THE Executive Director of Dolan-Ayana Farms in Tamale, Alhaji Yakubu Ayana, has presented quantities of assorted items to the Nyohini Children's Home in Tamale.
The items included baby cots, plastic chairs, bicycles, lanterns, blankets toiletries and other rubber products totalling GH¢3,000.
He also donated an Urvan bus worth GH¢12, 000 to the leadership of the Nyohini Central Mosque in Tamale, at a separate ceremony.
According to Alhaji Ayana, the limited resources available to the Home, coupled with the passion and concern his organisation had for the underprivileged in society, motivated him to support the orphaned children.
He commended the management of the Home for their hard work of offering hope and future for the children and gave a promise to liaise with his foreign partners to mobilise more support for the inmates to help put smiles on their faces at all times.
The Supervisor of the Home, Madam Augustina Quainoo, expressed appreciation to their benefactor for the assistance.
She entreated other individuals and organisations to also come to the aid of the inmates.
Madam Quainoo said a lack of a fence, inadequate water supply, unavailability of drugs and means of transport were some of the problems facing the Home.
Later, after presenting a bus to the Imam in charge of the Nyohini Central Mosque, Sheikh Mohammed Ibrahim, Alhaji Ayana said it was high time individuals and public-spirited organisations supported the cause of Islam.
“We have to begin to promote our own welfare, instead of having to depend on others for our own well-being,'' he intimated.
The director, therefore, urged Muslim parents and guardians to ensure that they did not only enrol their wards in school, but also guaranteed their stay.
“Let us give our children, particularly the girls, the opportunity to study to any high level of education they can in order that they grow up into responsible adults to accelerate the development of their respective communities,” he exhorted.
Sheikh Ibrahim commended the exemplary role of Alhaji Ayana and gave the assurance that the vehicle would be put to viable use.
Friday, June 27, 2008
TEACHERS WANT EMBEZZLEMENT CASE CONTINUED (PAGE 29)
TEACHERS in Tamale have expressed their displeasure over the alleged decision to discontinue the prosecution of a former accountant of the Ghana Education Service (GES) by the Attorney General’s Department in a case of embezzlement.
The teachers have, therefore, threatened to embark on an industrial action if the docket on the case was not immediately returned to court for proceedings to continue on the matter.
The teachers further demanded that compound interest be paid on the total sum allegedly embezzled by the accused, Alhaji T. A. Mohammed, who they claimed had already been dismissed from the service.
At a press conference in Tamale the president of the Tamale Teachers Association, Mr Alhassan Osman, demanded reasons for the discontinuation of the case when according to him, investigations had revealed that the accused had indeed embezzled monies belonging to the teachers.
The monies were allowances and other entitlements due the teachers under the 2001 supplementary budgetary allocation for the payment of the affected teachers’ allowances.
As a result of the delay in the payment of the said allowances, the teachers in 2000 had to embark on a strike action leading to the closure of schools in the metropolis for three days.
According to the president, audit investigations later revealed that the suspect had cashed the money totalling over 81 million cedis yet failed to pay it to the teachers.
‘‘Some of the monies were allowances meant for disabled teachers, including guide allowances for blind teachers, bicycle and motorbike allowances,’’ he stated.
The accused, Mr Osman said, was subsequently hauled before the Tamale circuit court by the police.
He, however, claimed that for the entire period of the prosecution, the police were the prosecutors and not the Attorney General.
‘‘In August 2006, the Attorney General withdrew the case from the court and the judge was thereby forced to discharge the said Alhaji T.A. Mohammed for want of prosecution,’’ the president further alleged.
He, however, indicated that following subsequent protestation from the teachers, the accused was re-arrested and had since been granted bail.
The president showed documents relating to the earlier trials to the press.
The teachers have, therefore, threatened to embark on an industrial action if the docket on the case was not immediately returned to court for proceedings to continue on the matter.
The teachers further demanded that compound interest be paid on the total sum allegedly embezzled by the accused, Alhaji T. A. Mohammed, who they claimed had already been dismissed from the service.
At a press conference in Tamale the president of the Tamale Teachers Association, Mr Alhassan Osman, demanded reasons for the discontinuation of the case when according to him, investigations had revealed that the accused had indeed embezzled monies belonging to the teachers.
The monies were allowances and other entitlements due the teachers under the 2001 supplementary budgetary allocation for the payment of the affected teachers’ allowances.
As a result of the delay in the payment of the said allowances, the teachers in 2000 had to embark on a strike action leading to the closure of schools in the metropolis for three days.
According to the president, audit investigations later revealed that the suspect had cashed the money totalling over 81 million cedis yet failed to pay it to the teachers.
‘‘Some of the monies were allowances meant for disabled teachers, including guide allowances for blind teachers, bicycle and motorbike allowances,’’ he stated.
The accused, Mr Osman said, was subsequently hauled before the Tamale circuit court by the police.
He, however, claimed that for the entire period of the prosecution, the police were the prosecutors and not the Attorney General.
‘‘In August 2006, the Attorney General withdrew the case from the court and the judge was thereby forced to discharge the said Alhaji T.A. Mohammed for want of prosecution,’’ the president further alleged.
He, however, indicated that following subsequent protestation from the teachers, the accused was re-arrested and had since been granted bail.
The president showed documents relating to the earlier trials to the press.
TAKE STEPS TO AVERT FLOODING IN TAMALE (PAGE 29)
THE rainy season is with us again,and as usual it will bring flooding and the resultant destruction of life and property in the Tamale metropolis.
It is baffling that this perennial occurrence is allowed to continue without much effort by the people and appropriate authorities to contain it.
What is even more disheartening is the activities of some residents, who wantonly dump garbage and sand into the well-designed drains, inhibiting the free flow of water.
This blatant show of indiscipline and flouting of the assembly's by-laws contribute significantly to the flooding of most communities in the metropolis.
Other causes include the construction of structures on water courses, the use of low quality building materials and the failure by some residents to plant trees around their surroundings to serve as wind breaks during storms.
Last year for instance, more than 300 houses had their roofs ripped off by the heavy storms that occurred during the rainy period.
It took the intervention of the government and some charitable individuals and organisations to ameliorate the plight of the victims.
What the assembly would need to do this time round is to embark on massive educational campaigns through the various radio stations on the importance of practising good hygiene and strict compliance with the assembly's by-laws before the onset of this year's rainy season.
More storm drains should also be constructed, especially at notable flood prone low land areas, to improve on flood control and sanitation in the metropolis.
According to the Metropolitan Co-ordinating Director of the assembly, Alhaji Mohammed Adam Baba, the Department of Urban Roads awarded contract to some individuals some months ago to distill the major drains in the city but some residents were still dumping waste materials and gravel into the drains inspite of the huge amounts of monies being paid to the contractors.
Alhaji Baba advised the people not to be passive but must form watchdog committees to bring such recalcitrant members of their respective communities to book.
It is baffling that this perennial occurrence is allowed to continue without much effort by the people and appropriate authorities to contain it.
What is even more disheartening is the activities of some residents, who wantonly dump garbage and sand into the well-designed drains, inhibiting the free flow of water.
This blatant show of indiscipline and flouting of the assembly's by-laws contribute significantly to the flooding of most communities in the metropolis.
Other causes include the construction of structures on water courses, the use of low quality building materials and the failure by some residents to plant trees around their surroundings to serve as wind breaks during storms.
Last year for instance, more than 300 houses had their roofs ripped off by the heavy storms that occurred during the rainy period.
It took the intervention of the government and some charitable individuals and organisations to ameliorate the plight of the victims.
What the assembly would need to do this time round is to embark on massive educational campaigns through the various radio stations on the importance of practising good hygiene and strict compliance with the assembly's by-laws before the onset of this year's rainy season.
More storm drains should also be constructed, especially at notable flood prone low land areas, to improve on flood control and sanitation in the metropolis.
According to the Metropolitan Co-ordinating Director of the assembly, Alhaji Mohammed Adam Baba, the Department of Urban Roads awarded contract to some individuals some months ago to distill the major drains in the city but some residents were still dumping waste materials and gravel into the drains inspite of the huge amounts of monies being paid to the contractors.
Alhaji Baba advised the people not to be passive but must form watchdog committees to bring such recalcitrant members of their respective communities to book.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
TOURISM AWARDS CEREMONY ENDS IN TAMALE (PAGE 20)
THE 8th National Tourism Awards for the Savannah Zone has been held in Tamale for the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions.
In all, 12 organisations and individuals received recognition in the competitive awards category, while the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), was declared the Tourism Support Organisation of the year 2007.
This year's awards ceremony, which was marked with glitzy and glamour, was the first of its kind. The ceremony had previously been organised on a regional basis by the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB).
Mariam Hotel in Tamale was declared the two-star hotel of the year 2007. The Tamale Metropolis and Ragems Enterprise were the other awardees, which received honours as the cleanest city and tourism retail outlet respectively for the Northern Region.
The drinking bar of the year went to Tenic-Monic at Tumu, while the Hippo Sanctuary in Wechiau was declared the Visitor Attraction.
The Budget Hotel category was received by In-Service Training Centre in Wa, the Best Landscaped/Ambience award going to Upland Hotel also at Wa and the Site Guide of the year award being received by Mr G.B. Bukari of Gwollu, all in the Upper West Region.
The Guest House and Traditional Caterer categories went to Samata Guest House and Hi-Taste Catering Services, both in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
Other award winners from the region were Tietaar Restaurant and Sira Hotel in the Restaurant Grade Two and One Star Hotel divisions.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, underlined the importance of the tourism sector to the growth of the economy, which, he said, had risen to the position of the fourth foreign exchange earner for the country.
“The continued growth of the tourism sub-sector that recorded almost $1.5 billion in 2007 could only have been made possible by the vibrant and innovative private sector that is ready to strike out and expand,” he indicated.
The minister also observed that the development of the sector was as a result of the government's strive to create an enabling environment for the private sector, which, he said, was the best renewable commodity that the country could rely upon for its long-term growth.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Executive Director of the GTB, Mr Martin Mireku, explained that the awards scheme was aimed at engendering healthy competition in the sector.
He said since its inception, the programme had led to an increase in facilities and services and also created awareness of tourism and its economic benefits to the country.
In all, 12 organisations and individuals received recognition in the competitive awards category, while the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), was declared the Tourism Support Organisation of the year 2007.
This year's awards ceremony, which was marked with glitzy and glamour, was the first of its kind. The ceremony had previously been organised on a regional basis by the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB).
Mariam Hotel in Tamale was declared the two-star hotel of the year 2007. The Tamale Metropolis and Ragems Enterprise were the other awardees, which received honours as the cleanest city and tourism retail outlet respectively for the Northern Region.
The drinking bar of the year went to Tenic-Monic at Tumu, while the Hippo Sanctuary in Wechiau was declared the Visitor Attraction.
The Budget Hotel category was received by In-Service Training Centre in Wa, the Best Landscaped/Ambience award going to Upland Hotel also at Wa and the Site Guide of the year award being received by Mr G.B. Bukari of Gwollu, all in the Upper West Region.
The Guest House and Traditional Caterer categories went to Samata Guest House and Hi-Taste Catering Services, both in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
Other award winners from the region were Tietaar Restaurant and Sira Hotel in the Restaurant Grade Two and One Star Hotel divisions.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, underlined the importance of the tourism sector to the growth of the economy, which, he said, had risen to the position of the fourth foreign exchange earner for the country.
“The continued growth of the tourism sub-sector that recorded almost $1.5 billion in 2007 could only have been made possible by the vibrant and innovative private sector that is ready to strike out and expand,” he indicated.
The minister also observed that the development of the sector was as a result of the government's strive to create an enabling environment for the private sector, which, he said, was the best renewable commodity that the country could rely upon for its long-term growth.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Executive Director of the GTB, Mr Martin Mireku, explained that the awards scheme was aimed at engendering healthy competition in the sector.
He said since its inception, the programme had led to an increase in facilities and services and also created awareness of tourism and its economic benefits to the country.
BOADU-AYEBOAFOH ADVISES STUDENT HEALTH ASSISTANTS (PAGE 20)
THE General Manager (Newspapers) of the Graphic Communications Group limited, Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, has advised students of Health Assistant Training Schools to consider the course as an opportunity to help improve themselves and the health situation of people in their respective communities.
“It would be most unfortunate to regard the programme as a last resort and therefore an avenue for ready employment to make money,” he stated.
The general manager, therefore, urged them to focus their attention on their studies and also be guided by the principles of sacrifice and professional ethics in order to offer their best at their various duty stations upon completion.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh gave the advice during an interaction with students of the Yendi Health Assistants School at Yendi in his recent duty tour of the Northern Region. He gave the advice after the Yendi Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Alhaji Mohammed Habib Tijani, had conducted him round some masters’ bungalows the Assembly had put up for the school.
The health school was established last year after an earlier one at Damongo in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region. The health aides are to complement the work of professional nurses at the various health centres in the region after their training.
Other projects Mr BuaduAyeboafoh inspected included a new abattoir and a library complex constructed by the assembly, with support from the European Union.
He was also taken round the Yendi Senior High School, where the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) sponsored the rehabilitation and construction of dormitories and dining hall blocks for the school.
Touching on the protracted chieftaincy dispute in the area, the general manager appealed to both factions in the chieftaincy divide to always resort to dialogue to arrive at a consensus to ensure the accelerated development of the municipality, which, he noted, had a lot of potential for growth.
For his part, the district chief executive commended the chiefs and people of the area for the prevailing peace, which had contributed significantly to the realisation of the various projects to the municipality.
Alhaji Tijani, however, observed that the continuous expenditure on security in the area following the existing stalemate in the Dagbon crisis, was hindering their efforts at accelerated growth.
He, therefore, appealed to them to exercise the greatest restraint, while efforts were being made to find a lasting solution to the problem.
Alhaji Tijani also expressed appreciation to the management and staff of Daily Graphic for its objective reportage of issues in the country.
“It would be most unfortunate to regard the programme as a last resort and therefore an avenue for ready employment to make money,” he stated.
The general manager, therefore, urged them to focus their attention on their studies and also be guided by the principles of sacrifice and professional ethics in order to offer their best at their various duty stations upon completion.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh gave the advice during an interaction with students of the Yendi Health Assistants School at Yendi in his recent duty tour of the Northern Region. He gave the advice after the Yendi Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Alhaji Mohammed Habib Tijani, had conducted him round some masters’ bungalows the Assembly had put up for the school.
The health school was established last year after an earlier one at Damongo in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region. The health aides are to complement the work of professional nurses at the various health centres in the region after their training.
Other projects Mr BuaduAyeboafoh inspected included a new abattoir and a library complex constructed by the assembly, with support from the European Union.
He was also taken round the Yendi Senior High School, where the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) sponsored the rehabilitation and construction of dormitories and dining hall blocks for the school.
Touching on the protracted chieftaincy dispute in the area, the general manager appealed to both factions in the chieftaincy divide to always resort to dialogue to arrive at a consensus to ensure the accelerated development of the municipality, which, he noted, had a lot of potential for growth.
For his part, the district chief executive commended the chiefs and people of the area for the prevailing peace, which had contributed significantly to the realisation of the various projects to the municipality.
Alhaji Tijani, however, observed that the continuous expenditure on security in the area following the existing stalemate in the Dagbon crisis, was hindering their efforts at accelerated growth.
He, therefore, appealed to them to exercise the greatest restraint, while efforts were being made to find a lasting solution to the problem.
Alhaji Tijani also expressed appreciation to the management and staff of Daily Graphic for its objective reportage of issues in the country.
NGO SENSITISES YAPEI PEOPLE ON TB (PAGE 20)
HOPE for Children, a British non-governmental organisation (NGO), has embarked on a community outreach programme at Yapei in the Central Gonja District of the Northern Region to sensitise the people to tuberculosis (TB), a serious infections disease in which swellings appear on the lungs and other parts of the body.
Under the programme, the organisation intends to train 25 community-based volunteers to undertake house-to-house campaign on tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
Members of the organisation would also conduct sensitisation and behavioural change communication activities through durbars, visits to mosques, churches, healing centres and at other social gatherings in the area.
The Central Gonja District Disease Control Officer, Mr Stephen Mbable explained that TB is highly infectious and could be easily passed from one person to another.
He said the disease is caused by germs and affect the lungs, makes a victim cough incessantly resulting in weakness of the body.
Mr Mbable mentioned other symptoms of the disease as chest pains, difficulty in breathing and excessive night sweats.
‘‘Even though TB is considered as one of the fatal adult diseases in the world which continues to claim the lives of many, people with TB can be treated and cured if they get early medical attention,’’ Mr Steven stated.
He, however, acknowledged that ‘‘we have a bigger challenge ahead, and it is only through collective approach and commitment to our task that we can realise our objectives’’.
The Country Representative of HOPE, Madam Azara Mahama, said the objectives of her outfit included assisting vulnerable children through the provision and promotion of their rights to basic necessities, such as education and health care to ensure sustenance and self-reliance.
‘‘Since the establishment of the organisation in the country 10 years ago, there has been significant improvement in the lifestyle of beneficiaries at our various operational areas in the country,’’ she stated.
Madam Azara mentioned the provision of teaching and learning materials to needy children, rehabilitation of existing schools, grants to women groups, assisting people with disabilities and the provision of skill training for needy children as some of the interventions the NGO had made.
Under the programme, the organisation intends to train 25 community-based volunteers to undertake house-to-house campaign on tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
Members of the organisation would also conduct sensitisation and behavioural change communication activities through durbars, visits to mosques, churches, healing centres and at other social gatherings in the area.
The Central Gonja District Disease Control Officer, Mr Stephen Mbable explained that TB is highly infectious and could be easily passed from one person to another.
He said the disease is caused by germs and affect the lungs, makes a victim cough incessantly resulting in weakness of the body.
Mr Mbable mentioned other symptoms of the disease as chest pains, difficulty in breathing and excessive night sweats.
‘‘Even though TB is considered as one of the fatal adult diseases in the world which continues to claim the lives of many, people with TB can be treated and cured if they get early medical attention,’’ Mr Steven stated.
He, however, acknowledged that ‘‘we have a bigger challenge ahead, and it is only through collective approach and commitment to our task that we can realise our objectives’’.
The Country Representative of HOPE, Madam Azara Mahama, said the objectives of her outfit included assisting vulnerable children through the provision and promotion of their rights to basic necessities, such as education and health care to ensure sustenance and self-reliance.
‘‘Since the establishment of the organisation in the country 10 years ago, there has been significant improvement in the lifestyle of beneficiaries at our various operational areas in the country,’’ she stated.
Madam Azara mentioned the provision of teaching and learning materials to needy children, rehabilitation of existing schools, grants to women groups, assisting people with disabilities and the provision of skill training for needy children as some of the interventions the NGO had made.
NR POLICE COMMAND HOLDS FORUM FOR DRIVERS (PAGE 20)
ACCIDENTS are unavoidable in any human institution or society. It can, however, be reduced to the barest minimum, if care and the necessary measures are put in place.
Accidents are largely caused by human errors.
It takes some patience and tenacity of purpose to stay out of accidents which continue to claim the lives of people, maim some others and cause misery to thousands of households.
The Northern Region continues to have its fair share of the calamity in the country as accident figures in the area have risen over the years.
The Northern Regional Police Command at the weekend organised a stakeholders meeting in Tamale to share ideas on the way forward in reducing the spate of accidents in the area.
The participants included the Regional Police Commander, Mr Ephraim Okoe Brakatu, and some senior police officers, executive of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and officials of the Regional Road Safety Committee.
Among the issues identified as part of the causes of accidents in the region were speeding, illegal parking, intermittent break of the traffic lights system and drug and alcoholic abuse.
Other problems included the plying on the roads of faulty and rickety vehicles, a lack of adequate road signs and co-ordination among various stakeholders.
They also mentioned the inaction by law enforcement agencies to duly apprehend and prosecute road traffic offenders.
“Sometimes we show human face in our dealings with offenders and that could explain the reasons for the misbehaviour of some motorists,” Mr Brakatu observed.
He, therefore, entreated chiefs, opinion leaders and the leadership of the GPRTU not to intervene when recalcitrant motorists were apprehended, especially during special operations in the region.
The commander also urged the respective road safety bodies to step up their education on safe driving measures to ensure sanity on the roads to protect life and property.
“I would also like to advise both motorists and pedestrians to always respect road signs and regulations to the letter because my men would not compromise on such standards and would therefore arrest and prosecute any offender,” he stressed.
Mr Brakatu explained that the meeting was a process and that more of such deliberations would be held for other stakeholders, such as officials of the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) and insurance companies operating in the region.
The Regional Crime Officer, Mr Ebenezer Lartey, for his part, admonished drivers to always endeavour to check on passengers' goods and luggage before allowing them to embark on their vehicles, since they could contain illicit drugs or ammunitions.
He also advised them to be wary of suspected child traffickers who carried children on board their vehicles.
“In all these instances when you are arrested, you would be made to face the full rigours of the law with the suspected offenders, since ignorance of the law would not be an excuse,” the police officer cautioned.
According to statistics from the Motor Traffic and Transport Union (MTTU) in Tamale, 82 per cent of motor fatalities recorded in the region last year occurred in the metropolis.
There was also an increase in the number of accident fatalities in the region from 25 reported deaths between January and April, last year, to 33 within the same span of time this year, representing an increase of 32 per cent.
In the Tamale metropolis alone, 65 people died in 193 recorded road accidents last year, while 17 motorists have so far lost their lives in the metropolis in February, this year.
According to the figures, 104 other traffic offences were registered in the metropolis, while 46 culprits were arraigned.
Accidents are largely caused by human errors.
It takes some patience and tenacity of purpose to stay out of accidents which continue to claim the lives of people, maim some others and cause misery to thousands of households.
The Northern Region continues to have its fair share of the calamity in the country as accident figures in the area have risen over the years.
The Northern Regional Police Command at the weekend organised a stakeholders meeting in Tamale to share ideas on the way forward in reducing the spate of accidents in the area.
The participants included the Regional Police Commander, Mr Ephraim Okoe Brakatu, and some senior police officers, executive of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and officials of the Regional Road Safety Committee.
Among the issues identified as part of the causes of accidents in the region were speeding, illegal parking, intermittent break of the traffic lights system and drug and alcoholic abuse.
Other problems included the plying on the roads of faulty and rickety vehicles, a lack of adequate road signs and co-ordination among various stakeholders.
They also mentioned the inaction by law enforcement agencies to duly apprehend and prosecute road traffic offenders.
“Sometimes we show human face in our dealings with offenders and that could explain the reasons for the misbehaviour of some motorists,” Mr Brakatu observed.
He, therefore, entreated chiefs, opinion leaders and the leadership of the GPRTU not to intervene when recalcitrant motorists were apprehended, especially during special operations in the region.
The commander also urged the respective road safety bodies to step up their education on safe driving measures to ensure sanity on the roads to protect life and property.
“I would also like to advise both motorists and pedestrians to always respect road signs and regulations to the letter because my men would not compromise on such standards and would therefore arrest and prosecute any offender,” he stressed.
Mr Brakatu explained that the meeting was a process and that more of such deliberations would be held for other stakeholders, such as officials of the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) and insurance companies operating in the region.
The Regional Crime Officer, Mr Ebenezer Lartey, for his part, admonished drivers to always endeavour to check on passengers' goods and luggage before allowing them to embark on their vehicles, since they could contain illicit drugs or ammunitions.
He also advised them to be wary of suspected child traffickers who carried children on board their vehicles.
“In all these instances when you are arrested, you would be made to face the full rigours of the law with the suspected offenders, since ignorance of the law would not be an excuse,” the police officer cautioned.
According to statistics from the Motor Traffic and Transport Union (MTTU) in Tamale, 82 per cent of motor fatalities recorded in the region last year occurred in the metropolis.
There was also an increase in the number of accident fatalities in the region from 25 reported deaths between January and April, last year, to 33 within the same span of time this year, representing an increase of 32 per cent.
In the Tamale metropolis alone, 65 people died in 193 recorded road accidents last year, while 17 motorists have so far lost their lives in the metropolis in February, this year.
According to the figures, 104 other traffic offences were registered in the metropolis, while 46 culprits were arraigned.
TAMALE: A POLITICAL HOTBED (PAGE 16)
TAMALE is a political hotbed. And the growing phenomenon that has slowly crept into the politics of the metropolis is the organisation of political parties to usher in popular political figures, particularly those in the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Such occasions generate a lot of excitement and frenzy. That is why it is not surprising that some people sacrifice all their time, resources and their entire life for a cause that they believe in so much - politics.
The overzealous supporters are often clad in their respective party paraphernalia. They ride motorbikes and bicycles with careless abandon, while others overload their vehicles with enthusiastic followers, amidst drumming, dancing and shouting of party songs.
Many others, including the physically disabled, also walk about in excitement and jubilation. They sing, dance and make merry from morning till late into the night and even after the arrival of their ‘‘heroes.’’
From North, South, East and West, the supporters come in their thousands. They usually converge at Datoyili, about three kilometres from Tamale township on the Tamale-Kumasi road to usher in their leaders.
During those times, the celebrants throw caution to the wind and engage in various antics, albeit dangerously, on their bikes and cars to the consternation of onlookers who usually line up on the sides of the roads to catch a glimpse of the personalities involved.
While the supporters often come out in their numbers, as an indication of their popularity over their opponents in the metropolis, some rather come out for sheer mischief, as they cast insinuations and engage in various acts of provocation at their political rivals.
‘‘My brother, I wonder what the parties offer to their supporters to endanger their lives as they do; the people must be told that politics is not done that way, because you have to live to be able to vote your party into party,’’ a 57-year-old civil servant, Abraham Ottoo, lamented.
Indeed, the commitment, loyalty and passion with which most party faithful in the area attach to their support for their favourite parties could be attributed to the prevailing Dagbon chieftaincy divide.
Even though the difference in the support of the two main political parties has existed over the years, it has become more entrenched after the renewed outbreak of the Dagbon chieftaincy dispute in March 2002 at Yendi.
It is an open secret that some followers of the two Royal Gates in the divide; Abudu and Andani, have pitched camps with parties that they think would favour them to achieve their cause in the protracted dispute.
And the fact that Tamale is a stronghold of the NDC is not in doubt, following the party’s performance in the last general election in the area. Apart from winning the three parliamentary seats in the metropolis, the party also won the presidential ballot by wide margins.
It is for these reasons that anytime the Founder of the NDC, Jerry John Rawlings, or the presidential candidate or the running mate of the party is coming to Tamale, there are some casualties.
The last time Mr Rawlings came for campaigns in the metropolis in April 2006, a motor rider, one Ussif, lost his life when he crushed his bike into a moving vehicle, while eight others sustained various degrees of injuries. This was during the Tamale Central bye-election, where the incumbent Member of Parliament, Mr Inusah Fuseini, overwhelmingly beat Professor Wayo Seini.
And in the latest incident which occurred on May 31, one Suweibatu, 19, who was part of over 60 supporters in a KIA vehicle, also lost her life when the truck was involved in an accident.
Other victims sustained fractures and bruises on different parts of their bodies. One other female victim is also reported to have had her right leg amputated.
The victims were part of the ecstatic supporters who were on their way to welcome the Vice-Presidential candidate of the party, Mr John Dramani Mahama, to the metropolis to begin his visit to the Northern Region.
Upon learning of the sad news, however, Mr Mahama rushed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital to wish the victims well. He later paid a call on the bereaved family to express his condolences.
In a goodwill gesture, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, also visited the victims at the hospital, where he presented some food items and cash to them. He expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and wished those still on admission a speedy recovery.
The minister equally expressed concern over the development and entreated supporters of the various political parties to always exercise maximum restraint during visits by their party leadership into the region.
In a related development, members of the Northern Regional Road Safety Commission (NRSC) has also prepared a document that spells out guidelines on how to safely go about political activities, devoid of accidents during the run-up to this year’s general election.
The commission presented copies of the Road Safety Code of Conduct for political campaigns to Mr John Mahama in Tamale.
According to the Northern Regional Road Safety Co-ordinator, Mr Sumani Mbo, the document would be presented to all political parties to educate their respective supporters.
In another measure to curtail such unfortunate incidents from occurring in future, the NDC has taken a decision not to announce the arrival of its flag bearer, running mate, founder or any high profile member of the party into the metropolis.
According to the Youth Organiser of the party, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, this step was aimed at stemming the high spate of accidents and its attendant injuries on the roads suffered by same supporters of the party on such carnival.
He said in case of any forthcoming rally or meeting, the people would only be made aware after the arrival of such high profile personalities into the city.
Human life is precious. It, therefore, behoves all parties to ensure that they protect the lives of their followers at all times; after all, politics is about numbers.
Such occasions generate a lot of excitement and frenzy. That is why it is not surprising that some people sacrifice all their time, resources and their entire life for a cause that they believe in so much - politics.
The overzealous supporters are often clad in their respective party paraphernalia. They ride motorbikes and bicycles with careless abandon, while others overload their vehicles with enthusiastic followers, amidst drumming, dancing and shouting of party songs.
Many others, including the physically disabled, also walk about in excitement and jubilation. They sing, dance and make merry from morning till late into the night and even after the arrival of their ‘‘heroes.’’
From North, South, East and West, the supporters come in their thousands. They usually converge at Datoyili, about three kilometres from Tamale township on the Tamale-Kumasi road to usher in their leaders.
During those times, the celebrants throw caution to the wind and engage in various antics, albeit dangerously, on their bikes and cars to the consternation of onlookers who usually line up on the sides of the roads to catch a glimpse of the personalities involved.
While the supporters often come out in their numbers, as an indication of their popularity over their opponents in the metropolis, some rather come out for sheer mischief, as they cast insinuations and engage in various acts of provocation at their political rivals.
‘‘My brother, I wonder what the parties offer to their supporters to endanger their lives as they do; the people must be told that politics is not done that way, because you have to live to be able to vote your party into party,’’ a 57-year-old civil servant, Abraham Ottoo, lamented.
Indeed, the commitment, loyalty and passion with which most party faithful in the area attach to their support for their favourite parties could be attributed to the prevailing Dagbon chieftaincy divide.
Even though the difference in the support of the two main political parties has existed over the years, it has become more entrenched after the renewed outbreak of the Dagbon chieftaincy dispute in March 2002 at Yendi.
It is an open secret that some followers of the two Royal Gates in the divide; Abudu and Andani, have pitched camps with parties that they think would favour them to achieve their cause in the protracted dispute.
And the fact that Tamale is a stronghold of the NDC is not in doubt, following the party’s performance in the last general election in the area. Apart from winning the three parliamentary seats in the metropolis, the party also won the presidential ballot by wide margins.
It is for these reasons that anytime the Founder of the NDC, Jerry John Rawlings, or the presidential candidate or the running mate of the party is coming to Tamale, there are some casualties.
The last time Mr Rawlings came for campaigns in the metropolis in April 2006, a motor rider, one Ussif, lost his life when he crushed his bike into a moving vehicle, while eight others sustained various degrees of injuries. This was during the Tamale Central bye-election, where the incumbent Member of Parliament, Mr Inusah Fuseini, overwhelmingly beat Professor Wayo Seini.
And in the latest incident which occurred on May 31, one Suweibatu, 19, who was part of over 60 supporters in a KIA vehicle, also lost her life when the truck was involved in an accident.
Other victims sustained fractures and bruises on different parts of their bodies. One other female victim is also reported to have had her right leg amputated.
The victims were part of the ecstatic supporters who were on their way to welcome the Vice-Presidential candidate of the party, Mr John Dramani Mahama, to the metropolis to begin his visit to the Northern Region.
Upon learning of the sad news, however, Mr Mahama rushed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital to wish the victims well. He later paid a call on the bereaved family to express his condolences.
In a goodwill gesture, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, also visited the victims at the hospital, where he presented some food items and cash to them. He expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and wished those still on admission a speedy recovery.
The minister equally expressed concern over the development and entreated supporters of the various political parties to always exercise maximum restraint during visits by their party leadership into the region.
In a related development, members of the Northern Regional Road Safety Commission (NRSC) has also prepared a document that spells out guidelines on how to safely go about political activities, devoid of accidents during the run-up to this year’s general election.
The commission presented copies of the Road Safety Code of Conduct for political campaigns to Mr John Mahama in Tamale.
According to the Northern Regional Road Safety Co-ordinator, Mr Sumani Mbo, the document would be presented to all political parties to educate their respective supporters.
In another measure to curtail such unfortunate incidents from occurring in future, the NDC has taken a decision not to announce the arrival of its flag bearer, running mate, founder or any high profile member of the party into the metropolis.
According to the Youth Organiser of the party, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, this step was aimed at stemming the high spate of accidents and its attendant injuries on the roads suffered by same supporters of the party on such carnival.
He said in case of any forthcoming rally or meeting, the people would only be made aware after the arrival of such high profile personalities into the city.
Human life is precious. It, therefore, behoves all parties to ensure that they protect the lives of their followers at all times; after all, politics is about numbers.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
CONSUMPTION OF UNWHOLESOME FOOD DISTURBING (PAGE 29)
AUTHORITIES of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) in Tamale have expressed concern over the growing trend in the sale of unwholesome goods in the metropolis.
They have, therefore, advised consumers to always endeavour to check on the manufacture and expiry dates of products before purchasing them.
The Northern Regional Zonal Officer of the FDB, Mr Solomon Agampim, reminded the people that the consumption of unwholesome goods and food items was dangerous to one’s health, and cautioned them to be wary of such items in the system.
The officer told the Daily Graphic in Tamale that the lack of trained personnel to examine food vendors to ensure that they did not have communicable diseases, the use of bare hands to serve food, particularly rice, and the low consumption of iodated salt were some of the disturbing tendencies that needed immediate action to change them.
He said in a recent study conducted on the consumption of iodated salt in the country, Tamale emerged as one of communities with the lowest consumption level. He attributed that to the practice by some dealers in the metropolis to expose the salt to the elements (sun), resulting in the loss of the iodine below the recommended 15 parts per million (ppm) quantity.
Mr Agampim expressed concern over the sale and high patronage of sex-inducing substances in the area, which he described as alarming, and warned that such uncertified aphrodisiacs could cause medical complications for those who used them.
He quoted portions of the FDB Law 1992 which states clearly that, ‘‘any person who sells or offers for sale any food that consists in whole or part of any filthy, putrid, rotten, decomposed or diseased substance’’ contravenes the law and could therefore face sanctions.
The FDB last week confiscated and destroyed large quantities of rotten fish which were being sold to unsuspecting members of the public in Tamale.
Two hundred cartons of the maggot-infested fish were retrieved from a dysfunctional storage facility at the Tamale Cold Store near the General Post Office.
They have, therefore, advised consumers to always endeavour to check on the manufacture and expiry dates of products before purchasing them.
The Northern Regional Zonal Officer of the FDB, Mr Solomon Agampim, reminded the people that the consumption of unwholesome goods and food items was dangerous to one’s health, and cautioned them to be wary of such items in the system.
The officer told the Daily Graphic in Tamale that the lack of trained personnel to examine food vendors to ensure that they did not have communicable diseases, the use of bare hands to serve food, particularly rice, and the low consumption of iodated salt were some of the disturbing tendencies that needed immediate action to change them.
He said in a recent study conducted on the consumption of iodated salt in the country, Tamale emerged as one of communities with the lowest consumption level. He attributed that to the practice by some dealers in the metropolis to expose the salt to the elements (sun), resulting in the loss of the iodine below the recommended 15 parts per million (ppm) quantity.
Mr Agampim expressed concern over the sale and high patronage of sex-inducing substances in the area, which he described as alarming, and warned that such uncertified aphrodisiacs could cause medical complications for those who used them.
He quoted portions of the FDB Law 1992 which states clearly that, ‘‘any person who sells or offers for sale any food that consists in whole or part of any filthy, putrid, rotten, decomposed or diseased substance’’ contravenes the law and could therefore face sanctions.
The FDB last week confiscated and destroyed large quantities of rotten fish which were being sold to unsuspecting members of the public in Tamale.
Two hundred cartons of the maggot-infested fish were retrieved from a dysfunctional storage facility at the Tamale Cold Store near the General Post Office.
NPP CAMPAIGN MONITORING TEAM LAUNCHED IN TAMALE (PAGE 17)
AN 18-member Northern Regional Campaign Monitoring Team for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been inaugurated in Tamale to help improve on the growing fortunes of the party in the area in this year’s general election.
It is under the chairmanship of Alhaji Rowland I. Alhassan, the immediate past Ambassador to Germany and former running mate of the late presidential candidate of the NPP, Professor Adu Boahene, in the 1992 elections.
Other members of the team are the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris; Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, the MP for Salaga, and Alhaji Malik A. Yakubu, the MP for Yendi.
The rest are the MP for Saboba, Mr Charles Bintim; Alhaji Nurudeen Jawula; the Northern Regional Chairman of the party, Alhassan Yakubu Addo; Messrs Faisal Gbanjili and Shaibu Saani, Hajia Fati Abukari and Alhaji Yussif Sulemana Chello, all regional executive members of the party.
The Campaign Director of the NPP, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, described the team as balanced and also reflecting the ethnic diversity of the region, adding that it could co-opt other party faithful when it became necessary.
He intimated that more campaign teams would be formed at the zonal and various constituency levels in due course, emphasising that “we want everybody to be part of this winning team’’.
The director indicated the readiness of the party to offer every necessary support to the team to perform creditably to improve on the support base of the NPP in the region that had recorded some improvement in the general election over the years.
From 15.5 per cent of the votes cast in the region and three parliamentary seats in the 2000 elections, the party’s performance improved to 32 per cent and eight parliamentary seats in the 2004 elections.
The NPP envisage winning 16 parliamentary seats in the region in this year’s elections.
According to Dr Apraku, “there has been a resurgence of support and enthusiasm for the party all over the country following the significant achievements of the NPP government in the past seven years”.
He noted that in spite of the growing global oil and food crisis in the country, the people still had faith in the government because they were convinced that it was on track in managing the nation’s economy well.
‘‘We have succeeded in building a united party in peace and freedom. We are on the march; we are moving forward; we are not going to give power to the NDC to send us back into the dark days,’’ the director stated.
The NPP regional chairman expressed concern over the emergence of splinter groups in the party and urged the rank and file to ensure unity in their various constituencies.
The Second National Vice-Chairman of NPP, Alhaji Musah Abdul-Rahman, reminded party faithful to ensure that all eligible supporters registered in the forthcoming voters registration exercise.
For his part, Alhaji Idris called on all party supporters to bury their differences and feel proud for being members of a party whose government had the track record of achievements.
The chairman of the regional campaign team expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to live up to expectation.
It is under the chairmanship of Alhaji Rowland I. Alhassan, the immediate past Ambassador to Germany and former running mate of the late presidential candidate of the NPP, Professor Adu Boahene, in the 1992 elections.
Other members of the team are the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris; Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, the MP for Salaga, and Alhaji Malik A. Yakubu, the MP for Yendi.
The rest are the MP for Saboba, Mr Charles Bintim; Alhaji Nurudeen Jawula; the Northern Regional Chairman of the party, Alhassan Yakubu Addo; Messrs Faisal Gbanjili and Shaibu Saani, Hajia Fati Abukari and Alhaji Yussif Sulemana Chello, all regional executive members of the party.
The Campaign Director of the NPP, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, described the team as balanced and also reflecting the ethnic diversity of the region, adding that it could co-opt other party faithful when it became necessary.
He intimated that more campaign teams would be formed at the zonal and various constituency levels in due course, emphasising that “we want everybody to be part of this winning team’’.
The director indicated the readiness of the party to offer every necessary support to the team to perform creditably to improve on the support base of the NPP in the region that had recorded some improvement in the general election over the years.
From 15.5 per cent of the votes cast in the region and three parliamentary seats in the 2000 elections, the party’s performance improved to 32 per cent and eight parliamentary seats in the 2004 elections.
The NPP envisage winning 16 parliamentary seats in the region in this year’s elections.
According to Dr Apraku, “there has been a resurgence of support and enthusiasm for the party all over the country following the significant achievements of the NPP government in the past seven years”.
He noted that in spite of the growing global oil and food crisis in the country, the people still had faith in the government because they were convinced that it was on track in managing the nation’s economy well.
‘‘We have succeeded in building a united party in peace and freedom. We are on the march; we are moving forward; we are not going to give power to the NDC to send us back into the dark days,’’ the director stated.
The NPP regional chairman expressed concern over the emergence of splinter groups in the party and urged the rank and file to ensure unity in their various constituencies.
The Second National Vice-Chairman of NPP, Alhaji Musah Abdul-Rahman, reminded party faithful to ensure that all eligible supporters registered in the forthcoming voters registration exercise.
For his part, Alhaji Idris called on all party supporters to bury their differences and feel proud for being members of a party whose government had the track record of achievements.
The chairman of the regional campaign team expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to live up to expectation.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
TAMALE COURT HALT VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE (PAGE 14)
THE Attorney-General’s Department in Tamale on Thursday filed a motion for interlocutory injunction at the Tamale High Court restraining the 26 assembly members of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TAMA) from holding any meeting for the purpose of passing a no confidence vote on the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Mohammed Amin Adam Anta.
This followed an earlier writ filed for a perpetual injunction order on the matter at the court last Wednesday.
The State Attorney, Mr Solomon Atadze, explained that as a result of the motion, the members could not hold any meeting on the issue until the case was determined by the court on a later date.
The members had entreated the Presiding Member of the assembly, Mr Abdul-Hanan Gundadow, to convene an emergency meeting to that effect on Monday, June 23, this year.
In a resolution signed by 26 out of the 78 members of the assembly after an assembly meeting last week, they threatened to pass a vote of no confidence in the chief executive for alleged non-performance and lack of co-operation with the members on matters concerning the metropolis.
When contacted, Mr Gundadow confirmed receiving the writ of summons from the court on Wednesday seeking to restrict the members from holding the said meeting.
He, however, insisted that even though they would respect the decision of the court, “we would eventually hold a meeting at the appropriate time”.
The undersigned assembly members further explained that the reasons for their action included the failure by the MCE to complete some Common Fund-sponsored projects approved for last year and the alleged use of the assembly’s funds to travel without approval.
They also claimed that the MCE was not accessible and that he refused to answer calls from the members on pertinent issues concerning the development of the metropolis.
The members again alleged that it was the incompetence of the chief executive that led to the inability of the assembly to be included in the Youth in Agriculture Programme, a module of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP).
In his response at a press conference at his office last Friday, Mr Anta debunked all the charges levelled against him.
“I do not think that the points raised in the resolutions are issues of misconduct, neither have I put the name of the Assembly into disrepute to warrant my removal,” he stated.
The chief executive explained that such an action should begin with a petition and that it only became a resolution after a vote was conducted on it.
“You need to copy the chief executive and give him a hearing through a committee of the assembly after which a resolution is then passed and the vote of no confidence follows,” the MCE said.
“I want to state that I have not received a copy of any petition, I have not been given hearing and I was neither given notice about the emergency meeting that passed the resolution nor invited to attend as has always been done,” Mr Anta added.
He said as representatives of the people, the assembly members were supposed to exercise their power responsibly and not bring the running of the assembly to a halt.
This followed an earlier writ filed for a perpetual injunction order on the matter at the court last Wednesday.
The State Attorney, Mr Solomon Atadze, explained that as a result of the motion, the members could not hold any meeting on the issue until the case was determined by the court on a later date.
The members had entreated the Presiding Member of the assembly, Mr Abdul-Hanan Gundadow, to convene an emergency meeting to that effect on Monday, June 23, this year.
In a resolution signed by 26 out of the 78 members of the assembly after an assembly meeting last week, they threatened to pass a vote of no confidence in the chief executive for alleged non-performance and lack of co-operation with the members on matters concerning the metropolis.
When contacted, Mr Gundadow confirmed receiving the writ of summons from the court on Wednesday seeking to restrict the members from holding the said meeting.
He, however, insisted that even though they would respect the decision of the court, “we would eventually hold a meeting at the appropriate time”.
The undersigned assembly members further explained that the reasons for their action included the failure by the MCE to complete some Common Fund-sponsored projects approved for last year and the alleged use of the assembly’s funds to travel without approval.
They also claimed that the MCE was not accessible and that he refused to answer calls from the members on pertinent issues concerning the development of the metropolis.
The members again alleged that it was the incompetence of the chief executive that led to the inability of the assembly to be included in the Youth in Agriculture Programme, a module of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP).
In his response at a press conference at his office last Friday, Mr Anta debunked all the charges levelled against him.
“I do not think that the points raised in the resolutions are issues of misconduct, neither have I put the name of the Assembly into disrepute to warrant my removal,” he stated.
The chief executive explained that such an action should begin with a petition and that it only became a resolution after a vote was conducted on it.
“You need to copy the chief executive and give him a hearing through a committee of the assembly after which a resolution is then passed and the vote of no confidence follows,” the MCE said.
“I want to state that I have not received a copy of any petition, I have not been given hearing and I was neither given notice about the emergency meeting that passed the resolution nor invited to attend as has always been done,” Mr Anta added.
He said as representatives of the people, the assembly members were supposed to exercise their power responsibly and not bring the running of the assembly to a halt.
WOMEN IN SHEANUT INDUSTRY NEED SUPPORT (PAGE 11)
AGRICULTURE is undoubtedly the mainstay of the people in the Northern Region.
This dependable source of livelihood for the people has, however, suffered a setback as a result of a lack of innovative technologies, credit facilities, high cost of farm inputs and, more importantly, inaccessible storage and market outlets for farm products.
Even though there had been some interventions by the government and civil society groups to help address these recurrent problems over the years, much still needs to be done to turn the fortunes of the poor farmers around.
Women, who have contributed immensely to the sector in the area over the years, continue to offer their best, in spite of the constraints. They however receive very little in return for their labour.
Majority of women in the north have now shifted their attention to the sheabutter industry. It has certainly become the vocation of most unemployed young ladies and the elderly women in the area.
The fascinating thing about the nut is that the sheanut tree grows widely in the area. This, therefore, makes it easy for the women, especially those in the rural areas, to pick up the nuts for onward processing to earn some income.
This is, however, not without its own challenges as the poor women spend most part of the day in the bush thus, exposing them to the dangers of snake bites and other threats to their lives, without fair prices for the product to commensurate with their hard work.
Prices are dictated by foreign companies and their representatives who take advantage of the ignorance of the people and the lack of available market for the product in the area to purchase it at cheaper prices for export.
Some of the sheanut is also processed into edible oil and cream for local use. Unfortunately, the women have not got the capacity to make their finish products attractive to their consumers.
A 43-year-old mother at Diyeli in the Savelugu/Nanton District, Azara Fuseini, said, ‘‘This is the season for the picking of the nuts, which we have been doing about two months ago. I wake up early every morning to go to the bush to do the picking with my elder daughter, Sana.’’
She, however, explained the reason why Sana and her other three siblings were not in school, because according to her, the husband, Afah Fuseini, even though had been going to farm, they still found it difficult to make ends meet.
Even though some community-based organisations have been assisting some women groups with small credit, much support is still needed to help improve on the lot of the women who are marginalised in their respective communities.
Since women are the bedrock of the home, any support offered them would eventually benefit the entire family, including children.
In this regard, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, advised the women not only to form co-operative groups, but also make sure that such bodies were viable to make it possible for them to access assistance from banks and other financial institutions to derive maximum benefits from their toils.
This dependable source of livelihood for the people has, however, suffered a setback as a result of a lack of innovative technologies, credit facilities, high cost of farm inputs and, more importantly, inaccessible storage and market outlets for farm products.
Even though there had been some interventions by the government and civil society groups to help address these recurrent problems over the years, much still needs to be done to turn the fortunes of the poor farmers around.
Women, who have contributed immensely to the sector in the area over the years, continue to offer their best, in spite of the constraints. They however receive very little in return for their labour.
Majority of women in the north have now shifted their attention to the sheabutter industry. It has certainly become the vocation of most unemployed young ladies and the elderly women in the area.
The fascinating thing about the nut is that the sheanut tree grows widely in the area. This, therefore, makes it easy for the women, especially those in the rural areas, to pick up the nuts for onward processing to earn some income.
This is, however, not without its own challenges as the poor women spend most part of the day in the bush thus, exposing them to the dangers of snake bites and other threats to their lives, without fair prices for the product to commensurate with their hard work.
Prices are dictated by foreign companies and their representatives who take advantage of the ignorance of the people and the lack of available market for the product in the area to purchase it at cheaper prices for export.
Some of the sheanut is also processed into edible oil and cream for local use. Unfortunately, the women have not got the capacity to make their finish products attractive to their consumers.
A 43-year-old mother at Diyeli in the Savelugu/Nanton District, Azara Fuseini, said, ‘‘This is the season for the picking of the nuts, which we have been doing about two months ago. I wake up early every morning to go to the bush to do the picking with my elder daughter, Sana.’’
She, however, explained the reason why Sana and her other three siblings were not in school, because according to her, the husband, Afah Fuseini, even though had been going to farm, they still found it difficult to make ends meet.
Even though some community-based organisations have been assisting some women groups with small credit, much support is still needed to help improve on the lot of the women who are marginalised in their respective communities.
Since women are the bedrock of the home, any support offered them would eventually benefit the entire family, including children.
In this regard, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, advised the women not only to form co-operative groups, but also make sure that such bodies were viable to make it possible for them to access assistance from banks and other financial institutions to derive maximum benefits from their toils.
Friday, June 20, 2008
FDB CAUTIONS RESIDENTS AGAINST CONSUMPTION OF UNWHOLSOME FOODS (PAGE 29)
STORY: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale
AUTHORITIES of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) in Tamale have expressed concern over the growing trend in the sale of unwholesome goods in the metropolis.
They have, therefore, advised consumers to always endeavour to check on the manufacture and expiry dates of products before purchasing them.
The Northern Regional Zonal Officer of the FDB, Mr Solomon Agampim, reminded the people that the consumption of unwholesome goods and food items was dangerous to one’s health, and cautioned them to be wary of such items in the system.
The officer told the Daily Graphic in Tamale that the lack of trained personnel to test food vendors to ensure that they did not have communicable diseases, the use of bare hands to serve food, particularly rice, and the low consumption of iodated salt were some of the disturbing tendencies that needed immediate action to change them.
He said in a recent study conducted on the consumption of iodated salt in the country, Tamale emerged as one of communities with the lowest consumption level. He attributed that to the practice by some dealers in the metropolis to expose the salt to the elements (sun), resulting in the loss of the iodine below the recommended 15 parts per million (ppm) quantity.
Mr Agampim expressed concern over the sale and high patronage of sex induced substances in the area, which he described as alarming, and warned that such uncertified aphrodisiacs could cause medical complications for those who used them.
He quoted portions of the FDB law 1992 which states clearly that, ‘‘any person who sells or offers for sale any food that consists in whole or part of any filthy, putrid, rotten, decomposed or diseased substance’’ contravenes the law and could therefore face sanctions.
The FDB last week confiscated and destroyed large quantities of rotten fish which was being sold to unsuspecting members of the public in Tamale.
Two hundred cartons of the maggot infested fish were retrieved from a dysfunctional storage facility at the Tamale Cold Store near the General Post Office.
AUTHORITIES of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) in Tamale have expressed concern over the growing trend in the sale of unwholesome goods in the metropolis.
They have, therefore, advised consumers to always endeavour to check on the manufacture and expiry dates of products before purchasing them.
The Northern Regional Zonal Officer of the FDB, Mr Solomon Agampim, reminded the people that the consumption of unwholesome goods and food items was dangerous to one’s health, and cautioned them to be wary of such items in the system.
The officer told the Daily Graphic in Tamale that the lack of trained personnel to test food vendors to ensure that they did not have communicable diseases, the use of bare hands to serve food, particularly rice, and the low consumption of iodated salt were some of the disturbing tendencies that needed immediate action to change them.
He said in a recent study conducted on the consumption of iodated salt in the country, Tamale emerged as one of communities with the lowest consumption level. He attributed that to the practice by some dealers in the metropolis to expose the salt to the elements (sun), resulting in the loss of the iodine below the recommended 15 parts per million (ppm) quantity.
Mr Agampim expressed concern over the sale and high patronage of sex induced substances in the area, which he described as alarming, and warned that such uncertified aphrodisiacs could cause medical complications for those who used them.
He quoted portions of the FDB law 1992 which states clearly that, ‘‘any person who sells or offers for sale any food that consists in whole or part of any filthy, putrid, rotten, decomposed or diseased substance’’ contravenes the law and could therefore face sanctions.
The FDB last week confiscated and destroyed large quantities of rotten fish which was being sold to unsuspecting members of the public in Tamale.
Two hundred cartons of the maggot infested fish were retrieved from a dysfunctional storage facility at the Tamale Cold Store near the General Post Office.
MEDIA MUST BE FAIR TO TAMALE
TAMALE, the Northern Regional capital, has earned a lot of undeserved negative reportage for some years now. And even though everything about Tamale may not be perfect just as it is in other cities in the country, it is certainly not as bad as a section of the media portray the metropolis to be.
Any little mishap in the metropolis is sometimes blown out of proportion. A minor misunderstanding between two persons at a little corner of a suburb in the metropolis assumes the headline on some radio and newspapers the next day, making it look as if the entire city is in flames.
Tamale occupies a land area of 750km2 or 13 per cent of the entire land area of the Northern Region. It is touted as one of the fastest growing cities in the West African sub-region, according to World Bank reports.
It is, therefore, unfortunate that an incident which occurs at a suburb of the metropolis is sometimes reported as if the whole city has been engulfed.
A recent incident that immediately comes to mind is the May 10, 2008 quarrel between some youth at a night club in Tamale that degenerated into an open fight between their respective sympathisers, leading to the vandalisation of property at a section of a suburb - Changli.
As expected, it became the banner news headlines of some radio and newspapers to the effect that supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the entire metropolis were at each others’ throat.
It would, however, interest readers to know that majority of Tamale residents heard of the news through the media in Accra because normal business and life went on uninterrupted.
Apart from those residents living around the scene of the incident, the vast populace did not even know that anything had happened. Yet it was made to believe that Tamale was on fire.
In a news item on Ghanaweb, two days after the incident, it was reported that there was a raging conflict between followers of the two parties in all the 20 districts of the Northern Region.
A banker, Mr Ben Osei, had this to say, ‘‘I liken what some media houses report about Tamale to the way the foreign press report negatively on Africa; conflicts and hunger. What about reporting on all the positives too.’’
It is interesting to know that after being fed with all such negative reports about Tamale, workers and visitors alike who accept postings, transfers or come to the area eventually leave with a lot of fond memories of the metropolis.
Others eventually refuse to leave when transferred by their various organisations.
It is a fact that Tamale has recorded some ugly incidents since the Dagbon crisis in March, 2002 but that is not to say that positive happenings have not also occurred in the midst of the unfortunate happenings.
According to the Tamale Police, the metropolis has one of the least crime rates in the country. People go about their respective businesses without fear of being robbed, attacked or intimidated by anybody.
Other recent successes Tamale has chalked up include the declaration by the Local Organising Committee of the Ghana 2008, that it was the best among the four venues in the country.
A couple of years ago, it won the best sister-city relationship in the country. It is also the first city in the country to have gone into such a relationship since the 70s.
Most visitors to the metropolis have described residents of the area as the real epitome of the true spirit of the proverbial Ghanaian hospitality, where people are each others’ keeper. Residents naturally offer services to people in need without expecting anything in return. What they cherish is greetings and ‘‘Thank You.’’
Apart from having one of the best road networks, the metropolis was also adjudged the neatest city in Ghana a couple of years ago. And just last weekend at the Ghana Tourism Awards Nite for the Savannah zone comprising the Northern, Upper East and West regions, Tamale won the enviable title again as the Cleanest City for the year 2007.
The metropolis has also gone through significant transformation in recent times with the influx of banks, business establishments and modernisation of the airport that has increased the number of flights to the area, among other developments.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, did not mince words when he gave the assurance to patrons at the awards night that, ‘‘notwithstanding anything like news or reports to the contrary, Tamale, our metropolis, is a very peaceful city whose suitability for this kind of event your good selves will acclaim as the most appropriate.’’
Any little mishap in the metropolis is sometimes blown out of proportion. A minor misunderstanding between two persons at a little corner of a suburb in the metropolis assumes the headline on some radio and newspapers the next day, making it look as if the entire city is in flames.
Tamale occupies a land area of 750km2 or 13 per cent of the entire land area of the Northern Region. It is touted as one of the fastest growing cities in the West African sub-region, according to World Bank reports.
It is, therefore, unfortunate that an incident which occurs at a suburb of the metropolis is sometimes reported as if the whole city has been engulfed.
A recent incident that immediately comes to mind is the May 10, 2008 quarrel between some youth at a night club in Tamale that degenerated into an open fight between their respective sympathisers, leading to the vandalisation of property at a section of a suburb - Changli.
As expected, it became the banner news headlines of some radio and newspapers to the effect that supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the entire metropolis were at each others’ throat.
It would, however, interest readers to know that majority of Tamale residents heard of the news through the media in Accra because normal business and life went on uninterrupted.
Apart from those residents living around the scene of the incident, the vast populace did not even know that anything had happened. Yet it was made to believe that Tamale was on fire.
In a news item on Ghanaweb, two days after the incident, it was reported that there was a raging conflict between followers of the two parties in all the 20 districts of the Northern Region.
A banker, Mr Ben Osei, had this to say, ‘‘I liken what some media houses report about Tamale to the way the foreign press report negatively on Africa; conflicts and hunger. What about reporting on all the positives too.’’
It is interesting to know that after being fed with all such negative reports about Tamale, workers and visitors alike who accept postings, transfers or come to the area eventually leave with a lot of fond memories of the metropolis.
Others eventually refuse to leave when transferred by their various organisations.
It is a fact that Tamale has recorded some ugly incidents since the Dagbon crisis in March, 2002 but that is not to say that positive happenings have not also occurred in the midst of the unfortunate happenings.
According to the Tamale Police, the metropolis has one of the least crime rates in the country. People go about their respective businesses without fear of being robbed, attacked or intimidated by anybody.
Other recent successes Tamale has chalked up include the declaration by the Local Organising Committee of the Ghana 2008, that it was the best among the four venues in the country.
A couple of years ago, it won the best sister-city relationship in the country. It is also the first city in the country to have gone into such a relationship since the 70s.
Most visitors to the metropolis have described residents of the area as the real epitome of the true spirit of the proverbial Ghanaian hospitality, where people are each others’ keeper. Residents naturally offer services to people in need without expecting anything in return. What they cherish is greetings and ‘‘Thank You.’’
Apart from having one of the best road networks, the metropolis was also adjudged the neatest city in Ghana a couple of years ago. And just last weekend at the Ghana Tourism Awards Nite for the Savannah zone comprising the Northern, Upper East and West regions, Tamale won the enviable title again as the Cleanest City for the year 2007.
The metropolis has also gone through significant transformation in recent times with the influx of banks, business establishments and modernisation of the airport that has increased the number of flights to the area, among other developments.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, did not mince words when he gave the assurance to patrons at the awards night that, ‘‘notwithstanding anything like news or reports to the contrary, Tamale, our metropolis, is a very peaceful city whose suitability for this kind of event your good selves will acclaim as the most appropriate.’’
Monday, June 16, 2008
RENEWED FIGHTING IN BUIPE CLAIMS ONE LIFE (PAGE 3)
ONE person is reported dead, while others are reported to have sustained various degrees of injury, in renewed conflict at Buipe in the Central Gonja District of the Northern Region between two factions in the protracted chieftaincy dispute in the area.
The incident comes hard on the heels of a ruling by the Judicial Committee of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs over who is the rightful claimant to the Kusawgu Skin.
The situation has since been brought under control, with a combined team of about 60 police and military personnel patrolling the area to ensure law and order, while efforts are being made by the Northern Regional Security Council to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
No arrest has been made.
Since the death of the late chief of the traditional area in 2006, there has been an uneasy calm, following continuous disagreements over the rightful heir to the skin.
Since the ruling by the judicial committee in favour of the Gyinapo Gate last Tuesday, there have been some minor skirmishes between members of that gate and the Yaafi Gate.
According to a security source, the existing tension culminated in a clash on Saturday, after a sympathiser of the Gyinapo Gate ventured into the domain of the opposing side, for which reason he was allegedly beaten.
When the information got to his people, they also mobilised their men and attacked the other group, resulting in the fatal clash.
When contacted, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, appealed to the two factions to always resort to dialogue in resolving their differences.
He warned that “the security apparatus will deal firmly with any individual or group which would want to take the law into their own hands and derail the prevailing peace in any part of the region”.
The minister further reaffirmed the government’s decision not to dabble in chieftaincy matters but noted that “it has the mandate and responsibility to maintain law and order, protect lives and property and also ensure the freedom of the individual”.
The incident comes hard on the heels of a ruling by the Judicial Committee of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs over who is the rightful claimant to the Kusawgu Skin.
The situation has since been brought under control, with a combined team of about 60 police and military personnel patrolling the area to ensure law and order, while efforts are being made by the Northern Regional Security Council to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
No arrest has been made.
Since the death of the late chief of the traditional area in 2006, there has been an uneasy calm, following continuous disagreements over the rightful heir to the skin.
Since the ruling by the judicial committee in favour of the Gyinapo Gate last Tuesday, there have been some minor skirmishes between members of that gate and the Yaafi Gate.
According to a security source, the existing tension culminated in a clash on Saturday, after a sympathiser of the Gyinapo Gate ventured into the domain of the opposing side, for which reason he was allegedly beaten.
When the information got to his people, they also mobilised their men and attacked the other group, resulting in the fatal clash.
When contacted, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, appealed to the two factions to always resort to dialogue in resolving their differences.
He warned that “the security apparatus will deal firmly with any individual or group which would want to take the law into their own hands and derail the prevailing peace in any part of the region”.
The minister further reaffirmed the government’s decision not to dabble in chieftaincy matters but noted that “it has the mandate and responsibility to maintain law and order, protect lives and property and also ensure the freedom of the individual”.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
FARMER TO DIE BY HANGING (PAGE 25)
From Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale
A FARMER who was haunted continuously after murdering his two colleagues on their respective farms at Kpandai in the Northern Region eventually confessed his crime to some acquaintances, leading to his arrest and ultimate conviction.
The convict, Nadoh Kokomba, was on June 3, 2008 sentenced to death by hanging, by the Tamale High Court presided over by Justice Simon Gbiel Suunu Bareh, for shooting and killing the two victims who were working on their farms.
The deceased, Akitanyi Akim Banu and James Kofi Anebo whose bodies had to be exhumed for autopsy, have finally been put to rest at Kpandai.
The facts of the case, according to the prosecutor, Assistant State Attorney Salia Abdul-Quddus, is that on May 23, 2005, the victims went to their respective farms at Kpandai but failed to return home in the evening.
He said the families of the two decided to organise a search party to look for them on their farms where they were found dead.
Mr Quddus said because it had earlier rained heavily on that day, the search party concluded that the victims might have been struck by lightning and thunder and, therefore, attributed their death to the wrath of the Thunder God as dictated by their beliefs. As such, the deceased were buried.
The truth, however, began unfolding on May 26, 2005 when the convict, haunted by his dastardly action, visited one Alhaji Tahiru Jawula and Manbunwura, his acquaintances at Kpandai, and confessed to them that he was actually the person who murdered Banu and Anebo.
He was subsequently handed over to the police by Jawula and Yakubu and in his statement, Konkomba alleged that it was the former who hired him to kill the deceased and for which reason Jawula gave him a shotgun and a packet of cartridges.
He further stated that Jawula promised to give him a house and an amount of GH¢2, 500 if he successfully carried out the act. Investigations later proved that Alhaji Jawula was innocent.
On June 3, 2005 when the convict led a team of police investigators from Tamale to the scene of the crime, he identified the spots where he shot the victims and four empty cartridges were retrieved.
When the bodies of the deceased were exhumed and a post-mortem carried out on October 6, 2005, it revealed that the victims died as a result of gunshot wounds they sustained.
According to the prosecutor, earlier on January 10, 2005, Konkomba was reported to have stolen 2,500 pieces of yam seedlings from the farm of Banu and one Alhassan Ntasa.
The case, which was witnessed by Anebo, was settled amicably after the convict had been arrested by the police.
A FARMER who was haunted continuously after murdering his two colleagues on their respective farms at Kpandai in the Northern Region eventually confessed his crime to some acquaintances, leading to his arrest and ultimate conviction.
The convict, Nadoh Kokomba, was on June 3, 2008 sentenced to death by hanging, by the Tamale High Court presided over by Justice Simon Gbiel Suunu Bareh, for shooting and killing the two victims who were working on their farms.
The deceased, Akitanyi Akim Banu and James Kofi Anebo whose bodies had to be exhumed for autopsy, have finally been put to rest at Kpandai.
The facts of the case, according to the prosecutor, Assistant State Attorney Salia Abdul-Quddus, is that on May 23, 2005, the victims went to their respective farms at Kpandai but failed to return home in the evening.
He said the families of the two decided to organise a search party to look for them on their farms where they were found dead.
Mr Quddus said because it had earlier rained heavily on that day, the search party concluded that the victims might have been struck by lightning and thunder and, therefore, attributed their death to the wrath of the Thunder God as dictated by their beliefs. As such, the deceased were buried.
The truth, however, began unfolding on May 26, 2005 when the convict, haunted by his dastardly action, visited one Alhaji Tahiru Jawula and Manbunwura, his acquaintances at Kpandai, and confessed to them that he was actually the person who murdered Banu and Anebo.
He was subsequently handed over to the police by Jawula and Yakubu and in his statement, Konkomba alleged that it was the former who hired him to kill the deceased and for which reason Jawula gave him a shotgun and a packet of cartridges.
He further stated that Jawula promised to give him a house and an amount of GH¢2, 500 if he successfully carried out the act. Investigations later proved that Alhaji Jawula was innocent.
On June 3, 2005 when the convict led a team of police investigators from Tamale to the scene of the crime, he identified the spots where he shot the victims and four empty cartridges were retrieved.
When the bodies of the deceased were exhumed and a post-mortem carried out on October 6, 2005, it revealed that the victims died as a result of gunshot wounds they sustained.
According to the prosecutor, earlier on January 10, 2005, Konkomba was reported to have stolen 2,500 pieces of yam seedlings from the farm of Banu and one Alhassan Ntasa.
The case, which was witnessed by Anebo, was settled amicably after the convict had been arrested by the police.
Friday, June 13, 2008
GCB HOLDS WORKSHOP FOR CUSTOMERS IN TAMALE (PAGE 20)
THE Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) has held a workshop in Tamale on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) for its customers and the general public in the northern sector of the country.
The day's workshop was aimed at building a stronger relationship between the bank and its clients as well as enhancing the bank's collaboration with the informal sector of the economy.
The forum was the seventh in a series of workshops being organised by the bank in the regional capitals, which has already covered Accra, Koforidua, Sekondi/Takoradi, Kumasi, Sunyani and Ho.
Among the topics treated at the workshop were credit documentation, basic book-keeping practice, facility account operations and valuation, mortgages and securities.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Managing Director of the GCB, Mr Lawrence Adu-Mante, noted that over the years, the bank had played an important role in the growth and development of SMEs in the country.
“Micro, medium and small enterprises contribute significantly towards the engine of growth, essential for competitive and efficient market and critical for poverty reduction,” he explained.
According to the MD, the GCB is the nation's leading and largest bank with 139 networked branches with wealth of experience that has nurtured and continued to support local businesses for the economic development of the country.
He said the bank had also identified and prioritised small and medium-sized businesses in agriculture, manufacturing and commerce.
Mr Adu-Mantey stated that the bank's SME division, established four years ago, manages about 678 facilities with a current value of GH¢23 million.
“In demonstration of the bank's commitment to their customers and SMEs in particular, we have established satellite offices in Kumasi and Takoradi, respectively to bring quality services and utmost relationship banking to customers,” Mr Adu-Mantey added.
He mentioned some of the new products that the bank had introduced into the system as express and international money transfer, fodem account for non-residents and trade services.
The MD said apart from the introduction of Saturday banking at selected branches and the extension of banking hours from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the bank in March, this year, also introduced royal and Internet banking (Commernet Plus) services to meet the needs of its customers.
“We also have the expertise to continue to nurture SMEs and grow you into big corporate bodies in the long term; our SME division is duty-bound to enhance organisational knowledge through relationship banking, advisory services, business services and monitoring,” Mr Adu-Mante stressed.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, entreated the management of the bank to make access to loans easy and on flexible terms to enable farmers and other petty business operators to benefit from it.
He commended the GCB for winning three awards in this year's national banking awards.
The day's workshop was aimed at building a stronger relationship between the bank and its clients as well as enhancing the bank's collaboration with the informal sector of the economy.
The forum was the seventh in a series of workshops being organised by the bank in the regional capitals, which has already covered Accra, Koforidua, Sekondi/Takoradi, Kumasi, Sunyani and Ho.
Among the topics treated at the workshop were credit documentation, basic book-keeping practice, facility account operations and valuation, mortgages and securities.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Managing Director of the GCB, Mr Lawrence Adu-Mante, noted that over the years, the bank had played an important role in the growth and development of SMEs in the country.
“Micro, medium and small enterprises contribute significantly towards the engine of growth, essential for competitive and efficient market and critical for poverty reduction,” he explained.
According to the MD, the GCB is the nation's leading and largest bank with 139 networked branches with wealth of experience that has nurtured and continued to support local businesses for the economic development of the country.
He said the bank had also identified and prioritised small and medium-sized businesses in agriculture, manufacturing and commerce.
Mr Adu-Mantey stated that the bank's SME division, established four years ago, manages about 678 facilities with a current value of GH¢23 million.
“In demonstration of the bank's commitment to their customers and SMEs in particular, we have established satellite offices in Kumasi and Takoradi, respectively to bring quality services and utmost relationship banking to customers,” Mr Adu-Mantey added.
He mentioned some of the new products that the bank had introduced into the system as express and international money transfer, fodem account for non-residents and trade services.
The MD said apart from the introduction of Saturday banking at selected branches and the extension of banking hours from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the bank in March, this year, also introduced royal and Internet banking (Commernet Plus) services to meet the needs of its customers.
“We also have the expertise to continue to nurture SMEs and grow you into big corporate bodies in the long term; our SME division is duty-bound to enhance organisational knowledge through relationship banking, advisory services, business services and monitoring,” Mr Adu-Mante stressed.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, entreated the management of the bank to make access to loans easy and on flexible terms to enable farmers and other petty business operators to benefit from it.
He commended the GCB for winning three awards in this year's national banking awards.
RURAL TECHNOLOGY FACILITY FOR SALAGA (PAGE 20)
THE first Rural Technology Facility for the northern sector has been established at Salaga in the East Gonja District of the Northern Region.
The facility, which cost GH¢160,000, is the 12th of its kind to be set up in the country.
It would provide critical rural base engineering services to people in the East, West and Central Gonja and the Zabzugu districts.
The government, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the African Development Bank funded the project.
The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and PSI, Madam Gifty Ohene Konadu, explained that the facility had a technical backing from the GRATIS Foundation.
She expressed the hope that the establishment of the facility would significantly help in the training of master artisans and also equip the youth with employable skills.
The Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing and an MP for the area, Alhaji Boniface Abubakar Saddique, stated that the establishment of the centre had given credence to the government's determination to develop the human and infrastructural base of the country for accelerated socio-economic growth.
For his part, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, advised the people to patronise the facility to get the maximum benefits it would offer.
He said plans to tar the Makango-Salaga-Tamale roads were on course, as the government was sourcing funds for its take-off.
Alhaji Idris also inaugurated a new police post and a staff bungalow for the police at Salaga.
The East Gonja District Assembly constructed the police station at a cost of GH¢170,000.
The regional minister urged the leadership of the various ethnic groups in the area to sustain the existing peace by co-operating with the police to ensure law and order.
“Maintaining security in this growing society must be a joint undertaking among chiefs, the assembly, the community and security agencies,” he stated.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Mr Amadu Musah Abudu, commended the Kpembewura, Alhaji Haruna Kibasibe, for releasing land for the technology project.
He stated that the provision of the modern office and bungalow were aimed at motivating the police to offer their best.
The facility, which cost GH¢160,000, is the 12th of its kind to be set up in the country.
It would provide critical rural base engineering services to people in the East, West and Central Gonja and the Zabzugu districts.
The government, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the African Development Bank funded the project.
The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and PSI, Madam Gifty Ohene Konadu, explained that the facility had a technical backing from the GRATIS Foundation.
She expressed the hope that the establishment of the facility would significantly help in the training of master artisans and also equip the youth with employable skills.
The Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing and an MP for the area, Alhaji Boniface Abubakar Saddique, stated that the establishment of the centre had given credence to the government's determination to develop the human and infrastructural base of the country for accelerated socio-economic growth.
For his part, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, advised the people to patronise the facility to get the maximum benefits it would offer.
He said plans to tar the Makango-Salaga-Tamale roads were on course, as the government was sourcing funds for its take-off.
Alhaji Idris also inaugurated a new police post and a staff bungalow for the police at Salaga.
The East Gonja District Assembly constructed the police station at a cost of GH¢170,000.
The regional minister urged the leadership of the various ethnic groups in the area to sustain the existing peace by co-operating with the police to ensure law and order.
“Maintaining security in this growing society must be a joint undertaking among chiefs, the assembly, the community and security agencies,” he stated.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Mr Amadu Musah Abudu, commended the Kpembewura, Alhaji Haruna Kibasibe, for releasing land for the technology project.
He stated that the provision of the modern office and bungalow were aimed at motivating the police to offer their best.
YENDI WATER SUPPLY IMPROVES (PAGE 20)
RESIDENTS of Yendi and its surrounding areas are now heaving a sigh of relief following the resumption of the supply of pipe-borne water to the municipality.
The improvement of water supply was as a result of the increase in the volume of the only source of water for the area, River Dakar, which had dried up prior to the onset of the rains this year. Most of the residents described the situation as a rare phenomenon.
The acute water shortage in the municipality which affected regular and early school attendance,and also slowed down socio-economic activities in the area lasted for six weeks.
The Yendi Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Alhaji Mohammed Habib Tijani, mentioned silt and other practices such as farming and felling of trees on the banks of the river as some of the reasons for the dry-up.
The chief executive said this during a courtesy call on him by the General Manager (Newspapers) of the Graphic Communications Group Limited, Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh in Yendi as part of his working visit to the Northern Region last weekend.
Alhaji Tijani said during the crisis, water tankers had to be mobilised from Tamale and elsewhere to supply water to desperate residents, some of whom had to travel far in search of water.
''In collaboration with the Church of Christ, the assembly had to embark on a temporary measure by drilling a high yielding borehole that was mechanised and piped to some portions of the metropolis; and that became the source of majority of the people,” he stated.
Alhaji Tijani added that apart from the existing nine boreholes, the assembly and its partners had drilled seven additional ones, out of which three were high yielding.
The MCE, however, appealed to various stakeholders to support the assembly to mechanise the other boreholes and also desilt and maintain the river, so that “we do not experience what we have just gone through in future.”
Alhaji Tijani stated that Yendi was part of the areas to enjoy “town water system project” that had already begun in Damongo. The third beneficiary town was Wa in the Upper West Region.
The MCE said, under the project, which was being undertaken by the government with support from other donor agencies, the intake source would be River Oti, a distance of 18 miles from Yendi.
He added that the surrounding communities along the line would also benefit from the project.
Mr Ayeboafo advised the people to protect the river at all times to ensure uninterrupted water supply to the municipality.
The improvement of water supply was as a result of the increase in the volume of the only source of water for the area, River Dakar, which had dried up prior to the onset of the rains this year. Most of the residents described the situation as a rare phenomenon.
The acute water shortage in the municipality which affected regular and early school attendance,and also slowed down socio-economic activities in the area lasted for six weeks.
The Yendi Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Alhaji Mohammed Habib Tijani, mentioned silt and other practices such as farming and felling of trees on the banks of the river as some of the reasons for the dry-up.
The chief executive said this during a courtesy call on him by the General Manager (Newspapers) of the Graphic Communications Group Limited, Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh in Yendi as part of his working visit to the Northern Region last weekend.
Alhaji Tijani said during the crisis, water tankers had to be mobilised from Tamale and elsewhere to supply water to desperate residents, some of whom had to travel far in search of water.
''In collaboration with the Church of Christ, the assembly had to embark on a temporary measure by drilling a high yielding borehole that was mechanised and piped to some portions of the metropolis; and that became the source of majority of the people,” he stated.
Alhaji Tijani added that apart from the existing nine boreholes, the assembly and its partners had drilled seven additional ones, out of which three were high yielding.
The MCE, however, appealed to various stakeholders to support the assembly to mechanise the other boreholes and also desilt and maintain the river, so that “we do not experience what we have just gone through in future.”
Alhaji Tijani stated that Yendi was part of the areas to enjoy “town water system project” that had already begun in Damongo. The third beneficiary town was Wa in the Upper West Region.
The MCE said, under the project, which was being undertaken by the government with support from other donor agencies, the intake source would be River Oti, a distance of 18 miles from Yendi.
He added that the surrounding communities along the line would also benefit from the project.
Mr Ayeboafo advised the people to protect the river at all times to ensure uninterrupted water supply to the municipality.
RAISING GIRLS' ENROLMENT IN YENDI SCHOOLS (PAGE 20)
THE issue of low enrolment and retention of girls in schools in the Yendi Municipality persists.
The problem is, therefore, attracting the attention of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and civil society organisations in the area.
Records from the Municipal Education Directorate indicate that only 82.1 per cent and 52.3 per cent of girls enrolled in primary and junior high schools (JHS) respectively in the area for the 2007/2008 academic year compared to 100.9 per cent and 78.6 per cent for boys within the same period.
The situation has resulted in a Gender Parity Index of 0.81 for primary schools and 0.79 for JHS in the municipality.
Among the major factors restricting girls' enrolment or the continuation of their education are marriages, teenage pregnancy, betrothal and elopement, unequal division of labour at home and a lack of parental support.
It is for these reasons that the Yendi GES, in partnership with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), has initiated a number of programmes to halt the downward trend of girls' education in the area.
The programmes include formation of girls’ clubs in the district. At the moment, there are 53 of such active clubs in the area that promote assertiveness, child and girls' rights, science and reproductive health education and life skills based on a book series developed by the WUSC.
Members are also supported to embark on quiz and other competitive activities, games and exchange of visits.
A five-day camp was recently organised for 50 selected girls to build their capacity in the exercise of their rights in decision-making, both at home and in school, aimed at encouraging them to stay in school.
It was on the theme; “Educating the girl child — A better future within grasp.”
The Gender Advocacy Advisor for WUSC, Ms Sheena Cameron, said among the objectives of the programme was creating opportunities for the girls to enable them realise their potential in future.
She explained that her organisation was a Canadian non-governmental organisation (NGO) committed to development through education, and had been operating in the Yendi District since 1997.
Ms Cameron further stated that WUSC was focussing its attention on basic education in the three northern regions by contributing effectively towards elimination of gender disparities in primary education.
She said her outfit was tackling gender related factors that affected enrolment, attendance, retention and completion of basic education by girls.
“It is our hope that following the success of this camp, the girls would act as peer-educators to bring what they have learnt back to their clubs to educate their colleagues and also sensitise their respective communities to the lessons they had learnt,” Ms Cameron stated.
The Municipal Girls' Education Officer, Ms Alice A. Attah, stressed the need for female education and mentioned attitude, culture and traditions as some of the factors that had restricted them from attaining that objective.
''In all these, there is the need to set goals and motivate the young ladies to reach their targets to ensure a secured and better future for them,” she noted.
The Yendi Municipal Director of Education, Mr Nantogmah Ziblim, urged the participants that since their destinies laid in their own hands, they should make good use of all opportunities available to them.
The problem is, therefore, attracting the attention of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and civil society organisations in the area.
Records from the Municipal Education Directorate indicate that only 82.1 per cent and 52.3 per cent of girls enrolled in primary and junior high schools (JHS) respectively in the area for the 2007/2008 academic year compared to 100.9 per cent and 78.6 per cent for boys within the same period.
The situation has resulted in a Gender Parity Index of 0.81 for primary schools and 0.79 for JHS in the municipality.
Among the major factors restricting girls' enrolment or the continuation of their education are marriages, teenage pregnancy, betrothal and elopement, unequal division of labour at home and a lack of parental support.
It is for these reasons that the Yendi GES, in partnership with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), has initiated a number of programmes to halt the downward trend of girls' education in the area.
The programmes include formation of girls’ clubs in the district. At the moment, there are 53 of such active clubs in the area that promote assertiveness, child and girls' rights, science and reproductive health education and life skills based on a book series developed by the WUSC.
Members are also supported to embark on quiz and other competitive activities, games and exchange of visits.
A five-day camp was recently organised for 50 selected girls to build their capacity in the exercise of their rights in decision-making, both at home and in school, aimed at encouraging them to stay in school.
It was on the theme; “Educating the girl child — A better future within grasp.”
The Gender Advocacy Advisor for WUSC, Ms Sheena Cameron, said among the objectives of the programme was creating opportunities for the girls to enable them realise their potential in future.
She explained that her organisation was a Canadian non-governmental organisation (NGO) committed to development through education, and had been operating in the Yendi District since 1997.
Ms Cameron further stated that WUSC was focussing its attention on basic education in the three northern regions by contributing effectively towards elimination of gender disparities in primary education.
She said her outfit was tackling gender related factors that affected enrolment, attendance, retention and completion of basic education by girls.
“It is our hope that following the success of this camp, the girls would act as peer-educators to bring what they have learnt back to their clubs to educate their colleagues and also sensitise their respective communities to the lessons they had learnt,” Ms Cameron stated.
The Municipal Girls' Education Officer, Ms Alice A. Attah, stressed the need for female education and mentioned attitude, culture and traditions as some of the factors that had restricted them from attaining that objective.
''In all these, there is the need to set goals and motivate the young ladies to reach their targets to ensure a secured and better future for them,” she noted.
The Yendi Municipal Director of Education, Mr Nantogmah Ziblim, urged the participants that since their destinies laid in their own hands, they should make good use of all opportunities available to them.
ROAD SAFETY AGENTS CHECK ABUSE OF FOG LIGHTS (PAGE 29)
THE inappropriate use of fog and other auxiliary lights by vehicles in the Tamale metropolis have attracted the attention of road safety agencies in the metropolis, who have as a result mounted a joint exercise to educate motorists on the use of such special features.
The National Road Safety Commission in collaboration with the Vehicle Licensing Authority and the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit of the Ghana Police Service jointly undertook the exercise.
According to the Northern Regional Road Safety Co-ordinator, Mr Sumani Mbo, apart from the fact that the use of such auxiliary lights contravened road safety regulations, most accidents which occurred at most parts of the region could be attributed to the wrong use of those systems.
The special exercise formed part of a series of programmes lined up to educate motorists in the area to get rid of those systems mounted on the vehicles.
In all, the road safety agents removed the illegal lights from 22 vehicles which were carrying them. The vehicles included buses, cargo trucks and fuel tankers.
‘‘Some careless drivers are in the habit of using the fog lights to blind oncoming vehicles, resulting in accidents; this negative attitude must be stopped and the surest way to do this is to get all illegally installed fog and auxiliary lights removed,’’ Mr Mbo intimated.
Statistics from the MTTU in Tamale indicate that there has been an increase in the number of fatal accidents in the metropolis. Fatalities rose from 25 deaths between the periods of January and April last year to 33 within the same period under review, this year alone.
Prior to the exercise members of the NRSC had presented copies of the road safety code of conduct for political campaigns to the Vice-Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, Mr John Dramani Mahama, in Tamale when he recently embarked on a campaign tour of the region.
The document, which was prepared by the commission, spells out guidelines on how to conduct political activities safely devoid of accidents during the run-up to this year’s general elections.
This was against the backdrop of a recent accident that claimed the life of a 19-year-old girl, with several others sustaining various degrees of injuries in an accident involving supporters of the NDC, who were on their way to welcome Mr Mahama to Tamale.
Mr Mbo said ‘‘election years are usually periods when accident figures go up and this is because of the irresponsible way party supporters use the roads during such periods.’’
He, therefore, entreated the leadership of all parties to ensure that they adhered to road safety regulations during the conduct of their respective campaigns.
Mr Mahama expressed his appreciation to the members of the commission, and promised to convey the message to the followers of the party.
The National Road Safety Commission in collaboration with the Vehicle Licensing Authority and the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit of the Ghana Police Service jointly undertook the exercise.
According to the Northern Regional Road Safety Co-ordinator, Mr Sumani Mbo, apart from the fact that the use of such auxiliary lights contravened road safety regulations, most accidents which occurred at most parts of the region could be attributed to the wrong use of those systems.
The special exercise formed part of a series of programmes lined up to educate motorists in the area to get rid of those systems mounted on the vehicles.
In all, the road safety agents removed the illegal lights from 22 vehicles which were carrying them. The vehicles included buses, cargo trucks and fuel tankers.
‘‘Some careless drivers are in the habit of using the fog lights to blind oncoming vehicles, resulting in accidents; this negative attitude must be stopped and the surest way to do this is to get all illegally installed fog and auxiliary lights removed,’’ Mr Mbo intimated.
Statistics from the MTTU in Tamale indicate that there has been an increase in the number of fatal accidents in the metropolis. Fatalities rose from 25 deaths between the periods of January and April last year to 33 within the same period under review, this year alone.
Prior to the exercise members of the NRSC had presented copies of the road safety code of conduct for political campaigns to the Vice-Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, Mr John Dramani Mahama, in Tamale when he recently embarked on a campaign tour of the region.
The document, which was prepared by the commission, spells out guidelines on how to conduct political activities safely devoid of accidents during the run-up to this year’s general elections.
This was against the backdrop of a recent accident that claimed the life of a 19-year-old girl, with several others sustaining various degrees of injuries in an accident involving supporters of the NDC, who were on their way to welcome Mr Mahama to Tamale.
Mr Mbo said ‘‘election years are usually periods when accident figures go up and this is because of the irresponsible way party supporters use the roads during such periods.’’
He, therefore, entreated the leadership of all parties to ensure that they adhered to road safety regulations during the conduct of their respective campaigns.
Mr Mahama expressed his appreciation to the members of the commission, and promised to convey the message to the followers of the party.
TAMALE ROAD NETWORK IMPROVES TREMENDOUSLY (PAGE 29)
THE road network in the Tamale metropolis has improved tremendously over the years. Indeed, most visitors to the metropolis are impressed with the beautifully laid-out roads, most of which are covered with asphalt.
Many of the roads have sealed side drains, pavements and bicycle lanes. The rest are either gravelled or have been undeveloped.
Being one of the fastest growing cities in the West African sub-region however, more work needs to be done to link the sprawling suburbs to the rest of the metropolis to make the new areas more accessible.
It is for these reasons that the Urban Roads Department in Tamale has stepped up its efforts to tar most of the roads in the old as well as the new communities which are springing up.
Most residents have commended such initiatives, and expressed the hope that apart from making those areas accessible, the tarred roads would also help in reducing the amount of dust that engulfs those suburbs during windstorms, particularly during the harmattan season.
So far, a greater part of the roads which were started last year by the department have been completed.
According to the Tamale Metropolitan Roads Engineer, Mr William Donkor, the Sakasaka, Iranian and SDA roads that began last year have all been completed.
Roads along the Tamale Airport, the new UDS Hostel and the Radach Hotel in the industrial area are also in use now.
He said work was ongoing on the Tamale Polytechnic, Nasona Guest House areas and the new stadium roads, and expressed the hope that ‘‘by the end of July, the contractors might have completed work on them.’’
The projection for this year includes the Vittin-Target, Relax Lodge through Tishigu to the main Tamale-Bolga road, portions of the SSNIT-Fuo Road and the construction of a by-pass through the Village Water Reservoir area to the Second Ring Road.
The rest include the laying of box culverts on the Second Ring Road that cuts across Taysec, SSNIT and Agric Traffic lights area and the resealing of some existing roads that were constructed by Taysec in order to prolong their lifespan.
This has become necessary following the continuous use of the roads, particularly the Kintampo-Tamale-Bolgatanga highway and its resultant destruction by the heavy duty vehicles which carry goods to and from Burkina Faso and the other Sahelian regions.
On the dysfunctional street lights in the metropolis, Mr Donkor attributed the problems to the malfunctioning of the controller systems and some of the underground cables.
‘‘We are however working around the clock to get the contractors, who are based outside Tamale to come over and work on them,’’ he explained.
The engineer said while the signal heads of the existing traffic lights would be changed, new ones would be erected at the Warders Canteen and Jisonayili junctions.
When done, he said, that would help minimise accidents at those junctions, which are part of the flash points in the metropolis so as to ensure the safety of both motorists and pedestrians.
Many of the roads have sealed side drains, pavements and bicycle lanes. The rest are either gravelled or have been undeveloped.
Being one of the fastest growing cities in the West African sub-region however, more work needs to be done to link the sprawling suburbs to the rest of the metropolis to make the new areas more accessible.
It is for these reasons that the Urban Roads Department in Tamale has stepped up its efforts to tar most of the roads in the old as well as the new communities which are springing up.
Most residents have commended such initiatives, and expressed the hope that apart from making those areas accessible, the tarred roads would also help in reducing the amount of dust that engulfs those suburbs during windstorms, particularly during the harmattan season.
So far, a greater part of the roads which were started last year by the department have been completed.
According to the Tamale Metropolitan Roads Engineer, Mr William Donkor, the Sakasaka, Iranian and SDA roads that began last year have all been completed.
Roads along the Tamale Airport, the new UDS Hostel and the Radach Hotel in the industrial area are also in use now.
He said work was ongoing on the Tamale Polytechnic, Nasona Guest House areas and the new stadium roads, and expressed the hope that ‘‘by the end of July, the contractors might have completed work on them.’’
The projection for this year includes the Vittin-Target, Relax Lodge through Tishigu to the main Tamale-Bolga road, portions of the SSNIT-Fuo Road and the construction of a by-pass through the Village Water Reservoir area to the Second Ring Road.
The rest include the laying of box culverts on the Second Ring Road that cuts across Taysec, SSNIT and Agric Traffic lights area and the resealing of some existing roads that were constructed by Taysec in order to prolong their lifespan.
This has become necessary following the continuous use of the roads, particularly the Kintampo-Tamale-Bolgatanga highway and its resultant destruction by the heavy duty vehicles which carry goods to and from Burkina Faso and the other Sahelian regions.
On the dysfunctional street lights in the metropolis, Mr Donkor attributed the problems to the malfunctioning of the controller systems and some of the underground cables.
‘‘We are however working around the clock to get the contractors, who are based outside Tamale to come over and work on them,’’ he explained.
The engineer said while the signal heads of the existing traffic lights would be changed, new ones would be erected at the Warders Canteen and Jisonayili junctions.
When done, he said, that would help minimise accidents at those junctions, which are part of the flash points in the metropolis so as to ensure the safety of both motorists and pedestrians.
OSUMAN NEARLY LYNCHED IN TAMALE (PAGE 31)
THE 25-year-old man who confessed to killing his own brother and cooked parts of the deceased’s severed body for a meal, was nearly lynched by some irate youth in the Tamale metropolis on Wednesday evening.
A section of the youth, who recognised the suspect when an attempt was being made to transport him to Walewale for his second appearance at the district court, immediately raised an alarm attracting many people to the station.
But for the timely arrival of a police reinforcement, the suspect, Amadu Osman, would have been lynched by the agitated youth who were angered by his alleged heinous offence.
The two police escorts of the suspect immediately whisked him to the premises of the main branch of the Ghana Commercial Bank, where he was kept in a kiosk for safety.
The curious youth, whose numbers had swelled within that short time, some wielding stones and sticks, waited at the bank for almost an hour before a police vehicle finally picked the suspect back to custody, amidst tight security and boos and hoots by the enraged crowd.
According to the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Albert Johnson, the suspect had to be sent to the town, about an hour’s drive from Tamale, on Wednesday evening to prepare him adequately for court on Thursday.
He explained that the decision by his outfit to send him through public transport was due to the unavailability of a police vehicle at the Walewale station.
“We eventually had to send him through the public transport after later making arrangements with the driver to pass by the charge office around 9 p.m. to pick the suspect and an escort with the other passengers,” Mr Johnson intimated.
The suspect allegedly murdered his elder brother, Alhassan Osman, with some farm implements on the deceased’s farm at Guabiliga, a village near Walewale in the West Mamprusi District, on May 24.
The suspect, after the murder, chopped off the deceased’s arms and his entire manhood, parts of which he allegedly cooked and ate. He was alleged to have hidden the other parts of the severed body under a pile of rocks at the crime scene.
He was later arrested by a search party from the village and handed over to the Walewale police at the Guabiliga chief’s palace where he was tied to a tree.
A section of the youth, who recognised the suspect when an attempt was being made to transport him to Walewale for his second appearance at the district court, immediately raised an alarm attracting many people to the station.
But for the timely arrival of a police reinforcement, the suspect, Amadu Osman, would have been lynched by the agitated youth who were angered by his alleged heinous offence.
The two police escorts of the suspect immediately whisked him to the premises of the main branch of the Ghana Commercial Bank, where he was kept in a kiosk for safety.
The curious youth, whose numbers had swelled within that short time, some wielding stones and sticks, waited at the bank for almost an hour before a police vehicle finally picked the suspect back to custody, amidst tight security and boos and hoots by the enraged crowd.
According to the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Albert Johnson, the suspect had to be sent to the town, about an hour’s drive from Tamale, on Wednesday evening to prepare him adequately for court on Thursday.
He explained that the decision by his outfit to send him through public transport was due to the unavailability of a police vehicle at the Walewale station.
“We eventually had to send him through the public transport after later making arrangements with the driver to pass by the charge office around 9 p.m. to pick the suspect and an escort with the other passengers,” Mr Johnson intimated.
The suspect allegedly murdered his elder brother, Alhassan Osman, with some farm implements on the deceased’s farm at Guabiliga, a village near Walewale in the West Mamprusi District, on May 24.
The suspect, after the murder, chopped off the deceased’s arms and his entire manhood, parts of which he allegedly cooked and ate. He was alleged to have hidden the other parts of the severed body under a pile of rocks at the crime scene.
He was later arrested by a search party from the village and handed over to the Walewale police at the Guabiliga chief’s palace where he was tied to a tree.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
2 YOUTH GROUPS CLASH IN TAMALE NIGHT CLUB (PAGE 14)
A Misunderstanding that ensued between two youth groups at a night club in Tamale last Saturday night degenerated into an open confrontation between their sympathisers, resulting in some injuries and destruction of some property.
A number of persons from both sides sustained various degrees of injuries while some plastic chairs and a room were destroyed in the process.
The incident occurred around the Old Cemetery Road, a suburb of Tamale. Meanwhile, the situation has since been brought under control.
In all, about 50 people were rounded up by the security agencies on Tuesday after the re-surgence of the disturbances on Tuesday morning.
According to a police source, the suspects would be screened and those found culpable prosecuted.
An eyewitness account indicated that one Jamal was last Saturday assaulted at the night club for allegedly stabbing a colleague from the opposing group who had accused him of driving carelessly.
The matter took a political dimension when Jamal, who is said to be a New Patriotic Party (NPP) activist, identified his assailants as members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Consequently, some youth believed to be NPP sympathisers later attacked and destroyed an NDC pavilion in the suburb where the assailants were supposedly based.
The alleged NDC youth retaliated by also attacking an NPP youth base in the same area, leading to the destruction of some chairs and an assault on an activist identified as Hudu Abubakari.
According to some residents, some youth further attempted to burn the house where Jamal resided but for the timely intervention by the Ghana National Fire Service, only a room was burnt in the arson.
A number of persons from both sides sustained various degrees of injuries while some plastic chairs and a room were destroyed in the process.
The incident occurred around the Old Cemetery Road, a suburb of Tamale. Meanwhile, the situation has since been brought under control.
In all, about 50 people were rounded up by the security agencies on Tuesday after the re-surgence of the disturbances on Tuesday morning.
According to a police source, the suspects would be screened and those found culpable prosecuted.
An eyewitness account indicated that one Jamal was last Saturday assaulted at the night club for allegedly stabbing a colleague from the opposing group who had accused him of driving carelessly.
The matter took a political dimension when Jamal, who is said to be a New Patriotic Party (NPP) activist, identified his assailants as members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Consequently, some youth believed to be NPP sympathisers later attacked and destroyed an NDC pavilion in the suburb where the assailants were supposedly based.
The alleged NDC youth retaliated by also attacking an NPP youth base in the same area, leading to the destruction of some chairs and an assault on an activist identified as Hudu Abubakari.
According to some residents, some youth further attempted to burn the house where Jamal resided but for the timely intervention by the Ghana National Fire Service, only a room was burnt in the arson.
DRUGS BOARD OFFICIALS SEIZE ROTTEN FISH (BACK PAGE)
FOR the third time this year, authorities of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) in Tamale have confiscated a large quantity of rotten fish from the Tamale Cold Store that was being sold to the unsuspecting public.
This time, 200 cartons of rotten and maggot-infested fish were retrieved from a dysfunctional storage facility at the Cold Store.
According to the Northern Regional Zonal Officer of the FDB, Mr Solomon Agampim, in the first instance, 150 cartons of unwholesome fish were destroyed and the proprietor, Mohammed Hardi, was fined GH¢100, while 300 cartons of fish were destroyed in the second offence with a GH¢200 fine.
Mr Agampim said this time round, the FDB was waiting for their head office in Accra to spell out the charges to press against the recalcitrant owners of the cold store.
‘‘What is more surprising is that, in spite of the fines and the cautions to the public, food vendors, especially kenkey sellers, continue to patronise the fish from that particular cold store,’’ the officer stated.
He said following the repulsive stench emanating from the storage facility, some nearby residents on Monday called and drew the attention of the FDB to the development.
Mr Agampim said the FDB immediately locked up the cold store after which it collected and destroyed the unwholesome fish.
He quoted portions of the FDB law 1992 that states clearly that, ‘‘Any person who sells or offers for sale any food that consists in whole or part of any filthy, putrid, rotten, decomposed or diseased substance’’ contravenes the law of the country.
Mr Agampim observed that the high patronage of the unwholesome fish could be attributed to the fact that it sold cheaper coupled with the desire of food vendors to maximise profit.
When the Daily Graphic visited the premises of the cold store, some customers were seen waiting for their turn to purchase some of the fish, which the proprietor claimed was stored in a different freezer and therefore not part of the rotten fish.
Mr Hardi further explained that in the first two instances his landlord caused the disconnection of electricity supply to his cold store while attributing mechanical fault to the latest incident.
This time, 200 cartons of rotten and maggot-infested fish were retrieved from a dysfunctional storage facility at the Cold Store.
According to the Northern Regional Zonal Officer of the FDB, Mr Solomon Agampim, in the first instance, 150 cartons of unwholesome fish were destroyed and the proprietor, Mohammed Hardi, was fined GH¢100, while 300 cartons of fish were destroyed in the second offence with a GH¢200 fine.
Mr Agampim said this time round, the FDB was waiting for their head office in Accra to spell out the charges to press against the recalcitrant owners of the cold store.
‘‘What is more surprising is that, in spite of the fines and the cautions to the public, food vendors, especially kenkey sellers, continue to patronise the fish from that particular cold store,’’ the officer stated.
He said following the repulsive stench emanating from the storage facility, some nearby residents on Monday called and drew the attention of the FDB to the development.
Mr Agampim said the FDB immediately locked up the cold store after which it collected and destroyed the unwholesome fish.
He quoted portions of the FDB law 1992 that states clearly that, ‘‘Any person who sells or offers for sale any food that consists in whole or part of any filthy, putrid, rotten, decomposed or diseased substance’’ contravenes the law of the country.
Mr Agampim observed that the high patronage of the unwholesome fish could be attributed to the fact that it sold cheaper coupled with the desire of food vendors to maximise profit.
When the Daily Graphic visited the premises of the cold store, some customers were seen waiting for their turn to purchase some of the fish, which the proprietor claimed was stored in a different freezer and therefore not part of the rotten fish.
Mr Hardi further explained that in the first two instances his landlord caused the disconnection of electricity supply to his cold store while attributing mechanical fault to the latest incident.
Monday, June 9, 2008
MINISTER PRESENTS ITEMS TO NDEC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (PAGE 13)
THE Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, has, in a goodwill gesture, presented cash and a quantity of food items to supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who were involved in an accident in Tamale at the weekend.
The minister, who led members of the Northern Regional Co-ordinating Council to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where the victims were on admission, donated GH¢500, two bags of rice and other food items.
Alhaji Idris wished the victims a speedy recovery and expressed his condolences to the family of 19-year-old Ms Suweibatu who lost her life in the accident.
He, however, expressed grave concern about the frequency of accidents anytime a high profile political figure, particularly from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) or the NDC was coming into the region.
The minister, therefore, charged members of the inter-party advisory committee in the region, the police and other stakeholders to intensify their campaigns on incident-free political activities in the area.
‘‘As the period for the general election is fast approaching with the intensification of campaigns by the respective political parties, there is the urgent need to sensitise the people, especially the youth to exercise maximum restraint in spite of their exuberance,’’ Alhaji Idris cautioned.
The accident occurred last Saturday afternoon near Lamashegu, a suburb of Tamale, when the driver of a KIA truck in which the victims were travelling, lost control of the steering wheel.
They were among hundreds of NDC supporters who were on their way to Datoyili on the Tamale-Kumasi road to welcome the running mate of the NDC, Mr John Mahama, into the metropolis to begin his three-day campaign of the Northern Region.
One person died and many others sustained various degrees of injury. Some have since been treated and discharged.
A surgeon at the Tamale Hospital, Dr Sammy Isharabin, who briefed the minister and his entourage, said one of the victims, Fuseini Musah, who was in coma with multiple knee injuries since the accident occurred, was now responding to treatment.
He said the hospital authorities were also observing the conditions of the other victims and would not hesitate to recommend the transfer of any patient whose situation needed special attention.
In a related development, the Northern Regional MTTU Commander, ASP Nana Kumi, said the driver of the KIA truck was one of the victims on admission.
He said some of the victims who escaped unhurt, rather towed the vehicle to a mechanic’s shop as a cover-up.
Mr Kumi indicated that executive of the NDC had since reported the accident to the police, and that they were now conducting investigations into its cause.
The minister, who led members of the Northern Regional Co-ordinating Council to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where the victims were on admission, donated GH¢500, two bags of rice and other food items.
Alhaji Idris wished the victims a speedy recovery and expressed his condolences to the family of 19-year-old Ms Suweibatu who lost her life in the accident.
He, however, expressed grave concern about the frequency of accidents anytime a high profile political figure, particularly from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) or the NDC was coming into the region.
The minister, therefore, charged members of the inter-party advisory committee in the region, the police and other stakeholders to intensify their campaigns on incident-free political activities in the area.
‘‘As the period for the general election is fast approaching with the intensification of campaigns by the respective political parties, there is the urgent need to sensitise the people, especially the youth to exercise maximum restraint in spite of their exuberance,’’ Alhaji Idris cautioned.
The accident occurred last Saturday afternoon near Lamashegu, a suburb of Tamale, when the driver of a KIA truck in which the victims were travelling, lost control of the steering wheel.
They were among hundreds of NDC supporters who were on their way to Datoyili on the Tamale-Kumasi road to welcome the running mate of the NDC, Mr John Mahama, into the metropolis to begin his three-day campaign of the Northern Region.
One person died and many others sustained various degrees of injury. Some have since been treated and discharged.
A surgeon at the Tamale Hospital, Dr Sammy Isharabin, who briefed the minister and his entourage, said one of the victims, Fuseini Musah, who was in coma with multiple knee injuries since the accident occurred, was now responding to treatment.
He said the hospital authorities were also observing the conditions of the other victims and would not hesitate to recommend the transfer of any patient whose situation needed special attention.
In a related development, the Northern Regional MTTU Commander, ASP Nana Kumi, said the driver of the KIA truck was one of the victims on admission.
He said some of the victims who escaped unhurt, rather towed the vehicle to a mechanic’s shop as a cover-up.
Mr Kumi indicated that executive of the NDC had since reported the accident to the police, and that they were now conducting investigations into its cause.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
TWO BROTHERS DEFILE GIRL, 14 (MIRROR, PAGE 3)
From Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale.
TWO brothers, Mark Kojo Kobril and Yaw Kobril are in police grip for allegedly defiling a 14-year-old junior high school (SHS) student in Tamale.
The two, who are both in their early 30s and are drivers, allegedly defiled the victim a number of times before her auntie, Abena Fosua, detected the offence.
Both the victim and the suspects live in the same house at Jisonayili, a suburb of Tamale. Even though the suspects have denied the charges, a medical report from the Tamale Teaching Hospital has confirmed that the victim had actually been defiled.
The suspects, who are currently in police custody, are being prepared for prosecution.
According to the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Inspector Albert Johnson, the incident occurred between April and May, this year, when the victim’s auntie was away in Kumasi.
He said on her return in May, Madam Fosua detected a change in the attitude of her niece, but even upon questioning, the victim refused to talk.
However, when she examined her private part, the auntie noticed some bruises.
‘‘At this point, the young girl revealed to her auntie that she had been defiled by the suspects on different occasions, but they warned her not to disclose her ordeal to anyone, or else she would die,’’ the officer stated.
The victim said Kojo defiled her on three different occasions, with the first being at 9:30pm, after sending her to buy him credit for his mobile phone. She said on her return, the suspect pushed her on his bed and forcibly had sex with her.
Subsequently, Kojo had another sex with her in her auntie’s room, where she was alone, and on another occasion, he picked her up on his motorbike and sent her into the bush, where he repeated his amorous act.
Inspector Johnson further stated that, on another occasion, Kojo’s brother, Mark, sent the victim, who had arrived home from school to buy him kenkey. On her return, Mark allegedly defiled her after strong resistance by the girl.
TWO brothers, Mark Kojo Kobril and Yaw Kobril are in police grip for allegedly defiling a 14-year-old junior high school (SHS) student in Tamale.
The two, who are both in their early 30s and are drivers, allegedly defiled the victim a number of times before her auntie, Abena Fosua, detected the offence.
Both the victim and the suspects live in the same house at Jisonayili, a suburb of Tamale. Even though the suspects have denied the charges, a medical report from the Tamale Teaching Hospital has confirmed that the victim had actually been defiled.
The suspects, who are currently in police custody, are being prepared for prosecution.
According to the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Inspector Albert Johnson, the incident occurred between April and May, this year, when the victim’s auntie was away in Kumasi.
He said on her return in May, Madam Fosua detected a change in the attitude of her niece, but even upon questioning, the victim refused to talk.
However, when she examined her private part, the auntie noticed some bruises.
‘‘At this point, the young girl revealed to her auntie that she had been defiled by the suspects on different occasions, but they warned her not to disclose her ordeal to anyone, or else she would die,’’ the officer stated.
The victim said Kojo defiled her on three different occasions, with the first being at 9:30pm, after sending her to buy him credit for his mobile phone. She said on her return, the suspect pushed her on his bed and forcibly had sex with her.
Subsequently, Kojo had another sex with her in her auntie’s room, where she was alone, and on another occasion, he picked her up on his motorbike and sent her into the bush, where he repeated his amorous act.
Inspector Johnson further stated that, on another occasion, Kojo’s brother, Mark, sent the victim, who had arrived home from school to buy him kenkey. On her return, Mark allegedly defiled her after strong resistance by the girl.
THE BAWKU CONFLICT...1ST MAJOR CONFLICT ERUPTED IN 1983
IT is often with a heavy heart that reference is made to Bawku, a town with great potential for prosperity but whose recurrent story of fighting has usually attracted banner headlines.
The once sprawling commercial hub of the Upper East Region is now comatose. The vibrancy is gone and in its wake are deep-rooted mistrust, fear and uncertainty among two of Ghana’s most endowed ethnic groups, Kusasis and Mamprusis.
Indeed, with military and police armoured vehicles now patrolling the town instead of the usual cargo trucks carrying and unloading goods to and from the municipality, it is clear that all is not well in Bawku.
As is already well known, the prevailing situation is the result of the recurrent and destructive ethnic conflicts between the Kusasis and Mamprusis over the rightful custodians of the area. That is the crux of the matter, which regularly explodes into disagreements, bloody confrontations and sporadic killings between the two groups.
History recalls that the first major conflict between the two ethnic groups erupted in 1983 during the Samanpiid Festival, which is celebrated by the Kusasis to signify bumper harvest.
In 1984, the conflict broke out again. This time over the ownership of farmlands. Subsequent conflicts occurred in 1985 during the Samanpiid, 2000, during the general election, 2001 and 2007, also during the Samanpiid. Aside of these major conflicts, there have also been several small but deadly skirmishes over the years between the factions.
Actual figures are hard to come by but the results of all these disturbances have been that scores of people have lost their lives while many others have sustained various degrees of injury.
The latest incident, which occurred early this year, according to official figures given by security sources, claimed 10 lives with many others sustaining injuries, as well as a number of arrests made. However, some residents interviewed by the Daily Graphic were of the opinion that the number of casualties could be more.
While some of those arrested have been granted bail, others are set for prosecution.
What is more surprising is that over the years, there have been intermarriages between the two tribes and it is not uncommon to meet people in Bawku and surrounding communities who have a Kusasi mother and a Mamprusi father and vice versa.
Some of the minority ethnic groups in the area such as Moshes, Hausas, Bimobas, Dagombas and Bisas are also divided in their alliance to either the Kusasis or Mamprusis in the protracted conflict. The situation is really difficult for non-natives and visitors alike and one has to be careful with who to associate with while in Bawku.
Even though life is moving on, with some people going about their regular businesses, many stores are still locked up by owners for fear of the unexpected.
The two groups are also trapped in their respective enclaves in the metropolis. While the Mamprusis are located in the central business district of the municipality, which extends from the traffic light intersection to parts of the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital area, the Kusasis, who are in the majority, are spread across the town, thus virtually encircling the Mamprusis.
Ordinary citizens, as well as prominent figures from each of the two major ethnic groups, are hesitant to cross over into the other’s suburb without security escort.
A military source indicated that both sides were dangerously armed with sophisticated weapons. A resident, Akparibo Ndego, expressed concern that ‘‘if nothing concrete is done to calm the tension and it explodes again, the consequences could be more disastrous’’.
A 67-year-old retiree, Mahama Adama, said ‘‘any visitor to Bawku now would think we do not have problems but beneath the seeming calm are deep-rooted suspicion and mistrust between us’’.
He said any sound akin to gunfire from either side puts fear in people because of the possibility of a resurgence of the conflict.
The prevailing uneasiness has, therefore, compelled people to flee the town to neighbouring communities, with some notable persons seeking refuge in the Upper East regional capital, Bolgatanga, and parts of northern Togo.
The situation has also compelled the government to impose a curfew on the people. At the peak of this year’s the hostilities, residents had only two hours of freedom, from 7am to 9am. The curfew has since been relaxed to begin at 6pm to 6am.
The effect of the conflict on the socio-economic development of the area is disturbing. All aspects of social life and development such as education, heath, agriculture and commerce have suffered tremendous setbacks to worsen the existing deprivations in the area.
And since the outbreak of the latest hostilities in December last year, most schools have been closed while majority of teachers have fled the area.
Banks, civil society organisations and other public sector offices, including health centres, temporarily closed down. At the time the Daily Graphic team visited the area, some of the banks and other offices had re-opened and offering services to the public. Some are yet to resume duties, though.
It was also realised that some workers and their families stayed at Bolga and daily commuted to work at Bawku.
Farming, which is the main occupation of majority of the people, is very likely to suffer this season, following the existing levels of suspicion and apprehension between the two peoples.
Another area of concern to most people is this year’s electioneering in the Bawku municipality. As a result of the conflict, the people are seriously polarised and it is feared any attempt to hold campaigns and rallies there could spark further trouble.
As a result, some concerned residents have even suggested that the general election there should be suspended till such a time that peace would return.
‘‘I do not know what the Constitution says about such a situation in an election year, but I would advise that even if the elections cannot be suspended, political campaigns should be banned,’’ a 32-year old teacher, Awinbun Alale, opined.
The young dynamic Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Abdulai Abanga, who took office barely six months ago, could not hide his disappointment when he said, ‘‘My brothers, the conflict has really frustrated all my efforts and the plans I had to bring development and create jobs for our people through the establishment of brick and tile and meat factories’’.
According to him, ‘‘development activities have ceased, all efforts are now geared towards resolving the crisis and bringing peace to the municipality’’.
Even though the chief executive could not give ready figures of the total amount expended on the conflict, he did not mince words by saying that the Assembly had committed more than GH¢200, 000 so far.
In spite of the fact that central government was supporting the security institutions in their peace operation exercise in the area, the Assembly is also complementing the efforts by providing fuel and other logistics, as well as assisting in the maintenance of their vehicles.
More than 500 military cum police personnel are stationed in Bawku and its surrounding communities.
On the way forward, some residents entreated the security command to be proactive by taking immediate action on any report of the activities of individuals or group who would attempt to disturb the prevailing calm.
They further contended that politicians should not take advantage of the division of the people for their selfish interests by supporting either of the factions in their quest for power.
For his part, the chief executive pointed out that perpetrators should be dealt with severely by making them to face the full rigours of the law, while the government and other stakeholders continued their pursuance of dialogue to bring the situation under control.
More educational campaigns should be intensified in the area to sensitise the people to the dangers of conflict and its repercussions and the urgent need to live harmoniously together while dialoguing to iron out their differences.
Credit must be given to the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Alhassan Samari and the Regional Coordinating Council for the tremendous roles and efforts they made in the strive for peace in the Bawku area. Commendation must also go to the religious bodies, non-governmental organisations(NGOs) and various stakeholders for their contributions in curbing the violence in the area.
In any conflict situation, it is women and children who suffer. It was for this reason that a group of young ladies and pupils this paper encountered appealed to the warring factions to let reason prevail by stopping all hostilities.
...BOTH HAVE TAKEN ENTRENCHED POSITIONS
The two antagonists in the Bawku ethnic and chieftaincy conflict, the Kusasis and Mamprusis, have both taken entrenched positions in the prevailing crisis. Neither of the two ethnic groups is ready to accede its position in the ensuing imbroglio.
While the Mamprusis are claiming that, historically, Bawku is under the traditional authority of the King of Mamprugu, the Kusasis maintain that the land belongs to them and as such, they should be allowed to govern themselves.
According to the Regent of Mamprusi in Bawku, Ibrahim Adam Zangbego, the Mamprusis, historically, were the real custodians of the area because according to him, the founder of the Mamprugu Kingdom, Naa Gbewaa, was the first person to settle in the Bawku area.
An elder at the palace, Alhaji Ibrahim Kobilla, who spoke on behalf of the regent in his presence, said Naa Gbewaa lived and died in Pusiga, near Bawku. The regent claimed that the Kusasis came to the area around the late 18th Century from their settlements at Beingu and Zuaga in what is now known as Burkina Faso.
‘‘It was after the Nayiri of Mamprugu had created peace in his Kingdom of Bawku that the Kusasis and the Busansis, who were then being harassed by slave raiders, sought protection from the Nayiri to move from their locations in Burkina Faso to settle in the Bawku kingdom as his subjects,’’ the regent stated.
He said since then, the Mamprusis had ruled as chiefs of Bawku and that the first Kusasi chief of Bawku was installed in the late 1950s by Dr Kwame Nkrumah for political reasons.
‘‘Dr Nkrumah found the Mamprusis very hard nuts to crack, and felt that the best way to deal with them was to take the Bawku skin from them. And that was the beginning of the chieftaincy problem in the Bawku area,’’ the regent claimed.
He further alleged that ‘‘the right of the Mamprusis to the Bawku skin was traditionally driven whereas the claim to the Bawku skin by the Kusasis was politically motivated’’.
The regent stated that after the overthrow of the Nkrumah regime, the National Liberation Council (NLC) promulgated a decree, Decree 112, that ‘‘nullified the appointment of Abugrago Azoka I as the Bawku Naba’’.
He said this was after the traditionally installed and rightful ruler of Bawku, Naba Yirimea Mahama, who was then exiled to Togo during Nkrumah’s regime, had died. He added that after the funeral of the late Mahama, the Nayiri appointed and enskined Adam Zangbego in 1967 as the Bawku Naba.
‘‘Peace gained roots in Bawku until 1981 when Bawku Naba Adam Zangbego died,’’ the regent said.
He alleged that the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) regime headed by Jerry John Rawlings in 1983 later influenced the repeal of the NLC Decree 112 and replaced it with PNDC Law 75 that sought to restore Abugrago Azoka as the Bawku Naba.
‘‘I, therefore, have the conviction that the unrest and rancour that has eluded the Bawku area was due to the promulgation of the PNDC Law 75 that had since been repealed by Act 516 of 1996,’’ the regent claimed.
He further alleged that earlier claims by the Kusasis that it was the British colonialists who extended the Nayiri’s influence to the Bawku area constituted a historical fallacy, stating that the Mamprugu Empire that stretched from the West and East Mamprugu districts and beyond in the Northern Region to Bawku in the Upper East Region was the oldest in Ghana and predates colonialism.
The regent described claims by the Kusasis to the effect that the Supreme Court in 2003 ruled in their favour that Abugrago Azoka I was a Bawku Naba as ridiculous and an exhibition of ignorance.
‘‘The truth of the matter is that the plaintiff, who is the regent of Bawku in the person of Alhaji Ibrahim Adam Zangbego, filed a writ in the Supreme Court against the defendant, Abugrago Azoka, in consonance with the PNDC Law 75, which gave legal backing to the Abugrago Azoka chieftaincy claim,’’ he indicated.
‘‘On the contrary, the PNDC Law 75 was repealed in 1996, so the plaintiff, upon the advice of his eminent lawyers, decided to withdraw the writ. So anybody who is of the view that there was a ruling has undermined our country’s highest adjudicator and exhibits gross disrespect of the highest order,’’ the regent added.
According to the genealogical tree made available to the Daily Graphic by the Regent, the first Bawku Naba was Naa Ali Atabia, who ruled from 1721 till he died in 1732. He was enskinned by his father, who was the 10th Nayiri, Naa Atabia.
The funeral of the 14th Mamprusi chief of Bawku, Naa Adam Zangbego, who died in 1981, is yet to be performed as a result of the disagreements between the two ethnic groups.
The regent has, however, appealed to the government to allow his father’s funeral to be performed as a Bawku Naba as part of efforts to resolve the crisis.
Meanwhile, at a meeting with members of the National Peace Council, headed by His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson at Bawku on Tuesday, the Bawku Naba, Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, described claims by the Mamprusis that Kusasis were settlers from Burkina Faso as mere fabrication by the former.
‘‘Who performs sacrifices to the land gods in the entire area as Tindanas?’’ he queried, adding that ‘‘certainly no settler or stranger can perform this role’’.
He emphasised that the fact that the Kusasis were the rightful custodians of the area was never in doubt.
The Naba also said that the ruling by the Supreme Court in 2003 favoured the Kusasis’ claim to the skin and further alleged that apart from being the indigenous owners of the land, the Kusasis were also the most dominant in terms of numbers.
Naba Azoka explained that reports from the Yeboah Appiah Committee, appointed by the then Governor–General in Ghana in 1957, whose recommendations formed the basis of a White Paper issued by the Governor-General, recognised the late Abugrago Azoka I as the rightful Bawku-Naba.
The Naba described the NLC Degree 112 in 1966 that removed Azoka I as the Bawku Naba as unfortunate and a gross injustice to the Kusasis.
‘‘Weak, humble and law-abiding as our people had always been, we managed to put up with the abnormal situation till 1983 when the PNDC regime saw reason to correct the anomaly by promulgating PNDC Law 75, which restored the deposed Abugrago Azoka I to his former position,’’ he indicated.
The Naba also alluded to a political conference held by the British colonial government in 1929, which, he said, specified the administrative districts in the then Northern Territories of the Gold Coast according to colonial boundaries.
At that conference, he said, the Mamprusi District was clearly separated from the Kusasi District.
He also claimed that the Mamprusis homeland was Mamprugu, while that of the Kusasis, Kusaug which is in the Bawku area, extends slightly into Burkina Faso, where, he said, the Mamprusis claim was the Kusasis’ original base.
Naba Azoka explained that the Kusasis had been under the dominance of the Mamprusis for long and ‘‘the feeling of having been colonised prompted the people to rise up in rebellion’’.
He further claimed that the Mamprusi chiefs and princesses used to force the Kusasis to work for them.
‘‘We believe that these reasons account for the current determination of the Mamprusis to force us under their control once more, in blatant disregard of the rule of law which we believe still exists in Ghana,’’ the Naba further alleged.
He said the Kusasis now want to be free and able to run their own affairs.
‘‘At a point in time the Kusasis found out that its ethnic group in the Bawku Traditional Area came under the control of the Mamprusis and we struggled for freedom and self rule.’’
Naba Azoka described the demand by the Mamprusis to be allowed to perform the funeral of the late Alhaji Azangbego as a Bawku Naba as untenable, ‘‘considering the fact that the PNDCL 75 nullified his position as chief and also his funeral had already been performed as a Muslim.’’
‘‘Our humble demand is to be allowed to rule ourselves on our own land in peace; the culture of impunity must be halted before matters get out of hand,’’ he stated.
The once sprawling commercial hub of the Upper East Region is now comatose. The vibrancy is gone and in its wake are deep-rooted mistrust, fear and uncertainty among two of Ghana’s most endowed ethnic groups, Kusasis and Mamprusis.
Indeed, with military and police armoured vehicles now patrolling the town instead of the usual cargo trucks carrying and unloading goods to and from the municipality, it is clear that all is not well in Bawku.
As is already well known, the prevailing situation is the result of the recurrent and destructive ethnic conflicts between the Kusasis and Mamprusis over the rightful custodians of the area. That is the crux of the matter, which regularly explodes into disagreements, bloody confrontations and sporadic killings between the two groups.
History recalls that the first major conflict between the two ethnic groups erupted in 1983 during the Samanpiid Festival, which is celebrated by the Kusasis to signify bumper harvest.
In 1984, the conflict broke out again. This time over the ownership of farmlands. Subsequent conflicts occurred in 1985 during the Samanpiid, 2000, during the general election, 2001 and 2007, also during the Samanpiid. Aside of these major conflicts, there have also been several small but deadly skirmishes over the years between the factions.
Actual figures are hard to come by but the results of all these disturbances have been that scores of people have lost their lives while many others have sustained various degrees of injury.
The latest incident, which occurred early this year, according to official figures given by security sources, claimed 10 lives with many others sustaining injuries, as well as a number of arrests made. However, some residents interviewed by the Daily Graphic were of the opinion that the number of casualties could be more.
While some of those arrested have been granted bail, others are set for prosecution.
What is more surprising is that over the years, there have been intermarriages between the two tribes and it is not uncommon to meet people in Bawku and surrounding communities who have a Kusasi mother and a Mamprusi father and vice versa.
Some of the minority ethnic groups in the area such as Moshes, Hausas, Bimobas, Dagombas and Bisas are also divided in their alliance to either the Kusasis or Mamprusis in the protracted conflict. The situation is really difficult for non-natives and visitors alike and one has to be careful with who to associate with while in Bawku.
Even though life is moving on, with some people going about their regular businesses, many stores are still locked up by owners for fear of the unexpected.
The two groups are also trapped in their respective enclaves in the metropolis. While the Mamprusis are located in the central business district of the municipality, which extends from the traffic light intersection to parts of the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital area, the Kusasis, who are in the majority, are spread across the town, thus virtually encircling the Mamprusis.
Ordinary citizens, as well as prominent figures from each of the two major ethnic groups, are hesitant to cross over into the other’s suburb without security escort.
A military source indicated that both sides were dangerously armed with sophisticated weapons. A resident, Akparibo Ndego, expressed concern that ‘‘if nothing concrete is done to calm the tension and it explodes again, the consequences could be more disastrous’’.
A 67-year-old retiree, Mahama Adama, said ‘‘any visitor to Bawku now would think we do not have problems but beneath the seeming calm are deep-rooted suspicion and mistrust between us’’.
He said any sound akin to gunfire from either side puts fear in people because of the possibility of a resurgence of the conflict.
The prevailing uneasiness has, therefore, compelled people to flee the town to neighbouring communities, with some notable persons seeking refuge in the Upper East regional capital, Bolgatanga, and parts of northern Togo.
The situation has also compelled the government to impose a curfew on the people. At the peak of this year’s the hostilities, residents had only two hours of freedom, from 7am to 9am. The curfew has since been relaxed to begin at 6pm to 6am.
The effect of the conflict on the socio-economic development of the area is disturbing. All aspects of social life and development such as education, heath, agriculture and commerce have suffered tremendous setbacks to worsen the existing deprivations in the area.
And since the outbreak of the latest hostilities in December last year, most schools have been closed while majority of teachers have fled the area.
Banks, civil society organisations and other public sector offices, including health centres, temporarily closed down. At the time the Daily Graphic team visited the area, some of the banks and other offices had re-opened and offering services to the public. Some are yet to resume duties, though.
It was also realised that some workers and their families stayed at Bolga and daily commuted to work at Bawku.
Farming, which is the main occupation of majority of the people, is very likely to suffer this season, following the existing levels of suspicion and apprehension between the two peoples.
Another area of concern to most people is this year’s electioneering in the Bawku municipality. As a result of the conflict, the people are seriously polarised and it is feared any attempt to hold campaigns and rallies there could spark further trouble.
As a result, some concerned residents have even suggested that the general election there should be suspended till such a time that peace would return.
‘‘I do not know what the Constitution says about such a situation in an election year, but I would advise that even if the elections cannot be suspended, political campaigns should be banned,’’ a 32-year old teacher, Awinbun Alale, opined.
The young dynamic Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Abdulai Abanga, who took office barely six months ago, could not hide his disappointment when he said, ‘‘My brothers, the conflict has really frustrated all my efforts and the plans I had to bring development and create jobs for our people through the establishment of brick and tile and meat factories’’.
According to him, ‘‘development activities have ceased, all efforts are now geared towards resolving the crisis and bringing peace to the municipality’’.
Even though the chief executive could not give ready figures of the total amount expended on the conflict, he did not mince words by saying that the Assembly had committed more than GH¢200, 000 so far.
In spite of the fact that central government was supporting the security institutions in their peace operation exercise in the area, the Assembly is also complementing the efforts by providing fuel and other logistics, as well as assisting in the maintenance of their vehicles.
More than 500 military cum police personnel are stationed in Bawku and its surrounding communities.
On the way forward, some residents entreated the security command to be proactive by taking immediate action on any report of the activities of individuals or group who would attempt to disturb the prevailing calm.
They further contended that politicians should not take advantage of the division of the people for their selfish interests by supporting either of the factions in their quest for power.
For his part, the chief executive pointed out that perpetrators should be dealt with severely by making them to face the full rigours of the law, while the government and other stakeholders continued their pursuance of dialogue to bring the situation under control.
More educational campaigns should be intensified in the area to sensitise the people to the dangers of conflict and its repercussions and the urgent need to live harmoniously together while dialoguing to iron out their differences.
Credit must be given to the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Alhassan Samari and the Regional Coordinating Council for the tremendous roles and efforts they made in the strive for peace in the Bawku area. Commendation must also go to the religious bodies, non-governmental organisations(NGOs) and various stakeholders for their contributions in curbing the violence in the area.
In any conflict situation, it is women and children who suffer. It was for this reason that a group of young ladies and pupils this paper encountered appealed to the warring factions to let reason prevail by stopping all hostilities.
...BOTH HAVE TAKEN ENTRENCHED POSITIONS
The two antagonists in the Bawku ethnic and chieftaincy conflict, the Kusasis and Mamprusis, have both taken entrenched positions in the prevailing crisis. Neither of the two ethnic groups is ready to accede its position in the ensuing imbroglio.
While the Mamprusis are claiming that, historically, Bawku is under the traditional authority of the King of Mamprugu, the Kusasis maintain that the land belongs to them and as such, they should be allowed to govern themselves.
According to the Regent of Mamprusi in Bawku, Ibrahim Adam Zangbego, the Mamprusis, historically, were the real custodians of the area because according to him, the founder of the Mamprugu Kingdom, Naa Gbewaa, was the first person to settle in the Bawku area.
An elder at the palace, Alhaji Ibrahim Kobilla, who spoke on behalf of the regent in his presence, said Naa Gbewaa lived and died in Pusiga, near Bawku. The regent claimed that the Kusasis came to the area around the late 18th Century from their settlements at Beingu and Zuaga in what is now known as Burkina Faso.
‘‘It was after the Nayiri of Mamprugu had created peace in his Kingdom of Bawku that the Kusasis and the Busansis, who were then being harassed by slave raiders, sought protection from the Nayiri to move from their locations in Burkina Faso to settle in the Bawku kingdom as his subjects,’’ the regent stated.
He said since then, the Mamprusis had ruled as chiefs of Bawku and that the first Kusasi chief of Bawku was installed in the late 1950s by Dr Kwame Nkrumah for political reasons.
‘‘Dr Nkrumah found the Mamprusis very hard nuts to crack, and felt that the best way to deal with them was to take the Bawku skin from them. And that was the beginning of the chieftaincy problem in the Bawku area,’’ the regent claimed.
He further alleged that ‘‘the right of the Mamprusis to the Bawku skin was traditionally driven whereas the claim to the Bawku skin by the Kusasis was politically motivated’’.
The regent stated that after the overthrow of the Nkrumah regime, the National Liberation Council (NLC) promulgated a decree, Decree 112, that ‘‘nullified the appointment of Abugrago Azoka I as the Bawku Naba’’.
He said this was after the traditionally installed and rightful ruler of Bawku, Naba Yirimea Mahama, who was then exiled to Togo during Nkrumah’s regime, had died. He added that after the funeral of the late Mahama, the Nayiri appointed and enskined Adam Zangbego in 1967 as the Bawku Naba.
‘‘Peace gained roots in Bawku until 1981 when Bawku Naba Adam Zangbego died,’’ the regent said.
He alleged that the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) regime headed by Jerry John Rawlings in 1983 later influenced the repeal of the NLC Decree 112 and replaced it with PNDC Law 75 that sought to restore Abugrago Azoka as the Bawku Naba.
‘‘I, therefore, have the conviction that the unrest and rancour that has eluded the Bawku area was due to the promulgation of the PNDC Law 75 that had since been repealed by Act 516 of 1996,’’ the regent claimed.
He further alleged that earlier claims by the Kusasis that it was the British colonialists who extended the Nayiri’s influence to the Bawku area constituted a historical fallacy, stating that the Mamprugu Empire that stretched from the West and East Mamprugu districts and beyond in the Northern Region to Bawku in the Upper East Region was the oldest in Ghana and predates colonialism.
The regent described claims by the Kusasis to the effect that the Supreme Court in 2003 ruled in their favour that Abugrago Azoka I was a Bawku Naba as ridiculous and an exhibition of ignorance.
‘‘The truth of the matter is that the plaintiff, who is the regent of Bawku in the person of Alhaji Ibrahim Adam Zangbego, filed a writ in the Supreme Court against the defendant, Abugrago Azoka, in consonance with the PNDC Law 75, which gave legal backing to the Abugrago Azoka chieftaincy claim,’’ he indicated.
‘‘On the contrary, the PNDC Law 75 was repealed in 1996, so the plaintiff, upon the advice of his eminent lawyers, decided to withdraw the writ. So anybody who is of the view that there was a ruling has undermined our country’s highest adjudicator and exhibits gross disrespect of the highest order,’’ the regent added.
According to the genealogical tree made available to the Daily Graphic by the Regent, the first Bawku Naba was Naa Ali Atabia, who ruled from 1721 till he died in 1732. He was enskinned by his father, who was the 10th Nayiri, Naa Atabia.
The funeral of the 14th Mamprusi chief of Bawku, Naa Adam Zangbego, who died in 1981, is yet to be performed as a result of the disagreements between the two ethnic groups.
The regent has, however, appealed to the government to allow his father’s funeral to be performed as a Bawku Naba as part of efforts to resolve the crisis.
Meanwhile, at a meeting with members of the National Peace Council, headed by His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson at Bawku on Tuesday, the Bawku Naba, Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, described claims by the Mamprusis that Kusasis were settlers from Burkina Faso as mere fabrication by the former.
‘‘Who performs sacrifices to the land gods in the entire area as Tindanas?’’ he queried, adding that ‘‘certainly no settler or stranger can perform this role’’.
He emphasised that the fact that the Kusasis were the rightful custodians of the area was never in doubt.
The Naba also said that the ruling by the Supreme Court in 2003 favoured the Kusasis’ claim to the skin and further alleged that apart from being the indigenous owners of the land, the Kusasis were also the most dominant in terms of numbers.
Naba Azoka explained that reports from the Yeboah Appiah Committee, appointed by the then Governor–General in Ghana in 1957, whose recommendations formed the basis of a White Paper issued by the Governor-General, recognised the late Abugrago Azoka I as the rightful Bawku-Naba.
The Naba described the NLC Degree 112 in 1966 that removed Azoka I as the Bawku Naba as unfortunate and a gross injustice to the Kusasis.
‘‘Weak, humble and law-abiding as our people had always been, we managed to put up with the abnormal situation till 1983 when the PNDC regime saw reason to correct the anomaly by promulgating PNDC Law 75, which restored the deposed Abugrago Azoka I to his former position,’’ he indicated.
The Naba also alluded to a political conference held by the British colonial government in 1929, which, he said, specified the administrative districts in the then Northern Territories of the Gold Coast according to colonial boundaries.
At that conference, he said, the Mamprusi District was clearly separated from the Kusasi District.
He also claimed that the Mamprusis homeland was Mamprugu, while that of the Kusasis, Kusaug which is in the Bawku area, extends slightly into Burkina Faso, where, he said, the Mamprusis claim was the Kusasis’ original base.
Naba Azoka explained that the Kusasis had been under the dominance of the Mamprusis for long and ‘‘the feeling of having been colonised prompted the people to rise up in rebellion’’.
He further claimed that the Mamprusi chiefs and princesses used to force the Kusasis to work for them.
‘‘We believe that these reasons account for the current determination of the Mamprusis to force us under their control once more, in blatant disregard of the rule of law which we believe still exists in Ghana,’’ the Naba further alleged.
He said the Kusasis now want to be free and able to run their own affairs.
‘‘At a point in time the Kusasis found out that its ethnic group in the Bawku Traditional Area came under the control of the Mamprusis and we struggled for freedom and self rule.’’
Naba Azoka described the demand by the Mamprusis to be allowed to perform the funeral of the late Alhaji Azangbego as a Bawku Naba as untenable, ‘‘considering the fact that the PNDCL 75 nullified his position as chief and also his funeral had already been performed as a Muslim.’’
‘‘Our humble demand is to be allowed to rule ourselves on our own land in peace; the culture of impunity must be halted before matters get out of hand,’’ he stated.
NGO ENCOURAGES IN TREE-PLANTING IN TAMALE SCHOOLS (PAGE 29)
A non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Tamale, Action for Community Development (AFCODEV), at the weekend engaged pupils of the Dapkema Primary and Junior High School in a tree planting exercise in and around the school’s compound.
The exercise was part of activities marking the Global Youth Service Day, which took place a couple of weeks ago.
According to the Director of AFCODEV, Mr Yussif Abdul Mumin, apart from engaging the children in healthy and beneficial activities, the exercise was also meant to nurture the habit of planting trees and preserving the environment in the children.
“For us to have good vegetation and forests, we must teach our children the benefits of planting trees, as well as the protection and conservation of the environment,” he stated.
Mr Mumin also explained that AFCODEV was very concerned about the degradation of the environment and, therefore, considered tree planting as a means of contributing to the preservation and protection of the environment.
A teacher of the Dakpema Primary School, Madam Yakubu Zuleha, expressed the school’s gratitude and gave the assurance that the school would take good care of the trees.
She said trees were very important since they provided shade and also served as windbreaks, and must, therefore be preserved.
Madam Zuleha entreated other organisations to emulate the gesture, since that would gradually ensure that every school in the metropolis would make its contribution to the environment.
The exercise was part of activities marking the Global Youth Service Day, which took place a couple of weeks ago.
According to the Director of AFCODEV, Mr Yussif Abdul Mumin, apart from engaging the children in healthy and beneficial activities, the exercise was also meant to nurture the habit of planting trees and preserving the environment in the children.
“For us to have good vegetation and forests, we must teach our children the benefits of planting trees, as well as the protection and conservation of the environment,” he stated.
Mr Mumin also explained that AFCODEV was very concerned about the degradation of the environment and, therefore, considered tree planting as a means of contributing to the preservation and protection of the environment.
A teacher of the Dakpema Primary School, Madam Yakubu Zuleha, expressed the school’s gratitude and gave the assurance that the school would take good care of the trees.
She said trees were very important since they provided shade and also served as windbreaks, and must, therefore be preserved.
Madam Zuleha entreated other organisations to emulate the gesture, since that would gradually ensure that every school in the metropolis would make its contribution to the environment.
ZOOMLION SUPPORTS WASTE COLLECION EFFORTS (PAGE 29)
IN an effort to improve on the sanitation situation in the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies in the Northern Region, a waste management company, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, has developed a concept to actively involve assembly members in those areas in the collection of waste at their respective communities.
As part of the initiative, the management of Zoomlion has presented a sanitation truck with accessories such as a public address system for public education on proper sanitary practices to the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TAMA).
The vehicle, valued at $19,500 is on hire purchase, and would be paid for monthly in instalments within a period of five years.
According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the company, Mr Oscar Provencal, who made the presentation to the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, in Tamale, his company would be responsible for the servicing, repairs and the maintenance cost of the truck.
‘‘Zoomlion shall also provide GH¢4,200 monthly, towards the public education component of the project,’’ he said, adding that ‘‘the assembly shall only be responsible for the payment of the driver’s salary and the fuelling of the vehicle’’.
The PRO further explained that a special project account would be opened for the lodgement of all proceeds from the services of the truck that would be managed by a committee to be formed by each of the beneficiary assemblies.
Mr Provencal said the initiative would make assembly members identify with the overall efforts in waste management and, therefore, serve as agents of change in their areas.
Alhaji Idris underlined the importance of good hygiene, and called for both attitudinal and behavioural change towards waste disposal and management in the area.
He said the cost of treatment of diseases emanating from poor sanitation was high and, therefore, advised the people to rather invest their time in preventive measures to save cost and productive hours.
He commended the management of Zoomlion in the region for their immense contribution to waste management in the area, which he said, had improved over the years.
The Northern Regional Operations Supervisor of the Zoomlion, Prince Alhassan Baako, also appealed to the people to complement the efforts of his outfit by embarking on regular exercises to clean their immediate surroundings.
As part of the initiative, the management of Zoomlion has presented a sanitation truck with accessories such as a public address system for public education on proper sanitary practices to the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TAMA).
The vehicle, valued at $19,500 is on hire purchase, and would be paid for monthly in instalments within a period of five years.
According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the company, Mr Oscar Provencal, who made the presentation to the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, in Tamale, his company would be responsible for the servicing, repairs and the maintenance cost of the truck.
‘‘Zoomlion shall also provide GH¢4,200 monthly, towards the public education component of the project,’’ he said, adding that ‘‘the assembly shall only be responsible for the payment of the driver’s salary and the fuelling of the vehicle’’.
The PRO further explained that a special project account would be opened for the lodgement of all proceeds from the services of the truck that would be managed by a committee to be formed by each of the beneficiary assemblies.
Mr Provencal said the initiative would make assembly members identify with the overall efforts in waste management and, therefore, serve as agents of change in their areas.
Alhaji Idris underlined the importance of good hygiene, and called for both attitudinal and behavioural change towards waste disposal and management in the area.
He said the cost of treatment of diseases emanating from poor sanitation was high and, therefore, advised the people to rather invest their time in preventive measures to save cost and productive hours.
He commended the management of Zoomlion in the region for their immense contribution to waste management in the area, which he said, had improved over the years.
The Northern Regional Operations Supervisor of the Zoomlion, Prince Alhassan Baako, also appealed to the people to complement the efforts of his outfit by embarking on regular exercises to clean their immediate surroundings.
UNEMPLOYMENT, THE BANE OF TAMALE YOUTH (PAGE 29)
THE devil, they say, finds work for idle hands. It is for this reason that much attention will have to be paid to the growing unemployment situation in the Tamale metropolis to prevent selfish individuals and groups from taking advantage of the vulnerability of the youth and using them to cause disturbances at the least provocation.
It is sometimes pathetic to see school leavers yearning to put what they had been taught into practice, moving from office to office, seeking for jobs.
It is equally disheartening that the illiterate majority cannot also find any work to engage themselves in because there are no factories and industries in the metropolis to employ their services.
The agricultural sector that used to provide ready jobs for the youth, particularly in the rural areas, has also collapsed. As a result, young men and women now troop to the metropolis to ‘‘try their luck’’ while those who can afford it, troop down to the southern part of the country to engage in menial jobs.
According to a marketing graduate of the Tamale Polytechnic, Mariama Iddrisu, ‘‘we ladies are even more vulnerable because most of the times even if you want an attachment, the manager or a senior staff of an organisation would want to sleep with you before engaging your services, or giving you the assurance that he would eventually employ you’’.
The unemployed youth who are mostly between the ages of 18 and 35 are usually spotted sitting under trees, playing cards, ludo or owari. Others engage in rumour mongering and gossiping.
Parental irresponsibility and ignorance have also contributed significantly to the prevailing situation as some parents continue to shirk their duties while others do not still see the need to enrol their wards in school.
According to a-34 year-old development worker, Mr Musah Suhuyini, ‘‘but for the existence of the many non-governmental organisations, some of whom are contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of the north, I wonder what the poverty situation would have been by now.’’
Some people have, indeed, blamed the prevailing high unemployment levels on the neglect of the north by successive governments because according to them, past administrations did not demonstrate much commitment to the creation of jobs in the area.
They contend that the availability of water which is one of the basic requirements for the establishment of industries is woefully inadequate in the metropolis.
For instance Coca-Cola Company, which expressed interest in establishing a plant in Tamale to cater for the entire northern sector and some neighbouring countries in the late 1990s had to relocate because part of their requirement for the provision of about 10 million gallons of water a day could not be guaranteed. The Ghana Water Company in Tamale currently rations a little over four million gallons of water for residents daily.
It is, therefore, the fervent hope of residents that the current Tamale Water Supply Rehabilitation and Expansion Project, when completed, would undoubtedly attract more investments into the growing metropolis.
The 45 million Euros project, which commenced this year, would upon its completion within two years, increase the water supply to 9.3 million gallons daily.
Some factories have closed down and the Nasia Rice Mills, which served as ready market to farmers and also employed the youth has almost collapsed due to lack of credit and the influx of imported rice into the system.
Other areas that are suffering the same fate are the cotton industries, oil and sheanut establishments.
Indeed, it is commendable that the government has introduced the Youth Employment Programme to enable young men and women earn a decent living. It cannot, however, engage the thousands of frustrated youth, who still roam the streets and move from office to office.
The National Volunteer Programme being run by the National Service Secretariat is another avenue that the youth have turned their attention to. But the question is what happens to them after the service?
There is, therefore, the urgent need to come out with a holistic and comprehensive National Youth Policy to address the problems of young men and women, who often do not know where to turn to for support.
Even though initiatives by the government, NGOs and some philanthropic groups and individuals to provide employment skills to the youth in the metropolis are commendable, much needs to be done to make such skills more beneficial to them and the society in general.
It is sometimes pathetic to see school leavers yearning to put what they had been taught into practice, moving from office to office, seeking for jobs.
It is equally disheartening that the illiterate majority cannot also find any work to engage themselves in because there are no factories and industries in the metropolis to employ their services.
The agricultural sector that used to provide ready jobs for the youth, particularly in the rural areas, has also collapsed. As a result, young men and women now troop to the metropolis to ‘‘try their luck’’ while those who can afford it, troop down to the southern part of the country to engage in menial jobs.
According to a marketing graduate of the Tamale Polytechnic, Mariama Iddrisu, ‘‘we ladies are even more vulnerable because most of the times even if you want an attachment, the manager or a senior staff of an organisation would want to sleep with you before engaging your services, or giving you the assurance that he would eventually employ you’’.
The unemployed youth who are mostly between the ages of 18 and 35 are usually spotted sitting under trees, playing cards, ludo or owari. Others engage in rumour mongering and gossiping.
Parental irresponsibility and ignorance have also contributed significantly to the prevailing situation as some parents continue to shirk their duties while others do not still see the need to enrol their wards in school.
According to a-34 year-old development worker, Mr Musah Suhuyini, ‘‘but for the existence of the many non-governmental organisations, some of whom are contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of the north, I wonder what the poverty situation would have been by now.’’
Some people have, indeed, blamed the prevailing high unemployment levels on the neglect of the north by successive governments because according to them, past administrations did not demonstrate much commitment to the creation of jobs in the area.
They contend that the availability of water which is one of the basic requirements for the establishment of industries is woefully inadequate in the metropolis.
For instance Coca-Cola Company, which expressed interest in establishing a plant in Tamale to cater for the entire northern sector and some neighbouring countries in the late 1990s had to relocate because part of their requirement for the provision of about 10 million gallons of water a day could not be guaranteed. The Ghana Water Company in Tamale currently rations a little over four million gallons of water for residents daily.
It is, therefore, the fervent hope of residents that the current Tamale Water Supply Rehabilitation and Expansion Project, when completed, would undoubtedly attract more investments into the growing metropolis.
The 45 million Euros project, which commenced this year, would upon its completion within two years, increase the water supply to 9.3 million gallons daily.
Some factories have closed down and the Nasia Rice Mills, which served as ready market to farmers and also employed the youth has almost collapsed due to lack of credit and the influx of imported rice into the system.
Other areas that are suffering the same fate are the cotton industries, oil and sheanut establishments.
Indeed, it is commendable that the government has introduced the Youth Employment Programme to enable young men and women earn a decent living. It cannot, however, engage the thousands of frustrated youth, who still roam the streets and move from office to office.
The National Volunteer Programme being run by the National Service Secretariat is another avenue that the youth have turned their attention to. But the question is what happens to them after the service?
There is, therefore, the urgent need to come out with a holistic and comprehensive National Youth Policy to address the problems of young men and women, who often do not know where to turn to for support.
Even though initiatives by the government, NGOs and some philanthropic groups and individuals to provide employment skills to the youth in the metropolis are commendable, much needs to be done to make such skills more beneficial to them and the society in general.
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