Thursday 29 January 2009

Arson: 4 Arrested in Bawku(D/G Tuesday, January 27, 2009 Pg. 3)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bawku.
FOUR persons have been arrested by security personnel in Bawku for their alleged involvement in the suspected case of arson which led to the death of a pregnant woman over the weekend.Police sources in Bawku which disclosed this to the Daily Graphic said the four were arrested following a tip-off.The names of the suspects were not disclosed for what the sources described as security reasons. They, however, indicated that intense investigations were underway to arrest all other persons who might have taken part in the senseless act.A young woman in her mid-20s was last Friday night burnt to death when the house she was living in was allegedly set ablaze by some unidentified persons in Bawku.The victim, identified as Fatima Issahaku, was four months pregnant.Her husband, Mohammed Majid, who was believed to be the main target, was miraculously spared as he was said to have stepped out of the house to buy some groceries.A source in Bawku who narrated the incident to the Daily Graphic last Saturday said the incident occurred at about 10 p.m. on Friday after a group of unidentified persons who rode on motorbikes had stormed the house of the victim, allegedly doused one of the windows with petrol and lit it. The victim died when she was trapped in the fire.The Bawku District Police Commander, DSP Cashman Blewushie, when contacted, declined to comment, with the excuse that he was yet to brief the Regional Commander on the issue.The Upper East Regional Police Commander, DCOP Hamidu Mahama, who was in Bawku last Saturday to assess the security situation and had earlier agreed to brief this reporter on Monday morning, when contacted said he was still waiting for an official report and details from his officer on the ground.

Monday 26 January 2009

Woman burnt to death in Bawku....security committee bans night use of motorbikes(D/G Monday, January 26, 2009)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bawku
A young woman in her mid-twenties was last Friday night burnt to death by some unidentified persons at Bawku in the Upper East Region.
The victim, identified as Fatima Issahaku who was carrying a four months old pregnancy also had her house and other properties burnt. Her husband, Mohammed Majid who is believed to be the main target, was spared miraculously as he was said to have stepped out of the house to buy some groceries.
A source at Bawku who narrated the incidence to the Daily Graphic last Saturday said the incidence occurred at about 10 pm on Friday night.
According to the source a group of young persons, riding on motor bikes, storm the residence of the victim to carry out the act. The mob allegedly doused a window with petrol and lighted a match which set the entire structure ablaze. Madam Issahaku was said to have been trapped to death by the razing fire.
According to the source, Majid who had just finished watching a movie with his wife stepped out briefly to purchase something.
“Whist outside, Majid received a distress call from his brother, one Ibrahim Lawal that his house was on fire. While rushing to go home, he saw six people riding a motor bike (two on each) speeding off from the scene of the event,” the source said.
According to the source, Majid identified the people as the same group of persons that allegedly threatened his life him last Tuesday, January 13, whilst on his way from Cinkasse, a trading town in Togo.
Unconfirmed reports in Bawku has it that the victim’s husband, had earlier on lodged a complaint with the police in Bawku about the threats on his life, but that complaint allegedly was not taken seriously.
A visit to Bawku last Saturday revealed that 7 other houses are reported to have also been torched in the Bawku Municipality under bizarre circumstances.
When contacted, the Bawku District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Cashman Blewushie, declined to comment.
“I can not offer you any interview now because I am yet to brief my Regional Commander,” he said.
The Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCOP), Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, who was in Bawku on Saturday, when contacted also deferred comments on the incident till Monday morning.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Security Committee, (MUSEC), has issued a ban on the riding of motor bikes in the Bawku municipality from 6 pm to 6 am daily until further notice. The decision was arrived at after an emergency meeting last Saturday was conveyed residents of Bawku by personnel of the Information Services Department.
Bawku has for a greater part of last year, been under a curfew following tribal conflicts in that part of the country. Military and Police personnel have also been deplored in the town to maintain the peace.
Just last week, The President’s representative responsible for the Ministry of the Interior has renewed the curfew imposed on Bawku Municipality and its immediate environs for another week with effect from Monday, January 12.
A statement signed by Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, the President’s representative, said the action was on the advice of the Upper East Regional Security Council, (REGSEC).
The curfew hours remain unchanged at midnight to 4am. The statement amongst others expressed hope that the people would continue to live in peace to ensure a rapid socio-economic development of the area only to be dealt with this latest blow which many fear could derail the peace efforts.

Garu MP urges constituents to work for progress(D/G Monday, January 26,2009 Pg. 15)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Garu
The Member of Parliament for Garu-Tempane in the Upper East Region, Mr Dominic Azimbe Azumah, has called on his constituents to bury their political differences and work together towards the development of the area. Mr Azumah who was speaking at a victory get-together organised by the Garu-Tempane Constituency branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Garu to celebrate the party's victory in last year's general election, noted that peace and unity in the constituency were the important ingredients for development and urged the people to come together to fight poverty and underdevelopment. Mr Azumah on behalf of President J.E.A. Mills, extended his appreciation to the electorate for voting massively for the NDC. He mentioned cattle rustling, lack of dams and dug-outs for agricultural purposes, lack of potable water, bad roads as some of the challenges facing the district and promised to lobby the appropriate sector ministries for more resources to bring the problem under control. Mr Azumah said in addition to providing educational materials through his share of the common fund, he intended to extend his support to the District Education Directorate by funding them and helping them to organise more mock examinations for final-year junior high school students in the district to prepare them adequately for their final examinations. He praised the previous government for instituting the National Youth Employment Programme, which, he said, contributed to creating some kind of employment for the youth, majority of whom were unemployed. “We in the NDC do not intend to scrap that programme but work hard to improve and expand that programme to ensure that more of our youth are engaged. Mr Azumah noted that considering the positive impact the District Assembly Common Fund was making he will not hesitate to appeal to the President to critically examine the fund and if possible gradually increase the fund to about 10 per cent from the current seven per cent. This will empower the district assemblies as more resources will be channelled there, he said. He assured the electorate of the government's commitment to fulfil its campaign promises but appealed to all to be patient while the government puts in place the necessary structures for a smooth start. The Constituency Chairman, Mr Dominic Akudago, commended the supporters for their hard work which enabled the party to emerge victorious in spite of daunting challenges. He assured the people that the right process will be followed in the selection of qualified persons to fill the position of DCE and pleaded with the electorate to rally behind whoever will be selected for the accelerated development of the district. The Constituency Women’s Organiser, Madam Rose Lariba Adakurugu, encouraged women in the constituency to mobilise themselves into groups, open account with banks in order to access micro-finance to boost their business. Two defeated candidates in the parliamentary race in the constituency, Messrs Tuyaab Haruna Mintar and Dahamani Edward of the PNC and DFP respectively, pledged their support for the MP and promised to work closely with him toward the development of the area. According to Mr Dahamani, “the NPP introduced a class society which was detrimental to the development of the nation. We therefore have a duty to support President Mills to repair the damage caused.”

Sunday 25 January 2009

Applicants for UE seek NDC appointment(D/G Friday, January 23,2009. Pg 16)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
A Number of individuals have put in their application, through the Upper East Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the ruling party, for consideration either as Ministers of State, municipal or district chief executives across the region. The Upper East Regional Secretary of the NDC, Mr Donatus Akamugre, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic in an interview in Bolgatanga, however, stopped short of disclosing the identities of the personalities who had shown interest in being part of the new administration. “I can confirm to you that we have received a number of application letters and Curriculum Vitae (CVs) from a number of people in this region. These people have been selected by the various constituencies as credible people who have served the party in various capacities and also possess what it takes to participate in the governance of the nation,” he said, According to him, the task of the Regional Secretariat was to simply forward the list to the Transitional Team in Accra for consideration. For those seeking appointment as municipal or district chief executives, Mr Akamugre said after the various constituency executives had provided the names of potential persons, the regional executive, in connection with the Transitional Team, would conduct interviews at the regional level to screen the applicants, after which a final list would be submitted to Accra for them to select two or three persons, one of whom would be nominated for the position of municipal chief executive. The Upper East Region has two municipal assemblies and seven district assemblies. They are the Bolgatanga and Bawku municipalities, and the Bongo, Talensi-Nabdam, Kassena-Nankana, Kassena-Nankana West, Builsa, Garu-Tempane, and Bawku West districts. Mr Akamugre maintained that the NDC was endowed with quality human resource that it can readily tap to prosecute its agenda for a better Ghana, and urged all Ghanaians to have faith in Professor Mill’s administration to deliver on its promises.

Friday 23 January 2009

Bawku commended for peaceful elections(D/G Thursday, January 22,2009. Pg 53)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bawku
The Upper East Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCOP Alhaji Hamidu Mahama has commended the Chiefs and People of Bawku as well as political parties and their supporters in the Bawku Municipality for ensuring peace in Election 2008.
“The whole Ghana and the international community thought Bawku will erupt based on the past experiences and also due to the recent tribal conflict in the area, but your collaborated efforts and your strong desire for peace ensured that nothing of that sought,” he said.
DCOP Mahama, who is also the Chairman of the Upper East Regional Election Security Taskforce was therefore full of praise for to the Bawku Naba and his elders as well as the people of Bawku for sustaining the relative peace in the area that ensure a peaceful atmosphere during the polls in December last year.
DCOP Mahama gave the commendation when he paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Bawku, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II at his palace to express his appreciation to the traditional authority for the role it played in maintaining the peace.
Tribal Conflict erupted in Bawku in January last year leading to the lost of human life and property. This led to the deployment of police and military personnel to the area to maintain the peace.
The once vibrant trading municipality and its environs have for the greater part of last year been under curfew, which is reviewed occasionally by the Ministry of Interior subject to the advice of the Upper East Regional Security Council.
Under the terms of the curfew, persons in the affected areas namely the Bawku Municipal Area, Zabugu, Binduri, Pusiga and Zoosi townships and their environs are debarred from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapons.
Just last Monday, the President's representative responsible for the Ministry of the Interior renewed the curfew imposed on the Bawku Municipality and its immediate environs for another week with effect from Monday, January 19. The curfew hours remain unchanged at midnight to 4am
Addressing the Bawku Naba and his counsel of elders, DCOP Mahama, said “we are very proud of what the people of Bawku did for us during the elections. They listen to us and ensured that there was no confrontation and every thing went smoothly. On behalf of the IGP I want to say thank you to the people of Bawku and especially to Naba for the wonderful help he gave to the security agencies before, during and after the elections.
While thanking the Bawku Naba, the Regional Police Commander urged the chief to ensure that the goodwill that he (Naba) and his people displayed during the elections would be sustained so that Bawku will take back its past glory.
“The peace that we gotten so far should be maintained in order to sustained the peace in the area”, he said.
The Bawku Naba for his part expressed his gratitude to the Almighty God and all other stakeholders in the polls, especially the security agencies in the traditional area for ensuring a peaceful general election.
He particular lauded the police force in the region headed by DCOP Hamidu Mahama for the tremendous role they played in ensuring that the fragile peace was not escalated and expressed the hope that total peace will be restored in the area.
DCOP Hamidu Mahama later joined members of the Muslim community at their Friday congregational prayers and later interacted with them.
Addressing the worshippers later, the Regional Police Commander urged them not to do anything that will jeopardize the peace of the area.
“Bawku was identified as a flashpoint prior to the elections and many people including the international community thought something would happen but thankfully the place was calm. It therefore behoves us to continually pray to Allah for the sustenance of the peace of the area,” he said.
DCOP Mahama was accompanied by the Divisional Commander for Bawku, Chief Superintendent Peter Mawong, the Bawku District Police Commander, DSP Cashman Blewushie and the Regional Police Staff Officer, ASP Frank Ayeh

Sunday 11 January 2009

RELIGIOUS BODIES MUST SHOW COMMITMENT TO PRISONERS (PAGE 22, JAN 10)

THE Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs Florence Yeboah Acheampong, has called on religious bodies that constitute the Prisons Ministry to show commitment to the welfare of prisoners.
While acknowledging the annual interdenominational church services and presentation of food items as well as the intermittent visits to minister the word of God to the inmates, Mrs Acheampong expressed the conviction that the Prisons Ministry could do more to aid the reformation process of the inmates.
She said this during an interdenominational church service held for the inmates of the Navrongo Prison by the Prisons Ministry.
In addition to sharing the word of God with the inmates, the Prisons Ministry also distributed some assorted food items such as biscuits, fruit drink, and soap worth GH¢150.00 to the inmates.
Mrs Acheampong decried the failure of the churches constituting the Prisons Ministry to come together as a unit to support the authorities of the Navrongo Prisons.
She also chided the ministry for failing to honour a pledge to provide the facility with a multi-purpose shed.
According to her, the absence of the shed and the harsh climatic conditions characterised by high temperatures made life very uncomfortable for the inmates.
The Regional Chairman of the Prisons Ministry, Mr Vincent Chaitey, said the work of the ministry in the Navrongo Prison had not gone without challenges since its inauguration in 1999.
He mentioned the failure of full-time pastors to make time to preach to the inmates as some of the challenges facing the group.
He seized the opportunity to appeal to the leadership of the churches in the region to respond positively to the call.
He also renewed his appeal to interested stakeholders including churches and municipal assemblies as well as the general public to come to the aid of the Ministry in its efforts to acquire training facilities for the Navrongo Prison to enable the inmates to acquire skills before they went out.
“It is wrong for people to spend five to 10 years in prison and come out without learning a trade,” he said.

VODAFONE INTRODUCES NEW PRODUCT IN UPPER EAST (PAGE 25, JANUARY 5)

VODAFONE Ghana Ltd (formerly Ghana Telecom) has introduced a new product targeted at educational institutions and remote communities in the Upper East Region.
The new S-Link system is aimed at providing easy accessibility to communication for communities and schools, and to give them the opportunity to always remain in touch with acquaintances.
Launching the product at Sumbrungu, near Bolgatanga, the Head of Corporate Communication, Vodafone Ghana Ltd, Major Albert Don Chebe (retd), said it formed part of his outfit's commitment to extend communication to as many communities as possible.
He said although Vodafonehad been in the country barely four months, it was making efforts to improve the nation’s communications and enhance quality, as well as extend coverage to as many communities and societies as possible.
"Whiles we do this on the commercial level, we are also interested in ensuring that communities which may not be necessarily viable are not left behind. Therefore, the introduction of this project is our corporate social responsibility to ensure that everybody has access to communication," he said.
He explained that S-Link focused on schools and communities, adding that management had already installed the S-link facility in over 100 schools across Ghana.
Major Don Chebe (retd) said the introduction of the facility in Sumbrungu formed the next phase of the programme, which would have other communities benefit from the scheme, adding that one had already been installed at Fufulso in the Northern Region.
Mr Eric Asante, Upper East Regional Manager of Vodafone Ghana Ltd, said his outfit, mindful of Ghana Education Service’s policy on the non-use of mobile phones by high school students, had through innovations provided communication access to students without flouting the policy.
"All this is to make it easier for parents to communicate with their wards and vice versa. Apart from calling, instant text messages could be sent instead of writing letters which could take so long to reach recipients.”
He disclosed that apart from the Sumbrungu community, a number of educational institutions in the region had also benefited from the installation of the facility.
They include Bolga Senior High School, Bolgatanga Technical Institute, Bawku Senior High School, Navrongo Senior High School, Sandema Senior High School, Zamse Senior High School, Notre Senior High School and Zuarungu Senior High School.
He stated that with Vodafone's partnership, GT was poised to become number one and a household name as the most efficient, most delightful and most liked total telecommunication service provider with cutting edge and attractive technology, products and services.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Chief of Sumbrungu, Naba Nsorbilla Amanya, said the introduction of the product in the community was timely, as it would provide the people with easy access to communication with the outside world.

UPPER EAST, FIRST IN BABY-FRIENDLY FACILITIES (PAGE 25, JANUARY 5)

The Head of the UNICEF Office in Tamale, Mrs Shaya Ibrahim Asindua, has commended the Upper East Region for being the first in Ghana to have its entire health facilities being Baby-Friendly.
"This is a very welcoming achievement considering that 17 years ago exclusive breastfeeding was almost unheard of in Ghana. This is making a tremendous difference for children's health and survival," Mrs Asindua said.
Mrs Asindua gave the commendation at the launch and designation of Baby Friendly facilities at the Tongo Health Centre in the Talensi-Nabdam District of the Upper East Region.
According to her, by this feat, Ghana was on target of achieving the Millennium Development Goal of reducing overall child mortality by two thirds by 2015, judging from the fact that while in 1993 only 15 per cent of mothers in Ghana initiated breastfeeding within an hour of birth, this had increased to 46 per cent in 2003.
The Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr John Koku Awoonor-Williams, said breastfeeding was a key priority health intervention under the GHS strategic objective of improving healthy lifestyles, regenerative health and nutrition.
He said since the introduction of the Baby Friendly Initiative in the region to facilitate exclusive breastfeeding, it had been able through the Accelerated Child Survival and Development (ACSD) programme to institutionalise exclusive breastfeeding not only as a concept but more importantly, as a way of life among majority of the target population.
He said 687 mother support groups had been formed and trained on the policy, out of which 163 were actively linking up with health facilities to ensure that the best breastfeeding practices continued in the homes of lactating mothers in the respective communities.
Dr Awoonor-Williams said sustainable public education through breastfeeding week celebrations, service delivery points both static and outreach, home visits, domiciliary deliveries and community durbars were also pursued to maximise the gains.
He praised staff of GHS, Ghana Red Cross Society, UNICEF, World Food Programme, World Vision and Catholic Relief Service for their invaluable support.
The District Chief Executive for Talensi-Nabdam, Mr Anaba K. Nabila, said the government was more committed to the welfare of women and children with the introduction of the Free Maternal Health Delivery.
He, however, noted that notwithstanding the achievements made in the health sector in the region, there were still some challenges.
According to him, as part of its programme towards effective health care delivery, the assembly had also provided residential accommodation for health workers in the district.

ECG points to GRIDCo for power outages in parts of Tema, Eastern Region(Daily Graphic, Thurdsay, March 28, 2024. Online)

  The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) has reduced its power supply to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), impacting electricity supply...