MOE,GAST to introduce Mobile Science Laboratories in less endowed schools

31-08-2011
Narration: The Ghana Association of Science Teachers (GAST), with support from the Ministry of Education (MOE), has fashion out moves to introduce mobile science laboratories to be used to enhance the teaching of science in remote and less endowed schools in the country. An ECOWAS Science Fair will additionally be staged between member states for the basis of knowledge sharing and acquisition. The President of GAST, Dr. Christian Anthony-Krueger who gave the hint said the move is to help boost the interest of teachers and students in the study of science. Dr. Krueger was speaking at the official opening of the 53rd Annual Conference Workshop of GAST at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.Correspondent Isaac Asare was at the meeting and has the story for radio Ghana
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The Ghana Association of Science Teachers has undoubtedly being the best organized subject teachers’ association in Ghana. With branches in all the ten regions of the country, the association has made modest strives in promoting science teaching and learning at the pre-tertiary level over the years. Additionally, GAST has and continue to polarize science through science fairs and has produced some of the best science textbooks for all levels of education in the country. This year’s conference of GAST attended by over 500 registered science teachers and observers centered on the theme: Science and Technology Education: A tool for Creating Wealth out of Waste. The President of GAST, Dr Krueger in an address said the 4-day conference among other things seeks to deliberate and showcase how waste materials could be utilized and recycled to produce useful materials that can help generate some monetary income through the teaching and learning of science as a subject. He explained that despite giant strives to develop through the use of science and technology the country continues to be a net exporter of raw materials for industries overseas. He observed that the level of scientific technological literacy among the youth constitutes only 44 percent whilst that of adults is nothing to write home about. Relatively, less than 15 percent of Ghanaians aged 15 years and above are scientifically and technologically literate. The situation, he narrated has impacted negatively on the lives of the majority of the people; hence garbage management appears to be an unsurmountable challenge to science in Ghana. According to him science education is expensive since it is a capital intensive venture, stressing that for a country like Ghana to reap the full benefit of science education, the institutions where science teachers are trained must be well resourced to meet the challenges of the ever changing world. He called for concerted effort in ensuring that science education dominates a greater proportion of the curriculum at the basic schools in particular so that students can develop more interest and affinity to the subject. This he noted will enable the country taps all the potential human resource for science and science related programmes. A Retired Science Educationist, Emmanuel Attah Gyamerah, underscored the urgent need to evolve a sustainable solution to poor water and sanitation problem in the country. According to him poor water and sanitation contribute largely to the nation’s poor health and high incidence of infant mortality figures and emphasized that if simple scientific methods are adopted in dealing with waste, then we would be contributing to a healthy environment in which we are assured of good health and prosperity. He therefore challenged scientists to set the agenda for a shift in mentality of the populace to dealing with waste as a resource rather than a material to be discarded. He was of the view that waste management, must begin at the earliest former education where methods for minimizing waste generation, and proper waste disposal and utilization should be taught. The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs Lucy Awuni for her part renewed government’s commitment to providing the needed tool and infrastructure to complement the effort of science teacher in the country. She added that teacher motivation and retention are equally central to government’s educational agenda and charge teachers to put up their best in making science an enjoyable subject.


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NYEP rolls out Youth-in-mining module

28-08-2011

The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo says the National Youth Employment Programme under the reigns of the current administration has chalked significant successes as it has been expanded to benefit more youth in the country. He said the introduction of more modules coupled with a well designed exit plan for beneficiaries of the programme after enrollment, is a true manifestation of government’s determination to drastically reduce the rate of unemployment in the country and the youth in particular. Mr Woyongo disclosed that out of the 16 modules introduced under the NYEP, 12 modules are operational in the Upper East Region employing about 9,535 people. According to him, the Road Maintenance and Water Modules, which will soon take off in the region already has 2,524 beneficiaries recruited onto the module. Speaking to Radio Ghana at Bolgatanga, Mr Woyongo hinted that NYEP has introduced the youth-in –mining module and has been rolled out in areas where there is the threat of illegal mining operations. He said the leadership of the programme is making frantic efforts to roll out the module in parts of the region where illegal mining operations are experienced. This, he noted will address the continuous destruction of lands by the youth in their quest to engage themselves in activities that will sustain their livelihood. Mr Woyongo further disclosed that government is also in the process of giving the NYEP a legal backing, stressing that a bill to this effect is at the cabinet level for consideration. The bill when passed into law will not only give the programme a legal status but it will also enable government to budget adequately for it such that those on the programme can be adequately resourced and exited for the programme to continue and enroll more of the teeming unemployed youth. He said the government has also introduced a lump sum of package for the NYEP beneficiaries who are on payroll to be given to them when they are eventually exiting. In view of this, government deducts 5 Ghana Cedis from their monthly allowances and also adds a contribution of the same amount to make it 10 Ghana Cedis. This, he assured is accumulated for the number of years the beneficiaries serve and would be paid to them by way of lump sum. He said government intends to increase the said amount when the passage of the bill is completely finalized. Mr. Woyongo implored the youth, particularly those in the three regions of the north to take advantage of the various modules introduced under the NYEP so that they can reap the full benefit to enhance their living standard.
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Court restrains Chairman of GPRTU from contesting in upcoming union elections

28-08-2011
Narration: The Bolgatanga Circuit court presided over by, Emmanuel Kofi Sunu, has placed an injunction restricting the current Upper East Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, Godfred Abolbire from contesting in the union’s upcoming regional executive elections, which is expected to take place after Monday, August, 29, 2011. By this court directive, the National Secretariat has decided to fix a new date for the elections though it was schedule to take place today, August, 28. In a statement issued by a group calling itself concerned members of the GPRTU, the ruling of the judge was not a calculated attempt to sabotage or bring the name of an individual into disrepute but was rather in the interest of union members in the region. The statement revealed that the court has directed that the union set up a three man Interim Management Committee to take over the management of the Regional Secretariat of the GPRTU until a new date is fixed for fresh elections. Signatories to the statement namely, Mr Bugre Baba, Chairman of the Zebila branch of the GPRTU, Mohammed Abolbire, and Seidu Abuba among others are of the conviction that, Mr Abolbire was not in a better position to again contest for chairmanship after serving four year term in office because members have lost absolute confidence in him. According to them, though his tenure of office ends today, August, 28, they do not see the need for him to contest in the upcoming elections since he had repeatedly violated the union’s constitution. It explained that during his first term of office from 2003-2007, he was not able to present an audited financial statement to members of the union, thus taking advantage of the silence of the GPRTU constitution on the presentation of financial statement. However, that constitution has since been amended and a new one mandates the Regional Secretariat of the GPRTU under the leadership of the Chairman to employ the services of the government’s audit service to audit accounts of the GPRTU in the region on yearly basis. The Audited Financial statement according to the statement is then presented for discussion attended by Regional and branch executives of the union under the supervision of the National Secretariat. It lamented that since the re-election of Mr Abolbire as chairman of the GPRTU in 2007 to date, the account of the union has never been rendered for auditing, neither has there been a meeting to discuss the account. This, it indicated, is in contravention to the union’s constitution. According to the statement, the chairman and his executives have also failed to render accounts on how much is accrued from other sources of income generated through the union’s dues, which include rents from their stores and proceeds from the union’s Yutong Buses. Quite apart from that, the chairman has failed to convene a meeting among the Regional Executive Council to discuss issues raised at the National level and the progress of the regional branch as stipulated in Article 18 of the GPRTU constitution. This is normally done two weeks after a national Executive Council meeting is held. The statement is therefore calling on the National Secretariat to as a matter of urgency, constitute the interim management committee to run the affairs of the union. The National Secretariat is also being tasked to constitute an independent team to investigate into claims of financial misappropriation, disregard of union members and blatant violation of the GPRTU’s constitution. The statement is moreover calling on all members to contribute in making meaningful inputs that will make the governance of the union more democratic.

Physically challenged poised to winning Navrongo Central Constituency Parliamentary Seat

The Deputy National Co-ordinator of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) in charge of disability and gender, Jacob Atule Adongo, has officially declared his intention to file nominations to contest for the NDC parliamentary primary in the Navrongo Central Constituency parliamentary slot. Mr Adongo, a physically challenged social worker, has therefore appealed to delegates of the NDC in the Navrongo Central Constituency to have confidence in him by electing him as their parliamentary candidate to contest for parliamentary elections come 2012. Addressing party members and delegates of the party in Navrongo, Mr Adongo, who is a product of the University of Ghana and holds a Masters of Arts degree in NGO Management from the University of Stelbush in South Africa, said in spite of his visual impairment, he has what it takes to deliver development in the constituency if given the nod. He said though he has a herculean task of contesting against personalities like the Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo, he is not perturbed because he stands tall among all his contenders. To him, all those who served as MPs for the constituency had misplaced priorities that never had any impact on the lives of the constituents, especially the rural communities. While lauding his main contender, Mr. Woyongo for his excellent administration of the region, Mr. Adongo was of the view that the time has come for the party to give the young ones the chance to prove themselves and therefore called on the party’s delegates to vote for him during the primaries. He mentioned education and job creation as some of his major priorities when he given the nod as the MP for the area, stressing that the two areas are key in breaking the shackles of poverty in the area. “NDC he pointed out professes to have a social democratic philosophy which seeks to cater for the vulnerable in the society as such his disability will not in any way hinder his quest to become the next parliamentary candidate for the party in 2012.” He also mentioned a number of well known people both locally and international such as David Blunkett, British ex-cabinet minister who had vision impairment but have performed creditably and said he is not deterred by those using his condition to campaign against him. Touching on his credentials, Mr. Adongo said as Deputy National Co-ordinator of the NYEP in charge of disability and gender, he has helped to create over 5,000 jobs for most people particularly the youth under the various modules of the NYEP and other mainstream jobs, adding that due to intense lobbying and effective proposals, he helped developed and assisted in raising 5 million Euros from DANIDA to support the work of the NYEP. According to him, he has contributed his quota toward national development and hopes to draw on that experience to effectively manage the constituency if given the chance. Mr Adongo further indicated that he is motivated by his track record and from all indication he is poised to winning the upcoming primary and further proceed to wrestle the seat from the incumbent MP, Mr. Joseph Kofi Adda in the 2012 elections. Mr Adongo moreover used the opportunity to challenged physically challenged persons to aspire for leadership positions since disability is not a barrier to progress.
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Broadcast News : By Correspondent, Isaac Asare: 3,047 Persons in Upper East displaced by floods

Broadcast News : By Correspondent, Isaac Asare: 3,047 Persons in Upper East displaced by floods

3,047 Persons in Upper East displaced by floods

25-08-2011

25-08-2011
More communities in the Upper East Region have been hit by floods due to continuous rainfall being experienced in the region. An estimated 3,047 people have so far been displaced, with 312 households had been affected. Properties worth thousands of Ghana Cedis have been destroyed by the floods as large tracks of farm lands with crops such as maize, groundnut and millet have also been submerged. The situation has prevented farmers’ from harvesting their crops. The worst affected communities include Sawaba, Pobaga, Dacheo and Tidonmolgo. Others affected communities are Zongo, Gambibgo, Tidonsobligo and Sumbrungu among other several affected communities. Parts of the Bolgatanga municipality have also been cut off as a result of the devastating nature of the flood. When Radio Ghana visited some of affected areas, people were cited sitting on top of their buildings as motor bikes and bicycles were seen carried away by the floods. People were trapped in their homes because there were no boats or canoes to rescue them. As a form of intervention, officials from the Regional NADMO office including the Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo have toured some of the affected areas to sympathize with the families involved. They have pledged to assist affected victims with immediate relief items. According to the Regional NADMO Coordinator, Patrick Akake, relief items in the form of blankets and mattresses would soon be made available for the displaced persons and urged victims to exercise patients whilst his office takes steps in ensuring that those consignments arrives safely as expected. He assured the people of NADMO’s continuous support and appealed to residents living in low lying areas to relocate to safer grounds since more rains are being predicted. Mr. Akake debunked media reports that the region has recorded one death as a result of the torrential rainfall. He said unlike the flooding in the Eastern and Volta Regions of Ghana, which recorded about five deaths, no death has been recorded in the recent flooding in the region. He further stressed that the recent flooding experienced in the region is not in any way related to perceived spillage of the Bagre dam in neigbouring Burkina Faso. To him, NADMO is on top of issues and would do anything humanly possible to attend to all flood affected victims in the region. Some of the displaced persons are now temporarily living with friends and relatives, while the majority has sought refuge in churches and school buildings.
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Month of the Ghanaian child observed at Kobore

23-08-2011
The Acting Bawku West District Director for the Commission for Human Right and Administrative Justice, CHRAJ, Thomas Akayeti has underscored the need to redefine our attitudes towards the rights of children. He said the welfare of children is paramount and that it is high time issues of child protection are moved from mere talking to implementation and action stage. This way, children will be offered the opportunity to unearth and develop their full potentials. Mr. Akayeti was speaking at a day’s sensitization programme held at Kobore, a farming community in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region. The programme which was being organized by Right to Play, an NGO and Action Child Mobilization was on the theme: “Protecting children’s right; everyone’s duty. It was held to mark the month of the Ghanaian Child, a day set aside to advance the cause of children worldwide. Mr. Akayeti said cases of child abuse including child labour, child trafficking; child exploitation and neglect are sometimes considered as minor issues, forgetting that the constitution frowns on abuses meted out to children. He emphasized that acts perpetrated on children amounts to other criminal acts and should be avoided. He mentioned some of the abuses as forced marriages, child custody, discrimination in education and denial to pregnancy and paternity among others. Mr. Akayeti was of the view that if children are educated on their civic rights and responsibilities, they will learn to live decent lives. He urged parents to create a healthy environment for children to live in, stating that children desire the best of life so as to help them grow to become responsible adults in future. The Northern Project Manager of Right to Play, Ben Kasimu Wumbla, disclosed that Right to Play, as an international NGO believes that every child has a right and that promoting these rights would build a formidable environment for their holistic development. In order to achieve this Right to Play has therefore been collaborating with the GES since 2001 for the delivery of quality sport and play which according to him, is done through the use of specially designed games to promote education and learning. He said his outfit has also been working closely with its partners to promote the welfare of children, particularly in deprived communities where child rights are ignorantly abused. Mr. Wumbla used the occasion to encouraged parents, particularly women to let their children develop interest in sports since it is one of the surest ways they can live to be at peace with the world. Officials from the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), the Department of Social Welfare and the NCCE also stressed the need to report cases of child abuse to the appropriate quarters for redress. . The Chief of Kobore Traditional Area, Naba Anwelinga David expressed his profound gratitude to management of Right to Play and its partners for the steps taken to protect the right of children in society. Meanwhile, a football gala match organized between Googo, Yarigu and Kobore Cadet members, saw Yarigu stars emerging as winners at the end of the competition.
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Flood Prone Areas in Bolgatanga experience serious flooding

23-08-2011

Several communities identified as flood prone areas in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region yesterday morning experienced serious flooding following hours of torrential rains. Though no death had been recorded so far, many people had been displaced with houses and farm lands submerged in flood waters due to the heavy downpour that lasted for almost five hours. Affected areas include the Bolgatanga Estate area, Pobaga, Sawaba,Nyariga, Pwalugu and Yarigabiisi among other nearby communities. Victims affected by the floods are putting up with relatives, friends and sympathizers, while others have sought refuge in churches and school buildings. Most people have also been trapped in their homes and farms due to the devastating nature of the floods. A visit by Radio Ghana to some of the affected places saw people seeking refuge on top of roofs and trees since there was no boat or canoes to reach out to the affected. The flood situation is worse in areas where buildings and structures are cited near water bodies because the rains have caused some of these water bodies to overflow it banks, thus compounding the situation. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo and officials from the Regional NADMO office have since toured some of the affected areas to sympathize with the victims. Mr. Woyongo in a brief remark expressed worry about the increasing incident of flooding in most parts of the region and the country in general and attributed it to sheer negligence and indiscipline among some individuals. He gave the assurance that his outfit will liaise with the appropriate authorities to ensure that persons affected by the floods are assisted as soon as possible. He charged officials of NADMO to do an impact assessment on the extent of damage caused to houses and farm lands affected as a result of the flooding. Mr. Woyongo also charged the department of the Town and Country Planning to come out with bye laws that would restrict persons from building on water ways. According to him, such bye-laws when enacted should be enforced so that people will not flout building regulations as it done in other counties. Mr Woyongo further gave a stern warning to people who litter around causing gutters and drains to be chocked. The Regional NADMO Coordinator, Mr Patrick Akake told Radio Ghana that his outfit is on top of the situation and would ensure that affected victims are provided with relief items as soon as possible. Most of the victims he said would be assisted with bags of maize whilst they await other items like blankets and mattresses for displaced persons. He said though it is difficult to ascertain the number of houses and farmlands affected, NADMO will release the limited resources at their disposal to cater for the few identified communities. Mr Akake used the opportunity to caution residents in low lying areas to move up lands since the rains have set in. He moreover urged residents to exercise restraint and refrain against activities that could cause flooding.
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Police to combat display of pornographic materials for sale

19-08-2011
The Upper East Regional Police Command has renewed its commitment to deal with the upsurge of pornographic materials meant for sale in the open market. The Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Thomas Agbenyo, who gave the assurance in an interview with Radio Ghana, indicated that the display of such pornographic materials which are mostly found on local and foreign CDs and the print media have the tendency of jeopardizing the future of citizens in the country, particularly the youth. The phenomenon he noted would derail the moral fiber of the youth if not checked with all the seriousness it deserves. Chief Inspector Agbenyo said the practice is criminal since it contravenes section 280 and 282 of Act 29/60 of the criminal code which stipulates that; whoever publishes or offerS for sale any obscene book, writing, or representation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. The act also in section 281 and its sub-sections goes on to caution the general public against any persons that trades in the publication and exhibition of obscene materials including writings, drawings, posters, emblems and photographs among others. Such persons, he warned would be made to face the law when found culpable. Chief Inspector Agbenyo therefore cautioned the public to desist from the practice since it is punishable by law. He pointed out that the police would not relent it its effort to clamp down on offenders because the police are preparing for a showdown soon. He also encouraged people to provide the police with reliable information leading to the arrest and prosecution of such offenders.
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Pressure groups calls for transparency in the country's judiciary

19-08-2011
A group calling itself Forum for Governance and Justice (FGJ) with support from 8 pressure groups including the Coalition of Northern Senior High School Students (CONOSHSS), have expressed their displeasure on the alleged continuous victimization of four legal practitioners. The lawyers are reported to have made comments about the perceived corruption in the Country’s Judiciary system. At a press conference in Bolgatanga, it was revealed that the said four lawyers namely, Dr Raymond Atuguba, Abraham Amaliba, David Annan and the late Larry Bimmi have since been denied access to the courts of Ghana since May this year. This, the group said amounts to a breach of their constitutional rights and a blatant attempt to intimidate lawyers. According to them it is relatively wrong to punish the lawyers for exercising their right to free speech as enshrined in the country’s constitution. A leading member, Forum for Governance and Justice, an organization precipitated by the alleged injustice, Dr Clement Apaak, told the media that corruption in the judiciary was indeed a reality and not a rumour or attempt to tarnish the image of the profession taken into cognizance the report of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) on the Transparency International (TI) Global Corruption Report of 2007. The outcome of the report he said was confirmed through comments made by the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, Her Lordship Georgina Wood on the eve of the launch in her capacity as the Judicial and Administrative Head of the Judiciary. He therefore described the action taken by the Association of Magistrate and Judges towards the four lawyers as ‘ill-motivated” stating that the association should immediately revoke their sanctions and render an unqualified apology to the lawyers. Dr Apaak also on behalf of the other pressure groups, challenged the Association of Judges and Magistrates, the organization that caused the lawyers to be boycotted, the General Legal Council and the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council, to act swiftly by responding to the numerous suits filed by his outfit since they would do anything within the confines of the law to ensure that justice prevails. He disclosed that a law suit has been filed at the Supreme Court to adjudicate on the matter and would implore all well meaning Ghanaians including human right groups to rise up to the challenge and demand justice for the four gallant lawyers. Dr Apaak moreover called on citizens who have fallen prey to judicial victimization and corruption to contact his outfit via fgj@gmail.com for redress.

Bolgatanga: Documentary of the state of Agriculture in Upper Eas

Bolgatanga: Documentary of the state of Agriculture in Upper East

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ANCR V/O Agriculture undoubtedly is the backbone of every nation. In both developed and under developed countries like Africa, agriculture is regarded as a tool needed for the economic survival of the people. In Ghana, agriculture remains the oldest profession practiced by many particularly in rural communities of Northern Ghana where majority of the people are predominantly farmers. It is also Ghana's most important economic sector, employing more than half the population on a formal and informal basis and accounting for almost half of Gross Domestic Product, GDP and export earnings. It is on record that while the southern and coastal regions of Ghana have benefited from centuries of educational and natural resource development, the north has been left with a predominantly subsistence agricultural base where up to nine out of ten people live below the poverty line. This report contained in a 2011 report release by the World Food Programme, WFP, thus underscores the fact that Northern Ghana is faced with lot of agricultural challenges ranging from poor soil fertility to erosion and drought. Harsh weather conditions coupled with the perennial flooding experienced each year in most parts of northern Ghana cannot be glossed over since they pose a major challenge. Though Northern Ghana abounds in a lot of natural food security remains a perennial issue in the north. The situation in recent years have been compounded by the increasing droughts and the perennial White Volta River flooding of low-lying areas threatening livelihoods, causing damages to farmlands, properties, loss of lives and socio-economic dislocation due to climate changes and creeping desertification, this situation has been. An estimated 60,000 people were affected by floods in Northern Ghana in September 2010 whilst, the year 2007 recorded the worst flooding in the history of northern Ghana. In the upper East of Ghana, records have it that 80 percent of the economically active population is engaged in agriculture. Carved out of what used to be the Northern Region on 1st July, 1960, the Upper East Region is the smallest of the 10 administrative regions in Ghana, occupying a total land surface of 8,842 square kilometers or 2.7 per cent of the total land area of Ghana. In terms of population, it is the ninth most populated region with a population of 920,089 in 2000, accounting for 4.9 per cent of Ghana’s total population. It is however interesting to note that despite the region’s low population record, the region has made and continues to make giant strides in the area of agriculture producing variety of crops and cereals including rice, millet, guinea-corn, groundnut beans, sorghum and dry season tomatoes and onions among others. Hunting and forestry are the main economic activities in the region. The region is also involved in the production of livestock including the rearing of guinea fowl, which is gradually gaining root in most parts of the country, particularly in southern Ghana where it is regarded as a preferred delicacy. There is a great potential in the region for the large-scale production of rice especially in the now onchocerciasis river blindness free zone. Infact, this zone, which is around Fumbisi- Gbedembillisi area, is normally termed the “rice-bowl” of the region. This area has vast lands and suitable soil, which if properly exploited, would give high yield of rice. The region also has a great potential in the area of cash crop production and fish farming. This is due to the existence of many irrigation sites in the region. In addition to the Vea and Tono irrigation dams, which provide employment to about 6,000 small-scale farmers in the region, there are more than 220 dams and dugouts. These dams and dugouts have lands suitable for crops such as onion, tomatoes and pepper. Government of Ghana recognizing the invaluable contribution of agriculture in Northern Ghana and Upper East in particular, has taken interventional steps to improved crop yield throughout the wet and dry season. These measures are in the form of policies and programmes geared towards improving the livelihood of the rural poor through agriculture with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture being the implementing agency. Some of these policies include the block farming project, the Rice Sector Support programme, RSSP, the Northern Rural Growth Programme and the government fertilizer subsidy for farmers among others. The Upper East Regional Director of the MOFA, Emmanuel Eledi touched on the core mandate of MOFA and assessed the impact of government’s policies on the agricultural sector of the region.

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ANCR V/O Mr. Eledi also highlighted on a number of challenges confronting the agriculture sector in the region, particularly the upsurge of fertilizer smuggling in areas such as Bawku and Garu-Tempane.
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ANCR V/O The Regional Agric Extension Officer, MyIssah Bernard gave an overview of the regions’ prospect and challenges in terms of agriculture.
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ANCR V/O Mrs. Mavis Akaligan, is the Regional Fertilizer Desk Officer.
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ANCR V/O A trip to some farm lands in the region saw remarkable improvement in crops and cereals produced under the block farming project. The Regional Crop Officer, Joseph Bei Walier for his part outlined some deficiencies militating against the block farming project in the region and mentioned unfavourable weather condition and erratic rainfall pattern as some of the major challenges.
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ANCR V/O Mr. Walier later underscored the importance of government policies on agriculture describing it as timely and essential. He said agriculture under these policies have provided employment to many teeming unemployed youth and has contributed to the decline of youth migration down south. Agriculture, he further noted remains a lucrative venture since it has changed the lives of many poor rural farmers and advised the youth in the country, especially those in northern Ghana to take advantage of agriculture to enhance their livelihood rather than migrating down south for menial jobs.
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AN INTERIM REPORT OF THE UPPER EAST REGION BRANCH OF THE GHANA JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION (GJA) ON ALLEGED EMPLOYMENT OF SOME MEDIA PRACTITIONERS AND JOURNALISTS UNDER THE NATIONAL YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME (NYEP) IN THE UPPER EAST REGION. INTRODUCTION

This report has been necessitated by the fact that there were speculations by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) about engagement of some media practitioners working in the Upper East Region under the NYEP. A tall list of about 15 media practitioners including journalists and radio presenters was presented by the NPP at a press conference held in Accra. Earlier, the issue had received huge publicity by the same media with various media houses discussing it from different perspectives.
It would be recalled that last week, controversial names and recorded voices purported to be those of Mr. Baba Jamal, a Deputy Information Minister, Mr. Samuel Abaane, a reporter with the Enquirer Newspaper in the Upper East Region and Mr. Joseph Osei, the Upper East Regional correspondent for Joy FM and other media practitioners including journalists and broadcasters in the Upper East Region were published and aired nationwide in what has been purported to be an inducement package from government to selected media practitioners working in the Upper East Region to get them to support government win the 2012 election.
This speculation casts a slur on the reputation of the journalism profession in the country especially at a time when the media in the country has won huge reputation in the world and most especially in Africa as the light of democracy especially in Ghana.
As the fourth estate of the realm, there is no gainsaying that in spite of the speedy polarization of the media landscape in the country, it has played its key role as the watchdog of society credibly well, and therefore any attempt or suggestions to paint the image of journalism and journalists black to score political points should be countered.
The national headquarters of the Ghana Journalists Association therefore tasked its Upper East Region branch to investigate the matter and present a report to it as quickly as possible for study.
This report therefore looked into the matter in order to unravel the truths or otherwise of the alleged consideration of media practitioners by the government under the NYEP in the Upper East Region.
AREAS OF REFERENCE
Even though the GJA headquarters did not specifically give referencing points to this investigation, some key areas were immediately considered. These included assembling of those media practitioners who were mentioned in the alleged matter to hear their sides to the issue, giving the two key people, Messrs Joseph Osei (Upper East Regional correspondent of Joy FM) and Samuel Abaane ( the Upper East Regional correspondent of the Enquirer and a member of the NDC communications team in the region). The third factor was to allow any other person (Media) who might have credible information about the matter to speak out and the fourth was to get the side of some of the institutions mentioned.
Members at the fact-finding meeting were allowed to throw whatever questions they deemed necessary to unravel the truth to Messrs Abaane and Osei. The atmosphere which intermittently was charged as a result of unsuitable responses was perfectly managed.
A three-member committee was charged to write the report after the meeting chaired by the Upper East Regional chairman. They included:
- Mr. Eric Amoh- Chairman
- Mr. Isaac Asare- Member
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Mr. Edward Adeti- Member

THE SIDE OF THOSE MENTIONED
Even though an invitation for the meeting was extended particularly to all the accused members, only 10 among them appeared in the 3-hour meeting. They are Mr. Abraham Dinmie (The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation— GBC), Dangmaa Felix Lambert (GBC), Osman Issah (Word FM), Fatima Anafo (GNA), Samuel Akapule (GNA), Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim (The Ghanaian Times), Alhandu Abdul-Hamid (The Daily Graphic), Joseph Osei (Joy FM), Gifty Amoshie (Radio A1) and Samuel Abaane (The Enquirer). All those who were mentioned in the issue by the NPP and attended the meeting refuted the allegations leveled against them. Other media practitioners who were also present bring the total number of people present and contributing to the discussions at the meeting to 18.
Indeed, some of them claimed they had heard speculations about letters from NYEP being circulated within the media cycle about a month ago, but did not know the beneficiaries. It therefore came to them as surprise when their names were mentioned. They challenged any person, persons or group to authenticate their involvement in the matter.
In fact, some of them said they heard the matter for the first time only when it was aired on radio. Those alleged to have been taped said they did not hold any meeting to discuss the outcome of a possible exposure of the matter by the NPP.

MR. SAMUEL ABAANE’S SIDE
Mr. Samuel Abaane, one of the people very much mentioned in the matter admitted giving out an appointment letter to one Abudulai Issaka, the Upper East Regional correspondent for Metro TV. According to Mr. Abaane, the former who had applied to be employed under the programme approached him to try and help him get the job with the NYEP. He said having known Mr. Issaka as a stringer with the Metro TV and he appreciated his conditions, he decided to work out to get him the job with the NYEP. He added that there were other two friends he had helped to get appointment with the NYEP but declined to mention their names. These friends, he stated, were not friends from the media.
Mr. Abaane vehemently refuted allegations that there was a meeting held in Mr. Osei’s house where he was purported to have addressed a group alleged to be beneficiaries of the NYEP programme, even though Mr. Osei insisted that such a meeting was held in his house.
MR. JOSEPH OSEI’S SIDE
Mr. Osei narrated the part of his involvement in the matter and indicated that some weeks ago he received a letter from Abaane offering him job with the NYEP. He said he travelled to Kumasi and while there he received a phone call from one Moses Afoko, an NPP member, to meet him in Accra at the Parliament House for a discussion. It was at this invitation that he (Osei) was introduced to Hon. Leo Kabah and Hon. Stephen Armstrong Yakubu, both Members of Parliament (MPs) for the Chiana-Paga and the Binduri constituencies respectively.
According to him, the MPs had gotten wind of the alleged attempt by the NDC Government to induce the media in the region and wanted to find out from him if he had any information about it. He said he told them he did not know anything about the alleged scandal and so he returned to Kumasi leaving the MPs disappointed. He revealed that he later received a call from his office (Joy FM) asking him to tell the truth to the media houses because his office had heard his voice (Joseph’s) in a supposed secret tape recording of what was believed to be an Abaane-led meeting being held on the media-NYEP jobs. He maintained that the alleged attempt to rope the media into the NYEP was Mr. Abaane’s own initiative (a statement Mr. Abaane conceded) because the latter had told him so while he was giving him the appointment letter. Osei told the meeting (GJA) that Mr. Abaane after a few days took the letter from him with the pretext that the opposition had had wind of the move and so he should release the letter which he obliged. He conceded that the voice on the alleged tape was his (Joseph’s) and insisted that there was a meeting of the alleged group which he hosted in his house— a statement those mentioned in the alleged scandal objected to be untrue.
THE NYEP
Information gathered by the committee from the NYEP indicated that the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) had officially applied to the NYEP for one of its interns to be placed under the programme. Mr. Abudullai Issaka, a stringer for the Metro TV, was also given an appointment letter for placement under the programme. The names of the two media practitioners were the only ones found to have been approved by the Regional Coordinator of the NYEP and signed by the National Coordinator.
ACCOUNT NUMBERS
Even though information was not forthcoming from the purported banks where the alleged beneficiaries of the NYEP were to draw their allowances, the committee managed to get some scanty but significant information.
From the Naara Rural Bank where some NYEP beneficiaries receive allowances, the account digits were only four (4) with a stroke and the year the account was created which was contrary to the nine (9) digits with a stroke and the year presented by the NPP. The source indicated that all beneficiaries of the programme have their specimen signatures and photographs on their cards and that it was highly difficult for an individual customer to have an account with the bank without providing these required information for the bank’s records.
THE BABA JAMAL TAPE
The GJA finds it difficult to decipher the connection of the purported tape with the official meeting held by Mr. Baba Jamal with the press in the region during his official visit to the region. It came out clear that the Deputy Minister for information did not make those statements during the official meeting of the press. The committee agreed that from the interactions with media practitioners at the meeting on the said date Mr. Baba Jamal touched on issues including rebranding of the country and especially the various regions through data collection and historic information as well as selling the various potentials in the regions to the outside world to woo investors to the region(s). He further said such move was to help upgrade the government of Ghana portal as part of efforts to sell the various districts in the country to the outside world.
What was raised about journalists welfare was a question asked about possible avenues for journalists in the region to access scholarships to do further studies because opportunities for improving and upgrading oneself did not exist in the north unlike those opportunities in southern Ghana.
The Deputy Minister explained at this point that it was government’s wish that journalists could improve themselves through education. He however indicated that the previous government had issued out several scholarships and that currently there were no vacancies and gave the assurance that should there be such opportunities government would not hesitate to award journalists’ scholarship to further study abroad. If there was any other meeting or meetings after the official meeting with any other group or groups the Deputy Minister might have held (which is possible and a normal practice to especially meet party faithfuls) the GJA cannot account for that.
CONCLUSION
OUTCOME OF THE MEETING
The following is the outcome of the meeting meant to develop a report to ascertain the truth about the matter on the alleged NYEP scandal:
1. It was the hope of the GJA in the region to unravel the ownership of the mysterious tapes being speculated in the various media houses. However, the two key people mentioned in the various tapes insisted on their grounds. Whereas Mr. Osei insisted that there was such a meeting with Abaane and others and that he was part of that meeting, Mr. Abaane on the other hand refuted the allegation and said he was not privy to that meeting. From the presentations of the two persons and the strict positions they held as well as considering the legal elements involved, the Committee’s conclusion on the tape was to present the matter as it is.
2. The Upper East Region branch of the GJA wishes to state categorically clear that, its investigations revealed that two media practitioners from the GBC and Metro TV were expected to be on the NYEP, and their appointments followed due processes in principle in accessing the opportunity.
3. That names of innocent journalists especially those in the public media houses were ignorantly published by the NPP for no reasons.
4. That the mere fact that names of two media practitioners were being processed by the NYEP to benefit from the programme did not grant any person, persons or group to make sweeping statements and conclusions to the effect that all were benefiting.
5. That the GJA agrees that it could not break through the group taping incident as the two key persons (Mr. Abaane and Mr. Osei) vehemently kept to their positions.
6. That Mr. Abaane admits that there was a letter from the NYEP he facilitated which was meant to engage Mr. Abubullai Issaka of Metro TV.
7. That the account numbers from one of the banks mentioned when cross-checked did not match the banks account code.
8. That the tape incriminating Mr. Baba Jamal, Deputy Information Minister, purported to have been said at the meeting with the press on his official duty tour to the region was not true, and that if there was any such interaction, it was done at a different occasion and not at the general meeting where most of the media practitioners were present.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I. It was observed that media practitioners working in deprived areas like the Upper East Region, particularly those who work with private media outlets with mouths to feed, are either on skimpy allowances or not paid at all.
II. This, the committee observed, breeds high possibility grounds for political parties and politicians to take advantage to induce journalists and other media practitioners to achieve their selfish interest.
III. In spite of these uncomfortable working conditions which is real, media practitioners in the region still offer their indispensable services of information dissemination, education and entertainment as well as keeping to their watchdog role in the wake of the alleged bribery attempt.
IV. Indeed, the GJA in the region wishes to suggest that if there is any intended support for journalists to improve upon their lives, such supports, be it from government or corporate institutions, are welcome; but they must necessarily follow due process. However, it is important to intimate that such support must intend benefit the generality of the inky fraternity and not a deliberate selection of a few.
V. In addition, the GJA concedes that some of the media practitioners in the region especially those working in private media houses do not have permanent employment with their houses and for that matter a programme such as the NYEP could engage them at the various public relations unit of the district assemblies and health facilities in the region to disseminate information on development projects and behavior change activities on health being pursued by these institutions. These would highly be to the advantage of the institutions involved once these media practitioners have access to communication medium, airtime and space to inform the public about the development activities at the institutions they are attached to.
VI. Even though most of the people mentioned do not belong to the GJA, it is generally held that once one works in the media, he or she belongs to the fraternity, and that is why the GJA is swallowing the bitter pills in the face of truths and untruths.
VII. Politics, the GJA believes, is a ballgame. However, caution must be taken by the team managers not to attempt to score foul goals to win the day, because such goals shall be disallowed by the referees.
VIII. Media practitioners should know by now that like the electorate, the politician would grow hunger in us in order to have absolute control to manipulate us at his own whims. Therefore, we as media persons need to hold on to the truth at all times. This promotes high-level integrity and respect as stakeholders in the management of this country.
IX. The GJA wishes to remind journalists and other media practitioners that the world is watching us with the expectation that we exempt ourselves from acts of corruption and indiscipline and demand accountability from duty bearers on behalf of the masses.
X. Let us all remember that we are not supposed to offer ourselves cheaply to selfish individuals by allowing them to use us as propaganda machinery for their interests.
XI. That is why the public exert shock when questionable information about journalists goes out to the public domain. On the other hand, journalists are also mandated to be well-focused on development issues, educating the public and entertaining, instead of turning themselves into instruments of blackmail, intimidation, tyranny and agents of confusion, conflicts, anarchy and chaos.
Report compiled and electronically signed by:
Mr. Eric Amoh- Chairman


Mr. Isaac Asare- Member

Mr. Edward Adeti- Member

Regional Ministers Conference underway at Bolgatanga

Narration: Vice President John Dramani Mahama says despite the challenges chalked by the government over the past two and a half years, the economy still remain fragile and require more nurturing to make it robust and ready for economic take off. The major challenge, he lamented is in relation to the massive arrears the government had to clear including the TOR debt, while at the same time managing the implementation of the new universal salary structure, which he further indicated has exerted a major upward movement in government’s wage bill and by extension, a significant increase in government’s budgetary expenditure. The Vice President announced this at the opening of the 4th Regional Ministers conference held at Bolgatanga on the theme: “Towards Better Ghana Agenda –The Role of Regional Ministers in Concretizing manifesto promises”. Correspondent Isaac Asare and Abraham Dimmie have the rest of the story for Radio Ghana.
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Vice President Mahama said government has been able to lay a solid foundation for the economic take off of the country as witnessed in various sectors of the economy. He said though the NDC government inherited a huge debt from the previous administration, it was able to undertake prudent economic management and sound fiscal policies to put the economy back on track. He explained that the micro economic situation when the NDC government assumed office has deteriorated and this reflected in all micro economic indicators. This, he noted resulted in economic imbalances which reflected in weak public finances, high inflation and depreciated foreign exchange rate among other economic challenges The cash fiscal deficit in 2007 widened from 9.2 percent of GDP in 2007 to almost 15 percent of GDP in 2008, whilst the rate of inflation shot up to 20 .7 percent in June 2009 as against 18.1 percent recorded by the end of 2008. The trend of inflation continued until it reached a peak of 20.7 percent in June 2009. It is in this vein, that government employed prudent financial management to reduce inflation from 20.7 to 8.39 percent, with the cedi experiencing relative stability of the exchange rate. Mr. Mahama recounted that the economy over the years has seen significant increase in domestic revenue mobilization, and revealed that government’s focus will continue to be on strengthening revenue mobilization, whilst expenditure control remains a key on the agenda for 2011. He charged the Regional Ministers to critically examine government’s policies and programmes and come out with recommendations for consideration. According to him the periodic regional minister’s conferences are meant to review performance within the contest of government programmes and policies, thus the need for them to share experiences and strategize on how they can successfully execute the better Ghana agenda. Mr. Mahama moreover appealed to all Ghanaians to support government in its quest to improve the lives of the people and mentioned the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority, SADA, and government subsidy on fertilizer as some of the interventional measures that are being vigorously pursued to enhance the living standard of the people, particularly the rural poor. Mr. Mahama also used the occassion to appeal to Party executives to ensure that grievances in the rank and file of the NDC party are resolved peacefully through respect and dialogue. The Chairman of the Conference of Regional Ministers, Mr. Joseph Amenewode, who is also the Volta Regional Minister described the level of development in the reign of the NDC administration as unprecedented and urged his colleagues to be proud for being part of the success story. He disclose that issues raised at the previous conferences had been tackled whilst others are being looked upon and charged the ministers to play their individual roles effectively by contributing their quota to the attainment of the objectives of President Mills. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo, touched on a numbers of developmental projects being undertaken under the Better Ghana Agenda and attributed it to the sense of commitment of the NDC government. He was grateful to the Ministry of Local government and expressed the hope that the outcome of the meeting would be desirable in achieving the better Ghana agenda. Meanwhile, Vice President John Dramani Mahama accompanied by other Ministers of state among other dignitaries took turns to inaugurate two projects in the Kassena Nankana West District. First was at Nabango, where he cut sod for the completion of an ICT centre for the chiefs and people of the area at the cost of GCH¢64,000 and further commissioned an ultra modern state of the art Eye Clinic at Chiana also at the cost of GH¢140,000.
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Suspects allegedly involved in the recent Bawku attack arraigned before court

18-08-2011
Two persons held in connection with the recent attacks on two Mamprusi farmers, who were attacked while working on their farms in the Bawku Municipality have been remanded in police custody by a Circuit Court in Bolgatanga. The Presiding Judge, Emmanuel Sunu has ruled that the two suspects, Abdullai Awinnaba, 60, a farmer and his 22 year of son, Lukman Abdullai Asunguba, also a second year student of the Bawku Technical Institute, reappear in court on August 31, 2011 for further proceedings. The accused persons according to the police, is facing charges of possession of ammunitions without lawful authority, while Master Asunguba is facing an additional charge of procession of Narcotic drug. Giving the facts of the case, Chief Inspector Kwashie Azalekor, told the court that on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at about 3:45 am, a team of policemen led by the Bawku Divisional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, (A.C.P) Boadu Peprah, upon a tipped off, swooped on a house in Sabon-Geri, a Suburb of Bawku in search of suspect Lukman Abdullai Asunguba who was named by one of the Mamprusi farmers allegedly butchered in Bawku recently. Chief Inspector Azalekor told the court that in the course of the search in room of Lukman Abdullai Asunguba of House Number, I 41, Sabon-Geri, a black polythene bag containing about 12 rounds of 9 mm pistol ammunition was found. Upon thorough search some seeds suspected to be that of Indian hemp, were found in Abdulai Asunguba’s room. The prosecutor told the court that further search led the team of policemen to the room of Abdulai Awinnaba, where a total of 1,034 rounds of ammunitions including 12 mm pistol ammunition, 21 rounds of Mc 4 ammunition, 78 rounds of G3 ammunition, 31 rounds of M16 ammunition, and 892 rounds AK 47 assault rifle ammunition were found in a brief case concealed in the roof of his room. The police told the court that the son, Abdulai Asunguba later claimed ownership of the items. They were both picked up by the police and processed for court. The prosecutor pleaded with the court to remand the suspect in police custody pending further investigation, which the court obliged.
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NGO assists Builsa District Hospital

18-08-2011
Direct Assistance Network, Ghana, an NGO has donated assorted medical equipments worth GH¢ 20,000 to the Sandema District hospital at Sandema in the Builsa District of the Upper East Region. The presentation of the items which were made through the effort of the MP for the area include, T-shirts, medical glasses, hospital beds, wheel chairs and toilet seats for the physically challenged among other medical aids. The Chief Executive Officer of Direct Assistance Network, Ghana, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, said the donation forms part of his outfit’s corporate social mandate to reach out to deprived health facilities in the region. It is also aimed at assisting the hospital to meet its required medical needs, and above all a testimony to their commitment to attend to the health needs of the poor and needy in society. The NGO he said seeks to mobilize resources from philanthropist, government agencies as well as NGOs to provide access to health care and education among other disciplines. They also engage in radio programmes as an avenue to promote health care in the country. He said the NGO since its establishment has offered educational assistance to deprived second cycle schools in the region and would continue to offer such assistance to more schools in the region, particularly in the area of ICT. According to him, much would also be done in the Promotion of experiential learning through cultural exchange programs. Dr Apaak assured the hospital authorities of their continuous support and urged them to use the items for their intended purposes. He also encouraged other individuals and donor agencies to assist other deprived health facilities in the region to enhance health service delivery. A Medical Superintendent, Dr. James Sarkodie, who received the items on behalf of the hospital, expressed appreciation to the NGO and its supporting agencies for the gesture. He described the donation as significant taken into account the numerous health challenges confronting the district and the facility. He emphasized that the items will cater for needy patients and also improve health care delivery in the district and the region in general. The Member of Parliament for Builsa North Constituency, Timothy Ataboadey, pledged his commitment to see to the expansion of the Sandema district hospital and also facilitate the speedy completion of the hospital’s theatre, which is currently ongoing.
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NORPRA blames fallen standard of academic performance to exams questions set in Accra

17-08-2011
Members of the Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy, NORPRA, an NGO based in the Upper East Region has kicked against the practice where end of term examinations questions for public basic schools in the region and for that matter the municipality are set by an Accra Based firm. The practice according to NORPRA has worsened academic performance of students in the final examination set by the West African Examination Council, (WAEC). The President of NORPRA, Bismark Adongo Ayorogo, who disclosed this to Radio Ghana at Bolgatanga explained that examination questions set from Accra normally, leaks before reaching students in the region. This, he said gives comparative advantage to students in the southern schools. He however implored the Ghana Education Service, GES to intervene and facilitate a review of the issue through engagement process with key stakeholders in the country’s educational sector. Mr. Adongo again called on the government through the Education Ministry to give priority attention to the teaching and learning of ICT in basic schools of Northern Ghana. Students in most deprived schools of Northern Ghana perform poorly during ICT exams and attributed the problem to lack of computers and personnel to facilitate the teaching of ICT as an examinable subject. Factors including lack of electricity in schools also form a major challenge to the teaching of ICT because students are only exposed to the theory aspect of the subject. Mr. Adongo Ayorogo therefore called on authorities concern to help construct ICT centers in deprived schools of northern Ghana.
GBC END IA/

Police to probe violent clash at Bolgatanga.

16-08-2011

The Upper East Regional Police Command says it is investigating the cause of a violent clash that occurred between residents of Zongo and Dagbew communities at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, in which six people sustained various degrees of injuries including a policeman. The Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Inspector Thomas Agbanyo, who gave the assurance, said his outfit is poised to bring the perpetrators of the violence to book. Narrating the incident to Radio Ghana, Chief Inspector Agbeyo said one Alhaji Iddrisu Yakubu ,a resident of Zongo and a Grumah by tribe, decided to erect a container on a piece of land in front of his house some time ago, but was resisted by some opinion leaders from the Dagbew community. He said the opinion leaders claimed the piece of land in question belonged to them and Alhaji Yakubu had no legal right to use it without their consent and proposed to sell it to him if he intended to use it for any purpose. He said Alhaji Yakubu later lodged a complaint to the Town and Country Planning Department and was subsequently granted permit to erect the structure. Alhaji Yakubu upon the directive then proceeded to erect the container only to be attacked by 10 irate youth from the Dagbew community. He said as at the time of the attack Alhaji Yakubu was attending an outdooring ceremony at the Regional Chief Imam’s house only to be called and told about the incident. He in turn informed the police to arrest the situation. Chief Inspector Agbanyo said, the irate youth vandalized the container and took away some mobile phones and other personal belongings. The mob also vandalized some shops around the area and destroyed the windscreens of some vehicles parked at the scene, one belonging to the Deputy Regional Chief Imam. One person according to the Police PRO had been admitted at the Bolgatanga Regional hospital, whilst those injured in the clash have since been treated and discharged. No arrest has been made so far but police says it was maintaining its presence at the incident scene to prevent any further attacks. He advised people not to attached ethnicity and tribal sentiments to the incident as it were between groups of people who had contention about a piece of land. The Assemblyman for Dagbew, Mr. Issifu Mumuni said they have initiated moves to amicably settle the issue and the contending parties will be meeting with the Land owner (Tindana) of Tindamolgo to resolve the land issue, whilst the police proceed with its investigations. He said the dispute was not between Frafras and Dagombas as speculated in some quarters. The Regional Coordinating Council has condemned the recent weekend attack and has appealed to parties involved to resolve their differences amicably. The Regional Minister wishes to assure the general public that situation is under control and that people should go about their normal businesses.


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Traditional Authorities charged to ban excessiveness in the performance of funerals

16-08-2011

Traditional Authorities of Northern Ghana have been challenged to institute measures that would prune the excessiveness in the performances of funerals since resources and monies channeled into the performance of funerals deepens the existing chronic poverty situation in the three regions of the north. Speaking to Radio Ghana at Bolgatanga, a Programmes Manager, Centre for Youth Welfare and Development, Alagskoma Asakeya Noble, said there was nothing wrong about the performances of funerals since it was part of the country’s culture, but the way and manner in which they are performed gives a cause to worry. Funerals performed in the region, he stated, are usually carried out in the month of March, April and May, which unfortunately is the peak of the hunger. It is also a period where the deadly Cerebro-spinal Meningitis occurs due to the excessive heat experienced in the region. Most often children of school going and teenagers as young as 13 years of age participate in funeral activities and are sometimes seen smoking and taking alcoholic beverages openly. According to him, the playing of record dances during funeral hours also serves as a fertile ground for sexual promiscuity leading to teenage pregnancy among girls. Hooliganism, absenteeism and substance abuse moreover becomes the other of the day. Students who attend such activities also engage in all sorts of vices at the neglect of their books, thus contributing to a total decline in their academic performance. Parents on the contrary he noted, permit their wards to attend such activities, notwithstanding the dire consequences. They prefer spending much money on funerals rather than investing in their wards education. The situation, he complained compels some school children to migrate down south to search for greener pastures in order to earn income to settle their school fees. Mr. Asakeya Noble, therefore suggested to the President of the Northern Ghana House of Chiefs to as a matter of concern direct families to perform funerals by the end of January every year, and also impose a ban of the playing of record during funerals. He further challenged traditional leaders to intervene swiftly to help save the region’s rich culture from total extinction and said posterity will never forgive us if we throw our rich culture in place of other peoples culture.
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50 Minors evacuated to resettle with their families

15-08-2011
About 50 minors including some nursing mothers have been evacuated from Kumasi to Bolgatanga following the demolition of unauthorized structures cited at the Kumasi “Race Course” market. They were met on arrival by the Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo. The children whose age ranges between 8 and 20 were accompanied by a Kumasi based businessman, Dominic Azumah, who out of pity arranged for a bus to convey them back to Bolgatanga to resettle with their families. The Upper East Regional Minister welcomed the returnees and moreover thanked the organizers for their show of concern. Mr. Woyongo, in an address, expressed worry about the incessant child migration down south in search for menial jobs and charged parents to stop the practice where children are allowed to travel down south unaccompanied. These children, he lamented engage in all sort of menial activities that go against the Child Labour Act. Some, he indicated are sometimes subjected to all kinds of abuses, whilst others acquire diseases including HIV and AIDS. He therefore appealed to all Ghanaians to be conscious of the child labour act and join in the fight against the menace. According to him, government is making conscious effort to stop the practice of child labour, stating that the idea would only yield positive results if Ghanaians are educated and conscientized on the need to be abreast with child labour issues. Mr. Woyongo has with immediate effect ordered the various assemblies to cater for the expenses of the returnees, whilst the Regional Coordinating Council and other key stakeholders take steps to address the daunting situation. One of the returnees, a 20 year old girl, Atambire Awine used the opportunity to caution other teenagers to rescind their decision to travel down south to engage in menial jobs. It could be recalled that on August 4th, 2011, hundreds of the race course traders went on demonstration demanding a review of an August, 8 deadline to evict traders to pave way for the an ultra modern market project. Though the traders expressed much concern about the proposed exercise, their plea was not taken as some described as exorbitant, prices charged for the stalls and sheds at the Abinkyi market. The eviction of the traders became necessary when the Asantehene, Otumfour Osei Tutu, cut the sod for work to begin on an ultra modern “Sunshine city and shopping mall” at the area. The decision follows a crunch meeting between city authorities and the Ashanti Regional Security Council to move traders at the Race Course in phases. The next batch of returnees is due to arrive soon.
GBC END IA

New Chief Outdoored at Pusu-Namongo

15-08-2011
Residents of Pusu-Namongo in the Talensi -Nabdam District of the Upper East Region could not hide their joy and excitement when they held a brief ceremony to herald their new chief. The new chief Zambulig Kumbelimsaa also known in private life as Peter Sagadiba succeeds the late chief Kotosi Yibig Badazabra who died on February 13, 2008. His enskinment was performed by the Paramount Chief of the Tongo Traditional Area with approval from the Nayiri, Naa Bohagu Mahami Sheriga who happens to be overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area in Northern Region. Naa Kumbelimsaa, 56, is a native of Pusu-Namongo but resident in Obuasi as worker of AngloGold Ashanti. His elevation to the status of a chief came about when he was adjudged the best candidate among 9 other contestants who were also vying for the chieftaincy seat. Naa Kumbelimsaa before his official enskinment as the substantive chief for the Pusu-Namongo Traditional Area was accompanied by his elders to pay homage to the Tongo-Rana, Sabalug Namalteng at his palace. As tradition demands, the chief of Pusu-Namongo together with his other contestants presented a ram, assorted drinks and an unspecified amount of money to the Tongo-rana to ask for his blessing. The Tongo-rana in a brief message urged the new chief to be development oriented, tolerant and patient at all times. He was advised to uphold the dignity and respect accorded him by his people so that his subjects would not regret making him their leader. He also encouraged him to respect the views of his people and most importantly promote peaceful co-existence among the various ethnic divides living in the area. Naa Kumbelimsaa in his response, pledged to maintain peace and unity among his people and also attend to their wellbeing. He thanked the chiefs and people of the Tongo Traditional Area for the confidence repose in him and called on the people’s support as he embarks on a fruitful journey to development. He used the opportunity to appeal to the authorities to extend the Rural Electrification Project to the area. He further appealed for a community centre, police station, market and a health facility to cater for the health needs of the people.
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Bawku Naba comdemns attack on Mamprusi farmers

13-08-2011
The King of Kusaug Traditional Area, Zug-Raan, Bawku Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka has condemned the recent attack on some Mamprusi farmers around the Buabula area of Bawku describing it as unfortunate. The attack he said gives cause for worry not only to him but to all well meaning citizens of Bawku who had been co-operating in the peace building process as well as those who had worked tirelessly to maintain peace in the area. To him, so much work had been achieved in the peace building process, which he indicated, led to the complete lifting of the 18 month curfew imposed on the municipality. He argued that even though the incident is an isolated case, it ought to be condemned and appropriate steps taken to prevent its future occurrence. He however urged both sides of the ethnic divide to co-exist peacefully and refrain from retaliatory tendencies that could mar the peace being currently enjoyed by the people. In a release signed by the Bawku Naba, emphasis was laid on the need for the people to exercise restraint whilst measures are instituted to sustain the peace in the area through dialogue. The release sought the assistance of the Inter Ethnic Peace Committee to help identify the lands that are in dispute so that appropriate steps could be taken to resolve them. This it said will enable farm owners in the area to till their lands to feed their families. The task, it added, is ongoing whilst the committee works on the outcome of the report for onward submission to the Bawku Naba. The release called on all stakeholders involved in the peace process to step up effort to maintain lasting peace in the area, whilst prudent steps are being taken to convince the Mamprusi side of the peace committee to return to the negotiating table since their withdrawal gives a cause for worry. The search for peace it noted must be the concern of all especially citizens of Bawku. The release commended the security agencies for their professionalism in recent times and urged them to remain vigilant and impartial in the course of their official duties. The Bawku Naba said it will continue to mete out justice to all who deserve it and encouraged his people to feel free to approach him if necessary. He also urged the municipal assembly to foot the medical bills of victims involved in the recent farm attack to mitigate their suffering.
GBC END IA

Residents of Bawku urged to exercise restraint

12-08-2011
The Bawku Municipal Security Council has condemned the attack on few Mamprusi farmers in their farm at Bawku yesterday. Victims according to security officials sustained multiple cutlass wounds and were rushed to the Bawku Hospital and subsequently referred to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital for further treatment. The Municipal Chief Executive, Musa Abdullai who disclosed this to Radio Ghana said MUSEC is worried about the dastardly act describing it as barbaric as it is unwarranted. The perpetrators of the act, he assured would be apprehended and be made to face the full rigours of the law. He said the Bawku Naba has since the beginning of the farming season warn that all persons should be permitted to farm on land which had been bequeath to their ancestors in the past. He had advice that anyone who had any complain or problem with land ownership should resort to the appropriate authorities for redress. This, he observed had led to fewer conflicts in the season. Mr. Abdullai on behalf of MUSEC thanked all peace loving and law abiding citizens of Bawku for their matured manner they have behaved so far and further appealed to them to help sustain the current peace. Meanwhile, MUSEC has assured the general public that the security agencies would pursue the perpetrators of the cowardly act who are bent on reversing the progress made so far in order to advance the cause of peace in the municipality. MUSEC is also appealing to the people of Bawku to remain calm while the security agencies handle the case.
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Vice President blames shortage of gas on drivers

11-08-2011

Government is working out modalities to provide lasting solution to the perennial Liquefied Petroleum Gas, (LPG) shortage in the country. To this effect, government will soon come out with a scheme that will designate points where people, especially commercial driver can patronize gas for commercial purposes and differentiate the prices. The move is to allow drivers to buy LPG at a different price, whilst a separate point would be reserved for those buying in cylinders to cook. Vice President John Dramani Mahama said this at the opening of the 4th Conference of Regional Ministers at Bolgatanga. He said the shortage of gas experienced in most parts of the country remains a source of worry to the government and that the oil and gas industry is in the process of finding ways of solving the problem. The major problem, he explained is that government subsidizes the price of gas at the cost GH¢ 14 million monthly in order to encourage people use the product rather than using charcoal or firewood, which is contributing to the gradual depletion of the country’s forest. Some people particularly drivers, he pointed out had taken advantage of the offer to use gas instead of the usual petrol as fuel for their vehicles. So, in as much gas that government put in the system, people drive with it rather than cook with it. He warned drivers to desist from the act in order to ease pressure on the scare commodity, as government also takes steps to improve the gas facilities. Mr. Mahama emphasized that government will not hesitate to rule out the subsidy on gas if the trend continues, and appealed to all LPG users to use the product for its intended purposes.

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Information Minister Reacts To Critics

12-08-2011
The Information Minister, John Tia Akologo says the Information Ministry as a regulatory body is mandated to keep the public informed about government businesses and that the relevance of the ministry cannot be over emphasized. According to him some critics calling for the closure of the ministry are “ill informed” about the relevance and functions of the ministry, stating that calls on government to scrap off the ministry and its operational bodies including the Information Services Department (ISD) could only be described as a “misplaced agenda” which would not yield any positive results. Mr Akologo Tia was reacting to comments made by Professor Emmanuel Gyimah Boadi of the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) and former Zebilla MP John Ndebugri who are of the view that the Information Ministry is being used as propaganda machinery for government rather than serving as the mouthpiece of the people at the grassroot level. Speaking to Radio Ghana's Isaac Asare at Bolgatanga, Mr. Akologo Tia reiterated that his ministry cannot be scrapped off since it is one of the important ministries to the government. The ministry, he added has not lost its relevance and referred to his critics as “greedy elites’ who are only interested in their ideologies without taken into account the illiteracy rate of Ghanaians, because they are fortunate to access information from all avenues of the mass media. He said even though there has been a proliferation of the mass media, many rural folks still finds it difficult to access information. The, situation, he observed has widened the communication gap between the urban rich and the rural poor. The Information ministry he further explained is therefore mandated by law to educate the populace to understand government’s programmes and policies and moreover bridge the information gap between the illiterate and the elite so that they can feel part of the society and also benefit when government is on track. The Information Ministry, Mr. Tia Akologo stressed is on track and would continue to deliver on its mandate.
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Peace advocate bemoans politics of insults

09-08-2011
The West African Network for Peace Building (WANEP) and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), have been challenged to vigorously embark on conscientious building programmes for political parties and the general public ahead of the country’s upcoming general election in 2012. This requires the support of chiefs and religious leaders to educate their followers on the need to eschew violence behaviours since there is no substitute for peace. A Programmes Manager, Centre for Youth Welfare and Development, Alagskoma Asakeya Noble, gave the advice in an interview with Radio Ghana at Bolgatanga in the upper East Region. Mr Asakeya Noble, bemoaned the politics of insult that has characterized national discourse,especially among leading members and supporters of the various political parties on the airwaves. According to him, the creeping act of political insults hurled on political leaders distracts the country’s enviable democratic system, because Ghana has been touted for its democratic credentials and that efforts must be made to safeguard the current peace and stability that we are enjoying. He further stated that our democratic credentials coupled with the leadership style of the head of government make the country stand tall in the eyes of the international community. He however advised politicians to speak on issues that would bring about development to the people and enhance their livelihood rather than to indulge in insults. he also cautioned the youth against verbal assaults in their quest to defend and propagate the ideals of their respective political parties. Political insults, he noted, breeds rancor, acrimony and unhealthy relations among people and should not be condoned in any way. Mr. Asakeya Noble, also called on the political parties to strive and restrain their supporters not to engage in loose talks and insults on political opponents. He said under no circumstances should our airwaves be used to make sardonic utterances, insult or attacks a political opponent. Rwanda, he noted paid dearly for allowing their media to be used as a platform for verbal attack on political opponents. Stressing on the way forward, Mr. Asakeya Noble charged the government to equip and resource the country’s security agencies to ensure that no disgruntled elements disrupts the democratic process of the country. Peace and stability, he indicated is all we need so that the government can implement its Better Ghana Agenda to improve the lot of Ghanaians, particularly the down trodden. The National Commission for Civic Education, on the other hand, should also be well resourced to enable them intensify their constitutional mandate by educating the populace on the need for peace.
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NGO donates to school

08-08-2011
A local based NGO, Teshisuma, has presented 22 typewriters to students of Royal Secretariat School at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. At a brief ceremony held at the school premises, the Founder of Teshisuma, Adam Alhassan said the objective of the NGO was to assist the less privileged through schools and also solicit tools and equipments to support needy schools in the region. This, he explained, was to support the tireless effort of the government to boost education in the region and the country as a whole. He said it was the hope of the NGO to provide basic ICT tools to deprived schools in the region and pledged their commitment towards achieving the set objectives. He disclosed that the gesture was the second in the series to be given to the school, indicating more of such donations had already been made to some deprived schools in the region. The Principal of Royal Secretarial School, Mr. Clement Adongo, who received the items on behalf of the school, expressed his deepest appreciation to the NGO for its concern for the development of education in the region. He described the gesture as timely since the school lacks basic ICT tools to serve the entire population of the school. He was happy to state that the school since its establishment in 1996 had produced over 100,000 graduates, many of whom are currently serving in various capacities across the country. He mentioned the current, Eastern Regional Manager of the Ghana News Agency, as a past student of the school, stressing that many of his likes are working in similar reputable organizations in the country. With a humble beginning of only 25 students, Royal Secretarial School can now boast of 181 students, offering various courses including secretarialship, dressmaking, carpentry and masonry among other professional courses. He stated that the schools’ vision, which is to transform the less privileged through school would be a mirage if nothing concrete is done to tackle its financial and infrastructural challenges and called on other benevolent organizations and individuals to come to the aid of the school in order to enhance its academic potentials. Continuous assistance to the school, he indicated, would help the less privileged acquire employable skills to improve their livelihood. He assured the NGO that the typewriters would be put into proper use. An official from the Department of Social Welfare, Mr. Bernard Bananzi, thanked the NGO for its continuous support to the school and appealed to students and staff of the school to handle the computers with care and ensure that they were properly and efficiently used for their intended purposes. According to him, the gesture will help enhance the academic performance of the school and urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items to update their academic skills. The Chief of the Bolgatanga Traditional Area, Naba Martin Abilba, who chaired the function, advised the students to take their studies seriously and not give up in life since education is the key to their total wellbeing.
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NDC organizes Youth Forum in Garu-Tempane Constituency

08-08-2011

Narration: In a bid to improve the health sector, government has approved a loan facility to finance 12 district hospitals across the country. The Garu-Tempane District of the Upper East Region is one such beneficiary of this special package, as government through the Octopod fund, has earmarked a 290 million dollar ($290 million ) facility to provide the district with a modern hospital. The health facility would be stocked with modern and sophisticated
equipments to detect diseases for easy treatment. The Member of Parliament for Garu-Tempane, Dominic Azuma Azimbe, announced this at a youth and women forum held in the Garu-Tempane District of the Upper East Region. We bring you a news report by correspondent Isaac Asare

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The youth meeting organized by the Garu-Tempane Constituency youth wing of the NDC, deliberated on the way forward in retaining power come 2012. touching on the Better Ghana Agenda, Mr. Azimbe disclosed that projects undertaken by the government for the past two and a half years, is a true manifestation of the promise made to Ghanaians. He pointed out that Ghanaians are yet to witness tremendous improvement in their lives due to prudent interventional measures put in place by the government. He therefore called for the support of the youth in championing the cause of government so that electorates would judge for themselves. According to him, the district would soon benefit from various developmental projects and mentioned the Rural Electrification project as one of such projects. He said parliament in its last sitting, approved a 103 million dollar loan facility from a South African Bank to connect 500 rural communities in the region to the national grid of which 56 communities in the Garu-Tempane District would benefit from the said project expected to begin in October, this year and schedule to be completed by July, next year. Mr. Azuma Azimbe also touched on the eastern corridor road network which he said would help open up roads linking the three northern regions and beyond. He said government hopes to embark on the project, this October and called on the people to exercise patience since all steps are taken to see to its successful completion. The Garu-Tempane District Chief Executive, David Adakudugu, said government is on course in delivering its Better Ghana Agenda. He described the massive infrastructural development taking place in the country as unprecedented and urged Ghanaians to throw their weight behind government so as to witness more of such developments. Touching on education, Mr. Adakududu indicated that 17,000 school uniforms have so far been distributed to 55 schools district wide, whilst 130 teacher trainees have been granted scholarship packages to upgrade themselves. A new office, he added, has been constructed to serve as the district education directorate, whilst a number of schools have been rehabilitated to enhance effective teaching and learning in the district. Government through the assembly has also constructed 3 and 6-Unit classroom blocks for deprived Kindergartens, primary, Junior and Senior High Schools in the district and mentioned the Garu-Tempane SHS as one of the beneficiaries. According to him the district has over the years recorded remarkable improvement in others sectors of the economy. The Regional Youth Organizer of the party, Robert Yeli-Oni, for his part said the role of the youth and women is critical in attaining ultimate victory come 2012, hence the need to build their capacities through workshops and symposia in order to update them with latest issues of government and the party. he also underscored the urgent need to equip the youth with the necessary resource and logistics to aid them in their campaign.
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Police Intercept and Rescues 29 Minors

02-08-2011
The Upper East Regional Police Command has noted with concern the perpetual migration of the youth down south despite persistent warnings. The police to this effect have instituted positive control measures to halt the menace since most schools are on vacation. The Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector, Thomas Agbenyo who disclosed this to Radio Ghana in Bolgatanga, asked the youth particularly those on vacation to desist from travelling to the south to do menial jobs since those caught would be dealt with according to laid down regulations. Chief Inspector Agbenyo disclosed that the police through its intensified effort, last week intercepted and rescued 29 minors on board a Kumasi bound passenger bus with registration number GW 4643-Q. They were between the ages of 9 and 15. Upon interrogation, most of the minors who reside in areas like Pelungu and Sakote in the Talensi-Nabdam District, confirmed that they were going to seek holiday jobs in Kumasi so as to help them settle their school fess and as well buy some school items for themselves. The Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service took custody of the children and has since dispatched them to their various homes to reunite with their families. It could be recalled that last year similar incident took place and the police and for that matter the Anti Human Trafficking body did their best to stop the children by rescuing them and uniting them to their families. An emergency meeting to that effect was convened between the security agencies, the Regional Coordinating Council and the various Transport Unions to brainstorm on the way forward in addressing the situation. According to Chief Inspector Agbenyo, though the meeting came out with some recommendations, parents and drivers especially have continued to flout warnings issued to them with impunity. This, he noted, is regrettable and warn drivers to desist from picking those minors to the south unaccompanied by their parents or any elderly person. The police, he indicated would impound vehicles when caught with minors on board, stating that they are red-alert to check all vehicles and apply the necessary sanctions.
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