THE Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has exhorted the public to be proactive in reporting the abuse of children to the commission.
It has also warned that parents who encouraged their children to migrate to engage in menial jobs would be dealt with drastically.
According to the commission, it would soon come out with a comprehensive strategy for the protection of the girl-child to education and therefore, urged parents and guardians to place special importance on the schooling of their children and wards.
A Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ, Mr Richard Quayson, who was speaking at a public forum for some Muslim women in the Tamale Metropolis, stressed that the commission attached seriousness to the right to education of the girl-child “and would therefore do everything necessary to ensure that their rights are not violated”.
He mentioned the special attributes women have in their role model roles in society to include their ability to understand the needs of children and their patience and willingness to listen and address the concerns of children.
“The growth of the family rest on women and therefore the day that women would fail in their duty to protect the family would mark the genesis for the decline of the entire society,” he added.
Mr Quayson further stated that women had a special place in society and could exert tremendous influence in the education of children, including the girl-child.
He said the law guarantees the right to property of all persons irrespective of race and gender and described as unlawful where some widows were thrown out of their marital homes upon the death of their husbands.
The Northern Regional Director of the CHRAJ, Mr Stephen Azantilow urged women to assert themselves, and to champion the course of development at their respective communities for the betterment of society.
A similar forum was held for congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in the metropolis.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
STEPS TO INCREASE MAIZE, LEGUME PRODUCTION (PAGE 22, OCT 23, 2010)
AGRICULTURE in Ghana accounts for about 55 per cent of employment and nearly 40 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Soil degradation is, however, considered a major setback to ensuring food security in the country.
About 70 per cent of the soil in northern Ghana and the eastern part of the Brong Ahafo Region around Atebubu is considered as degraded and infertile. This is evidenced in the poor yields of crops particularly cereals.
The most degraded areas are the north-eastern part of the Upper East Region from Navrongo-Bolgatanga to Bawku-Zuarungu and to further east.
Indeed, about 10 per cent of the land mass of sub-Saharan African is considered severely degraded with an additional 10 per cent showing signs of rapid degradation.
It has also been established that 39 per cent of the continent and 65 per cent of agricultural land are affected by desertification and the subsequent lost of land fertility thus affecting the livelihoods of over 60 million people in the continent.
According to a senior soil scientist with the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) at Nyankpala in the Northern Region, Dr Mathias Fosu, the institute had developed many technologies to help farmers improve on soil health.
The technologies include fallow management where some locally adapted leguminous crops such as crotalaria, mucuna and calopogonium have been identified and used as cover crops to increase organic matter and soil nutrients.
Crop rotation systems that increase legumes in the crop system to fix atmospheric nitrogen and improve soil fertility and inter-cropping that allow for targeted fertilisation of cereals within the crop system.
He mentioned other methods as the combination of minimum tillage and the use of plant residues and herbicide to reduce erosion, building of the capacity of farmers in soil and water management and on the selection and appropriate use of mineral and organic fertilisers within an integrated soil management system.
Dr Fosu also explained that his outfit carried out soil tests for farmers and practise it with them on their fields by applying appropriate fertiliser recommendations.
He stated that “good soil quality is the most important link in the agricultural value chain and since most soils, especially in northern Ghana that is considered the bread basket of the country are known to be poor, ensuring good soil quality is key to agricultural production”.
Dr Fosu further claimed that “the work at SARI has been shown to improve yields as crop rotation and inter-cropping has increased cereal yields between 15 and 60 per cent over the monocrop systems”.
A farmer, Mr Afah Tahiru Wumbei of Gbalahigu in the Tolon/Kumbungu District in the Northern Region, said “my colleagues and I have benefited tremendously through the use of these new technologies from SARI as we continue to record increase yields in maize and rice production”.
On the safe usage of fertiliser, Dr Fosu observed that in Ghana and Africa, fertiliser is not the major threat but rather, the practice of cropping without fertiliser referred to as nutrient mining.
The soil scientist, however, stated that farmers were constantly educated on the best practices in fertiliser handling and application.
Dr Fosu acknowledged the importance of partnership to improve on the agricultural sector.
He mentioned funding for technological generation, collaborative research, knowledge sharing, training skills development and exchange of information as some of the areas that could impact positively on the work of SARI.
“The policy changes or shifts needed for SARI to grow include increase in government’s support in the areas of research, capacity building, innovative financing of agriculture and good access to market by farmers,” Dr Fosu said.
Other measures include, increase access and subsidising of fertiliser and credit availability to farmers.
Indeed the problems and solutions in agriculture are not unique to Ghana. The endemic poverty in farming communities in Africa limits the use of improved technologies and inputs in the sector as many governments in Africa often pay lip service to the sector.
The African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) is showing the way in driving change across the agricultural value chain and supporting Africa’s agricultural development through the mobilisation of support from African leaders.
It involves the mapping out of strategies for increase in fertiliser supply, promoting investments and policy support to increase farmers’ incomes and combining public and private sector expertise in the accelerated growth of the sector.
It was, therefore, very refreshing when in April, this year, a $1.54 million project aimed at increasing maize-legume production through up scaling of proven integrated soil fertility for the three northern regions was inaugurated in Tamale.
The three-year project is being funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), an international organisation that seeks to transform small holder agriculture into a highly productive, efficient, sustainable and competitive system while protecting the environment.
The Director-General of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-Ghana), Dr Abdulai Salifu, sums it up when he said, “Any strategy that seeks to turn around the general soil infertility constraint northern Ghana into a resource must be welcome news for our agricultural policy makers and farmers.”
Soil degradation is, however, considered a major setback to ensuring food security in the country.
About 70 per cent of the soil in northern Ghana and the eastern part of the Brong Ahafo Region around Atebubu is considered as degraded and infertile. This is evidenced in the poor yields of crops particularly cereals.
The most degraded areas are the north-eastern part of the Upper East Region from Navrongo-Bolgatanga to Bawku-Zuarungu and to further east.
Indeed, about 10 per cent of the land mass of sub-Saharan African is considered severely degraded with an additional 10 per cent showing signs of rapid degradation.
It has also been established that 39 per cent of the continent and 65 per cent of agricultural land are affected by desertification and the subsequent lost of land fertility thus affecting the livelihoods of over 60 million people in the continent.
According to a senior soil scientist with the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) at Nyankpala in the Northern Region, Dr Mathias Fosu, the institute had developed many technologies to help farmers improve on soil health.
The technologies include fallow management where some locally adapted leguminous crops such as crotalaria, mucuna and calopogonium have been identified and used as cover crops to increase organic matter and soil nutrients.
Crop rotation systems that increase legumes in the crop system to fix atmospheric nitrogen and improve soil fertility and inter-cropping that allow for targeted fertilisation of cereals within the crop system.
He mentioned other methods as the combination of minimum tillage and the use of plant residues and herbicide to reduce erosion, building of the capacity of farmers in soil and water management and on the selection and appropriate use of mineral and organic fertilisers within an integrated soil management system.
Dr Fosu also explained that his outfit carried out soil tests for farmers and practise it with them on their fields by applying appropriate fertiliser recommendations.
He stated that “good soil quality is the most important link in the agricultural value chain and since most soils, especially in northern Ghana that is considered the bread basket of the country are known to be poor, ensuring good soil quality is key to agricultural production”.
Dr Fosu further claimed that “the work at SARI has been shown to improve yields as crop rotation and inter-cropping has increased cereal yields between 15 and 60 per cent over the monocrop systems”.
A farmer, Mr Afah Tahiru Wumbei of Gbalahigu in the Tolon/Kumbungu District in the Northern Region, said “my colleagues and I have benefited tremendously through the use of these new technologies from SARI as we continue to record increase yields in maize and rice production”.
On the safe usage of fertiliser, Dr Fosu observed that in Ghana and Africa, fertiliser is not the major threat but rather, the practice of cropping without fertiliser referred to as nutrient mining.
The soil scientist, however, stated that farmers were constantly educated on the best practices in fertiliser handling and application.
Dr Fosu acknowledged the importance of partnership to improve on the agricultural sector.
He mentioned funding for technological generation, collaborative research, knowledge sharing, training skills development and exchange of information as some of the areas that could impact positively on the work of SARI.
“The policy changes or shifts needed for SARI to grow include increase in government’s support in the areas of research, capacity building, innovative financing of agriculture and good access to market by farmers,” Dr Fosu said.
Other measures include, increase access and subsidising of fertiliser and credit availability to farmers.
Indeed the problems and solutions in agriculture are not unique to Ghana. The endemic poverty in farming communities in Africa limits the use of improved technologies and inputs in the sector as many governments in Africa often pay lip service to the sector.
The African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) is showing the way in driving change across the agricultural value chain and supporting Africa’s agricultural development through the mobilisation of support from African leaders.
It involves the mapping out of strategies for increase in fertiliser supply, promoting investments and policy support to increase farmers’ incomes and combining public and private sector expertise in the accelerated growth of the sector.
It was, therefore, very refreshing when in April, this year, a $1.54 million project aimed at increasing maize-legume production through up scaling of proven integrated soil fertility for the three northern regions was inaugurated in Tamale.
The three-year project is being funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), an international organisation that seeks to transform small holder agriculture into a highly productive, efficient, sustainable and competitive system while protecting the environment.
The Director-General of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-Ghana), Dr Abdulai Salifu, sums it up when he said, “Any strategy that seeks to turn around the general soil infertility constraint northern Ghana into a resource must be welcome news for our agricultural policy makers and farmers.”
Monday, September 27, 2010
COWPEA PRODUCERS IN NORTHERN GHANA TO BE TRAINED (PAGE 35, SEPT 27, 2010)
A training programme is to be organised in selected cowpea-production areas in the northern sector of the country .
The programme will ensure the proper storage of the crop to enhance food security and improve household incomes in the beneficiary communities.
Dubbed, “Purdue improved cowpea storage (PICS)”, the programme is a regional project involving 10 countries in West Africa.
In Ghana, it is to be implemented in the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Brong Ahafo and Ashanti Regions. The target is to reach out to more than 2,000 communities within a year.
The project is being funded through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The partner implementing agencies in the country include World Vision, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and community-based organisations.
According to Dr Dieudonne Baributsa of the Purdue University in the USA, one of the collaborators, the programme also has the potential to reduce poverty among the people.
Dr Baributsa, who was speaking at the inauguration of the programme in Tamale, therefore, emphasised the need for farmers to ensure that they installed proper storage facilities using bags that had polythene in them.
“Using the Hermetic Triple Plastic Bag will help prevent post-harvest losses and improve household incomes for the poor farmers”, he stated.
The PICS Co-ordinator in Ghana, Dr John Adu-Kumi, explained that the new method would be demonstrated in each community, and radio sensitisation programmes organised.
He said if cowpeas was not stored properly, weevils would infect them and destroy the beans; a situation, he said, could lead to food insecurity and health hazards.
The Savelugu-based Operation Team Leader of World Vision, Mr James Asedem, said the project fell in line with the objectives of his outfit.
He stated that apart from being an important crop in the diet of the people, cowpea was also a key cash crop for many rural communities.
Mr Asedem, however, observed that cowpea farmers had over the years experienced the highest post-harvest losses due to ‘bruchid’ infestation.
He further said due to poverty and lack of proper storage facilities, some of the farmers usually sold their produce soon after harvesting, when prices for the crop were low.
The programme will ensure the proper storage of the crop to enhance food security and improve household incomes in the beneficiary communities.
Dubbed, “Purdue improved cowpea storage (PICS)”, the programme is a regional project involving 10 countries in West Africa.
In Ghana, it is to be implemented in the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Brong Ahafo and Ashanti Regions. The target is to reach out to more than 2,000 communities within a year.
The project is being funded through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The partner implementing agencies in the country include World Vision, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and community-based organisations.
According to Dr Dieudonne Baributsa of the Purdue University in the USA, one of the collaborators, the programme also has the potential to reduce poverty among the people.
Dr Baributsa, who was speaking at the inauguration of the programme in Tamale, therefore, emphasised the need for farmers to ensure that they installed proper storage facilities using bags that had polythene in them.
“Using the Hermetic Triple Plastic Bag will help prevent post-harvest losses and improve household incomes for the poor farmers”, he stated.
The PICS Co-ordinator in Ghana, Dr John Adu-Kumi, explained that the new method would be demonstrated in each community, and radio sensitisation programmes organised.
He said if cowpeas was not stored properly, weevils would infect them and destroy the beans; a situation, he said, could lead to food insecurity and health hazards.
The Savelugu-based Operation Team Leader of World Vision, Mr James Asedem, said the project fell in line with the objectives of his outfit.
He stated that apart from being an important crop in the diet of the people, cowpea was also a key cash crop for many rural communities.
Mr Asedem, however, observed that cowpea farmers had over the years experienced the highest post-harvest losses due to ‘bruchid’ infestation.
He further said due to poverty and lack of proper storage facilities, some of the farmers usually sold their produce soon after harvesting, when prices for the crop were low.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
MELCOM DONATES FOOD ITEMS TO TAMALE MUSLIMS (PAGE 22, SEPT 7, 2010)
THE Tamale branch of Melcom group of companies limited has presented quantities of food items to the Tamale Central Mosque to support the congregation in their ongoing fasting obligation.
The items included sugar, rice, cooking oil, tea and milk.
According to the Tamale Branch Manager of Melcom, Mr Rizwan Ahmad Khan, the donation, which was the first of its kind to the mosque, formed part of Melcom's social responsibility.
He stated that Tamale was predominantly a Muslim community and it was for that reason that it found it necessary to support the Muslim Umma in fulfilling one of their religious obligations.
The manager promised to extend the gesture to other mosques in the metropolis in future.
Mr Khan expressed appreciation to the people of the metropolis for the continuous patronage of their goods which he described as affordable and of quality.
“At the moment, we are refurbishing the shop to make it more comfortable and congenial to shop as this is in line with our vision of always satisfying our customers needs,” he stated.
The Chief Imam of the mosque, Alhaji Abdul-Salam Ahmed, expressed appreciation to the company for the gesture and pledged to ensure the fair distribution of the items.
He advised Muslims to use the holy month of Ramadan to reflect on their past deeds, pray for forgiveness and chart a new course of life devoid of negative tendencies.
The items included sugar, rice, cooking oil, tea and milk.
According to the Tamale Branch Manager of Melcom, Mr Rizwan Ahmad Khan, the donation, which was the first of its kind to the mosque, formed part of Melcom's social responsibility.
He stated that Tamale was predominantly a Muslim community and it was for that reason that it found it necessary to support the Muslim Umma in fulfilling one of their religious obligations.
The manager promised to extend the gesture to other mosques in the metropolis in future.
Mr Khan expressed appreciation to the people of the metropolis for the continuous patronage of their goods which he described as affordable and of quality.
“At the moment, we are refurbishing the shop to make it more comfortable and congenial to shop as this is in line with our vision of always satisfying our customers needs,” he stated.
The Chief Imam of the mosque, Alhaji Abdul-Salam Ahmed, expressed appreciation to the company for the gesture and pledged to ensure the fair distribution of the items.
He advised Muslims to use the holy month of Ramadan to reflect on their past deeds, pray for forgiveness and chart a new course of life devoid of negative tendencies.
COUNCIL DRAWS UP PROGRAMME TO DEVELOP NR (PAGE 22, SEPT 7, 2010)
THE Northern Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) has rolled out a number of programmes to facilitate the accelerated development of the area which is among the least developed regions in the country.
Among the thematic sectors that are attracting the council’s attention are, infrastructure development, agriculture, education and security.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba, outlined the achievements chalked up so far and the vision of the government towards the forward move of the region at a well-attended “Meet the press” series held in Tamale.
The meeting was attended by a Deputy Minister of Information, Mr Agyenim Boateng, a Member of the Council of State, Kpan-Na Mohammed Bawa, District Chief Executives, chiefs and heads of departments, among others.
According to Mr Mabengba, as of December, last year, a total of 81.90 kilometres of roads had been constructed.
He said there were spot improvements and rehabilitation of some roads while a number of town roads were also worked on.
The minister also mentioned the construction of bridges, adding that routine maintenance on 15 roads covering a distance of 377.30 kilometres had been completed at while work on 450 kilometres of roads would commence soon.
He added that contract had been awarded on road surfacing in Chereponi, Tolon and Bole districts under the District Capital Road Improvement Project.
Mr Mabengba said some roads in the Tamale Metropolis were also to be given a facelift.
They include the 1.2-kilometre Nalungfon road which will be rehabilitated and that of the Picorna stretch.
“Again, 1.2 kilometres length of storm drains at Choggu Low Cost area is to be constructed as excavation works on this project has commenced,” he stated.
On the agricultural sector, the Regional Minister said available land for agricultural production in the region was 4.9 million hectares out of which only 800,000 hectares, representing 16 per cent were under production.
“Part of the remainder is used for livestock production while 10 per cent of the Volta Lake system that falls in the region also provides a platform for irrigation agriculture that can be undertaken in the region throughout the year,” he added.
Mr Mabengba mentioned the Youth in Agriculture block farm, fertiliser subsidy, Root and Tuber Improvement and Marketing Programmes, including the rice sector support and the livestock development projects as some of the initiatives the government was undertaking to ensure food security in the region.
Under the block farm programme, the regional minister stated that it was being implemented in all the 20 districts in the region. Crops under cultivation include maize, rice, soya beans, sorghum and onions.
According to him, “a total of 15,722 farmers had been registered as beneficiaries of the 2010 programme. this means that through agriculture, the government has been able to provide employment for more than 15,000 people.”
Touching on the security situation in the region, Mr Mabengba observed that the area was experiencing some calm now, despite the fact that there were still unresolved matters on chieftaincy and land disputes.
“However, these have largely been contained, thanks to the increased appreciation and understanding of the role of peace in development by all stakeholders,” he stated.
Mr Mabengba, however, mentioned the Dagbon crisis, contenders for the Bimbilla skins, the Buipe skin affair and other minor chieftaincy issues pending at the Regional House of Chiefs, which, he said, were currently under review by the judicial committee of the House.
The Regional Minister said the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo District had witnessed a number of violent conflicts leading to many internal displaced persons, adding that the area was now calm with security patrols.
On highway robbery, he said the incidence had now reduced following the constant patrol of the roads by a combined team of the military and the police. According to him, the robberies were often committed by Fulani herdsmen and their Ghanaian collaborators.
Mr Mabengba commended the chiefs and people of the area for their patience and co-operation over the years and assured them that the government was on track in achieving its "Better Ghana" agenda.
Among the thematic sectors that are attracting the council’s attention are, infrastructure development, agriculture, education and security.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba, outlined the achievements chalked up so far and the vision of the government towards the forward move of the region at a well-attended “Meet the press” series held in Tamale.
The meeting was attended by a Deputy Minister of Information, Mr Agyenim Boateng, a Member of the Council of State, Kpan-Na Mohammed Bawa, District Chief Executives, chiefs and heads of departments, among others.
According to Mr Mabengba, as of December, last year, a total of 81.90 kilometres of roads had been constructed.
He said there were spot improvements and rehabilitation of some roads while a number of town roads were also worked on.
The minister also mentioned the construction of bridges, adding that routine maintenance on 15 roads covering a distance of 377.30 kilometres had been completed at while work on 450 kilometres of roads would commence soon.
He added that contract had been awarded on road surfacing in Chereponi, Tolon and Bole districts under the District Capital Road Improvement Project.
Mr Mabengba said some roads in the Tamale Metropolis were also to be given a facelift.
They include the 1.2-kilometre Nalungfon road which will be rehabilitated and that of the Picorna stretch.
“Again, 1.2 kilometres length of storm drains at Choggu Low Cost area is to be constructed as excavation works on this project has commenced,” he stated.
On the agricultural sector, the Regional Minister said available land for agricultural production in the region was 4.9 million hectares out of which only 800,000 hectares, representing 16 per cent were under production.
“Part of the remainder is used for livestock production while 10 per cent of the Volta Lake system that falls in the region also provides a platform for irrigation agriculture that can be undertaken in the region throughout the year,” he added.
Mr Mabengba mentioned the Youth in Agriculture block farm, fertiliser subsidy, Root and Tuber Improvement and Marketing Programmes, including the rice sector support and the livestock development projects as some of the initiatives the government was undertaking to ensure food security in the region.
Under the block farm programme, the regional minister stated that it was being implemented in all the 20 districts in the region. Crops under cultivation include maize, rice, soya beans, sorghum and onions.
According to him, “a total of 15,722 farmers had been registered as beneficiaries of the 2010 programme. this means that through agriculture, the government has been able to provide employment for more than 15,000 people.”
Touching on the security situation in the region, Mr Mabengba observed that the area was experiencing some calm now, despite the fact that there were still unresolved matters on chieftaincy and land disputes.
“However, these have largely been contained, thanks to the increased appreciation and understanding of the role of peace in development by all stakeholders,” he stated.
Mr Mabengba, however, mentioned the Dagbon crisis, contenders for the Bimbilla skins, the Buipe skin affair and other minor chieftaincy issues pending at the Regional House of Chiefs, which, he said, were currently under review by the judicial committee of the House.
The Regional Minister said the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo District had witnessed a number of violent conflicts leading to many internal displaced persons, adding that the area was now calm with security patrols.
On highway robbery, he said the incidence had now reduced following the constant patrol of the roads by a combined team of the military and the police. According to him, the robberies were often committed by Fulani herdsmen and their Ghanaian collaborators.
Mr Mabengba commended the chiefs and people of the area for their patience and co-operation over the years and assured them that the government was on track in achieving its "Better Ghana" agenda.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
CSM CLAIMS 22 LIVES IN NORTHERN REGION (BACK PAGE, SEPT 2, 2010)
CELEBRO Spinal Meningitis (CSM) has claimed 22 lives in the Northern Region, out of the 117 cases reported at various health centres in the early part of this year.
Malaria, however, continues to be the leading cause of illness and death in the region.
In the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo District, 35 cases of CSM were reported with eight deaths. The East Mamprusi District had 48 cases with seven deaths while the Saboba District had 22 cases with no fatalities.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba, disclosed this at the region’s turn at the “Meet the Press” series in Tamale last Monday.
The minister further indicated that there were 44 per cent institutional deaths from malaria while malaria fatality rate increased marginally from 2.94 per cent in 2009 to 2.98 per cent this year.
On the current guinea worm situation in the region, he said only eight cases had so far been reported this year. This is a significant reduction from the same time last year when 231 cases were received.
The region, according to Mr Mabengba, also registered 51 maternal deaths while the HIV prevalence rate increased from 1.1 per cent in 2007 to 2.0 per cent last year. There have also been 71 suspected cases of H1N1 influenza in the area with eight persons testing positive.
Touching on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), he said since its inception, 1,713,414 persons in the region had registered with the scheme, representing 69.4 per cent of the region’s population.
“Let me also mention that fraudulent activities in both the schemes and by the providers that have bedevilled the smooth running of the scheme in the region have reduced drastically,” he noted.
The minister, however, expressed concern that in spite of the several appeals made to health personnel to accept postings to the Northern Region, some of them were still reluctant to work in the area.
He said this had led to the existing challenges faced by the region in its quest to ensure efficient health delivery services to the people.
He observed for instance that the five doctors who were posted to the area this year had all refused to report to post.
At the moment, there are only nine doctors serving in the 20 districts in the region. The number of midwives is 275 with 542 nurses. However, the Tamale Teaching Hospital has 57 doctors, including 23 House Officers.
Malaria, however, continues to be the leading cause of illness and death in the region.
In the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo District, 35 cases of CSM were reported with eight deaths. The East Mamprusi District had 48 cases with seven deaths while the Saboba District had 22 cases with no fatalities.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba, disclosed this at the region’s turn at the “Meet the Press” series in Tamale last Monday.
The minister further indicated that there were 44 per cent institutional deaths from malaria while malaria fatality rate increased marginally from 2.94 per cent in 2009 to 2.98 per cent this year.
On the current guinea worm situation in the region, he said only eight cases had so far been reported this year. This is a significant reduction from the same time last year when 231 cases were received.
The region, according to Mr Mabengba, also registered 51 maternal deaths while the HIV prevalence rate increased from 1.1 per cent in 2007 to 2.0 per cent last year. There have also been 71 suspected cases of H1N1 influenza in the area with eight persons testing positive.
Touching on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), he said since its inception, 1,713,414 persons in the region had registered with the scheme, representing 69.4 per cent of the region’s population.
“Let me also mention that fraudulent activities in both the schemes and by the providers that have bedevilled the smooth running of the scheme in the region have reduced drastically,” he noted.
The minister, however, expressed concern that in spite of the several appeals made to health personnel to accept postings to the Northern Region, some of them were still reluctant to work in the area.
He said this had led to the existing challenges faced by the region in its quest to ensure efficient health delivery services to the people.
He observed for instance that the five doctors who were posted to the area this year had all refused to report to post.
At the moment, there are only nine doctors serving in the 20 districts in the region. The number of midwives is 275 with 542 nurses. However, the Tamale Teaching Hospital has 57 doctors, including 23 House Officers.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
GOVT SENDS REINFORCEMENT TO KARAGA ...To check violence (PAGE 19, AUGUST 31, 2010)
Military and police reinforcement has been despatched to Karaga to contain violence which erupted over the nomination of a new District Chief Executive for the Karaga District in the Northern Region.
The reinforcement was necessitated by the fact that police personnel sent to Karaga to maintain law and order were chased away by irate members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who were said to have gone on the rampage because they were not pleased with the nomination of Mr Hussein Issah Sulemana as the new DCE.
About six months ago, the district chief executives for Karaga, Yendi and Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo were relieved of their posts by President John Atta Mills after protest against them by some youth groups in their respective areas.
After the announcement of the nomination of the new DCE on Friday August 27, 2010, a faction of the youth group of the party alleged to be supporters of the former chief executive, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulai Sandow, allegedly clashed with those of the current nominee leading to injuries to people on both sides and destruction of property.
Supporters of Alhaji Sandow accused those of Mr Sulemana of being responsible for the agitation that led to the removal of the former DCE from office.
Addressing the meet-the-press series in Tamale yesterday, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba, said calm had returned to Karaga and declared the resolve of the Regional Security Council to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators of the disturbances.
“Wherever they are, we shall pursue and arrest them,” he said.
He condemned the action of the irate NDC members who went on the rampage in Karaga and said it was high time such miscreants were brought to book and made to answer for their actions.
As of the time of filing this report, the DCE nominee who is also the Karaga Constituency Secretary of the NDC was said to be in Tamale consulting with the party executives.
The reinforcement was necessitated by the fact that police personnel sent to Karaga to maintain law and order were chased away by irate members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who were said to have gone on the rampage because they were not pleased with the nomination of Mr Hussein Issah Sulemana as the new DCE.
About six months ago, the district chief executives for Karaga, Yendi and Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo were relieved of their posts by President John Atta Mills after protest against them by some youth groups in their respective areas.
After the announcement of the nomination of the new DCE on Friday August 27, 2010, a faction of the youth group of the party alleged to be supporters of the former chief executive, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulai Sandow, allegedly clashed with those of the current nominee leading to injuries to people on both sides and destruction of property.
Supporters of Alhaji Sandow accused those of Mr Sulemana of being responsible for the agitation that led to the removal of the former DCE from office.
Addressing the meet-the-press series in Tamale yesterday, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba, said calm had returned to Karaga and declared the resolve of the Regional Security Council to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators of the disturbances.
“Wherever they are, we shall pursue and arrest them,” he said.
He condemned the action of the irate NDC members who went on the rampage in Karaga and said it was high time such miscreants were brought to book and made to answer for their actions.
As of the time of filing this report, the DCE nominee who is also the Karaga Constituency Secretary of the NDC was said to be in Tamale consulting with the party executives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)