MORE TURNOUTS & FEWER HITCHES ON DAY TWO OF BIO-VOTER REGISTRATION IN HO

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March 26, 2012

A registration centre at Ho-Kpodzi

Long queues have been recorded at various centers on Sunday, Day two of the biometric voter registration exercise in Ho, with some applicants getting to the registration centres as early as 5:30am to partake in the National exercise which will run for 40 days.

At the Ho-Heve E.P Primary School registration centre, applicants complained bitterly of the slow pace of the registration process, which some furious ones blamed on the lackadaisical attitudes of some of the registration officers towards the exercise but a Registration Assistant Seth

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Atsrim refuted the allegation and noted that 85 persons have been registered as of 1:00PM. This according to him constituted an average of 12 persons per hour as compared to 66 persons recorded by the close of day one. He also disclosed that aside, the bad weather condition which prompted the early closure of the exercise at 4:30pm and low battery on the day one of the registration, there has been no problem encountered on day two.

The situation was not different at the Ho-Deeper Life church registration centre, as 88 persons got registered as of 5:20pm as against 75 persons on day one. According to the registration officer, Raymond Akposoe, aside the hand-head scanner which posed a problem on the first day, no other problem has been encountered.

The registration centre at the Ho-Bankoe L.A. J.H.S, registered 194 persons as of 3:00pm as compared to 102 persons that was recorded on day one of the exercise. Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party parliamentary candidate for Ho central, Dr. Archibald Letsa has said that, he has received reports of attempted registration of minors at the centre which his party will officially report to the municipal electoral officer for the appropriate actions to be taken.

He also noted that the process was too slow and that the officials undertaking the registration did not seem to have mastered their work but expressed the hope that the officials would pick up their acts as the exercise progressed.

The exercise has been generally smooth at the other Registration Centres visited within the Ho Municipality with the representatives of the two main political parties, NDC & NPP observing the process.

Click link to listen to Report on Day 2 of Bio registration & Dr. Letsa’s complains of the registration of minors

POTAG to call off strike

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Kwadwo Duodu

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March 22, 2012

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Dr. Akpotsi

It appears the indefinite strike by the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) could be called off by the end of the week.

The leadership of POTAG has said it has almost reached an agreement with government on the way forward to their request.

They have been meeting with the national security coordinator since Monday in a bid to resolve the impasse over salary levels.

Dr. Richard Akplotsi, Ho polytechnic POTAG chairman in an interview with Volta Premier Fm yesterday, Stated that POTAG has gone beyond the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the ministry of employment and the leadership is having fruitful discussions with the national security coordinator, col. Larry gbevlo lartey, stating that he cannot see strike going beyond this weekend.

“those threatening to stop our salaries, are only doing so to cause fear & panic; I’ll like to assure the polytechnic community that we’ve moved beyond those stages and the national security coordinator has come in and is very friendly with us, very open and transparent with us and we believe that he’s giving us all the goodwill and if this trend continues, I cannot see this strike going beyond the weekend” Dr. Akplotsi said.

COMMON FUND PROJECTS NOT FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS ALONE- CAPT NFODJOH

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Kwadwo Duodu

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March 12, 2012

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The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ho-Central Captain (rtd) George Nfodjoh, has disclosed that, the MPs Common Fund which is meant to support projects in the constituencies, is not a preserve of public institutions.

He noted there are private institutions which are serving the public interest that deserve to be supported with these grants.

Captain Nfodjoh was speaking at a durbar to climax the fifth Anniversary of the Wallahs Academy Senior High School, in Ho on the theme: “Five Years of Quality Education: Successes, Challenges and the Way Forward.”

He said students in private schools with the requisite needs and qualifications also deserve support from the funds.

The school which was born out of Wallahs academy remedial school, started five years ago in hired classrooms with nine students and seven teachers had grown into a regular SHS with 335 students, 27 teachers and 19 non-teaching staff.

Captain Nfodjoh said many private institutions, such as Wallahs Academy, are venturing into molding the future of the youth and need to be support.

He pledged to give the Academy 50 dual desks, besides the computers and sports equipment he had presented to the school.

Mr Maxwell Worlanyo Affram, Rector of the Academy, said growth, which had been steady but difficult, was worth the effort, as the school had been able to absorb many young people, who were turned away from public schools, for lack of space.

He said in the coming years the school would keep to its motto of “Producing excellent students, leading to a higher caliber of human resource base for the country,” by offering special innovative programmes to open opportunities to many people.

Mr Affram said the school, which offers courses in General and Visual arts, Business and Home Economics, had 100 per cent pass in 2010 and 2011 West African School Certificate Examinations and has currently introduced courses in General Science.

He said the Academy is performing well in the areas of sports, culture and discipline and that, students and teachers who compromised the disciplinary code of the school were promptly punished.

Mr Affram said the school management had dismissed 10 students, withdrew 12 from the boarding system for indiscipline, and also laid off four teachers “for various degrees of moral standards that can best be described as unwholesome”.

He said the Academy is expanding, building dormitories, and additional classroom blocks and housekeepers’ bungalows.

Mr Affram said the school however suffers frequent water shortages because of its location on high grounds and needs support to tackle the problem and support to equip its libraries and science laboratories.

Mr Emmanuel Keteku, Municipal Director of Education, who presided over the function, in a comment on the theme, said quality education should be a watchword, as “low education is tantamount to no education”.

Awards were presented to deserving students and teachers while the old students association presented a table top refrigerator to the school to be used at the Staff Common Room.

VRRC TO SUPPORT FAMILY OF ETORNAM GONI

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Kwadwo Duodu

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March 7, 2012

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Ho Fiave SDA JHS marching in red band

A package has been put together by the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) and the Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES), to support the family of Miss Etornam Goni, a 14-year-old pupil of the Ho Fiave SDA JHS who collapsed and died during rehearsals for the Independence Day parade.

Mr Joseph Amenowode, the Volta Regional Minister, who announced this at the Independence Day parade in Ho on Tuesday, where a minute silent was observed in her memory, also extended the President’s condolences to the family of the young lady, saying the young lady was a patriotic citizen.

In all Twenty-three officers and 252 men and women from the security services, four institutional cadet corps and a total of 1,396 pupils and students of the junior and senior high schools were on parade.

Major Anthony Setorwu of the 66 Artillery Regiment was the parade commander and the Volta Regional Police Band under Inspector Samuel Asamoah was in attendance.

Mr Amenowode saluted Ghana’s forebears who fought for and sustained Ghana’s independence, stating that the significant gains chalked must be protected.

Joseph Amenorwode Addressing the Parade

The minister also reiterated president mills’ commitment towards ensuring peace before, during and after the December elections.

Traditional, Christian and Muslim prayers before the parade asked for peaceful elections.

A contingent of members of the Ho Municipal Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) also took part in the march, holding placards preaching tolerance and decorum in the coming elections.

BITTER-SWEET RESULTS AT NDC PRIMARIES IN THE VOLTA REGION:

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 23, 2012

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Results from the ruling NDC’s parliamentary primaries in its world bank, the Volta region on Saturday have claimed a number of losses and produced surprises.

For instance, in the Keta constituency the Propaganda Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Richard Quashigah beat the incumbent MP Larsey Agbenyefia to win the slot to represent the party the 2012 elections.

Richard Quashiga had 95 votes whilst Agbenyefia Lassey managed 85 votes. Kwame Gakpe and Rocky polled 53 and 54 votes respectively.

In the Ho Central, incumbent Capt. George Kofi Nfojoh lost his seat having polled 52 votes. He was beaten in the Ho Central constituency by Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo, finance officer of the University of Education, who had 270 votes. Fafa Adinyira had 104 votes, Steven Adom 17 votes and Kodzo Akpadi 15 votes.

In the North Tongu constituency, Deputy Information Minister, Okudzeto Ablakwa, polled 157 votes to wallop the incumbent MP Charles Hodogbey who got only 26 votes. Whereas at South Tongu, incumbent MP Korbla Mensah Woyome won with 328 votes as against his challenger Maxwel Lukutor who had 66 votes.

Edem Asiama also won the South Dayi primaries with 144 votes, followed by Dr. Kwame Ampofo who had 40 votes and Rockson Dafeamekpor with 20 votes.

At Hohoe South, Volta Regional Minister and incumbent MP Joseph Amenorwode won with 186 votes as against Angela Allo Tey who polled 102 votes.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Kofi Humado has been elected as the NDC’s candidate for the Anlo constituency. He polled 269 votes. His closest contender Gandi Mawuenyega polled 44 votes whilst Kafui Agbleze had 30 of the votes counted.

Also, Minister for Road and Highways Joe Gidisu polled 230 votes to retain the seat in the Central Tongu. His contender Alex Gabby Hottordze had 121 votes.

In the Akan constituency, also in the Volta Region, Gyapong Kudzo won the seat with 175 votes leaving his closest contender Joseph Ofori with 159 votes whilst the other challenger Edem had 21 votes.

Mr James Avedzi, MP for Ketu-North, also retained the NDC ticket with 247 votes beating Dr Stephen Ahiawordor, a lecturer, who polled 68 votes and Mr Kwaku Treme, a Mining consultant, who also got 6 votes.

The MP for Krachi-East, Mr. Wisdom Gidisu, MP for Buem, Mr. Henry Kamel Ford, MP for Ho-West, Mr. Emmanuel Bedzrah, and the MP for Ave-Avenor and first deputy speaker of parliament, Mr. Doe Adjaho had popular acclamation.

Mr Adjaho has held the Ave-Avenor seat since 1992, making him one of the longest serving legislators in the country.

Elections in the Ketu south, Adaklu-Anyibe and Hohoe north constituencies have been suspended, due to the creation of new districts, and expectations that new constituencies would be created.

Meanwhile Madam Anita De-Sosoo National Women’s Organiser of the NDC told delegates after the declaration of results in Ho-Central that the orderly conduct of the elections and the results affirmed the victory for the NDC.

She therefore called on all party members in the constituency to gird their loins behind the winner to prosecute a vigorous campaign to claim more votes for the Party in the Presidential and Parliamentary elections in December

She acknowledged that Captain Nfodjo has achieved a lot for the Party in the constituency and should be accorded great respect among party members.

Captain Nfodjo and the other contenders pledged to support Mr Kpodo.

Mr Kpodo, on his part, said he shared his victory with his opponents and their supporters and called for collective action towards winning the December elections.

He promised to include his opponents in his campaign team and make resources available to keep the party active in the constituency for a resounding victory in December.

INTER-PARTY DIALOGUE COMMITTEE INAUGURATED IN HO

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 12, 2012

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An Inter-Party Dialogue Committee task with the mandate of promoting peace and resolving conflicts before, during and after the 2012 general elections has been inaugurated in Ho on Wednesday.

Mr Anthony Belley, the Volta regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), speaking at the inauguration noted that, the committee will provide an effective platform for key stakeholder to engage with political parties, the NCCE and the Electoral Commission in ensuring violence- free elections.

He said though, Ghana is acclaimed internationally as the beacon of democratic governance in Africa, there is the need to consolidate and deepen the nation’s democratic tenets by forming the inter-party dialogue committees to act as a buffer zone for constituencies to curtail unnecessary suspicions among political parties.

Mr. Belley said the committee would focus on mediation and resolution of petty conflicts, monitor the enforcement of the code of conduct of political parties, promote peace and identify issues that have the potential to trigger election related conflicts.

The committee which comprise of representatives of political parties, faith based organizations, civil society and community based organizations, the police, traditional authorities, independent governance institutions and the media has Mr Joseph Nuertey of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) as chairman, Mama Agblatsu II as vice chairperson, Mr. Enoch Amegbletor as secretary and Mr. Edem Yao Torsah of Volta Premier Fm as organizer.

Similar committees according to Mr. Belley will be inaugurated at the district, constituency and zonal levels across the region to put in place an effective conflict prevention programme to prevent election related violence.

‘EXHAUST AVENUES FOR ADDRESSING GRIEVANCES’- RECTOR ADVISES STUDENTS

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 9, 2012

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Dr. J.V.K

Dr. J.V.K affun, the Rector of Ho Polytechnic has asked students of the polytechnic to exhaust every avenue available for addressing grievances before engaging in any act(s) that will be detrimental to them and polytechnic.

“Not until you exhaust all avenues of addressing a particular issue, to ascertain that you are right and the other party is wrong, you don’t engage in any act that will be detrimental to you” the rector emphasized.

The rector’s comment follows rumors that some students are planning to boycott the second semester examinations which begins today because of the inconsistent changes in the examination time table for at least three times.

The examination which was earlier scheduled to last for two weeks later saw an extension to three weeks after the Student Representative Council (S.R.C) executives have appealed and negotiated with the timetable committee for the extension in order to give ample time to students to write the exams.

However in sharp twist, the time table was reverted back to two weeks at the eleventh hour which Starred frustration among students.

But, Dr. Affun in an address to students and staff of the polytechnic at the End of Semester church service on Sunday, explained that the back and forth changes in the timetable was because, the timetable committee did not communicate to management their decision with the S.R.C to extend the duration of the examination by an additional week.

The rector also explained that, as of the time the changes were made, the Polytechnic academic calendar has already been drawn and approved by the academic board and circulated to all stakeholders including the Ministry of Education.

Dr. Affun however expresses the hope that, the issue of the extension will be addressed at the next sitting of the academic board for it to take effect from next semester.

He therefore urged the students to bear with management and not to boycott the examinations even though it is within their right to do so, adding that any such action will lead to the re-starting of the academic year with its dire consequences on both students and management.

The rector also advised the students to abide by all rules and regulations pertaining to examination in the polytechnic to avoid being ousted out due to examination Mal-practice.

‘LENDING RATES SHOULD MATCH ECONOMIC GAINS’ – PRESSURE GROUP URGES BANKS

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Kwadwo Duodu

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January 9, 2012

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Eric Kwame Afenyo

Oneghana Network, a Ho-based pressure group has called on banks to let the visible gains in the economy reflect in their lending policies.

It said the banks should go beyond the current marginal reduction in the rates with special dispensations for Small-Scale Enterprises (SMEs) which represented a vital ingredient in rural development.

The Network noted that the private sector should play key roles so as to achieve accelerated growth for the country.

These were disclosed at a press briefing organized by the network and addressed by its Convenor and Secretary, Eric Kwame Afenyo in Ho on Wednesday.

Touching on the implementation of the single spine salary structure, the network said workers are better off economically with the new salary structure but noted that, the agitations that characterized the implementation were due to the circulation of ‘huge figures’ by some unscrupulous individuals that raise the expectations of workers. The network thus called on the information ministry to control these expectations at all times.

The Network also noted with relief the extent of infrastructural development in the Volta Region especially on school projects and that the University of Allied Sciences was on course.

The Network lauded the audit forays of the Mutual Health Insurance Schemes in the region which led to the retrieval of 17 million Ghana Cedis from Service Providers.

It said the health insurance scheme as an important social intervention policy needed the help of all the citizenry to succeed.

The Network praised President Mills’ stand on the Alfred Woyome saga for a full-scale enquiry and called for a thorough investigation into the cocaine turned sodium bicarbonate case.

The network also commended the regional Security Council being chaired by the regional minister and the various security agencies for maintaining the security of the region especially during the festivities saying ‘men in uniform were visible in all part of the region, which is ‘unprecedented’.

The Oneghana Network which is politically neutral with focus on the Volta region said it would soon come out with monitoring reports about the districts including quality and rate of work on the many contracts in the region.

Present at the press conference were George Tasiame, President of the network and two of the Network’s district representatives, Light Tornyi, Adaklu Anyigbe and Jones Fritzmaclean of Keta.

‘LIVE UP TO YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES’ AZUMAH MENSAH URGED PARENTS

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Kwadwo Duodu

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December 20, 2011

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Mrs. Juliana Azumah Mensah, minister of women and children’s affairs, has asked parents to live up to their responsibilities towards the upbringing of their children to ensure that they grow to become responsible adults.

Mrs. Juliana Azumah Mensah gave the advice at the inauguration of Literacy Drive and Development Movement (LDDM), a non-governmental organization in Ho on Saturday.

The group which is a non-denominational Christian organization aims at promoting the well being of under-privileged people especially Orphans and Vulnerable children in the society.

Mrs. Azumah Mensah noted that children are the mirror of the nation’s future, thus neglecting ones parental responsibilities towards the child would result in that child becoming a burden on the society.

She also noted that government has thru the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare and the Department of Social Welfare in 2010 developed a three year National Action Plan to support the development of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in the country. She therefore commended Literacy Drive and Development Movement (LDDM), for their initiative to support government in providing conducive environment for the development of the vulnerable in society.

Rev Fred Simon Yevugah, the national coordinator of LDDM, on his part said the organization would support the development of the vulnerable by sponsoring the education of orphans and street children and also help in providing social amenities to rural communities to enhance their standard of living.

Rev. Yevugah also disclosed that, as part of LDDM’s mission, the organization has instituted a micro finance scheme to provide credit to petty traders and peasant farmers to boost their businesses, which he said will help reduce rural-urban migration.

Mr. Kafui Bekui, South Dayi District Chief Executive, urged the organization to take advantage of the government’s social intervention programs in education to enroll the orphans and street children in schools. He also asked them to source for external funds instead of sourcing governmental funds to undertake their activities.

HO MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY TO SPONSOR MIDWIFERY STUDENTS

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Kwadwo Duodu

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December 20, 2011

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Hon Kodobisah giving his Address

As part of measures to support the first lady, Mrs Ernestina Naadu Mills’ campaign against maternal mortality in the country, the Ho Municipal Assembly will sponsor five midwifery students from the Municipality for five years at an estimated cost of GHS 170,000.

Mr Isaac Kodobisah, Municipal Chief Executive, disclosed this at the last ordinary session of the Assembly on Friday.

The First Lady, at the launch of her Campaign for Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) in the Volta region recently, urged assemblies in the region to commit themselves to the fight against maternal mortality.

Mr Kodobisah said aside the sponsorship, the assembly would in the first quarter of 2012 sensitize as well as work with community leaders to “ensure that pregnancies receive skilled care” while “no deliveries are encouraged outside health facilities” adding that the assembly will also purchase 10 haemoglobinometers use in checking blood levels for health centres in the municipality at an estimated cost of GHS 5000.

He also noted that the Assembly would partner an international non-governmental organizations;-‘Professionals for Humanity ‘ in the first quarter of 2012 to equip hospitals and clinic in the Municipality with medical equipment, including blood bank refrigerators at the Ho Municipal Hospital.

MCE presenting keys to MP

In another development, Mr. Kodobissah has presented 82 motor bikes on behalf of government to members of the assembly at a short ceremony at forecourt of the assembly in Ho.

The provision of the motor bikes is part of the Government’s initiative to provide assembly members with means of transport to enable them to visit their electoral areas and to effectively monitor and evaluate ongoing development projects.

Receiving the motor bikes on behalf of assembly members, the presiding member, Mr. M. M. Atsrim, thank government for the gesture and assured that the motor bikes will be put to good use, adding that the gesture will boost the morale of assembly members in discharging their duties effectively.