The residence of former Member of Parliament, John Peter Amewu, in Hohoe was allegedly invaded by armed men claiming to be National Security operatives.
The unidentified men, who introduced themselves as bailiffs, asserted that they were acting on “orders from above” and accused Mr. Amewu of not being legitimately elected during the 2020 parliamentary elections.
Mr. Amewu was not home at the time of the incident, which occurred on Wednesday. Authorities have yet to provide further details regarding the attack.
An eyewitness recounted that the intruders insisted they were there to serve him with a notice, disputing the validity of his election and questioning the legality of the Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) governing the electoral process.
“They said they were there to serve me a notice because I was not duly elected in 2020, hence their decision to serve me. And that the C.I. was not constitutional,” Mr. Amewu told Citi News.
Expressing concern over the situation, Mr. Amewu raised questions about Ghana’s democratic practices. He confirmed that his supporters in Hohoe had reported the incident to the police.
Despite the severity of the invasion, he has chosen to decline police protection.
During the confrontation, the armed men reportedly fired warning shots, prompting a standoff with some of Mr. Amewu’s supporters who had gathered in response to the commotion.
The former Member of Parliament (MP) for Hohoe, Bernice Adiku Heloo, has sadly passed on.
The tragic loss occurred on Wednesday, December 25, after a short illness.
Heloo represented the Hohoe Constituency in Ghana’s 4th Republic, serving in the 6th and 7th Parliaments from January 7, 2013, to January 6, 2021.
Beyond her political role, she was a prominent advocate, having led the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa as president and founded Prolink, a renowned Ghanaian non-governmental organization.
Her untimely death has left the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region in mourning. While regional leaders have confirmed the passing, an official statement has yet to be made.
Some elderly voters and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Hohoe Constituency have praised the Electoral Commission (EC) for prioritising their needs during the voting process.
A 67-year-old PWD, Peter Dornyame, shared his experience with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after casting his vote. He expressed satisfaction with the support he received at the St. Francis Demonstration Primary B Centre.
Mr. Dornyame noted that despite misplacing his voter ID card, the EC officials assisted him through the process and ensured he was treated with care and respect.
Mr. Agozi Jacob, a 65-year-old security officer, was the first to vote at the High Court polling station. He praised the arrangements at the centre, describing the process as smooth, and encouraged everyone to vote peacefully.
The Biometric Voter Verification Devices (BVDs) at all polling centres visited were functioning effectively. Centres such as High Court Premises A, B, and C, New Magistrate Court A and B, and A.M.E. Zion, had working BVDs and all essential election materials, including indelible ink.
Other polling stations visited included Volta Cinema Palace, St. Demonstration Junior High School A and B, and St. Francis Demonstration Primary A, B, and C.
At St. Francis Demonstration Primary 2 Centre, Presiding Officer Madam Sika Norgbe told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that 50 out of 649 registered voters had cast their ballots by 8:51 a.m. At the St. Francis Demonstration Primary B Centre, 73 out of 408 expected voters had voted by 9:10 a.m.
Voters interviewed expressed satisfaction with the voting process. Security personnel and party agents were present at all the polling stations visited. However, voters had to endure the midday sun due to a lack of shade at most centres.
A young unidentified man and a resident of Hohoe in the Volta Region has received ten strokes of cane for destroying campaign posters of John-Peter Amewu, Hohoe Constituency New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate.
Jonas-Kwofi Worlanyo, Vice Chairman, Gbi-Bla House of Justice, a voluntary group for the parliamentary candidate,, told GNA that they had recorded a high increase in the destruction of posters of the candidate.
In Ghana, it is an electoral offence to destroy, remove, or disfigure campaign materials of other candidates or parties, which is unlawful and frowned upon by the electoral code.
These offences are punishable by law either through a fine, a prison term, or, to some extent, both.
The SALL election petitioners have taken their case to the Court of Appeal after the Ho High Court dismissed their challenge to John Peter Amewu’s election as Hohoe’s Member of Parliament.
The petitioners argue that the High Court erred in citing lack of jurisdiction and are seeking to overturn the decision.
The petitioners contend that the High Court “egregiously erred” in dismissing their case, stating that the court should have addressed the substance of their claims rather than dismissing it on jurisdictional grounds. They also argue that the court failed to recognize breaches of statutory law by the Electoral Commission, which would have rendered Amewu’s election null and void.
The SALL petitioners are seeking relief, including an order setting aside the High Court’s judgment and a declaration that Amewu’s election was null and void.
They maintain that the SALL traditional areas remain part of the Hohoe Municipality and constituency, despite the Electoral Commission’s decision to exclude them from the 2020 parliamentary elections.
The appeal comes after the High Court’s decision on July 29, which sparked widespread disappointment among the SALL communities.
The petitioners are determined to see justice served and ensure that their voices are heard in the democratic process.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Hohoe constituency of the Volta Region has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of transporting individuals from Togo to take part in the ongoing limited voter registration.
The NDC claims that the NPP has been using buses and pickups to bring large numbers of people to register in preparation for the upcoming December 7 general elections.
In an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, NDC’s Hohoe constituency secretary, Prosper Kumi said, “There were buses and pickups that were bringing people from a community in Togo to Wli Todzi on the Ghana side to be registered. Per estimates, we had 155 people and 199 registered on the first and second days respectively.”
“Some are being bused to the Hohoe registration centre. These people were not able to respond to basic questions like their date of birth and their house numbers and they were speaking French and cannot speak the local language,” the constituency secretary further alleged.
Harry Abedenego, the first vice chairman for the NPP in Hohoe, has denied the allegations, describing them as unfounded and strange.
He stated that the NDC is merely raising these concerns out of fear that the people of Wli Todzi will vote to re-elect John Peter Amewu and support the NPP in the upcoming elections.
“It is very strange that the NDC will today accuse the NPP of bringing foreigners to register. The community they are talking about is a Ghanaian town so what is the crime about them registering for the voter ID card?
“It is not true that we are bringing in Togolese to register. Peter Amewu’s mother is from Wli Todzi and you can remember that he [Peter Amewu] was often accused of being a Togolese and so the people are afraid that the people of the town will vote for Amewu and the NPP and that is what they are afraid of.”
Deputy Volta North Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Antiri Nicolas Aletso, was reportedly discovered deceased in a hotel in Hohoe on Wednesday.
According to relatives of the deceased, they attempted to contact him multiple times but received no response, prompting them to file a complaint with the Regional Police Command out of concern for his well-being.
A team of police officers, led by ASP Simon Yevu, the staff officer, proceeded to Obama Hotel room number 4, where ACP Antiri Nicolas Aletso was staying.
Upon arrival, he was found lying dead in a lateral position, as revealed by police investigators. The door to the room was also found unlocked.
Subsequently, he was rushed to the Hohoe Municipal Hospital, where his death was confirmed. The body has been transferred to the Police Hospital Mortuary in Accra for autopsy purposes.
President Akufo-Addo has relieved Daniel Noble Awumey of his duties as the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Hohoe Municipal Assembly, according to official correspondence dated Monday, March 25, 2024.
The termination, conveyed in a letter signed by O.B Amoah, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development, cited constitutional and legislative provisions as the basis for this decision.
Specifically referencing Article 243 (3) (b) of the Constitution and Section 20 (3) (b) of the Local Governance Act 2016 (Act 936), the letter outlined the grounds for Awuley’s dismissal.
Additionally, the letter instructed Awumey to transfer his responsibilities to the Regional Minister, who will oversee the Municipal Assembly until a new Municipal Chief Executive is appointed.
Concurrently, President Akufo-Addo has appointed Francis Fiakpui as Awumey’s successor in the vacant position.
“…His Excellency the President of the Republic has revoked your appointment as Municipal Chief Executive for Hohoe Municipal Assembly.
“Consequently, you are to hand over your duties to the Hon. Regional Minister who will exercise oversight responsibility of the Municipal Assembly until the confirmation of a new Municipal Chief Executive,” portions of the letter dated March 25, 2024, read.
A delegation comprising electoral area coordinators from the Hohoe constituency of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has successfully submitted a parliamentary candidate nomination form on behalf of John Peter Amewu, the Minister for Railway Development and the incumbent Member of Parliament for Hohoe.
Peter Amewu emerged as the sole candidate to submit his nomination form before the deadline, effectively becoming the exclusive contender for the NPP’s parliamentary primaries in the Hohoe constituency.
Highlighting Amewu’s impressive portfolio and demonstrated track record, Anthony Kondobrey, the NPP’s Hohoe constituency chairman, expressed confidence that Amewu is the most qualified candidate to secure victory for the NPP in the upcoming general election.
“In my capacity as the chairman, I am convinced that the positive steps, the developmental steps that Honorable John Peter Amewu has taken, talk of economic activities now brewing in our constituency, the development, physical development, human capacity building, all indicate that he is winning the seat in the 2024 elections.”
The NPP Communications Officer for the Hohoe Constituency, Samuel Azasu, extended an invitation to the NDC to collaborate with the NPP in the upcoming election campaign to bolster the re-election bid of Peter Amewu.
Azasu urged the entire constituency to unite behind Peter Amewu, demonstrating support for his ongoing contributions as their Member of Parliament.
“A special appeal goes to the entire NDC executive led by the parliamentary candidate, Mr. Worlanyo Tsekpo. I am inviting him to join hands with us. Let’s adopt, maintain Honorable John Peter Amewu as our personal project. Let’s see it as communal labor.”
“Let’s join hands irrespective of our political affiliations and differences. I am calling on all our brothers and sisters be it NPP, NDC, CPP, our market women, our chiefs and everyone. Let’s join hands to maintain Honorable Peter John Amewu.”
The NPP believes that it has a good chance of retaining the Hohoe parliamentary seat and increasing its representation in the Volta region in the upcoming election.
A violent confrontation between Gbi Godenu residents and Police in Hohoe has resulted in two fatalities, with another injured after a Police vehicle knocked him down on Wednesday.
A Ghana News Agency visit to Hohoe Regional Hospital revealed that the motorcyclist underwent surgical treatment in response to injuries sustained from the incident. However, two additional individuals were pronounced deceased upon arrival, with their bodies placed in the morgue awaiting autopsy.
Due to a disagreement between certain police officers and civilians over suspected contraband, the Gbi Godenu town within the Hohoe Municipality has been abandoned.
The alleged scuffle stemmed from a Police chase of a man riding a motorbike, who was suspected to be carrying some contraband consignment, who was knocked down by the driver of the Police vehicle and injured in the process of stopping him.
This incident incensed the residents, who mobilised to block the main Hohoe-Accra Road and met the Police force but two residents were hit by bullets, injuring them.
There were multiple reports with different narrations pertaining to the incident but Mr Andy Agbi, an eyewitness narrated to the GNA that a Police vehicle, which was chasing a motor rider, believed by the Police to be carrying contraband consignment failed to stop when flagged to do so.
He said the get-away-rider was then chased by the Police taskforce and knocked down into a gutter.
Mr Agbi said the injured rider was sent to the hospital by the town folks and later the Police vehicle caught fire, which he believed was an electrical fault.
However, the Police returned to the scene suspecting the incident to be an arsonist attack on their vehicle in retaliation.
He said the Police re-mobilised the area to show force by raiding the town, setting motorbikes ablaze on sight and looting shops amidst the indiscriminate firing of their weapons.
Mr. Agbi said he saw one of the victims, who was shot in the leg, rush to the hospital while he picked up information that one was also shot in the shoulder but later got information, that both had passed on.
When the GNA arrived at Gbi Wegbe, many of the shops were closed, with roads leading to Kpando from Hohoe and from Hohoe to Accra blocked.
It was observed that Schools at Gbi Wegbe as of 1330 hours were closed.
A male victim told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that he was dragged out of his shop by the Police and hit with the butt of a gun and he had to run for his life.
GNA saw bruises and a cut on his head, while his face and part of his body were swollen.
A female store owner at Godenu was wailing and shouting about how the Police had broken into her shop, destroyed her fridge and made away with some provisions.
A scuffle ensued and when Mr Daniel Noble Awume, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), arrived at Gbi Wegbe, he was greeted by angry youth, who would not listen to any explanation from the MCE.
The occurrence later forced the MCE to drive away from the scene.
The road between where the civilians had mounted a roadblock and that of the Police was about two kilometres apart with visible sizes of stones and pieces of cement blocks littering the space. There was blood stain on some part of the road.
An ash car with registration number GC 8249 11 had all its glasses smashed, while more than 45 motorbikes were set ablaze.
A swoop by the Police also led to the seizure of parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The Police also picked up close to 15 individuals, some of whom were in handcuffs, with some showing various forms of injuries.
Mr Patrick Dzandu, Assemblyman, Gbi-Wegbe Electoral Area, who tried calming the nerves of angry residents, who had blocked the main Hohoe-Accra Road failed to convince the residents to leave the street.
Mr John-Peter Amewu, Member of Parliament of Hohoe, asked the Police to avoid any further swoop action against the Gbi Godenu and Gbi Wegbe communities as that could elicit the loss of lives.
The Paramount Chief of the Gbi Traditional Area Togbega Gabusu VII has called for calm from Gbi-Godenu to Gbi–Wegbe and assured the youth of an amicable resolution to ensure peace in the Gbi State.
“I have spoken to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) so this issue will be resolved but I ask that you (youth) do not take the laws into your own hands,” he added.
The Police said they restored calm after a violent disturbance in which a Police patrol vehicle involved in an accident with a motorbike rider was set on fire by some community members.
They added that “two people lost their lives in the violence and the motor rider who sustained injury during the accident is currently receiving medical attention, 12 people have so far been arrested and one Bruni pistol retrieved.”
Residents of Wegbe and Godenu suffered from Police brutality resulting in the death of two of their members last year and some months ago, and that could be the underlying conflict between the people and the Police.
Flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has dismissed allegations of being anti-Ewe.
Speaking to delegates of the New Patriotic Party in the Hohoe Constituency on Sunday, June 11, 2023, Kennedy Agyapong revealed that he has a strong connection with the people of the Volta Region and the Ewe tribe, contrary to claims that he is anti-Ewe.
“I want to tell you, amidst the propaganda that Kennedy Agyapong doesn’t like Ewes, that if you don’t know, let me inform you today. My wife is from Adidome, and I am glad the minister is here. In fact, before I speak, clap for me. Do you know why I am asking you to clap for me? I’ve given you four beautiful, intelligent girls, and they have all attended the best universities in the world,” he said.
The Member of Parliament for Assin Central was recalling incidents surrounding his arrest and charge of treason in 2012, after being alleged to have made comments inciting violence against Ewes.
However, Kennedy Agyapong flatly denied the claims of being anti-Ewe on Sunday night.
“Where on earth would I say that they should go and kill Ewes when my wife, who is a Voltarian, has given me [four children]? I have 22 kids, and they all believe and accept that the Ewe girls are smarter than all of them. My son is here, and he can attest to that. Last year in May, the youngest girl swept all the awards in her school. She was given a scholarship plus an allowance to attend Yale University. While she was delivering her speech, a white lady sitting next to her mother told her that with this girl, she would have to excuse her for wanting to have one child with her husband,” he stated.
The Volta Region, predominantly populated by people of the Ewe tribe, remains the stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress.
The Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Daniel Noble Awume has lauded one of government’s flagship programmes, one district one factory (1D1F).
He said that the One-District, One-Factory (1D1F) initiative in the Hohoe Municipality has been of great importance to the people in the area, especially the youth.
He noted that the wood processing company which was in existence before government roped them in the 1D1F initiative has helped to create employment in the area.
According to Mr. Awume, the youth factory which is into rice processing would also provide employment for many youth in the municipality, allowing them to become financially independent.
The Hohoe MCE noted that the NPP-led administration is committed to empowering the youth and has urged the youth in the Hohoe Municipality to take advantage of the initiative.
Mr Awume noted that the project would help promote local economic activities when it fully starts operations.
“This project will greatly help boost the local economy as well as empower the youth with employable skills,” Mr Awume said.
The Volta Regional Directorate of 1D1F projects 2020 unveiled some projects under the scheme with support from the government.
Other projects that have begun operating under the 1D1F initiative include the processing of cassava into ethanol and carbon dioxide, as well as the Volta Forest Company, a wood processing company, which is receiving financial support and facilitation from the government through the EXIM Bank to help boost their businesses.
In Ketu South and Keta Municipalities, which are into cassava processing, gari, starch and ethanol there are structures with some equipment but yet to be operational.
Esther Batse who is in charge of the Enable Youth Center, a rice processing industry noted that the initiative, which is youth-centered, would greatly help the youth find their feet in the labour market.
Francis Dzata, a 30-year-old farmer has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment for defiling a 13-year-old class four pupil.
The convict, who appeared before the Hohoe Circuit Court on August 17, last year, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Dzata was found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment accordingly.
Chief Inspector Charles Aziati, Prosecuting, told the Court presided over by Mr Michael Johnson Abbey that the complainant, who is a farmer, is the biological mother of the victim.
He said the convict, a resident farmer at Tafi Atome hailed from Kadar, Togo.
Chief Inspector Aziati said on June 6, 2021, at about 1400 hours, the victim attended to nature’s call at her school latrine at Tafi Atome.
He said when the victim was cleaning herself after using the latrine, the convict, who was sitting under a mango tree close to the latrine, suddenly pounced on her.
He said the convict pushed the victim onto the floor and forcibly defiled her and warned them never to disclose the act to anybody, but the victim reported the incident to her mother as soon as she got home.
He said the complainant subsequently informed a former Unit Committee Chairman who was a witness in the case about the incident and he organised some of the town folks to arrest the convict at the Golokuati Police Station with a formal complaint.
Chief Inspector Aziati said a Police Medical Report form was issued to send the victim to the hospital for examination and treatment.
He said the endorsed medical form confirmed a broken hymen, laceration of the vaginal wall and bleeding to attest to forceful penetration, hence, the jail sentence.
Madam Rebecca Asempa, a businesswoman in Hohoe has resurrected the selling of “ice water” after more than 10 years switch to the consumption of “pure water.”
She resumed the business on Tuesday, October 25 and so far, it is becoming a favourite to all special drivers at the Hohoe lorry station.
The Ghana News Agency (GNA) contacted Madam Asempa after a video popped up showing her selling to some drivers.
She said she was selling the “ice water” for 20 pesewas adding that, she sold the water at the price despite the cost of the polyethene bag she used for the water.
She said she was also taking into consideration all the hygienic factors to sell a well ‘self-produced’ water and, “I am just doing this thing for doing sake, but they are buying it. I started yesterday and people are buying.”
The sachet or pure water is now selling at 50 or 60 pesewas due to recent hikes in the cost of production and fuel prices resulting from global turbulence.
Mr Emma Boakye, a driver told GNA that the cost of water despite its production being done in the country was disturbing, hence, they would continue to buy the “Ice water” as far as it is produced under hygienic conditions.
He said it was the “ice water” they used to drink before they switched, hence, “Sankofa is not a crime.”
Mr Boakye also lamented on the price increase in fuel and lorry fares, which would continue to affect the prices of goods including water.
GNA survey proves that similar business of iced water is emerging in some parts of Ho, an indication that if care is not taken, the phenomenon would become the norm going forward, a worry for public health experts.
Mr Gorden Akurugu, Volta Regional Director, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), has warned the public against the consumption of “ice water.”
He said it was not safe and consumers could easily get typhoid and other diseases since there was a direct contact processing where sellers blew air into the rubbers before filling them with water.
Mr Akurugu said consumers must be wary of their health and strictly go by drinking the sachet water or have clean and hygienic water in their houses to drink.
TWI NEWS
Mr Emmanuel Yawlui, the Hohoe Environmental Health Officer, when contacted, said the Department was unaware of any developments regarding the sale of “ice water.”
However, he said the only water in a rubber sanctioned, is the one which solidifies into, “ice blocks.”
Madam Rebecca Asempa, a businesswoman in Hohoe has resurrected the selling of “ice water” after more than 10 years switch to the consumption of “pure water.”
She resumed the business on Tuesday, October 25 and so far, it is becoming a favourite to all special drivers at the Hohoe lorry station.
The Ghana News Agency (GNA) contacted Madam Asempa after a video popped up showing her selling to some drivers.
She said she was selling the “ice water” for 20 pesewas adding that, she sold the water at the price despite the cost of the polyethene bag she used for the water.
She said she was also taking into consideration all the hygienic factors to sell a well ‘self-produced’ water and, “I am just doing this thing for doing sake, but they are buying it. I started yesterday and people are buying.”
The sachet or pure water is now selling at 50 or 60 pesewas due to recent hikes in the cost of production and fuel prices resulting from global turbulence.
Mr Emma Boakye, a driver told GNA that the cost of water despite its production being done in the country was disturbing, hence, they would continue to buy the “Ice water” as far as it is produced under hygienic conditions.
He said it was the “ice water” they used to drink before they switched, hence, “Sankofa is not a crime.”
Mr Boakye also lamented on the price increase in fuel and lorry fares, which would continue to affect the prices of goods including water.
GNA survey proves that similar business of iced water is emerging in some parts of Ho, an indication that if care is not taken, the phenomenon would become the norm going forward, a worry for public health experts.
Mr Gorden Akurugu, Volta Regional Director, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), has warned the public against the consumption of “ice water.”
He said it was not safe and consumers could easily get typhoid and other diseases since there was a direct contact processing where sellers blew air into the rubbers before filling them with water.
Mr Akurugu said consumers must be wary of their health and strictly go by drinking the sachet water or have clean and hygienic water in their houses to drink.
Mr Emmanuel Yawlui, the Hohoe Environmental Health Officer, when contacted, said the Department was unaware of any developments regarding the sale of “ice water.”
However, he said the only water in a rubber sanctioned, is the one which solidifies into, “ice blocks.”
The Constituency Executives positions of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have attracted a total of 834 aspirants in the Volta region.
Among them are a total of 135 females.
Mr James Gunu, Regional Secretary of the Party, who disclosed the developments to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said all were successfully vetted with a non-significant number of disqualifications.
He said the constituency elections would be held from October 22 to October 23 in all except Hohoe.
“We have a different strategy for taking back Hohoe,” he noted.
He said the nomination, filing and vetting processes, which have been digitised, had been “very smooth.”
“What is heartwarming is the enthusiasm and the growing desire for people to serve the Party, to see the Party regain power in 2024.
“We can see clearly that everybody is fed up with this Government”
Regional Executives’ elections for the Party have been slated for the 11th and 12th days of the month of November, processes for which had advanced past the nomination stage.
The regional positions also have attracted some stalwarts of the party, and Mr Gunu told the GNA he was seeking to maintain his position as secretary.
He said Volta Region remained the stronghold of the Party, and with cues from previous elections, victory would not evade.
“We are going to adopt very dramatic steps to ensure we win 2024. We will take every election process very seriously.”
More than 80,000 people, including illegal miners, have gained direct and indirect jobs under the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP) since its rollout a year ago.
Of the beneficiaries mainly from mining communities, 16,920 were engaged in Akotom in Western Region; 27,280, Adinkra in Ashanti; 16,002, Techire in Ahafo; 18,869, Akwatiakwaso in Eastern and 500 in Fufuo, Ashanti.
The remaining 500 were employed at Hohoe in the Volta Region as an intervention for residents of the region and Oti who were found to have moved to the mining areas to work.
The NAELP Coordinator, Dr Louise Carol Serwaa Donkor told the Ghanaian Times on Friday, that they worked at five main seedling sites and a satellite site at Hohoe to raise 20 million seedlings to support massive reafforestation efforts anchored on the 2022 Green Ghana tree planting exercise.
She said permanent staff members were about 400; casual workers, 1,199 while the rest were food /water suppliers, drivers, labourers, machine operators, seed suppliers/loaders/off loaders/planters and others in charge of soil.
She disclosed this in an interview on the progress of work under the programme and the impact being made in the alternative livelihood agenda in the mining sector ahead of its first anniversary in a couple of weeks.
Launched by President Akufo-Addo on October 25, last year, the NAELP, aims to provide alternative employment and livelihood to illegal miners(galamaseyers), potential ‘galamaseyers’ and related workers in the industry impacted by the government’s clampdown of illegal mining.
It also seeks to reclaim degraded lands in mining communities to restore the country’s water bodies, enhance livelihoods as well as ensure responsible small-scale mining, with the five focus regions Ashanti, Eastern, Central, Western North and Western.
Under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the programme is hinged on six modules including Agriculture and Agro-processing; Land Reclamation and Re-Afforestation and Mine Support Services.
The others are Responsible, Viable and Sustainable Small Scale Mining, Apprenticeship, Skills Training and Entrepreneurship and Community enhancement Projects.
Apart from small scale miners other targeted beneficiaries are their small scale mining sponsors, fuel suppliers, hoteliers, metal fabricators, transport operators, food caterers, traders and farmers.
Dr Donkor said the jobs created meant a lot to the miners and to the government because many of the beneficiaries were displaced as a result of the sanitation of the mining industry, to wit, anti-illegal mining operation by the government.
“So it was important for the government to come up with how to integrate them better through employment opportunities,” she said.
Dr Donkor said the permanent workers were paid G¢ 700 after tax deductions; their social security was paid in addition to breakfast and lunch and other end of year benefits.
For casual workers, she said, they were paid a daily wage of about GH¢100, or GH¢ 2000 a month depending on the work they did because their wages were calculated based on their output.
“The main thing is to target areas where there is mining, where galamsey is endemic because we want to be able to use them as labour. In those communities if you keep them (idle) they will keep doing the things we don’t want them doing. So we went through the chiefs to engage them,” she said.
She explained that at the moment, pending the next funding stage, the programme is yet to nurse the next set of seedlings to keep the people continuously engaged for another massive reafforestation drive to restore the country’s forest cover.
“Ghana has lost 1.41 million hectares of tree cover from 2001 to 2021 equivalent to a 20 per cent decrease in forest cover and it is for our sustenance on earth to reforest,” she said.
Apart from the job creation, DrDonkor said the programme was reclaiming 1,000 hectares of degraded lands BibianiAnwiaso and BekwaiJuaboso of Western North; BosomeFreho District in Ashanti and Abuakwa South and Atiwa West of Eastern.
“Under the Land Reclamation and Re-Afforestation module, we are working on the degraded land, bringing them to the right chemical balance for vegetation again, extracting all the harmful chemicals and redirecting streams from polluted areas,” she said.
Under the other modules, Dr Donkor said, artisanal and Small-Scale Miners will soon be receiving capacity building and skills enhancement training for sustainable and responsible mining.
She said the mining related skills development training modules would be rolled out along with large scale miners for a more efficient and widespread impact.
“The government is not against mining, but it is against the illegal and unsustainable ways of mining which compromise the environment,” she said and called for support for the programme.
The Hohoe District Police Command in the Volta region has intercepted two cartons of AAA and BBB cartridges on board a Yutong bus traveling to Kpassa in the Oti Region.
The police acted on intelligence and dispatched a team to search all vehicles entering the district from Accra.
According to police sources, “At about 3: 45 pm on Wednesday, November 3, the team stopped a red Yutong bus with registration No. GT 5919-16 traveling from Accra to Kpassa. A search was conducted on the said bus and two cartons containing AAA and BBB cartridges respectively were found concealed in the side compartment of the bus.â€
All twenty-nine passengers on board the vehicle denied ownership of the cartridges. The driver in charge of the bus, a 50-year-old Robert Ofosu Nyanor, and his conductor Godwin Aniwo, aged 32, were immediately placed under arrest for further interrogation and the bus was impounded.
The suspects were later released on police enquiry bail as investigation continues.
The 2020 NDC parliamentary candidate for Hohoe constituency, Prof. Margaret Kweku and four others have written to the Ho High Court to annul the election results of the current Hohoe Member of Parliament (MP), John Peter Amewu.
The other petitioners include Simon Alan Opoku Mintah, John Kwame Obimpeh, Godfred Koku Kofie, and Felix Quarshie, all residents of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL).
The petitioners argue that the failure of the Electoral Commission to allow them to vote in the parliamentary elections breached their rights guaranteed under the constitution.
They want the EC to conduct fresh elections that include them.
The EC and the former Energy Minister have been named as defendants.
Lawyer Nelson Kporha, Counsel for the applicants in the Hohoe Parliamentary election injunction case, says although the Electoral Commission (EC) has gazetted the Hohoe Parliamentary results it would not have any consequence on the restraining order from the Ho High Court.
He said restraining the EC from gazetting Hohoe MP-elect, John Peter Amewu was just one of the reliefs, disclosing that they were aware of the gazette before going to Court.
Mr Kporha, who is one of the Counsel’s for applicants, secured an interim injunction restraining the EC from gazetting John-Peter Amewu, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament-elect for Hohoe.
Meanwhile, Ghana News Agency’s (GNA) checks revealed that the Hohoe Constituency election was gazetted by the EC on Tuesday.
Mr Kporha said the EC’s gazette was just “a presumption of elections,” which is a periodical publication that has been authorised to publish publicly or legal notices, usually established by statutes or official action, could be legally nullified, therefore it would not have any consequences on the order they sought from the court.
He said “we are not bothered by the gazette,” we have other reliefs or orders that could make our case still hold.
Mr Kporha said to restrain the respondents, especially the MP-elect from presenting himself as such between January 7 to January 2025, still is legal before the law.
He said another is the availing himself to be sworn-in as Member of Parliament for Hohoe Constituency or holding himself as such.
A Ho High Court on Wednesday granted an interim injunction restraining the EC from gazetting John Peter Amewu, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament-elect for Hohoe.
The Court presided over by Justice Mr George Buadi granted an ex parte application filed by Professor Margaret Kweku, National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Hohoe Constituency, Mr Simon Allan Opoku-Mintah, Mr John Kwame Obimpeh, Mr Godfred Koku Kofie and Mr Felix Quarshie.
The respondents in the case are the EC, Mr Wisdom Kofi Akpakli Hohoe Municipal EC officer, Mr Amewu and the Attorney-General.
The Court held that the EC be restrained from seeking to gazette the MP-elect with the order lasting for 10 days from Wednesday.
The Court also ordered the MP-elect from presenting himself to be sworn-in as the MP for Hohoe Constituency or holding himself as such.
Lawyer Nelson Kporha, Counsel for the applicants in the Hohoe Parliamentary election injunction case, says although the Electoral Commission (EC) has gazetted the Hohoe Parliamentary results it would not have any consequence on the restraining order from the Ho High Court.
He said restraining the EC from gazetting Hohoe MP-elect, John-Peter Amewu, was just one of the reliefs, disclosing that they were aware of the gazette before going to Court.
Mr Kporha, who is one of the Counsel’s for applicants, secured an interim injunction restraining the EC from gazetting John-Peter Amewu, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament-elect for Hohoe.
Meanwhile, Ghana News Agency’s (GNA) checks revealed that the Hohoe Constituency election was gazetted by the EC on Tuesday.
Mr Kporha said the EC’s gazette was just “a presumption of elections,” which is a periodical publication that has been authorised to publish publicly or legal notices, usually established by statutes or official action, could be legally nullified, therefore it would not have any consequences on the order they sought from the court.
He said “we are not bothered by the gazette,” we have other reliefs or orders that could make our case still hold.
Mr Kporha said to restrain the respondents, especially the MP-elect from presenting himself as such between January 7 to January 2025, still is legal before the law.
He said another is the availing himself to be sworn-in as Member of Parliament for Hohoe Constituency or holding himself as such.
A Ho High Court on Wednesday granted an interim injunction restraining the EC from gazetting John-Peter Amewu, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament-elect for Hohoe.
The Court presided over by Justice Mr George Buadi granted an ex parte application filed by Professor Margaret Kweku, National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Hohoe Constituency, Mr Simon Allan Opoku-Mintah, Mr John Kwame Obimpeh, Mr Godfred Koku Kofie and Mr Felix Quarshie.
The respondents in the case are the EC, Mr Wisdom Kofi Akpakli Hohoe Municipal EC officer, Mr Amewu and the Attorney-General.
The Court held that the EC be restrained from seeking to gazette the MP-elect with the order lasting for 10 days from Wednesday.
The Court also ordered the MP-elect from presenting himself to be sworn-in as the MP for Hohoe Constituency or holding himself as such.
Togbe Adzimah V, Chief of Gbi Abansi in Hohoe, has commended John-Peter Amewu, Minister of Energy and newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Hohoe Constituency on his victory.
He noted that the election of Mr Amewu came as a result of his perseverance, hard work and determination.
Togbe Adzimah in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said “I wish to convey to you my special congratulatory message for emerging victorious as the Parliamentary candidate-elect for Hohoe Constituency in the just ended parliamentary elections held across the country on December 7, 2020.
“Your perseverance, hard work and determination won you this victory. You never gave up after two unsuccessful attempts in 2004 and 2008.”
He said the people of Hohoe Constituency had seen the capabilities demonstrated during Mr Amewu’s days as Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and becoming a cabinet Minister.
Togbe Adzimah said the positions occupied by the MP-elect brought “unparallel development projects” to the Constituency.
He noted that the development projects had reposed the confidence of electorate in Mr Amewu by voting for him to represent them in Parliament, to champion and transform their lives through infrastructural and human-centred development as stated in his “One Family, One Opportunity” campaign message.
The traditional ruler also wished the Energy Minister well in his endeavour and quest, as he leads the constituents for the next four years.
Unconfirmed report by Daily Guide has it that, Energy Minister, John Peter Amewu, has won the parliamentary election in the Hohoe constituency on the ticket of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He defeated NDC Parliamentary candidate, Margaret Kwaku in the polls on Monday, December 7, 2020.
NDC has been controlling the Hohoe Constituency for several years.
The Supreme Court has, in a unanimous decision, ruled that the traditional areas of Santrofi, Akpafu, Likpe and Lolobi cannot fall within the Hohoe Constituency.
The Apex court explains that this is because the said traditional areas following the creation of new regions ended up falling within the Oti Region.
Hohoe Constituency on the other hand falls within the current Volta Region amidst the constitutional requirement that a constituency shall not fall within more than one region.
This is the Judgement in the case of Valentine Edem Dzatse vrs Henry Ametefe, NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Hohoe Prof Margaret Kweku and four others.
The case was heard by Justices Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Gabriel Pwamang, Samuel Marful Sau, Nene Amegatcher, Ashie Kotey, Mariama Owusu and Lovelace Johnson.
The case commenced at the Ho High Court but was referred to the Supreme Court for interpretation. The court had been asked to hold that Constitutional Instrument 95 (C.I 95) which determines the areas of a constituency is inconsistent with article 47 (2) of the 1992 constitution which stipulates that no constituency shall fall within two regions.
The plaintiff in the case, Valentine Edem Dzatse had contended that Constitutional Instrument 112 (C.I 112) which set up the Oti Region provides that the traditional areas of Santrofi, Akpafu, Likpe and Lolobi fall within the Oti Region. This is despite the fact that these areas per C.I 95 are part of the Hohoe Constituency. This, therefore, creates a situation the constitution sought to avoid by not having an area in two regions.
The Electoral Commission which had its Municipal Electoral Officer named as a defendant in the case agreed with the case of the plaintiff adding that C.95 ought to be amended to reflect the current split of the regions.
The other defendants, however, disagreed saying the President in creating the regions should have noted that he was limited by Article 47 (2) to ensure that the said traditional areas remain within the Hohoe Constituency.
The Apex Court took the view that there is no such limitation placed on the President in creating regions but rather the law showing the areas covering constituencies ought to be amended to reflect the current regional distribution. The court, therefore, concluded that C.95 is inconsistent with article 47 (2) of the constitution.
The court however restrained itself from declaring the law as void explaining that any review of constituencies per article 47(6) takes effect upon the dissolution of parliament.
The Court finally ordered the Electoral Commission to amend CI 95 to ensure that the said traditional areas do not fall within two regions.
Mr. Andrews Teddy Ofori, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), has said the Assembly is poised to render expedited services to businesses and residents through its departments and structures.
He said the Assembly had provided adequate infrastructure backed by its ready-to-assist staff to serve clients, who would throng the Assembly to do business.
Mr. Ofori, who commissioned a two-storey office complex for the Assembly said, there was the need for the provision of a solid infrastructural base around which development would revolve ‘has been our target’.
The office complex funded under the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) was completed at an estimated cost of GHC805,519.00 has 18 offices and washrooms.
The MCE said the project, which began in 2011 was only 46 per cent completed after six years and his administration saw the need to commit resources to seeing the project reach its current stage.
Some of the Offices on the block include the Legal Aid Commission, Works Department, Minerals Commission, Social Welfare Department, Cooperative, Environmental Health and Sanitation.
Others are National Centre for National Culture, Lands Commission and the Hohoe Municipal Art Centre.
Hohoe Municipality has shown a massive decline in the number of registered voters in the phase three of the ongoing voter registration exercise.
A visit in the Municipality showed a modicum of registrants in the queue compared to the previous two phases.
The first two cases of the registration showed a total number of about 6000 people who have duly registered.
Today’s visit to the post office, the team saw about 11 people in a queue who were undergoing the registration exercise.
Other centers showed 4 people in a queue who were undergoing the registration process.
This comes as a shock as one would have expected the numbers to shoot up after the visit of the former president to the Municipality.
However, checks revealed that the said day was a market day and many of the residents may have gone to the market, and hence accounting to the low turn out.
The team will continue to monitor the situation and report accordingly.
The wearing of nose masks as a major precautionary measure against the spread of the COVID-19 is on the decline in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region.
Most people seen on the streets and markets are either not in nose masks or wrongly wore the masks exposing themselves to the virus.
Mr Bright Agyekum, a nose mask vendor told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that nose masks sales had gone down in the past two weeks and that people were doubting the existence of the disease.
Master John Avorgah, a trader who was not in a nose mask said he forgot his mask but did not think it was necessary.
The GNA also observed that people no longer washed their hands before accessing services while most handwashing stations do not have tissue papers or soaps.
Public and private offices, however, have “no nose masks, no entry” in their premises.
It was also observed that market women continued to defy the ban on activities on Monday and Friday market days by the Assembly to fight the disease.
Mr. Seidu Alhassan, a Station Master told GNA that most passengers were not wearing masks and bemoaned the absence of a task force to enforce directives on precautionary measures such as wearing of nose masks.
He said although drivers were adhering to reducing the number of passengers, wearing nose masks by passengers had not been encouraging and called on the government to put in stringent measures to ensure the compulsory wearing of nose masks.
When the GNA contacted Mr Emmanuel Yawlui, the Hohoe Municipal Environmental Health Officer (MEHO), he said the Unit had put in measures to ensure that food vendor adhered to wearing of nose masks with offenders having their goods seized.
He said the Unit had challenges in enforcing the precautionary measures especially wearing of nose masks due to the absence of a task force to support in educating, monitoring, and supervising adherence of the measures.
Andrews Teddy Ofori, the Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) has called on the citizenry to desist from stigmatizing patients who have recovered from the novel corona virus disease.
He said stigma was a killer and must be stopped for a successful fight against COVID19.
Mr Ofori made the call through the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after he presented items to some patients who have recovered from COVID-19.
He said the continuous stigmatization of suspected, confirmed and recovered patients may hinder the fight against the pandemic and called on the support of all.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Municipal Chief Executive for his kind gesture and support.
Mr Ofori who also presented ten non-contact infrared thermometers and hand sanitizers to the Hohoe Municipal Hospital said the supply of additional thermometers to the Hospital was to ease the pressure on existing ones for each ward to have one.
He commended the management and staff of the Hospital for their hard work and urged them to make good use of the thermometers.
Mr. Serene Akpanya, Administrator of the Hohoe Municipal Hospital who received the items on behalf of the facility thanked the MCE and said the items came at the right time to support the fight against the spread of the disease.
Member of Parliament for Hohoe, Dr Bernice Adiku Heloo, has urged government to as a matter of urgency include persons living with HIV/AIDS in the ongoing social intervention programmes targeted at the poor and vulnerable as a result of the partial lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Government through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has started feeding, clothing and accommodating some 15, 000 head porters and homeless persons who have been displayed since the lockdown was pronounced.
According to the MP, persons living with HIV/AIDS already have a compromised immune system and are susceptible to the coronavirus hence the need to pay special attention to their needs.
She noted that since most persons living with HIV/AIDS are poor, vulnerable and cannot afford to feed themselves during this period, it is important government prioritise them in the ongoing social intervention efforts to cushion them.
Dr Heloo also encouraged government to work with identifiable groups such as NAP+ who work with persons with the disease for the necessary assistance.
