BUCOBANK adjudged the best RCB in the UER

28-06-15         

           

 The Builsa Community Bank Limited, BUCOBANK, was adjudged the best Rural Community Bank in the Upper East Region for the year 2013 by the Association of Rural Community Banks in its maiden edition of Rural and Community Banks Excellence Award, held last year. 

As a result of its performance output, the Efficiency Monitoring Unit of the Association of Rural Banks, ARBs, puts BUCOBANK ahead of all the 16 Rural and Community Banks, RCBs of  Northern Ghana. 

BUCOBANK in 2013 was also rated satisfactory and ranked 16 out of 141 RCBs nationwide. 

The bank, despite its success story continues to perform creditably and has succeeded in making strides in the period under review.  

This came to light at the bank’s 15th Annual General Meeting of shareholders in Sandema. 

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of BUCOBANK, Pascal Ayaric, who made this known in the bank’s 2013/2014 report, said despite the challenges in the country, the bank recorded significant improvements in all the key performance indicators including assets, deposits, loans and advances, short term investments, pre-tax profit and stated capital. 

In view of this, the bank made profit of 795 thousand and 53 Ghana cedis in last year as against 640, 172 Ghana cedis in 2013, an increase of 24 percent. 

Mr. Ayaric commended the management, shareholders and staff of the bank, for their impressive performance during the year under review. He said, in its drive to re-position itself for more business opportunities, 

BUCOBANK, is embarking on rebranding and as a first step.  The Board he hinted is proposing a change of the Banks name from Builsa Community Bank limited to BUCOBANK-Builsa Community Bank limited. 

Mr Ayaric indicated that the banks logo and motto will also be changed as part of the rebranding. 

He encouraged its clients to take advantage of a new project dubbed” Promoting Micro-insurance Services in Northern Ghana”- “PROMISING”, a GiZ sponsored programmed, aimed at increasing the penetration of micro-insurance services to customers, which will soon be rolled out, to improve on their businesses and lives. 

The ARB Apex Bank Manager, Pascal Nkulenu, commended the bank for exceeding the minimum paid up capital of 300 thousand Ghana cedis for banks. 

He, however hinted that the Bank of Ghana may increase the minimum paid up capital soon and urged the bank to start sensitising its existing and potential shareholders to assist the bank make up for any increase that may occur. 

 Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Daniel Syme, said today’s banking is dependent on quality service to customers and urged the bank to address all relevant issues that will help improve on service delivery to customers. 

The 15^th Annual General Meeting brought together shareholders, representative of the Paramount Chief of the Builsa Traditional Council, Sandem Nab, Azagsuk Azantilow, Former Member of Council of State for the Upper East, Adezi Kanga and Former DCE for Builsa North, Norbert Awulley.

GWSC WINS GBC/URA RADIO ANNIVERSARY GALA COMPETITION

28-06-2015     

Staff of the Ghana Water Company in a jubilant mood

Staff of the Ghana Water Company Limited, GWSC, emerged as winners in GBC/ URA Radio soccer gala competition held at the St Johns Park in Bolgatanga. 

A pulsating 3-0 win over staff of URA Radio was enough for them to carry the ultimate prize in the grand finale of the competition. 

The keenly contested gala game which forms part of GBCs 80^th anniversary celebrations, saw the Upper East Media XI taking the second position as they lost narrowly to GWSC in the opening encounter. 

Both teams held each other to a one goal appease resulting in a penalty shoot-out. GWSC exhibited their supremacy over Media XI by beating them on penalties. 

On the other hand, the URA Radio team, captained by Isaac Asare lost to both teams though they were considered as the tournament favourites.  

Luck eluded the team when their colleagues from the Media XI team outclass them in the second game in a 2-0 defeat. 

Speaking to Radio Ghana, the captain for the Upper East Media XI, William Jalulah, expressed satisfaction about the level of performance of the participating teams and commended GBC URA Radio for its sense of partnership. 

He said the game afforded members of his team the chance to fraternize with the other participating team.

Solomon Kpinn is the captain of the GWSC. He said his team came into the game highly determined to win the cup and that was how come they manage to carry the day.

The Head of GBC URA Radio, Madam Asibi Banguu-Ekellah, also commended the participating teams for the sense of sportsmanship, adding that as industry players, there was the need to often engage themselves in such healthy activities and not always business as usual.

The GWSC went home with a trophy.

GBC NEW                                                  END                                              ISAAC ASARE

FGIS celebrates 15 years of academic excellence

28-06-15           

The Director of Fountain Gate International School, FGIS, Reverend Mrs Rosemond Anaba,  has said that the school hopes to maintain high academic standards with the view to coming out with products that will contribute to societal transformation in the next coming years. 

Rev. Mrs Anaba was addressing participants at a colourful event to mark the school’s 15 years of academic excellence in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital.

Correspondent Isaac Asare was there for Radio Ghana and has filed this story.

Report

Since its establishment in September, 1999 s a faith base school, the Fountain Gate International School has presented 8 batches of candidates for the BECE and has had 100 percent passes and an average of 80 percent  distinctions and is still striving hard to make it even better. 

The school which is a subsidiary of the Fountain Gate Chapel is recognized as one of the most outstanding schools in the Upper East and Ghana as a whole.  

From a humble beginning, the school since March 2011 up to date had produced candidates for Presidential awards for having achieve the best results in the BECE. 

Aside the successes chalked in the area of education, the school has performed tremendously in other extra curricula activities including quiz and soccer competitions as well as debates organized at the local level. 

As the school’s logo portrays, the Fountain Gate International School will stop at nothing to achieving academic excellence considering its vision of accomplishing a holistic development of the child that will release his or her potential in order to influence other people positively. 

The 15 years anniversary of the school was therefore to highlight the gains made in the area of academics and also weight its prospects in the coming years. 

 Speaking to Radio Ghana after the event, the Director of the school, Reverend Mrs. Rosemond Anaba, said excellence has been the hallmark and with the continuous effort of  its dedicated staff,  the school has gone the extra mile to shape the destinies of the children by helping them to build a strong foundation of moral fortitude.

 For her, the future of the school looks much brighter as it seeks to support  the child develop a self-driven desire to acquire skills and knowledge, which will be beneficial to them and influence others positively. 

She said with a dedicated qualified staff and the resources at their disposal, the school was poised to produce personalities that will effect a change in society.

Rev.  Mrs Anaba mentioned lack of a library complex as one of the challenges of the school and appealed to stakeholders to assist in that regard.

 In a quick response, the Upper East Regional Minister, James Zuuga Tiigah, donated a sum of four thousand, 500 Ghana cedis to support the construction of the library project. 

He urged parents to consider the education of their wards their utmost priority and instill in them moral uprightness to enable them become responsible adults. 

There was a display of artifacts by some talented students of the school. 

The exhibition of the artifacts were displayed to the admiration of the participants especially parents.

GBC                                                                     END                                                                   IA/

PNC sure of claiming Talensi Parliamentary seat

26-06-15    

          

The General Secretary of the PNC, Bernard Monarh, says it was a done deal for the PNC to wrestle power from the NPP in the upcoming Talensi parliamentary bye-elections. 

Speaking to Radio Ghana’s Isaac Asare in Bolgatanga, Mr Monarh said the PNC was on course to winning the Talensi seat considering the proven track record of Dr Wumbeog Namalteng, the PNC parliamentary candidate for the area. 

He said comparatively, candidates chosen by the other contesting political parties for the impending bye-election are not well known by residents of the constituency. 

Dr Namalteng, has been consistent in previous elections in the constituency and has always been in touch with the people at the grassroot.  Mr Monarh was confident of a change in the voting pattern and that the PNC was poised to pull a surprise come July, 7. 

Commenting on the party’s chances in the upcoming bye-elections, Mr Monarh said it was a height of naivety for people to write off the PNC because the NDC and the NPP have failed to live up to expectation.  

He said it was to the PNCs advantage when people undermine its capabilities, adding that the reality on the ground is better understood by the people.

 He was optimistic that the election of Dr Namalteng will bring total transformation in the lives of the people.

Mr Monarh hinted that the party’s campaign message has been well articulated and that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure a free, fair and transparent bye-elections. 

To this end, some national officers of the CPP will be in the region next week to assist the PNC in monitoring the upcoming elections. 

Mr Monarh therefore urged his party members to be remain vigilant and guard against complacency. 

Meanwhile, Mr Monarh, accompanied by an aspiring National Organiser, Desmond Ntow were at the office of the EC with other political parties to ballot for a place on the ballot sheet for the July 7 bye-elections. He also took part in mini rallies in the Talensi District organized by the party ahead of the elections.

GBC                                                                 END                                                         IA/

NPP and NDC elect parliamentary candidates for Talensi Constituency Bye-Election

22-06-15    

Thomas Duanaab Wuni (Left)  Benson Tongo Baba (Right)

   

Narration: Fifty one year old Accountant at the Nsawam Government hospital, Thomas Duanaab Wuni, has been duly elected at the new parliamentary candidate for the NPP in the Talensi Constituency of the Upper East Region. 

At yesterday’s parliamentary primaries held at Tongo, Mr Wuni, polled one hundred and 82 votes to beat his close contender, Robert Ayinaba Alibo, who clinched one hundred and 19 votes. 

50 year old accountant, William Zoogah took the third position after a successful voting process by obtaining 96 out of the three hundred and 99 votes cast by delegates from the 74 polling stations of the constituency. 

On the other hand, the Talensi DCE, Edward Awunnore lost to the former President of the Ghana Olympics Committee, Benson Tongo Baba,  to become the parliamentary candidate for the NDC. 

Correspondent Isaac Asare has more for Radio Ghana.

 Report

The Talensi parliamentary seat became vacant following the resignation of Robert Duameng Monsore, the NPP MP for the area. 

The rationale for his resignation was to afford him the chance to assume his new role as Paramount Chief for the Tongo Traditional Area.

 His exit had been warmly embraced by many for the bold decision. Meanwhile, a bye- election has been slated for next month July 7, for interested political parties to contest the seat. 

In view of this, the NPP and the NDC held parliamentary primaries to elect winnable candidates to contest on the set date.

 Amidst heavy security presence, the NPP ended the voting process ahead of time and were able to announce the winner at a time voting was still ongoing at the NDC polling station. 

After a successful counting process, Mr Thomas Duanaab Wuni, was declared winner by officials of the EC. 

He polled one hundred and 82 votes to beat Robert Ayinaba Alibo, a staff of World Vision Ghana, who had one hundred and 19 votes. 

Third was Mr William Zoogah, who had ninety six votes. In a message, Mr Wuni thanked both the delegates and the party for the confidence repose in him. 

He said though he foresee victory come July 7, party members should not create room for complacency since a bigger battle lies ahead of them. 

His submission was re-echoed by the National Organizer of the NPP, John Boadu.

The National Nasara Coordinator of the NPP, Kamal–deen Abdulai, for his part, urged delegates not to rest on their oars but rather remain united and close their ranks to enable the party to retain the seat.

The election of the NDC parliamentary was won by the Former President of the Ghana Olympics Committee, Benson Tongo Baba after beating the Talensi DCE, Edward Awunnore in a keenly contested battle. 

Mr Baba had three hundred and 51 votes as against two hundred and 65 obtained by the DCE. Mr Charles Boazor was third with 53 votes followed by a banker, James Ature, who had 5 votes. 

Last on the table was Mr Rockson Aditiba, who sealed only 3 votes out of the total number of votes cast. 

 B.T Baba in his victory speech, challenged the rank and file of the party to work towards the party’s victory in the upcoming bye election, so that together they can fight to reclaim the seat. 

He was optimistic that with the right mechanisms in place, the party was poised to wrestle power from the incumbent.

Mr B. T Baba and Thomas Wuni of the NPP will have to face Dr Michael Wumbeog Namalteng of the PNC for the vacant seat.

END

Chiefs and People of Nabdam celebrates Nangod-Naab Goug Festival

26-05-15    

This year’s Nangod-Naab Goug festival of the chiefs and people of Nangodi Traditional Area in the Upper East Region has been celebrated in pump and pageantry.

 The colourful event brought together sons and daughters of Nabrug including revered paramount and divisional chiefs, departmental heads as well as visitors from other communities in the region. 

Correspondent Isaac Asare was there for Radio Ghana and has filed this report

Report

Unlike other festivals celebrated annually, Nangod-Naab Goug is a biennial festival celebrated in April to usher in the raining season, seek the protection and guidance of the ancestors and also renew the bond of friendship and brotherliness among the people of Nabdam and its neighbouring communities. 

The festival according to the customs and traditions allows the chain of survival among animals in the forest; so that animal species are not endangered. 

However, the maiden edition of the Nangod-Naab Goug festival which served as a home coming summit brought together citizens from Nabrug as well as visitors and development partners. 

The ultimate goal was to reflect on the development needs the Nabdam community and to initiate development projects and to contribute financially towards these projects. 

Addressing the gathering on the theme: “Our Heritage and environment, the Basis for Nabdam Development”, the Paramount Chief of the area, Naab Kosom Asaga Yelzoya, touched on the development aspirations of the people.

 He said the development of the Nabdam community hinges on their output and how well they contribute to the reduction of poverty in the area. 

Naab Asaga Yelzoya, therefore advised the people against the high intake of alcohol, burning of the vegetation as well as wastage of resources especially during funerals.

 This, he, lamented contribute to their privation.

 He moreover advised the youth to have respect for authority and refrain from violence. 

Naab Asaga Yelzoya, also used the opportunity to thank the government for the numerous developmental projects in the area and further called for support in the area of road construction, particularly the Bolga-Bawku, Nangodi -Yakote-Pelungu and Asonge-Pelungu-Sakote roads.  

The upgrade of the Nangodi health centre and the provision of technical and infrastructural support for farmers and the Kongo Senior High school were key on his priority list and called on authorities concerned to come to their aid. 

There were solidarity messages from various chiefs present at the occasion.  On behalf of the Regional Minister, the Nabdam DCE, Vivian Anarfo challenged the people to develop the habit of tree growing in order to protect the environment. 

Madam Anarfo emphasized the urgent need for the chiefs to mobilize their communities to take active part in the upcoming National Sanitation Day exercise schedule to take place in the region next month. 

Other speakers including the MP for Nabdam, Boniface Gambila, stressed on the need for people to uphold their cultural heritage and no succumb to the negative global influences. 

This year’s Nangod-Naab Goug festival was marked with series of activities including a football gala, quiz competition as well as a hunting expedition.

 END                                                                                                                                                                    IA/

MASLOC disburses GHc 262,000 to 20 women groups in UE

Mrs Tamakloe (middle) flanked by some of the beneficiary women groups 

Mrs Tamakloe presenting  a cheque at Zebilla 

About 20 women targeted groups in the Upper East Region have received cheques covering 262 Ghana cedis as loans to expand their businesses. 

The amount, which was being disbursed by the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre, MASLOC, is to be repaid in six months with two percent interest. 

Beneficiary groups include small holder farmers, market women as well as petty traders among other vulnerable groups. 

They were given amounts ranging from 5 thousand Ghana Cedis to 14 thousand Ghana cedis depending on their businesses. 

Presenting the cheques during her two day working visit to the region, the CEO of MASLOC, Sedina Tamakloe, said budgetary allocation for the disbursement of the loan is limited, therefore as and when the budgetary support improves the facility will be extended to benefit other needy groups. 

 

 Report

The Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions are said to be among the poorest regions in the country. 

Majority of the people with women constituting the majority, lives in abject poverty despite their contribution to the economic development of the `country. 

It is believed that once these vulnerable people are empowered financially, they will be able to improve their livelihood and give enough support to their families.

 It is for this reason that the MASLOC, which is a body set up to implement government’s microfinance programmes, has focus its attention to reach out to vulnerable women in the area of loan disbursement. 

The visit by the CEO of MASLOC, Mrs Sedina Tamakloe, and her team to the Upper East Region was to reaffirm government’s resolve to reduce the vulnerability of women while ensuring the growth of their businesses.  

Areas visited incude Zebilla, Bawku, Navrongo and Sandema. Mrs Tamakloe’s first point of call was at the Bawku West District where she disbursed 32 thousand two hundred and seventy two Ghana cedis to two groups. 

They are Googo Anontaba and Binaba Asongtaba women groups. At Bawku, three out of 25 groups namely; Yingande Tinkpenee, Megogo Asaal-Taaba and Yakut Akulutaaba women groups also received about 33 thousand Ghana Cedis. 

Next was in the Bolgatanga Municipality where Business Women Association, Asanabisi and Kumbosco Ateletaba Women groups were assisted with 18 thousand Ghana cedis. 

The monies were handed over to the executives of the various groups on behalf of their members. Seven women groups from Navrongo were also supported and 30 thousand cedis was disbursed to three women groups in Sandema. 

Rounding up her tour, Mrs Tamakloe, said the although there were many vulnerable groups in the region and the Northern Ghana in general, the focus has been on women having realized  the invaluable role they play in the overall development of the country. 

While commending women for their contribution to nation building, Mrs Tamakloe, cited misconception as some of the major challenge confronting the scheme.

Mrs Tamakloe was accompanied by the Head of Operations at MASLOC, Daniel Axim, and the Media Relations Officer of MASLOC, Fadilatu Mumuni, among other officials from Accra and Tamale.

END                                                                                                                    IA/

GBC NEWS:    Report by Correspondent Isaac Asare