Staff of the Volta Regional branch of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) on March 6, celebrated Ghana’s 68th Independence Day with a cooking competition.
The contest which was between the female staff – the Power Queens and their male counterparts was held at the ECG Regional Office premises in Ho, and brought together ECG staff from various operational districts across the region for a holiday funfair.
According to Mrs. Rose Amegbletor Kove, President of the ECG-Volta Power Queens, the competition was aimed at promoting unity and community awareness among ECG staff. “We chose to host this event today because it’s Ghana’s Independence Day, and we wanted to celebrate our nation’s freedom and unity,” Mrs. Kove said.
The competition featured a variety of traditional Ghanaian dishes, including rice balls, tubani, banku, as well as local drinks.
In the end, the competition proved to be a closely contested affair, with the Power Queens and the Kings ending in a tie, demonstrating the exceptional culinary skills of both teams.
The event ended with a grand feast, where staff members enjoyed the delicious dishes prepared during the competition, amidst merriment and camaraderie.
The General Manager of ECG-Volta, Madam Christina Jatoe-Kaleo, commended the staff for their teamwork and encouraged them to continue discharging their duties to the company. She announced that the event would be an annual affair, and looked forward to next year’s celebration.
President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday, March 6, 2025, visited coastal communities in the Ketu South Municipality, following weeks of devastating tidal waves that have left residents in distress.
The affected communities include Blekusu, Agavedzi, Amutsinu, and Salakope, where the raging sea tides have caused extensive damage to homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
The powerful ocean surges have not only disrupted socioeconomic activities but have also damaged critical sections of the Keta-Aflao road, raising fears among residents of being completely cut off from neighboring communities. The situation has also left many families homeless and desperate for urgent intervention.
During his tour, President Mahama inspected the extent of the destruction caused by the tidal waves and engaged with residents, listening to their harrowing experiences. Many shared stories of losing their homes, businesses, and sense of security due to the relentless waves.
In response to the crisis, the President directed the immediate allocation of funds for the second phase of the Blekusu Sea Defence Project, expected to provide a lasting solution to the devastation. “I will instruct the Finance Minister to ensure that funds are allocated in the 2025 budget for the commencement of phase two of the Blekusu Sea Defence Project,” President Mahama announced.
He however expressed disappointment and concern over the resettlement housing project initiated by the previous administration, describing it as ‘shoddy’
The President’s visit followed an earlier assessment by the Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, who had assured residents of the government’s commitment to addressing their plight.
Demonstrating solidarity, the Minister also spent the night in the affected communities ahead of the President’s visit, underscoring the government’s resolve to stand with the victims during these challenging times.
The Regional minister sleeping in the open
As part of his visit, President Mahama donated food items, essential relief supplies, and cash to support the affected families in rebuilding their lives, with assurances to expedite the necessary measures to mitigate the impact of the tidal waves and ensure the safety and well-being of residents in the affected areas.
Salaria Eyemed & Optical Suppliers, a leading eye care provider, has opened a new branch in Denu, Ketu South Municipality, to provide quality eye care services to the people of the area.
The new branch, which was officially opened on Monday, March 3, 2025, promises to deliver comprehensive eye care services, including comprehensive eye examinations, treatment of eye conditions, dispensing of spectacles and contact lenses, and OCT scan services.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Dr. Abraham Gaitu, CEO of Salaria Eyemed, expressed his gratitude to the people of Denu for welcoming the facility and promised to provide quality services to the community.
Dr. Gaitu also announced that the facility will offer a 3-Day FREE Eye Screening programme from Tuesday, March 4 to Thursday, March 6, 2025, to kick-start its operations in the area.
He further disclosed that the facility will provide free eye consultation for the entire month of March, with the possibility of extending the offer beyond March.
The opening of the new branch was attended by dignitaries, including the Assemblyman for Denu Electoral Area, Hon. Israel Bossman, and other stakeholders in the health sector.
Salaria Eyemed has been in operation since 2018 and has branches in Ho and Accra. The opening of the Denu branch marks the facility’s expansion into the Southern part of the Volta Region.
As part of efforts to improve its revenue collection, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has organized a training programme for its staff in the Volta Region.
The training, which took place at the ECG Regional Office in Ho, was aimed at equipping Priority Clients Management Executives (PCMEs), Debt Management Officers (DMOs), and Revenue Management Officers with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage high-consuming customers and reduce outstanding debts.
The ECG’s Revenue Assurance Information Technology team, which facilitated the training, introduced participants to the company’s live debt dashboard, a tool designed to streamline debt management processes and improve revenue collection.
The Volta Regional General Manager of ECG, Ms. Christina Jatoe-Kaleo, emphasized the importance of effective debt management in ensuring the financial sustainability of the company. She urged the participants to utilize the knowledge and skills acquired during the training to improve their debt recovery efforts and help achieve the company’s revenue targets.
The training forms part of the ECG’s ongoing efforts to improve its operational efficiency and provide better services to its customers.
The Keta-Aflao road is under serious threat of being cut off as coastal erosion continues to wreak havoc on communities in the Ketu South Municipality.
The destruction of sections of the road has raised concerns that the communities may soon be isolated, disrupting economic activities and leaving residents stranded.
The communities of Amutsinu, Salakope, and Agavedzi are the worst affected, with tidal waves destroying homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure. Over 500 residents from 101 households have been affected, with many left without basic necessities.
Critical infrastructure, including school buildings, health facilities, and even the cemetery, have not been spared, highlighting the devastating impact of the erosion on the communities.
Rising sea levels, exacerbated by climate change, have worsened the situation, creating a humanitarian crisis and leaving thousands of residents displaced and vulnerable.
Togbui Adama III, Paramount Chief of Somè Traditional Area, has appealed to the government to extend the sea defense project to the area, stressing that it is the only solution to safeguard lives and properties.
The Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, who visited the affected areas, assured the communities of immediate government action to address the situation. NADMO has also distributed relief items to affected families.
Residents are, therefore, appealing to the authorities to take swift and decisive action to protect their lives, properties, and livelihoods, and to prevent further devastation from the ravaging sea.
The Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Eric Edem Agbana, has launched the Ketu North Scholar Programme, also known as the Edem Agbana Scholarship Scheme, at the Municipal Assembly Hall in Dzodze in Sunday, March 2, 2025.
The initiative, aimed at supporting tertiary students from the constituency, will be partially funded by a personal commitment of 50% of the MP’s monthly salary.
In his address, Mr. Agbana underscored his dedication to education, stating that the scholarship scheme was a reflection of his broader mission in politics. “It is not politics for me; it is a ministry to impact lives,” he noted.
The scholarship’s inaugural cohort includes 302 students, with 22 persons with disabilities and 25 women in STEM receiving full funding.
Three students will also receive laptops, while others will benefit from 60% to 80% coverage of tuition, textbooks, and academic expenses.
Mr. Agbana expressed gratitude to donors, including Abraham Eghan and Ebo Quist, for their support, noting that continued contributions would help expand the programme.
The Council of State Member, representing the Volta Region, H.E. Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, donated 100,000 Cedis to the education fund during the launch.
The MP encouraged beneficiaries to seize the opportunity and excel, with plans to prioritize STEM, professional, and vocational training in the programme’s next phase.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has warned Members of Parliament (MPs) to conduct themselves with integrity and dignity.
Speaking at the opening of a 3-day orientation programme for MPs at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho on Saturday, the Speaker emphasized that misbehaviour would not be tolerated.
He expressed disappointment over the recent display of ‘theatrics’ on the floor of Parliament, stating that such behaviour should be occasional, not routine.
The programme, which is under the auspices of the Parliamentary Training Institute, aims to equip MPs with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively perform their duties.
The Speaker urged the MPs to study the 1992 Constitution, its antecedents and the debates of the 1992 Consultative Assembly. He also encouraged them to familiarize themselves with the Parliamentary Service Act, code of conduct and previous standing orders.
Addressing the new MPs, the Speaker advised them to guard against bad influence and not to be enslaved by political differences and past history.
He also cautioned them against relying on the executive for support, assuring them that he would work to make their work more attractive than that of a Minister of State.
Meanwhile, in the exception of the Second Deputy Speaker, Hon. Andrews Amoako Asiamah, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) minority MPs boycotted the programme, citing concerns over the venue selection and associated costs.
The Speaker described their reason for opting out as “completely unacceptable.”
The orientation programme is expected to end on Monday, March 3, 2025.
A total of 4,120 fresh students, comprising 2,470 males and 1,650 females, were matriculated at the Ho Technical University (HTU) on Friday, February 28.
The students, who took the matriculation oath at the university’s 32nd matriculation ceremony held in three sessions, will pursue various certificates, diploma, HND, Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes, including the newly introduced BA Communication and Applied Media Technology.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of HTU, Prof. Ben Q. Honyenuga, urged the freshers to uphold the values of discipline, responsibility and law-abiding citizenship.”You are expected to maintain good relationships with your colleagues and lecturers, and to refrain from any form of indiscipline or misconduct,” he cautioned.
Prof. Honyenuga also reminded the students that their time at HTU was not only for academic learning but also for character development.
The ceremony was attended by senior university officials, including the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Deans of Faculties, and Heads of Departments.
With the admission of the new students, the total student population of HTU has risen to almost 10,000.
Illegal mining activities popularly known as ‘galamsey’ have significantly reduced on the Pra River since President Mahama took office on January 7, 2025.
The fear of a government crackdown has forced many miners to abandon their operations, leaving behind deserted mining sites and heavy machinery. A visit by some media personnel from Takoradi on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, to illegal mining areas in Twifo Praso revealed that most illegal miners had removed their excavators, large generators, and other mining equipment from their sites.
The reason, as discovered by the newsmen, is the uncertainty surrounding their operations under the new government. Many miners fear that the administration may relaunch Operation Vanguard, a joint military-police task force set up to combat illegal mining in Ghana.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Richmond Homatu, a security guard at one of the mining sites in Twifo Praso, Central Region, stated that most of the site owners had become skeptical about continuing their operations due to the change in government. “We have to be careful because the government can send soldiers to arrest us, and this fear is discouraging people from investing in galamsey,” he said.
According to him, the uncertainty about the government’s stance on illegal mining has led many miners to withdraw their operations until there is clarity. However, he revealed that some miners are still operating because their illegal concessions are owned by Chinese nationals and their well-connected Ghanaian counterparts. These individuals allegedly receive advance warnings about security raids, allowing them to evade arrest.
“Some of our bosses are well-connected, and they get information about raids before they happen. So, we leave the sites before the security personnel arrive,” Mr. Homatu added.
While illegal mining activities on the Pra River have slowed down, residents continue to suffer from the devastating environmental impact caused by years of uncontrolled mining. The once pristine Pra River, which was a primary source of drinking water and domestic use, has now turned muddy and polluted, making it unsuitable for consumption.
Mr. Hussieni Adams, a local resident who guided the journalists to the galamsey sites in Twifo Praso, lamented the destruction caused by illegal miners. “In the past, we used the water from the Pra for all our domestic needs, but now it is completely unusable. This river was once very clean; we even drank from it. Now, it’s muddy, and we can’t even wash our clothes with it,” he said.
The community members are calling on the government to take urgent steps to restore the river, as the pollution has affected their health, agriculture, and fishing activities.
Further checks by the media team confirmed that despite the decline in illegal mining activities on the Pra River, the water remains highly polluted. Residents attribute this to ongoing galamsey operations on rivers such as the Offin and Tano, which are tributaries of the Pra.
Some of the residents warned that unless illegal mining is stopped completely across the country, the pollution of water bodies will persist, posing a serious threat to public health and livelihoods.
Many residents are now looking to the government for decisive action to reclaim the country’s water bodies, enforce mining regulations, and provide sustainable job opportunities for youth engaged in illegal mining.
Source: Dawda Mohammed Kakale-Journalist, Takoradi
Dr. Senanu Kwesi Djokoto has been appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Operations at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), VoltaOnline has gathered.
Dr. Djokoto, who is currently the Deputy Director of Health in charge of Public Health at the Volta Regional Health Directorate, is expected to transition into his new role in the coming weeks.
A medical practitioner and public health specialist, Dr. Djokoto has worked with the Ghana Health Service for several years, serving as District Director of Health for Nkwanta North and Ho Municipal.
As a member of the NDC, He was a one-time Constituency Chairman for Keta, a two-time parliamentary aspirant, and aide to the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Dr. Djokoto’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the NHIA’s leadership and revamp the country’s premier public health insurance scheme.
