BOLGATANGA BASED FC TANGA OUTSTOUND JAPAN STARS TO QUALIFY FOR DIVISION ONE LEAGUE

Players of FC Tanga in jubilant ,mood (Middle) Humu Khulsum, CEO

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Bolgatanga-based second division team, FC Tanga has made history by becoming the first Club in the Upper East region, to qualify from Division three, through Division two, to Division One.

Maintaining their unbeaten record since the start of the second division league, FC TANGA, yesterday stunned Japan Stars 2:0 in the last Top 4 League match at the Bawku Town Park to ensure their qualification into the division one league.

The titanic duel was one of the two last matches in the regional Top 4 League, which was meant to choose a Regional Division Two Champion for elevation into the Division One league.

A large number of ecstatic supporters traveled with the team on the dangerous Bolgatanga-Bawku road just to cheer the players up for victory. First half of the game ended goaless.

In the second half, FC TANGA was awarded a penalty after its Deputy Captain; Iddrisu Seidu was brought down in the 18 area. Iddrisu Seidu successfully found the net for his Club in the 47^th minute of the game.

The Tanga boys began to soak pressure on Japan Stars resulting in a second goal scored in the 77^th minute through Iddrisu Seidu.

The second goal gave hope for the team’s qualification into first division.  It was all joy for supporters and management of FC TANGA.

Abula Francis who just returned from the National U-17 Camp and Shadrack Adombila were fantastic in the Midfield. Bernard Hafiz and Mandela Azeko were superb in creating opportunities from the wings.

Osman Bashiru, aka, Korea and Sulemana Shaibu aka Yeboah, were strong at the defense, while Senior Goalkeeper, Dickson Asipola was very alert in the post saving even deflected balls.

The Striking force led by Sulemana Jamal and Deputy Captain, Iddrisu Seidu were a delight to watch as they fired from all angles in a quest to increase the tally. Meanwhile, the match between Wonderful Stars and Gbimsi Star which was to take place at the Bolgatanga Sports Stadium could not come on.

 A management member of the team, Ebo Bruce Quansah told Radio Ghana's Isaac Asare that the team's unbeaten record will be jealously maintained as it hopes to qualify for the premier league.

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Youth urged to denounce homosexuality as ungodly

Most Rev Dr Daniel Yinka Sarfo

Anglican Bishop of Tamale, Rev Dr Jacob Ayeebo, exchanging pleasantry  with Hon Cletus Avoka

 Over one thousand youth drawn from the Northern Upper East and Upper West Regions are currently participating in the maiden Anglican Diocesan Youth Conference at Zebilla in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region. 

The 4-day conference which is being attended by distinguished personalities  under the auspices of the Bishop of the Tamale Diocese of the Anglican Church, Right Reverend Dr Jacob Ayeebo, is on the theme: “Arise and build: The Role of the Youth in the Mission of the Church and Nation Building”. 

In his welcome address, Rev Dr Ayeebo, admonished the youth to refrain from sexual immorality by resisting the devil’s temptation to succumb to easy and unhealthy lifestyles. 

He was emphatic on homosexuality and advised the youth to remain steadfast and leave behind the desires of the world. 

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

 

A staunch Anglican Youth, James Amo Jnr addressing the gathering

 Report

The ongoing diocesan youth conference marks another significant milestone in the history of the Anglican Diocese of Tamale which covers the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions. 

The conference is being organized under the distinguished patronage of the Primate and Metropolitan Archbishop of the Church of the Province of West Africa. 

The event sought to create an opportunity for the youth in the church to fraternize, make merry and fellowship together. 

It is also expected to spiritually empower the youth to be more effective in the mission of the church while building their faith in Christ. 

Addressing the gathering, the Bishop of the Tamale Diocese of the Anglican Church, Rev Dr. Bishop Jacob Ayeebo, implored the youth to prepare themselves in readiness to tackle any activity that poses as a hindrance on their way. 

He said the mission of the church was to promote evangelism and social action, therefore the willingness of the youth to witness and proclaim the Gospel of Christ with passion, need to be exemplified to the admiration of unbelievers. 

Rev Dr Ayeebo, reminded the youth to free from sexual immorality and be advocates against homosexuality which, he lamented, has become a worrying global phenomenon. 

Highlighting the role of the youth of the church in nation building, the Primate of the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Church of the Province of West Africa, Most Rev Dr Daniel Yinka Sarfo, challenged the country and the African Continent to prioritize moral leadership, which he noted requires the values of peace, humility, hardwork, honesty, and sacrifice. 

These qualities, he observed, were spiritual ingredients necessary for national development. 

Most Rev Yinka Sarfo, who also doubles as the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Ghana, further underscored the need for the state and the church to nurture the youth for future leadership. 

The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Daniel Syme, who was the guest speaker described as relevant the call to the present youth to arise and build considering their needs and aspirations. 

He re-echoed the need for the youth to redirect their energies into useful ventures to enable them realize their God given potentials and also meet their socio-economic needs. 

The maiden diocesan youth conference was attended by the clergy, representatives of sister churches and some government officials including MP for Bawku West, Cletus Avoka and the former Deputy Commissioner of the EC, His Excellency David Kanga among other functionaries. 

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Most Rev Dr Yinka Sarfo in pose with members of the clergy flanked by Mr David Knaga and Daniel Syme

District Level Election in the Upper East successful amidst heavy downpour

In last Tuesday's  District Level and Unit Committee Elections, Correspondent Isaac Asare report that voting was relatively smooth and peaceful in all polling centres across the 13 electoral districts of Upper East Region. Surprisingly, almost every part of the region experienced some rain showers. Areas such as Bawku and Garu-Tempane experienced heavy downpour even before the start of voting.

This nearly marred the beauty of the exercise. People felt reluctant to come out and vote, but notwithstanding, others defied the rains to exercise their franchise. Despite the successful conduct of the exercise, turnout was not encouraging. There was some level of apathy on the part of electorates.

This was perhaps due to the downpour. With regards to the Biometric Verification Devices, BVDs, persons that were not able to go through the verification process were assisted by the electoral officials after taking them through thorough screening to ensure their participation in the voting exercise.

The aged and the physically challenged were also assisted by friends, relatives and officials of the EC to cast their ballot.

At the end of voting some polling centres were still flooded with people in long queues. At Zuarungu Central A and B in the Bolgatanga East Constituency, people were found in long queues after the close of the exercise.

This, however compelled the EC to extend the time to enable them cast their ballot.

Official results of Tuesday's exercise are still pouring in. In the Bolgatanga Central Constituency, results received so far indicates that incumbent Assembly member for Bukere, Dominic Adabre, had been defeated by his only contender, Richard Apoya Atinga.

Mr Atinga secured 224 votes as against 219 polled by Mr Adabre. At Gumbisi Zongo Electoral Area, Yusif Fusheinin beat Mr Francis Nsobila with 469 votes as against 340 votes out of 1,914 total registered voters. In the Atulbabisi electora area, Apasenyelom Azaare clinched 593 votes to beat Achingeben Abongo who had 513 votes out of 1,106 of valid votes cast.

Dapotindongo electoral area saw Gabriel Ayine Jnr winning against Atampugbire Ayine. He had 463 votes while Mr Ayine polled 237 votes out of 700 of valid votes cast. Tindonsheo Lagos Town also saw Zulraneri Musah carrying the day with 506 votes to beat Nurideen Osman who had 447 out of the 953 of valid votes cast. Mr Vincent Adongo, on the other hand emerged as winner in the Zaare West electoral area.

He defeated his main contender Atugtue Sulemana by 534 votes as against 460. Number of valid votes cast was 994 out of 2,277 registered voters. Official results trickling in from electoral areas in the other districts indicates that most of the incumbent assembly members lost in their quest to maintain the seat.

Voting took place in 1,153 polling centres across the region. In all 969 candidates contested.

Out of the number 49 were females. The number of Unit Committee members that took part in the exercise numbered 2,187 with 1,766 males and 421 females.

GBC

Health care delivery in the Upper East under threat

Dr John Koku Awoonor-Williams

Performance indicators have shown that health care delivery in the Upper East Region has over the past years achieved some appreciable feat in terms of access to health especially in deprived communities of the region.

The region in the year under review has chalked up some successes in the area of adolescent and family health, disease surveillance, Malaria and HIV and AIDS, supervised delivery, new born care and institutional maternal mortality among other indicators. For instance with regards to institutional mortality, the region is said to have recorded the lowest in the country.

Despite these enviable achievements, theft of medical equipment and harassment of health staff has become a worrying trend affecting the effective delivery of health services in the region.

The Regional Director of Health Service, Dr John Koku Awoonor–Williams disclosed this at the Region’s Health Sector Half Year Performance Review Meeting in Bolgatanga.

The meeting was attended by dignitaries including the Director General of the Ghana Health Services, Dr. Ebenezer Appiah Denkyirah, health workers as well as representatives of development partners and NGOs.

Speaking on the Theme" Implementation of Adolescent Health Services: The Role of Community Health Workers, the Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Daniel Syme, commended the various health staff and community health volunteers for their dedicated service in bringing quality health care to the door step of the people.

Mr Syme, seized the opportunity to assure the directorate that efforts will be made to stem the tide of theft and harassment on health staff and called for effective collaboration by stakeholders and community members.


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Users of Bolgatanga Regional Library appeals to Gov’t and Corporate Ghana for support

Children reading in the dark

A defect at the library

Regional Librarian, John Ayeseya

Library Complex

Some outmoded reading materials

People that patronize the Bolgatanga Regional Library have lamented on the poor state of the facility. Since the establishment of the library, there has not been any major rehabilitation. Currently, the library lacks reading and learning materials required by student’s preparing for their respective public examinations.

In the face of intermittent power outages, the facility lacks a standby generator, making it uncomfortable for users to utilize the facility any time power goes off. Beyond that the library has no toilet facilities while building has developed some defects, due to its state of disrepair and neglect.

In an interview with URA News, the Regional Librarian, John Ayeseya said plans are afoot to improve the facility but funding has been a major challenge. Radio Ghana’s Upper East Regional Correspondent Isaac Asare reports that the Bolgatanga Regional Library which operates under the Ghana Library Board was officially inaugurated in June 27, 1969 by the then Chairman of the Board, Professor L.H Ofosu Appiah.

The facility is capable of holding 8,000 volumes of reserve book stock and can boast of an adult library, children’s library and a lecture hall capable of accommodating more than 100 people.

Since its establishment, the library has seen no major rehabilitation. It has been in a deteriorated condition for a long time with facilities far overstretched. Due to the magnitude of the problem, some of the students that patronize the library are compelled to sit outside the facility to read and write.

Some of students say they no longer find the environment relatively conducive for reading. Beyond that a cross section of students and members of the public that patronize the Library are forced to read under trees due to the deplorable state of the facilities at the library.

A visit to the center by Radio Ghana showed that facilities at the library have become old and dilapidated. There were no modern books on the shelves, while the chairs and tables have broken down. According to some, they often visit the library with their own books because the library has no new books on its shelves.

Some of the users of the facility who shared their frustration with Radio Ghana pleaded with the authorities to upgrade the library by stocking it with modern books and furniture.

Records has it that more than fifty thousand people including workers use the library annually. Lamenting on the poor state of the library, The Regional Librarian, Thomas Ayeseya, said the facility was faced with a myriad of challenges including lack of funds.

Mr Ayeseya, stressed that the physical resources of the library had not been expanded to meet the increasing demand and fit the status of a modern library. Mr Ayeseya, however called for urgent attention by authorities concerned to help put the facility in shape.

Over the years, the Bolgatanga Regional Library had been battling with the issue of funds to resource the facility.

In spite of the challenges, donations from individuals and groups had also reduced drastically. To this effect, the morale of staff working at the library has waned as they found it difficult to meet up with their welfare.

The only mobile van which is supposed to visit communities in the various districts thrice a year is unable to do so due to lack of funds to purchase fuel.

The Regional Librarian said problems facing the library could be surmounted if adequate funds were provided.

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Government to enforce restrictions on movement of poultry products beyond Greater Accra

Dep Min of Agric in-charge of Livestock, Dr Hannah Bissiw

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture in charge of Livestock, Dr Hannah Bissiw, has allayed fears of any outbreak of bird flu in some areas other than in Greater Accra, Ashanti and the Volta Regions.

Speaking with Radio Ghana's Isaac Asare in Bolgatanga Dr Bissiw said considering the magnitude of the outbreak in the said areas, government is on course to restrict the movement of poultry products and feeds beyond Greater Accra, especially areas that share border with neighbouring countries.

According to Dr Bissiw, the security agencies will be officially informed to facilitate the enforcement of the ban.

She entreated poultry farmers to acquire veterinary certification before moving their birds, adding that offenders will have their products confiscated and destroyed.

Dr Bissiw further pleaded with poultry farmers to respect the directive to ensure safety.

GBC

Government Outlines Conditions Of Service For Health Workers Including Doctors

Government has come up with a twelve-chapter framework stipulating conditions of service for Health Workers, including the Ghana Medical Association, GMA.

The move indicates government's willingness and commitment to provide codified working conditions for all health workers including the GMA.

Speaking to Radio Ghana, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Haruna Iddrisu, said the ministry is concerned about the impasse over conditions of service, stating that government is ready to resolve their grievances.

This, he said, can be realized if the leadership of the GMA is able to provide a level playing field for negotiations to take place.

The sector minister however reiterated calls for the striking doctors to resume work while engaging government in negotiations.

Mr. Iddrisu was alarmed at media reports about the number of deaths recorded at the various health facilities as a result of the strike by members of the GMA.

He said lives lost can never be replaced and therefore innocent citizens should not be made to suffer the consequences of the withdrawal of services by striking doctors.

Mr Iddrisu, reiterated government’s readiness to complete all negotiations for incorporation into next year’s budget and asked the GMA to save lives by engaging government in a productive social dialogue.

GBC