Heads of Second Cycle Institutions implored to operate open door administration.

31-01-2012        

                     

Heads of second cycle institutions have been implored to operate an open door administration since it’s was one of the surest way to promote unity among students and members of staff in their respective institutions. Speaking to Radio Ghana in Zebilla,  the Headmistress for the Zebilla Senior High Technical School, Catherine Nbun Apanga, noted that open door administration do  not only allow students and teachers to articulate their concerns for redress but also  creates a congenial platforms that would involve all to participate effectively in the administrative process. This, she explained, offer members of staff the opportunity to contribute effectively in the running of the institution. It also to a larger extent encourages the promotion of quality education in schools. Mrs. Nbun Apanga stated that the open door administration encourages transparence and accountability and discourage unnecessary criticisms that have the tendency of jeopardizing the interest of the institution. While putting heads of second cycles to the test, Mrs. Nbun Apanga further encouraged members of Conference of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS) to also make good use of the system. To her, most Heads of Senior High Institutions do not make use of the system, adding that the situation often create undue tension and division between administrative staff and the teaching staff. The situation, she also observed, sometimes incite the teaching staff against their head, thus resulting in students unrest as teachers most often refuse to compromise. Mrs. Nbun Apanga indicated that free flow of communication between the head and staff was another step that could foster a conducive relationship in the institution.  She commended government’s efforts in the provision of school infrastructure and other teaching and learning materials. She said though the school has had its fair share of infrastructure, student teacher accommodation still a major challenge.  She said the school had only twelve bungalows as against fifty eight teaching and non-teaching staff and that this was a challenge that is likely to impede the academic development in the school. The Headmistress commended the Development for Senior High School Educational Project (DSSEP “3”) for assisting the school with some educational logistics and called on government and developmental partners to help fenced the school since its land was faced with threats of encroachment.

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Fmr Prez Kufuor mourns with Afoko’s family

The late Mrs Albertina Azumah Afoko

Section of dignitaries present 

The mortal remains of the Late Albertina Azumah, wife of his Excellency Francis Asianab Afoko, one of the pillars of the NPP has been laid to rest at Sandema in the Builsa District of the Upper East Region. Present at the final funeral rites were leading members of the NPP led by former President, John Agyekum Kufuor. Notable among the dignitaries was the former chief of Staff, Kojo Mpiani and Stephen Asamoah Boateng, former Minister for Tourism and Diaspora Relations. Also present were dignitaries including the Asantehene’s representative, Nana Atta Kusi Boadum, Bebrehene and a host of other chiefs drawn from various paramouncies across the country. The late Albertina Afoko known in public life as “Pitia” was laid in state with a mass burial performed by the Catholic Church where she used to worship.  In a tribute read for him, His Excellency Asianab Afoko described the wife as a hard disciplinarian who never allowed her children to misbehave. She loved the children and did her best to cater for them. He attributed the death of the wife to the shock she encountered as a result of the death of her beloved daughter, Felicitas Afoko in July, 2010. He said after the death of Felicitas, the health of the late Azumah started deteriorating and developed high pressure leading to her death. Also in a tribute, children of the late Azumah, said their mother believed in the spirit hard work and was hardworking. According to them, she defied all odds to ensure that they were given the best in life and would forever remember her for her sense of responsibility. There were also tributes from friends and relatives. The late Albertina Azumah, a devoted Christian died at the age of 80. Former President Kufuor in the company of other dignitaries present took turns to pay homage to the Regent of Sandema, Alexis Azantillow at his palace and to announce their presence in the region.

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“We never gave contract to Woyome” -Fmr President Kufuor speaks out

29-01-2012          

Former Prez Kufuor

Former President John Agyekum  Kufuor has taken a swipe  at critics of the ruling  NDC ,stating that the NPP administration never gave contract to Alfred Agbesi  woyome, the man at the centre stage of the judgement debt  scandal.  Speaking to Radio Ghana in Bolgatanga, Mr Kufuor said as far as he is concern, the NPP never engage in any fishy deal with Mr Woyome. According to him, the NPP has nothing to hide and would only be answerable to an independent Public committee of enquiry and not the Economic and Organized Crimes Office (EOCO). Mr Kufuor who was reacting to allegations on their alleged involvement in the Woyome saga insisted that EOCO has no judicial right to compel some ministers of the previous administration to appear before the investigative body adding that the NPP will only cooperate with the directive if the matter is investigated in the open so that Ghanaians will judge for themselves. This, he said, can be done through the radio and television particularly, GTV.  Asked whether Mr Woyome was entitled to the GHc 58 million paid to him, Mr Kufuor said Mr. Woyome has no right to claim any money from government because he had no contract with the state and further questioned why the Attorney General opted to authorize the payment of such a whopping amount of money without defending the state. According to him, mysteries surrounding the payment of the said amount to Mr Woyome, a financial of the NDC should be unraveled and transparently investigated to bring his accomplices to book. Mr. Kufuor justified the refusal and stance of some leading members of his administration to appear before EOCO, indicating that the NPP will not cooperate with any organization apart from an independent commission of enquiry.  Touching on the exploration of the country’s oil find, Mr. Kufuor was not happy about the management of the black gold though the incumbent government made Ghanaians to believe that the oil was indeed going to be a blessing and not a curse. To him, there is not enough transparency in the administration of the oil and gas sector, saying the people of Ghana should be availed the opportunity to see the insight of the state of the art project. Ghanaians, he emphasized demand more transparency in the sector and hoped that parliament will take up the responsibility of ensuring decency in the dealings of the sector. He said when the oil was first discovered, his administration fished out the best practices in the management of the sector and subsequently work out a framework of governing the sector but lost unfortunately to the NDC, therefore the  return of the NPP, Mr. Kufuor assured will ensure the transformation of infrastructural development from the proceeds of the oil find.                                                                                                               

Media advised to avoid derogatory terminologies that affect persons with disabilities

27-01-2012    

PWDs embarking on  a route march with placards

Mr Akalga addressing the gathering with the aid of the braille

Narration: The Chairman, Bongo branch of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled, Samuel Akalga has cautioned media practitioners against the use of terminologies that that tend to put person with disability under public ridicule. According to him, it is disheartening to hear people referring to persons with disabilities as cripple, blind or handicapped. Such names, he lamented are considered derogatory, demeaning and unacceptable and should be avoided.  Mr. Akalga who was speaking at the international day of the disabled held in Bongo proposed that the media when reporting on disability issues should rather focus on areas that affect their daily lives. Moreover, it is important for media practitioners to consider the impact that words may have both on the general public and on the disability community. Correspondent Isaac Asare has filed this report for Radio Ghana.

 A cross section of the physically  challenged 

The day which was in commemoration of last year’s International Day of Persons with Disability was marked with a float through the street of Bongo-Soe with members holding placards with inscriptions some of which read: “Be mindful of derogatory words against persons with disability”, “Accessibility is still a barrier to PWDs both public and private”, and “MMDAs respect the role of the fund management committees” among others. The day was marked on the theme: “Together for a better world for all, including persons with disabilities in development”. Mr. Akalga said considering the invaluable role the media play in advancing the cause of persons with disability, it also behoves them to portray persons with disabilities as providers of expertise, services and assistance. This, he explained, will not only promote an equal and socially inclusive society but also contribute in breaking through the stereotype of presenting them as recipients of charity, services and goodwill.  To him, a socially inclusive society is where all people feel valued, their differences are respected and their basic needs are met so that they can live in dignity. On the other hand, the exclusion of any individual from society affects not only the person but also the socio-economic development of their entire community. Touching on government’s 2 percent allocation of the District Assembly’s Common Fund which is meant to support and carry out activities and programmes for persons with disability, Mr Akalga complained that authorities in charge in the disbursement of the fund sometimes make it difficult for them to access the fund with ease. He said quite apart from that the remaining 98 percent is not made to benefit them though they are part of society. According to him, the proposed construction of a resource centre for the federation which has been on the drawing board for long and had been well debated for in the assembly session in 2006 ,had since not  seen the light of day and charged the authorities concern to work towards its realisation. In an interview with Radio Ghana, the District Secretary of the Federation, James Amurugo said Persons with disabilities are entitled to exercise their civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights on an equal basis with others and therefore called on Ghanaians to ensure that challenges affecting persons with disability are resolved to make them feel comfortable and part of the society. He denounced public perception that disability is a curse, saying all individuals one way or the other has a level of disability. Mr. Amurugo however emphasized the role of the media is a shaping those perceptions and advised the public to avoid discrimination of all forms to promote a well inclusive society.  On the usage of negative terminologies on persons with disability, Mr. Amurugo charged NGO’s and organizations to constantly hold advocacy training workshops to educate the media on the right terminologies to use when reporting on issues affecting the physically challenged.

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Bongo River Tree Restoration Project Launched

Bonaba delivering his speech 

Hon. Albert  Abongo in your shot

The Bongo River Tree Restoration Project, an initiative aimed at restoring the lost vegetation along the Bongo River has been officially launched at Bongo in the Upper East Region. The project which is a joint collaboration between Tree Aid, an NGO and the Bongo Traditional Council will not only see to the restoration of lost vegetation but also create employment opportunities for the local people.  Launching the project, the Chief Executive officer of Tree Aid, Dr. Philip Goodwin, said his outfit provides financial and managerial support for projects to strengthen the long-term self-reliance of people in Africa's dry lands, so that they can meet their basic needs, earn an income, and increase the stability of their communities through the regeneration of their woodlands." The overall goal, he added is to alleviate poverty sustainably while improving the environment.  He said tree Aid works in the three regions of the north and seeks to create opportunities for individuals particularly, the poor to generate income through forest enterprises. According to him, the idea of embarking on the project was proposed to him by the chief of Bongo of which a follow up was made. Upon painstaking investigation and rounds along the river bodies, it was realized that the Bongo River was at the verge of drying up as a result of the degraded vegetation along its banks. The deforestation along the Bongo River, he noted, was posing a serious threat to the Vea irrigation dam, which also serves a source of drinking water for the people of Bongo and its neighbouring environs.  He observed that Tree Aid recognizing the severe nature and magnitude of the challenge decided to intervene to break the cycle of environmental decline through the act of tree planting, which will involve the plantation of Shea, tamarind and mango trees among others.  The move, he noted will help effect local climate and to some extent reduce poverty among the people. The Project officer of Tree Aid in Burkina Faso, Mr. Andrews Dokurugu, revealed that the five year pilot project would take an initial 3-year timeline to cover 15 kilometers of the overall length of 50 kilometers of the river banks. He was optimistic that with the successful implementation of project, the forest and the biodiversity along the rivers would be restored whilst the river bodies would be conserved to serve its purposes. According to him, Tree Aid will embark on intensive awareness creation to sensitize the people on the need to adapt to pragmatic environmental appropriate practices that would ensure long term sustainable management of resources. The Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, Bonaba Baba Salifu Alemyaarum, expressed gratitude to Tree Aid for their show of concern and appealed to the chiefs under his jurisdiction to embrace the initiative and give it the needed push to ensure its set objective. The MP for Bongo, Mr. Albert Abongo, for his part expressed government’s determination to inject GHc 30 million Ghana Cedis to support Afforestation programmes. This, he disclosed, is captured under this year’s budget statement and called on the chiefs and people to complement the effort of government by venturing into tree planting to sustain the environment. Mr. Abongo also called on the chiefs to come out with punitive measures to protect the gradual depletion of trees in the area. The Regional Director of the EPA, Ms Zenabu Wasai-King reiterated the need for the chiefs to encourage their subjects on tree planting, stressing that trees are essentials to human survival.
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Majority Leader re-elected by acclamation

Narration:     Two sitting MPs in the Upper East Region lost surprisingly in last Saturday’s NDC parliament constituency elections held nationwide. They are Timothy Ataboadey Awontiirum, MP for Builsa North and Simon Akunye Atingban MP for Pusiga Constituencies.  On the other hand, Information Minister, John Tia Akologo who is also the MP for Talensi and the Majority Leader in Parliament, Cletus Apul Avoka who also represent as the MP for the Zebilla constituency retained their seat as sitting MPs. Hon Avoka went unopposed during the filling of nomination was granted popular acclamation by officials of the electoral commission. Our Upper East Regional Correspondent, Isaac Asare has more for Radio Ghana.

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Hon. Avoka before the performance of his acclamation

Hon. John Tia Akolgo addressing delegates after the election

 Report

The Majority Leader in Parliament and MP for Zebilla, Hon. Cletus Apul Avoka went unopposed and was granted popular acclamation by the electoral commission. At a brief durbar attended by enthusiastic party delegates and supporters, Mr. Avoka showed his deepest appreciation to the entire members of the party in the constituency and thanked them for the confidence repose in him. According to him his victory signifies victory for the NDC party, come December, 2012 and urged party followers to remain strong and united as always. His acclamation brought together dignitaries including the Deputy National Coordinator for NADMO, Mr. Sylvester Azantilow and the District Chief Executive for Bawku West, Alhaji Anabah Moro among other party functionaries. Mr. Avoka who had contested for the 4^th time as MP prayed for a peaceful General Election devoid of conflict and electoral malpractices. He therefore, used the opportunity to appeal to all and sundry to come out and register in the upcoming biometric registration exercise slated for March, this year.  The DCE on the other hand seized the opportunity to outlined developmental project undertaken in the last three years of the NDC administration and commended the majority leader for his tireless contribution in ensuring the development of projects carried out in the District. He thanked party supporters for rallying solidly behind the Majority leaders to continue with the mantle given to him in the last election. Aftermath the acclamation of Hon. Cletus Avoka, Ghana Today took turns to witness the voting exercise in some constituencies of the region. Oour visit to Tongo in the Talensi constituency saw officials of the electoral commission counting the ballot papers. The exercise was done at the full glare of security personnel and representatives of the various contestants.   At the end of the exercise, the Information Minister, Hon. John Tia Akologo who also represent as the Member of Parliament for the area was declared winner after clinching 186 out of the number of votes cast to beat his closest contestant, a former National Olympics Chairman, Benson Baba Tongo, who had 89 votes. Mr. Edward Adimazoya also had 21 votes whilst Mr. Simon Nabia clinched only 5 votes to beat Peter Tobil Kapeog, who had only 4 votes. In all 306 delegates exercise their franchise amidst heavy security presence. Mr. Akologo in his victory message thanked the delegates for the confidence repose in him and called for unity among party faithful. Mr. Akolgo also promised supporters and delegates of his resolve to continue with his developmental agenda when given the nod in the December election. He therefore, called for unity and cooperation from both party supporters and charged them to conduct themselves in every situation they find themselves. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo who was present during the voting exercise also called on the other contestants to accept defeat and throw their weight behind Mr Akologo so that together they can build a strong and formidable party to conquer the opposition NPP in the December General Election. He said the peaceful manner at which the election was conducted goes on to explain that there was absolute freedom and peace in the party. Voting in the Bolgatanga constituency ended around 4.30 pm and saw the sitting MP, Hon. Emmanuel Adombire Opam Brown, winning massively to beat his closet rival, Mr. Mathew Akayigre Adombire. After a successful voting, Mr. Opam Brown retained his seat as MP, having clinched a total vote of 398 whilst Mr. Adombire Akayigre had 103. Thirty votes were considered invalid by officials of the electoral commission after the electoral process. One unfortunate development was that one delegate died in the early hours of yesterday, so in all 532 out of 533 delegate cast their votes to retain the sitting MP. The MP for Nabdam Constituency, Hon Moses Asaga also retained his seat as sitting MP, after a successful voting process in the constituency. He had 121 votes to outwit his main challenger, Mr. Sebig Martin who had only 37 votes out of the number of votes cast. The source puts the number of delegates to 161 though three of them were absent during the voting process. At Pusiga in the Bawku municipality sources revealed that voting went on smoothly without any hitch. Aftermath the event, the only female who doubles as the National Deputy Women’s Propaganda Secretary ,  Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba claimed the  Pusiga constituency election. She had 89 votes out of the number of valid votes cast whilst her closest contender, Mr. Aboko Akudugu had 81 votes. Hajia Ayamba was able to beat the sitting MP for the area, Hon Akunye Atingban Simon, who surprisingly polled 38. Mr. George Banbill Azunga also polled 47 votes at the end of voting. Another sitting MP for Builsa North, Tmothy Awontiirim Ataboadey also lost to Mr. James Agalga, a legal practitioner. Mr. Ataboadey polled 74 votes whiles lawyer Agalga clinched 123 votes. Other contestants namely Philip Azaikoba, George Abavelin and Seth Aduedem Alafa polled 22, 42 and 6 respectively with only one vote rejected.  Moreover, voting in the Garu-Tempane constituency saw Hon Dominic Azuma Azimbe retaining his seat as sitting MP. He polled 195 votes to beat his other 6 contestants. His close contestant Mr. Essagol Joseph Lama, who is the Regional Director, Non-Formal Education won 92 votes followed by Akuka Alalzuuga. Delegates in the Bongo constituency also decided to retain Hon Albert Abongo, sitting MP for Bongo.  He had 132 votes whilst Mr. Edward Abambire Bawa of TOR polled 116 followed by Akamugri Donatus. One of the contestants, Mr. Charles Adongo Bawa-Duah had the least vote of 51. In all 30 aspirants including one female contested in the NDC Parliamentary Primaries of the region.

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Widespread view on physics dismissed

23-01-2012                         

Senior Lecturers present at the function (Middle: Prof Haruna)

Section of participants at the workshop

23-01-2012                        

Narration: The Head of the Applied Sciences Department of the University for Development Studies, UDS, Bayor Jude Simons, has called on teachers to encourage students to study physics as a subject.  He dismissed the widespread notion that physics is a difficult subject and needed critical study of mathematics to be able to excel and perform better in its study.  Mr. Simons made the call at a training programme organised for teachers specialising in physics at the Navrongo campus of the UDS.  According to Mr. Simons, countries like UK and the US have skills of manpower and technology due to the great importance they attach to the study of science particularly, physics. Our Upper East Regional correspondent Isaac Asare was at the workshop and has the rest of the story for Radio Ghana.

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Mr Sam Dotse, Lecturer at the Dept. of Applied Physics

Mr.  Simons emphasized the need for us as a country to invest in science by putting in more resources towards its development.  Mr. Simons said physics teachers and lecturers have exceptional task of adapting to practical and pragmatic instructional strategies that will whip student’s interest in the subject particularly at the Junior High School level.  The training programme will enhance the teachers’ knowledge and give them practical skills to better show students the myriad of applications in physics.  He hoped participants will come out with modern and innovative ways of teaching physics to allay fears and misconceptions about its study. He announced that his department seeks to educate students and to unearth and disseminate knowledge through research, saying the only program carried out in the department, which is BSc Applied Physics, has recently been assessed by the National Accreditation Board is receiving favourable response from the board in line with their previous accreditation. Mr. Simons also announced plans by the department to offer BSc in Meteorology and Climate change. He said though a proposal and course synopsis have been developed to that effect, plans are also underway to start short courses in Field Practices for Hydrologists and geologists. Additionally, the school and for that matter the department is looking forward to an expanded academic staff and more experienced senior lectures in order to start postgraduates programs. The Vice Chancellor of the UDS, Prof. Haruna Yakubu encouraged the school to support the effort of the sponsors of the training programme, the UK Institute of Physics to ensure its sustainability. Prof. Haruna therefore entreated the university to work towards the institutionalization of the program and intensify its teaching to attract other lecturers from other universities. According to him physics cuts across all disciplines and requires sacrifice and dedication to enhance its effective teaching and learning.  The National Coordinator, UK Institute of Physics, Mr. Charles Appiah re-echoed the need for participants to prioritize such training workshops since similar programmes conducted  over the  past ten years was yielding fruitful results. He moreover called on participants not to concentrate solely on the theory aspect of physics but rather come out with interventions and methods to help address problems facing the teaching and learning of physics in schools. Participants at the end of the workshop commended the effort of the sponsors and pledged to impart the knowledge they have acquired to benefit other lecturers and students. The workshop attracted lecturers from various second cycle, tertiary and teacher training institutions across the region. Other senior lecturers including Prof JJ Fletcher of the UDS and Dr. Nana Ama Brown of the UCC were present at the function.

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U/ E and West to benefit from an estimated 40 million dollar solar plant

Photovoltaic (PV) Solar plant

19-01-2012     

The Volta River Authority (VRA) is in the process of constructing a 40 million dollar Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Plant in four strategic locations in the Upper East and Upper West Regions.  These are Navrongo in the Upper East and Jirapa, Lawra and Kaleo in the Upper West Region. The installation of the 10 megawatt PV plants shall facilitate the harnessing of the renewable resource of solar power and to generate electricity without the utilization of the fossil fuel.  A Mechanical Engineer at the Engineering Services Department of the VRA, Abdulai Khalil who announced this at a local stakeholders hearing in Navrongo said the move is to augment government’s efforts aimed at generating 10 percent of the country’s energy needs for renewable source by 2015, adding that VRA as a bulk power producer also decided to couch a renewable energy policy for the authority to generate 15 percent of government’s target. The policy he disclosed would see to the development of government’s Renewable Energy Policy Framework for Climate Change Mitigation in Ghana.  He said the first phase of the solar power project which is to be installed in Navrongo is expected to cost 8 million dollars and would serve an estimated 11,000 people in and around the project site. The project when completed would have the capacity of generating 3 megawatts of power and would be constructed with VRA’s internally generated source. The installation of the Mr Khalil further noted has a lifespan of 25 years and would require the installation of panels, inverters, transformers, and 34 KV and transmission lines for effective service delivery. Its successful completion, he moreover said, would compel VRA to extend power to other deprived areas of the region and beyond. Touching on the economic, social and environmental benefit of the project, Mr. Khalil strongly confirmed that award of contracts for the construction of the project would involve natives of the beneficiary communities. This, he assured, would create employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth in the area.  Another benefit Mr Khalil revealed will be the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a requirement captured under the Kyoto protocol that establishes legitimate mechanisms that will help developing countries to meet their emission reduction target. Under the said mechanism, it was important for VRA to introduce to the host communities the impact of the project, hence the need for organizing the stakeholders hearing. The meeting which was therefore organized under an initiative dubbed:  “Clean Development Mechanisms”, was to discuss issues pertaining to the construction and utilization of the solar plant in the region and to collate suggestions and recommendations from participants. In an interview with Radio Ghana, the Regional Principal Programmes Officer of EPA, Mr. Frank Alormene  said his outfit has put in place solid measures to ensure that the installation of the project do not negatively affect the people but rather ensure its positive impact on beneficiaries. He described the meeting as laudable and charged VRA to respond to all required processes necessary for ensuring effective and constant power supply.

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Chuchuliga water system to be resuscitated

Builsa North MP briefing the media

Chondema Dam

The Japanese Embassy through the effort of the MP for Builsa North, Timothy Awontiirim Ataboadey has expressed commitment to revive the Chuchuliga water system, which for years has suffered a major setback due to financial constraints. The project which is estimated to cost $150, 000 will include the dredging and reconstruction of existing dams to help address the perennial water shortage in Chuchuliga and its surrounding communities. Speaking to Radio Ghana, the MP said even though the Chuchuliga water system is still in operation, water production is woefully inadequate. This is because it has not seen any major rehabilitation since its establishment in the early 1970’s.  The situation, he lamented, has brought untold hardship to residents of the area in terms of water supply. Therefore the project when completed will increase water coverage and ease pressure on the present submersible pumps that needs to be replaced with a higher delivery pump. Mr. Ataboadey disclosed that the rehabilitation of the water system and the dredging of the two major dams namely Azugyere and Chondema dams had been on his developmental agenda since his assumption of office as MP and had worked tirelessly over the years to achieve his set objective. Assurance by the Japanese Embassy to assist in funding the project, he explained, was as a result of his continuous lobbying with development partners in ensuring that funds were secured for rehabilitation of the project. He said the Japanese government after several appeals expressed their readiness to fund the project which they deem essential to human existence. The completion of the project will be the gateway for the embassy to do other more projects within the district. The reconstruction and desilting of the dams, he added, will also resolve the simmering confusion and conflict between cattle dealers. At a gathering of the chiefs and people of Chuchuliga, a representative from the Japanese Embassy, Nana Adwoah Achaw revealed that the Chuchuliga water project is among 8 out of 300 projects earmarked for construction this year and assured the people that her outfit will in no time ensure the successful completion of the project. According to her, she is in the district to assess the water situation and solicit views and concerns from the people. She said she will be in direct contact with the embassy to articulate their concerns for redress. The Chief of Chuchuliga, Naba Francis Akanbegmi Asangalisa was grateful to the Japanese Embassy and pledged the support of the people to make the project a reality. He described the embassy’s intention as welcome news and commended the effort of the MP for his show of concern. He moreover appealed to him to use his good offices to lobby for more projects to better the lives of the people. The MP accompanied by the chief later took turns to visit the two major existing dams and the main water pumping station to assess the current situation and chart the way forward. Communities such as Azugyeri, Nawaasa No. 1 and 2, Achanyeri,  Awechanayeri and Yipaana are said to enjoy portable water when the dams are finally rehabilitated.

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Woyongo appeals to the Media to provide accurate information ahead of 2012 elections

Upper East Regional Minister, Mark  Woyongo

 08-01-2012

As the country gears up for the 2012 general elections, the media have been challenged not to go beyond the confines of their professional ethics but rather be accurate and factual in their reportage in order not to create confusion in the country. If the media would accept that journalism is meant to improve upon societal well-being by presenting accurate and reliable information to the populace, then their sources of information should not be doubted because accurate and reliable information is an indispensable tool for the realization of good governance.  The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo gave the advice at a press soiree organized at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. Mr. Woyongo re-echoed government’s committed to ensuring a free, fair and transparent election, saying as a country it behoves us to complement government’s effort by refraining from negativities that are capable of denting the country’s hard won democratic credentials. He however charged the media industry to pave way for the attainment of the set objective. He also encouraged them to play a leading role in ensuring that message sent out to the public domain is reliable and healthy for public consumption. This, he said can be done devoid of biased reportage. Mr Woyongo expressed worry about the way the media in the region create the platform for people to make disparaging remarks about people, the government and corporate bodies. Such remarks, he advised should not be tolerated. He said whilst it is generally agreed that, the liberalization of the airwaves is meant to widen the frontiers of press freedom and by implication the deepening of culture, people who have nothing to contribute to societal welfare should not be allowed to foul the airwaves with outrageous remarks that have the potential of igniting conflict. Mr Woyongo later seized the opportunity to highlight some developmental projects to be undertaken in the region this year and mentioned the establishment of ambulance service centers in areas such as Garu, Navrongo, and Sandema with each centre to be allocated two ambulances. He also mentioned the construction and rehabilitation of the Eastern Corridor road which he said would start in earnest. One major road to benefit from the said road project is the Bolgatanga–Bawku which is in a deplorable state. In reaction to concerns raised by the media. Mr Woyongo appealed passionately to chiefs; Tindana’s and land owners in the regionto assist in releasing land for developmental project. He also urged them to take a second look at the issue of land compensation, which he noted is drawing the developmental effort of the government backwards.  On sports, Mr Woyongo encouraged the people in the region to develop interest in sports by contributing to its total development. He said due to financial constraint, the only first division team in the region failed to qualify for the premiership. The promotion of the team to him will depend on the support of individuals, businesses and corporate bodies and appealed to all to assist in qualifying the team to the national level. The Regional Chairman, GJA, Mr Eric Amo for his part commended the media for contributing to the peace in the region and encouraged them to keep up with the good work. He was however not happy about the indiscriminate felling of trees within the Bolgatanga municipality and cautioned offenders to desist from the act to avoid the wrath of the media.  

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German Government lauds Ghana’s peace keeping efforts

Mr. Winner cutting the sod to commission the facility

Section of dignitaries present at the function

06-01-2011                  

Narration: The Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Thomas Wimmer has commended Ghana’s peace keeping efforts, describing it as worthy of emulation. According to him, the German government acknowledges the exceptional role of the Ghanaian police in international peace keeping operations and will continue to partner and assist personnel in the service for UN peace keeping missions, stressing that security, is key to democracy and development. Mr. Wimmer said this at the official handing over of an auditorium and restroom facilities to the Pwalugu Police Training School at Pwalugu in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region. The 300-seater capacity auditorium, which is being constructed by Nascron Ghana Ltd, a civil engineering company is estimated at cost of GHc97, 000. Other facilities provided for the school include a 6-seater toilet facility and an ICT centre, established to enhance the knowledge base of inmates on information technology. Isaac Asare was there for Radio Ghana.

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Section of recruits at the function

Regional Police Band in action

The Pwalugu Police Training school is among the six regional police training schools in the country. It is the brain child of DCOP Mr.  B. V Derry Retired, the former Upper East Regional Police Commander. The school began when it became necessary to increase the number of police personnel in the country. The then regional commander realizing the shortage of the manpower gap in the three regions of the north took advantage of the situation and quickly initiated the move to have the regional police training school opened in the region. It was officially commissioned in November, 2004 after fruitful consultation with the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly. The Head of Mission, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Thomas Wimmer who cut the sod to officially hand over the facilities touched on the relevance of security in national development. He revealed that one of the key mandates of the German foreign policy has always being the essence of promoting security not only in Africa but also in other parts of the continent. This, he said, explains why the German Federal Foreign Office with practical support by GIZ has for the past ten years initiated police support programme dubbed “Positive Development of Police and Security Service in Africa”. The programme he disclosed covers 13 African countries including Ghana.  In the framework of the program, the government of Germany has collaborated since 2009 with the Ghana police service in its effort to prepare personnel for UN mission. Some of the aspect of the programme he pointed out was to offer training services, provide hardware and equipments and most importantly renovate the Police training schools across the country. He said Ghana is noted as the second biggest contributor in deploring police personnel to support peace keeping missions. He therefore expressed the commitment of German government to Support the enormous fruitful effort that Ghana has already made in that regard. He commended GIZ and the police administration for their bond of cooperation and urged them to continue with the partnership.  The International Relations Director, (IRD) at the Ghana Police Headquarters, ACP Mr. John Owiredu Nkansah said the construction of the facilities was not only meant to beef up and resolve the infrastructural deficit of the school but also was in partial fulfillment of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Police administration and the German government through the then German Organization for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in March 2009. He however commended the German government for their effort in addressing some of the challenges confronting the Ghana Police Service. In a speech read for him, the Regional Police Commander, ACP Bright Oduro said the provision of the facilities will help alleviate the hardship police personnel encounter travelling from Northern and Central regions to Accra for purposes of peace keeping selection and training. According to him, the renovated facilities will serve the three regions of the north in terms of peace keeping selection and training. He pledged to ensure the effective use of the facility and appealed to others to emulate the gesture. Present to grace the occasion include the Talensi District Chief Executive,Mrs Vivian Anarfo the Deputy Regional Commander of Police, ACP P.Y Gyinae,  Commanding Officer,Regional Police training School, DSP William Yankey Acolatse,  and a host of other dignitaries both within and outside the region.

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Assembly member caution against indiscriminate sale of land

04-01-2012   

The Assembly Member for the Yorogo-Tingre Electoral Area in the Upper East Region Solomon Akakeya, has called for the regulation of the sale of lands in the area. He said the Bolgatanga and Bongo Traditional Councils should, as a matter of urgency pass laws to safeguard the lands. He urged Divisional and Sub Chiefs to strictly enforce the laws to help curb the trend. The Assemblyman expressed his concern at Yorogo during the celebration of his first anniversary in office as the Assemblyman for the Electoral Area. He explained that the rate at which individuals in the communities were selling lands would affect the future generation if the practice was not checked. He warned that government and Philanthropists, who want to put up building and other infrastructure projects in deprived communities, cannot do so now because most of the lands had been sold.  Mr Akakeya said since he assumed office as an assemblyman for the area, he has successfully lobbied with an NGO to register 40 deprived people in the community into the National Health Insurance Scheme. Mr Akakeya said with the support of the Member of Parliament for the area, they have been able to initiate projects such as nurses' quarters, the construction of bridges and the reshaping of roads and appealed to the management of the Urban Roads to gravel the Gaabisi-Yariga road to make it motorable.  Electricity, he said, remains one of his major priority concerns and expressed the hope that with support from the Regional Minister, the Member of Parliament, and the MCE, the electricity problem will be solved.” The Chiefs of Yorogo and Kunkua, Naba Johnson Awuni and Naba Peter Apineyele respectively, pledged to work harder to help arrest the rampant sale of lands in the area.  They expressed dismay about the spate of teenage pregnancies in the area and appealed to parents to ensure that they discharged their parental roles effectively. Naba Apineyele cautioned the people against the indiscriminate felling of trees, saying that, some people just cut down trees to sell and use the proceeds to drink alcohol. The Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Mr. Opam Brown, promised to support the community with electricity and other projects if he gets the nod to contest as MP for the second time. GBC                                                         END                                                    IA/

BONABOTO assist a 25- member medical team to embark on an outreach programme

Press briefing by BONABOTO

Team of doctors at the Male Theatre Ward

A team of 25 medical professionals led by Prof. Francis Abantanga, a consultant Paediatric surgeon at the Komfo Anokye teaching Hospital has embarked on a medical outreach programme in parts of the Upper East Region. The team comprising of doctors, pharmacist, surgeons and anaesthetists among other paramedical workers have so far taken care of 400 cases with diseases of all kinds in six district hospitals of the region. The team also embarked on consultation services on breast cancer screening and education of nutrition. Speaking to Radio Ghana after performing few hernia surgeries at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Prof. Abantanga who is also a lecturer in the School of Medical Sciences said the outreach programme began December, last year under the auspices of BONABOTO,  a union of citizens from Bolgatanga, Bongo  and Talensi-Nabdam Districts of the Upper-East Region. The aim of the programme, he explained, was to offer humanitarian services to the less deprived in society through free medical support. According to him, surgeries in hernia, hydrosols and lumps over the body were the most diseases that were successfully carried out in the entire centre visited, though malaria was the most common disease identified at these centers.  Giving the breakdown of the number of surgeries performed, Prof Abatanga said the team with support from nurses and other medical students carried out 39 cases in the Bongo District Hospital, 1 at Tongo Health Centre, 17 at Navrongo War Memorial Hospital, 13 at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, another 14 at Afrikids Medical Centre also in Bolgatanga and 17 at the Zebilla District Hospital. A number of people were also taken through consultation services. While touching on the successes and achievement chalked since the beginning of the programme, Prof Abantanga revealed plans by the team to extend their coverage to other deprived areas of the country. Financial constraint, he lamented, poses a major challenge to their activities, which, he added, was the reason for their inability to reach out to more vulnerable people in other districts of the region, particularly Bawku. He therefore appealed to individuals and organizations concerned to help provide financial aid to contribute in support the programme. At a press briefing later held at the conference hall of the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly Hall, Prof. Abantanga denied rumours that the doctors involved in the free medical aid are mainly BONABOTO members. He said doctors who came for the outreach programme are not necessary part of BONABOTA as being speculated but rather a team of medical practitioners drawn from various regions of the country. Responding to questions from the press, Prof. Abantanga reiterated his call on the need for financial support and thanked the Regional Minister and other few personalities for their contribution in making the outreach programme a success. He also appealed to the various district assemblies to help sponsor students through the medical school and bond them to return to the region to serve their people. This, to him, will to some extent solve the acute doctor shortage in the region.  The Regional Chairman of BONABOTO, Didacus Afegra thanked the medical team for the bold initiative and pledged the continuous support of BONABOTO to help bring quality health care to the doorstep of the poor and vulnerable.

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