From Tim Dzamboe, Godzekpota-Agave
The South Tongu District Chief Executive, Ms Cate Aku Aglah, has decried the involvement of many children in hazardous work of all kinds in the district and attributes this to the entrenchment of the circle of poverty in households and families.
She said parents could not use poverty as justification to refuse to enrol their children in school and to prefer to sell them out or personally engage them in hazardous work, for this would only contribute to making the children’s future bleak.
Ms Aglah said this when she delivered an address at a durbar to mark the world day on the worse forms of child labour at Godzekpota-Agave in the South Tongu District last Thursday.
She said many interventions by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the government such as the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme to care for children in school did not justify keeping the children out of school.
The DCE commended the Time-Bound Project (TBP) sponsored by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other NGOs, particularly the International Needs Ghana (ING), for their hard work to stamp out child labour in the district, saying that without their support the situation would have been more serious.
She appealed to community leaders, chiefs and parents to partner the Assembly through its district child labour committees, the TBP and NGOs to eradicate the problem from the area to enable every child to access education, which would guarantee them a better life in the future.
The Volta Regional Co-ordinator of the ING, Mr Sylvanus Adukpo, said over 400 children had been identified in various forms of child labour, especially in fishing and cattle herding at Aglorkpovia, Agave, Dendo, Fieve and Dorkploame.
According to him, 246 children had been rescued and placed in school and that the exercise had been made possible with the collaboration of Ghana Education Service, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the police, traditional authorities and the Department of Social Welfare.
He, however, expressed regret that 96 other children had been identified roaming the bush of Atsieve, Dendo, Yorkutikpo, Avorvi, Dorkploame and Fieve herding cattle, adding that there were still others being trafficked to Akosombo and Yeji to fish.
Mr Adukpo called on development partners working in the district and traditional authorities to work at educating and sensitising their communities to the need to stop the use of children in labour at the expense of their education.
In a speech read on her behalf, the South Tongu District Director of Ghana Education Service (GES), Ms Selynne Kuto, urged parents to let education of their children be their priority.
She advised parents to cut down expenditure on cigarettes, alcohol, funerals and clothes and spend more on education since expenditure on education was recoverable.
Ms Kuto said it was the moral duty of every generation to improve upon and hand down the culture of its society to the next generation.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
DZAMESI LAUDS NPP'S ACHIEVEMENTS (PAGE 16)
The Volta Region has experienced unprecedented socio-economic development under the government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The road sector in particular has benefited and it is estimated to have attracted the highest input among all regions.
The Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Dzamesi, made these declarations when he addressed the Volta Region edition of the “Meet-the-Press” series in Ho last Thursday.
He said the government was delivering on its programmes and promises, adding that it was for the citizenry to take advantage of such programmes.
“I, therefore, call on the people of the region to always remember that the NPP government is discharging its responsibilities and obligations to the people of the region, and it is for them to make maximum use of the government’s programmes, policies and plans to improve upon the quality of their lives,” he admonished.
He said the Worawora-Dambai road, which is part of the Kpando-Dambai road, would cost GH¢60 million while the European Union would extend a credit of $50 million for the reconstruction of the Kadjebi-Nkwanta-Bimbilla road.
“These trunk roads are so important economically and socially that the government is spending colossal sums of money with the support of our donor partners to make them first-class roads,” he intimated.
Mr Dzamesi said the improvement of the road network would contribute to the growth of the tourism industry, and outlined a maiden tourism project to develop the Keta Platinum Seaside Resort, the Marina and the Amedzofe Mountain.
He said the Keta Platinum and Marina include the unique golden and silver beaches, the modern sea defence wall, mangrove scenery, lagoon, festivals, bird habitat and marina for varied yachts with pontoon berths.
On water, he said the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), with the support of DANIDA, was facilitating the provision of water and sanitation facilities throughout the region, particularly in the rural communities.
He said more than 740,021 of the rural population in the region had access to potable water, following the VRCWSA and other donors’ intervention.
Mr Dzamesi enumerated a number of water and sanitation projects undertaken in the region as of December 2007, which amounted to GH¢25million.
He extended gratitude to the Danish and United Kingdom’s governments and the European Union for the tremendous assistance for the improvement in the water and infrastructural development in the region.
He said the National Youth Employment Programme was going on smoothly in the region, notwithstanding a few challenges, and that so far, 13,981 people had been employed leading to a reduction in unemployment in the region.
In view of the universal acceptance of micro-financing as one of the most effective and sustainable strategies for poverty reduction, the government has brought financial services to grass-roots communities evident in the implementation of the Micro Financing and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) as part of the Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy of the government.
Since its launch in the Volta Region in 2007, Mr Dzamesi said MASLOC had disbursed GH¢1,373,655 to 3,217 beneficiaries in the region, adding that at present, GH¢5,286,000 had been approved for 860 groups made up of 44 persons under the Micro Credit and Small Loans Schemes respectively.
Mr Kofi Dzamesi said that apart from the upgrading programmes of schools in the region there was a massive infrastructure development such as the building of new classroom blocks for both the first and second-cycle institutions, as well as the provision of teachers quarters and libraries, which, he said, were among the few projects underway in the educational sector.
He said that it was pathetic and unacceptable for qualified students from the region to abort their tertiary education due to financial constraints.
He therefore called on all Voltarians to contribute to the education endowment fund to help supplement the government’s effort.
Mr Dzamesi lauded the School Feeding Programme and Capitation Grant as impacting very positively on education in the region, saying that school attendance continued to increase.
He said two primary schools in each district of the region were presently benefiting, adding that the number of pupils in the region before the programme started was 11,004 and that it had shot up to 14,135, an increase of more than 3000 at present.
The road sector in particular has benefited and it is estimated to have attracted the highest input among all regions.
The Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Dzamesi, made these declarations when he addressed the Volta Region edition of the “Meet-the-Press” series in Ho last Thursday.
He said the government was delivering on its programmes and promises, adding that it was for the citizenry to take advantage of such programmes.
“I, therefore, call on the people of the region to always remember that the NPP government is discharging its responsibilities and obligations to the people of the region, and it is for them to make maximum use of the government’s programmes, policies and plans to improve upon the quality of their lives,” he admonished.
He said the Worawora-Dambai road, which is part of the Kpando-Dambai road, would cost GH¢60 million while the European Union would extend a credit of $50 million for the reconstruction of the Kadjebi-Nkwanta-Bimbilla road.
“These trunk roads are so important economically and socially that the government is spending colossal sums of money with the support of our donor partners to make them first-class roads,” he intimated.
Mr Dzamesi said the improvement of the road network would contribute to the growth of the tourism industry, and outlined a maiden tourism project to develop the Keta Platinum Seaside Resort, the Marina and the Amedzofe Mountain.
He said the Keta Platinum and Marina include the unique golden and silver beaches, the modern sea defence wall, mangrove scenery, lagoon, festivals, bird habitat and marina for varied yachts with pontoon berths.
On water, he said the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), with the support of DANIDA, was facilitating the provision of water and sanitation facilities throughout the region, particularly in the rural communities.
He said more than 740,021 of the rural population in the region had access to potable water, following the VRCWSA and other donors’ intervention.
Mr Dzamesi enumerated a number of water and sanitation projects undertaken in the region as of December 2007, which amounted to GH¢25million.
He extended gratitude to the Danish and United Kingdom’s governments and the European Union for the tremendous assistance for the improvement in the water and infrastructural development in the region.
He said the National Youth Employment Programme was going on smoothly in the region, notwithstanding a few challenges, and that so far, 13,981 people had been employed leading to a reduction in unemployment in the region.
In view of the universal acceptance of micro-financing as one of the most effective and sustainable strategies for poverty reduction, the government has brought financial services to grass-roots communities evident in the implementation of the Micro Financing and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) as part of the Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy of the government.
Since its launch in the Volta Region in 2007, Mr Dzamesi said MASLOC had disbursed GH¢1,373,655 to 3,217 beneficiaries in the region, adding that at present, GH¢5,286,000 had been approved for 860 groups made up of 44 persons under the Micro Credit and Small Loans Schemes respectively.
Mr Kofi Dzamesi said that apart from the upgrading programmes of schools in the region there was a massive infrastructure development such as the building of new classroom blocks for both the first and second-cycle institutions, as well as the provision of teachers quarters and libraries, which, he said, were among the few projects underway in the educational sector.
He said that it was pathetic and unacceptable for qualified students from the region to abort their tertiary education due to financial constraints.
He therefore called on all Voltarians to contribute to the education endowment fund to help supplement the government’s effort.
Mr Dzamesi lauded the School Feeding Programme and Capitation Grant as impacting very positively on education in the region, saying that school attendance continued to increase.
He said two primary schools in each district of the region were presently benefiting, adding that the number of pupils in the region before the programme started was 11,004 and that it had shot up to 14,135, an increase of more than 3000 at present.
Monday, July 14, 2008
ALTERNATIVE ROUTES TO ATTRACT HIGHER FARES (PAGE 3)
THE alternative routes announced by the Ghana Highway Authority(GHA) for travellers in the wake of repairs on the Adomi Bridge over the Volta River at Atimpoku has caused an increase in transportation from Ho, Hohoe, Jasikan and Kadjebi and beyond to Accra.
The routes are either from Ho to Denu through Sogakope to Accra or through Juapong to Volo, Adidome and Sogakope to Accra.
Previously it took a maximum of GH¢5 to travel from Ho to Accra but with the new arrangement, it takes GH¢9 from Juapong through Volo and Adidome to Accra, while it is GH¢8 from Ho through Denu to Accra.
The Vice-President of the Juapong branch of the Cooperative Transport Society, Mr Frank Ahiabu, and the secretary, Mr J.K. Vondee, told the Daily Graphic last Saturday that they were ready to start operating the new routes.
However, they quickly added that the roads which were untarred, were in bad condition and had expected that the GHA to have done some maintenance works on the them to serve as good alternative routes.
When the Daily Graphic visited Atimpoku, it realised that the GHA had not started any serious work on the bridge contrary to announcements that it would be closed between 9 a.m. and 12 noon last Saturday.
There were public fears that the closure of the bridge might affect the supply of petroleum products and some essential goods in the northern sector of the Volta Region, since petrol tankers might be restricted from plying the bridge for the next three weeks.
The routes are either from Ho to Denu through Sogakope to Accra or through Juapong to Volo, Adidome and Sogakope to Accra.
Previously it took a maximum of GH¢5 to travel from Ho to Accra but with the new arrangement, it takes GH¢9 from Juapong through Volo and Adidome to Accra, while it is GH¢8 from Ho through Denu to Accra.
The Vice-President of the Juapong branch of the Cooperative Transport Society, Mr Frank Ahiabu, and the secretary, Mr J.K. Vondee, told the Daily Graphic last Saturday that they were ready to start operating the new routes.
However, they quickly added that the roads which were untarred, were in bad condition and had expected that the GHA to have done some maintenance works on the them to serve as good alternative routes.
When the Daily Graphic visited Atimpoku, it realised that the GHA had not started any serious work on the bridge contrary to announcements that it would be closed between 9 a.m. and 12 noon last Saturday.
There were public fears that the closure of the bridge might affect the supply of petroleum products and some essential goods in the northern sector of the Volta Region, since petrol tankers might be restricted from plying the bridge for the next three weeks.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
GBEFI GETS NEW PARAMOUNT CHIEF (PAGE 40)
THE people of the Gbefi Traditional Area in the Kpando District have installed a new paramount chief to succeed the late Togbe Ackom VII who died seven years ago.
The new chief, Togbe Ackom VIII, known in private life as Mr Johnson Kudjoe Ackom, 46, is an engineer with the Public Works Department (PWD) at Somanya in the Eastern Region.
Swearing the oath of allegiance at the installation ceremony at Gbefi, Togbe Ackom pledged to bring modernity into the community and appealed to the people to rally behind him in order to realise that objective.
He urged the youth to be disciplined and work assiduously to improve on their standard of education and social status.
A Catholic priest at the Bishop Herman College at Kpando, Reverend Father Francis Agbaku, who consecrated the new chief, advised him to be humble and submissive, with a command of wisdom from God.
He said without wisdom, no chief could rule successfully and, consequently advised the new chief to be guided by God in whatever he did, since “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”.
Rev Fr Agbaku implored all traditional rulers in the area to co-operate with the new chief by offering him their maximum support and advise.
The grand occasion was graced by the chiefs of the Akome, Dzolo, Agate, Kpando, Ve, Vakpo and Liati traditional areas and was chaired by the Paramount Chief of Vakpo, Togbe Gbogbolulu.
Also present were the Hohoe and Kpando Municipal Chief Executives, Mr John-Peter Amewu and Mr Pius Adanuty, respectively, both of who gave pieces of advice to the chiefs to use their positions as vessels for development.
The new chief, Togbe Ackom VIII, known in private life as Mr Johnson Kudjoe Ackom, 46, is an engineer with the Public Works Department (PWD) at Somanya in the Eastern Region.
Swearing the oath of allegiance at the installation ceremony at Gbefi, Togbe Ackom pledged to bring modernity into the community and appealed to the people to rally behind him in order to realise that objective.
He urged the youth to be disciplined and work assiduously to improve on their standard of education and social status.
A Catholic priest at the Bishop Herman College at Kpando, Reverend Father Francis Agbaku, who consecrated the new chief, advised him to be humble and submissive, with a command of wisdom from God.
He said without wisdom, no chief could rule successfully and, consequently advised the new chief to be guided by God in whatever he did, since “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”.
Rev Fr Agbaku implored all traditional rulers in the area to co-operate with the new chief by offering him their maximum support and advise.
The grand occasion was graced by the chiefs of the Akome, Dzolo, Agate, Kpando, Ve, Vakpo and Liati traditional areas and was chaired by the Paramount Chief of Vakpo, Togbe Gbogbolulu.
Also present were the Hohoe and Kpando Municipal Chief Executives, Mr John-Peter Amewu and Mr Pius Adanuty, respectively, both of who gave pieces of advice to the chiefs to use their positions as vessels for development.
NEW CLASSROOM BLOCK FOR FREETOWN SCHOOLS COMPLEX (PAGE 40)
A GH¢80,000 school block for the Ho Freetown Local Authority Schools Complex has been inaugurated.
The project comprised a three-unit classroom block, an office, a store, a library, a staff common room and a two-unit kindergarten classroom block with an office, a store and a vault chamber toilet facility attached.
The project was initiated by a Ho-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), Community Development Concern (CDC), with support from the Japan Embassy in Ghana, to underscore the objective of the NGO to support the poor and the vulnerable in the society.
According to the Headmistress of the schools complex, Ms Rose Asafokpe, the institution, located in a domain preserved for lepers, had attracted many children from far and near.
She added that the present enrolment of 81 pupils in the kindergarten, 188 in primary school and 26 at junior high school (JHS) level attested to the high demand for education in the area, where the disease was no more endemic.
She said lack of classrooms and furniture had delayed the approval of a JHS for the school and commended the CDC for soliciting the support of the Japanese Embassy for the project.
Ms Asafokpe appealed to the Ho Municipal Assembly and the Municipal Education Directorate to complement efforts of the NGO to provide the necessary facilities for the school.
In an address read on her behalf, the Ho Municipal Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Ms Rosemond Keteku, charged all stakeholders in education in the area to ensure that the new facilities were used to raise output on the part of teachers and pupils.
She cautioned the community against using the school as a base for drug consumption, illicit sex and home for stray animals.
Ms Keteku also appealed to the Parent-Teacher Association of the school to check any deterioration of the new facilities by contributing to rehabilitate the building, should the need arise.
The Ho Municipal Co-ordinating Director, Mr Kofi Adjorlolo, pledged the support of the assembly at all times.
Mrs Ochlich expressed happiness that her dream had come true, saying that the CDC was committed to improving the lives of the poor and the vulnerable in the society.
The project comprised a three-unit classroom block, an office, a store, a library, a staff common room and a two-unit kindergarten classroom block with an office, a store and a vault chamber toilet facility attached.
The project was initiated by a Ho-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), Community Development Concern (CDC), with support from the Japan Embassy in Ghana, to underscore the objective of the NGO to support the poor and the vulnerable in the society.
According to the Headmistress of the schools complex, Ms Rose Asafokpe, the institution, located in a domain preserved for lepers, had attracted many children from far and near.
She added that the present enrolment of 81 pupils in the kindergarten, 188 in primary school and 26 at junior high school (JHS) level attested to the high demand for education in the area, where the disease was no more endemic.
She said lack of classrooms and furniture had delayed the approval of a JHS for the school and commended the CDC for soliciting the support of the Japanese Embassy for the project.
Ms Asafokpe appealed to the Ho Municipal Assembly and the Municipal Education Directorate to complement efforts of the NGO to provide the necessary facilities for the school.
In an address read on her behalf, the Ho Municipal Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Ms Rosemond Keteku, charged all stakeholders in education in the area to ensure that the new facilities were used to raise output on the part of teachers and pupils.
She cautioned the community against using the school as a base for drug consumption, illicit sex and home for stray animals.
Ms Keteku also appealed to the Parent-Teacher Association of the school to check any deterioration of the new facilities by contributing to rehabilitate the building, should the need arise.
The Ho Municipal Co-ordinating Director, Mr Kofi Adjorlolo, pledged the support of the assembly at all times.
Mrs Ochlich expressed happiness that her dream had come true, saying that the CDC was committed to improving the lives of the poor and the vulnerable in the society.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
8 EVANGELISTS COMMISSIONED BY VOLTA SCHOOL OF EVANGELISM (PAGE 21)
THE Volta School of Evangelism established by the Church of Christ in Ho has held its 6th graduation ceremony with the commissioning of eight evangelists.
The graduation brings to 58 evangelists and preachers trained at the college, which was established in 1993 with the support of missionaries from some branches of Church of Christ in the United States of America (USA).
The evangelists were Mr Daniel Kodzotse (Prefect), Mr Enoch Gbevi, Mr Adolph Kumatse, Mr Lawrence Apodi, Mr Emmanuel Tugbenyo, Mr Davidson Nfodzo, Mr Mississo Sylvester and Mr Jonathan Atsa.
Commissioning them the Principal of the college, Evangelist Sammy Dzamesi, said the rapid growth of churches in the Volta Region necessitated the establishment of the college to forestall the collapse of the young churches.
He said support from Church of Christ in the USA had sustained the growth of the college, adding that English Language was not a strict requirement for admission to the school, since it was possible for evangelists to get to the people better in other dialects and languages.
He said but for Elders Chris Murray and Ray and Cam Boatright from the Yorbalinda Church of Christ, who raised funds for the construction of the college, while Elder Glenn McCoy provided modern furniture and water tank, in addition to 1000 copies of song books and 75 church buildings, things would have been much more difficult for the college.
Evangelist Dzamesi said the church was making great impact in the region, and said the present products had opened four new branches at Likpe, Bakwa, Bontibor and Tafi.
He advised them to uphold and defend the truth and to serve as role models to the congregations, adding that they should join the crusade against rape, domestic violence, corruption and the cankers that could destroy society.
In an address, a missionary Guest Speaker from the Church of Christ in the USA, Mr Stan Smith, urged the new pastors to be prepared to serve mankind, be humble and able to train others as well as delegate authority to them to serve.
For his part, another USA missionary, Elder Ben Fulks, said they had baptised 325 persons and opened four new branches, adding that without the college, this would not have been possible.
He, therefore, charged the new pastors to provide the needed leadership for the churches to grow.
The Course Prefect, Pastor Kodzotse, appealed to the congregation to provide a modern library, computers and a bus to the college. He also advised his colleagues and juniors to adopt positive lifestyles.
The Vice-Principal of the college, Pastor Sem Akumia, presented certificates and other prizes to the graduating pastors.
The graduation brings to 58 evangelists and preachers trained at the college, which was established in 1993 with the support of missionaries from some branches of Church of Christ in the United States of America (USA).
The evangelists were Mr Daniel Kodzotse (Prefect), Mr Enoch Gbevi, Mr Adolph Kumatse, Mr Lawrence Apodi, Mr Emmanuel Tugbenyo, Mr Davidson Nfodzo, Mr Mississo Sylvester and Mr Jonathan Atsa.
Commissioning them the Principal of the college, Evangelist Sammy Dzamesi, said the rapid growth of churches in the Volta Region necessitated the establishment of the college to forestall the collapse of the young churches.
He said support from Church of Christ in the USA had sustained the growth of the college, adding that English Language was not a strict requirement for admission to the school, since it was possible for evangelists to get to the people better in other dialects and languages.
He said but for Elders Chris Murray and Ray and Cam Boatright from the Yorbalinda Church of Christ, who raised funds for the construction of the college, while Elder Glenn McCoy provided modern furniture and water tank, in addition to 1000 copies of song books and 75 church buildings, things would have been much more difficult for the college.
Evangelist Dzamesi said the church was making great impact in the region, and said the present products had opened four new branches at Likpe, Bakwa, Bontibor and Tafi.
He advised them to uphold and defend the truth and to serve as role models to the congregations, adding that they should join the crusade against rape, domestic violence, corruption and the cankers that could destroy society.
In an address, a missionary Guest Speaker from the Church of Christ in the USA, Mr Stan Smith, urged the new pastors to be prepared to serve mankind, be humble and able to train others as well as delegate authority to them to serve.
For his part, another USA missionary, Elder Ben Fulks, said they had baptised 325 persons and opened four new branches, adding that without the college, this would not have been possible.
He, therefore, charged the new pastors to provide the needed leadership for the churches to grow.
The Course Prefect, Pastor Kodzotse, appealed to the congregation to provide a modern library, computers and a bus to the college. He also advised his colleagues and juniors to adopt positive lifestyles.
The Vice-Principal of the college, Pastor Sem Akumia, presented certificates and other prizes to the graduating pastors.
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