Ayariga blames leadership of PNC for the party’s loss in the 2012 elections

26-05-14        

The 2012 Presidential Candidate for the People’s National Convention PNC, Hassan Ayariga says the leadership of the party was partly to be blamed for the loss of the PNC in the last general elections. He said though the party was able to outwit the Conventions People’s Party in the 2012 polls, the leadership of the PNC contributed to the party’s defeat due to apathy, indiscipline and inefficiencies. Addressing party members in Bolgatanga as part of his thank you tour nationwide, Mr  Ayariga said he was robbed of his leadership role during the National Executive Council NEC meeting in the Sunyani Congress to decide the fate of the party in the recent elections. The said congress, he disclosed saw power being delegated to the chairmanship of the party making him handicapped. The turn of event he further lamented affected the smooth running and administration of the party, since he was powerless in exerting punitive measures against any member of the party cited for indiscipline. Mr Ayariga also accused the leadership of the party for its failure to produce the requisite polling station agents to monitor and supervise the elections. Instead, leadership was interested in raising unsubstantiated allegations against the flag bearer. This, he noted brought an impasse between party executives and the flag bearer.  He observed that sanity in the rank and file of the party could only prevail if members make time for party activities and respect each other. Mr Ayariga, therefore entreated members and sympathizers of the PNC to iron out differences and make selfless sacrifices to make PNC a formidable force to engage the opposition in any fierce electoral battle. On the other hand, any flag bearer of the PNC should be made the presidential candidate and also leader of the party. This way, the disciplinary committee of the party can be empowered enough to instill discipline at all times. The Regional Secretary of the Party, Henry Fatchu was happy that the party despite its challenges was able to win a seat in the region. He however appealed to the national leadership to begin restructuring the party from the polling stations so that by 2015, the party can organize its national delegate’s congress. He also urged the NEC to rally support for the flag bearer and source funds to support credible and winnable parliamentary candidates in the next election.

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Chiefs commend gov’t for its development efforts

22-05-14     

Some paramount and divisional chiefs in the Upper East Region have lauded government in its development effort.  At separate functions to welcome the new Upper East Regional Minister, Dr Ephraim Avea Nsoh, the chiefs expressed satisfaction at the level of development in most deprived areas of the country, but  pleaded that chunk of government’s revenue should be use to undertake more developmental projects in northern parts of the country. This they explained has become necessary considering the level of under-development and deprivation in the north. The Regional Minister accompanied by officials from the Regional Coordinating Council  RCC paid courtesy calls on selected traditional councils and paramountcies to formerly announce his appointment as minister for the region. The visit was to also dialogue with the traditional authorities and familiarise himself with their developmental challenges. Areas visited include Naaga, Kologo Paga, Sirigu,  Mirigu and Navrongo, all in the Kassena-Nankana district. At Naaga , Naba Bosingo Olando was impressed at the level of development in the area. Whilst commending government for the steps taken, Naba Olando, appealed for adequate school infrastructure and further asked for additional junior high schools to be built in the area to help enhance quality education. He moreover charged government to support farmers with farming inputs and machinery, particularly tractors to enable them produce more yield. The extension of rural electrification was of a major concern to the chiefs and people of Kologo. Members of the Association for the blind brought their concern. To them, they have being neglected as far as their wellbeing is concerned. They therefore urged government to consider their plight and empower to become self reliant. The Paramount Chief of the Paga Traditional Area, Pe Charles Awampaga, underscored the need for a stationed district police commander for Paga.  He said the country’s borders are porous and require adequate security to check miscreants and other criminal activities such as fuel smuggling. Dr Nsoh in reaction to the request made, lamented on the proliferation of fuel stations along the Paga-Navrongo road and pleaded with the managers of the various stations to be vigilant in helping to expose the activities of fuel smuggling. He also charged them to sell their products to those within the region. At Sirigu, the spokesperson for the chief acknowledged the potentials of the area and called on the government to assist them with road infrastructure to link up the divisional areas, notably the Kandiga-Sirigu road which is currently under construction.  He also emphasized the need for irrigation and proper drainage system. For their part, the chiefs and people of Mirigu appealed to government to ensure the speedy completion of the Mirigu bridge and importantly assist the community with potable water. They also appealed for a police post and a hospital.  The Minister’s last point of call was at the Navro-Pio’s palace where issue of fuel smuggling was again highlighted. The Regional Minister called on the Navro pio, and the assembly to support him execute his development agenda.

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RM visit defunct state facilities

20-05-14                         

 

Upper East Regional Minister, Dr Ephraim Avea Nsoh

The Upper East Regional Minister, Dr Ephraim Avea Nsoh, says he is saddened by the way state properties are being denigrated and left unattended to. Briefing the media after a tour of some selected properties in the region, Dr Nsoh, expressed discontent about the way some state resources particularly, factories are left to rot, while majority of the teeming unemployed youth continue to wallow in poverty. He said though some of the abandoned state facilities require huge capital investment to revamp, the Regional Coordinating Council RCC was going to seek the support of  government and private entities to put them to use. Our Upper East Regional Correspondent Isaac Asare has more for Radio Ghana.

 

Snr Technician at the GIHOC Meat factory, Martin Adongo briefing the visitors

Report

 The Regional Minister accompanied by some officials from the RCC, visited the Northern Star Tomato Factory at Pwalugu, the defunct Ghana Rice Production factory and the GIHOC Meat Production Company both at Zuarungu. He also made a stopped at the Axle load point to interact with staff and acquaint himself with their mode of operation. His last point of visit was at the Catering Rest House, where he indicated his discontent at the way the place was being managed.  At the Northern Star Tomato factory formerly Pwalugu Tomato Factory, no worker or management staff was found on site. The place looked deserted with structures overgrown with weeds. At the GIHOC Meat Factory, the regional minister was taken round the facility by a senior technician, Martin Adongo. The factory which began operation in 1965 saw its last production in 1995 and has since not been operational. Mr Adongo, said the factory, which is now under the Divestiture Implementation Committee could be resuscitated if the needed resources such as of finance and equipment are provided in due course. Most of the machines, he noted are obsolete and need to be replaced. Others, he added are functional but needed repairs. The situation at the Rice Production factory was not different as the place has been abandoned for years and has become a breeding ground for rodents and reptiles.  Some portions of land belonging to the company had been encroached upon. In view of the situation, the Regional Minister, ordered the immediate stop of all ongoing projects at the site. He also instructed the company’s warehouse to be locked till the current occupants produced valid documents to authenticate their stay. Almost all the facilities the minister visited were encroached on. Dr Nsoh blamed the situation on the land sector agencies and called for a paradigm shift. He told Radio Ghana that the RCC was in consultation with concerned agencies to chart the way forward in addressing issues affecting the growth of the region through a comprehensive regional development strategy.

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Some tomato cans left at the mercy of the harsh weather

Main Structure of the Northern Star Tomato Factory

Assemblies urged to be proactive in their dealings

17-05-14             

Players working under the various municipal and district assemblies of the upper east region have been implored to be proactive in ensuring that developmental projects are duly executed in the light of  strict supervision and monitoring. The Upper East Regional Minister, Dr Ephraim Aveah Nsoh, who made the submission described as worrying, the way assemblies exhibit gross apathy over the execution of projects though financial and human resources are placed at their disposal. The practice, he lamented should be discarded in order to save government and donor partners from unnecessary insults and accusations. Dr Avea Nsoh, was addressing members at the meeting of the fourth session of the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly. He was particularly worried about the persistent internal wrangling at the assembly and urged members to bury their differences and do away with bickering and backbiting. Such attitudes, he noted, retards growth and development and could serve as recipe for disaster if care is not taken. He said differences are normal but they must be catalyst and not tool for destruction. Dr Avea Nsoh echoed government’s commitment to supporting assemblies to deliver and will not countenance on shoddy execution of projects. He however warned contractors to put up their best or risk losing their job to other prospective contractors. The Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Edward Ayagle, in his sessional address called for team work indicating his resolve to support all the agencies under the assembly to work. Issues discussed at the meeting include poor sanitation, attitudinal change and respect for leadership, control of physical structures and presentation of proposals for redress among others. Members during an open forum descended on land user agencies for their role in the haphazard citing of illegal structures and appealed to the regional minister to intervene. According to them, construction of houses and other structures need to be regulated to ensure sanity.

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Health Training Institutions tasked to collaborate to achieve results

 

Narration:  The Ministry of Health has proposed active collaboration between health training institutions in order to help them achieve their set objectives. Moreover, enhancement of equipments as well as training facilities could easily become accessible if they are able foster close partnership in the course of their activities. A representative from the Human Resource Development Directorate of the Ministry of health, Dr Lawrence Lawson gave the advice at Bolgatanga during the occasion of the joint matriculation for freshers of the five Health Nursing Training Institutions of the Upper East Region. Isaac Asare has the rest of the story for Radio Ghana.

Report

The ceremony which brought together members of the Nurses and Midwives Council of Ghana, government officials and principals of health training institutions saw 793 matriculants inducted into the various health training institutions across the region. Participating schools were drawn from the Bawku Presbyterian Nurses Training College, the Navrongo Community Health Nurses Training School, the Bolgatanga Health Assistant Training School and the Midwifery Training school as well as the Bolgatanga Nurses Training College. 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. The overall objective of accepting the new entrants was for the purpose of training them to become committed and caring professionals cadres poised to deliver quality health service to Ghanaians. Dr Lawson announced plans by the ministry to introduce e-learning platforms for HTIs and also facilitate their learning process by stocking the schools with skilled laboratories. He therefore urged the matriculants to be focused and strive towards ensuring discipline learn and participate in all activities on campus. The Deputy Registrar of the Nurses and Midwives council of Ghana, Felix Nyante, who administered the oath of induction, advised the fresher’s to deliver their best as care givers and importantly use the right channel in addressing their grievances rather than resorting to strike actions. The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Daniel Syme was there to grace the occasion.

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