Volta GJA Provides Free Health Care for Kpoeta-Ashanti

 some of the nurses and volunteers at work

The Volta Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) has undertaken a day’s medical outreach at Kpoeta in the Ho West District of the Volta Region.The medical outreach which saw over a hundred residents receiving free medical care for various ailments and diseases was organised on May 3rd, 2016 to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day in the region.The team moved to the community to interact with the residents and provided them free healthcare with assistant from nurses in the Ho-West District, particularly from the Kpedze Health Center and Kpoeta CHPS compound. There were three volunteers from Blu-Med, Africa who also assisted.

A group of journalists unpacking Mosquito Nets

The Press Fredom Day medical Outreach was funded and supported by the Ho West MP, Emmanuel Bedzra, the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, Gold Finger Restaurant, the Volta Regional Health Directorate, the Ho West Distract Assembly among others.After a free health screening and diagnosis, treatment was available to all who participated in the medical outreach. Medicines and medical supplies such as anti-malarial drugs and mosquito nets were distributed to the over 100 residents who were screened.Kpoeta is predominantly a farming area made up of four communities, including the popular Kpoeta-Ashianti and Kpoeta-Atsim due to the resemblance of the names to the Akem and Asante kingdoms in the Eastern and Ashanti regions respectively.“in fact some people erroneously call the two communities as Ashante-Kpoeta and Akyem-Kpoeta, but I always correct them,” says the Assemblyman of the area Constantine Agbo.

The Tsigame Waterfall

The community which also has a stunning, but untapped water fall called “Tsigame,” also grows forest crops and spices like nutmeg, xylopia (commonly known as African Grains of Selim).The Outreach was held at Kpoeta-Ashainti which is at the central point of the traditional area. According to Constantine, the health outreach was a timely intervention since most of the residents were often plagued by Malaria and other ailments.He said their farming and artisanal skills had not been able to sustain them as the living standard in the area remained low. This made it difficult for them to frequently visit the only CHPS compound in the area or the Health Center at Kpedze (about four km away), unless it was very critical.

Eric Uche Giving Health Education

The In-Charge at the Kpoeta CHPS Compound who also was leader of the medical Team, Eric Uche also noted that Malaria recorded the highest among OPD cases annually. He was excited that the medical outreach had come at just as the rains were about to set in a period which sees a lot of Malaria cases due to the geographical location of the area.The Acting Chairman of the GJA in the Volta Region, Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi advised residents to be weary of Malaria and ensure they adhered to the advice of the community health nurses. They should also feel free and confide it the nursing regarding their health issues and always ensure they slept under treated mosquito bed nets.He also urged them to adhere to good personal hygiene and put up sanitary facilities in their homes to stop open defecation.Mr. Kanyi used the occasion to lament about level of unprofessionalism in the region due to the reluctance of media owners to employ well trained personnel. That notwithstanding, the Regional GJA is hopeful of undertaking a series of capacity building programmes for media personnel, especially as the general elections drew close. 

Some Journalists descending the rocky path to the Waterfall

Mahama touts achievements on his ‘Accounting to the People’ tour

President John Dramani Mahama has on Tuesday  justified his 'Accounting to the people tour’, which  is aimed at showcasing projects done by his government across the country and to interact with Ghanaians.

The tour which has already  taken the President to the Western and Eastern regions in the past weeks, has been fiercely criticized by some critics including the opposition New Patriotic Party, describing it as an ‘abuse of incumbency’ which the President is taking advantage of to campaign ahead of the November 7, elections.

However, speaking on the third leg of the tour to inaugurate the Dodo-Pepesu to Nkwanta section of the Eastern Corridor road in the Volta region, President Mahama explained that, he is only rendering account to Ghanaians who gave him the mandate during the last election.

According to him, just as chiefs organized regular durbars to update their subjects about development in their areas, it is just prudent for him as the president to update Ghanaians about projects and programmes his government has undertaken in the last three years.

“When you are put in a position of leadership, it is necessary for you to account to your people and tell them  how  you have discharged that responsibility and also interact with them to ask them, what more they expect from you,” he noted.

He noted that, his government in the last three years has undertaken massive infrastructure projects in various sectors across the country, which has to be accounted for.

Touting his achievements at Hohoe on day one of his 3 days tour, the President stated that “in all the regions I have inspected and commissioned projects, be have interacted with the traditional leaders and the people to discuss other projects that they want government to undertake. If you look at the track record we have been able to achieve, it is phenomenal, from electrification, to water, healthcare, education, definitely the track record of this government is an enviable one.”

President, EU Ambassador inaugurate Pepesu-Nkwanta road

President Mahama and other dignitaries cutting tape to officially open the road

President John Mahama together with the European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. William Hanna have inaugurated the Dodo-Pepesu to Nkwanta section of the eastern corridor road project in the Volta region on Tuesday.

The 46.4km road project was funded by the European Union (EU) at the cost of 32.5 million Euros, and executed by a Burkinabe construction firm, Kanazoe Ferres  between December 2012 and September, 2015.

Addressing  a durbar  to inaugurate the road as part of his Accounting to the People tour,President Mahama underscored the economic importance of the road, which he noted will facilitate the  carting of food stuff from the northern part of the region to market centers, which hitherto was a night for most farmers and truck drivers.

Section of the road

Mahama takes ‘Accounting to the People’ tour to Volta region

President John Mahama is making a stopover with his  ‘Accounting to the People’ train in the Volta region, starting today Tuesday, April 19 to Thursday, April 21, 2016.

The nationwide  tour which has already  been to the Western and Eastern regions, was to  showcase development projects undertaken by government in the last three years, as he inaugurate some completed  ones and inspect work on others. 

While in the Volta region for the next three days, President Mahama will  inaugurate some completed road projects including, a 46km stretch of the Eastern Corridor Road between  Dodo Pepesu and  Nkwanta funded by the European Union, the 70km Worawora to Dambai road, and a 17km Ho-Fume road.

He will also inspect work on some other roads such as,  the Dapa- Pampawie- Ahamasu Junction Cocoa Road project,  Dambai- Kete Krachi road as well as  cut sod for the construction of  the roads between Juapong- Abutia and well as the  Juapong-Volo-Adidome.

In the education sector,  President Mahama will officially open the region’s second Community Day SHS at Chinderi in the Krachi Nchumuru district and also commission a new Engineering Laboratory at the Ho Polytechnic.

During  the tour, the President will pay courtesy call on  the traditional leaders at Kadjebi, Hohoe and Kete-Krachi. He will also interact with cross section of residents in the region including traders at the Ho central market, to explain his programmes and policies as he seeks  a second term in office .

Source:.@Lambert_Coffie/Voltaonlinegh 

Man found dead in front of shop in Ho

The lifeless body 

The  lifeless body of a man was found lying in front of a shop around  the Ho timber market, close to the former NDC park on the Central market (Asigame) road, Thursday morning.

The man believed to be in his  70s, has been  seen  in the last few days, roaming in the vicinity, according to eyewitnesses.  A shop keeper in the area, told Volta Online that, the old man looked quite sane and has interacted with persons who get close to him. 

He however disclosed that, the deceased fell down during his usual rounds last Monday and was carried to the front  of the closed shop by some bystanders, one of whom has since been feeding the old man daily.

“The Good Samaritan  changed clothes for the old man and bought him food every morning and evening. But yesterday, the man told us, the old man refused to  eat and we came this morning only see his lifeless body,” the witness narrated.

Pope Francis confirm resignation of Keta-Akatsi Bishop

Bishop Emeritus Anthony Adanuty 

The Head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Most Rev. Anthony Adanuty, the Bishop of the Keta-Akatsi Catholic diocese in the Volta region of Ghana.

Bishop Adanuty who was said to have tendered in his resignation a year ago, after  attaining  the ‘ canonical’ age of 75 years, had his resignation confirmed by the Pope on Thursday, April 7, 2016.

A brief statement from the Vatican to the church in Ghana stated, "the Holy Father, on 7th April 2016, accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Keta-Akatsi (Ghana), presented by His Excellency Most Rev. Anthony Kwami Adanuty, in accordance with Canon 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law."

The statement also  announced the Bishop of the Ho Catholic diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu  as interim head of the Keta-Akatsi diocese. “The  Holy Father has accordingly appointed His Excellency Most Rev. Emmanuel Fianu, S.V.D., Bishop of Ho (Ghana) as Apostolic Administrator for the sede vacant et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the same Diocese.”

Nkwanta South finally gets a new DCE

Mr. Wokanya (in white) taking the oath of office

Mr. Alfred Kofi Wukanya, a retired teacher of the Nkwanta Senior High School has been confirmed as the new District Chief Executive for the Nkwanta South district in the Volta region.

He polled 34  votes  to secure the mandate of the 42 member assembly at an emergency meeting held at the district assembly hall on Tuesday.

Mr. Wukanya who was nominated in November last year by President Mahama to replace the late DCE, Peter Kojo Kenyenso, had his confirmation delayed for several months due to some unresolved 'security issues,' according to the Regional Minister, Helen Ntoso. The district has been without a substantive chief Executive, following the gruesome murder of Mr. Kenyenso in November, 2014.

The delay, also compelled  some youth of the governing NDC who went on protest two weeks ago and locked up the party's office in the area over the seemingly inaction of the party executives.

Operation Smile provide free surgery to cleft victims in Ho

Before and after surgery of a cleft victim

Some  154  patients with various forms cleft conditions, have had their deformities corrected last week through a free medical operation undertaken by the world acclaimed medical charity, ‘Operation Smile’ at the Volta regional hospital in Ho.

The five day medical operation which had a 36,000 dollar support from Unibank, involved a team of 86 medical and non-medical volunteers who worked to put smiles on the faces of the patients, aged between 6 months and 73 years, with children dominating. 

Cleft lips are lips that are not fully formed and cleft palates are holes in the roof of the mouth. This, experts say can create speech abnormalities and breathing problems sometimes resulting in death.

According to Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, leader of the surgical team, a total of seven surgeons operated on the patients drawn from various parts of the country within the five days. 

“Seven surgeons were operating simultaneously for the one week. We ensure that we do the young children early in the day and the older one later in the day. It was very tedious but we have about the successful outcome of the operations.”

VGMA: Ho to come alive with Nominees Jamz on Saturday

The Ho Jubilee Park is set to  come alive this weekend, as  the 2016 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) nominees jamz train makes a stop over at the Volta regional capital. 

The event, which is the first of its kind to hit the capital will parade the  hit makers in the Ghanaian Music industry on one stage to  treat  patrons with electrifying performances come Saturday night.

Top on the bill for the night are  ‘sons of the soil’, Edem, EL and Stonebouy, the 2015  VGMA reigning Artiste. Gospel greats S.P. Kofi Sarpong and Patience Nyarko, Wisa of ‘ekiki me’ fame, ‘Ye wo krom’ hit maker, Atom, Jupiter, and ‘King of the Street’ Kwaw Kesse.

An array of budding artistes from region, including  Hecta, Enamily, Keeny Ice, Kula, Agbeshie, Belce, as well as the Dorttyard ‘commandos’, Kush Elikem, Woyram, Mystro, and Kweku BiZkiT will also mount stage to showcase their lyrical prowess to the nation at the official Pre VGMA Party of the year, which will be cohosted by Sizzla One, of Kekeli Radio in Ho.

We have solid record in Volta region-NPP replies Mahama

Mr. Amewu (M) addressing the press

The Leadership of the opposition New Patriotic Party in the Volta region has defended the party's development  records  in the region during  the eight years tenure of the Kufour -led government between 2001 and 2009.

According to the NPP, the Volta region under the President Kufour’s administration, has witnessed monumental development projects and programmes in various sectors including roads, education, water and health among others. 

The party  was reacting to comments by President Mahama that, the NPP has nothing to show in terms of development in the region during their tenure in power. The president at a durbar of Chiefs and people of Anlo last weekend also stated that, the NDC party is responsible for all the massive projects that the Volta region since the inception of the fourth republic.

But addressing the press in Ho on Wednesday, the regional chairman of NPP, Mr. John Peter Amewu described the President’s claims as false and diversionary, citing  the ‘massive infrastructure development at the Ho Polytechnic, extension of potable water to more than 15 towns and villages within the southern sector as well as the construction of the Keta Sea defense project’ as some of the projects the NPP executed in the region.

Man, 56 killed, others injured in renewed Sovie chieftaincy dispute

Library photo

A 56 year old man has been killed with at least three other persons sustaining gunshot wounds in what is said to be a renewed chieftaincy dispute at Sovie near Kpando in the North Dayi district.

The incident which took place during a funeral last Sunday night, according an eyewitness,  saw the sporadic firing  of live bullets by alleged  supporters of one of the two  feuding factions in the dispute. This, has led to chaos at the funeral ground as people ran for their precious lives.

The district Police commander for North Dayi, ASP Twumasi Ankrah, who confirmed the incident to  Volta online   said the decease who has been identified as one Fabian Mensah Vidzro was shot in the neck and shoulder. Two other persons who sustained injuries, were also  treated and discharged at the Anfoega Catholic hospital, he noted. 

However, a third victim who has been identified as a  suspect in the latest clash, is still  on admission at  hospital  under police guard as investigations continue,  the ASP Ankrah noted.

A source at the hospital also disclosed to Volta online that some victims who were brought to the facility for treatment were taken away by their relatives over fears of a possible  reprisal attacks.

The Police commander further revealed that several empty cartridges believed to have been fired from sophisticated riffles including a  bazooka were retrieved from  the  scene.

He however noted a team of police personnel have been detailed in area since Monday to forestall any  reprisal attacks, as tension heightens in the area.

Nkwanta South: Minister clarifies delay in approving DCE

Hon. Helen Ntoso

The Volta Regional minister Helen Ntoso has explained  reasons for the delay in the approval of the new District Chief Executive for Nkwanta South, Mr. Alfred Wokanya.

Mr. Wokanya who was nominated by  President Mahama in November last year to replace the  murdered DCE, Peter Kojo Kenyenso, has his confirmation processes pending till now.

The delay has angered some NDC youth in the area, who went on protest an locked up the party office. They also blamed the regional minister Helen Ntoso for continually postponing the confirmation meetings by assembly members.

However, responding to the sentiments of the  youth in an interview with Ho-based KUUL FM, the regional minister, Helen Ntoso attributed the delays to concerns raised by some ethnic groups in the area, which  needed to be  addressed  before going ahead with the confirmation.

Southern Volta Basin Dev’t Authority in the Offing-President

President Mahama in a handshake with Torgbui Sri

President John Mahama has hinted of plans to establish  the Southern Volta Basin Development Authority  to drive the needed development in that part of the country. According to the President, the southern part of the Volta region holds a lots of investment potentials in tourism, aquaculture and other sectors, which needed to be harness through the coordination of such an agency.   

The President who was addressing   at a durbar at Keta, after a meeting with the   chiefs and elders of Anlo   on Saturday,  indicated that the National Development Planning Commission, (NDPC) has already begun preliminary works on the proposed Volta Basin Development Authority and the government will soon set up an implementation committee to spearhead the establishment of the authority. 

The meeting was at the behest of the Awomefia of Anlo, Torgbui Sri III, for the President to update  the traditional authorities  about  government’s projects and programmes in the area. Traditional authorities in the area at various events called for the setting up of an authority to spearhead the  holistic development of the area in order to tame the growing levels of unemployment.

Nkwanta South NDC youth protest delay in Approving new DCE

Aggrieved youth locking up the party office

Some aggrieved youth of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Nkwanta South constituency of the Volta region have locked the party's offices in protest over delays in appointing a a substantive  DCE for the area. 

The youth clad in red apparels also burnt lorry tyres to express their anger against the party's regional executives and the Volta regional minister, Helen Ntoso for their seemingly inaction on the issue.

The Nkwanta south district has been without a substantive Chief Executive since November 2014, following the gruesome murder the then DCE, Peter Kojo Kenyenso.

Though,President Mahama in November last year  nominated Alfred Okanya for the position, his confirmation by the assembly members is still pending as a date is yet to be fixed for the exercise.

The situation, according to the aggrieved youth is retarding  the rapid development of the district.

Seven year old girl electrocuted in Ho

Deceased Daniela Akorfa Okai

A seven-year old girl last Monday met her untimely death, during a downpour in Ho, the Volta regional capital. Daniela Akorfa Okai, a primary one pupil of the Mawuli EP Basic school was electrocuted in her home during the rains that lasted over an hour.

According to witnesses, the late Daniela was found stuck to a metallic television pole outside their home located in a Ho-Ahoe suburb of  SOWETO by her mother who had left the seven -year old in the porch earlier, to attend nature's call. 

Mourners at the burial service

Upon her return, however, Daniela's mother tried to rescue her daughter but experienced a shock and called for help. It was later revealed that the pole was exposed to a naked electric wire on the building.  Daniela died few hours later after being rushed to the Ho municipal hospital for treatment.

Zoomlion equips Volta MMDAs

The new fleets

Zoomlion Volta, a subsidiary of indigenous  waste management company, Zoomlion Ghana Ltd has presented new fleet of trucks and equipment to 20 Municipal and district assemblies in the  region.

The equipment consisting of  20 trucks, 104 motor tricycles and 90 communal waste containers, is augment  the  ones already being used by the assemblies to effectively manage waste in their jurisdictions. 

Speaking  after a brief handing over  ceremony in Ho last Wednesday , Mr. Evans Ewudzie Arthur, General manager of Zoomlion Volta said the retooling is part of an existing waste management arrangement  between the company and the assemblies. He said though, each of the 25 assemblies in the region presently has 2 trucks and 11 communal containers in addition to tricycles, some of the equipment are aging, hence the new ones. 

Torrential rain causes flooding in Ho (Photos)

A flooded home at Poly

A heavy  downpour in the  Ho, Monday afternoon has left  parts of the regional capital flooded, with dozens of  shops and homes inundated with flood waters. 

The rain which started at about 5:00 PM and lasted for almost  an hour, left  major storm drains and culverts overflowing with running  waters. 

This, also resulted in the flooding of  sections of  some  roads within the capital, such as the Dome-Barracks, YMCA-Civic Centre-Asanyame, OLA-Market and Poly  roads among others. 

Shops and homes along these stretches at Bankoe, Anlokordzi, Poly, Dome and other places also had their fair share of the flood.

Barracks road

A visit to some of the suburbs  after the downpour, saw affected residents scooping water and sand debris out of their shops and homes. 

“These flood is more than what we experienced last year,” an affected hairdresser on the Poly road, exclaimed.  

A lot of debris have also piled up at mouth of some culverts, with some scattered on the street at the time of this report. No casualty was however reported.

High court orders arrest of Water Resources Minister (Details)

Dr. Agyemang-Mensah

The Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Dr. Kweku Agyemang-Mesah has found himself on the wrong side of the law, as  the High court in Ho has issued a bench  warrant  for his arrest.

The court issued the warrant after the minister failed to appear before it on several occasions to answer to contempt charges brought against him and two other directors of ministry over destructions caused to some communities in the Keta municipality as a result of the Ada sea defense project.

Two persons, Marshall Koblah Fenu   and Zikpuitor Benjamin Atsu Fenu in early 2015, filed a writ in court seeking an interlocutory injunction on the Ada sea defense project being undertaken by  Dredging  International  Company from Netherlands, due to its adverse impact on the Gamenu, Fuveme and Kporkopor-Kedzi communities along the estuary. 

They also asked the court to order the ministry and the contractor to take immediate remedial steps to safeguard the communities. An order the court presided over by his Lordship Patrick Bayerh granted, giving the ministry 40 days to carry out the remedy. This was however not heeded to by  the ministry,  prompting  the plaintiffs to return to court with contempt charges against the minister, the chief director and the director of hydrological service.

However, since the start of the  contempt hearing in December 2015, the minister Dr. Agyemang-Mensah has never appeared in court, though the chief director, Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu and director of hydrological services, Mr Owusu Ansah were present on most occasions.