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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