CALM has returned to Buipe, the capital of the Central Gonja District in the Northern Region, after renewed clashes between two factions in a protracted chieftaincy dispute in the area last Monday.
One person, Mahama Abdulai, a brother of the Buipewura Jinapor II, was killed in Monday’s disturbances, while two others sustained various degrees of injury.
Twenty people have been arrested by the security agencies in connection with the violence.
As of press time yesterday, there were reports of arson and skirmishes from both sides of the conflict.
The Northern Regional Security Committee was also in a meeting with the leadership of both sides in the dispute, the Jinapor and the Yaafa gates, and members of the Central Gonja Security Committee to fashion out plans to resolve the matter and ensure sustainable peace in the newly created district.
According to the District Chief Executive, Mr Yakubu Zakaria, the latest incident occurred as a result of the confusion over which of the two gates had the right to collect tolls from traders at the Buipe Market.
He said for some time now there had been a misunderstanding over the collection of tolls on market days, for which reason the district security committee had appealed to the two sides to suspend the collection until the matter had been amicably resolved.
Mr Zakaria explained that on market day last Monday when elders of the Buipewura went to collect the tolls, it generated some tension between them and some members of the Yaafa Gate.
The chief executive said while the chief’s elders were on their way back home after the security agencies had compelled them to stop their activities, some people attacked the elders, resulting in the death of Abdulai.
Earlier in June this year when there was a similar clash between the two factions, one person lost his life, with several others sustaining injuries, following a ruling by the Judicial Council of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs.
Since the death of the chief of the traditional area in 2006, there has been an uneasy calm as a result of continuous disagreements over the rightful heir to the royal skin.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
SANITATION MANAGEMENT STILL A PROBLEM (PAGE 29)
SANITATION practice and management continue to pose problems to city authorities in the country.
In spite of the numerous appeals and the educational campaigns for people to cultivate good sanitary practices, the situation still leaves much to be desired as residents persist in dumping refuse in drains and litter their surroundings without considering the implications of their actions.
At some refuse disposal sites in the Tamale metropolis, some recalcitrant individuals continue to dispose of live charcoal into refuse containers thus reducing their lifespan.
It is for this reason that the Tamale Metropolitan Co-ordinating Director, Alhaji Mohammed Adam Baba, advised the people to change their attitudes on sanitation for the better.
Even though he gave a pledge that the assembly was ready to always contain the problem, he said ‘‘we cannot do it alone if the people do not co-operate with us by changing their habits and ensuring that their surroundings are kept tidy at all times.’’
Mr Baba further underscored the need for residents in the area to rally behind the assembly by getting actively involved in its activities to accelerate the pace of development of the metropolis.
He said the city was blessed with both human and material resources that could have a major impact on the growth of the area if all hands were put on deck.
The director intimated that contrary to the negative perception some people had about the metropolis, Tamale was the hub of the proverbial Ghanaian hospitality with a multiplicity of valued culture and tradition.
He, therefore, urged potential investors and visitors alike not to hesitate in relocating to the city to enjoy its warmth and business opportunities that it offered.
In spite of the numerous appeals and the educational campaigns for people to cultivate good sanitary practices, the situation still leaves much to be desired as residents persist in dumping refuse in drains and litter their surroundings without considering the implications of their actions.
At some refuse disposal sites in the Tamale metropolis, some recalcitrant individuals continue to dispose of live charcoal into refuse containers thus reducing their lifespan.
It is for this reason that the Tamale Metropolitan Co-ordinating Director, Alhaji Mohammed Adam Baba, advised the people to change their attitudes on sanitation for the better.
Even though he gave a pledge that the assembly was ready to always contain the problem, he said ‘‘we cannot do it alone if the people do not co-operate with us by changing their habits and ensuring that their surroundings are kept tidy at all times.’’
Mr Baba further underscored the need for residents in the area to rally behind the assembly by getting actively involved in its activities to accelerate the pace of development of the metropolis.
He said the city was blessed with both human and material resources that could have a major impact on the growth of the area if all hands were put on deck.
The director intimated that contrary to the negative perception some people had about the metropolis, Tamale was the hub of the proverbial Ghanaian hospitality with a multiplicity of valued culture and tradition.
He, therefore, urged potential investors and visitors alike not to hesitate in relocating to the city to enjoy its warmth and business opportunities that it offered.
SCRUTINISE OPERATIONS OF SATCHET WATER PRODUCERS (PAGE 29)
EVEN THOUGH pervasive sale of satchet water in the Tamale metropolis can be said to be an improvement over the old practice, in which water was sold out to unsuspecting patrons in cups which were shared by many consumers with the associated health hazards, the use of the satchet water also has its own problems.
Apart from the unsightly spectacle of used plastic materials littering every nook and cranny of the metropolis, it has now become clear that water used by some of the satchet water producers is not as pure as the manufacturers want the public to believe.
It is for this reason that most residents have expressed grave concern over the operations of some satchet water producers in the area.
A student of the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS), Sheikh J.B. Fuseini, therefore, cautioned the public ‘‘to be very careful about the type of satchet water they consume, for it is very clear that most of the producers operate under unhygienic conditions’’.
He called on the appropriate monitoring bodies such as the Ghana Standards Board and the Food and Drugs Board to scrutinise the operations of the satchet water producers to protect consumers from any contamination and the possible outbreak of disease.
A student of Tamale Senior High School, Mr Iddrisu Alhassan, claimed that he was lucky to have checked a satchet water he recently bought in town: ‘‘I had to throw it away after detecting some dead insects in the water.’’
Some of his colleagues also alleged that some of the water had unpleasant smell.
Others stressed the need for the authorities of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly to pass a bye-law, which would compel satchet water producers to put up litre bins at vantage points where patrons could dump the waste product.
They said the responsibility for picking up the used plastic materials should also rest on the shoulders of the producers.
‘‘That way, we can keep this beautiful city clean at all times, instead of the current eyesore the plastic waste is causing us,’’ a national service person, Azara Salifu, suggested.
In a recent interview with the Zonal Officer of the Foods and Drugs Board for the Northern Region, Mr Solomon Agampim, in Tamale, he also advised consumers to always endeavour to check on the quality of products before purchasing them.
He reminded the people that the consumption of unwholesome goods and food items was dangerous to one’s health and, therefore, cautioned them to be wary of such items in the system.
Mr Agampim quoted portions of the FDB Law 1992 that clearly states 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’’, contravened the law and could, therefore, face sanctions.
Apart from the unsightly spectacle of used plastic materials littering every nook and cranny of the metropolis, it has now become clear that water used by some of the satchet water producers is not as pure as the manufacturers want the public to believe.
It is for this reason that most residents have expressed grave concern over the operations of some satchet water producers in the area.
A student of the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS), Sheikh J.B. Fuseini, therefore, cautioned the public ‘‘to be very careful about the type of satchet water they consume, for it is very clear that most of the producers operate under unhygienic conditions’’.
He called on the appropriate monitoring bodies such as the Ghana Standards Board and the Food and Drugs Board to scrutinise the operations of the satchet water producers to protect consumers from any contamination and the possible outbreak of disease.
A student of Tamale Senior High School, Mr Iddrisu Alhassan, claimed that he was lucky to have checked a satchet water he recently bought in town: ‘‘I had to throw it away after detecting some dead insects in the water.’’
Some of his colleagues also alleged that some of the water had unpleasant smell.
Others stressed the need for the authorities of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly to pass a bye-law, which would compel satchet water producers to put up litre bins at vantage points where patrons could dump the waste product.
They said the responsibility for picking up the used plastic materials should also rest on the shoulders of the producers.
‘‘That way, we can keep this beautiful city clean at all times, instead of the current eyesore the plastic waste is causing us,’’ a national service person, Azara Salifu, suggested.
In a recent interview with the Zonal Officer of the Foods and Drugs Board for the Northern Region, Mr Solomon Agampim, in Tamale, he also advised consumers to always endeavour to check on the quality of products before purchasing them.
He reminded the people that the consumption of unwholesome goods and food items was dangerous to one’s health and, therefore, cautioned them to be wary of such items in the system.
Mr Agampim quoted portions of the FDB Law 1992 that clearly states 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’’, contravened the law and could, therefore, face sanctions.
Monday, July 28, 2008
AKUFO-ADDO OUTLINES VISION TO TRANSFORM NORTH (PAGE 16)
THE flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, has outlined his vision and strategies for the accelerated development of the north, with a pledge to utilise the long stretches of flat arable lands for big time farming ventures.
At the maiden forum for presidential hopefuls organised by the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, last Friday, he said that under his leadership construction of irrigation facilities, dams and silos would be given priority to ensure all year round farming as well as a reduction in post-harvest losses.
Nana Akufo-Addo described the existing development gap between the north and the southern parts of the country as a chasm, noting that, ‘‘it is a blight on the honour of our nation that must shame and then spur us all into action.’’
‘‘In our life time, the north must become a place of work, the engine of our transformation, a place that will attract the talented and hardworking, with dreams in their hearts, desirous of making fortunes, careers and reputation,’’ he indicated.
The presidential aspirant therefore spelt out five thematic sectors under which his government would transform the north into an area of hope, jobs and wealth creation.
He mentioned agriculture, health, infrastructure, education and tourism development, stressing that, ‘‘we must make a concerted effort to eliminate our dependence on NGOs and aid agencies of friendly governments to do work which we should be doing ourselves.’’Nana Akufo-Addo said.
He said such resources would be complemented by access to finance, the provision of high yielding seeds, establishment of co-operatives to promote marketing and the resolution of common problems.
‘‘These, together with tax-credits and the assistance of the government in finding markets for value-added products will spur the development of agro-processing plants all over the northern regions,’’ the flag bearer stated.
Nana Akufo Addo also expressed worry over the health situation in the north, and revealed that, in 2003, the three northern regions had only 25 of the nation’s 286 hospitals, thus, constituting 8.7 per cent of the country’s hospitals for a population that constitute 18 per cent of the entire nation.
He however acknowledged the significant efforts the government had made in that direction and pledged to continue with such laudable programmes and also rehabilitate, expand and modernise the Tamale Teaching Hospital and the UDS Medical School.
On infrastructural development, the presidential hopeful promised to construct at least 13,000 units of decent, affordable housing units across the length and breadth of the north ‘‘within the first two years of my administration.’’
‘‘Within the next five years, as part of the transformation that we seek, I am committed to the construction and asphalting of the 151 km Fufroso-Sawla road, the 154 km Tamale-Salaga-Makango road of which 61 km is already done and the 74 km Chuchuliga-Sissala-Tumu road, among others’’ he stated.
Nana Akufo-Addo further pledged to upgrade the Tamale airport to a modern international piece, construct an inland port at Buipe and also link up the north with the south through the railway.
‘‘Our goal is to build a comprehensive transportation network to provide both inter-regional and international linkages within Ghana and between neighbouring countries,’’ he explained.
According to the flag bearer, education would also be a top priority for his government as he would extend free education to senior high schools at an initial extra-cost of about GH one million cedis annually, extend the school feeding and capitation grants to all schools and improve on conditions of teachers.
He said public universities would be constructed in regions that had none while existing ones would be upgraded, assuring that, ‘‘my government will commit to providing for every district a modern library complex, with facilities to assist those engaged in distance learning.’’
On tourism, Nana Akufo Addo indicated that tourists sites in the north would be upgraded to meet international standards to attract people from within and outside the country, while creating avenues for the private sector to invest in that area.
To attain his vision of transforming the north, the presidential hopeful indicated that his government would establish a $1billion Northern Development Fund through the setting up of a Northern Development Authority by an Act of Parliament to administer the fund under a board of directors.
‘‘It is estimated that the expenditure of the $1billion, properly leveraged, will attract another $4 billion from private sources, such as from global hedge and private equity funds and Chinese and Gulf State funds all for the development of the north and the country,’’ he explained.
Nana Akufo-Addo added that following the current confidence in the nation’s economy, ‘‘these investments will be financed through Sovereign and Diaspora Bonds, government receipts, oil revenues and bilateral agreements with countries such as China and the Gulf States.’’
According to him, ‘‘we expect from our oil discovery, about $15 billion in the first five years; all these are credible sources of funding.’’
He also observed that, with the right policies, political will and the necessary investments, these objectives could be met, ‘‘I say the people of the north have waited long enough for the leaders with the vision and the will for transformation.’’
The forum, themed ‘‘transformation of the north, an agenda for big change,’’ attracted a large crowd that included the academia, the general public and party loyalists at the UDS Tamale campus.
The other candidates are billed to appear at a later date.
At the maiden forum for presidential hopefuls organised by the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, last Friday, he said that under his leadership construction of irrigation facilities, dams and silos would be given priority to ensure all year round farming as well as a reduction in post-harvest losses.
Nana Akufo-Addo described the existing development gap between the north and the southern parts of the country as a chasm, noting that, ‘‘it is a blight on the honour of our nation that must shame and then spur us all into action.’’
‘‘In our life time, the north must become a place of work, the engine of our transformation, a place that will attract the talented and hardworking, with dreams in their hearts, desirous of making fortunes, careers and reputation,’’ he indicated.
The presidential aspirant therefore spelt out five thematic sectors under which his government would transform the north into an area of hope, jobs and wealth creation.
He mentioned agriculture, health, infrastructure, education and tourism development, stressing that, ‘‘we must make a concerted effort to eliminate our dependence on NGOs and aid agencies of friendly governments to do work which we should be doing ourselves.’’Nana Akufo-Addo said.
He said such resources would be complemented by access to finance, the provision of high yielding seeds, establishment of co-operatives to promote marketing and the resolution of common problems.
‘‘These, together with tax-credits and the assistance of the government in finding markets for value-added products will spur the development of agro-processing plants all over the northern regions,’’ the flag bearer stated.
Nana Akufo Addo also expressed worry over the health situation in the north, and revealed that, in 2003, the three northern regions had only 25 of the nation’s 286 hospitals, thus, constituting 8.7 per cent of the country’s hospitals for a population that constitute 18 per cent of the entire nation.
He however acknowledged the significant efforts the government had made in that direction and pledged to continue with such laudable programmes and also rehabilitate, expand and modernise the Tamale Teaching Hospital and the UDS Medical School.
On infrastructural development, the presidential hopeful promised to construct at least 13,000 units of decent, affordable housing units across the length and breadth of the north ‘‘within the first two years of my administration.’’
‘‘Within the next five years, as part of the transformation that we seek, I am committed to the construction and asphalting of the 151 km Fufroso-Sawla road, the 154 km Tamale-Salaga-Makango road of which 61 km is already done and the 74 km Chuchuliga-Sissala-Tumu road, among others’’ he stated.
Nana Akufo-Addo further pledged to upgrade the Tamale airport to a modern international piece, construct an inland port at Buipe and also link up the north with the south through the railway.
‘‘Our goal is to build a comprehensive transportation network to provide both inter-regional and international linkages within Ghana and between neighbouring countries,’’ he explained.
According to the flag bearer, education would also be a top priority for his government as he would extend free education to senior high schools at an initial extra-cost of about GH one million cedis annually, extend the school feeding and capitation grants to all schools and improve on conditions of teachers.
He said public universities would be constructed in regions that had none while existing ones would be upgraded, assuring that, ‘‘my government will commit to providing for every district a modern library complex, with facilities to assist those engaged in distance learning.’’
On tourism, Nana Akufo Addo indicated that tourists sites in the north would be upgraded to meet international standards to attract people from within and outside the country, while creating avenues for the private sector to invest in that area.
To attain his vision of transforming the north, the presidential hopeful indicated that his government would establish a $1billion Northern Development Fund through the setting up of a Northern Development Authority by an Act of Parliament to administer the fund under a board of directors.
‘‘It is estimated that the expenditure of the $1billion, properly leveraged, will attract another $4 billion from private sources, such as from global hedge and private equity funds and Chinese and Gulf State funds all for the development of the north and the country,’’ he explained.
Nana Akufo-Addo added that following the current confidence in the nation’s economy, ‘‘these investments will be financed through Sovereign and Diaspora Bonds, government receipts, oil revenues and bilateral agreements with countries such as China and the Gulf States.’’
According to him, ‘‘we expect from our oil discovery, about $15 billion in the first five years; all these are credible sources of funding.’’
He also observed that, with the right policies, political will and the necessary investments, these objectives could be met, ‘‘I say the people of the north have waited long enough for the leaders with the vision and the will for transformation.’’
The forum, themed ‘‘transformation of the north, an agenda for big change,’’ attracted a large crowd that included the academia, the general public and party loyalists at the UDS Tamale campus.
The other candidates are billed to appear at a later date.
Friday, July 25, 2008
NORTHERN PRESBETERY SETS UP ICT CENTRE (PAGE 20)
THE Northern Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana has established an Information Communication Technology (ICT) Resource Centre in Tamale.
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the church, Rt. Rev Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, who dedicated and inaugurated the centre, described the facility as a valuable asset for teaching, learning and communication.
He, therefore, called on the youth in the area to avail themselves of the opportunities the centre offered to enable them to fit into the global village of modern communication.
He reminded the people that, ‘‘We are in the 21st century where the whole world is linked in several ways by modern technology and gadgets, which I am sure Jesus Christ would have used them for the spread of his gospel if he were here with us in person.’’
The 71,000-euro project was realised through the collaborative efforts of the church and its partners in the Netherlands.
The centre, which would offer basic secretarial services, will also be used for evangelism and by students and the general public. It also has materials for the promotion of dialogue between the Christian and Muslim religions.
The moderator expressed appreciation to all individuals and organisations that had supported the church in diverse ways to undertake numerous social services, especially in the areas of education, health and agricultural extension, which had benefited the people tremendously.
‘‘We of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana shall continue to cherish such mutual support and collaboration; it should also challenge us to contribute our quota towards national development,’’ he stated.
Rt. Rev. Frimpong-Manso cautioned that ‘‘what has been bequeathed to us, don’t let us destroy such legacy and property built for us by others”.
According to the Chairperson of the Northern Presbytery, Rev. Kwasi Addai-Naami, materials on peace and conflict resolution and management would also be made available for use by the church and other relevant institutions.
‘‘The resultant effect of these materials would be harmony, understanding and unity among the people of northern Ghana,’’ he emphasised.
Rev. Addai-Naami appealed for an electricity generating plant to enable the centre to operate all the time.
He said in the near future, the facility would be turned into a commercial centre.
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the church, Rt. Rev Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, who dedicated and inaugurated the centre, described the facility as a valuable asset for teaching, learning and communication.
He, therefore, called on the youth in the area to avail themselves of the opportunities the centre offered to enable them to fit into the global village of modern communication.
He reminded the people that, ‘‘We are in the 21st century where the whole world is linked in several ways by modern technology and gadgets, which I am sure Jesus Christ would have used them for the spread of his gospel if he were here with us in person.’’
The 71,000-euro project was realised through the collaborative efforts of the church and its partners in the Netherlands.
The centre, which would offer basic secretarial services, will also be used for evangelism and by students and the general public. It also has materials for the promotion of dialogue between the Christian and Muslim religions.
The moderator expressed appreciation to all individuals and organisations that had supported the church in diverse ways to undertake numerous social services, especially in the areas of education, health and agricultural extension, which had benefited the people tremendously.
‘‘We of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana shall continue to cherish such mutual support and collaboration; it should also challenge us to contribute our quota towards national development,’’ he stated.
Rt. Rev. Frimpong-Manso cautioned that ‘‘what has been bequeathed to us, don’t let us destroy such legacy and property built for us by others”.
According to the Chairperson of the Northern Presbytery, Rev. Kwasi Addai-Naami, materials on peace and conflict resolution and management would also be made available for use by the church and other relevant institutions.
‘‘The resultant effect of these materials would be harmony, understanding and unity among the people of northern Ghana,’’ he emphasised.
Rev. Addai-Naami appealed for an electricity generating plant to enable the centre to operate all the time.
He said in the near future, the facility would be turned into a commercial centre.
NORTHERN REGION BESET WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS (PAGE 20)
THE Northern Region, apart from being the largest in the country, is also among the most deprived areas. It lags behind in many sectors of development including health.
The region, which occupies 70,000 square kilometres and about 29 per cent of the total land mass in the country with 20 administrative districts, is faced with numerous challenges.
Indeed, one sector that continues to suffer some drawbacks in the area is health.
The sector is beset with difficulties ranging from lack of health infrastructural facilities and personnel, including doctors, inadequate equipment and drugs, in the deprived districts and communities in the region.
Apart from the unavailability of social amenities and incentives to attract the needed manpower, most of the roads leading to the districts, which are very far apart, are simply not motorable.
A greater part of the region is also located within the Volta River basin and subject to periodic flooding.
Precious lives are, therefore, lost every day as health centres and ambulances in the districts are not enough to transport patients with severe illnesses to the referral hospital in Tamale, which has its own problems to contend with.
As a necessity, distressed patients always have to resort to traditional medication some of which unfortunately hasten them to their graves.
According to the Northern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Akwasi Twumasi, the antenatal care in the area stands at 18 per cent, which is far lower than the national average of 47 per cent.
‘‘Skilled attendant at delivery is very disheartening. With the national average of 47 per cent, we in the region are performing at 18 per cent while our infant mortality rate of 154/1,000 is only better than that of the Upper West Region,’’ he stated.
Addressing delegates at the 16th annual District Directors of Health Services Group Conference in Tamale.
Dr Twumasi stated that malaria remained the highest cause of hospitalisation and death among children in the area, as only seven per cent of children slept under insecticide treated mosquito nets.
The conference was on the theme: “Strengthening Sub-districts. Systems for Effective Implementation of the High Impact Rapid Delivery (HIRD) towards achieving MDG 4 and 5’.’
He also stated that household consumption of iodinated salt was below 10 per cent with 35 per cent of children being underweight while nearly 70 per cent of them had moderate to severe anaemia in the region, according to the demographic and health survey of 2003.
‘‘All these figures are compounded by the high levels of illiteracy and especially low female enrolment in our schools,’’ Dr Twumasi noted, adding that the gloomy situation could also be attributed to the intermittent ethnic, chieftaincy and religious conflicts in the region over the years.
All is not, however, lost as the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, announced that the Ministry of Health intended to establish polyclinics in some of the deprived districts in the region.
The beneficiary districts are Chereponi, Kpandai, Janga, Buipe, Tatale and Daboya.
According to the minister, the strategies of improving human capital and strengthening the role of the private sector could help in the growth of the health sector.
‘‘This is because it is only a healthy population that can bring about improved productivity, increased GDP and thus overall economic growth to give meaning to the adage that, a healthy population is a wealthy population,’’ Alhaji Idris stated.
The National Chairman of the DDHS Group, Dr James Sarkodie, observed that the challenges facing the health sector ‘‘are near crisis level”.
He also mentioned lack of funding, transport, human resource, accommodation, infrastructure and logistics as the bane of the sector in the country.
Dr Sarkodie made it clear that ‘‘however equip as we may be with knowledge, plans and strategies to address health issues, this will have little impact if the challenges confronting the health service operational level today is not tackled with all the seriousness it deserves”.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Health, Major Courage Quashigah (retd), capped it all when he stated that ‘‘there is no doubt that we need a new direction if as a ministry and a nation, we are to achieve our collective vision; that calls for a paradigm shift from curative to health promotion and the adherence to principles of primary health care’’.
The region, which occupies 70,000 square kilometres and about 29 per cent of the total land mass in the country with 20 administrative districts, is faced with numerous challenges.
Indeed, one sector that continues to suffer some drawbacks in the area is health.
The sector is beset with difficulties ranging from lack of health infrastructural facilities and personnel, including doctors, inadequate equipment and drugs, in the deprived districts and communities in the region.
Apart from the unavailability of social amenities and incentives to attract the needed manpower, most of the roads leading to the districts, which are very far apart, are simply not motorable.
A greater part of the region is also located within the Volta River basin and subject to periodic flooding.
Precious lives are, therefore, lost every day as health centres and ambulances in the districts are not enough to transport patients with severe illnesses to the referral hospital in Tamale, which has its own problems to contend with.
As a necessity, distressed patients always have to resort to traditional medication some of which unfortunately hasten them to their graves.
According to the Northern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Akwasi Twumasi, the antenatal care in the area stands at 18 per cent, which is far lower than the national average of 47 per cent.
‘‘Skilled attendant at delivery is very disheartening. With the national average of 47 per cent, we in the region are performing at 18 per cent while our infant mortality rate of 154/1,000 is only better than that of the Upper West Region,’’ he stated.
Addressing delegates at the 16th annual District Directors of Health Services Group Conference in Tamale.
Dr Twumasi stated that malaria remained the highest cause of hospitalisation and death among children in the area, as only seven per cent of children slept under insecticide treated mosquito nets.
The conference was on the theme: “Strengthening Sub-districts. Systems for Effective Implementation of the High Impact Rapid Delivery (HIRD) towards achieving MDG 4 and 5’.’
He also stated that household consumption of iodinated salt was below 10 per cent with 35 per cent of children being underweight while nearly 70 per cent of them had moderate to severe anaemia in the region, according to the demographic and health survey of 2003.
‘‘All these figures are compounded by the high levels of illiteracy and especially low female enrolment in our schools,’’ Dr Twumasi noted, adding that the gloomy situation could also be attributed to the intermittent ethnic, chieftaincy and religious conflicts in the region over the years.
All is not, however, lost as the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, announced that the Ministry of Health intended to establish polyclinics in some of the deprived districts in the region.
The beneficiary districts are Chereponi, Kpandai, Janga, Buipe, Tatale and Daboya.
According to the minister, the strategies of improving human capital and strengthening the role of the private sector could help in the growth of the health sector.
‘‘This is because it is only a healthy population that can bring about improved productivity, increased GDP and thus overall economic growth to give meaning to the adage that, a healthy population is a wealthy population,’’ Alhaji Idris stated.
The National Chairman of the DDHS Group, Dr James Sarkodie, observed that the challenges facing the health sector ‘‘are near crisis level”.
He also mentioned lack of funding, transport, human resource, accommodation, infrastructure and logistics as the bane of the sector in the country.
Dr Sarkodie made it clear that ‘‘however equip as we may be with knowledge, plans and strategies to address health issues, this will have little impact if the challenges confronting the health service operational level today is not tackled with all the seriousness it deserves”.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Health, Major Courage Quashigah (retd), capped it all when he stated that ‘‘there is no doubt that we need a new direction if as a ministry and a nation, we are to achieve our collective vision; that calls for a paradigm shift from curative to health promotion and the adherence to principles of primary health care’’.
AMAL BANK SUPPORTS UDS (PAGE 29)
THE management of Amal Bank Ghana Limited in Tamale has presented an amount of GH¢500 to the University for Development Studies (UDS).
The donation is in response to the university’s request to enable it to hold its annual interfaculty lectures which are held three times a year for research purposes. The next lectures would be held in August.
The bank is the first corporate body to offer such support. According to the business manager of the bank in Tamale, Mr Yusuf Abu Wubey, the donation formed part of the bank’s social responsibility.
“We are very responsive to the needs of the communities in which we operate and as the bank grows in the region, we intend to extend such support to other needy institutions and organisations to ensure excellence”, he said.
The manager, however, urged the people to patronise the services of the bank, which, he said, had very beneficial products to offer its customers. The bank was established in Tamale in July 2008.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the UDS, Professor David Millar, who received the cheque, expressed appreciation to the management of the bank for their timely response.
He urged individuals and corporate bodies to support the university to achieve its mandate to promote not only academic excellence but also facilitate equitable and socio-economic transformation of deprived communities in the North in particular and the country as a whole.
The Pro-VC explained that this would be achieved through problem solving, gender-sensitive community-based and interactive as well as lifelong research, learning and outreach programmes.
The donation is in response to the university’s request to enable it to hold its annual interfaculty lectures which are held three times a year for research purposes. The next lectures would be held in August.
The bank is the first corporate body to offer such support. According to the business manager of the bank in Tamale, Mr Yusuf Abu Wubey, the donation formed part of the bank’s social responsibility.
“We are very responsive to the needs of the communities in which we operate and as the bank grows in the region, we intend to extend such support to other needy institutions and organisations to ensure excellence”, he said.
The manager, however, urged the people to patronise the services of the bank, which, he said, had very beneficial products to offer its customers. The bank was established in Tamale in July 2008.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the UDS, Professor David Millar, who received the cheque, expressed appreciation to the management of the bank for their timely response.
He urged individuals and corporate bodies to support the university to achieve its mandate to promote not only academic excellence but also facilitate equitable and socio-economic transformation of deprived communities in the North in particular and the country as a whole.
The Pro-VC explained that this would be achieved through problem solving, gender-sensitive community-based and interactive as well as lifelong research, learning and outreach programmes.
TAMALE REGAINS PAST GLORY (PAGE 29)
GETTING to the top in any field of human endeavour is not always easy and consolidating that position is even more of a Herculean undertaking. This fact is not lost on the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TAMA) that is striving to regain its enviable position as the cleanest city in the entire Northern sector.
In 2005, the assembly was adjudged the neatest city in the country at the fourth national Sanitation Week celebration.
The latest recognition was bestowed on the metropolis at the eighth national tourism awards for the Savannah Zone held in Tamale for the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions.
In all, 12 organisations and individuals received recognition in the competitive awards with Mariam Hotel in Tamale receiving the 2-Star Hotel of the year 2007 award.
The Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Mohammed Amin Adam, described the award as very deserving since the assembly had invested so much in sanitation over the years.
Mr Adam expressed the determination of the assembly to intensify its awareness creation of sanitation and other related factors that militate against the accelerated development of the metropolis.
He used the occasion to commend the people of Tamale for the various roles they had played in this year’s Ghana 2008 tournament since Tamale was one of the four venues that hosted the matches.
The chief executive also lauded the prevailing harmony in the metropolis, which, he said, had resulted in the establishment of businesses and beautification of the area as among the cities with the lowest crime rates in the country.
Mr Adam further entreated the people to co-operate and support the assembly to realise its development objectives for the metropolis, to help improve their socio-economic well-being.
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 in the country.
The minister observed that the development of the sector was the result of the government’s drive to create an enabling environment for the private sector.
In a speech read on his behalf, the executive director of the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), Mr Martin Mireku, explained that the awards scheme was aimed at encouraging 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 2005, the assembly was adjudged the neatest city in the country at the fourth national Sanitation Week celebration.
The latest recognition was bestowed on the metropolis at the eighth national tourism awards for the Savannah Zone held in Tamale for the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions.
In all, 12 organisations and individuals received recognition in the competitive awards with Mariam Hotel in Tamale receiving the 2-Star Hotel of the year 2007 award.
The Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Mohammed Amin Adam, described the award as very deserving since the assembly had invested so much in sanitation over the years.
Mr Adam expressed the determination of the assembly to intensify its awareness creation of sanitation and other related factors that militate against the accelerated development of the metropolis.
He used the occasion to commend the people of Tamale for the various roles they had played in this year’s Ghana 2008 tournament since Tamale was one of the four venues that hosted the matches.
The chief executive also lauded the prevailing harmony in the metropolis, which, he said, had resulted in the establishment of businesses and beautification of the area as among the cities with the lowest crime rates in the country.
Mr Adam further entreated the people to co-operate and support the assembly to realise its development objectives for the metropolis, to help improve their socio-economic well-being.
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 in the country.
The minister observed that the development of the sector was the result of the government’s drive to create an enabling environment for the private sector.
In a speech read on his behalf, the executive director of the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), Mr Martin Mireku, explained that the awards scheme was aimed at encouraging 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.
REHABILITATION OF TAMALE TRAFFIC LIGHTS BEGINS (PAGE 29)
REHABILITATION work has commenced on the dysfunctional traffic lights in the Tamale metropolis.
So far, all the old ones have been removed to be replaced with new and more efficient ones. The poles have also been repainted to give them a fresh look.
The signals head at Agric Junction traffic lights, for instance, has already been replaced and is functioning.
According to the Tamale Metropolitan Roads Engineer, Mr William Donkor, work on the entire project that is being executed by Signals and Controllers, an engineering company from Accra, would be completed in two months.
He said they were currently working on the underground cables and replacing some of the change controllers that had been out of commission for several months now.
The engineer said with increasing vehicular traffic in the metropolis, new systems would be created at some intersections such as the Workers Canteen and Jisonayili junctions.
This when done, would help minimise accidents at those junctions that are some of the flash points in the metropolis, all to ensure the safety of both motorists and pedestrians.
He mentioned that the rehabilitation works were being carried out at great cost and therefore entreated residents not to tamper with the systems.
“I will like to appeal to all and sundry to help ensure the cost-effectiveness of this investment by protecting them against people who might try to damage the facilities”, he said.
Mr Donkor also admonished the people to immediately report any driver who might hit any of the traffic lights with his vehicle and report to the police or the assembly, noting the registration numbers of the vehicles.
He reminded the public that the cost of damage to the signal poles of the traffic lights would be passed on to the one causing such damage.
The intermittent breakdown of traffic lights in the metropolis has been a source of worry to many residents and motorists alike.
At the moment, traffic lights at the Central Mosque, Stanchart and Barclays Bank intersections have been out of order for many months with the resultant confusion and accidents, particularly at peak hours in the mornings and evenings.
Traffic lights currently functioning break down intermittently. When that happens, the community protection unit and the police have to move in swiftly for sanity to prevail.
So far, all the old ones have been removed to be replaced with new and more efficient ones. The poles have also been repainted to give them a fresh look.
The signals head at Agric Junction traffic lights, for instance, has already been replaced and is functioning.
According to the Tamale Metropolitan Roads Engineer, Mr William Donkor, work on the entire project that is being executed by Signals and Controllers, an engineering company from Accra, would be completed in two months.
He said they were currently working on the underground cables and replacing some of the change controllers that had been out of commission for several months now.
The engineer said with increasing vehicular traffic in the metropolis, new systems would be created at some intersections such as the Workers Canteen and Jisonayili junctions.
This when done, would help minimise accidents at those junctions that are some of the flash points in the metropolis, all to ensure the safety of both motorists and pedestrians.
He mentioned that the rehabilitation works were being carried out at great cost and therefore entreated residents not to tamper with the systems.
“I will like to appeal to all and sundry to help ensure the cost-effectiveness of this investment by protecting them against people who might try to damage the facilities”, he said.
Mr Donkor also admonished the people to immediately report any driver who might hit any of the traffic lights with his vehicle and report to the police or the assembly, noting the registration numbers of the vehicles.
He reminded the public that the cost of damage to the signal poles of the traffic lights would be passed on to the one causing such damage.
The intermittent breakdown of traffic lights in the metropolis has been a source of worry to many residents and motorists alike.
At the moment, traffic lights at the Central Mosque, Stanchart and Barclays Bank intersections have been out of order for many months with the resultant confusion and accidents, particularly at peak hours in the mornings and evenings.
Traffic lights currently functioning break down intermittently. When that happens, the community protection unit and the police have to move in swiftly for sanity to prevail.
ALL SET FOR UDS FORUM (PAGE 15)
ALL is set for the hosting of a forum for the flag bearers of the various political parties by the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale today.
The forum is the first in a series to be held by the UDS to provide a platform for the presidential aspirants to declare their respective visions for the accelerated development of northern Ghana and the strategies they would adopt to attain those visions.
The first to address the forum on the Tamale Campus of the university is the presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The forum is being held on the theme, “Focus on Accelerated Development of Northern Ghana, with particular Emphasis on Education: The role of the UDS”.
According to the acting Vice-Chancellor of the UDS, Professor Kaku Sagary Nokoe, the initiative was “borne out of the university’s shared belief that education is the key to the emancipation of the people of Northern Ghana from the chain of want to life sustenance, want of self esteem and want of freedom from servitude”.
He also said the programme was the result of the university’s observation that the north, with its huge land capacity, was the answer to massive agricultural production in the country.
“The platform will also enable all the flag bearers to draw clear lines between various development-oriented sectors of the economy,” Professor Nokoe indicated.
He made it clear that the university would, in due course, hold similar fora for other aspirants on any of its campuses when it suited the parties.
The forum is the first in a series to be held by the UDS to provide a platform for the presidential aspirants to declare their respective visions for the accelerated development of northern Ghana and the strategies they would adopt to attain those visions.
The first to address the forum on the Tamale Campus of the university is the presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The forum is being held on the theme, “Focus on Accelerated Development of Northern Ghana, with particular Emphasis on Education: The role of the UDS”.
According to the acting Vice-Chancellor of the UDS, Professor Kaku Sagary Nokoe, the initiative was “borne out of the university’s shared belief that education is the key to the emancipation of the people of Northern Ghana from the chain of want to life sustenance, want of self esteem and want of freedom from servitude”.
He also said the programme was the result of the university’s observation that the north, with its huge land capacity, was the answer to massive agricultural production in the country.
“The platform will also enable all the flag bearers to draw clear lines between various development-oriented sectors of the economy,” Professor Nokoe indicated.
He made it clear that the university would, in due course, hold similar fora for other aspirants on any of its campuses when it suited the parties.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
NDC SENSITISES CONSTITUENCY EXECUTIVES (PAGE 17)
THE Northern Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has embarked on an outreach programme to educate the constituency executives on the forthcoming registration and revision exercise.
The party is also preparing the various constituencies in the Northern Region towards the December elections, and has also inaugurated a five-member taskforce for each of the constituencies, who would in turn establish a 10-member team at each polling station to mobilise and encourage eligible party supporters to register in the forthcoming exercise.
A four-member team on the exercise was led by the Regional Secretary of the party, Alhaji Abdulai Haruna Friday, The Regional Organiser, Alhaji Abudulai Silemboma, Alhaji Umar Farouk, Propaganda Secretary and Hajia Raliatu Yakubu, the Women’s Organiser.
Alhaji Friday commended the constituency executives and members of the 31st December Women’s Movement for creating an awareness on the registration exercise .
‘‘Party functionaries and activists must also ensure that all eligible voters in their communities fulfil their civic responsibilities of registering massively during the exercise,’’ he added.
For his part, Alhaji Silemboma called on party agents and supporters to eschew violence at the registration centres and rather resort to the appropriate quarters for redress of grievances that may arise during the exercise.
Hajia Yakubu berated the practice by some organisations which are alleged to demand Voter Identity Cards as a pre-condition for the offering of loans.
Alhaji Farouk announced that the NDC would launch its campaign message in early August .
In a related development, the party has approved July 26 as the date to hold outstanding primaries in the Salaga Constituency.
The secretary has therefore charged the constituency executive in the area to ensure that the list of delegates is made available to both aspirants and the regional secretariat before the primaries.
‘‘We would like to express appreciation to the executive, council of elders and delegates for the patience and maturity exhibited in settling on a date for the primaries,’’ he stated.
The party is also preparing the various constituencies in the Northern Region towards the December elections, and has also inaugurated a five-member taskforce for each of the constituencies, who would in turn establish a 10-member team at each polling station to mobilise and encourage eligible party supporters to register in the forthcoming exercise.
A four-member team on the exercise was led by the Regional Secretary of the party, Alhaji Abdulai Haruna Friday, The Regional Organiser, Alhaji Abudulai Silemboma, Alhaji Umar Farouk, Propaganda Secretary and Hajia Raliatu Yakubu, the Women’s Organiser.
Alhaji Friday commended the constituency executives and members of the 31st December Women’s Movement for creating an awareness on the registration exercise .
‘‘Party functionaries and activists must also ensure that all eligible voters in their communities fulfil their civic responsibilities of registering massively during the exercise,’’ he added.
For his part, Alhaji Silemboma called on party agents and supporters to eschew violence at the registration centres and rather resort to the appropriate quarters for redress of grievances that may arise during the exercise.
Hajia Yakubu berated the practice by some organisations which are alleged to demand Voter Identity Cards as a pre-condition for the offering of loans.
Alhaji Farouk announced that the NDC would launch its campaign message in early August .
In a related development, the party has approved July 26 as the date to hold outstanding primaries in the Salaga Constituency.
The secretary has therefore charged the constituency executive in the area to ensure that the list of delegates is made available to both aspirants and the regional secretariat before the primaries.
‘‘We would like to express appreciation to the executive, council of elders and delegates for the patience and maturity exhibited in settling on a date for the primaries,’’ he stated.
LARGE CROWD WELCOMES AKUFO-ADDO IN TAMALE (PAGE 17)
Traffic in the central business district in Tamale came to a standstill last Sunday as hundreds of vehicles and motorbikes meandered their way to the Jubilee Park where enthusiastic New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters had gathered to welcome their presidential hopeful, Nana Akufo-Addo, to the capital.
The politically charged metropolis saw some sympathisers lining up the major streets to catch a glimpse of the ecstatic flag bearer whose face could be seen out of the sun roof of his vehicle as he waved to his admirers who had come from far and near.
The teeming supporters who were draped in NPP paraphernalia, sang party songs and chanted “Nana oh Nana” to the sound of gong-gong. While some engaged in acrobatic displays with their bikes and vehicles, others exhibited the popular Kangaroo dance.
Later at the park, where the atmosphere was electrifying, Nana Akufo-Addo expressed appreciation to the people for coming in their numbers to demonstrate their desire for continuity.
“I can feel a big wind of change in this area. Make sure that this change favours the NPP in the coming general election because we are certainly moving forward; we will never look back again,” he intimated.
The presidential hopeful cited some of the laudable projects and programmes embarked upon by the ruling government and gave the assurance that under his government, he would build on such initiatives to help improve the lot of the people.
“For instance we are determined that every child in Ghana be given the opportunity to get education and technical skills to any level he or she can attain, “he indicated.
On disparity in development between the north and the southern parts of the country, Nana Akufo-Addo promised to bridge the yawning gap by creating job opportunities that would engage the energies of the youth and discourage them from migrating to the south for menial work.
He said his government would commit enough resources to modernise agriculture to enable the north reclaim its enviable position as the food basket of the country.
The flag bearer further announced that under his leadership a Northern Development Authority would be established to expand development infrastructure in the area.
The authority would also work towards the expansion of educational infrastructure to build the human resource base of the north to accelerate growth and construct dams and irrigation facilities to ensure all year round farming.
“This is the way forward for our nation and that is the way I will go when you give me the mandate to become the President of this beautiful country of ours,” Nana Akufo- Addo stated.
He, therefore, entreated the people to put their trust in the party since it had the track record of good governance.
The presidential hopeful called for peaceful polls, saying that there was no need for anybody to engage in any brawl or shed blood, stressing that protecting the prevailing peace and unity in the country should be the paramount concern of all.
“We are one country, one people; we should not allow politics to divide us, irrespective of our ethnic or religious background,” Nana Akufo-Addo entreated.
He also urged officials of the Electoral Commission to ensure free, fair and transparent elections to produce a credible winner and a gracious loser.
The Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, also called on the people to emphasis issues that would strengthen their bond than matters that would divide them.
Other speakers included Messrs Alan Kyeremanten, Osafo Maafo, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey and Boakye Agyarko; the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris; the Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources, Alhaji Boniface Abubakari Saddique, and Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister of Women’s Affairs.
The politically charged metropolis saw some sympathisers lining up the major streets to catch a glimpse of the ecstatic flag bearer whose face could be seen out of the sun roof of his vehicle as he waved to his admirers who had come from far and near.
The teeming supporters who were draped in NPP paraphernalia, sang party songs and chanted “Nana oh Nana” to the sound of gong-gong. While some engaged in acrobatic displays with their bikes and vehicles, others exhibited the popular Kangaroo dance.
Later at the park, where the atmosphere was electrifying, Nana Akufo-Addo expressed appreciation to the people for coming in their numbers to demonstrate their desire for continuity.
“I can feel a big wind of change in this area. Make sure that this change favours the NPP in the coming general election because we are certainly moving forward; we will never look back again,” he intimated.
The presidential hopeful cited some of the laudable projects and programmes embarked upon by the ruling government and gave the assurance that under his government, he would build on such initiatives to help improve the lot of the people.
“For instance we are determined that every child in Ghana be given the opportunity to get education and technical skills to any level he or she can attain, “he indicated.
On disparity in development between the north and the southern parts of the country, Nana Akufo-Addo promised to bridge the yawning gap by creating job opportunities that would engage the energies of the youth and discourage them from migrating to the south for menial work.
He said his government would commit enough resources to modernise agriculture to enable the north reclaim its enviable position as the food basket of the country.
The flag bearer further announced that under his leadership a Northern Development Authority would be established to expand development infrastructure in the area.
The authority would also work towards the expansion of educational infrastructure to build the human resource base of the north to accelerate growth and construct dams and irrigation facilities to ensure all year round farming.
“This is the way forward for our nation and that is the way I will go when you give me the mandate to become the President of this beautiful country of ours,” Nana Akufo- Addo stated.
He, therefore, entreated the people to put their trust in the party since it had the track record of good governance.
The presidential hopeful called for peaceful polls, saying that there was no need for anybody to engage in any brawl or shed blood, stressing that protecting the prevailing peace and unity in the country should be the paramount concern of all.
“We are one country, one people; we should not allow politics to divide us, irrespective of our ethnic or religious background,” Nana Akufo-Addo entreated.
He also urged officials of the Electoral Commission to ensure free, fair and transparent elections to produce a credible winner and a gracious loser.
The Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, also called on the people to emphasis issues that would strengthen their bond than matters that would divide them.
Other speakers included Messrs Alan Kyeremanten, Osafo Maafo, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey and Boakye Agyarko; the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris; the Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources, Alhaji Boniface Abubakari Saddique, and Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister of Women’s Affairs.
Friday, July 18, 2008
RECRUIT PROFESSIONALS TO HANDLE PROGRAMMES (PAGE 29)
A Media Consultant and team leader of the Centre for Development Communication, Mr Gariba Ibrahim, has exhorted managers of FM stations in the metropolis to ensure that they recruit professionals and people with the requisite skills to handle their respective programmes.
He said the situation where programmes on the stations were left in the hands of amateurs was drawing a wedge between the people, further polarising the area.
‘‘Moderation by some of the hosts at the stations leaves much to be desired, and as a result, some callers are made to go away with their unguided utterances when they could have simply been stopped from insulting or defaming others,’’ Mr Gariba said.
The consultant, who was speaking to the Daily Graphic in Tamale last Wednesday, also cautioned managers of the stations not to allow individuals or groups of people to buy airtime on their stations to cast insinuations or aspersions at their opponents at the least opportunity.
He further said that with this year’s general elections fast approaching, and the various political parties intensifying their campaigns, it was important that managers of the stations ensured that political discussions were carried out with circumspection.
The consultant also charged media practitioners to dwell on issues that would unite the people and accelerate the pace of development of the metropolis and the region in general instead of emphasising matters that had the tendency to divide the citizenry.
‘‘As much as you want to make money, you should be careful not to allow your stations to be used in generating tensions and causing conflicts, because when there is no law and order, you cannot also operate successfully,’’ Mr Gariba stated.
Another growing phenomenon among the stations is the use of the Akan language instead of the local dialects to communicate in the area.
‘‘Much as I agree that Akan is widely spoken, we should also remember that one essence of the radio is to improve on the cultural dynamics of the people of which the use of their own dialogue is paramount,’’ he intimated.
Mr Gariba said Radio Savanna, which was state owned, had also become guilty of late in the use of the Akan language by some of its presenters.
‘‘This is most unfortunate because majority of the people do not speak or understand Akan in this area.’’
There are currently six FM stations operating in the metropolis out of which five are privately owned. They are Diamond FM, Radio Justice, Filla FM, North Star, Ridge FM and Radio Savanna.
End.
He said the situation where programmes on the stations were left in the hands of amateurs was drawing a wedge between the people, further polarising the area.
‘‘Moderation by some of the hosts at the stations leaves much to be desired, and as a result, some callers are made to go away with their unguided utterances when they could have simply been stopped from insulting or defaming others,’’ Mr Gariba said.
The consultant, who was speaking to the Daily Graphic in Tamale last Wednesday, also cautioned managers of the stations not to allow individuals or groups of people to buy airtime on their stations to cast insinuations or aspersions at their opponents at the least opportunity.
He further said that with this year’s general elections fast approaching, and the various political parties intensifying their campaigns, it was important that managers of the stations ensured that political discussions were carried out with circumspection.
The consultant also charged media practitioners to dwell on issues that would unite the people and accelerate the pace of development of the metropolis and the region in general instead of emphasising matters that had the tendency to divide the citizenry.
‘‘As much as you want to make money, you should be careful not to allow your stations to be used in generating tensions and causing conflicts, because when there is no law and order, you cannot also operate successfully,’’ Mr Gariba stated.
Another growing phenomenon among the stations is the use of the Akan language instead of the local dialects to communicate in the area.
‘‘Much as I agree that Akan is widely spoken, we should also remember that one essence of the radio is to improve on the cultural dynamics of the people of which the use of their own dialogue is paramount,’’ he intimated.
Mr Gariba said Radio Savanna, which was state owned, had also become guilty of late in the use of the Akan language by some of its presenters.
‘‘This is most unfortunate because majority of the people do not speak or understand Akan in this area.’’
There are currently six FM stations operating in the metropolis out of which five are privately owned. They are Diamond FM, Radio Justice, Filla FM, North Star, Ridge FM and Radio Savanna.
End.
TAMALE TEACHING HOSPITAL OFFERS CLINICAL TRAINING (PAGE 11)
THE Tamale Teaching Hospital has been given the green light to offer clinical training to medical students of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale.
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Elias Sory who announced this in Tamale, said the hospital had received accreditation from the Ghana Medical and Dental Council to that effect.
He indicated that a governing council would soon be constituted to manage the affairs of the hospital which is the only referral health facility for the entire three northern regions.
Dr Sory was speaking at the 16th annual District Directors of Health Services Group Conference on the theme; “Strengthening Sub-district Systems for Effective Implementation of the High Impact Rapid Delivery (HIRD) towards achieving MDG 4 and 5.’’
This announcement follows an earlier statement by the acting Vice-Chancellor of the UDS, Professor Kaku Sagari Nokoe, in February this year that, the medical students had already begun lectures at the Tamale campus of the school.
He said the school was also putting the necessary mechanisms in place to begin its clinical training after preparing the grounds at selected district and regional hospitals in the three northern and Brong Ahafo regions as a back-up to the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
And as part of the process of having students to undergo all their training in the catchments zones, 35 students who have successfully completed their pre-clinical in October last year were to start their bridging programme in Tamale from April this year.
As at February this year, the SMHS had 66, 86 and 36 students in their third, second and first year respectively.
‘‘The presence of several doctor-trainees in our district hospital will have considerable effect that can readily be assessed,’’ the VC indicated.
He observed that, ‘‘after more than 10 years of existence we believe it is time to stop transferring students to sister schools in Accra and Kumasi for clinical training; hence our wholehearted welcome to the change of the Ghana Medical and Dental Council.’’
Prof. Nokoe noted that to maintain the old practice of sending the students to the traditional medical schools was to defeat the purpose for which the SMHS was set up which is to train its students in typically deprived rural environments to equip them with the requisite theoretical and first-hand practical skills to enable them remain in those settings and render services at the end of their training.
He added, ‘‘what we need now is a high level of understanding, patience, encouragement and support from all and sundry.’’
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Elias Sory who announced this in Tamale, said the hospital had received accreditation from the Ghana Medical and Dental Council to that effect.
He indicated that a governing council would soon be constituted to manage the affairs of the hospital which is the only referral health facility for the entire three northern regions.
Dr Sory was speaking at the 16th annual District Directors of Health Services Group Conference on the theme; “Strengthening Sub-district Systems for Effective Implementation of the High Impact Rapid Delivery (HIRD) towards achieving MDG 4 and 5.’’
This announcement follows an earlier statement by the acting Vice-Chancellor of the UDS, Professor Kaku Sagari Nokoe, in February this year that, the medical students had already begun lectures at the Tamale campus of the school.
He said the school was also putting the necessary mechanisms in place to begin its clinical training after preparing the grounds at selected district and regional hospitals in the three northern and Brong Ahafo regions as a back-up to the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
And as part of the process of having students to undergo all their training in the catchments zones, 35 students who have successfully completed their pre-clinical in October last year were to start their bridging programme in Tamale from April this year.
As at February this year, the SMHS had 66, 86 and 36 students in their third, second and first year respectively.
‘‘The presence of several doctor-trainees in our district hospital will have considerable effect that can readily be assessed,’’ the VC indicated.
He observed that, ‘‘after more than 10 years of existence we believe it is time to stop transferring students to sister schools in Accra and Kumasi for clinical training; hence our wholehearted welcome to the change of the Ghana Medical and Dental Council.’’
Prof. Nokoe noted that to maintain the old practice of sending the students to the traditional medical schools was to defeat the purpose for which the SMHS was set up which is to train its students in typically deprived rural environments to equip them with the requisite theoretical and first-hand practical skills to enable them remain in those settings and render services at the end of their training.
He added, ‘‘what we need now is a high level of understanding, patience, encouragement and support from all and sundry.’’
Thursday, July 17, 2008
HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTORS ATTEND CONFAB (PAGE 20)
THE Minister of Health, Major Courage Quashigah(retd), has expressed concern over the increasing poor environmental conditions at various parts of the country, and called for more pragmatic measures to contain the menace.
He said the existing methods for controlling and managing waste in the country had not yielded the desired impact, noting that ‘‘infrastructure for waste management has not kept pace with population growth”.
The minister further observed that poor hygienic conditions in which most Ghanaians lived, worked, had their education and recreated had a major impact on their lives, and that polluted air, water and soil quality in the country was also mainly due to improper disposal of waste, emission of dangerous gases from industries and vehicles, and smoke from burning waste and bushfires.
In a speech read on his behalf at the 16th annual District Directors of Health Services Group Conference, Major Quashigah said ‘‘our poor lifestyles and self-created environmental factors manifest themselves in preventable high levels of morbidity and mortality in the country’.’
The conference was on the theme; “Strengthening Sub-districts Systems for Effective Implementation of the High Impact Rapid Delivery (HIRD) towards achieving MDG 4 and 5”.
He stressed the need to ensure clean surroundings at all times to help reduce communicable diseases and the high incidence of malaria which are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the country.
‘‘The total cost of malaria treatment in the country is estimated to be around GH¢664.6 million, equivalent to over twice the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) budget,’’ Major Quashigah revealed.
The minister noted that 90 per cent of diseases that were laboriously and expensively attended to at various health facilities in the country could easily be prevented if people adopted appropriate environmental practices and lifestyles.
‘‘There is no doubt that we need a new direction if as a ministry and a nation we are to achieve our collective vision; that calls for a paradigm shift from curative to health promotion and the adherence to principles of primary health care,’’ he stated.
Major Quashigah observed that with the prevailing health statistics, coupled with the current pace of implementation of some interventions, the country was unlikely to attain the Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 by the year 2015.
For instance under the MDG, maternal and child mortality are to be reduced by three quarters and two-third respectively by the year 2015.
The chairman of the DDHS, Dr James Sarkodie, noted that the gains made in the health status of the country since 1998 had not seen any appreciable improvement as infant mortality had increased from 57 per 1,000 in 1998 to 64 per 1,000 live births in 2003, with most of the deaths up to 75 per cent occurring in the neonatal period.
‘‘Under five mortality has also increased from 108 to 111 per 1000 live births, according to the Ghana Demographic Health Survey report, while maternal mortality still remains high with wide regional variations and figures between 214 to over 500 per 100,000 live births have been quoted as the maternal mortality ratio for the country,’’ he revealed.
The chairman explained that it was for these reasons that the conference brought together content specialists and other experts to brainstorm and deliberate over key issues that would help ensure growth in the health sector.
Dr Sarkodie however noted that if the challenges facing the sector, such as funding, transport, human resource, accommodation, infrastructure and logistics were not provided, there was very little they could achieve.
He said the existing methods for controlling and managing waste in the country had not yielded the desired impact, noting that ‘‘infrastructure for waste management has not kept pace with population growth”.
The minister further observed that poor hygienic conditions in which most Ghanaians lived, worked, had their education and recreated had a major impact on their lives, and that polluted air, water and soil quality in the country was also mainly due to improper disposal of waste, emission of dangerous gases from industries and vehicles, and smoke from burning waste and bushfires.
In a speech read on his behalf at the 16th annual District Directors of Health Services Group Conference, Major Quashigah said ‘‘our poor lifestyles and self-created environmental factors manifest themselves in preventable high levels of morbidity and mortality in the country’.’
The conference was on the theme; “Strengthening Sub-districts Systems for Effective Implementation of the High Impact Rapid Delivery (HIRD) towards achieving MDG 4 and 5”.
He stressed the need to ensure clean surroundings at all times to help reduce communicable diseases and the high incidence of malaria which are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the country.
‘‘The total cost of malaria treatment in the country is estimated to be around GH¢664.6 million, equivalent to over twice the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) budget,’’ Major Quashigah revealed.
The minister noted that 90 per cent of diseases that were laboriously and expensively attended to at various health facilities in the country could easily be prevented if people adopted appropriate environmental practices and lifestyles.
‘‘There is no doubt that we need a new direction if as a ministry and a nation we are to achieve our collective vision; that calls for a paradigm shift from curative to health promotion and the adherence to principles of primary health care,’’ he stated.
Major Quashigah observed that with the prevailing health statistics, coupled with the current pace of implementation of some interventions, the country was unlikely to attain the Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 by the year 2015.
For instance under the MDG, maternal and child mortality are to be reduced by three quarters and two-third respectively by the year 2015.
The chairman of the DDHS, Dr James Sarkodie, noted that the gains made in the health status of the country since 1998 had not seen any appreciable improvement as infant mortality had increased from 57 per 1,000 in 1998 to 64 per 1,000 live births in 2003, with most of the deaths up to 75 per cent occurring in the neonatal period.
‘‘Under five mortality has also increased from 108 to 111 per 1000 live births, according to the Ghana Demographic Health Survey report, while maternal mortality still remains high with wide regional variations and figures between 214 to over 500 per 100,000 live births have been quoted as the maternal mortality ratio for the country,’’ he revealed.
The chairman explained that it was for these reasons that the conference brought together content specialists and other experts to brainstorm and deliberate over key issues that would help ensure growth in the health sector.
Dr Sarkodie however noted that if the challenges facing the sector, such as funding, transport, human resource, accommodation, infrastructure and logistics were not provided, there was very little they could achieve.
PARTIES REMINDED TO NOTIFY POLICE OF RALLIES (PAGE 15)
AS the political campaigns for this year's general election heat up, the police commands in the three northern regions have urged the various political parties to always endeavour to notify the police before holding rallies or meetings to avoid any possible clash or disturbances in the area.
The three regions are considered as flash points in view of the pockets of conflict there and the police have entreated the parties to be careful in their utterances and actions in order not to inflame the passions of the electorate in their bid to woo supporters.
The police reminded the parties of the Public Order Act 491 of 1994 that enjoins organisers of special events to notify the police within five days in writing before the events.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of Special Duties in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions, Mr Ephraim Okoe Brakatu, who made the call, was briefing the media on the security situation in the north in Tamale on Monday. In attendance were senior police officers from the three regions.
He gave the assurance that his outfit would continue to display a high sense of professionalism in maintaining peace and security in the country.
The Upper East Regional Police Commander, Mr Ofosu Mensah-Gyeabour, acknowledged that the death toll in the Bawku conflict could be higher than the official figure of 45 deaths since the resurgence of the ethnic disturbances between the Kusasis and Mamprusis in December last year.
He explained that the combatants had now resorted to psychological warfare whereby they declined to give the actual number of deaths suffered by either side to the security in order not to let their opponents feel victorious and thereby dampen the spirit of their members.
At a press briefing on the security situation in the area in Tamale on Monday, the commander disclosed that so far 143 suspects had been rounded up by the security agencies, with 26 of them sent to Accra for security reasons.
The three regions are considered as flash points in view of the pockets of conflict there and the police have entreated the parties to be careful in their utterances and actions in order not to inflame the passions of the electorate in their bid to woo supporters.
The police reminded the parties of the Public Order Act 491 of 1994 that enjoins organisers of special events to notify the police within five days in writing before the events.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of Special Duties in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions, Mr Ephraim Okoe Brakatu, who made the call, was briefing the media on the security situation in the north in Tamale on Monday. In attendance were senior police officers from the three regions.
He gave the assurance that his outfit would continue to display a high sense of professionalism in maintaining peace and security in the country.
The Upper East Regional Police Commander, Mr Ofosu Mensah-Gyeabour, acknowledged that the death toll in the Bawku conflict could be higher than the official figure of 45 deaths since the resurgence of the ethnic disturbances between the Kusasis and Mamprusis in December last year.
He explained that the combatants had now resorted to psychological warfare whereby they declined to give the actual number of deaths suffered by either side to the security in order not to let their opponents feel victorious and thereby dampen the spirit of their members.
At a press briefing on the security situation in the area in Tamale on Monday, the commander disclosed that so far 143 suspects had been rounded up by the security agencies, with 26 of them sent to Accra for security reasons.
Monday, July 14, 2008
PNC FIRST TO UNVEIL MANIFESTO (PAGE 13)
THE People’s National Convention (PNC) has unveiled its manifesto in Tamale with the slogan, ‘‘Real Change, Real Hope.’’
The party, by this electoral obligation has become the first political party in the country to unveil its manifesto to explain its plans and development agenda to the electorate.
The launch of the 83-page document was on the theme; ‘‘Economic Prosperity Now, Youth Empowerment and Economic Independence Soonest’’.
The occasion on Saturday was witnessed by the national and regional executive members and supporters of the party from far and wide. Also present was a representative of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), co-sponsors of the preparation of the document.
The Presidential candidate of the PNC, Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama, who read an abridged version of the manifesto, outlined the vision of the party that included economic, health, agriculture, youth development, foreign policy and security matters.
According to the flag bearer, ‘‘the manifesto reflects the consistent posture of the PNC as a party committed to the Nkrumaist agenda of offering selfless, honest and dedicated leadership to save the country from the socio-political and economic abyss that the nation is experiencing today’’.
He explained that the party drew its inspiration and strength from the country’s first president Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah not merely by his personality but what he represented.
Dr Mahama therefore said the party, when offered the mandate to govern the country, would harness talents both within and outside to rebuild the nation where no Ghanaian citizen would be left out.
‘‘We would purge our nation of corruption in all its forms, drastically cut down waste in our public sector whiles at the same time empower our people economically and socially with deserved emphasis on the vulnerable to become more productive at the individual and household levels,’’ he stated.
The flagbearer pledged to rationalise and improve the capacities and effectiveness of the Auditor Generals Department, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice and all such agencies charged with eliminating fraud and injustice in the system.
‘‘More importantly the office of the Attorney-General and the DPP shall be separated from the Ministry of Justice and given an independent status and equipped with resources to prosecute every one including government functionaries against whom corruption and financial impropriety have been established,’’ he said.
He announced what he called ‘‘the Golden Age of Productivity’’ under which his government would create the necessary support for industry and the agriculture sectors to grow.
Dr Mahama also said under his leadership, a Ministry of Science and Technology would be the focal point for the policies and operational plans of his government that would incorporate, coordinate and monitor all national policies for accelerated development.
The presidential aspirant indicated that his government would also allocate part of the national budget for the establishment of a Research and Development Fund to translate indigenous scientific research findings into commercial ventures.
On his Foreign Policy, Dr Mahama said it would be in consonance with accepted principles of public international law and diplomacy but crafted in a manner that would not compromise the national interest.
‘‘In order not to subordinate the dignity and independence of the country to foreign interests, all international agreements, contracts, treaties and conventions shall be subjected to scrutiny and ratification by parliament,’’ he stated.
Dr Mahama further stated that a PNC government would put more emphasis on irrigation schemes and mechanisation with appropriate technology in order that farmers would no more depend solely on the rains.
Touching on national security, the presidential hopeful said the Ghana Armed Forces shall play its statutory role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation against external aggression and that in special emergencies, the military shall play subordinate role with law enforcement agencies playing the leading role.
He said even though the nation’s army has commendably distinguished themselves in peacekeeping operations abroad, Ghanaian contingents were least equipped in such exercises.
‘‘A PNC government will reverse this deplorable state of affairs that seems already to have become a trend under the NPP regime by adequately equipping all Ghanaian Peacekeeping contingents, Dr Mahama assured.
The flag bearer, however, conceded that ‘‘we do not have the magical wand for all the nation’s problems; the onus lies on each and every one of us to contribute our quota to the accelerated development of this great nation of ours’’.
The coordinator incharge of policy analysis unit of the IEA, Papa Kow Acquaye, commended the PNC for being the first party to launch its manifesto and indicated that the initiative demonstrated the seriousness of the party to claim victory in the December elections.
He explained that its political parties programme had succeeded in building the capacities of the parties to make this year’s campaign centre on issues instead of personalities.
There were also solidarity messages from representatives of other political parties. A rally was later held at the Aboabo Market in Tamale to climax the launch.
The party, by this electoral obligation has become the first political party in the country to unveil its manifesto to explain its plans and development agenda to the electorate.
The launch of the 83-page document was on the theme; ‘‘Economic Prosperity Now, Youth Empowerment and Economic Independence Soonest’’.
The occasion on Saturday was witnessed by the national and regional executive members and supporters of the party from far and wide. Also present was a representative of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), co-sponsors of the preparation of the document.
The Presidential candidate of the PNC, Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama, who read an abridged version of the manifesto, outlined the vision of the party that included economic, health, agriculture, youth development, foreign policy and security matters.
According to the flag bearer, ‘‘the manifesto reflects the consistent posture of the PNC as a party committed to the Nkrumaist agenda of offering selfless, honest and dedicated leadership to save the country from the socio-political and economic abyss that the nation is experiencing today’’.
He explained that the party drew its inspiration and strength from the country’s first president Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah not merely by his personality but what he represented.
Dr Mahama therefore said the party, when offered the mandate to govern the country, would harness talents both within and outside to rebuild the nation where no Ghanaian citizen would be left out.
‘‘We would purge our nation of corruption in all its forms, drastically cut down waste in our public sector whiles at the same time empower our people economically and socially with deserved emphasis on the vulnerable to become more productive at the individual and household levels,’’ he stated.
The flagbearer pledged to rationalise and improve the capacities and effectiveness of the Auditor Generals Department, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice and all such agencies charged with eliminating fraud and injustice in the system.
‘‘More importantly the office of the Attorney-General and the DPP shall be separated from the Ministry of Justice and given an independent status and equipped with resources to prosecute every one including government functionaries against whom corruption and financial impropriety have been established,’’ he said.
He announced what he called ‘‘the Golden Age of Productivity’’ under which his government would create the necessary support for industry and the agriculture sectors to grow.
Dr Mahama also said under his leadership, a Ministry of Science and Technology would be the focal point for the policies and operational plans of his government that would incorporate, coordinate and monitor all national policies for accelerated development.
The presidential aspirant indicated that his government would also allocate part of the national budget for the establishment of a Research and Development Fund to translate indigenous scientific research findings into commercial ventures.
On his Foreign Policy, Dr Mahama said it would be in consonance with accepted principles of public international law and diplomacy but crafted in a manner that would not compromise the national interest.
‘‘In order not to subordinate the dignity and independence of the country to foreign interests, all international agreements, contracts, treaties and conventions shall be subjected to scrutiny and ratification by parliament,’’ he stated.
Dr Mahama further stated that a PNC government would put more emphasis on irrigation schemes and mechanisation with appropriate technology in order that farmers would no more depend solely on the rains.
Touching on national security, the presidential hopeful said the Ghana Armed Forces shall play its statutory role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation against external aggression and that in special emergencies, the military shall play subordinate role with law enforcement agencies playing the leading role.
He said even though the nation’s army has commendably distinguished themselves in peacekeeping operations abroad, Ghanaian contingents were least equipped in such exercises.
‘‘A PNC government will reverse this deplorable state of affairs that seems already to have become a trend under the NPP regime by adequately equipping all Ghanaian Peacekeeping contingents, Dr Mahama assured.
The flag bearer, however, conceded that ‘‘we do not have the magical wand for all the nation’s problems; the onus lies on each and every one of us to contribute our quota to the accelerated development of this great nation of ours’’.
The coordinator incharge of policy analysis unit of the IEA, Papa Kow Acquaye, commended the PNC for being the first party to launch its manifesto and indicated that the initiative demonstrated the seriousness of the party to claim victory in the December elections.
He explained that its political parties programme had succeeded in building the capacities of the parties to make this year’s campaign centre on issues instead of personalities.
There were also solidarity messages from representatives of other political parties. A rally was later held at the Aboabo Market in Tamale to climax the launch.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
NGO HAPPY ABOUT REFORMS IN SCHOOL FEEDING PROJECT (PAGE 28)
SEND-Ghana, an NGO, has welcomed the announcement by the New Executive Chairman of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), Mr Michael Nsowah, to strengthen existing structures with the active involvement of district assemblies in the successful implementation of the programme.
“We wish to confirm our resolve to continue providing independent citizens’ monitoring and feedback on this laudable policy as stipulated in the memorandum of understanding between our outfit and the GSFP Secretariat,” the organisation stated. It has, however, called for the outlining of a time table for implementation of the new initiative since that could be a first step of practical commitment to the realisation of these objectives.
The NGO further suggested that the structure of the GSFP Secretariat be clarified and placement of the relevant human resources done as soon as possible.
According to the country director of SEND-Ghana, Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo, the role of the GSFP secretariat, as an institution and its management relations, was crucial for the success of the programme and therefore should not be overlocked.
He explained that the organisation’s main focus was on public policy through education, participatory monitoring and evaluation and lobbying. It also engages in pro-poor public policies that have the potential of creating opportunities for the vulnerable.
The director recalled that in May this year, SEND-Ghana launched the first report card on the GSFP that acknowledged the gains, potential impact and implementation bottlenecks facing the programme.
“We are therefore greatly encouraged by the fact that the current plans announced by the executive chairman coincide with the recommendations made by the report, “he intimated.
Other suggestions contained in the report included the need to abide by guidelines of the programme document and alignment of disbursement with new enrolment figures, capacity building for implementing structures and decentralised democratic decision making.
“We will focus our next monitoring on the effectiveness of complementary services and the service providers and also step up policy education and local capacity building to ensure that all stakeholders are sufficiently empowered to engage in the programme, “Mr. Akologo indicated.
“We wish to confirm our resolve to continue providing independent citizens’ monitoring and feedback on this laudable policy as stipulated in the memorandum of understanding between our outfit and the GSFP Secretariat,” the organisation stated. It has, however, called for the outlining of a time table for implementation of the new initiative since that could be a first step of practical commitment to the realisation of these objectives.
The NGO further suggested that the structure of the GSFP Secretariat be clarified and placement of the relevant human resources done as soon as possible.
According to the country director of SEND-Ghana, Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo, the role of the GSFP secretariat, as an institution and its management relations, was crucial for the success of the programme and therefore should not be overlocked.
He explained that the organisation’s main focus was on public policy through education, participatory monitoring and evaluation and lobbying. It also engages in pro-poor public policies that have the potential of creating opportunities for the vulnerable.
The director recalled that in May this year, SEND-Ghana launched the first report card on the GSFP that acknowledged the gains, potential impact and implementation bottlenecks facing the programme.
“We are therefore greatly encouraged by the fact that the current plans announced by the executive chairman coincide with the recommendations made by the report, “he intimated.
Other suggestions contained in the report included the need to abide by guidelines of the programme document and alignment of disbursement with new enrolment figures, capacity building for implementing structures and decentralised democratic decision making.
“We will focus our next monitoring on the effectiveness of complementary services and the service providers and also step up policy education and local capacity building to ensure that all stakeholders are sufficiently empowered to engage in the programme, “Mr. Akologo indicated.
ZUGU-KUSHIBO RESIDENTS TO GET FREE MEDICAL CARE (PAGE 22)
SOME vulnerable residents of Zugu-Kushibo, a farming community in the Tolon/Kumbungu District of the Northern Region, are to benefit from free medical care under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
This follows the payment of the premium of 275 people in the community by a US-based Christian organisation, Atlas Cowboy First Baptist Church, in collaboration with their local partners in the district, Tarikpaa Baptist Church.
The organisation had earlier donated a grinding mill at a cost of $2,300 dollars to the community to reduce the fatigue of the women who walked a distance of about 12 kilometres before getting access to a mill.
According to the team leader of the US Church, Cheryl Read, the intervention was a demonstration of the church's social responsibilities to communities in which it operated.
She explained that the registration exercise, which was estimated at $1,500, was aimed, among other reasons, at making health service accessible and affordable to the people of the community, majority of whom were poor.
“It also forms part of our humanitarian assistance to needy societies, which were hardest hit by poverty, hunger and diseases,” she added.
Ms Read underscored the need for religious organisations to develop not only the spiritual realm of their members, but also their physical and psychological well-being to prepare them adequately to face future challenges.
She further explained that women and children formed the main focus of their intervention, because they bore the brunt of the sufferings and deprivations in the community.
The leader expressed the church's commitment to solicit more assistance to enable it to put up a health centre for the people in the area.
She entreated other benevolent organisations to complement their efforts to help improve on the lot of the people.
An executive member of Tarikpaa Baptist Church, Mr Paul Napare, said the exercise was also to demonstrate to the beneficiaries the love of Jesus Christ especially to the poor and to put smiles on their faces.
Mr Napare stated that the beneficiaries of the exercise were members of the families whose children worshipped with the church.
He appealed to the community members to take advantage of the exercise to improve their health conditions in order to reduce child and infant mortality in the area.
Mr Napare thanked their benefactors for their humanitarian gesture and promised to put all assistance offered them to judicious use.
This follows the payment of the premium of 275 people in the community by a US-based Christian organisation, Atlas Cowboy First Baptist Church, in collaboration with their local partners in the district, Tarikpaa Baptist Church.
The organisation had earlier donated a grinding mill at a cost of $2,300 dollars to the community to reduce the fatigue of the women who walked a distance of about 12 kilometres before getting access to a mill.
According to the team leader of the US Church, Cheryl Read, the intervention was a demonstration of the church's social responsibilities to communities in which it operated.
She explained that the registration exercise, which was estimated at $1,500, was aimed, among other reasons, at making health service accessible and affordable to the people of the community, majority of whom were poor.
“It also forms part of our humanitarian assistance to needy societies, which were hardest hit by poverty, hunger and diseases,” she added.
Ms Read underscored the need for religious organisations to develop not only the spiritual realm of their members, but also their physical and psychological well-being to prepare them adequately to face future challenges.
She further explained that women and children formed the main focus of their intervention, because they bore the brunt of the sufferings and deprivations in the community.
The leader expressed the church's commitment to solicit more assistance to enable it to put up a health centre for the people in the area.
She entreated other benevolent organisations to complement their efforts to help improve on the lot of the people.
An executive member of Tarikpaa Baptist Church, Mr Paul Napare, said the exercise was also to demonstrate to the beneficiaries the love of Jesus Christ especially to the poor and to put smiles on their faces.
Mr Napare stated that the beneficiaries of the exercise were members of the families whose children worshipped with the church.
He appealed to the community members to take advantage of the exercise to improve their health conditions in order to reduce child and infant mortality in the area.
Mr Napare thanked their benefactors for their humanitarian gesture and promised to put all assistance offered them to judicious use.
Friday, July 11, 2008
ECOSYSTEMS RESTORATION PROJECT FOR YARPEI (PAGE 20)
AN ecosystems restoration project has been inaugurated at Yapei in the Central Gonja District of the Northern Region to help improve on agricultural and aquatic life in the area.
Dubbed “The Mid-Volta Ecosystems Restoration, the project also seeks to build on the livelihood patterns of the people by identifying areas of significant cultural values that could be enriched to support the people and also protect the potentials of the basin against destruction from land use.
The basin extends from Daboya in the West Gonja District to Sheri in Central Gonja at the confluence of the Black and White Volta Rivers.
The Regional Advisory, Information and Network Systems (RAINS), a Tamale-based NGO, is facilitating the project with support from the African Biodiversity Network and Artists Project Earth, a UK charity organisation.
As part of the inaugural ceremony, a stakeholders’ meeting comprising representatives of traditional authorities, assembly members, farmers, fishermen and women from communities along the basin was held at Yapei.
Among the issues discussed by the participants were the increasing social and economic changes and challenges faced by the people, the regular droughts and floods and the reduction in farm output and dwindling fish stock and its impact on the people in the area.
The team leader and vice-chairman of the board of RAINS, Mr Bakari Nyari, said there was an urgent need for the reversal of the current state of extinction of the basin's resources to make them more viable, productive and sustainable.
It is, however, important for the people themselves to assume lead roles in identifying and taking responsible actions that would restock fish in the river and also improve on soil fertility and community welfare,” he advised.
Mr Nyari added that under the project, the people would be encouraged to resort to the use of compost manure instead of chemical fertilisers, which, he said, had contributed to the pollution of the water bodies.
According to him, their capacities would also be built in modern agricultural trends while proposing that, fisher folks allowed a fallow period for the breeding of fishes, since that was one of the surest ways of ensuring that aquatic life support organisms were sustained for regeneration.
On behalf of his colleagues, Mallam Issifu Saaka expressed appreciation to the management of RAINS and their collaborators for the project and pledged to offer them the necessary support to ensure its viability in the area.
Dubbed “The Mid-Volta Ecosystems Restoration, the project also seeks to build on the livelihood patterns of the people by identifying areas of significant cultural values that could be enriched to support the people and also protect the potentials of the basin against destruction from land use.
The basin extends from Daboya in the West Gonja District to Sheri in Central Gonja at the confluence of the Black and White Volta Rivers.
The Regional Advisory, Information and Network Systems (RAINS), a Tamale-based NGO, is facilitating the project with support from the African Biodiversity Network and Artists Project Earth, a UK charity organisation.
As part of the inaugural ceremony, a stakeholders’ meeting comprising representatives of traditional authorities, assembly members, farmers, fishermen and women from communities along the basin was held at Yapei.
Among the issues discussed by the participants were the increasing social and economic changes and challenges faced by the people, the regular droughts and floods and the reduction in farm output and dwindling fish stock and its impact on the people in the area.
The team leader and vice-chairman of the board of RAINS, Mr Bakari Nyari, said there was an urgent need for the reversal of the current state of extinction of the basin's resources to make them more viable, productive and sustainable.
It is, however, important for the people themselves to assume lead roles in identifying and taking responsible actions that would restock fish in the river and also improve on soil fertility and community welfare,” he advised.
Mr Nyari added that under the project, the people would be encouraged to resort to the use of compost manure instead of chemical fertilisers, which, he said, had contributed to the pollution of the water bodies.
According to him, their capacities would also be built in modern agricultural trends while proposing that, fisher folks allowed a fallow period for the breeding of fishes, since that was one of the surest ways of ensuring that aquatic life support organisms were sustained for regeneration.
On behalf of his colleagues, Mallam Issifu Saaka expressed appreciation to the management of RAINS and their collaborators for the project and pledged to offer them the necessary support to ensure its viability in the area.
GAMBAGA POLICE PROBE FARMER'S DEATH (PAGE 20)
THE Gambaga District Police in the East Mamprusi District of the Northern Region are conducting investigations into the circumstances under which a 23-year-old farmer is alleged to have shot and killed himself.
The deceased, Baba Ayariga, was found dead in a pool of blood by a search party a day after the shocking incident. The deceased has since been buried.
A post-mortem examination conducted at the Baptist Medical Centre at Nalerigu has indicated that Ayariga died as a result of gunshot wounds he sustained on the base of the neck.
According to the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Albert Johnson, the incident occurred on June 21, this year at Gambaga.
He said the deceased left home with his locally manufactured gun for the farm on that fateful day but never returned home. Inspector Johnson said the family, who became alarmed, then organised a search party for him which found his body on a rock in a farm the next day with the gun lying by him. The incident was later reported to the police in the area.
“At the crime scene, the body was carefully examined by our men but there was no sign of struggle,” the PRO stated.
In a related development, a motor rider, Danjumah Tia, died instantly when he fell off his motorbike in an accident on the Walewale-Gambaga road.
According to Inspector Johnson, the deceased might have lost control of the motorbike, with registration number UE 2583 X, as there was no evidence of him hitting any object at the accident scene.
The cause of death after a post-mortem examination at the Nalerigu Baptist Medical Centre indicated that the deceased, who has since been buried, suffered from close head trauma.
The deceased, Baba Ayariga, was found dead in a pool of blood by a search party a day after the shocking incident. The deceased has since been buried.
A post-mortem examination conducted at the Baptist Medical Centre at Nalerigu has indicated that Ayariga died as a result of gunshot wounds he sustained on the base of the neck.
According to the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Albert Johnson, the incident occurred on June 21, this year at Gambaga.
He said the deceased left home with his locally manufactured gun for the farm on that fateful day but never returned home. Inspector Johnson said the family, who became alarmed, then organised a search party for him which found his body on a rock in a farm the next day with the gun lying by him. The incident was later reported to the police in the area.
“At the crime scene, the body was carefully examined by our men but there was no sign of struggle,” the PRO stated.
In a related development, a motor rider, Danjumah Tia, died instantly when he fell off his motorbike in an accident on the Walewale-Gambaga road.
According to Inspector Johnson, the deceased might have lost control of the motorbike, with registration number UE 2583 X, as there was no evidence of him hitting any object at the accident scene.
The cause of death after a post-mortem examination at the Nalerigu Baptist Medical Centre indicated that the deceased, who has since been buried, suffered from close head trauma.
COMOG HOLD FORUM FOR MUSLIM CLERICS (PAGE 20)
THE Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Ghana (COMOG) has held a forum for Muslim clerics in Tamale where they deliberated on human rights issues from the Islamic perspective.
The regional advocacy programme attracted Muslim scholars, Imams, women and youth leaders from the area. Other matters discussed were the population dynamics in the Northern Region and their impact on the development of the area.
The programme was supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the European Union.
According to the Project Co-ordinator of COMOG, Mr Abdul-Manan Abdul-Rahman, the programme is being organised in five regions comprising the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta and Central regions.
He explained that the fora were being used as platforms to sensitise the Muslim community in those areas to their rights and obligations under the Constitution from the Islamic perspective.
“It is also high time we organised such forums to discuss matters that affect us directly instead of dwelling on issues that divide us as Muslim brothers and sisters,” the co-ordinator stated.
Mr Abdul-Rahman, who is also the National Organising Secretary of COMOG, further observed that it was as a result of the importance Islam attached to human rights issues that it fashioned out modalities for its redress to ensure harmony and peaceful co-existence among families and societies.
According to him, Islam acknowledged the equality of all human beings and quoted a portion of the Holy Quran that states that, “O Mankind, We created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye know each other, not that ye may despise each other. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most righteous of you-(49:13).”
In a speech read on his behalf, the UNFPA Country Representative, Mr Makane Kane, explained that as an international agency, the fund promoted the rights of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity.
He said there was also positive relationship between gender equality and development.
“This suggests that societies that do not invest and positively promote gender equality pay a significant price; more poverty among its people, weaker participation by the people, slower economic growth and a lower quality of life,” Mr Kane indicated.
The regional advocacy programme attracted Muslim scholars, Imams, women and youth leaders from the area. Other matters discussed were the population dynamics in the Northern Region and their impact on the development of the area.
The programme was supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the European Union.
According to the Project Co-ordinator of COMOG, Mr Abdul-Manan Abdul-Rahman, the programme is being organised in five regions comprising the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta and Central regions.
He explained that the fora were being used as platforms to sensitise the Muslim community in those areas to their rights and obligations under the Constitution from the Islamic perspective.
“It is also high time we organised such forums to discuss matters that affect us directly instead of dwelling on issues that divide us as Muslim brothers and sisters,” the co-ordinator stated.
Mr Abdul-Rahman, who is also the National Organising Secretary of COMOG, further observed that it was as a result of the importance Islam attached to human rights issues that it fashioned out modalities for its redress to ensure harmony and peaceful co-existence among families and societies.
According to him, Islam acknowledged the equality of all human beings and quoted a portion of the Holy Quran that states that, “O Mankind, We created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye know each other, not that ye may despise each other. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most righteous of you-(49:13).”
In a speech read on his behalf, the UNFPA Country Representative, Mr Makane Kane, explained that as an international agency, the fund promoted the rights of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity.
He said there was also positive relationship between gender equality and development.
“This suggests that societies that do not invest and positively promote gender equality pay a significant price; more poverty among its people, weaker participation by the people, slower economic growth and a lower quality of life,” Mr Kane indicated.
CONFLICTS HAVE HINDERED DEVT IN NR (PAGE 20)
CONFLICTS are part of existence. The difficulty, however, lies in the ability to manage them when they occur.
The Northern Region just like other parts of the country, has had its share of destructive conflicts over the years as a result of many factors that include greed and ignorance.
The conflicts have often revolved around ethnicity, chieftaincy, land and traditional authority. The effects of the protracted conflicts in the area over the years have been devastating.
Apart from the loss of human lives, conflicts have also succeeded in polarising affected communities and created a deep wedge of division and hatred among the people resulting in lack of development, thus worsening the poverty situation of the people.
As a result of the politicisation of conflicts in the region, any effort at finding solutions to them are sometimes viewed with suspicion by the protagonists. Political meanings are usually read into actions taken, especially by the government thus making genuine reconciliation very difficult.
It was for these reasons that the Northern Sector Office of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) organised a focus group discussion and a workshop on non-violent response to conflict in Tamale in the wake of this year's general election.
The participants included youth chiefs, religious bodies, traditional authorities, representatives of political parties and organised associations in the metropolis.
Among the topics discussed were understanding and responding to conflicts, relationships between conflicts, the electoral process in Ghana and sustaining the existing peace in the region in the election period.
At the close of the two-day event, the participants were unanimous in their condemnation of electoral violence and resolved to sensitise people at their respective communities and parties to always resort to dialogue to iron out their differences.
They also urged their supporters to ensure sanity in their various campaigns and other political conduct before, during and after the December general poll.
The discussants, however, called on politicians to be circumspect in their utterances, especially when they mount platforms, since some of what they say in their overzealousness could inflame passions.
The participants also underscored the need for more sensitisation programmes through meetings and the media in order for the message of violence-free elections to reach out to more people in the communities.
The Co-ordinator in charge of the Northern Sector Office of CCG, Mr James Nahyi, acknowledged that activities of political parties could be a recipe for violent clashes in the area following precedents in earlier elections.
According to Mr Nahyi, the history of presidential and parliamentary elections in Ghana since 1992 had been clouded with pre and post-election violence, especially in areas that were already engulfed with protracted conflicts.
“It is for this fact that the CCG seeks to reinvigorate her efforts as part of her social obligations and contributions at ensuring a violent free 2008 election,” he explained.
The co-ordinator further stated that the council had been involved in dialogue, consultations and shuttle diplomacy and capacity building in conflict resolution and management tools for some years now as part of its efforts at ensuring lasting peace in the area.
The Northern Region just like other parts of the country, has had its share of destructive conflicts over the years as a result of many factors that include greed and ignorance.
The conflicts have often revolved around ethnicity, chieftaincy, land and traditional authority. The effects of the protracted conflicts in the area over the years have been devastating.
Apart from the loss of human lives, conflicts have also succeeded in polarising affected communities and created a deep wedge of division and hatred among the people resulting in lack of development, thus worsening the poverty situation of the people.
As a result of the politicisation of conflicts in the region, any effort at finding solutions to them are sometimes viewed with suspicion by the protagonists. Political meanings are usually read into actions taken, especially by the government thus making genuine reconciliation very difficult.
It was for these reasons that the Northern Sector Office of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) organised a focus group discussion and a workshop on non-violent response to conflict in Tamale in the wake of this year's general election.
The participants included youth chiefs, religious bodies, traditional authorities, representatives of political parties and organised associations in the metropolis.
Among the topics discussed were understanding and responding to conflicts, relationships between conflicts, the electoral process in Ghana and sustaining the existing peace in the region in the election period.
At the close of the two-day event, the participants were unanimous in their condemnation of electoral violence and resolved to sensitise people at their respective communities and parties to always resort to dialogue to iron out their differences.
They also urged their supporters to ensure sanity in their various campaigns and other political conduct before, during and after the December general poll.
The discussants, however, called on politicians to be circumspect in their utterances, especially when they mount platforms, since some of what they say in their overzealousness could inflame passions.
The participants also underscored the need for more sensitisation programmes through meetings and the media in order for the message of violence-free elections to reach out to more people in the communities.
The Co-ordinator in charge of the Northern Sector Office of CCG, Mr James Nahyi, acknowledged that activities of political parties could be a recipe for violent clashes in the area following precedents in earlier elections.
According to Mr Nahyi, the history of presidential and parliamentary elections in Ghana since 1992 had been clouded with pre and post-election violence, especially in areas that were already engulfed with protracted conflicts.
“It is for this fact that the CCG seeks to reinvigorate her efforts as part of her social obligations and contributions at ensuring a violent free 2008 election,” he explained.
The co-ordinator further stated that the council had been involved in dialogue, consultations and shuttle diplomacy and capacity building in conflict resolution and management tools for some years now as part of its efforts at ensuring lasting peace in the area.
THE DAY LIFE STOOD STILL AT TAMALE (PAGE 29)
LIFE stood still in Tamale last Sunday. Known for their passionate love for football and their darling club, supporters of the pride of the north, Real Tamale United (RTU), had their hearts in their mouths for the entire period that Zaytuna United led with their thin goal in the decisive One- touch Premier League match between the Tamale lads and the Greater Accra based club at the Sunyani Coronation park.
The anxious supporters were indeed faced with the scare of being relegated from the elite league for the first time in their 30 years of chequered history in the league.
They clung to their radio sets and prayed fervently. Those who could not contain the tension put off their sets but with their ears to the ground.
The shouts and celebrations as expected that greeted the late equaliser in the 92 minute injury time was therefore loud and clear; the Tamale-based team was staying in the elite division.
And when in the nick of time Kabiru put the icing on the cake, the people roared. It was a moment the teeming sympathisers would not forget as some shed tears of joy.
‘‘I have always believed that RTU would produce a miracle to survive this scare; and I have been vindicated,’’ an excited supporter, Ibrahim Sule, intimated.
‘‘Credit must go to both the players and the technical bench for reviving our dead spirits when we were down because I really lost hope of our survival until they performed the wonders,’’ Mohammed Baba said.
An elated female supporter of the club, Hajia Maria Iddi, was of the opinion that, ‘‘we have come a very long way and therefore cannot go on relegation that easily for who to use this plush stadium.’’
Another ardent supporter who travelled with the team to Sunyani, Abdulai Mohammed Ajingo, described the atmosphere at the stadium after the equaliser as very electrifying.
He commended fans from Kumasi, Techiman, Tamale and elsewhere who trooped to the stadium in their numbers to cheer their darling club to victory.
And immediately after the whistle had gone for the close of proceedings at Sunyani, some supporters could be spotted in groups with hands akimbo, still expressing surprise over the magical display of the RTU boys while others took over some principal streets of the metropolis, honking of their motorbikes and cars, particularly taxi drivers, with some draped in the RTU colours of blue and white.
There was also triumphant entry into the metropolis of the hundreds of RTU supporters who witnessed the magical display of the team at Sunyani later at night as they blew their car horns and cheered on some principal streets of the metropolis.
Indeed, this is not the first time RTU has come close to relegation as the club had a couple of seasons performed abysmally.
However, last Sunday’s scare was the closest as the time ticked away to the close of the titanic match without a response from the Tamale lads who just needed a draw to survive.
RTU was formed in Tamale in September 1976, following a merger between the then Real Sportive and Northern United. And they have never been relegated since.
The anxious supporters were indeed faced with the scare of being relegated from the elite league for the first time in their 30 years of chequered history in the league.
They clung to their radio sets and prayed fervently. Those who could not contain the tension put off their sets but with their ears to the ground.
The shouts and celebrations as expected that greeted the late equaliser in the 92 minute injury time was therefore loud and clear; the Tamale-based team was staying in the elite division.
And when in the nick of time Kabiru put the icing on the cake, the people roared. It was a moment the teeming sympathisers would not forget as some shed tears of joy.
‘‘I have always believed that RTU would produce a miracle to survive this scare; and I have been vindicated,’’ an excited supporter, Ibrahim Sule, intimated.
‘‘Credit must go to both the players and the technical bench for reviving our dead spirits when we were down because I really lost hope of our survival until they performed the wonders,’’ Mohammed Baba said.
An elated female supporter of the club, Hajia Maria Iddi, was of the opinion that, ‘‘we have come a very long way and therefore cannot go on relegation that easily for who to use this plush stadium.’’
Another ardent supporter who travelled with the team to Sunyani, Abdulai Mohammed Ajingo, described the atmosphere at the stadium after the equaliser as very electrifying.
He commended fans from Kumasi, Techiman, Tamale and elsewhere who trooped to the stadium in their numbers to cheer their darling club to victory.
And immediately after the whistle had gone for the close of proceedings at Sunyani, some supporters could be spotted in groups with hands akimbo, still expressing surprise over the magical display of the RTU boys while others took over some principal streets of the metropolis, honking of their motorbikes and cars, particularly taxi drivers, with some draped in the RTU colours of blue and white.
There was also triumphant entry into the metropolis of the hundreds of RTU supporters who witnessed the magical display of the team at Sunyani later at night as they blew their car horns and cheered on some principal streets of the metropolis.
Indeed, this is not the first time RTU has come close to relegation as the club had a couple of seasons performed abysmally.
However, last Sunday’s scare was the closest as the time ticked away to the close of the titanic match without a response from the Tamale lads who just needed a draw to survive.
RTU was formed in Tamale in September 1976, following a merger between the then Real Sportive and Northern United. And they have never been relegated since.
REHABILITATE TAMALE TEACHING HOSPITAL (PAGE 29)
THE Concerned Citizens of Tamale, a pressure group, has reiterated their appeal to the government to, as matter urgency, rehabilitate the Tamale Teaching Hospital to befit its status as a referral centre in the northern sector.
They noted that the continuous neglect of the hospital was seriously affecting effective health care in the area.
‘‘At the moment, patients on the third and fourth floors of the main tower block have been relocated to temporary structures while work on the abandoned floors are yet to be completed,’’ the association intimated.
The president of the association, Mr Alhassan Basharu Daballi, who made the appeal in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Tamale, added that, ‘‘since the hospital was constructed about 31 years ago, there has not been any major rehabilitation work on the facility, thus leaving in its wake serious deterioration and gloom.’’
He further observed that, ‘‘several appeals the people of Tamale have made to past governments to rehabilitate the hospital have gone unheeded.’’
Medical students of the University of Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale are undergoing their clinical training at the medical schools of the University of Ghana and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Accra and Kumasi respectively at a great cost to the cash-strapped UDS.
Apart from the inadequate health personnel and poor infrastructure, most of the equipment are obsolete, with the rest broken down.
‘‘Worst of all, the hospital has no standby generator, thereby creating serious health hazards in case of power outage,’’ the president stated.
He said, ‘‘even though there are some minor works in progress on the ground floor and some parts of the hospital, this could, however, be likened to drawing water from the sea with a spoon.’’
According to Mr Daballi, past and present government officials had visited the hospital, yet nothing had been done about the major rehabilitation works.
They noted that the continuous neglect of the hospital was seriously affecting effective health care in the area.
‘‘At the moment, patients on the third and fourth floors of the main tower block have been relocated to temporary structures while work on the abandoned floors are yet to be completed,’’ the association intimated.
The president of the association, Mr Alhassan Basharu Daballi, who made the appeal in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Tamale, added that, ‘‘since the hospital was constructed about 31 years ago, there has not been any major rehabilitation work on the facility, thus leaving in its wake serious deterioration and gloom.’’
He further observed that, ‘‘several appeals the people of Tamale have made to past governments to rehabilitate the hospital have gone unheeded.’’
Medical students of the University of Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale are undergoing their clinical training at the medical schools of the University of Ghana and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Accra and Kumasi respectively at a great cost to the cash-strapped UDS.
Apart from the inadequate health personnel and poor infrastructure, most of the equipment are obsolete, with the rest broken down.
‘‘Worst of all, the hospital has no standby generator, thereby creating serious health hazards in case of power outage,’’ the president stated.
He said, ‘‘even though there are some minor works in progress on the ground floor and some parts of the hospital, this could, however, be likened to drawing water from the sea with a spoon.’’
According to Mr Daballi, past and present government officials had visited the hospital, yet nothing had been done about the major rehabilitation works.
FOUNDATION HELPS FIGHT MALARIA (PAGE 29)
IN an effort to reduce the incidence of malarial infection in the Tamale metropolis, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Baray Foundation, has stepped up its activities to sensitise the people to the need to ensure proper hygiene at home and work places.
It forms part of the organisation’s malaria-free-society project which it implemented in the metropolis in 2006.
As part of the efforts, the organisation is carrying out a house to house campaign to create awareness on how the disease is contracted and the treatment of the disease.
During the exercise residents were sensitised to the use of the Intermittent Preventive Treatment methods, the Insecticide Treatment Net and Anti-Malarial Drug Policies, among other interventions, aimed at protecting them from contracting the disease.
Under the project, 36 community-based agents (CBA), drawn from Nakpanzoo, Zujung, Choggu/Sakasaka, Gumani and Gbambaya, all suburbs of Tamale, were also trained in the use of the Intermittent Preventive Treatment as a major tool of preventing malaria in pregnancy.
The foundation is being supported by the National Malaria Control Programme in collaboration with Global Fund.
The executive director of the foundation, Mr Ibrahim I. Tahiru, said the NGO was also monitoring the activities of the CBAs.
He said that the organisation was also encouraging pregnant women to go for anti-natal care.
The women were further advised to take their anti-malaria preventive drugs.
‘‘The mechanism employed to achieve these objectives is that the CBAs are provided with questionnaire to gather accurate and reliable data,’’ Mr Tahiru indicated.
The director said the CBAs had so far visited 300 households while an estimated 117 pregnant women had responded to the questionnaire.
An officer from the Tamale metropolitan office of the National Malaria Control Programme, Ms Asia Abubakari, advised residents to ensure that they lived in clean environments since mosquitoes which gave malaria thrived in unhygienic surroundings.
It forms part of the organisation’s malaria-free-society project which it implemented in the metropolis in 2006.
As part of the efforts, the organisation is carrying out a house to house campaign to create awareness on how the disease is contracted and the treatment of the disease.
During the exercise residents were sensitised to the use of the Intermittent Preventive Treatment methods, the Insecticide Treatment Net and Anti-Malarial Drug Policies, among other interventions, aimed at protecting them from contracting the disease.
Under the project, 36 community-based agents (CBA), drawn from Nakpanzoo, Zujung, Choggu/Sakasaka, Gumani and Gbambaya, all suburbs of Tamale, were also trained in the use of the Intermittent Preventive Treatment as a major tool of preventing malaria in pregnancy.
The foundation is being supported by the National Malaria Control Programme in collaboration with Global Fund.
The executive director of the foundation, Mr Ibrahim I. Tahiru, said the NGO was also monitoring the activities of the CBAs.
He said that the organisation was also encouraging pregnant women to go for anti-natal care.
The women were further advised to take their anti-malaria preventive drugs.
‘‘The mechanism employed to achieve these objectives is that the CBAs are provided with questionnaire to gather accurate and reliable data,’’ Mr Tahiru indicated.
The director said the CBAs had so far visited 300 households while an estimated 117 pregnant women had responded to the questionnaire.
An officer from the Tamale metropolitan office of the National Malaria Control Programme, Ms Asia Abubakari, advised residents to ensure that they lived in clean environments since mosquitoes which gave malaria thrived in unhygienic surroundings.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
NATION STILL ALERT FOR BIRD FLU (BACK PAGE)
THE Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Enoch B.M. Koney, has stated that even though the country is currently not under any threat of the avian influenza (Bird Flu) disease, there was the need for all stakeholders to step up their monitoring activities to ensure that they respond quickly to any possible outbreak of the disease.
He said since the containment of the disease in some parts of Aflao, Tema and Sunyani last year, there had not been any reported case of the disease in any part of the country.
‘‘We are currently taking samples of birds in all parts of the country as a proactive measure for early detection. Once you have an incident of the outbreak, you are obliged to report on its status in your country to the international community every six months,’’ Mr Koney explained.
The director said this in an interview in Tamale last Monday after the commencement of a two-week training of trainers workshop on Ghana biosecurity, surveillance and outbreak response.
It was on the theme ‘‘Stamping out pandemic and avian influenza (STOP AI)’’ and organised by the Veterinary Services Directorate with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Participants included officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and the security agencies from the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions.
It formed part of a series of workshops for the northern, middle and southern sectors of the country.
Among the topics to be discussed were communication skills and disease control.
Dr Koney also announced that his outfit had taken biosecurity measures as a main policy framework to ensure the proper practice of hygiene on all farms in order to check the outbreak of diseases.
The northern regional director of agriculture, Mr Sylvester Adongo, said even though the area had not had any reported incidence of the bird flu, the directorate was vigilant, “since an outbreak of the disease could seriously affect food security and livelihood of the people”.
He said since the containment of the disease in some parts of Aflao, Tema and Sunyani last year, there had not been any reported case of the disease in any part of the country.
‘‘We are currently taking samples of birds in all parts of the country as a proactive measure for early detection. Once you have an incident of the outbreak, you are obliged to report on its status in your country to the international community every six months,’’ Mr Koney explained.
The director said this in an interview in Tamale last Monday after the commencement of a two-week training of trainers workshop on Ghana biosecurity, surveillance and outbreak response.
It was on the theme ‘‘Stamping out pandemic and avian influenza (STOP AI)’’ and organised by the Veterinary Services Directorate with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Participants included officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and the security agencies from the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions.
It formed part of a series of workshops for the northern, middle and southern sectors of the country.
Among the topics to be discussed were communication skills and disease control.
Dr Koney also announced that his outfit had taken biosecurity measures as a main policy framework to ensure the proper practice of hygiene on all farms in order to check the outbreak of diseases.
The northern regional director of agriculture, Mr Sylvester Adongo, said even though the area had not had any reported incidence of the bird flu, the directorate was vigilant, “since an outbreak of the disease could seriously affect food security and livelihood of the people”.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
MUMUNI TO CONTEST TAMALE NORTH SEAT (PAGE 13)
A Tamale-based electrical contractor, Mr Mahmud Mohammed Mumuni, has expressed his willingness to contest the Tamale North Parliamentary seat on the ticket of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP).
Describing himself as an illustrious son of the area, Mr Mumuni said he wanted to accelerate the pace of development in the constituency, which he noted had not seen enough development over the years.
The aspirant who graduated in electrical engineering from the Tamale Polytechnic also promised to reach out to all segment of the society, including chiefs, traditional and opinion leaders for consensus building to ensure harmony and cohesion.
‘‘I believe in spirit de corps since it is in unity and concerted efforts that we can grow as a nation,’’ he said.
He also promised to help build the human resource base of the people through the promotion of education. ‘‘This I would do by setting aside a portion of my share of the MP’s common fund when given the nod, to establish an ICT Centre,’’ the aspirant assured.
Mr. Mumuni further pledged to establish a scholarship scheme to assist brilliant needy students to excel in their respective fields of study.
In the area of health, ‘‘I intend to organise periodic clean-up campaigns, liaise with the appropriate development partners to put up more public places of convenience, ensure good drainage systems and also sensitise the people to the need to ensure good sanitary practices since cleanliness is next to godliness,’’ he intimated.
On agriculture, the aspirant observed that it was the mainstay of the people in the area for which reason he hoped to lobby agencies and non-governmental organisations to offer micro-credit credit to peasant farmers to increase productivity.
‘‘I shall also establish a community centre and ensure the formation of vibrant social clubs to strengthen social cohesion,’’ he added.
Describing himself as an illustrious son of the area, Mr Mumuni said he wanted to accelerate the pace of development in the constituency, which he noted had not seen enough development over the years.
The aspirant who graduated in electrical engineering from the Tamale Polytechnic also promised to reach out to all segment of the society, including chiefs, traditional and opinion leaders for consensus building to ensure harmony and cohesion.
‘‘I believe in spirit de corps since it is in unity and concerted efforts that we can grow as a nation,’’ he said.
He also promised to help build the human resource base of the people through the promotion of education. ‘‘This I would do by setting aside a portion of my share of the MP’s common fund when given the nod, to establish an ICT Centre,’’ the aspirant assured.
Mr. Mumuni further pledged to establish a scholarship scheme to assist brilliant needy students to excel in their respective fields of study.
In the area of health, ‘‘I intend to organise periodic clean-up campaigns, liaise with the appropriate development partners to put up more public places of convenience, ensure good drainage systems and also sensitise the people to the need to ensure good sanitary practices since cleanliness is next to godliness,’’ he intimated.
On agriculture, the aspirant observed that it was the mainstay of the people in the area for which reason he hoped to lobby agencies and non-governmental organisations to offer micro-credit credit to peasant farmers to increase productivity.
‘‘I shall also establish a community centre and ensure the formation of vibrant social clubs to strengthen social cohesion,’’ he added.
Friday, July 4, 2008
TAMALE ROTARY CLUB BUILDS PERMANENT SECRETARIAT (PAGE 29)
THE Tamale Rotary Club has cut the sod for work to begin on an office complex which is estimated to cost GH¢250,000.
The project would comprise a conference hall, library, an ICT centre and a restaurant. It is being funded through partner organisations in the US and Europe, and is expected to be completed within two years.
According to the immediate past president of the club, Mr Salifu Adam, the decision to put up a permanent structure was to facilitate easy location, keep records and givie easy access to members. It would also offer social services to the general public.
The club, which was established in Tamale since 1971, has been holding its meetings at different hotels in the metropolis.
Mr Salifu said the club had over the years rendered services to deprived communities in the Northern Region and beyond. It has constructed about 180 hand-dug wells, rehabilitated dams and provided mechanised boreholes and other interventions in deprived communities.
‘‘We have also donated four-wheel vehicles to the School for the Deaf at Savelugu, the Catholic Mobile Medical Service at Yendi and other institutions as well as constructed a library at Nandom in the Upper West Region,’’ he indicated.
Mr Adam entreated members of the club to show more commitment towards the early completion of the office to enhance the work of the club in the area.
In a related development, a new executive for the club has been sworn into office to continue with the good works of their predecessors at a ceremony in Tamale.
The new President is Mr Joseph A. Mumuni. Other members of the executive are Messrs Alex Kpodo and Anas Sulemana, treasurer and secretary respectively. They would manage the affairs of the club for the 2008 and 2009 season.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Mumuni said the club had secured GH¢1.3 million from their partners for the provision of potable water to guinea worm endemic communities in the region.
According to him, the club has also intended to identify and adopt other deprived areas and offer them the necessary support to improve infrastructural development and health care.
‘‘Part of the funds would, therefore, be used in purchasing hospital equipment for the Tamale Hospital, while helping to improve on other health facilities in other communities in the region,’’ he indicated.
The president appealed for a necessary co-operation from his colleagues, and gave a pledge to improve the club’s membership drive.
He announced that a monthly award would be instituted to motivate committed members to do more for the club.
The project would comprise a conference hall, library, an ICT centre and a restaurant. It is being funded through partner organisations in the US and Europe, and is expected to be completed within two years.
According to the immediate past president of the club, Mr Salifu Adam, the decision to put up a permanent structure was to facilitate easy location, keep records and givie easy access to members. It would also offer social services to the general public.
The club, which was established in Tamale since 1971, has been holding its meetings at different hotels in the metropolis.
Mr Salifu said the club had over the years rendered services to deprived communities in the Northern Region and beyond. It has constructed about 180 hand-dug wells, rehabilitated dams and provided mechanised boreholes and other interventions in deprived communities.
‘‘We have also donated four-wheel vehicles to the School for the Deaf at Savelugu, the Catholic Mobile Medical Service at Yendi and other institutions as well as constructed a library at Nandom in the Upper West Region,’’ he indicated.
Mr Adam entreated members of the club to show more commitment towards the early completion of the office to enhance the work of the club in the area.
In a related development, a new executive for the club has been sworn into office to continue with the good works of their predecessors at a ceremony in Tamale.
The new President is Mr Joseph A. Mumuni. Other members of the executive are Messrs Alex Kpodo and Anas Sulemana, treasurer and secretary respectively. They would manage the affairs of the club for the 2008 and 2009 season.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Mumuni said the club had secured GH¢1.3 million from their partners for the provision of potable water to guinea worm endemic communities in the region.
According to him, the club has also intended to identify and adopt other deprived areas and offer them the necessary support to improve infrastructural development and health care.
‘‘Part of the funds would, therefore, be used in purchasing hospital equipment for the Tamale Hospital, while helping to improve on other health facilities in other communities in the region,’’ he indicated.
The president appealed for a necessary co-operation from his colleagues, and gave a pledge to improve the club’s membership drive.
He announced that a monthly award would be instituted to motivate committed members to do more for the club.
TAMA MUST STOP THIS PRACTICE TO PROTECT ROADS (PAGE 29)
IN SPITE of several appeals and concerns raised by residents of Tamale about the washing of cars on the shoulders of major roads in the metropolis, the authorities of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TAMA) seem unconcerned over the growing practice.
This practice eventually not only weakens the asphalt, as a result of the soapy water used on the cars gathering on the roads as well as oil spillage which shortens the lifespan of the roads, exposing both pedestrians and motorists to danger, but also causes the tax- payer several millions of cedis to rehabilitate the damaged roads.
The failure of the TAMA to ensure that car washing bays are properly sited at designated new places is also causing a lot of disorder on the roads.
Owners of private vehicles and taxi drivers wash their cars anyhow on the shoulders of the roads at any available spot they can find water.
A visit to the water works would make any taxpayer weep, as bitumen on the shoulders of the roads at that particular area has slowly been washed away, leaving in its trail bare gravel, as officials of the TAMA look on unconcerned.
The situation at Vittin, just after the African Touch Restaurant, is not different. Water running from a nearby dam is used in washing cars at a junction on the main road with careless abandon.
And because not much attention is being paid to such practices, more vehicle washing bays are opening up along the Kumbungu Road (Filling Point) area and Vittin every day and night.
‘‘It is most unfortunate that people entrusted to ensure sanity in the development of the metropolis in TAMA are looking on unconcerned while these beautiful roads are being destroyed,’’ a teacher, Iddrisu Yushau stated.
‘‘What is even more worrisome is that some of the washing bays are sited along the offices of the TAMA, where the officials pass every day to and from work, yet they pretend not to see what is happening at the bays where cars are washed on the side of the road daily,’’ Mr Gariba Ibrahim, a Media Consultant observed.
Because of the TAMA’s inaction, more people are being encouraged to also wash their cars on the roads by their houses, thus weakening the roads leading to the development of pot holes.
Another area of concern is the springing up of wayside mechanic shops and stalls at every available space along the well laid-out roads.
They include vehicle, motorbike, bicycle repairer and vulcanising shops.
There is, however, an urgent need for the assembly to find immediate solution to this situation which is clearly getting out of hand.
This practice eventually not only weakens the asphalt, as a result of the soapy water used on the cars gathering on the roads as well as oil spillage which shortens the lifespan of the roads, exposing both pedestrians and motorists to danger, but also causes the tax- payer several millions of cedis to rehabilitate the damaged roads.
The failure of the TAMA to ensure that car washing bays are properly sited at designated new places is also causing a lot of disorder on the roads.
Owners of private vehicles and taxi drivers wash their cars anyhow on the shoulders of the roads at any available spot they can find water.
A visit to the water works would make any taxpayer weep, as bitumen on the shoulders of the roads at that particular area has slowly been washed away, leaving in its trail bare gravel, as officials of the TAMA look on unconcerned.
The situation at Vittin, just after the African Touch Restaurant, is not different. Water running from a nearby dam is used in washing cars at a junction on the main road with careless abandon.
And because not much attention is being paid to such practices, more vehicle washing bays are opening up along the Kumbungu Road (Filling Point) area and Vittin every day and night.
‘‘It is most unfortunate that people entrusted to ensure sanity in the development of the metropolis in TAMA are looking on unconcerned while these beautiful roads are being destroyed,’’ a teacher, Iddrisu Yushau stated.
‘‘What is even more worrisome is that some of the washing bays are sited along the offices of the TAMA, where the officials pass every day to and from work, yet they pretend not to see what is happening at the bays where cars are washed on the side of the road daily,’’ Mr Gariba Ibrahim, a Media Consultant observed.
Because of the TAMA’s inaction, more people are being encouraged to also wash their cars on the roads by their houses, thus weakening the roads leading to the development of pot holes.
Another area of concern is the springing up of wayside mechanic shops and stalls at every available space along the well laid-out roads.
They include vehicle, motorbike, bicycle repairer and vulcanising shops.
There is, however, an urgent need for the assembly to find immediate solution to this situation which is clearly getting out of hand.
HFC BANK SENSITISES TAMALE RESIDENTS TO E-ZWICH (PAGE 29)
THE Management of Home Finance Company Bank Ghana Limited (HFC Bank) has embarked on a massive educational campaign on the use of the national switch, ‘‘e-zwich’’ smart card system in the Tamale metropolis.
The programme, which began in Tamale at a forum, is being extended to the general public through the various radio stations.
The management also intends organising its usual customer appreciation day, where clients and members of the public will be sensitised to the services and products of the bank.
The programme comes in the wake of the interest shown by most merchants and clients in the metropolis in the use of the biometric smart card system to transact business in the area.
The HFC Bank has thus become the first to use the innovative electronic payments and settlements system in Tamale.
The acting Head, Marketing and Direct Sales of the bank, Mr Bekoe Palmer-Buckle, described the new system as very convenient, secure and easy.
He explained that anybody who used a cell phone could also use the biometrict smart cared to transact business with financial and non-banking institutions such as banks, savings and loans companies, money transfer institutions, rural banks and credit unions.
‘‘The card can also be used to perform various banking and retail functions which include cash withdrawals, salary payments, payment for goods and services, bills and money transfers without sweat,’’ he indicated.
Mr Palmer-Buckle said for a start, all the staff of the bank would be paid their salaries through the new system and, therefore, urged customers and the public to patronise the new technology.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Executive Director of the bank, Mr Akwete Akita, said the operation of the e-zwich would also serve as a foundation platform for the deployment of other electronic payments and settlement systems aimed at transforming the economy from a cash-based payment to an electronic payment system.
‘‘The e-zwich smart card will provide you, our valued customers and indeed all who sign on for the HFC Bank e-zwich card, an instant bank account resident on your own and secured with your unique biometric security,’’ he stressed, adding ‘‘this will make all your financial transaction requirements easy and affordable.’’
The Deputy Manager of the Bank of Ghana in Tamale, Mr J. T. Kudah, commended the management of the HFC Bank for the initiative, explaining that the introduction of the new system was part of the government’s determination to make business transactions easier to achieve its objectives of turning Ghana into the gateway to the West African sub-region.
The programme, which began in Tamale at a forum, is being extended to the general public through the various radio stations.
The management also intends organising its usual customer appreciation day, where clients and members of the public will be sensitised to the services and products of the bank.
The programme comes in the wake of the interest shown by most merchants and clients in the metropolis in the use of the biometric smart card system to transact business in the area.
The HFC Bank has thus become the first to use the innovative electronic payments and settlements system in Tamale.
The acting Head, Marketing and Direct Sales of the bank, Mr Bekoe Palmer-Buckle, described the new system as very convenient, secure and easy.
He explained that anybody who used a cell phone could also use the biometrict smart cared to transact business with financial and non-banking institutions such as banks, savings and loans companies, money transfer institutions, rural banks and credit unions.
‘‘The card can also be used to perform various banking and retail functions which include cash withdrawals, salary payments, payment for goods and services, bills and money transfers without sweat,’’ he indicated.
Mr Palmer-Buckle said for a start, all the staff of the bank would be paid their salaries through the new system and, therefore, urged customers and the public to patronise the new technology.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Executive Director of the bank, Mr Akwete Akita, said the operation of the e-zwich would also serve as a foundation platform for the deployment of other electronic payments and settlement systems aimed at transforming the economy from a cash-based payment to an electronic payment system.
‘‘The e-zwich smart card will provide you, our valued customers and indeed all who sign on for the HFC Bank e-zwich card, an instant bank account resident on your own and secured with your unique biometric security,’’ he stressed, adding ‘‘this will make all your financial transaction requirements easy and affordable.’’
The Deputy Manager of the Bank of Ghana in Tamale, Mr J. T. Kudah, commended the management of the HFC Bank for the initiative, explaining that the introduction of the new system was part of the government’s determination to make business transactions easier to achieve its objectives of turning Ghana into the gateway to the West African sub-region.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
MAMPRUGU YOUTH SUPPORT PEACE EFFORTS IN BAWKU (PAGE 25)
THE Mamprugu Youth Association has expressed its support for and commitment to finding lasting peace to the internecine conflict in the Bawku Municipality of the Upper East Region.
The association has, accordingly, backed the various peace initiatives embarked upon by President J. A. Kufuor, the National Peace Council and other stakeholders to bring to an end the recurrent turmoil between the two feuding factions, the Kusasis and Mamprusis, in Bawku and its surrounding areas.
‘‘We wish to thank the President and the National Peace Council for the numerous and selfless interventions they have made so far towards restoring lasting peace to Bawku and its environs,’’ the association stated.
At a press conference in Tamale, the members also expressed their appreciation to the public, including the media, for the show of sympathy and offer of constructive criticisms towards the attainment of peace in Bawku.
The Chairman of the association, Alhassan Batesima Adams, however, called for the removal of both the Upper East Regional Minister and the Bawku Municipal Chief executive, Messrs Alhassan Samari and Emmanuel Abanga, respectively, for their alleged complicity in the conflict.
He contended that before the appointment of the two, Bawku had experienced absolute peace, security and economic boom and wondered why the area had to relapse into conflict after their assumption of office.
The chairman further accused the security agencies in Bawku for their high-handedness in dealing with Mamprusi suspects.
‘‘We remain the hard hit victims of long hours of curfew, unjust military arrest and brutalities, as well as detentions without charge or evidence. Not only have they broken into our rooms in a quest to arrest suspects but they also eventually looted precious items and money,’’ he alleged.
The chairman also claimed that a number of Mamprusis had been murdered in daylight since the eruption of the conflict in December last year without any arrest or prosecution.
‘‘The people, including the security personnel, can attest to the fact that no single person has been attacked or killed within the Bawku township where we control, for which reason people move in and out of the town without fear,’’ Mr Adams stated.
The association has, accordingly, backed the various peace initiatives embarked upon by President J. A. Kufuor, the National Peace Council and other stakeholders to bring to an end the recurrent turmoil between the two feuding factions, the Kusasis and Mamprusis, in Bawku and its surrounding areas.
‘‘We wish to thank the President and the National Peace Council for the numerous and selfless interventions they have made so far towards restoring lasting peace to Bawku and its environs,’’ the association stated.
At a press conference in Tamale, the members also expressed their appreciation to the public, including the media, for the show of sympathy and offer of constructive criticisms towards the attainment of peace in Bawku.
The Chairman of the association, Alhassan Batesima Adams, however, called for the removal of both the Upper East Regional Minister and the Bawku Municipal Chief executive, Messrs Alhassan Samari and Emmanuel Abanga, respectively, for their alleged complicity in the conflict.
He contended that before the appointment of the two, Bawku had experienced absolute peace, security and economic boom and wondered why the area had to relapse into conflict after their assumption of office.
The chairman further accused the security agencies in Bawku for their high-handedness in dealing with Mamprusi suspects.
‘‘We remain the hard hit victims of long hours of curfew, unjust military arrest and brutalities, as well as detentions without charge or evidence. Not only have they broken into our rooms in a quest to arrest suspects but they also eventually looted precious items and money,’’ he alleged.
The chairman also claimed that a number of Mamprusis had been murdered in daylight since the eruption of the conflict in December last year without any arrest or prosecution.
‘‘The people, including the security personnel, can attest to the fact that no single person has been attacked or killed within the Bawku township where we control, for which reason people move in and out of the town without fear,’’ Mr Adams stated.
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