Mawuli School Wins Maiden Inter-Schools Poetry Competition

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March 20, 2021

Ehalakasa Senior High School Poetry Slam Competition — Winners-Mawuli School

BY: Vivian Dzoboku | voltaonlinegh.com |

Mawuli School have emerged champions of the first ever Poetry Competition organized for Senior High Schools in the Ho Municipality to commemorate this year’s World Poetry Day.

The competition dubbed “Ehalakasa Senior High School Poetry Slam Competition,” was an initiative of Ehalakasa in partnership with Goethe Institut, Ghana Library Authority and the Ghana Education Service.

A total of five schools, namely, Sokode Senior High Technical School, OLA Senior High School, Mawuli School, Taviefe Senior High and Mawuko Girls Senior High participated in the competition held at the Ho Municipal Assembly Hall on Friday, March 19, 2021.

After three rounds of keen contest, Mawuli School emerged winner with 76 points, OLA Senior High came second with 73 points and Mawuko Girls secured the third spot with 71 points.

They were presented with cash prizes of Three Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH₵300), Two Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH₵200) and One Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH₵100) respectively, in addition to a plague each and sets of branded T-shirts. All the participating schools were awarded certificates of participation.

UNESCO first adopted 21 March as World Poetry Day during its 30th General Conference in Paris in 1999, with the aim of supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression and increasing the opportunity for endangered languages to be heard.

A contestant from OLA SHS receiving their 2nd place prize.

A contestant from Mawuko Girls SHS receiving their 3rd place prize.

The Organizer at Ehalakasa, Yibor Kojo Yibor alias Sir Black, speaking at the event, noted that, the competition did not only showcase the poetry talent of participants, but also boosted their confidence level in public speaking. “Poetry as an art helps us to mature, think, expand, and gather information as well as research for information,” he added.

He thus entreated teachers to continue to nurture the interest of students in poetry, noting “this is the only way to project the Ghanaian culture and values”, likewise he called on stakeholders in the region to support the arts industry for what has been started to continue. `

The Head of Library and Information at Goethe Institut Ghana, Mad. Meli Eyram Portia Mansu, said the aim of decentralizing the initiative to the regions has been justified by the high level enthusiasm exhibited by the students during the competition, and called on stakeholders especially GES to sustain the initiative as part of promoting the region and Africa Literature.

The Volta Regional Librarian, Mr. Guy Amarteifio, in an address expressed gratitude to the organizers for pioneering the first ever poetry competition in the region, as he expressed optimism that, the idea to arouse the poetry interest in students and people in the region will not be truncated but rather turned into a daily activity in order to revive and sustain poetry in the region.

He also noted the Ghana Library Authority has launched the Ghana Library App to stimulate reading interest among the public, including school children.

A representative of the Regional Director of Education, Mr. Eric Kofi Gamadeku who also doubled as the chairman at the event in his remarks thanked the organizers of the competition and commended both the teachers and students for preparing in such a short notice and suggested the use of literary devices in the subsequent competitions.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

ECG Announces 12-Hour Daily Blackout for Volta & Oti Regions

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Volta Online

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March 17, 2021

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Orlando Daniel | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Residents of the Volta and Oti regions would in the coming days endure long hours of power outage due of a planned maintenance by the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) Ltd.

As a result, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) on the request of the state power transmitter, has released a schedule for a 5-day load shedding exercise, which would commence from Thursday 18^th to Monday 21^st March, 2021.

According to a statement released by ECG, the request was to enable GRIDCo undertake repair works on their transformers that supplies power to the both Volta and Oti regions through the 69KV transmission line from the Asiekpe Bulk Supply Point.

During the period, various parts of the two regions would be without power supply for at least 12 hours either during the day or at night, according to the schedule.

Below is the full statement and the schedule for the outages.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Schools In Kparekpare Study Under Sheds

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Kwadwo Duodu

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March 15, 2021

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Kparekpare Student on wood — Kparekpare M/A Basic Student siting on a Wooden Blank

BY: Benjamin Owusu | Voltanlinegh.com |

The Kparekpare Victory Presbyterian JHS and Kparekpare M/A Basic Schools in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region are in dire need of support to improve the school’s infrastructure to enhance effective teaching and learning.

The Victory Presbyterian School was established in 2004 as a private school but was later absorbed by government in 2009 with a current student population of four hundred and ninety-eight (498) and a class level from Kindergarten (KG) to JHS 3.

Kparekpare Victory Presbyterian JHS under shed

Kparekpare M /A Basic School was established in 1969 with a current population of seven hundred and fifty (750) pupils.

A visit by this www.voltaonlinegh.com reporter observed that teaching and learning were conducted under shed and makeshift structures due to lack of classroom facilities.

The schools also lacked adequate furniture; making students sit on woods, concrete blocks, and plastic chairs. The absence of computer laboratory, science laboratory, inadequate textbooks, teachers common room among other things hinder academic progress in the community.

Lack of appropriate Furniture in Kparekpare MA basic

According to the head teacher of Victory Presbyterian school, Mr. Newton Borbor the lack of classrooms for JHS students and insufficient desk in the schools was having a telling effect on the academic performance of the students, hence appealed to government and other corporate Organisations to help construct classroom blocks for the schools to facilitate teaching and learning.

He also lamented that the unfavorable weather conditions disrupt teaching and learning for classes under rickety structures.

Some teachers also lamented that the lack of classrooms was demoralizing as it made their work extra difficult when compared to their colleagues who worked in more conducive environments. They therefore called on government and other philanthropists to come to their aid.

Some students also said the situation in their respective schools made teaching and learning unattractive. The situation they said, made most of them reluctant to be in school. They said some of their colleagues had abandoned the desire to be in school due to the situation.

They therefore appealed to their Member of Parliament, government, donors and other faith based organisations to come to their aid.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Keri Community Gets Potable Water After Decades of Shortage

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Kwadwo Duodu

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March 13, 2021

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World Vission Pictures — Reservoir for Water System of the Keri Community

BY: Benjamin Owusu | Voltanlinegh.com |

As part of efforts to make water accessible to all, World Vision Ghana has commissioned a mechanised solar powered water system to the people of Keri, a farming community in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region.

The $30,000 worth contract is expected to supply water daily to meet the demand of the people.

The support came after a report filed last year by Voltaonline on the acute water shortage in the community hampering human activities as women and children travel long distance before having access to water.

World Vision Officials Drink from the Water System as Chiefs and People Look on

Speaking at a durbar of chiefs and people to inaugurate the facility, the Southern Regional Manager, Joshua Roland Baidoo, said the project was in fulfillment of the organisation’s ambition to improve water, hygiene and sanitation situations in communities in the midst of COVID-19.

According to him, the organisation was focused in the development of women and children that was targeted to provide potable drinking water where women and children were most vulnerable to promote their well-being.

He noted that the facility will offer the community sustainable safe water for domestic use and will bring to an end the long years of dependence on other unsafe sources of water.

He called on the committee managing the water system to take proper care of the facility to prolong its lifespans to serve the people in the area.

On behalf of the the community, the assemblyman of the area, Jonas Gbedenyo, commended World Vision for the initiative noting; the gesture had come at the right time to save them from the perennial water crisis in the area.

Keri Chief and Community Drinking from water

He again appealed for extension of the project to other apart of the community to address the challenge completely.

However, some residents have also expressed their joy for World Vision for the be intervention hence asked for extension of the facility to end acute water problem in the area.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Man in Police Grips For Allegedly Assaulting Girlfriend to Death

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Volta Online

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March 11, 2021

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BY: News Desk | Voltanlinegh.com |

The Volta Regional Police command has confirmed the death of one Yesutor Elizabeth Akpalu, a 31-year old Level 300 student of Evangelical Presbyterian University college in Ho, which occur in the early hours of Monday 8th March, 2021.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Sgt. Prince Dogbatse, investigations are underway to ascertain the cause of death as information gathered so far suggested that the deceased suffered from assault from her boyfriend, Philip Ceasar Kumah, the Akatsi North Deputy District Director of Youth Employment Agency (YEA).

He said they got a call from the Ho Teaching Hospital about the death of the lady and have since moved in to arrest the suspect.

“We have picked that boyfriend and he is in our custody assisting in investigations. As is normal with death, we are waiting for the pathologist’s report which can either confirm or contradict that account of the assault being the cause of death,” he told the media.

The deceased was rushed to the Ho Teaching Hospital by her friends last Sunday at about 4:00pm after she complained of severe chest pains. Medical examination suggested, she reported to the hospital with headache, waist pains, and general body pains. She also had injuries on her left shoulder as well as swollen eyes as a result of the assault.

The police spokesperson noted that, the deceased had earlier exchanged messages with her friends about being physically assaulted by her boyfriend on a number of occasions.

Meanwhile, reports suggested the suspect first physically assaulted the girlfriend in December last year and the case reported to Ave Dakpa police but, it was later withdrawn to be settled at home.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Call for Nomination of an ‘Akyode’ as Nkwanta South MCE Divisive – NPP Youth

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Volta Online

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March 10, 2021

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By: |Benjamin Owusu|voltaonlinegh.com |

The Youth wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region, are calling on President Akufo-Addo to ignore a purported press conference by a group parading themselves as concerned Youth of the party calling on him to consider the nomination of an Akyode person as the next Municipal Chief Executive for the area.

The group led by the Constituency Youth Organizer, Kennedy Yekple condemned the act and stated emphatically that such group is non-existing and not known in the constituency as far the youth wing is concerned.

They lamented that the tribal cards being played by a handful of tribal extremists should not be entertained as their actions will eventually crush the party’s parliamentary fortunes.

Addressing the media, the group advised the government to pay attention to the greater interest of the youth in the Nkwanta South Municipality. They insisted they needed a candidate based on his relationship with the ordinary people and not on tribal lines.

According to them, the Akyode tribe in Nkwanta South have benefited from the NPP from the era of former President Kufuor’s administration; all three (3) District Chief Executive within the 8-year reign were Akyodes, namely, S.N.K. Blagodzi, S.K. Nnorkpor and Joseph Yaw Booker Denteh.

They added that appointments during the first 4 years of the Nana Addo’s Administration had Maxwell Quophy Blagodzi as Deputy Volta/Oti Regional Minister, Joseph Yaw Booker Denteh as Deputy Getfund Administrator, Bepensye Augustine Ntiamoah as Deputy Oti Regional Liaison officer for the National Security, Mrs. Awasan Juliana as Municipal Coordinator for Non-Formal Division and a Municipal Nabco Coordinator given to Fetus Okpora, all Akyodes.

“On record, at the just-ended 2020 general elections, out of the 20,272 Parliamentary votes gained by the New Patriotic Party as a result of the tireless efforts and dedication of the teaming youth and other tribes within the constituency, the Akyode tribe gathered a total of 4,256 votes while out of the 18,174 votes gathered by the president, 4,249 came from the Akyode. So, my question is, where did the remaining votes come from ?”.

The youth are calling for a broader consultation in the nomination process to ensure the rest of the tribes are certified with a final choice.

They are therefore calling on the president to consider a grassroot person who served the party and also well known to the people.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Nkwanta South GES Appeals For Help to Fix Rainstorm Ravaged Schools

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Volta Online

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March 10, 2021

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By: |Benjamin Owusu| voltaonlinegh.com|

Following a rainstorm that hit the Nkwanta South municipality last week Saturday, which ripped off school buildings and damaging other school properties, the Municipal Director of Education , Jonathan Korsinah, have made a passionate appeal to the government and other benevolent organizations to urgently support them with building materials to put the schools back in shape.

The strong wind that accompanied the rain ripped off and destroyed many buildings, including School buildings thereby destroying some learning materials for both teachers and students.

A visit to some of the schools by Volta Online observed Nkwanta Roman Catholic School and Kechiebi Roman Catholic Basic schools had their roofs ripped off.

According to the Education Director, although the school authorities have started running the schools under a shift system, teaching and learning have become difficult.

He said at the Kechiebi Roman Catholic School and Nkwanta Roman Catholic Schools for instance, have the entire classrooms block ripped off, while books and learning materials were rendered unusable.

Speaking with the headteachers of the affected school, they also appealed for help from National Disaster Management (NADMO) and philanthropists to resume effective academic work.

Some of the students who spoke in an interview lamented over the situation and also appealed for support.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Pick Career in Oil Palm Sector, Youth Told

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Volta Online

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March 10, 2021

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By: | Rita Kafui Nedjoh| voltaonlinegh.com |

The Principal of Fr. Dogli Memorial Technical Institute Mrs. Brigitte Dzakah has challenged the youth to venture into the oil Palm Value Chain industry to bring prosperity to themselves.

According to her, the current statistical analysis available shows several opportunities for the Ghanaian youth to venture into the industry as part of the concerted effort to meet the growing demands of oil Palm products.

She however noted that the West Africa sub-region spends millions of dollars to import tonnes of Palm oil which indicates that there is a growing demand for Palm oil and Ghana was not an exception.

Mrs. Dzakah however indicated that, Ghana has an internal unmet demand for a huge number of acres of land meant for oil Palm plantation and has the opportunity to explore the sector by further developing its oil Palm industry to meet the growing market interest in oil Palm products and derivatives both domestically and internationally.

Mrs. Brigitte Dzakah was speaking at a ceremony organized to graduate 104 ATVET learners under the Competency-Based Training (CBT) in oil Palm Value Chain at the Fr. Dogli Memorial Technical Institute at New Ayoma in the Oti Region.

The training organized by Solidaridad West Africa under the Sustainable West Africa Programme Phase II SWAPP II in partnership with GIZ, Ghana Skills Development Initiative GSDI, and Fr. Dogli Memorial Technical Institute was funded by the Swiss, Dutch and German government.

The first batch of 511 learners was drawn from 146 communities in 8 regions of Ghana from which 104 from the 6 regions thus Central, Western, Ashanti, Eastern, Volta, and Oti regions graduated from the Fr. Dogli Memorial Technical Institute in the Oti Region.

The graduates went through 10 weeks of competency-based training with a competency module on Nursery establishment, land transportation and plantation establishment, harvesting and agribusiness management (oil Palm).

She therefore advised the graduates to exhibit their skills, knowledge, attitude and competencies acquired from the CBT under the Agriculture Technical and Vocational Education Training ATVET programme in the various communities to prosper themselves and contribute to the development of Ghana.

Source: www.voltaonlineghom.com

We Need To Unite for Development – Oti House of Chiefs’ Prez to Residents

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Volta Online

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March 9, 2021

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BY: Benjamin Owusu | voltaonlinegh.com |

The President of Oti Regional House of Chiefs, and the Paramount Chief of Krachi Traditional Area, Nana Mprah Besemunah III, have called for unity and peace among the citizens and traditional leaders to promote accelerated development of the region.

According to him, the only way the new region (Oti), can meet its development expectations is when traditional leaders and residents put behind disputes and throng along with a common purpose of growth.

He made this comment when a section of chiefs in the area paid a courtesy call on him at his palace.

Speaking at his palace, Nana Mprah, also lamented over widespread misleading messages on the coronavirus vaccine, urging the chiefs and stakeholders to intensify education on the need to get vaccinated.

He called on residents to observe the COVID-19 protocols and ignore all misleading claims about the vaccine and make themselves available to be vaccinated against the virus.

Nana Attarah I, the Adontihene of Dodo Amanfrom, who led the delegations to the palace also advocated for peace among the traditional leaders to promote peace and development.

He urged residents to make themselves available to be vaccinated.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Ghana Red Cross Draws 2021/2025 Strategic Plan

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Volta Online

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March 5, 2021

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BY: Akpabli Daniel Yao I Voltaonlinegh.com |

The President for the National Society of the Ghana Red Cross Society, Lawyer Kwame Gyimah-Akwafo, has acknowledged the effects of Covid-19 pandemic situation on their planned activities for 2016/2021 and said, strategies are made ahead of 2021/2025.

He made this observation at a council meeting of Ghana Red Cross Society to draws five-year strategic plan for 2021 to 2025 in Ho, Volta regional capital.

He said, the society has its aim of alleviating human sufferings through their programs and activities specially targeted at the vulnerable within the community

“The council of the Red Cross society is the second highest decision making body of the national society and we are obliged periodically to meet to take stock of all our activities, update the council on the activities done in the past and also seek the mandate of the council to be able to do a lot of the planned activities ahead” he stated

He mentioned that, the past one year has been a very trying moment for the country especially with the Covid-19 pandemic and as a national society, the Red Cross needed to have this council meeting to be able to update and brief the council as to their roles and interventions.

“Targets for 2016/2021 obviously were affected throughout the later part of the year due to Covid situation which we all run into. Naturally we had to change focus a bit and concentrated on what was not actually planned but by and large, yes, we did achieve significantly with the targets that we planned within 2016 up to 2021”

He said, stocks have been taken from the Covid-19 pandemic situation, shortfalls identified and the gaps, especially in the resource mobilization which are the driving factors, have actually been planned afresh for the 2021-2025.

He noted that, the society had a lot of stakeholder engagement including the Ministry of health to be able to make these plans sustainable.

“We are here to plan for 2021 to 2025 and seek the council’s opinion concerning the strategic plans for 2012 to 2025”

According to him, the society is able to take stock and be able to see the demands of community in the years ahead

He said, some key areas which the council is looking at to enable them to draw the five-year development is a National society development which included all aspect of youth development, human resource development, capacity building among others

He further mentioned resource mobilization, risk management and disaster management as other key areas that the council shall be focusing on in the next five years so as to provide the needed support should there be any disaster in the country or any community.

He however thanked all donors for their supports and called on all stakeholders to collaborate with the society to assist them to have the capacity to develop the community.

Abel Augustinio from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Ghana office, noted that, even with the limited resources, the Ghana Red Cross Society is having a very big achievement as it has offices doted in all the regions of the country as well as various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and about 60,000 volunteers who are mobilizing to provide resources for free.

He said having noted such great efforts, we should also acknowledge that, the Ghana Red Cross needs supports, especially, from the citizens of Ghana, Government and other stakeholders.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com