Some 250 young footballers in the Volta region yesterday participated in a justifier at the Ho sports stadium to be considered for the yet-to-be constituted national Under-15 team.
The lads, age between 12 and 15 years justified their inclusion in the presence of a Technical team led by Samuel Anim Addo, Head of the Under 15 Management committee of the Ghana Football Association.
At the end of the exercise, some 16 lucky players were selected to join their colleagues from other parts of the country for a final screening session at the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence at Prampam, for a possible selection into the final squad for the National U15 team.
Similar exercise has already been held across Western/Central Regions, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Upper West & East Regions and Greater Accra.
Work resumes on Hohoe-Jasikan-Jasikan section of Eastern corridor road
By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |
Work has resumed on the 88-kilometre Hohoe-Jasikan to Dodo Pepesu stretch of the eastern corridor road, almost three years after it was halted for a government audit.
The project, which was being executed by Israeli construction firm, Messrs Rollider Ltd under the Cocoa roads programme before the change in government in January 2017, has now been re-awarded to a Chinese firm, Synohydro Corporation Ltd.
Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Tuesday cut sod for the commencement of work, which forms part of the Phase 1 of the $2billion Government of Ghana/Sinohydro Master Project Agreement.
The Synohydro facility, according to government was a barter arrangement in which the Chinese company will finance various infrastructure projects in Ghana worth two billion dollars, in exchange for the country’s bauxite deposits.
Speaking at the sod cutting ceremony at Jasikan in the Oti region, Dr. Bawumia said the road which has a long and painful history of neglect under the previous government, has now been prioritized by the government for urgent attention.
He noted that of all the critical roads listed in the 2020 budget, Hohoe-Jasikan and Jasikan-Dodo Pepesu are the only roads to commence, and assured residents of government’s resolve to ensure the project is completed on schedule.
Dr. Bawumia doing the sod cutting
“Indeed, contractors for these projects mobilized to site two weeks before Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta presented the 2020 Budget statement in Parliament. Under the Critical Roads Programme for Highway construction, Oti Region will have the Dambai Towns Roads, Nkonya-Wurapong-Kwamikrom Road and the Jasikan-Worawora Road.”
The Eastern Corridor Roads project, allotted as N2 of the National Road Network, begins from the Tema Motorway through to the Volta, Oti, Northern, North East and Upper East regions to neighbouring Burkina Faso.
According to the Vice President, sods will be cut for the Cape Coast inner city roads and Nyinahini area roads this week under the Infrastructure for Bauxite facility. The rest of other approved lots are expected to be undertaken soon.
“The commitment of government to the development of the Trunk Road Network is evidenced by the many Road and Bridge Development Projects as well as the numerous road maintenance projects that are on-going all over the country and to continue in the year of Roads in 2020.
“Government is on course to fix all critical road projects in a holistic approach so that every part of the country has durable roads” he stated.
The Minister for Roads and Highways, Mr. Kwesi Amoako-Atta on his part assured the people of Oti region of the Akufo-Addo government’s commitment to make a significant dent in the road infrastructure deficit, with their region featuring prominently.
Mr. Amoako-Atta also assured the youth in particular, of government’s resolve to ensure that the local content clauses in the agreement with Sinohydro are strictly adhered to in order to create jobs and incomes for indigenes. According to him, the project will provide many jobs to contractors, artisans, cooks, and others with varied professional skills.
On behalf of the Oti region, Nana Aburam Akpandza V, Paramount Chief of Buem and Preisdent of Buem Traditional Council, who chaired the sod cutting ceremony, expressed satisfaction at the show of concern by government towards the development of their roads.
Present at the sod-cutting ceremony were Hon. Kwesi Owusu Yeboah (Oti Regional Minister), Mr. Zhang Nianmu (President of Powerchina West Africa and Central Africa of which Sinohydro is a subsidiary), representatives of Embassy of China, Hon. Michael Yao Gyato (MP for Krachi East and Deputy Minister for Sanitation), and dozens of chiefs from the Oti region.
Some members of the separatist movement, the Homeland Study Group Foundation have reportedly been picked by state security operatives in the Volta region, in connection with their declaration of parts of Ghana as an independent Western Togoland state last weekend.
Voltaononlinegh.com gathered about 10 of the group’s supporters were arrested at various locations during a special security operation undertaken by the Volta Regional Security Council (RESEC).
The octogenarian founder and leader of the group, Charles Kudzordzi is however said to be on the run.
The Volta Regional Minister and chairman of RESEC, Dr. Archibald Letsa who confirmed the arrest to the media on Tuesday, said steps were being taken to apprehend all persons involved in the illegal declaration, which took place last Saturday in Ho.
The Homeland Study Group Foundation has since 2017 intensified its campaign to secede the Volta region and parts of the then Northern and Upper East regions along the eastern border of Ghana into an independent state.
Leaders of the group including the founder were arrested and charged with treason felony on at least two occasions, with the recent being in May 2019.
After being in custody for a little over a month, the Attorney General dropped the charges against Mr. Kudzodzi and eight others leading to their release in July.
The Government has served notice that it will go after members of the separatist movement, the Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF) who announced their secession from Ghana.
The group led by its octogenarian founder, Charles Komi Kudzordzi last Saturday declared the Volta region and parts of the Northern, North East and Upper East regions along the eastern border of Ghana, an independent Western Togoland state.
Mr. Charles Komi Kudzordzi announcing Western Togoland State independence
However, Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah in a statement issued on Monday, November 18, 2019 described the group’s conduct as ‘illegal’ and indicated that, ‘the state security agencies are taking the necessary measures to ensure that persons involved in the illegal act are dealt with in accordance with the law.’
Read the Government’s Statement Below
According to the statement, Ghana remains a sovereign state which has not ceded any part of its territory to any person or group of persons and thus entreated the public to disregard any such declaration from the Homeland study group foundation.
The government therefore encourage all persons to go about their normal activities as the security agencies remain in charge of the country’s territory.
The convenor of the Sureword Global Outreach, Rev. David Asamoah has tasked the Ghanaian youth to become agents of change in their communities, so as to make positive impacts on the lives of others.
He said, the youth must start involving themselves in leadership positions in order for them to help solve challenges in their various communities.
Rev. Asamoah who was speaking at a leadership conference at Adidome in the Central Tongu district said, it was high time some youth stop relying on politicians and start doing something for themselves so as to become the change agents their communities desired.
“Politicians cannot do everything for you, you have to take charge of your lives, engage yourself with profitable ventures and try to impact your communities,” he stressed.
Adding that, ” If you want to make a change, you must identify problems and provide solutions to them, you all came from various places that have problems, identify them and solve them, that is the only way you can make it big in life.”
Madam Felicia Edem Attipoe
Also addressing the conference, was Madam Felicia Edem Attipoe, Ghana’s first female Aircraft Marshall, who entreated young women to venture into professions that are noted to be the preserve of men.
She said, women were not created to be weak or inferior so must make sure, they don’t get intimidated by their male counterparts.
“All the women sitting here must know that, you are strong and you can also make it in life. Do not allow anyone to discourage you, take up political leadership positions and make an impact,” she noted.
The programme dubbed ‘Higher Level Leadership Conference for the people of Central Tongu’, was a collaboration between Sureword Global Outreach and Dela Radio, a local FM station.
It was aimed at encouraging young people to actively participate in the development of their communities.
Other speakers at the event include, Dr. Akofa Segebfia, a social development Activist, Rev Victor Sedo, an Educationist, Etse Agbemabiase a TV host and Patrick Agbolosu a Community Leader.
The event was attended by traditional leaders, heads of Departments, corporate organizations and the youth from all walks of life.
Sureword Global Outreach is a Christian organization with the objective of grooming young people in both Ghana and UK for leadership.
Mr. Charles Komi Kudzordzi announcing Western Togoland State independence
By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |
The Homeland Study Group Foundation, (HSGF), a separatist movement campaigning for the secession of the Volta region into an independent Western Togoland State has declared their independence out of Ghana, Voltaonlinegh.comcan report.
The octogenarian founder and leader, Mr. Charles Komi Kudzordzi alias Papavi Hogbedetor made the declaration at a public gathering in Ho on Saturday November 16, 2019.
The event which was monitored by Voltaonlinegh.com via a Facebook live stream by one John Frank , took place at the former premises of Unity Rural Bank, few metres away from the Ho Police Training school.
Papavi Hogbedetor, the 85 year old separatist leader, speaking in the native Ewe language recounted their struggle to restore the pre-independence Western Togoland territory, a German protectorate which was joined to the then Gold Coast to form the new independent country ,Ghana on March 6, 1957 under circumstances the group believed were illegal.
Setting the grounds for the declaration Saturday afternoon, he said ” We’ve all witnessed what happen recently when we (Volta region) were forgotten by the government in its budget. Can a parent forget about their children? We’re not their children, so they have forgotten about us.”
He then went ahead to declared that ” from midnight today November 16 2019 entering tomorrow, We’re now Western Togoland state.”
The announcement sent his supporters into spontaneous wild jubilation, as some waved the supposed flag of the Western Togoland.
Moments after the declaration however, the old man was whisked away from the scene by his loyalists in a waiting car.
Mr. Kudzordzi being rushed into a waiting car.
Below is the Video of the declaration
Background
The Homeland Study Group Foundation has since 2017 intensified its campaign to secede the Volta region and parts of the then Northern and Upper East regions along the eastern border of Ghana into an independent state.
Leaders of the group including the founder were arrested and charged with treason felony on at least two occasions, with the recent being in May 2019.
After being in custody for a little over a month, the Attorney General dropped the charges against Mr. Kudzodzi and eight others leading to their release in July.
The Weta Traditional Area Council in the Ketu North Municipality has declared that the traditional area has only one legitimate Paramount Chief, as enstooled in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Anlo State.
At a press conference held on Saturday, the Council noted that the disclaimer has become necessary, following a series of activities by some individuals to undermine the legitimacy of the current Paramount Chief, Torgbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI, who ascended the stool as Fiaga and President of the Traditional Area in December, 2017 after a rigorous vetting and selection process.
“Torgbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI, who we all know and pay allegiance to, is a direct descendant of Aklagba, who settled at Klikor. This lineage of Torgbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI, is known to all family members and upright citizens of Weta, until recently, after his installation and outdooring when some unfaithful and disgruntled persons from the Ashiakpor royal family in bad faith, instituted a series of legal suit; after fully and dutifully participating in the processes leading up to his selection and installation”, the council noted.
Speaking on behalf of the council on Saturday at Weta, Torgbui Adukpo IV, Dufia of Ehi said the Council recognises no other person as the Paramount Chief of the Weta Traditional Area than Torgbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI.
He cautioned residents to avoid being misled by such characters who are bent on destabilizing the unity and progress of the area.
According to the Traditional Area Council, events after the outdooring of Torgbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI, has created a state of despondency among the chiefs and the good people of Weta, a situation that is hampering the development and progress of the area.
The Council thus cautioned that, anyone other than Torgbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI, who carries himself as the paramount chief of the area, is doing so to undermine the peace and development of the area.
It urged sons and daughters of the Traditional Area not to allow themselves to be misled by such characters seeking to elevate themselves at the expense of the unity and progress of the area.
Until the installation and outdooring of Torgbuiga Akpo Ashiakpor VI on December, 23 2017 the Weta Traditional Area was without a substantive head and was being administered by a regent for well over a decade.
Torgbuiga’s two years reign has however been fraught with litigation by persons the Council described as ‘misleading characters’ seeking to hinder the progress of the Traditional Area.
The quest for quality education for school children at Krontang, a farming community in the Nkwanta South municipality of the Oti region has been constrained by the lack of adequate and decent infrastructure at the only public basic school in the area.
The already bad situation at the Krontang M/A Basic School, was worsen by a heavy rainstorm which ripped off parts of the classroom block, hence leaving both teachers and pupils at the mercy of the weather during lesson periods.
A visit to the school by this reporter, revealed that teaching and learning activities have been gravely hampered as the authorities had no option than to keep the primary four class in ripped off classroom, while the rest of the upper primary and the Junior High School classes are housed in a makeshift structure put up by the community.
Headmaster of the school, Mr. Martin Nyarko in an interview with voltaonlinegh.com lamented that the situation which has persisted for past two years, was having a big toll on academic activities in the school, adding that, the lack of infrastructure and other educational materials could worsen the already poor academic performance of the school.
The Assembly member for the area, Mr. Bartholomew Alagbe and the school P.T.A. chairman, Bartholomew Amenyo, who both expressed displeasure at the situation called for an urgent government intervention to get the school back in shape for effective academic work.
Nana Affram Kwakru II, chief of Krontang, on his part appealed to relevant stakeholders including benevolent individuals and organizations to come to the aid of the community by providing school infrastructure and facilities conducive for the effective teaching and learning.
He also appealed for a computer laboratory, teachers’ quarters and library for the school.
Enam, the Volta region’s representative in the 2019 Ghana Most Beautiful pageant on TV3 has missed out on the crown at the grand finale of the show Sunday night.
She placed second (1st Runner up) to Central region’s Akua, who won the coveted crown as GMB2019 queen after 12 weeks of intense competition among contestants from the all 16 regions of Ghana.
Three other finalists, Serwaa from Ashanti region, Saah, Western North and Ayisha from Upper East were adjudged third (2nd Runner up), fourth and fifth respectively.
Prior to the crowning moment at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre, all five finalists on the night went head-to-head to outdo one another in the various contests including a debate on whether Africa should be compensated for the Slave Trade.
Akua is 2019 Ghana’s Most Beautiful Queen
The ladies ahead of the grand finale justified their inclusion at every stage of the competition through weekly performances while projecting the culture and traditions of their respective regions.
For her prize package, Ekua gets a brand new car, a cash prize of GHc10,000, a round trip to Dubai courtesy Camel Antiseptic’s ‘Buy and Fly and one year supply of GTP fabric among other souvenirs from sponsors.
While Enam, born Anita Mawuena Bossoh, goes home with a cash prize of GHc8,000, a round trip to Dubai and six-months supply of GTP fabric.
ALl five finalists at the 2019 Hogbetsotso
Meanwhile, the outcome of the GMB grand finale has stirred up controversy on social media as some patrons believe the Volta region representative was robbed of the coveted crown.
The unhappy netizens could not fathom how Enam would lose out on the crown despite her consistent sterling performances and the massive public votes she garnered, as they questioned the credibility of the judges especially Judge Linda who announced the winner.
Below are some comments
A gap of 9,325 votes still not enough huh? 😃😃. #GMB2019 this is a joke. Bring out the scores from the finale performances, let’s do the 60% and 40% calculation ourselves. #BlackAndProud Enam is the true queen pic.twitter.com/twXRYxkcRl
TV3 yet again proved us right. It can’t be Serwaa so they gave it to the closest ally.
It’s never a fair play with #GMB. Sorry for all who thought Enam will be rewarded for her consistency.#GMB2019
The setting up of a factory in every district in the country was second to the Free SHS mantra. It gave many Ghanaians especially the youth some unsolicited hope because of its spatial disposition.
Many were made to believe that the New Patriotic Party, when voted into power will build these factories all by themselves.
I remembered after a long conversation on radio with the then Communication Director of the party in the Ho Central Constituency, Mr. Bright Doe (now the Manager of NHIS in the Municipality), my mum, Da Bertha an ardent listener called me at dawn and asked: “Elikem do you believe 1D1F is doable”? I quickly pulled out an image from Gabby Asare Otchere Darko’s twitter handle that pictorially sited factories in over 200 districts.
The image beautifully situated factories in resource rich districts which will serve as raw material source for these factories. For the avoidance of doubt let us revisit some of them:
Adaklu – Palm Nut Factory employing 180 workers
Ho West- Waste to Energy Plant employing 3700 workers
I have to do this because the Communication Director – Bright told myself and the many listeners that NPP, then in opposition, will source its raw materials mostly agriculture from each district. Gabby’s image thus depicted what factory each district will receive. Unsatisfied as she was, she just smiled and said ‘Elikem miawo le agbale me kpor’ to wit that ‘we are the literates’; mum not dumb though.
“We have thought through the policy (1D1F) very well and when I say we will build a factory in every district, we mean it because it is possible, it is not for your votes… I know I can do it and I will do it”. These were the words of the then NPP flagbearer, Nana Addo when he visited the Mamponhene in the run-up to the 2016 elections as recorded on the YouTube channel of the New Patriotic Party, which had over 6.4k views.
They made it look as though the state will build and own the factories. The question now is; did Mr. President and his communicators never read their manifesto? Or they read but mischievously ignored the collaboration with the private sector bit? It is likely though. This opens another can of confusion, in the sense that even if its private sector led, it is government’s responsibility to lure the private sector to invest. So, if we don’t see factories springing up, then the task of luring investors failed and must be taken as failure by government. A vivid example is the ethanol factory promised in Adaklu Kpetsu. Government’s official position is her inability to secure a land which we were hitherto told was secured.
We have had many officials from government condemn citizens of the Volta Region for not taking advantage of the many government intervention especially the 1D1F. I shudder to believe that this reason is among the many blame shifting gestures by government.
A simple online search indicates that the few factories commissioned by the president in other parts of the country are not entirely borne out of the ingenuity of citizens from those regions but a conscious effort by the state, of ready mention is the Ekumfi Juice Factory.
Just as the president when he was on tour of the Western region made the Omanhene believed his government will establish these factories singlehandedly, the Volta Regional Minister did same to his many cheerleaders. When asked right after vetting by Elton Brobbey of Joy FM what projects he will embark upon, he mentioned that many investors were chasing him for the 1D1F project. I breathe a sigh of relief because I know how business oriented my regional Minister is (He owns the largest shopping centre, a clinic and a state-of-the-art hotel in the Volta Regional capital).
He again stated on TOSH FM in one of his numerous radio interviews that Adidome will get a starch factory, Adaklu ethanol et al and that sword cutting will commence in August 2017 (well, there is only one August in 2017 though not the last August ever – so vim!). He was not the only leader building factories with his lips. His many MMDCEs notable among them, DCEs for Ho West, Agortime Ziope and Akatsi North were also on the promising spree together with the MCE of Ho.
Regional minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa
One would have thought that Volta Region would have been the first to shout praises of government on the fulfillment of the 1D1F promise.
About three years into government, no MMDCE could mention a factory in their district at the Maiden Regional Town Hall Meeting but were over the roof touting the building of overhead water reservoirs and six-unit classroom blocks. The excuse given by the Regional Minister was that there was not time enough out of the over six hours presentation done. Good job Mr Minister! Good job!!
He however promised to update party communicators on the sacred list of 1D1F. You will shudder to ask that; a Regional Minister who was hitherto chased by investors for 1D1F could not mention a single factory they have built. Umm… something is not adding up!
The deputy minister of information, Mr. Enam Pius Hadzide in an interview on KUUL 103.5 FM inviting people for the town hall meeting indicated that, mention will be made of green and brown factories; ones built from scratch by government and the ones supported by government respectively. He however hurriedly reviewed a DCEs promise of being the first district to own a factory by referring to a list that is only known to the Regional Minister. The sacred list has failed to reach party communicators more than 48hrs after promising its release. It will certainly take the secretary of the party; Bright Nyatsikor (Regional PRO NHIA) from the constituency where investors were allegedly refused as a result of unavailability of land to release the sacred list, after failure from many party communicators. He successfully mentioned the following:
Caltech Ventures – Hodzo (Brown Factory)
KOP Farms – Horme Battor, North Tongu District (Green Factory)
Fresh Farms – Jaupong, North Tongu District (Green Factory)
C Agritech – Sokode, Ho Municipal (Green Factory)
He could however not mention the state of production of these ‘farms’. Whether the land has even been cultivated for crop production. This raises concern on what a factory is and whether the above could qualify as fulfillment of the factory promise. A quick search on even Wikepedia shows what ‘A factory, is a manufacturing plant or a production plant or an industrial site, usually consisting of buildings and machinery, or more commonly a complex having several buildings, where workers manufacture goods or operate machines processing one product into another.’ Your decision on the aforementioned farms as factories is obvious.
It’s not for anything the teaming youth are asking for 1D1F, they need answers to their long held question of unemployment
The running excuse that many individuals in Volta have not taken the opportunity created by government, making it look as though we are a bunch of lazy cocoons is highly untenable. Kindly permit me to ask government and her cohorts the following:
The many proposals seating on their desks?
The investors they came back with after the many oversea travels?
And next time anyone has a meeting with my beloved Regional Minister ask him about the list of ‘ongoing’ 1D1F?
The amount of money injected into each factory in the region?
Don’t forget to ask Mama Josephine(Regional Director, Ministry of Trade and Industry) when she will reply our months old dust gathering enquiry on 1D1F in the Volta Region?
Ask her about the number of people employed. When she answers, you certainly know where to find me.
Why is it getting extremely difficult to have an agro-based factory in a resource-rich region with about 442,542 out of 888,271 economically active population engaged in skilled agriculture and forestry (Population and Housing Census, 2010)?
Has Ghana taken a look at how China did it some decades ago? Here, reference is being made to the Transnational Exchanges on Industrial Policy, where, China’s post-Mao leaders from the late 1970s actively sought policy advice, advanced technology and investment capital from abroad. The Mao era administrative economy was seen as pressing, policymakers were not looking for a new economic model to transfer wholesale to China but rather for practicable policy recipes that would allow incremental low-risk steps toward solving the most severe bottlenecks in the economic system. In its simplest terms, what needs to be done is not rocket science. Others have done so. We also can!!!
Could His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo become the Moa Zedong of Ghana?
There are certainly many questions that need answers…
Let’s have working factories, enough of the excuses.
