Pencils of Promise to boost Education delivery in Volta region

Mr. Goba, director of PoP signing the MoU with Mr. Ganyaglo and Alhaji Haroon

In an era where the standard of Basic and Senior High school education in the Volta region continue to take a nose dive coupled with poor and inadequate classroom infrastructure, an educational charity organisation, Pencils of Promise (PoP) have officially entered into a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the Volta Regional Directorate of Education to help stem the situation.

The MoU, pave the way for PoP to complement government’s effort in providing classroom blocks and other teaching and learning materials for schools in deprived communities for the next five years. The charity organisation which started operations in 2012 has already built classrooms for 53 schools in 15 districts of the Volta region within the last two years.

Mr. Freeman Goba, Country Director of the organisation said Pencils of Promise is committed to providing 500 school blocks in Ghana by the end of 2015. This, he said is in fulfilment of the Organisation’s mission of bringing smiles on the faces of the less privileged, through the provision of shelter and logistics to deprived community schools.

Former Deputy Attorney -General laid to rest

Captain retired Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey, a private legal practitioner and a former minister of state in the erstwhile Kufour led-Administration, has paid a glowing tribute to a former chief state Attorney, who was later appointed a Deputy Minister of Justice and Attorney General in President Mills’ administration, Mr. Anthony Kwame Gyambiby, who died in March this year and was laid to rest at the weekend.

Capt. Rtd. Effah-Dartey, who was called to the Bar together with Mr. Gyambiby in October 1986, described the former chief state attorney in a tribute, as an incorruptible and astute public official who dedicated his life to the service of mother Ghana.

“Mr. Gyambiby virtually lived all his life working for the nation… working honestly and tirelessly just to push the national agenda forward... But the tragedy of society is that, those few who actually constitute the bedrock and fabric of our nation are usually unsung and unheralded.” Capt. Rtd. Effah-Dartey said during the funeral service at Asato in the Kedjebi district of the Volta region.

The late Gyambiby, who was also the Gyaasehene of the Asato traditional Area, under the stool name, Nana Otuo Srebour Gyambiby, joined the Attorney General’s department as an Assistant State Attorney in 1990 and rose through the ranks, attaining the highest rank of Chief State Attorney in 2001.

He also headed the eastern regional office of the A-G’s department in 2007 until his retirement in 2007, but was retained on contract before his subsequent appointment as a Deputy Attorney General in April, 2012 by the late President John Mills.

Nana Tops NPP Super delegates congress in Volta Region

E.C Officials collating the ballots

Despite predictions that Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten one of the seven flagbearer aspirants of the NPP might pull a surprise in the Volta region at the party’s super delegate congress on Sunday, because of the relatively massive support he enjoys in the region, the poll ended with Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo sweeping majority votes.

He polled 28 votes, as against Allan’s 14 votes from a total of 51 votes cast, with Joe Ghartey, Asamoah Boateng and Addai Nimo polling one vote each; whiles Dr. Konadu Apraku and Kofi Osei Ameyaw secured 2 and 4 votes respectively.

Mr. Anthony Oppong deputy Volta regional director of the Electoral Commission, who presided over the elections said, in all, 56 delegates were expected to cast their votes but due a court injunction placed on the executives of both the Ho central and South Tongu constituencies prevented their chairmen from participating in the exercise, while two other delegates have also transferred their votes to Accra, with one absentee delegate.

Voting which started around 9:17am ended by midday, leaving delegates and party supporters to anxiously await the outcome of the polls, which was finally announced by the E.C officials at the stipulated 3:00pm. The announcement of results sent majority of the delegates into wild jubilation, though they claim it was expected.

Confusion

201 Cholera outbreaks recorded in Volta region

Mr. Draffor with Mr. Dogbegah

The Volta region has so far recorded 201 cholera cases with five casualties as of Tuesday, August 26, Mr Mathew Drafor, Head of Disease Surveillance Unit at the Regional Health Directorate has stated.

According to him, the Ketu-South district recorded the highest number of cases, with 110 cases and two deaths, a sharp increase in 60 cases recorded on Friday, August 22. Also the Nkwanta South recorded 67 cases with three deaths, Ho-West, 12 cases, Ketu-North 10 cases and the Ho Municipality with two cases.

Mr. Draffor disclosed this on Tuesday at a public sensitization forum organised by the Ho Rotary Club in conjunction with the Royal Hospital at the Ho central market on the theme: “End Cholera Now.”

He noted that the increasing pace of the disease is getting out of hand and called for concerted efforts from stakeholders to tackle the menace.

He also urged the public to practice good personal hygiene and also be careful in handling dead persons.

Mr Richard Ahiagbede, Municipal Environmental Officer said the Assembly is fumigating some areas in the communities to halt the spread of the disease.

‘We owe you a lot’ Minister tells Pensioners

The Volta Regional Minister, Madam Helen Ntoso has stated that the nation owed pensioners a lot of appreciation for their immeasurable contributions to survival of the country.

Speaking to members of the Ghana Government Pensioners’ Association at their get-together in Ho on Wednesday, Madam Ntoso said the pensioners ‘were committed and dedicated’ in their time of active service and urged them to have a positive approach to life so that they could maintain their strength beyond 80 years.

She appealed to them to regularly pray and advise the young ones, many of whom were falling foul of the law and had become “jail birds”. She also promised to create a bigger platform for more pensioners in the Region to fraternize and share their experiences.

Madam Celestine Vehe, Local Chairperson of the Association, advised members to exercise moderation in whatever they do, exercise regularly and pay attention to their health and share their experiences with the younger generation.

Low turnout renders registration officers idle in the Volta region

The ongoing 10-day limited Voter Registration exercise continues to experience low patronage by prospective first time voters across the Volta region.

A tour of some registration centres on Wednesday by the Volta Regional Minister Helen Ntoso saw most registration officers idling with some having a nap due to the dull nature of the weather.

The Regional Minister first stop was at the Ho Municipal Assembly registration centre, where, the Registration officer said since the start of the exercise on Monday, a total 19 people were registered as of 12:30PM. At the Dzolokpuita and Amedzofe registration centers in the Ho West District, a total of 23 and 12 people were registered as of 1:00pm respectively.

In the South Dayi District, the Regional Minister accompanied by the District Chief Executive visited the Peki-Wodome L/a JHS and Peki Blengo E.P. church registration centres, where a total of 15 and 28 people were registered respectively.

Registration officers at the centres visited disclosed that, because of the recent Supreme Court invalidation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards for use in the exercise, majority of persons who were registered brought along guarantors.

Mr. Gbagbo Charles, a member of the Ho West district Assembly blamed the low turnout at the Vane and Amedzofe areas on the distance people in adjourning communities have to travel before registering.

‘It will take miracle for me not to Win’- Abodakpi

The former Ghana Ambassador to Malaysia and a contender for the national chairmanship position of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Dan Abodakpi has stated that, he is optimistic of annexing the chair from incumbent Dr. Kwabena Adjei at the party’s upcoming delegate congress.

The congress scheduled for October 24, 2014 also has the current first vice national chairman and national coordinator of NADMO, Mr. Kofi Portuphy vying for the chairmanship slot.

But Mr. Abodakpi, who took his campaign to the Volta region over the weekend, told journalists in Ho that, his chances in the contest are ‘extremely’ bright, and “it will take miracle for me not to win”.

According to him, his message of reconnecting the party to its grassroots through a transformational leadership is permeating the hearts of the party’s delegates, who he believes will give him the nod on the day of congress.

The NDC is expected to go to congress on October 24, 2014 to elect new national executives and persons have declared their intention to contest various

Mr. Abodakpi who was also a one time Member of Parliament for the Keta and a former Minister for Trade and Industry in the NDC Rawlings government, said his transformational leadership agenda will ensure the revival of the party structures especially at the branch level, to make it vibrant and attractive for every member feel part of. This, he said would engender members to contribute towards the running of the NDC, instead of only relying on political appointees to finance the party.

Minister unhappy with Assemblies Delay over Street Naming Project

Helen Ntoso

The Volta Regional Minister, Helen Adzoa Ntoso has expressed disappointment at the slow pace of work by the various Municipal and District Assemblies in the region towards the Street Naming and Property Addressing System, a project President John Mahama in March 2013 directed all MMDAs in the country to execute within 18 months.

With two months to the President’s deadline, some Assemblies in the Volta region are yet collate the needed information on the ground including the proposed names for the street naming exercise.

Expressing her disappointment during a 5day training workshop in Ho for Planning officers and other core staff of the 25 MMDAs in the region, Madam Ntoso issued a one week ultimatum to the Assemblies to furnish her office the list of names and also organize stakeholder meetings to come out with a comprehensive roadmap for the implementation of the project.

The workshop organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development with support from the German Development Corporation (GIZ) was to enhance staff knowledge and skills on 'Land Use, Planning and Management Information System (LUPMIS) for effective implementation of Street Naming and Property Addressing System (SNPAS).

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Emmanuel Agyekum said the ministry has provided technical support to the MMDAs by setting up a Geographic Information System (GIS) laboratories for both Regional and district offices of the Town and Country Planning Department nationwide for the collation special data for efficient and effective land use and planning.

He was optimistic that the training will serve as catalyst to propel the MMDAs to successfully execute the Street Naming project on schedule.

Vodafone ‘Healthfest’ train hit Ho with massive turnouts

 Dozens of residents in the Ho municipality of the Volta region thronged the forecourts of the Asogli State palace at Ho Bankoe, where the Vodafone Ghana ‘healthfest’ train made a stopover at the weekend to provide free health care.

The initiative put together by the Vodafone Ghana foundation, saw mostly local paramedics screened hundreds of persons including the aged, some of whom reported to the venue as early as 5am.

The screenings were done for ailments such as Diabetes, Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis and HIV in a virtual health post setup, which has sections for registration, Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure Checks, Laboratory, Consultation and Pharmacy as well as a gymnasium and kids play corner.

The almost 800 patrons were also taking through health education on various lifestyle diseases and HIV.

Mr Courage Botchway the regional Data Officer at the National HIV Control Programme, spoke about importance of knowing ones HIV status, so that carriers, including pregnant women could be put on routine lifesaving treatment.

Mr Daniel Asiedu, Corporate Communications Manager of Vodafone, described the massive turnout as ‘very impressive and overwhelming’ and said the Healthfest is another indication of the telecom giant’s commitment to bringing quality health care to the door step of underprivileged Ghanaians.

According to him Vodafone’s health programmes including the popular television series ‘Healthline’ is aimed at bridging distance and cost between the people and health care delivery.

Muslims asked to pray for ‘troubled’ economy during Ramadan

The Deputy Volta regional minister, Mr. Francis Ganyaglo has called on Ghanaian Muslims to use the holy month of Ramadan to seek Allah’s intervention to help abate the current economic challenges confronting for the country.   

He reiterated government’s commitment to fixing the challenges facing the nation and called on citizens to support government to restore the economy back on track.

Mr. Francis Ganyaglo made the called last Friday when he led a government delegation to present fifty (50) bags each of sugar and rice to the Muslim community at the Ho new Zongo.

The donation according to the Deputy Minister was on behalf of President Mahama to support the annual Ramadan fasting of Muslims across the country.

He urged them to continue to coexist peaceful and pray for peace and tranquillity across the country to drive national development.

The Acting regeant of the Ho new Zongo, Jabril Adamu received the items on behalf of the Muslim community after a brief prayer was said for the president and his government, by a spiritual leader from Senegal, sheik Sham.

Ali Baaba, a Zongo youth leader thank government for its support to the Islamic community and assured of their prayers for the country.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. For a 30-dy period, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. It is a season to purify the soul, refocus attention on Allah and practice self-sacrifice.

The Deputy Regional Minister was accompanied by the regional coordinating director, alhaji Ibrahim Alhassan, Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Fafa Adinyira, Mr. Kofi Attoh, former MP for Ho central and Mr. Kwesi Aboagye, NDC regional chairman.

Book and Research allowance brouhaha; ‘We won’t be pushovers’- UTAG tells Gov’t

Dr. Bekoe swearing inn UHAS-UTAG

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) have sent yet a strong signal to government that, the association will not back down in the “fight” against the scrapping-off of the book and research allowance for its members.

Dr Samuel Ofori Bekoe National President of UTAG said on Wednesday that members of the Association are professionals who are committed to their work and know the tools needed for the job and “would not be pushovers to allow people who do not know anything about tertiary education to dictate to them”.

Government in the 2013 budget announced the cancellation of the book and research allowance and replacing it with a national research fund. This decision however did not go down well with the two tertiary education teachers associations, with the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana declaring an indefinite strike for the past 8-weeks.

But speaking at the inauguration of the 10^th UTAG branch at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho, Dr. Bekoe said the book and research allowance were part of the condition of service of members of the association and government has no right to unilaterally take away the allowances, noting that, it was against international labour laws.

“Government must listen to us because anything short of this will not auger well for all of us and if government cannot do it, it must move out for the one who can do it” he stated.

Fuel Smuggling: Kpedze Police impound 50 ‘Kufour gallons’ of Petrol

Gallons containing petrol

The Police in Kpedze with support from the Ho-west District Security Council (DISEC) in the Volta region, last Monday evening impounded over 1,675 litres of petrol suspected to be packaged for smuggling to neighbouring Togo.

The fuel which was concealed in 50 yellow jerrycans popularly called ‘Kufour gallon’ and a drum were found hidden in a building located on the premises of a local Allied Oil filling Station in the area.

According to the Kpedze District Police Commander ASP, Sebastian Folivia, the police last Friday (July 11, 2014), upon a tip off spotted some motorbikes with yellow gallons suspected to contain fuel and after a hot chase, they entered the escaped into Togo.

However investigations that evening, according to ASP Folivia pointed to the Allied Oil filling Station as the source of supply.

It was also revealed that, the filling station received over 20,900 litres of petrol last Friday (July 11, 2014), but as of last Monday evening, a substantial quantity of over 7,200 litres was filled into containers allegedly waiting for smuggling.

A female sales attendant at the filling station, Veronica has since been picked up to assist the police in investigations.

Smuggling of fuel and Cocoa using ‘Okada’ has become rampart in the area because of its proximity to neighbouring Togo but Mr. Samuel Ewoade, Ho-West District Chief executive said the District Security Council has intensified its surveillance in order to combat the menace.

Ho Municipal Hospital records Zero maternal death

Mad. Ntoso presenting award to Dr. Kumi

The  Ho Municipal hospital in Volta region which was hitherto regarded as a ‘death camp’ for expectant mothers has for the first time, recorded zero maternal death in the last one year.

The facility attained this feat between June 2013 and June 2014, down from 14 deaths in 2012, and three deaths in the first half of 2013.

To this end, nine midwives and two doctors were on Tuesday honoured by the Queenmothers of Asogli traditional area for their efforts in reducing maternal mortality.

At the maiden award ceremony, the Queenmothers  honoured Dr Lawrence Kumi, Medical Superintendent of the Hospital and Dr Tamara Alvarez Ramirez from Cuba, for their ‘good leadership and dedication’ in changing the image of the Hospital.

Other awardees included Madam Innocentia Anthonio, a Principal Nursing Officer in charge of the Maternity ward, Elizabeth Kpesese, Victoria Aggor, Elizabeth Klu, Agnes Asigbe, and four others.

The awardees were selected through the recommendations of mothers who attended the hospital in a two month radio phone-in programme.

The Queenmother of Ho-Dome and initiator of the award, Mama Attrato II disclosed that the Asogli Queenmothers two years ago planned to protest against the rate at which pregnant women were losing their lives at the facility.

She therefore described the hospital’s feat as a great achievement, worthy of celebration and commended the midwives for turning the situation around.

Gov’t yet to pay Contractors working on Ho-Adidome Road

Mr. Quarshigah (R) briefing Mr. Bani (L)

Contractors working on the Ho -Adidome trunk road in the Volta region are yet to receive monies from the ministry of finance to enable them complete work on the road, three weeks after President Mahama announced the release of funds to that effect during a day’s inspection tour of the road.

This was disclosed on Sunday to the Chief of Staff Mr. Prosper Douglas Bani when paid a day’s working visit to the region to ascertain the progress of work on the road since the president’s last visit.

The resident engineer in charge of the project, Mr. Divine Quarshigah, told the chief of staff and his entourage that, though some culvert works are ongoing on the road, work is progressing at slow pace due to the delays in the release of funds to the contractors, Ussuya Ghana Ltd, PMC and Jani-CORP  enable them fully mobilise back to site.

‘The contractors have not received any payment after the president came’ he said and explained further that his checks as of last Friday revealed that the payment process has left the Ghana Highway authority to the finance ministry.

The delay in the release of the monies to contractors according to the resident engineer is one the major challenges hampering the speedy completion of the 48km road, with the second challenge being heavy rains which disrupt work because of the porous nature of some portions of the area.