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Battor chief calms victims of Akosombo dam spillage
Togbega Dzekley VII presenting the items to one of the community leaders
The Paramount Chief of the Battor Traditional Area (BTA), Togbega Patamia Dzekley VII, over the weekend visited some communities in the area affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage.
He presented relief items such as rice, sugar, cooking oil, corn flour, sachets of water, mattresses, and used clothes among others to the chiefs the affected communities to be distributed to the victims.
The areas he visited were Morklikpo, Adidokpoe, Vome and Kledeke where he interacted and sympathised with the victims, and got first-hand information of the plight of the people and also ascertained the extent of devastation.
Togbega Patamia Dzekley VII, who is also the Vice President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, assured the people of his unflinching support and promised to inform the appropriate and relevant authorities of the plight of communities at the bank of the river.
He said the Volta Regional House of Chiefs had also launched an appeal for relief items and cash to support the affected communities.
He promised to liaise with the North Tongu District Assembly, the Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Volta River Authority (VRA) and other benevolent organisations to support all the affected communities with the provision of basic amenities to alleviate their plight.
The Assembly Member for Morklikpo-Horme, Mr Bob Gbetey, said the people faced challenges like lack of potable water and deplorable sanitary conditions even at Safe Haven provided.
Togbe Amedor speaking on behalf of Togbe Anyongbor, the Chief of Adidokpoe, said the spillage had flooded people’s houses and farms which were their main source of income.
He appealed to the government and the VRA to come out with an elaborate plan to rebuild their communities after the waters have receded.
Togbe Amedor said that much attention had been given to Mepe to the detriment of other communities especially those at the bank of the river.
A total of 22 communities in the traditional area namely Patamiakope, Ngorlekpoe, Kpongkope, Vome, Atsienkpoe, Badzi, Adidokpoe, Morkplikpo, Kelorkpo, Kpekpo and Sikor were affected
Other affected communities were Memordzi, Dzimakope, Atratidzi, Kodome, Klebetikope, Dortokope Gbagbawuinu, Aborkope, Adzesikope, Torgodo and Nyatikpo.
Present during the visit were Togbe Akporsor, Togbe Gbavu, Mama Gloefe, Togbe klebeti, Togbe Tsawoe Akoto II, Dumega E.K. Voegborlo and Rev Billy Gbetey of St. Stephen’s Parish Darkuman- Accra.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
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Youth urged to take proactive stance on ozone depletion
•Mr Joseph Amankwah, first counting from, some officials from EPA and UNDP in group picture with the student
Mr Joseph Amankwah, the Director of Ozone Layer and Climate Change at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has urged the youth to take a proactive stance on issues related to ozone depletion, emphasising that their future would be most affected by its consequences.
Speaking during a student engagement event at the Ghana Secondary School (GHANASS) in Koforidua, he highlighted the critical role young people played in tackling climate-related challenges.
Mr Amankwah explained that human activities, such as the use of certain chemicals, were significantly contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer and driving climate change.
He said it was important to educate the youth on these issues, encouraging them to share this knowledge with their families to foster a broader understanding and active participation in climate action.
He urged the education sector to integrate lessons on the ozone layer, the causes of its depletion, and its links to climate change into the curriculum.
The event, organised by the EPA in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was designed to foster environmental awareness and promote a sense of responsibility among young people.
Mr Amankwah noted that ozone layer depletion was affecting everyone, including children, as it alters weather patterns and threatens the natural environment.
He highlighted the need for young people to develop ‘green skills’ to adapt to the challenges of climate change and to understand ways to combat it.
He added that World Ozone Day, observed every September, would focus on youth engagement in environmental issues, to help them understand the long-term consequences of ozone depletion and climate change.
Mr Amankwah also discussed the harmful impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a major chemical contributor to ozone depletion.
He explained that household appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners were common sources of CFC emissions in Ghana.
Many uncertified technicians work on these appliances, often releasing harmful chemicals into the atmosphere due to improper handling, he noted.
To address this, he urged appliance repairers to obtain proper certification and training, emphasising that unqualified repairs not only harm the environment but also endangered public health.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman,
Koforidua
