Upper East: Royal Bank Foundation spearheads the provision of 19 boreholes to needy communities

Story by Isaac Asare

    

The Royal Bank Foundation, a subsidiary of the Royal Bank Limited, has facilitated the provision of 19 boreholes in selected needy communities of the Upper East Region. 

Beneficiary Communities are mainly from the Navrongo Area Council including the Kassena-Nankana West, Nabdam, Bawku West and the Builsa North District.  

The gesture which forms part of the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility has at the beginning of the year ensured the construction of 37 boreholes across the region.  

At a grand commissioning  at Katui Asania in the Kassena-Nankana West, the Board Chairman of the Bank, Dr Kofi Kodua Sarpong said the primary objective of the Bank is to extend its outreach intervention to deprived areas of the country regardless of its non-existence in such areas. 

He said the bank believe in total inclusion and will ensure the provision of similar projects in other needy communities. 

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The Royal Bank Limited, which is a member of the Global Haulage Company Limited, a renowned private transport entity gave birth to the Royal Bank Foundation. 

The idea is to reach out to needy communities in the area of health, water and sanitation as well as support for education, culture and sports among other thematic areas. 

Aside its official mandate of undertaking all banking and banking related transactions has since its inception in December 2012 embarked on a number of flagship charity ventures in needy communities. 

Though the bank operates mainly in the urban areas, it has extended its Corporate Social responsibility to benefit areas where its operations are non-existent. 

So far 19 communities in the Upper East have benefited from the gesture. Beneficiary communities include Namolo, Gana, Pinda, Kusingu, Begwebia, Sakom and Timonde. 

At a joint commissioning of a borehole at Katui Asania, the Board Chairman of the Bank, Dr Kofi Kodua Sarpong, said the focus is to construct over 60 boreholes by close of the year.

The symbolic commissioning of the project was done under the distinguish patronage of Dr Adamu Iddrisu, Founder of the Royal Bank and a native of Katui. 

Speaking to Radio Ghana, the Assembly member for the area, Daniel Azuponga Ayagitam, said the provision of the facility has brought some relief to the people but said more was needed to assist the community overcome its water challenges.

Management of the bank led by Dr Adamu Iddrisu, earlier paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Katui, Pe Murtala Ayikode Zanguio Atoge IV at his family house to announce his presence and brief him on the purpose of the visit. 

 Dr Addrisu was accompanied by the Chairman of the Foundation, Rev Faustell Asogba Cofie, the Managing Director and CEO of the bank, Robert Kow Bentil and the Head of Operations, Dr Kwame Baa-Nuako among other board members.

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FC Tanga wallops RTU on home soil

        

FC Tanga, a Bolgatanga Based Division One League Club Saturday proved total supremacy over arch rivals Real Tamale United, RTU, by winning on a home soil by 2 unanswered goals.  

The titanic duel which took place at the Bolgatanga Sports Stadium did not produce much goal scoring chances in the first half of the game though both teams exhibited quality footwork and skills to the admiration of spectators in the match day thirteen of the on-going Division One League competition. 

The second half of the game saw three important changes in the F.C Tanga setup as midfielder, Frank Amoto was replaced by Abula Francis on the 43rd minute, while defender Solomon Abugri, was substituted with George Akampeke, a vicious attacker in the 46th minutes. 

His presence into the game was described by fans as a correct decision by management of the team.

 In the dying moment of the game, lead striker Kenneth Mbah who had become a target for rough tackles, was replaced with Striker, Frimpong Enock, after close to scoring the a third goal for his side. 

The first goal of the match was scored in the 55^th minute through Kenneth Mbah after he was brought down by RTU’s goalkeeper resulting in a penalty. Mba subsequently opened the score line with a spectacular spot kick. 

The match continued with the away team soaking intense pressure from all angles to get an equalizer, but all effort proved futile as the defence of F.C Tanga defended their goal area from all threats. 

In the 70th minute, the winning team had a clear opportunity to double the lead when George Akampeke came face to face with the keeper of RTU but placed the ball into his waiting arms. 

After minutes of fierce battle, F.C Tanga was able to seal the deal by scoring her second goal through a sublimed kick by Solomon Asakiya.  

F.C Tanga however secured a clean sheet by outwitting the visiting team by 2 goals to nothing.  The outstanding goal received wild jubilation from the stance of the home team, an indication that the team’s expectance to booking a place in the Country’s Premier League. 

With this impressive scoreline,  F.C Tanga now has 25 points and plus 10 goals. 

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Ahead of 2016 Polls: NMC advises the media not use your their medium to provoke political violence

Story by Isaac Asare

    

The NMC is discontent about the manner at which the media sets the agenda for political actors to hurl insults at each other.

It contended that the use of intemperate language and verbal confrontations provokes political intolerance and must be avoided to avert any possible conflict in the run up to the 2016 elections. 

At a media forum held in Bolgatanga, the Executive Secretary of the NMC, George Sarpong observed that the media has an arduous task to regulate and reshape people’s opinions on issues rather than allowing their medium to be used for damaging verbal retributions. 

 To political actors, he advised that running each other down with verbal attack is not the way to go, instead issues should be carefully approached with civility, taking into cognisance the religious and moral implications. 

Mr Sarpong made the appeal during the launch of an election project dubbed ‘Improving Media Regulations in the regions for Peaceful election 2016.  Isaac Asare has more for Radio Ghana.

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In the run up to any political election, there is always an atmosphere of tension and a feeling of uneasiness among political actors. 

In their quest to either wrestle or maintain political power, social commentators and other political analysts resort to unhealthy verbal exchanges that are often considered disparaging and inciting. 

Undoubtedly, the use of intemperate language on the airwaves has caused political violence in most neighbouring African countries resulting in the death of dozens of innocent citizens. 

 In the run up to the 2016 general elections, report by some political observers and other credible media outlets brings to fore the high  incidents of indecent expressions on radio stations across the country. 

Obviously, the trend is gaining prominence as the country’s airwaves have suddenly become a breeding ground for political party officials, affiliates and supporters in the use of abusive languages. 

To this background, the NMC has taken the initiative to sanitize the system by inciting the media to purge the airwaves of this canker. 

The launch of the election project therefore reinforces the commission’s resolve to deepen democracy and promote political tolerance among the citizenry. 

Addressing the gathering, a Legal Practitioner and the Executive Secretary of the NMC, George Sarpong, said expressing one’s displeasure on a subject by a political opponent can be done in a morally accepted manner rather than speaking back with fury.

The engagement session, which saw the official inauguration of a Seven-Member Media Advisory Committee, was used to caution the youth against political related violence.

 To this end, Mr Sarpong repeated calls for the youth not to allow themselves to be used as elements of destruction by selfish political figures since they have a greater stake in the development pursuit of the nation.

Retired Educationist, Robert Ajeni, who represented as the chairman for the occasion, said going forward, the media is expected to play its gate-keeping role by working to sustain the country’s enviable democracy. 

 Mr Ajeni who is also the chairman for Regional Media Advisory Committee laid particular emphasizes on the need for the media to raise topical issues that addresses the development needs of the country and not use their medium to project conflict. 

The meeting brought together religious leaders as well as representatives of the various political parties among other functionaries including the media.

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Upsurge of armed robbery and motorbike snatching case in Bolgatanga

DCOP Simon Afeku outraged about the upsurge of criminal activities under his watch

Bolga MCE appeal to residents to assist police in clamping down on criminals

The Bolgatanga Municipality is becoming famous for criminal activities such as armed robbery and the snatching of motorbikes.

People who fall prey to these nefarious activities are often assaulted and inflicted with machete wounds.

Others have incidentally lost their lives in the wake of such robbery attacks.

The Municipal Chief Executive, Philip Aboore who is disturbed about the turn of event has cautioned residents of the municipality and beyond to strictly adhere to common safety measures to avoid unforeseen attacks.

The MCE told Radio Ghana’s Isaac Asare that though he acknowledges the visibility of police personnel at vantage points within the municipality, the total safety of the people will be guaranteed if they support the police.

Commenting on the absence of street lights in some communities, the MCE said the assembly is working assiduously to provide electricity to those areas.

In an exclusive interview, the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Simon Afeku said his office is equally worried about the upsurge of crime related activities under his watch and will deal decisively with anyone found culpable.

He said as citizens, it behoves us to expose criminals living within our communities and not give countenance by harbouring them.

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Boy, 25 in dire need of Ghc 12,000 to undergo surgery

Story by Correspondent Isaac Asare

Twenty Five year old Ernest Bugri, who hails from Zebilla-Tanga in the the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region is in dire need of Twelve Thousand Ghana Cedis to undergo surgery at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. 

Master Bugri, a former student of Zebilla Senior High School was diagnosed of a brain tumour known in medical terms as Haemanigio Blastoma, last year.  

His condition according to medical report can only be remedied through an immediate surgery in order not to worsen his predicament.

 Narrating his condition to Radio Ghana at his residence, Master Bugri said the disease began when he was in the second year at the Zebilla SHS, but did not consider it as a serious ailment until he was repeatedly taken ill. 

While in school, Bugri who was known to be one of the brilliant students in class could hardly sit throughout lesson periods in the classroom due to the pain and his inability to absorb what was being taught.  

He said during his final year, he could not write some of his papers because his condition worsened before the examination got underway. After completion, he was exposed to different local herbs but to no avail. 

Presently,  his condition has deteriorated to the extent that he can hardly walk, sit or perform any other activity because he is always wavering and dangling as if he is drunk. 

He said since his family is unable to raise the said amount to undergo surgery, his total survival hinges on donations from the general public and corporate bodies. 

According to him, his condition is getting no better but rather sending him to his early grave.  

The mother of Master Abugri, who is frustrated in her search for funds, says she is willing to offer him to any capable and interested individual.

 She said however pleaded with the general public to come to their aid to enable the son live a normal life. 

Interested persons and groups should channel their support through ADB Bank Bolgatanga branch to Daniel Agana with the account number   9012000067781301.

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Management of Student Loan Trust Fund engages stakeholders in Bolgatanga

Ms Sheila Naa Boamah, CEO SLTF

Ambassador Donald Adabere (Extreme left)

Management of the Student Loan Trust Fund, SLTF has met with key stakeholders at a forum in Bolgatanga to discuss ways in addressing the bottlenecks identified in the operation of the fund.  

The meeting among other interventions is aimed at developing solutions to problems tertiary students face in accessing the fund. 

In a statement, the CEO of the fund, Ms Sheila Naa Boamah, said the fund was undergoing massive restructuring and it is determined to consider inputs from stakeholders to make the fund more viable and accessible. 

She said with the support of the board, efforts are being made to fix the challenge of student continuing school list that often result in the delay of disbursement. 

Furthermore, the fund is fashioning out moves to implement solutions that reduces students getting deferred or dropping out of school as a result of financial challenges. 

For a decade, the Student Loan Trust Fund, SLTF, has established institutional linkages with its key stakeholders in a quest to streamlining the loan application processes. 

Since it took over the management of student loans from SSNIT in 2006, SLTF has improved on its terms and conditions to benefit more students in both public and accredited private universities as well as colleges of education and polytechnics. 

So far, the SLTF had supported over 700 teacher trainees in 45 colleges in the last two academic years. 

In addition, the fund had provided financial assistance to close to hundred thousand Ghanaians, some of whom have been able to attain some form of post-secondary education. 

This is partly because the fund has gone through some reforms with the view to addressing some bottlenecks which for years has impeded the progress of the fund. 

Speaking to Radio Ghana, the CEO of the fund, Ms Sheila Naa Boamah, said the challenge of inadequate internet infrastructure in some institutions and the poor completion of students loan application form have been duly resolved through the paper application mode, having realized the deficiencies in the application process.  

On the issue of repayment, Ms Naa Boamah said under its loan recovery strategy, prospective borrowers especially those from the informal sector and non-residence are easily identified and made to fulfil their loan obligations. 

She was convinced that with the collaboration of institutional guarantors and the setting up of loan repayment clinics in most working environments, loan recovery will improved for the better to benefit more applicants. 

In a presentation, the Ho Operational Manager of the SLTF, Vincent Akorli, encouraged the various tertiary institutions to give out their full school enrollment list on time to enable the fund provide timely financial services to eligible students.  

He moreover expressed his outfit’s readiness to provide effective guidelines for the operationalization of the fund and called on stakeholders to provide valid input into the draft document of the fund to enrich it and make it  more sustainable.  

The function brought together heads of public and private tertiary institutions including representatives of student bodies as well as Board Members and Zonal Managers of the SLTF.

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Upper East: worst affected region in terms of climate change on agriculture

The Upper East Region has been identified as the worst affected in agriculture as a result of climate change.

This was made known by the Sector Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Limuna Muniru, at the regional launch of the Ghana Agriculture Sector Investment Programme, GASIP, in Bolgatanga.

He said due to the growing effect of climate change, the region is fast becoming a gateway to the Sahara desert adding that if urgent steps are not taken to mitigate the impact, the country will risk losing its rich arable farmlands to desertification.

Alhaji Muniru therefore cautioned farmers against poor farming practices and proposed the preservation and propagation of economic trees as one of the effective ways to addressing the looming threat.

GASIP is an agricultural value chain programme designed to be private sector led and demand-driven in approach to facilitate and promote agribusiness.

The $113 million dollars project with funding by the Ghana Government and the International Fund for Agriculture Development, IFAD is scheduled to be implemented in the long- term covering a period of six years.

The focus is on private sector led, pro-poor agricultural value chain development targeting smallholder producers especially women, youth and young adults between the ages of 15and 34.

The programme also hinges on four strategic pillars, some of which include the promotion and mainstreaming of climate change resilience approaches in areas of Northern Ghana as well as establishing linkages for smallholder producers to agribusinesses with the aim to enhancing pro-poor development.

Launching the programme, the Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Limuna Muniru underscored the need for both the public and the private sector actors including the MOFA, EPA and the assemblies to comprehend the new approach to promoting agribusiness.

He therefore encouraged farmers to take advantage of the GASIP and adapt to best practices in mitigating the impact of climate change.

He therefore recommended the growth and preservation of some economic trees such as Shea, Baobab and Gum Arabic.

GASIP works by calling for proposals from the various value chain actors specifying what business they do and the type of support they require for submission and consideration.

A careful evaluation of proposals submitted will subsequently carried out to assess the potency of these businesses and how they will increase the incomes of smallholder farmers.

The Upper East Regional Minister, Albert Abongo said with lessons drawn from past projects, he was hopeful that under GASIP farmers will be better off while the region stands to retain its past glory as one of the nation’s bread baskets.

Participants were taken through the various components and fortunes under GASIP in a presentation by the Project Coordinator, Roy Aayariga and the Manager of the Climate Change Adaptation of GASIP, Dr Eric Twum.

The Sector Minister and his entourage later toured some project sites to interact with farmers and update them on the prospects under GASIP.

Areas vested include Gbedembilsi Rice Valley, Weisi warehouse and the Fumbisi rice farm.

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Rice and Vegetable Farmers at Tono exposed to greenhouse technology in farming

Agriculture  Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Limuna Muniru

The Ministry of Agriculture says the sector is embarking on a modernization drive to cause a paradigm shift in the way of farming by introducing farmers to greenhouse technology.

The sector believes that the adoption of the new method of farming has the tendency of effecting a positive change in the traditional farming system, where there will be a corresponding increase in crop yield.

The Sector Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Limuna Muniru who made the disclosure at Navrongo as part of his two day working visit to the Upper East Region, said government places high premium on agriculture and will continue to employ workable interventions to improve food production.

He noted that, greenhouse technology was one of the surest ways of producing more food to feed the growing population.

To this effect, it has become imperative for smallholder farmers to embrace it as it will help transform their lives and make farming attractive to the youth.

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The Sector Minister and his team visited the Tono Irrigation Project site to interact with farmers to have first-hand information on their activities and be abreast with their challenges for practical solutions.

Alhaji Muniru inspected an ultra-modern Packhouse, a storage facility meant for the storage of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The on-going marketing infrastructure sub component under the Northern Rural Growth Project will have a storage capacity of 500 metric tonnes of fresh vegetables.

Upon completion, it is expected to help address post-harvest loses and stabilise the price of agricultural produce.

The Project Coordinator of the Ghana Agricultural Sector Investment Programme, GASIP, Roy Ayariga, who led the team to inspect the project, explained that the facility will enable farmers aggregate their produce, ensure quality standards and advocate for good prices from secure markets.

After the inspection, Alhaji Muniru interacted with farmers at the site to update them on best agricultural practices and also solicit their inputs for consideration.

Welcoming the minister, the leader of nucleus farmers at the Tono irrigation site, James Adawina outlined some challenges facing farmers at the site and appealed to the ministry to intervene by providing them with adequate farm inputs and machinery to enable them harvest their crops on time and with ease.

During an open forum, the sector minister was subjected to series of questions bordering fertilizer smuggling, high cost of farm inputs, and limited access to loans.

One of the women farmers, Doris Addah poured her frustration on what she term as discrimination and unfair treatment in the utilization of farm input and machinery by their men folks.

Alhaji Muniru in response to the concerns raised said his administration will see to the plight of farmers especially those at the various project sites.

While availing the farmers to greenhouse technology and opportunities under the GASIP, Alhaji Muniru assured farmers of ministry’s readiness to assist them with the necessary machinery as government has procured a number of rice harvesters and processors with accessories from Brazil.

He, however, urged the farmers to come out with new and practical ways of farming to ensure good yield and high quality produce especially during the dry season.

Accompanied by the minister were some senior officers from both the regional and the national level.

Key among the dignitaries include the Chief Director at the MOFA, Joseph Boamah, the Director of Crop Services, Emmanuel Asante Krobea and the Project Coordinator of the Tono Irrigation Scheme, Sebastian Bagina among others.

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