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 

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.

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.

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.

Exclusive Audio: President Mahama's 2016 Easter Message

President Mahama exchanging pleasantries with chiefs at the durbar

President John Mahama has urged Ghanaians not to only dwell on the failures of the country Ghana but also celebrate her successes.

According to him, Ghana has chalked a lot of successes ahead of her peers in the West African sub region since independence, which we most often take for granted.

Delivering his 2016 Easter message at Sokpoe in the South Tongu district of the Volta on Saturday, President Mahama said  just as the lessons of Easter remind us of adversity and opportunity, so is the story of Ghana.

“Easter teaches us life is not one long smooth journey of opportunity alone. As a nation, 59 years of independence, we have gone through adversity but we have also had our moment of opportunity. And so what makes the difference between success and failure is that we don't lament on our moments of adversity but we recognize our moment of opportunity and take advantage of it,” President Mahama stated at the 32nd annual Tortsogbe (River crossing) festival celebrations by the Chiefs and people of Sokpoe, a community along the western bank of the Volta river.

He further noted that “we all want to go to heaven, but we cannot walk straight into heaven like this. You have to die first before you resurrect in heaven. So you must necessarily go through adversity in order to that you can have opportunity.”

He therefore believe, it is only when citizens appreciate and boast of the country’s successes that, others will be motivated to work hard to make Ghana a better place. Play attach audio and listen to full message.

Source: Voltaonlinegh/LA

President Mahama toured eastern corridor road project

President Mahama receiving briefing on the progress of work 

President John Mahama on Thursday , inspected  progress of  work on the  eastern corridor road project in the volta region.

The road which starts from the Asikuma junction, through  Peki, Have, Hohoe to Nkwanta in the region, was started under the President Mills  in 2012, with work moving at a snail pace due to lack of funds.

However, work is currently progressing steadily  on the Asikuma junction towards Kpeve, following the release of funds by government.  The  contractor, Green House developers International has already asphalted 20km of the stretch between Asikuma junction to Peki-Agbate.

Addressing separate durbars  at Todome and Ve-aGolokwati in the South Dayi  and  Afadjato south districts respectively,  President Mahama reiterated his government's commitment towards the completion of the project, which he said holds a lot of economic prospects for citizens along the corridor.

Section of the road under construction

William Seddoh confirmed new DCE for Biakoye district

Mr, Seddoh (R) taking his oath

The  Biakoye district Assembly has finally gotten a new Chief Executive, 10 months after the demised of the former DCE Nana Louis Akattah.

Assembly members at an emergency meeting on Tuesday confirmed Mr. William Seddoh, a 47 year old staff of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) as the new District Chief Executive for the area. 

President Mahama earlier this month in accordance with article 243(1) of the 1992 constitution and section 20(1) of the Local Government Act, Act 46, Mr. Seddoh for the position after an earlier nominee, Casmir Rockson Addo-Mensah failed to get the nod of assembly members three months ago.

The new DCE however  secured 36 out of 43 votes to get the nod from the assembly members to replace late Nana Louis Akattah who died in May 2015 after a short illness.

Let's work to retain President Mahama- John Dumelo to NDC youth

John Dumelo with some NDC supporters 

Popular Ghanaian actor, John Dumelo has hit the grounds running for President Mahama re-election campaign, charging the youth wing of the NDC to work hard to secure a second term for the president in the November 7, general elections.

Addressing enthusiastic supporters in the Volta region during a health walk dubbed 'Walk for JM' on Monday at Hohoe, Mr. Dumelo said, " I'm glad that you have all joined in the walk, that's the same way we will walk to maintain this present government."

Photos: Vice President keep fit with appointees in Ho

Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur and a host of of government ministers and appointees took time off their busy schedules to burn some calories in a health walk in Ho, the Volta regional capital, Saturday morning.

The appointees including the chief of staff, Julius Debrah clad in polo shirts with inscription #Changinglives, #transformingGhana walked through the principal streets of Ho, starting  from the Volta Serene hotel on Kabakaba Hills.

NDC Primaries: Four MPs tumble, Seven new faces join ticket inVoltaregion.

Four incumbent members of parliament tumbled in the just ended parliamentary primaries of National Democratic Congress in the Volta region. 

They include. Hon. Joe Gidisu, MP for Central Tongu and former minister for roads and highways, who was beaten by Mr. Gabby Hotordze with almost 5000 votes in a three man contest. Hon. Gidisu polled 3,123 votes as against Mr. Hotordze’s  8,088 votes.

In the  North Dayi constituency, Hon. George Loh set the record as a one term MP, as he was toppled by a female aspirant, Joycelyn Tetteh, a student of the University of Cape Coast. She polled 3,037 votes as against Mr. Loh’s 2,207 votes.

Hon. Edem Asimah also suffered defeat in the South Dayi constituency, where he Lawyer  Rockson Defeamekpor, who polled 2,422 votes, as against Mr. Asimah's 1,585 votes.

The 4th causality was the Incumbent MP for Biakoye, Hon. Emmanuel Bandua also lost to Nyanpon Aboagye.

In all, Seven new faces have made their way onto the NDC's ticket for the 2016 general elections. They are include Charles Agbeve for Agortime/Ziope, and Angela Alorwu-Tay (DCE) for Afadjato South.

Below is the list of winners in the NDC primaries in Volta region.

NDC suspends disqualified Ketu South MP aspirant

         Koku Anyidoho, Deputy NDC General Secretary 

The Volta regional branch of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has suspended one of the disqualified parliamentary aspirants for the Ketu South constituency Jim Yao Morti.

The party in a statement Wednesday said the decision has become necessary following the “unacceptable” behavior of Yao Morti and his supporters after his disqualification from the upcoming primaries.

Morti is in court seeking to place an injunction on the Saturday primary in the constituency.

According to the writ, he said he met all laid down requirements stated in the NDC’s guidelines for the election, hence could not understand his disqualification.

“Even though no communication has been channeled to the plaintiff directly, the plaintiff got to know that the reason for the delay and actions of some of the executives of the 1st Defendant [Fifi Kwetey] to stall his candidature is to assist the 5th defendant who has lost touch with the constituency,” the writ stated.

The NDC goes to the polls on Saturday to elect its Presidential and parliamentary candidates for the 2016 elections.

Credit: StarrFMonline 

Mahama climax ‘changing lives’ tour in Volta region ahead of primaries

President Mahama will climax his 'changing lives, transforming Ghana' tour with a 2days visit to the Volta region, the 'world bank' of the governing National Democratic Congress. 

As part of the visit which begins today, the president will commission one of the community day Senior High Schools in the Nkwanta South district  and later inspect work on the Hohoe-Pepesu section of the eastern corridor road project at Jasikan.

He will then have a meeting with regional party executives and MMDCEs at the residency in Ho later Wednesday  evening.

President Mahama is also expected to commission the permanent campus of the university of health and allied sciences at Sokode-Lokoe near Ho on Thursday morning, before meeting with members of the Volta regional house of Chiefs.

The visit will be climax with a mammoth rally at the Ho jubilee, where president will address thousands of party supporters in the region ahead of Saturday's presidential and parliamentary primaries of the party.

Disqualified Ketu South NDC aspirant drag party to court

One of the two disqualified aspirants in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary race in the Ketu South constituency of the Volta region have drag the party to court over his disqualification.

Mr. Jim Yao Morti, through a suit  at the High court in Accra, is seeking among other reliefs an injunction on the November 21 primaries in the constituency.

According to the writ,  Mr. Morti said he met all laid down requirements stated  in the NDC’s guidelines for the election, hence could not understand his disqualification.

He noted that, a petition brought against him during his vetting about him selling a rented car in Togo was raised during which he “provided satisfactory answers to that effect and even provided the necessary documentation to alleviate the issues raised.”

His vetting was however  referred to the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) for redress, but has since had no communication from the party concerning his disqualification or otherwise.

Mr. Morti however believe the action of the NDC national executive committee is breach of his fundamental human rights and an attempt to give the incumbent MP, Mr. Fiifi Kwetey the lee way to contest unopposed. He is therefore praying the court for a perpetual injunction on the parliamentary primaries in the constituency until his name is included on the ballot paper.

“The NEC has not till date, come out with a decision of the his candidature and also not communicated same to him or the general public,” yet has not been cleared for the primaries.

“Even though no communication has been channelled to the plaintiff directly, the plaintiff got to know that the reason for the delay and actions of some of the executives of the 1st Defendant [Fiifi Kwetey] to stall his candidature is to assist the 5th defendant who has lost touch with the constituency,” the writ stated.

Volta NPP suspends two executives for misconduct

The Volta Regional Executive Committee of the NPP have suspended two of its constituency executive in the region.

The decision follows two separate petitions filed against, Godfred Kudalor and Pope Yao Yevoo, organizer and secretary in the Akatsi North and Ketu North constituencies respectively.

The duo who took part in the recent demonstration at the party national headquarters demanding the reinstatement of suspended chairman, Paul Afoko, are said to have made comments deemed to be derogatory of the party in public.

At a regional executive committee meeting on Friday, the two gentlemen were suspended with immediate effect, pending further action by the regional disciplinary committee.

Mr. Enoch Amegbletor, deputy regional communications director of NPP who confirmed suspension of the two party officers news, said they were not suspended because they participated in the demonstration but rather their utterances to section of the media contravenes the party's constitution.

‘We won’t be intimidated’-Volta NPP Chairman

The Volta regional chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. John Peter Amewu has sent a word of caution to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the region that; members of the NPP will not be intimidated by their (NDC) machinations against them.

According to him, the NPP will march the NDC ‘boot-for-boot’ should the later attempt to disrupt NPP activities in the region.

“This country do not belong to them, I’m sounding a caution to them, that the new crop of executives we have here headed by myself John Peter Amewu, we cannot be intimidated, if they dare we’ll march them boot-for-boot”

Mr. Amewu was speaking to the media after a planned lecture to be delivered by the party’s vice presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to tertiary students at the Ho Polytechnic auditorium Friday evening was called off.

Despite, the massive turnout of students from various tertiary institutions within Ho municipality, the former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana failed to turn up at the venue, to the disappointment of many.

AUDIO: Dr. Bawumia speaks to Voltarians: hints of restoration of Scrapped teacher & Nursing trainees' allowances

Dr. Bawumia in the studios of Volta Premier FM

The running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)for the 2016 general elections, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Friday, April 17, 2015 granted an interview to Ho Polytechnic campus based radio station, Volta Premier FM  as part of  his familiarization visit to the Volta region.

The interview conducted by Rustum Gameli Senorgbe touched on a wide scope of issues including the NPP electoral fortunes in the region, which is the 'world bank' of their opponent, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Dr. Bawumia Also revealed during the interview that, the NPP will restore allowances for teacher and nursing trainees, when it wins the 2016 elections.
The NDC government in 2013 scrapped off and nursing trainees' allowances in order to increase enrolment into the colleges. The allowances is subsequently replaced with the student loan scheme, to the displeasure of many of the trainees. 

According to the NPP vice presidential candidate, the reasons given by the current NDC government for scrapping the allowances is untenable, since the education and health sectors are crucial for the nation’s development.