Speaking at a ceremony where he distributed more than 800 mini bags of maize and an undisclosed amount to widows in and around Aflao in the Volta Region, the esteemed religious leader emphasised the importance of casting one’s vote.

He firmly stated that abstaining from voting is equivalent to sin, urging all Christians in Ghana to exercise their franchise while advocating for peace throughout the electoral process.

For over a decade, Apostle Jacob K. Henyo’s church has been actively engaged in charitable activities, particularly following James 1:27, which emphasises caring for widows and orphans.

The annual provision of food to widows in the community is a testament to the church’s commitment to this biblical mandate.

Additionally, he called upon fellow clergymen to emulate this noble gesture of supporting vulnerable members of society.

The Paramount Chief of Aflao Traditional Area, Togbui Adzongaga Amenya Fiti V, expressed gratitude for the generosity towards widows, pledging ongoing support for their welfare.

He revealed plans to bring together the widows and register them as an association to facilitate local and international assistance.

Additionally, Togbui Amenya Fiti promised future financial support for the widows, indicating a forthcoming initiative to provide them with a steady income.

The widows, touched by the outpouring of support and prospects of sustained aid, voiced their joy and appreciation for the benevolent efforts spearheaded by Torgbui Hezekia I, and the local leadership.

ALSO READ:

• Special Prosecutor seeks support of religious leaders in corruption fight

• Anti-LGBTQ+ debate: We‘ll resist its imposition on Ghana – Religious leaders

The rains caused severe flooding of several homes and destroyed property running into tens of thousands of Ghana cedis,  

As a result, many of the residents in the affected communities have had to relocate from the area to put up with their family members in neighbouring communities. 

Mrs Sylvia Awuye Akpavor, a media practitioner, who lives close to the affected communities, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the situation was alarming as it had really affected the daily life of the residents. 

“I have personally visited the Duta and Agbawoeme communities. When you go there now, the situation is very bad. Buildings have collapsed and the people have lost their belongings, clothing, cooking utensils, furniture, even school children have had their uniforms, school bags and books swept away by the floods,” Mrs Akpavor said. 

Mr Gabriel Ayitey, Assembly member for Duta electoral area attributed the flooding to the spillage of a huge drainage channel (dam) constructed by Diamond Cement factory, which overflowed its limits and spilled over into the communities. 

He said: “This is not the first time we have experienced this flooding. It occurs every rainy season, but this year’s is just too much, we haven’t witnessed anything like this before. It’s a spillover from the Diamond Cement dam which opens into the communities,” Ayitey told the GNA. 

He called on the management of the factory to take immediate action to redirect the drainage channel to forestall further destruction to property and livelihoods of the people. 

Dabla Moise, Dziwornu Komla Song and Dabla Enoa, who were all victims of the flooding, took turns to pour out their frustrations to the GNA, and called on the Ketu South directorate of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), to come to their aid. 

Torgbi Alossode Eve Agadzi II, Ketu South Municipal Coordinator of NADMO, told the GNA that his outfit had been officially informed about the development and steps were being taken to assess the situation and to see what form of assistance to offer the affected families in the interim. 

“NADMO has been informed about this development – My team together with the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Maxwell Kofi Lugudor visited the affected communities to assess the situation and to see how best the Municipality can offer some interim assistance to the victims whiles we work to find a permanent solution to the problem,” the NADMO coordinator said. 

Meanwhile, Mr Tati Rama Rao, the General Manager of Diamond Cement Company, refuted the claims by the residents that the flooding was due to the spillage of the company’s drainage system. 

He told the GNA that management of the company was informed of the unfortunate happening in those communities, but said, attributing the floods to the spillage of the drainage system was far from the truth.  

Mr Rao said, the communities were located on a naturally swampy and low lying enclave, which contributed largely to the flooding, after the heavy downpours. 

He added that the river that passed through the said dam to the communities had it’s source from neighbouring Togo and had nothing to do with the activities of the factory.  He assured of the factory’s readiness to cooperate with other stakeholders to find a permanent solution to the problem.

SEE ALSO

• Man, 63, jailed 10 years for defilement

• Five burnt to ashes in crash on Techiman-Kintampo Highway

• 3 perish after vehicle plunges into river near Enyiresi, E/R

The suspects attacked and robbed the the Star Oil Filling Station at Tojeh on the Accra Aflao Stretch.

Police official statement revealed that the armed men shot and killed a security man in the process.

No arrest has since been made.

However, the security service has assured Ghanaians intensive efforts are being made to arrest the culprits and make them face justice.

ALSO SEE

• Police arrest man in viral video who whipped his toddler 21 times
• Woman with two husbands shares struggles [Video]

The foreigners, mostly citizens of Niger, were held up at the Aflao main border after officers were alerted of their movement to different parts of the country.

According to sector commander of the Immigration Service, Assistant Commissioner Frederick Baah Doudu, 92 foreigners were arrested by the defence intelligence of the Ghana Armed Forces and 110 by the Immigration Service.

Investigations by the officers revealed that majority of the foreigners were without valid travel documents. 

A fraction of the foreigners, who were Nigerians, were escorted out of the country.

Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ketu South, Maxwell Lugudor, who was at the scene, commended the officials for swiftly responding and carrying out their duties with diligence.

He noted that government is committed to ensuring that issues of illegal entry into the country becomes a thing of the past.  

“I am happy the officials intercepted these people despite the challenges faced with their jobs especially those in the hinterlands and hard to reach areas but I urge them to continue with the good work and help protect the borders, ” the MCE said.

He, therefore, appealed to the authorities to make available enough logistics and personnel to enable the team work effectively.

Meanwhile, Mr Lugudor has urged residents to always be ready to volunteer information of illegal activities around the borders to the immigration service.

Transport companies were urged to know the identity of commuters and report to security operatives those with suspicious identities.

He told JoyNews that the assembly in collaboration with the Immigration Service has started mopping up all illegal immigrants in Ketu South as part of efforts to rid the state of possible security threats ahead of the Christmas festivity. 

Mr Doudu has, meanwhile, encouraged members of the community to support the task force by notifying them of suspicious activities.

“Currently, the project is about 96% complete. The outstanding works include final painting and clearing of the site,” part of a statement released by the Ministry on Monday, October 25 read.

 “The Ministry pledges to complete the outstanding works and operationalise this E-block community day Senior High School as well as others across the country,” the statement added.

The Education Ministry, also indicated that progressive payments have been made to the contractor assigned to the project to ensure that works are completed.

This particular E-block project made news headlines after the paramount chief of the area, Torgbui Adzonugaga Amenya Fiti V, gave the government a four-month ultimatum to operationalise the facility.

He was unhappy that several young people in the area were denied access to education as the project was left unattended.

“Look at the structure standing over there, it’s 90% complete. In the era of the NPP, we have free Senior High School education and my people are not benefiting because the school is not ready. By next year February, new entrants will go to school. Carry this message to the Minister of Education that come February, I want this school to be opened,” he told the Minority side of the Education Committee who were touring uncompleted school buildings in the Ketu South constituency.

Reacting to this, President Akufo-Addo, amidst laughter, quizzed, “is he the one going to give the Minister of Education ultimatum?”

After the statement, President Akufo-Addo assured the traditional leader that his government is resolved to continue projects started during the tenure of John Mahama. President Akufo-Addo stressed that plans are being executed to complete the projects and put them to good use.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu South, Dzifa Abla Gomashie, led the demonstration on Friday, August 27, 2021.

This was at the Victoria Park at Aflao-Denu Junction of the Volta Region to protest the closure of Ghana’s land borders amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Clad in red and black attire, they wielded placards with the inscriptions: Husbands are suffering open the borders, People are dying, Closing border hunger, hunger is more deadly among others.

President Nana Akufo-Addo on March 22, 2020, ordered the closure of Ghana’s borders following the outbreak of the coronavirus.

This was in his second address to the nation as part of measures to curb the spread and transportation of the virus.

 Jomoro MP, Dorcas Toffey, has also threatened to embark on a demonstration for the same course.

According to her, marriages of her constituents are collapsing with people committing suicides due to the hardships associated with the closure.

ALSO READ:

• All is set for ‘open our land borders demo’

• MP threatens demo over border closure

However, the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, has explained that the government will consider re-opening depending on the security situation within the sub-region.

He said it will also be based on advice from the Covid-19 experts in view of the 3rd wave in neighbouring countries.

Watch the video below:

According to them, the road, which leads to the Diamond Cement, has been in a deplorable state for a very long time, posing danger to residents.

The demonstrators, wearing protest regalia, chanted songs in an attempt to notify authorities of their plight.

Some demonstrators held placards with inscriptions which read: Fix Diamond cement road now, the road is a calamity among others.

A resident in an interview said all attempts to get authorities to fix the road have proved futile, hence the demonstration.

He vowed they will not rest but will continue to demonstrate and hold press conferences until they get results.

“We are leaving no stone unturned and everyday will be an ultimatum for the government to fix the road as soon as possible,” he said.

ALSO READ:

• Audio: NPP PC vows to join residents to demonstrate over bad roads

• We’ll demonstrate should Nana Addo fail to build durable roads – NPP Chairman

The group, as part of its demonstration, also submitted a petition to the Ketu South District Chief Executive, Elliot Edem Agbenewu, who has pledged to forward it to the appropriate authorities for consideration.

The paramount chief of Aflao traditional area, Togbui Adzongaga Amenya Fiti V, also urged the government to, as a matter of urgency, fix the road as that is the only link to the Diamond Cement factory which serves as a source of livelihood.

In a statement signed by Torgbui Amenya Fiti V, he said their presence is causing fear and panic in the area.

“The presence of the troops started causing fear and panic among the inhabitants when they embarked on a house to house search and started brutalising of motorbikers within the towns.

“Additionally, the constant harassment of citizens occupying the borderlands are having a detrimental effect on agricultural and other produce being brought to the markets,” the statement said.

Below is the full statement:

AFLAO LIVES MATTER

PRESS RELEASE BY AFLAO TRADITIONAL COUNCIL

29TH JUNE 2O20

As the Government projects it’s power across the Volta Region (without doing same at the Western frontier with Ivory Coast or the Northern frontier with Burkina Faso) and to a larger extent Aflao along Ghana’s Eastern frontier with the Republic of Togo, we the Chiefs and people of Aflao within Ketu South Municipality are feeling surrounded by detachments consisting of the army, police, immigration and national security armed personnel in uniform. These detachments, which look more like an occupying force, were deployed on Thursday 18th June 2020 according to media reports. Tents were erected and checkpoints mounted all over the rural settlements specifically Akato to Wudoaba where tents were erected in market squares (against civil norms) thereby inhibiting people from performing their daily activities.

The presence of the troops started causing fear and panic amongst the inhabitants when they embarked on house to house searches and brutalizing of motorbikers within the towns. Additionally, the constant harassment of citizens occupying the borderlands are having detrimental effect on agricultural and other produce being brought to the markets.

“One thing that is beating our imagination is how Ghanaians have been conditioned by politicians to believe that the Flawus are so cheap to be bought when it comes to politics.”

“But at some point maybe Ghanaians will wake up and recognize that politicians will continue to create this divide and rule antics to enable them have their way through.” Aflao is the second most populous town in terms of population after Ho in the whole of the Volta Region. Aflao border is one of the top three (Tema Harbour and Kotoka International Airport are the others) revenue generators in Ghana. Despite all these revenue generation, the town with over 70,000 population continues to be denied developmental projects. Those who are fortunate to land jobs in Lome (Togo), the Kayayes and truck pushers are languishing at home due to the border closure.

The Aflao Traditional Council, together with all the security agencies within Ketu South Municipality supported the Government in its implementation of the protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and the records are there to prove that the MUSEC is on top of security in the municipality.

However, it should be noted that silence in the face of brutality being dished out to innocent citizens around the municipality only goes to embolden the aggressor. This sort of abuse of power clearly goes to show that the detachment of security personnel operating in and around Aflao lack knowledge in civic duties in addition to their military training. Law-abiding citizens’ have certain inalienable rights that the Constitution protects. Brutalizing of innocent civilians is frowned on by the Constitution of Ghana. Even Prisoners of War are protected by The Hague Convention let alone civilians going about their lawful business.

The Government of Ghana cannot allow its troops to brutalize its own citizens without recourse to justice whilst hypocritically lamenting George Floyds’ passing at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis (USA). We are peace-loving and believe in Ghana’s “Freedom and Justice” for all.

We as Chiefs cannot look on unconcerned when security personnel brutalize our citizens no matter how difficult the situation they find themselves in. Please note that because we are peace-loving does not make us cowards; when the fire is lit, there will be no turning back and the said fire will consume everything in its path.

We the Chiefs of Aflao Traditional Council in collaboration with Aflao indigenes home and abroad wish to appeal to H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana to call to order the military personnel brutalizing the civilian population as well as withdraw the obstacles placed in the daily activities of the Aflao people.

Torgbui Amenya Fiti V,

Paramount Chief of Aflao Traditional Area

and President of Aflao Traditional Council, AFLAO.

Acting on intelligence, a patrol team intercepted the items in separate operations at the Pilla 7 and 7B unapproved routes, on the Ghana-Togo border in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta region. 

The Aflao Sector Commander of the Immigration Service, Chief Superintendent Frederick Baah Doudu, explained the patrol team discovered an uncompleted structure on the borderline used as a transit point for smuggling activities. 

”The patrol team retrieved 129 25-liter gallons of fuel packed in the structure on Saturday, 23th June 2020, at about 2130 hrs”, he said. 

He added that the officers subsequently discovered another spot where 12 25-liter gallons of petroleum were being kept, waiting to be smuggled into neighbouring Togo. 

He further indicated that the team was unable to effect any arrest as the suspects bolted into neighbouring Togo upon spotting the officers. 

“The command has, however, launched a manhunt to arrest the suspects,” Mr Duodo said. 

The items, which are being kept at the GIS Aflao Command, would be handed over to the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority for the appropriate actions.