Lengendary Indigenous musician, Israel Maweta is set to usher in the yuletide celebrations at the Golfcity View Restaurant with a mega gospel show on Christmas eve – Friday, 24 December.
The open-air event, billed to start at about 6:30pm, would see the versatile composer & singer, treat patrons to several of his hit Ewe gospel repertoire, which spans over two decades (and still counting).
Dubbed, the Gospel night, the show forms part of activities lined up this festive season to entertain patrons at the recently launched restaurant, located at Wayanu, off the Ho-Kpetoe Road.
Other activities for the period include, live band performance on Christmas Day with special buffet, Movie Night on Boxing Day, among others.
There would also be Old School Reunion on New Year’s Day – January 1, 2022, where patrons would represent their old schools in various outdoor and indoor games. This will be climaxed with a Salsa dance in the evening.
Children have also not been left out of the celebration as they would have their day, on Sunday, January 2, with a talent hunt show.
Managers of the Golfcity View Restaurant have assured patrons of their safety throughout the festivities, as measures have also been put in place to ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
The plush restaurant is a subsidiary of Adonai Estate Limited, specialized in continental and local cuisines. It is situated within the Adonai Airport Golfcity enclave, an emerging residential Estate within the Ho Municipality.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Ho on Sunday, December 12, 2021 marked its 2021 End-of-year Grotto pilgrimage with hundreds of faithful in attendance.
Various groups and societies in the Church participated in the one day pilgrimage held at the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, Kpando Agbenoxoe in their colourful costumes and attires.
The day was celebrated as the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary,(observed every 8th December), instead of the third Sunday of Advent.
Most Rev Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, Bishop of the Ho, prior to the mass, led a prayer to commit all faithful to the intercession of the blessed virgin Mary.
In his homily, the Bishop said God through his love for humankind was willing to save them from the destruction of sin, made salvation possible.
He noted that humanity came into sin from the beginning of time when Adam and Eve listened to the lies from satan instead of obeying God and his commandments.
The Bishop said through the disobedience, sin entered the world and corrupted the human nature and existence from generations to generations.
However, God through his love for humankind was willing to save them from the destruction of sin, made salvation possible, he added.
Bishop Fianu called on the faithful to resolve to commit themselves anew to God in the footsteps of Blessed Virgin Mary, conceived without sin.
He urged the faithful to do their best to remain faithful to God and keep their trust and faith in him, resist and reject the temptation of sins and live their lives to the best of will of God.
The celebration, which also climaxes the end of the Year of St. Joseph launched by Pope Francis in 2020, also saw the Diocese honouring some of its benefactors.
A total of 91 individuals-including clergy and religious, church groups and corporate institutions were presented with citations for their tremendous support to the Diocese during the first five years of of Bishop Fianu’s episcopacy (2015-2020).
The Bishop commended the honoured for using their strength, might and resources to support Episcopal activities in areas of financial and services rendered the Diocese under the five-year period.
He said the Diocese was also grateful to all whose support had brought the Diocese far within the period.
Bishop Fianu further urged the faithful to continue to render their support for the Diocese to enable it met the purpose as assigned by the mother Church to God’s glory.
The pilgrimage was crowned with a fundraising towards the redevelopment of the Grotto.
Disability Rights organisation, Voice Ghana has called on health authorities to include Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the ongoing vaccination of Ghanaians against the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the group, adequate provisions must be made for the vaccination of PWDs especially those with mental health conditions, as the country and world at large battle the deadly virus.
‘The Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service must ensure that the on-going vaccination exercise across the country, are held at accessible venues, and where necessary, sign language interpretation arrangements are made, to foster full participation by all categories of disability in the exercise,’ the Voice Ghana said in a statement signed by the Executive Director, Mr. Francis Ashong to commemorate this year’s International Day of People with Disabilities on Friday, December 3, 2021.
The day was observed on the theme, “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.”
The statement also entreated all persons with disabilities to avail themselves for the vaccination exercise in order to protect themselves against the virus.
Below is the full statement
As Ghanaians celebrate the country’s farmers and fishermen on this Farmers Day, let us also be reminded that today marks the International Day of People with Disabilities under the global theme: “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.”
VOICE Ghana joins the disability fraternity globally, particularly in Ghana as well as the international community, to bemoan the challenges and barriers being faced by people with disabilities including people with mental health conditions, especially during this time of COVID-19. In fact, we see disability inclusion as very essential for health system planning, development, and decision making in this critical time.
For this reason, we call on our government to prioritise the on-going COVID-19 vaccination for people with disabilities including people with mental health conditions. The Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service must ensure that the on-going vaccination exercise across the country, are held at accessible venues, and where necessary, sign language interpretation arrangements are made, to foster full participation by all categories of disability in the exercise.
We also call on all and sundry, especially, people with disabilities including people with mental health conditions from age 15, and their families and caregivers, to take advantage of the on-going COVID-19 vaccination exercise, and get themselves vaccinated against this horrible invisible enemy.
To put the theme into local context, we call on the Ghanaian public, political leadership, traditional authorities, and religious organisations etc., to make conscious efforts in fostering inclusive environment for people with disabilities. to enable them take up leadership and decision-making roles in all spheres of society and community life. We also call on the general public, to start using positive non-discriminatory languages for people with disabilities including people with mental health conditions, and to relate with them with dignity and respect.
We hereby salute our hardworking farmers and fishermen on this Farmers’ Day. and congratulate award winners at all levels..
Established in 2002, VOICE Ghana is one of Ghana’s leading NGOs for people with disabilities. The organisation has recently transformed into a disability institute, and has a mandate of advancing inclusive development and social justice for people with disabilities including people with mental health conditions in Africa, particularly Ghana, through research, policy advocacy, and public consultations.
A final year student of Three Town Senior High School in the Ketu South Municipality, Gilbert Akakpo, has been sentenced to four years imprisonment by the Aflao Circuit Court for causing harm to an ICT tutor.
The 19-year old student was arraigned before the court for stabbing, John Kwashi Akey, the ICT teacher in August this year.
Facts presented to the court by Police prosecution stated that, on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, the Senior House Master of Three Town Senior High School reported to police in Denu that same day at about 12:50pm, Akakpo Gilbert, a Visual Art, and final year Student stabbed a Teacher by the name of John Akey Kwashi with a cutter on his left upper arm when the teacher tried preventing the convict from bullying some first-year students of the school.
The prosecution added that victim John Akey, an ICT tutor sustained a deep cut on the arm and was sent to Ketu South Municipal Hospital for treatment. The convict was later handed to police by his father and subsequently sent to court on Thursday, August 12, 2021, for prosecution.
Consequently, the presiding judge, His Honour Joseph Ofosu on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, convicted and sentenced the accused to 4yrs in Hard Labour.
The judge in delivering his ruling stated that, the court was lenient on the convict as a first-time offender, however, the punishment was necessary to serve as a deterrent to other students who have no respect for authorities in schools.
Convict awaits the covid-19 test result to be conveyed to Ho Central Prison to begin the sentence.
Adonai Estate Limited, an indigenous real estate company in the Volta region has commissioned and handed over an ultra-modern Police station to the Ghana Police Service at Wayanu in the Adaklu District.
The edifice situated at the Adonai Airport Golfcity enclave, off the Ho – Kpetoe was constructed at the cost of GHc450,000 as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.
It has three offices, a conference room, three cells for male, female and juvenile inmates, in addition to other ancillary facilities.
This brings to three, the total number of police stations in the entire Adaklu District.
Speaking at the grand opening of the police station on Thursday, November 25, Sergeant Ebenezer Nartey, Board chairman of Adonai Estate said the gesture signified the company’s commitment to partner all relevant government agencies in the provision of basic public goods.
Board chairman
In addition, ‘it affords us the opportunity to support the work of the Ghana Police Service and other Security agencies in fighting crime within our communities,’ Mr. Nartey stated.
He further entreated personnel who will be assigned to the police station, to adopt the highest level of community policing strategies to ensure police friendly environment for inhabitants of the estate and the larger community.
On his part, CEO of Adonai Estate, Mr. Bright Charis Adonai said security of its clients and members of the host communities, was a top priority for the company in developing the Airport Golfcity Estate, hence, the provision of a modern police station to meet the needs of inhabitants.
He noted that, the company was on a mission to help bridge the yawning housing deficit in the country, by providing affordable land, and building decent homes for clients across the region.
Adonai CEO
He expressed the company’s readiness to assist prospective home owners to acquire litigation-free lands and build decent homes within the Airport Golfcity.
The Adonai boss thanked all stakeholders, including the land owners and the local assembly for believing their dream, and supporting their operations in their communities.
Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister who commissioned the Police station,commended the real estate company for complementing the Assembly’s expanding police station coverage in the district.
Regional Minister
He said, there can be no development without security, hence the new police station will improve security in that part of the district and also along that stretch of the Ho – Aflao highway.
The Regional Police Commander, DCOP Edward Oduro Kwarteng on his part extended the appreciation of the Police Administration to the company, and entreated personnel working at the station to take good care of the facility.
He also used the opportunity to appeal other benevolent organizations to emulate Adonai’s gesture and support the district police with accomodation facilities, as well as a vehicle and motorbikes to facilitate police patrols in the area.
In a message delivered on his behalf, Hon. Kwame Agbodza, MP for Adaklu expressed delight about the opening of the new Police station built by the Adonai estate.
He said the facility which is now the third police station in the Constituency, now makes the area a police district, and as such appealed to the Police hierarchy to post more personnel to the district to enhance security.
Togbe Ahiagbede, chief of Adaklu Wayanu, who spoke in behalf of the land owners and leaders of the adjourning communities, said the presence of Adonai Estate in the area, has brought so much goodwill to the communities, adding that, the new police station help curb criminal activities in the area and highway robberies.
About Adonai Airport Golfcity
Adonai Airport Golfcity, is a fast developing gated community, located few minutes drive from the Ho Airport, on the Ho – Aflao highway.
With houses under construction, the estate currently has a plush restaurant with a large event grounds, and a standard golf course, all opened to the public.
The company is also constructing a modern sports complex for use by basic schools in the catchment area, and the public when completed.
Mrs Dzifa Attivor, a former minister of transport has died. She is reported to have passed on Tuesday morning in Accra, after a period of illness.
Madam Attivor, 65, who was a minister under the erstwhile Mahama led NDC government, was the founder of Ho based radio and television stations – Global FM and Volta 1 TV, the Region’s first television.
As a proud native of Abutia in the Ho West District, ‘Daa Dzifa’ as she is affectionately called, was very instrumental in issues of development in the area and the region as a whole.
She dedicated her media platforms to project the rich cultural and tourism potentials of the Volta region to the rest of the world.
Madam Attivor was also an active member and financier of the National Democratic Congress in the region.
Residents of the Adaklu District may have to wait a while longer for a substantive DCE, as their representatives at the local assembly have once again rejected a new nominee for the position, Mr. Bright Kwame Nyatsikor.
The 19-member assembly during the confirmation polls last Friday, voted Nine (9) Yes and Ten (10) No to outrightly reject the nominee, who requires either 13 Yes votes, representing two-thirds of members present and voting, to secure the position, or 10 Yes votes, representing at least 50 percent to qualify him for another round of voting in 10 days time.
With this turn of events, Mr. Nyatsikor, who is the NPP Constituency Secretary for Adaklu, would now have to wait on the President for a possible re-nomination for the job, just as it was in the case of the previous nominee, Mr. Phanuel Kadey Donkor, who was nominated twice but got rejected.
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa, who seemingly disappointed, told the members and officials of the assembly to brace themselves to travel to his office in Ho, whenever they need to transaction assembly business, which requires the involvement of a DCE, since he has assumed a caretaker responsible over the assembly.
Dr. Archibald Letsa
So far, Adaklu and Akatsi North Districts are the only remaining assemblies out 18 in the region without substantive DCEs.
A second nominee for Akatsi North, Mr. Paul Agbesi Ayrah could also not secure the required two-thirds majority of 18-member assembly during his confirmation poll last Friday.
He however stand a chance to make a second bid after ten days, having secured 10 out of 18 votes, representing 55 percent of the total votes.
Paul Agbesi Ayrah
The delay in confirming the DCE nominees for the the two assemblies, according to some observers will further delay execution developmental programmes and projects in the areas.
Currently, various Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as assemblies are wrapping up their 2022 budget estimates as well medium term development framework for submission to the Ministry of Finance ahead of the 2020 budget presentation in Parliament later in November.
The Hohoe District Police have arrested 50-year-old driver, Robert Ofosu Nyanor and his conductor, Godwin Aniwo, 32, in connection with two cartons of AAA and BBB Cartridges found on board a Yutong bus traveling to Kpassa in the Oti Region.
This follows an intelligence operation embarked by the police to search all vehicles entering the district from Accra on Wednesday, November 3.
A brief to the media from the Volta Regional Police Public Affairs unit, stated that, at about 3: 45 pm on the said day, a team stopped a red Yutong bus with registration No. GT 5919-16 traveling from Accra to Kpassa.
A search was conducted in the said bus and two cartons containing AAA and BBB cartridges respectively were found concealed in the side compartment of the bus.
Upon interrogation, all twenty-nine passengers on board the vehicle denied ownership of the cartridges. As a result, the driver and his conductor were immediately placed under arrest for further interrogation and the bus impounded.
The two later released on Police Enquiry bail as investigation continues.
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid has iterated the resolve of his outfit to eradicate the disturbing menace of fuel adulteration in the country.
He said the practice, do not only affect the quality of petroleum products, but also poses danger to vehicle engines and machinery, while depriving consumers of value for money.
“Fuel adulteration increases emission of harmful compounds such as Carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds and affects air quality and the environment,” he added.
Dr. Hamid was speaking at durbar in Ho, on Thursday, to climax the 2021 NPA Consumer Week Celebration on the theme “Adulterated Fuels, A Menace To The Consumer And The Economy.”
The celebration was aimed at sensitising the public on their rights and responsibilities as consumers of petroleum products and how best to assist the regulator to better serve their interest.
According to NPA Boss, the authority has instituted some stringent measures to check the negative practice in the sector.
These include, “the revision of operating procedures in the importation, exportation, and production of fuels by petroleum service providers (PSPs) and the introduction of Petroleum Product Marking Scheme (PPMS) and Bulk Road Vehicle (BRV) tracking system to ensure that products are devoid of adulteration and meet the required specification along the supply chain.”
NPA Boss, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid
In addition, a standby intelligence and security team has been set up to respond swiftly to consumer complaints regarding fuel adulteration and other unscrupulous conducts on the part of service providers.
Dr. Hamid thus entreated Consumers to give prompt alert to the regulator through its customer complaint platforms – via phone calls (0545006111/0545006112) or through their website (www.npa.gov.gh) within 48-hours upon encoutering such incidences, for the necessary sanctions to be taken against the culprits.
The Minister of Energy, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, in a speech read on his behalf, underscored the effect of the contaminated fuel menace on the national economy, saying, ‘
‘in no doubt, the effects of contaminated fuels deprive government of needed revenue to empower its people, promote good health and you the consumer seated here is cheated. You do not get value for the money you spent on a contaminated fuel.’
While throwing the ministry’s support behind the NPA to deal with the menace ruthlessly, the minister also urged the public to be vigilante and report persons engaged in the selling of fuel in gallons, since such a practice illegal.
Mr. Kwaku Agyemang-Duah
Mr. Kwaku Agyemang-Duah, CEO, Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMC) on his part said the group was in fully behind the regulator to eradicate the contaminated fuel menace from the industry.
He assured the Association would continue sensitise members against the practice and expose recalcitrant ones for sanctions.
He however advised the consumers also desist from buying cheaply priced fuel from table dealers, as they were likely to be adulterated product.
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa in his address, said the health and environmental implications of adulterated fuels cannot be underestimated, and as such commended the NPA for bringing such a campaign to the region.
Dr. Archibald Letsa
He however used the forum to invite stakeholders to the region’s fifth Trade and Investment Fair (Volta Fair-2021), scheduled for November 15 to 28, 2021 in Ho.
The event chaired by Togbe Gbogbi Atsa, Paramount chief of Adaklu, wwas graced by musician, Wendy Shay who entertained patrons with her craft.
There was also a fire drill at the event by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service to educate the public on the safest way to put out domestic fires.
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa has announced his intention to offer a Gh¢20,000 donation towards the construction of the National Cathedral complex in Accra.
According to him, he said the wife, Victoria deemed the project a laudable one, for which they were glad to support.
Dr. Archibald Letsa addressing the press
“My wife and I have already committed to give Gh¢ 20,000.00 towards the building of the National Cathedral,” the minister announced at a media briefing in Ho on Wednesday, (November 3,2021) ahead of a launch of a Regional fundraising for the project.
He said, though the project was envisioned by President Akufo-Addo, it was only prudent for those who buy into the vision to freely contribute towards it.
‘This is not a tax’ and as such, no one is under complusion to donate towards the cathedral construction, he added.
Rev. Seth Mawutor, Chairman of the Regional Fundraising Committee said the national Cathedral should be seen a partisan project but rather a unifying monument for the nation, which all must support.
Rev. Seth Mawutor
He announced the lauch of the Regional fundraising would be held on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at the E.P. Church, Dela Cathedral, Ho-Kpodzi.
He therefore called on individuals and religious organizations to donate generously towards the national Cathedral, which is estimated to cost 250 million dollars. Ten percent of which has been borne by the government, in addition to the provision of land.
When completed, the 5000-seater national cathedral would have the following facilities and features, Bible Museum, Chapels, Baptistery, Conference centers, Board rooms, Banquet Halls, Prayer Rooms, among others.
It will also have a national crypt where key leaders of the country are buried, as well as a specialized library on African Christianity.
