Sunday, 27 June 2010

National Crash Programme launched in the U/E

16-06-2010 Narration: The Minister of Education, Alex Tetteh-Enyo, has officially launched a Nationwide Crash Programme at Chiana and Sirigu in the Kassena-Nankana districts of the Upper East Region. The programme aims at ensuring the provision of additional school infrastructure for SHS across the country to augment effective teaching and learning. The Minister as part of the visit took the opportunity to inspect the various on-going projects in deprived Senior High Schools (SHS) in the region. He was accompanied by the Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo and his Deputy, Mrs. Lucy Awuni as well as officials from the Regional Educational Directorate among other dignitaries. Correspondent Isaac Asare and Afia Afrifa were part of the inspection team and have filed this report for Radio Ghana.
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Mr. Tetteh –Enyo as part of the tour paid a courtesy call on the regent of the Chiana Traditional Area, Pe Innocent Kwaratugu Ayagitam to express his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the late chief, Pe Roland Adiali Ayagitam, who died four years ago. Mr. Tetteh-Enyo, in a tribute expressed government’s readiness to continue the good legacies of the late chief by improving upon the educational facilities of the area, which according to him, was the ultimate vision of the late chief and his people. Mr. Tetteh-Enyo also met with students and staff of Chiana SHS, where cut the sod for the commencement of a dormitory facility to accommodate fresh come September, this year. Mr. Tetteh-Enyo in an address said the crash programme instituted by the government would go a long way to addressing areas of special needs in order to achieve equitable development in the educational sector. This, he explained would serve as the requirement for admission into Senior High Schools, come September this year. He catalogued numerous governments interventional policies geared at improving the country’s educational facilities through the provision of furniture, classrooms, dormitories, as well as staff accommodation among others. He said government will not relent in its effort to addressing all bottleneck associated with the current educational system, particularly, the 4-year SHS duration. In view of this, contracts have been awarded to local contractors for the construction of classroom blocks and dormitories for deprived SHS nationwide of which 525 schools would be covered under the ministry’s crash programme. Additionally, 214 schools would also benefit from the first phase of the project. A grand durbar amidst drumming and dancing was held at Sirigu SHS in honour of the sector minister. Mr. Tetteh-Enyo also cut the sod for the construction of a dormitory facility for the school. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo entreated authorities of the school to instill discipline in their students and more importantly, take proper care of the facility when finally completed. The headmaster of the school, Mr. Clement Balor, commended governments for the on-going projects at the school and appealed for an ICT centre, staff accommodation and a library complex and among others to enhance academic performance of the school. Mr. Tetteh-Enyo later inspected construction works in some second cycle institutions in the region including Zoko SHS, Zebilla Senior High Technical School, Bawku SHS, and Garu-Tempane SHS and the Navrongo SHS. Mr. Tetteh Enyo pledged his ministry’s commitment in addressing all the infrastructural challenges facing the schools in the region and the country at large.

Launching Of Farm-Plus Project At Garu

25-06-2010 Narration: The Acting Project Manager of the Garu Presbyterian Agricultural Station, Martin Abanga has made a passionate appeal to the government and fertilizer companies to as a matter of urgency help alleviate the plight of farmers by making available fertilizers and other farm inputs at subsidized prices. He said the unavailability coupled with the high cost of fertilizers poses a great challenged to farmers particularly those in the three regions of the north. Mr. Abanga expressed this concern at the opening of a flexi voucher fair for farmers held at Garu in the Garu-Tempane District of the Upper East Region. The fair dubbed: ‘Food for Work” forms part of the farm-plus project aimed at improving food security in the region.

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The farm-plus project sponsored by the European Commission with support from Care International and the Garu Agricultural Station, is the first of its kind in the country. The project which is in line with the Food and Agricultural Recovery Programme is in response to the 2007 long period of drought and floods disasters in the three Northern Regions. Its objective is to reduce hunger and poverty among affected flood victims of northern Ghana, particularly, small scale farmers in the wake of food price hikes. Mr. Abanga in a speech said the fair through the farm-plus project would afford poor farmers the opportunity to purchase food stuffs and other farm inputs of their own choice with vouchers in their possession from vendors. He noted that 1,800 beneficiary farmers in deprived communities had been selected to benefit from the package. Some of the beneficiary communities include Tempane, Burankuon, Korikomada, Tankpasi,Yabraug, and Nafteg among others. He expressed sadness about the unavailability of fertilizer inputs for the beneficiaries and called on the authorities concerned to come to the aid of the farmers in order to improve their crop yield. This, he said, is necessary due to the impending rainfall. The Garu-Tempane District Co-ordinating Director, Mr. Abdullai Abubakar, commended the donors for their immense contribution in ensuring improved food security in the area. He also entreated the beneficiary farmers to adopt safe farming practices to increase food production in the region and the country in general. Mr. Abubakar also took the opportunity to solicit financial support to the weak and the aged in the society. He also called on the donors to support the government’s Livelihood Empowerment Programme to help cater for the welfare of the poor and aged. He cautioned the people against bush burning and farming along water bodies. The Project Officer of Farm plus, Mr. Issaku Hardi said 200 communities in the three northern regions have been targeted for the project. 120 communities in the Upper West Region and 40 communities each in the Garu-Tempane and East Mamprusi Districts. Mr. Hardi expressed his outfit’s preparedness to initiate a special Programme in 2011 aimed at empowering women farmers in the three northern regions and called for the support of donors in achieving the set objective. In all 497 beneficiary farmers received 1 bag of maize during the voucher fair. The fair attracted farmers, community members, and representatives from the various donor agencies among others.

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Security Agencies urged to safeguard the Country’s Constitution

24-05-2010 Narration: Security agencies throughout the country, has been tasked to operate within their core mandate in ensuring that the country’s constitution is well protected. The Bolgatanga Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Avolim Wini Sambila, made the call at a forum for security agencies held at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. The forum attended by 45 officers drawn from the various security agencies and a section of the public was on the theme:” Enhancing Constitutionalism through Effective Citizen’s Participation for Good Governance”. Correspondent Isaac Asare has the rest of the story for Radio Ghana.

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The forum forms part of the Annual National Constitution Week with the aim of exciting all stakeholders in the democratic dispensation to dispassionately discuss and evaluate how the 1992 constitution can be fully protected and sustained in ensuring law and order among the citizenry including personnel from the various security agencies. The forum also afforded security agencies as the third estate of the realm, the opportunity to learn more about their civic responsibilities as prescribed by the constitution. Various discussions on the theme” The Role of the Security Agencies in the protection of the Constitution”, was also held to educate
Security officers on their core duties. The Bolgatanga Municipal Director of the NCCE, Mr. Sambilla said much is expected from the country’s security agencies since they play a formidable role in opposing all forms of abuses of the law including the constitution itself. He urged them to let their belief in the notion of respect for the rule of law be seen in their actions and behaviours. Mr. Sambila reminded them to be abreast with the tenets of the constitution and also refrain from all acts of indiscipline and activities that tend to put the name of their respective organisations into disrepute. He mentioned extortion, torture, long and unjustified remands among other unprofessional behaviours as some of the challenges that need to be avoided in the course of their duties. The Regional Director of the NCCE, Mr. P.H Mensah stressed the need for security agencies especially the investigation units to be alert and expose any potential or imminent violation or subversion of the constitution and then take the necessary remedial action. Mr Mensah charged security personnel to be discipline at all time whether in uniform or not. He however entreated the police in particular, to help treat cases brought to them with all the seriousness, expedience and fairness they deserve. Mr Mensah also called on the general public to partner the police in combating crime in the society. This, he noted, can be done if the police are provided with the right information and reports about criminals.

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CPP Poised to Winning the Upcoming 2010 Elections

25-06-2010
The Upper East Regional Executives of the People’s National Convention (PNC) says it is poised to winning the upcoming elections come 2010. In view of this great expectation, a Regional Executive meeting has been held at Bolgatanga to brainstorm on the challenges of the party in the region and also adopt prudent strategies for the 2010 presidential and parliamentary elections. Members at the end of the meeting made of all the 13 constituency chairmen, secretaries and 2008 parliamentary candidates, identified lack of resources, the party’s inability to launch its national campaign as well as the uncoordinated national campaign team of the party as some of the factors that vehemently affected the performance of the PNC nationally during the last elections. Speaking to Radio Ghana, the Regional Secretary of the Party, Mr. Henry Fatchu, said adequate measures have been put in place to strengthen the party’s research team in order to come out with modern methods of campaign strategies in the upcoming elections. As a step towards the reorganization of the party, the Regional Executives have also endorsed the decision of the National Executives Committee for early congress schedule to take place in November, 30, this year at Sunyani. Mr. Fatchu on behalf of his party executives, however, entreated Ghanaians, particularly the youth who have now attain the age of 18 years to take advantage of the forthcoming voters registration exercise to register since it is the only way that can help them exercise their franchise at the next election slated for December, 2012. He, however, urged all eligible voters to vote massively for the PNC in the forthcoming general elections, so as to help wrestle power from the incumbent NDC. Touching on the economy, Mr. Fatchu said his party in the region appreciates government’s effort to achieving single digit inflation. This, he explained, is necessary in ensuring a stable macro economic growth which could affect the real value for our currency. Mr. Fatchu also reminded government to take a second look at the trade off between inflation and unemployment in its quest to reducing inflation, adding that the challenge if not addressed, could have a serious social repercussion on the country’s economy
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Government to address the School Placement System

14-06-2010 Government to address the School Placement System

Narration: Government through the Ministry of Education has instituted stringent measures to address all bottlenecks associated with the computerized School Selection and placement Systems (CSSPS) to make it more efficient and reliable. Among the measures is the categorization of the Senior High School (SHS) into groups to make selection easy and ease pressure on the so called endowed schools and increased in the number of choices of schools from three to six. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo who disclosed this in a speech read for him explained that the move is to ensure that all qualified students get placement. Mr. Woyongo made these known during a budget forum held at Bolgatanga. Isaac Asare has the rest of the story for Radio Ghana.

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The budget forum organized by members of the Northern Patriot in Research and Advocacy, NORPRA was attended by a cross section of the general public, civil society and pressure groups, political analysts, and students from some Second Cycle institutions in the region. It was on the theme: “The 2010 Budget: A Citizen’s Call for Commitment. The aim of the forum was to create a common platform to deliberate and also be informed of government policy interventions for its people and to ensure regional development. Mr. Woyongo who best described education as the panacea for development, outlined government’s interventional policies aimed at improving the country’s educational facilities. This, he noted, are contained in the 2010 budget statement. He stated that challenges such as overcrowding, inadequate classroom furniture and other infrastructure bedeviling the country’s basic and second cycle school levels, would soon be a thing of the past since government has map out strategies to address these problems. In line with this, contracts have been awarded for the construction of new classrooms in all senior High schools to accommodate new entrants come September this year. Moreover, government seeks to provide infrastructural facilities at the basic school level to eliminate the under tree schools and shift system. Touching on employment, Mr. Woyongo revealed that 3500 out of 4000 youth in the region have so far been engaged in under the NYEP of which 100,000 more youth would be engaged in the programme throughout the country. Policy Analyst and Regional Manager of ISODEC, Mr. Jonathan Adabre Atia reminded government to help fulfil its campaign promise of ensuring equity in the distribution of the country’s wealth as contained in the 2010 budget statement. The President of NORPRA, Mr. Bismark Adongo, on his part, charged government to channel most of the revenue accrued from the country’s resources to develop the three regions of the north. Mr. Jeremia Ateng-dem of SEND-Ghana took participants through some government pro poor policies geared at poverty reduction. He stressed the need for clear funding framework and broad base public consultation and input into some of such policies, particularly, the Savanna Accelerated development Authority, SADA.
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ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF TAMALE GETS NEW BISHOP

22-06-2010
A Member Council of State for the Upper East Region, Jacob Kofi Ayeebo has been confirmed as the Bishop Coadjutor elect for the Anglican Diocese of Tamale. His confirmation follows an election conducted on April, 29 during the 6th Diocesan Synod held at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. The Outgoing Bishop of the Tamale Anglican Cathedral, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Arombo announced this at a ceremony held at the church in Tamale. The ceremony on the theme: “the Churches mission to the individual” was marked amidst drumming and dancing. It was attended by representatives drawn from the various churches, pastors as well as members of the Anglican diocese. Rev. Ayeebo who is also the Dean of the Tamale Anglican Cathedral in his acceptance speech, commended the Anglican church for the confidence repose in him. He said his vision is to ensure that the Gospel of Christ is extended to the rural areas, where majority of the people due to ignorance still worship idols and other smaller gods. He pledged to be fair and open to all his subjects in the course of his duties despite the challenges. Rev Ayeebo also expressed his desire to embark on numerous developmental activities geared at poverty reduction. This, he explained, would involve the establishment of schools, farming practices, vocational training and employable skills for the teeming unemployed youth for the benefit of the society. Anglican Rt. Rev. Arombo in a sermon urged Christians to inculcate the habit of giving to the poor and vulnerable in the society. He said it behoves on Christians as ambassadors of Christ to exhibit lifestyles worthy of emulation. Rev. Arombo congratulated Rev. Ayeebo for his elevation to the position of a bishop Cuadjutor and called on the support of the diocese to ensure that he live up to expectation without fear or favour. In a sermon Rev Arombo charged religious leaders to help guide and lead sinners to righteousness since God rejoices in the repentance of the lost soul. He said the confirmation of the newly elect bishop Coadjutor confirmed by the 16 bishops of the province, has become necessary due to preparation towards his retirement in the next two years. Rev Ayeebo, born on July 1, 1960 is the current Executive Director of Anglican Diocesan Development and Relief Organization (ADDRO).he has distinguish himself in various capacities thus, earning him much academic and religious credentials.
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Youth Alive Passes–Out 15 Trainees

21-06-2010
Narration: A passing out ceremony for 15 trainees has taken place at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. The graduants comprising 5 males and 10 females underwent three year training in various employable skills such as dressmaking, carpentry, hair dressing, cloth weaving and car spraying among others. It is being spearheaded by Youth Alive, a local based charity Organisation working in the three Northern Regions. In attendance was a cross section of the public, beneficiaries, representatives of some local NGOs among others. Correspondent Isaac Asare and Afia Afrifa were present at the ceremony and have the rest of the story for Radio Ghana.
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Established in 2003, Youth Alive, as a charitable NGO has an overarching aim of improving the lives and restoring the self esteem of street and vulnerable children to enable them integrate into the wider society and contribute to the development of their communities and the nation in general. Since its inception, Youth alive has been providing educational, health and vocational support for some street and vulnerable children living in deprived areas. They also advocate and champion the rights of children through the establishment of Child Protection Networks, which comprises of government agencies and other sister NGOs working for the interest of the youth. Currently, 139 children and youth are benefiting from the various outreach programme embarked upon by the organisation. There are 85 in the educational sector and 54 in the vocational skills training sector of which 4 of the beneficiaries are in the tertiary level under the program. The project also registers beneficiaries on the National Health Insurance Scheme and provides health information through health education programs. This year’s beneficiaries were presented with working tools including hair driers, car spraying machines, iron roofing sheets, plastic chairs, weaving machines and others as start up capitals for their personal businesses. Making the presentation, the Programme Manager of Youth Alive, Mr. Balig Conrad Said his outfit is poised at providing employable skills to the teeming unemployed youth in the three regions of the north. He said the greatest challenge facing trained beneficiaries is the lack of land and space to settle on. This sometimes compels beneficiaries to abandon their working tools to travel down south for other work alternatives. He, however, called parents and guardians of the graduants to help provide the necessary assistance they deserve release land for their businesses. He also appealed to chiefs and land owners to help in that direction. Mr. Conrad charged municipal and district assemblies, traditional rulers and opinion leaders to join in the fight against streetism, child migration and other child abuses in the region to ensure their normal growth and development. The Regional Youth Co-ordinator, Mr. James Aban-Gos on his part entreated parents to give priority attention to their wards education. This, he noted would contribute in achieving the universal primary education by 2015 enshrined under the Millennium Development Goal.

Minister Cautions Contractors

18-06-2010
The Minister of Education, Alex Tetteh-Enyo says his ministry will not hesitate to abrogate contracts that fail to meet the schedule of projects earmarked for the construction of educational facilities under the National Crash Programme. Moreover, consultants and supervisors would be held responsible for shoddy works. Mr. Tetteh-Enyo gave the warning during his 2-day inspection tour of on-going facilities in some Senior High Schools (SHS) in the Upper East Region. The visit was to officially launch the National Educational Crash Programme designed by the government to ensure additional school infrastructure for all SHSs in Ghana. Speaking to Radio Ghana, Mr. Tetteh-Enyo said the decision to mark the beginning of the construction is to demonstrate government’s principle of responding to the infrastructural needs of deprived SHS to enhance effective teaching and learning and also increase student intake into SHS come September, this year. This, he explained, has become necessary following the unfortunate government’s decision to change the duration from three to four years. Contracts, he indicated, have been awarded to local contractors to provide additional classrooms, dormitories and staff accommodation among others in order to cater for the additional one year. This will also serve as the requirements for admission into SHS in September, this year. Mr. Tetteh-Enyo assured the beneficiary schools that the facilities would be ready before the intake of the next batch of students. He said the first phase of the projects would be the construction of 6 Unit classroom blocks and some dormitories for 214 schools across the country. Another set of 6 Unit classroom blocks in 140 schools will also take off in the next few weeks. In all 525 schools including Technical institutions would benefit under the crash programme. The projects will be undertaken using ‘Quick Build Technology’ by contractors who have agreed to pre-finance the construction. The system according to the minister will ensure timely construction of those projects. Mr. Tetteh-Enyo expressed government’s determination to extent the programme to the rest of the SHS and Technical Institutions. He added that school administrators would be tasked with the responsibility of taking good care of the facilities when finally completed, to ensure their regular maintenance.
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Bolgatanga BOST depot to be operationalised

17-06-2010


The Deputy Minister of Energy, Emmanuel Armah Buah has expressed his ministry’s readiness to operationalised all the seven Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) depots across the country.

This, he explained, is in a bid to ease pressure on the country’s oil refinery and also make life worth living for Ghanaians. Mr. Buah gave the assurance during his visit to the Bolgatanga BOST Depot at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

The visit forms part of measures aimed at ensuring that all installations under BOST become functional.

Mr. Buah said the inspection tour to the various BOST installations has become necessary due to the numerous challenges facing the Tema Oil Refinery in terms of fuel shortage and frequent fire outbreaks.

He   emphasized  that the facilities when finally operationalised, will offer other neighbouring countries including Mali, Burkina-Faso, Niger among others the opportunity to access petroleum products with ease.

This, according to Mr. Buah, would help in creating employment for the youth and also reduce road accidents caused by petroleum vehicles. Mr. Buah indicated that the Bolgatanga depot which is a strategic stock location would become functional between the month of July and August this year.

Mr. Buah noted that BOST has made the necessary business arrangement with Tema Oil Refinery to make readily available enough petroleum product for storage, hence the need to safeguard the facility to prevent encroachers.

The Bolgatanga BOST Depot Manager, Mr. Fred Ayarkwa said the facility has the capacity to procure, store, transport and manage petroleum products.

He said the facility can store about 34.5 million litres of diesel and 2 million litres of petrol.

Mr Buah  expressed the hope that the installation when functional will help address some of the challenges facing fuel companies in the region.

The Managing Director of BOST, Mr. Yaw Akoto said BOST as a limited liability Company, is poised to deliver on its mandate in ensuring that all the depots are given the needed attention it deserves.

 Meanwhile, the Deputy Energy Minister was taken round the Bolgatanga depot to inspect the progress of work made so far.

He was accompanied by the Board Chairman of BOST, Mr. Hudu Yahaya, and the Technical Director of BOST, Reverend Kwasi Sakyi Appiah among other board members of BOST.
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