adidome Road

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Kwadwo Duodu

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July 17, 2014

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Mr. Quarshigah (R) briefing Mr. Bani (L)

Contractors working on the Ho -Adidome trunk road in the Volta region are yet to receive monies from the ministry of finance to enable them complete work on the road, three weeks after President Mahama announced the release of funds to that effect during a day’s inspection tour of the road.

This was disclosed on Sunday to the Chief of Staff Mr. Prosper Douglas Bani when paid a day’s working visit to the region to ascertain the progress of work on the road since the president’s last visit.

The resident engineer in charge of the project, Mr. Divine Quarshigah, told the chief of staff and his entourage that, though some culvert works are ongoing on the road, work is progressing at slow pace due to the delays in the release of funds to the contractors, Ussuya Ghana Ltd, PMC and Jani-CORP enable them fully mobilise back to site.

‘The contractors have not received any payment after the president came’ he said and explained further that his checks as of last Friday revealed that the payment process has left the Ghana Highway authority to the finance ministry.

The delay in the release of the monies to contractors according to the resident engineer is one the major challenges hampering the speedy completion of the 48km road, with the second challenge being heavy rains which disrupt work because of the porous nature of some portions of the area.

A box culvert under construction on the road

The road which is packaged in three lots, comprises of an 18.6km stretch from Ho to Adaklu-Hlekpe for lot one and is being executed by Ussuya Gh Ltd, a 14.4km stretch between Adaklu-Helekpe and Adaklu-Ahunda for lot two, being worked on by PMC constructions and the third lot being constructed by Jani-CORP Gh Ltd is a 15km stretch between Adaklu-Ahunda and Mafi-Kpedzeglo.

The rate of completion of the three lots according to Mr. Quarshigah, stands at 48.5 per cent for Lot one, 50.2 for Lot two and 41 per cent for Lot three.

Despite the delays, the resident engineer however assured the chief of staff and his entourage that the road will be fully completed by the end of December 2014.

Responses

The chief of staff, Mr. Prosper Douglas Bani in response, said ‘I don’t want payment to be an issue after the president’s visit’ and promised to follow up on the process to ensure that the contractors gets the monies to complete the road on schedule.

This, he said will alleviate the inconveniences caused by the closure of the Adomi bridge for major rehabilitation to residents.

Madam Fafa Adinyira, Madam. Mary Agbenyenu and Mr. Sky Ganaku, the Chief executives of Ho Municipal, Adaklu and Central Tongu districts respectively, who also accompanied the Chief of Staff on his tour with the deputy regional minister, Mr. Francis Ganyaglo, raised concerned about the quality of materials being use for the construction and urged the resident engineer to ensure the use of standard materials to ensure the longevity of the road when completed.

The chief of staff, who also inspected a 100 acre land earmarked for the construction of a regional sports complex and site for the aerodrome, reiterated the president’s commitment towards fulfilling all promises made to the region, including the eastern corridor road project.

He therefore urged residents to support government in its quest to bring development to all parts of the country including the Volta region, stating that ‘by the next couple of years, we should see tremendous development of the region.’

Other persons who accompanied the chief of staff included MP for Ho central, Mr. Benjamin Kpodo, Regional Chairman and Secretary of NDC respectively, Mr. Kwesi Aboagye and Mr. Simon Amegashie-Viglo as well as a host of other Municipal and district chief executives in the region.

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Chinese ambassador toured UHAS permanent campus

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Kwadwo Duodu

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June 29, 2014

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Ambassador Buohong, (2nd right) being briefed by site officials

The Chinese ambassador to Ghana madam Sun Baohong last week inspected construction work on the permanent campus of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) at Sokode-Lokoe near Ho, in the Volta region.

The project which is been executed by a Chinese Technical team, Yanjian Group, includes the construction of lecture halls, auditorium, multi-purpose science laboratory, administration block and residential facilities for both staff and students and it is expected to be ready for occupation by 2015.

Ambassador Baohong who was impressed with the progress of construction work, said the project is the ‘first large-scale’ China aid construction in the Volta region and expressed confidence in the Yanjian Group to do a good job, as it has done with previous ones including the Foreign Affairs Ministry office complex in Accra.

She urged the workers to exert work hard to ensure smooth and early completion of the project, which according to her is ‘distinct’, because of its propensity to drive the development of new communities in the area.

The Chinese ambassador was accompanied on the tour by chiefs of Asogli traditional area, led by the Agbogbomefia, Togbe Afede XIV, the Volta regional minister, Madam Hellen Ntoso and her deputy Francis Ganyaglo.

A representative of Yanjian Group, the Chinese firm executing the project complained about the poor access road to the site and delays in supply of electricity and water to speed up work on the remaining sites of the project.

The Volta regional minister, Madam Helen Ntoso assured the contractors of efforts by the regional coordinating council to tackle the challenges being faced at site.

Ambassador Buohong who was on her first official visit to the Volta region since assuming office three months ago, also commissioned 25-seater ICT laboratory funded by the Chinese embassy at the Philip Akpo memorial J.H.S in Ho.

The University of Health and Allied Sciences, currently operates from temporary facilities Ho and Hohoe.

Rotary club of Ho gets new executives

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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June 29, 2014

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Mr. Dogbegah (R) being sworn into office

The Ho chapter of the world acclaimed charity club, Rotary International have inducted into office new executives to run the affairs of the club for next rotary year, (July 1, 2014-June 30, 2015).

The ceremony which took place at the Rotary community centre in Ho last week saw Mr. Rockson Dogbegah, chairman of Berock Ventures Ltd, an indigenous construction company, taking over from Madam Vivian Agbotse as president.

The rest are Mr. Kofi Tenaso Gbedemah, a civil society activist as vice president, Dr. Cyril Fayose, President of the E.P university college, secretary, Mr. Douglas Wagba, a former regional manager of defunct Ghana Telecom, as treasure and Madam Delali Amedume as sergeant-at-hand.

New directors of the club were also announced including Mr. Frederick Duodu Takyi, as the Communication director.

Delivering his inaugural speech, the new president, Mr. Rockson Dogbegah, declared that the Rotary of Ho under his tenure would be ‘lighted up and fired up’.

He said a 5-year strategic plan will be developed to drive the club’s to the next level and called for the sacrifice and dedication of members in that direction.

He pledged to consolidate the vibrancy injected in the club by the outgoing executives and commended their efforts in the rejuvenation and doubling the club’s membership from 14 to 28 members.

He announced that capacity building programmes will be organised for both club members and the community in order to enhance the club’s image and also attract new members.

L-R,Mr. Gbedemah, Dr, Fayose & Madam Amedume

Mr. Dogbegah disclosed further the club will form strategic partnership with relevant stakeholders including NGOs to support various community based intervention activities, such as polio eradication, disease prevention, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, as well as basic education and literacy.

He also said the new executive will work hard to open a new rotary chapter in Aflao; whiles a website will also be established for the club to enhance effective information dissemination.

The out-going president Madam Vivian Agbotse expressed gratitude to club members, contributors and donors to the rotary foundation for their support during her tenure and call for similar support to the new executives.

China-Ghana ICT laboratory commissioned in Ho

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Kwadwo Duodu

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June 25, 2014

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An ultra-modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory has been inaugurated at the Ho Bankoe Philip-Akpo Memorial Junior High School (JHS) in the Volta Region.

The laboratory, which can accommodate 25 people and valued at GH¢1 million, was funded by the Chinese Embassy and equipped with computers and a projector with full internet connection.

At a brief and colourful ceremony on Tuesday to officially handover the facility to the school, the new Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Sun Baohong, said the facility showed that China would continue to invest in projects to develop Ghana and expressed the hope that the gesture would further deepen the cordial relationship between the two countries.

She said, “China’s foreign aid and cooperation projects place more emphasis on improving the livelihood of people.”

She further disclosed that the ICT laboratory is the first project in Ghana to be implemented under the ‘China-Africa People-to-people Friendly Action’, a programme adopted at the 5^th Ministerial Conference of China-Africa cooperation forum in 2012.

The Chinese ambassador also presented 10 footballs and 30 schoolbags to the school for deprived children and pledged China’s continuous commitment to the development of the Volta Region and Ghana.

The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli traditional area, Togbe Afede XIV advised teachers and students to make good use of the facility to enhance their ICT skills and commended the Chinese embassy for the support.

He asked managers of the laboratory to make the facility available for use by other basic schools and interested persons in within the community.

Togbe Afede also tasked managers of the laboratory to install devices on the computers to barred children from accessing ‘inappropriate contents’.

Madam Hellen Ntoso, the Volta regional minister entreated the school authorities to develop a comprehensive maintenance plan to keep the facility in good shape.

Headmistress of the School, Madam Lydia Sedzro expressed gratitude to the Chinese Embassy for investing in the project and assured that both teachers and students would use the facility judiciously.