Deputy Minister Pledges Support for SSNIT Informal Sector Pension Campaign

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June 26, 2019

DRM with SSNIT officials — Rev. Avuletey (2nd from left) in a pose with officials of SSNIT in Ho

By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Rev. Johnson Avuletey has pledged his support towards a campaign by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to widen the coverage of its informal sector pension scheme across the region.

Mr.Avuletey, who was elated about the introduction of the tailor-made pension scheme by SSNIT, expressed his readiness to lead the campaign to get the hundreds of informal sector workers in the region enroll onto the scheme to secure their old age.

Speaking at a meeting with officials of the Ho branch of SSNIT, the deputy minister bemoaned the hardship experienced by some elderly people as a result of not having the benefit of formal employment which comes with pension.

According to him, ‘The elderly in the communities have contributed so much time, effort and hard work to the development of this country through their informal jobs, like farming, fishing, trading, etc. But just because some do not find themselves in formal employment, they are deprived of any source of future income or pensions when they are not able to work any longer.’

He therefore commended SSNIT for taking the initiative to bring onboard not just people in formal employment but the informal sector as well, which he believed will be a turning point for the nation in providing a secured form of income replacement in retirement.

On his part, Mr. Newlove Franklin Alorvor, the Ho Branch Manager of SSNIT stated that, since the initiation of the campaign, about 32 new establishments have been registered, with an active registered workforce of 430.

He indicated the commitment of SSNIT management under the leadership of Director-General, Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang, to provide a sustainable support structure for the aged, for which they have introduced several innovations aimed at taking the services of the Trust closer to its members.

This include the use of digital and social media platforms to directly engage its members and respond to their inquiries and complaints in the comfort of their homes without the stress of travelling over long distances.

“Members are also able to request for educational engagements or visitations and in the case of our aged pensioners who are not able to visit the SSNIT offices to complete their life certificate, they can simply request for home visitation through the various online platforms’’ he said.

As a matter of convenience, Mr. Alorvor noted, the Trust will also be deploying a mobile money payment platform in the last quarter of 2019, which will allow members to directly pay contributions to the Trust no matter their location.

This, he added, will also give the opportunity to citizens who work far from the central business districts and major towns to also join and contribute at their convenience to enjoy the benefits of the scheme.

SSNIT currently has an active membership of 1.5 million, with a target to cover all 13 million active workers in Ghana, for which it has been embarking on a massive drive to expand coverage of the social security scheme to secure the future of all active workers in the country.

This has also led to a massive campaign nationwide to ensure compliance of registered establishments and registration of all who are gainfully employed.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

ECOWAS Road Accident Claims Life of Media Person

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June 25, 2019

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh |

An accident at Hlevi along the Sogakope-Aflao Road in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region has claimed the life of a media person named Alexander Anagli popularly known as Filla.

The deceased, aged about 28 from Sokpoe near Sogakope who suffered a fractured skull was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Sogakope District Hospital and has since been deposited at the hospital’s morgue.

The accident which occurred in the evening of Tuesday, June 18 involved the deceased’s motorbike and a vehicle from the opposite direction.

Eyewitnesses said the motorist headed Sogakope tried dodging a mentally challenged person who attempted crossing the road and in the process got knocked down by an oncoming vehicle.

According to them, Filla was the third person attempting to swerve the mentally challenged person after two motorists succeeded without any mishap.

Tongu Divisional Police Commander, C/Supt Dennis Fiakpui who confirmed the accident to Voltaonlinegh, it involved suspect driver named Francis Duho driving Hyndai Grace mini bus with registration number, GC 2554-Z with passengers on board from Accra towards Aflao direction and the victim with motorbike number M-11-VR-3475.

C/Supt Fiakpui disclosed that the suspect was on Thursday, June 20, arraigned before a magistrate court at Dabala for negligently causing harm and careless and inconsiderate driving and was subsequently remanded into Sogakope Police custody to reappear on Friday, June 28.

He explained both vehicle and motorbike had been impounded by the Police to aid investigations into the occurrence.

The Divisional Commander cautioned drivers to mindful when driving in town to avoid some of these avoidable deaths while advising motor riders to also consider the speed at which they ride their motorbikes so that in the event of any eventuality, the impact would not be dire.

Alexander Anagli was a movie director whose works included Shawarma which featured great Ghanaian actors including Kofi Adjorlolo and yet to be released The Science Teacher.

Until his death, he was working with Sogakope-based Freedom FM as a Marketing executive and event crew member. He was also the Tongu Area Manager for Moment Welfare Scheme headquartered at Akatsi.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Volta Regional Town Hall Meeting to Feature Education, Health, Gender Ministers

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Volta Online

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June 25, 2019

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh |

The Volta Region will be the first to host a regional town hall meeting for the 2019 year when it organises Volta Regional Town Hall Meeting on Friday, June 28.

The meeting which will take place at the G.M Afeti Auditorium of the Ho Technical University in the capital is being organised by the Ministry of Information and the Information Services Department in collaboration with the Volta Regional Coordinating Council.

In a press release dated June 24 and signed by the Deputy Minister of Information, Pius Enam Hadzide, the meeting will see presentations from key sectors including health, education and gender.

“The Minister of Education, Hon. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, the Minister of Health, Hon. Kweku Agyemang Manu, the Minister of Gender, Hon Cynthia Morrison, the CEO of NABCO, Dr. Ibrahim Anyars are expected to make presentations on government’s investments in human capital and social interventions.”

“The Volta Regional Town Hall Meeting shall also offer all the 18 MDCEs an opportunity to give account of the development projects within their various MDAs to the good people of the Volta Region,” it added.

Friday’s meeting will have the Information Services Department mount a photo exhibition on the success story of the Akuffo-Addo led administration.

Town Hall meetings offer platforms for the dissemination of information on major government policies, projects and programmes and also give the opportunity to the citizenry to engage with government officials.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Amissah-Arthur Learning Centre Commissioned at Ohawu

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June 24, 2019

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh |

A new ultra-modern library and computer complex named after the late former Vice-President of the Republic, Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur has been commissioned at Ohawu Basic School in the Ketu North District of the Volta Region.

The about USD50,000 facility, Amissah-Arthur Learning Centre to honour the former Vice-President for his dedication and zeal to support the education of young ones and expected to promote his qualities in the young ones from Ohawu and neighbouring communities to become great citizens, not only of Ghana, but the world was started in January this year.

The Centre stocked with 3,200 books for the library and 18 computers, a printer, binder and a laminator for the ICT centre will help boost schoolchildren’s ability to read, learn and write well constructed sentences.

The two-hour long ceremony on Monday to commission the place could pass for a cultural festival as people from the academia, business, politics, chiefdom among others were treated to poetry recital and dances prominent with the Ewes, borborbor and agbadza which threw the crowd into a frenzy forcing former Second Lady, Mrs Matilda Amissah-Arthur and her two children, Paa Kwesi and Araba to display their own form of the dance.

Mrs Amissah-Arthur (2nd from right), Mr. Malor (left) Dzifa Gomashie (2nd from left) and others in agbadza dance moves

Chief Editor-Dailies, UN News at United Nations, Ben Dotsei Malor who nursed the idea of a library for the pupils of Ohawu thanked Mrs. Amissah-Arthur for not reneging on the commitment made by her family after the demise of her husband but continued to support the project adding, it was befitting that the Centre was dedicated in honour of the fallen hero.

Mr. Malor narrated how the late Amissah-Arthur and his family became benefactors of the project and contributed immensely to its success saying that it was after Mr. Arthur visited the community for the funeral of his (Ben Malor) mother, Torna (mother of triplets) on August 1, 2015.

The former Communications Advisor to the Ex-President John Mahama revealed that the former second family got interested in the project and with the help of other benefactors (whom he thanked) contributed through the Torna Foundation (in memory of his mother) for the project.

Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur in her keynote address commended Mr. Malor for the initiative and prayed for more of his kind in the community to drive the development agenda of the people.

Mrs. Amissah-Arthur said she was impressed about the level of communalism displayed by the people throughout the construction of the Centre and urged them not to relent on that spirit believing “great things will your way.”

She charged the pupils to explore the learning centre to their advantage and take their own, the former Deputy Editor at BBC World Service as their mentor and aspire to be like him and even more while calling on chiefs and opinion leaders in the community to maintain the place for future generations to benefit from.

Former Ghana Investment and Promotion Centre Boss, Mrs. Mawuena Trebarh eulogised the late Vice-President describing him as an epitome of inspiration who helped her develop the “passion to read wide outside her area of discipline” admitting that dedicating the Centre in his honour was just right.

Chief of Ohawu, Torgbui Tuafli expressed gratitude and wished God’s blessings to everyone who had played a part in bringing such an important facility to the community and appealed for more support in the area of provision of potable water.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

UHAS rusticates 14 Sandwich Students for Exams Cheating

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Volta Online

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June 23, 2019

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By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Some 14 sandwich students of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in the Volta region have been rusticated for engaging in examination malpractice.

Prof. John Gyapong, Vice Chancellor of UHAS who disclosed this on Saturday during the university’s 2018/19 Sandwich matriculation at its central campus at Sokode-Lokoe near Ho, said the disturbing practice was gaining notoriety among the working class students than the regular students.

“The university frowns upon examination malpractice, which unfortuantely is becoming common among sandwich students…. and during the last sandwich exams as many 14 students were found cheating and have been rusticated,” he stated and stressed the university would continue to crack the whip on reculcitrant students.

He therefore urged the fresh students to be loyal members of the university and always be guided by the tenets of the students handbook; adding that, “You were admitted as an individual and you will graduate as such , you’re therefore solely responsible for all your actions.”

A total of 679 students took the Matriculation Oath and were formally admitted to various programmes of study in the schools of Public Health, Allied Health Sciences, as well as Nursing and Midwifery.

The Vice Chancellor assured them of a productive academic experience, as the university has assembled competent and experienced faculty and other supporting staff to provide them with the requisite training.

He advised the students to strive for excellence and strike the right balance between between their academic and social life, by being self-disciplined and time conscious.

He also assured of aggressive strategies by management to address the infrastructure deficit and other logistical challenges confronting the university.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Do not Turn Media into Tool of Vendetta-NMC Chair

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June 23, 2019

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By: Ewoenam Kpodo/Rita Kafui Nedjoh | Voltaonlinegh |

The Chairman, National Media Commission (NMC), Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh has called on journalists to be circumspect in their line of duty and not turn the media into a tool of vendetta.

Mr. Boadu-Ayeboafoh emphasised the need for press freedom insisting, the media must not be restrained in any way while cautioning journalists against capitalising on that to abuse or ruin the reputation of individuals or institutions which would cause the public to lose confidence in the media.

According to him, “any journalist who sacrifices truth will lose credibility and will be found unreliable and without reliability, one cannot be an effective journalist.”

He underscored the importance of press freedom which he termed “a call for equitable development” and admonished media practitioners to be responsible and not misuse that freedom “extolled as one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty which is entrenched in the constitution of the world.”

The NMC Chairman made the call on Friday, June 21 in Ho, Volta Regiona where he commissioned the first ever regional press center, the Volta Press Centre.

Some dignitaries who graced the occasion

Present at the event were the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa and his deputy, Rev. Johnson Avulete, former Minister of State, Madam Elizabeth Ohene, National President, Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Dr. Roland Affail Monney, US Press Attaché, Naomi Mattos, D-G, Police Public Affairs and Communication, ACP David Eklu, Chairman, GJA- Eastern Chapter, Maxwell Kudekor, Mama Attratoh II, Queenmother of Ho-Dome, regional heads of departments, representatives of institutions and political parties among others.

GJA President, Dr. Roland Affail Monney commended the Volta Regional chapter of the Association for their efforts noting, “when it comes to organising media awards, building a press centre and attracting media training programmes for journalists, Volta GJA is at the top.”

Dr. Monney called on journalists to see the Centre as a place where they would come together to train, discuss and cross-pollinate ideas to shape and reshape media practitioners in the region in order to serve the intended purpose.

Names of notable sponsoring individuals and organisations acknowledged on an ornamental tablet at the site

The Chairman, GJA-Volta chapter, A.B Kafui Kanyi thanked members, individuals and institutions for supporting the first phase of the project.

Mr. Kanyi said the Centre (which currently has an office, restaurant and a pavilion) would serve as a rallying point for all media practitioners in the Volta/Oti Region and would among other things offer accommodation to journalists visiting the region upon completion of the second phase.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Kpenoe Chief Invites Mediators for Peace

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June 19, 2019

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By: Voltaonlinegh |

Dutorfia of Kpenoe, Togbe Ankudey III has called on relevant stakeholders to intervene in chieftaincy issues in the Kpenoe Traditional Area, one of the set-ups of Asogli State in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region to forestall any unforeseen situation.

Togbe Ankudey said there had been some illegalities being perpetuated over a decade that kept threatening the peace of the traditional area and needed to be addressed by the appropriate institutions for prevailing peace.

He was among other things referring to the installation of Togbe Kotoku XI as the Paramount Chief of the area in 2001 which he claimed fell short of the performance of some customary rites of the people.

The Dutorfia who was addressing a press conference in Ho on Tuesday, June 18 said though there had been an earlier attempt to reverse the illegality and the then Judicial Committee of the Asogli Traditional Council in February 2006, ordered that Togbe Kotoku “should be re-installed since the rites performed during his installation did not follow due customs and traditions of Kpenoe,” Togbe Kotoku failed to comply with the ruling.

Togbe Ankudey also alleged that Togbe Kotoku had resorted to ways of intimidating them saying, he at a point, ordered the Police to arrest him (Togbey Ankudey), Fiator Tsigbe and “some other elders of Kpenoe.”

“We are calling on all the following institutions which we have already petitioned like the Peace Council, the Attorney General, the Asogli Traditional Council, the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, 66 Artillery Regiment, Volta Regional Minister, Municipal Chief Executive, Regional Police Command including you the Media to as a matter of urgency, intervene in this matter,” he appealed.

To Togbe Ankudey, “the looming danger ahead of us may bring chaos and riot to the Kpenoe community” and so the need for urgent intervention.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Comprehensive Sexuality Education not to Promote Promiscuity-UNFPA

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June 18, 2019

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Participants in a pose after the meeting

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh |

A United Nations Population Fund, (UNFPA) official, Country Office Accra, Dr. Robert Mensah has debunked the assertion that Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) being promoted by the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, was resulting in increased sexual activities among young ones.

Dr. Mensah said CSE, a rights-based and gender-focused approach to sexuality education was not encouraging promiscuity but rather helping to equip young people with information regarding their health, well-being and dignity for a sexually healthy adulthood adding, with or without CSE, young ones would involve themselves in sexual acts.

According to him, CSE insisted on abstinence from sex among young ones while introducing responsible and safe choices so that those sexually active ones who would decide to indulge in the act, to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

The UNFPA Official who was speaking at a stakeholders meeting of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC)/UNFPA Seventh Country Programme (CP7) in Ho, underscored the importance of CSE in the UN agency’s programmes in achieving the mission of delivering a world where “every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.”

The meeting on Monday which had in attendance the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa and his Deputy, Rev. Johnson Avulete, Chief Director, Felix Chaahaah, municipal and district chief executives (MDCEs), heads of departments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the security, saw various presentations.

A participant making a contribution during the meeting

Focal Person, UNFPA at VRCC, Victoria Odurowa Fato who gave an elaborate overview of activities of the agency in the Volta/Oti regions mentioned Domestic Violence and Victims Support unit of the Ghana Police Service, National Youth Authority, Department of Gender and Ghana Health Service as sub implementing partners with VRCC playing supervisory role.

Ms. Fato noted that the CP6 recorded successes including equipping family planning providers with the requisite skills to address concerns of clients, reaching out to appreciable number of young people with UNFPA programmes, sensitizing stakeholders on child marriage and getting them to support the campaign against it.

She called for collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of CP7 (2018-2021) “for the benefit of the people of Volta and Oti regions.

A presentation on Reproductive Health situation in Volta/Oti regions by Charles Duodu from the Volta Regional Health Directorate indicated remarkable improvement in 1^st trimester registration and antenatal care, skilled delivery, postnatal care (PNC), 1^st 48 hours PNC coverage, neonatal mortality rate, infant mortality rate, under 5 mortality rate, maternal mortality rate and an improved involvement of men by end of 2018.

Regional Advisor, GIZ, John Adraki who spoke on Gender mainstreaming, outlined some activities the organisation carried out which inspired reviews at the various beneficiary assemblies in the region and called for similar training to be conducted for assembly members.

There was also a presentation by UNICEF which focused on its activities which brought about significant transformation in sanitation situations in basic schools across the region.

Chairman, Coalition of NGOs in Health, Kofi Nyalimba touched on efforts of member organisations in improving quality of health for all including those in hard to reach areas.

Mr. Nyaniba lamented the lack of funds which had stifled the coalition from carrying out continuous adolescent reproductive health programmes and planned to intensify their fund raising efforts for effective implementation of programmes.

District Chief Executive for Afadzato South, Wisdom Semanu Seneadza asked programme implementers to involve MDCEs, the political heads at the periphery tasked with the responsibility of ensuring total development of people in their areas, for success.

Mr. Seneadza said it was important for the MMDCEs to feel a sort of ownership of the programmes to actively participate for the desired impact.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Let’s Assign Roles to Election Losers too – George Loh

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June 18, 2019

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George Loh (in white) with South Dayi MP, Hon. Dafeamekpor — George Loh (in white) with South Dayi MP, Rockson Dafeamekpor

By: Kofi Gamor | Voltaonlinegh |

The newly elected Volta Regional Vice Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Loh, has called on the party in the region not to ignore the worth of losers in the just-ended regional executive elections of the party.

Hon. Loh said the task ahead which involved working hard towards the party’s victory in the 2020 general elections could only be effectively executed by the involvement of both victors and losers of Sunday’s elections and suggested that the losers in all positions be assigned roles to complement the works of the executives.

He made this known during an interaction with the media shortly after being declared winner of the keenly contested Regional Vice Chairman position.

The one-term Member of Parliament for North Dayi beat off competitions from four other contenders including a grassroots person, George Dake and a former District Chief Executive, Kofi Lawson who were tipped to win the position.

Party faithful and delegates on Sunday, June 16 gathered at the VAG Hall, Ho to elect new leaders for positions that had become vacant as a result of the re-organisation exercise following the creation of six new regions across the country.

Former Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Henry Ametefe polled 310 votes to become the Regional Chairman while the second placed in the Vice Chairmanship race, George Dake became the 2^nd Vice Chairman.

The Deputy Women’s Organiser position went to Akusika Akpene Ansah with Angelo Norkplim Agbodzie becoming the Deputy Youth Organiser.

The Regional Chairman, Henry Ametefe, speaking on behalf of the newly elected executives, called for members of NDC in the Region to put the elections behind them and forge ahead in unity in order to achieve victory for the party in 2020.

Mr. Ametefe, popularly known as Brigadier, dedicated his victory to the party’s youth wing and advised the youth currently in executive positions to learn from their elders to enrich their experience in order to put the party in a better shape in future.

A National Executive member of the party, Kofi Attoh who swore in the newly elected executives tasked them to work hard to return the NDC and the former President, John Mahama to the Jubilee House in January 2021.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

ENA Demands Govt’s Support for Persons Living with Albinism

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June 16, 2019

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By: Tabitha Kugbonu | Voltaonlinegh |

Engage now Africa (ENA), a non-governmental organization which aims to heal, rescue and uplift individuals from poverty in some African countries in collaboration with Ghana Association of Persons Living with Albinism (GAPA) has celebrated International Albinism Awareness Day with a call on government to protect the lives of persons living with albinism and also create a conducive environment for them.

The event which was under the theme: “Still Standing Strong” took place at the British Council in Accra on June 13, 2019.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of ENA, Lynnette Gay said ENA was making efforts to improve upon the lives of persons living with albinism.

Francis Yaw Ansah, Education Director, ENA spoke on a study by the organisation in 2015 which revealed that persons living with albinism were the most marginalised in society.

Mr. Ansah said the study informed ENA’s decision to embark on a project involving persons living with albinism which aimed at providing them with sunscreen lotions, sun glasses, hats and empowering them economically to make them feel a part of society.

He added that ENA organised sensitisation programmes in various communities in Ghana for people to realise that albinism was not evil but a condition and people with that condition needed to be treated same way as other human beings.

President of GAPA, Abdul Wahed Ishaq recounted that on November 18, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to celebrate and recognise the achievement, contribution, abilities and struggles of person living with albinism on June 13 every year.

Mr. Ishaq lamented the discrimination and humiliation his members kept facing in society and pledged the Association’s resolve to fight for the rights of its members.

Member of Parliament for Krachi Nchumuru, John Majisi who chaired the event, indicated that Ghana needed to protect the lives of the vulnerable including persons living with albinism by giving them equal rights in society.

Hon. Majisi called on government to be passionate about persons living with albinism saying, in Namibia, citizens believed albinism to be a blessing and so government had made provisions for them.

Executive Director of GAPA, Newton K. Katseku on behalf of the Association, presented a petition making a case for persons living with albinism, to the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ)

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com