Farmers advised to keep records of Guinea Fowls to increase their production

 

24-10-13 

Guinea Fowl

Farmers involved in guinea fowl rearing have been implored to keep records of the birds in order for them to make an accurate judgement on inputs, outputs as well as cost and returns. When proper records are kept on the birds, farmers will be able to know the mortality rate of their flocks, know the quantity of feed the flock consumes and above all ensure the growth rate and feed conversion efficiencies of the birds. It also helps in farm planning and budgeting and assists in identifying sick, dead, as well as stray and weak birds. The call comes in the wake of low production in guinea fowl rearing in the three regions of the north due to unguided management practices. A guinea fowl expert, Edgar Draah, who made the call at a sensitisation training workshop in Bolgatanga, said the production of guinea fowl which was supposed to serve as an income generating activity for rural households was gradually losing its value. The workshop he explained was therefore organised to build the capacity of farmers on best practices in the production of guinea fowl. It was also held to sensitize farmers on the need to improve on the health status of the birds and boost their ability on improved feed production formulation and general feeding of guinea fowls. Mr Draah,  in a presentation further identified feed as one of the major cost items in guinea fowl production. He observed that in the absence of a good feed mortality among the birds was likely to be high whilst production is also adversely affected. He said under intensive systems of production, the owner is responsible for giving the bird all its nutrient requirements. This therefore becomes challenging, particularly when owners had no training in feed formulation, hence the need for the capacity training workshop. This among other interventions helps farmers to value the production of the birds and venture into the feed milling business. Participating farmers drawn from the various districts were taken through topics including, egg handling and storage, brooding and medication, housing, incubation, prevention and control of diseases as well as constraints of keeping guinea fowl among others.  The President of the Upper East Guinea Fowl Association, Adongo Nyaaba, who later spoke with Radio Ghana, underscored the need for the unemployed to venture into guinea fowl rearing so as to generate income for themselves and sustain their livelihood. Farmers, he moreover advised should consider guinea fowl rearing as a lucrative venture and not a hobby. Mr  Nyaaba re-echoed the need for farmers to put into practice what they have learnt and extend the knowledge acquired to benefit other farmers.

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                                                        Mr Edgar Draah making his presentation

President, Upper East Guinea Fowl Association

Composite Budget Hearing is laudable: Local gov’t expert

22-10-13     

The Director of Policy Planning, Budgeting, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Local Government Secretariat, Gregory Addah, has described as laudable, the on-going composite budget hearing in the various assemblies. He is therefore of the firm conviction that with continuation of the exercise, revenue generation at the assembly level was going to improve for the better, thereby contributing to attaining a vibrant economy. Speaking to Radio Ghana in Bawku, Mr Addah said composite budgeting was one of the key elements necessary to addressing the infrastructural deficit bedevilling most assemblies. It is also an integrated planning process geared at improving public involvement in the decision making process of the assemblies. More so, its sustainability will inure to the fiscal prudence in the management of public funds at the assembly level. Mr Addah, said government in its effort to develop a comprehensive local decentralisation has come out with various policies. One of the policies, he identified, mandates all assemblies to strategize and encourage the development of local economic activities in their budget. Additionally, assemblies under the Local Economic Development policy are supposed to set up implementation committees to make sure they create the enabling environment for local industries and enterprises to flourish. He explained that a vibrant economy is assured when enterprises are made to operate under a healthy business environment. This, according to him, was necessary since it was one of the surest ways for assemblies to generate much revenue to facilitate and execute its development plans. Furthermore,   government in view of the set agenda had officially approved the policy and has made adequate human and managerial resources available to ensure its effective implementation. Commenting on the performance of the exercise in Bawku and the Upper East Region as a whole, Mr Addah said, his outfit was generally satisfied with the output of the assemblies though there were some few lapses with regards to the presentation format and templates. He took the opportunity to commend the District Chief Executives from Bongo, Talensi and Pusiga for taking the bold step to present their composite budget themselves, adding that it was a plus for their respective assemblies as it makes them take ownership of the budget. The Composite budget hearing, he later noted, was a new force in decentralisation and encouraged all assemblies to work closely with all departments under them to enable them achieve a comprehensive report for consideration.

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Gov’t is determined to mobilize much resources for dev’t

22-10-13     

Narration: The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna-Mohammed Muniru says government through prudent managerial strategies was determined to mobilize adequate resources to ensure a sustainable growth and development of the country.   Government, he moreover echoed was in its action phase of development and the Better Ghana Agenda which is on course would soon make life comfortable for Ghanaians. He noted that government had faced a few fiscal challenges, some of which emanate from the credit crunch experience by the developed countries who are its developmental partners. Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru gave the assurance during the submission of the executive committee report of the Bawku Municipal Assembly at Bawku. Here is a report by correspondent Isaac Asare.

Report

 In his address, Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru urged the existing and newly created districts not to fold their arms and wait for handouts from developmental partners and transfer from central government but rather double their effort in mobilizing revenue internally. For him, Internal Generated Funds (IGF) when prioritized could address some internal problems facing the assembly. He stressed that assemblies need to sit up and mobilize their IGF for sustained development as it was the only way that could help keep the assembly on its toes. Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru hinted that the intended street naming and property addressing system could enhance property identification and facilitate property rate collection among others. Presenting the committee report, the Regional Minister mentioned that six sub-committee’s recommendation including finance and administration, environmental health and sanitation, works, development planning, medium and small scale and justice and security were presented for approval and implementation. On security and justice, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru disclosed that the four year old motor riding ban on men would soon be considered for review. He said although the committee was satisfied with the work of security agencies in the municipality, there were more to be done to enhance the situation to bring absolute peace to the area.

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Public urged to be wary of sub-standard goods

14-10-13            

As today marks World Standard day, Ghana standards Authority (GSA), a constitutional mandated body established to ensure the standardization for the improvement of the quality of goods and services as well as sound management practices in industries and public institutions is advising the public to be wary of sub-standard goods on the Ghanaian market. In a statement signed and copied to Radio Ghana in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Director of GSA, Joseph Sarpong, said patronizing inferior and substandard goods have a rippling effect on the country’s business environment and should be avoided. He said the importation of such goods could only be halted when people refuse to buy them. The day is globally celebrated each year in honour of efforts put up by thousands of experts who develop voluntary standards within three worldwide standards development organisations. They are the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC), International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The aim, he stated was to raise awareness among regulators, industry and consumers as to the importance of standardization to the global economy. The theme for this year: ‘International Standards ensure positive change’ celebration seeks to highlight the importance of ensuring the quality of goods and services as it contributes to mitigating climate change and its related issues. In Ghana, the celebration of the event is characterised with lots of activities as it is done around the globe. This comes in the form of radio and television discourse as well as open fora with an open day being the main event.

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Farmers introduced to best practices for rice production

Project Manager, Tono Irrigation Scheme, Sebastian Bagina on the floor

Beneficiary farmer (Middle) supported by Harriet of USAID-ADVANCE

Twenty four farmer groups belonging to the Biu Cooperative Marketing site in the Navrongo Municipality had been introduced to proper agricultural management practices as well as new technologies for rice production. With the implementation and adoption of this new practice, farmers in Biu and its adjoining communities are expected to double their yield this year. The introduction of the new technique which is captured under a USAID-funded Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement project (ADVANCE) project seeks to showcase different techniques in rice production. The project is being supported by the Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB), and Wienco Ghana, dealers in quality seedlings and agro chemical products. At a demonstration field-day to highlight the need for improved rice production, farmers that are yet to adopt the new methods were brought together to observe the rice fields. They were practically exposed to the usage of Sustainable Rice Intensification (SRI) transplanting methods, as against the traditional broadcasting method. This involves the application of less transplanted rice seedlings and bags of NPK fertilizers on an acre of land. Some of the beneficiary farmers that spoke to Radio Ghana gave varied testimonies on the viability of the project, emphasising that with the sustainability of the project, farmers in the area were poised to increase more yield since the practice involves the application of the right inputs. Introducing farmers to the SRI technique, a Business Facilitator at USAID ADVANCE, Alhassan Abdul Rashid said with the adoption of the new technique weed control is cheaper as   more row spacing are provided to allow easy detection of weeds and faster weeding using rotary weeder or manual hand picking. It also involves less irrigation and the use of fewer seed. According to him, farmers could save more than 80 percent seeds on   an acre of land with very less fertilizer and uses cost. Moreover, with the farmer practice, the average crop yield is pegged  at 4.5 metric tonne whilst the use of SRI technique could amount to an average of around 6 metric tonne during production. The major challenge, he noted, has to do with row transplanting which, he added, was too labour intensive as compared to the random dibbling. To this effect, some farmer groups have been engaged and trained to offer services to needy farmers.  The move, Mr Rashid observed, had compelled most farmers to adapt to the SRI technique under the ICOUR programme. The Project Manager of the Tono Irrigation Scheme, Sebastian Bagina, described as welcoming,  the introduction of the new technique. For him, it is profitable as it enable farmers to produce the right variety which is acceptable on the market. He implored farmers to embrace the new practice to increase their crop yield. Mr Bagina acknowledged the healthy partnership between ICOUR and USAID ADVANCE and called on its collaborators to work towards the sustainability of the project.  The USAID/ADVANCE project supports demonstration sites to promote innovations and to introduce management practices to smallholder farmers. The project is being executed with the involvement of demonstration sites for maize, rice, soya beans and cowpea. 

Story by Isaac Asare

Builsa North Assembly hand over projects to beneficiary communities

     

Builsa South DCE,  at the ground breaking ceremony

A model school block for people of Achog-yeri-Sandema

In pursuance of its objective to improve upon access to quality education and basic health care, the Builsa North Assembly had completed and handed over four projects to beneficiary communities in the district. The projects with funding from the GETfund and the District Development Facility (DDF) involve the construction of a 1No 6-Unit Classroom block with ancillary facilities for Sandema Preparatory Junior High School and a CHP Compound for the people of Yipala and Chuchuliga. The rest include the construction of a 1No 3 Unit classroom accommodation for Achog-yeri and a CHP Compound for Zundema and Siniensi communities. At a separate function to commission the said project, the District Chief Executive, Bonaventure Adangabey, emphasise the assembly’s determination to propel the development process of the district on a high pedestal. He observed that the district was lagging behind in terms of development, therefore efforts would be intensified to enhance its basic infrastructure deficit at all levels.  He said his main priority was to serve and ensure the wellbeing of the people and pledged to continue with efforts by his predecessors. At the end of the tour of the facilities, Mr Adangabey, was impressed with the level of work executed by the various contractors and urged the beneficiary communities to take ownership by ensuring their lifespan. At a ground breaking ceremony to mark the commencement of a school project for Sandema Preparatory school at Awusuyeri, the DCE appealed to the contractor in charge to speed up the building process and make sure the project is executed on schedule. The project is expected to cost GHc 295,000. He also charged the contractor to engage members of the community in its work. The District Director of Education, Mr Bernard Akara, for his part showed gratitude to the assembly for the gesture and impress on them to double their effort in addressing the numerous challenges affecting the delivery of quality education in the district. Encroachment of school lands, he decried, posed a serious threat to education in that area and urged the assembly and affected school heads to act on the matter. The DCE was accompanied by the District Finance Officer, Lawrence Webadoa and the District Coordinating Director among other functionaries.

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Binduri to benefit from first special 50 SHSs

08-10-13          

A fifty acre parcel of land has been released for the newly created Binduri District for the construction of a Senior High School (SHS). The Binduri district is among the few districts selected to benefit from the construction of the first fifty SHSs as part of President Mahama’s campaign promise during the 2012 general elections. The Binduri District Chief Executive, Daniel Akologo Adoliba, who made this known to Radio Ghana, disclosed that the said parcel of land for the project had been released by the chiefs and people of Zulugu, adding that development process for its speedy construction was in progress. In a related development, some parcels of land have been acquired and released to the assembly for development purposes. Mr Adoliba, who gave the hint, said proper documentation on the land located between Benguri and Avoandago, Zaago, and Nayoko, would soon be processed to authenticate their release.  The parcels of land, he moreover, said are targeted for specific projects including the construction of residential and office accommodation for the Binduri District Assembly. Additionally, projects with approval by the assembly would also be considered. Mr Adoliba, expressed his deepest appreciation to the chiefs and people of the area for their support contribution towards the development of the assembly and the district as a whole. He extended his heartfelt appreciation to members of the assembly since they were instrumental in the acquisition and release of the land and encouraged those that are engaging land owners for similar releases to rekindle their efforts to facilitate the development process of the district.

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Binduri Assembly secures 11 metal refuse containers

09-10-13       

Some of the metal refuse containers on display

The newly created Binduri Assembly with support from Zoomlion Ghana has procured eleven (11) metal refuse containers to tackle the sanitation problem in the area.  The move forms part of effort by the assembly to ensuring proper waste disposal. Moreover, the assembly in its quest to inculcate in the people proper sanitary practice has recruited fifteen (15) sanitary guards to compliment the effort of the Environmental Health Unit in the performance of their duties. In view of this, management of the assembly upon request from the National headquarters of Zoomlion secretariat has submitted a list of names of janitors including heavy duty drivers to the regional secretariat to be forwarded to the national quarters, whilst the assembly awaits approval to enable it recruit personnel to commence work.  The District Chief Executive, Daniel Akologo Adoliba, who made this known to Radio Ghana  said the assembly was determined to eradicate the filth that has engulfed the area and has therefore putting in place appropriate interventions to deal with the menace. This, he added, had compelled the assembly to procure the necessary human and managerial resources to properly manage waste in the district. He lamented that issue of poor sanitation poses a major challenge to the assembly, stressing that efforts would be intensified to ensure proper waste management. Mr Adoliba, however called on the people to support the assembly in its effort and admonished members of the assembly to contribute their bit by initiating clean up exercises in their areas of jurisdiction.  This, he suggested, should be done in consultation with the chiefs and opinion leaders to enable them achieve results. A clean-up campaign programme, he further proposed, should also be considered at least once every quarter in all the communities within the district.

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Bongo District Assembly reject project that is not disability friendly

 

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Bongo District of the Upper East Region, Alexis Adugdaa Ayamdor, has rejected a 3-unit classroom block at Nayorigo because the contractor failed to add designs that were disability friendly.  The project is being executed by Robert Aboor’s Enterprise, a local construction firm at the cost of GHc 96,682 with funding from the District Development Fund (DDF).  According to the DCE the assembly would only accept projects that take into consideration designs that were disability friendly and advised the local based construction firm to provide design rambles within the project to include the classrooms urinal and the toilet facilities to make them accessible to PWDs.  Mr Ayamdor,  who was touring some project sites in the district also warned contractors that the assembly would not countenance on shoddy works as well as any project that failed to consider disability friendly designs. Mr Ayamdor however approved two other projects at separate functions at Gorogo –Soe, Zorko-Atenseka and Nayorigo, all in the District.  They were a 6.3 kilometers spot improvement of Gorogo–Soe feeder roads with funding by the Ghana Social Opportunity Project (GSOP) at the cost of GHc 297,716 and the construction of a three-unit class room block with its ancillary facilities at Zorko-Atenseka. The project is said to cost GHc 96,902 with funding from the DDF. Mr Ayamdor, further warned that the Assembly would not tolerate any contractor who would execute shoddy work. He said value for money was one of the cardinal principles of the NDC government and the assembly will not hesitate to abrogate and blacklist any contractor whose work did not meet specifications, standards and schedule. The DCE expressed satisfaction at works executed by the other contractors and commended them for their good work.  He tasked the Works and Physical Department of the Assembly to ensure that the   three-unit class room block with its ancillary facilities at Zorko-Atenseka constructed by Al-Aras Enterprise was adopted as a model and replicated in other communities. He therefore entreated other contractors to visit the site to learn from the contractor. He impressed upon the Ghana Education Service, (GES) the Assembly members and the community members to endeavour to monitor on-going projects in their communities and to offer feedback to the Assembly for redress if the need be.  Mr Ayamdor,  assured the works and physical department of the Assembly that his administration would give it the needed support to embark on regular monitoring to ensure that projects were executed as expected. The DCE was accompanied by the GSOP Regional Technical team, the District Assembly Works and Physical Department, the Planner of the District Assembly, the District Director of the Department of Social Welfare, User Agencies including the GES among others.

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Binduri Assembly worried over ban on motor riding

Binduri District Assembly block

Narration: The imposition of the ban on motor bike riding in Bawku and its immediate environs is said to be crippling the development efforts of the newly created Binduri District. The ban, to a larger extent has affected the revenue mobilization process of the assembly, thus thwarting the assembly’s quest to meeting its expected revenue target. Addressing members at the 2^ndOrdinary Meeting of the assembly, the District Chief Executive, Daniel Akologo Adoliba, said Internally Generated Fund (IGF) of the assembly has for the period, experienced poor collection due to transportation challenges. The problem, he emphasized is being compounded by poor market patronage as a result of the season. Mr Adoliba, however called on the government and the authorities concerned to reconsider relaxing or lifting the ban the area to enable the assembly propel its development process on a high pedestal. Isaac Asare has more for Radio Ghana.

Report

Mr Adoliba said while the assembly pursue the relevant security structures to consider the lifting of the ban on motor riding, it was important for residents to collaborate with the security agencies to avoid derailing the process which he observed was receiving positive signals. Mr Adoliba, was optimistic that with the support of the people the government was prepared to attend to their plight. He announced that the District Security Council (DISEC) was working in consultation with other relevant stakeholders to ensure the maintenance and sustenance of the peace in the district. To that effect, DISEC is schedule to meet again in October to further assess the stability of the district and subsequently make recommendations to the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and the National Security Council for consideration. This he said was all geared towards the lifting of the ban in the district. The 2^nd Ordinary meeting deliberated on a number of issues with revenue mobilization taking the centre stage. Areas discussed included water and sanitation, The District Assembly Common Fund (DACF), District Development Fund (DDF), FOAT, and acquisition of land for development purposes among others. On IGF, the assembly between April and September 2013 was able to rake a total sum of GHc14, 504 as against the expected target of GHc 78, 580, representing 18.46 percent. The DCE who made the disclosure was not impressed with the situation and however announced strategies to improve on its revenue generation base. The Presiding member of the Assembly, Azimbe Aruk Simon Azarob, for his part underscored the need for the assembly to prioritize decision making and implementation as they form the complementary components of the assembly’s development process. He therefore challenged his colleagues to urge the secretariat meet the needs and aspirations of the people by ensuring timely implementation of approved decisions taken by the assembly.

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Maiden Library and Information Week Celebration Launched

       

Reg Rep of GLA, Ms Joana Pwadura

Regional Librarian, John Ayeseba (Middle)

The launch of the first ever library and information week celebration is underway in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital. The nationwide event which is being held simultaneously in all the regional capitals and spearheaded by the Ghana Library Association (GLA) is celebrated on the theme: ‘Information Literacy and Public Libraries’. The weeklong celebration seeks to showcase the invaluable contribution of libraries in broadening ones scope of knowledge. It will be climaxed with series of activities including a three day reading clinic for selected school pupils. The initiative also sought to create greater awareness on improving reading habits of basic school pupil and promote information literacy among adults as well. At the regional level, the event will be marked with radio and television programmes to create the needed awareness on the importance of libraries and reading in the Ghanaian society. At the launching ceremony attended by over 300 pupils drawn from various basic schools including stakeholders in the educational sector, the Regional Representative of the GLA, Ms Joana Pwadura, said aside the main theme chosen for the celebration, several themes have emerged to highlight the pivotal role of  libraries in Ghana's education and development. The said themes, she explained, hopes to draw the attention of community leaders and decision makers the need to support the existing libraries to enable them play their mandated role. This way, libraries would be empowered enough to surmount its deficiencies and adapt to the ever changing societal values and technological development. The ultimate goal of the information literacy, she however added, would promote reliable access to information taking into consideration its legal and social effects binding the use of such information. According to her, available statistics put Ghana’s illiteracy rate to 43.3 percent, an indication that majority of Ghanaians particularly the rural folks were incapable of reading and writing. Ms Pwadura therefore called for concerted effort by way of policy intervention to eradicate and reduce illiteracy to its barest minimum. The Regional Librarian, John Ayeseba, for his part appealed to government through the regional minister to exempt the organization from the prepaid meter system since it was affecting their operations. In a speech read for him by his deputy, the Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed Muniru, underscored the need for public libraries to be resourced and emphasized governments commitment to upgrade, equip and rehabilitate the existing ones with computers and other modern facilities to meet the growing changes in the world of information. Participating students and dignitaries were later exposed to a photo exhibition, which showcase the activities and services of the GLA over the years.

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Retired Educationist ask gov’t to justify hikes in tariff

Rtd  Educationist, Robert Ajeni

Recent increase in utility hikes by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has sparked mixed reactions from consumers. The latest to add his voice to the issue is a retired Educationist in the Upper East Region, Robert Ajeni, who is of the opinion that salaries of workers ought to be increased before any intended adjustment in public utility prices. He said majority of Ghanaians are going through trying times considering the current economic hardship which, he lamented had affected the wellbeing of public sector workers whose salaries, he further noted was nothing to write home about. According to him, frequent hikes in utility tariffs, coupled with fuel increment was likely to deepen the plight of the ordinary citizen, particularly pensioners and retired educationists. He said in as much as government wants to put the economy on track, it has to also consider the prevailing condition of workers and come out with corresponding adjustment in wages, salaries and pensions. Anything short of that, he explained could spell doom for Ghanaians. Mr Ajeni asked government through the PURC to expedite action by reversing the recent utility hikes. Whilst appealing for a reduction in tariff hikes, Mr Ajeni, urged government to as a matter of expediency, consider increasing the monthly benefits of pensioners to enable them survive the country’s prevailing economic conditions. Pensioners, he observed would find it difficult to survive given the meager monthly pension paid to them. He also asked for an improvement in the quality of service by the utility agencies since businesses were being greatly affected by their poor service delivery. For him, service providers are supposed to justify any increment in tariffs because businesses, particularly those in the hospitality industry are gradually collapsing whilst others have been grounded to a halt. This is because owners of such businesses cannot afford to pay more whilst people refuse to patronize their establishments. Mr Ajeni, described the situation as worrying and called on the authorities concern to consider their woes and adhere to their plea. 

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43 street children express desire to enjoy formal education

   

Ms Saratu Abubakar (Middle)

Student from the SONR receiving her package 

Forty three out of 70 children that were picked from the streets of Bolgatanga and taken through a nine month complementary education programme by Afrikids Ghana have expressed their desire to enjoy formal education. Others through effective monitoring and counselling had been made to resettle with their families after taken to the streets to engage in menial activities to sustain their livelihoods. The children who were nurtured under Afrikid’s sponsored project  ‘School of Night Rabbits’ (SONR) were taught basic numeracy and literacy skills with wider set of social and health lessons including recreation. They also had the opportunity to practically demonstrate their knowledge and skills, hence their desire to go back home and enrol in school. At a graduation ceremony held at Bolgatanga, the children were presented with school uniforms and bags, pen and pencils, mathematical sets and other reading and writing materials to whip their interest whilst enrolling at their various schools.  The lead supervisor at the SONR, Saratu Abubakar said the secret to the success and attractiveness of the project in recent years was the provision of goats to families of the children. This she observed motivated most of the children to go back home and reunite with their families. She disclosed that 24 out of the 43 graduants were already in school but were not regular as they had to hustle daily on the streets after school just to make a living. These children through the support of the project will continue school uninterrupted. Arrangements, she however stated are being made to find school for children that were already not in school. Other interventions are underway to fish out those that left the school for urban centres to be re-counselled. This according to her could be made possible since such children have their bio data captured in Afrikid’s database system. Madam Abubakar, commended Afrikids and its collaborators for their responsiveness and appealed to other corporate bodies to support the school to achieve its set objectives. The school she emphasised hopes to become a bigger centre for the creation of awareness on the plight of street children stationed in Bolgatanga.  A representative from Afrikids, David Pwalua, commended the project volunteers, the GES and the GPRTU for their support over the years.  According to him, efforts are being made to furnish the school with the necessary teaching and learning materials to enable it function effectively. Mr Pwalua said Afrikids hopes to reach out to children who through no fault of their, loiter on the streets to engage in fruitless activities and also ensure that more children have access to basic education. He therefore charged parents to complement the efforts of by being responsive to the educational needs of their wards.

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