U/E hopeful of getting appreciable results in this year’s BECE- Reg. Dir of Educ. predicts

Students writing BECE Exam

19-04-2012         

Narration: The Upper East Regional Director of Education, Paul Apanga, is hopeful that candidates writing this year’s BECE in the region are poised to achieving excellent results as they have been adequately prepared to produce the best of results the region has ever recorded. Mr. Apanga who spoke to Radio Ghana said he was impressed with the turn out and the manner and atmosphere in which the examination was conducted, an indication he noted gave a firm indication that the examination was destined to producing appreciable result. He added since the examination began on April, 16 none of the centres in the region have recorded any form of examination malpractice though there were few candidate absenteeism among resitters and pregnancy and other health related cases among some female candidates. Here is an update by correspondent Isaac Asare.

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The Upper East Region this year registered 15,957 candidates comprising 8,507 males with females constituting 7,450. This involves 322 private and public basic schools across the region. The said candidates took part in the government funded mock examination project held on Monday April, 2 to improve the performance of students countrywide. According to the Regional Director of Education for the Upper East Region, Mr. Paul Apanga, administration of this year’s BECE exams has been smooth and transparent owing to the orientation given to heads of schools, supervisors, security agencies and the students in general. This, he said, was evident when he took turns to visit some examination centres to assess the situation on the ground. The impressive turn out of the candidates, he noted, showed the seriousness the students attached to the examination. Most students during the course of his visit were relaxed whilst others were beaming with smile. This, he explained, was because candidates before the exam were told to be confident and bold since questions set for the exam were based on what they have been taught and nothing new or different. To him, the zeal and level of confidence exhibited by the children gave an ample impression that they were prepared to deliver. Given statistical data on the number of candidates that registered to sit for the exams, Bolgatanga Municipality was said to have recorded the highest number of candidates numbering 2,584 followed by Bawku Municipality and the Garu Tempane district, both recording more than 2,000 candidates. The Talensi Nabdam District recorded the lowest of 1,227 candidates with Builsa recording a little above 1,300 candidates. Paga in the Kassena-Nankana West District presented 1,672 candidates whilst Navrongo in the Kassena-Nankana East also presented 1,743 candidates. In all the centres visited by the Regional Director of Education, it was realized that about 50 candidates were absent. Touching further on the issue of absenteeism, Mr. Apanga said  of  all the centres visited 5 female candidates  were reported to be pregnant and failed to turn up to write the paper whilst one female candidate from the Garu District was reported dead even before the exams began. Bolgatanga Municipal he disclosed recorded about 17 absentees, the highest in the region. Mr Apanga later told Radio Ghana that there was going to be an improvement in this year’s BECE due to the measures put in place. He noted that the mock exams written and the extra classes organized for the candidates gave them adequate preparation and expressed the hope that they would perform excellently in this year's examination. He was also hopeful that with the support of stakeholders the region is expecting nothing less than 60 percent and 90 in the near future.

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Tongo Health facility receives assorted medical equipments worth 35,000 dollars

Some medical items on display

Mr Bananzi and Wife presenting the medical item to the DCE

DCE for Talensi handing over the items to the Reg Dir of Health

The Tongo Health centre in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region has received assorted quality medical equipments worth 35,000 dollars to help improve health care delivery in the district. Among the items presented include Mammography unit, Pentax scope, Theatre table and accessories, crutches, wheel chairs, anesthesia machines and x-ray lights and cassette among others. Receiving the items, the District Director of Health Services (DDHS), Rosemond Azure said the donation of the equipments has come at no better time than now as management of the facility is finalizing moves to give it a facelift. The equipment, she further noted, will support the health centre to be upgraded into the status of a district hospital. It will also go a long way to improve quality health service delivery in the beneficiary communities since the facility is still faced with limited medical equipment to respond to the ever increasing OPD attendance recorded daily at the facility. Asked whether the equipment could be properly utilized  by staff of the facility, Mrs. Azure replied that experts from the Regional Health Directorate were going to be engaged to give staff the needed technical knowhow on the usage of equipments especially, the modern ones.  The Deputy Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, Mr. Bernard Bananzi, who is the donor, presented the items to the management of the facility through the District Chief Executive, Vivian Anarfo at a short ceremony held at the centre. He was supported by the wife, a nurse by profession. Mr. Bananzi who is a native of the district said the donation which is being made possible through the support of some international donor agencies and close relatives forms part of his resolve to give back to the community.  He mentioned the Council of International Programmes (CIP) as one of the financiers of the gesture. According to Mr. Bananzi the donation of the equipments became necessary having realized the problems confronting the facility. He said following constant lobbying and appeals made to some individuals and donors, he was able to acquire the equipment with the support of one Mark Poeppelman and Mr. Bahram Hashemi both in Ohio State Hospital in the United States. He took the opportunity to commend some individuals and NGOs in the district for their diverse support and appealed to the hospital to inculcate the habit of regular maintenance to prolong the life span of the equipment. The Medical Assistant at the Tongo Health Centre, Mathew Adam and the DCE thanked Mr. Bananzi and the wife for their show of concern and urged other institutions and individuals to assist in that regard. The facility, they assured will be properly taken care of. The DCE in an interview with Radio Ghana said the assembly is putting in measures to ensure that the facility is refurbished and expanded to befit the status of a district hospital.

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Majority Leader in Parliament tours biometric Registration Centres

Mr Avoka taking his photograph for the biometric ID

Registration Official, Mariam taking Mr Avoka thru the process

Section of applicants in the cue

16-04-2012     

The Majority Leader in Parliament, Cletus Apul Avoka has toured some biometric registration centres in the Zebilla Central Constituency to interact with registration officials to ascertain the progress of the ongoing exercise as it enters its third phase. Areas visited by Mr Avoka who also doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area include the Zebilla SHS centre and the NCCE office centre both at Zebilla, the district capital of Bawku West of the Upper East Region. Other areas visited include Teshie market square, and Kperigu primary school under Teshie electoral area and Soogo electoral area respectively. Mr. Avoka aftermath the tour expressed total satisfaction about the level of turn out exhibited by applicants, describing it as encouraging. He said though the turnout was encouraging, there was still room for improvement with respect to public education. According to him, many people are still feeling reluctant to come out to register for one reason or the other forgetting that it is their constitutional and fundamental obligation to owe a voting card not only for the purpose of voting but for other equally important business transactions, particularly, financial transactions with the banks. Moreover,  if an  area wants to be considered for the creation of another constituency or a district, massive registration by electorates will complement the work of the EC in determining whether that particular area is qualified to be granted a district or not. Mr. Avoka therefore called on the NCCE and officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) to step up effort at educating the masses on the need for the exercise. The political parties, he also indicated have a role to play in bring on board electorates to register massively with the EC.  He promised to partner the EC to find lasting solution to the faulty registration equipments and advised his constituents to take advantage of the biometric registration exercise in order not to be disenfranchised.  He was however not happy about the efficiency of the registration equipments which, he noted, could be attributed to the hot climatic condition among other factors and said it was not too late to address the challenge. Most of the registration officers Radio Ghana spoke to commended the various political party agents for their comportment since the beginning of the exercise. At Teshie Market Square,  registration officer in charge of special duties, Issifu Illiasu confirmed that the political party agents have been supportive since the exercise began and  have complement the effort of the registration officials in identifying minors and unqualified individuals from registering. This he noted was worthy of emulation and further appealed to the electorates to cooperate with the registration officers to ensure a successful exercise.  According to Mr. Illiasu turn out since the exercise began has been smooth and successful devoid of any interference. The only problem, he identified was a duplication recorded at his centre which he said has since been rectified.  To him, the exercise is poised to record high turnout despite the few hitches recorded in some registration centres nationwide.

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Nurses and Midwives implored to exhibit health professional values of empathy to clients

CEO, Nurses and Midwives Council, Rev Mrs Darko

Matriculants reciting the oath of the institution

Some dignitaries present at the function

16-04-2012    

Narration: The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nurses and Midwives Council, Rev, Mrs Veronica Darko has implored nurses and midwives to be empathetic towards patients and clients by adapting  to the right attitude in order to  adjust to the demands of the nursing profession. Empathy, she noted was paramount in the delivery of quality health care as the profession recognizes them as care giver and not intimidators. According to her, nurses ought to obtain the needed clinical information from clients to be able to give them care that will be to their satisfaction and charged them to act as agents of change to restore the image of the noble profession. Mrs. Darko gave the advice at Bawku during the occasion of the third joint matriculation ceremony for freshers of the five Health Nursing Training Institutions of the Upper East Region. Correspondent Isaac Asare was has more for Radio Ghana.

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Another section of Matriculants from Bolga Midwifery 

Mr David Amalba, Principal CHNTC, Navrongo

Mr Mac-Mommin, Principal Bolga NTC

Report

The idea of bringing all health training institutions in the region to be matriculated was among other objectives geared towards establishing institutional linkages to promote efficient and effective use of resources and also project the image of the Health Training Institutions (HTI) as centers of academic excellence. Their formal induction into the training was for the purpose of training them to become humble, committed and caring professionals cadres poised to deliver quality health service to the Ghanaians as enshrined in the NRC Decrees and LIs of the Nurses and Midwives Council Act. Rev. Mrs Darko congratulated the matriculants for meeting the needed entry requirements and appealed to them to carry themselves in dignity, grace and honour since society expects a lot from them. She was particularly concerned about the level of arrogance and indiscipline in the profession and charged nurses and midwives to remain discipline and steadfast in their conviction that they could do something differently to help save life and make things better for humanity. Rev Mrs Darko assured the general public that the Council is seriously working towards the improvement of the attitude and the quality of care from nurses and midwives. The Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Health Training Institutions (COHHETI), Mr James Yamdor catalogued a number of challenges bedeviling the training process of the health training institutions and said the delay in the release of funds posed the major challenge.  He told Radio Ghana that since the beginning of the year, funds have not been released to any of the five training institutions for current expenditure, adding that the schools are depending on the fees paid by the students. Mr Yamdor however appealed passionately to the Health Ministry to as a matter of urgency release funds to the schools, emphasizing that failure will leave them with no option than to suspend academic work for the second semester of the 2011/2012 academic year and students asked to go home.  He also mentioned the issue of land litigation, non or delayed payment of school fees by students and sponsoring institutions as well as inadequate number of tutors and lack of residential accommodation facilities and services for heads and tutors as some of the key setbacks. Mr Yamdor later called for the speedy passage of the Health Training Institution Agency bill and additionally asked for the extension of the GETFund to the HTIs. The Deputy Regional Director of Public Health, James Akpablie challenged matriculants to adhere to the laid down rules and regulations governing the profession. To him, the Regional Health Management team is much aware of the numerous challenges confronting the HTIs and pledged to continue to team up with the heads of the affected institutions to find antidotes to the challenges to make learning conducive for students. In all 495 students drawn from all the five HTIs in the region received the matriculation oath administered by the CEO of the Nurses and Midwives Council. The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs Lucy Awini was there to grace the occasion.

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CPP will assume total sovereignty over the country’s natural wealth and resources- Bright Akwettey

13-04-2012           

Narration: An aspiring Presidential Candidate of the Convention’s People’s Party, (CPP) Bright Akwettey says the CPP will take permanent sovereignty over the country’s natural wealth and resources when given the chance to lead the country. He said since the country adopted the new constitution in 1992, political parties that assume the reigns of government have failed to change existing laws empowering foreigners and private companies to take total control over the nation’s endowed natural resources, describing that as unfortunate.  The return of the CPP, he assured will see to it that such laws are reformed to make it beneficial for both Ghanaians and investors. He spoke with our Upper East Regional Correspondent, Isaac Asare for Radio Ghana.

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Senior Cadre appeal to party supporters

12-04-2012                

Aggrieved Supporters of the ruling National Democratic party (NDC) have been urged to exercise restraints whilst government takes step to address their needs and concerns. Speaking to Radio Ghana in Bolgatanga, a Senior Cadre and a Member of the Council of Elders of the party, Alasgkoma Asakeya Noble said government needs ample time to turn the fortunes of Ghanaians, particularly die hard supporters of the NDC, emphasizing the need for them to renew their mandate for the incumbent to be able to fix all loopholes created by the previous administration. When this is done, government, he noted would be able to cater for its followers in an equitable manner. According to him, there is no political party in the world that would capture power and reward all her supporters whether with monetary gains or political appointment within its first term of office. This, he pointed out, is not practicable, adding that what is key for Ghanaians is to complement governments effort in creating the right working environment for the teeming unemployed youth and also create an enabling environment conducive for  local and foreign investment. Mr. Asakeya Noble said government is bent on creating the necessary and congenial atmosphere for Ghanaians to live and charged supporters of the NDC to desist from negativities that has the capacity of marring the beauty of the country’s enviable democracy. He also cautioned supporters of the opposition NPP against tendencies capable of breaching the peace of the country but rather live at peace with members of the other political divides. Ghana, he said comes first above all political parties, hence the need to brush aside unfavourable comments and utterances instead, “it behoves us as people with one common vision to enhance the tenets of democracy through peaceful co-existence. Mr. Alagskoma later challenged duty bearers to emulate the shining examples of the President, John Evans Atta Mills by living above reproach in their day today work, bearing in mind that one day they would be called upon to account for their stewardship either collectively or individually. He said the greed where some party executives would want to have so many contracts at a time, denying other qualified persons the opportunity should cease since the practice does not augur well for the development of the party. He however made a humble appeal to executives and supporters of the party to remain united and forge ahead in ensuring that the party retains power come December, this year. Mr. Asakeya Noble also charged the leadership of the party to endeavour to address swiftly the discontent and grievances emanating from the grassroots that have consistently given the government their mandate to govern the country.

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Talensi District Assembly Assists Police with Accommodation

New edifice for police personnel in Tongo

Mrs Anafo handing over the keys to the officer in charge

DCE  handing over the keys to one of the teachers of the school

10-04-2012     

A 1 No 4 Unit housing block has been completed and handed over to personnel of the police service resident at Tongo in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region. The new edifice which is capable of housing four families was constructed by the Talensi District Assembly under the District Wide Assistant Project (DWAP) at the cost of GH¢ 74,000. At a brief handing over ceremony, the District Chief Executive for Talensi, Mrs. Vivian Anarfo recounted the essence of providing the police and other security agencies with decent accommodation to help boost their effectiveness in the performance of their official duties. The provision of the building, she indicated was to complement government’s effort at providing the security agencies with decent accommodation. Mrs. Anarfo was of the conviction that if the right working conditions were created, the security services could significantly bring down crime in society, hence the provision of the new structure. She however pledged the assembly’s support for the police to enable them maintain law and order in the district. One resident personnel who received the keys on behalf of the station officer, Inspector Mohammed Mumuni, commended the assembly for its show of concern and called on corporate institutions and the well-to-do to emulate the gesture. The District Planning Officer, Mukasa Zooga in an interview told Radio Ghana that the assembly has constructed a Police Station for residents of Nangodi at the cost of GHc32, 000 and assured other communities that similar project would be provided when the need arises.  Mr. Zooga appealed to  the police to take good care of the facility by making sure that it was kept in good shape at all times. The Assembly, he re-echoed will not relent in its effort to better the working conditions of the security agencies especially the police and called on residents in the district to partner them by exposing all corrupt and criminal practices perpetuated within their localities.  At Awaradone, the Assembly also commissioned a teachers block for teachers of Awaradone Primary and Junior High School. The 4 bedroom block funded by LINK, an NGO with support from the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area and the assembly is said to cost GHc22, 000. The DCE in the company of other officials from the assembly later inspected an ongoing Agro processing project meant for the processing of shea nut, rice and maize. The project when finally completed will serve the purpose of prolonging cereals and other legumes after processing.  

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Residents of Nankpanduri renew call for the creation of a New District

Kwame Nkrumah Rest House at Nankpaduri

09-04-2012   

Narration:   The Chiefs and Elders of Nankpanduri, Bimbagu and Nasuan in the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo District of the Northern Region have renewed their call on government through the Local Government Ministry to reconsider creating a new district for the area. The creation of the proposed district would be called Nankpanduri Nasuan District with Nakpanduri as its capital. At a grand durbar to highlight the plight of the people in the area, the Divisional Chief of Nankpanduri, Naba Golbilla David Kansuk said the call for the creation of a new district has become necessary due to the vast geographical nature of the area, which he noted, could be utilized to facilitate development besides ensuring equitable distribution of developmental projects. Naba Kansuk further explained that the request by the people was borne out of the fact that the area was too large for effective and efficient administration and development. Here is a report by correspondent Isaac Asare

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Nankpanduri Naba and his elders

Section of participants at the gathering

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Naba Kansuk said the area despite its available land mass was endowed with renewable natural resources that could be used and channelled to ensure the pace of development, hence the creation of jobs for the teeming unemployed youth in the area. He noted that since the area was carved out of the East Mamprusi District, it has not seen any significant development and has been relegated to the background as far as the national cake is concerned. Naba Kansuk made a passionate appeal to the President, Prof John Evans Atta Mills to act swiftly by heeding to their call since they are positioned to release land for massive infrastructural development. Naba Kansuk said Nankpanduri and its environs share common vision, and are prepared to work in unity to achieve development. He later took the opportunity to remind Ghanaians about the ongoing biometric registration exercise, stressing that eligible voters that fail to come out to register will be disenfranchised come December.  Mr. Baaman Chatin, representing the Bimbagu youth expressed their commitment to partner the chiefs and duty bearers in the area to ensure accelerated growth and development when giving the new district. He said quality education as well as youth employment is their major concern and would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the area is elevated to a status of a district.  At an earlier press conference organized by the youth leadership of Nankpanduri, Bimbagu and Nasuan, expressed absolute remorse about government’s failure in responding to their request. According to them, the demand for the creation of a new district is dear to the heart of the people considering the rich resources that abound in the said areas.  They indicated that though, the area was still underdeveloped, it is economically empowered with dams for dry season farming, a banking facility, post office, two modern police stations, educational and health facilities as well economic resources, and telecommunication services which would make the creation of a district and constituency for the people a smooth process. Additionally it is strategically located directly on the escarpment South of Garu Tempane district with a population of about 59,847 out of an estimated population of 119,736 living in the Bunkpurugu /Yunyoo district.  The area they disclosed is also endowed with tourist attractions including the Kwame Nkrumah rest house, the magic well in Gbingbalanchet and beautiful escarpments among others. Mr Konlan Amadu Timothy, the leader of the youth group who read the statement said the area poses the needed requirements to attain the status of a district and urged to the government to reconsider their appeal to better enhance the living condition of the people.

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