23-08-2010 The Northern Sector News Co-ordinator of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) Chris Alabila, has entreated staff working at the various news department of the corporation to take keen interest in human interest and development stories since they attract more listeners and viewers. Mr. Alabila gave the advice during an interaction with the news crew of GBC URA Radio at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. The meeting forms part of his working visit to the Regional GBC Stations under the northern sector. The purpose was to learn at first hand the activities and challenges facing the various regional stations and also solicit ideas and opinions as well as the way forward. Mr. Alabila was emphatic about the new digital transformation of GBC and encouraged staff of the news department to be abreast with the new trend, by concentrating on more human interest stories which according to him are capable of addressing the numerous challenges facing the people at the grassroot level. He commended staff of the corporation for their hard work despite the growing challenges. The Regional Director of GBC URA Radio, Abdul Razak Mohammed Tahiru and the Editor-In-Chief of the News Department, Abraham Dimmie on their part called on the management of GBC to assist reporters at the regional stations with the needed tools and devices to help facilitate their work. This way, they added, would go along way to motivate them exercise their duties with ease. Mr. Dimmie was grateful for the visit and expressed the hope that the news department would be able to deliver up to expectation if the concerns raised are given the necessary attention so as to serve the purpose at which the station was established.
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Sunday, 29 August 2010
Friday, 27 August 2010
Regional ‘Meet the Press’ Series at Bolgatanga
27-08-2010
Narration: The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo has described as unfortunate and unacceptable, the current doctor to patient ratio of 1-34,000 in the region. He however appealed to sons and daughters in the health profession who are native of the region but are working elsewhere to return home and offer humanitarian and voluntary health service delivery to their mother region for the time being. This, according to Mr. Woyongo, would go a long way to complement government’s effort in addressing the situation. Mr. Woyongo expressed this concern at the Regional ‘Meet the Press’ series, held at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. A cross section of the public and dignitaries including the information Minister, John Tia Akologo and his deputy, Mr Agyenim Boateng among others were present at the meeting. Here is a report by Isaac Asare.
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The meeting was to afford media practitioners and the public the opportunity to put to fore relevant issues and matters affecting their socio-economic lives and also be abreast with the developmental activities carried out by the government since its took over power. Mr. Woyongo, who gave a brief presentation of the state of the region with respect to areas such as security, roads, education and agriculture among others, bemoaned the shortage of doctors in the region. He said the state of health delivery in the region is one of the worst in the country, especially with regards to health personnel. He added that despite the manpower shortage of health professionals, there has been significant improvement in the health sector of the region particular in supervised delivery, as well as reduction in malaria and maternal and child mortality. He attributed the success story to the tireless effort of the few health personnel manning the 172 health facilities in the region. This, he noted, include hospitals, health centres, clinics, CHPS Compounds, and a maternity home. Mr. Woyongo said the region is expecting 5 new doctors this year and called on the government through the Ministry of health to help assist the region with more doctors and other health professionals. In the area of water and sanitation, Mr. Woyongo was happy to announce that a loan of 5 million dollars and 40 million euros has been secured for the expansion of the Vea Raw Water treatment plant and the construction of Water treatment plant at Tono to serve areas such as Navrongo, Paga and Bolgatanga respectively. Additionally 75 million dollars have also been sourced for the provision of boreholes and Small Town Water Systems for six regions, including the Upper East. Mr. Woyongo also touched on the increasing school enrolment of the region and attributed it to the number of government’s interventional policies such as the school feeding Programme, provision of basic school infrastructure, capitation grant and free school uniform and exercise books among others. In the area of agriculture, Mr. Woyongo said the region through the provision of fertilizers and other farm machinery, is expecting a high increase in crop yield this year. The Information Minister Mr. Tia Akologo who chaired the meeting, entreated participants to use the occasion to make meaningful and constructive suggestions and opinions to help address most of the challenges affecting the various developmental areas of the region. He also urged the public to impart the information and knowledge of government’s policies and programmes aimed at achieving the ‘Better Ghana Agenda to their fellow counterparts who were not present at the meeting. Mr Tia Akologo, the Regional Minister, Mar Woyongo and the Deputy information Minister, Mr Agyenim Boateng answered questions from the media. There was also an exhibition of photographs of development project carried out in all the districts of the region
Narration: The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo has described as unfortunate and unacceptable, the current doctor to patient ratio of 1-34,000 in the region. He however appealed to sons and daughters in the health profession who are native of the region but are working elsewhere to return home and offer humanitarian and voluntary health service delivery to their mother region for the time being. This, according to Mr. Woyongo, would go a long way to complement government’s effort in addressing the situation. Mr. Woyongo expressed this concern at the Regional ‘Meet the Press’ series, held at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. A cross section of the public and dignitaries including the information Minister, John Tia Akologo and his deputy, Mr Agyenim Boateng among others were present at the meeting. Here is a report by Isaac Asare.
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The meeting was to afford media practitioners and the public the opportunity to put to fore relevant issues and matters affecting their socio-economic lives and also be abreast with the developmental activities carried out by the government since its took over power. Mr. Woyongo, who gave a brief presentation of the state of the region with respect to areas such as security, roads, education and agriculture among others, bemoaned the shortage of doctors in the region. He said the state of health delivery in the region is one of the worst in the country, especially with regards to health personnel. He added that despite the manpower shortage of health professionals, there has been significant improvement in the health sector of the region particular in supervised delivery, as well as reduction in malaria and maternal and child mortality. He attributed the success story to the tireless effort of the few health personnel manning the 172 health facilities in the region. This, he noted, include hospitals, health centres, clinics, CHPS Compounds, and a maternity home. Mr. Woyongo said the region is expecting 5 new doctors this year and called on the government through the Ministry of health to help assist the region with more doctors and other health professionals. In the area of water and sanitation, Mr. Woyongo was happy to announce that a loan of 5 million dollars and 40 million euros has been secured for the expansion of the Vea Raw Water treatment plant and the construction of Water treatment plant at Tono to serve areas such as Navrongo, Paga and Bolgatanga respectively. Additionally 75 million dollars have also been sourced for the provision of boreholes and Small Town Water Systems for six regions, including the Upper East. Mr. Woyongo also touched on the increasing school enrolment of the region and attributed it to the number of government’s interventional policies such as the school feeding Programme, provision of basic school infrastructure, capitation grant and free school uniform and exercise books among others. In the area of agriculture, Mr. Woyongo said the region through the provision of fertilizers and other farm machinery, is expecting a high increase in crop yield this year. The Information Minister Mr. Tia Akologo who chaired the meeting, entreated participants to use the occasion to make meaningful and constructive suggestions and opinions to help address most of the challenges affecting the various developmental areas of the region. He also urged the public to impart the information and knowledge of government’s policies and programmes aimed at achieving the ‘Better Ghana Agenda to their fellow counterparts who were not present at the meeting. Mr Tia Akologo, the Regional Minister, Mar Woyongo and the Deputy information Minister, Mr Agyenim Boateng answered questions from the media. There was also an exhibition of photographs of development project carried out in all the districts of the region
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Presentation of Resettlement Packages To Street Children
21-08-2010 Narration: Afrikids-Ghana, a grassroots NGO working in the three Regions of the North has demonstrated their commitment to the welfare of poor and vulnerable children by presenting resettlement packages to 66 young men and women under a project dubbed: “Operation Fresh Start.” at a ceremony in Bolgatanga. The beneficiaries are among 160 street children brought home from Kumasi in 2006. They were placed into vocational skills training of their choice under various master trainers to enable them live independent and meaningful lives. Isaac Asare witnessed the presentation ceremony and has the rest of the story for Radio Ghana.
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Operation Fresh start (OFS) was initiated by Afrikids Ghana in November 2005 to relocate poor and vulnerable children who had migrated to southern Ghana for menial jobs. The overall objective of the project among others is to relocate and resettle these children from urban centres, particularly Kumasi, to their individual communities in the region and also support and equip them with employable skills until they are able to lead independent and sustainable lifestyles. The beneficiaries under the project underwent two years apprenticeship training and vocational skills in hairdressing and dressmaking. They were also educated on topics such as personal hygiene, adolescent reproductive health, family ties and social bonding among other issues. The Country’s Director of Afrikids Ghana, Nicholas Kumah, in a speech said Afrikids as part of its core mandate is committed to improving the socio-economic lives of deprived children by empowering them to ensure their total development, hence the establishment of the project. He said 87 street children have so far benefited from the resettlement package, adding that another batch will be receiving theirs by the end of the year. Mr. Kumah, however, called on other NGOs to complement government’s effort in assisting the poor and the needy in society through trade and vocations. This, according to Mr. Kumah, would contribute in reducing poverty among residents of the three Northern Regions. The Area Programme Manager of Afrikids Ghana, Mr. Cletus Anaaya also in a presentation appealed to the government to pass laws against child trafficking and put more investment into resettling street children and child labourers into sustainable lifestyle. He made a passionate appeal to the various district assemblies to allocate some of their market stalls to some of the beneficiaries. Parents, individuals as well as benevolent societies were also called upon to support in that direction. One of the beneficiaries, a trained electrician, Master Samuel Atibii was grateful to Afrikids for their effort in changing the lives of hopeless children in the society and urged other children to rescind their intention of migrating down south since other job opportunities and secure futures can be found in the north. Items presented to the beneficiaries include sewing machines, plastic chairs, and water containers among other hairdressing tools.
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Operation Fresh start (OFS) was initiated by Afrikids Ghana in November 2005 to relocate poor and vulnerable children who had migrated to southern Ghana for menial jobs. The overall objective of the project among others is to relocate and resettle these children from urban centres, particularly Kumasi, to their individual communities in the region and also support and equip them with employable skills until they are able to lead independent and sustainable lifestyles. The beneficiaries under the project underwent two years apprenticeship training and vocational skills in hairdressing and dressmaking. They were also educated on topics such as personal hygiene, adolescent reproductive health, family ties and social bonding among other issues. The Country’s Director of Afrikids Ghana, Nicholas Kumah, in a speech said Afrikids as part of its core mandate is committed to improving the socio-economic lives of deprived children by empowering them to ensure their total development, hence the establishment of the project. He said 87 street children have so far benefited from the resettlement package, adding that another batch will be receiving theirs by the end of the year. Mr. Kumah, however, called on other NGOs to complement government’s effort in assisting the poor and the needy in society through trade and vocations. This, according to Mr. Kumah, would contribute in reducing poverty among residents of the three Northern Regions. The Area Programme Manager of Afrikids Ghana, Mr. Cletus Anaaya also in a presentation appealed to the government to pass laws against child trafficking and put more investment into resettling street children and child labourers into sustainable lifestyle. He made a passionate appeal to the various district assemblies to allocate some of their market stalls to some of the beneficiaries. Parents, individuals as well as benevolent societies were also called upon to support in that direction. One of the beneficiaries, a trained electrician, Master Samuel Atibii was grateful to Afrikids for their effort in changing the lives of hopeless children in the society and urged other children to rescind their intention of migrating down south since other job opportunities and secure futures can be found in the north. Items presented to the beneficiaries include sewing machines, plastic chairs, and water containers among other hairdressing tools.
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Upper East Regional Forum on Public Participation in Local Governance Programme.
19-08-2010 Narration : The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs. Lucy Awuni has called on municipal and district assemblies in the region to comply with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Developments structure by setting aside some percentages of their common fund for the establishment and strengthening of their sub-structures. They should therefore budget adequately for the provision of office infrastructures and equipment and also build the capacities of staff that will work for the proper and efficient functioning of the sub-district structures. Mrs. Lucy Awuni made the call at the Upper East Regional forum on Public Participation in Local Governance at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. .Abraham Dimmie and Isaac Asaresat in for Radio Ghana and has filed this report.
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The forum which was organized by Ibis, West Africa with funding from DANIDA attracted municipal and district chief executives, district co-ordinating directors presiding members and some civil society organizations .Ibis West Africa entered the Upper East Region in 2003. it operates through the Public Participation in Local Governance, PPLG Programme in all the nine district of the region. Among its objectives, the Programme support the district assemblies to ensure that citizens participation in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of policies that affect local governance is enhanced.
The capacity of civil society organizations is also strengthened to mobilized their communities to demand accountability of government. Under the first phase of the Programme which covered the period from 2003 to 2007 and involved three district assemblies, the salaries of staff of the sub-district structures were paid and the sub-district office furnished. Funding was also provided for the capacity building of the civil society organizations. Under the phase two of the Programme which covers the period of 2008-2013 the remaining six districts in the districts have been included. The forum was therefore organized to assess the performance of the district assemblies for the past two years. Mrs. Awuni said sub-structures are very important in that they form the basic units of Ghana’s decentralization and democratization process which seeks to ensure grassroot participation in decision making. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs. Awuni said transparency and accountability are key tenets of good governance in any society .she said the role of civil society organizations in consciousness raising and whipping up people’s interest in questioning issues that affect their lives cannot be overemphasized. She said however that in doing so the public should be cautioned not to be over zealous and make unfounded pronouncements on the airwaves about various personalities and institutions in the name of press freedom. Mrs. Awuni also called on municipal and district chief executives in the region to show personal interest and support women and people living with disability to participate in the forthcoming district level elections. The Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Epsona Ayamga said through ibis support the assembly has been able to educate the grassroot on their rights and responsibilities. He said as a result the revenue base of the assembly has seen appreciable increase because the people now know how to honour their tax obligations. The Country Director of Ibis, West Africa, Clement Nana Tandor said his organization is happy with the partnership of the district assemblies in the region and was confident that with the same cooperation a lot more would be achieved in the region.
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The forum which was organized by Ibis, West Africa with funding from DANIDA attracted municipal and district chief executives, district co-ordinating directors presiding members and some civil society organizations .Ibis West Africa entered the Upper East Region in 2003. it operates through the Public Participation in Local Governance, PPLG Programme in all the nine district of the region. Among its objectives, the Programme support the district assemblies to ensure that citizens participation in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of policies that affect local governance is enhanced.
The capacity of civil society organizations is also strengthened to mobilized their communities to demand accountability of government. Under the first phase of the Programme which covered the period from 2003 to 2007 and involved three district assemblies, the salaries of staff of the sub-district structures were paid and the sub-district office furnished. Funding was also provided for the capacity building of the civil society organizations. Under the phase two of the Programme which covers the period of 2008-2013 the remaining six districts in the districts have been included. The forum was therefore organized to assess the performance of the district assemblies for the past two years. Mrs. Awuni said sub-structures are very important in that they form the basic units of Ghana’s decentralization and democratization process which seeks to ensure grassroot participation in decision making. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs. Awuni said transparency and accountability are key tenets of good governance in any society .she said the role of civil society organizations in consciousness raising and whipping up people’s interest in questioning issues that affect their lives cannot be overemphasized. She said however that in doing so the public should be cautioned not to be over zealous and make unfounded pronouncements on the airwaves about various personalities and institutions in the name of press freedom. Mrs. Awuni also called on municipal and district chief executives in the region to show personal interest and support women and people living with disability to participate in the forthcoming district level elections. The Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Epsona Ayamga said through ibis support the assembly has been able to educate the grassroot on their rights and responsibilities. He said as a result the revenue base of the assembly has seen appreciable increase because the people now know how to honour their tax obligations. The Country Director of Ibis, West Africa, Clement Nana Tandor said his organization is happy with the partnership of the district assemblies in the region and was confident that with the same cooperation a lot more would be achieved in the region.
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Party members urged to eschew divisive tendencies
21-08-2010 Members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have been entreated to eschew all forms of divisive tendencies and forge ahead as a strong unified and vibrant body. They were also charged to resist any attempts by their opponents to infiltrate the rank of the party to create disunity. These were contained in a release signed by some regional council of elders and executives of the NPP in the Upper East Region. They include the Regional Chairperson of the party, Mrs. Agnes Chigabatia, the Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central, Mr. Kofi Addah, member council of elders, MR Robert Ajene and the Regional Communication Officer, Mr. William Aduum among others. The release congratulated Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo for his landslide victory in the just ended flagbearership elections that took place in all the regional centres. It also commended the aspirants for their show of magnanimity in conceding defeat and urged them to rally their support behind Nana Addo in his quest to winning the 2012 Presidential Elections. The release further called on party members to bury all forms of acrimony and rancor and put all hands on deck to prosecute a successful campaign. According to the release the constant dismissal of young employees of the National Youth Employment Programme and the National Health Insurance Scheme pose a major challenge in the fight against poverty in the country and called on the incumbent to desist from the practice. It also appealed to the government to help address the general acts of lawlessness in the country since it was assuming an alarming proportion. The release later commended the National Executive Committee and the national Election Committee of the party as well as the electoral commission and the police for their effort in ensuring a free, fair and transparent constituency elections.
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Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Update of NPP Constituency Elections
From the Upper East Region Isaac Asare reports that polling is going on smoothly with no hitch. I had the opportunity of visiting three electoral centres in 3 constituencies. These are the Bolgatanga Central, Navrongo Central and Chiana-Paga constituencies. Reports Gathered Indicates that 5 police personnel have been dispatched to the various polling centre to ensure smooth electoral process. At the Bolgatanga Constituency, polling had to be delayed until 9.am to allow delegates from distances come in. And by 8.30 am some constituency and regional executives assisted by the police were at the gate of jubilee Park scrutinizing to ensure that only the 690 accredited delegates were allowed into the park for the polls. At the Navrongo Central, polling is taking place in the auditorium of the St John Bosco’s College of Education. The Constituency Chairman, Simon Amoah said polling started exactly at 8.00am .as at 10.00am, 120 out of 490 delegates had voted. Mr. Amoah said the delegates were cooperating with the Police officers and polling was smooth. At the Chiana-Paga Polling station at the Primary school Park, the 589 delegates have queued waiting for their turn. 130 of them had voted by 10:15 am. A four member election committee, agents of the aspirants and five police officers were there to ensure order and transparency. However, the Constituency Chairman, Mr. Philip Babachuweh disclosed that the vehicle conveying some of the delegates from Katui was involved in an accident resulting in five of them sustaining fracture. Earlier the Regional Chairperson of the NPP, Mrs. Agnes Chigabatia said in all 5,590 delegate would be voting in the 13 constituencies of the region. She said at the end of the polls at 3.00pm, the electoral officer at the constituency would count and declare the results. The results are then transmitted to the NPP headquarters in Accra. Mrs. Chigabatia was optimistic that the delegates would elect a flagbearer that would ensure NPP to victory in 2012.
Launching of Developmental Projects in Deprived Communities of the U/E
Narration: The Australian High Commissioner, H.E William ‘Billy Williams as part of his 5-day tour to Northern Ghana, has officially commissioned a number of developmental projects in some deprived communities in the Upper East Region. The projects which are being funded by the Australian government through the operations of two grants programs namely the Direct Aid Program (DAP) and the African Regional Small Activities Scheme (ARSAS) include a mechanized borehole at Bapella in the Talensi-Nabdam District and a solar lightening systems at Sumbrungu near Bolgatanga. Here is a report from Isaac Asare
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The projects captured under the DAP, forms part of an integral component of Australia’s Overseas development program aimed at assisting developing countries through non-governmental and community based organizations to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development. It is a flexible grant program operating through 50 Australian overseas missions, with funding in over 75 countries. The projects have also been operational within the West African Sub region since the High Commission was re-opened in 2004. H.E Billy Williams maiden visit was at Bapella, where he commissioned a mechanized water borehole system spearheaded by Rural Underprivileged Youth, a local NGO at the cost of 8,492 Ghana Cedis. He was accompanied by the Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo among other dignitaries. The project according to Mr. Billy Williams will not only prevent water borne diseases but also provide portable drinking water to over 1,200 people mostly farmers living in and around the community. He pledged his outfit’s continues support in assisting rural communities in the region that lack basic amenities. At a durbar held in honour of the Australian High Commissioner and his entourage, the traditional Chief of Bapella, Yedana Mahimi commended the Australian government for the kind gesture and promised on behalf of his people to put the facility into good use. He enumerated a number of challenges and called on the commission to help assist in that direction. In appreciation, Mr. Billy Williams was enskinned as the Malogonaba meaning “development chief” for the area. Also at a ceremony in Sumbrungu, H.E Billy Williams commissioned a second set of solar parnel project to particularly light up craft centres manned by women groups in the area. Addressing participants, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo commended the Peace Advocates and Voluntary Organisers’ Association (PAVOA) a charitable NGO for their bold initiative in ensuring the provision of solar systems for the women. Mr. Woyongo, however, encouraged PAVOA to continue their peace advocacy and bring out more programmes that will ensure peaceful co-existence not only to the municipality but the region as well. He urged the 21 women groups to step effort in ensuring that their activities in basket weaving meet international standard. This, he noted, can earn them more revenue to enhance their livelihood. Mr. Woyongo also expressed government’s commitment in connecting all rural communities in the country to the national grid and urged the beneficiaries to put the facility to good use in order to derive the maximum benefit from it.
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The projects captured under the DAP, forms part of an integral component of Australia’s Overseas development program aimed at assisting developing countries through non-governmental and community based organizations to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development. It is a flexible grant program operating through 50 Australian overseas missions, with funding in over 75 countries. The projects have also been operational within the West African Sub region since the High Commission was re-opened in 2004. H.E Billy Williams maiden visit was at Bapella, where he commissioned a mechanized water borehole system spearheaded by Rural Underprivileged Youth, a local NGO at the cost of 8,492 Ghana Cedis. He was accompanied by the Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo among other dignitaries. The project according to Mr. Billy Williams will not only prevent water borne diseases but also provide portable drinking water to over 1,200 people mostly farmers living in and around the community. He pledged his outfit’s continues support in assisting rural communities in the region that lack basic amenities. At a durbar held in honour of the Australian High Commissioner and his entourage, the traditional Chief of Bapella, Yedana Mahimi commended the Australian government for the kind gesture and promised on behalf of his people to put the facility into good use. He enumerated a number of challenges and called on the commission to help assist in that direction. In appreciation, Mr. Billy Williams was enskinned as the Malogonaba meaning “development chief” for the area. Also at a ceremony in Sumbrungu, H.E Billy Williams commissioned a second set of solar parnel project to particularly light up craft centres manned by women groups in the area. Addressing participants, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo commended the Peace Advocates and Voluntary Organisers’ Association (PAVOA) a charitable NGO for their bold initiative in ensuring the provision of solar systems for the women. Mr. Woyongo, however, encouraged PAVOA to continue their peace advocacy and bring out more programmes that will ensure peaceful co-existence not only to the municipality but the region as well. He urged the 21 women groups to step effort in ensuring that their activities in basket weaving meet international standard. This, he noted, can earn them more revenue to enhance their livelihood. Mr. Woyongo also expressed government’s commitment in connecting all rural communities in the country to the national grid and urged the beneficiaries to put the facility to good use in order to derive the maximum benefit from it.
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Brief History of Bolgatanga
The ancestry of Bolgatanga is traced to one Awagya. Many many years ago, Mr. Awogya and some of his people migrated from Zorkor in the Bongo District and settled at a place now known and called Bolgatanga. They found a place in the centre of Bolga with very soft sand suitable for plastering houses. Soft sand in Gurune is called “Boli” But outside the center were also rocks or bolders which in Gurune are also called “ Tanga”. Following the advent of the white man the area which was known as Bolitanga was called Bolgatanga. Bolgatanga has developed over the years and is the regional capital of the Upper East Region. it has five Senior high Schools. These include the Bolgatanga Senior High School, the Bolgatanga Girls Senior High School and the Bolgatanga Technical Institute. It has a number of storey buildings which serves as offices for government departments. There is a regional Hospital which also serves as a referral point for the districts. The Bolgatanga municipality is also blessed with a number of tourist attractions. They include the smock market, the basket market and the leather works. The people are peasant farmers and their staple crops are naara-early millet, sorghum and groundnuts.
Compiled by Isaac Asare
Compiled by Isaac Asare
Students taught on good sanitary practices
11-08-2010
Fourteen Primary and Junior High School students in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region have been taken through good sanitary practices under a programme dubbed “Wash United Campaign”. The programme which aims at promoting proper hygiene and sanitary practices in schools and communities was spearheaded by the Foundation for Grassroot Initiatives in Africa (GrassRootsAfrica) an NGO with focuses on hand washing before and after meal. It was also geared at ensuring that people do not pollute the environment by defecating openly in schools and communities in which they live. Community members including chiefs and elders from Kandiga attended the programme. The Kassena-Nankana West District Director of Health Services, Mada Vida Abaseka commended GrassRootsAfrica for complementing the efforts of the Ghana Health Services in their quest to promoting good health through hygiene. She therefore entreated them to help extend the programme to other schools and communities in the region. Madam Abaseka also advised students, particularly, primary pupils to do proper hand washing with soap before and after meals and after visiting the toilet. This way, she noted, can contribute in preventing diseases such as cholera, malaria and typhoid. Madam Abaseka, however, appealed to chiefs, opinion leaders and assembly members to as a matter of concern encourage communal activities on environmental cleanliness at the various communities to reduce the heavy government expenditure on drug importation. The Project Co-ordinator of Wash United, Mr. Gildert Atanga urged stakeholders including District Assemblies and the GHS to provide toilet and urinal facilities for schools in the district, since most schools in the area lack these facilities, thus compelling them to defecate freely on school compounds. He indicated that the centre of the campaign were sports celebrities particularly celebrated football Stars such as Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, Didier Droga, Abedi Pele Ayew among others. He explained that the programme used outdoor games competitions among school children and communities as a unifying factor and a way of assembling them to be able to drum home the message of the need for good sanitation practices in our homes and schools. A Policy Officer at Grass Roots Africa, Madam Viola Dasoberi said the programme was in tandem with government’s vision of achieving the Millennium Development Goal of reducing child mortality and morbidity in 2015. Students from the Sirigu Senior High School later stage a drama on the relevance of hand washing with soap before and after meals.
Fourteen Primary and Junior High School students in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region have been taken through good sanitary practices under a programme dubbed “Wash United Campaign”. The programme which aims at promoting proper hygiene and sanitary practices in schools and communities was spearheaded by the Foundation for Grassroot Initiatives in Africa (GrassRootsAfrica) an NGO with focuses on hand washing before and after meal. It was also geared at ensuring that people do not pollute the environment by defecating openly in schools and communities in which they live. Community members including chiefs and elders from Kandiga attended the programme. The Kassena-Nankana West District Director of Health Services, Mada Vida Abaseka commended GrassRootsAfrica for complementing the efforts of the Ghana Health Services in their quest to promoting good health through hygiene. She therefore entreated them to help extend the programme to other schools and communities in the region. Madam Abaseka also advised students, particularly, primary pupils to do proper hand washing with soap before and after meals and after visiting the toilet. This way, she noted, can contribute in preventing diseases such as cholera, malaria and typhoid. Madam Abaseka, however, appealed to chiefs, opinion leaders and assembly members to as a matter of concern encourage communal activities on environmental cleanliness at the various communities to reduce the heavy government expenditure on drug importation. The Project Co-ordinator of Wash United, Mr. Gildert Atanga urged stakeholders including District Assemblies and the GHS to provide toilet and urinal facilities for schools in the district, since most schools in the area lack these facilities, thus compelling them to defecate freely on school compounds. He indicated that the centre of the campaign were sports celebrities particularly celebrated football Stars such as Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, Didier Droga, Abedi Pele Ayew among others. He explained that the programme used outdoor games competitions among school children and communities as a unifying factor and a way of assembling them to be able to drum home the message of the need for good sanitation practices in our homes and schools. A Policy Officer at Grass Roots Africa, Madam Viola Dasoberi said the programme was in tandem with government’s vision of achieving the Millennium Development Goal of reducing child mortality and morbidity in 2015. Students from the Sirigu Senior High School later stage a drama on the relevance of hand washing with soap before and after meals.
Women are ripe to take up leadership positions- Mrs Chigabatia
30-07-2010
The former Upper East Deputy Regional Minister, Agnes Chigabatia has identified lack of confidence as one of the major obstacles refraining women from taking part in the political administration of the country. According to her women show little zeal in the affairs of their localities while some assembly women are apathetic at assembly meetings. Mrs. Chigabatia, who expressed these sentiments in an interview with Radio Ghana at Bolgatanga, advised women to take up leadership positions by competing with their man folks. She described women as assets having the potential to contribute their quota to national development, hence the need for women to practically assert and orient themselves to occupy their rightful positions when the need arises. She also debunked the notion that women are not matured to lead the country. Mrs. Chigabatia who is also the current Upper East Regional Chairperson of the NPP said the state of African Politics coupled with customs and traditions sometimes deter women to take up seats of government though there are qualified and competent women of high caliber who are prepared to take up the challenge. To her, priority attentions is not given to women’s rights to enable them to realize their full potentials. Some women, she noted, are prevented from taking part in politics by their male counterpart’s with threats of ejection and divorce. This sometimes scares and demoralizes women, thus making them kowtow to their male competitors. Mrs. Chigabatia, observed that women as charismatic as they are, have the ability to unite party members, settle differences and also listen to the plight of the poor and vulnerable in society and appealed to husbands to help encourage their partners to take part in local and national politics. This according to Mrs. Chigabatia can be made possible if they are supported financially to succeed. She entreated more women to contest in the upcoming District Assembly elections to enable them voice out their feelings and opinions on matters affecting their lives and the society in general. She also charged assembly women to use their knowledge and experience to push the assemblies forward through positive contributions.
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The former Upper East Deputy Regional Minister, Agnes Chigabatia has identified lack of confidence as one of the major obstacles refraining women from taking part in the political administration of the country. According to her women show little zeal in the affairs of their localities while some assembly women are apathetic at assembly meetings. Mrs. Chigabatia, who expressed these sentiments in an interview with Radio Ghana at Bolgatanga, advised women to take up leadership positions by competing with their man folks. She described women as assets having the potential to contribute their quota to national development, hence the need for women to practically assert and orient themselves to occupy their rightful positions when the need arises. She also debunked the notion that women are not matured to lead the country. Mrs. Chigabatia who is also the current Upper East Regional Chairperson of the NPP said the state of African Politics coupled with customs and traditions sometimes deter women to take up seats of government though there are qualified and competent women of high caliber who are prepared to take up the challenge. To her, priority attentions is not given to women’s rights to enable them to realize their full potentials. Some women, she noted, are prevented from taking part in politics by their male counterpart’s with threats of ejection and divorce. This sometimes scares and demoralizes women, thus making them kowtow to their male competitors. Mrs. Chigabatia, observed that women as charismatic as they are, have the ability to unite party members, settle differences and also listen to the plight of the poor and vulnerable in society and appealed to husbands to help encourage their partners to take part in local and national politics. This according to Mrs. Chigabatia can be made possible if they are supported financially to succeed. She entreated more women to contest in the upcoming District Assembly elections to enable them voice out their feelings and opinions on matters affecting their lives and the society in general. She also charged assembly women to use their knowledge and experience to push the assemblies forward through positive contributions.
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Upper East Prepares for possible flooding
07-08-2010 The Upper East Regional Co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Patrick Akake says his outfit has put in place adequate measures to protect lives and property in case of any eventuality of flooding. In view of this, NADMO in collaboration with Zoomlion-Ghana and other community volunteers are embarking on a clean up exercise to desilt and clean all chocked gutters in communities identified as flood prone areas. Mr. Akake who disclosed this to Radio Ghana said the exercise has become necessary due to the numerous flood alerts and warning systems in the event of spillage from the Bagre dam as announced by the Burkinabe authorities. According to him, flooding in some parts of the region as a result of spillage from neigbouring Burkina-Faso has become an annual ritual that occurs between the month of August through to September and October, hence the need for the exercise. He mentioned the 2007 flooding in the three Northern Regions as one of the worst disasters the regions have recorded and appealed to residents in the region to be mindful of activities that cause waterways to be chocked. Mr. Akake, noted that all precautionary measures have been made to forestall any event. Moreover, his outfit as part of its contingency planning has requested for logistics and other relief items including food stuffs from the NADMO headquarters, to cater for victims in case of any flooding and appealed to residents to be cautious of activities that cause flooding. The Municipal Director of NADMO, Mr. Edward Ayagle, also in an interview with Radio Ghana, urged all disaster volunteers to be proactive by involving all community members to take part in the ongoing exercise. Mr Ayagle appealed to the various municipal and district assemblies to assist in the ongoing exercise by providing the necessary tools and machinery that can help rid off all unwanted materials from waterways. He also called on residents in flood prone areas to be on the alert. The head of the volunteer group, Banaba Adime Atindanbire also advised members of the various communities to desist from throwing refuse into drains since those caught would not be spared.
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