St. Peter and Paul Primary to get a 3-unit classroom block

30-05-13      

A ground breaking event for the construction of a three unit classroom block for pupils of St. Peter and Paul Primary school has taken place at Atulba Daboo in the Upper East Region. The project which will be funded by the country’s biggest retailed outlet Melcom, will help improve the school’s infrastructural deficit which has been a major challenge bedeviling effective teaching and learning at the school. The Joint Managing Director of Melcom, Ramesh Sadhwani said his outfit as the largest chain retail outlet has  for years given priority attention to education in the country and has for this reason developed an action plans to see to the infrastructural needs of less endowed schools in the country.  In view of this the company intends to facilitate the construction of schools in remote and peripheral areas of the country as a way of given back to the community. The intended projects, he moreover, said will be pursued under a project dubbed Melcom Care Foundation. According to Mr Sadhwani told Radio Ghana that the ground breaking ceremony of the 3 unit classroom block symbolizes the beginning of the foundation which he indicated will be replicated in other areas of the country particularly remote communities of the Northern Ghana. The Headmistress of the school, Maragaret  Ayarik bemoaned the deplorable nature of structures at the school describing it as death trap. For her the successful construction of the project will go a long way to increase school enrolment and also ease congestion at the school. Madam Ayarik, was therefore grateful to Management of Melcom for the gesture, and promise to accommodate the project as their own in order to ensure its safety. She however urged other institutions to support the school with other educational facilities to enhance academic performance of pupils. Meanwhile, the Joint of Melcom in the company of other dignitaries including chiefs and other government officials facilitated the opening of a new Melcom branch for the people of Bolgatanga. Present at the function included the Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Edward Ayagle, and the Paramount Chief of Bolga Traditional Area, Naba Martin Abilba among other functionaries. The official opening of the new edifice stocked with variety of goods and services ranging from household wares and electrical gadgets witnessed an appreciable patronage by a section of the public who were there to grace the occasion. Addressing the gathering, the Director of Communications Melcom Group of Companies, Godwin Avernogbo, said Melcom has for years brought a whole new shopping experience to Ghanaians due to its adopted policy of low prices and high volumes for the general public. This, he noted, has undoubtedly contributed to bringing the cost of living down as people benefits from their reduced prices.  He therefore encouraged the public to continue shopping with Melcom in order to reap much benefit. Mr Avernogbo in his late submission urged staff of the new branch to prioritize customer care since it was key to enhancing the company’s financial obligations which will in turn open greater job opportunities for them.

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U/E RM orders the closure of all illegal mining Sites

17-05-2013                    

Following government’s resolve to flush out Ghanaians and foreign nationals engaged in illegal mining in the country, all mining sites in the Upper East Region particularly those with or without prospecting license from the Minerals Commission (MC) had been asked to close down with immediate effect. The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammed–Muniru, who gave the directive during a tour to some mining areas in the Bawku West and Nabdam District, warned that the influx of foreign nationals operating in illegal gold mining was against the laws of the country, therefore such group of individuals is considered as invaders and should not be entertained. Accompanied by some government officials and a combined police and immigration officers, Alhaji Muniru, instructed owners of all illegal mining sites to seek for the necessary permit and authorization from the offices of the various Municipal and District Assemblies as well as the MC  before operations can continue. Moreover, all Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDAs) and their respective District Security Committees (DISEC) have been tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that all small scale mining activities possess the requisite authorization since such activities pose a serious threat to the nation’s natural resources including water bodies, forest and farmlands. According to him, the two institutions would be held accountable for any illegal mining activity in their areas of jurisdiction. Alhaji Muniru told Radio Ghana that considering the dangers associated with the practice coupled with retaliation tendencies by Ghanaians and some Chinese nationals, it has become imperative for government to take drastic measures to keep the activity in check in order not to jeopardise the country’s peace. He was emphatic that any activity that was in contravention with the mining laws of the country was regarded as illegal, adding that persons that flout these laws were liable to arrest and prosecution. Alhaji Muniru therefore appealed to small scale mining operators to respect the mining laws and attach much importance to the safety aspect of those laws. Areas visited by the Regional Minister and his entourage include Zoog, Yakote, and Nangode all in the Nabdam District. In the Bawku West District, the team also toured a concession owned by the Widnaba Youth Association at Widnaba. At Zaronga which was the last point of call, Alhaji Muniru cautioned owners of the site not to recruit children to undertake any mining activity since it was against the laws of Ghana and warned that the government have the power to revoke licence acquired if found involving children in their operations and also subleasing their concession to foreign nationals. He was accompanied by the DCE, Alhaji Adam Moro, the Presiding Member, Mr Moses Aduk- Pam and the Regional Police Commander DCOP Isaac Alex Quainoo.

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Women advocates wish for speedy passage of the Affirmative Action Bill

15-05-13 

RM Alhaji Mohammed Muniru

Ms Sophia Ackumey reading the communique

Group Photo wit RM

Women advocates in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital are challenging government to as soon as practicable speed up the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill into law. The passage of the said bill backed by its effective implementation will mean that women would be empowered enough to take their rightful position in society. More importantly, women will be given a fair representation in the governance of the country. At a day’s durbar to advocate for the passage of the bill, the women drawn from NGOs and Civil Society Organisations among other stakeholders emphasized the need for all to empower and alleviate the plight of women both financially and economically to enable them reach their desired goals and aspirations. They also challenged women who have positioned themselves in leadership and has become role models to reflect, identify and support the girl child to develop their potentials. They described as false the widespread notion that women are their own enemies, explaining that most women due to cultural and political dimensions are made to succumb to certain principles that refrain them from participating in decision making process of any kind. For her part, the President of the Past and Present Assembly Women’s Association (PPAWA), Agnes Atayila, entreated women to be confident in themselves since they have all it takes to compete with their men folks. She was optimistic that with the little support and determination women will be able to aspire for any leadership position they desire. The Manager of Action Aid Ghana, Kusi Boamah said the affirmative action is intended to promote the opportunities of defined groups within a society, therefore the passage of the bill, whose final draft was validated in koforidua last month, will make it mandatory for recruitment of women into key leadership and decision making positions in the country. He however asked government to prioritize the bill and fast track its process. The Chairman of the Regional Inter Sectoral Gender Network (RISEGNET) D.J Abang-Gos expressed grave concern about the low participation and representation of women in decision making in the region and urged women to rise up to the challenge. The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed–Muniru, said in as much as we advocate for the speedy passage of the bill, there was the need to ensure that the girl child is inculcated with the values of positive attitude in her outlook of life and also be oriented to rise against barriers in attaining her goals as an individual. In his late submission, Alhaji Mohammmed Muniru, concluded that government was in the process of speeding up the passage of the bill, stressing that government has consulted key stakeholders including women groups and considered their inputs.  At the end of the durbar, Sophia Ackumey, a women advocate presented a communique to demand the speedy passage of the bill into law. It was received by the Minister for onward presentation to the President for consideration. The durbar organised by RISEGNET with support from Action Aid was on the theme: ‘Affirmative Action: A tool for Women Development.

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