Minister Urges Companies to Consult Communities on CSR

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April 29, 2014

Madam Ntoso with officials of the Salt Company

The Volta regional minister, Madam Helen Ntoso has asked companies operating in the region to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the communities in which they operate, concerning their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects. This, according to the minister would ensure that the pressing needs of the people are taken care of through the companies CSR activities and also prevent the unnecessary tension between the locals and the companies, when the projects are being undertaken due to lack of consultation.

‘Am much concern about your social responsibility to the locals… you must have an MoU with the communities, on the kind of project they needed… and that should binding on you’, Madam Ntoso noted during a reent visit to Kensington Industry Ltd, a salt producing factory at Adina and Diamond Cement Factory in Aflao respectively, all in the Ketu-South Municipality.

Kensington Industry Ltd which is a wholly own private company, is currently installing factory equipment to begin the processing salt.

Mr. Babulal Goud, General Manager, of the company assured the minister that, his company has an elaborate CSR plan with the community which includes the rehabilitation and provision of ICT equipment for schools in the area and also the facilitation of exchange programmes between the local schools and their foreign counterparts, among others. He said the company is also engaging majority of its workforce from the area.

Madam Helen Ntoso, commended the company for investing the region and supporting the government job creation agenda.

Regional Minister with officials Diamond Cement

At the Diamond cement factory at Aflao, the General Manager of the company, Tati Rama Roa, complained bitterly about the deplorable nature of the road linking the factory and the Aflao Township.

This situation does not only inconvenience the company’s vehicles during downpours by rendering the road unmotorable, but also residents living around Akporkploe, where the company is situated, as their environment are polluted with dust and its associated health challenges.

Torgbui Amenya Fiti, paramount chief of Aflao also earlier appealed to the regional minister for the road to be reconstructed, as a sign of government support to the company which has provided jobs for the teeming youth in the area.

Diamond cement which currently produces 100,000 bags of cements (5,000 tonnes) per day, according to Mr Roa is also diversifying into salt production and it’s currently setting up a factory for that purpose at Anloga.

The company also recently completed a 2.5-kilometre railway, connecting the factory to the Lome Port, which facilitate the transportation of raw materials such as klinker from the port to the factory for production of cement.

The regional minister, Helen Ntoso who was impressed about the operations of the company, commended them for their contribution to the economic development of the region and the nation as a whole. She also assured the deplorable road would be taken care of by the appropriate road agency.

The Railway line

Diamond cement Ghana Ltd, which currently employs over 400 permanent and 1,000 casual workers, has plans of constructing a jetty (mini harbour) to facilitate its operations.

The company since it began operation in 2002, it has embarked on a number corporate social responsibility projects in the region, mainly school blocks, and its currently in talks with the traditional council on how to construct a modern stadium for the people of Aflao.

Girl, 14yrs hands slashed for Abandoning Granny at church

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Kwadwo Duodu

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April 8, 2014

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A 14-year -old pupil of Ho-Bankoe Roman Catholic (R.C) Girls Basic School in the Volta region, had her hands alleged slashed for abandoning her weak grandmother at church on Sunday.

She was allegedly given deep cuts on her right and left wrists and due to the cuts, the girl could not sweep or write at school, which drew the attention of schools authorities to her.

She told the authorities that her aunt lashed her and later used a sharp metal to cut her hands.

The girl, who appeared to be in pains, told the GNA that she left the church to look for empty cartons for a school project and got home late.

Ms Mary Constance Agbo, the Headmistress of the School, said the girl could not write due to the depth of the cuts and directed that a member of staff took her to the Hospital.

Mr Edwin Gamadeku, the Volta Regional Manager of the Department of Children, described the act as cruel and said his outfit would invite the girl’s mother for some interactions.

Madam Akua Kwame, the grandmother of the girl who came to the School in tears, denied that a sharp metal was used on the girl.

She complained about the incessant insolent behaviour of the girl, including going out without permission.

Madam Kwame claimed the girl’s parents abandoned her since childhood and she was fed up with her insolent behaviour.

The girl’s aunt who was alleged to have slashed her could not be reached either by the School authorities or the GNA.

E.C Boss calls Support for NIA

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Kwadwo Duodu

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April 6, 2014

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Dr. Kwodwo Afari Djan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission has call for stakeholders support for the work of the National Identification Authority and not for it to be bastardised.

He said an efficient National identification system would ensure data rationalisation and eliminate problems associated with the authentication of the true identities of individuals.

‘If the NIA becomes efficient, its systems will even take precedent over E.C; it’s very important to encourage the NIA to do its work and do it well’. Dr Afari-Gyan stated in an interaction with participants at a day’s Consultative Forum on Public Elections Regulations (CI 75) in Ho.

The E.C boss said the Birth and Death registry and the NIA should endeavour to register and issue national identity numbers to newly born babies in health facilities as in the case of Singapore and other advanced countries.

This he said when properly executed will help the E.C to identify and authenticate the true ages of persons during voter registration exercises.

‘Clash of law and Human Right’

On the implementation of the Constitutional Instrument (C.I) 75, during the 2012 general elections, Participants called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to take a critically look at the ‘no verification no vote’ rule that was used in the conduct of the last elections to ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised.

They were of the view that since the constitution and even the CI 75 upheld that every Ghanaian above the age of 18 who satisfied the provisions of the constitutions was eligible to vote, the issue of denying a person to vote, just on the basis of the Biometric Verification Device (BVD) failing to identify that fellows finger print is unconstitutional.

An Assistant State Attorney from the Attorney-General’s department in Ho, Mr. Moses Asanpoa also said the affected voters should have gone to court, to fight for their rights.

‘Seeing the anguish and trauma in which people left the polling stations in the last election, just because a machine cannot identity them was very disheartening; and the earlier the law is modified, the better for us all’ opined Mr. Kwesi Aboagye, NDC Volta regional chairman.

According to the participants, the biometric verification system was a process, so once a voter had gone through all the procedure and passed, the failure for the same machine to pick his or her fingerprint should not be the basis to deny one the right to vote.

The E.C chairman, Dr. Afari-Djan corroborated the views of the participants and said the ‘no verification, no vote’ rule was a situation that various international observers including the Commonwealth observers also expressed serious concerns about.

He described the issue as a ‘clash of law and human right’, which the EC was ready to modify once the public and stakeholders critically examine and come to consensus on it.

Election Petition Judgement

On the outcome of the election petition, Dr. Kwodjo Afari-Djan disclosed that there are good things that are coming out of the court action, stating that ‘things are going to be different’.

He said the commission would undertake administrative reforms to improve on the electoral system, which according to him seem over 42 different changes since 1992.

He noted some of the administrative measures as the training of election officials for a longer period and the reduction of polling station sizes as well as provision of two BVD at every polling station.

Dr. Afari Djan also provision which mandates presiding officers and polling agents to sign election results would be amended to prescribe punitive action against offenders.

The consultative forum was organized by the EC in conjunction with KAB Governance Consult in Ho as part of nationwide exercise to collate views from stakeholders and the general public on the CI 75 document used to conduct the 2012 elections in a bid to review challenges encountered for smooth subsequent elections.

Low Voter turnout threatens Referendum

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Kwadwo Duodu

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April 6, 2014

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Ghana’s referendum to amend its constitution later this year might not be successful if the district level and unit committee elections to be held in December record the usual low turnout it has been experiencing over the years.

This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan at Ho, in the Volta Region over the weekend when the commission interacted with participants at a day’s Consultative Forum on Public Elections Regulations (CI 75). The forum which is being held across the country was facilitated by KAB Governance Consult.

According to him, the proposed referendum to amend the 1992 Constitution may be included in this year’s local government elections. As a result, a low voter turnout which may not affect the local government elections would make it impossible for the referendum to be held. He cited that voter turnout in district level elections has always fallen far below the Presidential and Parliamentary elections with big towns and cities being worse off than rural areas.

He therefore cautioned that per the law, “for a referendum to be valid, the turnout should not be less than 40 percent of all the voters on the register… If we see 35 percent turnout, of course the district level elections will go ahead but for the referendum, it is a non-starter.”

Dr. Afari-Gyan further explained that 40 percent is the baseline for the referendum and the amendments to be effected and 75 percent of the turnout must vote in favour. He therefore called on all and sundry to participate in sensitizing and educating electorate to actively partake in this year’s local government elections, which may also include the proposed referendum to amend the 1992 Constitution.

“We have a lot of education to do, to get high turnout during the district level elections and more significantly for the referendum,” he said.

Difficult Election

The EC chairman at the forum attended by participants, drawn from the political parties, media, clergy and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) also conceded that the district and unit committee elections is the most difficult among public elections organised by the commission.

This, he attributed to the large number of candidates involved in the elections and its associated difficulty in printing of ballot papers for the elections.

Dr. Afari-Gyan stated that the commission needed to print different sets of ballot papers to match all 6,156 electoral areas in the country unlike the case of the275 constituencies for parliamentary elections and one constituency in the case of presidential election.

He added that earlier attempts to decentralise the printing of ballot papers also failed, as printing houses in the region lacked the capacity to meet the demand and the schedule.

He suggested that “it might be desirable in future to organise the elections in pieces; what we call ‘tot-tot’ elections, in northern sector, middle sector and southern sector.”

Dr. Afari-Gyan, who cautioned against the politicization of critical issues affecting the state, called for active local government participation which he said was “self governance” to ensure high calibre of persons are elected to transform the country.

Participants at the forum called on the EC to critically look at the “no verification no vote” to ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised in subsequent elections.

NB: This Story got published in the Dailyguide, Monday, April 7

Graduates Advise to venture into Entrepreneurship

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Kwadwo Duodu

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April 6, 2014

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Dr. J.V.K Afun

The rector of Ho Polytechnic, Dr. Victor Jakpasu Afun has urged graduates of the institution not to go about intimidating peple with their certificates but rather put the skills and knowledge acquired into self-initiated ventures which will be beneficial to their families and communities as a whole.

‘Don’t go throwing your paper weight about your village, asking people’ “tweaa” are you my co-equal’? Dr. Afun told graduands at the polytechnic’s 14^th congregation held over the weekend, where about 1,120 students graduated with Bachelor of Technology (B-TECH) degrees and Higher National Diplomas (HND).

The rector whose tenure comes to an end in September this year, urged graduates to exert their heads and hands on the numerous opportunities available to create employment for themselves in order to develop the private sector of the economy.

He also urged them to be discipline and embrace principles that will lead them to a success in the world of work.

The Minister of finance Mr. Seth Terkper, who is also an alumnus and the guest speaker in an address read on his behalf, also advised the graduands create their own businesses no matter how small it will be in order for them to climb the economic ladder to the apex.

“Take advantage of the many opportunities that may come your way to set up your own businesses no matter how small, so that you can become employers and entrepreneurs ready to climb the economic ladder to the apex. Government has a number of small businesses initiatives which I would encourage you to take advantage of for the good of yourselves and the entire nation”. He said and urged the graduands to remain focused and always strive for excellence.

History Made

Two graduands from the marketing department of the polytechnic wrote their names the history books as being the first ever students to have graduated with first class in HND marketing, an honour which has eluded the department since its inception.

The two, Mr. Okorie Moses Chibueze and Mr. Zaforyi Wisdom received standing-ovation and applause when they stepped out to take their certificate.

Special awards were also presented to eight deserving graduands who excelled their various courses with the over-all best graduating student award presented to Mr. Adegbile Babatunde Toib, who also graduated with first class in HND Accountacy.

HO Poly to get 2000- Capacity hostel through PPP

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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April 6, 2014

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The Ho polytechnic has initiated arrangements with a private multinational company, SAAZO Ghana ltd to provide residential accommodation for both students and staff of the Polytechnic through a Public-Private-Partnership. The arrangements when finalised will see construction of a 2000-capacity hotels which includes sports and recreational facilities as well as a two 5-storey, 20 flat 3-bedroom residential blocks for staff.

Dr. Victor J.K Afun, rector of the polytechnic who disclosed this at its 14^th congregation ceremony held last Saturday, noted that students and staff accommodation has been a major challenge for the polytechnic which has only two halls of residence for over 5000 students. A situation he said has forced most students to live in rented accommodations with very poor and unhygienic facilities.

He further disclosed that the facilities which will be on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis, when completed will go a long way to alleviate the accommodation plight of the polytechnic.

The rector again noted that plans are far advanced to begin the construction of a 5-storey lecture block for the Faculty of Engineering to be financed through the polytechnic’s internally generated funds (IGF).

The Minister of finance Mr. Seth Terkper, who is an alumnus and the guest speaker in an address read on his behalf, lauded the initiatives of the polytechnic and asked government representatives on the governing councils to complement government efforts by looking for investors both within and outside the shores to support polytechnic education.

Cross section of Faculty and graduands

Mr. Terkper noted that government values the importance of polytechnic education to the growth and development of the economy; hence it will continue to provide facilities to ensure that training well-skilled manpower for the economic development of the nation.

He further noted that government is on course with conversion of polytechnics into technical universities and stated that the ministerial committee on conversion has submitted an interim report to the minister and a group of experts are also on working visit to Germany to study their system of technical universities.

Professor Anthony Afeke Adimado, Chairman of the Governing Council said the Polytechnic has beefed up capacities in readiness for the conversion of polytechnics into technical universities. He said the programme of conversion required that administrators and faculties embrace creativity and innovation, commit to excellence in teaching and research, and forge stronger links with industry and scientific institutions across the world.

Prof Adimado said Ho Polytechnic had held several seminars and workshops for staff on responsibilities that may arise in anticipation of the conversion in order to ensure a smooth transition.

We have also equipped our faculties and departments to take advantage of opportunities that the conversion would bring, he stated.

A total of 1,120 students graduated at this year’s congregation, with 30 graduands receiving Bachelor of Technology (B-TECH) degrees in Hospitality and Tourism Management as well as Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering, whilst the rest received Higher National Diplomas (HND).

The over-all best student award sponsored by the Alumni Association, was won by Adegbile Babatunde Toib, an HND Accountancy student.

WiLDAF trains ADR Volunteers

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Kwadwo Duodu

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April 6, 2014

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Twenty legal literacy volunteers (LLVs) from 10 selected communities in the South Dayi district of the Volta region have been trained and equipped by Women in Law and Development in Africa, WiLDAF Ghana with support from STAR Ghana and it partners to provide alternative dispute resolution in their respective communities.

The volunteers were taken through one-week intensive training on family laws such as marriage, inheritance, children act and domestic violence.

Speaking at ceremony last month to outdoor the volunteers in Dzemeni, Madam Patricia Isabella Essel, Programmes Manager of WiLDAF Ghana in charge of Communication and Advocacy, said the rationale behind the initiative, is to improve access to justice using the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms by engaging the community members including persons with disability and the youth.

She further noted that ‘the LLVs will be holding series of community and radio programmes to sensitize community members on the various family laws’.

Madam Essel however cautioned the volunteers note to adjudicate criminal offences such as rape, defilement, illicit drug use and robbery among others, but rather refer such cases to the law court.

The South Dayi District Chief Executive, Kafui Semenu Bekui in a message delivered on his behalf entreated the volunteers not to wait for people to violate the law before they come in but they should try to educate community members on these family laws to ensure safety and security of the people.

He urged them to live exemplary lives in their communities to serve as role models to the people and also expressed appreciation to WiLDAF and its partners for the project and pledged their support towards ensuring its success.

Meanwhile, WiLDAF Ghana has also presented a desktop computer with accessories to the south Dayi district court at Peki. The donation is to aid the court in keeping records of cases and information on the court proceedings, in support of access to justice to the poor and vulnerable in society.

Ho residents heralds New year with Church Services

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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January 2, 2014

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Churches within the Ho municipality were filled to capacity on 31^st December night, as regular and occasional worshippers thronged in to usher in the New Year 2014 with prayers.

Visit to some of the Orthodox, Pentecostal and Charismatic churches saw most chapels filled to the brim with dozens of worshippers anxiously seated outside awaiting the struck of the 12 midnight to welcome the New Year.

A worshipper at Evangel Assemblies of God Church at Ho-Ahoe who gave his name as Seyram attributed the huge crowd to the presence of ‘Once-a-year-church-Goers’ who wanted to thank God for the passing year and commit the new year into His hands.

Ironically, most entertainment joints in town were however deserted within the period leaving bar attendants to engage chit-chats.

‘Most people have gone for 31^st night church vigil, that’s why you can see us idling around but I can tell you after the church service, we’ll get busy till the morning’, an anonymous bar attendant at a popular joint on the Rev. Trost street said.

And as the clock struck midnight January 1, 2014, tower bells were banging from the various catholic churches in town amidst blasting of firecrackers. Loud sounds of worship and praises songs were echoed by jubilant worshippers thanking God for seeing them through into the New Year.

The clergy also led their congregations through special prayers to seek God’s blessings for their families, communities and the nation in the New Year.

In his New Year sermon on Wednesday, Rev. Fr. Jesse Amedzi, the parish priest of Holy Spirit Catholic Church at Ho-SSNIT flats, asked Christians to be change agents in their communities so as to win more souls for God in this New Year.

“This is a year of change, so be the agent of change in your families, communities and the nation”, he declared as he proclaimed God’s peace and blessings on the nation.

Fr. Amedzi also urged Christians to eschew selfishness and devote their time to the service of others, as Jesus Christ did for mankind.

‘Don’t Purchase Uncustomed Vehicles’-Customs Cautions Public

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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December 17, 2013

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THE CUSTOMS DIVISION of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the Volta region has cautioned people to be wary of agents or persons who they deal with in order to avoid the purchase of uncustomed vehicles.

Speaking at a day’s public sensitization forum in Ho, Ebenezer Kenney, a Principal Revenue Officer, said the country loses a lot of revenue through the smuggle of vehicles, which is prevalent in the Volta region because of its proximity to Togo.

“Vehicle importation is a very big area for revenue mobilization, but the challenge is that some citizens do not want to pay what is due to the state.

Because Togo operates a free port, some people who purchase vehicles from there smuggle them into the country using unapproved routes, thus denying the country of revenue, he noted.

Mr. Kenney also disclosed that the unscrupulous persons fix fake DVLA registration numbers on the vehicles, which are later sold to the unsuspecting members of the public.

Since the beginning of the year, about 29 uncustomed vehicles have been impounded by the Ho office of the Customs Division through the checkpoints.

Mr. Kenney said penalties imposed on the seized vehicles could be used to purchase new vehicles and advised the public to scrutinize and forward documents on the vehicles to the Customs Division before any payment.

William Apeadu, Chief Revenue Officer of the Custom Division, dispelled the notion that confiscated items were shared among customs officials.

Persons, whose vehicles are impounded, for instance, have a stipulated 30-day period to pay the appropriate import duties in addition to penalty.

However, in default, the vehicles are listed for auctioning in accordance with the law or allocated to interested persons based on the value determined by the Vehicles Allocation Committee.

The participants therefore called for transparency in the auction of seized vehicles, saying it was unfair for vehicles seized in the Volta Region, for instance, to be sold in Accra.

Such practice, according to them, does not encourage cooperation from stakeholders to help tackle the smuggling of vehicles.

Customs Intercept 2000 Kilos of Narcotics

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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December 11, 2013

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Parcels of Suspected Substances

Officers of the Custom Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the last three weeks have intercepted close to 2-tonnes (approximately 2000kg) of substances suspected to be India hemp at the Asikuma checkpoint in the Asougyaman district of the Eastern region.

A KIA truck with registration GE 9311-10 loaded with about 200 bags of charcoal was intercepted on November 26, with parcels of compressed substances concealed in 21 bags and stacked between the bags of charcoal in the truck.

Also last Saturday, a Hyundai truck with registration E.R 795 X, which was stopped at the checkpoint for inspection, sped off, this caused the custom officers to give it a hot chase for about 15km and burst the tyres with gunshots. A search conducted on the vehicle revealed parcels of compressed substances also suspected to be India hemp were that stuffed in 16 sacks.

Substances packed in Sacks

Similar substances stuffed in school bags, cartons and ladies bags were also intercepted at various times in some passenger vehicles during inspections at the check point.

The 21 bags of the suspected India hemp, which weighs about 1.3 tonnes (1308 kg), have since been transferred to the custom warehouse in Ho, whiles that of the 16 sacks which are yet to be examined is estimated to weigh about 400kg. Both truck drivers however absconded but efforts are being made to trace the vehicle owners.

The substances are believed to have been coming from communities around the Volta Lake including Gemeni in the South Dayi District where charcoal are mostly transported from to Accra.

Briefing pressmen on Monday about the Seizure, Mr. William Apeadu, Chief Revenue Officer of the Custom Division, observed that narcotics smuggling is on the rise during this period of the year but assured that the agency is poised to effectively clump down on such illegal businesses, which is denting the country’s image.

“Persons who are engaged in this illicit trade should know that their days are numbered, they rather quit, and do something better with their lives because we are coming after them” he warned.

He also appealed to the public to volunteer information about individuals who are engaging in cultivation and smuggling of the illicit substances.

Mr. Samuel Ocloo a custom officer incahrge of the Asikuma checkpoint also appealed to the travelling public to cooperate with officers at various checkpoints during inspections of vehicles.