Payment of TV License Fee Is A Civic Responsibility - Major Albert Don-Chebe

Director of GBC, Major Albert Don-Chebe (Rtd)

The Director General of GBC, Major Albert Don-Chebe says television license fee is a component of the funding model for the state broadcaster.

It has therefore become imperative for Ghanaians to pay the revised TV license fee as a civic responsibility.

He noted that since the suspension of the payment in the early 1990's, the fee has seen no review until December last year when it was revised after stakeholder consultations.

The revised fee the DG notes is now adequate and has the potential of cushioning GBC to reflect the purpose for which it was established.

He said if GBC is able to collect 50 percent of the fee as its potential revenue, it will provide enough funding for its operations.

This way, GBC will not only bring quality and refined programmes to its listening and viewing public but also provide an avenue for corporation to build on its infrastructure and other incentives for staff.

The Director General was speaking in an interview with Osman Muntawakilu, on GBC URA Radio in Bolgatanga.

Speaking at a forum in Accra organised by the Graphic Communications Group Limited on the payment of TV licence, The Director of Newspapers at Graphic Communications Group Limited, Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh also says that the obligation to pay TV licence fee is not a matter for public debate.

He said the law is already established and until it is amended or revoked, Ghanaians should be law abiding and open to the idea, because Ghana is a democratic state and must respect the rule of law.

The Managing Director of the Group, Ken Ashigbe in his part said there is the need to bring together people who understand the issues devoid of partisan politics.

He said professionals should be given the space to critically analyze issues in order to enrich the discussion and to find sustainable solutions rather than allowing politicians and people who have little expertise on major issues to sit on air and pollute the public.

Collection of TV Licence comes into effect on the 1st of August, 2015.

Story by Radio Ghana's Isaac Asare

SEND Ghana intensifies efforts at improving maternal health and new born care

Community Maternal Health Champions in a round table  discussion

A regional level training for 21 community maternal health champions from seven districts of the Upper East Region has taken place in Bolgatanga.  

The 2-day training organized under the auspices of SEND Ghana, an NGO with financial support from the Christian Aid and the European Union.  

About 30 individuals taken through various strategies aimed at improving maternal health and new born care. 

The community champions comprising Traditional Birth Attendants, chiefs and queen mothers were equipped with requisite knowledge to enable them undertake further down-streaming of key messages using communication tools including flip charts. 

Addressing participants, the Programmes Officer of SEND Ghana, Rachel Gyabaah, said the training has become necessary considering the increasing rate of maternal deaths in the region. 

She noted that there is the need to strengthen and improve maternal health delivery using community volunteers. Isaac Asare has more for Radio Ghana.

Deputy Regional Director in charge of Public Health, Madam Olivia Achuliba,

Since Ghana became a signatory to the millennium declaration to improve access to health care and reduce poverty, government in partnership with other health related organizations have undertaken initiatives geared at meeting the minimum targets set under the Millennium Development Goals. 

Though some appreciable strives have been made towards the realization of these goals, attempts to attain MDG 5 which is aimed at reducing maternal mortality seem not to be yielding the desired results. 

With the pace of progress, the country is likely to reduce maternal deaths marginally but will eventually miss out the MDG 5 benchmark of reducing maternal mortality by October this year. 

The regional level training for the  community maternal health champions, was to deepen community engagement and equipping communities with knowledge and skills to enable them to adopt good health practices and better health seeking behaviours related to pregnancy and childbirth as well as newborns at the  community level. 

This way, community members will be able to recognize the dangers associated with pregnancy. 

The beneficiary districts are Bawku, Bolgatanga, Kassena-Nankana West, Talensi as well as Builsa North and south. 

The Programmes Officer of SEND Ghana, Rachel Gyabaah, said the overall objective of the training was to address some of the key bottlenecks hindering the effective delivery of maternal health services with focus on obstetric new born care, family planning and skilled delivery. 

The Deputy Regional Director in charge of Public Health, Madam Olivia Achuliba, said despite vigorous community engagements on maternal and child health issues, the region continues to record high maternal deaths. 

She expressed the fear that the trend could increase over time, if conscious effort is not made by the maternal health champions to intensify its public education. She outlined the rate of maternal deaths in the region, emphasizing the need for pregnant women to report early at the health facilities. 

 According to her, 2014 recorded the highest number of maternal death cases as compared to figures documented in the year 2010 up to date. Out of the 47 number of pregnancy death related cases recorded last year, 22 died in the first half of the year. 

Relatively, as from January to June this year, about 16 maternal death cases had been recorded in the region. 

Madam Olivia further indicated that the slow performance in reducing maternal health mortality is attributed to preventable causes and mentioned bleeding, infections, pregnancy induced hypertension, unsafe abortion, anaemia and obstructed labour as some of the factors. 

However charged the community health champions to support and educate pregnant women and their families on the need to report early at the health facility. 

In an interview with Radio Ghana, the queenmother of Tanga in the Bawku West District, Beatrice Awinot Akpandaa, re-emphasized the urgency for families especially men to support pregnant women before, during and after labour.

GBC NEWS                                    END                                                                IA/

Officials of SEND-Ghana in a pose with the Community Health Champions

FC Tanga declares operation qualify for Division One

22-07-15         

 Head Coach of FC TANGA, a Bolgatanga based second division team, Kamara Dini, has assured management of the team that his players are in good shape and are ready to deliver the maximum points in the second round of the Regional Second Division League. 

He told Radio Ghana that, the players have been asked not to be complacent with the victories and points the Club accrued in the first round but rather see the Second Round of the league as a hurdle. 

Coach Kamara Dini said his boys are capable of improving on the quality of play they exhibited in the first round, adding that all  they require from management is encouragement and motivation as they go into the Second Round. 

The Second Round of the league is expected to start today after a three weeks break. General Captain of FC TANGA, Daniel Darko, who is confident in the performance of the team says his colleagues are ready to outwit any team to in order to secure a place in the top four league. 

Captain Darko however called on the supporters of the team to cheer them up today’s game as they play at home with their city rivals, Mighty Rocks at the Bolgatanga Sports Stadium at 3:00pm. 

 FC TANGA thrashed Mighty Rock 3-0 defeat at their home grounds in the first round.  Assistant Coach of FC TANGA, Fataw Salifu, says notwithstanding the team’s earlier defeat over Mighty rocks, the team is poised to claim the maximum points and will go all length to achieve that feat. 

 The CEO of FC Tanga, Humu Khulsum Tahiru, believes that victory over Mighty Rocks is a done deal, stressing that qualification into the first division level has been their ultimate goal.                                                                                                  

GBC NEWS / FC TANGA WEBSITE                                                             END                                                              IA/

Parents asked to contribute to school project

Parents of class six pupils at St Peter and Paul Primary School at Atulbabisi in the Bolgatanga have been tasked to contribute their widows might to support the school renovate an old structure that will be used to accommodate entrants into the Junior High School, JHS.

Each parent is requested to contribute GH¢ 40.00 to ensure the realisation of the project.

The contribution has become necessary as facilities at the school are far overstretched with each passing year recording an increase in school enrollment.

Moreover, the school lacks adequate classroom block and other infrastructure to receive fresh JHS students.

Last year, the school had difficulties admitting pupils who had completed Primary six and were to proceed to the JHS due to the absence of a decent classroom infrastructure.

The head teacher of the school, Madam Margaret Ayarik announced this at an emergency meeting organized at the school premises.

Contributions she said will continue up to the end of July this year to enable work to take off during the coming school holidays.

Madam Ayarik appealed to other parents who could not attend the meeting to do well to contribute their quota to enable the school meet its set target.

Some of the parents who were present at the meeting called on the teachers to impact their rich experience acquired from the training college to the children to enable them become knowledgeable and responsible persons in future.

The PTA chairman of the school, Darlos Tong, also appealed to parents to complement the effort of teachers by imbibing the virtues of discipline and moral uprightness in their children while granting them the best of education they deserve.

GBC

Wonderbag technology gaining grounds in Bolgatanga

21-07-15              

 

the re-inventor of the wonderbag: South African-based entrepreneur, Sarah Collins

Samples of the wonderbag

An estimated three billion women around the world still prepare food using open fire. Each year, smoke emanating from these fires kills over four million people globally.

 This account for more than 50 percent of premature deaths among children under five due to household air pollution. 

To reduce the number of deaths related to indoor air pollution from cooking fires, a South African-based entrepreneur, Sarah Collins has re-invented a revolutionary, non-electric slow cooker called the wonderbag. 

The foamy bag made of insulated material and traditional African fabrics can continue to boil food by conventional methods for hours without the use of electric power, gas cylinders or firewood. 

Demonstrating it use to Correspondent Isaac Asare in Bolgatanga, Mrs Collins said the wonderbag will not only save energy but help reduce the impact of deforestation and also serve as an income generating venture for rural folks particularly, women.

GBC NEWS                                                         END                                                           ISAAC ASARE

Upper East residents deprived of health care

Residents in most deprived communities of the Upper East Region still do not get easy access to quality healthcare delivery.

This is because these communities lack basic health infrastructure, with CHPS compounds in and around Sandema battling to get qualified doctors and midwives to man them.

In an interview with Radio Ghana's Isaac Asare, a member of the community, Gloria Akanlo, said it is frustrating to see sick people being carried on bicycles to Sandema District Hospital, which is quite a distance to access health care.

She narrated how a child died because there was no ambulance to convey him to the hospital.

The situation is not different when it comes to pregnant women.

It is even more disheartening to note that in times of labour, community members have to commute long distances to other neighbouring communities to ask for tricycles often referred as ‘motor king’ to carry them to the district hospital.

In reaction, the Builsa North District Director of Health, Edmund Nyanwura, said an ambulance has been allocated from the national level to the district and will soon arrive.

GBC NEWS                           END                                                  ISAAC ASARE

Afrikid Ghana graduates 2,443 out- of -school children for mainstream education

Afrikids Bolga Area Manager, Cletus Anaaya ,addressing the gathering at Saporo in the Bongo District

About two thousand 500  out of school children in targeted districts of the Upper East Region have been taken through a 9-month Complementary Basic Education, CBE, programme in their mother tongue.

The programme is to prepare them for mainstream or formal education in September this year.  

The operational districts are Bongo, Talensi and Nabdam. At the 2nd graduation ceremony held at Saporo in the Bongo District, parent were asked not to downplay the future of their wards but rather give them the best education they desire.

In a speech for him, the Country Director of Afrikids, Nicholas Kumah, re-echoed the urgency for parents to nurture their wards through education.

He said the best legacy they can bequeath their children is to support them to climb the stages of their academic career. Correspondent Isaac Asare has more for Ghana today.

 

Dignitaries present at the function 

Section of  CBE beneficiaries

The Ghana Complementary Basic Education, CBE, Programme is a functional literacy programme for out-of-school children.

Available statistics indicates that over 20,000 children are out of school in the Upper East Region. The situation is not different in other deprived regions of the country.

The government of Ghana realizing the fate of these unfortunate children developed the CBE programme, as a catalyst to get them into formal school after a period of complementary basic education through their mother tongue.

The policy with financial support from the UK Department for International Development, gives priority attention to children between the ages of 8 and 14.

These children are identified by the various stakeholders including AfriKids Ghana, the GES and the Department of Social Welfare.

The project works by forming community committees from which facilitators are trained to provide the transitional education. 

Beneficiaries are made to attend classes after which they are supported by the GES, to enroll with schools in their respective localities.

Last year, one thousand 194 out-of- school children in the Bongo and Talensi districts were enrolled in schools. Moreover, out of the over 24,000 learners that enrolled in the first year of the CBEs implementation, 95 percent, mostly girls, graduated successfully.

The success story was made possible through the intervention of Afrikids Ghana and the GES. The graduation of the second batch of students re-enforces Afrikids commitment to addressing the high school drop out in the region.

These children drawn from the operational districts of Bongo, Talensi and Nabdam will be placed in different classes in their community schools based on their ability.

Addressing the gathering, the Bongo District Director of Education, Duncan Nsoh, showed appreciation to Afrikids and its partners for their sense of responsiveness, emphasizing the need for parents to complement their effort with the aim to sustain the gains made over the years.

He further advised parents to consider the education of their wards, their utmost priority and strive to give them the best of education they desire.

Various speakers at the function also drummed home the need for children to be given the needed support through education so as to enable them have the urge to pursue their academic careers.

 They also encouraged the beneficiaries to capitalize on the opportunity given them to develop themselves academically.

The Bolgatanga Area Manager of Afrikids, Cletus Anaaya told Radio Ghana that the welfare of the child has always been the interest of Afrikids, hence the educational support for the beneficiaries.

He said based on the successes chalked over the year, Afrikids has won a bid to extend the CBE programme to areas such Bawku, Pusiga and Karaga in the northern region.

Mr Anaaya indicated that most of the learners who benefitted from the programme for the first cycle are performing well in their schools having been supported with uniforms from the education directorate.

The move, he noted, demonstrates the readiness of the beneficiary districts to sustain the programme after Afrikids has exited.

The learners were awarded with certificate of completion and assisted with exercise books, pencils and other educational materials to prepare them adequately as they enter into formal education come September this year.

Some of the children shared their joy for being part of the CBE programme.

 They were equally grateful to Afrikids for teaching them how to read and write in their mother tongue.

           

GBC NEWS                               END                                       ISAAC ASARE

Update on Talensi by-election 'The GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY'

57  year old former Chairman of the Ghana Olympics Committee,  Benson Tongo Baba has been elected as the new parliamentary candidate for the Talensi Constituency on the ticket of the ruling National Democratic Congress, NDC. 

He secured 10, 366 votes out of the total valid votes of 24,499 of the July, 7 Talensi by-election.

The Parliamentary candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Thomas Duanab Pearson Wuni came close with 6,845 votes, a difference of 9 votes polled by, Dr. Michael Wumbeogo Namalteng of the  People’s National Convention who had 6,836 votes. 

The Progressive People’s Party, PPP, which has Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom as its flagbearer secured 214 votes to beat James Mambora Doubil of the New Vision Party. NVP. 

The PPP had Joseph Toatoba as its parliamentary candidate. Other parties that contested in the by-election include the Independent People’s Party, IPP, the United Progressive Party, UPP, and the Ghana Freedom Party which has Madam Akua Donkor as its flagbearer.

After a successful voting exercise, the total number of votes cast stood at 25,381 out of 39,525 registered voters. Rejected votes was 882 and the total percentage turnout was 64.22 percent.

Voting was peaceful despite some few skirmishes between supporters of the two major parties, the NPP and the NDC. This was characterized with accusations and counter accusations from both political divide. 

The over 300 combine police and military personnel deployed to the 74 polling stations across the constituency had a hectic time controlling both factions,  who were alleged to be natives of Tamale called “Azoka Boys” from the NDC and the ‘Invisible forces” from the NPP.

In the course of the scuffle, a vehicle belonging to one of the DCEs was smashed and vandalized at the full glare of the police. No arrest was made.

Two persons were arrested by the police at Winkongo in Talensi in the Upper East Region for possessing AK47 weapons.  

The two, (names withheld)were apprehended when the vehicle in which they were using was accosted by security officials at a barrier just as it was about entering the Tongo community.

Earlier, a gentleman from a community called Shea was arrested and handed over to the police for attempting to mislead electorates to vote for his candidate using a sample or miniature voting sheet.

Voting in the 22 electoral areas of the constituency ended at 5:00 pm. 

Sorting and counting was done at the respective polling centres under the strict supervision of party agents and electoral officials. 

Provisional results were however sent to the collation center at Tongo.

The results were carefully tabulated and compiled by senior EC officials both from the region and at the headquarters. 

Present  at the collation center was the Deputy Chairman In-charge of Operations at the EC, Sulemana Amadu.

The declaration of the results was done at exactly, 11: 50 pm. Mr Benson Tongo Baba, popularly known as BT Baba of the NDC was officially declared winner after polling the highest number of votes to beat his seven other contestants.

 His victory was received with wild jubilation from enthusiastic supporters and sympathizers of the NDC.

Some of them took to the streets chanting songs for Mr. B.T Baba. Others were engaged in motorbike display to express their joy over the turn of event.

Interestingly, some political parties refused to append their signature to the certified results on grounds that they were not treated fairly as far as the conduct of the exercise was concerned. 

One of the aggrieved parties was the PNC, its General Secretary, Bernard Monarh, described the election as fraudulent, and indicating that appending his signature to the results will mean a great disservice to his party and called for a recount.

His plea was denied by officials of the EC. The NPP on the other hand also refused to append their signature to the result based on a similar complaint.

In response, Mr Amadu Sulemana, said the election was conducted in a free and transparent manner and therefore disagree with the aggrieved parties.

 He took the opportunity to commend the people of Talensi and the security agencies for their sense of maturity, professionalism and responsiveness.

Mr Sulemana, lamented on the number of rejected votes and said the EC was going to intensify its public education on the use of ballot sheets. 

He added that the EC had taken a cue from the discrepancies that erupted in the course of the Talensi by-election. 

The electoral process he announced will be used as a litmus test to enable the commission conduct a more credible election come 2016.

The Talensi seat became vacant after the incumbent NPP MP, Robert Nachinab Duameng Mosore was installed Paramount Chief of the Tongo Traditional Area.

GBC NEWS                                                          END                                                     ISAAC ASARE

Talensi by-election: UPP Presidential Candidate predicts win over NPP and NDC

The 2016 Presidential Candidate for the United Progressive Party, UPP, Akwasi Addai Odike, has predicted a landslide victory over the major political parties NDC and the NPP in the Talensi by-election, come July, 7.

He said both parties have failed to alleviate the suffering of Ghanaians and the people of Talensi. 

Mr Odike who is in the region to rally behind his parliamentary candidate, Isaac Kongazore, said his party is not perturb by the antics being used by both the NPP and the NDC to influence electorates.

According to him, the over 39,000 eligible voters in the Talensi Constituency are abreast with issues and are enlightened enough to choose his candidate over the other contestants.

He spoke with Correspondent Isaac Asare.

GBC NEWS                                  END                                                         ISAAC ASARE

NPP takes swipe at the EC and the Police for breach of electoral procedures

Mr Freddie Blay addressing the media,

The National leadership of the NPP has expressed regret at what they call unfair treatment on the part of the EC and the Upper East Regional Police Command to disorganize the party ahead of the impending Talensi-by-election. 

At a press briefing held today in Bolgatanga, the Vice Chairman of the party, Freddie Blay, accused the EC for failing to furnish them with the list of electoral officials, particularly presiding officers and polling station assistants to conduct the polls. 

He said the action by the EC was in direct violation of Regulation 17 clause 6 of C.I 75, which mandates every political party or eligible voter the right to object to any illegal appointment of electoral officers within three days after the names of the proposed officials have been published. 

Mr Blay, also chastised the Regional Police Command under the leadership of DCOP Simon Afeku, for siding with the ruling government to frustrate and disrupt the campaign of the NPP slated for Sunday, July 5. 

With barely three day to the impending Talensi by-elections, the eight political parties that have filed their nominations to contest in the said elections are embarking on vigorous campaigns in a bid to solicit vote from electorates.  

The situation on the grounds attest to the fact that all the political parties are determined to annex the seat which has become vacant following the exit of Robert  Nachinab Duameng Monsore, the MP for the area. 

Mr. Monsore, officially resigned from parliament after his enskinment as Tongo Rana, Kubilsong Nalebegtan, Paramount Chief for the Tongo Traditional Area. 

The upcoming by-election will take place in 74 polling stations across the Talensi constituency. Per the provisions made  in the C.I 75, political parties involved are supposed to be furnished with names of the EC officials for the smooth conduct of the elections but this has not been done. 

This the leadership of the NPP has stated was in contravention of the country’s electoral laws. According to them, several appeal to the EC for a copy of the list of electoral officers had not been met. 

Mr Freddie Blay further blamed the Upper East Regional police Command to taking an entrenched position as far as the provision of security for the upcoming by-election is concern. 

For the party, the police is only succumbing to the wishes of the ruling party. 

This, Mr Blay, lamented was an affront on the integrity and professionalism of the police service because the constitution mandates them to be loyal to the state and the constitution and not to any political party. 

He said the position of the police not to provide security at the party’s campaign rally is unfortunate.  

NDC will annex the Talensi Parliamentary seat: Veep express optimism

Veep exchanging pleasantries

Vice President, Kwesi Amissah Arthur has expressed optimism that though the Talensi Parliamentary seat has become crucial following the exit of the NPP MP, Robert Nachinab Monsore, the NDC was poised to annex the seat.  

He said the situation on the ground attest to the fact that the party was ahead of its political opponents as far the upcoming constituency bye-election was concern.  

Mr Amissah Arthur, however, called on the chiefs and people of Talensi to rally support for the NDC parliamentary candidate, B.T Baba to enable the party recapture power for the sake of development.  

The Vice President made the appeal when addressing a large enthusiastic party supporters at a grand rally held at Sheaga in the Talensi District. Correspondent Isaac Asare has more for Radio Ghana.

New Tongo Rana, Robert Nachinab Monsore (Middle)

Vice President Amissah Arthur was met on arrival by the Upper East Regional Minister, James Zuuga Tiiga and his deputy, Daniel Syme. 

Accompanied by the Vice President were some government officials including the National Organizer of the NDC, Kofi Adams, Former Local Government Minister, Ofosu Ampofo and the special aid to the Vice President, Agyenim Boating.  

They were given a rousing welcome by enthusiastic party supporters led by the Regional Chairman, Alhaji Bonaba. 

Mr Amissah Arthur and his team first held a brief close door meeting with regional party executives at the Regional Coordinating Council. 

He then proceeded to Tongo, where he paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Tongo Traditional Area, Robert Nachinab Monsore, at his palace. 

Mr Monsore became the new Tongo Rana following his official resignation as NPP MP for the area. The vacuum created has called for a bye-election slated for Tuesday July, 7. 

After exchange of pleasantries, the former Local Government Minister, now one of the Vice Chairpersons of the Party, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo took turns to address the gathering.

 He congratulated Mr Monsore for accepting to serve his subjects over politics. He urged the people of Tongo to give their new chief the needed support since he has them at heart. 

He, moreover, urged the people of Talensi to vote massively for the NDC in the upcoming bye-election. 

He said the party has a bigger stake in the constituency and has therefore become imperative for them to renew and keep the faith with the party by giving it another chance to annex power from the incumbent. 

Vice President Amissah Arthur, later presented the NDC parliamentary candidate, B.T Baba to the chief and his subjects and encouraged them to give him the mandate to enable him accelerate the pace of development in the area. 

He dismissed rumour about the possible removal of the DCE for Talensi, Edward Awunnore and urged him to exercise his duties. 

At a meeting with chiefs of the Winkongo Area Council, Vice president Amissah Arthur, re-echoed the need for the constituent to vote for B.T Baba to represent them in parliament. 

A grand rally later took place at the Sheaga primary school. Vice president Amissah Arthur appealed to the people to vote for the NDC to bring about the needed change.

 Speaking to Radio Ghana, Mr B.T Baba said the spontaneous crowd witnessed at the rally goes to erase the erroneous impression that the NDC had lost the seat to the NPP for good. 

This assertion, he dispelled was neither here nor there. He further stated that the NDC has been firmly rooted in the constituency and this, he believes, gives cause for the party to recapture the seat come next Tuesday.

END