GHANAIANS URGED TO RESIST ANY FUTURE COUP ATTEMPTS

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November 15, 2011

Lt. Col. Abass

Lieutenant Colonel Abass Seidu, Commanding Officer of the 66 artillery regiment has called on Ghanaians to resist any attempt by anybody, be it a soldier or a civilian to overthrow any constitutionally elected government.

According to him, the overthrow of governments by soldiers contradicts the military profession since they are obliged to support and be subservient to the government in power.

Lt. Col. Abass Seidu made the call at the launch of the Ghana Armed Forces- Community Relations Week at in Ho on Monday on the theme “The Ghana Armed Forces-Facilitator of Peace and Order for National Development.

He noted that, due to persistent military interference in national politics in the past, the civil-military relations have suffered as the civilian population has perceived the military with extreme suspicion and distrust. He said the celebration of the community relations week is therefore meant to foster the cordial relationship between the military and civilian public in contributing towards the development of the nation.

Lieutenant Colonel Abass Seidu also reiterated the military’s commitment to assisting communities in the region irrespective of the open show of disrespect and provocations by some civilians towards the soldiers. He explained that some youths in the Region were fond of tempting military men on national duty.

Lt. Col. Seidu cited instances of civilians at Aflao and Kete Krachi who often hauled insults and stones at soldiers on patrol.

Lt. Col. Seidu therefore appealed to the media to help deepen civil-military relations in the region.

L-R, ACP Bedie, Hon. Amenorwode & Lt. Col. Abass

Hon. Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister, commended the 66 Artillery Regiment for helping maintain peace and order in the region and advised the military personnel to get more involve in social activities to deepen their relationship with the civilian population.

Hon. Amenowode said unlike the Police and other security services; the military is feared by the public and urged them work more on its ties with civilians and suggested that more social programmes such as civilian-military games be organise to promote effective relationship.

Hon. Amenowode also praised the regiment for rendering community services across the region and urged it to expand those services.

Some activities planned to mark the community relations week are tree planting, medical outreach, donation to inmates of Ho Central Prisons and a route march in Ho.

66th REMEMBERANCE DAY MARK IN HO

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Kwadwo Duodu

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November 13, 2011

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Wreaths laid

A parade of contingents from the Armed Forces, Police Service, Immigration Service, Prisons Service, Fire Service and Customs, Excise and Preventive Services, have taken place at the jubilee park in Ho on Friday to mark the 66^th Remembrance Day celebration of veterans who fought in the 1st and 2nd world wars.

Veterans on parade

Also on parade was a contingent of the Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG) who thrilled spectators with quick and slow marches in their smartly dressed attire with some in shorts with long socks to match their neatly polished black shoes.

The parade was under the command of Captain Gyekey Danso of the 66 Artillery Regiment and SWOI Emmanuel Fiaworte commanding the veterans.

Hon. Amenorwode laying a Wreath

Wreaths were laid in remembrance of the fallen heroes by Hon. Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister, on behalf of the President and people of Ghana, Lieutenant Colonel Abbass Seidu, Commanding Officer of the 66 Artillery Regiment, on behalf of the Security Services in Volta Region while Togbe Koku Ayim IV, Paramount Chief of Ziavi Traditional Area, laid one on behalf of the chiefs and people of the Region and Major Adzraku (rtd), Volta Regional VAG Chairman, laid a wreath on behalf the veterans.

Prior to the wreath laying was Traditional, Christian and Muslim prayers said for the fallen heroes and at exactly 11am, Amidst blaring of the siren, gunshots by the 66 Artillery Regiment, the last post was sounded and the reveille blown after which a one-minute silence was held.

The Remembrance Day is an annual event, which is observed worldwide to commemorate the end of the Second World War and to honour war veterans.

Present at the ceremony were, Col. Cyril Necku, (rtd) Deputy Volta Regional Minister, and heads of security services and departments and agencies.

Bellow are shots from the event.

Military on parade

Veterans at the event

‘Once a gunner, always a gunner’

Lt. Col. Abass

togbe Kwaku Ayim

Police on Parade

Fire Service on Parade

ECG/GWCL WORKERS URGED TO BE ABREAST WITH REGULATORY PROVISIONS

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Kwadwo Duodu

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November 10, 2011

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Mrs. Dufie Ofori

Mr Kwasi Anokye, Legal Services Manager, at the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC), has asked workers of ECG and GWC to be abreast with their responsibilities and the regulatory provisions to enhance service delivery. He said that it is illegal for service providers to disconnect defaulting customers without giving them at least 28 days and an additional 14 days notice.

Mr. Anokye made the call at a two day workshop organized by the PURC for ECG/GWCL District and Commercial Managers from the Volta and Eastern Regions last week in Ho on the theme ‘Enhancing Performance’.

According to Mr Anokye, service providers could only disconnect their consumers from Mondays to Thursday between 8am and 5pm but said the service providers were permitted to disconnect customers on Fridays provided they were ready to re-connect at the weekends.

Mr Anokye said they could, however, disconnect their customers without notification in case of illegal connection or for safety and emergency purposes.

He said the law also provided that people above 65 years and consumers living with disabilities must be given a grace period of 30 days and an additional seven days notice before disconnection was effected.

Mr Anokye said consumers could demand compensations and penalties from the service providers if they do not comply with these legal provisions.

Dr. Simons Akorli, Director at the Regulatory Economics and Research Directorate of the PURC, said the re-introduction of the Automatic Adjustment Formula (AAF)-a PURC quarterly pricing mechanism, was to help resolve all tariff related issues.

He said the “PURC tariff policy was in the context of government policy” and called on all to support it.

The workshop according to Mrs Mami Dufie Ofori, Director of Consumer Services of the PURC, is intended to examine and discuss the commission’s regulatory strategies and benchmarks and how they impact the delivery of quality services to the customer.

She noted that previous workshops have impacted positively on the quality of customer service with the establishment of call centres, toll-free and the development of complaints code by service providers.

Mrs Dufie Ofori acknowledged the challenges being faced by service providers such as lack of adequate investment, poor consumer support, illegal connections and political interference and affirmed the PURC’s commitment to supporting the service providers.

She said more work needed to be done on consumer education, faults management, revenue loss control and staff attitude.

She therefore urged customers to be watch dogs and give the PURC periodic feedbacks on the service delivered by the utility providers.

Click link & listen to Mrs Dufie Ofori

MPs SCHOOLED ON COMPOSITE BUDGET

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Kwadwo Duodu

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November 1, 2011

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The third Annual Parliamentary Workshop on Local Government Reforms has been organized in Ho at weekend on the theme “The Roadmap to Administrative Decentralization (2011) and the Composite Budgeting (2012): The Role of Parliament”.

Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, the Local Government Minister who opened the workshop noted that the workshop is to build the capacity of parliamentarians on administrative decentralization and composite budgeting.

He said for the first time the budgets of decentralized departments which hitherto have their allocation embedded in their mother ministries budget will be integrated into the district assemblies’ budget to enhance the capability of assemblies to improve local service delivery.

In a communiqué signed by Mr Dominic Azimbe Azumah, Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh and Mr Emmanuel Kwesi Bandua, chairpersons for Parliamentary committees on Local Government and Rural Development, Subsidiary Legislation and Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs respectively at the end of the workshop, lauded the composite budgeting and said it was about the best to deepen fiscal decentralization and promote good public financial management systems and called for the adoption of the “required legal framework for its effective delivery” of what looked like an “efficient, effective and transparent process that will facilitate efficient service delivery”.

The communiqué said the approval of the composite budgeting process to begin in 2012 was refreshing and urged all “stakeholders to fully support this endevour” and advised that “decentralization transfers of funds to the District Assemblies should include releases from the Getfund and the Road fund”.

The communiqué also pledge Parliament support to vigorously exercise its oversight responsibilities over the process (composite budgeting) which would attain full implementation in 2013, leading to administrative as well as fiscal decentralization”.

It said Parliament should through similar workshops build its capacity to oversee the effective transfer of administrative power and resources to the local level.

The communiqué urged that the process of decentralization be quickened and recommended the adequate resourcing of the Local Government Service to carry out its mandate under the requisite laws and also call on Government to as a matter of urgency “consider increasing the threshold of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) from 7.5 per cent to at least 10 per cent.

It also commended the German Development Cooperation for its support of decentralization reforms over the past three years.

The workshop which was organized by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural dev’t, Parliament, the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Institute of Local Government Studies with support from the German Development Cooperation tackled the status of administrative and fiscal decentralization, various organizational structures and reporting relationships of the local governing areas, economic development in local governance among others.

In another development, the local government minister, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo has indicated that government will still stick to the new districts that have been announced though there were agitations from some communities where these new districts were created concerning the location of the district capitals. But Mr. Ampofo said the location of the new district capitals were based on the recommendations of a technical committee after considerable consultations were made. He therefore assured that every community in the new districts will have their fair share of development.

click link to listen to Hon. Ofosu_Ampofo

‘NO GOV’T CAN PROVIDE FREE EDUCATION’-PRAMOUNT CHIEF

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Kwadwo Duodu

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October 31, 2011

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The Paramount chief of Ziavi traditional area in the Ho municipality, Togbe Kwaku Ayim IV, has asked parents not to believe the notion that education is free. “Education is expensive and not free, if not so, individuals will not establish private schools” he emphasized.

He noted that no government can make education free and urged parents not to buy promises from politicians claiming to make education free. “If any politician comes to you promising free education for your children, it is not true”

Togbe Ayim, also a retired educationist, therefore called on parents to prioritize and invest heavily in the education of their children especially the girl child in order to secure a better future for them and their families.

Togbe Kwaku Ayim was speaking at a thanksgiving and fundraising service to climax the 15th annual conference of the Ho-East presbytery great choir (Hadzihaga) of the Evangelical Presbyterian church at Ziavi Dzogbe on Sunday.

He commended the presbytery for supporting the E.P university college and also for their initiative to start a fish farming project.

Mr. Charles kudiabor, chairman of the Ho-east presbytery great choir (Hadzihaga) urged members to remain committed and support the activities group.

He also appealed to government to address the concerns of teachers to forestall any strike action that will jeopardize the educational system.

Rev. B.K Keteku, Klefe Kpodzi district pastor, in his sermon urged Christians to seek the intervention of the Holy Spirit in all their endeavors. He also asked them to live in harmony, peace, tranquility and in humility to facilitate development.

The newly elected executives at the conference under the chairmanship of Mr. bright Kudiabor were inducted to office while awards were also presented to individuals who contributed towards the success of the choir over the years.

A total of GH¢ 3089.70 was realized from the fundraising.

POLICE ASKED TO ADOPT POSITIVE ATTITUDES

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Kwadwo Duodu

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October 30, 2011

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Police recruits have been urged to adopt positive attitudes towards policing, exercise high level of professionalism and avoid rudeness to win public trust in combating crime in the country.

DCOP David Asante-Appeatu, Director-General, Research, Planning and ICT of the Ghana Police Service made the call on Friday at the passing-out parade of 205 General Recruits after six-month rigorous training at the Volta Regional Police Training School in Ho.

According to DCOP Asante-Apeatu, the Service has injected more disciplines and schemes into the Service’s recruit training to enable it to meet the exigencies of modern day policing and advised the new recruits that the Service was undergoing an image enhancing exercise and would not tolerate image denting behaviours.

DCOP Asante-Apeatu said today’s policeman must have some knowledge in ICT and some capacity to interact with colleagues in nearby francophone countries, hence lessons in French and ICT have been included in the training curriculum as well as out of training depot attachments to enable the recruits to provide effective service.

He reminded the recruits that, aside academic qualification promotion, promotion in the Service are also based on seniority as well exemplary performance.

He also advised the general public to observe all road traffic regulations in order to avoid needless accidents.

The recruits treated dignitaries, including Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, Deputy Commissioner of Police responsible for Human Resource, Director of Training, ACP Kofi Boakye and Colonel Cyril Necku, Deputy Volta Regional Minister to immaculate silent drills, slow and quick marches.

Eight recruits were awarded for excellence with the overall best recruit going to Otibu Kwaku Gyan.

click link to listen to DCOP Asante-Appeatu

VOLTA CADRES DEFEND GBEVLO-LARTEY

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Kwadwo Duodu

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October 12, 2011

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The Volta Regional Branch of the United Cadre Front (UCF) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday called on president mills to ignore the call by, a group calling itself Concerned Group of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to dismise of the National Security Coordinator, Lt-Col. (rtd) Larry Gbevlo-Lartey.

On Tuesday October 4th, 2011, the group demonstrated at the ruling party’s headquarters demanding the immediate dismissal of the National Security Coordinator, listing a litany of accusations against the Security Coordinator including the fact that security capo is using his position to impose his son, Nestor Gbevlo Lartey on the people of Hohoe North constituency as the NDC’s parliamentary candidate and as such creating political tension and incohesion in the Hohoe north constituency.

The group also accused the national security coordinator of masterminding the the dismissal of Mr. Victor Kondobrey, the formal MCE for Hohoe.

But in a statement read by Mr John Tenyoh Agbovi, Volta Regional Assistant for Political Programmes of the UCF, the cadres debanged those allegations being leveled against Lt. Col. Rtd. Gbevlo-Lartey, describing them as fabricated, unfounded and malicious to destroy the hard won reputation of the national security coordinator.

The statement said, the leader of the demonstrators, one Hajia Sherifatu Sulley do not hail from any part of the Volta region and Mr. Reginald Seth Dogbey, who claimed to be an executive and signed the press statement that was issued out by the demonstrators is not a recognized member of the NDC in the Hohoe north constituency but rather he is an imposter misleading people for his parochial interest.

The statement also said the dismissal of Mr. Victor kondobrey as MCE for Hohoe due to his gross incompetence, corruption and mismanagement was appropriate and in the best interest of the municipality and any attempt by any group of people to fight for his reinstatement would be a regrettable mistake.

The statement also said the expression of interest by Mr. Nestor Gbevlo to contest the parliamentary primaries for the Hohoe north constituency is not a crime for people to be attacking him. The cadres therefore called on party members to assess the individuals seeking political office on their individual qualities.

“If Mr Gbevlo is not liked by the people of this constituency, it is a matter of being rejected at the constituency primaries and that will end the matter there,” the statement said.

The Volta regional executives of the united cadres’ front therefore called for calm and restraint in the Hohoe north constituency.

HO WEST CONSTITUENTS DEMAND A DISTRICT

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Kwadwo Duodu

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October 10, 2011

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The Congress of Paramount Chiefs and Queen Mothers of Ho West Constituency has called on president Mills to create a district for the constituency to accelerate the development of the area.

The call was made by Osie Adza Tekpor VII, Paramount Chief of Avatime Traditional Area and Chairman of the Congress at the celebration of the maiden unity durbar of the chiefs and people of the 16 traditional councils of the Ho West Constituency on Saturday at Dzolokpuita in the Ho municipality.

He said the creation of the new district will lessen the burden on the Ho municipal assembly in the administration of the municipality and in bringing meaningful development to the communities under the assembly.

Osie Adza Tekpor said the durbar was to create a formidable force for unity, development, idea sharing, investment and creation of jobs for young people and also consolidate the efforts of the chiefs, queen-mothers and the youth of the constituency.

He also called for work to be done on roads in the constituency to boost the economic and tourism potentials.

The Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Colonel Cyril Neku (Rtd), who represented President John Evans Atta Mills, commended the resilience of the people and urged them to remain united for the accelerated development of the area.

He said government remained committed to promises made to the nation and that the Ho West Constituency would have its fair share of development projects.

Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, MP for the area and one of the brains behind the Unity Durbar, urged the youth to take advantage of the various government intervention programs to enhance their livelihoods.

He also said the constituency has what it takes to be a district and there are committees in place to spearhead activities that will ensure that all the requirements needed for the creation of a district are met.

Mr. Bedzrah said meetings have been ongoing since 2009 with the chiefs to address pertinent issues especially the one pertaining to the location of the district capital, which he said majority of the paramount chiefs agreed on Dzolopkui since it is currently the constituency capital and was also the capital of the then Ho east local authority during the 1st republic before it was faced out.

The durbar which was nearly marred by a two hour heavy downpour did not deter the people from dancing with jubilation to the low quality sounds emanating from the wet drums and other musical instruments.

click link and listen to Osie Adja-Terkpor and Hon. Bedzrah

WORLD TEACHERS DAY; ‘WOMEN SUSTAINED G.E.S’-DR. AFUN

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Kwadwo Duodu

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October 6, 2011

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“But for women, the Ghana Education Service may have collapsed”, this is according to Dr Jakpasu Victor Afun, Rector of the Ho Polytechnic, who was speaking at a durbar of teachers to mark this year’s World Teachers Day on the theme “Teachers for Gender Equality,” in Ho on Wednesday.

According to him, in the late 1970s and early 80s, women were the people who hold the fort when most men were running away from Ghana to Nigeria.

Dr. Afun said due to the effort of women teachers, many different professional women are being churned out to compete favorably with their male counterparts. He said Gender parity in educational opportunities is imperative for accelerated national development and as such for the world and that matter Ghana to achieve the millennium development goals on schedule, there is the need to get women on board.

He therefore called for non discrimination against women since they have a lot to offer for the development of the country.

In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Samuel Alobuia, Acting National President of Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) said while teachers strived to put in their best, other stakeholders in education should also play their part more effectively to facilitate better results.

Mr Alexander Mawusi Buadi, Regional GNAT President said it will be wrong to apportion blame to only teachers in this time of poor educational performance. He also complained about the inability of the GES to absorb teachers from study leave without pay, back into the system and the long delays in placing 2010 newly trained teachers on their official salary scales.

The Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Amenowode, said teachers’ performance is major factor to the abysmal performance in the recent Basic Education Certificate Examination and promised government commitment to better the lot of teachers to help reverse the situation.

A retired Educationist and a former Ho municipal director of education Mr Francis Korwu, said the package needed to be given to teachers to give them the verve to work are not being delivered early enough and therefore called on government to provide the incentives it had consistently promised teachers, some of whom work in deprived areas to motivate them to improve on their performance.

Mr Korwu also called for circumspection in the posting and transfer of lady teachers to some duty posts, so as not to jeopardize their lives.

In all, 30 teachers and non teaching staff including three staff of the regional GNAT secretariat were awarded for meritorious service to GNAT over the years.
Click link and listen to Dr. Afun and Joseph Amenowode audios

The Woes of a Rural teacher

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Kwadwo Duodu

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October 5, 2011

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October 5, every year is celebrated as World Teachers’ Day, but have you ever thought of the daily troubles teachers in rural areas go thru in dispensing quality education?

Miss Cynthia Adjololo, is a young trained teacher who has been posted to Klave, a rural farming community in the Ho municipality last year.

She tells me her experience teaching in a rural community over the past one year. Click and Listen Cynthia narrates her experience as a rural teacher