THE government has given the assurance that would-be Muslim pilgrims from the northern sector of the country would from this year fly directly from the refurbished Tamale Airport to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when embarking on the annual Hajj.
This measure is aimed at reducing the difficulties and stress pilgrims often go through in Accra before embarking on the pilgrimage. The first time Muslims in the area made such a direct flight to the Saudi Kingdom was in the late 1970s.
The Vice-President, John Dramani Mahama, was speaking in Tamale at the weekend at the final funeral rites of Alhaji Baba Gariba, father of Dr Sulley Gariba, Executive Director of the Institute of Policy Alternative (IPA) who died last week.
The Veep who was on his first trip outside Accra after he was sworn into office on January 7, was accompanied on his visit by some leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). They included Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Alhaji Ibrahim Adam, Mr Alban Bagbin, Majority Leader in Parliament, and Mr Moses Asaga, MP for Nabdam.
Also present were Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama, Leader of the People's National Convention (PNC), and his wife, Mrs Comfort Mahama.
The Veep described the late Alhaji Gariba as a role model who imbued wisdom to all he encountered.
According to him, the late Alhaji Gariba was not only peace-loving but also exhibited a lot of humility that endeared him to all. He also cherished education and encouraged the youth to always study hard to attain the highest level in education.
On the just-ended general elections, Mr Mahama admonished Ghanaians to forge ahead in unity and also put all hands on deck to propel the nation ahead in prosperity, instead of engaging in acts with the tendency of dividing the country.
Mr Mahama said, "There is no reason why we should fight one another after the elections. We are all one with a common destiny and we need to be each other's keeper and guard jealously the peace in the country."
He gave the assurance that the government would not disappoint Ghanaians but would live up to its campaign promises of improving the lot of the people, irrespective of their political persuasions.
The Veep later paid courtesy calls on some chiefs and opinion leaders in the metropolis and thanked them for their immense support in ensuring peaceful elections.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
DAGBON OBSERVES BUGUM FESTIVAL (SPREAD, JAN 10)
RESIDENTS of Tamale last Wednesday night poured onto the streets in their hundreds to mark the traditional Bugum (fire) Festival that signifies the beginning of the lunar year.
Contrarily to the belief that the celebrations could spark violence, it rather helped in uniting the youth from both sides of the political divide who went on procession together through the principal streets of the metropolis.
Some of the revellers were joined by foreign tourists while a section of the combined team of the military and police personnel who were detailed to ensure law and order could not help but also respond to the thunderous beatings of the gong-gong drums that accompanied the intricate steps of the revellers amidst the incessant firing of musketry and the display of fireworks.
There were no reported incidents of violence or injuries as the carnival progressed peacefully into the early hours of Thursday.
The revellers, majority of whom were young ladies, masqueraded in a procession along the streets with babies strapped on the backs of some nursing mothers. With lighted thatches, they sang and danced to both war and profane songs.
With machetes raised above their sweaty bodies and talismans and cow tails dangling on their arms and waist, the ecstatic men and women danced energetically deep into the night.
Some residents the Daily Graphic spoke to described this year’s Bugum as very significant in uniting the people, being the first to be celebrated after the hotly contested presidential run-off.
Others also suggested the need to organise future festivals well to attract more tourists from within and outside the country to savour one of the oldest and cherished traditional festivals of the people.
Dagombas and other ethnic groups in northern Ghana mostly celebrate it on the 10th day of the new lunar month. It is believed to mark the edict of a prominent Dagomba chief, who, in tracing his lost son after dusk, ordered the lighting of portable bound thatches, which eventually led to the discovery of the son. It is also celebrated for its Islamic religious significance.
In these modern times however, the revellers dispose of their thatches at a thicket, while knowledgeable Mallams later reveal the events likely to occur in the New Year to chiefs who, in turn, announce the findings to the people.
Contrarily to the belief that the celebrations could spark violence, it rather helped in uniting the youth from both sides of the political divide who went on procession together through the principal streets of the metropolis.
Some of the revellers were joined by foreign tourists while a section of the combined team of the military and police personnel who were detailed to ensure law and order could not help but also respond to the thunderous beatings of the gong-gong drums that accompanied the intricate steps of the revellers amidst the incessant firing of musketry and the display of fireworks.
There were no reported incidents of violence or injuries as the carnival progressed peacefully into the early hours of Thursday.
The revellers, majority of whom were young ladies, masqueraded in a procession along the streets with babies strapped on the backs of some nursing mothers. With lighted thatches, they sang and danced to both war and profane songs.
With machetes raised above their sweaty bodies and talismans and cow tails dangling on their arms and waist, the ecstatic men and women danced energetically deep into the night.
Some residents the Daily Graphic spoke to described this year’s Bugum as very significant in uniting the people, being the first to be celebrated after the hotly contested presidential run-off.
Others also suggested the need to organise future festivals well to attract more tourists from within and outside the country to savour one of the oldest and cherished traditional festivals of the people.
Dagombas and other ethnic groups in northern Ghana mostly celebrate it on the 10th day of the new lunar month. It is believed to mark the edict of a prominent Dagomba chief, who, in tracing his lost son after dusk, ordered the lighting of portable bound thatches, which eventually led to the discovery of the son. It is also celebrated for its Islamic religious significance.
In these modern times however, the revellers dispose of their thatches at a thicket, while knowledgeable Mallams later reveal the events likely to occur in the New Year to chiefs who, in turn, announce the findings to the people.
A bush fire has swept through the farming community of Diare-Safam in the Savelugu-Nanton District, completely destroying a 10-acre mango plantation estimated at GH¢40,000.
About 1,000 trees were destroyed by the fire, the cause of which is yet to be established.
The owner of the farm, Mr Mohammed Bukari, an agriculturist, explained that he had created a fire belt to protect the farm against such incidents and so he was at a loss as to how the fire reached the farm because the farm was far away from the community.
Mr Bukari, who is the Zonal Agricultural Manager for the Northern Interaction Zone of the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) in Tamale, said he was liaising with the Ghana Fire Service to ascertain the cause of the fire.
Bush fires are common in the northern part of the country during periods of severe Harmattan, as are being experienced currently in the Northern Region.
He said he embarked on the plantation in 2005 and had spent more than GH¢40,000 on it, adding that it would have been ready for harvest in three years.
Asked whether the trees could regenerate, Mr Bukari said it was not possible, since, according to him, the trees “were burnt in the process, probably because of the mulch we had created around them”.
The gutting of farms, particularly rice fields, is a common phenomenon in the north when the Harmattan is severe at this time of the year.
About 1,000 trees were destroyed by the fire, the cause of which is yet to be established.
The owner of the farm, Mr Mohammed Bukari, an agriculturist, explained that he had created a fire belt to protect the farm against such incidents and so he was at a loss as to how the fire reached the farm because the farm was far away from the community.
Mr Bukari, who is the Zonal Agricultural Manager for the Northern Interaction Zone of the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) in Tamale, said he was liaising with the Ghana Fire Service to ascertain the cause of the fire.
Bush fires are common in the northern part of the country during periods of severe Harmattan, as are being experienced currently in the Northern Region.
He said he embarked on the plantation in 2005 and had spent more than GH¢40,000 on it, adding that it would have been ready for harvest in three years.
Asked whether the trees could regenerate, Mr Bukari said it was not possible, since, according to him, the trees “were burnt in the process, probably because of the mulch we had created around them”.
The gutting of farms, particularly rice fields, is a common phenomenon in the north when the Harmattan is severe at this time of the year.
Monday, December 1, 2008
PRESIDENT INSPECTS 'OVERSEAS' BRIDGE (PAGE 71)
PRESIDENT John A. Kufuor last Friday inspected work on the construction of a 500-ft bridge over the White Volta to link the Northern Region to the Upper East and Upper West regions.
The use of the bridge will shorten the distance from Kpansenkpe area, popularly known as ‘‘Overseas’’ and noted for its agricultural activities, to Navrongo in the Upper East by 50 miles.
The bridge is being constructed by China Jianxi, a Chinese firm. The bridge had remained on the drawing board since the country’s independence.
Farmers and people in the area have had to use canoes to cross the White Volta from Kpasenkpe to Fumsi, the nearest town, which is 10 kilometres away.
The people are engaged in farming and fishing and the project, whose sod was cut by President Kufuor about two years ago, is expected to boost agricultural activities in the area upon completion next year.
After inspecting the project, President Kufuor told the people of Kpasenkpe that the bridge would be expanded further and the road from Wulugu on the main Tamale-Bolgatanga trunk road to Kpasenkpe, a distance of 34 kilometres, would be reconstructed and tarred.
The people, apparently excited by the news, responded with deafening cheers.
President Kufuor said the the bridge and the reconstruction of the road could end the situation where the area had generally been described as ‘Overseas’ because of its difficult terrain and lack of good road to facilitate transportation links with the rest of the Northern Region.
The use of the bridge will shorten the distance from Kpansenkpe area, popularly known as ‘‘Overseas’’ and noted for its agricultural activities, to Navrongo in the Upper East by 50 miles.
The bridge is being constructed by China Jianxi, a Chinese firm. The bridge had remained on the drawing board since the country’s independence.
Farmers and people in the area have had to use canoes to cross the White Volta from Kpasenkpe to Fumsi, the nearest town, which is 10 kilometres away.
The people are engaged in farming and fishing and the project, whose sod was cut by President Kufuor about two years ago, is expected to boost agricultural activities in the area upon completion next year.
After inspecting the project, President Kufuor told the people of Kpasenkpe that the bridge would be expanded further and the road from Wulugu on the main Tamale-Bolgatanga trunk road to Kpasenkpe, a distance of 34 kilometres, would be reconstructed and tarred.
The people, apparently excited by the news, responded with deafening cheers.
President Kufuor said the the bridge and the reconstruction of the road could end the situation where the area had generally been described as ‘Overseas’ because of its difficult terrain and lack of good road to facilitate transportation links with the rest of the Northern Region.
GOVT DETERMINED TO PROTECT INTEGRITY OF ELECTIONS — KUFUOR (PAGE 15)
THE President, John Agyekum Kufuor, has given firm assurance that everything is being done to protect the integrity of the December 7 general elections and its outcome.
He also acknowledged the various roles being played by religious, traditional and civil society organisations towards ensuring peaceful elections.
‘‘Government is playing its part by providing whatever the Independent Electoral Commission requires to function effectively and efficiently; the Judiciary has put mechanisms in place to handle election disputes promptly; the police are equipped and available to handle any breach of the law ,’’ Mr Kufuor declared.
The President, who was speaking at the inauguration of the 45 million euro Tamale Water Rehabilitation and Expansion project at Kukuo-Yepalsi in Tamale on Friday, however appealed to Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to exercise good judgement, good conduct and decorum in the days leading to the elections.
‘‘We should be even more careful and circumspect on the day of the elections and the days after; let no one take the law into their own hands,’’ he further advised.
According to Mr Kufuor, anyone who would instigate violence during the elections must be considered as an enemy of the nation, and therefore rejected outright.
‘‘The good people of Ghana can and must make their decision as to who should govern the nation through the ballot box in other words, the power of the thumb, that is the best way to secure this nation’s democracy, peace, security and development for all,’’ he stated.
On Dagbon, President Kufour made a fervent appeal to the chiefs and people of the kingdom for unity and peace to prevail to accelerate the development of the area.
‘‘I pray that the good Lord Himself would establish the truth and justice that must prevail here; Dagbon should reconcile, and anybody that would exploit the differences of the people for political gains cannot be a true friend of Dagbon, and, indeed, Ghana,’’ he said
The President also thanked the good people of Ghana in advance for their unflinching support and co-operation during his tenure of office, ‘‘As you know, God willing, I will complete my term as President of Ghana in just over six weeks from now.’’
He also acknowledged the various roles being played by religious, traditional and civil society organisations towards ensuring peaceful elections.
‘‘Government is playing its part by providing whatever the Independent Electoral Commission requires to function effectively and efficiently; the Judiciary has put mechanisms in place to handle election disputes promptly; the police are equipped and available to handle any breach of the law ,’’ Mr Kufuor declared.
The President, who was speaking at the inauguration of the 45 million euro Tamale Water Rehabilitation and Expansion project at Kukuo-Yepalsi in Tamale on Friday, however appealed to Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to exercise good judgement, good conduct and decorum in the days leading to the elections.
‘‘We should be even more careful and circumspect on the day of the elections and the days after; let no one take the law into their own hands,’’ he further advised.
According to Mr Kufuor, anyone who would instigate violence during the elections must be considered as an enemy of the nation, and therefore rejected outright.
‘‘The good people of Ghana can and must make their decision as to who should govern the nation through the ballot box in other words, the power of the thumb, that is the best way to secure this nation’s democracy, peace, security and development for all,’’ he stated.
On Dagbon, President Kufour made a fervent appeal to the chiefs and people of the kingdom for unity and peace to prevail to accelerate the development of the area.
‘‘I pray that the good Lord Himself would establish the truth and justice that must prevail here; Dagbon should reconcile, and anybody that would exploit the differences of the people for political gains cannot be a true friend of Dagbon, and, indeed, Ghana,’’ he said
The President also thanked the good people of Ghana in advance for their unflinching support and co-operation during his tenure of office, ‘‘As you know, God willing, I will complete my term as President of Ghana in just over six weeks from now.’’
Sunday, November 30, 2008
MODERN HOSPITAL FOR TOLON/KUMBUNGU (PAGE 56)
HEALTHY people make a healthy nation. This factual phrase cannot be realised without the necessary health facilities, logistics, equipment and personnel to carry out effective health care services in any community.
Indeed, the Tolon/Kumbungu District is one of the most deprived areas in the Northern Region. It lacks a number of social amenities, including a decent hospital that can adequately serve the needs of the people, majority of whom are farmers.
As a result, most patients with complicated illnesses are always rushed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, a distance of more than 16-kilometres for care, when they could have received similar treatment at their doorsteps.
According to the District Director of Health Services for the area, Mrs Denisig Kaara, the Tolon community and its surrounding areas had a population of more than 167,606 but unfortunately, the health centre alone in the area could not cater for the medical needs of the people.
It is for this reason of making health care services accessible to the people that, the initiative by an Austrian-based international NGO, Afreak Med Foundation, to put up a 50,000-euro ultra-modern hospital for the people must be commended.
The hospital would comprise an out-patient-department (OPD), male and female wards, a surgical theatre, a paediatric wing, pharmacy and a laboratory.
The project is the brainchild of Dr Bayer Stefan, a medical doctor based in Austria and Dr Kpangkpari Steve of the Catholic Hospital at Asankrangwa in the Western Region.
The Regent of Tolon (Gbang-Lana), Major (retd) Abubakari Sulemana, and his elders provided a 30-acre for the construction of the hospital, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
The Gbang-Lana and Dr Bayer Stefan, leader of the NGO delegation, cut the sod for work to begin on the construction of the hospital in Tolon last week.
The chief commended the NGO for the decision to construct the hospital in that area, describing the initiative as a blessing to the people since their efforts to get such a facility over the years had not been successful.
He pledged his commitment and that of his elders to the successful completion of the project, which he hoped, would attract more professionals to the town to contribute towards the accelerated development of area.
The Gbang-Lana urged the people to endeavour to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to enable them to access free, affordable and quality health care.
For his part, Dr Stefan explained that several people, including tax payers from the benefactor’s country and elsewhere had contributed towards the idea of putting up the facility.
He expressed hope that when completed, the project would serve the health needs of the people.
Dr Stefan indicated that the project was to help foster closer relationship between the people of Austria and Ghana, and also bring change to the people of Tolon.
Mrs Kaara also welcomed the construction of the hospital, which, she said, would complement the services of the health centre.
She entreated the district assembly to sponsor more students into nurses training institutions to enable them to come out to serve the district.
Indeed, the Tolon/Kumbungu District is one of the most deprived areas in the Northern Region. It lacks a number of social amenities, including a decent hospital that can adequately serve the needs of the people, majority of whom are farmers.
As a result, most patients with complicated illnesses are always rushed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, a distance of more than 16-kilometres for care, when they could have received similar treatment at their doorsteps.
According to the District Director of Health Services for the area, Mrs Denisig Kaara, the Tolon community and its surrounding areas had a population of more than 167,606 but unfortunately, the health centre alone in the area could not cater for the medical needs of the people.
It is for this reason of making health care services accessible to the people that, the initiative by an Austrian-based international NGO, Afreak Med Foundation, to put up a 50,000-euro ultra-modern hospital for the people must be commended.
The hospital would comprise an out-patient-department (OPD), male and female wards, a surgical theatre, a paediatric wing, pharmacy and a laboratory.
The project is the brainchild of Dr Bayer Stefan, a medical doctor based in Austria and Dr Kpangkpari Steve of the Catholic Hospital at Asankrangwa in the Western Region.
The Regent of Tolon (Gbang-Lana), Major (retd) Abubakari Sulemana, and his elders provided a 30-acre for the construction of the hospital, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
The Gbang-Lana and Dr Bayer Stefan, leader of the NGO delegation, cut the sod for work to begin on the construction of the hospital in Tolon last week.
The chief commended the NGO for the decision to construct the hospital in that area, describing the initiative as a blessing to the people since their efforts to get such a facility over the years had not been successful.
He pledged his commitment and that of his elders to the successful completion of the project, which he hoped, would attract more professionals to the town to contribute towards the accelerated development of area.
The Gbang-Lana urged the people to endeavour to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to enable them to access free, affordable and quality health care.
For his part, Dr Stefan explained that several people, including tax payers from the benefactor’s country and elsewhere had contributed towards the idea of putting up the facility.
He expressed hope that when completed, the project would serve the health needs of the people.
Dr Stefan indicated that the project was to help foster closer relationship between the people of Austria and Ghana, and also bring change to the people of Tolon.
Mrs Kaara also welcomed the construction of the hospital, which, she said, would complement the services of the health centre.
She entreated the district assembly to sponsor more students into nurses training institutions to enable them to come out to serve the district.
WATER — NO PRIVATISATION ..President assure)s as Tamale project is inaugurated (LEAD STORY)
THE President, John Agyekum Kufuor, has stated that the government does not intend to privatise water supply in the country as is being speculated.
He pointed out, however, that since the government recognised the capacity of the private sector in assisting to improve the supply of water to communities, it had decided to work in partnership with the sector to facilitate the supply of water to the people.
To sustain this partnership, President Kufuor explained that the government was putting in place a regulatory framework that would safeguard the interests of both the service provider and the consumer.
The President was speaking at the official inauguration of the Tamale water supply, rehabilitation and expansion project in Tamale yesterday.
The €45-million Tamale water system will improve the supply and availability of water supply to the metropolis and its environs.
The project involved the duplication of transmission main pipelines, rehabilitation and refurbishment works at the existing treatment plant at Dalun and the construction of a new treatment plant.
The Dutch and Ghana governments jointly funded the project, while Messrs Biwater B.V. of the Netherlands executed it within the stipulated two-year period.
Following the successful completion of the project, 9.6 million gallons of water a day could be produced to meet the demand of the growing population to the year 2020.
The current plant production capacity is 4.3 million gallons, which is being rationed to meet only 43 per cent of the current demand.
The President said since assuming office in 2000, the government had lived up to its promise to expand the delivery of social services, particularly water, in order to improve the health and lives of the citizenry.
‘‘We view water as life,’’ he said, adding that it was for that reason that small dams, boreholes and a number of major water systems had been rehabilitated and expanded to boost agriculture and also meet the increasing demand of the growing population in the country.
Mr Kufuor mentioned the Baifikrom, Cape Coast and the Accra Loop project that would link the Weija Water Works to that of Kpong to enhance the delivery of water in the area as some of the water projects the government had undertaken since 2000.
President Kufuor described the project as a landmark and one of the most important contributions of the government to the uplift of Tamale.
He also mentioned the construction of the stadium, the upgrading of town roads, street lighting, student hostels and the rehabilitation of the airport as some of the other significant projects embarked upon by the government for the metropolis.
Mr Kufuor later cut the sod for the construction of a modern Jubilee market complex at Kukou, a suburb of Tamale.
The acting Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company, Mr. Kweku Botwe, appealed to the people to be supportive of their cause to improve on the water supply situation in the metropolis by paying their bills and also helping to safeguard the equipment at all times.
The Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Boniface Abubakari Saddique, commended the president for his personal commitment and support in the realisation of the project.
The Managing Director of Bi-water Company in Africa, Mr Bob Kottler, said although the project was complete, his staff would stay over for the next one year for the second phase of the project that would include water supply to deprived communities.
On behalf of the chiefs and people of Tamale, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, expressed appreciation to the government for the timely intervention, which, he noted, would help to reduce the incidence of water borne diseases, especially guinea worm in the area.
He pointed out, however, that since the government recognised the capacity of the private sector in assisting to improve the supply of water to communities, it had decided to work in partnership with the sector to facilitate the supply of water to the people.
To sustain this partnership, President Kufuor explained that the government was putting in place a regulatory framework that would safeguard the interests of both the service provider and the consumer.
The President was speaking at the official inauguration of the Tamale water supply, rehabilitation and expansion project in Tamale yesterday.
The €45-million Tamale water system will improve the supply and availability of water supply to the metropolis and its environs.
The project involved the duplication of transmission main pipelines, rehabilitation and refurbishment works at the existing treatment plant at Dalun and the construction of a new treatment plant.
The Dutch and Ghana governments jointly funded the project, while Messrs Biwater B.V. of the Netherlands executed it within the stipulated two-year period.
Following the successful completion of the project, 9.6 million gallons of water a day could be produced to meet the demand of the growing population to the year 2020.
The current plant production capacity is 4.3 million gallons, which is being rationed to meet only 43 per cent of the current demand.
The President said since assuming office in 2000, the government had lived up to its promise to expand the delivery of social services, particularly water, in order to improve the health and lives of the citizenry.
‘‘We view water as life,’’ he said, adding that it was for that reason that small dams, boreholes and a number of major water systems had been rehabilitated and expanded to boost agriculture and also meet the increasing demand of the growing population in the country.
Mr Kufuor mentioned the Baifikrom, Cape Coast and the Accra Loop project that would link the Weija Water Works to that of Kpong to enhance the delivery of water in the area as some of the water projects the government had undertaken since 2000.
President Kufuor described the project as a landmark and one of the most important contributions of the government to the uplift of Tamale.
He also mentioned the construction of the stadium, the upgrading of town roads, street lighting, student hostels and the rehabilitation of the airport as some of the other significant projects embarked upon by the government for the metropolis.
Mr Kufuor later cut the sod for the construction of a modern Jubilee market complex at Kukou, a suburb of Tamale.
The acting Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company, Mr. Kweku Botwe, appealed to the people to be supportive of their cause to improve on the water supply situation in the metropolis by paying their bills and also helping to safeguard the equipment at all times.
The Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Boniface Abubakari Saddique, commended the president for his personal commitment and support in the realisation of the project.
The Managing Director of Bi-water Company in Africa, Mr Bob Kottler, said although the project was complete, his staff would stay over for the next one year for the second phase of the project that would include water supply to deprived communities.
On behalf of the chiefs and people of Tamale, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, expressed appreciation to the government for the timely intervention, which, he noted, would help to reduce the incidence of water borne diseases, especially guinea worm in the area.
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