Fibre cut still a threat to quality service delivery: MTN reveals

A facilitator from MTN

   

In pursuance of its objective of enhancing performance and penetration in the telecommunications industry, MTN Ghana has ensured the construction of a 4,000 kilometer of fibre cable nationwide. 

Beyond this remarkable achievement, MTN has increased its 3G distribution sites with 1000 sites engineered across 170 districts nationwide. 

Despite the huge investment, feeder, battery and fibre theft continue to have a negative impact on the company’s ability to deliver effective quality services to its customers. 

2013 recorded 840 fibre theft, a figure higher than those recorded in 2012 and 2014.  These came to light at a day’s forum held for editors of print and electronic media personnel in the Upper East Region.

 The Northern Sector Technician for MTN, Charles Osei Akoto, who made the disclosure, said the company is in the process of finding lasting solutions to secure its operational tools and systems. 

Isaac Asare was at the forum and has more for Radio Ghana.

Some participants at the forum

Mr. Charles Osei Akoto said following the recent complaints with regards to constant call drop and poor network services; MTN has carried out a project to optimize the network. 

The project, he noted has been completed and it is expected to give customers reliable and non-interruptive services.   

Giving an overview of the network distribution in the region, Mr Osei Akoto said MTN has deployed 181 km fibre backbone from Bolgatanga to Tamale. 

Currently the region has 23 operational 3G sites with a current increase capacity from 256 megabits to 1.8 Gigabits transmission backbone. 

The move, Mr Osei Akoto observed, has led to an increase in the number of cell sites with higher optimization. He said the company will soon embark on an expansion drive to improve on its network coverage. 

The Senior Manager, Corporate Services, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, said MTN is working on modalities to better the lot of not only its subscribers, but the general populace through its corporate social intervention dubbed ‘MTN Foundation’. 

  The Foundation, she pointed out, has reached out to most deprived communities of the country. 

It has also facilitated the organization of some social events characterized by reality shows including MTN football academy and MTN hitmaker among others. 

The Foundation, she further, indicated had supported the region in the area of education, health as well as economic empowerment. 

The foundation has so far invested a whopping 15.5 million Ghana cedis into 92 major projects across the country plus 2.2 million other support services such as surgeries, yellow care and scholarships for brilliant but needy students. 

Mrs Fiagbenu, emphasized the company’s resolve to make an exceptional impact on the lives of the rural poor through its sustainable social interventions. 

Mrs Fiagbenu, later thanked MTN subscribers for making it possible for the company to exceed its 10 million milestone and called on the general public to assist the company to achieve its new vision of becoming the leader in the delivery of a bold new digital world spiced with the creation of a district customer experience. 

She however encouraged people to take advantage of the varied MTN mobile money services.

3 Miners killed, more feared dead

             

Rescue operations by a combine team of the Ghana Police Service and Zoomlion are underway to retrieve bodies of persons who are feared trapped under a mining pit at Gbane in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region. 

So far, three bodies have been retrieved from the collapse pit. 

The three have been identified at 49 year old Kofi Acheampong from Akim Oda, Dennis Atuna and Kojo Boo, both 28 and residents of the region.

 They were prospecting for gold when the pit accidentally caved in. 

Rescue operations since the unfortunate incident last Wednesday has been on-going, whilst mining activities in the area have been grounded to a halt to enable other miners assist in the rescue operations. 

According to the Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Thomas Agbenyo, efforts to rescue persons believed to be trapped underground have been an exercise in futility. 

He hinted that the Regional Security Council, REGSEC has met to deliberate on the way forward and is yet to come out with a decision as to whether the search should continue or brought to an end. 

Indications are that the pit will be permanently closed since the rest cannot be traced. Officials from the NADMO and the Ghana Fire Service last Friday assisted in the rescue operations. 

The Regional Police Commander, DCOP Simon Afeku and the Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Daniel Syme, also toured the site to witness the unfortunate incident and also sympathize with the deceased families.

 Meanwhile, Shaanxxi Mining Company, a mining firm that is providing mining support services to small scale miners in the area have been supportive in the rescue operations.

GBC                                                               END

GN Bank launched in the Upper East

With over hundred and twenty branches spread across strategic locations of the country, the GN Bank formally the First National Bank says, it was in their collective interest to reach out to every district of Ghana by 2015.

Popularly referred to as the People’s Bank, GN Bank also hopes to become the leading financial institution by the same year.

At a colourful ceremony to officially launch the bank in Bolgatanga, the General Manager, Corporate Banking, Henry Lamptey, said as a trail-blazer in the banking sector, it will not renege on its vision of providing excellent banking with the view to supporting the growth of the economy.

Correspondent Isaac Asare has the rest of the story for Radio Ghana.

 Report

After meeting the required conditions set out by the Central Bank, the First National Bank, now GN Bank has been elevated to the status of a Universal Bank.

With this upgrade in place, the bank will go beyond its normal operation as a savings and loans company. 

The Bank which began with only one branch at North Ridge in Accra in October, 2006, now has over hundred branches scattered across the country.

Though the bank had rebranded, its mission and core values remain unchanged. It has employed some unique features making it exceptional among other banking institutions nationwide.

To this effect, the usual logo and colours of the bank has now changed from its usual blue and white colours to Maroon and Gold, with the gold depicting ‘money and wealth and Maroon signifying ‘determination.

Ultimately, GN Bank is in the process of maintaining its corporate mission of developing its human resource with discipline and a service culture strongly backed by improved technology necessary to bring banking services to its cherished customers.

This is evident in the introduction of special products and services including ATMs, which are electronically gh-link enabled, internet banking as well as mobile van banking among other innovative services that far outclass other traditional banks in the country.

The wholly owned Ghanaian Bank is currently the only bank in Ghana that encourages people to save with a minimum amount of 50 pesewas.

At a colourful ceremony held in Bolgatanga, the General Manager, Corporate Banking, Henry Lamptey, said the bank stands a better position of improving the financial status of its customers.

To achieve this, the bank is migrating from customer satisfaction to customer delight with the view to becoming the ‘BIG Best Bank by 2015. 

The Chief Executive Officer of GN Bank, Patrick Anumel, said, the Bank is poised to meet its expansion coverage by reaching every corner of the the country.

According to him, the bank’s current status, will enable it serve the ordinary Ghanaian better.

Launching the bank, the President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, Naba Sigri Bewong, touched on the bank’s contribution to the socio-economic lives of the people in the region. 

He, however, urged the bank to widen its coverage and invest more on technology to help improve the lives of the people for the better.

The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Daniel Syme, commended the bank for complementing government’s effort at reducing unemployment in the country.

He moreover charged them to make available, credit facilities for clients to improve on their businesses.

The launching ceremony was attended by stakeholders including chiefs, representatives of some sister banks and business operators among others.

                                                                   END

                                      

Channel chunk of the country’s resources to develop Northern Ghana-Wayo urges Gov’t

Chief of Nakong, Pe Afagachie receiving pencils from Mr Wayo for onward distribution to pupils in the area

The Founder and leader of the United Renaissance Party, Chuck Kofi Wayo, has impress on government to channel chunk of its resources to facilitate the development process of Northern Ghana.

He said considering the vast arable land fields and natural resources that abound in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, there was no justification for the inhabitants to pride themselves as poor. 

According to him, government should expedite action by harnessing those potential and transforming them into productive use. 

This, he noted, will create employable opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth that have the penchant of travelling down south to engage in menial jobs.

Mr Wayo, made the appeal when he presented assorted items to some chiefs in the Upper East Region. 

His first point of call was at Kanjaga in the Builsa South, where he presented a corn planting machine, mosquito nets, first aid kits, exercise books, and a  Radio Cassette recorder among other consumables to the chief for onward distribution to the people. 

The Chief of Kanjaga, Naab Akanjena Akanfena, who expressed surprise at the visit thanked Mr Wayo and his team for their show of concern and urged other political leaders to emulate. 

Naab Akanfena, bemoaned the slow pace of development in the area and appealed to government to come to their aid. 

He mentioned the deplorable nature of the road linking other communities as a major challenge, touching on the need for prompt action by government and departments concerned. 

From Kanjaga, Mr Wayo made a brief visit  to a nearby village to give money to people that were present at the time of the visit.

 The beneficiaries were grateful for the kind gesture. His next point was at Nankong. He was met on arrival by the Chief of the area, Pe Banape Afagachie. 

Mr Wayo made a similar donation to the chief. Key among the items was a Knapsack Spraying machine and an unspecified amount of money. 

Mr Wayo later met with Paramount Chief of the Chiana Traditional Area, Pe Thomas Detongideni Ayagitam in Navrongo. He was also presented with a knapsack spraying machine. 

  The Chiana Pio, in a message appealed to government to support the people of Northern Ghana with improved seeds and other farm inputs since agriculture has been the mainstay of the people.

GBC                                                                  END                                                         IA/ 

UE GJA CHAIR DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM TOLL BOOT ATTENDANT

     

       A scuffle characterized by hot verbal exchanges over the weekend ensued between the Upper East Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalist Association, GJA, Eric Amo and a toll boot attendant, Karim Mutala  along the Bolga-Kumasi highway. 

The toll attendant issued a fake receipt to Mr Amo of which he refuse since it was not stamped, a situation, he observed was an attempt to swindle tax payers’ money. 

Mr Amo insisted his ticket and all other vehicles behind him be stamped before issuance to prospective drivers.  

The heated debate lasted for about 15 minutes. Mr Amo and some few media colleagues were on their way to Kumasi to attend a workshop on Biosafety when the misunderstanding arose. 

During the scuffle, Mr Amo who was worried about the tax payers’ money going into the pockets of some selfish individuals had the shock of life when the toll boot attendant asked whether the tickets were his father’s property. 

On reaching Buipe and Kintampo, Mr Amo ensured that his tickets was stamped before setting off to continue their journey.GBC                                                          END                                                       ISAAC ASARE

Calls to elect DCEs rubbished

     

Mr Bankoole Williams, GFD

A member of  the Ghana Federation of the Disabled, GFD, Mr Alexander Bankoole has denounced calls that seem to suggest that once people are  appointed by a particular government to act as DCE means  they are not answerable to the people at the grassroot. 

 Beyond that, most people think since DCEs are not elected by the people, they are more allegiant to their political parties rather than being responsive to the people they serve. 

Mr Bankoole, said what ought to be done, was to examine and strengthen the system that will make them accountable to the people.

 He said looking at the constituency level, when MPs are elected, they feel more obliged to the party that put them in power rather than the people that gave them the mandate.

  This, he noted, was likely to occur if the country run to simply elect DCEs because they are likely to toll political lines. 

Mr Bankoole, identified some loopholes in the current governance system at the local level, stressing on the urgent need to empower and provide capacity support for some units within the assembly system. 

On the issue of the winner takes all, Mr Bankoole, said there should rather be a way of tapping into the experience of all and sundry.

 He said it was high time the country takes a cue from developed nations where people with requisite expertise and relevant competencies are brought on board the system of local governance in spite of their party affiliations.

END                    

First Open University opens in Bolgatanga

                                                                        

The first Open University known in the country known as Miller Institute for Transdisciplinary and Development Studies opened in Bolgatanga admitting 26 students to undertake various degree programmes. 

The fresh students who are considered pioneers of the institute will undertake courses in Bachelor of Arts degree, Masters, PHD as well as MPhil  programmes. 

Courses to be taken include faculty of Culture and Development, Faculty of Business and Administration as well as Nutrition and Hospitality Studies. 

Addressing students at its maiden matriculation ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Professor David Miller said the establishment of an open university was a life transforming experience, having realized the need to go beyond western technology and embracing indigenous knowledge through discipline and culture. 

According to Prof Miller, the school was in the process of bringing into the academic platform a programme dubbed ‘community immersion’. With this in place, students will be exposed to employable opportunities and create jobs for themselves after completion. 

Miller Institute for Transdisciplinary and Development Studies will from next year onwards introduce Bachelor of Arts, masters and PHD programmes in Plural Nursing, Information Literacy and University Management and Administration among other mobile training programmes.

 The school is also looking forward to pursuing a language school that will award credited diplomas and certificates for various proficiencies. 

Prof Miller said looking at the academic design and research activities of the school, the region was poised to witness some level of development.  

Prof Miller later challenged the matriculants think beyond academic excellence and apply their knowledge effectively to transform society. 

The ceremony attracted various dignitaries including senior lecturers from its affiliate school, the University of Development studies.

GBC                                                    END                                            ISAAC ASARE

Stakeholders meeting with CSOs

   

Group photo of CSO reps

           

Civil Society Organisations, CSOs and other Governance Institutions in the Upper East Region have met in Bolgatanga to deliberate on the way forward in coming with a comprehensive strategic document that could propel and facilitate the development process of the region. 

This has become necessary considering the rich potentials that abound in the region. The meeting was therefore a platform for CSOs to collaborate with the Regional Coordinating Council, RCC in a coordinated effort at producing a workable workplan that is people centered.  

The President of NORPRA, Bismark Adongo, who was part of the meeting reiterated CSOs commitment to the whole process stressing that CSOs were going to collaborate with STAR Ghana and other development partners involved to enable the region produce a comprehensive strategic framework. 

According to him, the CSOs will expedite action by getting down to the grassroot to solicit inputs from citizens of the region. 

 A 7-member  APEX Committee involving the media was later instituted to assist  the CSOs come out with a blue print.

Members refuse to retain President’s Nominee

Rejected DCE, Alhaji Alidu Iddrisu Zakari

 Members of the West Mamprusi District of the Northern Region have turned down the President’s nominee for the position of District Chief Executive. 

The former DCE, Alhaji Iddrisu Zakari, whose appointment was revoked few months ago failed to get two thirds of the number of votes cast at today’s special assembly meeting to confirm his re-nomination. 

He polled 11 out of the 41 votes cast by elected and appointed members of the assembly. 

 The re-nomination of Alhaji Alidu Iddrisu Zakari was made possible under Article 243 Section 20 of the Local Government Act, Act 462 of 1993.

 Before his removal from office as DCE in September 2014, Alhaji Iddrisu Zakari   lost his bid to be retained as Member of Parliament for the Walewale Constituency in the 2012 NDC primaries to one King James. 

He subsequently lost the seat to the NPP in the last general elections.  However, his inability to be retained as DCE was no more a surprise to many as some described his re-nomination as an imposition considering his long stay in office as MP.

 Alhaji Iddrisu Zakari, fell below the threshold after failing to clinch 27 votes representing two thirds of the total number of votes cast. 30 assembly members voted against his nomination whilst 11 voted in his favor. 

The atmosphere following the declaration of results by the electoral commission was somehow tensed. Anxiety and disappointment were written on the faces of dignitaries that were present to witness the event. 

The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed Muniru, said though the nominee was not confirmed as expected, the President still have the prerogative to re-nominate his or make him as DCE before a substantive one is chosen. 

 The former DCE in an address thanked members of the assembly for coming in their numbers to exercise their franchise but said he was ready to comply with any decision to be taken by the President.

 He said though he lost, his was prepared to work to the betterment of the district and urged all factions within the assembly to iron out their differences for development to strive. 

The  event was attended by dignitaries and party functionaries including the Upper East Regional Minister, James Zuuga Tiigah.

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Veterans urges Gov’t to be responsive to their needs.

Veterans in a pose with UE Regional Minister

Veterans at this year’s Remembrance Day celebration in Bolgatanga has requested government to be responsive to the needs of ex-servicemen and compatriots that sacrificed and fought towards the attainment of independence. 

For them, the history of the country cannot be told without acknowledging the dedicated effort and gallantry of fallen heroes that fought in the world wars. 

They are therefore appealing to government to come to their aid since they feel rejected with majority living in abject poverty. 

The 69^th Remembrance Day also referred to as Poppy Day brought together chiefs and security agencies including personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service and the Ghana Immigration Service. 

The key message for this year’s global event held at the premises of the Bolgatanga VAG Hall centered on the urgent need for all to complement the effort of the security agencies in maintaining peace and security. 

The day marked by wreath laying and colourful display of marksmanship from personnel of the various security agencies also enjoined government and other world leaders to assist in the international effort of peace keeping.  

Addressing the gathering, the Upper East Regional Minister, James Zuuga Tiiga, commended the effort of the veterans as a good number of Ghanaian troops that have excelled in international peace keeping duties having emulated their brevity and sacrifice. 

This, he observed, was evident in the performance of the Ghana Armed Forces, which he further noted had received international recognition for its high standard and professionalism.

 Mr. Tiiga, however, encouraged all and sundry to emulate their example by trading on the principles of truth, humility and selflessness.

A minute silence was later observed in memory of those that died in line of duty. Prayers were also said for the departed. 

                                                        END

REGSEC calls for immediate suspension of a ceremony to install a regent in Bolgatanga.

Spokesperson for the petitioners, Gilbert Anaba

The Upper East Regional Security Council, REGSEC, has directed the contesting gates of the Bolga skin to refer the matter to the Regional House of Chiefs for consideration and necessary action.

This is contained in a statement signed and copied to BNI and the National Security.

The decision was taken at an emergency security meeting held yesterday evening at the Regional Coordinating Council,RCC, involving other key stakeholders.

REGSEC has noted with concern the security implication of the matter if concrete steps are not taken to bring about peace.

It said disagreement over the alleged imposition and bestowment of a regent for the traditional area was likely to bring about a disturbance to the peace in the municipality.

REGSEC has therefore requested to suspend the ceremony which was to take place today, Saturday, 8, 2014 till further notice.

On Friday, some princes and skin elders of the Bolgatanga traditional Area petitioned the RCC over what they call unlawful imposition and bestowment of one Raymond Alafia Abilba, as regent for the area following the demise of the late Bolga Naba, Naba Martin Abilba.

The 3-page document signed and copied to the Chairman of the REGSEC, described the turn of event as uncustomary and a gross violation to laid down procedures governing the installation of a regent.

It further stated that Mr Alafia Abilba never engaged the princes over the selection process, neither has he availed himself or payed homage and allegiance to the Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area as practiced over the centuries.

This according to the princes is total disregard for authority and a recipe for conflict and insecurity.

GBC

Disclaimer

                

Ghana’s Ambassador to CUBA, John Akolgo Tia, has denied claims that he has endorsed the candidature of Mr Rockson Bukari, a contestant vying for the post of Regional Propaganda Secretary of the NDC in the Upper East Region.

 Mr Akolgo Tia, who described the claim as unfortunate noted with regret that the said Bukari  never  consulted him about his intention to contest the upcoming national congress to elect new national executives ahead of the 2016 elections.

In an interview with URA News in Bolgatanga, Mr Akolgo Tia, is therefore disassociating himself from the claim being peddled around by Mr Bukari that he the ambassador has his support and was solidly behind him.

The Cuban Ambassador who was in the country on a short visit  however seized the opportunity to appeal to the contestants as well as party faithful to conduct their campaigns with decorum devoid of intemperate  language, bickering  and personal  vilifications just to win votes or sympathy.

 He therefore appealed to delegates to be circumspect to elect people who have the capacity and tenacity to work extra hard not to deliver but to retain power for the party come 2016.

Mr Akolgo Tia, before his appointment as Cuban Ambassador in 2012, was the MP for Talensi for 16 years.

GBC                                                                     END                                            ISAAC ASARE