A Senior lecturer at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Professor Saa Dittoh has described the intermittent conflicts in the northern Ghana as most unfortunate, but observed that the situation could be turned round with the exploitation of the area’s natural resources to improve on the incomes of the people.
He stated that the enhancement in educational infrastructure and a policy of enrolment and retention of children into school, coupled with a well developed agricultural sector in the area would not only create a well-informed society, but also offer opportunities for social cohesion and lessen conflicts in communities.
The lecturer mentioned food crop, cotton and shea-nut production, and minerals such as gold as some of resources that abound in northern Ghana. He however, stated that those could be exploited “only if there is the political will”.
Professor Dittoh was speaking at a seminar for media practitioners from the three northern regions in Tamale.
Nu Image Communications, a non-governmental organisation organised the seminar on the theme: “Rebranding the north-The role of the media”.
Prof. Dittoh, who spoke on the political, social and economic opportunities in the north, stated that if given the needed attention, those resources could open up the area for accelerated economic growth as more job openings would be created and the incomes of the people, majority of who are peasant farmers, improved upon.
“We are not begging that poverty be alleviated in the north, but the fact is that, reducing poverty in the area is very necessary for the total development of the nation,” the lecturer stated.
According to him, the growing slums in the big cities were partly because of the neglect of the north over the years, and that had resulted in the current situation in Accra where a large army of unemployed but energetic youth had been compelled to live in such deplorable conditions in search of menial jobs to make a living.
Prof. Dittoh mentioned roads, education and health infrastructure, electricity, water, markets for agriculture produce, as some of the facilities that could create “the enabling environment required for the vast economic potentials and opportunities to become reality”.
The Corporate Affairs Director of Vodafone, Major A.B. Don-Chebe (retd) stressed the importance of destination, country and place branding, which he said, was a popular tool for government to improve on its international profile and also attract foreign direct investment to promote commerce and tourism.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Nayina called on the media to emphasise more on the development challenges facing the people, particularly in rural communities and not to turn itself into an instrument of blackmail, intimidation, tyranny and an agent of confusion and conflicts”.
He also entreated journalists to be objective and investigate issues before publishing them.
The Executive Director of Nu Image Communications, Mr David Yaro, said the organisation was committed to championing the cause of the re-branding of the north through consistent advocacy by using the media.
A veteran journalist Mr Alhassan Imoro, re-launched George Sydney Abugri’s book Letter to Jomo, which was originally launched in Accra early this year.
The book constituted a record of objectively critical commentary on some of the important socio-economic and political events that have unfolded in the country since the 90’s.
According to Mr Imoro, “the media faces a great challenge in the task of unifying our people through reporting and analyses which will dispose our people more to reconciliation and understanding of how the conflicts have negatively affected the development of the area”.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
TAMALE IS VERY SAFE (PAGE 29)
“TAMALE is very safe, and the crime rate has reduced significantly,” the Northern Regional Crime Officer, Mr Peter Baba, has assured the people.
According to him, the metropolis was peaceful with people going about their businesses happily.
Armed robbery, which has been the bane of some residents in the other parts of the country, is almost non-existent in the metropolis following what the officer said was the result of the constant patrols by the security agencies. He also attributed that to the vigilance of the people and some media personnel.
Mr Baba indicated that although there had been some reported incidents of crime, “they are usually minor cases.” Indeed, most residents have collaborated with the crime officer’s assertion.
“Apart from the political violence which was witnessed in February this year, the metropolis has been very peaceful in the past seven months with people going about their duties normally,” Iddrisu Abu, a teacher, noted.
“I recall the immediate past years when some notable individuals could misbehave and walk free in the metropolis; today, there seem to be a new wind of change blowing through this beautiful city of Tamale,” he added.
A student, Rahinatu Mohammed, for her part, entreated the security agencies not to relent in their fight against crime, but ensure that they displayed even-handedness in dealing with people who breached the law, “irrespective of their sex, ethnic, religious background or party colours.”
Mr Baba has given an assurance that the security agencies would step up their operations and live up to their responsibilities of ensuring law and order to make the metropolis more attractive to visitors and investors.
In a related development, statistics from the Domestic Violence and Victim’s Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service in the region indicates that defilement cases have increased by 100 per cent from eight in 2007 to 18 last year. Rape cases have, however, reduced from nine in 2007 to eight last year. There was no breakdown of the figures for Tamale.
According to the police, most victims feel reluctant to report such cases, including rape, to the appropriate authorities for redress.
The victims normally want to avoid the embarrassment that is associated with the experience, coupled with ignorance and pressure from family members, the police further stated.
According to him, the metropolis was peaceful with people going about their businesses happily.
Armed robbery, which has been the bane of some residents in the other parts of the country, is almost non-existent in the metropolis following what the officer said was the result of the constant patrols by the security agencies. He also attributed that to the vigilance of the people and some media personnel.
Mr Baba indicated that although there had been some reported incidents of crime, “they are usually minor cases.” Indeed, most residents have collaborated with the crime officer’s assertion.
“Apart from the political violence which was witnessed in February this year, the metropolis has been very peaceful in the past seven months with people going about their duties normally,” Iddrisu Abu, a teacher, noted.
“I recall the immediate past years when some notable individuals could misbehave and walk free in the metropolis; today, there seem to be a new wind of change blowing through this beautiful city of Tamale,” he added.
A student, Rahinatu Mohammed, for her part, entreated the security agencies not to relent in their fight against crime, but ensure that they displayed even-handedness in dealing with people who breached the law, “irrespective of their sex, ethnic, religious background or party colours.”
Mr Baba has given an assurance that the security agencies would step up their operations and live up to their responsibilities of ensuring law and order to make the metropolis more attractive to visitors and investors.
In a related development, statistics from the Domestic Violence and Victim’s Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service in the region indicates that defilement cases have increased by 100 per cent from eight in 2007 to 18 last year. Rape cases have, however, reduced from nine in 2007 to eight last year. There was no breakdown of the figures for Tamale.
According to the police, most victims feel reluctant to report such cases, including rape, to the appropriate authorities for redress.
The victims normally want to avoid the embarrassment that is associated with the experience, coupled with ignorance and pressure from family members, the police further stated.
RAMADAN TAKES A TOLL OF FOOD JOINTS (PAGE 29)
Once more the Islamic Ramadan fasting season is with us and as usual, almost all the popular ‘‘Tuo Zaafi’’ and ‘‘Waakye’’ spots in the Tamale metropolis are on ‘‘holiday.’’
Indeed, any regular visitor to the sprawling city at this time of the year would notice the absence of most food vendors and local bar operators in the mornings and afternoons.
Even though they are not on a strike, they are compelled not to cook as a result of the ongoing Ramadan. And being a predominantly Muslim community, the vendors’ risk losing financially because of the very low patronage they are likely to enjoy when they cook.
Most of them usually use the fasting period, that is either 29 or 30 days, to rest and also take stock of their respective activities over the year.
Others who cannot afford to be on ‘‘vacation’’ operate in the evenings from 6p.m. after the fast is broken.
At this time, various versions of the Quran blur out from loud speakers at respective mosques, homes and vehicles. The mosques are fully patronised because some so-called non-practising “Muslims” begin fasting and praying.
During the period, the day actually begins in the evenings when vendors of fruits, porridge, ‘‘Massa’’ and ‘‘Kose’’ display their wares on tables placed by the roadside.
The aroma that emanates from the frying of such local delicacies is so inviting. This no doubt catches the attention of the Muslim faithful who by this time of the day have gone thirsty and hungry. They, therefore, crave for anything that is liquid or food to break their fast.
The Ramadan is observed annually by Muslims all over the world in the ninth month of the Lunar Calendar during which the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed.
The Ramadan begins at dawn and ends after sunset. It spans 29 or 30 days, depending on the day the new moon is sighted.
However, before one embarks on it, one needs to take a dawn meal that is solid or liquid.
This is preceded by the activities of volunteers who go round the homes of Muslims at dawn to wake them up through the beating of drums or instruments.
The five pillars of Islam enjoin every mature, able and sane Muslim to observe the fast. On a particular night in 610 AD, towards the close of the month, Angel Gabriel is said to have appeared and ordered Mohammed to read: The endowment of his Prophethood.
After that night, the rest of the Quran was revealed to him over a period of almost 23 years-from 610 AD to 632 AD.
The Ramadan is also a time for Muslims to refrain from the mundane and devote themselves entirely to Allah. Apart from abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk, it behoves all to desist from acts such as gossip, robbery, backbiting, sex, lying, fornication and adultery.
Muslims must also be tolerant and sensitive to the plight of the poor and the underprivileged.
Indeed, any regular visitor to the sprawling city at this time of the year would notice the absence of most food vendors and local bar operators in the mornings and afternoons.
Even though they are not on a strike, they are compelled not to cook as a result of the ongoing Ramadan. And being a predominantly Muslim community, the vendors’ risk losing financially because of the very low patronage they are likely to enjoy when they cook.
Most of them usually use the fasting period, that is either 29 or 30 days, to rest and also take stock of their respective activities over the year.
Others who cannot afford to be on ‘‘vacation’’ operate in the evenings from 6p.m. after the fast is broken.
At this time, various versions of the Quran blur out from loud speakers at respective mosques, homes and vehicles. The mosques are fully patronised because some so-called non-practising “Muslims” begin fasting and praying.
During the period, the day actually begins in the evenings when vendors of fruits, porridge, ‘‘Massa’’ and ‘‘Kose’’ display their wares on tables placed by the roadside.
The aroma that emanates from the frying of such local delicacies is so inviting. This no doubt catches the attention of the Muslim faithful who by this time of the day have gone thirsty and hungry. They, therefore, crave for anything that is liquid or food to break their fast.
The Ramadan is observed annually by Muslims all over the world in the ninth month of the Lunar Calendar during which the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed.
The Ramadan begins at dawn and ends after sunset. It spans 29 or 30 days, depending on the day the new moon is sighted.
However, before one embarks on it, one needs to take a dawn meal that is solid or liquid.
This is preceded by the activities of volunteers who go round the homes of Muslims at dawn to wake them up through the beating of drums or instruments.
The five pillars of Islam enjoin every mature, able and sane Muslim to observe the fast. On a particular night in 610 AD, towards the close of the month, Angel Gabriel is said to have appeared and ordered Mohammed to read: The endowment of his Prophethood.
After that night, the rest of the Quran was revealed to him over a period of almost 23 years-from 610 AD to 632 AD.
The Ramadan is also a time for Muslims to refrain from the mundane and devote themselves entirely to Allah. Apart from abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk, it behoves all to desist from acts such as gossip, robbery, backbiting, sex, lying, fornication and adultery.
Muslims must also be tolerant and sensitive to the plight of the poor and the underprivileged.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
POLITICAL PARTIES TURN ATTENTION TO CHEREPONI (PAGE 16)
THE peaceful and serene farming community of Chereponi in the Northern Region is being invigorated with political manoeuvres.
The constituency will soon attract the nation’s attention as the next stop for a by-election that comes off on Tuesday, September 29, following the death of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Madam Doris Asibi Seidu, last month.
As the dust settles on the Akwatia by-election, which was marred by some reported violent scenes, the various political parties are now turning their attention to Chereponi to test their popularity with the electorate.
Unlike Akwatia where most people had predicted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Dr Kofi Asare, was going to carry the day following his good showing in the earlier elections in December last year, the Chereponi Constituency would be difficult to predict which way the pendulum will swing.
Even though some of the other smaller parties are yet to make their intention to contest for the seat, it is certainly going to be a straight contest between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP.
Indeed, one fact that would stare the political bigwigs as they troop to the constituency to canvass for votes is the terrible nature of the untarred road that has been made worst by the incessant rains in the north this year.
The people have lived with this appalling situation over the years, in spite of the many and varied promises made by successive governments to work on it.
The Chereponi District was created out of the then Saboba/Chereponi District in February, last year.
Even though it is 175 kilometres from Tamale, it takes about three-and-a-half hours as a result of the bad nature of the road, from Yendi to the area, which covers about 85 kilometres.
At the moment, the Metro Mass buses and other big vehicles have been compelled to stop plying the road, because it is simply unmotorable.
Meanwhile, Chereponi is one of the major producers of yam and other staples in the region.
The two major parties, NDC and the opposition NPP, have at different times won the Chereponi Constituency seat. While the former had won the seat three times, the latter has occupied it in the last two general election.
The constituency has also witnessed two MPs, who are now deceased, from both the NDC and the NPP. In the 1992 general election, Alhaji Mohammed Yahaya of the NDC represented the people in Parliament. He retained the seat in the 1996, but later passed away in 2000.
The NDC, however, retained the seat again in the 2000 elections, with the election of the current District Chief Executive for the area, Alhaji Issah Abbah. He was, however, swept off the seat by the late Doris Asibi Seidu of the NPP in the 2004 elections.
She retained the seat last year, when she polled 9188 out of the 17,559 valid votes cast, representing 53 per cent of the votes.
The constituency is largely made up of two major ethnic groups, the Chekosis and Konkombas. It is, however, not spared the protracted land and chieftaincy disputes that is currently hanging around the necks of most ethnic groups in the north like an albatross.
Some political pundits, therefore, are of the opinion that a likely winner should be someone who would have the appeal from the major ethnic groups.
At the moment, the political atmosphere in the constituency is heating up as the parties are gearing up to select their respective candidates.
While the NDC is preparing to go to primaries to select a candidate from the four aspirants, including a woman, on Thursday, the NPP is also warming itself up to pick from their hopefuls, including a woman.
Some of the candidates have, however, given an indication of their intention to go independent in case they fail in their respective primaries.
But according to a political observer, Dr Mohammed Alhassan, “the issue is not about settling on just any woman, but about someone of substance who will have the appeal of the late Doris, who was so selfless and also contributed immensely to the accelerated development of the area”.
“In any case, the race will be tight between the NDC and the NPP, depending on their choice of candidates,” he added.
Both parties have, therefore, stepped up their campaigns as they knock on the doors of chiefs and opinion leaders to seek for their blessings, while interacting with various youth groups and individuals to woo their confidence.
The leadership of both parties in the region has given an assurance of winning the election.
According to the acting Northern Regional Secretary of the NPP, Faisal Gbangbili, nothing would prevent the party from retaining the seat.
His colleague from the NDC, Alhaji Abdulai Harruna, however, played down the optimism of his NPP colleague, stressing that the ruling party was well poised to reclaim the seat it had occupied for three consecutive times until 2004.
And as the curtains are getting drawn on the primaries, the parliamentary hopefuls of both parties are also leaving no stone unturned to get the nod of their followers to represent their parties in the by-election, which promises to be interesting but highly competitive.
It is hoped that the lessons learnt in the Akwatia by-election will guide the security operatives in discharging their responsibilities without blemishes, so that at the end of the day, nobody is hurt or loses his/her life in the name of party politics
The constituency will soon attract the nation’s attention as the next stop for a by-election that comes off on Tuesday, September 29, following the death of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Madam Doris Asibi Seidu, last month.
As the dust settles on the Akwatia by-election, which was marred by some reported violent scenes, the various political parties are now turning their attention to Chereponi to test their popularity with the electorate.
Unlike Akwatia where most people had predicted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Dr Kofi Asare, was going to carry the day following his good showing in the earlier elections in December last year, the Chereponi Constituency would be difficult to predict which way the pendulum will swing.
Even though some of the other smaller parties are yet to make their intention to contest for the seat, it is certainly going to be a straight contest between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP.
Indeed, one fact that would stare the political bigwigs as they troop to the constituency to canvass for votes is the terrible nature of the untarred road that has been made worst by the incessant rains in the north this year.
The people have lived with this appalling situation over the years, in spite of the many and varied promises made by successive governments to work on it.
The Chereponi District was created out of the then Saboba/Chereponi District in February, last year.
Even though it is 175 kilometres from Tamale, it takes about three-and-a-half hours as a result of the bad nature of the road, from Yendi to the area, which covers about 85 kilometres.
At the moment, the Metro Mass buses and other big vehicles have been compelled to stop plying the road, because it is simply unmotorable.
Meanwhile, Chereponi is one of the major producers of yam and other staples in the region.
The two major parties, NDC and the opposition NPP, have at different times won the Chereponi Constituency seat. While the former had won the seat three times, the latter has occupied it in the last two general election.
The constituency has also witnessed two MPs, who are now deceased, from both the NDC and the NPP. In the 1992 general election, Alhaji Mohammed Yahaya of the NDC represented the people in Parliament. He retained the seat in the 1996, but later passed away in 2000.
The NDC, however, retained the seat again in the 2000 elections, with the election of the current District Chief Executive for the area, Alhaji Issah Abbah. He was, however, swept off the seat by the late Doris Asibi Seidu of the NPP in the 2004 elections.
She retained the seat last year, when she polled 9188 out of the 17,559 valid votes cast, representing 53 per cent of the votes.
The constituency is largely made up of two major ethnic groups, the Chekosis and Konkombas. It is, however, not spared the protracted land and chieftaincy disputes that is currently hanging around the necks of most ethnic groups in the north like an albatross.
Some political pundits, therefore, are of the opinion that a likely winner should be someone who would have the appeal from the major ethnic groups.
At the moment, the political atmosphere in the constituency is heating up as the parties are gearing up to select their respective candidates.
While the NDC is preparing to go to primaries to select a candidate from the four aspirants, including a woman, on Thursday, the NPP is also warming itself up to pick from their hopefuls, including a woman.
Some of the candidates have, however, given an indication of their intention to go independent in case they fail in their respective primaries.
But according to a political observer, Dr Mohammed Alhassan, “the issue is not about settling on just any woman, but about someone of substance who will have the appeal of the late Doris, who was so selfless and also contributed immensely to the accelerated development of the area”.
“In any case, the race will be tight between the NDC and the NPP, depending on their choice of candidates,” he added.
Both parties have, therefore, stepped up their campaigns as they knock on the doors of chiefs and opinion leaders to seek for their blessings, while interacting with various youth groups and individuals to woo their confidence.
The leadership of both parties in the region has given an assurance of winning the election.
According to the acting Northern Regional Secretary of the NPP, Faisal Gbangbili, nothing would prevent the party from retaining the seat.
His colleague from the NDC, Alhaji Abdulai Harruna, however, played down the optimism of his NPP colleague, stressing that the ruling party was well poised to reclaim the seat it had occupied for three consecutive times until 2004.
And as the curtains are getting drawn on the primaries, the parliamentary hopefuls of both parties are also leaving no stone unturned to get the nod of their followers to represent their parties in the by-election, which promises to be interesting but highly competitive.
It is hoped that the lessons learnt in the Akwatia by-election will guide the security operatives in discharging their responsibilities without blemishes, so that at the end of the day, nobody is hurt or loses his/her life in the name of party politics
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