MTN Powers Voltaonlinegh with a TurboNet Router

July 5, 2019

Team Voltaonlinegh led by Editor, Ewoenam Kpodo, receiving the TurboNet Internet Device from Mr. Koranteng of MTN

By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Your credible regional news and information hub, Voltaonlinegh has received a boost for its operations with a donation of a high speed Internet router from telecom giants, MTN Ghana.

The recently outdoored MTN TurboNet device, was gifted to the news outlet during the 2019 annual Regional Editors’ forum, organised by the country’s largest telecom operator.

Mr. Sam Koranteng, MTN Corporate Services Executive, who presented the equipment on Wednesday, explained, the TurboNet was designed to provide reliable lightspeed 4G internet connectivity to small and medium enterprises as well as homes.

The plug and play device, which connects up to 32 devices at-a-go, was also presented to the Volta chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA-Volta) to be installed at its recently commissioned Press Centre in Ho.

Mr. Koranteng, said the gesture was in recognition of the work of the media in the region and also to cement the already cordial relationship between the two entities, i.e. the media and MTN.

Touching on other innovations from the staples of the telecom leader, the Corporate Services Executive mentioned, the extension of fibre broadband services to homes, which they intend to scale up to cover about 45,000 homes by end of 2019.

He noted that, MTN was investing as much 160 million dollars in capital expenditure this year to upgrade, expand and improve its network across the country.

This, according to Mr. Samuel Duku, MTN Network Manager for Volta/Eastern, would see the rolling out of hundreds of cell sites, including 600 4G sites, 350 new greenfield and 100 rural sites.

He also hinted of plans to rectify ‘known gaps’ in the network, which makes call connectivity in parts of the regional capital, Ho quite difficult for susbscribers.

This areas include, Poly down, Area 52, Lokoe Diamond cement, Godokpui regional capital, and barracks New town.

Meanwhile, MTN in 2018 has paid about of GHS 1.3 billion in taxes and GHS184 million regulatory charges to government through the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), National Communication Authority (NCA) and the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC).

This, earned the telecom giant a Platinum Award from GRA as a good corporate citizen and the highest tax payer for 2018.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

MTN Holds 2019 Editors Forum in Ho

Volta Online

July 4, 2019

A cross section of journalists at the forum

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh |

Editors Forum, one of the avenues that MTN, telecommunication giants in Ghana, engages to solicit feedback from the public in order to provide specific products to suit its customers and improve upon its services, came off at Volta Serene Hotel in the Volta Regional capital, Ho.

The forum which is an annual event brought together senior media practitioners from various parts of Volta/Oti Region to learn of MTN’S operations in the region, amplify the challenges of customers for redress and share ideas on the way forward to benefit both the company and the customer.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday, July 3, Corporate Services Executive, MTN Ghana, Sam Koranteng gave an operational review and the innovations and technologies the company had deployed from 2018 till now and what it planned for the year ahead with focus on delighting the customer.

Mr. Koranteng disclosed that MTN Ghana invested a total amount of Gh¢825 million in Network Technology and IT Systems and implemented 600 2G, 1,100 3G and 250 4G sites among others aimed at delivering quality service to their customers.

He touted the company’s achievement including being declared the Best Network in Ghana, exceeding the 20 million in total customers on the network and the only Ghanaian company to achieve Investor in People (IIP) Gold status which all helped earn the company over 45 national and global awards.

The Corporate Services Executive said MTN was still in the business of leading innovations in the sector, mentioning 4G+ as “another first for MTN” by which the company among other things, delivered speeds of up to 300Mbps while deploying 1,092 4G LTE sites by March 2019 with 600 of those 4G sites located across the country especially regional capitals and key towns and as well, “plans for full national coverage ongoing.”

He also touched on some completed projects in the Volta Region through the social responsibility wing of the company, MTN Ghana Foundation which included science sets distribution at Akatsi, Bright Scholarships for students, Kpedze Health Center, Tsito SHS Library, scholarship for persons with disability at St Theresa School, Abor aimed at giving back to society.

Network Manager for Volta/Eastern, MTN, Samuel Duku mentioned fibre cuts which mostly resulted from road construction works (with less cases recorded in Volta Region recently) as well as erratic power supply, battery theft and fading on microwave transmission infrastructure as some major challenges confronting the company.

Acting Commercial Manager, Volta/Eastern, Raymond Tibson spent considerable time taking participants through MTN Mobile Money (MoMo) service which has been around for 10 years and touched on consumer promotions which set aside handsome rewards for customers to mark the 10^th anniversary of the service.

Mr. Tibson admitted the company’s knowledge of MoMo fraud and indicated that it had taken some measures to deal with it which included the re-introduction of allowing cash out, blocking the wallets of agents for repeated cash-out attempts, introduction of agents IDs and QR Codes and consumer lens radio interviews.

He said there was no way these fraudsters could be successful without the owners’ initiatives and so, advised that they look out for cash in SMS fraud, airtime reversal fraud among others and while asking customers to always check their account balance after receiving payment coming from MoMo, keep pin codes confidential, read confirmation messages before finalising cash out processes, and never to enter pin codes in response to messages unless performing transactions and more importantly, seek clarity from MTN offices when in doubt.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

MTN Briefs Regional Minister on Operations in Volta

Volta Online

July 4, 2019

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh |

A team from the regional and head offices of MTN Ghana led by Enyonam Adinyira, in charge of Regulatory Affairs has called on the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa for briefings on some of the company’s products and activities aimed at impacting positively on the people of the region and the nation as a whole.

The visit on Wednesday, July 3 was necessitated by the telecommunication giants’ desire to touch base with the political leadership of the region every year.

The team spoke about projects and programmes designed by the company with about 21 million subscribers purposely to delight its customer and give back to society in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment through its social responsibility wing, MTN Ghana Foundation.

In terms of education, the team revealed that there were 22 students from the region awarded scholarships by MTN. Similarly, 9 teachers also benefitted from some scholarship packages among others.

Socially, the company has been providing sponsorship packages for festivals in the region including Asogli Te Za and Hogbetsotsoza of the Anlos while noting there were two people from the region among the finalists in the MTN Heroes of Change, Season 5.

Network Manager for Volta/ Eastern, MTN, Samuel Duku disclosed that network coverage in the Volta had been expanded to rural areas with the Rural Sites Initiative of MTN whereby Solar Energy was used to power cell sites and assured that additional sites would be constructed in 2020 to improve on coverage.

Mr. Duku lamented the company’s challenge of fibre cuts on the part of especially road contractors and appealed that the technical team of MTN be made aware of road construction works and also allowed to work with the contractors to address the challenge.

He asked for the harmonisation of fees and charges of the various municipal/district assemblies and regional departments and agencies which have something to do with Right of Way and Permitting saying, “if this is done early enough and made known to MTN,” it would aid the company in budgeting.

Acting Volta/Eastern Commercial Manager, MTN, Raymond Gibson spoke on some of the company’s products including KaiOs (MTN smart feature phone),Turbonet (a router which can take up to 32 devices), and Mobile Money (MoMo).

Mr. Tibson cautioned customers to beware of fraudsters in order not to fall victims, insisting that under no circumstances should they give out their MoMo pin numbers to people and that they should regularly change their numbers.

Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa acknowledged that MTN Ghana was a major contributor to the development of the country.

Dr. Letsa admitted having an excellent working relationship with the officers of MTN in the region and appreciated the good work of the company, entreating them to continue same, for they have the full support of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC).

He said he had taken notice of their challenges and assured that the VRCC would work towards having the challenges addressed.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Oti Region Pensioners Appeal for Allowance Increase

Volta Online

July 4, 2019

By: Benjamin Owusu |Voltaonlinegh |

The Oti Region branch of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust ( SSNIT ) Pensioners Association, has appealed to government to adjust their monthly allowance upwards to enable them improve upon their living standard.

The Association on Monday, July 1, said SSNIT had invested their contributions and was making a lot of profit hence the need for the Trust to give pensioners bigger dividends.

Speaking to Voltaonlinegh, Chairman of the Association, Pius Amewu complained that most of them earned less than GH¢300.00 as monthly allowance which he described as woefully inadequate.

Mr. Amewu added that the Association was established as a charity fund to help pensioners cater for their health needs but has since been struggling to meet its target since there was not enough health facility in the Oti Region to cater for their health needs.

He made this known when they observed senior citizens day celebration in the Nkwanta South Municipality.

He therefore, appealed to government to consider increasing their monthly allowances allocated to them to cushion their lives in order for them to live a decent life.

Meanwhile, some pensioners who spoke in an interview pleaded with public servants to be more dedicated to their work and avoid spending much time with their mobile phone while at work to attain the blessing of God.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Rotary Club of Ho Commissions Water Project in Fievie

Volta Online

July 2, 2019

By: Rita Kafui Nedjoh | Voltaonlinegh |

The Rotrary Club of Ho in partnership with Rotary Club of Manchester has commissioned a water project at a cost of $37,000 to provide potable water for the people of Fievie Dugame and its environs in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region.

Fievie, the traditional capital of Sogakope is a farming community where indigenes involve in crop and animal farming.

Before the commissioning of the project, the community had two sources of water, a dam constructed in 1961 which is shared by both humans and animals and the Volta River which is some distance away from the community.

Though the Assembly provided pipe-borne water to the community some time ago, the pipelines were only two inches, causing difficulty in flow of water to the community.

Founder of Kids Foundation, Joseph Kove through the Rotary Club of Manchester planned to provide water to Fieve and in 2016, rolled on the Rotary Club of Ho, a local rotary club to secure a global grant for the project.

President of Rotary Club of Ho, Joseph Dzamesi indicated that the two inches pipes provided to connect water from Sogakope to Fievie was inadequate and so, the club in collaboration with contractors from the Ghana Water Company decided to make some changes in the project plan to include expansion of the pipelines to three inches to ensure consistent flow of water to the community.

“The initial need assessment for the water project basically called for the provision of four elevated water tanks with a total of about 20,000 litres of water and extending water to other nearby communities but at the time of getting the grant for the project, water was not flowing in Fievie hence the change in the project plan,” Mr. Dzamesi noted.

He said the club still provided four elevated tanks of 40,000-litre water storage to help ensure enough water supply for the people of Fievie and the surrounding communities.

Mr. Dzamesi hinted that for purposes of sustainability of rotary club-funded projects, a second phase of the project would include training of selected individuals to manage the project in order to raise fund to pay water bills to keep the water flowing adding, galvanized fencing with chippings for the ground would be provided to secure the project.

President of Rotary Club of Manchester, Robin Graham noted that, “the kind heart and good Samaritan act of Mr. Joseph Kove is what has changed the lives of the people of Fievie.”

Mr. Graham said his friend, Adell Harper, a nursery teacher and her students helped to raise fund for the project by dropping a coin in a money box any time they fetched water to drink at home and school.

He commended the Rotary Club of Ho and the Chief and people of Fievie for their support and appealed to the community to ensure the sustainability of the project.

Chief of Fievie Dugame, Togbe Ayitey Awaga IV expressed his profound gratitude to Mr. Kove, the rotary clubs of Manchester and Ho for their immense contribution and support.

Togbe Awaga said the issue of good drinking water has been a headache to the Fievie community and described the kind act of the rotary clubs as an end to their nightmare while assuring that the project would be well taken care of.

Meanwhile, the President of Rotary Club of Manchester, Mr. Graham was conferred with the title of Togbe Yingor I and his colleague Adell Harper, Mama Dunenyo I.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Awusco PTA Seeks Support to Complete Dinning hall Project

Volta Online

July 2, 2019

The stalled Dinning hall project initiated by the PTA — The stalled Dinning hall project

By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

In a quest to complement government’s effort in providing adequate infrastructure to enhance quality education delivery, the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) of Awudome Senior High School in the Ho West district has initiated a dinning hall project in the school.

The 2000-capacity hall, is intended to take off the pressure on the existing dinning hall, which now serve more than double, the initial 450 student capacity.

Madam Felicity Ahiafianyo, PTA chairperson told Voltaonlinegh.com, on sideline of a PTA meeting over the weekend that, the project, which begun in 2017, came to a standstill as a result of a temporarily ban on the collection of PTA dues by the Ghana Education Service.

But after several engagements between the National council of PTAs and the GES, she noted that, new modalities were reached for subsequent collection of PTA levies, which would not affect academic activities in the schools.

Per the new modalities, the PTA would use its own systems to collect the levies, independent of the schools’ administrative structures, while no student would be sent home for non-payment of such levies, in accordance with GES directives, madam Ahiafianyo explained.

As a result, parents at the just ended meeting, resolved to resume contributions towards the dinning hall project, which would be collected directly by the association through Mobile Money and bankers draft.

Appeal

That notwithstanding, the PTA chair appealed for external support from benevolent individuals and organisations to aid the early completion of the project.

According her, they need building materials including bags of cement and roofing sheets to help make the structure inhabitable for the about 2000 student population within the shortest possible time.

“We want to give some respite to our children as soon as possible, because the inconveniences they experience during dinning is very unpleasant,” she stated and further appealed for more beds and classroom furniture to meet the increased students numbers.

Appreciation

The Awusco Headmaster, Mr. Emmanuesl Amu in his address to the gathering, acknowledged the immense support of the PTA towards the provision of infrastructure and other facilities in the school over the years.

He commended and encouraged the parents not to rest on their oars, but continue to support the education of their wards, as a shared responsibility.

The headmaster also expressed gratitude to Mr. Joe Ayivor popularly known as Afelotto for donating 300 bags of cement to support the construction of a fence wall around the school, to safegaurd life and properties.

Similarly, he thanked government for allocating to the school, two of the SHSs intervention projects, i.e. a boys dormitory and a classroom block, which are currently under construction.

Boys dormitory being constructed by government

Mr. Amu further assured parents of the school’s management commitment towards giving their wards, quality education and good moral upbringing.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Dream Chasers Leads Clean-up Exercise at Mafi-Kumasi

Volta Online

July 1, 2019

By: Tabitha Kugbonu | Voltaonlinegh |

Dream Chasers, a group aimed at seeing to the development of the youth in rural communities in collaboration with Mafi-Kumasi Shine Keep Fit Club has undertaken a clean-up exercise in the Mafi-Kumasi township in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region to help maintain a healthy environment.

The exercise saw choked gutters around the Mafi-Kumasi market desilted in order for a clean environment to destroy breeding ground for diseases.

Speaking to Voltaonlinegh after the event, Leader of Dream Chasers, Dzidzinyo Akpeke said the exercise formed part of his birthday celebration which came off on June 13 to ensure that Mafi-Kumasi township was clean especially the market where people buy food stuffs from because if not kept clean, it would affect their health.

Leader of Mafi-Kumasi Shine Keep Fit Club, Wisdom Gakpetor said, the clean up exercise “is done once in a month” and pleaded for support from the general public to help improve upon sanitation issues in the community.

District Chief Executive for Central Tongu, Thomas Moore Zonyrah who took part in the exercise thanked the community members for their efforts and added that, he realised there was a bit of challenges with the gutters constructed in the town explaining the reason for choked gutters so whenever it rained, pledging, the assembly would work to correct those minor defects.

Member of Parliament for the area, Alexander Gabby Hottorwodze presented some assorted drinks to the participants in the exercise and also pledged his support for the event to ensure the visise was achieved.

Senior House Master of Mafi-Kumasi Senior High Technical School, John Kportorgbui whose students also helped to clean up the town, said the exercise was good and called on the residents to support it.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

EP University College Elects New SRC Executives

Volta Online

July 1, 2019

By: Albert Kuzor | Voltaonlinegh |

A radio broadcaster, Abdul Iddrisu Faisel, and Level 300 Governance Studies student of Evangelical Presbyterian University College (EPUC), Ho campus has been elected the new Students’ Representative Council (SRC) President of the University.

A colleague radio broadcaster, Kingsley Attitsogbui with the Ho-based Kekeli Radio also won the position of Public Relations Officer (PRO) which he contested unopposed.

The SRC President elect polled 379 votes to beat the competition from his contender, Derek Elikplim Hoggar from the Human Resource Department who had 259 votes.

Abdul Iddrisu, who worked with a couple of FM stations in the region and currently with Swiss FM, was enthusiastic about his victory alongside his running mate and team.

“The expectation from the general student body from day one was for somebody to come and change the narrative. There have been issues of financial malfeasance over the years and these are things that have been happening including issues of SRC neglecting students and they want somebody to come and change that,” he said while delivering his speech.

On his mandate for the next academic journey, he said, “I do understand that there will be challenges but I’ve been part of this school for the past three years and I’ve carried out myself very well and of course, I’ve established a very good relationship with everybody. I have that with the Management and I’m at this point calling on Management to get ready so we can work together. It’s important”

Abdul Iddrisu, who is also the Volta Regional correspondent for Awakenews, an online news portal, hoped to do more for Volta Region’s premier private university to go beyond its present boundaries and be established as the private university of choice for the people of the region and nationwide.

He called on the newly elected PRO, Kingsley Attitsogbui to bring out his best for the task ahead of them.

Kingsley Attitsogbui on his part, said “communication is key to every aspect of life” and assured of his willingness to work hand in hand with the SRC leaders to build a good image for the University.

“As a member of the Publicity and Information Committee of EPUC SRC for the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 academic years and with the experience gathered over the years as a broadcaster, I am promising effective, efficient, timely and strategic communications,” he noted.

Other Executives elected included Samuel Numatsi, Treasurer, Moses Aban Nyorkey, Secretary, Liz Barbara Akpaloo, Women Commissioner and Theresa Diana Adzornu, PUSAG Rep.

The SRC executives elect will be sworn in later on Monday to run the affairs of the student body for the 2019/2020 academic year.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Two Pupils of Mawuli Basic Sch. Win Open Defecation Free Competition

Volta Online

July 1, 2019

ODF contest winner — The Awardees (with Brown Envelopes) in a pose with World Vision officials, Parents & Teachers

By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Two primary six pupils of Mawuli E.P Basic ‘A’ school in Ho have won a competition on campaign against Open Defecation organized by World Vision International, Ghana.

The two, Jessica Akwebea and Prosper Diapim, were among 36 selected winners nationwide, who excelled in the contest, which tested their knowledge on good sanitation and hygiene practices.

The competition dubbed, ‘Cartoon Campaign Against Open Defecation,’ was a 12-episode weekly series, featured in the Junior Graphic newspaper for pupils to read and answer questions on it through a telephone call.

For their prizes, they both received a cash amount of GHS 300.00 each, a set of World Vision branded note and exercise books, as well assorted learning materials on sanitation and Hygiene.

The children who expressed excitement about their feat, encouraged their colleagues to participate in subsequent edition of the competition.

Mr. Yaw Atta Arhin, Water and Sanition Technical Coordinator at World Vision, who presented the prizes to the winners last Friday, said the competition was aimed at getting school children to be agents of change and champion the campaign against Open defecation, which he described as a ‘killer’.

According to him, 22 per cent of the country’s population practice open defecation on daily basis, a situation which resulted in the contamination water sources and the spreed of cholera and other diseases among the populace.

‘Open Defecation is a killer because a gram of faeces contains a million bacteria, which causes cholera,’ he stated urged the children to lead a behaviourial change campaign in their homes and communities.

Mr. Arhin indicated that, the next edition of the competition would see an expanded scope, which will entail a more rigorous assessment and an essay on how to end Open Defecation in Ghana.

Madam Stella Kumedzro, Deputy Volta Regional Environmental Health Officer, charged the pupils to be champions of good sanitation practices and compel their parents and community leaders to provide decent toilets in their homes and localities to help end the open defecation menace.

Mr. John Fansey, headmaster of Mawuli E.P Basic ‘A’ school, declared teachers in the school as worthy ambassadors of the campaign and assured that, they will continue imbibe the culture of good sanitation and hygience practices in the pupils.

The brief presentation ceremony was witnessed by parents of the two awards.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Police Takes Security Lecture to Ho-Fiave GEC

Volta Online

June 30, 2019

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh |

As part of efforts by the Ghana Police Service to carry out their core mandate of protection of life and property and prevention and detection of crimes, the Service has now moved to Community Policing, coming down to the citizenry they serve.

Such was the case when the Ho Municipal Police Command on Sunday, June 30 took security lecture to the Global Evangelical Church, Ho Fiave Victory Chapel upon the invitation of the leadership of the church.

D/Insp. Michael Kweinor Kweitsu who led the presentation on security issues with emphasis on terrorism and kidnapping, charged Christian faithful to play a part in making the work of the police service, the principal internal law enforcing agency easier.

D/Insp. Kweitsu said there was the need for everyone to get involved in the security matters of the country emphasising that people should be vigilant and observant, and report suspicious persons and activities to the Police and other security agencies.

He noted that these among others such as providing reliable and timely information to the police and investing in both physical and electronic security for example CCTVs at vulnerable places including churches would help beef up security within the country.

The police officer who delved into the two worrying security challenges, terrorism and kidnapping, describing them as “the use of force or violence against persons or property” for purposes of “intimidation, coercion or ransom” and “the act of taking a person or group of persons without their consent or permission usually for purposes of ransom or ritual and other purposes” respectively, said the men and women of God must not remain quiet.

According to him, “crimes are linked” and kidnapping could be “a small symptom of bigger crimes” which could be rooted in psychological and ideological causes and sometimes, “a logical extension of political failure” underscoring the importance of Christians to develop interest in national affairs.

D/Insp. Kweitsu provided statistics on recent examples of attacks including that on three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka on April 21, 2019 (Easter Sunday) which claimed hundreds of lives injuring many, to make the point that “it doesn’t matter who, what or where you are, we are all at risk” while asking for a concerted effort to make it impossible or difficult for such criminals to be successful in their acts.

He advised large buildings such as churches, schools, shopping centres, etc which could be targets of such attacks to designate exit and assembly points to avoid stampede in the event of terrorist attack in addition to other security measures to stay safe and forestall attacks.

On kidnapping, he asked that victims “remain calm, know who the kidnappers are, what they want and of what value you are them” adding that, victims should cooperate and not provoke the kidnappers to shoot at them, look out for details in the environment and drink any time possible in order to stay alive.

The Police Detective concluded by calling on parents and guardians to take steps to protect their children from being kidnapped insisting that they teach their young ones not to enter into strangers’ cars.

The Parish Pastor, Rev. I.C. Agbenuvor in an interview with Voltaonlinegh said the church found it necessary to invite security experts to speak on security matters following recent happenings in Ghana and the sub-region.

Rev. Agbenuvor said as and when the need arises, the church would invite the Police to make presentations for the benefit of members and society.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

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