Ho Teaching Hospital Launches Multi-million Dollar Cardiothoracic Centre Project

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June 29, 2021

BY: Daniel Orlando | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) has launched a campaign to raise funds for the construction of a multi-million dollar Cardiothoracic Centre at the Volta region’s only tertiary health facility.

Dubbed, ‘Save a Heart, Save A Life’ project, the initiative which is in collaboration with ICS Africa, a communication firm based in Accra, is expected to raise about $3.2 million for the state-of-the-art facility, which, when completed would enhance the treatment of heart conditions in the region and also support the training of medical students of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS).

Professor Frank Edwin, the Head of the cardiothoracic Unit at HTH and UHAS, said the treatment of heart diseases at the hospital currently leaves much to be desired, as the unit is ill-equipped and less conducive for full scale treatment.

As result, critical cases are referred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, while those they can handle with available facilities are treated at the Out-Patient Department, for which 1,752 were attended to 2020 and May, 2021, he noted.

Prof. Edwin revealed that, about 8000 children are born with congenital heart diseases annually in Ghana, yet very few get the needed treatment due to inadequate facilities and high cost of treatment, he was therefore optimistic, the planned project, when materialised would go on a long way to enhance the treatment of heart related conditions, and appealed to benevolent individuals and organizations to contribute towards a worthy course.

Dr. John Tampouri, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Hospital, indicated that, the benefits of the projects were limitless, stating that, health education and research will improve as more specialists would be trained and retained to impart the knowledge in the lives of Ghanaians.

It will cut travel time to Accra and cost in seeking heart related treatments, while it will also attract patients from neighbouring countries, such as Togo, Benin and Nigeria.

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa would launched the project, pledged government’s support towards the project. He added that the project which requires the support of all will also make the HTH and UHAS world class institutions, improve health tourism and attract both human capital and investment to the region.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Love Aid Foundation Marks AU Day with School Children

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Volta Online

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May 27, 2021

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By: Orlando Daniel | Voltaonlinegh.com |

A Ho based Non-Governmental Organisation, Love aid foundation has joined children of New Horizon foundation of the blind and the Ho Kpodzi Basic ‘B’ School to commemorate this year’s African Union Day.

The event, according to the organizers was to celebrate the African Child and raise awareness about the situation of children in Africa, and on the need for continuous improvement in education especially for children with Disabilities.

It was also use to reflect on the vision of the African Union; “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful African, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.”

Held at the premises of Ho Kpodzi Basic ‘B’ School, the event was graced by dignitaries including, Lawyer Andrews Adugu, a State attorney at the Attorney General’s Department in Ho and Togbe Kotoku XI, the Paramount Chief of Kpenoe, who took turns to inspire the youngsters.

Mr. Adugu advised the children to always be disciplined and take their studies seriously, in order to become useful citizens of the state. He also entreated them to cultivate good values, and eschew behaviours that would jeopardize their future.

Togbe Kotoku on his part encouraged the children to be honest, and hold unto the integrity, as they pursue their aspirations for the realization of the vision of the African Union.

Miss Princess Lovia Tetteh, Executive Director of Love Aid Foundation encouraged children with disability to always strive and co-exist with other children since they have equal right.

She further appeal to government and all relevant stakeholders to come on board to support and help children with disability with more educational infrastructure to make education inclusive, quality and equitable.

The celebration was interspersed with poetry recitals, drama, painting, braille and spelling competitions, among others by the children.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Vetting of Volta MMDCE Aspirants Begins Today

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Volta Online

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May 20, 2021

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News Desk | Voltaononlinegh.com |

The governing New Patriotic Party in the Volta Region has commenced processes for the appointment new Metropolitan/ Municipal /District Chief Executives for the second term administration of President Akufo-Addo.

As a result, the party is set to conduct interview for the various MMDCE aspirants in the region from Thursday 20^th to Sunday, 23^rd May, 2021, Volta Online has gathered.

According to a schedule for the interview, sighted by Volta Online, aspirants from Anloga District, Keta, Ketu South and Ketu North Municipalities, would take their turns before panel chaired by the Regional Minister, on the first day of the exercise, which is scheduled to take place at the premises of the Regional Coordinating Council in Ho but moved to the Minister’s Residency.

Those from Akatsi South, Akatsi North, Agotime Ziope and Adaklu Districts will be interviewed on Friday 21^st May, followed by their counterparts from Ho Municipal, South Tongu, North Tongu Central Tongu and Ho West districts on Saturday.

On the last day, Sunday, aspirants from South Dayi, North Dayi, Afadzato South, the Kpando and Hohoe Municipalities would complete the interview processes.

Ahead of the vetting, there has been intense lobbying among some party supporters on social media for their preferred candidates for the job. While, some were campaigning for new faces in their areas, others want their incumbents retained.

The supporters are however hopeful that, the outcome of the interview process, which would be concluded at the national level, would aid the President to settle on the most suitable aspirants as his representatives at the local assemblies.

Source: www.voltonlinegh.com

BlowChem Industries Donates to Ho Zongo

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Volta Online

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May 19, 2021

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BY: News Desk | Voltaonlinegh.com |

BlowChem Industries Limited, Producer of Bel-Aqua mineral drinking water and Bel Beverages, has donated some assorted items worth GHC2,000 to a Muslim youth group in the Volta regional capital, Ho to mark the successful end of this year’s Ramadan fast and Eid.

The donation which was done on Sunday May 16, included items such as branded T-shirts, packs of soft drinks, packs of mineral water and energy drinks.

According to the Volta Regional Sales and Marketing Manager of the company, Kolani N’mimatevidjj, the donation was to show appreciation to the Muslim community for showing support and patronage for their products.

He added that the move was also meant to strengthen the relationship between BlowChem Industries limited and the Zongo community.

“We believe the month of Ramadan went successfully and we are here to show appreciation to this community because they are being supportive to our products since day one, and we are here to show appreciation to the Zongo youth.”

He further urged the youth to continue to uphold the peace and tranquility the country was currently enjoying while urging them to prioritise their development through education.

Leader of the Ho Zongo youth, Seidu Awule who received the items thanked the company for the gesture, and assured that the Zongo community would continue to use its relationship with corporate organisations towards its development agenda.

Source: www. voltaonlinegh.com

About 2000 CoDA Funded Classroom Furniture ‘Left to Rot’ in Ho

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Volta Online

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May 11, 2021

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CoDA Dual Desks (1) — Some of the desks at the mercy of the weather

BY: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

It has emerged that, several hundreds of dual desks meant for distribution to basic schools in the Volta region, have been left at the mercy of the weather in the premises of the Department of Urban Roads in Ho.

The 1,950 pieces of classroom furniture, funded by the Coastal Development Authority (CoDA) under ‘Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Program (IPEP)’, were handed over to the Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) by the Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa some weeks ago, for onward distribution to 28 schools across 14 districts.

In a Facebook post on April 1, 2021, the Minister announced that, “I received and handed over One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty (1,950) dual desks to the Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service on behalf of the Coastal Development Authority (CoDA).”

“The desks are to be distributed to twenty-eight (28) CoDA sponsored school projects within fourteen (14) Municipalities and Districts of the Region.”

“The desks and school projects form part of the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Program (IPEP) under the One Constituency One Million Dollars initiative of government.”

However, more than one month since the handing over, the furniture are yet to reach their intended beneficiaries, due to the inability of the Regional Education Directorate to transport them to the districts.

According to a report by Kofi Gamor of West FM, GES officials blamed the situation on lack of funds, and thus left the conveyance of the furniture on the shoulders of the beneficiary districts, four of which have so far been able to transport their consignments.

Sources close to the development also revealed that, even though the wooden desks were only handed over in March 2021, they have been lying in the open at the mercy of the weather since the end of November 2020. This has led to the deterioration of the wooden desks as the ever changing weather conditions have had very damaging effects on them, the report further added.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Promasidor Ghana Ltd Outdoors New ONGA Products in Ho

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Volta Online

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May 10, 2021

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BY: Evans Attah Vital | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Promasidor Ghana Limited, producers of ONGA seasoning products have once again introduced into the consuming market another excelling seasoning flavour, to cement its 18-year brand dominance in the Ghanaian consumer market.

The new seasoning products – ONGA Beef tablet and ONGA Stew tablet, follow in the tradition of Onga Shrimp tablet and Onga Chicken tablet, which are leading seasoning tablets in the country and come with distinct flavours, delicious taste and aroma to meet the dynamic needs of consumers.

At a colourful event to introduce the new products to loyal clients and the consumer public in Ho, officials of Promasidor demonstrated the new Onga Beef and Stew Seasonings for consumers to have a taste of the new flavours. They also educated the key stakeholders and wholesalers on to successfully rollout of the new products into the competitive market.

Speaking at the launch, Madam Eva Njeri Jero, the brand Executive for ONGA Seasonings, said the new products have the right flavours consumers want in their everyday meals.

“Currently we have Onga Shrimp tablet, Onga chicken tablet but today, we are introducing new tablets and new flavors which is the Onga stew tablet and Onga beef tablet, which I believe is the right product for our Ghanaian meals. So for today, we just want to speak with our key stakeholders, our wholesalers who are selling in the market to really educate them on the product, to tell them the benefits, the usage so that they can also be able to recommend it to customers and consumers out there,” she stated.

She also assured of their continuous support to help customers in the market, adding that, they would give them the needed marketing supports with live TV and radio commercials, and also maintain active relationship with women’s group meetings and any other point of contact that they feel can be able to engage their consumers to know about this new product, new flavours and how they can use them in their everyday meals”

Participants at the launch expressed their readiness to do business with Onga products, as they are poised to push the new Onga Beef and Stew for a customer satisfaction.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

King Norbert Writes: ‘Can Keta become Ghana’s Dubai?

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Volta Online

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May 5, 2021

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King Norbert | Voltaonlinegh.com |

There was once a small fishing community in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula on the coast of the Persian Gulf. The Bani Yas tribe settled at the mouth of this sea after they broke their ties with Sheikh Tahnun bin Shakhbut of Abu Dhabi.

As around 1822, the community dwellers were less than 800 and their preoccupation was to go on sea harvest fishes to feed their homes.

At these early beginnings, this community and its people never shown any sign of wealth and riches, and no one could believe that such a small village would one day be the center of the world commerce and tourism. But an Arabic proverb that says “they came with a lot of money” manifested in “Daba Dubai” after they were blessed with an oil discovery.

It is a beautiful story of the City Dubai.

Tourism became an important part of the Dubai’s economy with a growing flow of foreign cash into the emirates. As of 2018, Dubai became the fourth most-visited city in the world based on the number of international visitors that troop the peninsula regularly. The city is described as the shopping capital of the Middle East and has capacity of hosting over 15 million visitors overnight.

The story of Dubai could be similar to the fishing community of Keta. The community is a stretch of land between the Gulf of Guinea and the lagoon. The lagoon supports subsistence and commercial fisheries and salt mining for local communities. The climate also supports mangrove forests that stretched to the estuary at Anyanui. At Anyanui, the River Volta flows into the Gulf of Guinea. Keta can boast of being one of the cleanest coastlines in the sub region. It is a beautiful sight to behold capturing an eye-view of a community lying among three major water bodies.

History narrates stories of how the people fled from a tyrant King in Notsie-Togo to settle on the peninsula whose name, ‘Keta’ literary means “on the sand”.

The Keta enclave presents potentials for tourism growth and economic development. The history and topography of the land and people is similar to the Emirate’s pride of Dubai. What would soon make the two places share a lot more in common is the discovery of large quantity of oil in the Voltain Basin.

The Swiss African Oil Company was awarded a contract for seismic exploration in the Volta Basin in 2016. Although residents are expressing concerns over the environmental sustainability of such activities, broader stakeholder engagements and use of environmentally friendly methods could help in ensuring Keta fully and safely benefits from the blessings of hydrocarbons.

Photos (C) Fred Duhoe

Already, the hospitality industry in the area seem booming with a lot of investments laying on the ‘sand’. But the threat to this dream is the sea erosion. Climate change is contributing to rising of the sea level rise, coastal flooding and erosion, and it is swallowing the land.

According to NASA’s Earth Observatory, the narrow strip of land between the lagoon and the gulf is eroding dangerously two (2) meters per year.

Can we see successive governments’ commitment to recovering the lost lands? Is there any long term plans of harnessing the full potentials of Keta?

Can we have Keta-Dubai or Dubai-Keta in Ghana?

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Volta NDC Demands Nine Hospitals Promised Region By Prez Akufo-Addo

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Volta Online

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May 5, 2021

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ketu north hospital — File Image: Recently commissioned Ketu North District hospital

News Desk | voltaonlinegh.com|

The Volta Region branch of the National Democratic Congress, is demanding the region’s share of the 88 hospitals promised by President Akufo-Addo in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

In one of his televised addresses on government’s response to the global pandemic on Sunday, April 26, 2020, the President announced plans for the construction of hospitals in 88 districts with no government hospitals, nine of which were in the Volta region.

“There are 88) districts in our country without district hospitals; we have six (6) new regions without regional hospitals; we do not have five infectious disease control centres dotted across the country; and we do not have enough testing and isolation centres for diseases like COVD-19. We must do something urgently about this. That is why Government has decided to undertake a major investment in our healthcare infrastructure, the largest in our history. We will, this year, begin constructing 88 hospitals in the districts without hospitals,” President Akufo-Addo announced at the time.

However, more than a year after this announcement, the government is yet to commence work on the projects.

On the back of this, the NDC in the Volta region has through a press release, dated May 4, 2021, demanding the nine district hospitals promised the region.

The release issued by the Communication Officer, Sorkpa K. Agbleze and his deputy, Delali Bright Kugbeadzor, stated that, ‘As a major political party in the region, we have taken the pain to monitor the promise made by H.E. the President. Our search in all districts without hospitals in the region, has revealed that absolutely no work has begun to build any hospital, not even a block has been laid anywhere to show any semblance of commitment to the promise made by H.E. the President.’

The party is therefore, ‘reminding H. E. President that, a promise is like debt and so long as he has made the promise to build the hospitals, he is indebted to the region and we will continue to remind him till the hospitals are constructed in fulfilment of the promise.’

Read the full statement below

PRESS RELEASE

BY: VOLTA NDC

DATE: 4^TH MAY, 2021

VOLTA REGION DEMANDS THE NINE HOSPITALS PROMISED BY PRESIDENT NANA ADDO.

“A time has come when silence is betrayal, that time is now” said Dr. Martin Luther King decades ago.

It is the resolve of the NDC in the Volta Region that it will be a great betrayal on the part of the party to remain silent after a year has elapsed since H.E. the President promised to build nine district hospitals in the region to help improve health delivery infrastructure to mitigate the Covid -19 pandemic.

As a major political party in the region, we have taken the pain to monitor the promise made by H.E. the President. Our search in all districts without hospitals in the region, has revealed that absolutely no work has begun to build any hospital, not even a block has been laid anywhere to show any semblance of commitment to the promise made by H.E. the President.

Volta Region is reminding H. E. President that, a promise is like debt and so long as he has made the promise to build the hospitals, he is indebted to the region and we will continue to remind him till the hospitals are constructed in fulfilment of the promise.

The Volta Region has some districts with district hospitals and those without these facilities such as Adaklu, Akatsi North, Ho West, Afadzato South, North Dayi, North Tongu, Agortime Ziope, Anlo and South Dayi people have to move long distances to access health care. There are various instances of how people die as a result of their inability to access health care and the truama expectant mothers go through to deliver their babies.

We don’t want to believe national development is spread along the number of parliamentary seats won by the NPP as Mr. Freddie Blay, the NPP National Chairman wants the people of the Volta Region to believe that Voltarians are being punished for producing one MP which was reflective in the ministerial appointment by the president. This theory espoused by Hon. Freddie Blay is unpopular and was profoundly condemned by the Volta Parliamentary caucus. If the Blay theory is what will underpin the development agenda of H.E Nana Addo, we dare say it is unscientific, ill-informed and retrogressive to Ghana’s forward march to self-actualization.

‘Ian Smith’, the last Prime Minister of Rhodesia, said in his book, ‘The Great Betrayal’: “A statesman thinks of the next generation, a politician thinks of the next election.” The NDC in the Volta Region is reminding H.E. the President of his promise and what he makes of his own promise, to enable us conclude on whether H.E. the President is a statesman or a politician.

Signed:

Sorkpa K. Agbleze

(Volta NDC Regional Communication officer)

Delali Bright Kugbeadzor

(Deputy Regional Communication officer)

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Sunflower Hotel; the Hotel facing the Sun

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Volta Online

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May 4, 2021

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King Nobert | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Dzodze, the Municipal Capital of Ketu North is a typical traditional community in the Volta Region with rich Ewe culture tracing its roots to the ancient town of Ketu now Benin.

Historically, Dzodze in its early days was surrounded by thick forest, mostly oil palm, which shielded the people from regional warfare and slave trade activities. The indigenes of the town narrate stories of how they mysteriously settled in a Palm forest.

Located at the North-Eastern part of the town behind the popular Nichodelia Hostel, the tall structures of Sunflower Hotel enjoy the first kisses of the rising sun.

Currently, the hotel has comfortable and sizeable rooms with a Bar and swimming pool. It also has a beautiful garden that Management is determined to build a natural setting for visitors’ relaxation. The facility is an ongoing project to provide a safe and comfortable home for guests who visit the historic palm forest.

Even at its early stages, the hotel looks stunning and cozy but Management says there is a bigger plan to make the facility a preferred one for anyone visiting the southern Volta.

The next time you visit the Ketu enclaves, do well to enjoy the warmth and peace under the rays of the beautiful sunflower.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Adonai Estate CEO Launches ‘Develop Ho Airport Area Now’ Campaign

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Volta Online

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May 3, 2021

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BY: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Chief Executive Officer of Adonai Estate Limited, Mr. Bright Adonai has launched a campaign to get residents and investors to begin developing lands around the Ho Airport.

Dubbed ‘Develop Ho Airport Area Now,’ the initiative, according to him, was the company’s modest effort toward driving development around the domestic air terminal, which is set for commercial flight operations, following a successful test flight by African World Airlines some weeks ago.

Speaking to Volta Online during a health walk to the Adonai Estate Airport Gold City project site, off the Ho-Kpetoe on Monday, May 03, 2021, the estate developer said the company was ready to assist individuals and investors to acquire and develop litigation-free lands, in order for them to take advantage of opportunities that would come with the commercialisation of the airport.

‘The airport has just started operating and we’re believing that this place will develop very fast, so we’re launching the ‘Develop Ho Airport Area Now,’ so those with land around here can start developing them into residential or other commercial facilities,’ Mr. Adonai stated.

Touching on the Airport Golf-City project, the CEO said, the project, which is within a 3-kilometre drive from the Ho airport, was being built with the comfort and convenience of prospective home owners in mind, as it comes with modern recreational facilities such an Astroturf football pitch, a golf course, a swimming pool, restaurant, multi-purpose office complex, a police station and a hotel.

He noted that, the company was still selling land within the Golf-City enclave for individuals who want to put up their own homes or have the company construct the homes for them on a flexible payment terms.

The health walk, which was also used to outdoored the Adonai Volta Golf Club, attracted dozens of patrons within the municipality, who engaged in the brisk walk amidst music, from the Ho Teaching Hospital taxi rank to the ‘Golf-City’, where they engaged in fun games.

Adonai Estate Limited is registered Real Estate Company, which has been operating the Volta region since 2014. It has since its inception sold more than 3000 plots of land to clients across the region. The company is also one of the latest members of the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA).

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com