A forum on the need to deal with child trafficking and uphold children’s rights, has been held in Tamale to map out strategies to promote the welfare of children.
The discussants touched on current approaches on rights of the child and trafficking and indicated the urgent need for effective collaboration and advocacy among various stakeholders in arresting the growing phenomenon, that sometimes resulted in the migration of children and adolescents from the northern sector of the country to the south, for menial jobs.
The workshop was organised by the Regional Advisory, Information and Network Systems (RAINS), a Tamale-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), in partnership with the Department of Children.
Participants were also drawn from the civil society organisations, the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service (DOVVSU), district assemblies, the Ghana Education Service and the media.
The Vice Chairman of the board of trustees of RAINS, Alhaji Bakari Nyari, indicated the need to shift focus from the welfare approach to handling issues confronting children.
“Since issues affecting children are mainly human rights issues, we are under an obligation to demonstrate responsibly that children are not objects of charity seeking help and compassion from society. Instead they are individuals who are entitled to protection” he said.
Over the years, RAINS under its “Next Generation” Programme (NGP), with funding from Comic Relief has responded to the needs of children in various forms.
According to Alhaji Nyari, RAINS has been supporting local communities to deal with issues confronting children, especially those who suffered abuse and deprivation. “We are particularly focusing on fostered girls to ensure that they have protection, as well as access to resources including education”, he added.
At the moment RAINS is supporting the education of 1,600 girls in basic schools and over 600 young girls with vocational and life skills in the Northern Region.
A number of children are also being assisted through Children Clubs to raise issues of child rights and protection. In addition, families are being provided with loans and micro enterprise support to enable them bring up their children responsibly.
In spite of all these efforts, Alhaji Nyari lamented that there were still widespread ignorance of the law as child rights are often tagged as acts of “insubordination” and alien concepts.
“There are also still some deep seated negative practices often branded as culture. I will be particularly interested in how we negotiate a balance between culture and legislation in relation to child rights,” he further stated.
The participants were also of the view that skills training and provision of material items were not enough to stop human trafficking and “Kayaye” and called for more sensitisation programmes to change attitudes. They also called on local authorities, especially district assemblies, to be at the forefront in the fight against child trafficking, abuse and labour.
The participants further noted the significant influence of chiefs, opinion leaders, assembly persons and youth leaders in the communities and that such influence could be harnessed and utilised in the fight against child labour and trafficking.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba, said it was the policy of the government to empower the youth to enable them develop their potentials and reminded the people that, children have the right to live, and be provided with food, clothing, shelter, protection, affection, good health and education.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
ROTARY CLUB DONATES TO SHS (PAGE 35, JULY 28, 2010)
THE Rotary Club of Tamale has presented large quantities of rapid diagnostic units for the detection of malaria parasites to the Northern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in Tamale.
The 38,400 pieces of the detectors were donated by the Rotary Club of Notfolk-District 7600, Virginia, USA in collaboration with its Tamale partners.
It is to be distributed to Community Health Planning Services (CHPS) and other public and private health institutions in both the Northern and Upper East regions.
The Northern Regional Director of the GHS, Dr Akwasi Twumasi, who received the items, expressed appreciation to their beneficiaries for their support to the health sector over the years.
According to him, the malaria disease had continued to claim the lives of many people in the area and indicated that, in 2008, 502,000 cases of malaria were recorded, while 708,000 cases were registered in 2009.
“We could not however confirm all the cases because of lack of the diagnostic facilities in our
health centres,” he stated.
Dr Twumasi therefore, described the donation as timely and significant.
He entreated other spirited bodies to complement the government’s efforts to improve health delivery services in the area by extending their support to the sector, especially in deprived rural committees in the region.
The director observed that even though the MOH had supplied quantities of treated mosquito bed nets to pregnant and lactating mothers, they were still not enough to contain the malaria menace.
He, therefore, advised the people to keep their environments clean and to do away with stagnant waters.
The President of the Rotary Club of Tamale, Mr
Joseph Mumuni said members were committed to the improvement of quality of life of the deprived in society, adding that for that reason, it would continue to put smiles on the faces of the underprivileged by providing interventions in various sectors.
Apart from their involvement in the health sector, the club had also sunk a number of boreholes and provided other social amenities in the deprived rural communities in the region.
The 38,400 pieces of the detectors were donated by the Rotary Club of Notfolk-District 7600, Virginia, USA in collaboration with its Tamale partners.
It is to be distributed to Community Health Planning Services (CHPS) and other public and private health institutions in both the Northern and Upper East regions.
The Northern Regional Director of the GHS, Dr Akwasi Twumasi, who received the items, expressed appreciation to their beneficiaries for their support to the health sector over the years.
According to him, the malaria disease had continued to claim the lives of many people in the area and indicated that, in 2008, 502,000 cases of malaria were recorded, while 708,000 cases were registered in 2009.
“We could not however confirm all the cases because of lack of the diagnostic facilities in our
health centres,” he stated.
Dr Twumasi therefore, described the donation as timely and significant.
He entreated other spirited bodies to complement the government’s efforts to improve health delivery services in the area by extending their support to the sector, especially in deprived rural committees in the region.
The director observed that even though the MOH had supplied quantities of treated mosquito bed nets to pregnant and lactating mothers, they were still not enough to contain the malaria menace.
He, therefore, advised the people to keep their environments clean and to do away with stagnant waters.
The President of the Rotary Club of Tamale, Mr
Joseph Mumuni said members were committed to the improvement of quality of life of the deprived in society, adding that for that reason, it would continue to put smiles on the faces of the underprivileged by providing interventions in various sectors.
Apart from their involvement in the health sector, the club had also sunk a number of boreholes and provided other social amenities in the deprived rural communities in the region.
ACQUAINT YOUR MODERN OPERATIONAL TOOLS (PAGE 35, JULY 28, 2010)
THE acting Director-General of the Ghana Prison Service, Mr Michael Kofi Bansah has implored personnel of the service to acquaint themselves with modern tools of operation so that they are not outwitted by emerging tricks of convicts.
He has, therefore, advised them to take advantage of the various educational opportunities to enrich themselves with the requisite knowledge of combating crimes in the prisons.
“In this information technology age, knowledge is fast spreading and new inventions continue to emerge as the crime wave; you should therefore take advantage to learn and further your education,” Mr Bansah admonished.
He was speaking at the pulling out ceremony of the Deputy Director of Prisons in charge of the Northern Region, Mr Philip Laari at a ceremony at the Tamale Central Prisons Office.
Mr Laari, who has successfully served the service in various capacities and at different stations in the country for more than 30 years, is currently on terminal leave prior to retirement.
He is a member of the International Police Service (IPS), International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) and the American Correctional Association.
Mr Laari is also a recipient of the United Nations Medal as a member of the International Police Service, among others.
According to the acting director–general, Mr Laari had “exhibited the spirit of hard work, dedication and confidence, as well as being disciplined and impressive at whatever assignment that was given him”.
He further stated that the above virtues reflected in the various capacities Mr Laari served in the service in all the regions he had worked, adding that his dedication and devotion to duty were what won him the numerous recognition, including the long service and UN awards.
For his part, Mr Laari called for the change of orientation of prison staff towards therapeutic care to ensure attitudinal changes in inmates.
“Against this background, prison officers are encouraged to act in ways that do not make worse the pains associated with imprisonment; they are obliged to respect the human rights of prisoners,” he stated.
Mr Laari further reminded them that, torture, cruelty, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishments were not allowed in prison.
He expressed appreciation to his colleagues, the chiefs and people in the Northern Region for their co-operation and support and to the directorate of the Prisons Service for reposing confidence in him over the years.
He has, therefore, advised them to take advantage of the various educational opportunities to enrich themselves with the requisite knowledge of combating crimes in the prisons.
“In this information technology age, knowledge is fast spreading and new inventions continue to emerge as the crime wave; you should therefore take advantage to learn and further your education,” Mr Bansah admonished.
He was speaking at the pulling out ceremony of the Deputy Director of Prisons in charge of the Northern Region, Mr Philip Laari at a ceremony at the Tamale Central Prisons Office.
Mr Laari, who has successfully served the service in various capacities and at different stations in the country for more than 30 years, is currently on terminal leave prior to retirement.
He is a member of the International Police Service (IPS), International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) and the American Correctional Association.
Mr Laari is also a recipient of the United Nations Medal as a member of the International Police Service, among others.
According to the acting director–general, Mr Laari had “exhibited the spirit of hard work, dedication and confidence, as well as being disciplined and impressive at whatever assignment that was given him”.
He further stated that the above virtues reflected in the various capacities Mr Laari served in the service in all the regions he had worked, adding that his dedication and devotion to duty were what won him the numerous recognition, including the long service and UN awards.
For his part, Mr Laari called for the change of orientation of prison staff towards therapeutic care to ensure attitudinal changes in inmates.
“Against this background, prison officers are encouraged to act in ways that do not make worse the pains associated with imprisonment; they are obliged to respect the human rights of prisoners,” he stated.
Mr Laari further reminded them that, torture, cruelty, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishments were not allowed in prison.
He expressed appreciation to his colleagues, the chiefs and people in the Northern Region for their co-operation and support and to the directorate of the Prisons Service for reposing confidence in him over the years.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
CHAMBAS LAUDS ASSEMBLY CONCEPT (PAGE 14, JULY 22, 2010)
THE Secretary-General of the African, Caribbean and the Pacific countries, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, has lauded the district assembly concept and observed that if much attention was paid to its objectives, the assemblies could effectively accelerate the pace of development at the local level.
He said the high rate of poverty and deprivations at rural communities, particularly those in the northern parts of the country, could be turned around if there were effective collaboration and concerted efforts by the assemblies and other stakeholders in the initiation and implementation stages of development initiatives.
According to him, the district assembly concept was in tune with the vision of the ACP countries which “principal objectives includes the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and the smooth and the gradual integration of ACP states”.
The Secretary General made these observations at Walewale during the second ordinary meeting of the West Mamprusi District Assembly.
Dr Chambas, who expressed appreciation for the warm welcome accorded him by the Assembly, urged members to ensure unity at all times and to endeavour to live up to their responsibilities of serving their people with honesty and selflessness.
“I entreat you to live together in harmony and carry out the development agenda of the district to improve upon the lives of our people and to offer the young ones hope to aspire to greater heights in future,” he further admonished.
The Secretary General later conferred with the District Chief Executive for the area, Sulley Abudu Zakaria, and his Co-ordinating Director on the way forward for the district.
The District Director of Education, Alhaji Mohammed Haroun, emphasised the significance of education and entreated the people not only to enrol their wards in school, but also ensure that they supported and encouraged them to complete their respective courses and vocations.
The Member of Parliament for the area, Alidu Iddris Zakaria, congratulated Dr Chambas on his ascension to his current position and thanked him for finding time to observe proceedings in the assembly.
For his part, the DCE indicated that the government was on track in fulfilling its election promises in achieving the “Better Ghana” mantra.
He, however, called for patience, co-operation and support from Ghanaians as efforts were being made to realise those objectives.
Dr Chambas, who was the former President of the ECOWAS, was elevated to the Secretary-General position of the ACP last year. The ACP consists of 79-members that is made up of 48 countries from Africa, 16 Caribbean and 15 Pacific states.
He said the high rate of poverty and deprivations at rural communities, particularly those in the northern parts of the country, could be turned around if there were effective collaboration and concerted efforts by the assemblies and other stakeholders in the initiation and implementation stages of development initiatives.
According to him, the district assembly concept was in tune with the vision of the ACP countries which “principal objectives includes the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and the smooth and the gradual integration of ACP states”.
The Secretary General made these observations at Walewale during the second ordinary meeting of the West Mamprusi District Assembly.
Dr Chambas, who expressed appreciation for the warm welcome accorded him by the Assembly, urged members to ensure unity at all times and to endeavour to live up to their responsibilities of serving their people with honesty and selflessness.
“I entreat you to live together in harmony and carry out the development agenda of the district to improve upon the lives of our people and to offer the young ones hope to aspire to greater heights in future,” he further admonished.
The Secretary General later conferred with the District Chief Executive for the area, Sulley Abudu Zakaria, and his Co-ordinating Director on the way forward for the district.
The District Director of Education, Alhaji Mohammed Haroun, emphasised the significance of education and entreated the people not only to enrol their wards in school, but also ensure that they supported and encouraged them to complete their respective courses and vocations.
The Member of Parliament for the area, Alidu Iddris Zakaria, congratulated Dr Chambas on his ascension to his current position and thanked him for finding time to observe proceedings in the assembly.
For his part, the DCE indicated that the government was on track in fulfilling its election promises in achieving the “Better Ghana” mantra.
He, however, called for patience, co-operation and support from Ghanaians as efforts were being made to realise those objectives.
Dr Chambas, who was the former President of the ECOWAS, was elevated to the Secretary-General position of the ACP last year. The ACP consists of 79-members that is made up of 48 countries from Africa, 16 Caribbean and 15 Pacific states.
Monday, July 12, 2010
EDUCATION INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN WULENSI (PAGE 11, JULY 12, 2010)
AN educational initiative aims at promoting the enrolment and retention of children in school, especially in rural communities, has been launched at Wulensi in the Northern Region.
The interactive learning road show programme is the initiative of the Campaign for Female Education (Camfed) Ghana. It formed part of the “1 Goal: Education for All” campaign that aims at getting world leaders to commit themselves to achieving education for all children by 2015.
The programme brought together over 1,500 in-school and out-of-school children from kindergarten to the senior high school level in the Bimbilla North and South Districts of the Northern Region.
The occasion was witnessed by renowned musicians and footballers such as Obuor, Mama Rams, Mohammed Gargo and Shilla llliasu.
It afforded the out-of-school children the opportunity to interact with their friends at the lower primary level. They were taken through computer-based interactive play and learning lessons, among other innovations.
It is expected that at the beginning of this academic year, more children would be enrolled, as Camfed has pledged to motivate more children by providing them with uniforms and other teaching and learning materials to begin schooling this September.
In addition, mobile libraries and books would be presented to selected schools, while 50 girls who commute long distances to school every day would be provided with bicycles in beneficiary districts.
The programme is being funded by Credit Suisse, a charity organisation as part of its vision to educate 45,000 students.
According to the Executive Director of Camfed, Mrs Dolores Dickson, her outfit is into charity work, dedicated to the eradication of poverty in Africa through education and the empowerment of girls.
She said the NGO was a partner of the Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition which was leading the 1 Goal campaign in the country.
The director further explained that the road show initiative was the first of its kind and an innovative activity that combined excitement in learning environment for schoolchildren.
The Northern Regional Director of Education, Mrs Elizabeth De-Souza, said the model would not only engage and motivate pupils and their parents but also build the interest of out- of- school children, particularly girls and their parents to enrol them in school.
“I will like to commend Camfed for this innovation,” she said, and called on parents to encourage their children, especially girls,
to go to school and remain in school till completion to enhance their lives and that of their communities.
The interactive learning road show programme is the initiative of the Campaign for Female Education (Camfed) Ghana. It formed part of the “1 Goal: Education for All” campaign that aims at getting world leaders to commit themselves to achieving education for all children by 2015.
The programme brought together over 1,500 in-school and out-of-school children from kindergarten to the senior high school level in the Bimbilla North and South Districts of the Northern Region.
The occasion was witnessed by renowned musicians and footballers such as Obuor, Mama Rams, Mohammed Gargo and Shilla llliasu.
It afforded the out-of-school children the opportunity to interact with their friends at the lower primary level. They were taken through computer-based interactive play and learning lessons, among other innovations.
It is expected that at the beginning of this academic year, more children would be enrolled, as Camfed has pledged to motivate more children by providing them with uniforms and other teaching and learning materials to begin schooling this September.
In addition, mobile libraries and books would be presented to selected schools, while 50 girls who commute long distances to school every day would be provided with bicycles in beneficiary districts.
The programme is being funded by Credit Suisse, a charity organisation as part of its vision to educate 45,000 students.
According to the Executive Director of Camfed, Mrs Dolores Dickson, her outfit is into charity work, dedicated to the eradication of poverty in Africa through education and the empowerment of girls.
She said the NGO was a partner of the Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition which was leading the 1 Goal campaign in the country.
The director further explained that the road show initiative was the first of its kind and an innovative activity that combined excitement in learning environment for schoolchildren.
The Northern Regional Director of Education, Mrs Elizabeth De-Souza, said the model would not only engage and motivate pupils and their parents but also build the interest of out- of- school children, particularly girls and their parents to enrol them in school.
“I will like to commend Camfed for this innovation,” she said, and called on parents to encourage their children, especially girls,
to go to school and remain in school till completion to enhance their lives and that of their communities.
Friday, July 9, 2010
SPONTANEOUS JUBILATION ALL OVER (PAGE 16, JUNE 28, 2010)
THE cerebration in Tamale was spontaneous as the final whistle for the end of proceedings was blown. People poured onto the streets draped in Ghana colours of Red, Gold and Green as they danced and sang praises to the gallant players for their marvellous performance.
Drivers joined in the merriment by putting on their heads lights amidst tooting of horns and waving of miniature Ghana Flags.
For once, the people were united in their celebrations. They hugged, danced and sang together. There were also processions of the youth on some principal streets of the metropolis. The celebrations continued deep into the night.
One of the female fans, Abiba Iddi who was draping with sweat said, “I have no words to describe the performance of the boys today. All what I can say is that, may Allah bless them for their untiring efforts because what they have done has succeeded in uniting us even if for temporal.”
Another fan, Biggy Sulley said, “there is every indication that our team can go far in this tournament if they eschew complacency, concentrate and play their hearts out like they exhibited in the rest of the matches.”
Drivers joined in the merriment by putting on their heads lights amidst tooting of horns and waving of miniature Ghana Flags.
For once, the people were united in their celebrations. They hugged, danced and sang together. There were also processions of the youth on some principal streets of the metropolis. The celebrations continued deep into the night.
One of the female fans, Abiba Iddi who was draping with sweat said, “I have no words to describe the performance of the boys today. All what I can say is that, may Allah bless them for their untiring efforts because what they have done has succeeded in uniting us even if for temporal.”
Another fan, Biggy Sulley said, “there is every indication that our team can go far in this tournament if they eschew complacency, concentrate and play their hearts out like they exhibited in the rest of the matches.”
NGO ASSISTS DEPRIVED SCHOOLS (PAGE 11, JULY 9, 2010)
THE Baptist Child Development organisation, a Christian-based NGO, has assisted eight deprived basic schools and two health posts in the Tolon/Kumbungu District of the Northern Region with rain water harvesting tanks and other water usage facilities valued at GH¢54,000.
The beneficiary schools and clinics are: Wantugu Junior High School, Tolon DA Primary ‘B’ and ‘A’, Sheshegu Primary, and Junior High School and Lingbun Gundaa Methodist Primary, as well as Kasuliyili and Wantugu clinics.
The programme co-ordinator of the organisation, Mr James Amadu Kinyakib, who made the presentation at Sheshegu, a farming community in the Tolon/Kumbungu District of the Northern Region, explained that the poor performances recorded in most deprived basic schools in the district could partly be blamed on water scarcity in the area.
According to him, there are incidences where pupils leave the classroom for home only to search for drinking water after which they often fail to return to the classroom.
Mr Kinyakib, therefore, explained that his organisation’s intervention in the provision of water is to encourage pupils to stay in the class to learn.
He also attributed the poor academic performance to the lack of adequate teaching and learning infrastructure and facilities such as libraries, books, classroom blocks, furniture and trained teachers.
The co-ordinator stressed the importance of water to sustainable livelihood and appealed to other organisations to come to their aid to reach out to more deprived pupils to realise their dreams through education.
The Country Director of CCFC, Mrs Sanatu Nantogma, stressed the importance of child health to their development.
The beneficiary schools and clinics are: Wantugu Junior High School, Tolon DA Primary ‘B’ and ‘A’, Sheshegu Primary, and Junior High School and Lingbun Gundaa Methodist Primary, as well as Kasuliyili and Wantugu clinics.
The programme co-ordinator of the organisation, Mr James Amadu Kinyakib, who made the presentation at Sheshegu, a farming community in the Tolon/Kumbungu District of the Northern Region, explained that the poor performances recorded in most deprived basic schools in the district could partly be blamed on water scarcity in the area.
According to him, there are incidences where pupils leave the classroom for home only to search for drinking water after which they often fail to return to the classroom.
Mr Kinyakib, therefore, explained that his organisation’s intervention in the provision of water is to encourage pupils to stay in the class to learn.
He also attributed the poor academic performance to the lack of adequate teaching and learning infrastructure and facilities such as libraries, books, classroom blocks, furniture and trained teachers.
The co-ordinator stressed the importance of water to sustainable livelihood and appealed to other organisations to come to their aid to reach out to more deprived pupils to realise their dreams through education.
The Country Director of CCFC, Mrs Sanatu Nantogma, stressed the importance of child health to their development.
TUTORS BLAMED FOR GHANASCO DEMONSTRATION (PAGE 11, JULY 9, 2010)
THE Committee set up to investigate the disturbances that led to the closure of the Ghana Senior High School (GHANASCO) in Tamale about a month ago, has blamed the incident partly on the failure by the tutors of the school to promptly address the grievances of the students.
The committee also faulted the tutors for the way they handled the seizure of mobile phones of the students. It noted that the operation was not only unco-ordinated but lacked credibility.
While some of the students were made to smash their seized cell phones, others were kept at the senior housemaster’s office, while some were clandestinely returned to their owners by some of the tutors.
Presenting the report to the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba in Tamale, the Chairman of the inability, Mr Charles Nyabu, further mentioned the incapability of the tutors to instil discipline into the students as some of the causes that led to the violence.
The committee, which was inaugurated on Wednesday, June 2 with a two-week mandate to complete its work, had to add another week due to the nature of the task.
Mr Nyabu further noted that even though there were other remote causes, the seizure of students’ mobile phones was the immediate basis for the riot and described the students’ action as most unfortunate.
Mr Mabengba commended the committee for its sacrifice and a good work done and said the report would be submitted to the Minister of Education to study after which the recommendations would be implemented.
Students of GHANASCO rioted on May 30 this year, against the ban of the use of mobile phones on campus by the school authorities. In the process, about three teacher's bungalows were vandalised, while a motorbike belonging to one of the tutors was burnt.The students also smashed the windsreen and dented the Light Armoured vehicle of the Police and further smashed the windscreens of the Tamale Metropolitan Director of Education’s vehicle and a taxi cab belonging to the husband of a female tutor.
The school, which is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary, was subsequently closed down. It has, however, been re-opened after the students had signed a bond to be of good behaviour.
The committee also faulted the tutors for the way they handled the seizure of mobile phones of the students. It noted that the operation was not only unco-ordinated but lacked credibility.
While some of the students were made to smash their seized cell phones, others were kept at the senior housemaster’s office, while some were clandestinely returned to their owners by some of the tutors.
Presenting the report to the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba in Tamale, the Chairman of the inability, Mr Charles Nyabu, further mentioned the incapability of the tutors to instil discipline into the students as some of the causes that led to the violence.
The committee, which was inaugurated on Wednesday, June 2 with a two-week mandate to complete its work, had to add another week due to the nature of the task.
Mr Nyabu further noted that even though there were other remote causes, the seizure of students’ mobile phones was the immediate basis for the riot and described the students’ action as most unfortunate.
Mr Mabengba commended the committee for its sacrifice and a good work done and said the report would be submitted to the Minister of Education to study after which the recommendations would be implemented.
Students of GHANASCO rioted on May 30 this year, against the ban of the use of mobile phones on campus by the school authorities. In the process, about three teacher's bungalows were vandalised, while a motorbike belonging to one of the tutors was burnt.The students also smashed the windsreen and dented the Light Armoured vehicle of the Police and further smashed the windscreens of the Tamale Metropolitan Director of Education’s vehicle and a taxi cab belonging to the husband of a female tutor.
The school, which is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary, was subsequently closed down. It has, however, been re-opened after the students had signed a bond to be of good behaviour.
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