First Sky Group to Construct Housing Units for Victims of Akosombo Dam Spillage

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October 20, 2023

BY: Lambert Coffie | Voltaonlinegh.com |

In a swift response to the devastating impact of the Akosombo and Kpong Hydroelectric Dams’ spillage in the North Tongu District, the First Sky Group broke ground on Thursday, October 19, for a housing project aimed at providing new homes for displaced disaster victims.

The project, to be executed by Construction Ambassadors, a subsidiary of the First Sky Group, will span three locations across the district and is expected to be completed in record time.

In a Facebook post, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu, shared that local communities are generously providing free land at designated locations and contributing communal labour to support the construction of these housing units.

Mr. Okudzeto-Ablakwa commended the indigenous Ghanaian company, for the significant show of generosity to the residents. He expressed confidence that the project, upon completion, will restore the dignity of a substantial number of the 12,000 displaced constituents.

“The new housing will offer improved living conditions and safety, ending the need for 21 schools to serve as safe havens for those affected. This means that the children of North Tongu can finally return to school, resuming their education in a more stable environment,” he emphasized.

Relief Items

Meanwhile, the First Sky Group, under the leadership of Executive Chairman Mr. Eric Seddy Kutortse, donated a truckload of food and other relief items valued at GHc1 million to the disaster victims at Battor, the district capital. The items included 2,000 bottles of cooking oil, 800 bags of rice, sugar, packs of toilet paper, clothes, bags of sachet water, mattresses and bedsheets.

Mr. Kutortse also announced a GHc2.5 million group life insurance cover for victims in the three Tongu districts through First Sky’s subsidiary, Serene Insurance. The insurance will cover victims who may suffer death as a result of the disaster, and a benefit of GH¢5,000 per person will be paid to the dependents of the deceased.

According to him, the First Sky Group was deeply moved by the plight of the victims, and said it is only right for public-spirited individuals and corporate bodies to help alleviate the suffering of the afflicted.

Mr. Kutortse presenting the items to the North Tongu MP

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

VEEP Supports Akosombo Dam Spillage Victims with Cash, Others

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Volta Online

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October 19, 2023

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BAWUMIA DONATION (3) — The Vice President addressing the flood vicitms

BY: Daniel Orlando | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, donated GH¢160,000 and quantities of relief items to the 8 districts that have been affected by the spillage of the Akosombo Dam on Wednesday.

Dr. Bawumia made the donation when he toured the affected communities to assess the extent of damage and to empathize with the victims, who had been temporarily sheltered in various safe havens in the district.

The items included bags of rice, gallons of cooking oil, tins of milk and beverages, bags of sachet water, boxes of soap, and mosquito repellent.

The Vice-President stated that the donation was his immediate intervention to alleviate the plight of the victims as the government continued to mobilize resources to improve their situation.

Dr. Bawumia described the flood as the worst disaster to befall the people of the three regions, and he mentioned that he had suspended his political activities in the North to witness the situation firsthand and provide emergency relief items.

He further mentioned that the government and the Volta River Authority are developing long-term plans to control future flooding.

Saji Seji Amedonu, Deputy Director-General of NADMO, said the flood had displaced about 26,000 residents in the 8 districts. He noted that the authority had begun distributing relief items to all displaced residents at the safe havens.

He further mentioned that the Volta Regional Health Directorate had set up mobile health clinics to cater to the health needs of the people.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Thousands Displaced as Akosombo Dam Spillage Forces Residents to Abandon Homes

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Volta Online

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October 14, 2023

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BY: Daniel Orlando | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Over 4,000 residents living around the lower Volta Basin have been forced to abandon their homes due to flooding caused by the spillage excess water from the Akosombo and Kpong Hydroelectric Dams.

Residents in the three Tongu Districts and Anlo of the Volta Region are counting their losses as their homes have been taken over by flood waters. According to the Volta River Authority (VRA), the spillage is due to the consistent rise in the inflow pattern and water level of the Akosombo Dam.

Residents who have lost their properties are currently homeless and seeking shelter at St. Kizito Senior High School at Mepe in the North Tongu district awaiting relief aids.

In the meantime, the Volta River Authority (VRA) has presented clothes, mattresses, blankets, toiletries, food items, among other relief items to National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) officials for onward distribution to the victims of the flooding.

Mr. Kenneth Arthur Mensah, Deputy Chief Executive of VRA in charge of services, handed over the items at Battor, the North Tongu District capital after visitng the affected victims in the company of the Volta Regional Minister Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the Railways Minister John Peter Amewu, the Deputy Director-General of NADMO, Seji Saji, officials from Volta River Authority, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Fire Service, the Ambulance Service, and the Ghana Army, which is providing boats for residents to cross the river.

He said the authority decided to provide the essential relief items in keeping with the VRA’s commitment to alleviate the plight of the communities.

Mr. Arthur said the items were meant to mitigate the difficulties and challenges being faced by the communities that had been adversely impacted as a result of the intensified spillage.

Seji Saji, Deputy Director-General of NADMO, appealed to residents to move to VRA’s designated safe havens as life is precious and sacred.

Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, assured affected residents for continuous government support.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Rev. Dr. Nyarko Elected New Vice-President of EPUC

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Volta Online

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October 14, 2023

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Israel Nyarko — Rev. Dr. Israel Kofi Nyarko

BY: News Desk | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Evangelical Presbyterian University College in Ho has elected Rev. Dr. Israel Kofi Nyarko as the Vice President of the University College. Rev. Dr. Nyarko secured 100% of the total votes cast.

A circular signed by Registrar, George Kwaku Debrie, indicates that Rev. Dr. Nyarko will be presented to the University Council in due course. Dr. Israel Kofi Nyarko is a management scientist and consultant with over 12 years of experience in research, teaching, and consulting. His motivation is to discover and disseminate management knowledge for productivity, growth, and development.

He holds a Ph.D in Leadership and Organizational Transformation and Management Sciences with specialization in Marketing and Organization Studies from San Juan DLC University, Costa Rica, Central America.

Currently, he serves as the Senior Lecturer and Dean of the School of Business at EP University College in Ho, Ghana. Prior to this role, he was a senior lecturer and head of consultancy at the Organization Development Institute in Accra.

He also worked as a Senior Lecturer in Management at Central University, Accra, from 2016 to 2019, and as a Lecturer in Marketing at Ho Polytechnic (Ho Technical University) from 2010 to 2016. Dr. Nyarko is also the lead pastor at Sureword Power Chapel Church in Ho.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Ghana’s Medical Council and UK Doctors Association Sign Collaboration Agreement

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Volta Online

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October 12, 2023

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BY: News Desk | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Medical and Dental Council (MDC) of Ghana has officially sealed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ghanaian Doctors and Dentists Association UK (GDDA-UK). This monumental agreement was inked at the 18th Annual Health Conference of the GDDA-UK in London on October 7, 2023.

The primary goal of the MOU is to streamline the registration process for members of the GDDA-UK who are keen on contributing to Ghana’s healthcare system. These contributions include training both undergraduate and postgraduate doctors and dentists, providing specialist and sub-specialist healthcare services, and collaborating on health research projects within Ghana.

The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Pamela Abban Ohene Djan, the Executive Secretary of GDDA-UK, who played a pivotal role in making this MOU a reality. During the conference, Dr. Divine Ndonbi Banyubala, the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council (MDC) of Ghana, and Dr. William Kedjanyi, President of GDDA-UK, formally signed the agreement.

The MOU comes as a solution to several years of discussions between the GDDA-UK executives and the Council. It addresses the challenges associated with the credentialing and licensing process for UK-based Ghanaian physicians, as well as other doctors interested in contributing to training, specialty and subspecialty services, including organ and tissue transplantation procedures and health research collaboration.

One of the most significant advantages of the MOU is the expeditious and cost-effective process it offers, reducing the registration costs by fifty percent. Furthermore, in certain exceptional cases, it provides a waiver for specific examinations for select UK-based physicians. These streamlined procedures will be available exclusively to members of the GDDA-UK and will help the organization fulfill its founding mandate of providing educational and faculty support to the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.

The signing ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, H.E. Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Hon. Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, and several notable figures from the healthcare and academic sectors.

Dr. Kedjanyi emphasized that the MOU will simplify the registration process for GDDA-UK members and enable them to offer high-quality specialist and sub-specialist medical and dental services while supporting academic activities. He expressed gratitude to all key individuals and organizations that contributed to making this significant achievement possible, marking it as a long-awaited milestone for Ghana’s healthcare system.

Dr. Banyubala, the Registrar of MDC Ghana, highlighted the Council’s commitment to decentralizing doctor and dentist training across regional and district hospitals to address inequities in distribution and access to specialized services.

H.E. Papa Owusu-Ankomah praised the event as a vital component of the government’s agenda to engage the Ghanaian diaspora in national development. He expressed gratitude to all parties involved and urged the GDDA-UK executives to work diligently to ensure that the MOU achieves its intended outcomes.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Akosombo Dam Spillage Causes Power Cut, School closure at Sogakope

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Volta Online

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October 11, 2023

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BY: Lambert Coffie| Voltaonlinegh.com |

In an unexpected turn of events, the emergency spillage of the Akosombo Dam has triggered a flooding crisis along the Volta River, leaving several communities in the Volta Region, including Sogakope, grappling with the aftermath.

The floodwaters have submerged the Gridco Bulk Supply point at Sogakope, forcing a precautionary shutdown of the electricity supply in the area.

As a result, residents of Sogakope, Akatsi, Adidome, Anloga, Abor, Keta, and the surrounding areas are left in the dark, awaiting a resolution to the crisis.

The Comboni Technical Institute in Sogakope has not been spared by the floodwaters either. The campus, overwhelmed by the rising waters, had no choice but to temporarily close its doors and send students home for safety reasons.

The situation has caused great inconveniences to both residents and businesses in the area, while engineers of ECG and Gridco work to restore power supply to the area through alternatives sources.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

UHAS Students Call for Enhanced Security Measures After Recent Campus Attacks

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Volta Online

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October 11, 2023

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BY: Daniel Orlando | Voltaonlinegh.com|

Some concerned students of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho are calling on the university authorities to enhance security in and around the main campus at Sokode-Lokoe, particularly within the hall of residence area.

According to the students, their lives are in danger due to recent criminal attacks by unscrupulous individuals, especially in the evening when they move from the hostel to study on the main campus.

Some students who spoke to our reporter indicated that on Monday, 9th October, four Level 100 Midwifery students were attacked on their way to the main campus, with their mobile phones and other belongings were taken from them.

Consequently, the students have declared ‘Red & Black’ Friday to put pressure on management to install street lights in and around the hostel area to deter attacks from unscrupulous individuals.

They are also appealing to the Ghana Police Service to provide constant security on the main campus.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Ghanaian Students Stranded in Togo over Delayed Stipends

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Volta Online

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October 11, 2023

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BY: News Desk | Voltaonlinegh.com|

A group of Ghanaian students from the University of Education, Winneba who were selected for a year-long language studies programme in Togo are currently facing difficulties in Lome due to delays in receiving their stipends for the entire duration of their stay.

These students, who requested anonymity when speaking to Volta Online, reported that while their counterparts in Benin have already received their full payments, they are still awaiting theirs.

They noted that, the delay has significantly impacted their academic experience at the Togolese University.

The scholarship package for these students includes several components, such as a monthly maintenance allowance equivalent to CFA 45,000.00, payment of tuition and examination fees, book allowances, and a medical allowance.

Despite their efforts to reach out to the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat and the Ghana Embassy, they have been informed that there are no available funds.

A representative from the Secretariat suggested offering the students 700 Ghanaian Cedis out of the 2,700 owed to them. However, the students unanimously rejected this offer, as they have accumulated substantial debts that need to be settled before leaving Togo.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

OPINION: GMB’S SELORM REMINDS US OF MAMA YAKAGBE

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Volta Online

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October 10, 2023

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GMB (1) — Selorm performing the role of Mama Yakagbe

By: King Nobert Akpablie| Voltaonlinegh.com |

The story of Anlo’s Mama Yakagbe is a fascinating tale of bravery and heroism, and it’s great to see it being recognized in the context of Ghana’s Most Beautiful pageantry. Mama Yakagbe’s story is reminiscent of Yaa Asantewa’s, a renowned figure from the Ashanti Kingdom who led male warriors against colonial masters. While Yaa Asantewa is more widely known, Mama Yakagbe’s contribution to her people’s history is equally remarkable.

Mama Yakagbe’s role in the ‘DatuTagba’ war of 1866, where she fought alongside Anlo warriors, demonstrates her exceptional courage and abilities. Her reputed supernatural powers and her display of these powers on the battlefield highlight her extraordinary nature. The creation of a “chief’s Stool of Valour” in her honour further emphasises her significance and lasting impact on the Anlo Kingdom.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Mama Yakagbe’s story is her espionage skills. By pretending to be mad, she infiltrated the enemy’s town to gather critical information about their vulnerabilities and plans. This cunning strategy proved invaluable in securing victory for her people.

The way she used her warriors and her clever tactics, such as torching the enemy’s thatch houses to draw them out, showcases her strategic brilliance. Her leadership and bravery were instrumental in ensuring her people’s success in the war.

In the context of the recent Ghana’s Most Beautiful pageant, Selorm’s portrayal of Mama Yakagbe’s character highlights the enduring significance of this historical figure. Selorm’s ability to not only embody the beauty and eloquence of Mama Yakagbe but also her bravery is a testament to the enduring legacy of this remarkable woman.

Congratulations to Selorm for her victory in the beauty pageant and for reminding everyone of the inspiring story of Mama Yakagbe, a true heroine in the history of the Volta Region.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Ghana Gas Cuts Sod for AstroTurf at Ho Technical University

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Volta Online

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October 9, 2023

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BY: Daniel Orlando | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Ghana Gas Company has cut sod for a FIFA-standard AstroTurf at Ho Technical University on Sunday, October 8, 2023.

Mr. Francis Augustus Badu, the Director in charge of Corporate Social Responsibility at Ghana Gas, expressed that as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility, they aim to support sports development in the country by providing AstroTurf facilities nationwide.

The FIFA-standard AstroTurf project, to be executed by Landwind Company Ltd, is expected to be completed within six calendar months.

Hon. Divine Bosson, the Municipal Chief Executive for Ho, expressed gratitude to Ghana Gas for their commitment to providing a fitting AstroTurf to the city of Ho, which will contribute to the development of football talent in the region and the entire nation of Ghana.

He also emphasized that the sod-cutting ceremony signifies the government’s dedication, under the leadership of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to enhancing sports infrastructure in the region.

Prof. Ben Q. Hoenyenuga, the Vice Chancellor of Ho Technical University, expressed his appreciation for Ghana Gas’s generous gesture and assured full support from the school’s management to ensure that the contractor completes the project within the stipulated time.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com