The Ho High Court presided over by Justice Kofi Essel Mensah has dismissed an electoral dispute in which Dr Joseph Manboah-Rockson is praying the court to nullify the results of the 2008 parliamentary elections at Nkwanta North Constituency in the Volta Region which declared Mr Joseph Kwaku Nayan as the winner.
Dr Manboah-Rockson who stood on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) attributed his defeat to corrupt practices by his rival, Nayan, who contested for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and prayed for certain reliefs from the court.
The prosecution said Nayan, who was re-elected as the Member of Parliament during the parliamentary election in December 2008, engaged in corrupt electoral malpractices by paying money to voters in seven polling stations to induce them to vote for him and engaged in improper acts in the supervision of the election.
In dismissing the application, Justice Essel Mensah observed that electoral disputes were of extreme national importance and needed to be dealt with expeditiously to prevent unnecessary post-election tension and conflict, adding that there was the need to ensure that Parliament was well composed by the accredited representation of the citizenry.
He noted that when the case was first brought before the court, it was struck out on October 17, 2009 for lack of support. Then on November 17, 2009 another motion was filed by the applicant but it was opposed by the respondents on the grounds that it was brought beyond the 14 days prescribed for such cases, so on January 29, 2010, the application was dismissed.
According to the Justice Essel Mensah, after the dismissal of the case “ the applicants went to sleep for nearly one month and now that they have awoken from their slumber have brought the application which has also delayed for 25 days far beyond the 14 days statutory period”.
He added that the case demanded that the court’s inherent power to prevent the abuse of its processes must be applied in the case, the merit of the case notwithstanding, adding that “ the applicant’s conduct generally, coupled with his misuse of the rules of the court amounts to gross abuse of the legal processes and seriously undermines the bona fides”.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
HIGH COURT ACQUITS DR ADISA (PAGE 22, JUNE 15, 2010)
The Ho High Court, presided over by Justice Kofi Essel-Mensah, has acquitted and discharged Dr Millicent Adisa on two counts of resisting arrest and assault.
It also ordered that the fines she had paid at a lower court in Ho which had earlier sentenced her be refunded to her.
This was after the High Court had set aside the conviction and the sentence imposed on her by the Ho Circuit Court where she was arraigned on the two counts.
The circuit court had earlier convicted Dr Adisa on both counts and sentenced her to a fine of GH¢400 or in default six months’ imprisonment with hard labour on each count to run concurrently.
Dissatisfied with her conviction, Dr Adisa appealed to the High Court.
The prosecution said on March 28, 2007, a team of policemen from the Hawk Unit in Ho, under the command of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Tanko, embarked on a special exercise to check vehicles with foreign registration numbers and invalid documents.
During the exercise, a Mercedes Benz car, with registration number HN833-K-JA, being driven by Dr Adisa, was signalled to stop but she ignored the signal and sped off.
The police chased Dr Adisa and caught up with her at a spot near the Barclays Bank in Ho.
The prosecution said during interrogation, Dr Adisa, who could not produce documents covering the vehicle, was arrested and a female police officer was detailed to escort her to the Ho Central Police Station.
Dr Adisa, who was not satisfied with the turn of events, drove to the residence of the Volta Regional Police Commander and narrated her ordeal to the superior officer. The female officer was locked up in the vehicle until the superior officer rescued her.
In its ruling the court said “it was intriguing, how all the six police officers did not wear their name and number tags in total obedience to their service regulations” and that he could not fathom any reason for their unprofessional and indiscipline conduct.
He said the mere wearing of a police uniform did not make one a police officer, since there had been countless instances where people dressed in police uniforms had robbed innocent people. In other instances, the court noted that some police officers had robbed unsuspecting people.
The court said in the light of the above examples there was the need for police officers whether or not in uniform to sufficiently identify themselves to the satisfaction of a person they intended to arrest or take action against.
The court expressed the conviction that Dr Adisa without doubt, became apprehensive and suspicious of those who had arrested her, a situation which prompted her to drive to the residence of the Regional Commander.
“The conduct of the police leaves much to be desired. The conduct constitutes a dent on the immaculate character of the rule of law. The power of arrest bestowed on the police must be exercised with circumspection and within the limit of the law,” the court added.
It also ordered that the fines she had paid at a lower court in Ho which had earlier sentenced her be refunded to her.
This was after the High Court had set aside the conviction and the sentence imposed on her by the Ho Circuit Court where she was arraigned on the two counts.
The circuit court had earlier convicted Dr Adisa on both counts and sentenced her to a fine of GH¢400 or in default six months’ imprisonment with hard labour on each count to run concurrently.
Dissatisfied with her conviction, Dr Adisa appealed to the High Court.
The prosecution said on March 28, 2007, a team of policemen from the Hawk Unit in Ho, under the command of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Tanko, embarked on a special exercise to check vehicles with foreign registration numbers and invalid documents.
During the exercise, a Mercedes Benz car, with registration number HN833-K-JA, being driven by Dr Adisa, was signalled to stop but she ignored the signal and sped off.
The police chased Dr Adisa and caught up with her at a spot near the Barclays Bank in Ho.
The prosecution said during interrogation, Dr Adisa, who could not produce documents covering the vehicle, was arrested and a female police officer was detailed to escort her to the Ho Central Police Station.
Dr Adisa, who was not satisfied with the turn of events, drove to the residence of the Volta Regional Police Commander and narrated her ordeal to the superior officer. The female officer was locked up in the vehicle until the superior officer rescued her.
In its ruling the court said “it was intriguing, how all the six police officers did not wear their name and number tags in total obedience to their service regulations” and that he could not fathom any reason for their unprofessional and indiscipline conduct.
He said the mere wearing of a police uniform did not make one a police officer, since there had been countless instances where people dressed in police uniforms had robbed innocent people. In other instances, the court noted that some police officers had robbed unsuspecting people.
The court said in the light of the above examples there was the need for police officers whether or not in uniform to sufficiently identify themselves to the satisfaction of a person they intended to arrest or take action against.
The court expressed the conviction that Dr Adisa without doubt, became apprehensive and suspicious of those who had arrested her, a situation which prompted her to drive to the residence of the Regional Commander.
“The conduct of the police leaves much to be desired. The conduct constitutes a dent on the immaculate character of the rule of law. The power of arrest bestowed on the police must be exercised with circumspection and within the limit of the law,” the court added.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
AHIAKPOR JAILED FOR CATTLE THEFT (PAGE 46, JUNE 14, 2010)
A Ho Circuit Court, presided over by Mr Ernest Yao Obimpe, has sentenced a 22-year-old farmer at Akuta near Juapong in the Volta Region to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour for stealing three cows.
Besah Ahiakpor was found guilty of stealing the cows valued at GH¢180.00 which belonged to Mr Emmanuel Gota, the complainant and cattle owner at Juapong.
The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Anthony Danso, told the court that Mr Gota had a kraal at Akuta but lived at Juapong.
He said on April 19, 2009 at about 1pm, Mr Gota had information from a friend that Besah had broken into his kraal and stolen three cows which he was transporting out of town.
ASP Danso said the informant further gave Gota details of the route and the type of vehicle being used to convey the animals.
Mr Gota, therefore, organised some people and intercepted the vehicle with the three cows on the outskirts of Juapong on the Volu Road at about 2.15 pm, arrested Ahiakpor and handed him over to the police. The cows have, however, been returned to the owner.
Besah Ahiakpor was found guilty of stealing the cows valued at GH¢180.00 which belonged to Mr Emmanuel Gota, the complainant and cattle owner at Juapong.
The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Anthony Danso, told the court that Mr Gota had a kraal at Akuta but lived at Juapong.
He said on April 19, 2009 at about 1pm, Mr Gota had information from a friend that Besah had broken into his kraal and stolen three cows which he was transporting out of town.
ASP Danso said the informant further gave Gota details of the route and the type of vehicle being used to convey the animals.
Mr Gota, therefore, organised some people and intercepted the vehicle with the three cows on the outskirts of Juapong on the Volu Road at about 2.15 pm, arrested Ahiakpor and handed him over to the police. The cows have, however, been returned to the owner.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
ADJADSCO REVIEWS PERFORMANCE OF FOREST COMMITTEE (PAGE 46, JUNE 7, 2010)
The Association of Jasikan District Civil Societies (AJADSCO) has held a two-day mid-year review meeting on the natural resource and environmental governance under the KASA Project at Jasikan in the Volta Region.
About 30 individuals selected from 15 communities in the Jasikan and Kadjebi districts participated in the conference during which they reviewed the performance of the forest management committee and fire volunteers squad, formed six months earlier.
The communities are Jasikan, Bodada, Atonkor, Kudze, Worawora, Apesokubi, Kabusu, Asukawkaw, Katanga, Kadjebi and Wawase.
The participants observed that Fulani herdsmen and their cows were a big problem as they had invaded and destroyed a large part of the Kabusu River Forest Reserve which stretches from Worawora, Apesokubi, Kabusu, Asukawkaw to Katanga. Besides, they said the activities of the herdsmen and their cattle had also contributed to loss of vegetation.
According to Alhaji Issaka Braimah, Chairman of AJADSCO, the chiefs and elders of the adjoining communities had been advised to form a joint task force to control the activities of the herdsmen.
Alhaji Braimah said the traditional authorities had also been asked to control the high influx of chainsaw operators in the area. The fire volunteers appealed to stakeholders for logistics in the form of wellington boots, machetes and torches to facilitate their work.
About 30 individuals selected from 15 communities in the Jasikan and Kadjebi districts participated in the conference during which they reviewed the performance of the forest management committee and fire volunteers squad, formed six months earlier.
The communities are Jasikan, Bodada, Atonkor, Kudze, Worawora, Apesokubi, Kabusu, Asukawkaw, Katanga, Kadjebi and Wawase.
The participants observed that Fulani herdsmen and their cows were a big problem as they had invaded and destroyed a large part of the Kabusu River Forest Reserve which stretches from Worawora, Apesokubi, Kabusu, Asukawkaw to Katanga. Besides, they said the activities of the herdsmen and their cattle had also contributed to loss of vegetation.
According to Alhaji Issaka Braimah, Chairman of AJADSCO, the chiefs and elders of the adjoining communities had been advised to form a joint task force to control the activities of the herdsmen.
Alhaji Braimah said the traditional authorities had also been asked to control the high influx of chainsaw operators in the area. The fire volunteers appealed to stakeholders for logistics in the form of wellington boots, machetes and torches to facilitate their work.
BUDGETARY CONTRAINTS HINDER IMPLEMENTATION OF RELC (PAGE 46, JUNE 7, 2010)
The Volta Regional Research Extension Linkage Committee’s (RELC’s) work is being hindered by poor implementation of its findings and budgetary constraints.
The RELC is an offshoot of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA).
Opening a two-day review and planning session of RELC in Ho, the Deputy Volta Regional Director of MoFA, Mr John Tsrakasu, said the RELC was set up in 1989 to co-ordinate activities of farmers in the region, to find out their problems and to introduce them to best practices in agriculture.
But Mr Tsrakasu lamented that the inability of MoFA to decentralise responsibilities and resources to local and community levels was hindering effective participation and sustainability of the programme.
“The refusal to approve budgets to facilitate the decentralisation of its operations but concentrated everything at the national level has been identified as its main hindrance to the successful implementation of the RELC findings,” he said.
He, therefore, appealed to the authorities to expand the capacity of the local management and develop a broad policy framework that would allow local participants to contribute their quota to national development.
Mr Tsrakasu said the review and planning workshops were meant to be held annually to evaluate the performance of AJADSCO and identify the challenges members faced in their work and find solutions to them to ensure improved practices for the farmers. The evaluating officers include agricultural extension officers, scientists and farmer-based organisations.
Mr Tsrakasu said because of the constraints, only three review sessions had been held so far.
He questioned how they could run a project without a budget to work with, since the budget was planned without the input and involvement of the ministry.
He said so far, over GH¢100,000.00 had been expended on the project and could not tell whether it was the non decentralisation of the project which was threatening the existence of AJADSCO.
He explained that invitation could not be extended to a greater number of farmers to be part of the session due to financial constraints.
The RELC is an offshoot of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA).
Opening a two-day review and planning session of RELC in Ho, the Deputy Volta Regional Director of MoFA, Mr John Tsrakasu, said the RELC was set up in 1989 to co-ordinate activities of farmers in the region, to find out their problems and to introduce them to best practices in agriculture.
But Mr Tsrakasu lamented that the inability of MoFA to decentralise responsibilities and resources to local and community levels was hindering effective participation and sustainability of the programme.
“The refusal to approve budgets to facilitate the decentralisation of its operations but concentrated everything at the national level has been identified as its main hindrance to the successful implementation of the RELC findings,” he said.
He, therefore, appealed to the authorities to expand the capacity of the local management and develop a broad policy framework that would allow local participants to contribute their quota to national development.
Mr Tsrakasu said the review and planning workshops were meant to be held annually to evaluate the performance of AJADSCO and identify the challenges members faced in their work and find solutions to them to ensure improved practices for the farmers. The evaluating officers include agricultural extension officers, scientists and farmer-based organisations.
Mr Tsrakasu said because of the constraints, only three review sessions had been held so far.
He questioned how they could run a project without a budget to work with, since the budget was planned without the input and involvement of the ministry.
He said so far, over GH¢100,000.00 had been expended on the project and could not tell whether it was the non decentralisation of the project which was threatening the existence of AJADSCO.
He explained that invitation could not be extended to a greater number of farmers to be part of the session due to financial constraints.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
LIBRARY IN MEMORY OF MONSIGNOR 'CHAMPION' APIETU (PAGE 46, JUNE 3, 2010)
A library in memory of the late Monsignor Rudolph Johnson Oyintey Kwaku Apietu was inaugurated last Saturday at Santrokofi Benua in the Santrokofi Traditional Area of the Hohoe Municipality in the Volta Region.
The library which is temporarily housed in a private premise is to be moved into an a permanent structure being constructed on a 30- acre plot at Benua.
It is being established by the R.J.A Foundation which is made up of mainly friends of the late Monsignor. The R.J.A. Foundation is under the leadership of Reverend Dr George Okyerefoh, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon.
The library will put together the memoirs of the late Monsignor Apietu who died in 2006 after 49 years of service as one of the pioneering priests of the Roman Catholic Church.
Monsignor Apietu was ordained in 1957 and served as the headmaster of the St Paul’s Senior High School at Denu in the Volta Region for 23 years.
He was also the Chaplain of the St Francis College of Education and a member of the Agyeman Badu Commission of 1976.
In an inaugural speech read on his behalf by the Adontehene of the area, Nana Otitiaku III, the Omanhene of the area, Okakple Letsabi II said the late Mgr. Apietu was an illustrious son, an accomplished educationist, a prudent administrator and, above all, a humble man of God, adding that his counsel to the youth who came his way was parallel to none and that was why it had become necessary to honour him and preserve his memory as a guide to the youth of the area.
Okakple Letsabi commended members of the R.J.A. Foundation for immortalising the memory of the late Monsignor and gave a promise that the chiefs and people of the traditional would provide every assistance for the early completion of the structure to house the library complex.
Nana Otitiaku cut the tape to inaugurate the library and led the people to the new site of the library complex which has been named Champion Avenue. He also cut the sod for work to begin on the permanent building to house the library complex.
The library which is temporarily housed in a private premise is to be moved into an a permanent structure being constructed on a 30- acre plot at Benua.
It is being established by the R.J.A Foundation which is made up of mainly friends of the late Monsignor. The R.J.A. Foundation is under the leadership of Reverend Dr George Okyerefoh, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon.
The library will put together the memoirs of the late Monsignor Apietu who died in 2006 after 49 years of service as one of the pioneering priests of the Roman Catholic Church.
Monsignor Apietu was ordained in 1957 and served as the headmaster of the St Paul’s Senior High School at Denu in the Volta Region for 23 years.
He was also the Chaplain of the St Francis College of Education and a member of the Agyeman Badu Commission of 1976.
In an inaugural speech read on his behalf by the Adontehene of the area, Nana Otitiaku III, the Omanhene of the area, Okakple Letsabi II said the late Mgr. Apietu was an illustrious son, an accomplished educationist, a prudent administrator and, above all, a humble man of God, adding that his counsel to the youth who came his way was parallel to none and that was why it had become necessary to honour him and preserve his memory as a guide to the youth of the area.
Okakple Letsabi commended members of the R.J.A. Foundation for immortalising the memory of the late Monsignor and gave a promise that the chiefs and people of the traditional would provide every assistance for the early completion of the structure to house the library complex.
Nana Otitiaku cut the tape to inaugurate the library and led the people to the new site of the library complex which has been named Champion Avenue. He also cut the sod for work to begin on the permanent building to house the library complex.
FODOME CITIZENS ASSOCIATION INAUGURATED (PAGE 46, JUNE 3, 2010)
A Seven-Member Fodome Citizens Welfare Association has been inaugurated at Ho in the Volta Region with a call on citizens resident in the Ho municipality to unite for peace and prosperity.
The members,who were sworn into office by a prominent citizen of the area, Mr Emil Kazoo Akroh, are Ms Veronica Klu as Chairperson with Mr George Klu as the Vice.
The rest are Messrs Emmanuel Nyaku, Secretary; Emmanuel Ameko, Treasurer while Samuel Ametorwobla and Richard Geli took the positions of Organising Secretary and Assistant Organising Secretary respectively.
The citizens of the Fodome Traditional Area in the Hohoe Municipality and resident in Ho formed the welfare association to foster unity among members, seek the welfare of one another and promote development of the area.
In his inaugural speech, Mr Stephen Horla Adrah, a Patron of the association, said the association would provide a forum for discussing issues pertaining to development of the traditional area.
He underscored the importance of unity among the people and urged all citizens to be committed in their support towards the development of the association in order to create the needed social safety nets for members and their families.
Mr Adrah advised all Fodome citizens in the Ho Municipality to be law-abiding and strive to attain excellence in all fields of endeavour.
He entreated them to invest in the education of their children, stressing “ there is no greater legacy to be bequeathed to our children than education”.
He appealed to the citizens of Fodome residing in the municipality who had not yet registered members to do so.
Mr Emmanuel Nyaku, the Volta Regional Manager of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), advised members to take advantage of the entrepreneurial and business development schemes offered by the board to start their own enterprises.
This, he said, could create employment avenues for themselves and others in order to generate more income to improve upon their living standards.
Mr Nyaku also stressed the importance of education, especially that of the girl-child and entreated them to ensure that they gave the necessary assistance and encouragement to their children to have a sound foundation to build on in the future.
Mr Yao Seidu, an educationist and member of the association, took members through the various stages and duties of group work.
He urged all of them to show commitment and transparency in their resolve to make the association viable and strong.
The members,who were sworn into office by a prominent citizen of the area, Mr Emil Kazoo Akroh, are Ms Veronica Klu as Chairperson with Mr George Klu as the Vice.
The rest are Messrs Emmanuel Nyaku, Secretary; Emmanuel Ameko, Treasurer while Samuel Ametorwobla and Richard Geli took the positions of Organising Secretary and Assistant Organising Secretary respectively.
The citizens of the Fodome Traditional Area in the Hohoe Municipality and resident in Ho formed the welfare association to foster unity among members, seek the welfare of one another and promote development of the area.
In his inaugural speech, Mr Stephen Horla Adrah, a Patron of the association, said the association would provide a forum for discussing issues pertaining to development of the traditional area.
He underscored the importance of unity among the people and urged all citizens to be committed in their support towards the development of the association in order to create the needed social safety nets for members and their families.
Mr Adrah advised all Fodome citizens in the Ho Municipality to be law-abiding and strive to attain excellence in all fields of endeavour.
He entreated them to invest in the education of their children, stressing “ there is no greater legacy to be bequeathed to our children than education”.
He appealed to the citizens of Fodome residing in the municipality who had not yet registered members to do so.
Mr Emmanuel Nyaku, the Volta Regional Manager of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), advised members to take advantage of the entrepreneurial and business development schemes offered by the board to start their own enterprises.
This, he said, could create employment avenues for themselves and others in order to generate more income to improve upon their living standards.
Mr Nyaku also stressed the importance of education, especially that of the girl-child and entreated them to ensure that they gave the necessary assistance and encouragement to their children to have a sound foundation to build on in the future.
Mr Yao Seidu, an educationist and member of the association, took members through the various stages and duties of group work.
He urged all of them to show commitment and transparency in their resolve to make the association viable and strong.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
GIS OFFICER REMANDED OVER MAN'S DEATH (PAGE 46, JUNE 2, 2010)
A Ho Circuit Court, presided over by Mr Ernest Yao Obimpeh, has remanded a 31-year-old Assistant Inspector of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) in prison custody for stabbing his cousin, Mensah Ketti, 30, to death last Tuesday.
Francis Eneh, the GIS officer was alleged to have stabbed Ketti in the stomach during a scuffle that ensued between them on May 5, 2010 at Ave Atanve in the Adaklu-Ayigbe District in the Volta Region.
Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Anthony Danso said at about 9.00a.m. on that fateful day, Ketti and his father, who is an uncle of Francis, were engaged in an argument over a missing mobile phone.
ASP Danso said Ketti’s father had accused his son of the theft but Eneh intervened and managed to retrieve the mobile phone from Ketti and give it to the father.
He said at about 9.30 in the evening Ketti, who was not satisfied with the turn of events, confronted Eneh who was by then waiting for a vehicle by the roadside to return to Accra for an examination the next day.
In the ensuing scuffle, Ketti held Eneh by the throat and a dagger which was on Francis fell on the ground. As the two struggled to pick it up, it stabbed Ketti in the stomach in the process.
ASP Danso said Eneh reported himself to Togbe Godoh, Chief of Ave Atanve, who also handed him over to the police for investigations.
The prosecutor said Ketti was rushed to the nearest hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Francis Eneh, the GIS officer was alleged to have stabbed Ketti in the stomach during a scuffle that ensued between them on May 5, 2010 at Ave Atanve in the Adaklu-Ayigbe District in the Volta Region.
Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Anthony Danso said at about 9.00a.m. on that fateful day, Ketti and his father, who is an uncle of Francis, were engaged in an argument over a missing mobile phone.
ASP Danso said Ketti’s father had accused his son of the theft but Eneh intervened and managed to retrieve the mobile phone from Ketti and give it to the father.
He said at about 9.30 in the evening Ketti, who was not satisfied with the turn of events, confronted Eneh who was by then waiting for a vehicle by the roadside to return to Accra for an examination the next day.
In the ensuing scuffle, Ketti held Eneh by the throat and a dagger which was on Francis fell on the ground. As the two struggled to pick it up, it stabbed Ketti in the stomach in the process.
ASP Danso said Eneh reported himself to Togbe Godoh, Chief of Ave Atanve, who also handed him over to the police for investigations.
The prosecutor said Ketti was rushed to the nearest hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
NEW MEASURES TO REDUCE FRAUD IN NHIS (PAGE 46, JUNE 2, 2010)
New measures have been introduced into the operations of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to reduce the massive fraud and malfeasance that has bedevilled it over the years and to make the scheme sustainable.
The measures are to ensure that monthly reports are presented on time since it has been detected that some schemes have not prepared and submitted data and financial reports since 2007.
Addressing the staff of the NHIS at Ho in the Volta Region during a one-day workshop on the new reporting format last Thursday, Mr Sylvester Mensah, Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), said the measures included the supply of the necessary logistics.
He noted that it was detected during clinical audits that the bill for maternal care had been inflated and over GH¢ 5.2 million was recovered, with GH¢ 1.1million coming from a particular region.
Mr Mensah pointed out that 33 scheme managers had been interdicted and four imprisoned. Seven of the interdicted officials are from the Volta Region.
Mr Joseph Amenowode, the Volta Regional Minister, expressed satisfaction at the smart turnout of the officials and expressed the hope they would assist to remove the malfeasance which had engulfed the scheme.
He said the scheme was dear to the heart of the government since it aimed at providing affordable health care to the people.
The regional minister expressed the hope that the management of the scheme would change for the better and asked them to pay attention to the reforms being introduced to make the scheme more lasting.
Earlier, the Volta Regional Manager of the NHIA, Mr Elliot Nestor Akototse, said seven schemes were monitored and as a result of the audit, seven health providers were directed to refund an amount of GH¢709,103.27 to the schemes and they had complied.
He called on the participants to take the workshop seriously since it would be beneficial to all.
The measures are to ensure that monthly reports are presented on time since it has been detected that some schemes have not prepared and submitted data and financial reports since 2007.
Addressing the staff of the NHIS at Ho in the Volta Region during a one-day workshop on the new reporting format last Thursday, Mr Sylvester Mensah, Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), said the measures included the supply of the necessary logistics.
He noted that it was detected during clinical audits that the bill for maternal care had been inflated and over GH¢ 5.2 million was recovered, with GH¢ 1.1million coming from a particular region.
Mr Mensah pointed out that 33 scheme managers had been interdicted and four imprisoned. Seven of the interdicted officials are from the Volta Region.
Mr Joseph Amenowode, the Volta Regional Minister, expressed satisfaction at the smart turnout of the officials and expressed the hope they would assist to remove the malfeasance which had engulfed the scheme.
He said the scheme was dear to the heart of the government since it aimed at providing affordable health care to the people.
The regional minister expressed the hope that the management of the scheme would change for the better and asked them to pay attention to the reforms being introduced to make the scheme more lasting.
Earlier, the Volta Regional Manager of the NHIA, Mr Elliot Nestor Akototse, said seven schemes were monitored and as a result of the audit, seven health providers were directed to refund an amount of GH¢709,103.27 to the schemes and they had complied.
He called on the participants to take the workshop seriously since it would be beneficial to all.
VOLTA REGION LAUNCHES WORLD TB DAY AT ZIOPE (PAGE 42, JUNE 2, 2010)
This year’s Volta Regional celebration of the World Tuberculosis Day has been launched at Ziope in the Adaklu Anyigbe District.
Speakers at the launch reminded the people that the disease continued to be a health hazard because people suffering from it shied away from seeking treatment at health facilities.
This is in spite of the fact that the disease is curable and medical services are available and free.
The acting Volta Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Timothy Letsa, said detection rate in the region had been a major challenge, noting that last year, 1,579 TB cases were detected and treated in the region, constituting only about 42 per cent of cases detected.
“Last year, in the Volta Region, 1,579 TB cases were detected representing 42 per cent smear positive case detection rate but a very high cure rate of 92 per cent,” he said.
Dr Letsa attributed stigmatisation and superstition as reasons which kept people from reporting to hospital, adding that “TB is curable so all should join in the fight to eradicate it from the society.”
He called on health personnel to be more professional in their duties.
The Deputy Director in charge of Public Health Services, Dr Winfred Ofosu, attributed the increase in TB cases to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
He, therefore, called for the intensification of the fight to halt both HIV/AIDS and TB.
The Adaklu Anyigbe District Chief Executive, Mr Michael Komla Adzaho, who launched the programme, assured the people of the government’s commitment in creating awareness of the threat posed by the disease in its efforts to ensure the good health of the people.
He implored the people to guard against excessive alcoholic intake and exposure to dust in order to accelerate efforts towards achieving the targets of the Millennium Development Goals for TB by 2015.
“Indoor and outdoor air pollution, asthma, smoking, pneumonia, unwarranted alcoholism, among others affect lung health and breathing. Most of these conditions are preventable if the risk factors are avoided,” he said.
The Volta Regional Co-ordinator of HIV/AIDS and TB, Mr Joseph Kwami Degley, also urged the patients not to shun treatment, since it was suicidal to do so, especially when treatment was free.
The acting Adaklu Anyigbe District Director of Health Services, Ms Patience Nunoo, in her welcoming address, said TB detection rate in the district was poor, since only 12 TB cases were detected out of the supposed 135 cases, representing a case detection rate of 19 per cent.
Speakers at the launch reminded the people that the disease continued to be a health hazard because people suffering from it shied away from seeking treatment at health facilities.
This is in spite of the fact that the disease is curable and medical services are available and free.
The acting Volta Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Timothy Letsa, said detection rate in the region had been a major challenge, noting that last year, 1,579 TB cases were detected and treated in the region, constituting only about 42 per cent of cases detected.
“Last year, in the Volta Region, 1,579 TB cases were detected representing 42 per cent smear positive case detection rate but a very high cure rate of 92 per cent,” he said.
Dr Letsa attributed stigmatisation and superstition as reasons which kept people from reporting to hospital, adding that “TB is curable so all should join in the fight to eradicate it from the society.”
He called on health personnel to be more professional in their duties.
The Deputy Director in charge of Public Health Services, Dr Winfred Ofosu, attributed the increase in TB cases to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
He, therefore, called for the intensification of the fight to halt both HIV/AIDS and TB.
The Adaklu Anyigbe District Chief Executive, Mr Michael Komla Adzaho, who launched the programme, assured the people of the government’s commitment in creating awareness of the threat posed by the disease in its efforts to ensure the good health of the people.
He implored the people to guard against excessive alcoholic intake and exposure to dust in order to accelerate efforts towards achieving the targets of the Millennium Development Goals for TB by 2015.
“Indoor and outdoor air pollution, asthma, smoking, pneumonia, unwarranted alcoholism, among others affect lung health and breathing. Most of these conditions are preventable if the risk factors are avoided,” he said.
The Volta Regional Co-ordinator of HIV/AIDS and TB, Mr Joseph Kwami Degley, also urged the patients not to shun treatment, since it was suicidal to do so, especially when treatment was free.
The acting Adaklu Anyigbe District Director of Health Services, Ms Patience Nunoo, in her welcoming address, said TB detection rate in the district was poor, since only 12 TB cases were detected out of the supposed 135 cases, representing a case detection rate of 19 per cent.
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