News
Ho Cenotaph Still In Squalor
The cenotaph constructed at the Old Durbar Ground at Ho almost a quarter of a century ago in honour of fallen war heroes, is still in a horrible state .
The Spectator embarked on a campaign about the two years ago to have the monument restored to serve its appropriate purpose but nothing had since been done about it.
Now the cenotaph is hidden covered by weeds.
Worse is that, some unpatriotic members of the public make their way through the weeds to either defecate or urinate around the cenotaph.
Others also dump wastes around it with impunity.
Meanwhile, rodents and reptiles are multiplying rapidly around the cenotaph which is an affront and great dishonour to the war heroes.
The structure was constructed by the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) in 1996, at the cost of GH¢9million.
It served as the venue for the celebration of Remembrance Day and other events of the security agencies.
After some years, the cenotaph was left to decay, fade and fall into oblivion, contrary to the purpose for which it was built.
In the absence of a cenotaph at the Jubilee Park, however, the wreath laying ceremonies now take place around make-shift wooden structures.
The crumbling cenotaph is metres away from the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, Regional Health Directorate, the uncompleted Regional Library, Ho Municipal Hospital, Regional Museum and the Anglican Basic Schools.
The stench emanating from the excrement around the monument poses public nuisance.
The old Durbar Ground itself is now a bushy field where some young people go hunting for rats, although it could be maintained to host smaller events.
“This is a big shame”, a visitor to the placeremarked.
Investigations conducted by The Spectator prior to filing this story revealed that the Old Durbar Ground is a state land and, therefore, falls under the management of the Volta Region Lands Commission.
When contacted recently, a source close to the commission, explained that the maintenance of the ground was specifically the responsibility of the user-agencies which had acquired it.
The source, however, could not disclose immediately the user-agency in-charge of the ground.
From Alberto Mario Noretti, Ho
Parliament has confirmed that the Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Kwame Ohene Frimpong, has been detained at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
In a statement signed by the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, Parliament said the incident had been brought to the attention of the House leadership.
According to the statement, the Speaker of Parliament and the leadership of the House are currently in contact with Ghana’s Mission in The Hague to gather detailed information about the matter.
Parliament, however, did not disclose the reasons behind the MP’s detention.
“The public will be duly informed appropriately on this matter,” the statement added.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President John Dramani Mahama has approved the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaians living in South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks in the country.
According to a statement, the affected Ghanaians had earlier complied with an advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and registered with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria for evacuation.
The government said the evacuation exercise is aimed at ensuring the safety and welfare of the citizens affected by the attacks.
The statement described the Ghanaians as distressed persons who sought assistance after tensions and attacks against foreign nationals reportedly escalated in parts of South Africa.
Government assured citizens that it remains committed to protecting the welfare of Ghanaians both at home and abroad.
Authorities are expected to work with Ghana’s diplomatic mission in South Africa to facilitate the safe return of the evacuees to Ghana.
By: Jacob Aggrey
