Students of BIG BOSS faces health risk

29-07-13       

Students heading to their respective domitories

Students of Bolgatanga Senior High school in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region are requesting the authorities of the school to act swiftly by providing them with a decent and spacious dinning facility that could accommodate the needed students at a goal. Speaking to Radio Ghana on condition of anonymity some of the students expressed their discomfort about the way food was transported from the dining hall to the various dormitories uncovered. This they described was unhealthy since their meals are left uncovered thus posing a health risk. According to the students the practice of moving their meals from the hall to their dormitories have been an old ritual that has existed without any antidote from the school authorities. Attention was also drawn to the fact that some students in their attempt to transport their food fall on their way. Evidently, students were spotted moving their meals to their various dormitories when Radio Ghana visited the school. The bizarre situation, they noted sometimes compels students to take their meals outside the school a practice they further indicated  goes against the rules and regulations of the famous institution. The headmaster of the school, Mr  Afelibiek Ababu, when contacted refused to comment on the matter.

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Duty bearers give to Muslim Communities in the Upper East

Dignitaries present 

Regional Chief Imam, Sheikh Yusif  Adam (Second)

28-07-13   

 The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammmed-Muniru has made a symbolic presentation to Muslim leaders in the region in preparation towards the end for the fast of Ramadan. The Regional Minister after the Iftar, which is the period of breaking a day’s fasting, presented 100 bags of rice and 60 bags of sugar to the Regional Chief Imam for onward distribution to the Muslim communities. The event which took place at the premises of the Regional Coordinating Council in Bolgatanga was the first of its kind to be organized for Muslims in the region. It provided a platform for the Regional Minister to meet and interact with his Muslim colleagues and deliberate on the essence of life and death. It was also an occasion to offer special prayers for the nation and to mark the first anniversary of the passing on of Late President John Evans Attah Mills. Alhaji Mohammed Muniru in an address reminded Muslims to honour the holy Quran by living in peace. He said Islam stood for peace and therefore it behoves on every Muslim to abide by the dictates and principles of Allah for peace to prevail. He appealed to all Ghanaians to come together and pray for the nation at these trying times and further cautioned the Muslim youth to refrain from acts that could disturb the countries peace process. Discipline and tolerance, he suggested were key to sustaining the nation’s peace. The Regional Chief Imam, Sheikh Yusif Adam who received the items on behalf of the Muslim community thanked the Regional Minister for his show of concern and called for Allah’s blessing on him. The food items he assured were going to be distributed fairly to enable them end the fast of Ramadan with joy and much blessing. Special Magrib prayer and supplications later took place to communicate the essence of peace and also honour the departed souls especially for late President Mills.

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 Also at the premises of the Sabhiya Muhammad Al-Ramadan Mosque in Pwalugu, the District Chief Executive for Talensi, Mr Edward Awunnore handed over a cow to the Muslim community in commemoration of activities marking the first year anniversary of the late president.  The presentation which was made through the leaders of the Muslim communities in the district came along with other consumables including 60 bags of rice, 18 boxes of sugar, and 30 cartons of milk. This was to enable them ensure a successful period for the upcoming feast of Ramadan. Mr Awunnore who was pleased with the leadership qualities of the late president called on Ghanaians to remain united as was bequeathed us by late President Mills. He moreover called on all irrespective of ethnic, political and religious to remain steadfast and pray for the country as government takes step to keep the nation on its toes despite the social and economic challenges. On the Supreme Court case, Mr Awunnore appealed to parties involved to respect the verdict to be given by the court so as to ensure peace, security and development. The Assembly member for Pwalugu Electoral Area, Alhaji Amin Seidu on behalf of Muslims in the area thanked the DCE and the assembly for the gesture and assured that Muslim leaders would play their role towards peace building.

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Muslim leaders in a pose with the DCE

Talensi DCE in a chat with Alhaji Seidu, Assembly member for Pwalugu electoral Area

Recycling is key to dealing with plastic waste: Dr Kanton

22-07-13    

Plastic waste

A Principal Research Scientist at the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Dr Roger Kanton says plastic waste could better be managed if government support individuals and group of persons that have the skill to change and recycle waste materials into productive use.  He bemoaned that though government in its quest to improve sanitation had employed the services of waste management companies, nothing concrete have been achieved.   Speaking to Radio Ghana in Bolgatanga, Dr Kanton cited Zoomlion Ghana Limited and its subsidiaries as waste management giants that have caused the nation millions of cedis on sanitation without integrating measures to venture into recycling, which is one of the surest ways of raking additional revenue for government. For him, the country’s waste management teams contracted by government have derailed from their core mandate as the country continues to battle with the filth that has engulfed every corner of the country. Effective recycling, he proposed was key to addressing the sanitation situation in the country as it was also going to create employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth. He said in as much as the country loses chunk of its resources to poor sanitation, its adverse effect on humans, animals and water bodies including crop yield cannot be quantified and needed to be tackled with all the seriousness it deserves. Recycled materials, he stated could be of immense benefit to all since plastic materials are the most used items in the country. Dr Kanton however pleaded with government to extend its support to persons that are into recycling of plastic waste materials, adding that most developing countries have adopted the practice to improve sanitation. Failure to do so, he noted would mean that Ghana was likely to miss the MDG targeted for improved basic sanitation by 2015. He therefore urged government and other concerned agencies to re-channel their energies by making recycling a better option for improved sanitation and job creation. Whilst appealing to expert in waste management to prioritize the practice of recycling, Dr Kanton called for attitudinal change towards all waste issues. Discipline he however indicated was the hallmark to addressing sanitation in the country.

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Presidents Nominee for Builsa South rejected

17-07-13                  

President's nominee, Mr Norbert Awulley (Right)

Appointed and Elected Assembly Mmebers 

Fifteen out of twenty seven assembly members in the newly created Builsa South yesterday voted against Nobert Awulley, the Presidents’ nominee for the position of a District Chief Executive. The nominee after a round of voting secured 12 out of the number of votes cast representing 44 percent. This indicates that Mr Awulley was not in the position to be crowned as the DCE since he failed to clinch two- thirds of votes required for wining as per the Local Government Act 462 and in contravention of  the Assembly standing orders. Before the elections, the Deputy Regional Director of the EC, Mr Azu Bosco had a tough time dealing with some members of the house as a section of them claim they were not comfortable with the  handling the electoral process. It took the intervention of the Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed Muniru and other dignitaries present to calm nerves down.  Alhaji Mohammed Limuna who was not satisfied with the turn of event urged members of the assembly to shun any bitterness in them and think of the development of the area. He said their failure to honour the presidents by confirming the nominee goes on to show that there were side issues that needed to be resolved to bring about unity. He however pleaded with members to remain calm and also forego any misunderstanding whilst they wait for the President’s response to the matter. The nominee Mr Awulley told Radio Ghana that though he lost, he was optimistic that government will find a solution to the issue and thanked the assembly members for participating in the election.

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Media urged to partner gov’t in re-branding polytechnic education

     

Prof Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman 

The Minister of Education, Professor Naana Jane Opoku  Agyemang has discouraged the media from painting a gloomy picture  about  technical and vocational training but instead partner stakeholders in re-branding the system particularly polytechnic education.  For her, it has become imperative for the media to place in the spotlight successful persons and businesses of technical and vocational background. Such positive lights she noted could erase some public misconceptions about Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Prof Opoku Agyemang made the call at the 3^rd Congregation of Bolgatanga Polytechnic at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. According to her polytechnic education has come of age and it is high time we put hands on deck and give it the needed developmental push to enable it play its mandated role and give meaning to the provision of the Polytechnic Act 745. She announced that in line with the new orientation in educational sector, TVET is to be re-positioned to assist polytechnic blaze a new trail in tertiary education where there will be healthy blend of practical competency acquisition and theory. This when brought to fruition will make polytechnics the hub to producing graduates who will be practically- oriented without sacrificing academic excellence.  Prof Opoku Agyeman however disclosed government’s determination to strengthen the capacity of the human resource base of polytechnics and urged the country’s polytechnics to take advantage of the funding opportunities including the skills Development Fund offered by the Councils for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) to address and sharpen  their skills, technology and competency gap. She said government recognizes the importance of polytechnic education and has therefore put in place mechanisms to upgrade them to full fledge technical universities. To the graduands, Prof Opoku Agyemang said what matters is what they do with their degrees and how they go about it after completion. She encouraged them to turn their challenges into opportunities and put their expertise to bear by beginning with any small way to help themselves and their families. The Rector Bolgatanga Polytechnic, Dr Mba Atinga paid glowing tribute to the chiefs, founding members, staff and the entire governing council of the institute for their selfless contribution to the growth and success of the school. He appealed to the sector minister to partner the GETfund in assisting the school with a 2,000 seater multi-purpose auditorium to host big events and further appealed for a lecture theatre complex to enable the school increase its intake substantially since they have the needed lecturers to support even a 100 percent increase in student enrollment  Dr Atinga requested all major stakeholders including MMDAs to give the school special consideration in the allocation of resources. In all about 608 graduands drawn from 11 departments for the year 2011/12 were conferred with various Higher National Diplomas (HNDs). Students that excelled in various academic disciplines were honoured with awards. This year’s congregation attracted dignitaries including the Regional Minister and his deputy as well as officials  from NAPTEX, GETfund and rectors from sister polytechnics.

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Bishop of the Navrongo/Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese, Bishop Agyenta in a prayer mood

NLA assists Bolgatanga Health Centre

                           

Director of Operations NLA, George Gyamfi-Osew,

Management of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) led by the Director of Operations, George Gyamfi-Osew, has made a symbolic donation to the Bolgatanga Health Centre at Bolgatanga. The donation which is in line with the company’s corporate social responsibility programme was to support the facility in addressing some of its logistical deficits. It was also to complement government’s effort in ensuring quality health care delivery in the region. The items estimated at the cost of GHc 6,000 included 10 plastic chairs, 10 waiting benches, 3 office desks, BP monitoring apparatus, a paediatric weighing machine, a steriliser among others. Presenting the items, Mr Gyamfi-Osew, stressed the significance of the donation which he indicated was to support the less endowed institutions to enable them deliver them on their mandate. Such donations he emphasised are done annually as a way of giving back to communities where they operate. This is done in consultation with opinion leaders who are occasionally contacted to identify institutions that are in dire need of logistics and other infrastructural support. According to Mr Gyamfi-Osew, similar donations had been made to benefit most health facilities in the region and pledged on the company’s resolve to assist more of such facilities in the future. Madam Rebecaa Anamolga, a Physician Assistant, who received the items on behalf of the centre, described the donation as timely since it was going to contribute to the attainment  of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), targeted at reducing maternal and infant mortality. She thanked NLA for the show of concern and called on other corporate institutions to emulate the gesture.  Madam Anamolga, was also grateful to one Joseph Dasaah, who was instrumental in making the plight of the hospital known and further appealed to the Regional Health Directorate not to renege on its promise of relocating the centre since it lacks adequate space to operate.  The Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Edward Ayagle, who was present to grace the occasion, bemoaned the practice of poor maintenance culture in all sectors of the country especially health institutions, adding that such practices pose a major challenge  to  government. He however challenged staff of the centre to endeavour to regularly maintain and keep the items in good conditions to ensure their lifespan. The Administrator of the Regional Health Directorate, Mr Lucio Dery was present to witness the donation.

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Members reject President’s Nominee for DCE in the KNWD

Assembly members in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region yesterday failed to endorse the President’s nominee for the position of District Chief Executive (DCE). At a special meeting held at Paga, 24 out of 64 elected and appointed members voted against the nominee, Thomas Addah Dalu, whilst 40 voted for him. In accordance with the Local Government Act, 462, members of the assembly are required to confirm the President’s nominee for the post of Metropolitan, Municipal and District chief Executives (MMDCEs). Interestingly, candidates are supposed to get about two thirds of the votes cast of which Mr Dalu failed to attain the required votes. After the declaration of the results by the Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, tension, disappointment and anxiety were written on the faces of dignitaries present at the event. The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru who was among the dignitaries urged the Assembly members to put aside all grievances and honour the president by retaining the nominee.  He said all members irrespective of party affiliation has the moral obligation to confirm any nominee appointed by the President, adding that government and for that matter the president has the sole mandate to sack any DCE for non-performance. Above all development of the district should be their main priority and not rancour and acrimony. Mr Mohammed Muniru however challenged the assembly to rise above politics and see to the development of the area. Present at the event was the Member of Parliament for Chiana-Paga, Mr  Abuga Pele and the Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Daniel Syme among other DCEs. Re-election has therefore been postponed to Monday July, 22 for consideration.

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