Dr. Nuertey joins call for the scrapping of Trainee Nurses’ Allowance

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September 9, 2013

The Volta Regional Director of Ghana Health Services (GHS), Dr Joseph Teye Nuertey, has backed the call by his Upper East Regional counterpart, Dr. John Koku Awoonor-Williams for allowances paid to student nurses to be scrapped.

Speaking on US FM last Friday, Dr Nuertey said that the nation needed money to equip health facilities and could not continue giving allowances to health trainees.

He said the Health ministry spends almost 90 per cent of its budget on personnel emoluments and that the call for scraping the allowances was in the “right direction.”

The Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr John Koku Awoonor-Williams, started the debate when he suggested that allowances paid to student nurses should be scrapped. Dr. Awoonor-Williams said “many students have continued to receive trainee allowances for five years for a two-year programme, simply because they continue to fail their final licensure examinations and so long as they continue to fail, they continue to receive allowances,”

Reacting to the suggestions, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Tony Goodman, told US FM that Trainee nurses, were always on the field and do not go home while in school and therefore, needed the allowances.

He explained that the allowances help to retain and motivate nurses in the country, and added that the incentive helped in changing the country’s “brain drain situation into brain gain.”

Mr. Goodman also said trainee nurses who failed their licensure examinations had three chances during which they took their allowances and after the third chance they were taken off the allowances. “Immediately you leave or complete College, you are automatically off the allowance.”

But Dr. Nuertey rather attributed the ‘brain-gain’ to the enhanced salary structure in the public sector and not the trainee allowances and suggested that only needy trainees should be supported though scholarships and the rest allowed to access the students loan scheme.

‘My Learned Senior Descended Too Low’-Lawyer

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 3, 2013

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A Ho-based legal practitioner, Mr. Andrew adugu has said his ‘learned senior’ Tsatsu Tsikata descended too low with his comments which suggested that Justice Annin-Yeboah one the nine-justices who sat on the just-ended election petition case was bias towards the NDC.

Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, who was the lead counsel for the third respondent, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Saturday, said on TV3, that Justice Anin-Yeboah allowed his political biases to cloud his judgment. Mr. Tsikata also said Justice Anin Yeboah consistently took an opposing stance against the NDC’s arguments and position as far as the case was concerned, from the onset, because he was appointed to the Supreme Court by former President Kufuor.

But speaking on US FM’s Morning Rush Show on Monday Mr. Adugu described the comments as ‘very unfortunate’ which should not come from an officer of the court and a very senior one for that matter. ‘This statement is very unfortunate and with all due respect to my learned senior, I think he descended too low on this matter’.

He said lawyers as officers of the court are expected to uphold their professional conduction and the integrity of the court and comments such as this do not help the administration of justice as it has the possibility of reducing the dignity of the court in the eyes of the public.

He said since the judgement and the reasoning behind it is not yet out, ‘singling out a judge and seeking to make people understand he was bias without certain concrete evidence was not the best”.

Nii Commey’s ‘Romantic Nonsense’ thrilled Ho Audience

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Kwadwo Duodu

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September 3, 2013

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Theatre lovers in the Volta regional capital of Ho last Saturday night were served with a douse of the most wanted hilarious stage play ‘Romantic Nonsense’ produced by Nii Commey, a name that is gradually becoming synonymous with contemporary comedy.

The high voltage, fast paced comedy staged at the Ho polytechnic auditorium, irreverently explores the outcome of youthful exuberance and innate human desires for proceeding quickly into marriage as opposed to upholding the religious and time-honored traditions of courtship and true knowledge and understanding between the intended partners.

The seven cast play was woven around two main characters – Kofi Katawodeeso literally meaning ‘cover yours’ and his wife Diamond. Few months into the marriage the two discovered that they were very incompatible. They fought on every single issue – from toothpaste to bathroom slippers and then down to salary declaration. Ironically, whoever comes to the house admires them for their compatibility. Their family pastor Alema never ceases to use them as a testimony of God’s reward for faithfulness.

The Writers choice of words and ability to flexibly create humour out of this very simple daily life issue made the comedy tickle and got patrons cracking their ribs from the prologue to the epilogue.

Hilarious Phrases like ‘women are like elephants, I like to watch them but never would I own one’ ‘it is only in marriage that a man loses his bachelorship and the woman gets her master’ among others set the entire auditorium ablaze with uncontrollable laughter causing audience cravings for more.

Ecstatic patrons couldn’t hide their excitement about play which mirrored the various facets of their relationships with a touch of humour. They expressed gratitude the producers for bringing the theatre experience of Accra and other cities to their doors and called for more of such plays.

The play was under the auspices of Theatre Factory Production in partnership with Novelty Initiative with support from Kum-franky company ltd, and U.S FM.

Mild Jubilation in Volta after Supreme Court Judgement

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 30, 2013

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Jubilant NDC supporter at Party’s office

Contrary to the expectations by many Ghanaians that the Volta Region, the ‘World Bank’ of the ruling National Democratic Congress, NDC will go gay over the Supreme Court’s judgment, there have rather been isolated mild jubilations and in most cases none at all.

The phenomenon which was widespread in the region has left the entire ‘judgment day’ incident free with many residents full of gratitude to God for making the day peaceful.

In Ho the regional capital, the entire day has been calm even after the judgement was declared in favour of the ruling government. The morning started with showers which some described as ‘showers of blessing’? Shops delayed in opening while traffic was free flowing.

The Police were spotted in various locations to keep the peace as many workers particularly public were most of the time idle. Those who wanted to travel waited till after the judgement while others postponed theirs.

That notwithstanding, the regional secretariat of the NDC saw a handful of party supporters and constituency and regional executives clad in white clothes and hand bands amidst singing and dancing while they sprayed white powder and popped Champaign.

On the contrary, the constituency and regional offices of the opposition New Patriotic Party, NPP were all closed down with no trace of supporters what so ever.

The NDC Regional Chairman, Akwasi Aboagye, told supporters not to engage in ostentatious jubilations but rather take a sober reflection of the process and see the victory as a one for Ghana and not for the NDC.

More so, they should not consider the opposition, NPP as their enemies or rivals but as “brothers and sisters in another half of the same pitch.” Mr. Aboagye congratulated Nana Akuffo Addo for leading a crusade to repose trust in the laws and judiciary of the country and in so doing making Ghana a beacon of hope as far as democracy is concerned.

His colleague Regional Chairman of the NPP, Kenwuud Nuworsu congratulated the NDC that the ruling had gone in their favour and prayed that their jubilations will not injure the peace and stability in the region.

He noted that as much as they (NPP) were disappointed in the outcome, “we believe that is the opinion of the Supreme Court and since we believe in the rule of law; we accept and will not review just as our leader, Nana Akuffo Addo had said.”

Mr. Nuworsu congratulated the numerous supporters of the NPP and urged them to steadfast and re-organize themselves to snatch victory in 2016. He emphasized that “we will bounce back.” He also advised them not to be discontented beyond uncontrollable limits.

Checks in Hohoe, Ketu South and Keta Municipalities, Central Tongu district and other parts of the region indicated that the situation was the same; Police alert and atmosphere calm.
Credit: Fred Duodu, Ho

Gentrac Microfinance Swindles Ho Residents

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 30, 2013

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Some of the clients of Gentrac at the Ho Police Station

Some Residents in Ho and its immediate environs have been swindled by a financial institution operating under the name, Gentrac Microfinance Limited.

The company, which made away with thousands of Ghana cedis, started its operations slightly over a year ago and was located on the top floor of the Melcom Building in Ho, along the Ho Stadium road.

The offices of the company had been locked for some weeks now which had its clients wondering how to retrieve their hard earned moneys. Some of them had reported the case to the Police while others sent threatening text messages and cursed the operators.

Fortunately for them, the over 200 clients, most of whom had been saving with Gentrac for a year now, were called and sent messages to assemble at the company’s office on Sunday 25th August, 2013 at 2:00pm to collect their moneys.

Anxious clients lined up in front of the office, wait till night with no signs of the company’s officials. They then gave up and left to their various homes and villages. They returned yesterday morning hoping to see their service providers for their money only to realize that the office had still been locked.

Many of them started wailing while others were dumbfounded. Some trooped to the Police Station to make a report. A group of them who DAILY GUIDE met at the Police station could not hide their frustrations, pouring out their hearts to passers-by, friends and relatives.

One of them, Victor Bedzra, a 56-year-old Drinking Spot Operator said he had for the past five months been traveling to and from the company in an attempt to withdraw his GH₵5,000.00 but to no avail. Peter Doe Awudi, a bookshop owner, also had GH₵1,900.00 while Comfort Keleve had GH₵220.00 with the company. Others who refused to disclose their identities due to personal reasons, had also lost GH₵10,000.00, GH₵8,000 and GH₵6,700 among others.

The microfinance company, which had one Frank Akotia as its Area Manager, lured its unassuming clients to save with them under the pretext of providing them with loans and other benefits, only to rip them off.

The clients of the bank, numbering over 200, were told by the company and its roaming agents that, all they had to do was to save with them on a daily basis for a minimum of six months to qualify for benefits. The company operated like an improved version of the traditional daily ‘susu’ system.

Thus apart from agents going round to collect money from clients and depositing for them, clients were given accounts and issued receipt books and check books like the service rendered in a bank.

The process had been going on smoothly until about five months ago when some clients were finding it difficult to access their savings. Attempts to withdraw money or take a loan became a hassle, as clients were tossed and asked to return on later dates until they became frustrated or fortunate to receive in most cases part of the amount they requested.

One of the clients who had closed his accounts told DAILY GUIDE that he had to cause the arrest of the Manager, Frank Akotia before his request to withdraw money was granted. He explained that “I started saving in November last year and decided to withdraw money last July, 2013.

They were tossing me here and there and I reported the matter to the Police and the Manager, was arrested and put in cells before I was paid and I closed my account immediately.”

The dejected clients pleaded with the police to help apprehend the fraudsters and retrieve their moneys since the livelihood of their families depended on it.

Credit: Fred Duodu, Daily Guide, Ho

DVLA to get Ultra-Modern Office Complex in Ho

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 28, 2013

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A sod has been cut on Tuesday for the construction of a state-of-the-art office complex for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in Ho. The Eight hundred and forty-five thousand dollars ($845,000) project, when completed would have a vehicle testing bay, banking facility, a restaurant and staff offices.

The project which is a brain-child of the Volta Region Development Agency (VORDA), to mark the 10th anniversary celebration of Togbe Afede XIV, Paramount Chief of Asogli State and President of Volta Region House of Chiefs, will be executed by Planet Sanitation and Constructions Ltd.

Mr Appiah-Danquah Kufuor, Chief Executive of Planet Sanitation and Constructions, disclosed that all construction jobs would be given to local artisans.

He said about 150 temporal workers will be engaged during the construction and 50 permanent workers will be employed when the facility becomes operational.

“All aspects of the project will be done by local artisans, in line with Togbe’s vision of creating jobs for the people”.

He also hinted that, a Fuel Service station will be set up around the facility when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gives the go-ahead.

Togbe Anikpi III, Divisional Chief of Ho Heve, who cut the sod, said the project, among others, was to create jobs for the local people. He therefore called on natives leaving outside to return home and work.

The Paramount Chief of Kpenoe Traditional Area, Togbe Kotoku XI who donated the land for the project said “good times are here” and urged the youth to take advantage of the job opportunities to enhance their lots.

In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Rudolph Beckley, Chief Executive of DVLA, commended the chiefs and people of Kpenoe for releasing land for the project and said efforts were being made towards opening two other offices in the northern part of the Region.

He said when completed, the complex would help speed up the realization of the objectives of the Authority and position it to continue the drive in reducing road fatalities and optimizing revenue generation towards the achievement of the “Better Ghana agenda.”

Mr Beckley said in the past six months, the three DVLA offices in the Region registered a total of 2,923 vehicles and issued road worthy certificate to 23,555 vehicles.

He also said the authority has automated its operations to drastically reduce the work of middle-men popularly known as “Gurro boys’ and maximize revenue for the state.

The Volta Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo in a speech read on his behalf, said “Asogli in Ghana now means progress and development” and commended Togbe Afede for the foresight and pledged the support of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council.

The project which is located at Titrinu, off Ho-Aflao road is expected to be completed within seven months.

UPDATE: Ho Student Killers Nabbed

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 27, 2013

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The deceased Percy and Senyo Anku (right)

Police at Ho in the Volta Region have arrested three suspects in relation to the robbery incident that resulted in the death of Percy Kafui Nbuake, a final year student of the Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) University College (EPUC).

This was confirmed by the Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Nicholas Opare Ofosu-Hene in an interaction with some pressmen yesterday.

The Commander, who was stuck in a series of meetings, directed Detective Inspector A. Kofi Begum to give the necessary details.

He gave the names of the suspects as Frank Awudey, 22, student; Albert Nunyuie, 30, painter; and Senyo Anku, 28, driver.

He explained that the case was a dicey one and that they were working around the clock to get adequate evidence and witnesses to unravel the whole truth and prosecute the necessary suspects as prescribed by law. He said soon the suspects would be arraigned.

The deceased, 32-year-old Percy Kafui Nbuake, a human resource student, was with his girlfriend, Rosemond Buaka, 23, a shop attendant, when he was shot dead on the night of Friday August 23, 2013 by assailants at a basic school opposite the E.P. Church cathedral at Ho-Kpodzi.

Percy was shot after the two assailants robbed them of their mobile phones and money, and afterwards subjected them to rigorous searches.

The assailant searching Percy was said to have shot him after the deceased made him out and queried, “Oh, is it you; and you don’t know me?”

The assailants fled immediately after shooting the deceased, leaving Rosemond behind as she shouted for help.

Residents who rushed to the scene conveyed Percy to the Volta Regional Hospital, fondly called Trafalgar, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A report was quickly made to the Municipal Police Command and some men were deployed to the scene and the necessary information taken to commence investigations into the matter. Based on some intelligence information, a swoop was carried out in the vicinity where three suspects were apprehended to assist the police in their investigations.

The names of the suspects were given as Frank Awudey, Albert Nunyuie and Senyo Anku.

Residents around the crime scene believed that Senyo, an ex-convict, was the prime suspect.

He was alleged to be involved in several criminal activities and was once sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for attempted rape and stabbing a young lady at a classroom of the same school where Percy was murdered.

Other residents also based their claim on the fact that they once saw Senyo warning Percy to stay away from his girlfriend. However, the Police said, Senyo had denied that in his interrogation, and so did Rosemond, Percy’s girlfriend.

A search in Senyo’s house revealed a military uniform while nothing incriminating was found with the other two suspects.

Just like Senyo, the other two suspects had also denied knowing anything about the robbery and shooting.

Credit: Fred Duodu Dailyguide, Ho

EXCLUSIVE: President nominates First Female M.C.E for Ho

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 27, 2013

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Mrs. Fafa Adinyira

President John Mahama has nominated Mrs. Fafa Adinyira, a Human Resource Practitioner as the new Chief Executive for the Ho Municipality. A statement issued on Monday said the nomination is in accordance with Article 243(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 20(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, Act 462.

Information available on Mrs. Adinyira’s facebook page indicated that, she attended Kpedze Senior High School for the ‘O’ and ‘A’ certificates in 1975 and had her first Degree in 1981 from the University of Ghana. She also went to Donetsk State University in Ukraine for her Msc. in Economics in 1988.

Mrs. Adinyira has over 20 years working experience as Human resource Practitioner and she is currently the General Manager in charge of Human Resource at AEL Ghana Ltd, a mining company in Accra.

Mrs. Adinyira is a native of Ziavi-Dzogbe in the Ho municipality and married to one Mr. Adinyira, a mining Engineer from Amedzofe.

In 2012, Mrs. Adinyira contested the Ho central constituency NDC primaries with four other aspirants and came second to Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo, polling 104 votes as against Mr. Kpodo’s 270 votes. When approved by two-third assembly members, Mrs. Adinyira will become the first female M.C.E for Ho

Fear Grips Adaklu Residents, As Lion Returns

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Kwadwo Duodu

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August 25, 2013

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The Chief and People of Adaklu Wumenu and Dave located along the Ho-Aflao highway in the newly created Adaklu district are living in fear, following reports that A beast-like animal suspected to be a lion, which terrorized them sometime in 2009-2010, has re-surfaced last week.

Togbe Adzimah II chief of Adaklu Wumenu, who broke the news to U.S FM last Thursday evening, said herdsmen who took their animals for grazing that morning reported that, they heard the roar of the animal in the bush which caused them and their cattle to take to their heels.

The chief said since the news got to the communities, the people, who are predominantly farmers are afraid to visit their farms.

Minutes after the story broke on US FM, that evening, a Police officer staying at Anyama near Adaklu Dave; Mr. Raphael Aglonu came to the studios in Ho with a photograph of his goat which was devoured by an animal on the night of Saturday August 20. On the photograph were the head and legs of the goat on the ground with no blood-stains around it.

Mr. Aglonu said a critical look at the paw prints of the animal; do not suggest that of a dog but a wild animal such as a lion.

The remains of the devoured goat

This latest development has resulted in panic among residents including farmers, school children and market women who often use some foot paths in the bush to get to their various destinations.

Sometime in 2009, the chief of Adaklu Workpe, Togbe Dzamesi II was allegedly attacked by a lion when he went to inspect his new farm land.

The chief was subsequently taken to the Volta Regional Hospital where he was treated for over a month and his left arm amputated.

Meanwhile, Mr. Alex Agyei, park manager at the Kalakpa Game Reserve at Abutia Kloe near Ho, who heard the news on US FM, have led officers from the wild-life division of the forestry commission to the area on Friday to track the animal.

He also advised residents in the area to keep their animals in a pen and appealed to the people not to attempt to hunt the animal on their own as it might attack and kill them.

Togbe Dzamesi talks of his 2009 Ordeal

Togbe Dzamesi in the Studios of US 100.3 FM

Narrating his ordeal to Togbui Ahorgo I on U.S FM morning show on Friday, Togbe Dzamesi said what he encountered in 2009 was a real lion, which attempted devouring him but he struggled with it and in the process the lion inflicted so much wounds on his left arm, which led

On how he escaped from the lion, the chief said he slapped the lion with his right hand and instantly the lion got muted and left. When asked if he made some deity pronouncements before slapping the animal, he retorted “I am an elderly man”.

Togbe Dzamesi said when the incident happened in 2009, the youth embarked on a search which was supported on the first day by the police but the search which continued for days was finally curtailed because they could not trace the animal.

He therefore called on the authorities to respond swiftly to current resurfacing of the carnivorous animal in the area in order to safeguard the lives of the farmers.

Togbe Dzamesi in the Hospital in 2009

He also said since his amputation in 2009, he no longer engage in farming activities, which was his source of livelihood and also use to carter for his children education. He is therefore appealing to kind-hearted individuals to come to his aid.

Murder: Student shot dead in Ho

By

Kwadwo Duodu

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August 25, 2013

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Percy Kafui Nbuakey, a 32 year old final year student of E.P University College in Ho was shot dead last Friday night by an assailant at a Primary school opposite the E.P church cathedral at Ho Kpodzi. A man whose house is close to the school told US FM in Ho that, he was going to bed when he heard a gunshot and a sequence loud cry for help at about 11:15pm from the school compound.

He then rushed there with some people from the neighborhood and upon reaching the school they met a lady with the young man lying in a pool of blood on the veranda.

The man said, when they ‘interrogated’ the lady, she told them that, she was having a conversation with Percy, when the assailant popped from behind with a knife and asked them to handover their phones and money, which she complied but said the guy was not carrying his phone.

The lady also said the assailant subjected them to a thorough search, and in the process Percy raised his head and saw the assailant’s face and retorted ‘oh, is it you; and you don’t know me’? There and then the assailant removed a gun and fired at the guy’s head and bolted.

The guy was then rushed to the regional hospital by a good-Samaritan driver but he died upon reaching the hospital.
The Ho Municipal Police Commander Superintendent, Nicholas Opare Ofosu-Hene has confirmed the incident to US FM on Saturday and said his men have been to scene that night and Saturday morning and investigations have already begun.

Meanwhile the mood at the deceased family house in Ho-Dome on Saturday was that of wailing and mourning as family members are yet to come to terms with incident.

Speaking to U.S FM, The deceased mother, Joyce Agboklu, said Percy visited her home at Barracks New town that Friday evening, where he met with his 4year old son. She said later that night she received a phone call, telling her that her son was attacked by arm robbers and sent to the hospital. She said, she was only told of his death that Saturday morning.

Madam Agboklu described her son’s death as a ‘big-blow’, especially when he is about completing his university education.

A family-source has also told U.S FM that, the lady who was with the deceased that night has been detained by the police and two other suspects have also been arrested in connection with the killing.

The Ho-Kpodzi area has been a fertile ground for criminal activities in recent times, especially at night. criminals attack persons and rob them of their phones and other valuables. They sometimes rape innocent women.