Youth urged to see agriculture as a lucrative venture

27-01-16     

Presiding Member for the Bongo District Assembly, Luke Ayamga Atazana

     

The Presiding Member for the Bongo District Assembly, Luke Ayamga Atazana has underscored the urgent need for the youth particularly graduates to discard the common notion that agriculture is a reserve for the uneducated. 

Reflecting on the prospects chalked in the area of agriculture by some developed countries, Mr Atazana indicated that most North American countries have achieved high economic growth through agriculture and was necessary for us as a country to draw lessons from their models and contextualize them to assist in job creation. 

Mr Atazana who is also a Research Economist and Staffer at the office of the President, encouraged the youth to prioritize agriculture since it was a lucrative venture. 

He moreover urged them to take advantage of the various models rolled out by the government to sustain their livelihoods.

GBC

Bongo district to benefit from more developmental projects

Bongo DCE, Alexis Ayamdor

Bonaba, Naba Salifu Alemyaruum (Left) and Presiding Member for Bongo District Assembly, Luke Ayamga Atazana

Bonaba in a pose with participants

The Bongo district will soon receive its fair share of developmental projects spanning from health to education.

In no time, the district will benefit from the construction of a fire station as well as a national ambulance service station to be equipped with a vehicle to cater for health conditions that require some referrals even to Bolgatanga and beyond. Beyond that, a number of CHPs compound are under construction and will be handed over to beneficiary communities upon completion.

The Bongo DCE, Alexis Ayamdor, who announced this said most GETfund school project some of which are yet to commence will also be absorbed by government and mentioned Namoo and Soe Community Senior High Schools as beneficiaries.

My Ayamdor gave the assurance at a day’s dialogue session involving chiefs and opinion leaders at Bongo.

Radio Ghana’s Isaac Asare reports that the meeting which was made possible through the collaborative effort of the Bongo District Assembly and the Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, Naba Salifu Alemyaruum was to dialogue with key stakeholders to take stock of development activities in the year under review and also brainstorm on the way forward in bringing meaningful development to the doorstep of the people.

The meeting also discussed pertinent issues affecting the development agenda of the district. Key among the issues were land degradation, teenage pregnancy, difficulties in the acquisition of land for projects and low revenue generation among others.

The issue of criminal activities particularly motorbike snatching and armed robbery which has to do with security took the centre stage.

Participants were worried about the phenomenon and provided options in dealing with the situation aside the measures put in place by the security to clamp down on perpetrators.

Opening the session, Naba Salifu Alemyarum said despite completed and ongoing projects being undertaken in the area, Bongo was still lagging behind in terms of socio cultural and economic development, hence the need for the stakeholders’ dialogue meeting.

Naba Alemyaruum said the district abound in lots of economic potentials that could be harnessed to accelerate the pace of development in the area.

The engagement session, he further noted, will therefore go a long way strengthen the collaboration of key stakeholders and the assembly to eliminate major obstacles that hinder the development effort of the district and also chart a new course necessary to turn the fortunes of the district around.

The Presiding Member for the Bongo District Assembly and a Research Economist Staffer at the office of the President, Luke Ayamga Atazana, emphasised that the meeting was the first of its kind and an innovation within the body politics of local governance, where revered chiefs and heads of departments, who are considered key agents of development are brought together to see to the speedy development of the district.

According to him, efforts will be made to periodically hold such meetings.

The DCE for Bongo, Alexis Ayamdor, highlighted a number of developmental projects earmarked for construction in the district. He said the extension of rural electrification was paramount in his development agenda and that needier communities will be hooked to the national grid.

On the issue of security, a member of Justice and Security Committee at the Bongo District Assembly, Edward Asekere, hinted that plans are in place to institute community watch dog committees to compliment the effort of the police



GBC

MMDAs challenged to serve as advocates in championing the global SDG efforts

Mrs Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, NALAG General  Secretary

Mr Moses Aduk-Pam (left), Mr George Abevalim (Middle) and Alexis Ayamdor (Right)

The General Secretary of the National Association of Local Authorities, NALAG, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has challenged the various MMDAs to serve as effective advocates in championing the cause of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, adopted by world leaders at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in September last year.

She said global effort at achieving the SDG target will largely depend on the commitment of world leaders, and will requires the support of state institutions like the MMDAs in the realisation of the transformative global development agenda.

Mrs. Momo Lartey said with the appointment of President Mahama as one of the co-chairs of the SDG, MMDAs are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that that they work assiduously to achieve as many goals as possible to compliment the President effort.

Mrs. Momo Lartey made the call at the just ended regional delegate conference of NALAG held in Bolgatanga.

Radio Ghana’s Isaac Asare reports that the Regional Delegate Conference of NALAG attended by heads of various institutions including MMDCEs and assembly members was used to elect a regional representative who will add up to other 16 officers to be elected at its upcoming Biennial National Delegate Conference to be held in Sunyani this year.

The election of the regional representative will constitute the National Executive Council of the association for a two-year term.

Per article 19 clause (1) of the NALAG constitution, regional delegate conferences shall be held at least once each year.

However, in 2014, NALAG was confronted with inadequate resources to organise its extra-ordinary national delegate conference and the NALAG week celebration, though the two events were later held in June and September last year.

Subsequently, this year’s conference had delayed as a result of distortions in the local government calendar, more especially the postponement of the District Level Elections, DLE, as well as the late inauguration and orientation for assembly members.

In a statement read on behalf of the NALAG President, a Senior Administrative Officer of NALAG, Mathias Dorglo, said the progress of the association had been confronted with myriad of challenges, therefore the regional conference was not only meant to elect a regional representative but also to brief members on the achievements and challenges of the outgoing executives.

He said the meeting was also intended to update members on the upcoming national delegate conference and to solicit views from participants on pertinent issues bordering the association for redress.

According to him, the creation of new database of the MMDAs and the opening of secretariats at the regional levels, were key on the agenda of NALAG.

Moreover, special attention had been given to the strengthening of working relation between NALAG and its international partners with focus on developing a new strategic business plan for the association.

Mr. Dorglo said NALAG was determined to become a self-financing association and called on members to work towards achieving the set goal.

The newly elected General Secretary of NALAG, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, said with the support of NALAG members, her office was poised to dealing with all emerging issues which are in the best interest of the association.

She however, seized the opportunity to challenge all MMDAs to join the fight against extreme poverty and climate change by working to complement the global effort at achieving SDGs.

The outgoing Upper East Regional Minister, James Zuuga Tiigah, for his part, challenged NALAG to work in resolving the practice phenomenon where assembly members constantly refuse to elect Presiding Members, (PM). based on obvious reasons.

He described the phenomenon as worrying because resources are wasted in organising as many as three or more meetings to elect a PM.

During the election of a regional representative, the DCE for Bongo, Alexis Ayamdor won against the incumbent, Mr. Moses Aduk-Pam with 47 out of 63 votes cast.

The PM for the Builsa North District Assembly, George Abavelim was second with 11 votes while Mr. Aduk-Pam had only 5 votes.

Mr. Ayamdor in his victory speech, pledged an open door policy and said his tenure will see to the flow of information through the reactivation of links in terms of communication.

He however, urged NALAG members to support him move the association to become a force to reckon with.

GBC                                                      

Story by Isaac Asare

Police in Bongo declares war against motorbike snatchers

Bongo District Police Commander, ASP Paul Archibald Ankan.

The Bongo District Police Command has confirmed its readiness to wage relentless war against individuals and groups that perpetuate crime in the area.

The Police force has therefore issued a stern warning to criminals who are trooping to the area to embark on crime related activities such as motorbike snatching and armed robbery.

Speaking to Radio Ghana's Isaac Asare, the District Commander of Police, ASP Paul Archibald Ankan, observed that due to intense patrol operations in Bolgatanga and its environs by the Regional Police Command, most of the criminals have extended their activities to areas such as Bongo and Nabdam after being chased and smoked from their hideouts.

He was optimistic that with the cooperation of the general public, the police were resolute in its quest to flush out miscreants and syndicates of motorbike snatching in the district.

He said the police was not going to allow criminals take over the area and make life uncomfortable for the people.

What was disturbing, he noted was their mode of operation and explained that people usually fall prey to their nefarious activities sometimes at gun point.

Others are sometimes inflicted with machete wounds and other sharp and offensive weapons.

Meanwhile, with the collective effort of the youth in the district, one of the notorious motorbike snatchers (name withheld) was gunned down by the police together with a suspected rider who was shot accidently after refusing to stop following several warning shots.

According to ASP Ankan, other suspected criminals in the area are at large, stressing that the police will not relent on its effort to clamp down on criminals.

He, however cautioned the public to be wary of such miscreants and not hesitate to relay and volunteer valued information to the police should they come across any dubious activity emanating from any part of the district.

ASP Ankan further charged traditional authorities and the media to support the police by educating the masses on the activities of criminals and how they can assist the police to clamp down on offenders.

ASP Ankan said fighting motorbike snatching which constitutes mobile crime in the district was a challenging because the area is surrounded by various intersections that makes it difficult for the police to trace offenders since they are using motorbikes.

He therefore called on individuals and other interest groups to come to the aid of the police by procuring motorbikes for them to intensify their daily patrol duties.

GBC

NDC Bongo Constituency Endorses the Nomination of Albert Abongo as U/E Regional Minister Designate

Albert Abongo, MP for Bongo

The Bongo Constituency Executives of the NDC had overwhelmingly endorsed the nomination of Albert Abongo as Regional Minister designate for the Upper East Region. 

In a statement signed by the officer in charge of communications, Edward Asekre and copied to the GBC, the party on behalf of the chiefs and people of Bongo thanked President John Dramani Mahama for the honour done the constituency and the confidence reposed in him. 

The statement described the MP for the area as someone who is affable, development oriented, consummate and a person who possesses vast experience in modern day governance considering his proven track record in the party.

 It moreover described Mr Abongo as a key pillar in the success of the party in the constituency since 2001.

 It further stated that since 1992, the choice and candidature of Mr Abongo has undoubtedly contributed to the consistent victory of the party both in the parliamentary and presidential elections. 

It added that the news of his appointment came as no surprise to the constituents since he has the expertise to propel the development of the region and the skills to lead the process of mending all differences that seem to exist in some constituencies across the region. 

In an interview with Radio Ghana, Mr Edward Asekere was hopeful that with the nomination of Mr Abongo as Regional Minister designate, the party was on its way to victory, come November 2016. 

He said on behalf of the constituency chairman and the entire constituency executives, the party was ready to galvanise all the needed support and resources to rally behind him as he prepares to go through parliamentary vetting and approval.

GBC NEWS                                                    END                                                        IA/SA

NAVASCO holds 2016 annual homecoming

The Navrongo Senior High School popularly known as ‘NAVASCO’ has held its  homecoming for the year 2016 with a call on students to uphold to the academic discipline that the school is noted for.

Addressing the gathering, the National President of the old student Association, Alhaji Mohammed Haroon, said the academic success of the school was not achieved on a silver platter but rather hard-work and discipline, which he noted, had taken a nose dive, considering the level of truancy and student unrest recorded in recent times.

Alhaji Haroon urged the students to swiftly adopt to the can do spirit by pursuing their academic career with the tenets of discipline.

He also challenged past students of the school to support a worthy cause by contributing their quota to addressing the infrastructural challenges of the school.

This year’s homecoming of Navascans was on the theme “Moving NAVASCO to academic excellence" the role of stakeholders.

"NAVASCO" will forever be grateful to Ghana's first President Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as he wrote in the school’s visitors book on the day of its opening," This school has a great future and I shall watch it progress with great interest’’.

This inspirational words from Dr. Nkrumah has left an indelible virtue as the school continue to grow from strength to strength.

Established on October 26, 1960 with the motto "Lux Borealis" meaning the light of the north, NAVASCO serves not only the indigenes of Navrongo but also students from the northern and upper regions.

The school which began as a mixed school with only 67 students, can now boast of a student population of 2, 170, comprising 1,466 males and 704 females.

The school since its inception has made modest gains and had consistently proven to be one of the best schools noted for its academic excellence.

However, 2016 homecoming of Nabia as they profess to be called was to acknowledge the sterling academic performance of the school and also a platform for past and present students to fraternise and take stock of their alma mater.

In his welcome address, the National President of Nabia, Alhaji Mohammed Haroon, said the essence of the homecoming was to revisit and revitalise the can do spirit that the school is noted for.

He said the prospects of the school should be of paramount concern to all past and present students of Nabia, therefore all hands must be on deck in propelling its overall development especially at a time when it prepares adequately to climax its 60th anniversary come 2020.

Alhaji Haroon urged his colleagues to unite and support the school in fixing its infrastructure deficit.

The Headmistress of the school, Francisca Yizura impressed on the students to remain discipline and not relent in achieving their academic desires.

She said considering the challenges of the school coupled with the increased student population, the school has not compromise on its academic standards and dominance in other extra-curricular activities including sports, debates and national competitions.

She announced that the school was currently preparing students for this year’s National science and math quiz.

Mrs. Yizura said that though there was an improved performance in last year’s WASSCE exam, there were still some deficiencies in the area of science and mathematics and appealed to all Nabia to assist the school institute a student award scheme each term to help create competition among students.

Fifty-six years down the lane, NAVASCO had produced prominent individuals who have served various capacities in government and academia with many others blazing the trail in the high echelons of the public services in the country.

Notable among “Nabia” include the first Minister for Power, Kwabena Donkor, Professor David Miller, founder Miller Open University, William Amuna, CEO of GRIDCo and Clement Bugase, CEO Community Water and Sanitation Agency.

Others include renowned private legal practitioner, Lawyer John Ndebugri, former Majority Leader of Parliament, Cletus Avoka, as well as the immediate past Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Elias Sore.

According to them, discipline hard-work and self-motivation were the hallmark behind the school’s academic success.

Prof Miller later launched the Nabia Endowment Fund meant to solicit financial support to address the infrastructural challenges confronting the school.

This year’s event saw the presence of some pioneers of the school as well as representatives of sister schools in the region.

GBC                                                  END                                   ISAAC ASARE