PRESIDENT John A. Kufuor last Friday inspected work on the construction of a 500-ft bridge over the White Volta to link the Northern Region to the Upper East and Upper West regions.
The use of the bridge will shorten the distance from Kpansenkpe area, popularly known as ‘‘Overseas’’ and noted for its agricultural activities, to Navrongo in the Upper East by 50 miles.
The bridge is being constructed by China Jianxi, a Chinese firm. The bridge had remained on the drawing board since the country’s independence.
Farmers and people in the area have had to use canoes to cross the White Volta from Kpasenkpe to Fumsi, the nearest town, which is 10 kilometres away.
The people are engaged in farming and fishing and the project, whose sod was cut by President Kufuor about two years ago, is expected to boost agricultural activities in the area upon completion next year.
After inspecting the project, President Kufuor told the people of Kpasenkpe that the bridge would be expanded further and the road from Wulugu on the main Tamale-Bolgatanga trunk road to Kpasenkpe, a distance of 34 kilometres, would be reconstructed and tarred.
The people, apparently excited by the news, responded with deafening cheers.
President Kufuor said the the bridge and the reconstruction of the road could end the situation where the area had generally been described as ‘Overseas’ because of its difficult terrain and lack of good road to facilitate transportation links with the rest of the Northern Region.
Monday, December 1, 2008
GOVT DETERMINED TO PROTECT INTEGRITY OF ELECTIONS — KUFUOR (PAGE 15)
THE President, John Agyekum Kufuor, has given firm assurance that everything is being done to protect the integrity of the December 7 general elections and its outcome.
He also acknowledged the various roles being played by religious, traditional and civil society organisations towards ensuring peaceful elections.
‘‘Government is playing its part by providing whatever the Independent Electoral Commission requires to function effectively and efficiently; the Judiciary has put mechanisms in place to handle election disputes promptly; the police are equipped and available to handle any breach of the law ,’’ Mr Kufuor declared.
The President, who was speaking at the inauguration of the 45 million euro Tamale Water Rehabilitation and Expansion project at Kukuo-Yepalsi in Tamale on Friday, however appealed to Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to exercise good judgement, good conduct and decorum in the days leading to the elections.
‘‘We should be even more careful and circumspect on the day of the elections and the days after; let no one take the law into their own hands,’’ he further advised.
According to Mr Kufuor, anyone who would instigate violence during the elections must be considered as an enemy of the nation, and therefore rejected outright.
‘‘The good people of Ghana can and must make their decision as to who should govern the nation through the ballot box in other words, the power of the thumb, that is the best way to secure this nation’s democracy, peace, security and development for all,’’ he stated.
On Dagbon, President Kufour made a fervent appeal to the chiefs and people of the kingdom for unity and peace to prevail to accelerate the development of the area.
‘‘I pray that the good Lord Himself would establish the truth and justice that must prevail here; Dagbon should reconcile, and anybody that would exploit the differences of the people for political gains cannot be a true friend of Dagbon, and, indeed, Ghana,’’ he said
The President also thanked the good people of Ghana in advance for their unflinching support and co-operation during his tenure of office, ‘‘As you know, God willing, I will complete my term as President of Ghana in just over six weeks from now.’’
He also acknowledged the various roles being played by religious, traditional and civil society organisations towards ensuring peaceful elections.
‘‘Government is playing its part by providing whatever the Independent Electoral Commission requires to function effectively and efficiently; the Judiciary has put mechanisms in place to handle election disputes promptly; the police are equipped and available to handle any breach of the law ,’’ Mr Kufuor declared.
The President, who was speaking at the inauguration of the 45 million euro Tamale Water Rehabilitation and Expansion project at Kukuo-Yepalsi in Tamale on Friday, however appealed to Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to exercise good judgement, good conduct and decorum in the days leading to the elections.
‘‘We should be even more careful and circumspect on the day of the elections and the days after; let no one take the law into their own hands,’’ he further advised.
According to Mr Kufuor, anyone who would instigate violence during the elections must be considered as an enemy of the nation, and therefore rejected outright.
‘‘The good people of Ghana can and must make their decision as to who should govern the nation through the ballot box in other words, the power of the thumb, that is the best way to secure this nation’s democracy, peace, security and development for all,’’ he stated.
On Dagbon, President Kufour made a fervent appeal to the chiefs and people of the kingdom for unity and peace to prevail to accelerate the development of the area.
‘‘I pray that the good Lord Himself would establish the truth and justice that must prevail here; Dagbon should reconcile, and anybody that would exploit the differences of the people for political gains cannot be a true friend of Dagbon, and, indeed, Ghana,’’ he said
The President also thanked the good people of Ghana in advance for their unflinching support and co-operation during his tenure of office, ‘‘As you know, God willing, I will complete my term as President of Ghana in just over six weeks from now.’’
Sunday, November 30, 2008
MODERN HOSPITAL FOR TOLON/KUMBUNGU (PAGE 56)
HEALTHY people make a healthy nation. This factual phrase cannot be realised without the necessary health facilities, logistics, equipment and personnel to carry out effective health care services in any community.
Indeed, the Tolon/Kumbungu District is one of the most deprived areas in the Northern Region. It lacks a number of social amenities, including a decent hospital that can adequately serve the needs of the people, majority of whom are farmers.
As a result, most patients with complicated illnesses are always rushed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, a distance of more than 16-kilometres for care, when they could have received similar treatment at their doorsteps.
According to the District Director of Health Services for the area, Mrs Denisig Kaara, the Tolon community and its surrounding areas had a population of more than 167,606 but unfortunately, the health centre alone in the area could not cater for the medical needs of the people.
It is for this reason of making health care services accessible to the people that, the initiative by an Austrian-based international NGO, Afreak Med Foundation, to put up a 50,000-euro ultra-modern hospital for the people must be commended.
The hospital would comprise an out-patient-department (OPD), male and female wards, a surgical theatre, a paediatric wing, pharmacy and a laboratory.
The project is the brainchild of Dr Bayer Stefan, a medical doctor based in Austria and Dr Kpangkpari Steve of the Catholic Hospital at Asankrangwa in the Western Region.
The Regent of Tolon (Gbang-Lana), Major (retd) Abubakari Sulemana, and his elders provided a 30-acre for the construction of the hospital, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
The Gbang-Lana and Dr Bayer Stefan, leader of the NGO delegation, cut the sod for work to begin on the construction of the hospital in Tolon last week.
The chief commended the NGO for the decision to construct the hospital in that area, describing the initiative as a blessing to the people since their efforts to get such a facility over the years had not been successful.
He pledged his commitment and that of his elders to the successful completion of the project, which he hoped, would attract more professionals to the town to contribute towards the accelerated development of area.
The Gbang-Lana urged the people to endeavour to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to enable them to access free, affordable and quality health care.
For his part, Dr Stefan explained that several people, including tax payers from the benefactor’s country and elsewhere had contributed towards the idea of putting up the facility.
He expressed hope that when completed, the project would serve the health needs of the people.
Dr Stefan indicated that the project was to help foster closer relationship between the people of Austria and Ghana, and also bring change to the people of Tolon.
Mrs Kaara also welcomed the construction of the hospital, which, she said, would complement the services of the health centre.
She entreated the district assembly to sponsor more students into nurses training institutions to enable them to come out to serve the district.
Indeed, the Tolon/Kumbungu District is one of the most deprived areas in the Northern Region. It lacks a number of social amenities, including a decent hospital that can adequately serve the needs of the people, majority of whom are farmers.
As a result, most patients with complicated illnesses are always rushed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, a distance of more than 16-kilometres for care, when they could have received similar treatment at their doorsteps.
According to the District Director of Health Services for the area, Mrs Denisig Kaara, the Tolon community and its surrounding areas had a population of more than 167,606 but unfortunately, the health centre alone in the area could not cater for the medical needs of the people.
It is for this reason of making health care services accessible to the people that, the initiative by an Austrian-based international NGO, Afreak Med Foundation, to put up a 50,000-euro ultra-modern hospital for the people must be commended.
The hospital would comprise an out-patient-department (OPD), male and female wards, a surgical theatre, a paediatric wing, pharmacy and a laboratory.
The project is the brainchild of Dr Bayer Stefan, a medical doctor based in Austria and Dr Kpangkpari Steve of the Catholic Hospital at Asankrangwa in the Western Region.
The Regent of Tolon (Gbang-Lana), Major (retd) Abubakari Sulemana, and his elders provided a 30-acre for the construction of the hospital, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
The Gbang-Lana and Dr Bayer Stefan, leader of the NGO delegation, cut the sod for work to begin on the construction of the hospital in Tolon last week.
The chief commended the NGO for the decision to construct the hospital in that area, describing the initiative as a blessing to the people since their efforts to get such a facility over the years had not been successful.
He pledged his commitment and that of his elders to the successful completion of the project, which he hoped, would attract more professionals to the town to contribute towards the accelerated development of area.
The Gbang-Lana urged the people to endeavour to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to enable them to access free, affordable and quality health care.
For his part, Dr Stefan explained that several people, including tax payers from the benefactor’s country and elsewhere had contributed towards the idea of putting up the facility.
He expressed hope that when completed, the project would serve the health needs of the people.
Dr Stefan indicated that the project was to help foster closer relationship between the people of Austria and Ghana, and also bring change to the people of Tolon.
Mrs Kaara also welcomed the construction of the hospital, which, she said, would complement the services of the health centre.
She entreated the district assembly to sponsor more students into nurses training institutions to enable them to come out to serve the district.
WATER — NO PRIVATISATION ..President assure)s as Tamale project is inaugurated (LEAD STORY)
THE President, John Agyekum Kufuor, has stated that the government does not intend to privatise water supply in the country as is being speculated.
He pointed out, however, that since the government recognised the capacity of the private sector in assisting to improve the supply of water to communities, it had decided to work in partnership with the sector to facilitate the supply of water to the people.
To sustain this partnership, President Kufuor explained that the government was putting in place a regulatory framework that would safeguard the interests of both the service provider and the consumer.
The President was speaking at the official inauguration of the Tamale water supply, rehabilitation and expansion project in Tamale yesterday.
The €45-million Tamale water system will improve the supply and availability of water supply to the metropolis and its environs.
The project involved the duplication of transmission main pipelines, rehabilitation and refurbishment works at the existing treatment plant at Dalun and the construction of a new treatment plant.
The Dutch and Ghana governments jointly funded the project, while Messrs Biwater B.V. of the Netherlands executed it within the stipulated two-year period.
Following the successful completion of the project, 9.6 million gallons of water a day could be produced to meet the demand of the growing population to the year 2020.
The current plant production capacity is 4.3 million gallons, which is being rationed to meet only 43 per cent of the current demand.
The President said since assuming office in 2000, the government had lived up to its promise to expand the delivery of social services, particularly water, in order to improve the health and lives of the citizenry.
‘‘We view water as life,’’ he said, adding that it was for that reason that small dams, boreholes and a number of major water systems had been rehabilitated and expanded to boost agriculture and also meet the increasing demand of the growing population in the country.
Mr Kufuor mentioned the Baifikrom, Cape Coast and the Accra Loop project that would link the Weija Water Works to that of Kpong to enhance the delivery of water in the area as some of the water projects the government had undertaken since 2000.
President Kufuor described the project as a landmark and one of the most important contributions of the government to the uplift of Tamale.
He also mentioned the construction of the stadium, the upgrading of town roads, street lighting, student hostels and the rehabilitation of the airport as some of the other significant projects embarked upon by the government for the metropolis.
Mr Kufuor later cut the sod for the construction of a modern Jubilee market complex at Kukou, a suburb of Tamale.
The acting Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company, Mr. Kweku Botwe, appealed to the people to be supportive of their cause to improve on the water supply situation in the metropolis by paying their bills and also helping to safeguard the equipment at all times.
The Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Boniface Abubakari Saddique, commended the president for his personal commitment and support in the realisation of the project.
The Managing Director of Bi-water Company in Africa, Mr Bob Kottler, said although the project was complete, his staff would stay over for the next one year for the second phase of the project that would include water supply to deprived communities.
On behalf of the chiefs and people of Tamale, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, expressed appreciation to the government for the timely intervention, which, he noted, would help to reduce the incidence of water borne diseases, especially guinea worm in the area.
He pointed out, however, that since the government recognised the capacity of the private sector in assisting to improve the supply of water to communities, it had decided to work in partnership with the sector to facilitate the supply of water to the people.
To sustain this partnership, President Kufuor explained that the government was putting in place a regulatory framework that would safeguard the interests of both the service provider and the consumer.
The President was speaking at the official inauguration of the Tamale water supply, rehabilitation and expansion project in Tamale yesterday.
The €45-million Tamale water system will improve the supply and availability of water supply to the metropolis and its environs.
The project involved the duplication of transmission main pipelines, rehabilitation and refurbishment works at the existing treatment plant at Dalun and the construction of a new treatment plant.
The Dutch and Ghana governments jointly funded the project, while Messrs Biwater B.V. of the Netherlands executed it within the stipulated two-year period.
Following the successful completion of the project, 9.6 million gallons of water a day could be produced to meet the demand of the growing population to the year 2020.
The current plant production capacity is 4.3 million gallons, which is being rationed to meet only 43 per cent of the current demand.
The President said since assuming office in 2000, the government had lived up to its promise to expand the delivery of social services, particularly water, in order to improve the health and lives of the citizenry.
‘‘We view water as life,’’ he said, adding that it was for that reason that small dams, boreholes and a number of major water systems had been rehabilitated and expanded to boost agriculture and also meet the increasing demand of the growing population in the country.
Mr Kufuor mentioned the Baifikrom, Cape Coast and the Accra Loop project that would link the Weija Water Works to that of Kpong to enhance the delivery of water in the area as some of the water projects the government had undertaken since 2000.
President Kufuor described the project as a landmark and one of the most important contributions of the government to the uplift of Tamale.
He also mentioned the construction of the stadium, the upgrading of town roads, street lighting, student hostels and the rehabilitation of the airport as some of the other significant projects embarked upon by the government for the metropolis.
Mr Kufuor later cut the sod for the construction of a modern Jubilee market complex at Kukou, a suburb of Tamale.
The acting Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company, Mr. Kweku Botwe, appealed to the people to be supportive of their cause to improve on the water supply situation in the metropolis by paying their bills and also helping to safeguard the equipment at all times.
The Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Boniface Abubakari Saddique, commended the president for his personal commitment and support in the realisation of the project.
The Managing Director of Bi-water Company in Africa, Mr Bob Kottler, said although the project was complete, his staff would stay over for the next one year for the second phase of the project that would include water supply to deprived communities.
On behalf of the chiefs and people of Tamale, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, expressed appreciation to the government for the timely intervention, which, he noted, would help to reduce the incidence of water borne diseases, especially guinea worm in the area.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
LET'S WORK TO DEEPEN DEMOCRACY — AKUFO-ADDO (PAGE 16)
THE flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has called on Ghanaians to make unequivocal commitment towards deepening democratic governance and ensuring peaceful elections in the country.
He noted that the fundamental issue facing the country now was how best to deepen democracy vis-à-vis choosing a responsible leadership for the country and hoped that the good sense of Ghanaians would prevail to address those issues through the ballot box.
Nana Akufo-Addo made the call at a press conference in Tamale on Sunday as part of his campaign tour of the Northern Region.
“I am happy to say that Ghanaians have a quiet way of making known their views on any issue”, he observed.
Nana Akufo-Addo stated that the NPP was open to “all well-meaning Ghanaians who are looking for the fundamental values of promoting the development agenda of the country”.
Touching on the commitment of the party itself to democracy, the flag bearer emphasised that “no party has worked more consistently than the NPP in ensuring that the country has free and fair elections.
“In that vein, we would accept the results of the elections because we are democrats; we are much aware that majority of Ghanaians are looking forward to having peaceful elections,” he added.
He expressed regrets that most rallies held by the party recorded incidents across the country, which were not perpetrated by the party but by its political opponents.
Nana Akufo-Addo made particular mention of political violence recorded in the Odododiodoo Constituency, Tamale and Gushegu areas, stressing that those incidents were clear signs of attacks on the NPP that stood out as a peaceful party.
“Our party was formed through the grass roots and not through coups d’etat and so the party was founded based on the fundamental principles of democracy,” he further explained.
Responding to questions on the sustenance of the $-billion Northern Development Fund (NDF), the flag bearer stated that the fund would be sustained through floating of diasporan bonds, support from the private sector, as well as budgetary oil revenue.
“When the private sector, for instance, sees that we have a commitment towards the NDF, they would be convinced to support the whole process and this is one of the ways we can mobilise resources for the fund,” he stated.
On the chances of his party in the North, Nana Akufo-Addo stated that since 1992, the NPP had been gaining grounds in the three northern regions.
“I now see greater acceptance of the party in the North, particularly Upper East and Upper West. I also see greater confidence in the people”, he pointed out.
According to the NPP presidential hopeful, the reasons were not hard to see as the party had embarked on a massive development agenda, which the people in the North had seen.
He further explained that the vision of the NPP in terms of development programmes and the transformation of the country was undergoing had made the party more formidable in the North.
“I have a good feeling about the North, especially when I see the way the youth have reacted to my visit to this part of the country. Indeed, they see the party as one that has competent and great achievers,” Nana Akufo-Addo added.
He noted that the fundamental issue facing the country now was how best to deepen democracy vis-à-vis choosing a responsible leadership for the country and hoped that the good sense of Ghanaians would prevail to address those issues through the ballot box.
Nana Akufo-Addo made the call at a press conference in Tamale on Sunday as part of his campaign tour of the Northern Region.
“I am happy to say that Ghanaians have a quiet way of making known their views on any issue”, he observed.
Nana Akufo-Addo stated that the NPP was open to “all well-meaning Ghanaians who are looking for the fundamental values of promoting the development agenda of the country”.
Touching on the commitment of the party itself to democracy, the flag bearer emphasised that “no party has worked more consistently than the NPP in ensuring that the country has free and fair elections.
“In that vein, we would accept the results of the elections because we are democrats; we are much aware that majority of Ghanaians are looking forward to having peaceful elections,” he added.
He expressed regrets that most rallies held by the party recorded incidents across the country, which were not perpetrated by the party but by its political opponents.
Nana Akufo-Addo made particular mention of political violence recorded in the Odododiodoo Constituency, Tamale and Gushegu areas, stressing that those incidents were clear signs of attacks on the NPP that stood out as a peaceful party.
“Our party was formed through the grass roots and not through coups d’etat and so the party was founded based on the fundamental principles of democracy,” he further explained.
Responding to questions on the sustenance of the $-billion Northern Development Fund (NDF), the flag bearer stated that the fund would be sustained through floating of diasporan bonds, support from the private sector, as well as budgetary oil revenue.
“When the private sector, for instance, sees that we have a commitment towards the NDF, they would be convinced to support the whole process and this is one of the ways we can mobilise resources for the fund,” he stated.
On the chances of his party in the North, Nana Akufo-Addo stated that since 1992, the NPP had been gaining grounds in the three northern regions.
“I now see greater acceptance of the party in the North, particularly Upper East and Upper West. I also see greater confidence in the people”, he pointed out.
According to the NPP presidential hopeful, the reasons were not hard to see as the party had embarked on a massive development agenda, which the people in the North had seen.
He further explained that the vision of the NPP in terms of development programmes and the transformation of the country was undergoing had made the party more formidable in the North.
“I have a good feeling about the North, especially when I see the way the youth have reacted to my visit to this part of the country. Indeed, they see the party as one that has competent and great achievers,” Nana Akufo-Addo added.
RAWLINGS GETS ROUSING WELCOME IN TAMALE (PAGE 15)
The arrival of former President Rawlings in Tamale on Monday attracted the largest crowd ever seen in the metropolis in recent years.
The former President, who described the milling crowd who had gathered all day at the Tamale Police Jubilee Park as overwhelming, affirmed his party’s readiness to ensure peaceful, fair and transparent elections in December.
‘‘Peace shall reign in the country if we all go to the polls with open hearts and minds; and anybody who might want to disrupt the elections would face the wrath of the people,” he added.
The former President stated that ‘‘those calling for peace should know that we know peace, we understand peace; they should rather tell our opponents to behave’’, adding that ‘‘nobody should make the mistake of tampering with the sanctity of the electoral system”.
He further urged the people to be vigilant on election day and to protect the polls just as they would their homes and families.
According to former President Rawlings,the NDC government, which he said performed creditably, had laid a solid foundation for the accelerated development of the country and that if the present government had continued from where the former left off, Ghanaians would have been in ‘‘paradise’’ and not what now pertained in the country.
The rally, which followed that of the NPP in Tamale a couple of days earlier, saw party faithful come from all parts of the metropolis, clad in party paraphernalia and singing and dancing to party songs.
Business activities were paralysed, while the beautifully designed roads were taken over by the ecstatic crowd, compelling vehicles to meander through the human traffic at the time former President was yet to arrive.
When he finally arrived around 4 p.m., the enthusiastic supporters yelled out his name, waved and craned their necks to catch a glimpse of him. Others ran after his vehicle, making it difficult for the security personnel to operate.
At the Police Park, where the masses had gathered since morning, people jostled one another to see and listen to the former President when the rally started.
Former President Rawlings advised them to make the election incident-free by being cautious to avoid accidents because ‘‘Ghana needs all of you alive”.
In a related development Alhandu Abdul-Hamid reports from Navrongo that Flt. Lt. Rawlings, who is also the Founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has rounded off his campaign tour of the Upper East Region, with a call on the people never to make the mistake of retaining the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in power.
He was addressing teeming supporters of the NDC at Navrongo as part of the tour.
He said conditions were so bad that the average Ghanaian could not educate his child to the university level which was not the case when the NDC was in power.
He added that civil and public servants could not even save their monthly salary to take care of their children’s school fees.
He noted that people did not appreciate the conditions under which they lived prior to the revolution but they now knew how far the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and the NDC had contributed to the development of the country.
He said, during his rule, the NDC was able to extend electricity from 20 per cent to 95 per cent access throughout the country.
He added that the NDC was also able to provide potable water to rural communities and also managed to reduce the rate of guinea worm infection, but said it was sad that Ghana was now recording large increases in guinea worm cases.
The former President said President John Agyekum Kufuor was mismanaging the country and alleged that government officials were corrupt.
“During our time nobody could do this and get away with it because we were accountable to the people, and I left office without taking a pesewa from the national coffers,” he stated.
He observed that in the 37 years of public service of Prof Atta Mills, not a single case of corruption had been cited against him and challenged anybody with a contrary record to come out.
He emphasised that Ministers and District Chief Executives who served under his regime were men of integrity, who served with distinction. He asked the people to compare this with the current Ministers who had joined in the looting spree.
Former President Rawlings said a wind of change was blowing all over the country and that Ghanaians were on the verge of restoring the freedom and justice that had been taken away from them over the past eight years.
He elaborated that this freedom could only be realised, if Ghanaians could come out and vote massively for the NDC. He called on the party faithful to religiously guard the ballot boxes on election day.
He expressed regret at the way the University for Development Studies (UDS), which was very dear to him, had been neglected and said the NDC would continue with all development projects that had been neglected, including those the current government had initiated.
The National Chairman of the party, Dr Kwabena Adjei, urged the youth not to relax but to intensify their campaign and that even though Upper East was a safe region for the party, they wanted to increase the percentage to 90.
Other personalities who addressed the rally were the Special Aide to the Former President, Mr Kofi Adams, the NDC parliamentary candidate (MP) for Navrongo Central, Mr Mark Woyongo and the MP for Chiana-Page , Mr Abuga Pele.
The former President, who described the milling crowd who had gathered all day at the Tamale Police Jubilee Park as overwhelming, affirmed his party’s readiness to ensure peaceful, fair and transparent elections in December.
‘‘Peace shall reign in the country if we all go to the polls with open hearts and minds; and anybody who might want to disrupt the elections would face the wrath of the people,” he added.
The former President stated that ‘‘those calling for peace should know that we know peace, we understand peace; they should rather tell our opponents to behave’’, adding that ‘‘nobody should make the mistake of tampering with the sanctity of the electoral system”.
He further urged the people to be vigilant on election day and to protect the polls just as they would their homes and families.
According to former President Rawlings,the NDC government, which he said performed creditably, had laid a solid foundation for the accelerated development of the country and that if the present government had continued from where the former left off, Ghanaians would have been in ‘‘paradise’’ and not what now pertained in the country.
The rally, which followed that of the NPP in Tamale a couple of days earlier, saw party faithful come from all parts of the metropolis, clad in party paraphernalia and singing and dancing to party songs.
Business activities were paralysed, while the beautifully designed roads were taken over by the ecstatic crowd, compelling vehicles to meander through the human traffic at the time former President was yet to arrive.
When he finally arrived around 4 p.m., the enthusiastic supporters yelled out his name, waved and craned their necks to catch a glimpse of him. Others ran after his vehicle, making it difficult for the security personnel to operate.
At the Police Park, where the masses had gathered since morning, people jostled one another to see and listen to the former President when the rally started.
Former President Rawlings advised them to make the election incident-free by being cautious to avoid accidents because ‘‘Ghana needs all of you alive”.
In a related development Alhandu Abdul-Hamid reports from Navrongo that Flt. Lt. Rawlings, who is also the Founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has rounded off his campaign tour of the Upper East Region, with a call on the people never to make the mistake of retaining the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in power.
He was addressing teeming supporters of the NDC at Navrongo as part of the tour.
He said conditions were so bad that the average Ghanaian could not educate his child to the university level which was not the case when the NDC was in power.
He added that civil and public servants could not even save their monthly salary to take care of their children’s school fees.
He noted that people did not appreciate the conditions under which they lived prior to the revolution but they now knew how far the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and the NDC had contributed to the development of the country.
He said, during his rule, the NDC was able to extend electricity from 20 per cent to 95 per cent access throughout the country.
He added that the NDC was also able to provide potable water to rural communities and also managed to reduce the rate of guinea worm infection, but said it was sad that Ghana was now recording large increases in guinea worm cases.
The former President said President John Agyekum Kufuor was mismanaging the country and alleged that government officials were corrupt.
“During our time nobody could do this and get away with it because we were accountable to the people, and I left office without taking a pesewa from the national coffers,” he stated.
He observed that in the 37 years of public service of Prof Atta Mills, not a single case of corruption had been cited against him and challenged anybody with a contrary record to come out.
He emphasised that Ministers and District Chief Executives who served under his regime were men of integrity, who served with distinction. He asked the people to compare this with the current Ministers who had joined in the looting spree.
Former President Rawlings said a wind of change was blowing all over the country and that Ghanaians were on the verge of restoring the freedom and justice that had been taken away from them over the past eight years.
He elaborated that this freedom could only be realised, if Ghanaians could come out and vote massively for the NDC. He called on the party faithful to religiously guard the ballot boxes on election day.
He expressed regret at the way the University for Development Studies (UDS), which was very dear to him, had been neglected and said the NDC would continue with all development projects that had been neglected, including those the current government had initiated.
The National Chairman of the party, Dr Kwabena Adjei, urged the youth not to relax but to intensify their campaign and that even though Upper East was a safe region for the party, they wanted to increase the percentage to 90.
Other personalities who addressed the rally were the Special Aide to the Former President, Mr Kofi Adams, the NDC parliamentary candidate (MP) for Navrongo Central, Mr Mark Woyongo and the MP for Chiana-Page , Mr Abuga Pele.
Monday, November 24, 2008
GHANAIANS WON'T GIVE MANDATE TO NON-PERFORMING PARTY (PAGE 16)
THOUSANDS of New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters in the Northern Region at the weekend descended on the Tamale Police Park in droves where they were addressed by the party’s presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who declared ‘‘Ghanaians are now wide awake and will no more give their mandate to a non-performing party”.
Describing the massive turnout by the enthusiastic crowd as ‘‘incredible,’’ he said the response by the people was ample manifestation that they were yearning to move forward in their quest for accelerated development.
‘‘Ghanaians are now wide awake and will no more give their mandate to incompetent, ineffective, unproductive and a non-performing party such as the National Democratic Congress,’’ Nana Akufo-Addo intimated, adding that the NDC was only motivated by envy and hatred in its campaigns.
He explained that he was not goaded into politics for personal gains or for the reason of acquiring wealth, as he was an accomplished lawyer, but to help contribute towards the overall development of the nation, stressing, ‘‘I did not come into politics because I was hungry.’’
According to the presidential hopeful, there was nothing much for the PNDC/NDC to show in their 19 years of governance of the country, and urged the electorate not to entrust the destiny of the nation to the NDC again since they had abused that trust over the years.
He accused the NDC of now resorting to intimidation and violence after the party’s unsuccessful campaigns of lies and vilifications and that the NPP was a more peaceful and law abiding party.
Nana Akufo-Addo pledged to unite and reconcile the nation when given the mandate, and acknowledged that even though the country was made up of various ethnic and tribal groups they could be brought together for the common good of the nation.
He chastised ‘‘the apostles of doom’’ who he said were engaged in preaching tribal politics.
He further explained that it was partly because of his quest to unite the nation that he chose a competent running mate from the north to partner him to win the general election.
Under his presidency, he said he would strive to bridge the gap between the north and the south through innovative policies, emphasising that, ‘‘my presidency is going to be dedicated to realising this dream of creating prosperity in freedom countrywide.’’
Nana Akufo-Addo mentioned the Northern Development Authority Fund under which one billion dollars seed capital would be invested to accelerate the development of the north.
He said the creation of economic opportunities and jobs for the youth were some of the programmes his government would embark upon.
He also promised to build on the achievements of the Kufuor administration, which he said had the track record of accomplishments, and mentioned the National Health Insurance Scheme and free maternal health care for pregnant women as some of the initiatives he would build on when offered the mandate.
Nana Akufo-Addo called for peaceful and transparent elections because without harmony, the party’s vision and agenda for the nation would not be realised. ‘‘Let us show to the world that Black people are capable of producing fair and free elections without violence.’’
In attendance was the Vice-Presidential candidate of the NPP, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. Others included national and regional executive members of the party who all spoke on the need for the electorate to vote massively for the NPP in the coming polls.
Some parliamentary aspirants of the party in the Northern Region were also introduced to the ecstatic crowd. The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, asked the supporters to ensure that they came out early to vote for the party
Relatedly, from Bolgatanga, Benjamin Xornam Glover, reports that Nana Akufo-Addo has called on Ghanaians, not to hand over the administration of Ghana to persons who over the years have proven to be incompetent, non performing, inefficient and unproductive.
Addressing a mammoth rally in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Capital, last Friday to round off his two day tour of his campaign which is in its final lap, Nana Akufo Addo said if the NPP had the period of both the PNDC and the NDC in government, Ghana would have been transformed into a nation of prosperity.
Describing the massive turnout by the enthusiastic crowd as ‘‘incredible,’’ he said the response by the people was ample manifestation that they were yearning to move forward in their quest for accelerated development.
‘‘Ghanaians are now wide awake and will no more give their mandate to incompetent, ineffective, unproductive and a non-performing party such as the National Democratic Congress,’’ Nana Akufo-Addo intimated, adding that the NDC was only motivated by envy and hatred in its campaigns.
He explained that he was not goaded into politics for personal gains or for the reason of acquiring wealth, as he was an accomplished lawyer, but to help contribute towards the overall development of the nation, stressing, ‘‘I did not come into politics because I was hungry.’’
According to the presidential hopeful, there was nothing much for the PNDC/NDC to show in their 19 years of governance of the country, and urged the electorate not to entrust the destiny of the nation to the NDC again since they had abused that trust over the years.
He accused the NDC of now resorting to intimidation and violence after the party’s unsuccessful campaigns of lies and vilifications and that the NPP was a more peaceful and law abiding party.
Nana Akufo-Addo pledged to unite and reconcile the nation when given the mandate, and acknowledged that even though the country was made up of various ethnic and tribal groups they could be brought together for the common good of the nation.
He chastised ‘‘the apostles of doom’’ who he said were engaged in preaching tribal politics.
He further explained that it was partly because of his quest to unite the nation that he chose a competent running mate from the north to partner him to win the general election.
Under his presidency, he said he would strive to bridge the gap between the north and the south through innovative policies, emphasising that, ‘‘my presidency is going to be dedicated to realising this dream of creating prosperity in freedom countrywide.’’
Nana Akufo-Addo mentioned the Northern Development Authority Fund under which one billion dollars seed capital would be invested to accelerate the development of the north.
He said the creation of economic opportunities and jobs for the youth were some of the programmes his government would embark upon.
He also promised to build on the achievements of the Kufuor administration, which he said had the track record of accomplishments, and mentioned the National Health Insurance Scheme and free maternal health care for pregnant women as some of the initiatives he would build on when offered the mandate.
Nana Akufo-Addo called for peaceful and transparent elections because without harmony, the party’s vision and agenda for the nation would not be realised. ‘‘Let us show to the world that Black people are capable of producing fair and free elections without violence.’’
In attendance was the Vice-Presidential candidate of the NPP, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. Others included national and regional executive members of the party who all spoke on the need for the electorate to vote massively for the NPP in the coming polls.
Some parliamentary aspirants of the party in the Northern Region were also introduced to the ecstatic crowd. The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, asked the supporters to ensure that they came out early to vote for the party
Relatedly, from Bolgatanga, Benjamin Xornam Glover, reports that Nana Akufo-Addo has called on Ghanaians, not to hand over the administration of Ghana to persons who over the years have proven to be incompetent, non performing, inefficient and unproductive.
Addressing a mammoth rally in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Capital, last Friday to round off his two day tour of his campaign which is in its final lap, Nana Akufo Addo said if the NPP had the period of both the PNDC and the NDC in government, Ghana would have been transformed into a nation of prosperity.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
NORTHERN REGION WILL OVERCOME SECURITY CHALLENGES — IDRIS (PAGE 16)
THE Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris has expressed optimism that inspite of some security challenges the region faced in the run up to the December polls, the area would eventually pass the test in the elections.
‘‘We have passed similar tests in the past; and we should be able to pass this one too irrespective of the fact the elections this year promises to be keenly contested,’’ he indicated.
The minister observed that with the current high level of public education and ongoing sensitisation programmes to the need for peaceful elections at various districts and communities in the region by the media and other stakeholders, the people would comport themselves for a successful polls.
Alhaji Idris was speaking during a courtesy call on him by some members of the European Union election observation mission in Ghana at The Residency in Tamale.
They were led by the British High Commissioner in Ghana, Nicholas Westcott.
The mission aims at undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the election process to enhance public confidence in the process and to deter fraud, strengthen respect for human rights and also contribute to conflict resolution.
The mission that is made up of seven experts and 24 long term observers are in the country through the invitation of the Electoral Commission and have been deployed to all the ten regions in the country.
According to Alhaji Idris, the intense campaigns going on at all areas of the region were being conducted peacefully without any major incident.
The minister gave the total number of combined security forces in the region as 1,400 which, he said, was inadequate considering the size and the 2,043 polling stations in the area.
‘‘We are however working hard to maintain the prevailing peace in the mist of the difficulties we encounter with the limited security numbers.’’
The High Commissioner for his part stressed the need for fairness and impartiality in the electoral process by all stakeholders.
He pledged the continuous support of the British government towards the peaceful conduct of the general election in Ghana.
Mr Westcott explained that the EU mission team will stay in the country during and after the elections and that its findings will be reported to their headquarters.
‘‘We have passed similar tests in the past; and we should be able to pass this one too irrespective of the fact the elections this year promises to be keenly contested,’’ he indicated.
The minister observed that with the current high level of public education and ongoing sensitisation programmes to the need for peaceful elections at various districts and communities in the region by the media and other stakeholders, the people would comport themselves for a successful polls.
Alhaji Idris was speaking during a courtesy call on him by some members of the European Union election observation mission in Ghana at The Residency in Tamale.
They were led by the British High Commissioner in Ghana, Nicholas Westcott.
The mission aims at undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the election process to enhance public confidence in the process and to deter fraud, strengthen respect for human rights and also contribute to conflict resolution.
The mission that is made up of seven experts and 24 long term observers are in the country through the invitation of the Electoral Commission and have been deployed to all the ten regions in the country.
According to Alhaji Idris, the intense campaigns going on at all areas of the region were being conducted peacefully without any major incident.
The minister gave the total number of combined security forces in the region as 1,400 which, he said, was inadequate considering the size and the 2,043 polling stations in the area.
‘‘We are however working hard to maintain the prevailing peace in the mist of the difficulties we encounter with the limited security numbers.’’
The High Commissioner for his part stressed the need for fairness and impartiality in the electoral process by all stakeholders.
He pledged the continuous support of the British government towards the peaceful conduct of the general election in Ghana.
Mr Westcott explained that the EU mission team will stay in the country during and after the elections and that its findings will be reported to their headquarters.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
HELP PORTRAY POSITIVE SIDE OF TAMALE (PAGE 29)
THE Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, has observed that the phenomenal influx of banks and other business establishments into the Tamale metropolis is not only an indication that the metropolis is growing, but that there is also social harmony.
He said even though the area had experienced some infractions leading to the disturbance of peace, such happenings were not peculiar to the metropolis. He, therefore, wondered why a section of the media portrayed only the negative aspects of the metropolis when they could also hype on the many positive happenings in the metropolis.
‘‘The banks are telling our stories for us because they and other businesses do not locate at places where there is no peace,’’ the minister stated.
The new banks include the HFC, Amal and Intercontinental. The rest are Stanbic and Zenith banks. The existing banks include Standard Chartered, Barclays, National Investment Bank, Societe General, Ghana Commercial Bank and the Agricultural Development Bank.
Alhaji Idris was speaking at the 22nd biennial delegates conference of the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) employees union held in Tamale at the weekend on the theme: ‘‘Achieving GCB’s corporate strategic objectives: The role of good industrial relations practice.’’
The minister said the fact that Tamale had maintained its status as one of the fastest growing cities in the West African sub-region was also enough attestation to the fact that the metropolis had the potential to accommodate more investors for accelerated development.
He, however, appealed to the people to help sustain the prevailing peace in the area by using modern tools of constructive dialogue to settle their differences and refraining from utterances and actions that had the potential of disturbing the existing harmony.
He said even though the area had experienced some infractions leading to the disturbance of peace, such happenings were not peculiar to the metropolis. He, therefore, wondered why a section of the media portrayed only the negative aspects of the metropolis when they could also hype on the many positive happenings in the metropolis.
‘‘The banks are telling our stories for us because they and other businesses do not locate at places where there is no peace,’’ the minister stated.
The new banks include the HFC, Amal and Intercontinental. The rest are Stanbic and Zenith banks. The existing banks include Standard Chartered, Barclays, National Investment Bank, Societe General, Ghana Commercial Bank and the Agricultural Development Bank.
Alhaji Idris was speaking at the 22nd biennial delegates conference of the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) employees union held in Tamale at the weekend on the theme: ‘‘Achieving GCB’s corporate strategic objectives: The role of good industrial relations practice.’’
The minister said the fact that Tamale had maintained its status as one of the fastest growing cities in the West African sub-region was also enough attestation to the fact that the metropolis had the potential to accommodate more investors for accelerated development.
He, however, appealed to the people to help sustain the prevailing peace in the area by using modern tools of constructive dialogue to settle their differences and refraining from utterances and actions that had the potential of disturbing the existing harmony.
TAMALE NEEDS NEW TEACHING HOSPITAL (PAGE 29)
FOLLOWING the extensive deterioration of the four-storey tower block and other facilities and equipment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the hospital, Dr Ken Sagoe, has suggested that a new hospital be put up instead of expending resources to renovate the existing one.
‘‘Even though we are doing our best to maintain the existing structures, the total amount needed for the complete rehabilitation of the hospital is so huge and it is better we channel such funds into constructing an entirely new hospital so that we can use this one as a regional hospital to cater for the health needs of the growing population,’’ he indicated.
Since the construction of the hospital in 1974, there has not been any comprehensive rehabilitation of the facility, leading to the deterioration of equipment and physical structures, some of which have developed gaping cracks and leaking roofs.
Dr Sagoe who assumed duty at the hospital six months ago as the CEO, made the suggestions during a visit to the Editorial Office of the Graphic Communications Group Limited in Tamale.
He also expressed grave concern about the congestion at the labour and maternity blocks. He said facilities at the two blocks were inadequate following the growing number of births and attendance. Also, the facilities had not seen any expansion over the years.
‘‘It is very sad to see mothers and their babies lying on rubber materials on the floor with their new-born babies. As a result, most of them are discharged within 24 hours after delivery, which should not be the case, because the health of both mothers and their babies need to be observed for some time before they are made to go home,’’ the CEO explained.
Dr Sagoe also indicated that the hospital lacked the required manpower, accommodation and transport.
For instance, he said, there were currently 29 medical doctors at post instead of the required number of 105.
‘‘We have 210 nurses, representing one/third of our requirement; six pharmacists and a few laboratory technicians whose numbers are woefully inadequate for effective health delivery’’, the CEO further revealed.
He, however, said in spite of the gloomy situation, the hospital would continue to work hard to get adequate staffing for the hospital and with the support of the government and the Ministry of Health, the doctor population could hit 54 by next year.
Dr Sagoe admonished the leadership of the various political parties to advise their supporters in the area to conduct their campaigns orderly and peacefully to avoid casualties as time went by.
The CEO commended the Graphic editorial team for their immense support to the hospital over the years, through their incisive write-ups on the condition of the hospital, which he noted, had attracted the attention of the government and other well-meaning organisations and individuals to their plight.
‘‘Even though we are doing our best to maintain the existing structures, the total amount needed for the complete rehabilitation of the hospital is so huge and it is better we channel such funds into constructing an entirely new hospital so that we can use this one as a regional hospital to cater for the health needs of the growing population,’’ he indicated.
Since the construction of the hospital in 1974, there has not been any comprehensive rehabilitation of the facility, leading to the deterioration of equipment and physical structures, some of which have developed gaping cracks and leaking roofs.
Dr Sagoe who assumed duty at the hospital six months ago as the CEO, made the suggestions during a visit to the Editorial Office of the Graphic Communications Group Limited in Tamale.
He also expressed grave concern about the congestion at the labour and maternity blocks. He said facilities at the two blocks were inadequate following the growing number of births and attendance. Also, the facilities had not seen any expansion over the years.
‘‘It is very sad to see mothers and their babies lying on rubber materials on the floor with their new-born babies. As a result, most of them are discharged within 24 hours after delivery, which should not be the case, because the health of both mothers and their babies need to be observed for some time before they are made to go home,’’ the CEO explained.
Dr Sagoe also indicated that the hospital lacked the required manpower, accommodation and transport.
For instance, he said, there were currently 29 medical doctors at post instead of the required number of 105.
‘‘We have 210 nurses, representing one/third of our requirement; six pharmacists and a few laboratory technicians whose numbers are woefully inadequate for effective health delivery’’, the CEO further revealed.
He, however, said in spite of the gloomy situation, the hospital would continue to work hard to get adequate staffing for the hospital and with the support of the government and the Ministry of Health, the doctor population could hit 54 by next year.
Dr Sagoe admonished the leadership of the various political parties to advise their supporters in the area to conduct their campaigns orderly and peacefully to avoid casualties as time went by.
The CEO commended the Graphic editorial team for their immense support to the hospital over the years, through their incisive write-ups on the condition of the hospital, which he noted, had attracted the attention of the government and other well-meaning organisations and individuals to their plight.
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Dec 7 general elections...RESULTS OUT WITHIN 72 HRS (LEAD STORY)
THE Electoral Commission (EC) has given the assurance that the results of this year’s general election will be declared before the 72-hour mandatory period elapses.
This, according to the EC, means the anxiety that usually builds up after the mandatory 72 hours which has been blamed for some of the tension and rumours of rigging, will not be the case this year.
This is because of the introduction of some modern technologies, including gadgets provided by mobile phone operator, MTN.
The EC said the new technology and gadgets would enable the commission to receive the results from remote communities in record time.
Speaking in Tamale, a deputy chairman of the EC, Mr Safo Kantanka, also announced that in all, 1,060 people filed their nominations to contest the 230 parliamentary constituency seats in the country with the Ashanti Region recording the highest number of 159 candidates, while the Upper West Region had the least of 50 aspirants.
The Northern Region had the second highest of 142 candidates, Eastern Region, 139; Greater Accra, 122, Brong Ahafo, 112; Volta Region, 104; Western, 90; Central, 79 and 63 for the Upper East Region.
The NPP filed in 229 constituencies, leaving Ellembelle in the Western Region, while the NDC filed in 228 constituencies. CPP filed in 202 constituencies, PNC, 126; DFP, 108; Independent candidates are 99; DPP, 48; RPD 11;
NVP five, GCPP two and GNP one.
“In spite of the high numbers,” he said, ‘‘we do not envisage collation of results in this election to be difficult; we expect it to be better than the 2004 elections.’’
He added that his outfit was ready for the conduct of the elections as almost all logistics and materials in connection with the polls were set.
Mr Kantanka was speaking at a workshop towards a peaceful and credible election organised in Tamale by the Institute for Economic Affairs (IEA) for stakeholders, including representatives of political parties.
He spoke on the topic; “The challenges and prospects of election 2008 — the EC perspective and election 2008: The role of the media and civil society”.
Mr Kantanka, however, asked the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in particular to admonish their supporters against intimidation, antagonism and harassment, for , as he noted, they were the main source of political intolerance.
‘‘Delivering credible elections is the responsibility of all stakeholders; we do not want our election to be regarded as a warfare; we must build on our track record of successes in past elections,’’ the deputy chairman stated.
The deputy chairman further observed that the challenges posed by this year’s polls would not be different from what the commission had experienced in the past, ‘‘except that people want to win at all costs’’.
‘‘When you start an election with the suspicion that it would not be credible, it creates cause for concern,’’ he indicated, and urged all to be tolerant and vigilant at all polling stations, where the results in the constituencies would first be collated.
This, according to the EC, means the anxiety that usually builds up after the mandatory 72 hours which has been blamed for some of the tension and rumours of rigging, will not be the case this year.
This is because of the introduction of some modern technologies, including gadgets provided by mobile phone operator, MTN.
The EC said the new technology and gadgets would enable the commission to receive the results from remote communities in record time.
Speaking in Tamale, a deputy chairman of the EC, Mr Safo Kantanka, also announced that in all, 1,060 people filed their nominations to contest the 230 parliamentary constituency seats in the country with the Ashanti Region recording the highest number of 159 candidates, while the Upper West Region had the least of 50 aspirants.
The Northern Region had the second highest of 142 candidates, Eastern Region, 139; Greater Accra, 122, Brong Ahafo, 112; Volta Region, 104; Western, 90; Central, 79 and 63 for the Upper East Region.
The NPP filed in 229 constituencies, leaving Ellembelle in the Western Region, while the NDC filed in 228 constituencies. CPP filed in 202 constituencies, PNC, 126; DFP, 108; Independent candidates are 99; DPP, 48; RPD 11;
NVP five, GCPP two and GNP one.
“In spite of the high numbers,” he said, ‘‘we do not envisage collation of results in this election to be difficult; we expect it to be better than the 2004 elections.’’
He added that his outfit was ready for the conduct of the elections as almost all logistics and materials in connection with the polls were set.
Mr Kantanka was speaking at a workshop towards a peaceful and credible election organised in Tamale by the Institute for Economic Affairs (IEA) for stakeholders, including representatives of political parties.
He spoke on the topic; “The challenges and prospects of election 2008 — the EC perspective and election 2008: The role of the media and civil society”.
Mr Kantanka, however, asked the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in particular to admonish their supporters against intimidation, antagonism and harassment, for , as he noted, they were the main source of political intolerance.
‘‘Delivering credible elections is the responsibility of all stakeholders; we do not want our election to be regarded as a warfare; we must build on our track record of successes in past elections,’’ the deputy chairman stated.
The deputy chairman further observed that the challenges posed by this year’s polls would not be different from what the commission had experienced in the past, ‘‘except that people want to win at all costs’’.
‘‘When you start an election with the suspicion that it would not be credible, it creates cause for concern,’’ he indicated, and urged all to be tolerant and vigilant at all polling stations, where the results in the constituencies would first be collated.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
ECSTATIC JUBILATION GREETS MILLS IN TAMALE (PAGE 14)
THERE was ecstatic jubilation and deafening cheers when a white dove, cooing softly, hovered above the stage on which the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor John Atta Mills, was addressing a mammoth rally at the Tamale Police Park last Thursday evening.
The surprise appearance of the dove which hovered around the stage momentarily arrested the attention of the milling crowd who cheered on spontaneously, compelling Professor Mills to stop his speech for about 30 seconds to see what the intruding bird was up to.
The rally, attended by a huge crowd, brought together national and regional executives of the NDC. Also present were some parliamentary candidates of the party who were introduced to the people.
When Professor Mills eventually mounted the stage around 5:40 p.m., the supporters went into a frenzy cheering him on, amidst singing and dancing to party songs from the loudspeakers mounted at the grounds.
The presidential candidate, who was visibly elated by the massive turnout, indicated that the people had not been hired, neither had they been bussed or coerced to attend the rally but that they did so because of their compelling love for the NDC.
“This clearly shows the difference in crowds that show up at rallies between the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP),” he claimed.
Professor Mills promised to ensure justice and fairness during his reign for sustainable peace in the country and the north in particular for accelerated development.
He expressed his commitment to modernise agriculture and ensure that the sheanut industry was given the needed boost.
“We will establish factories to process about 50,000 tonnes of shea butter to create job opportunities for the people,” he assured the people.
Professor Mills further stated that an NDC government would rehabilitate dams and irrigation facilities and offer financial assistance to farmers and also re-introduce the Youth in Agriculture (YIA) policy in the country.
On the Tamale Airport, he pledged to upgrade it to international standards and ensure that prospective pilgrims from the north on the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca were made to fly directly from the airport to ease their burden.
He also gave assurance of rehabilitating the Tamale Teaching Hospital to befit its status, open up the roads to facilitate easy movement and invest in education through Information and Communications Technology and establish more senior high and technical schools to build the human resource base of the country.
Other speakers included the General Secretary of the party, Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, some national and regional executives and parliamentary aspirants of the party.
The surprise appearance of the dove which hovered around the stage momentarily arrested the attention of the milling crowd who cheered on spontaneously, compelling Professor Mills to stop his speech for about 30 seconds to see what the intruding bird was up to.
The rally, attended by a huge crowd, brought together national and regional executives of the NDC. Also present were some parliamentary candidates of the party who were introduced to the people.
When Professor Mills eventually mounted the stage around 5:40 p.m., the supporters went into a frenzy cheering him on, amidst singing and dancing to party songs from the loudspeakers mounted at the grounds.
The presidential candidate, who was visibly elated by the massive turnout, indicated that the people had not been hired, neither had they been bussed or coerced to attend the rally but that they did so because of their compelling love for the NDC.
“This clearly shows the difference in crowds that show up at rallies between the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP),” he claimed.
Professor Mills promised to ensure justice and fairness during his reign for sustainable peace in the country and the north in particular for accelerated development.
He expressed his commitment to modernise agriculture and ensure that the sheanut industry was given the needed boost.
“We will establish factories to process about 50,000 tonnes of shea butter to create job opportunities for the people,” he assured the people.
Professor Mills further stated that an NDC government would rehabilitate dams and irrigation facilities and offer financial assistance to farmers and also re-introduce the Youth in Agriculture (YIA) policy in the country.
On the Tamale Airport, he pledged to upgrade it to international standards and ensure that prospective pilgrims from the north on the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca were made to fly directly from the airport to ease their burden.
He also gave assurance of rehabilitating the Tamale Teaching Hospital to befit its status, open up the roads to facilitate easy movement and invest in education through Information and Communications Technology and establish more senior high and technical schools to build the human resource base of the country.
Other speakers included the General Secretary of the party, Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, some national and regional executives and parliamentary aspirants of the party.
NDC CANDIDATES RALLY FOR SUPPORT (PAGE 16)
• At Tamale South
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale
WITH barely a month to the December polls, the Tamale South Member of Parliament, Mr Iddrisu Haruna, has formally launched his campaign in an attempt to annex the constituency for the second time running at a rally at Lamashegu, a suburb in the constituency.
The rally, which attracted a large crowd, was dominated largely by the youth. Also present were some national and regional executive of the party.
Mr Haruna, who described the crowd as impressive, gave the assurance that he would win the elections by a landslide to enable him to continue service the people.
He gave the assurance: ‘‘Not only will I consolidate the seat, but the NDC, under the distinguished leadership of Professor Mills, would also win the presidential election.
Mr Haruna, however, entreated the security agencies in the area to exercise their legitimate constitutional obligation by providing adequate security to ensure free and fair polls devoid of intimidation, fear and molestation.
The MP was emphatic that the party was going to triumph in the polls, adding, ‘‘We do not subscribe to any power-sharing deal, which is not only illegal but also unconstitutional.”
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale
WITH barely a month to the December polls, the Tamale South Member of Parliament, Mr Iddrisu Haruna, has formally launched his campaign in an attempt to annex the constituency for the second time running at a rally at Lamashegu, a suburb in the constituency.
The rally, which attracted a large crowd, was dominated largely by the youth. Also present were some national and regional executive of the party.
Mr Haruna, who described the crowd as impressive, gave the assurance that he would win the elections by a landslide to enable him to continue service the people.
He gave the assurance: ‘‘Not only will I consolidate the seat, but the NDC, under the distinguished leadership of Professor Mills, would also win the presidential election.
Mr Haruna, however, entreated the security agencies in the area to exercise their legitimate constitutional obligation by providing adequate security to ensure free and fair polls devoid of intimidation, fear and molestation.
The MP was emphatic that the party was going to triumph in the polls, adding, ‘‘We do not subscribe to any power-sharing deal, which is not only illegal but also unconstitutional.”
ELECT ASSEMBLY MEMBERS, DCEs ...Along partisan lines — Candidates (LEAD STORY)
THE four leading presidential candidates in the December 7 polls were yesterday unanimous in the need to elect district, municipal and metropolitan chief executives (DMMCEs) as well as assembly members, along partisan lines.
They said the present arrangement where district elections were conducted along non-partisan lines was a mockery because political parties influence the election of assembly members and the confirmation of DMMCEs.
They also identified corruption as a major national issue against which they would wage a relentless war if elected into office.
Pitting their strengths against one another in the second edition of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) live television debate in Tamale yesterday, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Prof John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama of the People’s National Convention (PNC) also outlined measures to deal with the canker.
The debate, which was attended by dignitaries from the country’s political spectrum, lived up to its billing as an exercise involving guts and wits as the four candidates sold out their policies and programmes in a bid to win the minds and hearts of the electorate as they approach the home stretch in the race to the Golden Jubilee House.
The Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Studies (GILLBT) Hall in Tamale where the event was held came alive on many occasions as some of the candidates, particularly Dr Mahama, Dr Nduom and Prof Mills, made hilarious comments that made the audience break their ribs with laughter.
The questions posed by the two moderators, Prof Ivan Addae-Mensah, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, and Israel Laryea, a broadcast journalist with Joy FM, covered a wide range of issues, including constitutional reforms, the deepening of the decentralisation process, the election of district assembly members, measures to deal with corruption, asset declaration, rural transformation, waste disposal and management and addressing poverty in the three northern regions.
Responding to the issue of corruption, Prof Mills said there was the need to first admit that corruption was rife, adding that when elected President, he would lead the fight against corruption and let the law take its course.
He said he would also strengthen institutions that dealt with corruption, adding that he would lead the crusade against corruption because it had a very harmful effect on national development.
“You must be seen to be biting and not just barking,” he added.
Prof Mills said corruption was breaking the society because people were getting away with it.
“We are not showing the right signals; when people are fronting with corruption, leadership must crack the whip,” he stated.
For his part, Dr Mahama said he would offer leadership by example and separate the Attorney-General’s Office from that of the Ministry of Justice.
He said corruption could be controlled and that there was the need to put in place conflict of interest laws to help check the menace. Additionally, he said under his presidency he would he would ensure that the Whistleblower Law was passed.
Nana Akufo-Addo intimated that fighting corruption required more than just rhetoric, noting that it required strong leadership.
He said he did not have any difficulty prosecuting corrupt Ministers of State and made reference to the fact that when he was the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, he had the occasion to prosecute a colleague minister on corruption charges.
He, however, admitted that much more needed to be done for the institutions mandated to deal with corruption, such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
In all of that, he noted that “leaders of government must show example”.
Commenting on the issue, Dr Nduom largely agreed with the sentiments raised by his colleagues but pointed out that there was the need to deal with the perception associated with corruption.
He said there was the need to introduce efficiency in fighting corruption by utilising technology, as well as strengthening institutions, including the Police Service, to deal with the issue.
On asset declaration, Dr Mahama said he would declare his assets publicly at the beginning and the end of his term in office as President and also require his ministers to do likewise.
He said Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Dr Hilla Limann in the First and Third Republics, respectively, “did not own hotels and they went about governance demonstrating leadership by example”.
“This is what I will do if elected President,” he stated.
For his part, Nana Akufo-Addo said he did not have any difficulty in declaring his assets publicly.
He, however, said the assets declaration system Ghana was currently operating had a lot of problems and that he would ensure a legislative framework that allowed that a law for fighting corruption was passed.
Dr Nduom said the situation was not acceptable and wondered why assets declaration remained a secret.
“It should not remain a secret at the AG’s Office”, he stated, stressing that the Right to Information Bill must be passed.
He said it was a constitutional anomaly that the President did not pay tax and said under his Presidency he would reverse the trend, saying, “Leaders must be honest and let seriousness prevail.”
Prof Mills said asset declaration must be verifiable, saying that at the end of everything it should be declared and verified.
He pointed out that the exercise must be extended to surrogates and not just spouses.
On constitutional reforms, Nana Akufo-Addo said he would initiate the processes for amending the Constitution, considering the various concerns expressed on the subject.
Dr Nduom said he would also initiate a process for a constitutional amendment in the first 100 days of taking office, adding that he would pursue the separation of the Attorney-General’s Office from that of the Ministry of Justice.
Prof Mills agreed that there were areas in the Constitution that needed amendment and that there was the need to collate views so that at end of the day we would learn from our mistakes.
Dr Mahama, for his part, noted that the Constitution was not the problem but that the issue had to do with good governance.
“Tampering with the Constitution is not the problem; what matters is the effective strengthening of institutions to work effectively,” he stated.
On the deepening of decentralisation, Dr Nduom stressed the need to put power in the hands of the people and ensure the devolution of power.
By so doing, he said, we must ensure that more revenue and resources went to the local level for its rapid development.
Prof Mills said appointing DCEs had some inherent challenges. However, he agreed that there was the need to ensure that district assemblies were accountable to the people.
Dr Mahama said there was too much concentration of power in the hands of central institutions and also agreed that all DCEs must be elected.
Nana Akufo-Addo stressed the need to put in place structures to begin the process of transferring power from the centre to the districts.
They said the present arrangement where district elections were conducted along non-partisan lines was a mockery because political parties influence the election of assembly members and the confirmation of DMMCEs.
They also identified corruption as a major national issue against which they would wage a relentless war if elected into office.
Pitting their strengths against one another in the second edition of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) live television debate in Tamale yesterday, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Prof John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama of the People’s National Convention (PNC) also outlined measures to deal with the canker.
The debate, which was attended by dignitaries from the country’s political spectrum, lived up to its billing as an exercise involving guts and wits as the four candidates sold out their policies and programmes in a bid to win the minds and hearts of the electorate as they approach the home stretch in the race to the Golden Jubilee House.
The Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Studies (GILLBT) Hall in Tamale where the event was held came alive on many occasions as some of the candidates, particularly Dr Mahama, Dr Nduom and Prof Mills, made hilarious comments that made the audience break their ribs with laughter.
The questions posed by the two moderators, Prof Ivan Addae-Mensah, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, and Israel Laryea, a broadcast journalist with Joy FM, covered a wide range of issues, including constitutional reforms, the deepening of the decentralisation process, the election of district assembly members, measures to deal with corruption, asset declaration, rural transformation, waste disposal and management and addressing poverty in the three northern regions.
Responding to the issue of corruption, Prof Mills said there was the need to first admit that corruption was rife, adding that when elected President, he would lead the fight against corruption and let the law take its course.
He said he would also strengthen institutions that dealt with corruption, adding that he would lead the crusade against corruption because it had a very harmful effect on national development.
“You must be seen to be biting and not just barking,” he added.
Prof Mills said corruption was breaking the society because people were getting away with it.
“We are not showing the right signals; when people are fronting with corruption, leadership must crack the whip,” he stated.
For his part, Dr Mahama said he would offer leadership by example and separate the Attorney-General’s Office from that of the Ministry of Justice.
He said corruption could be controlled and that there was the need to put in place conflict of interest laws to help check the menace. Additionally, he said under his presidency he would he would ensure that the Whistleblower Law was passed.
Nana Akufo-Addo intimated that fighting corruption required more than just rhetoric, noting that it required strong leadership.
He said he did not have any difficulty prosecuting corrupt Ministers of State and made reference to the fact that when he was the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, he had the occasion to prosecute a colleague minister on corruption charges.
He, however, admitted that much more needed to be done for the institutions mandated to deal with corruption, such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
In all of that, he noted that “leaders of government must show example”.
Commenting on the issue, Dr Nduom largely agreed with the sentiments raised by his colleagues but pointed out that there was the need to deal with the perception associated with corruption.
He said there was the need to introduce efficiency in fighting corruption by utilising technology, as well as strengthening institutions, including the Police Service, to deal with the issue.
On asset declaration, Dr Mahama said he would declare his assets publicly at the beginning and the end of his term in office as President and also require his ministers to do likewise.
He said Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Dr Hilla Limann in the First and Third Republics, respectively, “did not own hotels and they went about governance demonstrating leadership by example”.
“This is what I will do if elected President,” he stated.
For his part, Nana Akufo-Addo said he did not have any difficulty in declaring his assets publicly.
He, however, said the assets declaration system Ghana was currently operating had a lot of problems and that he would ensure a legislative framework that allowed that a law for fighting corruption was passed.
Dr Nduom said the situation was not acceptable and wondered why assets declaration remained a secret.
“It should not remain a secret at the AG’s Office”, he stated, stressing that the Right to Information Bill must be passed.
He said it was a constitutional anomaly that the President did not pay tax and said under his Presidency he would reverse the trend, saying, “Leaders must be honest and let seriousness prevail.”
Prof Mills said asset declaration must be verifiable, saying that at the end of everything it should be declared and verified.
He pointed out that the exercise must be extended to surrogates and not just spouses.
On constitutional reforms, Nana Akufo-Addo said he would initiate the processes for amending the Constitution, considering the various concerns expressed on the subject.
Dr Nduom said he would also initiate a process for a constitutional amendment in the first 100 days of taking office, adding that he would pursue the separation of the Attorney-General’s Office from that of the Ministry of Justice.
Prof Mills agreed that there were areas in the Constitution that needed amendment and that there was the need to collate views so that at end of the day we would learn from our mistakes.
Dr Mahama, for his part, noted that the Constitution was not the problem but that the issue had to do with good governance.
“Tampering with the Constitution is not the problem; what matters is the effective strengthening of institutions to work effectively,” he stated.
On the deepening of decentralisation, Dr Nduom stressed the need to put power in the hands of the people and ensure the devolution of power.
By so doing, he said, we must ensure that more revenue and resources went to the local level for its rapid development.
Prof Mills said appointing DCEs had some inherent challenges. However, he agreed that there was the need to ensure that district assemblies were accountable to the people.
Dr Mahama said there was too much concentration of power in the hands of central institutions and also agreed that all DCEs must be elected.
Nana Akufo-Addo stressed the need to put in place structures to begin the process of transferring power from the centre to the districts.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
BOY DIES IN FRENZY (PAGE 16)
A 12-year-old boy met his untimely death when he was crushed against a vehicle he was hanging on , during the visit of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) Presidential candidate into the Tamale metropolis at the weekend.
The deceased, Master Muntala Mohammed Acquah, a primary school pupil was buried according to Muslim custom on Monday.
His two other colleagues who sustained minor injuries have been treated and discharged from the Tamale Teaching Hospital where the deceased later died. Master Muntala lived with his parents at Gumbihini, a Tamale suburb.
The victims were among large ecstatic supporters of the CPP who were accompanying Dr Nduom on his rounds on some principal streets of the metropolis after his triumphant arrival as part of his preparations towards the second Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Presidential debate in Tamale today.
The northern regional organiser of the CPP, Mr Alhassan Basharu Daballi, described the incident as most unfortunate and indicated that the party would educate their supporters against such incidents from occurring in future.
In a related development, four National Democratic Congress (NDC) party supporters also sustained various degrees of injuries, including a fractured leg, after hitting an embankment on the road around the Vitting junction with their motorbikes. They are currently receiving treatment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
The victims were among hundreds of enthusiastic motorbike riders who led the convoy of Professor Mills into the metropolis on Monday night in readiness for the debate.
According to the Northern Regional Secretary of the NDC, Alhaji Abdulai Haruna Friday, ‘‘we were simply overwhelmed by the large crowd of supporters who came out to welcome Professor Mills inspite of the fact that he arrived late in the night.’’
He explained that it was in their attempt to avoid such accidents that sometimes during the visit of leading members of the NDC into Tamale, the party’s stronghold, that they suggested that their presidential hopeful got into town at night.’’
Indeed, a number of party supporters have lost their lives through motor accidents in Tamale during the visit of some leading members of political parties, particularly the NDC into the metropolis over the years.
The latest of such deaths occurred a couple of months ago during the visit of the Vice-Presidential candidate of the NDC, Mr John Mahama in an accident involving a KIA truck. Two persons lost their lives while one of the victim’s leg was amputated in that accident. Several others sustained varied degrees of injuries.
The deceased, Master Muntala Mohammed Acquah, a primary school pupil was buried according to Muslim custom on Monday.
His two other colleagues who sustained minor injuries have been treated and discharged from the Tamale Teaching Hospital where the deceased later died. Master Muntala lived with his parents at Gumbihini, a Tamale suburb.
The victims were among large ecstatic supporters of the CPP who were accompanying Dr Nduom on his rounds on some principal streets of the metropolis after his triumphant arrival as part of his preparations towards the second Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Presidential debate in Tamale today.
The northern regional organiser of the CPP, Mr Alhassan Basharu Daballi, described the incident as most unfortunate and indicated that the party would educate their supporters against such incidents from occurring in future.
In a related development, four National Democratic Congress (NDC) party supporters also sustained various degrees of injuries, including a fractured leg, after hitting an embankment on the road around the Vitting junction with their motorbikes. They are currently receiving treatment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
The victims were among hundreds of enthusiastic motorbike riders who led the convoy of Professor Mills into the metropolis on Monday night in readiness for the debate.
According to the Northern Regional Secretary of the NDC, Alhaji Abdulai Haruna Friday, ‘‘we were simply overwhelmed by the large crowd of supporters who came out to welcome Professor Mills inspite of the fact that he arrived late in the night.’’
He explained that it was in their attempt to avoid such accidents that sometimes during the visit of leading members of the NDC into Tamale, the party’s stronghold, that they suggested that their presidential hopeful got into town at night.’’
Indeed, a number of party supporters have lost their lives through motor accidents in Tamale during the visit of some leading members of political parties, particularly the NDC into the metropolis over the years.
The latest of such deaths occurred a couple of months ago during the visit of the Vice-Presidential candidate of the NDC, Mr John Mahama in an accident involving a KIA truck. Two persons lost their lives while one of the victim’s leg was amputated in that accident. Several others sustained varied degrees of injuries.
TAMALE SET FOR 2ND DEBATE (1b)
TAMALE is bubbling with intense political activities as anxious residents eagerly await their turn of the showdown among the four leading presidential candidates on the platform of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).
As Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Prof. John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and Dr Edward Mahama of the People’s National Convention (PNC) arrive in the metropolis at different times, Tamale has momentarily become the hotbed of politics in Ghana.
The first to arrive in the metropolis at the weekend was Dr Nduom, to be followed on Monday night by Professor Mills. Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr Mahama were both expected in town by yesterday, both poised to display their wits and guts in another live television debate today.
Ahead of the candidates, some national executives of the four parties had already been in the metropolis preparing the ground for their respective candidates for the grand debate. The thrust of the debate will centre on governance and social issues.
The first debate that was held in Accra on October 29, 2008 touched on economics and related matters.
According to the Co-ordinator of the Policy Analysis Unit of the IEA, Papa Kow Acquaye, work on the main hall for the debate at the Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Studies (GILLBT) had been completed with the provision of the necessary logistics, while the technical and field operation teams had all lived up to the task.
"The stage is, therefore, set for the debate. At the moment, we are also in touch with both the military and the police commands in the metropolis to ensure an incident-free programme," he indicated.
Mr Acquaye noted that awareness of the debate was high in town, with so much excitement among supporters of the various political parties who had exhibited enthusiasm in welcoming their party leadership into the metropolis.
"We hope that the people will continue to live together harmoniously by emulating the example shown by their respective candidates who embraced one another warmly after the first debate in Accra," the co-ordinator said.
He further announced that a workshop would be organised on the sidelines of the debate on the theme, "Towards peaceful and credible Election 2008", for stakeholders, including representatives of the parties, at the same venue in Tamale on Thursday.
Topics would include the role of civil society, the media and the security agencies in attaining credible and peaceful elections.
The anxiety and excitement that have gripped people in Tamale are informed by the fact that this is the first time in the country’s history that a presidential debate is to be organised in the town and the first time the region and Tamale, for that matter, will be hosting the four candidates at the same time.
These factors, together with the volatile situation in Tamale and its environs, as exemplified by recent political clashes in the area, have raised security concerns over the event.
However, the Administrator of the IEA, Mrs Jean Mensa, told the Daily Graphic on Monday that the institute had had firm assurances from National Security that everything was under control.
She said an IEA team had been in Tamale for a couple of days to interact with the people, saying that indications were that there was no cause for alarm.
Mrs Mensa said the Tamale debate would follow the same pattern as the Accra encounter but that this time with the Chairman of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Prof Ivan Addae-Mensah, and the popular newscaster, Israel Laryea, as the moderators.
She said an innovation in the Tamale debate would be the translation of proceedings into Dagbani to enable many more people to follow the event.
Mrs Mensa dismissed criticisms that the Accra encounter did not reflect a true debate, contending that a debate did not have to be an engagement of attacks on one another.
On the contrary, she explained, a debate gave an opportunity for the candidates to express their views on issues without crossfire and aggression, adding that the essence of the exercise was to enable the candidates to inform the electorate about their policy positions and programmes.
“I do not see any difference between our debate and the US presidential debate,” she remarked, pointing out that the IEA achieved its mission with the manner it organised the first debate.
Explaining how the moderators were selected, Mrs Mensa said the IEA initially presented a list of 15 names to the political parties involved in the debate, out of which the parties themselves selected five persons, including Prof Kwame Karikari of the School of Communication Studies of the University of Ghana and Mr Cyril Acolatse, a media consultant.
The rest were Prof Addae-Mensah, Israel Laryea and Ben Ephson Jnr, the Managing Editor of the Daily Dispatch.
Mrs Mensa said the debate was a feather in the cap of the country’s democracy, adding that it would enable the electorate to make informed choices.
Meanwhile, a Research Fellow at the Legon Centre for International Affairs, Dr Yao Gebe, has suggested the broadening of the issue of conflict in the second presidential debate in Tamale, reports Caroline Boateng.
He said although the first debate included questions on security, those questions were limited in scope and dwelt on security sector institutions.
He said as Election Day approached, the platform for the presidential debate offered the opportunity to extend the horizon and dimensions of security to include the possibility of conflict during the election.
For instance, the possibility of people creating havoc at polling stations needed to be discussed, he thought.
Dr Gebe, however, did not see the need for a joint statement to be offered by the four presidential candidates.
Rather, he was of the view that the onus was on the leadership of political parties to educate and re-orient their supporters to peace.
His view was shared by the Minister of State at the Ministry of the Interior, Nana Obiri Boahen.
Nana Boahen said ensuring peace would not necessarily be achieved by a statement from the four presidential candidates issuing a statement on the same platform.
He said peace in the country would only be certain if politicians, journalists, professionals and all others preached peace.
As Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Prof. John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and Dr Edward Mahama of the People’s National Convention (PNC) arrive in the metropolis at different times, Tamale has momentarily become the hotbed of politics in Ghana.
The first to arrive in the metropolis at the weekend was Dr Nduom, to be followed on Monday night by Professor Mills. Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr Mahama were both expected in town by yesterday, both poised to display their wits and guts in another live television debate today.
Ahead of the candidates, some national executives of the four parties had already been in the metropolis preparing the ground for their respective candidates for the grand debate. The thrust of the debate will centre on governance and social issues.
The first debate that was held in Accra on October 29, 2008 touched on economics and related matters.
According to the Co-ordinator of the Policy Analysis Unit of the IEA, Papa Kow Acquaye, work on the main hall for the debate at the Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Studies (GILLBT) had been completed with the provision of the necessary logistics, while the technical and field operation teams had all lived up to the task.
"The stage is, therefore, set for the debate. At the moment, we are also in touch with both the military and the police commands in the metropolis to ensure an incident-free programme," he indicated.
Mr Acquaye noted that awareness of the debate was high in town, with so much excitement among supporters of the various political parties who had exhibited enthusiasm in welcoming their party leadership into the metropolis.
"We hope that the people will continue to live together harmoniously by emulating the example shown by their respective candidates who embraced one another warmly after the first debate in Accra," the co-ordinator said.
He further announced that a workshop would be organised on the sidelines of the debate on the theme, "Towards peaceful and credible Election 2008", for stakeholders, including representatives of the parties, at the same venue in Tamale on Thursday.
Topics would include the role of civil society, the media and the security agencies in attaining credible and peaceful elections.
The anxiety and excitement that have gripped people in Tamale are informed by the fact that this is the first time in the country’s history that a presidential debate is to be organised in the town and the first time the region and Tamale, for that matter, will be hosting the four candidates at the same time.
These factors, together with the volatile situation in Tamale and its environs, as exemplified by recent political clashes in the area, have raised security concerns over the event.
However, the Administrator of the IEA, Mrs Jean Mensa, told the Daily Graphic on Monday that the institute had had firm assurances from National Security that everything was under control.
She said an IEA team had been in Tamale for a couple of days to interact with the people, saying that indications were that there was no cause for alarm.
Mrs Mensa said the Tamale debate would follow the same pattern as the Accra encounter but that this time with the Chairman of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Prof Ivan Addae-Mensah, and the popular newscaster, Israel Laryea, as the moderators.
She said an innovation in the Tamale debate would be the translation of proceedings into Dagbani to enable many more people to follow the event.
Mrs Mensa dismissed criticisms that the Accra encounter did not reflect a true debate, contending that a debate did not have to be an engagement of attacks on one another.
On the contrary, she explained, a debate gave an opportunity for the candidates to express their views on issues without crossfire and aggression, adding that the essence of the exercise was to enable the candidates to inform the electorate about their policy positions and programmes.
“I do not see any difference between our debate and the US presidential debate,” she remarked, pointing out that the IEA achieved its mission with the manner it organised the first debate.
Explaining how the moderators were selected, Mrs Mensa said the IEA initially presented a list of 15 names to the political parties involved in the debate, out of which the parties themselves selected five persons, including Prof Kwame Karikari of the School of Communication Studies of the University of Ghana and Mr Cyril Acolatse, a media consultant.
The rest were Prof Addae-Mensah, Israel Laryea and Ben Ephson Jnr, the Managing Editor of the Daily Dispatch.
Mrs Mensa said the debate was a feather in the cap of the country’s democracy, adding that it would enable the electorate to make informed choices.
Meanwhile, a Research Fellow at the Legon Centre for International Affairs, Dr Yao Gebe, has suggested the broadening of the issue of conflict in the second presidential debate in Tamale, reports Caroline Boateng.
He said although the first debate included questions on security, those questions were limited in scope and dwelt on security sector institutions.
He said as Election Day approached, the platform for the presidential debate offered the opportunity to extend the horizon and dimensions of security to include the possibility of conflict during the election.
For instance, the possibility of people creating havoc at polling stations needed to be discussed, he thought.
Dr Gebe, however, did not see the need for a joint statement to be offered by the four presidential candidates.
Rather, he was of the view that the onus was on the leadership of political parties to educate and re-orient their supporters to peace.
His view was shared by the Minister of State at the Ministry of the Interior, Nana Obiri Boahen.
Nana Boahen said ensuring peace would not necessarily be achieved by a statement from the four presidential candidates issuing a statement on the same platform.
He said peace in the country would only be certain if politicians, journalists, professionals and all others preached peace.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
PHILANTHROPIST TO BUILD MORTUARY FOR TAMALE CENTRAL HOSPITAL (PAGE 29)
A Tamale-based philanthropist and businessman, Alhaji Yakubu Ayana, has expressed his readiness to put up a mortuary for the Tamale Central Hospital (Old Hospital) which is being rehabilitated to cater for the growing health needs of the people of the metropolis.
Alhaji Ayana announced this during the inauguration of a mosque complex for the hospital last Friday.
The construction of the over GH¢150,000 mosque was funded by Alhaji Ayana.
The Central Hospital, as it has been renamed, formerly served as the Northern Regional Hospital until the early 1970s when the Tamale Teaching Hospital was constructed.
The former was later abandoned and it was not until recently when the health directorate in the region decided to rehabilitate it to reduce the pressure on the latter, which is now a referral centre.
Alhaji Ayana, who is also a popular Hajj agent in Tamale, said he decided to put up the mosque because the hospital was located around the ministries but had no mosque for the Muslim workers and patients.
He also observed that as patients had begun patronising the hospital, there was no mortuary to cater for the dead, coupled with the fact that facilities at the morgue of the Teaching Hospital were overstretched.
‘‘We certainly do not always have to rely on the central government for all our needs; it is high time we relied on ourselves to get things done so that we can get the blessings that comes with such humanitarian services,” he indicated.
Alhaji Ayana’s latest gesture follows his recent donation of quantities of assorted items, including food, to the inmates of the Nyohini Children’s Home and the presentation of a Nissan Urvan bus to the Nyohini Central Mosque, both in Tamale.
Last weekend, he also embarked on a peace walk from Savelugu in the Savelugu/Nanton District of the Northern Region to Tamale, a distance of 19 kilometres, and was later joined by some of his colleagues in the Progressive Traders Association to drum home the need for a peaceful general election in December.
The Administrator of the Central Hospital, Mr Damasus Ayangba, expressed appreciation to Alhaji Ayana for his generosity and said the mosque would serve the spiritual needs of the people who had often prayed under trees.
On Alhaji Ayana’s proposal to construct the morgue, Mr Ayangba welcomed such a move and indicated that a team of consultants would soon visit the hospital to concretise the proposal.
Alhaji Ayana announced this during the inauguration of a mosque complex for the hospital last Friday.
The construction of the over GH¢150,000 mosque was funded by Alhaji Ayana.
The Central Hospital, as it has been renamed, formerly served as the Northern Regional Hospital until the early 1970s when the Tamale Teaching Hospital was constructed.
The former was later abandoned and it was not until recently when the health directorate in the region decided to rehabilitate it to reduce the pressure on the latter, which is now a referral centre.
Alhaji Ayana, who is also a popular Hajj agent in Tamale, said he decided to put up the mosque because the hospital was located around the ministries but had no mosque for the Muslim workers and patients.
He also observed that as patients had begun patronising the hospital, there was no mortuary to cater for the dead, coupled with the fact that facilities at the morgue of the Teaching Hospital were overstretched.
‘‘We certainly do not always have to rely on the central government for all our needs; it is high time we relied on ourselves to get things done so that we can get the blessings that comes with such humanitarian services,” he indicated.
Alhaji Ayana’s latest gesture follows his recent donation of quantities of assorted items, including food, to the inmates of the Nyohini Children’s Home and the presentation of a Nissan Urvan bus to the Nyohini Central Mosque, both in Tamale.
Last weekend, he also embarked on a peace walk from Savelugu in the Savelugu/Nanton District of the Northern Region to Tamale, a distance of 19 kilometres, and was later joined by some of his colleagues in the Progressive Traders Association to drum home the need for a peaceful general election in December.
The Administrator of the Central Hospital, Mr Damasus Ayangba, expressed appreciation to Alhaji Ayana for his generosity and said the mosque would serve the spiritual needs of the people who had often prayed under trees.
On Alhaji Ayana’s proposal to construct the morgue, Mr Ayangba welcomed such a move and indicated that a team of consultants would soon visit the hospital to concretise the proposal.
RAINS COMMENDED FOR SUPPORTING NEEDY (PAGE 29)
THE Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, has expressed appreciation to the management and collaborators of a Tamale-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Regional Advisory, Information and Network Systems (RAINS), for the immense support it offers to the underprivileged in the area.
He said such assistance over the years had significantly contributed to the empowerment of the youth, creation of educational opportunities for the underprivileged and also accelerated the socio-economic development of most deprived communities in the operational areas of the organisation in the Northern Region.
The minister gave the commendation during a presentation of a new 33-seater bus to the Yumba Special School in Tamale for the mentally retarded children.
The bus was purchased by RBC Dexia Investor Services through the collaboration of RAINS and their UK partners, Hope for Children.
RAINS also intends to construct a 10-seater place of convenience fitted with water closets, shower facilities and an overhead tank for the school through the support of its sponsors.
The school, which was established about two years ago with support from the Barclays Bank, is the first of its kind in the northern sector of the country.
The minister said the school still lacked a number of amenities to ensure its effective running and, therefore, entreated other corporate bodies, organisations and individuals to also contribute to the sustenance of the inmates, who were there through no fault of theirs.
The programme manager of RAINS, Mr Alhassan Musah, expressed his organisation’s commitment to further source funding to support the school.
‘‘We will work closely with the school, the Ghana Education Service and other agencies to source further support to tackle other equally pressing infrastructure and development needs in the school,’’ the manager assured.
Mr Musah, however, implored the school’s authorities to endeavour to use the bus solely for its intended purpose to address the needs of the children.
He said RAINS recognised the importance of the underprivileged and also shared the philosophy of putting children first.
‘‘Every child has a fundamental right to education and every child has unique characteristics, interest, abilities and learning needs,’’ Mr Musah acknowledged.
The manager further indicated that special education had the capacity to accomplish a great deal for Ghanaian children but it required openness to criticism and fresh ideas, a willingness to entertain reforms and a capacity to change.
He said such assistance over the years had significantly contributed to the empowerment of the youth, creation of educational opportunities for the underprivileged and also accelerated the socio-economic development of most deprived communities in the operational areas of the organisation in the Northern Region.
The minister gave the commendation during a presentation of a new 33-seater bus to the Yumba Special School in Tamale for the mentally retarded children.
The bus was purchased by RBC Dexia Investor Services through the collaboration of RAINS and their UK partners, Hope for Children.
RAINS also intends to construct a 10-seater place of convenience fitted with water closets, shower facilities and an overhead tank for the school through the support of its sponsors.
The school, which was established about two years ago with support from the Barclays Bank, is the first of its kind in the northern sector of the country.
The minister said the school still lacked a number of amenities to ensure its effective running and, therefore, entreated other corporate bodies, organisations and individuals to also contribute to the sustenance of the inmates, who were there through no fault of theirs.
The programme manager of RAINS, Mr Alhassan Musah, expressed his organisation’s commitment to further source funding to support the school.
‘‘We will work closely with the school, the Ghana Education Service and other agencies to source further support to tackle other equally pressing infrastructure and development needs in the school,’’ the manager assured.
Mr Musah, however, implored the school’s authorities to endeavour to use the bus solely for its intended purpose to address the needs of the children.
He said RAINS recognised the importance of the underprivileged and also shared the philosophy of putting children first.
‘‘Every child has a fundamental right to education and every child has unique characteristics, interest, abilities and learning needs,’’ Mr Musah acknowledged.
The manager further indicated that special education had the capacity to accomplish a great deal for Ghanaian children but it required openness to criticism and fresh ideas, a willingness to entertain reforms and a capacity to change.
23 GET SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER SISTER-CITY PACKAGE (PAGE 25)
THE long established sister-city relationship between the cities of Tamale and Louisville in the U.S. continues to yield positive results that is impacting positively on the fortunes of the people in the Tamale Metropolis.
The latest beneficiaries of the initiative are 23 selected brilliant needy students from various second cycle institutions in the metropolis whose school fees have duly been paid for their entire four years’ stay in their schools.
They were also presented with dictionaries and mathematical sets to facilitate effective learning in school.
The presentation formed part of the Zo-Simli-Na Dagbon Education Scholarship Fund (ZSNEF).
The scheme was borne out of the Tamale-Louisville Sister-city relation, which was formally established in 1979 between the people of Tamale and Louisville in the USA.
As a result of her personal commitment to the bond between the two cities, the leader of the Louisville team, Dr Susan J. Herlin, was enskinned as Zo-Simli-Na (chief of companionship).
She later helped to establish the scheme for brilliant deprived students in the Tamale metropolis.
Other beneficiaries over the years have included tertiary students, including those in teacher training institutions.
The scholarship scheme, which is in its ninth year, has already produced graduates from the country’s universities and polytechnics, some of whom are gainfully employed.
The president of Sister-cities of Tamale, Alhaji Kojo Kaleem, who presented the payment slips to the beneficiaries in Tamale at the weekend, advised them to justify the investment made by studying hard to pass their examinations.
‘‘The payment of your fees for the four years is on probation that would depend on your conduct and academic performance over the period,’’ he explained.
The treasurer of the scheme, Madam Fati Munkaila, expressed appreciation to the Zo-Simli-Na for her personal efforts and commitment to the successful implementation of the scheme.
‘‘It is only through education, particularly of the females, that we can uplift the image of Dagbon and also accelerate the development of this area,’’ she indicated.
Madam Fati, therefore urged the beneficiaries to be steadfast in their studies, be disciplined and obedient at all times in order that they benefited from their toils in the long run.
On behalf of her colleagues, Ms Mohammed Fadila of the Business Senior High School thanked their benefactors for their immense assistance and gave a pledge to live up to expectation at all times.
The latest beneficiaries of the initiative are 23 selected brilliant needy students from various second cycle institutions in the metropolis whose school fees have duly been paid for their entire four years’ stay in their schools.
They were also presented with dictionaries and mathematical sets to facilitate effective learning in school.
The presentation formed part of the Zo-Simli-Na Dagbon Education Scholarship Fund (ZSNEF).
The scheme was borne out of the Tamale-Louisville Sister-city relation, which was formally established in 1979 between the people of Tamale and Louisville in the USA.
As a result of her personal commitment to the bond between the two cities, the leader of the Louisville team, Dr Susan J. Herlin, was enskinned as Zo-Simli-Na (chief of companionship).
She later helped to establish the scheme for brilliant deprived students in the Tamale metropolis.
Other beneficiaries over the years have included tertiary students, including those in teacher training institutions.
The scholarship scheme, which is in its ninth year, has already produced graduates from the country’s universities and polytechnics, some of whom are gainfully employed.
The president of Sister-cities of Tamale, Alhaji Kojo Kaleem, who presented the payment slips to the beneficiaries in Tamale at the weekend, advised them to justify the investment made by studying hard to pass their examinations.
‘‘The payment of your fees for the four years is on probation that would depend on your conduct and academic performance over the period,’’ he explained.
The treasurer of the scheme, Madam Fati Munkaila, expressed appreciation to the Zo-Simli-Na for her personal efforts and commitment to the successful implementation of the scheme.
‘‘It is only through education, particularly of the females, that we can uplift the image of Dagbon and also accelerate the development of this area,’’ she indicated.
Madam Fati, therefore urged the beneficiaries to be steadfast in their studies, be disciplined and obedient at all times in order that they benefited from their toils in the long run.
On behalf of her colleagues, Ms Mohammed Fadila of the Business Senior High School thanked their benefactors for their immense assistance and gave a pledge to live up to expectation at all times.
TAMALE READY FOR IEA DEBATE (PAGE 15)
The Political atmosphere in Tamale is charged with high expectations on the arrival of the four presidential aspirants who will appear in the second Institute of Economics Affairs (IEA) debate tomorrow.
Supporters of all the candidates are hopeful that their respective candidates would excel at the debate to help win some floating voters to their side to brighten their chances of winning the December elections.
The four main political parties with representations in parliament and their flag bearers participating in the debate are the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Convention People's Party (CPP) and the People's National Convention (PNC).
As a result the metropolis, noted as a political hotbed in the country is awash with the insignia of the participating parties including the posters of the presidential candidates and their respective parliamentary hopefuls at every nook and cranny of the city.
Party supporters can also be spotted wearing colourful shirts, caps, handbands and all types of headgear of their favourite parties. Some have also decorated their vehicles, motorbikes and bicycles with their party symbols.
Indeed, Tamale has been agog with various political activities within the past months, until the infractions between the supporters of the NPP and NDC in early September and the one month period of the Muslim Fast that eventually ended in October.
Since then, the parties have all intensified their campaigns with constituency rallies. Another phenomenon is the hoisting of party flags and opening of sheds that attracts a lot of fanfare.
The metropolis is therefore ready for the IEA debate as indicated by an NPP faithful, Iddrisu Alhassan, " I am confident Nana Akufo-Addo is certainly going to show his brilliance on Wednesday and strongly disagree with those who said he did not perform well in the first debate in Accra.’’
Adam Humu, an ardent sympathiser of the NDC however disagreed with Alhassan and sounded confident that, ‘‘Professor Mills will as usual deal with the substance of the debate as it is clear that he understands the issues at stake more than his colleagues.’’
"All those who watched the first debate have agreed that Dr Nduom beat all the others so why do they think their candidates who did not impress would do better this time?” Abdul Nasir Yusif of the CPP queried.
For her part, Nafisa Sumaila of the PNC was ‘‘two sure, two direct’’ as the party slogan goes that, Dr Mahama would put up a spirited argument to convince the electorate that ‘‘it is only the PNC that can address the needs and aspirations of the people.’’
The first presidential candidate to arrive in Tamale as part of the preparations for the debate is Dr Nduom who received a tumultuous reception into the metropolis at the weekend.
The candidate who appeared excited by the enthusiasm exhibited by his large followers waved back at cheering supporters with glee. Dr Nduom was accompanied by his running mate, Dr Abu Sakara, his wife, Mrs Nduom and some national executive of the party.
In a brief speech near the Dakpema Palace, Dr Nduom expressed his appreciation to the teeming supporters for their warm support and urged Ghanaians to vote massively for the CPP.
He also entreated the people who he said have been governed by both the NDC and NPP to give the CPP the chance to change their lives for the better and stressed, " a vote for CPP is a vote for peace, jobs and prosperity."
Both the presidential candidates for the NPP and PNC and their national executives are expected to arrive for the debate today with Professor Mills touching down tomorrow in readiness for the debate that promises to be keenly contested.
Supporters of all the candidates are hopeful that their respective candidates would excel at the debate to help win some floating voters to their side to brighten their chances of winning the December elections.
The four main political parties with representations in parliament and their flag bearers participating in the debate are the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Convention People's Party (CPP) and the People's National Convention (PNC).
As a result the metropolis, noted as a political hotbed in the country is awash with the insignia of the participating parties including the posters of the presidential candidates and their respective parliamentary hopefuls at every nook and cranny of the city.
Party supporters can also be spotted wearing colourful shirts, caps, handbands and all types of headgear of their favourite parties. Some have also decorated their vehicles, motorbikes and bicycles with their party symbols.
Indeed, Tamale has been agog with various political activities within the past months, until the infractions between the supporters of the NPP and NDC in early September and the one month period of the Muslim Fast that eventually ended in October.
Since then, the parties have all intensified their campaigns with constituency rallies. Another phenomenon is the hoisting of party flags and opening of sheds that attracts a lot of fanfare.
The metropolis is therefore ready for the IEA debate as indicated by an NPP faithful, Iddrisu Alhassan, " I am confident Nana Akufo-Addo is certainly going to show his brilliance on Wednesday and strongly disagree with those who said he did not perform well in the first debate in Accra.’’
Adam Humu, an ardent sympathiser of the NDC however disagreed with Alhassan and sounded confident that, ‘‘Professor Mills will as usual deal with the substance of the debate as it is clear that he understands the issues at stake more than his colleagues.’’
"All those who watched the first debate have agreed that Dr Nduom beat all the others so why do they think their candidates who did not impress would do better this time?” Abdul Nasir Yusif of the CPP queried.
For her part, Nafisa Sumaila of the PNC was ‘‘two sure, two direct’’ as the party slogan goes that, Dr Mahama would put up a spirited argument to convince the electorate that ‘‘it is only the PNC that can address the needs and aspirations of the people.’’
The first presidential candidate to arrive in Tamale as part of the preparations for the debate is Dr Nduom who received a tumultuous reception into the metropolis at the weekend.
The candidate who appeared excited by the enthusiasm exhibited by his large followers waved back at cheering supporters with glee. Dr Nduom was accompanied by his running mate, Dr Abu Sakara, his wife, Mrs Nduom and some national executive of the party.
In a brief speech near the Dakpema Palace, Dr Nduom expressed his appreciation to the teeming supporters for their warm support and urged Ghanaians to vote massively for the CPP.
He also entreated the people who he said have been governed by both the NDC and NPP to give the CPP the chance to change their lives for the better and stressed, " a vote for CPP is a vote for peace, jobs and prosperity."
Both the presidential candidates for the NPP and PNC and their national executives are expected to arrive for the debate today with Professor Mills touching down tomorrow in readiness for the debate that promises to be keenly contested.
Friday, October 10, 2008
RTU SUPPORTERS DRAW DAGGERS...At 3 board members (GRAPHIC SPORTS, PAGE 8)
Crisis is looming in RTU as majority of the club’s youthful supporters are against an arrangement by a section of the Board of Directors to hand over the club to Wienco- the club’s sole sponsor.
The arrangement will allow Wienco, who is reported to have decided to pump in GH¢200,000, to take over management of the club and appoint its own executives. The supporters see this arrangement as the machinations of three Board members (the trio) who want to entrench themselves in the club after being at the helm of affairs for 14 years without chalking any appreciable progress.
The supporters, who represent the club’s eight supporters channels, spoke on condition of anonymity. They consider the move by the Board members in question, as inimical to the spirit and tradition of the club.
The Spokesman of the supporters said: “As much as we appreciate Wienco’s invaluable support to the club, we see no reason why it should allow itself to be influenced by people who are seeking for their selfish interests. Wienco’s decision is based on a proposal solely developed by Jones Alhassan -Abu without the input of members of the Board or even management”.
He added: “Ironically, Jones proposed himself and Adam Munkaila (Admun) as Accra representative and chief executive respectively. What greed! And Wienco accepted it without question”.
According to the supporters, they were not entirely surprised by the machinations of the Board members in question. He said: “These three Board members, who are close to Wienco, feel that the club is their birthright. One of them acted as the chairman of the Management Committee and managed the club for 14 years without any concrete achievement”.
Consequently, the Spokesperson said, the Board decided to reorganize the club to befit its professional status by appointing a substantive Chief Executive who would appoint his management team and operate it as a conventional corporate entity limited by shares.
To the chagrin of some members of the previous management and its Chairman, Malik Jabir- of Kotoko fame -was appointed the Chief Executive of the club and given the mandate to form his management team. Hardly had Malik settled down than some elements in the previous management mounted a campaign of calumny and whipped up discriminatory sentiments to remove him.
The Spokesman said: “Their reason was that it was not appropriate for a ‘Kotoko man’ to handle RTU because his loyalty could not be counted on. But the truth was that, with Malik at post, the trio would not be able to enjoy the bonanza they used to, when they were at the helm of affairs. They had a field day benefiting from the transfer of players and other moneys accruing to the club”.
The machinations of the trio paid off when the Board Chairman, Lepowura Alhaji Jawula -given his assignment with the local organising committee of the Can 2008 tournament in Ghana- temporarily handed over the Chairmanship of the Board to Mr. Ibrahim Adam.
“With Ibrahim Adam as acting chairman, the trio took advantage and convened a so-called Board meeting attended by themselves and one other person in Tamale and fired Malik unceremoniously.
The Spokesman added that this singular action incensed some of the supporters who had earlier on, agitated for the change of guard. Having gauged supporters’ reaction to their act, and found it unfavourable, the trio decided to maintain the management team that Malik left behind in order to cool tempers. Ibrahim Adam asked the team to act as an interim one and gave them the mandate to manage the club in November, 2008.
The Interim Management Committee (IMC) was made up of prominent personalities who were achievers in their own rights. Some were heads of departments and non-governmental organizations and the others were successful businessmen. They nominated Abdallah Kassim, a seasoned journalist and development communication practitioner as the Chairman.
By the middle of the league, one of the trio had become apprehensive of the success path that the IMC was beating and set in motion a plot to frustrate the IMC and sabotage the club. They used diverse means, including employing the services of witchdoctors, to weaken the playing team and emasculating the club financially, just to discredit the IMC to enable them take over.
According to the Spokesman, at a point, one of them “borrowed” $32,000 from the club’s so-called Board’s account, thereby depriving the team of funds when it needed it most. Paradoxically the trio is part of the signatories to the Board’s account. On many occasions the IMC had to go cup in hand, literally begging them for funds to run the club.
This plot led to the resignation of two resourceful members of the IMC who foresaw the calamity that was about to befall the club.
The trio’s grand design began to pay off, towards the end of the league when RTU was reeling at the bottom half of the league table, threatened by relegation. The trio, dressed in the proverbial wolf skin, portrayed themselves as messiahs out to salvage the club. But the truth was that, the trio plotted to sink the club.
The Spokesman said one of the trio is responsible for sending out invitations to Board meetings. The game plan was to portray him as incompetent at the Board’s meeting of Wednesday, July 31st, 2008, and oust him like they did to Malik. So the IMC chairman was not invited to the meeting even though convention demands that the Chair submits his end of season report at the said meeting.
However, he got wind of the meeting and attended. They had prepared the grounds for his removal. But other discerning, level headed members of the Board approached issues candidly. Eventually, the IMC Chair survived the Board meeting with a few criticisms and was asked to carry on with the management of the club with his team.
The trio did not give up. Based on the recommendations of the IMC’s end of season report, the sponsor, Wienco, decided to increase its monthly grant to the club from GH¢7,500 to GH¢12,500 and offer GH¢200,000 for the recruitment of seasoned and mature players for the coming soccer season.
The Spokesman said information reaching him has it that by the time the Board met to discuss the proposal which Wienco was privy to, on 20th September, , non of the Board members, including Lepowura Jawula,had seen or read it. Only four members attended including Lepowura Jawula.
“In effect what we are saying is that, yes we appreciate Wienco’s concern but let it behave like Tigo and MTN are doing for Kotoko and Hearts of Oak respectively. Wienco can demand accountability but it should not interfere. Let Wienco put in the money and challenge the present IMC. After all, Wienco’s action is based on the recommendations of the IMC. If they were not capable would Wienco have followed their recommendations? RTU, like Kotoko’ is a traditional pride, the symbol of the north, Make it businesslike but it should not be over adulterated in the name of modernism”.
The arrangement will allow Wienco, who is reported to have decided to pump in GH¢200,000, to take over management of the club and appoint its own executives. The supporters see this arrangement as the machinations of three Board members (the trio) who want to entrench themselves in the club after being at the helm of affairs for 14 years without chalking any appreciable progress.
The supporters, who represent the club’s eight supporters channels, spoke on condition of anonymity. They consider the move by the Board members in question, as inimical to the spirit and tradition of the club.
The Spokesman of the supporters said: “As much as we appreciate Wienco’s invaluable support to the club, we see no reason why it should allow itself to be influenced by people who are seeking for their selfish interests. Wienco’s decision is based on a proposal solely developed by Jones Alhassan -Abu without the input of members of the Board or even management”.
He added: “Ironically, Jones proposed himself and Adam Munkaila (Admun) as Accra representative and chief executive respectively. What greed! And Wienco accepted it without question”.
According to the supporters, they were not entirely surprised by the machinations of the Board members in question. He said: “These three Board members, who are close to Wienco, feel that the club is their birthright. One of them acted as the chairman of the Management Committee and managed the club for 14 years without any concrete achievement”.
Consequently, the Spokesperson said, the Board decided to reorganize the club to befit its professional status by appointing a substantive Chief Executive who would appoint his management team and operate it as a conventional corporate entity limited by shares.
To the chagrin of some members of the previous management and its Chairman, Malik Jabir- of Kotoko fame -was appointed the Chief Executive of the club and given the mandate to form his management team. Hardly had Malik settled down than some elements in the previous management mounted a campaign of calumny and whipped up discriminatory sentiments to remove him.
The Spokesman said: “Their reason was that it was not appropriate for a ‘Kotoko man’ to handle RTU because his loyalty could not be counted on. But the truth was that, with Malik at post, the trio would not be able to enjoy the bonanza they used to, when they were at the helm of affairs. They had a field day benefiting from the transfer of players and other moneys accruing to the club”.
The machinations of the trio paid off when the Board Chairman, Lepowura Alhaji Jawula -given his assignment with the local organising committee of the Can 2008 tournament in Ghana- temporarily handed over the Chairmanship of the Board to Mr. Ibrahim Adam.
“With Ibrahim Adam as acting chairman, the trio took advantage and convened a so-called Board meeting attended by themselves and one other person in Tamale and fired Malik unceremoniously.
The Spokesman added that this singular action incensed some of the supporters who had earlier on, agitated for the change of guard. Having gauged supporters’ reaction to their act, and found it unfavourable, the trio decided to maintain the management team that Malik left behind in order to cool tempers. Ibrahim Adam asked the team to act as an interim one and gave them the mandate to manage the club in November, 2008.
The Interim Management Committee (IMC) was made up of prominent personalities who were achievers in their own rights. Some were heads of departments and non-governmental organizations and the others were successful businessmen. They nominated Abdallah Kassim, a seasoned journalist and development communication practitioner as the Chairman.
By the middle of the league, one of the trio had become apprehensive of the success path that the IMC was beating and set in motion a plot to frustrate the IMC and sabotage the club. They used diverse means, including employing the services of witchdoctors, to weaken the playing team and emasculating the club financially, just to discredit the IMC to enable them take over.
According to the Spokesman, at a point, one of them “borrowed” $32,000 from the club’s so-called Board’s account, thereby depriving the team of funds when it needed it most. Paradoxically the trio is part of the signatories to the Board’s account. On many occasions the IMC had to go cup in hand, literally begging them for funds to run the club.
This plot led to the resignation of two resourceful members of the IMC who foresaw the calamity that was about to befall the club.
The trio’s grand design began to pay off, towards the end of the league when RTU was reeling at the bottom half of the league table, threatened by relegation. The trio, dressed in the proverbial wolf skin, portrayed themselves as messiahs out to salvage the club. But the truth was that, the trio plotted to sink the club.
The Spokesman said one of the trio is responsible for sending out invitations to Board meetings. The game plan was to portray him as incompetent at the Board’s meeting of Wednesday, July 31st, 2008, and oust him like they did to Malik. So the IMC chairman was not invited to the meeting even though convention demands that the Chair submits his end of season report at the said meeting.
However, he got wind of the meeting and attended. They had prepared the grounds for his removal. But other discerning, level headed members of the Board approached issues candidly. Eventually, the IMC Chair survived the Board meeting with a few criticisms and was asked to carry on with the management of the club with his team.
The trio did not give up. Based on the recommendations of the IMC’s end of season report, the sponsor, Wienco, decided to increase its monthly grant to the club from GH¢7,500 to GH¢12,500 and offer GH¢200,000 for the recruitment of seasoned and mature players for the coming soccer season.
The Spokesman said information reaching him has it that by the time the Board met to discuss the proposal which Wienco was privy to, on 20th September, , non of the Board members, including Lepowura Jawula,had seen or read it. Only four members attended including Lepowura Jawula.
“In effect what we are saying is that, yes we appreciate Wienco’s concern but let it behave like Tigo and MTN are doing for Kotoko and Hearts of Oak respectively. Wienco can demand accountability but it should not interfere. Let Wienco put in the money and challenge the present IMC. After all, Wienco’s action is based on the recommendations of the IMC. If they were not capable would Wienco have followed their recommendations? RTU, like Kotoko’ is a traditional pride, the symbol of the north, Make it businesslike but it should not be over adulterated in the name of modernism”.
Monday, September 29, 2008
ONE KILLED, 4 INJURED IN DISPUTE OVER LAND (PAGE 3)
ONE person is reported dead, while four others sustained various degrees of injury when they were allegedly attacked by some unidentified group on a disputed piece of farmland at Nkalingbani, near Tatale in the Zabzugu/Tatale District of the Northern Region yesterday morning.
The name of the deceased was only given as Yanyibu, a farmer and bicycle repairer.
One of the injured, who sustained gunshot wounds, was rushed to the Yendi Hospital for further treatment after some of the pellets that had been embedded in his body had been removed at the Zabzugu Health Centre.
The three other victims, who also sustained machete wounds, were, however, treated at and discharged from the Zabzugu Health Centre.
The Nkalingbani area has been turned into a ghost town as the residents are said to have fled for their lives.
According to the Yendi Divisional Police Commander, Mr Patrick A. Sarpong, there had not been any arrest yet. He, however, indicated that the situation was now calm.
He said police personnel had been detailed to the area to forestall the incident from degenerating into an ethnic conflict between the Basaris and the Konkombas following a long-standing dispute between the two groups over the rightful owners of the land.
Mr Sarpong said his outfit and the military command were currently assessing the situation in the area to help nip any further disturbances in the bud.
These disagreements have often degenerated in skirmishes between the two predominant groups in the area.
As a result, when the victims, who are all from the Basari group, went to till the land following the abundant rains in the area, they were allegedly ambushed by their assailants who opened fire on them, killing Yanyibu in the process.
The name of the deceased was only given as Yanyibu, a farmer and bicycle repairer.
One of the injured, who sustained gunshot wounds, was rushed to the Yendi Hospital for further treatment after some of the pellets that had been embedded in his body had been removed at the Zabzugu Health Centre.
The three other victims, who also sustained machete wounds, were, however, treated at and discharged from the Zabzugu Health Centre.
The Nkalingbani area has been turned into a ghost town as the residents are said to have fled for their lives.
According to the Yendi Divisional Police Commander, Mr Patrick A. Sarpong, there had not been any arrest yet. He, however, indicated that the situation was now calm.
He said police personnel had been detailed to the area to forestall the incident from degenerating into an ethnic conflict between the Basaris and the Konkombas following a long-standing dispute between the two groups over the rightful owners of the land.
Mr Sarpong said his outfit and the military command were currently assessing the situation in the area to help nip any further disturbances in the bud.
These disagreements have often degenerated in skirmishes between the two predominant groups in the area.
As a result, when the victims, who are all from the Basari group, went to till the land following the abundant rains in the area, they were allegedly ambushed by their assailants who opened fire on them, killing Yanyibu in the process.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
WORLD VISION ASSISTS DISASTER VICTIMS IN NORTHERN REGION (PAGE 29)
WORLD Vision-Ghana, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has presented relief items valued at GH¢12,000 to some affected victims of the recent floods in some parts of northern Ghana.
The items included treated mosquito nets, student mattresses and blankets, sets of cooking utensils, plastic mats, cups and spoons.
The beneficiary districts were Savelugu/Nanton, Tolon/Kumbungu, Gushiegu, Karaga and Saboba, all in the Northern Region, Nadowli in the Upper West Region and Garu Tempane in the Upper East Region.
The Associate Director of World Vision-Ghana in charge of the northern sector, Mr Daniel Salifu Danse, made the presentation to assembly members from the beneficiary districts at Savelugu for redistribution to the victims in their various communities.
He explained that the donation was to demonstrate the commitment of his organisation to help alleviate the plight of the people most of whom lost their homes and property to the floods.
The director also expressed concern about the devastating effects of the floods in northern Ghana within the last couple of years and described last year’s effects that equally included the lost of lives, hunger and disease as most unfortunate.
Mr Danse, therefore, called for more concerted and the appropriate efforts to mitigate the suffering of the people.
He, however, stated that the northern sector offices of World Vision-Ghana had already instituted a rapid response and assessment unit, mandated to reach out swiftly to support displaced persons in disaster situations.
The director further underscored the commitment of his organisation to constantly be in contact with sister organisations in Europe and other partner countries for the needed backing to assist the most vulnerable, particularly children and women, in such regrettable circumstances.
Mr Danse, however, advised distributors of such support items to ensure that they were equitably and fairly distributed to the actual beneficiaries of the disasters to mitigate their plights.
The items included treated mosquito nets, student mattresses and blankets, sets of cooking utensils, plastic mats, cups and spoons.
The beneficiary districts were Savelugu/Nanton, Tolon/Kumbungu, Gushiegu, Karaga and Saboba, all in the Northern Region, Nadowli in the Upper West Region and Garu Tempane in the Upper East Region.
The Associate Director of World Vision-Ghana in charge of the northern sector, Mr Daniel Salifu Danse, made the presentation to assembly members from the beneficiary districts at Savelugu for redistribution to the victims in their various communities.
He explained that the donation was to demonstrate the commitment of his organisation to help alleviate the plight of the people most of whom lost their homes and property to the floods.
The director also expressed concern about the devastating effects of the floods in northern Ghana within the last couple of years and described last year’s effects that equally included the lost of lives, hunger and disease as most unfortunate.
Mr Danse, therefore, called for more concerted and the appropriate efforts to mitigate the suffering of the people.
He, however, stated that the northern sector offices of World Vision-Ghana had already instituted a rapid response and assessment unit, mandated to reach out swiftly to support displaced persons in disaster situations.
The director further underscored the commitment of his organisation to constantly be in contact with sister organisations in Europe and other partner countries for the needed backing to assist the most vulnerable, particularly children and women, in such regrettable circumstances.
Mr Danse, however, advised distributors of such support items to ensure that they were equitably and fairly distributed to the actual beneficiaries of the disasters to mitigate their plights.
TAMALE TO BECOME INDUSTRIAL METROPOLIS (PAGE 20)
THE Tamale Industrial Area is the beehive of all industrial activities in the Northern Region.
The area, which occupies a large chunk of land, is located at Lamashegu, a suburb along the Tamale-Kumasi main road. It is the melting point of both large and small-scale industries.
Among the companies that are sited in the area are the Bosbel Vegetable Oil Mills, Ghana Cotton Company, Ghacem and Japan Motors.
It is also a home to a large concentration of artisans and craftsmen of varied trades. Their handiwork include the manufacture of articulated buckets, tractor trailers and ploughs, water pumps, corn thrashers and bullock ploughs.
They also mould and sell various kinds of spare parts. Other artisans are welders, sprayers, mechanics and straighteners.
It is a delight to observe the activities of the hundreds of artisans who converge on that part of the metropolis daily to use their various skills to irk out a living and also acquire some expertise. They range from the well-established proprietors (masters) who owe their own shops and firms to apprentices and squatters who avail themselves of every opportunity just to also acquire some skills.
It is, however, unfortunate that in spite of the hundreds of job opportunities that are being created at the industrial area coupled with their significant contribution to the national economy, the social amenities there are nothing to write home about.
Facilities such as public places of convenience, bath rooms, motorable roads and drains are woefully lacking. It is heart-warming however, that the major trunk road linking motorists to the area has now been worked on. It is hoped that the internal road network would equally receive attention to facilitate the easy movement of persons and vehicles within the area, especially during the rainy season.
Also of concern to the artisans and craftsmen is the unavailability of credit facilities for the expansion of their businesses.
A 53-year-old welder, Mr Afah Ibrahim Gbangbah, popularly known as ‘‘Blue Boy”, said ‘‘in spite of our willingness to continue with our trade, we are bedevilled with lack of credit facilities to acquire more machines to expand, as a result of which our businesses have collapsed’.’
It is hoped that the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) that established its branch in the metropolis a couple of years ago to cater for the entire northern sector of the country, would turn its attention to the area and assist their members to grow after concentrating on the southern sector over the years.
According to most of the artisans the Daily Graphic spoke to, they would be very glad if they could be assisted in the form of both equipment and funds to expand their establishments and also open new ones to create more jobs to generate the needed wealth to improve on their well-being.
They also called for refresher and capacity-building courses to empower them to improve on their lot.
The occasional disturbances that occur in northern Ghana is the reflection of the frustrations of the large army of unemployed youth that further gives credence to the fact that, the devil finds work for the idle hands.
With the necessary support and push, Tamale could experience an industrial growth that could lead to a boost in economic and business activities not only in the metropolis, but also the entire northern sector, to impact significantly on the quality of life of the people.
The area, which occupies a large chunk of land, is located at Lamashegu, a suburb along the Tamale-Kumasi main road. It is the melting point of both large and small-scale industries.
Among the companies that are sited in the area are the Bosbel Vegetable Oil Mills, Ghana Cotton Company, Ghacem and Japan Motors.
It is also a home to a large concentration of artisans and craftsmen of varied trades. Their handiwork include the manufacture of articulated buckets, tractor trailers and ploughs, water pumps, corn thrashers and bullock ploughs.
They also mould and sell various kinds of spare parts. Other artisans are welders, sprayers, mechanics and straighteners.
It is a delight to observe the activities of the hundreds of artisans who converge on that part of the metropolis daily to use their various skills to irk out a living and also acquire some expertise. They range from the well-established proprietors (masters) who owe their own shops and firms to apprentices and squatters who avail themselves of every opportunity just to also acquire some skills.
It is, however, unfortunate that in spite of the hundreds of job opportunities that are being created at the industrial area coupled with their significant contribution to the national economy, the social amenities there are nothing to write home about.
Facilities such as public places of convenience, bath rooms, motorable roads and drains are woefully lacking. It is heart-warming however, that the major trunk road linking motorists to the area has now been worked on. It is hoped that the internal road network would equally receive attention to facilitate the easy movement of persons and vehicles within the area, especially during the rainy season.
Also of concern to the artisans and craftsmen is the unavailability of credit facilities for the expansion of their businesses.
A 53-year-old welder, Mr Afah Ibrahim Gbangbah, popularly known as ‘‘Blue Boy”, said ‘‘in spite of our willingness to continue with our trade, we are bedevilled with lack of credit facilities to acquire more machines to expand, as a result of which our businesses have collapsed’.’
It is hoped that the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) that established its branch in the metropolis a couple of years ago to cater for the entire northern sector of the country, would turn its attention to the area and assist their members to grow after concentrating on the southern sector over the years.
According to most of the artisans the Daily Graphic spoke to, they would be very glad if they could be assisted in the form of both equipment and funds to expand their establishments and also open new ones to create more jobs to generate the needed wealth to improve on their well-being.
They also called for refresher and capacity-building courses to empower them to improve on their lot.
The occasional disturbances that occur in northern Ghana is the reflection of the frustrations of the large army of unemployed youth that further gives credence to the fact that, the devil finds work for the idle hands.
With the necessary support and push, Tamale could experience an industrial growth that could lead to a boost in economic and business activities not only in the metropolis, but also the entire northern sector, to impact significantly on the quality of life of the people.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
NEW SCIENCE LABORATORY FOR GHANASCO (PAGE 20)
WORK has begun on the construction of a GH¢600,000 modern science laboratory for the Ghana Senior High School (GHANASCO) in Tamale.
The state-of-the-art facility, which would be the first of its kind in the northern part of the country when completed, forms part of the government’s efforts to encourage the teaching and learning of science in schools in the area.
The project that is being funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) would include Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture and Physics laboratories. The school, which has a population of 1,800 students, offers General Science, General Arts and Home Economics.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, who inspected the project, stated that the government had placed premium on the study of sciences as a backbone for the industrial and technological development of the country.
‘‘I would, therefore, advise the students to take their studies seriously to justify the huge investment the government has made in the educational sector over the years,’’ the minister stated.
He also charged the contractors working on the project not only to deliver quality job, but must also ensure that work was completed on schedule to enable the students to make maximum use of the facility.
The Headmistress of the school, Madam Mary Asobayiri, appealed for a new girls’ dormitory block to replace the old one, which was gradually sinking as a result of structural defects.
According to her, the situation of the girls’ dormitory was of great concern to the school authorities, stressing that if the building collapsed, it would not only make the girls vulnerable, but would also affect their academic performance.
She also complained of encroachment on the school’s land, and, therefore, appealed for a fence to protect school facilities and ensure adequate security for both staff and students.
‘‘We further entreat the government to help address the perennial water shortage in the school by ensuring that the school benefits from the ongoing water expansion project in the Tamale metropolis to save the time and energy our students use in searching for water daily,’’ the headmistress stressed.
Madam Asobayiri expressed appreciation to the government for the laboratory project and said the facility, which she promised to maintain, would be open to other students from the area.
The state-of-the-art facility, which would be the first of its kind in the northern part of the country when completed, forms part of the government’s efforts to encourage the teaching and learning of science in schools in the area.
The project that is being funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) would include Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture and Physics laboratories. The school, which has a population of 1,800 students, offers General Science, General Arts and Home Economics.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, who inspected the project, stated that the government had placed premium on the study of sciences as a backbone for the industrial and technological development of the country.
‘‘I would, therefore, advise the students to take their studies seriously to justify the huge investment the government has made in the educational sector over the years,’’ the minister stated.
He also charged the contractors working on the project not only to deliver quality job, but must also ensure that work was completed on schedule to enable the students to make maximum use of the facility.
The Headmistress of the school, Madam Mary Asobayiri, appealed for a new girls’ dormitory block to replace the old one, which was gradually sinking as a result of structural defects.
According to her, the situation of the girls’ dormitory was of great concern to the school authorities, stressing that if the building collapsed, it would not only make the girls vulnerable, but would also affect their academic performance.
She also complained of encroachment on the school’s land, and, therefore, appealed for a fence to protect school facilities and ensure adequate security for both staff and students.
‘‘We further entreat the government to help address the perennial water shortage in the school by ensuring that the school benefits from the ongoing water expansion project in the Tamale metropolis to save the time and energy our students use in searching for water daily,’’ the headmistress stressed.
Madam Asobayiri expressed appreciation to the government for the laboratory project and said the facility, which she promised to maintain, would be open to other students from the area.
WOES OF LOAN SEEKERS IN TAMALE (PAGE 29)
THE management of banks and other financial institutions operating in the Tamale metropolis have expressed concern over the inability of most prospective loan seekers to provide the necessary documentation, including lease on their landed property as a guarantee for offering them loans.
They observed that as financial institutions, their dealings with businessmen and customers in general required that they demanded collaterals which included immovable property such as buildings before agreeing to offer loans.
This situation has been attributed to the current chieftaincy impasse in Dagbon that has led to the long delay in enskinning a substantive Ya-Na for the Kingdom.
As the Overlord of the entire Dagbon area, the Ya-Na is the signatory to all lease documents that gives authenticity to such landed property before the final approval by the government.
However, since the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis in March 2002, which claimed the life of the king, all lease documents have not been signed, therefore, making it difficult for newly acquired landed property owners to access loans from the banks as there are no authenticated documents on their buildings to use as security.
The concerns were raised at the first consultative meeting between the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TAMA) and management of banks operating in the metropolis.
Among other issues discussed were how to take advantage of the presence of the banks in the metropolis to create an enabling climate for the promotion of business in the area.
Responding to the concerns raised by the banks, the TAMA Co-ordinating Director, Alhaji Adam Mohammed Baba, said the issue over the appointment and subsequent enskinment of a Ya-Na was a traditional matter that was much bigger than the assembly.
He, however, indicated the preparedness of the assembly to hold consultations with the Northern Regional House of Chiefs and the Lands Commission for advice and an interim arrangement for the way forward.
‘‘The banks can also find other alternative means that can involve entering into legal agreements with prospective loan seekers for your mutual benefit,’’ Alhaji Baba further suggested.
There has been an influx of banks into the metropolis over a couple of years now. The new banks include the Amalgamated, Home Finance Company and the Intercontinental banks.
At the moment, the Zenith and Stanbic banks are busily constructing their offices in the central business district while Ecobank and UBA are also said to be in the process of acquiring land to put up their structures.
These are aside the traditional banks, such as Stanchart, Barclays, SG-SSB, First Ghana Building Society and the Bonzali Rural bank which have been operating in the metropolis over the years.
The rest are the National Investment, Ghana Commercial and Agricultural Development banks.
In an earlier address, the Mayor of Tamale, Mr Mohammed Amin Adam Anta, partly attributed this development to the investment forum held in Accra and Tamale in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
‘‘It is the wish of the assembly that the increase in the number of banks would not only bring about healthy competition but also translate into increased volume of trade and credit facilities to the business community,’’ he said.
The mayor indicated that there were a lot of business opportunities in Tamale and announced that work would soon commence on a livestock market in Tamale to serve as a trading point between Tamale and Fada N’ Gourma in Burkina Faso.
It is being funded by the Canadian District Wide Assistance Project (DWAP).
‘‘We have also received proposals from a Chinese Textile manufacturing company, Jingwei Textile Machinery, expressing interest in providing loans to a Ghanaian business woman resident in the UK who intends to establish a textile company in the metropolis,’’ he added.
Mr Anta gave the assurance that the assembly would provide the needed security for all business establishments in the area.
They observed that as financial institutions, their dealings with businessmen and customers in general required that they demanded collaterals which included immovable property such as buildings before agreeing to offer loans.
This situation has been attributed to the current chieftaincy impasse in Dagbon that has led to the long delay in enskinning a substantive Ya-Na for the Kingdom.
As the Overlord of the entire Dagbon area, the Ya-Na is the signatory to all lease documents that gives authenticity to such landed property before the final approval by the government.
However, since the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis in March 2002, which claimed the life of the king, all lease documents have not been signed, therefore, making it difficult for newly acquired landed property owners to access loans from the banks as there are no authenticated documents on their buildings to use as security.
The concerns were raised at the first consultative meeting between the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TAMA) and management of banks operating in the metropolis.
Among other issues discussed were how to take advantage of the presence of the banks in the metropolis to create an enabling climate for the promotion of business in the area.
Responding to the concerns raised by the banks, the TAMA Co-ordinating Director, Alhaji Adam Mohammed Baba, said the issue over the appointment and subsequent enskinment of a Ya-Na was a traditional matter that was much bigger than the assembly.
He, however, indicated the preparedness of the assembly to hold consultations with the Northern Regional House of Chiefs and the Lands Commission for advice and an interim arrangement for the way forward.
‘‘The banks can also find other alternative means that can involve entering into legal agreements with prospective loan seekers for your mutual benefit,’’ Alhaji Baba further suggested.
There has been an influx of banks into the metropolis over a couple of years now. The new banks include the Amalgamated, Home Finance Company and the Intercontinental banks.
At the moment, the Zenith and Stanbic banks are busily constructing their offices in the central business district while Ecobank and UBA are also said to be in the process of acquiring land to put up their structures.
These are aside the traditional banks, such as Stanchart, Barclays, SG-SSB, First Ghana Building Society and the Bonzali Rural bank which have been operating in the metropolis over the years.
The rest are the National Investment, Ghana Commercial and Agricultural Development banks.
In an earlier address, the Mayor of Tamale, Mr Mohammed Amin Adam Anta, partly attributed this development to the investment forum held in Accra and Tamale in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
‘‘It is the wish of the assembly that the increase in the number of banks would not only bring about healthy competition but also translate into increased volume of trade and credit facilities to the business community,’’ he said.
The mayor indicated that there were a lot of business opportunities in Tamale and announced that work would soon commence on a livestock market in Tamale to serve as a trading point between Tamale and Fada N’ Gourma in Burkina Faso.
It is being funded by the Canadian District Wide Assistance Project (DWAP).
‘‘We have also received proposals from a Chinese Textile manufacturing company, Jingwei Textile Machinery, expressing interest in providing loans to a Ghanaian business woman resident in the UK who intends to establish a textile company in the metropolis,’’ he added.
Mr Anta gave the assurance that the assembly would provide the needed security for all business establishments in the area.
Friday, September 12, 2008
WORK BEGINS ON A SCIENCE LAB FOR GHANASCO (PAGE 11)
WORK has begun on the construction of a modern science laboratory estimated at GH¢600,000 for the Ghana Senior High School (GHANASCO) in Tamale in the Northern Region.
When completed, the facility would form part of the government’s efforts to encourage the teaching and learning of science in schools in the area.
The project, which is being funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), would include Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Agriculture laboratories.
The school has a population of 1,800 students and offers General Science, General Arts and Home Economics.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, explained that the government placed premium on the study of sciences because it is the backbone for the industrial and technological development of the country.
He advised the students to take their studies seriously to justify the huge investments the government had made in the educational sector over the years.
The minister charged the contractors of the project to endeavour to deliver quality job that would be completed on schedule to enable the students to make maximum use of the facility.
The Headmistress of the school, Madam Mary Asobayiri, expressed concern that the school’s land had been encroached upon and stressed the need for a fence to be erected urgently to protect school facilities and ensure adequate security for both staff and students.
She appealed for a new girls’ dormitory block to replace the old one that was gradually sinking as a result of structural defects.
According to her, the situation was of great concern to the school authorities and that with the collapse of the building, the girls would not only become vulnerable but that this would also affect their academic performance.
‘‘We further entreat government to help address the perennial water shortage in the school by ensuring that the school benefits from the ongoing water expansion project in the Tamale metropolis to save the time and energy our students use in searching for water daily,’’ the headmistress appealed.
Madam Asobayiri expressed appreciation to the government for the laboratory project and said the facility, which she promised to maintain, would be open to other students from the area.
When completed, the facility would form part of the government’s efforts to encourage the teaching and learning of science in schools in the area.
The project, which is being funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), would include Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Agriculture laboratories.
The school has a population of 1,800 students and offers General Science, General Arts and Home Economics.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, explained that the government placed premium on the study of sciences because it is the backbone for the industrial and technological development of the country.
He advised the students to take their studies seriously to justify the huge investments the government had made in the educational sector over the years.
The minister charged the contractors of the project to endeavour to deliver quality job that would be completed on schedule to enable the students to make maximum use of the facility.
The Headmistress of the school, Madam Mary Asobayiri, expressed concern that the school’s land had been encroached upon and stressed the need for a fence to be erected urgently to protect school facilities and ensure adequate security for both staff and students.
She appealed for a new girls’ dormitory block to replace the old one that was gradually sinking as a result of structural defects.
According to her, the situation was of great concern to the school authorities and that with the collapse of the building, the girls would not only become vulnerable but that this would also affect their academic performance.
‘‘We further entreat government to help address the perennial water shortage in the school by ensuring that the school benefits from the ongoing water expansion project in the Tamale metropolis to save the time and energy our students use in searching for water daily,’’ the headmistress appealed.
Madam Asobayiri expressed appreciation to the government for the laboratory project and said the facility, which she promised to maintain, would be open to other students from the area.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
TAMALE IS CALM (PAGE 29)
Tamale is calm. The Central Business District is also booming with a lot of business activities while the central and Aboabo markets are vibrant as usual.
The political skirmishes that nearly disturbed the prevailing peace in parts of the metropolis have since been under control. According to the Tamale Metropolitan Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Abanga Cascar, “We have intensified our day and night patrols in the area and so far, there has not been any cause for alarm as people are going about their duties peacefully.
The Mayor of Tamale, Mr Mohammed Amin Adam Anta, also acknowledged in an interview that “you have challenges as you operate in the city but let me assure you that the assembly would support where necessary to provide the needed environment for decent business to thrive”.
He, however, said that the assembly had already established the Metropolitan Electoral Security Task Force to ensure that peace prevailed before and after the December general elections.
In the ensuing disturbances, three motorbikes and a bicycle were burnt while a shed belonging to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the former National Democratic Congress (NDC) Northern Regional Office building including some stores were also destroyed in the arson.
The commander said no arrest had been made yet in connection with the infractions but that investigations were ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators of the violence.
Executives of both parties have blamed each other for being the cause of the disturbances that followed after the NPP vice-presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, had addressed thousands of party supporters at the Tamale Jubilee Park that Sunday evening.
The political skirmishes that nearly disturbed the prevailing peace in parts of the metropolis have since been under control. According to the Tamale Metropolitan Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Abanga Cascar, “We have intensified our day and night patrols in the area and so far, there has not been any cause for alarm as people are going about their duties peacefully.
The Mayor of Tamale, Mr Mohammed Amin Adam Anta, also acknowledged in an interview that “you have challenges as you operate in the city but let me assure you that the assembly would support where necessary to provide the needed environment for decent business to thrive”.
He, however, said that the assembly had already established the Metropolitan Electoral Security Task Force to ensure that peace prevailed before and after the December general elections.
In the ensuing disturbances, three motorbikes and a bicycle were burnt while a shed belonging to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the former National Democratic Congress (NDC) Northern Regional Office building including some stores were also destroyed in the arson.
The commander said no arrest had been made yet in connection with the infractions but that investigations were ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators of the violence.
Executives of both parties have blamed each other for being the cause of the disturbances that followed after the NPP vice-presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, had addressed thousands of party supporters at the Tamale Jubilee Park that Sunday evening.
CONCERNED CITIZENS LAUD GOVERNMENT (PAGE 29)
THE Concerned Citizens Association of Tamale (CCAT) has commended the government for the ongoing Tamale Water Supply Expansion and Rehabilitation Project.
The association said it had observed with admiration, not only the completion of a reservoir at Kukuo Yapalsi but also the laying of new pipes in some suburbs of the metropolis and its environs.
‘‘This development is indeed a demonstration of the commitment of the sector ministry and the government to finding a lasting solution to the perennial water shortages and the attendant crises in Tamale and its environs,’’ the association said.
The President of the association, Mr Basharu Alhassan Daballi, who gave the commendation in Tamale, however, drew the attention of the government to the inability of the contractors, Messrs Biwater B.V. of the Netherlands, to rehabilitate the main treatment plant at Dalun.
‘‘The rehabilitation of the Dalun treatment plant, which is part of the contract agreement, has been left out, and this situation in no uncertain terms will affect the projected realisation of the water demands of the people now and in the future by the year 2020 as envisaged in the agreement,’’ he said.
The 45 million euro project is being jointly funded by the Dutch and Ghana governments.
Work on it commenced in August 2006 and was scheduled to have been completed within a two-year period.
The project, upon its completion, will bring the water supply system to its installed capacity of 9.3 million gallons a day to meet the demands of the growing population up to the year 2020.
The current plant production capacity is about 4.3 million gallons, which is being rationed to the people.
Mr Daballi further made reference to a letter from the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing in response to an earlier concern the association raised in a letter to the ministry in 2006.
In the ministry’s response, it gave the assurance that it would ensure strict adherence to transparency and real value for money in the execution of the project and welcomed any collaborative role civil society groups would play to promote the best interests of the country.
‘‘It is in the light of this commitment to the interest of the country demonstrated by your ministry and government that we seek clarification on why the rehabilitation of the Dalun treatment plant has been left out,’’ he stated.
The association said it had observed with admiration, not only the completion of a reservoir at Kukuo Yapalsi but also the laying of new pipes in some suburbs of the metropolis and its environs.
‘‘This development is indeed a demonstration of the commitment of the sector ministry and the government to finding a lasting solution to the perennial water shortages and the attendant crises in Tamale and its environs,’’ the association said.
The President of the association, Mr Basharu Alhassan Daballi, who gave the commendation in Tamale, however, drew the attention of the government to the inability of the contractors, Messrs Biwater B.V. of the Netherlands, to rehabilitate the main treatment plant at Dalun.
‘‘The rehabilitation of the Dalun treatment plant, which is part of the contract agreement, has been left out, and this situation in no uncertain terms will affect the projected realisation of the water demands of the people now and in the future by the year 2020 as envisaged in the agreement,’’ he said.
The 45 million euro project is being jointly funded by the Dutch and Ghana governments.
Work on it commenced in August 2006 and was scheduled to have been completed within a two-year period.
The project, upon its completion, will bring the water supply system to its installed capacity of 9.3 million gallons a day to meet the demands of the growing population up to the year 2020.
The current plant production capacity is about 4.3 million gallons, which is being rationed to the people.
Mr Daballi further made reference to a letter from the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing in response to an earlier concern the association raised in a letter to the ministry in 2006.
In the ministry’s response, it gave the assurance that it would ensure strict adherence to transparency and real value for money in the execution of the project and welcomed any collaborative role civil society groups would play to promote the best interests of the country.
‘‘It is in the light of this commitment to the interest of the country demonstrated by your ministry and government that we seek clarification on why the rehabilitation of the Dalun treatment plant has been left out,’’ he stated.
FIVE NARROWLY ESCAPE DEATH (PAGE 29)
Luck smiled on occupants of a saloon car when a mighty oak tree fell on the car and the kiosks at Ward ‘K,’’ a Tamale suburb last Thursday. Some nearby kiosks and a metal container were not spared the impact of the fallen tree either.
Five persons, including the occupants of the car and of the container, were safely pulled out of the wreckage with minor injuries.
Some of the items in the container and kiosk were destroyed in the process.
Some nearby residents and passers-by were not, however, fortunate as they were attacked by bees which were perching in the branches of the tree.
When the oak tree went down the bees, whose peace apparently was disturbed, went berserk, stinging anybody in sight.
The branches of the fallen tree partially covered a portion of the main road from the Warders Canteen leading to the Sakasaka quarters, thus obstructing driving on the busy, narrow road.
According to an eyewitness, Mr Iddrisu Musah, the incident occurred at about 3 p.m. after a rainstorm the previous day. The wreckage is yet to be cleared from the scene of the accident.
This incident occurred in the wake of the heavy and incessant rains in Tamale and the northern part of the country in general this year that claimed lives and caused injuries and massive damage to properties. A number of houses and structures also collapsed.
The latest victim to have suffered from this calamity was a security man with a firm in Tamale, Mr Mohammed Amin, 45.
He died two weeks ago on a Thursday night in his attempt to cross a drain at Gumani on his way home to Jisonayili after work.
Among the hardest hit suburbs are Gumani, Builpela, Choggu and some surrounding communities where many rooms and houses have been submerged in water.
Some of the victims are currently putting up with friends and relations while those who suffered severe injuries are receiving treatment at the hospital.
Some of the victims the Daily Graphic spoke to urgently appealed to the authorities of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and philanthropists to come to their aid.
A victim, Mr Afah Muhammadu Iddi, said ‘‘at the moment, all I have is what I am wearing. The rest of my properties and those of my children including books and other valuable items were either carried away or soaked in the water.’’
Five persons, including the occupants of the car and of the container, were safely pulled out of the wreckage with minor injuries.
Some of the items in the container and kiosk were destroyed in the process.
Some nearby residents and passers-by were not, however, fortunate as they were attacked by bees which were perching in the branches of the tree.
When the oak tree went down the bees, whose peace apparently was disturbed, went berserk, stinging anybody in sight.
The branches of the fallen tree partially covered a portion of the main road from the Warders Canteen leading to the Sakasaka quarters, thus obstructing driving on the busy, narrow road.
According to an eyewitness, Mr Iddrisu Musah, the incident occurred at about 3 p.m. after a rainstorm the previous day. The wreckage is yet to be cleared from the scene of the accident.
This incident occurred in the wake of the heavy and incessant rains in Tamale and the northern part of the country in general this year that claimed lives and caused injuries and massive damage to properties. A number of houses and structures also collapsed.
The latest victim to have suffered from this calamity was a security man with a firm in Tamale, Mr Mohammed Amin, 45.
He died two weeks ago on a Thursday night in his attempt to cross a drain at Gumani on his way home to Jisonayili after work.
Among the hardest hit suburbs are Gumani, Builpela, Choggu and some surrounding communities where many rooms and houses have been submerged in water.
Some of the victims are currently putting up with friends and relations while those who suffered severe injuries are receiving treatment at the hospital.
Some of the victims the Daily Graphic spoke to urgently appealed to the authorities of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and philanthropists to come to their aid.
A victim, Mr Afah Muhammadu Iddi, said ‘‘at the moment, all I have is what I am wearing. The rest of my properties and those of my children including books and other valuable items were either carried away or soaked in the water.’’
MORE ASSISTANCE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN (PAGE 20)
THE British Secretary of State for International Development, Mr Douglas Alexander, has announced an additional package of £6.76 million to assist Ghana successfully to implement the free maternal care for pregnant women in the country.
He explained that the funds would be used to improve emergency obstetric care for the beneficiaries of the initiative that was begun in the country a couple of months ago.
According to him, the British government was impressed with the response to the programme so far and the successful manner it was being operated in the country.
‘‘I value the work the government of Ghana is doing from what we have seen since our arrival and I will return to London with very fond memories of this country,’’ Mr Alexander stated.
The Secretary of State made the announcement when he led a five-member team to the Savelugu District Hospital in the Savelugu/Nanton District in the Northern Region on Sunday where he visited some pregnant women who had queued up for maternal care.
Mr Alexander commended health workers in the area for the high levels of professionalism they exhibited in their work and urged them to continue to give their best.
He described the relationship between the two countries as very cordial and fruitful, adding that it was for that reason the British government was extending resources to Ghana to help improve on the quality of life of her people.
Mr Alexander commended President John Agyekum Kufuor especially for his personal efforts and initiative, which, he noted, resulted in the disbursement of the special package for the pregnant women.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Alhaji Abubakari Atori, expressed appreciation to the British government for the immense assistance she had offered the people of the district over the years.
He mentioned education and health as the sectors that had seen much transformation in the area through the support of the Department for International Development (DFID).
The DCE mentioned the offer of incentive packages and the construction of quarters for teachers in deprived communities, capacity building and the support for needy children as some of the benefits of DFID interventions.
He explained that the funds would be used to improve emergency obstetric care for the beneficiaries of the initiative that was begun in the country a couple of months ago.
According to him, the British government was impressed with the response to the programme so far and the successful manner it was being operated in the country.
‘‘I value the work the government of Ghana is doing from what we have seen since our arrival and I will return to London with very fond memories of this country,’’ Mr Alexander stated.
The Secretary of State made the announcement when he led a five-member team to the Savelugu District Hospital in the Savelugu/Nanton District in the Northern Region on Sunday where he visited some pregnant women who had queued up for maternal care.
Mr Alexander commended health workers in the area for the high levels of professionalism they exhibited in their work and urged them to continue to give their best.
He described the relationship between the two countries as very cordial and fruitful, adding that it was for that reason the British government was extending resources to Ghana to help improve on the quality of life of her people.
Mr Alexander commended President John Agyekum Kufuor especially for his personal efforts and initiative, which, he noted, resulted in the disbursement of the special package for the pregnant women.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Alhaji Abubakari Atori, expressed appreciation to the British government for the immense assistance she had offered the people of the district over the years.
He mentioned education and health as the sectors that had seen much transformation in the area through the support of the Department for International Development (DFID).
The DCE mentioned the offer of incentive packages and the construction of quarters for teachers in deprived communities, capacity building and the support for needy children as some of the benefits of DFID interventions.
Monday, September 8, 2008
TRANSFER OF GUSHIEGU SUSPECTS SUSPENDED (SPREAD)
THE transfer of the six suspects who were arrested in connection with the political violence at Gushiegu in the Northern Region last Monday to Accra for screening and subsequent prosecution has been suspended temporarily.
The suspects include three siblings, Mohammed Alidu, 25, Abukari Alidu, 26 and Sulemana Alidu, 30. The rest are Alhassan Mohammed, 26, Mohammed Imoro, 41, and Alidu Abdulai, 42.
As a result, the suspects who were all sent to the Tamale Airport last Saturday morning to be flown to Accra had to be brought back and placed under police custody.
Briefing the press at the Tamale Airport last Saturday, the Deputy Northern Regional Police Commander, ACP Maxwell Atindane, said further investigations were ongoing to apprehend more suspects connected to the disturbances so that they could be transferred en masse.
The transfer of the suspects to Accra followed an order by the Interior Minister, Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor, to that respect during a meeting with the leadership of major political parties, the security, religious and opinion leaders in Tamale last Thursday.
The minister and his delegation were in Tamale to ascertain the security situation in the metropolis and Gushiegu and also examine the level of damage to life and property in the troubled areas.
The violence at Gushiegu was a spill-over from an earlier clash between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Kpatinga near Gushiegu, last Sunday 31 August.
The NPP supporters were returning home after erecting a party shed, while their NDC colleagues were also on their way after attending a rally in the same locality.
The situation further degenerated when both supporters returned to Gushiegu to narrate the incident to their followers, leading to the mayhem that was visited on the town on Monday morning September 1.
A number of properties were destroyed, while some people sustained various degrees of injuries in the ensuing violence.
Both parties have, however, blamed each other for being the aggressors.
The suspects include three siblings, Mohammed Alidu, 25, Abukari Alidu, 26 and Sulemana Alidu, 30. The rest are Alhassan Mohammed, 26, Mohammed Imoro, 41, and Alidu Abdulai, 42.
As a result, the suspects who were all sent to the Tamale Airport last Saturday morning to be flown to Accra had to be brought back and placed under police custody.
Briefing the press at the Tamale Airport last Saturday, the Deputy Northern Regional Police Commander, ACP Maxwell Atindane, said further investigations were ongoing to apprehend more suspects connected to the disturbances so that they could be transferred en masse.
The transfer of the suspects to Accra followed an order by the Interior Minister, Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor, to that respect during a meeting with the leadership of major political parties, the security, religious and opinion leaders in Tamale last Thursday.
The minister and his delegation were in Tamale to ascertain the security situation in the metropolis and Gushiegu and also examine the level of damage to life and property in the troubled areas.
The violence at Gushiegu was a spill-over from an earlier clash between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Kpatinga near Gushiegu, last Sunday 31 August.
The NPP supporters were returning home after erecting a party shed, while their NDC colleagues were also on their way after attending a rally in the same locality.
The situation further degenerated when both supporters returned to Gushiegu to narrate the incident to their followers, leading to the mayhem that was visited on the town on Monday morning September 1.
A number of properties were destroyed, while some people sustained various degrees of injuries in the ensuing violence.
Both parties have, however, blamed each other for being the aggressors.
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