Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Saboba
THE Saboba branch of the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association has appealed to various tax agencies including the district assemblies to involve taxpayers such as professional bodies and other business operators in the fixing of taxes.
They noted that such proposal when accepted could help address the misunderstandings that usually arise between taxpayers and the respective agencies in honouring their tax obligations.
The Secretary of the association, Mr Aziz Mustapha, made the appeal at Saboba in the Northern Region.
He further observed that such a move would go a long way to promote friendly tax regime in the districts, thereby bringing relief to taxpayers and also boost the revenue base of the agencies.
Mr Mustapha was speaking at a day’s consultative forum on the promotion of a friendly tax regime organised by the association for its members and other stakeholders in the district.
The secretary also urged the tax agencies to intensify their outreach programmes to all districts for the people to appreciate the need to pay their taxes.
‘‘In the recent past, business operators in the Saboba District had to lock up their shops anytime officers from the Internal Revenue Service were in town,’’ he stated.
The Yendi Municipal Inspector of Taxes, Mr Isaac Freeman Badu, who has an oversight responsibility over the area, however, explained that his outfit had often involved the association in the collection of taxes from members but ‘‘they have not been living up to expectation”.
He also expressed concern about the failure of most business operators in the district to honour their tax obligations.
Mr Badu reminded them that it was with revenue from such taxes that the government carried out development projects for their benefit.
For his part, the Yendi Municipal Manager of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Mr Jos Arris-Bougre, explained the importance of the scheme to the participants and advised people in the private sector to contribute to the Trust.
The Deputy District Co-ordinating Director for Saboba, Mr Abdulai Abdul-Hanan Wumbei, called for the active collaboration of all professional bodies and agencies in decisions affecting their welfare.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
QURAN TRANSLATED INTO DAGBANI (PAGE 20)
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale
THE Holy Quran has, for the first time, been translated into Dagbani, which is spoken by majority of people in northern Ghana.
The initiative is aimed at enabling Dagombas and other ethnic groups who can read Dagbani to be able to understand and appreciate the teachings of the Holy Book that was written in Arabic originally.
An Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muhammed Baba, authored the 1,287-page translated Dagbani version that was published by the Zaintun Centre for Education and Charitable Services, a Muslim charitable organisation based in Tamale.
The book was launched at the Tamale Jubilee Park last weekend. The occasion attracted other Muslim scholars and students from far and near who went in solidarity with the translator and also witnessed the epoch-making ceremony.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, observed that even though Islam had existed for centuries now, scholars in the country had not achieved much by way of translating the Quran into the local dialects.
He, therefore, commended the author and all those who contributed to the initiative for their hard work and foresight.
According to him, their efforts were surely going to yield the desired impact, since the book would enable the people to study the Quran among themselves and also easily convey its teachings to their colleagues.
Alhaji Idris urged other scholars in the country to also come up with more innovative means of translating the Quran into more languages to afford majority of Muslims and non-Muslims to study and understand the teachings of the Holy Book.
The minister further entreated the author, his supporting group and other stakeholders in Islam to regularly review the translation and come up with new editions to address contemporary issues.
The author recounted the difficulties he and his committee members had to go through before they were able to come out with the first 200 copies of the local version.
“It was as a result of these challenges that it took me five years to complete this project that we are witnessing today. I, therefore, use this opportunity to appeal to fellow Muslims to lend their support to enable us to produce more copies for distribution,” Sheikh Baba stated.
He noted that such assistance would significantly help students offering Religious Studies to better appreciate the Quran and its teachings.
Sheikh Baba disclosed that he was carrying out more research into the translation of the Hadith (the sayings and works of Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.) into Dagbani.
The first five copies of the translated Quran was auctioned for GH¢1,500, with Alhaji Idris buying the first copy for GH¢1,000.
THE Holy Quran has, for the first time, been translated into Dagbani, which is spoken by majority of people in northern Ghana.
The initiative is aimed at enabling Dagombas and other ethnic groups who can read Dagbani to be able to understand and appreciate the teachings of the Holy Book that was written in Arabic originally.
An Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muhammed Baba, authored the 1,287-page translated Dagbani version that was published by the Zaintun Centre for Education and Charitable Services, a Muslim charitable organisation based in Tamale.
The book was launched at the Tamale Jubilee Park last weekend. The occasion attracted other Muslim scholars and students from far and near who went in solidarity with the translator and also witnessed the epoch-making ceremony.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, observed that even though Islam had existed for centuries now, scholars in the country had not achieved much by way of translating the Quran into the local dialects.
He, therefore, commended the author and all those who contributed to the initiative for their hard work and foresight.
According to him, their efforts were surely going to yield the desired impact, since the book would enable the people to study the Quran among themselves and also easily convey its teachings to their colleagues.
Alhaji Idris urged other scholars in the country to also come up with more innovative means of translating the Quran into more languages to afford majority of Muslims and non-Muslims to study and understand the teachings of the Holy Book.
The minister further entreated the author, his supporting group and other stakeholders in Islam to regularly review the translation and come up with new editions to address contemporary issues.
The author recounted the difficulties he and his committee members had to go through before they were able to come out with the first 200 copies of the local version.
“It was as a result of these challenges that it took me five years to complete this project that we are witnessing today. I, therefore, use this opportunity to appeal to fellow Muslims to lend their support to enable us to produce more copies for distribution,” Sheikh Baba stated.
He noted that such assistance would significantly help students offering Religious Studies to better appreciate the Quran and its teachings.
Sheikh Baba disclosed that he was carrying out more research into the translation of the Hadith (the sayings and works of Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.) into Dagbani.
The first five copies of the translated Quran was auctioned for GH¢1,500, with Alhaji Idris buying the first copy for GH¢1,000.
DAMONGO GETS RURAL BANK (PAGE 20)
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Damongo
A Bank is an organisation or an establishment that keeps money and valuables safely and also provides various financial services to its clients.
Its presence in any community also provides the people with security for their monies and valuables and also facilitates easy financial transactions.
A sound and healthy banking system could, therefore, be a catalyst for accelerated economic growth with its resultant promotion of social cohesion.
It was for these reasons that the chiefs and people of Damongo in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region turned out in their numbers to be part of the history on the establishment of the first community bank in the area.
The “Buuwuloso One Stop Rural Bank Limited” was officially opened to the general public on Tuesday at Damongo.
The occasion, which was marked with pageantry, was also witnessed by the King of Gonja, Yogbunwura Bawa Doshie, and his retinue of elders.
According to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Dr Abu Sakara, the bank was borne out of the initiative of the local community, individuals and institutions.
‘‘It took a period of two years of hard work, commitment and determination to get us this far, for which reason we would need the support and co-operation of all to sustain the operations of this bank,’’ he stressed.
The board chairman said the bank — which had an initial capitalisation of over GH¢100,000 — had a long-term vision of extending its services to areas such as Buipe, Sawla and Daboya to serve the needs of the growing population of those communities.
He said in the short term, the bank intended to operate a mobile service to those areas.
“It also aims at collaborating with non-governmental organisations and other development establishments to offer loans to farmers and petty business operators in the district to expand their activities,” Dr Sakara stated.
The Yagbonwura commended the board members for their foresight and contribution to the development of the area through the establishment of the bank.
‘‘You must not turn this beautiful structure into a white elephant; what you must do is to reciprocate this laudable gesture by saving and patronising the services of the bank to let it grow,’’ he admonished.
In a speech read on her behalf, the District Chief Executive for the area, Madam Janet Alhassan Jambia, expressed the preparedness of the assembly to effectively partner the management of the bank to yield the needed results.
The chairman for the occasion, Mr S.S. Saaka, who is also a board member of the bank, observed that the inauguration of the bank was a milestone in the development of the community.
A Bank is an organisation or an establishment that keeps money and valuables safely and also provides various financial services to its clients.
Its presence in any community also provides the people with security for their monies and valuables and also facilitates easy financial transactions.
A sound and healthy banking system could, therefore, be a catalyst for accelerated economic growth with its resultant promotion of social cohesion.
It was for these reasons that the chiefs and people of Damongo in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region turned out in their numbers to be part of the history on the establishment of the first community bank in the area.
The “Buuwuloso One Stop Rural Bank Limited” was officially opened to the general public on Tuesday at Damongo.
The occasion, which was marked with pageantry, was also witnessed by the King of Gonja, Yogbunwura Bawa Doshie, and his retinue of elders.
According to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Dr Abu Sakara, the bank was borne out of the initiative of the local community, individuals and institutions.
‘‘It took a period of two years of hard work, commitment and determination to get us this far, for which reason we would need the support and co-operation of all to sustain the operations of this bank,’’ he stressed.
The board chairman said the bank — which had an initial capitalisation of over GH¢100,000 — had a long-term vision of extending its services to areas such as Buipe, Sawla and Daboya to serve the needs of the growing population of those communities.
He said in the short term, the bank intended to operate a mobile service to those areas.
“It also aims at collaborating with non-governmental organisations and other development establishments to offer loans to farmers and petty business operators in the district to expand their activities,” Dr Sakara stated.
The Yagbonwura commended the board members for their foresight and contribution to the development of the area through the establishment of the bank.
‘‘You must not turn this beautiful structure into a white elephant; what you must do is to reciprocate this laudable gesture by saving and patronising the services of the bank to let it grow,’’ he admonished.
In a speech read on her behalf, the District Chief Executive for the area, Madam Janet Alhassan Jambia, expressed the preparedness of the assembly to effectively partner the management of the bank to yield the needed results.
The chairman for the occasion, Mr S.S. Saaka, who is also a board member of the bank, observed that the inauguration of the bank was a milestone in the development of the community.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
INDUSTRIALISTS IN TAMALE CALL FOR ASSISTANCE (PAGE 29)
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale
THE Tamale Industrial Area is the beehive of all industrial activities in the Northern Region.
The area is located at Lamashegu, a suburb along the Tamale-Kumasi Road. It is the melting pot of both large and small-scale industries.
Among the companies that are sited there are Nasia Rice, Bosbel Vegetable Oil Mills, the Ghana Cotton Company, Nulux Plantations, Ghacem and Japan Motors.
It is also home to a large concentration of artisans and craftsmen of varied trades.
Their handiwork includes the manufacture of articulator buckets, tractor trailers and ploughs, water pumps, corn thrashers and bullock ploughs. They also mould and sell various kinds of spare parts.
Other artisans are welders, sprayers, mechanics, straighteners, among many.
It is a delight to observe the activities of the hundreds of artisans who converge there daily to eke out a living and also acquire skills.
They range from the well-established proprietors (masters) who give their own shops and firms to apprentices and squatters who avail themselves of every opportunity just to earn a living.
It is, however, unfortunate that in spite of the hundreds of job opportunities that are being created at the industrial area, coupled with their significant contribution to the national economy, social amenities in the area are nothing to write home about.
Facilities such as places of convenience, bathrooms, motorable roads and drains are woefully lacking. It is heart- warming, however, that the major trunk road linking the area with other places is now being worked on. It is hoped that the internal road network will equally receive attention to facilitate the easy movement of persons and vehicles within the area, especially during the rainy season.
Also of concern to the artisans and craftsmen is the unavailability of credit facilities for the expansion of their businesses.
A 53-year-old welder, Afah Ibrahim Gbangbah, aka Blue Boy, said, “In spite of our willingness to continue with our trade, we are bedevilled by the lack of credit facilities to acquire more machines to expand, as a result of which our businesses have collapsed.”
It is hoped that the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) will turn its attention to the area and assist its members there to grow, after concentrating on the southern sector over the years.
According to most of the artisans the Daily Graphic spoke with, they would be very glad if they could be assisted in the form of both equipment and funds to expand their establishments and also open new ones to create more jobs to generate the needed wealth to improve their well-being.
They also called for refresher and capacity-building courses to empower them to improve on their lot.
The occasional disturbances that occur in the north is a reflection of the frustrations of the large army of unemployed youth, lending credence to the fact that the devil finds work for idle hands.
With the necessary support and push, Tamale can experience an industrial growth that can lead to a boost in economic and business activities in the metropolis to impact significantly on the quality of live of the people.
THE Tamale Industrial Area is the beehive of all industrial activities in the Northern Region.
The area is located at Lamashegu, a suburb along the Tamale-Kumasi Road. It is the melting pot of both large and small-scale industries.
Among the companies that are sited there are Nasia Rice, Bosbel Vegetable Oil Mills, the Ghana Cotton Company, Nulux Plantations, Ghacem and Japan Motors.
It is also home to a large concentration of artisans and craftsmen of varied trades.
Their handiwork includes the manufacture of articulator buckets, tractor trailers and ploughs, water pumps, corn thrashers and bullock ploughs. They also mould and sell various kinds of spare parts.
Other artisans are welders, sprayers, mechanics, straighteners, among many.
It is a delight to observe the activities of the hundreds of artisans who converge there daily to eke out a living and also acquire skills.
They range from the well-established proprietors (masters) who give their own shops and firms to apprentices and squatters who avail themselves of every opportunity just to earn a living.
It is, however, unfortunate that in spite of the hundreds of job opportunities that are being created at the industrial area, coupled with their significant contribution to the national economy, social amenities in the area are nothing to write home about.
Facilities such as places of convenience, bathrooms, motorable roads and drains are woefully lacking. It is heart- warming, however, that the major trunk road linking the area with other places is now being worked on. It is hoped that the internal road network will equally receive attention to facilitate the easy movement of persons and vehicles within the area, especially during the rainy season.
Also of concern to the artisans and craftsmen is the unavailability of credit facilities for the expansion of their businesses.
A 53-year-old welder, Afah Ibrahim Gbangbah, aka Blue Boy, said, “In spite of our willingness to continue with our trade, we are bedevilled by the lack of credit facilities to acquire more machines to expand, as a result of which our businesses have collapsed.”
It is hoped that the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) will turn its attention to the area and assist its members there to grow, after concentrating on the southern sector over the years.
According to most of the artisans the Daily Graphic spoke with, they would be very glad if they could be assisted in the form of both equipment and funds to expand their establishments and also open new ones to create more jobs to generate the needed wealth to improve their well-being.
They also called for refresher and capacity-building courses to empower them to improve on their lot.
The occasional disturbances that occur in the north is a reflection of the frustrations of the large army of unemployed youth, lending credence to the fact that the devil finds work for idle hands.
With the necessary support and push, Tamale can experience an industrial growth that can lead to a boost in economic and business activities in the metropolis to impact significantly on the quality of live of the people.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Calm returns to Pushegu
April 16, 2008
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale
CALM has returned to Pushegu in the Karaga District in the Northern Region after disturbances in the farming community that led to a clash between a section of the youth in the area and the police last weekend.
An AK 47 assault rifle that went missing in the ensuing disorder has also been retrieved following a police cum military swoop on the community.
Three persons, two of them policemen, who sustained various degrees of injury during the clash, are receiving treatment at the Gushegu Hospital in the Gushegu District.
In all, 29 people who were arrested by the security forces are in custody at Yendi awaiting screening and prosecution.
The disturbances occurred when the police tried to arrest a suspect in an assault case, Fuseini Haruna, who happens to be the assembly member for the area.
Haruna together with six others was alleged to have assaulted one Ibrahim Abu, aka Naazo, without provocation.
When the police went to the community to effect the arrest of the suspects after a complaint had been made by the victim, a section of the youth protested, resulting in the disturbances.
According to a police source, the rifle was snatched from one of the injured policemen in the process. The irate youth also smashed the windscreen of the police vehicle used for the operation.
The combined security forces later mounted a swoop on the community to retrieve the rifle.
However, the assembly member and his accomplices, who escaped arrest during the disorder, are yet to be apprehended by the police.
When contacted, the Karaga District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Babaa Wahab, confirmed the story and commended the security for their professionalism that had brought the situation under control.
He entreated the people to co-operate with the police to ensure lasting peace in the district, which is one of the most deprived in the country.
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Tamale
CALM has returned to Pushegu in the Karaga District in the Northern Region after disturbances in the farming community that led to a clash between a section of the youth in the area and the police last weekend.
An AK 47 assault rifle that went missing in the ensuing disorder has also been retrieved following a police cum military swoop on the community.
Three persons, two of them policemen, who sustained various degrees of injury during the clash, are receiving treatment at the Gushegu Hospital in the Gushegu District.
In all, 29 people who were arrested by the security forces are in custody at Yendi awaiting screening and prosecution.
The disturbances occurred when the police tried to arrest a suspect in an assault case, Fuseini Haruna, who happens to be the assembly member for the area.
Haruna together with six others was alleged to have assaulted one Ibrahim Abu, aka Naazo, without provocation.
When the police went to the community to effect the arrest of the suspects after a complaint had been made by the victim, a section of the youth protested, resulting in the disturbances.
According to a police source, the rifle was snatched from one of the injured policemen in the process. The irate youth also smashed the windscreen of the police vehicle used for the operation.
The combined security forces later mounted a swoop on the community to retrieve the rifle.
However, the assembly member and his accomplices, who escaped arrest during the disorder, are yet to be apprehended by the police.
When contacted, the Karaga District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Babaa Wahab, confirmed the story and commended the security for their professionalism that had brought the situation under control.
He entreated the people to co-operate with the police to ensure lasting peace in the district, which is one of the most deprived in the country.
Friday, April 25, 2008
ZABZUGU DCE TO WORK IMPROVE CONDITIONS (PAGE 17)
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Zabzugu
THE newly elected District Chief Executive for Zabzugu, Alhaji John Bashiru Yakubu, has pledged his preparedness to work towards improving the socio-economic development of the district to better the lot of the people.
He, however, acknowledged that the assembly’s visions would not be realised without the active support and collaboration of the chiefs, people and various stakeholders in the area.
The chief executive also assured them of practising an open-door and people-centred administration and therefore urged all sons and daughters of the area to share their rich experiences that could help in the forward march of the district.
Alhaji Yakubu was speaking after his confirmation as the new DCE for the area. He polled 41 votes representing 98 per cent of the 42 valid votes cast. The election was supervised by the Northern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr Sylvester Kanyi.
He earlier failed in his first attempt to get the nod when only 21 assembly members voted in his favour as against 21. He therefore expressed appreciation to the assembly members for their wisdom in reposing confidence in him this time round.
Until his nomination, Alhaji Yakubu, 59, worked as an accountant with the Islamic Education Unit in Tamale.
As an educationist, he intimated that education and youth empowerment would be on top of his agenda, since human resource was the base on which every community developed.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, impressed upon the assembly members to put their political and parochial interest aside and team together to facilitate the smooth and rapid implementation of development programmes.
He reminded them to always put the development of the district over and above any other considerations in order that the district, which is one of the deprived in the country, would catch up with other developed areas.
Alhaji Idris also entreated the newly confirmed DCE to exhibit much tolerance to accommodate all shades of opinions and suggestions in his administration of the area.
THE newly elected District Chief Executive for Zabzugu, Alhaji John Bashiru Yakubu, has pledged his preparedness to work towards improving the socio-economic development of the district to better the lot of the people.
He, however, acknowledged that the assembly’s visions would not be realised without the active support and collaboration of the chiefs, people and various stakeholders in the area.
The chief executive also assured them of practising an open-door and people-centred administration and therefore urged all sons and daughters of the area to share their rich experiences that could help in the forward march of the district.
Alhaji Yakubu was speaking after his confirmation as the new DCE for the area. He polled 41 votes representing 98 per cent of the 42 valid votes cast. The election was supervised by the Northern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr Sylvester Kanyi.
He earlier failed in his first attempt to get the nod when only 21 assembly members voted in his favour as against 21. He therefore expressed appreciation to the assembly members for their wisdom in reposing confidence in him this time round.
Until his nomination, Alhaji Yakubu, 59, worked as an accountant with the Islamic Education Unit in Tamale.
As an educationist, he intimated that education and youth empowerment would be on top of his agenda, since human resource was the base on which every community developed.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, impressed upon the assembly members to put their political and parochial interest aside and team together to facilitate the smooth and rapid implementation of development programmes.
He reminded them to always put the development of the district over and above any other considerations in order that the district, which is one of the deprived in the country, would catch up with other developed areas.
Alhaji Idris also entreated the newly confirmed DCE to exhibit much tolerance to accommodate all shades of opinions and suggestions in his administration of the area.
ZABZUGU DCE TO WORK IMPROVE CONDITIONS (PAGE 17)
Story: Zakaria Alhassan, Zabzugu
THE newly elected District Chief Executive for Zabzugu, Alhaji John Bashiru Yakubu, has pledged his preparedness to work towards improving the socio-economic development of the district to better the lot of the people.
He, however, acknowledged that the assembly’s visions would not be realised without the active support and collaboration of the chiefs, people and various stakeholders in the area.
The chief executive also assured them of practising an open-door and people-centred administration and therefore urged all sons and daughters of the area to share their rich experiences that could help in the forward march of the district.
Alhaji Yakubu was speaking after his confirmation as the new DCE for the area. He polled 41 votes representing 98 per cent of the 42 valid votes cast. The election was supervised by the Northern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr Sylvester Kanyi.
He earlier failed in his first attempt to get the nod when only 21 assembly members voted in his favour as against 21. He therefore expressed appreciation to the assembly members for their wisdom in reposing confidence in him this time round.
Until his nomination, Alhaji Yakubu, 59, worked as an accountant with the Islamic Education Unit in Tamale.
As an educationist, he intimated that education and youth empowerment would be on top of his agenda, since human resource was the base on which every community developed.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, impressed upon the assembly members to put their political and parochial interest aside and team together to facilitate the smooth and rapid implementation of development programmes.
He reminded them to always put the development of the district over and above any other considerations in order that the district, which is one of the deprived in the country, would catch up with other developed areas.
Alhaji Idris also entreated the newly confirmed DCE to exhibit much tolerance to accommodate all shades of opinions and suggestions in his administration of the area.
THE newly elected District Chief Executive for Zabzugu, Alhaji John Bashiru Yakubu, has pledged his preparedness to work towards improving the socio-economic development of the district to better the lot of the people.
He, however, acknowledged that the assembly’s visions would not be realised without the active support and collaboration of the chiefs, people and various stakeholders in the area.
The chief executive also assured them of practising an open-door and people-centred administration and therefore urged all sons and daughters of the area to share their rich experiences that could help in the forward march of the district.
Alhaji Yakubu was speaking after his confirmation as the new DCE for the area. He polled 41 votes representing 98 per cent of the 42 valid votes cast. The election was supervised by the Northern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr Sylvester Kanyi.
He earlier failed in his first attempt to get the nod when only 21 assembly members voted in his favour as against 21. He therefore expressed appreciation to the assembly members for their wisdom in reposing confidence in him this time round.
Until his nomination, Alhaji Yakubu, 59, worked as an accountant with the Islamic Education Unit in Tamale.
As an educationist, he intimated that education and youth empowerment would be on top of his agenda, since human resource was the base on which every community developed.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, impressed upon the assembly members to put their political and parochial interest aside and team together to facilitate the smooth and rapid implementation of development programmes.
He reminded them to always put the development of the district over and above any other considerations in order that the district, which is one of the deprived in the country, would catch up with other developed areas.
Alhaji Idris also entreated the newly confirmed DCE to exhibit much tolerance to accommodate all shades of opinions and suggestions in his administration of the area.
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