30-04-2011
The New Patriotic Party’s nationwide parliamentary primaries which took place today have ended successfully in the Upper East Region recording smooth electoral process. All centers with exception of Zebilla and Talensi constituencies received massive attendance with no confusion and disturbances from delegates and party faithfuls. Voting ended at 3.00 pm in all the centers across the region. In the Bolgatanga Central Constituency elections, Dr Agamibilla Agansika polled 351 of votes cast to beat his two opponents Rockson Bukari and Emmanuel Abole who received 248 and 53 of valid votes respectively. Voting, according to the Municipal Electoral Officer, Oscar Apemah went on smoothly even with low security presence. In all 681 eligible voters with 625 polling station delegates, took part in the exercise. The number, he noted, were made up of patrons and party executives among others. He said out of the total valid votes cast only 6 were rejected. In the Navrongo Central Constituency elections, Hon. Kofi Addah retained his seat as MP for the area beating his main challenger, Otinto Achilo by a wider margin. Mr. Kofi Addah polled 408 of votes cast to knock off Mr Achilo who had only 50 of the votes cast. The situation in the Garu-Tempane Constituency elections was however not different as Mr Samari Alhassan, former Upper East Regional Minister, claimed 374 votes to beat his opponent, Mr. Abugri Paul Azuma who had only 64 of the total number of valid votes cast. The Nabdam Constituency also saw Mr. Boniface Gambilla, also former Upper East Regional Minister, claiming victory over his two main challengers, Mr. Peter Kparip and Thomas Kparibo. Mr. Gambilla had 121 votes to beat his two main challengers. Correspondent Isaac Asare, moreover, reports that Mr Leo Kabba who is the incumbent MP for Chiana–Paga Constituency of the NPP also claimed victory over his main challenger, Mr. Clement Daduri to retain his seat. Mr. Kabba beat his opponent by claiming 367 votes whilst Mr. Daduri had 156 votes. At Binduri , Mr Stephen Yakubu also retained his seat as MP for the Binduri Constituency by polling 192 votes to beat Mr. Abanga Abdullai who had 145 votes. Mr. Sumaila Abdul Rahman also lost to Mohammed Imoro Sako in the Pusiga Constituency primaries. Mr. Sako had 164 votes as against 117 votes received by his opponent. Madam Paulina Bruce of Builsa South and Mrs Diana Asuure of the Bongo Constituency went unopposed. They are among the few women that filed their nomination to contest in today’s elections by going unopposed. Elections in the Zebilla and Talensi Constituency were suspended for what party officials claim was done for ‘strategic reason’. Permanent date is yet to be fix for the exercise in due time. Mrs. Agnes Chigabatia, former deputy Upper East Regional Minister, and the current regional chairperson of the party yesterday claimed a landslide victory over her two challengers in what electorates described as a fierce battle. Mrs. Chigabatia reclaimed her seat as MP after losing to NDC’s Thomas Awotirim Ataboatey, in the 2008 parliamentary elections. She had 172 votes to emerge as winner over Thomas Alonsi, former DCE for Builsa North who claimed 116, whilst the other challenger, James Abakisi, former Manager of the Builsa District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme received 70 of votes cast. in all 19 candidates contested in today's primaries.
GBC END IA/
Saturday, 30 April 2011
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Ghanaian Nationales Living under constant fear and panic in neighbouring Burkina Faso
19-04-2011
Ghanaian nationals particularly tomato dealers from the Upper East are said to be at risk of losing their tomatoes due to the rising tension in neighbouring Burkina Faso. Information reaching Radio Ghana indicates that cartons of tomatoes belonging to some Ghanaian nationals have been seized by security forces involved in the country’s recent uprising. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo who made the disclosure following his interaction with the Ghana’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Chief Dauda Mandiaya Bawumia, said there is total insecurity in neighbouring Burkina Faso, stressing that if measures are not swiftly put in place, Ghanaian nationals would find themselves wanting. Tension, he said has escalated to areas such as Po where most women from Ghana particularly Upper East transact their tomato business. Speaking to Radio Ghana’s correspondent Isaac Asare, Mr Woyongo said the area for the past two days has experienced sporadic shooting causing intense fear and panic among residents and Ghanaians living around that area. Mr. Woyongo said even the official vehicle of the Ghanaian Ambassodor was seized a fourth night ago by some armed men in Po, but was later abandoned somewhere due to the security nature of the vehicle. Skirmishes in other parts of the country, he said are nothing to write home about as some security forces has taken over areas compelling residents to flee for safety. The situation, he added, is much tensed and advised Ghanaians nationals to boycott all movement to the area till the situation dies down. Mr. Woyongo said he is yet to arrange an emergency meeting with the Custom officials and District Chief Executives manning the various borders to brainstorm on the way forward. He also seized the opportunity to call on the Ghanaian nationals living in the area to come back home till the situation records relative calm.
GBC END IA
Ghanaian nationals particularly tomato dealers from the Upper East are said to be at risk of losing their tomatoes due to the rising tension in neighbouring Burkina Faso. Information reaching Radio Ghana indicates that cartons of tomatoes belonging to some Ghanaian nationals have been seized by security forces involved in the country’s recent uprising. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo who made the disclosure following his interaction with the Ghana’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Chief Dauda Mandiaya Bawumia, said there is total insecurity in neighbouring Burkina Faso, stressing that if measures are not swiftly put in place, Ghanaian nationals would find themselves wanting. Tension, he said has escalated to areas such as Po where most women from Ghana particularly Upper East transact their tomato business. Speaking to Radio Ghana’s correspondent Isaac Asare, Mr Woyongo said the area for the past two days has experienced sporadic shooting causing intense fear and panic among residents and Ghanaians living around that area. Mr. Woyongo said even the official vehicle of the Ghanaian Ambassodor was seized a fourth night ago by some armed men in Po, but was later abandoned somewhere due to the security nature of the vehicle. Skirmishes in other parts of the country, he said are nothing to write home about as some security forces has taken over areas compelling residents to flee for safety. The situation, he added, is much tensed and advised Ghanaians nationals to boycott all movement to the area till the situation dies down. Mr. Woyongo said he is yet to arrange an emergency meeting with the Custom officials and District Chief Executives manning the various borders to brainstorm on the way forward. He also seized the opportunity to call on the Ghanaian nationals living in the area to come back home till the situation records relative calm.
GBC END IA
Upper East Caucus of NDC declares unflinching support for Mills
The Upper Regional caucus of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has on a unanimous decision declared their unflinching support to the President, Prof. John Evans Attah Mills, in his bid to go unopposed in the party’s upcoming Presidential congress slated to take place on April, 8-10, 2011. At a regional expanded executive committee meeting held at Bolgatanga, the Regional Vice Chairman, Victor Yahaya, said their decision to back the sitting president arrived after a careful consideration of the fact that any contest will give the party additional task of managing falls out from the congress instead of staying focused on the government’s Better Ghana Agenda, which he observed, is already on course. Their position, he further explained, is justifiable based on several observation and consultations made within the rank and file of the party and called on the elders of the party to work out a plan and allow the president to go unopposed. He said as a social democratic party, they are bent on ensuring the unity of its members, hence the need for the leadership at the national level to come to a compromise rather than going for a congress to choose a presidential candidate for 2012 elections. Mr. Yahaya said there is a provision in the NDC constitution for decisions in the party to be made on consensus basis. Subsequently, it is also conventional in the country’s unwritten constitution to give every sitting president a second term to be able to execute his developmental agenda since the four year period is not enough for one to translate his visions to concrete and tangible projects for the benefit of the nation. According to him, though it is democratic for the Former First lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, to contest Mills in the upcoming NDC congress, one has to follow the underlying principles enshrined in the party‘s constitution which stipulates that a sitting President be given the second chance to execute his unfinished developmental agenda. He noted that the President’s recent regional working tour to most deprived areas of the country, is an ample indication that he is really on course in propelling his developmental agenda on a high pedestal, hence the need to give him the chance to execute his visionary mandate. He later charged the party faithful to rally their support for President Mills to achieve his set objective. Interestingly, almost all the regional executives of the NDC with the exception of the Northern Region have so far declared their position to back President Mills to go unopposed in the forthcoming Presidential congress.
GBC END IA
GBC END IA
Woyongo declares ‘zero tolerance of filth’ in Upper East
2011
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo, has reiterated his commitment to rid the region of filth. To this effect, Mr. Woyongo has tasked all Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) to enact sanitary bye-laws and also institute stiffer punishment for persons that liter indiscriminately, thus posing health risk to the society. Mr. Woyongo gave the directive during a stakeholders meeting involving heads of decentralized departments, assembly members, as well as MDCEs at Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Capital. The meeting, which was being spearheaded by the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) was on the polythene bag menace. The purpose was to brainstorm on the way forward in addressing the challenge and moreover, work on modalities to combat the filth that has engulfed most communities of the region. Mr. Woyongo in his presentation expressed total resentment about the way people litter around with impunity. The practice he noted would assume an uncontrollable dimension if stringent measures are not put in place to address the challenge. He described the situation as an ‘’unfortunate development” and urged all and sundry to show remorse by partnering the various district and municipal assemblies in tackling the issue considering the health implications of indiscriminate littering. Mr. Woyongo use the cholera situation in Greater Accra and other major cities as a case study, and called on stakeholders to live above reproach and educate their people on the need to adapt to best sanitary practices to avoid communicable diseases. To him, the health sector of the region does not have the requisite personnel and logistics to combat any eventual outbreak of cholera among other related diseases, hence the need to exercise caution on waste disposal. . He later declared a ‘zero tolerance for filth in the Upper East’ and pronounced April 29, 2011 as a day for massive clean up exercise in the region. The day, he said, should be observed as such, since all shops and business outlets would be closed to ensure that the exercise takes off smoothly. Mr. Woyongo additionally directed the various MDCEs to set aside special days for clean up exercises to help combat filth in the region. He also charged them to enforce the existing sanitary bye-laws and hold offenders accountable for their deeds. This way, he noted, would make the people conscious of their activities with regards to sanitation. According to him his outfit will as a matter of concern institute reward packages for districts that achieve success in that regard and encourage them to intensify their education on sanitation. The Talensi-Nabdam District Chief Executive, Madam Vivian Anarfo challenged polythene and sachet water producers to contribute their quota in fighting the menace, since they are the major contributors. Participants also charged them to institute prudent waste management practices in ensuring that plastic materials after use are collected for recycling. Heads of the various educational institutions were also encouraged to sensitize their teachers to inculcate in students, best sanitary practices to help them grow with it.
GBC END IA/
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo, has reiterated his commitment to rid the region of filth. To this effect, Mr. Woyongo has tasked all Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) to enact sanitary bye-laws and also institute stiffer punishment for persons that liter indiscriminately, thus posing health risk to the society. Mr. Woyongo gave the directive during a stakeholders meeting involving heads of decentralized departments, assembly members, as well as MDCEs at Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Capital. The meeting, which was being spearheaded by the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) was on the polythene bag menace. The purpose was to brainstorm on the way forward in addressing the challenge and moreover, work on modalities to combat the filth that has engulfed most communities of the region. Mr. Woyongo in his presentation expressed total resentment about the way people litter around with impunity. The practice he noted would assume an uncontrollable dimension if stringent measures are not put in place to address the challenge. He described the situation as an ‘’unfortunate development” and urged all and sundry to show remorse by partnering the various district and municipal assemblies in tackling the issue considering the health implications of indiscriminate littering. Mr. Woyongo use the cholera situation in Greater Accra and other major cities as a case study, and called on stakeholders to live above reproach and educate their people on the need to adapt to best sanitary practices to avoid communicable diseases. To him, the health sector of the region does not have the requisite personnel and logistics to combat any eventual outbreak of cholera among other related diseases, hence the need to exercise caution on waste disposal. . He later declared a ‘zero tolerance for filth in the Upper East’ and pronounced April 29, 2011 as a day for massive clean up exercise in the region. The day, he said, should be observed as such, since all shops and business outlets would be closed to ensure that the exercise takes off smoothly. Mr. Woyongo additionally directed the various MDCEs to set aside special days for clean up exercises to help combat filth in the region. He also charged them to enforce the existing sanitary bye-laws and hold offenders accountable for their deeds. This way, he noted, would make the people conscious of their activities with regards to sanitation. According to him his outfit will as a matter of concern institute reward packages for districts that achieve success in that regard and encourage them to intensify their education on sanitation. The Talensi-Nabdam District Chief Executive, Madam Vivian Anarfo challenged polythene and sachet water producers to contribute their quota in fighting the menace, since they are the major contributors. Participants also charged them to institute prudent waste management practices in ensuring that plastic materials after use are collected for recycling. Heads of the various educational institutions were also encouraged to sensitize their teachers to inculcate in students, best sanitary practices to help them grow with it.
GBC END IA/
Money swindler in firm grip of police
2011
A 25 year old, Zakaraia Atongu , a native of Binduri now domiciled in Navrongo of the Upper East Region, has effected the arrest of one , Mohammed Alhassan who duped him of his 300 Ghana Cedis on the pretence of doubling his money for him. Narrating the incident to Radio Ghana at Bolgatanga, the Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Inspector Thomas Agbenyo, said the complainant Zakaria, who was on admission at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital was introduced to the suspect, Alhassan by his brothers after failing to settle his hospital expenses. The said brothers in their attempt to defray the debt owed to the hospital, took the complainant to Alhassan also known as ‘Togbue’ at the new Bolgatanga lorry station. At the station, Alhassan insisted he could double the said amount of the complainant, but before that demanded some money to purchase some perfume for rituals. The deal was agreed upon and Zakaria handed over the money to him. The suspect then gave them a grace period to come back for their money for which the complainant and his brothers adhered to. He also sold to them a hard a copy and testimony of his activities pasted on his personal website. According to Chief Inspector Agbenyo, the complainant and his brothers later went to the suspect and were given a mini box containing the alleged money. In a joyous mood, the complainant and his brothers took the box home and to their uttermost dismay, when the box was opened, it was full of cut pieces of paper in the size of money. The complainants rushed back to the suspect but learnt he had left with a Tamale bound bus to Gushegu town. Their continuous search for the suspect proved fultile. Incidentally, the suspect re-surfaced in Bolgatanga and was spotted and arrested by the police upon a tip off. During his arrest, the suspect did not show any remorse of wrongdoing, claiming that what he gave the complainants were real money, adding that he cannot explain why after opening the box the money turned to white papers. The suspect also alleged that he acted on the instruction of his dwarfs, and that what he did was genuine and not to defraud his complainant. The suspect, Chief Inspector Agbenyo disclosed, would be arraigned before court for fraud, contatry to section 131 of Act 29/60. Chief Inspector Agbenyo took the opportunity to caution the general public against such swindlers and urged the general public to report any suspicious character for possible apprehension and prosecution.
GBC END IA/
A 25 year old, Zakaraia Atongu , a native of Binduri now domiciled in Navrongo of the Upper East Region, has effected the arrest of one , Mohammed Alhassan who duped him of his 300 Ghana Cedis on the pretence of doubling his money for him. Narrating the incident to Radio Ghana at Bolgatanga, the Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Inspector Thomas Agbenyo, said the complainant Zakaria, who was on admission at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital was introduced to the suspect, Alhassan by his brothers after failing to settle his hospital expenses. The said brothers in their attempt to defray the debt owed to the hospital, took the complainant to Alhassan also known as ‘Togbue’ at the new Bolgatanga lorry station. At the station, Alhassan insisted he could double the said amount of the complainant, but before that demanded some money to purchase some perfume for rituals. The deal was agreed upon and Zakaria handed over the money to him. The suspect then gave them a grace period to come back for their money for which the complainant and his brothers adhered to. He also sold to them a hard a copy and testimony of his activities pasted on his personal website. According to Chief Inspector Agbenyo, the complainant and his brothers later went to the suspect and were given a mini box containing the alleged money. In a joyous mood, the complainant and his brothers took the box home and to their uttermost dismay, when the box was opened, it was full of cut pieces of paper in the size of money. The complainants rushed back to the suspect but learnt he had left with a Tamale bound bus to Gushegu town. Their continuous search for the suspect proved fultile. Incidentally, the suspect re-surfaced in Bolgatanga and was spotted and arrested by the police upon a tip off. During his arrest, the suspect did not show any remorse of wrongdoing, claiming that what he gave the complainants were real money, adding that he cannot explain why after opening the box the money turned to white papers. The suspect also alleged that he acted on the instruction of his dwarfs, and that what he did was genuine and not to defraud his complainant. The suspect, Chief Inspector Agbenyo disclosed, would be arraigned before court for fraud, contatry to section 131 of Act 29/60. Chief Inspector Agbenyo took the opportunity to caution the general public against such swindlers and urged the general public to report any suspicious character for possible apprehension and prosecution.
GBC END IA/
GCB Challenged To Establish More Outlets in U/E to Ease Congestion
The Board and management of the Ghana Commercial Bank had been tasked with the responsibility of establishing new branches in some parts of the Upper East Region to help reduce the intense pressure on its main branch at Bolgatanga. Speaking to Radio Ghana at Bolgatanga, Mr. Kwabena Darko of the Pwalugu Tomato Factory suggested to management of the GCB to also consider linking their wide area network unto second server by retaining part of their dividends paid to government to pay for this suggested second service. He lamented on the unfortunate turn of events normally experienced at the main regional branch at the time workers are paid, describing the situation as frustrating. Mr. Darko said the challenge of link failure affects productivity since workers in their effort to access their salaries, spent long hours at the banking hall due to link failure. He further noted that the situation when not addressed with all the seriousness it deserves would assume an alarming proportion and also affect national productivity. Mr. Darko however appealed to the management of the GCB to act swiftly to the challenge, stressing that the so much pressure on the main branch defeats the mission of the bank, which stipulates the provision of first class customer service delivery. He therefore recommended the establishment of more branches, notably Zuarungu and Sumbrungu to help stem the problem.
GBC END IA/
GBC END IA/
Thursday, 14 April 2011
NCA tasked to sanction telecom operators for poor service delivery
14-04-2011
Ghana would by the beginning of July, this year introduce the Mobile Number Portability for mobile phone users to be able to switch to a different mobile network while maintaining their phone numbers in case a user was not satisfied with the quality of service of the old network. The Communication Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, who made the disclosure at a Public Education forum on Electromagnetic Fields from Telecommunication Masts at Bolgatanga, indicated that the Attorney General has concluded regulations for onward submission to parliament to fully implement the policy. The move, he explained, would help ensure quality service delivery to mobile phone users. The Minister was not however happy about the low quality of services rendered to mobile phone subscribers across the country, particularly, Northern Ghana. According to him his short visit to the Upper West and Upper East Regions as part of the regional consultative forum, attest to the fact that mobile telecommunications network operators are not living up to expectation, stressing that there was high incidence of what he termed as ‘unacceptable call drop’ and call congestion from service providers. Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, therefore charged the National Communication Authority (NCA) to as a matter of intervention, impose appropriate sanctions against telecommunication operators that renders poor quality service to their prospective clients, and moreover, regulates their activities to enable them improve on their service delivery. He said the people of Upper East deserve better mobile services from providers and that any service provider that fails to deliver on its responsibility deserve to be penalized. On the perceived health implications of telecommunication masts on human, Mr. Iddrisu said his outfit is yet to receive worldwide report on the complaints filed by some section of the public and the media on the matter, emphasizing that of all the scientific findings collated, it had been proven to the effect that impact of telecommunication masts on human is minimal. He was however particular about the indiscriminate mounting of the mast which he noted rather poses danger to lives and property. He said Ghana can boast of 17 million users of mobile phone with six telecom operators. This, he said, was justifiable when the public begin to raise concerns about the effect mobile phones had on them. He later assured Ghanaians of high quality TV pictures and sound following the country’s migration from analogue to digital television. The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Fund on Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Mr. Kofi Attor said the purpose of the forum was among other things educate the public on the effect of the masts and to fashion out precautionary measures to safeguard their effect on the populace. This is to bridge the communication gap between the rural and urban parameters. Mr. Attor disclosed the establishment of ICT facilities and libraries in schools and institutions across the country and disclosed plans by his outfit to extend the facility to areas lacking such amenities. He therefore charged the various district assemblies to play oversight responsibility over the facilities and work assiduously to ensure their maintenance. Experts from NCA, EPA and GIFEC later answered questions from participants.
GBC END IA/
Ghana would by the beginning of July, this year introduce the Mobile Number Portability for mobile phone users to be able to switch to a different mobile network while maintaining their phone numbers in case a user was not satisfied with the quality of service of the old network. The Communication Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, who made the disclosure at a Public Education forum on Electromagnetic Fields from Telecommunication Masts at Bolgatanga, indicated that the Attorney General has concluded regulations for onward submission to parliament to fully implement the policy. The move, he explained, would help ensure quality service delivery to mobile phone users. The Minister was not however happy about the low quality of services rendered to mobile phone subscribers across the country, particularly, Northern Ghana. According to him his short visit to the Upper West and Upper East Regions as part of the regional consultative forum, attest to the fact that mobile telecommunications network operators are not living up to expectation, stressing that there was high incidence of what he termed as ‘unacceptable call drop’ and call congestion from service providers. Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, therefore charged the National Communication Authority (NCA) to as a matter of intervention, impose appropriate sanctions against telecommunication operators that renders poor quality service to their prospective clients, and moreover, regulates their activities to enable them improve on their service delivery. He said the people of Upper East deserve better mobile services from providers and that any service provider that fails to deliver on its responsibility deserve to be penalized. On the perceived health implications of telecommunication masts on human, Mr. Iddrisu said his outfit is yet to receive worldwide report on the complaints filed by some section of the public and the media on the matter, emphasizing that of all the scientific findings collated, it had been proven to the effect that impact of telecommunication masts on human is minimal. He was however particular about the indiscriminate mounting of the mast which he noted rather poses danger to lives and property. He said Ghana can boast of 17 million users of mobile phone with six telecom operators. This, he said, was justifiable when the public begin to raise concerns about the effect mobile phones had on them. He later assured Ghanaians of high quality TV pictures and sound following the country’s migration from analogue to digital television. The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Fund on Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Mr. Kofi Attor said the purpose of the forum was among other things educate the public on the effect of the masts and to fashion out precautionary measures to safeguard their effect on the populace. This is to bridge the communication gap between the rural and urban parameters. Mr. Attor disclosed the establishment of ICT facilities and libraries in schools and institutions across the country and disclosed plans by his outfit to extend the facility to areas lacking such amenities. He therefore charged the various district assemblies to play oversight responsibility over the facilities and work assiduously to ensure their maintenance. Experts from NCA, EPA and GIFEC later answered questions from participants.
GBC END IA/
Negative attitude of health staff affecting health service delivery
12-04-2011
The attitude of some health service providers at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital particularly, qualified and student nurses is steadily retrogressing despite several cautions by senior health officials at the hospital. Information reaching Radio Ghana indicates that services rendered to clients patronizing the health facility is nothing to write home about, as patients are treated with contempt and to some extent subjected to insult and disdain. The attitude of some of these health service providers is said to be having serious repercussions on health service delivery in the region. This unfortunate development moreover remains a major public concern and a serious challenge to quality care. The situation has undeniably compelled some clients to resort to self medication since they are not given the needed care and attention they deserve from their health providers. Some patients who spoke to Radio Ghana on condition of anonymity suggested lack of discipline as the major cause of this negative attitude and called for attitudinal change since it deepening their woes. To them, much is expected from health professionals manning the various health facilities in the region, and that, if care is not taken, people will resort to the traditional way of treating ailments, which to them is dangerous since they would be exposed to quack and unprofessional healers in the system. To them, such negative attitudes and behaviours are imported from the various health training institutions into the Ghana Health Service. A teacher by profession, Madam Rosina Abila, who vehemently spoke to Radio Ghana, charged the principals and heads of the various health training institutions in the region to do a thorough background check on students recruited into their schools to help stem the problem, which she indicated could assume a disastrous dimension when not approached with tall the seriousness it deserves. She also challenged the GHS to institute punitive measures against any health professional caught maltreating a client stressing that the problem when not looked into, would continue to be an obstacle militating against maternal and infant mortality in the region’s health sector delivery. Reacting to the issue, the Medical Director of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Dr. Peter Baffuor, said the attitude of some health staff had been a source of worry to the health sector of the region, considering their effort in addressing most of the health challenges confronting the region and touched on the inadequate doctors and nurses to man the facility. He said management as part of effort in dealing with the situation has instituted the issuance of identity cards (ID) to all staff of the hospital and are yet to give directive to all principals of health training institutions to provide ID cards for their students serving at the hospital. Dr. Baffuor appealed to patients to lodge their complaint at the front desk of the hospital, where a complaint box has been provided and be ready and willing to expose any staff that misbehaves towards them. He later took the opportunity to urge all staff to show love and compassion to their clients since they are mandated to serve the people and not to worsen their pain and suffering. Dr. Baffour said management will deal decisively with any staff found culpable to serve as deterrent to others.
GBC END IA
The attitude of some health service providers at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital particularly, qualified and student nurses is steadily retrogressing despite several cautions by senior health officials at the hospital. Information reaching Radio Ghana indicates that services rendered to clients patronizing the health facility is nothing to write home about, as patients are treated with contempt and to some extent subjected to insult and disdain. The attitude of some of these health service providers is said to be having serious repercussions on health service delivery in the region. This unfortunate development moreover remains a major public concern and a serious challenge to quality care. The situation has undeniably compelled some clients to resort to self medication since they are not given the needed care and attention they deserve from their health providers. Some patients who spoke to Radio Ghana on condition of anonymity suggested lack of discipline as the major cause of this negative attitude and called for attitudinal change since it deepening their woes. To them, much is expected from health professionals manning the various health facilities in the region, and that, if care is not taken, people will resort to the traditional way of treating ailments, which to them is dangerous since they would be exposed to quack and unprofessional healers in the system. To them, such negative attitudes and behaviours are imported from the various health training institutions into the Ghana Health Service. A teacher by profession, Madam Rosina Abila, who vehemently spoke to Radio Ghana, charged the principals and heads of the various health training institutions in the region to do a thorough background check on students recruited into their schools to help stem the problem, which she indicated could assume a disastrous dimension when not approached with tall the seriousness it deserves. She also challenged the GHS to institute punitive measures against any health professional caught maltreating a client stressing that the problem when not looked into, would continue to be an obstacle militating against maternal and infant mortality in the region’s health sector delivery. Reacting to the issue, the Medical Director of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Dr. Peter Baffuor, said the attitude of some health staff had been a source of worry to the health sector of the region, considering their effort in addressing most of the health challenges confronting the region and touched on the inadequate doctors and nurses to man the facility. He said management as part of effort in dealing with the situation has instituted the issuance of identity cards (ID) to all staff of the hospital and are yet to give directive to all principals of health training institutions to provide ID cards for their students serving at the hospital. Dr. Baffuor appealed to patients to lodge their complaint at the front desk of the hospital, where a complaint box has been provided and be ready and willing to expose any staff that misbehaves towards them. He later took the opportunity to urge all staff to show love and compassion to their clients since they are mandated to serve the people and not to worsen their pain and suffering. Dr. Baffour said management will deal decisively with any staff found culpable to serve as deterrent to others.
GBC END IA
Negative attitude of health staff affecting health service delivery
12-04-2011 N
The attitude of some health service providers at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital particularly, qualified and student nurses is steadily retrogressing despite several cautions by senior health officials at the hospital. Information reaching Radio Ghana indicates that services rendered to clients patronizing the health facility is nothing to write home about, as patients are treated with contempt and to some extent subjected to insult and disdain. The attitude of some of these health service providers is said to be having serious repercussions on health service delivery in the region. This unfortunate development moreover remains a major public concern and a serious challenge to quality care. The situation has undeniably compelled some clients to resort to self medication since they are not given the needed care and attention they deserve from their health providers. Some patients who spoke to Radio Ghana on condition of anonymity suggested lack of discipline as the major cause of this negative attitude and called for attitudinal change since it deepening their woes. To them, much is expected from health professionals manning the various health facilities in the region, and that, if care is not taken, people will resort to the traditional way of treating ailments, which to them is dangerous since they would be exposed to quack and unprofessional healers in the system. To them, such negative attitudes and behaviours are imported from the various health training institutions into the Ghana Health Service. A teacher by profession, Madam Rosina Abila, who vehemently spoke to Radio Ghana, charged the principals and heads of the various health training institutions in the region to do a thorough background check on students recruited into their schools to help stem the problem, which she indicated could assume a disastrous dimension when not approached with tall the seriousness it deserves. She also challenged the GHS to institute punitive measures against any health professional caught maltreating a client stressing that the problem when not looked into, would continue to be an obstacle militating against maternal and infant mortality in the region’s health sector delivery. Reacting to the issue, the Medical Director of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Dr. Peter Baffuor, said the attitude of some health staff had been a source of worry to the health sector of the region, considering their effort in addressing most of the health challenges confronting the region and touched on the inadequate doctors and nurses to man the facility. He said management as part of effort in dealing with the situation has instituted the issuance of identity cards (ID) to all staff of the hospital and are yet to give directive to all principals of health training institutions to provide ID cards for their students serving at the hospital. Dr. Baffuor appealed to patients to lodge their complaint at the front desk of the hospital, where a complaint box has been provided and be ready and willing to expose any staff that misbehaves towards them. He later took the opportunity to urge all staff to show love and compassion to their clients since they are mandated to serve the people and not to worsen their pain and suffering. Dr. Baffour said management will deal decisively with any staff found culpable to serve as deterrent to others.
GBC END IA
The attitude of some health service providers at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital particularly, qualified and student nurses is steadily retrogressing despite several cautions by senior health officials at the hospital. Information reaching Radio Ghana indicates that services rendered to clients patronizing the health facility is nothing to write home about, as patients are treated with contempt and to some extent subjected to insult and disdain. The attitude of some of these health service providers is said to be having serious repercussions on health service delivery in the region. This unfortunate development moreover remains a major public concern and a serious challenge to quality care. The situation has undeniably compelled some clients to resort to self medication since they are not given the needed care and attention they deserve from their health providers. Some patients who spoke to Radio Ghana on condition of anonymity suggested lack of discipline as the major cause of this negative attitude and called for attitudinal change since it deepening their woes. To them, much is expected from health professionals manning the various health facilities in the region, and that, if care is not taken, people will resort to the traditional way of treating ailments, which to them is dangerous since they would be exposed to quack and unprofessional healers in the system. To them, such negative attitudes and behaviours are imported from the various health training institutions into the Ghana Health Service. A teacher by profession, Madam Rosina Abila, who vehemently spoke to Radio Ghana, charged the principals and heads of the various health training institutions in the region to do a thorough background check on students recruited into their schools to help stem the problem, which she indicated could assume a disastrous dimension when not approached with tall the seriousness it deserves. She also challenged the GHS to institute punitive measures against any health professional caught maltreating a client stressing that the problem when not looked into, would continue to be an obstacle militating against maternal and infant mortality in the region’s health sector delivery. Reacting to the issue, the Medical Director of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Dr. Peter Baffuor, said the attitude of some health staff had been a source of worry to the health sector of the region, considering their effort in addressing most of the health challenges confronting the region and touched on the inadequate doctors and nurses to man the facility. He said management as part of effort in dealing with the situation has instituted the issuance of identity cards (ID) to all staff of the hospital and are yet to give directive to all principals of health training institutions to provide ID cards for their students serving at the hospital. Dr. Baffuor appealed to patients to lodge their complaint at the front desk of the hospital, where a complaint box has been provided and be ready and willing to expose any staff that misbehaves towards them. He later took the opportunity to urge all staff to show love and compassion to their clients since they are mandated to serve the people and not to worsen their pain and suffering. Dr. Baffour said management will deal decisively with any staff found culpable to serve as deterrent to others.
GBC END IA
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Negative attitude of health staff affecting health service delivery
13-04-2011
The attitude of some health service providers at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital particularly, qualified and student nurses is steadily retrogressing despite several cautions by senior health officials at the hospital. Information reaching Radio Ghana indicates that services rendered to clients patronizing the health facility is nothing to write home about, as patients are treated with contempt and to some extent subjected to insult and disdain. The attitude of some of these health service providers is said to be having serious repercussions on health service delivery in the region. This unfortunate development moreover remains a major public concern and a serious challenge to quality care. The situation has undeniably compelled some clients to resort to self medication since they are not given the needed care and attention they deserve from their health providers. Some patients who spoke to Radio Ghana on condition of anonymity suggested lack of discipline as the major cause of this negative attitude and called for attitudinal change since it deepening their woes. To them, much is expected from health professionals manning the various health facilities in the region, and that, if care is not taken, people will resort to the traditional way of treating ailments, which to them is dangerous since they would be exposed to quack and unprofessional healers in the system. To them, such negative attitudes and behaviours are imported from the various health training institutions into the Ghana Health Service. A teacher by profession, Madam Rosina Abila, who vehemently spoke to Radio Ghana, charged the principals and heads of the various health training institutions in the region to do a thorough background check on students recruited into their schools to help stem the problem, which she indicated could assume a disastrous dimension when not approached with tall the seriousness it deserves. She also challenged the GHS to institute punitive measures against any health professional caught maltreating a client stressing that the problem when not looked into, would continue to be an obstacle militating against maternal and infant mortality in the region’s health sector delivery. Reacting to the issue, the Medical Director of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Dr. Peter Baffuor, said the attitude of some health staff had been a source of worry to the health sector of the region, considering their effort in addressing most of the health challenges confronting the region and touched on the inadequate doctors and nurses to man the facility. He said management as part of effort in dealing with the situation has instituted the issuance of identity cards (ID) to all staff of the hospital, and are yet to give directive to all principals of health training institutions to provide ID cards for their students serving at the various health centres . Dr. Baffuor appealed to patients to lodge their complaint at the front desk of the hospital, where a complaint box has been provided and be ready and willing to expose any staff that misbehaves towards them. He later took the opportunity to urge all staff to show love and compassion to their clients since they are mandated to serve the people and not to worsen their pain and suffering. Dr. Baffour said management will deal decisively with any staff found culpable to serve as deterrent to others.
GBC END IA
The attitude of some health service providers at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital particularly, qualified and student nurses is steadily retrogressing despite several cautions by senior health officials at the hospital. Information reaching Radio Ghana indicates that services rendered to clients patronizing the health facility is nothing to write home about, as patients are treated with contempt and to some extent subjected to insult and disdain. The attitude of some of these health service providers is said to be having serious repercussions on health service delivery in the region. This unfortunate development moreover remains a major public concern and a serious challenge to quality care. The situation has undeniably compelled some clients to resort to self medication since they are not given the needed care and attention they deserve from their health providers. Some patients who spoke to Radio Ghana on condition of anonymity suggested lack of discipline as the major cause of this negative attitude and called for attitudinal change since it deepening their woes. To them, much is expected from health professionals manning the various health facilities in the region, and that, if care is not taken, people will resort to the traditional way of treating ailments, which to them is dangerous since they would be exposed to quack and unprofessional healers in the system. To them, such negative attitudes and behaviours are imported from the various health training institutions into the Ghana Health Service. A teacher by profession, Madam Rosina Abila, who vehemently spoke to Radio Ghana, charged the principals and heads of the various health training institutions in the region to do a thorough background check on students recruited into their schools to help stem the problem, which she indicated could assume a disastrous dimension when not approached with tall the seriousness it deserves. She also challenged the GHS to institute punitive measures against any health professional caught maltreating a client stressing that the problem when not looked into, would continue to be an obstacle militating against maternal and infant mortality in the region’s health sector delivery. Reacting to the issue, the Medical Director of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Dr. Peter Baffuor, said the attitude of some health staff had been a source of worry to the health sector of the region, considering their effort in addressing most of the health challenges confronting the region and touched on the inadequate doctors and nurses to man the facility. He said management as part of effort in dealing with the situation has instituted the issuance of identity cards (ID) to all staff of the hospital, and are yet to give directive to all principals of health training institutions to provide ID cards for their students serving at the various health centres . Dr. Baffuor appealed to patients to lodge their complaint at the front desk of the hospital, where a complaint box has been provided and be ready and willing to expose any staff that misbehaves towards them. He later took the opportunity to urge all staff to show love and compassion to their clients since they are mandated to serve the people and not to worsen their pain and suffering. Dr. Baffour said management will deal decisively with any staff found culpable to serve as deterrent to others.
GBC END IA
Monday, 11 April 2011
MP for Chiana-Paga hopeful to win upcoming NPP primary
11-04-2011
A legal practitioner and Member of Parliament (MP) for Chiana-Paga Constituency of the Upper East Region, Hon. Leo Kabbah Alowe has expressed hope of retaining his seat for the second time running in order to enable him execute his developmental agenda. Mr. Kabbah Alowe, who was addressing delegates and constituency executives of the New Patriotic Party in his constituency at Paga, said is poised to defeat his number on contender, Clement Dandori, in April, 30 primary and go ahead to retain the parliamentary seat for the party come December, 2012. According to him he has worked tirelessly to deserve another chance as parliamentary candidate, emphasizing that his constituency has witnessed massive infrastructural development that cut across all sectors of the economy particularly in the area of education. This, he noted, is an ample indication that he is the right choice to lead of his people unto the promise land. Mr. Kabbah Alowe said though recent research conducted in his constituency attest to the fact that he is clearly ahead of his opponent in the forthcoming primary, he will continue to intensify his campaign and not relent on his effort to propel the development of the area. He added that as parliament was on recess, he would get ample time to conduct his campaign to ensure massive victory over his challenger. He therefore called on electorates as well as constituency executives and sympathizers to rally their support behind him to ensure massive victory. He acknowledged the effort of his challenger, but was quick to add that despite his effort in canvassing vote ahead of the primary, nothing can stop the delegates from voting massively for him. Mr. Kabbah Alowe, later in interview with Radio Ghana, disputed claim of causing internal wrangling and disunity among party members by his opponent, and described such assertions as null and void with no iota of truth. Such rumours he noted is a calculated attempt to dent his image and also to tarnish his hard won reputation. He said as candidates fighting for a just cause, there is the need to desist from divisive tendencies that that are likely to cause disintegration among party faithfuls but rather exercise circumspection in utterances conveyed to sympathizers in order not to inflame passion and cause spark off violence. He however called on the rank and file of the party to ion out their differences and vote for him so that together they can wrestle power from the incumbent come December, 2012. He also urged party members not rest on their oars but rather contribute towards the party’s victory next year. At the latter part of his message, Mr. Kabbah Alowe called on all political parties to refrain from politics of insult, rancour and acrimony since they have the tendency of redrawing the country’s developmental agenda backwards. The Deputy Constituency Women’s Organizer, Elizabeth Atutiga, in a brief message to delegates and party executives, assured the women’s support for the MP to continue his developmental agenda in the area of education, since it is his topmost priority. Mrs. Atutiga said the NPP as a party stands for peace and democracy and encouraged party members to remain united at all times.
GBC END IA/
A legal practitioner and Member of Parliament (MP) for Chiana-Paga Constituency of the Upper East Region, Hon. Leo Kabbah Alowe has expressed hope of retaining his seat for the second time running in order to enable him execute his developmental agenda. Mr. Kabbah Alowe, who was addressing delegates and constituency executives of the New Patriotic Party in his constituency at Paga, said is poised to defeat his number on contender, Clement Dandori, in April, 30 primary and go ahead to retain the parliamentary seat for the party come December, 2012. According to him he has worked tirelessly to deserve another chance as parliamentary candidate, emphasizing that his constituency has witnessed massive infrastructural development that cut across all sectors of the economy particularly in the area of education. This, he noted, is an ample indication that he is the right choice to lead of his people unto the promise land. Mr. Kabbah Alowe said though recent research conducted in his constituency attest to the fact that he is clearly ahead of his opponent in the forthcoming primary, he will continue to intensify his campaign and not relent on his effort to propel the development of the area. He added that as parliament was on recess, he would get ample time to conduct his campaign to ensure massive victory over his challenger. He therefore called on electorates as well as constituency executives and sympathizers to rally their support behind him to ensure massive victory. He acknowledged the effort of his challenger, but was quick to add that despite his effort in canvassing vote ahead of the primary, nothing can stop the delegates from voting massively for him. Mr. Kabbah Alowe, later in interview with Radio Ghana, disputed claim of causing internal wrangling and disunity among party members by his opponent, and described such assertions as null and void with no iota of truth. Such rumours he noted is a calculated attempt to dent his image and also to tarnish his hard won reputation. He said as candidates fighting for a just cause, there is the need to desist from divisive tendencies that that are likely to cause disintegration among party faithfuls but rather exercise circumspection in utterances conveyed to sympathizers in order not to inflame passion and cause spark off violence. He however called on the rank and file of the party to ion out their differences and vote for him so that together they can wrestle power from the incumbent come December, 2012. He also urged party members not rest on their oars but rather contribute towards the party’s victory next year. At the latter part of his message, Mr. Kabbah Alowe called on all political parties to refrain from politics of insult, rancour and acrimony since they have the tendency of redrawing the country’s developmental agenda backwards. The Deputy Constituency Women’s Organizer, Elizabeth Atutiga, in a brief message to delegates and party executives, assured the women’s support for the MP to continue his developmental agenda in the area of education, since it is his topmost priority. Mrs. Atutiga said the NPP as a party stands for peace and democracy and encouraged party members to remain united at all times.
GBC END IA/
Friday, 8 April 2011
Call to Speed up Appointment of a New MCE for Bolgatanga
08-04-2011
The government has been charged to as a matter of urgency speed up the process of appointing a new substantive Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly to facilitate the daily development activities and programmes of the municipality. This appeal was made by the Interim President of the Upper East Youth Association, Jonathan Adabre Atia, at a press briefing held in Bolgatanga. The concern of the youth group follows the termination of appointment of the former Municipal Chief Executive, Epsona Ayamga, thus, creating a vacuum within the local government system of the assembly. This unfortunate development, they claim, has to a greater extent, brought a number of developmental projects to a standstill, considering the provision of the Local Government Act, 1993, Act 462 of the 1992 constitution, stipulating the core function of District Chief Executives. The said provisions enshrined in the constitution mandates the district chief executive to be responsible for the day-to-day performance of the executive and administrative functions of the District assembly. This draws to the conclusion that without a Chief Executive representing the central government in the municipality with additional functions presiding on meetings of Executive committee, no meaningful development can be carried out. According to the youth group, it is the poor and the vulnerable that bear the consequences of such instances due to their over reliance on government’s interventions and policies to survive. Giving the challenging sanitation problems bedeviling the Bolgatanga municipality, the group appealed to the President to consider appointing a person with an unbeatable track record in environmental cleanliness to help deal with the sanitation problems facing the area. This they claim would make the municipality reclaim its past glory with regards to environmental cleanliness. The group later expressed their support for any person appointed as new MCE for Bolgatanga in the fight against filth in the municipality and its environs. The group therefore reiterated the need for government to appoint a new substantive MCE for Bolgatanga, stressing that government should consider appointing a person capable of attending to the plight of the citizenry particularly, the youth.
GBC END IA/
The government has been charged to as a matter of urgency speed up the process of appointing a new substantive Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly to facilitate the daily development activities and programmes of the municipality. This appeal was made by the Interim President of the Upper East Youth Association, Jonathan Adabre Atia, at a press briefing held in Bolgatanga. The concern of the youth group follows the termination of appointment of the former Municipal Chief Executive, Epsona Ayamga, thus, creating a vacuum within the local government system of the assembly. This unfortunate development, they claim, has to a greater extent, brought a number of developmental projects to a standstill, considering the provision of the Local Government Act, 1993, Act 462 of the 1992 constitution, stipulating the core function of District Chief Executives. The said provisions enshrined in the constitution mandates the district chief executive to be responsible for the day-to-day performance of the executive and administrative functions of the District assembly. This draws to the conclusion that without a Chief Executive representing the central government in the municipality with additional functions presiding on meetings of Executive committee, no meaningful development can be carried out. According to the youth group, it is the poor and the vulnerable that bear the consequences of such instances due to their over reliance on government’s interventions and policies to survive. Giving the challenging sanitation problems bedeviling the Bolgatanga municipality, the group appealed to the President to consider appointing a person with an unbeatable track record in environmental cleanliness to help deal with the sanitation problems facing the area. This they claim would make the municipality reclaim its past glory with regards to environmental cleanliness. The group later expressed their support for any person appointed as new MCE for Bolgatanga in the fight against filth in the municipality and its environs. The group therefore reiterated the need for government to appoint a new substantive MCE for Bolgatanga, stressing that government should consider appointing a person capable of attending to the plight of the citizenry particularly, the youth.
GBC END IA/
SMEs tasked to seek advisory support services
08-04-2011
Narration: Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) have been encouraged to seek advisory support services and training from relevant key stakeholders to enhance the growth of their businesses. The Managing Director Eximguaranty Company Ghana Limited, Felicity Acquah, who gave the advice in an interview with Radio Ghana at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, noted that such training services improves the technical and managerial competencies of SMSs and moreover propel the growth of their activities on a high pedestal. Here is a report filed by Isaac Asare
CUE IN
END CUE
ANCR V/O
Report
With the mandate of enhancing the capacity of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and exporters to access credit from lending institutions, Eximguaranty Company Ghana Limited began as a policy initiative in 1994 to have a privately incorporated firm to facilitate access to credit between SMEs in the export and productive sectors and mainstream financial institutions. The company operates effectively with frontline financial institutions and has the ability of providing financial solutions that boost the overall productivity and growth prospects of their beneficiary clients. Speaking to Radio Ghana, Mrs. Acquah expressed grave concern about the lack of sustainability among some business entities, particularly those in the private sector, which she indicated, is regarded as the engine of the country’s economic growth and development. She observed that some companies especially SMSs are still battling to fulfil their financial obligations to sustain their businesses but lack the needed experience and the technical knowhow to deal with their financial burden. This, she said, sometimes compels businesses to collapse under debts owed to lenders. Mrs. Acquah therefore encouraged the various business outlets to initiate moves aimed at addressing their financial challenges for the development of their respective companies. She also urged them to seek advisory support services in the form of business counseling services from relevant stakeholders to ensure the growth of their businesses. She said at a recent workshop held in Kumasi for SMEs and contractor clients on the theme: “Improving the business of SMEs through credit guarantees: the role of Eximguaranty Ghana Limited” participants were afforded the opportunity to learn more about ways of tackling their financial difficulties. The workshop which was heavily attended by relevant stakeholders from the private sector, resource persons, the media as well as participating clients among others was to create the needed awareness for SMEs to subscribe to business counseling services, which she pointed out, are provided upon submission of applications. Mrs. Acquah later took the opportunity to advice SMEs and clients to call on the services of Eximguaranty Company, since their mission is to facilitate the flow of credit guarantees and general financial risk management solutions to prospective clients. She also called on eligible business sectors involved in the area of exportation to seek the services of Eximguaranty Company to enhance their financial status.
Narration: Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) have been encouraged to seek advisory support services and training from relevant key stakeholders to enhance the growth of their businesses. The Managing Director Eximguaranty Company Ghana Limited, Felicity Acquah, who gave the advice in an interview with Radio Ghana at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, noted that such training services improves the technical and managerial competencies of SMSs and moreover propel the growth of their activities on a high pedestal. Here is a report filed by Isaac Asare
CUE IN
END CUE
ANCR V/O
Report
With the mandate of enhancing the capacity of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and exporters to access credit from lending institutions, Eximguaranty Company Ghana Limited began as a policy initiative in 1994 to have a privately incorporated firm to facilitate access to credit between SMEs in the export and productive sectors and mainstream financial institutions. The company operates effectively with frontline financial institutions and has the ability of providing financial solutions that boost the overall productivity and growth prospects of their beneficiary clients. Speaking to Radio Ghana, Mrs. Acquah expressed grave concern about the lack of sustainability among some business entities, particularly those in the private sector, which she indicated, is regarded as the engine of the country’s economic growth and development. She observed that some companies especially SMSs are still battling to fulfil their financial obligations to sustain their businesses but lack the needed experience and the technical knowhow to deal with their financial burden. This, she said, sometimes compels businesses to collapse under debts owed to lenders. Mrs. Acquah therefore encouraged the various business outlets to initiate moves aimed at addressing their financial challenges for the development of their respective companies. She also urged them to seek advisory support services in the form of business counseling services from relevant stakeholders to ensure the growth of their businesses. She said at a recent workshop held in Kumasi for SMEs and contractor clients on the theme: “Improving the business of SMEs through credit guarantees: the role of Eximguaranty Ghana Limited” participants were afforded the opportunity to learn more about ways of tackling their financial difficulties. The workshop which was heavily attended by relevant stakeholders from the private sector, resource persons, the media as well as participating clients among others was to create the needed awareness for SMEs to subscribe to business counseling services, which she pointed out, are provided upon submission of applications. Mrs. Acquah later took the opportunity to advice SMEs and clients to call on the services of Eximguaranty Company, since their mission is to facilitate the flow of credit guarantees and general financial risk management solutions to prospective clients. She also called on eligible business sectors involved in the area of exportation to seek the services of Eximguaranty Company to enhance their financial status.
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Developmental Projects in Bawku on courses despite years of Violence
2011
Narration: Some officials of the Bawku Municipal Assembly have taken the media round to inspect a number of developmental projects being undertaken by the assembly in the municipality. The purpose of the tour which was done under the directive of the District Chief Executive, Musa Abdullai, was not only to witness the progress of work but the quality of work executed to ensure that the assembly gets value for its projects despite the violent conflict that characterized the area. Radio Ghana’s Isaac Asare was among the team and has filed this report.
CUE IN
END CUE
ANCR V/O
Report
The tour led by the Bawku Municipal Engineer, Samuael Okore, began with the inspection of rehabilitation works taking place at the Municipal Administration block to give it a face lift. Work on the project was delayed due to lack of funds. According to the Municipal Engineer, much has been injected into the project, stressing that its completion coupled with the laying of pavement blocks would ensure effective working environment for all decentralized departments in the assembly. The inspection team also took the media round to inspect some health facilities sponsored by the assembly. The inspection team witnessed the construction of an ongoing health centre and staff quarters for the people of Tinsongo and its environs. The main butchers’ house was not left out of the inspected projects as a new slap has been provided for them to facilitate their operations. Other GETFund projects for some second cycle institutions in the municipality were also inspected by the team. At the Bawku Secondary Technical, a 12-unit classroom block had been roofed but yet to be finally executed and handed over to the school to ease the problem of inadequate classroom accommodation for students. An administration block which is still ongoing was cited opposite the newly constructed classroom block for staff of the school. Students were seriously taking their end of term examination at the time the team arrived at the school. The Headmistress, Madam Elizabeth Apillbil commended the government and the district assembly for taking prudent steps in ensuring the provision of the two projects which, she said, would go a long way to ease the school’s numerous accommodation challenges. She said the school since its inception has not experience any rehabilitation project and lack requisite teaching staff and quatres for teachers. This, she lamented, poses a major challenge to the delivery of quality education in the school. Mr. Tuuli complain bitterly about the lack of classroom accommodation for the over 1,700 students of the school. According to him, the school operates with only 11 classrooms as against the said student population. Mr. Tuuli, however made a passionate appeal to the government and the assembly to help provide more classroom accommodation for the school and also ensure the speedy completion of an ongoing girl’s dormitory and an 8-unit classroom block, which is still at the foundation stage. The abandoned project, according to Mr. Tuuli, has been a source of worry to the school and called on other organizations and individuals to assist in ensuring the completion of the project. He commended the government and the Regional Minister for the renovation of the 3-storey boys’ dormitory which he noted was in a deplorable state. An ongoing 12-unit classroom block among other projects for the Bawku Secondary school, were also inspected during the tour. At the Basic level, an ongoing 3-unit classroom block for the Boko Primary school was not left out of the inspected projects. Some borehole projects were also inspected by the team as the Chief of Boko expressed his gratitude to the government for solving their water problem by providing them with a borehole facility to serve the community. At Tempalin, an irrigation dam project expected to serve over 500 farmers was also inspected. The Bawku MCE, Musa Abdullai said the assembly would continue to give priority attention to education since it holds the key to development. He appealed to government for the early release of funds to enable the assembly fast track its developmental agenda.
END
Narration: Some officials of the Bawku Municipal Assembly have taken the media round to inspect a number of developmental projects being undertaken by the assembly in the municipality. The purpose of the tour which was done under the directive of the District Chief Executive, Musa Abdullai, was not only to witness the progress of work but the quality of work executed to ensure that the assembly gets value for its projects despite the violent conflict that characterized the area. Radio Ghana’s Isaac Asare was among the team and has filed this report.
CUE IN
END CUE
ANCR V/O
Report
The tour led by the Bawku Municipal Engineer, Samuael Okore, began with the inspection of rehabilitation works taking place at the Municipal Administration block to give it a face lift. Work on the project was delayed due to lack of funds. According to the Municipal Engineer, much has been injected into the project, stressing that its completion coupled with the laying of pavement blocks would ensure effective working environment for all decentralized departments in the assembly. The inspection team also took the media round to inspect some health facilities sponsored by the assembly. The inspection team witnessed the construction of an ongoing health centre and staff quarters for the people of Tinsongo and its environs. The main butchers’ house was not left out of the inspected projects as a new slap has been provided for them to facilitate their operations. Other GETFund projects for some second cycle institutions in the municipality were also inspected by the team. At the Bawku Secondary Technical, a 12-unit classroom block had been roofed but yet to be finally executed and handed over to the school to ease the problem of inadequate classroom accommodation for students. An administration block which is still ongoing was cited opposite the newly constructed classroom block for staff of the school. Students were seriously taking their end of term examination at the time the team arrived at the school. The Headmistress, Madam Elizabeth Apillbil commended the government and the district assembly for taking prudent steps in ensuring the provision of the two projects which, she said, would go a long way to ease the school’s numerous accommodation challenges. She said the school since its inception has not experience any rehabilitation project and lack requisite teaching staff and quatres for teachers. This, she lamented, poses a major challenge to the delivery of quality education in the school. Mr. Tuuli complain bitterly about the lack of classroom accommodation for the over 1,700 students of the school. According to him, the school operates with only 11 classrooms as against the said student population. Mr. Tuuli, however made a passionate appeal to the government and the assembly to help provide more classroom accommodation for the school and also ensure the speedy completion of an ongoing girl’s dormitory and an 8-unit classroom block, which is still at the foundation stage. The abandoned project, according to Mr. Tuuli, has been a source of worry to the school and called on other organizations and individuals to assist in ensuring the completion of the project. He commended the government and the Regional Minister for the renovation of the 3-storey boys’ dormitory which he noted was in a deplorable state. An ongoing 12-unit classroom block among other projects for the Bawku Secondary school, were also inspected during the tour. At the Basic level, an ongoing 3-unit classroom block for the Boko Primary school was not left out of the inspected projects. Some borehole projects were also inspected by the team as the Chief of Boko expressed his gratitude to the government for solving their water problem by providing them with a borehole facility to serve the community. At Tempalin, an irrigation dam project expected to serve over 500 farmers was also inspected. The Bawku MCE, Musa Abdullai said the assembly would continue to give priority attention to education since it holds the key to development. He appealed to government for the early release of funds to enable the assembly fast track its developmental agenda.
END
Bawku Municipal Assembly Exceeds Revenue Target
06-04-2011
The Bawku Municipal Assembly has for the year 2009/2010 exceeded its revenue target despite the violent conflict. The year 2009 recorded a 60 percent increase of about 280,000 Ghana Cedis as its internal revenue mobilisation as against projected revenue of 174,540. Consequently the assembly for the year 2010 increase its internal revenue base to the tune of 515,952 Ghana Cedis exceeding a target revenue of 431,400 representing a 20 percent increase. The Bawku Municipal Chief Executive who disclosed this to Radio Ghana at Bawku attributed the success story to the tireless effort put up by revenue collectors in the municipality. This, he explained, was as a result of pragmatic steps instituted by the assembly to enhance its revenue base. Various interventional strategies, he added, were adopted in achieving that remarkable increase in the revenue base of the assembly. He indicated that revenue collectors were trained on technicalities of writing and issuing of receipts, as quarterly review meetings were also organized for them to assess their performance. Landing and exit fees were also collected at the various check point for the purpose of monitoring. Hard working revenue collection staffs were also provided with motivational packages to boost their activities. This and other strategies according to the MCE were adopted in achieving the success of the assembly exceeding it revenue base. He stress that the assembly would not relent on its effort to increase its revenue mobilization and stress that his outfit in collaboration with other key stakeholders, are working around the clock to ensure further development in the area through its internal revenue generation. He described the development in the revenue sector as commendable, emphasizing that the assembly in the subsequent years would achieved more in the area of revenue generation, only if the peace currently enjoyed by the people of the area is sustained. Mr. Abdullai lamented that the assembly could not achieve much in areas like property rates, rates on animal as well as basic rate among others. In view of this unfortunate development, the assembly is developing new strategies to haul in the revenue, as this will include the ceding of some rates and fees to the substructures. With regards to revenue collected at the various check points, Mr. Abdulallai disclosed that plans are far advance to provide check offices for officers manning the various check points to ensure a 24 hour operation and called on the people to respond actively to their tax obligations to help the assembly achieve its developmental agenda.
GBC END IA/
The Bawku Municipal Assembly has for the year 2009/2010 exceeded its revenue target despite the violent conflict. The year 2009 recorded a 60 percent increase of about 280,000 Ghana Cedis as its internal revenue mobilisation as against projected revenue of 174,540. Consequently the assembly for the year 2010 increase its internal revenue base to the tune of 515,952 Ghana Cedis exceeding a target revenue of 431,400 representing a 20 percent increase. The Bawku Municipal Chief Executive who disclosed this to Radio Ghana at Bawku attributed the success story to the tireless effort put up by revenue collectors in the municipality. This, he explained, was as a result of pragmatic steps instituted by the assembly to enhance its revenue base. Various interventional strategies, he added, were adopted in achieving that remarkable increase in the revenue base of the assembly. He indicated that revenue collectors were trained on technicalities of writing and issuing of receipts, as quarterly review meetings were also organized for them to assess their performance. Landing and exit fees were also collected at the various check point for the purpose of monitoring. Hard working revenue collection staffs were also provided with motivational packages to boost their activities. This and other strategies according to the MCE were adopted in achieving the success of the assembly exceeding it revenue base. He stress that the assembly would not relent on its effort to increase its revenue mobilization and stress that his outfit in collaboration with other key stakeholders, are working around the clock to ensure further development in the area through its internal revenue generation. He described the development in the revenue sector as commendable, emphasizing that the assembly in the subsequent years would achieved more in the area of revenue generation, only if the peace currently enjoyed by the people of the area is sustained. Mr. Abdullai lamented that the assembly could not achieve much in areas like property rates, rates on animal as well as basic rate among others. In view of this unfortunate development, the assembly is developing new strategies to haul in the revenue, as this will include the ceding of some rates and fees to the substructures. With regards to revenue collected at the various check points, Mr. Abdulallai disclosed that plans are far advance to provide check offices for officers manning the various check points to ensure a 24 hour operation and called on the people to respond actively to their tax obligations to help the assembly achieve its developmental agenda.
GBC END IA/
Rescind your decision and come to the negotiating table: Bawku MCE cries
Narration: The Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, Musa Abdullai has described as regrettable the withdrawal of the Mamprusi side of the Bawku Inter ethnic Peace Committee due to a misunderstanding which he said could only be resolved within the group. In a press briefing held at Bawku, Mr. Abdullai disclosed that the conflict in Bawku coupled with the declaration of the curfew and ban on motor bike riding by males had greatly affected both economic and social life of the people and called on residents to refrain from negativities that could disturb the peace process in the area. He therefore called on the media to as a matter of concern use their medium to appeal to the Mamprusi side of the committee to rescind their decision and come back to the negotiating table for absolute peace to be restored. Here is a report by Isaac Asare
CUE IN
END CUE
ANCRV/O
Report
Addressing the media, the Bawku MCE, Musa Abdullai disclosed that the policy of government as part of its effort in executing its “Better Ghana” agenda is to work tirelessly to reverse the declining economy, the wailing social infrastructure and to bring peace, prosperity, and discipline into the life of the people, hence the need to desist from activities that could distract the said objective. On the state of security in Bawku, Mr Abdullai said efforts by government and relevant stakeholders has ensured relative peace in the area, but was quick to condemn the decision of the Mamprusi faction for their withdrawal in the peace process and express the hope that much effort would be made to ensure their return. According to him such petty squabbles justify the continues curfew and ban on motor bike riding by males which he said has in a way affected business activities as well as the social life of the people. He added that with peace improving, efforts are underway to better the lives of the people, stressing that the area has achieved tremendous development in the area of revenue mobilization despite the conflict. Mr. Abdullai pointed out that the area has for the past two years exceeded its revenue base as against the projected revenue targets set by the assembly and attributed the success story to a number of prudent measures instituted by the assembly. To him, the area could achieve more success only if the current peace enjoyed by the people is sustained with the Mamprusi faction returning to the peace process. Other sectors of the economy, he indicated have experienced remarkable growth and development due to support from the government and other interventional key stakeholders. Mr. Abdullai acknowledged the enormous contribution of the various stakeholders including BEWDA, the Upper East Caucus of Members of Parliament, and the West African Network for Peace (WANEP) the media, as well as members of the Inter Ethnic peace committee for ensuring the prevailing peace in Bawku. Current security situation in Bawku, he noted is commendable and appealed to residents to desist from negativities that could undermine the relative stability in the area. Fuel smuggling, he said, has decreased tremendously due to the ban on motor bike riding by males and thanked the security forces for their efforts. During question time, the media were particularly concerned about the illegal settlement of squatters along the border post of Ghana and Burkina Faso and called on the MCE and the authorities concern to act swiftly in dealing with the situation since their stay poses security threat. In response, the MCE urged to the media to exercise restraint since his outfit and the security agencies are on top of the issue and are initiating moves to deal with the perpetrators.
--END--
CUE IN
END CUE
ANCRV/O
Report
Addressing the media, the Bawku MCE, Musa Abdullai disclosed that the policy of government as part of its effort in executing its “Better Ghana” agenda is to work tirelessly to reverse the declining economy, the wailing social infrastructure and to bring peace, prosperity, and discipline into the life of the people, hence the need to desist from activities that could distract the said objective. On the state of security in Bawku, Mr Abdullai said efforts by government and relevant stakeholders has ensured relative peace in the area, but was quick to condemn the decision of the Mamprusi faction for their withdrawal in the peace process and express the hope that much effort would be made to ensure their return. According to him such petty squabbles justify the continues curfew and ban on motor bike riding by males which he said has in a way affected business activities as well as the social life of the people. He added that with peace improving, efforts are underway to better the lives of the people, stressing that the area has achieved tremendous development in the area of revenue mobilization despite the conflict. Mr. Abdullai pointed out that the area has for the past two years exceeded its revenue base as against the projected revenue targets set by the assembly and attributed the success story to a number of prudent measures instituted by the assembly. To him, the area could achieve more success only if the current peace enjoyed by the people is sustained with the Mamprusi faction returning to the peace process. Other sectors of the economy, he indicated have experienced remarkable growth and development due to support from the government and other interventional key stakeholders. Mr. Abdullai acknowledged the enormous contribution of the various stakeholders including BEWDA, the Upper East Caucus of Members of Parliament, and the West African Network for Peace (WANEP) the media, as well as members of the Inter Ethnic peace committee for ensuring the prevailing peace in Bawku. Current security situation in Bawku, he noted is commendable and appealed to residents to desist from negativities that could undermine the relative stability in the area. Fuel smuggling, he said, has decreased tremendously due to the ban on motor bike riding by males and thanked the security forces for their efforts. During question time, the media were particularly concerned about the illegal settlement of squatters along the border post of Ghana and Burkina Faso and called on the MCE and the authorities concern to act swiftly in dealing with the situation since their stay poses security threat. In response, the MCE urged to the media to exercise restraint since his outfit and the security agencies are on top of the issue and are initiating moves to deal with the perpetrators.
--END--
Saturday, 2 April 2011
Graduants receive certificates of completion from officials of ERD
01-04-2011
A team of officials from the Episcopal Relief Development of the Anglican Church of New York, have facilitated the presentation of certificates to 12 graduants of Sherigu Anglican Women Development centre at a ceremony held at Sherigu in the Upper East Region. The presentation of the certificates which was being supported by officials of the Anglican Diocesan Development Relief Organization (ADDRO), brought together a cross section of the public, chiefs, opinion leaders, developmental heads, parents as well as various women groups among others. The graduants underwent a two year training programme leading to the awards of a certificate issued by the centre under the National Vocational Training Institute. They were taken through various skills training with support from ERD and ADDRO. Given the welcome address the Project Manager of the Sherigu Anglican Women Development Centre, Madam Juliet Abajong said her outfit since its establishment in 1986, has trained women and girls to acquire various skill training including dressmaking, basketry, as well as the production of batik tie and dye. She said under an ADDRO sponsored projects, the centre also provides leadership and capacity building training programmes aside the main courses offered by the centre. Additionally, students are moreover, offered the opportunity to study lessons in financial management to equip them in the management of their finances. Madam Abajong disclosed that financial assistance in the form of micro credit scheme is given to some women groups within the community and the municipality in general. According to her, 67 women groups with a total number of 1,005 members have for the period of January up to date, benefited from the scheme and are currently engaged in numerous income generating activities. The centre, she further stated, has also supported 7 women famer groups with soya bean and groundnuts seeds to increase their food productivity. Madam later in an interview with Radio Ghana expressed her appreciation to the team and ADDRO for their continuous support over the years and called on other benevolent organizations to assist the centre addresses some of its numerous challenges. She was also grateful to the chiefs and people of Kalbeon and sherigu for maintaining their cordial relationship with the centre and encouraged more girls to be enrolled into the centre so that they can acquire employable skills to enhance their livelihood. The leader of the delegation from ERD, Canon Bonnie Andersson assured the centre of the team’s continuous support and urged them to work tirelessly to sustain the centre and also attract more girls to acquire skills of their choice. An exhibition exercise was later held to inspect products made by the beneficiary graduants.
GBC END IA/
A team of officials from the Episcopal Relief Development of the Anglican Church of New York, have facilitated the presentation of certificates to 12 graduants of Sherigu Anglican Women Development centre at a ceremony held at Sherigu in the Upper East Region. The presentation of the certificates which was being supported by officials of the Anglican Diocesan Development Relief Organization (ADDRO), brought together a cross section of the public, chiefs, opinion leaders, developmental heads, parents as well as various women groups among others. The graduants underwent a two year training programme leading to the awards of a certificate issued by the centre under the National Vocational Training Institute. They were taken through various skills training with support from ERD and ADDRO. Given the welcome address the Project Manager of the Sherigu Anglican Women Development Centre, Madam Juliet Abajong said her outfit since its establishment in 1986, has trained women and girls to acquire various skill training including dressmaking, basketry, as well as the production of batik tie and dye. She said under an ADDRO sponsored projects, the centre also provides leadership and capacity building training programmes aside the main courses offered by the centre. Additionally, students are moreover, offered the opportunity to study lessons in financial management to equip them in the management of their finances. Madam Abajong disclosed that financial assistance in the form of micro credit scheme is given to some women groups within the community and the municipality in general. According to her, 67 women groups with a total number of 1,005 members have for the period of January up to date, benefited from the scheme and are currently engaged in numerous income generating activities. The centre, she further stated, has also supported 7 women famer groups with soya bean and groundnuts seeds to increase their food productivity. Madam later in an interview with Radio Ghana expressed her appreciation to the team and ADDRO for their continuous support over the years and called on other benevolent organizations to assist the centre addresses some of its numerous challenges. She was also grateful to the chiefs and people of Kalbeon and sherigu for maintaining their cordial relationship with the centre and encouraged more girls to be enrolled into the centre so that they can acquire employable skills to enhance their livelihood. The leader of the delegation from ERD, Canon Bonnie Andersson assured the centre of the team’s continuous support and urged them to work tirelessly to sustain the centre and also attract more girls to acquire skills of their choice. An exhibition exercise was later held to inspect products made by the beneficiary graduants.
GBC END IA/
Radio Builsa is 3 Years old
02-04-2011
Narration: The Regional Director of GBC URA Radio, Bolgatanga, Mohammed Tahiru Abdul Razak, has encouraged the management of the various community radio stations nationwide to put in place sound financial management and design programmes that can run with low operational costs to help ensure the sustainability of their outlets. Delivering a lecture as part of activities marking the 3rd anniversary celebration of Radio Builsa in Sandema, Abdul Razak recommended the creation of a governing board for community radio stations to set out policies and programme that could help generate income for the smooth running of their operations. The event which was marked with a colourful durbar amidst drumming and dancing was celebrated on the theme: Popular Participation in Governance for Sustainable Development: The Role of Community Radio”. Isaac Asare was there for Radio Ghana.
CUE IN
END CUE
ANCR V/O
Report
Delivering a lecture on the topic: “Popular Participation, Public Policy and Sustainable Development-the Role of Community Radio, Mr. Razak took participants through the concept of popular participation as well as the social impact of community radio stations in society and urged beneficiaries to use the community radio outlets to express their sentiments on issues affecting their lives. He also advised the people to use the radio as a tool for development by contributing their quota to the country’s democratic dispensation. This, he said is vital, since effective popular participation depends on the public having access to accurate and comprehensive information at all levels. He said the right to popular participation is enshrined by law and may be advanced in the context of equality and group right, meant to ensure equal and full participation of a designated group in society. He further stated that every citizen have the right to be involved in the decision process of the country, hence the need to demand accountability from duty bearers through information provided for public consumption. Mr. Razak later touched on measures that need to be undertaken to ensure the sustainability of community radio stations which he described as a type of radio service that offers a model of broadcast beyond commercial and public service capable of serving geographic communities and communities of interest. He said in order to ensure sustainability, community radio stations should adapt to prudent financial skills capable of generating income and subsequently acquire the necessary journalistic skills to produce quality programming. Mr. Razak charged community radio station to work in the confines of the localities and not operate beyond their boundaries to incur more cost to their finances. He therefore called for the speedy passage of the freedom of Information bill into law to enable media and other citizens have access to public information in Ghana and also help enhance activities of community radio stations. Speaking on the topic: Challenges and prospects of Community Broadcasting in Northern Ghana”, the Executive Director of Radio Builsa, Mr. Richard Alandu acknowledged the contribution of community radio stations and urged all and sundry to assist them achieve their set objectives. He mentioned lack of skilled personnel and funding as some of the factors militating against their operations and appeal to residents of the district to come to their aid to sustain the station, which, he noted, is at the verge of collapse due to debts owed to ECG and other service providers. Mr. Alandu, however appealed to government and the assembly to assist in addressing the financial challenges of community radio stations to help in the promotion of good governance. He also called for effective partnership between the stations and the assemblies. The Builsa District Chief Executive, Norbert Awulley, commended the Builsa Community Radio for their effort in the dissemination of information to the public and stressed on the need to build the capacity of personnel manning the stations. The DCE charged Staff of the station to exercise their duties with circumspection since they are working in the interest of the communities they serve. He assured them of the assembly’s support in their quest to addressing issues of great interest.
Narration: The Regional Director of GBC URA Radio, Bolgatanga, Mohammed Tahiru Abdul Razak, has encouraged the management of the various community radio stations nationwide to put in place sound financial management and design programmes that can run with low operational costs to help ensure the sustainability of their outlets. Delivering a lecture as part of activities marking the 3rd anniversary celebration of Radio Builsa in Sandema, Abdul Razak recommended the creation of a governing board for community radio stations to set out policies and programme that could help generate income for the smooth running of their operations. The event which was marked with a colourful durbar amidst drumming and dancing was celebrated on the theme: Popular Participation in Governance for Sustainable Development: The Role of Community Radio”. Isaac Asare was there for Radio Ghana.
CUE IN
END CUE
ANCR V/O
Report
Delivering a lecture on the topic: “Popular Participation, Public Policy and Sustainable Development-the Role of Community Radio, Mr. Razak took participants through the concept of popular participation as well as the social impact of community radio stations in society and urged beneficiaries to use the community radio outlets to express their sentiments on issues affecting their lives. He also advised the people to use the radio as a tool for development by contributing their quota to the country’s democratic dispensation. This, he said is vital, since effective popular participation depends on the public having access to accurate and comprehensive information at all levels. He said the right to popular participation is enshrined by law and may be advanced in the context of equality and group right, meant to ensure equal and full participation of a designated group in society. He further stated that every citizen have the right to be involved in the decision process of the country, hence the need to demand accountability from duty bearers through information provided for public consumption. Mr. Razak later touched on measures that need to be undertaken to ensure the sustainability of community radio stations which he described as a type of radio service that offers a model of broadcast beyond commercial and public service capable of serving geographic communities and communities of interest. He said in order to ensure sustainability, community radio stations should adapt to prudent financial skills capable of generating income and subsequently acquire the necessary journalistic skills to produce quality programming. Mr. Razak charged community radio station to work in the confines of the localities and not operate beyond their boundaries to incur more cost to their finances. He therefore called for the speedy passage of the freedom of Information bill into law to enable media and other citizens have access to public information in Ghana and also help enhance activities of community radio stations. Speaking on the topic: Challenges and prospects of Community Broadcasting in Northern Ghana”, the Executive Director of Radio Builsa, Mr. Richard Alandu acknowledged the contribution of community radio stations and urged all and sundry to assist them achieve their set objectives. He mentioned lack of skilled personnel and funding as some of the factors militating against their operations and appeal to residents of the district to come to their aid to sustain the station, which, he noted, is at the verge of collapse due to debts owed to ECG and other service providers. Mr. Alandu, however appealed to government and the assembly to assist in addressing the financial challenges of community radio stations to help in the promotion of good governance. He also called for effective partnership between the stations and the assemblies. The Builsa District Chief Executive, Norbert Awulley, commended the Builsa Community Radio for their effort in the dissemination of information to the public and stressed on the need to build the capacity of personnel manning the stations. The DCE charged Staff of the station to exercise their duties with circumspection since they are working in the interest of the communities they serve. He assured them of the assembly’s support in their quest to addressing issues of great interest.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)