Story & Picture: Zakaria
Alhassan, Tamale
07/03/08
RESIDENTS of Tamale have expressed grave concern over the rampant accidents on the Agric, Gumani and Jisonayili junctions along the Tamale Bolgatanga road.
The latest accident occurred early on Wednesday morning at the Agric junction when a Niger bound passenger bus run into a nearby house.
Luckily, there were no fatalities. However, one person, Amadu Yakubu who was fast asleep in the room and hit by the vehicle sustained a broken limp and is responding to treatment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
The cause of the accident which happened at 3am was not immediately known but some eye witnesses alleged that the driver was either sleeping or had a faulty break system.
Several accidents have occurred on that particular junction and claimed several lives.
The busy dual carriage road leads into a single lane which links the other junctions. Being a major trunk road, heavy-duty vehicles that ply between Ghana and neighbouring countries such as Burkina Fasso and Niger are constantly driving through it day and night.
A number of schools in the metropolis are also located in the area, thus exposing the teachers, workers, pupils and students some of whom ride bicycles home after closing to constant danger.
Majority of the children walk while others wait precariously on the shoulders of the roads for their parents or drivers to pick them.
The regular use of the road and the occasional break down of trucks on it also leads to the spillage of oil resulting in the destruction of the multi-billion cedis asphalt roads.
It is for these reasons that residents of the metropolis have appealed to the Department of Urban Roads to, as a matter of urgency, pay attention to the road by turning it into a dual carriage way to facilitate the free flow of vehicles and people.
In the short term, some resident have suggested that the department installed traffic lights at the two junctions including the one at the NORRIP Village along the same road to direct the heavy traffic at those black spots to avert further accidents.
A teacher, Mr Suhiyini Nbang-ba, also entreated the authorities at the Department of Urban Roads to do well to extend the ‘‘safe road to school’’ project where secured passages were being created for school children in some parts of the metropolis on the road.
When the co-ordinating director of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Alhaji Adam Mohammed Baba, was contacted, he said discussions were ongoing with various stakeholders to see how the situation could be contained.
In the short term, he said, rumble strips had been erected at those junctions while studies would be conducted to ascertain the feasibility of installing traffic lights at those spots on the highway.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Haruna, Fuseini to contest NDC seats
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale
Much to the expectation of his constituents, political pundits and admirers, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Mr Iddrisu Haruna, has filed his nomination to contest the seat for the second time running.
Also filing to contest the Tamale Central seat is the sitting MP, Mr Inusah Fuseini.
The two, young, dynamic lawyers filed their papers on separate days at their constituency offices, witnessed by their enthusiastic followers.
While Mr Haruna won massively in the 2004 elections to represent his people in Parliament, Mr Fuseini got his mandate through a by-election he won convincingly in April 2006 following the resignation of the then NDC MP for the constituency, Professor Wayo Seini, who crossed carpet back to the NPP in March 2006.
According to Mr Haruna, his decision to contest again was to “enable me to complete my unfinished business in helping to improve the quality of life of my people through the various development projects we have embarked upon”.
He said since his election into the august house in 2004, he had lived up to the expectation of the people and Ghanaians, stressing, “I have no doubt that even my detractors will agree with me that I have made significant contributions, both in Parliament and outside it, for the good of not only my constituents but also the nation”.
The MP, who is the Minority Spokesperson on Communications, described his constituency as stable and said he had no doubt that the people would repose their confidence in him again to continue his crusade of championing their cause.
“Even the NPP admits that it has no chance in this constituency and I will be surprised if the NPP candidate wins in more than one of the polling stations in the December election,” he said.
Out of the 82 polling stations in the constituency, the NPP won at only three in the 2004 elections.
On the general election, Mr Haruna, who is also the Youth Organiser of the NDC, gave the assurance that the party’s presidential candidate, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, would take over the reins of government, come January 2009, saying, “We can assure Prof. Mills of massive support and victory in the elections.”
The MP expressed appreciation to the leadership and supporters of the party for their unflinching loyalty and confidence in him and the party over the years and stated that they would never be disappointed.
For his part, Mr Fuseini explained that he decided to contest again following consultations with various stakeholders of the party in the constituency and other well wishers.
“I am sure the people are demonstrating their confidence in me as a result of the numerous development projects I have carried out in the constituency since my”, he intimated.
The MP further indicated that apart from keeping close contact with the people, he was also fulfilling most of the promises he made in his 2006 campaign, while supporting some groups, including women.
Much to the expectation of his constituents, political pundits and admirers, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Mr Iddrisu Haruna, has filed his nomination to contest the seat for the second time running.
Also filing to contest the Tamale Central seat is the sitting MP, Mr Inusah Fuseini.
The two, young, dynamic lawyers filed their papers on separate days at their constituency offices, witnessed by their enthusiastic followers.
While Mr Haruna won massively in the 2004 elections to represent his people in Parliament, Mr Fuseini got his mandate through a by-election he won convincingly in April 2006 following the resignation of the then NDC MP for the constituency, Professor Wayo Seini, who crossed carpet back to the NPP in March 2006.
According to Mr Haruna, his decision to contest again was to “enable me to complete my unfinished business in helping to improve the quality of life of my people through the various development projects we have embarked upon”.
He said since his election into the august house in 2004, he had lived up to the expectation of the people and Ghanaians, stressing, “I have no doubt that even my detractors will agree with me that I have made significant contributions, both in Parliament and outside it, for the good of not only my constituents but also the nation”.
The MP, who is the Minority Spokesperson on Communications, described his constituency as stable and said he had no doubt that the people would repose their confidence in him again to continue his crusade of championing their cause.
“Even the NPP admits that it has no chance in this constituency and I will be surprised if the NPP candidate wins in more than one of the polling stations in the December election,” he said.
Out of the 82 polling stations in the constituency, the NPP won at only three in the 2004 elections.
On the general election, Mr Haruna, who is also the Youth Organiser of the NDC, gave the assurance that the party’s presidential candidate, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, would take over the reins of government, come January 2009, saying, “We can assure Prof. Mills of massive support and victory in the elections.”
The MP expressed appreciation to the leadership and supporters of the party for their unflinching loyalty and confidence in him and the party over the years and stated that they would never be disappointed.
For his part, Mr Fuseini explained that he decided to contest again following consultations with various stakeholders of the party in the constituency and other well wishers.
“I am sure the people are demonstrating their confidence in me as a result of the numerous development projects I have carried out in the constituency since my”, he intimated.
The MP further indicated that apart from keeping close contact with the people, he was also fulfilling most of the promises he made in his 2006 campaign, while supporting some groups, including women.
Monday, March 3, 2008
DAWUNI LAUDS ETHNIC GROUPS FOR EXHIBITING MATURITY (PAGE 17)
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Zabzugu
THE Presiding Member of the Zabzugu/Tatale District Assembly, Mr Atta Abebe Dawuni, has lauded the various ethnic groups in the area for exhibiting a high sense of maturity and understanding which has resulted in the prevailing peace and harmony among the people in the district over the years.
He said such an exemplary bond had not only ensured effective collaboration between the people and the assembly, but had also contributed significantly to the accelerated development of the district, which is one of the most deprived in the country.
‘‘I would also like to commend the immediate past District Chief Executive, Alhaji Yakubu Bukari, for his role in strengthening unity among the three major ethnic groups: Dagombas, Baasares and Konkombas, that enabled us to realise some of our development agenda’’, Mr Dawuni added.
The presiding member was speaking at the third ordinary meeting of the district assembly at Zabzugu.
He however entreated the people not to be complacent over their achievements but to ensure that whatever gains they had chalked up was sustained, particularly during this election year.
‘‘As we approach the December general election, let us agree to disagree; we should not quarrel over petty political differences. We should also do our best to conscientise our people not to allow politicians to divide their ranks for their selfish interests,’’ Mr Dawuni further admonished.
On projects, the Presiding Member advised the people not to be passive observers but to get actively involved in matters that would improve their well-being.
‘‘Some of the development projects in our electoral areas were approved by honourable members and there is the need for us to play effective supervisory roles as assembly members to ensure that all such projects in our localities are done to specification’’, he said.
Mr Dawuni further reminded the people to complement the government’s efforts by honouring their respective tax obligations, ‘‘since locally generated revenue is still relevant to the decentralisation process and must, therefore, not be sacrificed for the assembly’s common fund’’.
On education, he expressed concern over the lack of teachers, especially professional ones, in some parts of the district which, he said was affecting quality teaching and learning, with the resultant poor performance at those areas.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhjai Mustapha Ali Idris, also expressed appreciation to the chiefs and people and the various security agencies in the district for always resorting to dialogue to settle their differences on land and chieftaincy issues.
Alhaji Idris, who has been acting as the Chief Executive for the area since the removal of the former, mentioned various projects that were being undertaken by government and other development partners.
For instance, he disclosed that 15 communities in the district had been selected to benefit from a project on animal traction and small ruminants to the tune of GH¢ 10, 000 to help reduce poverty through sustained food security at rural areas.
The minister added that work on the first phase of the Zabzugu Hospital project had commenced and, therefore, asked the people to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable them benefit from free medical care upon the completion of the work.
THE Presiding Member of the Zabzugu/Tatale District Assembly, Mr Atta Abebe Dawuni, has lauded the various ethnic groups in the area for exhibiting a high sense of maturity and understanding which has resulted in the prevailing peace and harmony among the people in the district over the years.
He said such an exemplary bond had not only ensured effective collaboration between the people and the assembly, but had also contributed significantly to the accelerated development of the district, which is one of the most deprived in the country.
‘‘I would also like to commend the immediate past District Chief Executive, Alhaji Yakubu Bukari, for his role in strengthening unity among the three major ethnic groups: Dagombas, Baasares and Konkombas, that enabled us to realise some of our development agenda’’, Mr Dawuni added.
The presiding member was speaking at the third ordinary meeting of the district assembly at Zabzugu.
He however entreated the people not to be complacent over their achievements but to ensure that whatever gains they had chalked up was sustained, particularly during this election year.
‘‘As we approach the December general election, let us agree to disagree; we should not quarrel over petty political differences. We should also do our best to conscientise our people not to allow politicians to divide their ranks for their selfish interests,’’ Mr Dawuni further admonished.
On projects, the Presiding Member advised the people not to be passive observers but to get actively involved in matters that would improve their well-being.
‘‘Some of the development projects in our electoral areas were approved by honourable members and there is the need for us to play effective supervisory roles as assembly members to ensure that all such projects in our localities are done to specification’’, he said.
Mr Dawuni further reminded the people to complement the government’s efforts by honouring their respective tax obligations, ‘‘since locally generated revenue is still relevant to the decentralisation process and must, therefore, not be sacrificed for the assembly’s common fund’’.
On education, he expressed concern over the lack of teachers, especially professional ones, in some parts of the district which, he said was affecting quality teaching and learning, with the resultant poor performance at those areas.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhjai Mustapha Ali Idris, also expressed appreciation to the chiefs and people and the various security agencies in the district for always resorting to dialogue to settle their differences on land and chieftaincy issues.
Alhaji Idris, who has been acting as the Chief Executive for the area since the removal of the former, mentioned various projects that were being undertaken by government and other development partners.
For instance, he disclosed that 15 communities in the district had been selected to benefit from a project on animal traction and small ruminants to the tune of GH¢ 10, 000 to help reduce poverty through sustained food security at rural areas.
The minister added that work on the first phase of the Zabzugu Hospital project had commenced and, therefore, asked the people to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable them benefit from free medical care upon the completion of the work.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
ENSURE REGUALR MEDICAL CHECK-UP (PAGE 39)
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Savelugu
THE Savelugu/Nanton District Director of Health Services, Dr Kofi Issah, has urged employers to ensure a regular check-up of the health conditions of their employees to guarantee a strong workforce for increased productivity.
‘‘It is important that the health of employees is taken seriously because it is better to prevent their health from deteriorating than attending their funerals,’’ he stated.
The director advised Ghanaians to live healthy lifestyles by consuming balanced diets and embarking on regular exercises, stressing that ‘‘a healthy mind is found in a healthy body”.
Dr Issah, who was speaking at the annual district health performance review at Savelugu, also expressed concern over the frequent holding of workshops and seminars in various parts of the country for health practitioners.
He observed that even though such training programmes were necessary in improving participants’ knowledge, their regularity and uncoordinated nature were affecting effective health delivery service at most hospitals and clinics particularly in rural communities where there were few health personnel.
‘‘At a particular time and for almost two weeks, I did not step foot at the hospital because I had to attend a number of workshops that occurred at very short intervals,’’ Dr Issah intimated.
The director, therefore, called for effective collaboration and streamlining of workshops among organisers and other stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted work schedules of participants.
Touching on the guinea worm situation in the district, which has the highest incidence of the disease in the country, Dr Issah said his outfit had chalked up some successes in its reduction over the past year.
For instance, the district recorded 666 cases in January 2007 but this has since reduced to only 27 cases in January this year.
While the disease is predominant in the Savelugu township, 49 out of the 136 communities in the district reported guinea worm, with children between five and 14 years constituting 60 per cent of all cases.
Dr Issah attributed the downward trend of the disease in the area to include the various sensitisation programmes carried out over the years such as drama, the enactment of by-laws and radio talk shows and advertisements on the dangers and preventive methods.
He, however, expressed concern about a possible relapse because ‘‘at the moment the dams in Savelugu are dried up, there is also inadequate supply of potable water coupled with the difficulties in behavioural change and volunteer fatigue”.
The director further called for the upgrading of facilities at the Savelugu Hospital to enable it to contain the influx of patients. The district has nine health centres including a private clinic that are serving a population of more than ten thousand.
The hospital itself has four medical officers who are making do with some obsolete equipment. It has neither anaesthesia machine nor anaesthetists. He said while non National Health Insurance Scheme clients refused referrals to Tamale, there were also delays in issuance of NHIS cards.
While commending the Savelugu District Assembly for supporting the expansion of the hospital, ‘‘I would also like to appeal to the chief executive and the health ministry to help decongest the OPD and also post more staff to augment our efforts”.
For his part, the District Chief Executive, Alhaji Abubakari Atori, expressed appreciation to the doctors and staff of the hospital for putting in their best in spite of the prevailing challenges.
THE Savelugu/Nanton District Director of Health Services, Dr Kofi Issah, has urged employers to ensure a regular check-up of the health conditions of their employees to guarantee a strong workforce for increased productivity.
‘‘It is important that the health of employees is taken seriously because it is better to prevent their health from deteriorating than attending their funerals,’’ he stated.
The director advised Ghanaians to live healthy lifestyles by consuming balanced diets and embarking on regular exercises, stressing that ‘‘a healthy mind is found in a healthy body”.
Dr Issah, who was speaking at the annual district health performance review at Savelugu, also expressed concern over the frequent holding of workshops and seminars in various parts of the country for health practitioners.
He observed that even though such training programmes were necessary in improving participants’ knowledge, their regularity and uncoordinated nature were affecting effective health delivery service at most hospitals and clinics particularly in rural communities where there were few health personnel.
‘‘At a particular time and for almost two weeks, I did not step foot at the hospital because I had to attend a number of workshops that occurred at very short intervals,’’ Dr Issah intimated.
The director, therefore, called for effective collaboration and streamlining of workshops among organisers and other stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted work schedules of participants.
Touching on the guinea worm situation in the district, which has the highest incidence of the disease in the country, Dr Issah said his outfit had chalked up some successes in its reduction over the past year.
For instance, the district recorded 666 cases in January 2007 but this has since reduced to only 27 cases in January this year.
While the disease is predominant in the Savelugu township, 49 out of the 136 communities in the district reported guinea worm, with children between five and 14 years constituting 60 per cent of all cases.
Dr Issah attributed the downward trend of the disease in the area to include the various sensitisation programmes carried out over the years such as drama, the enactment of by-laws and radio talk shows and advertisements on the dangers and preventive methods.
He, however, expressed concern about a possible relapse because ‘‘at the moment the dams in Savelugu are dried up, there is also inadequate supply of potable water coupled with the difficulties in behavioural change and volunteer fatigue”.
The director further called for the upgrading of facilities at the Savelugu Hospital to enable it to contain the influx of patients. The district has nine health centres including a private clinic that are serving a population of more than ten thousand.
The hospital itself has four medical officers who are making do with some obsolete equipment. It has neither anaesthesia machine nor anaesthetists. He said while non National Health Insurance Scheme clients refused referrals to Tamale, there were also delays in issuance of NHIS cards.
While commending the Savelugu District Assembly for supporting the expansion of the hospital, ‘‘I would also like to appeal to the chief executive and the health ministry to help decongest the OPD and also post more staff to augment our efforts”.
For his part, the District Chief Executive, Alhaji Abubakari Atori, expressed appreciation to the doctors and staff of the hospital for putting in their best in spite of the prevailing challenges.
UDS LECTURER SUPPORTS NEEDY STUDENTS (MONDAY, MARCH 3, PAGE 29)
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale
A lecturer at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Mr Abdulai Iddrisu, has donated GH¢1,000 to the authorities of the Islamic Senior High School in Tamale in the Northern Region, to support the payment of school fees for identified brilliant, needy students of the school for the current academic year.
Mr Iddrisu, who is currently pursuing a PhD degree at the University of Illinois in the United States of America, made a similar donation last year.
The lecturer said the donation had been possible through the support of a friend and a former British Member of Parliament, Colin Waugh, who were equally touched by the plight of the deprived students.
He said the fight against illiteracy and ignorance was very crucial in the socio-economic development of every community and, therefore, entreated the government and other stakeholders to rededicate themselves to education in northern Ghana.
‘‘I also entreat parents to take the education of their children seriously by contributing enormously to their schooling; students must also consider themselves as privileged and, therefore, not play with their studies in order to become responsible adults in future to better their lot, community and the nation as a whole,’’ he advised.
The headmaster of the Islamic Senior High School, who received the cheque on behalf of the beneficiary students, Mr Iddrisu Neindow, expressed appreciation to their benefactors for the kind gesture.
He also appealed to the general public and other benevolent organisations to support the school, which is science-based, with infrastructure and other logistics to help improve teaching and learning.
The deprived nature of the northern part of the country continues to hamper the accelerated development of some core sectors in those regions in spite of various interventions by both the government and non-government organisations.
More disturbing is the educational sector where majority of the youth are either out of school or drop out along the way as a result of ignorance, lack of care or sponsorship.
The inability of most parents and guardians to pay the fees or provide books and other learning materials for their children and wards to facilitate their studies has led to the current high illiteracy rate despite the fact that some of the children are very brilliant and could have made it to the highest levels of their education.
It is in view of these factors that the donation by the philanthropist has been very well appreciated and described as coming at a very good time.
A lecturer at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Mr Abdulai Iddrisu, has donated GH¢1,000 to the authorities of the Islamic Senior High School in Tamale in the Northern Region, to support the payment of school fees for identified brilliant, needy students of the school for the current academic year.
Mr Iddrisu, who is currently pursuing a PhD degree at the University of Illinois in the United States of America, made a similar donation last year.
The lecturer said the donation had been possible through the support of a friend and a former British Member of Parliament, Colin Waugh, who were equally touched by the plight of the deprived students.
He said the fight against illiteracy and ignorance was very crucial in the socio-economic development of every community and, therefore, entreated the government and other stakeholders to rededicate themselves to education in northern Ghana.
‘‘I also entreat parents to take the education of their children seriously by contributing enormously to their schooling; students must also consider themselves as privileged and, therefore, not play with their studies in order to become responsible adults in future to better their lot, community and the nation as a whole,’’ he advised.
The headmaster of the Islamic Senior High School, who received the cheque on behalf of the beneficiary students, Mr Iddrisu Neindow, expressed appreciation to their benefactors for the kind gesture.
He also appealed to the general public and other benevolent organisations to support the school, which is science-based, with infrastructure and other logistics to help improve teaching and learning.
The deprived nature of the northern part of the country continues to hamper the accelerated development of some core sectors in those regions in spite of various interventions by both the government and non-government organisations.
More disturbing is the educational sector where majority of the youth are either out of school or drop out along the way as a result of ignorance, lack of care or sponsorship.
The inability of most parents and guardians to pay the fees or provide books and other learning materials for their children and wards to facilitate their studies has led to the current high illiteracy rate despite the fact that some of the children are very brilliant and could have made it to the highest levels of their education.
It is in view of these factors that the donation by the philanthropist has been very well appreciated and described as coming at a very good time.
WOMEN DEMONSTRATE FOR POTABLE WATER (MIRROR, PAGE 34)
From Zakaria Alhassan, Savelugu.
RESIDENTS of Savelugu in the Savelugu/Nanton District of the Northern Region at the weekend embarked on a massive demonstration to press home their demand for potable water.
The peaceful demonstration was dominated by women and children, who often bore the daily burden of searching for water for domestic use in the district, which is notorious for having the highest case of the debilitating guinea worm disease in the country.
The aggrieved residents marched through the principal streets of Savelugu township, with some of them carrying placards bearing such inscriptions as, ‘‘We have suffered for long; we need potable water now’’, ‘‘What crime have we committed to deserve this neglect?’’ ‘‘Our children and women have suffered enough pain”; We need relief now’’.
People in the area had suffered perennial water shortages over the years, compelling them to resort to the use of unhygienic water to survive, for which reason the guinea worm disease still thrived in the district, despite various interventions.
A 28-year-old house wife, Azara Mahama, said ‘‘sometimes I spend the whole day with my children searching for potable water, because we are tired of drinking the unwholesome water from the very dams my entire family have suffered the guinea worm infestation’’.
A 14-year-old dropout, Fatawu Issah, explained that he had decided to join the demonstrators because ‘‘we heard that the assembly was charging water tanker drivers who sell to us at exorbitant prices’’.
However, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Alhaji Abubakari Atori, has explained that his outfit, in collaboration with the UNICEF, has provided a purifying machine at a dam at Libga in Savelugu.
Treated water from the dam is stored in an overhead reservoir from where water tankers draw water for onward sale to the public, in addition to some mechanised boreholes.
RESIDENTS of Savelugu in the Savelugu/Nanton District of the Northern Region at the weekend embarked on a massive demonstration to press home their demand for potable water.
The peaceful demonstration was dominated by women and children, who often bore the daily burden of searching for water for domestic use in the district, which is notorious for having the highest case of the debilitating guinea worm disease in the country.
The aggrieved residents marched through the principal streets of Savelugu township, with some of them carrying placards bearing such inscriptions as, ‘‘We have suffered for long; we need potable water now’’, ‘‘What crime have we committed to deserve this neglect?’’ ‘‘Our children and women have suffered enough pain”; We need relief now’’.
People in the area had suffered perennial water shortages over the years, compelling them to resort to the use of unhygienic water to survive, for which reason the guinea worm disease still thrived in the district, despite various interventions.
A 28-year-old house wife, Azara Mahama, said ‘‘sometimes I spend the whole day with my children searching for potable water, because we are tired of drinking the unwholesome water from the very dams my entire family have suffered the guinea worm infestation’’.
A 14-year-old dropout, Fatawu Issah, explained that he had decided to join the demonstrators because ‘‘we heard that the assembly was charging water tanker drivers who sell to us at exorbitant prices’’.
However, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Alhaji Abubakari Atori, has explained that his outfit, in collaboration with the UNICEF, has provided a purifying machine at a dam at Libga in Savelugu.
Treated water from the dam is stored in an overhead reservoir from where water tankers draw water for onward sale to the public, in addition to some mechanised boreholes.
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