Maiden AWA flight lands at Ho Airport; Togbe Afede calls for Patronage

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April 15, 2021

AWA flight (2) — Embraer 145 airplane flown by Captain Kwesi Oteng landed at the Ho Airport

BY: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The much-anticipated maiden flight by domestic carrier, African World Airline has finally landed at the Ho Airport, Thursday afternoon.

The Embraer 145 airplane flown by Captain Kwesi Oteng, touched down at the domestic airport at 14:10 hours GMT with 36 passengers onboard. They include officials of the airline, led by their co-founder, Togbe Afede XIV, officials of the Ghana Airport Company and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, who took off from the Domestic terminal of the Kotoka International Airport in Accra at about 13:40 hours GMT.

Present to welcome the passengers and crew, were traditional leaders of Asogli – Togbe Afede’s paramountcy, political leaders including, the Volta regional minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa and Mr. Henry Ametefee, Regional Chairman of the opposition NDC.

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The traditional leaders performed libation to thank the gods for the safe arrival of the first commercial flight to the region and also commit the official operations of the airline at the Ho Airport.

Togbe Afede, who is also the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State in Ho, briefing the media upon arrival, paid glowing tribute to the government of former President Mahama for initiating the airport project and the current government for seeing through its completion and operationalization.

He said the start of commercial flight to the Ho Airport by the African World Airline was a dream come true, for which residents must embrace and patronise to make the aviation business in the region viable and sustainable.

‘From today, we expect that ordinary passengers will be able to travel to Accra in a matter of 20 minutes by air,’ he stated, adding that, with the rising cost of fuel in the country, it was cheaper for people to park their cars and board a flight to Accra and back in record time.

Togbe Afede receiving a flower bouquet from a little girl

Togbe Afede further noted that, the region’s tourism sector was set for a boom, as some groups have already begun moves to organise chartered flights for tourists to visit the numerous tourist attractions in the region.

Watch full video here

He therefore entreated residents to keep to their side of the bargain as the government and other stakeholders have done part to bring aviation services to their doorsteps. He also hinted of plans to start a pilot training school and aircraft maintenance facility in the area, in order to create career opportunities for young people in the aviation industry.

The Managing Director of the Ghana Airport Company, Mr. Yaw Kwakwa said his outfit was still engaging other domestic carriers to ply the route, adding that, with in due course, there will be flight from other parts of the country to the Ho airport and vice versa.

Dr. Archibald Letsa, the Volta Regional minister expressed appreciation to AWA for keeping to their word and activating the commercial flight on the Ho air route. He charged residents to take advantage of opportunities the aviation industry of the region.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

AWA Makes Test Flight to Ho Today at 1:40 pm

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Kwadwo Duodu

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April 15, 2021

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By: FDT | voltaonlinegh.com |

Barring any unforeseen challenges, African World Airlines will touch down at the Ho Airport at 1:40 pm.

The flight which is the first commercial test flight of the Airport will allow the Airline and the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL), managers of the airport to undertake final preparations towards actual commercial flights in the coming days.

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa who confirmed the flight said, the test flight is a major step towards operationalising the Ho Airport.

He was hopeful that commercial flights will follow soon to allow for tourists, business people, students, lecturers, health professionals and investors to have a smooth journey to and Accra.

He said the 25-million-dollars Airport has the capacity to contain the traffic and hoped that patronage will be high enough to increase the flights from weekly to daily flights.

This test flight follows a familiarisation visit of the Ho Airport by the new Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah about two weeks ago.

The Minister who also interacted with the Chiefs of Ho during the tour said among others that commercial flights will begin in two weeks; all things being equal.

The Minister lamented that the project, since its completion and commissioning in 2018, had been left unused because the country did not have a wholly-owned airline to fly that route.

He was happy that AWA which has a key shareholder being Togbe Afede, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State in Ho had taken the bold step to fly the route. He was hopeful that the flights will be heavily patronised to attract other airlines and investments.

He appealed to the Chiefs and people to protect the land of the airport from encroachment. As future expansion will be hampered by such practices.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Employers Should Not Prevent Workers from Joining Labour Unions – ICU

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Kwadwo Duodu

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April 12, 2021

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ICU Volta — Reaffirmed Executives of ICU - Volta

By: Daniel Orlando | voltaonlinegh.com |

The Acting General Secretary of Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU), Ghana, Mr Morgan Ayawine has told workers across the country to freely and willingly join Trade Unions to protect their interest.

According to him, no employer has the power to prevent any employee from joining a trade union or any association of his or her choice.

This, he noted was a right guaranteed and protected by the supreme law of the land, the 1992 constitution of Ghana. Hence, must be freely exercised by workers and adhered to by employers without fear or favour.

Mr Morgan Ayawine made the call in Ho, the Volta Regional Capital when he addressed the delegates conference of the Volta Chapter of ICU – Ghana.

The Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) states among others that ” Every Worker has the right to join a trade union of his/her choice for the promotion of the workers economic and social interests.”

To this end, he cautioned employers and management staff to desist from banning intimidating trade union groups within their organisations.

He added that the unions also protect the interest of employers by ensuring employees discharge their duties appropriately in advancing the cause of the organisation.

The Delegate Conference which brought together industry players and union members in the Volta Region was also used to reaffirm the incumbent executives for another term in office after exhibiting good leadership.

Mr Morgan Ayawine urged the reaffirmed executives to always put the interest of the members first because by serving the members’ interest, their personal interest will also be served.

The conference also discussed issues regarding ways to get the government to improve the condition of service of workers in the country.

The Regional ICU Chairman, Bright Amedume expressed his appreciation to union members for the confidence reposed in them and called for continued unity and cooperation from all members to better the lot of ICU in Volta and Ghana at large.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Volta College Foundation Donates to Kpando Prisons on Picnic Day

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Volta Online

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April 6, 2021

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By: Daniel Orlando | voltaonlinegh.com |

Volta College Foundation, a social youth group based in the Volta region, has marked this year’s Easter Festivities with a donation to the inmates of Kpando Prisons on Picnic Day.

The group led by its President, Richmond Ameko alias Barry Williams, presented items such as food stuff, drinks, detergents, toiletries, used clothes, among others to the Prisons authorities to support the upkeep of the about 123 inmates.

They also donated five sets of Water Closet (WCs), five buckets of paints and paint brushes towards the maintenance of the facility.

According to the Foundation President, the items estimated at the cost of GHC 6,000.00, formed part of the Corporate Social Responsibility activities of the group.

He said the group will adopt the Kpando Prisons and frequently support the facility and its inmates for them to feel loved and belonged, despite their current circumstances.

Mr. Ameko also appealed to benevolent organisations to come on board to assist the inmates so that they would not feel neglected by the society due to their incarceration.

The Officer in Charge of the Kpando Local Prisons, Assistant Director of Prisons, Eric Ainoo-Ansah who received the items on behalf of the inmates, expressed delight about the kind gesture and thanked the group profoundly for coming to put smiles on the faces of the inmates.

He assured them of putting the items to good use, as he also appealed to other well-meaning organisations to emulate the gesture of the Foundation to come to their aid and help the inmates with such donations to complement government’s effort.

Volta College Foundation is an emerging vibrant youth group with branches spread throughout the Volta and Oti Regions. It has the aim of alleviating the suffering of the less privileged in the society.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Ho Airport Set for Commercial Flights this April

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Volta Online

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April 2, 2021

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BY: News Desk | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Commercial flight operations are set to commence at the Ho Airport, almost three years after its completion in the Volta regional capital.

The 25-million-dollar domestic airport, barring any unforeseen circumstances, would welcome domestic carrier, Africa World Airlines (AWA) with its first commercial flight on the Accra-Ho route by the middle of April this year.

This was made known by the Minister for Transport and Aviation, Mr. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah during a recent farmilisation visit to the Ho Airport.

He noted that, after several engagements with the domestic airlines by the government and the Ghana Airport Company Limited to operationalize the airport commercially, only AWA expressed its readiness to ply the Accra-Ho route.

The minister thus urged to residents to patronize the flights in order to make the route commercially viable and sustainable.

He said unlike state owned airlines, private airlines are driven by profits and so if the flight are not patronised “We will come back to square one and the airport will have to close down on financial grounds.”

Transport Minister interacting with Ho chiefs

He also appealed to the Chiefs and people to protect the airport lands from encroachment, noting that the practice may stifle future expansion of the airport. He therefore warned that anyone who attempts to build on airport lands anywhere in the country will have their building demolished without fear or favour.

On his part, the Managing Director of the Ghana Airport Company Limited, Mr. Yaw Kwakwa said the commercialization of the airport was possible due to the collaboration and cooperation of all key stakeholders. He revealed that the company is hoping that the tourism sector will take advantage of this initiative to open up the region.

The Awafiaga of Ho, Togbe Adzi Lakle Howusu XII who spoke on behalf of the Asogli State thanked God and the gods of the land for what he described as the “long awaited opening of the airport.”

He also commended stakeholders and President Akufo-Addo in particular for keeping his word that the Ho Airport will become operational. He was hopeful that gradually international flights to neighbouring counties will be possible. As well as other inland flights to Tamale, Kumasi and Takoradi.

Transport Minister being briefed by Volta Regional Minister

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa who has been at the receiving end of consistent pressure to ensure the commercial use of the Airport, expressed excitement about the development, and appealed to tourists and investors to make good use of the airport.

Background

The airport project, was started in 2015 by the erstwhile government with a loan facility of 25 million Dollars on the balance sheet of the Ghana Airport Company Limited. Israeli company, Amandi Holdings Limited executed the project and completed it in 2018.

The project comes with a 1,900-metre runway, traffic control tower, 150 capacity passenger waiting area, an ultramodern airbus terminal and an automatic fire detection system. Communication, weather and runway fixtures has been done to facilitate safe flights.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Dambai: First Lady’s Foundation Commissions Ultra-Modern Library

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Volta Online

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April 1, 2021

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BY: Benjamin Owusu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Rebecca Foundation, a charity organization of the First Lady of the Republic, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo has commissioned a library at the Dambai Lapaz community school in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region.

The facility, which is the seventh to be constructed by the foundation across the country, is an initiative of the President’s wife to improve literacy among school children.

Stocked with books on varied subjects as well as computers and internet facility, the library would provide pupils and teachers a conducive environment to acquire knowledge.

Commissioning the facility on her behalf, Mr. Richard Darko, Press aide to the First Lady, noted that the intervention was in line with Mrs. Akufo-Addo’s passion to empower young people through education, in order for them to fully attain their potentials and harness the opportunities that the globally competitive world offers.

He therefore advised students at Dambai and its environs to take advantage of the facility to enhance their academic works.

Mr. Darko also highlighted other interventions by the Rebecca Foundation, such as the socio-economic empowerment of young women through the acquisition of vocational skills and provision of artisanal equipment to enhance their livelihoods.

Acknowledging the gesture, the Oti Regional Minister, Joshua Makubu, expressed hope that the library facility will significantly help to improve the academic performance of school children in the area, for them to soar higher on the educational ladder.

The Krachi East Municipal Director of Education, Madam Georgina Mensah on her part thanked the Rebecca Foundation for the intervention, and noted that, the facility has come at a time when many pupils have more time on their hands to study.

She urged the pupils in the area to patronise the facility to enrich their knowledge.

The head of Ghana Library Authority (GLA) for Volta/Oti Regions, Ebenezer Guy Amartefio, expressed the authority’s deepest appreciation to the First Lady and Rebecca Foundation for the initiative for helping GLA and the Ghana Education Service to increase access to library facilities in schools across the country.

Meanwhile, some teachers and students who spoke with Volta Online, also registered their joy about the facility, saying it will help improve academic performance.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Hundreds Displaced In-Yet-Another Tidal Waves Attack In Ketu South

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Volta Online

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March 31, 2021

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BY: Kekeli Blamey | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Hundreds of residents of Agavedzi and Sallakorpe, fishing communities in the Ketu South Municipality have been displaced in-yet-another tidal attack on their coastal homes.

The perennial occurrence, which took place in the early hours of Wednesday, destroyed several buildings in the two communities and rendered many homeless.

This has also caused temporarily disruption to socio-activities in the area, as the displaced residents attempt to salvage their belongings from the wreckage.

Felix, one of the affected residents described the destruction caused by the strong tidal currents, as massive, and appealed for an urgent intervention from government.

“Most children cannot go to school as a result of the situation and I have observed that these residents need food since they’ve lost all they have.”

The Ketu South Municipal Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation, Mr. Alorsode Paul who was in the communities to assess the situation with his team, said the outfit would as a matter urgency secure temporary homes for the affected residents, while they work to mobilise relief items to support them.

He however urged the residents to exercise restraint and also halt any intended protest against government, since measures are underway to address the situation permanently.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Oti: Bontibor To Get Mobile Network Connectivity Soon

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Volta Online

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March 31, 2021

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BY: Benjamin Owusu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Residents of Bontibor, a community in the Nkwanta South municipality of the Oti region will soon heave a sigh of relief from their telecommunication woes, as work begins on a rural telephony project in the area.

The area is one of several rural communities in Nkwanta South without access to any mobile network services to enable them reach family and friends in times of emergency.

However, through the instrumentality of the Member of Parliament (MP), for Nkwanta South, Hon. Geoffrey Kini, telecom giant, MTN Ghana has moved in, to erect a mast in order to extend network connectivity to Bontibor and its environs.

Breaking grounds for the project, the MP reiterated his resolve to address the challenges facing his constituents, as plans are far advanced to extend the project to the remaining communities within the Constituency without Telecommunication Network, so as to facilitate socio-economic development in the Municipality.

Hon. Kini briefing community leaders ahead of the sod cutting

Other areas that have previously benefited from the MP’s interventions were, Ofosu, Tutukpene, Kecheibi and Keri.

On their part, the Chiefs and people of Bontibor heaped praises on the MP for coming to address their age-long problem, which has cut off the community and its environs from the rest of the world.

Also present at the ceremony, were NDC Constituency Executives for the area, including, the Chairman Mr. Prosper Akamani.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Nkwanta: Christians Celebrate Palm Sunday Without Usual Street Floats

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Volta Online

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March 29, 2021

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BY: Benjamin Owusu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Christians in the Nkwanta South municipality of the Oti region joined their counterparts worldwide to celebrate Palm Sunday, under strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols.

The day which was in commemoration of Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, days before His crucifixion, until the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, has been a major Christian celebration, with believers embarking on mega street processions with palm fronds.

These scenes were however missing in this year’s celebration, due to restrictions on mass gathering activities as a result of the pandemic.

A visit by this reporter to Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church and Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG), all in Nkwanta South, revealed that, although church services were held to commemorate the day, measures were put in place to ensure the wearing of face masks and other safety protocols were observed by members to prevent the spread of the virus.

The Parish Priest of St. Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Emil Kandah, entreated Christians not to panic but to use this period to continue to do good to one another through “Christ’ who strengthened mankind.

He said the COVID-19 virus has come to stay and as such, Ghanaians must continue to observe the safety protocols as it was the only way to prevent spread of the virus.

He also encouraged residents in the area to embrace the vaccination exercise when made available to them in the region.

Presbyter John Melebor of the E.P Church, acknowledged the adverse impact of the pandemic on religious activities since last year but indicated that, the church has put in place strict measures to ensure members adhere to especially, wearing of face masks and others protocol to avert the spread of the virus.

He also reminded church members to continue to observe the protocols and get vaccinated when the exercise starts in the area.

Some church members who spoke to Volta Online used the occasion to wish their families happy Easter in advance and also assured to get themselves vaccinated against the virus.

Palm Sunday, is the last Sunday of Lent and the beginning of the Holy Week, which is climax with the celebration of Easter.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Prof. Bakah Inducted as 3rd President of E.P. University

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Volta Online

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March 28, 2021

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BY: Evans Attah Vital | Volatonlinegh.com |

The Evangelical Presbyterian University College, (EPUC) in Ho has inducted Prof. Edem Kwasi Bakah into office as the 3^rd President of the premier University college of the Volta Region.

Prof. Bakah, until his appointment, was an Associate Professor at the Department of French, University of Cape Coast.

He took over from Dr. Kenneth Nyalemegbe who has been acting since 2018, following the departure of the second substantive President, Dr. Cyril G. K. Fayose. The late, Mr. Walter Blege, served as the foundation President from 2007 to 2011.

Speaking at his investiture ceremony at the E.P Church Dela Cathedral, Ho-Kpodzi last Friday, Professor Bakah declared his readiness for the task ahead and called for the support and cooperation of all stakeholders to bring the needed transformation to EPUC.

He promised to improve upon the existing Information Communication and Technology infrastructure of the University to facilitate teaching, learning and research.

He said, “As part of the efforts to digitise the University College, State-of-the-art ICT facility and reliable high-speed Internet will be provided. As a result, we will expand and improve upon the existing ICT infrastructure in the University College to enhance teaching, learning, research and administration.”

In addition to the provision of ICT-equipped lecture rooms, well-furnished computer laboratories, the President noted that, “offices will be ICT friendly to promote efficient and effective communication and enhance productivity.”

“CCTV cameras will be installed at vantage places and access to the premises and offices of the University College will be digitised to prevent security breaches and enhance security on campus,” he added.

Professor Bakah also assured that, his leadership will endeavor to build appropriate human resource skills for the university and the Church as a whole.

“I therefore want to assure you that under my leadership, the University College will endeavor to build appropriate knowledge and skills to enhance human resource development in the Church, especially academic and continuing professional development of pastors and key agents by building the capacity of the Green Hill Campus and the Seminary at Peki and the establishment of the Institute of Language, Culture and Theological Studies (EPUC-ILCTS)”

Touching on infrastructure development, Prof. Bakah said his administration would work to begin the development of the university’s permanent campus at Adaklu-Wumenu through strategic partnership with investors and benevolent institutions.

He also pledged to strike strategic affiliations with other institutions of higher learning, both local and international to give EPUC the needed exposure.

The colourful ceremony was graced by several dignitaries, including delegation from EPUC’s mentor institution, the University of Cape Coast, led by the Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dora Edu-Buandoh.

Other include, the Moderator of the E.P Church General Assembly, Rt. Reverend Lt. Colonel Dr. Bliss Divine Kofi Agbeko, Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa, Professor Domwini Dabire Kuupole, former Vice-Chancellor of UCC, among others.

There were goodwill messages from close associates of the new EPUC President, described as very modest, disciplined, principled and level-headed individual who is resolute, decisive, kind hearted and uphold justice and fairness.

Profile

Professor Edem Kwasi Bakah was born on the 13th June, 1976 at Anlo Afiadenyigba in the Keta Municipality of the Volta region of Ghana. He had his formal education at E. P. Primary school at the age of five in the year 1981 and was a product of Abor Senior Secondary school in 1991.

Prof. Bakah read Bachelor of Education (Arts) degree with French, English, and Ewe where he graduated with Second Class Upper Division in the year 2000.

With several records in Academics, Prof. Bakah is researcher and administrator. He worked with several University environments as a Principal Research Assistant from 2004 to 2005, lecturer from 2005 to 2011, senior lecturer from 2011 to 2018 and Associate Professor from 2018 to date at the Department of French of the University of Cape Coast.

Professor Bakah has been an External Examiner for the Departments of French in the University of Education Winneba, University of Ghana, Legon and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

Prof. Edem Bakah has been the pillar of the flagship scientific event at the Faculty of Arts, UCC known as UCC Faculty Arts Colloquia. He served as National Coordinator for Inter – University Conference on Doctoral Studies in French.

He is also an active member of University Teachers Association, UTAG and Ghana Association of French Teachers, GAFT.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com