Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Sawla.
THE District Chief Executive for the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district in the Northern Region, Mr. Alhassan, Shakour Bukari has indicated the need for the creation of additional electoral areas to facilitate the accelerated development of the district.
He noted that the creation of such areas would also ensure that all communities were duly represented in the assembly and that the peculiar needs of the people would also be heard and addressed.
Currently there are 22 electoral areas with 73 polling stations in the district with some of the communities being far apart.
For instance the Sanyiri stream has often led to some voters at Gbinyiri staying away from exercising their franchise during elections.
The chief executive was speaking at the first ordinary meeting of the second session of the assembly at Sawla.
In his response, the electoral officer for the district, Mr. Ofosuhene Asante said he had already submitted a proposal to that effect to his head office for consideration.
He however explained that the creation of electoral areas and polling stations were determined by population growth at those communities and distances between the settlements.
On the meeting itself, the assembly approved its supplementary budget for the year and also reconstituted its respective sub-committees and its chairpersons including those on social services, finance and administration and environment and sanitation.
A sub-committee on Women and Children’s Affair was also established for the first time in the assembly.
The chief executive expressed appreciation to the members of the assembly for their support and cooperation and admonished them to attend meetings regularly to “discuss issues dispassionately devoid of political or ethnic colourations.”
Earlier in a familiarization tour of the district, Mr. Bukari outlined his vision for the speedy development of the area that is one of the most deprived in the region.
He mentioned education, health, agriculture and security as some of the sectors that would attract his immediate attention in transforming the lives of the people.
The chief executive was interacting with some chiefs and people in the Gindabo electoral area during a familiarization tour. Among the communities visited were Seguruyiri, Kugantee, Goyiri, Poru and Naayiri.
On the security situation in the district, especially the threat posed by some Fulani herdsmen, Mr. Shakour said he was in consultation with district Police command to map out strategies to contain the situation.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
TAMALE, LOUISEVILLE TO MARK 30TH MILESTONE IN US (PAGE 29, JULY 21)
Tamale and Louisville of the United States of America are to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their sister-city relationship in the US this year.
The relationship between the two cities that dates back to 1979 is the oldest of such bonds in the country and arguably one of the best of such programmes among cities in Africa.
In this regard, the Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Alhaji Abdulai Harruna Friday, has formally been invited to visit Louisville for the celebration.
A decision is, however, yet to be taken over the composition of the Tamale delegation to the States.
Under the relationship, there have been a number of exchange of visits between the citizens of the two cities over the years that included traditional leaders and businessmen.
The metropolitan chief executive, who announced this during the meeting of the first ordinary session of the assembly in Tamale, expressed appreciation to the originators of the concept and commended the leader of the Louisville team led by the Zo-simli Naa, Dr Susan J. Herlin (Chief of Companionship), for her personal commitment and drive.
The Zo-simli Naa title was conferred on her by the late Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani II, in recognition of her untiring efforts at promoting and forging closer friendship between the citizens of the two cities.
Among some of the benefits which have accrued from the relationship are the establishment of a scholarship scheme for brilliant and needy students and support for the education and health sectors.
Tamale is also in other sister-city relations with the Fada N’ Gourma city in Burkina Faso and the Niamey Commune II in Niger under which some agreements have been signed and visits exchanged.
The relationship between the two cities that dates back to 1979 is the oldest of such bonds in the country and arguably one of the best of such programmes among cities in Africa.
In this regard, the Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Alhaji Abdulai Harruna Friday, has formally been invited to visit Louisville for the celebration.
A decision is, however, yet to be taken over the composition of the Tamale delegation to the States.
Under the relationship, there have been a number of exchange of visits between the citizens of the two cities over the years that included traditional leaders and businessmen.
The metropolitan chief executive, who announced this during the meeting of the first ordinary session of the assembly in Tamale, expressed appreciation to the originators of the concept and commended the leader of the Louisville team led by the Zo-simli Naa, Dr Susan J. Herlin (Chief of Companionship), for her personal commitment and drive.
The Zo-simli Naa title was conferred on her by the late Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani II, in recognition of her untiring efforts at promoting and forging closer friendship between the citizens of the two cities.
Among some of the benefits which have accrued from the relationship are the establishment of a scholarship scheme for brilliant and needy students and support for the education and health sectors.
Tamale is also in other sister-city relations with the Fada N’ Gourma city in Burkina Faso and the Niamey Commune II in Niger under which some agreements have been signed and visits exchanged.
TAMALE TEACHING HOSPITAL GETS NEW BOARD (PAGE 29, JULY 21)
Members of the new board of directors of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), have held their maiden meeting in Tamale with a resolve to bring their respective experiences to bear on the fortunes of the hospital, which is the referral centre for the northern sector of the country.
“We thank the government for the confidence reposed in us and we pledge to make available our knowledge, skills and commitment to the growth of the hospital,” the chairman of the 11-member board, Dr Mutawakilu Iddrisu, gave the assurance.
He said the board would ensure probity and accountability at all times and commended the management and staff of the hospital for their selfless service in spite of challenges such as the deteriorating infrastructure and inadequate personnel.
Dr Iddrisu, noted that the hospital had a dual function of offering service and training medical students, and therefore appealed to the staff and all stakeholders to put up their best to make the hospital a “centre of excellence”.
He acknowledged the commitment demonstrated by the government so far through the establishment of the board and the sourcing of funds for the massive rehabilitation of the hospital that had deteriorated over the years.
The Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Dr Ken Sagoe, expressed appreciation for the appointment of the board and expressed the hope that the hospital would now be placed on its proper status as a teaching hospital.
He expressed concern over the appalling state of the hospital and expressed the hope that with the inauguration of the board, “the dedicated and hardworking staff and management of the hospital will be kept on their toes as the board provides the needed leadership and direction to achieve the policy framework of the hospital”.
“We will surely support and rely on the wise counsel of the distinguished members of the board to put the hospital on the right course,” he indicated.
Some other members of the board are Professors Ramatu Mahama and Duwiejua Mahama, Dr Ahmed Zakariah and Dr Edmond Gyader, Dr Ken Sagoe, the CEO, and the directors of administration, nursing, finance, pharmacy and dental departments of the hospital
“We thank the government for the confidence reposed in us and we pledge to make available our knowledge, skills and commitment to the growth of the hospital,” the chairman of the 11-member board, Dr Mutawakilu Iddrisu, gave the assurance.
He said the board would ensure probity and accountability at all times and commended the management and staff of the hospital for their selfless service in spite of challenges such as the deteriorating infrastructure and inadequate personnel.
Dr Iddrisu, noted that the hospital had a dual function of offering service and training medical students, and therefore appealed to the staff and all stakeholders to put up their best to make the hospital a “centre of excellence”.
He acknowledged the commitment demonstrated by the government so far through the establishment of the board and the sourcing of funds for the massive rehabilitation of the hospital that had deteriorated over the years.
The Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Dr Ken Sagoe, expressed appreciation for the appointment of the board and expressed the hope that the hospital would now be placed on its proper status as a teaching hospital.
He expressed concern over the appalling state of the hospital and expressed the hope that with the inauguration of the board, “the dedicated and hardworking staff and management of the hospital will be kept on their toes as the board provides the needed leadership and direction to achieve the policy framework of the hospital”.
“We will surely support and rely on the wise counsel of the distinguished members of the board to put the hospital on the right course,” he indicated.
Some other members of the board are Professors Ramatu Mahama and Duwiejua Mahama, Dr Ahmed Zakariah and Dr Edmond Gyader, Dr Ken Sagoe, the CEO, and the directors of administration, nursing, finance, pharmacy and dental departments of the hospital
ASSEMBLY TO COMPLETE ONGOING PROJECTS (PAGE 29, JULY 21)
THE Tamale Metropolitan Chief executive, Alhaji Abdulai Harruna Friday, has expressed his commitment to ensuring that all ongoing projects in the metropolis are completed.
He said the second phase of the World Bank-sponsored Urban Environmental Sanitation Project (UESP II), and the construction of a livestock market at Guunayili and the Jubilee market at Kukuo were some of the initiatives that were attracting his attention.
“My vision is to see a clean Tamale, a city that attracts investment which would eventually create jobs for the people; my vision is to see a peaceful Tamale where people live together in harmony, a city where massive infrastructure development takes place,” he indicated.
The metropolitan chief executive, who was addressing the first ordinary meeting of the assembly in Tamale, urged residents and all stakeholders to support and co-operate with the assembly in realising its vision of accelerating the development of the fast-growing metropolis.
On internal revenue mobilisation by the assembly, Alhaji Friday described the current situation as not encouraging, and attributed the abysmal performance to inadequate logistics and information on rateable properties and the lack of commitment among revenue collectors.
For instance, he said, last year the assembly generated less than 50 per cent of its estimated of GH¢791,459.00.
He urged the assembly to review the system to ensure more efficiency.
“In the interim, let me propose to the revenue mobilisation subcommittee to initiate appropriate action to enhance the revenue collection system,” he directed.
Alhaji Friday also announced that about 1,000 wooden electricity poles would be procured for allocation to rural communities under the assembly’s rural electrification project.
On water and sanitation, he indicated that the assembly, in collaboration with some of its development partners, would provide rain water harvesting tanks and toilets in 40 communities within the metropolis while expanding the existing water systems.
The metropolitan chief executive further stated that the Department of Urban Roads would construct and rehabilitate more roads in the metropolis while the Department of Feeder Roads would repair and upgrade additional roads.
He mentioned the Fuo main, Relax Lodge-Ward K, Vittin-Target and Gumani-Kanvila roads as some of those that would be worked on.
Other roads include the Choggu-Low Cost main, Naa Luro Estates-Nobisco-Kumbungu, Village Water, Tishigu and the Radach-Industrial area.
“I, therefore, wish to appeal to members of the assembly to let us rededicate ourselves to collectively improve the well-being of our people,”he urged
He said the second phase of the World Bank-sponsored Urban Environmental Sanitation Project (UESP II), and the construction of a livestock market at Guunayili and the Jubilee market at Kukuo were some of the initiatives that were attracting his attention.
“My vision is to see a clean Tamale, a city that attracts investment which would eventually create jobs for the people; my vision is to see a peaceful Tamale where people live together in harmony, a city where massive infrastructure development takes place,” he indicated.
The metropolitan chief executive, who was addressing the first ordinary meeting of the assembly in Tamale, urged residents and all stakeholders to support and co-operate with the assembly in realising its vision of accelerating the development of the fast-growing metropolis.
On internal revenue mobilisation by the assembly, Alhaji Friday described the current situation as not encouraging, and attributed the abysmal performance to inadequate logistics and information on rateable properties and the lack of commitment among revenue collectors.
For instance, he said, last year the assembly generated less than 50 per cent of its estimated of GH¢791,459.00.
He urged the assembly to review the system to ensure more efficiency.
“In the interim, let me propose to the revenue mobilisation subcommittee to initiate appropriate action to enhance the revenue collection system,” he directed.
Alhaji Friday also announced that about 1,000 wooden electricity poles would be procured for allocation to rural communities under the assembly’s rural electrification project.
On water and sanitation, he indicated that the assembly, in collaboration with some of its development partners, would provide rain water harvesting tanks and toilets in 40 communities within the metropolis while expanding the existing water systems.
The metropolitan chief executive further stated that the Department of Urban Roads would construct and rehabilitate more roads in the metropolis while the Department of Feeder Roads would repair and upgrade additional roads.
He mentioned the Fuo main, Relax Lodge-Ward K, Vittin-Target and Gumani-Kanvila roads as some of those that would be worked on.
Other roads include the Choggu-Low Cost main, Naa Luro Estates-Nobisco-Kumbungu, Village Water, Tishigu and the Radach-Industrial area.
“I, therefore, wish to appeal to members of the assembly to let us rededicate ourselves to collectively improve the well-being of our people,”he urged
Monday, July 20, 2009
BARCLAYS BANK DONATES TO SFL (PAGE 16, JULY 8, 2009)
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale.
(JULY 8-PAGE 16)
AS part of its Community Sustainability Programme, Barclays Bank Ghana Limited has presented an amount of GH¢43,923 to School for Life (SfL), a Tamale-based NGO to facilitate its functional literacy programme in the northern regions.
The Danish sponsored programme mainly target out of school children, mostly between the ages of 8-12. They are taught in their mother tongue languages such as Dagbani, Nchaam, Likpakpaah and Anufo.
The managing director of the bank, Mr. Benjamin Debrah who made the presentation in Tamale at the weekend, explained that, the assistance also formed part of “our global Banking on Brighter Futures theme focusing on education and entrepreneurship; we use knowledge and expertise as a financial services organization to enable us to make the biggest social difference beyond simply giving money.”
He commended the management of SfL for the initiative and pledged the continuous support of the bank for the programme.
“This I believe will go a long way to enable SfL to replicate the programme in other areas in the country to achieve universal basic education for all school going children by 2015,” Mr. Debrah indicated.
The MD further advised both beneficiaries and teachers under the programme to take their studies seriously and also remain committed to their work.
The programme coordinator of SfL, Mr. Sulemana Saaaka announced that since the inception of the programme in 1995, more than 100,000 pupils have graduated from the system with 72 percent integrating into formal schools including polytechnics and the universities.
According to him, education is not only a shared responsibility but a collective exercise and therefore described the gesture by their benefactors as commendable.
(JULY 8-PAGE 16)
AS part of its Community Sustainability Programme, Barclays Bank Ghana Limited has presented an amount of GH¢43,923 to School for Life (SfL), a Tamale-based NGO to facilitate its functional literacy programme in the northern regions.
The Danish sponsored programme mainly target out of school children, mostly between the ages of 8-12. They are taught in their mother tongue languages such as Dagbani, Nchaam, Likpakpaah and Anufo.
The managing director of the bank, Mr. Benjamin Debrah who made the presentation in Tamale at the weekend, explained that, the assistance also formed part of “our global Banking on Brighter Futures theme focusing on education and entrepreneurship; we use knowledge and expertise as a financial services organization to enable us to make the biggest social difference beyond simply giving money.”
He commended the management of SfL for the initiative and pledged the continuous support of the bank for the programme.
“This I believe will go a long way to enable SfL to replicate the programme in other areas in the country to achieve universal basic education for all school going children by 2015,” Mr. Debrah indicated.
The MD further advised both beneficiaries and teachers under the programme to take their studies seriously and also remain committed to their work.
The programme coordinator of SfL, Mr. Sulemana Saaaka announced that since the inception of the programme in 1995, more than 100,000 pupils have graduated from the system with 72 percent integrating into formal schools including polytechnics and the universities.
According to him, education is not only a shared responsibility but a collective exercise and therefore described the gesture by their benefactors as commendable.
MTN LAUNCHES LITERACY PROJECT (PAGE 19, JULY 18)
MOBILE Telecommunication Network (MTN) has launched a $70,000 education project in Tamale to help arrest the downward trend in education in the Northern Region.
The three-year project, which is to be piloted in five schools, will later be extended to cover 25 schools in the region, with an estimated impact on over 10,000 pupils.
The main thrust of the project is to promote literacy and numeracy in the beneficiary schools.
It is expected to enhance the teaching and learning environment for pupils in deprived schools. The schools will also be equipped with the requisite resources and personnel through in-service training for both teachers and head teachers, books and other reading materials will be provided, new learning approaches in teachers’ resource centres will be created, among other interventions.
The five beneficiary schools are the Choggu Demonstration, Tyumba, Vittin Ansuariya, Shishegu and St Gabriel Primary and Junior High schools, all in Tamale.
The project is collaboration between the MTN and the Academy for Education Development Ghana: Centre for Education Development, Evaluation and Management (AED-Ghana:CEDEM), an NGO.
The Tamale Metropolitan Director of Education, Mr Edward Gayone, expressed concern over the dwindling fortunes of education in the metropolis and called for urgent measures to improve on the situation.
He revealed, for instance, that 43 per cent of candidates and over 61 per cent out of the 4,460 candidates who sat for the BECE and the WASSCE, respectively, in 2008 failed in English.
He described the situation as unacceptable and partly blamed it on the lack of trained teachers. At the moment, 40.6 per cent of teachers in the metropolis are pupil teachers.
The director also observed that the reduction in budgetary allocation to the educational sector could worsen the problem and, therefore, welcomed the intervention by MTN.
The Northern Regional Director of Education, Mrs Elizabeth Da-Souza, re-iterated the importance of education to development and emphasised that “success in education is dependent on literacy and numeracy”.
The Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Alhaji Abdulai Harruna Friday, expressed the preparedness of the assembly to partner all stakeholders to improve on the poor academic performance.
The Executive Director of AED-GHANA:CEDEM, Mr Stephen Yaw Manu, said the organisation was aimed at helping to improve the quality of instructional services in schools through the establishment of partnerships, strengthening management for sustainability, encouraging parents to visit schools and making use of assets and successes.
The Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Ms Mawuena Dumor, explained that it was funded by a percentage of profit after tax of the relevant operating unit, adding that since its establishment in 2007, it had refurbished the second floor of the Maternity Block of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and also established 10 MTN ICT learning centres in all regions of the country.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Sumani Nayina, commended the efforts of MTN but called for the harmonisation of programmes by all stakeholders in education to achieve the desired impact.
The three-year project, which is to be piloted in five schools, will later be extended to cover 25 schools in the region, with an estimated impact on over 10,000 pupils.
The main thrust of the project is to promote literacy and numeracy in the beneficiary schools.
It is expected to enhance the teaching and learning environment for pupils in deprived schools. The schools will also be equipped with the requisite resources and personnel through in-service training for both teachers and head teachers, books and other reading materials will be provided, new learning approaches in teachers’ resource centres will be created, among other interventions.
The five beneficiary schools are the Choggu Demonstration, Tyumba, Vittin Ansuariya, Shishegu and St Gabriel Primary and Junior High schools, all in Tamale.
The project is collaboration between the MTN and the Academy for Education Development Ghana: Centre for Education Development, Evaluation and Management (AED-Ghana:CEDEM), an NGO.
The Tamale Metropolitan Director of Education, Mr Edward Gayone, expressed concern over the dwindling fortunes of education in the metropolis and called for urgent measures to improve on the situation.
He revealed, for instance, that 43 per cent of candidates and over 61 per cent out of the 4,460 candidates who sat for the BECE and the WASSCE, respectively, in 2008 failed in English.
He described the situation as unacceptable and partly blamed it on the lack of trained teachers. At the moment, 40.6 per cent of teachers in the metropolis are pupil teachers.
The director also observed that the reduction in budgetary allocation to the educational sector could worsen the problem and, therefore, welcomed the intervention by MTN.
The Northern Regional Director of Education, Mrs Elizabeth Da-Souza, re-iterated the importance of education to development and emphasised that “success in education is dependent on literacy and numeracy”.
The Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Alhaji Abdulai Harruna Friday, expressed the preparedness of the assembly to partner all stakeholders to improve on the poor academic performance.
The Executive Director of AED-GHANA:CEDEM, Mr Stephen Yaw Manu, said the organisation was aimed at helping to improve the quality of instructional services in schools through the establishment of partnerships, strengthening management for sustainability, encouraging parents to visit schools and making use of assets and successes.
The Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Ms Mawuena Dumor, explained that it was funded by a percentage of profit after tax of the relevant operating unit, adding that since its establishment in 2007, it had refurbished the second floor of the Maternity Block of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and also established 10 MTN ICT learning centres in all regions of the country.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Sumani Nayina, commended the efforts of MTN but called for the harmonisation of programmes by all stakeholders in education to achieve the desired impact.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
YOUTH ASSOCIATION DONATES UNIFORMS TO PUPILS (PAGE 40)
A COMMUNITY-BASED youth organisation in Tamale, Tiyumba Youth Association, has donated a quantity of school uniforms to pupils of the Al-Islahiya English and Arabic Primary School located behind the old Tamale Sports Stadium at the Kaladan Barracks.
The Chairman of the association, Mohammed Yussif Afa Doo, who made the presentation, said members of the association were touched when they learnt that majority of pupils in the school did not wear the prescribed uniform.
He pledged the association’s commitment to assist the school to expand its infrastructure by putting up additional classrooms to enable the school authorities to admit more pupils.
Mr Afa Doo described the prevailing structures in the school as most unfortunate, and expressed the association’s readiness to partner with other stakeholders to develop the school into a centre of excellence.
The chairman stated that similar assistance would be extended to other deprived schools in the metropolis.
Afa Doo appealed to capable people of northern extraction to contribute their quota towards getting northern Ghana out of its current under-developed by assisting deprived communities in the areas of education, health and agriculture.
The Proprietor of the school, Sheikh Ahmed Muktar Mohammed, commended the association for the gesture and appealed to other philanthropists, the government and non-governmental organisations to also come to the aid of the institution.
The Chairman of the association, Mohammed Yussif Afa Doo, who made the presentation, said members of the association were touched when they learnt that majority of pupils in the school did not wear the prescribed uniform.
He pledged the association’s commitment to assist the school to expand its infrastructure by putting up additional classrooms to enable the school authorities to admit more pupils.
Mr Afa Doo described the prevailing structures in the school as most unfortunate, and expressed the association’s readiness to partner with other stakeholders to develop the school into a centre of excellence.
The chairman stated that similar assistance would be extended to other deprived schools in the metropolis.
Afa Doo appealed to capable people of northern extraction to contribute their quota towards getting northern Ghana out of its current under-developed by assisting deprived communities in the areas of education, health and agriculture.
The Proprietor of the school, Sheikh Ahmed Muktar Mohammed, commended the association for the gesture and appealed to other philanthropists, the government and non-governmental organisations to also come to the aid of the institution.
UNFPA PRESENTS MOTORBIKES TO GHANA HEALTH SERVICE (PAGE 40)
THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has presented eight motorbikes to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the three northern regions.
Two of the bikes were fixed with media cycles equipped with audio visual equipment such as public address systems, television sets, video decks, projectors and screens to enhance community health education.
The bikes are also meant to facilitate the effective delivery of health services to address the particularly high maternal deaths in communities in the beneficiary regions.
The Project Officer of the UNFPA in Tamale, Mr Tenii Mahama, who made the presentation, explained that the mandate of the organisation included the promotion of the rights of women, men and children to enjoy healthy life and equal opportunity.
“UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect,” he stated.
Mr Mahama further mentioned capacity-building programmes such as training of midwives and provision of safe motherhood equipment as some of the interventions earmarked for the health sector by his outfit, which he said were all geared towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal 5.
“Beneficiary districts will be selected on the bases of their high maternal mortality, difficult terrain within the districts and poor access to their regional directorates and referral facilities, among others,” Mr Mahama stated.
The Deputy Upper West Regional Director of the GHS, Dr Kofi Issah, who received the bikes on behalf of his colleagues, promised to use them to achieve the needed results in deprived communities in the regions.
He expressed appreciation to their benefactor for its support to the health sector over the years, stressing that it was through such laudable collaboration that effective health delivery services would be achieved.
Two of the bikes were fixed with media cycles equipped with audio visual equipment such as public address systems, television sets, video decks, projectors and screens to enhance community health education.
The bikes are also meant to facilitate the effective delivery of health services to address the particularly high maternal deaths in communities in the beneficiary regions.
The Project Officer of the UNFPA in Tamale, Mr Tenii Mahama, who made the presentation, explained that the mandate of the organisation included the promotion of the rights of women, men and children to enjoy healthy life and equal opportunity.
“UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect,” he stated.
Mr Mahama further mentioned capacity-building programmes such as training of midwives and provision of safe motherhood equipment as some of the interventions earmarked for the health sector by his outfit, which he said were all geared towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal 5.
“Beneficiary districts will be selected on the bases of their high maternal mortality, difficult terrain within the districts and poor access to their regional directorates and referral facilities, among others,” Mr Mahama stated.
The Deputy Upper West Regional Director of the GHS, Dr Kofi Issah, who received the bikes on behalf of his colleagues, promised to use them to achieve the needed results in deprived communities in the regions.
He expressed appreciation to their benefactor for its support to the health sector over the years, stressing that it was through such laudable collaboration that effective health delivery services would be achieved.
COTTON COMPANIES IN NR TO FOLD UP (PAGE 40)
SOME cotton companies in the Northern Region are likely to wind up due to the failure of some farmers to pay back loans granted them by the companies.
The companies alleged that some farmers divert the fertilisers and other farm inputs they (the companies) gave to them into different ventures such as food crop farming instead of using them for their intended purpose.
They cited for instance that one of the companies, Intercontinental Farm Limited, claimed to have made a lost of GH¢170,000 for the past two years because of the recalcitrance of the beneficiary farmers to honour their obligations.
The Managing Director of the company, Mr Ramez Hamadeh told the Daily Graphic in Tamale that “Some of us are likely to fold up because we are unable to repay the loans we ourselves took from the banks.”
“Following this unfortunate attitude by some of the farmers, the ginnery we wanted to put up is yet to be completed; and as at now, I do not know what to do, I am helpless”, he stated.
Mr Hamadeh said at the moment, all the 13 registered cotton companies, including the Ghana Cotton Company, had become victims and that if immediate measures were not taken to retrieve loans offered “some of us would eventually fold up.”
Normally at the beginning of the farming season, the companies offer fertilisers and other farm inputs to the beneficiaries, and after the harvest, the companies receive the product, do the necessary deductions and pay back the differences to the farmers.
But according to Mr Hamadeh, some of the farmers rather diverted the fertiliser and other inputs into food crop production while others sold it out and therefore were unable to pay back at the close of the season.
On why such farmers were not prosecuted, he explained that, such actions would have serious repercussions on cotton production since farmers in the communities would receive solidarity from their colleagues and therefore were likely not to enter into any partnership with the companies again.
The MD observed that such behaviours were discouraging people from investing in that sector.
He, therefore, advocated the establishment of a committee that would include stakeholders such as chiefs, security agencies and farmers groups to ensure that all loans received from the companies were paid back.
Mr Hamadeh, however, acknowledged that some of the reasons for the failure by the farmers to honour their loan obligations could be attributed to natural disasters and dishonesty by some front-line officers.
On the way forward, he suggested that farmers be made to grow their own cotton for the companies to purchase directly from them.
Mr Hamadeh also stated that the government should subsidise inputs such as fertiliser for the farmers to enable them to produce in large quantities.
He underscored the importance of cotton and observed that apart from feeding the textile industries, the seed could also be used to produce oil and fowl feed.
The MD, therefore, appealed to the government to show greater interest in the industry.
The companies alleged that some farmers divert the fertilisers and other farm inputs they (the companies) gave to them into different ventures such as food crop farming instead of using them for their intended purpose.
They cited for instance that one of the companies, Intercontinental Farm Limited, claimed to have made a lost of GH¢170,000 for the past two years because of the recalcitrance of the beneficiary farmers to honour their obligations.
The Managing Director of the company, Mr Ramez Hamadeh told the Daily Graphic in Tamale that “Some of us are likely to fold up because we are unable to repay the loans we ourselves took from the banks.”
“Following this unfortunate attitude by some of the farmers, the ginnery we wanted to put up is yet to be completed; and as at now, I do not know what to do, I am helpless”, he stated.
Mr Hamadeh said at the moment, all the 13 registered cotton companies, including the Ghana Cotton Company, had become victims and that if immediate measures were not taken to retrieve loans offered “some of us would eventually fold up.”
Normally at the beginning of the farming season, the companies offer fertilisers and other farm inputs to the beneficiaries, and after the harvest, the companies receive the product, do the necessary deductions and pay back the differences to the farmers.
But according to Mr Hamadeh, some of the farmers rather diverted the fertiliser and other inputs into food crop production while others sold it out and therefore were unable to pay back at the close of the season.
On why such farmers were not prosecuted, he explained that, such actions would have serious repercussions on cotton production since farmers in the communities would receive solidarity from their colleagues and therefore were likely not to enter into any partnership with the companies again.
The MD observed that such behaviours were discouraging people from investing in that sector.
He, therefore, advocated the establishment of a committee that would include stakeholders such as chiefs, security agencies and farmers groups to ensure that all loans received from the companies were paid back.
Mr Hamadeh, however, acknowledged that some of the reasons for the failure by the farmers to honour their loan obligations could be attributed to natural disasters and dishonesty by some front-line officers.
On the way forward, he suggested that farmers be made to grow their own cotton for the companies to purchase directly from them.
Mr Hamadeh also stated that the government should subsidise inputs such as fertiliser for the farmers to enable them to produce in large quantities.
He underscored the importance of cotton and observed that apart from feeding the textile industries, the seed could also be used to produce oil and fowl feed.
The MD, therefore, appealed to the government to show greater interest in the industry.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
TAMALE HOSPITAL TO BENEFIT FROM €39M SUPPORT (PAGE 34)
THE government has sourced 39 million euros for the refurbishment of structures and facilities at the Tamale Teaching Hospital that have deteriorated over the years.
According to Dr Mutawakilu Iddrisu, Board Chairman of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, work will begin on the hospital by the close of the year. It will include the construction of new structures and the rehabilitation of some existing ones.
He affirmed the government’s commitment to “upgrade the hospital to befit its status as a teaching hospital”.
The chairman, who was interacting with the press in Tamale , said the government had so far shown commitment to the development of the hospital by the appointment of the first 11-member board.
On the recent impasse between a section of workers at the hospital and the management, Dr Iddrisu gave the assurance that the matter had been brought to rest with the transfer of the former administrator of the hospital, Mr Kusi Kwadwo Boachie, to the Cape Coast General Hospital.
Mr Boachie was alleged to be behind the group calling for the removal of the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Dr Ken Sagoe, an allegation the administrator vehemently denied in an earlier interview with the Daily Graphic.
The board chairman has meanwhile described Dr Tagoe as a “hardworking gentleman”.
According to the chairman, he had worked with the CEO over the years and said if offered the necessary support, he could help in improving the fortunes of the hospital.
Dr Iddrisu therefore, urged staff of the hospital, who he described as selfless and committed, to co-operate with the board and the management of the hospital to turn the facility into a centre of excellence.
Since the construction of the hospital in 1974, there has not been any comprehensive rehabilitation of the facility, leading to the present deterioration of equipment and physical structures, some of which have developed cracks and leaking roofs.
According to Dr Mutawakilu Iddrisu, Board Chairman of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, work will begin on the hospital by the close of the year. It will include the construction of new structures and the rehabilitation of some existing ones.
He affirmed the government’s commitment to “upgrade the hospital to befit its status as a teaching hospital”.
The chairman, who was interacting with the press in Tamale , said the government had so far shown commitment to the development of the hospital by the appointment of the first 11-member board.
On the recent impasse between a section of workers at the hospital and the management, Dr Iddrisu gave the assurance that the matter had been brought to rest with the transfer of the former administrator of the hospital, Mr Kusi Kwadwo Boachie, to the Cape Coast General Hospital.
Mr Boachie was alleged to be behind the group calling for the removal of the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Dr Ken Sagoe, an allegation the administrator vehemently denied in an earlier interview with the Daily Graphic.
The board chairman has meanwhile described Dr Tagoe as a “hardworking gentleman”.
According to the chairman, he had worked with the CEO over the years and said if offered the necessary support, he could help in improving the fortunes of the hospital.
Dr Iddrisu therefore, urged staff of the hospital, who he described as selfless and committed, to co-operate with the board and the management of the hospital to turn the facility into a centre of excellence.
Since the construction of the hospital in 1974, there has not been any comprehensive rehabilitation of the facility, leading to the present deterioration of equipment and physical structures, some of which have developed cracks and leaking roofs.
Monday, July 13, 2009
BILCHINSI ADVISORY COUNCIL HOLDS MAIDEN MEETING (PAGE 25, JULY 6, 2009)
THE “Bilchinsi” Advisory Council has held its maiden meeting in Tamale during which members deliberated extensively on how to arrest the growing juvenile delinquency and improve upon the maintenance of law and order in the metropolis.
Members underscored the critical need for the city authorities, parents and the law enforcement agencies to adopt effective measures to stop children from staying out late into the night at discotheques and drinking bars at the expense of their books.
The “Bilchinsi” council, which means the restoration of dignity, was inaugurated a couple of weeks ago in the metropolis to champion the crusade against indiscipline and moral decadence among the youth.
It is also to promote general acceptable conduct and behaviour in Tamale and its environs.
Its membership consists of chiefs, religious and opinion leaders who will intend offer advise and counsel to a task force which shall implement the decisions of the council as approved by the Metropolitan Security Committee (METSEC).
At its maiden meeting, two legal luminaries and sons of Dagbon, Messrs Ibrahim Mahama and Roland Issifu Alhassan, were elected chairman and vice chairman respectively.
The task force has also unanimously elected Mr Alhassan Salifu Kalala, a broadcaster as its chairman.
In his address, the Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Alhaji Abdulai Haruna Friday, re-iterated his faith in the capabilities of the membership of the council and entreated them to come out with suggestions and decisions that could help sustain the prevailing peace and security in the metropolis.
The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Mahama, in his acceptance speech, expressed appreciation to his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him and gave the assurance that together, they would live up to expectation.
For his part, Mr Kalala gave a promise to “rally the support of all to ensure the successful implementation of decisions of the council without fear or favour”.
Members underscored the critical need for the city authorities, parents and the law enforcement agencies to adopt effective measures to stop children from staying out late into the night at discotheques and drinking bars at the expense of their books.
The “Bilchinsi” council, which means the restoration of dignity, was inaugurated a couple of weeks ago in the metropolis to champion the crusade against indiscipline and moral decadence among the youth.
It is also to promote general acceptable conduct and behaviour in Tamale and its environs.
Its membership consists of chiefs, religious and opinion leaders who will intend offer advise and counsel to a task force which shall implement the decisions of the council as approved by the Metropolitan Security Committee (METSEC).
At its maiden meeting, two legal luminaries and sons of Dagbon, Messrs Ibrahim Mahama and Roland Issifu Alhassan, were elected chairman and vice chairman respectively.
The task force has also unanimously elected Mr Alhassan Salifu Kalala, a broadcaster as its chairman.
In his address, the Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Alhaji Abdulai Haruna Friday, re-iterated his faith in the capabilities of the membership of the council and entreated them to come out with suggestions and decisions that could help sustain the prevailing peace and security in the metropolis.
The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Mahama, in his acceptance speech, expressed appreciation to his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him and gave the assurance that together, they would live up to expectation.
For his part, Mr Kalala gave a promise to “rally the support of all to ensure the successful implementation of decisions of the council without fear or favour”.
DONT SELL LANDS EARMARKED FOR DEVELOPMENT (PAGE 25, JULY 6, 2009)
THE Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Alhaji Abdulai Harruna Friday, has appealed against the wanton sale of lands in the metropolis.
He has advised that lands earmarked for development purposes should not be sold to private developers, to the detriment of the socio-economic needs of the people.
Residents in the metropolis have been complaining incessantly about the continuous sale of lands earmarked for the construction of places of convenience, recreational centres and schools to individuals and organisations.
According to the MCE, such attitudes did not only draw the development of the area back, but also denied the people, including children, of their pressing social needs such as playgrounds.
Alhaji Friday made the appeal during a visit to some selected communities to formally introduce himself to the people and also assess areas that required urgent intervention.
Among the communities he visited were Wovogu, Wovoguma, Taha, Gbalahi, Gbirima and Kpintalgu.
Lack of potable water, accessible roads and electricity were identified as the major concerns of the people in all the communities he visited.
The MCE, at separate meetings, noted that although it was the responsibility of the assembly to ensure the general well-being of the people, “the assembly alone cannot achieve much without your support and co-operation.”
He said in spite of the overwhelming demands on the assembly, it could only give priority attention to areas that required immediate attention.
Alhaji Friday reminded the people of the need to ensure lasting peace and security in the area to attract investors to create employment opportunities for the youth.
The MCE further gave a promise that he would operate an open and transparent administration, and called for their unflinching support.
He has advised that lands earmarked for development purposes should not be sold to private developers, to the detriment of the socio-economic needs of the people.
Residents in the metropolis have been complaining incessantly about the continuous sale of lands earmarked for the construction of places of convenience, recreational centres and schools to individuals and organisations.
According to the MCE, such attitudes did not only draw the development of the area back, but also denied the people, including children, of their pressing social needs such as playgrounds.
Alhaji Friday made the appeal during a visit to some selected communities to formally introduce himself to the people and also assess areas that required urgent intervention.
Among the communities he visited were Wovogu, Wovoguma, Taha, Gbalahi, Gbirima and Kpintalgu.
Lack of potable water, accessible roads and electricity were identified as the major concerns of the people in all the communities he visited.
The MCE, at separate meetings, noted that although it was the responsibility of the assembly to ensure the general well-being of the people, “the assembly alone cannot achieve much without your support and co-operation.”
He said in spite of the overwhelming demands on the assembly, it could only give priority attention to areas that required immediate attention.
Alhaji Friday reminded the people of the need to ensure lasting peace and security in the area to attract investors to create employment opportunities for the youth.
The MCE further gave a promise that he would operate an open and transparent administration, and called for their unflinching support.
TAMALE BENEFITS FROM SISTER-CITY RELATIONSHIP (PAGE 25, JULY 6, 2009)
AT the 25th anniversary celebration of the Tamale-Louisville Sister-City relationship, the then Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kwadjo Adjei-Darko, described the relationship between the people of Tamale and Louisville in the United States as the best organised and well-coordinated of such relationships in the country.
“Tamale and Louisville are surely the touchbearers of a well-organised and well-coordinated people-to-people relationship in Ghana,’’ he stated.
And in a speech read on his behalf at the same platform, the then President and Country Co-ordinator for Sister-Cities in Ghana, Mr Prince Kwame Kludjeson, also acknowledged that the Tamale-Louisville relationship had become a model not only in Ghana, but also internationally.
The anniversary was marked in June 2004. And five years on, the relationship that is the oldest of its kind in the country is still chalking up a lot of successes as a result of the dynamic leadership of the Zo-Simli-Naa, (Chief of Friendship), Dr Susan J. Herlin, and her determined colleagues.
It was, therefore, appropriate and most refreshing when the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Nayina, on behalf of the chiefs and people of Tamale metropolis, expressed appreciation to Dr Herlin for the tremendous role she played in not only resuscitating the relationship, but also in keeping the flame of the companionship burning.
The Zo-Simli-Na’s title was conferred on her by the late Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani II, in recognition of her untiring efforts at promoting and forging closer friendship between the citizens of the two cities.
The minister mentioned the establishment of a scholarship scheme for brilliant, poor students and support for education and health sectors, as some of the initiatives people in the metropolis enjoyed over the years.
Mr Nayina made the commendation during a courtesy call on him by the Zo-Simli-Naa and her husband, Professor Mcgaffy, in Tamale.
Also included were some executive members of the sister-cities in Tamale and a three-member visiting team from Louisville.
According to the minister, the Regional Coordinating Council had followed the exploits of the chief with “keen interest and excitement as you seek to bring citizens of the two cities much closer through the numerous exchange programmes, especially in the areas of culture and business development.”
He gave the assurance that the Northern Regional Coordinating Council would continue to support the delegation in all initiatives they intended to embark upon for the accelerated development of the metropolis.
For her part, Dr Herlin said the quest by the people of Tamale for investment and business growth would better be enhanced and achieved when certain sectors were properly developed.
She mentioned in particular the Tamale Airport, which she said, needed to be expanded and subsequently upgraded to international status.
According to the chief, the strategic location of the airport could make it the most preferred business destination, not only in Ghana, but also the entire West African sub-region.
“Tamale and Louisville are surely the touchbearers of a well-organised and well-coordinated people-to-people relationship in Ghana,’’ he stated.
And in a speech read on his behalf at the same platform, the then President and Country Co-ordinator for Sister-Cities in Ghana, Mr Prince Kwame Kludjeson, also acknowledged that the Tamale-Louisville relationship had become a model not only in Ghana, but also internationally.
The anniversary was marked in June 2004. And five years on, the relationship that is the oldest of its kind in the country is still chalking up a lot of successes as a result of the dynamic leadership of the Zo-Simli-Naa, (Chief of Friendship), Dr Susan J. Herlin, and her determined colleagues.
It was, therefore, appropriate and most refreshing when the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Nayina, on behalf of the chiefs and people of Tamale metropolis, expressed appreciation to Dr Herlin for the tremendous role she played in not only resuscitating the relationship, but also in keeping the flame of the companionship burning.
The Zo-Simli-Na’s title was conferred on her by the late Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani II, in recognition of her untiring efforts at promoting and forging closer friendship between the citizens of the two cities.
The minister mentioned the establishment of a scholarship scheme for brilliant, poor students and support for education and health sectors, as some of the initiatives people in the metropolis enjoyed over the years.
Mr Nayina made the commendation during a courtesy call on him by the Zo-Simli-Naa and her husband, Professor Mcgaffy, in Tamale.
Also included were some executive members of the sister-cities in Tamale and a three-member visiting team from Louisville.
According to the minister, the Regional Coordinating Council had followed the exploits of the chief with “keen interest and excitement as you seek to bring citizens of the two cities much closer through the numerous exchange programmes, especially in the areas of culture and business development.”
He gave the assurance that the Northern Regional Coordinating Council would continue to support the delegation in all initiatives they intended to embark upon for the accelerated development of the metropolis.
For her part, Dr Herlin said the quest by the people of Tamale for investment and business growth would better be enhanced and achieved when certain sectors were properly developed.
She mentioned in particular the Tamale Airport, which she said, needed to be expanded and subsequently upgraded to international status.
According to the chief, the strategic location of the airport could make it the most preferred business destination, not only in Ghana, but also the entire West African sub-region.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
NGO SUPPORTS FEMALE EDUCATION IN NR (PAGE 23)
THE Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has embarked on an initiative aimed at encouraging and retaining children, particularly girls in the classroom at its operational areas in the northern region.
The region has the highest number of female illiterates in the country.
The project dubbed: “Teacher mentor programme, is being implemented in partnership with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ghana.
Under the programme, 273 beneficiary schools will be offered counsel on psycho-social, emotional and academic issues. There will also be awareness creation for communities to enable them to support vulnerable children to gain access and progress through school.
The NGO currently operates in 14 districts in the region. They are Tamale, Yendi, Nanumba North and Nanumba South, Chereponi, Savelugu/Nanton and Karaga. The others are Gushiegu, West Mamprusi, East Mamprusi, Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo, Tolon, West Gonja and Bole.
According to the Executive Director of CAMFED, Ms Dolores Dickson, her outfit is presenting needy children in beneficiary communities with school uniforms and other learning materials.
“We will also provide bursary packages for vulnerable girls in both junior and senior high schools with long-term commitment of full support to help them complete school”, she stated.
Other programmes lined up include the formation of girls’ clubs in schools and girls’ empowerment camps, executing projects to improve the overall school environment.
Former beneficiaries of Camfed interventions, Campaign for Female Education Association, (CAMA) will also conduct community advocacy programmes.
On the mentor initiative, Ms Dickson further explained that the teachers would identify and prevent harassment in schools and seek ways to address them.
They will also work in close partnership with communities and families to identify and address causes of disadvantage and discrimination with regard to children’s education and also support the creation of school policies that reflect the needs of the most vulnerable children, she added.
The director observed that, apart from the provision of materials to support the children in school, they also needed protection, emotional and psychological support to help them continue and complete school.
“For a long time, the emphasis has been on providing basic school needs and not much on providing psychological support and protection to particularly orphans, vulnerable children and girls who are highly at risk of dropping out as a result of abuse,” she stated.
Ms Dickson further stated that the education of most girls were cut short in the area as a result of teenage pregnancy, early marriages, child betrothal, labour and excessive housework.
She, therefore, explained that the programme intended to improve educational access and quality for vulnerable children by taking a holistic approach to creating child friendly and gender responsive schools.
The region has the highest number of female illiterates in the country.
The project dubbed: “Teacher mentor programme, is being implemented in partnership with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ghana.
Under the programme, 273 beneficiary schools will be offered counsel on psycho-social, emotional and academic issues. There will also be awareness creation for communities to enable them to support vulnerable children to gain access and progress through school.
The NGO currently operates in 14 districts in the region. They are Tamale, Yendi, Nanumba North and Nanumba South, Chereponi, Savelugu/Nanton and Karaga. The others are Gushiegu, West Mamprusi, East Mamprusi, Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo, Tolon, West Gonja and Bole.
According to the Executive Director of CAMFED, Ms Dolores Dickson, her outfit is presenting needy children in beneficiary communities with school uniforms and other learning materials.
“We will also provide bursary packages for vulnerable girls in both junior and senior high schools with long-term commitment of full support to help them complete school”, she stated.
Other programmes lined up include the formation of girls’ clubs in schools and girls’ empowerment camps, executing projects to improve the overall school environment.
Former beneficiaries of Camfed interventions, Campaign for Female Education Association, (CAMA) will also conduct community advocacy programmes.
On the mentor initiative, Ms Dickson further explained that the teachers would identify and prevent harassment in schools and seek ways to address them.
They will also work in close partnership with communities and families to identify and address causes of disadvantage and discrimination with regard to children’s education and also support the creation of school policies that reflect the needs of the most vulnerable children, she added.
The director observed that, apart from the provision of materials to support the children in school, they also needed protection, emotional and psychological support to help them continue and complete school.
“For a long time, the emphasis has been on providing basic school needs and not much on providing psychological support and protection to particularly orphans, vulnerable children and girls who are highly at risk of dropping out as a result of abuse,” she stated.
Ms Dickson further stated that the education of most girls were cut short in the area as a result of teenage pregnancy, early marriages, child betrothal, labour and excessive housework.
She, therefore, explained that the programme intended to improve educational access and quality for vulnerable children by taking a holistic approach to creating child friendly and gender responsive schools.
Friday, July 3, 2009
FEMALE DOCTOR REWARDED (PAGE 17, JULY 2)
The Northern Region continues to suffer setbacks in its health delivery system following the decision by some health professionals not to accept postings to the area.
Among the reasons often given are the deprived nature of the districts in the region,the lack of motorable roads and inadequate infrastructure. Many health centres in the area also lack basic equipment and facilities and other niceties of life that will encourage people to either accept postings or remain at post.
It is for these reasons that the commitment, hard work and dedication of the only female doctor at the Saboba Health Centre in the Saboba District must be highly commended.
Not only has Dr Jean Ann Young been treating and saving the lives of poor folks in the district, she has also spent the last nine and a half years of her carrier in the area.
It was in recognition of the selfless service to the nation by Dr Young, who abandoned the comfort and privileges of city life, that she was recently offered an award at the maiden Women’s Award ceremony in Accra .
The award was organised by Brien Consult, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs. In all, 20 women drawn from various institutions and sectors received awards in different categories.
Dr Young was among the three women; a pharmacist and a nurse who received awards in the health category. According to the organisers, the scheme, which will become an annual affair, aims at encouraging women to do more for the country,and also inspire other women to give their best at their respective workplaces.
Other recipients of the award include Dr (Mrs) Mary Grant, a former Minister of Health, and also a former Council of State member; Mrs Akua Konadu-Bonsu Darko, an entrepreneur, and Maame Afia Konadu, a radio presenter.
The citation accompanying the award, described Dr Young as “a distinguished friend of Ghana and a missionary who values the lives of others more than hers and risked her life by staying back to save lives during the 1994 infamous northern conflict when even some indigenes had fled the area.”
It also portrayed Dr Young as a dedicated medical officer and a philanthropist who had spearheaded the upgrading of the Saboba Medical Centre to a district hospital.
The citation further described her as a “compassionate missionary who seeks both physical and spiritual well- being of the people; a life worthy of emulation.”
Dr Young is a trained general and paediatric surgeon and a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons. She is also a Founding Fellow of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Dr Young is a member of the Evangel Bible Translators Medical Missionaries whose motto is; “For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and give His life a ransom for many.”
She initially worked at the Saboba Medical Centre before joining the Ghana Health Service and was posted to the West Gonja District where she worked briefly before being reposted to Saboba.
On the situation at the Saboba Health Centre, Dr Young said, “at the moment we lack staff, vehicles and equipment at the centre for which reason we will like to make a passionate appeal for support.”
She described the award as very rewarding and humbling, stressing that, “I am happy my contribution over the years to the health sector has been recognised.”
Dr Young commended her husband for his encouragement and support, the people in the area, and also expressed appreciation to the Northern Regional Health Directorate for selecting her for the award.
She equally expressed appreciation to the organisers for the award.
Among the reasons often given are the deprived nature of the districts in the region,the lack of motorable roads and inadequate infrastructure. Many health centres in the area also lack basic equipment and facilities and other niceties of life that will encourage people to either accept postings or remain at post.
It is for these reasons that the commitment, hard work and dedication of the only female doctor at the Saboba Health Centre in the Saboba District must be highly commended.
Not only has Dr Jean Ann Young been treating and saving the lives of poor folks in the district, she has also spent the last nine and a half years of her carrier in the area.
It was in recognition of the selfless service to the nation by Dr Young, who abandoned the comfort and privileges of city life, that she was recently offered an award at the maiden Women’s Award ceremony in Accra .
The award was organised by Brien Consult, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs. In all, 20 women drawn from various institutions and sectors received awards in different categories.
Dr Young was among the three women; a pharmacist and a nurse who received awards in the health category. According to the organisers, the scheme, which will become an annual affair, aims at encouraging women to do more for the country,and also inspire other women to give their best at their respective workplaces.
Other recipients of the award include Dr (Mrs) Mary Grant, a former Minister of Health, and also a former Council of State member; Mrs Akua Konadu-Bonsu Darko, an entrepreneur, and Maame Afia Konadu, a radio presenter.
The citation accompanying the award, described Dr Young as “a distinguished friend of Ghana and a missionary who values the lives of others more than hers and risked her life by staying back to save lives during the 1994 infamous northern conflict when even some indigenes had fled the area.”
It also portrayed Dr Young as a dedicated medical officer and a philanthropist who had spearheaded the upgrading of the Saboba Medical Centre to a district hospital.
The citation further described her as a “compassionate missionary who seeks both physical and spiritual well- being of the people; a life worthy of emulation.”
Dr Young is a trained general and paediatric surgeon and a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons. She is also a Founding Fellow of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Dr Young is a member of the Evangel Bible Translators Medical Missionaries whose motto is; “For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and give His life a ransom for many.”
She initially worked at the Saboba Medical Centre before joining the Ghana Health Service and was posted to the West Gonja District where she worked briefly before being reposted to Saboba.
On the situation at the Saboba Health Centre, Dr Young said, “at the moment we lack staff, vehicles and equipment at the centre for which reason we will like to make a passionate appeal for support.”
She described the award as very rewarding and humbling, stressing that, “I am happy my contribution over the years to the health sector has been recognised.”
Dr Young commended her husband for his encouragement and support, the people in the area, and also expressed appreciation to the Northern Regional Health Directorate for selecting her for the award.
She equally expressed appreciation to the organisers for the award.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
IRS LAUNCHES TAX EDUCATION CAMPAIGN (PAGE 30, JUNE 30)
A Tax education seminar has been held in Tamale with a reminder to landlords not to increase rent charges as a pretext of using the additional funds to honour their tax obligations.
“Rent tax is paid by the property owners who receive rent income; it is not the tenant who pays the tax and, therefore, this should not lead to increase in rents,” the Tamale District Manager of the Internal Revenue Service, Mr Kwame Fordjour stated.
According to him, rent income is an income that is derived when a person or an individual gives a residential or commercial premises or structure for use by another person.
“Rent is the money paid for the use of the property, rent tax is, therefore, paid from rent income.”
He further explained that rent income was taxed at the rate of eight per cent and the year of assessment is from January 1 to December 31 of the same year, and that the rent income was calculated separately at a flat rate of eight per cent.
“Under this option, no deductions are allowed as provided under Section 17 of Act 592.”
The manager also stated that under the existing laws, some institutions were qualified to withhold the rent tax. He mentioned educational institutions, medical establishments, public boards and corporations, ministries, diplomatic missions and international organisations as some of the beneficiaries.
Mr Fordjour, however, stated that “any institution or organisation which fails to withhold the tax is personally liable to pay to the commissioner the amount of tax which has been withheld.”
In respect of companies that engaged in real estate business, he said, the income of a company in a business of construction for letting of residential premises is exempt from tax for a period of five years of assessment, commencing from and including the year in which the basis period of the company ends.
The manager added that the income of a company in the construction business for sale of residential premises is also exempt from tax for a period of five years.
He, therefore, entreated all income earners to voluntarily honour their tax obligations as partners in national development.
The Chief Executive of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Alhaji Abdulai Harruna Friday, urged tax officials to come out with more innovative means of collecting taxes from the people.
“Rent tax is paid by the property owners who receive rent income; it is not the tenant who pays the tax and, therefore, this should not lead to increase in rents,” the Tamale District Manager of the Internal Revenue Service, Mr Kwame Fordjour stated.
According to him, rent income is an income that is derived when a person or an individual gives a residential or commercial premises or structure for use by another person.
“Rent is the money paid for the use of the property, rent tax is, therefore, paid from rent income.”
He further explained that rent income was taxed at the rate of eight per cent and the year of assessment is from January 1 to December 31 of the same year, and that the rent income was calculated separately at a flat rate of eight per cent.
“Under this option, no deductions are allowed as provided under Section 17 of Act 592.”
The manager also stated that under the existing laws, some institutions were qualified to withhold the rent tax. He mentioned educational institutions, medical establishments, public boards and corporations, ministries, diplomatic missions and international organisations as some of the beneficiaries.
Mr Fordjour, however, stated that “any institution or organisation which fails to withhold the tax is personally liable to pay to the commissioner the amount of tax which has been withheld.”
In respect of companies that engaged in real estate business, he said, the income of a company in a business of construction for letting of residential premises is exempt from tax for a period of five years of assessment, commencing from and including the year in which the basis period of the company ends.
The manager added that the income of a company in the construction business for sale of residential premises is also exempt from tax for a period of five years.
He, therefore, entreated all income earners to voluntarily honour their tax obligations as partners in national development.
The Chief Executive of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Alhaji Abdulai Harruna Friday, urged tax officials to come out with more innovative means of collecting taxes from the people.
GERMAN CHURCH BUILDS SCHOOL FOR DUUYIN (PAGE 23, JUNE 27)
WORK has commenced on the construction of a six-classroom block for the people of Duuyin, a farming community in the Tamale metropolis.
The building is to replace the existing three-classroom block which cannot accommodate the growing number of pupils.
The Bible Believers Church of Stuttgart, Germany is funding the project, which includes an office, a store and place of convenience.
According to a representative of the church, Reverend Osei Kankam, his outfit had over the years, assisted some orphanages in various parts of the country.
He, however, stated that “this time around we want to concretise our intervention in the form of a school, as a way of supporting children in deprived communities.”
Rev. Kankam explained that the church stood for the total development of mankind in all facets of life, adding “the greatest gift you can give to a child apart from spirituality is education.”
The Northern Regional Manager of the A.M.E. Zion Educational Unit, Rev. Azure John Atiiga said the school was established by his outfit some 23 years ago.
He expressed appreciation to the chiefs and people of the community for their tremendous support and cooperation over the years.
A Director of Education at the Tamale Metro Education office, Madam Zenabu Jibrilu, thanked the benefactors for their complementary role in putting up the project.
She advised teachers to always serve as role models to their pupils by dressing appropriately and living above reproach.
The director also expressed concern over the continuous poor performance of pupils and students in their respective examinations at the junior and senior high school levels.
Madam Zenabu, therefore, entreated all stakeholders in education in the area to step up their efforts and collaborate effectively to improve education in their various communities.
“It is only through education that we can break the vicious circle of poverty that is pervasive in this area”, she stressed.
The Coordinating Director of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Alhaji Adam Mohammed Baba, commended the Bible Believers Church for their intervention and pledged the readiness of the assembly to liaise with the GES to post more teachers to the school upon its completion.
He also outlined the various pro-poor programmes the government had earmarked for the educational sector and advised parents and guardians to take advantage of such initiatives by enrolling their wards, particularly the girls in school.
The chief of Duuyin, Alhaji Von Salifu, also expressed gratitude to their benefactors for the intervention and entreated the assembly and other philanthropic bodies to support the community in its bid to improve the socio-economic development of the people who are mainly farmers.
The building is to replace the existing three-classroom block which cannot accommodate the growing number of pupils.
The Bible Believers Church of Stuttgart, Germany is funding the project, which includes an office, a store and place of convenience.
According to a representative of the church, Reverend Osei Kankam, his outfit had over the years, assisted some orphanages in various parts of the country.
He, however, stated that “this time around we want to concretise our intervention in the form of a school, as a way of supporting children in deprived communities.”
Rev. Kankam explained that the church stood for the total development of mankind in all facets of life, adding “the greatest gift you can give to a child apart from spirituality is education.”
The Northern Regional Manager of the A.M.E. Zion Educational Unit, Rev. Azure John Atiiga said the school was established by his outfit some 23 years ago.
He expressed appreciation to the chiefs and people of the community for their tremendous support and cooperation over the years.
A Director of Education at the Tamale Metro Education office, Madam Zenabu Jibrilu, thanked the benefactors for their complementary role in putting up the project.
She advised teachers to always serve as role models to their pupils by dressing appropriately and living above reproach.
The director also expressed concern over the continuous poor performance of pupils and students in their respective examinations at the junior and senior high school levels.
Madam Zenabu, therefore, entreated all stakeholders in education in the area to step up their efforts and collaborate effectively to improve education in their various communities.
“It is only through education that we can break the vicious circle of poverty that is pervasive in this area”, she stressed.
The Coordinating Director of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Alhaji Adam Mohammed Baba, commended the Bible Believers Church for their intervention and pledged the readiness of the assembly to liaise with the GES to post more teachers to the school upon its completion.
He also outlined the various pro-poor programmes the government had earmarked for the educational sector and advised parents and guardians to take advantage of such initiatives by enrolling their wards, particularly the girls in school.
The chief of Duuyin, Alhaji Von Salifu, also expressed gratitude to their benefactors for the intervention and entreated the assembly and other philanthropic bodies to support the community in its bid to improve the socio-economic development of the people who are mainly farmers.
UDS STAFF FOR STUDY TOUR OF NETHERLANDS (PAGE 26, JUNE 26)
AS part of measures to ensure the smooth running of the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) methodology adopted at the School of Medical and Health Sciences (SMHS) of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, some staff members have embarked on a two-week course at the Maastricht University in the Netherlands to build their capacity on the programme.
Also benefiting from the course are Dr Ken Sagoe, Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital and Dr Prosper Akanbong a medical doctor.
Other members of the team are the head of the Surgical Medical Sciences of the school, Professor Kwabena-Kyei Aboagye and the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council, Dr Eli Atukpui.
The Co-ordinator of the PBL Programme, Mr Anthony Amalba, stated that the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Ghana had been facilitating the training of staff since 2005.
He said the programme was aimed at building the capacity of the school to get a deeper understanding in the PBL methodology in Health Professions Education.
Already, a number of workshops and courses on the PBL have been held for staff members in Ghana, South Africa and Mozambique among other countries.
According to Mr Amalba, the rational for the selection of the eight-member team for the current course also conformed to the vision and mission of the school.
The co-ordinator further stated that the school adopted the initiative including the Community Oriented Based and Extension Services (CODES) methodology to train healthcare professionals in line with the mandate of the UDS as contained in the law establishing it.
He said even though the SMHS was established in 1996, several attempts at introducing the PBL were not successful as a result of the lack of knowledge and expertise about the concept.
The programme eventually began in the school in September, 2007 and according to the co-ordinator, “the clinical phase of the medical training for the traditional students has started at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH).”
Mr Amalba added that “consultants have started an orientation on the possibilities for setting up clinical training for the PBL students under the supervision of SMHS in some selected hospitals in the Northern, Brong Ahafo, Upper East and Upper West regions while using the TTH as the central backbone for clinical training of students.”
The co-ordinator further said the UDS/SMHS was equipped with the learning resources needed to implement, run and sustain the PBL/CODES curricula.
He said efforts were ongoing to equip and upgrade various facilities to ensure the effective running of the programme at the school.
Also benefiting from the course are Dr Ken Sagoe, Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital and Dr Prosper Akanbong a medical doctor.
Other members of the team are the head of the Surgical Medical Sciences of the school, Professor Kwabena-Kyei Aboagye and the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council, Dr Eli Atukpui.
The Co-ordinator of the PBL Programme, Mr Anthony Amalba, stated that the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Ghana had been facilitating the training of staff since 2005.
He said the programme was aimed at building the capacity of the school to get a deeper understanding in the PBL methodology in Health Professions Education.
Already, a number of workshops and courses on the PBL have been held for staff members in Ghana, South Africa and Mozambique among other countries.
According to Mr Amalba, the rational for the selection of the eight-member team for the current course also conformed to the vision and mission of the school.
The co-ordinator further stated that the school adopted the initiative including the Community Oriented Based and Extension Services (CODES) methodology to train healthcare professionals in line with the mandate of the UDS as contained in the law establishing it.
He said even though the SMHS was established in 1996, several attempts at introducing the PBL were not successful as a result of the lack of knowledge and expertise about the concept.
The programme eventually began in the school in September, 2007 and according to the co-ordinator, “the clinical phase of the medical training for the traditional students has started at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH).”
Mr Amalba added that “consultants have started an orientation on the possibilities for setting up clinical training for the PBL students under the supervision of SMHS in some selected hospitals in the Northern, Brong Ahafo, Upper East and Upper West regions while using the TTH as the central backbone for clinical training of students.”
The co-ordinator further said the UDS/SMHS was equipped with the learning resources needed to implement, run and sustain the PBL/CODES curricula.
He said efforts were ongoing to equip and upgrade various facilities to ensure the effective running of the programme at the school.
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