Nat’l Security Will Deal with Media Houses Propagating ‘Western Togoland’ Agenda – Dr. Letsa

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January 8, 2020

BY: Lambert Atsivor | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Volta Regional minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa has served notice to media houses propagating the agenda of the Western Togoland secessionist movements in the region that, they would not be spared by the state security apparatus.

He said national security was on high alert against the activities of the Homeland Study Group Foundation led by the 85-year old, Charles Komi Kudzordzi alias Papavi Hogbedetor, and as such would not hesitate to crack the whip on any media house found to be promoting an agenda which threatens the safety and security of the country.

Dr. Letsa who is also the chairman of the Regional Security Council (RegSec) gave the caution at a Press Soiree in Ho on Tuesday, where he reprimanded Radio Tongu, a community radio station at Sogakope in the South Tongu District for being a ‘threat to national security.’

According to the Minister, “The Western Togoland issue has been a major security matter for us in the region in 2019 and we have had complaints about some radio stations giving these people platforms to promote their evil agenda against the country.

… But I want to sound a word of caution to the owners and the presenters there, that they will be held liable when national security is taking action against the group.”

He therefore entreated the media to be extremely circumspect in its coverage of the secessionist group as steps are taking to deal ruthlessly with their treasonable conduct.

Background

The Homeland Study Group Foundation in November 2019 declared the Volta region and parts of the Northern, North East and Upper East regions along the eastern border of Ghana into an independent Western Togoland state.

Dozens of supporters of the group have since been arrested and put before court for various charges including. treason felony. While, their octogenarian founder and leader, Papavi Hogbedetor who made the declaration at the public event in Ho has also been declared wanted by the Police.

A recent joint security operation led by the 66 Artillery Regiment in the Hohoe municipality led to the arrest of a lot more members of group, some of who were seen in viral photos claiming to be a militia wing of their supposed Western Togoland nation.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

GHS To Vaccinate Over 140K Children Against Polio In Oti Region

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Volta Online

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January 7, 2020

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BY: Lambert Atsivor | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is set to commence a special Polio Vaccination exercise in the Oti region from Wednesday, 8^th to Saturday, 11^th January 2020.

The exercise, which is in partnership with the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF would cover over 140,000 children under the age five across all eight districts of the new region.

Speaking at a media briefing in Ho on Monday, Dr. Yaw Ofori Yeboah, Deputy Regional Director of Health for Volta/Oti, said the vaccination campaign was triggered by recent suspected cases recorded in parts of the country, including the Nkwanta North district in November, 2019.

He indicated that, a team of experts upon a thorough assessment of the case recommended the special polio vaccination exercise in order to avoid a possible polio outbreak in the area.

As result, an initial vaccination exercise was carried out in the Nkwanta North and South districts between December 18 and 21, 2019, Dr. Yeboah stated, and added that the campaign was being extended to cover the entire region so as to ensure there was no relapse in the country’s polio eradication gains.

Coverage Area for the Polio vaccination Programme

Mr. Anthony Pani, the Regional Coordinator for Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI), said personnel for the campaign have been trained and adequate vaccines and logistics have also been made available to ensure a successful exercise.

He added that, a Regional Emergency Operational Centre would also be set up at Jasikan to monitor and coordinator the exercise to achieve the desired result.

Regional Health Promotion Officer, Patricia Mawufemor Baku said social mobilisation activities including public education have been intensified in the various communities to ensure parents avail their wards for the exercise.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

#DLEs2019: Fewer Women, PWDs Contest Local Gov’t Elections In Volta

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Volta Online

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December 17, 2019

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BY: Lambert Coffie | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Voting in the 2019 District level Elections (DLEs) is underway across all 18 municipalities and districts of the Volta region with a total of 1,482 and 2,998 candidates contesting the assembly membership and Unit committees’ elections respectively.

The process which runs from 7:00am to 5:00pm would see the election of one assembly member and five Unit committee members for each of the electoral areas in the various districts in the region.

According to statistics from the Regional Directorate of the Electoral Commission, only 88 women are in the assembly contests while that of the Unit committees had just 332 female aspirants.

Similarly, 18 Persons with Disability are in the in the assembly contests as against the 15 in the unit committee elections.

Out of the 18 the MMDAs in the region, the Ho West district has the highest of 10 female assembly aspirants with South Dayi having as much as 38 female candidates in the Unit committees’ elections.

However, the Ketu South municipality has the highest number of candidates for both the Assembly and Unit Committee elections, with 159 and 358 candidates respectively.

Monitoring

Meanwhile, a tour of some polling centres in the Ho municipality by Volta Online revealed voting has been smooth so far but with low enthusiasm on the part of electorates.

For instance, at the STC Terminal voting centre in the Toviadzi Electoral Area, where there are three polling stations, only 181 persons out of a total of 2,235 registered voters have voted as of 10:30am.

The situation was not different at the ‘Ho Bankoe L/A JSS’ polling stations ‘A’ and ‘B’, as only 52 out of a total of 1,141 voters cast their ballots by 10:45am.

Similarly, 17 out of 656 persons voted at the Ho Bankoe E.P Primary School, while 19 out of 333 voters also cast their votes at the Ho High Court polling station as of 11:00am.

Voting however at the ‘Ho Poly Primary’ polling centre at the Ho Technical University campus delayed for a while due to the siting of the voting centre at a different location rather than the usual place. The process later begun at about 8:30am after the relocation.

Throughout the tour, Volta Online noticed the presence of security personnel and agents of candidates at the various voting centres visited.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

House of Chiefs Condemns Volta Separatists; Reaffirms Allegiance To Ghana

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Volta Online

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December 9, 2019

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By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Volta Region House of Chiefs has distanced itself from activities of the Homeland Study Group Foundation, the separatist group which recently declared parts of the region and territories stretching to Northern Ghana as an independence Western Togoland state.

In a statement issued by the house at the end of its last sitting for 2019 in Ho, members of the House unanimously reaffirmed their allegiance to the sovereign state of Ghana.

Excerpts of the statement signed by President of the house, Nana Soglo Alloh IV read, “The membership of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs has received news of the declaration of independence of a Western Togoland that is alleged to include parts of the Volta and the Oti regions and some part of the Northern Region”.

“The Volta Regional House of Chiefs wishes to make it categorically clear that the Volta and the Oti regions and their chiefs and people remain a part of the sovereign state of Ghana, and, as such, continue to be and remain Ghanaians, and will continue to owe their allegiance to the sovereign state of Ghana.”

According to a Graphic Online report, the chiefs held that the group had no basis at all to declare independence, as some of the areas, such as the southern part of the Volta and the Oti regions like Peki and Tongu areas were not even part of the Western Togoland.

The statement further questioned the locus of the group as they could not hold themselves to be the mouthpiece of communities that fell under the said Western Togoland, since they had not expressed any desire to be independent.

Background

The Homeland Study Group Foundation led by its octogenarian founder, Charles Komi Kudzordzi alias Papavi Hogbedetor on Saturday November 16, 2019, declared their independence from Ghana at a public gathering in Ho.

Consequently, seven of the group members have been arrested by the police and charged with treason felony, while their leader is still at large.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Suspect Remanded For Transporting ‘Wee’ In Gas Cylinder

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Volta Online

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December 7, 2019

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BY: Lambert Coffie | Voltaonlinegh.com|

The Ho circuit court has on Wednesday remanded into prison custody, a 26 year old music producer for transporting alleged narcotic substances.

Ola Adanekan Kabiru, who was arrested at Aflao in the Ketu South municipality with a 28kg gas cylinder stuffed with dried leaves suspected to be India hemp or ‘Wee’; is expected back in court on December 19, 2019.

A release from the Public Affairs Unit of the Volta Regional Police Command and copied Voltaonlinegh.com, said the suspect was apprehended by the Aflao district police with support from the Revenue Taskforce of Ketu South Municipal Assembly.

The suspect’s modus operandi, the release stated, was to ‘cut open the base of the 28kg gas cylinder, stock it with the suspected dried leaves, seal the cylinder and finally spray the surface to avoid detection.’

The suspected dried leaves stocked in a Gas cylinder

Police investigations also revealed the suspect had succeeded in transporting a similar consignment to Nigeria in October 2019.

While the suspect is being taken through the judicial process, the Police cautioned others who may be engaged in such illegal enterprises to desist henceforth as they would be fished out and prosecuted.

The statement concluded by entreating the citizenry to collaborate with the police to ensure an incident free yuletide.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

HTU Graduates Over 1000 Students At 20th Congregation

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Volta Online

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December 7, 2019

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By: Lambert Coffie | Voltaonlinegh.com|

The Ho Technical University (HTU) has held its 20th congregation on Saturday, where some 1126 students graduated.

The graduands comprises 56 Bachelor of Technology (B-tech) and 1063 Higher National Diploma (HND) students, who successfully completed their programmes study in the 2018/19 academic year.

Of the total number, 109 of them obtained First class, a little over 400 obtained Second class Upper and the rest settling for Lower and Pass.

Ms. Florence Kwadade is Overall Best Graduating Student

Ms. Florence Kwadade, a graduand in HND Purchasing and Supply was adjudged the Overall Best Graduating Student with a CGPA of 4.77.

This congregation was a shift from the status quo, as it was the first time students were graduating in the same year of successfully completing their programmes of study. A feat, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ben Q. Honyenuga said would be sustained as he commended faculty and staff for their contributions to the paradigm shift.

The Vice Chancellor in his address said HTU was making tremendous progress in pursuit of its mandate to train highly competent human resource through career focused education, skills training and research, in partnership with stakeholders.

He said the university was undergoing reforms to position it as global player in teaching, research and extension services.

‘Our current focus to make HTU a global player resulted in training and exchange programmes for Faculty, staff and students in partner universities and industries worldwide.’

Additionally, the university has embarked on other programmes aimed at improving teaching, learning, research and innovation at HTU, Prof. Honyenuga stated.

He commanded the graduands for their sacrifices during their period of study and urged them to justify their skills and knowledge in the world of work, while being worthy ambassadors of the university.

Prof. James Flolu, HTU Council chairman on his part assured that the university would continue to work with all stakeholders to deepen its reputation as the reference point of Technical Education in Ghana and beyond.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

2018 Best Cocoa Farmer, Charles Gyamfi Is National Best Farmer for 2019

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Volta Online

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December 6, 2019

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Best Farmer (1) — Mr. Gyemfi walking majestically to receive his award. (C) Skef Photos

BY: Lambert Coffie | Voltaonlinegh.com|

A 58-year old farmer, Mr. Charles Gyemfi was on Friday adjudged the 2019 National Best Farmer at the 35^th edition of the annual Farmers Day celebration held at the jubilee Park in Ho.

Mr. Gyemfi, who hails from the Tano North district of the Ahafo region, has been farming for the past 25 years, producing hundreds of acres of food crops and cash crops as well as poultry and livestock, among others.

The father of five who was the 2018 National Best Cocoa farmer, took home a cheque of GHc536,000 sponsored by the Agricultural Development Bank, a GHc500,000 worth of insurance cover from Glico Insurance, and other packages from sponsors.

President Akufo-Addo presented the prizes to the winner and decorated him with the coveted 2019 National Best Farmer sash.

President Akufo-Addo congratulating the Mr. Gyemfi. *(C) Skefs Photos*

Key Highlights

- Gyamfi was the National Best Cocoa Farmer in 2018.
- He is a Secondary School graduate and has been farming for 25 years.
- He employs over 150 workers on his farms.
- He is very diversified, and involved in value addition to some of the produce.
- He has 500 acres of cocoa, 75 acres of cashew and 20 acres of teak.
- He also has 10 acres of cassava, 4 acres of yam, 20 acres of cocoyam, 60 acres of maize, 16.5 acres of garden eggs, 10 acres of oil palm, 30 acres of plantain, and 25 acres of citrus
- Gyamfi has 75 cattle, 28 goats, 2,000 layers, 5 beehives, 3 fishponds and 1,000 snails.
- He takes over from James Obeng Boateng who won the 2018 edition.

Other Winners

The first and second runners up for the 2019 national award were, Nana Yaw Sarpong Serebour, from the Ashanti Region and Abdulai Atiku Seidu from the Upper West Region, respectively.

They both took home various prize packages including insurance cover from Glico worth Ghc300,000 and Ghc200,000 respectively.

The National Best Female Farmer award went to Philomena Tenge from the Eastern Region, while Ayuba Jibrila from the Ashanti Region walked away as the National Best Youth farmer.

Winners of the Regional categories in all 16 regions were also awarded at the ceremony by their respectively Regional Ministers.

The ceremony which was chaired by the Awoamefia of Anlo, Torgbui Sri III has in attendance several dignitaries, including traditional and religious leaders, government functionaries such as all 16 Regional ministers.

Source: www.Voltaonlinegh.com

[LIVE] 35th National Farmers Day Durbar Underway in Ho

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Volta Online

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December 6, 2019

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National farmers day pic (1) — President Akufo-Addo and other dignitaries at the ceremony. (C) JMA Photos

BY: Lambert Coffie & Rita Nedjoh | Voltaonlinegh.com |

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo together some top government functionaries, have joined hundreds of farmers and other stakeholders from across the country for the 35 National Farmers Day celebration underway at the Jubilee Park in Ho, the Volta Regional capital.

The ceremony which is on the theme: ‘ Enhancing Small Scale agriculture towards Agribusiness Development,’ is under the chairmanship by the Awoamefia of Anlo, Torgbui Sri III.

Other dignitaries gracing the event, include the Minister for Food and Agriculture Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, Volta Regional Minister Archibald Yao Letsa, and Ministers and their deputies from the remaining 15 regions.

Dozens of farmers and fisherfolks from all 16 regions of the country would be honoured at the event, for their outstanding contributions to Ghana’s Agriculture sector.

Follow the Live Update Below

Awards

– The 2019 National Best Farmer is Charles Gyamfi, 58-year-old secondary School graduate, from Tano North District in the Ahafo Region.

Charles Gyamfi, is 2019 National Best Farmer

-1st Runner-Up is Nana Yaw Sarpong Siribuor from the Ashanti Region

-2nd Runner-Up is Abdulai Atiku Seidu from the Upper West Region

Speeches

-President Akufo-Addo said the government was on course to revolutionalize the Agric sector as a move to cut down on the country’s huge food import bill. This, he said is being done through targeted interventions such as the distributing 15 million certified quality seedlings of selected crops to 76,00 farmers across the country.

In addition, he said, the government has imported hundreds of mechanization equipment to modernize agriculture production and move it from a subsistence to commercial venture. Multipurpose grain mills are also being imported from China to help address the challenges of rice milling.

He however charged Ghanaians to eat what we grow to motivate our farmers and boast the economy.

– Minister for Food and Agric, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto touted the success of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme, which said has resulted in increased yields.

That notwithstanding, he said the government would continue to invest in the Agric sector to make the country food sufficient.

-Fisheries Minister, Afoley Quaye said the ministry was rolling out the first ever Biometric Canoe identification system to track fishing activities on the country’s waters.

-President of the Best National Farmers & Fishermen Association lauded the government for the numerous interventions in the agriculture sector. He however called for reinstatement of the Regional celebrations of the awards to inspire small holder farmers

-Volta Regional minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa in his welcome address said the region was pleased to host the rest of the country and highlighted some the agriculture and tourism potentials.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Volta NDC Salutes Farmers; Charges Them To Demand Accountability From Gov’t

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Volta Online

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December 6, 2019

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By: Faisel Abdul-Iddrisu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Volta Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has charged farmers nationwide to demand accountability and good governance from government as they prepare to celebrate the 35th National Farmers’ Day on Friday.

The party in a good will message to the country’s farmers said, “even as we congratulate our farmers and fishers, we urge them to use the 35th edition of the National Farmers Day celebrations to demand accountability and good governance from the President Nana Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-led NPP government.”

The statement signed by the Regional Secretary, Mr. James Gunu added that, the NPP government in the last three years has failed to support the farmers across the country.

“For the past three years, farmers and fishers have consistently sacrificed by working harder to feed the nation and ensure food security amidst high cost of farm implements, high cost of fuel, communication, electricity and water bills.

The cedi to the dollar and other major foreign currencies have taken to flight, making life extremely difficult for our hardworking farmers and fishers to repay their bank loans let alone enjoy the fruits of the labour.”

The statement continued to say that living standards of farmers have worsened due to government’s failure to redeem promises such as the 1V1D policy and poor showing in the road sector.

The party however urged the farmers to draw inspiration from the anniversary in order to expand their production and strive to contribute more to the development of the nation.

This year’s National Farmers Day celebration is being hosted in the Volta Regional capital, Ho; where vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia opened a weeklong Agricultural Fair on Monday as a prelude to the main event on Friday at the Jubilee Park.

The event on the theme “Enhancing Small Scale Agriculture Towards Agribusiness Development,” has President Nana Akufo-Addo in attendance.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Police Arrest 21 ‘Western Togolanders’ For Unlawful Gathering

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Volta Online

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December 4, 2019

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By: Lambert Coffie | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Volta Regional Police command on Wednesday morning rounded up some supporters of the separatist movement, the Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF) for ‘unlawful assembly.’

The suspects numbering 21 were arrested at the premises of Global FM in Ho, where they allegedly converged to embark on a demonstration against the arrest of some of their leaders, who declared independence from Ghana last month.

–Gov’t To Sanction Volta Separatists Over ‘Illegal’ Western Togoland Declaration

–Ten ‘Western Togolanders’ Arrested; Leader On The Run

According to a release signed by the Public Relations officer of the Regional Police Command, Corporal Prince Dogbatse, the suspects which includes a woman and were aged between 26 and 70 years, had come from various locations within and outside the region such as Anlo Afiadenyigba, Volo, Dambai, Accra and Obuasi.

The rest were Hohoe, Mafi Adidome, Abotoase, Adaklu, Ehi, Botoku, , Liati, Aborlorve, Saviefe, Dededo, Weta, Adutor, Fodzoku, Battor, Hohoe and Atiavi.

“The arrest follows intelligence that member of HSGF were charged to demonstrate against the judicial process involving the trial of their seven members for treason felony,” the statement added and further cautioned the group that their “continuous agitation was unlawful and a recipe for a breach of the peace in the country.”

Source: www.Voltaonlinegh.com