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.

Roads in Ho and two other towns to be asphalted

Ho Poly - SSNIT flat road

Road networks within three towns in the Volta region  are  to be  given an asphaltic facelift, President Mahama has revealed.

The re-surfacing which will take place before the end of 2016 forms  part of an urban roads improvement project being undertaken by government to improve  the standard of roads in Ho, Hohoe and Keta. 

President Mahama  who disclosed this, during  a courtesy called on the paramount chief of Asogli traditional area, Togbe Afede XIV, in Ho over the weekend, said 25 kilometers of roads have been earmarked for the asphaltic surfacing in Ho as part of the phase of the project. 

“The project is being awarded and very soon the contract will be on site to raise the standards of the roads with asphalt and this will also be done in Keta and Hohoe,” he stated.

The president’s assurance comes on the back sentiments expressed by  residents, which Togbe Afede re-echoed  at the meeting, about the  quality of some roads which were recently resurfaced with bituminous  chipping within the Volta regional capital.

Three killed in gory Ho accident

At least, three persons are reported dead in an accident involving a Benz bus and two taxi cabs in Ho Saturday, afternoon.
The bus with registration number GT 8320 C, according eyewitnesses was descending the Galenkui hill, when it ran into the taxis, one of which was engaging in a u-turn in front of the Goil filling station opposite the OLA SHS 2nd gate, with the other overtaking it.
Eyewitnesses believe the 33 seater bus might have had brake failure resulting in the accident.
Several persons on the bus are said to have sustained various degrees of injury, as it capside on a pavement.

Personnel from the Fire Service and Police service were at the scene to evacuate the victims to the regional hospital in Ho for treatment, as investigation commenced.

Passengers onboard the Benz bus have been identified as members of the Apostles Revelations Society (ARS) church, who were returning from a funeral. 

Source: VoltaOnlinegh/LA

UHAS lecturer who committed Suicide buried

The Late Winfred Korku Ametefe (c)facebook

The mortal remains of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) lecturer, who committed suicide has been buried in Ho on Saturday.

Winfred Korku Ametefe’s, body was found hanging in his official residence at Ho VORADEP Village last Tuesday by the Police, after some residents in area complained of a bad stench emanating from the deceased’s apartment. He is believed to have committed the act three days before the body was found.

The burial which took place at the Ho public cemetery Saturday morning was preceded by a brief solemn burial service at the Elorm E.P Church at Ho-Bankoe.

In attendance, were members of the UHAS community, as well as relatives and friends of the 41 years old lecturer, most of whom, are yet to come to terms with his sudden demise.

One of his close allies narrated that, “Winfred, is an extrovert, who is very cordial with everyone. There was no day that you’ll see him moody; so I'm very shock to hear such a tragedy could befall him.”

Inspector General calm nerves of Ho Residents

Following recent spate of robberies in parts of the Volta regional capital, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan on Tuesday embarked on a day’s working visit to Ho to assess the security situation in the municipality.

The IGP, accompanied by the Director-General Police Public Affairs, DCOP David Ampa-Bennin were led on a tour of municipality including some crime prone areas by the regional commander, DCOP Peterkin Yentumi-Gyinae.

He also paid courtesy calls on the Deputy Regional Minister, Francis Ganyaglo and the Warlord of the Asogli Tradtional Area, Togbe Adzie Lakle Howusu XII, before meeting his officers at the regional Police command.

Police busted 19 Suspects in connection with recent robberies in Ho

The Suspects on parade

The Volta Regional Police Command on Monday conducted an identification parade for 19 suspected criminals who were arrested during a special Police operation within the Ho Municipality over the weekend.

According to the Regional Police Commander, Peter-King Yentumi Gyinae, the arrest of the suspects was based on police intelligence and public tip-offs for their involvement in recent robberies in the area.

However, none of the suspected criminals was identified at the parade, a situation DCOP Gyinae blamed on the uncooperative attitude of crime victims to participate in the exercise.

Notwithstanding that, the Police Commander said the suspects will be profiled with their fingerprint and pictures taken before granting them bail.

Ho Poly Ready For Technical University

Ho Polytechnic is ready to join the first batch of Polytechnics in Ghana to be converted into Technical Universities in 2016.

According to the Rector, Prof. Emmanuel Kojo Sakyi, Ho Polytechnic is more than 50% ready for conversion into Technical University having started implementing the recommendations of the Dr. George Afeti Committee.

The Rector made the announcement recently at a press conference in Ho in commemoration of his 100 Days in Office which originally fell on the 5^th of January, 2015.

As part of the recommendations of the Technical Committee, for a polytechnic to be granted technical university status, it should be offering a minimum of four (4) Bachelor of Technology degree programmes in science and technology based disciplines.

Volta Police Allay Fears of Asogli Chiefs over 'insecurity'

DCOP Yentumi-Gyinae

The Volta Regional Police command has allayed the fears of Chiefs of the Asogli State in Ho and residents that the security situation in the Volta Regional capital is under maximum control.

According to the Regional Commander, DCOP Peterkin Yentumi Gyinae “we are in total control and that Chiefs and people of Ho should be rest assured.” He noted that a few incidents should not be exaggerated to mean the worst was happening in Ho.

DCOP Gyinae gave the assurance in a brief rejoinder  to allay the fears of Ho residents. 
The rejoinder was in reaction to a publication by the Ghana News Agency headlined “Asogli Warriors to Take over Security in Ho, in which some Chiefs the Asogli State reportedly registered their displeasure about the security situation during a press briefing in Ho and urged the Police to sit up else, their duties will be taken over by the Asogli warriors.

Most  media houses however have confirmed they neither heard of nor were present at the said press briefing.

But reacting to the observations of the Chiefs and content of the publication, the Regional Police Command was grateful to the Chiefs for their observations saying “The Police will not begrudge the Chiefs for making an observation about issues pertaining in Ho.”

Robbers Attack Private Clinic in Ho

Foresight Clinic

Four armed robbers last Wednesday night stormed the Foresight Clinic in Ho, the Volta Regional Capital taking away money and properties. According to an eyewitness and a victim, Wilson Ablormeti the incident which happened between 8:45pm and 9:00pm led to the loss of about GH₵1000.00, working tools and personal belonging of staff, including mobile phones and two laptops.

Wilson Ablormeti said he and the security man and one other person were assaulted by the masked robbers while his mobile phone and money was also collected.

Robbery Details

He explained that at about 8:45 a man entered the clinic to visit his wife and daughter which the security man and other nurses clarified that there was no such admission.

The man was asked to call the wife and verify her location. The man replied that he had done that and the wife was still insisting that she was at foresight Clinic.

Just when the man was being persuaded to leave, four masked men charged into the clinic and joined the man. The gun wielding men requested for the mobile phones and monies on the about seven staff members at the facility.

Asogli chiefs threaten to deploy Warriors to provide security of Ho

The chiefs of the Asogli State in Ho, on Monday threatened to send Asogli Warriors to the street to take over the security of the Volta Regional capital.

This follows the current daily incidents and reports of robbery in the Municipality, which increased during the yuletide, and is continuing. Aside the break-ins are muggings on streets and alleys.

Before the Christmas, there were robbery cases at Mawuli Estate, SSNIT Flats, Voradep Village and ‘B’ Quarters.

Two medical doctors and a few others were also robbed last week at Goshen City, Adzroe Street and in communities opposite offices of the Regional Police Command.

The robbers tied some of their victims with robes and allegedly raped the women.

Togbe Howusu the Twelfth, Warlord of the Asogli State, at a press briefing, chastised the Police in Ho for concentrating on check points outside Ho at night, and said indications were that residents had confidence in them.

Volta Police hands over ‘Wee’ Cops to Headquarters

L/C Frazer, Sergeant Ametepe and Uchenna

The Volta regional Police command has transferred the case involving two of its officers and a Nigerian, who were busted for transporting substances suspected to be India hemp (Wee) in a Police van.

LanceCorporal Frazer Defeamekpor and Sergeant Prosper Ametepe and Uchenna Ubanezim were arrested last Saturday dawn by a Highway Patrol team at Sokode-Lokoe near Ho with 18 fibre bags, containing 1051 slaps of the suspected substance; which they were transporting in a Nissan Navara pick-up with registration number, GP 3741 belonging to the Ho Regional Police Training School (RPTS).

In an interview with VoltaOnline, the Public Affairs Officer of the regional Police Command, DSP Nicholas Asiamah-Yeboah disclosed that the Police Headquarters has directed that the case be transferred to Accra for further investigations and prosecution.

“We should have taken them to court today [Tuesday], but the case will be taken over by headquarters and they’ll be arraigned before court in Accra… So we’re waiting for the arrival of a team from the headquarters to come and pick them to Accra for further investigation.”

Two Cops and a Nigerian busted with ‘Wee’ in Police Van

Two Police men and a Nigerian are currently in the grips of the Volta regional Police command for possessing and attempting to transport substances suspected to be India hemp (Wee).

According to VoltaOnline sources, the two Police men Corporal Frazier Defeamekpor and Sergeant Prosper Ametepe of the Keta MTTD with Nigerian accomplice Uchena Ubanizim were busted at Sokode-Lokoe near Ho in the early hours of Saturday dawn.

The dried leaves which were compressed in 1051 slaps and stuffed in 18 fibre bags were being transported in a Police Nissan Navara Pickup with registration GP 3741.

A Police Source disclosed that, the vehicle which was been driven by Corporal Defeamekpor belongs to the Ho Regional Police Training School.

Explaining how they got hint of the crime, the source noted that, the Peki Highways Patrol team first spotted  vehicle at Kpeve in the South Dayi district at about 11:00pm on Friday, with the sacks in its bucket but the driver failed to stop at various check points.

2014 'Face of Asogli' involved in near fatal Accident

Dzifa Nukulenu

Information reaching our desk indicates that, newly crowned Face of Asogli 2014, Ms. Dzifa Nukulenu has been involved in a near fatal accident Sunday morning.

The accident is said to occur when the pick-up she was travelling in with her family crashed into a stationary KIA truck between Sanga and Asikuma junction on the Ho-Accra highway.

Dzifa’s father who was reportedly driving the vehicle is said to have died on the spot while the beauty queen and her auntie are said to be in critical conditions at Peki government Hospital.

Miss Dzifa Nukulenu, a Level 200 political science student of the University of Ghana, won the “Face of Asogli 2014” beauty pageant last weekend.

Dzifa and her family are said to be returning home to Peki after a dinner dance to climax this year’s Asogli Yam Festival in Ho on Saturday night when the accident occurred. 

2014 Asogli Yam festival Climaxed in Grand Style

Togbe Afede

A durbar of chiefs and people of Asogli has taken place on Saturday at the Ho Jubilee Park to climax this year’s Asogli Yam Festival the celebrations.

The durbar saw the showcasing of the rich cultural dexterity of the four traditional areas forming Asogli, which include Akoefe, Ho, Kpenoe and Takla.

The festival attracted Ewes from the Republic of Togo, led by Togbe Agokoli IV, Ewefiaga as well as local and foreign tourists, chiefs and some members of the diplomatic corps.

A high powered government delegation led by Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur was also in attendance.

Addressing the gathering on the theme “Let’s make our nation great and strong,” Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli State said Ghana could “bounce back” as a strong nation should the “right system and spirit” be developed.

According to him, the current challenges confronting the nation could be corrected if the right systems and spirit is developed through truthful leadership and patriotic citizenship.

“Notwithstanding our current difficulties as a nation, if we can develop the right system and the right spirit, our situation will correct itself, and we shall bounce back and forge a path towards greatness, as envisaged by our founding fathers,” he added.

He said building a great nation is a process, which involves the construction of “right systems” using the power of the State to unite and inspire the people, to contribute towards the building of a politically and economically stable and viable nation.

The Agbogbomefia called the appointment of ‘hard working men and women, who value truth and honour, with demonstrated capabilities’ into public office to ensure national progress.

Togbe Afede also bemoaned the acrimonious nature party politics in the country and called for its redirection on development instead of its preoccupation of only winning elections.

Varsity of Health, Allied Sciences gets substantive Council

The first substantive Governing Council for the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) Ho have been inaugurated in Ho last Wednesday.

The 13-member council replaces the University’s Implementation Committee, which acted as interim Council, since its establishment by an Act of Parliament (ACT 828) in 2011.

The Council which has a-three-year tenure to be renewed once is under the chairmanship of Prof. Kofi Anyidoho of the University of Ghana-Legon, who was also chaired the interim council.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, who inaugurated council, commended the interim Council for the “remarkable progress” made and urged the substantive Council to be guided by provisions in the University’s Act in all its deliberations.

Other members on the Council are Mrs Justice Agnes Dordzie of the Court of Appeal, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, Legal Practitioner, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Vice-Chancellor of University of Ghana, Dr. Yaw Adu-Gyamfi, CEO Danadams Pharmaceuticals Industries and Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, Catholic Health Services.

Others include Prof. Fred Binka, Vice-Chancellor UHAS, Mr Paul Dzandu, Deputy Executive Secretary National Council on Tertiary Education (NCTE), Mr Dzidzeme K. Sedanu-Kwawu, representative of Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS).

The rest are Mr Emmanuel Adjei, Chief ICT Officer UHAS, Mr Kwabena Sakyi, representative of the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Associations of Ghana (FUSSAG), Dr. Francis Zotor, representative of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), and Mr Daniel Y. Sarfo, representative of the Students Representative Council (SRC).

2014 Asogli Yam festival get support from MTN

Flashback: 2013 donation by MTN

Ghana’s leading telecom operator, MTN Ghana as part of its commitment towards the promotion of the rich Ghanaian culture and tradition, have presented cheque for GH¢ 5,000.00 to the Asogli State in support of this year’s Asogli Yam Festival.

It also donated airtime worth a GH¢1,000.00, a GH¢500.00 worth of drink hamper and some assorted MTN souvenirs.

Mr David Woasey, regional Sales and distribution Manager of MTN who presented the items, said the donation was to consolidate the long standing relationship between the company and the Asogli state.

‘MTN as a friend of the Asogli state have come to affirm our relationship and lend our continuous support to the people as you celebrate the Asogli Yam festival’ he said and promised that his outfit would support an entertainment show in Ho dubbed “MTN Chill Zone” during the festival.

Mr Woasey said the theme for this year’s festival-“Let’s make our nation great and strong,” was appropriate because it called for selflessness and patriotism.

He said MTN as part of its Corporate Social Initiatives, has undertaken more than 95 projects in the country, impacting over 213,000 lives nationwide.

Togbe Kotoku XI, Paramount Chief of Kpenoe and Chairman of the 2014 Asogli Yam Festival Planning Committee, commended MTN for its continued support to the festival.

The three week long celebration will be climax on Saturday September 20 with a grand durbar of chiefs and people of the Asogli state and it’s expected to attract tourists and Ewes from the Republic of Togo, Benin and Nigeria.

Dzifa Crowned 2014 Face of Asogli

Miss Dzifa Nukulenu, a Level 200 student of the University of Ghana, was last Saturday night crowned the “Face of Asogli 2014.”

The 21-year old Political Science student, who won a car, a year’s working contract with McDon Multimedia, organizers of the beauty pageant, has been made the Educational Ambassador for the Asogli State.

Miss Nukulenu was also adjudged the “Most Talented” at the event, which attracted many dignitaries, including Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli.

Akorfa Agbeko, a student at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and Kafui Foli, self-employed, were first and second runners-up respectively.

The excited Miss Nukulenu told GNA that her focus was to work hard to improve the performance of pupils in the Asogli State and the Volta Region at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

She said she would organise regular educational engagements with pupils, teachers, and parents to enhance quality teaching and learning in basic schools in the traditional area.

The contest held at Ho polytechnic auditorium saw popular Ghanaian boxers, Braimah Kamoko a.k.a Bukom Banku and Michael Ayittey alias Ayittey Powers, thrilled the audience with their own version of the Queen’s language alongside other rib cracking acts.

Xcholera: Massive Cleanup Exercise In Ho on Wednesday

In a move to curb the fast spread of the current cholera outbreak in the Ho Municipality, the Municipal authorities have announced a massive cleanup exercise, scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday.

The exercise which begins in the morning between 6am- 10am, will see residents pour onto the streets in their various suburbs to clear weeds, desilt and choked drains, under the coordination of assembly members and chiefs.

To ensure full participation from both formal and informal sector workers, Assembly officials have disclosed that the central market will be under lock and key, whiles shops owners, public and corporate institutions have also been directed not to open their premises for business until after the cleanup exercise.

Authorities further noted that, residents and institutions who failed to adhere to the directive will be appropriately sanctioned.

Last week, the Assembly fumigated all public toilets following reports of four confirmed cases of cholera in the Municipality. Whiles public education on cholera prevention still continues on the airwaves.

‘Allow young people to explore their talents’- Varsity Lecturer urges Parents

Michael Dabi, Lecturer at EPUC

A Lecturer at the Evangelical Presbyterian University College (EPUC) in Ho, Mr. Michael Dabi has called on parents not to restrict their wards in exhibiting their God talents but rather provide good counselling and guidance to enable them attain their full potentials in life.  

He said the situation whereby parents impose academic courses on their wards to study at the second cycle and tertiary institutions only put pressure on them to perform, which some end up failing, whereas they could have easily excel in their preferred courses.

Mr. Dabi who himself have experienced similar fate as a teenager, at the launch of his book, ‘Proverbs for Students’ , said he was compelled to study Science courses at both the Senior High and University level, though he has the preference for the Arts and Music.      

 ‘Coercing students to study programmes against their talents put pressure on them to perform… but if everyone is allowed to use his/her talent, the world will be a better place’ he noted.

He also posited that, lack of motivation is one of the root causes of academic failure among students, hence the decision to come out with the book, which chronicles his experiences as a student and a lecturer, with a blend of ancient and biblical proverbs as well as famous quotes to inspire young people to reach out to the world with their talents.

Dr. Cyril Fayose, President of the E.P University College who launched the book, urged young people to be discipline and time conscious as the proverbial ant, so as to make a positive difference in the society with their talents. 

No Power supply to buildings not wire by ‘certified’ Electricians

Victor Owusu, P.R Manager

The Energy Commission has disclosed that effective February next year, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) will not extend power supply to any building which has not been wired by the commission’s certified electricians.

The move, according to a Senior Programme Officer in-charge of Technical Regulations at the Commission, Mr Solomon Sarpong, is to ensure that standard electrical fittings such as cables and switches are used to properly wire the facilities, in order to curb power leakages as well as to avert firebreaks.

He said ‘poor electrical wiring contributes to energy losses at home and a major cause of the numerous fire outbreaks in recent times’ hence the commission’s decision to begin certifying professional electricians to avert the situation.

Mr Sarpong who was speaking in Ho during the Commission’s “SAVE A WATT”, campaign, urged persons who would require the services of such certified electricians to contact the commission or any ECG offices across the country.

The nationwide campaign which was launched in June this year is geared towards sensitizing consumers on the need to conserve energy as a means of reducing the annual electricity demand of 10-15 percent, which has resulted in the current energy crisis facing the country.