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Pencils of Promise, others donate Educational Materials to Ho Central Prisons

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Items donated

BY: Kofi Gamor | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Non-governmental organization Pencils of Promise (PoP) has partnered with Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Complementary Education Agency to provide educational materials to the Ho Central Prisons.

The gesture, which is aimed at supporting formal education within the correctional facility, is in line with the Complementary Basic Education (CBE) programme, introduced by the government  in 2020 under Act 1055 of Parliament.

Mr. Prince Richard Dada-Addo, Volta/Oti Regional Director of the Complementary Education Agency, underscored the programme’s objective of bridging the literacy gap in Ghana and reintegrating beneficiaries into formal education or skill training, to promote self-reliance.

He further stated that, the programme offers accelerated learning classes in local communities to out-of-school children aged 8 to 14. After a 9-month intensive period, many students are reintegrated into the formal education system.

Mr. Gobah presenting the items to Prisons officials

Items donated include textbooks covering various subjects, notebooks, exercise books, teachers’ resource packs, whiteboards, markers, whiteboard cleaners, and desks.

Mr. Freeman Gobbah, Country Director of Pencils of Promise, highlighted the importance of providing formal education to all citizens, including those in prison, stressing the need for the government and Ghana Education Service to ensure the sustainability of the complementary basic education programme.

‘As an organisation, our primary focus is on the traditional school system, but we also believe that, education as right should not only be limited those in the formal school system, but should be accessible to everyone including prison inmates.,’ he stated

The Deputy Commander of the Ho Central Prisons, C/Supt. Francis Dotsey, expressed gratitude for the donation and acknowledged the prison’s efforts to provide formal education to 50 students under the CBE programme. He thus, appealed for regular supply of teaching and learning materials to the facility to support both current and future students.

On his part,  the Volta Regional Public Relations Officer of GES, Mr. Forgive Yao Agohah, assured that the directorate would supervise the use of the donated items to ensure their proper utilization and positive impact on education for all.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Archbishop Agyinasare Breaks Silence, Clarifies Controversial Nogokpo Comment

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BY: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, the renowned founder of Perez Chapel International, has addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding his statement referring to Nogokpo as a “demonic headquarters.”

Speaking during Sunday’s church service, he clarified his intentions behind the comment, which has sparked significant debate online.

According to him, his intention was to teach the importance of divine protection from demonic attacks, a principle deeply valued by Charismatic Christians, drawing from his personal experiences. As such, his reference to Nogokpo was not directed at the town itself but rather an incident that occurred after a crusade in Aflao.

He thus, expressed regrets and apologised for any misunderstanding his comment might have generated, stressing that, he never intended to demean the people of Nogokpo or the broader Volta Region.

Read his full statement below

“I have received calls from people very close to me and my attention has been drawn to social media commentary on some portions of comments I made this past Thursday during the Supernatural Empowerment Summit here in the Perez Dome.

I was speaking on the divine protection we as Christians enjoy from God and was teaching congregants on the need to activate divine protection from demonic attacks. This is a cardinal principle of our faith as Charismatic Christians.

To drive home my point, I made reference to several instances where I have encountered manifestations of demonic powers in my crusades which have taken me to over 92 countries of the world. I gave an example of people who were seeking to levitate during a crusade in India. I gave an example of an attack I suffered as a very young Pastor who had gone to preach at a bus stop around Korle Bu.

In reference to Nogokpo, I wish to clarify that I never intended to refer to the town but an incident that happened after a crusade at Aflao. I had absolutely no intention to cast a slur upon the people of the Nogokpo Town and the Volta Region as a whole.

I have had a very cordial relationship with the people of the Volta Region. My wife of 38 years is an Ewe from Keta. And two of my sons bear Ewe names. All of the examples I gave were not intended to denigrate any of the towns and their people but to elucidate the principle of divine protection to congregants.

Any misrepresentation or misinformation that has characterised the subsequent commentary and reportage is regretted.
My Ministry over the past 40 years has been one that has spoken up at critical times in our Nation as a spiritual gatekeeper and I remain committed to serving God’s people and our Nation as the spirit directs.” 

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Agyinasare’s Controversial Nogokpo Comment; Church sends directive to Members

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Archbishop Charles Agyinasare

BY: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

In the midst of the controversy surrounding comments made by Archbishop Charles Agyinasare of Perez Chapel International, the church is rallying support and solidarity for its founder.

The call comes after the Archbishop referred to Nogokpo, a town in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta region, as a “demonic headquarters” during a recently held Supernatural Empowerment Summit.

Following the event, where the Archbishop made what some perceived as derogatory remarks, the church in an SMS broadcast to its members, encouraged them to showcase their love for their spiritual leader by posting his pictures on social media for the next three days.

The message read, “Precious One, this past week, our Father, the Archbishop, has been a great blessing to us at the Supernatural Empowerment Summit. As a way of showing our love for him, kindly use any picture of the Archbishop as your profile picture on all social media handles for the next 3 days to celebrate our Father.”

Screenshot of the sms sent to church members

The comment made by the Archbishop during the summit sparked a wave of controversy and debate, with many expressing their disappointment and outrage over his choice of words. The statement, referring to Nogokpo as a “demonic headquarters,” was seen by some as disrespectful and demeaning towards the town and its residents.

Nogokpo, known for its historical significance and cultural heritage, has been a subject of fascination and interest for many, both within and outside the Volta region. The town holds traditional beliefs and practices that have attracted tourists and researchers alike.

In response to the Archbishop’s comments, various individuals and groups from Nogokpo and beyond have been engaged in heated debate online, with some calling for a retraction of the statement.

Nonethless, within the Perez Chapel International community, some members have responded promptly to the request of the church leadership to changed their social media profile pictures to images of the Archbishop. One of such members, is Hon. Sam George, MP for Ningo-Prampram and an Elder of the church.

MP, Sam George’s new Facebook profile picture

This move is, however, seen by some observers as a counterpoint to the criticism that has arisen from the Archbishop’s controversial comments about Nogokpo.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com 

‘Demonic HQ’comment: See the reaction of the Nogokpo Chief

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BY: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The recent controversy surrounding Archbishop Charles Agyinasare’s remark about Nogokpo being a “demonic headquarters,” seem to be far from over.

This is because, Torgbui Saba V, the Dufia (Chief) of Nogokpo, has released a statement addressing the issue.

In a brief statement issued on Friday, Torgbui Saba V acknowledged that the traditional authority at  Nogokpo had become aware of the discussions taking place on social media platforms concerning Archbishop Agyinasare’s comment.

The Archbishop, founder of Perez Chapel International, recently made headlines with his controversial statement, which sparked widespread debates and condemnations.

“We wish to let Ghanaians and the world know that we are deliberating on the issue, and you shall hear from us in due course,” stated the Chief of Nogokpo, signifying the seriousness with which the matter is being approached. The statement from the traditional authority suggests that they are actively engaged in assessing the implications and significance of Archbishop Agyinasare’s comment.

Nogokpo, located in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region, is renowned for its traditional religious practices and spiritual beliefs. The community is known for the popular Zakadza Shrine (the shrine of the god of thunder).

Archbishop Charles Agyinasare

However the comment by the Perez Chapel founder, labeling the entire Nogokpo community as the  ‘demonic headquarters‘ due to a supposed vehicular incident in the area, involving his entourage some time back, has ignited intense discussions among Ghanaians, especially netizens. Many of whom have expressed contrasting opinions, with some defending the Archbishop, while others have criticized the remark as being disrespectful to traditional beliefs and practices, hence demanded an apology from him.

The statement from Nogokpo Chief

Earlier, the Shrine had responded to the archbishop’s comment, urging him to retract and respect other people’s beliefs. But with this latest statement from the Chief,  it remains to be seen how the traditional authority will respond to this controversial situation in the coming days.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com 

Four persons crashed to death in Gory accident at Akatsi

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The damaged front part of the lexus vehicle

BY: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Four persons tragically lost their lives in a fatal accident that took place at the Akatsi-Yaluvi junction on the Accra-Aflao highway Friday afternoon.

According to sources, the accident involved an Aflao-bound Lexus Sportsplus 4×4 vehicle, which collided with the popular ‘Mahama camboo’ tricycle and a motorbike traveling in the opposite direction.

The tricycle wreakage after the accident

Eyewitnesses told Volta Online that, the driver of the Lexus was attempting to avoid an object in his lane but lost control, swerving into oncoming traffic and crashing into the passenger tricycle, a motorbike and a stationery tipper truck, resulting in the instant death of two occupants of the tricycle- a woman and a man.

Both the riders of tricycle and the motorbike were later pronounced dead at the St. Paul hospital in Akatsi, where they were rushed by the emergency response team.

The accident lexus vehicle

However, all five occupants of the Lexus, including the driver, escaped unharmed.

The incident has left the community in a state of deep grief. Officers from the Akatsi Police Command and the local fire station swiftly responded to the scene to attend to the victims and clear the wreckage from the road, ensuring the smooth flow of traffic.

Emergency service officers attending to victims at the scene

The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the St. Paul hospital morgue at Akatsi for preservation, while the police has commenced investigations into the accident.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com 

NPP opens Nominations for Presidential Primaries today

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BY: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has open nominations for its upcoming presidentialprimaries today, May 26.

This follows the approval of the timelines by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Council.

A statement issued by Justin Kodua Frimpong, the General Secretary of the NPP,  revealed that the nomination process would commence on Friday, May 26, 2023, and conclude on Saturday, June 24, 2023. it noted that, aspiring presidential candidates can obtain nomination forms from the Office of the General Secretary at the Party Headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra, during office hours from Monday to Friday.

In addition,  each aspirant is expected to pay a non-refundable nomination fee of Fifty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHC 50,000.00) through a Bankers Draft issued in the name of the party before picking the forms.

While the statement was however silent on the filing fee aspirants are to pay for the primaries; it iterated the party’s determination to conduct a free, fair, transparent, and peaceful primaries, and hence called upon all stakeholders to contribute towards making this a reality.

The race for the party’s nomination is expected to be highly competitive, as various figures within the party, including the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia have expressed their interest to succeed President Akufo-Addo,who will end his tenure of office in January, 2025.

The NPP has scheduled  the National Congress for the election of flagbearer for Saturday, November 4, 2023.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com 

Nogokpo Shrine Responds to Agyinasare’s “Demonic Headquarters” Comment

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Archbishop Charles Agyinasare

BY: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Nogokpo Shrine in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region has issued a response to a controversial comment by Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, the founder of Perez Chapel, describing the area as a “demonic headquarters.”

The revered charismatic leader speaking at a supernatural empowerment summit on Wednesday, May 24, recalled a near-tragic incident at Nogokpo after a crusade in Aflao, to buttress his claim. (See video here)

According to him, “during this crusade in Aflao, we slept at Agbozume and you had to go through Nogokpo, and it’s the demonic headquarters in the Volta Region, we only have not said it.”

“But the second night, I made Bishop Yaw Adu talk about witchcraft, and we disgraced the witches and wizard, when we were driving from Aflao to Agbozume, immediately we got to Nogokpo, Bishop Adu’s tyre came out of his four wheel drive (car),” Agyinasare told the thousands of physical and virtual congregants at the event.

This, has elicited response from the Nogokpo Shrine, known for its traditional religious practices. They expressed their disappointment with the Archbishop’s loose comment and offered a strong rebuttal.

In their response via Facebook, the Nogokpo Shrine firmly stated that their religion does not endorse lies, fake prophecies, or defrauding people under false pretenses. They criticized the practice of extorting money from individuals in the name of gaining entry into a non-existent heaven, as well as the use of taxpayer and citizen funds to build extravagant homes, bury items, or make sacrifices to attract more members.

The shrine emphasized that they do not lose focus by preaching about other religions but rather concentrate on their own ethical principles. They advised Archbishop Agyinasare to redirect his efforts towards educating his members about their own religion, rather than attacking others. The response highlighted the hypocrisy of some pastors who visit the very places they label as “demonic headquarters” to seek more members and powers for their church ‘businesses’.

Asserting the importance of freedom of religion and worship, the Nogokpo Shrine,  called for mutual respect and refraining from making derogatory remarks about other religious beliefs. They reminded the Archbishop of the biblical commandment, “Do not judge,” emphasizing the need for humility and tolerance.

The statement concluded by suggesting that if the Archbishop lacked a topic to preach about, it might be prudent to temporarily close his church and seek proper education about their religion.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com 

Former Ho MCE to be buried on Saturday

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The Late Prosper Pi-Bansah, former Ho MCE

BY: Daniel Orlando | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Plans are underway to give a befitting burial to the former Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Prosper Pi-Bansah at the weekend.

The 61-year-old father of three, passed away on February 13, 2023 at the Ho Teaching Hospital after reportedly experiencing some health issues.

The funeral will begin at Ho Ahoe Community Centre on Friday, May 26, with a wake keeping, and continue at the Ho Kpodzi E.P. Dela Cathedral with a burial service before internment at the Ho Cemetery.

Several high profile personalities including government functionaries are expected to mourn with the bereaved family.

The late MCE during his tenure from October 2019 to October 2021, showed dedication to improving sanitation in the Municipality.

The Municipal Assembly has directed that all flags in the municipality should be flown at half-mast in memory of the former mayor.

The Assembly also planned a Pre-Burial Service at the Forecourt on Thursday.

The late MCE led the Municipality through challenging security situations involving separatist groups and was known for his calm demeanour.

Prosper Pi-Bansah, a native of Ho Ahoe in the Volta region, until his appointment as MCE, worked at the Regional office of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) as Monitoring & Evaluation officer. He was also a onetime Scheme Manager for NHIS in Ho Municipal.

He was also a onetime elected Assembly Member of the Ho Municipal Assembly, and recently, the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Ho Central in the 2020 general elections.

Mr. Pi-bansa began his working life as a tutor at the then Ho Polytechnic (now Ho Technical University) and later to Kpando Technical Institute.

The late MCE holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Marketing from EPUniversity College, Ho, and a Commonwealth Executive Masters of Public Administration from KNUST.

His academic pursuits include, GCE O Level at Awudome SHS, Tsito; a Technician Certificate in Agricultural Engineering from Ho Polytechnic in 1987 and a host certificates and diplomas from UEW, GIMPA and the University of Ghana.

Hon. Prosper Pi-Bansah is survived by his wife and three children.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com 

Edem Kpotosu wins Ho Central NDC Primaries

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BY: Daniel Orlando | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Mr. Edem Kofi Kpotosu, an educationist and philanthropist, has won the NDC Parliamentary primaries for Ho Central Constituency held on Saturday, May 13 at the OLA Senior High School in Ho.

He beat off stiff competition from six other aspirants to replace the incumbent MP, Hon. Benjamin Komla Kpodo, who is retiring from parliament after next year’s general election.

Kpotosu secured 619 votes out of the total 2,175 votes cast, defeating his closest contender and first-time candidate, Dr. Robert Doh, who received 576 votes.

Edem Kpotosu during his campaign launch

Raphael Komla Korda, a mechanical engineer with Newmont Mining Corporation, received 424 votes, followed closely by Stanley Nelvis Glate, a former Assembly Member of Bosontoe Electoral Area and a Lecturer at Ho Technical University, who secured 391 votes. Delali Kasu, Selorm Deh, and Emmanuel Dzamefe managed to garner 38, 90, and 36 votes respectively.

Kpotosu currently serves as the Human Resource Manager of the Ghana Education Service in the Volta Region. He holds an MPhil in Employment and Labour Law from the University of Technology Cambodia, an LLB from Mount Crest University College, and an Executive MBA from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Additionally, he possesses a Master of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Ghana, Legon.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com 

Meet 36-year old Mining Engineer vying for Ho Central NDC MP Seat  

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BY: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

As the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) prepares to elect parliamentary candidates in May this year ahead of the 2024 general elections, many individuals have picked nominations to contest the various MP slots across the 18 constituencies of the Volta Region.

One such individuals is Mr. Raphael Kobla Korda, a 36-year-old mining engineer, who is vying for Ho Central NDC parliamentary slot in the May 13, 2023 primaries. He is contending with at least six (6) other aspirants to replace the incumbent Member of Parliament, Mr. Benjamin Komla Kpodo, who is exiting the august house upon the completion of the third term on January 6, 2025.

At a press engagement in Ho over the weekend to outline his agenda, Mr. Korda, who currently works with mining giant, New Mount, Ahafo Site, said he has long been a supporter of the NDC, which he described as a family party. According to him, he has been a loyal party member, who has been supporting party activities in the constituency from behind the scenes over the years.

Aspirant Raphael Kobla Korda at the press interaction 

However, he believes it was time for Ho Central to have a vibrant leadership that will bring a wave of change to revitalize the NDC in the second largest constituency after Ketu South in the region.

He promised to bring back the “Rawlings spirit” and provide a visible, felt and engaged leadership that would bring the real progress to Ho Central.

As an engineer, Korda is confident of providing solutions to the problems facing the constituency, leveraging on his over 12-year experience in industry and vast networks in and outside the country.

“Engineering provide solutions to problems,” Korda said. “I want to bring visible, felt, and engaged leadership to the constituency. I believe that by bringing back the Rawlings spirit, we can lead a wave of change that will bring the life of the NDC back,” he stated.

The young professional turn politician, who is a native of Nyive, but raised in Ho, said he is deeply rooted in the constituency and understands its dynamics and the grassroots, hence was  poised to make a real difference in the upcoming elections.

When given the nod, Korda said human capital development would be one of his key priorities, including developing sporting talents for export.

Korda during the interaction did not also hide his admiration for former president John Mahama, who he described as a visionary. According to him, he would go all out to work  for the party’s presumptive flagbearer victory during the presidential primaries and also in the 2024 elections in the constituency.

‘I am promising JM not less than 97 percent votes in Ho Central,’ he vowed.

The NDC is set to hold its parliamentary and presidential primaries across all 275 constituencies of the country on Saturday, May 13, 2023 in preparation for the December 2024 general elections.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com