UHAS Launches Sickle Cell Awareness Campaign in Volta Region

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August 11, 2023

BY: Daniel Orlando | Voltaonlinegh.com|

The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has launched the Volta Region Sickle Cell Disease Awareness and Education campaign in order to increase awareness, enhance prevention and care, and mitigate the impact of sickle cell disease, which is one of the most prevalent illnesses in the region but often receives insufficient attention.

The launch was on the theme “Bridging the Educational Gap in Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait; Empowering Individuals and Communities.”

Statistics indicated that, more than 66 percent of the 120 million people affected worldwide by sickle cell disease reside in Africa. Approximately 1000 children are born with the disease every day on the African continent.

In Ghana, around 2 out of every 100 new babies are born with sickle cell disease, and out of every 30 new babies, 10 are affected by sickle cell, making it the most common genetically-inherited disease. Tragically, more than half of these children do not survive past the age of five, usually succumbing to infections or severe anaemia.

During the Volta Regional Launch in Hohoe, Prof. Lydia Aziato, the Vice Chancellor of UHAS, called for a comprehensive approach that emphasizes the importance of regular clinic visits, proper hydration, and effective use of pain relief medication. She also urged all parents and those planning to marry to determine their sickle cell status as early as possible and to screen new born babies promptly.

Togbega Gabusu VII, the Paramount Chief of the Gbi Traditional Area, appealed to the government to establish a Sickle Cell Centre at the Hohoe Regional Hospital to raise awareness, conduct screenings, and provide treatment for sickle cell patients.

He also called on stakeholders to use plain language when educating citizens about the disease, its treatment, and how to manage its impact, especially for those contemplating marriage. He encouraged everyone to know their genotype and appealed to the families of sickle cell patients to assist in disseminating information to the general public.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Asogli State Gears Up for Dual Celebration; See Programme Line-up

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Volta Online

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August 11, 2023

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BY: Lambert Coffie & Daniel Orlando | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The chiefs and people of the Asogli state in Ho are gearing up for a dual celebration this year: the Annual Te Za (Yam Festival) and the 20th anniversary of the enthronement of Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia, and President of Asogli. Togbe ascended the Agbogbome stool on 4th October 2003, during a vibrant installation ceremony at the OLA Senior High School.

Ahead of the festivities, the state council has placed a temporary ban on funerals within the traditional area, effective from Monday, 14th August to Sunday, 8th October 2023. The council introduced the ban to facilitate the necessary customary and traditional rites and preparations for a successful celebration.

Meanwhile, the planning committee has revealed a programme of activities for the twin celebration. The seven-week-long itinerary spans from Saturday, 19th August to Sunday, 8th October 2023.

Some of the key events include the popular Yam Hailing (Teyuyru) on Friday, September 1, a pilgrimage to Notsie, Togo from 8th to 10th September, the Miss Asogli Beauty Pageant on Saturday, 23rd September, and Street jams every weekend throughout the traditional area.

Furthermore, on Wednesday, October 4, Togbe Afede will commemorate the 20th anniversary of his ascension to the Agbogbomefia stool. The entire festivities will culminate in a grand durbar on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at the Jubilee Park.

The twin celebration is expected to attract several local and foreign dignitaries, including revelers, who will flock to the Capital of the Volta region to experience the convergence of rich tradition, royalty, and culture.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Volta Bar Honours Distinguished Retired Justices

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Volta Online

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August 10, 2023

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News Desk | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Volta Regional branch of the Ghana Bar Association has recognised and celebrated the accomplishments of four retired justices from the Volta region who have excelled in their legal careers at the Supreme Court.

The distinguished honourees were Justice Nasiru Gbadegbe, Justice Agnes Abla Dordzie, Justice Clemence Honyenugah, and Justice Jones Victor Mawulorm Dotse.

The 4 retired Justices in a pose with the leadership of the Volta Bar

They were presented with citations and thoughtful gift packages, at an event held at the Lancaster Hotel in Accra last Friday, August 4, 2023.

In attendance were Yaw Acheampong Boafo, the President of the Ghana Bar Association, and Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, the President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs.

The event was under the auspieces of Togbe Francis Albert Nyonyo, the Representative of the Volta Region on the Council of State, who also graced the occasion with his presence.

Supreme Court Judge, Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu was among a diverse group of judges with Volta descent from the Court of Appeal and High Court who also graced the occasion.

During their brief remarks, the Retirees expressed their gratitude to the association for the honour bestowed upon them. They also seized the opportunity to encourage fellow practitioners to uphold integrity in their legal endeavours. Furthermore, they earnestly urged members of the bar not to hesitate to offer their services on the bench if the need should arise.

The evening was beautifully adorned with lawyers from the Volta Regional bar and their spouses, all elegantly dressed for the black tie dinner event.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

MCE files to Contest Ho Central NPP Primaries

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Volta Online

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August 9, 2023

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BY: Daniel Orlando | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Ho Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Divine R.K. Bosson, has submitted his nomination to vie in the upcoming Parliamentary primaries of the New Patriotic Party in the Ho Central Constituency.

According to the MCE, his decision to run for the Ho Central constituency parliamentary election is motivated by the goodwill he receives from people of the municipality and from all political factions.

He expressed appreciation to those who obtained the nomination form on his behalf and assured everyone to have confidence in him to secure the Parliamentary seat from the opposition party.

“Starting from 2025, I will hold a position in Parliament, not just be a former Parliamentary candidate, as the people of Ho Central have, for the first time in the Constituency’s history, the choice to elect a dedicated servant for the constituency,” he said.

Mr. Bosson pointed out that he will draw upon his achievements as Municipal Chief Executive to address the developmental challenges of the people without pursuing narrow political interests, stating that, the National Democratic Congress has let down the Constituency and has ignored its needs for an extended period.

Theophilus Foli, Chairman of the Election Committee, who received the forms, urged all party supporters to conduct a calm campaign free of insults and discord.

Meanwhile, two other individuals, Roland Fiakpui, an Entrepreneur, and Madam Millicent Nana Yaa Sokro, Public Health Nurse, have also obtained forms to compete.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

More Girls Sit for 2023 BECE in Ho Municipality

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Volta Online

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August 8, 2023

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BY: Lambert Coffie & Daniel Orlando | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The ongoing 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) in the Ho Municipality have seen more girls than boys taking the nationwide exams in the area.

Statistics from the Municipal Education Office revealed that out of a total of 3,571 candidates, 1,822 of them, representing 51 percent, were girls, while the remaining 1,749, representing 48.9 percent, were boys.

The candidates, drawn from 101 schools in the municipality, comprise 1,468 boys and 1,503 girls from public schools, as well as 281 boys and 319 girls from private schools.

At the national level, about 600,714 candidates, consisting of 300,323 males and 300,391 females, are sitting the external examination which began on Monday, 7th August 2023.

The five-day examination, conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC), provides basic school students with their first experience of external assessment and will determine their prospects for higher academic pursuits.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Chief Executive for Ho, Mr. Divine Bosson, has encouraged candidates writing this year’s BECE to give their best. A press statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Richmond Abake, noted that the entire municipality stands behind every step as their success is a collective achievement.

He urged candidates to take advantage of the Free Senior High school policy, aimed at providing every Ghanaian child with equal access to quality education regardless of their socio-economic status.

The exams are expected to conclude on Friday, August 11, 2023, across the country.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Ghana’s Economic Challenges Won’t Change MTN’s Investment Appetite – CEO

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Volta Online

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August 7, 2023

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BY: Lambert Coffie | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Despite the current turbulence facing Ghana’s economy, the country’s leading telecoms operator, MTN, has assured of continuous investment in its operations to deliver value to clients and stakeholders.

Ghana is currently under a 3-billion Dollar IMF Support Programme due to what the government described as the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Speaking at the 2023 Media and Stakeholders Engagement in the Volta Regional Capital, Ho, on Thursday, August 3, 2023, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Mr. Selorm Adadevoh, reaffirmed the company’s resolve to invest up to One billion Dollars (approximately 11 billion Ghana Cedis) by 2025 to maintain network leadership in the telecoms sector.

While acknowledging the impact of the current economic difficulties on the country’s investment climate, Mr. Adadevoh assured that it would not affect the investment appetite of the telecom giant.

‘In 2021, when we announced the one billion dollar investment across five years, the exchange rate was not what it is now. But we are not backing down on that target,’ the CEO stated, adding that the company was leveraging the economics of scale within the broader MTN Group to sustain the investment target.

As part of its commitment, MTN is investing 210 million Dollars (approximately 2.3 billion Ghana Cedis) in its network infrastructure expansion for 2023. This investment, the MTN Boss noted, would enhance customer experience, ensuring that everyone enjoys the benefits of a modern connected life.

Meanwhile, MTN Ghana has contributed 4 billion Ghana Cedis (approximately 363 million dollars) to government revenue mobilization through taxes, levies, and charges in 2022.

The media engagement held at the Volta Serene Hotel had in attendance other senior officials of MTN, representatives of stakeholder groups, including Security services, Road agencies, the telecoms regulator – NCA, as well as the Mayor of Ho, Mr. Divine Bosson.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Node Eight Launches ‘Young & Safe’ Project

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Volta Online

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August 6, 2023

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BY: Daniel Orlando | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Node Eight, a digital innovation hub, has launched a project aimed at including young people in local governance in Ho, the capital of the Volta Region.

Christened, “The Young and Safe” project, the initiative is a collaborative effort between Node Eight, the Ho Municipal Assembly, LoveAid Foundation, Ghana Education Service, and is backed by Fondation Botnar through the Healthy Cities for Adolescents Project.

Spanning three years, the initiative targets critical issues such as youth engagement in city governance, sexual and reproductive health, mental well-being support, creative self-expression, and opportunities for digital employment. It seeks to create an inclusive and supportive community for young individuals in the Volta Regional Capital, Ho, by harnessing the strengths of each partner. Additionally, the project intends to enhance the employability of the youth by fostering their competencies in digital innovation and entrepreneurship.

In an interview with Volta Online, on the sidelines of a press engagement on the project, Mr. Courage Asase, the Managing Director of Node Eight, expressed confidence in the project’s ability to profoundly influence the lives of young people in local governance, particularly in terms of city decision-making.

He highlighted that the Regional Capital is evolving into a vibrant city with a burgeoning young population. However, these young individuals face various challenges including mental health, sexual health, safety concerns, and unemployment. Unfortunately, the opportunities for them to participate in city governance are limited, leaving them disconnected from decisions impacting their lives. This gap underscores the importance of “The Young and Safe” project.

Node Eight is a digital innovation company on a mission to cultivate a pool of ethically conscious digital talents and technology-enabled African startups ready for investment. Established in 2017, Node Eight has been active in the Ghanaian startup ecosystem by providing digital skills training, innovation programs, consulting services, community building, and program management. The company has collaborated with significant local and international partners such as GIZ, MEST Africa, Ho Technical University, and UNICEF.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

MTN Engages Stakeholders on Customer Experience & Technology

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Volta Online

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August 4, 2023

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BY: Daniel Orlando | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Ghana’s largest telecommunications giant, MTN Ghana, hosted its 2023 Media and Stakeholders Forum in Ho to share insights on business performance and focus for the year ahead.

The forum, an annual event, revolved around the theme “Leveraging Technology to Serve Customers with Excellence.”

It served as a platform to engage with key stakeholders and members of the media, sharing updates, addressing concerns, and fostering collaboration between MTN and its stakeholders.

The aim of this year’s forum was to enhance transparency, build relationships, and gather valuable feedback from stakeholders, including journalists, analysts, government officials, and community leaders.

During the forum, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Selorm Adadevoh, provided updates on MTN’s overall strategy, network improvement initiatives, and plans to empower customers with more control.

He mentioned that MTN is set to invest over One billion dollars in network expansion by the end of 2025.

Mr. Adadevoh reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to ensuring that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life. He emphasized MTN’s role as enablers, providing solutions for Africa’s progress.

The CEO also highlighted the Ghana ICT Hub project, a significant partnership with the government of Ghana aimed at creating job opportunities for the youth in various digital fields.

Furthermore, he addressed important business-related questions, including the fight against MoMo fraud, SIM registration, and smartphone penetration in the country.

Mrs. Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, Senior Manager of Corporate Communications at MTN, emphasized that through the annual engagements, the company has built a strong bond with the media, who have been an integral part of their success story over the years.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Volta Fair Corporate Fun Games slated for August 4

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Volta Online

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August 1, 2023

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News Desk | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Corporate entities in the Volta Region are gearing up for an exciting holiday on Friday, August 4, with the highly anticipated Corporate Fun Games.

The games, set to take place at the Ho Technical University Park, are being put together by the organizers of the Volta Fair as a precursor to this year’s trade and investment exhibition in November.

According to organizers, the games will offer a unique opportunity for public and private sector businesses to fraternize, network, and exchange ideas, fostering growth and collaboration within the region’s enterprises.

In attendance will be the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, and the special guest, Mr. Ernest Danso, Chef de Mission of the All Africa Games 2024, adding a touch of grandeur to the event.

Mr. Fred Avornyo, Chief Operating Officer for Volta Fair 2023, noted that this year’s trade and investment exhibition includes a Sports Symposium and Corporate Fun Games to explore the untapped potential of sports in driving the region’s economic growth.

He indicated that the fair is placing a strong emphasis on the potential of sports to contribute significantly to the region’s economic development.

“Sport is an untapped area. We want to identify and harness the various talents in the sector as we push for the region’s economic growth,” Mr. Avornyo stated and expressed optimism that the Fair will attract investors who recognize the value of upgrading sporting facilities in the region, driving progress and prosperity.

Beyond the excitement of the Corporate Fun Games, the event will also be a platform to honour and celebrate veteran sportsmen and women who have excelled in various sporting disciplines from the region.

The 2023 Volta Trade and Investment Fair, which is private sector-led, will serve as a comprehensive one-stop environment for exhibitors to seize business opportunities, showcase their ventures, and forge valuable partnerships.

www.voltaonlinegh.com

KAIPC Trains 50 Stakeholders on Gender-Based Violence Prevention

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Volta Online

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July 16, 2023

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BY: Lambert Coffie | Voltaonlinegh.com|

A five-day training workshop on the prevention and early response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has been held in Ho, the Volta Regional Capital, for stakeholders on the theme “Promoting Peace and Security in Africa to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”

The workshop, which was under the auspices of the Women, Peace, and Security Institute (WPSI) of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in collaboration with the Government of Norway, was aimed at empowering community actors to address Gender-Based Violence in the country.

The workshop gathered 50 participants across five regions from various sectors, including the Police, Ministry of Gender, Department of Social Welfare, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Media, Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), traditional and community leaders, health professionals, and the Judiciary.
The objective was to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively prevent and respond to GBV not only in Ghana but also across Africa.

Opening the training on Monday, July 10, 2023, Air Commodore George Kweku Arko-Dadzie, the Deputy Commandant of KAIPTC, underscored the urgency of addressing GBV, highlighting international instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Violence Against Women (CEDAW), UNSC Resolution 1325, and Resolution 1820.

The Deputy commandant also mentioned the WPSI’s research in 2020, which revealed a high rate of GBV in Ghana due to a lack of capacity among local actors. He was therefore optimistic that the training would enhance participants’ capacity and professional lives as they combat GBV.

Mrs. Thywill Eyra Kpe, the Volta Regional Director of the Department of Gender, stressed the importance of addressing GBV at the household level to prevent its escalation. She stressed the need to demystify Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and understand how gender stereotypes influence data collection for effective intervention. Mrs. Kpe also highlighted the significant economic costs of SGBV to Ghana, noting that approximately GHC 18 million was spent on SGBV response.

Dr. Senanu Djokoto, the Acting Volta Regional Director of Health Services, touched on the health implications and complications of GBV, including sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, teenage pregnancies, related complications, and mental health issues. He reiterated the health service’s goal of improving the health status of all individuals in Ghana, including adolescents and young people, through violence prevention, policy strengthening, and response services for victims and survivors.

Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, in a message delivered on his behalf by Chief Director of the Regional Coordinating Council, noted that SGBV is a serious violation of human rights that should not be tolerated, stressing on the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals in communities through continuous sensitization, full enforcement of laws, and capacity building for both state and non-state actors to effectively address such issues.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com